Grandma's Graces

Good-bye Gordie

2012-02-11T13:01:00.001-08:00

All my life, I have known my brother, Gordon. He had lived a life of an only child until my sister was born when he was twelve, then two years later I was born and a year after that our little brother joined the family. Boy, did his life change!

Obviously, my mother needed some help with dad sailing the Great Lakes from March until December and no other family in town. I never heard him complain that his teenage years were busy helping mom watch all these babies.

And that is the constant memory of Gordon Tremaine Burke. He was not a complainer. He worked hard by following in his father's footsteps and sailed the freighters on the Great Lakes for 39 years. The last 15 as a ship's captain. Those who came to visit us at the funeral home told us of their respect for him and his easy manner even as the chief officer on the ship. It couldn't have been easy sailing in those November storms.

Gordon was the father of seven children and his wife Doris' brothers each had at least seven. Their home was a sea of children running in and out the doors, laundry, dishes, diapers, toys... everywhere. It was a house full of love and action. My sister, Kathy and I were often recruited to babysit our nieces and nephews, a little payback for when we were young.

Gordie loved to have fun. He and Doris always had a house full of family and friends. There was always room for more. Always a warm greeting, hug and a kiss. The kitchen was busy from morning until night for whoever showed up had a ready meal or snack. Evenings at the lake around the camp fire brought out stories of great and fun memories.

When Gordie's wife Doris became sick, he cared for her and was by her side until the end. His second wife also became sick and he was there to supply every need. He and are brother Mike took care of dad on the night shift when he was near the end and gave Kathy and I a report as if he was still the Navy Corpsman of his youth. He would drive hundreds of miles to support and help those he loved. His children and siblings could count on him and they did. This is a picture of his children.

Gordie's last two years were different than all the rest. He pretty much stayed home, gave up driving but continued to read his mysteries, watch TV and listen to Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion. Friends and family came for visits and he would go out for birthdays and holidays. He slept and ate when ever and what ever he wanted. He never complained of being lonely or discontent. I called him the day before he died and when asked how he was doing, said, "I'm fine."

Gordie was fine, even though he knew his life would soon be over. I don't feel so fine as I write this because I will miss him, miss his kindness, miss his hugs and I love yous. I thank God for Gordie's life and for giving me a brother who enriched mine.

Quick Trip

2012-01-26T20:24:00.000-08:00

Some of the most fun times are unexpected. A few weeks ago, Tom and I flew to Denver and met up with Dan, Angie, Hudson, Claire, Cooper and Tucker. It had been several weeks since we had seen them so a visit was way over due.

We wondered if the Sportsman's Show at the convention center would interest the children and we were not disappointed. How fun for each of them to try out an all terrain vehicle.

We watched fly fishermen compete for accuracy, and bow hunters shoot arrows at moving targets. The children tried to fish and release, but the fish were not biting. Claire and Hudson gave the rock climbing wall a try and surprised us with their strength and courage!

Hudson didn't quite reach the top but he sure climbed high up the wall.

A sport I had never seen and found fascinating was watching dogs run off a deck after spotting a float in the water. Their owners helped them focus on the float that was in a pool of water and backed the dog up on the deck to give him a running start. My picture is of a dog just after he hit the water and is swimming to the float.

So fun to watch!

Well this was quite a thrill, seeing a Golden Eagle so close!

After walking through some pretty cool campers and tents we headed back to the hotel, after all we didn't want to miss the Broncos/Steelers game! It sure was fun being among Bronco fans with this big win! It' surprising how quickly you can become a Tebow fan!

Before we left, we had a visit from a very special person in our grandchildren's lives... Lisa! Lisa spent a lot of time caring for the children when she lived in the mountains and is now living in Denver. They were thrilled to see her and her, them.

One of the nice things about staying downtown Denver is riding the bus down the mall. One of the stops lets you out right in front of McDonald's, always a favorite. We were so glad to have Lisa with us to keep the ordering accurate.

Now here is a true western shot, riding a bull in the sun of Colorado on a winter's day.

Celebrate

2011-12-30T17:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas was easy this year.

Not having snow made it easy to cut evergreens and dried flowers for the outside decorations.

Conley helped me decorate the tree and she really was a big help. Thanks, Conley.

I slowly put decorations around the house and shopped early enough to get packages sent out on time.

We attended two of Conley's Christmas programs and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at church. The music and prayers and meeting with others who love the Lord and celebrate in their spirit the birth of our Savior touched our hearts and souls. This was a peaceful and a thankful Christmas.

We had an hour of Christmas Skype in Colorado and loved seeing the grandchildren and Dan and Angie open gifts we sent and showing our excitement for the gifts they sent us. And for the first time, my sister and I visited and opened gifts with Skype on Christmas Eve.

Chris, Kim, Jack and Natalie came to town Christmas night so Mike, Joy and Conley came for brunch and gifts the next day.

It really is all about the little ones. They know we are celebrating Jesus birth and yet they have no conflict with Santa bringing gifts.

While I fixed Christmas dinner, Tom took Conley and Jack to see Santa's reindeer. Jack asked where Santa was and why the reindeer were lying down.

We even had a Christmas miracle. Joy brought her dog over Christmas night and left her outside. She is an old dog with arthritis and moves pretty slow and rarely leaves their yard. When they were ready to leave, the dog was no where in sight. They searched for an hour in the dark of night for this black dog, calling her name with no success. Conley was pretty upset that her dog was missing as they left for home, so they stopped and prayed that the Lord would watch over CC and keep her safe through the night. Mike decided he should turn the opposite way than the route home and a half mile down the road was their lost dog. Such a relief and a reminder that God hears our prayers.

Well like all visits the days go by swiftly and its time to leave. Jack can't keep his eyes off our dusting of snow.

The house is quiet now but we have memories of love and laughter. Jesus is the reason for the season and I am so thankful for His love and care over us and our family.

A Family Gathering

2011-11-09T19:00:00.001-08:00

It's been two years since our sons and their families and Tom and I have been together at the same time. Chris and Kim opened up their beautiful new home for our reunion!

It's as if we have never been apart, the grandchildren are instant playmates and loved seeing their cousins. Everyone had toys that scattered everywhere and everyone shared! The only shy one was Monty, the cat who climbed to a high window ledge.

Now this is pure joy! A night time story with the grandchildren, priceless!

The big event was a pumpkin land in the countryside of west Chicago, somewhere. Everyone enjoyed rides, pig races, tractors, mazes, cotton candy, train rides, junk food, and even what Angie called a "corn box." So here we go...

First stop - getting an all family photo and all grandchildren photo. That "cheese" thing we do for smiley photos looks painful!
Now lets try out some rides...

and slides....

So what would a farm be without at least a tractor? Hudson who always likes to figure out how things work is interested...

Natalie walked, walked, walked and the pumpkin field drew her in like a magnet.

Such a surprise that corn could be so much fun:

It's come to this, Tom and I ride the rocking chair!

What a wonderful time we had together, but it's so true for those times we look forward to for weeks, they seem to fly by in moments. This is life, love and family. We are so blessed.

Princess Party

2011-10-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time in a mid-western town lived a pretty little princess who wanted to throw a party for all her friends and family.

The first guest arrives and gets a royal welcome!!!

The banners are readied for those on the Royal Guest List

After signing in, the princess's friends begin to design their very own royal door knob markers.

This day is as beautiful as the princess herself and the party guests need to run, jump, swing and hula hoop off some of their energy and excitement.

This princely guest is taking a break from all the activity before the royal games begin.

The races are on and the her highness's photographer is in attendance along with the ladies in waiting.

The banquet of sweets is ready to begin but first Princess Conley blows out the candles that confirm this is her 5th birthday!

This little princess sure draws a crowd while she opens the many gifts from all her party guests.

To thank her guests for coming, she opens a Princess pinata filled with treats that all children love to eat.

All the children left with sweet memories of fun and friends and live happily ever after.

Barber Shop

2011-09-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

I love this barber shop, so cute, so friendly and so Western. Not what I remember from my childhood in Alpena.

The barber shop of yesteryear was pretty much a man's place. I remember waiting for my father and brother to have their hair cut. Not much fun for a child. All hair business.

These little guys have lady barbers and children's programing on television. Hudson really doesn't like having his hair cut so he tolerates it and then saddles up while he waits for his brothers.

Tucker is a little less reluctant but I don't think its his favorite thing. Seems the cartoons are a pretty good distraction.

Now,Cooper seems to actually enjoy getting his hair cut and has some definite ideas, he wants a spiky look.

So what is a sister to do while waiting for these brothers to get their hair cut?
Claire knows, she gets comfortable and eats candy.

Yea candy is better than the smoky barber shops of the 50s!

Pirates a Plenty

2011-08-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

Land Ahoy! Hey Matey? Arggg! It was quite a celebration with swords, pixie dust, gold coins, treasure chests, sea water, pirate's brew and a lot of loot!

It did take a fair amount of preparation mostly while the pirates were sleepin. Imagine my surprise when I came upon this scene.

It takes all hands on deck to decorate these Jake and Izzy pirate cakes.

The chow is ready with cannon balls, shells on the beach, coconut chicken and Sculley's parrot food and the pirates don their vests and eye patches to greet their rowdy friends.

These two, Jake (Hudson) and Izzy(Claire) are in charge since they are VIP (very important pirates) having turned 5 years on this very day!

Speaking of tough guys wearing eye patches....

Sometimes a gal just has to climb the rigging to get a look at what's "happinen"

And their was a lot going on... a big old pirate ship came into the harbor and all those rowdy pirates beat it until it broke apart!

They were glad they did because it was filled with gold coins! They don't call this guy Tuck for nothin, he was tucked away countin his treasure.

Let me tell yah, all that hard work can make a sailor mighty hungry for some chow!

Cubi's (Coop) not waitin for nobody it's every man for himself! Got to eat hardy and save some room for those sweet pirate cakes.

It's not over yet, the loot just keeps commin.

Pirates can be pretty rough and rowdy but they sure know how to have good times with good friends!

Conley Weekend

2011-08-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

Conley came to stay for a couple nights while her parents had a long weekend get-away. So what would a couple old folks do to entertain an almost 5 year old? Well, our first responsibility was to take her to her last swim lesson.

Conley is very social and showed the other girls her fingernail polish and liked teasing Issac. Then it was time to show what she had learned. In these pictures she is being a frog and kicking really hard doing the back flutter kick.

