Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, July 31, 2017

Some Little Monkey Turns 75 this week!!!!!

She doesn't ACT 75!!!!!! 
Well my Friends,  AUGUST is almost here ---and guess what?????   Betsy has a BIG birthday this year....  YIPES.... On this day (August 5, 1942)  a bouncing baby girl was born in a small hospital in Pennington Gap,  Virginia... (My hometown, Big Stone Gap,  did not have a hospital at that time)...   It was 'war time' --so things weren't easy for anyone...  The hospital didn't have enough beds ---so my first bed was a dresser drawer...  I cannot believe that I was EVER tiny enough to fit in a dresser drawer...  ha ha .... (My friend, Neal,  would say that this is the reason I'm a little nutty even to this day!!!!! Tee Hee)...

My Dad (who was 53 years old when I was born) was even more excited than Mom (who was 42) was when they had a GIRL.....  They had two sons before I was born.  Raymond was 20 years older than I was and Jimmy was 12 years older than I was... To say I was a SURPRISE is an understatement....

But I was the "apple of my Daddy's eyes" ---and was truly spoiled rotten by him...   Mama just shook her head when she would say NO and Daddy said YES.....    For me,   I can honestly say that I had a great childhood.  Daddy worked until he was 75 to support us,  and even though they didn't have a lot of money,  they made sure that I was their priority in every respect....  I miss them both so much --along with both of my brothers...  All four of them are with God now--and here I am,  still hobbling along!!!!!

Today I'll share some pictures with you through the years of this crazy monkey!!!!!  Hope you enjoy them....


Who is this TUBBY little girl????  Still tubby at 75!!!!



Daddy and Me!!!!   Look at that smile on Daddy's face  (at least until I became a teenager).... ha


She's 'trying' to smile ---while saying,  "this is enough"...



My hair was ALWAYS STRAIGHT....   I remember getting perms for many years.... That was back in the day when the rollers/curlers came down from the ceiling.   Bet some of you have never heard of that!!!!!  GADS.



About age 4 ---I was standing in our front yard.



Then she grew up....   This was my Senior Year in  high school, all dressed up--trying to impress the boys I'll bet!!!



At age 59,   she met this Cutie Pie ---and he truly swept me off of my feet  (after about 20 years of being a single, independent woman)....



Here's a very happy lady --who has had an amazing life.



Sending Smoochies to YOU today  and saying  "thanks for blogging with this crazy monkey since 2006".....
I could go on and on about my life for these 75 years..... I have 3 wonderful sons whom I adore more than life itself.  AND---then there are my fantastic daughters-in-law  AND  the wonderful grandchildren...  And --I'm gonna be a GREAT Grammy in January.... Yeah!!!!!  I am truly a blessed woman...

George has some wonderful surprises planned for me this week --so if I'm not around,  just know that I am out somewhere having fun....

Hugs,

44 comments:

Jo said...

Whoo-hoo Betsy! I'm first to say Happy 75th (although I'll wish you on the day as well!) I'ev known you almost as long as I've been blogging (nine years) and it's been an honor and a pleasure! I remember the rollers coming down from the ceiling. I loved your post. Blessings and hugs Jo (BTW you're not tubby any longer!)

Ann said...

Well happy birthday week to you. What an adorable child you were and all these years later you are still totally adorable :) Enjoy your week

Marcia said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for sharing the photos from the past. Enjoy your celebration.

Linda G. said...

I enjoyed the pictures of you at different ages. Happy birthday week to you!

eileeninmd said...

hello Betsy, I enjoyed seeing all these photos of your over the years.
Wishing you a very happy birthday! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

very_inky_fingers said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy. I really loved the pictures and memories you shared. Have a wonderful week!!

Lux G. said...

Wow! Happy birthday, gorgeous!

Joe Todd said...

Congrats.. If you and I were not married I would ask for a date.. LOL

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Love seeing those wonderful pictures of your childhood, Betsy! They are precious and you are so lucky to have them!

Happy, happy birthday! You and George have a great week :)

xo, misha

Dorothy said...

Happy Birthday (August 5th) and remember it's my granddaughter's birthday, too! Love the pictures! In those early ones you looked like Shirley Temple!
Have a blast!

David said...

Betsy, Happy upcoming Birthday! I beat you to number 75 by just 15 days... Love your old photos! Life was sure different back when we were growing up. FYI...Laurie's mother was also 42 when she popped up...followed by her younger sister 14 months later. Here oldest sister is 14 years her senior. That oldest sister also spent her early days in a dresser drawer! Have a great birthday week or month...whatever your standard is. I know that George will treat you right, that's for sure! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Ruth Hiebert said...

I will say Happy Birthday now, but will surely say it again on your birthday. You are a blessing as much as you are living a life filled with blessings.I hope George sweeps you off your feet once agin on this special day.Sending my love to you.Hugs

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy! You were such a little cutie and you still are. Have fun this week! Hugs, Cheryl

Chatty Crone said...

I enjoyed every word of this birthday tribute - you have had a wonderful life there Betsy girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AUGUST 5th! Love, sandie

Anita Johnson said...

Have a wonderful birthday week! XO

Small City Scenes said...

Happy happy birthday Betsy---OMG you are catching up to me or should I say you are right behind me. I have had a truly wonderful life also---many bumps in the road but I smoothed them out. so keep smiling and being happy with your Georgie.
ENJOY!!!
MB

Big Dude said...

