It's 2017

Wow time sure flies.
Kid updates.......
Lisa is now a married woman!  She and her husband, Dan Mico, live in Moose Pass, Alaska. They eloped on March 24th of this year. They will be having a party/dinner/vacation in October in Colorado to celebrate. Can wait to see them!  They still have Logan their German Shepard and now also has Taiga who is a hunting dog, pointer of some sort!
Linda is a single mom of the most awesome little boy ever, Max. He hangs out with me every day Monday through Friday while momm works.
Susan has been through a couple employment changes in the last couple years working in a cardiologist office to a vascular surgeons office to Bariatric/plastics office and now back to Cardiology. Her current dog is Jack who she rescued and is a Jack russel, chihuahua mix.
Matt graduated from the university of Michigan three years ago and has been working for the Detroit Red Wings foe three years but is now moving on and looking for a new career. He will be living in Ann Arbor for at least a couple years.
We now only have Otis our 4 year old Scottie. Tiny died December 12, 2015 from heart failure. I miss her like crazy.
Well, I hope to update more but am exhausted so ending it here for now!

FOUR YEARS SINCE MY LAST BLOG!!!

Wow, really it has been four years since I last blogged.  Gosh, what is even new in four years??  Since my memory is not so good, I have no idea - only the present :)

Lisa is now living in Girdwood, Alaska and did come for a short visit in September which was WONDERFUL.  I love having all my kids together.  Lisa is living her dream and I am very proud of her for following her heart as most of us never do.

Linda is still working for the city of Novi in the water department, I think she said she has been there 11 years - gosh that makes me feel old!  I am proud of her independence and her big heart.

Susan is a Medical Assistant in a cardiology office.  I am proud of her that she was able to buy herself a little house for her and her dog (Midder Duke).  She is such a dependable, hard worker and she makes friends so easily!  I am lucky to have such amazing, strong, independent daughters <3 p="p">
Matt is a Junior at University of Michigan currently going for a Bachelors in BCN (Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience) Degree.  Not sure yet what he will end up doing with the degree, but there is still time.  I am so proud of him for making it in to UofM, finding out what interests him, working hard for good grades, making a lot of new friends and taking care of himself!  He is also playing hockey on the UofM Club team and we still enjoy watching him play.  Probably another year or two and then the hockey will be done after about 15+ years on the ice.  That will be sad, but so glad we got to enjoy that for so many years.

Currently I took on a babysitting position two times a week for my two nieces babies (Kendra and Mason are the babies names).  Kendra was born on February 15, 2012 and Mason on March 4, 2012.  They are precious and I am glad to have little ones in my life, babies are such a joy to me - now, when they hit terrible two's we will see how THAT goes!!!

We have had SO many new babies in the family the last 4 years!  Let's see, there is Hayden who was born in 2009, Skyler born in 2011, of course Kendra and Mason 2012, Logan who joined our family in 2012 (born 2011), Adrian born in 2012 and one more on the way - baby Howe due September 27th.  THE MORE THE MERRIER!

I guess since my last blog I did lose one of my favorite pets, Wilson. He was the most loyal, friendly, cuddly, funny, playful, devoted, and well loved family member EVER.  I still miss him and it's going on two years now since he passed.  He will ALWAYS be in our hearts!  I still have Tiny who is now 9 years old and I think she has been pretty lonely without Wilson.  She'd never admit to it, but she loved him too!  LOL

I have been retired now for 4 years.  I love being retired.  I do not miss going to work every day - 30 years at one place was enough!  I was sad for a while because I only kept about 2 friends from my workplace who I had thought of as family for so long.  That is always the worst thing about change, its losing close friends - but now I have had time to rekindle my relationships with other friends who got put on the backburner, and also made new friends who I cherish.

Well.......I don't have a lot of exciting news right now, but we are planning a trip (cruise) to Alaska with the whole family - so if/when that happens I will be sure to post most certainly awesome pictures.  I don't lead a real exciting life, but I am not in to drama and I love my house, so I am good with all that I do have - very thankful for a devoted, faithful, loving and PATIENT husband who always thinks of me and taking care of me NOW and in the FUTURE.

Peace to all and hopefully will have more to talk about soon!

REQUIRED UPDATE!

Well, it looks like it has been a couple YEARS since I've updated my blog! Can't believe it! Time sure does fly after retirement . . . .

