A Migraine (Mine), A Moron (Me), Multiply, and More

Best to grab a cup of coffee, or a nightcap. 

It's kinda long... Sorry.

Dear Santa;

Please send me a Sony digital camera.

I am truly lost without mine.

Good Afternoon!!!
And happy Friday' to all who are here blogging/reading on our new site. I hope everyone has their sites, info, etc all migrated away from Multiply since Multiply will close very soon.

'As the tummy growls' ...
I am famished right now, and will catch you all up on my day shortly.  (But at this point, I am also way too tired to even think of cooking anything).

If you have read my previous notes on Multiply, then you already know that my car broke down eons ago... 
Not really needing to go anywhere, I tried to ignore that specific dark cloud. Which was

Tecumseh, and My Uncle Chum

Live your life that the fear of death

can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about his religion.

Respect others in their views

and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life,

beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long

and of service to your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day

when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting

or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light,

for your life, for your strength.

Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason to give thanks,

the fault lies in yourself.

Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones turn to fools

and robs the spirit of its vision.

When your time comes to die, be not like those

whose hearts are filled with fear of death;

so that when their time comes they weep and pray

for a little more time to live their lives over again

in a different way.

Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

The Teaching of Tecumseh

Good Morning All;

And with my apologies to those 2 of you whom I promised to write to, please understand...

My father called yesterday afternoon.

His brother, my Uncle Chum, has quietly walked on to visit Heaven.

Seems as he had made his way from his in-town home out to his home on Sugar Island. 

He had planned on doing yardwork. I do not know how much he got done...

He died yesterday afternoon, upon his tractor, and doing his work. 

After being ill for so long I can only imagine he may have wished for such a passing.

He knows no suffering now- For he knows only peace.

Taken upon our last visit to Sault Sainte Marie; as we drove from town.

Odd isn't it? Precious too-  To know that this picture is the last I took of him. Indeed, it was to be the last image I have of Uncle Chum in my mind 

As he waved to us, and smiling, from the ferry, The Sugar Islander II...

Rest in peace my dearest uncle- 

Already now, you have met our Maker, the Creator, and already he has shown you the joy of your death- This, for your life, well~lived.

But it is heavy hearts that you have left us with- [behind]- 

You will be always be thought of with abiding respect to the spirit that you have, that you have shared so freely with me, that you have shown to all of my children. 

You will forever be remembered with all my love.
That same love that is our own perpetual heart-light.

My love to you- 

For it is always that I will be grateful for the love you have always given to me.

Anne

PS
 - And just to keep you smiling... 

May there always be many cute nurses where you are!    J     

 hehehe 

My Cousin, Anna Rosethel Menard

Rose Menard
On Thursday, January 27, 2011 Anna Rosethel Menard — Rose as she was known to her friends and family — was called home to be with her family in Heaven. Rose was born on July 22, 1952 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI and passed away at War Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer.
She was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and had proudly served on their Board of Directors as a Unit 4 Representative. She was employed with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians as a Women’s Shelter Worker.
Rose enjoyed spending time with family/friends and prided herself on making sure that everyone who visited her home felt welcomed.
She enjoyed cleaning her home, playing cards, tending her yard, feeding the animals that came into her yard, making people laugh, and above all else, caring for children-she had such a special way about her that children were just naturally drawn to her  gentle nature.
She is survived by her daughters: Tiffany Sue Menard and Miranda Rose (Chrissy Yawn) Menard both of the Sault; her loving companion and friend James Lewis; her brothers: Robert a.k.a. Buck (Kathy) of Negaunee, MI, Ronnie (Julie) of the Sault, Thomas (Mary) of Negaunee, Wilfred a.k.a. Scott (Barb) of the Sault, Michael of Royal Oak, MI, Kerry (Charo) Dillon of Indianapolis, IN; and her sisters: Dorothy (John) Leach and Patricia (Lyle) Willette both of the Sault. In addition, she is also survived by several very special aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, cousins, and close family friends.
Rose joins her parents: Louis Hector and Dorothy “Teeny” (McCoy) Menard; her brother, Louis “Jiggs” Menard; her grandparents: John and Florence (Rickley) McCoy and Louis and Rose (Myotte) Menard, along with numerous others she held near and dear in Heaven.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to  the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Women’s Shelter or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Visitation will be held at Clark Bailey Newhouse from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2011 with Rosaries at 6:30 p.m. and Traditional Teaching to follow. A Mass celebrating her life will be held at Holy Name of Mary Pro-Cathedral (St. Mary’s Catholic Church) on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. with Father Sabatian Kavumkal as celebrant. All are invited to join the family at the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Cultural Center (Niigaanigiishik Building) for lunch immediately after Mass. 

