Next week's roll call question will be coming to you from our own Aunt Sandra. Well, she's my own Aunt Sandra. She may be your mom, or your Grandma, or your mother-in-law. All the same, she's bringing the next question, so get your thinking caps on.
Just to clarify the answering of the roll call questions:
-Do use a new post to answer the questions. Feel free to leave others comments about their posts, but answer the question yourself with a new post.
-Also, re-post the question of the week in your title so that everyone can readily see what the question of the week is.
Now, get off your keisters and get to work! There's a lot of us on here, but we could have more. Get your family involved. I know our family can make a lot more noise than this!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
I will always APPRICIATE Bonnie (the most wonderful mother-in-law ever) for how encouraging and positive she always was to me. Jack and I married so young and I know that had to give her cause for concern.
She never complained about her life of pain even on her worst days.
Memories......there are so many good ones.
One of my favorite MEMORIES of Bonnie was how she could make the best and even joke about any situation she found herself in. Like the time we were called to come to Lubbock because she was having to undergo yet another surgery that they didn't think she could make it through (she had just had a surgery a week or two before). We got there just as the nurse was getting ready to take her into surgery. We said our good-bys and went to wait in the waiting room. Art & Blanche Beck (they were living with Jimmie & Bonnie while going through Sunset School of Preaching) were there along with the family. Bonnie came through the surgery fine, however she didn't think she was going to and she told us later that when she was waking up she thought to herself "surely heaven doesn't smell like a hospital". When we could visit her Blanche told her that we were all in the waiting room praying for her to make it through surgery. Bonnie said that from now on we all needed to be on the same page with our prayers because she had been praying that she would go ahead and go "home".
My most PRECIOUS time with her was when she was in the hospital and Sandra and I would take turns staying a week at a time with her. It was my honor to help her at that time and just be there with her when she needed something. We talked about a lot of things and that was just a very special time to be able to tell her how much I loved and appriciated her for all that she meant to me.
She never complained about her life of pain even on her worst days.
Memories......there are so many good ones.
One of my favorite MEMORIES of Bonnie was how she could make the best and even joke about any situation she found herself in. Like the time we were called to come to Lubbock because she was having to undergo yet another surgery that they didn't think she could make it through (she had just had a surgery a week or two before). We got there just as the nurse was getting ready to take her into surgery. We said our good-bys and went to wait in the waiting room. Art & Blanche Beck (they were living with Jimmie & Bonnie while going through Sunset School of Preaching) were there along with the family. Bonnie came through the surgery fine, however she didn't think she was going to and she told us later that when she was waking up she thought to herself "surely heaven doesn't smell like a hospital". When we could visit her Blanche told her that we were all in the waiting room praying for her to make it through surgery. Bonnie said that from now on we all needed to be on the same page with our prayers because she had been praying that she would go ahead and go "home".
My most PRECIOUS time with her was when she was in the hospital and Sandra and I would take turns staying a week at a time with her. It was my honor to help her at that time and just be there with her when she needed something. We talked about a lot of things and that was just a very special time to be able to tell her how much I loved and appriciated her for all that she meant to me.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
I was sitting here thinking of other awesome memories I have of grandma and grandpa. I think the thing that comes to mind over and over is how loving and gracious they were.
My halo was misplaced somewhere around the age of 12. I gave my parents a heavy helping of grief. For those of you that are shocked, I also became really great at wearing masks. As I grew into my teenage years my rebellion and crazy stunts only escalated. I honestly thought that I had everyone of the extended family fooled. In all reality mom and dad were reaching out to grandma and grandpa (which may be one of the reasons I am still alive).
When we moved back to Lubbock, grandma was in the hospital. I spent quite a bit of time up there just talking to her. Her stories were memorizing. I think I could listen to her for hours at a time. One night she asked me to stay the night with her. I agreed. That night she told me that she knew of the choices I had made. She told me that even though they didn't make her happy, she still loved me. She told me that she thought I was a beautiful young lady and she knew God had great plans for me. She told me that she loved me not only because I was her granddaughter, but because I was a child of the God she loved so much. I remember that day just like it was yesterday. That night she taught me of forgiveness and grace. She taught me that my past was my past and with Christ's blood, it is as far as the east is from the west.
