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!!

MY BEAUTIFUL 15TH GRANDCHILD!!

On September 17, 2010 my 15th grandchild, Tessa Ann Johnston was born. Tessa is the 2nd daughter of my son. Evan and his wife, Traci. They had trouble having babies until they had invitro and their first daughter, Tori was born about 6 years ago. A truly beautiful miracle baby.They were able to save some embryos for another time.  When the time came to have another child, they used their saved embryos to no avail, so they went thru the whole grueling invitro procedure again.  But again it did not work.  After so many disappointments they decided it was not to be and were thankful they at least had Tori.  But lo and behold, God worked another miracle and they became pregnant the old fashion way and beautiful Tessa joined their family . We welcome you, Tessa into our family and we are so glad you are here!!

FALL

A sure sign of fall. Soon frost will be on the pumpkins!

My friend Joann, came to stay with me for two weeks in July. Despite her memory and hearing problems we had a great time. She would have been happy just sitting on my front porch everyday, but I took her many places and we had a good time. I took the ferry with her to WI where her daughter met us. We had lunch and I returned home on the ferry. Got my ferry trip in for the year. I do love to ride the ferry. Brings back lots of happy memories for me.

Where did the summer go?

Seems we celebrated Labor Day and summer ended even tho it does not officially end until late September. Lots of wind and cooler temps have arrived and like always I am not ready to give up summer.

It was a beautful summer. So much better than last summer. Was to hot in many areas of the country, but here by the lake it was marvelous. Never turned on the air conditioner.

The summer started with my Dad's memorial service. It was simple and heartfelt and I think Dad would have been pleased both with the service and the many friends and relatives that came to honor him. Always so sad to say goodby to those we love. In the last 7 years we have had to say goodbye to way to many family members and friends. Life does go on, but never is quite the same.

It was a bittersweet time. Tough to say goodbye to Dad, but wonderful to have so much of my family together. All were here, except one granddaughter. While here, my twin girls turned 50 years old. Man oh man did those years fly by.

My brother and sister in law invited the whole gang to their place for a big party, where we actually celebrated five June birthdays. Erin, Elin, Campbell, Katy and Julie. Was a great party. After everyone left, my son Ethan and his family stayed on for a while and so enjoyed getting to spend that extra time with all of them.

The rest of the summer was filled with friends and family visiting.  Lots of trips to beach and State Park. Must say I really enjoyed my first summer here by the lake.  It is truly a beautiful spot.  I would love to be sharing it with John, but that was not meant to be I guess.  There are times I seem to feel his presence so perhaps he is still coming around to be with me.  I hope so.

Had some fun filled days up at Susan's with the girls, The Sisterhood with the View.

In July I attended my 55th high school reunion.  We all had a wonderful time.  We are all alarmed tho that our next reunion in 5 years we will all be mighty close to 80 years old. Yikes!!  Those years have certainly flown by quickly. 

Mt Pleasant High School Class of 1955