Frans Blog

2008-10-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Mama's 84th Birthday

2008-10-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Mama (Lelia) has turned 84. She had two birthday parties. The first was held at Georgia Belle where she lives and was a real treat for us all. Hank and Kay came up from Lakeland and we all went to hear Hank play for the residents where mother has her home. He sang right after dinner and it was so good. I forget how wonderful my brother's voice is and so much like my Dad. Kay got a cake and there were presents and everything. What more could you ask for. Harry and I were there too and we went up to Mother's apartment for cake after our concert. Hank brought music sheets so everyone could sing along. My favorite was I'll Fly Away. Mom and Daddy spent the last years of their retirement singing for nursing homes so it brought back many fond memories for us all. Thank you Brother for such a treat for us all.

The second party was today. Emily , Jason , Shawn and Lisa were there and all the children. We had a full house and tons of food. Ham, potato salad, broccoli and fordhook lima beans were on the menu with yeast rolls. We had chocolate cake and ice cream for desert. Lydia and Stephen stayed after the parents were gone and Mother sat outside in the yard for a couple of hours watching them ride bikes and play. It was a perfect afternoon. We took her home with a big plate of leftovers and a slice of cake for later. Someone asked her what was on her mind today and her reply was typical stoic Riddle/Padgett. She said - I am concentrating on living. Priceless.

Here are some picture from both days.
Love to you all!
Frances

Pumpkin Patch Day

2008-10-11T18:49:00.001-07:00

We had quite the day today with the five Grandkids and our Children. Harry and I met them all at the Presbyterian Church where they have a great Pumpkin Patch each year. We take all the Grandkids and let them each pick out a little individual pumpkin an a large one to carve. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. We had such a great time and each Grandchild was precious. They had a great time playing and running amuck the pumpkins. We all went to Chick Filet for lunch afterwards. It was truly a great day for the Grandparents and parents. Emily and Shawn were really good sports to help us put it all together. I will post some pictures from the day,

Next is halloween! Get Ready.

Lydia Rides Again

2008-09-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a short video clip of Lydia - my only girl Grandchild riding her bike without her training wheels.
Aren't Grandkids fun.

Spring Creek Outing

2008-09-28T17:01:00.001-07:00

We spent the day at the Coast today and the weather was GREAT! Wanted to share a few pictures from the day. Shawn had his boat so I didn't get any pictures of him. The only good fish was caught by Stephen = it was a nice red fish.

Football is Here!

2008-09-27T17:57:00.001-07:00

I can not believe it is that time of year already. FOOTBALL MEANS HUSBAND GLUED TO THE TUBE. We watched the FSU game today and it was better than last week. Harry complains non stop about the play calling, the players and everything else but the bottom line is this -only the score gets posted in the record book. I sometimes sit and read while watching the game to keep from going nuts. We are going to two games this year out of town at Georgia Tech and Maryland. The last time we went to Maryland we almost froze to death. Talk about cold - we were so desperate we bought Maryland skull caps for our unprotected little heads. Then we left at half time and were thrilled to walk the mile and a half home. My brother and sister in law are going to the Tech game and Harry's brother and sis in law to Maryland. We will drive to Tech and fly to Baltimore. We are going out of Jacksonville to save some serious bucks. Will tell you all about it when we return. Hope FSU wins, it is a bummer when you travel and lose. Yuck.

Three of the Grandkids are back to school. Lydia is in kindergarten and could really teach the class. She has that late November birthday - born on Thanksgiving so she is very ready for the big stuff. Stephen is four and in Pre-K. He reminds me a lot of Shawn in that the teachers always would say - Mrs. Herman - we love Shawn....but..... Sitting down and being still does not come easy for boys. This is Hunter's first experience with any kind of school or outside the womb care at all. He has been kept by Grandparents so we were kind of apprehensive how he would react. He is doing GREAT! So far the teacher says he gets better every day. Noah is still home with Lisa and Jay is still tolerating the GrandMa's. I have three days a week with only Jay - Hunter comes in at lunch time and Jason' Mom keeps them Tuesdays and Thursday's most weeks. Three half days with one is great. I am helping with taking Lydia to her ballet class and planning to visit and observe Stephen's Ty Kwan Do. Life is busy and full.
I did a little decorating for Halloween. Would love to hear of some ideas everyone has for unique decorating.

