Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Okay...so John calls me last night around quarter to midnight.....not going to make it home with his car he says. He made it to Lilley and Palmer but had to sit there for about five minutes to let the car cool down. It is the water pump that cools the engine that is broke. So anyway, when I'm on the way to pick him up he calls me and says that he made it to Lilley and Ford Road and will park his car in front of Richardson's Drug Store. Take him home and this morning his father picked him up and took him to his car and then they all went to the auto repair shop further down on Lilley. Found out he has something else wrong with the car and it's going to cost him around four hundred....will be ready tomorrow. In the meantime, he has my car and he and Alexis go home. When it's time to take her to school...he can't find the car keys. Ahhhhhhh! Calls his dad...calls me...calls his dad and calls me again as he finally found the keys under some papers. Gets Alexis to school where she is only about 10 minutes late. Am I surprized about all the losing and calling and finding??? Not really as this is John.
On another note, Tina was married either last week-end or the week-end before. Big Indian wedding complete with the groom coming in on a white horse. Just where do you find a white horse???? but was thinking that it probably gets rented out a lot just for Indian weddings. One of John's friends on Facebook is a relative of Tina's and posted photos so John let me look at them. Reception was at Laurel Manor....Tina looked great as did all her friends.

Tuesday, April 22, 2009

Well, the little munchkin loves her new school. First day she got to play dress-up, draw a picture, listen to a story, learned how to sit down with applesauce (or something like that...sitting down with your legs folded and crossed and with your hands in your lap) and made some new friends. Photo above was taken a couple of weeks ago and that cat peeking around the pillow is their cat Piper.
Went grocery shopping yesterday and today to the post office and the bank. John called on his way to work and said that his car was acting up so Juan and I went over to where he works at around 5:30pm with some antifreeze. John and a friend of his came out to look at the car and noticed that the fan belt was loose and that it looked like something had broke off. Told him to call me when he gets home tonight and he will probably have to take Juan's truck in tomorrow and have his car fixed. Always something.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

So here is a solution to falling over peony stems. Saw this online and thought it would look better than stakes with ropes going all around. Will have to wait and see. The chair was an old broken one that Juan found and he just took out the seat in the middle and there you are. Know it looks a little weird now but once the stems get bigger and then all the peony blooms it should look okay....something like the one in the bottom photo. The blooms are so pretty but as soon as it rains...down they all go. Hopefully this will hold them all up.
It was such a nice sunny day yesterday. Didn't really do anything special and not today either although, all the sun has disappeared and the temperature dropped 20degrees. I do believe it's going to rain! Which is good.
Ordered a indoor/outdoor carpet for the front porch. Not really too sure about the color I ordered. Terra Cotta. I mean I like the color but Juan's boots...that's another thing. Will still use the one small carpet for under his chair and feet on the porch. This way don't think it will get that dirty. GiGi should like it. And that it. Tonight watching one of my favorite TV shows...Celebrity Apprentice. Love that show.

