Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sad news

Please join  me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury  Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from  repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly  greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker,  the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with  flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy  as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show  business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a  very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half baked schemes. Despite  being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered  a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they  had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The  funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Sorry to be misleading but we just thought this was so cute.  We were smiling the whole way through. 
Thanks Joyce for sharing!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

A trip to Lakes and Rivers with Dad

Sometimes problems can create a little fun. 

There was a problem where Dad works which required him to go inspect some material that had come into Lakes and Rivers Transfer company, which is located in the Chicago area. I was privileged and got to go with him.  



Wait, what is Lakes and Rivers?  Lakes and Rivers is a place that unloads barges, stores the material (stone in this case) and ships it to the consumer by semi trucks. 


How does the stone get to Lakes and Rivers, especially in this case when it started in Russia?  In Russia it is put on a ship, the ship takes it to the ports in Louisiana and it is unloaded into barges then goes up the Mississippi river to the Illinois river and last but not least, to Michigan lake which is where Lakes and Rivers Transfer is located.


What happens at Lakes and Rivers?

First comes the barge. 


Then the Material is unloaded with a crane.



By the way, this bucket will pick up 15 tons!  This picture does not capture how huge it really is.



The Material is then taken to the warehouse by pay-loader.  These are huge too!  Two scoops fill a semi- truck!


When the barge is empty it looks like this.  This is a side view (Note back to the picture of the loaded barge further up and how far down it sinks into the water.  A loaded barge sinks down about 9 ft. )





One barge creates one huge pile of stone!  My little brother and sisters would have a ball!




When the customer needs the material, it is shipped to them by semi-truck .


It was really interesting getting to see what happens at Lakes and Rivers and spending the day with my Dad.


-Tayter- 

Monday, April 4, 2011

Our Trip South, Part 3, the final ending

Hello everyone!

It has taken me a while to share everything about our trip, but I will try to wrap it up here.  When you get to see those distant, sweet family members so little, each moment with them is so precious and makes for such treasured memories!


We arrived at our Grandpa and Grandma Alexander's Monday afternoon, the beginning of a wonderful visit!



Dad and Grandpa together. 
They so enjoy being together!
The father/ son relationship is such a precious relationship!


Here's Grandpa holding little Rose.
This was the first visit that they had seen her.
Grandpa thought she was pretty special!



Bell learning how to make Southern Biscuits from the expert, Grandma!
Take my word for it, Grandma Alexander is one good cook!


Introducing...the newest member of the Alexander family- Dixie!




Grandpa was so kind and gave Tayter this Catahoula puppy as a gift.
Catahoula dogs are Grandpa's specialty.  He has raised them for years.
You should see the three foot trophy he has sitting in his living room
from one of the dog trials he went to.
He definitely is very gifted and talented with dogs.  


Here's everyone getting to meet Dixie.
The kids love her!
She is a sweet dog!


A fun game of UNO!
Grandpa, Dad and Tayter especially
had lots of fun picking on each other!
Somehow when you get them all together,
everyone is full of smiles and laughter!
Precious family times!



The kiddos on Grandma's lap watching a movie.
Grandma's always seem to find plenty of room to snuggle everyone in.


All of the guys together with their matching hats.


I just love this picture!  They are definintly father and son!
Take note of the way they both have their hands behind their heads,
kicked back in the chairs, asleep!


Grandma with our little sweetie pie!
I think she captures the heart of anyone who sees her!



Essie, happy as can be, on Grandpa's lap!


Here is our Grandpa and Grandma together!
We love you both so much!
(Aren't they precious :-)


I know this one doesn't have much to do with our trip,
but doesn't that face just melt your heart and put a smile on your face?!
It sure does mine!
Our sweet little pumpkin!


Grandpa, Dad and Tayter all together on the couch.
Can I brag a little bit and say, that I think our
 Alexander guys are reeeaaally neat guys?!!!


Here's everybody with Grandpa. 
"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers."
Proverbs 17:6



And here is Grandpa with his two sons, Uncle T. and Dad.



Packing up to go...whoops! 
Little Rose was about to ride home in the suit case!



Saying precious good-bye's! 
When you say good-bye, it seems that your love
for each other is greater kindled in your hearts then when you came,
which makes it all the harder to say good-bye.

Can't wait to see you all again!

While finishing, this favorite goodbye song came to my mind.
A little sad, but very precious song.
So much more could be shared from our trip, but
I thought it would be approriate to end with this song.