A Dozen Years!

Today, instead of celebrating our 12th anniversary, Robin and I have decided to call it quits.Happy April Fool's Day! Gotcha!

Happy Anniversary, Angela & Clayton!

These lovebirds are celebrating 13 years of wedded bliss. They have exciting plans for this anniversary and I can't wait to hear all about it. They will enjoy some special alone time, sans the three precious children this union produced.

Happy anniversary and continue to enjoy each other, love each other, adore each other.

Appetizers, Dinner, Dessert

We're full! Great evening.

April Fool's Day!

Oh yeah, and happy 11th anniversary to us! We think it's the perfect combination. We'll be celebrating and taking pictures tonight. I don't think I've indulged in a steak since my heart attack, so if my heart will forgive me, I think I will treat the taste buds tonight.
Robin gave me a big bottle of Alien perfume, which is what I asked for. We'll be shopping today at a sporting store for him.

Happy anniversary, Babe. I still love you!

Happy Anniversary, Allison & Brian!

Allison and Brian are celebrating their 13th anniversary today and this recent family photo shows what all has been accomplished in those 13 years. What a beautiful family! I'm very thankful for this union and the three sweet kids who came from it. Jude (aka Indiana Jones), Baylee, and Sophia are dear to my heartHappy Anniversary, Allison and Brian. Remember, my doors and arms are open for a babysitting honor while the two of you enjoy a night out by yourselves. Congratulations and so much love.

Happy Anniversary, Cheryl & Sid!

My BB and her husband are celebrating an anniversary today. How can I say I am happy for her when this marriage took her away from Texas and the fun we always had? I so remember the day Sid came to get her and her trailer full of furniture and belongings and just drove them all to Florida and a new life together. Never mind that I sat in my car as they passed by with tears in my eyes. Cheryl and I both wondered if we were ready to stand on our own two feet with so much distance between our friendship. Thanks to all the modern forms of communication, we are always close and have proven we can survive this most recent change (providing our computers don't crash).



But I will force my selfishness aside and wish them both a very happy anniversary. They are lucky to have each other. May God bless them both!

Happy 30th Anniversary, Patty & Dave!

My precious friend Patty and her husband Dave are celebrating 30 years of marriage today. What an awesome event! I spoke to both of them and they feel the years have passed very quickly. At least they didn't say it felt like a century instead! I'm so proud of them for this fantastic milestone! Way to go, guys!

Happy Anniversary, Angela and Clayton!

Look at these two young kids! And no, neither set of parents had to co-sign on this marriage, but we would have. A lot has happened in 12 years that keeps these two stuck together like glue. See Angela's blog for the details.

Happy Anniversary, and God's blessings on the many years ahead.

Our 10th Anniversary Trip

Robin and I took a huge gamble on each other when we married in Las Vegas ten years ago this April Fool's Day. I guess he's still willing to gamble on me since he surprised me with a trip to the Eldorado Resort Hotel & Casino in downtown Shreveport to celebrate this small milestone. And just like our wedding and wedding date, he arranged it all in secret, only revealing it in time for me to pack. He put us in the most luxurious semi-suite on this trip. The bathroom, especially, was gorgeous and spacious, with both a large glassed-in shower and a marble tub. I felt so pampered! The large window in our room overlooked the Red River.

Robin also took care to see that we had bell hop service and valet parking. We had every intention of taking advantage of room service, too, but the opportunity never presented itself. Robin was a stinker only once when he hid the fact that our room was equipped with a keyboard that connected to our TV set. He showed it to me as we were checking out this morning. He thought I needed an internet break so I came home to 77 e-mails.

The weather was nasty the whole trip but we still had a wonderful time. Everything was at our fingertips and there was no need to venture far from the hotel. We took one short drive when the storm clouds lifted a little.

Robin played a lot of Roulette and did quite well. We were amazed at the people who easily dropped $500 and just as easily lost it all in ten minute's time. But, hey, that's the nature of a casino. Only stupid people like me go there and expect to be the one in a billion who walks out with a $100 gain.