After swim class, we went to a "Cruise In" at our church. Hot dogs, root beer floats and Conley was excited to see her friend Molly. The girls spent the evening talking about princesses, kindergarten, and looking at old cars with Molly's mother.
After a bath and reading a few books she fell fast asleep for the next 11 hours! It's probably because as she says, "I now sleep with my eyes closed all night."

After her pancake breakfast she sorted marbles and colored in her princess book.

We then packed for Lake Michigan. What a beautiful day after so much hot weather. We went to a relative's beach and Conley made some new friends.

This is her with Briar. They along with Briar's brother, Henry, played for hours collecting stones and sea shells and wading in the water.

After Briar and Henry left, she made a sand castle with a swimming pool and stone sidewalk.

Then it was dress up time for dinner and ice cream! Yea!!

When we got back home, we tried to make a memory jar with beach sand, shells and stones. It was a minor success. Fun days with out little girl and tomorrow she is looking forward to spending time with her Grandma Dolly and Grandpa Con. We're going to miss you, Conley. Thanks for all the fun!

Garden Time

2011-07-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Working in the flower garden is really therapeutic. I love the hours of quiet thoughts and listening to the sounds of nature. Tom bought a radio for the cart I use to haul everything and I never turn it on. I don't want the world to invade this peaceful place.

This year we had a cold wet spring and I hardly even looked at the flowers until the end of May. Then it was catch-up time. One morning Tom asked me if I had seen my flowers out front yet, seems the snapping turtle decided to lay eggs and couldn't decide under which flower to dig. My nature loving friend said they like soft ground and "Don't be mad at her Fran, she doesn't know better." Last year she actually dug through stones in a landscaped bed to lay the eggs. Interestingly, she lays those eggs and walks away. The eggs hatch, if not disturbed and eaten by raccoons, by the heat of the ground and the little ones are on their own.

I've rescued two flower beds this year. One was put in 2006 with a small Japanese Maple, a small low evergreen bush, and perennials that included 4 Shasta daisy plants. It really looked great for a couple years and then those daisies started taking over the bed! I dug those daisies out and gave several buckets away and moved others around the yard. Now I have 3 cone flowers and 4 Abalonias, a cute little purple annual.

The other bed is a shade garden. Actually, when we put it in about 10 years ago, it had at least 6 hours of sun. Well sun or shade, the weeds took over and thrived. Can't have that. My sister-in-law who is a master gardener came to the rescue and gave me a trunk full of plants. Now, I need to baby them along.

We also moved a Burning Bush from a bed near our patio. It was a gift from friends in memory of Tom's father who died in 1995. The bush served us well over the years, it housed bird nests and gave us beautiful red leaves in the fall We really did trim it every year but it grew to be over 10 feet tall! Way too big for the space. A friend of ours said he could use it to provide privacy for his deck and we were glad it would have a new home. In its place is a no named bush that we bought thinking it was a Rose of Sharon. Then an actual Rose of Sharon is in it's place. I am looking forward to seeing those beautiful August blooms, well maybe that will be next August.

Most mornings, I enjoy time on my front porch having a cup of coffee, reading scripture and praying. It is such a blessing. As I sit there quietly, a robin flies in and out of her nest in the Japanese Maple, the humming bird sticks his beak in the Hosta flowers and a doe and her two fawns walk in the woods and sometimes the little ones jump and chase each other in the yard.

Oh, those deer are cute but they like to feast on most of the flowers. Usually they eat the blossoms and show no respect for newly purchased and expensive plants. I must be ever vigil. (Notice those missing blossoms?)

Some gardening experiences are not so treasured. Ants, everywhere, spiders of many shapes and sizes and moles galore. There is also those other insects that eat leaves and the petals of the cone flowers and daisies. Did I mention the nation wide heat wave?

I guess gardens mirror life. They are beautiful, amazing, give joy, like to relocate and need lots of attention. If you ignore them they will take over a bed, beg for water, drop their flower heads and look messy. They require lots of work, plants get diseases and plants will die. But they also provide lots of surprises and give us wonderful memories.

This hydrangea, this year's surprise, is blooming blue, lavender and pink flowers and is a constant pleasure.

A Week in the life of....

2011-06-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 18 - fly to Denver. Nice accommodations at the Sheraton. Cooper, Tucker (our birthday boys), Hudson and Angie are a welcome sight.

Sunday, June 19 - Father's Day, Tiger vs Rockies and surprise luncheon and dinner for Lisa's 30th. A Father's Day stroll on the mall.

Monday, June 20 - Fabulous indoor water park. So fun and we all look so amazing!
Lisa and Zane

Scott and Hazel

Maryjo, Hazel and Rick

Emmie and Claire

Nancy and Tucker

Chris, Kim, Jack and Natalie

Dan, Angie, Tom, Chris and Natalie

Cooper showing us he is 3.

Me with Natalie who is loving the warm water

A pirate birthday and treasure hunt for Cooper and Tucker

I can't believe Hiland escaped my camera. She also enjoyed all the fun, even the playhouse at the water park!
Tuesday, June 21 - Longest day of the year and longest travel day, including overbooked planes, lightening, tornado warning, and a stop traffic for our VP to visit Chicago.
Wednesday, June 22 - Thank you Chris for the overnight and Mike for the ride home by 4:30 PM.
Thursday, June 23, Happy Birthday Chris. An early morning ride to pick up our van and drive to northern Michigan to surprise my brother Gordon who is celebrating 80 years old! We enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal with my sister Kathy, brother Gordie, and brother-in-law Bruce.
Friday, June 24, Happy Birthday Gordie

Saturday, June 25 and we're on the road again. A trip downstate to celebrate our nephew Nick's high school graduation.

Sunday, June 26 and we are home celebrating Chris' birthday.

And Natalie is walking!!

A very fun and memorable week. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

2011-06-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying what we call "adventure travel" for quite a few years. It has been such a blessing to us, since it allows us to visit our grandchildren frequently who live approximately 1200 miles from our home. It's always unpredictable and we have learned to expect challenges.

This past week we flew to Denver for birthday and Father's Day celebrations (post to follow). Waterslides, baseball, good food and great family fun!

Our return trip to Michigan had some interesting twists and turns. We booked a direct flight from Denver to Michigan that quickly became oversold. Plan B was an early 0600 flight to Chicago. This flight and all the other direct from Denver to Chicago flights were also in the red zone (oversold). Plan C looked more promising, fly Denver to Sioux Falls,SD then into Chicago. Yea! Plan C worked!

Chicago is a great city and it seemed everyone was at O'Hare. Such a great place to visit that our esteemed Vice President, Joe Biden, flew in for fund raising at 4:30 PM. Did you know that when the nation's VP flies in, the airport has a "stop traffic" for an hour? Yes, at the busiest time of the day, when flights are leaving for Europe, no airplanes could take off or land while the airport accommodated our VP. Well for good or worse, we surprisingly received seat assignments on a flight to Michigan. Huge!!! since the 3 flights to Michigan were all oversold. Must be some of those passengers were up in the air, unable to land and couldn't make their connections while our VP flew in.

We were thrilled to be on our way when an hour earlier we were thinking we would stay overnight at a hotel and fly to Michigan the next day on a flight with open seats. When the plane left the gate, we sat in line with other planes, 66 to be exact. Seems the air was "saturated" with planes waiting to land and it would take 50 to 70 minutes for our flight to take off, since we were not the last plane in line.

Well that 70 minutes became more than 120 minutes and the flight attendant explained that the "passenger bill of rights" requires that we be offered water. Seems the east runway was shut down for take off (yes, we were going east) because of weather. The pilot requested that we be able to move up in line since we only had a 31 minute flight across Lake Michigan, apparently denied. When it was getting close to 3 hours, each passenger signed a waiver that because the plane did not have enough food on board for all passengers we would return to the gate(another "passenger bill of rights" requirement). That is, once an open gate could be assigned.

No one was happy about the turn of events but the man behind us whined, complained, belittled the flight attendant for the entire time. His language was foul including the repeated F bomb and how he was not going to vote for Joe Biden again, sorry Joe. I was sooooo tempted to respond to his diatribe by telling him to zip it but was concerned I might escalate the situation.

We did return to the gate but were told not to leave the plane because of lightening and the ground crew was not able to assist the passengers. After a few minutes, the plane seemed to be moving about by the wind. The flight attendant with an urgent inflection in his voice told us to get off the plane NOW!!! We got up and helped a mom with two children to leave the plane. When we got to the door the wind was fierce and blowing dirt around, the sky was dark as we ran to the terminal. Yikes!

We were told to go up the escalator and stay away with from the windows. Lights were flickering in the terminal and the windows were shaking against the strong winds. A tornado warning was in affect.

Now hundreds, if not thousands were booking rental cars and hotel rooms. We decided to stay overnight in the terminal and try to get a train reservation for the morning. The next morning Michigan flight would certainly be full since two flights to Michigan were cancelled. In fact, no more flights left the airport that evening and 500 planes grounded.

Then our knights arrived!! Chris called and said he would pick us up to stay overnight at his home and Mike would meet us the next morning to give us a ride to Michigan. Mike has meetings in IL about twice a year, how is that for providence?

By 0800 the next morning we were on the Metra to the city. After asking for directions from several people we happend upon Chicago's orange line elevated train. I love the friendly and helpful people of the midwest. The attendant actually walked us through purchase of our tickets and helped us to the platform. For two "sophisticated" seniors it was humbling but appreciated.

Mike was a delightful sight, our connection to home, where we arrived at 4:30 PM

Tonight, I'm in northern Michigan, another birthday celebration. We were up at 5AM this morning so we could ride with Mike to work and pick-up our car at the airport.

An afternoon nap and a wonderful meal with my sister and brother gives me refreshment and energy for another time of great family fun.

Dancer Girl

2011-06-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Another production, another show! This is Conley before dancing in her first dance recital. Her dad and I took her to the dress rehearsal and got a preview of the big show. It was so much fun. Conley loved every minute. She danced two dances and then stayed with her dance class eating snacks and playing with the other girls. She seems so grown up, already.

I have so much admiration for photographers. I had a hard time taking a picture when she was facing the audience! Her first dance was a ballet to the music Tangle and the second was a tap dance to the song Happy Face.
It was a happy day and lots of happy faces on all the children and their proud parents and grandparents. A wonderful family affair.
Here she is with her class:

Congratulations Conley on a great performance!

Mother

2011-05-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about the word mother lately, especially since Mother's Day was just a few weeks ago. There was a song I sang when I was young about Mother:

"M" is for the million things she gave me
"O" means only that she's growing old
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me
"H" is for her heart of purest gold
"E" is for her eyes with love-light shining
"R" means right and right she'll always be
Put them all together they spell MOTHER,a word that means the world to me.

