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In Honor of my Popaw, Lester Flanery.

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:00:38 GMT

My Popaw went to be with Jesus on October 15th, 2009.

His name was Lester Flanery. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, veteran of the army, a wonderful and loving soul that was always smiling and ready to "whoop" anybody at Dominoes! He and my grandmother, Peppy (Peggy Flanery) were married all my life and were so good to each other. Boy they could make you laugh with their play fussing. Peppy took good care of Popaw up through his last breath on this earth.

While home on our visit to Texas, we went by to spend some time with them, and to get some good pictures. :)

Yes I look terrible but look that the smile on his face - even his cheek bones are shining as he smiles!

I knew I could get a smile!

But I got something even more! I got a kiss on the cheek too!!!

Little did I know at this time that it would be our last time together on earth.

Popaw, Peppy & Me.

Popaw, Peppy, Me and their great grandchildren! (my babies!)

Peppy & Me. I love her very dearly like Popaw.

Peppy spoiled me growing up. I could share lots of stories!

Peppy used to make me weight watcher ice cream so often because I loved it. After church on Sundays when I went to church with them I always came back to lunch to find my favorite - a banana pudding! The preacher would always tease me as we were leaving that he was going to get there first and eat it all. He ate lunch after church there with us a lot.

Popaw and I used to play barbies all the time. He'd sit in the floor with me and it was always the same scenerio. His barbie would steal my barbie's boyfriend and our barbies would have an all out fight beating each other up! LOL! It's so funny the times we had.

Popaw and "Baby" his beloved dog! My Dad and Bonus Mom gave him the dog and he loved it very much. He was so proud of that dog while I was out there I could see it for myself. Peppy still has Baby but I bet Baby loves Peppy but I bet Baby misses Popaw!

See the pride in his eyes ... he's got his little Baby right beside him!

I wish I could see him one more time, hear his voice one more time, make one more memory with him, somehow turn back the clock.

My Dad was so incredibly good to his dad, Popaw. He spent nearly every day with him playing dominoes and such. He owns several businesses including 2? or 3? tire shops. Popaw came to one of them constantly so my Dad (loving his Daddy so much and wanting him to feel special and needed etc....) bought him a big nice coat that said, "Flanery Tire; Head of Security; Lester Flanery." He said Popaw was so proud of that and really did tell him every little thing that went on up there. I bet that made him feel so special because he didn't have to get to that point in old age where you feel you are no longer of any value and no longer needed. I treasure my Dad's heart.

Sweet Peppy and 3 of her great grands!

Popaw from his Army Days! Good lookin' Fella!

On the left is my Popaw's brother and his wife, then me, then Popaw and Peppy.

(Popaw has other siblings as well)

ALL of us that day!

I love this picture because as I was taking a picture of Sarah with Peppy, you can see Popaw has reached over to hold Sarah's hand. I love that.

This is a picture I will remember forever. I've seen it for years. This is a picture of Claude (left) and Popaw (right). They were cousins but were raised together so they were truly like brothers. Claude was a wonderful and kind man. I loved him very much. He and Popaw used to play dominoes all the time and boy! they were competitive...all in fun. I love this picture of the two of them and I hope they are in heaven enjoying Jesus and being together again!!!

People spend most of your life with you and then they are gone. It's hard, even if you know they are with Jesus. I want to be selfish and keep them here. I haven't blogged in such a long time and this is one of several reasons. I will share more but I've shared all I can handle for tonight.

Please pray for my Peppy that God will walk with her through her grieving and that she will be okay and that my family will keep hold of her and loving and spending time with her. I know my Dad and my sisters and I will. Please also pray for my Dad who I always thought was practically my Popaw's best friend. My Dad can be tough but not when it comes to family and losing someone. He has a very tender heart then. I asked him to kiss Popaw's cheek for me and he did - twice. I was so and am so grateful for that since I could not be there. My Dad also called me all during that time and I was welcomed to call him at any point and he kept me up to date on every single thing so I do have some closure because that was almost like being there, not exactly, but almost! I owe my Dad for that gift always.

Please also keep Popaw's other children, their spouses, grand kids, great grands, siblings, etc...... in your prayers as we miss him.

Popaw, you were a good man. I will see you again one day and spend paradise there and you will already be there when I make it there!

May God pour His peace over every person still hurting and sad.

We love you, Popaw.

... your grand daughter... Cassidy

Fall is coming along at our new home...

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:21:23 GMT

This is what I worked on last night during my "relax" time after doing other work.

I know it's "uneven" and it's not finished.

I pulled out everything I have that is FALL themed from the last two years.

Much of it has been given to me or come from the Dollar store..

Today I am going by the Dollar Tree to find stuff to finish off the 2nd shelf on the right.

Remember, when I showed these little polka dot pumpkins before I told you I got the idea from someone else. I can't remember who or I'd give them credit! (SORRY)

This was thrown together to "make something" to go there.

