Happy 60th Birthday, Cheryl!

My dearest friend is finally entering her 60s so I won't feel so all alone. I'm 13 months to the day older than her and I've been anxiously awaiting this day. And since I've been there, done that, I can tell her from experience that being 60 sucks. But she knows I'm kidding and that we always have fun, regardless of our ages.

Cheryl is one I enjoy being crazy with, like being goofy in our camo pajamas and caps. It doesn't take much to pull laughter out of us. That's the beauty of friendship. We just need to be together and the fun begins. It becomes open season for any subject and it's all peppered with laughter. We don't have to go or do anything. The fun is built in.

I'll forever be in awe of how two grieving widows connected and became the support, understanding, and comfort they both needed. A solid friendship evolved from that need and will last throughout eternity. I can't even fathom not having Cheryl in my life. I searched for the perfect 60th birthday gift and decided on a friendship necklace. The pendant says, "A friend knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words." That, to me, describes our friendship in a nutshell.

So, happy birthday to my wacky friend in the green alien sunglasses who is not afraid to do anything for a laugh. You may be 60 and think that is old, but I need you as much today as I did that first night in a grief seminar. I thank God for blessing my life with such a strong friendship. Sixty is beautiful on you, BB, and I suspect any age will be. Have a happy birthday, with love and gratitude.

What Happens in Bandera......

Doesn't actually stay in Bandera. It follows us home on our hips! But what's one week of junk food and lazy pajama days? The fun was worth every delightful calorie!

These happy faces are about to do the annual squeal at the corner of my street. It's become a tradition that we look forward to. It also reveals our excitement about the trip ahead.

You can't drive six hours to Bandera without stopping for a little food. We started out well, treating ourselves to soup and salad. It went downhill from there.

We finally did our hair and applied makeup and ventured out of the condo. We went to browse the many shops in Fredericksburg. The drive there was so scenic through the Hill Country.

With a condo this pretty there is no need to leave. It rained every day we were there and we were content. It's perfect for pajama days.

Since it was warmer this trip, we didn't use the fireplace. Except for posing for pictures, that is.

Cheryl and my daughters treated me to a birthday trip to Fredericksburg ten years ago and we all had our pictures made in this very shop with goofy glasses on. How appropriate to do it again. We three are stylin'.

We strolled down Memory Lane when we visited this 5 & Dime store. Each aisle and cabinet fixtures had displays like the ones from our past. It made me want to dab a little Evening in Paris on my wrists.

This calico cat spent the week near our balcony where we sloppy ladies sometimes, accidentally, dropped delicious chunks of chicken or burgers. It literally broke my heart to check out, knowing she would be waiting for a Cheeto to somehow come flying over the railing.

The craziness began with our matching pink and green camo jammies with a matching cap. Patty's sister-in-law sewed the letters spelling Bandera down one leg. The camo seemed fitting since deer are constantly grazing around the condo. Then, Cheryl surprised us with the hats. Oh, did we laugh when we were decked out!

I realize we don't look like big bad hunters in this garb. I realize, too, that hats just might not be the right fit on me.

Mike, the assistant manager, was gracious enough to take our group picture without busting a gut. I asked him if we looked weird. "No, not weird. It's just that, uh, we, uh, don't see things like this much." Really?

Mike was such a good sport that we decided to push him to the limit. I know he felt honored to have three seniors flocked around him. He probably would have preferred college seniors.

Eating again. Actually, we stayed in the condo more than we ate out. Easier that way - no makeup, getting dressed, or messing with hair.

I made a simple dinner for us our last night there and encountered a scorpion on the kitchen floor. I ran to the balcony to alert Cheryl and Patty of my find. We finally decided on a weapon to use and it was handed to me! Why me? I smashed the awful thing and felt like a hero.

The restaurant overlooked this river with the strange looking trees and swampy looking water. But the total effect was pretty.

This charming lady dressed in her vintage attire waited on us at an antique store. She just looked so at home in that setting that I had to get a picture. Afterwards, we holed up in the condo with Spades, Yahtzee, and a DVD and enjoyed our last full day in Bandera. We never laughed so much. We never got tired of the company or the quiet surroundings. We never felt so blessed.

Celebrating Friendship

A miracle happened 17 years ago today when I walked into a grief recovery seminar and met Cheryl. An incredible friendship took root and has blossomed beyond our wildest dreams. We were there for each other during the worst time of our lives and have continued being a rock for each other, sharing all the good and the bad. I can't imagine my life without Cheryl.

This is always my favorite picture of Cheryl because she's arriving at the airport to spend a glorious week with me in the Texas Hill Country. The laughter begins at this moment.

A friend is someone who accepts you as you are, expecting nothing more. A friend is safe with your secrets. A friend listens to your hurts and comforts you, and rejoices in the good that happens in your life. A friend is Cheryl.

Thank you, Lord, for showing us what a genuine friendship is all about, and for bringing these two heart-broken women together and putting a smile on our faces. To learn more about this special friendship, please click on the label "Our Story" to the right of this blog.

My Birthday - Again

These pictures were taken on my actual birthday and before we met up with my three cousins for dinner. If you're having a major event and need it spiced up a bit, invite our group of fun ladies.Angela put her camera on a timer and was able to capture the five of us together.

The Birthday Girl is getting lots of birthday hugs.

Mama and her two beautiful daughters, affectionately known as Mutt and Jeff. I love these girls!

With best friends Patty and Cheryl on each side of me I'm one of the luckiest people alive.

