A Sunday to Remember

I had a dream fulfilled today. I met, sat and had the best brunch/conversation with Sharon & Barry Couto from Rhode Island, along with a bestie bloggy buddy, Nancy & Dick Collins. When Nancy emailed me to invite my hubby and I to have brunch with them, I was delighted and shocked. Sharon & Barry were passing through on their way home from a little trip to Chicago and South Bend. They arranged to meet up with us for Brunch. Unfortunately my hubby couldn't join us due to catching a bad cold. I tried to get Steph to be my date, but she was busy with meeting a deadline for work and felt so bad that she had to decline.
It was the most delightful 3 hours of conversation and great food. I was the only odd ball and started with the meal first and skipped the salad. I could have stayed all night listening to Sharon and Barry stories. Sharon has inspired me from day one in reading her blog. I feel like I have known her forever. Her daughters are as lovely as she is. Growing up I always wanted to read books, but I had a comprehensive problem. I found in reading Sharons writings, I am captured in a way that I have never been captured before. She has my attention. So, that's why I started calling her my Favorite Author. She motivated me in a way that I can't explain. Same way with Nancy. I was captured by Nancy's life as a mom and grandma. I can relate to these beautiful women and I am so proud to call them my friends. This week of giving thanks, I am Thankful for people who God puts in your path. Thank you, Barry, Sharon, Dick and Nancy for a Sunday to remember.....

Happy 77th Birthday mom!

This picture was actually taken on my moms 76th Birthday last year, but I thought she turned 77. I made her the cake and put the 2 # 7's on the cake and nothing was said. My mom even thought she was 77. My daughter, Steph pointed out to me that if she was born in 1934, she will be 77 this year. Duh! So it was like getting a bonus year.
My mom is very special to me. I've watched her go thru many health issues and she deals with pain 24/7 in her back and legs. She also deals with a major hearing loss. My mom is a strong lady. She was a very hard worker and helped support our family while I grew up along with my sister and brother. She was the best cook around and we never wanted for anything. She always put herself above others. My wish for her today is to be free of pain and enjoy the ones around her who dearly love her. We will take her out for dinner at a local Mexican Restaurant to Celebrate and have yummy Designer Desserts Cupcakes, thanks to Steph. I'm just thankful my mom is around for another Birthday and I know my dad is with her today. Happy 77th Birthday mom!

Family Reunion in September

Sunday, September 25th we gathered for my husband's side of the family Reunion. His sister, Susie in pink and her husband Jerry made the long trip from Colorado. Susie is the oldest of 3. My husband is the baby of the family. I love this picture of Steph with her Aunt Susie. They have so much in common, it's unbelievable. The day before the reunion, we enjoyed hanging out and going to the European Market in Chesterton and then driving over to Valpo to walk downtown, in all the interesting shops and having lunch at a quaint spot. The one place that Susie and Steph shared a love for was the knitting shop. Susie is very talented at making jewelry and loves any stores that have beads or unusual jewelry.

Susie and Jerry are enjoying the lunch at the family reunion. We were able to rent a great little building at a local park that had a playground next to the building and a beautiful fishing pond across the road. Everyone commented at how perfect the spot was and private.
Four of my six grand kids enjoying the unique playground.
This was the fishing pier. We brought lots of fishing poles. Thank God the weather was beautiful and the rain held off. Gray had a blast fishing beside his grampa. I think all he caught was some seaweed, but he still had fun.

Noah had a good time too, as you can see by the smile on his face.

My nephew, Ben was our grill master. He grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken, pork chops and veggie burgers. It was all delicious.
So, we caught my son-in-law, Jeff and Cousin, Bob listening to the Bears Game.....while everyone was fishing or playing. It's ok though, we wanted everyone to be happy.
I love this picture of Uncle Jerry & Aunt Susie with the boys. Jerry loves to teach the boys golf techniques. They went golfing the day the girls and Mike hung out. Gray actually cries to go and play golf with his dad.
My husbands siblings. His brother, Bruce on left with his wife Kathy, Jerry, Susie, Mike and me. This reunion was such a success. We are so happy we were able to get as many family members together as we did. Bruce and Kathy were happy to have their 3 boys and their families and Mike and I were happy to have our 2 kids with their families. It was so nice to see everyone laugh and get re-acquainted. Susie and Jerry don't come often, but I look forward to another fun Reunion in a few years when they come back home. Gram would be so proud!

Winning at Life

I feel like such a slacker. I have neglected my blog and that does not make me happy. I know you don't want to hear how it's been hard to know what to write lately. I don't pick up my camera like I use to and that makes me sad. I want to capture all the special moments of being a Mimi again. It's coming up on 9 months that my dad passed away. I spend most weekends helping my mom out and stop every morning before work and make our breakfast and sometimes go after work to take her dinner. I feel the need to check on her often. I don't know what I would do without my husband, Mike. He has been there for Mom and I and stepped up making sure things are running properly around her house. My dad would be so proud.
I love this picture of Carter at his first Bears game with his dad. I have it as my background on my computer. It puts a smile on my face.
Veterans day is coming up. I have plans to dig up a little dwarf size Norfolk pine tree from my parents backyard and plant it on my dads grave. My dad planted a row of Norfolk pine trees years ago and there is one little dwarf one that hasn't grown much. As much as he loved those trees, my sister had an idea to plant it on his grave. So, what better day to do this than Veterans Day, since my dad was a Veteran.
Family will gather and we will plant it. I want the great-grand kids to have a part in planting. I want to hang little flag ornaments on the tree after it is planted.
I will share pictures of the little tree.
If you are a follower of mine, thank you for hanging in there with me. I promise I am coming back full time pretty soon.....I have my camera ready to start snapping pictures of my favorite little people.