LIFE CHANGES

After 5 years and 1 month of widowhood, I met a very nice man. It came about in a strange way, but I guess things that are meant to happen do happen that way. My very best friend since 3rd grade(that is 66 years ago) called me last winter from TX. She and her hubby,(my classmate also) winter down there every year. She said, Patti, I have met a man down here, a very nice widower and guess what, he lives in Michigan 10 miles from you house. She said that when they came home in the spring they would come see me and they would invite this man to go out to lunch with us.

I had not dated since my husband died and pretty much thought I would remain a widow and I was OK with that. My many friends, family, home, travel and garden keep me busy. That does not mean there were not many lonely times, but you do adjust in a fashion and kinda except things for what they are.

I had nearly forgotten about the fella, until my friend called and said they were coming to stay with me for the 4th of July weekend. Another couple of friends were coming also. So we all went out for lunch and Mr P met us. After lunch we all came back to my place where we played cards and ate pie. Mr P seemed like a nice enough fella.

The next morning my friends and I were lounging around in our jammies and having breakfast. The doorbell rang and there was Mr P again even tho none of us really remembered inviting him for breakfast.

From that time on I do believe Mr P was at my house most every day. The rest of the summer was filled with movies, dinners out and dinners in, long rides, games, cards, ice cream. Mr P met my family and friends and I met his family and friends. A much different life than what I had become accustom to.

We talked of marriage. I was not as sure as Mr P was, but a friend said to me, what are you waiting for. I had to admit that it was kinda silly to wait, as we were not spring chickens anymore and time at this age can be short. Both of us losing our spouses had taught us that.

So on October 22, 2011, we were married with around 70 of our family and best friends cheering us on. It was a wonderful simple, fun , but very meaningful wedding and really meant a lot to both Mr P and me.

Our now 10 children gave us a wonderful wedding night at a darling little inn in Frankfort. We had a wedding suite with champagne, dozen red roses and chocolate covered strawberries. We even had a jacuzzi and sauna. They also included a gift certificate for dinner at one of my favorite places. It was a wonderful gift to us.

So now we are ready to move forward with our new lives and enjoy each other and travel to wonderful and exciting places. I hope to chronicle our life and travels here as we travel thru our new lives.together.

SUMMER

Am so behind in blogging. Oh well it has been busy and much has happened. First of all it was a wonderful summer. Most of my family were here, but this summer mostly one family at a time. I love that, even tho I love for all the families to be together, it is nice to have the smaller groups. Just get to spend more time with each one. More one on one. I have never seen so much fishing going on. They all like it because you can throw in a line and almost immediately catch a little fish. Lots of fun.

Even got to Iowa a couple of times over the summer. I love going out there and seeing some of the grandchildren in their sports. Everyone always makes a great effort to all get together while there. It is just great.

Have surprise news in my next post!

June is almost history already.

My daughters Elie and Elin came for a couple of days on the Memorial Day weekend. I then rode back to Iowa with them so I could attend my granddaughter, Katy's graduation party.

Was a great party. She had the party with her friend, Jackelyn and they had a great turn out of friends and family.

I am so proud of Katy. Not only is she beautiful, but she graduated at the top of her class with a 4.3 grade point. She received many awards, was on the cross country team and soccer teams and was in many plays. I love it that she is always at all our family gatherings and she just loves all her cousins. She has done a lot of babysitting for her younger cousins for many years. She will be attending the University of Iowa next year. Next year will have 5 grandchildren in college. Going to be so much fun to see where their educations will lead them in the coming years.

This summer I have my grandson Ian in China and my granddaughter, Jenny just returned from studying fashion design in Florence, Italy for a semester. I'm thinking they are going to know a lot more about the world than I did at their age.

We are so ready!

The city has the beach ready, the petunias planted and the city streets cleaned. The beds are made, the laundry is done, the house is cleaned, the flowers and the garden are planted. Only need to make some cookies and finish the soup. So bring on summer, the tourists and friends and family. Am so ready and anxious to see everyone!!

Never thought I would see the day!

It seems like I have spent my life trying to save my teeth. I would really like to know the amount of money that has been spent in that pursuit.

I had really cute baby teeth. Only thing is, they did not fall out like most kids. My Mom became quite concerned when at 8 years old, I had not lost a tooth. So she carted me off to a dentist and a doctor, who gave me gas and pulled all my front top and bottom teeth.

