New Beginnings

On the way to work this morning I was thinking about the fact that I was the 8th child in our family and that I was born in the 8th month of the year on the 28th day. My mother was born in the 8th month of 1908 and her mother, my grandmother, was also born in the 8th month on the 8th day in the year 1887. This was my grandmother, Mary Olive, that I was named after. My oldest child was born on April 18th.

My brother, Boyd, wrote this in a Happy Birthday email this morning: "Mary Ellen came home from the hospital on September 3, 1941, my 8th birthday. Daddy & Mama gave her to me for a birthday present so she is mine. We lived on So. Penn at the time, next to the river. Well, yeah, Ken has her but she is really mine, I just loaned her out."

Mama had always told me this story and I believed I belonged to Boyd for sure, and still do until this day. He is a wonderful brother. (Of course, all of my brothers are wonderful!!)

I got on the internet to see what the meaning of the number 8 is and found this:

The biblical meaning of the number 8 is NEW BEGINNINGS.

One website gives a number for each letter of the alphabet. You add this numbers up and get a total. My total was 71 for my full given name. Then you are supposed to add the 7 to the 1 and that gives me another 8.

Now, it looks like the number 8 is my destiny, so I wonder how that applies to me today. For sure, turning 65, marks a milestone in my life and definitely a new chapter in my journey. I definitely feel like God has given me a new start in my senior years. Having lost a total of 24 pounds in the three months is something I have not achieved in years--and I believe this weight war will definitely be won. I feel so much better, and so much younger. You just cannot imagine unless you've been there. I have a long way to go, but I feel I can possibly accomplish my goal to be at my normal weight by this time next year. I know everyone is pulling for me and that definitely helps. I certainly thank all of your for your prayers in my behalf.

Also, thank you all so much for the wonderful cards, telephone calls, and "Happy Birthday" songs, visits, etc. You are all such a wonderful family and great friends and I love each and everyone of you!! Thanks for making my 65th birthday very special!!

65 Years Ago--August 28th!!

Well, I finally made it--I never thought I would see this number!! Sixty-five is a real milestone. This is my first picture taken when I was four-months old!

I was a well- photographed baby! It must have been because I was born five years after Mama's 7th child, Betty, and had several older brothers and sisters with cameras.

This is me "looking cute"! At least that is what they told me to do, and I would put on this "cute" face!!
I loved that old pump we used to have which was later replaced with a bucket we dropped down into the well. I drew many buckets of water out of that well when I was a kid.

They tried to make a cowgirl out of me, but I never quite fit the roll! I never was a tomboy either. I loved dolls and playing house--and just looks what it got me! Five kids and 13 grandchildren!! I love every minute of it!!!


Guess what? My hair is the same color now at it was back when I was a baby--white!! I've had white hair for over 20 years. I guess that is called going back to your childhood when one gets older!! That and trying to act like a kid again riding a Sea-Doo. (See my last blog.)

Well, I finally found out the difference between a Sea-Doo and a Jet Ski. A Sea-Doo is like a motorcycle without the wheels, and a Jet Ski is like a motorized water ski that you stand up on and ride.