A Day Late but still Heartfelt.

Happy Big 40 to My Brother in Law, Wayne (I'm sorry that it is late but, after almost nineteen years of marriage plus the year that we dated, Mike just shared your birth date with me :-( I guess he feared that I would post some old embarrassing pictures of you and let everyone know how old you are !( Good thing for you that I don't have any embarrassing pictures of you ! Happy Birthday anyway, We Hope it was a good one !






Wayne with his newborn Daughter ( Back when he was younger )




Another younger picture of Wayne with his Beautiful wife and some people I don't know

Hmmmmm

At school this morning Cindy was informed that her second place position in last weekend's First Aid competition may just be upgraded to a first place or shared first place.

At the awards ceremony it seemed a little odd that the person who took first place ran to one of the judges with big hugs when declared first place winner.Turns out that the judge was the instructor of the winner. Protests of conflict of interest and out and out cheating have been filed and the decision is being contested. Now I wasn't there for the competition and saying that Cindy should have won would be well bias, however, why would this instructor not excuse herself from the judging, knowing very well that she had someone competing? Sounds fishy to me but again I wasn't there . I guess that we will just have to wait and see what the board says.

I also hear that this is not the only contested decision. It seems that one girl's father, who is his daughters instructor at her school judged her competition and wonder of wonders she got first place.

Now come on people, even the most Godly person would be bias in this type of a situation, wouldn't excusing themselves from judging be the honorable thing to do ? As you all know my two sons compete in Shoto Kan Karate tournaments. A few years ago Nationals were in Ohio and many instructor and black belts were offered classes to be certified judges. Rule number one was that in any match where you were to judge someone who you knew ( attends the same DoJo, etc), let alone relatives or instructors, you bow out of judging for that competition. I can't believe that these people seen nothing wrong with judging their students and children.It would sure be sad for these competitors to have their metals stripped if they truly deserved to win but come on, even they had to realize that they had an unfair advantage.
I'll let you know when we hear what, if anything the event coordinators decide to do.

Congratulations Miss silver

At six forty five AM Friday morning Cindy arrived in Canfield where she caught her bus to the Skills USA State competition in Columbus. Cindy placed second in the First aid portion of the regional competition in Canton a while back which earned her a State competition spot . As always Cindy did not disappoint. Though Cindy did not quite capture the first place that would have guaranteed her a trip to Nationals in Missouri, she did place second. This was no easy accomplishment as most if not all of Cindy's competition were EMT's who ride in ambulances and administer First aid many times daily. Cindy is not totally out of hope for the Missouri trip as she is the alternate but even if it ends here,we couldn't be prouder of her. Congratulations Cindy, We Love you !

Giving in isn't so bad !

I said that I would never start the weekly mowing of my lawn until at least late May and I meant it. For years I have resisted the urge to join the rest of the neighbors in mowing lawns as soon as we get a warm day or two. For years I have shook my head as my neighbors mowed lawns that were barely void of snow. This year however, I am not sure what got into me. The front yard wasn't even tall and the back was by no means too tall but as I watched the dogs play in the back yard and Michael walking around picking up sticks that had fallen from one of our two dreadful trees, I heard myself say" Michael why don't you get the mower out of the garage and do the lawn." " Serious?" he asked.I felt my head shake yes. Here I always thought it was just the principle of not mowing until I felt it needed it but I guess it was just my laziness . Now that Michael is doing Nanny & Pop's lawn, he is old enough to do mine too and it isn't quite as bad to see him do it in April as it was for me to do it in April. Amazing how these things work :-)

Happy 65th Birthday Mom !

We Love you !

