My Grown Up Christmas Wish

Merry Christmas to my Family
(This is the first year we are not all together)


Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee;
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now,
Can you still help somehow.
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my life-long wish,
My grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And every man would have a friend,
That right would always win,
And love would never end.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

As children we believed
That the grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath the tree.

Well Heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And every man would have a friend,
That right would always win,
And love would never end.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And every man would have a friend,
That right would always win,
And love would never end,

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

This is my life-long Christmas wish.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

Amy Grant - Grown Up Christmas List
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Linda, Sisters of the Heart

When asked how long we've been friends the usual reply is to look at each other, give a smile, and then I usually start with:

" Wasn't it when Tim gave you the surprise birthday party?"

Then we both begin to start counting the years backwards, laughing, recalling stories, and stopping with disbelief at how long we've been friends.

We may just as well be sisters. Come to think of it, we are! [smiles]

Linda and I have a bond that extends through countless layers. Perhaps that's exactly what makes our friendship so special. I don't think there is one thing we haven't shared with each other. [ I HAVE shared all with you, you better not be holding out on me, *wink]

A while ago, I gave Linda a Christmas gift enclosed in this silver hinged Christmas ornament. It evolved into passing it back and forth each year, with a small gift inside.

This year it was my turn to get the ornament. Inside, I found this awesome keyfob by Brighton. Isn't this too cool? She knows my love of Brighton jewelry and themed it with this years nautical fun.

Actually, Linda just knows me. Thank you Linda.

Love, Nancy

What a Year

It's a week before Christmas, and all through my brain,
Are thoughts of the past year, the fun, the insane.

I've enjoyed boating and fishing, friends and new places,
Shared good times with Don watching the Tigers run bases.

The scales were tipped, on the upside this year,
I have many memories of good times I hold dear.

In February, Sandi and I had a Florida vacation,
It opened my eyes to wanting a "relocation."

To celebrate Don's birthday, it was Nashville in June,
We met Timmy and Trish in a local saloon.

Graduations, an anniversary, weddings, and dinners,
Time spent with friends and family are always a winner.

Don and I worked hard for our Cabo trip, and now that it's done,
We've begun planning and working towards another one.

I'm blessed with good health, my job, and a home,
My kids are the ultimate, a reward, and so grown!

2010, what's waiting? what's coming my way?
I'll take what unfolds and be grateful for each day.


Merriment and Mirth
To you and those you hold close.

Busy or Lazy?

Probably a toss up ... equally ... both.

And...

I have blogstipation.

Summer is over, fish fodder, lake photos, and writing about summer fun has ended. Actually, fishing has come to a temporary halt. Temporary meaning, I'll be fishing next week in Cabo wooooo-hoooo.

Yesterday, Don took the fishing boat out of the water ice. See the metal walls in the canal? As she cut through the ice, the sound echoed a farewell to summer down the canal and out into the lake.

**********

Tuesday morning my sister Sandi and her husband Gary, Don and I, leave for a week in Cabo San Lucas. None of us have been there before. I've heard great stories about Cabo, and we are all looking forward to the warm weather. I'll write more as we experience it.

And then, once we're back, I may realize that Christmas is thisclose and I don't have a decoration up or a present bought. I think that's where the lazy part comes in.

I'm busy being lazy.

Novem-berrrrrrrr

I dislike cold, rainy, winter weather. We have been lucky so far, it's the end of November and we've had temperatures into the 50's. Yet, that's still too cold for me.

Just at the end of Don's canal,heading out into Lake St. Clair.
It was foggy!

This past Saturday, Don and I took advantage of what very well may be our last time fishing before he has to pull the boat out of the water. The morning started out foggy and crisp, but when the sun came out it was beautiful. I had on 3 hoodies and a couple long-sleeve T-shirts, but the sun was warm on our faces. The lake was calm and the fish were, meh, but it didn't really matter, we were having a great time.

********

One of Don's friend's band was playing at a local pub Saturday night so we went to see them. Don and John have been friends for a long time. Don wanted to wear a certain shirt that night, all in jest for his friend. Actually he has worn it before to the casino for luck. I love the shirt, I think he wears it well. Its black, accented in red velour, [yes you read that right] and the buttons are dice. When I saw what John had on ... it was clear to me why they are friends!


I never got a straight answer on the name of the band. I think these guys have played together for a long time switching out players at times, regrouping and renaming. They were quite good.

