TWICE AS NICE


Recently two different bloggers bestowed the coveting Lemonade Award on Grandma J. I'm humbled when this happens....not that I've ever gotten the same award from two different bloggers before.

Tabitha, at I Choose Bliss, gave me this award last week when I was line dancing with Soupy Sales on the West Coast. Tabitha has just about the biggest warmest heart in the whole world. Check out her blog and you will be in awe of all the wonderful acts of kindness she does.

Then today, my BBFIA Hula Hank, bestowed the same award on me because he is infatuated with women who have large bladders long eyelashes. And for those of you who think you know me well, please don't ruin Hula Hank's image of Grandma J....no matter! Hank lives in Australia and has several Wallabies that come to his backdoor step every morning for breakfast.

I actually had breakfast with Hank one morning too....but not on his backdoor step. Hank was kind enough to invite several family members and this mutual blogger friend, and this one too.... along for the purpose of creating a party atmosphere...in the heart of LA.

Believe me when I tell you this...I hate being recognized with awards almost as much as I hate having to pick new recipients. It just makes me want to reaffirm your suspicions that I'm wonderful feel unworthy to the point of telling you all the reasons why I should never be awarded stuff....unless it's cash ice cream.

So here is what I want to do... I want to award this Lemonade Blogger Award to everyone west of the Rockies. Come get your award, and re-award it to your favorite bloggers.

Thanks again to Tabitha and Hula Hank! Now, go visit their blogs!

The Faster I Go....

...the behinder I get!

I could tell you that I'm on a whirlwind vacation...drinking pina coladas, dancing to Salsa musica into the early hours but for me, it's not about getting you all jealous and stuff.

I do have some access to the Internet, but I only have one laptop...and several people who have dibs! That's right, DIBS! Did you ever call DIBS on something? Like, "I have DIBS on the front seat." or maybe, "I have DIBS on the shower first." or, "I have DIBS on the last Dunkn' Donut(my personal favorite)". So this has been my blogging schedule of sorts.

Part II of American Girl Birthday

SO...you know, Beauty didn't know Grandma J was going to be there...and it was wonderful. I saw them coming down the sidewalk, and I could tell the surprise was "fresh" but not real fresh. Evidently they picked up on it when they put two and two together with all the cell phone calls. But...it was still a recent discovery.

This place is a wonderful place for little girls who already have a break-the-bank an American Girl Doll.

We ate in the cafe...which is by reservation only and packed!

Beauty got Mia's hair done in the salon before we ate because Mia's hair was a bit messy from hibernating under the bed for several months.

The food wasn't bad, but neither was the price...but who's talking money on such a wonderful occasion?

Beauty blew out the candle on her individual piece of cake. And just so you don't think Beauty got initiated into the Yearning for Zion cult, that's a boo boo on her forehead.

Then Grandma J bought Beauty a new bathing suit with an over-skirt for her birthday. That's what she wanted after hours of roaming this multi-level store!

We ended the trip with wonderful memories of a beautiful six year old's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTY!

Nothing as exciting as the party for Jason!!

HE TAGGED ME......

My good friend Jason, from The Jason Show......featuring Executive Producer, Diego, who wants to come see my boa constrictor, tagged me.

The subject is Values. I'm supposed to Name Six Things I Value. So here I go.

.
My Family...no surprise here. The Fruit of my Looms, sprung from my womb. My four children, their spouses, and my ten grandchildren are my life.
With eighteen birthdays a year, it's not exactly a gaggle that can be ignored. They make me laugh, and cry. they make me proud, and I embarrass them. This is the order of things. This is something I value.

My Faith...Some people don't understand faith.
I have my chosen faith community, but real faith is accepting that which you believe to be true without demanding logic. Faith is not blaming God for evil and misfortunate tragedy, but believing and trusting in his plan and promise of salvation. This is something I value.

My Health....I value my health, and I'm thankful for genes that are forgiving of all my bad habits. I value the medical field that does their best to heal what it can, and make livable what it can't. Every day I tell myself I'm going to take better care of myself, but sometimes I'm hard of hearing. My health is something I value.





My Freedom.....I am proud to be an American, No other country affords it's citizens all the freedoms I have. I thank our troops daily. Literally I do. I live in a military town, and hardly a day goes by that I don't say "thank you" to a soldier. I value my freedom.

My Stuff.....You knew something superficial was coming, yes you did. But it's true, I love my stuff. I love my car, and when I realized it was seven years old, I could hardly believe it. I've never had a car more than five years. So, even though I love it, I'm looking to get a new one...so I can spread the love. I also love my laptop, camera, awesome phone and Starbucks.

My JJ. Well, he's not mine really, but I love him, and he loves me. I value God's creatures.

