Getting Ready for Frankenmuth

This weekend Friday through Sunday I will be selling at the Frankenmuth show at Zehnder Park on Main Street.

We had Caroline and Javier and Joanna and Robin and Sheala and Robbie over for dinner last night and they were a big help bringing up the tables and dishes for the show this weekend. Now everything is a mess upstairs! But I wanted to get two more containers done by tonight so I wanted to get started on them.

I love it when I unwrap dishes I bought months ago - it's like a fall day when my Mom used to say all excited, "oooohh look at that tree!" and two minutes later, "oooohh look at that tree!" Same thing last night, "Oh look at this dish!" What fun it is. I forgot about buying a watermelon bowl - it is so cute. There are several Asian dishes on pedestals that are so cute - they would be great all together on a table with different dips in them. Some reindeer plates and lots of snowmen plates - I know, I know - it isn't even Halloween!!!!

We had a fun time last night with Javier - he talks and talks and talks - he went outside with Papa with the chalk and came back in for dinner - afterwards Robbie found a box of wind up monsters and superheros in the basement and he and Javier played with them.

Yummy Salad

We went to Harvey's the other night and I had the new Anti-oxidant salad - it was so good I decided to make a version of it tonight for our dinner. I used Spinach for mine and romaine for Pat's then I topped it with:

Strawberries
Kiwi
Dried Cherries
Red Peppers
Green Peppers
English Cucumbers
Walnuts
Turkey Hot Italian Sausages - hot off the grill cut in slices

The dressing was pomegranate juice, olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper

IT WAS REALLY GOOD! Pat loved it too.

I went to my doctor appointment and found out my bad cholesterol is down the good is up and my blood pressure was fabulous. I guess starting back walking is working! Really the first of September was such a turn around from the knee surgery - I can walk without feeling awful afterwards - no more leg cramps either - so maybe I'm on the mend for good!

We just got back from Huron House for our 38th anniversary weekend - we had such a nice time - the sunrises were spectacular - the room was warm and cozy and newly redecorated and we had two trips out to Tuttle Marsh with Eagles close by each time!

There was also a triathlon in Tawas that we got to see and that was fun, too.

The sunrise this morning was through the clouds - so instead of one line coming at us from the sun there were several - it was too cool.

We had the best time ever - we love Huron House in Oscoda, Michigan!

Last Day at Pier 23

We drove to Tawas on Sunday to have lunch on the deck for the last day of the summer for Pier 23. We love going there - the day was a little cool but with sweatshirts on we had the deck all to ourselves. It is our favorite pastime - watching sailboats skim on top of the waves in front of the lighthouse. We always feel sad when they close and go back to Florida for the school year.



I bought some beautiful beads Cloisonne Beads in Tawas - there were red beads, white beads and blue beads all with flowers on them. Round, oval and heart-shaped. I wrapped about 50 knives for the upcoming shows. I also set aside some of the heart-shaped ones to go on the forks and cake server that will go with a beautiful cake plate I bought for the Children's Museum annual auction in February.

Sheala and Robbie to the Rescue

We invited friends over for dinner but there was one problem - we wanted to have a chicken on the rotisserie but we had to go to church during the time it had to roast and it had to be basted every 15 minutes - thankfully Sheala and Robbie came over to chickensit.

While their parents went out for a romantic anniversary dinner they came over and basted that chicken to perfection. Then they set out our humus and cheese and crackers and everything was ready when we came home! What sweethearts! Thank you.

I made the salad that was on the first "Aarti Party" show on Food Network. She is the winner of this year's Next Food Network Star. It was fabulous - everyone liked it. I had never heard of it before. It was kale and mangoes that had to be massaged for two minutes - she said it would start smelling like bananas, and it did! Then added mangoes and (she had pumpkin seeds but I used sunflower seeds). The link to her recipe is below. You can see her make it On Demand if you have it.

Aarti's Massaged Kale Salad



Then I stole a recipe from Steve, the chef at Fandangles in Flushing, Michigan,
but I added to it - he grilled peaches and put them with Mango/Coconut Ice Cream - yum - but then I added a little stream of Apple Jack that our friend Jack made. Some concoction that has hard apple cider and rum - oh my goodness that was a great dessert.

We had a great time!

Dinner with Friends

We had dinner with Jan and Rod last night - it was so nice to catch up and hear all about their grandchildren. An extra bonus was Jamie joining us for dinner, too. It was a fun night - the food was spectacular from Rod's main course - chicken and roasted vegetables - to Jan's Aunt Maimee's pound cake in a delicious sauce with strawberries and cream! YUM - GOOD.

Jamie - I think he talked me into a Droid - we'll see what goes on sale before Christmas - I can't wait to buy one - my friend at work, Jim, has one and he really likes it - so I'm going to start looking around so I will be ready for a sale.

The weather has turned to Michigan Fall - I love it - I wish we were camping!

Mary's Show

Pat and I went to Lapeer to Gallery 194 to see my cousin's art show - it was fabulous - the quilts, the glass - the way it was so thoughtfully displayed - I could have sworn that David Hilty blew the glass to go with Mary's quilts or she started sewing after looking at his glass - it belongs together! It was an amazing show.

YEAH! 1st 12 let in!

I forgot that I wanted to be at the Forester Estate sale this morning by 8:30 am - at 8:26 I yelled to Pat that we had to get moving - I said this in my nightie at the computer!!!!

Yesterday we went through a beautiful condo and I found several pieces that I would want to sell - and I almost bought a few items but decided I had to wait until they were half off. I look all year for an item to donate to the Children's Museum of Saginaw's auction every February and there was a beautiful cake stand that I wanted - but I was determined to get it half off.

We made it by 8:45 - hair combed, teeth brushed, lipstick on (substitute contacts in for Patrick on that last one)------ and there was a lot of people standing around waiting before us. I went up to sign in and found out we were number 12 - YIKES.

They decided to let in the first 12 - YEAH - so even though we were the last to enter we were the first to go to the glass dishes and I got every piece I wanted to buy. We were the first to check out and leave while several people were still waiting to go in - I love it when a day starts out like this!!!

Shows Coming Up and Changes, too

Well - I have to pull out the beads - the fall season begins in just a couple of weeks in September - Frankenmuth the weekend of the 18th and SVSU the weekend of the 25th. I told Pat we have to go through our purchases from the summer and see what I have for Christmas! Can you believe it? And yes, I already saw an advertisement for Christmas in a magazine so I'm not the first to say the dreaded words that "It's time to start Christmas Shopping!!!!!"

I will no longer have my First Serving available at Finders Keepers in Tawas - I was so sad to hear that Julie has decided to retire and will no longer have her booth there - so - I'm picking up the rest of my inventory and will sell it at the shows this season. I so loved taking things to Julie to sell - she loved the pieces and I had fun showing them to her. I hope she enjoys her retirement and stays in good health for a long, long time.