When Robin stopped at the desk at Club Eldorado he was told our breakfast would be comped, so this morning we indulged without considering the cost. "I went to swipe my card and a message came up saying Swipper no swipping," he told me. I replied, "Oh, man." For those of you who aren't inundated with grandchildren, those phrases come from Dora.

When I was planning my trip to Vegas ten years ago Cheryl went with me to Victoria's Secret to select my gown for the honeymoon. It was a pale pinkish champagne long silky number with a small lacey train in the back. Since it had dazzled Robin ten years ago I decided to pack it and see if I got the same results. He was close. Thank you again Cheryl for buying that gown for me. It's still very useful.

As we were leaving Shreveport to come home we passed a man on the freeway pulling an upright vacuum cleaner. I haven't the foggiest idea what that was all about.

Thank you to my husband for another special surprise and a fantastic time. I love you and I'll take another gamble on you.

10 Years and Counting

Robin and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary next week. He informed me days ago that he knows how I will be celebrating. I heard those words before when he planned our wedding, even the day we would be married, and didn't tell me until the last possible minute. I was only told how long we'd be gone and what the climate would be like so I could pack accordingly.

Since the 10th year is somewhat of a milestone, Robin is planning another surprise. A special dinner? A movie? A trip? He's not saying. When he asks if I'd like to know, he responds with "I'm not telling you yet". So, I've learned to answer no, and let it be a surprise.

With the awful year we've had in business, I'm sure we aren't returning to the scene of the crime, meaning Las Vegas and the wedding chapel in the Riviera Hotel. I'm sure we will have a great time no matter how or where we celebrate.

The traditional gift for the 10th anniversary is tin or aluminum. That really doesn't sound that romantic to me since we're both in the metal business. The modern gift is diamond jewelry. Now, we're talkin'! But we decided to be neither traditional nor modern and opted for leather instead. Nothing kinky, folks. Robin is styling in a new brown leather jacket, and I am the picture of purity in my short, white leather jacket. Naturally, I'm hoping for a few more days of winter before spring springs forth.

The mystery remains: what does Robin have up his sleeve? Time will tell.

Happy Anniversary, Angela & Clayton!

I give this woman, Clayton

To be your wedded wife.

My last child, my precious daughter

To forever share your life.

I give her unreservedly

For I know you realize

How deep and strong and gentle

Shines the love within her eyes.

Please take the love she offers,

It's deeply rooted in her heart.

And know she'll always cherish

The tender love that you impart.

I give this woman, Clayton

In ivory satin, pearls and lace.

Amid love songs and scented flowers,

A gentle glow upon her face.

Take her moods and sensitivity,

Give her wings so she can fly.

As you take the time to know her

Your wants and needs she won't deny.

I give this woman, Clayton

How I wish her Daddy knew!

He'd said no man was good enough,

He's missed the joy of knowing you.

I feel so blessed and grateful

For the training that you had,

The special molding and direction

Given by your Mom and Dad.

I give this woman, Clayton

Remain steadfast by her side.

I'm so thankful God is once again

The Father of the bride.

1996, for my daughter, Angela.

Happy Anniversary, Jerry & Sharon

Allison's in-laws, Jerry and Sharon, are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend with a party hosted by their children.

As part of the celebration, Allison collected tributes from their friends and family, recent and not-so-recent pictures of their life together, and compiled it all into a beautiful scrapbook. Now that the secret is out - they were presented the scrapbook last night - I can share the poem I wrote for the occasion. My daughter, Angela, suggested that I post it and I said I would after the scrapbook was revealed.

Jerry is a pastor and much of their life was traveling around the country and ministering in various churches. Their 40-year marriage produced three children and five grandchildren (so far?). Happy Anniversary, Jerry and Sharon. May the Lord bless you with many, many more years together.

Take This Journey

Take this journey with me
In the early morning light.
Our future shines before us,
Hold my hand and squeeze it tight.

The path may not be easy
As we travel far and wide,
But God's directing every step
And you're close by my side.

