Katies Challenge # 5

Hi Dad! Hows everything in heaven? We are all fine down here but even though its been 11 years since your passing I miss you more each day! Some things that have happened since youve been gone! Wow I guess well start with babies! Kristen had her baby, a boy named Tommy Jr. Chuck and Susie have 3 kds now! Samantha, Mara, and lil Pete. All three have our big brown eyes. Amanda wetn on to compete in the dance division and they won 2nd place in the nationals in Myrtle Beach! Went on the following year to win 1st in their division! She graduated from High School but only because we finally after all those yrs of guessing found out htat she had ADD. She was on meds for about a yr and a half but has been off them ever since. She decided to go to ICC and after 4 yrs she made it! She is a Graphic Designer now and works at the Casino of all places!LOL In her freshman year she met a guy that she actually went to school with at Mueller School waaaay back when. They were both working at Target. Youd like him alot too! Hes sweet and loves his Amanda which is all that matters. They moved in together in 1999 and married two years later in a ceremony that was so beautiful at the big Lutheran Church on Allen road. We invited Mary but she declined and sent a gift. They bought their first house in 2003, a nice 2 story on east Maywood. 3 bedrooms and a nice yard complete with a wooden swing set and fort tyoe of thing with a slide! last year they brought OliviaPearl into the world. Yes Pearl is for your mom and you too! I cant tell you how much shes like Amanda! And yes Grandkids are the best!! We ahve dinner together every Sunday. She is Ikes litlte doll! And she loves her Paw Paw!She talks all the time, and loves to run. Remember how Amanda didnt wak much but ran everywhere? Well shes like that too. Well on to Emily. My goodness where to start. She too graduated from high school but with high honors! She was in the NHS, and recieved several scholarships for of all places Bradley! She was 21st in her class of just over 300. She was smart and hung out with all the smart kids so Im sure some of it rubbed off on her! She didnt play volleyball like we thought she would but swam all 4 years for Central! That was hard work but she did well, going all the way to Regionals her senior year. She lived on campus all four years at Bradley, and stayed with the same roommate all 4 yrs. Their jr and senior year were spent living in an apt with two other girls off campus but still connected with Bradley. I think they were just starting to build them the last time you were here. When she graduated she worked at methodist for about 3 years. Shes had some rocky times over the past 3 years. I hate to even mention this but its part of whats been going on in our lives since we last saw you. She was drugged and raped two years ago. This is probably the darkest time for us as a family. She had 3 suicide attempts over the next 4 months and finally was put on the Psych floor for a few days to get her head straight. She couldnt work for 6 mos and left her dream job of L&D to work on the skilled floor. She was in counselling for over a year but has come through shining, somewhat like her old self but different too. She had a somewhat boyfriend for a bit over a year, but she had the courage to finally break up with him. She and her roommate from Bradley, Allegra, are living seperatley now and its a hard time for both of them. Allagra is moving back to her home town of Chicago. She works for Bradley too. I will miss her like one of my own!Emily now has a better job working in the wound Clinic at Proctor hospital. She loves her job though its pretty demanding of her time. I am so proud of how both of the girls have turned out! But I wish youd have been here to share in all the happy and sad times too. I love and miss you dad! Ill see you later than sooner I hope! But I know that youve really been there for everything watching over us sending us strenght when we needed it! You are the best! All my love-Laura

Monday Monday

Ya know even though I dont work outside the home I still fele a Monday!This will be a busy week! the big move to STL may not happen as fil is sick and on an antibiotic. I dont feel good about this either. All I can do is pray for the best outcome for him wicheverway it goes. I went to see Emily yesterday she needed money. Its hard to catch up when youmove. Shes still working through the breakup. Ive gotten almost all of my alphabet cut out, but man is it a hard one! And all the pages of journaling done for my june journal. Working out again today not sure what else is on my list.Well got to go catchup on the BB!

sunday ahhh Quiet

Trying a new font today well I thought I was. Another sign of my computer idiocies! yep self proclaimed idiot!LOL Work out was great yesterday. Instructor was super fun wich makes it even better! Today well have our usual Sunday dinner after we go see Ike at the nursing home. This is my fil.My sil is taking him to St Louis nexzt Thursday for good. Well see. I personally dont think its the best idea but shell be the one to deal with that! Weve done what we could from here, with me doing most of the work!Its OK though he has family in STL that will see him. A sister and a few brothers. Hopefully thisll mean a few more trips to STL for us. I really want to go to the Wedding in Oct for Tim and Brandi. Well they are really married but she wants a big wedding so thats why they are waiting till then. If we dont go well send a check. I think im cutting this shorter than usual as I have some things to finish and make!

