Kara Turns "10"

This is the first of Kara's birthday celebrations. Today is the family party. Tomorrow is out to dinner on her actual birthday. And next week is the party with her school friends. Thirteen girls over night at a party whose theme is "Monster High." OK, sounds interesting.

Now back to the family party. We adults love these parties. It is a chance to get together casually and just sit and chat. The guys talked sports. The women just talked about everything and anything.

All the kids were up and down the stairs to Corey's man room at least one hundred times. One of the times the door was open, I noticed circles of bright colors on the ceiling, walls and floor. There were also flashes of colors. I soon learned these came from a disco ball and strobe light. The kids had a fantastic time.

Nine years ago Kara came home to her family the most beautiful one year old baby girl. It is hard to believe she has reached double digits. Two down and two to go. Papa and I are in no hurry. We want time to slow down, but doesn't everyone our age wish for the same thing.
Hugs and kisses,

Cookies for Santa - 2010

Kristen suggested I make sugar cookies with her and her girls. So, like a good Nana, I did. Kara got really into it. She colored her dough red and green. She made a tree, a candy cane and other Christmas shapes. Of course, she also made a Mickey Mouse. Do you think that was a hint to Mom she thinks it's time for another trip to Disney?

Then there was Emily. She stayed in the toy room and colored until the dough was made and just about rolled out. Is this a premonition she will be a company executive and appear for the glory part? I have to say her cookies were beautifully decorated.

I acted really silly, making up songs and pretending I was Julia Childes. That, in itself, is a real laugh. We had a great night and "another memory was made." And that's what it's all about:~)
Hugs and kisses,

Amanda Lynn's Third Heavenly Birthday

Today was the day I made the finishing touches to Amanda's Third Heavenly Birthday memorial card. Thank God, being Tuesday, Papa and I had Alex who always brings happiness and laughter into our day. He really is a goofy little four year old. I turned and looked at his sweet face as he was swinging from the arm of the treadmill behind me. I could physically feel my love for our five grandchildren. I realized what an honor it is to help reinforce the existence of Amanda, Kristen and Corey's third daughter; Kara and Emily's sister and my granddaughter. We need to know Amanda is remembered.

Hugs and kisses,

Christmas - 2010

I finally got the Christmas layout posted. I have to admit I was not really into Christmas until about three weeks before it arrived. That has never happened to me before. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.

Papa took the reins in November and we began our shopping with him leading the way. We all know that didn't last long. I looked at our list, made a few changes and in no time all gifts were bought. Papa wrapped everything, as he always does.

Next, the tree and all the boxes of decorations were brought up from the basement and we decorated the house. I cleaned the good dishes and glasses, made cookies and anxiously awaited the day we would see four happy faces with all their gifts. And that they were.

We spent most of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. If there were any problems in our world, they were put aside as we celebrated the birth of Baby Jesus.

Hugs and kisses,

Another New Year - 2011

I know. I don't even have Christmas pictures posted yet. But I had to do a layout for the top of my January through March calendar, so New Year wins. The new year started out well, so far. Everyone has undecorated their houses and settled back into a more relaxing mode. I will be very happy to use some of my time to catch up on things around the house and do some digital scrapbooking. I still have to finish the book I started for your first blog. Should I make that my New Year's resolution?

You'll have to check in next year about this time to see how much I get done. At least that way I feel like I have some pressure on me to produce.

Happy New Year to everyone:~)
Hugs and kisses,

Two Harps Like No Others

I wish my grandchildren had been lucky enough to meet my Dad. He was unique within himself. Was he the best husband and father? No; I don’t know anyone who fits either category. But he was the best grandfather to sixteen very lucky children, including our two daughters. Each of his grandchildren has special memories of times spent with their grandfather. And no two memories are the same. How wonderful is that.

My nine siblings and I have always had our Dad high on a pedestal, surpassed only by our Mom. Many immigrants from Ireland were called “Harp” at the time my grandfather came to America. And this name was handed down to my Dad and then to his first born son. He was Harp to all who knew him. Thus, the reason I have a special attachment to the musical instrument and the music that flows from it. I have always dreamt of having one for my very own.

Well, this Christmas Eve my husband fulfilled this dream. I now have two unique “Harps” in my life. One is my Dad, who will always be sitting on my shoulder. The other was given to me by the special man I was lucky enough to marry. You see, I married a man not unlike my father in many ways. For years Papa has heard me say, “My Dad can do anything. He can fix anything wrong in my life.” Well, kids, so can your Papa. He took up the reins my Dad had to put down and has fixed all humanly possible that he could in my life. How lucky is your Nana? Luckier than any one person should be.
Hugs and kisses,

Something to Think About

Old Barns and Old People

A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. . .

He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway.
I told him right off he was crazy.

He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked.

He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale.I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.

Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's
been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind.

The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's
gone, and the wood has turned silver gray.

Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired.
Yet, that fellow called it beautiful. . .

That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field
and just stood there, gazing at that old barn.

The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls
of his den in a new country home he's building down the road.

He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful.
Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and
scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood.

It came to me then. . . We're a lot like that, you and I.
Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us.

Sure we turn silver gray too. . . And lean a bit more than
we did when we were young and full of sap.

But the Good Lord knows what He's doing.
And as the years pass He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce.

And to think how often folks holler because they want life easy!

They took the old barn down today and hauled it away
to beautify a rich man's house.

And I reckon someday you and I'll be hauled off
to Heaven to take on whatever chores the Good Lord
has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.

And I suspect we'll be more beautiful
then for the seasons we've been through here. . .
And just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house.

May there be peace within you today. . .
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

And I do sincerely thank God for my wonderful friends and
family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering!

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL 2011!
Hugs and kisses,

This was sent to me by a very special person and I had to share it. Thank you, Christine!