December 29th, 2010. I turn 58. Amazing. Amazing that I'm 58, it's hard to wrap my brain around that. Amazing that I have been blessed with far more than I deserve. An amazing husband that makes me laugh and always has my back. An amazing daughter that has such a huge part of my heart and blesses me with a smile that lights up my life. An amazing son that has the art of making me laugh just seeing him walk into a room. Two children that I could not be more proud of and all the while they literally make life worth living. You really don't want me to start talking about the grandchildren. Just suffice it to say that I really don't need Christmas or birthday presents... I have 5 that make any gift look trivial. I am still blessed with a mother that has loved me unconditionally all my life. I can't forget my sister who becomes dearer to me with each passing year. A son-in-law and daughter-in-law that love my children and are sharing life with them in a beautiful way. Yes, I am amazingly blessed far beyond what I deserve.

I have a very special song that reminds me of my grandkids everytime I hear it. It's called "You Make Me Smile". The highlight of my Christmas was watching the boys as I played each of them their own DVD made up of pictures that I have taken through the years. Thanks to my friend Jen for doing all the techy stuff I could have never done. I will have pictures playing in my mind of each of them for the rest of my life. Hopefully this is something they can carry with them as they grow to remind them of how much they made me smile. Yes, we had another beautiful Christmas and I'm looking forward to another wonderful year with the unbelievable family that has so blessed my life. Happy New Year.

Another Christmas, it's hard to believe. Seems as if we just began 2010 and it's almost gone. I love to watch the movie Christmas Vacation. I always relate to the father who has such high expectations of Christmas. I always want it to be perfect and while it never is, I can't remember a Christmas in my life that wasn't beautiful. I have such wonderful memories of each chapter of my life. My Dad loved Christmas probably as much as I do. He was always sad when it was over. I've had times of let-down and even dread as I enter a new year. Not sure why, just a melancholy feeling here and there. But as I get older, I look forward to each new year, even each new day. I am such a blessed person, and there is so much to look forward to no matter what 2011 brings.

December 16th, the birthday of Trey Ryan Stetler. Absolutely one of God's most precious creations. This child is so smart it's scary and at the same time so full of love and compassion, there are times he doesn't know what to do with everything he is feeling. A beautifully sensitive little boy whose eyes see and understand more than most his age. No matter how old he is, his Nana will always remember him like this.

I love reading my daughter's blog right now. They have moved to the country on 9 acres of mostly wooded land. They are blissfully happy and so enjoying the new environment. I am adjusting to the fact that they are an hour away. I love the drive getting there. It is so scenic and quiet. It's actually a nice little getaway for me. And now, they are just far enough away that they often stay a night or two. LOVE IT!! In fact they will be coming for Trey's birthday party this week-end, AND....spending the night. That reminds me, I better get the flannel snowman sheets on their bed.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. For the first time in awhile, Kerri, Eric and the kids came and stayed a couple nights. It was packed full of fun, food and shopping. I love my house, it's nicely decorated, very traditional, nothing fancy. But what I love the most is when the family comes and we really live in it. It doesn't bother me that the pink rocking horse in the nursery mysteriously became adorned with too of my very nice pieces of jewelry or that I'm quite sure I will be digging crayons and m&m's from under my furniture for some time to come. And of course I will need to meet Kerri to give her the bag of personal items her husband left in the bathroom. (They always think they have everything!) Mike and Nicole and Austin came to help us celebrate and Mom and Jen rounded out the table. Nothing like tables overflowing with food and people you love to share it with. We took Cora Jean on her first Black Friday shopping trip and of course she LOVES shopping. She seems to love being on the go and being around people. Wonder where she gets that from? The boys got new shoes from Paps and we rounded it off with an OSU basketball win. Today consists of relaxing, cleaning and putting up the tree!!! Merry Christmas!!

