Happy Anniversary Jin & Ian

Two years ago today my niece Jin, married her best friend, Ian and they started their life together. They make such a magical couple, and their wedding was beautiful!

It was the last big event for our mother before she passed. She was so happy for them, and to go to the wedding where she could see all of her family.

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Me, my sister, Melodie, and cousins Larry and Janet, with my Mom.

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Jin and Ian taking their vows.

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The newly-wed couple.

It really was one of the most joyful family events we’ve been to in a very long time. Jin wore a magnificent Korean Wedding Hanbok. She was, simply lovely!

Now we know that their love has multiplied and they are expecting their first baby in September. Call us all super excited!

TBT: 27 Years

Twenty-seven years ago today, Hubby and I said “I do”. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, our journey together has gone on.

We’ve always been there for each other, and together, I don’t think there is anything we can’t get through. It’s really a stroke of luck, when you marry your best friend.

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No matter where I am, when I wake up in the morning, or just before I go to bed at night, I want to talk to Hubby and tell him all about the day.

So, Happy Anniversary Hubby!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what’s something currently kept in a basket at your house?

Laundry. I’ve never been much of a basket person, but I do have baskets of laundry…always!

2. ‘The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.’ ~Michelangelo Buonarroti ) So which one are you…the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo’s surname prior to answering this question?

I’ve never seen the Sistine Chapel, but then, I’m not dead yet! I have done many things that people said could not be done, and yet, here I am.

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm…wonder how that’s celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you’re not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?

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In my youth I drank a lot of beer. When I lived in Germany, and whenever I go back, I drink a lot! Best beer in the world, almost any German Beer. One I especially like is Andechs! It’s a Bavarian Beer made by Monks. And it is soooooo good!

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How’d it go?

We cruised last November, and we stopped in St. Kitts. We took a tour of the Island, via train and that was a lot of fun. Although monkey’s are not indigenous to the Island, someone brought some over and now they are everywhere!

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These are Vervet monkey’s. Cute, yes, but they bite, so beware

5. The value of ____fame and fortune__is greatly overrated.

6. What’s a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?

Screaming children, who run around, causing madness and mayhem. I love kids, but come on. I raised two girls, and when we went out, I made sure they had things to do so that they didn’t bother other diners.

7. It’s Poetry Month…share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.

Rudyard Kipling

Four Feet

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I have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can't forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through --
Wherever my road inclined --
Four-feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

Now I must go by some other round, --
Which I shall never find --
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Easter was simply magnificent!

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Mandy’s beautiful dining-room.

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The whole family.

The food was wonderful, the company, terrific, and my granddaughter, fabulous!

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My daughter, Mandy is a natural at welcoming family and friends into her home.

Easter 2015

All day on Saturday, I worked cooking and helping Hubby with the Income Tax. Both things got done with a modicum of hassle, but lets just say, at least as far as the taxes go, I am happy to have that done.

The cooking was a bit more interesting. I made an Angel Food Cake that I sprinkled colored sprinkles in, thus making it an Angel Cake with Fairy Dust!

I also made some deviled eggs, and pared 3 pounds of strawberries to go with the cake. A perfect ending to a perfect Easter dinner.

Mandy is doing the dinner. I think she is making a ham. She is an amazing cook so I know the meal will be a good one.

I was looking through some past Easter posts, when I found this one from 2010. It’s called the Easter Snake. Have a peak, and enjoy!

The Easter Snake from Dackel Princess Maribeth

Spring Cleaning 2

For those of you that know me well, you know I have been vowing to clean the office for sometime. It’s been years months, but finally I decided to get all the filing items together and sort those, and slowly, but surely just do it.

I worked all day on Friday, and will be working on this again tomorrow. I discovered a box of old photo’s (the real kind) and I will have some fun in the future, scanning those.

I want to be done with it by mid-week because we are finally getting the VCR, DVD, and Satellite and cable all hooked up and working correctly on our family room TV.

This means a lot of working on the floor, on my hands and knees which isn’t always easy for me, as middle age has set in.

Friday was a beautiful day. It was actually 62 degrees here for most of the day with sunshine! How great is that!

