A week or so ago, I received an e-mail from Tonya Bailey, who had some questions about how she could run an ad for her grandmother's birthday. As I read the e-mail, I found out her grandmother, Edna Payne, was turning 102 years old.

Now, you know me. I couldn't just let this slide with a simple ad. I had to make it special. I mean, once you think about it, how many people do you know who have lived 102 years, and birthdays are special to me anyway.

I replied to the e-mail telling Tonya that I had a couple of monkeys up my sleeves. I then sent the e-mail to Joanie, our editor, and the arrangements were made to do an interview with the birthday girl

Monday morning, we took the trip over to Comfort, where the interview took place in the home of Mrs. Payne. Her daughter, Nan, was there as well as her daughter-in-law.

They were so helpful to answer any question that we had. They were the nicest ladies you would want to come across. I listened and watched the interaction among all of the ladies and, after about an hour, I decided I wanted them to adopt me. They welcomed us into their home and made us feel very comfortable, which you just don't find everywhere you go these days

I can remember going and visiting my friend Will's in-laws while I was in Oklahoma and, to be honest, I went outside to play with the kids just to get out of their house. That wasn't the case with these ladies because I didn't want to leave. Words can't explain how nice they were to us. I'm glad I went over there with Joanie.

When we arrived back to the office, I e-mailed Tonya to let her know what a special family she has and how lucky she is to have them.

If you want to send Mrs. Payne a birthday card, please do so by mailing it here to the Coal Valley News at P.O. Box 508, Madison, WV 25130. We are trying to get 102 birthday cards for her 102nd birthday.

Over the last few days, I have been working on my tan. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't peel because if I peel, then I'm going to look completely gross in the dresses I have bought.

I have a few events this summer that I would like to look nice for, one being my class reunion, which I'm getting excited about. I can't wait to see everyone. I also have a family reunion at the end of July. We call it the Great Williamson Family Hot Dog Gathering. Normally, it is held at the last of September, but I have a baby cousin coming at the end of September. So, we will be having it early this year. He will be named Mitchell Jay. Hopefully, he will fall in suit and be a mean, little, red-headed boy, like his daddy, his uncle Rick and cousin Bob. And if he isn't a mean, little, red-headed boy, I have refused to claim him.

Keep your fingers crossed for me because I'm starting back to school in August. I'm only taking three classes, but with everything else I have my hands into, I'm wondering if I can handle it. I will be taking some refresher courses this semester.

However, my major will be nursing and, in honor of that, my friend Dave sent me an e-mail to help me better prepare myself for all of it

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A NURSE IF ...

1. The front of your scrubs reads 'Nurses ... here to save your behind, not kiss it!

2. You occasionally park in the space with the 'physicians only' sign ... and knock it over.

3. You believe some patients are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.

4. You recognize that you can't cure stupid.

5. You own at least three pens with the names of prescription medications on them.

6. You believe there's a special place in Hades for the inventor of the call light.

7. You believe that saying 'it can't get any worse' causes it to get worse just to show you it can.

8. You wash your hands BEFORE you go to the bathroom.

9. You believe any job where you can drive to work in your pajamas is a cool one.

10. You consider a tongue depressor an eating utensil.

11. Eating microwave popcorn at 3 a.m. is perfectly natural.

12. You have been exposed to so many X-rays that you consider it a form of birth control.

13. You have heard a patient with a nose ring, a brow ring and twelve earrings say,

"'I'm afraid of needles."

14. You have placed a bet on someone's blood alcohol level.

15. You have told a confused patient that your name is that of a co-worker and to call if they need help.

Have a great week!