Special Friends

A dear friend, Tina, blessed me with the most special gift during a recent visit out from Arizona.

Tina and I met about 20 years ago when she managed a gift shop/photo processing in the building I worked. Back in the day when photographs were developed by sending in your rolls and waiting 7 days, Tina became intrigued with my Chicago/Indiana photos after visits home. We developed an immediate close friendship having spent hours laughing over my being from the "can I go with" Midwest and she being a "totally" CA native! Tina is one of those people who laughs at laughing. She's radiates humor and heart.

When my parents still lived in Dyer, Tina's family opened up their hearts and homes and included me in every holiday and family gathering when I couldn't get back home. My parents soon became close with her parents. She now has a unbelievably wonderful husband, Bill, and precious daughter, Emori and laugh and live in the Phoenix areai.

My parents and I are touched over this truly special gift!

Thank you for Keeping our Country Free!

{Mom/Dad with my two girls, Coco and Biscuit}

July 4th was chock-full of laughter, smiles and amazing grubb!

Cooking is one of my favorite pastimes and this event did not disappoint. We had a smorgasbord of GOOD EATS...but the blessings came when Dad, along with everyone else, gobbled it all up. His chair dancing wasn't too bad either!

God Bless our Service Men and Service Women, many of whom are in our own family. We love you. We appreciate you. We are proud of you!

{...with Jon....and with me and my "DERBY" hat! No sun on my face please! Gotta keep the wrinkles at bay!}