As you see, Rose was always smiling! The pictures above taken from the last time I was to Sault Ste Marie. (Blog is here, CLICK),
www.flintville.multiply.com/journal/item/836/Sault_Ste._Marie-_And_Her_People

Life is short-
Too short.

My love to all, and my peace to Buttercup, and to her sister too.
Gods Blessings.

XOXO
Me

Flying for now

     -Mama is second from left-

Good Morning All;
Just wanted to touch base with everyone, and say hi.
I know this should not affect me as it does, still.
It does.

A few of you do already know of the anniversary of my parents deaths. Even fewer mention it.  Why do people not talk about close death? Are they afraid to?
Mama's was just 2 days ago, and Dad's is coming up early next month.
Bear with me if you will.  It is still a crappy time of year for me.


Casey has an infusion this morning-
I have already (sort of) cleaned up- I finished the dishes from last night, and got started on the wash as well.

Did some mowing yesterday, not enough daylight anymore. What's up with that?!? hehehe

Why doesn't the world just 'spring ahead' half an hour and then leave it alone?

Time to fly. Kind of foggy out there this morning...

Try to have a good and happy Tuesday!

XOXO
Me

The Mailbox, (mine). The Auction, (theirs). And the Trailer, (Kelli's).

The deer trail, through the field,
And heading straight to my little squash plants!
Grrr...

Good Afternoon All;
I had thought we would be 'on the road again' now.
Such is obviously not the case, (I have a hard time keeping the car on the road while typing). hehehe

I am sick-ish and in pain. This is NO damn way to go through life.
My head was stuffy yesterday and Lordy, it just ached. My back refuses to offer anything but pain.

I already know that I probably shouldn't have even tried to cut the lawns on Sunday, but they needed it so bad. That, combined with no Packer game, (on Sunday anyway), -along with the sunshine -and lack of much wind- made for a great day to mow.
Do not be telling me not to do this. It has to be done. More, I have never paid money to have this done, and I am not about to start now. Lawns are personal. hehehe

Autumn in Flintville- Taken from my mailbox.

Speaking of my mailbox... I have just received word from the USPS that my mailbox has to be raised 8 inches. I am thinking my mailman probably has new wheels. (Perhaps those wheels should be lowered 8 inches)!
All kidding aside, I am going to be checking around to find out how many others on this route have received this same notice. All of our mailboxes seem the same, or close enough. (Those I have asked already have not received this notification).
I will check with a tape measure if I have to.

More... my mailbox is oddly now missing its reflectors, AND its flag! Whoever did this will be caught if they tamper again-  (Helps to be able to record everything via a wonderful program and a wee little camera). Thank you Greg! hehehe

Anyway, yes, it is Fall- And so lovely all around.
Not too chilly yet. (Getting there though).

If you read my last entry you will remember me stating that I wasn't going to go to my uncles auction. (Uncle Frank and my Aunt Patty are now both deceased, and the family was selling the contents of their beautiful home).
Aunt Patty is my birthmother's sister.

They are pictured below-
Aunt Patty on the far right, kneeling; with Uncle's hand on her shoulder.


My grandmother, (the only one I ever knew) is seated middle bottom.
My birthmother, Madonna, is 4th from left, top. (Her hubby Bob is 3rd from left).

Casey called me on Saturday morning- Was I still thinking of going to the auction?
Yes. (But it was a little late). I should have known better... Never say never, (and most especially where Casey is concerned)! hehehe
A little while later, we were on the road down to Appleton!

This is my Aunt Vonnie- with Casey, and Cousin Tom Runnoe



Auntie is so full of sparkling spunk! hehehe  Mr. Muscles, Tom, carried out the locking cabinets I had bought and got them in the back of the car.

He didn't carry this out though...


Casey, seated at Aunt Patti's piano.
When the crowd moved inside, and later to the finished and beautiful basement, we followed.

