In The Middle ~ Mad Hatter

Jan. 4, 2012

2012-01-05T05:14:00.000-05:00

Seems strange to write the year as 2012, but that's what it is now. We have finished another year and have a brand new book so to speak with brand new pages to write on and fill. To me it feels like getting a brand new big box of crayons all shiny and bright!

Christmas was as wonderful as could be expected with our youngest son being separated from his wife and children. Although, he and his children were here for our traditional Christmas Day buffet and gift exchange. We did miss his wife, but I guess people change and so do situations and we don't have any control over that. Also, our youngest daughter and her family didn't make it up from Kentucky for the celebration either. They are in the process of building a new home and the added expense of a trip to Michigan just wasn't in their budget. They have missed two Christmases in a row now. And I'm sure that traveling with 4 children isn't as easy as traveling with 3.

The day after Christmas I was having some trouble being short of breath and some pain in my neck, so we headed to the hospital just to be safe. I was admitted and stayed until evening of the 28th to get released and head home. Was not how I planned my week between Christmas and New Year but once again, some things we have no control over. I have a blockage but they are just going to treat it with medication for now. Going in for a heart cath with the contrast dye they must use is too risky for my kidneys at this time. Maybe in the future, but not now. I will just have to live with it the best I can and resume my normal activities as tolerated and rest when I get tired. Not my idea of the way I like to do things, but it is what it is and I will have to learn to cope with it!

Hoping you all have a wonderful year ahead of you filled with loved ones close and health abundant.

November 17, 2011

2011-11-17T01:34:00.000-05:00

Okay, it is the middle of November. The 15th, opening day of gun deer season has begun in Michigan. It was also the day that my first husband, Dave, passed away at the age of 34 from cancer, leaving me with 3 small children to raise. Fast forward 36 years later and I have remarried a wonderful man, have 5 children between us and a few adopted ones to boot, 20 - some grand kids and enough love for more if need be!

Two of the older boys went deer hunting near the Gun Lake area where we live. They both were successful and came away with bucks. Small bucks, but still bucks! Hubby, who goes all the way up north the Michigan's Upper Peninsula called and he has seen nothing! Should have stayed home and hunted nearer to where you live, silly!

It is cold out tonight. In fact it is the coldest night since March 26th I think they said on the news. It is 32º right now outside. It is supposed to get even colder. No snow yet though. Oh, we had some snow already this fall, but it didn't last long....the kind I like!

I will need to begin Christmas shopping soon. With so many people to purchase gifts for, I must begin fairly early and shop only for sale items. Hopefully the things we want to give will be on sale! We have been lucky in the past, so I'm confident that it will work out this year also.

We do have some bad news this season. Our youngest son and his wife are no longer together. It saddens me, but there is nothing I can do about it. We will remain close with our daughter-in-law and our two grandsons. They are welcome in our home anytime. I'm not sure how Christmas or Thanksgiving will be handled this year as our son has a girlfriend who also has children. Which adds more expense to our Christmas giving. And at the present time, our sons cell phone is turned off, he has no job, no car and we have no way of contacting him. I don't even know when the last time was that he spoke with his sons or has seen them. Very sad situation indeed. He was always such a good father....I just don't understand what is going on. This is not like him at all.

But, on an up note, our 2nd youngest son who married a year ago this past Sept. is still extremely happy and he and his wife and family are doing remarkably well. I've waited a good long time for this to happen and I can say that I am very pleased with the results and the fine job they are doing of blending families together!

Our oldest son and his family are fine also. He has injured his knee and has a doctor appointment tomorrow to have that checked out. I keep telling him he's not as young as he once was. He will be 40 on Nov. 21st. He has a lovely family and his kids are growing like weeds as kids do. His wife is doing well and she is very dear to us too.

Our youngest daughter in Kentucky now has 4 children and is in the process of building their new home. We are so happy for them. The only drawback is that due to the cost of building a home, they won't be able to afford to come home for either Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. But the desperately need a new, bigger home to house them all, and we are very grateful that they have been able to accomplish this. I am hoping they might be able to actually be in their new home by Christmas.....boy what a blessing that would be for them.

Our oldest daughter and her husband have just the one child left at home now. The older two have moved out and are working and attending college. They are actually old enough to be married and starting families of their own, but have chosen to wait. I'm glad.....they need to enjoy themselves before they settle down with a family. But whatever they choose to do is okay with me as long as they remain happy and a part of our lives too.

Well, that's about it. I just felt the need to bring this blog up to date with my children and grandchildren and I think I've done just that.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone....may you have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Blustery days!

2011-10-19T03:22:00.000-04:00

Well here it is the middle of October. The temps are cool, highs in the low 50's with very strong winds which will probably strip the trees of their leaves in very short order. We did make it on a color tour this year and the colors were beautiful as you can see by the above photos. This was on Oct. 7, 2011.

Now it is Oct. 18th, my oldest daughters 43 birthday! Happy Birthday Michelle! And tomorrow, the 19th is the birthday of two of my granddaughters, Hannah and Harley! Happy Birthday girls! On the 26th, my grandson Drew, will turn 7. Doesn't seem possible that he is going to be that old already. As I get older the time seems to slip by much faster. I wish it would slow down and give me a chance to enjoy each age my grand children are before rushing ahead like a fast moving brook!

My mind wanders, back to the color tour. We had a very pleasant day and I am glad hubby is laid off right now or we probably would have missed it this year. As of today, with all the wind we have been having, the trees are almost void of leaves except for the mighty oak whose leaves turn brown but seem to hang there forever as a stark reminder of the beautiful green and the shade they once provided in the summer.

August 23rd....almost the last hurray of summer 2011!

2011-08-24T01:14:00.000-04:00

At least that's the way it seems to me. Tom has been working second shift most if not all of this summer. Usually 6 days a week. Doesn't leave much time to spend together doing fun things. On his only day off, Sunday, we use to go on adventure rides as I call them. Now we spend them catching up on yard work, weather permitting.

We did have a nice 5 day get away this summer, but it seemed to end to quickly for my liking. Wish it could have lasted longer. Maybe it's because I'm retired ~ well, mostly anyway. Sometimes they paper calls me in to fill in for someone who is on vacation or has called in sick or has a sick child. In fact I worked yesterday because the gal I was filling in for had no sitter and knew she wouldn't, so this was set up quite some time ago. A little extra spending money is always nice. But with Tom working 2nd shift and me working days, I only see him if I wait up for him to come home. That's what I'm doing tonight...he should be here around 1:30AM....overtime!

A storm blew in earlier tonight with lots of heavy rain, thunder and lightening. I love thunder storms but am not allowed to enjoy them as in the past. I have these 2 four-legged fur kids who do NOT like thunder and lightening. As a matter of fact they are now smart enough that when it begins to rain they predict thunder and lightening by following me around where ever I go, including into the bathroom! I comfort them as best I can and reassure them that everything will be fine and I am here and won't let anything happen to them. I hope they're around long enough to return the favor to me when I get too old to walk around safely!

Did ya ever......

2011-08-09T22:20:00.000-04:00

............go to a local store and see someone you sure you knew? I did, today! Was positive that it was the mom of my daughters friend, Sherry, who was on the same high school swim team. I said "Hi, how are you?" She smiled back and said "fine, and you?" I told her I was fine also, and asked her how her kids were. She looked at me with a puzzled look on her face and said..."do I know you?" I then asked her if her name was Pat? She gave me a big smile which led me to believe that she had not recognized me at first. She then extended her hand to shake hands with me and said....with a big smile on her face...."My name is Dot and it's always nice to meet new people!"

I should have been embarrassed but I wasn't! I smiled back and mumbled something about when I got really old and had Alzheimer's I would meet new friends every day and started to walk away when she touched my arm and reassured me that it was fine and that she does the same thing sometimes. We laughed, chatted a few more minutes about being moms and grandmas and growing old, and went on our separate ways. Talk about a DUNCE!!!!

August 1, 2012

2011-08-01T18:40:00.001-04:00

I can't believe it is the beginning of August already. 70 Years ago today, my first husband was born. This November 15th will be the 38 Anniversary of his passing! Seems like so long ago now. My children were all little then and now, most of my grandchildren are older than mine were way back then. Had Dave lived, he would have been so proud of his children and grandchildren. How I wonder sometimes, did I ever get through those years of raising them alone.

So many things have happened since then...so many things have changed, and yet some things remain the same! I can't even imagine what things would be like now if he had lived past his 34 years on this earth. Well, that is something that I will never know in this lifetime at least.

Enough of the past.....I always get a little sad on this day wishing he were here to celebrate his birthday with his kids and grand kids.....life goes on!

May 16 ~ Monday morning. . . . . .

2011-05-16T12:14:00.000-04:00

so here it is. Another Monday morning where I don't feel like waking up. Yet I must, the dogs want out and the sun is shining. So why this funk? Maybe because the weather has been so cold and rainy lately that it's just some state of mind we have all adapted to cope with the crappy weather. Maybe we will be in some kind of funk through the entire year! I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world. . . . we would just have to deal with it!

My mind wants to jump up and do things.........anything active and outdoors..........but my body says 'whoa girl' we can't do that anymore! So I guess that is really the crux of my funk. And I guess it will be with me for the rest of the year and probably into next year too. Plans, future, dreams? Don't really feel I have any of those anymore. It seems I'm just here exisiting until the good Lord calls me home. I now know why all those people in my past who were either very sick or old(er) than me were ready to call in quits and die. They even looked forward to it........something I find myself thinking about some days!

Easter Weekend

2011-04-22T18:03:00.000-04:00

Easter weekend begins tomorrow and it is supposed to be a partly sunny day. Easter Sunday is supposed to be raining. That means any grand kid coming here will have to hunt Easter Eggs inside this year. Seems like so many of the near past Easters have been cold and snowy or rainy. I can't remember when the last Easter was that the little ones could hunt outside for their eggs.

I don't even know if any of the kids are coming to bring the grand kids over. I asked, but haven't heard back from anyone. We've been invited to Bumpa's aunt and my friends home for dinner, but I hate to accept in case the kids do bring the grands over. I tried to see what Amber is doing, but haven't heard from her either.

It's really a yucky day today. Gray and gloomy and a fine mist just enough to make it feel really cold. Bumpa has slept almost all day so far. I'm waiting for him to wake up so I can see what he would like to eat for supper. It is already 6PM and I hate to cook too much later than this. I absolutely detest cleaning a mess up late in the evening.

Bumpa and our oldest son, Brian, have been out Turkey hunting most of this week. They didn't go today because Brian wasn't feeling good. But I believe they are all supposed to go tomorrow when the weather is nicer. Even Doug is planning on joining them I think!

Perhaps we will have a fresh Turkey for Easter!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

2011-04-20T16:19:00.000-04:00

Well, Spring has finally arrived here in Michigan. Yes, today and this weekend are supposed to be cold and rainy, it is still spring. We had three nice days in a row and our weather is unpredictable due to the Lake effect air currents and wind either from the north or west. Still, it is much better than snow!

As I sit here looking out the window in the computer room/office, I can see the trees whipping around as if they can't figure out which way the wind is blowing from. And the clouds in the sky resemble snow clouds much more than they resemble the spring thunderstorms we usually get. I'm not complaining about not having any thunderstorms as oldest dog, Prancer, is afraid of them....I just want the warm weather that goes along with the thunderstorms! I wonder if Spring will ever show up, or is Mother Nature just going to tease us with a nice day or two and revolve back to winter without spring, summer and fall between!

Jan. 26th, and.............

2011-01-27T00:43:00.000-05:00

finally we have a small warming trend. Don't hold your breathe folks it isn't here to stay long. The meteorologist are saying we will be hit with another Arctic Blast and plenty of snow to keep those that own snowmobiles (Dale) and sledding lovers happy for quite some time.

Those of us who are getting older think differently about it. It's cold, and roads and sidewalks get slippery and we no longer like to drive in it. When we were young, and doing circles in an empty parking lot was great. Now we just get dizzy and think we will puke!

Bette Davis was right when she said getting old wasn't for sissies.........yet that's how I feel today!

Arctic Blast!

2011-01-21T02:00:00.001-05:00

Today an Arctic Blast hit our area. It is sowing and blowing now and we have had up to about 2 1/2 inches of snow since around 10PM. It is now 1:45AM and the Winter
Storm Watch is in effect until 5Pm Fri. Saturday our high is supposed to be 11º with a windchill of 4º. Sunday the temp is expected to be 5º with a windchill of -8º. Now that's cold! How I envy my younger sister already in Hawaii and my older sister leaving Wednesday for Hawaii. Luckily for them they will miss most of this cold, frigid Arctic Blast that will stick around for about a week...........with increased snow fall. Our Envoy (the only 4-wheel vehicle we have, needs parts and can't be driven until after it is fixed next weekend.) So tonight, Tom heated the garage and rotated the tires on the Cobalt to put the tires with the best tread on the front since it is a front wheel drive car. I hope he doesn't have too much trouble getting to work in the morning. He has to travel on M-6, which isn't the best known for nice roads. Fortunately the wind is coming from the west and since it is an east west road perhaps the snow won't accumulate and make it too slick. If the wind changes directions there will be a lot of slide offs and accidents. I am thinking there will be several school closings tomorrow morning. I hope he is careful going to work as are my children and grandchildren! Saying prayers that they will all be safe!

The New Year

2011-01-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

Well, the new year arrived at it's usual time. Like 'it' has any choice in the matter! We had Amber and her friend Aubree here for New Year's Eve and Tom's Uncle John called and wanted us to go to dinner at Sam's Joint in Caledonia with him and his wife, Lisa. When I asked the girls if they wanted to go to a movie, which we were planning on doing or go out to eat, they opted for dinner. We all had a good time. The girls sort of just hung out at one end of the table playing with Amber's I-Touch and ignored us for the most part. That left us free of entertaining them and able to carry on a conversation with the adults. We were home well before midnight and wished each other a Happy New Year as the ball hit the bottom at Times Square on TV. We sat around and talked and laughed for another hour and then turned in. I think the girls were awake much longer talking and tee heeing, as teen age girls will do. Us older people just go to sleep!

Tom is still on first shift and there is talk of him having to go to second shift. But that won't be as bad as third. Third shift is really hard on him and trying to make the transition with the meds he must take. If he has to go back on third, I'm pretty sure he will end up very sick and in the hospital. But second won't be so bad, even though we both prefer first, we can deal with it if we have too.

Seems all the kids and grandkids are doing fine, well except for some who haven't gotten the best grades on report cards, but that isn't our problem anymore. They have parents who must deal with that and we just get to enjoy them. One of the many benefits of being a Grandparent!!

Christmas Spirit...........

2010-12-15T00:52:00.001-05:00

has seem to have left me this year. I can't get into the decorating and enjoying it like I use to. I don't know if it's just because I am aging, but it really isn't much fun anymore for me. I'm wondering if it has to do with the spousal unit being a "bah-humbugger" for so many years, or if it's the fact that the grandkids no longer wish to come and help with it all and bake Christmas cookies as we always did in the past. I guess they are all getting too old and have outgrown that tradition. Or maybe as we age, we just become boring to them and they would much rather be with their friends!

But even though I've lost my Christmas spirit, I still want to wish all my friends out in blogville a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

November Tornado Watch.........Really?

2010-11-22T21:29:00.000-05:00

Well, with the temp of 59º and no signs of it dropping, we are under a tornado watch until 2AM Tues. morning! This weather is unheard of in Michigan for this late in November. I mean, the hunters are hoping for snow so they can track deer if they shoot one........green grass and mud aren't always conducive for hunting.

I have been a hunting widow for the last week and it will continue through this week too! I'm getting used to it after 20 years of it. Besides, Tom works third shift and he's not home at night anyway, so there really isn't much change. The dogs don't even seem confused. They're used to having him gone nights and sleep during the day too!

Our Kentucky kids are supposed to come for Thanksgiving this year, but they may not make it. The kids are sick with sinus infections, the youngest one, 13 month old Abby may have pnemonia and both parents have had some kind of stomach virus. The kind where you aren't sure which end to hold over the toilet! Hope they feel better soon. I don't blame them for not wanting to make a nine hour drive with a bunch of sickies in the car. We will have to wait and see how quickly they can recover and feel better.

