OUR LITTLE RETREAT!

Hello everyone! I have not posted for a couple of days, too busy with work, working in the yard, errands, etc. But I thought, per a request from a friend, that I would post a couple pictures of our yard and show you the hard work Tom & I have been doing. These are pictures from last year, because the plants are not fully grown yet this year. I hope you enjoy seeing and browsing thru our little retreat! I know we sure enjoy it!

08' JACKSON FAMILY REUNION

Well, another reunion has come & gone! We all got to see each other, catch up on current news in each others lives and renew our family connections. We had a moment of silence for those that are no longer with us, Aunt Ceil, Aunt Elva, Butch, Uncle Clarence, Uncle Gene, WE LOVE & MISS EACH OF YOU VERY MUCH! So now, just let the pictures do the talking! See ya all next year! I will add more pictures later, Mom's computer is not wanting to let me download anymore at this time!

THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

By Steve Paul Johnson, May 11, 2004
By the end of the Civil War, Americans came to realize the most devastating event in the history of the United States. It is estimated some 620,000 Americans were killed. Nearly everyone in the country had known someone that was killed during the war. While the Union side came to be known as the victor, both sides came away feeling devastated. Memorial Day was originally conceived as a day to memorialize the solidiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. It was first called "Decoration Day", in reference the decorations that were laid on tombstones, and hung from buildings.
The first time Decoration Day was first started is not exactly known. Officially, the date is known as May 30, 1868. However, the practice of memorializing Civil War dead, and decorating their graves goes back earlier.
The earliest known evidence of such observance goes back to various women's auxillary groups in the North and South, when ladies organized events to honor their war dead by decorating graves. The earliest recorded event took place on April 25, 1866 in Columbus, Mississippi when a group of women formed an association to decorate the graves of civil war soldiers, starting with those who died in the Battle of Shiloh.
The towns of Macon, Georgia, Columbus, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia all claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day, having first celebrated it in 1866. The town of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania claims to have celebrated the first Decoration Day in 1868. Carbondale, Illinois claims to have celebrated it first on April 29, 1866. In all, some 25 cities claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day, most of them in the South.
To settle the dispute, President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclaimation in 1966 naming Waterloo, New York to be the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
The origins of Waterloo being the birthplace of Memorial day goes back to Henry C. Welles, a town druggist, who apparently conceived the idea in the summer of 1865 by mentioning it to a friend. Sometime later, he mentioned it again to General John B. Murray, a civil war hero, and plans were finally put in place to organize an event, which was held on May 5, 1866. A similar event was held again a year later on May 5, 1867.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, the first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed May 30, 1868 as the official day for decorating the graves of civil war dead. The town of Waterloo, New York, as well as several other towns joined together to celebrate the first official Decoration Day on that date. Interestingly, Logan was the guest speaker at the decoration event that took place on April 29, 1866, in Carbondale, Illinois. It appears that experience led to his proclaimation.
Why Logan chose May 30th as the official day is also interesting, since the prior Decoration days in Waterloo were held on May 5, and the earlier Decoration event in Carbondale was on April 29. A possible explanation to this goes back to a french emigrant woman named Cassandra Oliver Moncure, who in 1866 organized a Decoration event in Virginia and picked May 30th. She explained that May 30th is the "Day of Ashes" when Napoleon's ashes were returned to France from St. Helena.
By the end of the 19th Century, cities all over the country were celebrating Decoration Day on May 30.
In 1971, Congress and the President passed a law that officially coined the name, "Memorial Day" and officially marked the last Monday in May as the official day. Many of the Southern States, however, have adopted their own dates:
Mississippi celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on the last Monday in April.
Alabama celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on the fourth Monday of April
Georgia celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on April 26.
North and South Carolina celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on May 10.
Louisiana celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on June 3.
Tennessee celebrates "Confederate Decoration Day" on June 3.
Texas celebrates "Confederate Heroes Day" on January 19.
Virginia celebrates "Confederate Memorial Day" on the last Monday in May.
On December 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, which created a new commission, the "White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance". It's goal is to "promote the values of Memorial Day by acts of remembrance throughout the year and to encourage Americans to demonstrate their gratitude by giving back to our Nation".
- Steve Paul Johnson

2008 SUSAN G. KOMEN WALK FOR THE CURE!

As of right now, I have registered everyone for the 10th Annual Run/walk on June 21, 2008. It is $25.00 per person. Joi and I will pick up all the t-shirts prior to the race at St. Clair Square and have them for everyone by race day. Mom and Aunt Norma will get pink survivor hats and t-shirts as well. Race Day Schedule is

6:30 a.m. Race day Registration Opens

6:30 a.m. Survivor Pavilion Opens

6:30 a.m. Team Photos begin

7:25 a.m. Survivor Procession

7:55 a.m. Aerobic Warm up

8:40 a.m. Wheelchairs Start

8:45 a.m. 5 K Runners start

9:00 a.m. 5 K Walkers Start

9:15 a.m. Fun Walkers Start

10:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony on the Main Stage

Awards will be presented to the First Place male, female, wheelchair and breast cancer survivor. The website is www.komenstlouis.org, if anyone wants to go look at everything. Cannot wait to see everyone there!!! WAY TO GO!

