I'm having a wonderful week!
Fabulous friends Christy and Kristi have just left. Gracie always loves for me to talk about them because they have the same name and come at the same time. She calls Christy, the red-headed Christy and she calls Kristi, the other one! They arrived Monday and the laughter began. This was their 3rd annual visit. The first year they came was just a few months after HC Baker had died. I was still living in the blue cottage and trying to understand and accept the new Jo Ann Baker, widow. It was also the first time I met Kristi. (Many years ago Kristi lived in Louisville and became fast friends with Christy. Kristi now lives in Saugatuck, MI, a beautiful resort area about 4 hours southwest of me. So it was just the natural thing for Christy to stop by Saugatuck and pick up Kristi and come on up! Confused yet?) So anyway, now I can look forward to the C & K annual visit! They were the first friends to see the "before" of the Topinabee home and now they have seen the "after". They both have exciting personalities that keep the conversation jumping from one great topic to the next! Actually what we do is solve the problems of the world. We laugh and laugh and shed a few tears too. We talk about our children and grandchildren, their current lives and our hopes for their future. We also discuss the things we have survived, funny and not so funny! The funniest story this year we kept referring to was Kristi's first attempt at making split-pea soup. She had just had her first baby and her husband asked her to make split-pea soup. She needed a few ingredients but the weather outside was terrible and she didn't want to take the baby out. So...she had a bag of frozen peas and proceeded to take a knife and "split" those peas!!!!! This statement by Kristi brought the only lull in the conversation during our 3-day visit! And I promise you, Christy and I will never let her forget she did this! There were so many other conversations from our hearts and of course, the "doing" of our annual traditions, but in 2010 we agreed, what's said and done at Jo Ann's, stays at Jo Ann's! I was so sad to see them go but without a doubt, am already looking forward to next year. We did discuss an interim visit somewhere because there are a couple of family "issues" that will definitely need updates! My fingers are crossed! I'm sending blessings and prayers for safe travels with them.
Right now I have the washing machine and dryer working overtime because in 24 hours I will welcome first-time visitors, my dear friend Kathy and her husband, Buddy! (We don't call Kathy "Kathy". She's "Withers" to us. When I told TR Baker Kathy and Buddy were coming, he said "Withers" is coming!) They will be here by lunch tomorrow. Can't wait! And we will fit 2 weeks of activities into 4 days! We have homecoming Friday night and a fundraiser on Saturday night and lots of sightseeing in between. I love showing guests my new neighborhood. Most are surprised to see that I live in a real house and wild bears are not outside my door! I'm looking forward to making new memories with them.
Well, here's what's happening locally.
It snowed this morning! It has rained the past 2 days so the ground was wet and is still too warm for the snow to "stick", but...it SNOWED!!!!!!
With the election getting closer, political signs are beginning to appear. Oh my! This will be my first time to vote in a national election in Michigan.
The transition from summer to winter is in full swing. Boats and docks are out of the water, Mackinaw Island is closing down, the population is dwindling with the summer folks heading south for the winter, and you can get a parking spot at the grocery store!
My life is incredibly blessed by wonderful friends.
Please continue to pray for my courageous friend Pat and her children, Ashley and Stephen.
Love to each of you...
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
My day...
started at 8am when the delivery truck brought the last new set of bedding. Now everyone can come and sleep in a bed with a new mattress and box springs!!!! All have been replaced! Whew! Took a while but I got it done. As of last Friday, we have been in the house for one year! I've got 2 rooms to re-do this winter and then everything will have had at least one coat of something (and there is a mystery to some of it!!!).
The days here are beautiful right now. The air is crisp and clean! We have had frost only once I think. I wore a sweater all day today, inside and out. I actually saw a pick-up truck today with it's snow plow attached to the front end. Holy cow! There is the possibility of scattered snow in the next week!
One of my new friends called today and said she still had her boat in the water and wanted to know if I was interested in taking a boat ride to the marina and then have lunch. I said of course and off we went. We were the only boat on the lake and the water looked like glass. Beautiful! Had a good time! What you see now around the lake are the people who pull the docks out of the water. Most boats are asleep for the winter and the docks are disappearing. The seasons change quickly up here.