Amber is coming down tomorrow after school and will get to spend the weekend with me. Sure am looking forward to that. When school starts we never see as much of her as we do in the summertime. Amber lived with us the first five years of her life, so we have a special bond. Not that we love her more than the 20 some other grandkids, it's just a different kind of bond! She is the oldest child of my youngest birth son. My son and her mom never married, but have a good relationship with one another for Amber's sake. My son married for the first time in Sept. and Amber's mom is engaged, so all seems to be working out well.

I wish the rain and thunder and lightning would stop. Prancer doesn't really like all the noise and the flashes and flat out refuses to go outside to go to the bathroom when the weather gets like this. But if this were snow we probably would have an 18 inch accumulation by now. So I guess we better count our blessings and be grateful.

Until next time..........

Nov. 15th, 1975

2010-11-16T01:08:00.000-05:00

Well it has been 35 years ago today that my first husband past away. I remember that day so well.............I wish I could forget it, but I can't.

My sons from that marriage and my current husband of 20+ years have all gone deer hunting and I seriously doubt that my daughter from that first marriage remembers what day it is. It is a bittersweet day...........the ending of one life and the beginning of another. Of course, the other didn't happen until 14 years later, but still it was a new beginning. Yet I never will forget the old!

It was a terrible day for all of us. The children were too young to understand and I was alone without my parents who had passed on a few years before. I had never felt so alone in my whole life. Yet I made it through, with the courage God gave me. So why does every year seem just as hard. Is it because life goes on and the boys and my current husband carry on the tradition of hunting because they all love it. I'm glad they like it, but to me opening day could come on another day so it would not be so hard for me. I spent part of the day with a friend, but it's the night time that is most difficult. Remembering what was, what we had and what is no more to be. Don't misinterpret this, I love my current husband Tom as much as I loved Dave. They have a lot of the same characteristics and both had fine qualities. But, I wonder if you ever get over the death of your first love, the man you had your children with and what your life would have been like if he had lived to help raise them. I can't not think of this anymore..............it becomes too sad and I will not cry over what can never be again. Besides, my current husband, Tom, is a wonderful man and I don't want to do him any disservice by dwelling in the past.

Just remembering!

Indian Summer

2010-10-07T12:51:00.000-04:00

Okay, October is here and today is supposed to be very pleasant. Perhaps the rest of the week will be like Indian Summer. I remember Indian Summer as a kid. It was always so nice.......you could actually go outside and play without bundling up to stay warm. Hope this day proves to be one of them. Not that I can play, but I can sit on the deck and read!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, although he has been gone since 1963. He was killed by a drunk driver when I was 17 years old. And although it's been 47 years ago, I can still remember getting the call from the hospital to come as soon as possible and making the trip with my mom! One of the worst days of my life.............there have been other bad ones too. Like when my mom passed away 3 years later and my first husband dieing of cancer at the age of 34; losing a grand baby 9 years ago. Let's hope there aren't anymore days like that for a long while! Sorry, this seems to have gotten a little maudlin and I didn't mean for it too!

But it is a beautiful day outside, and I think I will wait just a wee bit longer for it to warm up a little more........it's 64º out now and it is supposed to get warmer in a little while, before I head out on the deck to read. And maybe, just maybe, the box elder bugs won't be so bad today!

Wedding

2010-10-02T16:59:00.000-04:00

The wedding was lovely. The bride and groom are thrilled as are all 6 of the kids they blended into one big family..............sort of like the Brady Bunch.......only I'm sure they will have more trouble than the blended TV family..........LOL! As you can see, it was an outdoor wedding and although the rain held off until the next day, it was pretty chilly with a temp of only about 57º! The bridesmaids, as well as the bride, all had sundresses on and while they looked very nice, they also looked very cold.

My oldest daughter is a photographer and she took their wedding pictures as their family gift to the new couple. She is still editing a lot of them as she works full time outside the home and has a family to take care of too. But they will get them all (400 of them) on a disk very soon and they can look through them at their leisure and pick the ones they want!

Needless to say, I cried. This was our last one to get married! Although they have 6 children between them and they will have to blend it and make it work, I am confident that they can do it. After all, my son had good teachers. We did it too, but only with five kids!

I called them the other day to see how things were and they both sounded so much in love that I almost cried again!

So, this is the only update in a while, I will try to remember to get back her more often to read others and to write!

Family news..............

2010-08-04T21:39:00.001-04:00

I am very excited tonight. I just found out that my middle son and his fianceè are tentatively planning their wedding for the 24th or 25th of September. I often wondered if I would live to see this day. They both have children from previous relationships and will be blending a family. I know it won't be easy for them, but my son had good teachers as his step-dad and I married and blended our two families into one, and it was successful! Albeit not without some hardships along the way, but we were able to accomplish it and I know they will be successful at it too! I have notified all of his siblings tonight so they can plan on keeping those days open. Our youngest son and his wife were married on Sept. 25th a few years ago and I'm hoping they can make it and don't have plans to celebrate their anniversary already. Our youngest daughter and her family live in Kentucky and may not be able to attend. We will understand, but I sure wish they could! That is the most important news of the day.

The other news is I have a doctor appointment with my original cardiologist tomorrow and am hoping that he knows of some other doctor, perhaps in another state or a major university that can preform the procedure I need without telling me that I won't come off the table alive. I have mixed feelings about this appointment......excited that I may get good news and leery that I may be told the same things that have already been said. So for those of you out there reading this, who believe in God, I would appreciate any prayers you can find in your heart to offer for me!

It may take me a day or two to let you know what I find out, but I will let you all know eventually! And God Bless you all!

I am tired...............

2010-07-12T13:05:00.000-04:00

tired of not being able to do the things I want to do and the things I need to do. I didn't realize just how physically exhausted this would make me. Just trying to function from day to day and keep up with the housework and all. As soon as the house market picks up here, I believe we will be putting our home up for sale and downsizing to perhaps a 2 bedroom all on one floor. I know a two-story is not workable for me anymore. There are times I just want to lie down and sleep and never have to get up again. Feeling this way is so out of character for me and the way I have always felt in the past. Now, I feel like I am a bother to everyone and more of a hindrance than a help. I have always been the one people have turned to when they needed help.............and I just can't do that anymore. It saddens me to think that this is what it has come down too. But, I guess it is what it is and there is nothing I or anyone can do about it. Unless they come up with some new technology to be able to fix the health problems I have.............and I hope and pray that they do!

Results

2010-06-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well, the CT Scan has been read and I have seen the Vascular Surgeon and there is nothing they can do for me. Either procedure, major surgery or aortic stenting would be the end of me. He point blank told me that I would not make it off the table alive. Kind of shocking news to hear when I had such high hopes that they would be able to fix everything!

After being told several months ago to quit exercising, including walking, I am now told to begin a walking program. To start slowly and build up to 20-30 minutes per day, 7 days a week. And I have an appointment with the Vascular Surgeon again in 3 months. He is hoping by that time, the muscle tone in my legs will have improved enough to prescribe a medication that aids in circulation. As was explained to me by another cardiologist, the whole purpose is to increase the blood flow to the muscles, even if that means that my body will make newer, smaller blood vessels to take over the ones that no longer work. And that is what they expect will happen.

I hope they're right!

CT Scan finished.............

2010-06-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

now I am just waiting for Wednesday to hurry up and get here and I can go get the opinion of the Vascular Surgeon. Went for bloodwork today. It's beginning to feel as if Dr.'s offices, Labs, and hospitals are my home away from home.

I did ask the cardiologists if by sending me to see a Vascular Surgeon, it means they are thinking more along the lines of major surgery instead of stenting and they told me "yes" that is exactly what it means. So I am sort of resigned to the fact that I will be having major surgery. I just wish they would hurry up and tell me when and how extensive it will be! I, like everyone else, do not like the unknown! It's a little scary just imagining what they will do and how much it will hurt when I wake up. Okay, I admit it, I'm a tad bit of a wuss! Can't help it...............don't like pain and don't handle it well at all. I try to be brave, but always seem to fail miserably at it.

I guess it is what it is and I will find out Wednesday what will happen. Que sera, sera!

Here's the deal!

2010-06-07T20:58:00.000-04:00

Had a procedure done Friday. Not the one I was supposed to have. My cardiologist didn't like the looks of the pictures from the angiogram back in March and decided that before he could do anything, he needed better pictures. If they were okay, he would go ahead and place the stent. They showed something different than his partners picture taking, so the stent still wasn't placed. I will have to do this at least on more time now.

If he had tried to put the stent in on Friday, it would have immediately shut both my kidneys down and that would have been it! I am thankful that he had the foresight to take more pictures and do the angiogram first. The next step will be for them to schedule a CT scan to get precise measurements and then have a stent special made to fit the area without shutting down the kidneys.

Although the stent wasn't put in place, they still had to invade my body with a catheter and go through the groin to take the pictures for the angiogram. It feels like I am sore for no good reason even though I realize it was a good reason. Still, the soreness and pain is not at all pleasant!

That's all for now, until I have further news to share besides, I can't sit here any longer!

Preparing for yet another procedure!

2010-06-03T12:21:00.000-04:00

Today I am preparing for yet one more procedure. This one is to open up a blockage at the bottom of the aorta just above where it branches off to feed each leg and open the blockage to my right kidney. Hoping this will do the trick and I will be good. Although they are talking about blockages in the lower legs that will have to be done at a later date if they aren't able to do them this time. And the problem being is that I am allergic to the contrast dye they must use and they can't leave it in my system for too long because of the blocked kidney reducing it's function. Even after opening it up, it make take a few days for the kidney to begin it's normal functioning.

So today, I have begun taking the medicine to protect my kidneys from the contrast dye and the medication to prevent an anaphylactic allergic reaction to the dye. Right now I am doing all the laundry, and cooking enough supper that we can have after my overnight stay in the hospital. Just something to help Bumpa out, so all he will have to do is reheat it for us for Saturday's supper. Sitting at the hospital with me tomorrow and waiting for the outcome and to see how I did and coming home to an empty house except for the dogs, then having to come back to pick me up and bring me home will be stressful enough for him without having to worry about housework, laundry and cooking!

Tomorrow I may not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the procedure. That means if I want coffee and breakfast, I will have to get up at 5AM in order to eat, have my much needed coffee and take my medications. The procedure is at 2PM, but last time an emergency came in and my procedure needed to be set back. I'm okay with all that; just makes for a hungry woman and that is not a good thing for me (or those who have to be around me)!

If you get a chance and believe in God, please say a prayer or two for me. Thanks!

What a day!

2010-05-26T12:08:00.001-04:00

I spent all of yesterday with my husband's Aunt and her brother at a local hospital.

Uncle has had several health problems over the years and the latest being throat cancer. He has had his voice box and other tissue and muscles in his neck removed. The last time he was in Ann Arbor, they told him there was nothing more they could do for him.

My hubby has always been good about helping people. So when the call came in yesterday at 5AM and he was going out the door to work, there was nothing he could do to help. I could tell he felt terrible about this because it isn't in his character to not help. I told him go to work and I will call your Aunt and we will handle whatever needed to be done. Hubby went to work, I called his Aunt, she picked me up and we both went over to Uncle's apartment. WOW! It wasn't anything we were expecting. I wasn't aware that the beginning of the end would be so messy...............and I won't go into the details here.....they are much to graphic. And suffice it to say, that I didn't think about what we had to do, we both just pitched in and did it! We had no other choice. We did call hospice, which has been offering mild help until he needed further assistance. Yesterday was the day. They came and told us to call an ambulance. And since Uncle didn't want to ride in the ambulance alone and Aunt drove and Uncle wanted me to ride with him and hold his hand. I did so and it wasn't a pleasant experience other than knowing that he wasn't alone with strangers.

Upon arrival at the hospital and getting into an ER room, I had no idea that hospice patients with DNR and no life support orders and their families are basically left to deal with the situation in the ER room alone until it becomes necessary for the patients comfort while the final days of their lives pass. Uncle has an open stoma in his throat, and the cancer is continuing to grow. He takes nothing by mouth and the only air he gets is through this stoma. Needless to say that while coughing and breathing out, any secretions will be spewed out this stoma. When it became noticeable that he was having trouble breathing they called in the respirator team and they discovered that he had a large blood clot that he was unable to cough out. The man was literally dieing from strangulation. To watch someone struggle just to breath is one of the scariest situations I have run into. They did suction it out for him and placed a special stoma respirator over the stoma to help him. They were very helpful with keeping him comfortable after that with pain meds but the total care of any secretions being expelled were left to Aunt and I. They decided since they could not get a bed that day for him at the VA Hospital, they would move him to the Cancer Center there. He did get much better care there.

Today he is awaiting transfer to the VA Hospital and will be on palliative care and hospice until the end comes. I can tell you, it was quite an experience and one I hope to never have to go through again. At this time, I would like to tell every nurse and care taker out there how much more respect and admiration I have for them and what they are required to do! I could never do this kind of thing on a regular basis. By the time I got home last night at about 6:30PM, I couldn't wait to jump in the shower and get some clean cloths on. And about 4 hours after being home and cleaned up, I fell apart!

God Bless all the Palliative Care and Hospice Workers!!!!!

Hump Day.............

2010-05-19T23:48:00.000-04:00

and I just found out, almost a week after receiving it, that I was the recipient of an award given to me by my good friend and adopted daughter. Thanks Clew! I do feel special and now that I have it, I almost feel guilty for not posting as much as I use to..........but not quite guilty enough! However according to Clew, I am supposed to choose ten people to give this award to. Although there are many blogger friends who deserve this award and it will be tough to choose, I wish I could give it to all of you. First there is Jaynewan who writes some wonderful things about what she sees and where she lives. And I can't forget my good friend Mary Anne, who lives on an island with the most beautiful scenery for miles around and is a very intelligent and interesting writer, and who happens to be an RN. She is a fabulous writer and person! Another one is Rebecca, who has some very interesting things that she writes about too. And since I haven't been keeping up on my blogging or reading, I am at a loss as to whom else to chose. Some of the ones I would have chosen were already picked by Clew, so until I can think of others, this will have to do for now! And once again, thanks Clewy for the award you bestowed upon me!

Stupid commercials!

2010-04-20T23:14:00.001-04:00

I don't usually rant and rave about something I've seen on television, but this has really ticked me off.

There is a commercial out for a 'no touch' soap dispenser. It advertises that the other soap dispensers are covered with germs when you touch the top to dispense the soap. Do these people really think we are all idiots? That we can't figure out that if you pick up germs from the touchable soap dispenser to get soap in your hand to wash, that the antibacterial soap you have in your hand will not destroy the germs you may have picked up from the top of the soap dispenser.

I mean, really, the tactics manufacturers will stoop too in order to get the public to purchase their products. And what an insult to our intelligence!

I guess it's really trivial in comparison to the over all conditions we all face in this world............but this one just pushed me over the top!

Good Night!

No storms today!

2010-04-14T00:07:00.001-04:00

Well, even though thunderstorms were predicted for today, they never showed up. And now I am glad I didn't mention it to the girls (our dogs) or they would have been restless and worried for no reason. In fact it ended up being quite a nice day! Sunshine and highs in the high 50's.

I made dinner for our oldest daughter and her family. They moved into their new home recently and are still trying to get settled in. They are living in the basement while they finish the upstairs which will eventually be the main living quarters and main floor. But it is quite cozy the way they have it set up in the walkout basement. Anyway, I thought it would be easier for them if they didn't have to stop and take time away from unpacking to cook. I took them lemon pepper chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Forgot the dessert............ice cream.....left it home in the freezer but that's okay, you can bet that I'll eat it!

My daughter-in-law took their dinner over to them the other night..........she took chicken spaghetti and garlic bread and a homemade peanut butter pie which is to die for. It was so nice of her to do that........but she is a great gal and comes from a great family........our lives have been enriched since she joined our family!

Well, it's getting late, and I need to work tomorrow, so this is abiento.............goodbye in French!

Storms!