After Mariah died, I often thought of how grandma must be up in heaven, free from pain or stiffness, rocking my sweet baby to sleep.
My halo was misplaced somewhere around the age of 12. I gave my parents a heavy helping of grief. For those of you that are shocked, I also became really great at wearing masks. As I grew into my teenage years my rebellion and crazy stunts only escalated. I honestly thought that I had everyone of the extended family fooled. In all reality mom and dad were reaching out to grandma and grandpa (which may be one of the reasons I am still alive).
When we moved back to Lubbock, grandma was in the hospital. I spent quite a bit of time up there just talking to her. Her stories were memorizing. I think I could listen to her for hours at a time. One night she asked me to stay the night with her. I agreed. That night she told me that she knew of the choices I had made. She told me that even though they didn't make her happy, she still loved me. She told me that she thought I was a beautiful young lady and she knew God had great plans for me. She told me that she loved me not only because I was her granddaughter, but because I was a child of the God she loved so much. I remember that day just like it was yesterday. That night she taught me of forgiveness and grace. She taught me that my past was my past and with Christ's blood, it is as far as the east is from the west.
After Mariah died, I often thought of how grandma must be up in heaven, free from pain or stiffness, rocking my sweet baby to sleep.
Memories
I have too many memories to pick a favorite, but I doubt if I ever forget the day Grandpa asked me to put the sprinkler on the North/West side of his front yard. If you know me well, then you know that I only just recently got left/right down, start giving me directions that belong on a compass and I just blink. If you knew Grandpa very well, you knew not to ask for clarifications because he would also just blink.
I tried, oh how I tried. I thought really hard about where the sun rose in relation to their house and I tried to remember if the cowboy rode to the sun setting in the east or west. I'm not going to explain that, it made sense to me.
After the grass in the far South/East portion of their lawn had received a good soaking, Grandpa went out to check my work. He had no idea the time I spent trying to figure out his orders. He seemed surprised that a ten year old can make it that far in school and not know directions. That was the day he decided I could help sweep the porch and he would handle yard watering strategy.
I tried, oh how I tried. I thought really hard about where the sun rose in relation to their house and I tried to remember if the cowboy rode to the sun setting in the east or west. I'm not going to explain that, it made sense to me.
After the grass in the far South/East portion of their lawn had received a good soaking, Grandpa went out to check my work. He had no idea the time I spent trying to figure out his orders. He seemed surprised that a ten year old can make it that far in school and not know directions. That was the day he decided I could help sweep the porch and he would handle yard watering strategy.
My Funny Father
One of my favorite dad (Among Many) funny memories but at the time was the most horrifying. As a young school-girl I worked very hard at being a wall flower. I never wanted the spotlight shining on me because most usually anytime I experienced “center of attention” it was not a very pleasant time. So my whole goal was to try to fly under the radar as much as possible. Having a dad like mine made this quite difficult. You never knew what he might try, do or say but one thing for sure whatever it was it would take you by surprise. He even surprised himself at times.
We lived across the street from a park and my journey home from school would take me through the park. This meant that you could see our house for three or four blocks before you were actually got there. I was horrified one day as I was walking home from school and saw my father vacuuming our yard. It was his version of a Kirby leaf blower…
We lived across the street from a park and my journey home from school would take me through the park. This meant that you could see our house for three or four blocks before you were actually got there. I was horrified one day as I was walking home from school and saw my father vacuuming our yard. It was his version of a Kirby leaf blower…
My favorite memory
My favorite memory of Jimmy's sense of humor was when he said he wanted all his sister-in-laws to be his pallbearers. He loved to hear his family sing so we all went down to record some of the worst "non-professional" hymns ever recorded in a professional recording studio. But it was music to his ears. He said he wanted all singing at his funeral then have the preacher get up and say "He was a sorry SOB. Now turn to page 728B in your hymn books.