Now for tonight. I am really trying to learn new things. There is a cute, new store in Cheboygan (15 miles north) called Creation Station. They offer classes for all ages teaching all types of crafts. Tonight was Beginers Knitting. For $20 you got yarn, needles, and 2 hours of instruction. I thought we'd learn to make a cute scarf, and then I could make everyone a cute scarf for Christmas. Well, not happenin'! What you learn to make is a dishcloth. I said "WHAT"? She said "a dishcloth. Everyone loves them and they make a perfect gift." I burst out laughing and asked her what kind of friends she had? (Just for all your information - if you E V E R receive from me a gift that's a dishcloth, have me committed because I have obviously lost my mind!) Intermediate Knitting is a scarf, but you need to bring your completed dishcloth to class to make sure you are ready for scarf knitting!!!! I didn't slap her AND I did stay for the class. I have knit 12 rows of the 25 needed to finish the dishcloth. I'm so excited, I can't wait. (NOT!) Anyway, I do plan to complete my dishcloth and advance to the scarf. Wish me luck!
I hope your day was a good one!
Please pray for my friend Pat.
xxoo
The days here are beautiful right now. The air is crisp and clean! We have had frost only once I think. I wore a sweater all day today, inside and out. I actually saw a pick-up truck today with it's snow plow attached to the front end. Holy cow! There is the possibility of scattered snow in the next week!
One of my new friends called today and said she still had her boat in the water and wanted to know if I was interested in taking a boat ride to the marina and then have lunch. I said of course and off we went. We were the only boat on the lake and the water looked like glass. Beautiful! Had a good time! What you see now around the lake are the people who pull the docks out of the water. Most boats are asleep for the winter and the docks are disappearing. The seasons change quickly up here.
Now for tonight. I am really trying to learn new things. There is a cute, new store in Cheboygan (15 miles north) called Creation Station. They offer classes for all ages teaching all types of crafts. Tonight was Beginers Knitting. For $20 you got yarn, needles, and 2 hours of instruction. I thought we'd learn to make a cute scarf, and then I could make everyone a cute scarf for Christmas. Well, not happenin'! What you learn to make is a dishcloth. I said "WHAT"? She said "a dishcloth. Everyone loves them and they make a perfect gift." I burst out laughing and asked her what kind of friends she had? (Just for all your information - if you E V E R receive from me a gift that's a dishcloth, have me committed because I have obviously lost my mind!) Intermediate Knitting is a scarf, but you need to bring your completed dishcloth to class to make sure you are ready for scarf knitting!!!! I didn't slap her AND I did stay for the class. I have knit 12 rows of the 25 needed to finish the dishcloth. I'm so excited, I can't wait. (NOT!) Anyway, I do plan to complete my dishcloth and advance to the scarf. Wish me luck!
I hope your day was a good one!
Please pray for my friend Pat.
xxoo
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Oh my!
I wasn't going to share this with you all but then decided the story is very much the reason I began this blog called widow-world. So here goes. (And I didn't share this with my children or my sisters because quite honestly, I'm still "digesting" the situation. So if you're reading this, what can I say?)
Yes, I'm a widow. I know that and have spent the last 27 months adjusting to it. How do you know when you've adjusted? How do you know there won't be any additional "curve balls" headed your way? How do you know the steps to take and when to take them? It ain't easy being Queen...when you're alone.
Several weeks ago I was at a wonderful party. I love parties in my new hometown because I always meet new people. It takes me a few times of being with someone before I can remember their name, know where they live, and something about them. Well, at this particular party I was talking to a new person when in the middle of the conversation HE asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with him. I, Jo Ann Baker, speaker of way too many words, was speechless! I was so taken by surprise, words were not even in my brain let alone coming out of my mouth! After what seemed to me to be a very lengthy pause, HE asked if I was alright. I still couldn't speak! My brain was trying to wrap itself around this without much luck. What do I say? What do I do? I finally speak and tell HIM I'll need to think about it. What a dumb answer, but it was the best I could come up with.
Once home I was still trying to comprehend this situation. I thought, it's just dinner, it means nothing. Why is this so difficult for me? At that time I was still wearing my wedding ring so I thought maybe I should take it off. So I did. Do you have any idea how many times a day your thumb touches your wedding band? Two days later I put it back on. I was lost without it. (And by the way, some time back I mentioned how skinny my finger was after wearing that ring for nearly 40 years. I knew I should have put that band around my backside!!!!)
