What's Wrong With This Picture?

I'll tell you what's wrong with it. Those two beauties are my granddaughters! When did they get this grown up? How old does it make me? I'm not supposed to have grandchildren this old. Wow! Aren't they gorgeous???

A Date With Candice

What a wonderful evening Candice and I had last night with dinner and shopping for her "sweet 16" birthday. We began this tradition nine years ago when my wedding trip to Las Vegas was going to prevent me from attending her 7th birthday party. To make up for it, I took her to dinner, then we shopped and I let her pick out what she wanted for her birthday. We had so much fun that she and Camryn want to do this every year. I also started doing it with the boys this year as Thomas and Jude turned five.

When I arrived at Candice's house I gave her a gold tote bag with a perfume gift box inside, shopping money, and her sweet 16 card with $16 inside, another tradition I began with my own children and stopped when they got too expensive! Then we literally pigged out at El Fenix with lots of good conversation too. Candice is a very mature young lady with lots of common sense and education. She can discuss any topic with insight that is rare for a girl her age. She's so refreshing!

Our next stop was shopping at Grapevine Mills Mall. Candice picked out some very pretty tops to wear with her jeans, a white camisole to wear underneath, and a pretty pair of dangling, sparkling earrings. She was anxious to wear one of her tops and the perfume to school today. She looked fabulous as she modeled her tops for me. We topped off the evening with Cinnabons which we took home and sampled.

The weather was not the best. We carried umbrellas and sloshed through water puddles in our flip-flops and froze with our wet clothes and feet once inside the mall. I'm surprised we didn't break into our own rendition of Singing In The Rain, but most likely that was a song from my generation, not hers. A very pleasant, sweet moment was when we sat in the car, the rain running down the windows, and talked about my life with her Grandpa and all the happy and sad times we experienced. I loved sharing that beautiful history with my granddaughter.

Candy Girl, you are a jewel and I'm so proud of you for many, many reasons. You have a good, not to mention beautiful, head on your shoulders and it will serve you well. Thank you for a night to remember.

Teen Years Revisited

Yep, that's Patty and me with the Easter Bunny. We were shopping for a bridal shower and happened to pass by the Bunny and photographer. Patty suggested we get a picture. This is not unusual for us. We had a picture made with Santa a few years ago. This goes back to our silly teenage years.

Patty and I had our picture taken with Santa Claus twice when we were teenagers. We thought it would be the cutest thing - sitting on Santa's lap with our short skirts, teased hair in flips or pageboys. Ah, the fabulous sixties. Times really have not changed at all when we're together. We still act like teenagers, laughing over silly things and shopping for girlie items that make us feel good. Prior to the Bunny shot, we'd just purchased flip-flops at Old Navy, the "2 for $5" bargain. We're big spenders, Patty got six pairs, I got four. We also managed to get our bridal shower gifts! And, we enjoyed lunch at El Chico before we headed to the mall.

I skipped out on work for a couple of hours so we could enjoy this outing. Playing hookie! Isn't that just like a teenager?

Happy "Sweet 16" Candice!

You're sweet 16 today,

My lovely Candy Girl.

My first precious grandchild,

The sweetest in the world.

It doesn't seem too long ago

When I held you in my arms,

And you captured Memaw's heart

With your beauty and your charms.

Each year you've been a blessing

As I watched you learn and grow.

Each moment a time to cherish

Because I love you so.

Your graceful transformation

Has taken me by surprise.

A young lady, not a baby,

Has appeared before my eyes.

You have your act together,

You're more than a pretty face.

You have brains and determination

That can take you anyplace.

You're sweet 16 today,

What a special place to be.

Happy birthday, Candy Girl,

You mean so much to me.

A Surprise Visit

As if being at work and knowing it's Friday isn't good enough, add a surprise visit from an old school chum. I was working at my desk when the door opened and there was Jan Tucker with two Sonic Butterfinger Blasts. I immediately grabbed both her and my ice cream! It was a slow day for me at work (I was actually working on the newsletter) so we had a wonderful visit for over two hours.

