I'm finally done!

I finally completed the afghan I decided to crochet for my niece's first baby. Since we don't know what they're getting yet, I had to go all "pastel" on them, but I hope they like it. It was so much fun to make. Who knew I could actually complete a baby project before the baby arrives? Best wishes to you Kari & Brodie. I love you and wish you all the happiness that life has to offer. I can't think of anything that smells better than a brand new baby -- boy or girl!!! Congratulations in advance. I'll send it up with Grandma Gail who is sooOOOoooOOOO excited for this blessed event.

Grampa Gary, Krampa, Gapa Geewe, Poppa

It just makes sense to me that in order to be a wonderful Grandpa you must also meet the high standard of being an extraordinary Dad. He did, he does, he has, he always will.

He became a father himself at the ripe old age of 19. He has never stopped working to make a wonderful life for all three of his children and for me too. This man is a gift to us. He has given his children so much more than he ever got himself. Not material things, altho' there is nothing they needed that they went without - it's the real life "stuff" that every child needs that they got. A loving home, the security of always knowing they were always loved, the gift of a strong work ethic, an example of what it is to be an honorable parent. All those good things that every child should have a sense of. He gives his grandkids all that and more. Whatever he didn't get from his own parents, he has made damn sure that our own kids received and he'll go to the ends of the earth to make sure that his grandkids know the very exact place that true and unconditional love comes from.

He loves his children and grandchildren more than life itself. His goal is to know each one of these kids individually and their unique personalities, their quirks, likes and dislikes and to make sure that everything they do together is always FUN!

Since he is by nature, a fretter, imagine all the years that have gone by with him worrying about the success or failure of everything affecting the lives of our family. He has broad shoulders that bare the weight of this hard old world. He worries, comes up with solutions and coping mechanisms, but most of all with just plain hard work and determination he helps get us through whatever we're facing.

His gift to his grandchildren is going to be the wonderful portraits that Miss TJ has taken of them together. He's said, "When I'm dead and gone at least they'll have those photos and all of the memories that go with them." In my humble opinion, it's going to be those wonderful memories that will last the longest! The photos reflect some of his many interests: motorcycles, fishing, football and Nascar to name a few. It cracks me up that his first thought when he found out that a fifth grandchild was on the way way, "I wonder what we'll do for our picture?" What a hoot.

If every child had a Grampa like you, Biker Dude, the world would indeed be a better place for us all. Happy Father's Day today and always with LOVE!!!

We're Getting a PINK One!

I was honored today to be invited to attend a "Gramma's" ultrasound session. Gramma Nort and I sat there looking at Mommy getting her belly all jellied up and looking at our new Grand-daughter. So how cool is that? She gave us a wave with her tiny little hand and at one point we thought she flashed the "peace" sign at us -- maybe she's gonna be a bohemian-type girl? Who knows. Anyway, what a kick to know that her Daddy's going to get to step up to the plate and put up with all those boys sniffing around his little girl! Paybacks are such a bummer! Ha. Maybe your brother can teach you how to braid -- hey, your sister can too -- looks like you're in it to win it! Since we were calling this little one 'Baby Boo' because of the due date -- looks like now she can be 'Baby Boolicious'. We are so excited that we can buy more than cammo pants now for your growing family -- hey wait... cammo comes is pink now too!

So, I opened up my can of Whoop Ass....

I decided to go to the big city today all my very own self -- such a big girl. Got all loaded up in my shiny red Mustang and headed out of town. I turned on my iPod and I had no tunes -- that should have been my first indication that this wasn't going to be the best trip ever, but I had the CD's in and turned the volume up to blare - and Jason Aldean can always do it for me anyway. I had a fairly fruitful shopping spree -- at least for me since I'm the hurry-in, pay-for-it, and get-the-hell-out kind of shopper. Made lots of stops and decided to call it a day before the Friday rush hour hit. I was about 30 minutes out of town and no one was in front of me when I saw a car behind me coming up quickly. I had the cruise control set at 78 mph ('cause the speed limit was 70 and I only go 8 mph over as a rule because I refuse to get a speeding ticket). I had the feeling that this old broad just HAD to pass me because she could -- and low and behold she did -- and guess what? NINER!!!! She passes, cuts me off and then proceeds to slow down to 60 mph. So... realizing that she was the idiot that I had anticipated that she would be, I really did open up my can of Whoop Ass and romped my trusty pony around her boney little butt and never did see her again! Ruin my cruise will ya? NOT. As you can see, road rage is still pulsing through my veins. Yee Haw...

