Roxy Rambling

4th of July weekend, Beaverton

2011-07-07T18:53:00.000-04:00

On friday July 1st our weekend began with the MISSTER RELAY PAGEANT in Beaverton. Needless to say, it was hilarious. I wish my grandson's had been in it. I really think Ryan might have won. Maybe next year. Obviously from what we saw, you dont need any talent.

Lakin came to spend the weekend as Tracy and Brad came up on Saturday morning. We had a great day and evening. Had a bonfire and smores. That hasnt happened at our house in a long time. It was great having Ryan here too. All of my grandsons are great company and I am sure Ry could have found something more exciting to do. Thanks for being here, Ryan.

The picture shows Jill with Ryan at the Misster relay pageant. There is a great picture of Tracy, Brad and Lakin by the pond and the other pictures were from Saturday evening. Just picked a few pictures out of a lot of them. Actually, Buddy our Bichon, spent the day gazing at the squirrel he chased up the tree. I checked it out cause he was mesmerized, and, I did not see whatever he was looking at. But if there is a squirrel in the yard he will keep them up in the trees for hours. Don't know who has more patience, the squirrel or the dog.

Sunday and Monday were both just layed back days for Dave and I. That is the drawback to having all the family away. Some day maybe David and his family will be here.

Well, I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend.

It has really been a long time.

2011-06-29T11:50:00.001-04:00

There is no excuse for my not writing. It is not that I am too busy as I do waste a lot of time procrastinating.

I don't even know why I decided to do this today. Blogging is a good way to let your feelings and ideas flow out on paper. Really better than facebook.

So much has been going on since I was here last. We did not go to a warm place this past winter. Instead we went to Washington to see our family out there. While we were gone, we missed a big snowfall at home. Who would of thought that March would have been so bad, but it was. Anyway, we will make up for that vacation next March, going on a Hawaiian cruise on NCL with friends.

It will be an extended vacation as we will stay over in Washington on the way back to Michigan. I am really looking forward to that cruise.

So, recently we have had quite a few additions to the Goodman side of my family. My neice Jennifer, had her third baby, a girl. Now she has 2 girls and a boy. Then my neice Megan had identical twin boys on June 6th.
My neice Kim had a baby boy in June also, and my nephew Chris and his wife Gina had a girl, their third child and they also have two girls and a boy.
If only my parents could see all these babies.

Tracy is doing her externship right now after going to school since last November to be a medical assistant. She is still trying to survive on unemployment and it is not possible. Working for free is not like getting paid except you need to show them what a good worker you are so they will make a place for you.

Jill was enjoying having the house free of boys, but it was only for a very short period of time. Justin is living at home again after a house deal fell through. Ryan is in and out but is living with a friend.

David is in the process of having his home rebuilt after their home burned on June 4th, his 45th birthday. Not a good way to celebrate.

Dave and I have had a few medical issues and mine was taken care of with emergency surgery on May 1st. Part of my colon had to be removed. Now, I am back to normal and it is Dave's turn. He is being scheduled to have more veins stripped and then a heart procedure in Sept.

Well, I am going to add some pictures and hopefully change the look of this blogspot. May God bless all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving a few days late.

2010-11-29T12:41:00.001-05:00

Well, I made it back. Thanksgiving was very nice and we met Justin's girlfriend, Krister and her son Landon. Jill did a great job with dinner.

Since then, I have been working on a few projects. Making bracelets to sell on ebay or to whomever and making christmas cards. I don't have a lot done but since they are not all the same it takes longer. I need to make them different since I have gone nuts buying rubber stamps and of course, from each set you only use one or two of them. You never get the words and pictures on the same set of stamps.

Well our November card workshop did not materialize and so it is Dec. 2nd. So that doesnt leave much time if I have to order materials to get the stuff and make them and mail them.

Dave has still not gotten a deer but is hunting every night. I feel bad for him but I do enjoy the time to do what I want or not do anything.

Well, I am going to upload the pictures of my cards, and like I said on facebook, if you get one, treasure it. Some day it may be worth a lot of money when my talent is discovered.

Isn't God wonderful?

2010-11-15T10:20:00.000-05:00

I promised myself that I would keep up this blog. I stole these pictures from my neice, Sandy Anson. They were taken on a color tour of western Michigan.

I think often when I am walking of all the wonder of God, but, do we really see it? It is out there for us to see.

As I took Buddy for a walk this morning, I thanked God for this day and for all that He has given to us and our children. We have been truly blessed.

Back again,

2010-11-14T18:59:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone, Well I did not get back on here as quickly as I said I would but it has been only 2 weeks this time since I was here.

I have had a busy week and yet I don't feel like I have accomplished very much. I have stamps, ink, paper, punches and you name it, scattered all over our den and even some half finished christmas cards. I also have pages of pictures to scrap, printed and waiting to be cut.

I am going to download a few pictures of my grandchildren. The halloween pictures are of Jake dressed like Adam Lambert. Kennedy is a soccer fairy. She is 14 now as of Nov. 11th. Jake would make such a cool looking girl (sorry Jake).

The other pictures are of Lakin on the 8th grade Beaverton basketball team. They have played two games and won both. Lakin got 4 points in the second game on Wednesday night.

I can honestly say that I feel bad for all moms who have to do the driving home from practice. This is my grandaughter and I am getting tired of it. Do they have to practice every day? First it was cheerleading and now basketball. I told her not to sign up for anything else, cause, I am not driving.!!!!!!!

Tracy has started the Medical Assistant program in Toledo. Can't believe that the second week she drew blood from another student. They had to practice on a dummy first then on their partner. She did good, got the vein right away. That girl she did it to must have said a lot of prayers before class.

Well, tomorrow is opening day of deer season here in Michigan and my husband has his lunch made and the alarm set for 5:30am. Sure hope he gets ready quietly, yea right.

Lakin is here as they don't have school on the first day of hunting season. Don't know if it is cause too many kids skip school and go hunting or if they don't want the school buses to get hit by flying shotgun shells.

Happy Monday

2010-11-01T13:01:00.000-04:00

Well I am going through withdrawl from facebook and farmville. I realize now it took up at least one half of my day.

I am making bracelets and getting pandora stamped beads ready for a craft show on saturday. I have so many bracelets and beads to get rid of from my fundraising for the Relay for Life.

I wanted to get my play list back on my blog but can't figure out how to do it. I also want to change my background and can't seem to do that either, today. So, I am going to walk away from it all for a while.

I am trying to catch up on all my Life Preservers Scrapbook friends and their blogs.

Will keep in touch, soon.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T09:01:00.003-04:00

Happy fall to all my friends and family who follow this blog. I wasted a lot of time on facebook and farmville but now I am going to take charge of my life again.

I had a busy summer, just got a new computer, and going to start my scrapping again.

My grandson's are doing well and had a fun summer on the lake. Lakin was a 8th grade cheerleader and had fun. Now basketball is starting and I hope she gets to play a lot. Our social life is attending basketball games.

Tracy just celebrated her 2nd anniversary of her cancer diagnosis. She is starting school on November 8th.

David and his family are well and busy. I dont even get recent pictures of my Seattle family anymore. Got to get out there to take them myself.

Dave and I are planning on meeting the family when they play in the President's Day Soccer Tournament in Phoenix in February. (that is the plan right now)

Jill and Ray are doing well but Ray is going to have knee surgery as soon as work doesnt need him.

Well, going to look for pictures to post now. I had to copy them to a cd from the old computer so hopefully I can find some. Bye for now.

2010-06-13T18:56:00.001-04:00

Regina Reunion, class of 1960, June 4th

2010-06-13T17:47:00.001-04:00

Our high school reunion took place 50 years from the day we graduated. Several months before, I had found some of my classmates on facebook and we renewed acquaintances. We talked about getting together a couple of times a year and possibly having a gals weekend away somewhere. I really hope this all comes together.

