Joan Marie

Born to her first born son, I was the second grandchild to the woman we all so lovingly called "mamaw".

My earliest memories of Mamaw are of neopolitan ice cream, snapping pole beans underneath a big walnut tree, floral aprons, tinsel adorned Christmas trees and crocheted tissue box covers.

Legend has it that Santa himself used my grandmother's attic to slumber while he waited for the big day to arrive.

She would lead all of us children up the attic stairs, tip-toeing and warning us not to wake him. Full of excitement and wide-eyed wonder, we'd follow behind her until we caught a glimpse of him resting on a twin sized bed. We'd squeal with delight and race back down the stairs feeling as if we had shared a little bit of magic that no other children could share. How lucky we were that Santa chose our mamaw's attic to sleep in!

We were allowed to run and play hide and go seek, laugh and be kids at mamaw's house. She was good at creating an atmosphere of ease.

Years later we moved from Maryland to Florida and she soon followed and became our neighbor.

She was a regular attender of our sporting events and a very active participant in our daily lives.

Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas were all celebrated at her table.

I was always so intrigued by her work ethic. She put her whole self into what she did and had so many successes in life because of that.

She had a wonderful sense of humor and a straight forward way about her. We never had to wonder what mamaw thought because she definitely was one to tell it like it is.

Mamaw was there to give me strength during a time in my life when I needed direction.

She lent her advice and a bit of her gumption to me and helped to set me on the path that I am traveling today.

Over the past decade, our paths have only crossed a few times, but I will always hold a peice of Joan Marie in my heart. Chicken and dumplings will never taste the same, fushias will never smell as sweet and strands of rhinestones and pearls will never glisten as brightly.

Mamaw, you are loved and missed so much!

Thank you for your love, your compassion, your example and for the legacy you left behind.

Mamaw went home to be with the Lord early in the morning on March 31,2008 in Melbourne, Florida.

She was laid to rest on April 5th in Elkridge, MD beside her late husband Denver Cox.

Among those in attendance were Joan's daughter, Linda, her son Gene, her sister, Dot, her grandchildren, Scott, Carrie and Rebecca, and her great grandchildren, Zachary, Michael, Madison and Brendell.

After the funeral, we went out to lunch so that we could spend some precious time together. Being spread out all over the country, we don't get to be in each other's company often. Spending the afternoon with each other was so wonderful.

These are the people of my childhood. My first friends. They know exactly where I'm talking about when I mention the goofy golf in Warrington. We spent Summer's laying on the same beach and swimming in the same ocean.

Scott taught me how to drive in his old white pinto. Carrie and I played "Bloody Mary" so many times in our downstairs bathroom that I wouldn't go in there after sundown!

They both knew my husband when he was just "that guy who dances really good."

In a perfect world my kids would grow up with cousins as close as we were. I would not trade those times for anything.

Most of my favorite memories involve either Scott or Carrie, so reconnecting with them was really what my soul needed before heading off to a new adventure where we'll try to lay down roots again for ourselves and our kids.

Fashion Frenzy!

We've been working hard to get our last minute shoots done before the movers pack up our house.

Here are some fun photos from our fashion frenzy....

The first two sets are made by Lisa of e-bay ID: little*bits*by*lisa.

The next two sets were made by Michele of Dilly Bop Designs.

This set was made by Kristi of e-bay ID: blu*moon*design.

"Grandma's or Bust" is where we are headed this weekend.

We are attending a funeral and will be home on Sunday.

Top 9!!!

Sorry I'm a bit late with this!

We are so overwhelmed around here with our preparations for the movers to come next week. We've got to go out of town this weekend for a funeral so our six days of planned move preparations just got reduced to yesterday, today and Monday!! Yikes!

It was good to sit down for a breather and watch Idol though!

Here's what I thought.....

Brooke White - “Jolene” - I enjoyed this, loved the guitar, but it didn't blow me away. I just love her personality so much. I wish we were neighbors!

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David Cook - “Little Sparrow” - Loved it!!! He just has that "it" factor! He's been so consistent in this competition and I really think he could win it all! I'd totally go to his concert right now!

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Ramiele Malubay - “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” - Hmmmm....something was just awkward about her performance tonight as a whole. I'm not sure what it was, but I just couldn't get into her tonight.

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Jason Castro - “Travelin’ Through” - Awesome!!! Jason looked so comfortable and strong tonight. He picked a great song and had fun with it.

This is another concert I'd definitely attend!

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Carly Smithson - “Here You Come Again” - I really enjoyed this song from Carly. Her voice was well suited for it and she delivered it well. She didn't seem too happy about Simon's comments on her wardrobe though, huh? Poor girl can't seem to get it right...she's either looking preggo or sloppy.

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David Archuleta - “Smokey Mountain Memories” - Aw! David's back with a ballad and a very strong performance! I loved this from him tonight!! And what a beautiful song!!

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Kristy Leigh Cook - “Coat of Many Colors” - This is definitely Kristy's genre and she did well...but with it being her genre, she really should have blown us away tonight. I think she may have played it too safe and missed her chance to really shine.

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Syesha Mercado - “I Will Always Love You” - hmmmm....I was feeling so nervous for her in the beginning as she was not convincing me that she could handle this song. It was a bit shaky and a tad breathy in the beginning.

