i took one of my bff’s on a birthday-road trip to VA with me this past weekend,
(well…kind-of.)
On the road with the birthday girl! (So far this is the oldest she has ever been.)
she turned fifty and that’s gettin’ old,
(well…kind-of.)
Coffee to increase stamina for the trip ahead! (Coffee is nice…but cake frosting would be better.) Potty-stops become important at a golden age! (One step closer to adult underpants.)
if anyone else wants a similar birthday-treat I promise it’s lots of fun,
(well..kind of.)
A Birthday Camel Ride! (and it wasn’t even Wednseday.) A birthday dinner Fiesta! (Because hot flashes are just your inner child playing with matches.) A birthday-Mama riding-llama! Feeding the llama 50 shades of hay??? Everyone knows…llamas eat tots! Just a friendly reminder…you are now older than dirt! Because at 50 you need a daily dose of iron! A good LAUGH & a long sleep are the best cures in the world! (And tonight I fell asleep with you in my heart!)
I know there were no presents
and no ice cream & cake,
but… AT LEAST this trip WAS WRAPPED IN LOTS OF LOVE with A SLICE OF HUGS AND SCOOPS OF BLESSINGS,
(and I think that’s kind-of neat!)
Thanking God for this birthday-road-trip with my bff!
hugs n’ blessings with hopes it doesn’t take another 50 before we go on our next road-trip together!
You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime!
John P. Grier
Dear FLAT-GAYLE,
I’m sorry if this was a little “cheesy,” but I hope it made you smile! (While you still have teeth, lol!)
And although I’ve been neglectful to share…the blessings have continued to hang-out with me and be there!
My recent blessings:
The Saints God sent me this week to guard & guide me. Most especially St. Pontian (for his understanding heart,) and St. Hippolytus (for his loving obedience.)
The ridiculously-fun-real-life-relationships I have with my 3 adult children and how we have all stuck together these past 2 years, despite the messiness of life!🙈 They fulfill me, challenge me & bring me closer to God every day in various ways! No matter how exhausted I may become there is always energy to laugh together!🙉 #ohhowilovethem #notmymonkeysnotmycircus🙊
The new friends I made during our pilgrimage to see our Papa, Pope Francis, in Philadelphia, Pa! This includes ‘The Mexicans’ (and all those I met from all over the World!)
I do pray pardon for bear-ly keeping up with this challenge & invite you, once again, to forage your thoughts before hibernating tonight and give thanks for your 3hugs&blessings this day/week too!
Let’s all keep spreading happiness with 3hugs&blessings at a time!
(And may this not be to awfully botherly-bother for you to do!)
I can bearly wait to count my blessings for the week ahead! (Think. Think. Think.)
These 3hugs&blessings are for you, as I’m praying you’ll count your blessings too!!
“In the world you will have trouble but take courage I have conquered the world!!!!”
“Really?? Here to the U.S.? And to my very own state of Pennsylvania???”
I was verklempt! (Choked with emotion.)
And thus my mission began…How could I navigate through the various personal obstacles I must over-come and make the pilgrimage to Philadelphia to be near our Holy Father, Pope Francis? A daunting task, (if you knew the full-story,) so it was of no great surprise when just two weeks ago I abandoned the notion of accomplishing my goal. And truthfully, I was disappointed…but rather quickly I swapped my disappointment with enthusiasm for allthe others from our Diocese who would be making the 404 mile journey to be with the Vicar of Christ, as he visited our great Country! I was genuinely excited they would be experiencing the great grace of being near him!
3am Scones & Tea for the Royal”s Wedding.Launching into Plan B I began researching & gathering all the information necessary to watch the day-to-day coverage at home; beginning September 22 until his departure September 27, as well as listen on Sirius Channel 129 when away from a television! I’ve set up similar “coverage marathons” before like: the wedding festivities of both Princess Diana & Prince William, prior Papal conclaves, or the OJ Simpson trials (I made that last example up in hopes of a giggle!😂) My excitement was growing as I collected the necessary data to partake in a personal experience with my Pope, even if it were to be across the air-waves!
Doesn’t everyone eat Pope-tarts for breakfast during a Conclave?Imagine my surprise and great giggles, when just three days after resigning myself to waving my Pope flag alone in my living room, I received a phone call from our Diocesan office with a special request:
“Would YOU be willing to serve as an emergency substitute Bus Captain, leading our Diocesan Pilgrims to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, where our holy Father will be attending?”
I was verklempt! (Choked again with emotion.)
And so it begins!
With the blessing of my family
and affirmation from my Spiritual Director…
off I go,
(in just a few short days,)
toward Philadelphia, Pa!
*Along with an anticipated 1.5 million others,
(with their own giggle of what led them there,)
to be near Him!
And just because it’s the monday giggles I will share with you this (private) little giggle:
“Wouldn’t it be great if I could return and say: “I had some pizza with the Pope while I was away!” (Even if he was just on the cover of the box, per-say? 😉)”
Pepperoni Pope Pizza!
Be sure to check in periodically to see what’s happening throughout the pilgrimage. I will do my best to share a “slice or two” of information with you!
Until then this hug n’ blessing is for all those in Philly preparing for
hugsnblessings 