The Jarrell Family Reunion, July 20, 2008

Janay is holding her nephew Aidan with cousin Jen and boyfriend Matt looking on. It was a very HOT afternoon for our Family Reunion.

Jeri (Chuck's sister) is holding her grandson, Jack, who is her youngest daughter, Rebekah's son. My son Tom is standing in the background with his favorite thing in his hands, his cell phone, LOL.

We had Stevie Gordeuk from "The Norm Band" fill-in while Gene is healing from surgery

What an awesome guitar player Stevie is. He is the lead player for "The Norm Band." He is real good friends with JR, that's how we got him to fill-in for Gene.

Stevie was laughing so much at this woman dancing in front of the band, it was hilarious. You couldn't help laughing yourself.
Larry, I think that was what his name is, played the harmonica for one song. Boy was he good! He toured with several famous bands back in the 80's & 90's. He told me, but I can't remember right now.

Patches and her treat

She is just so darn cute. I just can't believe how we ever lived without her. She is need of a haircut, but we have to wait until we have some extra money, and hopefully that will be soon. She is starting to get some matted hair on her back part of her body. But she is still my little cutie. You can really tell how much she is enjoying that treat because she is licking her chops. I can just imagine what is going thru her mind, yum yum boy is this good!

Patches on Kids Picnic Table

I was doing laundry and the big dogs were in the house and Patches was missing, so I went to the laundry room and looked out the window and looked what I saw. I just had to go get the camera and snap some pictures. First Dutchess had to investigate and then Cody had to, also. She was up there for the longest time just enjoying the sun and heat of the morning. She is my little one as I nicknamed her. Now, Chuck calls her his little one too.

My puppies and their treats

I have these snack twists that doggies just love to pieces. Here they are all three of them enjoying their treats. Dutchess II eats hers so fast and she tries to steal Patches, but look out cuz Patches growls at her and chases her away from her treat, LOL. She is so funny when it comes to her toys and treats. You think she was this little mean doggie and she is just a little pussy cat in disguise.

11 Ways to Eat The 11 Best Healthy Foods That You Aren't' Eating

A good article on healthy eating that we should take heed to.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME and Jacob

Today is my birthday and tomorrow is my youngest grandchild, Jacob's 1st birthday. He reached a small milestone for a little child, he has many more to go to catch up to me, lol. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACOB!

Some Action Shots of the Kids on the Merry-Go-Round

Leanna and Justin had fun pushing their daddy in the Merry-Go-Round. Pretty neat action if I say so myself, LOL.

Timothy and his new friend Ana

Timothy had fun in the children's play park at Wind Gap Park. He also met a cute little girl named Ana. Don't they just look so cute on the teeter totter together!

The Stampede Band at Wind Gap Park

Last Sunday Chuck and the band played at Wind Gap Park to a wonderful crowd and we were lucky it turned out to be a nice day after all. We didn't get showers, until later that night, after the band was all packed up. We had a very talented piano man filling in for Gene, while he is healing from knee replacement.

HEALTHY GROCERIES TO SPLURGE AND SKIP

My daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and my foster son's girlfriend, Jamie, like to shop more healthier for their children. They have a tendency to read labels and buy more fruits and veggies, because they know it is better for them and their kids.

Well, I came across an article that may help them in controlling the cost of their grocery allowance.

Sometimes I shop for the convenience of the packaging and now I know that is wrong based on this article.

Here I go again, VENTING!

Well, where do I begin. I made a call to the Bethlehem store, "Family Dollar" to find out if Chuck had a check there waiting. Well, there was none there and I found out that the manager retired. WOW! I can only imagine why, he either was told to retire or something else. He was a BIG idiot, let me tell you. I feel sorry for the assistant manager Terry, because they are really making her life miserable right now. After talking with her on the phone I'm glad Chuck isn't working there. She gave me the district manager's phone number and I couldn't get him so I took matters into my own hands. I went on the Family Dollar website and got the corporate number and called them. Yes, I know, they can't talk to me, so I had to wake Chuck up and he talked with a nice woman. The outcome of the whole thing with what they owe him has to be investigated. We both told this woman that we got a call from another woman a month ago saying they were going to be sending him a check and we are still waiting. Like the saying goes, DON'T WAIT HANGING! So, now we have to wait again while they investigate. In the meantime, we have NO money coming in and our savings is almost gone, just to pay household bills so we don't have to live on the streets. As you can see I'm getting scared to see our future.

