Karen

We gathered this week to mourn the loss of our beloved Karen.

Mikey called her BeBe, we all called Karen Jeanne the Jelly Bean, Beaner Butt and my Dad named her Kaye-Kaye like his sister or just Jeanner Beaner.

We will miss so very much about her, from her wild, loud laughter to her gentle touch. Next week will be hard when we wait for her phone calls, just like the other day when Cat realized that we were all together and she was missing. We really needed her to come in a cuss, so we could all yell at her to watch her language. It always brought a good family laugh. You knew when Karen was in the house.

Karen, Karen, Karen.

When she was little, she couldn't sleep without her stuffed dog, Poochie. It became so ratty and nasty that she would throw it at Cathy, just to make Cathy scream. 25 years later, Cat found a brand new Poochie and sent it to her. As she opened the package, she called Cat in anticipation of thanking her for whatever gift was inside. I snapped this picture of her delight. Today, when sorting her things I found the original Poochie. Catie now has them both on her bed to remember her Mom.

There are no words to express the sadness inside. Anyone who has lost a child, a sibling or someone very close to them knows. However, we are so blessed with family and friends who have given of their love this week. As always, they dropped their own lives, traveled great distances and came to comfort and mourn with us.

Hugs, food, flowers, love.

They fed our bodies and our souls.

My aunts mothered me, my cousins held me and cried with me

Friends just kept coming

We felt so loved and comforted and are deeply grateful.

Laura tended to Karen as a loving sister for 4 days, then took care of all of us.

Joey gave a beautiful eulogy and then loving buried his sister.

Cathy held her sister, mothered Catie and took care of us all.

Andy, Mike, Joey, Uncle Jim and Steve carried her with love.

Paul cleaned and carried, worked and worked, just helping and helping

Debbie held me, washed my dishes, clothes and floors

Dave and Maryann created a beautiful photo show that captured Karen. It helped everyone and most especially her children to cope. We got to see that Karen smile over and over.

The whole family has teased me about learning to knit. I love the colors, so I have made ONE single sock of every color yarn....get bored and start a new one. I recently convinced Karen to stop at the yarn shop with me. She told the owner "I am NOT the crafty daughter, she lives in St. Louis.....I am the wild one." He laughed and convinced her to pick out HER sock yarn, so she would like the socks she would definitely get. Of course, she picked out something wild and last weekend, she was delighted to see me finishing the second sock. She asked me to photograph the finished pair, so she could put them on her blog. She said "I can't wait! I am going to make Cathy and Joey crazy. I can't wait to write the article and say....See! HA! HA! Mom loves ME the most, cuz you all have ONE sock and I have the only finished pair!"

As Fr. Ben said, "Karen lived with passion". May she rest in peace.

Happy Birthday Joey!

Not being together with my kids on their birthday just isn't fun. Today is Joey's 28th birthday and I miss him very much. We should be enjoying his favorite birthday dinner of lasagne. I know he will hate reading this, but I did make the lasagne yesterday and we all enjoyed it. I would have mailed you some, Joe, but thought it might not mail well.

Joe had an unfortunate trip to New Orleans this year and his prized Mom-made quilt was lost. There is a new one in progress, which was to be a birthday gift, but is still in the "construction" stage. (see picture at right). Better late than never.....it's coming Joe!

28 years ago today I went to Annapolis Hospital in Wayne, MI, hoping for a baby boy. This was long before ultrasounds that spoiled the surprise. With 2 beautiful girls, we were really hoping for a son. This was the first time Joe was going into the delivery room. He promised only to try to accompany me through the birth. He made it, cut the cord and was the first to welcomed his son to the world.

Joseph Daniel Chin III (or the Turd as affectionately called by his sisters) was his father's pride and joy. A huge party was held to celebrate his baptism, complete with a mariachi band. Joe danced the first dance with Joey in his arms.

Many years have passed and tonight my mind is like a slide show.

Joey in pre-school refusing to appear in the Christmas program in his pajamas. What a mad face he has in the pictures from that night. Scenes of Joe coaching T-ball and Joey sitting in the outfield playing in the sand, with Joe screaming "Joey get UP!" He looked so cute in that little baseball uniform. The Mother's Day program in elementary school with Joey dressed as a flower is an unforgettable memory. What a smile!

Watching out my window on Henry Street when my little son shoveled the snow for our elderly neighbor and then took him dinner so he wouldn't be lonely. A few years later, watching him play Taps at his friend's funeral, tears in his eyes. He always makes me proud to be his Mom.

High school years bring memories of Joey behind the counter at the Video Store. Those are memories we will share forever. "Do you have that movie? About that guy?" (private joke only the video veterans understand).