I took my second water aerobics class for arthritis today. We were in one corner of the pool, a small group of women of which I was probably the youngest. We were trying to use the water to increase our flexibility. Some were cold and some really didn't want to be there. Behind us was a group consisting of mostly mommies, one daddy and their little ones. They were walking around in circles, tossing the little ones in the air and delighting in their giggles. They were using the water to make memories. Seems only yesterday I was at that stage of life. On the far side of the pool was a group of muscular twenty-somethings training together as a swim team. I just found it all very interesting - chapters of life.

Where did this week go? Oh, I remember, the hospital with Mom. Quite a week. It seems Mom had an infection that as she would say, "laid her low". She's home now and she will have some extra help for awhile. I sometimes think my mom hears me "preaching " at her so often, she turns me off. Someone else giving her some advice and guidelines will help us both.

Today is the first OSU basketball game. Excited to see the new freshmen and always enjoy spending the time with my husband. Then we'll see what the new week will bring. You just never know.

My daughter has given me three unbelievable little boys and my son added another one to the mix. I have been very happy buying spiderman and star wars figures and dressing them in outfits that make them look like mini duplicates of their fathers. I have often pinched myself because they have given me so much joy. Then..... God chose to bless us with the most adorable, angel-faced little God you have ever seen. I really think sometimes I have more than I deserve in these wonderful children. I love you Cora Jean.

Well, it happened. That horrible thing that ruins everybody's week-end and makes Monday morning even worse. Yes, it happened, Ohio State lost. I chuckle everytime this happens anymore, because I remember a season a few years ago when we followed the Buckeyes from a hospital room. We were counting our blessings that our son was still with us, and hoping he would be able to live a somewhat normal life after a terrible car accident. My husband was sitting by his bed reading the editorials and came across one that referred to a recent loss as if it was the end of his world. My husband replied to that letter and his was also published in the paper. When things like that happen, your world is turned upside down and when you come out of it, you realize you look at things from a completely different perspective. You are never the same. So... the Buckeyes lost, I went to bed and had a peaceful night sleep and the sun woke me up this morning and all is o.k. My kids and grandkids are happy and healthy, and life continues. I think I have figured out what is really important.

I leave tomorrow for a week-end in my favorite place - Nashville Indiana. Kerri and I are taking little Cora. I'm so excited. This has become such a special place, so many memories. This week-end will be a brand new one as I have a granddaughter to take. I'm sure it will be only the first of many such trips. I'm sure we will do a lot of the same things (my daughter and I love traditions) such as lunching at the Hob Nob, cherry and strawberry flavored cokes and searching for some fun things to take home to fill our homes with memories from a very special place. What a wonderful gift God gives us - our ability to make memories.

Then towards the end of October, we will be going to another beautiful place with special friends. I was determined to get my husband someplace relaxing after fall market, a little down time to relieve the stress. We will be spending a few days in Pinehurst, a beautiful golfing community. My favorite time to play golf is fall and doing it with friends that mean so much makes it even better.

We will be spending New Years in Oklahoma visiting my sister and her family. It's always nice to have be able to look forward to special times with family and friends. And of course the best time of the year is coming up, another holiday season. It rolls around so quickly.

Looking forward to a wonderful week-end. It's finally fall in Columbus...I love it. I took an OSU dress up to Cora yesterday and we found her a headband to match. Watch a little football today and then maybe shop for carpet for the house on Dunbarton. Church and golf with friends tomorrow, a little slower pace than last week-end. It was so good to see my sister, I really miss her. We planned a visit to OKC in December. Life is good. I have several photo projects I need to jump on before time gets away from me. I really need to work on my motivation.

Home from Puerto Rico. Very relaxing and so good to have time to spend with my husband. Also quite an experience to sit by a pool and hear God's voice so clearly, it brings you to tears. Luckily the pool was very empty and nobody noticed. They were good tears, healthy tears, growing tears, listening to my Father speak to me of things I needed to hear.

Now it's time to get ready for fall. My sister and my aunt nd cousin are coming this week-end. I have a couple days to get ready and I'm trying to get the fog out of my head from a late night flight home. It should be a wonderful week-end.

I had a good week. God is teaching me a lot right now. Slowing down, appreciating everything the moment is bringing me, and holding loosely to this world. I think I was beginning to get so caught up with the things God blesses me with, I was losing sight of the things He has in store for me. It's very tricky to live each day to the fullest, and count your blessings and not forget that this is just the journey, not the destination.