There were a few items that I would have bought-
Once, to learn belatedly that I was bidding against Aunt Vonnie on one item! (How bad is that)?! I shut up then.

At times the crowd was reluctant to even start the bidding.
When the auctioneer got to Aunt Patty's piano, no one would offer.
This is the piano she bought when she wanted to learn how to play. After a few lessons, she decided that she would give it up as her fingers would not move fast eough. It was only played a few times.

Aw what the heck, $10.00 someone said. That the someone was me is almost beside the point.  ... Well, someone had to say something.
Casey's eyes lit up. 
But of course the auctioneer took it from there continued.

I did stop at Kelli's on the way home to ask if I could borrow the truck and trailer.
Now if only I could find a few good backs...

XOXO
Me

Casey, and Our "Tick-Tock Morning", Friday.

Rodney and I.
Casey took the picture- (What's NOT to be smiling at, for us two)?

Good Morning Everyone.
Yesterday, and with 5 separate alarms to wake us...
 Oh OK, maybe just the first few thoughts.

I wake.
Stretch.
Time for only one smile, and a peek at the clock reminds me that we are leaving bright and early.
Stretch again-
Put glasses on.
Look at clock again. OMG!!! I have overslept by an hour!  WHAT?
Good god help me.

(Know that I had set two separate alarms)!!!
    They will be going off at those same points every afternoon; repeatedly, until we get home to shut them off. hehehe (AM/PM settings are bass~ackwards on that clock, - I had obviously forgotten that little fact).
AM? PM? What's the Diff?

Casey had also set two alarms on her phone. Knowing she has a tendency to hit snooze, she set her phone near her pillow before falling to sleep.
At least, those alarms went off. (Unbeknownst to her, the while she slept, that darn alarm clock/phone had fallen under the waterbed mattress).

Greg's alarm went off, he had shut it off a few times...
(Asleep, but in the back of his mind he knew that Casey had told him she would wake him).

Sooooooo... My morning consisted of the following-
Jump out of bed!
Hit the floor moving. (Bewilder dog by doing so).
Holler up the stairs...
Finish drying that last load of clothes.
Pack. (In a furious fashion).
Feed/water dog.
Let the poor thing outside.
(Promptly forget about her)
Be still for a minute, just to listen.
I hear no noise...
Holler up the stairs again.
Scramble to dress.
Run brush through hair.
Hurry to look non-frightening to small children and their parents.
Forget about putting on makeup- (Heck, it's pitch dark, and who cares anyway)?
Wildly throw bare essentials in car. (This includes sick child and confused dog).
Ask Greg to please lock up.
Pull out of driveway- Redefine the phrase "Bat out of hell"...
Tell Casey to start talking, (or I might go right back to sleep).
Chug some Pepsi.
Know that dark, fast, and rainy is no way to drive through life, or Wisconsin. And pray to the powers that be that there will be no kamikaze venison hanging out on highway.

Pit stop for us all about ½way here-

Top off gas tank.
Grab some more caffeine.
Shove sweet roll down my throat.
3 empty bladders later, (and a poo for the pup), we hit the road again.
Keep redefining the above "Bat out of hell" definition... we pass trucks we had already passed 75 miles earlier, and a little over an hour ago-

Pass cow on road.
  Wait.. What?  Check rearview mirrors.
Realize that Casey has mouth hanging open too- (An odd reflection of my own).

Yes, that was a cow. 
(Remind me to alter that prayer to include the kamikaze beef also).
But there she was- little brown jersey- just watching the traffic go past with those beautiful big brown eyes of hers...

KC calls hitchhiking cow in to 911.
(I thoroughly enjoy eavesdropping on the conversation that ensued).

Tick Tock...
Casey's appointment is for 10.

Keep on trucking, not even interested in watching the clock. It is passing minutes as we are passing other vehicles.

After all this, we arrive here at 9:06 anyway. hehehe
An extra hour early! (WOOT Baby, WOOHOO)!
There is time enough leftover to find a room and unpack a little!
Got a room, with the bare minimum of rooms available due to NFL game in town this weekend; but a room for us anyway.

Punk was so happy to see Trent at the front desk! (She is assured a room for an extra night)- Not us though. hehehe
We changed from travel clothes to something a bit more human. (Keeping in mind that poorly folded, and even wrinkled, is better- somehow).  And to remember not to wear purple in this town.

