Thursday, September 30, 2010

It's raining...no, it's pouring!

We are getting some a lot of needed rain. I woke up to the rain hitting the window by the bed. I wanted to stay and listen to it and drift back to sleep. Couldn't do it. Ellen had a school bus to meet and needed me to motivate her towards that goal =)

I keep the two little ones today. Yeah! Need to get something accomplished this morning before they come since I don't have help. Greta has classes this morning and works this afternoon.. I have a beef roast to put in the crock pot for dinner.....some days I think ahead!

An update on the insurance snafu.....a telephone call to an 800 number because the local office was swamped produced some results. A very nice lady looked at the case, wrote up a statement to send to the local office filled with correct information. In it was a request for a phone call to me. I had a hair appointment and didn't get home till mid afternoon. I was very surprised to have a message. My experience has been a call several days later if at all. The message said they are waiting on pay stubs from me or  documentation that I am no longer employed. How many times have I stated that I'm no longer employed......when were they going to let me know they needed something to confirm that (my word is not good enough?? and what exactly is documentation that I'm not working?? no paychecks?? ). Oh our ever efficient government offices. I left a message asking what it is they are looking for but contacted HR at my former employer to get this on it's way. So it will not be re-instated till I get the documentation to them. If I do get a return phone call, I will (will work really hard to control my tone) be nice, but I would like to know just when they were going to inform me that Ellen no longer had benefits and just what it was they were waiting on.  This has cost us some unexpected out of pocket dollars. I don't expect we will be reimbursed . Will be ok....don't like it but.....

I'm hungry. Need to make my breakfast smoothie. That will keep me going till my little ones arrive. It will be a good day!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I'm troubled....and a little bit mad, I confess

Sometimes things just don't happen as planned. Sometimes it's a real surprise. I'm not so sure I like that.

Today I went to the pharmacy to get refills for Ellen's meds. She has an insurance plan that covers the cost that our health insurance doesn't. (She has this because of her MR diagnosis). I was told I owe $77.  I said that couldn't be correct.....there shouldn't be a balance. They checked and said her plan ended on August 28. What??

How come I didn't know this? I had completed all the forms and sent them in before the due date.....even though the process nearly causes me to swear like a sailor. I hate those confusing forms.....it's the Government, I suppose confusion should be expected.

My stomach is in knots tonight. It was too late to get anyone on the phone......one office closed at 3:30 and the other one at 5. I couldn't even leave a message.....there were already too many left for them!!

I'll try to let this rest till I can do something about it in the morning. Whatever the problem is, I hope it can be fixed....or I'll be job hunting again....not cool, not cool at all =(

Monday, September 27, 2010

Check this out....

I read the Encouragement for Today devotional from the Proverbs 31 Ministries most mornings....... It comes to my email. Today Rachel Olsen has a wonderful devotional  entitled Being Perfect and a giveaway on her blog. Click on Rachel on my sidebar to check it out. 

I LIKE the giveaway.....I would be sooooo pleased to win it............. will be soooooooo pleased for anyone who does =)

Family Fun Sunday

Our Saturday was so busy. So, Sunday morning I felt really sloooow. Got up and had my coffee, of course, read the newspaper then decided it was time to get moving! I put my contacts in and something didn't seem right. Thought I must have dropped the right one when I went to put it in. But, no it was there..... I had them in the wrong eyes! Hate when that happens =) Just as we were really needing to leave for church, we could not find Ellen's good shoes ANYWHERE! I looked and looked for them.....she ended up deciding to change into school clothes and wear her sneakers! I hate when that happens too =/


Church was awesome as usual. Our pastor challenged us with a message on priorities. Then it was to Dale's Mother and sister's house for a fun day with the Fahnestock's. Dale's brother and his wife from Maine are spending some days in PA. Whenever we have a Fahnestock get together, you are sure to have plenty of delicious food to eat. Oh the desserts! Sooooo good! Nancy made 2 batches of homemade ice cream. It's been awhile since we had it and was out of this world good!


After everyone went home, the siblings and wives/husband sat with Mother and had a good time talking and laughing till after 10. We enjoyed hearing stories about our BIL's corn picking crew. (at least I think that's what he's doing....Hubby isn't home to ask if that's correct!) We learned that if you drink warm Mountain Dew you will be awake and going for 3 2 days =) (Hubby corrected me...but I guess I had the corn picking correct, haha!)