I was pleased with the drama she added with the big notes, but found my mind going to the Whitney version which left Syesha sadly short of the mark tonight.

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Michael Johns - “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right” - Wow!!! I loved this from Michael!!! He was really strong and bluesy. His sexy, gravely voice totally rocked and I'm calling him the best of the night.

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Bottom three:

Ramiele, Syesha, Kristie

Who should go: Ramiele

And you thought "Checking" was a bank account.....

Apparently not!

As I learned on Saturday night, checking is

"any contact initiated by a defending player against an opponent to get the puck (little black thing) away from him or slow him down;

there are two main types of checks:

(no, not "plain" and "customized")

stick check and body check;

( I know what you are thinking, but much to my surprise "body check" doesn't have anything to do with admiring one's self in the mirror or sitting on the beach during Spring Break).

These are only allowed against a player in control of the puck (little black thing)

or against the last player to control it immediately after he gives it up.

Checking after too many steps or strides becomes charging. (also having nothing at all to do with American Express)."

You are impressed with my hockey knowlege, aren't you??

Ok, so I'll admit. This was not my first hockey game.

I've been to see the Lizard Kings three times in Jacksonville, Fl and the Ice Pilots once in Pensacola, Fl.. But seeing the Bruins play on Saturday night in Providence was my first hockey game where I was not nursing someone, keeping someone from climbing over a banister and plunging to their death or happily chatting with an equally hockey ignorant girlfriend about the cute haircut we spotted on the girl four rows down or the fabulous shoes the girl who just walked by had on.

You know, deep, interesting things like that.

So, without a baby or restless small male child with a death wish and sadly lacking a chatty girlfriend, I had no excuse this time but to pay attention.

But, I did have my secret weapon with me for when there wasn't a fight to stand up and gawk at, or for when they weren't playing "We will, we will, ROCK you" for me to show off my synchronized clapping and foot stomping skills from my years as a varsity cheerleader.

Secret weapon for boring down time of hockey game?

My camera

(duh!)

(lovingly referred to as "my precious" around here and almost as closely guarded as the other obsessive object of the same name in Lord Of The Rings)!

David brought a fellow LDO from school. Both guys had bronchitis and were coughing up a storm and heavily medicated, but what's a little swelling of the airways when there are sports involved?

Now it WAS David's friend's first hockey game, but he knew more than I did. I could tell by the way he was all up on the details like which goal we were shooting at.

He made sure to get some photos of the fights that broke out on the ice too.

Eh...nothing new for me. I could take a photo of two testosterone afflicted boys rolling around on the floor like lion cubs, throwing arms and legs out everywhere on any given day at my house!

Yup, just another day at the Cleary's.

Madison obviously has the right idea about how to best enjoy a hockey game.

1. Find a group of friends to walk around with.

2. Visit the bathroom 102 times with said group.

3. Visit the concession stand 12 times and purchase nothing with your own money. Instead, beg mom and dad for money 56 times.

And #4....

Dance to the loud music and celebrate each score as if you have been paying attention for the entire game!

Brendell's way to enjoy a hockey game is to benefit from a few of Madison's trips to the concession stand.

Nothing beats a good soft pretzel with a sprite chaser while you are kicking back at the hockey rink, huh?

The boys spend most of their time moving around the stadium filling in empty seats that are right up against the glass until the ticket holder moves them on to the next unfilled seat.

Clearly, my camera has worn out it's welcome.



At least Bren still tolerates me!



I'm not sure who won the game...wait, yes, I remember now...we did.

I know this because they played, "We will, we will Rock you!" at least 6 times and the Pirates ( From Portland, OR) only scored one goal causing memorable booing.

Who cares though....check out the great photos I got of Bren!

Quoted!!!

Yippppeee! I'm so excited to have been quoted on Blogtations!

I'm also the 100th quote ( throwing confetti!!) for this fabulous website, so I get to be highlighted for a bit and listed in the quote finders section.

Spend some time on this website when you get a chance. It's full of humorous, witty and thought provoking quotes from bloggers all over the world.

It's a great way to find some new additions to your blog roll.

I continue to be amazed at the incredible talent out there in the blog world!

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So, we've started to go through each room and get rid of anything that we don't want the movers to pack. I came across several containers of old photos and killed about 4 hours just going through them all. It's amazing how much children grow in such a short time!

Life is on such a fast road and I'm increasingly aware of what they mean when they say, "Don't wish time away."

Last night I watched The Celebrity Apprentice and was really touched by Trace Adkin's song, You're Gonna Miss This.

(turn my music player off before watching the video)



Here are some blast from our past...... and Boy do I miss this!!

To every frazzled mom of young children out there, especially single and military wives, hang in there! Don't get caught up in the little things so much that they distract you from what is really important. Spend time with your little ones! Get down on the floor and wrestle with them, run through the grassy fields with them, laugh and cry and kiss them all you can!

The cliche "time flies" doesn't carry the impact right now that it will 10 years from now.

Pretty soon, they'll be teenagers and their cries for your attention will turn into rolling eyes and folded arms. Build a foundation of memories now so that when you want to wring your 16 year old's neck because he's lost his ever-loving mind and thinks you have lost yours, you will have a memory catalog of sweeter times to grab onto. You never know, it just might save his life!

It's only a breath before this

turns into this, my friends.

Hold on tightly to every moment because they all matter!