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Edenton

Points of interest for the weekend in Edenton.

Edenton's Christmas parade Saturday, 11:00. Candlelight Tour of Historic Edenton is Friday and Saturday night 4pm-8pm. Self guided tour of 10 local historic home decorated beautifully for the season. Tickets $20. ea. Local business, coffee house, etc open late to accomidate. Can just walk the streets for the seasonal fun with out touring the inside of the homes. Men babysit in later afternoon while women take an hour or two off...what do you think????

Update on Christmas Meal!
Saturday, December 11. DON'T FORGET YOUR INSTRUMENTS EVEN IF YOU ONLY PLAY THE SPOONS!

Meal: Covered Dish @ 2pm

I'm preparing Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Salad, Mama's baked corn bread, and a dessert.

Margaret is bringing sweet potatoes, cranberry salad and a dessert.

Hannah is bringing green bean casserole, a dessert and 2 soft drinks.

Christie will bring butter beans and corn, and rolls.

Dad will bring collards.

Lol will bring broccoli salad & a dessert.

Chris B. will bring rolls.

Joyce says she can cook a country ham and a sugar cured ham, potato salad, & maybe deviled eggs.

Cathy is bringing an appetizer, a pumpkin pie and a peanut butter pie.

There are 14 diet Pepsi, 3 Pepsi, 1 orange & 10 Mt. Dew cans of soft drinks left from dad's birthday party

Gifts: My suggestion is "No gifts except to children under 18"

Music: If you play an instrument, please bring it for caroling.

Later, if you email me what your contribution to the meal will be, I'll edit and add it to this entry.

HoHo!

Thanksgiving weekend - Joan's birthday

I forgot something in my last post. On Saturday, we also had a nice surprise. Christie came by Saturday afternoon and spent a few hours with us while we watched the VA Tech/Virginia game and then there was more football, but mostly we talked.
Saturday night, we had eaten enough leftovers and decided to out to dinner. On Sunday morning, Chris went to church with us before leaving around 2 to go back to Macon. I think most know that the rest of his family had gone to Orlando - Universal Studio with Beverly, Michelle's mother. When he decided to go, he was unable to get leave.

Tomorrow is Joan's birthday. Hope it is great!

THANKSGIVING

Like Bertha, we enjoyed our Thanksgiving also. As most of you know, our dinner (midday) was with Gene, Chris and I. We had turkey and all the trimmings. Chris said that he was misable because he ate so much. At the table, he said he could not remember another holiday when it had been so quiet around here. My response was "Thankfully". Then I explained, not thankfully that it was so quiet, but that thankfully than most of the time, there was more activity around. Later in the afternoon, after my short nap, we went over to Cecils (not so quiet-about 24 people and several children) for dessert. We enjoyed visiting with her family and her sisters were glad to get to meet Chris.
We also enjoyed our day on Friday. We met Dad, Joan, Bill, Nancy, BJ, Emma, Chris and his girl friend for lunch in Edenton. After lunch Chris and I went by Mama and Papa Layton's house and he took a picture, then to the Layton family cemetary. There was one stone that I did not who it was, but he has a copy of Ima Jean's book and he knew. On to the other side of the family. We stopped by Christies who was not home, but saw Cory for a few minutes. Then took a picture of the house that I grew up in. Next the Byrum family cemetary. Then he took a picture of the house at Center Hill, which of course is where he has memories.
We then stopped in Elizabeth City and saw Mr. Belvin for a few minutes. He was having dinner and enjoyed our stopping by. His memory is not great, but you still see his humor at times. I asked him when he was coming to Norfolk to see us. He thought for a minute and then said soon and we all laughed. He has it together enough to know that I was joking and that his answer was according.
Looking forward to seeing everyone of the 11th.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was very nice with the Blanchard's this year. All seemed to be grateful to be with each other and remembered Granddaddy in his absence. It wasn't a sad absence, but a grateful feeling for our memories of him at so many Thanksgivings before. We all left with warm feelings. Ben was missed, but called Nan during the day which lifted her spirits. He left Wednesday night for NY to be with church associated friends. Clay and Alex have bonded and do their best to hide from Ibby (Elizabeth) which is two years younger. Amber enjoys the newest addition to the family, Eric, who will be one in December. The Jones' met for lunch which the daughter-in-laws prepared. Hannah was proud of her first dressing. They joined us for dinner @ Diane's as we always eat after 5:00.

