My Little Part of Heaven

2012-01-20T12:15:00.002-05:00

2012-01-05T12:11:00.000-05:00

do the bumps in the road come along to remind us that life is not perfect?

2012-01-04T07:32:00.003-05:00

As another year draws to an end

2011-12-30T10:09:00.001-05:00

I get emotional and nostalgic at the end of each year. I reflect on the old and start anticipating the new.

Each year has things that stand out. Like the birth of my second grandson on March 15th, Benjamin Scott, 8 lbs., 8 ozs. born to Becky and Scott. Babies truly are gifts from God for families to love and share.

There were surgeries, trips, lost jobs, new jobs, family gatherings, celebrations.....the usual. So many memories captured in pictures....or imprinted in our minds.

For me, my boss of 21 years retired and a new boss has taken his place. Change is good for the soul and I look forward to a new chapter.

Loving family, friends and pets is very special to me which I do not take for granted. Feeling their warmth makes me so thankful for all my blessings.

In March I had probably one of the most scarey moments of my life. A (dryer)fire in my home. I can't say I freaked, because I was too numb and no doubt in shock. Divine Intervention is all that needs to be said. I recall that night often and thank Jesus for being with me. I am so appreciative of the quick responders.

So as 2011 ends and 2012 is hours away, I will reflect on the old and look forward to the new. Something I don't normally do is make new year's resolutions. But this year I am. I have a list of several and am going to do my best to succeed. We have the chance to reinvent ourselves - no matter what our age. Better late than never, right?

May 2012 be full of blessings for you
Happy New Year from My Little Part of Heaven to yours

2011-12-24T09:11:00.002-05:00

Growing up, everything was Polish, including Christmas music.

Memories of my my Mom & Dad, Busia and my mother's sisters, come back almost like it was yesterday. I remember my Mom, Busia, and my aunts singing Polish Christmas songs as they gathered in Busia's kitchen on Coplin in Detroit. They would all be melancholy.

And remembering my Dad in our home on Kilbourne in Detroit also takes me back to Christmases of long ago. He would play records on the stereo in our finished basement, while he drank some 'Christmas cheer' and he would sing along in Polish. My Dad was this huge icon to me who kept his pain on the inside, but I saw the emotional side of him as he sang these songs. I know a big part of the emotion was for his Mom who died young.....when my Dad was in his teens. I know how much he loved her and that he never stopped hurting from her death. He and I spoke often of her in later years. When he told me that I reminded him of her I was happy inside - for the Busia

I never met. Unfortunately, I never asked him to elaborate on that statement and I am sad I

never found out what he meant. But it makes me happy knowing that there was something

about me that reminded him of her.

As I write this post it is early morning. I woke up here in Michigan to snow that the weathermen said we would not have for Christmas, but I am so glad they were wrong. My Christmas trees are lit, the lights in the windows are on, and as I sit here drinking my raspberry/macadamia coffee I am melancholy. I can't help not be on a Christmas Eve morning with all these thoughts. Thinking of the Polish music and my Dad who was born in Mount Pleasant, PA 96 years ago. His birthday was December 21st, normally the shortest day of the year (he mentioned that often).

He was born to Joseph and Mary, and he was one of many children.

As for this CD, it arrived the other day from my sister who lives in Illinois. She had me open it right away. She found it last week and bought one for each of us. We have been playing it since then. This is the exact same music - from the record, Koledy by Mazowske,

my Dad played so many years ago.

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

♥♥♥

Keeley Shay

2011-12-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

2011-12-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights

2011-12-12T20:09:00.000-05:00

There is so much to love about this special time of year.

I absolutely love my Christmas tree and the decorations which adorn it.
There are so many memories that hang on its branches.
As I put each ornament on, I get caught up in so many thoughts.....of the gift from someone from long ago - from my sister - reminders of my little daughters, and all the other specialties that make my tree beautiful....to me. There is so much about that tree that stands in the corner of my living room again this year. The tree might not always be the same, but the ornaments are. And as packed as that tree is, there is always room for one more.

While I only have single candles in each of the four windows in my living room, it is my simple way of lighting up my house amidst the houses on my street that have lots of lights and decorations. But those four single candles are still special to me. There was a time when there were more lights out front, but times are a bit more simple these days and that is fine with me. One of these days I might go beyond those four single candles.......maybe.

