No blogging for a while!

Seems as if my life has gotten very busy as of late! And since I don't want anyone worrying about where I am, this post is to let you all know that I won't be blogging as much....maybe a week or two between posts. I'm not quitting or taking a hiatus even, just don't have the time to give it justice right now.

I'll still be popping in periodically to read and leave a comment though!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far!

Hugs

My Lilies

My lilies have finally started to bloom this year. I thought they weren't going to but am glad they have finally begun to bloom.
So far, I have four different color ones in bloom at the same time.
I have no idea what any of them are called since they were already here when we moved in 2 years ago. If anyone knows and wants to help me out just jump in with some names!
These were the very first ones to bloom this year. The color is very vibrant and bright.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do!

Some Summer Fun!

This first picture is Doug and Amber after Steve's graduation open-house!

David, Brian's oldest son.
Brian, Drew and Elijah (Brian's 3 year old son.)
Brian watching Elijah in the pool.

Rockin' Girl Blogger

Do you see this badge on my right side bar? It was bestowed upon me by my dear, dear friend, Smalltown RN . If you go to her site, you can read about it and the other four women that she also bestowed it on. She says of me: "I love how she shares with her readers her life, love and joys of being with her grandchildren." What wonderful things she tells about me...not so sure they are deserved, but nice to hear none the less! Thank you my dear friend!

I need to bestow this badge on five other woman that I think Rock! This will be hard because so many of you out there are such great "Rockin'" Women!

1.) Ame - Because she is doing such a great job as a single mom, raising her girls after a divorce. She is a Rockin' Girl, for sure!

2.) Tracy - for her Rockin' Girl ability to relate to others and what they have gone through and for her understanding and kindness to all who visit her blog!

3.) Rebecca - for her upbeat, friendly, positive attitude which makes it a pleasure to visit her blog and read what wonderful things she is writing about daily.

4.) Connie - for her ability to offer comfort to anyone and everyone who visits her. For being upbeat in the face of adversity and loss. And for the beautiful lilies she grows and photographs and posts for everyone to enjoy.

5.) Lori - last but not least! If you have never been to her site, you must go and read what she writes. She is so down-to-earth with her writing about growing up where she lives and the wisdom, truth and love that come through in her words will have you leaving with a greater sense of what is really important in your life.

Now grab this badge for yourselves and find 5 Rockin' Women and pass it on if you want!

A Real 'Girlie' Girl!!!

I just received this photo from my daughter in Kentucky. It was taken a couple weeks ago. This is my 5-year old grand daughter. When she lived up here, she liked bugs, dirt, a bleeding 'ouchie', worms, and all other sorts of outdoor things that would usually make a little girl cringe!

As you can see, that is no longer the case with her. In order to even attempt to take the fish off the hook, she had to don a LARGE pair of kitchen gloves so as not to get 'slimy' while attempting this very difficult task! When I saw this photo I just had to laugh.

We have a wall in the garage and on it hangs an old and large fish net. On this fish net hangs some old fishing poles, lures and some home tied flies and photos of family members fishing or catching or just having caught a fish. Some photos are of 'first' fish caught by new 'fisherman' such as KeAira. Needless to say, I printed this photo and it has joined our family fishing collage!

FRIDAY FEAST

FEAST ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT





Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is that it's just the right amount of time and distance from a big city.

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”). Melon Breeze

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer? ATT software for my DSL hook-up.

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say? "babysit at a moments notice!"

Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together? White and a pinkish rose.

We are lucky enough to have Amber until Thursday. And Trenten came to spend the day with us Saturday too! He and Amber spent most of the afternoon swimming in the pool and playing on the swing set. They get along quite well in spite of the age difference of 6 years between them. They are cousins, not by blood but through marriage. When hubby and I married 17 years ago, we told all five of the kids that there were no step brothers or sisters; the only steps we had were the ones that took us to a different level in the house. The kids accepted that and to this day never refer to each other as step-siblings! And we have never referred to them as step-children either. So, the cousins don't know any difference. As Amber said at dinner the other night...."we're just one big HAPPY family!"

WHAT A RIDE !!!!

This story appeared Thursday morning on WZZM-13 News Website and I thought it interesting.



Paw Paw - A wheelchair-bound man went on the ride of his life Wednesday after visiting a gas station in Van Buren County.

Calls began pouring in to the Paw Paw post of the Michigan State Police around 4:00 p.m. The first call came in with a woman telling dispatchers, "You are not going to believe this, there is a semi- truck pushing a guy in a wheel chair on Red Arrow Highway!"

The truck was traveling westbound on Red Arrow Highway just outside the village of Paw Paw.

Authorities responded to the call on Red Arrow Highway where the man and his wheelchair were still attached to the semi-truck.

