Thank you

My sister worked all week on the edit. I can print the book out to read while camping. Still looks like I am going to make my July deadline!

I don't know how to thank the marvelous women who have helped me publish these books in the past few years.

This novel was a new experience. It is much easier to write a series.

Jane said she wanted to move next door to the Maxums and the Castors.  I can't wait to publish Four Season Friends.

RIP - Maya Angelou

When Joanna and Caroline were little, I read an article about last times.  It said that you never know when the last time your child would sit on your lap to hear a story.  And it was true, kids just stop sitting on your lap at some point.  So the author wanted us to enjoy each time like it was the last time.  It was good advice.  It made me appreciate each time so much more.

Yesterday, Robbie and Alicia came over.  There was a new Hammacher Schlemmer catalog and he immediately found a Sharpie to put a big R on anything he liked.  He and Sheala have been doing this for as long as I can remember.

I took the advice I read so many years ago and enjoyed the moment.

Ridiculing is not the way

Today I was cringing as I was exercising at the Y. A tall,  big man was 'coaching' two young teens in the weight area. In a loud taunting tone he kept repeating, "Who you wanna be? Are you weak? You wanna be fat forever? Who you wanna be?"

They were lifting weights and then doing pushups. One of the boys was overweight and having a hard time. That brought on more of the tirade.

I prayed for the mean spirited man to stop.I tried to think of how to help.

One boy went to the basketball court and the one that had the most trouble was sent up front to the treadmill.

The man stood across from where I was exercising. I said, "A little praise and encouragement goes a long way." He disagreed. I stood up and said, "I understand your tough love, but just telling them they did a good job would be great."

When he said he tried that I walked up and gave him one of my fake slaps. (That is when you put a hand on his arm and slap your hand a couple hard slaps to make it sound like you slapped the offender.)

I told him not to tell me any lies. Then I told him I would pray the boys would get encouragement to exercise and that he would have patience with them. He said that would be good.

Then on my way out I stopped at the desk and related what happened. I asked the weight room attendant if she would go up to the boy on the treadmill and tell him she saw how hard he was working out and to encourage him

Pray for them.

Quiet Day at Home

Spent the day watching the Tigers lose and printing thank you notes for Pat's parents.

Right now I am waiting for Pat to come home. He just called to say we are meeting friends for dinner.

The end to a boring day. Yeah!

Another Milestone

I received notice from Catholic Federal Credit Union that my first Social Security check was deposited today.

I am officially, positively, old.

Let's Try This Again

Robbie decided we should take the picture again at Chippewa Nature Center.  

About 10 years ago we went for a walk on Father's Day.  We took our now favorite picture.  They are the same loving sweet grandchildren which meant we had a great time.  Robbie caught a frog and tried to kill a strange flying bug. Sheala teased him and we all lauhed.  We even took a selfie.  We had a great time.

Brandi Family

Great pictures that Erika (Mike Brandi's daughter) shared on Facebook.  My Mom's family. Her parents Mike and Mary Brandi and one of many family gatherings at their house (an added bonus is my Grandma Shea was at that dinner party). And a picture of Grandpa looking so stylish.

My Grandma Brandi loved to entertain.  I love the look on my Uncle Bob's face - my Dad must have said something unbelievable.

Lunch with Barb and Dave

It was like old times. Talking, laughing, sharing a meal. . . . .  Except no kids.

We laughed that our kids are so old we remember being their ages.

Pat and I took a big salad, bread and wine and Barb made yummy cookies.  Then Pat and Dave put the crib together so Koa would have a place to sleep.

It was a delightful afternoon with good friends.

The Baptism

What a happy day Mother's Day was this year!  

Javier, Ayva, Romeo and Valentino 

Baptized at SS Peter and Paul Church 

Saginaw, Michigan

Special Day

Today, today 

is a very special day!

It is the Baptism Day of 

Javier, 

          Ayva, 

                  Romeo,

                        and Valentino.

Pictures to come......

Happy Paco

Pat bought an old riding lawn mower at an estate sale last week. He has wanted one for years. Today he is having the time of his life cutting the grass.

We decided to go to the U.P. for a short visit. With all the snow from this past winter the Tecquamanom Falls are spectacular.  Only the upper falls are open. 

"THE" Peanut Machine

Yesterday, we took Javier and Ayva to the Castle Museum to the Lego show.  It was amazing.  Hoyt Library, Potter Street Station, Second National Bank and of course the Castel Museum all made out of Legos.

Then the kids made their own structures and they were put on display.  Javier made a emergency snow plow that  firefighters could slide down a mountain on and then climb up a ladder and save someone.  Ayva made a play structure for the Saginaw Children's Museum.  It also could be used for a fashion show.

Then - magic - Mr. Trombley asked if I had seen the peanut machine.  I almost fainted.  I had NEVER seen the peanut machine.  He took us it and it was nothing like I had ever imagined.  There was also a picture of the peanut machine outside of a store. But the picture didn't really show much.  He asked if we had a picture of the store on Potter Street.  I called Mary Lynn and she has one.  She will bring it to him to display with the machine.

Then we trapsed up the iron staircase to the harp.  That was exciting.  

It sure was fun seeing all the history in that building.  We saw trains and arrowheads and bricks and sports memorabilia.  We enjoyed our trip.