Drama ....

Don't we all deal with a lot of that? I'm not talking about the "cute" drama here.  What, you didn't know "drama" could be cute? You've obviously never met any of my granddaughters.  

I'm talking about the adults out there who love attention and drama is their way of getting it. You know the type. Conversations (or heaven forbid, FaceBook posts) begin with something like, "I can't believe how horrible this day has been", and leave that hanging. Their hope, of course, is that you'll take the bait and ask what is wrong. Generally, it'll be something along the lines of they've lost their car keys, they burned the dinner, etc. Maybe not the best part of their day, but hardly life altering.

I work with some of the world's greatest Drama Queens. I'm not naming names because some of them are really nice people. BUT, what if I had this made into a poster and hung it over my desk ... do you think anyone would realize that it was meant for them?

Now for the rest of you ... you know ... 

I Love You Bunches!

... JOE IS TWELVE !!!

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   J O E --- Today, our wonderful Joe turns 12 -- but we celebrated his birthday this past Monday at Burger's Lake. It was a perfect day for the get-together since we were off work for the holiday.

Burger's Lake was just like I remembered it from my teen years and in honor of the place, Joe's birthday cupcakes looked just like mini-Burgers. Too cute!

With his cousins and a few friends, we had a HUGE group. All the kids had such a good time, and enough sunscreen was used that, to my knowledge, there were no sunburns.

Enough about the day, let me tell you about this super great kid. He is so loving and never fails to give his Nana a hug. You just don't know how special that makes me feel. I'm so honored to be his Nana.

Joe has one of the best smiles I've ever seen. He truly brightens the world when he flashes one of those smiles.

Joe is a reader. It does my heart so much good when I walk in their house and see him reading.

There's so much that he is ... but basically he's the very best Joe in the whole wide world.

Joe, I love you bunches!!!

Nana

and enjoying diversity

Diversity

Variety

Different

Assorted

Unique

Contrasting

I love people (well, not all, but most). 

Isn't it wonderful how people come in all shapes, sizes, hair color, skin color, vocal accents, job abilities and talents? What a boring world it would be if we were all exactly the same. 

That's it ... really ... just hoping to encourage others to appreciate people no matter their station in life or their ethnic background. The size of a bank account is of no importance to anyone other than the person who can sign the checks. The diploma on the wall doesn't make one person superior to another.

Do more than tolerate differences --- Embrace them!

Maybe not ALL people, but you know I love you .......

BUNCHES

Nona

and remembering Mrs. Eppler

Okay, there is no reason any of you should know who Mrs. Eppler is was. She was the wonderful, loving lady who taught my Grammar class when I was in the 4th grade. She instilled a love of the English language that extends to this day. Unfortunately, I don't always remember everything she tried to teach the class, but I do remember that everything ... and I do mean EVERTHING ... she taught us was important and I respected her then as I have every Grammar / English / Literature / Composition teacher I have had since those days at Sam Rosen Elementary.

Perhaps some of you didn't have a wonderful teacher who could change your life. So sad for you! The following won't help with punctuation, but hopefully it will help with word usage. I only do this for you because I care. AWWWW, we know that isn't true. I provide this for you so when I read things from you, it won't drive me crazy that you used the wrong their / they're / there.

Love you all ...
How much?
BUNCHES!!!

Nona

... while Emily is ALMOST a teen

Yes, here we are ... celebrating the first grandchild birthday of 2012. Emily is the birthday girl today and she is 12 years old. Oh my!!! Next year, ALL of my children will be the parent of a teen. How in the world did that happen?

So how do you describe Emily? Using the letters of her name, I say she is ...

Energetic ... and an awesome fast-pitch softball pitcher

Magnificent ... hunting Easter Eggs

Incredible ... just to hang out (or sit on a fence) with

Laughing a lot (especially with best friend Nattalee)

Young lady - and a beautiful, intelligent, kind and caring one

And in addition to all of that, she is thoughtful and caring. Below is the poster board she and Lauren worked together on for my birthday. That's rather awesome that they did the board, but even better that they thought of it all on their own.