Troopers and officers found a 21-year-old man un-harmed as he sat in his wheelchair, its handles still lodged in the truck's front grill.

Investigators say the semi truck owned by RMI had pulled out of a local gas station. The young man in the wheelchair some how pulled in front of the semi-truck, causing his wheelchair handles to become stuck in the front grill of the truck.

Authorities say the semi-truck at times reached speeds of nearly 50 miles per hour for nearly four miles.

The semi driver was in disbelief as troopers told him about the man on his front grill until he saw it for himself.

Police say the 21-year-old man was un-harmed and unfazed by the incident. The young man was quoted as saying, "It was quite a ride."

One trooper said, "You could work another 90 years in Law Enforcement and never see something like this. We're just glad no one was injured in this unusual incident."

I got this quiz off smalltownrn's blog. I'm sure she won't mind. Pop on over and read what it says about her!

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence

You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

FRIDAY FEAST # 146

Appetizer
Name something you think is “the best.” Holding a newborn for the first time.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today? No stress yet so I'm giving it a 1, but it's still early!

Salad
What kind of cleanser do you use to wash your face? Ponds Facial Cleanser

Main Course
Tonight is a blue moon! What is something that you believe only happens “once in a blue moon.” Still having money left after all the bills are paid! ;)

Dessert
When was the last time it rained where you live? Last Saturday, May 26 and we need some more right now!

The first photo is Ty eating his birthday cake and his dad, Jeremy. The second is after finishing his cake and right before his bath! LOL

He received lots of presents including clothes that he needed. But he got lots of cool toys too! He did seem a little overwhelmed by it all. There were about 40 people there and Jeremy cooked on the grill for all of us. The food was great and the company wasn't bad either!
Now the next big celebration will be Steve's graduation open house coming up in June! And then that's the end of everything ~ for a while anyway!!!!

What I've been doing!

Hunter's first fish on his new pole!


Trenten and Ty had to be 'first' to try out the pool Brian gave us...BRRRR!

Drew waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin.

Steve (in green gown, center of photo) actually receiving his diploma!

Now I can rest until later this weekend when we celebrate Ty's "1st" birthday.

Sensational Saturday

What a great day! Doug's two youngest came to spend the weekend with him. Monday is Hunter's 5th birthday so we celebrated Saturday. As soon as breakfast was out of the way, the kids helped make the 'birthday cake'. Then we all went to the park to fly the kites that Doug got for them. Hunter's was a 'Sponge Bob' and Harley's was 'Dora the Explorer'. Dora was true to her name. Boo (aka Harley) let go and Dora was off exploring on her own over the treetops and far away. Bon Voyage, Dora!!
Then it was back home for lunch and singing 'Happy Birthday', eating cake and opening presents.

Both the little ones were given fishing poles by their dad as he had already set up a fishing expedition/picnic for today, Sunday. So far I'm the only one up. They must all be exhausted from sitting up last night watching the bon fire.

Guess maybe I should be out in the kitchen packing a picnic lunch. Nah.....I think I'll drink my coffee first!

EIGHT Things About Me.

I've Been Tagged and it has taken me a long time to get to it!


Here are the rules:

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

So here is my eight:

1.) I have 14 living grand children and one that was still born. I've held everyone one of them - all 15!

2.) Garfield and I have something in common....we're not overweight, we're undertall!

3.) I've colored my hair since my 20's to hide the gray!

4.) If I'm really angry with somoene I live with, I clean the house like crazy! An outlet, I suspect!

5.) I was widowed at the age of 29 and have been remarried for 17 years.

6.) I am scared to drive in the winter time with all the snow and ice, so I usually stay home unless hubby is driving.

7.) My mother-in-law and I are NOT friends! In fact, we don't even really like each other.

8.) Now that my children are all grown, they have become some of my best friends!

Okay, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you decide to do this, please let me know so I can read about you!

Test for Springs final arrival!

I can tell it is really spring here now. This large moth (2½" long x 3½" wide) helps to prove that spring and the bugs have arrived. I tried to find out exactly what kind this is, but couldn't find a picture to match it on the Internet and since I'm not really into the bug world, I haven't a clue. Any one want to venture a guess? His lower wings have a beautiful purple color on them and the dots on his upper wings are shaped like triangles. He has long yellow antenna and big black eyes.



The other way is by looking at this beautiful lilac bush in my backyard. It can be seen from my compter room window and if it's warm enough to open the window, the fragerance that filters though the screen is beautiful. I was hoping that the butterflies that were occupying several of the branches would show up, but I should have known better. Without zoom, I just can't capture things the way I want to! But I think the flowers turned out pretty anyway.

