Making Catie Smile

Today was the first day of the St. Peter annual Festival. The carnival rolled into town on Sunday night and by today, Catie was beside herself with excitement. The rides were running! We had already planned to spend Saturday taking Catie, Alexis, Nick and Cam for an all afternoon visit, but it was too much to ask her to go over and just have dinner.

"PLEASE, Grandma! I don't care if I get wet! Just ONE ride!" Of course, we eventually gave in. She had cleaned her room and done the dishes trying to make sure she had earned an extra pass. The rain didn't matter (to Catie) although Joe and I were freezing as we stood in the puddles, watching her thoroughly enjoy herself.

She found friends from school and hit the Pirate Ship first and continued to return to it over and over. It was her favorite ride. The Ferris Wheel got a try, the Tilt-a-Whirl was good for 2 or 3 rides and she was sampling a few others in between.

Andy felt sorry for us as we stood freezing and dripping and finally agreed to "watch" Catie for us. It was pretty funny when he would approach a ride and all the little girls on the ride began calling out his name. He was definitely too cool to respond, but did a great job keeping an eye on Catie and her little friends.

The pictures show it all. Look for more over the weekend as we take Alexis, Cameron and Nick on Saturday. Mike, Andy and Joe have volunteered to help and I am sure we will need a crew to keep track of all the little ones.

Although we enjoyed the carnival food, Mexican Fiesta, complete with Mexican dancers, the live band and the company of good and old friends, the best part of the night was seeing Catie smile.

Getting Back on Track

This morning was I began with the goal of getting back on track. Amazing how many things you can let go when you go through a time like this. Overwhelming might be a better word. However, as Cat says "Ya need a project, Mom!"

Let's see, start with finances. Eeeeeeeeewwww! Yep, wrote the check for the house payment out of the wrong account. Thank God for small towns. The lady at the bank said, "Don't worry, we wouldn't bounce your check. Just get a deposit in when you can." That is only something you would get in Smalltown USA. Pay the lights, gas, water and phone...gotta have 'em. Oh, yeah, check on the cars and the cable. Now we are set. TV on, cooking with gas and the house is still ours. I can do this.

Off to the Dr for the 100th time recently for one more disability form. I hate that. I wanna go to work! That is another story. For now, I am home and although not liking it, I had to get the forms and fax 'em in. Then..........I get to go to ANOTHER Dr. this afternoon! When taking Andy for his post-op visit, I am conferring with his shoulder Doc to see if he can help me. I am determined to get better.

Joe and Mike are going to take Laundry Mountain to the laundry-mat and conquer it. That will be a tremendous relief as I can smell it. I can hardly wait for the bill, but anything is better than the stench of dirty laundry.

Calls were made to ERHS and Lansing Community College to excuse the multitude of absences recently. Michael is lucky everyone loves him or he wouldn't be walking to Pomp and Circumstance soon.

Joey and I set a game plan to improve the home situation, which will make me feel better. I am so glad he is here.

A Relaxing Weekend

We headed to Petoskey this weekend to pick up Joey, with Alexis and Catie. Had forgotten just how much fun two giggling girls can be. What was even more fun was eavesdropping on their conversations as we rode north. My favorite of the day went like this:

Alexis: Catie, WHO is driving this car?

Catie: Papa?

Alexis: YES! And that would mean YOU are NOT the boss of ME!

We cracked up laughing as they worked out their little issues over "sharing" and which movie they would watch next. (The movie thing is the greatest invention in the world. Didn't have that when WE were parents of little ones.)

We finally reached Petoskey and after picking up Joey, headed downtown to check out the shops, off to the beach and finally to dinner. Ok, MY favorite part was the shops and the kids definitely preferred the beach. They learned how to skip rocks across the lake from Joey, Catie and Alexis gathered shells and Petoskey stones and Alexis' personal favorite....bird feathers! Joey tried to gross her out telling her that they came from "bird butts" but she giggled and said "I don't care!"

The girls ended the day by swimming in the hotel pool, or I should say WE thought they ended the day. NOT! At 10pm when the pool closed they got into bed with a movie to drift off to, but according to Joey they watched more than one. He took the girls and gave Joe and I a much needed break.