Friday, April 27, 2009

Kids, dentists, bicycles and John Wayne. And what do they all have in common? Had to watch to two girls last night because Brandy had to make an emergency run to the dentist. And John Wayne...well, he saved the day along with bicycles. That's him in the photos above. A 2-1/2 pound teeny, tiny, little Chihuahua that lives next door with the "dog lady". When the girls first came over Juan had fixed their bikes for them so they were riding up and down the street. Then the "dog Lady" came out with John Wayne, or Duke for short, and the girls were all over him. John Wayne's best friend is Isis a 165 pound grey Great Dane. Isis treats John Wayne like he were her baby and is very protective of him. Both are sweet dogs. John Wayne is not one of those nervous, yapping dogs like my sister-in-law owns. I call them the Devil Dogs. Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark...geeh! John Wayne or Isis are not for sale and will stay with "the dog Lady".
Imagine John will be over to pick up the girls bikes that we were storing for him here at our house. He has a vacation day today...so a nice long week-end.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Well, lets see. John's giant TV finally went on him and he sold it on Craigslist. Guess the person works on TVs. So....he bought another one today at ABC Warehouse since the kind he wanted had the better price. It's the one pictured above. Another rear projection television....60". His old one was all one piece and sat on the floor and this one is doing that now until he gets a stand for it. When you play games on the TV guess the bigger the better.
Had both girls today...ahhh. Two together is not a happy time. The older one seems to always get the younger one racing or jumping or just both getting into mischief. Feels like a Benny Hill sketch over here. One more day of the two of them together. Like I said before...one hour seems like an eternity at times.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Finished the above scrapbook page for Alex's album. In case you can't read what it says: "The Lansing Jaycees held their annual Easter Egg Hunt in front of the Capitol on Saturday, April 11, 2009. The weather was on the cold side but the sun was brightly shining."
"The cold didn’t keep the many, many children from coming out to enjoy the festivities. Over 10,000 plastic eggs were stuffed the previous week-end with candy, toys and stickers."
"Through a raffle, the Jaycees made over $800.00."
We have Sierra today for an hour and for the rest of the week because of Easter vacation. Brandy took Alexis to her new school yesterday and found out that it is closed for the week. Guess no one told them so she starts next week and we have her also for the rest of the week.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Well, the egg hunt was a big success for the Lansing Jaycees as it was for Sierra. She won one of the prize Easter baskets that held lots of candy plus Hannah Montana items, a jewelry box, necklace, and other items. They met the Easter Bunny, Lugnut (the local mascot for the Lansing baseball team, Cricket (mascot for the click-it safety belt campaign, an owl, ferrets, and other animals from the local zoo plus free coloring books and the like. There were TONS of children and they had three roped off areas with over 10,000 plasic eggs containing candy, stickers and a prize in each one. Roped off areas were for the 0 to 3 year olds, 4 to 6 year olds and 7 and up. John was with Alexis and I stayed with Sierra in her section. Countdown for the start of the hunt and within 2 minutes....2 MINUTES....every egg was gone! Alexis managed to get 8 or 9 eggs and Seirra scooped up 7 eggs. She was a little bummed by that since her sister had two more eggs but that all stopped when she won a basket. Thank goodness. Ü On the way home we stopped at a McDonald's for lunch and then drove back home. Later that day Brandy's mother came by and they all decorated eggs. Know that the Easter bunny hid eggs at their house. Finished the above scrapbook page for John's album and will be working on one for Alex's album. Of course, you can click on the photo for a larger view.

Good Friday

Tomorrow myself, John and the girls will be going up to Lansing for the Easter Egg Hunt. Brandy has some shopping to do so will not be coming. Should be fun...especially for the girls as I don't believe they have ever been to an egg hunt. Today went grocery shopping for Sunday's dinner. Guess now it will be only Juan and myself as Alex won't be coming down. Even with things on sale I can't get over at how expensive groceries are now. Geeh...spent $100.00 on ???? Didn't think there were that many items but boy, sure adds up.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Today Alexis and I did Easter eggs....two dozen! And with today it is the last time we will watch her as she will be starting school next week. Oh, I'm sure there will be some days when we will still watch her...like when there is no school....or possibly sometime during the summer. Not sure if she will be going in the summer or not. She starts kindergarten this fall and am not sure if it full day or not. Know they are switching over to full days for that age. So, get to get rid of all the kids stuff in the family room...not that it's a lot but still...crayons, coloring books, rocking horse, chalkboard and some other things.
And for Easter Sunday it will be just Alex, Juan and myself. Making a pot roast. Ü We are not big ham eaters here....one meal is just enough...don't like the leftover. Have to go tomorrow to the grocery store and get the stuff...maybe even tonight. Will see.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

So Alexis will be starting nursery school next Wednesday from 1:15pm to 3:30pm. She will go every other week for three days and then the next week will be for five days. She goes to her Dad's house for two days every other week on Monday's and Tuesdays. The place is very resonable. Guess the church only opened up last October at its present location. They take care of children 2-1/2 to 6 years of age from 7am to 6pm but she will only be there for the above mentioned times. Here is their schedule:
1:15pm - Seatwork
1:20 - Afternoon routine, songs, phonics, letters, numbers calendar (children can join when they wake up) (that part is for the kids who are there already)
1:48 - Restroom break
1:55 - Afternoon snack
2:10 - Afternoon recess
2:30 - Bible & Jesus time
2:45 - Story Time or Listen & Color
3:00 - Arts & Crafts Time
3:15 - Language Developemnt
3:30 - Recess or inside free play (of course, this is when she goes home)
So...should be something different for her.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Well, John called places about having Alexis attend nursery school. He is going to the New Hope Church here in Canton tomorrow to talk with the people there. She would be going five days a week from 1 pm until 3:30 pm. She really needs to be with some kids her own age and to be able to interact with them. So, looks like we won't be watching her for awhile. The above photo is of the church. It's a Methodist church and does have 20 minutes of church related stuff every day during the time she will be attending. Since Brandy is more into religion than John...that's fine with her.