May you find specialness in these days before Christmas and warmth from all the memories of Christmases gone by. It is a very romantic time of the year.....even if it is romance for one.
♥

Benjamin

2011-12-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

I got to spend some time with my youngest grandson this weekend and last.
He is such a wonderful baby.
The red/white hat was his mommy's, many moons ago. I'm glad I kept it.

If only I would just remember this

2011-12-07T09:28:00.003-05:00

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

2011-11-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

May everyone be thankful for all their blessings.

As for me, I am thankful for:

my family, my friends, my dog and cat,

all the talents and comforts God has given me,

including my home and garden and a good job.

I am very grateful for surviving the fire in my home last March

because I know it was nothing short of Divine Intervention.

Thank you, Jesus, for everything. ♥

Benjamin's Quilt

2011-11-20T17:04:00.001-05:00

finally....after all the problems - sewing machine broke, ripped out quilting (almost 2 times)......it's all done....and on Benjamin's crib....to keep him warm on very cold nights. Yay ♥

the weekend past

2011-11-19T16:30:00.001-05:00

St. Michael's Catholic Church, Port Austin

Port Austin - Friday to Sunday
The girls: Janice, Marie, Pam, Pat, Sherry, Tammy, and yours truly

Girls' Weekend - Port Austin, MI

2011-11-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

Let the fun begin.....Friday morning ♥

2011-11-02T07:52:00.000-04:00

Where's Ben?

2011-10-28T17:32:00.001-04:00

the woodpecker might have to go

Greenfield Village, Halloween-Trick or Treating 2011

2011-10-26T18:20:00.016-04:00

An annual family tradition

And this year, a new family member - Benjamin Scott
our little scarecrow

Keegan - the giraffe - preferring not to sport his giraffe head

the grim reaper

a friendly witch, and her walking broom

Icahbod Crane

the Headless Horseman, very handsome I must say

I'd like to say that Keegan and the Headless Horsemen meet face to face,

but that wouldn't be entirely true, would it?

Ben had lots of fun.....but you can tell he is pretty tired

Happy Halloween!

♥

Pumpkin Time

2011-10-24T09:25:00.000-04:00

Still Catching up - Calder's Petting Farm

2011-10-24T07:35:00.004-04:00

September 18th we went to Calder's Petting Farm.

It was a great place to introduce children to farm animals.

Keegan had a blast feeding calves.

The farm is awesome and there is no charge. You can walk around, feed the calves and ducks, visit the store where you can buy ice cream (yummy) and milk in bottles, and other goodies.

To get there you drive on country roads. It is a great place to enjoy being out in farm land and have a great time.

Keegan loved feeding the animals.

♥

nature's ♥

Calder's Dairy & Farm

9334 Finzel Road

Carleton, MI 48117

Phone: (734) 654-2622

Is that Sophie?

2011-10-14T12:39:00.000-04:00

Catching Up: Dr. Suess's Thing 1 and Thing 2

2011-10-11T18:40:00.000-04:00

Even the clean up was fun.

Catching Up: Choo Choo

2011-10-11T18:28:00.000-04:00

A Sunday in September.

A neighborhood park near Beth and Joe's runs a mini train through the little park the first weekend of the month during the warmer months. Keegan has his 'train' hat on and enjoying himself on the slide - unfortunately I didn't get any pics of the train!

Catching Up: Benjamin

2011-10-11T18:18:00.000-04:00

Here are a few recent pics of our little guy

Catching Up: St. Clair

2011-10-11T18:03:00.002-04:00

On a rainy Friday in September, Sharon and I drove to St. Clair to do check out antiques and, of course, to have lunch. We ate at the St. Clair Inn (pictured here). It is a lovely Michigan landmark right on the lake. I was disappointed with the restaurant. Under new owners, it has lost some of its appeal.

2011-10-07T22:34:00.000-04:00

If cats could talk.............

2011-09-15T10:16:00.001-04:00

These stories really amaze me. If our pets could only share some of these stories with us, I am sure we would be in awe.

NEW YORK — A calico cat named Willow, who disappeared from a home near the Rocky Mountains five years ago, was found Wednesday on a Manhattan street and will soon be returned to a family in which two of the three kids and one of the two dogs may remember her.
How she got to New York, more than 1,600 miles away, and the kind of life she lived in the city are mysteries.