So here I am. I have not spoken to HIM since that night. Actually HE has not contacted me.(Wonder why?) And of course I have no idea what his name is and am too chicken to ask anyone who would know HIM! And what if I had his name and number? I still have no idea what I would say to him. Well, first I'd apologize.
So continues this widow-world! Suggestions anyone and be careful!!!!! Don't point out to me the obvious...I spend too much time worrying!
On a lighter note...I found a very simple recipe today in the October Southern Living magazine for...ready...Bacon Marmalade! I'm making it tomorrow. I used to bake bread (many years ago) and have decided to start that again.
And by the way...it's cold here, and I have already turned the furnace on!!!! Can you believe it? September 25! Oh my gosh!
Love you all!
Yes, I'm a widow. I know that and have spent the last 27 months adjusting to it. How do you know when you've adjusted? How do you know there won't be any additional "curve balls" headed your way? How do you know the steps to take and when to take them? It ain't easy being Queen...when you're alone.
Several weeks ago I was at a wonderful party. I love parties in my new hometown because I always meet new people. It takes me a few times of being with someone before I can remember their name, know where they live, and something about them. Well, at this particular party I was talking to a new person when in the middle of the conversation HE asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with him. I, Jo Ann Baker, speaker of way too many words, was speechless! I was so taken by surprise, words were not even in my brain let alone coming out of my mouth! After what seemed to me to be a very lengthy pause, HE asked if I was alright. I still couldn't speak! My brain was trying to wrap itself around this without much luck. What do I say? What do I do? I finally speak and tell HIM I'll need to think about it. What a dumb answer, but it was the best I could come up with.
Once home I was still trying to comprehend this situation. I thought, it's just dinner, it means nothing. Why is this so difficult for me? At that time I was still wearing my wedding ring so I thought maybe I should take it off. So I did. Do you have any idea how many times a day your thumb touches your wedding band? Two days later I put it back on. I was lost without it. (And by the way, some time back I mentioned how skinny my finger was after wearing that ring for nearly 40 years. I knew I should have put that band around my backside!!!!)
So here I am. I have not spoken to HIM since that night. Actually HE has not contacted me.(Wonder why?) And of course I have no idea what his name is and am too chicken to ask anyone who would know HIM! And what if I had his name and number? I still have no idea what I would say to him. Well, first I'd apologize.
So continues this widow-world! Suggestions anyone and be careful!!!!! Don't point out to me the obvious...I spend too much time worrying!
On a lighter note...I found a very simple recipe today in the October Southern Living magazine for...ready...Bacon Marmalade! I'm making it tomorrow. I used to bake bread (many years ago) and have decided to start that again.
And by the way...it's cold here, and I have already turned the furnace on!!!! Can you believe it? September 25! Oh my gosh!
Love you all!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I love the smell of Fall!!!!!
Boy oh boy! Up here, it smells like fall and for me that means FOOTBALL! Football is my favorite sport and once again, I have purchased the press box at the Cheboygan Chiefs football stadium for the home season. Tonight, Garrett will play his first "under the lights" game. He is the starting center and one of the kickers. Even though I live in fear he will be hurt, it is also wonderfully exciting to me. I pray and cheer at the same time. He is only a freshman but Cheboygan High School supports a freshman team as well as a JV team and then as a junior and senior, the varsity team. I have four more years to be the best fan he will ever have! Tonight at 6pm think of him and pray him a great game!
Not only does it smell like fall but it feels like fall. The night temperatures are in the mid 40's and the daytime temps are in the low to mid 70's. My first planted flowers did fairly well this summer but are now beginning to fade. I guess I need to pull them all and replant with mums. Someone said the other day they were concerned we (notice how I have added myself to this MI group) might not get much (aka a ton of) snow this winter because there aren't many acorns. Spending most of my life indoors I asked what that meant. He said without a mega amount of acorns, the squirrels won't be hoarding as many. I asked again who determines this and he said God! Makes sense to me. Have you ever heard that one?
Spent Monday, Tuesday and today with Gracie. Emily had the prerequisite 3 days of meetings at school, Garrett was either playing golf or practicing football, and Brett was at the store. So Gracie and I went shopping. Our shopping always includes a trip to several shoe stores or shoe departments so she can try on all the totally out of the question high heels her mother would never let her even look at! She almost fits into a women's size 6 and yesterday wanted me to buy a particular pair of leopard wedgies because she knew she would grow into them by Christmas. I asked her what her mother would say and she told me she would keep them at my house! Even though I'm an incredibly easy mark, I did NOT buy the shoes! I did photograph the "looks" with my cell phone. We spend most of the time laughing so hard I always wonder that the store manager doesn't come and ask us to leave. Back home, we also painted and decorated several bird houses to donate to a silent auction event in late September to benefit the NMARN (Northern Michigan Animal Rescue Network). It's a wonderful group my neighbors founded and also where I rescued Nutty or Nutty rescued me. Still not clear on that! Let's just say it was a joint effort!
