What Day Is It?

Just spent a weekend with the grands from Chicago and on Sunday the grands from Missouri that just moved to Michigan were here too. They had a lot of fun together.   Time, as we know it, ceases to exist, so that we forget what day it is.  
Yesterday we went to Greenfield Village; it was the perfect day for it; sunny and not too hot.  The kids love to go there; it's become a family tradition, I think.  Anyway, all is quiet now but there will be pictures appearing on the blog in the next couple of days.  Hoping my really sloooooooow computer can handle them all.  There is nothing worse than a slow computer and this one needs some expert attention.

Thursday??????

Between my slow computer and sometimes not feeling good, I sure do get behind on these blogs.  The Donald and I went to Schwartz's Greenhouse yesterday and grabbed all their bargain flowers for our deck now that it is nicely stained.  They close the end of June and there were still lots of flowers left.  What fun, because it wasn't crowded and we could pick and choose carefully.  They were in great shape too.  So here is a picture gallery of our finished project.  We did it first thing in the morning yesterday before it got too hot. You gotta love those purple wave petunias!!

Gotta love that pretty plant behind the planter

Busy June

Really, we have had a busy spring so far, and I have not taken any pictures of the goings on.  Ry-Guy, the oldest grandchild turned 12 on June 2.  Well, I feel so old now and don't know where the time has gone.  I had better grab my kisses and hugs and cuddles while I still can.  
On Sunday before Memorial day, Kevin and Audrey said they were moving home on Monday; the NEXT DAY.  What a pleasant shock.  They loaded up 2 cars with what they could carry and are staying at her grandpa's condo; he no longer lives there.  Then Kevin and Audrey went back to Missouri last week and packed the rest up and the movers took it all.  They are renting their old house and bought a new (I mean new) house in Macomb Twp and we will need a map of Michigan because we know nothing about that side of town.  Kevin is in Australia right now (18 hour plane trip) to do some training and he called from there last night at 9:30 p.m. to wish his dad a happy father's day.  It was 11:30 Monday morning there.  Exciting, but talk about jet lag!!
Last week, Don stripped our deck and re-stained it. Boy, was that a project.  But it looks, oh, so nice.  Thursday we plan to go the Northville farmer's market and buy some plants for the built-in planters that also got a shiny new coat of stain.  
And finally, yesterday was Riles' 8th birthday and we celebrated with a steak dinner because that is what she requested.  Are we starting with a new trend here?  Will the next kid want Lobster?  
It was nice to have some cousins here to help her celebrate and we are so happy that Miss Maddie and Amelia have moved back to Michigan.  The cousins in Chicago called last night to get in on the act; we missed them and hope to see them this weekend.  I'd better get that camera back in use again!

The Best

I must say, this is the best my poor stomach has felt in weeks.  I am truly amazed that I haven't suffered the problems that just yesterday I was still dealing with.  As I am trying to live one day, one moment at a time, I will take today and NOT worry that the pain will come back tomorrow.  I actually ate some real food today and am thankful for answered prayer today.  

Garbage Day

If you want to know what your neighbors are buying and consuming just take an early morning walk before the garbage men come.  This morning I saw lots of pizza boxes; even frozen pizza boxes.  One house had about 25 water bottles along with several bottles of 2 liter sprite.  Wow and that laundry detergent....I wonder if that is better than what I use?  I'll bet that one family eats a lot of popcorn.  And why would the neighbors across the street buy such a large quantity of tea bags...I am talking maybe Costco size here.  Of course there are the families with babies and empty diaper boxes.  And hmm...what kind of wine is that?  I was afraid to get much closer. Some people did some home improvement projects or got something new for the house.  And some things are truly unrecognizable.  And then there is our orange box filled to the brim with all kinds of stuff.  That big jar that had mixed nuts from Costco in it.  A used box of lo-cal ice cream bars, Costco milk cartons, Rice milk carton, and many other things.  It was a very enlightening morning walk.  I did take time to listen to the birds chirp.

Way Back When-sday: Circa 1957

             My dad had a light blue Buick: a nice car!


I am nine years old in this picture and am the second to the right.  There were only four of us then, and we used to vacation in Canada at Wasaga Beach near Colllingwood, Ontario and the Blue Mountains.  We rented a cute little cottages on Lake Huron.  The girl on my right is my second cousin Patsy and she lived nearby and would visit us for a couple of days. She was 2 years older than me. She is related to my grandma's side of the family who were all born in Canada.  I loved this vacation; it was so much fun and so much to do.  The mountains were not all built up back then and we could climb to the highest spot and look through a telescope and see for miles.  
Several years ago Donaldo and I went to Collingwood, the mountains and the beach and didn't recognize a thing.  It is big ski area now and all the little cottages are long gone.
I have been looking for my cousin Patsy and a year ago in Florida I met someone from her hometown who knew her.  She was going to get back to me; we exchanged emails and everything.  I can't find her email and perhaps she lost mine, but after seeing this picture I am going to renew my effort to find her name and email.  
It's nice to remember fun summer vacations when you were a kid!

Good Day

It was a beautiful day to have a good day.  It was good to feel like myself again. If I am learning anything from this struggle it is to take one day at a time.  So, I rejoice that this was a good day.  I did so many things that I haven't done in awhile.  Besides my daily morning walk, I got my hair cut.  There is nothing like a haircut to make you feel better.  Then I got a flat of flowers and planted them.  Everything went great with that until I unknowingly uncovered a red ant nest.  I don't know if you have ever had red ants crawl on you, but those tiny little critters sting.  They are so tiny they can crawl in your gloves and on you trowel ewwww!!!  I hosed them down and went in and washed my arms.  So I have one flower bed that is finished and looks oh, so pretty.
Something is eating my Basil; I think it might be cut worms so I will have to buy new ones and keep them in a pot.  
I also went to Target; I picked up a few things, but not too much.  I was quite proud of myself.  We have certainly saved money the last couple of weeks with me not feeling like shopping.  
I just made chicken packets for dinner and I can already smell the.  Along with the chicken, I put green beans, onion, and potatoes and seasoned them with a little salad dressing and sage and Rosemary from the herb garden. 
Thank you Lord for this beautiful day. 

Struggle

I have had a bit of a struggle the last couple of weeks and my creativity has dried up.  I would like to thank all my friends and my two daughters and Don for their prayers and encouragement on my behalf. Between the stomach issues that can't be resolved and the medication for depression that seems to make the stomach issues worse, I have been between a rock and a hard place.  One of my veins is permanently scarred from so many IV'a and blood draws so they have to use another vein.  Through it all, God has remained faithful.  I am so glad they haven't found anything serious.  
This verse was sent to me today from a very unlikely source and it was the perfect verse for today. 


"And He said to me, 'sufficient for thee is my grace, for my power in infirmity is perfected...therefore will I rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on me."  2 Corinthians 12:9