But thanks to a microchip implanted when she was a kitten, Willow will be reunited in Colorado with her owners, who had long ago given up hope.

"To be honest, there are tons of coyotes around here, and owls," said Jamie Squires, of Boulder. "She was just a little thing, five and a half pounds. We put out the `Lost Cat' posters and the Craigslist thing, but we actually thought she'd been eaten by coyotes."

Squires and her husband, Chris, were "shocked and astounded" when they got a call Wednesday from Animal Care & Control, which runs New York City's animal rescue and shelter system.

Willow had been found on East 20th Street by a man who took her to a shelter.

"My husband said, `Don't say anything to the kids yet. We have to make sure,'" Squires said. "But then we saw the picture, and it was Willow. It's been so long."

ACC Executive Director Julie Bank said a scanner found the microchip that led to the Squires family.

"All our pets are microchipped," Squires said. "If I could microchip my kids, I would."

The children are 17, 10 and 3 years old, so the older two remember Willow, Squires said. As for the 3-year-old, "She saw the photo and said, `She's a pretty cat.'"

The Squireses also have a yellow Labrador named Roscoe, who knew Willow, and an English mastiff named Zoe.

"We had another dog back then, too, and I remember that Willow would lie with them as they all waited to be fed," Squires said. "She thought she was a dog."

Squires said Willow escaped in late 2006 or early 2007 when contractors left a door open during a home renovation.

Since then, the family had moved about 10 miles from Broomfield to Boulder, but it kept its address current with the microchip company.

Bank recommended that all pet owners use microchips.

She said Willow, who now weighs 7 pounds, is healthy and well-mannered and probably has not spent her life on the mean streets of Manhattan. But there are no clues about her trip east or anything else in the five years she's been missing.

Squires seemed a bit worried about a possible New York state of mind.

"I don't know what kind of life she's had, so I don't know what her personality will be like," she said. When Willow disappeared, she said, "She was a really cool cat, really sweet."

The ACC and the Squireses were trying to arrange for transportation back to Colorado and health certificates and said it might be two weeks before the reunion. Willow may spend some time with a foster family in New York.

"The kids can't wait to see her," Squires said. "And we still have her little Christmas stocking."

I ♥ happy endings

Sun spots

2011-09-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

I totally get this picture - because I have had several cats
Let there by sun shining in and the cats will find the spot and follow it ♥

Becky, Scott, Benjamin

2011-09-04T11:52:00.000-04:00

Becky had hand surgery recently - here are a few pics from around that time

Keegan got to visit me at work one morning

2011-09-04T11:46:00.000-04:00

Polish Village, Hamtramck, 8.27.11

2011-09-04T11:43:00.001-04:00

Celebrating Barb's 50th birthday was funand then there was that very good Polish food
and............3 birthday cakes!

Some birthdays are even more special than others - especially this one ♥♥♥

Catching up

2011-09-04T11:24:00.000-04:00

Life's been busy and I had some blog problems that needed fixing thanks to a 'widget' problem so now that I found the problem I will start catching up on things around My Little Part of Heaven.
Here are cards for some recent family birthdays

Worse than bed bugs

2011-09-04T11:14:00.002-04:00

What is a calorie?

Calories are the little bastards that get into your wardrobe at

Night and sew your clothes tighter.

MY CLOSET IS INFESTED WITH THE LITTLE SHITS

I just hate them!!!

The book and the movie: The Help

2011-08-13T14:52:00.004-04:00

I guess my 'summer read' would be The Help.

I finished the book yesterday morning and saw the movie in the afternoon.

The book was very good - and the movie equaled it.

I would call the 1960's (the era of the book and movie) my decade.

It was when I graduated from high school, got my first job, and my first car.

I remember the 1967 riots. It was scary to see what was happening to Detroit and other major cities around the country. The ugliness of the era took center stage.

The National Guard posted everywhere. Curfews.

Long before the riots, I had read the books Black Like Me and To Kill a Mockingbird. Being a young Yankee it was hard to believe that these two stories depicted the truth about the United States.

I applaud the authors of these books.

They help us realize that we need to face truths -

whether about our country - or ourselves.

