Go Ahead and Laugh!

You have my permission.  Go ahead and laugh at what I'm about to share with you.  I know it's ridiculous and speaks volumes about what a dinosaur I am when it comes to technology (something I have admitted here several times before), but I am so thrilled because I am sitting at Starbucks, sipping my free birthday caramel macchiato and typing this blog on my laptop!  Did you catch that?  I'm at Starbucks, and I'm using their free wifi, which means I figured out how to do it all by myself!

For years now, I have watched all these computer savvy people typing away on their laptops and so wished that I could do the same.  Then, Starbucks finally started offering free wifi and I knew I had to do it! 

So I'd ask my husband, son and daughter just how I would go about signing onto the internet from the cozy confines of a coffee shop.  The answer was always vague...something about clicking on a little icon at the bottom of my screen and then selecting the right icon for the connection.  Really?  Come on, people, I need precise, step-by-step, concrete directions preferably WITH diagrams.

Finally, I realized that wasn't going to happen.  So, today after church, with my free birthday drink coupon burning a hole in my pocket, I gathered up my computer, my coupon, and my courage and headed for the nearest Starbucks.  I decided that if I couldn't figure out how to connect, at least I could look at pictures of grand baby, Ella that are saved on my laptop. Who knows, someone might look over my shoulder and ooh and aah at what a beautiful baby she is...and she is.

But I did it!  I'm in Starbucks and I'm typing a post!  It's one small step for Laura, but one giant leap for...well, I don't know how to finish that, but I'm feeling mighty proud of myself!  So go ahead...laugh.  It's okay.  I'm laughing too and it feels good.

By the way, you too can get a free birthday coupon from Starbucks.  Just make sure that you register your gift cards at Starbucks.com and then they'll send you a coupon on your birthday along with other perks. That's kind of a techie thing to know, don't you think? Okay. Maybe not...

God's Perspective

There are times when life just doesn't make sense. In those times, try looking at things from a different angle, a different perspective.  And in the times when life seems especially dark, trust in God's perspective, for He sees the whole picture and it all makes sense.

Music...Then and Now

I have no idea why this thought popped into my head this morning when I was in the shower, but I suddenly remembered the stereo that my parents bought when my sisters and I were in elementary school. Weird, I know! But thinking about it brought back such sweet, familiar feelings.

When my parents finally sprung for a stereo it was a BIG thing...in more ways than one.  First, we didn't have a lot of extra money, so when they went out and bought it, it was a really big deal.  This was an investment.

I was too young to really understand anything about this new purchase until they brought it home. However, I do remember how excited Dad was.  He was throwing around terms like "mono,"  "stereo," "AM," and "FM" which meant absolutely nothing to us.  My parents had also bought a very few albums so they'd have some music to play.  Dad was so proud of how the music sounded coming out of that wonderful machine.

But, like I said before, this was a BIG thing in more ways than one..because IT was BIG.  We're talking a full fledged piece of furniture that took up an entire wall.  My dad was a lover of fine furniture, so it had to look good as well as sound good! 



Yep, it was at least this big but wasn't such a contemporary style

But, as far as my sisters and I were concerned, the best part of this stereo was...the box it came in!  For days, that box was the most marvelous toy.  First, it started out as a playhouse.  We cut doors and windows and hung curtains.  There was a table with dishes and several baby dolls were napping in it at any given time.

When playing house lost its allure after several days, the box was tipped on its end and it became a rocketship.  And from there, it was flopped back on its side once again and we simply rolled in it like a giant drum from a clothes dryer.  Finally, our parents had enough of it filling up whatever room it was in, and it was carted out to the trash.  But not before making many wonderful memories!

Yet, we loved the music that stereo played as well as the box it came in.  We knew all the words to musicals like "My Fair Lady," "Camelot," and "The Sound of Music."  We sang along with the folk sounds of "The New Christy Minstrels" and "The Brothers Four."  And every Sunday morning, we listened to Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the good old hymns as we got ready for church.

But best of all, were the annual Christmas albums that Dad would pick up on his way home from work every December.  Oddly enough, these were produced by Firestone Tires and Good Year Tires and they were wonderful compilations of different artists performing the classic Christmas carols. There have never been any Christmas albums quite like those.

