THANKS

Well, you've all put me to shame with all your new posts and interesting stories.  Like Greta, I've had blog block since we got back from Rochester...nothing personal, Chrissy.  I just had a lot to say after that visit, and not any idea what to write about since then.  Until now.

I look back on Mother's Day this year, and must tell you all how happy and proud I am to be your mom!!  I learn so much from each of you, admire all the things you do, and can never get over the fact that you do so much and never seem to get tired.  Today Dad and I left home at 10:00am, got back here at 4:30pm, and we're both exhausted.  Did we run after kids?  No!  Did we chase some dogs around the house?  No!  Did we work at the office, clean the house, work in the garden, do laundry or have a bunch of people over? No!  We ran errands!  Very tiring. :)

Anyway, you guys are the best.  I'm so thankful to be a wife, your mom, and a grammy.  I  can't ask for anything better.  I love you all...husband, kids,  in-laws, grandchildren.  THANKS!

We're all in this together

So us girls all piled in the car(mini van) and off we went into the friendly and familiar highways leading to Rochester, Mn.  After all, one of us was a damsel in distress, and who should come to her rescue, but five more damsels and one cute little boy.  It was great to see Chrissy again.  It was great being altogether.  Lily and Max were the best travelers, and they played together so nicely.  We all pitched in to help out as we could, and our reward was a delicious dinner at the Olive Garden.  Yum!  Plus, we all got to view Chrissy's painting at the Zumbrato gallery, and we all agreed it is a thing of beauty.  We also got to drive by Chrissy and Jeff's new home...it's so cute, and the neighborhood is what Jeff describes as apple pie America...a real classy place.
Sadly the time passed quickly and soon we were in the van again heading for home.  Heidi arrived at her home at 2:00.  Brittany, about 4:00.  Greta, about 5:30, and I rolled in at 6:30,  Loooong drive, but well worth the trip. Now, smile, it's Candid Camera time.

And this?   Just a little something I put together after I got back home. :)

Spring Has Brought Us Such a Nice Surprise

What happens when you go away for the day?  Magic.  Just like the Elves and the Shoemaker...magic happens.  Bulbs are planted, spring comes, and Voila!!!!!  A plethora of flowers planted by Roger and hidden away until now.  Happy Spring.  Thanks so much, Roger.

The HAND

So often we take everyday things for granted...like our health, our families, our homes, our hands.  Yes, I said, our hands.
This week Roger and I went to Rochester to be with Chrissy and Jeff while Chrissy was undergoing some very intricate, but necessary hand surgery.  This is her right HAND..her dominant HAND...the infamous HAND that creates those beautiful paintings we all know and love.  It looked perfectly healthy on the outside.  On the inside, however, it was not a pretty sight.  Two and a half hours of surgery, plus a metal plate and several little screws later, that beautiful HAND was wrapped up like a mummy.  Less than 24 hours later, we were back at the ER because of that HAND.  Now it had swollen so badly, that it was not getting the circulation that it needed.  The cast was removed.  Whew, what a relief!  A new one was formed.  And Chrissy was a tired, but happy girl once again.  We are so grateful for Mayo Clinic and all the hands that helped Chrissy get her HAND repaired. 

Easter time

Wow!!!! What a wonderful Easter we had.  Everyone was here for it, and I had a great time...hopefully so did everyone else. :)

We decorated eggs, we had an egg hunt, we watched Conference and even had a few snacks (until Blinky took them away).

Chrissy honored us with some of her art.  Family for Heidi, Joey Crossing for Joey, and a bunch of onions for me!!!  Thank you Chrissy!!!!!!!!

Dinner was delicious...so was the company...17 for dinner and everything got eaten up.  Ham, chicken, twice baked potatoes, scalloped corn, Jello eggs (mmmmm, eggs) and brownie hot fudge sundaes for dessert.

Everyone made it to their respective homes safely, and so all in all, it was a memorable and fun filled Easter.
At the end of the day, however, we were all ready for a nice, long, nap!!

Night, night, Joey.  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

To Cascade and Back

We're back after a wonderful time compliments of our children.  First stop was to the movies.  We saw Alice in Wonderland, and that is a must see for all.  It was great.   Movies often carry us away to another time, but this one not only carried us away, but we actually felt we were in wonderland.   Great movie...go see it.

Then it was one to Chili's where we enjoyed a "guiltless chicken dinner" and a not  so guiltless trio of desserts, i.e. key lime pie, hot  fudge brownie, and velvet chocolate cake.  Yum!

After dinner we drove to Cascade, where we had a lovely room at a bed and breakfast.  It was fantastic!  We were the only ones there, so we actually had the place to ourselves.  Check out the room!

After a delicious homemade breakfast that we both really enjoyed, the propietress of the Madison Avenue Inn happily agreed  to take our picture outside her lovely establishment.

We had such a wonderful time, and we're not done yet.  We still have another movie and a dinner at Chili's

to take advantage of.   Just  to let the rest of the planet in on a little secret, we've got the greatest children in the world!!!!!!
Thank you so much guys!  We love you!!!

Windows, Windows, and More Windows

Time goes fast when you're busy and having fun, that's for sure. And, the secret is out! Roger has been working feverishly in his workshop making windows for the side lights in both Greta and Heidi's homes. They're finished. They're beautiful! And Greta and Heidi LOVE them!


Here's a quick review of our whirlwind week. We were up to Green Bay to visit and install the first window at Greta's house. Then we went back this past Monday to put a new frame up around it and finish it off. It looks great and Greta and Adam really love it. Greta played in her Celtic group on St Patrick's Day and rumor has it that she was fantastic! Congratulations, Greta! We'll be there next year. :)

Went to Heidi's on Wednesday and Roger secretly installed her window as well. We had a St Patrick's Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage...mmmm corned beef...and hung out there and even played Guitar Hero for a little bit. Thursday we picked up Lara and Jason (with Heidi and Max) and took them to Culver's for lunch. Then back to school to see Jason as the spider who chased Miss Muffet away in a little kindergarten program they had. That was fun!



Then we came home and Chrissy called to inform us that she would be having extensive hand surgery on April 8 at Mayo. Hello? Including screws and/or a metal plate. Hello? So we'll be heading over that direction April 7th and spending a few days helping out our little Chrissy. Now that kind of news is enough to bowl anyone over.

Roger and Brittany came over Thursday night for another dinner of corned beef and cabbage (did I mention we love corned beef?) We had a nice time and even played a game of hand to foot which ended in a near tie. Their house is just about the way they like it...you never finish on your house, do you? I'm still working on mine.

Tonight we're going out to dinner and to see a play with the Meke's. Whew! I need a nap. And that, my friends, is how retired people spend their time. :)