April weather

is a bit on the chilly side.  The temp today made it all the way up into the low 50's.  It is still 42º outside and feels a bit damp.  I hope tomorrow will be nicer with plenty of sunshine.  The schools here are on Spring Break and that means Amber has come for a visit.  She will also visit her Dad for a few days while she is here......and that is good.  She needs her daddy and he needs to spend time with her too.  He and his bride moved into a new place with her kids and his kids and their one together.  Amber has not seen it yet and he is anxious for her to see it.  I know she will like it.

Tom is still laid off and I'm not so sure anymore that he will ever be called back to work there.  He really wants to go back but it is looking more and more like he will have to find a new job.  And that will be one with less pay and less benefits........I'm not sure we will survive financially if that happens.  But there is no point in worrying about it.....what happens, happens.  There is nothing we can do about it.  If only the economy wasn't so screwed up we could at least sell our  home and rent if need be or purchase a smaller one.  I don't want to have to do that...I really like our house.  But I guess it all depends on if he gets called back anytime soon.

In anticipation of the nicer Spring weather, Tom and I did some spring cleaning last week so if the weather should become warmer and sunny we can be outside with the grandkids that will be coming and going during Spring Break.  We had Drew on Thursday night and most of the day Fri.  Also had Zaidyn Fri.  We picked Amber up Sunday and I know for sure that Trenten and Ty will be coming over on Thursday evening to spend the night and stay until we take them to their aunt mid-morning Fri.  Amber will most likely go to her dad's for part of this week but should return before Easter in order to eat with us and get home on time.  School resumes the day after Easter.  I'm not sure who else might be coming to stay during Spring Break and I guess it's just a good thing that we live in a big house!

Enjoy Spring Break!!

Summer heat in March............

but don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining!  It's just unusual.  The weatherman says since they have been keeping records, the springs that averaged above normal temperatures had 2 degree cooler Summers.  That is okay too.  I don't like it so warm that you sweat even without moving.  And if it isn't as warm and the humidity is down, that's even better!  The warm weather is nice for a change.  We didn't have much of a winter ......... no major snowstorms and the temperatures were not as cold or at least didn't seem that way.  And all those that have to drive back and forth to work didn't mind it either!  Today we set another record temperature.....87º with a breeze so it was extremely pleasant outside.  Of course I took advantage of it and spent time just sitting out on the deck with hubby when I should have been getting some housework done.  But later this week it is supposed to rain so it's a good thing I spent the time outside today.

Last Saturday was Amber's birthday...her golden birthday.  She turned 17!  I can't believe that she had been in our lives for 17 years though.  It seems like yesterday when she was a newborn baby and so cuddly and cute.  She's still cuddly but she has gone from cute to beautiful!  I wish she wouldn't be so quick to give her heart away.  She always seems to get it broken.  Maybe that's the way she learns........perhaps this way she will know the real thing when it stares her in the face!  I really miss her and hope she comes for a visit soon!

Now that it is 4:40AM I probably should get to bed so I can fall asleep before it is time to wake up.

Night!

Jan. 4, 2012

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

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!

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!

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......

............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

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. . . . . .

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

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!!!

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.............

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!

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

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...........

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?

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..........

Indian Summer

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

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..............

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...............

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!