Camping in Atlanta

Pat and I went to Atlanta, Michigan to Clear Lake State Park for the weekend - we had such a good time. The weather was great - a big storm on Friday night blew through and that is always fun getting a storm in the trailer. Saturday was a beautiful day and Sunday was too. We didn't see much wildlife and actually we were commenting that we didn't see any ground squirrels and didn't hear any Kirtland Warblers - which is very surprising. We did hear and see lots of Loons and saw a few deer. No Elk - No Bears - but still a nice weekend camping in the old Holiday Rambler.

40th Class Reunion SMC

We had such a great time last night - even though there was a small turn out for our reunion it was so nice to have time to talk to everyone. Tom and Steve were our hosts at FANDANGLES in Flushing, Michigan and it was the most beautiful setting we could have imagined.

Clarence was invited to bring his artwork and Tom set it up so it was a perfect backdrop to the evening. The table settings were all done in red and white - our school colors - and the food was fabulous.

Some things never change - Jon and John had different stories about how they remembered the same events. Clarence explained why he didn't begin to dabble in art until way after 7th grade. We heard about taking tests in high school - we took a test that Mary Beth put together which was fun to remember teachers that changed our lives and activities that we enjoyed participating in all through our grade school and high school years. Mary Beth reminded us that we all will have a 60th birthday soon! Where did the years go?

We were happy to have so many people come from so far away to be with us for such an enjoyable evening. I was the official picture taker and my classmates are going to kill me - the camera settings were screwed up - but even with that I did get some good pictures - I'll post a few here and on the smcreunion.blogspot.com

Fandangles

Even though I have been to Tom and Steve's restaurant before it just shimmered and glimmered last night. I must say the ambiance and the food and the classy decorating from chandeliers to the ever-changing beautiful art on the walls. They have been long-standing supporters of the arts by always having new artists featured in their restaurant. The pictures do not even come close to the brilliance cast from so many sources of light.

Surprise Soldier Homecomings

GET READY TO CRY - my classmate, Rosemary shared this on my facebook and it is just too beautiful not to share here - I cannot believe the difference this makes in our lives - the love - the sacrifice - the peace upon them when they are hugging - thank you to all of them for the service to our country.

Mary Lynn Does it Again

Mary Lynn has a new show with David Hilty at Gallery194 in Lapeer. Her Chihuly-inspired quilts are paired with beautiful glass pieces in an extraordinary exhibit in Lapeer. This display is my favorite from the pictures I blatantly stole from her friend Robbie's blog.

Breakfast, Balloons and a trip Up North

By 6 am we were on our way to Kochville Township to see the balloons - we had pancakes and sausage that they were selling for a fundraiser and then we watched as they put together the gondolas and attached the balloons and blew them up. It was very fun - saw friends from Hoyt Street and St. Mary's and had a nice morning.

On our way up to Tawas we saw a balloon that was not a part of the Kochville celebration come down in a sugar beet field - they lost their power and it was sort of scary watching them come close to wires. The balloon chaser came to help almost immediately and he pulled the balloon away from the wires with a long cord.

Then we went to Tuttle Marsh and saw more wildlife than we have in ages on our visits there. A snake, deer, ospreys, egrets, kingfishers, and tons of small birds. It was fun. Then off to Pier 23 for lunch where we watched about 30 sailboats out on Lake Huron. We had a very enjoyable day.

AAAAHHHHHH

Finally, the weather has turned and it actually cooled off last night. We sat outside with our neighbor talking and laughing. We watched the boys next door run around, ride bikes, and just having fun. It made me remember how much I loved going bike riding with Sue, my neighbor on Hoyt Street.

Many times we would ride with me on the handlebars but then we got a tandem and we were off all through the City. We would ride our bike past "boyfriends" houses, to sneak a cigarette (yes I smoked when I was young and stupid!), or just to get away from home and feel like we were free.

Our lives expanded when we went off on the bike. We actually rode across the bridge and started to explore the west side of Saginaw. This was a brand new horizon - one we thought of as the rich side of town. The houses were newer, the yards were bigger, but I noticed that our houses had more character and there were lots more kids playing outside in our neighborhood.

It wasn't very much later that our family moved about 6 blocks away into a neighborhood with no kids at all. So many times I would ride over to the old neighborhood and pick up Sue and we would be off again on our bikes - but moving changed things - it seemed we didn't go as often as before. It took a few years until I got my license that we again began to go off riding past "boyfriends" houses again, sneaking cigarettes and again just to feel like we were free. Isn't amazing how things don't change very much as you are growing up?

I enjoyed growing up in Saginaw - we had a great time!

Nursery School Moms

Our children are now older than we were when we took them to co-op preschools! We had a dedicated group of women working to promote cooperative preschools in Michigan. We became good friends in the process with other women throughout the State of Michigan. Some of us still get together as often as we can - sometimes once a year - sometimes we have to miss a year. Jan is the one who organizes us - she sends out an email that she is coming to visit and as many of us that can get together do.

We catch up on our children, their children - and of course now, my great grandchildren. We see who is working, who is retiring, who has moved and just what is going on in our lives.

Friends from long ago - they are so much fun to be with because we know so much about our families and it is fun to watch the families change throughout the years. We missed Jackie and Robbin - maybe next year!

More Chihuly

The bowls are so spectacular (I am running out of adjectives!) These were in the tropical exhibit and they did seem to belong there.

Flowers at the Gardens

The flowers were so beautiful - the colors vibrant - the landscaping fabulous - there were orchids and hibiscus and flowers that looked like a Chihuly!

Back from Grand Rapids

I know I've said this before - but - I LOVE CHIHULY! We went to Grand Rapids to see the show at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. The pictures above are my FAVORITE - of course it brought tears to my eyes just looking at it. The setting was perfect for the sculpture and the colors were brilliant - it so reminded me of Pentecost.





The pictures above were the favorite of all the people going to the exhibit. I just loved the outside exhibits - but the inside ones were really fabulous, too. I will post some of those the next time I'm in here!

We really had a wonderful time - the weather channel told us it was going to rain ALL DAY with thunderstorms - HAH - it didn't even rain but a few raindrops. The day was perfect for walking through the gardens. We even decided to stay an extra night because we were both exhausted from all the shopping and the walking around the gardens.

What an exhausting day!

We have been to several thrift stores - a few antique stores - and best of all Meijer Gardens to see Chihuly in the Gardens and the Davinci Horse. I will update tomorrow when I have more time - but the trip to Grand Rapids was REALLY FANTASTIC!

Reunion Planning

We had such a nice visit with John and Mary Beth and Joan and Tom and Steve last Sunday. We decided to send out postcards for the class reunion. Their home is so beautiful and the backyard is such a relaxing spot.

Steve took care of us all afternoon - we laughed until our cheeks hurt - and we had a preview of some of the foods that will be served at the reunion. IT WAS FABULOUS!

It's only a few weeks away and I can't wait to see our friends from YIKES 40 years ago.

Robbie and Sheala

A visit from the Jacklin family last night was such fun.