I ♥ books

2011-08-10T10:24:00.002-04:00

Bumper Cars

2011-08-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

These little beasties are street legal.

They run on either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycle engines and co-opt vintage bumper car bodies into the most awesome form of mini-car we've seen in too long.

There are seven of these little monsters floating around California and they're all the creation of one man, Tom Wright, a builder in the outskirts of San Diego who figured the leftovers of the Long Beach Pike amusement park needed a more dignified end than the trash heap.

They were originally powered by two cylinder Harley Davidson Motorcycle engines but they rattled like heck because of the two cylinder vibration and Tom replaces them with four cylinder Honda or Kawasaki 750's and a couple have been measured as capable of 160 MPH, which is terrifyingly fast in machines with such a short wheelbase.

By the way, they are almost indestructible in accidents :-)

Saturday, July 30th, part four

2011-07-31T20:24:00.003-04:00

Our last stop of the day before heading for home.

'The foot of Alter Road' is a place I went to very often as a kid
- not far from my family home on Detroit's East Side.
We fished there and sat for long periods of time and watched the boats
and freighters go by on the Detroit River
on those hot Detroit summer days way back when.

This has been a great day - so much fun and conversation.
It's nice to share my 'old places' with my children.

I love my family

♥

Saturday, July 30th, part three

2011-07-31T19:14:00.037-04:00

Belle Isle is an island on the Detroit River, east of downtown - directly across from Canada.
It is a great place to watch the freighters going by and we got to see a huge one going through.

Growing up, my family went on picnics there. The island offered so much, like fishing, swimming, a planetarium, ship museum, canoeing, private yacht clubs - ice skating in winter - and so much more. As you drive around the island you will see remnants of what was - like the horseriding stables, children's zoo, a huge building that I remember housed a cafeteria - and probably long ago had dining rooms and I am sure many special occasions were celebrated there.
There was also a wooded area where couples would 'park'.
And, of course, there was a 'haunted story' of a long-ago tragedy.

What thrilled me yesterday was seeing the fountain in operation once again.
It had been closed for many years, but I am happy to say that after undergoing
an extensive renovation, it looks just as beautiful as ever.
During the day you will see clear water spewing out,
and at night the fountain is lit up in rotating rainbow colors.

Yesterday, I waited for Becky, Scott and Benjamin to visit the lighthouse located on the
east side of the island which is still in operation.

Then we drove over the Belle Isle Bridge and headed east along
Jefferson Avenue to Alter Road, for lighthouse #2.

♥

Saturday, July 30th, part two

2011-07-31T18:05:00.002-04:00

After leaving Hamtramck, we were en route to view two Detroit lighthouses.
As we drove down Mount Elliott, we stumbled upon this artsy - and bazaar - area.
It is shocking that I did not know this area existed - especially when I discovered that the
Heidelberg Project has been going on for the past 25 years.
It really added to our fun day.

♥

Saturday, July 30th, part one

2011-07-31T17:59:00.010-04:00

First Stop: Hamtramck

Maria's Comida has a one-of-a-kind menu

they serve Mexican/Asian dishes

our waitress, Marie, was a delight

- great food, great service -

we will definitely go back

Benjamin was smiling at his Daddy

Scott enjoying yummy fried ice cream with honey

♥

Keegan makes front page!

2011-07-31T13:26:00.014-04:00

A week ago, Keegan and his Mommy were enjoying an afternoon at the fountain cooling off in Wyandotte @ Biddle & Eureka

and being at the right place at the right time

the local photographer showed up

as you can see from his picture, he is having lots of fun!

♥

2011-07-26T14:04:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Beth!

2011-07-24T15:41:00.001-04:00

life is not a destination

it's a journey

Enough said?

2011-07-23T10:31:00.003-04:00

2011-07-22T18:14:00.003-04:00

Ben meets Gumby

2011-07-22T17:40:00.001-04:00

Grandson weekend over - Benjamin is going home.....with Gumby

♥

Grandson Weekend - Day 2

2011-07-22T17:18:00.005-04:00

Saturday: Bath time @ Nana's - in my vintage kitchen sink

Joe To Keegan he's Daddy To Benjamin he's Uncle Joe

♥

Grandson Weekend - Day 1

2011-07-22T17:01:00.007-04:00

Friday: We spent the afternoon at Aunt Barb and Uncle Danny's

Aunt Barb got the BEST bubble maker - and Keegan had a blast

And we went to Metropolitan Beach

Keegan enjoyed the water fun

Benjamin enjoyed Metro Beach, too - even if he did nap the entire time

Uncle Danny - with Keegan's help - washed my car

Benjamin

My boys..........

