Almost finished!

Our little Mexican friends are almost finished with their job here! Today they finish the bathroom (big job as they have to remove the sink/toilet!) and hallways and edges. Then the job of GROUTING everything!! Terry says TOMORROW they should be completely done!! Last night we left to go have dinner with Nat/Brad and Kemp and when we got back at 8:30, the guys were STILL HERE---WORKING!!!!!.......Nat/Brad and Kemp leave today for: WALT DISNEY WORLD! Hurrah! The weather there is around 85 so they should be in for some nice weather! Natalie said that according to the websites, this is the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR to visit WDW , b/c most kids are having finals/Thanksgiving is over/Magic Kingdom is decorated and you can get around the park much easier! I'm so happy they're going but SAD I'm not going, too!

Here's how my dining room/den looked around 3:00 p.m.! It's going to be beautiful!

Wood Floors----GONE!

 Here's a few pix of the kids the other day. They were so cute playing with their stuffed animals!...............Well, at this very moment, there is only a concrete floor downstairs. It's so weird b/c when we walk thro and speak---everything ECHOES. Just like in a brand new house without furniture. The room looks SOOOOO different! In a little while, they will begin putting down the new floor!! I am going to stay in the craft room and take the time to straighten up all my scrapbook supplies. Something I never seem to have time to do! Poor Buddy is delegated to my room behind a gate and the cats are FREAKING OUT! Maggie doesn't mind walking on the bare floors, but Jezebelle jumps around like a scaredy cat. OH YEAH! That's what she is! HA!.....

OH NO! My house is upside down!

On one hand I am excited to pieces and on the other hand, I'm LOOPY! My house has been TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and INSIDE OUT! We started tearing apart our den this afternoon! I even skipped church so that I could start putting up all my collectibles  and moving things to both spare bedrooms. When Terry got home from church, we moved furniture that we could move without help. Then we had the BIG STUFF still to move! SUCH AS: Dining room table/chairs; couches; my grandfather clock; my buffets; our HUGE armoire that housed our T.V. ; tables; lamps, etc. etc etc!!! We called in some troops to help: Brad/Michael and Jon get extra Christmas goodies as they helped soooooooo much!!!! We only had one slight accident---one of the huge weights fell off in the grandfather clock (that Katie had just gotten to work again!) and it smashed into the bottom of the clock! Brad said it can be fixed! Jon did good today, he left with the big screen T.V.!! We are getting one to put on the wall and since we moved the armoire into our bedroom, we put our other one in there! (it looks GREAT!!!).Jon was beside himself! He got his room-mate, David, to come and help him load it up and take it back to Auburn. I told him that he had to MARRY Katie or I would come and get it! HAHA!....Brad got the couch that was in our room (Hurrah!) and poor Michael left with only some bruises and a sore back! HAHA! My house is a TOTAL and COMPLETE wreck! They will start pulling up the floor tomorrow and hopefully, by wed/thurs. we'll have our new Mexican Tile floor!!! I can't wait! After the floor gets down, we're PAINTING. And after painting,  we are getting our new couches! FINALLY  We have a NEW COUCHES coming BEFORE Christmas that we got at Leather Creations (I ADORE that place!). Actually, it probably won't be here till the week of Christmas (fingers crossed!) b/c it has to be made. They custom make all of them. It's soooooooooo pretty and incredibly COMFORTABLE! We looked everywhere but after we sat down on that one, it was ALL OVER! We looked at each other and said, "THIS IS IT!" We tried to get the connected one that wraps around the room, but we had to get separate ones b/c of the fireplace. They are so cool, tho! And we got some ottomans to match and when you put them up to the couches they make chaise lounges! AWESOME! OOOOOOOOOH! Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT, for now, I must endure lots of DUST and NOISE (as they have to dig up the floor) , only watch T.V. in ourbedroom (b/c JON got our old one!) and move around my house like a snake! I'm taking Lily to the mall tomorrow and to HER house since she can't get in all this mess! We can't even get to the kids toys!!!!......WHAT A MESS! But, how EXCITING when it all gets FINISHED! IF I can stand the craziness around here until it all gets done! HAHA!