2010-04-06T15:45:00.000-04:00

We had a couple of big storms roll through here late last night and ealry this morning. Lots of thunder, lightening and high winds!

I happen to live with two dogs who don't like storms. One is absolutely terrified and is very hard to console and the other one just seems to need to be close by. Well, in all reality they both need to be close by. Either on the bed or right next to where I am, sitting or sleeping, and have my hand touching them. A foot is just not good enough! So if the power goes out and your are trying to read a book with a flashlight as long as the 'girls' won't let you sleep anyway, it is near impossible unless you are very adept at holding the flashlight in your mouth and turning pages with your feet if you are lucky enough to be able to get them that high!

They (the meteoroligistsa) are predicting more thunderstorms for tonight). I can only hope that they are terribly wrong with their predictions!!!

I did it and I'm not sorry!

2010-04-02T15:56:00.001-04:00

Okay, I gave my 2 week notice yesterday and my last day of work will be April 15th. And since I only work part-time anyway (Wed., Thurs, and Fri) I only have 6 days left to work. Normally it would be five, but I am commited to filling in for the girl I job share with on April 12th while she goes to a doctor appointment. But The 12th is only a 3 hour day, where Wed. and Thurs. still are whole days. It is what it is.............and that's that!

Job hours cut!

2010-03-30T15:39:00.002-04:00

Well, my hours at work have been cut again. Last time I had to take a cut in pay and hours. This time they just want a cut in hours. That would give me only 9 hours a week to work. I'm thinking it really isn't worth my time to go in for 3 hours, 3 days a week! It will cut my pay in half too. It takes effect April 19Th. I have upcoming doctor visits and decisions to be made concerning my health, so I'm thinking it's best just to give my notice and that would give me just 8 more days to work. But with Tom laid off, is it the smartest decision to make. The amount of pay I would make would make in two weeks would probably buy groceries for a week, but with the price of gas rising all the time, I'm wondering if I can justify continuing to work! I receive no benefits from working part-time and don't receive any holiday pay. They would still want me to drive to corporate headquarters a couple times a year to fill in full-time for the front desk gal who would be going on vacations, but even that doesn't amount to that much and corporate headquarters is another 20 miles of driving every day added to what I now drive.

So, I am just venting and putting it down in writing to better help me think it through and come up with a solution that is best for me at this time.

9 days into the New Year............

2010-01-09T11:01:00.002-05:00

and it is my oldest grandsons birthday. He is 21 today..........the official entry into adulthood! But he's been an adult since he was 18 at least and perhaps even before that. Always a responsible young man with wisdom beyond his years in age.....always kind, considerate and polite. I've never heard him speak rudely to anyone, not even his siblings. His sister Em will be 18 in April and his little brother, Drew was just 5 the end of October, 2009. Steve has always been one of Drew's biggest fans and vice versa. They absolutely adore one another..........it shows on both their faces when Steve walks in the door coming home from college for a visit! A rare thing in today's world of older siblings being too busy to have time for younger ones.........especially with the age difference between these two! It is amazing and awesome just to watch them interact together. Yet they are a very close knit family and I guess I should give credit where credit is due. My daughter (who is 41 now and I'm still pondering how she got that old) has been such a great influence on all her kids. If there were such a thing as a 'Wonder Mom' she would have that title. She was always patient and kind and listened to their explanation before doling out any kind of punishment.............she didn't learn that from me! I can really say that I admire and respect her.............she deserves both, if not more!

So this is a Happy Birthday to Steve, our first born grand child, and to my daughter, for without her, Steve wouldn't be here or who he is.

How did I get so blessed!

Deer season once again!

2009-11-13T22:17:00.002-05:00

It seems like 'deer season' rolls around all too fast lately. Tom has left this evening for the U.P. and his annual 2 week deer hunting trip. Although I wonder why he goes every year since there are way more deer in the lower peninsula due to the wolf population in the upper peninsula killing off a lot of the deer. I suspect it has much more to do with he camaraderie with the guys than the actual shooting of a deer!

This year it was much harder to watch him go than the last few years. It is probably due to the fact that he was in the hospital just a couple weeks ago with a 95% blockage in his right coronary artery and they also found an aneurysm that they were also able to fix. The doctors gave him a clean bill of health to go, yet my mind has trouble wrapping around the fact that he will be okay after such a short recovery period. I can't believe a person can be at deaths door one day and two weeks later be okay to travel 12 hours away into a remote area with no easy access to health care if needed. I know I worry too much, but after burying one husband, I am not really looking forward to having to do it again. And for whatever reason, this year I feel more alone than ever before. Perhaps because the kids are all busy with their own families, and the grand kids are growing up and not wanting to come and stay here like they use too. I have the two dogs, but they seem more work than company of late. Probably because one of them is 11 months old and still a puppy and a lot of work. And she pesters the older dog until she gets upset and barks and that drives me nuts. Maybe I am just getting too old for all of this stuff. Plus working part-time most weeks and full-time some weeks, just seems to get me down and depressed to the point of not feeling like doing anything at all. It even seems like a chore to get on the computer and type most nights.

Well, enough complaining...................going to go and read a bit and see if that helps. Until next time.....................

October 26, 2009 ~ Drew's 5th Birthday

2009-10-26T14:58:00.002-04:00

Last time I wrote was around the middle of September and I was talking about some of the leaves already having changed color. Well, here it is toward the end of October and many of the leaves have fallen off the tress already while still in the summer color of green. The wind and the rain has caused them to fall before they even had chance to transform the trees into a beautiful shade for us to enjoy! My best guesstimate would be that half the trees are half bare already. The ones with most of their leaves still hanging on them, are very pretty though. The reds, yellows, oranges, Burgundies and gold ones still mixed with some of the green ones make a very pretty picture to see! I happened to see a tree on Saturday while running errands that had all if not most of its leaves still on. What was so interesting about this tree was that along the top and upper branches, the leaves had begun to turn different colors. Some were gold, some were orange, some were red, etc. All on the same tree with the solid green below it just struck me as being strange, yet beautiful in it's own way. I may just go back and take a pic of it so You can all see what I mean!

Work seems to be going okay............I may be taking my Tuesdays back and giving up the half day on Friday. My co-workers husband has found new employment and they just sold one of the houses they had been fixing up to help make extra money. It had only been on the market for 2 weeks and it sold. I'm happy for them, so she may not need that extra day of Tuesday's that I gave her. I'll talk to her and see what she thinks about it.

Well, if I am ever going to get this computer room organized, now is the time I should be doing it..........so that is what I am off to do. I'll be back..........eventually!

Almost Autumn

2009-09-19T11:32:00.003-04:00

Well, I have been very busy.......doing what exactly I don't know. Just working and family stuff mostly. I can't believe that it is almost fall already. I feel as if I have missed the summer season again this year. Not that summer was really very summer like this year. It was a tad bit on the cool side for summer in Michigan. Plus the fact that Amber nor as many grand children came to spend time with us made it seem like school was still in session........sigh! And now that school has started up for this year, they will all be busy doing their own things and we will see them even less. But that is life.............children and grandchildren grow up and actually become people with lives of their own and interests of their own and friends of their own. They are busy just growing up, and that is what life is about after all! Sort of that 'one season following another' type thing. Life follows patterns just as the seasons do.

And speaking of the seasons, I am really looking forward to enjoying this fall season. The trees in Southwest Michigan have begun to change colors........not all of them, but some are beginning to and I am ready to watch and see what kind of a masterpiece the Lord will paint for our enjoyment this year! I love the cool, crisp feel to the air too. To me it just has a different smell to it. But then each season in Michigan does have it's own smell.............and that is one of the reasons I love living here so much. The only thing I would ever change would be the snow. Now mind you, I love to look at it, and even go out and play in it still............what I don't like about it is the accumulation on the road where I must try and navigate to work, the grocery store and anywhere else my errands take me. If we could just do something about keeping it off the roads I would have no complaints at all about the winter time. And now that I've said that, it seems like a good time to close and go outside and enjoy what is left of the beautiful weather that Michigan has to offer.

2009-07-31T23:36:00.003-04:00

Well it is happening. Amber is growing up so fast, she is outgrowing us! I know that is the way things go as they become teenagers, still it is hard! It is like letting go of another child and realizing that a part of the relationship you once had is gone and nevermore to be! I just hope she can get the guidence and support that she still needs at her age from her mom or another female figure who is a big part of her life! I miss her so!

My daughter the photographer.............

2009-07-05T17:17:00.006-04:00

does an awesome job. She is not a professional, at least not yet, but in my opinion is good enough that she could and should be one!

She took these photos of some of our family, her children, our grandchildren,including some fantastic shots of Amber.

Puppy

2009-06-19T16:06:00.004-04:00

Here are the more recent pictures of the pup....although she is only a pup in her actions. She is way too big to be considered a puppy any more. These pics were taken within the last couple of months.
In fact, these first two were taken just last night. She had just finished tormenting us and the other dog, Prancer and was looking for more mischief to get into. I wanted to get some of her before she went to the vet today to be spayed. We both took her so she wouldn't be mad at just one of us. Much to our chagrin, we needn't have felt too badly about it. She went with the vet technician happy as a lark, with tail wagging and never even so much as a glance over her shoulder to see us. I thought she would have looked rather forlorn as we left her with strangers but obviously I thought we were more important than we really are! Although, I am thinking that by the time we pick her up tomorrow morning she will be plenty glad to see us and more than happy to return home. At least I'm trying to convince myself of that!

And this last photo needs an explanation. It is a little dark and I apologize for the lack of photo retouching before I posted it. She had discovered her own reflection in the glass fireplace doors and was jumping at the doors and barking rather furiously at the other dog staring at her. We had a pretty good laugh while she was carrying on. She even took it to the next level of hilarity when she spotted hubs reflection in there too!

Weddings and Graduations

2009-05-27T12:43:00.003-04:00

Here it is, the end of May. Memorial Day weekend is over and the unofficial start of summer has begun. And with it come the many weddings and graduations that take place in the month of June. My work has been busy helping brides and grooms order wedding invitations and graduates graduation invitations. It is always a busy time of year for that.

I, as you may know, have been filling in for a gal at corporate headquarters the last few weeks while she recovers from her surgery. The time spent there was quite educational really. I learned a lot of what goes on that we don't see while working in a satellite office. I know now that we must be more detailed in taking classfied ads from walk-in customers and those that call on the phone. Classifieds is a very demanding and busy part of the paper I work at. And though it's been educational, I am exhausted from working the extra hours. The position I am filling in for is full-time, and I usually work part-time. I know it's only two more days per week than my usual work week, but it seems to take it's toll. But I will be returning to my office Tuesday, June 2 and it will almost seem like a vacation. I will work the rest of this week and Monday of next week at corporate and then back at 'my' office amd my regular schedule. I have accumulated comp time and am planning on using a couple days in late June. My baby sister is coming home for a visit from Denver and I will take some time off to spend with her and my older sister. I am looking forward to having a good time with my only two siblings!

I had planned on posting some new photos of our pup, Cocoa, but something is wrong with the transfer process from camera to computer. I have some more recent ones than are already posted, but I wanted to post the latest ones too so all could see how much she has grown.

Sunday - the beginning............

2009-05-03T22:51:00.006-04:00

October 2008 - Grandma and Hub at Grandma's 90 Birthday Party

of another work week. I am supposed to be ironing something to wear to work tomorrow. I seem to be putting it off as long as possible. Perhaps my thinking is that if I don't do it, tomorrow won't come! In all reality I know that won't happen, but in my mind I don't seem able to accept that concept!

It has been a rather ghoulish week for us. Hub's 91 1/2 year old grandma passed away on Monday April 27Th about 4PM. We arrived at about 4:20PM thinking we would be able to say our goodbyes. Grandma couldn't wait........weeks ago she told me that it was 'taking just too damn long to die!' She was more than ready and last summer the doctors informed us that she probably wouldn't see another winter. What did they know? Grandma fooled them all.........she probably stuck around just to embarrass them.....that's the kind of stubborn she was! But she was a dear old lady and I loved her. Coming into the family only 19 short years ago, she didn't have to accept me as a grandchild......yet she did. And she accepted all my kids as great-grandchildren and my grandchildren as great-great grandchildren. She was a classy lady and I learned a lot from her.....too many things to list here. Oh, they weren't things like knitting or any kind of needlecraft.......it was things about life that she had learned and just listening to her I learned. Go in peace Grandma, have that dance with Grandpa Joe in Heaven. I can picture the look upon your face when you met our Maker face to face!

The day of visitation at the funeral home wasn't too difficult for the older ones, but the younger ones......say early 20's and under had a hard time with it all. The only hard time us older ones had was when an old and dear family friend came to pay her respects and dropped dead of a cardiac arrest two feet from Grandma's casket. She wasn't pronounced dead at the funeral home. They took her by ambulance to the nearest hospital but I know she was dead before she even hit the floor. So the day after Grandma's funeral, we had to go back to the same funeral home and the same room to pay our respects to our old and dear family friend.....the only thing we can say about it is that she passed away fast and didn't suffer with friends near her and we were able to contact her family right away.

I have several drafts started and never finished because I ran out of time. I will get to them in the near future I hope, and now I must go and iron, and then turn in for some much needed sleep.

"Cocoa ~ The Not So Magic Magician"

2009-03-25T22:46:00.005-04:00

Cocoa is growing every day. Soon she won't be a puppy any more and I'm thinking that might be a good thing! The other day while I was doing dishes and she was laying underfoot once again, she got up and wandered into the dining area. I did have a rather tall round table covered nicely with a floor length table cloth and sitting on top was a lovely plant that had been sent to me by a friend after my open heart surgery 6 years ago.

It's a miracle that I kept it alive and thriving for that long. It WAS the only live plant in the house!

Out of the corner of my eye I saw movement that resembled a magician pulling a table cloth out from under a table set with dishes and silverware. Only this wasn't any magician, it was Cocoa! The plant didn't stay on the table! This is what it looked like.........
........and this is Cocoa after I was done scolding her.

As you can see, she wasn't terribly upset with the scolding she received. She promptly went to sleep and left me to clean up the damage! I hope this isn't going to be a "Marley and Me" type of happening. She doesn't seem to be catching on or at least she is leading me to think that she is not catching on! I really do think that she is highly intelligent and she is manipulating me! Prancer is taking an interest in her. Albeit, it may be an interest that is being forced upon her by Cocoa. Prancer plays with her now and shares her water bowl even though Cocoa thinks she needs to swim in it or wade through it. Prancer just looks at her as if to say "must you put your feet in here when I am trying to drink?"

I keep hoping that Prancer will help train this unruly pup! She has already let her know that she is the alpha female dog and Cocoa has been the recipient of several roll-overs and nips that have made her yipe. Mind you, she has deserved every chastising Prancer has doled out..........and many more that Prancer has let slide! She is learning........but I think she will be in the puppy stage for at least a year and a half no matter if she attains her full growth by then!

But she has captivated our hearts and we wouldn't give her up for anything.........unless.......NO, I mustn't think that way. Here is a photo of her from two nights ago..........see how big she is getting!

Geese flying

2009-03-09T15:17:00.003-04:00

Geese flying
Originally uploaded by groovyholly

While driving to work the other morning, I spotted a formation of geese flying north. A sure sign that spring is on its way! As I travelled further down the road, I saw another group in the same 'v' formation heading in the same direction. There are other signs too. The maple trees in my backyard are beginning to bud. I haven't seen any growth of my flowers that come back every year, but I am sure they are just lying dormant, waiting for the mositure and sun to coax them into pointing their little heads up for all to see and rejoice in.

It has been a very long, hard winter in Michigan, as well as elsewhere, I'm sure. And I imagine that every one of you is as anxious for spring to arrive as I am. I even heard one of our local meteorlogists say that he was tired of winter and ready for spring!

It is beautiful outside today. The thermometer says it's only 43º out there but I was out sitting in just my jeans, shoes and sweater keeping an eye on Cocao and Prancer and it certainly felt warmer than that in the sun. In fact, I'm wondering what I am doing inside on such a nice day off? So I will end this and head back out to the great outdoors and enjoy it while I can!

Keeps me laughing.........

