Friends Near and Far

There I go disappearing again. In and out of the blogworld sort of like a long lost friend. I just got a couple of comments that inspired me to write again and I wanted to thank my friend for the nudge. I wasn’t sure anyone was even out there. To see that there is gives me the warm fuzzies. Do you remember warm fuzzies? We used to make them in school and give them to our friends to make them feel good. They were furry little creatures and you would write something nice on the paper part to make someone’s day a little brighter.

I spent last night at a Christmas party with some of my dearest friends. This particular group of people fits my lifestyle right now, married with children ranging from toddlerhood to high school age. We laugh, we sing (we’re all members of the church praise team), and we come together when someone in the group needs 12 shoulders to lean on. In a couple of weeks we will bring 2007 in together just as we have brought in the previous three years. These are people I can see myself growing old with. I can see us going to the weddings of our children, comparing pictures of our grandchildren 20 years from now. They will forever be on my Christmas card list.

Spending time with these friends makes me sad in a way though. It makes me think about other friends I have had who now are too busy or live too far away for a spur of the moment get together.

There is my friend Hilary, literally my oldest friend. Her mom and my mom were best friends in high school and Hilary and I have known each other since birth. We spent our childhood summers at her house singing the songs of Crystal Gayle and the Statler Brothers at the tops of our lungs. We did karaoke before karaoke was even invented! She lives right here in the same city but now has three children that keep her on the move so we rarely get to see one another. I’m going to do my best in 2007 to change that.

My friend Jenn lives in California. I spent my teenage years visiting my aunt in CA during the summer. Not just for a week, the whole summer. Jenn was one of the neighborhood kids and we would spend our days at my aunt’s pool, laying out in the sun listening to the Go-Go’s , the Violent Femmes, and other random music of the 80’s. I think I heard “Tainted Love” and “Kiss Me Deadly” by Lita Ford at least a thousand times during those summer trips. In between summers we would write 18 page letters to each other and I always smiled when I would open my mailbox and see an envelope with “Yeeeee-Haaaaaaaawww” and “OHmyGosh!!!” written all over the back. Jenn and I lost touch for a long while but reunited several years ago and she has always given me a safe haven when I return to CA to bring my oldest daughter to see my ex husband’s family. It was with Jenn that I saw “The Notebook”, the quintessential chick flick. We email and call often but not nearly often enough. I think I’ll call her tonight.

My friend Gaylin lives in Colorado. I met her during the short six months that I lived in California way back in 1990. I applied for a job and it just so happened it was her job I was taking over. So, after I was hired, she trained me and on that very first day all of our coworkers were coming up and asking us how we knew each other. They thought for sure we were long lost friends or somehow related. We were joined at the hip for those six months and then kept in touch by phone but slowly lost contact. I was in NYC visiting my brother in 1995 when I remembered that Gaylin had an aunt who lived in Manhattan. She had an unusual last name so I took my chances and called all five of them in the NYC phone book and left messages. When I returned to the hotel after a long day of sight seeing I had a message waiting for me from Gaylin’s aunt. She gave me Gaylin’s contact info and also reminded me that it just so happened to be February 17th, Gaylin’s birthday. Within five minutes I was on the phone with my long lost friend chatting like we had just seen each other the day before. A few months later she and I took a very memorable 24 hour whirlwind trip to Seattle, WA. I documented our vacation on videotape and it makes me laugh until my stomach hurts every time I see it. Thankfully we’ve kept in contact ever since and every time I see her its as if no time has passed. Like Jenn, we email and we call but not nearly enough. Life gets in the way and days fly past.

There is my friend Terry, who lives in Nashville. He and I met right after I graduated from high school, at the U of M Catholic student center. I didn’t go to college but I went to church on campus. Terry and his brother Tim were known to be the quiet ones in the group. I found both of them to be anything but. They were a great comedy team and have pictures of both of them that bring back floods of memories of those days. Terry and I used to talk on the phone every night for hours and would take 10 minutes to say goodbye, literally. We’d start with goodbye, then adios, then aloha and so on and so on. When Terry graduated and moved back to his hometown he would send me cassette tapes of heavy metal music with himself acting as the WAKY Radio DJ. I hate heavy metal music and he knew this but it was his way of tourturing me and of course making contact so I never complained. A tape from Terry in the mail always brought a smile to my face. My husband and I now visit Nashville several times a year to see my in-laws but we rarely get to stop and visit Terry and his family. I call him when we pass by his exit and “wave” but its been almost two years since I’ve seen him face to face.