This song was written by a Howard Johnson in 1915 and is only one of the verses. I don't necessarily agreed with all the words in the verse above but it is an expression of one man's devotion to his mother.

We do love and appreciate our mothers who are selfless, nurturing and protective. They are our first impression of love we feel as they hold us close, feed us, sing to us, touch us, their tenderness convinces us of the goodness and rightness of life. They love us with an everlasting and unconditional love.

Mothers have been honored for years and yet there are others who deserve the honor of mothering. We all know women, some who do not have children of their own, that give sacrificially, out of love, to children and continue as those children grow into adulthood. These women, like mothers, are God-given treasures to us.

I loved my own mother and mother-in-law, almost more than I can express, I thank God for mothers. It is God who established the family and created each of us to be male and female. He knew we would need mothers and fathers who bring their unique qualities and perspectives that mold us through our formative years.

As much as mothers are adored and praised, being a mother is more than enough.
Mothering is watching, giving, forgiving, loving, protecting, holding, rocking, feeding, healing, encouraging, teaching, listening, laughing, sorrowing, praying, doing, washing, cooking, cleaning, driving, cheering, styling, buying, advising, thanking and also crying. For me, mothering was and is humbling, that God would entrust me with the precious gift of a child to raise. I always had to remind myself that each one was only a temporary gift for each was his own person and I was there to guide and care for a little while until they were able to leave the nest. The nest is empty now and I am grateful for the many years of mothering and the memories and joys of those busy years.

So on this day and everyday, I am thankful to God for granting me the privilege of being a mother.

My sons, with the mothers of their children. Now, "Grandmother", that is another blog post.

Dancing Girl

2011-05-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

Claire is all girl. She lives with her three brothers and yet maintains her femininity. She has definite ideas about how to dress and wear her hair. She enjoys pretty things and loves cooking shows. So it is fun to celebrate her when she performs in her annual dance recital. And it's a family affair.

Claire's brothers, mom and dad, Aunt Grancy, Grandma Emmie and grandpa and grandma all show up for her big night.

Claire is third from the left in the line up and is very energetic and having fun.

Cooper and Tucker who are almost 3 years old are captivated by the show,they along with their brother Hudson, express their love for their sister with a pretty bouquet.

So thanks Claire for a fun night of dance.

Celebrate

2011-05-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Don't you love birthdays? Parties and cake? Family and friends? Sweet!

I'm always amazed when a child celebrates a first birthday. The changes in that first year are astounding! A little bundle is born that sleeps and coos, nurses and poops within a year she is a walking, talking, waving smiling laughing, giggling one year old. I love it!
Natalie is into the party from the time the first balloon is hung.

She draws a crowd.
Friends arrive from Virginia and New Jersey.

And family, some from Minnesota.

Jack and Conley

Nana and Aunt Jamie

Uncle Steve and Aunt Di

Aunt Joy and Uncle Mike

Grandma and Grandpa
Of course there are other camera shy guests that gather around the birthday girl as she enjoys her birthday cake.

Natalie is a pretty ladylike cake eater, especially compared to her brother Jack at his first birthday in 2009.

And so the cake takes on the form for which it is known, a "smash cake."

A sweet celebration for a very sweet one year old. Happy Birthday Natalie!

Tokyo

2011-04-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

It started out as a casual conversation. Seats, "wide open" on Chris' flight for his business trip to Japan. I told him, "I should go with you." At first I wasn't serious, too many appointments in the week ahead. Tom and Kim both encouraged me and I thought about spending time with Chris, such a rare opportunity once your son is married with a family. And of course, I am always curious about the world and how people live in different places. Well, it became a reality and it was well worth the time and loss of sleep.
We left on Monday at 2PM from Chicago, O'Hare and arrived at Narita, Japan on Tuesday, 4:30 PM. Literally time flies! Chris is consumed with work and I spend the next day touring Tokyo. The town has very few tourists since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. The large Greyhound type bus had five tourists for the morning tour and two for the afternoon and this is the tourist season when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. I enjoyed the beautiful Japanese gardens.

I learned that 73% of Japanese are Buddhists and 84% are Shinto. This means that some adopt both religions. Usually beginnings are celebrated at the Shinto Shrine with birth and wedding ceremonies while illness and death involve Buddhists rituals.

This is a Shinto Shrine, the Meiji Shrine. Once you walk through the gate you become emotionally pure and before you approach the shrine you wash both hands and rinse your mouth at a well. Saki is also used to purify one's self as part of the cleansing process. The worshipers toss a coin into a money box, clap twice to summon the gods and pray then bow before they leave. There are no visible gods or statues at a Shinto Shrine.

These are Saki barrels.

A Shinto wedding has taken place, the wedding party is posing for a picture. The bride is in a traditional gown.
The first Buddhist Temple we visited had a cemetery where six shoguns are buried but the public is not allowed in that area.

On the side of this temple are many small statues of children. A family who has lost a child will dedicate a statue to the temple. They will decorate the statue. The family name is next to the statue.

I only took one picture on the river cruise. Both sides of the river have landscaped walkways.

The second Buddhist Temple is the oldest in Tokyo, Asakusa Kannon Temple.

Before the shrine is a shopping street that has been here for hundreds of years with small shops on each side. The colorful shops sell quality items of Japanese miniatures, paper, fans and many souvenirs. This walkway is usually so crowded it is hard to walk to the temple, but not today.
This next picture is of a large pot of incense thought to be the breath of Buddha. The people direct the smoke to an area on their body where they need help, some direct it to their heads so they will become smarter.

There are several buildings and gardens around this temple, one has many Buddhas, one for each symbol on the zodiac.

This was a wonderful day in the warm sunshine and our guide, Saudi Son is so knowledgeable and gracious. We shared a typical Japanese meal together and by the end of the day I felt like I was saying good-bye to a friend.

I did get time to browse the upscale shopping area but didn't buy a thing! So unlike me. I really enjoyed the short time I spent in Tokyo and found the Japanese people to be very respectful and kind. So before you know it, I'm back on the bus and heading to the airport. So thank you Chris, for this time together.

Smiles

2011-04-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

If you want to feel important, go visit your grandchildren! I love how they greet you and make you feel so loved. In March I saw all seven grandchildren within one week. It's very therapeutic, must be from all the smiling.
I first smiled when I watched Claire and Hudson at ski lessons. They are skiing for their second year and ski over moguls and around cones with ease.

There is something very sweet about the closeness of twins, these pictures capture it and make my heart smile. Claire and Hudson and Tucker and Cooper are such little buddies.

The smiles keep coming and daddy was the big smiler when he had all his children surrounding him for his birthday celebration and the cake his children decorated.

When the time comes for me to leave, my smile droops a bit but I leave with smiling memories and looking forward to seeing three more smiling grandchildren.

Who wouldn't smile looking at this picture I call "cousin love." Conley and Jack love playing together, Jack seems to think Conley lives at our house, he usually walks in and asks, "where's Monley?" Natalie, who is scooting around quickly, climbing stairs and standing by furniture has all of us smiling at her innocent ways. Just look at that face. She makes us all smile when she plays in the princess tent with with her brother,Jack and cousin Conley.

I'm a happy grandma and here are seven smiling reasons why!

Discovering My Ancestry

2011-02-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

Living in the city of my husband's family, I took on the identity of his culture, faith and of course sir name. The children were mostly compared to members of his family and still are recognized by their Dutch heritage. I have grown to love so much of what I know about the CRC (Dutch) faith and really thank God for bringing me to knowledge by faithful preaching and personal study of the Bible. We visited the Netherlands almost eleven years ago to look up his roots and even have a book on the family ancestry that goes back to the 1500s, albeit written in Dutch.

My daughter in law recently asked me if I was going to post the pictures from our trip to Nova Scotia, Canada, the birthplace of both of my parents. It was last September that we made the trip to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and searched cemeteries and visited with people who would have known my parents and grandparents. For me, it was such joy to remember that I am really not Dutch and have a heritage to be proud, although not all the ancestors rose to prominence, some were even notorious.

This is the land, awesomely beautiful, if you want to visit, look up The Cabot Trail. When I look at this picture I remember why my parents loved it so much. I visited 3 times as a child, the last time as a junior in high school, 48 years ago. Oh, I'm practically telling you my age.
Our first stop was Halifax, I had never been there before. It is a small town for the capital of the province but a wonderful waterfront (lots of international seafaring commerce) and well known Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. I must publish what happened to the pirates of long ago, they would be hung in cages after death along the sea shore to warn other would be pirates. It is a piece of family history that we had a pirate in the family that mercifully "walked the plank" off the coast of Barbados.

We had expected a beautiful color tour at this time of year but it was really green and I must say we had some cloudy and cold rainy days. After leaving Halifax we drove across the Canso Causeway, a road built from the mainland to the island of Cape Breton, my last crossing was with my brother, mother and father who have all died, a feeling of sadness came over me. Our first stop was the town of Baddeck that houses the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, he was a friend of my grandfather Burke. We stayed at a great inn, visited the Gaelic College and an evening at the "ceilidk", a Gaelic word meaning visit or gathering of music and dance. The evening was spent listening to "down east" fiddle music that played in our home when I was a child. I loved every note, every step of the Irish jig.

We were eager to move on and drove to Englishtown. The photo is the ferry once owned and managed by my great grandfather, Torquill MacLean. He ran the ferry for 50 years, first rowing across with carriages and the horse swimming behind the boat. This ferry is named after him who was respected and loved for his dedicated service.

We visited the cemetery and took pictures of the grave stones of my grandmother's parents and siblings before we happened upon a woman that gave me the greatest gift.

Katherine is a life long resident of Englishtown who assisted Bonnie Thornhill in bringing to publication "The Road to Englishtown" a history and genealogical sketches of Englishtown, Victoria County Nova Scotia. I was amazed that anyone would take the time and effort to prepare such a book. This book contains the ancestry on both sides of my mother's family. She invited us in as we stepped on her porch unannounced and spent over an hour discussing names of people I barely remembered of my parent's family and friends. She even knew my father's family from Ingonish!

Next we visited two women, Marie and Dot who are relatives of my mother's cousin's wife. Surely we would enjoy a cup of tea but we didn't expect a wonderful meal! That is the hospitality of Cape Breton!

We traveled the Cabot Trail along the northern French coast and then to the south when the sun came out at Neil's Harbor.