Great post Betsy - Happy Special Birthday

Leedra said...

Happy Birthday! Don't blog much anymore, but came over to wish you a very happy birthday.

Julie said...

Have a wonderful birthday week Betsy. You are so full of life and I don't see a 75 year old when I look at you. You were a beautiful little girl and a stunning Senior and now a sparkling beautiful woman. I am delighted to be your friend here and to share your joy. xxx Us Leo's have to stick together :-)

linda m said...

As I know how George operates I know your birthday is going to be very special. You sure don't look 75 to me. What fantastic pictures from you childhood.I am proud to call you my friend. Have a great birthday.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Happy happy birthday, Betsy!!! I love all these pictures and getting a look at your past life!! My favorite may be you and your dad, what a precious photo! Your childhood pictures are gorgeous, and so...well... YOU! I can see even way back then your love of life, optimism, and joy. You may be a crazy monkey, but you are a SKINNY crazy monkey!!! In all these years, you have never lost your joy and wonder of life, and that is something very few people our age can say. I know you will have a great time wherever George takes you!!

A Colorful World said...

What a wonderful post! Happy Birthday!!!! Loved the photos! You were such a cute-stuff! I know you had o be special to those parents having you after two boys so much earlier! Awesome look into your early life. All my best on this momentous milestone, and wishes for many many more!

Janie said...

You were an adorable kid who grew into an admirable woman. I'm proud to know you.
Have a great week! I know George will treat you to a lot of fun.

Betsy said...

Happy, happy Birthday Betsy! I truly enjoyed this walk down memory lane through pictures with you. It sounds as if you have had a wonderful life and I know that a lot of it is because of your happy outlook and attitude. I am blessed to know you through this blog. I hope you and George have a wonderful birthday week together my friend.

Many happy returns on the day of thy birth,
May sunshine and gladness be given.
May GOD in His mercy prepare you on earth,
for a beautiful birthday in Heaven.

Blessings always sweet friend,
the "other" Betsy

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday week Betsy. I know you will be spoiled so just go with it and enjoy.
Loved the picture progression and could see that great smile has been with you since birth.
So glad you are now enjoying each and every day with the love of your life. Keep those Birthdays coming.

Pam said...

Woo hoo! Happy Birthday, Betsy! You surely don't look like you're 75! I can imagine how thrilled your father was by looking at your pics. You have a wonderful time celebrating with your hubby! Take care

diane b said...

Happy Birthday for this week and I'm sure George will organise a week of celebrations. You will have caught up to me again. So nice to read such a happy post.

George said...

You're as beautiful now as you were in these adorable pictures.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

What fun to see all these old pictures of you. They're a treasure. And you are NOT a tubby 75-year-old!!! You're a weight-loss inspiration. So far, inspiration is as far as I've gotten. But there's still hope.

The Furry Gnome said...

You're only as old as you feel, so I'd say you're probably about 29!

Lady Fi said...

You're the youngest 75-year-old I know!! Wishing you a great day!

Rose said...

Betsy, I did enjoy seeing all of these...I do hope you are having a wonderful week. And congratulations on the great grand that is coming!

Lowcarb team member said...

Many, many Happy Birthday Wishes.
Such a lovely post and so good to see your photographs.

Have fun and enjoy yourself.

All the best Jan

Shug said...

Happy Birthday a few days early....to my friend. I'm an August baby too....August knew what it was doing when it had both me and you!! lol. I love how you love life!! It is awesome to see your smiling face in all your pictures... hugs.

Shug said...

Well...I made a comment, but somehow lost it. Anyways, I was saying Happy Birthday to you just a few days early. I'm an August baby as well.....I'm guessing that August sure knew what it was doing when it had me and you!! LOL. Always enjoy seeing your smiling face....Life is good and you always enjoy it to the fullest... hugs.

Jeevan said...

First my advanced Birthday wishes to you Betsy. I’m sure this going to be a very special birthday for you and 75 isn’t less anyway even though for a cheerful person alike age isn’t a matter. It’s really sweet reading your childhood days, birth, parents and siblings and the photos convey how special you are to your parents. Very cute Betsy and you are adorable with smile.

Hope u have a wonderful birthday celebration and a long and healthy life.

Neal said...

You are nutty.... no debate about that. I'd like to see the hospital bill for your birth. Patti found the hospital bill for when when she was born in 1955 and it was $129 total and that included 3-4 days in the hospital.

Betsy said...

Happy young 75. You look like you are having fun and congratulations on becoming a great grammy in January.

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, happy, happy, happy 75th and thank you so much for sharing your story and the photographs of you growing up. Love makes all the difference, doesn't it? Have a wonderful week of surprises. Peace.

Busy Bee Suz said...

You have to be the cutest 75 year old woman I've ever known. I love all the pictures of you growing up; in a few you resembled Shirley Temple to a T!!! Enjoy your birthday week with your love! XOXO

Connie said...

I loved seeing these pictures of you down through the years, Betsy! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Happy #75!

Linda said...

Awesome post! Happy birthday, Betsy! I love the childhood photos and then I saw the final shot and laughed out loud! You are so funny!

BeachGypsy said...

75!!!??--no way! Happy happy birthday Betsy, so glad we are blogging sisters! I do so love seeing all your adventures and the pretty pictures of your travels and your gardens at home! have a lovely birthday, my new friend!!

Jeanne said...

I sure enjoyed reading your special birthday post! I know your George made sure that it was a very special say! I'm late but Happy B.D.!