WE ARE BACK FROM MICHIGAN

Today is my son's (JOHN) 40th Birthday------gasp---I can't be old enough to have a son that old(!) and my granddaughter's 12th birthday (KATIE KARP). A happy day......

We got back home yesterday from Michigan. We could drive it in 2 looooong days but we break it up into 3 days, usually one 8-hr. day and 2 six hour days. Now that Dean is retired we are able----for the first time---to take our time. Yesterday we stopped in Lebenon MS at an outlet store for Denby China, and had a ball looking at stuff and even buying some things. If you like "spode" that's the place to get bargains! Bought some lace curtains and some cutlery at great bargain prices!! FUN!

We had a great time. The weather though, was COLD. It hailed twice while we were there, and we had to wear a jacket about 1/2 of the time. We forgot how cool Michigan is in August. I was able to see almost all of my first cousins on my mom's side of the family. They have all aged----luckily I haven't. It was just so fantastic to see everyone, and especially some of my female 1st cousins that I'm very close with. Some of us went out for a 3 hour lunch the day after the reunion and remeniced and talked and laughed and even cryed some.

The smells and sights of Northern Michigan are like balm to the heart. It's home. It's where home used to be. Lake Huron was beautiful. Both Dean and I grew up on this beautiful gigantic lake. Lots and lots of spruce and evergreen trees. Across the lake (you can't see it) is Canada. I really miss it. But this is home now....

As I'm writing this, Bekah called to tell me all about Katie's b'day party, and I need to get all the stuff together I'm taking over there for Katie's (real) birthday today. Also I got some pickled balogna for Sherri. We all love it, and you can't buy it around here----it's a northern thing folks---don't turn your noses up at it. Ha-ha.

Oh----the other thing that was great about "up north" is that practically everyone plays "spitzer" ---- a card game that we dearly love. We played several times, and I've decided I HAVE to teach the kids so that we have partners here we can play with. By kids, I mean Noah (age 9---an excellent card player) and Katie, who enjoys wholeheartedly playing games.

Also we've decided to go next year and spend 2 weeks to a month up there, and take Sherri and Brian and kids with us for at least part of the time. It's time to keep in touch with life-long relatives and friends before they are gone.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, time to put it into "hooey-hooey" (as my mother would say) and get stuff done. First things first----I have to make a card for card-swap this week FUN!!

MEME

I know you're dying to know......NOT!!

What was I doing 10 YEARS AGO?
Living in Florida and enjoying my pool and my little girly-girls---Bekah 3, and Katie 1. We all had season passes to Disney! I did not know how close I (we all were) was getting to a big move in my life!!

FAVORITE SNACKS?
Sweet things & dark chocolate. I love cookies, and almond M&M's.

TO DO LIST:
Clean out all closets
Paint Master bedroom, hallway, kitchen & livingroom.
Organize all stamping stuff into the back spare bedroom.
Find some new kitchen chairs that I REALLY like that are comfortable
EXERCISE

What I'd rather do:
Read-----knit-----stamp & make cards-----spend time with family and friends-----go to the movies----do craft projects------shop

Jobs I've Had:
dishwasher
sales clerk
Jewelry Sales Clerk
Adoption Secretary
Legal Secretary
Insurance Secretary

Places I've Lived:
Michigan
Alabama
Indiana
Whitia Falls, Texas
Bossier City, Louisiana
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Spring Hill, Florida
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Little Kansas, Oklahoma

Bad Habits:
Not exercising enough
Not working hard enough around the house
Bossiness
Staying up too late-----then sleeping in too late
I know there's more.......just can't think of them right now.
Dean says I don't come into the room to talk to him---and then he can't hear me!

Random things people may not know about me:
Like my daughter (& grandfather, father & grandson) I play the accordian-----but I DON'T do it in public and rarely do it ever.
I can yodel (I do enjoy this)
I love to sing-------and really enjoy music a LOT!
I'm basically shy------at least I think I am.

CD's I'd take on a stranded Island:
I love Calypso & Hawaiian Music & it'd be SO appropriate!
Johnny Mathis
Oldies (50's/60's) Music
Classical
Barbara Striesand
Bing CROSBY
Glenn Miller
Chris LaDieux
and more......

What would I do if I become a billionaire?
Pay off ALL my bills
and all my kids bills
Buy them all houses
College Educations for all grandkids
Money for our best friends Grady & Lyanne
Charitys & Church
Certain Lucky friends would be blessed also!
VACATIONS TIME----Disney World here we come!

I'M LEAVING........ON A JET PLANE

Not really and I'll be back again. (song) sorry.....I do that all the time. Everything reminds me of music. We are driving....to Michigan next week for a vacation and to see relatives and attend a family reunion---Yacks/Ellsworth Reunion---my mom's side. There will be many of my 1st cousins who are near me in age and whom I grew up with there. My mom had 5 sisters and 1 brother so there are a lot of 1st cousins. It's amazing somewhat in today's age. My kids only had 5 1st cousins on one side and 8 on the other. Very small.

So we are getting ready, and doing chores......the usual. I actually "thought" about coloring my hair to look younger. But then I thought---oh, what to heck! I AM going to be 60 next month after all. sigh. So I didn't. Anyways dying my hair wouldn't hide all those extra pounds I'm packing....

I'll really miss Sherri and the kids though. That's the one thing I hate about being gone so long. It's nice now that Dean is retired that we don't HAVE to be in a hurry to get back, but then I miss those Karpo's so much.

Anyway, I won't be blogging til we get back----so hope everyone is enjoying summer. I was......until it got sooooooo HOT! Here's hoping we have a cool fall!!!