I really hope my Lord will open up a door for him and lead him in the direction he wants Chuck to go. I trust my Lord completely, but sometimes my insecurities step in.

Ellen, this is fabulous! A Must See!

I have watched Ellen's talk show a few times and this was sent to me from a friend, so I wanted to post this episode that I missed. Please don't try this at home.

Her show is so funny at times. The last time I saw her show it was when she was in bed from a back injury and she was so funny. I felt sorry for her, but she did a good job from the bed.

VENTING!!!!

I am just so disgusted with Chuck's former employer "FAMILY DOLLAR." They (corporate headquarters) called back on the 5th of June saying that they are sending him a check for all the hours he didn't get paid for and the one week they didn't pay him the correct hourly amount. Well, it is June 28th and we still didn't get that check they promised. I will NEVER EVER AGAIN shop at that store. I have heard from other people, that have worked for this so called outfit, that they are known for not paying their employees the right amount.

It is a shame, because all in all Chuck said it wasn't that bad of a job, if he stayed in one store. No, they had to move him around to different stores and each managers did things differently, so he couldn't learn how their business ran quick enough. Shame Shame on them! Their prices aren't to bad, but it's not worth my time.

Please boycott that store!

Laminin, What an awesome video!

This is a video that is a must see and listen to. I hope you it truly reaches you from within.

My letter to the Editor in today's Express-Times Newspaper

Let me explain why I wrote this letter then you will understand. You know how cities have these banners that hang from telephone poles or light poles that read what city you're in, i.e. Welcome to Allentown, Easton, or Wilson Borough. Well, Palmer Township had these very UGLY brown banners that you really couldn't read, until you were on top of them or almost past them. They also advertised the businesses that their community offered. An article was in The Express-Times yesterday about the new banners they put up and an electronic sign added where an old sign was at 25th & Northampton St. intersection.

If you click on the title you will read what yesterday's article said and why I wrote this letter.

NEW BANNERS MAKE PALMER TWP. PROUD

I really like the new banners and electronic sign at 25th and Northampton streets. I do agree with Lauren Powell ("New sign, banners decorate Palmer," May 30) about the colors of the old banners. By the time you saw the names of the businesses you drove right past them. I always wondered why they were brown and not the colors of Palmer Township. I grew up in Palmer and its colors were always green and white.

Now I am a Wilsonian and I really think our borough would benefit with new banners to advertise the businesses in Wilson. Some people don't even know of the different businesses we offer our community. Same with an electronic sign by Meuser Park to advertise special events that go on in the borough and park.

Well done! I am proud to say I grew up in Palmer Township.

Missing my Grandparents and other family members

This is the time when I miss my grandparents because they always started the summer off with a huge family picnic. Most Memorial Days it would be too cold and we would have it in the garage or basement. On beautiful days like today we would have had it in the yard, with beanbag games and quoit games going all day. Music playing in the background and the laughter of all the little kids.

I really hope you truly look back at the good times these special holidays bring to mind. Like going to parades, picnics, cemetery to place flowers on a Vets grave, or just being with family.

How I really miss our family members that pass.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Happy Memorial Day, to All

What a nice picture of my foster son's girlfriend Jamie and their son and my grandson Jonathan. It was a beautiful day for a parade and outing.

Pictures step by step as Robbie leaves for Wilson's Prom

Robbie is my next door neighbor whom I have known since he was in his mommies belly. What a handsome young man he has become. His father should be very proud of him.

Robbie and his date.

Robbie really became a handsome young man. It is hard to believe that he is graduating from High School this June. Boy am I getting old!

Robbie getting ready to drive his father's car.

I got a clip of him going in to his father's car.

Leaving for the Prom

This is my neighbor Robbie and his date for the Prom. He is driving his dad's car. The Prom was at the Eastonian at the Holiday Inn Express.

Barnyard Day

Kids learn about farm animals during "Barnyard Days."