Finally to be here -
- and on our way to see Dr. S. for 10.
Leave Casey off in front of clinic.
Find parking ramp.
Find stall.
Hightail it back down to tunnel to clinic. 
Whew...

I borrowed a ride on the patient/visitor golf cart/transport- Nice to see Mr. George again - Such a nice man, (AND he even remembered me)!   hehehe


Caseys doctor visit?
I will borrow words I had left within yesterdays blog comments.

Dr. S. has ordered many tests-
We will have to return for a few of those, (to include an appointment for the hematological aspect of this all).

They drew about 12 vials of blood-
Casey is ordered OFF the lovenox for now. (He believes that most blood clots will resolve).
For follow up to go back to the hospital in town, or to her GP. Will keep an eye on it.

But he does want to investigate WHERE this is coming from? More accurately put, where her iron is going to.

He also said that she probably will not need the infusions-
A few Rx things to change, and to try those suggested measures first.
She is also to take Protonix every day.
Again, your thoughts and positive well wishes and prayers keep us going."

She write down everything! Her questions for, and replies from, all of her visits.
Too bad she doesn't blog about it all. (Hint hint Casey)!



The scale shows that between Thursday and Friday she has gained 13 pounds.
Granted her weights were taken at 2 different hospitals- (but 13 pounds)? Even if you allow a difference of 5 pounds- she has still gained 8 pounds.
That is still one heck of a difference!




One can see that she has begun retaining water, fluids, something...

Compare that one to her injection photo from Thursday. 
At the least, you can see that this same tummy was not swollen one bit Thursday.


There is no fluff anywhere on this child of mine. Just lots of skin and bone! hehehe




Casey, showing her Lovenox injection bruising.


Here she is, once again to be reminded of the hitchhiking cow.


(Ok- maybe it was something she couldn't understand ie: what the nurse just said).
hehehe


The very top photo here is of myself and my brother-in-law, Rodney- He is my sister Barbara's husband.
He came to the hotel to visit, and we had the very nicest chat! Nice to be able to be reminded to laugh at this whole ordeal too! 
We were so happy to see him- I haven't, in too many years. They recently lived in Alabama, now have moved to Florida.



Casey with her Uncle Rod!

Stealing from his own intellect, he had many great ideas for Casey!
First is to remind us that not everything that happens to her will be because of all the GI issues she has had.
After checking her a bit, he suggested that there is a possibility of a kidney infection. That if she keeps getting those- or has had the bloody kidney infection in the past, to get this angle checked out. (This would also account for her fever)!
Add to that the fact that no one recalls when she last even had a urinalysis.

Secondly he offered, her pain, given the location, might also be suggestive of an ovarian cyst, to make an appointment with an OB/GYN. (Due to a bad experience last month, she already had one set up)!

Sometimes it takes a little reminding that Casey might not be an abnormal young lady. And here we are always thinking that things are happening one way- and then forgetting the definition of comorbidity.
Such practical advice. (Thank you Rodney)!

Back to yesterdays doctor visit, we have not yet heard how any of her blood tests have turned out. Some will take a while to get the results from, but some had to have come back yesterday also. Will know more today, maybe.

Trent did find us a room for tonight also, we won't be needing it until we return for those tests and stuff.
I will close for now. Getting more punchy by the minute here.
I need to lie down a bit more, and maybe even sleep! I had taken Punk out earlier, and she has been snoozing ever since.
Now, it's my turn.   hehehe

Have a 'wunnaful' weekend!
My love to all!

XOXO
Me

You Think You Work? My Tribute to a Wonderful Working Mom...

Good Morning Everyone;
I received this beautiful letter in my email last week.
In my book this family is Family of the Year! Any year. Every year.

Read this.  Then tell me your definition of work...

May Kristin forgive me...

***** Here is the letter I received, -edited for personal content-

Good Morning!
6:45am-
Kids in bean bags chairs, drinking chocolate milk, watching Little Einstein's.
I have a few minutes to touch base with you all.

Hard to believe summer is almost gone! Not sure where it all went?  
We had a productive summer-  And I have been busy doing mom "stuff"-
Just trying to keep it all controlled chaos.

