A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

Enjoy life!

This is not a dress rehearsal.

The Royal Wedding

Okay, I admit it, I have been enraptured by the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I love the romance of it all and all the fanfare surrounding it. It's not something that happens very often, and it was a treat. These past couple of months have been so full of bad news it was wonderful to focus on something like a happy wedding like this.

The pictures are out, and you can go see them here http://bit.ly/ltCFFa but I've posted a few of my favorites. It really and truly was a fairy tale. The beautiful girl won the prince's heart and lived happily ever after. At least I hope they do!

Something To Look Forward To

Stan made our hotel reservations for vacation last night and it has all of us just so jazzed! We're going up to spend some time in South Dakota in August and we can hardly wait! Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Custer State Park, a wild horse park, water parks, museums, and on and on. Even though we won't be going very far away, it's far enough that it already feels like a grand adventure. I haven't been to see Mt. Rushmore since I was a kid and it should be a wonderful experience to be there with my husband and sons.

There's also something about having something like this to look forward to. The anticipation of an experience is almost as wonderful as the experience itself.  We've already spent time online looking at all the things there are to do there.  Places to see, places to eat, planning to get some new summer togs; it all adds up to the summertime extravaganza!

With AJ going to summer school our trip will be later than we usually would be going, but maybe it won't be as crowded as it might be.  Kevin was saying I should get some classic vacation pictures, with my camera around my neck and sunscreen on my nose.  Sounds too funny and irresistable to not get a picture or two like that.  If I do I'll be sure to post it here.  And I hope you all plan something fun for this summer too!

Braggin' Rights

A lot of us are mothers and are justified in the pride we feel when our children accomplish something wonderful.  I love to listen to and see the love that shines when a mom is telling me something their child has done that has touched their heart.  So with that it mind, I am going to brag about my oldest son, AJ.

Last semester he got a 4.0--straight A's--on his report card.  Today he received a letter from the president of the college that said in part:

"Please accept my congratulations on your achieving the President's Honor Roll for the Fall Semester 2010.  Academic excellence is never easily accomplished.  As a college student, you merit special commendation for being able to maintain top grades while managing multiple demands on your time and energy."

So here's a cheer for AJ!  Way to go!  The new semester starts January 24th.  Can't wait to see what he does next!

Strawberry Shortcake!

When I was growing up we had a tradition in our family for the last day of school---strawberry shortcake!  It is something I have carried on with my boys.  When they were little I would make up a giant shortcake and that was all we would have for dinner.  Just strawberry shortcake until we were about to pop!  It was fun.

But now it's for after dinner, and we've added sparkling cider to toast the boys with for a job well done.  It's sort of fitting as Kevin had his last day in high school today.  AJ had his last day a week ago.  Both boys have done so well, and I'm so proud of them.  Can't wait to raise that glass and cheer their accomplishments.

Stan sliced up the strawberries and the house is filled with their sweet aroma.  Smells like summer to me.  It also smells like the end of school and the beginning of .... possibilities!  Can't wait!

Wild Thing! You Make My Heart ... Laugh!

As posted last week, my BFF Beth came for a visit this past weekend.  I was able to have her with me all day Saturday, and it was the best!  We talked a lot, laughed a lot, ate too much, and even shed a few tears.  It was fantbulous!

We went and picked her up at the Mining Museum on the north end of town where her travelling companions met us.  They went on to see the sights around Colorado Springs, and Beth and I got to spend the day together having such a great time, such good talks, it didn't feel as if it's been three years since we last saw each other!

We had lunch at Gunther Toody's Diner, where AJ works, and spent a lot of time laughing while we quaffed chocolate milk shakes and french fries.  She got a little into it when one of the waitresses started singing "Wild Thing"  and it was like being 16 again!  All we needed to complete the picture would have been some Monkees or Bobby Sherman music in the background!

That evening, after bumming around and checking out the shops in Manitou Springs, we met her friends for dinner at Amanda's Fonda.  Her friends are wonderful people, and we teased and joked and talked the evening away.

After almost 42 years you'd think Beth and I would run out of things to talk about, but we never do.  No one can make me laugh like she does, and there are so many things that I don't have to say to her ... she just knows.  She has always been a huge blessing in my life, and I am SO grateful that God has given me her for my friend.  I'm looking forward to the next 42 years!

My BFF's Coming!

I am so excited.  My best friend, Beth, is coming for a visit!  She'll be here the weekend of the 16th--so I am makin' plans for lots of talking, lots of hot chocolate and lots of fun.

We met in 8th grade English class.  We were both talking so the teacher moved us next to each other right in front of his desk so he could keep an eye on us.  Who knew that more than 40 years later we'd still be talking?

She still lives in California, and in the ten years since we've moved to Colorado we have tried to get together whenever we can, and talk on the phone as time permits.  She is a therapist who specializes in grief counseling, and is very busy.  Those of you who have read my mystery novel should know that the character of Kate is based upon her.  It's not entirely Beth, but is very much like her.  Maeve and Kate are the two of us.  In college we used to write our own Nancy Drew stories to amuse ourselves, and the girl detective is still one of our heronies.

I'm just so excited.  It's been about three years since I've seen her.  I think the Martin Luther King holiday is my new favorite holiday!!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Workers at a hospital in Oregon made this video to promote breast cancer awareness.  They are all wearing pink gloves that help pay for mammograms for women who can't afford it.  I thought it was a fun, uplifting and happy video.  Go down to my music list and turn it off so you can hear and enjoy as these men and women dance to help women.

My Nephew Got Married!

My nephew Eric, who is my sister Cheryl's youngest son, got married in September.  Sadly, we weren't able to be there.  My Dad finally sent me some photos of the big day, and it looks like it was a lot of fun!

Here are the happy couple.  Cheryl's husband Don built the arch they're standing under.  (The man on the right is the Bishop who married them.)

This is my sister Cheryl.  I think she looks so pretty in her lovely blue dress and pearls.  She looks very "Mother of the Groom" to me too.  And now, it's one down, one to go!  My nephew Neal gets married next summer. 

I like this picture. My nephew Eric looks so happy! His cute wife Amber looks like she's happy too. After all the work and preparation, this was a good day for everyone, I'm sure!

A MAJOR AWARD!!!

I'm a winner! It feels so exciting--and I didn't even know I was nominated (although that's an honor too!)

My friend at It's a Wonderful Life me this "Your blog is fabulous!" award. Doesn't it look great? I wish I looked like that lady....

Here are the rules about this award:
Firstly - I must list 5 of my fabulous addictions:
Writing
Chocolate
Music
Pokemon
Blogging

Secondly - I must pass this award on to 5 other fabulous blogs:

The Eddington Family (A good friend, I love to read what's going on with her)
Celebrating Life-Dickson Style (Another friend who has a wonderful blog)

The Teeples Family (She's always fun to visit in blogsville)

The Terry Family (He does some really creative things with photos)

Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent (A blog about the publishing world)

Congratulations, one and all!

Thirdly - I must post the rules:
The rules of this award are:
1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.