Johnson Thanksgiving 2007

Here are a few photos for your pleasure and/or amusement. I am publishing these with the emphasis that I love my family, and I in no way intend to embarrass, degrade, or humiliate.

Tara and Brittany fast asleep

Uncle Carl thy tryptophan worketh

Uncle Carl and Bob, turkey coma

Erica and Buster, up close and personal

And this is probably my favorite picture. Dartell was helping me with the potatoes and inside the same ten pound bag of potatoes, were these two heart shaped cuties. Can you believe this? Of course, the cutie in the middle is probably the cutest.

Love to all. It was a wonderful day filled with good food, good family, and good fun! Justine has volunteered for next year. On to Christmas!

Grandma loves Berkeley

Brittany, Berkeley, and Grandma

Grandma loves Berkeley, Oh yes she does, oh yes she does! MMMwwwaa!

Meet Andrew's New Boy

Andrew has a new playmate. He has dearly missed Berkeley since he moved out, so, meet Buster! I'm sorry that the picture is sideways, but, Andrew rescued this cute 6 year old beagle from the pound. He brought Buster over to meet Berkeley and to play for Thanksgiving.

I made a special Thanksgiving meal for Berkeley and Buster. Pedigree turkey and bacon mixed with rice that I cooked for them.

Berkeley wasn't certain at first, he likes to be the main Beagle in the Johnson household, but, they got along and did things we won't speak about in polite company. If you have ever been to a dog park, you know what I am referring to.

Berkeley and Buster

Over the river, and through the woods...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We had a house full. I cooked and we had Lee's parents Roger and Sharon Johnson, Lee's uncle Wm. Carl Johnson, Lee's sister Dartell, Lee's other sister Justine and her husband Bob, and their four girls, Tara 16, Jennica 14, Erica 12, and Sierra 10.

There was turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, carrots, corn, and egg nog. Justine made appetizers, cheese balls and crackers. Erica did the deviled eggs. Dartell made some delicious rolls and sugar cookies. The piece de resistance was 2 apple pies, 1 pecan pie, 1 traditional pumpkin pie, 1 lemon meringue pie, and a double layer pumpkin pie. We stuffed ourselves to the gills!

Please...Don't squeeze the Charmin

Dick Wilson, better known as "Mr. Whipple" has died at the age of 91. This icon of my childhood to present torment. From 1964 to 1985 he made more than 500 commercials extolling housewives everywhere to "Please don't squeeze the Charmin". He himself was a closet squeezer.

I have to admit, I'm a little sad that he is gone. The jokes, the teasing, the torture, the laughter that I have endured my entire life, will never die. As most of you know, I have two middle names, the initials of which are "T. P." All the teehees at the grocery store, the bank, and anywhere I might need to show my driver's license will continue. I have, however, learned to work it to my advantage. I make myself the punch line of the joke when I meet people, then they never forget my name. I mean, really, how many Charmen's are you going to meet in your lifetime?

So, farewell Mr. Whipple. Thank you for your contribution to the butt of the joke of my life. You will be missed!

Brittany's Big One Eight!

On November 18, 1989, a certain mother was laboring to deliver her child. This child didn't seem to want to come out. For a day and a half this mother labored, and finally at 1:14 pm on November 19th the child was born. It's a girl! We didn't know beforehand so it was a wonderful surprise, all 6lbs and 15oz and 19 1/4 inches of her.

Yes, Brittany Charmen Johnson was born and made her presence known. She has been and continues to be a wonderful blessing in our lives. Here are 18 things to love about Brittany:

1. She is our most beautiful and talented and favorite daughter.
2. She has a very soft heart.
3. She is a friend to all and loves her friends.
4. She loves her family and her brothers most of the time.
5. She is our peacemaker.
6. She is going to be the world's greatest Massage Therapist.
7. She has had to make tough choices in her life, and has come through stronger for them.
8. She knows how to butter her mom up for something she wants. ie: my car.
9. She is generous with her funds and is very giving.
10.She knows who she is and will never let anyone take advantage of her. (Ever again.)
11.She has great self-esteem, a must for young women.
12.She has a wit that will make you laugh. I love her wit.
13.You can't rush her. She's ready when she's ready.
14.She is a hard worker.
15.She has the most beautiful brown eyes. I could stare into them forever.
16.Since she was little I have asked her, "How long can I keep you?" Her answer, "Forever."
17.She is a fantastic cook.
18.She has a wonderful future ahead of her.

I love and admire you Brittany. You have always amazed me with your growth and strength. You are a tremendous example to your family of standing tall in tough times, and I know I made you stand tall sometimes when it probably would have been easier or understandable to fall. This year I feel like you have really pulled yourself up and out, and everyone who sees you can see the difference in you. Thanks for letting me be your mother and letting me mother you. I love you with my whole heart and am happy about the woman you are becoming. I love you and Happy Birthday!

Phew!!!! I dodged that bullet.....

I've been really stressed out the last two months. In mid-September at my well-woman visit, a lump was discovered in my left breast. I was scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram on October 24th. (Why they can't get you in sooner when you are freaking out I'll never know!) Well, I kept my date with the boob smasher (they put your lung in there for good measure!).

The mammogram did show an irregularity and I was scheduled for an ultrasound on November 7th. All of this is done with great dignity, must tell you, like they've had breasts coming down a conveyer belt in a factory. You know, you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Today I finally got great news! I am alright! Two months of wondering and waiting and worrying. Now I can go back to just worrying about getting my former home sold.

Pretty little jailbird

Brittany has a stellar driving record. She has been driving for two years with her license without any problems, no accidents, or tickets.

Brittany's curfew on Saturday night is midnight, not a moment later. Well, last night she was dropping off friends after their evening of fun, and she apparently was driving a little too slow. So slow that some of the neighbors thought that she must be "casing the neighborhood" and they called the police.

Imagine Brittany's surprise when the police turned their lights on her just down the street. The police officers took her license and she came home with them following and they politely asked if she was my daughter. Of course, I said yes, and they explained what had happened and they left.

I hugged her because she was so scared! She has never had an experience like that before. Of course, today I had to have a little fun with her, so when I woke her up this morning to get up for church, I said, "Good morning little jailbird". In my best singsong voice. She smiled (I love when they smile when they are waking up) and said, "Moooommmmmmm!"

I think that she is too pretty to go to the big house. I asked her if I should get her tin cup out so that she can call the warden. Again, I was met with the requisite, "Mooooommmmmmm!" I love to tease my kids in a loving way.

This is one of her senior pics, isn't she so beautiful? I don't know why my scanner insists upon putting a line through it. I kind of thought, if it made more lines and they were evenly spaced, you might get the image of "My pretty little jailbird". I love you Brittany!

Grown up and out......

Andrew has had some really good fortune these days. I am hoping that can rub off on his parents and result in the sale of our former home!

This summer he had a lot of problems with his car and after about $2,000.00 worth of work, decided that it was just not working for him anymore. It is with great parental pride that I say, he went out and purchased a "new to him vehicle" and financed it without his parents co-signing!

His father and I are very proud of him and are pleased that he is so responsible. In light of the fact that he has a new vehicle, he also got a new job. His new full time job is with Westcor Security working at Fiesta Mall. If you see him, please say hi and ask where the free stuff is. (Heehee) He continues to work part time at MCC security as well. Baby steps to his ultimate career goal of being a police officer. He's just not old enough yet.

He tested and passed for the TSA, but couldn't wait for them to get back to him with a position. Andrew now has his own benefits and is making an acceptable amount of funds. I love this picture of him because he looks so happy.

We are proud of you son and we love you!