It's been awhile

I've been working on the SMCReunion blog - that has been consuming my time - but it is so much fun looking through all the old yearbooks.

Well - I have to have some minor knee surgery in May - I'll be off work for a bit and hopefully will be able to resume walking again. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't walk a mile without hurting my knee and when I couldn't sleep through the night because of the pain. (Of course that is why I have gotten so much blogging done on the SMC site - not much sleep - but lots of blogging!) My brother actually called and told me he didn't want me up all night blogging - I needed my sleep. Sweet brother - but I'd rather be blogging than watching TV at 2 in the morning!

We had a great get together with friends last night. We love seeing our friends and such good cooks! I know I've said this before but last night was extreme cooking. We had great treats to start out - ostrich and cream cheese and herbs in filo dough - veggies, olives and cheeses. Dinner had Chicken Cacciatore, vegetables with mint and basil, potatoes, rolls, broccoli slaw, cheesecake and key lime pie. That was the first time I've had ostrich - it was very good. And the first time I was offered cheesecake and I turned it down - because I had never tasted key lime pie either - that was a GREAT dessert. The chicken was moist and yummy. Okay - Okay - I know I have to shop for a dress for Caroline's wedding and this is bad - but so worth it.

Sheala and Robbie were over yesterday after school - Robbie was on the computer and Sheala was sorting my beads. She LOVES to sort beads - but yesterday she combined colors into spice bottles - this is interesting - I'll have to see if this helps me or not!

OK - time for coffee before work - I'll be back soon.

TESTS! YIKES!

It's been a LONG, LONG, LONG time since I had to take a test. Employee Services is benchmarking where employees are at in several classifications and looking at tests for those positions. We have been asked to take the tests on two days. Today was the first - five tests - less than an hour.

These tests consisted of filing numbers and names, proofreading and math WITHOUT a calculator! Tomorrow there will be a other tests including a math test with a calculator and I'll feel much more comfortable.

I was glad to take them - we didn't have to put our names on the tests but if we wanted to know how we did we could put our names and they will let us know how we did. I can tell you right now - percentages and decimals have always been my downfall.

I tried to talk everyone from the police department into going - I explained to them that if they want to take promotional tests then this was the perfect opportunity to take these tests with no pressure - and learn where we need to study - I even bribed them with chocolate chip cookies for today and sugar cookies for tomorrow - I did talk some into it - seven of us rode over in my van - I promised them we would have fun - I may have exaggerated that part a bit - but the cookies were good!

Family

We are busy planning Caroline’s wedding. So many preparations are already done – Caroline is very organized. I’ve been thinking about how our family is growing by leaps and bounds. When Caroline and Jesse marry, that will bring two more grandchildren and a GREAT grandchild into our family. We are so blessed to have them joining our family.

I remember Bill talking at my Mom’s funeral. He said that when Jim married his mother and he found out he would have another Grandmother he first thought was, “I don’t need another Grandma!” Well, he also said, he was wrong he did need Grandma Shea.

My Mom made sure that Mary Lynn and her family became integrated into our family when Aunt Irene and Uncle Cecil died. Mary Lynn is more a sister than a cousin in our family.

I’ve watched my sister-in-law, Cindy pull together our blended families in such a wonderful way. She makes entertaining 30 people at a time look easy for holidays. Sometimes it’s her family, our family, her first husband’s family, all breaking bread together as one big family. She is amazing.

Mary and Bruce adopted Lillie and Anna and whether we are visiting them at the beach, on the basketball court, or First Eucharist celebrations, they have helped us connect to their family.

I’ve learned we cannot have enough people in our families. Each person is so different. Each branch of our family brings new traditions and new ideas to embrace. Whether we are discussing religion, politics or food – we have different views and opinions. But one thing we all have in common is our love and respect for each other.

I am looking forward to Jesse and Caroline’s wedding where all of us can be together.

A NEW STORE TO PURCHASE FIRST AND SECOND SERVINGS - EARTHLY POSSESSIONS

You can now purchase First AND Second Serving pieces in Grand Haven, Michigan at EARTHLY POSSESSIONS. This a a consignment gallery dealing in Quality Furnishings and Home Decor. It is the first time that BOTH First and Second Serving are available in one location!

Pat and I visited at least 100 antique and consignment shops in the last two weeks. We were on a whirlwind tour of the west side of the state this past weekend. This gallery was at the end of our trip and we only showed both First and Second Serving pieces at this store. When we walked in - we knew we had found the right one. It is decorated beautifully, the inventory is placed tastefully - you can actually walk around with ease and see every piece for sale in the shop. And the aroma of fresh perked coffee was in the air - so refreshing.

We met with the owner, Leah Hawley, and she was so excited about having First and Second Serving pieces for her tourist season that is close at hand. It was fun watching someone react to the pieces - it is a new concept on the west side of the state and she will have the only ones available in all the stores we visited.

If you are traveling to Grand Haven this summer - make sure you stop at this fabulous shop and tell Leah you read about it HERE!

Earthly Possessions
118 North 3rd Street
Grand Haven, Michigan 49417-1210
Phone: (616) 846-7440

St. Mary Cathedral All Class Reunion Blog

I've started another blog. It's all about St. Mary Cathedral - in Saginaw, Michigan. The school closed in 1986 and this is the 2nd All Class Reunion. My brother Jim is co-chair with Stella Mudd Thelen - The last one was sold out at the Horizon Conference Center and it was a blast. Click here to see the St. Mary Cathedral All Class Reunion Blog. I also have a link at the bottom of my blog. This is going to be fun. I've started with a welcome and the next blog was from the centennial yearbook. If you have any articles from newsletters or great memories please post there - Go see - it's going to be fun!

Weekend Update

We delivered an order yesterday afternoon to Fabulous Finds in Tawas. I took up two dozen serving spoons - all with different beads, bright colors, some old and some older. I love going there the store is little but it is packed with beautiful items.

Today we've been stopping at antique stores - I told Amy and Olympia I would find the shower gift for our friend's daughter-in-law-to-be. I have a specific gift in mind and have found all but two pieces. Even online I haven't been able to find the last two. ST. ANTHONY PATRON SAINT OF LOST AND FOUND, HELP ME WHILE I LOOK AROUND!

There - that should do it - of course my sister, Jane does not call on St. Anthony because he didn't help her find her cordless phone (cordless should give you a hint as to how long ago it was!) St. Anthony always helps me find things. Thank you.

So, Pat is sleeping on the couch here in the office with Gordon Lightfoot playing on the cd player, snoring away. He is so sweet to take me all over the State. We love traveling so this has been a fun business to get into.

The twins seem to be doing well. We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

I went to a meeting at City Hall this week and saw one of my hit and runners - she always knows what's happening in my life - that's fun. Hi Peg.

That's all from here.