Something about Mary

I have an amazing friend named Mary. In my world, all people with the name of Mary are amazing.......sweet, generous, thoughtful, and just plain good. This Mary is no exception. She is an excellent listener, sparkling conversationalist, thoughtful and generous, (several of my all time favorite gifts were from her!) and she has the heart......oh, her heart.......what animal has a huge heart? The heart of an elephant?!? Hmmmmm. She is always giving.......her time and money......to her church, her charities, her friends, and the beggars on the streets of Vegas. By comparison, this girl's heart makes me feel like the Grinch who stole Christmas......at the beginning of the story! She is amazing!

Mary and her hubby Troy
last week in Vegas!

Another little something about Mary is that she is incredibly creative, crafty, artistic and disciplined. She may have snagged not one, but two book deals, is about to teach some crafty community education classes, and quite recently has started BLOGGING! Ever humble, when I mentioned that I would like to send all 5 of my readers in her direction, she begged me to leave out the part about the book deals and instead wanted me to tell you that she is DESPERATE to gain followers of her blog. So go! Check out my amazing friend Mary! She blogs frequently and get this......it is all useful, how-to info you can use yourself! Go! Follow! I am so proud to call this gal my friend!

I fall. I trip. I am hooked on phonics.

We were lucky enough to spend the better part of last week vacationing with wonderful friends in Las Vegas. Without kids. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) I will spare you the details, but there was a big fall. Not even a second after this photo was taken. And there was tripping. I swear there was something sticky on the casino floors. And on some of the airport floors as well. Poor Steve. I fear I was a bit of an embarrassment. But now I am back at home in rural Iowa. Where I belong.

And our sweet little Ella just graduated to the 2nd grade Hooked on Phonics curriculum!