Memories are made of this

GRANDMA TIME by Lori Schuster (Vanderlende)

2012-01-07T12:24:00.000-05:00

It's January...it's the time we take down the tree, and clean up and organize our closets, etc...well while cleaning (starting in the basement) I found a poem written by my daughter Lori for her grandma's.. The above picture is her playing with Peter and Christopher at Christmas 2002....anyway this poem is so beautiful and touching....she is such a good writer, and thats not just a mom talking....LOL
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GRANDMA TIME

It's not just a look

of a word or a smile.

It's not just a place

to escape for a while.

It's not just the warmth

of a soft knowing hug.

It's not just a string

in the heart that is tugged.

It's not just the memory

the scent of the spice.

It's not just the comfort

of love without price.

It's not just a world

where small children are kings.

It's not just the glamour

or high heels and rings.

It's not just sweet silence

or stories in bed.

It's not just a shoulder

for small weary heads.

It's not just a tear

or a wave at the door.

It's just something 'bout Grandma's

that makes you want more...

By Lori Schuster

When Lori wrote this it was for her Grandmas, but I have to say she grew into this wonderful grandma herself...she is what you would call a FUN Grandma...just ask her grandkids...

Those Fun Snowy Days way back when....

2011-12-30T19:24:00.001-05:00

This is my dad Fritz and I on the sled at the top of the hill we made....our garage which was pretty ugly was the background of the snow hill...my dad and I piled the snow up so we could slide down. Now our lot where we lived was very small. But my dad always made the best of what we had...Fun.. in the summer we had veggies and flowers growing, and in the winter we made snow hills...

The above picture is my dog Trixie and me, out on the lake that has turned to ice....and of course on top was all the snow...

Yes that is me ice skating...I have a picture somewhere where I skated with a chair to hold me up... of course there was no one around but my family for this was out to my cottage....just me, mom, dad and hot chocolate...we would go into the cottage and it was freezing in there, but mom would turn on the stove and heat up some milk which she brought with us, so we could have hot chocolate, with marshmellows....

And there is mom pulling me on the sled...would I remember all those wonderful times with mom and dad and the hot chocolate, if it wasn't for the pictures....I don't think so....that's why I feel so fortunate to have had parents who took all those pictures.. Lake Erie at Maumee Bay was where all this took place...I go out there now, and it looks nothing like what it did back in the good old days...
Well it will be a new year Sunday, and I hope we all have NEW wonderful memories to make.... HAPPY NEW YEARS!

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY OF SANTA'S VISIT....

2011-11-29T11:51:00.002-05:00

When I was just a little girl

I'd wish with all my might...

That I might hear those jingle bells

Ringing in the night...

A stomping and a HO HO HO

I'd know that he was real...

Oh yes, I do believe I heard

One of the reindeer squeal...

The room in which I spent the night

Was cold and filled with apples...

While hiding under the blankets so warm

I'd sneak a bite, well, just to sample...

I finally fell a sleep that night

With dreams of what I'd find...

A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair

She was a beautiful sight...

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn

And creep on down the stairs...

The tree was lit with colored lights

And tinsel everywhere...

I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells

Bells hanging on the tree...

OH I do believe in Santa Claus

For my bride doll was waiting for me...

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property of judy karle schuster

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I wrote this poem back in 2008...it is a childhood memory, which is still so clear...Oh Santa, I wish you were still around...isn't it great when you have really special memories...I've never seen a tree as beautiful as that one...when I look back in my memory, I guess I was spoiled....but I never new it... just as being an only child with two devoted parents....who I always wanted to please, and it wasn't to suck up to them....I never knew what that meant...I just RESPECTED both my parents...MERRY CHRISTMAS FRITZ AND ELEANOR KARLE, JIM SCHUSTER AND ALISON HALEY CLOUD...I pray you are looking down to know how much I loved all of you...

Photo was taken in Fremont Ohio at my Grandma Bertha and Tunta Maries house...in the photo is my cousin Kaaren, Rita, Linda and me....with all our Christmas dolls....

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T09:47:00.000-05:00

A fun day at Linda and Chris's house...I ate so much, I'm ashamed of myself....I didn't need my mom to say, "eat your food, there are kids over in China who don't have any"....yeah that is what she would say to me....65 years ago....she doesn't have to say that anymore...it was so nice to share food and laughter with part of my family...and Zola kept us in stitches...for 2 1/2 years old she is quite funny...and she thinks so too....now after left overs today....I'm back on the Weight Watcher track....but today, I'm pushing the water....hope your Thanksgiving was Thankful....

Alison's 24th birthday

2011-11-18T10:09:00.001-05:00

A granddaughter NEVER TO FORGET...she was ONE IN A MILLION....a PRECIOUS CHILD.. WE MISS YOU ALISON HALEY CLOUD... video was made by her mom, my daughter LORI... Ali would have been 24...she passed aways when she was 17...

When the leaves come tumbling down....

2011-11-10T19:31:00.000-05:00

About 30 years ago this picture was taken...it has my husband (shirtless) putting Dustin (neighbor boy), into a pile of leaves that he helped rake...watching on the side is Wendy (neighbor girl) and my son Joey...years ago, jims favorite saying was "real men don't need, shirts,), or shoes, or whatever...it was his favorite saying...so on his gravestone I put "Real men don't die, they live on in our memory"... that is engraved along with ivy leaves...he loved his ivy...if I had him here right now I would wind that ivy around his neck....LOL....it's fall and we always use to get together with the neighbors...in fact that is where the picture was taken...I have tons of leaves waiting to be raked up...but still lots of leaves on the tree...it is either an excuse I use (still on trees), or I'm pretty darn lazy....if I had to confess it would be the lazy one....

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T05:53:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful Halloween Night....it was cool, but not to cold...we all dressed up, even Cammie the little devil dog....and we had alot of little spookies, cuties and not many large children...ha, we did get a couple people who brought the stroller with tiny baby, a child about 2 and two bags...I said "whats that baby gonna do suck on this candy..." she said well yes, he's 9 months old....I would say the baby was 9 weeks old...but I wasn't going to argue...well maybe a bit....but the teenagers we had were just a couple groups and they were really nice kids...not scary...

After we closed up the porch we went into Mary's to first wash our faces, then have one more piece of candy, and finish with mary's pumpkin cake...it was so good....and yes yesterday was not a weight watcher day....but it was a good day...today back on track....hope you had an enjoyable safe halloween... now to get ready for Thanksgiving....yum....

HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY JENSON

2011-10-30T08:25:00.001-04:00

Past Halloweens......

2011-10-26T13:00:00.000-04:00

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, perhaps it's because I'm a Witch....hehehe....swallow that my little pretties....

These of some of the halloweens of the past....it includes my neighbors, my grandkids....and my friends....I am leaving a few of my grandkids out, because I would have to dig up the pictures...hehehe....and these I had in my computer....it's always fun to go to my neighbor Mary's house and hand out our candy together....three families....we also snack on our candy....while sharing some with each other....and Mary usually bakes a pumpkin spice cake....halloween....I guess I like it because I can be someone else....usually it's someone no one else wants to be....hehehe....have a booootiful spooky halloween....it is also my granddaughter Jenson's birthday...well the 30 th that is, and she will be celebrating it at collage....booo hoooo....happy birthday Jenson....

Oct. 18th the day my life changed...

2011-10-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

October 18, 1994 was my hubby Jim's last day on earth....the day he had a heart attack he was outside in his yard planting over 100 bulbs..thinking ahead for Spring....his beautiful garden was his life...along with his family...he never got to see them bloom....it's been 17 years and I can't believe that the time has gone by so fast...I always go out in Spring looking for the crocus, and tulips, but his IVY has taken over....yes I say that with a bit of anger in my voice...he loved his ivy, but it was never out of control as it is now....I figure if i let it go into the grass I won't have to cut it any more....but that was just a thought....He was my funny man, my handy man, my housekeeper, and my cook, along with my gardener....and my LOVE....oh i do so miss him...Life is full of changes....but his memory lives on...I miss you jimmy.

What a fun Blogger....

2011-10-14T06:52:00.000-04:00

Some people have interesting Blogs, some not so, but my friend from Pea's Corner is one of the most interesting ones that I have...She just celebrated her 54th birthday by throwing a Princess Birthday Party....She took all her blogging friends and invited them, took the time to dress us all, even gave us a tiara...she has LOTS of blogging friends, and they all looked pretty good...and this one above is mine. She served us Cupcakes, she had birthday cake, we decorated things, played games...the food was all Weight Watcher approved....I'm sure of that....but who counted....what fun....thank you carol for inviting me to your party....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-09T14:17:00.001-04:00

Pumpkin Patch 2011, a set on Flickr.

Waite High - 1958 yearly Luncheon

2011-09-28T16:40:00.004-04:00

Using maiden name of each : Sally Dunn and Judy Karle

Virginia Bergman and Judy Karle

Sue Watson, ---Judy Northcutt

Judy Northcutt

Tom Jennings

---- in middle is Clarann Appling and Lonna Bland

Nonnie Jo Gee

Betty Bourne

Ginny Bergman and Sally Dunn

Dave Dayton, Ginny Bergman, and Sally Dunn

Dennis Larson, ---- Kathy Odneal

Barb Snider and Arnie Cowell

Gary Miller and Sherry Mills

Once a year since our high school 50 year reunion we have been getting together for a fall luncheon. This is our 3 year and we always go out to Maumee State Park's "WatersEdge" restaurant...This years group was great...I made resv. for 24 and we had 22 show up....last year out of a resv. of 18 only 13 showed up....so I was happy to have some new classmates join us...Our memories were racing around the room...how much fun it was to recall things of our past that we may have forgotten...Waite high back in the 50's was a really good school....not saying it isn't now, just that perhaps we were a special bred of kids...all with hearts of gold, and a funny bone to make us laugh...God Bless the Class of 1958, and I wish us many more luncheon get togethers...life is short, lets enjoy them while we can still get around... I HAVE LEFT OUT THE NAMES OF THE SPOUSES....if they didn't graduate with us.

Halloween Parties....

2011-09-26T10:54:00.000-04:00

My mom was one of the bestest moms around...she not only hauled me back and forth to dance class (on the bus) but she always threw me parties....as an only child that was pretty special...she not only made all my dance costumes, but she always made my halloween costumes... I can remember having a halloween party in our garage,, which was spooky enough without all the spider webs, and skeletons hanging around...but she made the game of spagetti for brains, pealed grapes for eyeballs, chicken bones for body bones....I know that is something that people do now, but it was new back then, and the kids were spooked out....kids of all ages, just so they lived in the neighborhood, they would be invited....and when going out to trick or treating the house we would always start with was the Gettings house...Mrs. Gettings (Duane and Carol were my playmates) would always make either candy apples, pop corn balls, something special each year....what a great mom she was.....I always had such fun at the Gettings house....she was the only family with a television back in the 40's....the television with a big glass bubble attached that magnified the picture....we watched wrestling on chairs all lined up in a row, just like a movie theatre, and we were served popcorn....

