A Few Things I Know For Sure AND a Few I Don't

Easter 2010

2010-04-13T15:20:00.017-04:00

My son Sean brought my Granddaughters for Easter!!! YEAH!!!! I was one happy camper. We had a wonderful week. We played and then we played some more. We did everything from fish to swim. Well , we didn't fish in the same place we swam... But being Easter, we had to color eggs. The girls loved it and so did Gramma...

This is Sammi - with such a serious face ............

And smiling Sloan. AND we did not spill one container - which I thought was an accomplishment.

This is Sean with his girls.....

Ready, set, go ---- The Easter bunny found they girls EVEN tho they were in Ohio! That bunny is something else :-)

This is Sloan and Sammi with "Lucy" See the girls just with their PJ's on on Easter morning - April 4th, 2010. Now we are in NE Ohio & we all know what the weather can be. The week they were here was beau-ti-ful.....We could not have ordered better weather - 70's & 80's. I had indoor things planned, but never had to do them because we were outside all the time!!! It was great. Thank you Lord!! Although the girls - being from GA - would really liked to have had a huge snow!

This is what happened when you eat a Blue Raspberry Ring Pop!!!

Sean and Sloanie Bug

Mrs. Swan was walking to the lake, and she saw the girls and she puffed up to protect her babies and just kept on walking - thank goodness.....

Sammi fishing. She decided that laying down was much easier than sitting up and watching the cork! Maybe that's why she didn't catch anything...

BUT Sloan did! Her first fish!!!! And she was so excited....As were we....\

Two monkeys at Amazone .....

Next door they have bunnies - Bugsy and Penny - and the girls fed them carrots each day and wanted to know if they could get a bunny and keep it here at Gramma's...Well I had to do some fast talking....

I loved this picture because of the boots. I had gotten them boots because it was so wet here in back yards and especially around the lake. AND it was a good thing - they wore them lots

Gramma and her girls!

Sean, Gramma and the girls right before we left for the airport for them to go home..

After they left, it sure was quiet here. I rested the rest of the day they left and then the next day I did have to mop the kitchen floor because my feet were sticking to the floor. Might have been those Blue Raspberry Ring Pops! I sure miss them and will until I can see them again.....

What I did on my trip to Peoria, Illinois

2010-03-11T16:43:00.009-05:00

I went on a little trip to Peoria, IL to visit with my son Scott and his family. A two week trip turned into three and 1/2 weeks because of 3 snow storms..... So my DIL Megan made me a little list of "what all I did when I was in Peoria"...Thought I would share along with some pictures.

Had Super Bowl Party - well I didn't - my kids did :-)
Went to church
I went to at least 6 restaurants & also had Scott grilled steaks, chicken, and hamburgers -- all of which were grilled in the snow!
Took Granddog Boomer to the vet.
Took Emily to get her ears pierced for her birthday.
Went to High School basketball games (and then had pizza afterwards) and also Middle School basketball games.
Saw Emily cheerleading at the Middle School BB games
Attended Book Fair & chili supper
Lunch with the girls
Emily's 14th birthday party with sleepover
Lived thru 3 snow storms
Bowling
Cleaned and did laundry
Cooked, baked treats
Helped plan baby shower
Shopped - several stores
Hung out with my sister
Chauffeur for grandkids
Broke turkey wishbone with my son - I lost - he gets his wish!
Saw Phantasm 1 and 2: Horror movies filmed in the 70's (My son's idea)
Stroked the bird (ask my sister )
Laughed, cried, worried
Played rock band - bass guitar & also sang
LONGED for a snickers shake at Culvers (but never had one - my choice) Oh why??????:-)
Pants on the ground (you just had to be there for that one)

AND I did all this in just 3 1/2 weeks!!!!!!

This is a picture of me and Kyle and Emily - before we went to church!

My sister Judy and I playing rock band - this was at the Super Bowl party!

Kyle and his friend Leyna going to a Vice Versa dance!! When did he get old enough to go to a dance????

Emily's 14th birthday sleepover with friends. They decorated their own cupcakes and as you can see it did get a bit carried away and Gramma got "decorated" too!

What a cool picture of the girls!!!!

Emily opening her birthday gifts!!!!! Yes like the rest of the family - she likes Michael Jackson!

My granddog Boomer!!!!

Kyle and Emily after the basketball game!

AND this is Miss Em cheerleading!

Also my son got sick and was home for 2 days - so he and I just hung out! That's where Phantasm came into play! :-)

I'm sure if I stop to think, I'll think of something else, but for now that's it!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?????

2010-01-29T15:54:00.008-05:00

Where have I been? Wasn't it just the first of December and I was excited about heading to Georgia to visit with kids/grand kids for Christmas. Well, yes it was. It is now January 29, 2010 and all is just a blur...... It is now even a new year - 2010. To me - that alone is almost unimaginable. It is almost futuristic! BUT it is not in the future, it is NOW!!!!!

I am "almost" done with my PT and my shoulder is doing so good as my therapist says & I am so looking forward to being done. Surgery in November and should be done with PT by the end of February. Would be a little sooner, but I am visiting #1 son and family in a week - so will be a little behind. But SO looking forward to the visit!

So sharing pictures of my grand kids from visit! The first is a picture of Owen and AJ. We went bowing & they love it. Gramma was not too happy that because of her shoulder she could not bowl with them, but next time.......

This is Tyler! Man oh man what a character! He is such a snuggler, wonderful little person - and IF kids knew how to curse - Tyler would. He has such a temper & I have no clue where it comes from. His mom & dad & brothers do not have ANY of his disposition. He definitely is one of a kind, and that is just fine! We are feeding the ducks and geese at the "duck pond" - until we had to grab him because the geese wanted to bite him! The geese didn't know what they were in for :-)

Trying to get a picture of Gramma and the three boys is like .... well .... just doesn't happen!!! But this is the best I could do!!!!!

We spent Christmas with Sean, Jen and the girls - Sloan and Sammi! Loved this picture of Sloan with her "Whatever" look --- We had such fun doing girlie things - like getting their nails done in red & green & sparkles -

This is Sammi! You all know that Sammi is just Sammi with a personality as big as all outdoors!
Always silly and mostly always smiling!

