Kissin Cousins

I mentioned in my previous post, that we had a very busy week-end.  Part of the reason was the Walk 'n Roll, but the other reason was a visit from our cousins Kim and Evan.  They live in the Austin, Texas area and we don't get to see them very often, so this visit was particuliary wonderful.  (Kim and Evan are in the middle.  Kris, Cait and their husbands are on either side.)  Kris and Kim are only a month apart in age and they share some very special childhood memories.

During their visit we went to the Town Tavern in Royal Oak for dinner... delicious.  (Confirmed I am not a fan of truffle oil though.)


Saturday they got to go to the MSU / Central Michigan Football Game (not Sparty's best performance) with Kris and J.  Which included 8 AM tailgating.  I passed on the invite cause there's no way I can get up to E. Lansing by 8 in the morning.

And then on Sunday Kim, Cait and I went to Arts & Apples.  It's an annual art festival in downtown Rochester.  It's always fun with lots of great stuff peruse.  I purchased a new purse from my favorite purse lady (Pursenality is the name of her little business).  She make very cute purses at very good prices. 

After Arts & Apples, we came back to my house for dinner, which is where the group photo at the top was taken.  We all had a great time and RJ had fun with Aunt Deb the Great playing "Guess which Hand".  (Does it have a real name?) He was so cute playing with her.

 

Finally on Monday, Evan made us a  delicious dinner over at Krissy's house.  How nice to come home to  grilled salmon, sweet potatoes, squash and corn.  And did I mention the triple chocolate cake who's secret ingredient is zuccini?  Melts in your mouth.  I'm going to practice the cake and if I can get it to turn out I'll post the recipe.

Kim and Evan...please come back soon.  We love having you here!

Walk 'n Roll, Hochie Koo!

We had a very busy week-end, which was capped off by our  participation in the annual ALS of Michigan Walk 'n Roll at Stoney Creek Park.  This year with the help of friends and family,  BW and I were able to exceed our goal and raise $460.  This helped "The Masserangers Team" raise over $20,000!!

Judy and Bob Masserang are our very good friends.  Judy and I used to work together.  In fact...most of what I know about satellite television, I learned from her.  Over the years, our relationship evolved into a great friendship.  Judy is now one of a group of women that I hold so dear.  She enriches my life on so many levels.

Four years ago, this coming October, her husband, Bob , was diagnosed with ALS.  This is a very ugly disease that has taken over much of Bob's body....but his spirit is still as fiesty as ever as you can see by these following pictures:

He's such a smoochie kind of guy.

We have been able to see the amazing help and support provided to them by the ALS of Michigan organization.  So we were so pleased to help out, even in just this little way.

As usual, "The Masserangers"  were the largest group of walkers and hopefully we collected the most money.  Even if we didn't, I think we are all #1...because that's what Bob is to us.

Thanks to everyone who helped us surpass our goal! 

Splish Splash!

The boys were over last week-end and it was bath time at Oma's house.  I love bath time pictures.  Always have.  Austin loves bath time...Ryan is OK with bath time as long as you don't get any water near his face.  So hair washing usually involves lots of crying.

I know it drives Krissy crazy, but I know exactly where he gets it from.  The handstands I used to have to do to not get any water on her face or near any boo-boo were incredible.

Don't those blue eyes just get ya! 

Austin having fun....Ryan just trying to stay out of his way.

There coming over again tomorrow...so maybe more pictures soon.

Card of the Week

This is my latest card.  After reading and seeing so many great cards using Core'dinations paper stock (mostly from visiting Linda over at Paper Cutting Kind of Day), I finally ordered my own supply. (This was part of my Amazon indulgence a couple weeks ago.)

It was very fun and easy to put together.  I used my new Cuttlebug to emboss the polka dots and then I also embossed the little hands.  You can't see it very well, but the ribbon has white polka dots on it as well.

I'm giving it to Cait and Kristen to send to their step-sister who just had a little girl.  I just love all the pink.

Extract Movie Review

Extract

Grade: D

As this movie was directed by the same person that directed Office Space, I had high hopes that this movie would do for factory workers, what Office Space did for office workers.  No such luck.  It had some potential with some truly quirkly characters working in the factory, but instead of developing a story around these people, it delved into marital infidelity and stoner humor, both of which have been done before and done better.  Don't waste you money or time on this movie.  Go rent Office Space instead.

I love Jason Bateman, so it hurts to write this!

Gooooood Morning Biscuits!

I just made these Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits this morning. I got the recipe from Pioneer Woman . They are quite yummy.

Go over to her site for the recipe. (You can also see some MUCH better pictures of the finished product.)

Excuse me, but I've got to go have another while they are still warm. Plus I think I left the oven on. (Shhh Caity...don't say anything.)

Badges...We Don't Need No Stinking Badges!

A long time ago I was a Girl Scout and I was a terrible Girl Scout. I liked the part about hanging out with friends after school, but I didn't like the work required to be a "good" Girl Scout. One year, my brave Mother volunteered (she might have been heavily pressured) to be our Troop Leader. It was during this year, that my mother decided it was time I earned a badge. You see...I had no badges. My goal oriented older sister had so many badges that they started to creep up the back of her Girl Scout sash. Me...not so much.

One week, my mother put me through my paces and I finally earned my one and only badge...the Housekeeping Badge (housekeeping is my Mother's forte).

Today, I must officially turn in my Housekeeping badge. While cleaning out the gross fruit, from the fruit drawer, I decided to wash and clean the fruit and veggie drawers. It was then I noticed the long plastic grill at the bottom of the fridge. Boy, is that thing nasty. You know what I found out...it comes off. And that was really gross. The giant dust bunnies were hopping out...almost all on their own.

So, for lack of awareness that this grill even existed and for not knowing that the grill snaps off, I officially turn in my Girl Scout Housekeeping Badge.

(I sure wish I could have earned a "Cooking" Badge, cause I would probably be able to keep that one.)

On to the fan in the living room.....more grossness to come.

Hop on Pop

I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing the decline of a parent, but it is still a very distressing process. My dad's mobility and general participation in life has been on a slow and steady decline for several years. This year, it has taken a huge jump forward, so much so that the impact on my mother and oldest brother is significant.

I just spent last Saturday visiting with Mom and trying to help where I can, although it doesn't feel like enough. I just continually pray for her health and strength to continue. And patience. If I could give her anything, I would give her a huge dose of patience, because that's what you need when you are completely taking care of another person. (Honestly, if I could give her anything...I'd give her a trip to Minnesota to visit her sister. She wants that so badly.) She is an amazing person and wonderful mother and wife. I hope I can take after her in vitality when I'm her age.

I also need to say something about my older brother Bob. He has become the rock on which my mother (and father) depend. He goes to their house every morning and every evening to help with the beginning and end of day processes. He's also on call should any crisis arise.

To be honest, he has always kind of viewed himself as the black sheep of the family. Which is ridiculous, but I want him to know that he has become my hero and I'm so proud to call him brother.

As for dad, I will continue to help whenever I can, but I will choose to remember the other dad. The one sitting on the end of the dock fishing or the one turning old Christmas trees into candlesticks. I think he would prefer that memory as well.