So now it's Monday. A rainy Monday. I have lots of dirty clothes to wash, a sink full of dirty dishes (ugh) and plenty of areas in this house needing attention. It has been 4 months since I walked away from employment and I haven't had time to be bored yet!


Oh, and by the way.....Ellen informed me last night (when she should have been in bed and sleeping) that she found her shoes in a Kohl's bag in her old bedroom. Why were they in a bag?? Why were they in that room??  I do not have a clue.........

Happy Monday!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Cheering and Chuck E Cheeses

   We had a busy Saturday. Ellen cheered at the challenger football game this morning...... came home for a shower and change.....then off to her favorite place for some fun with family and friends.....

 The pictures will do the talking. Pardon the quality....cell phone camera =/


Who wants a touch down?
We want a touch down!


BFF

*****************************************************************
Ellen's birthday was several weeks ago.
We really wanted to have a birthday party for her
but couldn't find a date to suit till today!
 Ellen LOVES Chuck E Cheeses and had a blast!

Ellen and her friend Ashley

Ashley and Brittney

Nicole and Elizabeth

A favorite game.
Brittney got lots of tickets!

Andrew's gonna play another game of basketball

Would Ellen want any other cake but chocolate?!!



Nicole knew what Ellen loves.....
PB cups!!

PopPop makes certain that Zoe has some fun too.
Riding the Ye-Haw (Aidan's name for a horse!)

Aidan and his Daddy bop some Quack-Quacks

Paityn stays close to Mommy when Chuck E Cheese is near by

Crowning the Birthday Girl

Lighting the candles on the chocolate chocolate cake!

Ellen gives it all she got!

Everyone loved the cake....especially the birthday girl!
Notice the ice cream flavor she chose....chocolate, of course!

Looks like Aidan is loving the cake too....

Silly Nana, of course I'm loving it!

Nicole and Ellen pose for another pic

Ellen wasn't sure about this thing...
the Ticket Blaster

Grabbing all the tickets she can as they fly all around her!
She got over 500 points from this thing!

Thanks, Chuck E Cheeses, for a good good time!


Friday, September 24, 2010

My Babies



Gina on the left, Greta on the right
9 months old (I'm not certain on that!)


And, how about this family picture?!!
Can we all say 1990?


Dale is holding Greta, I'm in the white sweater holding Gina
Marcy is in the gold sweater, Kim in the pink turtleneck
Corey is the the little guy in front of Kim.
Sweet memories.............thanks, Jeanie (my sis) for sending these to me!
Have a great day!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It's birthday time again!

Twenty-one years ago. How can it be 21 years ago?

On that day, I went to the hospital to give birth. Things were moving along very fast. The nurse took me from the ER to the maternity floor in an elevator full of hospital visitors. She announced to everyone that I was going to give birth to twins. I remember how stunned people were. Some gave their congrats; but mostly I thought they just wanted to get out of there!

Back up a few days before this event....my brother and his wife stopped in to see us. I hadn't been going anywhere except to the hospital for the weekly non-stress tests. Not because I couldn't, it was just  too uncomfortable! I remember my brother walking into the living room as I was getting up from the sofa where I was resting. He let out an - Oh. My. Word! He had not seen me for awhile. I was huge!

 Now, back to the day they were born...... I wanted to give birth in a room set up like a bedroom. But I was not allowed. The Doctor wanted me to deliver in the delivery room just in case there were complications. There weren't any but oh well. Gina had staked her claim to be born first at 12:01. Not long after that the Dr. said it's time to do it all over again. Greta was born at 12:13. Gina Kate weighed 6lbs 3 oz. and Greta Mae 7lbs. 7oz. Big for twins. But the day they were born was their due date! I was going to have them whether labor started naturally or not. Labor started early that morning and they wasted no time getting here! We have some pictures of Dale and I talking on the phone about an hour after they were born. It's amazing how good I look for having just given birth to 2 babies. But I did feel wonderful!

 I wish we had a photo scanner. We have so many pictures of our twin baby girls. They were so different right from the start. We never had a hard time telling them apart.

I nursed both babies. I remember wondering if I would ever be able sleep again. When one was sleeping, the other was hungry! We accepted help with meals, childcare and even cleaning. I had a friend that gave a gift of cleaning for 6 months after the girls were born. What an awesome gift!