Jan lost her mother this month and we talked about her and all the things associated with going through her belongings. In her funny Jan style, Jan related comical stories about her mother. I've saved an e-mail from her mother where she told me she had finished both my books and hoped I had the others finished before she died. She'd been in and out of the hospital the past few months, but still her death was unexpected. I remember her from the teen years when I'd spend the night at Jan's house. I attended her funeral and it was a beautiful celebration of her life.

Jan retired from her job where she handled insurance claims the day before she came to see me. She shared several folders her co-workers and boss had assembled of their fun times with her and their pictures so she'd never forget them. It was clear that Jan's warm smile and sunny personality had won them all over, not to mention how efficient she was on the job. I know she will be greatly missed. But as I told her, I hope their loss is my gain as she will be free to drop in on me from time to time.

I thoroughly enjoyed her visit (and the Butterfinger Blast) and it was a wonderful way to end the day and begin the weekend. Jan is such an "up" person that one can't stay down very long in her presence. She has a heart of gold, she remembers every occasion, and she gives herself as a friend for life. I feel very fortunate to be in that privileged group of friends.

The following day she left a phone message about a book club that would be willing to have me come to their meeting and speak on Simon Says, Books One and Two. Once I get back with her on that, I will share the good news. She's always pushing my books and has been a wonderful support during this time. I appreciate her and the woman she is very much. Believe me, I'm not alone. Anyone who knows her feels the same way. What a gal!

A Night With Josh Groban

Actually, it wasn't as intimate as it sounds. Besides, I have children older than him, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Allison, my daughter, treated me to a wonderful concert with Josh Groban. He has quite a following, not just Allison and me. We brought along Sophia to give her an introduction into culture (our variety) and to make sure she falls madly in love with our idol. Apparently she did. Once she sang along with him for a second or two, the rest of the time she was perfectly quiet. We couldn't have asked for a better baby.

Prior to the concert, Robin treated us to dinner at Spring Creek and handed us money to pay for parking or any Groban treasures we might want to buy. Since Josh wasn't for sale, we paid for parking with no other indulgences. My favorite male voice is baritone and it comes out of Josh's mouth beautifully. I'm very conservative about music (you will never see me at a rock concert) and Josh has a soothing and romantic way of singing his songs.

My favorite song of his is You Raise Me Up and it looked as though he wouldn't sing it this time. But when he came out for the second encore, I heard the tune begin and I was thrilled. Allison got to hear one of his favorites too, his lullaby song, which she enjoyed while cuddling her precious bundle who was being a real angel. Have I told you yet how good Sophia was? I'm sure being held by Mommy and Memaw was pretty exciting for her too.
Unfortunately, the picture of our Groban Babe is blurry and doesn't do him justice, but we three concert-goers are there.

Thank you, Allison, my Blondie, for surprising me with a ticket months ago and making me sweat it out until the last moment. It was worth the wait. He was worth the wait. And I so enjoyed my girls night out with you and Sophia.

The Woodlands

Robin and I spent the weekend in The Woodlands, a plush, woodsy area just north of Houston. Robin's sister and brother-in-law, Kate and Joseph, were there visiting his daughter and her family. The trip was a last minute decision and we forgot to pack the camera, along with a clip for my hair while bathing.

We drove along Woodlands Parkway for awhile looking for a hotel. When we didn't find one, we headed back to I-45 and booked a room. The following morning as we got more into The Woodlands, we noticed two hotels. I'm sure our room rate on I-45 was more affordable - with the added perk of interstate traffic noise.

We met the gang at Benihanna's for dinner. The chef who prepared our food at our table was very good and his juggling acts were fabulous. The small small boys in our group were fascinated. Robin was happy to get my portion of shrimp and I was delighted to get his share of the grilled zuchinni. The fried rice, salad, and onion soup were wonderful, but my filet mignon lacked flavor. However, it was a wonderful evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the company.

After Benihanna's we met on Market Street at Cold Stone ice cream. The aromas that fill the nostrils when walking in make you want to indulge in all of it. They serve ice cream in three cup sizes: small is "I like it", medium is "I love it", and large is "I gotta have it". My taste buds were yelling gotta have it, but my common sense settled for I like it. Truthfully, had my common sense been alert, I wouldn't have stepped foot in there.

We ate our ice cream in the square while watching the boys play in the grass and the beautiful colors of the lighted fountain. We browsed a few shops before they locked their doors for the night.