Here are the pictures. There were 305 in our graduation class. It is an all girls school. One difference, the nuns do not wear habits anymore, and the girls have better looking uniforms and gym clothes.

LONG TIME GONE BUT NOT FAR AWAY

2010-06-13T17:05:00.003-04:00

To everyone who follows me, I want you to know how grateful I am that you keep checking. I have been very lax on keeping up with this blog. It seems that facebook has consumed my life along with a few medical issues with my son in law, Brad, Tracy's follow up appt. with the oncologist (she is fine) and a First Eucharist for Lakin, Mothers Day and My 50th class reunion. When I put it all down, I guess I was busy but I havent even done any scrapbooking.

So the time has come to get things back into perspective and I hope that my facebook friends from Regina '60 will follow me here.

I had already posted pictures of Lakin's Confirmation so the pictures will be of her First Eucharist at St. Anne Catholic Church, Edenville MI. Then I will have pictures of my 50th class reunion from Regina High School, Harper Woods, MI.

In the meantime, my son in law, Brad, had a triple bypass on May 24th and I went to stay with Tracy, but as it turned out, she stayed at the hospital and I stayed at the house with 6 cats. (All you do is shovel and vacuum up the litter they track). I had lots of free time but really did not like driving around Toledo alone.

Tracy took her entrance exam for a nursing program on May 21st and found out on the 26th that she had passed. So now even though she is still looking for a job, she had school to look forward to if she doesnt get something that pays well.

Brad will be off for 3 mo. so money sucks at this point but in a little more that a year all will be well, two incomes again.

Dave and I had talked about going to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach Alabama next Feb for a month but now of course we have the oil spill. So who knows where we will end up in the winter next year. Meanwhile, I have to start taking Buddy more in the car so he gets over his whining or else find a dog trainer to help me out with this one.

I promise I will be back on here sooner than a month. I plan on scrapping starting tomorrow, at least a page a day and then in less than 2 weeks I am going on a scrapbook retreat and I am looking forward to that, as it is something I have wanted to do but never did it.

Well hopefully, the pictures will upload with no problem. Bye for now,

Lakin's Confirmation and my awesome grandson, Jake

2010-05-05T08:42:00.003-04:00

We celebrated Lakin's Confirmation on April 28th at Sacred Heart Church, Gladwin, MI.
There were only 19 that were confirmed from four parishes in the area. Bishop Cistone who was recently transferred to the Saginaw Diocese welcomed these young people to the body of the Catholic Church and the Holy Spirit was instilled in them.

The other pictures are of my awesome grandson Jake, who is a great soccer player. I was able to watch him play for 6 summers and now I really miss that. Once in a while I get pictures sent to me. He made the goal with a head shot and his team U11 won the Washington Cup soccer tournament. (If any of this info is wrong it is because all I got were the two pictures).

I am going to scrapbook today. My stuff has been all out waiting for me but I have spent to much time on Facebook, Farmville and Ebay. So, now hopefully, I can get my priorities in order.

Zoa Barker's Birthday Party

2010-05-05T08:30:00.002-04:00

Hi to all my scrapbook friends. I just visited the most awesome blogsite which belongs to Zoa Barker. She is so inspiring and creative. You can see by her blog that she makes the most she possibly can out of her life. She is celebrating her birthday all week. Boy does that make me feel bad, I dont celebrate birthdays.

I have learned that we all need to "CELEBRATE LIFE" and live it to the fullest.

You all need to check out her 32nd all week birthday party.

Better Late than Never

2010-04-27T08:12:00.003-04:00

Well almost an entire month has passed and so much is going on. I have pictures of the Easter Vigil where my son-in-law Brad, was received into the Catholic faith. There are also a few pictures of Dave and I on Easter and also Lakin with her mom.

We had a nice Easter, the drive down was ok, Buddy only whined half of the way down and back. It doesnt matter if he is in his crate, out of the crate, on my lap or someone else's, he still whines. Then when we get to where we are going he is afraid of being left and jumps into the car at every opportunity as though he really loves the car. Go figure!

Unfortunately I have made him into a very demanding animal and right now he is barking to go out or to come in. Well, I am busy right now.

I am going to post pictures and then after Lakin's confirmation tomorrow night, I will post more, I promise.

To my son and his family in Renton, Wa. it may appear that I am favoring Tracy and Lakin and I am not, but I have nothing from that side of the US to post. I really miss them but have almost given up hope that they will come home. David only shows up for funerals. So, that being said, I dont want him to show up for a long time cause I am going to be around for a long time. I do get pictures sent by way of the computer of Jake and Kennedy and I will try to keep up with all that.

Hugs to all of you! Hope to be back sooner than a month.

March is flying by.

2010-03-28T13:10:00.004-04:00

Hi again, finally!
I wish the pictures were at the end of the post. The last picture is of Lakin, on the left, with Savannah Lyon and Jennifer Eaton at Kalahari where they spent three days.
I cannot seem to keep up with all this facebook, scrapbook forum, emails, and doing this blog. However, some of you only check this and others check facebook and some just e-mail. All in all, one could spend the whole day on the computer.

It is a lazy sunday and I have not accomplished much but taking Buddy for a walk and taking a shower, of course folding the clothes. They usually get folded by Dave if I leave them on the bed long enough. Guess I didn't leave them long enough.

Cannot believe April is almost here and our vacation seems like it never was, except for the photos. I have gotten back to scrapping and have done some really old pictures of Justin (23) and Ryan (21). Some day they will appreciate my efforts and will have to toss a coin to see who gets the scrapbook. I think the first one to get married and have a child should get it. However, they love their mom so much, they are never going to leave her.

My Buddy hates riding in the car, and, all he does is whine. I should rephrase it, he loves to go, but he whines all the time. So now I put him in the carrier in the car and so now he doesnt want to go but we are practicing for when we go down to Tracy's and then also, next winter, possibly go away for 6 weeks which would mean an awful long time in the car to get down south. So now I take him everywhere, even to the post office a quarter of a mile away.

Yesterday, Buddy and I went on a field trip (a practice for being in the car for about 2 1/2 hrs. I went to a craft show 45 min. away and left him in the crate while I was in there and then came home. He really was pretty good. He only whined part of the way there and when he saw it was not doing him any good at least he stopped.

Next weekend we will go to Tracy and Brad's. Brad is getting confirmed and receiving the Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. We are very proud of him for doing this for Tracy. In the end it will really be for himself.
That is the last big event until Lakin is confirmed on April 28th.

I posted recent scrapbook pages since I spent all day yesterday working on them. I have more work in progress but today is the Michigan State-Tennessee basketball game and I am going to watch. We are keeping our fingers crosses.

Fly Like an Eagle

2010-03-12T08:10:00.002-05:00

Parasailing is the most awesome thing to do. It was something I had to do in my lifetime and I got to do it with my husband, daughter and son in law. It is so silent up in the Heavens and the first thing I did when I looked around was to thank God for all His wonderous gifts. We are truly blessed.

Everyone has crosses to bare but with God's help, these too shall pass. The parasailing pictures are taken from the ground in the boat but next time I will take a camera up with me.

Vacation is over!

2010-03-10T18:38:00.004-05:00

Hi everybody,

We have been back from our cruise since last saturday night. If I thought things were a mess before we left, (our well went the day before we left) things are really a mess now. The new well is in and our front lawn is gone and just mud. The health dept has not come out to inspect and we have called them and what a pain. At least the weather has been wonderful since we got back.