Back in the old days, no one was worried about home made items....no one thought of putting needles in candy, or shootings....it was safe to go out halloweening by your self...of course my mom was pretty protective, she always went along...she probably thought I'd get lost, or hit by a car....and fact be know I probably would have....now I just pray my grandkids stay safe...what a life change....with each new invention, things get more dangerous...simple....my favorite word is simple....probably because I lived back in the days when life was simple...

Where has time gone.....

2011-09-23T20:07:00.000-04:00

This is Jenson, my granddaughter who has just started collage at Kent State...this is a picture her mom took in her dorm room....it's so hard to believe that she is now in collage....Musical theatre....she has a beautiful voice, and is quite the actress....I can't get enough of watching her and hearing her perform...

This is her as a little girl...probably about 2... I don't know why I never added the date on pictures... she is home this weekend for a fish fry....I miss her so much, I really didn't see her that much when she lived at home, but I knew she was close if I needed to see her....and when she is in school, it seems so far away....oh well, just a grandma spouting off, on how fast time goes by...in 20 years I will be 91 and that really scares me, because of how fast the years are flying by....OK, I'm done now...:)

Where was I on 9/11.....A day I will never forget...

2011-09-08T07:25:00.000-04:00

A day I will never forget....3 of my friends MaryEllen, Geri, Diane and I went for a shopping trip to Shipshewana, Indiana....on the 10th we shopped downtown Shipshewana, in all the cute little boutique shops...we ate, and when all the shops closed which was about 6pm. we went back to the Das Dutchman Essenhaus where we were staying to play cards....In the morning being an early bird I got up and went down to the lobby for coffee with MaryEllen...we were reading enjoying the coffee waiting for Geri and Diane to wake up...all of a sudden Diane came out and said, get up here you won't believe what just happened....we then watched the second aircraft hit the second tower... finally we did go down to get our comp breakfast and then off to shipshewana flea market....Everywhere we walked people had on the radio with updates...everyone was talking about what happened....since it took all the fun out of the day and not knowing what else we could expect, we all decided to start our tip home...we needed gas...so did every other car heading that way....they closed all the credit cards, had to be cash to pay for the gas... thank goodness we had some cash left...but I can't remember a day I was so frightened...it's the unknown that gets ya....So many people died that day....my heart goes out to all the people who lost someone...Life gets more complicated every day...

I can't believe it's almost Fall

2011-09-06T17:53:00.001-04:00

Autumn.....I wasn't thinking of fall weather.....just happy to have it cool down....but it has been cold out... I don't think the cooler weather would be so bad if it wasn't for the windy conditions...it is really blowing...so it feel cold...it's only the first of Sept....but I feel like hauling out the fall decorations...but then I will have to put them away, so I talked myself out of it...I have to confess, I turned on my heat this morning just to take the chill out .... we didn't have a nice long Spring, and I feel Autumn will pass by just as fast....the one thing I'm happy about is I had my weeping willow tree removed, so I won't have to rake all those tiny leaves with the switches....what a messy tree...but it was beautiful when it was healthy. My son bought it for me a year after my husband died....so it was about 16 years old...
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I miss the fellowship that the neighborhood had when my husband was alive.... all my neighbors would get together and help each other rake leave....we would have a chili party over the fire pit every fall along with a hobo dinner...but people move, die, and it's sad to think how things have changed... now that I could use the help and would enjoy the chili, hobo dinners we use to share, it's over.... change...again....I hate change....but everyone has to realize that it will happen...one day you will have to face change, if you haven't already....life was simple back in the olden days...I miss it...

In the OLD DAYS!

2011-08-14T08:42:00.002-04:00

My swimming pool back in the 40's was a wash tub....we thought it was great....my neighbors Duane, Carol and myself (with shower cap on) would have fun just splashing each other and jumping into the tub...simple was good...still friends with Duane, his sister Carol pasted away many years ago...:(

This above photo was taken at Pearson Park...my father fritz and mom ellie use to take me to the park all the time....they made a party out of it...meeting neighbors and family.. dad would put me on the handle bars and off every went...for they must have rented the bikes...I feel so fortunate to have an old movie (a bit blurry) of all of us riding and playing at Pearson....my son takes his little girl out to Pearson Park all the time..walking....she's 2...

This is my cousin Rudy Gene...every summer I would spend time in Tiffin at his house...for years, I helped pick and eat sweet corn (and gained at least 5 lbs every time) climbed a cherry tree to pick sour cherries so my aunt Florence could make me a cherry merague pie...I still crave that....I use to go out and gather eggs from the chickens....what good memories I have...I learned to can pickled pears etc... I love pickled pears...they had a door trap just like in the wizard of oz....I was fasinated by that....it took us down to where we would can....

Trips to the fair...we would always go to Woodville OH festival, Tiffin, well any fair that was close by...the guy behind me was my cousin Donnie...

Oh how lucky I was to have a mom who captured all on camera....It's a memory maker...just thought I'd share my summer as a kid....I also spent time out to our cottage....

Hail, Hail the gang is all here....

2011-07-04T11:47:00.001-04:00

I rmemeber when gang meant, gee a whole bunch of people....now if you said you had a gang over the police would be checking you out (when they had time)...we always had a gang over on the 4th of July....well really all summer long....and my dad would cook on the home made grill that he personally made...I sure do miss those times....

The whole family would go out on the little 14ft wooden Lyman boat, we would all take turns...all but me, I was always perched on the front...not when we went fast though...with the 25 hp mercury engine...woooooo....

Mom with her hair in an updo, and next to her my cousin Rita, and me...with my arm around her...isn't that cute..

We would eat drink and be merry....and dad would aways pick up a few firecrackers....compared to the sound now they were just a little pop and of course sparklers...

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I dread tonight and tomorrow night....they say that they are against the law....yeah right...our city could get rich if they would go around and arrrest the really loud ones....OH sorry, now I sound like a little old lady....shoot I am.....well have a safe 4th...and don't drink and drive....

Anna at her dance recital...

2011-06-23T18:54:00.003-04:00

Last Sat. I went to my granddaughter Anna's dance recital....She did a good job, but it was tooooo long ...She was only in one routine...and I had no clue who the other kids were...I wasn't that happy with the dance studio....Oh the money they must rake in, costumes are like $60 & $70 ... some kids were it in about 6 times...can you imagine the money their parent put out for dance. They were wee ones who got on stage and watched what the person next to them was doing...it was quite funny...for they were like domino's....when you have about 20 little bitty ones up there...but usually there was one in the group that was the leader...LOL....and it was those little kids who performed in many dance routines......

When I was that age and in dance recitals, my mom made every costume that I wore....and sparkled up my dance shoes with glitter...since I was a dancer at Annas age, I really looked forward to watching her....Good Job Anna....

Graduation day...

2011-05-22T21:48:00.004-04:00

The Sun was hot in the Football Field where the class of 2011 Graduated...it is a 100 year graduation at Lake High School....After loosing there school to a tornado in 2010 they finally made it...Congratulations Lake Seniors...

Thumbs up Jenson!

Afterwards we went to Buffalo Wild Wings...

CHEEEEEEESE......

Little Zola outside of Buffalo Wild Wings...

Bring home a Clown....

2011-05-08T17:57:00.002-04:00

My church had a rummage sale thurs and fri and someone brought in a clown collection....giving them all up....I don't know the value of these clowns, because I couldn't find any like them, but I put a price that I would pay....take a look and if your a clown collector, your in luck....LOL go to
http://www.Crafting4me.etsy.com

I have to say, I love etsy...you can sell most anything there....well like collectables, antiques, vintage, homemade crafts, photos and cards....it's a great place to place your items, for it's only 20 cents and you get 5 free pictures of your items and they can stay there for 4 months...can't beat that....and they do paypal....

2011-04-27T05:36:00.002-04:00

Granddaughter will be off to Kent State for Musical Theatre...this is her senior picture, and I add on the right the baby, middle and age 16 pictures....they grow up so fast....she is my idol...for she is doing something I always wanted to do, but didn't have the guts to try...I always wanted to be a solid gold dancer...LOL

And then my oldest daughter just turned 50...OMG! How can that be....I thought I was just 50... Time is flying by so dog gone fast...

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I am so sick of stormy weather...everyday it has rained...and my grass really needs cutting....so much to do...but I'm just sick of watching the news....with tornado watches...I feel so blessed that it's only a watch...but a F0 one went through very close to me....and wasn't detected until after the fact...no warnings on that one....I am so fearful of those darn things...this has got to be a first of so many tornados...I mean 30 or 40 in one little town....one news channel said 600 in month of april...then another said 300....but either one is one to many....my granddaughter in the picture above had their school wiped out last June...but her home was spared....Well next blog will be more uplifting I promise....sunshine.....and calm winds....coming soon.....I hope......

Happy Easter

2011-04-22T20:08:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter.....

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. ~ Re-post if you believe with your heart! I DO

Monday was laundry day, Tuesday was ironing...

2011-04-15T18:57:00.002-04:00

My mom Ellie on the left, grandma Lena middle and Aunt Elvera on right...me and my cousin Jeffrey in front..... I was cleaning under my sink, wondering why I was saving all these products for cleaning the outside of refrigerator, the counter top, WD40....why were they all stuffed under my sink cabinet? Obviously I never use them...since I didn't even knew they were under there... Years ago, when I was just a tot and as I turned into a young teen, Mondays were always wash days (laundry), Tuesday mom ironed, Wed and Thurs I wonder what my mom did....because Fri was cleaning day....but cleaning my bedroom was every Sat. morning...it had to be done by 12 noon...I dusted off my story book doll shelves with about 25 dolls, and I also collected salt and pepper shakers....why? I guess because my grandma always brought me home collector ones when she went on a trip....and I dusted about 100 sets every sat. morning, while listening to buster brown, and all those adorable little morning shows...come to find out my friend Carolyn's mom played the voice of Buster Brown...Shopping had to be on Sat. because my mom didn't drive...she must have snuck in either Wed. or Thurs as a sewing day, because she made all my clothes and our drapes etc...do you have special days to do laundry, and no one irons any more, unless it's something special...she ironed rags for crying out loud...which she hemmed...she didn't work until I was a teen, but I never remember her sitting around....like me....LOL Organization....that is on my bucket list....before I die, I hope to acquire organization....I have been working on it for years and years....I was organized when my husband was alive...but that was because he was...I wash clothes when needed, I dust when I sneeze....but I do wash dishes every day.... It only took cleaning under my sink to bring back a memory of my organized mom....and write a blog about it....

In your Easter bonnet.....

2011-04-02T20:12:00.004-04:00

This picture of my granddaughter Zola brings back memories of when I was her age....first let me say, the hat was given to her by her aunt linda along with a savings bond...she wouldn't take it off...in fact she rec'd two hats and at times wore them both at once...notice the tag still hanging on it...a mini, minnie pearl....LOL....It was Zola's 2nd birthday. This was her second outfit for the first one she spilled her drink all over...notice cake on the knee...and she is putting on someones shoes...as little girls always enjoy doing...