My updates are that my children are now 30 (Lisa), 28 (Linda), 26 (Susan) and 19 (Matt). Lisa just moved to ALASKA (Girdwood, AK). Not sure if she can get any farther away from me than that! As long as she is happy and doing what she wants to do on this earth, then I am happy for her. Linda still works for the city of Novi, MI. She is still living in Howell and is single. She seems happy and normally content with life, so I'm happy for her too.....Susan bought her own home in 2010 and has been living there for over a year now, and has been on her new job working as a Medical Assitant in a Cardiologist office - it's just her and her dog, "Lucky" or as she calls him "Midder Duke". I see Susan more than the other two cause she is close by and our dogs like to "hang out" together, so it's all good! Last Christmas Eve we lost our beloved little pooper Wilson (he was almost 12 years old, Scottish Terrier) and he died of cancer. He ALMOST made it one more Christmas - he died at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve. Very sad, we really loved that little guy.

I have really settled in to being retired. I do however volunteer for the Michigan Humane Society one day a week - I am a dog walker - doesn't sound like much, but those little pups sure love to see me! I wish I could take a few of them home with me, but for now I'll just do what I can to make them happy!

Bob and I just celebrated our 20 year wedding anniversary on August 16th. Didn't do much, but we did buy ourselves a new TV for the occassion :)

Bob is still the President of the Novi Youth Hockey Association and it keeps him very very busy.

Our son, Matt, is going to be a Sophomore at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He played on the Michigan Club Hockey team last year and plans to do the same this year. He was out for a couple month last year with a broken hand (what a nightmare - his RIGHT hand - and with a full class schedule it was pretty tough for him without being able to write or type!) but he got through it - if there is a will there's a way! The season this year starts in a couple weeks - but unfortunately he already was hurt in a hockey camp scrimmage - someone decided to nail him into the boards which caused not only a slight concussion, but an AC Joint Sprain/Separation. I think he got lucky on that one cause it is in the best category for recovery - they said it could be 2 to 10 weeks, but it's only been a week and the pain has significantly gone away and he can now move his arm where he could not for a few days after the injury. HOpefully he'll be on the ice before the first practice!

Other than that, the only things coming up besides a little vacation to the Smokey Mountains (Gattlinburg, TN), is a wedding in October - my nephew Rick is getting married to a great gal and so the family expands! Not only by marriage, but the family is also expanding 3 more times - three of my nieces are having babies! Kandace is due in October (2011), Jenna in February (2012) and Kate in March (2012). More little rug rats to chase around LOL. Fun stuff!!!

I'm going to add a few pictures below for grins! Hope it's not another 3 years before my next post! See y'all soon!

Photos: Wilson, Lisa & Logan, Bob w/Lisa & Matt, Lisa&Linda&Susan, and then Susan's house! Thaaaat's all folks!

COLORADO 2008

Me, Linda & Susan went to visit Lisa for a long weekend for Labor Day Weekend . . . here is my blog......

DAY 1 - Thursday, August 28th

Flight to Denver was OK - some turbulence that freaked Susan out :)

Denver airport - took tram to baggage claim, wasn't bad, pretty quick - then went outside to wait fo the Budget rental car bus to take us for our rental car. I used Fast-track and they just told me where the car was and my keys and paperwork were already in the vehicle!! I was expecting a Ford Fusion, but got a silver Subaru Forester Wagon. It drove very nice and great gas mileage...........but a little SMALL inside - too small for us. I think the drive to Grad Lake was about 2 1/2 hours - a LOT of it was mountain driving. Almost was killed by a guy in a truck pulling a mobile home or whatever, he cut us off and I had to slam my brakes and lay on the horn. Very scary.

Grand Lake is BEAUTIFUL. I remember being here two years ago when Bob & Matt went golfing here and Lisa and I did girl stuff!

Anyway, found the Winding River Ranch and got the Alamosa cabin. Two bedrooms, living room, mivrowave, refrigerator, NO TV stations, but had a video player you can rent videos for $1. Lisa ended up bringing over her DVD player and the movie Enchanted which was cute, and she brought DVD's of Greys Anatomy and Scrubs. I had never watched Scrubs before, so I kinda got caught up on what that's all about. The Ranch has a baskeetball court, swingset, volleyball net, fire pits, andlots of other things. Lotz of horses running around the property - you can ride them too. We are righ ton the Colorado River facing the Rocky Mountains - WHAT A VIEW!! Lisa got here I guess about 5:30pm and we went to town for dinner. Had a great pizza, bread and salad. Then went into the RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) and saaw lots of Elk. Went to see Lisa's cabin, then went moose hunting. We found them, but too dark to take photo's. Pizza place was called Grand Pizza or Grand Lake Pizza - not sure EXACTLY, but if you are ever in Grand Lake, I recommend it!

