Happy Sunday!

Good Morning Everyone!

The above picture is what Miss Punk looked like right before I had left, She KNEW I was going to be leaving her here alone; and was not too happy about that. (Of course neither is she too happy about going for a ride either)! Last week, I had bought a car restraint thingie for her. The label said it would fit dogs up to 110 pounds, and it proved to be too small. Kelli was headed to Petco yesterday, and offered to exchange it for me. They had none bigger of that very cool style, but she did get one that was alright, and yes, it DOES fit Miss Punk.

Anyway... Off to the Olive Garden... (& I swear there were about 158 million people waiting in the foyer to be seated), Casey had left early just to be able to get her name on the waiting list as there was a 45 minute wait to be seated. I was greeted by a wonderful squealing Miss Valerie, who gave me the most beautiful hug! (How cool is it to have someone run up to you and gave you a great big hug)? I haven't seen Miss Valerie since Christmas! And I haven't gotten a hug like that in a very long time!!!

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(When I asked her where we are going next month, she squealed again, and happily replied, ALABAMA!)!!!!

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Thank goodness Casey had gotten there early, we were all seated within about 10 minutes!

Even Casey's boyfriends mom and sister came; and I was very happy to meet them too!

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CaseyAnne and Derek!

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My friend Judy came also... (Judy and I have been such wonderful and close friends since the fourth grade)! Her husband Bob was setting up for a show at the Weidner Center, and so couldn't join us.

I did get my Mediterranean Shrimp Scampi dish! ...Oooooh, it is SO good! (I even brought some home with me). ...And yes, I ordered coffee...

After we ate, the crew at the Olive Garden brought out a little cake for Casey.

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and I don't even know if she made a wish before she blew out the candle!

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As that cake was chocolate, I passed on having a slice, except for a small piece that Master Gabriel had offered to me, (and pretty much demanded that he put in my mouth)! ...My head~vs~chocolate have always been exceptional rivals.

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Berta's head is like that too...

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Oh goodness, but even that small piece of cake was yummy!!

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Jenny Mella ...and Casey with her new shirt!

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Casey's best friend, Jenny Mella, had found her a 'Heart Hands and Crown' T-shirt! This is exceptionally cool, because Casey has always loved the Claddagh jewelry. And each year, Jenny has always fashioned a hat for Casey out of the napkins at the Olive Garden... This year was NO different!

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Personally, I think the girl could wear a burlap bag and still be cute!

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Afterwards, some of us went to Ashwaubenon Lanes for bowling. (I went only to take a few pictures of Casey trying to bowl in a skirt)!!! hehehe

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Derek, KC and Jenny........... CaseyAnne and Jenny being cute!

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Unfortunately open bowling did not start until 9:30, (and it was only just a little after 7 p.m.). They all decided just to go Dereks and watch some movies. (That's about when my Xanax was wearing off, and I just came home then). I sat down at the computer, put all the pictures in, and headed up to bed about 10. I am still pretty tired this morning. And yes, my head is pretty much killing me too. Oh well. It sure has been a hectic week. (And I didn't even make it out the door to get to Tims grandmothers wake on Friday night; having my Xanax not working well enough).

Again, some good, some bad but thankfully MOST of the worlds problems fall somewhere in~between; (as do my own)...

Many of you have written or even called to ask if I am alright?
And I am! ~From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for caring.
I know that I was more than a little vague yesterday... my apologies for that.

Suffice it to say that I do not handle any kind of betrayal too well.

I do not betray my family, (or anyone else that I love) EVER, Nor for ANY reason; and I fully expect NO LESS from them.

It is a simple R*E*S*P*E*C*T issue. (Sadly, the matter remains very painful; and very pitifully unresolved). This too shall be dealt with; in my own time, (and in my own way)... While I have already been told that I am not much to be proud of in the 1st place, I also know that I should not be the subject of ridicule, jeering or mockery. To do so, completely invalidates our values as family; (or shall I just say the honorable ethics that I have tried to instill in my children).

Perhaps I have said too much already- Forgive me for unloading; ...Unfortunately it is 'unload' or go completely nuts at this point in time... (Oh wait, I am already there)!!! hehehe

But see?
As I have told you already, Life in Flintville isn't always perfect.

...But damn, it's close!

