An Embarrassment of Riches

This past weekend my bridesmaids threw me a FANTASTIC shower at my mother's house. It was wonderful -- lots of my favorite things -- mimosas, strawberries, family and friends. 

My favorite moment: Opening my white, handmade afghan from my Grandma Hoying. Her crocheting skills are amazing...and she only makes white blankets for future brides. Mine was a long time coming. 

Here's my favorite gift: The CUTEST lil' deep fryer EVER.

Just perfect for two.

Said chocolate-covered strawberries...mmm...

My bestie, Katie, who is a lovely and talented dentist practicing in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Family gathered...

Friends perched high on a lofty tower! (The floating head is my bridesmaid and friend, Kaye, of earlier posts). She was so great that day (and every day!) helping and facilitating the whole she-bang. From left to right: Katie, Lori, Brandie, Jessica, Jen, Jamie, Nicki, Theresa. Thanks so much, ladies! I have the best friends in the world. Thank you thank you thank you for celebrating our special day!

And Jeremy is thankful, too! Especially for the fryer. :) 

Birthday Greetings!

Happy Birthday, Holly!

This past weekend was SUPER BUSY but I still have time to make an online birthday greeting to my bestie, Holly. (drumroll, please...)

My Top Ten Holly Memories and Moments 

 

10. Our eighth-grade trip to Washington, DC. I'll just leave it at that. Let's just say I was very insensitive and she probably should have never spoken to me again. Thank God for forgiving friends.

9. Painting her toenails at the James Cancer Center during her treatment for thyroid cancer

8. Having the BIGGEST crush on the same guy during our freshman year; I was at her slumber party the night he called HER and asked her out to a wedding--NOT ME. I was crushed. But like lots of things we've shared over the years, I dated him later that same year.

7. Singing David Allen Coe's "The Greatest Country and Western Song Ever Written" anytime its played in our presence

6. Cheering together for 6 years on the same cheerleading squads. She has put up with LOADS of my bossiness and perfectionism -- but we were GREAT cheerleaders and led GREAT squads.

5. Her wedding day -- getting our hair done by the same hairdresser who did our hair for our Eighth Grade Farewell Dance.

4. Holding her first son, Clayton, when he was one day old at the hospital. When I arrived at their room, I waited in the hallway , listening to her cries of pain as she tried to get up out of bed. ( I believe she had 20 hours of labor before they FINALLY took Clayton by Caesarian; you'd be sore, too.) 

3. Cooking dinner for our boyfriends on a double-date our Senior Year. The bf's were from rival towns, and we wanted them to be friends. I don't think they spoke to one another the entire night. But maybe it was our cooking that left them speechless.

2. Her description of one of the dresses I tried on for my wedding, "Its clean and white, just like a tooth." 

1. I have a motto that I often write on cards and envelopes, it says, "True friends know the song in your heart, and they sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." Holly had it embroidered on a blanket for me when I left for college. Its still on my bed in my home in Columbus. True friends are like honest mirrors: they show us the good, bad, and ugly in ourselves, and they inspire us to be better people.  Thanks for being that friend, Holly. Lastly, Holly have me a Precious Moment figurine for a birthday in Junior High -- its an elephant with a "don't forget" ribbon tied around his trunk. The figurine's title is "How Could I Ever Forget You?".

Inspired words, indeed, to my dear friend on her special day.