~ Mother's Day 2011 ~

 In honor of Mother's Day...... It's been 13 years. It's a beautiful day to honor Mothers past and present. 

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It's a melancholy day, but a celebration to be cherished.  The little kids sang so beautifully at church. I love the little songs they sing..... and I remember MY Momma being the chorister leading those sweet songs. It was always exciting to see what new pictures she could come up with to prompt the right words out of those little kids and of course Mothers Day and Fathers Day was and still is a precious time for those same songs.  

My family honored me with wonderful food and dessert and just being together. It doesn't have to be a big affair to make it special..... although, Gary outdid himself this year with steak AND lobster on the grill. It was perfect!!! And our Mother's day tradition included chocolate dipped strawberries.

I've been looking for a picture in our albums of a Mother's Day long ago that was spent with Mabel here. We went to a big Mother's Day brunch downtown with the kids. They were quite little. It included hand-dipped strawberries and it has been our tradition since. Such a sweet (pun intended) memory :)

Love this lady. She was a special Mom too. My dear Mother-In-Law, Mabel Wood has been gone now for 15 years. I WILL find that strawberry picture and post it. It was precious.... with strawberry smeared Grand-kids :)

A good day..... Some good memories...... A blog to honor them..... 

~ April Already ~

April is here in full swing and I thought I'd have blogged by now. Oh well. I've been contemplating the title of the blog. It still works. I'm still Just Trudy. It doesn't make sense to change it because really who else would I be....

This blog has been a great forum for posting pictures of people I love for people that I love. I’ve thought about getting philosophical but sometimes when I start out it just gets weird. I LOVE seeing other loved one’s pictures and stories. What a great connection it gives us. This is such a different way of sharing when you think of it. We give each other these clips of our lives but without speaking. This isn't always good because we miss the connection sometimes and it feels like we're just out there.

Everyone has a story.  I guess sometimes it’s just easier to tell it with pictures sometimes rather than words. I’m going to try to write more words.

A strange thing just happened today and it coincides with what I just wrote above before it happened! I listed a grill on Craigslist along with a few other odds and ends. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how easy this has all been. This afternoon a gentleman showed up to pick up the grill and there was no problem except that he needed to come back with a truck because it wouldn’t fit in his car. This led to a conversation about his car and how he came about purchasing a Jaguar for merely $800. This then led to stories of other amazing deals and purchases, which led to how he is new in town moving from Colorado to be closer to his kids and their families. Yes, I was very cautious. I met with this person on my driveway with neighbors homes in view so I never felt at risk,

It occurred to me that sometimes human connection can be oddly unusual but just OK. This guy with the amazing name of Leo (like my Grandpa) is adjusting very well in little Eagle, Idaho. He’s met neighbors and has found a church he’s comfortable with. Those of you rolling your eyes right now, please stop. I did NOT even try to jump in for a “rescue”.  He’s fine on his own, and I've resigned from the rescue business by the way.

But it brings me back to what I began writing in the above paragraph before I took a one hour break to talk to a stranger on the driveway. (Very strange coincidence of the day I thought) Connections with people are important. Sometimes it’s just wise to reel it in and reserve oneself. Sometimes it’s OK to just be a good listener. In a safe environment it may be fine to converse a bit and know it's just enough.

There will more pictures of dogs and cats and fish and whoever may let me take their picture without sneers but perhaps I’ll try more of this writing thing. And thanks for being “my” listener on the driveway :) 

~ All About February ~

Haven't Blogged Since August of Last Year!!! What's With That??? Guess it's been one of those years.

So it's now February of 2011 and actually there's only one day left of that. Today, being February 27th actually has great significance to me. Dad would have been 96 today. He's been gone now for 9 years.

I've had a few friends who have lost loved ones recently. This week a very loved member of my church passed away. I've seen so many people mourn this loss. Losing my parents and my brother was a pain well remembered. This year I am trying to choose to celebrate good memories and warm feelings instead of pain. No one can tell you when to stop hurting or when to "just get over it". You just won't, but you can choose how to remember.... and for me today, celebration is an alternative option ....

Bringing it forward to celebrate the "Month of Love" and in celebration of February EVERY year:

My parents were married on February, 7th of 1941.

This is the earliest picture I have of them... and I love this picture!!!

Of course there was Valentine's Day and then Dad's birthday was February 27th. They were 21 and "almost" 27 when they were married.

Mom's birthday was on February 8th, 1920. She would have been 91. She's been gone for 13 years. How can I NOT celebrate her twin sister, Aunt Leta? She's been an important part or our lives through the years also.

June 3rd, 1977..... My Wedding....

Mom (Rita) and Aunt Leta (My Hubby in the Background)

Remember back in the 60's when they came out with these Ward pictures? This was their Legacy of Love........ Merlin and Rita Jones with my brothers, Brent and Jeff and Me....

(Just Trudy)

Brent and Kathy were married on September 9th, 1966. Another Legacy of Love with 3 amazing kids continuing on with their own histories in the making.

Jeff and Ann were married July 19, 1973
Jeff passed away April 1, 2005. They also have 3 amazing kids bringing forth their own legacies of love.... This baby David is now 35!

(Yes, I actually have wedding pics of them but will NOT open THAT box of photos tonight.... Could set the blog back another few months!!)