The wonderful scent of the sea and pictures of fishing boats led us to the restaurant for seafood chowder and crab meat sandwiches. But can't stay long, its on to Ingonish.

This is my father's home town. His father was the businessman in town and actually had a thermometer and medical book so was also known as "doc". The beach has not changed but my father's childhood home is gone and his brother's old Victorian tourist home now looks modern, with the large porch missing and the spruces cut down. The pier was busy years ago with fishermen cleaning their catch and now all is quiet.

The island behind me in the picture was once known as Burke Island and was used to pasture sheep. My dad told me how he loved to ride his horse bareback in the ocean and of course walked miles to school in the very deep snow. I think life was a little easier for my mother in Englishtown for I don't remember her complaining about the snow.
This next picture is the Keltic Lodge that was once a private home. It is now a beautiful and expensive golf resort. Along with the Cabot Trail it is one of the reasons people know of Ingonish.

Before leaving Ingonish we visited with a family who knew the Burke's and then searched through the cemeteries for family gravestones. Then on to Sydney, a city where my mother wanted me to attend nursing school. I think she was looking for an excuse to visit her homeland. We returned to Halifax and dined out with newly discovered cousin, Mary and her husband, Donald. I had also talked to her sister and brother when we stayed in Sydney. This was a wonderful trip! Now is the task of piecing all the information together along with the Dutch side and making an interesting family history for our sons and their families.

Holidays

2010-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well, for those who know me, I am a true believer in celebrating Christmas, as the birth of Jesus Christ! But, since I have been an absent blogger, I am adding Thanksgiving pictures to our two Christmas celebrations, so the title "Holidays."

Chris, Kim, Jack and Natalie stayed with us for Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful meal with Kim's family. Of course Conley came often to play with Jack and a tractor ride is always on Jack's mind.

We got a couple great family pictures, and Natalie is in both families! She's just such a magnet! After all, it was Natalie's first time to celebrate Uncle Mike and Aunt Joy's birthdays.

A visit to Colorado is always full of adventure. After a challenging ride over Rabbit Ears Pass we arrived safely to Dan and Angie's Christmas house. The first evening, all the children helped with the gingerbread house. The finished product is seen above.

The next day was sliding in a neighborhood, and a living nativity.

I was surprised when I took a solo ride on the saucer, picked up speed and did an airborne flip landing on my head. I really need to learn to act my age!
After church on Sunday and nap time, we opened gifts and enjoyed a wonderful dinner.
The children are all dressed up for a Christmas party at daddy's work.

After a dance performance by Claire and her dance class and as guest reader at Hudson and Claire's pre-school, we traveled back to Michigan.

It's Christmas! Mike and Chris and their families joined us on Christmas morning for breakfast and opening gifts. So where are all my pictures? Maybe it was caused by the medication fog I was in for my root canal problems. Well, its all about the children who are our great joy givers! Happy 2011, my blog viewers!

October, it's not over until it's over.

2010-11-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well my last post was about the month of October. I guess I was thinking I would just wait out the next few days until November appeared on the calendar. I was wrong, you know it's hard to have a son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren far away in CO. I can only stay away so long, then I yearn to be with them.

Hudson and daddy go to an hour class on hitting, throwing, catching and soccer ball kicking. Hudson did great in all areas, he's pretty coordinated for a 4 year old.

There is also a lot happening back at the "playground" as Claire's friend calls her backyard. Claire is busy making a cake to serve with sweet tea.

Tucker is a true rugged cowboy, he takes his shirt off to enjoy the sun and play in the snow.

Cooper is pretty good at riding his tricycle that seems to steer quickly towards the mud. But we any always count on that smile!

Halloween began with a church service. When we got home Em and G fixed a wonderful chicken dinner and set a festive table, even a monster cake.

The big event of the day is the Halloween Stroll on main street downtown.

It seems the whole town turns out, adults, children and dogs dress up to celebrate.

Angie isn't so happy with this picture but I like that it captures the moment, the children all enjoying their treats

October

2010-10-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this beautiful month is almost past. We have been blessed with warm, sunny cloudless days for nearly the entire month. Today is a mixed bag of weather. Earlier today it rained and I was in the basement due to a tornado warning and a watch is on until 6PM. The wind is blowing the last of the leaves off the trees and the dark sky is lit by brief moments of sunshine. Last week we moved the patio furniture and cleaned out some of the annuals to prepare for winter. I want to hang on.... I feel a sense of sadness during these dwindling days of autumn.

Yet, this was a month of celebration! Starting with Conley's 4th birthday. She celebrated for a week with her family. These are pictures of her princess luncheon.

We also celebrated time together with new found cousins from Nova Scotia who came to visit our known cousins in Kalamazoo. In this picture, Dolly who is my mother's 1st cousin at 92, is enjoying the visit with her daughters, their husbands, great grandchildren and cousins from Holland, MI and Nova Scotia.

It was on one of those beautiful Saturday's when we went to the orchard to pick up some cider and donuts. Yum! Conley and Tom pose in front of the big pumpkin and they look a bit lonely. Last year Conley was here with her Aunt Angie and Uncle Dan and cousins, Hudson, Claire, Cooper and Tucker.

I couldn't wait to give my sister her Christmas Present! So to celebrate genealogy weekend I gave her the book, "The Road to Englishtown," that contains the genealogy of our mother's side of the family. We read our books together and scoured over old pictures. We also visited with our brother, Gordon to hear his stories of his visits with our grandparents, we never knew.

This past weekend we traveled to Wheaton, IL to watch Jack and Natalie while Kim and Chris celebrated 6 years of marriage. Conley came along to play with Jack and be a "big sister" to Jack and Natalie. She was a big help to grandma and grandpa! We sure did get a big smiling greeting from Jack! There is nothing like a grandchild to make one feel important.

Natalie is an easy going baby who loves to lay on a blanket and roll to her toys and watch her brother and cousin. She also spent some time sitting up in the saucer while they danced around her.

So this is October 2010, and a beautiful one it was, praise the Lord! This is a picture from our woods earlier today. I suspect after another day of high winds, the leaves will be a golden path in the woods.

Surprise Visits

2010-09-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, our son Chris flew to Japan for work so Kim decided to pack up Jack and Natalie and come home for a few days. It was fun and unexpected to see them. I loved having them for lunch and invited Joy and Conley to join us.

Jack wasn't interested in getting into the tractor, a few weeks ago, but when Conley got in with grandpa, Jack wasn't far behind.

Well, it's not a trip to grandma & grandpa's house without a ride on the "scooter, Conley shows Jack what a girl carries in her purse.

Natalie was glad to get out of her infant seat and stretch her legs on a blanket that I laid on when I was her age!

So the next surprise visit was the one we took to Wheaton when Tom's passport didn't clear the airport scanner. This was pretty frustrating but there is nothing like the cute faces of grandchildren to make you smile and feel better.

Birthday Weekend

2010-08-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hudson and Claire turned four on August 15. Again this year, Dan and Angie planned a day at the outdoor water park in Denver. I guess we were way too busy having fun to take many pictures on that day. Everyone went on a ride. For some the faster the better, others of us liked the slow and easy. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day! but that was only part of the five days in CO.

We enjoyed a stroll through the botanical gardens in Steamboat, a wonderful lunch with Em in Oak Creek, Hudson and Claire time at MacDonald's, the library and park not to mention watching a construction site while eating donuts and chocolate milk. Oh, yes and one cartoon in the hotel room. We also had time with Cooper and Tucker at the Farmer's Market, at home and a short jeep ride before driving to Denver. While in Denver we met up with Aunt Nancy, Hiland, Em and Gary. Then it was birthday cake, gift opening, water slides, fountains, ice cream and the Butterfly Pavilion.

So here are a few photos that captured part of the fun:

All wishes come true as they blow out their candles.

"Oh, my own laptop." These children are so savvy!

So which one of these 1200 butterflies is the prettiest?

"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream," and we did.

Now, time to clean-up. Four jewels in the fountain which one will the fountain bless? All of them are blessed and a blessing!!
Another memorable celebration!

All the partyers!

Dream Summer

2010-08-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

This has been a dream summer. It has been 35 years since I have had a summer off from work. It has been the summer I dreamed of. Most days I enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch, spend time with Jesus and work in the yard. Since it has been a pretty hot summer I even come in for an occasional nap. It's my time to enjoy the small pleasures in life.
Like:

Visiting relatives in Alpena, this is Conley meeting her cousin Jillian who flew in with her mother from the state of Washington.

Having Jack and his little sister, Natalie come for a visit with their mom and dad.

Enjoying corn on the cob, fresh blueberries and blowing bubbles.

I have noticed that the flower garden is a lot more work than in that dream and these hot summer days have been brutal. Yet, I do enjoy the blooms of those drought tolerant holly hocks.

Oh, my lazy, hazy days of summer have been an enjoyable dream come true.

July 4th

2010-07-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Today in church we sang the Star Spangled Banner, first and second verses. I don't ever remember singing the second verse. I thought maybe those who read this blog would be interested in reading it and since this is the day we celebrate our country's birth and liberty, it would be fitting.

The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key

O thus be it ever, when free men shalt stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
Over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Natalie's Baptism

2010-06-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

Natalie's baptism was planned for Father's Day several weeks ago.

Her great-grandparents, and grandparents, aunts, uncle and cousin all set the date on their calendars to attend. Great-grandparents traveled all the way from Colorado to be present at the blessed event. You can only imagine the disappointment when Chris and Kim were informed, the afternoon before, that the service is canceled due to no electrical power in the church.

Kim called her pastor to ask if he would consider performing the baptism without the usual congregational service. He was absolutely willing! Natalie's baptismal service was private, precious and memorable. Jack even had a part when the pastor asked him what he was sprinkling on Natalie's head.

Great-grandpa and Jack explore the baptismal fount.

It was a beautiful and joyous day.

Being Father's Day made it really special for Chris, holding his new daughter and promising to teach her about Jesus' love.

As grandparents, we too, were reminded of God's covenant blessing to generations of believers. Natalie has many generations of relatives that loved the Lord, and grandparents that love her and will pray for her always.

For Jack it was a day about "water". First the symbolism of the washing away of sins and the afternoon of water's cooling pleasure. He and "Monley" entertained each other for hours!

Conley's Wedding Invitation

2010-06-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Tom and Conley have been having coffee at the local McDonald's with 7-15 elderly gentlemen since Conley was 7 months old. Conley's mom has yoga class so she drops Conley off with Tom for a couple hours. Conley knows all the "boys" by their first names and they all look out for her. Some days she comes home with coins in her purse and some days she even has a dollar. A few weeks ago we received a wedding invitation, from one of the men, on the inside envelope was written, "Tom and spouse and special granddaughter". We were eager to show Conley the envelope with the words written on them and thought she would be delighted. I guess there was something lost in translation when she told us with tears, "I don't want to be a special granddaughter, I want to be a princess."