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back to my memories...growing up, and even when my girls were little, it wasn't Easter without an Easter hat and gloves....I wish we could bring back that tradition....Easter use to be so much fun...for me as an only child mom would make me a basket along with all my cousins who lived in Fremont...so Easter sunday after I looked for eggs, and oo'd and aa'd over my Easter basket, we would take off to visit my grandma Bertha and all the cousins...we all exchanged baskets...on the drive to Fremont the back was filled with baskets. Remember when cars had like a shelf behind the back seat...it was lined with baskets...when arriving everyone was showing off their new dresses, coats and gloves...I remember always getting the whole outfit...coat, hat, shoes, dress, slip, socks....now that I say that, I would say I was spoiled...an only child spoiled, who would have thunk....LOL ... but honestly I didn't know it. It was just a way of life...yes I did live the good life...but again, I didn't know it....My kids were also blessed with new clothes...and since what I rec'd was the whole package, that's what mine rec'd....but also there was my mom & dad again...they bought so much for my kids which really helped us out....I loved hiding eggs for the kids....some years inside, and some years outside...I think they were teenagers when I stopped hiding the eggs....then they were real hard boiled colored eggs...forgot one or two, and weeks later found them by their odor....LOL....now everyone hides plastic eggs....of course if your lucky they might have candy, or even money in them....Oh those memories....no more eggs to color, no more baskets to fill...but I do always give Buddy my dog a treat on Easter...my grandkids, I rely on the plastic egg to put a couple of dollars in...growing up money was no object...of course not, it wasn't mine....but it's a different story now....

P>S> Back when I grew up the Easter Hats were called Easter Bonnets....In your Easter Bonnet...with all the frills upon it....You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade....(are ya humming)

After near-death experience, boy says "Heaven is Real" - KDVR

2011-03-31T17:09:00.001-04:00

I don't know if you have seen this already, but what a story...it makes me wonder if when I had my tonsils out i was in danger, because I remember, and I remember telling my mom, that a nun carried me to a stairway and I heard beautiful music, and the nun told me they were angels singing...in my mind I can still see the nun, and hear those angels...or maybe I'm crazy.... anyway, go watch this little boys story.... After near-death experience, boy says "Heaven is Real" - KDVR

A STAR IS BORN...grandma says so...

2011-03-27T08:37:00.003-04:00

Front row...Forest who played Ryan and Jenson who played Sharpay....and number 14 the basketball player is my grandson Christopher...this was his first play, he is a jock for real...football, basketball and baseball....he shines in....but the music teacher ask him to fill in for the play....he is in 7th grade... Carly who played Ms. Darbus the teacher....and Jenson as Sharpay ***************************************** High School Musical.....my granddaughter played Sharpay....a sassy, bratty drama queen....and Jensi played it well....LOL...what a treat to be able to go to all three shows and watch her, and my grandson who was a fill in basketball player...number 14 in the top picture...this is Jensi 's last year for she goes on to college next year....majoring in Musical Theatre....as Sharpay, she was so funny...and her singing is perfect...but they had a live band playing down in front and sometimes they drowned out the voices....the first night it was awful...you could hardly hear them speak or sing...then they adjusted the what ever needed to be done....but their high school was blown away last June, so they are going to what they call the hanger...of course that could be because they are "the flyers"....a wonderful church called "Main Street" has a beautiful stage, with seating for 500...(which is where the play was held.) I heard them mention that they had 435 there on Friday night....it's was packed all three nights...great for a high school productions...Jenson is so dedicated to her music and her acting, that I can't imagine her doing anything else...and she is a pretty good dancer too... Sad it's over....can't wait to see her on Broadway....:)

Tiny but mighty

2011-03-18T06:37:00.002-04:00

Grandma, stop following me around with that camera.....Z came over tues for a couple of hours. She will be 2 this month...and quite a character...she is so smart (I know that every grandma thinks that) but she really is...say's words that amaze me..her daddy was very smart...was reading when he was just 3...and her mommy is also very smart....

Now this really is a look of disgust...she's not easy to catch on camera, because she is soooo fast... but oh what a little treasure...her daddy is my youngest child, and she is my youngest grandchild....

I don't want to bore you with grandchild photos and praise, but I had to get those pictures of the icy snow off and what better way that to photo a beautiful little girl....

What is going on.....

2011-03-11T08:38:00.002-05:00

Waking up to snow, schools delayed, accidents many all over, curves delayed so no tim hortons, waaaa waaaa....it don't look like much snow and it wasn't, it was beautiful light fluffy snow...but underneath they say there is ice....so reason for the stand still....I'm ashamed to complain because when I turned on the news, I saw Japan....the 8.9 earthquake...it was like a movie...building, ships, cars being tossed around...I've never seen anything like it...there were so many things being tossed around...and the oil refinery on fire...man oh man, what is going on....

From VCR to DVD...

2011-03-10T10:53:00.004-05:00

I am transfering my daughters VCR's to DVD's and while watching, I'm wondering why no one ever popped me in the mouth...boy my mouth never shut up...."smile for grandma" "wave to grandma" etc...and it last forever....I'm not complaining, because I have a copy of their voice and it's so cute listening to them as little kids talking it's my voice that is so annoying.......and of course hearing my hubby's voice and my mom and dad....what a treasure I have...but I took some of when the kids were little bitty baby's, laying on a blanket on the floor....for hours....they would coo, grunt, wow what a smart kid...lol....

I wonder did I really have fun, because my head was always behind the camera....it still is but i snap the pictures now...ooopps I forgot I just bought a new cam recorder...oh well it keeps me out of trouble...and it sure is nice to look back to see the old days....I even have a movie of when I was 5 years old...the neighbor who mom and dad hung around with had one....they were rich....it's just a little blurry, but not bad enough to know whose who...my dad use to ride me at Pearson Park on the handle bars...we would have a whole line of bikes going through the park... and a movie of me in my aunt and uncles wedding...now that is a treasure, being able to see yourself moving around, and seeing that your mom and dad really did have a fun good life...and I have to tell you....I was really cute....LOL.....sorry, it just slipped out....well going to go check on how far the tape is .....

Fat Tuesday....

2011-03-08T18:46:00.003-05:00

Fat Tuesday...I never heard of Fat Tuesday or Ponzki's when I was growing up... or even when raising my kids....but I certainly know about them now....on monday after Curves we went to Tim Hortons and had our usual coffee...but this time I got a ponzki....a strawberry glazed ponzki...oh my God was it good....went down pretty fast, and our friend Carol hadn't arrived yet....so we decided to go get another ponzki to eat with Carol....then when I get home I heard that they run from 420 to 500 calories...and I ate two....and it wasn't even fat tuesday yet....so today, I kept thinking about them two ponski's I ate, and wished I had them now...on fat tuesday...but I was waiting for my daughter to drop off Coco the little poodle I'm watching for a week...when they left it was about 11:30....so I got in my car and it went straight to Tim Hortons...WHAT! they were all gone....not one ponzski was left...now I never really like ponzki's...i didn't like all that powdered sugar, (but I LOVE the GLAZED )...and when I did have one it was from either meijers or krogers...they just aren't the same....so head held down, I walked to my car and thought....heck, I'm not going to waste Fat Tuesday....so I stopped and picked up a PIZZA.....large....LOL

In memory of Alison Haley Cloud

2011-03-01T08:27:00.007-05:00

Alison < >Jenson

Jenson< >Alison

In memory of my granddaughter Alison....she passed a way 6 years ago on March 1 ... she was 17 and battled cancer for 2 years....if you listen to my music, it is Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin her favorite song........this picture was taken the last year we were able to go to Williamsburg plus a few when she was younger...she was 15 and found out when she got home that she had Rhabdomyosarcoma ...a very rare cancer that usually strikes children....Our trips to Williamsburg were some of my favorite vacations... My daughter Lori (Ali's mom) Ali, my daughter Linda, my granddaughter Jenson and me....the fun of watching those two granddaughters was so worth the trip....Ali was so funny, and with 5 years difference in there age, Jenson did everything Ali did...If Ali would have lived, I believe she would be in fashion, either that or a politician....she was a bigggg Republican...even though she wasn't old enough to vote, she let it be known what her view was.... Such a loss, such a wonderful, amazing young girl who lost her life to cancer....Ali we miss you....and love you....granny

Fear is all in "The Look"

2011-02-25T07:46:00.002-05:00

The dog on the left is Coco Chennel who is tiny but mighty and belongs to my daughter Lori...I am dog sitting....the dog on the right is Buddy who is large, but very fearful of Coco....now Buddy is my dog....and will need therapy when Coco goes home....LOL...Buddy will not walk by Coco...I'm surprised I got them this close for the picture....this made me think about fear is all about the look, or the approach of a person....not really the size... Coco looks in charge...she walks up real fast and shows no fear of the big dog...when my kid were growing up, my husband never yell at the kids, it was "the look"....I was the yeller....which I could hear them giggle under their breath....and made me madder....but not with dad....he never had to touch those kids, except for hugs...the fearful word they never wanted to hear was, "I'll be up to check your room"...thats when they would fly....you didn't want dad to check your room and it was a mess....he would raise his voice a bit at then....but I could be telling them all week "take those clothes on the steps up"...."take those clothes on the steps up"...why is it that "the look" could be so fearful, when they really don't know what would happen if they didn't do what he ask....but it worked....and now I'm sure they would love to see that look again....

Another Big One on the Way.....

2011-02-24T05:22:00.002-05:00

Woke up this morning to more ice...and another big one predicted for Friday...the thing that worries me is my one daughter is traveling here from michigan today to pick up my other daughter and my granddaughter J to go to Akron...J is a senior this year, and was excepted at Kent State, but has an audition for the Musical Theatre dept on friday...they won't be coming home until Sat. so I hope the worst is over...as a grandma, does worrying ever stop...4 to 7 inches with ice mixed in for this big one...all I can to is hope the weathermen are wrong...Pray, Pray, Pray.... The one blessing for me is that I didn't loose my power...people around here have been out since last Sun...OK, again I'm turning my mind off....it's off most of the time anyway...LOL

Waiting for Spring...

2011-02-22T06:25:00.002-05:00

Ice on trees makes a beautiful sight...but ice on car doesn't...my car has at least a half inch of ice topped with snow ...the doors won't open, so I couldn't start it...this has been an icy month...at least when buddy (my dog) goes outside, he doesn't loose his legs in the deep snow, because the snow melted, but we were graced with more, topped with ice...he doesn't dilly dally outside...
Oh please Spring hurry up and get here, so I can gripe about all the weeds, instead of ice and snow...

What else can I worry about....

