Christmas 2008

The Robert and Nancy Buxton Clan .

Grandparents Part 1

Reb asked me to share some storys of my life growing up. so, let's start by talking about my grandparents. My mom's mom died when mom was 11. Her name was Mary Agalene Nicholos(birthday Sept 7). She married Albert Sidney Austin(birthday July 27). Grandmother Austin died at age 49 of cancer. They had 9 children(3 still living). She was a very godly woman, and before she died she prayed with each one of her children. Then she asked one of the children to go to the well and get her a cool drink of water. Grand pa Austin died when I was about eight years old. All I remember about him was that he was a very short man. Every morning he would walk over a dirt road and pasture to our house to drink coffee with mom. I have no other memorys of him. If you know anything about Laurel, the street is 13th ave. The old trees are still there on 13th ave right near a church where he lived in a little house that my Uncle Andrew built for him. Grandpa was a farmer then when he moved to Laurel he became a brick mason. He mainly built steps and chimneys. I knew my dad's parent very well. We lived with them for short periods of time until dad started his radio business in Laurel and paid $150 for a two room house on 14th Ave. Later we moved up the street to a 3 room house and dad built two more rooms after David and Jim was born. My room was a space near one of the bedrooms and our one bathroom....about the size of my walk in closet that I have now. Don't feel sorry for me, because I loved living on 14th Ave. I had one window that I would sit and look up in the sky and think about the Lord and how to live for Him. We had wonderful friends and neighbors and best of all I was just down the road from my church. I would run to church and sit on the top step waiting for someone to open the door. Someone teasing me said "we need to give you a key to open the door." For years I looked for my key, but no one gave it to me. As a parent and teacher, I have always had that in the back of my mind. In dealing with children "always try to keep your word." One wonderful thing that has happened two years ago. My cousin Dan doing research on the Austin family found decendants of Grandpa Austin. It is the decendants of his brother, Purcell Austin.We knew of him as Uncle Boose. We found out they were having a reunion in Jackson,Ms. and they invited our family to come be with them. WOW!!! WOW!!! What a blessing to meet these folks. Thank you for inviting us. We are looking forward to the next "get together." Tomorrow I will talk about my dad's parents....have a blessed day!!!

Thanks Rebbie Boy

Reb, I am having a great time thinking about writing on my blogspot......thanks for opening this door for me......you are a great son and friend! mom

Friends

Wow I work at a great school. From my last entry you know I was having a difficult time with my hair.......went over to visit my neighbor/friend/good buddy Joanne. I told her I was not going to school unless I could wear a wig or hat. She had a beautiful wig that she told me I was welcome to borrow. So, Thursday AM I got up, washed, gelled, moussed my hair. Then ran my hands through it....put on a new outfit and headed to school with my wig. I was going to go early and get Courtney to help me with it.........the reaction from teachers, students and others....was wow! Mrs. B. you got a hair cut....we like it....you look younger...cute.....and they were not making fun.....just letting me know they liked my hair......needless to say.....I began to get over my fear of "short hair". So, how can I apply this to a life lesson......fear is like a sickness....fear is a thief....fear can keep you from doing your best! So, as the old saying "if life hands you a lemon, just make lemon aide." The sweetness of friends is like a feeling that YOU can make it though whatever happens! And the best friend of all is Jesus.Proverbs 18:24 Have a blessed day!

Flood warning/Bad hair day

Well, talk about building an ark.....I thought I was going to need one.......yesterday 7.2 inches rain in one day, rained all night and early this AM.....now it is just gusting wind up to 30 miles and getting colder. It won't mess up my new "hairdo." Ok lets start at the beginning about my hair....my beautician has had two surgerys and has not worked in 8 or 9 weeks. I have been making do and trying to decide who to go to. Monday I was in Sally's hair supply store. I noticed a beautiful young lady, beautiful hair.....so, I asked if she was a hair dresser and she said yes and gave me her card. I came home, looked at the calendar, then called about an appointment on Tuesday at 1'oclock. She worked on my hair washing, cutting, and cutting more....put a little color (I thought), dried and styled my hair.....When she dried it....I knew it was short....but looked so so...(and my hair does grow fast)....got home and my hair was flat.....also was too dark ....I only wanted a little light brown around the front........got up this AM....and it looked worse.....I have laughted....and cried.....then laughted some more....they will not allow hats at school. But I am wearing a hat or not going and that is final....I had to mail my dad's birthday card and a box to Nashville and one to Petal.....so, hoping I would not see anyone or with the wind blowing maybe no one would notice my har.....stopped in the grocery store...whew, maybe in and out and did not see anyone I knew....stopped at Post Office and made it in and out.....now I am home.....trying to decide what else to do to my hair....pray for me......I had planned a very spiritual lesson to share today....well, maybe this is one on pride.

One more day until school starts

Well, this has been a good holiday. We had a good time with family in Laurel and Hattiesburg. Also had a chance to reconnect with a dear friend from Laurel. Pam and I worked 7 years together in the PTO at Powers Elem. Several years ago Pam and her family were in a head on wreck that nearly killed all of them. They have had tremendous medical bills. Pam has an on line jewerly business to help on bills. I really hope and pray it goes well for her. The way we reconnected was through an email I sent to a friend that had lost her mom. I sent it to the funeral home site. Anyone can read the emails sent to the family and Pam emailed me. I was so happy to hear from her. We hope to have a "catchup" visit the next time we are in Laurel.
Just a few more days until Dad will be 92. Wow! He has been blessed with a long life. He has alot of storys if you ever want to see down and listen him talk. A walking historian. :)

Sat. afternoon meditating.....

Well, here I am writing my first entry without Rebbie boy to guide me.....hmmm...do I talk about our little grandson, Mack, arriving in the family after 7 girls...did I say beautiful girls....now don't say "she is just a grandmother"....just wait until you see them.....Welcome Mack!....or do I talk about my 91 year old dad having a dying experience then accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour....about my brother in law, Phil, having a massive heart attack and had to be shocked back twice......or I could talk today about the gloomy weather.....my fresh pot of coffee and butter pound cake just out of the oven. Well, I feel this new year is going to be a good year....So I will sign off by saying Happy New Year and may this be the best year you have ever had. (Jer. 33:3)