Friday, February 27, 2009

#14 I love San Francisco




I never dreamed I'd ever go to California, but I did. Our son was married there in October, 2007. We spent three days in San Francisco before we went to Healdsburg for the wedding. We had a fantastic time being tourists. We spent a whole day with our son, which was very special, and took a trip to Pebble Beach. We also spent time with my brother, sister-in-law, sister, nieces, nephews and our cousin from Ireland. I don't think we missed many famous places and had lots of great times together. I left a piece of my heart in San Francisco!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

#13 I love digi scrapping






I was never going to do digital scrapping! A customer asked about it, so I decided I needed to become informed. I got help getting started and then played. I am hooked! I have made close to 20 albums in a less than a year! I like that it is quicker, especially when I make gifts. I have a great printer so I can print my pages and slip them into the album. My mom's 80th birthday party was on a Sunday. Her actual birthday was the following Thursday. I gave her a 24 page album of the party on her birthday. I never could have done that the traditional way of scrapping. I will always be a paper scrapper, but love to play with digi!

Monday, February 23, 2009

#12 I love surprises!





The mailman rang the bell today and handed me a large box. It was addressed to my granddaughter. My cousin has two daughters 6 and 4. She sent a box of wonderful hand-me-downs. My daughter had just gotten here to pick up Anna. We had so much fun going through the box looking at all the treasures. Each item was more fun than the last. At the bottom of the box was a tutu and ballet shoes. Anna was so excited! She danced and danced. My daughter was so excited that she went right to my computer and made thank you cards on my SBC+! That was another surprise that made me happy.

# 11 I love Plum Passions


I usually only drink at very special occasions - I drank my life's quota in college! We went to a Japanese restaurant for my daughter's birthday. She ordered a Plum Passion. I had a taste. It was scrumpdiddlyumptious and I ordered one! The only request I had for my birthday was for someone to find plum wine and get a bottle of champagne, which they did. My daughter got the right combination on the first try. Everyone loved this drink. I have 1 1/2 bottles of plum wine left. Need to get some more champagne!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

#10 I love my mother




I thought my mom was part of the blog about loving my family, but decided she deserved her own. My mom is very special. She is kind, generous, caring, selfless. Today she had a birthday dinner for me. She made our childhood favorite - chicken, biscuit, and gravy with mashed potatoes, peas, and cabbage salad. My sister and her family were able to be there and all of my family was there. We had a great time. I know my mom was trying to make this a special day for me which made it even more special. The best part was that when we did cake, she made sure someone took pictures because she said I am never in any pictures - I am always the one taking them! Then she directed the taking of group pictures! I think I have enough for a Storybook! I am still full from dinner, but that is ok. I am so happy. This has been the best birthday I've ever had.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

#9 I love my birthday 2009





I had the happiest birthday today.

Monday, February 16, 2009

#8 I love the ocean


Our family has vacationed at the Outer Banks the past four years. Every year has been a week of heaven. We share making dinner so you are totally on vacation five of the seven days. Our house is right on the beach so we just head out the back door and there we are. Or we can sit on the deck and just watch the water. It is so peaceful to sit and let the water mesmerize you. I am not sure I could live on the ocean, but one week of heaven lasts me a long time.

#7 I love chocolate






I really, really love chocolate. Dark chocolate is my favorite. I like it with mint, raspberry, or cherry best. It was a thrill for me to go to Ghiradelli in San Francisco. We spent three days before J.C.'s and Erin's wedding in SF. Our hotel was in walking distance of the chocolate. I was in heaven. It was the first place we went to. We had sundaes combining my favorite treat with my second favorite treat - ice cream!

The sad news is, we all are on a Fit for Life plan which means that I can't have my chocolate like I used to. I thought I wasn't missing it, but had a piece yesterday (Ghiradelli dark chocolate with mint center) and I do miss it.

#6 I love to take pictures


I carry my camera with me everywhere I go. I need it ready just in case I spot the perfect picture! I am not shy about taking pictures in stores, restaurants, or anywhere. If someone doesn't like it, they can tell me "no", but that may not stop me.

