Not too sure what Crystal had in her bottle but she sure is enjoying that music. What you singing Crystal, 'Fill Me to The Top'?

Beautiful Baby Can you guess who it is?

Danny and I on our special day. March 1, 1986

Ah, the good ole' days!!

We I was little back in the 50's, toys were nothing like they are today. Baby dolls were just plain ole baby dolls. You might have had one that if you gave it a bottle of water, it would wet their diaper and my Cheerful Tearful had real tears after a bottle. We would take our babies and our diaper bags, go outside under a tree and make us a little house. We would take the broom and sweep back dirt and heap it up in a line to form the boundaries for walls and a opening for the doors. Hang towels or sheets up for the outer walls sometimes. We had little dishes and we would collect the leaves, blooms and the seed pods off the mamoosa trees to make different food items out of. We also had mud cakes and what ever else our imaginations could come up with. We would play all day long. It would be hot and we would be sweaty,but heck we didn't notice because we would be having so much fun. Mama would have to make us come in for lunch and then make us lay down inside for awhile during the afternoon while it was really hot. Back then we were told we couldn't be out in the hot sun like that too long because it could cause polio. After we got up we would head back out to play some more.
Around '58 Daddy built us a swimming pool out of galvanized tin. We were the only kids in the neighborhood with a pool like this. It was 8'x8' square and was 2' deep. Mama and Daddy would fill it up and once we got in you couldn't get us out. Every afternoon when Daddy got home he would run in and put on his cut offs and would jump in with us. Man, we thought that was great. That was the highlight of the day. We had some neighbor kids that lived behind us, down the alley that were jealous of our pool. We would go back outside in the afternoon, after our nap and it would be full of red dirt, rocks or crab-apples. We would have to clean it out and then wait for it to fill back up.
I really miss those days. I cherish the memories.
Playing in the big yard. Playing under the huge weeping willow tree where it was always cooler. Smelling the clean wash that Mama hung out on the line to dry. Eating fresh figs off the fig trees we had in the backyard. Going to the drive-in movies in our pajamas. Packing a big basket of food and having pic-nic on a road-side pic-nic table on some back road.
Those were the good ole' days!!

THANKS!!

Great big THANKS to you, Crystal, for all your help you gave me. Love ya, MOM!!

Special Thanks!!

I just want to put out a very special thanks to all of you that prayed for me while I was in surgery and recouping. Also for those of you who brought over food. Danny also thanks you for that one. I received new gowns, flowers, sparkling grape juice, cheesy chicken casserole, garlic bread, salads, cakes, tea, cokes, and my most favorite: PIZZA!! YUM!! I may have had neck surgery but they didn't cut my throat. "THANKS everybody."

Here's my great big incision. Its every bit of 1 1/2" long. I tell you at one time it felt like it was 3 feet long. Didn't even have any stitches, only 3 little strips of tape. It's not the best picture taking. I did it myself. I guess you can tell that I'm not quite as good as Crystal at self portraits.
Vickie

AN AMAZING YOUNG WOMAN

During this time I've been down from my surgery and laying around, I have been praying from God for a FRESH FIRE, like when I first got saved. I'm glad he didn't hit me with it all at once, because, Buddy, it's heavy stuff. Refreshing but heavy. I have a very special personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. But here lately it has been a little dry. I've been in the desert for a pretty long while and it is past time for a FRESH drink of water and a FRESH FIRE. I don't know if all of you have been reading Maria's blog: http://www.spanishlady.blogspot.com, but for those of you who haven't please do. She is one amazing young woman. I cannot read her blog without tears in my eyes. Christ is using you, Maria, to kindle my fire. Her last post was titled 'The Cross'. AMAZING!! 'In Mark 8:34-38 Christ telling the crowd to take up the cross and follow him.' When you do, be prepared. To follow him into unchartered territory knowing only that you are being lead by Him and He is all you need to lean on. Cross-bearing is a willingness to suffer and die for the Lord's sake. PRAISE YOU, FATHER!!! I thank you for Maria!

Thanks

Hey, I'm blogging for Mom. She wanted me to tell everyone that has called, stopped by, prayed or done somethings for her....THANK YOU! It has meant alot & she appreciates all your love & concern.
I'm sure that when she is able to blog again she will give you the details of her surgery & recovery. She is still in quite alot of pain, actually more than I think we realized she would be. So, please continue to lift her up in prayer.
Thanks a bunch,
Crystal

Hey Guys!!!

I have to be at the Shelby in the morning at 11:00am and surgery is scheduled for 1:00pm. With the surgery being so late I'm sure I will stay at least one if not two nights. If I have to stay any longer Crystal will have to smuggle in all the kids to come give me some kisses.
Just want to tell you all how much I appreciate all your comments and prayers. Don't stop; keep them coming.
I love you all very much and I don't know when my next post will be. I'm sure Crystal will keep you all posted on everything.

GOOD NIGHT!!
Love ya'll,
Vickie

To Clarify!!!!

This Wednesday morning I am going into Shelby Medical Center (I have no problems with Shelby), to have surgery on my neck. I have a ruptured disk where you neck connects onto your shoulders. They will be going in and removing some disk and vertebrae to relieve the pressure on the nerves that are being pinched that run down my left are and hand. I will probably be in the hospital for one maybe two nights.
Now, since the can of worms has been opened and spilled out all over creation, YES, I am going to go see the surgeon on July 8th for a CONSULTATION to see if I am a good candidate to have the GASTRIC BY-PASS surgery. Remember, I said, CONSULTATION!!
If he says yes, I AM going to have it done. At Shelby. I don't know yet if I am having it and so therefore I don't know when I will be having it, BUT if Doc says YES, then I WILL. OK?????????
Everyone that knows me and loves me knows that I have lost a great amount of weight in the past and if you were watching and have listened to me also know that the way I took it off was by STARVING, EXCESSIVE EXERCISE, DIET PILLS and CORRECTOL. YES, I was anorexic. I took correctol everyday for 2 solid years. I started out taking one a day and by the end of the two years I was taking 10 correctol a day. I lost a total of 165 lbs. in 11 months. I kept it off for more than two years.
I have a hard time losing weight now because I have a dead thyroid and am on 2 thyroid medications, I have no cartlidge in my knees, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and hips so therefore it is impossible for me to get out and walk. I'm doing good buying groceries. I have been dealing with panic disorder for the past 5-6 years which makes me a recloose and no I don't pick and choose where I want to go, I go where I can, when I can. The panic disorder is getting better but it rears its head on me sometimes when I least expect it. I know for those of you that have never had it don't understand. Research it. I'm a classic case. For me to lose the amount of wieght that I need to lose I would have to starve myself to death and I refuse to do that. I have tried Weight Watchers (numerous times), Fen-fin, Dr. Vitkins, Physicians Weight Loss, High Protein, Low fat, counting calories, Overeaters Anonymous, I have every diet book written in my library, grapefruit diet, and cabbage soup diet just to name o few, so HELLO!! If its out there I've tried it. I drink slim-fast every morning for breakfast and I have for years. In my case it should be called fat-fast.
I am posting this to let everybody know what my choice is. NOW, if you love me, you will respect my decision and support me with encouraging words or KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF!! If you can't make a positive comment, don't make one at all unless you have the kahoonas enough to not comment anonymously.
This is not a sudden decision on my part. It has been well thought out, researched, and most of all prayed over. My Lord and Savior has given me the most amazing peace over this because until this past month there was no way on this earth I would have ever thought of having such a radical, very freightening thing done to my body. I know now that it is time for me to step out on Faith knowing that my Heavenly Father has my life in his hands. I have totally surrendered my life to Him and now He is in charge of what the outcome is. He has healed me from heart disease and He has raised me from a death bed and He didn't do it for nothing. He's not through with me yet. Hallelujah!!! Praise Jesus!! He is Faithful and True.
JESUS IS LORD!!!!!

Awe!! It's Diane and Na-Na with their little friend, Kelly, on Easter Sunday. Believe it or not we did go to Church that Sunday. What a pretty purse you have, Diane.
Vickie

Pre-op

I went today for pre-op. I had a 10:30 appointment with the neurosurgeon and they did a check up and answered any questions I may have. I asked him if I would be laying on my stomach or my side since they will be going in thru the back of my neck. He said neither. That I would be sitting up. "WHAT!" I asked if I would be asleep and he told me yeah, that they have all kinds of apparatus. Well OKIE DOKIE then. My sister in law had this same surgery done 2 years ago, but they went in thru the front of her neck and took the whole disk out and fussed the two vertebrae together. She had to wear a collar for 2-3 months. That was one of the options I had but I chose the other and I won't have to wear a collar, but there is a slim chance that they may have to go back later and do that, but hopefully not. I then had to be at the hospital at 1:30 for the paperwork, bloodwork and ekg. I love to watch them take blood from my arm. I think anything medical is fascinating. I will have the surgery sometime next Wednesday, the 15th and spend one or maybe two nights.

Surgery

I have pre-op tomorrow at the Neurosurgeons and at the hospital. My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th at Shelby Medical Center.
As for you who do not know, I have a ruptured disk in my neck that is pinching a cluster of nerves that affects my left arm and hand. I already have nerve damage in my thumb, index finger and middle finger on my left hand.
They will be during the surgery from the back of my neck to chisel away some of the vertebrae and disk to relieve the pressure on the nerves. The damage I have may be reversed but not guaranteed but this will keep me from having any futher damage.
I will give more info after my appointment tomorrow.
I'm asking that everybody pray that God will direct the surgeons hand and anyone else that will be taking part in this whole process. I don't want a floppy head.

Ashtyn! I love this curly hair. GEORGEOUS!!
Vickie

Blakely!! Our newest Fat Kat. BEAUTIFUL!!
Vickie

Amber and Ashtyn's pink tootsies. I LOVE IT!!!
Vickie

This is a letter I wrote to Mamaw as well. She was living in Texas at the time with Uncle Gene and Aunt Millie. I was writing to tell her that I had a new baby sister. The boy like the girl means, Bruce Wayne likes the baby. The bob girl like me, means the baby girl likes me. These were written in 1957.
Vickie

This is a letter I wrote to Mamaw Shack while I was in the first grade.
Vickie

OK Codie!! Get ready. Mercy's on her way to pick you up in her Awesome Corvette. She bez re-ta-go!!!!

Vickie

Mercy trying out her Corvette.

Vickie

Danny and I had the pleasure of having little Ms Mercy with us for a couple of days this week. I really enjoyed having her but I tell you what; I know why God designed for women to have and take care of their young while they are young themselves. I am totally worn out. We got her Tuesday evening and we had her until about 6:30 Thursday evening. The last time we had her she was Poppa's buddy, but this time she was mine. SDhe is a hand full. She has more energy than any 2 year old I have ever seen.

Vickie

So Many Memories

Tonight on the news (33/40) they had Breaking News about a fire in West End. I was raised in West End and went to West End High. They were showing a store named Spivey's that was engulfed in flames and was expected to be a total lose. It broke my heart seeing that because I have so many memories of that particular building. You see at one time, right beside Spivey's was the West End Theater. I remember spending alot of Summer nights there with my elementary and junior high friends. During the school season on Friday and Saturday nights as well. Mama would drop me and sometimes my brother, Bruce Wayne, as well of at the theater and come back in several hours to pick us up.
Back then you didn't worry about somebody picking your kids up to moleste them and all. One night they had Cousin Cliff , a local magician/tv celebrity, there and he was doing one of his magic shows. He asked for volunteers from the audience to come up and help and my brother Bruce Wayne was chosen to be his assistant. He was sitting down front with his friends and I was in the back with mine and I had no idea he was chosen until he walked up on the stage. Wow, that was so cool. Bruce Wayne was so excited and I was excited for him. We were probably about 10 and 12 maybe.
I think the theater closed while I was in high school and Spivey's bought it out and increased there store space. I hate to see things like that go. It seems like another chapter has been closed on my life.