Today my Husband and I decided to take a stroll along the river side at 'duck park'. The weather was absolutely beautiful. We took along some bread to feed to the ducks. We were surprised and delighted, to find a mama with her three little chicks. Both of us needed this little break from the walls of our apartment. Gary will be laid off for the next two weeks from work and we are already bored to tears and wishing we had money to do something. We will survive and hopefully he will get a chance to relax and enjoy a bit of the summer, which he normally would not get to do. So I leave you with a few pictures from the day. To see more go HERE

Jaxton Conner

An amazing event took place early today...the birth of a baby.

Jaxton Conner

8lbs 4oz

18 1/2 inches long

Happy Birthday Jaxton. Now for the excitement of watching you grow into a wonderful young man.

My latest paint job

I spent one evening last week painting the old highchair I had purchased at a rummage sale for $5.00. I decided it wouldn't be fair to the new grandson to sit in a pink highchair. Although his big sister loves it, it just wouldn't do for Jaxton. So I painted it white, with yellow accents. I also added a waste strap, which it never had and replaced the broken crotch strap. I was lucky enough to find one online that was exactly what I needed. So the old chair looks good and is safe for the new baby. Here's a picture of it right after I finished painting it. I had not replaced or added the straps yet.

Anna's Graduation

We just got back from my Daughters Graduation. We had a wonderful time visiting with my Daughter and Son. I am so proud of her. I admit I cried when I saw her walking in with her cap and gown. Something I never did. She graduated with honors, that's what the yellow cord means. She plans to enjoy the summer and then start college in the fall. She'll be working towards her degrees in accounting, her ultimate goal. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Me, Anna and Her Dad

Me, Anna, Andy and Jim

Anna & Her Fiance' Trevor

My Mother and I decorated the two rooms we had and my daughter, her fiance Trevor, my son Andy and Trevors Mother came by and finished out the evening with us. We had a GREAT time! Here are some pictures of the celebration afterwards.

The View

Here is a picture of the view I see outside my kitchen window. The photo doesn't do well expressing the feeling I get when I sit at the table in the mornings sipping tea and listening to the birds twerp. It's the only place here where we live, that I can feel a bit safe. It's a quiet little corner that no one invades but me. Often times a cardinal sits in the bush where I can get a really good look at him. He must see me though, because every time I get up to get my camera, he scoots along.

My Daughter Anna

This Sunday we'll travel to Highland, IL. where my daughter will graduate from High school. Something I never did. It took me 15 years later to sit in a crowded room with a bunch of much younger drops outs, to prove to myself I wasn't really dumb after all. I nearly aced the G.E.D. exam, with the help of my husband coaching me for months before. But this isn't about me, it's about Anna, my daughter. She's grown into a beautiful woman, without much help from me. I couldn't be more proud of her.

She's been working since she was old enough to and just recently purchased a brand new car with cash, paid in full. Something she had been saving for, for literally her entire life. Always one to never want to spend her money. I can remember standing in wal-mart with her, she couldn't have been more than 8 years old, as she painfully tried to decided what to buy herself with her savings. While her brother filled an entire cart with toys he couldn't afford, she very quietly stood and price checked every doll and game being very careful not to spend to much of her hard earned allowance. Although one of her first words was 'charge it', I don't think she ever really will.

Anna and her boy friend of nearly 3 years now, have recently become engaged as well. Talk about scary for me. The thought of my little girl getting married makes me feel lost and well....old. What happen to the time? Where did it all go? She was just a baby yesterday. Her and Trevor will wait until she finishes college to tie the knot and when asking her if children were in the future, she said "I want to see what it's like to be married for a while first". WHEW!

So Sunday is the big day. Gary and I will go down and meet with my Mother and step Dad. We'll go to the graduation and then go back to the hotel to put together a little party for her. I'm really excited and I hope I can get some good pictures to share.

Memorial Day 2009

Today we attended the local Memorial Day celebrations. As always it was very nice and very moving. A young veteran spoke to the crowd, barely leaving a dry eye, but most definitely leaving a mark in the hearts of everyone there. I'd like to leave you with the pictures from the day. Young and Old with so much in common....War

Jack Murphy Korean War Veteran

President of the Livingston County War Museum

(AND my Husbands Brother-in-Law)

Left: Juan Ruiz an Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran

Right: Jack Murphy Korean War Veteran

Juan Ruiz speaking to the crowd at the Pontiac, IL Memorial Service