I want to be Pioneer Woman! 
(click to visit her blog)

She is funny.

She can cook.

  She even published a cook book.

She takes wonderful photographs.

She has an amazing blog.

She lives on a beautiful ranch.

She gets LOTS of comments.

She is funny.

She can write about simple, every day occurrences and make you laugh.

Her real name is Ree Drummond. She calls herself Pioneer Woman and sometimes even PW, for short.  She is married to Marlboro Man, a real cowboy, and they live on a beautiful ranch in Oklahoma.

If you have never been to her blog, you will find it entertaining and fun.  

The Confessions tab is my favorite part since she does her writing there, but of course her cooking section is quite tempting, too, and the photography folder has beautiful photos and tips to help you take your own great pictures. 

I've been thinking about what I could call myself.

How does "Farmer Girl" sound?
 (OK, I am not really a farmer.  Those days are past.)

How about "Hockey Mom"?

(Does anyone at our house really need to be a hockey player?  We do live near a hockey arena.)

Or....
I could be "Patty Pilot".  I've flown a few times (but only as a passenger).

What do you think about "Survival Sally"?  I'm sure I could give some good tips on coping with
motherly challenges, fashion flubs, or teacher stress.

I

I just don't know.

Somehow, just signing my blog with my simple name leaves me unsatisfied.
Help!

♥

?

P.S.  I had a little too much fun with this link.
PhotoFunia

P.P.S.  I hope you don't mind that my photos are a little  dated.  I just couldn't find any current ones without double chins or wrinkles!

Like father-like son.....?

I love this cute face!

Isn't it funny how fast you can fall in love?

Now all I need to do is time my visits for when he is awake!

Do you think he looks like his Daddy?

I thought I'd compare them side by side (and omit the faded color of Andrew's picture).

 

What do you think?

I need to get a baby picture of Irene, but I think he is a nice mixture.

XOXOXOXO,

Grandma

The roses return....

We've had a cool, wet spring this year. 

Often, it seemed like no spring-just a prolonged winter,
but the flowers didn't seem to mind.
Isn't it nice to know that nature performs her miracles-without fail-and despite our own lack of effort?

I have enjoyed this time of year!  The roses seemed more beautiful than ever.

The song, The Rose,  is performed by Bette Midler. (I know, it's a cheesy idea, but the song is beautiful!)
Kick off your shoes, grab a sandwich, and relax for a few minutes.
You deserve a break!
Have a great day!

♥

All grown up and off to Rocky Point...

Michelle and Katie are off on an adventure.

To this place.

 (map and the following 3 photos from Google.com)

Puerto Penasco, Mexico

They traded time off from work to look at things like this...

this...

and this.

They went with my sister and her family.

Yes, I am jealous!
(But excited for all of them!)

Seems like just yesterday Michelle and Katie looked like this...

(That's Michelle on the right.)

and this....

(Katie and Robbie)


I hope they have a great time!
I  can't  wait  to  hear  all about  it! 


P.S.   Michelle and Katie, I am not trying to get even-I think these pictures are cute!
Really!

♥

Baby's home!

He's home and he's thriving!

Today we made a small dent in the million baby pictures I promised,

that is, 

until Joshua decided he was hungry.

♥

 

My week as a full time grandma.....

Maddie and Brooklyn are spending the week at our house.
(Their mom is at girls' camp.)
We are having a great time!
I've discovered some things this week as we have taken care of them.
I thought I'd share.

1.  I have not been able to complete any job before the next one starts.

(I'd forgotten how hard it is to "multitask".)

2.  Toys are a wonderful invention and a wonderful curse. 

(They provide a lot of entertainment-but are seldom picked up for very long.)
3.  Don't forget to lock the bathroom door.  If someone wants to come in-they will.
4.  "Light Bright" is a babysitter's dream (provided that it is not in the same room as a crawling baby).  Maddie spent hours today putting the little light bulbs in and making designs.  She didn't even want to stop for dinner.
5.  Holding a sleeping baby is a good excuse to take a nap.
6.  A child's prayers are sweet, but honest.  Maddie's "please bless" list not only included  mommy, daddy, Maddie, and Brooklyn, but also Shopko.

7.  Sticky hugs and kisses are worth washing up after.

8.  It's o.k. to go all day without combing your hair.

9.  A two year old is perfectly capable of being a helpful big sister in the middle of the night.

10.  Children bring a lot of love to a family!

♥
JoAnn

Welcome to the world....

Meet our new grandson, Joshua Andrew Clegg! 

Yesterday, after a very long (20 hours) labor, little Joshua entered our lives.  He weighed in 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 22 inches long.  He was in a little distress due to his long and tough entrance into the world, so he was whisked off to the NICU nursery, where he was given special care and put on oxygen.  He is doing much better and so are his parents, Andrew and Irene.  Irene was a real trouper and kept on working the whole time.  (And she never complained!)  It was a long, nerve wracking day for those of us waiting.  We kept thinking the event was almost here and then we waited and waited and waited some more.  What a relief to see his mom and dad being able to hold him today.  I will soon be posting about a million new photos of him.  Stay tuned!

♥

JoAnn