Emily, my precious, I love you MORE THAN THE WORLD!!! I am honored and awed by God's goodness when He gave you to us.

Bunches, my sweet, bunches,
Nana

... I love Texas

This photo really doesn't need many words ... just know this, I love Texas.

Thanks to Amber Penn for sharing her photo with me.

Until next time ...

Bunches!!!

... WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

I've been on roller coasters that didn't go this fast! 

Where did the year go?

60 Lessons I have learned:

1. Love is important - make it a goal in your life.
2. Fall in love with your best friend - or become best friends with the one you love.
3. Staying in love is a choice. Choose love EVERY day.
4. Parents are to be cherished, honored, and eventually, taken care of. Don't miss your chance.
5. Sometimes family WILL let you down. Don't let it make you bitter.
6. If you love someone, tell them often. Don't miss the chance to let them know how you feel.
7. Good friends are hard to come by, so cherish them.
8. Don't be ashamed to mourn the loss of someone/something cherished.
9. Fake friends are a dime a dozen - treat them kindly but don't give them your trust.
10. Smiles are the least expensive face lift you can get.
11. Giving smiles away brings great rewards.
12. Laugh - laugh often - laugh with gusto. 
13. Holding a baby (especially if it's your grandchild) is better than any tranquilizer in any pharmacy.
14. Mistakes teach valuable lessons. Learn and move on.
15. Bloom where you are planted!
16. Don't fill your life with "stuff". Instead, fill your life with people you love.
17. There will always be time for the things that are important to you. You need to decide what that is.
18. Reading the Bible is important. Praying is more important. Make time to do both.
19. Take time to have fun.
20. Be kind to the downtrodden. You may be the only friendly face they see.
21. Hugs are medicinal. 
22. A child's giggle is priceless.
23. When you promise a child you'll do it "later" ... really do it later. 
24. Before you can love others, you must love yourself.
25. Don't let others control your happiness/mood/emotions.
26. No matter how little you have, realize that there are others who have less.
27. Wanting more than you can have will destroy your enjoyment of what you already have.
28. Embrace your uniqueness. 
29. Never compare yourself to others. You should be your own measure.
30. Try something new. It's okay to fail if you learn from the trying.
31. Stop wishing your life away. Enjoy Mondays as much as you do Fridays.
32. Take joy in the simple things. There are far more simple things than grand things in life.
33. De-clutter your life. In throwing out the trash, you just might discover a hidden treasure.
34. Set goals.
35. I don't have to be the best person in the world ... I just have to be the best "me".
36. Choose words carefully. Once they leave your mouth, you can never take them back.
37. Never stop dreaming.
38. Kindness is free. 
39. If others hurt you, don't try to get even. Let God deal with them.
40. Take care of your health - physically - emotionally - spiritually.
41. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. The world is an amazing place full of wonderful things.
42. Be confident. Trust yourself more than you trust anyone else.
43. Think good thoughts. They'll crowd out the bad ones.
44. Be thankful. 
45. Expect good things to happen and recognize them when they do.
46. Procrastination does not necessarily equal planning.  Recognize the difference.
47. Sometimes you need the shortcut, but when you can, take the scenic route.
48. Use your power for good ~ not evil.
49. When possible, refuse to live by the clock.
50. Compliments should be free, but not cheap.
51. Enjoy being creative ... in whatever way you enjoy. 
52. Engage in conversation - listening - talking - sharing!
53. Never say "never". 
54. Stand up for what you believe in. 
55. Speak the truth.
56. Never expect more from someone than you know they are capable of giving.
57. Embrace calm. It gets you through a lot of rough times.
58. Let your actions speak louder than your words.
59. Live your life so you'll have no regrets. There is no rewind button on life.
60. Don't lie about your age - don't regret birthdays - they are a privilege that many were denied.

I hope I've learned more than this. 

I hope I continue learning. 

I hope I have many, many more years to utilize all of this knowledge.

Happy 60th Birthday to me ... 

and thanks to my Mom.  She's the one who did the hard work!

Bunches!

Nona