Gary and I married on June 3rd, 1977

I LOVE this picture of my folks at Our Wedding!!! Ah, the look in their eyes....
What were they saying? Hmmm......

Gary and I ~ Circa 1985ish

And this is OUR Legacy of Love!!!

Family Reunion, 2002!!!!

OK, So Sometimes a Picture Says a Thousand Words..... We're Still a Work in Progress Here... this was taken June 6th of 2006...

Keep in mind that Steph was 15 and Ryan was 17.... They may look back at this picture someday and laugh because we actually had an awesome time.... but they were too cool....

It's all good.... and cause to celebrate life..... Love It!!!

~ One More ~

~ Memories ~

For Brent: It's easier for me to post these for you to right click and copy. If you'd still like me to copy these to a disk and mail, I can....

~ Blogging Big Brother's Birthday - Happy Birthday Brent ! ! ~

Happy 64th Brent!!!!

Gotta Have at Least One Hat Picture!!! :)

I could try to be clever and come up with 64 reasons that he's an awesome brother, but that would be kind of cheesy and we'd both be embarrassed. Let's just say that I'm thankful to have him in my life. We don't live very close but it's awesome that we are only a phone call or an email away.

I'm trying not to copy last year's blog. This is the picture I've had in my scrapbook since as long as I can remember (Hence the condition of the pic) Of course there are many more recent ones.

I LOVE looking at old pictures AND new pictures..... these are a few of my favorites :)

I "borrowed" this one from Katie's page a few months ago. I love the color coordination and of course the year makes it a fun page to look at.

Oh and here's another "borrowed" picture!
LOL.... OK perhaps stolen, But it's just a great copy.

Doing A Happy Dance For You Today ! ! ! ! !

~ Remembering Our Veterans ~

I've read a lot of things in the paper the last few days about how painful this weekend is for many. I can't imagine the pain and sorrow of losing a son or daughter in the armed forces. To those who have sacrificed and to those who serve I am grateful.

Our neighbor installed a full sized flag pole in his yard this past week. His daughter has joined the Air Guard. I feel anxious yet proud for them. (But very anxious)

I remember going to the cemeteries with my Mom and Dad as a kid and watching the Memorial Day services with the 21 gun salute. This was a beautiful thing. The person that played taps played from the hillside behind the cemetery. It had such an eerie echo. I remember feeling a shiver down my back at the beauty.

Today I will post a picture of my favorite veteran. Dad served in WWII. He really didn't talk about it much until his later years. I learned that those who didn't talk about it saw MUCH!!

I've written about Dad before.... Rather than repeating those words I will just say that on this Memorial Day, Merlin Hyrum Jones was a man of honor. He was loved and respected by many, especially me. In honor of those who serve I give thanks.

~ Just A Walk A Day ~

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 9:00 every morning... a walk a day keeps the blues away and the dogs at bay. The problem with doing something in repetition is that sometimes you forget to look around. I went out one afternoon without the dogs and just my camera. It was time to "see" with different eyes.

Oh yes, that's what it looks like.

Ahhh I love spring.... These were taken early in May.

Home Sweet Home...

~Georgia On My Mind~

LOVE THESE PEOPLE!!!

Grandma Anna Jones (One of my Real Life Heroes)

Steph Wood:
But I didn't really think babies were this cute Momma!

Lisa Moore, Stephanie Wood and Aunt Trudy Wood

Ahhh Fondue!!! Stephen, (Brandie's Dude) You're the BEST!!

Celebrations aboundeth! We were made to feel like royalty! Thank you for your awesome "Southern Hospitality"! This was at Brandie and Stephen's house. Presentation of awesome fruit salad cake dessert by Cindy Jones! (Mrs. Dave)

Mmm... What a Night!! Love You Cindy!!! With Anna Banana and Stepher's there to Chill! Need I say more? Mmm..... Steph seems to be doing candle surgery here :)



Pictures Not Inserted But MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR!!!! Jessie and Brandi JONES!! THANK YOU!!!! I had an awesome sound clip on my phone but it wouldn't do justice here..... I did NOT use my camera at your house because it was DEAD!! I guess that just means I'm going to have to come back really soon and catch those pictures too! LOL!!! We had SUCH a good time at your house!!!! :) Steph is STILL talking about those potatoes, and we are supposed to be the Idahoans that can cook spuds!! The food was AWESOME as well as the company!!! Love You Both!!!

AND....

Dave and Cindy took us to dinner one night. It was the most fabulous Italian food and the dessert was decedent!!! We had already been the utmost of pampered and you pampered us AGAIN!!! Love You Both To Pieces!!!

And of Course We LOVED the Georgia Aquarium!!!!

Pretty Girl Looking at Pretty Colors....

Two Pretty Girls..... Steph and Cindy.....

And then there was Helen, Georgia. This is a Jones tradition in Georgia. We were privileged to be there this year for Grand-baby Bryce's first trip to the mountain on 4/1. In tradition we drink a toast to Jeff. His favorite was Jack and Coke. (Those not participating may donate their drink to the earth for Jeffrey) It was a beautiful day. It was the first time that Steph and I had experienced true spring weather, as well as Steph's first trip to the cemetery here. The sun was intense and warm, as were our hearts for being there. I took home a sunburn on my feet but it was good.

Love You Joneses!!! Forever Family!!!