Your Cousin Charlie Gets His Black Belt

 What a wonderful celebration today watching 10-year-old Charlie get his black belt at Olsen's Martial Arts.  He had a private celebration with his family and Diva and Poppa.  He has been waiting a long time because of Covid restriction but has persisted in his training with Zoom on-line lessons and private lessons.  He was able to show off all his skills.  I was amazed at how agile he is and graceful with his forms.  He spared with Oscar and actually knocked him on his bottom.  I later told Oz it was really nice of him to take a dive to make his brother look better.

We loved watching his kicks, twirls, confidence, and agility.  I was impressed by his ability to break a board with his hand and break the last one with his heel. He earned his black belt and was given two words...Determination and Patience both of which he displayed to earn his belt.

Happy 14th Birthday Anne

 Happy Birthday to our sweet Anne.  It has been a year and a half since we have been able to see you, hug you and spoil you.  In that time you have grown into a confident, talented leader and an incredible artist.

We love your artwork and display it proudly on our refrigerator.  Your mom tells us that you are in a different school this year and that you are a leader in your class.  I know you enjoy working with younger girls in Girl Guides too.

Your mom also told me that you are experimenting with makeup, hairdos, and all things fashionista.  I love that about you.  

I hate that we are so far away from you and don't get to see you often.  I realize it isn't cool to like your grandparents and that's ok....we will make up the difference and be twice as crazy about you.

Give hugs to Poppy the cat from us.  Oreo sends his love too.

Your Darling Diva

Hope you got the pen that Poppa made for you on his wood lathe.   It is a multi-colored laminated wood.  He knows how artistic you are and thought you would like a one of a kind handmade pen.

Letters to great Grandmother

Dear Mom,                                                                    January 12, 2021

 

This is your middle daughter Kathy. I am the one who is named after you ...Janet Kathleen. I live in Tennessee with my husband Charlie.  I asked you once when I was growing up why you called me Kathy when my name was Janet.  You told me that you were always going to call me Kathy but  Kathleen Janet didn’t flow like Janet Kathleen.  Your mom, my grandmother, would send me a birthday card every year with Kathleen Janet Watson on it.  It always secretly made me laugh that she didn’t really know my name.

   One childhood memory I have of you, mom is that you would write to your mom every week.  I remember watching you type your letters on an electric typewriter.  So for your birthday, I have decided to follow your example and write you a weekly letter.  Not so much what we are doing but to remember the stories of my heart.  These are the stories I will tell my grandchildren about my     Momma and Daddy.

  Since we just had a New Years' celebration, Bobbie and I were talking about the New Year Celebration we had in Idaho when I was 5 and Bobbie was 8.  You and Dad had a New Year’s adult party the year before so you promised that we girls could have our own party the following year.  I think we just had friends who were our age that lived on the base.  I remember we had Beverly and Cami Nickel and another little girl that Bobbie knew.  We all got dressed up and went to the base movies.  We got to see “There’s No Business Like Show Business” with Ethel Merman. 

Dad got all of us popcorn and drinks and we thought we were so grown up.  The movie ended at 9pm and we got to drive around town with party hats and noisemakers yelling, “Happy New Year”. I am pretty sure we were all home and in our beds long before the New Year’s countdown.  It made me feel really grown up and important.

    Your granddaughter Suzy, my middle child and the one most like her grandmother (YOU), loves to celebrate New Year’s Eve with her boys.  They all get dressed up and she plans special food and games till midnight and she has a balloon drop from her ceiling.  This year they had a confetti cannon in her living room.  She says she is still vacuuming up paper shreds! 

     We miss you, we love you, we pray for you every day.  Much love….Kathy

Anne, Your great grandmother Janet Carden Watson has Alzheimer's Disease and has very limited memory.  So when I am with her I tell her heart stories I remember about her.  She just laughs will say," Did I really do that?"