I, too am grateful for all the members of the Byrum family and look forward to seeing you ALL in two weeks.

Byrum Christmas

You are invited to join the Byrum Christmas gathering at my house on Saturday, December 11.

Meal: Covered Dish @ 2pm
I'm preparing Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Salad, Mama's baked corn bread, and a dessert.

Margaret is bringing sweet potatoes, cranberry salad and a dessert.

Hannah is bringing green bean casserole, a dessert and 2 soft drinks.

Christie will bring butter beans and corn, and rolls.

Dad will bring collards.

Lol will bring broccoli salad & a dessert.

Chris B. will bring rolls.

Joyce says she can cook a country ham and a sugar cured ham, potato salad, & maybe deviled eggs.

Other suggestions from me would be: or you can bring anything you'd like.

There are 14 diet Pepsi, 3 Pepsi, 1 orange & 10 Mt. Dew cans of soft drinks left from dad's birthday party

Gifts: My suggestion is "No gifts except to children under 18"

Music: If you play an instrument, please bring it for caroling.

Later, if you email me what your contribution to the meal will be, I'll edit and add it to this entry.

HoHo!

Saturday at Bertha

I just spoke with Bertha. She asked me to put on the blog. People can bring containers to take food home in or as Cecil calls them Chinese tupperware. Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

Bertha's birthday

Happy Birthday to my sister Bertha!!!!! Stop working for Saturday and enjoy YOUR day.

Outside

We plan to eat outside on Saturday. Weather report is sunny with a high of 67 degrees so dress accordingly.

Dad's Birthday Photos

Ben has agreed to do the slide show of pictures of Dad. Anyone who has photos that you'd like included email to Ben at 0425ben@gmail.com. Do it sooner rather than later.

Cecil Bud's party

Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Please consider helping with the following:

~ bringing extra veggies that children like to eat
I will have stewed potatoes & slaw
Hannah is bringing a raw veggie tray
Margaret is bringing a salad

~being at my house earlier enough to help set up everything

~bringing drinks of your choice. I will have tea & coffee.

~bringing rolls in the event that some don't like hushpuppies

~bringing outside activities for kids to play; I have a goal, but not basketball

~pray God sends nice weather

Dad's Birthday celebration

HELP!! Is there anyone with the know-how and the time to put together a slide presentation of pictures of Dad for next weekend, if we all email our pictures to you?

Also, be thinking about a memory of Dad that you would like to share with everyone.

Sad Day in Raleigh

Loved that Va Tech vs. NC State game yesterday!

cake

Food and Cake have been ordered. Banner had been made. Now to get the blown down tree out of my yard! Looking forward to seeing you all on the 16th by 11:00ish!

Granddaddy

Since everyone is posting on Granddaddy, I thought I'd add a grandchild's perspective. I'd love to see my cousins' stories too.
My memories of our visits were mostly down on the farm. We'd drop Howie off at the edge of the woods with the .22 rifle and I'd ride around the farm with Granddaddy and feed the animals. The back seat floor and bed of the truck always had all kinds of junk in it; it was definitely a work truck. I remember going out to the pump and Granddaddy getting a bucket of water. Then he'd pour the water down one of the rat holes in the pig area and Howie would shoot the rats as they came running out of the other holes. I also remember playing the goats and even trying to ride the male goat. As much as I hear told about my bareback hog rides, I really don't remember them.
I do remember one spring or summer going with Granddaddy to pick up some pigs. We got a handful of adults and a few piglets. One pig had gotten his head stuck in between a couple of boards and made such a horrible sounds. I ran all the way up the dirt drive to the road. Howie came out later and got me. I remember my cousins and I getting in the trailer and playing with the piglets later on in the day.
I'm surprised noone said anything about hog slaughtering days. We used to go out and lasso the hogs, but weren't allowed to lasso them on the day before because the adults didn't want us spooking them. Does anyone else remember playing with the bladders with pike sticks? Hahaha
How about shelling peas or snapping beans and watching Hee Haw?

Mom and Dad

I know I'm a little late posting on this one, but what the heck.

My Dad was VP of Sales at Seaboard Memorials Monuments. Yep, he sold tomb stones. I remember some times going in on a Saturday with him and watching cartoons while he did a little extra work and eating green, mint hard candies. Their sandblaster, "Hawk", used to let me set up the letters and make my own stencils. I remember the summer that they built the new shop and Dad coming home exhausted, usually wearing a sleeveless shirt and then having a PBR. He used to let me have a sip every now and then. I even worked there the summer I was 15, doing grounds work.