It was a great cruise. Tracy relaxed and celebrated her victory over her cancer and we had a lot of fun. The ship had a bowling alley and Tracy and Brad bowled in a tournament that ran every night at 10 or 10:30PM. It was hard to bowl when the ship is moving and there were really a lot of gutter balls. The first night was the funniest. After that, I just went to bed and Dave watched them.

This ship had a lot of things to do. Tracy and Brad both did the rock climbing wall and Brad made it to the top but Tracy had two steps to go. At Great Stirrup Cay, the NCL island, the 4 of us went parasailing. It was just awesome and you cannot believe how quiet it is up there.

I hated to come back knowing we had no water. Thank God for Jill being a mile away, I could fill those gallon jugs and take a shower. We finally got water last night and it was so nice to take a shower in my own bathroom.

I am going to post the best of our pictures, the ones taken by a photographer and then tomorrow I will show the parasailing. For anyone who is on facebook, my cruise pictures are on my page.

Here are my new pictures!

2010-02-21T11:59:00.003-05:00

The first picture is of David the bunco queen. When someone does not show up at the monthly bunco club Laura belongs to, someone has to fill in. I guess it was David's turn and he got to be queen for the night. The pictures of Tracy and Brad and Brad with the candidates that are being received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil are next. Then Kennedy and Jake at their soccer games yesterday 2/20/10

Almost a month since you heard from me!

2010-02-21T11:29:00.001-05:00

Hello friends and family. I know I am really bad about getting on here but I have been really busy. I am glad that this month has been flying by as we are leaving on our cruise on friday. This is the victory cruise over cancer that we are celebrating with Tracy, our youngest daughter, who could not go last year when we went with the Renton, Wa. friends of our son and daughter-in-law.

So, this year Tracy gets to go and not have to worry about her hair flying off or catching some dreaded disease because of the chemo destroying all her immunity.

I have started working on another fundraiser for our Relay for Life team which is "Good Neighbors". I am donating 1/3 of the profit from my pandora stamped beads and the beads and bracelets to my team. Last year 50% went for Tracy's medical that was not covered by insurance. Because she will need to have testing done this year and she is not working the other 1/3 is for her to use for ded. and copays.

I was so happy to get new pictures of my soccer players to post on my blog. I also have pictures of Brad and Tracy and also Brad with the other candidates who are turning Catholic and the Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing.

We lost a special member of our family this past week. Our 14 year old all black, long haired kitty, A.C., had to be put to sleep. I know he is in kitty heaven. We rescued him a long time ago and I brought him home and his face was frostbitten and he was so tiny and so starving. He brought us a lot of comfort and joy and we miss him. But, he had been really congested, just slept, lost his sight and his sense of smell and so could not find his food and then finally his last day he just slept and did not get off the chair. We have always our cats before they got old cause they went in and out, but A.C. (alley cat) and Scooter (our white cat) stayed in all the time.

Anyway, next time I am on here, the vacation will be over. By the way, we are really giving our WII Fit a workout. I am jogging over 2 miles at least once a day and sometimes twice. I may be older but I am wiser and more physically fit.

Will get back here with cruise pictures in a couple of weeks. Hugs to all, Roxanne

WII are addicted!

2010-01-31T09:58:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday!
Well the end of January and I have to tell you all that the WII Fit Plus is the best gift I have ever received. (Hope I dont hurt anyone's feelings by saying that>)

This morning when Dave got up, I asked him if he was staying up. He said "the wii is calling".

Besides the exercise, it is fun and it has become a competition in this household. We spend a lot more time together, too. Buddy is getting used to the mii's talking and doesn't bark at the quick movements anymore.

I don't seem to be losing weight but I have to say, I feel good and a lot firmer.

Anyway, yesterday the free run, I did 2 miles in 10 minutes and the 10 min step I did over 900 steps. However, it is to much to do both the same day at least my knees think so. Dave is second in Hula Hoop plus and Lakin is first, of course. She is still tops in the 10 minute run, too. But then there is an age difference.

I am going to cool it on there today and only do fun things. What is funny is that we keep going back for more. No one is just vegetating here in this house except the cats.

Counting the days till the cruise as it has been really cold here.

Bye for now!

Relay for Life 2010

2010-01-26T14:35:00.003-05:00

I am happy to say that I will be a part of the Relay for Life in Gladwin County this summer. Last year was the first year that I participated. Even though it rained on our parade, it was a memorable day.

I have volunteered to do a fundraiser with the pandora style beads and bracelets and this year the profit from the sales will go to our team.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored my girls and I last year. If you can do it again, it will be so appreciated.

January 2010

2010-01-19T18:05:00.003-05:00

Hi and Happy New Year to all my friends and family. I cannot believe that we are 2/3of the way through the month of January.

I actually do not like January, because it means that I have a birthday and am older. However, I don't feel older but some piece of paper says I am.

For my birthday, I got the WII Fit Plus. So for the past few days I have been exercising (playing games) on it and today Dave did the Fit for the first time. Of course if you are my friend on facebook, you already know he is better at it than I am. Oh well, I have the looks and he has the coordination.

Lakin was here Sunday and ignored the internet and played on the Wii Fit all day. It tired me out just watching her.

Today we are thanking God that Tracy got a phone call and has a job interview in Maumee Ohio on Friday. Her and I have been praying for this as she lost her job in November, I think, and has been busy answering ads, sending resumes' etc. She has also looked into school but really needs a job. So, if God is behind her, she will get this. It may be the new door that opens after the other one closed.

We are also asking prayers for our friend, Jeremy Jackson. He is the father of two little boys and is in his 30's and has been receiving chemo for colon cancer. Now just shortly after the end of chemo, the doctors found polyps at the sight of the colon resection (in other words, where the cancer was removed). I beg all who read this to say a prayer for that family, that it is God's plan for Jeremy to be cancer free.

Will try to post more often. I guess since our year with the cancer experience, I dont have a lot to say (just kidding, I really talk all the time).

Please also say a prayer for Tracy to get a job quickly. Unemployment is not anywhere near what her pay was.

Love to all, Roxanne

christmas pictures and all

2009-12-28T16:07:00.005-05:00

I sincerely hope each and every one who follows this blog, had a great Christmas.

Our family was together, except for David, but my sister, Cindy and her family were here too. The weather was not the best, icy roads on Christmas Eve, rain on Christmas. Now it is snowing again and Dave has already shoveled 3 times.

I cleaned drawers and my closet, whoopee!! I have my trunk loaded to take to the mission tomorrow. I did accomplish a lot today, for a change. That was after curves and our walk. It is a little tricky walking even on black top as the roads were not plowed when the snow and ice turned to slush.

Dave and I got a gift together this year. The Wii sports,and I am going to get Wii fit. Our buddy does not like tennis or baseball. He went after Ryan when Ry was batting and then later when I was trying to hit a tennis ball, he went nuts again.

I warned Dave, he better not ever pretend to hit me, he might get ate up by the little white killer dog.

Well,I kept it short today. More pictures tomorrow. Jill and Tracy and I all got the same camera. We discovered the yellow in the pictures is more or less from our fluorescent lights (energy saving bulbs) in the house. So, I read the manual and hope that by the cruise I have it all figured out.

We are all Spartan Fans

2009-12-23T07:55:00.002-05:00

I love this picture of Ryan and Sparty. He is truly a spartan fan and so he is truly "one of us".

The other picture, I pulled off facebook and printed it for us. It is the Christmas picture of our son David and his family. The kids are becoming young adults so fast.

We truly miss them all at Christmas and the whole year. It has become my greatest wish that one day, I will answer the door, and it will not be the mail lady, but my son.

As you can see, I have become sentimental with this Holy Season. Never before, has the Savior meant so much to me as now. He has brought our family through one perilous journey this past year. So, all I ask for this next year is that my family become closer and more caring of each other, and closer to God.