As I watched them and looked at the cast of characters, I realized they were all 180 degrees different from each other, but whatever, it worked!


The keyboard player was a Napoleon Dynamite clone, the bass player Jack Black, and the guitar player was the "fat middle school kid with beet red cheeks that takes guitar lessons to attract girls." He was awesome, probably the best musician in the band. The lead singer was right out of Liverpool England (well, in his mind) looking like a 60's Beatle boy. Don's friend was the drummer. He reminded me of Woody from Toy Story. It was a fun night, I look forward to seeing them again.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I count my blessings and I am truly thankful for my health, my job, friends, and family.

Voted 2009 Word of the Year

UNfriend

The prestigious New Oxford American Dictionary has chosen their 2009 word of the year. The definition is:

unfriend - verb - To remove someone as a 'friend' on a social networking site such as Facebook


I have a FaceBook account, as well as MySpace, Twitter, and this blog. I never update or use MySpace, in fact I should just delete it. My blog has taken a back seat to my busy summer and my addiction to FaceBook.

My FaceBook account is a quick easy way to keep up-to-date with some bloggers, friends, and family. I've recently been using it to connect with classmates I lost touch with.

::: Waving hi to Barb, Angie, and Diane :::

I had acquired a couple hundred "friends" and started to wonder ... why am I on these friend lists and why do I have so many I don't really follow? I started looking through my list.

Some were bloggers, people that I still read their blogs, yet have no idea about their day to day lives and therefore, I'm lost in the dust with their "status updates." I had quite a few friends and family that didn't keep their news feed up-to-date, and rarely, if ever, commented or left a note on my FB wall. Even my kids friends have "friended" me. Ironically, they comment on my wall more than some of my personal friends.

Point being, I had more "friends" that sat along the wall, not a peep or update out of them, than active connections.

Don and I have "friended" some of the same people. One night, we were both on FB and I saw updates from mutual friends that weren't showing up on my wall. After checking around, I found out FB doesn't post every update, how could they? It's more of a random thing. So if you have a few hundred friends, you're not getting every ones status updates.

I suppose it's no big deal, but there are some people that I enjoy their humor, or their news links and they were getting bumped by my having friended so many.

So, I did the unthinkable ****G A S P **** I unfriended people off my list. I started slicing and dicing and knocked off close to 75 names. After the purge, I did a "status update" about it and I had several people follow suit, saying they totally agreed, and pared their lists too.

Now, I get more updates from the majority of the people on my list. I no longer go crazy trying to go back through updates seeing what I missed, and I'm able to comment more on others updates.

I was listening to a debate on a radio show on this whole issue. The callers and the radio personalities were hilarious with their opinions. You can just imagine ... the whiners, the politically correct theories, the friend collectors ... a whole blog post of its own!

How did we ever survive without social networks?

Conversation Hearts: Blonde to the Roots, Dumb like a Fox

For new readers, my tag "Conversation Hearts" has always been about my daughter Caitlin.

It's been awhile since I've written about her, or my son Bryan. When Cait was at home, it was easy pickings for blog fodder. She has always been the light in a room and the never ending ball of energy.

As both Bryan and Caitlin get older, I try to hold back on the writing and keep theirs lives private. Plus, if they ever decided to write a blog, yikes, the "Mom" stories they could pay me back with! J/K .... sorta.

When Caitlin was a junior in high school, she decided she wanted to become a cosmetologist. Although I'd have preferred the path to a 4 year degree, I know my kid. Strong willed! I wonder where that comes from? [looking everywhere except in the mirror]

Cait went to beauty school in 11th and 12th grade, graduated from high school and beauty school within a month of each other. At age 18 she moved out to be the 2006 version of Mary Tyler Moore [throws hat in air] "You're gonna make it on your own."

She immediately began doing hair while keeping her waitress job that she had since age 15. When the salon she worked at begin to feel the hard times most small businesses in Michigan are, she found another to work in. She stayed on at that salon until the day the locks were changed, it had to close too.

Not one to miss a beat, she kept her waitress job, began to do hair out of her my kitchen, and started cleaning offices at night.

The maintenance company sold a few contracts and that job ended. She still has the job at a local pub, but it's so slow, they cut her hours. And hair? Yes, she still has her clients, but most are stretching their appointments as far apart as possible because of their financial crunches.