My friend Mike lives on the East Coast. He’s a private kind of guy so I won’t mention what state he lives in but I’ve been there to visit and its truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I felt such peace and contentment when I was there. Mike and I met on New Year’s Eve of 1985 at the Memphis Ice Arena. We dated for a short time and he was the first boy I ever truly loved. After high school he got married and joined the service and I only kept up with him through occassional news updates from a mutual friend. And then one day my phone rang. It was Mike and he was in town for a few weeks to visit family. And to my surprise he wanted to see me too. I could write about those weeks and the years that have followed for hours but I won’t because as I said, Mike is a private guy and I respect that. I also respect him, more than a lot of other people who have ever come into my life. Some of the most enlightening conversations I’ve ever had have been with him. We’ve talked about everything and we’ve talked about nothing. I miss talking to him on a more regular basis. Our chats now are few and far between and way too short for my taste. I look forward to the day when we can talk face to face again.

There are others I could mention and may do just that in another post but I have to get children out of bed and ready for school. I’ll close this with my thoughts about my friend Heather who resides in North Carolina. I’m most excited because at the end of this week, Heather will be here with her newborn son and we’ll get to spend several days together during my most favorite time of the year. Heather and I met online while planning our weddings. At first we were just two brides getting ready for a huge event in our lives. But within days we discovered that we have a long list of things in common starting with our love for ice skating. Come to find out she was born right here in Memphis, spent her summers here, and her grandmother still lived here. We’re pretty sure we were both at the Mall of Memphis ice rink at the same time when we were young and just never knew it. We were both divorced and had daughters around the same age. She came to Memphis, we met in person and the rest as they say is history. She is my soul sister. We have laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve laughed until we’ve cried. I have piles of emails that we have exchanged that I will one day turn into a book. I’ve promised her that and although it may have to wait until my children are grown, a promise is a promise.

To all of my friends near and far, you mean more to me than a few words in a blog could ever express. Each one of you has carved out a special place in my heart that can never be replaced by another. You have given me memories that I will share with my grandchildren and God willing, my great grandchildren. To each one of you, I wish you as much love and laughter and contentment as you have brought into my world. I love you all.

Tomorrow

Last weekend I took my daughter, Kayla, to go see ANNIE. As soon as we sat down the Overture started and I just got chills down my spine. ANNIE was the first show I ever saw at the theatre and I’ve been dying to take Kayla but she’s always been too young. We’ve watched the movie together but there’s nothing like seeing a live show. It was so hard for me not to sing out loud on every single song. Its truly my favorite musical of all time with A Chorus Line running a very close second. The little girl who played Annie has her own website… www.marissa-odonnell.com. She did a wonderful job!! If the show comes your way, its worth your time.

So when you’re stuck with a day, that’s gray, and lonely, just stick up your chin and grin and say ohhhhhhh

TOMORROW TOMORROW, I love ya, TOMORROW, you’re always a day away!

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for the little things as well as the not so little things...

First and foremost of course, for Don, Kayla, & Gracie

For my two beautiful daughters sharing a chair and apple slices on Thanksgiving morning

That I can co-exist with my ex husband for Thanksgiving dinner. 

That said Thanksgiving dinner will include toasted ravioli and pasta!

That Macy's decided to fly the balloons after all

For Broccoli Cheese Casserole

For my dear husband's willingness to run to the grocery store for Brown N Serve rolls and a newspaper with all the Black Friday ads in it.

For cinnamon rolls which will be baking soon

For the Shopping List feature on Kohl's.com

For all of my students and for a job that gives me a purpose and daily satisfaction
For a beautiful sunshiny day

For health

For family and friend that I hold close to my heart

Count your blessings not just today but everyday!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

ETA ... for Gracie bringing me her drawings and saying "Look Mommy,  I did it!"   The full sentence!!  I'm just amazed by her language lately!

Where have I been?