♥

4th of July

2011-07-09T08:36:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:31:00.004-04:00

Happy 4th of July

from My Little Part of Heaven to yours

Port Hope

2011-07-04T10:29:00.004-04:00

Sunday, July 3

Lake Huron

Margie & Diane

Yours truly and Diane

Michigan Wildflowers

There was a parade - and, of course, tractors area a big thing to show off in farming areas!

if I had a farm, took care of crops - this would be my choice of tractors - air conditioned :-)

Diane, Dale, Mary W

2011-07-04T10:12:00.002-04:00

Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.
-Caryn Leschen-

2011-07-03T08:15:00.000-04:00

2011-06-29T13:46:00.003-04:00

Keegan discovered the photo booth all by himself. The first strip was done all by himself. He had so much fun playing with the props throughout the day at the party. The third strip with his little pink headpiece was his choice. I hope he laughs about it when he is older.

He is sudh a fun little guy!

♥

Summer....and the living is easy

2011-06-26T14:12:00.000-04:00

(part of the) Sisterhood ♥
(missing are Debbie, Mary S and Suzanne)

Diane, Mary W, Bernie (yours truly) and Sandy (anniversary girl)

50th Wedding Anniversary - Fowlerville

2011-06-26T13:55:00.004-04:00

Lyle * Sandy

Congratulations on 50 years of wedded bliss

Dale * Diane

Mary * Bill W

Keegan....partying 50's style ♥

2011-06-26T13:42:00.003-04:00

Keegan had lots of fun!

Fowlerville, MI

50th Wedding Anniversary for Lyle & Sandy

Saturday, June 25th

Benjamin Scott

2011-06-21T08:12:00.000-04:00

taken Father's Day
here he is sporting his new sandals

Obituary

2011-06-18T13:41:00.004-04:00

An Obituary Printed in the London Times - (Interesting and sadly rather true)

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair; and
- Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
and
I'm A Victim

2011-06-17T20:29:00.001-04:00

2011-06-05T09:38:00.002-04:00

2011-06-05T09:10:00.003-04:00

4 dogs and a little baby

2011-05-28T09:08:00.000-04:00

I have a turkey in the oven.
I am dog sitting this weekend while Beth, Joe and Keegan are camping.
Today I am going to watch Benjamin and Hank while Becky and Scott go to the Eastern Market.
It is cloudy right now but hopefully the sun will come out blasting so I can do some work in the garden - with Benjamin and the dogs.
Later will be a modified turkey dinner with Becky and Scott after they help with some work around the house.
This is the beginning of my Memorial Day Weekend. I hope you have a good week. I'm liking mine.
♥

2-month old Benjamin

2011-05-25T22:00:00.002-04:00

Hoya

2011-05-25T21:31:00.001-04:00

a single, lovely, fragrant bloom

♥

Question

2011-05-22T08:46:00.000-04:00

What is the most amazing thing you have ever seen in your life?

2011-05-18T19:25:00.000-04:00

Flea Markets, Antiques, Vintage

2011-05-13T13:21:00.004-04:00

I have always loved old things. Even as a very young child, I found comfort in vintage items. I use to like the big old house my Busia lived in when they moved from Pennsylvania to Michigan. There were all kinds of rooms, nooks and crannies, closets that had cloth coverings instead of doors, built-in cabinets, lots of wood and that old feel. Very unlike the house that I grew up in, circa 1942. A much newer home than Busia's.

When it came time to buy a house, I am happy to say that instead of the colonial we were having built, we found an old craftsman-style house - built in 1925. A home built by a Mr. and Mrs. - who the street was named after.

I had already been collecting vintage items, going to flea markets, garage sales in old areas, etc. Each item that caught my eye was special. The feel of it, the smell of it - had a history....a story to tell.

Today as I was checking out one of my favorite blogs, its newest post had pictures from a flea market. Of course, I got all excited knowing that outdoor flea market season is here. It's a thrill - even when I don't find something that I can't live without, just looking is fun.