I know things are tight for her. She has an apartment and the bills from living on her own to go with it. I offered her to come live with me. She teases we'd not last a week under the same roof together, but in truth, I know she's her mother's daughter.

I moved out at 18 and never moved back home, part being bullheaded, but mostly because I wanted to be independent. I think Cait is like me in that way. I'm lucky both my kids have been financially self-supporting. I've never had to pay car insurance, cell phone bills, bail them out of over extended charge cards, or buying expensive"peer pressure clothing" for them.

Cait had a rough month. As hard as she tried, she felt in a slump. Then, she totally blew me away. She decided to go talk to a counselor at a local college. She took some tests and took their advice on a career change.

I asked her about financing. She has it handled. First year should be fine. No student loans, she qualified for a couple grants. She'll start next semester. Yet, in all the excitement, she STILL was applying for jobs. [She's never been without a job] She starts tomorrow at DSW [shoes] ... oh the joys! At the end of the week my Imelda Marcos Caitlin will have to sign over her check. ;)

Oh, her tests? Pharmacy. She's going to become a pharmacist.

I am so proud of her, she's still the brightest light in the room!

Cait and Lola

To read some funny/cute "Cait" stories, click on the Conversation Hearts tag below:

:: shrugs:: I just don't Understand

I got a 'script for an antibiotic today.

Cipro 500 10 pills

Since I don't have prescription coverage, I went to Meijers because they charge:
NOTHING ... FREE.

The were out of stock.

I next went to Walgreens and their charge:
$22.00

I crossed the street, walked into CVS. Their cost:
$11.00

I got in the car (thinking I'll wait until tomorrow and go back to Meijers) and called Kroger.
$4.00

These prices were for brand name, not generic.

I already have experienced the cluster fuck the health care system is in, but could someone please explain this whole med's pricing difference to me?

What IS wrong with a regulation on this (and other medical billing/charges) being put in place vs allowing private businesses obviously in control of their stock holders PROFIT margins? There has to be middle ground somehow, government vs privately run health care.

There is a whole lot of money being wasted made.

Profit is trumping actual health care.

Laughter, Always the Best Medicine

I'd like to think the majority of the lines on my face tell a story of laughter over the years.

Don an I have a comfort zone as far as teasing, laughing, and joking. We can easily find humor in most situations, whether appropriate or not. [smirk]

Some of those stories aren't repeated because they translate to a "you had to be there" kind of tale.

This one may fall in that category, but even as I type, I can't help to reinforce these laugh lines a bit more.

Don and I have an on-line store.

[Not PicYourFetish, there's nothing for sale there, just visuals]

Recently, we were listing golf wind jackets. I took the photos and decided, meh, fresh out of the package they were wrinkled, they didn't show that the sleeves roll-up and button, and didn't quite do the jacket justice.

I decided it would look better on someone for the photo ... a model.

"Oh Dahhhhhnnnn"

I recruited him with promises he'd have final say. [Mhm, right]

So, I had him put one on. I rolled up one sleeve and lead him out onto the balcony for his photo shoot.

I'd like to post the out takes, but really, they have been deleted. Here's where I'm being kind, but only because I've learned over the years paybacks are a bitch!

After I settled on the pics and used them in the ads, and published them, I got the giggles.

I began dissecting the photo and laughing until I thought I'd pee mah pants.

[Enter the feeling this is one of those "ya had to be there moments"]

I give you the cliff note version ...

Here we have Don, a former Sears model, I'm sure, wearing the jacket, one sleeve rolled up to show how it buttons.


Right hand placed as such because the first few photos had him unconsciously placing his hand in his front jean pocket with all fingers in except the middle finger, whereby flipping off the photographer!

His left hand at first was resting comfortably on the front of his leg, fingers slightly curled inward, in a relaxed position until I realized it was way too close to "center" and he was looking more like a rapper just about to grab his crotch.

He moved it ... so now we have an "ex-deli-lunch-meat slicer" that sliced off all his fingers just below the last knuckle.

I'm thinking he has a career change coming!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yes, laughter IS a good medicine. Last Wednesday, Dons father, was taken into ER and ended up having triple by-pass open heart surgery. As the family waited on pins and needles for the next 3 days, the amount of humor that came out was the key to everyone keeping it together.

"Seriously Uncle Dan, did you have to give Bailey a wet willy just as she was saying good-by to her Grandpa before they wheeled him into surgery?"