Came back to the room and talked for a bit. Gave the girls my contribution to their sea turtle obsessiion - seat turltle wooden ornaments!!

Slept pretty good for having no TV to watch, but was up at 5:45am (would have been 7:45am at home!). Linda took Logan out for an early morning run and they had fun!! Logan licked a horse :) We are leaving at 8:00 for a "surprise" from Lisa - I actually figured out what it was and Lisa is mad at me! So, what else is new!

Day 2 - Friday, August 29th

Was up bright and early 5:45am. Guess we left around 7:30-7:45 and had some breakfast i town - then drove about 40 minutes to our destination - Sled Dog Kennel Tours. I love dogs, so I had a good time - but the ownder/tour guide was kind of cocky. Funny he knew the exit number to get off the freeway for Novi! Guess he spent a little time in Commerce. I think his parents live or lived in Milford. Anyway, tey had about 5 dogs that run around and greet you, but he owns 82 of them. He went over their food and vet information and differences in breed, ,etc. Then we went on the scenic trip over to the other side of the mountain into Estes Park where Lisa used to live and work. Very Beautiful! We had dinner on the deck at St. Mary's Lake Lodge then Lisa took us to see the trail work she did as well as the bathroom she built last summer. Then we went back via Old Fall Creek road. The road isunpaved, narrow and on way. Very scenic and a little bit scary, but we drove slow and not too much freaking out!! Later in the evening we went to town and went to a bar. Met a couple people Lisa knew from work. the girls had 3 drinks, I had 2 diet cokes and we left at 10:30pm for "home". One of the guys we met was an indian man who was actually in a couple movies. He was one of the indians in Lonesome Dove and also one called Lucky Luke.

We got back and Lisa and I watched Enchanged and went to bed at 12:30 - probably slept from about 1:00 to 5:15ish - out of bed by 6:15am. Read to start Day 3 :)

Day 3 - Saturday, August 30th (My birthday)

Me and Susan went out for coffee and also took Logan for a quick walk. Lisa and Linda went for a 2 hour horseback ride - they saw a bull moose (actually two of them) and so Susan and I went to town souvenier shopping!! I had actually forgotten it was my birthday, I just didn't think about what day it was :) But the girls reminded me and so now I guess I am a year older - DARN IT! We then went to town and had lunch and went for a plontoon boat ride on Grand Lake. The homes were nothing under 1.5 Million! We saw one house that Tim Allen owns, as well as one owned by Hallmark. Some of these expensive homes you can't get to by car - you eihter hike in or boat over. After that we went to Hot Sulfur Springs and soaked in hot tubs and hot pools for about an hour and a half. We were all SO relaxed after that we all went to bed early....yes, even ME.

Day 4 - Sunday, August 31st.

Up bright and ealry agian. Lisa and Linda went on a hike that took 6 hours. Susan and I went to Arapoho Bay Raod which is a beautiful drive (9 miles) around thelake. We got to the end and then went on a short hike about a qurter way around Monarch Lake and then came back (maybe 1.5 miles total). We had a bite to eat at the Dairy King in town and then Susan came back and went horseback riding. When everyone came back we went out for Mexican food in town. We are now back watching some episodes of Greys Anatomy. We are pretty much packed and will hit the road by 9:30am to head toward the airport. It's about 2 1/2 hours but just in case of traffic we are leaving plenty of time............................

Day 5 - Monday, September 1st - Labor Day - travel home day :(

Well..............we had coffee and breakfast with Lisa in town and said our goodbye's. We had such a great time with her.

Hit the road about 9:00 - think we got to the Budge rental car place around 11:30 - to the airport before noon. Look around the shops at the airport and started boarding the plane at 2:30. This would be 4:30 Michigan time. The plan took off right on time at 3:00 (5:00). We arrived "home" to Detroit about 7:40, and by the time we walked to baggage pick up and got our "stuff", Bob was there waiting for us and we got home maybe by 8:45. It was good to be home in my own house and my own bed, but I sure had a great trip. Now we are back to the school year and the old routine!!!!

I had an appointment with a cardiologist today. I need to start taking a baby aspirin every day and go back and see him in 6 months. Dick & Michelle are coming in this Friday and I'll pick them up at the airport and then they will be "in town" for about 10 days.

