Twelfth Night

 Jim is in drama club, and they put on Twelfth Night as a readers theater. He played the parts of the sea captain, Valentine, Officer 1, Officer 2, the priest, and the servant. 

Halloween 2025

Nana Jana brought it to my attention that there were no Halloween pictures on the blog. I've been sick basically since Halloween & it slipped through the cracks (though I did think I'd already posted it!) Sam and I went hi-vis again, though I just stayed home and passed out candy. I wore the light-up earrings to work (you can see my library shoes). 

Jim was Betelgeuse, of course. (That's the spelling! He proved it to me! Then he wore this whole ridiculous get up to school all day - including Band & PE.)  

Amelie was Cyn from the webseries Murderbots that she watches. She chopped up part of an old witch costume (2022 post). She didn’t start working on it til after school on Halloween but it all came together. 

Leah was Potato, the black cat from the book Sparks (who our dog Spark is named after.) She carved her pumpkin to be Potato cat as well - and check out the candy bag. 

Group photo!

I didn't count, but we got a whole ton of trick-or-treaters & the kids came back with a whole ton of candy.

Leah got a fair amount of mileage out of her costume both before & after Halloween. She misplaced the collar & then it fell out of the couch when we were moving furniture & she was quite pleased. 

Here's the link to last year. 

Grandma Doris

 I just wanted to out this here to preserve it.

Doris Louise Williams Obituary

Doris Louise Williams (nee Sargent) was born on March 15, 1932, near Kennett, Missouri and died peacefully at home on September 26, 2024, in Columbia, Missouri at 92 years of age.

She is preceded in death by her mother Notria Brown, her husband Leroy Wellington Williams, her sister Jewell Pauline King, her brothers Edward Leon (EL) Jackson and Wayne (Bill) Sargent, her son Kerry Cameron Williams and his wife Cheryl Depew Williams.

She is survived by her daughters Tara Camille Kifer and husband Ken of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jana Lee Paddock and husband Steve Cochran of Columbia, Missouri, and Lana Marie Shipman and husband Darrin of Milton, Florida; six grandchildren: Bradley Keith Kifer and wife Jess, Kendra Camille Grady and husband James, Crystal Leigh Buffaloe and husband Sam, Holly Leann King, Darri Camille Thompson, and Cameron Scott Shipman; ten great-grandchildren: Bradley Scott Kifer, Layla Paige Kifer, Josie Grace Kifer, Hayes West Kifer, Amelie Jane Buffaloe, James Robert Buffaloe, Leah Rose Buffaloe, Marlee Mae Grady, Laynie Camille Grady and Levi Blake Thompson. She was expecting her first great-great grandchild in January.

Doris grew up in Tally and graduated from Gideon High School in 1950. She was crowned Miss Gideon in 1949. Doris and Leroy were united in marriage on June 26, 1950, in Piggott, Arkansas. In 1952, they moved into their home on Mann Street, where Doris lived for 70 years. They ran several business ventures including a cafe, a bowling alley, and finally S & W Sales, where she would “keep the phone.” Doris was a long-time member of the Bernie Christian Church, where she nurtured many lasting friendships. She was a great fan of new clothes, going out to lunch, her weekly hair appointment, Patsy Cline, sitting outside on the porch swing, talking to friends and relatives, and taking care of her children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am at Bernie Cemetery on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Memorials may be made to Bernie Christian Church, P.O. Box 566, Bernie, MO 63822.

Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.