Looking forward to worship today, and then spending time with my husband. Then another week, hopefully getting some picture projects done. Looks like it's going to be beautiful weather.

Yesterday my daughter celebrated her 12th year of marriage. It's wonderful to see your daughter so happy in a healthy relationship. I will continue to pray for them as I see how living in today's world can take a toll on even the best of relationships. The past year brought about a lot of changes thank goodness, all of them have been good. Maybe this next year can be a little more quiet but just as happy. Happy Anniversary Kerri and Eric.

And today is my first grandsons's 9th birthday. I keep telling him I am going to put a brick on his head to keep him from growing. If only it was that easy to make time stand still. He is such a great kid. He loves to read, play basketball and come to Nana's house. I hope that never changes. Full of energy, we can't seem to fill him up. He loves life, may that also stay the same. Happy Birthday Riley.

Just returned from another week-end in Nashville Indiana. I really can't put my finger on why I love it there so much, but my husband feels the same way. I drive into the little town and I immediately have a smile on my face. It's a slow paced, gentle place. People seem to leave their cares at the city limits sign. We have a lot of memories as we have celebrated a family Thanksgiving in the hills of this town, and even brought our children here for vacations in a little cabin down the road in a place called "Bean Blossom". Mike and I drove out to the cabin and someone has moved in permanently and it is quite a showplace. One of my favorite pictures of my two children and Mike, hangs in my bedroom reminding me of a day at the state park I will never forget, picnicking, playing cards and hiking on the trails. I remember none of us wanted that day to end. I re-lived that day many times, drawing from the feelings it brought as we faced tough times a few years later. Memories, one of the most precious things God gives us.

Today turned out to be a good day. (most are) I haven't been feeling like myself lately but at one point today I realized I was feeling better. The little aches and pains of fibro had been worse and I was finding myself uptight and unable to relax. We had some great rain today, I fixed some half-runner beans with tomatoes and onions. Tasted great. Starting to look for a house for next year's vacation. Austin came over for a little while and ate dinner with us. Yes, a good day. I wanted to get to my scrapbooking but that didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow. We'll be heading to Nashville Indiana friday. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!! That will solve everything! Ha!

Another wonderful 2 weeks at the beach is over. We had such a good time. There were times I had to pinch myself as I looked around at my family and the beautiful place we were spending time together. Cora is amazing. Kerri's three boys were all good babies, but honestly, Cora puts them to shame. She has a ready smile that lights up the room not to mention your world. We were in Topsail last year when we found out that she would be joining our family. We were all a little in shock, well o.k.... a lot in shock. God blessed us beyond measure. Riley, Trey, Evan and Austin had so much fun together. It is fun to watch them sharing life together as brothers and cousins. I just hope my husband can relax a little more next year. The job is becoming a little stressful, we'll see what this year brings to that situation.

I had Riley and Trey for a few days so they could finish the school year. What great kids!! They were so much fun. Yesterday we went to Target and we found a new Legos movie, some walkie-talkies for their new adventures outside and of course dinner at Chick-fil-A and dessert at Sonic. If those kids told me thanks for everything once, they told me twenty times. They are such good boys. this morning when they got up, I reminded them it was their last day of schoo. Of course they were thrilled at that thought and then Trey looked at me and said, "there's just one bad thing. we won't be seeing you tonight". OMG, yea, I melted in a pool on the floor! I am so happy that these kids are getting ready to have the kind of summer every kid should have - playing in the great outdoors. I almost feel like a kid again.

My emotions seem to be right up on the surface today. Not sure what is going on. The feelings are all mixed up but primarily good. The tree my dad and Ralph planted for me is sick but they have promised me it won't be fatal. I love that tree, I really enjoy watching it. It makes me feel like all is right with the world. It reminds me of the people in my life that helped me get grounded. I've been thinking a lot about the people that I miss and about the people that are still here filling up my life and making it so rich. Love to you all.