More on Grandma...

I was impressed with my sister, Colleen, who went & interviewed Grandma last week (funny we did our blogs the same time...I had no idea she went there). Great minds think alike!! :} Check out her link if you'd like to know more http://hifromtcandcolleen.blogspot.com/ (and love the old pictures too!) How often do we wish we knew more about our relatives, yet never get around to asking them more about thier life? Good job Colleen!

Meet My Grandma...

Continuing on with people you should know (and please note there is no "ranking" here by what order they come in..I don't' play favorites! :})...meet Grandma (Aileen) Tate. She is the cutest lil' Grandma, I feel totally blessed to be part of her lineage! And what a lineage it is....with 6 kids, 40+ Grand kids, 17 Great Grand kids & 1 Great Great Grandson; there is a legend passed down for many years to come! Many people know her for her true spirituality & faith, with having been on a number of missions with my late Grandpa (Ralph) Tate to Toronto, Canada; West Africa; Ireland; The Carribean; New Zealand; and Hawaii. Which is incredible to think how many lives they've touched around this world! (and when you think about how many of her lineage has also done so as well, they've pretty much covered the world!).

She is a smart lady & loves to play games, especially when it comes to cards. Age has not taken away her ability to beat you at a game of "Hit the Table" or "Rook", to name a few of her favorites! Speaking of games, I've enjoyed her story of her & Grandpa being on a game show (this is when it was still on radio) & how she won her wedding ring on it!

When I was able to quit my full time job & spend more time with the kids (oh, missing those days again!)...I thoroughly enjoyed my Tuesday afternoons with Grandma! Whether it was a quick game of cards, an afternoon at the park (which I'll never forget her getting on the swing this one afternoon too...always a kid at heart!), or just out on their patio talking & hearing more about her life. It meant a lot to me to get those days & I'm sorry that I can't do it more often. I need to!! I'm trying to learn how to not be so busy & take advantage of those simple things...it's just taking me a while! :}

What I enjoy most, besides her true love for family, is her sense of humor. She's certainly got a great wit about her! Let me give you a few examples:

• One Annual Family Halloween Party at our house, here comes someone walking in dressed in the "Scream" costume. Had no idea who it was, they didn't speak for a good 10-15 min, just scared a few kids & sat down (I'm sure my nephew may still have nightmares from that!). Finally they took off the mask....lo & behold, it's Grandma! She really didn't know who "Scream" was (probably wouldn't approve of the movie I'm sure! :}); but, knew she would have some fun with it! We got a great laugh out of that!
• Another year's Halloween Party at my sister, Cathy's, house involved a game, can't remember the name.."Bear in the Night" I think. It involved a bit of hide & seek in the dark. Doug & I are both hiding under the kitchen table, then we feel a little squeeze...come to find out Grandma was right next to us, messing with us. OK, so maybe you had to be there; but, seriously, it was hilarious!
• This past Christmas, when they opened they package of family gifts from my sister, Laurie, in AL, there happened to be a red lacy nightie. (Don't ask...that's a whole nother story!) So, Grandma thought it would be fun to play a gag & pretend it was my gift from her. So when I got there for our Annual Christmas Day Buffet at her house (which I always look forward to!) in front of many family members, I was VERY surprised to find this & wasn't quite sure what to say when I opened it! Grandma & lingerie are not two things I put together!
• There was another Christmas when she was so excited about the gift she got my brother, Glenn, she just had to show me ahead of time. It was this "Cat in a Bag" thing. I don't remember exactly what it did, other than it was this gag gift that just made her laugh. She knew Glenn, who also has that same wit, would enjoy it too.
• Even the time, which was a serious moment, visiting Grandpa's gravesite on Memorial Day...and to look over & here's Grandma lying down on what will be here spot, in her nice dress mind you, saying "How do I look...does it fit?"

Those are just a few examples of MANY that will always come to mind when I think of Grandma. I'm so glad that I've gotten to know her better over the last 15 years or so (since I was the rebel teenager/young adult who didn't truly appreciate it when I should have! Please be a lesson to you kids...appreciate EVERY chance you get with your family. Despite the differences you may have, they're all you've got & will always be your family!! Someday they'll be gone & you'll wish you did!)

We love you so much Grandma...thanks for being such an important part of our life & for teaching us the value of life!!

Happy 21st Jenn!