How about a little local color? Tuesday (yesterday) was the first day of the first elk hunting season. 31,900 hunters applied for a permit and only 200 were selected. The headline in today's Cheboygan Daily Tribune says, "Elk opener strong in county". The article went on to say the "action was fast and furious. By 3pm Tuesday afternoon, northern Michigan hunters had tagged nine elk in total." And I was shopping?????????
Enough for one day! Gotta' get ready for the game. Wish all of you were here because we'd have a great time! Uh, and no tailgating!!!!
Several precious souls in my heart today. Dear friends PS and AS, CMK and her dad, DCK and testing, LSJ and family, TPJ just because! xxoo
Not only does it smell like fall but it feels like fall. The night temperatures are in the mid 40's and the daytime temps are in the low to mid 70's. My first planted flowers did fairly well this summer but are now beginning to fade. I guess I need to pull them all and replant with mums. Someone said the other day they were concerned we (notice how I have added myself to this MI group) might not get much (aka a ton of) snow this winter because there aren't many acorns. Spending most of my life indoors I asked what that meant. He said without a mega amount of acorns, the squirrels won't be hoarding as many. I asked again who determines this and he said God! Makes sense to me. Have you ever heard that one?
Spent Monday, Tuesday and today with Gracie. Emily had the prerequisite 3 days of meetings at school, Garrett was either playing golf or practicing football, and Brett was at the store. So Gracie and I went shopping. Our shopping always includes a trip to several shoe stores or shoe departments so she can try on all the totally out of the question high heels her mother would never let her even look at! She almost fits into a women's size 6 and yesterday wanted me to buy a particular pair of leopard wedgies because she knew she would grow into them by Christmas. I asked her what her mother would say and she told me she would keep them at my house! Even though I'm an incredibly easy mark, I did NOT buy the shoes! I did photograph the "looks" with my cell phone. We spend most of the time laughing so hard I always wonder that the store manager doesn't come and ask us to leave. Back home, we also painted and decorated several bird houses to donate to a silent auction event in late September to benefit the NMARN (Northern Michigan Animal Rescue Network). It's a wonderful group my neighbors founded and also where I rescued Nutty or Nutty rescued me. Still not clear on that! Let's just say it was a joint effort!
How about a little local color? Tuesday (yesterday) was the first day of the first elk hunting season. 31,900 hunters applied for a permit and only 200 were selected. The headline in today's Cheboygan Daily Tribune says, "Elk opener strong in county". The article went on to say the "action was fast and furious. By 3pm Tuesday afternoon, northern Michigan hunters had tagged nine elk in total." And I was shopping?????????
Enough for one day! Gotta' get ready for the game. Wish all of you were here because we'd have a great time! Uh, and no tailgating!!!!
Several precious souls in my heart today. Dear friends PS and AS, CMK and her dad, DCK and testing, LSJ and family, TPJ just because! xxoo
Monday, August 20, 2012
48 degrees!
When I woke up this morning (always a reason to be thankful!) the thermometer read 48 degrees! On August 20! WOW! By the way, it felt great!
So much excitement since I last wrote! A week ago last Saturday I had dinner with the Kang family. They drove from Louisville for dinner and then drove back! Some of you may have seen the photos. It was absolutely wonderful to see them.
Last Monday, my sisters, Linda and Mary, arrived with my cousin Mike from Nashville, TN. What a time we had. I'm surprised you didn't hear us laughing in Louisville. Mike owns his own business in Nashville (a fabulous floral/special event company) so for him to be away from work for a week was quite something! So much of a something, he woke up Wednesday with a tooth problem, went to my dentist and had a root canal on Thursday! How about that for a vacation memory? While they were here, we had a luncheon for a few dear Kentucky friends of mine who were visiting a few miles away. Mary Beth, her mother Si and dear friend Anne, came over for lunch on Friday. Lots of shared memories. Si is 90 years young and is still the costumer for the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, Ky. Many years ago, my sister Mary and I performed in the drama. Sisters and Mike left Saturday morning just in time for Tim and Pat Nickel and friends, Lana and Hal, to arrive for a few hours visit. Lots more laughter and remembering HC Baker! I am so grateful they took the time to stop by and see me. I last saw Tim and Pat when Liz and Josh married three years ago. I need not tell you how sad and lonely I was when everyone left. Family and friends are who make life worth living. Love them all!