Pat and I had to go to the store because we only had chicken for dinner - no sides - so we went to Kroger and I bought 8 different salads, corn on the cob and a loaf of jalepeno bread and hummus and some sushi. (My grandkids LOVE sushi.)

Sheala and Robbie were playing cards in the kitchen when we walked in from the store and I set out the bread and hummus for them to eat. Joanna found some celery in the frig and had that with hummus, since she is now on the Atkins diet with Robin.)

The kids stayed in the kitchen playing cards and I went to sit with Jo in the living room. Pat started cooking chicken on the grill and we waited to see if Robin would get out of work in time for dinner with us.

Sheala was humming away in the kitchen (a sure sign she is winning at cards) and Robbie was laughing and bugging her. Joanna was working on Soduko (which by the way she does in pen with nothing scribble out or written over!!!!)

Then Robbie and Sheala decided to make smoothies - frozen blueberries that our neighbor picked for us a few weeks ago. Then Robbie sat on the couch with me and told me "there is no love in his family" he proceeded to tell me that Joanna and Sheala saw him fall on the stairs at home and they didn't even care - they just laughed at him - he wasn't feelin' any love! I told him I loved him more than life itself.

Our nephew, David, called and I talked with him a bit and then Pat talked with him until it was time for dinner. Then Robin came in, Pat brought in the chicken and we sat down to a yummy dinner. We sent them all home right after dinner (they usually help us clean up but we insisted they needed to leave for their errands).

Then we went to the park for a bit and came home. It was a very nice night in Saginaw.

Rain Rain Go Away

We have two outdoor weddings to go to today! The rain is threatening with gray clouds and nastiness out there! Hopefully the sun will peek out for the weddings.

We played cards with Bill and Amy last night - what fun. Bill and I even traded hands a couple times because we both were complaining so much about the rotten cards we were getting. One time I got better cards and the next time MUCH MUCH worse. We played a couple of games of Spades and a couple of Hearts. I don't think I've been up that late in a long while. We drank gin and tonics and of course I had leg cramps last night, all night long. But - it was a fun night.

It is official - I got my numbers for retirement - I'll take a hit by going a year early - but - we can actually do it financially. However, after January there will be no more Keno! A small price to pay to start having a great time with my sweetie!

1/2 Day

Pat and I took off for up north this afternoon - what a nice ride. I can't take it for granite anymore - it feels so good to have my knee feel fine on a long ride - I wasn't sure I would be able to go on our adventures anymore - but not one bit of being uncomfortable when we went today! YEAH!

I haven't even started "cleaning for the cleaning lady" as my Mom would say and she comes tomorrow! I will have to scurry around in the morning in order to have the place be clean enough to be cleaned!!!!

Remembering Paula

Being a Great Wife and Mother
A Sister and Friend,
Playing Pinochle – always my partner and
Always bidding high against David,
Cooking Sweet and Sour Pork,
Selling at the Antique Festival,
Going to Thrift Stores and Garage Sales,
Encouraging Artists and Painting Beautiful Art,
Opening and Closing Her Gallery,
Filling up Every Available Space with Treasures,
Coaxing David to Make More Space Available,
Camping, Talking, Laughing,
Enjoying Life and Making Other People Enjoy it, too.
I'll miss you Paula

New Business Card

I love my new business cards - I've resisted getting any but when I am at the craft shows lots of people ask for them - so - when Vista started advertising on TV I decided to try them - they were very affordable you just have to wade through one or two emails every day from them. All in all - that is worth the price to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE SCHMANE

Just a short fireworks from Saginaw, Michigan 2009 - Happy Birthday, Sister Dear - all these people were ooohing and ahhhhing for your birthday celebration!

First Blueberry Pie

MMMMMmmmmm..... Our tenant, Marge and our next door neighbor, Juanita, went blueberry picking this morning - they came back and gave us enough berries for blueberry pie - the fruit was tart and the crust turned out great - mmmmm.... I know my friend Kay is cringing at the thought of ruining a good blueberry - but we loved it!

I spent the morning, with Pat's help, finishing up the dishes and knives from the Frankenmuth show - we had lots of bugs at the show and I didn't want to bring them in the basement so we left everything in the garage until I could get to them. Pat bullied me into doing it this morning and by the time we were done I thanked him - it has been on my mind but I just hate getting started!

Then we went for a nice drive - to the Wooden Shoe restaurant - it was a great drive but I don't think we would go just for the restaurant - even though we ate outside on the patio on the Tittabawassee River it was just an okay place. The Dockside in Bay City on the Saginaw Bay has us SPOILED.

YEAH

I just found out I can retire in January 2011 instead of 2012!!!!! I am SOOO happy - the smile hasn't left my face. We had our friends Bill and Amy and Jan and Jim over for dinner to celebrate - I tried my niece Kim's shrimp recipe - but I made it a little easier. We bought already cooked shrimp at Jack's then added:

1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 tsp ginger
Juice of one lime

Marinated for 1 hour then we put it on a flat screen type grill pan and covered it with foil - then we put it on the grill for about 5 minutes - just to warm it up.

YUMMMMMM!!!!

River Roar

We went to the Dockside in Bay City yesterday afternoon and watched the practice runs for the River Roar this weekend - we had such a good time - lots of sunshine - warm wind - fast boats - and most of all sitting next to my Honey. I sure did miss him while he was traveling the past two weeks. Good to have him home.

Looking for......

Classmates addresses: Joe Schneider, Janice Sutter, Bob Wilcox, Margot Phelan, Ron Majewski, Rene Gaudreau. I am sending the flyers out for our 40th this week - I want to make sure everyone is invited.

Nice Dinner

I just had dinner with my son-in-law, Robin. We had such a nice evening - talking about family and church and life in general. He is so proud of his kids and it shows in the stories he tells. Joanna is in Hawaii and Pat is in New Jersey so I texed him and asked if he wanted to go out to dinner - it was very nice.

Pat will be home tomorrow - I can't wait - I miss him lots.

Long Weekend

The weekend in Frankenmuth was so hot - and really no one had purchases in their hands - I am really only going to do Fall and Winter shows. My plates are great gifts for Christmas and I'm going to stick with that for now. I certainly made enough to pay for everything but I am sure I could have spent the weekend with my family visiting from Tulsa and had more fun! Thank goodness for Patrick - what a good sport - he sat with me all weekend long!

I had my cousin over for dinner last night and we wrapped spoons and knives to match dishes she had. That was a lot of fun and very nice to visit with her.

I'm supposed to be getting out the class reunion flyers tonight - but I decided to wait until tomorrow! I never knew what a procrastinator I am! Going to work at 4 am yesterday really exhausted me - I had to work at a very fast pace trying to make up for Friday when the computers went down at work - I did make my deadlines but I am still paying the price - when I came home this afternoon I took a nap and I am sure I'll still sleep well tonight.

I talked to Sheala for a bit today - she had a WONDERFUL time in Boston. She made so many friends and really didn't want to come home. I am so happy she had a great time. Now they are visiting their cousins in New Jersey - what a fun way to begin the summer.