WOOOHOOOO!!!! & WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

On the Light side:

DAVID COOK WON!!!! YIPPPEEE!!!! We picked the winner on my vote site too!! WE ARE GOOD!

On the serious side:

Mom had her 1st chemo treatment today, all went well. As of typing this, 9:41 p.m., I just spoke with Mom and as of yet she has not got sick. She is just tired. WOOHOO! She had a rough start, because they check your blood first, her red blood count was down and white count up. This means she has infection somewhere, but she did not feel bad or have anything she knew of. We had to wait for them to notify the doctor and to get his "go ahead" on the chemo. Once he said yes, they had to prepare her medicines, and she had 2 people in line ahead of her. Once they started, she had a leak, therefore it took longer than it should have, but all in all, I think it went great for her. She said that she didn't even feel it when they put the needle into the power port, that made her happy (NO IV!) SO WAY TO GO MOM! WE LOVE YOU! and GOD, WE LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

P.S. No one answered me regarding the cancer walk, therefore we will be signed up by tomorrow. (I know I said tonight, but I forgot that I had to watch the 2 hour American IDOL! I forgot it was on tonight.) Entry is $25 per person again this year. Joi and I will pick up the t-shirts again this year. We cannot wait to see everyone there this year! It really is awesome!

IT'S TIME...FINALLY

Well, the day for Mom's first chemo treatment is finally here. She begins tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. Joi and I will both be with her and stay with her through the entire treatment. We are hoping that she will not get extremely ill, as the doctor said, "I will be very surprised if she gets sick with the vomiting and nausea." We are praying for that result! I know mom has to be dreading this, but she is staying strong (a little snippy at times...just kidding mom!), as she had been through the entire process, which began in February. It has been a long road for her, but hopefully she is at the top of hill and starting downhill now. I know she still has a long road ahead of her, but we will all be there with her, along with the rest of all of you. Again, heartfelt thank yous is not enough for all the support from all of you, our family and friends! Keep the prayers coming! THANK YOU AGAIN! Love Bud, Sharon, Tom, Connie, Dave and Joi

P.S. Mom gave me everyone's information for the cancer walk today. I will be signing us up tomorrow night. I still have a couple of people left to get information from and answers of whether they are walking for sure. So far I have, Sharon, Connie, Joi, Norma, Donna, Veronica, Linda, Jane, Brenda, Nanette and Michelle. If I have forgotten anyone, someone please let me know. If anyone else wants to join us, or knows someone that may want to join us, please tell them to come join us for the day! It is for a great cause, it makes for an awesome and inspiring day!

My Mother's day-even though it is late to be posted!

This is everyone that I spent my Mother's Day with. I went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse with my family, then we went shopping and on the way home we went by Horseshoe Lake. I, of course, had to take pictures! Then my stepson, Shane, came by to see me. Oh, I cannot leave out the babies, Koty and Gizmo were there too! Love you all!

CONTRATS 08 GRAD MICHELLE!

Congratulations Michelle, you finally made it the Big Graduation Day, May 16, 2008! WAY TO GO!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM!

Mother's Day is a great day to let you know how much I LOVE YOU! We all love you, Dad, Me, Tom, Joi and David! (Koty, Gizmo and Niko Too!) You are terrific and the best mom in the world! I hope you have a wonderful day! Your loving daughter, Con

MY COUSIN SHELLY

Shelly just got back to my Aunt Linda's after having emergency surgery! She was coming in to visit for awhile to help with her allergies and had an ulcer erupt on her! From what Aunt Linda says, she is doing ok, pretty sore and still some other problems, but let's all pray for her speedy recovery from her surgery and that she knocks out those allergy problems! This is a big hello to you Shelly and to let you know we are all pulling for you and praying for you to GET BETTER!

MAY DAY CAROUSEL

Congratulations Michelle! It took me awhile to get the pictures off of my camera (I have 1500 on my card, so it took me awhile, they didn't want to load), but I finally made it. Last Friday night, my mom and I went back to good ole Granite City High School for the May Day Carousel. Nanette's daughter, Michelle, is a senior this year and was picked to be in the maypole dance! Michelle you looked beautiful! So congrats to her and her pending graduation, which is in a couple of weeks! So way to Go! You finally made it! Michelle, I will also take this opportunity to wish you a Very Happy Birthday, May 10th! May you dream big, live happy and reach the goals you pursue. You have the world at your feet! Enjoy this time in your life and Good Luck, from myself and Tom.