Our waiter graciously snapped this picture of our lunch in what used to be the stables at the Biltmore.

Here we are in front of the Biltmore Estate, picture compliments of our shuttle driver.

My beautiful, perky Allison.

The tour ended and we were headed off for dinner with cousins Linda, Barbara, and Trisha. I left there very thankful that I don't have a house that large to clean!

New Book!

Did you know I authored a third book? Well, neither did I! Imagine my shock when I unwrapped a gift this Christmas and saw a book with my name as the author. Angela had taken "Our Story" from my blog and made it into a book. I was overwhelmed with joy!

Our Story tells about the grief recovery journey that Cheryl and I traveled together. Our friendship has so many fascinating stories that I decided to do a series on it through the blog. I never expected to see it in book form, complete with pictures, and my name on the cover. I immediately asked Angela if she had sent a copy to Cheryl. She said Cheryl had received hers that very day and was so excited to talk to me about it. Cheryl was as thrilled as I am with the book. We both sat down and read it again. What is really special is that Angela included Cheryl's comments after each chapter.

I wish this picture could capture the real beauty of the book. My camera flash is reflected in the glossy book cover even though I snapped several times and at different angles. This was the best shot.

Thank you, Angela, for a keepsake Christmas gift that will always be cherished by Cheryl and me. You're a special daughter to your Mom and Mom II. We love you!

Forever Friends

Sixteen years ago today God led two heart-broken women to the same grief seminar, searching for the same support and understanding. It resulted in a lasting friendship. God is soooooo good! Thank you, Cheryl, for 16 years of support and understanding. You are priceless.

Happy Birthday, Cheryl!

It's always a pleasure to honor Cheryl on her birthday. We continue to enjoy an amazing friendship that only deepens with time. She not only is one of the best friends anyone could have but she coined the word friend. What a privilege to live in her heart.I've always loved this picture of Cheryl, even though she's in Piggly Wiggly. It's a Bandera trip and you can see the pure, unadulterated joy in her face!

The reason for this big smile is that she just arrived at the airport for our annual Bandera trip. Those huge grins are impossible to control. How I wish it were today!

Allison is smiling because she is with her two moms. Cheryl adopted all my kids and enjoys her role as Mom II. She has such a big, welcoming heart.

These smiles are all about three friends about to hit the road for Bandera. Life is grand.

BB, I wish we were celebrating your special day in our special place, Bandera. We will get there, hopefully in October. But even though I'm not with you to treat you to lunch, or throw a few dice with birthday coffee, or laugh ourselves silly, you know you are in my thoughts and my wish for a super day is real. Happy birthday! I love you, friend!

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!

Bandera Ensemble

Here's the Bandera pajama set put together. Yes, they are bulky, non-flattering, non-form-fitting, which makes them perfect for our week in the Hill Country. Totally loose and comfortable. That's the name of the game.

To get the letters down the leg, Patty's sister-in-law used some soft pink material, used stencils to cut out the letters, then had to open one leg seam to use a fancy stitch to sew them on. It would be a huge undertaking for someone like me, but she did them - 3 pairs - with ease. Cheryl, I'll be mailing yours to you to wear with your pink sweatshirt. You will love them!

Cheryl Was Here!!!

Cheryl and Sid are in town for a relative's wedding and she managed to squeeze in some quality time with me. We spent the day together yesterday and threw together a small group for Girls Night Out. We had a fabulous time.Cheryl has become an important part of our family and shares her love with everyone. Here, she is enjoying her meal with my sister, Donna, who has also adopted her into our family.
I sat across the table with Patty and continually counted my blessings. It's a rich feeling sitting there with my two best friends, my sister, and my daughter, Allison. The only thing that would have made it better would be for Angela to be able to join us.
Allison and Cheryl took advantage of our brief visit to catch up on each other. After dinner, Cheryl and I stayed up until 2:30 a.m., playing Yahtzee, talking and laughing. This morning we played some more while having coffee.
When Sid came over to pick her up, the four of us went to a late lunch. Afterwards, we sat on the patio with the pleasant breeze and talked about everything, including politics. That gets interesting when each couple is a different political party supporter! But we've never let that interfere in our friendship.
Robin enjoyed his moment between two women. He told Sid to take his time snapping the picture. He was such a good sport when he went to bed and told us to keep throwing dice on the tiled table top, that he'd sleep through the racket. Of course, we added laughter to the mix.

The visit was much too short but I am blessed to have the time with Cheryl that I had. She's an incredible friend, and her support and unwavering belief in me means more than she will ever know. Love you, BB!

15 Years, BB, and Counting

Fifteen years ago today I met Cheryl at a grief recovery seminar. Neither of us had any idea our life was about to change even more. This time, for the better. Much better. I couldn't have gone through the grieving process without her support and understanding. Our Story, posted this time last year, is adding more chapters all the time.

Cheryl, this is dedicated to you and our friendship. You inspire me, you lift me up, you encourage, you listen, you understand, you help in so many ways, and you accept your less than perfect friend the way she is. I cherish you as a friend and an incredible woman. Cheers, BB. Fifteen years and no end in sight.

Happy Birthday, Cheryl! Part 2

I wanted to share this lovely picture of Cheryl with her Puddy Tat. She's allergic to cats so she stays on her medicine so she can enjoy a big love of her life. They are quite attached to each other.

The second lovely picture is one of Cheryl and me in Fredericksburg during a very cold January night. We jogged to my daughters' hotel room to get a laugh from them. The laugh was really more of a are-you-out-of-your-minds look.

Happy birthday, Cheryl!!!