For you young whipper snappers, women pallbearers were unheard of then, not to mention if you doubled the number of his sister-in-laws they could not have pulled the task off. Page 728B was a supplement page that was glued into the back of the church songbook that Jimmie loved.
Jimmie knew he was a sinner but he did discover that he could not out sin the love and grace of God. Definitely a message for us all.
For you young whipper snappers, women pallbearers were unheard of then, not to mention if you doubled the number of his sister-in-laws they could not have pulled the task off. Page 728B was a supplement page that was glued into the back of the church songbook that Jimmie loved.
Jimmie knew he was a sinner but he did discover that he could not out sin the love and grace of God. Definitely a message for us all.
Saturday Roll Call..or whatever Amy calls it!
I almost forgot that I am supposed to do the Saturday thingy on here....I need lots of reminders.
So here's my discussion starter....
What is your favorite Grandma/Grandpa Cummings memory?
You are twisting my arm so I guess I will be the one to start.
I love, no wait I LOVE grandma's rolls. As a matter of fact if anyone has that recipe, I'd love to make an attempt at making them. One day I begged grandma to make rolls and being the sweet soul that she was, she agreed. As she was trying to teach me the fine art of roll making the phone rang a half a dozen times; I decided we needed music and turned her little black radio that sat on the kitchen counter to MY favorite radio station; we got half way through the recipe and realized we were missing an ingredient and had to make substitutions. Three hours or so later grandma and I had made 2 dozen of the most delicious rocks known to man. We thought they had doubled in size when we let them rise...apparently it was double in hardness. We laughed as we shot them into the trashcan like little basketballs. The sound of them hitting the bottom of the trashcan still rings in my ears.
Now, what's your favorite memory??
PS Damon leaves on deployment at 4:30 AM tomorrow...keep him (and us) in your prayers!
So here's my discussion starter....
What is your favorite Grandma/Grandpa Cummings memory?
You are twisting my arm so I guess I will be the one to start.
I love, no wait I LOVE grandma's rolls. As a matter of fact if anyone has that recipe, I'd love to make an attempt at making them. One day I begged grandma to make rolls and being the sweet soul that she was, she agreed. As she was trying to teach me the fine art of roll making the phone rang a half a dozen times; I decided we needed music and turned her little black radio that sat on the kitchen counter to MY favorite radio station; we got half way through the recipe and realized we were missing an ingredient and had to make substitutions. Three hours or so later grandma and I had made 2 dozen of the most delicious rocks known to man. We thought they had doubled in size when we let them rise...apparently it was double in hardness. We laughed as we shot them into the trashcan like little basketballs. The sound of them hitting the bottom of the trashcan still rings in my ears.
Now, what's your favorite memory??
PS Damon leaves on deployment at 4:30 AM tomorrow...keep him (and us) in your prayers!
Friday, January 19, 2007
First Official Saturday Roll Call
Okay kids, here it is. Our first official assignment. This week we are going to talk about getting old. How do you feel about aging? Everybody does it, some with more grace and some with complete denial. How are you doing?
*edit*
I just decided that we will all share the responsibilities of the Saturday Roll Call. Next week's roll call question will be brought to you by Gina.
*edit*
I just decided that we will all share the responsibilities of the Saturday Roll Call. Next week's roll call question will be brought to you by Gina.
I made it!!!!!
Hello everyone I'm here! Hello? Hello? is any one here?.. I am so glad to have made it!!! i have never blogged before and look at me.. I think I have entered into the next century after all. Who would have ever thunk it!!!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fence Post
Well, not really frequently, or even really asked; I just thought I might pre-empt any questions.
Is this really free?
Yes. Unless you stole your neighbor's computer and are currently pirating his DSL. In that case, it is not only not free, you are officially disqualified from the cookie offer.
If I put my name on here, will I get my identity stolen and my credit ruined by unscrupulous web criminals?
No. But to be sure, avoid posting your address, SS#, military ID#, phone number, or any other details that might make you a "mark"(a little cyber criminal lingo I picked up on Dateline).
