THANKSGIVING....IT IS A'COMIN!

As promised....I am sharing some other adorable pictures of those awesome salt and pepper shakers...I know you all have been waiting....Happy Thanksgiving and be kind to one another. I actually had to borrow the pig shakers from daughter "M's" pig collection. She collects them. Happy Holidays to all those I love and even to those I don't. Love as always from Nana {: )

Fault Finding

You know the expression that if you look up a word in the dictionary that you would see so and so's picture next to the definition. Well, here is my version! ( I have cropped the photo to protect the identity of the known "blame shifter"!




Blame shifter: (definition) Uses accusatory manner or actually states to anyone they can find, that their (accuser) forgetfulness, lack of planning, mistake or screwup is someone elses fault; i.e., missing the garbage men by not putting out the garbage the night before, not returning a phone message because "someone" did not remind them, almost being late to work because same said person turned the alarm clock off days ago, etc., etc., etc. Example: "Thanks for checking to see that I got up for work; it's 9:30 a.m.!!!"(This person has to be 30 minutes away by 10:00 a.m. and I should have technically been gone by 8:30 a.m. and would not have been here to check on him anyway, but decided to stay home!) Ciao!

Best Friends

My beautiful son "R" is the man on the left and his best friend since first grade, Jason is on the right. This picture was taken on December 22, 2002 at my daughter "J's" wedding. Our dear and beloved friend Jason was lost to this world on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 in a terrible tragedy we will never fully understand. He has been our "other" son and brother for so many years. Jason is woven into every member of this family's memories. Somehow without realizing it, he became a part of all the changes in our family; moves, graduations, weddings, and new babies just to name some. Many of our family gatherings at holidays were blessed with a visit by Jason. He always brightened the place and brought comfort with his visits. He "blended" in seamlessly with the Ashley's and that is not an easy thing to do! His passing has left a HUGE hole and no one else will fill it the way he did. He was bright, loving, funny, ambitious and just an all around outstanding human being. He will be sorely missed and never, ever forgotten.

Jason Bassett 1/10/84 - 11/15/2005

Such a terrible, terrible loss! Rest easy good friend and we will see you on the other side.

I'm Totally Blogging This!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING GOOD SOULS!!! Even though some of us are entering this holiday with heavy hearts; we must remember all that we have to be thankful for. Things I'm thankful for: my marriage is sound and my husband and I are truly good friends. I am unbelievably blessed with family(daughters, son, sons-in-law, awesome grandchildren!!! : ) and some close friends. I have a job I value and that brings me as much pleasure as a paycheck. In the true spirit of the holiday I must dedicate this particular blog to my beloved daughter "M". Please, please "M", no more unfair and cruel shots at the Pilgrim family we all have grown to love from the Publix commercials. : ) Here is a picture of the Lil'grims....the beloved children of the original Pilgrim salt and pepper shakers. I will be sharing some other heartwarming photos as we draw nearer this special holiday. Enjoy! Ciao!! Mom aka Nana

Thinking of Dad :)

This is my Dad holding my first grandson and his great-grandson Gus. It is an amazing picture for me to have. Dad LOVED babies and they loved him. It helps to see this picture and know he always held me that way when I was a baby. He was very affectionate to me as an adult. We kissed goodnight and he would always hug me if I was upset. He could always tease me into a better mood. I LOVED HIM! I LOVE HIM!

A friend of my daughter M had this written on her blog about the loss of her father. It is so eloquent and TOTALLY captures exactly how I felt as my father slipped away and then was gone.......

"Daddy, no man is ever going to love me like you love me. No man is ever going to take your place in my heart" and put my arms around his frail shoulders trying not to break him, trying not to think of how these arms used to hold up my world when I was a child.

I had the same relationship with my Dad and he made me feel totally good about myself, loved unconditionally and somewhat adored. Everyone should have someone who makes them feel like that. I try hard to make my kids feel this way. I love you Dad and still grieve terribly for you. Love, Me