Thank God it is Friday

I think these pictures say it all!

This is my father probably around 1965. These were taken from a 8 mm film that my cousin had turned into a DVD, My uncle had 100s of these film reels. My cousin Vicki organized them all and finally picked 4 small reel to turn into a company to have put on a DVD. She wasn't sure how it would come back. Well the 4 smalls reels yielded 11 minutes of DVD. It is expensive BUT SO WORTH IT! When you think that not many of us (those that are around the 1/2 century mark) are on video these are a treasure. Granted there is no sound but still....We loved seeing our parents and ourselves, As you can see by the pictures my brothers and I come by our goofiness naturally..........................God only knows what the rest of those film reels hold I can hardly wait!

I've been tagged..

Thanks Karen Life at the Rough String for the tag....I know the tag said 6 items but....I was tagged over at facebook and so I thought I would just use that, kill two birds so to speak!

1. I am addicted to M&Ms
2. I dream of living at the beach in Oregon
3. I hate Mushrooms
4. I have been watching As the World Turns for 33 years!
5. I still love my VCR
6. Sadly Weather (thunderstorms and snow) is my biggest fear, life altering!
7. I am thankful for Deidra (daughter in law married to Justin) everyday for being who she is
8. I miss my Mom and Dad and Brothers Horribly
9. I love John and Kate plus eight
10. Can't live without my Dog Maltese named Orygun, 8months old
11. Have been married for 30 years to a gentle, old fashion, loving man
12. I consider Vicki my sister
13. I have insomia and can stay up all night watching movies (OK this is Menopause related)
14. I do Genealogy and have gone back 17 generations (THOMPSON)
15. I collect Quilts
16. I don't like getting old
17. I keep a daily Journal (hand written)
18. sometimes I forget to eat
19. I believe in spirits that visit
20. I am a neat freak
21. I cut my own hair
22. I couldn't live without my computer
23. although sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late
24. I think "It isn't what you don't have, It's what you do with what you do have"
25. I could live on Chinese food

Me and My Granddaughter Hannah 2007

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love.....I will

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They,too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and steril and imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

This was sent to me this morning from my Daughter in law , Deidra!

Do you Believe?

Do you believe?

Do you see my ancestors looking on? This Black and White photo was taken of My Grandfather in the 1950s

I blew it up and this is what I saw...

The first photo is the entire picture, the second is a cropped version

Now look real hard in the trees (upper right hand section) and I will tell you at the bottom who I see..

I see in the center a Profile view of a Victorian women high collar, swept up hair, to her right is a man looking to the right dark eyes, Mustache (he is my civil war guy)Then to the left of the lady you can see a profile of a older gentleman, could be bald with a mustache starring to the left (right off the shoulder)

Do you see?

Here is a shot that I circled the Victorian Lady and the Civil war gentleman

My two newest Babies

This is how I spend my days Monday through Friday.

I know a rough gig...

Ory and Dominic Pile on Grandma

Play Library with Logan

Pick up after Ory

Teach Logan to cook

Oh yeah and Take Pictures

Who ever said

"If I had known how great it was to be a Grandma, I would have done it first"

was so right!

Buurrrr

All I can say for today is that this -20 degrees (and that is not counting the windchill) will make Saturdays 29 degrees and snowing feel like a heat wave! My son sent me this from his car on his way to work

Orys first time out this morning...He just turned and looked at me as if to say "Yeah right, My pee would freeze"

So that is the start to my day How's yours?

Story of my life here in Michigan

My Orygun

Now by the Title you would think I mean Oregon (the way you really say it), But this is the name I chose for my New Maltese Puppy. Orygun Sabastian.......

Ory for short

I lost my other Maltese man, Prince Charles in September. He was the perfect dog and was my best companion through probably my most changing 13 years of my life.

We had moved from Oregon to Michigan (husbands job). Away from my entire family.... My children all then went to college, moved out and married. So I not only had to deal with empty nest I then had to also deal with Menopause! AAHHHH. My husband works 50 miles away and comes home on the weekends. I am perfectly fine with this, but Charles was my companion in every way and saw me through horrendous times...My Husband and I also decided to sell our home and downsize to a Condo. I feel safer and really, really like it. But one year after we moved was when Charles passed away in my recliner. I was destroyed! Just past Thanksgiving when I had started talking about getting another Maltese. My Husband and children went into "Operation puppy" They searched online and finally found a breeder in Ohio. My husband drove down and picked up Ory. They surprised me at dinner on a Sunday evening, I was stunned he was so quiet and but when I removed the lid there he was with a big red bow

I thought I was going to faint. He is everything I wanted, Although it had been 13 yrs since I raised a puppy I thought for sure I was up to the task. He is now about 7 months old and I am sure entering his terrible twos!..But that is ok. All the grooming and hugs we do in my Recliner every evening is worth it!

Jan 2009

Thought I would start the new year off with my resolution....I will keep up with a blog.....something other than facebook or myspace. Which I love because it is creative and interactive......but maybe too much of a game. I would like this one to be more serious....maybe. We will see. first I would like to get my page all in order then I will be back...
See ya