I hope you are all having a ˜wunnaful" weekend! I have a bunch of things to get done out in the old garage, and will get busy on that all! If Spring comes early I can then open up the rummage sale as weather provides¦ (But first, it honestly looks like I have 3 months of dishes to attend to)! Hehehe ...And I see yet another weather alert that tells me I will be shoveling once more. (Maybe I shall even work off a bit of that pasta)!!!

XOXO
Anne

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Deceitful DayBreak

Good Afternoon Friends!

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From my home to yours...

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Late again today; and have already gotten rid of some of that old siding... The guy was here by 9:30... and it was SO cold out.

Like many people, the LQQK of today is wonderful. Beautiful. And yet when you really 'feel' it, it is not so nice. (Sad. But I do think we ALL know people like that).

The morning sun, a beautiful facade that beckons you to go out and play; yet if you do, it will only freeze your smile, your body, and your soul.

When the sun was breaking on the horizon this morning, it was so crisp- and colorful

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but with an unkept promise of comfort too...

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Brrrr... Yes kids, that is 3° below zero!

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Would anyone care to have a picnic? I see that the table is ready back by the woods!

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waiting patiently for a picnic basket and a bit of w(h)ine!

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I took my coffee black this morning; (with just a hint of betrayal)...

Sometimes we are blind and impervious to those that we love; ~and sometimes we are just blindsided~

Either way it only serves to make the coffee bitter; (and a very "hurtful hard" to swallow)...

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And now, instead of speaking in ridiculous riddles, I will get back to my rather lovely walk in the woods with "my girls"...

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After searching the dungeon, I finally found my old pair of Sorels in the basement. ...And after I got all the danged birdseed out of them, they were still quite comfortable! Those little mousies I trapped earlier must've stolen that birdseed, and hid it in my old boots for a midnight snack! Those greedy little buggers! (I think I caught eight of them, but haven't caught any since before Christmas)! ...I never did figure out where they were coming in. I am thinking that since my screen door doesn't always shut properly, they probably scurried in when we weren't looking!

Friends Kelly and Tim have a whole small herd of cats, and they still have caught a few mice in their trap. And a few days ago their entire trap was gone! YOKES!!! When they finally found the trap with the poor mouse, he was quite dead, and very fat. Not pregnant, just fat... (probably from eating all of the cat food)! ...hehehe

But back to my walk... I had worn a turtleneck under my sweater, stretch pants under my jeans, two pairs of socks; and of course a hat, mittens, and my winter coat! And it worked!!! (I think I stayed warm about 2 1/2 minutes longer than usual)! ...But that's okay, you just walk faster, run faster, (and oops, pick yourself up faster)!

I walk relatively quick as it is, but since the dogs have twice as many legs as I do, they still go much faster...

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Miss Punk had to turn around, and wait for me, a whole bunch of times...

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Miss Milly just runs like the wind when she is out of her kennel or off the chain. And she rarely turns around to see where we're at.

But the forest is such a living miracle... even in the winter... And is quite 'alive' if only you know where to look...

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an itty-bitty baby tree...

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...and another (right next to its Mama) and very safe!

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The river below the cliff ~ Just a small part that has not frozen over yet...

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Punkie, telling me "HURRY" again!!!

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Then looking for her Mama once more...

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And yes, once again, Miss Milly had beaten us back home... And had to be met halfway to wrestle a bit with her 'baby'!

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Milly on the left... (and can still put Punkie down if need be)!

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Back at the ranch; they investigate a critter hole...

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And when I'd come around the back of the old shed to have seen the shimmering icicles hanging off the back of the pumphouse...

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(they really WERE shimmering and glittering)...

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And after all of that, you would think these dogs would be completely worn out... (But like me, you would then be thinking wrong too)!

Having come in the house to warm their paws, they had more than enough energy left over to fight over the squeaky hamburger, and pretty much tear up the whole entrance too. ...After hollering at them a couple times to 'settle~down', they looked back at me with their not so "innocent" puppy~dog~eyes...

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Who? What?? US???? ...No, we weren't fighting...

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I see it is more than HIGH time for me to try to accomplish more than sweeping, dishes, and laundry today. We have Caseys little birthday celebration this afternoon at The Olive Garden, and my mouth is already wanting the Mediterranean Shrimp... (Suddenly the little meatballs I had for lunch seem to have only made me hungrier). But I shall wait... (and I shall NOT order any coffee either). She called earlier and said there would be about 20 people! (Thank God for "Dutch Treat")!!!

Tata for now... Be warm and be happy!