As the days went by, she became more excited about attending the wedding and her Aunt Di bought her a beautiful dress to wear. When the day came, she couldn't wait to put on her princess dress.

Since Conley was feeling pretty, it was a good time for mommy and daddy to get a photo op.

Conley promised the groom a dance but she wasn't so interested on the wedding day. She did let the bride hold her for this photo.

Conley only had grandma on her dance card until she met Katy, the granddaughter of the groom.

Remembrance

2010-06-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Tom, Mike, Joy, Conley and I went out for breakfast and watched the Memorial Day parade. Since our sons were young, the parade seems to be smaller and not as well attended and yet it still honors those who have fought for our freedom.

The parade began with Marines carrying the flag followed by a few cars and floats carrying our military veterans or those mothers who lost sons or daughters in the wars. The high school bands played patriotic songs and several military vehicles were driven along with the local fire department, ambulance services and police department vehicles. Conley liked the mounted sheriff department officers on well groomed horses. It was a parade of celebration for the sacrifices of our military that gives us peace in our homeland.

When along comes a group of women dressed in black and carrying anti-war signs. They are mourners for those who have lost their lives in war, both the soldiers and civilians. It was disturbing to me, that a parade meant to honor and memorialize our soldiers for their sacrifice and service ended with this dark cloud. It didn't seem appropriate for this group to be marching in this parade. I respect their right to protest, they have a forum and I have seen them on busy intersections silently protesting.

Yet, it is because of what our country stands for and the freedoms we enjoy and the wars that were fought to protect the freedom of expression and speech that they could walk down the street and have their protest seen. I guess it is similar to those who show up at a soldier's funeral protesting his life and service. In my opinion, showing bad manners and insensitivity to those who have lost their loved ones for the sake of their country. Maybe its because of the great divide in our country today or because we have become intolerant and insensitive to each others beliefs that I had a feeling of discouragement and disappointment at how the parade ended.

I love the United States of America, my homeland. My parents immigrated here in the 20s, I had two brothers who served in the US Navy, one during the Korean War and the other served for nearly 30 years during the Vietnam War and the 1st Iraq War. Some would say and do say that the USA has lost its status in the world, we are hated. I have two sisters-in-law that have immigrated to the USA and when one was divorced and the other one lost her husband to cancer, neither left to go back to the home of their birth. We are still the hope of many. Two weeks ago I attended a naturalization ceremony and 81 people from 36 countries became American citizens! This was in a medium size town in the mid-west, only a small representation of the thousands who seek legal citizenship every year.

Let the unpatriotic denigrate the USA, they have the freedom to do it. I thank God for the USA, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

May Days

2010-05-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy month.

May 1 started with "Princess Weekend" when Conley came to stay for a few days while her mom and dad vacationed in Jamaica. Of course there was a lot of pretending and dressing up in pretty dresses, jewelry and wearing princess nail polish in preparation for the ball.

Our next event was a trip back to Cleveland for Tom's 6 month check-up and a side trip to Amish country. Since the stores didn't open until 10 AM (what?) Tom & I strolled through an antique store, that was a trip down memeory lane. Lots of "do you remember that", "we had one of those" and "Susie Smith's dad had a picture like that behind his bar." I think this was our first antiquing adventure.

Then it was the beginning of grandma week. A couple days with Kim, Jack and Natalie. Jack loves trucks and his new video, "I Dig Dirt". He obviously shares that interest with his grandpa and cousin, Hudson.
But two, almost three year olds still need mommy time.
Kim and Jack ran errands while I had Natalie to cuddle. Oh, the cute noises and faces a two week old baby makes. So innocent and sweet.

After a drive back to Michigan and a flight to Colorado, I arrive in Rocky Mountain territory. Although it was a quick trip we accomplished a lot. Dan and Angie finished a bookcase project, I got my hands dirty in the flower garden with Dan's help and we got a tour of the new projects at the church house before the big event, Claire's dance recital.

Hudson loves the camera
Cooper and Tucker didn't make it to the dance recital but they didn't miss anything else. They loved painting the bookcases but its hard work so those popscicle breaks are really appreciated.

Claire was really excited about dressing in her ballarina costume, wearing makeup and special hair gel for her performance on the big stage. She looked adorable and we were all so proud of her. She had a huge smile while she danced and afterward got a big bouquet of flowers from her brother.

Natalie

2010-04-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have been eagerly anticipating the birth of Natalie especially this past week. Kim was "ready, ready, ready" and so we packed our bags and drove to Kim and Chris' when labor started. I smiled thinking that she would be born on her great grandmother's (my mother) birthday, April 23. But like many pregnant mother's have experienced, what seemed like active labor slowly subsided and became an occasional contraction. We spent the next morning at the park with Jack and Chris & Kim got out for an evening dinner before we left for home the next day.

Less than 24 hours after we left them, Chris called with the good news that Natalie was born. She is 9# 14oz and 20.5 inches long. Since Kim's parents traveled during the night to take care of Jack we drove to the hospital to meet our littlest grand daughter.

She drew us like a magnet, we couldn't keep our hands off her. There is nothing as precious than a newborn and to think she is one we will see grow and flourish and enjoy for years is almost more than a heart can hold on to. We are so blessed with her birth and so thankful that God watched over her as she was formed and gave her a safe and healthy start.

Now it is time for her mom and dad and big brother to spend some time as a family to cherish these memories. So Natalie Beth we will come again in a couple weeks to cuddle you and see how your big brother Jack is enjoying his little sister.

Easter

2010-04-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

With Easter coming so early this year, we really didn't expect such warm weather. Conley is standing near the daffodils we planted last November.

We had a wonderful day beginning with a beautiful praise filled worship service at church and a visit from Mike Joy and Conley. Later in the day we enjoyed a delicious ham dinner with our neighbors and their family who came in from New Jersey.

For the past 3 years we have taken Conley's picture in the same chair and it really demonstrates how she has grown. The first year her feet were still on the seat of the chair. Oh, the years past quickly and growth in a child is a true marker.

Easter and spring time signify new beginnings. At Easter we are reminded that Christ died to give us a new life so the flowers, too with their fragile blossoms poke up through the ground after cold and frost to announce a new growing season. Tom and I with our graying hair hold onto Conley, a new generation born to praise God and enjoy Him forever.

Cruisin

2010-04-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

The trip had been in the works for over a year by the time we met in Miami and sailed off to the seas of the Gulf of Mexico. Lindsay, having been on 13 cruises took the initiative with offering several different cruises on different cruise lines and different dates and number of days. We finally settled on a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Belize City. It was a good choice.

We left Miami on a Monday, after an all day rain but the skies were beginning to clear and stayed clear for the remainder of the trip.

Judi, my roommate gave each of us a hat so we could find each other on the ship. It just seemed so natural to spend time with and talk to my old friend, a friendship beginning 50 years ago.

The rest of our group met in the Windjammer restaurant on the ship. We all had our travel stories to tell. Susan had her flight canceled the night before at 11 PM. How does that happened? She and her husband were up until 2 AM getting another flight and now she has two return flights!

Well, it didn't take long to settle in and enjoy the sun and amenities on deck.

<

Donna had a bit of a stumble on her first morning walk and spent day one in the stateroom. But, we were not going to let her miss dinner and the evening shows.

Each evening we changed seats at our table next to the window so each would have a different view and sit next to a different friend. I loved trying meals I would never take time to fix at home. And all the desserts! One night we asked and they gave us an extra key lime pie to enjoy later! Each night we went to a show, the ice show was in our opinion the best! Some tried their luck in the casino and others of us played "name that tune." When we reached the towns, each had a different plan; stay on the ship, shop, take a tour or snorkel. Although I don't have snorkeling pictures we saw beautiful coral and fish. We took this picture for our home news paper in Alpena. The hats we are wearing say "Divas at Sea 63" a gift from Donna and Ginny.

This last picture is my very first friend, Susan. Even though we can go for months and years not hearing from each other, we know we are forever friends.

After 5 days and many sea miles we have great memories and closer friendships. I thank God for each of you dear friends.

Grandchildren Week

2010-03-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

Last week we had the delight of seeing all our grandchildren,sons and daughters-in-law all in the same week. We started the week driving to the Chicago area to take baby furniture for the granddaughter to be born in April and then flew to CO to see grandchildren west. So here are brothers and sister.

Hudson who is 3 1/2

Claire, Hudson's twin sister.

Cooper, who is 21 months old.

Tucker, Cooper's twin brother.

Dan and Angie, the proud and happy parents of the above twins.

After our short visit, we returned to the Chicago area to watch Jack and Conley while their parents flew to Denver to spend an adult weekend to celebrate Dan's birthday. They had a wonderful time together while grandparents enjoyed the grandchildren. A win/win for all.

Jack at age almost 22 months.

Jack with his mom and dad, Chris and Kim

Conley is 3 1/2

Conley's mom and dad, Mike and Joy.

My intent was to get these great pictures of all the grandchildren in the same week. I have new appreciation for child photographers! It is really hard to get them to look at you and snap the picture before they look away. Many of the special moments are but a memory captured in your heart and not by the camera.

Honduras, Spiritual Retreat

2010-02-26T10:37:00.000-08:00

A mission trip though usually hard work is also a spiritual retreat. It gives us time away from our fast paced life of pursuing more to reflect on the blessings we already have. It clears our mind to contemplate on priorities of what is important on our journey through life. The following poem was written while in Honduras, it expresses how we came with our inadequacies and God used them to His Glory.

Psalm 107:23-24

Honduras, land of many needs,
You chose us Lord, your lambs to feed.
Carlos, your servant here
Warned us of deep waters, but not to fear.

The waters promise to reveal
Your faithful presence that we will feel.
Uncertainties of what lies ahead
Through equipment problems we are lead.

Cases lasting 'til late at night
Frustration, exhaustion we will fight.
Yet morning brings rested souls
And praise songs to Jesus rose.

The faces of the "least of these"
Remind us of the joy to please.
For you have blessed us beyond all measure
With gifts and talents to share our treasure.

Quietly, humbly they come with shy smiles
Hoping, praying we can help in their trial.
Oh, Lord, it is you who brought us together
To perform your work, they'll remember forever.

