More Familie

Top Left: Dad & Doris Center Top: Amy's DQ Cake Top Right: Amy & Russ Bottom Left: Keith & Lisa Bottom Right: Mom & Her 3 Daughters

Familie Christmas Fun

Mel & I with Amy,Steff & Rob.(left)
Dad,Steff & Rob assembling the bowling game(middle)
Jessica,the performer(right)

Midway Between Christmas & New Years

Again I have really lost almost a month& don't know where & it can't be retrieved,so I go on from here. Hope Christmas was a good time for everyone. Ours was very different,but all the girls and families were home & that is what counts! We celebrated twice-the 23rd we went for a very good meal at Dad & Doris' then had opening of gifts. They were surprized with a bowling game which was assembled with group effort then the fun began. I even took a few turns but ended up throwing left handed & it worked quite well. Christmas Eve was a busy day as Steff & Rob had a quick run to W. Va,but made it back home in time,plus everyone else was scrambling to other familie events. Then we gathered at Keith,Lisa & Jessica's home for a really delicious & filling ham dinner. Later we had too many choices of desserts,one being a Dairy Queen cake to celebrate Amy's birthday which is on Christmas Day. The fun part was opening gifts,especially Jessica. Since she seems to have a natural talent for music,she was given a keyboard & drumset(to Keith's dismay) & you should have heard her,she has the motions & expressions down right to the "Thank You,Thank You" at the end. Need I say there were quite a few tired people on Christmas but for once,Mel & I got to stay home & be lazy & enjoy the quiet. Now we are trying to catch up on somethings before he returns to work the 2nd of January after 11 days off,and prepare to cheer out 2007 & welcome 2008 right here at home where it is quiet & safe. May all of you have a very good New Year. I will try to post some pix of some of the good times.

December Already?!

Seems last I remember it was October & here it is the 8th of December! Gonna have to quit blinking as seems each time I do,it's later in the year. Did want to get on here after my nice treat the other week. I got to go on a short run with my trucker kids to pick up a load in PA. What was supposed to be a quick trip from here to there ended up being an entire day. I didn't mind as got to spend more time with them & see more of what is involved. My praise goes out to them & to the other truckers,they certainly deserve it!!!! Having to put up with endless paperwork,delayed schedules,lack of communication, unsteady dispatchers,truck repairs,weather, but the worst of all -the MANY,MANY IDIOTS on the roads!!!! They think nothing of cutting right in front of these big monsters & expect THEM to stop on a dime,or being so close to the back they can't be seen. The lack of courtesy & common sense is way too prevalent out on our highways. Granted there are truckers who are just as guilty,but more often it is the nuts behind the wheel of the autos. I can see how much training my two kids had & put into practice all the time & am so very proud of them!!! It was such a great day for me,even having a quick meal cooked in the microwave of their tractor was special because it was shared with them. Yes, I am anxious to be able to go again on a short trip with them if the opportunity ever makes itself available. Was one of the best highlights of my life & I really appreciate them taking me.

Thanksgiving 2007

Here it is,the day before Thanksgiving & do you believe it was 61 degrees at 6:30 this morning?!! Was able to go take care of Steff & Rob's cats without having to put a jacket on! This is remarkable for being November 21st!!!! Came home & walked out by the frogpond & 2 of them were sitting so nicely on their rocks just enjoying it all. Know it isn't going to last as are calling for rain then snow by tonite or tomorrow. But we have really enjoyed the mild weather so far. For tomorrow Mel & I will go have a nice meal with our oldest Lisa,husband Keith & of course granddaughter,Jessica who is becoming a typical 2 year old,but we love her no matter what! All I have to take is devilled eggs which I will do very soon here. Originally we were going to just stay at home & have cheeseburgers cooked out on our grill & watch football,but plans changed. We can do this later & then start bringing out the Christmas decorations. Alot of people have them all up & lit already but I just can't do it as seems too many are pushing Thanksgiving aside & it should be one of the best we celebrate-it was when we were growing up,but I know,things change. So in closing I want to wish everyone a very Blessed Thanksgiving and a Wonderful Holiday Season.