I love remembering the day I piled all Joey's clothes inside Joey's Volkswagen all the way to the top. He had refused to clean his room. I think I threw them on the lawn for the same reason once.

Then there was the summer he ran away from home and joined the carnival. Oh, he didn't tell me the truth.......oh no, he told me he was working construction for the summer. Then I find out he is BoBo the Clown in the dunk tank, sleeping in the back of U-hauls, wrapped in Mom's homemade quilt. We all have to grow up our own way. Joey had to experience it ALL.

It happened quickly that my little boy grew up. The next thing I knew he was wrapping his quilt around him and his babies. He is Daddy now. Just when I thought having a son like Joe couldn't get any better, we were gifted with Alexis and then Joseph Daniel Chin IV.

Beautiful, smart, wonderful Alexis and Daniel. Thanks, Joey for giving me those fantastic grandchildren to bring more joy into our lives. Those 28 years have passed all too quickly, but they are filled with great memories of being Joe's Mom.

Happy Birthday to Joe!

Surgery for Andy

After pushing through the pain, all the way to State Finals, Andy finally had to give in and see a doctor about his shoulder injury. Off for an MRI on Friday and by today we got the news......surgery, one month in a sling and then 3 months of rehab.

For all who know Andy, the thought of limited activity is like HELL. He told us "I'm not doing it"....YES YOU ARE! "Not now"....YES, ANDY, NOW....

At some point today when I told Joe that he spoiled Andy rotten, Andy responded with "That's cuz I am the only kid in the family who isn't fat and lazy!"

We laughed and laughed at him, telling him to guess again. That is what comes from being the BABY of the family and being CUTE!

Nick and Cameron Weekend

Nick and Cam spent a really fun weekend with us. As you
can see, Cameron was showing off his reading skills and he can read with such expression that you can't believe he is only 7 years old.

I picked the boys up on Saturday and Nick told me that he
"kind of knew" I would show up because he had a dream about me. When I pulled in, I got the biggest hugs and kisses I have had in a long time. I need to do this much more often. Those kids made me feel like a million bucks.

Cameron enjoyed looking through my scrapbooks (gotta love a scrapbook fan). He wanted to see every single picture that he was ever in. He loved his own baby pics and Karen's too.

The day wasn't complete without Silly String wars, which ended with Catie screaming, of course. Then the kids headed to the playground with Nick on the skateboard and Catie on Andy's bike.....Nick stole the bike and left Catie to ride the skateboard, which led to more screaming.

We spent the evening eating from Papa's bar-b-q shishkabob to Karen's strawberry shortcake. Mmmmm was it ever good!

Then Nick and I headed off to the video store. We couldn't pick, so we just finally got ALL the movies that looked good. We came home with 5 movies. Nick watched his on my computer, while Cam and Catie watched in the family room.

Nick was asking me all about my family. I was describing my brother Ed, since he hasn't met him. He decided he wanted to go and visit Uncle Ed and told me he was sure his Dad wouldn't mind if we did that next weekend.

Family Time at The Nuthouse

Last night Mike came in from a band job and told us he felt like he had "just missed" being in a bad accident. As he was coming across Hartel Road, he realized he was missing his cell phone. He turned around, found it and headed home.

When he reached Hartel and Strange Hwy, he saw a bad accident that had just happened. 4 teenagers had run a Stop sign and hit an elderly couple. Their vehicle was overturned, draining gasoline and smoking. Mike ran to them, found the woman bleeding. He got both of them out and clear of the dangerous situation.

He continued a few miles and watched the man ahead of him slide off into a ditch. He stopped again and helped the man get his car out and back on the road. He said he was glad to get home and ready to hit the bed.

I just sat there and thought about what a fine young man I had raised.

Joe and I are still feeling under the weather and thought we would enjoy a quiet weekend. I had a new book, my quilt and if all else failed, TV. I thought I was going to lay on the couch and read my book today. Wrong.

Carol called and invited me to her house and as I was getting dressed, the phone rang. It was my brother, Dave. When Joe mentioned that Dave was passing through Kalamazoo, I realized that once again, I had forgotten something important. (Doing a lot of that lately)

Dave was on his way to our house for dinner. I had forgotten! Called Carol to cancel and began making a big pot of Beef Barley soup, something that could feed a crowd and didn't require much preparation (which didn't come out great either). Karen heard Uncle Dave was in town, so she soon appeared. Andy had a friend here, but soup just grows as you add broth. No problem.

