Been Way too Long!

Hi all, its been way too long since I've posted anything to my blog! Boy has my life changed since the last time...I have lots to tell, and photos to post, but its getting close to Mass time, so I've got to go get dressed. I'll be back!

OK 2 months Later...

Whew, its been such A long time since I updated anything on my blog..so here we go...with facebook, and emails, and phone calls, man, there's too many ways to communicate! It's amazing how many folks are on facebook, I found friends I didn't know I had! fun, but not as personal as this...

We did our marriage thing..what a blessed day! Our son, Fr. Michael came down from Ontonagon to perform the ceremony, give me my "1st communion" . Mike's parents came, that was a blessing just in itself! We had a great time, many friends came, and our family from St. Michaels. We did a potluck dinner, and had the best food anyone's had at a wedding. I liked the old-fashioned way of getting together with family and friends, sharing a meal, and having fun. It was the highlight of 2 years of going through all the hoops, prayers, practical lessons...I couldn't be happier. here's a few photos...there's more on the facebook page.

So, what's been happening?

The garden is off the charts! I have corn! there's tons of flowers on the tomatoes, big flowers on the vines for melons, zucchni, cukes. the beans are doing great, I am so happy! Its just going to come in all at once, and I'll be working my butt off to preserve it. I have grapes this year, we've been eating the raspberries as they ripen. My poor cherry tree needs to be sprayed. I had tons of cherries, then something ate them all..:(

I can't seem to get the photos to post in the right order, so you'll have to figuare it out..

We're getting ready to head up to the UP for a few days. Leaving Thursday and coming back next Tuesday...I'll try and stick a photo in here and see what happens.

Ok, so they're all over the place!

Ok, gotta go, going to go for a motorcyle ride with our new priest, he rides a 750 Susuki, its ok, at least he rides :) I'll post more when I have the time to really share some stuff...

I'm Back!

June 2009

It's about time! I haven't felt much like writing. The last post was about my friend Chas...he's been on my mind a lot lately, so I guess its his way of telling me to get on with it. So I am...Geesh, since January? Winter was way too too long! It seemed like it has taken forever for the warm days to come, finally they have. Its very green and lush right now. Its kinda of a weird Spring, I know this, Summer will slam in and stay for a real long time, then boom Fall/Winter will be back before we know it. So another reason to cherish each lovely day, and enjoy them as if they could be your last.
I finally got my garden in...we have this old POS tiller that we tried to fix so we could save some time and energy - ha. I ended up doing it the old fashioned way, one shovel full at a time. It took me a little longer, but the results were the same. I planted 8 tomato plants, different varieties, peppers, cukes, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini (can't have a garden in Mi without zucchini) melon, watermelon, bush beans, corn (from plants I found) carrots, beets, radishes and onions! I know it will come it later than everybody else's, but who cares? I want to can tomatoes, make pickles, freeze the corn we don't eat, etc....here's a early photo..forget the date stamp, didn't notice the date was wrong on the camera :) A labor of love! We've been working on getting our marriage in the church taken care of. Should be a great day. We are not sure if Fr. Anthony will be available since they are moving all the priests in our diocese in July!

That's it for this one, I have another post started I have to finish...hugz.

My Friend Chas

Today I have a really heavy heart....a dear friend, an old friend, a very special friend passed away. He wasn't that old, wasn't that healthy, but I would never have thought he'd be gone this soon...he had a massive heart attack while awaiting by-pass surgery. I know he'd been having touble with his heart, I guess no one knew just how much borrowed time he was running on. I met him in 1970, while working with a theatre group in Mt. Clemens. He and Trish, who we lost last year, were kind of the patriarchs of our little odd family. He and I had a lot of fun times together, riding up and down Gratiot ave. scrounging for change to buy McDonalds fish sandwiches, and looking for wild plant life out near the RR tracks north of Mt Clemens. We camped together, we danced, he was such a dancer! He was the best date a girl could have for any affair, especially weddings! We had cocktails, got sick together, had lots of talks about everything. we smoked too much when we played cards. I loved to cook with him, he was a very good cook. We ice skated, him, me Seil and MJ in his back yard one winter...what fun. There were great parties at his house, quiet times, and just some times. I am going to miss him very much, I didn't see him very often, but always knew he was just a click or a call away. I sincerely hope he is in Heaven, or at least on his way....he was a great guy, he cared for those he loved. He will be missed by a lot of people. . I don't have a 2007 photo, we skipped the party that year because Trish was so sick, in the hospital so we waited until this past year, and had such a great time at K&J's. So Rock on Chas....love you very much

Happy New Year!