Family and Shows

We saw lots of family at the funeral this week - of course we all decided never to miss another year without getting together - but you know how that goes - weddings and funerals.

It was a nice time to see two of our nieces and my sister from Tulsa - we don't get enough hugs, smiles, and kisses from them. It was so nice to talk with them about their future plans and tell them we love them. Jim and Cindy showed us a slide show if their Mission trip to Cuba. Cindy has been at her sons house and then her mom's house for a few weeks and she was home last night - I like it when she is home! Mary Lynn went over to spend the night, too - I'm glad she stayed. I missed Kathy and Larry though.

The show in Frankenmuth was HOT HOT HOT yesterday - and it looks as if today will be the same - but at least all the storms were down south of the show so maybe when we get there today our tent will still be standing!

I Sold a good number of dishes - there was this really great cobalt blue bowl shaped like a fish and I was so glad it sold - it needed a good home - it was my favorite piece on the table. Today my goal is to sell the beautiful pink glass bowl with a spoon with beautiful Swarovski pink beads. I don't like having pieces that are so special to pack away.

Well off I go - time to find a few more dishes in the basement to take with me - I noticed I didn't have near enough glass dishes to sparkle in the sunshine.

Resurrection Sunday - Budapest

Thank you Maureen!

FRANKENMUTH

I will be in Frankenmuth all weekend long - starting today at Noon, Friday, June 18th through Sunday. I will be selling the hostess sets - $10 for one set and $15 for two sets. I found some really great dishes - perfect for the 4th of July!

We are hoping the weather cooperates - it sounds as if it might - I can't wait to see you all.

Prayers

My cousin, Mary Lynn, lost her son this week while he was out on his daily exercise run - he had a fatal heart attack at the age of 46. He was a good man - a fun uncle - loved by many. His obituary shows how full of life he was (Click on his name below to read it). Our love and prayers to his family and friends.

Fr. Damien

Jazz on Jefferson - What Fun

We saw so many people that we know at "Jazz on Jefferson" last night. We had such a good time. People from St. Mary's and St. Pete's and the City of Saginaw and Delta and we had our booth next to Jan and Jim - it was fun, fun, fun. We could hear Jean Marie singing over on Millard Street which was very nice.

We sold 20 plates and knives which was a great night when no one even knew there was going to be a vendor spot. It was such a nice evening. We hope to do it again next year.

This week

I had the week off from work - what a luxurious thing - to be off and not trying to recuperate from surgery! I have such good friends at work who pick up my job and get it done while I am gone - I can't thank them enough. Anyone who has been following my blog knows that I have been counting down until retirement - well - I'm under 500 days!!!!!!!!!

We started out our camping year on a great note - camping with friends at the Rifle River State Recreation Area - we had one really great day weather-wise and the others were okay. Pat is camping with his brothers this weekend so I've been shopping the estate sales and going to buy fabulous beads at Joanne's - they were all on sale so I bought lots.

Jan and I are excited about the Jazz on Jefferson on Wednesday evening - Her purses are so fabulous you will want to see them - we will be set up in the Team One Credit Union parking lot - hope you will stop by and see us.

Class of 1970 Reunion

Attention all Classmates of Saginaw St. Mary Cathedral Class of 1970 - we will be having a reunion dinner at classmate Tom Price's restaurant in Flushing on August 14, 2010.

Tom has an award winning restaurant - Fandangles' - even his bathroom at the restaurant came in 5th in the NATION! He was nice enough to offer to host our party - the food and atmosphere at Fandangles' is really fabulous.

It is only about 30-40 minutes from Saginaw and it will be a night to remember. More details will follow.

More Travels

We went to Traverse City Friday and came home yesterday. It was just a short buying trip - we went to garage sales and thrift shops and I found some great Christmas dishes as well as pottery and a medium sized blue bowl that is shaped like a fish - I couldn't leave it - I'll put a large serving spoon with blue beads with it.

Of course we stopped at Peninsula Grill for lunch before coming home - and to our favorite wine tasting school house - Peninsula Cellars. We bought a case of wine which we like to think saves us money - but if we didn't buy the wine at all we would save much more! But what fun would that be?

We took some fabulous pictures of lilacs - they were at the end of the season but there were so many and so beautiful.

Back to the mundane today - cleaning the porch, going grocery shopping and searching the Internet for grilled trout recipes for camping and a truffle recipe for dessert when we have friends that we haven't seen in years over for dinner this week.

Lots of containers filled

Well - I really worked hard this week on the dishes. I filled seven large containers with dishes and wrapped knives. It was hard work but well worth the time. I am sure I have enough for the Jazz on Jefferson on June 9th and the Frankenmuth Craft Show on June 18, 19 and 20. So now I can relax for a few weeks. Then I'll have to get down to business again because I have so many shows this year that I think I better stay ahead.

I must say when I went down into the basement I was pleasantly surprised to see how many dishes I actually have down there. We have been really concentrating on Christmas dishes and I do have lots - but I still think I will need quite a few more to get through to the end of the year.

I just don't think I can have too many Christmas dishes - however - I think Patrick may disagree! He's the one that goes down the basement to store my dishes and he keeps saying there isn't anymore room. But I made a major dent in it with the ones I finished this week and those are out of his way. I'll see if I can fill it back up for him today!

First time in a very long time

We were trying to figure out how long it had been that Patrick, Joanna, Caroline and I had all been together all by ourselves - no spouses, grandkids or great grandkids - I think we came up with 1991! Oh my goodness! We had a very nice time being with our original family. It just doesn't happen anymore.

I love the spouses, the grandkids and the great grandkids - wouldn't trade any of them for anything - but it was such a treat to listen to our children and enjoy each other's company.

Random Thoughts

Random because that drives Pat crazy - when we clean the house he likes to clean ONE room at a time - finishing every single thing in the room. I'll explain how I clean by telling you how I got to sign in and blog this morning.

Pat left to work on a job with a friend - before he left I asked him to bring up several of my containers with dishes in them. I thought I would begin getting ready for "Jazz on Jefferson" which will be on June 9th.

I started emptying containers - washing dishes, putting different knives with different dishes. I fill a couple of containers and put a post it note on them to tell what is in the container (my attempt at organizing before I leave for a show) Then I went downstairs to find dishes that have a Martini theme - thinking those Jazz people might like martinis! I found them - but there were no knives already wrapped that had the colors I needed.

So upstairs I go - while looking for beads, I think maybe I should get some spoons too because I have some cute Partridge in a Pear Tree mugs that would be fun to sell. I go to sit down to search in my bead containers and think that while I'm up here I might as well print out some labels for the containers because the post it notes look as if they might fall off.

So I turn the computer on and sit down to search out beads. (It takes awhile for the computer to do it's backup that I always miss because I don't go on the computer enough!) So then I find the beads and go to print out the labels. While I'm here I think - I might as well go online and see if I have any messages. Then I think - mmmmm - maybe I'll blog!!!!!!