Pictures of the new bracelets and some scrapbook pages

2009-12-14T06:18:00.002-05:00

My ebay seller name is anson.rga and Tracy has listings too. They are under pandora style bracelets. Check us out.

Happy Day!

2009-12-14T05:50:00.002-05:00

Today is the day Tracy gets her port out. Last Herceptin IV was friday and she is officially done with doctors for 6 months. Of course she has seen every doctor she has had to see and had her mammogram and all the rest of the exams already.

So about now, she is having her glass of water and vacuuming (a must by 6:30am) and then getting ready to go to the hospital. I am not there today, but Brad is going. She is so consumed with vacuuming that I know she could make a fortune cleaning houses. (except-she does her best work at 6:00 am). I thought my David was obsessed with clean, but his is more the germs on the faucets and counters. Dave and I are into the light switches being all down or all up.

So, let me tell you, I have tackled some scrapbook pages and some Christmas cards are made. Also, I am getting calls for beads and for bracelets. So, since I was going to stop doing that, I see no reason to not have them on hand and after Christmas all those ladies with the real pandora bracelets will need more beads at an affordable price.

The pictures I am posting are of the two bracelets I have on ebay and the pages I finally accomplished getting done. I am also mailing the cards I made for the lpsc Dec. card swap. Wow. And one more thing, the kids in Renton got their gifts and the family gift of 25 pieces of fudge coated apples and pretzels and other goodies has arrivied and I hear the Jake really likes those apples.

Posting the pictures now. See you all soon!

A few new pictures from Michigan

2009-12-04T11:03:00.003-05:00

Well, we are into Dec. and I really did not want to put up the tree. The holidays are not what they used to be with little ones. But, when Tracy said she was coming home for Christmas, I knew I had to do the Christmas tree.

Dave put up the outside lights and now we are adding the wreath and more wreaths. I decided I want a really big wreath on the garage peak but could not find one so I got the 30 inch wreath and then after it was up I found a 42" one. So the one in the picture is not the big one.

Christmas is a sad time for me, because, now my parents are both gone and since my mom passed away the whole family thing has not been the same. My mom really held us all together.

It is also a sad time because David and his family are not here. I hope one Christmas all my kids will be able to be together on Christmas Eve. For now, we are happy that Tracy and Brad will be home.

Last year was not a happy time as Christmas Day was the day Tracy's hair started coming out from the chemo. Now all her treatment will be over, and the port taken out. So, we can really celebrate.

We have been keeping busy with Lakin's basketball games and seeing all the girls improve as the season goes on. It is fun seeing the parents of our kids there watching their grandchildren. Everyone still looks the same as they did 15 years ago. It really is amazing.

Well, got to get off here now and go run some errands. Will try to post more often.

Bye for now, Roxanne

November is almost over, and I can't believe it!

2009-11-29T07:05:00.003-05:00

Well this morning when I found a comment on my last post. I posted the comment, thanks Joyce,( from LPSC) for reminding me I had a blog site.

Nov. 15th, opening day of rifle deer hunting season here in Michigan, my husband shot this big 10 point buck. From that point on I have just been busy winding up the craft shows which I sold over $800 of bracelets and murano glass beads which fit on all the current rage bracelets, Pandora, Troll, Chamilia, and all the rest.

So Tracy's bills are paid and I feel really good about that.

So now there's the Beaverton 7th grade basketball games on monday and wed. nights. Then there was Thanksgiving, I will load the pictures on here from my new camera.
I bought myself a Nikon L100 with 10 megapixels and 15x zoom and I love it. Just dont like the program they gave me to edit the pictures so now I found out about PicNik and I am going to try to upload them to that to edit.

Wed. we made the 3 hr trip to Tracy and Brads. Tracy and I did the turkey and stuffing and all turned out delicious. She made the best cheesecake, too.

We went down the day ahead after picking Lakin up from school and poor Buddy who really wants to go with us whined all the way down, never slept and then got over stimulated with Tracy's cats and did not sleep well. So after not much sleep we tossed the idea around about coming home Thanksgiving evening instead of Black friday morning. It was a good move, no traffic. And poor Buddy was again whining all the way home.

Friday, Dave took my car in to have the tires balanced because we noticed a whining sound as he was driving down and back. (a sound different than the dog's whining).
It seems that we needed a wheel bearing and now the car is fine. Buddy is destined to be in a crate in the car whenever I can take him even to the post office until he gets used to it.

Well, today I pick Lakin up at the 1/2 way point from her mom's and she is staying the night. It is only a mile for me to drive her to school so then I will hit curves and 7:45 and start my vacation exercise program. Cruise countdown for Feb 27.

I hope to get back here sooner with scrap pages. Love to all, Roxanne

Back to scrapping

2009-11-13T10:21:00.004-05:00

Well, I finally did it. I got a few pages done and I have to really get to work on the pictures I have stored up.

The one page, my cat jumped into the picture as I was ready to push the button. It turned out cute, and I guess he just wanted to see what was going on.

The other two pages go in Tracy's Journey album which is almost finished. I decided to do a collage with the pictures that were still laying around even though they are in the album already.

Now, hopefully, I am going to look for a new camera. Yesterday, my husband said if I waited till today he would go with me. I know which camera I want but want to make sure that I can get good instructions before I buy it. Bye for now.

The pictures that did not upload yesterday.

2009-11-12T06:55:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I wrote my whole chapter for the two weeks I missed and then the pictures would not upload.

Today, I am going to look for a new camera. A good, reasonably priced, easy to use camera so that I can get my own pictures instead of having to depend on everyone to email me the pictures.

I could not get good pictures of the kids playing soccer, now Lakin's basketball.

She is a very aggressive player and we are proud of her. Kennedy and Jake, we are so proud of you, too. I wish we could be with you all, but it was not meant to be. For me the ideal living situation (I think) is to have two residences. One in Washington and one in Blissfield, Mi. I would fly back and forth every two months so I could be a part of my grandchildrens' lives. Wonder how to manage that? Got to buy a lottery ticket.

I am not getting on here any sooner than I was.

2009-11-11T13:00:00.003-05:00

Boy, I thought once I had my life back and the cancer thing was over, I would find time to post more often. However, company on weekends and now basketball games on monday and wednesday nights is time consuming and then throw in a craft show last saturday for the Fund raising.

I have to say that it has been a fun thing to do but kind of stressful. A day at a craft show is tiring even if I am busy. I did very well last saturday and by the time I do the one at Sacred Heart Church in Gladwin, I will have all the excess medical bills paid that Tracy accumulated.

Since I was on here last, Tracy lost her job. Now that is not surprising in Michigan or Ohio or a number of other states but she is a paralegal. So even lawyers are feeling the crunch as people don't have the money to retain them so there goes the business.

Tracy is looking into going back to school and get in the medical field. I know that with an associates degree she can make a lot as an ultrasound tech or xray tech.
She really does not need a lot, just something that she will love to do and she knows that is not the legal field.

Lakin, who never showed any interest in sports is playing basketball on the junior high team in Beaverton. Their first game was monday and the pictures are from that game. She is number 23, in case you dont figure it out. She played her heart out and is surprisingly good as her mom and dad have no athletic ability at all.

The exercise is good and keeps her very busy. (and crabby)

Another game tonight but here are the pictures of Lakin.

Halloween

2009-10-31T12:55:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween!
Well all is well at our house. Tracy, Brad, and Lakin are here for the weekend. Tracy spent the morning getting a Spatacular and Brad help Ray move Ryan's furniture home from Kirtland College.

Ryan graduated from the Police Academy yesterday. It was a very nice end to his intensive training. Now Jill has two police officers in her family. Shows she brought them up right.