Such an honor to us you have given
To be your hands and feet to the living.
May we continue to hear your call
And be a blessing for one and for all.

We hesitantly walked into the deep
The waters stirred but your promises keep.
Our faith is stronger than when we came
It is your way that your name is proclaimed!

Medical Mission to Honduras

2010-02-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

I spent 16 days in Honduras this month. This was my third visit to help surgeons in the operating room in the town of Gracias for the Luke Society. This is an organization that sets up medical clinics in 3rd world countries and supports local physicians to provide healthcare in the communities they live. Unlike others, this Michigan physician, his wife and the board members have raised money to build a surgery center to provide more operating rooms for medical teams to operate. Before this was available the medical teams used the hospital operating rooms thus closing them down for a week for local surgeons other than for emergencies.

The physicians see patients the first day of each week to set-up the week's surgery schedule. The first week was general and plastic surgery and the second week was orthopedic. The week before I was in Honduras a medical team did eye, plastic surgery and operated a GI lab.
Since the surgeon who began this ministry plans to work part-time in Honduras later this year, he is building a house for himself with room enough to house medical teams. Several volunteers came to help with construction, including Tom.

In two weeks we accomplished 94 surgeries that included shoulder, hernia repair, knee surgery, gall bladder removal, facial fracture, bullet removal, hand surgery ankle fusions, arm fracture and various minor repairs. The children are absolutely beautiful with big brown eyes, long eyelashes and beautiful skin color. They will capture your heart in an instant! We changed the lives of children with surgical repair of cleft lips and club feet.

The second week's team included several dentists and medical doctors who pulled and restored teeth, diagnosed illness, provided medications and passed out de-worming medicine. Each person received the gospel message and this year a children's evangelism message was acted out with a puppet show put on by children from the bilingual school in Gracias.
The warm, sunny weather was a blessing for travel to the villages for the dental and medical teams and for those of us who walked the mile to the surgery center each morning. We stayed in hotels in Gracias and ate at Frony's who is a woman from the Netherlands that came to Honduras for work in the Peace Corp many years ago and stayed. Her place has beautiful tropical gardens surrounding the buildings and safe and good food on a terrace overlooking the city.

Christmas Memories in January

2010-01-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday was almost springlike in Michigan. I finally took the lights and red balls off the outdoor tree. With each one I thought about the fun and celebration of Christmas. Mike, Joy and Conley and Chris, Kim and Jack were here and we enjoyed good food, good gifts and good fellowship. The days leading up to Christmas were filled with the holiday spirit of praising God for his wonderful gift of Christ. Conley was a little angel in the Sunday school program and stood up front and sang all the songs.

This little tree enthusiast found a couple of sparkly balls to bat around but he did restrain himself by not pulling the tree to the floor like he did at his house.

Tom with two of the best little Christmas presents!

The first of many looks in the cookie jar.

Chris gets a power tie!

Mike's happy that Santa still remembers him.

Joy checks out her new "Ov Glove"!

I tried to copy a picture of Kakabeeke's West but I'm am so NOT techy.
We really did miss having Dan, Angie, Hudson, Claire, Cooper and Tucker around but were thankful to know they also were celebrating as a family this Holy Season. See their blog, Better Than We Dreamed.

As photographer,I missed being included in the pictorial but words often can express what a picture can not. And my words are Thank You Jesus!

Oh Christmas Tree

2009-12-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a nostalgic time of year, at least for me. The children have grown and left their home to establish their own homes and families and the Christmas tree is evidence of the years gone by. I wrote this poem 2 years ago when we bought a new self-lit Christmas tree that had white lights instead of our forever multiple colored lights.

This year the Christmas Tree
Sparkled with white lights,
The ornaments seemed to shimmer
Throughout the December nights.

You tell our Christmas stories
Of all the years gone by,
The child filled years and friendships
And joys of Christmas ties.

The rocking horse and baby
From the year that Mike was born,
Chirs' kindergarten picture
A child's gift adorns.

"Baby's First Christmas"
When Danny was nine months old,
Ornaments from the school sales,
Oh, the memories unfold.

A stack of wood and tractor,
Tom's remembered here,
Rubber gloves and a little nurse
Fran's gifts from friends, so dear.

Homemade ornaments made with love
Frequent around the tree,
Santa and his Mrs.
Front and center, you can see.

The Gilmore Christmas Santas
And angels from a friend,
Ornaments from shopping trips
A beautiful Christmas blend.

A golden leaf from Colorado
And skiers on a lift
Crystal kiss from Hershey
And ornaments made by Chris.

The tree so full of memories
Of blessings from above
The tree is wrapped with golden beads
From my mother who was loved.

This home holds the memories
Of the family who lives here
And the Christmas tree celebrates
The joys of all the years.

So take pictures of your Christmas trees and as the tree begins to fill with ornaments over the years, it too will tell your family stories.

Christmas is Coming

2009-12-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the perfect day to consider Christmas as a snow storm is approaching Michigan. Here in Michigan most of us like a traditional White Christmas. We are preparing for that special day of the year in many ways. The tree is up, outdoor arrangements are finished, presents are being purchased,the Christmas cards ordered and the Christmas letter is written. We have visited the nativity in the park and have attended Christmas concerts, Avalon was here last week!

In all this busyness and frustration with the long lines,computers and printers not working, we can lose sight of the reason we are celebrating. It's time to slow down and read Luke 2 from the Bible or a wonderful book that relays the Christmas events. There are many out there but two I have enjoyed is "Unafraid" by Francine Rivers, an account of Mary, the mother or Christ and "One Incredible Moment" by Max Lucado. So find some time to spend with the Lord of Life and enjoy some peaceful moments.

Random Thoughts

2009-11-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

I loved having the whole family here in October.

It was a very busy time and now that the house is so quiet, I look at the chalk drawings on the front porch and the finger prints on the windows and long for the little voices and cute sayings. I couldn't help but smile after they left when I would open a cupboard to find a toy or a measuring cup.

If I think on this long enough I even long for the years of being a young mother. So young mothers who read this, cherish this sweet time in your life.

It is ironic that as I write this, Conley is staying over night. She has a blow up bed and after her prayers and a few songs, a kiss good night and all tucked in with her blankey bear and favorite blanket she has been up twice within 5 minutes. The night is young and I'll report in the morning how restful our night is.

We were warned how to handle the little night walker, "take her back to bed and no laying with her until she falls asleep." I was a little restless knowing she might wake up but didn't hear a sound even though I was up twice. In the morning she told me she was up once and went in the office and went back to bed. She proudly said, "I stayed in my bed all night!" Love that girl!

Party On

2009-11-05T20:42:00.000-08:00

It's fun to have family visit so you can enjoy what the hometown has to offer. That would include visiting the Children's Museum, the fish hatchery, the cider mill, the library and Jungle Joe's. So here are a few pictures of hometown fun.

Oh, I forgot I didn't take my camera to Jungle Joe's, big mistake! It was so fun and the pictures are so colorful and lots of smiles. It's also when Jack and Chris came to town to join in the fun.

We just had fun at home going over the fields to see the reindeer and ride all of grandpa's vehicles.

I've got to say, Conley is sure missing her cousins!

And by the end of a busy day its story time and what is more appropriate than, I love your nose and "I Love You Through and Through"?

Color Tour and Pumpkins

2009-10-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

While up north we drove along Lake Michigan on a road covered with golden trees. Although the three year olds didn't appreciate it as much as the adults, Cooper and Tucker had a little nap. We stopped at a restaurant with outdoor seating with a wonderful view of the lake and a freighter in the distance.

Conley checked out a painted bear and read the sign to us and the others who gathered around.

Our next stop was an animal and pumpkin farm. I have never seen so many varieties. The children loved picking them up, sitting on them and also feeding the chickens and petting a goat.

I love this picture that really expresses the ages and attention span of the children as we try to get them to all look at the camera at the same time. It is what it is.

October Fest

2009-10-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Dan and Angie came to Michigan with Hudson Claire, Tucker and Cooper for a 10 day visit! We had so much fun that I am going to have to write at least three postings about their time here. After a trains, planes and automobile trip they arrived Thursday evening, October 15. We went up to northern Michigan for the weekend so Dan and Angie and Hudson and Claire could attend a wedding.

We stayed at this great little cottage just a few feet from a sandy beach. The colors were beautiful and the sunsets wonderful.

Tucker and Cooper are great little explorers and climbers. We kept a close eye on their wanderings.

Sometimes Hudson likes to check things out on his own while Conley and Claire became fast friends.

Conley is 3

2009-10-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

October 2, Conley turned 3 or as Conley likes to say, "3 in October." She went with her mommy and Grandma Dolly and Grandma Fran to Build a Bear Workshop. We all tried to persuade her to pick out one of our favorites but she had her own idea and picked a black and white panda bear. She enjoyed helping make the bear, named it (Pandy), helped pick out clothes that made the boyish looking bear look girlish and carried it home in a box that looked like a room. I don't have a picture of the bear.

On Sunday, October 4 she had a birthday party at her house with grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. She opened lots of presents and then we all enjoyed a "Stephanie" cake.

After the party, Conley jumped into the tub to play with soap paint that was one of her gifts.

Fall Fun

2009-10-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we drove again to Wheaton to give Kim and Chris some alone time and Tom and I some Jack time. In the month since we had seen him, Jack has become a much steadier walker and added a few words to his vocabulary. I love to hear him say Hi and ba-bye. He is all about climbing, walking and having fun. Here are a few pictures of our happy explorer.

We also had a day away with Conley. We took her to the county fair. She wanted to go into all the animal barns and especially loved the baby animals. We saw and touched fury sheep, rabbits, and goats. She thought the chickens were pretty loud and the horses and cows were pretty big for her liking. She really surprised us when she wanted to ride the pony. Last year she was terrified of the carousel and wasn't interested in riding it this year, so when she wanted to ride the pony, we could hardly believe it. We reluctantly set her on Suzy-q and she loved it. As she rode around she shouted out, "look at me."

Harvest

2009-09-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year that we enjoy the harvest. Really since early spring we have fresh asparagus then strawberries, in July blueberries but August and September the fresh fruits and vegetables are in abundance. Sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, peaches, apples and the list goes on.

I have been thinking of the harvest of my life. The years in growing up in a family, school, work, and raising my own family have yielded a wonderful crop of fruit.

My harvest is not the accumulation of material blessings that as the Bible says, "where moth corrupts and thieves break through to steal." It is the people who have listened, advised, helped, prayed, visited, celebrated and been there through all of life's joys and sorrows. It is also the time I have to spend with these cherished ones.