I saw God today...

in the form of many answered prayers on behalf of this precious little girl. Congrats to Trevor and Lauryn on the "1st day of the rest of your lives together" - words aren't enough to express the thankfulness and love in our hearts.

Why A Daughter Needs Her Daddy...

These are parts of a letter I wrote on October 19, 2003 to Trevor. Three days before his daughter was born . I thought it appropriate to share just now...

"To my dear Son,
I'm so excited for you as you begin this new adventure into parenthood. You're going to be a Daddy and this little girl is going to be a treasured gift that will bring you more love and joy than you ever thought you could experience. You will be her first hero - her first "boyfriend" - and the most important man in her life.

She's going to learn so much from you and you will always be perfect in her eyes. On that same note, you are going to learn so much from her. She will expect the impossible and more than likely you'll come through for her every single time! You will get to be the one she comes to when times are tough and she will know that you will do all you can to make her world safe from harm. Be sure to make the time to build wonderful memories with her - those are the things that will belong to just the two of you.

As I look back on sweet memories of my Daddy, I know without a doubt how much he cared for me. It's incredible to realize how much he loved me even when I messed up - my finest example of unconditional love. As I recall, he was always bigger than the other girls' daddies, much smarter, more handsome, a harder worker, the most fun to laugh and dance with, and the best story teller there ever was. I don't remember a time that he ever said "No" to me that wasn't for my own good.

You're going to be a wonderful Father, Trevor. I promise you that all the time and love that you invest in this precious little girl will come back to you a thousand fold -- the time you spend with her will be well spent. May you experience the same joy and love that my children have brought to me. I love you, Son!"

Trevor, I hope you will always know how much your entire family loves you and Lauryn. We're proud of all you do and all you've sacrificed to make this precious girl first in your life. She is truly blessed to have you as her Father. We are all blessed that you are part of our lives as well!
Forever, Mom

Fried Brain with a side of Ranch!

Have you ever had one of those days where you couldn't think about anything for one more second - even if someone paid you to do it? We'll I've had two of those of days in a row. Today I'm going to just do my work and not think at all. Hummmmmm.... that might just be the most creative thing I've ever done! Why didn't I think of that before. Oh, that would have involved using my brain again. Nevermind.

Oops, He Did It Again!

Well, here we go again -- fourth bike is a charm??? My sweet Gary finally got his dream bike - a Harley Davidson (a guy thing). He's so excited that the grin is permanently pasted on that face! It's a huge bike with all sorts of bells and whistles - the Ultra - it's black pearl - it's got a kick ass radio/CD player and that's about all the detail I know (it's a girl thing). He's sworn to me that this is the last bike (new or used) that he will ever own. We're going to make a little blood pact to that effect.

H is for the Harley you are riding.

A is for the Asphalt you will burn.

R is for the Road Trips you'll be taking.

L is for the Laughs you're going to have

E is for the fact that you have Earned this.

Y is for the You I'll always love!

Happy "Harley Day", Honey -- you've worked long and hard for this -- hope you'll enjoy the hell out of it!

Sweet Ernie Ky

April 24, 1919 - March 6, 2003

Today my Dad would have turned 89. Happy Birthday Ernst! Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. It's so hard to believe that you've been gone for 5 years. You may be gone from this world but you are definitely not forgotten. Mom misses you so much -- she said she's been dreaming of you a lot lately. What a sweet way for you to keep in touch with your precious Rose. You and Mom have always been heros to me. You have been examples of how to work hard, how to endure to the end, how to live life with dignity and grace, the definition of 'through sickness and in heath' and how to love unconditionally. If I ever grow up, I pray that many of the qualities you carried with you each day of your live have rubbed off onto me in some small way. I miss you Dad and love you more than words can EVER say.

I know I'm no Einstein - but...

If he and I traded hair -- his would be better! (ignore the mustache) I'm having a major hair crisis and don't even know where to go from here. Once again it sucks to be me...