I did have a problem once. We were returning from Canada. I didn't have a digital camera at the time. The windshield of the car wasn't clean enough so I leaned out the window to take a picture of the "Welcome to New York" sign at customs. When it was our turn, the agent asked if it was a digital camera. I thought it was strange that he wanted to know about my camera! Then he asked why I was taking a picture. I told him I'm a scrapbooker. He then went on a tirade how it is illegal to take pictures at the border. I thought...if I was a spy or terrorist, I certainly would have a better camera for that kind of work. He said to the woman in the booth next to him, "What should I do?" The miserable witch said, "Take it." I was already reaching for a blank roll of film ready to change it so I didn't lose my pictures. He was fiddling on his computer, then told us to go. I have been back to Canada since, so am not on a watch list!

I also am cheap! We went to California for our son's wedding. We were there almost a week so did many touristy things. At the end of our Alcatraz trip, they had pictures of us that we could buy. Way too expensive for me, so I took a picture of the picture!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

#5 I love my family


I have two sisters and two brothers. I am the oldest. When they proclaim that, I add that I am also the smartest and best looking! We get together for all the major holidays - that is most of us. My sister and her children moved to Florida so we see them less than we used to. When it's the whole clan, we have 31 with one on the way! I love all of them dearly. I hope they know that. I would do anything for any of them and know that I can call on them if I have to. I used to think that all families were like us, but have found out that isn't how it is for everyone which is sad to me. Of course we aren't perfect and have times when we get annoyed with someone, but overall we do love each other very much.

#4 I love my daughter and son-in-law


I love my daughter! She is a treasure. She's such a caring person that it sometimes isn't good. In that way she is like her dad. She is like me in many ways and when it is obvious, she goes a little crazy. We all do that when we realize we are becoming our mothers!!! She is very talented - photography, dance, music. She went through some rough patches, but struck gold when she met her husband. He is her match. They are so good for each other. We are lucky that they live a half-hour away and we get to see them often - probably too often for them!! The best thing they ever did was give us Anna!

#3 I love my son and daughter-in-law


My son is the most wonderful man. He has the best of both of us. He strives to be the best person he can be. He's caring, sensitive, kind, handsome, and athletic. He's recently been running marathons which I think is quite an accomplishment. He did a wonderful job picking his wife. She is a sweetheart. She brings out the best in our son and I think he does the same for her. They have about 10 of my family on a fit for life plan. They are working hard to get us in shape!! I love them dearly and only wish they were closer so we could see them more.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

#2 I love my husband


Jay and I have been married for 37 years, 7 months, and 26 days. I know how lucky I am to have him in my life. He is kind, considerate, caring, sensitive, selfless, giving, and so many more wonderful things! He is the best father - our kids are so lucky - and he is the most wonderful grandfather - Anna is so lucky.
He helps with my CM events and understands how much I love my hobby. He has a lot of patience with me!! We have two retreats in our town every year with people arriving on Thursday so as not to miss time on Friday. It has evolved that we host dinner on Thursday night. Jay is so good about having 16-25 women invade our house. He will cook for us and help entertain.

He's just such a special person who I love with all my heart. If everyone in the world was like Jay, the world would be perfect.

Monday, February 02, 2009

#1 I love Anna




Anna is our granddaughter. She is a few days shy of being 15 months old. It seems like the last 15 months have been my whole life. I love this baby with all my heart. She is the light of my life. I adore watching her play by herself. It amazes me that someone so young can figure out so much. I wonder how her mind works. She reminds me of her mother. She is an adventurous child. She loves to climb and can now get onto the couch and jump! She wants to climb up the back of the couch - deja vue! She loves to walk all over, but still likes to be held. She talks and talks and talks. People are surprised at what she can say, but we aren't - her mommy was the same. A few days ago we went shopping. When we put her in the cart, she shouted out, "SHOPPING...MONEY." Her mother has trained her well. She calls Jay "Papa", but the best thing she says is "GrandMama"! I really don't think I could ever express how much I love Anna.

I'm Back!!

Shame on me - again! I don't know why I just don't take time to write on my blog when I am on the computer too much as it is.

I read a challenge on my favorite website and decided to do it. It's for February - my favorite month! I have to write 14 blogs about love - sounds easy enough, right? The bonus is to post pictures.

Anyone who knows me will immediately think that all my posts will be about Anna, but I am going to surprise you!