I know I know… I’m asking myself the same thing! How did Thankgiving get here already?? Does that really mean its a month until Christmas? And then it will be 2007???? Say it isn’t so! Do you remember New Year’s Eve 1999? Do you remember the big panic over what might happen when the clock strikes midnight? Of course I can’t even remember what the name of the hubbub was right now. What I remember is how the world changed so drastically just the next year. I’m in a bit of a funk today I think. I have a friend in town for the funeral of his brother in law who passed away after a very valiant battle with cancer. The same friend was just here two months ago for the funeral of his brother who died of a sudden heart attack.

Life is fleeting. Don’t let it pass you by. Say the I Love You’s. Every day. Hug a lot. Laugh a lot. Make that phone call today to catch up with an old friend. Mend fences. As the Sesame Street song says, “Sing out loud, sing out strong”! They say “life is short” and the older I get (I’m all of 35 and a half), the more I realize how much truth that saying holds.

I’m going to try and get back to blogging on a more regular basis starting with the lyrics of some of my favorite songs. Today this one comes to mind. Its the song I want my daughters to hold close to their hearts their whole life long. Dance my friends, dance!

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give fate the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

Frosty

Gracie is obsessed with the lighted snowman on display at Target.  Obsessed!  We go to the food aisles and she starts crying for him... snooowman.... snoooooowwwwwman!!!    So, we go and stand in front of him and she smiles and giggles and waves and blows kisses.  Her attention starts to drift to something else so I start to move the shopping cart and she falls apart... snooowwwwman!  SNOWMAN!!!!!  All the way through the rest of the store.  This has been a routine since before Halloween.  Its heartbreaking.  I shudder to think what trips to Target will be like when Snowman disappears after Christmas. 

They grow so fast!

Gracie will be 20 months old on November 3rd.  That thought just blows me away.  She is such a little girl now and not so much a baby, especially since she has decided that her crib is cool and she no longer needs rocking.  I thought it was a phase at first but we're going on a week and a half and of her putting herself to sleep at naps and at bedtime.  Its heavenly I tell you!  Heavenly!!    Now if I could get my almost 9 year old to stop being co-dependent at bedtime....

Gracie is parroting everything.   Her vocabulary is unending and she comes up with new phrases every day.  I don't remember Kayla talking this much at this age.  She picks up a glass from the coffee table and says "Daddy's" or Mommy's depending on who was drinking out of it.  Then she carries it into the kitchen and puts it in the sink.  (nothing has broken yet thankfully).   I think its amazing that she can put possessives to objects already.

She has a shape sorter and has recently figured out where each shape fits.   She'll put the circle in the square and say "noooo" and then turn it until she finds the circle hole. 

There is a song we sing in Kindermusik that goes "bells away, bells away, time to put the bells away, thank you for helping me, put the bells away".   You can substitute any word for "bells" such as books, toys, dishes, whatever.   Gracie sings it for everything.   We started using it as a cue to pick up her books several months ago and now she knows all the words and right tune and plugs in whatever word that fits at the time.   Tonight she was wearing Kayla's hat and she took it off and started singing "hats away, hats away"   Too cute!!

She loves to feed her stuffed animals as well as offer milk / juice.   She makes a slurpy sound as the animal eats or drinks. 

If you say "thank you" she says "welcome".

When we're at the grocery store in the dairy aisle, I'll take a bag of cheese or a package of sandwich meat and hand it to her so she can put it up to her cheek and say "cold".

Speaking of the grocery store, she loves canned sliced carrots, green beans, cheese, yogurt, turkey, and applesauce ("sauce").   She also adores the new Apple Chips. 

On rare occassions when we do rock to sleep, she thinks I'm a human jukebox.  She asks for Twinkle and as soon as I start to sing, she says "Aceees" which translates to ABC's.    Three notes in she says "Tura" which is Tura Lura Lura and then we round it out with "Baby" = Rockabye Baby.    It cracks me up because I never get to finish a song.   Sometimes she asks for Sesame or Elmo as well.   The Elmo's World theme actually works really well as a lullaby when you slow it down a bit.

Her favorite toy right now is a collection of plastic letters that link together.  She knows the letters X, D, and Q.   She links them and then hands them to me and says "Mama, fix" which means please take them all apart again.

Oh, and she's figured out how to undress herself.  Luckily, the diaper has stayed on so far.