2009-02-25T22:23:00.005-05:00

this new puppy of ours! She is so funny to watch. She finds so much fun in every day things. Playing with an empty tissue box, an empty paper bag or a door stop. You know, the ones on a spring that are behind the doors to keep them from hitting the wall when you open them.

And she found herself in a mirror this morning while I was getting ready for work and I stopped and watched her growl and jump at herself and begin to bark as if she were some huge ferocious beast! I couldn't help but laugh at her antics. She thought she was so tough. And all the while, you could tell that she was actually afraid of whatever she saw in the mirror.

Prancer still is not fond of her, but is growing more tolerant of her with each passing day and sometime while outside together she will even play for short periods of time with Cocoa.

Hopefully some day, Prancer will like her! Keeping my fingers crossed on this one!

Here Cocoa is in one of her quiet spells.............they don't last for very long!

Another 4 legged fur child!

2009-02-14T18:08:00.008-05:00

Well, we've had a stretch of some warmer weather and sunshine and it spoiled us and made us want more. Mother Nature played a dirty trick and sent a cold snap and more snow to replace the snow that had basically all melted away. When we woke up this morning we had around 3 inches of snow on the ground, but a lot of that has compacted as it sat, so there is maybe 1 1/2 inches left. And that will soon melt away. I know that spring is just around the corner and everyone is anxious for it to arrive. It has been one long, cold and snowy winter!

Amber is here for the weekend. She came Thursday evening so I could take her to her orthodontist appointment yesterday morning. And when we came home, we called and Drew came and spent the night while his mommy and daddy had a night away with friends. They have since picked him up and Amber has gone with Bumpa to take our newest puppy back to her momma. She was over here for a visit to get acquainted with Prancer and the surroundings. It didn't go to badly. This was her second visit and Prancer actually played outside with this little pup for a short time.

These pics are of her on her first visit here last week just before all the snow melted. We are naming her Cocoa and she is 3/4 Lab and 1/4 Australian Shepard. We are hoping they will become companions and fast friends and enjoy one another! We know we will enjoy both of them. Cocoa has already caught on to which door she should go to when she needs to go 'potty'. She seems really smart and with Prancer's help, I'm hoping she will be as easy to train as Prancer was. Sometimes I wonder about the brilliance of getting a puppy while I am gone three full days a week, but she will be in a kennel in the house while we are gone until she can be trusted. Perhaps my judgement is getting worse as I get older! Ha-ha-ha!

And I almost forgot this, but my good blogging friend Smalltown RN presented me with this award. And she was given the award by 'Peppylady'. It's her "Encouragement Award" Whenever Peppylady visits a blog she ends her comments by saying "Coffee's on". Peppylady says this award represents the encouragement people provide her and that the coffee is on and are ready to listen, encourage and even advise. Thank you Smalltown RN for giving it to me. Now I must think of those that I will give it too. This is most difficult as there are many who are great listeners and really deserve this award. I will have to chose:

Pearl at Cameo and Lace

Lori at Thoughts of Laurel

Renee at FroggieMom

And it's not as if these are the only ones who have earned this award........there are many out there who have offered support and encouragement to many over the years. Now I leave it to these three to pass it on to those they find deserving.

One day closer to Spring!

2009-01-31T12:42:00.002-05:00

As this is the last day of January and the end of the first month of 2009, the snow keeps piling up. The only thing, at this stage, that keeps me going is to awaken every morning thinking "we are one day closer to Spring"!

I think we have had more snow this 2008-2009 season than we have had in years. This could end up being one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record for the state. Not that I'm looking forward to setting any new records for that. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner the temps rise above the freezing mark(and they haven't at all this month)and this snow begins to melt I will be considerably happier!

Of course, by the time summer gets here with it's high humidity, we will be trying to cool the inside of the house down to a lower temp than we are trying to raise it to now! Seems like a crazy thing to do, doesn't it? If only we could channel some of this frigid air to use in the summertime.........ah, now that would be ideal!

I have discovered one good thing about winter though. The lack of bugs! No mosquitoes, no bees, no ants......well except for the occasional stray one that finds it's way onto my kitchen floor. Oh yes, and the spiders that somehow seem to survive as uninvited guests in my home. I feel the need to squash them both like.........well, like bugs!

Christmas traditions

2008-12-17T22:32:00.005-05:00

Christmas traditions at our house mean a lot to us. There has only been two years since I was 23 that I have had to decorate the tree alone. My children use to partake in this activity until they grew up, moved out and had their own tree to decorate and their own traditions to establish.

This year I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of Amber's company here to help decorate the tree. Here is a photo of her hanging up an ornament on a partially decorated tree. The next photo is one of "Bumpa", Amber and Drew warming their feet by the fireplace. This isn't a tradition, but Bumpa thinks we should make it one! Bumpa thinks any time he is laying down in front of the fireplace should be turned into a family tradition! In all fairness to Bumpa, he has been working 6 and 7 days a week lately, so I'm sure laying down anywhere, anytime feels good to him!
We also make several different kinds of cookies for the holidays. This year we baked peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles and sugar cookies. We even decorated the sugar cookies, but with little ones helping with the frosting, I think more cookies and frosting were eaten than decorated.

Something new that Amber and I did this year was to make a Gingerbread house and decorate it. It came as a kit, but let me tell you they are not as easy as they sound. We both got a little frustrated but she did most of it with minimal supervision and this is the finished product......... I don't think it turned out too badly, do you?

Opening Day of Gun Season in Michigan!

2008-11-08T10:28:00.000-05:00

Deer hunting fast approaches...............
........and we are right back to being so busy at work and hubby volunteering for overtime (read working 10 hour days, 6 days a week) that we have no time for each other. And this is the part I hate about him going deer hunting to the U.P. for just over 2 weeks. I can deal with the 2 weeks he is gone. In fact it's kind of a vacation for me....less laundry, no cooking if I don't want too, etc. But it's the preparation before he goes and the many hours he feels he must work that take time away from 'us', that really pisses me off. I have told him angrily, and told him pleadingly, and told him nicely. And HE. JUST. DOESN'T. GET. IT! Is it possible for a man to be so dense in the head? I guess the answer is a resounding YES.......makes no sense to me!

I'm going to try!

2008-11-01T23:59:00.002-04:00

I mean really hard, to post more frequently. I miss it and the camaraderie that I get from blogging. But there just honestly hasn't been time. I'm working more hours than I had ever planned on when I went back; 25.5 hours per week actually. Yes, it's still part-time and I have a long 4-day weekend every week with Monday and Friday's off, but it still is hard to meet all the obligations I want too.

So on the first day of this month, I am going to try and post at least once a week. But don't hold your breath just in case!

I'm back but only briefly, I...............

2008-10-09T22:37:00.008-04:00

don't want to let my good friend Winter down. She tagged me to list 5 random things about me. So here goes:

1.) Both of my parents died before I was 21 years old. My dad was killed by a drunk driver when I was 17, and my mom died 3 years later.........both were 49 years old. I was in college then and was going to go into elementary education, but I had to quit to take care of a younger sister who was still in high school and make money to support her so she could continue her education just to graduate from high school. It was a tough time for both of us........we grew up quick and made it in this big old world!

2.) My first husband passed away from malignant melanoma when I was 29 and my children were 7, almost 4 and 2 1/2. I remained single until I was over 40 and was lucky enough to find a good man to take on a ready made family with the same beliefs I had. We blended his two children and my three and it WORKED! He is very similar to my first husband, and he is my HERO!

3.) I have just been blessed with my 20th grandchild, a boy. Only 19 are living as we lost one in a premature delivery to stillbirth. The more the merrier I always say!

4.) I have had 3 heart attacks, one angioplasty, a quadruple bypass surgery and one stent placed in my heart..........and I feel fine!

5.) I love it when I can gather as many children and grandchildren together for a special occasion, such as Christmas, or the 4th of July or Thanksgiving or some other fun holiday!

Now, I am supposed to tag 5 others, so I tag Janeywan, Yvonne, Lori, MaryAnne and Clew!

I'm fine...........

2008-10-05T09:58:00.002-04:00

but I think I need a break from the world of blogging. Thought I had better leave a message for anyone who is a regular reader so as not to worry anyone. I will be taking a break..........I don't know for how long. Knowing me, it could be a long time or a short time such as a few days to a week. But please don't worry...........I think I will be back eventually!

2008-09-20T19:42:00.003-04:00

The past week hasn't been much different than the last few weeks. Some of the family obligations have been reduced a tad, but not eliminated! As a matter of fact, one of Grandma's daughters and the sister of the uncle who was in the Veterans Facility in Ann Arbor was in an awful accident a couple days ago and rolled her vehicle. She has several upper body injuries, including both arms and has already had surgery to try and repair the damage. Both arms are broken, the left is much worse than the right and is broken in several different places. The uncle has been release from the Veteran's Facility and is now home and learning to cope with his disabilities on his own. Grandma has been released from the hospital, after fooling the doctors, and making a good recovery for someone who will be 91 on October 13th. She is in a lovely nursing facility doing physical rehabilitation to gain strength so she can return home. They are talking about letting her go home this coming Tuesday. She has already asked me if I can be there. I can't. Tuesday is my normal day to work, and I would rather be at work. I know that sounds terrible of me, but I can't help it. I have done so much already, that I just want to return to my normal life. And Uncle Jim has asked me to take him to the Doctors Monday morning and I have already told him 'no'. I do have to work Monday afternoon and am not sure I would be back in time anyway.........so that was a break for me.

Now here's a coincidence for you. I have a dear friend who I have talked with about learning to say 'no' to people. She volunteered to e-mail me daily with the word "NO". Anyway, I just received an e-mail from her with exactly that message in it. Thank you, my dear friend! I guess I need her to look out for me and perhaps she was thinking about me and sent me the message to assure me I was doing the right thing. So that about sums it all up for now. I want you all to leave a thank you for my guardian angel, Shawny!

2008-09-13T00:15:00.004-04:00

This week has been busy for me with working and running around for grand children and babysitting. I wouldn't change any of it though.

Only had to work one day this week plus go in early one morning for a staff meeting, but the fun part has been keeping busy with two of the grand children.

First, I got to pick Amber up at 9:30 AM Thursday in Muskegon to take her to her orthodontist appointment. We had a lovely day together in spite of her mouth being a little sore from having work done on her braces! I hadn't seen her in several weeks and I had been missing her. Her mother okayed for her to miss school on Friday and spend two nights here before returning her to Pentwater Saturday around 1 PM in order for her to cheer in the football game. She only ended spending Thursday night and all day Friday with me before she asked if she could go spend the night with her daddy. What am I going to do .........tell her 'no'! Not! So I took her 15 miles south to her dad's house tonight and she had supper with him and he will bring her back in the morning in time for me to take her back to Pentwater......a 101.2 mile trip......one way!

Plus we had Drew today. He is such a funny little boy! He just cracks me up. He went home around 5 PM, but they called and were in a bind and asked if he could come back around 6:45 for about an hour. I told them yes, of course! So when they dropped him off, I was in the process of making supper. Once that was out of the way with, Bumpa proceeded to fall asleep in his recliner which was the perfect opportunity for Drew to find some stickers and 'decorate' Bumpa with them! This photo shows what a good time Drew was having!

This next photo shows Bumpa waking up after he had taken a look at what Drew had done. As you can see, Drew was pretty proud of his art endeavor! Gotta love the work of an almost 4 year old!!!!

Not enough hours in a day.........

2008-09-05T10:36:00.003-04:00

to get everything done! I've been working extra hours at work, filling in for the gal that got married and thinks she needed a honeymoon. Imagine that!!! Trying to keep up with all the normal housework and meeting extended family obligations has not afforded me much time to do anything else or anything for myself. I was barely able to fit in a haircut a week or so ago!

Hub's 90 year old grandma has been in the hospital since sometime last month and was not expected to make it. She has since been moved to a nursing home temporarily so she can get some physical rehab to regain some strength before she returns to her home to live out what ever time she has left. Of course, the entire family is being asked to make adjustments in their daily life's in order to accommodate and have a family member with her at all times. This will prove to be a difficult feat to manage. Those of us who have always been there to help, will continue to do so, but those who haven't taken the time to even stop in for a short visit the last few years will be absent as usual, putting the responsibilities on the rest of us!

And if that isn't enough, hub's uncle who has been in the Veterans Hospital in Ann Arbor is coming home today. He's been there since May 12Th. I went to his apartment last night and cleaned it once again, so he would have a clean environment to come home too. They actually wanted me to go to Battle Creek and pick him up today at 3 PM, but I told a little white lie and said I wouldn't be out of work in time to get him. Truth be told, I didn't have to work today, but didn't feel I could go and help him into my car, fold up his wheelchair and walker and put them in my car without hurting my own back. But I think I've really done enough!

Sweet Lady!

2008-08-20T13:28:00.003-04:00

This is a photo of my hubby and his Grandmother at her 90th Birthday Party, October 2007.

My hubby's grandmother is in the hospital.........intensive care heart unit. She is almost 91 years old and is so ready to go. She is losing her sight due to Macular Degeneration in both eyes and can no longer drive her car, which she did up until a few months ago. She has had to become dependent on others and that has grated on her ever since, in her words, 'she's been grounded'! She has been in the hospital for a few days now and they have unhooked all IV's and monitors except for oxygen and pain meds to keep her comfortable. She tried ripping all the IV's out Sunday night and telling them that it was just taking way too long. Instead of trying to sustain her life they are just going to let nature take it's course. I totally agree with them. As long as she has all her mental capabilities about her and has plainly told them her directives about life support, they should just let her go. We will miss this dear, sweet lady, but it is time for her to go 'home' to her maker and her loved ones who have passed before her. Rest peacefully, Grandma, until the time comes! I love you!

August 6th

2008-08-06T23:47:00.003-04:00

I notice that none of the usual bloggers have been blogging as much as in the past. I think we have all gotten busy with 'real life'.

Things have been in an uproar for us. I was expecting Ame and her girls to come for a visit this summer, but unfortunately it didn't work as we had planned. I miss them, but perhaps there will be a better time for them to visit. My door is always open....!

Sunday hubby was in the local ER and was admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. He hadn't felt well all day and by the time he told me, even I could tell by looking at him that something was wrong and he needed some immediate medical care.

He did not have a heart attack according to the heart enzyme blood work, but his EKG was showing some significant changes from his last EKG in Jan. after his stress test. They did a heart cath procedure the next day and found nothing unusual. So after resting and recovering for about 3 hours, he was released and I was allowed to bring him home. I have made follow up appointments with his PCP and the Heart doctor so we can get to the bottom of all of this. This is what I mean about 'real life' getting in the way!

Hope things are good for everyone else out there!

Happy Birthday!

2008-08-01T10:46:00.002-04:00

Here it is, the first of August once again. And my late, first husband's birthday. Today he would be 67 years old. I can't even imagine what he might look like. The picture I have of him in my mind is that of a healthy 34 year old man who was strong physically and had a gentle heart. He has spent more birthdays in heaven than he spent on this earth and I know he is happier there than he ever could be here!

And I received a present today! It was a call from my present hub, telling me that after one week on second shift, they are putting him back on first. They have created a new position and he was offered it first. It is a labor grade 10 and he was a labor grade 9 before, so it will mean more money for him. He will have to be trained and qualified for this position and that will take 90 days. So we are at least guaranteed at least three months on first shift this time. They told him that it will only be a first shift position, but we know they have lied to him before so we know that the possibility of having to return to second shift will always remain in his future. But we will take the 90 days of first shift and enjoy it while we can.

What is Normal?

2008-07-24T09:08:00.004-04:00

Well, that didn't last long. Hub got to spend three weeks on first shift and they are telling him that as of Monday he must return to second shift once again. Seems the job he signed for was only temporary as the gal who had it was off on disability. Would have been nice if they had been up-front about it and told him at the get go. He never would have signed for it and accepted it knowing it would only be a short time and he would be required to return to second shift. That stuff is hard on a body always adjusting sleep habits, timing of medications that he needs, etc.