Again, trying to take a picture of Gramma and the girls is HARD! But this is the best I could do. We'll keep trying that I guarantee!!! We had such a wonderful time and I will treasure all the memories, and I am so praying that the grand kids will too! You know what? I bet they do!!!!!!!!!!! I truly feel so blessed!

SO here we are just beginning the year 2010 and I'm already saying "Where did January go"! Well, I'm here to say I want things to slow down already - but in the meantime, I intend to enjoy every MOMENT I can.

A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR to all you!!!! May God's richest blessings pour on you and your families!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN!

2009-11-26T21:07:00.004-05:00

Today is Thanksgiving, but it is also a more special day. Today is my youngest son Stephen's birthday! Below is a picture of Stephen and his family!

And a picture of him and his three sons!

And the picture below is of Stephen in his classroom where he teaches with his 50's look - with the curl in his hair and his letter jacket from high school! The students always have him doing something silly - and they love him!

He is a wonderful, funny guy! He is tall with long arms and gives the best hugs. It's like his arms just wrap you up! He is so many things, and I could tell you all of them, but after all he is my son so I am a bit biased :-) He has grown into such a wonderful man, and a wonderful father to his three sons. They are so blessed to have him as their dad. I am proud of you son, and love you very much! Happy birthday and so many more.

November 26, 2009

2009-11-26T20:56:00.002-05:00

This morning I felt so lonely, I didn't think I could get thru this day! My children and grandchildren were not with me, but we were going to my dear, dear friends and so put a smile on and away we went!

Well, it was a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL day! We decided that just because it was the four of us that we would not just have a couple of things. So we had a big turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, Marilyn's pink stuff, cranberry salad, a wonderful fruit mixture inside a small pumpkin, veggies and dip, wine, coffee, pumpkin pie and cherry pie and rolls! Ok what did I miss? We laughed and shared and laughed some more. We played a card game called "Golf" and laughed some more.

Now we have been friends with Marilyn and Howard for 30+ years. We exchange birthday gifts and Christmas gifts. Well this year we kinda got behind in the birthdays, but decided we would do them today. I opened mine before Marilyn. I read the card (had to control my face) - I opened the gift (had to control my face). I'm thinking Marilyn probably thinks I don't like it. Then Marilyn opened her gift. She opened the card and burst out laughing so hard, she almost fell off the couch ---- she then opened her gift and the laughter continued until tears flowed! You guessed it, we got each other the SAME card and the SAME gift!!!!! PRICELESS!!!!!

I hope you all had as wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving as I did. God bless you all. I am so very thankful for so many things this evening, but the blessings of friendship is truly a blessing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OWEN!

2009-11-07T14:50:00.006-05:00

Today is Owen's 7th birthday! Owen is No. 3 of my Grandchildren - No. 2 of my Grandsons - and my No. 1 - 7 year old!!!! Below is the lastest picture that his mama took! He looks so grown up!

The rest of the pictures are just some of my favorite ones!

He has the most beautiful brown eyes, and they are eyes that see right through you. They are eyes that you can see through to his soul. His eyes tell you all his emotions without him ever saying a word.

He is silly -and also very sensitive ~~~~

He is giggles - he is laughter ~~~~

He is Owen! Happy 7th birthday my sweet little man! Gramma loves you - to the moon and back again!

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN???

2009-10-19T17:04:00.005-04:00

I know that as I get older that I often wonder - how in the world did "this person or this person" get this old!!!! But often times in my own, I just think that this is the order and this is the way that life progresses. So - as I said - often times - I just dismiss it!

This was a time I just could not dismiss! HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS HAPPEN???? Wait a minute!!!!!! This child was just born!!! I know he was!!! I bought baby clothes, shoes, toys!!! Yes, I did... But THEN!!! There was puzzles, legos, trains & THEN!!! video games, movies, bicycles, THEN!!!! X-box games! THEN! Cell phones, Rock Band, etc.......... In a blink, I truly wonder where did the years go!!! I can only imagine how my son & dil feel - because I have lived this "where did it go" 3 times......They are just beginning.....I feel for them & and at the same time - they will be experiencing such a wonderful time in their life..... So just roll with it & enjoy!

So to my Grandson!!! I love you so much! You are too blooming cute! Oh wait, he is 15 and cute is not a word in his vocabulary! But you gotta admit ----he is!!!!! Can we say HANDSOME!!!!! No I still like "CUTE" HANDSOME comes with a tux :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN

2009-10-05T13:37:00.003-04:00

This is No. 2 son Sean Michael! As you can see October 5th in their family all started with Sean.
36 Years ago Sean Michael entered this world. Sammi had to be a C-section, and when they were deciding the day, they tried to work out another day, but for several reasons, the 5th was the day! So 4 years ago today Sammi entered this world.

Sean will really kill me when he sees the picture I put on the blog of him, but hey I love the smile. AND today he is in Vegas for a trade show for his business. So I call him this morning to tell him Happy Birthday & Vegas is 3 hours behind us......SO his phone rang around 4 AM this morning.....No wonder he didn't answer it!!!!!!! See what happens when you don't tell Mom EXACTLY what time and what day you will be there!!!! Expect the phone to ring at 4 AM!
Have a wonderful day son....I love you!!!!!!

AND, if that is not enough on October 5th ------- Yup, there is more!!!!!!!
Sean and Jen got married 7 years ago today on October 5th!!!!!!! So Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

AND Jen's birthday is Wednesday - October 7th......................So for one week, it is just one big party at their house!!!!!! Well basically I believe that Sean & Jen's birthday and their anniversary has now just all turned into a Happy Birthday party for Sammi :-) AND I believe she would tell you that too :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMI ~~~~~~~

2009-10-05T13:22:00.003-04:00

This is Sammi ~~~~~ Sammi turns a whopping 4 years old today! Even tho she turns 4 her birthday falls short of her being able to play soccer. So she goes to her sister's practice, and this is her sad "I wanna play too" face!

Sometimes, if they are a girl short, the coach will let her practice, and this is her "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play" look!!!!

This is her - "Look out world here I come" face -- because with Sammi you really never know and that is what just makes her Sammi ~~~~ A pistol that is for sure!!!!!!