Our New Granddoggies

Yes,there are 2 new additions to the familie thanks to Rob & Steff. Top pic is Mischief,a Black Lab ,& Bottom is Serenity,a Yellow Lab mix. When they were home last week,they went to the APL,were going to get a couple of small ,young dogs to take on the truck with them. But once there they decided to look at some that had been there for awhile & nobody seemed to want . These 2 were together in the last cage-her name was Goldie & she has been there 1 and a half years-someone had gotten her before but brought her back. His name was Willard & he has been there 6 months. Their hearts went out to these 2 especially as she was very docile & unhappy looking & acting. After mentioning to the one in charge there they have cats at home,the suggestion was to take them to the cat room to see how they reacted with those there. Results were very good,so after filling out paperwork,etc. they headed home. On their way they called me so naturally I had to get right over there to meet my 2 Granddoggies. Need I say I fell in love with them especially her right away? Next was to let them meet the cats & vice versa-well,that was definitely a time to "cherish"????? Won't go into detail but am glad it is behind us. Although it probably will be like that each time they return home from travels on the road. Steff changed their names then to Mischief as you can just see it in his eyes & Serenity as she is just so forlorn(But after that long in a cage we would be too). Glad to report they have done well in the truck,she got sick at first but probably because she is now being fed good food she can eat instead of huge hard crunchy dry dogfood. The kids are due home tonite so Friday I will cook them a turkey dinner with all the fixins' & am sure both Serenity & Mischief will enjoy their first Thanksgiving with their new parents & all their feline sisters & brothers.

First Snow

Even though it didn't stick to the ground in our area,we had our first snow yesterday-also,rain,thunder & terribly gusty wind. Guess I have gotten spoiled by our mild weather so far so am dreading the idea of snow & ice. Plus can't sit out by my pond now unless I am bundled up like an Eskimo-but since my frogs are in their winter home I have nothing to entertain me. But I know we have to have the changing seasons and I will enjoy each and every one while I am still able. I hope you are safe and well until next time. HAPPY AUTUMN TO YOU!!!!!!

My little Harlequin reader

I just couldn't resist this one since Gramma is so interested in & involved with Harlequin. This was at our familie gettogether on Halloween. Jessica is at the age she loves learning, I love reading to her as she picks up on alot of the words. Then I was teaching her to sing Row,Row ,Row Your Boat-am glad she is young & can tolerate Gramma's "singing"!

Steff & Rob's 2nd Home

Yes,this is the big green monster that is where they spend most of their time. It may not mean much to some people but I was given a ride in it. Can I admit I was thrilled?! Have to admit also I held back the tears of joy as my "baby" girl was driving this huge beast & handling it better than I do my Jeep!

This was me,Mom who never could ride with any of my girls driving,yet I was more than relaxed & comfortable with her at the wheel. We went to Austinburg,my hometown,and to be riding in this huge truck brought a feeling I can't explain,but I hated when the ride was over. I can see how they like this life,is a whole other world.

