Things I thought I'd never do...again

Recently Abby signed Jake up for a little tumbling class and because I'm nana, the nanny I take him on Friday mornings. He liked it! The little "birdies" or "chicks" or whatever they are called get to run and climb on the balance beam and hang on the rings and climb on the stairs. Then it came time to show the little ones how to do a somersault! I watched in horror as the other mothers (they all looked like they were about 18) ran and did theirs with no effort at all. I looked a little hesitant (!!???!) and the teacher came over and said she would spot me (!!!??) (she didn't say I didn't have to do it)! so I bravely (I didn't want Jake to be embarrassed) ran.... and, did my somersault!!!! everyone clapped and cheered (really) I was thrilled! I'm sure I've found a new sport to embrace in my life. (are there cute clothes involved)?

I love lilacs!

The Graduate

Last night we had a celebration for Jason who just graduated from college! What an accomplishment! We are so excited for Jason and Whitney and what is ahead of them. Whitney is working really hard and taking 20 hours this summer so that she too will be a college graduate by August! They are two great, hard working people! I was caught up in the excitement of graduation and found quotes for the graduates...(they don't really need them, they are mostly for me,) but I thought I'd post them, these kind of quotes are good to get everyone thinking.

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"
(unkown)

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path and make a trail."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."
-Melton Berle

"All our dreams can come true...If we have the courage to pursue them."
-Walt Disney

and of course, one of Giggs's favorites...

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone is omnipotent."
-Calvin Coolidge

The Tulip Festival

Abby, Jake and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It was beautiful with so many varieties of tulips and the colors were gorgeous! Jake loved climbing the stairs and we all loved the "Secret Garden" the best. You have to go in a tunnel to get there and through a door and into just a little space. I could just picture just such a spot in my garden...but as things go, I guess my "upper garden" will have to do.

Teaching Jake to appreciate nature's surroundings, so he will become grama's helper in her garden!

37 Years Ago!!!

Happy Anniversary to Jim and I! Can you believe how young everybody looks? Wow!!

Look at mom's hair! I thought it was the most beautiful doo I'd ever seen!

The Happy Couple!

Wedding Day Approaching

Before Tyler and Melanie jump off the cliff together at their wedding... Melanie's family had a lovely get together, where Whitney, Abby and I got to meet all of Melanie's family. It was so nice to get to know everyone.

We met all the aunt's and cousins, and tied a beautiful quilt..

We ate great food and visited and got to know Melanie's family better. Thanks for sharing her with us!

Poor Aunt Mildred

I have been sick for the past two days, and saw this, made me laugh and thought I'd share it. Laughing always makes me feel better!

Aging Aunt Mildred was a 93 year old women who was particularly despondant over the recent death of her husband. She decided that she would just kill herself and join him in death. Thinking that it would be best to get it over with quickly, she took out his old army pistol and made the decision to shoot herself in the heart, since it was badly broken in the first place. Not wanting to miss the vital organ and become a vegetable and burden to someone, she called her doctor's office to inquire as to just exactly where the heart would be on a woman. Her doctor said, "Your heart would be just below your left breast."

Later that night, Mildred was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her knee.

A Clean Home

After a day of cleaning inside and outside, I sat down for a while to enjoy the fruits of my labors. It is rewarding to see everything put in its place and just take in my sweetly smelling surroundings. I found a poem that describes some of the feelings I have when I take care of my home.

" I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning
and gutters that need fixing,
because it means I have a home.
I am thankful for laundry and ironing,
because it means my loved ones are nearby."
Nancie J. Carmody

If I look a little I can always find something to be grateful for.

(Even when I clean)!!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

We got a call yesterday...Taylor informed us that on Saturday he hit his first over the fence HOME RUN!!! He said he knew when he made contact with the ball it was going to be a long one. He was the first up to bat and had two strikes on him! Great early birthday present for his Grampa! Way to go Taylor!!!!

Happy Birthday Jim

Lots of food, Lots of fun! Thanks Abby, Mike, Whit, Jason,

Tyler, Melanie, & Nick for

a wonderful party!

Happy Birthday Jim!!!!!