Whew! at last! 2009 is here and we have a whole new year to get it together...the "holidays" are fading and winter has settled in and, the days are getting longer! We had a very quiet Christmas, stayed home and had a quiet day...we decided to take a trip downstate to see my sister and we also went to the "GroupW" Christmas party, hosted by Kay and Jerry this year! We took Molly with us, and she was a very good girl...the only Lab mix I know that doesn't like to ride in the truck...I guess I need to take her more often. We had a quiet time with Judy,her kids were busy with their families so didn't get to see them or their kids, maybe next year? Got to get our favorite pizza when we're down there, Jets...very good for franchise. we stayed up and watched the latest Indiana Jones movie, he's so cool. I can see where the characters can evolve to the next generation. Saturday was spent relaxing, we did a little shopping, Aunt Judy got to babysit Molly for a couple of hours. We packed up and headed out to Kay and Jerry's. they have done some remodelling and their home looks great. They had lots of room for all 13 of us, plus 2 dogs...Mason was not amused by Molly. It was a good party. The obvious lack of Trisha's presence was there, but not in a bad way. She would have wanted us to celebrate, and appreciate our friendship. Deb, her sister came and it was good to have her there. She shared some of Patti's jewelry with the girls and I'll treasure the pieces forever.
It's hard to believe we have been getting together for 28 years...when I tell people about us, us GroupWbench friends ~ everyone is pretty amazed. If you are wondering what the Group W bench is, you have to be an Arlo Guthrie fan. Our lives have gone through many changes, but we still manage to stick it out. It's truly a blessing, and I am lucky to have been a part of it all this time.

Sunday morning, we headed back to the North Country. We got lucky with the weather, no big snow storms either way. It was pretty windy though. Even though we were only gone a few days, its always good to be home.

It then began time to think about the next holidays. One more trip around the sun. My birthday was pretty uneventful this year. With economics what they are, I am just grateful I made it another year!

New Years Eve we celebrated with friends at the "hall". Julie retired after 30 years as the county treasurer, so what a reason to celebrate! She had her time with some breast cancer issues, and thankfully has come through with flying colors. Now its time she enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Today ~ January 1st, I resolve not to make any resolutions. I'm going to concentrate on all the ones I've made in the past. Get healthy, that is a biggy....loose this extra weight, consider quitting smoking...a REAL biggy,and be a better human being.

So now, I get to the part that I comment on 2008 and look forward to 2009. I've decided that I'm keeping my thoughts and concerns about money to myself. Its occurred to me that all I seem to do is complain about it. I have resolved that I'm not going to ever have a lot of it, or even more than I have now. We're never going to get an inheritance, since my folks didn't believe in insurance, and the state took all my Mom had anyway...at least some was there for that. We're not going to win the lottery ~ damn it, so I can't count on that either. I do know that we have made a commitment to each other to seriously take control of our lives. One of my friends told me I need to re-read The Secret again, to re fire my desire to take control of my destiny...yada yada...so maybe I will. I really want to make a go of the candle lady thing. Its a really good company, quality stuff, and I really like doing it. So if you are reading this, go check out my website, and think about ordering something or having a party!

Let's face it, I never thought I'd make it to 56. I thought it was so old when I was in my 20's...with the whole world ahead of me. Here I am, still kicking, still having fun, and one more year has come and gone and I survived! That should give me enough Joy for a while.

I'm reading a book called 90 minutes in heaven. A true account of some one who was dead for 90 minutes and came back to tell the story. I'll let you know how it comes out! This book has been passed around from girlfriend to girlfriend, so from me it goes to ???

So that's my latest installment. I sincerely hope everyone a peaceful, prosperous New Year...

Merry Christmas...

Wow, I didn't realize it has been a month since I've posted anything...I thought I'd share some thoughts about a "newby" to Winter in Michigan...just to give you an idea how it goes...

Winter in Michigan…

Aug. 20 - Moved to our new home in Michigan.
It is so beautiful here. The hills are so picturesque. Can hardly wait to see them with snow covering them.
This is God's Country. I love it here!

