Life with my sister

  He had jokes, always It’s been a year this week since my daddy left this earth to take up residency inside his mansion in glory. I love to laugh at the thought of anyone thinking Bob Skutt is dressed like cupid, Casper or flying around in angel wings. Y’all, Bob, isn’t fluttering about watching over us! "Ho Ho Ho it's the Grandmonkey" My father in costume for eternity is a strong “nope”. One time he dressed like an elf for the Santa float in the Fort Smith Christmas parade. I was too old to think that was cool. It was a tragic day for the offspring. He ran around Garrison Ave. and threw candy while in an elf costume. Photos were taken and distributed about town. One was even framed inside the trophy case at the field house of our beloved Northside High School. I walked past it for years and moaned every time. Never a dull moment with him and I am positive that was the last costume he ever wore on earth or in eternity. It was truly something. King of the wild frontier My...

We are inching up to the first heaveniversary of daddy's death. I decided I didn't want to forget the details of that day from my perspective . He was such a loud light in all of our lives and that is missed more than any of us can truly express. I know heaven is a louder and lighter place because of his presence. I still picture him arriving in heaven and it makes me grin ear to ear with a tear.  “Abby, It’s your dad. He’s gone.”   Those words came from a tear stained face and through a broken voice shattered with shock. My husband delivered the news. He knew how those words would devastate me in a way like no other bad news ever had. I had lost jobs, friends, a goldfish, car radiators and engines even, but never had anyone had to tell me I had just lost something as precious as a daddy.  "He's gone." Never something you prepare to hear and the word "gone" still rings oddly in my ear, almost a year later. I sat in Randall's truck screaming ugly word...

Wilma and her girls - our last picture with her. About 6 weeks before she died. 10 years ago this morning my Meemaw (Julie's "Grandmother") met Jesus face to face. What a rejoicing that must have been for she, my Peepaw (Julie's "Granddaddy") and our Healer. We called them different names, but they were the same people to us...loving, Godly grandparents who helped mold us into the women we are today. There are so many things I wish she was here to see. She never met Anna or Henry. She would adore Anna's love for all things girly and Henry's curly hair and knee socks. She loved Samuel, Claire, David and Daniel and bragged on them every week at the beauty shop and at church. Meemaw loved family and because of that we are still the same, strong family she left 10 years ago. As I get older I find myself appreciating my maternal and paternal families so much more. Julie and I were SO fournate to end up in this life together with all these people. This is...

There are dates on the calendar that bring back memories. Sure Dec. 25, Feb. 14, Aug. 8 and Aug. 14 are dates that bring back memories. But there are those other dates that when I look at my calendar and see them my heart leaps with joy at the memories, or it falls to the pit of my stomach. This week is a mixture of both. My first date was on Oct. 31. I was a sophomore in high school (& way to young to date), a senior asked me out, and because of his good reputation, and to save me huge embarrassment , my parents let me go. I was so excited. And nervous. Before I could go on my date I had to take my 7 year old sister trick-or-treating. Sounds harmless, but it wasn't. Abby was dressed as a cross between Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper . Oh, it was just bad, but she loved it. I wish I had a picture. I was hoping to get back so I could hide her before my date showed up but wouldn't you know he was early & I was on time and he saw her. I was so embarrassed, but he thought she...

Let me start by saying I am afraid of hard work. I'm afraid of sweating. Somewhere inside me something tells me that if I work hard and sweat I might die. It isn't logical, but it is what happens in my head. Sad, I know. Our patio could be so cute, but it isn't because of the hard work/sweat problem I just mentioned, but a couple of days last week Daniel and I headed outside to shovel up some dirt and make things look a little better. We were a tad bit successful! Woo- Hoo for us. While doing the work, and thinking I might die at any moment I told Daniel that if I were to die and his daddy were to remarry that he needed to like the new wife. I also told him to make sure she knew I was awesome! That I liked adventure, I liked to hike, I was skinny and beautiful. I told him these things twice. And like a good son, he said, " ok Mom". I love that kid! I just hope Stephen gets rid of my clothes so she doesn't see the big-girl clothes in the closet. I would hate ...

Abby Ann in her prime, sunning at the lake Abby Ann and Abby Jo sunning at the lake I was told that Randall had a dog named Abby, and for that I was none to happy about our blind date, over 9 years ago. I soon learned that the dog had become pretty partial to his mother and she had "custody" of her, so I accepted it and fell in love with him anyway. There were many confusing visits to his mother's home. When she would yell "Abby" real loud, I always jumped, regardless of how many times I heard it, I jumped. It was truly odd. Abby was old and had lost an eye, been run over by a pick-up truck, and a plethora of other things had happened to her, so yesterday she ended her good fight with life and went on to doggie heaven. I am not one who gets attached to animals, nor one who owns any pets of my own, but it sort of made me sad to see that old, big red headed tennis ball loving dog die. Rest in peace Abby Ann! Abby

Oh, how she would love this little crew of ours! Nine years ago today Jesus welcomed home my Meemaw "Meep", Julie's Grandmother and Hollye's Gran. We hated to see her go, but Peepaw "Peep" and Jesus needed her more than we did. We all three called her by a different name, yet loved her the same. She was a prissy, reserved, tender- hearted, hilarious, southern belle who loved her three brown headed grandaughters. We have posted about her several times. You may remember the Charlie Pride post . That is one of many funny memories of her. She was a hoot. My Meemaw made me laugh a lot and most of the time she didn't mean to! As a young lady in my thirties, I still feel nervous when chewing gum in church because I remember the glares from the choir loft because little Abby had some Trident in her mouth. When I put my son in knee socks and "funny little outfits" (as my Daddy calls them), I smile and think of her. When I make a casserole or a pecan pi...

Tommy Atchley was a great man. He was a christian and a lover of the Lord. He was a powerful testimony to the love of Christ. He was honest, nice, caring, giving, and funny! His family and Stephen's family vacationed together at the beach for many years. The families were close and he was Stephen's first "boss". Stephen spent a couple of summers working at Tommy's heating and air business. Stephen learned a lot those summers. Somethings not worth repeating. But he also learned how Tommy conducted himself in his business. Stephen has preached many a sermon on the kind of man Tommy was. On how a christian man should conduct himself in business and in his personal life. Tommy made a great impact on Stephen and so many others. Tuesday night Tommy went to be with the Lord. It is such a sad time for his family and friends. He had such a great spirit and personality about him. Stephen is going to Ft. Smith for the funeral. He and two other preachers that are all about t...