2011-02-15T08:59:00.002-05:00

The sparkle in the snow is gone....now I see huge piles of dirty brown snow...how depressing.... it was a warm 40 yesterday...today in the 20s....I have this huge pile at the end of the street, just squeeeeeking past my drive way...i believe it is all piled on top of the little drainage ditch...wonderful....the city of toledo sucks...sorry for all who don't like that word, I could make it a different word, but I know you wouldn't be pleased with that one either....water standing in the streets, potholes deep enough for a fish to live in....water mains breaking downtown....everything is old here in toledo...I never thought about how old the pipelines were, or gas lines, until you hear about the breakage of one...they tell the age, and how did they survived this long I'll never know...I never thought how dangerous the gas lines in the city could be...in another little city near toledo the gas line had a leak and they had an explosion that wiped out a block of homes... who would have thought....younger people don't think about things like that....but when your older what else do we have to think about....it's on my worry list.... that list grows, everyday....something new...another murder on east side....2 in 2 days....on my list....but fact be known I love my house, I love my neighbors....if I didn't live here in toledo what would I have to worry about....oh but I am pleased to tell you that the weather man said 57 on friday....a new worry to add to my list.....will it bring storms....I'm turning my mind off now....so have a good day.

SPARKLES....

2011-02-01T09:34:00.003-05:00

Sparkles...I love sparkles...I don't know if it goes back to my tap dancing days, when mom would make me sparkle costumes...I can still in my mind smell the smell of the glitter mom would glue on my tap shoes...perhaps it was the glue I smelled, but either way it's a memory of my sparkle shoes...

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The first time I went to Las Vegas I was in sparkle heaven...that's why I love Las Vegas so much, there is sparkle everywhere...We were on the train for two nights, there was 13 including me...the trip there was a laugh a minute, we each brought snacks and shared them...arriving at the train terminal was an eye opener...for little old me whose only sparkle enjoyment was sparkle tap shoes and fancy sparkle costumes...we stayed at the old Aladdin Hotel...we walked into a ceiling of sparkles...I thought it was the most beautiful place in the world...then we walked to other casinos...each one surpassed the other...I went for a visit after that almost every year...Jim never wanted to go, but never minded me going...I have gone with different friends, groups and sometimes just 2 of us...I haven't been there in probably 7, 8 or maybe 9 years...I can't remember, but I do remember the sparkle...time to go again...

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My enjoyment of making bracelets out of Swarovski Crystal beads and earrings is I'm sure because of my love of sparkle...they are so beautiful...they are Austria Crystal, made at the Swarovski factory located in the Austrian Alps...that's the good Swarovski crystal bead...I just ordered some for ebay, really cheap...but guess where they come from? China...yes China, still called Swarovski crystal beads though...I don't care as long as they sparkle...I could always put them in a clear glass vase to watch them sparkle, or I'll just keep making up bracelets, and display them on a display rack that I have...sparkle, sparkle, sparkle...

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Speaking of sparkle...isn't snow beautiful when it just falls down, and the sun is shining on it...it sparkles so brightly, like crystals...I'm going to have a lot of sparkles to look at with the "BIG ONE" arriving tonight...possible 12 to 14 inches of sparkle...God's homemade beauty....We are so lucky, for I'm sure those of you who have snow measured by the foot, think I'm nuts talking about "the BIG ONE" but that's what the weather man is calling it....I hope he is talking about snow....(sorry, just a little bit of nasty coming out of my mouth)

To be a grandma...

2011-01-26T04:09:00.003-05:00

To be a grandma....I've been thinking about that word grandma....the picture above is of my grandma Bertha (my dad's mom) my cousin Rudy Gene and me on the chair....now I always knew my grandmas loved me...especially my grandma Lena (my moms mom) for she would always bring me story book dolls when she went on trips and salt and pepper shakers which i collected (Why did I collect salt and pepper shakers?).she bought me things..but anyway, I feel that I never really knew my grandma Bertha....I was never really close at all with her....grandma Lena once lived with us, so I knew her better...when I would sass her, (who me?) she would always come back with "I hope you have kids someday that sass you like that")...and I did....they tried....LOL...but my point of this story is, I wish I was a grandma like my mom and mother in law was to my kids...they always would keep them overnight for sleep overs, my mom always let them get away with more than my mother in law....LOL...they would bake, play dress up, and for some reason I just don't have that in me...kids make me nervous....maybe because I was an only child. I love my grandkids with all my heart...and once in a while I have or will watch them, but I have no patients....I wish I was a good, anything can go grandma....I sort of feel guilty...they grow up so fast....Grandma is a word that means cookies, tea parties, a game of catch, or monopoly...Oh heck, it is what it is....they do know I love them, for I tell them all the time...and I would give up my life for anyone of them.....just not baking cookies....

Christopher's going to the snoball dance

2011-01-16T15:45:00.003-05:00

Where did the time go....this is Christopher and he is in the 7th grade, standing next to his sister Jenson, who is a senior....He is going to the snoball dance, which is for the 7 & 8th graders...or junior high....Jenson looks like she wants to make bunny ears, but she can't reach the back of him...he went with 3 of his friends....guy friends, but they met 3 girls at the dance....When I was in the 7th grade I went to a dance with a boy, but I can't remember how we got there or how we got home...but I'm sure it was during the day, and we probably walked there...I do remember who I went to the dance with....his name was Larry....hehe

Dancing QUEEN....

2011-01-09T05:54:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for the coming home dance..is granddaughter Jenson....I do love her dress and hair....and of course her....what fun it must be to be chosen by the whole school as their queen... Jensi is such a happy girl who is not a phony, and she befriends everyone, with a smile...I do hope she had fun at the dance....worrying, it never stops....I use to think when my kids were little, "I can't wait until they grow up, so I can stop worrying"....but it's still there....that worry button....and then our kids have kids, and it still working....A person trys not to worry, but with the media everywhere, and news flashes, and facebook news alerts....it never stops...and I watch 3 different news stations....now that is asking for worry....LOL

Basketball Queen, Jenson

2011-01-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

This adorable girl is my granddaughter Jenson....last night at the basketball game she was crowned the queen...she is a senior this year and next year will be going to Kent State...she is in musical theatre....she has a great voice, she is a great actress, and I'm sure you can tell, I'm pretty proud of her....oh and in the picture is her best friend Carley....

I started my News Years Resolution....

2011-01-05T15:14:00.004-05:00

glitter-graphics.com

Well I started my new years resolution....although if you walked into my house today, you would wonder what I'm talking about....I have hauled down Christmas cartons, and emptied them out... a pile for the goodwill and a pile of keepers...my cartons were mixed...when I brought down Christmas in Nov. I only used so much of it, and the regular collectables that I had out, I put in with the Christmas I didn't use...I have more upstair to go through....much more...I have figured out that I don't have to tackle everything in one day....as long as I complete something....yeah!

it really feels good when you accomplish something...I had the car washed today and I sweap it out....I'm patting myself on the back right now....it's funny how a car really does seem to drive better when clean....I did throw out the back seat mats...they were ugly, old, dirty.....now I should replace my scooby doo mats in front....but probably a good soaking would work....what 70 year old woman drives around with scooby doo mats....That's probably one of the reasons my grandkids call me crazy grandma judy...LOL....well off to supper now...Rosies Italian....and I'm driving...and if you knew me, you'd know I don't usually drive outside of the east side...but I'm venturing out....

O Christmas Tree.....

2011-01-01T21:25:00.002-05:00

The Short Fat Christmas Tree....

The time of putting up Christmas trees has changed...Back in the 40's when I was a little girl, it would go up a week before Christmas...We didn't have far to go to get our live Christmas tree...at the corner of my block was Gettings gas station...Mr. Gettings always sold Christmas trees...oh the smell of pine as we walked up to all the trees in the small lot...we would drag the tree home and dad would make the wood tree stand...up it would go, and mom and I would decorate it...full of silver tinsel, little colored bells tat would tinkle, and metal icicles that would sparkle amongst all the colored lights...we also had glass ornaments and glass birds with the broom like tails, they clipped on...mom would cut out our last name on cardboard and sew it onto ribbon and hang it like garland, then my dog trixie and I would sit in front of the tree so mom could take a picture for the Christmas Card...The tree always came down the day after New Years...so it would be up for two weeks, and with no water, it would really be dry...we were so Lucky that we never had a fire...

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When my kids were growing up the tree usually went up 2 weeks before Christmas...it did have water...a pain in the butte having to crawl under the tree to make sure it had water, and then go and get water and pour it in...because the tree was always low to the ground, and very, very short and fat...the kids were almost as tall as the tree...Every year Jim would talk the kids into the short one...everyone helped decorate it, and of course everybody decorated in there own style...I use to try and control the situation, but decided just to sort of direct from the background...The day after Christmas the tree would come down...The neighbor kids would take bets at how fast the tree would appear in the back yard...then we would add popcorn garland and stuff for the birds to munch on...I had a flash of a memory of that old short fat tree when visiting my daughter Linda....her hubby went out and came home with a tree that was short and fat....just like the olden days.....

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I miss those days, of putting the tree up together...now I put up 3 trees...and they usually go up the first part of Nov...I put a large artificial one in the family room, a middle size one in my kitchen with cookie cutters and tea strainers, and a smaller one in the front room with bee and bears...to go with my antique honeypots...I would drag the boxes up from the basement, and all the boxes of stuff from upstairs storage down...it is alot of work, but I do love to sit in the evening and see the beautiful lights...but now it is time to take them down...yuck...I hate that...I'm not rushing...I can work on it slowly because I have to organize upstairs and get rid of alot of my decorations that I haven't used in years...Oh and it is a tradition to put the tree up while watching Chevy Chases "Christmas Vacation"...well hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas, and now to move on to the New Year...2011

For the love of Cami and Max

2010-12-30T07:25:00.001-05:00

The Hill in my backyard...

2010-12-24T07:34:00.002-05:00

That garage was ugly....it had a mud floor, and we had bunnies, and chickens in pens inside that garage...now the back yard was a small yard....but my dad planted corn, beans, and veggies...now that I think about it, I wonder how in the world did he make space...my son lives in the house now, and there is no back yard....but daddy built me a snow hill to slide down...so when I wasn't sledding and skating out to our cottage on Lake Erie, I was sliding down the big hill in my back yard....the picture is of my dad, and me...what a wonderful dad I had...I have a picture of him amongst the beans...it's somewhere, so my memory was correct...I never slid down big hills, this was my biggest challenge...LOL Oh by the way, my dad finally did replace the garage with a cinder block one, with a cement floor....

Woven by Lori Schuster

2010-12-22T17:46:00.002-05:00

http://www.wix.com/lorischuster/woven

What a great book....My daughter Lori wrote a book called Woven...for those of you who like to read, go check out her wix sight above....

A warm chocolatey memory

2010-12-15T16:39:00.002-05:00

After eating lunch last Sat. with my daughter, we enjoyed a mint hot chocolate...Panera's makes them great....after lunch we went to Meijers grocery shopping...yuck!....so I thought I'd pick up some instant hot chocolate...this was called mint hot chocolate too, but i couldn't taste any peppermint in it....but the package took me back to some warm chocolatey memories....
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The picture above is of my mom and I out to our cottage on lake erie....it would be a cold snowy winter day, usually on sat. or sunday, we would venture out to go ice skating, or sledding.... When I went ice skating I used one of our kitchen chairs to hold me up....I would skate pushing it in front of me....could you see kids this day and age, pushing a chair to skate....LOL....mom would pull me on the sled....bambushca on head, always wool, because it was the warmest...double slacks...we never wore jeans back then....I use to dream I was an fancy ice skater....in my mind I had on a beautiful costume, like the ones I wore when tap dancing....I would twirl, dance, I was really good....in my own mind that is....I wasn't anything without my chair though....after a while on the ice, mom would suggest we go into the cottage for some hot chocolate....we'd go in but there was no heat....but still it felt warm...or warmer...no wind in the cottage....we had an electric stove, so mom would heat the milk and we would sit around the table eating cookies and drinking our hot chocolate...I sure do hope my mom knew how much fun it was skating and sledding with her....I had no friends in the winter at the cottage, so mom was it....she was a great friend....

