Hello?!! Anyone? Anyone?.....

Just thought I'd check to see if anyone is out there! I know I'm a pretty boring writer, but I haven't had much for responses on the past few blogs. Maybe no one is there. Just drop a quick note so I know if this is actually getting read or not. You all are more then welcome to drop in anytime and read.
FYI--the last blog of the missing cat--it really is a possum--in case you didn't catch it. We had a possum finishing off the cat food. He seems to have decided it's not really the place to stay though! Good riddance!
Hope to be hearing from some of you folks out there!

Someone Missing Their Kitty?

"When out on the porch there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter."

Sure enough - there was something there. It seems that one of the cats decided to feed himself!!! (by opening the cat food container) I guess I'll fix yer wagon!!

Oops not my cat!!!!!. What a surprise. Anyone lose their cat??? It may still be around here somewhere.

Welcome Caiden Matthew!

Caiden Matthew entered the world on May 16, 2008

He arrived @ 8:36p.m. May 16, 2008.

tipped the scales at 9# 6 oz. and was 21" long

One week old today!
Congratulations Mommy (Melanie), Daddy (Rick), and big sister, Charlee! And "Grandma" Elaine! (it's still weird to think of my brothers and sisters as Grandpas and Grandmas! But they sure fit the roles great!)

I think this little guy makes my ninth "great" niece or nephew! You guys will all have to forgive me if I've forgotten anyone--I have cut out on the "Percoset" because it was making me too loopy! (Sorry it took me this long to get this posted!)

Just a Quick Update...

I'm back home again! (There's no place like home!) Everything went well with surgery. Glad that is behind me now. Now to just remember no lifting for ten weeks. Wayne and the kids have stopped me a few times--before I did lift, but only just. I still don't feel like doing much, but every day is getting better. Deidre is doing a great job helping in the kitchen and with laundry. The boys are great at helping out too.

I'll just post some pictures of some of the fun cards and care packages I got. (Thanks so much!) The treat I got while in the hospital that just beat all treats was when Wayne walked in with a cup of coffee from my favorite coffee shop! And it tasted every bit as good as I hoped it would!

New and Much Improved!

The old look (above and below)

Notice the shop vac--I had to empty the pan after each load!

What a difference!

New look!

Crown Molding

After 18 years our good ole' washer and dryer set FINALLY conked out! It was a case of opportunity meets circumstance (or something along that line) While we were getting ready for our washer and dryer to be delivered, we decided to paint the utility room. It was the only room in the downstairs that hadn't been painted since we moved here.

I wasn't too sure about the color at first, but the kids loved it so it stayed. I really like it now, though. The room even ended up getting baseboard and crown molding. (I think Wayne was just anxious to use some of his garage full of woodworking toys!) All in all--I love it! And I especially love the washer and dryer!

Happy Birthday, Carlin! (April 19)

Top: Now
Bottom photo: Sept. 07

Another year has sped by! It's hard to believe this guy is 14 already! That means we have lived in MI 14 years--already! (He is probably glad that I don't have any cute baby pictures scanned to my computer--or there would be one posted here!) I'll post pictures of how much he has changed this school year!

Spring Break!?

(Above) Can't believe how much my boys are growin'!
(Below) The Three (Muskateers, Stooges?!) Not sure which!

Can't you tell Kyle's sure impressed with Wedding business?!

This is about the best shot I got of the bride and groom!

The Three_______again! Family Photo!

....and they kidnapped her!

Pierogie makin' or (hardening of the artery days!)

Just had to get a picture for the record of "Pops" helping!

and here's Donna! You are doing great!

Donna's first trip home in 11 weeks!

Aunt Freda

Visiting with Aunt Mary

Now that we are back from our Spring Break it is time to get some updates posted. It was such a busy week that I'm not exactly sure "break" is an appropriate word for it.

We did enjoy our week in MN and it was good to get together with the whole family again. Warren's and us both left MI Thursday evening and went as far as Chicago. Brenda got to come also. Friday morning brought a heavy snowfall so the trip through WI was pretty nasty! The snowplows were trying to clear the roads, but weren't able to keep up. We were taking the van and sure missed the suburban on those roads! We did arrive safe in MN Friday evening. Ellen and Kent made it up from AZ. Wonder why they always felt so cold?!

Saturday we headed to Minneapolis for Amanda's wedding. Pictures were early in the day and the wedding was late afternoon. Several of us went to lunch and shopping in between. It was a beautiful day--in spite of the snow! Congrats Amanda and Elliott!!

Since the whole family was there we got to have family picture time! Quite interesting getting everyone stuffed into a tiny Sear's Portrait Studio! Anyway--that's done! All were there except for Nick and Amanda's new hubby!

It was wonderful to see Donna. She is coming along great! She is in the rehab wing of the nursing home and has therapy daily. I went with her to therapy and she was so excited to show me what all she can do. She can walk a pretty good distance with her walker and is starting to get up out of her chair by herself. The neat thing about the nursing home are the dogs that come visit. They have two beautiful Golden Retrievers that come visit the residents. Of course they love Donna's room! (must have something to do with all the "doggy treats" they get?!)

We parted with our old van and brought home the folk's van--which is pretty nice!! It sounds so QUIET! Ours had had enough of these rough roads!

Friday we headed home. Think I'm ready to stay put for a while and catch up here! (Hmmm--I wonder where we can go biking this summer......!?)