Merry Christmas To All 2011

Christmas 1993

I like this so much when I created it a couple of years back. I'm dusting it off and posting it again for Christmas 2011. Please enjoy. Thank you.
Press the play button to view the slide show.

HAPPY 2011 COOLEY CLAN

Happy New Year!!! Welcome to this new, exciting year of 2011. When I started this blog two years ago, I had no idea it would grow into what it has today. I'd say the readers deserve credit for the increased number of postings in 2010. I appreciate the comments and compliments I have received from you. Those encouraging words empowered/encouraged me to share more of the family history and current events. I will continue to share the stories, pictures and more in 2011. Thank you all. May The Creator continue to BLESS each and every one of you.
All my best,

Tim

New Year's Eve

December 31, 1988

This was taken at a New Year's Eve/Birthday Party and Wedding Reception for my cousin Pam and her husband, Tim. I remember that NYE was a very cold one. I can't say what the temperature was, but I'm sure it was in the teens or single digits that night. One thing, we MinneSNOWtans are a hearty lot. We will leave our homes in all seasons and weather conditions to attend a self described "must attend" event. This multi-themed party was one of those events. Tyra called me the day before to ensure my suit, shirt and tie would match her outfit. The gentleman escorting her to any social event simply had to coordinate with her dress for that evening, period. I know on more than one occasion I changed MY tie to match what she was wearing. There never was an issue or problem with accommodating her request. She was meticulous with those details and I knew it. It was all good. Hanging with Tyra always meant a fun time. The night this picture was taken is no exception. I look at this picture twenty-two years later with fond memories of that evening.

Happy New Year 2011
May there be much
Peace, Joy, Love,
Excellent Health and Prosperity

A Blast From Christmas Past...

Christmas always made me happy. Like anyone (child or adult), I liked to receive gifts, and give them as well. As a kid, I did my Christmas shopping at Woolworth's, Walgreens, G.C. Murphy's or Grants. My mother, grandmother, sister and aunt would receive, CHARLIE, JEAN NATE, TABU or LOVE'S BABY SOFT perfume. My father, grandfather, brother and uncle would receive BRITISH STERLING, BRUT, OLD SPICE or HAI KARATE after shave. I'm certain I gave my uncle "Snookie" BRUT as a present for Christmas 1975. It played a role in our Christmas thirty-five years later. Toyia told me there was a gift from "Snookie" for me under the tree. When I picked it up and shook it, I jokingly asked, "Is this a bottle of liquor or BRUT?" I had my answer the moment I ripped the wrapping paper. I smiled and laughed when I saw it was BRUT. It took me back to Christmas 1975. I gave him BRUT then, and he gave it to me now. It was a Christmas like so many others. It was one filled with great food, presents, laughter and love. Yesterday we had another one of those Christmases. I got everything I wanted for Christmas; I received some nice gifts, enjoyed a delicious meal and spent time with my family.

Every Year, Every Christmas...

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas, from Me to You!

Our Family Christmas

I put together a few pics of Christmas with the family over the years.

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Happy Father's Day

This is for all the fathers. Enjoy!

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A Special Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
MOM

GRANDMA

GREAT-GRANDMA

I had this brilliant idea to put together a slide show to honor all the mothers in the family. Last month I created a folder to place the pics I planned to use. After a little time and delay, I started working on the project yesterday. Yep, yesterday. I spent a few hours working on this. Well, I JUST finished it. It turned into a ten minute (YES, 10 MINUTES) presentation. As far as I'm concerned, it's a done deal. I see several MORE things I could add (visual effects, etc), but this will become a mini-series if I don't put a stop to it. If there is a person missing, it's simply because I don't have a picture. Knowing how much effort this takes, I'm going to begin work on the FATHER'S DAY slide show A.S.A.P.

Press the play button to view the slide show.

Happy Easter

I'm sure I should be asleep, but I'm not ready to lay it down. My thoughts have been of the dinner I'm cooking later. This is my last official family/holiday dinner until Thanksgiving. Well, I'll help with a dish here and there. Planning the menu and preparing the majority of the food is now in the hands of Miss Toyia. She takes over all main meals from this point on. The "Barbeque Queen" fired up the grill a few weeks back and barbequed a few slabs of perfectly seasoned, moist, tender, delicious ribs. Finger licking good. So the family will be in good hands. By the way, Miss Toyia is serving pineapple upside down cake. Call ahead to ensure there's a piece for you.

Aunt Bessie

I'm not sure why, but I had to have a picture of Aunt Bessie's Chitterlings - aka "chitlins" to those in the know. I know when I was a kid I would eat chitlins. One Thanksgiving I helped Grandma and Mom clean them. Then it happened -- someone told me the part of the hog where "chitlins" are located. That was it for me. I stayed as far away from those things as I could. It was years later when I decided I would try eating them again. One forkful with a little cha-cha and a half a chew was all I could do. I spit them out and vowed to not eat them again. As I'm typing this I'm frowning, because I don't miss the flavor or smell. YUCK!!! I will say this, if you enjoy eating them, knock yourself out. Be kind and NEVER offer me a plate.