She loves loves Sesame Street and "tubbies" (Teletubbies) and asks for "tb" in the AM.

Knows when she's wet but I'm so not ready for potty training yet!

She loves to swing and climbs into the baby swing on the playground at church and buckles herself in.

Does a little dance when you ask her what a monkey says.   

ILY

EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil ??   Nope, it means "I Love You" in the Land of Gracie B.  :0)  

Here I am!

I have one word to explain my absence from the blogging world…. motherhood! I was trying today to remember a time when I had an entire day to myself. I’m pretty sure its been at least 8 1/2 years (since my oldest was born) but for the last 2 years especially, the days just seem to be whizzing on by. I’m not complaining… not in the least. I love that my life revolves around two beautiful little girls who, at least for now, love me back, unconditionally. I know those teenage years are just around the bend for Kayla but right now I cherish our late night chats as I’m laying in her bed trying to help her fall asleep. I hate that I fall asleep too and usually don’t wake up until 4am but I wouldn’t trade our talks for anything. I’m also bleary eyed from staying up with Gracie in the middle of the night. I think she’s getting about eight teeth at once… molars. Ouch! I’d be up crying too probably. As much as I cherish sleep, there is nothing like feeling her head against my chest and knowing that these moments are fleeting.

All too soon I’ll have plenty of time to catch up on that stack of books I’ve been meaning to read. I’ll have plenty of time to chat with friends on the phone or meet them for all night dinners. I’ll have plenty of time to lounge around on the couch and watch TV until my brain is mush. Plenty of time for dates with my sweet husband. Plenty of time for just me. I have the feeling I won’t be savoring it as much as I long for it right now.

I think I’ll be bugging my girls for grandkids instead. :0)

Dream Big

For Christmas my husband got me an XM Radio. I was very excited to find a station called Highway 16 which plays country but not necessarily Top 40 country. It plays the new bands before the mainstream radio stations do. Two bands I’m in love with that are now topping the country charts are Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband (isn’t that a GREAT name??) and a band called Hot Apple Pie (more about them in a later post). Ryan Shupe has a wonderful song called “Dream Big” and the lyrics spoke to me loud and clear at a time when I was looking for direction in life. The world needs more songs with a positive message and this one rocks in my humble opinion. Thank you Ryan Shupe and your Rubberband! (www.shupe.net)

DREAM BIG

(Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband)

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don’t let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don’t show the hurt inside,
Because the pain sill soon be gone.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
‘Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
‘Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

(Dream big.)
(Dream big.)

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
don’t let them know that they have one.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Today is not a day I want to remember but rather a day I feel like I should remember…. always. I can’t believe its been five years. The memories are burned into my brain as clearly as when I saw the Challenger explode, as clearly as the day our school principal announced President Reagan had been shot, as clearly as the day I sat with my brother at a memorial for John Lennon. But somehow, these memories are so much harder to think about. Somehow my brain still wants to think it was all just a horrible dream that everyone I know happened to have. But it certainly wasn’t a dream. It did happen. And today I feel the need to remember. I’m taping a lot of the memorial ceremonies and I’m wearing my NYFD T-shirt. My husband bought it for me that October and all proceeds went to the Firefighters Fund. He bought one for each of us so that we could feel like we were contributing if even just in the smallest way.

I still vividly remember pulling into the parking lot at work and hearing the DJ say a “small” plane just hit the World Trade Center. I ran in and flipped on my computer so I could read about it on MSNBC and since I’m a newshound, decided to go turn on the tv in the kitchen to see if the TODAY show had better info. I stood there in horror as I watched the second plane hit. Immediately everyone realized this was NOT an accident and that certainly wasn’t a commuter plane. I knew I needed to get back to my desk (I was a receptionist at the time) but it was as if my feet were made of lead. I just wanted to stand there and wait for someone to tell me it wasn’t real. The phones were so quiet that day. The only calls we got were from family members and friends who had the next news report or sometimes the next rumor. I remember being terrified to go to a gas station because someone said they were attacking them with sarin gas. My daughter, Kayla, was three and I remember just wanting to race to the daycare and pick her up and hold her. My ex husband had moved to California and we were barely on speaking terms but I remember his phone call and feeling like I should be nice to him at that moment and let bygones be bygones. Don called about every 20 minutes. At that time he had a job where he was on the road most of the day so he had the radio on and was getting constant news reports. I remember the theories that other planes were in the air and that the West Coast was next. I remember that the White House was a target and suddenly they were showing the President in Louisiana about to get on Air Force One to go who knows where. Then the Pentagon was hit. And then of course Pennsylvania. I will remember that entire day for the rest of my life (as I imagine will all of you). The plane crashes were horrific but when the buildings came down, it was the worst news I’d ever heard in my life. I wonder if the terrorists knew the buildings would fall, or even considered they might. I think of all the people who were in stairwells on their way out when the walls came crumbling down around them. Its certainly one of those “Why God????” questions.