Beautiful Autumn weather

Wow,the last 3 days have been so nice,in high 60s,low 70s & the sun so nice and bright. Unfortunately the leaves haven't been bright colors due to higher temps,but you can't have it every year. Saturday Snowball & Sunshine got their stitches removed so they are really happy now-I can't believe Sunshine didn't take them out herself-have had 3 other female cats do that. Now they have assumed the roles of "big sisters" or sub moms to the 4 kittens-is funny as when they give them baths,they lick the fur so it stands up. Ever see 4 kittens running around having "bad fur " days?It is quite a sight! Then they have learned to climb all over(too early for me)-the other day I was sitting working on a project when I heard a THUMP & all I could see were 2 dogs & about 4 cats just staring at our covered swinging top wastebasket. Imagine my surprize when I took off the lid to see a frantic Gizmo at the bottom trying to figure how to get out. Once I stopped laughing it didn't take long but Giz didn't appreciate my sense of humor. Well,last nite another THUMP was heard so hubby went out & in there this time was Tinkerbell. I have to figure out a cover in case I am gone sometime. Today I did some errands & had just gotten home when cousin LaDonna called asking me to meet her for lunch-so did my Willie Nelson imitation"On The Road Again"(this needs to be our familie themesong) & met her at Mary's Diner . We had a nice time mostly visiting which I will miss alot after she & her hubby retire this year & head for Texas for the Winter. At least we have the Internet so that will help. Steff & Rob are due home this weekend and we all are looking forward to it,seems they have been gone forever! Saturday I got to babysit Jessica a few hours and oh the hugs and kisses she gave Gramma! I treasure each & every one!!!! Just wish I could spend more time with her. Then Sunday Amy was so sweet-gave me a break by taking care of Steff & Rob's cats both times-I was lazy & just relaxed-worked on some plastic canvas ornaments and watched football(my Steelers went down) & the last of the Red Sox-Indians. Guess I like torture as had watched NASCAR earlier and my favorite,Ryan Newman came in 2nd. Guess I had better close for now as will soon be time for "Mom's Kitchen" to open for cats & dogs-another day the cleaning didn't get done. Maybe tomorrow????????????

What can I say? Last week I felt like I was running a cat hospital and bed & breakfast. Since it is nearing Halloween & too many people like to do things to black cats,I felt it only right to rescue these adorable little balls of fur. Their mom & they were living under my youngest daughter's porch. After numerous texts & phone conversations between Steffany,Amy & I, we decided to schedule surgery for Mama Cat. Since I couldn't see the kittens being left alone,I caught them one by one(NO easy task!!!!Had many scratches to prove it) then brought them to our house,namely my room. So my room became a kitten nursery & play area. Mama had her surgery the 8th & I brought her home here the 9th & she had to recover 10 days,so she joined our clan. The 10th our 2 female cats had their surgery & I brought them home the 11th-now I really felt like a real caregiver again. All have healed well,Mama was returned to her former home this morning of which she was extremely happy. Sat.a.m. I take Snowball & Sunshine to have their stitches removed. Plan to ask the Dr. to do something as since surgery the 2 have now started following me all over the house "singing" in stereo no less. This surgery was supposed to stop the week long yowling they did before,which is worse?!!! Meanwhile last Tuesday morning I went to start my Jeep to go take care of Steffany & Rob's cats but my vehicle would NOT start-I made a couple phone calls but got no help -decided I couldn't let those poor cats go without morning care & food so I set out & do you believe I actually WALKED the 2 miles from here to there?!!! Thank goodness it was cool & cloudy & I had Gatorade with me. Took many breaks,but I did it! Didn't do a return trip as went to Lisa's place where I could recover & let Jessica entertain me until they dropped me off at home on her way to work. Let's just say, I am glad I did it with no chest pains,etc.,but definitely felt muscles complaining the rest of the week. Worst part,Mel came home from work & the Jeep started right up-it figures!!! We figure it must have been some bad gasoline. Back to the kittens,the pics are of 3 of them,the other is a grey/white longhair I named Gizmo. The black shorthair is named Boo,black longhair is Eule(German for owl because of his owl eyes),& grey longhair is Tinkerbell. Have posted & made phonecalls trying to find homes for them and Mama but nobody wants cats or kittens-there are way too many all over. This upsets all of us to see so many animals just dumped or let loose & free to multiply. We have done our part,all of our "babies" have been fixed or will be & the girls have even paid to have many strays fixed that were around their places. We just wish we had more money or a nice big place for them all,but we hav eto be content with what we have. So now I am trying to get our house back in some order(is that possible?)plus maybe I can get back to my reading for my Harlequin Book Challenge-have read 103 but planned to do more. Also need to make some ornaments for the 4 Ornament Exchanges I am in on Harlequin Boards. The list goes on & on......... Did manage to spend some time out on the swing by our frog pond & I was thrilled to see 15 frogs of all sizes there & even more polliwogs-this warm weather even has them messed up! I am not complaining,this has really been the longest it has been nice this far into Autumn. Have had some late evenings too staying up watching the Cleveland Indians play in the Playoffs-then the kittens are up early playing-SLEEP???? Did I once say I retired from my job to have more time to catch up on things???? Have decided as long as I am able to be busy,helping others,enjoying familie & friends,then maybe that is what I am supposed to be doing. OK,time to wake up,so sorry for rambling on,but needed to catch up. Enjoy each day!!!!