Robin and I slept in Sunday morning while Kate and Joseph went to church with their kids. We met up for sandwiches at Potbelly. Later, we sat on a patio and sipped our Starbucks coffee before boarding a boat for a tour of the canal. The area and architecture are beautiful. Robin and I shopped in Tommy Bahamas and he bought me their signature fragrance (I think that makes 121 bottles that have to be dusted on my vanity).

We headed home using back roads until we arrived in Waco. Then, it was bumper to bumper all the way past Hillsboro. The gridlock was a combination of road construction and hungover Spring Breakers heading home. I overheard one young woman on her phone while waiting in a long line for a bathroom, that she planned to take a cruise next time, that she was so tired of drunks falling all over her. Sounds like fun, huh?

It was well after 10:00 pm when we got home and I still had to put a load of clothes in the washing machine. So I'm behind on my laundry? We still had a great weekend!

Happy 5th Birthday, Jude!

A blessed day, the Ides of March,
The year was two thousand and two,
When our family proudly assembled
To love and welcome you.

I'll never forget the smile
That was on your mother's face,
I knew her precious baby boy
In her heart had found a place.

And when your Daddy held you
His chest would swell with pride.
You became his little buddy,
Walking closely by his side.

Your Memaw looked at your sweet face
And immediately fell in love.
Your big blue eyes, your tender heart,
All created up above.

Your laughter is a symphony,
Your mere presence is a joy.
There's every cherished quality
Wrapped up in our little boy.

How God must have exclaimed,
"I'll create a wondrous dude!
And give him a loving family,
And they will call him Jude."

A Date with Bubba J

Jude is going to have a birthday soon and Robin and I decided age 5 was old enough for our lunch and shopping trips with grandchildren having a birthday. Jude was as excited about this adventure as we were. He just couldn't believe his car seat would be placed in Memaw's car and that he would have us all to himself.

The fun began at the eating place of his choice - Steak & Shake. He enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich, fries, and a chocolate shake. He also asked for water since he's such a good boy. Papa Robin had chicken strips, fries and a shake, and I stuck with my usual of a single burger, fries and a Diet Coke. We all ate well! Jude kept thanking us for feeding him and spending the time with him for his special birthday. Once, he hugged and kissed me and told me he'd always be my Bubba J. That melted a big portion of my heart. His Mom had told him to seize each moment and enjoy it and not rush it. He obeyed perfectly. He kept eating after we finished and I told him there was no rush when he told me he wasn't through eating.

Next, we bounded into the car for the thrilling trip to Toys R Us. All the way there he told us he was having a great time and he thanked us over and over. When we neared our exit and the big Toys R Us sign loomed ahead, the excitement grew for Jude. I didn't have to ask him twice what the sign said.

I must point out here that he told me at lunch that he wouldn't get anything expensive since money also needed to be used for food and clothes. I thought that was very insightful for such a young guy.

The first aisle in the store was their summer display of outside, beach and pool toys. Jude spotted a plastic wheelbarrow set with a rake, shovel, and other gardening tools. He said he would be a good gardener. Sorry Mom and Dad if the flowerbeds get destroyed. That was the first item in the basket. Next, we took him to the "boy" section where all the cool toys were. He found a battery-operated tank with all the bells and whistles and told me he would like that and he would be done. I explained we still had money allotted for his birthday and he could pick out another toy. I knew he liked the characters from Toy Story so I steered him in that direction. He found another Buzz Lightyear that was a little different than the one he already had. He fell in love with it and it, too, went into the basket. Jude then announced he was done. That was good to hear since the limit had been met. We were impressed nonetheless.

I suggested picking out a soft plush toy for Baylee and Sophia. Jude was reluctant to do so, saying "it will be another stuffed animal that Mom and I have to pick up". I told him I think Baylee can understand that she's big enough to help clean. We bought her a small pug dog and a bunny for Sophia. We also picked out a big, pink pool bag for Mama. Jude was anxious to go home and show his family his treasures.

It was such a wonderful day with our little guy. I couldn't believe how appreciative he was of every moment, every morsel of food, and every toy. He was so sweet and polite and I salute his parents for teaching him to be that way. We love you, Jude!