My Thursday

My day started early, as I got up at 6:30, so I could walk the dogs, and shower, do my hair and dress. Once all that was done, I made breakfast for Hubby and myself. Then I gathered up all my documents, and my purse and off I went.
Driving over I was about half way there, when a man came up behind my car and was driving so close he scared me. When it was safe, I pulled over and let him pass by. A little further up the road, he was tail-gating an oil truck. This was terrible! Then he passed the oil truck in a no passing zone! The oil truck turned off down a road, and there in the distance I could see this same car tail-gating another car. I decided to get his license plate number. I drove up, read the plate number to Melodie (who I was talking to on the phone). Then in a mile or so, I saw a police car. So I stopped and carefully walked up to the police car. I explained it all to him, and gave him the plate number, and make and model and color of the car. It was then I realized the car driving recklessly was a policeman in an unmarked car. (Similar strange plate number) I explained my concern to the nice policeman, and he took down all the information. I hope that the other policeman who was driving crazy, was spoken to.
I arrived at Dr. J’s office, and the nurse was not so friendly. She had a real sour face. I just did not say another word, and allowed her to weigh me, and take my blood pressure. Then I waited for the doctor.
He was so kind, and he spent over an hour taking a medical history from me. He asked questions, and really spoke to me. For the first time, I felt as if someone was listening to me about feeling so ill. He looked over the blood tests I had already had, and said he is very concerned about the test that showed the high inflammation in my body. Then he did a complete physical examination and he was able to pin point the pain I have and we spoke about, how it feels, where it is, etc. The thing is that this sort of inflammation can be many things.
Dr. J promised me he will work to find out what it is. And he will not quit until he diagnoses me.
After I saw him I had a chest x-ray, and x-rays of my hands. Then I went to have a massive amount of blood taken to test.

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After that I felt a little light headed, so I grabbed a sandwich and then started to come home. It was such a pretty day, and I stopped to take pictures of Cardigan Mountain. It is a beautiful mountain not to far from us.

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Now the ride home was also event filled. I was driving behind another oil truck when all of a sudden he veered off into the breakdown lane! I followed him because, there was an insane woman driving right toward us, in our lane! Oh my God! I yelled to God reminding him that it is not allowed that I should die in a car!
I got home, and just wanted a cup of tea and some rest. I just have to warm up some leftovers and then toss the dishes in the dishwasher. I think bedtime will bean early one.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. In honor of the date…when were you last sent on a ‘fool’s errand’?

Mostly I do not have time to be running around like a crazed person. A while back I began living a life with no drama, or at least I try.

2. Peter Rabbit, Bugs Bunny, The Energizer Bunny, The Easter Bunny, Rabbit (Pooh’s friend), White Rabbit (of Wonderland fame), or the Trix Rabbit…which of these ‘famous’ rabbits can you best relate to right now?

I’ve been a Bugs Bunny fan all my life. Why change now. So, my answer is Bugs!

3. When did you last find yourself scrambling to get something done? Explain.

Last night. I made dinner for Hubby and myself and it was just horrible. You know, it doesn’t happen often. Usually, I cook pretty well, but this was a disaster!

4. Last time you were up at the literal crack of dawn? Why? Last time you stayed up all night? Why?

I no longer stay up all night. Just cannot do it. But, that said, I think if there was an emergency, and I was needed by Hubby, Mandy, Savannah, or another family member, I would be there. The crack of dawn? Unfortunately Lili gets me up far too early nearly every day.

5. Crack a book, crack a bottle, crack a joke, crack an egg…which have you done most recently?

Cracked an egg. Just made egg salad yesterday. I love eggs!

6. What’s your favorite part of a typical weekend? Tell us why that’s so.

I love Saturdays because on Saturday, I look to kick back, do something fun, or peaceful and not be hurried by appointments.

7. What’s something I’d find on a bookshelf in your home? Other than a book I mean!

Pictures rest on top of my book shelf. There is a picture of me with Shubi at sunset.

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A picture of Hubby skiing.

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And a picture of my dear friends, Uschi and her husband Volker.

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8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am really excited about Easter this year. Seeing Savannah, and seeing the holiday through her innocent child eyes fills me with happiness!

Spring Cleaning…Part One

The day dawned bright, cloudless, with cool temperatures, but no snow. Finally! I’d intended to begin my room by room plan for Spring Cleaning, with my bathroom and shower.

However, when I was in the half bath off the kitchen I noticed the curtains were stained. When I investigated further I saw that the entire window and all the curtains needed washing.

So I took everything down to the fabulous new washing machine, and after starting it, came up to wash walls and windows in that room. The half bath is off of Lili’s room and so I worked cleaning that too.

Actually those two small areas took up several hours of my time. But tonight, it not only looks good, but it smells good too!

Hubby, meanwhile, took Arnie out for their second walk of the new year. Arnie loves these little walks. He gets so excited when he sees Hubby get the leash, and then put on his coat. Hubby likes it too. He and Arnie are made for each other.

Meanwhile, Spring Cleaning has commenced and I’m feeling good about it!

Carpet Cleaning

About three weeks ago, perhaps longer, Hubby and I purchased protective mats for the Toyota Highlander. Truth be told, we should have gotten these last summer, before we had the worst winter on record.

In any case, after the purchase, both Hubby and I got a very bad cold, and the mats were forgotten. That was until today.

I brought the good vacuum down to the garage, under the house, and worked cleaning the carpets in the car. In a few more weeks I will bring the rug shampooer down and completely clean those carpets, but for now, the sand is vacuumed up, and the new rugs laid down on top. These can be removed for cleaning from time to time.

It looks so much better and I know once I clean the carpets with the shampooer, it will be even better. I also need to dust and do windows, but at least my first spring cleaning job is done and the Highlander carpets are vacuumed and now protected!