Celebrating Mom

Last Tuesday was my mother's 71st birthday. Since she's still so active, it's hard to believe she's over 70, but she'll assure you she is! She leads a very busy and full life, is a beautiful person inside and out, and is in fantastic health. When I reach her age, I should be so lucky!

My sister Debbie and I decided a few years ago to fly to Colorado each year to celebrate with Mom on her special day. It's now become a tradition and one that I always look forward to and enjoy. My sister and I laugh so much and so often that I think it can be embarrassing for my mom but we can't help it. Life is just good when I'm around my family, plus factor in that Debbie really could be a stand-up comic and you get one thing: FUN!

Another thing is always certain, we're a picture taking family! We went to P.F.Chang's for dinner but had a little impromptu photo session first...






Fun times, great memories!

Photo Resolution 2010 and Wordless Wednesday

31/52:

(Hubby's having a birthday...and the celebrating has begun!)

Giving Photos As Gifts

While RVing with friends over New Year's weekend, I took a picture of my husband with 4 of our dearest friends. It turned out to be a great picture of all of them, which can be rare when you're taking pictures with multiple people in it.

All 4 of these friends have birthdays coming up (2 of them just had their birthdays actually) so I knew the perfect gift would be a framed copy of the picture. I enlarged the photo and framed one for each of the guys...


My husband put his picture in the office and 2 others have been mailed out for birthdays. I attached the following note with the gift...

"What do you get 5 grown men for their birthday when none of them actually "need" anything? That's easy! You give them a picture of themselves...

~ with their best buddies
~ smiling
~ arm in arm
~ and making more memories than one heart can hold!"

Both friends loved the picture and the sentiment that was sent along with it. The next 2 birthdays are in February and March and their picture is waiting to be sent out to them as well.

I have found that giving framed photos as gifts is always so appreciated and well received. Nice, inexpensive frames can be found everywhere and enlarging photos has never been easier. You can enlarge photos in just minutes at Kinkos, Costco, or at your local drugstore. If you haven't given photos as gifts before, you might want to consider it. After all, who wouldn't love receiving a picture of themself with the special people in their lives!

We went to a birthday party for one of these precious men Saturday night. He had a surprise visitor! I'll share that with you soon!

Back To The Grind

We had a fun time in Colorado but now it's back to the grind. We got home Wednesday night and it was back to work for me on Friday and Saturday. I went to a birthday party today and then it's work tomorrow and Tuesday. I seem to squish my work days together which is hard but the upside to that is it gives me more days off in a row to play.

The reason for going to Colorado was to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday. It was nice for her to have her 3 daughters and 2 son-in-laws there for this special birthday (at least I hope it was nice for her!) We had asked her to pick a restaurant for dinner but she couldn't decide so we had to help her out a bit. She had never been to P.F. Changs, so P.F. Changs it was, and oh my was it good. We also had the best waiter who joked around with us alot and it just made the whole evening that much more fun.

Here are a few pictures from the evening...

My Mom and her 3 daughters


My sister Debbie, myself, and our cute waiter Chad


Sisters Kim, Debbie, and myself


Howard and I


The family, including Kim's longtime friend Robert (in the blue shirt)


My Mom and Step-dad Jim


With the exception of one rainy day, the weather was great. The trees were stunning with their yellow, orange, and reddish colored leaves and there was a crispness in the air that made it truly feel like Fall. Colorado in October is beautiful!

The four-letter word that Howard really really dislikes...S*N*O*W...made an appearance the day after we left and then again this weekend! Wow, that's cutting it close. If Howard ever finds out that snow season starts as early as October, I may never get him to move there!

Another Year Older

I used to really dislike having birthdays, just hated getting older I guess, but with age comes wisdom.

I now embrace my birthday and look at each year as an accomplishment and a blessing. I embrace all that has been given to me...and it has been plenty!

So here I sit with all that comes along with being "over the hill"...but content, and certainly thankful for another year!

Happy Birthday to me!

Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?

Yesterday was my niece's 16th birthday so I asked my husband last night if he'd called Allie to wish her a happy birthday. I was kinda shocked at his response...

"No, I didn't call her. Why should I bother to call her or anyone else in my family, they never call me for my birthday, or any other time for that matter!"

Sadly, he's right. Today is my sweet husband's birthday and he hasn't received one card, call, or text from any of his family...and he won't. Unfortunately, the two that did call passed away over 10 years ago so his birthday always goes completely unnoticed.