Mom has always been a secretary/administrative assistant of some kind. My earliest memory of Mom working was doing part time work for Mr. Ed Carrier, my soccer coach. Some times she'd bring home a bunch of letters for me help stamp, etc. She paid me to help out.
Mom also worked at (still works at) The Lincoln-Lane Foundation, where they give scholarships for local kids to go to college.

Camping?

I've seen various messages float through my Facebook about camping before I got final word that we'll be celebrating Granddad's birthday on the 16th. Does this mean that we are doing this instead of camping, or has a consensus been reached on whether we are ALSO doing camping? Yeah, I am kind of slow at times. Thanks.

Dad's celebration

RSVP for Dad's celebration by October 2nd, please.

Dad's Birthday celebration

Mark the date! Saturday, October 16, 1pm.

After talking to my sisters, I have agreed to have Dad's birthday celebration @ my house. We felt that the teens and the children would have a better time playing outside and hanging around inside the house instead of a small room. We plan on having the food catered, maybe barbeque and fried fish (since fish is Dad's favorite). I'm gonna ask Nixon's to cater the barbeque, fish, cole slaw & hush puppies.
I will cook a big pot of stewed potatoes and have tea/ice & coffee.
I can get a cake made by one of our local bakers (Mrs. Belch) or one of you may want to bake it - NO FOOD LION CAKE, please! Another dessert or two would also be nice.
We will use paper/plastic products if someone would like to volunteer to bring those.
Other veggies are welcome if anyone would like to bring some.
Everyone who wants soft drinks may bring their own brand to their liking.

Dad said that he would like to invite his brother, Weldon and his sister, Marjorie, so I will mail out a note to them. I assume that Joan will take care of inviting her family. You make sure and notify your families to save this date on their calendar ASAP.

If anyone would like to spend the night with me on Saturday, just let me know and I'll tell Happy Jack to be ready to move out for the night! Seriously, I have 1 extra bed, a cot, two sofas and one love seat - and the floor! Bring your own pillow.

I'm sure that I've forgotten something, but it would come to me or your may remind me...please!

Looking forward to seeing everyone of you on the 16th if not before!

Love, Aunt B

Dad's Birthday

After giving it some thought, yes, I do have a conflict on the 23rd. I am president of my Soroptimist Club and we are suppose to attend a regional meeting that day, BUT my dad will only turn 90 once and I will work out my conflict. If that weekend works best for others, I'll make it work for me, so let's plan for that weekend unless someone else cannot come.

Dad's birthday

Dad will be 90 years old on Friday, October 22, 2010. I texted many of you to get you thinking about your suggestions for a celebration. Our first conflict is that Margaret said that she can not come on Saturday, the 23, and Howard can only come on a Saturday. Does that mean that we need to plan it on the weekend (Saturday the16th) before his birthday? I don't know. I asked Dad and Joan to begin talking and thinking of a celebration plan that would please Dad...since it is his birthday. Everybody, check your calendar and let's set the date SOON so we can all plan to attend.

Camping

Just a thought.....

Not sure where we are about camping on the weekend of the 25th. I received some positive feedback from some but not everyone.
Another idea is later in October. Christie & I and families went to Green Acres last year for the Halloween carnival weekend (1 of 2) and had a great time! They have lots of activities for the kids. Click on the link below for more info and let me know what you think. www.greenacresnc.com

Those 2 weekends are 10/15-17 & 10/22-24

Please respond ASAP

weekend

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend...barring Earl's disruption to our plans.

Dad

Living in a different period of time than my older sisters makes my memories of Dad working a little different. I don't remember Dad doing much farming earlier in my life. He always had a garden - a big garden. I only have memories of playing while my sisters picked cotton. Memories of walking through the fields while Dad "put up" electric fences, chopping down the brush and driving the "stobs" with the butt of the ax are happy ones. Attaching the wire to the insulator was my job. Going to feed the cows with Dad, listening to him call out "Cora Bread" and watching him prime the pump was always interesting. He would have to carry a bucket of water, pour it in the pump and pump as hard and as fast as he could to get the pump working each day. Once the pump was "primed", he then could pump enough water to fill the large barrel for the cow's drinking water. Memories of the cotton mill times are blurred for me. When we lived in Edenton, one of my jobs was to have lunch ready for Mom and Dad when they arrived home @ 11:30. On occasion, they'd arrive home to find a sign on the door with the today's specials as I was pretending to own the diner. (I was always a great pretender - maybe that's why I like preschool!) On other occasions, they arrived to find me still in bed!