Our girls grew up. They played community soccer. Greta started playing trumpet, joined marching and jazz bands. Gina studied culinary. Greta took part in HS musicals and plays.

My sweet babies grew and are now sweet young adults. Gina moved more than 2 hours away to be near her finance Joe. Greta is a second year college student and lives at home. She will be a wonderful elementary teacher some day. Greta and Lynn have been dating forever....no news on a wedding  - yet!

I won't see Gina today. That makes me sad. But we talk on the phone or text each other and talk on FB almost every day, sometimes several times a day. Greta has a class then I will meet her at the mall to do some shopping.

Enjoy some  pictures of my girls..... taken since I got my digital camera.



Not sure which birthday this is.


 
For her senior project, Greta wrote a play for the kids at church.


Gina holding her new niece, Paityn.
Gina was with me at the hospital as Paityn was being born.
A very special memory!

Greta on Christmas morning 2005



Greta playing her trumpet at church


Gina (in the green shirt) singing with the youth group at church.


Gina at her HS Grad party.
She's with Joe, the man she will marry next year.

Oh how Greta loved those shoes!
Ready for a Homecoming Dance

Gina with her puppy Shiloh


Greta and Lynn - 2007



Gina checking out something on my computer


Greta and Paityn

Happy 21st Birthday
to my wonderful twin daughters,
Gina and Greta!
You provided us with many wonderful memories through the years.
What a gift you are to all of us!
I thank God that he chose me to be your Mama!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I Love Fall

I do love fall. I love the cool nights and the warmer days. I love the colors of fall. We have a lot of maple trees which will turn a beautiful yellow. Most of the mums didn't make it through the winter last year so we won't have that color in our gardens this year.

 But the sedum is getting pretty. I love this plant! 



(oops, should have pulled that weed prior to picture taking!)

The flowers along the side of the house are still beautiful. Hubby keeps them watered.


And the passion flower continues to bloom.


This plant was given to us from Dale's Mother many years ago. She got it from her sister. WE Dale brings it into the house each fall, waters it, works hard to keep it alive then plants it in this spot again in the spring. I often took some blooms for the nursing home residents to see when I was working. It's an interesting plant which tells the story of the crucifixion of our Savior.

It will not feel like fall today. It's to be in the 80's today and Thursday and 92 on Friday! Dale is back to work today. I told him to take care of his leg and not to bump it. I'm sure his boss is happy to have him back again.

Tomorrow is a special day at our house. Twenty-one years ago today, I was at Lancaster General Hospital for a weekly non-stress test. The nurse called my Doc to tell him that this lady has had enough and what was he going to do about it! And the rest is history.....more tomorrow!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Stink Bugs

Do you have these awful pests at your house? We do. They are outside trying to get in. We live in a 100yr old house. Needless to say, they find their way in. They live up to their name....they stink!

It takes a careful hand to get rid of them. Sometimes I use the sweeper hose to scoop them up. But they stink, even when covered in the dirt! I also try to grab them in a piece of toilet paper, then give them a nice flush.

They try to hide in the curtains. Last year I found loads of them in the tab tops! Ellen is very good at scoping out their hiding places. I just swept up 2..... now she says she sees another one. Ugh!

On a brighter side, The Biggest Loser is on NBC tonight! I love, love, love that show!!!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Good News!

We just came back from the Doctor. We went today because over the week-end Dale had a reaction to one of the meds he was on. The Doc looked at the wound, declared it to be healing very well, said to stop packing it, bandage only needed and can go back to work on Wednesday! Color us happy! Thanks for all the prayers, my friends!

We stopped at Starbucks on the way home. I had a pumpkin spice latte and hubby had a regular coffee. Oh so good, that latte! It's my favorite.

Will be a very busy day. The children will be here within the next hour.....

 Have a great day!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday at Home

I'm glad it's Friday. I had been looking forward to this day. We had planned to go to  the beach this week-end with Corey and Christy. It was one of those invitations that we really wanted to accept but were having a terrible time deciding when to go.... should we take Ellen or not.... should Hubby take off early on Friday or just leave when we could in the evening.....should I just go with Corey and Christy and Hubby stay home with Ellen (he suggested that one, I didn't want to go without him at all!).  I'm happy we didn't spend a lot of time trying to figure it all out! Life happened this week and we will spend it at home. Ellen is happy...she did NOT want to miss the first home HS football game tonight and she did NOT want to miss cheering on Saturday morning!