Grandma Jan on the Webcam

Here is Grandma Jan from Florida looking at her beautiful grandson Aidan Brian. She will be up soon to see her new grandson.

Aidan's Special Protector, Chloe

Everyone thought that their Chloe would be very jealous of the new arrival, but she proved us all wrong, as you can see in this picture.

A Few More Pics of Aidan Brian

Here Aidan Brian looks like his beloved grandpa Brian and his beloved Great-grandpa Jay all cozy there sleeping.

Breaking News from The Express-Times

Toddler found in Wilson sparks debate
by Express-Times staff
Tuesday May 13, 2008, 3:32 PM

No criminal charges are being filed against the mother of a 2-year-old girl found alone 2 a.m. Monday on a Wilson street, but Northampton County Children, Youth and Families Division is investigating. Is it a case of neglect or a mischievous toddler?

"You're telling me that a 2 yr old got out of bed, walked to the door, unlocked it and then walked 1/4 of a mile in less than 20 mins? To top it off, you didn't notice the baby was missing until 9?" comments pebbles6.
"UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!" writes mkgkpalmer. "Can a Two Year old baby even reach the door knob?"
But Susan Jarrell of Wilson Borough has a different opinion. When her son was 2, she had her hands full.

"A neighbor called us about 7:30 a.m. to tell us my son was on my second-story roof outside of our bedroom window, sitting there watching the sights. His brother was 3 and behind him waiting to go out, too. My husband and I never heard him open the window and climb out," she writes in a letter to the editor to be published Wednesday. "So, please, don't be hard on this mother because a 2-year-old can be the most mischievous person in the human race."
What do you think? Are 2-year-olds too much to handle? Is Duran's story unacceptable? Leave a comment below.

Wednesday's Express, Letter to the Editor

I wrote a letter to the editor of the Express-Times newspaper, so look for it. It is about the 2-year-old found at 1:50 AM yesterday morning wandering around the borough streets. My title I submitted was "The Wandering Child," but they may change the title, so look for my name at the end. Then you will know what I wrote.

Boy, I feel for this mother because I had a very mischievous little boy in my son, Tom. He put all the gray hair on top of my head. I thought I would never survive the "Terrible Twos and Horrible Threes." All you parents out there can testify to those stages in a child's life, especially when you have a very active toddler, like my Tommy was. I feel for his wife Stephanie, because she has four children, two have made it through those stages, one is going through them right now, and the littlest one will be going through them shortly.

I can't judge this parent on this wandering 2-year-old, until it is proven that she was in the wrong, and until that's proven, she will have her hands full with a very curious/mischievous toddler.

The Happy Momma!

Here is Becky the happy momma to Aidan Brian.

Congrats, Becky he is a cutie!

The Proud Daddy!

Here is the proud daddy Jason with his son Aidan Brian. As you can see you know what football team they worship.

We Are A Great Aunt And Uncle To This Little Cutie

We would like to welcome Aidan Brian to our family. He is our sister-in-law, Jan and Chuck's late brother, Brian's grandson. He was born on May 8th @ 10:20 AM. What a GREAT Mother's Day gift he is to Becky, his mother.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Becky.



Weighing in at 8 pounds 15 ounces, 21 inches long. What a BIG boy you are!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th

What are your plans for your mother? My plans are to hopefully visit my mother-in-law up at Gracedale Nursing Home. Hopefully, she will be in a good frame of mind and will enjoy our visit.

If my mom was still alive I would be either taking her out for dinner or having her over for dinner, but she's not here with us anymore. But I have my memories to relive of the Happy Mother's Day we would spend with her and my grandmother. If you can only redo the past sometimes. I sure do miss my Nana!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! To all you mothers, grandmothers and foster mothers, may you all have a very wonderful day.

Pictures of my family!

I have to make sure my friends see how much my family has grown, since my hubby Chuck doesn't update our family website. So, there are times when I have to steal pictures from my daughter-in-law, Stephanie's Blog, or my foster son's girlfriend, Jamie's Blog, so you all can see how much my grandchildren have grown. Keep up the good work girls!

My little Leanna and her new look!

I just think she looks so darn cute in her new glasses. Don't you?

It is hard to believe the USA is cheaper in Gas than Europe

The oil producing countries, also need to feel the pinch, not just USA and Europe.