Saturday busy for me

I went shopping yesterday and got some great sale stuff for myself and Olivia.I wouldve gotten more for Olivia but after a call to mom I put some back. She said "Olivia would rather have shoes"LOL So Ive got my eye on two pairs from the links that she sent to me. I am working out again today. Really want to try the new Body Vive class and went yesterday to what I thought was the noon class only to find out that it was Body Pump at noon! So I went to that class but was about 15 min late. That was ok with me. But man was I HUNGRY the rest of the day! So today I know its at 1030 so Ill be there! Then from there over to AMandas to give her what I bought for Olivia! Poor dh is working all weekend. But good news about that is that he has a helper, his friend Damon.Damon is who we refer to for floor laying, but hes slow right now so its an unexpected blessing for Ike. Already he can feel the difference working out of the new van rather than his old truck.I didnt realize how emotionally attatched eh was to his old truck. Were gifting it to our DSIL in exchange for some interior painting and repair from where the roof leaked ast year before we had the new one put on. But first is the bedroom. Its not been painted since we moved here 18 yrs ago.Ive picked out a pretty caramel color!! It matches the new bedding. Oh almost forgot got a sheet set yesterday for 14.95! Nothing fancy but it matches too. Im not one for super fancy ones cause if you make your bed everyday, who sees them?? right??Ok Ive ogt lots of bb stuff to read so thats it for me today! Thanks Kim and Steph for leaving me comments!

Thursday work day

Well I must put on the old thinking cap today and get my subs done for the DT call!! And finish up some RAKS for friends and get them mailed!! Its a humid morning and partly sunny. I need to go out in a few minute sand water the containers. Theyre pretty sad looking. Saw Terry yesterday and had a good time. Katy and Matt are in Germany rihgt now and are having a great time on their honeymoon. She said it was really sad to sned Jim and Amber back to NM. I dont tinkhell be there long. Shes happy to be around her family but Jim wants his fam too! Well see. Sat o Tuesday for O. We had a great time. Went to see Beth and showed her the wedding pictures. Shes still not feeling the best but was happy for the most part. I was totally wiped out! Went to bed very early and slept great all night!! Well thats the mundane of my life right now. Nothing special.

Tuesday again

Went to Terrys last night to eat and look at pictures! Had a blast. It was sad to say goodbye to Jimmy and Amber. They both look good and are having a blast! Im going to be short this am as I am watching Olivia today! What fun! Ill spend the morning chasing her around the dining room table!LOL Thats her favorite game. Well thats it for today!