After Dad stopped working at the cotton mill, he raised soy beans, sweet corn and still had a big garden. He and Carlton Asbell worked together cutting, crating and delivering the corn to the market. There was always a time of getting together to "settle up" after corn season was over. For many years, Dad raised pigs to sell and to kill. Loading the pigs to take to the market was hard for one person to do. Driving a straight shift and trying to back according to Dad's instructions as a 17 year old was also hard! As a senior, going into my 1st period class late and having to explain that you had to help your dad load the pigs was a little harder. When I finally got the truck backed up to the ramp, he'd corner the pigs and run them up the chute. There would always seem to be one stubborn pig that would not comply. Round and round the small pen, that pig would run. I can hear Dad, through gritted teeth, saying it now, "I will show you that you WILL go!"

DAD

I also have mostly pleasant memories of dad farming. I remember chopping peanuts with
Mama and Dad. I had a little hoe that he had made for me. I would chop one row and then when Mom and Dad would start on another row, I'd come back down my row again to make sure I did not forget any weeks. I had a scar for years on my ankle where I cut myself with my little hoe. Dad stills talks about the hoe and wonders where it went and wishes he still had it. I believe Joyce and Gloria played at the end of the row in the shade of the trees. Of course this was before Bertha was born. I remember us picking wild blackberries that grew in the trees. I also remember fondly a few times that we cooked hotdogs for lunch in the shade of the trees at the end of the rows.



I really don't remember how many years dad and mom worked at the cotton mill. Yes I do remember the bad times and I believe they started only after they moved to Edenton. One memory that I have is that once Dad was watching boxing match and did not want to leave to go to work (this was when he was working the night shift before mom went to work there) and he was going to be late for work. He was speeding and got caught and got a ticket. The cop said that it made him nervous having to drive so fast to catch up with dad. Dad said that if he had known the cop was chasing him, he would have never caught him. Don't think he told the cop, it's what he told us later.

My Dad - Ed

My dad worked at his machine shop, Lucas Precision Machine Works. I remember his lunch hours the best though. He raced home from the shop every day just in time to hear Paul Harvey on the radio while he heated up Mom's leftovers which he loved. After his radio program was over, he would lay down on the couch for a quick nap before heading back to the shop for the afternoon.

Cecil Bud

The times I remember most fondly was when Daddy was farming. I remember Daddy out on the tractor singing hymns to the top of his voice. I find that kind of odd as I've never known him to sing in church or even at home except his "rinky dinky-dinky doo" with babies. I remember us working in the fields with him and even though it certainly wasn't fun, I don't remember it being unpleasant except picking cotton.

I don't really remember much about him working at the cotton mill even though I know he worked there for years but mostly have negative feelings about it as I think it caused lots of problems between him and Mama and changed the dynamics of our family. I know there were some good people who worked at the mill but I believe a lot of the people had a different value system than we grew up with.

Time to start sharing again

Where did your Father go to work everyday and what did he do?

See you in September?

Still haven't heard from a few of the families -- please let us know one way or the other if you're planning to come up for the wedding in September! Can't wait to see everyone!

Barry and Bethany

Camping

It's that time again! Start looking at your calendars and let's set a date!

Old Family Pics

Hey y'all. Hope all is well with everybody. I've been enjoying reading everyone's posts that have Facebook. Nothing much is new here - same unit, same poor command environment. It seems that my First Sgt is hell bent on keeping me from going to Drill Sgt school, which is fine with me. The sooner I come off of Drill assignment, the sooner I can call my branch manager and get out of here. While I enjoy being closer to the family, Ft Bragg is not good for my career progression.

Mom gave me a bunch of old pics. I scanned them in and thought y'all would enjoy them. Looking forward to the next opportunity to see everybody.

Laurel, summer, etc.