Some of you have heard me talk about the hardware store in town. Louie, the owner, closes during January and February but does not lock the door. If you need something, you get it and write the price down on a tablet and then when he re-opens, you pay him. He's an older man and quite a character. He also is the local handyman. Well, Saturday afternoon, while mowing a yard, he died of a massive heart attack. What a shock to the community! Please remember his wife in your prayers as she is very ill. Not sure what will happen to her as they live above the store.
Please continue to remember my friend Pat in your prayers. On July 22 she was given days/weeks to live and she is still smiling and praising the Lord. God is good!
And I keep thinking I'll see a FB post from my friend Madeline. She is retiring after a whole lot of years. I'm so excited for her and wish her wonderful, relaxing days at home.
So you see, the world around us is always changing. Only look back with love and always look forward with excitement!
The beds have been changed and the bathrooms are clean. Ready for YOU to visit! xxoo
So much excitement since I last wrote! A week ago last Saturday I had dinner with the Kang family. They drove from Louisville for dinner and then drove back! Some of you may have seen the photos. It was absolutely wonderful to see them.
Last Monday, my sisters, Linda and Mary, arrived with my cousin Mike from Nashville, TN. What a time we had. I'm surprised you didn't hear us laughing in Louisville. Mike owns his own business in Nashville (a fabulous floral/special event company) so for him to be away from work for a week was quite something! So much of a something, he woke up Wednesday with a tooth problem, went to my dentist and had a root canal on Thursday! How about that for a vacation memory? While they were here, we had a luncheon for a few dear Kentucky friends of mine who were visiting a few miles away. Mary Beth, her mother Si and dear friend Anne, came over for lunch on Friday. Lots of shared memories. Si is 90 years young and is still the costumer for the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, Ky. Many years ago, my sister Mary and I performed in the drama. Sisters and Mike left Saturday morning just in time for Tim and Pat Nickel and friends, Lana and Hal, to arrive for a few hours visit. Lots more laughter and remembering HC Baker! I am so grateful they took the time to stop by and see me. I last saw Tim and Pat when Liz and Josh married three years ago. I need not tell you how sad and lonely I was when everyone left. Family and friends are who make life worth living. Love them all!
Some of you have heard me talk about the hardware store in town. Louie, the owner, closes during January and February but does not lock the door. If you need something, you get it and write the price down on a tablet and then when he re-opens, you pay him. He's an older man and quite a character. He also is the local handyman. Well, Saturday afternoon, while mowing a yard, he died of a massive heart attack. What a shock to the community! Please remember his wife in your prayers as she is very ill. Not sure what will happen to her as they live above the store.
Please continue to remember my friend Pat in your prayers. On July 22 she was given days/weeks to live and she is still smiling and praising the Lord. God is good!
And I keep thinking I'll see a FB post from my friend Madeline. She is retiring after a whole lot of years. I'm so excited for her and wish her wonderful, relaxing days at home.
So you see, the world around us is always changing. Only look back with love and always look forward with excitement!
The beds have been changed and the bathrooms are clean. Ready for YOU to visit! xxoo
Friday, August 10, 2012
I Hate T-mobile!
There is freedom of speech, isn't there? Well, if not I'm still gonna' talk about T-mobile. If anyone out there reading this works for T-mobile...get another job! Or fix my problem! After spending over 2 hours on the phone today with several people (English was not their first language which only intensifies my frustration), I still cannot access my voice mails!!!!!!!! Quite a problem for me! And then a little while ago, I get a text message from T-mobile asking me if I meant to change my status! I'm not a good texter but I spent the next 20 minutes telling the text what had happened closing with "you don't care anyway, I'll never hear from you again, and if my bill reflects any additional charges, I will call the president of T-mobile and tell him what I think. Of course he doesn't care either." HC Baker began using T-mobile in the early 90's and TR Baker and I still have the same numbers. HC did too but when he died, I gave them back that number. Someone else has it now. I should call it one day and see who answers. I kept the number for a long time and would call it just to hear his voice. Glad those days are over! Anyway, we have paid T-mobile a lot of money over the years and I've decided if someone doesn't contact me to try and make this right, I'm canceling. Go ahead and say it...they won't care! So just to make sure you heard me - I hate T-mobile!!!!!