She told us she would save one of her birthday balloons for us - and in the next breath - she said, "but I'll have to go buy you one, because these are mine"......OH! Sam, Sam ----I love you so!!!

You make my heart smile!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE -- LATE :-(

2009-10-05T13:07:00.003-04:00

Yes I am late! I was not at my computer when it was Kyle's birthday and then I had trouble with blogger.......OK, I know enough excuses.. So I am eating some crow today because I am late for Kyle's birthday! This is Kyle...You have met him before. He turned 15 on September 22nd. It is so hard to believe that he is 15. Wasn't I just waiting for him to be born? The picture is from his Jr. High graduation. He is now a Freshman and going to his first homecoming dance this week! This boy is so funny! He has the most delightful sense of humor, the cutest crooked smile (I guess Gramma can say cutest) and a devilish look in his eyes! He does have a serious side, but I like his crazy side better :-) All in all he is packaged in a box that is marked SPECIAL! Next year the Sweet 16 party!!!!!!! I love you Gson!!!!!!!

A FEW THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE AND A FEW I DON'T

2009-08-28T18:02:00.002-04:00

This is the name of my blog. As days happen, I always think of a million different things that I do know for sure, and then a billion more that I don't!

One thing I know FOR SURE is that family IS!!!! We are forever - whether we like it or not, we are tied together. No matter what! If you get along or if you don't.....If you agree or if you don't....If you love or if you don't......What it really comes down to is ......Family. We laugh, we fight, we cry, we yell, we scream, we alienate, we hate, we profess undying threats against one another...... we agree that one is wrong, while we believe we are right. Ultimately what do we want....we do want family..... At least that is what I want to believe.

Family IS: It just is: Nothing more nothing less! AND over my years, this I know for sure, family doesn't have to mean "blood". I have difficulty that family denotes name or blood, because I have not found that to be true. I have "SISTERS" that I have known for 10 years thru internet, but have never met, but they truly are my sisters. How we met is for another day! We love each other, nurture each other, help and care and devote our time to each other...we have been together thru death, marriage, birth, divorce, separation, and know more about each other that in some cases, we know about each other's families & THIS I KNOW FOR SURE..... we are not blood.................but WE ARE FAMILY....WE ARE SISTERS....

And what I know for sure on this day and any other if you were to ask me....Is that FAMILY IS!!!!!!!!

The Photographer

2009-08-22T16:44:00.005-04:00

This is a picture of my #3 son Stephen and his family. His wife Tammi - is a fantastic photographer. You can look at her work at www.tamminowackphotography.com and see what I mean. Needless to say this pic is not one of her works, so just keep on looking!
She has started doing underwater photography and I think it is fantastic! This next picture is of my son Stephen and grandsons O & A! I do believe that she won a contest with this picture!
I want her to do a picture of my granddaughter Sloan with the long hair underwater cause I think the long blonde hair underwater would be beautiful. What do you think Tammi???

This is a picture of grandson AJ -- Isn't this cool! And I love that you can see his face & also his feet and legs!!!!! She really is "all that" when it comes to photography and definitely has her own style! I think she is fantastic, and I really don't tell her that enough. Like I said before, just check out her blog......

www.tamminowackphotography.com :-) Have a wonderful week-end everyone! God Bless.......

GRAMMA'S CHARLOTTE'S WEB

2009-08-14T11:58:00.005-04:00

This post is for my Grandbabies: All 7 of them - from 14 years to 2 years: Check what Gramma had in her backyard!!!

Gramma always checks out the hummingbirds each morning when she opens the blinds.....well this morning the sunshine was shining just the right way and look what I found! Not one.......in the bushes, but.....................

but a second web right next to the hummingbird feeder! I hurried up and grabbed my camera, and never thought they would turn out enough to share with you, but I think you can see that Gramma's Charlotte did a pretty good job. Now it doesn't spell anything about Wilbur, but I'm just sure Gramma's Charlotte was a busy spider all night long & wonder if Gramma's Charlotte did both webs????????

Whichever it was, you have to admit that those spiders were busy, busy, busy! I thought the hummingbird would get tangled in the web, but fortunately that didn't happen! Gramma would have to have rescured her. Or him! :-)

So to all my Grandbabies, and you Charlotte fans ----Enjoy Gramma's Charlotte's Webs!!!!

SWANS!

2009-08-13T15:52:00.006-04:00

The Swans are marching! I know it will be hard to see, but our house sits in between two lakes....When there are no baby swans - which will be called - swanlings from now on -- the swans fly over the house & on one occasion so far has crashed into the back of our house making their "swan dive" into the lake. No kidding....It's like watching a Boeing 747 take off, and as I just said their landings can be kinda iffy! These swans need a LOT of runway. SO, where there are babies (swanlings) they need to walk from lake to lake. I have seen them do this before, but never could get to my camera & today was not so good, but you can get my drift - I think. They come strolling thru our back yard.......

I'm assuming Mama Swan at the back of the bunch, cause she will "really" be taking care of the fam........ and they stroll.......................

And they have to cross a small walking path & then this pic is in the neighbors back yard and they are on the way to the lake. Hopefully you can see that!

Now you can see why I call them "Swanlings". Their Mama & Papa are beautiful. One of the babies as you can see looks like Mama & Papa, but the other three are "Ugly Swanlings"..... I'm assuming they will be beautifully white someday. But they make me smile every time I see them and their fam out for a stroll!!!!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

2009-08-10T18:26:00.004-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!! Today is my birthday! So I decided to bake my own cake. Now what you have to realize, is that I really don't really like cake! I would much rather have a Coconut Cream Pie...cause that is my fav...but I decided to bake this cake.. Don't ask me why...I guess I just thought because today was my birthday that I had to have a cake.... So this is my Chocolate Cake/with Hershey Candy Bars...AND as I said.....I really don't don't know why I decided to make this....It just sounded like the idea at the time.. So will tell you what is is like when I try it.....after I get over my sugar shock!!!!!! I just thought at the time it was the thing to do........Call me crazy! And at the age of 65.....I'll be thinking that is what you want to call me!!!!!!!

