Day after Christmas Drive

Pat and I went up to Boyne Falls to buy one last Christmas Gift - so we decided to go over to Mackinaw City for Lunch. On our way we stopped at several Goodwill and Thrift stores - only one dish found - I thought there would be lots more. I keep forgetting how expensive the west side of the State is - I don't spend that much money on my plates. At one store I saw a plate that I have two of here at home - the plate was $15 - so when someone buys my plate with a knife for 2/$15 they are REALLY getting a deal!

We stopped at the Keyhole Bar and Grill in Mackinaw City - as you know from previous posts one of our favorite stops. We had a great perch dinner and headed home. Both on the way to Boyne Falls and back home to Saginaw there were some snow showers that looked as if it might get bad but we really lucked out because the storms were all around us.

I called my brother, Larry in Arizona to see how he is doing and he sounded good. We both said we have to start exercising - I told him if I have to go into rehab after the knee surgery then he should start his hiking again. He said he'd think about it!

So - on to our last day of Christmas vacation. It has been a wonderful week.

Christmas with Pat's Family

We had a really nice Christmas with Pat's family on Christmas Day. It was amazing how many people fit in our duplex. We missed Bernie and Bonnie from Colorado and David and Paula from Lansing - Paula is recuperating from a short hospital stay and we are all glad she is feeling better. Cathy and Martin came from Lansing, Dan and Augie and Matt came from Almont, Mary and Ben from Ann Arbor stayed overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's and brought them over from Midland. Marge from next door stopped over to talk art with Pat's Dad. Joanna and Robin and Sheala and Robbie stopped by for a bit before they went to Robin's Mom's house for Christmas. Jesse and Caroline and all of their troop didn't come over because Christmas is Jesse's birthday and his wish for that day - to stay in his pajama's all day long - I heard he did and he had a wonderful celebration.

Then we all waited for Kellan and Jason to get here from Toronto. She almost didn't make it because she couldn't find her passport. Thankfully at the last minute she remembered it was in a book! They ran back into their home pulling books off the shelves and they found it. It was so good to see them and get hugs from everyone.

It was a delightful evening.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas to all from the Clifford house!

We had such a nice Christmas celebration on Monday - we went to the Family Fun Arcade at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. My sister, Kathy and most of her family were there - Bryant was missing because he had to work. My brother and his wife, Jim and Cindy came with Michael and my cousin Mary Lynn. Then all of our clan was there. The kids had a blast playing in the arcade and the rest of us talked for hours. We really enjoyed it. It was good to be all together for a few hours. We missed Jane and Chris and Larry.

Pat and I went over to St. Peter and Paul's and helped decorate on Tuesday. We had a very nice time and everything looked so festive.

Today is baking day. I'll be in the kitchen for a few hours. But worth all the work I am sure. Best wishes for a very merry Christmas this year.

I am so excited about my cousin, Mary Lynn Andrews, having her Chihuly inspired quilt exhibit. We went to Phoenix with my family and had a field trip to the botanical gardens where there was a Chihuly exhibit. It was so fabulous that Mary Lynn decided to put together a quilt exhibit inspired by Chihuly Glass in the Botanical Gardens.

We have two chances to see this exhibit - listed above - I'll be going to both of course - how exciting!

Done for the Season

Whew - the last craft show was yesterday - and thank you so much for everyone purchasing for Sheala's fundraiser. Joanna and Sheala were so thankful for this boost to her Medical Leadership Forum in Boston this summer.

Thanks to everyone for such a fabulous year - We will be buying for next summer - beginning in June!

See you all next year at the craft shows.

Last Bazaar for the Year!

Sheala has been invited to attend a National Youth Leadership Forum this summer. It is for students wanting to become doctors. We are so excited for her to be able to attend this program. In order to go she needs to raise the funds for the trip. She will be at Horizon Conference Center this Saturday, December 12th, selling my hostess sets. All proceeds will go towards her trip.

Take a look at Sheala's Fantastic Opportunity

Grandy Update

Wow - I did fantastic at Grandy Farm - thanks to all of my friends that came out to see the beautiful old homestead. Deb did such a fantastic job of making everything sparkle. What a wonderful weekend. Hope to be back again next year.

Grandy's Today

I'll be at Grandy Farm today from 9-5 - I stopped out there Friday night and everything SPARKLES - it really got me in the Christmas Spirit which I thought might not happen at all this year! But it did! Thank you Deb.

And as my sister Jane says they say in OK sometimes - Hope All You All stop to see me today!