Have a happy HALLOWEEN, LETS ALL POST PICTURE OF THE KIDS IN COSTUME! Jennifer always sends the most original with her dogs all dressed up. She is very creative.

GET A BLOGGER ACCOUNT AND JOIN THE FUN!If you don't want to do that - just email me or Terry the pictures and we will post them.

Oh - one more thought - My Mother turns 84 October 24th. She loves to get mail.

LOVE,
FRANCES

LONG HOT SUMMER FOR THE HERMANN'S

2008-08-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a good and bad month for our family and extended family. It still doesn’t seem real that Glen and Edwin are gone and Mother is the only one standing. She did very well through the funeral day. When we returned to her home as she was exiting my car she said – I had a very nice day – then she smiled that cute smile she has and said – I guess I really shouldn’t say that. I told her at 83 if she had a good day she might as well say it. She was very happy to be with her people. You all make up her people and she loves you all very much. She has not wanted to attend any funerals since Daddy’s – just too hard. She had a really hard time at Margaret’s (as did all of us) and that is why she didn’t make it to Uncle Reese’s.
Good news is my son Shawn and his wife had a eight day vacation in Hawaii, he changed jobs after many years at the credit union and they moved. All in one month. The really good news is Harry and I survived keeping the three little ones (with help from Lisa’s family an Emily) and we are all still on good terms. No one runs when they see Grammy and Bid Daddy. Harry was a wonderful Granddaddy – sleeping with Stephen and totally helping with everything. We made a good team. One day we had all five Grandchildren. I usually have a teenager with me during the week to help me but she was away at her Grandparents. Emily took some time off so her two weren’t here most of the week. As soon as they returned Shawn left for San Francisco for a week, then end of week Lisa left for Texas. Lisa spent the days before her trip packing for the move. Shawn returned and he moved them. Yikes! They are starting to get things squared away and enjoy their much larger home. The neighborhood is better with nice wide streets and no through traffic. It has a great floor plan with three levels.
In the middle of all the deaths and moving and trips I got a new computer. For those who don’t realize it I love a new computer. I was very frustrated seeing the box on the floor and no time to unpack it. One day one of the Grandkids was standing on the cpu box. That did a number of me. I got a Mac and that is why I have been such a pest sending out all those emails for you to reply to. You could transfer the contact file but it really wasn’t usable. All those replies made it so easy for me to load you back into my address book.
I don’t know about anyone else but I am ready for some cooler weather and a change of pace. Come on fall. Hunter will start preschool in September three half days a week for I will get a bit of a break. Jay and I will be on our own some.
Harry and I are planning two football trips in November to Georgia Tech in Atlanta and Maryland. We will probably freeze to death at Maryland but who cares. You always need something to look forward to. They finally finished out boathouse at the coast but I haven’t seen it yet. Maybe this weekend I can take some pictures.
Hope all is well for the rest of the family. Sign up for a blog so I can find out all your news.
Love,
Frances

Funeral Day

2008-07-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Forgot something very important in my earlier blog. Uncle Benny John and Terry were there today and Uncle Benny is amazing. He looks great and makes perfect sense. Not bad for someone in their 80's He still drives and takes an active part in life at Terry's house. Talk about an imspiration. Terry was to sing today but the program got screwed up. We missed a chance to hear some of his own music. Maybe he will post it to the site.