It's hard on all of us. I must once again adjust to being a married woman who attends every single family function that is held in the evenings (except on Sunday) as a single woman. Always the fifth wheel and driving by myself. It also limits the timing for having the grandkids spend the night and or a few days with me. It's not so bad for the older ones, they are fairly quiet and can still do it. But the younger ones who tend to be loud and cry much more frequently when they don't get their own way, it becomes next to impossible because their noise in the morning has a way of disturbing hubs' sleep and wakes him up before he has had enough sleep to go to work on again for that night.

We are both unhappy about this, but we must accept it. Besides, he still has a job! Not like a lot of people in this state who are laid off, or the companies they worked for have moved to another state or just closed their doors. So I guess, even though I'm complaining about it, and I'm still not happy, I will try to make the best of it and thank the good Lord that he is still gainfully employed and bringing home a paycheck every week.

BTW, the above photo is part of the process of manufacturing office furniture which is what hubby does for a living.

A normal life...........

2008-07-09T17:35:00.004-04:00

I think we have returned there. Hubby is now back on first shift. I am going to be going back to my normal working hours of just Tuesday instead of Monday and Fridays also beginning next week. I have been filling in while they hired and trained a new gal since one of the job sharers quit without any notice. It's been a little rough, but we made it through. Hub began first shift this Monday. It's been several years since he was able to work this shift due to cut backs and layoffs.

The weather here today is wonderful. Highs in the mid 70's with a nice breeze and lots of sunshine. A perfect summer day. Not to hot and humid and it's nice to be able to open the windows and doors and smell the lovely smells of summer flowers floating in through the open windows instead of running the air conditioning constantly. I guess I had forgotten how wonderful the smells of summer could be. The bushes right outside my kitchen window have bloomed with some small white lovely little flowers and they have a wonderful fragrance to them. My hollyhocks have bloomed for the first time in three years and I can't smell them from here, but they are beautiful to gaze at.
They bring back memories of when I was a little girl and my sisters and I used to pick them in different stages of their blooming and budding out and stick toothpicks in them to make them look like people and we would float them in a large cake pan and pretend the were a wedding party. See what memories certain sights and smells can trigger. I have been transported to another time......but I linger there too long and must return to the task at hand of preparing our dinner.

Catching up.........finally!

2008-07-08T17:26:00.000-04:00

At last a little time to catch up on things. I have been working more hours than I was originally hired for. That's because one of the gals that I job share with decided to quit without giving any notice! So I have been working my hours plus all of her hours for the last three weeks too. But they did hire another gal for the position and she started her training at the Jenison office on Monday June 23rd and will be training there for two weeks. I am glad she felt comfortable enough to begin working this week with me at our office. Trying to cover extra hours and keep my housework up to where I'm comfortable with it has been difficult for me. Once again, let me say, I don't know how you work-outside-the-home moms do it! You all have my admiration and a new found respect for all you do!!!! KUDOS TO ALL OF YOU!

Not much happening!

2008-07-02T03:29:00.002-04:00

Still working extra hours to fill in for the gal that quit without giving any notice. This is the second week of the extra hours and I have one more week to go next week. The gal they hired is finishing up her training at corporate headquarters this week and will complete her training next week at our office. Monday and Tuesday all day she will be working with me and Wednesday and Thursday she will be working with Katie and the 3 hour shift on Friday will be with me again. The following week, I will be able to return to my one full day (Tuesday) a week. But in August, I will have to do two weeks of all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to cover for Katie while she gets married and goes on her honeymoon cruise.

This weekend is the 4Th of July and our kids and grand kids.......well, most of them, will be coming here for the parade and a cookout. We have already got the pool set up and hope the water will be warm enough for them to get wet to cool off it gets that hot! Three of the kids and their families won't be attending. Oldest son has camping reservations with his family, youngest daughter and her family were up here for the long Memorial Day weekend and can't afford another trip from Kentucky and our daughter in Texas is coming up later this month with our two grand daughters and will stay for two weeks. We are all getting excited about that. I haven't seen them since last October and the rest of the family has never met them. We adopted her after she was full grown with two girls of her own. But everyone is anxious to meet them. I'm sure we will have a great time and find plenty to keep us busy. The girls are at fun ages and we can't wait until they arrive! I'm hoping that with all the covering for the other gals at work, I am able to find someone to cover for me when they are here. I know it would only be for two Tuesday's, but I don't want to miss any time with them if I can help it, 'cause I'm not sure when I will see them again!

Harley, aka, Boo, had her surgery on her lip from a face first fall into the coffee table in her home a few months ago. They put tubes in both her ears at the same time. She was totally deaf in her right ear due to fluid buildup that had to be removed before the tubes were placed and a partial fluid buildup in her left ear. She seems to have come through it quite well and her lip really looks good and she can actually already hear out of her right ear. They found an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor that could take care of her ears and fix her lip at a much more reasonable price than the plastic surgeon they told us we would have to get to do the job. And the bonus was they could fix everything at the same time. Good thing.......she isn't very pleasant when coming out of the anesthesia. Just like her Daddy.........that apple didn't fall far from the tree! Sorry son, but I tell it as I see it! Thanks to all who kept her in their thoughts and prayers. God is awesome!

A good omen!

2008-06-14T13:07:00.003-04:00

This is a partial rainbow that I was able to capture after the rains Friday evening, June 13, 2008! I know it's not the greatest picture of a rainbow or even the greatest rainbow I have ever seen, but it's the first rainbow that I have seen this season and it was just in front of my house. I am hoping that this is a good omen and means that the flooding rains and terribly severe weather is mostly behind us. Well, I can always hope, right? It seems as if we have been hammered by every severe storm that they have predicted so far this spring. I know the rain is good and we need it as bad as the farmers do, but sometimes you can get too much and the fields are under water too long and that damages the crops as much as a drought does. So I am praying that the severe weather is over and we will just get the normal amount of rain needed to keep everything growing fine for the farmers and us to help ensure that the price of food doesn't go up much higher than it already is!

On a much brighter note, I am the proud owner of a new(to me anyway) 2005 black Chevy Cobalt. And guess what? It has air conditioning! I haven't had A/C in over three years, so I am extremely happy about it! It is a basic car, no bells and whistles.....meaning no power windows, seats or door locks. But crank windows are fine with me and the car is small enough that if I stretch I can lock all the doors without having to walk around the car, open the doors, push the lock button down and close the door. The following is a photo of it:

Kind of a sporty looking car for someone who just turned 62. But, I think I may be entering into my second childhood.............albeit there are those I'm sure, who will tell you that I never outgrew the first one! Ha ha!

The Long Weekend

2008-05-28T09:03:00.009-04:00

Well, it's Wednesday, the long weekend is behind us and this week is half over. I have so much housework to catch up on.

We had our daughter and her family up from Kentucky for the Memorial Day weekend. It is always nice to see family.......and it is always so exhausting! I think it must be the change in the routine and visiting and being busy most of the time when they are here.

We had three different get togethers with Rachel and family and some of her siblings and their families. We always try to gather as many as we can together for at least one group meal. The last one was a bonfire, marshmallow roast, s'more making time. We started this early in the evening before it was even dark. Some of the little ones would never have made it otherwise.........they were already tired by the time we began. I'm going to post some pictures of the visit. Most of them are of the kids enjoying themselves and playing. We did have a joint birthday party for two of the Kentucky kids and they received their first 'Webkinz' and were thrilled.
This is a pic of Ty taking a marshmallow out of his daddy's mouth! And the next two are of the double birthday cake, candle blowing out. And the final one is the three Kentucky grandkids, the two biggest posing with their new Webkinz!

2008-05-17T11:03:00.002-04:00

Did you ever have to fill out a form where they ask for your occupation? I have on several different occasions. And all the years of being a stay at home mom only seemed to leave me the option of checking the multiple choice answer of 'housewife'. Yet that is not correct either. I wasn't married to my house! Then I remembered the story I once heard of a woman who claimed she was a 'Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

Now, you might ask. just exactly what this field of employment is. Let me enlighten you.

It would consist of a continuing program of research (what mom doesn't)in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would say indoors and out). Where one is working for their Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family). In my case, I already have five credits (three sons and two daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations', and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

Mother's Day...........

2008-05-10T22:55:00.004-04:00

.....and it has me thinking of my mother who passed away 42 years ago this coming June. Yes, I miss her still. But what she taught me in the first 20 years of my life has made me into the person I am today. It has influenced all of my decisions one way or another and affected the outcome of my life to this point and will forever.

And it made me stop to realize how lucky I am! My mother's death taught me how precious life is and how soon it can be snuffed out. Because of this, I have learned to accept people for who they are and love them in spite of any faults they may have. Of course this is made easier for me by my offspring picking people to share their life with who have great qualities and are decent and easy to love.

I want to pay tribute to them. First, my daughter Naive-no-more. My first born child, whom I fell immediately in love with and thought that I would never let go. Little did I realize at that time, that the teachings of my mother would affect the way I loved her and raised her to be a totally independent and wonderful person. I learned that although the time comes when you must cut the apron strings and let them go, albeit with bittersweet memories, it is much easier to do so when you love them and want to watch them to continue to grow in a more mature way than they ever could if you didn't 'cut them loose'! And I've found that they never leave you really. At least not in mind and spirit. You will always be connected to each other in a way that you could never imagine! So, Naive-no-more, this is a small token of how much you mean to me and how proud I am of you and how much I love you. And being a mother, I know you can now understand so many things you didn't before you were a 'mom'. You still have the power to make me smile whenever I think of you and you bring me so much joy while allowing me to be a part of your life. I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

And I have another daughter that was acquired through a marriage fourteen years after the death of Naive and her brothers' dad. Although I wasn't there from the start with this little girl, I love her as if I had been. She is grown and a mother of three of her own now. And we also have a special bond. She was not even in kindergarten when she came into my life and captured my heart with her comical ways and delightful smiles. Even though she didn't live in our home with us for more than a year full-time, the week-end visits when she and her brother were small earned them both a special place in my heart. I think my mom's love of all children taught me the concept of allowing me to love a child that didn't grow inside me! I love you, Rachel Happy Mother's Day!

That brings us to Heidi, my son Jeremy's wife. But just to keep the record straight, she was my friend before she ever knew Jeremy! I love you Heidi. You have given me two beautiful and wonderful grand sons. And you have been an added plus to our family these past years. Your kindness to me is so appreciated. You have a piece of my heart forever too. Thank you for joining our corner of the world! Happy Mother's Day to you!

And dear Ame, whom I met on line blogging over a year ago, probably closer to two years ago, has become another daughter through 'hearts' if not by birth! She is a 'single mom' to two beautiful and enchanting little girls, one of which is a special needs kid. Watching Ame deal with this on a daily basis is truly amazing and she makes it look less difficult than it really is. I know, I spent two weeks in her home last fall and I had a wonderful time. Ame has a great laugh, and is a lot of fun. This is one daughter I had absolutely no work while she was growing up and I am reaping the benefits from knowing her. I love you, Ame. Happy Mother's Day!

And there is our son Brian's wife, Vanessa. She brings a different culture to our family and keeps things interesting. She has been a great mother to their three children. She takes such good care of them all, including Brian. I'm glad you joined our family those thirteen years ago this coming June! Happy Mother's Day!

And I can't forget Virginia. She has not officially joined our family yet, but is engaged to our son Doug. They will have a blended family as she has two children and Doug has three and and they are expecting their first baby together in October. She has been so good for Doug. She has stepped up to the plate and taken on the responsibility of helping him raise two of his children. She is a better 'mom' to them than the one they were born too. I will always love her for that. Happy Mother's Day to you, Virginia!

But wait, there there is one more. There is Clew, whom I met through Naive-no-more, and have unofficially adopted her also! She is the mother of one adorable little boy after suffering many 'baby losses' to get to this point! You should see her in action. A very bright and beautiful woman with lots of talent. I love you, too! Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-05T22:30:00.004-04:00

Janeywan at Life in Westcliffe had a meme on her blog recently and she tagged all who left a comment on her blog. The following is what it is about and my answers:

The Rules:

1. Pick up the book nearest you.
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Type and post the next three sentences after the fifth one.
5. Tag five people.

My book in hand is: The Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler

"So, what now?" she asked. "I need to tell my mom and brother. That's a whole other problem, my mother June..........." his voice faltered a moment.

I tag Rebecca, Ame, Naive, Curly-Q, and Clew!

Happy Birthday to my MOM!

2008-04-23T13:36:00.004-04:00

Today is my mom's birthday. Had she lived past 49 years of age, she would be 91 today. She passed away when I was just 20 and in college. My older sister had just given birth to her first baby, my mom's first grand child, a beautiful little girl. She never lived to see her as she had been hospitalized the last 6 months of her life. My younger sister was still in high school. I quit college in order to get a job and take care of my younger sister and get her the rest of the way through to graduation. She was a junior at that time. Even though it was so many years ago now, I still miss my mom and probably always will.

The above photo is one of my mom and dad standing near their first car shortly after my dad was released from the Army during WWII. My mom is pregnant with my oldest sister in this photo.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

313

2008-04-19T14:33:00.004-04:00

I just discovered that this is my 313TH post here. I guess I let the 300TH post roll right past with out giving it any notice at all. Oh well, on with the current one.

These are my daffodils that bloomed the other day. I love these flowers. They are so bright and cheerful they make me smile just to see them. I wonder if that's what they mean by "Flower Power"! LOL Most all of the flowers have begun to grow. My lilacs have little tiny flower buds and I can't wait for them to open and to smell the lovely fragrance they send out. I wish I could be sure the frosts are all done so I could purchase some flowers and plant them, but I better wait until the end of May as usual. It is a very pleasant day here today, with a high of 77º outside, partly sunny at the present time, but I can see what looks like an overcast sky moving in. Probably bringing rain ;( , but without April showers, we won't have any May flowers so I guess it's a good thing.

Things have been very busy around here lately. My job sometimes feels more like full time than part time as I am covering for the gals I job share with when they can't be there. Yesterday on of sister-in-laws had surgery and wouldn't be home in time to get her kids off the bus, so I drove 60 miles one way in order for someone to be there when they got out of school. It's a good thing too. She never got home until between 5:30 and 6:00 PM. Another sister-in-law had a stent placed in her heart on Thursday and came home from the hospital yesterday. And a brother-in-law was in the hospital for almost a week while they tried to discover what was wrong with him. They did CT scans, MRI's and even a spinal tap. They never did figure it out and sent him home once he was fever free and the pain had lessened.

Today two of the grand children, David and Amber, both had a sporting event they wanted me to attend. I made neither of them. I did receive a phone call from Amber's mom about 1/2 hour after her soccer game had begun to tell me Amber had been injured and was on the way to an ER. She got hit in the face with the ball and the coach seemed to think that her nose was broken, but they couldn't be sure with all the swelling and the bleeding wouldn't stop. I have since received a call that at least it isn't broken, but she is continuing to bleed somewhat. I'm sure she will be fine and they will call if anything happens and she has to return to the hospital.

Well, today is much too nice to be sitting inside on the computer and I have a lot of housework to finish and grocery shopping to do. So, I am off to get things done!

Eighteen Years!

2008-04-17T09:53:00.003-04:00

This coming Monday, hubby and I will have been married 18 years. This picture shows what those 18 years has brought us! We are missing two members of our family, but this is the closest we have ever gotten enabling us to gather everyone together in one place for a family picture. Although it isn't formal photography, it is a natural look at us as a group.

This past eighteen years has brought us many other things as well. Many more happy times and memories, some sadness in losing a grandchild to stillbirth, serious illnesses and, thankfully, recovery from all of them. Some financial difficulties for some, engagements, weddings, many birthdays to celebrate and more good times than bad. We are quite a group......I am glad that we met, fell in love, and blended our families to form the unit we have become! I pray that we have many more years together and that we always cherish each other and what we have.

Stress test passed!

2008-04-10T18:09:00.003-04:00

Okay, just a short post as I am trying to catch up on some housework and also washing and drying laundry for son and his fiancee and family.........their washer quit and with 6 people in their home, laundry can pile up rather quickly. I'm not folding it though.........too much of it, and folding clothes triggers back spasms!