home again home again jiggity jig

Yes we mede it to and from Chicago in one piece and didnt get lost! Yet poor Ike was as nervous as all get out!! He kept saying "you can have this Chicago traffic!"LOL We got there on Friday a bit later than we wanted to.Got up bright and early on Friday and were going to head to Amandas about 8:30. Well she calls about 7:45 and say guess what? we all just woke up! Olivia came down with a cold on Thursday so shed had a bad night. We didnt leave until 10:30 and arrived at the Hotel around 3pm. Just in time for she and Emily to turn around and leave for the rehearsal. We hung out Friday evening but I was in bed asleep by 8:3 0. Saturday was a busy day. Amanda and I almost drove to Wisc before we realized we somehow driven past the barn! Yes the wedding was in a barn. Once I fugure out how to post a pic Ill share them as part of the blog challenge for the week by KatieJ! Olivia was a real trooper and as long as Paw paw and daddy were near her she was fine! She much prefers male ompany to female. Annnywaaaay, we helped decxorate the barn and headed back to the hotel about 1pm. They had to be in Terrys room for pics by 2:30, so They had to hustle!The n it was off to the wedding about 4:30. Ike looked so handsome in his suit. The actual wedding was outside and we couldnt have asked for better weather. Sunny and about 76 degrees. I got some great shots of the whole thing. Reception was great! Good food and lots of CRAZY dancing by the young people! Im sure they all learned how to dance in thier basement! But it was good fun! WE went back to the hotel around 10:30 after a call from Dan that olivia was screaming and wanted her mom! I slept till 9 on Sunday morning. we ate breakfast at the hotel and went up to Terrys room to watch them open a few gifts. Left about 1pm ate and then hit the road for some serious heading back home!! Only one stop for us in Ottowa and we got home about 5:30. Now its Monday and Im trying to do as little as possible! Im going to call my sister Terry in a bit and see how their drive home went! Of course all my happy mail came while I was gone but it was fun to open it when I got back. Kidna weird in a side note, I rec'd my Sept issue of CK mag?? Will I get Dec in Oct??? HOpe not!! They owe me a few issues too btw! Like april may and July! I ot June issue about a week ago?? someone has their months mixed up! Well Im off for nwo. Lots of BB reading to do!

Tuesdays rain

its really dark outside right now as some pretty severe storms are heading our way! Ilove storms! They make me sleepy though. Hmmm Im hearing thunder so I think Im goign to finish this later. Powering down for mown

Modays pain

Thanks to all my fellow bloggers that replied to my post! Ill get to everyones blog but itll be a full time job I fear! not much going on today. May go to HL and see what they have that I cant live without! Hoping to find some Elsie stuff there. Like the Roxie ribbon!! Had Amanda and Dan and Olivia over for dinner last night. Thats a ritual or should say tradition, that we started when Amanda was pregnant. Mostly cause early in her preg she had such food aversions that the smell made her sick. Guess where her office is? Yep above the kitchen at Par-A-Dice. So in order to keep Dan from starving I cooked and hey came over. It also reminds me of Sundays at my grandmas' house. She was the best cook! Emis chose not to come . She stil unpacking and trying to get over breaking up with her bf. Im leaving the D off cause he wasnt that dear to her in the end! Not bad just off ya know what I mean?? Ok I need to go if Im going to get anything done!

15 things I love right now

Well this is achallenge from fellow scrap blogger Katie Jones! Im trying to get into the blogging world but can never really seem to mremember my name and password, etc... so here it goes she wanted bloggers to list 15 things they love right now!
1. My family
2. My cats! im really missing Dee Dee who passed away a week ago tomorrow. The two boys arent really getting along as Joe got out on Thursday, so now MFP is totally pissed at him and does everything to make everyone miserable! Grr!
3. Pork Tenderloin that we had for dinner! I love simple food!
4. My new Prima Flowers! They are pretty colors that just make me smile!
5. Olivia! Everything about her!
6. Man thi sis gettinng hard! My PC tool turn about that really holds all of my scrap essentials!
7. my dh! he smelled so good yesterday. Not cologne or anything, just sawdust and sweat! Very masculine!!!
8. oh how could I forget!!! My new Tempurpedic bed!! I laydown and am almost instantly asleep! I get a bit hot in it but hope that will change soon!!
9.Afew new SB tools! i got the mini tag curler and tag maker! They are boht really cool.
10. A big tall glass of ICe Tea...really cold!
11. DHs' new work Van! hes having a hard time letting go of his truck though. Dan is tlaking it so itll still be in the family.
12 My bag of pink ribbons that my dear sweet friend Resa sent me back in the winter!! I need to send her a card! i need to use up some ppr!!
13. my cozy lil house
14. Lemon Supreme pie from Perkins!! Yum-o!!
15. Felt ric-rack! In green and pink!!

Wow I did it! Now to figure out how to share y blog with fellow bloggers. The whole http thing! Then Ill feel more competent!

Well heres my first ,well honestly second ,attempt at a blog. Ive got quite a few friends who have really cool successful blogs so why not me?? Lets see if I can just remember what my URL is!! Photos will come later;)