Life lessons for Andrea on her 25th birthday

Everything you need to know you already learned.

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Build friendships.
“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.”

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Watch your back.
Your mom won’t do it for you.)

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Family matters.
“I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.”

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Take care of yourself.
“You are your greatest asset.”

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Reinvent yourself now and then.

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Celebrate your accomplishments.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

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Be thankful.
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”

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Wear sunscreen.
Just ‘cuz.

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Take risks.
“You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”

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Ask for help when you need it.
(But be prepared in case you don’t get it.)

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Teamwork is important.
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”

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Don’t dig yourself into a hole that you can’t get out of.

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Beware of friends with scissors.

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Follow your dreams.
“Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”

Looking back

I recently converted some old home videos to DVD. Here is my favorite excerpt.

I Corinthians 13

If I am a straight A student but don't love my classmates, I am just a know-it-all. If I can spike the volleyball perfectly every time but don't love my teammates, I am just a ball hog. If I am the most popular girl in school but don't love my classmates, I am just a snob.

Love listens to you even if you aren't popular. Love comforts you when you're down. Love isn't jealous. Love doesn't reject you when you make a mistake. Love doesn't ignore you, but includes you in the group. Love doesn't keep track of the things you did wrong.

Love puts up with you, believes in you, has hope in you, and suffers with you.

Love never ends.

My Favorite Gorilla

My fluffy gorilla hangs over the mirror in my mom's room. He's black with brown feet, hands, and face. He has tiny black eyes and a tiny black nose. When he moves, he uses his arms like crutches to get around. He has a quiet laugh when he's happy. When he wants to play he beats his chest. He screams loudly when he's in danger and can't get out. He grunts when he wants food. He moans when he's tired. My gorilla is like family to me.

My AVP Volleyball

I like to take my AVP volleyball to Warren a lot. My volleyball is yellow and dirty white. It says Wilson in black printing. It is round with leather stitching on it. Some of the panels are bumpy and some are smooth. Parts of the AVP volleyball have scratches on it. It also smells like dog. When I bounce it, it goes thump. Playing volleyball is a good way for me to get active.

Heritage afghan blankets

Many years ago, Nana gathered together all her leftover yarn and crocheted two afghan blankets. Over the years, Nana has knitted and crocheted many sweaters, socks, hats, scarves, baby blankets, and other items, so she had a lot of yarn left over. So she started crocheting. And she kept going. She kept going until the blankets were 5 feet wide and 8 – yes, 8! – feet long. You can wrap up in them – the long way. Turned sideways, they cover two people quite nicely. (Note that five to six high schoolers seem to be able to cover up under one blanket.)

Over the years, I've used these blankets for just about everything. They are very thick and warm. I've taken them camping, gotten them dirty, and washed them in the washing machine, where they come out looking just like new. They make great ground covers for a picnic. But now, they've been in one of those deflatable storage bags in the closet for the last few years, and it's time they had a new home. I'd really like to see them stay in the family. One of the blankets gives the appearance of fall colors, the other one looks mostly like primary colors. Does anyone want to give them a new home?

On Saturday of this week I'm going to see my favorite coach play volleyball. I'm going fishing tomorrow and I'm going to San Franscisco the 23 to the 25 of July.

Erinna's birthday

We spent a very pleasant afternoon at Erinna's house celebrating her 17th birthday. Erinna is no longer a little girl but a young lady. Three of her friends were there, Joan and Drea, the Mansell family, and of course Grandma and Grandpa. She got a lot of nice presents(mostly money) but she has lots of fun shopping. The afternoon was spent in the pool. A few mishaps occurred. The new BBQ didn't work, then tried the food in the broilers-that didn't work either.
Not sure how all the food got prepared but it was good and the whole day was a success.
Happy birthday Erin.
Grandpa