Not a Part of the Plan

Saturday, May 9, 2015

I Believe I Will See You Again

While Dee Dee was in Hospice care, Mom, Rett, Taylor, Aubree and I created a list of memories.

Only Dee Dee's closest family members will understand the majority of these, but a wonderful

way to remember her oneof a kind spirit. We love you and miss you everyday.

She was the master of the Quiet game
Soft arms
Always carrying her purse
I named her as I refused to say Grandma
Monopoly - I served as her property manager for 10%
Ornery
Fighter
Strong willed
The big blue car
She would only turn right at intersections
Thanksgiving on the Plaza
Introducing Emma as 4th Generation
Putting her cheek against chest for hugs
Strong grip...could always open jars no one else could
Always stood on the step above Taylor for hugs
Button Button game- Pick which hand game to go down a stair (Michigan house)
Her whole body giggle
Always questioning the Xmas exchange rules when she was the one that actually made them up
Papa calling her funny duck
Telling us the meal she had at the 5-star resort in Hawaii was "the worst I've ever tasted in my

whole life"
Her rings/bling (lady at casino buffet calling her a rich bitch)
Drinking too much rum and cokes in Cancun
The stash of tissue papers under her pillows 
Asking (ok, demanding) the white sugar at the restaurant in KC.
Aubree and I taking her to her Dr Appt when Papa was in the hospital...nurse called her name in

the waiting room: "Who's calling me??!!
Rett calling her out for ordering a water at Taco Bell and then filling up with soda
Playing Yahtzee at Thanksgiving on the Plaza and asking me so innocently "have you ever had a

Yahtzee?"
Measuring how tall we are on the door to the garage at the Michigan house
Birthday spankings over her knee
And let's not forget the time that she almost ex communicated me from the family for beating

her in monopoly.

And asking if Id ever forget Being her partner in Scategories 
Playing along to the tune of the gingerbread house playing at Christmas time. 
Her wicked pop trivia knowledge. She seemed to always know what Jessica Simpson was up to 
Singing to Brecken on the phone- Yeah! She totally sang Brecken to sleep over the phone
when he was in total meltdown mode that one time!
Giving the kids rides on her walker. 
The time she wondered why Nancy had swim noodles in her trunk. Fair question. 
The sound effects/facial expressions/noises she'd make when Papa told stories about their past.
Her taking us to Venture and Price Chopper for errands when we were kids. She'd buy those

huge bricks of cigarette packs and then put them in the freezer.
Big Red X Barn
Showing her food in her mouth and teaching her grandkids and great-grandchildren how to do it
Wrigley gum in the buffet
Taking notes on index cards of our boyfriends/girlfriends

Sunday, May 3, 2015

We miss you, Dee Dee

May is Dee Dee's birthday month. Here's to her orneriness and loving spirit.

Winifred Aletha Barclay, age 83, died peacefully at NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City,

Mo, on Thursday, December 18, 2014.

Born May 28, 1931, in Kansas City, Mo, she worked as the Executive Assistant to the Dean

of the UMKC School of Dentistry until 1967. Dee Dee, as her family called her, loved flipping

through the pages of a cookbook, playing board games, had an infectious giggle that would

shake her whole body and an ornery sense of humor. 

Aletha is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ed Barclay, her daughter, Nancy Jones,

granddaughter, Jenna Oesch and her husband Rett and great granddaughter, Emma; grandson

Taylor Jones, his wife Aubree and great grandson, Brecken.

her rally day- 5 days before passing

Christmas

in California

with Mom in front of the Pi Phi house

love!

all of us love the sand between our toes

turning 16!

Homecoming Parade

WHS 1998 graduation

with mom in Columbia, MO at the Pi Phi house

Emma's book for Dee Dee

4 generations

Emma loved her kisses from Dee Dee

at Emma's 1st Birthday. Last trip to STL

Thanksgiving (home from college) before dinner and lights on Plaza

banana split. This is the photo Papa used at her memorial and is in with her ashes. She might not be happy about that.

with her family at the old Michigan house

Papa's first selfie. At our house for Christmas and Emma's birthday after Dee Dee passed.

in her favorite chair at her spot at the table

rocking and chatting

Sunday, March 22, 2015

I am thankful for a loving family, supportive friends, caring co-workers, my health (although continued challenges, we continue to come out on top), an employer that cares about their employees, and a job that allows me to provide for my family.

We had a great Thanksgiving season. Starting off with hosting my team at the house for a chef-prepared lunch in my kitchen and presented and served in courses. Amazing! We stayed in St. Louis this year and celebrated at the Keune's with a wonderful meal and creating thankful turkeys to keep in the spirit of the holiday.

What are you thankful for?

the menu

finally used my china

off to the Keune's

spending time with family

Emma's thankful turkey

and Elfie returning for Christmas preparations.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

California Girls

Girls trip back to the sunny coastline of Orange County, California! We went back to our favorite spots, we explored news ones and we even ventured to Downtown Disney!