Gladys Valarie Steadman-My Granny

My granny passed away in the early morning of December 12, 2010. This past Friday, December 17, 2010 was her funeral. The funeral was a very emotional time, but also it was filled with joyful memories.

Granny's mind left us a long time ago. She had battled Alzheimer's Disease for about 10 years. Through that time, I felt myself slip away from her. It was very difficult for me to see both her and my grandad, who also suffered from the disease and passed away in 2006. It made me sad that my granny didn't know who I was, although I knew that she did love me. As she got worse, it was harder for me to see her. I didn't know what to say or how to act around her, but I still tried my hardest to see her.

A week before she died, I was able to say goodbye to her as she was in and out of coherency. She was able to say bye to me. A week later, she was gone and I knew that she once again knew who I was, that I am happily married, and that I do love her.

The funeral was both a happy and sad time. I learned new things about what kind of woman my granny was, and I was reminded of some fond memories of her.

• My Granny was big on manners. We always had to say please and thank you when we would ask for gum or candy or cookies or whatever other goodies we wanted.
• She made the best tomato sandwiches. I called them "Granny Sandwiches." Somehow, they were different from other sandwiches, like she had a secret ingredient for them. I have never made a sandwich as good.
• She had a beautiful voice and was always singing or humming or whistling through her teeth. She also had a song she sang to me. "Ca Ca Ca Caity, Ca Ca Ca Caity. You're the only one that IIII adore. When the mo mo moon shines, over the cow shed, I'll be waiting at the KKKkitchen door." She had different versions for other cousins as well, but she always made me feel special when she sang it to just me.
• She gave the best back rubs. She had fake nails and it felt terrific! If she came to church with us, I knew if I sat by her she would rub my back for a long time. And she usually would give me candy or gum from her purse.
• She was a very classy beautiful lady.
• She made every grandchild feel like the favorite
• She let me and my two cousins, Tifanee and Adriana, play in her room, even when we would sneak in her makeup. (I'm sure she knew)
• She was deeply in love with my grandad

I love you granny. Thank you for making such wonderful memories to hold on to.

Sap: It's what I'm good at

Today while I was at work writing the date time and time again, It hit me. As of today, Sam and I have been married 1 year and 7 months! I know. This isn't a typical celebration day. In fact, after a year you only count by years right? Well yes, that is right. But as I realized this at work, I decided I am not a normal person to count our marriage the normal way. And as of lately, I've been especially thankful for Sam.

It's amazing. Just when I think I love Sam the most I can, I realize I continue to love him even more. There is an oldies song I sing frequently to him. It says "I love you more today then yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow." And it's true. My love for my husband grows stronger by the day. I have a deeper love for him now then I did on our wedding day, when I loved him so much I could barley believe he was going to me mine forever. And I know a month from now, even a week from now, that love will get deeper and deeper. It changes frequently for the better!

Sam has been so amazing to me lately. He has been doing so much for me, without even a complaint. I can be a brat sometimes. Ok more than sometimes. And he is so patient and loving. He loves me despite all my flaws. And there are many of them. In fact, he loves even my flaws. He loves me no matter what I look like, no matter if I get mad at him for no reason, no matter if I wear sweats a lot, no matter if I complain. And I love him no matter what too.

Eating Fresh

I am the type of gal who when going to a out to eat, I get certain meals at the certain restraunt. At Applebees I get the oriental chicken wrap, at Wendy's I get the chicken nuggets or the spicy chicken sandwich, at Magic Wok I get the sweet and sour chicken and ham fried rice, and at Panda Express I get orange chicken, mandrine chicken, and chow mein.

And Subway I usually get a turkey sandwich, on parm oregano bread. Until recently.

Earlier this week, I didn't bring a lunch to work so I had to get me something. I've eaten at Subway a lot it seems in the past little while, so I was kind of sick of my typical turkey sandwich. But, I didn't want anything too unhealthy for lunch so this was basically my only choice, especially for something without a crazy high price. So I decided to try something completely new. A turkey/ham (I know, still turkey) on honey oat bread, with my choice of veggies and mayonase. I never get mayo at Subway. And let me tell you. It did not disappoint.

So thank you Subway. I get sick of making/eating the same old lunch everyday. Thank you for giving me another option. Thank you for having not one, not two, but many, many tasty choices for me to choose from.