The entire day still just seems surreal. I remember finally going home that night and just sitting in front of my TV. I let Kayla fall asleep in my lap and I laid awake all night just watching the news unfold. My mom had just had back surgery so my aunt was here from California and was supposed to fly home on the 12th but of course was stuck here for another week. Those days when the planes were grounded were so odd. I remember looking up at the blue sky and not seeing anything. The first plane I saw when they started to fly again looked too low. A lot of planes look too low to me now.

Over the last five years I’ve found myself drawn to the books, the movies, the documentaries. I didn’t see United 93 but only because it wasn’t in theatres long enough. I will buy it on DVD eventually if only to show Kayla and Gracie when they are old enough. Don and I recently saw World Trade Center and it was an amazing film mostly about the good of that day. Remember the good? Remember how everyone was a lot nicer to others? Remember how you were proud to be an American? Remember how there were flags and red, white, and blue everywhere?

Do you remember the first time you heard laughter after 9/11? Do you remember the day when it was ok to smile again? I didn’t think it would ever be ok. Do you remember the Alan Jackson song….

“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Hair

Just plain creepy and hilarious

http://www.babytoupee.com/

Happy Birthday!

I’m guessing lots of babies were born today but there is one in particular who is special to me. My friend J gave birth at 5:22 tonight. We’ve been waiting for her son Will’s arrival on pins and needles, especially after a false alarm earlier in the week. I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow. To see his little baby fingers and little baby toes. To smell his sweet baby smell. I wonder what it must be like to be so tiny and to be learning literally everything for the first time. He’s in good hands. There are so many people who will love this little boy with all their might, including me. Its funny to think we all start out this way. His possibilities are endless…. he could be a great composer, President of the United States, the one who finds the cure for cancer. I’m guessing he’ll be tall like his Daddy. Maybe he’ll be a baker, or a dentist or an artist. He can be anything. I know this… whoever he is, I know I’m gonna love him. I already do.

Congratulations J&C! And to you Big Brother Jake! I’m bursting with happiness for all of you tonight!

Old McGracie

When Gracie was about 6 months old, the only song that would settle her down was “Old McGracie”. We only sing it on occassion now when we’re talking about animal noises. To my surprise, we were singing it the other day and she popped out with “E-I-E-I” No “O” but we’ll get there one day. It just makes me wonder what else is floating around in that little brain of hers and what else she’ll surprise me with today.

Sing, Sing a Song

My youngest daughter, Gracie (18 months), has recently expressed a love for three particular songs. I’ve always rocked her to sleep and we sings lullabies… well, I sing, she listens. To my surprise on Saturday night, she requested “You are My Sunshine”. Her vocabulary is of course limited but she kept saying “strashne” over and over and I noticed that when I started to sing the song, a huge grin spread across her face. I’d stop and start to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and she’d say “no, strashne”. So, all night we sang “Sunshine”. Last night, we added “tinkle” to the request list although she doesn’t let me get past the first line before she asks for “strashne” again. The third song that makes her giddy is the “Elmo’s World” theme. She does the “lalalala” and I do the rest. I love that I’m raising a musical child.

I’m experimenting with Youtube and what better way but to post some vintage Sesame Street. You gotta love Ernie and the way he just drives Bert nuts!

Ready, Set, Blog

My name is Betsey, and I’m a blogger, country music fan, wife, .mom, scrapbooker, Hallmark-aholic and amateur photographer.  Through this blog,  I hope to inform, entertain, and just plain amuse.  Enjoy the ride!