"And Cindy? We all thank you for the hilarious antic of accusing someone of taking your car keys while we were all out to dinner ... only to exit the restaurant an hour and a half later to find your car unlocked, keys in ignition, and still running in the parking lot!"

"Darren? The nurse explaining there had to be a bowel movement before leaving was directed towards your father, but we were all glad her directions moved you."

Don Sr. had everyone smirking as he "innocently" described how the nurse had to shave him and how he now sports a Mohawk! I think that opened the community brain storming for a new business, with Brad as CEO ... "Manscaping" ... by Brad Scissorhands.

Casey handled cooties like a champ and Cheyne had his Grandpa joking about the "pajama" pants he wore to visit him.

Even Don's mother Janet didn't miss a beat with her endless fast thinking. She realized with his driving restrictions, she'll be at the wheel and they could end up at the casino on her whim!

Don's father is doing so well, he'll be released to go home sometime today.

Janet? Get your nickles ready ;)

The Sweetest Day Night

I pretend not to get all sucked up into those "Hallmark Holidays". I wasn't going to mention it unless Don did first. He did, [here's where you pause and say, awe, how sweet].

Don gave me a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers and roses. He also took me to dinner, surf and turf, Mmmmm. The entertainment was apropos for the occasion.

The entertainer that night was Mark Randisi. Mark is a local singer, yet he has performed through out the U.S. and Europe. He's performed with many world-class singers and musicians. Mark's sound is a tribute to Frank Sinatra. If you close your eyes ... you just may think it's ole blue eyes himself.

Curious as to how close he sounds like Frank? I found him here on YouTube.

Here is a photo of Frank Sinatra with his buddies,
alleged members of the mafia.
(one of them may or may not be a great uncle of Don's)

Westchester Premier Theater in 1976

From left to right: Paul Castellano, Greory de Palma, Frank Sinatra, Thomas Marson, Carlo Gambino, Jimmy Frattiano, Salvatore Spatola. Bottom row: Joe Gambino, and Richard Fusco.

Wedding Bells, Backwoods Style

Saturday night Don and I went to a "hillbilly" wedding and reception.

The themed party was at the Huron Pointe Yacht Club. Everyone dressed as hillbillies. NASCAR folk (sorry for the label), trailer trashy, and Deliverance type hillbillies.

Don Bubba and I Sugar Britches, made sure we had our finest on. My red flannel shirt tied at the waist and just low enough to show my tit-tat. Bubba had his cut-off shirt over his wife-beater and all 13 of his tat's showing. We had matching neck tat's ... shooting stars.

In anticipation of being the bride, Don bought me a diamond ring. Indeed, a beautiful heart shaped diamond ring. It has to be 50 carats if not more. There is no doubt it's real. The best part, it's totally adjustable!


When we walked in, our names were put in a "bucket" ... gals in one guys in another. Once the preacher finished his drink and put down his stogie, the weddin' plannin' began. Names were drawn and a bridal party was picked, along with the bride and groom.

Our friend Mary, dressed like Elle Mae Clampett, sans blond hair, critters, and a c-ment pond, was picked as the flower girl. Needless to say, flower girls are notoriously shy, so to conquer her fears, Mary threw back a few vodka's & Coke.


Don was picked to be the father of the bride, and the groom. Yes, his role was father and in true (alleged) southern backwoods style, both bride and groom were his "children". With shotgun in Bubba's hand, the bride proceeded down the newspaper taped together aisle.

The drunk joyful bride and her brother groom
with "dad" in the background waving his shotgun in celebration.


Oh, and here is Bubba's friend,
who is also Mary's boyfriend, Homer:

They're Creepy and They're Kooky...

"Mysterious and spooky,
They're all together ooky,
The Addams Family"

Don and I went to a Halloween Party last Saturday night.

By now, ya'll know Don shaves his head. This has been a theme for his Halloween costumes in the past.

Mr. Clean:

Howie Mandel - Deal or No Deal:

This year ... Uncle Fester

That leaves me as Morticia or Wednesday. I picked Morticia. Somehow Uncle Fester partying with his brother's wife was less creepy that Uncle Fester partying with his niece!

We went to a bar party, at Brown's on Harsen's Island. Their annual party to beat all parties. So many people attend, they set up huge tents to handle the amount of people that show up. People also come by boat, dock at Brown's, and just party on their boats. Lots and lots of people.