I may just be losing my son for the coming summer

After school on Monday Michael headed to my parents to mow their lawn. For years Cindy has taken care of most of their lawn mowing needs while Michael has done other maintenance help such as stacking wood which was cut from trees downed by storms and any other needs that arose.Since Cindy is now working ,the torch has been passed on.
After a day of mowing Michael got home about eight thirty smiling. He was bursting at the seems as he told me that he finished early and Pops took him fishing. Now before I go any farther let me tell you My Dad has a passion for fishing. When I was younger he used to take me fishing for hours. I mean hours of just setting there (by there imagine a ledge in the middle of a hill with just enough room to set)quiet,not moving and staring at a line in the water for hours on end. These fishing trips for me were excruciating. I mean root canal excruciating. Once I agreed to go I understood why my older brother was always busy. I had a couple girl friends who loved to fish and Dad was always offering to take us. Then I would have two begging me to go. I also had cousins who were raised in the city who longed to Visit " uncle Jim's and go fishing.They all loved going but I just never could appreciate fishing.
Due to my hatred for this activity and Mike's indifference for it My kids are among the "it sounds fun can we go?" crowd. I think Michael went with Mike and his brothers a couple times and seems to love it.Going again has set his heart's desire a blaze and he is hooked ( I even hate these stupid puns that go with fishing ) Anyway when Dad brought Michael home they both asked( Like two kids looking into a candy store window) Can Michael stay one weekend so we can fish all night ? I wanted to ask why but resisted and simply said sure. "Really?" Michael asked . "Why not?" I replied." Yes" he shot back as he took his things to his room. I knew that Cindy probably wouldn't be accompanying us too much on weekend activities this summer but I think I just lost another.
Too bad that Robby had to ask where Michael was going. When he said fishing Robby now wants to go too. Well, Mike said " I could go too and take Robby" ( Dad is nervous at having too many kids on that little ledge, without another adult ,for fear one will fall) I guess a nice weekend alone would be nice. It sure beats fishing

Ten, Ok two, pros and cons of buying "101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer."

Check out
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/monasticmoments/archives/136861.asp
This is a cute advertisement done, by the Nun who wrote it, for the book which, I posted about having a true story of prayer published in.

Cindy's Career and technical center prom

Thank you Miss Cheryl and Lana

As many of you remember , a few months back Cindy seen an Little House on the Prairie rerun and loved Nelly Olsen's hair. She decided that this is how she wanted her hair for prom. We asked a few people with "hair experience" whether it could be done with Cindy's long thick hair and nobody really seemed to be able to answer us, until Cindy mentioned it to a friend on the bus that is. Turns out that Cindy's bus driver does hair. Also turns out that a lady who said bus driver works with, had a request not too long ago for " Nelly hair" This sweet bus driver offered, with her coworkers help, to do Cindy's hair. It turned out so cute that I took a picture. Granted it will look better once she is in the dress with Make up, but I couldn't wait. Here is Cindy's Nelly hair !

Our trip to The Church Brew Works

How cool it was to take a tour of the store room where the barley and hops are kept and realize that we were actually at the side alter of the old St. John the Baptist church In Pittsburgh PA. We then entered the old Alter area where, though still painted and arched as of long ago, the brewing and holding tanks of copper replaced the gold which used to be present. There were pews in the waiting area , bathrooms and at a few long tables but most had given way to elevated chairs and tables. The Sacristy had been turned into a Men's room but the thing that captured my attention was the confessionals, that still had the same doors as I grew up used to, which were converted to a supply closet behind the bar.
The Bus trip was a definite success. There were the elderly ladies who left the church after a morning of making pirogi, to shower, change and come back. There were the retired couples who started the sponsoring group " married couple's night out" and there were a handful of young couples, such as Mike and I ( yes in these groups we are usually the youngest) who were aboard the full bus. Father graced us youngens in the back with his humor as he " kept an eye on us". Getting through the Pittsburgh rush hour traffic proved to be a treat as there was an accident which closed a road in our way as well as the usual stop and go traffic.
Once there most of us broke into groups for the tour while a few decided that sampling the "fruit" was more up their alley. Either way we all ended up in line for the buffet dinner. Too bad that the reservations were made under church group and management must have thought that we were all a bunch of old ladies who , like the Pope, don't eat in public ( I learned this fact on the trip, Thanks Father lol. ) because they ran out of food a couple times. When the veggie trays were empty before the food was served, we were told that there was nothing that they could do however attitudes changed when the buffet trays were empty after only half of us getting our plates.In the end they did cook more food and we were all fed. To my surprise the food was pretty decent. I am not a rice pilaf fan but after picking the red peppers out ate a portion. The veggies were wonderful. warm but not over cooked. The pasta looked gross( I usually don't care for pasta anyway so it could be just me ) so I didn't even taste it. the chicken in the first batch was very dry but I tasted Mike's after the cooks made more and despite the tomato glaze it was pretty good. After ,we were all served Brewmisu (tirmesu) for desert which is the first that I have ever actually finished after tasting.( I'm not at all a coffee, especially espresso drinker)
After , well during, dinner many ordered the six beer sampler of their brews. I do not drink beer but Mike had one and informed me what was good and what was not so much. To Mike's amazement they had one brewed with espresso beans . He of course had to order more of this one but unfortunately it was not one that they had bottled for to go purchase, so we, unlike others, did not bring any home. We did, however buy the T shirts, to wear to Mass Sunday and a Frisbee for the kids. I figured that glasses wouldn't even make the bus ride home let alone our house so decided against it.
The bus trip home entertained us with a video of " a different kind of marriage seminar "being played on the bus. It was surely good but sitting in front of Father and listening to his humorous comments was priceless !
By the end we all decided that a wine tasting trip would be a must do. I will have to watch the bulletin.

