Proof that life existed before our children

Newly weds Pat and Stan Walls play host to family visitors, Mom & Dad, Barbara & Ed in Vienna, WV. Mom snapped the photo.

circa 1970

The new Mother at home with the Baby - January 1979

Patricia at home with Trisha, in January 1979.

so freakin hot

It's so hot outside I can only drink things that are chilled.
I turned to the white wine list the other night at dinner & found this on the by the glass list:

LUNA, freakout, white blend, 2006 $9

I leaned over & told Claudia about the vineyard. "It's a small vineyard that grows mostly Italian varietals. They generally don't offer tours but my parents called & they set one up for us. One of the winemakers showed the four of us around."**

(Mom, I'm sure you still have those pics? When was that?)

But the wine was great, so I went on a quest to find it. Strike one was the alcoholic's super store (BevMo). Maybe I'll go to AJ's tomorrow, otherwise it looks like the vineyard will ship to AZ. They also have an interesting looking sangiovese rose.....

**I know, I'm totally full of myself.

There once was a wee baby girl...

Trisha Joy Walls at 4 months old!

A beautiful baby with lots of hair, a serious expression and long slender fingers. Her mamma fussed over the pretty clothes for her pretty little one, just like Trisha will now.

Anticipating that first baby

Amanda and I were thinking about Trisha and John getting ready for the first baby.

That's when it became evident that all that Winnie-the-Pooh furniture I had to have - well, it hadn't made much of an impression of either of my two kids. Apparently, they don't remember much about it!!

Imagine!!

Ed was sure the scary Winnie-the-Pooh lamp would ruin them forever! Guess not!



Yes, we did the entire nursery in every piece of Winnie-the-Pooh stuff we could find.

We had the crib, changing table, dresser, mobile, lamp, bumper pads, sheets, blankets, actual stuff Winnie and assorted friends.....even a light fixture in the ceiling I think.

Used it for both kids. Sold it to Hank and Sherry Murray after Joey moved to the big bed.

June comes to the Mountains

Hi All,
This was a beautiful summer weekend in West Virginia. The weather gods gave us a good cleansing rain early in the weekend, so things looked so fresh and smelled so wonderful. Our drive home Sunday was a little difficult with the intermittent rain, and the high costs of gas, but it was OK. I think we compensated for the gas prices by fixing our dinner at home that night instead of eating out. A quick trip to the grocery store, and we're home getting ready for the work week by 9pm. Ed is in Sacramento this morning, flew out of National at 7:00AM. I'm back in my office (aka happy cave).

Stan had a visit from his sister, Norma. I was glad to see her, I hadn't see Norma in a long time. She looks great!

We were able to hear about a graduation party for one of Ed's nieces, Sarah Rosie, down at Casey's restaurant. Ed & I didn't go, we were busy at the Ranch with Mom this weekend, but it was sure fun to hear about. Sarah Rosie will attend WVU this fall. (Named, of course for Eddie's Aunt Sarah and Rosie.) The older sister of Sarah Rosie is Thomasina (named after Eddie's mother). She's already through college and in the National Guard.

I think Mom's caregivers are working out OK. Mom is at least well cared for, in spite of her condition. She is doing OK I think. Her poor left arm cannot cooperate, but Mom continues to be a cooperative patient, trying to facilitate moving and turning all she can. She is a great role model for us all. I would say she has a pretty indomitable spirit! That is one strong lady. I often wonder if I could bear up so graciously under her circumstances. She is reflecting very human frailties, but great strength of spirit.
Here is my latest snapshot of Mom, shown here with Joy in background. This was Sunday morning after we rudely awakened her: