~First Holiday Without You~

To my friends and family that are spending their 

1st Thanksgiving without their 

"Spouse... Parent ...Sibling.. Child...Relative.. Friend" 

(even our four-legged fury friends)

Please know that they are with us in our hearts and our 

souls this Thanksgiving and always...

GRANDMA BOWLER

GRANDMA BOWLER 

I had the wonderful privilege of getting to know the Bowler family on a more personal Family level...I was always in awe of Grandma Bowler because she was just that amazing.. That woman ALWAYS HAD MAKE UP ON..... Her and the love of her life raised 18 children.. I would say they were very good catholic's to say the least... one day she found herself alone to finish raising this children which she did with a loving open heart...You have to understand to be a part of the BOWLER CLAN you need name tags to keep up.. I cannot even begin to tell you the grand-kids ..great grand and possibly even great great grand children.s names ..but she knew each and every child and who was who .and you have to remember shes in her 90's I believe.... She lived thru a lot of heartaches.. and triumphs...she watched weddings.. graduations and births... and deaths too but never in all of that was her faith ever shaken...No matter what Grandma Bowler went thru her Faith in God got her thru the most difficult times and gave her a sense of peace in the joyous times... I worked for Nora so I got an inside look at the Bowlers and was taken into that fold .. and MY God what Love and devotion in a family... That comes form being a GREAT PARENT and a Good religious Person.. the Bowlers raised all their children to be good people..and when You married into that family you were a Bowler.. Regardless what the girls last name would be you became a part of this seriously awesome tight knit family that was a unit of enormous love and strength.. I had a special need child Matthew.. and the very 1st outing I went on was a Bowler Event.. I remember Grandma Bowler holding Matthew and looking at him ... like he was one of her's..she told me "how lucky I was to have him ..because.. Matthew not only had a wonderful name meaning GIFT FROM God..He would see The Angels the rest of his Life. .you see as you get older you loose your ability to see them but a child is innocent and can see the Angels all around them forever.".. I never forgot that ever.. til this day and my child is now 18.. I haven't seen Grandma Bowler in a few years but I still asked about her and kept up with THE CLAN....Grandma Bowler thank you for allowing to be apart of your wonderful family.. Thank You for treating all of us that weren't blood as Family.. Thank You for giving ME MY FAITH BACK... You have left a Legacy beyond words....you have your wings now SO GOD SPEED.... Nora Held,Camille Bowler Bradstreet, Dottie Schafer, Ginger Bowler, Charlie Bowler

Something to Ponder

By my Friend Gerri Merida.....a Nurse and mom

I believe I'm turning into a grumpy old woman. Seems the older I get, the less tolerant I am to ignorance and bullshit. I realize that every generation believes that the next one has it better than the one before, and doesn't appreciate that fact. I absolutely DO feel perfectly comfortable with a lot of new thoughts on many current social issues, many of which the generation before me (including my own parents whom I totally love and admire) don't agree with, but I just feel so disillusioned with the direction of other society trends. When did so many decide that society and the government are responsible for taking care of them? When, and why, do so many think that they don't have to follow the same standards as the rest of society? Where are we headed? Why do so many only consider themselves? ? I don't feel like I am the only one in this world, and nobody owes me anything. I don't believe my single minded thoughts are above everyone else's. I believe I am part of a family that includes multiple generations, part of a local community, part of a valuable community, state, and nation. AND above all, I am grateful to have been born in this country. My grumpy, aging self wonders. ..if so many are unhappy here in the U.S. why don't they move to another country? Perhaps people would stop complaining and truly appreciate what we have here. We have a great nation - and you just might see it if you look beyond yourself.

Just so damn tired of all the Racial Crap

A friend of mines partial post.....
Danielle Marie Moll
Seems sad to me that as I scroll down my news feed, there is no trace of little Ahlittia..... Only four days after her little lifeless body was thrown out with the trash. Yet, my news-feed is still full of the same story people were complaining about weeks ago.

And my response....This is not open for debate this is my fb page and its my opinion and I wont apologize for how I feel......
Danielle Marie Moll..I am so anger I could spit nails...the media and DOJ is still going after Zimmerman..get the hell over it.. he was found innocent by a jury of his peers..I guess now if you don't like the verdict lets just take it to the Justice Dept and have them file charges against someone that has been declared innocent. .this is not a good thing.. I thought we had rights and that there was a thing called double Jeopardy.. so if you don't like the out come you keep filing charges til you get the out come you think is fair..BS...I did not say I'm agreeing with the verdict. .but IT's DONE!. Move on...!!!!. NOW.. we had a child murdered in our city .. she was thrown away in a trash bag and into a trash can.....It doesn't matter to me that she was African American..she was SOMEONES INNOCENT CHILD....she was murdered by someone she knew who just happens to be AFRICAN AMERICAN....when the hell are we going to stop looking at skin color to decided when to be OUTRAGE. ..I'm dam tired of this racial crap.. Grow up people. it is getting old and worse than back in the 60's.. when are we going to stop letting people like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson stir the pot........I am trying to raise My Matthew to look past the skin color and into the soul of people..its really hard when you are living in a Nation that even the President it stir the pot...

Presence

"when my absence doesn't alter your life,
then my presence has no meaning in your life"

You Just have NO IDEA!

Please understand this.....From a MOTHER W/ A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD....
This might help you understand something about us....I'm sure we can add to this List!!

1)I am not NUTS.. I'M JUST TIRED and TIRED OF YOU B.S.!!!! YOU REALLY HAVE NO CLUE!
2)I don't need Happy Pills ....I need you to stop giving me advice you know nothing about...
... 3)STOP saying "I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT!"...you would do the same thing ..HE's MY CHILD and I LOVE HIM....
4)Instead of saying "God, you need a break" OFFER SOME HELP..Talk is cheap!
I might not have the extra money to go shopping but I CAN WINDOW SHOP!
5)Please keep your religious views to yourself...I may NOT be practicing my relgion but believe me I BELIEVE IN GOD and WILL NOT BURN IN HELL or need to FEAR GOD!God, gives me comfort every night knowing I am here to fight for my child..
5)I am NOT WORKING THE SYSTEM.... I APPLY FOR EVERYTHING b/c I might get lucky and not make $34.oo to much for that program..and
6)MY CHILD IS ENTITLED TO THAT SERVICE!!! His dad and I have worked and Paid Taxes all our lives....so get over it.....
7)Please dont ask me to MEET YOU HALF WAY in the OPPISITE DIRECTION OF OUR HOME/SCHOOL..I cannot go very far, even when he's in school..Yes MY CHILD COMES FIRST!
8) If you dont want to ASSOCIATE w/ a certain GROUP OF PEOPLE...cuz you really dont know them tell me up front... dont wait 2 yrs and waste my time..I enjoy THOSE PEOPLE's company....!!! I get Comfort from them...
9)Don'T think I dont get my feeling hurt because I do.....
10)I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS....but we are just AQAINTANCES....
11) Just because YOU are family dont think you know WHATS BEST FOR OUR KID....He's OUR KID AND WE'RE STILL LEARNING....!
12)When we do Fund Raisers for something for our kids its NOT THAT WE ARE LIVING ABOVE OUR MEANS..its because that is not covered by the services we get or that its something that REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR KIDS LIFE and we have to pay for more important things like RENT/GrOCERIES/GAS/UTILITIES!

attitude

I don't have an attitude.

I just have a sassy vocabulary

that you're too slow to comprehend

Live....Love.....Laugh

                                                                                                                             

                                                                   

Live for today
Love for tomorrow,
And laugh at all your yesterdays.
Never regret the past,
Always hope for the future,
And cherish every moment you have.

40 Balloons ...40 Kisses..Dec 2007

40 kisses released to heaven in a celebration of my mother's life. She was many things to many people and touched so many lives and our loss can't be measured in words. Heaven gained an awesome treasure and we can take comfort in knowing that she'll be there watching over us always.

Strong Willed Women of Our Family~Part I by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

I'm really not sure where I get this Head Strong Attitude I have. But then again maybe I do. I won't say attitude, how about "strong willed"! I don't know very much about my heritage except for what I have been told over the years.I do know I am of "English~Irish~Germany & Scotish" decent and somewhere some American Cherokee Indian thrown in there, all of which to me are strong willed people.
The women I came from were all hard working women, family women, compassionate women. Women of Conviction ;of "Attitude". We are New Orleaninas .Most of the women I DO know something about is my Dad's side of the family.I can only go back so far. Like I know my great-great grandmother Anne Dillenkoffer married Fredrick (Franz) Hanning way back in the late 1800's. They had 4 children I believe one of which is my Great-Grandma Carrie~ Caroline.I remember my Big Uncle Freddie- Carrie's Brother but thats another story for another time.
Grandma Carrie died a few months before I was born so I never got to meet her except in my imagination and dreams. What was she "really" like I always wondered? I know she married Charles Meyer and had only one child- my "Nana"~ Emelda Rita Meyer. I know she had my entire layette ready for me before I was even born. And I know she loved her family. She worked hard to raise her daughter. I only know of 2 places she every worked but they are historic in the cities I was raised in. She was a hotel operato,(at "The Fairmont Hotel " in New Orleans-the city under the sea. And at the "Hotel Galvez " in Galveston. You know the Island that was distroyed in the 1900 hurricane season). back in the day when there was such a thing. She loved to dance the night away , have a few beers and wore "White Shoulder" perfume'. And I know I've always loved her....

Mary Kay Pepperman by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

Mary Kay Pepperman by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace: "29, 2008
Mary Kay, one of my first friends in school. We started out at Bridgedale Elem in 2nd grade. I will not just remember you as the tallest girl in our class, but the girl that was funny, witty, amusing and had a bright smile. We shared a young life time together w/ Terri, Cheryl and many more. I remember the bus rides in the morning and afternoon. The proms and dances we all went to and shared tables at lunch.. You and that song -'Sweet Home Alabama'..How many times could you possibly play that song at lunch time...Frosh Orintantion running around as a 'Peppermint stick'.The first person I smoked a cig w/ in South yard. Thanks MK, I turned green that day. You were the first person to hug me after we got our diploma's from RHS. Though we haven't seen each other in years we could see each other and pick up were we left off..What a true and unique friendship we all shared...I know you had it hard in your life but I also know these last few years you have been TRULY HAPPY ..I'm so glad you found that happiness. I'm very grateful for knowing you during my youth and sharing so many happy memories w/ me..... I also know that one day I will meet you in heaven and we will be those happy young girls from the Phlox Street Bus Stop singing FreeBird and dancing our hearts out.....I love you girlfriend and I will so miss you..
Bobbi Lynn Harrigan-Surgenor (Madisonville, LA)"

My Good-bye by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

My Good-bye by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace: "My Good-bye
Bobbi Harrigan-Surgenor email (Sunday, December 30th, 2007)
My Aunt Cauna, My friend, My confidant, My sometimes partner in crime. Thru the years we have formed a strong bond that only an Aunt and Niece can have. It's different than that of a mother and child, yet simular. I have been very fortunate in that I have had strong woman to guide me thru my journey in this life. You were one of them. I have no regrets for our friendship was a true and unique experience that I will cherish all the days of my life. I know my Mom was waiting there for you when you got to heaven, so that you could join her and Daddy in a Dance. Rest peaceful now Aunt Cauna,know that your work is done here on earth and that you earned your wings. I love you very much."

Rules for Ex's~

Rules for Ex's~
1) you're an ex for a really good reason...Just because we can't get along DON"T TRASH ME TO OUR KIDS..I'll do the same....Its called "RESPECT".
2) what goes on between you and me....is like LAS VEGAS...It stays between us..DON'T drag the kids or our friends and family OR THE NEW GIRLFRIEND IN THIS
3) REMEMBER THEY ARE OUR KIDS.....
4)Please remember to do their homework,feed them and bathe them before you bring them home on YOUR Wednesday nights......I do this the other 4 days, you can handle it for 5 hrs
5) when the kids are punished..they are PUNISHED ON YOUR WEEKENDS TOO..Its called A UNITED FRONT!
6) when the judge says pay child support & 50/50 of the kids expenses..Please Don't Act like I'm Blackmailing you......Hello,THEY ARE YOUR KIDS TOO..REMEMBER??? there's rent/food/utilities/clothes/etc etc....I don't have a money tree and you are not being taken advantage of...THEY ARE YOUR KIDS
7) Don't bring the new girlfriend around our kids til you are sure the relationship is going someone other than the bedroom..Having sex w/ the girl does not constitute a RELATIONSHIP....THINK WITH YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR PENIS...
8) Don't brag about your YOUNG girlfriend/wife..YOU SOUND AND LOOK STUPID TO YOUR KIDS (NOT TO MENTION EVERYONE ELSE)
9) Don't say "I'm not taking the kids EVERY WEEKEND/EVERY OTHER WeeKEND..this is NOT Negotiable.."THEY ARE YOUR KIDS TOO" REMEMBER!
10) remember if you are stupid enough to put your words in writing then I'm smart enough to keep copies so I can show the kids when they are grown...I DID NOT KEEP YOU FROM THEM....
11) stop trying to hurt me ...we're done..the only ones you are hurting is OUR KIDS...
12) YES I hate you but you will never hear me say that to our kids..its immature and sounds vindictive
13) stop acting like an A$$....we don't allow OUR kids to act that way so STOP IT!

Live for today
Love for tomorrow,
And laugh at all your yesterdays.
Never regret the past,
Always hope for the future,
And cherish every moment you have.

No More Bath and Body Works

A Funny story by Velma Clements-Jones on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 3:27am

No more Bath and Body Works!!! A few days ago we are in Wal-Mart and some man keeps reaching around me, messing with the SAME grilling utensils every time, before finally putting his hand on my shoulder and telling me he's not used to being stalked by such good smelling women (he was also in the deodorant section when we were). I told him that he was on to my evil plan. I was going to overwhelm  him with my scent, snatch him up, throw him in the trunk of my car, and take him home.

Today, the neighbor stopped by. Invited me to view his garden. Offered me some deer sausage. Invited me to ride the 4-wheeler and go exploring the neighborhood. Invited me to go fishing. Invited me to check out his fire pit. Spoke to my son-in-law later on and told him about talking with me and having me check out his garden. Tonight, he was LOUDLY singing "Good night sweetheart, sleep tight, where ever you are" while looking straight up the hill towards my house.

A few weeks ago the steak man proposed. :(

The only logical conclusion is that my new bath scents are luring them in. It's like bait! That crap has got to go! Because here lately Zoey has been using MY shower and MY bath products. Can't have the sharks circling my 13 year old.

It's either that or the fact that the Maltese AND the Pomeranian are both in heat and I now have scientific proof that men are truly dogs. I'm trying to be positive...No bath and body works!

Louisiana Architecture: Claiborne Parish Courthouse

Another Report by Velma Clements-Jones March 16

              

                              Louisiana Architecture and Art.....

    Growing up in Louisiana, I have spent my life surrounded by a richness of art and culture, whether I realized it or not. Many homes are designed in the antebellum style which brings to mind romance and fantasy. The antebellum style also has been incorporated into many other buildings across the state, such as the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The lawn surrounding the square is lush and well-manicured. Each outer wall of the building is adorned with grand staircases leading to the upper level of this two story building. The entire building is surrounded by stout, stark-white columns that extend gracefully from the ground, reaching up to provide support for the roof.
    The Parish Courthouse is often considered the heart of the parish. To signify this, the building was designed to sit in the heart of downtown, the courthouse in the middle surrounded by one-way streets, and the opposite side of the street being lined with quaint shops. The building grounds are elevated above street level and appear to loom over the surrounding businesses. This style seems to accentuate the importance of the building while the design is to protect the building in case of flooding. The grand sweeping staircases, while being distinctly beautiful, are also functional in the event of flooding and emergencies; providing easy access for boats, or sturdy, secure exit routes in emergency. The building is graceful, charming, and stylish and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for the people who work there, or are there to conduct official business. This type of architecture is an imitation of ancient Greek/Roman architecture (Ballinger, 2006). The huge, stout columns are symbolic of power, and a testimony to the fact that our laws have strong roots in Roman law, with Latin remaining the primary language of legal authority (“Roman Power”, n.d.).
     I am not often in the habit of considering a building as a work of art but for the purpose of this assignment I approached the project, not as a building, but as a work of art, to see it with new eyes. I observed the building from all angles, taking notes and pictures, while trying to interpret form and functionality. With that thought in mind, the building seemed to take on a new life. The previous paragraphs described the aesthetic beauty of the building, but you can also make out the details of form and function. The aspects, such as the columns and staircases appear to be beautiful appendages on the building and yet they have function. The form of the building is inviting and charming, and yet proclaims power. This aura of power inspires those who enter to be on their best behavior, evoking reverence and a solemn demeanor.

Painter....Conrad Abrizio

Report by Velma Clements-Jones March 16 for one of her College Classes.....I enjoy reading things Velma writes and have her permission to share this....Plus its about Louisiana History..

      Conrad Abrizio, originally from New York,

has made quite a name for himself in the state of Louisiana.

The Union Passenger Terminal lobby is home to his last frescos, consisting of four huge panels;

one of the largest collections in the U.S. at the time of completion in 1957. (Irvin, 2009).

     Albrizio worked in true frescos, applying pigment to the texture and then applying the tinted plaster, much the same as the Italian masters in the 15th and 16th centuries (Irvin, 2009). He was commissioned to create a number of frescos for various state buildings and in 1937 he painted his first mural in Russellville, Arkansas; Rural Free Delivery (Cowan, 2010).
     Conrad Abrizio worked with a variety of medias, not only working in frescos and murals, but also doing canvas paintings, composition, etching, lithography, and mosaics; being commissioned to construct a mosaic to cover the bullet holes in the hallway where Huey P. Long was shot, which later was installed in the Louisiana Supreme Court Building (Cowan, 2010).

    Abrizio’s style was impressionistic as seen in his oil painting “Jordan”; depicting an African-American baptism. This piece of work captured my eye because the scene is alive with religious spirit. The people, on the banks of the river, are in the throes of the Holy Spirit moving amongst them, as they witness this person dedicating their life to Christ. His perspective is not to create a true likeness to actual people; adding harsh lines and details to the facial structure and sensual roundness to the body form. The viewer perspective appears to be from a point above the group, which also appears to be elevated away from the bodies in the water. The bodies displayed in the forefront also have a skewed perspective away from the center of the picture as well, growing smaller as it progresses from the central figures.

Japan and Mother Nature

On Saturday, March 11th, 2011 in the early morning hours Japan and her proud people took on an undertaking not seen since WWII....

                           ******A 9.0 Earthquake****** 

It set off Mother Nature and all her furry on the
Northern Eastern Coast of Japan....
This quake (only the 5th strongest known) set off a massive tsunami that would wipe out towns, fishing villages, business's
                                  ******"LIVES"...******
30 ft walls of water....6...."SIX MILES" inland engulfed the Japanese People and their homes...
10's of 1000's of people are expected to have died in this natural disaster .

People have
NO WATER....
NO FOOD....
NO SHELTER.....
NO HOMES OR JOBS
OR FAMILIES TO GO BACK TO

Towns and Communities COMPLETELY wiped off the Map....

Then on top of all this..
Japan 's Nuclear Plants (how Japan gets MOST of their Electricity)
in the defastated areas are in
MELT DOWN.....In other words...Radiation exposure...

The World's 3rd strongest economy....
The top most Technocology Country ....
One of the few TOTALLY self-suficiate countries....
They have built for natural disasters ...
Tsunami  & Earthquake Drills are a norm....

If they "Can Not" get it right....
How can the rest of us have any hope.....
"GOD BLESS THE JAPANESE NATION & HER STRONG PEOPLE...

Out of the Mouth Of MJ.......

Matthew: 170 yrs ago they didn't have electricity.
Dad: That's true..
Matthew(matter of factly): So if you wanted to watch TV you had to get a generator........
Dad: <Shakes his head & smiles>