The pictures are of Jill and Ryan, then Lakin's 7th grade school picture. She is at the age where pictures turn out a lot better than when she went through that awkward stage every child goes through.

This afternoon is Mass and then the trick or treaters invade us. We never have many kids but this year there are several families with younger children.

Other than that not much going on. Now for the pictures and I wish you all a safe Halloween.

Happy Thursday to all

2009-10-29T15:56:00.002-04:00

Today I put the bracelets and beads away, out of site, till after the weekend.

I have two more events to do but have raised a lot of money for Tracy's medical bills and I feel really good about what I have done. I am stressed and tired but it is worth it and while I put my life on hold for a while, with the bills paid, Tracy has less stress and worry and so do we.

I want to thank my friend and neighbor, Barb. Also, her daughter Lynne for having the first party. I want to thank Curves in Beaverton for letting Barb and I do a fundraiser for Tracy and to the American Cancer Society for letting us participate in the girls night out. I want to thank Dave for letting me concentrate on this project.

Also, thank you to Dee in Ohio and her sister Carla who works at DTE for their interest and work they have done for me. Thanks to Katie in Livonia for supplying me with some beads I needed and for the LOVE necklace she gave me and Tracy wears it.

It has been a long year but we are celebrating this weekend. Tracy turns 40 and now she is older than me cause I am 36. (I like that number). Tracy will have a day at the spa on saturday. Really not a day but 90 minutes of massage from head to toe. Wish it was me.

Anyway, I need to make dinner now, but I wanted to get this done and published.

Tomorrow, my grandson Ryan, graduates from the Police academy at Kirtland College in Roscommon, MI. and we are going to that. So, next post will have some handsome young police officers' pictures.

Hi Again

2009-10-21T09:43:00.003-04:00

Well I really thought I could post more often once things got back to normal. Guess I don't know what normal is unless it is Dave following me around and finishing things I start and did not get back to. Dave folds clothes after he puts them in the dryer and he puts them away too. I dont complain to him if my pajama top is on a hanger and the bra in my drawer is my grandaughters (which happens to be the same size as mine). He is a pretty good guy, most of the time. I could probably do or buy almost anything within reason and as long as the receipt is in the pile for the master card bill, it is ok. Just make sure they receipts are in the pile so he knows I really made the purchase.

Just got a new Kodak printer. My canon printed photos just terrible and drank up the ink. So, I took it back and got the Kodak. I told my grandaughter I ran out of ink so I got a new one cause the ink comes with it. She really thinks I did that.

Anyway, the Kodak printer is great and the colors are vivid, so, I should be back in scrapbook heaven. But the beads have taken over.

I am very proud of the fact that I have been able to pay two of the medical bills for Tracy and now that just leaves the genetic testing to pay for. Thank God it was negative and so it is easier to pay for good news than it is to pay for bad news.

I have an American Cancer Society fundraiser program on monday night and then a bead party on tues. night. Things are going well except I am kind of looking forward to being done with Beads and Bracelets in December.

Well, no new scrapbook pictures, but I do have new photos of my son Dave and his family, Kennedy and Jake, and new bracelet and necklace pictures.

Hope to be back with you soon. Bye for now.

Finding normal in my life!

2009-10-14T17:29:00.003-04:00

First the pictures and then-------Well to all who try to follow this, I am trying to get back into a somewhat normal existance. I do feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. Tracy is well and even thought treatment still goes on, at least for now, she has that safety net. Tracy lived the "secret" which is "ask, believe, receive" to anyone who is not familiar with the book or the plan.
Now, it is time to get back into that mode of being so stong that nothing can disturb her peace of mind. If I know my daughter, she will read this and pick up the book and get back into living in health and happiness. She will look at the sunny side of everything and make her optimism come true.

Now, let me tell you about the weekend. I have had a friend from a support group that I have been in touch with for about 6 years. We have only met by way of email. Well last saturday, Dee, her husband John, her sister Carla, and another gal from the MC colitis support group whose name is Jodi, met for the first time in person. Dee, Jodi and I chatted while Carla and my friend Barb put together our pandora like bracelets and necklaces that Carla was taking to work to sell for Tracy's fund raiser. We had a nice visit but not long enough. Next time I will go downstate to visit them. Dee is from Ohio, but I am sure I can get Jodi on the way and we will all camp out at Carla's.

I promised myself I would get back into scrapbooking and so I have posted a few pages I did. I got new pictures from my daughter in law, Laura, and I am anxious to print them and use them as they are from the summer. The kids are growing too fast.

My grandson Ryan, graduates from the police academy at the end of the month. He too, has grown up too fast and now Brandon is in college at UC Davis. Only hear from him once in a while.

Well I hope you enjoy the pictures and I will keep in touch with you by way of this blog or facebook.

See you all soon.

Getting back to Life, God is Good, Life is good

2009-10-09T17:52:00.002-04:00

Hello to all who follow this blog. I have not been very faithful to keeping up with this as life has been very hectic lately. I just spent 2 full days downstate with my daughter, Tracy. I went on wednesday and went to her oncologist appointment of thurs morning and then to Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio in the afternoon to get the dreaded results of the genetic tests for BRCA1 & BRCA2, the breast cancer genes. If the tests, one or both of them, had been positive, the end result would most likely have been a double mastectomy with reconstruction. The other horrible thing would have been that my grandchildren could test positive for this gene also, meaning breast cancer would be inevitable.

The great news is, the tests were both negative. This was the last stone in that rocky path in the journey Tracy was making to recovery. There were tears shed and hugs and thank you's to everyone yesterday.

The pictures of Tracy and I were taken last night and this morning before I left to come home. She is as beautiful a person without hair as she was with her long curls and now with her 1/2 curls that wont even spike up. She was so happy that she could get highlights right away that an hour after we got home from the oncologist, she had blonde highlights.

The end of her journey is just around the corner, December 11th. That is the date of her last Herceptin IV and then shortly after that her port will be taken out. What a joyous day it will be.

Tracy is working on finding out who she is now. Since you can never go back, you have to work on moving forward. There will be new normals for everything in her life. She spends a lot of time talking to God, has become a lector at her parish church, is trying to eat healthy and banish the smoke from her world. She knows I will not ever spend another night in the hospital with her if it is due to her own lack self control.

Well, I just want to put in one more thing. I want to thank all who prayed, all who encouraged Tracy, all who lit the candles, sent cards and good wishes. It meant so much to her and to all of us. She is truly a gift to me in the woman she has become spiritually. She is on her knees morning and night (a lesson she learned from my brother and sister in law). For this God has answered her prayers.

Happy Saturday

2009-10-03T07:21:00.003-04:00

While right now, I have no new pictures to post but, I want to tell everyone what amazing people there are in this world today. These are people I have never met, and people that hardly know me. Their generosity in helping out my fundraising efforts is overwhelming.

I am very fortunate to have my health and I wish that I would have done more for others at times when I could have but did not bother. Sometimes, and I dont think I am alone, we go out of our way to avoid giving handouts or buying for fundraisers. But I have learned in the past week and I have changed my ways.

I was able to send my Tracy a check for $375. from bracelets that I sold or my friend Barb sold in these past two weeks. This is money from generous wonderful ladies that did not have to buy the bracelets or add a donation.

I am so thankful to God for giving me this inspiration to do the Pandora like bead parties or open houses so that I could help our where it is needed. If I was younger I would do fund raising for whomever needed it.

Yesterday, I stopped at a 4 way stop and the Knights of Columbus were collecting with canisters. I used to just hate this, everyone on the corners collecting. Well, I usually try to get away, but yesterday I pulled out a dollar (wow) but I only had $3. in my wallet. I put it in the canister and drove away and then the though came into my mind, I will get this back one hundred fold. Normally those thoughts dont pop into my head. I forgot about that but a few hours later when I got home, I got a call from my friend that she had a check for me for 6 bracelets that a wonderful person bought for christmas gifts.

