What's black and white and red all over?

A newspaper? A skunk on the side of the road?

So, what's black and white and PINK all over?

ME!!!!

*How 'bout them freaky big hands?*

Blessed

*My grandparents and 9 of the 18 silly grandchildren*

Last Friday, my sweet, sweet grandfather passed away. It wasn't unexpected, but it was hard, nonetheless.

But, you know what?

I am blessed.

I am blessed that I have SUCH a great heritage... I've had the 2 best grandfathers in the world (my other grandfather passed away 10 years ago next month... I've got no doubt that he was in Heaven to greet my grandfather last week), and I have the 2 best grandmas in the world, too!

I am blessed that I know I am loved... no one in my family should ever doubt they are loved... my grandpa was the best example of making sure we all knew.

I am blessed that I know I'll see my grandpa(s) again in Heaven someday... the hope of eternal life is SUCH a blessing, isn't it?

I am blessed with a LARGE extended family... 50 or so of us (mostly immediate family) rode a bus to "down home" for a 2nd funeral service for my grandpa this week. There was another 100 or so family members to meet us and help us celebrate grandpa's life some more.

I am blessed with lots and lots of people who love me and my family... 1200 people at a funeral visitation for an 86-yr-old man... WOW!

I am blessed with a big, boisterous family that I love. But I'm also blessed with a not-as-big, not-as-quite-boisterous family on my mom's side that I also love. And I'm blessed with a not-very-big-at-all, not-too-loud-at-all family on Don's side that I love.

I am blessed with lots of great memories of my grandfather.

I am blessed with a Christian heritage that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Here's one of the songs that my aunt and I sang at the funerals. We sang this song over and over around my grandpa's bed:

I am blessed
I am blessed
Everyday that I live I am blessed
When I wake up in the morning
Or I lay my head to rest
I am blessed
I am blessed

I. Am. Blessed.

******************

Last night, when Sis was saying her good-night prayer, she asked God to tell Grandpa "hi." *sniff*

******************

I don't really know how to end this... there are so many more things to say, but I think I'm done writing them. For now. Just know... I am blessed.

My back is fine

So, today I had a really important meeting with some people I work with and someone from "the outside." They were all gathered in my office, and I left my desk to walk over to my little conference table to join them.

OG (Outside guest): So, do you have back problems?

Me (wondering if I took too long to stand up???): Um...

OG: Or is that a fashion statement of some kind?

Me: (realizing that he is not talking about how I'm walking, but about the fact I have a wide belt on) It's a fashion statement? (and yes, I did phrase it as a question... because apparently he didn't think it was!)

So, after we spent some time discussing the fact that he doesn't understand fashion (he said that... not me!) and had our meeting, I went and re-examined my outfit.

So, thoughts?

Is my belt akin to a neck brace for someone with whiplash?

Does anyone else think this is as funny as I do?

These are the questions that could very well keep me up tonight (especially the last one!).

Packaging Fail

So, um, Bub is a little like me in that he's REALLY REALLY excited to buy Christmas gifts for all his family members, but once Christmas hits, he kind of forgets that he actually bought anything (perhaps in the mad rush to open all of HIS GIFTS?). So, Don, Sis & I were blessed with some forgotten gifts from him earlier this week.

I got a lovely necklace (along with another "sapphire" necklace & earrings that he DID remember to give me on Christmas morning)...
But notice anything weird? The necklace says #1 Mom (I know the picture is blurry... just trust me)
But look at the packaging. #1 Sister???

Does this mean that Sis and I have to share the gift?

Fourteen

It's not a banner year... not like 10, 15, or 20.

It's not such a length of time that people *gasp* and say: Wow! You made it THAT long???

It's not been without bad times.

But it HAS been:

Filled with LOVE...

Filled with smiles...


Filled with wonderful memories...

Filled with laughter...

Filled with children...

Filled with desire and determination for a long and happy life together...

Happy anniversary, baby! I love you! I'm thanking God today for YOU! I'd say "I do" all over again!!!

Bedhead