When they gave me the gas and I was out, I all at once sat straight up and started screaming my lungs out. My Mom started screaming, Oh my you are hurting my darling daughter, and they had to escort her out of the room. I actually was not hurting, I believe it was just a reaction to the gas.

When we left the doctors office, my Mom and Grandma stopped and bought me some scissors and paper dolls. When we got home they were in the kitchen talking and I went into the living room and slid behind a chair. Instead of cutting out the paper dolls, I proceeded to take those scissors and cut off all my eyebrows and eyelashes. When my Mom came to check on me, she started screaming again. Here I sat with no teeth, no expression with no eyebrows or eyelashes. Must have been a pretty sight. Horrid thing was that I had just started at a new school and had to go to school looking like that.

Eventually I got my 2nd teeth only to have them come in all crooked. So then I wore braces for 5 years.

As years went by I lost a few teeth, had gum problems, got bridges, had root canals, crowns etc. Sometimes we had insurance and sometimes we didn't. My hubby was having dental problems along with me. Of course there were 7 children who needed dental care also. Not complaining that was just the way it was.

What I am getting at here is, what happened to me yesterday. I got up and had some swollen gums. Since I am planning to take a little trip next week, I thought I had best call my dentist and see what was going on. When I called them they said, Oh doctor is out of town till next week for his daughters wedding. But they said why don't you come in and we can take an xray and if you have an infection we can get you some drugs. When I got to the office, I was surprised to see my former dentist, who has retired standing there. I said what are you doing here and he said I thought I would see what is going on with you. Now this dentist is just the nicest man I know and also very good looking. Sometimes I am sad he is happily married to his lovely wife of many years(just kidding). Even tho I like the new dentist, I was very sad when this one retired.

So they take an xray, he checks my problem and we have some nice chats to catch up on our lives. He says I do not have an infection that will be helped by drugs or a tooth problem. More like a viral infection or irritation. Kinda like a canker sore on the gum. He gave me some stuff to rub on my gums and said it would go away in a few days. So I get up to leave and he follows me out to reception desk and we are chatting the whole time. At last I say, well I guess you had better give me the bill and they say, oh there is not charge! WHAT!!!!! In all these years that is the first time I have not had a bill at a dentist office...I still can not believe it. I knew I liked that man. Kinda made my day!! Guess there are some advantages to being a Sweet (debatable)Little(debatable) Old (not debatable) Lady after all.

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom has been gone now for 8 years next month. Oh how I miss her. Don't know why but the longer it is the more I seem to miss her.

Her name was Zelma Opal and she never liked her name. I always thought it was cool, cause I have never ever heard of anyone else having that name. One of my uncles used to call her Old Pal, which I liked too.

When I was very little she was very strict with me and spent a lot of time teaching me manners and how to behave. Every once in a while I would rebel and my punishment was to stand in a corner. I would be very upset and to get back at her I would pick my nose and wipe my boogers on the wall. Oh my, it was very hard for her to understand how her sweet child could act so horrid. As you can see, I definitely needed to be taught those manners. Poor Mom. I did eventually learn all she taught me and am so thankful for her patience and love.

I always knew she loved me, but she sometimes had a little problem. She was not always the most brave person. One time when we were up to a lake visiting some relatives, she and I went for a walk. I think I was about 7 or 8 years old. Suddenly out of no where a billy goat had gotten loose and started chasing us. Well so much for a Mother protecting her child.. We started to run toward the house. We were running as fast as we could and suddenly she ran right past me and into the house way before me. Leaving me to fend for myself. Luckily I did outrun the silly goat, but I never let her forget the fact that she was supposed to protect me. We laughed about that for years.

She was a wonderful cook and baker of the best cakes, pies and cookies. She loved to garden and had the most beauiful flowers around. Some called her the "flower lady". She and I just loved to go shopping together. She adored her grandchildren and the feeling was mutual. She was my very best friend and all my girl friend loved her too. She liked nothing better than to sit and gab with all us girls.

So I am missing my beautiful, wonderful Mom today, but I really miss her everyday. I shall always love her.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. You are still loved and missed by so many.

Some of the pretty flowers I rec'd from my thoughtful children. They all treat their old Mama very well. Thank you all and I just love you all to pieces!

