True Happiness

True happiness occurs when all that we are, all that we do and all that we feel are in Harmony!

It's an inside out job! ~Jeni

A Very Special Jacket

It all began with this!!
This is Mary's jacket she loved so much, I had it made into my Ring Bearer Pillow for my wedding. It is one of the most precious things I own. Peices from her sleeves were made into straps to be wrapped around each flower bouquet (mine, our sister Lisa's & her daughter Kelsey's). Her son Brett was the one who got to carry it down the aisle for us. Mary & Brett together. We gave a button to our brother and a small strap to our mom to have, hold & cherish. Mary was with us in more ways than one August 6, 2009!!

Something to think about....

It's better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. --James Thurber

Listening to others may be new to us, but we have so much to gain. Others may have learned ways to solve problems we can't figure out. We may think our lives are unique, only to discover others have had the same experiences. There is so much insight, wisdom, and love to share. Now that we're stronger, we can admit we need help, and accept that help with a joyful heart. Today let me have the courage to listen to those people whom I respect.

Kenny Chesney songs + Mary = Loving Memories

Oh how Mary loved her Kenny Chesney!

Back in December 2004 when I flew to Beaumont to be with Mary and the kids during a tough time, she played her Kenny Chesney CD over & over for me, explaining to me what she got out of each song. She loved so many of his songs and related alot of her life to them. Oh how I wish I knew exactly what CD that was or exactly what she said about those songs. I do remember that day though. Driving with her in her lil white Hyundai Santa Fe (such a cute lil SUV that fit her personality perfectly), we were headed from Beaumont to Houston to meet David at BW3's. I was just along for the ride, enjoying every minute with my sister. It was a beautiful day that was about to be more beautiful with the 3 of us together with Kelsey & Brett!

Our brother David just texted me:

"Kenny Chesney songs 10-4-3 on CD the road and the Radio in that order, watch how Mary Combs speaks to u, love u sis".

I was so confused, I text back :

"What cd? "the road"?"

David text back:

"The road and the radio sis. Mary knew it 10-4-3 in that order sis. Figure it out. Love u".

Sounds like my mystery I mentioned above is about to be answered but my brother has given me a puzzle to figure out, so that is what I'm going to do.

Please let me know if you have a clue.....

Flowers to Share

Thursday morning as I walked into my office, a sweet resident of mine was carrying these beautiful flowers to me. She said she had just received them, but had to leave early for the weekend ~ she thought I would appreciate them!

That I did, along with all the people I see...

I took a special note of my attitude that day and realized I had a smile on my face a few more times than usual. I'd have to say, these pretty, sweet smelling roses made my day!

~Thank you Beth!

Nice Quote

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

- w.t. Purkiser

Travels with Dad

Good times traveling...

Some of our best memories are the summers we traveled with our dad! This picture above is a classic. Bob's Big Boy! That was a classic diner we would always end up at. Dad loved the Chili mac and we loved the big statue of Bob's Big Boy. It was a sad day when we learned they stopped making chili mac. I later made the recipe myself with Ranch Style Beans & maccaroni noodles. mmmmm - I make it with memories of you dad.... of course, I can only get the beans in Texas. Mary used to mail cans of them to me here in NY. David later did the same.

Keeping the chili mac alive!











Gotta love the traveling in the bug! Lots of side trips traveling from Texas to Illinois, like the picture to the left of us in Missouri at the famous arch!



Good times ~ Memories to Cherish!

Neice Kelsey & Me

I was about to go to bed, but realized that I had someone very special to blog about. My dear neice Kelsey ~ Mary's lil legacy!

I had such a wonderful conversation with her last night, we spoke for 1 hour & 42 minutes.... We spent half that time on the internet together, cruising through websites like Abercrombie Fitch, Coach, Ed Hardy, Victoria Secrets and Dillards. We were talking about what we liked & didn't like. Laughing at stuff that was "ridiculous".... Fun! Then she said out of the blue, "this is like your my best friend". My heart swelled up with love and felt a warmth of happiness. Just like her mommy. She really is becoming my best lil friend.

Then, tonight as I was headed to Chili's to pick up my "to go order", I was thinking about Kelsey and making mental notes of potential plans for next summer. As if she felt my thoughts, she called me up to say Hi (& tell me the word of the day - she's been working on her vocabulary alot & shares new words with me). She was doing her homework & said she was just thinking about me so she decided to call. She brought a huge smile to my face, the kind that warms you to the bones. I told her my thoughts of next summers trip to NY. She loved the idea of taking a trip to Florida ~ Uncle Chad, Brett, Kelsey & I! I didn't tell her where in Florida, but as if it was meant to be, she said, "I really hope we can go to Clearwater Beach because the last time she went to Florida with her mommy they didn't make it there... only Tampa Beach".... What a surprise ~ that is the Beach I was planning to take her to. I didn't know that she wanted to go there & she didn't know that's where I wanted to go too. Crazy how that turns out.

Looks like we were on the same wave! Looks like a trip to Florida it will be!

I am so blessed to have my neice Kelsey and adore her with all my heart. The more I get to know her, the more I see a combination of Mary & me!

BTW: the word of the day is:

churl·ish
Pronunciation: \ˈchər-lish\
Function: adjective
Date: before 12th century
1 : of, resembling, or characteristic of a churl : vulgar
2 : marked by a lack of civility or graciousness : surly
3 : difficult to work with or deal with : intractable

Young Sisters

I like this picture of Mary & Me........ it shows how Mary was always by my side even when she was little! This was just the beginning.

I could always count on Mary. My sister, my friend!!