Lent in New Jersey

David Haas posted these pictures of St. Paul the Apostle, in Princeton, New Jersey. 

I love how they used lighting to set the Lenten mood.

And.... Lent in West Allis

Kevin Bourassa's church - had great Palms on the pews. He was kind to send close up pictures for me.

Big Brother Love

Grandma Caroline took Ayva, Javier and Romeo out for a walk after dinner. Romeo collected rocks the whole way. When they returned home Javier made an ocean for Romeo. The rest of the night Romeo played with his ocean.

Mmm... yummy dinner at home

I made Tom and Jan potatoes for dinner.   Potatoes, onion and carrots with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash with butter all wrapped together in foil. Baked for an hour at 350.

Burgers with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, garlic powder and Thyme. Pat grilled them.

Yum....yum....yum...

Grocery Shopping

We were supposed to go grocery shopping on Friday - that was a week ago Friday. But instead we were planning a funeral. Needless to say we have been busy and then too tired to go and then it was the weekend and I just couldn't face shopping with people who hate shopping on Saturday and Sunday, but have no choice.

Today we HAVE to go. There is nothing in the frig and the cupboards are bare. Maybe it means we can get back to "normal" whatever that will now be.

UPDATE: EASIEST SHOPPING TRIP EVER! 1ST DAY OF SPRING BREAK AND NO ONE WAS SHOPPING. THANK YOU GOD.

Boys for the day

What a fun day. We had Romeo and Tino for the day. They were so good. We made tents. They loved hiding. Then Pat came back from his Mom's and we made pizza. I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of them making pizza. More bacon went in Tino' s mouth than on the pizza.

Then the built with blocks. They both have good fine motor skills adding "just one more" to the tower.

They got out the Melissa & Doug toys. The pizza and the coffee maker. I love those toys and so do they.

Then we colored paper plates. And Papa got out all the binoculars. For at least an hour they used them to look at the river, the sky and each other.

Then Grandpa came to get them and Nana and Papa took a nap!

Dad saying I love you

When I put together the photo board for Dad's funeral Pat broke down when he saw this picture. He said his Dad always let all the kids climb all over him. It was a good memory.

Saturday night that picture fell off the board. I put new tape on it and put it back on.

As we left the cemetery yesterday Pat transferred the picture board to Mary's car. On the way back be bent over and picked up this picture. It had fallen off again.

Once maybe - twice - that was an, "I love you, son." from heaven.

Thank you, Joanna. A wonderful post.

Pat's Dad was buried today. The past few days have been filled with love. He was a wonderful man. This was his obituary. 

Paul Clifford, age 95 of Midland, Michigan, passed away Thursday March 16, 2017, at his home.   Son of the late Clyde and Ursula (Sterling) Clifford, Paul was born August 31, 1921, in Bay City, Michigan. He graduated from St. Joseph High School. He met his wife, Fern (Crower) Clifford, at the Red Lion in Bay City and they were married at St. Norbert's Parish in Munger, Michigan on December 27, 1943. Paul and Fern just celebrated 73 years of marriage.

Paul sailed on many Great Lakes Freighters, including the William Edenborn, John Hulst, Henry C. Frick and the Leon Fraser, where he was known by the nickname, "Iggy." He served in the United States Army during World War II. He went to work for The Dow Chemical Company and retired after 30 years of service. Paul was a longtime member of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church where he served as an usher and was involved in many other activities. Paul and Fern are current members of Blessed Sacrament Church.

Paul was a lifelong artist and a member of the Midland Artists Guild. At the age of 80 he had his first public art show at the MidMichigan Medical Center. Paul enjoyed softball until the age of 85, playing pitcher or outfielder on city teams and the Dow League. He built two homes for his family one in Bay City and one in Midland. He had the reputation for being able to fix anything. Paul had a saying for just about anything and his grandchildren, in particular, loved hearing them. "Do you think the rain will hurt the rhubarb?" was one expression. And his very favorite quote, when you asked him where someone was, usually was answered, "They went out behind the barn and the hogs ate them!"

Besides his wife, Paul is survived by their children, Catherine Clifford (Denis Portier) of Lansing, David Clifford of Lansing, Bernard (Bonnie) Clifford of Seattle, Washington, Daniel Clifford of Almont, Patrick (Mary Ellen) Clifford of Freeland; and Mary Clifford (Steve Hammond) of Midland; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; his devoted sister, Millie (Chet) Pawloski of Bay City; sister-in-law Betty (John) Clifford and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his brothers, Francis “Joe”, Bob, Bill, Fred and John Clifford; sister, Marie (Fred) Meyer; and special daughters- in- law, Karen Clifford, Paula Clifford, Connie Erway and Jan Craig.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 11:00 am Monday, March 20, 2017 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Maksym officiating. The rite of committal will be at 2:00 p.m. in St. Agnes Cemetery, Sanford with Military Funeral Honors being provided by the Unites States Army and the Midland Area Veterans. Family will receive friends on at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home, 4210 N. Saginaw Rd., Midland on Sunday 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm and at church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A Christian Vigil service will take place 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to Catholic Relief Services via Blessed Sacrament Church. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com

Life Throwing Curveballs

When I become self absorbed in my own life and then I see something that shakes another family in a much more difficult way, I wonder how their faith survives.

My friends lost their son. At the same time my friends cancer came back. They still stepped up being there for their daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Always there for them. Coaching, school trips, family gatherings. Then today, the daughter-in-law may have cancer and has to resolve other health issues before surgery.

After just seeing The Shack, my belief that God is right there with us all the time, was reaffirmed. But I pray that my friends feel God's love and protection surrounding them.

Asking for prayers for our friends.

Cookie Butter

Oh where have you been all of my life?

Pat and I wanted to take a day trip somewhere. It was cold, but very sunny. So we decided to go to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in Ann Arbor.

On the way there I read reviews of Trader Joe's. There were such sweet comments. From helpful store clerks and nice customers to even cash out people getting a bouquet of flowers for customers having a difficult day.

One of the comments was about making an hour drive to buy cookie butter. Cookie butter? Never heard of it, but I was intrigued.

Oh my goodness!

Yum!

Yum!

Yum!

Now I'm looking up recipes to make with cookie butter and pinning them to my board just for cookie butter recipies!

Afternoon with Nana

Pat, Jesse and Caroline went over to see Grandma and Grandpa this afternoon. The kids came to play with me.

We had fun. And they tried the cookie butter we bought at Trader Joe's yesterday. YUM!

               Making and drinking coffee

      Building blocks in the old Stroh's case

Ayva's Super Dolls

Javie throwing blocks into the box

Clifford looking over the situation

Cars.....Grrr....

I have had it with cars. Sheala's, Pat's, and Caroline's.  I love my Equinox - it never gives us a bit of trouble.

Hospice

Pat's Dad has his cancer back. Hospice has now started. He seems so tired. I don't think it will be long.

Pat is spending a lot of time with him. I am so thankful that he is doing so much for them. We are so thankful for his sister, Mary, living there. His sister, Cathy comes for a few days every other week so Mary can get away.

Saying prayers that his journey home is peaceful for all.