Joe had thought the little T-shirt I put on Rocky made him look like a sissy, so he was sporting his new "manly" shirt to meet Uncle Dave.>


It was good to have everyone around the table, complete with lots of laughter and food.
Karen went off to a concert, Dave to Detroit and Joe and the boys headed to the movies.
Dave and I got on the phone as he drove to Detroit and chatted away about the old days growing up in Westland. Memory lane was fun. So was looking up how much our parents house would cost today. We remembered they paid under $15,000 for it in 1959. $150k to $175,000 according to the internet today. I am resting with my puppies, grateful for peace and quiet now.

I REALLY DO LOVE MIKE

I have been asked on numerous occasions, why Mike doesn't appear on my blogs and also why he is so seldom seen in my scrapbook pages. The reason is simple....Mike won't let me take his picture!

I often try a sneak attack, but usually fail. He throws his hand up (as shown here) yelling, "STOP, Mom!" This all began about a year ago. From birth to age 17, I have lots of pictures of Mike. Then it all ended. It appears as if Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc are without Mike. As soon as he sees the camera come out, Mike splits.

The other day, Joe, Karen, Andy and I headed into Taco Bell for lunch. There was Mike with the members of his band. I had the ever present camera around my neck (we were on the way home from the wrestling match). As I snapped the first one, the hand went up....but I GOT HIM as he bit into his taco! So, yes, I love Mike......I just can't get him on film.

My Day OUT.....was POOPY

Paco in his straight jacket! That was the only way to cut his nails.
The poor Vet soon found that Paco is less than cooperative. He bit, he
SCREAMED like he was being killed.....all to get his nails cut, get weighed and well, forget the rest of his checkup!

I took all 3 dogs to the vet. Josie was easy. I put Rocky in first, on my seat with his blanket. I came back with Paco and set him in the backseat. Next I went to "scoop" up Rocky and move him off my seat. Instead, I "scooped" up a handful of nice, warm puppy poop! It was IN MY HAND!

Yes, Rocky had gotten either upset and let loose or maybe it was the feeling of the seat warmer that I turned on for him that inspired him to leave me the surprise package. Either way, I had to head back in the house to scrub, back to the car to scrub and back to the house to scrub my hands again. who normally doesn't have a lot of tolerance for Andy, was cuddling up today. From the
As you can see once we got to the Vet's office, Rocky thought the whole thing was just a blast! New people to lick! He got his shots and didn't miss a beat. Back to bouncing around like Tigger!



We treated the puppies to a trip to McDonalds for their favorite........a CHEESEBURGER!

It was my first day off the couch in the past 10 days. I have been following Dr's orders and resting, but by today I had to get OUT! After the Vet trip, I headed to Family Dollar for a few things where I witnessed the staff tackle a shoplifter. Lots of yelling and excitement. On down the road to Felpausch and I was ready to head home to my couch again.

Family

Michael, Peggy, Mona, David, Patty, Suzie,Julie, Dale and Anne


Recently 2 of my uncles passed away within weeks. As we gathered to pray together and mourn their passing I thought about the importance of family. Some of us hadn't seen each other since our last family reunion, but everyone knew we would gather. It never really changes.

My Mom and Dad went first,then Uncle Al and Aunt Madeline. This year was rough, losing both Uncle Frank and Uncle Bill. They are part of our memories and our history. They were strong family men, good husbands, fathers and grandfathers. Uncle Frank was my Godfather. I don't ever remember him without a big smile and a hug. Uncle Bill came right out and told me after my father had passed away, that he was available for "fill in" any time I needed it. He was often there for me and I will miss him very much.

We all sat and remembered the old days when we gathered at our grandparents house or their cottage. We have the same memories of holiday dinners or sweeping the sand out of the cottage on Sunday nights before we headed home, watching my Dad and Aunt Madeline do the Jitterbug, Uncle Frank and his boat and Uncle Bill fixing and building something and everything. I remember my last evening with Aunt Madeline and all our late night phone conversations. I thought she was the Albert family version of June Cleaver.

We looked at old pictures of our parents and grandparents that were assembled at the church. Where had the years gone?

There were 17 of us. Somehow as we grew older, we may have stayed close to our special cousins, but those shared memories draw us all together. We continue to get to know each other as adults and they are all amazing people, good parents, successful and they are all believers in family.

We now discuss our grandchildren. I am still remembering Suzie and I scrapping behind Nana's couch or "the big kids", Michael, Anne and Peggy locking us out so they didn't have to bother with us younger ones. I laugh when they still call me Little Mona.

We must have carried on those family values. My five children are so close, even when they get mad at each other, they are miserable. They need that family unit. We have fun together. We care about each other.