A Christmas memory

2010-12-14T09:50:00.003-05:00

When I was just a little girl

I'd wish with all my might...

That I might hear those jingle bells

Ringing in the night...

A stomping and a HO HO HO

I'd know that he was real...

Oh yes, I do believe I heard

One of the reindeer squeal...

The room in which I spent the night

Was cold and filled with apples...

While hiding under the blankets so warm

I'd sneak a bite, well just to sample...

I finally fell a sleep that night

With dreams of what I'd find...

A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair

She was a beautiful sight...

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn

And creep on down the stairs...

The tree was lit with colored lights

And tinsel everywhere...

I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells

Bells hanging on the tree...

OH I do believe in Santa Claus

For my bride doll was waiting for me...

This is a personal memory from my childhood, please do not copy....judy

I might add that the hair on the doll was mine...my mom had my hair cut and put it on my bride doll....I still have the doll....

Happy Thanksgiving.

2010-11-23T18:54:00.000-05:00

Trans Siberian Concert.....

2010-11-14T05:57:00.002-05:00

I love going to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert...if they could just turn the volume down just one notch, it would be perfect...the show of laser, snow falling, the background is unbelievable....my favorite CD's that they have out are "The Christmas Attic" and "The Lost Christmas"...I really didn't like Night Castle that much...which they played alot of at this concert. But I finally got to see the snow scene...They would have snow falling over the floor seating, with the lasers all colors beaming through them, and it made the snow look like crystals sparkling, all colors of crystals...I'm a sparkle person....love it....They had a cat walk (that's the only thing I can think of to call it) that appeared right in front of us...for just one song....but it was amazing...

There music is on my Playlist....and I know I'm rushing Christmas with my background, but I'm on a roll, and I'm going to put up my Christmas Tree....it always seems more exciting before Christmas, and then comes the dreads of taking it down...so putting it up with the movie "Christmas Vacation" playing, is tradition for me...and it also makes me clean my house...LOL

A Thanksgiving high school memory..

2010-11-10T06:03:00.004-05:00

Back in 1954/58 Thanksgiving was spent at the Waite High School football game...oh we didn't miss our Thanksgiving dinner, but I never missed the game either....my friends and I would walk to the game in our mouton coats, mine was grey....sporting a great big yellow football mum with a purple W in the middle....I can remember sitting in the stands with snow flakes falling down....even in my mouton coat I was freezing....but back when your in high school it didn't really matter....I don't know how the football players could function....but they managed...we would win (sometimes)....and walk out feeling an adrenalin rush....high on life....with no drugs.... just a positive attitude....and thoughts of going home to that Thanksgiving dinner and greeted by family....
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Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving....we really need prayer....for those who are in the military and fighting to keep us free, the ones struggling with cancer, the homeless and those who are struggling to stay afloat because they have lost their job...God Bless You!

In 2006 a visit from Norm

2010-11-04T07:51:00.003-04:00

I was going through pictures and found these....back in 2006 my blogging friend Peggy put a fun project on her blog...(Lordy I hope it was Peggy)...but anyway, who ever wanted could send their name to her, and she made out a schedule as to where Norm (the gnome) would go....over the year he traveled all over the world....he landed at my house just in time to spend Christmas with the family....she send a journal along so we could document his travels....I sent pictures along with adding to the journal....this is how Norm spent Christmas in 2006...My grandkids looked at me with questioning eyes as I ask them to have their picture taken with him....but all in all we really did enjoy his visit...I enjoyed reading the whole journal to see where he went...he was a happy camper and when he left our house was still in tacked...

2010 Halloween night.....

2010-11-01T03:57:00.003-04:00

Last night even a ladybug named Cammi showed up....she was our guard dog...another Halloween over....we had a lot of little kids...in fact even a young couple with a 3 month old baby came trick or treating...it was their first baby, and wanted her to go halloweening...can I bring up the word FREE .... CANDY... or perhaps they were just so happy to have a reason to show her off...

My little grandbaby Zola showed up to show me she was a pumpkin....and a darn cute one too.

Mary and Sue sat on one side of the side walk to hand out candy, and Geri (another neighbor) and I sat across from them....

Zola the pumpkin

My neighbors Mary, Sue and myself have for years sat out in front of Mary's house...because Sue and I live on a side street with very few houses, no one wants to walk that far for a couple pieces of candy....and I think it's safer to sit together with more people....Mary is 90 and God Bless her, she dresses up every year...and has made her own costumes...she also makes a pumpkin cake that is sooooo good....
Zola looked me over, but I didn't seem to scare her....perhaps because I still sounded and acted crazy like grandma judy....she is pretty use to that...she is tiny but mighty...and 18 months old...

A cute story about her (while I have you hooked)...her mommy said she kept going up to the surge protector and turning it on and off....Jen told her NO Zola, you'll get hurt....and she put her on a little step for time out...so she sat swinging her foot and looking around, like this is fun....finally after a short time out, jen said ok you can get up....she runs right over to do it again....more NO Zola....and more time out....after three times, of time outs and NO Zolas, she again went back but this time she would turn it ON, OFF, ON OFF and said NO ZOLA, NO ZOLA, NO ZOLA, then she put herself back on the time out step, and began swinging that leg and looking around again...LOL.....time outs are great when they work.....

Halloween 2010

2010-10-29T16:24:00.004-04:00

Lena at Frisches....heads turned when she walked in....this was after working out at Curves...

This is Lena the hyena....my friend Ginny's dad made this costume about 60 years ago....a very talented man...I went to high school with Ginny and remember all the costumes he made....the teeth he carved out of wood, and he has used real hair for eye lashes etc....Ginny wore this on Wed.. , for we had a week of dress up at our Curves....

On monday I went as a Curves slut.....ok, so the boobs aren't real....Ginny was the headless woman, yes her dad made that costume too...and Peggy came as a black cat....if we dressed up we would get an apple, or popcorn ball, or even a tiny piece of candy....well we were at Curves working out....so it had to be sort of healthy....

I will wear my costume on Sun to hand out candy with my neighbors Mary, Sue and me...but I will not wear the boobs....I don't want to get hit on....LOL

Halloween from the past.....

2010-10-14T17:33:00.005-04:00

me, judy as a bag lady, getting ready for that day....

Mary, Sue, Judy (morning mama with a large cup of coffee)

Mary, Sue, Judy (these are my precious friends from monday neighbor night) we pass out candy together every year on halloween...

Sue, Mary and me judy

Pippi judy

Judy and Carolyn, years ago, when I was a young mother

Sue, me judy, conrad and mary

Kathy, Judy, me judy, Carolyn and Sherri...all young mothers who played Bunco together.

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I love Halloween....and one of my treasured memories was when I was in grade school....I have no pictures, which surprises me, because mom seem to snap a picture of everything...when in grade school, I remember going down to the Gettings House....Mrs. Gettings always made popcorn balls, or candy apples, or homemade taffy, which I use to help her pull....you have to pull taffy to make it good....didn't have the fancy machine that whips it around...but that's what made it special...did you ever have a favorite house on halloween....I can't remember who walked me around, or maybe no one, things didn't happen back then....and a group of kids would go off together to gather the candy....we had no gangs....just friends...one house Mrs. Sibberson use to make homemade donuts, but that was in my kids days....I use to make sure they were ok though, so I would sample them....LOL....

I can remember having one Halloween party....perhaps there were more, but only one sticks in my memory....it was in our garage, and mom pealed grapes for eyes, speg, for brains, carrot for finger, and I'm sure there were much more in the blind folded game....with spooky music going..

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Mary, Sue and I still get together, we dress up and hand out the candy down at Mary's house. The little kids look at us, like they can't believe they hit 3 house in one stop...and I think they think we look pretty strange....but every year we make a new memory....

Girfriends' Lunch Out...

2010-10-09T15:34:00.002-04:00

Girlfriends' Lunch Out.........

A group of 40-year-old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waiters there were very good looking...

TEN YEARS LATER at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good, the wine selection was good also, and the waiters were cute.

TEN YEARS LATER at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that the should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet, the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean, and the waiters were sweet boys.

TEN YEARS LATER at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible, they even had an elevator, and waiters were kindly.

TEN YEARS LATER at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before...

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NOW THE LADIES IN THE PICTURE ABOVE are classmates of mine....all 70 years old...I don't know who wrote this little ditti, but it sure does sound like us....although I think at 70 years old, I wouldn't call the guy waiters kindly....I would call them HOT....I picked that up on the Internet....

My classmate friends and I meet once a month, and I have to admit sometimes we forget where the heck we where going to meet....so for our own safety, and sanity we have been going to the Bulldogs diner in Rossford Ohio.....it's a youthful looking place, with Rossford football uniforms on the walls, its clean, and now at our age we look for GOOD FOOD that is CHEAP...they have senior special, on Wed. and Thurs....so we just happen to go on Thurs, and it's not a place to go if you are on a diet....because they really load you up with food....

I was emailed this from one of the girls in our group....and felt I had to share it....

Birthday Trip to Michigan

2010-09-12T08:31:00.003-04:00

My birthday has stretched from Aug. 25 through Sept 11th....it was really on Aug 28.

On Wed. my curves gals and I gathered at Frisches as we usually do, but this time their was flowers, gifts and everyone there sang me a birthday wish twice, then on Friday, 3 of my church friends and I went to Clara J's tea room for a celebration....Sat. morning I met Lisa and her kids at Cracker Barrel to find out where I was going and I rec'd an overnight bag with instructions.., and in the evening 3 of my friends joined me at the German American festival.....then on Sun. my daughter Linda and family and son Joey and family took me to Cousino's Steak house which was my request of places to go....love their steak....then on Monday was neighbor night, and my 3 neighbors brought cake, ice cream and presents for another celebration....Ok then a break until this past thursday...Lisa and I took off to Lori's in GrandHaven Michigan....we went to Jellies for a chocolate martini and shusi and my augraten mushrooms.....we did a lot of laughing, and the next morning after our walk on the boardwalk, the three of us went to Traverse City....I didn't have to pay for anything....and we certainly did have some wonderful food....those who know me know that, that is very important to me....we shopped, went to the Chateau Chantal vineyard....the scenery was beautiful...the hotel was also beautiful...patio on the beach, and a bunch of friendly ducks and seagulls...that evening they took me to Red Ginger....and when she made resv. she told them it was my birthday, so when I got there they had a birthday card signed by the staff, and everyone that walked by wished me happy birthday...if you ever find a Red Ginger restaurant, make sure you stop by to eat....the next morning we went to breakfast at the Omlet restaurant and then to the Antique Mall, before we had to take off to go home... 3 hours to GrandHaven to return Lori, and then another 3 1/2 hours for Lisa and I to make it home....I am an impatient person, and driving that long is way to long.....but it was all worth it in the end....so thanks to all my friends and family for making my 70th birthday so special.....