Grandy Farm This Weekend

Can't wait for next weekend - I'll be working on Sunday - but the open house is all weekend long - make sure you take a drive over to see the 127 year old farm house and all the delightful gifts available for your Christmas gift list!

What a lazy day!

I took a lesson from my sister, Jane! She said she was going to spend the whole day of Thanksgiving doing nothing - well - that's what I did today! Pat went to Almont to do some work at his brother's house and here it is 6:48 and I'm still in my pj's!

I watched "Return to Me" "Say yes to the dress" (I know trashy - but fun) "Dinner Impossible" and a very short amount of "Criminal Minds" (which I never watch because it is toooo creepy and here I was watching it by myself - I turned the dog gone thing off.)

I got caught up entering all my receipts for dishes and knives, etc. into my spreadsheet. Played a few computer games. And just vegged out for most of the day. Now I'm waiting for Pat to return and go out to eat with him. I sure did miss him today.

I've been thinking of the Stelter family all day - it sounds as if Maureen will have a good recovery after her surgery - much love to all of them - and a big thanks to Jennifer for keeping us all informed on her facebook.

Yeah - last day of work for the week!

Well – with the possibility of getting into one more show next weekend, I’ll be back in high speed wrapping mode this weekend. I’ve ordered 200 more knives and this afternoon I’m going to Jo-Ann Fabric – my absolutely favorite store. They have Merry Moolah today so I’m going to buy, buy, buy lots of beads! I want gold and red and green and crystal and more gold…….

Then – I’m staying away from Black Friday – I’ll leave Joanna, my daughter, to the sales. She took a coupon class and the woman is possessed. She saves more than she spends, often getting products for free. I save all my coupons for her and she loves putting them in order and figuring out how she can save money.

Caroline sent me pictures of her grandchildren – Ava after she climbed into the dog cage with their new dog Chachi and Javier holding the dog on the couch. They are adorable pictures. Ava has tried since she started moving around to go after their first dog, Baby, but every time she got close Baby would get up and move to the other side of the house. Chachi lets her get close and she loves it!

Christmas

Even though I have been selling Christmas plates and knives since June I just cannot get into the Christmas holiday spirit especially before Thanksgiving – I hate that the radio stations have switched to Christmas music – I hate that the Christmas ads have been in the paper for weeks – I hate that I have to think about Christmas at all right now!

If I wasn’t trying to sell Christmas myself this would be okay – but when I am pushing people for seven months to buy Christmas plates I really should be more open to the blending of the season all year round – but I’m not – I hate it, too! I really don’t think that I am turning into a Grinch – just someone who wants every season to be special. So how do I justify selling these hostess gifts all year? I don’t – I just drive myself crazy – and many of my friends will tell you it is a very short drive!

I do remember one September when our daughters were little that I had every Christmas gift purchased and wrapped. My friend, Kay and I had gone to some fabulous garage sales and sidewalk sales and yup – it was a very frugal Christmas, too. It never happened again but it was an amazing holiday season not thinking about Christmas gifts at all that year during the Christmas season.

A full day of sleep!

Wow - yesterday must have been a catch up day for me! After waking up at my usual 1:00 am middle of the night can't sleep wake up - I watched a bit of TV - read a bit and then Pat got up and we had coffee. We both fell back asleep. We got up and drove to Flushing to meet a new acquaintance that had called to say she had some Christmas dishes for me - so we went to the craft show she was selling at and got the dishes - how nice of her to think of me after a brief conversation at the Clarkston show!

Well anyway - I slept all the way to Flushing. Then we went to a few thrift shops and I slept all the way home. We got home and Pat said he really wanted to go back out driving - so we did and guess what? I slept most of the afternoon away in the car.

The we came home and he wanted to take a nap - so - yup you are right - I fell asleep again. Then we went to a wake to be with a friend whose girlfriend died last week and sat and talked with friends for a few hours. We then stopped at Pompeii for dinner to see Caroline and Jesse (who waited on us with love and cooked us great perch!) Then home to where else? Bed. I didn't think I would make it all night but here it is 4:45 and I just awakened!!!!

I must have needed the whole day because I feel wonderful!

YEAH! Another Show Added for Sheala!

We are so happy that we got into the Horizon Center Keepsake Show on December 12th. Sheala is going to be selling the dishes and knives to raise money for a special trip this summer. She will be going to Boston for two weeks to attend a conference for students who want to be doctors. So she is going to use this opportunity to raise the money to pay for the trip.

So - on December 12th - at the Horizon Conference Center in Saginaw - all proceeds go to Sheala! YEAH!