Take this journey with me
As we proclaim the written word.
Share a ministry from heaven.
The dearest ever heard.

Together we'll have a family,
Our lives will be complete.
As we love and lead and cherish
Three little sets of feet.

Take this journey with me,
Life is sweeter when it's shared.
Embrace the love that's offered,
Know how much I've always cared.

And when this journey's over,
Our eternal home's in sight;
Praise God He traveled with us
From morning unto night.

Our 9th Anniversary

Robin and I are celebrating an anniversary today. Last night I found a box of wedding memories and we looked through the cards, airline ticket stubs, a sheet from the hotel stationery, and our pictures. My garter was also there in its original package. I know it sounds like I'm talking about valuable antiques, when actually my three kids have been married longer than we have. They are just meaningful tokens representing another milestone in my life.

Among the treasures was a card I gave to Robin on the day we were married. I wrote about how I looked forward to being his soul mate, his friend, his lover and his wife. Reading those words again renewed a committment in my heart. None of us are as giddy and full of promise as we are on our wedding day, but to capture it again by going through old memories is good for us. The ups and downs of life make us forget why we married this special person in the first place.

On that note, I'd like to thank Robin for being my wonderful husband for nine years. Thank you for the funny and romantic way you planned our entire wedding, and only letting me in on the date - April Fool's Day - just days before we boarded the plane for Las Vegas. The chapel, my bouquet, and the day were wonderful. I appreciate the man you are, your sense of humor, and your loving involvement in the lives of my grandchildren. I'm proud of the positive steps you've taken along the way to make yourself a better person. I owe so much of my happiness to you. Happy anniversary. I love you, Baby.

Happy Anniversary, Brian & Allison!

We had a beautiful Christmas wedding 11 years ago today when Brian and Allison tied the knot. Now, 11 years later, they have three beautiful children, a beautiful home, and the credit of filling our lives with happiness.

Happy anniversary, you two! We wish you many more! (Side note: Papa and I get to keep Jude and Baylee while the happy couple go to dinner. Sophia, who depends on her Mommy for food, will tag along with them.)

A Beautiful Friendship

This Saturday, on the 19th, will be 13 years since I walked into grief recovery and met Cheryl Derowski. It literally changed my life! A friendship began almost immediately as we shared our loss and helped each other move beyond the pain. It's fitting that my first copy of Simon Says, Book One, arrived just two days before the 13th anniversary of our friendship.

Cheryl's mother was my writing critic and she read each chapter as I wrote it. She encouraged me to have the book published. She even checked into ways we could accomplish that. I soon forgot about it ever happening until early this year when Cheryl offered to help make my dream come true. She financed my blood, sweat, and tears and made this day possible for me. I thank her so much for that, but this post isn't so much about the book as it is a friendship that has meant everything to me.

I won't take the time to list all the things we have in common. However, it was those very things that were revealed in grief recovery that drew us together. It helped, too, that we were struggling with the same loss and the same feelings. It took awhile, but soon the crying together turned into laughter and a relationship that trusts completely. Even though she is now in Florida, the phone and Yahoo Messenger keep us in daily contact.

These 13 years hold so many special occasions for us - birthdays, Christmases, trips together, venting together, sharing all the ups and downs of life. But the highlight of our year is our annual week together in a condo. We loved Bandera, Texas, so much that we have been there three times. That's our refuge, our week to catch up and talk and laugh and nap and pig out and play 200+ games of Yahtzee. Even though we have visited other places, Bandera seems to fit our "pajama days" lifestyle with its secluded setting in the Texas Hill Country. We get groceries shortly after we arrive, then it's fun , lazy days of no makeup and living in pajamas. Since we see each other no other time in the year we don't need a busy schedule to keep us happy. Quite the contrary. We love being away from work and household chores and are content being lazy. It might sound like a bore to most people, but it is our slice of heaven.

So, Cheryl, I salute you for being such a wonderful friend these past 13 years. I know I can go to you with anything and you will listen with interest and understanding. Thank you for being a friend when I needed one the most. You are utterly remarkable. Thirteen years and counting!