A funny card

2010-08-28T07:32:00.003-04:00

I got this card from one of my friends, and it just cracked me up.....inside it says...

Our age goes up,
Our boobs go down
We're still the hottest
girls in town....

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Yep today I turned 70....and funny thing is, I don't feel any different....the days seem to fly by faster, and maybe because at my age I want it to go slower....it's scary.... I count my days by mon. curves, breakfast at tim hortons, wed. curves breakfast at Frisches, Fri. curves breakfast at tim hortons.....now that is sad, when I think that I count my days by where I'm eating breakfast...but sometimes I'm thrown a curve like today, breakfast at Cracker Barrel.....LOL

My one desire......to have a Clarise Cliff honeypot.

2010-08-07T12:19:00.002-04:00

I have collected 80 honey pots....all most all of them are antiques....or at least vintage....my one wish before I leave this earth, and my kids send all my honey pots to the Goodwill is to have a Clarise Cliff one....Clarise, I found out is a lady from the UK....I tell you that because for years, I have said I want a Cliff Clarise honey pot....I just googles her name and found out how wrong I was....what a bright lady she was....when I say bright I mean she had the most unusal designs, with bright colors...I wouldn't mind having a teapot or teacup either, but I just saw that one of her teapots was going for $2,300. american dollars....her honey pots I have seen for up to $800. Now sometimes I could find one at auction starting at maybe $50. but believe me it will go up, and coming from UK, or across the ocean, the postage is unreal....sooooooo, I have to either find a really rich, generous sugar daddy, or just look at them on line....she's sort of like our pottery wonder from Ohio called Jan Pugh.....she also makes unual things, with bright colors....perhaps I should stop by and ask her if she could make me a honey pot....at least I won't have shipping...

Must Lock Door

2010-07-26T17:21:00.002-04:00

I have a funny story to tell you....this is Lori and Craig at their wedding...but the funny story is that I don't know if it was Sat. or Sun night, they went up to bed....while watching tv (in the bedroom) they heard voices...the hall light went on....they though it was Luke (son), but it was many voices....so they got up and coming up the stairs were 5 people carrying there suitcases.....SURPRISE!...they were at the wrong cottage....can you imagine, how embarrassing. I ask Lori if she ask them to stay....LOL....yes the door was unlocked, waiting for Luke, but this has never happened before...another first....

Mary's 90th birthday

2010-07-18T18:30:00.001-04:00

This picture is with all the ladies that lived or live in Mary's neighborhood...

It's hard to believe that my friend Mary turned 90...above is me, Sue, Bonnie and Mary...we 4 get together every monday evening....we usually snack (but told Mary no more snacks) and watch reality tv....now the Bachelorette....or dancing when that is on....it's more fun to watch it with friends...Mary was like a grandma to all our kids....she is the one that told us Joey could read when he was only 3...and by George he could....each of our kids would go down and gab with her and CJ her hubby....we would go in her garage for years, while her hubby served us with white gloves, coffee and bake goods that mary made...we called him Mr. Belevedere...now the garage had a large screen door and was spotless....I didn't want you to think we were stuck in this old dirty garage.....we made so many wonderful memories together....her kids were all grown by that time....she never miss one of our kids birthdays....if it wasn't time for a kid party, there was always a neighborhood birthday party...So many wishes for Mary to continue her life, for us neighbors to enjoy....and of course her family....

Wedding night with a walk through the Grave Yard

2010-07-16T14:22:00.002-04:00

It was midnight on June 25 after the wedding and Lori wanted to take us down to the grave yard where she got her inspiration to write her book "WOVEN".... oh my gosh, it was pitch dark... we each took a small jar with a candle in it and wire to hold it by, and off we went....there were about 10 or 12 of us, Lori and Craig....all of a sudden all the candles but one went out....did I mention pitch black....ooooohhhhh......it was spooky....Lori was in her vintage wedding gown, a glass of wine and holding a candle....she would tell us about the people that she wrote about, as she showed us the grave...now she did have to change names, but let me tell you she is so creative, and her book is sooooo good....she had a few copies made so we could review it, and after a few changes she is going to have it published....it will be available on line...

How many mothers can say that they took a stroll through the grave yard with their daughter on her wedding night....LOL

Zola and Sammy at the Beach

2010-07-09T06:50:00.002-04:00

Sammy loves his cousin Zola...Sam is 3 and Zola is 16 months...it's cute to see cousins play as friends...

Mr & Mrs

2010-07-07T15:47:00.001-04:00

Congrats to my daughter Lori and her new hubby Craig....the reason for our trip to GrandHaven

2010-07-07T12:39:00.000-04:00

Laughter is everything

2010-07-06T20:09:00.002-04:00

Last week I spent a week in GrandHaven Michigan...my daughter Lori got married....this is Jenson my granddaughter....something tickled her funny bone....she sang Broken Road at the wedding...for there is a story behind that...and it was Lori's second time around...with a super special man....

I will post more pictures, but it takes forever on blogger....I'm going to try going through Picasa.

A malt shop memory....

2010-06-11T12:22:00.002-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

I have Buckeye Cablevision which has a music channel....a bunch of different kinds of music can be heard....I listen to it when I am reading a book....they change them ever so often, and this time I found a channel called "MALT SHOP OLDIES"..... they have songs that I haven't heard since I was in school....I have all kinds of oldies thanks to my first boy friend Arnie....when we planned our 50 year class reunion he copied several cds of oldies for me.....Arnie went to grade school and high school with me....my boy friend in the 6th grade....he's married to my friend Bard now.... the memory that the title Malt Shop brings to my mind is when in 7th and 8th grade once a week my mom would let me go to lunch at Joanes.....it was a malt shop that had the best hamburger and malts in town....maybe it was the fact that several of us would gather for lunch to listen to the music in the jute box hanging on the side of the booths....did the burgers really taste as good and I can remember...."Steak and Shake" comes the closest to my memory of the taste of burgers and malts... Mrs. Jones was so nice to us kids...I remember seeing her when I was an adult.....I wish I would have told her then, how much her place meant to me.....but she's gone now, so I will just have to listen to my Malt Shop Oldies, and pretend to be eating a Jones burger with a delious malt....it's the best diet around....

No more Plays or Football games....

2010-06-08T06:57:00.003-04:00

NO MORE HALL WAYS TO GATHER IN....

NO MORE FOOTBALL FIELD OR GYM

After the tornado, I give thanks that my daughter Linda, her hubby Chris and my grandkids Jenson and Christopher are ok....house ok....nerves not so....but I am sad that Jenson will never do another play at Lake.....she will be a senior this fall.....she is in musical theatre. She has a beautiful voice, great in acting .... and is active in choir plus many other activities....I don't know where she will attend her senior year....these kids have been together since kindergarden.....the auditorium and the gym are gone....in fact the whole school is in shambles... Christopher is going into the 7th grade....he shines in football, and in baseball.....the middle school is also damaged....
He is #70 in the picture above, and Jenson is in yellow, she played Belle in Beauty and Beast...

When I look at the picture of the school below, I praise God, for if the tornado was hours later, all the Senior Class, plus all their friends, including my granddaughter, would have been wiped out... I was so tired Sun. morning, for I was awake all night, with maybe an hour and ahalf sleep....but I thought if ever there was a time to go to church it was that Sun. morning....I told the pastor if her looks up and sees me asleep, not to take it personally....

My heart goes out to the families who have lost their house, or a family member....Jenson had several friends that lost their house, some lost everything...but the community really pulled together ...everyone helping everyone...small communities are really wonderful.....but then maybe it's people in general that come to the aid of people in need....Who would have thought?

Lake High School, view from the top

2010-06-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of my granddaughters school...the high school is gone...she will be a senior next year...I can't imagine that they would get it rebuilt in such a short time for school to begin....the tornado hit the day before the class of 2010 's commencement service...I don't want to think about the loss if it would have happened then....there were 7 deaths....in Lake township....the rubble is unbelieveable.....

Tornado aftermath in Millbury, Ohio. 6/6/10

2010-06-06T17:57:00.000-04:00

Baby bird

2010-06-05T16:18:00.002-04:00

I was watching my granddaughter Zola and we were looking out her front window, and there in the front yard bush was a baby bird....it just sat there....he has fuzzies on top of his head...almost like ears...one bunch on each side, but the pictures doesn't show it...

2010-05-27T17:16:00.001-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Zoe and Sam

2010-05-03T05:04:00.004-04:00

This is Zola....my granddaughter at her birthday party....she was 1 in March....Sat. my son text me that Zola was going up to my picture and throwing kisses...he said she kept doing that for about an hour...LOL....well last night I called him, and they had her in the bathtub.....Jen and Joe were both in the bathroom with her, and Joey said want to say hit to grandma judy....I started to talk "Hi Zoe, it's grandma judy"....Joey said she pointed to the phone and threw me a kiss....she kept it up until we hung up....now isn't that precious....

This is Sam....my grandson who is 3....I watched him on Friday, until his daddy came home....we had a good time....played outside for a while....but his mom Lisa said that if he wanted to watch Thomas movie, or any taped kids shows, that would be fine....they don't usually watch that much tv, so it was a treat for him....well I'm not use to a day with little kids, I know that doesn't sound like a grandma , but they really do make me nervous....LOL....when his aunt Lori called she said "Sam will be great, just keep him supplied with snacks, and tv.....LOL it worked....he really was good about snacks....he would help himself to some taco chips...just a few, and ask for some milk, and he was a happy camper.....me too.....He told me "I'm happy you came over grandma".....

Lisa told Sam that it was grandma judy day, so he should be very good for me.....he ask why? she replied "because she's old"....LOL....then she said to me, I hope you don't mind....I said, no I know I'm old.....LOL....another special moment....

Crystal Bowersox

2010-04-07T11:37:00.002-04:00

The music that is playing is Crystal Bowersox.....on American Idol.....Crystal is from Elliston Ohio, and has played all around Toledo....she has the most wonderful voice, and is such a common beautiful person...so come on American Idol fans.....vote for Crystal....and enjoy her song on playlist....

Buddies Easter present

2010-04-07T11:08:00.002-04:00

For Easter I went out and bought some plastic eggs...they even had bugs painted on the outside and a rubber one inside....I thought this will be great to give the grandkids with 5 bucks....and then I saw the cute yellow chickie that is in Buddies mouth, and thought , I will pick that up for Zola....she is one, and would think it's cute....so I came home and put chickie on my kitchen table, went down in the family room and here comes Buddy with chickie in his mouth....tail wagging a mile a minute....so excited....I said No Buddy that is for Zola, and I took it away....he looked at me with those big brown eyes, his feet were tapping, it was like he was saying, thank you for my Easter gift, hurry can I have it back.....OK....how could I not give chickie back to Buddy....so Zola never did see chickie...but chickie never leaves Buddies side.....I always pick up all his stuffed toys and put them in his toy box (yes he has a toy box)....by the end of the day, every stuffed toy is back in the family room.....LOL

Feeling better, but I still have pain from the shingles.....I went back to curves, working it very very slowly....and I'm taking 3 advil every 4 or 5 hours....so next will be an ulcer. I never realized that shingles could be so darn painful....