I was reminded that as I looked at picture after picture of the flea-market finds, what might appear as junk to some, was special to someone once upon a time - a piece of someone's life. Something that was important once, now might sit on display for a long time before someone who can't live without it might come along and take it home with them. And cherish it. And the item will be happy and enjoy many years with their new owner.

I am a deep thinker; my loves are varied. I know that 'going home again' is not an option, at least when speaking of going back to what we might feel was a better, happier time, but if we can create a comfy, happy existence with these old mementos where we spend our lives, it is worth visiting flea markets and roadside lawn sales on country roads in search of special items that will provide beauty, pleasure and nostalgia amidst the craziness of this new century.

Maybe I will venture out this weekend..............
♥

Happy Mother's Day ♥

2011-05-08T09:14:00.006-04:00

I wish all the mothers, grandmothers,
mothers-to-be, those that dream of being a mother,

and any other category I missed, a beautiful day.

do you remember Queen for a Day?

2011-05-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

this was by far one of my most favorite things to do -

sit in front of the tv and watch this show and dream....

dream of having the crown on my head, the robe covering me down to my toes,

the flowers.....and all the gifts

ahhhhhhhh

(it figures it went off the air before I could qualify!)

a yummy gift

2011-05-01T09:35:00.000-04:00

from my (just retired) boss and his wife

mmmmmmmm....

Benjamin

2011-05-01T09:26:00.001-04:00

April 30th

After over two decades

2011-04-30T11:27:00.000-04:00

it was sad to say goodbye to my boss
best wishes, Jim

Easter Sunday

2011-04-30T10:09:00.000-04:00

Later on Holy Saturday

2011-04-30T09:56:00.000-04:00

I got some alone time with Benjamin while his mommy and daddy went shopping.

Holy Saturday....Blessing of the food....and Benjamin Scott

2011-04-30T09:52:00.001-04:00

2011-04-20T19:24:00.000-04:00

a nice place to sit

2011-04-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

Keegan turned 2

2011-04-11T21:48:00.004-04:00

Keegan turned 2 on April 8th....with his party on April 9th.

And here is Baby Benjamin

God Bless Grandchildren ♥

2011-04-06T14:54:00.004-04:00

I know there is no sense in looking back and wondering what could have been, but

Sometimes a little thought seeps into my mind, a little memory of someone I use to know. We live our lives, we make memories. That is what memories are for. To remember, to remind ourselves of who we were, what we did. I believe that there are little 'things' that happen all the time that we can't explain....like a thought of someone from long ago.....or of a place.....or of a happening.
Little reminders. Little signs. Not coincidence. They're meaningful.

Recently I had a conversation with Becky about someone I knew a long, long time ago. We lost touch, but I never forgot him. Like January 4th every year I remember his birthday. When I think of him I feel happy inside. He was one of those special people that comes along in our lives that you just don't forget. I enjoyed being with him very much. We enjoyed each other's company. We laughed a lot. He was an easy person to be with and I cared very much for him. Actually from the first few moments of knowing him, I liked him.

Unfortunately, I cared about someone else at the same time. As fate would have it, I made a decision I would come to regret. Aside from having two precious daughters, the rest is not worth mentioning.

I have never forgotten about the one that got away. I have always wondered what his life was like after we went our separate ways. I have especially been thinking of him lately. So, I did some searching. And yes, I found him. But I didn't find what I was expecting. If my research is correct, and I think it is, he passed away a few years ago. It probably sounds stupid, but I have been so sad since I found out. The same day I found out, I ended up seeing someone that knew him back then, and I found myself in the area that I was with him last. And every oldie on the radio seemed to link me back to him. Craziness, I know. I never thought I would see him again because he had a life that had nothing to do with me, but knowing that he was still around, let me accept that. But now I am faced with a whole other scenario. I am simply sad.

I keep wondering why he has haunted me so much lately. Maybe it is just a matter of a void in my life. Or maybe he needs prayers. So, that is what I am doing. I am praying for him. When April 27th, the anniversary of his death, rolls around I will think of him and will continue to hope that he is in a better place.

Death is a curious thing. We accept it because we have to. We try to understand it, but we really don't know too much about it. Not while we are still on this side. So, I will continue to wonder about the connection between the living and the dead because when someone dies that doesn't mean they leave our ♥♥♥♥♥. They live there. And their memory never dies. Not really.