Holidays Begin

I love November - it starts the season of holidays at work. First there is Veteran's Day - then Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving - then my birthday - then Christmas Eve and Christmas - then New Years day then Martin Luther King Jr. Day - I love days off so these next few months are my favorite at work!

Next weekend is the show at Mt. Pleasant High School - I am really looking forward to it because it is the opening season of deer hunting that weekend so I would imagine LOTS of women will be shopping for Christmas with their friends. And I do have to say - groups of women at my booth usually means they talk each other into buying something! Yahoo!

I'm seeing good friends from high school this weekend. Jo - who we named our first child after (with the promise if she ever won the lottery she would share it with my first born!) And my lockermate - we shared a locker for 12 years because our names alphabetically were together - good thing we loved each other! So I am looking forward to a fun time together. I am sure I'll blog about it later.

The weather is supposed to be fantastic today - a beautiful Michigan fall day - if I am to believe the weather people - which I only do when it fits my needs!

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

Two Years

So I was looking back on the blog and realized that I have been writing in it for two years - it seems like yesterday! So - since I only have two years left at work maybe it will go as quickly!!!!!

Trick or Treat

Well we stayed home to hand out candy - all 10 pieces! Whew - Adams Blvd we are not. But there was one little cutie about 6 years old that came to the door and sang the old dittie "Trick or Treat, Smell my feet, Give me somethin good to eat!" When Pat stopped laughing he gave him a candy bar and the little goblin said "Thank you have a nice Halloween!"

One young lady came to the door all dressed up with her Dad waiting at the end of the sidewalk. She looked to be about 12 and I thought how wonderful to still go trick or treating with her Dad and having a good time, too.

Anyway - I missed having lots of kids at the door.

Thank You Elise

My cousin, Elise, sent me a package of dishes and knives she had found on her antique store jaunts - they are beautiful. It was like Christmas opening the box yesterday and finding the treasures within. Thank you, thank you, thank you - what fun.

My living room and kitchen are destroyed - dishes, knives dropped beads, plastic bins to hold them - I am determined to have the bins filled and in the basement tonight with priced hostess sets ready to go to the next sale in two weeks.

I can't wait to see all the little ghosts and goblins tomorrow night - we have more kids in the neighborhood this year so I think it will be fun. It is supposed to rain and be windy today but maybe a little better for trick or treating tomorrow.

Then on Sunday we are going to Olympia and Vince's for dinner - yum - yum - Olympia is by far the very best cook around - we love to stand around the kitchen - eating snacks watching her cook (we do help out a bit too) She is a master at cooking and keeping us entertained until we sit down to a scrumptious meal. Good friends - good food - an all around good night - we are looking forward to it.

I've been helping my friend with a winkflash book - that has been fun - now it is all ready to go and I am just waiting for a sale to order them - that was fun helping her get it all in order.

Pat's birthday was yesterday so we went out to the Junction and had a drink after he went to choir practice - they had a great band there and we really enjoyed the music.

That's all for now - gotta go have coffee before I go to work - ME

Traverse City Jaunt

Our friends let us stay at their up north home in Bellaire for the weekend - it was so beautiful up there - it rained Friday and Saturday but Sunday was sunny and warm. The trees were golden with rain-soaked trunks and so the rain was even a welcome addition. There was a huge rainbow over the Mission Peninsula on Saturday in the late afternoon - it was raining and sunny in sections.

We went to eight shops - and bought some beautiful dishes. At one we found old white china plates made in Japan with a half inch golden rim - they are going to sell out this season I am sure. I wrapped beads all weekend so I just have to put the sets together and I'll be set for Mt. Pleasant.

We were going to stay one more night but decided we've played hooky from work too much lately - so we are going back to work today - yuck.

I've been working on Pat's cousins pictures and thankfully, Pat helped me yesterday and we got the last of them scanned. So I am going to start to put them together on Winkflash or Snapfish - haven't decided which one yet. So I better go do that now!

YEAH - I FOUND KNIVES

We did so well in Clarkston - I'm almost out of knives - but this morning I have been surfing and I FOUND KNIVES!!! YEAH - we can continue. We had a really nice time and met some really great crafters. Pat likes watching the people and I love selling to them! YEAH!

Getting Ready for Clarkston

We've been busy getting ready to sell at Clarkston High School this weekend. I think we will do well there - the wrapped beads with dishes are very unique and very affordable - so I'm thinking this might be an all time high for sales!

I found some really cute Christmas dishes - and Joanna found me some snowflake dishes so I'm set for this show.

Wish me good luck!