XOXO
Anne

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Deceitful DayBreak

Good Afternoon Friends!

.

.

.

From my home to yours...

.

.

.

.

Late again today; and have already gotten rid of some of that old siding... The guy was here by 9:30... and it was SO cold out.

Like many people, the LQQK of today is wonderful. Beautiful. And yet when you really 'feel' it, it is not so nice. (Sad. But I do think we ALL know people like that).

The morning sun, a beautiful facade that beckons you to go out and play; yet if you do, it will only freeze your smile, your body, and your soul.

When the sun was breaking on the horizon this morning, it was so crisp- and colorful

.

.

.

but with an unkept promise of comfort too...

.

.

.

.

Brrrr... Yes kids, that is 3° below zero!

.

.

.

.

Would anyone care to have a picnic? I see that the table is ready back by the woods!

.

.

.

waiting patiently for a picnic basket and a bit of w(h)ine!

.

.

.

.

I took my coffee black this morning; (with just a hint of betrayal)...

Sometimes we are blind and impervious to those that we love; ~and sometimes we are just blindsided~

Either way it only serves to make the coffee bitter; (and a very "hurtful hard" to swallow)...

.

And now, instead of speaking in ridiculous riddles, I will get back to my rather lovely walk in the woods with "my girls"...

.

After searching the dungeon, I finally found my old pair of Sorels in the basement. ...And after I got all the danged birdseed out of them, they were still quite comfortable! Those little mousies I trapped earlier must've stolen that birdseed, and hid it in my old boots for a midnight snack! Those greedy little buggers! (I think I caught eight of them, but haven't caught any since before Christmas)! ...I never did figure out where they were coming in. I am thinking that since my screen door doesn't always shut properly, they probably scurried in when we weren't looking!

Friends Kelly and Tim have a whole small herd of cats, and they still have caught a few mice in their trap. And a few days ago their entire trap was gone! YOKES!!! When they finally found the trap with the poor mouse, he was quite dead, and very fat. Not pregnant, just fat... (probably from eating all of the cat food)! ...hehehe

But back to my walk... I had worn a turtleneck under my sweater, stretch pants under my jeans, two pairs of socks; and of course a hat, mittens, and my winter coat! And it worked!!! (I think I stayed warm about 2 1/2 minutes longer than usual)! ...But that's okay, you just walk faster, run faster, (and oops, pick yourself up faster)!

I walk relatively quick as it is, but since the dogs have twice as many legs as I do, they still go much faster...

.

.

.

Miss Punk had to turn around, and wait for me, a whole bunch of times...

.

.

.

Miss Milly just runs like the wind when she is out of her kennel or off the chain. And she rarely turns around to see where we're at.

But the forest is such a living miracle... even in the winter... And is quite 'alive' if only you know where to look...

.

.

an itty-bitty baby tree...

.

.

.

.

...and another (right next to its Mama) and very safe!

.

.

.

.

The river below the cliff ~ Just a small part that has not frozen over yet...

.

.

.

.

Punkie, telling me "HURRY" again!!!

.

.

.

.

Then looking for her Mama once more...

.

.

.

.

And yes, once again, Miss Milly had beaten us back home... And had to be met halfway to wrestle a bit with her 'baby'!

.

.

.

Milly on the left... (and can still put Punkie down if need be)!

.

.

.

.

Back at the ranch; they investigate a critter hole...

.

.

.

.

And when I'd come around the back of the old shed to have seen the shimmering icicles hanging off the back of the pumphouse...

.

.

.

.

(they really WERE shimmering and glittering)...

.

.

.

.

And after all of that, you would think these dogs would be completely worn out... (But like me, you would then be thinking wrong too)!

Having come in the house to warm their paws, they had more than enough energy left over to fight over the squeaky hamburger, and pretty much tear up the whole entrance too. ...After hollering at them a couple times to 'settle~down', they looked back at me with their not so "innocent" puppy~dog~eyes...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Who? What?? US???? ...No, we weren't fighting...

.

.

.

.

I see it is more than HIGH time for me to try to accomplish more than sweeping, dishes, and laundry today. We have Caseys little birthday celebration this afternoon at The Olive Garden, and my mouth is already wanting the Mediterranean Shrimp... (Suddenly the little meatballs I had for lunch seem to have only made me hungrier). But I shall wait... (and I shall NOT order any coffee either). She called earlier and said there would be about 20 people! (Thank God for "Dutch Treat")!!!