The old schoolhouse that is now used for brewing and storage of big batches





The main church which is a restaurant and bar



a shot of the inside decor complete with original stained glass windows and lamps




More stained glass windows and holding tanks



The back and entrance




The alter with copper brewing tanks




Our tour guide





A refurbished mural on wall ( notice the beer in the angel's hand)

Bus trip tomorrow

Back in February Mike and I signed up and paid for spots on our church's bus trip to

The Church Brew Works

At the time it seemed so far away that we put it on the calendar and forgot about it, but guess what? The trip is tomorrow !

I hope to remember to take the camera as this looks like it will be pretty neat place to visit. I am not real sure about the buffet dinner which is included in our trip as I am a very picky eater and the menu sounds quite off the wall . I will simply slip a couple snacks in my bag just in case and enjoy myself anyway.

Review to come !

May the soul of

Anne Dietz

and the souls of all of the faithfully departed,

Through the Mercy of God

Rest in Peace

Amen.

Mrs Dietz , who passed away Monday at the age of 100,was the Grandmother of my dearest High school friend,Lisa.

Please remember her family in your prayers. They are wonderful people who were a second family to me. Mary Lou,Lisa's Mom and Anne's daughter used to include me as well as all of her children's friends in many fun activities. If it weren't for her I would have never went Cedar point until I was twenty.

May God Bless this wonderful family at this difficult time and always.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !

Thank you to those who have expressed concern about my recent car accident. It is now the third day and , contrary to what my many early morning callers predicted, I am feeling pretty good and the head aches are starting to get less and less. I did get a little stressed yesterday when I picked up the Police report and realized that the Officer put my age down as two years older than I am. Now if there was ever a reason to sue for mental anguish, I have found it !

My weekend spills over to Monday

Mike and I went together Sunday night to get Cindy from work. Due to a last minute Emergency she was with a patient and was a half an hour late clocking out.Once in the car and mildly complaining of her exhausting day, Mike and I informed her of my fun little experience earlier. Of course , being in the medical field, this concerned her and we arrived home to her shining lights in my eyes, taking my blood pressure, testing my abilities etc. My lack of hand eye coordination coupled with improper dilation of my pupils as she shined a bright light in them and my head bump caused her to plead with Mike to forcibly drag me to the hospital when all I wanted was to sleep the five hours that i had until time to get everyone up for school and work. Since Mike and Cindy were not letting me sleep anyway I agreed to go to the hospital.

