When Life Gives You Chaos, Make Lemonade

It's been a little hectic around here lately - two dogs under veterinary care and needing twice daily meds, foot soakings, medicated baths, etc. At least there are no dog fights because Diamond really doesn't pick on Lani.

I went back to the cemetery from Memorial Day but this armed with section/lot/space numbers of9 of the 12 decedents on my list. The cemetery sent me a list in order by section and it was 144 pages with about 50 names per page! It took me two evenings of pouring over those listing to find my 9. On the third night I actually found an online version that was in alpha order. Sad that I didn't find it sooner but happy that I was able to confirm my 3 missing names were not on the alpha list either.

It only took 4 graves to realize something - the graves were not photo'd because there were no headstones. I remember someone else on Find-A-Grave stating he had photographed every monument there but I wasn't sure how long ago. Dah - the ones he didn't get were unmarked. I was able to confirm that because of the numbers system AND the same surnames on markers in the adjacent plots (spaces).

I am changing offices in two organizations I belong to and becoming an officer in another.

I've made vacation plans for my mom and I to go to family reunion for a weekend that turned into a trip to Nashville prior to the reunion (reunion in northeast Arkansas near Tennessee). Got plane tickets, bus tickets, boats tickets, museum tickets, trolly tickets, B&B, hotel, rental car, etc. I always get everything in advance and type out an itinerary of the activities. Sometimes I believe my mom and hubby would rather leave me home! lol

Back to the dogs, Eddie injured his pad somehow and was limping and whimpy. He is doing much better now. Loni continues with skin issues but the good news is that while it seems to spread, it is healing. And, she's eating better with a change of food and trying to engage Eddie in play. She just seems so much more interested in us and the dogs the last couple days. Previously she just sorta lived in our house.

I know, boring with no photos but you don't want to see dog injuries or graves with no markers, right?

Memorial Day 2014

Jerry had to work this memorial day. So, I took a volunteer opportunity to photo 12 headstones in a local cemetery. Well, that didn't work out - the office was closed and the cemetery way to big to just happen upon the right headstones. I spent over an hour there but even at 9am it was starting to get hot and very sunny. Lots of fire ants too!

I understand it's a municipal cemetery and the employees get municipal holidays off, just as I do as a municipal employee, but it seems memorial day should be the one day of the year that you can count on a cemetery office open. I would even argue they should have extra staff and provide customer service. Enough whining.

I ended up doing volunteer work for Ratbone instead and then grocery shopping and making a cookout type dinner for jerry even though I don't use the grill (scared of the propane tank).



I put together this little collage of my hubby and dads in their uniforms. Luckily they all came back safely. Jerry is on the left, my dad on top, father in law in middle, and step dad on bottom.

We always line our sidewalk on patriotic holidays. So do some of our neighbors. After 911 pretty much everyone did and it looked awesome!

A peace lily at the front door representing my desire for making peace and not war heros.

Loni Ratbone beat Jerry to his chair this morning.lol

Photos From New Orleans

Thank You Veterans

I recently visited the National Cemetery near Bushnell FL. On special days, such as Veteran's Day, they line the drive with donated casket flags. I am considering driving up there again today (about an hour north via interstate) to donate my dad's flag. I like the symmetry of it flying at the cemetery where my father-in-law is buried.

It wouldn't be Veteran's day without some photos of my two favorite vets. The first photo is hubby Jerry receiving a medal in VietNam. The second photo is my Dad in his army uniform - he served in Korea during that war.
Thank you to all veteran's, current or past, wheither you served two years or an entire career, wheither you came home safely or paid the ultimate price. Many, many of us appreciate your service to keep us al safe. Bless you.

Manning Cemetery

I stopped by my family cemetery when I was in Arkansas last week and took some headstone photos. I only took photos of those named Manning or people that I knew personally. I'm always fascinated with the genealogy of a cemetery so I will share a few of my direct relatives (I took many more photos but these are my closest relative)

GREAT GREAT GRANDPARENTSFrancis Marion Manning & Emily Elizabeth Kitchens-Manning - the patriarch and matriarch of the cemetery. These are my dad's great grandparents so my great, great grandparents. He was born in Georgia, was a farmer in Alabama (where they were married), served in the 28th Alabama infantry volunteers during the war between the states, was a coal miner in Kentucky before finally settling as a farmer in Arkansas in the 1880's.