Here We Go Again

Who said winter was over? Had some snow around here this morning but nothing sticking to the pavement...just melts off. Yesterday met John and Brandy up at Hawthorne Valley to look at the room where the wedding reception will take place. Nice...big room. Will have the wedding shower at the same place and because of that we get a free wedding rehersal dinner for up to twenty-five people. Pretty good. Because they were serving Sunday Brunch, we were all able to taste the food. Not bad. Some items were better than others. They have decided to go with individual dinners and have picked out filet and some kind of chicken...not sure what...but will be served together. Soup, salad, potato, vegetable, rolls, coffee and dessert come with the main dish. They will pick out just what the items are later.
Think we will have chili tonight for dinner. Sounds good on a snowy day.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Was talking with Alex last night about the crafts I have been doing with Alexis and the craft she did when she was 8 years old came up. Alex had told me I should have Alexis make the bunny ears like she did and when I brought this up to Alexis she said, "No...too boring." hehehehe What? Alexandra's bunny costume too boring? Never! Photo is above.
Did I write that John and Brandy have set a wedding date? Well, if I did here is another reminder....June 26, 2010. They are going this week-end to put a deposit down at Hawthorne Valley in Westland for the reception site. Don't think they still know where the wedding ceremony will take place. Looking at the Hawthorne site I noticed they have a garden....maybe the wedding could take place there? Brandy isn't Catholic so don't think they could have it at a Catholic church. Here is the site if you are interested.... http://www.hawthornevalley.com You will have to copy and paste. They are taking the Aspen Room which is the largest. John is already picking out songs he wants played or not played.
Here at home we are adjusting to not getting the Free Press every day. Now it will only be delivered Thursday, Friday and Sunday. So....a new experience is being tested. Juan on the computer. Have been trying to teach him how to read the paper online. Fun!
Oh...and hear someone finally has a computer again....Unlce Stanley! HI!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Well, it's craft day today to keep the little munchkin amused. Decided we would make the above craft which is easy enough for a little one. The head of the bunny is just an outline of her hand with some of the fingers folded over. She should be able to do this...hopefully. Not much else going on....just doing laundry...how exciting. Yesterday my back went out for a while but after a nights sleep seems pretty good today....fingers crossed. Can't believe March is almost over...even winter. Well, not really saying winter is over until the end of April. Can remember snow during that month.

Sunday Afternoon

A quiet Sunday....so far. Not doing too much, just straightening up around the house and kind of cleaning here and there. Although, I should be cleaning more than straightening. Ü Guys came over yesterday to look at the fence that needs to be taken down. They are guys that Juan knows and the one did some electrical work for us last year. Both are young and have done this type of work before so they will be doing the work. Forgot to ask Juan just when they will be doing it..imagine pretty soon. Don't know just how long they have to wait for the ground to become unfroze. Would think that it is already but ????.
Well, back to my cleaning and straightening.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Finished the above page of photos from Sierra's concert. Wish I had more photos of all the kids singing but it was sooo crowded that I didn't want to get in any one's way. Brandy and I had to stand the whole time against a wall but at least we were up front. The tag in the layout (on the right side) can be pulled out and explains what was happening that night.
We have to get a new fence for one of the sides in the backyard. It is really falling down and needs support. People on that side complain they have no money yet they seem to always be going on trips. Just recently a vacation to Mexico and at least twice a year to Albania where they are from originally. Oh well....what are you going to do? We have had that cedar fence for over 30 years now so is time to replace. Will get the vinyl like we have along the back.

Spring!