Blessings, Fred

My To-Do List

2011-04-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

There is so much on my to-do list lately.
I make a new list daily, and keep scratching things off, but there are more things jotted down all the time. Yes, I'm a bit overwhelmed.

And then......as Sunday afternoon rolled around, I started not feeling well. By evenng I was downright sick. A call-in sick day Monday. Tuesday back to work - and trying to catch up.

April 9th Keegan's second birthday party at my house Saturday
April 11th Colonoscopy
April 23rd Polish Easter blessing of food
April 24th Easter Brunch - our annual family celebration
April 26th scrapbook deadline
Benjamin's quilt (is still not finished!)

and all the stuff in between......... ahhhhh

I am looking forward to some lazy days ahead soon

Goodbye March

2011-03-30T14:14:00.002-04:00

the month of March has been taxing. very
with one day left, I have been looking back on the month that 'was'

there is no doubt there has been a mix of good and bad
the fire in my house definitely took its toll on me.....sounds, smells.....make me so aware of what it could be I never could have believed the emotions before....until it happened to me.
I do love my new washer and dryer - but I will never go to bed with one of them on - and I will never leave the house with them on, either

then there was the birth of Benjamin Scott. ahhhh........how wonderful
he is so precious
and to see my little girl with her newborn just warms my heart
babies are simply the light of the world, aren't they?

my brother-in-law, Frank, has had his share of hospitals recently - like two times this month
hopefully the procedure he is having today will get him healthy again

there was Scott's birthday dinner (whichi is really today - Happy Birthday, Scott!) which we celebrated March 5th - because of the baby coming due - which we did not expect to arrive 4 weeks early!

but it is spring......and the threat of snow diminishes more each day
I hope things will smooth out a bit
however, there is a lot on April's calendar - Keegan's 2nd birthday, Easter........

happy spring ♥

Dreams

2011-03-21T08:46:00.000-04:00

"When your dreams turn to dust, maybe it's time to vacuum."

from A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick

2011-03-17T17:15:00.000-04:00

ok, so I have a weird sense of humor

I just find some things very funny :-)

Introducing Benjamin Scott

2011-03-15T21:35:00.001-04:00

Benjamin Scott arrived Tuesday, March 15th @ 3:55 a.m.

8 pounds, 8 ounces

21 inches long

to Becky and Scott

Clever Art

2011-03-13T19:03:00.001-04:00

2011-03-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning with my cups of Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble and A.M. Style on QVC

Friday evening

2011-03-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

This has been a challenging week for me, but I am happy that I have a couple days at home to get myself together. Being home with Sophie and Bob is where I need to be to regroup. It will be a busy weekend - because I have so much to do to get my house back in order. No washer and dryer is a drag. How easy it is to rely on them - to speed up the process of getting stuff washed. Without them, it's a bummer.
It's interesting how when faced with something big....like firemen traipsing through your house....you realize just how little control we really have over many things in our lives. When things are hairied, we just go through the motions as best we can. The adrenalin pumps us up.....which is really a good thing because it does help us function. But then you kind of crash. And speaking for myself, I will admit I have been off kilter for the past several days. So many emotions have been jumping all around in me: thankfulness - relief - fright - reality - overwhelmed.....and so much more. I'll throw in a bit of depression for good measure. Well, not so good measure, but truth be told - I have been.

After work I trekked through TJMaxx and lost myself in the homewares section. I got some flavored coffees - specifically.....Butterscotch Toffee, Hazelnut, Chocolate Raspberry by Ghirardelli (love Ghirardelli anything!), dark chocolate truffle....and Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble. :-) 5 bags - to spoil ME (because I can't have desserts so this is the next best thing). So when the morning comes, I get to pick one of these luscious flavors. I'm thinking Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble - because if smells so darn good!

And now.....I am going to watch Blue Bloods. Because a little Tom Selleck is what I need right now.

Sweet dreams

When a male can't stand it anymore

2011-03-09T20:38:00.000-05:00

Sunday 9:30 p.m.