MY HOW THINGS CHANGE

Today as I was going through some drawers full of lots of old pictures and such I found something kinda interesting. It was interesting to me because in my last post I wrote about my birthday.  So what I found was the hospital bill for my birth 74 year ago.  There seems to be quite a difference from the hospital bills of today. The bill was for $50.00 and my Mom spent 10 days in the hospital.  To be fair, I guess I should say that I think my Dad was making $15.00 a week delivering coal and my Mom was not working.  When my folks first got married, my Dad had a paper route which paid him $2.00 a week and my Mom earned $2.00 a week working for some rich folks.  She cleaned, cooked, did laundry and ironed.  She managed to save enough money out of those earnings to buy my Dad his first ever top coat.  Amazing.

Some day I will post a picture of my Dad  in his that new top coat.  He really looked quite dapper.

Birthday

Celebrated my 74th birthday yesterday.  Yikes, how did I get that old.  Was a good birthday because I rec'd many phone calls and Facebook greetings from all my family and many friends all over the world.  What was strange, was when it dawned on me that this was the first time in 74 years that I have ever spent my birthday alone. Bothered me for a while until I went to the store and got myself a cake and ice cream.  Didn't quite take the place of having folks around to celebrate with me, but it helped quite a bit. On the other hand, being able to celebrate all those years with family and friends is a true blessing which has given me a wealth of wonderful memories.  One of my favorite was the surprise party my hubby sprung on me for my 45th birthday.  It was really a big surprise to me and so many people came.  It was great fun.  Best gift I rec'd was from my dear departed friend, Betsy Powell.  She made me a pillow that said, "I would rather be 45 than pregnant".  After having been pregnant with 7 children  for 13 years it seemed quite appropriate. So now it is on to 75, the good Lord willing.  Besides I do not feel a day over 45.  I do need to get rid of all my mirrors tho.

A Wonderful Winter Break

I returned a couple of weeks ago from a most wonderful month in Florida. This is the first time I have gotten to stay that long. Amazing how fast that month passed by. The weather was great with most days in the 80's, but the nights cooled off, so it was good sleeping weather. I stay with my old friend, Joann. She has been my friend for over 40 years. Used to be 4 couples of us were in Florida together every year, but as the years have passed, our group has gotten smaller and smaller and now only the 2 of us get down there. Sad!

Jeanne and Richard took us out on their boat one day. We went to Cabbage Key to have a cheeseburger in paradise. I love going there. The day we went was a beautiful day.

Deedee, Mary Lou, Joann and I also went out on a gambling boat, the Big M and that was another beautiful day. And I won. Course I only play nickles, but hey, who cares if ya can win!! We eat out at the Shrimp Shack every Thursday night. Got to Captain Con's a couple of times, a German place, the Lazy Flamingo, the Island Cow and a new pizza place we all liked. We went shopping, spent time at the library, ate lots of key lime pie, ate a bit of ice cream, read 5 books and think we went to pool every day but two days. Met lots of new people. Had a car the whole time, which is really nice. Think we went someplace everyday. The day I returned it was in the 60's in GR and felt pretty good. when I arrived home, was delighted to see most of the snow had melted. Sadly spring did not last and a storm came last night and today. I could not even get my doors open. Sounds like it is going to be a cold week also. Guess I came home to soon!! But it is nice to be home. Now I am thinking about spring cleaning, yard and garden work. May have to take another road trip once the snow gets gone again.

So proud of my son and another adventure

At the end of January I took a trip, via Amtrak out to Iowa for my son, Evan's induction into his high school Hall of Fame for his swimming achievements. Of my 7 children, Evan is the only one to be in a Hall of Fame.  It was a very special and wonderful occasion and honor. 

He gave a wonderful acceptance speech.  He included his whole family,, friends and coaches in his speech and told how each  had inspired him and helped him attain his swimming goals.  He still holds 4 records after all this time. He attend high school from 1991-1994.

All his siblings were able to attend except one.  In fact about 30 friends and family attended in his honor.

  

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Evan, his wife Traci and daughters, Tori and Tessa traveled all the way from Arkansas for the induction.  It was a very quick and long trip for them especially with the new baby.  It was also the first time for most of the family to meet Tessa. 

I am so glad I was able to attend.  My only regret was that Evan's dad wasn't still around to be there.  He would have been so proud of his "Big Evan" as he affectionately called his 6'5" son.  Evan paid great tribute to his Dad during his speech. Always makes me cry!

