Smoky Topaz

So, many, many years ago, when I lived in Alabama on Hardin Drive with my Grands and Aunt and Uncle, my aunt had a gorgeous smoky topaz ring that I wanted.  My birthstone is a topaz, and this one was exceptionally beautiful.  We argued over that ring for so long.  LMAO  The reality is it was hers and she said she would leave it to me when she croaked.

Imagine my surprise when I received a package from her (She now lives back in Hawaii) for my graduation and when I opened it, there was my smoky topaz!!!  I adore this ring and will wear it with pride wherever I go.  Thank you so much, Aunt Jacque and Uncle Van!

Graduation Time!

So, on December 18th, 2010, four years of work culminated in my graduation.  Not only was I stoked to graduate, but I was floored by my family before that.  On Sunday, the 12th, Euvah and Steve drove up from South Louisiana to be here for my graduation.  THAT I expected.  What I did not expect, was that my LITTLE sister, Shari, would fly in on Monday and surprise me!!!  It is the first time we have all been together since Moma died.

 Euvah told me Steve had a business appointment in Tulsa at 4 on Monday, when in fact he was picking up Shari.  He came into the house when he got back with Shari and handed me a card he "found in the truck."  I looked at it and thought it wasn't Euvah's writing but could not place whose it was.  I asked Euvah if it was for Christmas and she said yes so I went to put it aside to open on Christmas and she told me I could go ahead and open it.  I opened it and read the card and it was signed, "Love and miss you lots, Shari.  Now OPEN the door!"

I screamed and ran to the door and opened it and there she was!  It was so awesome!

We spent the week running from pillar to post and finishing papers and such.  On Saturday, we got up early and headed to Tulsa for the graduation.  While I was with the class and walking, Steve had to leave, again Euvah told me a story about a truck that rolled at his work and he had to be there to help clean it up.  I thought nothing of it.  Uncle Danny and Aunt Carol came in for my graduation and Audra, Chuck, Barbara, Sean and Jim and C'Cie were all there as well as Michael and Mickey.  It was so nice to have so many people care enough to come.  It really meant a lot to me for my whole family and ALL of my friends to be there.  You all will NEVER understand just how much it meant.

Uncle Danny and Aunt Carol wanted to take me to lunch for graduation so we headed over to Cheddar's where we waited forever for a table for ten.  While we were waiting, Euvah and Steve came in and joined us.  I was looking at pictures or something with Uncle Danny when I heard, "Whatcha looking at?"  I looked up and there was my Megan!!!!  I was so thrilled to see her.

Megan had been traveling for TWO DAYS from California because Delta Airlines screwed her around horribly and then lost her luggage on top of it all.  What a wonderful time!!!  I am so excited that all of my family minus three of my kids made it to my graduation, and Megan only missed because of Delta.









Aunt COnnie and Uncle Ed

These are just pics of our family in Alabama with Danny and I.  This one is Uncle Danny with his namesake, Danny.

Aunt Carol, Uncle Danny and Danny.


Aunt Carol, Uncle Danny and Me


Uncle Ed and Aunt Connie.


Uncle Ed, Aunt Connie and Danny


Me, Uncle Ed and Aunt Connie.





Aunt Con and Uncle Ed

When we took Christian (My brother's son) home to Alabama last August, we decided to make a loop.  We dropped Christian off, saw Danny's girls and then left to go to Selma where Aunt Connie and Uncle Ed live.  This is a picture of Aunt Connie.  And it is a typical picture of her because she is talking in it!  LOL  Aunt Connie is a card.  You have to get to know her to understand that she has a very dry sense of humor.  She is the perfect foil for Uncle Ed who ALSO has a rather dry sense of humor, but much more subtle.
This is Uncle Ed.  That cigar is his constant companion and the highball glass next to him is as well.  Ok, he only has two a night, and that is all.  He has a fully stocked bar in the room right behind him and is a huge Georgia Dawgs fan as you will see in the house photo's.  Their house is a testament to my aunt's stained glass prowess and antique hunting skills.  I love their house.  Here are some pics, ok, a LOT of pics of their house and you know something?  This is not even the half of it!  I did not get the bathroom in the pictures and it has some interesting art work in it!
 It is a middle class house, in a middle class neighborhood.  This is, obviously, the outside.
This is the stained glass transom over her kitchen window.  The kitchen is the door you enter when coming in from outside unless we don't know you!
This is a picture in the hallway to the bar and "Toxic Waste Dump" aka Aunt Connie's glass studio which is currently  piled too high to work in!
 This is one wall in the den, the most used room in the house.
 The same wall looking into the kitchen, the doorway is to the right of the hutch.
The wall that adjoins the kitchen.  She loves cats, can you tell?
Uncle Ed's bar.  See the Dawg stuff?  This is also the computer room!
 The entry to Aunt Connie's Glass studio.
The den with Danny and Uncle Ed in it.  Danny was reading our GGGrandfather's discharge from the militia.
The player piano in the den, with the stained glass windows in it.  That is the bar you see to the right and the hall to the bedrooms to the left.
Her cat collection in the den.
 I love the cat climbing across the cat pic!
In the kitchen above the microwave.
The formal Living Room.
Another view of the Formal Living Room with the dollhouse.
My Cameo collection and the table in which they belong.  I am supposed to inherit this one day.
A wall in the LR with more cameo's for me!  You know I am using this as inventory of my cameo's, right??  LOL
Same room but the Dining Room end.  I do not think this table has seen food in Aunt Connie's house!
Still more of the Dining Room end.
Some of Aunt Connie's Tchochkies.
Another stained glass window!  I want this one BAD!
Aunt Connie at her best!
Grandma's room!  You see that hanging desk?  Grandma fell out of bed and hit her head on it one night.  If not for Aunt Connie's dog at the time, Grandma would have died.  He found Grandma and went and got Aunt Connie and Uncle Ed up.  There was blood EVERYWHERE.  Thank God for Christopher!  He was a mini Poodle that purred like a cat! (read GROWLED!  LOL)
Ok, Sis you can have the Iris window, I will take this one!!!  I love the hummingbird!
 I love these old pics, I doubt they are relatives, but aren't they neat?
Just some neat pics.
The blue room.  Danny slept here.
See all the tiny Stained Glass windows??  Aunt Connie made them, of course!
Still more cameo's!  Yeah!
And that, friends is my Aunt and Uncle's house.  Is it not beautiful?  I love it.  Behind the chair in the kitchen there used to be a sign I loved.  It said,
May those who love us love us,
and those who do not love us,
may God turn their hearts,
and if He cannot turn their hearts
may He turn their ankles
that we may know them by their walk.
 
Is that not awesome?  It was my favorite of all her little signs and now it has disappeared!  Wahhhh.  Oh well, thanks for looking!