A Little History

Growing up with two brothers, I was overjoyed when I married into a family that gave me 3 sister-in-laws. My brothers have given me two additional sister-in-laws. Over the years we have become true family as we have shared our joys, heartaches, weddings, holidays, the birth of our children, our husbands peculiarities, and birthdays with each other.

Ahhh birthdays! My family was never big on birthdays. They come and go with little fanfare. But there is one birthday I will never forget thanks to my sister-in-law Jill.

Jill went above and beyond the sisterly responsibility to make sure that my 40th birthday was special. She faithfully sent me e-mails for a month to remind me how many days were left before the big day. I received a lot of helpful advice on aging from websites she had looked up (and made up). She even bought me a book to help me get through midlife! Oh, and I almost forgot, she made sure others knew I was turning 40 as well. Her thoughtfulness didn’t stop when I turned 40 though. I can’t tell you how many times she has reminded me that I am 40, into my 40s, and getting near my mid-forties (this one is up for dispute, however, since I am only 41). Yes, I have been truly blessed with such a considerate sister-in-law.

About a week (ok maybe 2 days) into my “leading up to 40″ month, my husband and I decided that we needed to make Jill’s 40th just as special as she had made mine. We started a “Jill file” on my computer where we could put ideas for making Jill’s 40th even more special. My husband thought of a great domain name and purchased it before the month was up. (It’s cost us $10/year to hold it but Jill is truly worth it!) We’ve been plotting and planning to make this last year of Jill’s youth the best 39th year ever. We are sure that she will not want to join the ranks of people that stay 39 for ever. She will rejoice to be done with 39 and ready to embrace the wisdom and perfection that 40 brings!

For all of you who think of Jill Brudnak Pendley as a sweet, quiet girl: You don’t know the real Jill. She is the master of jokes and tricks. (Remember how you made me think you had bought that waterfront condo on Grand Traverse Bay a few years back and how I bragged to everyone about my thrifty and wise sister-in-law before learning the truth!) So Jill, this is your year and we are going to make it the best 39th year ever!

So for everyone who has known Jill, please help us out by passing this web address on to anyone that is a part of (or has been a part of) Jill’s life. Please let’s keep it fun and light though! We will delete anything we think is not in good fun. Let’s make this a great year for Jill!

And Jill, please remember that whatever you do when I turn 50 will only be topped a couple of years later!!!!