In the bar was a DJ, wall to wall people, and many costumes. You can imagine how many Playboy Bunnies, kittens, angels, devils, police women, sexy pirates, sexy witches, etc., were there. Any theme you can think of, some bimbo had it on in micro size.

Not me, I was going as Morticia full tilt. I had a long black wig, long sleeves, long to the floor black dress, black leather to the knee boots and white face make up.

I was overheated! I didn't even have a drink and I thought I was going to pass out. We went outside to the tents. Even though they were heated, they were a bit cooler. The tents had a DJ too ... and a parade of women half dressed. How come men don't "half dress"?

Oh, the tent also had a stripper pole for the drunk women amateur to try out.

I was still overheating.

As I looked around, it became clear these women had it right all along ... they certainly weren't hot ... well they were "hawt", but not over heating.

Especially Ms. Camo. Get this ... she had on a camo thong and camo body paint. Yep, painted on leafs for a top! She certainly wasn't hot ... actually, at times you could tell she was cold!

Isn't that public nudity? How did she even get in? [smirk] I wonder, if her Tarzan-ish boyfriend had painted on his loin cloth, would they have let him in? Hey, why DIDN'T he just paint on a loin cloth?

When we first got there, Kim took pics of us pre-makeup melt, but she lost her camera, so the only pic I have is after the makeup started to come off.

Uncle Fester and Morticia:


Uncle Fester was such a hit,
strangers were stopping him to pose for a picture!

Kim was an awesome Vampire and Mickie was an adorable Pirate!

(not sure who the naughty school girl is)

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Like most everyone else, I though this song was about LSD. I'm glad to hear it isn't. I only wish I had known it was about Lucy, a little girl John Lennon's son Julian had gone to nursery school with. The story of Julian bringing home a picture he drew of Lucy (in the sky with diamonds) was tainted with the added bit that the main letters in the title pointed to LSD. The lyrics would easily back that theory.

Lucy (Vodden) died 9/22/2009 of lupus. Julian had recently reconnected with her and remained in touch to help her get through her days.

Lucy, may you find pain free happiness in the sky with stars diamonds.

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green,
Towering over your head.
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes,
And she's gone.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies,
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,
That grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore,
Waiting to take you away.
Climb in the back with your head in the clouds,
And you're gone.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Picture yourself on a train in a station,
With plasticine porters with looking glass ties,
Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,
The girl with the kaleidoscope eyes.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Lucy in the sky with diamonds

She Doesn't Miss the *313

I was unloading my camera and sorting through my photos, downloading them to their appropriate folder when I realized I have quite a few of Don's daughter Tyler.

Tyler, aka Chick, was home a couple weeks ago. I spent more one on one time with her this last visit. She's a beautiful girl, inside and out, and wise beyond her years.

She's been living in Naples Florida for a year, but the burbs of Detroit is her home. I think she could forget about ever living in Michigan (because of the winters), but her roots, family, and friends are the beacon that brings her home.

I know Detroit has a bad reputation (understatement) for crime, thugs, drugs, etc., but our kids have grown up in the burbs and are sheltered from that reality. On the flip side, they have lived with it as always being a common occurrence heard on the news and see in the papers ... all that real crap that goes down "in the hood." Dare I admit we all get a bit desensitized to it?


On the way home from the airport, she and Don stopped at a bar for a drink. (Yes, she's over 21) After getting a table, Don went to get them a drink. Before he got back, some dudes started a brawl. A fist pounding, blood splattering, call the cops and an ambulance brawl. Welcome back to the "D" Ty!

The next night, she went out with her girlfriend. Sure enough, another fight broke out. Girls fighting this time. These places really aren't in Detroit, but the outskirts of.

Ty's reaction was, "Yep, home, back in the "D".

Ty, I couldn't love you more if you were my own daughter!


*313 is Detroit's area code

Is my Boyfriend a Super Hero?

Last Sunday, 1:00 a.m.

Don is snoring (a nice soft kind, not the freight train kind)

I'm awaken by a sound.

"fffttt-fftttt-fffttt"

Crap, something is flying around in this room ... in the dark!

Nancy: "Don, something is flying around in this room."

Don: [still asleep] "It's just birds outside."