Now, I try to live my life by the Secret, and I had kind of gotten away from reading it and living it. But "the Secret" is working again.

Happy weekend to all. I am done rambling on for now.

If my Seattle family reads this, know how much I love and miss you all.

I also want to say that my son, David, lives "the Secret" and does not even know it.

September is almost gone!

2009-09-29T08:26:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone, I have had my grandaughter, Lakin, for 10 days. Her dad remarried and was on his honeymoon so she stayed with us. Every minute she was not in school, or sleeping, she was on the computer. Thus, I could not post.

It is quite cool here in Michigan, but that is ok with me. With winter comes the next vacation in February where it will be hot and sunny. Also, along with Tracy, I want the year to be over. It has a lot of memories, not all good. However, I have found myself, and Tracy has also found out who she is. Both of us have become better women because of our experiences this past year. But, we have 3 months to go and we are praying and keeping our faith in God that all will be well.

In developing some pictures Lakin took and were on her camera I found the pictures that the 12 year old took and I am not an expert, but, I think she shows a lot of talent. Let me know what you think. She could be a photographer. These were taken with a refurbished kodak easy share.

Beads and bracelets fund raisers are coming along. I have orders for bracelets and necklaces and have met a lot of really nice people, over the internet.
My thanks to all who have helped us out and continue to help. I never realized that medical bills can wipe you out. When you have to figure copays on an $8500 chemo treatment x 6 and now the $3500 Herceptin iv every three weeks, it does not take very long to go to the poor house.

Bye for now, lots of flyers to put out today for the Curves bead party next monday.

Cannot believe I am here so soon

2009-09-21T08:27:00.003-04:00

Good Monday morning. I thought I would finally show "my Buddy" whom it talk about all the time. We had not had a dog in the family for many many years and my grandchildren in Washington kept telling me that I needed a Bichon, just like theirs. So three years ago, Buddy came into the family. Life has not been the same since. Never a dull moment. If only we knew that it is easy to train a dog not to run by getting a shock collar. Sounds mean, but, they work. I got the collar a few months ago, and, when Buddy ran into the woods and would not come back, he got zapped and he yelped but did not come, so I had to do it a second time. Never had to do it again. Buddy wore the collar as a reminder when he was outside but we never had to zap him again. Now he is free to roam our property, chase squirrels up the trees and have fun. Oddly he did not even try to sneak through the woods to the day care next door. I was so surprised. Saturday night, Buddy was outside at dusk and a deer wandered into the yard, went to the pond for a drink and wondered around. Well, Buddy just stood on the deck watching and then got bored and came to the sliding door to come in. Dave and I were holding our breath.

He did get his good dog reward, a greenie.

The pictures of Lakin turned out beautiful. They were taken saturday, also. She went to her dad's wedding and now she is spending ten days with us. She is not yet 13 and looks so grown up.

Well, it is raining, finally but I guess we are still going for a walk. Talk to you all soon, Roxanne

Build a Bracelet

2009-09-19T10:05:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally got all my beads and bracelets, chains, and earrings together and had the first fund raiser party. In all we sold 16 bracelets and some extra beads. It was a fun time but very hectic.

Now, it's back to Beaverton. I will have Lakin with me for 10 days while her dad is on his honeymoon. At least school is in session so that I don't have to fight with her for use of my computer.

I am sure that by the time she goes back on the 28th, I will be ready to sign myself in the the HOME. It will be nice having someone to talk to that can actually hear me. Buddy will hate it when she leaves. The day has come that she thought would never happen and she will have to share her dad. Reality happens.

I will keep you all posted on the daily happenings.

Bye for now, Rox

Say a prayer for me that I have enough patience to handle this.

Hello again

2009-09-14T17:56:00.002-04:00

Well, now you all can see what I am up to. (not weight either). Beads, bracelets and more is taking off and my fund raising efforts are going slowly but the word is getting out about the pandora beads and bracelets and my first party is wed. evening. My friend Barb's daughter, Lynne, is having an open house and I sure hope the evening goes well. Interest seems to be popping up slowly, but then, a lot of women are not into these beads but the one's that are, go crazy when they see them.

I sent a bracelet to a friend of mine (someone whom I have only talked to through my colitis support group) and she loves the bracelet and posted it on her colitis group board and so on.

Life is Good, in spite of the little rocks that fall in our paths. We may stumble and fall but as long as we can get up again, that is all that matters.

Went to see the orthopedic (hand specialist) today. I know he thinks I am rather vain. I talked to him about getting some of the joints replaced in my hands and straightening the fingers that are turning instead of being strait. Well, evidently they do not do much surgery for RA these days, as, the meds are so good. Duh!!!!
I was told for the last 5 years that I do not have RA but osteoarthritis. The rheumatologist I went to before this summer just shrugged it off. Then, I got a second opinion (5 years after all this started) and I do have RA and they evidently can keep it from getting worse which would have been nice a long time ago.

We are praying for my neice's, Kelly and Keri. Kelly has stage 3 melanoma and her sister Keri has cervical cancer. They are 26 and 22 years old. Plus, their mom, my sister Jayne has MS. Now I would have to say they have rather large boulders falling in their paths right now. But, God will take care of all of this as long as we all keep praying.

Well, it is time for my nightly walk. It rained about 10 drops and we really need rain. We are watering constantly.

Next week I will have my grandaughter Lakin, actually for 10 days. Her dad will be on his honeymoon. By the end of that 10 days I will be ready for the HOME!!

Maybe I can sign myself in somewhere and let Dave handle the situation.

Hope to be back here soon. Got to take pictures of my scrapping and card making adventures.

God Bless Everyone.

Time Flies

2009-09-06T08:23:00.003-04:00

Boy I cannot believe it is Labor Day Weekend. I have to say that I am surprised at how busy I have been this summer in Michigan. I was dreading it, thinking it would be hot, humid, and lots of mosquito bites. Well none of that happened. It has been a beautiful summer here in Beaverton. But, I miss the soccer, my son and his family, and the turmoil that goes along with kids being in sports.

I kind of thought that I would be missed but I dont think they even noticed that I was not there. Of course at David's, no one has time to even think.

Well, friday Ryan turned 21. That is two grandchildren of age. Jill turned 45 and there is no way I can have a child who is 45. I had her when I was 12 so I guess that is possible.

We have had buddy now for 3 years. He is our child and is finally learning some manners and he actually stays in the yard without being on a cable. In fact, we have already gone away and forgot he was out. He spends his days outside chasing squirrels. By 8pm, he is exhausted and goes in his crate by himself. He does get testy when he is tired. He is even learning not to bark and get excited when he sees other dogs when we are walking. Laura, I have to say, he does beg when we eat and I am bad about that cause I do give him vegetables. Well, the big thing was not having to keep him on a leash and now he knows that the woods is bad and you get shocks when you go in there. He has not even visited the day care next door and I am really surprised.

Well beads and bracelets are coming along and since Tracy lost her appeal to the insurance company and has to pay her copays for the second time because of the union contract, hopefully I can do something good and earn my place in Heaven.

I went to a card making class tues night and a scrapbook crop yesterday. I even sold three bracelets yesterday and one on wednesday. So, it looks like this may catch on and it is fun. The bad part is you have to put back the money you spend on bracelets and beads but, my Dave is funding this and keeping an eye on me, a close eye. He does like opening the packages though.