It's not the greatest but it's an okay "filler."

I hope you all are enjoying bringing some FALL into your homes!

My family has commented how much they love it!

Smiles, Cass :)

Our First night in our New Place

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:33:29 GMT

I have been so sick for the last couple of days but the movers came as scheduled and we got loaded, unloaded into the new apartment, then we sorted the bins to the appropriate rooms.

I was exhausted and weak but I was set on getting at least my kitchen done before I went to bed. The kitchen and dinner table, to me, are the heart of the home. I wanted that done first. (well, as I was also getting beds ready too!)

Plus we are trying to budget so we needed to be able to fix our meals here asap.

Well I got everything unloaded and put away then decorated.

Here's how it looks..

This is on one wall :) I love the sweet little picture and the beautiful angel came from my friend, Cathy! (Thanks Cathy!)

It says, "Friends are Angels on Earth."

Just beautiful!

The front of the fridge. Bella Grace's announcement, a "Friends" magnet and a beautiful notepad are all that's there. So fresh. (Thanks Cathy for the beautiful notepad!!)

This is the upclose of the top of the notepad.

Isn't it pretty?!? :)

The right side of my kitchen counter top area...

(adorable vintage looking sign came from Target for $2.50 in the Dollar Spot.)

(The cute recipe box was in the dollar bin at Michaels - brought all this from the other apartment, of course)

My little teacup set up. I have always loved teacups and teapots.

Plus there's the beautiful trivet from my mother in law and our picture together.

This candle was bought for $1 at Home Goods.

I got it because it matches my dinnerware.

I love the stone on it and the etched glass saying, "renew."

My canisters and a cute little Hot Chocolate goodie I got at Home Goods for $2!

Yep, I'm on a budget, got to shop cheap and only buy what I love! :)

It's vintage looking and it has a happy little lady smiling big.

It says, "Chocolate! It's like Men... the Richer the Better!" LOL

It came with a tiny chocolate grater inside and a mini whisk.

Yes, I'm going to take it out of the package but I was trying to get things done the best I could.

I'm going to frame the cardboard back because it has the same lady with the saying.

Stove top... salt & pepper shakers and my spoon rest.

My little plaque about a Mother's Love above my stove.

Love this :) it's hanging where you walk in the front door and head to the kitchen.

It greets you there...

complete right side of tiny kitchen...

complete left side of tiny kitchen...

Little wire "egg gathering" basket on top of fridge.

I'm not sure how to fix it up but I loved it.

any ideas?

Snack time!

Yummy!

The clock I made. My picture is beside Hope's only temporarily.

I have to get another picture from her! :)

This way I have 2 of each girl..

The girls bed, ready to snuggle in... but had to go grab the pillows, lol

We went cheap on everything, like we even got $1 silverware. (4 pieces for $1 and we got $8 worth) But we have learned from apartments before that buying the very cheapest dishes does not pay off. They chip so easily and break easy, especially with children.

So we didn't go all out expensive but got some more heavy duty, pretty ones.

I love the polka dot bowls. This is a picture of the box but the actual dishes have a bit more color to them. They are sage green and white.

This is what I did first thing this morning.

The table cloth is vinyl so I can easily wipe it down.

The fake flowers vase has seashells in the bottom of it that are gorgeous.

I bought this when we first moved to Florida so it's been in all of our places to live here.

(used in all different areas of the house, lol)

..and I couldn't resisit.... my Sweet Hannah Joy after her bath this afternoon. :)

Blessings, Cass

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:35:28 GMT

The day before we left I had our little Katie groomed.

The place we adopted her from gives you one half price grooming.

Since we were moving, I thought I should get that done.

So, I did... and...

Here she is!

I love the short hair because I don't feel like I'm snuggling a fur ball.

I can cuddle with her much nicer this way!

Tho they didn't cut the front on her face short enough so I've been teasing that she is my little "bobble head" doggie the last 2 days, LOL :)

A Milestone for Hannah Joy

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:31:09 GMT

Ohh she was excited as she saw her bed being moved into the big girls room!

The extra bedroom is the play room. (Madi and I want it to be her own room but Daddy says "no" for right now....) We'll see if he changes his mind, soon..

She started off wanting in the big bed so we put Sarah and Hannah in the big bed.

That gave Madi her own bed, she was pleased.

That smile didn't last long!!

Here's Madi Grace in the twin bed..

What happened? Well, Hannah's bedding matches ours in our bedroom since her bed was in our room until now. When she saw her quilt come in and be put on that bed she had a fit to get in that bed and I mean "RIGHT THEN!"

Kenny said, "this is never going to work." I reminded him it took the other girls a few days to get used to not being in Mom and Dad's room and it might for her too. But, I doubted it because she LOVES to be in with her sisters! :)

So here she is in her twin bed. Happy as a lark!

She is getting a new comforter tho so her bedding will match theirs.