Kids start school Wednesday -the 1st of September. (My G-A-K squad had 4 weeks of prep for 4-year-old kindergarten).
It will be odd as it has been a LOOOONG time since I have not had "my" kids home for a few hours during the day.

Sean took Drivers Ed, & now has his temps! He will be able to get licensed in December. Hard for me to believe he will be 16 next week, & a Junior in HS this year! Of course he is bigger than mom, & looks manly. Not a little boy anymore.
I remember him, my little towhead, tagging the big kids around.  2 more years & he will be an adult  WOW! 
HS soccer has started already- One tourney done & regulation games have started.
I will be driver till Seth gets his license as his ride graduated; & so will be a bit of running for me this year.
We love Ashwaubenon school so far & don't regret our decision to school-choice the kids.

We did plant a garden-
Each child got to pick one variety of seed & watch it grow- 
BUT the pumpkins kind of took over the entire garden.
We have 2 large, already orange, pumpkins!

Our favorite is our BUTT pumpkin! (See top picture).
It grew through the chain link fence, & it looks like it is someone bending over!

We have not picked much- a few cukes & tomatoes, beans and carrots too. My raspberries didn't fare so hot. But it was fun to see a garden through little ones eyes again. 

Gabe's room got a new floor; & he chose blue for his wall color. Did a hard flooring in there too, wood look, (couldn't afford the real stuff), but 200% better than the old carpet!
Only one problem with that. Steve left (brown) trim paint in there; & Gabe decided to paint the walls with it. So we still have a bit of "finish" work in there. 

We replaced our dinosaur fridge (at least 20 years old)! It gave off more heat than the AC could compensate for! LOL  

And our couches looked nice, but went to the curb. You couldn't get out of them. (Felt like Tim Conway on the old Carol Burnett show)!  You would either have to have someone pull you out, or make numerous attempts.

We had our mini-vacation; including one to one the many soccer tourneys we had for summer league.

We did our family camp and had a great time, in spite of a wicked storm one night.

10 kids in & out for foster care. [We] let one go after 8 months. It's odd, him not being here, but I do not miss the dissension he created.
I am a much calmer "mom" now. Just an incredible amount of stress removed! 

If all goes as planned an adoption will take place the 22 of Sept & we will have our little girl too. It has been a long year but our God has seen us through.
It is a "Good" battle to fight.

Cassie had another bout of rejection but seems alright for now. She spent a week in UW~Madison hospital.

Maria finished her teaching degree, and just needs a job. (Milwaukee let 600 teachers go, so it could be tough to find one).

Shane & Toni! (I am getting excited at becoming a granny in Oct). Her baby shower is this coming weekend.

I am a lead teacher for our Pre-K Children's Church program- And we are revamping the program, so a bit of extra work in my spare time.

Steve's knee is doing well after his replacement in April.
No pain. It still needs to strengthen as it feels tired if he pushes it. 

I have been seeing the chiropractor, as the reg doc just gives me meds, & I am not a fan of that.
I am doing exercises, -NOT MY STRONG SUIT, but I am regaining my strength in my legs. Balance too. I just think it is getting old, and my knees are wearing out with arthritis.

We are still half-done with our laundry room/bath on the main floor that Steve started. We have the walls done but no floor and are walking on concrete. Hope to get it in before winter as it is pretty cold already - & its still hot outside.

Hope this finds you all content in your life full of love, laughter, and the challenges that we all face as a part of our refining process.
Know I continue to remember you all in my prayers & thoughts throughout my day  

Love, Kristin

***** My reply- Now. Very overdue and belated...

My Dearest Kristin;
First of all, forgive me for replying to you this way, but I needed to show you off a little. For all you do, - and for knowing that at times it is thankless work... You persevere and are so very happy!

You are a goddess my dear! 
I don't know how you do it?!?  I couldn't, that's for sure.
My 'semi-educated' guess, (from raising only 4 children), is that 99% of the population couldn't keep up with the 2 of you either. (By keeping up, I mean physically, mentally and emotionally)!
I cannot believe the only problem you have is your knees with arthritis! I would be insane, and sequestered in a quiet, warm, dark room -with lots of Kleenex! hehehe

I am happy that Steve's knee is doing so well. Many many people have that same surgery and only regret it.   He is very fortunate.
As you both are, to have each other!

*  Allow me to recap...