Spent this morning working in the yard. I weeded (why do weeds grow better and faster than my plants?) and TR Baker mowed. And guess what? After going outside to work, I came back inside and put on a sweater! Me! With a sweater in August! When TR Baker got up this morning, he came downstairs and said, "Man, it's cold!" How's that? Anyway, the yard looks great.
This weekend is a very busy one. Tomorrow (Saturday) at noon, Garrett has his first football scrimmage. School doesn't start for another 2 1/2 weeks but this is the "get to know the players" event. Also this is the last weekend for the Cheboygan County Fair! It's also the 2012 Top O'Michigan Outboard Marathon. The boats are tiny outboard motored little boats that fly through the inland waterway. On Saturday, the route is 45 miles long and on Sunday, it's 42 miles long. They go from the Indian River, to Mullett Lake, to the Cheboygan River and back on Saturday and on Sunday they go from Burt Lake to Crooked River to Crooked Lake and back. It's amazing to see. And all the trailers are parked at Devoe Beach (right in front of the blue cottage for those of you who have been there). And on top of all that, it's the Alanson Riverfest, a beautiful little village about 10 miles north of Indian River (on the way to Petoskey for those who have been there). Whew! I'm worn out just writing about it!
Then on Monday, my sisters and cousin Mike from Nashville will arrive and stay until Saturday! Not nearly long enough but I'm so excited. When they leave, some very special friends are stopping by for brunch! A few of you know them and others will remember them so I will wait and surprise you later with their names. And I'll try to remember to take their picture. If they read this maybe they'll remind me! I haven't seen them in forever and am so looking forward to catching up!
The beds are all changed and the bathrooms are cleaned. Ready for the next group to arrive!!!!! xxoo
Spent this morning working in the yard. I weeded (why do weeds grow better and faster than my plants?) and TR Baker mowed. And guess what? After going outside to work, I came back inside and put on a sweater! Me! With a sweater in August! When TR Baker got up this morning, he came downstairs and said, "Man, it's cold!" How's that? Anyway, the yard looks great.
This weekend is a very busy one. Tomorrow (Saturday) at noon, Garrett has his first football scrimmage. School doesn't start for another 2 1/2 weeks but this is the "get to know the players" event. Also this is the last weekend for the Cheboygan County Fair! It's also the 2012 Top O'Michigan Outboard Marathon. The boats are tiny outboard motored little boats that fly through the inland waterway. On Saturday, the route is 45 miles long and on Sunday, it's 42 miles long. They go from the Indian River, to Mullett Lake, to the Cheboygan River and back on Saturday and on Sunday they go from Burt Lake to Crooked River to Crooked Lake and back. It's amazing to see. And all the trailers are parked at Devoe Beach (right in front of the blue cottage for those of you who have been there). And on top of all that, it's the Alanson Riverfest, a beautiful little village about 10 miles north of Indian River (on the way to Petoskey for those who have been there). Whew! I'm worn out just writing about it!
Then on Monday, my sisters and cousin Mike from Nashville will arrive and stay until Saturday! Not nearly long enough but I'm so excited. When they leave, some very special friends are stopping by for brunch! A few of you know them and others will remember them so I will wait and surprise you later with their names. And I'll try to remember to take their picture. If they read this maybe they'll remind me! I haven't seen them in forever and am so looking forward to catching up!
The beds are all changed and the bathrooms are cleaned. Ready for the next group to arrive!!!!! xxoo
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Election Day!
Today was primary election day in Michigan. I have been reading the newspaper daily for information about those who are "running" for office. Oh, the local newspaper, the Cheboygan Daily Tribune, is published Monday through Friday and is mailed to my post office box. (So right off the bat, I'm a day late in receiving the "daily" news.) Anyway, they have had articles about the local candidates and those throughout the state. I have been privileged to come to know the woman running for the Supervisor of Mullett Township so that was an easy vote. The others not so much. I only voted for candidates I knew something about so that means I left many open ovals! I've never done that before. As I was marking my ballot (I was number 268 to vote and I voted in the mid-afternoon!), I couldn't help but jump ahead and wonder who in the world I would vote for in the presidential election in November. I'm telling you, it actually makes me sad. I, along with many of you I'm sure, receive daily e-mails about the pros and cons of both presidential candidates. I was reading them all, but recently do not even bother to open them. I am so tired of the negative information. It's hard to stay positive about life when all you read or hear is negative. Times like these I really miss HC Baker. We did not often agree about politics but at least we discussed them. And PLEASE, this is NOT a request for any of you reading this to send me your opinions. Between now and November, prayer will be my resource!
