Halloween Fun - Trunk or Treat

This Halloween was our first "Trunk or Treat" in the parking lot of the church building. Fun was had by all! Even Lucy, Jasper, and Simon got into the spirit of things. Jasper loved showing everyone what a "Super Dog" he is. Lucy had to be coaxed to stay out of the car because she was embarrassed to be "Bat Dog". I guess she wanted to be "Bat Girl". Simon didn't have a costume, so he was just his lovable self. Enjoy the pictures!

Pictures from our trip to visit Ryan and Gloria

Ryan, Gloria, me and Randy at one of the falls on Mt. Rainier. Very funny story about this picture. Randy had the camera and using lots of sign language and pointing "asked" an oriental man to take our family's picture. The guy took the camera and said "oh, ok!"

I thought this was a nice picture at the beach. Notice the silhouette of the seagull.

My favorite soldier!

Ryan and Gloria on the trail on the mountain. Ryan is "posing" for the camera!

I have discovered that when I load a picture it always goes to the top of the posting. Is there a way I can load the pictures in order? Anyway, this is my favorite picture from the aquarium. Gloria, my picture of the octopus is not a good as yours, it turned out dark.

Ryan and Gloria buying fish from the fiendish, screaming fish mongers at the market place.

Reece the "shotgun" exhibitionist

Reece was watching the history channel at our house a couple of weeks ago and he got this idea from a famous gun exhibitionist. I think his name was Hugh Parsons and he was awesome at his sport. Reece was inspired so he took his shotgun to the front yard and kept practicing throwing up clay targets and trying to shoot them before they fell to the ground. I think Hugh Parsons could shoot 7 or 8 before they hit the ground, but Reece only has 3 shots so that was what he practiced. He finally got it and I got it on video. Forgive me that you have to watch this video sideways, I don't know what I was thinking when I filmed it.

Labor Day Weekend

Friday night Randy and I left for Bay Creek to camp for only one night. It was a lot of work for one night, but it was the first time we had camped since Missouri in June. Vana called right before we left and told us they might be later getting there because Danny had a fire call. Luckily, the fire was small and contained to a corn field that had already be combined. They got there about 9:00 and camped right beside us. I had the potatoes baked and put the chicken on the grill as they were unloading. We had a nice campfire and even though the campground was almost full it was a very quiet night. Saturday morning we got up and after breakfast decided we would ride to soldier's grave. I started out on Fancy but she was excited and I lost my nerve and Randy and I swapped horses after only a short distance. I didn't want to be a baby but I wanted to enjoy the ride and talk to Vana and not deal with a cranky horse. Of course, after Randy got on her she was perfect! I have included a picture of soldier's grave. The name and information on the stone is John C.B. Ramsey, Co. A, 17th Ky Inf. I do wish I knew the history behind the grave. Someone occasionally decorates the grave site. There is evidence around the site that it was once enclosed with an American wire fence.

Today was our annual family reunion. There were approximately 54 people at the civic center to eat and visit together. That number is not as many as we usually have. It is harder for us to get together like we once did. Someone had on a t-shirt that we had printed several years ago and it said "Benifield Family Reunion 1975-1999." I am pretty sure we had our reunions on 4th of July before 1975 and of course we've had one every year since 1999 except the year Grandmother died. She died September 2, 2003, the day after Labor Day. No one felt like celebrating anything that year.
As usual, there was lots of good food. I took roast beef and pepper gravy, corn, iced tea, and homemade strawberry ice cream. We also had pineapple ice cream (Vana) and butterpecan ice cream (Reva). We laughed, talked and gossiped for a few hours after dinner. Not like in the olden days when we played volleyball all afternoon.