PEACHES

2009-08-07T14:38:00.003-04:00

I love Peaches! Peach cobbler, peach perserves,

peach muffins and Peach PIE!!!! This pie WAS very good! When I was little, my mother used to get a TON of peaches every summer (at least to me it seemed that many)! And along with her, and my grandmother we would peel peaches so that mother could can them! Now any of you who have peeled that many peaches know what I'm about to say, but for those of you who never have this is the scoop :-)

When you peel that many peaches the fuzz from the peaches gets all over your arms - so the longer you peel - the more you itch!!!! So each year when peach season comes around -it gives me the precious memory of those times with my mother and grandmother - which at the time I thought to be cruel and unusual punishment I was receiving and NEVER would have thought it would turn out to be such a memory :-)

A Broken Leg and a Broken Spirit

2009-07-21T16:35:00.004-04:00

My 14 year old Kyle was playing in a baseball game at the end of the baseball season and as you can tell now has a broken leg - in two places - and a crushed ankle. He now has two pins and 2 plates, and very large bandaged foot/leg and a very sad face :-(

He was at 2nd base for a double play, runner came from 1st base and slid into his leg. He will be non-weight bearing for 6-8 weeks and who knows from there.

He definately will not be playing basketball this year and we are hopeful that come spring he can play baseball. He starts High School in four weeks. Now you understand why he is one sad little puppy. It breaks my heart to see him to sad. AND the fact that he just doesn't feel good. He still hurts and has trouble sleeping.

This happened on a Tuesday nite and on Saturday he was there for his team for their last tournament. He was wheeled out to toss the coin.

So I'm praying hard that Kyle has a speedy recovery and his youth and God's hands will heal him sooner than expected.

SAMANTHA

2009-06-29T12:19:00.005-04:00

This is Samantha: AKA: Sammi - Sam ------ They broke the mold when she was born! She is such a character. More about Sam later, but as I was thinking, she is the only one of my grandchildren that are not on the blog. So I wanted you to meet Sammi!!!!!!!!

This is Sammi and older sister Sloan on their way to school. They are "The Girls" as I call them. Typical sisters - love each other one minute - screeming at each other the next! God bless my son and DIL in the years to come. My son had better have a BIG baseball bat to beat the boys off :-) No never mind - Sammi will probably do that!!!!

Gramma loves you girls & misses you even more!

AN EARLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TYLER!

2009-06-29T09:32:00.008-04:00

Since I was belated in posting Sloan's birthday post, I figured I would be ahead of myself with Tyler. I will not be at my computer on Tyler's birthday, and in fact, my computer has to go in for some serious work - they are thinking virus - so I wanted to make sure I got this done. I will be visiting my sister in Illinois on T's birthday.

Mr. T will be 2 years old on July 10th! He is the youngest of my 7 grandbabies! He was the smallest baby. Actually he was not small as he weighed 7# 11 oz, but he was all skinny arms & legs! He still looks a bit like that today even though he eats like a horse!

Here are a few of my favorite pics of this wonderful kid!

He is the youngest of three boys in his family. AND because of that he is as tough as nails. Can get knocked down, and just like that is up and moving about! He - like his brothers - likes cars and trains!!!!! AND loves to wreck the train tracks his brothers make, and that is why he gets locked out of their rooms quite a bit :-)

I absolutely love these babylegs they now make for babies who are crawling! What a neat thing! It protects their knees. But he looks adorable in them!!!!!

Love the seriousness of his eyes in this picture. That stillness doesn't last long!

Loved this picture with the striped hoodie! I could just gobble that face up - and have many times, and can't wait to do it again!!!!

This is a picture of Tyler and his brothers Owen (6) and AJ (5). They love him to pieces - most of the time & he loves them to pieces - most of the time! They had better get their shoving and pushing in while they can, because this tough nut is going to make them pay someday!

I LOVE YOU Mr. T & I will miss not being able to be with you on your birthday! When Gramma gets there, we will go to the mall and buy one of those BIG suckers that you love so well!!!!! HUGS AND KISSES COMING YOUR WAY!

AN APOLOGY TO SLOAN!

2009-06-29T08:57:00.006-04:00

This is my precious big, blue eyed Sloan! Gramma owes her a HUGH apology because I did not have her on my blog on her birthday. I have excuses, but none valid enough to not post on Sloan's birthday. I feel so bad :-( Sloan was a big 5 years old on May 30! These are just a few of my favorite pics of Sloan starting with the first when she was 15 months old! Love her potails!

I love the sweetness of this pic and even in black and white you can still the beautifulness of her eyes!

This girl is Smart - Sensitive - Stylish (even at the age of 5) - Silly - Shy - Singer - and as you can see in these next two pictures: SASSY - but in a good way :-)

Have always loved these pictures because her blue outfit brings out her big, blue eyes!

Her favorite color is PINK, PINK, and then PINK! But I love her in blue!

So with her curled hair, she is a big 5 years old! She is now ready to start first grade in the fall, and is SO ready to ride the bus like the big girl she is!!!! I LOVE YOU Silly girl. You make my heart Sing and my Spirit Soar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KYLE

2009-06-25T17:34:00.003-04:00

Kyle - the baseball player - the - "I'll take a picture, but it's not cool to smile" Kyle. I love this picture of Kyle in his catcher's gear - and he stood there (not willingly) so his mother could take his picture, and then I made a comment about how cute he is & this was his reaction: It may not be too clear, but there is a smile there :-) Now put your helmet on and Go Play Ball!!!!!!!

EMILY WILL KILL ME!

2009-06-25T17:01:00.002-04:00

I have got to figure out how to do spellcheck on these blogs! When I started this I noticed that I had "stuttered" and spelled Emily with two 'M's & thinking I would go back and change it, but alas I got so busy downloading pics I forgot!!!! So here is a big sorry to Em - although she would not really care. But her name is EMILY!!!! And she is MY DIVINE MISS M............

Emmily's Recital

2009-06-25T16:38:00.007-04:00

My Granddaughter Emily's recital was on June 5th and these are a few photos. The theme this year was Dancing Decades. She said I would especially like the finale because there was an Elvis song. That girl know her Gramma! She was in 5 dances. Each year she gains another. God bless her Mom & Dad for the expense of those costumes! She has been dancing for 8 years now and says she will go through High School!

