A Sweet Pin from a Sweet Niece

Kelly Shea - you warm my heart

Parish Celebration Begins

Caroline' Javier, Ayva, Pat and I went to the parish bowling party at State Lanes. Everyone had a good time. Caroline won both games.

New Business Card for All Class Reunion

I asked if I could put my business card in the lanyards.  The committee said yes. I just had to order new ones. Yeah! They came today. I love Vistaprint. They are very affordable and professional.

To Honor Robin J. Jacklin, Jr.

I am so proud of our grandson. 3 day free giveaway of the first book of the Holiday Series. In honor of my grandson joining the United States Air Force, "No Christmas for Olivia" will be free June 21-23. I can only imagine how hot basic training will be in San Antonio so the summer solstice seemed to be a good day to begin the giveaway. The Holiday Series is about a military family so I thought it would be a great way to show my love and to let those who love him know how proud I am to have him serve.

Father's Day

Family Pictures on Father's Day

Javier, Ayva, Romeo and Valentino

Joanna, Robbie, Sheala, Mary Ellen, Pat, Caroline, Jessie, Romeo, Javier and Ayva

Robbie and Joanna

Sheala, Robbie and Joanna

Sheala and Robbie

Romeo, Sheala, Ayva, Javier, Robbie and Valentino

Mary Ellen, Robbie and Pat

Nana and Papa with the grandkids and the great grandkids

Grandma Caroline, Valentino, Grandpa, Romeo, Javier and Ayva

Caroline and Joanna with their Mom and Dad

Sisters

The four oldest

Jumping

Pat and Mary Ellen

Sheala, Tino, Ayva, Javier, Romeo and Robbie

A Perfect Day at the Zoo

We were so happy to spend the day with grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

First to the Junction for lunch then off to the zoo. 

Robbie leaves on Monday for the Air Force - glad we could get this in today!

Four Season Friends is Now Available

After a year of writing, countless edits, finally, Four Season Friends is available on Amazon.

Four Season Friends begins with moving day and all the stress and anxiety of seven people relocating to a new home in a new city.   Each of them quickly become s friends with the family of eight next door and the fun begins.  A few of the children  are homeschooled while others attend St. Mary Cathedral, just three blocks away.  There are vacations, a first job away from home and even a wedding reception in a Montana barn in the middle of winter!  You will come to love the Castors and the Maxums, possibly even wishing you could live next door to them.

I know you will enjoy this book as much as the Saginaw Series and Holiday Series.  Click the book.

Ayva Graduates from Kindergarten

We are so proud of Ayva. She was all smiles today.

It's Coming!

Very soon I will have my first novel online.  It will join the two series of books on Amazon.  I have about twelve hours of work left.  And for goodness sake, if I don't get those twelve hours soon I am going to go crazy!  We have the busiest day ahead so no time today.

Fran, my most faithful reader of this blog, your family is in this book - although I couldn't use your name again because you were in the last series.  But Honey - oh my - she is at her best!

First Camping Trip!

We went to Rifle River with Bill and Amy, Monday through today.  We had a very nice time.  Jan and Jim came up on Wednesday.  We all played Bocci and talked and talked and talked.

The weather was rainy on Monday but the rest of the week was fabulous.  Sunny and warm.

We had the campground to ourselves.  Even less people than when we go the week of Memorial Day.

I took a printout of my book and worked on it on and off all week.  So now to those changes.  Then I am just waiting for the cover.

Thank you

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

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

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

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

RIP - Maya Angelou

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

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

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

Ridiculing is not the way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pray for them.

Quiet Day at Home

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

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

The end to a boring day. Yeah!

Another Milestone

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

I am officially, positively, old.

Let's Try This Again

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

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

Brandi Family

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

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

Lunch with Barb and Dave

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

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

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

It was a delightful afternoon with good friends.

The Baptism

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

Javier, Ayva, Romeo and Valentino 

Baptized at SS Peter and Paul Church 

Saginaw, Michigan