I'm not posting a list of things I don't value. What I don't value, others might hold dear. So, it's a matter of choice and tolerance.

Now, I'm supposed to tag six people. This meme has been around the block twice...so I leave it up to you. Let me know if you decide to do it!!

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WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: at Rays, PHILLIES TAKE IT 3 -2

Game 2: at Rays, RAYS TAKE IT 4-2

Game 3: at Phillies, Sat., Oct. 25, 8 p.m. ET

Game 4: at Phillies, Sun., Oct. 26, 8 p.m. ET

Game 5: at Phillies (if nec.), Mon., Oct. 27, 8 p.m. ET

Game 6: at Rays (if nec.), Wed., Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET

Game 7: at Rays (if nec.), Thurs., Oct. 30, 8 p.m. ET

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

I told you I was going to have a super special day today......and I did. But before I delve to deep into my Sunday Surprise, I have to tell you a little something about Saturday..

A really special co-worker of mine from the County, invited me and a few other friends over for a luncheon. We were buyers together and friends before that. One of the other gals was one of my first friends when I started there.....and a fellow Big Brother fan from way back to season one. She was the one who promoted me to a buyer. Then there were two other friends that worked with me in the County Surveyors office.........this was in the same building, and we all knew each other. We had a really great time....and only the two lurkers from Surveys know about my blog...so I won't be posting pictures.....

Now, for today.....I finally met my blogging friends from LA.

That's right, Jason from The Jason Show.....

and Kim from Pumpkin Delight! A super surprise was meeting Hula Hank from the land down under...that would be Australia of course, and his son and friend. Of course, I didn't know he was Hula Hank until halfway though brunch...

We had brunch at the wonderful Farm at The Grove in Los Angeles. I had never been to The Grove, before. It's really quite nice with cobblestone walks and loads of nice shops, flowers and fountains...

The fountains were a big hit with Diego.....yes! Jason brought his husband, Giancarlo and their adorable son Diego. Diego is a real charmer...who didn't want to shake my hand at first, but gave me a big hug when I left...because I told him he can come to Texas and visit me and my boa constrictor....yeah, that's what I told him.

The weekend was wonderful and way too short....thanks to everyone who shared in it with me.

OODLES OF NOODLES

I didn't do a Friday Matinee on Monday today for several reasons. First, I went to see Hancock last Friday, July 4Th, and there's nothing playing that I care to see, or that I'd even be willing to sit through for the sake of my readers. The Love Guru is too weird for me to enjoy. But I can't wait for Momma Mia! I might see it twice.

But...today was aqua aerobics day. That's right! When I join in with a group of other people who live here at the compound. We kind of wiggle and kick, and splash, and giggle, and wiggle again.

That's why I go in the pool every morning and early evening by myself to do real aqua aerobics.A few weeks ago I bought one of these noodles to use in the pool when I do my aqua aerobics. The first time I used it, it was very apparent to me some of the folks were green with envy.
I didn't realize what a commotion I had caused. So today, just to show what a good egg I am, I went to WallyWorld and bought some to "share". Have you ever seen a happier group?
Oh this Romeo, can't seem to hang out with the ladies enough. He even goes to the stretch and sew classes.

So now, it's almost time for the Bachelorette Finale. Will DeAna pick Jason, the father of a three year old son, or the ever so hot Jesse, the professional snowboarder? On that same subject, I can hardly believe that my readers voted overwhelmingly for Jason. We shall see.

THE PARTY'S OVER...
....evidently

When I woke up this morning, reality was hovering over me like....well, reality! I had been living a whirlwind, fairytale life for the last several weeks. Events swirled around me like the tornado that almost came close to my home.

Then there was Mother's Day when I was showered with gifts like "Forget-me-not" pajamas from Pooper, Beauty, and Little One, great book from my daughter in Colorado, Starbucks coffee, travel mug, brunch and a movie from my daughter and her family here in Texas, several theatre tickets from JJ and these from my son and his family.

Which shout, "Hello, it's time to say adios."

Then of course there was the time I spent offering support and tweezers comfort to these women, which, by the way, is ongoing. There were endless hours planning and organizing my Major Road Trip to see Cortney and Briana, leading up to the Major Road Trip Finale

So, with the air temporarily sucked out of my balloon, it's back to the daily nitty gritty of sleeping in and watching The View. Yesterday, I drove 56 miles round trip to the closest fabric store to me. And I bought this material to make two more soft furry blankies for the kids in the Pediatric Oncology ward.

My nose is to the grindstone, which must really hurt, to get these done this week. After that I'm free to start planning my next junket to Las Vegas, BABY!! And I may need your help.