in honor of the grinch, a birthday and my grandma - but not necessarily in that order

I'm sure you've seen this guy:

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?
 -----Dr. Seuss




I love the book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  I guess I've always loved it.  When I was 'no more than two' we spent Christmas at my grandma's house.  I really was no more than, well, two!

and we celebrated my birthday while we were there. 

I don't really remember that Christmas, but I do remember the story that I loved to hear my grandmother tell. 

My grandma at my wedding - I love her smile! - images Justin Hackworth

She would always tell me that I would pester her to read me that story EVERY day.  And the good grandma that she was, obliged me.  And then she gave me a nickname.  Can you guess what it is? That's right! Amylouwho! 

The way she told it, our conversations would go something like this:
Gma: Hello, amylouwho!
Me: Grandma, it's plain Amy.
Gma: Okay, plain Amy.
Me: NO, grandma, just. plain. Amy!!!
Gma:  Okay, just plain Amy.
Me: Grandmaaaaaa.

and the circle would go on and on....  I'm sure my whiny 2 year old voice made my responses THAT much cuter (or not.) And my protestations made it that much easier for it to stick.  I guess it didn't help that my mom is 2nd oldest of 11 siblings and they thought it was so fun to call me that EVERY time we came to visit.  They still call me that.  But I don't mind so much anymore.

Yay for 4 generation shots! May 2006

I started using it for screen names, log-ins, emails, etc. when I started using a computer so much.  And when I switched the name of my blog a few months ago, it only seemed fitting.  And now that I think about it, a great tribute to my grandmother who was an avid quilter (she made a baby quilt for each of her 46!!! grandchildren) and one of my favorite people.  Today is my birthday and later this week it's been 3 years since she passed away after a very long, productive good life.  She sure touched many lives, mine included.  She is definitely missed.

I had hoped to put a little PDF tutorial together to give to you to celebrate my birthday - but you know how this month goes - so much to do and so little time!  So I thought I'd just share a little bit about me instead.  Is that lame?  I hope you enjoyed it!  In return, tell me a little bit about you - where you are from and maybe your very favorite thing you've ever created. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!