Ah huh!!!!!

2010-03-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

"Let me get this straight......we're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committees whose chairmen admit they don't understand it; passed in two separate versions by the House and the Senate, neither of which has read it, but both of which exempt themselves from it; and, unable to agree as to its content or merit, will reconcile it rather than vote on it; the president, who is a smoker, and has not read it, will sign it; funding will be administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes; all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese; and financed by a country that's broke.

What the hell could possibly go wrong???"

SHINGLES, AND I DON'T MEAN ON MY ROOF

2010-03-17T17:15:00.003-04:00

First of all, thanks everyone for there comment on my granddaughter....she is a peach...I haven't even turned on my computer for days...I have been blessed with SHINGLES.....if you never had it, and know someone who has, believe me say a prayer for them...because it is nasty....I am taking meds, and used up my cream which cost me $80. even with insurance...my cream is now out, so call doctor as to what over the counter med i could use...she recommended HCT cream... It did not blister, but big red spots on back and a few on my left breat...shingles also comes on the inside of the same area....with shooting pains....oh I'm sorry this is not an up lifting blog....just had to ask for a prayer....I am feeling better though, so prayer must be working....

I look forward to my Tues and Wed night for American Idol....what can I say, I have the music in me...my favorite is Crystal Bowersox......even if she wasn't from my area, i would vote for her, she is amazing...so GO CRYSTAL GO......

A memory made....

2010-03-10T18:25:00.003-05:00

Making a memory....wow this little girl is so talented....and she just happens to be my granddaughter....she is 17 and played Ado Annie in Oklahoma at there school musical....she was so darn funny, and her voice blows peoples mind....because out of that tiny little body comes the voice of an angel.... plus she can dance too.....she is planning on going into musical theatre.....either you have the talent or you don't and she certainly has it....

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As a child I took dance, singing, toe tap...but you would never know it now....I did it more for my mom....she was really into it....LOL.....but now I know how my mom felt when she saw me up on stage....(I was pretty good at tap, and my dance teachers favorite....)...I feel ever so much pride in watching J perform....I'm sure she must have gotten some of it from me....LOL (NOT)...I can't get over how she can get up infront of all those people, and never forget a line.....or miss a note...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
American Idol has started.....and I feel the front runner is Crystal Bowersox.....not only does she live in my area, but her voice is awesome....she is a real entertainer.....

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well that's it for now....I thought I would write all the time when winter started, but for some reason, I just lost my drive for writing....and Spring is almost here.. my backyard looks like dirty mud....and my back hurts just looking at all I have to do....I have to buy some more advil, for my bottle I had expired in 2007.....no wonder it doesn't work....LOL....have a good evening...

2010-02-09T19:51:00.002-05:00

The snow sat on the end of the dead blooms of the spirea plant....I thought it was a pretty picture..... but then, it might just be in the eye of the beholder....

Big Storm in Forecast....

2010-02-08T06:11:00.002-05:00

We have been so luckey this year...not much snow....sorry for the people who got snowmobiles, but not sorry for this old granny.....the last so called "big storm" which was friday and sat. left maybe 3", but the blowing is what was the trouble....we had big drifts that appeared from that 3"....now this "big storm" is suppose to drop over 6".....which is alot for me....My daughter lori always laughed at our school closings....when her kids were little in Indiana, they would have solid ice, and still no school closings....but Michigan and Indiana always have alot of snow....so I guess they would have a permenant delay in winter if they called it all the time they rec'd a "big storm" warning....

Going to Curves now, and then to breakfast.....I don't need anything special for the "big storm", for I stocked up for the last "big storm".....LOL....well I do wish this storm would bring me some energy to do some cleaning.....I have really felt lazy lately....but I guess with Maxie's death, and 3 of my friends are in FL. and the other one is in TX.....I figure I deserve a few days on the couch reading....and I'll finish with "Good Job Saints".....I was happy to see someone come from never winning a super bowl to winning....gotta leave....

Buddy is visiting grandma

2010-02-05T14:10:00.000-05:00

I never realized how much I talked to Maxie until he was gone....that's why the house seemed so quite and empty.....I received a card from the vet in memory of.....and it really got me thinking and sad, so I called Jen and ask if I could borrow Buddy.....

This is Buddy, he is about 10 years old and a good listener....the one thing about Buddy is he loves the toy box....silly me, I have a toy box for Maxie, who never even looked in it...but Buddy hauls out almost every toy in it, every time he came for a visit....usually after about a week with grandma, he gets homesick for his home with Joey, Jen, Zo and Bean (the other dog)....

So I do know I will need to get another dog....it is a must... I'll keep Buddy for a bit, but then I will have to start looking....I feel if I found one now, it would be almost like Maxie didn't matter....and I do miss him so much....for two boys Buddy and Max got along really well... they were Buds....this is an update of my dog situation.....

Maxies last day....

2010-02-04T20:03:00.000-05:00

This is my Maxie.....he was around 15 years old...Maxie was a stray that landed on my neighbor Sues front porch....in 1994 my dog Pierre died in March, and my husband died the same year in October....so I was alone when Maxie came into my life....when Sue brought him down (she thought I'd like him) and I kept him over night...he pooped all over, and so out he went.....and I get a knock on the door and it was Sue she was back with Maxie.....she said, he must have gotten out....no, I don't want him.....I went to work and when I got home he was still parked on Sues porch, so I went and got him....we called vets, checked out the carry outs, and paper, but no one reported him missing....so Maxie became my best friend.....what a blessing he was....I couldn't have ask for a better dog....when I took him to the vet for his check up when I got him, the vet thought he was around 2 years old....so he has to be 15 or 16 years old.....never knew for sure.... Maxie had a tumor on his eye lid....it showed up around a year ago....and he lost around 20 lbs....and his back legs would give out....when he slipped on the hard wood floor he couldn't get up....so I knew it was time....I cried all day Tues. and almost cancelled the appt. at vet, but didn't....at 6pm Joey took me and Max to Vet....and they put him on a blanket, and we pet him while he went to sleep....it's really hard to just leave him laying there, but he was going to be cremated and sprinkled in a garden....

I was find today until I received a a card from the vet...in memory of.....boo hoo....again....so I went down to my son Joes and picked up Buddy....he has two dogs so I am borrowing one....I just needed a doggie to hug.....

Sat. afternoon with Zo....

2010-01-30T20:52:00.002-05:00

Zo in her little blue jeans and pink striped sweater....spent a couple of hours with me, her grandma....she will be 1 on March 24.....

Here she is with a monkey that was my granddaughter Ali's....I read her a story with monkeys, so I had to have a monkey to show her....

The teddy bear on her lap was her daddy's....when he was little our neighbor Mary made Joey and Linda each a teddy bear....Joey's was worn out, so he took it back to Mary and ask her to fix it...so she made him this one....it had to be plain because he was a boy, and his daddy insisted...

Tea any one....

It was a very pleasant afternoon....Zo was an angel....when ever she heard music, she would start bouncing....she is a bouncer....I predict she will become a dancer someday.....LOL

A quiet weekend

2010-01-25T15:43:00.002-05:00

This is my daughter Lori....she brought me Coco Chennel to watch, while she flew off to Washington DC for the Right to Life march...Craig took pictures and said it was quite an experience....

This is Coco Chennel, sitting on my couch watching for bunnies, squirrels, or maybe for his grandma to return....

This is Zola and Sammy....it feels so good when grandkids get along and laugh.....

Zola is into her meal, while Sammy looks on with a black nose....Oh where could that nose have been....LOL

I spent a quiet weekend at home, for I did take a spill on Friday....bent my leg, and hit my head... but I am still living....if I forget something, I use the excuse of the bump on my head....LOL....but I feel that God was with me, for it could have been a real tragedy....I've always been a little wacky, so I don't see any difference.....well I'm going to go visit a few of my blogging friends now....

A Sunday on the Couch

2010-01-10T14:48:00.002-05:00

It's so cold outside....I just can't get myself to move off of the couch....today I am a couch potato... Yesterday I got up and grabbed my book and started to read still in my robe and jammies, and my friend Lola called.....to see if I wanted to go out to eat, shop and go see a movie...OK.....so I met her at the coffee shop, we picked up a couple of latte's and off we went. We seen Leap Year....it was cute, and a chick flick.....so when I got home around 3:30 I plopped back on the couch until 5 when I left for my friend Jeans house to eat and play cards....now it was so cold out side, I debated, should I or should I not go....but then I did, and had a good time...
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I finished my daughter Lori's book she wrote and it is sooooo good....it is called "Woven"....now she just had a few made through blurb and sent them to family and a couple friend, for comments....before she sends it off to a publisher....anyone who knows Lori knows what a great writer she is.....and this is fun, mystery, romantic.....really cool....
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Well I think i'll go back and read some more....it's 3:00...and soon I'll be watching Desperate Housewifes and Brothers and Sisters.....I'm so glad there is something to look forward too....

My new years eve.....

2010-01-01T17:33:00.002-05:00

Zola is checking out great grandma D......I thought this was a cute picture .....my nose your nose.....LOL.... I watched Zola last night for Joe and Jen....she was sleeping when I arrived, for the night, but at midnight firecracker went off right outside the house, and I believe they woke her up....so I patted her but with a shhhh, shhhh, shhhh....she would fall asleep, and I would sneak on out and get to the the bottom of the stair, and waaaaaa,.....so I would start all over again....after many attempts, I decided to take her downstairs.....she would laugh at the dogs, and coooo at the Christmas tree, and rub her eyes, so off we would go, back upstairs.....with some more shhhhing.....I even tried whistling a tune....she seemed to like that, but again it didn't last.... finally at about 2:30 she finally fell asleep, and Jen said she slept until 8 this morning....
I was so glad, because there was nothing more that I use to hate when coming home from having a drink or two, and having to try to get the baby to sleep...in the middle of the night..... so I finally got to sleep about 3:30 am....and was up to go to a friends house for breakfast....8 am i left home....why couldn't I say NO.....bacause there was food......LOL happy new years friends....

Christmas time.....

2009-12-28T04:29:00.003-05:00

Birthday plus Christmas makes a pretty busy time of the year....above is my daughter Linda who just turned 40....she is holding her little neice Zola......We surprised Linda with a party, which she mentioned she didn't want....but was surprised and happy to see her friends from work and classmates Camille and Stacey.....
Little Sam is in his own world....he never seemed to hear us say, Sammy don't pick your nose.... LOL....but he got fired up as the days went on....why is it little boys love picking their nose or talking potty talk, like poopy, butte,,,,,,for the birthday party was on Sat. (before Christmas) and we celebrated Christmas on that Sunday.....
My granddaughter Megan above with her mom (my daughter) Lori....I thanks God they are with us, for on their way to Toledo they hit black ice and totaled their car....Lori was suppose to arrive early on Sat for she had all the food....but that was tossed...presents were saved, and thank God Meggie or Luke wasn't in the car.....they (Craig & Lori) were on their way to pick up Meg when this happened....they arrived after the surprise....
Then on Christmas Eve I went over to Linda's house....she had an open house, with some friends and family....I didn't stay real long, because I was beginning to get a cold....then on Christmas day I went ate, and went home, and have been in my jammies since Christmas....it's cold and a bit snowy....I say a bit, because when I watch the news and see all the snow that is surrounding us, I say Thank You God.....but winter has just begun, and you never know what we will get next...Mother Nature can fool us.....

