One word wonders!

My daughter, Karen, "tagged" me....so here I go!


The Rules: Answer the questions using only one word. Then tag three others.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? jogger
3. Your hair? blondish
4. Your mother? needy
5. Your father? deceased
6. Your favorite thing? makeup
7. Your dream last night? awful
8 Your favorite drink? java
9. Your dream/goal? travel
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your hobby? domestics
12. Your fear? fattness
13. What do you want to be in 6 years? retired
14. What you’re not? gardener
15. Muffins? bran
16. One of your wish list items? pool
17. Where you grew up? Santa Rosa
18. The last thing you did? fishing
19. What are you wearing? dress
20. Favorite gadget? T-folder (it's for laundry)
21. Your pets? birds m(wild)
22. Your computer? aging
23. Your mood? anxious
24. Missing someone?always
25. Your car? red!
26. Something you’re not wearing? glasses
27. Favorite store? Talbots
28. Like someone? always
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? today

I tag Deborah G, Sharon R and Sarah V.

posted by thenorvells at 2:40 PM on Aug 8, 2008

I left my heart.....in San Francisco (March 2008)

We are almost halfway through 2008 and I have not published a blog post since Christmas 2007. Good Grief!

Life has been very busy this year. I changed jobs at the end of 2007 (same corporation, different position); Mike and I have worked through the hassles of home improvement projects -foundation work, more foundation work, major plumbing issues, new carpeting and floors, re-faced kitchen, painting throughout the interior...whew...I'm weary just typing the phrases! But our home is looking so lovely and we are almost finished with the major work. We are grateful that even during these challenging economic times, we are able to do this much-needed work. Thank you, Lord!

And so what does the title of this blog refer to? Our 4-day trip at the end of March to the San Francisco bay area and our visit to Sonoma County for my youngest sister's wedding.

Our flight to California was booked on American Airlines right about the time the MD 80 fleet was grounded for repairs. We lost a day of travel time due to 5 canceled flights...we finally arrived in San Francisco late afternoon instead of mid-morning. Could have been alot worse! We stayed at Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed the beautiful March weather in the City. We toured the wharf and marina area, took the cable car to downtown Mission Street, and then walked back to the Wharf (yes, all uphill) with a detour through China Town. Very enjoyable...I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There's something so romantic and wonderful about the San Francisco skyline.

Mike on the pier; Alcatraz island on the horizon.
A view from the sidewalks close to the wharf.
A San Francisco Treat....and a tradition!
The weather was absolutely gorgeous.
At the end of the uphill walk from Mission St.
After our morning's walk back to the Fisherman's Wharf area from downtown San Francisco, we packed the car and headed north to Sonoma County. We detoured on the way with a "field trip" to Muir Woods. The winding road up the side of Mt. Tamalpais provided for some challenging driving; Mike's only regret was that he was in a rental car and not his red Toyota MR2...more fun to drive on that curvy route!

A roadside stop while driving up the mountainside. Very, very tall trees...I feel like a tiny field mouse in the forest.
Mike, don't tell me you've become a tree-hugger?
We ended our long weekend in California with a very busy, fun-filled time celebrating my sister's wedding. My mother was ecstatic to have her four daughters together in one locale. The wedding was lovely. I hope you enjoy the photos below!

Dennis and DeeDee...and their classic 1957 T-bird sports car! The wedding ceremony (Pam is in green); Dennis's brother is best man.
My adorable niece, Nicole!
Grandma Nan (my mom) and me!
The siblings! Pam, Dee Dee, Debbie, Angie and Mom.

Another Year Older...A Day of Thanksgiving...A Christmas Season that marks a new season of life.

November and December 2007...the phrase that most aptly describes the 8 weeks comprising these two months is "emotional change". Another birthday (I'm now 58); a new job and more travel (much to learn in a very short time frame); a new church; a Thanksgiving dinner without the traditional sumptuous "favorites" that have adorned my table in years past; a pre-Christmas celebration in a different city, a different home, but with my adorable step-grandchildren, step-daughter and son-in-law, and step-son...not to mention new husband; Christmas Eve alone with my husband, Mike, in a quiet house; Christmas Morning alone with my husband, Mike, in a very quiet house; Christmas afternoon at the Byrne-Breard family dinner party with at least 30 people (probably more) enjoying the camaraderie of their immediate and extended families...not as quiet as our Christmas morning, to say the least, but much fun!

On this day, December 29th, 2007, as I reflect over the past several weeks I realize I have entered a new season of life and I have left behind one that I'm forced to hold as a treasured memory. For the first time in 30 years I'm no longer the "matriarch in charge" of seasonal celebrations, traditional dinners, and family gatherings. My children have their own families, their own lives, their own jobs, their own preferences, their own friends. I raised these amazing young adults to respect their educations, find their vocations, commit to their families, become contributing citizens! And they have done just that...in three different cities in three different states, and the likelihood of coming together annually is quite slim...and that's a reality I'm forced to embrace. My prayer is that I'll embrace it with a happy countenance, and not a sad one; a grateful heart, and not a despising one; and a servant's humble disposition, not a prideful one.

So, I swallow hard, choke back tears, and forge forward into 2008 with a fresh determination! What are my expectations? Well, I've learned that if I set them too high, I inevitably face disappointment. Therefore, I'm setting reasonable, attainable goals...