Here are some harvest pictures, mostly excluding the scrumptious harvest of children and grandchildren:

My sister-in-law Laurelei, sister Kathy and niece Nancy and I enjoying a girl's weekend and a day in Dorr County.

My sister Kathy has taken up playing her violin after almost 50 years.

A day at the beach with Joy and Conley. Such a sweet reward! What I didn't get a picture of is the seagull taking a sandwich from Joy's hand!

Nursing school friends, Kathy Smuk and Mary Rebert and I cooked this awesome meal for our husbands. We re-created the meal from our French cooking class.

Long time friends, Don and Andrea Halstead with Tom and I at Torch Lake in Northern Michigan. We enjoyed a day driving through vineyards and to Lelaneau Peninsula.

Birthday Fun

2009-08-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

We all felt the fun of being 3 again as we celebrated Hudson and Claire's 3rd birthday on August 15 & 16. Angie's parents and Aunt Nancy, Chris, Kim and Jack and Tom and I met Dan and Angie and family in Denver. By late Saturday afternoon all the guests had arrived in time to watch Claire and Hudson open their gifts in the birthday suite.

Then it was on to dinner at Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant with Mariachi band, actors, water falls, an arcade and lots of people having fun. Claire and Hudson had their own table.

The party isn't over until they blow out their candles on the Cars and Princess Castle birthday cakes!! Wow!!

After church in the birthday suite, we packed up and headed out to Water World! This park has something for everyone, the Lazy River was my speed but I got talked into a couple speedy rides and loved it.

We had a wonderful weekend enjoying, loving and celebrating!

My work is done, or is it?

2009-08-14T08:19:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I retired, again. It wasn't my decision, the business I was working for told me that after 11 years my contract would not be renewed. Purely a business decision, I am told. I'm not surprised but I am saddened. Each of us likes to think we are in control of our lives. Haven't I learned this yet after all the plans that have been changed, delayed, interrupted by unexpected events in the last 10 years?

My thoughts are everywhere on this. Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day in MI, as I drove to work. I asked myself if I would rather be at home in the garden, walking the fields, drinking coffee on the porch or be in the basement windowless office at the workplace.
It's like God is giving me a beautiful gift and I'm saying I'm not sure I want that gift. I wouldn't have made the decision to leave the work I do if it hadn't been made for me. I think God has other plans for my life and is not waiting for me to get on board, like a parent that knows what is best for a child so God knows what is best for me.

A local business sells its fried chicken in buckets that say, "Just one life, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." I've been thinking on that sentence today. As I cleaned out my desk these past two weeks, I realized that much of what I had developed in the first years at this business is now obsolete, they have changed policies, now have computerized records, and new drugs and standards. Nothing lasts or remains the same. Since the work I have done there will also be out of date, did I leave behind joy, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, love, patience, friendship? My work will not last but how I treated others will last for my life time and theirs.

My co-workers took me for lunch and breaks and showered me with gifts, flowers and chocolates. I will remember their kindness and caring and kind words, always.

Now I will rest in the life of family and service and wait on the Lord to direct my path.

Jack in July

2009-08-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago Kim enjoyed a weekend get-away to visit friends in DC. So Tom and I kept Jack and Chris company. We had a productive weekend. Chris and Tom tackled the dead wood in the apple tree.

The tree limbs came down pretty fast but cutting them up into small enough pieces to put into the recycling bag took hours.

My time was focused on the littlest member of the family, Jack. He is a busy little guy and always on the move. So here are a few pictures of him being Jack. He's a short napper but sleeps 12 hours at night and wakes up happy.

I love his little chair, and its easy to sweep up all those food particles that fly off his plate.

This plant is just irresistible! That bright red flower drew his hand like a magnet.

I love this picture because it shows how he is trying to keep his balance, so typical of a new walker. It amazes me how babies persevere at learning to walk when they continually fall. If only we would remember that something worth doing takes a lot of tenacity.Time with grandma is fun but daddy and grandpa's stuff is more interesting.

Jack did get away from home to visit the farmer's market, a few neighborhood stroller rides and going on the swing at the park. He played in the church nursery and had breakfast at Sally's. All and all a good weekend for daddy time and grandpa and grandma time.

Morning Walk

2009-07-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures over a month ago but have been too busy to post them. Our lives are hurried and seem to speed by, maybe that's why we need pictures and blogs to help us recall the days of our lives.

When I take the time to walk in the fields, time stands still. The quietness with only the sounds of birds and the wind blowing quiets my soul. I sing, pray and quote scripture. The moments I spend in walking the land opens my mind to the blessedness of being alone with God. He speaks to me through the land and plants and sky. The Bible says that we are placed in God's timing on the earth "... so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. When I deliberately seek God, I sense his presence.

These plants, growing without cultivation, give a simple beauty to the land.

Often I see them grow out of a mass of tangled briers and vines. So much like life, that has troubles and challenges and yet God provides a way out. He gives simple beauty with his peace that brings us contentment.

When we take time to think on what we see in nature it teaches valuable life lessons. The above picture is of a vibrant green plant. It can grow leaves the size of dessert plates and a vine as thick as a cable. Beware! All we see as healthy is not good for us. This is poison ivy.

I'm thankful for a place close to home where I can walk and pray and "make a joyful noise." No one to laugh at my singing voice and no one to discount my sometimes foolish concerns. I hope those who read this post will find a place to be alone, to walk in our beautiful world and be at peace.

Birthday Boys

2009-07-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Cooper and Tucker celebrated their first birthday on June 12 and June 13. After all, when you have two boys having a birthday, it seems only right to have two birthday parties.

Of course, Claire and Hudson with their cousin Hazel were big helpers, taste testers.

Mom and dad are so thankful for all the blessings and joys, giggles and laughter that Cooper and Tucker have brought to the family.

Now its time to bake the cakes and tie the balloons and open the gifts for the one year and one day olds.

Yummy, birthdays are fun!! Love you Cooper and Tucker!

Birthday Weekend

2009-06-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

It's really hard to believe that it has been a year since Jack was born. He is such an active baby and reminds me of his dad at a year, but he looks a lot like his Grandpa Klok.

This picture of Kim and her folks will help you compare Jack to Grandpa Klok

It was fun to watch him climb on the small slide and swing set, crawl everywhere and he also learned how to maneuver the one step from our dinette to the family room.

Jack really enjoyed his birthday day. After church and playing in the nursery, he took a short nap while his family gathered.We really missed all of you who couldn't come to celebrate!

Jack helped open his gifts before the BIG EVENT - HIS OWN CAKE!

And then its bath time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK - WE LOVE YOU!!

Childish Wisdom

2009-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

I love to watch the grandchildren. In their innocence and youthful curiosity and imagination they unknowingly teach us how to live an unencumbered life.

Claire is a child that loves to wear hats and most recently dresses. Who would think to match red ski boots, a black helmet with a Sunday dress and backpack? She has her own taste and is not afraid to express herself.
Hudson is not intimidated by the pink kitchen set. The meals he fixes on the pink stove taste just as good as on black or stainless steel.
Cooper and Tucker have been sharing space now for almost a year. They often play with the same toy and take it away from each other without a cry. I do think they wonder sometimes how it got into their brother's hand.
When was the last time you waited for the garbage man? Hudson and Claire sit on their tricycles and patiently wait to see that large truck with the big arm pick up their garbage pail and dump the trash. Oh, to see the world as a child. To wake up excited about a new day and happy to see mom and dad. Sharing, exploring and pretending. Taking time to notice an ant crawling on the deck or furry seed pods on a tree, a bird sitting on the house and the beauty of the dandelions. Being able to cry when you are sad or hurt or saying what you mean. To marvel and appreciate a fire truck, dump truck or snow plow or folding paper that looks like a butterfly. It's freedom!

Kalamazoo Easter Sunday

2009-05-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, Im a little late with Easter pictures but I just got them off my camera and surely want to share our sweet Conley. We took the same pictures of her a year ago in almost the same poses. What changes a year can make in a little one. We had a wonderful dinner with Conley and her mom and dad.

To us Easter is the biggest celebration. We remember Christ's amazing love for those he created. My little mind can't comprehend that the creator would sacrifice for the created. He gives us the gift of eternity and all we have to do is accept the gift and believe. We are told by Jesus himself to tell others of this wonderful and awesome gift and live according to His example. He loved sacrificially, had compassion on the poor and spoke the truth. That is hard and difficult since we really want our own way first and more easily judge than show compassion. Oh, but the truth should be easy, really?

Shades of Time

2009-04-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I saw the first of gray hair in my brunette locks.
As a natural brunette.As the gray began to multiply, I decided to color my hair with the same color as my natural hair color. This continued for at least 10 years. When a college friend who hadn't seen me for a few years said, "I didn't remember your hair being so dark," I didn't give it much thought. A year or so later, my sister-in-law said, "when your hair is all one color, people think you are wearing a wig." I asked her if I looked like I was wearing a wig? Of course she said "no."
My "wig" yearsI had to start having my hair colored every 5 weeks instead of every 6 because the roots around my ears were white and it was very noticeable. I asked my hair dresser what she thought I should do differently, maybe some highlights or something. She said I looked fine.

I was restless. It's really hard to change your hair dresser but I thought it was time. The new one said my hair was so dark that I would need to re-schedule for a longer appointment time to bleach the color from my hair and to put in new color and highlights. She commented that as a woman ages, she needs to lighten
her hair so her face looks softer.
The lighter look.
Well that was probably 8 or 9 years ago. Now, almost 20 years, since I first noticed the gray, my hair is lighter and once again my natural color. Yes, lots of gray and still some brunette. It took me a year to grow it out from the blond color I had been enjoying. When I looked on the internet to find out how to go gray from colored hair, I couldn't find a source although there were multiple sites for going from gray to another color. Having given up coloring my hair, I feel a burdened lifted. I'm not scheduled every 5 weeks at the beauty shop and when the wind blows, I don't worry about the color of the roots. I might look older with gray hair but I don't think I look older than I am. I save at least $500.00 a year and when you multiply that times 20 years that's $10,000.00! I think I could have spent that money more wisely. I now remember what Bridgette told me about having lighter hair as you age and smile when I think of how God in His wisdom was making my hair lighter and I had my own ideas of looking like I was wearing a wig. Is that gaining wisdom?
Naturally me.

Sleep Over

2009-04-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Conley's folks took a short trip and Conley stayed with grandpa and grandma for two nights. We ate out, shopped at the store, played outside, went to church and watched the MSU Spartan's win the "Sweet Sixteen." Conley is 2 1/2 years old and has decided, " no grandma, don't take my picture," so these pictures are somewhat candid shots.

