Happy Birthday, Arville

Today is my sweet husband's birthday -- I won't tell you how old he is because I don't want him to tell on me when November comes around. HA!  I will just say that he is SO loved by family and friends -- and especially his wife.  I am so privileged that he came into my life and chose to spend his life with me.

I asked him what he wanted for his birthday - and all he said was Mandarin Orange cake.  Well, since there are NO canned mandarin oranges in this country, I knew I would have to improvise.  The next thing on the list is Cool Whip - and you guessed it - there wasn't even whipped cream that you whip yourself.  The list doesn't end there -- I had to substitute 3 other things in the "Easy to Make" Mandarin Orange cake.  BTW this cake is made with a cake mix -- so I had to even figure out how to make a cake mix so that I could use the liquid from the not available canned oranges --- you get the idea. 

Well, I started about 8 o'clock last night and finished baking the cake and making the icing by 10:30 pm.  Supposedly, it takes 40 minutes to make this cake and icing, too.  We will see how it tastes tonight.  This past Saturday was Agim's birthday so Habibe, Jehona, Sara and I are taking both the men out to dinner and then we are eating this cake I baked. 

What you want to bet that even if it tastes terrible -- Arville will say:  "This is SO delicious. Thank you, babe."  That's my husband for you -- a heart full of gratitude!

Happy Birthday and I love you more than words can say,

Shelia (or Babe - as the case may be)

The Winner of the CBF Giveaway "Photo Session"

If you go to my Photography Blog ( http://www.sheliaearlphotography.blogspot.com/  )you will see a few of the photos of the winner of this drawing.  Ruby received a DVD with all the pictures and a book with selected ones as the prize.

We had a great time together - which made it even more special.

Shelia

Today is Our 41st Wedding Anniversary

You know when my parents were married 40 years, I thought that was a LONG time.  Funny how it doesn't seem as long now. HA!  It seems just a few years ago that we started our life together.  What a wonderful 41 years it has been. 


I want to share with you a poem that Arville wrote to me today (he gave me permission).  I love it that he still writes letters and poems to me -- well, that is just one of the things that I love about him.  How can I count the ways??

Happy Anniversary to you too, sweetheart.

I love you,

Shelia

Arville's Poem:

Babe,

I treasure the forty-one years we have shared,

For better, for worse, but love not spared.

My life with yours has been entwined,

And yet there's so much more to find.

Youv'e made of me a better man,

While walking this road hand in hand.

Though winds of sorrow may have blown,

They will not replace the joys we've known.

We still stand strong with each new day,

Facing life together, let come what may.

Our love has grown as time has passed,

And the love we have was made to last.

I love you and Happy Anniversary,

Arville

Mom's 90th Birthday Celebration in Chicago

Here are a few pictures that I took at Mom's 90th BD celebration. We attended the Taste of Chicago while we were there, too, and took the grandkids to a playground/skateboard park, took pictures of some old homes and churches near where Dwight (Arville's youngest brother) and Joyce live, and went to a Plant Store (that is where I made the fun photos of Mom in the rocking chair). These are only a few of the pictures I took that weekend - maybe I can post some more later.

All but one of her sons was able to be there.  That is quite a record - considering how far apart all of us live.

Her favorite food -- and LOOK!! her cake is in the shape of a watermelon, too.  Thanks, Tony, for sharing your creativity with all of us.

Happy Birthday and we hope you had a great time.  (Thank you, Dwight and Joyce, for hosting us). 

We love you, Mom.

Isn't this the best photo ever??  Just so that she won't think that I am picking on her, I am posting mine picture in the chair, too.  HA!