Now Patrick would have worked with what was in the containers and finished the whole job already - I on the other hand have enjoyed doing a lot of different chores and got to blog, too!

Chihuly in Michigan

My friend Peggy, a great lurker on this site, sent me an article about the Meijer Gardens Chihuly Exhibit in Grand Rapids. We would have gone this weekend but it's FREEZING in Michigan this weekend. So we are looking forward to a trip in the near future. Our nephew is getting married in Croatia and then having a reception in Grand Rapids so - NOTICE TO ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS GOING TO THE WEDDING - we'll organize a field trip to Meijer Gardens! YEAH!!!

I called my cousin Mary Lynn and told her she should contact the gift shop and have her quilts there for sale during the exhibit - now through September. They were inspired by our trip to the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix when we went to see the Chihuly exhibit there.

Pat and I went to a few estate sales today - I didn't buy anything at those but there was a church rummage sale (those are the best) and I got a bag of books and dishes for a dollar! Then I bought a few more items that were half off today. All in all - a great day.

Nice Weekend

We went to friends on Friday for dinner and cards - we had a great time. They had been on a trip and we missed them - it was good to have them home.

Saturday we went up north. I found some really great Christmas dishes both on the way up going to estate sales and at a store in Tawas. We stopped to see Julie at Finder's Keepers and she has my serving pieces displayed so nice in her area of the store. Oh by the way - it's her birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE.

We did stop at a VERY SCARY estate sale on the way up north. I walked in and walked back out - it looked like something out of that new show about hoarders - even though I've never seen the show; I've seen the ads - YIKES - I walked back out as fast as I could and we drove out of there!!!!!! SCARY!!!!!

It was very beautiful up north - we stopped at Lumberman's Monument which is one of our favorite spots. The warm wind was blowing and we watched kids climbing on the logs. A couple of hikers with huge backpacks came up to the monument and they were taking pictures of each other so I offered to take one of both of them. They had just hiked from Iargo Springs - they are training for their trip to Isle Royale. I told them that our daughter Caroline had hiked there and she loved the Island. Then on the way out we were reminiscing about when we had a picnic at the park in the Lumberman's Monument when I was pregnant for Joanna so many years ago. We cooked ribs - it was early spring because I had on my winter jacket - it is one of our favorite memories.

We stopped to eat and while we were eating I had to call my sister to tell her the Kentucky Derby was on and Noble's Promise was a 24 to 1 bet - came in 3rd I think after our call. She told me that Liz and a friend were talking about "Patisms" at the dinner table - and they came up with "As useless as a screen door on a submarine" - Pat loved it! Isn't it amazing when you talk about someone or remember a great time how the person just pops up and surrounds you? What a nice thing to happen in our lives.

Then my best friend's son called and Pat and I laughed all the way through the conversation - he is a sweetie. It was good to catch up with him.

Then home - it was a really beautiful trip.

Yeah! Magglio!

I left work early today - not because my knee hurt - because we wanted to see Magglio hit #2,000! He was so happy - his face was one big smile - Pat and I went to the Junction at 1:00 to see the Tiger game - Magglio hit one his first time up but he was out - the second time up was the magic number. Caroline came in to watch with us after her interview. We had a nice afternoon - much - much - much better than staying at work!

A few good estate sales

We went to three good estate sales yesterday. Found some platters and some dishes. YEAH!

On Friday we went to pick up our trailer at Pat's brother's home in Lansing. Paula and I went to some thrift shops where I found some dishes and then when we got back to their house the trailer was all hooked up and ready to go. So we all went to the Draft House and played a game of pinochle where Paula and I WON! Then we had dinner and back home to Saginaw.

It's raining this morning which is really good because the trees and grass need a good soaking. I hope the weather is okay tomorrow for Sheala's soccer game.

YAHOOOO - 2 days in a row

I've worked 8 hours two days in a row! And when I got home this afternoon I was still feeling pretty good. My goal is for the whole week to be 8 hour days.

The wildlife is moving in all over the city. This morning when I got to work there was an injured fox in a cage that had been hit by a car and this afternoon there was a wild turkey that flew across Malzahn to our neighbors bushes. The poor animals must be scared with all the traffic and people.

We had Jesse and Caroline and Crystal and the kids over for dinner last night. Jesse and Caroline went to the disappointing Tiger game and then they all came over for fettucini - unfortunatley I don't think Caroline was happy with the meal - I floured the meat which made a gravy instead of au jus with the meat and the homemade garlic bread didn't measure up to Coles - but we had fun anyway. The kids were riding on Caroline's lap bumping down the stairs. It brought back memories of Brandon and Bryant sliding down the stairs when they were little with Joanna and Caroline.

Catchup with Ketchup

When my friend, Fran, said she was coming to Saginaw I asked her to go out to breakfast - of course she said "Bringers?" Her parents were regulars at Bringers for years and it was fun to meet her there. We had a chance to find out what everyone is doing - how her aunts and uncles and cousins are doing. It sure was a nice time to catch up (the Ketchup part of this was eating the yummy hashbrowns with ketchup - they make the best hashbrowns anywhere at Bringers!)

When we were growing up Fran and her family moved in just a few houses down from us on Hoyt Street. It was so amazing to go over to her house - there was Ma, Helen, Honey, Uncle Pat, Uncle Ed, Patsy, Pumpkin and Fran. There was always something going on - lots of aunts and uncles and cousins - always a baby to hold and play with - stories to hear on the porch - cookies or bread baking in the oven - just a warm loving home that I always wanted to be part of and was thankfully always welcome to be one of their own.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone. I hope today is a great spring day. I love spring in Michigan. Our daffodils are so beautiful this year. Our tenant takes care of the flowers and there are so many explosions of yellow on the side and front of the house - I love them.

It seems as if the little rain we got yesterday made all the forsythia begin to bloom all over town. My kids used to call them Aunt Cindy's bushes - For Cynthias. There is one house in the township that has a whole line of the bushes and I can't wait until next week when they probably will all be flowered.

We had all our trees pruned this spring - I hope they do well. Our Sugar Maple in back is "stressed" from all the concrete around it - because it doesn't get enough water - so - I guess the water bill will be higher this year to see if we can save it.

On the side of the house the lawn looks very bad - I think we need to look into doing something - it is very yellow. I think it needs fertilizer and that is where all the snow stays the longest so it must not get enough sun either. Thankfully, Pat works outside - I really don't enjoy it at all. But I love it when things look good - mmmmmm..... Doesn't say much for M.E.

Farewell to a Friend

Police Officer Jim Blondin passed away on Sunday and his memorial service was on Thursday. He had been ill for a year and actually we thought he was going to die last spring. But Jim wasn't ready to die. He didn't want to leave his wife and children and grandchildren. Over the last year I have thought a lot about Jim and Sue. I sent cards every once in awhile - mostly funny ones to make him laugh because he made me laugh every time I saw him. He was so funny and a joy to work with.

I told Sue at the service that she will remember this last year with wonderful memories - the difficult times will melt away, her memories will be of Jim the way he looked before he became ill, she will be so blessed from the love they had this last year. I know this in my heart.