Oct. 14 - Michigan is the most beautiful place on earth. The leaves are turning all different colors - you should see the beautiful shades of red and orange and yellow! Went for a ride through some beautiful rolling hills and spotted some deer .. They are so graceful, certainly they
are the most peaceful animals on earth. This must be Paradise. I love it here!
Nov. 3 - Deer season will start soon. I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill such an elegant creature, the Very symbol of peace and tranquility. Hope it will Snow soon. I love it here!
Dec. 2 - It snowed last night! Woke up to find everything blanketed in white, just like a postcard. We went outside and cleaned the snow othe steps and shoveled the driveway. We had a snowball fight (I won) and when the snowplow came by, we had to shovel the driveway
again. What a beautiful place. Mother nature in perfect harmony. I love Michigan!
Dec. 12 - More snow last night. I love it. The snowplow did his trick Again (that rascal) and pushed all the snow back into the driveway, But we bundled up and had a good time clearing it - and we made A snowman out of it! A winter wonderland. I love it here!
Dec. 19 - More snow last night. Couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work on time! I'm exhausted From shoveling. That damn snowplow!
Dec. 22 - More of that white crap fell last night. I've got blisters on my hands from shoveling. I think the snowplow man hides around the corner and waits until I'm done shoveling this driveway, the jerk! And you should see our heating bills!
Dec. 25 - "White Christmas" my busted ass! More friggin snow. If I ever get my hands on that son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I swear I'll break the bastard's nose. Don't know why they don't use more salt on the roads to melt this friggin ICE!
>>>>
Dec. 28 - More white sh*t last night. Been inside since Christmas Day except for shoveling out the driveway every time "Snowplow Harry" comes by. Can't go Anywhere, car's buried in a mountain of frozen snow. The weatherman says to expect another 10" of the Sh*t tonight. Do you know how many shovels full of snow 10" is?
Jan. 1 - Happy Damn New Year, the weatherman was wrong AGAIN. We got two feet of the white sh*t this time. At this rate it won't melt before the Fourth of July. The snowplow got stuck up the road, and the jerk had the balls to come to the door and ask to borrow my shovel.
After I told him I've broken six shovels already, shoveling all the sh*t he pushed into the driveway, I broke my last one over his damn head!
>>>>
>>>> Jan. 8 - Finally got out of the house today. Went to the Store to get food and on the way back, a damn deer ran In front of the car and I hit the bastard. Did about $3,000 worth of damage to the car. Those damn beasts Ought to be killed. Wish the hunters had killed them all
Last November.
>>>>
Mar. 22 - Took the car to the garage in town. Would you believe the thing is rotting out from all
That damn salt they keep dumping all over the road? Car looks like a piece of sh*t!
>>>>
April. 10 - Moved back to Florida. I can't imagine why
Anyone in their right mind would ever want to live
In that God forsaken state of Michigan!

Welll, I'd have to say there's plenty of reasons to live in Michigan. First of all, the first thing you do is invest in a good snowblower, that way the jerk in the snowplow truck can't beat you. The people here are the best. It is truely a beautiful place to live, and heck, all the old folks head south for the Winter, so we get it to ourselves.

Chistmas...what a year this has been. We have learned a lot about patience and understanding this year. We are still waiting on the annulments, who have thought it would have taken this long. But, this path we are being lead down has taken us to places we really needed to go. Sounds a bit cryptic? Let's just say we are taking the time to build our relationship; stronger and better, and more loving. I am so looking foward to the day its done and we can celebrate fully! There will be a party!

We really want everyone to remember what the reason for the season is, we are all so Blessed to be joined to God, especially during this season.

I broke our camera the other day, so there won't be any new photos for a while..we're going to look for an inexpensive camera today (12-24) so we'll have one to take downstate. We're heading to my sisters Friday and to the Friends party Saturday, home again Sunday...pray the weather cooperates!

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY! Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Well, Thanksgiving arrived at last, I don't like that is so late this year...Christmas is coming way too fast! Michael made it down from Ironwood on Sunday with his puppy-Bruno. Its been fun watching him and Molly have fun in the snow, oh yeah, did I mention we had about an 8" snowstorm Monday-Tuesday???

Our Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful (if I do sayso myself :) All the work cleaning and painting and moving furniture was well worth it. I forgot to take a "before" photo of the table setting...so here's one of the "after" I got to use my infamous chandelier! we hung it from the big beam across the living room, I borrowed a banquet table from the hall and ta-da - instant dining room! We had 3 couples from church over, so 9 for dinner. I managed to get everything done on time...we had too much food - but I'm into the left overs so it's all good!

Michael John stayed until yesterday, he called today from Mason, all is well there. They went to a communtiy dinner there. We went to one at our Parrish today, we all pitched in and made turkeys, and the whole thing, lots of salads donated and pies, cakes etc...we served about a 100 people and did deliveries for about 10 more. Its a good thing.

I hope everyone's day was filled with blessings and the awesome smells of dinner, lots of friends and family around. Its hard to believe K&J will be married 33 years on Friday. Seems like yesterday sometimes and then it seems like a lifetime ago....

We have so much to be Thankful for. It's been a tough year...but we're still standing, we're still able and somewhat healthy. There are so many people that have so much less than we do, and are struggling because of no job, or credit crunching...utilities not paid, I complain, but I really have nothing to complain about. When things get tough like this, it makes you sit back and not only appreciate what you have, but it makes you want to simplify your life. Its time to get rid of the excess and concentrate on quality not quanity.

I wish my hands would stop aching, my trigger finger is back and the rest of my hand is just so sore. Noticing my body wearing out really sucks.

Looking forward to the holidays, seeing everyone....and the new year.