Tata for now... Be warm and be happy!

XOXO
Anne

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"GRAND"~Parents!

Good (Almost) Afternoon!

As I had posted earlier on the week, I had received emails regarding the deaths of friends loved ones... Both of the ladies that passed on were grandmothers to people that are very close to my heart.

I am sure you all recall the funny picture I had posted about an unrecognizable person grabbing attempting to grab someones backside on Christmas... This was not a blasophemous mockery; it was only a bit of fun. For those of you that might not recall such a post, here is that picture again...

(John had missed the previous posting and I told him last night that I would repost it just for him)! OK, nobody else look!

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John Pryes Reading My Christmas Cards! ...12-25-06 ...hehehe

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It was Johns mom that passed away. She was 81 years old. She had 5 children. 14 grandchildren, and 14 GREAT~Grandchildren! What a lovely family to have had, and what a "GRAND" legacy for her to have left behind! Johns daughters and my own all worked together at Wouters Front... (as I did too)! And through the years now I have grown to love this whole family like my very own.

John was not at Pfotenhauers right away... and all were worried for him because he had spent an appointment earlier in the day with a cardiologist. (The tests they ran showed a 50% blockage by his heart... They are going to try to correct this without either surgery or a stent). But last night being late, and with no answer at his home, those girls were getting plenty worried! He did show up just late is all! It was such a very warm gathering last night; and though the circumstances were certainly not the finest, it is always good to see the family too... Traci, the oldest- Brandy, and Crystal, (she is incidentally the "CRIS" in my previous blog that had sent me the forward about teachers). And the youngest, Stephani, (who is just a few days older than my own CaseyAnne). Casey and Jenny Mella came to the wake for a few minutes too- Had to leave though, having a volleyball double~header to play at the Watering Hole! Oh she does love her v~ball! Good exercise too!!!

The other lady who has passed is my friend Kellis Hubbys grandmother. She was 98! (And she would have been 99 next month)! Like Mrs. Pryes, she leaves behind a wonderful legacy of family... 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 12 GREAT~Grandchildren!

I find myself in awe of such lives they have led. I do not know of your own families, but I remember little/nothing of my own grandparents. My fathers father passed away in 1934, so of course I did not know him. His mother actually lived here with us until she passed away in late 1961. (Perhaps my sister Mary would have memories of her, but I do not). Just pictures. But I do remember her huge bed being in the backroom... and that room was always called "Grandma's Room" (Funny how to this day I call it that).

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Grandma Yusvak, and I (Fall 1959)

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My mothers parents also passed away in the early 60's and I do not recall them either. Again, I have pictures of them, and can see the love in their souls, but have no recall.

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Visiting Grandpa VandenPlas at the Nursing Home... Mary and I , me, far right, (clearly not impressed with moms camera)... the others in the photo are Dad, and our foster brothers and sister. (Charles, Norman and Diane Bruss). I often still wonder what happened to them all...

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Upon doing my adoption search in late 1986, I did have a chance to meet/know my birthmothers mother. I never really had a grandmother before; but she sure had lots of grandbabies! She was very spirited and kind... She too has passed away now. I missed meeting my birthfathers mother by such a very short while... That is why I always love to stay in her home in Sault Ste. Marie! Too see her things, and to try to know how she lived and loved just by 'being' there- To be able to get the 'feel' of the home she had...

There were times while I was growing up that I watched almost all the other kids that talked about their grandfathers doing this or their grandmothers doing that; their own family reunions and such. While it was always fun to listen, I felt left out somehow by the fact that I did not 'have' grandparents like they did.

And yet, as I write, I feel so happy that all the people that I know/love above were able to know their grandmothers- and are able to recall them and how special those memories are in their own hearts now. While I am sorry that they are grieving right now; they will always have that wonderful power of recall. I blieve my 3 eldest remember my dad... He died before Casey was born... And they ALL remember my mom ...and can tell the most wonderful (and funny) stories too!!!

I am wondering if you knew your grandparents? Were they the wonderful people that most of us have had? What were their eccentricities? Did Grampa fish? Did Grandma make the best cookies?

Just being nosy...

That said, I am more than a bit stir crazy at the moment... My mouth hurts (STILL, dammitallanyway)! I shall take a walk to the woods with "my girls" (and get over it as soon as I feel cold enough)!

Have a very "GRAND" and special weekend!

XOXO
Anne

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