Pampered Chef Party

Last night I went to Debbie B.'s Pampered Chef party. I don't usually "do" sales parties. Usually regrets are given and I buy something from the hostess to ease my conscience, but Debbie is so sweet I could not tell her no. Actually I HAD told her no, but she lured me with the promise of a mocha skillet cake with a coffee ganache, chicken nachos and virgin margaritas. Who could resist that invitation? I had to rely on my memory of how to get to her house because I had left my invitation stuck to my refrigerator door. I found the road easy enough but when it came to the house number I was without a clue. I knew it was on the left. Finally I saw a driveway full of cars. Some of the cars I even recognized as belonging to people we know. I pulled in, careful to be the last one in the driveway so I could make a quick escape if I became overwhelmed with too much fun. The basement garage door was open making it easier for late arriving guests. I proceeded up the stairs and with a you-who opened the door at the top of the stairs and walked in. Greeting me were about six surprised faces, all of them strangers! I said, "Is this the party?" They just looked at me like I was a crazy bag lady or something! I finally apologized and told them I must be in the wrong house. I high tailed it out the front door. Phooey on superstition, I went out the first door I saw! I got in my car, breathed a big sigh of relief, thanked my lucky stars and drove a little farther down the street. A few doors down Kerry was at the end of the correct driveway, sitting in his Ranger waiting to greet guests and show them where to park on the cul-de-sac. He followed me and brought me back to the house. We all had a big laugh about what had happened to me. Myra said that something like that could only happen to me. I don't know, I highly doubt I'm the only one to ever go into a stranger's house and ask for a party! We had a lot of fun and I wasn't even the first to leave!

I have talked Randy into getting a high speed DSL! I will save my pictures to post till then. It takes a tremendous amount of time to download pictures to this site using dial-up. I already have a cute video of Reece shooting his shootgun at some clay targets he has thrown up in the air. He was inspired by a show he saw on the History channel about Hugh Parsons, the great shooting exhibitionist.

Saturday morning

I got up this morning determined to figure out how to add a picture to my blog. I did it! But I have decided that we MUST get DSL, it takes too long using dial-up. Randy is mowing the pasture this morning. All he is mowing are weeds because all the grass is dead. It is cooler this morning and it is only supposed to get into the 90's. It is supposed to rain later this afternoon. I hope so. We are grilling steaks and chicken for a birthday supper for Granddaddy Rex. I have made a coconut pie. Reece is supposed to come home for supper, he doesn't have to work tonight. I need to go now and put the meringue on the pie. I just got off the phone with BaBa and we had a good laugh or two. Talk more later.

My First Blog Message

I think this is going to be fun! Gloria, you have been an inspiration to me in yet another way.
I have now joined the ranks of many mothers before me, those who are experiencing an empty nest. After a lifetime of apple juice, little league, car pools, pony club and 4H, our children are grown. Of course they have really been grown for some time now, I just didn't admit it. But since Gloria and Ryan have moved out West there is no denying it any longer. Yes, Ryan has been on his own for several years now, but while he lived in Kentucky it seemed he still was "in the nest". Even after he and Gloria married three years ago, we didn't lose Ryan, we gained Gloria. What an important part of our lives she has become. She truly has become my daughter. All mothers in law should as blessed as I have been.
Reece has been in his apartment almost a year now and has become a very independent college man. We are thankful that he lives fairly close and comes home often. He especially likes to come home for Sunday dinner.
Even though we miss the antics of the boys, Randy and I are learning how nice it is to have the house to ourselves again. We have lots of company with our dogs, cats, horses and oh yes the adopted snake, Belinda. Belinda couldn't move to Washington with Ryan and Gloria because she was not welcome on the base of Ft. Lewis where they are living. So we are learning about snake care. I am getting rather fond of that snake and I check on her frequently in the afternoons and evenings. I may take her to school with me and share her with my class. I am pretty sure they will enjoy getting to know her like I have. Even though she is now living with us, she is a small responsibility.Thank goodness Libby and Dax, our grandpups, were not only welcome but are very happy in that much cooler climate. As much as we love them, two high energy huskies are a lot of work. They are great fun when they go horse back riding with us in Illinois, but trying to keep them satisfied in the back yard the other six days a week is almost impossible. Gloria this is where I wanted to add a picture, but I need a little help. We'll talk and I'll get the hang of it!