The procession left from the Police Department on the way to the funeral home and drove down Jim and Sue's old street - Court Street - and past Fuzzy's where Jim loved to stop. Jim's sister, Pam, told me that people were out at the curbs to see the procession go by with their hands over their hearts - the people at Fuzzy's were out, too. She said it was so touching and meant so much to their family.

We will miss Jim so much. But I know that Heaven is a much better place with him in it - with the saints and angels laughing every time they talk with Jim.

An Amazing Trip to the Museum

My cousin, Mary Lynn, wanted to know if I would like to go to the Castle Museum with her to donate our Great Grandmother's quilt. I was very happy to go with her. We met with Sandy who started to take down information. She told us that our Great Grandfather's harp was now on exhibit.

I ALMOST STARTED TO CRY! I had never seen the harp! So she told us we could go upstairs to see the exhibit when we were ready to go. Then she took down information about Mary Lynn and asked me to give her my information also. I laughed and told her I had four names. I started out: Mary Ellen Shea C... and she said, "Shea? - wait a minute - did you know Elinor?" I told her that Elinor was my Mom. I laughed and asked her "Did you love her?" That may be a funny question to a stranger - but I cannot tell you how many people really did love my Mom! She broke into a huge smile and nodded her head and told me that my Mom and my Mom's friend Kay were her first volunteers that she worked with at the museum 18 years ago. She said she still sometimes will go into a room and think that it needs the "Elinor Touch!"

So then it was time to go up to the harp. It was placed in a living room. And we could just picture Great Grandma's quilt going on the sofa next to it. Mary Lynn and I had such a nice visit there - I can't wait to go see the quilt with the harp!

First Long Trip

We drove to Traverse City and spent the night - we stopped a lot along the way there - Jay's in Clare, and a couple of thrift stores. I felt okay when we got there. While we were there we went to both casinos (came out a little ahead) we stopped at Goodwill, Salvation Army and three thrift shops - I found so many great Christmas plates - after a very dry couple of months I was so happy to find so many cute plates.




We stayed at the Hampton Inn - it was very nice and I even went to the fitness center and worked out on the bike. We had dinner at the Fresh Water Lodge - I had salmon and Pat had the perch - fabulous dinners. And then for lunch we stopped at the Peninsula Grill and I had the lobster roll and Pat had a Salmon sandwich - we sat in the sun by the window and the waitress was very nice and friendly and we decided if we could do this trip all over again it couldn't be better.

Then the drive home - too much car time - not enough stops - haven't I learned my lesson yet?!? GGGrrrr..... Sometimes I could kick myself. Because of a detour there really wasn't anywhere to stop for a long time - I also fell asleep which meant I didn't move my legs in the car - live and learn (I hope).

BTW

This Back To Work stuff isn't so much fun! Well - Thursday I worked the whole day - I should have worked 6 hours. Friday I worked 5 hours and went right to physical therapy. So I'm thinking every day next week will have to be a short day until I'm feeling like I can work 8 hours.

It was nice to see everyone - I didn't realize how much I missed working. I knew I was bored but I really liked getting back in my office and actually working on payroll!

Pat and I went shopping and I found LOTS of snowman plates - that is a good start for next season craft shows. Which by the way aren't that far away.

I thought I would get lots of beading done while I was off but I didn't - I was surprised to have such a short attention span while recuperating - I didn't read either. Thank goodness for Cash Cab being on Discovery so many times during the day! That by the way is my favorite show - Amy told me about it and I watched it every day - lots of times I fell asleep while it was on but it sure made the day go faster!

Dinner at Outback

Jim and Cindy and Pat and I went out to celebrate my birthday - we were all so busy in December we couldn't go and then my knee surgery - so we went out last night. It sure was nice to sit and visit and see what everyone is doing. We even called Jane and told her to update her blog! Her response was that "Jim doesn't even HAVE a blog!" We had a really nice time.

So many of our kids and grandkids go out of the country on a regular basis - I still can't get used to how global this generation is - it is nothing to find them visiting or living in Australia, New Zealand, India, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, China, Chile, Croatia, Mexico - all over the globe. My one trek to Ireland with Mom, Fran and Patsy - that and an occasional trip to Canada will probably be the extent of my out of the US travel.

I'm gearing up for going back to work at the end of the week - YIKES - I'm not sure I am ready for this!

Mary Lynn's Art Show

My cousin, Mary Andrews, has a solo art show at the Saginaw Township Offices. When we went to Arizona we saw a Chihuly glass exhibit at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens - it was amazing - when we got home - even more amazing was how Mary Lynn made quilt hangings that looked just like the gardens.

I tried to pick out my favorite - it was difficult - but I guess the boat filled with glass and a large tree behind it was beautiful. The dark bark of the tree contrasts with rest of the quilt and I stood in front of it a long time soaking in the artistry.

The display will be there all of March - if you haven't seen it - stop by and walk through.

Another milestone

We made it to Tawas yesterday. Car rides have not been the best thing lately - but yesterday we actually made it up north - and if you know us at all - you know that is a big milestone. We did stop at the casino on the way so I could lose $40 and it gave us a break from the car. I had fun - played a long time on the last $20 - the guy next to me kept winning and I think he actually ended up with $150 - not bad on a penny machine.

We stopped to see our friend Barb - it was a nice visit and a chance to catch up about our families. We were laughing about Grand Marais when we (Barb and I)wouldn't go down Devil's Slide anymore (it was when I knew I was actually an adult because I wouldn't let Janet talk me into something STUPID!) Then we laughed more remembering Pat going all the way down - coming back up and then going down again for one of the other kids having trouble coming up.

The trip home was okay until about 3 miles from home - then I was really ready for the trip to be done. But it was a great day filled with memories, sunshine and Lake Huron.

GGGRRRRR.....

I went to help a friend with Word 2007 - I HATE IT - even though I have come to love Excel 2007 I don't use Word enough to overcome my intense dislike of it. I tried to make changes for him on his computer and they kept going back to the previous way the documents were setup. So I researched it this morning and I'll go back and see if I can change it. Mine is setup correctly - which makes me thing that maybe he needs to reinstall his. We'll see if the changes work.

I am getting more and more mobile - I am still worried about going back to work next week and sitting most of the day - the PT told me I can't do that - I have to walk around as much as possible. We'll see how that works when I go back. I'm going shopping today - I need some new spring clothes - I sure hope I find what I need to go back to work. I still will need to wear my tennis shoes for support and I need a couple pairs of pants and some tops.

We went to the soup supper and evening prayer last night - it has been a very nice Lenten service. It simplifies the middle of the week and gives us a chance to slow down and take time to pray.

Ells Bells called with a plumbing problem - but alas - Uncle Pat has been working and on jury duty for the past 2 weeks - hope everything worked out for you!

Proof - Spring is Here

Not the Red Wing Blackbird, not a Robin.......