2011-03-07T16:43:00.002-05:00

I was reading in bed
I noticed the smell of something burning
thinking it was coming from outside, I went downstairs to check it out
but then I remembered a load of towels in the dryer
and when I went downstairs I saw the smoke - felt the hot top of the dryer
opened the door to hear a SWOOSH.....and the flames billowing out
immediately slamming the dryer door shut I went upstairs and called 9-1-1
put Sophie in the backyard
I waited on my front porch
my house was totally full of smoke

praise the Sterling Heights Fire Department and their quick response
their skills, their caring.......they saved my home

not much sleep last night

feeling overwhelmed today

and the words 'in 10 more minutes......' I'm just sayin'

thank you my city's finest....

and thank you, Jesus

Birthday Dinner

2011-03-05T11:45:00.001-05:00

Scott's birthday is March 30th but because the baby is due to arrive March 21st

so we are having a surprise celebration dinner today

I love family get togethers ♥

♥

The Bridge and the Bear

2011-03-04T19:47:00.001-05:00

This bridge is on the Old Donner Pass Highway.
It has a spectacular view of Donner Lake and
Donner Pass on Route 80.

A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge ( Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit , Truckee ) on Saturday when two cars, also crossing the bridge, scared the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge. Somehow the bear caught the ledge and was able to pull itself to safety. Authorities decided that nothing could be done to help Saturday night so they returned Sunday morning to find the bear sound asleep on the ledge.

After securing a net under the bridge the bear was tranquilized, fell into the net, lowered,

then woke up and walked out of the net.

There is a moral to this story you know; this old bear made a wrong move and found he was hanging by his nails. Somehow he was able to pull himself up onto the ledge where he saw he was in a very bad, impossible situation and what did he do? Yep, he took a nap and sure enough God took care of the situation while he was asleep.

The moral of the story is that when confronted with a bad situation, sometimes the best solution is to take a nap and let God take care of the rest.

I think I'm going to take a nap right now.
God is on the job.

Hugs, Prayers & Sweet Dreams.
♥

Computers versus the auto industry OR Bill Gates versus Ford Motor Co.

2011-03-04T12:54:00.001-05:00

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,

'If Ford had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.'

In response to Bill 's comments, Ford issued a press release stating:

If Ford had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash.........Twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single 'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask 'Are you sure?' before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10 You'd have to press the 'Start' button to turn the engine off.

PS - I'd like to add that when all else fails, you could call 'customer service' in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!!!!

Some things are just worth sharing.................

Brunch

2011-02-27T15:35:00.000-05:00

I found out about this place from Rik. So, I met Becky and Scott there this morning and had a wonderful meal. We sat in a booth near the windows - overlooking the golf course which, of course, is totally covered in snow. I've dined here before but never went for brunch. Great food. Great cup of joe. Great service.

Cards and a bracelet

2011-02-21T20:59:00.001-05:00

I procrastinate. A lot.
But at least I have accomplished some stuff.
Unfortunately the baby quilt is not done. :-(

The look of winter....which is far from over

2011-02-19T12:51:00.000-05:00

For the love of a puppy (and......forget the batter)

2011-02-16T09:27:00.000-05:00

You can always clean up and start over....but you can't not grab your camera and miss a Kodak moment like this.

Changing the package

2011-02-15T07:33:00.001-05:00

sometimes I need to reinvent myself
everything staying the same-o, same-o doesn't always work for me
and not even realizing it, I was in for a jump start
getting new highlights and haircut turned into a big and unexpected change
I found myself telling Lily - I need highlights....I need a cut....
but what I was really saying.....cut all this....and this off......
and she said, how about doing more highlights.....like mine?
and I said yes!
and so about an hour and a half later.....
there I sat......a totally different me
and it felt good
because.......
when you lose 30 pounds.....you need to change the look
and I like it :-)
♥

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:04:00.001-05:00

May you feel love from those important in your life.

2011-02-04T07:12:00.000-05:00

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the one who'll decide where to go."

Dr. Suess

Winter in Southeast Michgan

2011-02-02T15:53:00.014-05:00

after all the hype on the news/weather where we were suppose to get 18-24 inches of snow

I predicted we wouldn't - and I don't mean to brag, but I was right

there was about 8 inches at my house - which was manageable

it's a good thing to be kept informed, but the media simply causes panic

I wish news/weather forecasts would be like they use to be - not overkill

but if this happens....forget the hoopla, let's just be surprised ;-)