We have raised children who have married good people, become good parents and given us beautiful grandchildren. I have to believe this is what life is about and we learn it from our parents and grandparents. Too bad we don't "get it" until we are older and I can't say Thank You to Nana and Pop. They started it all.

We Will Rock!

It was a fantastic moment as they began to play my favorite song.....Queen's version of "We will, We will Rock.....and then as it slowed down into the verse of "We are the Champions" I was singing along loudly.

Eaton Rapids boys were slowly walking with the American flag and formed facing their opponents, Lakewood, for the National Anthem.

Eaton Rapids absolutely slammed Lakewood in a near shut out and were high on victory. The coach tried to calm the excited wrestlers but Karen and I made the mistake of going upstairs to talk to Andy, where we found those big wrestlers running around, whooping it up.....some of them in their underwear. The coach was yelling, boys were wild and Security was threatening to throw them all out. We quickly left and went to dinner with other parents.

I was exhausted and ready for bed, but morning came all too early. Our coaches did not know that they had closed all the fast food places that used to be at Kellogg arena and the kids were hungry. Subway across the street had worked for dinner, but breakfast was a problem. Joe to the rescue! He loaded up the van, numerous times, running the boys to McDonalds. Karen and I stayed behind to have a quiet breakfast before heading back for the finals.

Unfortunately, Lowell wrestlers won and Eaton Rapids can claim that they made it to State Finals, but did not return with the title. As Andy put it "I was just happy to be there. and next year we can take it all the way"

Great attitude.

A Week of Sickness....Again!

What a week! Everyone knows Michigan winter brings colds and flu, but this has been ridiculous. We are buying out the shelves of Kleenex, Robitussin, Tylenol Cold pills and cough drops. Joe, Andy and I are walking germ festivals. Poor Andy has tried to wrestle, while he cannot even breathe.

10 days ago, I ended up in the emergency room with chest pain. That got my attention and as much as I hate going to the doctor or God forbid, the hospital, I knew I had better get moving.

After an hour of something that resembled a TV medical drama, complete with IVs, EKGs, etc, I was told it was caused by high blood pressure, probably due to stress. One big shot of something to mellow out and down came the BP. Hmmmmmmm

At least I had not had a heart attack. Always having had low blood pressure, I wondered if Eaton Rapids Hospital was correct. Just a fluke? NOT............it continued to rise the next day at my follow up visit.

By Tuesday, when it hit a number I won't put into print, the Dr advised me to take some time off, wrote a bunch of prescriptions and sent me to the cardiologist. Just GREAT!

So, I have taken a few days off to rest and try to see if I can get it under control. I decided to test the stress theory this weekend. During the break in the midst of the Regional Wrestling tournament I stopped at the drugstore and checked my BP........it wasn't pretty. Guess these doctors really do know more than I give them credit for.

Anybody want to take bets on what it will take me for to stay melllow?

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

ER Greyhound Wrestlers won the Regional Championship last night in Mason! On to State competion where the Greyhounds boys will show them how it is done!

Happy Birthday Mike

Mike's 18th birthday was a non-celebration for Mom and Dad, but a sign that he is truly 18 now. His idea of fun was, no birthday cake, no birthday dinner......just some birthday cash and off with his friends. That is when you know they are grown up, I guess.

His life is filled with school, his band, his love of computers and of course, looking forward to graduation. He is a great kid and I spent last night missing him, but feeling good that he has turned out to be such a wonderful son.

Happy Birthday, Mike

Today is the BIG Day

Tonight, Eaton Rapids Wrestlers go to Mason for the Regional competition. We are so proud of Andy to have been placed in tonight's lineup. He even got a haircut to commemorate the occasion. I have been begging him for months and I came home to find a pleasant surprise. At Saturday's competition, someone pulled his headgear off during the match, pulling his hair. I think it made him realize when it distracted him, that a haircut was a good idea. Anyway, he looks like my boy again.


According to the Wrestling website, he gets to wrestle against John Glenn High School on Sunday. Since Joe and I both graduated from Glenn, we told him we were wearing our alumni T-shirts and would not be able to stop chanting ....."J. G. H. S.....Goooooooo Glenn!" He didn't find it funny.

Unfortunately, he is wrestling at 125, which is above his weight class, but they need someone to fill that slot. He did it last week and won, so here's hoping.


Update tonight, after the tournament!

That's My Boy!

Andy pinned his first opponent from Battle Creek quickly. The second match against a Senior from Jackson Northwest (Andy says he was from HELL) was lost by points.

He quickly came back with another PIN against Parma and finished with a final PIN against his opponent from Mason.

This qualifies him to compete at the Regional Individual Championship next Saturday!

