HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!

ODE TO A BATHROOM BLOGGER

Dedicated to a friend....you know who you are.

I frequently download on toilet
Words just seem to stream through my fingertips
I try to hold back but I just can’t stop it

My thoughts quickly defecate through my mind
I can’t control the regularity of my sessions
I frequently download on the toilet

The words drain out of my head in a light blue swirl
As my mind flushes out thoughts as fast as I type
I try to hold back but I just can’t stop it

My diarrhea and logorrhea
Spurt forth in harmony as I linger
I frequently download on the toilet

The fiber of my being swells with need
Of physical and mental output forth
I try to hold back but I just can’t stop it

As I give into the need to let go
I find relief and feel empty and drained
I frequently download on the toilet
I try to hold back but I just can’t stop it

(Poetry form: Villanelle)

ANOTHER FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY!

What a great day I had with my family! We had a cook out, and the weather was so fantastic that we ate outside! Phill bought this DQ Birthday Cake for me....it was YUMMY!
Here we all are. It's amazing how fast the kids have grown up!
Me and my babies! Is there any better way to spend a birthday than with the ones you love the most? :-)

MARY KATELYN, ANDRAYA AND AND LISA DAY

Today, I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with two cute little monkeys: Andraya and Mary Katelyn. We started out having fun in the hottub.

These girls took to the water like little fishies!

Aren't they just cute?????
Afterwards, we got all dressed up and put on our makeup.....
...for a tea party.
We sure did have a super day! I'm glad we got to spend it together!

IN MEMORY

May we never forget.

MOM AND DAD

I was just sitting on the deck grilling burgers this evening when I got to thinking about how well dad is doing after his chemo and radiation for throat cancer. It's nothing short of a miracle that he is doing as well as he is today. God truely does bless!

FLORIDA

August 8th - 15th, Pete, Jazzy, Anna and I took a trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida. It was so fun and yet, relaxing. Almost hated to have to come back home. As always, pictures are in no particular order...because what fun would that be????

This was breakfast for 2 every morning: those breads and muffins are fresh baked from scratch every morning. Can you say "yummy"??? :-)

The view from our balcony. Yeah...I could live here.

We all got a chance to spend a day with Anna's aunt & uncle is Port St. Lucie. We had a super time with them!
Anna & Manfred: the protector of the realm.

SONICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A DAY WITH EMILY

Do any of you have a cute little sister who just seems to get all the attention sometimes? I did growing up (she's one of my best friends now...love you Julie) and Emily has one right now. Boy, I can relate to this sweety! We decided it was "Spoil Emily" day.

Here is Emily before our "Chick Day" out. We went out to breakfast, then to get a manicure, then to the store to pick up items for a day of fun and spoiling!

Ahhhhhh! Nothing feels better than a pedicure with a wonderful foot massage!

Wrap them puppies up with saran and towels and let them feet tingle!

While the feet were tingling, we pampered Emily with a strawberry facial. Yummy!

Emily couldn't help but show off her newly polished nails. Aren't they just lovely?

Now, for the warm towel to wash the facial off with. So relaxing!

Gotta have the toes match the finger!

Now on to the hair. This is a full-service kitchen beautician salon!

WOW! Is that Shirley Temple in my house?????

Nope...I was wrong! It's a beautiful Hollywood movie star!!!! What a glamour girl!

A SUNDAY AFTERNOON OF BOATING

This summer has been so incredibly busy that this is the first week we have had a chance to all get out on the boat together! Aye Carumba! I must say, we all had an incredibly fun time! Lake Michigan was a bit too choppy today, so we decided to head out to Paw Paw Lake.

The Captain and his first mate.

The three beauties: Jazzy, Jessica and Linnea

Sean and Inessa. Interesting story behind these two. They have been married just 7 short months. Sean met Inessa when he was visiting in Kiev, Ukraine. They go to our church and we wanted to get to know them better, so shortly after they were married, we went out to dinner with them. After some chit-chat, Sean and I figured out that we both went to the same high school and graduated the same year! Small world, isn't it?

Phill and Chad
Andrew, Inessa's son, and Sean

Jessica and Phill. Aren't they just the cutest couple? They even have matching bathing suits.

Phill and Chad hot dogging it while Andrew holds on for dear life!

Pete and I....we still got some goofiness left in us (but we'll pay for it tomorrow morning).

We're not too old to still have a great time out on the tube!

Jazzy, Jessica, Linnea and Inessa, ready for the ride of their lives!

Even with the wind in their hair, they are still beautiful young ladies!