I am posting the latest pictures of bracelets I made up on friday. Have a great weekend, everyone.

beads and bracelets-genetic testing for Brca1 & Brca2

2009-08-27T09:06:00.006-04:00

The pictures I am posting are of bracelets I made up and I am taking a few to some beauty salons in the area. I decided last week to change from earrings to bracelets as the Pandora, Chamilia, Troll, Zable and all other brands are out of sight in price. Of course, if you only buy one bead, you can get one from any jeweler that sells them for $15.and up.
So, I have been consumed with finding sources for bracelets and glass beads and also alloy beads to put on the bracelets. My cause is for Tracy's genetic testing. She still has not heard what portion, if any, the insurance will pay. They were supposed to let her know if they were going ahead with it.
Anyway, I have done NO scrapping this week. Now, today, I am going to visit two former clients of my beauty salon that I have known for 10 years. They are both older (older than me) and one friend of mine, Helen, has cancer throughout her body and just days to live. I saw her last week. Dave and I went to see her (she is at home) and she was asleep. We stayed for a half hour and talked to her daughter and she did not wake up and I did not want to have her daughter awaken her as she is in a lot of pain.
If anyone is interested in a bracelet, the beads fit all the brands and some are Pandora and some just say 925. The bracelets have the word Love on the clasp as the Pandora bracelets did not come yet. No one is in a hurry but me. Anyway, just email me. I am doing a bead party in a few weeks, it should be fun. This is all something I did not plan on but it makes for something interesting and fun to do.

Bye for now, roxy

A week gone by

2009-08-23T17:00:00.003-04:00

Wow! cannot believe it is already a week since I have been on here. I have been busy since last week, mostly on the internet, ordering pandora beads and bracelets.

I met my sister, Sally, on monday at the outlet mall. She was on her way to her condo up north and west of here. I told her I wanted to see her pandora bracelets and beads. Sally doesn't have any glass beads on her 2 bracelets just silver. So, when I met her at the coffee shop at the outlet mall in West Branch Mi. which is an hour north of me, I took all the beads that had come in the mail and two bracelets and Sally was looking at the murano glass beads I have and a lady came over to our table. She asked if she could look too, than two ladies from canada came in the store and went nuts over the beads and the owner of the coffee shop wanted to see them too. I was totally not prepared to sell anything. My first intention was to put the beads on earrings but that has changed. I sold two bracelets and cant remember how many glass beads and came home with over $130.

So, now the project is beads and bracelets. However, you know everything is made in china and the beads and bracelets (cant even remember how many) are coming HongKong air, but that still takesl 15 days. Doesnt it sound like the slow boat from china.

Well, one day soon, a semi truck is going to pull up in front of the house and the driver will be looking for the nutty bead lady.

I have a lot of requests and no bracelets. I have booked shows and 2 churches in November, and the one lady from West Branch came to the house and bought more on thursday. I am really overwhelmed by the response. Just hope I can get good pictures to show on this site.

Prayers for all who need them and for the mail lady to empty her bag on my porch.

Just kidding, the mail lady drives up the driveway and lays on the horn till I go out.

I promise I will be back on here soon.

Well I am back again. Sunday, Aug. 16

2009-08-16T11:03:00.004-04:00

Happy Aug. 16th. It is really hot here compared to how it has been all summer. 90 degrees and sunny today. It is also dry here. I have not been on here a lot because I have gotten caught up in my project with the pandora, chamilia, troll beads and bracelets and earrings. I had decided to do something to help raise funds for some of my daughters medical expenses that are not being covered by insurance. So, I happened upon this pandora glass bead hunt on the internet. I thought I would sell a pair of beads on silver hoops and then the beads can be transfered to a woman's own bracelet or different earrings. So, the pictures I have on my blog is some of the things I have put together to sell.

I inquired about doing a craft show at our church in November, so probably I will do that. In the meantime, I will be off to visit beauty salons in the area and also sending the items to work with my sister who works at St. John's hospital. I am keeping the prices way under the store prices of 14.95 for a glass bead and then the price goes way up from there. Obviously from all the brands that are out there, these bracelets have become very popular at least here in Michigan.

The lonely scrapbook page I got in one night and the card is made for the august card swap at LPSC. Today I hope to scrap because it is a good day to stay in the house.

Well everyone, let me know what you think about the bracelets for $15. and 7.50 for earrings. I figure that I can put 3 glass beads of one's choice along with two spacer beads on the bracelet for $15.00. These are stamped Pandora but I am sure they are not because of the price I pay for them. So I am going to email everyone to check out my new projects. It will keep me busy for a few weeks.

See you all soon.

Have a great tuesday

2009-08-11T07:18:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to let you all know that the spelling on my Daytona Scrapbook page has been corrected. I had posted the picture of my page and then I got a phone call from Tracy telling me about the spelling of Datona- so I got the letters unstuck and added the y to Daytona.

Today we have a funeral to go to, just an acquaintance from the parish we used to belong to. Funny thing about St. Anne's parish, all the men are dying. I can site about 12 instances where fairly young(60's) men have passed away. Hmm
I am not trying to be funny, it just hit me.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer. Our temps are back in the low 80 range and the rain has stopped and the humidity is dropping.

Bye for now, roxy

2009-08-10T11:37:00.000-04:00

Well we made it!!!

2009-08-10T11:14:00.002-04:00

The Relay for Life of Gladwin Cty. was two days ago. The backs of my thighs still hurt but it was worth it.

Saturday morning it was raining so hard and the wind was just whipping at all of us. You could not stay dry even with a poncho on and an umbrella. Dave and I, Tracy and Brad and Jill walked with our team "Good Neighbors" for the first lap and then we hung around for a while and when we were soaked, we came home. Everything we had on went into the dryer.

Tracy and I went back to the track about 1:30 as the rain had let up (till we got there). When we were soaked again, back home to change and dry everything. Tracy was really tired then. She had here last radiation on thurs. and her Herceptin IV on friday.

We were not scheduled to walk till 9pm as the Luminaria ceremony was scheduled for 10pm. However, Tracy, as a survivor was honored with the other survivors at a ceremony at 5pm. The survivors and caregivers walked a lap and then they had a special catered dinner for them. So back to the track we went and then Tracy and Brad stayed and Dave and I came home to eat dinner. I went back to walk and Dave came later.

The luminaria ceremony was very inspiring and they had all the names that were on the luminaria bags, on a projection screen. We got home about midnight.

Sunday morning Tracy and I went back to the high school track to walk at 8am. It was over at 10am.

Tracy took Lakin home with her for the next 2 or 3 weeks so at least Lakin will be busy the rest of the summer.

Well here are some pictures I took but right after the survivor ceremony, the camera batteries died so a lot of pictures did not turn out. I really need a different camera by next year. The one I have is a refurbished Kodak and it is hard to handle and the pictures dont turn out very good. (could be me)

So, here goes the pictures:

Cannot believe it is August

2009-08-03T09:06:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday! First I wanted to show that I have been somewhat productive in the last few days. After I got the computer back I had to re-install some of my programs and then move my cricut from the den to the spare bedroom that is filled with my scrap mess.

I love that it is raining this morning. Since I can't walk buddy, I can chat on this. The relay for life is this weekend so it will be busy, set up the camp site on friday night and then be at the Beaverton High School all day saturday until after the luminaria ceremony at 10pm and then back to walk again at 8am and stay till it is over at 10am and then help tear down.

Tracy and Jill are in this with me and of course, Tracy, will be in all the survivor stuff. Her last radiation is on friday morning and then they are coming up. She is doing very well but still will get the Herceptin IV every three weeks till november.

The next thing on my agenda is to have a fund raiser for her. Can you believe the hospital will send someone to collection that is still in treatment for cancer, or anything for that matter.