I would love to see more photos of baby Laurel although I'm hoping to get to Sanford soon. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but the REAL thing is better! Summer has been busy, but not as busy as Joyce's, I sure! I enjoyed the trip to NYC and our long weekend in Hatteras. When I work at Edenton Coffee, my hours are usually in the afternoon so sleeping a bit later and having a second cup of coffee have been great! VBS was good with 18 - 3 and 4 year olds and I am recovering well. Pant, Pant! It's been fun watching ball & cheering on Amber and Clay this summer. Both have matured in their skill, in the field and at bat. I was especially proud of their coaches, Hannah and Jason. Both have been cool headed and encouraging with the players, although they would have liked to have thrown a few tomatoes at some of the parents on occasion. Much time and $ have been spent and one day the kids will appreciate it! Let's remember to frequently pray for all our family as we all go through our everyday challenges! - and let's remember to do it "first" instead of "when all else fails". :) There's so much we can't fix but nothing that God can't handle. I love you all.

Terri's birthday

Hope you had a great birthday, Terri. Hope you got my card. Hope to see you soon.

Introducing Miss Laurel Paige Isom- 7lbs 6ozs

Isons and Thank you

Thanks to all that came on Saturday. We enjoyed hosting and see all.

We also want to wish the Isoms blessings on the arrival of the newest Isom on Tuesday. We pray that everything goes well.

Father's Day

I keep forgetting to put this on the blog. I think most of you have heard. I am inviting all of the family to my home for a cookout on Saturday, June 19 to celebrate Father's Day. That way the fathers can be home on Sunday to do whatever they want. Also I know that Howie's family is coming and Chris has asked off duty to come, doesn't know for sure yet. If they need to be back home on Monday, it'll give them Sunday to drive. Hope all can come. Of course, Cathy, we know that you will not be traveling at that time. Christie and Terri, mention it to you Dad if you will.

Belvins in Sanford

I've been meaning to post this pic from our outing to Ridge & Savannah's favorite restaurant-Mexican-with the Belvins the other week. (Margaret & Jeremy are taking the pics.)

We had a great time.

Amber Belvin - TEENAGER

Today was Amber's birthday. She is now 13, which leaves only one more grandchild who is not a teenager. Mandi will be 13 in January. Doesn't seem possible. It must mean that Gene and I are really getting older. It sure beats the alternative.

Looking forward to going to New York to see Barry and Bethany with my sisters. It's been forever since the three of us went away together.

Catchin' UP

Mom and Dad got down here around 5pm today for Mandi's Tuesday evening performance. Enjoying their company.

Congrats Corey and Ashley. I'm proud of both of you. Jason and family, my heart goes out to y'all.

My date for Drill SGT school has been moved to January now, in time for physical therapy to follow the chiropractor's lead and decide that their treatment won't heal my herniated disc. Have an appointment with pain management this month too. It looks like they want to give me a "spinal block" (epidural anesthetic). Should be interesting.

Barry's Birthday

Barry, Hope you had a good birthday yesterday. Looking forward to seeing you and Bethany soon.

New Life in Ed's Japanese Maple

Looked in the nest yesterday and saw two eggs, Looked today and there were three. I don't know what kind of bird it is. I know it's not a robin and it doesn't look like it has a long enough tail to be a mocking bird but it might be. What do you think?

Ed's Climatis

Ed planted this several years ago but this is the first year it has made a decent showing.

Jason

Jason's dad, Sonny Jones, passed away last night around 9:40pm. It was expected and Jason was there with him at home. Over the last few years, Jason has gotten very close to Sonny and is having a hard time. Visitation is Friday night, 7-8:30 @ Miller Funeral Home in Edenton with the funeral on Saturday @ 4pm @ the Funeral Home. It is located just across the road from Cherry Welding. Sonny's grandmother babysat me when I was a baby and is a distant cousin of Cecil Bud. As Hannah would say, Sonny was Sonny, but he was always very kind to her and the children.

MOVING UPWARD!

Congratulations are due to two of Christie's children! Ashley graduated from ECSU last Saturday! Corey just texted me & asked me to let you all know that he now has his high school diploma and will graduate next Tuesday evening! He wants to make his family proud! His goal is to MOVE FORWARD!

North Carolina Representation

Well, now I see why NC is one of the most taxed states: over half your Congressmen are Democrats. Everyone in the family that lives from Roanoke Rapids north and east live in District 1 and your Rep is Congressman George Butterfield. Just thought I'd pass that along.

Right now I am no longer on track to go to Drill SGT school in June. Well, I'm still on assignment, but that should change because I have a "profile" (against certain activities) because of a herniated disk in my lower back through July.

Hate that I missed family reunion. Cortlyn's formal that was supposed to be Sat night not moved to the 14th, but Chris still had a birthday party that night for a friend of his who will be moving with his family to Korea.