Can't help but think Gordy's grandson just made him smile in heaven.

*************To be Continued!

THREE WINNING MATCHES!

Wrestling Update

The top Varsity teams "wrestled off" and sent their best to the Individual District Championship today in Charlotte. After Eaton Rapids won the District Championship, Andy again won the spot in his weight class and will represent Eaton Rapids.

Regionals will take place Wednesday night in Mason. GO ER!

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!

It was a good night in Eaton Rapids watching the Greyhouns win the District Wrestling Championship 75-3! Andrew pinned his opponent from Dewitt and I was so nervous I couldn't even take pictures. Our favorite buddy Justin also pinned his opponents from Charlotte and Dewitt. Now it's on to Regionals on Sunday.

Gone to Ground--Maybe...For a while

I have been told by my regular readers that I have been strangely quiet. My family members have complained that they not only haven't heard from me lately, but can't reach me by phone. Cousin Kathi, calls it "Mona has gone to ground" and says it happens every so often. I guess she is right.

Sometimes the world becomes too full, moves too fast and by 9pm when I get home, there is just no energy left. Whether it be enough energy to make a phone call or the creativity to compose a blog, it just isn't there.

Don't get me wrong.......I enjoy my days, I just find them exhausting. I love my job. That is a given. The challenge each day keeps me getting up and looking forward to seeing just what I can achieve. I consider myself lucky to have a job that often feels like I am playing a game....and I LOVE games. It is more fun to win at the game of work, than my favorite game of pinochle. After all, Debbie and I have been beating Joe and Jim at cards for over 30 years. It has almost lost it's thrill!

Winning at work is a bit more complicated and the reward definitely lasts longer. The thrill of accomplishment is a high that lasts far longer than the extra cash it brings. I can spend a year's bonus in a weekend. Just did.

February always does this to me. I come into the new year committed to a lot, some of which I actually accomplish each year. This year I have set expectations for myself professionally and personally and am finding myself tired, but satisfied at the end of the day. Just enough energy to hit the couch.

I will attend Andy's wrestling meet tomorrow night. I will take the day off so I am not too tired to enjoy the important stuff. Thursday, I will watch Michael play a concert for the VFW Children's Home. It is nice to be proud of your sons and I am.

So, if it seems as if I am "gone to ground", maybe I am. Spring is coming.....and then I want to paint the house and get ready for Mike's graduation. Think I am going to enjoy this February quiet, snuggled under my quilt at night, watching tv and knitting mismatched socks.

Saturday Morning Crazy

6AM is NOT my favorite time of day. That was when I heard Joe calling for me to get up and find his crutches. He was having a gout attack, his foot is swollen and painful and he could not even make the morning bathroom run without them. Obviously, no choice but to get up.

The crutches were buried in our upstairs storage closet (and I DO mean buried). Without at least my first cup of morning coffee, I am close to useless and dangerously close to being nasty. However, I took on the mission. I found ONE........and was promptly informed that wasn't going to work. Now I had to dig beneath suitcases, summer clothes, old bedspreads, computer keyboards and old printers.........I found it! Oh, oh! One of the kids must have been playing with them and they now fit.......hmmm.......Catie??? Oh, and the handle was missing too.

Joe decides to try an Ace Bandage. Oh, good....I can find THAT at 6:15am....sure I can. Now I take EVERYTHING out of the bottom of the bathroom cabinet. Nope! By this time, Joe is getting frustrated. I am not much happier. The dogs are running wildly through the house because Joe usually takes them outside. All 3 chihauhaus and Spike are crying and Joe is now saying, sarcastically, "I am SO sorry to wake you."

It is Saturday. That means Wrestling Day. Joe isn't going to miss it, no matter what. I do offer to drive him, try to convince him to stay home and finally give in and start the process to help him carry on.

I find the Ace Bandage, find the Motrin, let the dogs out, get Andy up and begin the search for the cane I used when my back was out. Now I have to take EVERYTHING out of the hall closet and find it buried at the back. Joe is now using one crutch and one cane. He WILL make it somehow. About that time we realize that the dogs are probably frozen to the yard, since it is below zero and I forgot them...........I just want a cup of coffee!!!!!

Like the loyal wrestling Dad that he is, Joe limps out to the car and waits as I pack his bag with snacks for himself and the team and essentials for the long day ahead at Okemos High School. It is now 7:30 am and the house is quiet. I have visions of Joe trying to walk on his crutch/cane across the ice and they aren't pretty. I sure hope Andy wins today.

Andy WINS Again!

Andy wrestled tonight and beat his opponent from Jackson Northwest, 7-1.