Very Sad News

Leo Lynch died this weekend. I have such great memories of him all through my life. My favorite? Riding on his shoulders when I was in first grade. He was a young associate pastor and very active with the students at St. Mary Cathedral. We loved him as much as we loved our teacher, Sr. Yvonne. He came to our classroom a lot of times and he made us laugh.

In later years, after he had married Judy, they sat many times behind us at Liturgy - his voice reminded me of my Dad's and I loved hearing him sing. My Mom asked if he could sing Ave Maria at her funeral and he did - it was beautiful and exactly what she wanted - it meant so much to all of us.

Leo and Judy were mentors to our daughter Joanna and her then fiance Robin. Joanna and Robin had just graduated from high school and Robin was ready to leave for the Army - I felt that Judy and Leo wrapped them in love and wisdom to begin their marriage.

Many times when we saw Leo and Judy over the years we had our trips to Ireland as a common experience for us to talk about - I so enjoyed those discussions. Just two weeks ago we saw them at the Frankenmuth craft show - I am so glad we got to talk for a little bit.

Much love to Judy and their children - Leo will be missed by many.

Great Sales

I had my best sales every at the Ryder Center - I didn't even have time to write a blog that I was there yesterday. Pat and I went all over the great State of Michigan looking for dishes. I wrapped until I couldn't wrap anymore and next weekend I have a two-day show in Clarkston and I have to buy and wrap all this week. It was so nice to see many friends and repeat customers! Thank you for making Saturday such a great day.

Those Dog Gone Tigers

I was so looking forward to watching the Tigers in the World Series this year. Goodness they are unpredictable. I still love them - but I'm disappointed.

Up in the UP

Pat and I are on a road trip - we try to get to Manistique once a year - usually for Pat's birthday month. So here we are sitting having coffee and waffles at the Peninsula Inn at 6:24 am.

We started out by leaving early from work and getting to the Keyhole Bar in Mackinaw City to watch the Tigers on Thursday. They had the chance of winning the division title but - they didn't do it. We thought the colors may have started but the trees have hardly turned at all.

So then we went to St. Ignace to spend the night. We stayed at a very nice hotel - the Days Inn. We had a huge room which had a balcony looking over Lake Huron. We went to the Casino and Pat made enough that we walked out with $15 extra dollars (which means he had to win a lot more because I lost my $20!) Thank goodness we had traveled over the bridge and stayed in St. Ignace because the wind was really blowing - there were people there that had to go over the bridge that morning and the staff person was telling them they would probably have to have an escort to go over the bridge! YIKES!

So then we drove to Escanaba to go to a couple thrift shops and then back to Manistique. I feel bad that it is raining so much because we can't go to Palms Brook State Park to ride on the raft - we love doing that. We did go to Ted's last night for dinner - my friend, Diane, at work heard we go there every time we come to Manistique and she laughed and told us it was her uncle that owned it. We saw him last night and I told him we were her friends and he said to say hi to her. The dinner was great - Pat said his Canadian Walleye was the best fish he ever had and my Campfire Trout was delicious. We kept trying to outdo our adjectives about the dinner saying we each had the best meal! Really - we always look forward to going there and it ALWAYS exceeds our anticipation of what it will be.

So - today we are going home - the wind has died down so it won't be so bad going over the bridge. We have had a very nice time. Maybe we will have to come back up in a few weeks to see some color.

Winkflash

Pat's cousin and his wife are coming over for dinner tonight and we are going to work on a photo album in Winkflash or Snapfish - of course Winkflash has a sale that ends today - ggggrrrr - she has tons of pictures that we are going to put in order tonight so I can scan them in and then the next time we get together she can work on the different pages in the book - It is fun when the book arrives to see the finished product.

I've made several books and have learned if it is not a professional picture - you might not be happy with the full page pictures - they tend to get a little blurry. But it is fun to give the books as gifts.

I haven't even thought about what I'm cooking for dinner - YIKES - I better get down to the freezer and takes something out!

Christmas Plates

Pat and I went to Mt. Pleasant yesterday - we found some really cute plates. Snowmen, Strawberries and Holly. Then when we got home Joanna had left us some plates and a cup that she found for us. I was very worried about finding Christmas plates - I sold so many last weekend that I didn't have a good selection left for Midland Antique Show this weekend and Ryder Center in October - we are going to Ann Arbor one day to look some more - then we'll have enough I am sure.

Selling My Wares

What a fun weekend – Pat and I were at the Frankenmuth Keepsake Craft Show selling my hostess sets. We met so many great people. We were setup next to three women selling beautifully hand woven blankets using a technique called Swedish Weaving. I kept telling them they needed to double their prices because I think they get about a penny an hour for their work. They were working on blankets during the show and after they start a blanket they don’t even have to look at the pattern – it was amazing! They were all friends from high school days – two from Flushing and one from Oscoda. They kept us laughing all weekend.

