To Know Her Is To Love Her

Imogene D. Peabody went to be with the Lord this morning. Not only did she meet the Lord, but she was reunited with her husband on his 99th birthday.

Imogene Peabody
June 4, 1920-June 16, 2011
She will be missed by everyone that she met.

Happy 91st Birthday Grandma Peabody!

When love is given unconditionally, no one is left out. Grandma Peabody is an outpouring of unconditional love. She made sure each family member knew they were loved and that we are her sweethearts. She has an amazing sense of style and a great sense of humor to keep up with the comedians in the family. As the matriarch of our family she is revered for her faith, hard work, family values and wisdom. Today marks the 91st year of her life. Growing up, my cousins and I spent a lot of time at our Grandparent’s home. We knew the yard by heart and played around our Grandfather’s tulip garden and what we called the “glass house,” a small building with their glass-working tools and stained-glass creations. I am brought back to her home whenever I watch The Price is Right or I dream of Jeannie. There was always enough food, even when you weren’t hungry and imagination was the rule, rather than the exception. Without directly teaching us, Grandma Peabody instilled in us the need to make the world a beautiful place whether it was planting a garden or putting on lipstick, in her case, red whenever possible. “Every room needs a touch of red.” It is no coincidence that my cousins and I are gifted in such areas as music, art, interior design, stained glass, photography, fashion and cooking since these activities were always happening around us. The fact that we are strong but loving, confident but caring individuals is a testament to Grandma’s influence on us. We cherish her words and our family memories; able to recite them with the talents of any great story teller however, as Peabody’s go, the story is different almost every time. Mother-in-laws do not have the greatest reputation but the man who marries a Peabody girl never knew this. My Dad and Uncles have laughed and shared great times with “Imogene.” Dinners at her house were a never ending feast and if you didn’t have second and third portions, you were in trouble. To these men Imogene was a neutral ally who could hold firm to the truth of events past when the sisters told different stories. My favorite memory of my Dad with Grandma was in 2008 when he was putting curlers in her hair and they were telling stories and laughing hysterically. Needless to say my Dad should not answer the call of being a hairdresser but Grandma still looked beautiful as she always does. Our Grandmother supported and encouraged her daughter’s relationships with their Aunts and Uncles so much that they became like second and third parents to them. I hold a special admiration for my four Aunts and Uncles but I also have the joy and blessing of being an Aunt myself. Although Grandma Peabody has lived through monumental events such as the The 19^th Amendment, Amelia Earhart’s transatlantic flight, WWII, The Civil Rights Movement and seeing the first elected African American President I believe her greatest memories are those of her family. She made me feel like the star of her show, a role I am happy to play. I will continue to practice her teachings and refer back to her wisdom whether conscious or unconscious, the rest of my life. She is a blessing.

Don't Forget to Brush

Yes, those are toothpaste pajamas. Our mother worked a dentist office for over 20 years. And yes, my shirt is tucked too far into my pants.

The Many Personalities of Christina

a little goofy

a little evil

Mother Nature

Thanks for sharing the beauty of the forest with me, Christina.

Two Creepy Clowns and a Baby

Ah, the Photo Booth

When Christina (below) tells the story of these pictures, she claims that I (above) took too long in the photo booth, leaving her with only milliseconds to jump in and smile. She does look rather surprised.

The Proverbial Tongue: The Series

Just a few...of hundreds.

Man Hands

Need I say more?

The Mullet Years: Slip 'N Slide

Now, anyone who knows our family, will know that this is not our yard. Sadly, Christina and I were never able to slip 'n slide anywhere in our yard, because "it would ruin the grass." We also know that it wasn't Aunt Donna's yard. If it were Aunt Donna's yard, we'd be covered with bruises from sliding over all of the apples.

Friends Forever

Harm, friends don't let friends wear tie-dye. Or jumpsuits.

Having a Great Time: The Series

Wish you were here!

Swim Time

Oh Christina, what will we do with you?

Cheese!

Way to ruin a perfectly good family portrait.

Look Behind You!

While Christina rocks the neon, multi-colored jacket, I sport a more sophisticated hoodie.

Just A Couple of Rule Breakers

Like Mothers, Like Daughters

Happy Birthday and Valentine's Day!

Who wouldn't love this face? And those bangs?

Where's My Family

Don't mind me. I'm just a hitch-hiking baby in a blizzard.

They Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too

They'll just have to do it alone.

In Honor of Valentine's Day

I guess Christina wears MY heart on her sleeve. (That is my bracelet that she "forgot" to ask to borrow. It's funny how I never saw it ever again.)

And the gift goes on....

This floral shirt has made it's way through the family!

(middle)

(far right)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Two for the price of one.

Bundle up!

Seasons Greetings!

Nothing says Merry Christmas quite like being strangled by the Christmas tree's garland.

You Know You're a Peabody When...

11. Dessert will solve any problem.
10. You pronounce words with your own made-up accent (spa-cial; may-sure)
9. You don't take "no" for an answer.
8. You have tons of ideas, but don't get around to doing most of them.
7. You write on scraps of paper, envelopes, napkins, etc.
6. Random people will tell you their whole life story. You've never met a stranger.
5. You embellish stories like a game of telephone. You tell a story the way you think it should have happened.
4. If it's on sale, buy it.
3. Sing despite the fact that you don't know any of the words or the tune of the song.
2. You are "one size fits all."
1. Others can tell what you ate for lunch by looking at your shirt. You always take a little home with you on your chest.

Ah, Kindergarten Graduation

Christina's eyes are red from crying. Graduating can be so emotional-while I am making gang symbols on the side.

Fun Times at the Dollar Pool

As usual....Christina is cold, Hope is mad, and Michelle is making a weird pose.

Everyone Loves the Peabody Girls

Rock'n Out

Don't mind me. I'm just in the corner going on picnic-wearing my sunglasses while rocking in a rocking chair.

Happy Meals!

I love how board Christina looks.

I've heard that dogs resemble their owners...