These are not in order - I'll learn how to do this someday! The blue T-shirt is her finale number - Jazz & Tap - Love the Hip Hop outfit & 'really' love the "Goldie Hawn" look-a-like outfit with the white boots! It was a LONG night, but we had fun!

How long was it you asked?????The first act had 40 numbers - then a 15 minute intermission - and Act Two had 29 numbers, and then the Finale. Each number was about 3 minutes long -- I'll let you do the math!!!! But we are done UNTIL next year when she will probably have 7 or 8 dances!

The Beautiness of Spring

2009-05-28T16:30:00.009-04:00

I know Beautiness is really not a word, but this I know for sure, Spring is a time for Beauty. Also my favorite time of year because of the re newness of life for plants, animal kingdoms, flowers, and should be for all mankind. Also a time for reflection for the long winter we have just endured (can you tell I am in Ohio) and for the wonderfulness of what is ahead. These are a discovery for me, in that having moved here after the Spring, did not experience the explosion of color in God's kaleidoscope, and the other thing, is that I do not know what many of these plants, trees are........Wanda this is where you will come in handy!

I think these are such a beautiful color, but noone knew what they were.

This I call Herman! It was given to me by a man named Herman, and I placed him where he could watch over the patio and the other flowers!

Some beautiful daffodils

They told me this was a purple cherry something or another .... really know am I really showing what little I know........All I REALLY know and for sure of, it was Beau-ti-ful

Loved these little purple flowers, they were just so delicate

This they tell me is a wild rose. AND they do tell me that the probability of it blooming is NILE.... It has grown since this picture, and they are probably right. Why would anyone plant a rose beside a tree. Who knows how it got there, but don't think it will do anything, and that makes me sad :-(

So even tho we are a bit past spring, it seems as tho it has just begun here and I'm loving it.....Before we know it, I'll be posting something about summer, and be complaining about the hot weather that we have waited so long for.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!

2009-05-24T09:29:00.002-04:00

Scott is my first born and today he is 42 years old. WOW how did that happen. Seems like it was only yesterday when he started Kindergarden and I was dragging him through the door. The boy hated school from the first day of Kindergarden to the time he graduated from High School! For most of his life he was known as "Scottie". The nurses gave him that name when he was born because of his blonde hair. I intended on calling him Glenn because that is his first name, but "Scottie" stuck and as he grew older Scott became the name. We also call him "Bob Villa" because he can fix anything from repairing mini blinds to putting in a new water tank. AND he can also fix anything that goes wrong with your car. If he has trouble with fixing something, he continues until he has fixed it. He always says that "It won't kick his butt" .....

And he even does laundry and dishes and cooks! He is a loving husband, and a wonderful, sensitive father to my two grandchildren, and I love that about him. He has the cutiest grin that I just love & it has an 'evil' look to it when he is joking around.. as you can tell from the picture!

Today his birthday will be spent coaching his son's baseball game and I know that is something that he really enjoys getting to do.

With so very much love, I wish you a Happy Birthday and a wonderful day. I am so very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!

FOR THE GRANDBABIES -- ALL 7 OF THEM

2009-05-22T16:35:00.005-04:00

This is Mr. Chipmunk. He is sitting on a rock speaker. We have not figured out to hook them up yet, but Mr. Chipmunk thinks this is his throne and sits quite majestically there for all to see. Yesterday I was standing in the yard, and felt something bump against my foot, and after it scared me to death, I looked and it was Mr. Chipmunk. Obviously, I was in his way.

This is Mr. Toad. He is a resident here at Emerald Lakes. He lives by the corner decorative pond in the back yard. So he - and I am assuming that it is a he - No self-respecting female Toad would be this ugly :-) So you Grandbabies can tell me what to name him. And he is quite friendly - he will sit and look right at you and never move until you almost step on him.

So Grandchildren it is your job to name these creatures. I hope you enjoy them. They truly are funny in their own way. God sure did have a sense of humor when he created some creatures..........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AJ!

2009-04-20T15:26:00.003-04:00

Today is my Grandson's 5th birthday!. He is #4 of my seven Grandchildren! His name is Ayden James - or AJ as he is commonly known. I was thinking of what A & J would stand for, and I thought of Active, Aerobic, Agile and Jovial, Joyful, Jumping......There are words that do not begin with A & J that also describe him.... Like, Sensitive, Willingness to Please, Good brother. You can't tease him very much or he will cry. He is also a bit of a "Wendell Whiner" at times :-) See he is not perfect :-)

We played golf (his first time on a real golf course). He was so patient and listened to his dad, and went the whole 9 holes and never complained one bit. Let's hope his love for golf continues. AJ, I can't wait to play with you again!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AJ!!!!! Much love to you & have a piece of cake for me!!!!!!!

Grandchildren ARE The Bestest

2009-04-07T18:13:00.002-04:00

Having children is the best - grandchildren are the bestest! I posted pictures of my two oldest - Kyle and Emily earlier & when I am home I will post pictures of my other 5. I am in Georgia. Spent the last week keeping my 4 & 3 year old granddaughters while my son & DIL went to Cancun. They live in Dacula. Then we drove 4 hours south to Albany, GA to visit with our son & DIL and their three boys, ages 6,4, and almost 2. And of all 7 - the almost 2 year old gives me a run for my money. We said today that he was to young to be in the terrible twos & my DIL said he has been in the terrible twos since he was 6 months old! Have no clue where he got his temper & fit throwing! But each and everyday, I thank God for my three wonderful sons and their wonderful families. I am truly blessed!

On a negative side :-( The weather here has been awful. It rained much of last week and it is cold for this time of year in GA! Coming from Ohio, I was looking forward to warmth and sunshine, but NOT!!!!!!!! Today it is windy & cold 55.......

So for now I will not dwell on the cold weather, but the laughter of my grandchildren.

