Thank you, God

We've had many blessings this week: John came through his surgery well - a small cyst in his sinus; spending time with our kids and grandbabies; full moons; and beautiful weather which always makes you feel better. I am so thankful for my family and friends. God has blessed us richly.

Lunch with Mona Leesa

Friends are special blessings God gives to us. I had lunch with Leesa (I've always called her Mona - yes, for Mona Leesa). Mona and I have been friends since she first came to our church (the one I grew up in). We can't remember when we weren't friends - we've been friends for over 30 years. She is Julie's "godmomma" and I'm her Amanda's "godmomma." We hadn't spent time together in a while. We had a wonderful time catching up on our kids and other family while enjoying lunch at El Mariachi on 355. It was delicious and a pretty place. Mona and I have such great memories and are still making memories. Our friendship is extra special - we're like sisters. We have this unique ability to know what the other one is thinking. It drove our husbands a little crazy in the beginning, but now they just say "there they go again."

Ms. Winnie

We've been friends for at least 40 years. When you've been friends that long, you know lots of things about the other person (some not for public disclosure). Ms. Winnie has seen me at my best, my worst, my craziest and even more crazy. We've shared the school drama, dating, and marriage; the joys and challenges of motherhood; the wonder and delight of being a grandmother; and the sadness of losing loved ones. Throughout all these years, there are a couple common threads. We always laugh when we're together and we truly enjoy each other's company. I have some favorite times: morning phone calls while we were each doing our breakfast dishes (after we got our kids off to school), a trip to the zoo, the Kennedy Center, Halloween costumes, Strawberry Festivals, Ms. Piggy & Kermit, and now our monthly get togethers. Time flies when we are together. I always look forward to my Ms. Winnie "fix." Thank you God for Ms. Winnie and the blessing she is in my life!

Older and hopefully wiser

I can remember when I was 9 and my Mom was 30. I thought she was way over the hill - she was more than 3 times as old as me. Isn't it interesting how the math works: My Mom will always be 21 years older than me. At birth - she was 21 times as old as me, at 5 - she was 5+ times as old, at 10 - she was 3+ as old, at 20 - she was 2+ times as old, and now the correlation is back to 21 years older than me. I'm older today, hopefully a little wiser, but not old. Today is my birthday and I'm 59 (never been afraid to tell how old I am). To some some that may seem old, but to me it's only a number. In my head, I'm about 28-32. Age is just a state of mind - my state isn't always good, but it is always young.

Finally back...

Finally, back to blogging. I really like to keep this going, but illness has prevented that of late. Glad to say the doc's appt went as well as could be expected today. Still have to take it a little easy - have to call doc next week and report in. When I asked Dr. Hurtt (his real name, great doctor - really cares about his patients, hunk, etc.) how soon the adhesions would start to grow again, he said they start immediately after I cut them away (scar tissue building on scar tissue). Adhesions are stubborn - they never give up. It reminded me of sin. We try to cut it out of our lives, and it just keeps showing up. I'm thankful I know the Lord and He helps me to resist temptation. I'm definitely not successful all the time - I'd like to think I'm mostly successful, but there are those times I just slip right into it so easily. I'm praying in 2008 I'll be more successful in resisting sin and its temptations. Pray for me. It's so good to be feeling like blogging again.

PS: God has given me the opportunity to welcome 2 new babies into the world recently: Eden Diana (check out the middle name - yes, she's named after me, how exciting) and Karmen Leigh. One more girl due to arrive this month. What miracles babies are.