Can anyone join the Cummings' Family Fence Post?
No. We are an exclusive club formed solely by those who have the good fortune of being born into, or married into, the Cummings Family. Wannabes can wistfully comment, but only a true family member can post. (I'm sorry, I was kind of a nerd in high school and I always wanted to be in a clique. Lesson One is that cliques have to be brutal for street credit.)
I'm a family member, how can I join?
Send an e-mail to ericswifeAThotmailDOTcom with the e-mail address that you regularly use. You will be sent an invite to be an author on this blog.
I'm not very interesting and I don't think I have anything to offer. What would I write about?
Don't worry! I'm not the kind of girl to invite you to a party and not tell you what to wear. Check in ever so often and I will post topics and such to keep the ball rolling. And besides that, if CBS's Sunday morning news program has taught us anything, it's that everybody has a story.
What's a "Saturday Roll Call"?
Every Saturday a question will be posed and all family members are encouraged to post a response in an effort to get us all better involved with each other.
Do you really intend to make cookies for all family members who take part in the blog and attend the reunion?
Yes. But you will have to share. I'm no Martha Stewart.
Is this really free?
Yes. Unless you stole your neighbor's computer and are currently pirating his DSL. In that case, it is not only not free, you are officially disqualified from the cookie offer.
If I put my name on here, will I get my identity stolen and my credit ruined by unscrupulous web criminals?
No. But to be sure, avoid posting your address, SS#, military ID#, phone number, or any other details that might make you a "mark"(a little cyber criminal lingo I picked up on Dateline).
Can anyone join the Cummings' Family Fence Post?
No. We are an exclusive club formed solely by those who have the good fortune of being born into, or married into, the Cummings Family. Wannabes can wistfully comment, but only a true family member can post. (I'm sorry, I was kind of a nerd in high school and I always wanted to be in a clique. Lesson One is that cliques have to be brutal for street credit.)
I'm a family member, how can I join?
Send an e-mail to ericswifeAThotmailDOTcom with the e-mail address that you regularly use. You will be sent an invite to be an author on this blog.
I'm not very interesting and I don't think I have anything to offer. What would I write about?
Don't worry! I'm not the kind of girl to invite you to a party and not tell you what to wear. Check in ever so often and I will post topics and such to keep the ball rolling. And besides that, if CBS's Sunday morning news program has taught us anything, it's that everybody has a story.
What's a "Saturday Roll Call"?
Every Saturday a question will be posed and all family members are encouraged to post a response in an effort to get us all better involved with each other.
Do you really intend to make cookies for all family members who take part in the blog and attend the reunion?
Yes. But you will have to share. I'm no Martha Stewart.
The Cummings' Family Fence Post
I remember hearing Grandma and her siblings talk about all their memories of growing up together and then of growing old together. They were a part of each other's lives through all the stages of childhood, marriage, parenting, empty nest syndrome, and retirement. I was staying with Grandma and Grandpa one night when Aunt Juanita came in dressed for a country/western hoe down. She just stopped by to chat and check in. I hoped that some day I would find myself aging with my family like that.
Years have passed and we have most all moved beyond the borders of West Texas. We don't have fence posts to chat over anymore and we only hear brief reports from each camp about what is going on. You may know that Uncle Lee lives in Oklahoma, but do you know what his favorite breakfast food is? And who in our family knows exactly what it is he does for Xerox?
Let's hear it for the internet, for it has returned us to the fence post. I hope we can all take advantage of this bit of modern technology to get back to what is simple: keeping up with family.
Years have passed and we have most all moved beyond the borders of West Texas. We don't have fence posts to chat over anymore and we only hear brief reports from each camp about what is going on. You may know that Uncle Lee lives in Oklahoma, but do you know what his favorite breakfast food is? And who in our family knows exactly what it is he does for Xerox?
Let's hear it for the internet, for it has returned us to the fence post. I hope we can all take advantage of this bit of modern technology to get back to what is simple: keeping up with family.
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