It makes me a little sad when I think of how we get our music today.  Sure, with headphones, you can listen to music while you are walking, talking, reading; in your bed, the office or at school.  You can stick your little music machine in your pocket, your purse, or wear it on your arm.

Is she sure she's not getting her blood pressure taken?

But think about it.  What can you do with the packaging that it comes in?  Oh that's right...you can get a trip to the emergency room to stitch up the deep gash in your hand from the plastic clamshell package it came in!

A Friends Bouquet

Yesterday, my friends at work threw me a surprise "Grandma Shower!"  I thought my days of being the guest of honor at a shower of any kind were long since gone.  But they managed to pull this off without me having the slightest hint that anything was up.  And that wasn't easy since it was all set up and ready to go last Friday...the day Ella decided to arrive! So it was postponed and kept a secret for a few more days. It was so much fun and wonderfully thoughtful of each of them.





The decorations were wonderful. This was just one wall.  Like my tiara?

  



What a great cake...even though it had to be frozen so it would keep!

Last night I sat down to write thank you notes for all of the wonderful gifts I had received.  And I started thinking about each of these friends who had gone out of their way to make this very special event in my life even more special. 

As I wrote each card, I thought about the "friendship history" that I have with each of these women.  Some I worked with when I first started at my place of employment.  Others I work with now.  All have shared joyful and painful times with me. And each one has offered strength and love in her own unique way...a way that no one else could.

With every thank you card that I wrote, I realized how each friendship is unique and special to me, just like each flower in a mixed bouquet.  And when I look at them all together, I see a "friends bouquet."  And it is absolutely beautiful!

Ella Enchanting - Part Two

Okay, so what kind of grandma would I be if I didn't brag just a little bit more about my precious granddaughter...and...post a picture of me holding her? That would be pretty lame. 

So, after my second visit with Ella, I can tell you that she is even more beautiful in the light of day than she was in the soft light of evening!  She has a full head of lovely dark hair, huge eyes, which unfortunately are very hard to catch open in a picture, and the sweetest little mouth. Her neck is incredibly strong and she holds her head up and looks around.  I guess that means she is also very inquisitive and therefore, very intelligent!

I really don't know what else to say except that she is perfect. Yep, that pretty much sums it up! Perfect! So, now to the pictures. :-)

Ella and Grandma :-)



So sweet!




Look at that head of hair!



I know!  Isn't she beautiful?!

Ella Enchanting!

We're in love! Our little princess has arrived and she IS enchanting! While she took her sweet time making her appearance yesterday, she's worth every minute of waiting-room time that we spent in anticipation of her arrival.

Finally, at about 11:30 last night, Ella made her grand entrance into this big old world.  Weighing in at 8 lbs, 12 oz and 19 and 1/2 inches long, she's a pudge-ball of sweetness. With ten family members stuffed into that hospital room, all wanting their moment with her, it was tough to get much hands-on time.  But that will come later! For now, I have picutres...

By the way, I'm gonna rock this grandma thing! :)




Sweet dreams in Mama's arms! Ella is the spitting-image of her mom.



Proud Daddy!





Whistling Wizard

Tonight I had a taste of what it's going to feel like when we finally get the call.  The "call" meaning our son, David, is calling to tell us that our daughter-in-law, Monika, is in labor. Her due date is a week from today.

So tonight, I was at physical therapy, doing exercises for my whimpy knee when suddenly I heard the "Whistling Wizard" loud and clear from the cell phone next to me. That is David's ring on my cell phone.  So when I heard the wizard whistling, my heart skipped a beat.  The only problem was that I had put my phone on vibrate before I started my session. 

Still, it took me a minute to realize that the cell phone I was hearing was in the woman's purse next to me instead of my own.  Okay, brief moment of disappointment.  But at least I've had my first taste of what it's going to feel like when the call comes. So, Mr. Wizard, anytime you want to start whistling is fine with me!

Happy Birthday!

I would like to wish my husband, Bud, a very happy birthday!  Did I just hear the whole blog-o-sphere send up a little birthday cheer? 

It's wonderful to barely be in your fifties, isn't it, honey? *wink, wink*  I hope you have a wonderful day... the birthday cake is waiting for you. Yum!  Hugs and birthday kisses  :)