I think this is enough for one blog :) Photo's attached of my trip!

Not sure if this link will get you to all my photo's or not, but I'll include it

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AauW7do5bt2az&emid=sharshar&linkid=link5 :

RETIRED

I have been officially retired as of July 1st 2008 ! Some days, even though I worked for 30 years at Ford, I feel like I never worked. I love it. I am more rested and less stressed. I am taking it pretty easy right now but am putting together a plan to mega clean my entire house! I am not sure where to start though. If it's the kitchen it will take FOREVER cause I want to empty every drawer/cabinet - go through all my pantries (I have a HUGE walk-in pantry) and throw out expired stuff that got shoved to the back.................I plan to just do one or two cabinets depending on how big they are, per day - it may take a few days just to do the pantry!!! Eventually I need to replace carpeting, paint rooms, get new drapes/window treatments, etc..... It is just so overwhelming right now that I don't know where to start! My bedroom might be a good choice - I have so many clothes they don't even fit in the closet/dresser any more. I esimated if I start with my bedroom, I can only do about 2 hours a day before I go nuts....... so it may day 2 to 4 weeks just to get through it all!!! Yikes!

So far, the only plans I have is to visit Lisa in Colorado August 28-September 1st. Linda and Susan are flying out there with me and we should have a really nice visit with Lisa and her puppy, Logan (Logan's photo is on this blog for your viewing pleasure) ......... I can't wait, even though I HATE flying!!!!! Oh well..........gotta do what ya gotta do!

Enjoy your summer and I hope to be writing again soon . . . . .

IT'S GETTING CLOSER

To my retirement date :) I have about 11 1/2 more weeks until retirement :) Yeah! I just started my transition into "getting things ready to go". I sure hope it goes by fast between now and June 27th..........then things can slow down.

March was very busy. I had my 30 year anniversary with Ford. Had a luncheon at Giulio's (not sure how to spell that, but it's the Italian Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency,Dearborn). For my 30 year anniversary gift I ordered myself NEW POTS AND PANS :) Have not gotten them yet, but am looking forward to them!!! Susan had her 23rd Birthday on March 25th. For her birthday I took her and Lindsay to Mt. Pleasant to the Soaring Eagle Hotel and Casino. Susan lost a little moolah - I on the other had left $149 richer :0 Of course between what I spent on the hotel, food, etc.............I was still in the hole . . . . .

For Easter, Linda and Lisa met in Florida - their father was there on vacation so they decided to invade his vacation for a few days. They all had a great time! Unfortuantely I have not seen Lisa for quite a while now so I am looking forward to getting out to Colorado this summer! Lisa now has two dogs - Logan her 1 year old Germany Shepard and Luna her, well, mutt I guess who is just a pup. Luna is short for Lunatic :)

For April we have a wedding coming up. My niece Jenna is getting married on Friay April 25th!! I am looking forward to that. Dick & Michelle will be coming in on April 21st and staying wiht me until the 29th. I am also looking forward to that - I alway hope that while they are there we see deer in the backyard! Just a little standing joke with me & Dick. April will just fly by. May 6th Matt will be 16 and getting his drivers license.................yikes, my baby will be out driving on his own! His is a pretty good driver, but you just never know who else is going to be out there with him....................

That's all for my updates at this time............Except Lisa got a TERM job (4 year position with benefits for the Rocky Mt. National Park). This is great so I don't have to worry about her for at least the next 4 years since she will have medical bennies. Yeah Lisa!!!!! It is also a promotion to a Leader job, so it is a lot to be proud of...........

Until next time.................

HOLIDAYS ARE OVER

This year the holidays weren't so bad :) Lisa came home for a long weekend in November, which is better than not seeing her at all, although I miss her on Christmas Eve when everyone is there! This year we had all the food catered (except for a couple dips and chips :) and I thought the food was great and everyone seemed to like it. We also did a different gift exchange, this year instead of picking names and buying for someone specific, we decided to do a dollar store grab bag type thing, but made a game out of it (for the adults) I guess it is officially called the White Elephant, with maybe a few minor changes! Everyone got a number, and number 1 went first and picked a gift........then 2 could steal the gift or open a new one, and so on - then at the end #1 was able to keep his gift, or steal anybody's gift. It was a good time I think! No major illnesses over the holidays (no flu bugs, but maybe some sinus/cold stuff going on), so all and all the 2007 Holidays were great. On New Years Eve we did not do the traditional Chinese Food to my disappointment, however . . . . . we did go to the Red Wings game (me, Bob and Matt) and had a great time.