Popping Thru

2009-03-23T17:01:00.002-04:00

As I have watched the (tulips/daffodils/whatever/) popping thru the soil......I preface that because we moved here in August, so don't know what will happen in Spring.....BUT we did prepare the beds and "built them up" ....trying to clean-up the yard because it had been neglected....AND not knowing what was beneath, all of a sudden these "somethings" are popping and day by day they are shouting.......No amount of mulch will keep me down and I will survive....gotta be women.......In hindsight maybe we should not have done anything until now, but being August, we "thought" it would look nice and never thinking of spring.....and what would happen.........BUT the metamorphasis is amazing and not knowing what is happening is amazing. Daffodils & Tulips are common, but what else is to come??????????? I can hardly wait??????????????????????? I know there is Lavender somewhere!

It has reminded me that Spring is the rebirth.........Christ rose again.......Rebirth......In my life, and I figure in all out there, we all need to rethink our purpose.....and our rebirth. As we watch our "flowers" doing their thing..... we surely can be that and each think that our rebirth is helping someone, adopting a pet, loving a child - not your own - that's too easy (and then again ....NOT) :-) whatever ...... and maybe just giving an extra hug to our kids or our grandkids....who knows..........Sometimes I think about my grandbabies and I think -----"they are cool...loved...OK....no problems" and know what....THEY ARE....but so many ARE NOT....so I pray for them and ask that you do too.............AND these children will "pop" thru also.................and have a new beginning..................

St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T14:56:00.002-04:00

Are we all cooking corned beef and cabbage today???? Well yes I am. I love this dinner and always wonder why I have it so seldom during the year. We can buy corned beef any day of the year other than St. Pat's. I love the "all in one pot". I do beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. And the only other thing I have with it is cornbread. YUMMO!!!!!! The sunshine is scrumptious today and I'm selfishly wanting it to stay that way.

I officially graduated - yes I got a diploma -- from Physical Therapy last Friday. So see good things do happen on Friday the 13th :-) It will still be awhile before I can run - but *tee hee* I couldn't do that before. Was allowed to go back to water arobics, so life is gradually returning to normal, and for that I am so grateful! It has been a long journey.... I hope you all enjoy your green day!!!!!!!

HAIL!!!!! Yes....

2009-03-07T16:59:00.002-05:00

Hail.....YES! At 7 AM this morning I was awakening by thunder, but thinking that was OK then when lightening came, I said "Holy Cow" -"Computer" ran to turn off and then it was no use to go back to bed, I was awake......So knowing of what I was planning to do today (mop floors, etc...) by 8 AM it was still dark outside and thinking I don't have enough lights to mop & clean, I just chilled........ By 9 to 9:30 AM - really wasn't paying attention....just chilling in with a softie snugglie throw over me & figured it was back to sleep at this time..... then BAM>>>>

Another round & this time with hail & this pic is of the hail....... Not being a great photographer, the blue, green, pink is my pj's & I shot this thru a window......Not going out in a hailstorm - thank you very much..... But after a crazy weather start to the day .........It has been a wonderful day & could open windows & I did do floors & stuff & now am done!!!! One tired and accomplished woman!

This I Know For SURE!!!!!!

2009-03-05T16:43:00.002-05:00

I haven't figured out how to copy a URL of a certain object.....but if I had you would see a bathroom toilet, bathroom tub, bathroom shower, bathroom sink, bathroom floor......See where I am going with this???? Keyword BATHROOM!!!!! IF I never would clean a bathroom again, it would be WAY too soon! I have to commit myself to do it, and tell myself that it is a THING that I have committed to, so therefore I have to do it....Thus today.....So I neglected the things that were important.. Like scrapbooking, knitting, being outside (cause it is so nice here today) AND I cleaned bathrooms!!!!!!!! What's wrong with me????????

AND my question is.......we clean and clean and clean the bathroom until it sparkles.... RIGHT????? Then what is the next thing we do???? YUP get in the tub or shower...cause we are feeling gritty and yucky!!!!!!! I rest my case :-)

Equal Time

2009-03-05T12:11:00.003-05:00

This is Kyle --- My 14 year old grandson! As you can see he has a marvelous sense of humor. He was at the skating rink and this is a mouthpiece that glowed, and, of course, he and several of his friends just had to have it. It was fun watching them skate and all of them "glowing" at the mouth! He can keep you laughing until you cannot catch your breath.

His passion is baseball, baseball, baseball. And at 14, we can also say girls, but I believe baseball still comes before girls :-) He is great at every position he plays. He loves to pitch. He also plays shortshop and catcher. Gramma's heart stops when he is the catcher, cause the ball just gets too close to him & there are big boys who try to run over him....

I love this crazy kid! I treasure every moment I get to spend with him! OH I forgot to mention that he is a rockin' Rock Band player, and if you need any help with your cell phone, I-pod, X-box, this is the boy to call!!!! He amazes me! He is a wonderful son, grandson, brother, nephew,cousin! You Rock Kyle!

AND The Princess Turns 13....

2009-02-26T17:58:00.002-05:00

THIS is my Beautiful new 13 year old Granddaughter ..... I call her the Divine Miss Em...... And she is just that!. Her favorite color is blue...which is why I am coloring this blog.....Her smile is so infectious....her humor is ....like Gramma's in so many ways....although I am not sure anyone else realizes that :-) She HAS to be alone when "life" overwhelms....and when it does...she 'rocks'....as she has done since she was "little".......AND, I too, understand that........She loves to get her nails, & toes done, loves sparkles, & glitter....theme to her clothes & jewelry....... This girl is MY granddaughter..... I claim her & I know this...... I so loved spending your birthday with you! I will hold it in my heart forever!

2009-02-16T14:42:00.002-05:00

This Princess is my soon to be 13 year old Granddaughter. She is Emily:

E: Everything you would want in a G/Daughter

M: My Princess

I: Ingenious Personality

L: Loving

Y: Your Gramma Forever!!!!!!!

Emily's Birthday is 2/20 and and we cannot wait to spend this fun time with her. Getting nails & toes done, eating cake, enjoying friends and family........just can't wait. This is Emily...... Sun, Stars, Moon, Laughter, Giving, Enjoyment, and I love you more ...........................

Strange Sightings

2009-02-09T13:50:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, and again today, I have noticed some very strange sightings. It kinda has a green tint to it, and I'm not really sure what it is. I discovered it when the massage amount of snow started to melt as the temperatures got above freezing. Hey! there are bricks out on the patio & there are two ponds that flank the back of our house! WOW what a find! And that sorta looking green stuff, someone said today that it is grass! Imagine that!!!!!!