Chris

Contact Info

I no longer have a home phone. If anyone needs to contact me, please do so at 252-339-6505. Thanks! It was nice to see everyone yesterday! Small crowd, I thought. Missed those who could not be there.

Christie

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AT THE LAYTON FAMILY REUNION THIS SUNDAY, MAY 2ND @ ARROWHEAD BEACH! WEATHER SHOULD BE NICE FOR A DAY AT THE BEACH!
Ima Jean's been sick so I don't know if she's going. Hernia surgery about 2 months ago, then week b4 last she got a bacterial infection in her intestines and had a 5 day stay in the hospital. Since she's been home her lungs have been giving her trouble so she's been real slow bouncing back. I haven't heard if Uncle J.T. will be there. I was unaware, but Aunt Gladys was in the hospital with heart problems about a month ago. Our mom's siblings are getting older and in weakened health so I don't know how many more reunions we'll have. I think the only ones living are Sherlon, J.T., Ima Jean and Gladys. See you Sunday!

Cortlyn

I talked to Cortlyn tonight and she is feeling better. She plans to go back to school tomorrow.
She said that the people at the hospital said that once you have one of these cyst, you will continue to have them. Let's hope not too often.

Reunion

Layton Family Reunion is Sunday May 2 @ Arrowhead Beach. Covered Dish, I suppose. COME!

Cortlyn

Cortlyn had to be taken to the hospital last night. She was throwing up and doubled over in pain. It seems that she had an ruptured ovarian cyst. She did not go to school today. They took her back to hospital tonight because she was in so much pain. Chris answered my text about 11:17. They were still at hospital. They still think it's a ruptured cyst. They do not think that it appendix. Don't know any more. Keep in prayer.

Trail of Tears

Link to wedding info

Could someone please post the link to Barry & Bethany's wedding again? I seem to have lost it. Thanks!

Portsmouth Island

We saw a tombstone on Portsmouth Island that said, "How desotate our home breft of thee". Evidently spelling wasn't all that important, or either they were a poor speller like me and there was no spell check. Couldn't find desotate or breft in the dictionary, but bereft means "deprived or robbed of". So I guess that desotate is desolate. Now this makes since, "How desolate our home bereft of thee" I guess that's how we felt when Mom and Gloria left us. Amen.

Home

Got home late last night after 2 days of miserable driving between Kentucky and NC. Home for 2 months before I go to Columbia, SC for Drill SGT school. All the schools around Ft Knox have JROTC and Cortlyn's happy to be 30/45 min from Louisville. Congrats again, Cathy/Jeremy. Glad the eye problem was "nothing", Aunt Joyce.

Baby Due Date

Our new baby's birth is scheduled for

June 22

(also Sister Gloria's birthday) by c-section. Yipee!

Chris Graduation

Chris will be graduating tomorrow and will be heading back home. We wish him well and pray that he has a safe trip back home.

We had a great weekend. Wish more of the family could have been there. There were a number of things that went wrong, but still loved being there. I think more everyone enjoyed the weekend. The Portsmouth Island trip was quite an adventure, but I'd do it again. Thanks to Shawn and Christie for planning this trip for us.

I guess all heard, Joyce got good news from the doctor on Tuesday. The doctor said that the problem with her eye was really nothing, which is what she thought, but it's good to get good news.

NCAA Champs!

Woohoo! Blue Devils are the national champs!!!! My hat's off to the kids from Butler. They played like champions. (And they didn't hold Duke to 57 points).

What I know for sure....

We are staying at Pony Island Motel in Ocracoke; hopefully rooms will be side-by-side.

Group breakfast on Saturday at B & R's campsite.

Aunt Joyce is bringing 7 lbs of sausage!! (For the group breakfast, I assume)

We are planning an outing to Portsmouth Island to tour abandoned city and hunt for shells and lost treasures. I think Shawn would like to do this on Saturday.

We (me & mine) are not packing any food; only snacks. Whatever we will cook we will buy from grocery store in front of campground

Weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Location

Pony Island Hotel, Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke

Only 1 road in and out of Ocracoke and the motel is on the right.

Ocracoke Easter Gathering

Dig through your old craft supplies or whatever you may have lying around....We're gonna make Easter bonnets! I'll bring some stuff I have lying around (eggs, flowers, tulle, ribbon) and if anyone else has anything they can bring, please do! We'll sport our new bonnets at breakfast on Easter Sunday! Can't wait!!!

