Celebrating 80 years

Happy Birthday Granny!

We had a wonderful time at my Granny's 80th birthday this weekend. So many people came to celebrate - friends from childhood, family, co-workers, folks from church. What a special day - she was glowing.

Usually she doesn't want much attention, but she sure wore the spotlight well for her party! That's her at the door in the purple. She's hugging her 100 year old friend. That front door was a busy place!
In honor of her 80th birthday, here is a list of 80 memories, things I love about her and random facts (in no particular order):

1. She makes the best chocolate cake
2. Her love of shopping
3. Her Discover card
4. She gave me a Discover card with my name on it
5. The way she used to get on to me when I didn't use the Discover card
6. When she said "Just put it on the Discover." (I really miss that)
7. If you need it, she's got it...1960 vintage dresses, cow bells, jewelry, pillow forms, sewing machine, rocking chair, furniture...it's all at her house
8. If she doesn't have it, she'll certainly be happy to shop for it - see #2 and #3
9. She always "helped" with school projects - the current events were clipped, the wildflowers pressed and ready to go
10. Her generous spirit
11. Her willingness to give up her time for others
12. The way she selflessly cared for her ailing parents
13. She will always help a friend
14. Her friends and family can count on her for food, rides, company anytime
15. She loves Dr. Pepper (and her fridge is always stocked)
16. She's tech-savvy - she can scan, email, and surf the net - she even pays her bills online
17. Even if Thanksgiving isn't at her house, she cooks most of the dishes
18. My brothers only like "Granny's Dressing"
19. Her banana pudding is yummy
20. Family gatherings aren't complete without Cousin's BBQ
21. She is funny
22. She is honest
23. She married a hunk:
24. She's still married to that hunk
25. I have few memories that don't include her
26. She has always been there for me - birthdays, recitals, births, kid's birthdays
27. Sleepovers at her house were always fun
28. She let me stay up and watch Johnny Carson
29. She let me play in her clothes, shoes, jewelry
20. She let me "help" her sew
31. One summer, my brother & I stayed at her house and she took us to tennis lessons...
32. ...she didn't mind that I sat in the shade while Chris played (I'm still horrible at tennis)
33. Did I mention that she always clipped my current events for me?
34. How about that she would come over late at night to make sure I had them to turn in on time?
35. She and PaPa lived only 20 minutes away
36. They lived around the block from my great-grandparents (her parents)
37. It was great fun to ride old bikes to and from their houses
38. Not only was her family close by, her neighbors were like family, too
39. She loves her pets
40. She has a best friend - Sadie - they've been friends since they were 14 - so fun!
41. She has a green thumb and loves gardening
42. She loves a good sale
43. She worked at Montgomery Wards - I think in the customer service department
44. To get there you had to walk by the beauty shop and it always smelled bad - we walked by holding our noses
45. She still has friends from her days at Wards - they came to her party
46. She attends church every Sunday
47. She has a fun group of girlfriends from church
48. She's tough to beat at 42
49. She's always ready to go shopping...
50....with her Discover card
51. She raised a great daughter - my mom
52. Here are 4 generations of potential greatness:


53. She raised a wonderful son
54. He was (still is) a fabulous uncle that would take us to movies and parks and just to hang out at Granny's
55. Everyone calls her Granny
56. We used to eat at Wyatt's every Sunday and she knew everyone's name
57. She still keeps up with some of the former Wyatt's employees
58. Aidan likes her bucket of cars that she keeps for him at her house
59. I can always count on her - for anything
60. She (and PaPa) took me to get my driver's license when I turned 16
61. She always brings our dog, Spencer, a present
62. He expects it and must have something from Granny
63. She loves jewelry - you should see her ruby ring guards
64. She used to work at a gourmet coffee shop
65. She worked at MJ Designs
66. She loves craft projects
67. Her chocolate cake is especially good for breakfast
68. She's a hard worker
69. Her house is full of treasures
70. She's an only child
71. She's taken care of parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and dogs
72. It was always an adventure at their house
73. We climbed all over her house - the roof was especially fun
74. The attic was a fantastic place to explore - full of old toys and clothes
75. Nothing was off-limits at her house
76. She loves the Lord
77. She loves her family
78. She has never turned down an invitation to shop or go out to eat
79. She let me kidnap her to put together Aidan's room - we sewed the bumpers, crib skirt, etc.
80. She's the best Granny - EVER!