Thankful

Thanksgiving Day 2006! What a blessing! We had extra blessings around our table this year! Besides all of us (everyone!) we had Rachel's grand-dad/aunt/mom/brother and MIMI to join our Thanksgiving table this year! It was a beautiful day---temps in the 70's and sunny. Perfect weather and guest list! ........How can I even begin to list all the food????????? I've never seen so much! ALL the girls cooked and brought several dishes to share. Each one better than the next!Two of the GUYS also cooked! Terry and Brad! (Brad fried a turkey). All the dishes were fantastic, no doubles!, and the dessert list was incredible. I'm still FULL 2 days later!!!! ......The highlight of our day was watching Mimi and Mr. Lane sit beside each other on the couch and giggle and talk. They were the CUTEST couple!!!!!!!! They really enjoyed having each other to talk to!....Terry had the sweet blessing for everyone and then the instructions: GET A PLATE!!!! HAHA! (they followed instructions to the letter!). Here is who all that was here: ME, Terry, Mr. Lane, Mimi, Cathie, Jamie, Jay, Rachel, Charles, Michael, Kadie, Lily, Natalie, Brad, Kemp, Patrick, Stefanie, Katie and Jon! Oh yes, and MAGGIE the cat and Buddy the dog! (Jezebelle was sent off to the garage!). Maggie laid on the couch and nuzzled Mimi's ear!.....We had such a wonderful time and I thank God for the blessings He has given each one of us. It was truly a wonderful day for which I will always be THANKFUL!

Star gazing

It's so much fun to light the chiminea (spelling?) and warm your hands while the outside air is cold! Lily and Kemp liked it, but even more---liked running around in the cold at night! Here's some cute shots in the Fry Backyard with Nat/Brad and Katie/Jon and kids!

My new dishwasherS!

I cleaned in my kitchen all day! Not that it was THAT messy, I just decided to start re-arranging drawers; throwing away old utensils; washing old pot holders; make the dressing; help Katie with her dishes she's taking to Jon's mom's; cleaned and WASHED MY DISHES ! Well, KIND Of washed my dishes. I LOADED my new dishwashers! I LOVE my new dishwashers! Yes, dishwasher S!!! It is a double decker that has DRAWERS in it. You don't have to lean over, you just pull out the drawer and load it up. Then, if you have lots of dirty dishes, pull out the bottom one! It's just AWESOME! I love love love it! Who would've thought that I, Janice Fry, actually enjoyed loading a dishwasher these days! (at least until the new wears off! HAHAHAHA). AND, I got them JUST IN TIME for THANKSGIVING!....Oops, gotta go and UNLOAD my NEW DISHWASHERS!....

Jon (AU) vs. Katie (UA) IRON BOWL PIX

O.k., o.k. So the whole world knows that Auburn got lucky and beat Bama by one measley point! It was close and we did have fun watching it with JON , that usually QUIET boyfriend of Katie's! Well, he became a dancing fool everytime Auburn would score! Here's the proof! And, Katie would retaliate and do the same thing ! Only, we RAN OUT OF TIME so Auburn ended up with the win! ROLL TIDE anyway! (right, Katie?!). These picutres tell the story, in case you missed the game! HAHAHAHA

