My Sissy Nancy...

Today I picked my little sister Nancy's
name out of the Jewel and Gem box...
Where to start?
Nancy is 6 years younger than I am...
and I hate to admit it but I wasn't very nice to her when we were growing up. Can I just tell you that she was spoiled! Or so I thought. She would tattle on me for everything. I would even pay her not to tell and she would anyway. It wasn't until I got married and left home that I think Nancy and I became good friends. Don't get me wrong I always loved her I just didn't appreciate her. We recently went to England with my other sister Sue and our mother. We had such a good time. I love to take sissy trips. We all get along really well...Nancy is fun to be with...we laugh a lot! Here are some of the things I love about Nancy...
Her smile...
Her teeth...(Chicklets)
Her desire to learn...
Her diet control...
Her love for excercising...(I don't get it)
Her ability to laugh at herself...
Her kindness...
Her generosity...
I know that Nancy would do anything for me, and I really really appreciate it. Nancy I love you...You are a JEWEL and I can't wait for our next sissy trip...Washington DC here we come!!!

Life changing Moments...

We all have them...some are good some not so good. My friend Kim got a huge huge one this weekend. She got a call from her sister-in-law in Las Vegas that she had no place to go and that she and her 3 children had been living in her car. She asked Kim to come and get the kids. Doug and Kim got in their car late Saturday night and drove to Vegas. Talk about a life changing moment, not only for Doug, Kim, Matthew, Courtney, and Liz...but for those 3 little children...Teilor, Hayden, and Dillon. I can't imagine how scary this must be for them. They really don't even know Doug and Kim... Kim got them into school and they start today. They have nothing, but with the help of Kim's sister's and friends they now have beds, and some clothes. I want to help! I am not sure where to even begin except to let Kim know that I am here. I know those are just words, but...I really will do anything I can to make your burden lighter. The thought keeps coming to me that Kim and her family will truly be blessed for this sacfrice they are making. Will it be easy? Absolutely not! Will it be worth it? Positively yes!
I hope that Kim's sister-in-law gets her life sorted out and that she can make the changes she needs to, for her sake and for the ske of her 3 beautiful children. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them during these LIFE CHANGING MOMENTS...

Madison Ann

My Sweet Girl Madi...
Madi is my first granddaughter and what a sweet little girl. Madi is always happy, and so full of fun. I love when she giggles, and she does that a lot. We always have such a good time together. Madi is so nice to her 2 brothers Jacob and Owen...she is a little mother! These are some of the things I love best about Madi:
Her smile...
Her sweetness...
Her gentleness...
Her sympathetic ways...
Her kindness...
Her giggles...
Her beautiful beautiful face...
Madi loves to DANCE, Play Softball, Play Soccer, Watch TV, Read, Swim, Ride her Motorcycle, Sleep over at Grandma's and watch movies and eat popcorn, and just have fun...that is easy to do when Madi is around.
Madi has the kindest heart and hates to hurt anyone's feelings. She is truly one of my JEWELS!
I Love You Madison Ann....

Home Again...

I got back from Oregon last night...I had a really good time and it is always good to see Meg, Jay, Brayden and Molly. Thanks guys for everything! I will see you in July for Brayden's Birthday....ROCK ON! Can't wait for the Rock and Roll Party!...

Brayden Lucky Mann

My sweet little Brayden. Brayden is my grandson and he is 4 years old and boy do I love this little kid! Brayden's story...When my daughter got pregnant with Brayden it was a time in her life that she needed to make some changes...She and Andy (Brayden's Daddy and Megan's ex-husband) decided to move to Portland Oregon to be closer to Andy's family. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I can still remember Megan coming to my work the day they loaded up the truck to tell me goodbye. I knew that it was probably going to be a good move for her but it was so very hard for me to tell her goodbye. I think I thought that she would get there and decide she missed her mommy so much she would have to move back home. Anyway they settled into their new lives. On July 17th 2003 my sweet little Brayden was born. I was lucky enough to be able to be in the delivery room with Megan...she had to have a C-Section and Andy was a bit squeamish so...I got to go in with her. I always tell Brayden that I was the very first person that got to hold him! Brayden has been a joy everyday since. He is his Mommy's NEW DAY... I only wish I could see him more. I try to get up to Oregon at least every other month. In fact I am leaving today to go and see him, his sister Molly, Megan, and Jay...Can't wait to kiss them. Brayden gives the very best hugs...he holds on tight and for a long time. Have I mentioned that
I LOVE THIS KID!...
The things I love about him:
His Imagination...
His Smile...
His Twinkling Eyes...
His Mischievousness...
His Enthusiasim...
His Kindness...
His Love for his Little Sister...
His Rough and Tumble ways...
His Eagerness to learn...
Brayden has a speech development...he try's so very hard and he is making such progress. I can understand almost everything he tells me when he calls on the phone.
The other day he told me that he has a surprise for me when I get there. I can't wait to see what it is. He will be starting school this fall. Wow! where does the time go?...it seems like just yesterday his mommy was holding him the day she came home from the hospital and we were listening to Celine Dion's A NEW DAY...both of us were just sobbing and so grateful for this new little miracle in our lives...that will always be Brayden's and Megan's song.
Brayden is certainly one of my Gems...I can't imagine life without him!!
I Love you B-Mann...Get ready to pucker up Buttercup...Grandma is going to kiss and hug you for 4 whole days!!

My Jewels and Gems

Like I mentioned before, I have so many people in my life that I love and care about. I decided to put their names in a box by my desk and everyday will pick a name and do a little blog on that person and what they mean to me. The girls are my JEWELS and the guys are my GEMS...some will never even know or see what I say about them...some of them are like me and really do not know anything about blogging!

About Me

O.K. here goes...I am new to this blogging thing so who knows what will happen. I am excited to get started though.

Not quite sure where to even start!

I have been married to Dave for some 36 years now. Some of those years have been good some have been a little rocky.
I have 5 great children, 2 wonderful Daughter-in-Laws, 1 great son-in-law and 1 soon to be son-in-law. I also have 7 wonderful grandchildren with another little boy on the way. Nothing is better than being a Mom and Grandma.

I also have wonderful parents! They are both from England and came to America for a better way of life. This past fall I got the opportunity to go with my Mom and 2 Sisters to England to see where my Mom grew up. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I am so glad that I got the chance to go with my Mom. I did go when I was 2 years old but I don't remember anything about it. My sisters and I are planning to do it again in a couple of years. My Mom thinks she is too old.

I have a great job and I have been there for about 13 years. I work for a great company.

I have great friends and loved ones and I have decided to spotlight someone each blog. Somehow it is always easier for me to let special someones know how I feel about them in written form rather than face to face. That is something I need to work on. Hopefully this will help! I am truly truly blessed to be surrounded by good loving friends and family.
SO please stay tuned. The BEST IS YET TO COME!