Nancy: "Nope, it's in here"

Don: " zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

So I got up, turned on the bathroom light and looked around.

Nothing

Listened

Nothing

Went back to bed, fell asleep.

"fftttt-ftt-fttt-fftttt"

W- I- D- E- A- W- A- K- E

Nancy: "Don, there IS something flying around in here."

Don: [asleep, but a wee bit annoyed I'm waking him up] "It's the birds outside."

Nancy: [thinking] FUCK THIS SHIT (oops, but that IS what I thought)

I was too afraid to get up because at that point I figured it was a BAT. I've read if they get in your hair, they freak and may bite. Soooooooo....

Under the covers I went. My head was covered and I cocooned my body in the sheets. I decided to wait it out until the sun came up.

"fttt-fttt-fttt"

There is a door wall at one end of the room, a window at the opposite end. It was going back and forth trying to get out.

I was sweating like a sumo wrestler in a sauna under the covers.

About 5:30 a.m, Don got up to use the restroom. As he walked back into the room I said:

"I just heard it again ! ! ! "

Then it flew right into him. [expletive]

Now, he believed me.

We turned on all the lights and couldn't find it. We opened the door wall, shut off the lights, closed the door and hoped it found it's way out.

Monday night, I didn't stay at Don's ... but the bat did!

Poor Don was awaken by it flying around again. He got up and read online how to get them to leave the house. FYI - lights out, door/window open, light on outside ... then it should leave.

So now, Tuesday night, I'm home and hoping tonight Don isn't awaken by "fftttt-ffftttt-fftttt"

Hummmm, maybe it was Don all along ... could he be ...

"Over-baaaaaaaaaaaay"

Bottom of the 9th: Jays 5, Tigers 2

BUT, we had fanfunkintastic seats!
First row behind visitors dugout.

Beer, hot dogs, peanuts, down by 3, did I mention great seats?

We also had the drunk guy standing/walking/moving/ behind, to the side, and in front of us non-stop yelling to Toronto's 1st baseman Lyle Overbay.

"Over-baaaaaaaaaaaaay" x's 500 x's a million decibel's.

We never did figure out why he was yelling at him and Overbay had his drunk-dar earplugs properly in place.

Abrey Huff hit a homer to tie the game.

Then the rain started.

Damn, did we have great seats!

Bottom of the 10th Brandon Inge scores on Alex Avila's hit and with the win, the rain stops.


But, "Over-baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" didn't.

Detroit Tigers 6 - Toronto Blue Jays 5

Sorry Sherry, here's your happy campers:

P.S. Remember last game when I got a $30 parking ticket that I was going to fight? I took all kinds of photos of the area (panoramic view even) showing no signs posted, to send in with the unpaid ticket?

Yeah, I didn't remember it either until I got a late notice and an increase to $80.

That spot was always available to park at before ... always for night games.

So oops, I did it again! Another fricking $30 ticket.

I better get my Denny Crane brain going and do something about it.

Don and Janet - Truly a Love Story

Don's parents 50th wedding anniversary was August 26.

As I explained in my last post, Don and his siblings planned a surprise party for them. It was this past Sunday, over two weeks after the date. Although I suspect the element of surprise was spilled, the excitement and enjoyment was felt by everyone all afternoon.


I haven't known his folks long, but they are the kind of people that you warm up to almost immediately. Janet has the quickest, funniest, innocent comebacks to anything dished out. Don makes a great straight-man, sidekick. Don, aka "Waldo" has an uncanny ability to disappear into any situation only to pop-up in the most humorous ways.


I could go on and about their accomplishments in life, their trials and tribulations of raising kids, owning and operating a huge farm and produce business, all while dealing with life's ups and downs.


The true testament of love, devotion, determination, respect, appreciation, loyalty, companionship and friendship was witnessed on Sunday. The volumes of photo albums documented their 50 year road together thus far. Their children and grandchildren are the living links to future generations. The many friends and extended family that joined in the celebration, confirm what is apparent, Don and Janet have touched many lives and are loved by a community of friends, family, neighbors, and past employees.

I look forward to celebrating with them the next milestone!

Congratulations!

*The Rain, The Park, & Other Things

Friday: Don's boss gave him tickets to the Detroit Tiger's game ... Tiger Den seating. Don made dinner reservations for us and his folks. The seating allows us to watch the game while pigging out enjoying a fabulous buffet.