Forgot to mention dyeing Easter eggs. Anyone up for that? I can boil them ahead of time if someone can bring dye materials.

Will be dining together at other meals? Do we need to make a menu? I know our rooms will not have cooking apparatus, so it would have to be grilled or propane stovable.

Chris' JROTC Ball

Last night Chris' JROTC unit had their military ball. Here are a couple of pictures of him and his girlfriend, Lio. Looks like a chip off the old block.

Barry & Bethany

It was great seeing everyone Sunday and congrats to Barry & Bethany. Very nice couple in deed!
Ladies: We local girls are having a "Girls Night Out" on Friday if you are interested in joining us.

Take Care!

Sunday?

Does anyone know what the plans are for Sunday? Inquiring minds want to know.

Easter weekend

I'm making the reservations for rooms tomorrow. How many people want rooms at Pony Island Motel? It is in close proximity of campground that B & Rick will be staying at. Please call me tonight and let me know or in the morning. 339-6505

Easter Weekend/Update

Aaarrggghh! We don't graduate until April 8th so I won't be home in time. But, I'm sure everyone's used to my not being around between having been stationed down in Ga for so long and multiple deployments.

On Friday we went through the live agent chamber and got to "play" with LIVE Sarin and VX nerve agents. Is it bad that the only reason I was in a hurry to get out of there was because my instructor had made my mask too tight and I was physically uncomfortable and the fact that we were "playing" with dangerous agents didn't bother me at all?

We started our Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) training on Monday, taking our "Operator Level I" test this morning. We were also issued our "SCBA" breathing apparatus today, like the ones fire fighters wear. We'll be wearing those on the outside of one of the suits and inside the other. Tomorrow morning we take our "Operator Level II" test and then begin our HAZMAT Technician training, wearing our PT uniform to work and playing in our "space suits".

Pictures of the two girls is the SCBA breathing apparatus we were issued which hooks onto the mask worn by guy in second picture. You wear this on the outside of the "Level B" suit he has on. The third pic of the "space suit" on my door, is my "Level A" suit that you wear the breathing apparatus underneath. You wear your PT's and breathing apparatus, put the suit on, and have someone zip you up inside. Pretty cool; even if you run out of air in the tank, you can take it off and still have 10 minutes worth of "clean" air inside your suit.

REPLY

I know Gene will not be interested in camping, and with this weather, neither his wife. Don't think we have any plans if people want to stay in rooms, I assume we'd go.

Reply

I'm game if the rest of the crew is.

Barry and Bethany are coming home on March 12th for the twins birthday. We will be taking them to the Asheboro zoo on the 13th if weather permits. Anyone else interested in going?

I'm ready for warm weather to replace what we've had recently.

Easter Weekend

Is anyone interested in planning a Byrum weekend at Ocracoke the weekend of Easter, April 1 - 4, 2010, I think. We could camp our just book a block of rooms together. Just a thought. The Ervins will be going and I assume all my kids and grandbabies.

Stay Away

Stay away from the Blanchard house. Now Rick has the VIRUS!

Bertha sick - Death in Lol's family

Bertha texted me today that she had been throwing up since 4:30 in the morning, whated to know if I felt okay. I did and do.

Lol's Uncle Rick, Kesley's father died on (I believe) Tuesday morning. Kesley found him dead in the bathroom. He had cancer and was getting chemo, but this was totally unexpected. I'm going to Hickory tomorrow so that I can help. Howie and Lol decided that Lol would go alone. She's flying out on Thursday afternoon and will be back on Sunday. I know that she would appreciate it if you kept her and her family in prayer.

As always I'll have my cell phone.

Girl Scout Cookie Sale

Cookies are here! Aunt Joyce, I apologize for not returning your call but I did get your order for 2 - Lemon Chalet Cremes. Will you be coming to our area anytime soon? If not, we'll come to you!

Aunt Margaret: I don't check the blog as often as I should so I didn't the lunch invite until this morning. I wish now I would have since I have your cookie order as well. If I remember correctly, you wanted to donate them. If that's still the case, could you kindly drop a check in the mail made out to GSCCC in the amount of $10.50? If not, we can certainly come and deliver the cookies to you!

With your help, Emma was able to sell over 250 boxes of cookies and her troop of just 4 - girls sold close to 900 boxes and are still taking orders! Woohoo!!

