Granddaughter goes to Vegas

Brings tears to my eyes to see my grandbabies grown up. Yep, two of them are in college. Second granddaughter is Junior this year and enjoying the times in her life that were so joyful in my own life. Youth is a gift which we think at the time, will last forever. I hope we all lived a youth that left delicious memories.

Today my oldest granddaughter is off to Vegas with her group of friends. Of course, and naturally, I sent her a little grandmotherly advice and mentioned where the best of everything can be found in Vegas and to make sure they see the Wynn Hotel.
The following was in my email stack this morning. It brought tears of joy to my eyes. She is a chip off the old block for sure.

Mimi,
We are actually staying at the Wynn....Supposedly there is a new steakhouse there as well that is said to be PHENOMENAL and we have dinner reservations there Saturday night. We are totally getting the star treament: Private jet with limo waiting for us at the airport that will stay with us the whole weekend :) and rumor has it we might be staying in the presidential suite. I went and splurged and got myself a very cute dress for saturday night. I should just say I bought it with the allowance you and Papa send me so THANKS :) love you tons and tons.
M.

What else could a grandmother want for her granddaughter. My heart will be with her this weekend.
Was only last year, my college friends and I went to Vegas. In our minds we were back college age again. Come to think of it, I could use another Vegas fix myself. Ready to go girls?
June

Deathbed Confession

For sure never know everything that whirls past us.

Out of the blue only a few weeks ago, I had a very nice email from a highschool friend. I didn't know him very well when we were in school, ~ I heard stories about him through the years ~he had become a physician and he had a interesting life ~
but our paths never crossed again. I remember thingking he was 'cute.' (Highschool mentality.)

When the email arrived, I could 'see' him as he was those many years ago. His email told me how he would walk completely out of his way between classes everyday just to talk with me. He said he remembered my personality and remembered my brother being 'a nice guy too.'

I was so surprised and of course, that made me happy to know, however, I couldn't remember EVER talking to him. This makes me think he only thought we talked. But that was 100 years ago. After all these years, he tells me this. Very shortly afterwards he went for heart surgery. I sent a card.
Yesterday I recieved a group email to all our classmates saying he has died.
I feel doubly sad.
His finally telling me after all these years that he had noticed me and remembered me ~ of all things. We never know all that whirls around us. He finally 'talked' to me just before he died. How sweet can that be? God Bless His Soul!
iJune

Fascination Continues ~ Cleopatra

I had come to Egypt to see the Nile River, Sphynx and Pyramids but now...the more I saw of Egypt, the more I wanted to walk in the footsteps of history. I had many questions. I should have studied Egyptology before going. I needed now a historical timeline of events.

Moses lived 1500 years before the birth of Jesus. Where and when did Cleopatra fit into their history.

Cleopatra Born 69 BC - Died 30 BC (Age 39)

After seeing the movie aaa "Cleopatra", what woman isn't fascinated by her, her life and how she died?

I hoped to learn more "insider info" about her, however, my host and his wife did not share my view saying her life and history ~ "too new to be as interesting."

They were more into the Pharaohs dating back 6000-7000 years. I loved them too, but now, I wanted to know about the woman who once ruled Egypt.

Reading about her answered a few of my questions.

Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria is north of Cairo and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Her history is worth reading.

"Cleopatra VII" was not as pretty as her charm and ambition, that made two Roman leaders - Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony - fall into deep love with her.

She bore Caesar a son, Caesarion. He was surgically removed from her womb, giving the name to such births. We continue to use that name "caesarean section " births.

After Caesar was murdered, she and Mark Anthony had a romance which is interesting reading.


From him, Cleopatra gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Later she had another child by Mark Anthony. History moves along here. Mark Anthony died by falling on his sword after losing a battle and we all know how Cleopatra chose to die.

The visions from in the movie were in my head as I read from history the actual account of her final day.

"She had an asp, which was an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs. She died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39. The Egyptian religion declared that death by snakebite would secure immortality. With this, she achieved her dying wish, to not be forgotten." She was buried with Mark Anthony as they both wanted.

After Cleopatra's death, her son from Caesar, Caesarion was strangled ~ the other children of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were raised by Anthony's wife, Octavia.

I find this very interesting. Do you?

iJune

Baby Shower April 08 for Baby #8

Baby Shower ~ A happy event and fun for all. Thirty were invited and thirty plus were there. Spirits were high as always when this group is together. It seemed to be every one's party.

Jennifer was the perfect hostess.

Molly did the cake and flower arrangement that you see and all other foods were done by the two grandmothers of the expected baby girl. We can't wait to 'meet' her.

Always looking for new little games...we did "Name the baby." Everyone added a their 'girl' name to the list which was read by Katherine. Was fun just to hear. Some were oldies. I put "Della." Another game was "Bingo"...a blank bingo print was used to filled all the spaces with baby items. As she opened her gifts, we could X that item on our Bingo card. The first to 'bingo' as she opened her gifts got a prize. That was lots of fun as we all were really attentive to the gifts.

One of the cutest was a tiny bathing suit.

The Mother of the baby was truly SHOWERED with love and loving gifts.

Jane hand made a blanket for 'her' and the cutest sock arrangement I have ever seen.

Socks had been touched up with color around the top to match any outfit she might wear.

A wonderful day in our lives.

iJune