• You have a garden
• You cook 3 square meals a day
  
• 3  Four-year-olds that start kindergarten today
• 1  Sixteen-year-old in Drivers Ed that must to be taken out for driving lessons
• 1 that was at Madison for her potential kidney rejection
• 1 that has graduated college
• You are remodeling the bath and laundry
  
  • You must do a zillion loads of wash every day?
• Repainting Gabe's room-  hehehe 
  
  • (I can laugh, it didn't happen to me).
• You have traveled to many soccer tournaments throughout the state
• You have also had 10 extra children in and out of your home all summer long
  
• You have taken your vacation with all of the above children and hubby-
• You are in the process of yet another adotion
  
• Shortly, you will be Grandma too!
• And, you are volunteering to revamp the Pre K Church Programs, in your "spare time"

To you both- Thank you for being so wonderful- and happy- and loving! 
The example you set for all of the children is a legacy to be so very proud of!  (But you sure raise the bar for the rest of the world).

Know how proud I am to have you all as part of my family. I could not have handpicked any better!

Please give my love to everyone, and kiss those triplets for me too!





Know too that you are all always in my own heart and prayers.

All my love. Always.

XOXO
Me

PS 
You wrote, "we are revamping the program, so a bit of extra work in my spare time."
How in the world is it possible that you even have any "spare time" ???

*****


And now, to all of my friends on here- Are you fortunate enough to have such inspiration and love around yourselves? It is my most sincere hope that you do!

I thought I knew how to work and be busy.  Now?  I beg to differ with myself.

XOXO
Me

Have a 'wunnaful' Wednesday!

XOXO
Me

Triskaidekaphobia! (And Fried Brains)?

Triskaidekaphobia (Click on the word if you don't know what it is).

I don't have it...
(Probably one of the few things that doesn't run in the family too)!  hehehe

Good Morning all;
Storm warnings are out... So I will be typing fast- Forgive any errors.

It is just beginning to get dark.  Quite dark.  Which is an odd thing to say at 9AM.
Flash flood warnings are already out- My weather radio went off 3+ hours ago telling me that there was a storm watch. I don't really pay attention to the watches, but am happy for the heads~up too.

Checking the radar on weather channel was this (then).


That blob has now morphed and is much closer...

Then came this on the news-




He said to pay attention in about an hour because winds could be in excess of 60mph.
What? Does he want me to watch as everything goes flying across the yard?!?
Funny guy...


At the risk of making my son in law, William laugh out loud, I have a complaint.

I've been hot. Too hot. (And miserably humid as well).




I do not get along with these nasty hot and humids...
Those who live with it, and like it? I think the weather has fried your brain. hehehe

The weekend begs me to be rich, and to get out and enjoy.
If I had the means, I would happily go for a sail on any of these ships!!!
The Tall Ship Festival is once again in Green Bay, and OH! I would LOVE to go!!!




Wouldn't you love it too?
Spendy though, and they are even charging just to walk acro$$ the bridge from one side of the Fox River to the other?!
WTH? That's crazy!

♥ Another place I would ♥LOVE ♥LOVE ♥LOVE to go is Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
(Yeah, that sorta goes without saying). hehehe

But, at the end of August the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie is having a 2-day Paranormal Convention-
Billed as "the largest paranormal gathering of its kind in the Midwest", when I received the flyer for it I wanted to leave immediately! 

By now, you all know how intrigued I am with this subject. Casey is also, and of course wants to go too. I don't think it's going to be possible- One thing I have learned in these 50+ years of mine is that a body can dream forever if need be...




Please visit their page here- Very interesting stuff!
Their top page even says the head office is located in Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where people are affectionately referred to as Yoopers!

Just returning from Sault Ste Marie is my Cousin Tiffany (known affectionately as "Buttercup"). She is on her way back to Colorado to return to her teaching job, having spent her summer at her home in The Soo.
She stayed overnight Wednesday- a nice break in her travel, (even nicer that she came here)!
This morning she woke in Iowa City, spending the night with friends. "So far so good" reads the text I got from her earlier- A good thing!