That's where my family steps in...

For 29 years, they've ALL called and sent him cards for birthdays, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or they'll call just to call. They love him and he loves them. They've all called him today already to give him wonderful birthday wishes.

My husband and I are of different faiths and we often have different opinions on things so at times over the last 29 years I've wondered why God even put the two of us together. I now think one reason is that God knew he needed to be part of a loving, caring family. My husband is the kindest, most generous person around and his family just doesn't know, or care, what they're missing.

For the record, this was my response to my husband yesterday...

"I sent Allie a card/check and also sent her a message on Facebook. I know they don't call us or acknowledge our birthdays, but we're better than that, and we do what's right."

Update: My FIL just called to talk to me, asked me why I don't call him much. During the course of the conversation, I mentioned that it was Howard's birthday today. He didn't acknowledge that I'd said it and just kept on talking. Amazing!

Valentine Wishes

Happy Birthday Valerie!

Birthday Greetings!

Saturday was my good friend Kathy's birthday so I thought we'd help her celebrate at work today. I brought in some treats to share, and if you know me, it won't be hard to guess what I had in mind...


My motto is that you can never go wrong with cupcakes. Cupcakes make everybody happy. I also made Kathy her own special cupcake cake. This is about the 4th one of these that I've made and the recipients always seem to love them because really, what's better than getting your own giant cupcake!?!


I have known Kathy for almost 6 years and I have never known her to decorate her home for any holiday, ever. She doesn't even decorate her Christmas tree, she leaves that to her husband and kids to do. I'm at the point now that I'm determined to get her into the spirit of decorating, so guess what I gave her for her birthday. Yes, I sure did...I gave her Halloween gifts. I made her one of the Fall/Halloween swags that I've made this year and I also gave her one of my Boo plaques. She seemed to enjoy them and made the comment that her daughter will be thrilled because now they'll have some decorations for Halloween. Mission accomplished!

I think 15 people must have asked Kathy to open up her gift today so that they could see what she had received. I'm not quite sure if our co-workers wanted to see her cute gifts or if they actually just wanted to "see what Linda made!" I'll admit it, I'm not known for my crafting abilities and their curosity was getting the best of them. I'm happy to report that everyone loved Kathy's gifts, especially the ribbon swag. I hope Michael's has their Christmas ribbon on hand because tonight many of my co-workers were making a pit stop at Michael's on their way home. They all want a Christmas swag!

Birthday Goodness - Part 2

My blogging friend Jan sent me the greatest gift package for my birthday last month. Each and everything she picked out is something that I would buy myself. She also sent along a bag of carmel corn with cashews that was amazing. The carmel corn didn't make it into the picture because, well...it was long gone way before the picture was taken! Jan, thank you again for everything.


Another wonderful blogging friend, Janiece, sent me this special treat and I love it. I didn't have a "Home Sweet Home" plaque so when it arrived I was thrilled! Janiece and I have been blogging buddies for a few months now and like I've told her...if we were neighbors, I know we'd be fast friends! Thank you Janiece for my very welcomed and special gift.


Now I'm sure all of you know Kacey from Doodle Bugs Paper, but if you don't, you need to check out her blog soon. She has such talent! Kacey sent me a birthday gift that I truly just about screamed out loud when I opened it up. She sent me the most darling little pouch with stickers inside and as you can see they are just about the cutest stickers around! Kacey, I hope you're making and selling these now because I know I'm going to need more real soon!


Kacey's sister Kim Sue is a blogging buddy too and was sweet enough to remember my birthday as well. Kim Sue sent me these adorable gift cards that will certainly come in handy. Being a lover of all things paper, this was the perfect gift. Thanks Kim Sue!


When I got home from vacation there was a sweet package waiting for me...a package from blogging friend and fellow RN Jennifer. Jennifer sent me something that is a favorite of mine and something that I like collecting. I love dish towels and put a special one out for all occasions (just ask my family!) Thank you Jennifer for my special fall dish towel!


Last, but not least, thank you blogging buddies Jennifer H, Lene, and Patti for the birthday cards you sent my way. They were so appreciated!

As you can see I was spoiled rotten this birthday by wonderful, thoughtful friends that I've met through blogging...women I adore and whose friendships I cherish. Thank you to each and every one of you. Also, thank you to all who left a kind and loving birthday comment. I should have started blogging years ago...bloggers made this one of the best birthdays ever!