More Challenges

Our darling,Jessica

A Family Surprize Weekend

The weekend really brought many pleasant surprizes & made me realize how in this modern world distances can be ignored by technology. Received a phone call from my brother,Jim, who recently moved to Sandy,Utah with his wife & my niece,Dezerae. They arrived okay and are enjoying the area with mountains in the distance. While we were talking,they were able to observe a dark storm sky when suddenly I heard him say"It's a double rainbow!"-I could only imagine & remember how when we lived in Germany all the times we had seen double rainbows. But they are doing well there,Dezi is settled in school,his job is going well,& their cat,Psycho,survived the trip well in the truck with them. Then,hubby & I were sitting in the living room watching a college football game when I thought I saw someone walk past our window & in shock I told him"Aunt Marian is at our front door!". Needless to say we hurried to put our two dogs out back in their fence as they would have loved her to death & opened the door to welcome her. She is my Great Aunt(was my mom's aunt) but the amazing thing is she will be 100 yrs old next May!! She looks so well,still walks as much as she can,cooks,does crafts & enjoys traveling which she was doing that day with her one son,Neil. She lives on a draft horse farm with her daughter & son-in-law in Seville,Ohio. Hopefully next year we will have a big family party for her! She & Neil came up to visit Geneva,Ashtabula(where they lived years ago) & to visit me as I am the only one in this part of the family who continues to write to her. Even though their visit was a brief one,it meant so much!!! Then I received a text message from our youngest daughter,Steffany,that she & hubby Rob were in Washington state on their way to Laurel,MD. by Monday. They are our long haul truckers & love it. My weekend was made complete when we were visited by middle daughter,Amy,who is the LPN,and "Aunt Amy" had brought our 2-yr-old granddaughter,Jessica to visit. What a little spitfire she is,but we wouldn't trade her precious tight hugs for anything this world could offer. So this is really what makes it all worth it,hearing from & seeing the special loved ones we hold dear to our hearts.

The Quiet

Each day is a new adventure,and I hope I never lose the willingness to learn something new during each one. Today I am so happy I learned how to upload my photos so from now on I will be adding them. When I was out at the pond today I enjoyed watching the 5 resident frogs taking advantage of the sunshine-they are 3 sizes which I think is fascinating. Also saw many tadpoles swimming and trying to hide from the big dark shadow that suddenly came across their safe haven. Will be watching them each day to see how they grow until the weather turns too cold for them.

Turning Over A New Leaf

I heard this expression today and thought WOW,that could fit alot-first since it's September(a new school year for some)- second since is close to Autumn and the leaves will be turning-third,I need to make some changes in my routine & life- fourth,since this is a date to be remembered I feel a need to look at things with a new attitude. So here I am. There is so much I want to do and say but am afraid I tend to ramble,but I have to start somewhere so here I am. The reason I named this as such is we have such a nice pond out back of our house & it does have frogs which I collect and love. Will try to set my thinking around it alot as it is calming to me & I spend alot of time sitting in our swing beside it just watching and thinking. In life we need a calming center and this is mine. When I learn how I will post a couple photos of it here also & add more as the seasons change. So thank you for joining me-grab yourself a nice relaxing cup of tea or coffee or juice and come sit beside the calm country pond and enjoy the quiet. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time,Cherie