ROOOOOOOOOOLL TIDE

Well, it's that day again. The day I dread all year. The famous, or I should say INFAMOUS,  Iron Bowl game between Alabama and that other team. I'm already nervous. I SAY it doesn't matter to me---but already my stomach is in knots!!!!!! We were supposed to have been in New Orleans this week-end, but the job Terry has there wasn't ready enough so we had to wait. I was really HOPING we wouldn't even BE here! But, we are. I think all the kids but Katie/Jon are going.  Of COURSE, Jon is nervous, too, he just won't admit it! HE being the big AUB fan!!!! How in the WORLD did Katie end up with a boyfriend going to AUBURN of all places?! HAHA!  O.K., so even Jon has one fault, other than that, he's nearly perfect!!! Imagine he and Katie watching the game together! HAHA! Last year , Katie became a FRY OUTCAST by wearing a blue/orange outfit to an Auburn game. Her brothers (and Brook Dodson!) gave her so much grief about it that I think she gave the clothes to the Good Will! She's admitted that EVEN IF SHE LIVES IN AUBURN if she and Jon get married, she will FLY THE CRIMSON FLAG! (right Jon?!). HA!....Anyway, back to TODAY. I would love to be there, in some ways, but I get to darn nervous. Kind of like my daddy always did during the game. Not as bad as MICHAEL, but I do tend to freak a little.  (Terry, on the other hand, just leaves and goes plays golf and calls and asks me, "who's ahead?!" Then, if Bama is winning he will listen. Otherwise, he rants and raves about THE COACHING! That leaves me here, alone with the T.V.---trying to decide. Do I watch or not?! SO, being the gracious and loving grandmother I am, I volunteered to babysit so the OTHERS could get nervous and freak out while watching it LIVE! HURRAH. I can get my mind OFF the game for awhile by reading JAY JAY the airplane or playing with Lily and her baby doll! It's Lily's turn to spend the night tonight, too, (so I can wallow in my sorrow --if we get beat-- by hugging my little girl as she goes to sleep! ) I WON'T sneak a peek at the T.V. Well, maybe once or twice. Like KICK OFF?! or.... UNLESS I get an excited call from one of my boys from T-TOWN screaming their joy! THEN I will! HA HA HA HA! Oh, well, whatever happens, agony or ecstasy  ROOOOOLL TIDE!

Decorating for Thanksgiving!

It's time to decorate for Thanksgiving! I know, some people forget poor ole Thanksgiving and go directly from Halloween pumpkins to Christmas trees, but I can't! I have to put out the little pilgrims and fall leaves,etc! And this year, we're having a larger crowd than usual ! We're thrilled that Rachel's Mom/Grandfather/Aunt and brother join us and MIMI! Yes, MIMI is coming! For the first time in so long! I usually ask AFTER she has already been asked by one of the other family members! So, I asked EARLY. Like back in early October! HAHA! Jon and Katie are picking her up  b/c I'll be busy SLAVING (HAHA) in the kitchen! Actually, with all the girls bringing so much I don't have so much to do! I always fix the turkey/dressing (Paula Deen's famous dressing recipe! SHH! It's a secret!) and sweet potatoe casserole and, for Patrick ---DEVILED EGGS! His favorite! (and also Stefanie's favorite, I've heard, too!). And Pumpkin Pie for Terry. I like it O.K., it's not my favorite, but it's HIS favorite. (Cathie, Rachel's mom is bringing THREE desserts! HURRAH!). Nat will bring her Hashbrown Casserole (YUMMY!) and Brad will also fry a turkey. Terry is smoking one, too. Yes, that's 3 turkeys! The Frys love turkey! Kadie is a great cook and will bring some delicious veggie dishes and Rachel is bringing some fruit, etc. (Plus, I HOPE her peanut butter balls!). Katie is fixing Strawberry Pretzel Salad (a Fry favorite!). She loves to cook and is a great little cook already! Besides cooking, I love to decorate the table and get everything ready. ( won't take pictures of the table until Thursday, tho!)..... I remember as a child loving Thanksgiving ALMOST as much as Christmas! Why? Because BOTH sets of grandparents came every year (I don't know how that happened, but they always seemed to come to OUR house each year!). I loved watching out the window for Big Mama and Grand-daddy and Mama and Papa Powell to come. Believe it or not, I would SING "Over the river and through the woods" all morning long, in between running and sneaking TURKEY SKIN and eating it! Daddy would get so mad at me for eating that skin! To this DAY, I love Turkey skin! UMMM! Brown and salty! YUMMY! Mimi would be so busy in the kitchen with her little apron on and we would constantly have to shoo the cat out of the kitchen b/c he loved sneaking bites of the turkey! He would jump on the counter and LICK IT! Yes, he did! In fact, one year, she had it thawing in the sink before it was cooked and we walked in and there was KAT, licking the heck out of it! Mimi screamed, the cat jumped down and she looked at me and said, "Don't you tell ANYBODY that Kat did that! It'll be fine! I'll just scrub it and after it's baked all the germs will be gone!" I guess MAYBE I can finally tell that story. I might remind her that after 40 something years, secrets must be told! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

*By the way, that's Mimi's baby plate on my buffet. Since I took it and hid it when I was about 8 years old, I guess it's time to tell Mimi THAT secret, too! HAHA! I promised it to Charles a long time ago and told him when he/Rachel have a baby he can have it. I GUESS I'll part with it then. Maybe....?