As you can guess, we are having a tease of spring ...... but as I was at JoAnn's today buying some sewing stuff.....I remarked that I was buying it now & I was saving it for that day soon when the snow will fly again. OH com'on you know it will!!!!!!

For those of you who don't know - the boot is gone! I retired it to the basement, and pray that I will not see it again!!!!!!! So I am a two tennis shoe woman again! Although when we fly to Georgia in March, I'm thinking about bringing it out again, cause I did get special attention with that boot on.....Just kidding......Although this time, I will have to allow for packing two shoes, instead of one!!!!!

Happy Sunshine & Warmer Temperatures........God Bless

SUNSHINE & LOLLIPOPS

2009-01-31T15:42:00.002-05:00

When I was thinking of a title for this blog - since I have not posted in awhile - this is what came to me. And I really thought what a strange title - maybe it is because in the midst of the cold temperatures, the sun is shining. It is totally deceiving because you think you could walk outside with a sweatshirt on. Well let me tell you if you did that, you would freeze your hind quarter off!!!!! OUCH!!!!

So with the beginning of February tomorrow, I"m betting that you can count on lollipops way before you can sunshine. And before February 2, Mr. Groundhog Phil had better do the right thing or I may go after him. After all, I don't live that far from PA!

In the meantime, keep smiling because spring is not that far off. OH!!!! and one more thing I have to say about tomorrow - being Super Bowl Sunday & being a Cleveland Browns fan & that would be.......................................GO CARDINALS...........................

I AM BEEN TAGGED BY MY DIL

2009-01-26T15:01:00.003-05:00

You might be proud to know that I.....am becoming more and more independent the older that I get.

You might be surprised to know that I..... wanted to be a kindergarden school teacher

You might already know that I..... think family is everything

You should probably know that I..... am getting a tattoo for my 65th birthday -- asa then can design a SSS design that doesn't look like a snake or superman! Next to my heart!

You may not believe it when I tell you that I........have a hissy fit when my children have multiple phones, and I cannot get them to answer when I need them to!

You might have always wondered why I.....make excuses for those that I love

You might think "it figures" when you consider that I..... usually go to the child or sister who needs me the most

You might wonder about my sanity if you knew that I......had to think about this question :-)

You might think I'm weird if you knew that I.....realized that at this age (64) there is nobody on this earth that can tell me what I can or cannot do.....and how liberating that it is!

You might laugh to know that I.....love Facebook --- come be my friend :-)

You might roll your eyes when you know that I... in all surroundings that I really WANT to be me NOT who you want me to be

Come join the fun --- Thanks Tammi -----

OOOOPS........Foiled Again

2009-01-16T19:43:00.003-05:00

Don't tell me not to be sad today :-( Cause I thought

I would be rid of this thing called a "boot". Let me

tell you....IF I was going to be wearing a boot, it wouldn't be this thing in the picture. But after the PT visit, this boot will be with me for a few more weeks. It's like now I have to train my brain to walk again after I have not walked in 8+ weeks...OK NOT in the overall picture that the surgeon outlined for me. IF, and I do mean IF, progress goes WELL, in another 8 weeks from today....YOU HEARD ME.... I should be walking as I would have before this surgery. As Charlie Brown would say..."AAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH" And that's all I have to say about that!!!! BLEEEGGGHHH

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

2009-01-13T14:14:00.002-05:00

Well I know it is January and it is suppose to be cold and snowy but it is getting rediculous! It is
going to be very, very cold here in Ohio and seems like everywhere else too! So I am sending out a bouquet of flowers for everyone to help endure the cold! Have some coffee, hot chocolate or whatever warms you and this too shall pass! Enjoy!!!!!!

YEAH!!!! Finally coming to an End!!!!!!

2009-01-09T19:13:00.002-05:00

OK give me a week to 10 days and I'm gonna be shouting!!! Went to the Doctor today & things are GREAT..... I will wear the boot for another 7 - 10 days and after that resume life as a normal person. Well that is stretching it a bit :-) I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!!!! Hallujah & Amen... Freedom... Unexplainable.........

Thanks for all the prayers. God is truly Great.... Even tho I have been less than grateful at times during this ordeal. So today as my back, legs, foot, etc... hurt because I really did too much .....The end of near and I am truly grateful.

Snow is here and more to come in the amount of 4 - 8 inches & grocery shopping is done & we are warm and snug & no where to go So Let it Snow................................

Christmas and New Year

2009-01-08T21:41:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and your start of 2009 has been great so far. We spent Christmas in Georgia with two of our three sons and 5 of our 7 grandbabies. It is so wonderful to see the awe and wonder in children's eyes at Christmas time. Nothing quite like it, and especially when it is your grandchildren!!!!

Tomorrow I go to the Doctor and pray that my surgical boot comes off! Come On Doc!!!!!! Give me the news I NEED to hear. So everyone pray HARD!!!! I will be so disappointed if he says this boot has to stay on longer.......but think positive!!!!!

Am behind in posting and it is kinda boring, but will get better & hopefully more clever. My son showed me how to do some pics & things, and when the dust settles, I'll see if I remember. As you notice, he also set my tunes up....and will add and change IF I can remember how :-)

Till later........................................

Think Twice

2008-12-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

OK! Having foot surgery has had lots of learning -- lots of negative unfortunately and some positive. AND I truly am ashamed of myself for the negative being more powerful on the scale. I truly am on the positive end of the scale. Having said that---- Christmas season - shopping --- let's see -- Target, Wal-Mart -- great shopping places for me. Now in all of this, I have a wheelchair & a temp handicap sticker....Easy you say.....Well Bill's parks, goes into the stores, asks for the motorized chairs --- Guess What???? Already in use! OK. Bill comes back out, we get the wheelchair out, or one the store already has. Now what I would like to do is just to rumble around the store by myself, but I can't do that cause I don't have a cart & I have a manual wheelchair, so.............Bill & I stroll....Now the kicker - have you been waiting for this in all this rambling??????