Now we're in to 2008!!! Hope it's GREAT!!! This is the year I retire. I can't wait. Today is January 11th, so I have 24 weeks to go, then I will be a retired person :) Yes!!!!

Also, reality set in and I found out that I weighed more than I have EVER weighed in my life, so I just started Weight Watchers on November 14th. I have done SO SO SO many diets over the past couple years (last time I was successful on a diet was when Lisa graduated in 1999 - and then I slowly put it all back plus some). I have tried to excersize only, that didn't work, I tried to diet only, that didn't work (several different diets), so this time I decided to combine them - started Weight Watchers at the same time I started excersizing. A freind offered to train Susan and I with weights once a week, so we took her up on that - I am actually getting stronger! AND, it has made the numbers come down on the scale - the first week I could not believe I was already down 7 pounds - week 2 another 2 pounds - week 3 minus 1.2 - week 4 minus 3.6, week 5 minus 1.6, week 6 I DID NOT WEIGH IN - I TOOK A PASS CAUSE IT WAS RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS AND I WAS SCARED!!! Week 7 I was down .6 (better than nuttin!) - week 8 I was down 3.6 - SO my grand total to date is 19.6 pounds lost. The SAD thing is that I have SO MUCH to lose that nobody has noticed. I have NOT gone down a pant size yet, HOWEVER my pants were getting very tight and now I would say they are very loose - - BUT, I tried on the next smaller size, and they are still a little tight - I mean I COULD wear them, but not comfortably, so I'll just wait..........hopefully not too long!!!! I still have about 44 pounds I SHOULD lose, HOWEVER if I lose another 30 I will be so happy - hopefully my way of eating healthy will continue the rest of my life and some day I will be down all of those 44 more pounds (to my TOTAL that I wanted to lose was between 54 and 64 pounds - WOWZERS!).

I also decided that I am going to be a brunette - at least for a while. I have been a blonde for so long. Maybe add some hi-lites for the summer, maybe not---I am actually kinda liking the brown hair. Lotza changes to come in 2008.

Matt is skating through 10th grade. He's playing hockey and starting basketball this week. Keeps both him and us busy. Matt will be 16 in May - and will get his drivers license - that is just SO scary. I am sure he will be a safe driver, but when they first get on the road they just don't realize that they have to watch everyone else's driving too!

Not sure what this summer will bring. I just don't know what I want to do, but I do want to go on SOME kind of vacation!!! I mean, I will be retired! Maybe a trip to Colorado, maybe make it a longer trip and go to Arizona - or maybe a cruise, or maybe Hawaii. So many choices :)

Lisa is doing well in Colorado - she loves it out there and I am so proud of her for being such an independent strong person. Linda had a house built in 2007 - she is working for the city of Novi still - must be around 3 years since she was actually hired in. I am proud of her too for being able to manage her life so well and doing all this on her own! Susan went through Ross Medical training in 2007 and got a job in a doctors office in Farmington Hills as a Medical Assistant. I am very proud of her for never giving up! She is such a hard worker and did so well in her medical traing (Almost all A's!!! yeah!). Susan is very content still living at home and taking care of her dog, coming to Matt's games, and helping me around the house. I appreciate her for all she does for me - I think I'll keep her :)

So, I am hoping for a really quick winter, a mild spring and then a fantastik start to my retirement. So much to do!!! I keep making mental notes on all the things I want to accomplish while I am finally able to. First thing is the house! Going through things and getting rid of stuff, then decorating the way I want to - get new carpet, new furniture, new blinds and curtains, new paint job, new wall decorations . . . . and I want to frame some pictures that are favorites, I want to go through all the photo's I've taken and organize them, put them in photo albums (this will take me years to do!!!), start collecting things for Matt's graduation party (it will be here before I know it) - maybe even think about setting up another family reunion! I was thinking of maybe a cruise or something this time - make a real vacation out of it - last time (the only time we've done it) was a weekend in Chicago and it was fun, just short :) A cruise would be great - we could see people when we wanted, do things on our own when we wanted, and someone else would do all the cooking and work :) Sounds good to me.

OK - I will end here for now and update when I can!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TWO THOUSAND EIGHT!

(photo is of Lisa and Linda at a Red Wings game when Lisa was in town - it was Orange Hat day and everyone who attended the game got an orange Red Wing hat!!!! -- you have to be a Detroit Red Wing fan to know what that's all about!!!)