That in itself was an ordeal as I was put into a room and told that I would get a CT scan.An hour and a half later the doctor informed me that the scan was normal. I must have seemed surprised as I told him that I hadn't had the scan yet because he kind of stumbled for words as he ran out of the room. I came to find out that the elderly lady in room three ( I was in room 4) who had the flu, had been taken for my scan. ( I was sure glad to hear hers turned out normal) Finally I was taken for the scan and though I was held in the room as doctor's conferred over my results,they finally agreed that i just had a mild concussion and discharged me with a couple prescriptions and orders to rest. Once home, I got a little less than two hours sleep before getting everyone up for school and work. Once everyone was gone I headed back to bed. It was all good for an hour until I experienced the most appalling acts that I could imagine. At nine O'clock seven different chiropractors started calling. They each, in their own rude ways told me that i needed to see them because of injuries from the accident. To the first couple I explained that i was fine, but this was just not accepted. One even told me that if I wanted a "decent settlement" I needed to run up some medical bills. I was mortified. Thanks be to God I feel OK, I could never fake otherwise ! I have seen first hand what auto accidents can cause. My loving husband has had constant pain for three years due to a drunk driver who made stupid decisions. Would not faking injuries for the sake of money be terribly disrespectful to him ? I think so ! These calls continued through the day and I got more and more rude as I was woke up with each one, telling the last few how appalled I was with their "ambulance chasing" tactics. Even if I do end up needing a chiropractor in a day or two as they predict, I assure all that I will not call on any of those unethical people. Just Amazing !

What a weekend !

Thankfully, the weekend has ended with me pretty much undamaged. Too bad we can't say the same for Mike's poor Grand Am, which now needs an appointment with Dr. Rusty, body man. It all started Friday evening. Mike and I had reservations at our local comedy club. We have, in the past frequented this establishment so much that we have gotten to know the owner and his family quite well. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond his control, the owner had to change locations and is now a bit further away from us. The good news , though is that the owner now owns the building and now has a full kitchen and bar along with the club. Friday was our first time there and we were very pleased. As usual, I rarely drink so Mike had a few beers with dinner and the show so I was driving home. Before I go any further, please remember that I

am used to driving an all wheel drive Aztek which sets up off the road quite a bit. Half way home I turned off the highway to get gas, as I turned I seen someones spare tire ( the donut type) in the middle of the road. There were cars on either side of me so swerving wasn't possible and being used to a higher up automobile I really didn't think anything of straddling it and driving over it. Turns out that Mike's Grand Am AKA street sweeper was high enough to get over it but it got stuck half way back. I drug this tire to the side of the road and was going to call AAA when Mike decided that since he had to be up early Saturday to drive the boys to Columbus for a Karate training, he didn't want to wait and that he would jack up the car ( did I mention the rain ? ) and remove the tire himself. The problem was the two million ( OK maybe only 1 million ) boxes in his trunk that he had to move to the back seat to get to the jack. It all worked out and twenty minutes or so later we were on our way and Praise God I hadn't caused any damage. Once home I went to bed but dreams of car damage haunted my sleep. A few hours later, in the morning as I made pancakes Mike put the boxes back and he and the boys left attended their training and returned home safely.

Sunday however didn't go as smoothly. Again, it was raining as I drove Cindy to work( less than a mile from home) we were joking around as dropped her off and I headed home smiling. One block from home, I passed an intersection where their was a stop sign for those coming the other way. As I passed through an SUV coming from the stop sign way obviously didn't understand the purpose of the stop sign and sped ( quite a bit over the twenty five MPH limit ) through. I seen him speeding straight for my driver's door and floored the gas and swerved but didn't quite get out of his way. He hit my drivers side rear quarter panel and spun me into the middle of the road. Luckily no other car was present and I came to a stop diagonal in the road. I don't remember hitting my head but have a big bump on the side and things went foggy for a few minutes. Luckily two hours later after the Police made a report I came home and went to bed. Other than a pretty good head ache I seem to be fine, Praise God. The car is still drivable but I will have to call Rusty and see about getting it's bumps and bruises mended.

Many years ago

This August Robby will turn twelve years old. Though he is a still smaller than most his age, he has made great strides as he has grown. A few years back we met a Pulminologist who has been able to prescribe medications that have healed his lungs from the damage that his acid reflux, which was present from birth, did to them. Though this problem still exists Robby has also been taking a medication to stop it. These medications have changed his life for the better in so many ways. One big one is that now that he has healthy lungs he has energy which is enabling him to gain strength . This new strength is showing in his study of Shoto kan karate. For years Robby has attended class and tried which has earned him up to an orange belt but now that he is gaining strength he is really transforming. His stances are starting to look better and his moves are starting to show power behind them.

Robby also has many other things going for him. He is a caring fifth grader with a 4.0 GPA who thinks he wants a job designing video games when he gets older.