I'm nearly rested from the week with Libby and her kiddos. And Gracie was with us most of the time. I've changed the sheets, cleaned the bathrooms, run the vacuum, and grocery shopped (to replenish the larder!). I'm getting ready for the next group. Monday, my sisters and cousin Mike from Nashville, TN, will arrive for a week. Cannot wait to see them. I had asked Hannah to stay over and return to Louisville with them but at the last moment, she decided she needed to go home with her Mother. I swear, Libby's children will be with her until the day she dies! Isaac was not able to make the trip due to his work schedule, but he called every day to check-in. They are a riot! And so close. Each one of them takes care of the others and they all take care of their Mother! I'm blessed.
The newest member of the family, Nutmeg, is adjusting very well. She seems to like the house and the attention she gets. I've had to struggle to give her as much attention this week as she received last week. And she has not "friended" Iccee the cat! I think that has more to do with Iccee than Nutmeg! We'll see.
The weather here has been absolutely glorious. The high's are in the low 80's and at night the low 60's. We have had a few hot days that required turning on the window unit AC's but as a whole it's been very nice.
School does not start up here until the day after Labor Day, so I have a little more summer time with Garrett and Gracie. Garrett is spending every day, 8am-noon, practicing football. He'll be on the 9th grade team this year. Gracie and I spend out time together deciding how to maximize her locker space as she will attend middle school for the first time (the same middle school where her Mother teaches). Gracie is very excited and Garrett is very excited he will be in the high school building away from Gracie!!!!!
The Olympics occupy my TV time. WOW! Can you believe some of the things you have seen? How do they run and swim so fast, jump so far, bend their bodies, jump on that beam, tread water so long, and not kill themselves? I am continually amazed. Best wishes to them all and praying for safe trips home.
Praying for several dear friends facing the end of life and of course, our soldiers and their families.
Providing your outside air is good, breathe in these last few days of summer and enjoy! xxoo
I'm nearly rested from the week with Libby and her kiddos. And Gracie was with us most of the time. I've changed the sheets, cleaned the bathrooms, run the vacuum, and grocery shopped (to replenish the larder!). I'm getting ready for the next group. Monday, my sisters and cousin Mike from Nashville, TN, will arrive for a week. Cannot wait to see them. I had asked Hannah to stay over and return to Louisville with them but at the last moment, she decided she needed to go home with her Mother. I swear, Libby's children will be with her until the day she dies! Isaac was not able to make the trip due to his work schedule, but he called every day to check-in. They are a riot! And so close. Each one of them takes care of the others and they all take care of their Mother! I'm blessed.
The newest member of the family, Nutmeg, is adjusting very well. She seems to like the house and the attention she gets. I've had to struggle to give her as much attention this week as she received last week. And she has not "friended" Iccee the cat! I think that has more to do with Iccee than Nutmeg! We'll see.
The weather here has been absolutely glorious. The high's are in the low 80's and at night the low 60's. We have had a few hot days that required turning on the window unit AC's but as a whole it's been very nice.
School does not start up here until the day after Labor Day, so I have a little more summer time with Garrett and Gracie. Garrett is spending every day, 8am-noon, practicing football. He'll be on the 9th grade team this year. Gracie and I spend out time together deciding how to maximize her locker space as she will attend middle school for the first time (the same middle school where her Mother teaches). Gracie is very excited and Garrett is very excited he will be in the high school building away from Gracie!!!!!
The Olympics occupy my TV time. WOW! Can you believe some of the things you have seen? How do they run and swim so fast, jump so far, bend their bodies, jump on that beam, tread water so long, and not kill themselves? I am continually amazed. Best wishes to them all and praying for safe trips home.
Praying for several dear friends facing the end of life and of course, our soldiers and their families.
Providing your outside air is good, breathe in these last few days of summer and enjoy! xxoo
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