So it's Spring...finally. Yesterday went to Sierra's school 2nd and 3rd grade music recital. Was cute and they all did a really nice job. In the bottom photo she is on the second from the top row, right underneath the really tall girl standing on the top row. I was noticing how diversified the school is now compared to when our kids were going to school. There is every nationality living in Canton now. Makes it a true American town.
Went to the bank this morning and will probably go out in the front yard and rake some. In the backyard will have to pick up all the dead tree branches that fell during the winter. Really just sticks but still have to be picked up.

Pinocchio

The above photo is of a Pinocchio doll that Juan has had since he was little. Unfortunately, it was damaged when we were living in Dearborn as somehow it was left outside one night and got damaged from the dew. So was thinking that I will take it over to the doll hospital in Berkley to see what can be done with it and most importantly, how much will be the cost. He has always wanted it fixed. Did get the movie Pinocchio and hadn't realized that it came out in 1939...the same year that Juan was born. We have Alexis today so will probably show the movie to her. But, Juan found a standing chalkboard so she might want to play with that...and of course, there are all the books she chose from the library last week. So much to chose from. Juan also found a child's seat for the car...nice one. Will have to have John put it in my car so I don't have to get his each time I take Alexis somewhere.
Yesterday we had our Irish dinner...corned beef, potatoes and carrots. Ummmmm good! Corned beef melted in your mouth it was so good. Will be having more tonight and have to give Brandy some as they like it.

Would you be knowin'

The above photos were taken a few years back and so was the layout but I'm posting it just for St. Patty's Day. So to all the Irish and would be's, Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all. And a grand day it will be.
Would be be knowin' why the Irish only put two hundred tirty-nine beans in Irish Bean Soup? Because if you be addin' one more...it would be two farty!

Finally Back!

I know, I know, I haven't posted in a while now. Kind of got caught up in Facebook. ??? But I miss being able to rant on and on. Ü So what has happened in the past few weeks? Well, Juan had his 70th birthday.....70!!! Yikes! Took a couple of photos from that event but he didn't shave and if there is anything worse in a photos it's a 70 year old who hasn't shaved....so no photos to share of that event. The above photos are of Sierra, John and GiGi. GiGi kept trying to lick the paint off Sierra's face so that is the reason she has her head turned a bit. Sierra, Alexis and their mother went skating and that is where she had her face painted. Guess John is looking for a house. He and Juan went yesterday to look at one but it was too small with no basement. Tomorrow he is looking at a foreclosure house that is a two story with four bedrooms near where he is living now.
Tomorrow is Green Day and Juan went and bought some corned beef today and Holiday Market. They sell the Wigleys brand that we all love and would have to go to Eastern Market to buy. Will make that for St. Patty's day along with potatoes and carrots but no cabbage this time. Juan can't seem to stomache it anymore and I'm not getting a head just for me. Will be wearin' the green and eatin' me irish dinner but no stout. Juan takes care of that department.
Will try to keep up this blog more regular from now on....although will still keep track of facebook.
Oh...added a new gadget on this blog. My favorite blog sites. Check it out...it's on the right hand side right after "About Me".

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Well, Alex is going back to her place this morning. Waiting here for John to show up as he is coming with us to help take her stuff up the stairs to her apartment. During the week Lynn and then Caroline came by to visit and last night Tanya, Paul and Paige came by and we all went out to dinner together at Four Friends.
Photo above is of Sierra at the Henry Ford. John had taken her to the IMax show there and they stopped in at the museum for a look around.
Gotta go....John is here.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Well, Alex is doing fine after surgery on her left knee. There were two tears that were stitched and the doctor also cleaned out stuff from lupus. They had given her crutches to use but she is using a walker we had here at home. Today, she is walking on her own. The doctor also sent her home with a cooler type thing called a Cryo/Cuff. You put water and lots of ice inside of it and then attach the hose to your knee cuff. It is motorized so you then plug it in and it circulates ice water around your knee while also giving your knee circulation. It goes off and on every couple of minutes. Kind of neat. Photo of it is above. She uses it both day and night. The doctor said she can take off the bandage after three days but, she has to call him tomorrow as he didn't specify when she can take a shower....or when she can drive. So, she is coming along fine and each day getting better.
Tonight are the Oscar ceremonies so will be watching to see all the hoopla that goes with the awards.