Birthday Goodness - Part I

Generally, I don't like it when my birthday rolls around...in fact, every year I dread it! I really don't know why except for the fact that I hate getting older! I feel much younger than I am and I don't like being over the hill!

But this year was different!

This wonderful group of blogging buddies that I have come to know and love showered me with so much kindness, generosity, and love that it turned out to be one of the best birthdays ever. I'll take some time over the next few days to show you the wonderful, thoughtful gifts I received.

A box filled with awesome goodies from sweet Bren was the first to arrive. You could tell with each item that she really thought about things I may have said and then picked up on it, even down to the pink packaging it was all bundled up in. She knows I love pink! She also included photos of 2 children, a boy and a girl. She said she thought this was maybe what my 2 kids looked like when they were younger. Now really, how thoughtful and special is that!!! At some point soon, I'll dig out some older pictures of my 2 loves and you can judge for yourself (I'll tell you though, Bren did a pretty good job!)


And you gotta love the candles..."31"...just too cute! You can't tell by this picture but she also sent some biscuits for my little Jakester and a book which I forgot to include in the picture, it's a devotional and entitled "Footprints in the Sand." I've always loved the Footprints in the Sand poem...it can bring me to tears just thinking about it.

Thank you Bren for everything but especially for being the person that you are! You are loved and so appreciated!

Birthday Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREN!!

Bren, I hope your special day is as special as you are to others!

Happy Birthday dear friend!!

Birthday Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM SUE!!

Hope your special day is a great one!

52 Blessings

Today is Sunday and I am blessed!

Lest we never forget...God is in Control!



ALSO...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTI!!

Hope you have a wonderful wonderful day!

Birthday Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!!

Jan says she's "over the hill." So Jan, watch out now because...



Believe me, I know from personal experience!

Happy Birthday friend! Hope your special day is as special as you are to others!

Birthday Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!!

Today is my daughter Courtney's (aka Little Sis) 20th birthday. Even though she's not a baby anymore, I'll always think of her as my baby girl. Words cannot express how much I wanted to have a little girl my second time around. I was so excited when I had an ultrasound done 3 weeks before she was born and my wish was confirmed. I was told I was having a girl and I was thrilled beyond belief.

Courtney truly has been a joy to raise. Sure we have had our ups and downs as all mother/daughter relationships do but nothing like others have experienced. She did not push the limits as a teen and still doesn't. Courtney is not only my beautiful daughter but she is a best friend to me as well.

In honor of Courtney's 20th birthday, let me tell you 20 things that I love and respect about her.

* She has a servant's heart
* She is respectful of others, especially her elders
* She loves all of her family dearly
* She is beautiful
* She is smart
* She is dependable
* She loves her grandparents with all her heart
* She is crazy about our dog Jake
* She has a great smile
* She's always been the best little sister, never telling on her brother or his friends when she probably should have
* She is a loyal friend... "loyal friend" should be her middle name
* She can do anything she puts her mind to
* She always says "thank you"
* She likes spending time with her parents and often does
* She lettered in swimming as a freshman (that's how good she was at swimming!)
* She is a magnet for little kids and will make a wonderful teacher someday
* She never complains
* She is polite, with great manners
* She loves her mom and dad...and isn't afraid to show it
* She went away to college and didn't know one person there. I so admire her for taking that step of faith.

The funny thing about this list is that I took some of them from her brother's recent birthday list. Some of the same things I wrote about Brandon can be said about Courtney. Their morals and the way they treat others is the same. I'm so proud of their hearts and of their love and respect for others. And above all, I'm proud and grateful that they both have a love and reverence for God.

My beautiful daughter, I love you and I hope your day is truly a happy one!
Happy Birthday Little Sis!!

Birthday Greetings!

Happy Birthday Natasha!!

Hope your day is G-R-E-A-T from start to finish!

(Natasha, I wrote this earlier in the week and scheduled it to post on your birthday...but I see that it didn't! I went back and checked the scheduling date and I saw that I put 6/19/09! I hope your birthday was wonderful and just know that you were in my thoughts!)

Birthday Greetings

Happy Birthday

Brenda!!

Hope your special day is as special as you are!

Let's go over to http://itswonderfullygood.blogspot.com/ and wish her a happy birthday!