Hubby is doing really good. He doesn't have a lot of pain. He's getting a bit stir crazy, thinks he may take Ellen to that football game tonight. I guess I'm ok with that. He sees the Doc again on Tuesday. Maybe will be ok to return to work after that??

Got the results from my blood work already. It's not awful but I do have some work to do for improvement....more weight to lose, exercise regularly again. Gotta get that fitness room put together. And I should have left those Double Stuff Oreo's in the store. I bought them for the Hubs, of course I did! (good grief, I'm hopeless)

Hubby hung some pictures for me this week - pre surgery! I had them in my office when I was working, got them for about $3 or $4 each in the Thrift Shop. Actually the lamp was in my office too, that came from Kirkland's. The table runner came from my sister Mary Ellen (thanks soooo much!), the apples came from that Thrift Shop and the green candle holder was free at the thrift shop.

I like the simplicity.




Have a great week-end....I know we will!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Quick update

Hubby is home. He's feeling pretty good. Pain meds are doing their job. He's resting. And I think he may be enjoying having me get things for him =)
   *We are not a couple where one barks orders at the other. We both realize we are capable of doing things for ourselves. That's not saying we never do things for each other...we just don't bark =))

He enjoyed some mashed potatoes for dinner.The x-ray showed no infection in the bone.....that's a good, good thing! We go to the Doctor on Friday. After that we hope to know more about how long it may be till he is able to return to work.

Keep praying for a speedy recovery. Thank-you!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Wednesday...a change of plans

Wednesday plans -
  • Get Ellen up and off to school
  • Shower and out the door to my little one's by 8:00
  • Play with Zoe
  • Wait for Aidan to get up
  •  Have a leisurely morning
  • Bring them home to my house for the rest of the day
  • In between there, sweep floors, wash the dishes (always, always a stack of em)
  • make dinner
Wednesday, changed plans -
  • Get Ellen up and ready for school 
  • Sweep floors
  • Wash dishes
  • Shower and fixed up to look like I haven't done a thing yet today =)
  • Out the door by 11 to take Hubby to Ephrata Hospital for Day Surgery
  • Surgery at 1 to clean out infection in his leg
  • Home sometime - He's never been under anesthesia before. Knowing him, it'll be a piece of cake =)
  • Take care of a groggy Hubby
It's good to be flexible. 

He will be off work for awhile. Please pray for quick healing.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday's....no longer get me down

I'm ok with Monday's. Especially when I get to take care of my Buddy and Little Sweetie.

 Aidan is getting over a cold. He sounds a little stuffy when he talks. He has recently started to ask why about everything. Give him a logical answer and he will reply with.... OK! So sweet!

 Zoe's new thing is eating. She loves it! If I am feeding her and need to walk away for a second, she can really let me know that she's not pleased. Today she ate a good amount of peas and  half a banana.

Zoe playing on the floor....
and tolerating Nana's picture taking!

I'm not one who plans ahead of time when it comes to dinner. At least not most of the time. I usually start thinking about it at 3 o'clock. Sad, I know! That doesn't mean dinner is a disaster though. Today I looked through a cookbook then went to my computer to look on the Internet. I ended up clicking on a blog friend, Debbi Does Dinner...Healthy & Low Calorie. I have tried several of her recipes, loved them! Tonight I made Turkey Taco Burgers. They were spicy and oh so yummy!

Another update on the hubby and his bum leg. He had a Dr. appointment this morning. The redness and the lump has not changed since Friday. Even with adding a second antibiotic. The swelling of his leg has gone down. Tomorrow afternoon he is going to a General Surgeon. Not sure why. He said the Doc didn't really say why. Maybe to open the lump to drain it?? Yikes! He is to be on light duty....not much of that in the construction world. He did work a little bit this afternoon. He is also putting a warm compress on his leg. And  is trying to elevate it as much as possible. Pray that this will soon be resolved!