(1) Love, care for, and respect my wonderful husband, Mike.
(2) Maintain my present weight, with a preference of lowering it by at least 4 lbs.
(3) Continue my work-out regimen (3 times per week) at Curves for Women.
(4) Walk on my treadmill at least 2 times per week.
(5) Daily Bible Reading with a goal of reading through the Old and New Testaments in a year's time
(6) Finish our household face lift...repairs, upgrades, etc.
(7) Save additional money towards retirement
(8) Dedicate myself to some kind of ministry of mercy (i.e. visiting shut-ins, caregivers, etc.)


I'll close with November and December photo highlights of this most wonderful time of year. I'm welcoming 2008...I hope you are, too.

The Pilgrim Princess and her Indian Chief!


Angie stuffing the turkey on Thanksgiving Morning!

Michael, Angie, John and Sarah...Pilgrims and Indian Girl!

Once a teacher, always a teacher! Making our hats.

Christmas in Georgetown...reading to the Grandsons!

Peter opens his new leather moccasin shoes!

Michael opening his Star Wars ship.
Sarah was thrilled with her own gardening tools.

Sharon made me this terrific over-the-shoulder apron!

Granddaddy and Uncle Allen help Sarah with her spherical puzzle, but where is Sarah?

Celebrating Love, Family, Happiness, and God's Grace!

Our wedding celebration was two weeks ago on September 22nd, 11:30 a.m. at Park Cities Baptist Church. It was a lovely event -very casual, very family-oriented, and we were blessed to have over 40 of our family members present, on both sides. A few photos are posted from our engagement party and our wedding ceremony...

Thanks to all of you who have supported us during our courtship and recent marriage.

~Angie's family~

David and Karen, Sarah, Angie and Mike, Mother/Nan, Rachel and Mike

~The Ceremony~

My new granchildren by marriage! John (kissing me), Michael and Sarah; baby Peter is missing in this snapshot.

The Breard Extended Family

The Bride and Groom!
The Parlor was the setting for our ceremony and reception. Such a lovely room!

Wedding Morning: In the Parlor at Park Cities Baptist Church

Angie, Mike and Granddaughter, Sarah - She hostessed our Guest Book Table!

Stepdaughter, Sharon, and Angie at our Engagement Celebration Party the night before the wedding. She's a treasure!

Angie's mother, Nan, in between the happy couple!
Photo taken at the Engagement Party hosted by Mike's siblings and spouses!

Luncheon reception, including a delicious lemon cream wedding cake.

Father and Son! Aren't they handsome? Allen played piano before and during the ceremony.

The handsome Tom (my father-in-law) and my beautiful mother-in-law. Kathleen celebrates her 96th birthday on Tuesday, October 9th! She's incredibly lovely!

A "sleep-over" at Grangie's house!

What's more exciting than playing matchbox cars on Granddaddy's coffee table, or sleeping on air mattresses in Uncle Allen's old room? Spending the night with "Grangie" in Grapevine!


Of course, I didn't have all four children at once....just three of them since Baby Peter is still dependent on his mother! I had Sarah first for some "girl time" and then the boys tonight. Needless to say, my Labor Day weekend has proven to be fun-filled, but yet "laborious"! Especially when the weekend has also been spent clearing out and cleaning up Granddaddy's home in anticipation of kitchen remodeling, and major home improvements.


Photos below depict some of the "fun" had during the sleepovers: Sarah having breakfast served to her while watching Sunday morning football games (yes, the girl loves football...she's a true Texan!) And the boys enjoying a bubble bath in Grangie's whirlpool tub!

And so....what shall we call her when she marries Granddaddy?

Shortly after my engagement to dear Mike, the grandchildren wanted to know what my name would be! Maw Maw (no...absolutely not!) Grandma? Nanna? Yiayia(Greek word for Grandmother)? Angie? Granddaughter Sarah, age 8, came up with an adorable name suggestion and it was forwarded to me by her mother. I loved the name idea...my own children did, too (especially since they wanted me to reserve "YiaYia" for their own children, their unique heritage)....and so, to the B______ grandchildren I am affectionately known as "Grangie"...and I love it!!

So, Grangie took care of three of the four grandchildren last Saturday, while Sharon and Dad/Granddaddy worked on clearing out the Dallas home we will share together once we are married. I had a wonderful day with the three children...ages 8, 6 and 3. I drove Sharon's large Ford SUV with the car seats and planned a day of shopping, lunch at McDonalds, home-made birthday cake project in my kitchen (it is baby Peter's first birthday), and also home-made chocolate chip cookies.

We did our shopping at Target so that the children could meet my daughter, Karen, who works at the Starbucks at our Super-Target. The look on Karen's face said it all once she saw me with a full shopping cart and 3 children...."Mother, are you sure you are up to this?" And my response was a full-grinning "YES"... And I had a blast indeed! Here are some photos of our day...I was tired at the end, but very fulfilled with my first day as "Grangie"...

3-year old John, loving the cake batter spatula!

He has the most endearing smile!

Michael, age 6; John, age 3; Sarah, age 8.

Sarah frosting the birthday cake.

The finished product and three proud siblings ready to celebrate baby brother's birthday!

The birthday boy, adorable Peter!















The Rainforst Cafe...Michael



















Sarah and John at the Rainforest Cafe