I sold so many hostess sets – it was the best show I’ve ever done. I can’t wait to go sell at more shows. It is most fun when someone keeps going around the tables and can’t decide which set to buy – then I know they like all the work and it just makes me smile. It was very funny – I didn’t sell any in the very early morning and very few in the late afternoon – but from Noon until 3 pm they sold like hotcakes.
Next weekend – the last Midland Antique Festival for the year, I hope the weather is just the same – sunny and warm with a slight breeze. Hope to see you there!

Frankenmuth - Last Day Today - Don't Miss IT!

This is a great show - so much to do - so much to see - it has been a lot of fun - stop by today - the last day of the show!

Lots of affordable dishes with wrapped beads ($10 for a set or 2 for $15) beautiful serving pieces - lots of fun in the park on Main Street in Frankenmuth - If you are a lurker - come to the show and introduce yourself - I love to hear that people read this blog!HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Keepsake Show
Zehnder Park, Main Street,
Frankenmuth, Michigan <-----Click on Green for Mapquest

Friday, September 18, 2009 - Noon to 7 pm
Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday, September 20, 2009 - 11 am to 5 pm

Favorite Weekend of the Year

We had a really nice time at the Huron House - I posted the history of our going there last year so if you link to that one by clicking on the green "Huron House" for the basics and that post will be right below this one!

This year we just relaxed a lot. Our drive up was fun - we stopped at the casino in Standish and we walked out with $75 more dollars than when we walked in! That usually doesn't happen!

The next morning we started with coffee on the deck watching the sunrise and then fabulous breakfasts - this year some kind of yummy egg custardy mixture with a vanilla sauce on it with fresh fruit, juice one day and the next a croissant with fruit and juice.



As you probably know we love to drive around - this year we drove to Alpena to a deli we like and got lobster salad, great sandwhiches and a bottle of wine - then back to eat lunch on our private deck. That took a couple of hours of driving. We love Lake Huron - there are so many beautiful views when driving up to Alpena.

Then on Sunday we came home. This year our friend that Pat has been helping fix up a house suprised us and paid for one of our nights - such a nice gift and so appreciated!

Back to work today - goodness - the weekend went so fast!

Confession is good for the soul?

OK - ELISE - remember when we used to celebrate Mass with squished up wonder bread? How about listening to this confession? Came home from work - saw the Hershey bar that has been sitting in that cupboard for weeks and weeks - thought about you and the Hershey bars with Peanut Butter slathered all over them and BAM - slathered that PB and ate the whole thing!!!!! What memories of Owosso - thought about all the fun we had when we visited you and you visited Saginaw - some things in life never get any better than the memories. - mmmmm.....goood......

I love long weekends!

We had a nice long weekend with Memorial Day. We had dinner with friends, did some cooking and freezing of food, went antiquing a bit - just had fun all weekend long. When Paula and I were at the last Midland Antique Festival one of the regular vendors did not come to sell. I stopped to see her today and she told me she had been sick and couldn't come. She has a nice little shop in Vassar and I bought some olive forks from her.

We should have cleaned - but - thank goodness I took my sister's blog advice and didn't give a rat's patoot about the house and we just enjoyed ourselves. As usual - I don't want to go back to work - but I will. Now that Pat is working at the same building I am I love to hear the lawn mower - cause I know it's him! It makes me smile during the day.

We've got some major shows coming up in the next few weeks so I have been trying to get ready for those too. Well - It's after 10:30 pm and I can't sleep - so I better go read and try to go to sleep.

Spreadsheets

Let’s see – what do I like most about work? MMMMmmm….. Excel and COGNOS – I love working in both those software programs. If it is mathematical – you can do it in excel. Many times those same formulas work in COGNOS and if they do not – you can save the COGNOS file into an Excel file – HEAVEN – for a spreadsheet geek.

When I first started working with a computer in 1984 when I bought an apple computer from my brother, Larry, I couldn’t believe how this person who switched to “new math” in 5th grade so lost out on learning so many basic concepts could now do sums and percentages and decimal points to her heart’s content with ease. I loved Quickfile and started doing budget work and financial statements and actually enjoyed doing them.

Then when I started working at the city in 1986 my mentor, Jan, taught me Lotus 123 the precursor to excel. Now I began working on complex spreadsheets that required lots of thought and preparation (like projecting how many people would have to go to the proposed water park in order to come out even – which by the way we never could have possibly had that many people come to the now defunct water park – so it was doomed from the start!)

