November 7th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

Mary and Mom.

Thinking about Mom

The first Halloween/All Saints/All Souls/voting/Mom's birthday since Mom joined Daddy in heaven - have me thinking about her. Halloween was her mom's birthday - both women were the most independent women I knew. My grandmother actually was one of the 1st women to vote - and missed only 1 election day - the day Mom was born! Both would have LOVED this election year!

In the homily this Sunday, our priest talked about how he always adds our parents in the prayers - very comforting as this week reminds me how lucky we all were to have such strong women in our lives. Mary Lou's ideals live on! Get out and vote!

Abbey's a Star!

Abbey-Abigail is branching out from print modeling to television! SEE BELOW! (Chicago ABC affiliate - Channel 7) I'll be setting the VCR, too (Abbey's not an early riser, but I'll make sure she's watching!) (Now if I could just get her to go down the stairs outside!)
Love you,
Shirley

From:Roy, Kevin R [Kevin.R.Roy@abc.com]

Sent:Wednesday,October 22, 2008 9:15 AM

To:Shirley Mumaugh

Subject:RE: LOVE my pet

Shriley,

Want to let you know we plan to use the photo of your cute dog this upcoming Sunday, October 26.

Look for it to air around 6:15am.

Thanks for watching ABC7!

Kevin RoyAnchor/Reporter

WLS-TV ABC7

190 N. State St.

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 750-7577

-----Original Message-----

From:mumaughclass@hobart.k12.in.us[mailto:mumaughclass@hobart.k12.in.us

Sent:Sunday, September 14, 2008 11:19 PM

To:Roy, Kevin R

Subject:LOVE my pet

Abbey was given to me by my best friend. She personifies "unconditional love!"

When I get home from school, she's the best "welcoming committee!"

Abbey has ME very well trained -- I get her treats any time she goes out!

Grandma & Katie / Kathryn

Friday night was joyful in so many ways. Most importantly, Bryan & the kids asked his mom & me to dinner while Amy had a MUCH-DESERVED Moms Night Out with her Moms Group.

Katie has decided that some times she's "Katie" and other times she's "Kathryn." While waiting for our dinner, Katie & her grandma were playing the boxes drawing game. Sharon (Grandma) finished one & put her "G" is the box. Katie finished the next one and Sharon told her to put her "K" in the box. Katie said she'd put a "T" in the box. When Sharon asked her why a "T," Katie said, "For the second half of my name - - -

K.T."

Puppy Size

Amy sent this & as Abbey put her head on my shoulder, I rejoiced in her "puppy size" - and realized what a gift she had given me!

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end!
'Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,' the mother told the volunteer.
'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked.
'Puppy size!' replied the mother.
'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.'
'I know... we have seen most of them, ' the mom said in frustration. Just then Danielle came walking into the office.
'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom.
'No, not this time,' Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on the weekend?' The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.
'You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply,' the volunteer said. Danielle took her mo ther by the hand and headed to the door.
'Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend,' she said. Over the next few days, both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular.
'It's this weekend or we're not looking any more,' Dad finally said in frustration.
'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,' Mom added. Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look.
One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, 'Sorry, but you're not the one.' It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. 'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!' She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!'
'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,' Mom said.
'No not size... The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,' she said. 'Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!'
The two women looked at each other for a moment Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
'Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,' she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, 'Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!'
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.

'Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath
away.'

I hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!

THANKFUL

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,

AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA

BEING A COUCH POTATO,

BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER

WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES

BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,

NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT

I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING

AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED

WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH

WHO SINGS OFF KEY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES

AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE CRAZY PEOPLE I WORK WITH

BECAUSE THEY MAKE WORK INTERESTING & FUN!

AND FINALLY,

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN,

& LOVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART!

WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD!

Oh, my gosh! How much fun was Wednesday! Grandparents' (& Special Guests) Day proved to be even more fun than anticipated! THANK YOU, Jack, Grace, Kathryn, Amy, Linda, Sharon, for letting me share this loving time!