Hope everyone has had a wonderful, healthy Christmas....it's all about family and friends....

the lights at the zoo

2009-12-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

A trip to the zoo....lights at the Toledo Zoo are fabulous....my friend Diane and I bundled up, and went to see the lights...when we got their at 5:15 it was just getting dark, and not that many people....when we left around 6:30 it was wall to wall people....it was a nice night...they sell the best kettle corn.....so it's just a must to stop and buy a bag....

Oh Yes, I do believe in Sanata....

2009-12-01T08:09:00.003-05:00

OH YES, I DO BELIEVE IN SANTA....

When I was just a little girl

I'd wish with all my might...

That I might hear those jingle bells

Ringing in the night...

A stomping and a HO HO HO

I'd know that he was real...

Oh yes, I do believe I heard

One of the reindeer squeal...

***

The room in which I spent the night

Was cold and filled with apples...

While hiding under the blankets so warm

I'd sneak a bite, well... just to sample...

I finally fell a sleep that night

With dreams of what I'd find...

A bride doll, perhaps with brown hair

She was a beautiful sight...

***

Christmas morning I'd wake up at dawn

And creep on down the stairs...

The tree was lit with colored lights

And tinsel everywhere...

I'd hear a tinkling sound from bells

Bells hanging on the tree...

Oh I do believe in Santa Claus

For my bride doll was waiting for me...

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Christmas memories are so special....this really is the way I remember my Christmas's as a little girl....My dad made it all believable....from stomping on the porch while ringing bells, and he even made a huge wooden Santa display for our front yard, he added a motor and the arm waved at every one with music in the air....Christmas was simple back them...OK maybe not for my mom and dad...LOL...it seemed so sparkley....maybe that's why I love Vegas so much it's sparkley... The apples were really stored in our spare bedroom which was where I went to wait for Santa....and those apples smelled, and tasted so good..... I thought I'd share my Christmas poem I wrote, and in 25 days it will be Christmas again....and I wish I was that little girl back in the cold spare room with all the apples, waiting for my friend Santa Claus....

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The doll I am holding in the picture is the one I rec'd and it has my hair on it..when I got my hair cut, mom had it put on a bride doll.....I still have the bride doll, and my hair is a couple of shades lighter than it is now...a bit of auburn in it....and yes it was natural curley...

It's that time of year....

2009-11-21T12:47:00.003-05:00

Carpet is cleaned....tree is up....but not decorated....that comes tomorrow....we have always had a tradition to watch Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, while putting up the Christmas tree....that started way back when the movie first came out....my Jim loved that movie, so we made it a tradition....and I try and stick with it....it feels so good to get that much done....I usually always have my tree up the beginning of November....but getting ready for the craft shows I'm running a little behind....tonight I am going to see the Village Players stage show with my friend Lola and Bob....them and there neighbors have seasons tickets, but the neighbor Dennis, is out of town so I'm filling in....thanks Rosie for asking me....then tomorrow I am going to Lakes High Schools Winter Concert....Jenson is singing a solo in Latin....she sang it too me when I was over, and of course I bawled....she has such a beautiful voice....someday I know you will see her or hear her on screen....well gotta go for now.....going to go visit one of my blogging friends....one a day....LOL

The balloon release.....

2009-11-16T15:01:00.003-05:00

12 oclock noon, Linda and I released our balloons with our message to Ali......It was windy, so I thought they would zoom up and be off.....buttttt.....

Mine went the highest....and I thought it was off, but it decided to stay at the top of the tree in Linda's yard......and Linda's balloon......the red one......

Got stuck in the lower part of the tree......Linda's message must have been heavier.....so there they are.....and you know I think Ali is up their laughing, at the sight of us down below, yelling at the balloons, NO, NO, NO, keep going.....but those balloons had their own mind.....I did leave two more balloons at Linda's house for Jenson and Christopher to let go.....hopefully, they will make it to outer space.....

I think this was such a wonderful way to remember Ali.....my sister in law and brother in law each sent up a balloon.....in Reading Michigan.....I talked to Lori, Ali's mama and she sent a group of 5 up and watched them fly over the Lake in GrandHaven, Michigan.....Lori said a girl she grew up with (Denise) works with the elderly, and she was having them send up balloons....Lori hadn't heard from her in years, but she saw what Lori wrote on her wall, about the balloon release and notified her what she was going to do....and Ali's then boy friend's sister is a teacher, and was having the kids release balloons....I just wish there was a way to find out where all the balloons were released at....ya know the city, or state.....thanks to Facebook, friends popped up from everywhere.....

I was pretty sad at first when I saw my balloon stuck in the tree, but hey, it was the thought that counted.....let me say again, "I love you Ali " and you still have many friends that love you....

Happy Birthday Ali 11/16

2009-11-14T10:49:00.004-05:00

Ali you made this granny proud...

For 17 years you made me laugh our loud...

You've always been a special child...

Thinking of others...with always a smile...

Today you would have turned 22...

That makes me sad, and forever blue...

But know that on this day...you'll see...

Lots of balloons flying your way...

For you have sooooo many friends...

Who loved you until the very end...

YOU'LL ALWAYS BE LOVED...

BY GRANNY JUDY

p.s. I'd send you a Starbucks, if I could...

Photo by Craig Vanderlende

The last signs of Autumn....

2009-11-05T05:50:00.003-05:00

Pearson Park.....the smell was of dried leaves, and I went every couple of days to capture the difference in the color....the above picture was taken on my last visit....such a peaceful place to take a walk, and to think it's a free place to go....I know we pay taxes, but what a price for such beauty....

This little guy was at Maumee State Park.....it was almost dark, and my friend and I was walking on the boardwalk.....I was snapping pictures, when I heard a noise....and there he was....I just heard on the news today, that the city of Ottawa Hills is trying to hire sharp shooters for gaming, to kill off some of the deer population....it makes me sad to think of that....I know they can be menacing but I think of those deer like the one above.....with those big brown eyes....OK, so mine has white eyes....because of the flash....but I did help him out with my photoshop.....but this is before I did.....

Again at Maumee State Park, another free beautiful spot to visit....I just love nature....maybe it was growing up in this spot, along the water, and all the beautiful trees....and as a young person my mine was in another world......well even as an old person my mind is in another world...LOL

Well I'm going to go visit one of my bloggers now.....I have to read one a day, to catch up....so who knows it may be you today.....if not it will be tomorrow, or the next......and then finishing up my herbal heat packs for the sale Sat.....and if possible I'm going to rake some of those beautiful dried leaves, that don't have the same appeal in my yard...... see Ya...................

Who scared Who?

2009-11-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

The beauty of Autumn....

2009-10-14T11:48:00.002-04:00

Above are the steps at Side Cut Park....

Above is a cluster of crab apples.....they look just like regular apples, but they are tiny.

A couple of colorful trees.....at Side Cut Park

This is the most beautiful grass I have ever seen....they look like a red bronze, and it is the first time I ever saw grass like that...they almost sparkle.....this picture and the one below was taken at Maumee State Park, just as you enter the boardwalk....

I hope the color lasts into next week, for it's suppose to be warmer....right now I'm sitting inside because it is raining and cold.... I made Note Cards with these photos and added quotes on the photo....

I'm getting ready for my craft show, and I'm trying to complete each craft that I'm taking... I'm selling my framed and matted photo's, Christmas Cards with metal bookmarks, another kind of bookmark, pack of 8 Note Cards and magnetic bookmarks....along with beaded bracelets, and last but not least, my herbal heat packs....boy flax seed went up so much in price....but I like the texture and the softness of flaxseed....everything is ready except for my herbal packs so I've got to get back to sewing now, catch ya later, and thanks for stopping by....judy

Those Autumn Leaves....

2009-10-05T17:07:00.003-04:00

I love Autumn....it is my favorite time of the year....all the beautiful colors....it's a perfect time for camera's and paint brushes....these pictures were taken a couple years ago in Michigan....time for some new shots.....

Life sure has changed.....because of some....

2009-09-20T08:18:00.002-04:00

How many of you have snapped a picture of your baby or young child naked? In the tub, or running around in just a hat, so innocent....I know i have.....it was so cute seeing them sitting in the bathtub full of bubbles and their hair curled in a peak on top of their head....never thought a thing of it....but because of those perverted freaks out there that snap pictures of innocent children and posting them on line, we have lost our freedom of an innocent cute snapshot....I just saw on the news that last year this young couple took pictures of their young children in the bathtub naked.....had them printed at Walmart, and they reported them to the police....the lady lost her job in a school....and they were reported as sex offenders....they have been going through hell.....the judge threw the case out.....but this will follow them forever.....it just kills me the thought of all our freedoms that we have lost, because of some......

How funny, brings back memories....

2009-09-14T05:50:00.004-04:00

Oh this really brings back memories....I can remember mom saying these things to me....back in the 40's and 50's .... if moms say this now, someone I'm sure would call it abuse....I don't know who wrote this, for I got it in a traveling email.....but I want to say thank you, for making me laugh....

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.

'2. My mother taught me RELIGION.'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3.. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC..'Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY.'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13 My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out. '

14.My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way..'

19. My mother taught me ESP.'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT..'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22.My mother taught me GENETICS.'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my all time favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.'

Watching the baby

2009-09-13T21:13:00.003-04:00

Zola is almost 6 months old....and don't like strangers....this evening after sitting in the hot sun watching Christophers football game, I went home and Zola came over....her mommy and daddy went out to eat with Zola 's mommies sister and her hubby.....while I was sitting there with her, she was playing with her toys....being a very good little girl, and then my two daughter and their hubbys came back from Washington DC to pick up Coco, Lori's baby dog....and when Lori took her, she wasn't sure if it was ok, and then Lisa took her, and she screamed......so Craig, grandpa scary took her, and she screamed....until they left.....then she played again, until I walked out on the deck...the neighbors Geri and Ron walked over to see her....and yep she screamed......once I went back in she was good until about the last half hour before her mommy and daddy came home....nothing seemed to please her, she didn't want her bottle....and usually when I sing and walk with her she quiets down....but not today....my back was killing me....I'm old, and not use to walking with a baby back and forth.....I started to do the shhhh shhhh shhhh shhhh as I walked and she shut up and went to sleep.....well it dawned on me that that is what her daddy does when he walks her....so it must of made her feel comfortable.....I'm so happy because my son got a promotion, a raise and is now on days.....hallelujah

I just finished a half a glass of cranberry wine.....and now I'm going to bed....catch ya tomorrow...