The reason that Robby and his accomplishments are on my mind today is that about a year ago A Catholic Nun, in Spokane Washington, Sr. Patricia Proctor announced that she was writing a new book in her series. This book was to be entitled "101 inspirational stories of the Power of Prayer" Sister Patricia asked for stories of answered prayer to be submitted to her for consideration of publishing. It took me awhile but I E mailed her the story of Robby's rocky start to life just one year and five days after his sister Caitlyn had been stillborn. I told of how ,during prayer,God had promised me Robby would live even though many doctors gave up on him and were preparing me for his death. I could go on but will stop here because yesterday, I received notice that this true story of answered prayer will be published in the book. I am excited that so many who never even heard of me or Robby will read of the wonderful miracle that God has Granted not only my family but everyone who has ever met Robby. Thanks Be to God, for using me in a way that can bring truth and even hope to so many. Mom always said " God works in mysterious ways" and she is right !

A Monkey Graduation ?

The new Oriental Trading catalogue , with Graduation decorations, came yesterday. As Cindy flipped through she made a request for certain decorations. For table centerpieces she wants Plush Class Of “2008” Monkey Bean Bags - Graduation, In addition she has requested a Jumbo Inflatable Monkey Graduate - Graduation to stand by the door or gift table, or both. Now as I mentioned before she is already deviated from the norm and is having a Graduation Breakfast party in place of the traditional Open House . I actually love the Breakfast idea because, though it will be more expensive than a traditional party, it is at the local Dutch House so I only have to take care of decorations and they will do the rest for me. I guess that when it comes down to it Cindy is not your typical graduate no more than Mike and I are your typical parents.( not saying that this is necessarily all good or bad just how it is ) Honestly, though who is a cookie cutter graduate? Why should there be a standard cookie cutter party? This is a celebration of Cindy's completion of High school and transition into the next phase of her life, why shouldn't she have fun with it ? This being said should I really order a cake just because all Graduation parties have one? Of course I should,who hasn't had a piece of cake for breakfast from time to time ? I wonder if they can decorate a graduation cake with a monkey wearing a mortarboard ? I'll have to call them in the morning and see !

No longer Car - Less

All worked out for Mike and I to purchase and Bring home Our (Cindy's) Used 1995 White Cavalier.

Though it is a base model car ( no power windows, key less entry, etc. ) That used to be a commercial car for the New Jersey Gas company. Cindy seems quite pleased. There was a mix up over tires so after a quick drive to the parts store to buy new floor mats, an angel air freshener ( it didn't really need the air freshener but an Angel is needed in any car, especially one drove by a seventeen year old ), and get a few spare keys made we have parked it for a few days. Mike has made arrangements to get the tires switched off for another set with the man who sold us the car so it should be being driven very soon.

In an interesting turn of events, while checking out the car and purchasing it Mike got to talking to the Seller who shares the same occupation as Mike. They seemed to hit it off quite well and Mike was asked to join the Fraternal order of Eagles, which this guy is a member of. I'll admit that , though I have an uncle who is a member, I don't know much about the Eagles but they are a Christian based charity organization which sponsors many family events. We plan on looking more into things and just may decide to join. Sometimes it is amazing how God gets us where he wants us isn't it ?

I think it is said differently in the Bible but Thought this was cute.( Thanks Suzy)

To all of my Dearest Friends

.

.

GOD saw you in the dark

so created Light.

God Saw you hungry

so he created

McDonalds, Burger King, and Arby's

He saw you thirsty

so he created

Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi Max, Diet Dr. Pepper ,and cherry Water.

GOD saw you without a Good looking , adorable, Friend........

So He created

ME

( Yes for everything there is a reason :-)

Oh NOOOOOO......... :-O

I do not at this point have an answer on the car situation. Mike tried to call the guy who owns the dealership yesterday morning but got no call back until much later. By the time he got a return call everything was closed so it wouldn't have been possible to get the title changed and a thirty day tag bought anyway. Because of this Mike told him we would meet with him this afternoon .

What freaked me out was when we were talking about fitting Cindy's test in soon and realized that Michael will be fifteen next month and can legally get his permit in less than seven months. At what used cars are costing now a days he and Cindy may just have to share .