Funeral Day

2008-07-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of funerals. Anne was so very generous to suggest that we have a memorial service for Glen today after her Dad's service. How can that not be the most unselfish thing ever. I really dreaded going to New Hope in some ways. I was prepared Friday to go today and take Mother and celebrate Uncle Edwin's life. He was a wonderful Uncle and lived a long and happy life. He and Carrie always seemed like a matched set in so many ways. When someone lives to be almost 90 years old it seems selfish to want more. Then we got the horrible phone call that Uncle Glen had passed away. It is one thing entirely to lose a wonderful Uncle after a long life but quite another to lose an Uncle that you had assumed would be around for many more years. That my Mother is now the flag bearer (Margaret gave me that description of Mother) seems unfathomable. She skirted at a near death experience over ten years ago and my siblings and I were prepared to face the worst. Mother is like the energizer bunny - she took a licking and kept on ticking.
I digress. As we were driving through the piney woods I thought of so many things and memories that were centered around Uncle Glen. He was always the Uncle that had an aura or mystique about him that made him larger than life in my eyes growing up. He was just above the fray of doing your chores and minding my manners. I don't think he ever scolded us in our entire lives. I guess he was the candy man so us as kids. Always fun and showing us how to have a great time. As soon as he came to our house we would break out the musical instruments and start playing the piano and singing and laughing. Margaret and I were laughing (via email) about how all the musicians in the family tune us all out when they get together. Glen was our rock star with his music. As we approached the church I was thinking - now how to get through this.

The most amazing thing happened as people started pouring into the church and relatives are hugging your neck and telling you how great it is to see you - even though it is for a sad reason. A kind of peace filled the church and we all took great comfort from our family. It is like a big warm feeling that can't be described. It was not a sad day at all. We celebrated Uncle Ed and his life and we took comfort from each other over losing Glen way too soon.
There were so many people there and some I had not seen in a really long time. I won't try to name them all but...Ellen and her husband Lannie were a real surprise. Also, Lynn, Janet, Ada Johnston and Kathy Hicks (both of Janet's sisters) were there. Lelia sang Amazing Grace and a fine fellow played the guitar and sang. Dan Padgett did a fine job of handing really two services in one funeral. Anne, Carl, Jennifer, Russell and their children along with David were there for Uncle Ed. Jennifer's children are beautiful. Tori has that amazing Riddle Red hair and Wes is a gorgeous Blond. Many people from the church were there too. Sue Cronkite is always such a great historian for the family and knows everyone by name. Wish I could say I did. We had a nice gathering afterwards and told many funny stories about Ed and Glen. Lynn had so many sweet and funny memories she shared with us.

I left New Hope today with my heart a little lighter. I guess it really does help to have a service to honor the dead. Uncle Glen and Uncle were honored by our presence.
We loved them both very, very much.

As were drove my Mother home she said - you know - I am not supposed to say this but I really had a fun day. She loved seeing everyone and being surrounded by the love of her family.

Keep all Glen's children and family in your prayers. The hard days are still very much in front of them.

WE LOVED YOU UNCLE GLEN AND UNCLE ED!
Love,
Frances

Jon and Dara's wedding pictures

2008-06-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have posted new pictures from the wedding. I learn as I go and somehow deleted the first batch.

Fran

More wedding Photo's

2008-06-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

2008-06-11T18:04:00.001-07:00

One more Wedding PIcture

2008-06-08T15:27:00.001-07:00

Forgot to post that last wedding picture and I also wanted to include one of Shelly and her family. Some of you - well most of you have not met her new husband Jonathon. They have a little boy named Braxton and another baby on the way. You can't see Braxton in the picture - he was asleep in the stroller. Our family continues to grow. Yippee!

I promise I am finished for the day.

Love,

Fran

Vacation in Charleston and N.Carolina

2008-06-08T15:14:00.001-07:00

OK - I can't resist one more wedding pictures and the rest are vacation.

In case you are wondering it is so hot here that I don't even want to go to the mall. Have been alternating between the pool and the computer. It is really bad when it is to hot to shop!

Much love to all of you and I hope to see you Saturday at the Reunion.

