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!