 

 

Anne Advent Ribbon 2020

 

Anne, you will never know how upset we were to not be able to see you this past July.  Our celebration was not complete without our Canadians.  We were so looking forward to having everyone back together.  Your sad Diva and Poppa

 

Anne, this is one of my favorite pictures of you and your Mom.  You are growing up way too quickly for this Diva.  I heard that you like makeup and like your hair long now.  Wish we could spend some time with you.  Diva

 

  I think you will really like Oreo.  He weighs 20 pounds now and thinks he should be in our lap at all times. He is an older dog….so Poppa calls him the old man of our household.  Diva

 

 

Anne,  You haven’t seen your little cousins in quite a while, Lyra Jane is in Kindergarten this year and has been waiting for her whole life to attend.  She reminds me of your sweet momma when she was that age.   Nostalgic Diva

 

 

What happened to my little girl...now a teenager.  We are so proud of you, Anne.  Your mom likes to tell us how well you are doing in school and in your other activities.  We miss you so much and love talking with you.  Don’t forget about us!  Diva and Poppa

 

 

Anne,  Congratulations on being a brace face!  Auntie Suzy got hers in high school so never smiled much for pictures.  She is really glad now that she went through the experience.  Keep smiling...we love happy faces.  Diva and Poppa 

 

 

 

Anne, I will admit that I had to google Harley Quinn!  Uncle Andy is my superhero and villain's guy so I thought I was pretty knowledgeable on all of them.  I heard that it was a very popular costume this year.  I 

Anne, I will admit that this picture made me laugh and miss you more.  I bet you picked lots of apples.  Do you remember as a little girl picking strawberries in Virginia?  Your Mom is a great cook so I am sure there was at least an apple pie!    Miss you more than apple pie
!  Diva

 

 

 

Anne, this is my favorite picture of you and your mom for this year.  I keep it on my bulletin board in my office so I can see your sweet faces and miss you more!  This has been a really bad year for traveling and for isolating people.  Know you are loved!  Diva and Poppa

 

 

 

 

Anne, so glad you can go camping and enjoy nature.  Poppa and I stroll around the neighborhood with Oreo and had a very pretty garden this year.  I  am enjoying a Facebook group called “A view from my window”.  I love it because it has a worldwide base and pictures of places I will probably never get to visit.  Everyone is kind and encouraging.  I love that you are also very kind and encouraging to the younger scouts for your help.  We want you to know that we love you and are proud of the women you are becoming.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

 

Anne, we love your artwork.  I have trouble drawing stick figures so I  can really appreciate people who can draw.  I can use some new artwork for my fridge!         
( That was a hint!)   Miss you sweet girl! Your Diva

 

 

 

Anne, your Auntie Suzy always loved the actress Audrey Hepburn.  She was glamorous and also wise.  Your mom tells me you like to explore with makeup now.  I love this quote from her and thought you might too.  “On a bad day….there’s always lipstick!”    Diva

 

 

Christmas Advent Ribbon 2019

 Anne, I love that you love animals.  Our dog Lady was crazy about you.  Animals are good judges of people and Lady would let you stroke her head or follow you anywhere.  I think animals make you happy and you glow differently when you are happy.  I think you would make a great vet.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

Anne, not all girls are made of sugar and everything nice, some are made of adventure, dark chocolate, intelligence, cuss words, and courage.  You are changing into an amazing teen and we are so proud of you.  Diva

 

 

Anne, you will never really know how much your little cousins look up to you and want to spend all their time with you.  You have always been very kind and caring with each of the boys.  Henry says you are his, Charlie loves to play computer games with you and Oscar likes to share books that he is reading.  You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.  Diva

 

 “ Be proud of how hard you are trying.”  I love that you enjoy working with younger girls in scouting.  I know you enjoy babysitting and I think you are pretty 

smart, pretty thoughtful, pretty strong, pretty sweet, pretty generous, pretty creative, pretty forgiving, and pretty amazing.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

Anne, being a teenager has new problems, new insecurities, new dramas, new feelings and emotions.  Always remember that you have a couple of nutty southern grandparent that are your cheerleaders.  Diva and Poppa

 

 

My girls!

Anne, when it comes to boys and boyfriends….there’s a million fish in the sea but you my dear, are a Mermaid. Never let anyone dull your sparkle.  Diva  

 

 

 

Anne, I love that you enjoy gardening and eating healthy.  I enjoy seeing pictures of your garden and seeing your Mom becoming an incredible cook and canner.  Diva               

 

 

              

Anne, I really enjoy doing Marco Polos with you and I especially enjoyed you sharing your new artwork with me. Obviously, I know very little about the art you are studying cause my favorites were the ones you said weren’t very good.