At 6:30 am Alexis announced "It's morning!" and even Catie was groaning. Joey and Catie tried to keep her quiet with cartoons, but she got everyone going. We headed back to the pool area where we enjoyed breakfast and the girls and Joey had a morning swim. Alexis checked out the breakfast bar and after choosing a blueberry muffin, waffle and orange juice, said "There is no protein on this breakfast!"

After checking out, we stopped to see the Ernst family and then back on the road to Eaton Rapids. A lunch stop at the best buffet in Michigan (Coyles in Houghton Lake) completed our day and the girls loved the "make your own sundae" bar. We did convince them to eat some REAL food before we let them hit the ice cream. Alexis grinned at me and said "Thank you, JUNKFOOD GRANDMA!"

Joey Saying

I am sorting Karen's computer and found files labeled by each of her children and siblings names. This was found and simply titled "Joey saying". With it was also this pic.

Joey Is Home!

Through the miracle of friendship, Joey is home. Karen's dear friend Erika and her family found a way to help Joe return to Michigan. What a wonderful way to comfort our family in this tough time.

Joe certainly didn't want to be far from home and family, but Michigan's economy has forced many to seek work wherever they could find it. After hearing about Joe's sadness at leaving to return to Kansas, they went into action. A week later, he had a place to live, a promise of a job and he was back in Michigan.

Erika and Karen had gone their separate ways after high school, losing touch. A week before her death, Karen called me just giggling with excitement. "Mom, you will never guess who found me? ERIKA!" She was so excited about their plans to get together, wanting Erika to meet her children and asked me if I would like to join her, Erika and Ann, Erika's Mom for lunch. Karen then ran on for at least 30 minutes, remembering all the good times she and Erika had shared. She was SO excited.

Erika and Karen never got to have that lunch. Instead, Erika and her family reached out to Joe. Thanks to the Ernst family, Alexis will see her Daddy this weekend, Catie can't wait to see Uncle Joe and as for Joe and I.....we want to hold all our children close right now, more than anything.

God works in mysterious ways, using all his angels here on earth...wonder if he got a nudge from Karen this week?

The Survey says......

You Are a Believer

You definitely believe in God - and you're very unwavering in your religious beliefs. In fact, religion and spirituality are definitely big parts of your life. Religion shapes how you view right and wrong, as well as the decisions you make. It's hard for you to imagine how your life would be without your beliefs.

Ok, Karen started this little survey on her blog, then Laura took it and posted her results. I couldn't resist. Here are my results.....Gee, not much surprise, huh?

Amazing the things you will do online when you are sitting here trying to occupy your mind, huh?

Happy Birthday to ME

My family was not going to allow me to forget my birthday, in spite of my efforts. I began the day with birthday wishes from Cat and then had lunch with Joe and Carol. Carol then took me shopping for a bit and I returned home, ready for the couch.

SURPRISE! All at once, Joe, Mike, Andy, Laura, Alexis, Daniel and Catie burst in the door with presents, cards and a birthday cake. The kids know "Junkfood Grandma" and were delighted to share their presents of candy and cookies. Catie presented me with a coupon for a "free footrub".

Andy remembered the fuzzy pink robe that I had seen at the mall, Mike had a knitting pattern book and Joe had made a visit to my favorite store, Threadbear and purchased more knitting supplies. Bubble Bath and lotion completed the relaxation birthday.

THEN CAME THE CAKE! My favorite Sanders version of yellow cake with buttercream icing. Catie insisted on filling the cake with candles (as many as she could find) and she and Alexis worked hard on it. Mike helped them light the bonfire and the girls and I blew it out. Daniel just waited patiently and then dug in. He used sign language to keep saying "PLEASE" which meant he wanted MORE.

Alexis sang Happy Birthday in Chinese for us, one at a time, because she wanted to whisper it in our ears, too shy to sing out loud. I have the best family in the whole world!

Never Too Old to Learn

You know what "they" say about making assumptions....

Unfortunately, I did it again. I assumed that all Metal Bands were bad people like Chad. Karen tried to tell me, but I wouldn't listen.