Katie to the rescue!

I sure was glad Jon didn't come home last week-end! Why? B/c that meant KATIE could help GranJan and Big T entertain the munchkins when she got off work! They were soooooooo happy to see her when she got off of work and both ran and screamed, "CUTIE!" She bathed them/read to them/played with them! But, when they were FIGHTING and screaming she said, "I just hope I don't ever have TWINS!" hahahahahaha.......

Kemp's (WIGGLES!) 2nd birthday!

From the moment you stepped onto the HORNE'S sidewalk, you knew it was going to be a fun party! From Kemp's personalized "WIGGLES" shirt that said, "happy 2 Birthday Kemp" to a HUGE blow up Kangaroo holding balloons who greeted you at the door! Yes, it was KEMP'S 2nd birthday bash!!! It was held on Sunday afternoon from 3-5. Everyone was there except, of course, Brad's family who wished they were but were sending hugs and kisses through SKYPE (video instant messenger) and Charles/Rachel who were in Washington, D.C.......The highlight of the party was in the backyard! A huge surprise awaited everyone! Brad had built Kemp his own Playhouse! It's the coolest thing ever! He didn't even use a "KIT", he designed it totally on his own, using his brain!It's awesome---complete with CLIMBING WALL (or steps) and a little Fort on top. The kids either climb the wall or the steps to go down the large yellow slide! It's just incredible!!! (the swings will be added later---Brad ran out of time to get it completely finished!).The ROCK CLIMBING wall is the favorite part---all of them loved that! And, on that fort/playhouse is where all the kids stayed!  The parents were all in AWE of it and Brad has already had requests to "Contract" him out to build one for their kids! HAHA The kids stayed on it until time for burgers and hot dogs! Uncle Michael cooked and the kids played! It was perfect weather. A little cool, enough so that we could fire up the chimenea! Everyone ate; the parents of the kids chatted and the kids played! It was a great time! When it came time for Kemp to have "happy birthday" sung to him we all held our breaths! He HATES being sung to! GO FIGURE! His mom sings all the TIME to him, yet he hates being the center of attention. BUT, he didn't cry--he ALMOST did---but started laughing the minute the song was over and we handed him that cupcake!!! GranJan made him a little "TOOL CAKE" , too, besides the cute cupcakes the kids got.He got TONS of gifts and he loved them all! BUT, I do believe his favorite gift was JAY JAY the AIRPLANE that sings and rolls his eyes. Kemp is OBSESSED with JAY JAY  and watches the videos all the time and reads the books about him, too. We almost had a disaster when Lily ran up and grabbed Jay Jay when Kemp was opening another gift. He screamed and she threw herself down on the floor and cried until tears about floated her away! Unfortunately for them, the rest of us were laughing our heads off!!!! We also so enjoyed seeing all Kemp's little friends, especially Ladare Dodson, the cutest little "cabbage patch" baby you've ever seen! ......All in all, a 2nd birthday for the books! Just precious!......KEMP, GranJan and Big T love you so very much and you are one (of the 2!) lights of our lives! WE LOVE YOU!.........

Big T loves these babies!

Big T loves his babies! And he got a chance to see them both twice on Friday (he came by at lunch) at noon and Friday night. (Natalie had a baby shower for some friends and Kadie helped her get ready for it so I helped THEM by keeping the munchkins). Terry was so excited to have Kemp spend the night Thursday and Friday night (and next week-end we'll have Miss Lily)! I have TONS of pix so for this entry I'll just put some of BIG T and the kids. More over the next few days b/c KEMP'S 2nd BIRTHDAY is TOMORROW!

Pretty/Singing Mama!

