Teresa Turns 50!!!

Recently, my sister Teresa tuned the big five-o!!!!

Yikes!

You're halfway to the promised land, looking mighty fine, and I'm right behind you.

Speaking of the promised land, we celebrated at the Pope's table!

The Pope's table at Beppe Di Bucco.

Maybe someday you'll dine at the Pope's table at The Vatican.

I'd love to be your travel buddy on that trip.

The two people who also deserve a big congratulations shout out are The Mamma.

and The Pappa.

Here's to 5o more years My Lovey.

Sarah Elizabeth

Today is one wonderful day in the life of my family.

It is Sarah's birthday.

Sarah's birthday is on December 26th, one day after Christmas.

That seems fitting considering that Christ's birth is one of the few that can out do hers!

To see pictures of little, adorable Sarah, see my previous post on her.

To see the beautiful young woman she has become,

see her self portrait below.

I find myself using the word "beautiful" before "Sarah".

I can't help it.

Just writing or saying "Sarah" seems incomplete.

She is not only physically beautiful,

but she is a beautiful spirit,

a beautiful contribution to life on earth,

and most certainly, a beautiful contribution to a family that loves her so.

She is sooooooo easy to love.

Happy Birthday Sarah,

My heart, and I'm sure it's not just my heart, explodes with love for you,

Autie Monqiue

Monique & Trey

Little Monique and Trey came to visit this fall.

We walked in Chicago through Lincoln Park . . .

where the trees are blue . . .

the flowers are beautiful . . .

and the pickin's are good!

Although we stopped to look at the animals,

Trey was interested in only one animal,

Mamma Monique.

What a beautiful shot,

the city,

Monique & Trey,

and one of Chicago's newest architectural gems.

Then it was back home to do some homework . . .

MATH HOMEWORK!!!!!!

"Do you like to do math homework, Monique?"

"No."

"I'll take that as a yes."

I love having Monique visit,

especially when she brings along Trey and Charlie.

we missed you Charlie!!

Slim Pickins & Chicago Country Music Fest

This has been an eventful fall - OK, I know it's winter, but I'm a little behind on my posts. They will be coming fast and furious over the next week.

So let's begin.

There was the Chicago Country Music Fest in which my brother-in-law's band, Slim Pickins, played - GIDDY UP!

Ain't he a handsome cowboy?

He may not own any cows, but if he did by gosh they would be some tasty ones.

By the way, he's the one looking at the camera.

My niece, his daughter, Hannah also sang in the fest, like a cowless cowgirl angel.

Her sister Sarah and my sister Teresa, the mamma of this beautiful brood, were in the audience cheering on their loved ones.

A country music fest in a major city - the juxtaposition (a word I learned in high school and have looked for opportunities to use ever since) is wonderful.

A New Addition to the Family

I'm a middle-aged woman, and my parents just . . . just . . . just . . .

bought a new "car". It's like I have a new sibling - not really!

We call it The Beast, although it rides like a purring kitten.

It's a "car" fit for a queen . . .

and a Jethro.

A princess also can enjoy luxuriating in the back seat.

Look at all that leg room!

It fits my parents well.

And it pulls their Airstream well.

But a moment of silence for their beloved 4-Runner Limited.

With almost 200,000 miles, it still looked and ran like new, just like them.

I still own a 4-Runner Limited (the "limited" part is important!),

but I have noted the differences.

My car is now the little buddy of our car family.

Well, maybe not. There's always my sister's car-tje?