Returning home from Iowa turned out to be a new adventure.  First of all I was delayed for two days because of blizzard that hit Chicago really hard.  I took for the first time the Mega Bus from Des Moines to Chicago and then the train from Chicago to Michigan.  Mega Bus pretty good, especially because it only cost me 50 cents.  When I got to Chicago, Union Station was so busy I could not believe it.  People were stacked up everywhere and all the trains were late.  I got into Michigan 2 hours late.  Luckily my dear brother had stopped in Holland and shoveled my car out for me.  Would have taken me forever.  As it was I did not get home until almost midnight.  I was one tired gal. 

 It was all well worth it tho.  Anytime I can spend time with all my family is a great time and I will do it every chance I get!

My Dad

My Dad passed away 1 year ago today.  How is that possible that a year has passed so quickly?  Here I am living in his place, a place he and my Mom loved so much. Memories of them surround me everyday.  Thank you Dad for taking such good care of me for 73 years. I love you,and miss you so much, always will.

Thanksgiving 2010

There is an old saying that goes.  The faster I go, the hinder I get.  Well in November and December I just got hinder and hinder with my blogging! So this will be an attempt to catch up a little bit.

The week before Thanksgiving I took the train to AR to meet my new granddaughter, Tessa.  Oh how I enjoyed that week.  I got to hug and squeeze that sweet baby for a whole week.  I was in heaven. She is just such a little butterball and so much fun to cuddle with.



Sweet Tessa



Got to spend some quality time with Tori also.  Was able to see her swim in a swim meet, went to her school, went to her favorite yogurt place and we danced and danced.  Dancing bout did me in but sure did enjoy it at the time  Tori is a great swimmer and for a 6 year old, she has the most beautiful strokes.  Probably doesn't hurt that her Dad is a swim coach!!

Dancing!



Diving in!





Mimi, Tori, Tessa and me.



We fit an awful lot into that week.  Got to go out to eat at some fun places and meet a lot of Evan, Traci and Tori's friends.  Even got to spend some time will Mimi, the other grandma. I really loved my whole time in AR and being with my family.



Then my son, Evan drove me  to just south of Kansas City and my son Eddy came from Iowa and  met us and he took be up to Iowa.  Then I got to spend a week in Iowa and got to see a lot more of my family.  Ended up having 3 Thanksgiving dinners.  I first stayed with Eddy, Karen and Owen and  had wonderful Thanksgiving Day dinner with them and Karen's brother and his wife.  That evening we went over to Ethan and Maya's house, where we had delicious appetizers and soups.  A lot of my family came to that.  Then on Saturday a big gang of us went up to Elin and Terry's for another terrific Thanksgiving Day dinner,  It was another great week.  Everyone made great efforts for us all to get together several times and  I loved being with my kids and grandkids..



Some of my tough girl, granddaughters. Carrie, Katy, Anna and Jenny.





Erin and John.




Anna and Ian.




Elin and Terry who hosted one of the great Thanksgiving dinners.




Eddy and Karen feeling mighty full.




Jonathan and Owen chilling!


I got back around December 1st and it dawned on me that Christmas was not far off, so I got busy shopping, mailing cards and packages and baking up a storm.  My daughters, Elie and Erin came all the way from Iowa to be with me for Christmas.  On Christmas Day we had Elie, Erin, Jeff, Dawn and Bob and Sue here for most of the day.  It was a fun day.



Bob and Sue enjoying their Christmas.

  

Christmas Eve dinner with Dawn, Jeff, Erin, Elie and me.



My "Kiss My Face" lotion.  It is just peachy!''



Elie at State Park with her new cross country ski's



So I got thru the holidays pretty good.  I still had my times of sadness when I started missing, my Mom, Dad and John.  They all loved the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so much.  Must be thankful for all the wonderful holidays we did have together, but it is very hard sometimes. It is always amazing to me, when you can be in a whole roomful of people and suddenly waves of sadness hit you, cause you know someone is missing and you know how much they would have loved being there. I believe I will always have these moments for as long as I live.



After the girls left for home, I had another downer time for a while, until I decided I had to make some things happen.  I guess I have to have things to look forward to or I don't do so well.  So I got busy and made plans for "The Sisterhood with the Views" to come spend a weekend here on 15th.  Then I go via train to Iowa for my son Evan's induction into the Swimming Hall of Fame at end of month.  I will come home from that and a couple weeks after that will leave for FL for a month.  By the time I get home spring won't be far off and there is always lots to do at that time of year. Then summer with family visiting, garden, flowers, golf and beach - I should be good for a while again- but who knows!! Besides by the time I get back, I should have lots to blog about!!