I'm sorry Steph for stealing your pictures, but I could not help myself.

I like to say a BIG thank you, to my daughter-in-law Stephanie, for taking such wonderful pictures of their adventure at Tom's friend's house, whom I named Uncle Jerry. Tom and Jerry have been friends since they were 15 years old. Jerry and Tommy were inseparable when they were in 9th-12th grade. They were always sleeping either at Jerry's or my house. Tom loved going to Jerry's because he lived in Williams Township and there was always something to do. Jerry is a big old country boy from as far as he could walk, from a little tike. You could never take the country out of Jerry, from his slang country talking jive to his country walking walk. He is one in a million.

Some day I would love to see his home in the country.

If you want to see more of the pics and a video from their day at Uncle Jerry's. Go to Steph's Blog. There is a link on my home page.

Tom and his girls

Tom and his little girls are enjoying themselves with their daddy in the country at Uncle Jerry's house.

Timothy is so sweet!

Timothy always has the sweetest expressions on his face for concern of the other person.

Just Playing Around

Country life is a ball of fun for little kids.








I'm glad my school bus didn't look like this one.

The Sandbox was one of my favorite places to play when I was a little girl

Kids just love to play in the sand and making all kinds of interesting things.




I just love the sandbox picture expression of Jacob. If looks could kill, boy that little girl was in for it, don't you think!

A Day of Fun in the Country

The ATV's look like so much fun. I wish I could have seen all the fun the kids were having.

Cody and Dutchess II, best Buds!

Cody is our old dog, but you wouldn't know it, because Dutchess II keeps him youthful, with her playfulness.

She just wants to play, play, play all the time with him.

She loves him to death. I think it is the best thing, cuz Cody really was missing her old buddy Dutchess, our Golden Retriever, when she passed away last year. So now they are the best of friends.

Our Sofa!

Patches and Dutchess II just love to lay or sit on the sofa. After I go to bed at night, Chuck said, "that is their favorite spot, on the couch."

Patches and the Kitchen Chair

We have a hard time keeping Patches our Shih-poo
off the kitchen chair. She walks around them under the table and chases the cats around. It is so funny! She jumps up there by herself.

Easter fun!

Grandpa Chuck really had fun with the foam bats. Timothy and Justin got the best of him. Don't let this picture fool you, Justin did get back at his grandpa Chuck for taking his bat away from him. It is so nice being kids again with your grandkids.

Their daddy Tom got in on the act, also. The adults are beaten by the little boys. Timothy was laughing so hard at his dad and Justin whooping each other with the bats. Kids sure do keep you young, don't they!

Leanna Rose Jaylee

Leanna just loved playing with the yarn that Maree' got for Easter from us. I'll have to remember that when her birthday swings around in June. Her mommy does crafts with them and I think it's wonderful that they get to make things with their hands.

Our third son, John

John came for a visit but Patches just wanted to be loved by him and sit on his lap. We always wanted a lap dog and we sure got one, LOL.

The Bobsy Twins, LOL!

Here is grandpa Chuck and baby Jacob, don't they look like twins? Baldness just runs in the family, LOL! They are both just so darn cute.

Hairstyles!

There has been different articles in the "Letters to the Editor" on mohawk haircuts. I finally wrote my thoughts on this haircut that some boys want to get and here is my letter in today's Express-Times.

GRANDMA APPROVES OF MOHAWKS FOR BOYS

Regarding the recent letters about boys wanting to wear mohawk hairstyles: I don't understand why people would criticize a young lad who wants to be a little different. That is what makes this world so unique.

I'm a 51-year-old mother and grandmother of four grandsons. If one of my grandsons would want a mohawk, I would take him and get it cut the way he wants. It doesn't change how I would see him with that cut. It's not going to make him a bad person. I see him as being an individual who wants to be a little different.

I remember going to Easton Area School District schools when I was a kid and there were boys who had mohawks. It didn't distract me from learning in class. As a matter of fact, I always loved rubbing my hands over their hair because it felt like a soft brush.

Now that I'm grown and I see some little boy with a mohawk, I think that he just wants to be different than his peers. Who cares what his hair looks like as long as it is clean?

I guess some people forget what it's like to be a kid again.