In Mt. Pleasant yesterday a college student walked in with a mini skirt, tank top and sandals - no coat! PROOF POSITIVE Spring has sprung in Michigan!

We went to all our favorite stops - 2 antique stores, Goodwill and Salvation Army - not one plate to be purchased! I can't believe it! Someone advertised in the Saginaw News that they are having a "Cabin Fever" Garage Sale today - I think I have to go!

Really worked hard at PT yesterday - lots of new things - Amy you will love this - I had to balance on one foot - couldn't do it - even with my WII Yoga which I can balance on - the mat I had to balance on at PT was a cushy - wobbly thing - I don't think I will ever get to more than a few seconds on it.

Pat's going to work on the garage all day - back wall needs replacing from a accident a few weeks ago - not us thank goodness and no one was hurt. But the back wall is a mess. We got the insurance check and he's going to try to get it done quickly.

Going to a baby shower today - then to church - that's it for now - ME

What a beautiful week

The sun has been shining all week long - temps in the high 30's - blue sky - I love it when you get days like this in March in Michigan.

The other night I heard something in the kitchen - It actually sounded as if a shelf fell in one of the cupboards - no crashes - just noise. I didn't get up to investigate. In the morning we found the latch to the microwave broke and the door opened and hit the wall. We decided to get a new microwave so yesterday we bought the cheapest model that was over the range. We really only defrost, reheat and make popcorn - so we think this is the best model for us. Pat is installing it as I type. We are talking about redoing the kitchen - I'm pleading for summertime instead of while I am still trying to take it easy.

PT is getting harder - celibrex is working pretty well - I'm actually looking forward to going back to work (I know remind me of that when I get back, Robyn.)

One more change

When I went for my yearly physical yesterday I got one more change in medication - the doctor wasn't happy with me taking 2 advil every 4 hours even throughout the night - so I'm on to one pill a day of Celibrex - I have some pain today but it is not awful - and she said to give it 3 days - so maybe this will work. I have to say I was very leary of taking so many advil.

We are really taking it easy this week - I have been sitting around in between doing physical therapy and my home exercises. I was talking to Amy last night and we both said those two things take up A LOT of time.

We are going to the Lenten soup supper and evening prayer on Wednesday's - I love evening prayer - very few people were there - enough to fill the chapel though so it was nice last week. It did make me think of my friends at St. Mary's - Gene Schreiber and his awesome clam chowder that I wish I would have asked him for the recipe (Maybe Anne Marie has it - I'm going into facebook to ask her this morning. And Ruth Eggers fabulous white chili that I did get the recipe for thank goodness.

I'm looking forward to doing the Stephen Knapp inspired lights at church for Easter - Bill and Pat are going to help, too. Can't wait. It feels good getting to be a part of a parish again.

The socks are gone!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOO - the white, tight, to the thigh (if you are tall, but being 5'2" that meant folding it over and over) socks are gone! The doctor visit went well - I have a back to work date - Physical Therapy is extended a few more weeks - all is going well.

Today is the day

I go to the doctor today and will find out when I can return to work. I'm guessing in mid to end March or early April. Life is slowly getting back to normal - spending most of the day away from the bedroom thank goodness - I'm so sick of that bed that I could scream.

Our friends, Jim and Jan, spent the week taking every piece of paper in their house and sorted it and threw away and filed. I am inspired! I am hoping before I go back to work I will have a major dent made into the same project.

We have a new Flex Spending Account at work - wow - mine is gone already! I wish we could have put more into it this first year. It did help a lot - I didn't have to pay for our deductible and now I've reached my limit of copays for treatment - so for the rest of the year I'm taken care of - now I'll be healthy until Jan 1 right?

So - anyway - that's it - I'm going to sort papers!!!!

OK OK - I've learned my lesson - I think

Way toooooo much yesterday. But really - it was the first day I felt normal (no smart remarks from the peanut gallery on that one!)I am exhausted today - most of the day will be in bed.

We keep waking up very early - so we went for a ride to see the sunrise - it was beautiful - sometimes we drove past groves of trees and the sun would travel through the trees while we drove past - it was spectacular. We drove towards Vassar and actually drove past our friend Terry's house - but - we thought on a Saturday morning we shouldn't just show up at sunrise on her doorstep!

Then to Robbie's bowling - we watched 2 games - it was fun. He is doing VERY well. I was so happy to hear that they took his Grandpa's bowling ball and had it filled and redrilled for Robbie - what a nice way to remember his Grandpa.

Then on to two estate sales - bought a few dishes at each. One was right near Jim and Cindy's so we stopped to say hi there.

I know sitting at a desk all day will be difficult - I will need to walk a lot in between doing payroll I think when the doctor says I can go back - but all in all - it feels good to be back in business again!

Small Steps

YAHOO - I could go all the way around on the stationary bike. At least at home. I think maybe the seat is too low at PT so I'll see if changing the seat higher makes a difference there. One of my PT therapists has been telling me there is NO REASON why you can't go 100% all the way around on the bike. I told him to shut up on Wednesday. I do have a reason! My legs are short! If I can do it at home I'll be able to do it there today, cross your fingers!

The weather is supposed to be fabulous today and tomorrow - sunny - high 30's. We are going to go on a road trip and see how far we get! Maybe Mt. Pleasant and a few thrift shop stops.

There are a couple of estate sales going on this weekend, too. Maybe I'll be back in the groove! I sure feel okay today - but it always seems the day after therapy I spend a lot of time in bed with an ice pack!

Happy Birthday, Larry

I'll be calling you today - I just want you to know I'm thinking about you - this is a big one brother dear - YEAH!

I'm feeling much better. Still need to rest a lot - but I no longer have the cane - so I'm walking on my own. PT is still going good - painful but good. I don't think I can sit at a desk all day long yet so I'm guessing the doctor will keep me off next week when I go in for my checkup.

I've cut out the Advil and now will only take it if the pain is bad. I'm tired of taking medicine all the time and my stomach has had it, too.

Went to Ash Wednesday services at church last night - it was very heartwarming to go back to church - I've missed it since I've been recuperating. I'm glad to be back.

Over the worst I think

So - I'm feeling much better today - already today is better than this past weekend. I think PT helps a lot - by the time I left there yesterday I was exhausted but my knee felt much better. And I had a pretty good night sleeping so how can that be bad?

I told Pat we need to go out some this week - I need to move around and get out of the dreaded bedroom. I don't feel realy comfortable sitting in the living room in any of the chairs or couches - so I've been spending a lot of time upstairs - but I'm getting cabin fever.

I can see a shopping trip to Michaels coming up soon!

Worst Day

Well - yesterday was the worst day I've had since surgery. I decided to go off the pain meds and rely on my old standby Advil. And I'm at the end of my Lyrica so I think that may have something to do with the problems yesterday. Thank goodness for Patrick who rubbed my leg every couple of hours. I can't say that the problem was pain as much as feeling "raw" all up and down the leg. It seems a lot better today - we can only hope so since Pat went to work and Caroline won't be over til later on today.