Then when I went to the Civic Center I worked with a Lotus 123 whiz of an accountant, Sudah – when she left to move to California I had to use her spreadsheets. That is when I learned how to write macros. It was amazing. I relied heavily on the controller, Dave, to help me understand the budget work that I had to prepare for the Board of Directors. The City has always been a place to learn on the job – you can do as much or as little as you want depending on the job you have – I have always been busy at work because I offer to help others with their work when I get caught up with my work. I have learned many things this way and the day goes by much faster if you actually work!

When I came to work at the Police Department we then got Excel – I started doing overtime reports and budget work but it was easier. I love “if” statements – they make me smile. Now with Office 2007 writing macros is a breeze. And I know I’ve stated before that the Internet is the best thing that ever happened to someone writing spreadsheets. Just typing in what you want to do in a search engine will bring you lots of ideas on how to do what you need to do. Conditional formatting is fun and interesting in a spreadsheet. I love using conditional formatting in almost every spreadsheet I write.

I’ve decided not to write anymore spreadsheets in COGNOS for anyone that has a COGNOS license on their computer at work. I’ll help them write it – working one on one with them while they write the filters and insert calculations – but doing the report for them is no help to them at all. When I finally get to retire in 2012 – they will have to know how to write a COGNOS report without any help so I figure they should be able to do that when I leave by starting to help them to learn now.
This is what I will miss most when I retire – the chance to figure out the puzzle part of a spreadsheet – working to make the spreadsheet concise and easy to use.

Chihuly, Again

Click here to go to the picture of Chihuly in the Desert and the quilt Mary Andrews made from that picture

Yesterday morning was a "TARGET SATURDAY" which meant free admission to the Flint Institute of Arts exhibit of Chihuly Seaforms. What a bonus - we chose this Saturday because my friends and family could join us to see the exhibit. It was so beautiful. The bowls within bowls within more bowls that were reflected in the shiny black tables were breathtaking.

I wanted to take pictures but the FIA does not allow pictures of the exhibit. I even thought about trying to take pictures anyway - but I just couldn't do it. So I have none to show here. However, I asked one of the workers, Susan, why they did this because I really need to get pictures of the exhibit so my cousin can make her interpretation of the work into quilted hangings for her Chihuly inspired exibit. It really helps Mary Lynn to see the piece from every angle to get the depth and color and shadows right. I explained to Susan that I had requested permission but had not heard back - she was nice enough to go on this blog to see one of Mary Lynn's Chihuly quilts and to forward my request (click the green link above to go to that picture). She said I should hear the beginning of this week. I can just picture the beautiful long table of yellow seaforms translated into a quilt.

Kennedy Funeral

I was gone yesterday so I taped the funeral of Senator Kennedy - it was a great tribute. No matter what your politics - to see his children give such testimony to his love and devotion as a father was so moving. The President's eulogy was so good that I wanted to post it:

Mrs. Kennedy, Kara, Edward, Patrick, Curran, Caroline, members of the Kennedy family, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Today we say goodbye to the youngest child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy. The world will long remember their son Edward as the heir to a weighty legacy; a champion for those who had none; the soul of the Democratic Party; and the lion of the U.S. Senate — a man whose name graces nearly one thousand laws, and who penned more than three hundred himself.

But those of us who loved him, and ache with his passing, know Ted Kennedy by the other titles he held: Father. Brother. Husband. Uncle Teddy, or as he was often known to his younger nieces and nephews, "The Grand Fromage," or "The Big Cheese." I, like so many others in the city where he worked for nearly half a century, knew him as a colleague, a mentor, and above all, a friend.

Ted Kennedy was the baby of the family who became its patriarch; the restless dreamer who became its rock. He was the sunny, joyful child, who bore the brunt of his brothers' teasing, but learned quickly how to brush it off. When they tossed him off a boat because he didn't know what a jib was, six-year-old Teddy got back in and learned to sail. When a photographer asked the newly elected Bobby to step back at a press conference because he was casting a shadow on his younger brother, Teddy quipped, "It'll be the same in Washington."

This spirit of resilience and good humor would see Ted Kennedy through more pain and tragedy than most of us will ever know. He lost two siblings by the age of sixteen. He saw two more taken violently from the country that loved them. He said goodbye to his beloved sister, Eunice, in the final days of his own life. He narrowly survived a plane crash, watched two children struggle with cancer, buried three nephews, and experienced personal failings and setbacks in the most public way possible.

