Free Disney Admission (and I’m NOT kidding)

I discovered today that Disney World in Florida and Disney Land in California are letting people get free admission for one day- if you go on your Birthday.  This is pretty cool.  All you have to do is show some ID proving it’s your birthday- this works for kids of ALL ages.  If you want more information, straight from Disney, click here.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Today would have been my Grandmother’s birthday.  She died a couple of years ago of the complications that result from Alzheimer’s.  Every now and then it hits me… the enormity of it all.  Helping to be her care giver for over six years, watching her fade away slowly day after day.   She was an incredible woman and along with my grandfather, made a huge impact on every life that they touched.  Many people said that my grandmother was the woman behind the man.  But with my grandmother’s help, my grandfather worked on desegregating the Omaha, Nebraska schools, trying to bring equal education to everyone.  And in 1992 the Omaha school district named a high school after my grandfather.  My grandmother was so proud on that day!

Happy Day Dad!

Father’s Day was not always celebrated at our house when we were growing up, because my dad’s birthday usually falls around it.  This year was no different.  With me at my home still feeling sick, Dave in Taiwan (but moving to Talahassee, Florida and Florida State this fall to get his Ph.d) and Dad at his home, Dave and I phoned in/e-mailed our Father’s Day and Birthday wishes.  But I’ll post it here officially.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY DAD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

love your daughter, karen marie

My Birthday

So many thanks to all of you for your kind wishes on my birthday (which was this past Sunday.)  And as a friend of mine Loki says, I’m one year younger than older than dirt.  (Because he is older than dirt and I am a year younger than him.  You do the math.)  Unfortunately because of the pneumonia, I had to stay at my house, but my parents brought in my favorite food: Chinese from the Golden Panda.  I had Veggie Lo Mein and my absolute favorite Chicken and broccoli.  I got some cute cards, one especially from 5 year old Varnai, who wished “her Auntie Karen a happy birthday.”  It was done in red crayon.  Too sweet.  All of your phone calls and e-mails have been so much appreciated, I cannot tell you.  I also got a prayer letter from Immanuel.  That I hung on my fridge.  Again, thanks to all for your lovely sentiments!

Loki’s Birthday

As Loki pointed out, his birthday is on Sunday, as is my mom’s, and Sarah Davies from elementary school.  I was totally blanking last night on what day it was yesterday.  For some reason I thought yesterday was Saturday, but today is.  SO.  So Happy Birthday tomorrow to Loki and mom!  (But hey man, at least you got a whole post to yourself, if I was befuddled on the day )

And as a birthday gift for you Loki- here’s a joke from Beliefnet.com (and by the way, we love both cats and mice )

Do Cats Go to Heaven?

A cat dies and goes to Heaven. God meets him at the gate and says, “You have been a good cat all of these years. Anything you desire is yours, all you have to do is ask.”

The cats says, “Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors.”

God says, “Say no more.” And instantly, a fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, 6 mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer that He made the cat. The mice said, “All our lives we’ve had to run. Cats, dogs and even women with brooms have chased us. If we could only have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn’t have to run anymore.”

God says, “Say no more.” And instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check and see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently wakes him and asks, “How are you doing? Are you happy here?”

The cat yawns and stretches and says, “Oh, I’ve never been happier in my life. And those Meals on Wheels you’ve been sending over are the best!”

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

It’s also my mom’s birthday.  So happy birthday mom! 

She was lucky and got to celebrate her birthday early a couple of weekends ago in Orlando with my brother Dave and my cousins, and even my uncle.  It sounded like they all had a good time.  Except for my cousin Staci and her family who now live in Utah and my dad and me, the whole family was together for the first time in decades!  Stace and I commiserated over the phone though   Dad was swamped at work and I couldn’t travel due to the pneumonia I was getting over.  Bummer.  But at least my mom and my brother were together to celebrate mom’s birthday (and the fact that Gail is now cancer free- yeah.)

But I digress.  Happy Birthday mom!

Older Than Dirt

I’d like to wish Loki a very Happy Birthday tomorrow.  A few years ago on his birthday, Loki joked that he was “Older than dirt.”  Now I am one year younger than Loki, so I joke that I am one year younger than dirt.  So LOKI- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  (I hope you and your wife E. have a great day together, hope to see you guys soon!)   

Staci’s Birthday

Yesterday was my cousin Staci’s birthday.  Due to the snowstorm here in Massachusetts that caused me to be stuck in traffic for an hour and a half (to go 2.5 miles) I didn’t really have time to call her, so I am posting an official HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACI here on my blog for her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACE!!!!

Belated Birthday Greetings

I need to wish Sarah a very belated Happy Birthday.  I know she sometimes checks this blog to see what’s going on and so I want to send a Happy Birthday to Sarah in California and say that I hope you had a great day with hubby and new baby Kaitlyn.

I also want to say Happy Birthday to Hailey who is 6 today.  I can’t believe it’s been 6 years since I first met this cutie when she was about 4 hours old in the hospital.  Happy Birthday Hailey!

 As of today Ben’s been deployed for  20 days.  Miss ya bro!

Surprise Birthday Party

Tonight is a surprise birthday party for one of my friends.  Her husband is taking her to see Blue Man group in Boston so there’s no chance she’ll read my blog this afternoon.  The theme of the party is Alice in Wonderland (even though we’re definitely over 18 !) And the party is being held at a Chinese restaurant where they do Karaoke on Saturday nights.  It should be a great night!