I had my annual stress test yesterday and it seemed easier than years past. Maybe because I have been more active on my treadmill lately. I passed and the word from the doctor is that I don't have to even see him again, unless something goes wrong of course, until next year this time and I can go back for further torturing!

I am so thankful. I dread this thing every year and since it was easier this year, maybe I won't stress about it so much next year! I'm not saying that it will ever be something I look forward to. The above photo is similar to the machine that they put me into, twice, for scanning my chest area. The table isn't very wide and not very comfortable since the strap your left hand and arm above your head and your right arm is strapped tightly to your right side to help avoid any movements. You must just breathe normally and not move at all. And heaven help you if your nose should begin to itch. Fortunately the scan only takes about 15-20 minutes. The longest part of the entire procedure is waiting 45 min. after the nuclear medicine injection into the IV in order to go through the scanner. And there are two different nuclear injections. One before the treadmill stress test, and one after. So you are actually going through this machine twice. But it is over and done with for this year. Woo-Hoo!!!!

Push Me-Pull You

2008-04-08T20:53:00.003-04:00

Anyone remember that fictitious animal from the original Dr. Doolittle movie?

That's how I've been feeling lately. Maybe I am too old to even work part-time! It seems there just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish what needs to get done. My daughter in Kentucky has been having some bouts of something. She went to the hospital with heart attack symptoms and they told her it wasn't her heart, which is good. And she kept her doctor appointment last Friday and spoke with him about these episodes, for lack of a better word to call them. He put her on an anti-anxiety drug called Paxil. He thinks she is having panic attacks. She thinks otherwise, but since he's the one that went to medical school and has the degree, she is trying it, if for no other reason than to rule it out. She isn't happy with the side effects either. She says that she went to the doctor so he could make her feel better, not worse! But, she is willing to wait it out and see where it goes from here.

My future daughter-in-law has a follow up appointment the end of the week to find out the results of her thyroid test and what the course of action will be for her while she is in her first tri-mester of pregnancy. We are all praying for the baby to be safe and healthy.

I have a brother-in-law in the hospital right now and they don't know what is wrong with him. High fever, constant tremor in his right arm and hand, severe headache and pain in his lower right back. They know he has a bladder infection and that there is an infection in his blood as well. He was born with only one kidney, so they have called in a specialist and they have done a CT scan, and MRI and xrays. He will have a spinal tap done first thing tomorrow morning. He is married and the father of two teenage girls. His wife would like for people to come visit him, but we are all leery of going there in case he has something contagious and no one wants to catch it or take any other germs in to him.

First thing tomorrow morning, I am going to the hospital for my annual nuclear stress test. I can't say that I'm looking forward to it. It is a rather long drawn out process and usually takes 4 hours to complete. I have a doctor appointment with my heart doctor immediately following this test. And tomorrow is also my second born grand child's (first girl) birthday. However, we won't be celebrating her birthday as she is in Washington DC or New York, I can't remember which it is now on a mission trip for her spring break from high school. She will turn 16. It doesn't seem possible that she should be that old already. It doesn't seem that long ago that my daughter, her mother, was that age!

Another daughter-in-law wants me to watch her boys one afternoon this week. I'm not sure I feel up to it, but hate to say 'no' to any of them. I'm the one who is supposed to be the glue that holds us all together and lead them all in times of stress and uncertainty. I think it is all just too much at once. I am having trouble sleeping again and I was doing so well there for a while. I'm only averaging about 3-4 hours a night and that is interrupted sleep.

On a high note, if you didn't notice the new award on my side bar, please check it out. It was bestowed upon me by one of my dearest blogging friends, Smalltown RN aka Mary Anne. She is one of the sweetest and nicest gals I know. I hope to meet her in person one day and enjoy a cup of coffee with her! I have a couple worthy people in mind to also bestow this upon.

YES!!!! Spring is here........finally!

2008-04-03T15:29:00.002-04:00

This is a picture of what they commonly call a 'pussy willow' bush here in Michigan. I don't know what name they go by anywhere else or even if they grow in other states....but I'm sure they must. The pussy willow is one of the first trees/bushes to bud out in the spring. As you can see, this one has a good start already. The little gray buds are very soft to the touch........like a little gray kitten. Probably why someone named it the pussy willow.

And this is one of the maple trees in our yard. It is usually the first one to bud. I don't know if you can see in the photo, but the buds are actually a red color and they look so velvety and soft. I don't know how they feel. The tree limbs are much too high for me to be able to touch them and this old lady is NOT getting on a ladder just to feel some buds, no matter how soft they look!

So you see, all we had to do is be a little patient and wait for the warmer weather to arrive. Now by the standards of those of you who live in the southern United Sates, I'm sure our temps of 56º for today don't seem warm to you. But for us, they are a welcome relief to the 20's and 30's that we have been experiencing!

I told you all it would arrive soon! So get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. I did a little outside work today and it felt so good to feel the sunshine beating on my back.

SPRING........maybe NOT?

2008-03-28T08:32:00.003-04:00

This is what I woke up to this morning! And in my last post I said it was spring. This view is outside my back door looking southeast. It is very beautiful, although it isn't very welcomed by me. I would much rather see my flowers than more snow. The bush just off to the left of center is my lilac bush with my new buds buried under that snow. But I guess, if we're going to break the old record for snowfall amount and we've come this far, we may as well go for it!
And this picture is looking southwest out the same back door. I do think the snow on the tree with the sun beginning to shine is beautiful. But then I have always been fascinated by trees anyway. This is the maple tree that I spoke of that had buds and they were beginning to open. I certainly hope this wet heavy snow doesn't damage them. You can't see through the snow, but those buds were a very pretty red with the look of velvet to them. I think the sun will melt the snow up quickly...........at least I hope so!

This coming week is spring break for the kids around here and I am hoping for much warmer temperatures than the 26º we have out there now!

Happy Spring to you.........whenever it decides to show up!!!!

Spring..........maybe?

2008-03-26T10:25:00.003-04:00

Most of the snow from the previous post has melted and upon examining the ground around the house, I have found, much to my delight, the new shoots of my day lilies poking through the dirt as if lifting their heads to see if it is really spring and to test the air and see just how warm that sunshine is. These pictures are from last year and I am anxious for color and that is why I am posting them. It is so hard to wait!

I can't wait to be able to get outside and plant my morning glory seeds and start working those flower beds to get them ready for planting. I love flowers growing in my yard. I hate having to pull the weeds, but seeing all the pretty colors is worth the weed pulling. I'm hoping I don't have such a problem with the rabbits eating my flower petals this year. I'm going to try the cayenne pepper sprinkled about in the hopes of keeping them away. Some one told us last year to lay our garden hose around the area and the rabbits wouldn't cross it, thinking it was a snake. Well, it may have worked for them but it sure didn't fool or scare the bunnies away from my flowers! At one point they had stripped every petal off the petunias.

Now that the snow is almost gone, I can also see where those pesky moles have been pushing the dirt up. I didn't know they remained active under all that snow! We have gotten a recipe containing hot sauce to mix up and that is supposed to drive them out. I'm hoping it does. I know they are here because they like to eat the grubs underground and we could use a chemical of some sort to kill the grubs and deplete the moles favorite dinner, but I would rather not have to resort to chemicals. There are enough environmental issues and contamination already and I really don't want to be a contributor of any more.

So I am hoping we have had our last significant snowfall and spring has really sprung!

Easter weekend

2008-03-22T13:31:00.002-04:00

Although the buds can be seen on my maple tree, forsythia bushes and lilac bush, it didn't stop Mother Nature from playing a trick on us. The calendar may say spring, but the landscape says otherwise. These pictures are the result of a storm that hit us hard on Good Friday, dumping about 9 inches of snow in the area I live in. They have had to re-schedule the annual kiddie Easter Egg Hunt at the local park until the following weekend. Some disappointed children, I'm sure, but they can have fun next weekend this way, too!

It was very windy and before the snow accumulated on the swings, they were blowing as if invisible children were playing there. Once the heavy wet snow built up, the wind had trouble moving them. In spite of the fact that we have this new, perhaps unwelcome snowfall, we still have a lot to celebrate this weekend.

The greatest gift God has given us. His only Son to die on the cross and be buried and rise from the dead to give those who believe eternal life. How much He must love us! It is truly hard for me to comprehend that......as a parent. I know how much I love my children and how difficult it would be to watch one of them crucified. That is why it is so very hard to understand. He let His Son pay the price for us. He bought us with His blood. How lucky we are to have a God who loves us so much.

Happy Easter to all of you!

2008-03-18T07:20:00.003-04:00

Since I am anxious for spring, I am showing some flowers from last spring!

A lot has been going on since I've even had a chance to write here.

I found out that we are expecting a new grandchild in the fall (that will make 19....total), I started a part time job but the training was full time. With that said, I want to praise all of you who work full time outside the home and are raising children at the same time. I don't know how you manage to accomplish both. Just working full time for one week about did me in and I had no little ones to deal with. Yes, I know I am older, but still it is very taxing to be working and still have to keep up your home and then throw in the multitude of tasks of dealing with the demands of small children and, in my opinion, it becomes almost impossible. So, hats off to you who can pull it off! I know I worked when my kids were teenagers and that was difficult at times too, and I WAS younger then. Maybe that's the key........younger means more energy. Getting old certainly isn't for sissy's! But I could do an entire post on growing older, so I'll save that for another time.

One of our grand daughters turned 13........that makes 3 teen-age grand children now. Her birthday was St. Patrick's day, but we celebrated it on Saturday late afternoon and evening with a birthday dinner and cake and ice cream...........all with a St. Patrick's Day theme, of course. That's what she chooses every year. The girl loves green, one of her favorite colors!

We just found out yesterday that our daughter, who lives in Kentucky, will be coming up for a visit in May over Memorial Day weekend. That will be nice.............I haven't seen them since last April when my sis-in-law and I took her two and one of my grand daughters, Amber, down for a few days visit. Hubby hasn't seen them for about a year and a half now with all the overtime he has been working. Hopefully he will be able to have some time off when they are here and really get to fit a nice visit in.

I think it is almost spring here. Most of the snow in our yard has melted but there is still a lot on the ground at my neighbors to the west of me. Maybe he has more shade in his yard! The buds on the maple trees, lilac bushes and forsythia are peeking there heads out and the pussy willow bush is starting to get those soft little thingies (I don't know what you call them, nor do I know the proper name of the pussy willow bush). I haven't seen any signs of my lilies popping up or the tulips or daffodils, but I'm sure there still there awaiting the right time to show themselves. After all, the official first day of spring is only two days away now. Hooray for March 20TH!

Working for Harley!

2008-03-07T20:41:00.003-05:00

I have spent the last two afternoons making phone calls and searching the Internet to see if I can find help for this little girl.

I think I have at least one answer so far. If the original treating hospital will release the information, in a timely manner, from the date we took her into the ER for treatment until the date they removed the sutures and the Doctor's recommendation on seeing a Plastic Surgeon and fax them to a Plastic Surgery Clinic I was able to locate at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids and we get an appointment, they can most likely help. And there is a financial aid number, in fact two of them, that we can contact if they will take the case.

I will keep searching until I know for sure that someone, somewhere, somehow will help this family and restore this little girls lip to its' normal state!

I did take a few hours off this afternoon to keep my eye exam appointment. I found out that my eyes are worse of course (they are getting older, I am NOT) and I have just the very beginning of a cataract in my right eye. Nothing need be done at the present time; just keep an eye (ha ha) on it and keep re-checking it. Besides, cataract surgery is no longer a long difficult thing and the results now days are fantastic afterwards!

Thank all of you for your prayers and concern and kind words you left in my comments!

Oh, I almost forgot. I am starting a job on Monday. I will be training on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30AM-5:00PM at the main facility and then I will be working part-time on Monday and Tuesday's from 12:30PM-5:00PM. And the bonus........it's only 6 miles from my house! I applied for this postion last fall and they hired a younger gal and she isn't working out very well. It seems she doesn't want to work, just play games on the computer! There is something to be said about older workers, don't ya think?

2008-03-06T10:46:00.004-05:00

We just found out yesterday that our poor little Boo, aka Harley, will now need Plastic Surgery to repair her upper lip that she damaged in a face first fall into the coffee table last Thursday. She is on a state assisted program for insurance called Medicaid and they DO NOT cover plastic surgery as it is considered cosmetic.

I haven't seen her since they removed the stitches yesterday, but my son Doug (her daddy) tells me it looks very deformed. I guess the doctor at the ER we took her to just wasn't equipped to handle that kind of a cut or he thought it would heal and be fine. What ever the case, it didn't. The doctor has given them a name of a Plastic Surgeon in Portage, MI. I would like her to be seen by a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon at DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. I think that will be her best chance for a good repair. I talked to Doug about it and he said to go ahead and make some phone calls and see what I can find out.

I hear on the news about some of the doctors in Grand Rapids go to foreign countries and repair cleft palates and other cranial facial problems for free. I need to find one who will do it for free or on a sliding scale and take small payments monthly so they can afford to get her the surgery she needs. She is 4 years old, and the way it looks probably doesn't bother her now, but as she grows, I'm sure it will make her very self-conscious.

If any of you believe in prayer, please pray that we can find the help we need for this little girl. Thank you.

Birthdays, Birthdays and Wedding Anniversary!

2008-03-04T20:17:00.004-05:00

Don't these cakes look good? I didn't make them. I copied the pictures from flickr and posted it here. How I wish Rachel and her hubby, and my friend r j, and Bumpa, could all gather this evening for a celebration and enjoy some of that delicious looking cake. I know rj is especially fond of cake! We would eat the cake and some ice cream, and then sit around the fireplace visiting drinking coffee, tea, or what ever is their drink of choice. Maybe a better time to celebrate would be the weekend when no one had to get up for work the next morning and we could talk and talk until the wee hours of the night. The men would probably get bored, but we girls wouldn't run out of things to talk about, I'm sure!

It's nice to have dreams of how I would like things to be, but reality calls me back to the real world. So let me wish Bumpa and rj a Happy Birthday, and Rachel and Trenton a Happy Anniversary and call it a night!

SPRING IS COMING !

2008-02-28T15:09:00.004-05:00

Do you wonder how I know? Today while driving I saw a Robin red-breast fly in front of my car. This picture below is not one I took myself. It was taken by a friend of mine who was kind enough to e-mail it to me and did not want her name published so I can't properly give her credit, but please accept my thanks. She knew I needed a sign besides the one I saw flying.

I think it is very exciting to finally see a sign of spring.........it assures me that it will arrive eventually.
Even if they did just put us under another "Weather Alerts
SNOW ADVISORY in effect for :
Allegan, MI Barry, MI Calhoun, MI Clinton, MI Eaton, MI Gratiot, MI Ionia, MI Kalamazoo, MI Kent, MI Mecosta, MI Montcalm, MI Muskegon, MI Newaygo, MI Oceana, MI Ottawa, MI Van Buren, MI" beginning at 4 AM on Fri. and lasting through 4 PM Friday. And beginning tomorrow there are only 21 days left until the official start of Spring. Spring begins 3 days after our Amber turns 13. I can't believe she will be a teen-ager this year. I was at the hospital, in the room, when she was born and it doesn't seem like that many years have elapsed since that day when I first held her in my arms and counted all her fingers and toes! She was our third grand child back then...........now we are expecting number 19. I think I might be getting to old for this baby stuff!!!

Happenings and inconveniences!

2008-02-23T20:54:00.002-05:00

Second youngest son's(the one who is engaged)fiancee is sick with pneumonia. She's had it since Jan. but just got into see the doctor. She also just found out that she is pregnant so that limits what medications she can take. He gave her an antibiotic shot in the butt and told her to take Tylenol for fever, aches and pains and that was all. I think she is starting to feel better, but is way behind on laundry she says. Doug helps when he can, but working full time and coming home to take care of her and 4 kids makes it a little difficult. To top that off, something happened to the pipes in the apartment complex they live in and they've had no water for the last 3 days. We have taken them drinking water and they got 35 gallon buckets of water from where she works part-time to flush the toilets with and heat for washing up. But the laundry was just piling up. I told them to bring some here and I would do it. I washed 3 big loads for them. So at least the have clean underwear, socks, pj's and a couple outfits each now. Hopefully the water will be repaired soon. While they were dropping off the laundry they took the time to shower too...........that's pretty important for anyone they have to be around!