Conley wanted to play with a soccer ball like Max and Ruby. She had fun kicking it around.

It's not beach weather in Michigan but grandpa and Conley played in our sand bank. She is pretty excited about taking her sand toys to Florida this week.

Sometimes you just have to sneak in a picture by being silly.

And here she is cheering on the Spartans. She says "Go Green!" with a little prompting from grandma. We had a great weekend with our little guest but she was pretty happy when we took her home to see mommy, daddy and CC.

Spring Break

2009-03-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

This week we spent a few days taking care of Jack while his mom went to a conference. It was great spending time with him and getting to know his personality. He is an on the go baby. He hardly has time to eat and doesn't like being constrained to high chair, changing table or car seat. Now the stroller, he seems to enjoy as long as it is moving. He's crawling all over the house and will follow the cat under the kitchen table and down the hall. Always smiling and pulling him self up to furniture and toysThis is a picture of Jack on stage at his key board. He did a great job entertaining grandpa and grandma, as well as himself.

We visited this great little town just 10 miles west of Wheaton called Geneva. It has many quaint and unique gift shops and specialty restaurants. I read about it in Midwest Living so thought we should check it out. The homemade raspberry chocolate ice cream was a big hit with me but Jack wrinkled up his nose when I touched his lips with it.
Jack and his dad get in a little spring training in the evening. They are anticipating some quality father and son time watching the Detroit Tigers this year.
What could warm a mother's heart more than watching son and grandson share a goodnight story and prayer. You may have noticed that Jack finds comfort in his pacifier. He will have one in his mouth and find another, spit one out and put the other one in. So when he spit it out in the Jewel parking lot and wind blew it under a car, I had no choice but to get on my hands and knees and reach under the back tire of a car to fetch it. What a grandma will do for her grandchildren and I know you grandmas understand!

Smiles a Minute

2009-02-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed 10 baby filled days in February with Angie and grandchildren. Dan was a busy dad working all day and helping with early morning breakfast and evening bath time. The days are filled with lots of smiles, hugs, toys, snacks, laundry, diapers, books, swings and a few cartoons. I'm now a fan of Backyardigans although I haven't memorized the theme song yet. Here is a glimpse of baby days in Steamboat. Cooper and Tucker are buddies. Hudson and Claire enjoy the indoor swing.
While I was there the town celebrated Winter Festival. We watched children skiing behind horses that raced down the street. One evening we enjoyed the fireworks from the deck hot tub on a beautiful clear night. Oh, the fun of living in a mountain town.Dan traveled with us to Denver and Angie and I flew with her dad to Phoenix for some warm sunny days. What a contrast.

We sure live in a beautiful and diverse country!

Baby Jack

2009-02-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

The last week of January we drove to Wheaton, IL to visit Jack and his parents. Tom was a confident driver on the super highways following each command of his new GPS. If it hadn't been for slowing down at all the toll booths we would have arrived a few minutes earlier. On the return trip we purchased an I-pass so next time it will be smooth sailing. You know, when you are traveling to see a grandson and his folks, no delay is acceptable.

Jack is on the move, scooting around, and like his dad, is fascinated with books.
At eight months old, Jack is learning about his world by using his senses.

" You might not believe this, but, duck strings are satisfying too."
"Best of all is being held by people who love me, like mommy, daddy and granpda."

Winter's Wonder

2009-01-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

We've been experiencing some pretty and cold weather recently. I've been staying close to the home fires. Today I ventured out, the beauty was drawing me. I had to capture the whiteness and experience the cold crisp air while we lay in wait of another snow storm.

The land was quiet except for a gust of wind that blew snow off the trees, not one cheep from a bird. I know they are near because Tom keeps a path to the feeder and they frequent it all day.

I marvel at what the trees endure, how they hold on to their little pine cones.

The snow on the pine trees look like frosting, it brings a serene beauty with the graceful lines it accents. Again, our land gives back to us by just being here. This truly is a gift that I often take for granted in the busyness of life.

And yet on these frosty days, its minus 5 degrees F as I write this and it will get colder before the night is done, I'm thankful for a cozy home.

Tomorrow it will be too cold for Conley to play outdoors so she will have to be satisfied to play with an indoor snowman.

Christmas Memories

2009-01-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

I still have my Christmas tree up, it seems when you take it down, you are leaving behind the fun, the celebration, the season of thoughtful giving, the praises of thankfulness to God for Jesus, the wonderful music and decorations and meals prepared with love. So to drag out my nostalgia into the new year, here are some sweet pictures of our Michigan Christmas.

Conley likes to visit our old neighbor and friend, Toni who turned
92 this past December.
Did I mention that Jack came to visit ... with his dad and mom? We couldn't keep our hands off his cuteness.

When the word got out that there were cute babies at our house, Aunt Di and Uncle Steve came for a visit. So did Aunt Donna and cousin Carrie but I totally forgot to get out the camera. The camera came out to capture Conley and daddy singing
"Deck the Halls" with the Christmas duck. Conley enjoyed the tree and carefully touched the ornaments and beads.

Steamboat Christmas

2008-12-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

How fun for us this year to fly out to Steamboat and enjoy an early Christmas. Of course I want to share the beauty of Steamboat and the sweet and innocent faces of grandchildren. Our first day, Dan and Angie took us to Strawberry Hot Springs with Hudson and Claire. Now that was amazing with the air temperature at 6F and water temperature 109F!

Angie manages to get in some last minute Christmas shopping with all the children.

And then...it's (early) Christmas morning!

To get a skier's view of Steamboat, we took Hudson and Claire to the top of the mountain on the gondola.

Let it Snow!

2008-12-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

Today is one of the beautiful snowy days in southwest Michigan. My little helper, Conley, helped me decorate an outside tree and put together a winter planter for the front entrance. She enjoyed making "snow cakes" in the gently falling snow. Tom loves getting some fresh air and keeping his customers supplied with firewood.
Fran just loves being outside with the beauty of fresh fallen snow and spending time with Conley.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Tennessee with Angie's family and enjoyed genuine southern hospitality.
The days passed quickly but that Lions/Titans game just wouldn't end. Even our Lions cheerleaders lost heart.

Our hostesses were great but when you mixed up those Titans and Lions fans, it was a free for all!

Aunt Nancy and Emily were tireless in providing for our every need. They fed us like royalty and provided "Loving Arms Childcare."

Then the behind the scenes workers, the stage manager Gary and his assistant, Scott.

The weekend began with a flying start that became a busy time of wonderful meals, praising God in prayer and song, visiting a Civil War battle field and attending the Grand Ole Opry. The peaceful landscape and friendly folks warmed our hearts with memories that will last.

Workplace

2008-11-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

Many ask if I am still working, the answer is yes.

I work in the Education Department of a small rural hospital that is about a 16 mile drive from home. I love this drive through the countryside past a tree farm a cattle farm, a golf course, a small village then around a beautiful lake. I never tire of it because I only work two days a week and am able to work on days that accommodate my other responsibilities and appointments.

I sometimes miss the patient care in the operating room that I left 3 years ago but I enjoy the people I work with and my projects. This is a picture of my boss and my office mate. We really
have a good time, lots of laughs.

The above two pictures are my lunch buddy, regulatory affairs and another sweet grandma friend in the quality department.

When I'm not talking about my adorable grandchildren, I work on education programs for all hospital employees. This includes self-learning modules, computer based programs, presenting inservice education and applying for continuing education credits for nursing programs. Much of my time is spent writing and revising forms that are used to document employee performance. Healthcare is not static, changes due to new technology, equipment, treatments and medication keep this department in constant flux. There, now maybe even my sons have an idea about what their mother does at work these days.

Autumn's Gift

2008-10-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Many of you live in beautiful places too.

Last week I took a leisurely walk with my camera and basked in the peacefulness and serene beauty of our land and our neighbor's. With all the chaos in the world, it was good for the soul to spend some time with God as he showed me his love for mankind.

What the pictures don't capture is the warm sun on my shoulder, the scurry of small woodland creatures and the sound of the wind in the trees and cornfields or the smell of autumn leaves.

Come, join me as we walk together, sharing God's grace.

October Surprise

2008-10-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

This was an October surprise and I'm not talking politics!

Our sons and their families came from Michigan and Colorado to Wheaton, IL to surprise us and honor our 40 years of marriage.

When you celebrate with six grandchildren 2 years old and under, its all about child's play.
The fun begins with lunch and naps so the ladies could get away for a short shopping trip.

Hudson, Conley and Claire show Jack how to get a good work out at the park.

It's a beautiful day for a walk through the zoo and pumpkin patch.

Conley's Birthday Party

2008-10-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

For a two year old, two days is not too long to wait for your birthday party.

Conley's cousins were a big help in helping her open her gifts especially since you have to use one hand to hold balloons. A big hit was the Max and Ruby dvd and colored picture.
The perfect birthday photo-op, birthday cake and birthday balloons!!
And now for the big surprise... "bouncy, bouncy!"

Conley's Two

2008-10-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

Conley Frances spent her birthday with the ladies. She and her two grandma's and mommy went to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch.

With a little help she picked apples right off the tree. She agreed that the apple is delicious!

So many pumpkins to choose from and some even look like people.

Mommy and Conley look in the store but Conley finds the perfect pumpkin for her.

Grand Visit

2008-09-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Last week we enjoyed a wonderful busy and smiley, cuddly visit to Dan and Angie's.

Tucker and Cooper are cooing and smiling and looking so innocent as they play under their mobile and are rocked to sleep.

Hudson and Claire are active two year olds that love exploring and being on the move.

Dan and Angie manage all the activity with a positive attitude and find time with each little one to encourage and love.

Remembering

2008-09-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Tom and I took a trip to San Diego. My brother, Mike lived here for several years during his years in the Navy. It was his request that his ashes be given to the US Navy for burial at sea and this was our mission. We met with his sons and even visited his former home. Many of the sights, we last saw when we visted with Mike and his family in 1986.

Quietness in Amish Country

2008-08-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

This week my friend Ethel and I enjoyed the peace of shopping and dining in northern Indiana. A day away from the hustle and bustle of life. Strolling through colorful quilt shops, a "girlie" cafe and finishing the day with a Southern Gospel concert was good for the soul. The horse and buggies reminded me of days long ago when I brought my dad here and he was reminded of his youth with horses. Sweet memories and a relaxing present. If you want to join me for another stroll back in time, come for a visit.