May Day, May Day!!!!

When I was growing up and thought about special days in my life, there were always two in particular that came to mind.....Christmas (of course) and my birthday.  While all children revel in the joys of Christmas and their birthdays, I, in particular thought it was ultra cool that Christmas was in December and my birthday was in May.  Mega presents in December and then almost half-way through the year, I get MORE PRESENTS...and parties and cake, and friends over, and sleepovers and........on and on.

As an adult you quickly learn that not only do birthday celebrations wane as you get older, you don't really care!  Who wants to be reminded that you are getting older by the year and before you know it, you are thinking, ok, I probably have more birthdays behind me than AHEAD of me....that's a sobering, but realistic thought!

When I became a mother (thank you, God, SO MUCH), Mother's Day also came into play.....and always just a week before my birthday.  Now you might think I would be excited to have another reason for presents and get togethers and FOOD, but it seems that the guilt of my poor family having to celebrate and shell out their dollars for me twice in one month seems to overshadow any celebratory thoughts.  No one needs two celebrations that close together.

This year, I was equally guilt-ridden with the thought of my family taking time out of their lives for non-stop hooping and hollaring over me, but I must admit, I really enjoyed it.  I have gotten better over time at telling people exactly what kind of celebrations I would like to have instead of my usual, "Whatever you guys want to do is fine", mentality.  This year, I said I would like to spend Mother's Day with my own mom knowing our days together are undoubtedly numbered since she is now 90 years young.  For my birthday celebration I said I wanted a picnic at Watkins Mill State Park.  I love picnics.  It's so nice to enjoy God's beautiful world while watching my children and grandchildren enjoy playing games, running around and just enjoying each other with outside activities.

When I asked my mom what SHE wanted to do for Mother's Day, she said, "Go to Andy and Sarah's!".  I was so pleased that she wanted to spend the day with all of our family together.  So that's where we went....and had a fabulous time with all the other mothers...all together. 

For my birthday, we did exactly what I said I wanted to do....went to Watkins Mill State Park and had a picnic...just Loren, myself, our kids and grandkids....what fun......  What I DIDN'T know was that they had invited lots of other folks to help me celebrate and they came after the picnic and MAN, was I surprised!  I also was BLOWN AWAY by the gift of an 88 key keyboard that I have wanted for years.  SURPRISE again!

What a sweet family I have....what a sweet life I live.....how God has blessed me over and over again and how I can never be truly gracious and appreciative enough of all I have in this short 60 years God has given me.  Thank you, dear family and friends for your love and support.......bring it on for another 60!!!!  :)

HAPPY 92ND BIRTHDAY, MY DADDY!

Ok, so as I look at my blogs, I realize that about the only time I really write one is on someone's birthday who is close to me......and I guess that's ok.  But I should write more.  But I don't know if anyone is even READING my blogs....enough said.

Today, my precious dad is 92 years old!  I can't believe it.  HE can't believe it!  None of us can believe it!  He always thought he would die at a fairly young age because men in his family never lived very long.  Well, obviously, the Lord had better plans.....he is such a Christian influence on so many, and a kind, compassionate person who still volunteers every Thursday at the North Kansas City Hospital...in Intensive Care, no less. 

Now, he has slowed down a little.  His eyes deal him fits and he can't go 90 miles an hour like he always did before, but he has fought and won through colon cancer, prostate cancer and currently skin cancer treatments........I credit his wonderful wife, and my MOMMA for a lot of that success.  She is such a good care taker and makes sure he does what he's supposed to in taking care of himself.  And it shows.

They say daughters are particulary close to their Daddy's.  I know our daughter is extremely close to her Daddy.  And my daughter-in-law worships HER Daddy.  I know I am in the same boat as I think my Daddy can do NO WRONG....even though logically I know that's not very realistic.....but I don't care.

So here's to you my wonderful Dad....who can fix anything, convince us that he can do anything and does it all with such love and care for us, the earth and everyone else on it.  He's always been our supporter, encourager, fixer, and healer.  He's the best of the best and I couldn't love him MORE!  I hope we get to keep you around for a very, very long time.  Love, Sis

Happy Birthday, Brother

Today would have been my big brother's 61st birthday. Most days I still can't believe he is gone. He was here one minute and gone the next. I suppose, if we all had a choice, that would be the way we would choose to go. However, for those of us left behind, it still doesn't seem real, nor does it seem FAIR!!!

I have thought soooo many times how lucky we were to have that last Colorado vacation together. We had so much fun and our Jim got to be close to his beloved mountains one more time. Who would have thought?

So, I would like to list a few things I think of today as I think of how much I miss him:

1. I miss his smile
2. I miss his humor
3. I miss his kindness
4. I miss him calling me on my birthday
5. I miss family gatherings with him in attendance
6. I miss how happy he was at the end of his life
7. I miss seeing him on his motorcycle
8. I miss him arguing with me about EVERYTHING :)
9. I miss his hugs and kisses

Most of all, I just miss my big brother....and desperately wish he were still here.

Happy Birthday, Bub......I love you.......

Chicago!!

This last weekend, some of our family was priveleged enough to get to go to Chicago to see my nephew, Eric, in a play at the Merle Reskin Theater. Now THIS is a BIG deal. Eric has worked his way there through the DePaul theater school. We have seen him in other plays that took place in classrooms, but never in a big theeatah.

He played an Irish(gosh, imagine)pirate. He was FABULOUS! We also got the privelege of meeting him at the stage door just like a real celebrity. And his friends who were also in the production. Wow is all I can say. I'm so glad Loren and I got to attend and we will never forget it.