Thanks for sharing. Diva 

 Anne, my mom will be 93 this year. She lives in a nursing home and is almost blind but she still remembers how kind you were to her even as a little girl. She remembers you most as a Disney princess. Her birthday is in January also. Diva

Anne, Poppa, and I are hardly world travelers but we are looking forward to going to Israel this February and we love to come to visit you and your Mom this spring. Now, all we have to so is stay healthy. Love Diva and Poppa

 

Anne, your little Texas cousins are excited to meet you this summer. You will love Lexi she is such a doll. I think you will have to use all your babysitting skills with these 3 Texas tornadoes. Diva

 Anne, guess who else is a Rainbow Dash fan...Lyra Jane. Do you remember watching all my little pony cartoons and explaining them to me as well as the Equestria girls? I had to laugh when I saw this picture because you made me an expert. Love, Diva

 

12 days of Christmas

  A Bennetch Christmas Tradition. 12 days of Christmas ribbon

 Years ago when our children were very young and had no sense of time they would get up every morning hoping it was Christmas.  They were so excited and would follow up with the next question such as......" Will it be Christmas tomorrow?"   

 So being a very poor pastor's wife we would make a paper chain with the exact number of links till it would be  Christmas. We would hang it by the table and every day we would cut off one link.  That way they could see how many sleeps till Christmas day.

As they grew older we would write an activity on each link to do for that day.  There were activities such as baking cookies, make Christmas cards, watch a Christmas movie, have a snowball fight, or sing a silly Christmas song.

As the children grew older each one wanted to make his or her own Christmas chain and write their own activity. Of course, they never wanted to do the same thing at the same time so that idea was quickly abandoned.

The next improvement was each child would tell me what colors they wanted their chain to be.  I would cut the strips and number them so one child got to be the leader in an activity, another got to be the one to pick out the book we would read together and the third child got a special message ( either a compliment or a  timed challenge with a reward ).  As you can easily see this led to hurt feelings with 3 preschoolers so this was quickly abandoned for our present-day solution.  

  

Now, Mom wraps candy with a  special note inside for each kid and glues it on a ribbon.   It used to be 25 notes times 3.  Each note had to be heartfelt, funny, or what I admired about them. And yes, they would compare them with each other to see who mom loved best.   

Our kids are grown now with kids of their own. I still make them ribbons every year as well as for each grandchild. The tradition is now the 12 days of Christmas. 

I also decorate and make some ribbons for extended family and friends.  Of course the older I get the more friends I've made.  So if you receive an Advent ribbon from me know that you are holding a special piece of my heart.

How I met your Poppa

I met your Poppa at church in a Sunday School class for College and Career.  I was new to the church and had seen him singing in the church choir.  I liked him instantly and decided to meet him.

I was working as a night nurse (11 to 7) shift at a hospital in Virginia Beach.  I had every other weekend off but decided I couldn't wait for a weekend that I was off so the following Sunday (after working all night) I went home and prepared "to meet HIM".  Yes, dear children, I stalked your Poppa!  I showered, curled my hair, wore my best dress, sprayed on Shalamar perfume, grabbed my Bible, and headed out the door on my quest to meet my Mr. Wonderful.

I arrived early and eagerly waited for him to show up.  He was late. Class started and after a preliminary welcome, we were encouraged to mingle and meet newcomers.  At last, my moment had come and I started my quest to meet him only to be stopped 4 times by people wanting to meet me.  My momma did not raise me to be rude so I missed my opportunity to meet him.

It was a big class (about 25 people) so we were divided into groups by counting off into groups of four.  I listen to whatever number he said and went directly to his group as soon as we broke up. I sat next to him and marveled at how smart and articulate he was.  (I should add that your Diva is attracted to Nerds.)

After class, I asked him if he was going to go to church so I could sit next to him.  He smiled sweetly and said "Yes, I am, I sing in the choir!  ( Rats!  I forgot about that.)   I gave him my best smile but it didn't persuade him to skip choir and sit with me.  So I sat by myself and dozed off and on through the sermon since I had been up all night long.  Hopefully, it looked like I was in deep meditation or prayer!

After church," I lingered longer" in hopes of accidentally bumping into him.  When that didn't happen I decided to give up and go home to bed defeated in my purpose.  When I got to my car, guess who was parked behind me?  Yes, dear children, it was your future Poppa.  God is good!

We talked, I flirted, and then he asked me to join him for lunch!  I forgot how tired I was and instantly agreed.  We went out for pizza and it felt very comfortable talking with him.  We laughed, and conversation seemed to flow in both directions. 

