The Legend of the Owl~This may be Long, but it's Extremely Entertaining....

Not everyone knows that I have tattoos; furthermore, not everyone knows that one of tattoos, on my ankle, is an owl.  Since I like to be "unique" and "original", it was a crushing blow to me that owls became trendy and mainstream to the public a couple of years ago.  I believe that the root of MY love for owls is probably one of the best stories ever.  (Shocker, right?  Otherwise, would I be blogging about it?)  Sit back, relax, enjoy a cup of Christmas Tea, and I'll tell you about my legendary visit from an owl.

As I was growing up, my sister, and two cousins spent many, many wonderful summers at my Grandma Ev and Grandpa Ed's house on Owl Lake in Wisconsin.  Our summers were filled with days in the lake; swimming, fishing, and boating.  We took long "tick-filled" walks around the area; when we were little, Grandma would be the caboose of our walking train, and as we got older we would terrorize the older community in the area by blasting our radio with AC/DC, Cinderella and Guns and Roses.  

For Those Who May Be Turning 40 Today

• If you were a toddler who loved Tony Nano (Tony Orlando), you may be turning 40 today. 
• If you were too scared to sleep in your own room on Sycamore Street because of a Pink Panther book, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you know where your seat is…you always know where your seat is, you may be turning 40 today.
• If your nickname is Punkin, or Tessie, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you had to run to your grandparent’s house because your little sister was stuck in a snow bank, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you had posters of John Taylor, and Andre Agassi in your childhood bedroom, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you ever starred in any audio recordings of silly stories created by you, your sister and cousins, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you suffer from coulrophobia, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you lost your beloved cat Tigger this year, and along with him, lost a little piece of your heart, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you suffer from onomatophobia, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you’ve astounded everyone you know with your weight-loss and commitment to running, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you are a master of the viola, and teach others how to play it, you may be turning 40 today.
• If over half of your Facebook friends are the youth (now adults) who you helped inspire through your faith in God, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you married your first boyfriend, and he’s still your best friend, and you waited as long as God asked you to before bringing him into your life, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you’re one of your nieces favorite people in the whole wide world, you may be turning 40 today. 
• If your family adores you and cherishes you as a rare gem, you may be turning 40 today.
• If you’re my one and only sister, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you ARE turning 40 today, and I can’t wait to see you and celebrate with you.

Happy Birthday, Jess!!! 

A Letter From My Grandma Ev

I found a true gem the other day.  A card from my Grandma Ev, dated from 1991.  Based on her response, my guess is that my letter to her was about school, and perhaps some of the "picking on" that I received as a little goody-goody and bookworm.  I love this letter.  It reminds me of how I made it through and where I got faith...and, knowing that she was praying for us every day still makes me feel better today.  Is it any wonder I named my daughter after her?  I typed this out as Grandma wrote~grammar and spelling and all...

My little Sweet heart Tammy, or is it Tammie?  You are Grandma's little Sweet Heart, you know.  And I thank you for thinking of me! 
And you know what I do when I don't fall asleep right away?  I start thanking God for all His goodness to me~like Protection, and I always can find so many times He has been there to guide me and soon I'm asleep!  Always remember to Thank Him, cause without Him we'd have nothing and He likes our love too.
And when we feel the bottom is falling out, and you've no place or person to go to, God will always make a way, and guide you thru it!  And you know what?  Your friends don't know or rely on Jesus or they wouldn't complain all the time, rather count their blessings...If we obey His laws we are happier too! 
Pray for her and Grandma will too.  I pray a prayer cover of salvation and protection over all of you every day!  Ask God to fight your battles, and He will! 
Boy and only one month to go and school will be out and will you have time then to lay in the sun and relax.  And by that time Gram should be thru raking and etc. and you can always visit me!  Right?
Congrats on your rating in Spanish and thank you for the poem.  I have it sitting here and now thanks so much for thinking of me.  I love you all so very, very much and so does Jesus.  Grandma Ev