I haven't had time to decorate their room yet since this was our first night here! LOL :)

I came back to check on her and she was konked out!

So were the other two precious girls!

and their movie wasn't even finished!!

Normally, it finishes and they want to restart it.

After the big move I guess they were all exhausted, I sure was.

Tho, I was busy as a bee unpacking and they were just playing! LOL! :)

A long day, none the less..

A milestone for Hannah. She woke up happy this morning and came down the hallway calling, "Mama!" in a cheerful voice. Madi Grace said she decided she actually likes the bigger bed better because it's "more comfy." So it all worked out well..

I got a good night's sleep from working my tail off getting so much unpacked so I'm glad I was so exhausted I slept because for one I've been having insomnia again and for two I thought I might not sleep without Hannah being in the room. She's been there over 3 years!

Happy Children makes me a Happy Mama! :)
Cass

Little did I know, this would be bittersweet.

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:18:39 GMT

This was our last night in our old apartment, no big deal.

I went to bed and was looking at this beautiful "baby" as she slept so peacefully.

I was tired but compelled to get up and go grab my camera.

I really didn't want to because I was tired but I just had this feeling I needed to preserve this moement. She was just so peaceful and precious looking and I couldn't resist.

Little did I know it would be bittersweet...

Hannah Joy has slept in our room since she was a tiny baby, just home from Children's Hospital. She had such a rough start in life and has been delayed in many ways.

I know it made us where we are overprotective of her.

Well, the bittersweet part is this... that was her last night to be sleeping in our room.

We had discussed that we might put Hannah in with her sisters when we moved but I said I wasn't ready... after Kenny thought about it he agreed. End of subject.

Well, last night as we unpacked and were getting moved in .. we decided to move her twin bed into their room. She loves laying with them at night until we get her out for them to go to sleep and she was so excited in their room and well, we decided we would just try it.

I went to bed with a heavy heart... yet with contentment in knowing how much Hannah was enjoying it. She watched the movie in her bed and then she went right to sleep.

I'm so glad I took that last picture of her with us that last night.

Bittersweet but a milestone in the life of my "baby."

One Very thankful Mommy :) Cass

(yes, I took pics of her in her new bed for the first night, those are coming)

Pics of where we are moving now - still Florida

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:42:35 GMT

Well, we officially got the keys today so now I can actually blog the pictures I took! :)

This is our bedroom, queen size bed, 2 night stands, and a dresser on the opposite wall.

Our Bathroom...

A few views of the living room..

Those shelves around the TV are going to be hard to decorate because Miss Hannah Joy will be more than happy to play with anything I put there. Oh me. :) LOL

Glass dinner table, leather chairs.

View of the living area from the dining room..

one side of my kitchen

the other side of my kitchen

The girls (Madi Grace & Sarah Faith) will be able to sit at the bar during home school without Hannah Joy distracting them. Yay for that!

Extra bedroom, really small. We're moving the furniture out of there and it will be a play room.

The girls bathroom..

Madi Grace & Sarah Faith's bedroom, queen size bed, night table, on opposite wall, dresser.

Great for climbing! We fell in LOVE with this tree.

We have a screened in porch we can sit on.. and it looks out to this tree.

We are going to have great fun with all the yard area (lots more now shown) to play in!

My Precious Girls :)

Love, A Thankful Mommy, Cass xoxo

Texas Visit: Quintuplet Cousins & My Girls

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:16:53 GMT

The girls LOVE their cousins and relish when they get to see them.

They are adorable! I can't believe they just turned FIVE!

Nonna and Papaw met Kenny's sister, "Aunt Darcy", and her husband, "Uncle Craig", and Uncow (Kenny's brother) all down at Sci Port.

They had so much fun, a pic nic even!!

Omni Max :)

This beautiful Aunt Darcy is on the far left. (Kenny's sis)

lol

both girls, so cute

I wish I could have been there for this!

Doesn't it look absolutely fun?!

That's a lot of grandbabies for Nonna and Papaw! :) :) :)

I simply ADORE this picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nonna, Papaw and all their grandchildren!

Leaving... cute, picture! ;)

The girls had SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!

Texas visit: Fun with Nonna & Papaw (MORE!)

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:29:04 GMT

They had a lot of time with Nonna and Papaw while they were home but I'm tellin' ya' that they made use of every moment making memories and having fun with the girls!!!

Their BEAUTIFUL HOME THEY DESIGNED AND BUILT THEMSELVES!!!!!!

Nonna is being a trooper out there with the girls!

GO NONNA! :)

Hannah Joy driving, scary thought! LOL!

Madi Grace is enjoying the scooter that was Hope's when she was younger!

LOVE THIS ONE!

I'm not sure which one is having more fun here!?!

.....and now we have UNCOW with us!!!!!!.....

Slip-n-Slide at Nonna & Papaw's

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:52:11 GMT

They had a TON of fun with the slip-n-slide.

Uncow is such a trooper with the girls!!!!

They adore him!