I talked Hubby into staying home yesterday and going to the doctor. He hasn't been feeling well and I was sure he had the flu in spite of having had his flu shot last fall. I was wrong. It is an upper respiratory infection and he is on a course of antibiotics to make him well. I have been making sure he is getting plenty of rest and sleep and lots of liquids to drink.......and not beer either. Mostly water, orange juice and and occasional soda. I'm hoping he starts to feel better by tomorrow. He will have to return to work on Monday, even if he isn't 100% yet. Poor man. I hope I don't catch it either.

I was supposed to keep Drew today while Naive and Mr. Naive went to watch E. in her competitive cheer leading, but because of illness in the household, they chose to find someone else to watch him. I don't blame them. I wouldn't want the little guy to get sick either. But I do miss him coming here. I miss Amber too. We haven't seen her since sometime in Jan. And the last time she was down this way was the week before Christmas and New Years, and part of that time she spent at her dad's of course. I spoke with her last night and wished her well on the all day basketball tournament she played in today, and told her to let me know how it went, but I haven't heard anything from her yet.

I'm hoping that the weather breaks soon and the distance to pick her up and bring her here won't matter so much if the roads are clear. I'm eagerly awaiting springs arrival!

What about the groundhog?

2008-02-15T20:49:00.002-05:00

(ozoni11's photos)

Here it is, the 15th of February, 2008. I live in southwest Michigan and we are in the throes of winter. As a child, I loved the winter time. The sledding, building snowmen and snow forts, snowball fights, making angels in the snow and ice skating. That was then………..now back to real life at the age of almost 62 (unless you’re dyslexic, then I’m only almost 26)!

It’s cold out there. It’s 8:30 PM and the temp is 14º. There is no wind tonight (yet anyway) so there is no windchill to report. Last weekend our temperatures were in the single digits with wind gusts between 40-50 mph, making the windchill at times -23º……..now that’s cold!

On February 2nd, someone a long time ago decided that if the little groundhog saw his shadow on that day, we would have 6 more weeks of winter. Where in the world they (whom ever ‘they’ are) came up with this theory is beyond my comprehension. If groundhogs can predict the weather, why do we need meteorologist? And I was taught in school that groundhogs were some of those animals that hibernate for the winter. That being the case, how could he see his shadow if he’s asleep? I’ll tell you how. Those same ‘they’s’ decided they should wake him up instead of letting him sleep!

I think we should just leave the poor little guy alone and let him sleep. At least he won’t see his shadow and maybe, just maybe, we won’t have six more weeks of winter. Maybe spring would come early, although I don’t put much trust in the whole theory anyway, but we could give it a try……………at least once!

It's Fixed!

2008-02-12T01:06:00.000-05:00

The garage door is now working. It seems to be considerably noisier than it has ever been before, but it is working. And do you know what it was? A $9.00 capacitor..........a cheap fix for us this time. Especially since we were looking at purchasing a whole new one to the tune of $184. big ones.

Saturday, our oldest son, Brian, came over to visit with his three kids. David, 11, Elijah 4 and Rebecca (aka Baby Becca) just 2. They decided they wanted to try doing some puzzles. David wanted to try a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle and Elijah wanted to help. David didn't want him to. We found a 34 piece puzzle for Elijah to do. Made them both happy. What surprised me is that Elijah was actuall able to put it together all my himself, and insisted I take a picture of it........that's what the above pic is for...........to make Elijah happy.
This photo is baby Becca...........just because she's cute!

And this one is of David trying to put the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle together while Elijah watches because he finished his!

I love having them come and spend a day or evening with me. It gives me a chance to play with them and enjoy them. Maybe even more than I could their Daddy when he was their age because I don't have all the responsiblities that go along with raising them! It's so much fun! What a blessing all my grand children are to me!

Garage door openers..............

2008-02-03T00:21:00.000-05:00

are great when they work right! Lately, we've been having some problems with ours. When we wake up in the morning, the garage door has been opened even though we know we closed it before retiring. Bumpa always checks it before he goes to bed at 3 AM. He works second shift so he makes sure it is closed after he gets his last beer for the night out of the refrigerator in the garage. I get up usually by no later than 8:30, sometimes 9 AM. The rest of the doors going to the garage are locked so no one could get in anyway. Besides, we have the 4-legged variety of ADT. Anyone trying to gain entry to our home would be severly startled by a vicious looking and sounding critter!

A few nights ago, the door kept opening all by itself sending my ADT monitor into a steady stream of barking and snarling. I would go up and push the button and watch the door close and go about my business. And within about 40 minutes the same thing would happen. This went on for a while, until the last time I went to close the door and the button on the wall would not work. So I went to my car and took the remote out and pushed it and that didn't work either. Thinking that the battery was probably dead, I replaced it and re-pushed the button without any luck. Of course this was a night when Bumpa was working overtime and would not return until 1:30 and that was only an estimate because the roads were rather nasty. It was the night of the big snow and high winds with blowing and drifting and many interstates closed for accident clean ups. Needless to say, my garage was also filling with drifting snow! I pulled on my boots and ventured out in my fleece jammies. I opened the rear driver's side door and climbed inside to stand on the floorboard in order to reach the rope that is the manual release for the door. AND.PROMPTLY.FELL.OUT.ON.MY.BEHIND! Those things happen when you are vertically challenged!

This required me to pick myself up and use a naughty word because my behind hurt and I was now wet and muddy and snowy and cold! I had to come into the house to get my step stool since the ladders in the garage are all hanging up and too heavy for me to lift and get down. I set up my stool and pulled on the release cord. I climbed down and went to the door and tugged on it. NOTHING! I literally hung on and wiggled my body (good thing it was dark) and the door still would not budge. After several attempts at looking silly and pulling on the door, it finally shut, but not before I had to shovel the snow out of the garage.

Why do these kinds of things happen when the men are not home? Anyway, he thought he had it fixed. We now think the motor is shot and it is just as expensive to fix it as to purchase a new one. So, we will be shopping for a new door opener soon. I'm getting tired of having to open and close it by hand, but I shouldn't complain. Before we moved here we didn't even have a garage.

And I want to close with this statement. I apologize for any mispellings.......the spell check on this hasn't worked the last few time I've tried to use it. Anyone else having this problem or does blogger just hate me?

Stopping to count my blessings

2008-01-24T23:26:00.000-05:00

You know, for as much complaining as I have been doing on here lately regarding the winter weather we've been having, it just hit me tonight as I sat down with a French Vanilla Coffee, in front of the fireplace in my warm fleece jammies, that I don't have much to complain about really. Okay, I don't like the winter weather the way I liked it when I was a kid, but still, it is pretty to look at all the snow out there sparkling like a million diamonds in the night with the moonlight shining on it.

And why am I warm and toasty in my cozy home? Because I have a hubby who works very hard to provide a nice place for me to live in and have enough money to pay the bills to keep us warm, and the electricity on so I can use my computer and watch television or listen to the radio or a CD player, enough food to eat that we really never go hungry. We may not have a certain snack that I'm craving, but that's not really going hungry! Enough money to buy the medications we need to take on a daily basis after we both had heart attacks, and a trusty, loyal companion to live with us that we can also afford to feed and pay vet bills for to keep her healthy.

We have enough money to do some of the things we enjoy doing.........hub hunting and fishing, me scrap booking and visiting with my family and friends. Being able to pull together an unplanned meal and turn it into something special when the kids and grand kids stop over and being healthy enough to enjoy spending time with them....all 18 of the living ones from 18 months old to 19 years. I'm lucky to be able to say that I have held every grand child at least once......even our dear Owen who was stillborn a few years back. And how lucky we are in knowing that he is buried by his birth grandpa and is in heaven with God and his grandpa and great grandparents. How lucky that at least we got to hold him if not given the chance to get to know him. The love for him is still there too.

Having enough love to go around and having the grand children feel comfortable enough to call and ask me to tie a tie for one to go on an interview 'cause he never learned how to do it. Having them know that they can call us for anything.........even when they were very young and called to 'tattle' on their mom or dad for not letting them do what they wanted, thinking I, as their dad or mom's MOM had the authority to still make them mind and do what I said. Very humorous! Knowing that they can come for a visit and spend as many nights here as their parents will allow when ever they want. Our theory has always been that if they want to come, they can. And if we have something to do they are welcome to come along with us or they can choose to stay home with their parents without hurting our feelings.

And we are lucky enough to live in a country where young men and women go to war and sacrifice their comfort to fight for our freedom so we can have these things and enjoy all these luxuries that they are going without.

I think sometimes I just forget to count all the blessings the good Lord has bestowed upon me in this lifetime. Dear God, please place reminders in front of me so I never take all this for granted.

Winter or something like it, has a hold on Michigan!

2008-01-22T23:47:00.000-05:00

I know it is only January and living in Michigan means winter and snowy months from November through February and sometimes into March. We've actually had snow well into April before too, but I have had enough snow this year. It really hasn't been a bad winter.........REALLY! It's just that when it decided to hit, it hit with a vengeance and hasn't let up. The streets are very slick and slippery and I won't venture out on them. Not since I rolled a new 4-wheel drive Jeep over back in Jan. of 1990 and was stuck hanging upside down inside the vehicle with about 12 people staring in at me all talking and trying to figure out what the best way to get me out was. The roads were glare ice that day and I was on my way to work. I worked at a bank in the mortgage loan department. All the roads in the area were icy that day. In fact a county snowplow had rolled over getting off the exit ramp to the same street that I rolled over on. The snowplow driver was not ticketed. I was. The police officer wrote me a ticket for driving too fast for conditions. I was going 20 mph in a 45 mph zone. It was a very windy day and a gust blew me across the road into the oncoming traffic lane and when I tried to recover it straightened out and came back into my lane only to slide of the road into a deep ditch and roll. I knew it was going to roll.........I could tell by the way it moved. I was very calm about it at the time. I didn't remain calm when they couldn't figure out how to get me out! Nor was I calm when the State Trooper ticketed me. I told him I was only going 20 in a 45, and he responded with anyone out driving today is driving too fast for conditions. My answer was 'you are out driving today.' He told me he was working. I sarcastically told him that I too was on my way to work and not to a matinee. He did give me a ride home though since I refused to get inside the ambulance once they freed me.

Once home, I called my soon to be hub at his work and told him what happened. He came home immediately and wanted to take me to the hospital or at least the doctor. My sons were in high school at the time and I worked with one of their friends mom. Their friend called his mom to see if she made it okay to work and told him that she did, but that I didn't and had been involved in a roll over accident. Both of my sons called the police and got a ride home to be with me and make sure I was alright. They never checked out of school or told anyone they were leaving. It turned out okay for them, as the police chief knew us and explained the boys behavior the next day to the school office.

That ticket I received was the very first ticket I had ever had. I had been driving since I was 16 years old and I was 44 years old at the time and was pretty upset to have been given a ticket when the county snowplow driver didn't get one. I wrote a letter to the judge explaining why I felt this ticket was unfair and not at all necessary.

A few days later in the mail, I received a letter from the judge and the road commission asking me to attend one of their luncheon meetings in the city of Allegan to speak about my situation. I accepted and attended the meeting within a couple of weeks. The road commission presented me with a license plate that said "Saved by the belt", a coffee mug with a picture of a seat belt in use painted on it, a bumper sticker and a certificate that commended me for wearing my seat belt. But the best part was when the judge got up and said that the ticket would be rescinded and no fines or points would appear on my drivers license! I guess you can fight City Hall on some occasions and actually win.

But to shorten this and get back to the point...........that is why I refuse to drive when we get a lot of snow that becomes slippery or icy on top from the cars traveling on it.

The photos above are from Sunday when hub was plowing and hauling firewood in. We received about 6 more inches of new snow last night and he had to plow again. Tonight we are under a Lake Effect Snow Warning......which means we could end up with another 5 - 10 inches of new snow by noon tomorrow. Now, not all counties are under this warning. It is mostly the counties near the coast of Lake Michigan. The county I live in is on the coast of Lake Michigan, but only the west part of the county. I live closer to the east part of this county but we happen to live in what they call the local snow band so these Lake effect warnings always involve us too. If only I had a full time chauffer I probably wouldn't get cabin fever quite as bad!

Re-organization!

2008-01-15T19:12:00.001-05:00

I am in the process of reorganizing my computer/craft room. I began this project shortly after hub left for work today which was about 2:00 that he left and 2:30 by the time I began. It is still a mess. Of course, my theory is that if you are going to reorganize, you may as well clean from top to bottom at the same time! The following picture shows why I need to reorganize.

If you look closely at the bottom two shelves of the green unit, you can see that it has also become a collect all for some of the grand kids favorite toys. I will leave them there as it gives them something to do where I can still see them, if I want or need to be on the computer when they are here.

My problem is I have too many items for this room or this room is too small for the many items I have! I think I still need to give it some more thought. So, I'll take a break and ponder it some more! Guess I'll take a photo when I'm happy with it and post that!

Another experience

2008-01-10T23:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday while at the local drug store retrieving my many prescriptions I had another experience. This time with a mentally challenged individual. She was about 5'2" tall and of slight build. She was with her mother who happened to be at the counter ahead of me discussing some of the meds she was there picking up. There were several people in line behind me. This gal turned around and smiled at me and I, of course, smiled back. She gave me a robust 'hello' and I answered in return and asked how she was. She then said 'Ho ho ho', which made me chuckle and I asked her if she was practicing being Santa since her coat was a bright, fuzzy red one and resembled Santa's suit. She flashed me another huge smile and said yes and the smile was immediately followed by an enormous belch! She covered her mouth and looked very surprised and said 'scuse me'! I chuckled again.............I couldn't help it. She just seemed so surprised that such a huge belch had come out of her mouth.

I continued to wait in line while her mother spoke with the pharmacist and others behind me were getting impatient. This young woman proceeded to speak with me more. What she said didn't always follow any kind of pattern or thought process, but she kept smiling anyway and I kept up a simple yet pleasant conversation with her. I heard some one a few people back make a comment that her mother should teach her not to speak to strangers. I found this offensive. We were in a small local business and most people at least recognize others by sight if not by name. I turned around and watched the gal who made the comment turn a little pinkish in the face, and I thought GOOD! This young gal who began the conversation with me was probably no more than 5 or 6 mentally and I can't count the number of times I have spoken with children of this age while waiting in line at grocery stores, drug stores, hardware stores and the like. No one has ever mentioned in those circumstances that the child's' mother should teach them not to speak with strangers. I feel the comment was made because the people behind me in line were in a hurry and most likely didn't want to listen to what they perceived to be a handicapped person conversing with anyone else.

When her mother turned after finishing her business with the pharmacist, she smiled at me and said thank you for entertaining her. I said no thanks were needed and the gal told me I was a 'good girl' and gave me a big hug as she turned to leave with her mom. How little effort it took on my part to make this gal feel comfortable and like she belonged. I just wish more people would take the time to do this. And this made me think of the veteran from the day before and I wondered once again what is wrong with today's society that we can't all take the time to make a stranger feel good about themselves. Seems the longer I live, the more I see that needs to be fixed.

American Veterans

2008-01-08T22:53:00.000-05:00

Today, I took my husband's uncle to the Veteran's Facility in Grand Rapids for his eye doctor appointment. I left the house at 12:10 PM and returned home at 5:20 PM. That's how long it took. Yes, he had an appointment for 1:45, and never got in to see them until just after 2:30. Then they needed to put drops in his eyes and sent him back out into the waiting area until the drops took effect. Which consisted of at the least another 30 minutes.

While sitting there, I had a lot of time to do some people watching. And I am appalled at the way some of our veterans are treated. Oh, I don't mean by the medical staff there or any of the other staff working at this facility, but by others waiting to be seen by which ever department they were there for. Or maybe it was the people waiting with the other vets........their drivers or care givers perhaps.