In my life, I have always battled with weight. So in my house our "F" word was Fat & we never used that word..... But the people who were using the motorized wheelchairs were the overweight people. Now, I should not be judgemental - maybe they had health reasons, and if they did, I'm truly sorry! OK so maybe it was just as hard for them to walk as it was me, so I should not be judgemental.......

AND - another thing! We are talking about the wheelchair/handicap thing: I go to the bathroom in Target (in a wheelchair) and where am I to go.....the handicap stall....BUT, Oh Wait..someone is already in there, so I sit, and sit, and sit. I try to go in another one, but wheelchair doesn't cooperate! A Target employee says, "You can go in the Family Bathroom" & helps me out and I go there.

Moral of the story: I have gone in the handicap stall, even if the other stalls were empty, but after this, I won't be doing that anymore! Just a lesson in humility & one that makes one say......I truly am so fortunate and grateful!!!!!!

2008-12-05T14:05:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday! Today is my DIL's birthday. So happy birthday Megan!!! Have a wonderful day!!!!!

A major accomplishment! Today I have all my fall stuff put away! Yeah!!! What a relief - now we will be trying to put up some Christmas stuff & at this rate it will be February before it comes down :-)

Had to be out of the house yesterday for a stress test, and once I got out I didn't want to come back home. It was WONDERFUL being out and being around people again! Bill said I talked to anyone and everyone & a lot of people said "Oh you poor thing, having that boot on at the holidays" and then the conversation would start! My son Sean & fam skyped last evening, and I talked their ear off. Another thing you don't know you miss until you don't have it: Conversation......

Have a great day & smile :-) Light a candle. Pray for world peace and for inner peace, which is where all peace begins.

Overwhelmed

2008-12-01T15:37:00.002-05:00

My DIL Jen told me she could hear the depression in my posts, so I promised her I would be more upbeat -- thanks for caring Jen :-)

Today is the 1st day of December, and to say the lease I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at Christmas being right around the corner. So I am taking a deep breath and have decided that what gets done, gets done and that that doesn't, just doesn't! Very profound, yes????

I was reading an article in yesterday's Sunday paper which addressed this very issue. I'm thinking God put in there just for me to read. It had lots of good things, and I may share with you all of them, but today the one that struck me was this one.

What to cut on your holiday list:

Anything that isn't meaningful, magical, or memorable. Anything that doesn't bring you or anyone else joy, peace or love.

Now I know we will all try to do that, and then before you know it we will be caught up in the whirlwind. I just thought it was a beautiful statement and wanted to share.

Bathing and Hair Washing

2008-11-28T17:05:00.002-05:00

One more thing I know for sure. We take so many things in our lives for granted. We never think about flipping on a light switch, but just let the power go out and we are so inconvenienced & we flip that switch all the time. Same goes for when something happens in ones life that prevents them from just hopping in the shower - like my foot surgery. This Little House on the Prairie of washing out of a sink is for the birds. AND remembering to have all the suff at arms length is another. All the "stuff" in the shower now has to be on top of the sink, and heaven help if you forget something. Stopping what you are doing, turning around and "just grabbing it" are out of the question! Yell for Bill!!! So the next time you all are showering - letting that refreshing, warming water run down your face, back, - well you get the picture :-) ----just remember to be grateful that you have that..... I will again.....soon!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T14:58:00.003-05:00

This I truly know for sure: It is very depressing to be along on Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I am not alone, my husband is here. But by alone, I mean your children and grandchildren. When I decided to have the foot surgery, I knew it would be an almost certainty that Thanksgiving would be just us and thought I had reconciled with that. But, alas, with it being Thanksgiving Day and our BIG Thanksgiving dinner will be Cracker Barrel's take-out Thanksgiving dinner, well it is very hard.

Having said that :-) I do wish each and everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I wish for my children to be laughing and stuffing their face with turkey and pumpkin pie. I truly am a blessed woman and today I shall not forget that! My children are all wonderful, my grandchildren are the best, and I have great friends. I have a sister that makes me pee my pants because we laugh so hard, a neice who is like my daughter, and a nephew who is serving our Country in Afghastan.

So today is a day to be thankful for everyone and everything that passes through our lives.
Phil. 1-3 --- I thank my God every time I remember you.

Have a blessed day!!!!!!

Happy Birthday

2008-11-26T14:21:00.002-05:00

Today is November 26th --- Today is the Birthday of my youngest son and that would make him the baby :-) As I have told him no matter how old he is, he will always be the baby - whether he likes it or not!

Today is a Birthday milestone for him: 30 Years Old! That would be three decades. So which sounds older 30 years or three decades? To me 30 years old is SO very young....To his students, 30 years old is ANCIENT! To him turning 30....well he will have to tell you that. But no matter how you say it it still is HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN!!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful, restful, peaceful day! But then having 3 sons of his own - doubt that will happen!

Very Disappointed

2008-11-25T17:00:00.002-05:00

Went to the doctors today and was told that I have three more weeks of non-weight bearing! I will still have fall decorations up in the house the middle of December! The doctor had said "You can have this surgery on Friday and be back to work on Tuesday" - AND he said again today, "Yes, he could see patients, but he wouldn't be able to do surgery on crutches". I wanted to slap him right there. So I did what any respectable woman would do -- I cried! Two tables down there was a woman waiting to see the doctor, and she got up and got me kleenex! What am I going to do without exercise for 5 weeks? Sitting on my butt for 5 weeks sure isn't going to help the cause. Probably a good thing that I am diabetic or I am sure I would be eating bon-bons all day long - No I would go for M&M Peanuts..... And today I know for sure if I had this to do over, I would call a do over! But I also know for sure, that I can't call a do over & I will have to re-find my positive attitude and take one day at a time!!!!!

My First Post

2008-11-24T16:51:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving 2008! I am recooperating from foot surgery, so will not be cooking any Thanksgiving dinner this year! I have watched way too much TV and way too much of the Cooking Channel, and I know this because I "smell" the turkey! I guess it is time to start watching more CSI or something!

We did have Chinese food last night, and, of course, the reading of the fortune cookies! Now normally they are something cheesy or telling you that your millions will show up the 2nd Tuesday of next week, but mine had a really special one, and I thought I would share with you all:

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark ----

I thought that was really cool and see what you all think!