It is a string of events that would have broken a lesser man. And it would have been easy for Teddy to let himself become bitter and hardened; to surrender to self-pity and regret; to retreat from public life and live out his years in peaceful quiet. No one would have blamed him for that.

But that was not Ted Kennedy. As he told us, "Individual faults and frailties are no excuse to give in — and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves." Indeed, Ted was the "Happy Warrior" that the poet William Wordsworth spoke of when he wrote:

As tempted more; more able to endure,
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.

Through his own suffering, Ted Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering of others — the sick child who could not see a doctor; the young soldier sent to battle without armor; the citizen denied her rights because of what she looks like or who she loves or where she comes from. The landmark laws that he championed — the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, immigration reform, children's health care, the Family and Medical Leave Act — all have a running thread. Ted Kennedy's life's work was not to champion those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity; to make real the dream of our founding. He was given the gift of time that his brothers were not, and he used that gift to touch as many lives and right as many wrongs as the years would allow.

We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers' rights or civil rights. And yet, while his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as a partisan lightning rod, that is not the prism through which Ted Kennedy saw the world, nor was it the prism through which his colleagues saw him. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect — a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots.

And that's how Ted Kennedy became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause — not through dealmaking and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor. There was the time he courted Orrin Hatch's support for the Children's Health Insurance Program by having his chief of staff serenade the senator with a song Orrin had written himself; the time he delivered shamrock cookies on a china plate to sweeten up a crusty Republican colleague; and the famous story of how he won the support of a Texas committee chairman on an immigration bill. Teddy walked into a meeting with a plain manila envelope, and showed only the chairman that it was filled with the Texan's favorite cigars. When the negotiations were going well, he would inch the envelope closer to the chairman. When they weren't, he would pull it back. Before long, the deal was done.

It was only a few years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, when Teddy buttonholed me on the floor of the Senate for my support on a certain piece of legislation that was coming up for vote. I gave him my pledge, but expressed my skepticism that it would pass. But when the roll call was over, the bill garnered the votes it needed, and then some. I looked at Teddy with astonishment and asked how he had pulled it off. He just patted me on the back, and said "Luck of the Irish!"

Of course, luck had little to do with Ted Kennedy's legislative success, and he knew that. A few years ago, his father-in-law told him that he and Daniel Webster just might be the two greatest senators of all time. Without missing a beat, Teddy replied, "What did Webster do?"

But though it is Ted Kennedy's historic body of achievements we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. It was the friend and colleague who was always the first to pick up the phone and say, "I'm sorry for your loss," or "I hope you feel better," or "What can I do to help?" It was the boss who was so adored by his staff that over five hundred spanning five decades showed up for his 75th birthday party. It was the man who sent birthday wishes and thank you notes and even his own paintings to so many who never imagined that a U.S. senator would take the time to think about someone like them. I have one of those paintings in my private study — a Cape Cod seascape that was a gift to a freshman legislator who happened to admire it when Ted Kennedy welcomed him into his office the first week he arrived in Washington; by the way, that's my second favorite gift from Teddy and Vicki after our dog Bo. And it seems like everyone has one of those stories — the ones that often start with "You wouldn't believe who called me today."

Ted Kennedy was the father who looked after not only his own three children, but John's and Bobby's as well. He took them camping and taught them to sail. He laughed and danced with them at birthdays and weddings; cried and mourned with them through hardship and tragedy; and passed on that same sense of service and selflessness that his parents had instilled in him. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline down the aisle and gave her away at the altar, he received a note from Jackie that read, "On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to be spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love."

Not only did the Kennedy family make it because of Ted's love — he made it because of theirs; and especially because of the love and the life he found in Vicki. After so much loss and so much sorrow, it could not have been easy for Ted Kennedy to risk his heart again. That he did is a testament to how deeply he loved this remarkable woman from Louisiana. And she didn't just love him back. As Ted would often acknowledge, Vicki saved him. She gave him strength and purpose; joy and friendship; and stood by him always, especially in those last, hardest days.

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know God's plan for us.

What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and love, and joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of other human beings.

This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said of his brother Bobby that he need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, and I imagine he would say the same about himself. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy's shoulders because of who he was, but he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy — not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power; but only for the people and the country he loved.

In the days after September 11th, Teddy made it a point to personally call each one of the 177 families of this state who lost a loved one in the attack. But he didn't stop there. He kept calling and checking up on them. He fought through red tape to get them assistance and grief counseling. He invited them sailing, played with their children, and would write each family a letter whenever the anniversary of that terrible day came along. To one widow, he wrote the following:

"As you know so well, the passage of time never really heals the tragic memory of such a great loss, but we carry on, because we have to, because our loved one would want us to, and because there is still light to guide us in the world from the love they gave us."