Guess where I go really early tomorrow morning? Somewhere that declares I cannot have my Morning brew before I go =(  Blood work time. I hate needles. I will never get used to them. But most of all, I hate having to start my day without my 2 mugs of strong coffee.   It will be a rough morning but I will make it. Since I've had blood work done the last time, I've been eating healthier and lost more than 10 lbs. I hope the results reflect my lifestyle changes.....

It's been a full but delightful day. I am tired. It's time to grab a cup of  mint green tea and head to bed!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

It's raining!

Such good news.....I'm excited.....I don't even care that it's a week-end day. Waking up to a steady rain has to be one of the most comforting sounds on earth. Well, maybe next to the sound of  waves on a beach. But I never woke up to that sound. I would love too, though.

It is now a cool, drizzly kind of day. A good afternoon nap kind of a day. But I can't nap. I have guests. My daughter Marcy, her hubby Scott and their sweet little Paityn ate lunch with us. They will soon go to their house where we will gather to watch a very important football game. No one wants to watch it here. We don't have a huge TV......something that is very necessary for true sports fans =) Our kids love the Eagles. Our Grandson Andrew loves the Cowboys. Poor boy takes quite the ribbing from his Aunts and Uncles. Since his Nana really doesn't prefer any team, I stand up for him and rejoice when he rejoices. It's all good natured fun!

I also have a reminiscing kind of afternoon today. My sisters Jean and Mary Ellen and I have been invited to a 50th wedding anniversary. We all helped this couple as they had their children. I washed stacks of dishes, helped clean, picked vegetables, helped to can or freeze them and babysat when I was a young teen. I think they may have had 5 children at that time. Their family now numbers 109 (including the parents, 12 children, 4 great-grandchildren and the rest are grandchildren!). Several live in other states. Today they will all be gathering at the family homestead to celebrate their parents. They want us to meet their family and to walk through the farm house to reminisce. They will be soon moving to a smaller home and their youngest son will move into the farmhouse when he marries in November. Should be a wonderful time!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Remembering

I remember September 11, 2001.

 I was in a meeting at work when the first plane flew in the World Trade tower. As I came into the lobby after the meeting, a group of staff were standing in the lobby staring at the TV. I learned what had just happened and stood in a stunned silence with them. I remember saying something like...I will never go into those towers again. (I was very early into my pregnancy with  twins when I visited those towers and rode the crazy fast elevator to the top....and dropped my camera on the bathroom floor and broke it! But what an awesome view of NYC from the top of the tower.....) Little did I know, it would never be possible. While watching the TV, I saw the second plane fly into the other tower. Unbelievable! It was hard to tear myself away. Sometime during the morning, I noticed a girl watching and sobbing quietly. I didn't know who she was. She was probably someone that worked with the Therapy group we used. I went to her, put my arm around her and asked if she was ok. She said her boyfriend works in the World Trade Center. He  didn't go to work that day because he  didn't feel good. Talk about chills! I don't recall what I said to her but I think I said something about God's protection.

Every TV in the facility was tuned to the news. I watched reports of the two other crashes. I saw the towers fall to the ground. I saw people running.....Our world would never be the same. 

Somehow we have gone on. We made travel plans. We flew again. We talked about other things happening in our world and watched news stories about them. Life settled to a new normal.

But, may we NEVER forget!

Friday, September 10, 2010

My Buddy and my Little Sweetie

Yesterday Aidan felt better but his Mommy didn't go to work till evening. She had forgotten to write down a well baby appointment for Zoe. It was to be yesterday afternoon! She tried to change it but would not be able to get in till November. I told her I would come to their house and stay with Aidan while she took Zoe for the appointment. It was Aidan's nap time when I arrived. While Aidan slept I folded several loads of laundry and washed some dishes. Christy went to work after the appointment. Corey met them at the Doctor's office. He likes to be there too. I told Christy that I'm sure he loves to show off his little girl! She is a cutie, weighed 17.5 lbs. She's 6 months old.


Me and my Little Sweetie


Aunt Greta playing with our Little Sweetie
I was trying to find a photo that shows her chubby legs!