We went to Meijers for a walk and to pick up a few things. It was two hours until I could take my Advil and I thought I better get my mind off watching the clock. Then on the way home Cindy called to say she and Jim were parked in the driveway - I told her we were almost back home. They stopped to bring me a rose valentine and some homemade bread. It was nice to see them and they only stayed a little bit.

So - now I'm waiting for an email from Basic to request documentation for a bill I paid to the hospital with my FSA card - so I'm thinking it will get here this morning. I know - I need to get a life!

Another Week Done

Last night was a long night - I couldn't remember if I took my pain pill at 10 pm so when I awakened at 1 am in pain I didn't feel as if I could take a pill for an hour - so that hour was not a good one. I ended up taking a shower at 2 am after taking the pill and I finally settled down - but not until I disturbed Pat enough for him to wake up. GGGRRRR.... I tried to be quiet but I dropped the remote. I was turning off the TV hoping to be able to fall asleep. Well - we both fell back asleep until 5:30 so it was okay.

I bought a new bead tote in case I ever feel like going for a long ride - although that still seems to be a LONG LONG time away. It hurts a lot to ride for more than a few miles. But anyway - I love the new tote - I'm starting to sort my beads by color into it this morning. That should keep me busy - or I'll get tired and have to put everything away to take a nap!

This getting better stuff takes a lot of energy! Whew!

YEAH - another PT down

I did lots more at Physical Therapy - it actually feels pretty good to do all the exercises and stretches - a few hurt but that is to be expected. I'm quite tender today but I've already done my exercises one time today.

It is not comfortable to ride in the van - We actually thought while I was recouping we could go on some rides in the van - NOT - I'd rather lay in bed all day and after a few weeks of that you know I don't want to do that either.

I have to wear these white TED socks to help prevent blood clots - as happy as I am to get them off every night to go to bed I am as happy to put them on each morning - they are a pain in the butt however they seem to keep some of the tenderness from my knee - I have to wear them until my doctor appointment in a couple weeks - we'll see if I still feel this way next week!

I'm starting to think about doing some beading - I'd like to get a head start on the Christmas season - you know how many times I ran out last year and we can't have that with more shows scheduled for this year. That's all for now.

Survived the first PT

Well - it wasn't easy - but I survived the first Physical Therapy on Wednesday and I go again today. I was very tired yesterday and very tender and sore on my knee. But things are getting better every day.

I've put in my confirmed dates for shows for 2010 - beginning in June - I also hope to be at Grandy Farm but will have to call for the date of that open house. I'm looking forward to another great year of selling plates and knives.

I'd like to say I miss work - but I don't - just some of the people. (That means you - you lurkers out there!)

OK - that's all - time to go take a nap.

Sunday Morning

Well - I think there is a turning point today - I slept very well and did not take a pain pill until I got up at 3:30 - 7 hours spread - and after being in the machine for an hour - still feel very good. YEAH! My first adventure out will be this week when I go to physical therapy - I'm a little worried because it hurt to get in the van when I came home from the hospital - but - I'm moving my knee much more now and it should be okay.

I just finished putting together a really cute item for the fund raising "Art from the Heart" for the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum - It is a covered glass cake plate with 4 glass plates, 4 forks and 1 serving piece wrapped in red glass beads and silver metal hearts. I hope someone bids big for it!

And just for the record - that is probably the last item I will ever wrap in bed while recovering from anything at all. Beads kept spilling out of tubes, hearts fell on the floor, I kept misplacing my scissors and pliers and it was generally a pain in the buttola. But worth it because I love doing this for the museum.

Getting Better Each Day

Well - I'm feeling okay - it has been a difficult 2 weeks but I can see already how good this surgery has turned out. I have a long road ahead of me when I start my out patient therapy next week. I am exhausted by the exercises and CPM machine that I do now at home each day so I can imagine I'll be really tired.

A few phone calls from work yesterday while I was in the CPM machine made the time go faster - it's nice to help out from home. I do miss writing my COGNOS and EXCEL reports but this way I make the people who need the report do the work with my help as they go along - so really - this is much better for them.

My CPM machine makes my knee bend and go straight - my range of motion is now 90 degrees for my bend and -7 degrees going flat. I think my goal by next week is 125 degrees and -10 degrees. So seeing as I started at 60 and 0 when I came home I think I'll make it!

Caroline is coming over this morning to be with me while Pat goes to work - even though I can get in and out of bed now I cannot get into and out of the machine and when I do go up and down the stairs I need my walker taken up and down too. So it will be nice to chat with Carolina Moon Keeps Shining this morning.

Good Morning!

13 Days with a new knee - and doing well. It's been a hard couple of weeks - but with Pat's help we are making it through. I don't know what I would have done without him. So first things first - a grateful heart for a wonderful husband.

Everything went better than I expected. The pain is the worst part of it but managable with drugs. I am now just taking Tylenol so hopefully that can be discontinued soon too.

I had wonderful staff at Covenant - good food - even got to sleep some. My physical therapy is going well here at home and hopefully that dreadful limp is a thing of the past - I seem to be walking okay without one at the momemt! Yeah!

I had the best night sleeping so far last night - so I think things are on the mend. That's all for now.

Fabulous Finds Has Moved in Tawas

Julie called to say they have combined the two stores into one - you will now find my serving pieces at Finders Keepers - located in the same parking lot but in the back part of the lot.

I have been in this store - bought my end table that I love there - it is wide open spaces with lots of beautiful antiques - I am excited about the new store and I can't wait to go up to see it.

Snow Snow Snow

We just got a couple of inches of snow - it cleans everything up and makes it all bright and pretty outside. Robyn at work wanted 4 feet - thankfully - her wishes didn't come true yet - Pat says it is still snowing outside so we will see tomorrow.

OK - where are you?

OK my dear lovely nieces - and sister - who talked me into blogging - where are you? No one has updated since about October or November - I'm really missing all of you - Ellie you have an excuse with twins and even you caught up your blog the other day! So the rest of you - I'd love to hear what you've been doing. Aunt ME

Christmas is Done Today

Our last Christmas visit was yesterday - with Lillie and Anna and Mary - Bruce had to work! Lillie is taller than Nana! Oh my goodness. It is amazing. Anna talks, talks, talks - she is a sweetie. Lillie is quiet and reserved and so into swimming - it was fun to have Caroline and Lillie and Anna compare swimming stories. Caroline played golf and bowling with them and had a great time. We made panini's for lunch and then our visit was over. It was so nice to catch up.

Today we are putting away the Christmas tree - I actually think I am putting a trash bag over the whole thing and keeping it decorated - we'll see how that works next year!

We have been shopping the sales for dishes - oh there are some really beautiful ones that are white with gold swirls. I had some similar to those this year and they sold out first. So we are going shopping today to see if we can find some more.

It was a quiet Christmas this year - we stayed under budget and it was spread out enough so neither of us felt rushed. Looking forward to a quiet beginning to the year after my knee surgery. Hopefully I will get everything caught up at work (I know you are reading this Robyn and you know I will!)