Check back tomorrow for another freebie... I'll have a great paper for you then!

So today would have been my Grandma's 88th birthday. I'm feeling a little blue today, missing her. Here is a photo I took of her when she was visiting my house a few years ago:

If she was still here with us, I would have called her this afternoon to wish her a happy birthday and to sing to her and chat a bit. Since I can't do that, I figured I'd send her cyber greetings via my blog, just in case she makes it to some heavenly cyber cafe today to read my blog post. I miss you so much, Grandma!

In honor of her birthday, I thought I'd share a little something about her. My Grandma was notorious in my family for muddling up phrases, mixing up names, and saying funny stuff. Some of them have gone down in the family history books and we use them regularly in conversation. Here are a few of her best (funniest) ones:

- when Princess Diana died and the news was saying the paparazzi was to blame, my Grandma said, "Why would Pavarotti kill Princess Di? He seems like such a nice man."

- her name for architect Frank Lloyd Wright? Floyd Wright. (Combine the first two -- it's shorter that way.)

- one time when discussing something that ran in the family, she said it was "generic" instead of "genetic." We use that one all of the time now... i.e. "John has red hair like his uncle. Must be generic."

Good news on my Grandpa's health -- he continues to do well and came through his surgery yesterday smoothly. That one was a concern and could have been a stumbling block. That will have to heal, then he'll go to rehab since he's been stuck in bed at the hospital with a gout flare-up. I've called him every day to chat, and his voice sounds strong and he's been cracking jokes. He's also been showing the goofy card I sent him earlier this week to all of his nurses and aides, so that made me very happy to hear. Thank you all so much for your good wishes, thoughts, and prayers. It means so much to know there are a lot of people out there pulling for him.

You know, looking back on the post yesterday, it looks like all I do is watch TV. We often have it on for a few hours in the evening, and sometimes for an afternoon during the weekend, but we don't watch TV all of the time. And just because something is on the list doesn't mean I watched every episode... LOL. Also, I don't have kids, which I know makes a big difference. And I have to say thanks to everyone who posted their awesome Barbie stories... they were SO MUCH FUN to read and I was so excited to see that so many others out there made furniture and clothes for their Barbies too! Very, very cool!!!!

Tonight we are going to see Genesis. It's an outdoor stadium show and rain is in the forecast. If you are inclined, I'd appreciate a no-rain-tonight dance. I THINK we're under cover, but I'm not totally sure. I'll be taking a slicker with me, just in case.