This morning I went to their house again. Christy started work at 9 today. Aidan usually sleeps till 9:30. But this morning he woke up crying before she left. So unusual. Christy comforted him and he tried to sleep again. It wasn't long after Christy left that he cried again. I went to him. It seemed to me that his stomach was not feeling good. He agreed that he didn't feel good. I took him downstairs, found a container....just in case. Yes, it was needed. My poor little buddy did not feel good. Around 10 I left him have some water. It stayed down. A bit later I offered crackers. They stayed down. He was soon off the sofa and playing. He found a bag of cookies sometime around lunchtime. Oh, no! He wanted some really, really bad! I agreed to one. (That's proof I'm the Nana and not the Mommy!) We packed up and headed to my house after 1. Aidan seems to be feeling just fine. Both my Buddy and my Little Sweetie are now sleeping.

Say Cheese!


Update on the Hubby....He went back to the Doc this morning. They put him on a second antibiotic. His leg is looking better. He is to stay off  it over the week-end. Has an another appointment on Monday morning and is hoping to be able to work again. In the meantime, he is having fun playing with Zoe while he props up his bum leg!

Have a great day!


Thursday, September 9, 2010

Ahhh, fall-like weather!

It is cool out there this morning! It was in the 50's, is now 60. Ellen was cold while waiting for the bus. I knew she would not appreciate it if I suggested wearing capri pants or jeans this morning. She wore shorts. Sometimes a girl just has to learn from real life experience =)

Cooler weather causes me to think fall. I don't know if I'm ready to put a pumpkin on the porch yet but I would like to get some mums. I will switch out the patriotic wreaths on the doors for the fall ones. Oh, and I need to get my spice candles going again......I think I love that the best!


Hubby is home today. Last week he bumped his leg at work. Said it bled a little bit and hurt but not enough to slow him down. On Monday evening I noticed that his leg above his ankle looked swollen. He had jeans on so that's all I saw. He said again about bumping his shin and that it hurt some. Yesterday morning he said maybe he should get it looked at. I looked at it for the first time.....oh my word! It was a big lump with red around it! I was concerned. He was going to call the Dr. but told him I would do it because being put on hold for a long time was a great possibility since we were a day past a holiday. Because the injury happened at work, we had to make an appointment at another office we had never been to. He got in at 8p. His leg was more red and more swollen than in the morning. He is now on an antibiotic and needs to keep his leg elevated for 2 days. He has quite an infection going on.

My little ones are to come today, maybe. Yesterday Aidan was not feeling well. Christy may wait to go to work until this evening after Corey gets home.



I hope you feel better today, Aidan!


Have a great day!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The last day of Summer - for Ellen

The summer flew by. It always does! School begins tomorrow for Ellen. She will be in the same classroom, have the same teacher, travel on the same bus, and have most of the same classmates as last year. This is a good thing. Yet she feels nervous. Bless her heart, she anticipates most things with reservation. But she will be ok, I am so certain of that!

Today we looked and shopped at a local farmer's market called Roots. Christy wanted to go and we tagged along. What fun! I have not been there in many years. I'm not sure why except that I was always working! It is only open on Tuesday. (when I was working at the nursing home and we were talking about what we may have done on a certain day of the week....if I said, what would you do on a Tuesday....they would say, go to Roots! Even some residents with dementia would answer that one!) I came home with bananas for 35 cents a pound, some peaches and sweet potatoes. I also found a cute little sweater for Ellen which will be perfect for a sleeveless dress I recently got her. I was looking for one at the mall but this one was only $5! Nice!

Tonight we celebrated the birthday of a special lady. She became part of our family a year after my Mother passed away when my Dad married her. My sweet step-Mother, Mary, is 83 today. Her family was taking her to Shady Maple for dinner and invited the Witmer family to celebrate with them. Two of her sons didn't make it. There were 6 of the Witmer clan who did. What a nice time to be with our Zimmerman brothers and sisters. I had never eaten at Shady Maple before except for Corey and Christy's wedding reception. Eating in the restaurant is an experience. So much food! It was seafood night. I had a piece of Cajun catfish plus lots of other things. For dessert I had a piece of shoo-fly pie and soft vanilla ice cream and some lemon cheesecake dessert. The choices are endless. You pay before you eat and go for as much as you want for as long as you want! Needless to say, I am feeling very full tonight!

It was a good day. Tomorrow starts a new chapter in Ellen's life....10th grade!

Blessings to you Ellen!

Ellen and Greta at the E-town fair


Happy Birthday, sweet Mary!

Mary with my sisters Mary Ellen and Barb
(taken in July)