I actually witnessed one couple chuckling and making rude comments about the apparel of one of the veterans walking by. Okay, maybe his pants were a little short, maybe he was in need of haircut, maybe his shoes and coat were way out of date, but those making the comments have no idea what this veterans background or living conditions might be. And I believe the man waiting with the woman was a veteran himself. And from the looks of him from better circumstances than the man they were making fun of. It really upset me. I mean, these veterans have made sacrifices for our country to make sure we have the opportunity to remain living in a free society and this is the way they get treated. Shame on those people for not giving the proper respect to this old veteran that he deserved in spite of his appearance and/or living arrangements at the present time.

We would all do well to remember 'but by the grace of God, there go I'!

Let me thank every single veteran who has fought or served in what ever manner to protect my rights and freedom and apologize for those with little sense to be able to offer recognition when it is deserved. And to those of you who passed by me without a smile, I hope the smile I gave you lifted your spirits just a little.

VISITORS

2008-01-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

Today has been a busy day. Well, all week has but I suspect that with school starting and people being back to work it will begin to calm down more. Of course, the week is virtually over anyway being that it is Saturday at 9:50 PM!

New Years Day my grandson, Steve, stopped by for a visit with his girlfriend, Lindsay. Lindsay lives in New Hampshire and flew in the day after Christmas to spend the week with Steve and his family. She is a very sweet gal and Steve's mom and step-dad and sister and little Drew think the world of her too! She was also here at Thanksgiving for a visit. Pretty nice of her parents to let her come for two holidays; well, three if you count the day after Christmas. She did stay home and celebrate Christmas with her parents and brother. This is a photo of them sitting on my love seat.........

Today, Drew got here a little after 1 PM. Emily had a competitive cheer leading thing going on at a local high school and we all knew that there's no way Drew would be able to sit that long and watch. So the only option was for him to come and spend some time with the "Mema"! He left about 5:30 PM............

and I prepared for the next round of the sandbox set to arrive. Harley and Hunter got here about 6:30 PM, done with supper, baths and the donning of pajamas to spend the night. Easy stuff when they are all ready for bed and they are only going to be up for a couple hours and then go to bed and have Dad and Virginia coming back in the morning as soon as I call them.

The photo of Drew is last years and the photo of Harley is from Christmas Day. The one of Hunter was from last March when he was here for an over night visit.

I'm thinking of installing one of those revolving doors they have in some of the stores...........what do ya think?

2008-01-02T14:52:00.000-05:00

It hasn't stopped snowing for 3 days now. Not constantly, but off and on. Enough on to accumulate enough snow to cancel school for today. It would have been the first day back after Christmas break. I have talked to a few moms who are not at all happy with the snow day. Obviously a different breed of women than me. I used to love Christmas break. Actually, I loved every break when the kids were home and we had a more relaxed schedule. I loved having the kids around all the time. So much in fact, that during school breaks and summer vacations, we always had extra kids hanging around and in our home. Makes me wonder if kids are much more misbehaved than they were when mine were young. Or could it be that woman have changed and most no longer wish to be bothered with having to be responsible for children all day long.

I hear many of them talk about how the house is always a mess and the kids fight and just don't listen to what they tell them and they are tired of being ignored and being made to feel like slaves picking up after the kids constantly. I say.....WHAT? I never felt like that. My kids were taught respect........respect for me and respect for their belongings. Leave them lying around and you would lose them and have to 'buy' them back from me after I gathered them up and stored them in my closet. Which, btw, was "MY" closet and not a public place for children to go snooping. And they respected that too! Maybe the problem lies with the parenting skills and forgetting to teach them respect. I see so many parents being what I refer to as 'armchair' parents. Meaning they sit where they are comfortable and tell the kids what to do......repeatedly. But do not make any effort to actually get up and make sure what they have said is being followed through on.

I'm not advocating constant yelling at them or by no means beating on them! But maybe you need to show them that you mean what you say and there are or will be consequences for not listening and doing as you are told. Or is it just easier for them to let things pass than to deal with them. But what do they think these kids will be like when they are 15 and 16 years old and older? Do they think at that age there is some magical pill to give them that will make them responsible and respectful? Not going to happen people! Maybe I'm just getting too old and can't accept the change in parenting ways......but I don't see it for the better!

Isn't it funny.............

2007-12-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

Photo taken by Poaqao from Flickr.)

the thoughts that run through your mind at 5 AM when you awake and can't get back to sleep? Well, maybe not funny. Maybe a better word for them is strange. My thoughts seem jumbled this AM. Not connected to each other. And for me that is strange. My thoughts usually follow some kind of pattern and are at the very least related. Not so this morning. They have jumped from wishing I had more windows in this house to wondering why the ants seem to like my home year round. We have at least 2 inches of snow still on the ground that hasn't melted or been blown away by the wind. Wouldn't you think that all the ants would be in some kind of hibernation? Not so, it seems. As I went into the kitchen and flipped the light switch on to get a drink, I happened to look down to see probably 30 ants gathered around what looked like a small piece of pizza that had inadvertently been dropped un-noticed on the floor. With a steady line of ants walking toward it from under the cupboard. This actually was fascinating yet at the same time made me angry. I mean here it is 5 AM and I have uninvited guests in my home EATING! Where do they come from this time of year? They are the small red ants.......I have called them 'piss ants' for a number of years. I call them that because they 'piss' me off. I really don't know the proper name for them........nor do I even care! After watching them munch on the piece of pizza for a little while, I went and grabbed the ant spray that is safe to use indoors around children and pets and sprayed them and the not so straight line of all of them and under the cupboard. Hopefully that will take care of them once and for all! That's the way I take care of uninvited guests that enter my home in the wee hours of the morning and eat!

A Wonderful Christmas.....

2007-12-27T22:53:00.000-05:00

filled with love and good food. Here are a couple pics of part of the goodies we had Christmas late afternoon when all the kids were able to gather at our home after all the other running around.
Everyone was able to be here except our daughters in Kentucky and Texas and their children. Amber also couldn't make it until today and then I had to drive 103 miles one way to get her. She and her future sister, Alissa, are both here with me tonight. This shows you how well they get along! They are both in jams and are ready for bed......however, from the sounds of their laughter it will be a while before I successfully get them into bed and asleep! I'm sure it will be way before Bumpa gets home at 1:30 AM. I think some of the silliness is because they are both tired. How fun it would be if the two grand daughters from Texas and the one from Kentucky were to join them!

2007-12-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday and I am totally finished with the shopping, wrapping and even the baking! Last night our oldest son, Brian, came out with his three children to participate in the annual event. This picture is Brian and his oldest son, David. The little girl in the foreground is his youngest Rebecca......but everyone calls her 'baby Becca'!

The cookie sheets you see on the table are brand new. David, Elijah and 'baby Becca' brought them out as an early Christmas present to their MEMA. My old ones were pretty old and warped. They originally were my mothers and I remember making cookies on them when I was a young girl. Yes, I was young once and I can remember that far back........woo-hoo! This photo is one of David thinking he is sneaking a cookie, but we caught him and half the fun of baking them is eating them!

Doug stopped over too, with his fiance Virginia and her oldest, Alissa! They weren't here long enough to help make them...........just long enough to help eat some. LOL Not a very good picture of either Virginia or Alissa, but at least it gives everyone an idea of who I am talking about!
This is David, Elijah (4 years old) and 'baby Becca', doing what they do best..........waiting under the Christmas tree for Santa's arrival!

2007-12-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

This picture is where I spent most of my day on Friday.........trying to finish up my Christmas shopping. And you know what? I got all but three presents. And those three won't be hard......not that the others were either. All in all, shopping was a piece of cake this year. Everything I was looking for ended up being on sale and I got such good deals that I was able to even pick up some things I had been wanting for the house.....on SALE TOO!

And this is what it looks like as I prepare to wrap it all and place it under the tree. I can't wait to get it done. I love wrapping presents. As a college student I was employed for one Christmas season in the gift wrap department of a fairly large local department store in downtown Grand Rapids. It was probably the most fun job I have had!

When I get them all wrapped, it looks like I will have to move that chair somewhere else. That chair belongs to my 'fur kid' and I'm sure she won't be pleased with me moving it to a different spot. She always seems to get out of sorts when I move her chair to a new place in the room. And I never knew that 'fur kids' could give dirty looks, but this one of mine has it down to a science! Okay, gotta go get busy or I won't get it done!

The game is over........

2007-12-09T10:36:00.000-05:00

and we both have won. Exactly the way I wanted it to turn out! We both have a better understanding of where the other one was coming from. Now, on to other things!

Hub has been working a lot of overtime......A LOT! He is even working his second shift tonight. He will get out earlier than usual, but he will get about 8 hours in. I worry about his health. As most of you know, he had a major heart attack a couple years ago. It happened in a remote area of the Upper Peninsula and took him over 8 hours to get to a hospital. The doctors say most people don't survive this kind even with getting quick medical attention. GOD was watching over him and keeping him alive and safe. There is no other explanation! I am sure I would not have been able to survive the death of another spouse! Any way, the point of all of this is, that while the extra money is nice, it would never be able to replace him should he over do and not take the time to relax and enjoy life a little more. So that is my prayer..........that things will slow down for him and maybe, just maybe, he will catch a little of the Christmas spirit, thus refreshing mine!

"Shoulda stayed at deer camp..........."

2007-12-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

are the words he used on Sunday. All because he cut his thumb and I thought it needed stitches and he wouldn't listen to me. My words...."do you need any help re-packing!" He never did end up seeking medical attention and has since decided it should have been stitched. He also snapped at me and said I had been treating him as if he were a child ever since he came home. I asked him 'how so?' He had no answer...........therefore, I assume he was imagining it.

As a result, we are not speaking! Know what though? He just isn't equipped to continue this silence...........some things women are just better at!

This too, shall pass...........eventually!

Surprise!!!!

2007-11-29T07:27:00.000-05:00

I am grinning from ear to ear. Hub as been up in northern Michigan (upper peninsula) deer hunting since Nov. 14Th. He is in a cabin in the middle of the woods.............at the end of a dirt two track at least 6 hours from anywhere. There is a lot of metal, ore, etc. in the ground there so most cell phones do NOT work. Hub has one of the few that works on occasion there and was able to call home a few times. But being on a cell phone, it cut out a lot and garbbled his words, so it was not always easy to understand him or carry on any kind of or lengthy conversation with him. The most cell phones can do up there is offer some reassurance that all is well and everyone remains healthy! And that is important!

Last night, I was surprised and delighted with the early arrival of said hub! He wasn't due back until Friday evening! Wow......it's like getting an early Christmas present! Now, I knew that I would miss the man............I guess I didn't know just how much I had missed him until I saw him! Although he returned without a deer........I, his "dear", was waiting for him!

Now, I'm not one of those woman who can not survive without having a man around. After all, I survived for years, raising my three little ones alone after their daddy died. Not that it was fun, but I know I can do it. So, a short trip deer hunting doesn't represent a huge problem for me. Of course there are those times when he is gone, that something goes wrong and it becomes my job to deal with it instead of having him here to handle it. Or those rare occasions when I want something done that I am unable to do physically 'now rather than later' and am forced to wait upon his return or hope one of the boys will happen to stop over. Yet, knowing I can survive without a man is totally different than not wanting to be alone without the 'man I love' around. If I had a choice, he would deer hunt close enough to home to sleep in our bed every night. But, that's a problem for another year...........he's home now and I AM GLAD!!!

What is wrong with Texans?

2007-11-26T04:09:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, I visited the beautiful state of Texas in early October. I stayed with one of the dearest and nicest Christian gals living near Dallas. She is a single mom raising two beautiful little girls, one with special needs. I found her charming, kind and very loving despite some problems she had while growing up herself.

I had met her online almost a year before I went to visit her. With sending e-mails back and forth, reading each others blogs and talking on the phone we formed a bond. I was excited for the opportunity to fly down and spend some time with this beautiful single mom who was struggling and trying her best to cope with all the normal stuff of being a single mom, plus the extra that comes with 'momma-ing' a special needs child. While there I informally adopted her as a daughter and her girls as my grand daughters. And they fit into our large family very well. Everyone is happy.

But recently my 'daughter' in Texas has been ill. With a very bad sinus infection. Now anyone who has even ever had a very bad head cold has some idea of what a serious sinus infection is like. She has been so sick and she has been all alone. She has no family there. Not even any close by she could call on. She even had to drive herself, with a fever of over 102º for several days, to a clinic for medical treatment. Her girls were gone for the entire week with their father. So yes, that was some easier not having to deal with active children when one is sick, but being as sick as she was, she was unable to find one person who would come and help her. Not even ONE who would make a trip to the grocery store to bring in some soup, pain reliever, juice, etc. that a sick person might need.

To my thinking, we as Christians need to reach out to people who need help. She attends a church and I would have thought that some of them might have stepped up to the plate and accepted a chance to show others about the love of Jesus.

Is everyone so wrapped up in their own lives and families, that they can't spare an hour to help a sick single mom? Or a quick phone call to check and see how she was doing? Or is the entire church family also sick with a sinus infection and therefore unable, instead of unwilling, to give of themselves. Where would we, as Christians, be if Jesus was too busy to give of Himself. He gave the ultimate.........His life to pay for our sins! And a Christian group in Texas couldn't find it in their hearts to help.

I'm from the state of Michigan..........and where I live family is important too. And yes, we get busy and wrapped up in our own things too........but when someone we know needs a little help because of illness, our community, not just the church, pitch in and offer what help we can. It may take several different people to fulfill all the needs of the ill person, but many hands make light work. Are the people of Texas that much different? I find this situation appalling. Maybe 'everything in Texas is bigger'.......except people's hearts!

Black Friday!

2007-11-24T07:47:00.000-05:00

So, how many of you actually ventured out to the stores yesterday? I have NEVER gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving and I don't have any plans to change that. You see, I'm not normal. I don't even really like shopping, so going on a day when there are even more people in the store than usual would make me crazier than I already am!

I like to take the weekend after Thanksgiving to slowly and methodically set out my Christmas decorations. Amber is here this weekend and I think that is what we will be doing starting today. Yesterday she wanted to bake. We made Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

We would have had over 4 dozen, but when I put one of the cookie sheets on the counter to cool I must have not set it down right and the entire cookie sheet fell onto the floor spilling it's contents across the kitchen floor. I was surprised and angry for a split second and when I looked at Amber, her eyes were so big, that I just started laughing! She glanced at me, as if I had finally lost it, and then her eyes lit up and a big smile came to her face and we stood there laughing! I didn't think about taking a picture of it until it was all cleaned up, and Amber then asked me 'aren't you mad?' I told her 'no' those things happen and I thought it was funny.........she said 'me too, but I didn't want to laugh if you were going to be mad!' Actually it was a good thing......I won't be eating near as many cookies and we have a new 'memory'!

2007-11-22T10:51:00.000-05:00

Nothing fancy, simply..................

have a very 'HAPPY THANKSGIVING'!

Thanksgiving is approaching..........

2007-11-19T13:04:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Tuesday, November 20 - Went to the doctor this morning, have sinus infection and ear infection. Received a perscription for Zithromycin and should begin feeling better in 24 hours. I WILL be able to attend Thanksgiving and naive's home after all....without infecting anyone! YIPEE!!!!

and I am feeling crummy. I started feeling like a cold was catching me last Wednesday when I was at the doctors office for my annual physical (as if that isn't bad enough)! By Friday, I was positive it had caught me and wasn't about to let go.

Over the weekend, it got steadily worse. I am coughing and that hurts my throat and my head. My head feels as if it will explode with every cough and every time I try to blow my nose. My headache won't go away and my back hurts. My voice is almost gone. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me not to be able to talk? Almost impossible!

I had an appointment today for a bone scan (preventative care) and asked the receptionist if there was a chance I could see the doctor too. She said that they are double booked already and the office will be closing tomorrow at noon for the Thanksgiving holiday and won't reopen until Monday, the 26Th. She did say, that if they have a cancellation today they will call me. I guess that's better than nothing, but I wanted to be feeling a little better by Thanksgiving and I CERTAINLY don't want to give this to the small grand children or anyone for that matter!

Keep your fingers crossed that I won't still feel this way in a couple days!