Unfortunately, he couldn't get in touch with his folks, so at the last minute asked another couple. Acquaintances of his ... never again, enough said. ( Do people still figure/tabulate/ask the waitress to divide to the penny, tabs for a couple bucks difference? Um, yes, was getting embarassing)

Our view, as we ate, sheltered from a misty rain game.

********************

Saturday: After Don got off work, we headed out fishing. It was kind of rough, but we made it out to our spot. Then it got worse. Then I was soaked. So was Don. The waves were so bad, the anchor wasn't holding, the boat was taking on water ... to my knees, and the fish weren't biting. Waves were coming up over and into the boat. As I looked around, I noticed we were the only ones on the lake. And above us? Coast Guard circling overhead. I wasn't worried, as I've said before, Captain Don knows what he's doing.

I had brought us each an extra jacket for warmth to wear on our way back because it has been getting cold when the sun goes down. Don looked at me and said "I think we should put our jackets on." I'm thinking no way, I don't want that to get wet too, I'll wait until it starts getting darker. Then he began to put a life jacket on me. Ohhhhh, THAT kind of jacket. Humm, he's never pulled them out, ever. Oooookay, I get it.

Long story short, Coast Guard kept an eye on us as Don made our way over these HuGe-AsS waves back to his canal. We were about an hour and a half on this roller coaster. I wasn't concerned at all, just frozen. We never said a word the whole way back. He was using all his skills keeping us on course, I was understanding the effects of washboard torturing.

I'm only going to say this once,sniff, then never speak of it again. The first thing Don has bought for me, may she RIP, didn't make it. She was in the pole mount on the top of the boat and must have flown out with all the waves hitting us.

Poor "PINK", she's swimming with the fishes.


********************

Sunday: Fake 50th Anniversary party BBQ at Don's sister's house for his folks. The real deal is a surprise, this coming Sunday, a big shin-dig at a beautiful Golf Club with many friends and family.

50 years!
August 26, 1959


Don and his mom, he's her first born.

His mom was a bit (understatement) disappointed her kids didn't have a party planned for them ... and she let everyone know it. Their anniversary was August 26th. She is the sweetest person walking this Earth and I'm sure later she'll feel bad for speaking out. We are all having a good laugh at her because she's been whining talking to her sisters about this disappointment, but keeping a smile face on for the rest of the family.

Oh see this sweet face?

She's Don's bro-in-law's mother. When they were all playing kickball, yes even his folks, I sat with her and enjoyed talking in circles with her sweet Alzheimer's self!

Just like in school, I wasn't picked for kick-ball?!?!

That's okay, I like a good gabfest of nonsensical BS every once-in-a-while.



And this is Scott. He and I seem to be the only ones that ever take photos, so we took one of each other since nobody else takes pictures of us!

*The rain the park and other things, yeah, that's a Cowsill song.

If I Had Health Insurance ...

... my premium would be approximately $659.00 a month
( just for me, no dependents)
with a $2500.00 deductible and a 70/30 copay.

I can't afford it.

But ...

Armada MI 2009 Fair

Just as we entered the gates, the first thing that hit me was the smell of manure.

The Armada Michigan, 2009 Annual Fair was in full swing.

We walked through the 4H area and smelled checked out some of the animals. Elle Mae Clampett and I have DNA from the same gene pool, so of course I loved (and wanted to hug) every one of these adorable animals. How can you raise them from a baby only to sell them to slaughter? I guess that's why I'm not a farmer.

Then, we headed over to the area where the demolition derby had already begun. Don's father and brother were in the packedlikesardines grandstand with Don's three little nephews. We made our way to them and ska-weeeeeezed in between the other sardines.

My-oh-my, what a riot! We all picked our "winning cars" and it began. I was so into it, I forgot Don's dad was sitting right there, forgot my "sweet lady demure" and began shouting rooting for my car! My car #77 came in second place.

Nothing like the Armada Fair Queen and her Court throwing beads out into the grandstands during the demolition derby!

Off to the beer tent. Wow, just wow. [said the city girl] Look at the size of this tent! They had a great band and one dancer. One, one handed cowboy dancing 'till the cows come home. The mechanical bull had a few giving it the ole I've-got-a-few-beers-in-me confidence try.


As we left through the gates, the first thing to hit me was, I had quit smelling manure 5 minutes into the night.

When's the Romeo Peach Festival?