We also got to spend some time with the other grandparents - Alice and Russ - and great Aunt April and Uncle Tom, in addition to Eric's high school friend from Ft. Worth, Jenna. Of course, there was also proud Mom and Dad. Let me just say a good time was had by all.

We got to go to Navy Pier, see some amazing stained glass, see about a zillion little cheerleaders in a national competition running all over the place,take the water taxi around the bay, walk down Michigan Avenue and eat lunch at the evil Ed Debevic's. We would have liked to have gone to Shedd's aquarium, but the line was 1 1/2 hours long just to get in the door. Not a good plan. Maybe next time. And it goes without saying that we ate some PIE while we were there....you know......PIZZA pie at Lou Malnati's.....yum!

Here's a shout out to Eric the Red.......it was an honor to see you work your craft. And then there's NEXT year......can't wait!!!

Time Well Spent

Two weeks ago, it was my Spring Break from work/school. It was also Missy's. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Kearney girls'. However, the week I had off, I made it a little girl extravaganza.


Typically, I make a huge unrealistic list of things that I need/want to accomplish with my time off. This is the way that it usually pans out:

1. Think about all neglected things in my home.
2. Make a list of all neglected things.
3. Pick a few that I think are worth tackling.
4. Think though when it would be best to do such things.
5. Spend time shopping, visiting with long lost friends.
6. Try to find time to spend with family - especially granddaughters.
7. Visit my much neglected parents.
8. Week is over - accomplish nothing....
9. Feel really badly about myself.

Sooooo, this Spring Break I decided not to torture myself and just go for the FUN. This is what my week REALLY looked like:

1. Spent Monday picking up until noon at which time I picked my crazy Jane up from preschool. We went to McDonald's to the "playplace" for eating and fun. Went home to my house and played and played and played. Mom came to get Jane. Jane's comment, "I'm not DONE yet". Momma said they needed to go because they had to pick up Tess from piano practice. Jane reluctantly agreed to go......so fun.

2. Tuesday went to Lee's Summit to visit my littlest blessing - Amelia and her mom. Spent the morning playing with Amelia until naptime. Mom got in shower...then we talked. Millie woke up....we ran some errands, went to a Chipotle for lunch, picked up the massive mess Amelia made on the floor of the restaurant with her food, more errands and then home for afternoon nap - ha - and wait for Da-Da to come home from work......saw my niece outside Missy's window....went out and visited with her and her new kitty at her house.....back to Ben and Missy's....home to waiting hubby.......got kisses and sweet smiles from my Amelia.....so fun in Lee's Summit.

3. Wednesday....slept in.....went to Hawthorne Elementary School to have lunch with Kate at 11:10 and Tess at 12:19. I was requested to attend lunch on Wednesday because it's chicken patty day - best day of the week according to the girls:):) Got to visit with Kate's kindergarten teacher and go back to their room where Kate read her journal entries to me. Her teacher told me, "If I could clone Kate and have 17 of her every year in my class, I would NEVER quit teaching". Made this Grandma so proud!:):) Had lunch with Tess and met some of her friends. Fourth graders are so fun...and goofy. Tess had made a trip into the school office to inform the ladies that her Grandma was coming for lunch and would need a lunch ticket and that she wasn't actually eating with Kate, but just sitting with her and was really EATING with Tess......The office ladies told me Tess keeps everyone in line as far as what is going on.....she's a planner and a thinker....so proud of her, too! ....visited with friends on phone and did laundry in the afternoon before heading to Kearney for choir practice.....so fun with my girls.

4. Thursday Miss and Amelia came north, I watched Mills while Missy visited a local Liberty jewelry store. I LOVE hearing her babble and pretend talk. She loves to crawl up my curio cabinet and "talk" to all the figurines like they know what she is saying......:) Missy, Amelia and I went to HyVee to procure an oriental lunch for my mom and took it to her house. Fun times with Great Grandma! At the end of the school day that day, I picked up Jane at home, then Kate and Tess at school for an overnight. Grandpa was out of town and it was my first attempt at keeping all three of them by myself......they were great and we tried out our new queen sized blow up mattress.

5. Friday I mourned the week's passing and took the girls home to their daddy and back to Liberty to spend the entire afternoon with my friend Sue at Panera's. She is retired and we don't connect as often as we used to when she was still here at the district teaching.

So, that was the week that was.....with all of my girls......who I love more than life itself and more than anything love to see the wonder, fun, awe and excitement in their eyes every time I see them. I could just eat them up.

Here's to you, my sweet babies.....Love, Grandma....thank you Lord for these precious gifts in my life.

Happy Birthday, Mom! And Six Word Memoirs

Happy 89th Birthday to my Mama!  I love you, Mom.  If you could describe your 89 years in just six words, what would they be?  I think they would be:  Made my children proud and strong.

What's that all about, you say?  Please read below:

Daniel H. Pink is the author of four provocative bestselling books about the changing world of work. This year the administrators at NKC Schools were instructed to read Daniel Pink's book, "Drive".

In conjunction with the teachings of the book, Mr. Pink encourages folks to describe One life. Six words. 

 Some of the possibilities that emerged were:

Those that laughed now want handouts.

Retiring lame memoirs, one delete at-a-time.

Interviewed on whim.  Hired on spot.

Wife laughs more than she bitches.

Get the drift?  If you were going to describe yourself in just six words, what would they be?

When you are as old as I am and have had many, many life experiences, you might think it would be difficult to condense your life into just six words.  Especially someone like me, who tends to go on and on "ad nauseum", as it were.

However, when challenged to use JUST SIX words, it becomes sort of a fun game.

So, I have decided mine would be:  Crazy About Grandkids Ready To Retire

Ok, now it's your turn!  I can't wait to hear your responses!