Her T-Shirt says Tru-Native-Yooper! hehehe

"In winter we shovel snow and in summer we swat mosquitoes. During the spring and fall we rest up for swatting and shoveling". (Peter Oikarinen's reply to the often-asked question of Yoopers, "What do you people do up there?" 1987-)
If you want to giggle, do the click...  hehehe

I made a Shrimp Scampi for a lighter fare Wednesday evening- The stew can wait til tomorrow- too hot to be simmering that all day!
I also made a fresh (Michigan) peaches "crisp"
Casey brought out ice cream and everything was perfect! (If I do say so myself)! hehehe

Yesterday morning just an 'farmers wife' fare for filling up before the heat of the day kicked in. Fresh (local) blueberries in the pancakes, Wisconsin smoked sausage, Wisconsin bacon, Wisconsin potatoes, fresh (Door County) cherries, and a bit of caffeine for medicinal purposes too!
Mmmm!
(I done good)! hehehe
Tiffany remarked that I was a good cook! (Loving to cook, I also love the compliments)!

Are you hungry yet?!

No blog is complete without seeing Punk with 'her' Casey! I swear the dog gets depressed if she doesn't see Casey for a few days...




They are both (basically) healthy for now.
Doc Spires called to check on Miss Punk yesterday. Nice that. I told him that Punk seems to be doing much better, (and I was very happy to report there have been no further barf episodes).
Gee, are ya still hungry?!  hehehe
Hmmm... Maybe it's not so 'nice' of him. Perhaps it is his way of thanking me for repaving his parking lot and making his truck payments.   hehehe

Casey goes in next week for her recheck for her blood testing. This will be the final test for whether she needs more iron infusions, and to maybe tell us how her body is processing it all.
We will have those results the following Monday or Tuesday- Seems like such a long wait. Sometimes I think that is what we do best.

I'd better close for now- a few 'rumbles' outside, but no rain yet. The field hands are all still working.

Have a 'wunnaful' weekend!

Love to all

XOXO
Me

Cousin Buttercup- (And all Else)!

This picture- a bird in the Gulf...
How freakin' sad is that? (I couldn't even tell what it was at first)-


Good Morning All;

I'd better start off wth Saturday's sunrise in Flintville, or you will never get the above image out of your mind-


Now that's a better picture!
"Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; Red sky at night, sailors delight"


A busy one today- I am catching up on laundry, then have to run down the road and get some gas for the mower. Time to mow again.  My back doesn't like it much, just no options. It would be much worse if I was pushing the mower though.

It rained real good yesterday and Saturday.
My lawns and my weeds appreciate that. As do I.

There is something so right about smelling the rains, and hearing them on the tin roof. 
I think Saturday's soaker was the first steady rain we have gotten in about 2 years.  We've been depending upon the on~and~off rains we have gotten... Gully washers, storms, and the like. (Nice too, to have precipitation come down all day and not have to shovel it). hehehe

Sputty wanted to go out in the worst way...


-He had to settle for his litter-box in the basement. (Poor abused cat)!


My garden this year... 


Part of it anyway; and so very abandoned...


A few more roses for you... Can you stand it?


I love them! (As does Punk)! hehehe 
Suffice to say the back window STAYS open for the duration!


In reference to Miss Punk's blog from yesterday, she says to tell you all that licking paper plates just isn't the same...


Sorry, my flash wasn't set to go off. & that's only part of the destruction!


Punk licked two holes in this one.


I'd used it to cover a bowl of chowder- Must have been really GOOD!


Cousin Buttercup was here last weekend, on her way home to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
So good to see her! 
She teaches in Colorado, and gets to spend a few months back home every year.

    

Having some fun with the camera before she left-
Tiffany, if you are reading this I am wondering if you got my message on Yahoo? I didn't hear back from you yet...

A few weeks back I bought a butternut squash, (I can only go so long without having one).
I saved the seeds.
Casey and I planted them out in the field...


Such little rain, so I had to carry some water out for them-
Not too fat anyway? hehehe


Not sure if those seeds will mature or not- But Casey's irises sure did...





Never mind the dang weeds mixed in-



I am still blogging on my laptop- Not a good one for my pictures, but it will do. Greg and Casey will be coming out later. (Thank you Greg)!

Must close for now- Almost time to be outside...
Have a Monday!  ;-)

XOXO
Me


PS
Also in reference to the top picture (bird in the Gulf)...
I'd received it in an email. In it was stated that Kuwait owns 27% of BP.
I can't seem to find it anywhere, but don't know my way around a lot of sites.
Any truth to that 27% ?!?