Katie made these pix of Natalie and Kemp (as Nat/Brad were leaving Sat. night to go to Rolling Hills Camp). I think she is such a beautiful little mommy!!!!Kemp is a lucky little fella to have such a pretty mama who sings so beautifully, too!

Kemp's b'day is coming!

Our little angel boy's birthday is Sunday! I can't believe he is now 2! Katie couldn't wait to give him one of his gifts and decided to go ahead and give part of her gift to him early when she and Jon kept him Saturday night. He went nuts over his ELMO tool bench! Here's a few shots of Katie/Jon putting it together for him AND when Kemp playing with it as well! Katie said he went nuts over it and wore that adorable little tool belt with the talking tools all night. Would say, "MYYYYYYYYYYY tool bench. MYYYYYYYYYYY tools! MYYYYYYYYYY saw and drill!" Both the little ones LOVE Aunt "CHOOTIE" (as Lily calls her) b/c they know she brings them presents all the time! Yesterday we had Lily in WalMart and Lily said the longest sentence I've heard her say yet and it was, "CHOOTIE buy LILY  Ariel , take home?" HAHAHAHAHA! Lily loves the Little Mermaid but calls her by her NAME, Arial! HAHA These "babies" are getting so big and are SOOOOOOOOOOO SMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel Fry, Emmaus Walk # 44!

This week-end, Rachel attended Birmingham Emmaus Walk # 44 in Rolling Hills in Calera, Alabama! We just got back and we had got to enjoy hearing the ladies speak at Closing. Rachel was the first one up to talk!! She shared what a great week-end she had and it was wonderful getting to see her with her new group of friends from her Table as well as her friends on Walk # 44. What was REALLY special was that her Aunt Jamie came up from Mobile just to come to see her this week-end during some of the special events during the walk. It was priceless seeing Rachel's face when she saw Jamie on Saturday night! She was shocked and so happy!!!!!!!! All of us, except Pat and Kadie  (who haven't been yet , altho Pat is slated to go on a Chrysalis in April!) went and supported Rachel this week-end. SO MANY FRYS! HAHA! People thought Rachel was my daughter instead of my daughter-in-law b/c they all said she looks like Katie and Natalie!!! .....

 P.S. To  Rachel: I'm so thankful that you got to go on your WALK TO EMMAUS , Rachel. I loved what you said at closing and I know you will ,indeed,  share His love in wherever you go and whatever you do. De Colores! I love you! jxxoo

Katie and Jon @ Formal

Here are some pix Katie made tonight at Jon's formal. They looked so cute!!!  I'm sorry I didn't get to see them but glad she took HER camera and made these for me to see! We were at Holy Apostles auction  while they were gone to SOHO for Jon's formal. They had fun and so did we! AND we bid on LOTS of stuff and won LOTS of stuff! THE CONDO! Yes, kids, we got the Robertson's condo in SandDestin again this year for the summer! Terry went wild bidding on everything from a huge basket of chocolate; a big ice cream basket; a chocolate cheese cake (Yes, he LOVES desserts!) and I've forgotten what all! I got a few Christmas gifts so I can't say what all I got! HAHA!  I did grab a scrapbook and a frame for cheap! OH! And my  contribution to the auction: a "photo shoot"  at Aldridge Gardens. It was a big hit! Had lots of bids---I don't know who got it or how much it went for! Guess I'll find out when whoever bought it calls for their Photo shoot! ....But, all in all, we had fun sitting with Don/Yvette Heath and bidding on stuff! Actually, another one of my favorite gifts is  that we're going with 3 other couples for a lobster and wine dinner one night.  Should be Fun!

Laura, Kadie and Miss Lily

Lily and Kadie came by this afternoon  to see Laura . Laura has been wanting to see Lily and Lily usually isn't here on Fridays when Laura comes.Lil was a little shy and wanted to sit in her mama's lap when we made the pix but Laura thought she was so cute and kept saying, "you're so PRETTY, Lily"!

CHARLES IS A PARTNER!

WOW! This is one of those milestone days! My little "boy" has added another milestone to his life! He became a partner yesterday in his law firm! We are so excited for him and proud of him, too!  CHARLES, I love you and am so proud of you!