 When the bill arrived he discovered the restaurant didn't take credit cards and he only had a dollar in his pocket.  So yes dear children, I ended up paying for our first date and as I like to remind him....I've been paying for it ever since! 

 We met in March, got engaged in April, and were married in July. So you can see that even though your Poppa was shy and quiet when we met he definitely was just waiting for me.  We just celebrated our 46th anniversary this year.   

Summer Memories

 

Hello, long-forgotten blog... I'm back!

I always have such good intentions!  However, my follow-through has a lot to be desired.

I love the fall.  I love the cooler weather, the fall foliage, apples cider, pumpkin everything, warm sweaters, mums, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

This summer was busy with a long-anticipated visit to Texas to meet our newest grandchild Lexi, and love on her big sisters Lyra and Lucy.  We came home with an unexpected blessing...Lady, our granddog, now our dog.  We flew to Texas but drove back in a rental car with Lady and all her belongings.  Our cats were not very receptive to the new family member but gradually realized she was not going anywhere so finally tolerated her.  

We loved having Becky, Emma, and Danny for two weeks in June and July.  It was an action-packed time with lots of activities, games, side trips, Diva Camp, 4th of July fireworks, and yes, the traditional family photo.  We miss them so much so have to get a year's worth of fun in the two weeks we have together.  Emma is 12, she is so tall and a real beauty.  She loves cats, art, girl guides, acting, and animals.

Suzy turned 40 this year.  How can that be?  My children are middle age!  I turn 70 this November!!  Yikes!  Becky starts her work on her  Doctorate this month.  She hopes to finish by the time Emma graduates.  Emma is entering 7th grade. 

The grandboys seem to grow every night.  Oz started 5th grade, Charlie 3rd grade and Henry is in first grade.  I love that they come running to give me hugs whenever we see them at church.  I know to soak it up now because there will come a day when they will be occupied with cars and girlfriends.


We no longer have our two cats JJ and Lucy.  Lucy was having many seizures each day and JJ had some serious intestinal issues and was losing weight.  They were littermates and lifelong companions.  They slept huddled together every night and neither would have done well without the other.  They were almost 18 years old and are missed daily.


My desire is to write more.  I need to get back to water aerobics at the senior center and fill my days with adventures.

Diva's Favorite Things

 

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lexi Anne.  She is growing so quickly.  It is very hard only getting to see her and her sister once a year.  We appreciate Rachel posting new pictures frequently of the girls.

This is another favorite picture of our current household.  Diva, Poppa, and Dog all together.  Lady has filled a big hole in our hearts and is a much loved, comical relief.  She is always ready for a walk or a cuddle.  She knows our habits and loves to nap with Poppa in the afternoon.  Last night she went upstairs to bed without us.  What a dog. 

Some of my Current Favorite Things.....

Dark Chocolate Hershey kisses,
Blue Bunny white chocolate cookies and cream 
weekly visits to the library 
babysitting with the grandboys
popcorn shrimp
grits and cheese
heart-shaped rocks
daisies
dragonflies and fireflies
seeing the scale go down
baby giggles
funny cat videos
pictures of the family
a rock tumbler
adventures
organizing my kitchen storage
using my air fryer
cooking new recipes
double recliner (big enough for Charlie, Lady and me)
spontaneous hugs from the boys
monthly Sunday Sermon with Charlie at the nursing home
pixel art app
video games
birthday cake
Advent calendars
Fall, leaves, sweaters, mums, pumpkin everything, apple everything
Christmas decorations and tree
chicken decorations
taco salad
homemade soup on a cold day
a fire in the fireplace
a warm blanket
hot herbal tea
a good book
flowers on my table
pandora (Christian radio)
turquoise jewelry and also my favorite color
Sunflowers
a new laptop for my birthday (yes, that's a hint)
spending time with friends
learning a new craft
making hearts with melty beads with the grandboys
binge-watching my favorite shows on Netflix
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Hallmark sappy movies
time travel anythings
mysteries
Diva Camp with the grandchildren
prayer partners
checking off lists
hats
haircuts
swing on my porch swing
flowers in the garden
air conditioning in the summer
scented candles
grilled cheese sandwiches
pockets
cool purses

Diva's Favorite things

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lexi Anne.  She is growing so quickly.  It is very hard only getting to see her and her sister once a year.  We appreciate Rachel posting new pictures frequently of the girls.