My Beautiful Niece, Jenn, turned 21 today!!

Kaley giving Jenn birthday hugs

Jenn with sister, Anjila & Mom, Sherrie (my sis)

So Jennica, sorry..Jenn (she hates it when you call her that!) has now offically become an "adult" (because we know 18 doesn't really count...there's still a lot of growing up to do at that age). All of a sudden she's made me feel old....seems like she was just born!! We'll never forget that day & hearing my sister screaming down the hall because she went to fast to actually get the epidural! Actually more funny, which we got a laugh about tonight, was Sherrie pregnant with her in her same tight jeans (tied with a shoe string...she was not about to wear maternity clothes) & heels, big hair...well, it was still the 80's after all!

To celebrate, we enjoyed a nice dinner at "The Porcupine" (fun little place, you should check it out if you haven't before) with Mom & Dad, Sherrie, Anj & Tanner, and a few of her friends. Have I told you how much I love my family?!! :}

Jenn...we love you lots, hope you have a wonderful birthday & year ahead!! Welcome to the real world now!! :}

Kaley's Dance Recital

"Teach Me To Shimmy"

"Babies Got Her Blue Jeans On"

"Broadway Baby"

"Fame" Production

Getting her special treat with Grandma at Cold Stone after the show

It's been a fun year for Kaley beginning her dance career..she's a natural for sure! I have to say though, she's having a hard time deciding what she wants to be when she grows up. Besides the fact she wants to be a dancer likes those on "So You Think You Can Dance", or being a hair dresser "Because she is SO good at it!", or being the next Rachel Ray because she LOVES coooking shows, and more...depending on the day & what she might see on TV :}. I just say, DREAM BIG GIRL! She attends Dance Biz, which has been a great studio for her (they don't work them too hard like you tend to see sometimes) & especially loves her teacher, Ambree..who, as she said watching her dance last night, is "So Beautiful!" She has promised she'll keep practicing in front of the mirror (and yes, she does that often!) so she'll be even better next season! And I believe her too!

Another special note on the recital last night. It was very touching to here the dedication they gave to our good friend from Jazzercise, Tanya (Johns) Prince, who had been a student with the studio for a number of years. They do a scholorship in honor of their students who have passed on, which I think is wonderful for them to do! Tanya passed away this past March, which was very sad...too young, just doesn't seem fair! Her beautiful daughter, Kenzee, was there performing as well. Tanya's husband, Chris, had come up with her during this dedication, which I can only imagine was really hard for him; but, I know Tanya was looking down with her adorable smile & proud as can be that Kenzee is caring on her love of dance!

We miss you Tanya!!!!

One of My Favorite Couples...

And the winner of "The Cutest Couple Award" goes to....

Melissa & Greg Nickel

They are just the cutest thing & so fun to be around! I met them approximately 8 years ago while working at Fidelity Investments. I first worked with Greg while in Investments, then later worked with Lissa when I transfered to the 403B Division. I met them through our good friend, Daniella, at a Halloween Party & thought how fun they seemed to be! They are always out for the adventure & certainly know how to host a party (my favorite one was when about 25 or so of us all went to the Prince Concert together & they had a Pre-Prince Party where we all had to wear our purple & enjoyed purple drinks & purple jello! :}). I remember sitting by Greg, being his "cubicle buddy", and how kindly he spoke of his wife. I thought "How awesome to hear a guy not be afraid to say how much he loves his wife!" (you know, a lot of them don't generally speak up about "being in love" like the girls do! :}) When I had then worked with Lissa & got to have lunch with her when we could, it was the same way for her. They totally treat each other with such high respect, it's like that "newly in love" thing never fades with them. Whatever their trick is, they need to share it with the world! If you need a moment of inspiration, check out their blogs every now & then (see links below). I find them uplifting & constant reminders to make the most of life!! (since they live up to that theory). So, Greg & Lissa...thanks for sharing your love of life with the world! Glad to have you as our friends:}

Time for the Annual Coleman Bash

As we prepare for the 12th Annual 4th of July Party, it always brings back fun memories of these gatherings over the years (which, by the way, will be held on July 5th this year...friends, know you're always invited! :}) Wow, it's hard to believe it's all ready been 12 years since we started the tradition! So, I thought it would be fun to go through & choose a few of the many pictures from the years past. Enjoy!