GREAT GRANDPARENTS

My great grandmother Sarah Maryann Whittaker-Manning and great grandfather James John Manning. He was born in Kentucky where he worked as a coal miner before moving to Arkansas and farming. She was born, raised, and died in Lawrence Co Arkansas not far from where she is buried. Her family were big-time farmers.

GRANDPARENTS

My grand parents Andrew Jackson Manning and Rose Cleo Truxler-Manning. Both born, raised, and died in Lawrence County Arkansas. The cemetery is on Manning farmland so grandpa is buried where he spent his life basically. They went to school together and I have the cutest photo of their school class when they were in probably 1st or 2nd grade.

AUNTS & UNCLES

The first three monuments are for children of my grandparents who died at birth or shortly therafter so obviously I never met them. All together my grandparents had 11 kids.

This child was a twin and the other child (Barbara Jean) lived to adulthood. They were #10 & 11.

This child was #9 and born 4 years after my dad and 3 years before the twins.

This boy was child #6 between my Aunt Mary and my Uncle John.

Aunt Elsie and her husband Durward. Aunt Elsie was child #3. Another redhead :)

My Aunt Barbara Jean who I do not remember because she died when I was a toddler. But, she gave me my cousin Linda who I love dearly so thank you Aunt BJ. She and my dad were really close and it was devistating to the family when she died at only 23. Oh, she is the surviving twin so she is either #10 or #11.

Aunt Barbara Jean's husband Uncle Earl. I always thought he was an interesting man because he was a musician. I believe he was also a carpenter or a builder but it was the music I remember. He was always very nice to me although I didn't see him very often.

My Dad & Bessie's headstone. I should have taken the photo AFTEr I cleaned it up. It had stormed and since Dad was recently buried there were lots of arrangments that had blown over and all around. It was sticky mud too so I couldn't reach everything without sinking. Dad was child #8 out of 11.

Uncle John and Aunt Lola Jean. He was #7 and he and my Dad were close growing up. I could tell you stories of the mischief those two got in but this is a cemetery post ;) I just adore my Cousin Diane and these are her parents.

My Uncle Melvin and Aunt Iva. He was a veteran of WWII and the oldest of the Manning kids. He was a very nice man and according to my mom's sister, a real looker when he was young. I was able to spend a little time with two of their kids when I was in high school because they lived in Jonesboro too.

This momument belong to my Aunt Mary (child#5) and Uncle Melton who most people called Todd. The headstone is also for my cousin Mernie but luckily she is still with us :)

Uncle Raymond was my first uncle that I recall passing - he died when I was in high school He farmed the land around the cemetery and was child #2. His wife, Aunt Mildred, lives in Memphis. They had one son, my Cousin Danny, who died way too young (age 38) on the farm. He is buried with them in front of this large monument.

Somehow I did not end up with a photo of Aunt Flossie's headstone but that's OK since she is alive and kicking in Arcadia Florida. She is child#4. She is a very fun aunt.

COUSINS

Sadly, I've lost several cousins (my generation). I mentioned Danny above but there are others who are not buried in this cemetery.

This is my Cousin Evelyn who is my Aunt Elsie's daughter. Very funny person and I will always remember her laugh. At the time of her death she was planning a cousin's surprize party for my cousin Mernie.

Raymond Jr. is my cousin Mernie's son, meaning he is the grandson of my Aunt Mary, so he is my first cousin once removed. Another one gone too young.

I hope the weather is better next time I go so that I can do some clean up and photograph the rest of the headstones in the cemetery (allt hose that don't say "Manning"). My online genealogy pals/relatives are loving these photos!

Cemetery Search

Someone left a comment on my blog about a Cemetery in Kodiak. I inventored that cemetery about 10 years ago I guess. My inventory was connected to Cyndi's list but when I moved someone else "took" it and now apparently it is gone. I am looking for paper copy but am thinking I left with one of the museums in Kodiak. I thought it wasn't long ago that I saw it online but perhaps I am thinking of a cemetery in Arkansas since I did a couple there too. Anyway, I have discovered that it seems to be called the Army National Cemetery now instead of the Old American Cemetery - at least that is what I am coming up with from searches.

In the mean time, while I look for this information, here's a couple photos of dogs looking for forever homes ;)
Meet Domino! She's being fostered in Georgia and was pulled from a shelter just in the nick of time. Good job Ratbone!


Like me, Cricket is a Floridian. I am sure she would be happy to changes addresses if it means finding a forever family.!