This is another favorite picture of our current household.  Diva, Poppa, and Dog all together.  Lady has filled a big hole in our hearts and is a much loved, comical relief.  She is always ready for a walk or a cuddle.  She knows our habits and loves to nap with Poppa in the afternoon.  Last night she went upstairs to bed without us.  What a dog. 

Some of my Current Favorite Things.....

Dark Chocolate Hershey kisses,
Blue Bunny white chocolate cookies and cream 
weekly visits to the library 
babysitting with the grandboys
popcorn shrimp
grits and cheese
heart-shaped rocks
daisies
dragonflies and fireflies
seeing the scale go down
baby giggles
funny cat videos
pictures of the family
a rock tumbler
adventures
organizing my kitchen storage
using my air fryer
cooking new recipes
double recliner (big enough for Charlie, Lady, and me)
spontaneous hugs from the boys
monthly Sunday Sermon with Charlie at the nursing home
pixel art app
video games
birthday cake
Advent calendars
Fall, leaves, sweaters, mums, pumpkin everything, apple everything
Christmas decorations and tree
chicken decorations
taco salad
homemade soup on a cold day
a fire in the fireplace
a warm blanket
hot herbal tea
a good book
flowers on my table
pandora (Christian radio)
turquoise jewelry and also my favorite color
Sunflowers
a new laptop for my birthday (yes, that's a hint)
spending time with friends
learning a new craft
making hearts with melty beads with the grandboys
binge-watching my favorite shows on Netflix
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Hallmark sappy movies
time travel anythings
mysteries
Diva Camp with the grandchildren
prayer partners
checking off lists
hats
haircuts
swing on my porch swing
flowers in the garden
air conditioning in the summer
scented candles
grilled cheese sandwiches
pockets

 

2018 Calendar

Anne,  You are going to be a wonderful babysitter.  I love to watch you with your younger cousins.  Lucy and Lyra love your attention.  Oz likes that you have a similar interest in books.  Charlie loves to play games with you and Henry thinks you belong to him.   Thank you for your love and kindness to them.  Diva Anne, your great-grandmother ( grand Jan) still remembers your kindness to her.  When I tell her stories about you she smiles and says, “ She really liked me.  I don’t know why, but I am so glad she does. ”  Thank you for your kindness and love.  I am so proud of you.   Diva Anne, Poppa and I want to come and visit you.  We need to get our cold weather gear on and visit you and Poppy, see your new room and meet your friends.  Poppa calls it the Polar Bear Plunge.  Keep warm.  We miss you so much.  Diva and Poppa Don’t forget your crazy American family.  We love you and miss you.  I love being able to talk to you even though I know you are very busy.  Please be kind to your mom and take care of her for me.     Diva  and Poppa Anne, I need some new artwork for my refrigerator.  I love that you let us peek at your sketchbook on Skype.  You have real talent.  I am glad you have found so many ways to express yourself.  I love that you let me proudly display your work and brag about you to my friends.  Your Diva

Dear Anne, Your momma tells me that you wish to be called Anne.  I fully understand why you want to re-invent yourself and choose another name.  I have several names.  I'm Kate to Poppa, Mom to your momma, Diva to you and your cousins, Daisy to my blogging friends, Kathy to my friends, and Janet on all legal documents.  Please forgive me if I slip and call you Emmalee.  That is the name I called you when I first held you in my arms and fell instantly and hopelessly in love with you.  Diva

Anne, some girls are just born with glitter in their veins.  Remember you were born to shine so don't let anyone dull your sparkle.  Diva

Anne, this is your Auntie Anne, Poppa's big sister, and greatest fan.  She remembers all birthdays and sends cards and encouragement to all who know her.  She is your momma's favorite aunt and my favorite sister. (just don't tell my sisters Bobbie and Bev). I love the name, Anne.  Her official name is Cordelia Anne Bennetch Carpenter.  I hope you get to meet her one day.  Diva

Anne, " Beauty isn't about having a pretty face.  It is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and most importantly a beautiful soul."  I loved how you took care of your younger cousins this summer.  You made each of them feel special.

Anne, if you were a flower you would be a wildflower in the most beautiful meadow.  I am so glad you like to camp and be outside.  Diva

Anne, Smile!  Happy looks good on you.  You are sunshine, mixed with a little hurricane!   Diva

Anne, I love your blue hair.  You are an excellent builder.  It was fun watching you play 3 dimensional Jenga and beat both Poppa and Oscar.  Who knows, you might become a great engineer.  Diva