It is 11:46 PM on Wednesday night, and this is the first chance I have had to really spend enough time on the computer to post something new. I have been so very busy, with what I'm not certain, other than taking care of Drew off and on. Maybe just cleaning house, it is spring after all, and that spring cleaning is always calling my name. I wonder if I changed my name maybe I would get more rest......nah.....wouldn't happen!

A Wonderful Friend

I am the happy recipient of the displayed Birthday Card made exclusively by SmalltownRN who claims she has just taken up this hobby. Looks like she is an old pro at this kind of craft, doesn't it! Thank you dear friend for remembering me and taking the time to let me know we are friends, no matter how many miles may keep us apart!

Although we have not met 'face-to-face', we have chatted on the Internet until the wee hours of the morning at times! We met over a year ago through an exchange that PEA had initiated for Halloween in 2006. Thank you PEA for hooking us up!

Saturday Playtime

Our two oldest boys, Brian and Doug, were here Saturday with Brian's three children and Doug's oldest daughter, Amber. Of course, Doug lives here at the present time and Amber comes almost every weekend. After lunch and Brian's one year old, Rebecca took a nap in the PAC-N-PLAY and Elijah, the three year old found some of the old Fisher Price toys to play with, Doug and Amber and Brian and his oldest, David decided to play a game of tag football. I'm not sure who one the game or if it really matters to any of them.

It was so nice to see our oldest boys 'at play' again with their own children that I feel as if I may have been the one to win! There was a long time of Doug not coming around when his brothers and sisters were here and I think it was all because of the gal he was with for so long. He's no longer with that gal and we are all happy about it. Our Doug, as we knew him before her, is back with us. And we can now enjoy him more than ever.



We weren't sure we would ever see the 'old' Doug return but a lot of prayers (and a mom never gives up hope) God has answered our prayers and showed Doug the way back to us. GOD IS GOOD!!!

What Are The Chances?

This is so strange! Remember last week when my older sisters daughters both had surgery? Well, last night I get a call from my sister. She is in the ER and she wanted to tell me that they are taking her to an operating room for an emergency appendectomy! Can you believe that? I don't know what the odds of three woman from the same family having surgery in less than a week are, but I'm thinking it can't be that great!

Thankfully both her daughters are on the way to recovery and she is being released from the hospital today. It is certainly amazing how fast they kick you out. She was out of surgery at 11:00 PM last night and within a 24 hour period she was sent home. Good thing her hubby will be there to help her out!

BTW, my niece's tumor WAS BENIGN!!! Thank you, GOD!!!

The Mommy Test

I received this as an e-mail today from my cousin......I don't know if this was something her daughter said or if she found it somewhere, but I think it says it all!



I was out walking with my 4- year- old daughter. She picked up something off
the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her
and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked.
"Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty
and probably has germs" I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked,
"Mommy, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart."
I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test.
You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you
don't pass the test you have to be the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied!

Happy/Sad weekend!

Well, the weekend is over and it was lovely! The sun shone and the temperatures were summer like without the high humidity, and.....hubby and I spent almost the whole weekend together! Saturday was our 17th Wedding Anniversary....yep I'm now a Saint! Okay, just joking. Living with him isn't at all bad. Oh he has his moments....but I probably have more of them; being female and all, just ask slick!!!!

We hopped in the car and headed out for a ride with no particular destination in mind other than eventually finding a nice restaurant for a steak dinner and some hand holding! We stopped whenever and where ever we wanted. One of those stops was at a WalMart store to check out the grills on sale. While there we found some stools for the snack counter in our kitchen and purchased them.

We then decided to take a couple two-track roads through the Allegan forest. Remember those, Rachel? The ones where you had to bury your head so you wouldn't see the drop offs close to the road and you cried! Yep, some of those same ones. It's been a long time since we've been 4-wheeling like that and I found, much to my surprise, that I had indeed missed it!

We found an "Outback" and decided since we were now famished to eat there. We had a great meal of steak and baked potato and crisp tossed salad. And for the appetizer we had what they call a "bloomin' onion" and managed to get in plenty of 'hand holding' between courses. They also serve fresh baked bread and honey butter before the appetizer shows up.

After arriving back home, I noticed that my voice mail message light was blinking so I played the message. It was from my baby sister in Colorado telling me that our older sisters oldest daughter who had been scheduled for surgery that day to repair a hernia and check on her gall bladder had the surgery but there was no hernia and her gall bladder was fine. They found a tumor and removed it and think it is benign but won't know for sure for a couple days ! Then while in route to pick up her daughters girls to keep for the weekend, she received a call on her cell telling her that her youngest daughter has just been taken into emergency surgery at a different hospital for what the thought was a hot gall bladder.....it was, and both girls are now home and recovering...such a mess for older sis! I'm going to call and see if she or they need any help. Please keep all of them in your prayers for speedy recoveries!