One Out Of Four Cooleys

I'm sure Uncle Bud was wearing a pair of Stacey Adams shoes at the time this picture was taken.

Three Out Of Four Cooleys

This has to be one of my all time favorite family pictures. Veltirea, Doris and Marvin out on the town. That's COOLEYLOVE

Des Moines, Iowa

Aunt Lizzie enjoyed shopping and took nieces Vicki and Donna on a trip downtown.

Happy Birthday Aunt Lizzie

Georgia Elizabeth Cooley was born to George and Mary (nee Washington) Cooley on October 2, 1904, in Northeastern Missouri. She was the baby sister of Edward, Victoria and Curtis. Aunt Lizzy is the reason I have a developed interest in family history.

Some of my posts are based on the people or stories Aunt Lizzie shared throughout the years. Writing this blog is another way to share our rich history.
We salute, honor, remember Georgia Elizabeth Cooley Williams White on her one hundred and sixth birthday.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Lizzie -- Cooley Family Historian

Happy Birthday Connie

Helen, Eckie Bud and Connie

Another relative to celebrate a birthday today is cousin Constance Jean. There had been a couple of years that I didn't see Connie. It seems when I was in Des Moines she was away. I had the chance to see her again in 2007 and was I pleasantly surprised. All of my life my cousin was always the thin one. She looked good, not sickly or crackish -- no, nothing like that. Just thin is all.


Connie Jean

Seeing her again after several years showed me just how good she looked now. She had packed on a few extra pounds. I asked her the secret to making the gained weight look good. Connie said, "I stopped worrying and stressing." I'm glad she stopped worrying and stressing. Connie has always beautiful, but age and weight have been wonderful to her.


Connie

Bud and Helen's baby girl turns sixty-three today. I wish my Cousin Connie, much peace, love and a stress-free life. Happy Birthday, Constance Jean! You make sixties look sensational and sexy.

Happy Birthday Maurice

I do not have children of my own, but my nephews have been like my children. Anthony was the first baby I ever watched - ALONE. He's very much alive and doing well, so I did a pretty good job watching him. It prepared me for the arrival of Maurice twelve years later. Today, Maurice is celebrating his sixteenth birthday!
I remember that early morning call from Toyia, telling me she had given birth. Who knew you'd want to talk on the phone after such a life altering experience??? I noticed this strange sound in the background while she was talking. I asked what the hell it was, and she told me it was her baby - crying. Those little lungs were working overtime! Later that day I went to the hospital to meet my newest nephew. "Toyia had a baby!" That's all I could say when I saw him.

I have watched him grow from a newborn into teenager. I am proud of the young man he is becoming. Maurice is doing well in school, he volunteers his time in the community and he has a firm idea of making a successful life for himself. His dream is to attend college and he knows what is necessary to make that dream a reality. If I had a son, I'd want him to be like Maurice. Happy Birthday, Maurice. Uncle loves you very much!

Old People

We've got a couple of birthday milestones happening this year. Tony is turning fifty and Maurice is turning sixteen. Those kats are getting old.

This Will Make You Laugh

The clip I have attached to this post made me laugh. Here's why - it was predictable. Here's the scenario; with hidden cameras in place, an actor portrays a thief stealing a bike in a city park. Many people are around, some actually ask the "the thief" if the bike belongs to him. Pay attention to the reaction both thieves receive. I laughed when the gang of good white people STOPPED the brotha from taking the bike. They are a lynch mob of good, proud, honest Americans.

Counting The Days

Some people wouldn't understand my excitement for visiting Des Moines, Iowa. It's beyond anyone's level of comprehension I'm sure. That's cool. I like to visit for a couple of reasons. I enjoy seeing the family -- that's a given. There's much family history to explore and experience. I'm starting my to do list today. I'm looking forward to the trip to Des Moines. I'm saying now, a fun time will be had by all.

A Sneak Peek

I'm always looking for a new way to share with the family. I believe we're a beautiful family with many pics to prove it. I've got an idea that I will soon present to the world. This is one of many examples of my ideas. It's a glance of what's to come. Stay tuned for the big reveal.

Further On Down The Road...

It's been more than a year since my last trip to Des Moines. I am working my plan to return next month. I'm calling this trip the "UNOFFICIAL FAMILY REUNION TOUR." It's a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's to make this all come together. Maria is working her plan to make the trip as well. It will be nice to spend time with the family. I'm looking forward to the good times with the peeps.

The Windmills Of Iowa

If all can come together, a group of COOLEY COUSINS will go to Des Moines in October. I was the passenger and not the driver for my last trip to Des Moines. I like that! Cooley Cousin Justin is welcomed to be the chauffeur for any trip. It's a great feeling to sit back and leave the driving to someone else. One of the joys of that trip was the windmills. Yes, I said WINDMILLS. I have noticed them on each of my trips to and from Des Moines. When you're driving you're not able to look for long periods. As a passenger I took my time and got a good look at them. I don't know how much land they're on, but they seem to go on and on for miles and miles...