We carry on.

Ted Kennedy has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those he has loved and lost. At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good he did, the dream he kept alive, and a single, enduring image — the image of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for what storms may come, carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon. May God Bless Ted Kennedy, and may he rest in eternal peace.

Say Thank You

The e's have it

That would be: Eagles, Egrets and Equestrians – in the heart of the City. Pat and I love to go to Wickes Park on the banks of the Saginaw River in the early evening hours. On a recent quiet Monday night there were three eagles sitting atop electrical towers, elegant white egrets and a couple of friends, in their cowboy hats, out riding their horses. It is such a treat to see this in the cool of the evening.

There are huge beautiful old willow trees, tall pines and oaks, lots of green grass and such a quiet and peacefulness in the park. Many people shy away from this park, however, we enjoy seeing the families fishing, people jogging, boaters boating and many people driving through the park. Maybe the wildlife comes there because there are not a lot of people – so go ahead and stay away – we love the peace and quiet and abundance of nature.

Great Weekend

We had such a fun weekend. On Friday Pat and I went to Harrisville to camp. On Saturday Jesse, Caroline, Javier, Ava and the dog came to camp for one night. Jesse wasn't too sure about wanting to camp for his first time but I think he had a great time.

Javier was so excited - he loved the three room tent - jumping in, running out, laughing and giggling. Ava loved being outside. But - she doesn't like to touch the grass with her feet so we put a blanket down so she could walk around the picnic table and to each of our chairs. She had a blast.



There was a stream running behind our campsite - it took Javier a little bit of time to get the courage up to get down to the stream but once he did he was so proud.



Even though the weather wasn't real warm we had a fabulous time. I even made a Power Ranger pancake for Javier for breakfast. (Of course you had to really use your imagination to see that Power Ranger!)

Then we trouped back to Midland for Pat's family reunion - that was fun too - everyone looks forward to the ball playing. You just get several pitches and see if you can hit the ball. Here is a great picture of Papa, Grandpa and Javier hitting the ball.



And then finally on Monday night we went to the Loons game. Jesse got the tickets and we love sitting on the lawn. Javier and Grandpa both had on their matching shorts and their Ordonez 30 jerseys.



I bet Javier was wondering what he would get to do today! So much to do in so little time!

Get Posting

OK – OK – you little lurker, Peggy. Here is an update for today.
We had such a nice day on Saturday. We went to Ann Arbor for the afternoon. We went shopping at all my favorite spots –

The Scrapbox



The Reuse Center



PTO Thrift Shop



Salvation Army.



Then we decided to splurge and stopped at Paesano’s for lunch.



(As we were actually on our way to the Tiger’s game we knew we would spend about the same amount of money at the stadium for hot dogs!) Pat had salmon wrapped in prosciutto and cheese with green beans on the side and a salad. I had a cup of bean and chorizo soup – yummo – and - “The sandwich the chef has for lunch” which was chicken and caramelized onions with a chipolte marmalade. On the side was a delicious medley of carrots, celery, peas, artichokes and I think just a little mint. Everything tasted delicious.

Then off to the Tiger’s game. It was so much fun – they won 10-3. We had great seats in 137 row 15 – I was close enough to Brandon Inge to have him hear me yell at him. (Only good things of course) It was terribly hot but thankfully the game was at 7:00 pm and the sun went below the stadium. They scored at least one run in every inning except the 2nd. The people behind us were a hoot. A whole family was celebrating someone’s birthday. The youngest son asked his mother if she wanted something to drink and when his mom said that no, she didn’t need anything the older brothers started harassing her to go ahead and get something because the youngest brother always forgets his wallet and his older brothers have to buy for him at the bars and it would be a nice change to see him actually spend money on something.

We took Caroline and Jesse out for dinner for Caroline’s birthday meal on Monday. Jesse was telling stories and he had us laughing so hard I was coughing and almost choking. We had a really good time with them. They are even thinking of coming up for one night when we are camping in Harrisville (Jesse doesn’t really think that camping is a vacation – he’d rather go to Holiday Inn I think.)

Joanna and Robin and the kids went for a trip to Florida to visit Joanna’s best friend and her family. I’m thinking they should be home today – I did call her once to ask if they were getting any of the residual bad weather from the hurricanes but she said that it was beautiful weather and that it wasn’t even too hot. Robin must have given her a rolled eye look or something because she told me he thought it was way too hot. I told her to tell him I love him very much because that means he will keep all of them in Michigan for several years to come.