Frances

Wedding in Lakeland and Vacation

2008-06-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Hermann family has been very busy this past month. First the wedding in Lakeland. Hank's middle son Jonathan got married. It was a great weekend with Lydia (my oldest and only girl Grandchild) as flower girl. Terry and Jennifer were there as were both my children and their families. We had a blast. One of the more interesting things that happened was when Dara's sister Dawn came down the aisle to Here Comes the Bride. Everyone in the wedding party was front and center except for the Matron of Honor - yes Dara's sister. That is one great lady - she has SIX children from ten to five months (give or take). She is still nursing her so that was a concern. I figured the little one wanted to have some Mama love and that was why Dawn hadn't marched. We all are in the church and no one is coming forward. Dara's Mother had a look of horror on her face and we were all pretty concerned. Of course this is just a minute in actual time. Anyhow the church organist started playing here comes the bride. Here comes Dawn and she has the cutest look on her face. She pulled it off - just came on down. Funny as could be. Then Dara and her Dad came out and we all breathed a big sigh of relief. Talk about fearing a runaway bride. Jon never wavered - he just kept smiling to his credit. He had faith. It seems what happened was this. The ring bearer had lost his pillow - no where to be found. Dawn thought it had the actual ring so it must be found. She went to the back of the church searching and in the mean time the pillow was found. The ring bearer does his thing and still no Dawn. She eventually gave up on finding the pillow and came back. That was when she heard Here comes the you know who. So out she came. Aren't weddings just the darndest things. Unreal.
We had a great weekend. Good food and beautiful details. Radiant Bride and Groom. I heard the photographer say they had broken the record for longest kiss after the minister says the deal is done. They just didn't want to quit. Too cute. They are off the Hawaii and Canada for the honeymoon. Now all our children and married so until the Great's start we are done for now with weddings. Who will be next in the family.
Also have to tell you my great cousin Terry saved the day for me personally. We had the motel from you know where and a big room fiasco. Emily and Jason were headed to Lakeland and I decided to check their potential room number. They had no room. I was beside myself - no rooms and four people on the way. Terry volunteered to change to another location and give up his room. Very unselfish and kind of him. Saved me totally. That is what family will do for you. He so reminded me of his Mother - thought nothing at all of putting himself of for someone else.

After the big wedding weekend we headed for Charleston SC for some R&R. Harry loves to car travel and I like to fly someplace. He won and off we went to the hotest place I have ever been. It was wonderful with tons to see and do but much too hot. We only stayed two days and headed to Ashville to the Biltmore House. We have been twice but wanted to see the two new floors that they have opened. It was great but we still wanted to find cool air. We headed for Mt. Mitchell - elevation 6700feet. It was so nice - 62 degrees. The road was closed back to Ashville (we had come another way up) so we had to take a two lane with 100% switch backs. Talk about mountain curves and driving. Took us forever to go such a short distance. Next we went to Brevard - still looking for cool weather. It was better there but the whole area was having a heat wave. We finally gave up and came home a couple of days early. Next year is my turn to pick and we are flying to Denver and tour the Rockies.
I will try to figure out how to post pictures - I am such a novice at all this.
Love,
Frances

Pictures of Easter and Destin

2008-04-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Spring at Destin

2008-04-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have been in Destin the past week and what a great time we had. We started out in Tallahassee for a couple of days. We had a great cookout Saturday and with Shawn's family and Emily's and my Mother. My sister was here with her son and family from Kentucky. We had seven children to watch play and Sunday hunt eggs. Two great days! Judy puts money in her plastic eggs instead of candy and my yard is full of coins. Need a metal detector. Cody is five and the youngest of Judy's Grandchildren. He couldn't stand it and had to get in the pool. He swam for a long time - longer than I would have. Too cold yet. The weather at Destin was Great. Windy but sun shining. We were at the Breakers at Okaloosa Island and it has a heated pool. The Kentucky crowd had me laughing. They got blistered the first day just like all the Yankee tourists we used to laugh at when we were kids. They never learn. We are so lucky in Florida that we enjoy the outdoors all year long. Judy said they haven't been outdoors for months with decent weather.
I am just trying out this blog program and still have to learn how to post pictures. I have some good ones from the weekend. More later!
Love,
Frances

This is My New Blog

2008-03-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is my new blog! I can add pictures for the newspaper and write articles or most anything! It was very easy to set it up. just go to blogger.com and follow the instructions and soon you will be blogging too! It is no harder than sending an email!

Come on! Sign up for your free account today!
Fran