Going to see Dad and Joan

I'm planning to go to see Dad and Joan and take them to lunch on Sunday, if the weather is not bad. Anyone interested in going, let me know. Thanks.

Every man's nightmare

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes -- Bethany found her dress this morning!
http://www.ny1.com/5-manhattan-news-content/top_stories/113212/women-scramble-for-discounted-wedding-gowns

You can spot her at the 0:36 mark off to the left of the I NEED A 2 girl --

Going to Ft Bragg

Chris and Michelle are going on a couple's retreat in Charlotte that is being put on by the Army. Gene and I are going up on Thursday afternoon to take care of the grandkids. We're looking forward to be with them. It is the plan for us to be back home on Sunday night, but not for sure what time Chris and Michelle will be back.

Don't know whether the family knows or not, but Michelle is going back to school. She is taking her first course and has a grade point average of 93.// (hope I have it right) and she got a 100 on a test last week. She is planning to major in hospital administration.

Also she and Chris are taking a cake decorating class together. It seems that they are both enjoying it. Hey Barry, maybe by the time of the wedding, they might be good enough to do the cake, but I would not plan on it. I think it might be difficult to transport.

Just wanted to let everyone know where we'd be this weekend. Of course, we'll have our cell phones if anyone needs us.

Growing up

The Hickory Belvins really enjoyed the twins dancing video.CONGRATULATIONS TO BARRY AND BETHANY!My kids are growing up too fast!!! It is currently 10:30 AM and Kyle is now doing his first day of student driving. He has it from 9-1 today, and 9-1 next Monday and Tuesday. He will get his driving permit at the end of April. Stay away from Hickory come spring time.Amber is also becoming quite the teenager, as she took the mini boom box into the bathroom and was playing it while taking a shower.Both are consumed by facebook and Amber is now wearing make up and worried how she looks everyday.Kyle and I spent 19 hours in a classroom last weekend getting certified to become soccer referees. Kyle can now ref games for travel and rec. games for kids 10 and under and I can ref 18 and under anywhere in the US. I can take a course in a couple of weeks if I want to ref. High school games, but I will probably wait on that until next year.Hopefully we will use these certifications to make some extra cash. :)Hope everyone is doing well.Howie

We should all be proud of Christie Ervin! She gave her first unit of blood yesterday - with Emma observing every step! Yea! Christie!

Watch Ridge & Savannah dancing to celebrate Uncle Barry and Bethany's exciting news!

Girl Scout Cookie Sale

Hello everyone!

It's that time of year again! Emma is selling Girl Scout cookies for the first time. If anyone would like to place an order, please either post it up here or you can call us at 252-221-8403 or 252-339-6505. The all time favorites are still available (Trefoils, Samoas, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Do-siDos) and a few new ones are available-----Dulce De Leche (small crunchy cookie with bits of caramel in them) and Thank You Berry Munch (has cranberries, white choc chips and rice cripy bits). Please remember this is the pre-sale so the cookies won't be available until mid February.

Thank you for supporting Girl Scouts!

Christie & Emma

Christmas Books

My Favorite Christmas Books

Younger Children:

"Room for a Little One" by Martin Waddel *

"Christmas in a manager" by Nola Buck

"A Little Christmas Magic" by John Dill

"12 Days of Christmas" Pop up book illust by Michael Hague

"12 Days of Christmas" illus by David Delamore

Older Children:

"The Christmas Path" by Sue Wright

"An Orange for Frankie" by Patricia Polacco

"Rocking Horse Christmas" by Mary Pope Osborn

"Christmas Legends" by Helen Haidle

"Christmas Day in the Morning" by Pearl S. Buck

"With Love @ Christmas" Mem Fox *

"The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" by Gloria Houston*

(lives in the mountains of NC; this one will make you cry and you must read it with a mountain dialect)

Please share your favorites!

Mandi's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Mandi. It's hard to beleive that she is now 12 and next year, my youngest granddaughter will be a teenager.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I'm looking for the owner of a unopened Yahtzee game that was left at our house on the 19th. I took it down home today but found no takers. Let me know if it's yours, otherwise you might receive it as a gift from me next year. I've got a McDonald's gift card which is Christopher's that I'll be forwarding along soon. Hope that everyone stays warm during this winter blast. I'm glad we finished the outside inventory last week.

Family Get together pics

Hey folks. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here are some pics from the family Christmas in Roanoake (sp?) Rapids.