That is not the first time we have had this problem. Back in high school when Karen was a cheerleader, I had negative opinions about that too. It took me a long time to see she was right. It WAS a sport. It DID have value. I just told her that I was wrong within the past month. She thanked me for admitting it.

I had ranted and raved about tatoos for years. Karen got a new one every time she was mad at me. Then Justin drew his tribute to Karen. He gave it to me and then had it put on his arm to remember her always.

.

Justin had sat with us as she lay dying for 3 days. Joey had put his rosary in her hands and they prayed with her. Justin wanted to remember the moment. He did it his way.

I cried. It was beautiful.
Never too old to learn

The outpouring of love and kindness from Karen's world of music has been tremendous. It has been real and it has been sincere. They mourned her in their myspace world on the internet. Then they went into action. Shown here is one of a number of benefit concerts being held in honor of Karen with proceeds to her children. I am learning that I misjudged once again.

I just received an invitation from one of the bands that said "Karen always took good care of us and now it's our turn." You can bet I will be at Planet Rock on April 29th.

Faith

A sick man said
"Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said,
"I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man,
do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door;
on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,
and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room
and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said,
"Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before.
He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here,
and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death,
but I do know one thing...
I know my Master is there and that is enough."

My father always told me that faith was a gift he would give me. He told me that it was the ability to believe something in my heart which could not be proven. He gave me that gift by always saying what he knew to be true, never saying "I believe...." just explaining life and it's occurrences as if he wanted me to just understand what was true.

Since he was a Catholic man, who once considered the priesthood, it wasn't hard for him at all. He had faith. He shared it. With confidence, he seemed to understand everything in life. What made him magic was the fact that he spent every minute of his life just explaining it all to me.

Everything was a lesson. I rarely knew that I was learning anything. I was just being with my Dad. He taught us everything. He did no task by himself. As we moaned and groaned, he taught us to paint a room, bake a pie, fix a car, solve a problem, make a decision, speak in public, sell Girl Scout Cookies or Boy Scout Fertilizer. First we were his Assistants, but we graduated eventually to running the projects. He also taught us constantly how God expected us to work at being good and kind to others above all else. As he taught, he explained so many things in terms of faith.

When my baby brother died, as I sang Rock a Bye Baby to him, my grieving father told me that a wonderful thing had happened. Even though we would miss little A.J we now had our own Guardian Angel in heaven. He would forever watch over me. He bought me a book about Guardian Angels and taught me a special prayer that I said every night.

From that day forward we just talked about our Guardian Angel. Every time I had a "near miss" like the time I rode my bike in front a car and survived, he would gave toward heaven and saying, "Thanks AJ for watching out for Monie." "Thank you Lord, for the Guardian Angel."

Last night Catie told me she couldn't say her prayers because every time she said the word "Mom" it made her cry. I dug out that old prayer and taught it to her. I told her about her own special Guardian Angel. It is my turn to teach the Faith to my children and grandchildren.

When he had to punish me, he told me that it "broke his heart to punish me, but God gave me a job to do as a parent" and then he explained he must teach me the "right way to live". When he missed church and I asked if God was mad, he just said, "God loves me no matter what. He knows I make mistakes."

We spent many hours, he and I, just talking about anything and everything, but he lived his faith. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized how he gave me the gift.

That faith has sustained me through my entire life. In the joy of shouting out thanks to the Lord and in sorrow when I could barely pray. I've made many mistakes, but God loved me anyway. I have had the ability to believe in love, mercy and goodness and to believe in the joy of the future. To believe that Karen is in heaven.

I have the beautiful gift of faith. Thanks, Dad.

Just Can't Blog

Every morning I always got up, checked my email and then hit the blogs. Cat, Karen, Joey, Laura, Jim. It was so much fun to see what everyone had to share. Pictures, poetry, daily thoughts and silly stuff.

I have gotten up every day this week and gone to the blogs. Joey is giving it his best try, Cat and Laura have posted messages saying they just can't blog right now. Jim is trying to keep us going.

It was too much fun for so long that I know we will begin again......someday.

For now, I am quiet. Just can't do it without sadness. I will try again soon. I promise.

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?