Can all of you believe that Mike and My " Babies" are this old already?

Where did time go ???

Getting closer

Since Summer Mike and I have been looking for a car that is safe enough for Cindy to drive and affordable enough for us to pay cash so that it doesn't require full coverage insurance. ( My insurance lady informed me that "We could not afford what it would cost to fully insure any car that a seventeen year old is the primary driver on" )I did ask if she could just be a secondary driver on all of our cars and primary on none but am told that it doesn't work that way. Anyway we have been looking and looking and looking to no avail. We started with what we found to be a low budget and have had to slowly up the budget at least five times now.It is unbelievable what people are asking for these used cars that I would have honestly sent to the scrap yard by now. Anyway after months of looking at and risking our lives test driving cars that had no breaks( yea the salesman probably should have mentioned this before he OK ed a test drive )were rusted out so bad there was a breeze as you drove, had almost three hundred thousand miles on them , or various other problems, we may just have found a lead or two.One car is a nice cavalier.( the perfect car for someone like Cindy in my opinion )It is an older model but extremely low miles and seems to be mechanically sound. Plus Mike and I had the five years older model for years and loved it. ( this is also the same style so Mike can do almost any work that needs done). The second is a Malibu with twenty thousand more miles that the Cavalier but still low miles. Though these are both slightly over budget ,with Cindy's small contribution either is doable. God willing we are planning on making an offer on the Cavalier, this morning. I am not holding my breath but rather put things in God's hands and am awaiting his word. Either way we hope to schedule Cindy's driver's test this month or next depending on her work schedule and around some of the many things that she has on the calendar these next two months. Prayers , as always, are appreciated. I'll let ya know what happens :-)

Being one( on my soap box again)

This July Mike and I will Celebrate our nineteenth Anniversary. Though we have definitely had a lot of for better and our share of for worse I can honestly say that I love him every bit as much , if not more than the day we married. Mike and I are frequently blessed to spend some time with other married couples. Some our age ( We are usually the ones in this age group married longest) but many much older than we are. One thing that I have noticed a lot lately is how that little fact that marriage turns two in to one doesn't seem to exist anymore. For almost nineteen year Mike and I have lived as one. We have tried to spend as much time as possible together, we only go out together, we only vacation together, and so on. In nineteen years Mike and I have never went more than twenty four hours away from each other with the exception of the time I went with Cindy and a group of women from church for one and a half days to a woman of faith conference.Even during this trip I spend quite a bit of time on my Cell phone with Mike as I missed him terribly. When I gave birth by C section which once kept me in the hospital five days due to complications and when Mike has been in the hospital on a couple instances we both made an effort to be with each other if only for a couple hours. We have also made our children number one in our lives and include them in as much as possible.
Totally opposite to this most couples that we know can't seem to get enough time away from each other. Mike is constantly asked to join other Married men at men only outings. I am also asked to join women only outings from time to time such as shopping trips and such. Doctors and Emergency room visits have also posed a problem from time to time. One Exception is that Mike and I have agreed that he would attend Father / son things such as camp outs with our boys and I would attend Mother/ Daughter things , such as women of faith, with Cindy.
This makes me wonder, are we normal ? I thought that the whole unity candle thing at our wedding ( where he took his candle which was lit by his Mother and I took mine which my Mom lit and together we lit the unity candle and then extinguished our individual candles ) went along with the Bible Readings that this whole ceremony was to join us as one.
I am told that we are "old school " and should get with it but I know that i don't want to change and Mike said that he feels the same.
Now I am not here to judge anyone as you and your spouse have the right to have whatever type of marriage that works for you ,but are Mike and I not also entitled to the same ? This has bothered me for awhile but has recently for reasons that I do not want to go into, has come to a head. I understand that in today's culture many people are living in ways that I would never deem appropriate ( again it is not up to me to judge) but I still wish to live in the way that I was raised and by the vows that Mike and I took many years ago. As far as we are concerned, we are one. So please everyone out there, how about respecting us( with the exception of men only or women only events and then accept when we decline) when we request that each other be present even if the other is only there for silent moral support . We are only trying to live in accordance to our marriage vows.