John Wilson Grammer

This is my grandfather. We were very lucky and grew up next door to my maternal grandparents. All of us could write books about what we learned from "granddad". Even my friends knew and loved granddad. He was the most hard-working man I have ever met and would do anything you asked him to do. After my father passed away, he became the man I turned to when I needed something and he was always , ALWAYS willing to help me fix my problem.

I found this picture when I was going through his things after he passed away. I love this picture because it shows a side to him that very few people saw.

I lived with my grandfather during his last year of life. EVERY Saturday night we would watch Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Walker Texas Ranger. Those are times I will always cherish. He was a simple man, full of charity for his neighbor and love for his family. He taught me the importance of hard work and obeying rules. I am so blessed to have had him in my life.

Fireflies

I love living in the east. During the summer, nighttime is magical - all because of the firefly - or "lightning bugs" as I grew up calling them.

When I was little, we'd catch lightning bugs and put them in jars. We'd poke holes in the lid and have these fantastic glowing cylinders!

They are amazing little creatures.





Even now, on a warm summer evening, I love to sit outside, drink some tart lemonade and watch these twinkling bugs transform my yard from ordinary to enchanted.

Lettuce Wrap's Birthday Surprise

Lettuce Wrap's birthday was yesterday. Daredevil and I surprised him by getting tickets to the Glenn Beck tour - in PENSYLVANNIA! We left our house around 4 pm, hit some traffic, drove through an AWESOME rainstorm, stopped at Burger King and arrived at The Forum in Harrisburg, PA a little after 7 pm. The show started at 7:30 so it was perfect timing!

Daredevil provided treats for the ride (awesome coconut cupcakes) from Georgetown Cupcake.

This is Daredevil and Lettuce Wraps during the 10 minute intermission. I forgot my camera so we took pics on Daredevil's blackberry.

Glen Beck during the last half of his show. His show was 2 hours and very entertaining!

Lettuce receiving birthday wishes!

It was a fun time. We listened to some great music (from my iPod of-course) on the way home and the ride was very enjoyable! The two hours flew by.

So, Lettuce is a year older. A year wiser. And a year happier - I mean how could he not be with me and Daredevil around to amuse him!

Memory Lane

Well, I can hardly believe it but it has been 20 years since I graduated high school! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? So, I thought I'd take you on a little trip down (my) memory lane.

This was my prom date Juan. I can remember the very first time he asked my friend Tina who I was - I had a lot of fun with Juan - probably a lot of tears too -you know...the normal high school drama stuff. I wish I still had the slow song tapes he made~ha!






These were the boys on prom night. Joey, Matt and Juan. They wear their sunglasses at night~too cool for school.







Heather, Nan and I. Check out our hair. Nan was one of my dearest friends my senior year. We were joined at the hip. Her parents were pretty strict but trusted me for some reason and would let her spend tons of time with me!







The gang. Nan, Matt, Me, Juan, Heather and Joey in front of the limo.












Graduation Day!












Me and Matt - can my smile be ANY bigger? Matt was one of my best friends our senior year. I kept a pretty good journal in those days and he is mentioned quite a bit because we hung out a lot.









This was beach week - Dina, Tracy and Me. I don't think we slept for 2 days straight. Again....what's with my crazy smile?











Dina and Me. She was one of my best friends during my senior year. She organized a huge birthday party for me. Lots of fun.







This is Kevin and Tony - both graduated a year before me but we hung out quite a bit when they were home from school. Kevin and I became quite close and spent a lot of time together.



So, I hope you enjoyed my short trip down memory lane. My two BEST friends of all, Eileen and Elicia will get their own blog entry later. I just came across these pics tonight and had to post them. HAPPY 20th to me!

Table to eat on!

So I just got a new dining room table and I love it. It is black and cherry wood. I got matching black chairs as well. I ordered it online and it was delieverd within 3 days! I was amazed.

So now, Lettuce Wraps, Daredevil and I have a nice new table to eat on every night! Yes, we eat together EVERY night...for better or for worse. It's actually pretty fun really....I'm glad I have them to keep me entertained!

The Electric Sunshine Man

I had the best night tonight. I went with my friend Judy to see her two daughters in The Electric Sunshine Man - The story of Thomas Alva Edison - the MUSICAL!!!!! The North Chevy Chase Elementary School Drama Club was AWESOME!!!!!!! It was much more than I ever expected-truly captivating AND the dance routine was unforgettable. Broadway has nothing on these kids! The show lasted an hour and it was enjoyable from the beginning to the end. It was funny, "hip", and educational all in one show.....plus...I just can't do the dance routine justice...let's just say there were glittery hats and the rockettes famous kick line~ pure entertainment. I LOVED it and can't wait until next year's musical about the Revolutionary War. I mean really......what can be better than that?

OBX Memorial Weekend 2008

This year my family had a mini retreat weekend at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. My mother, Mandy, Dori/Brian and kids, Travis/Shawnie and kids, Daredevil Diva, and my cousin Michelle with her husband Brian and their 2 kids came. We had SOOOO much fun. We decided to make this an every year event. We had great weather and a great house with a large pool and jacuzzi.

My brother Travis playing baseball on the beach.

Robbie talking to his cousin Hannah Rose (who is in Idaho). He looked like a little teenager walking around the beach with his cell phone. He is going to keep us all on our toes!

My sister-in-law Shawnie building a sand castle with some of the boys.

My cousin Michelle and her husband Brian. I got her to begin reading the Twilight series - we were all engrossed in our books the whole weekend.

Cece wrestling with Robbie. She was hilarious throughout the weekend too!

Beach "babe". CeCe was attached to my hip the entire weekend but I didn't mind....she makes me happy.

My brother-in-law Brian taught Riley(my cousin's daughter) some surfing techniques.

This looks like Mason is about to slaughter Luke but he was just covering him with sand.

Mason, Luke, Drake and Robbie in the COLD water.

Dori brought her massage table down and gave everyone massages! It was a great idea and everyone loved it!

So, we all had a great time~ I'm already looking forward to next year!