Tracy has insurance and everything was paid at the beginning of the year, cash for ded etc. Well, Brad's union contract negotiations changed ded. and copays as of May 1st and so it started all over for the year.

I did not know how I was going to be able to help but have been researching on getting pandora beads and putting them on bracelets and earrings. My good friend Barb and I have found distributors and my thought is to put the earrings with the pandora beads on them in the beauty salons etc. I am still looking into other outlets and may start a website. Who knows how far this will all go, but I have sisters that work in doctor's offices etc. So maybe we can keep Tracy from the collection process.

Well, I need to get on with my Life Preservers Scrapbook Club friends and let them know I am still alive.

My prayers for all who need them and in thanksgiving to God for all the blessings we have received.

I am back

2009-07-30T11:28:00.001-04:00

Hi to all, my computer hard drive kicked the bucket and so I had a new one put in. Now I have to reinstall all my programs, list my favorites, remember my passwords for everything.

The main thing I lost was my pictures. However, I think most of the new ones were printed.

I will be back on here rambling soon. roxy

O Happy Day

2009-07-23T14:34:00.003-04:00

I have finally gotten back to scrapin. I kept saying that I was going to do it but then I got side tracked. Used up some of my old kits, so, now I can change colors. Dont know how the layouts turned out to be all the same colors. Oh well.
As you can see, my Brandon is such an easy subject. Also, the pictures from N.C. are so old that neither my brother nor my cousin live in the house they did when we went down there.

Went to our team "Good Neighbors" meeting for the Relay for Life which is just a little over 2 weeks away. Got to get out and pound the pavement for more donations. I did get all the luminaria finished and so now I am anxious for it all to come together. I did get my quota of donations but now am helping out my daughter Jill get her's together.

Well now for my recent pictures of my layouts and also one of my favorite Pink rose.

It was Alex's party and she is with her sister Angela

2009-07-20T10:10:00.002-04:00

I have more pictures

2009-07-20T09:47:00.006-04:00

The pictures are of my neice Kelly and my nephew Matthew. The next should be Jennifer, my nephew Cooper, then Anna my great neice, with her dad Chris, my sister Janet and lastly, my neice Kristin, her husband Brett and daughter Madison.

Summer is flying by!

2009-07-20T07:54:00.004-04:00

Well, this summer is certainly flying by. We went to my neice's graduation over the weekend. It was a great party but a long drive there and back. We spend more time on the road than we can spend there. Since my parent's are both gone, these special events are the only time family gets together. One thing that I noticed is that my sisters and brothers pretty much stayed with their own children and did not socialize much. Of course there were so many there, it was hard to move around and talk to everyone.

It was cool and breezy and too cold for most of the kids to swim. Of course, the really young ones will swim no matter what.

The pictures are of my brother, John's home. They have four girls, so Alexandria was the second to graduate and she is starting Michigan State. Angela will be starting her third year there.

Joan my sister in law went back to work to help the college fund. She is a respiratory therapist.

The next family thing is in Sept. when there is a going away party for my nephew Matt who is in the Air Force.

Well, I'm off to hunt for the pictures to upload.

The pool contains my nephew Jeff's girls. They swam for hours. They would not even eat. The house is really nice inside and out. My sister Sue, is holding her grandson, Adam (I hope that is his name, there are so many that it is hard to remember them all).

A tribute to Karen

2009-07-18T10:45:00.003-04:00

The luminaria I made for Karen Homer is pictured. Karen had an aggressive form of breast cancer for many years. She carried on with taking care of her family and some that were not family all the while she fought this battle. She loved her children and grandchildren and did not want them to worry (I hope this is accurate, as it is how it appeared to me.) Karen is the mother of my daughter-in-law, Laura.

Karen is dearly loved and missed by her family.

May she rest in Peace.

friday

2009-07-17T18:56:00.002-04:00

Well it is friday already. I have been working on my card for the card swap. It has to be mailed by monday and of course I forgot. This weekend is the big LPSC on line crop and I wanted to stay home and kind of got shamed into going. So, I miss it this time. But my card is done and going in the mail to Von, tomorrow.

We are going to Angela's graduation party and the only thing I hate is the 2 1/2 hr trip each way. Maybe I will get to do some of the challenges.

Well, here is my card. Of course the envelope was too small but I cut the card down.

I really like it but probably this is where stamping would be good.

See you all next week.

Relay for Life

2009-07-14T10:19:00.003-04:00

Since Tracy and I decided to contribute for the luminaria for the Relay for Life in Gladwin County, I started doing the bags for those we chose to do. Jeremy Jackson is a young man with a beautiful family and has a rare form of colon cancer. He has had surgery and the port is also in and he, and his wife Jill (whom I met through LPSC) are having a restful week for a change. So, having never seen the Luminaria for this event, I was not sure what to do for each bag. But, here is the one I made for Jeremy.

one more picture

2009-07-13T09:10:00.003-04:00

These are all things that I forgot about my little spot in God's world.

Enjoy the pictures.

It's all how you look at things.

2009-07-13T08:54:00.004-04:00

Well a beautiful monday morning to all. Last evening and this morning, I was outside taking pictures of things I missed here at home when I was out in Washington State, the last 6 summers. Dave did a great job with our home, our yard and our pond. I have to say, I am not a garden, flower, person. Dave likes to work outside to keep busy and I never liked getting dirty. Guess that is the difference in a farm boy and a city girl.

Of course, when he was diagnosed with Lyme's in 1992, after not being able to work for the two years previous, I was working and he just played (ha ha) in the mud.

I also am posting the birthday card that I made for Jake who's birthday is tomorrow and I have to get it in the mail, late as usual. Used that easy (dont know who came up with the word, easy) Sure Cuts a Lot. Maybe if I listened to all the tutorials, it would be easier.

Well everyone, my cactus flower only is open for 24 hrs. It always opens at 8pm and is done at 8pm. It amazes me that such an ugly plant can produce such beauty.

Another one of God's wonderous deeds.

Thank you Laura, for the picture of your mom. I will get all those luminaria done this week. I will take pictures of it. The relay is aug 8th. I have never participated before but I have heard that the ceremonies are very inspiring.

Well, here goes to uploading the pictures.

Stayed tuned in for my next adventure.

A Beautiful Day, today.

2009-07-12T11:46:00.002-04:00

Well cannot say good morning, as it is almost noon. I have been really busy the last few days and not always productive.

Thursday, I went to this new rheumatologist, a wonderful, caring person. (unlike the one I went to a couple of years ago) Of course it helps that she is a she. I was looking for a woman doctor because my joints in my hands are swollen and hot most of the time. My fingers are progressively worse, disfigured. Actually like a witch.

So, all my xrays and test show neg for ra but because of the deformity she feels that I have ra and osteo. So, the main purpose is to control the inflammation and pain. I hate drugs but am on three for this now. I go again in a month.

Now my next step is to see my orthopedic dr who only does hands. He replace one joint, my left thumb. I have seen pictures of patient with ra deformity who have had joint replacement. So, this will be my fall and winter project. Hopefully, it can be done so that I will be out of the cast by Dec. 1st. Of course, they can only do a couple at a time so I will have the worst looking done first.

Enough of that stuff. I got this new program for my computer called Sure Cuts a lot. You use the cricut machine to cut. I have been listening to tutorials and trying to learn about svg and png files etc. I figure in about 6 mo. I wil have it down pat. It is relatively easy if you are 13 years old and know everything there is to know about the computer.

Well, I am now going to check the other blogs and see what is going on. My LPSC kit came yesterday and I cant wait to get into it.

Have a great day!!!

Thursday already?

2009-07-09T07:02:00.002-04:00

It is hard to believe this week is flying by. Something to do every day. Yesterday I picked up a huge box of pictures from my daughter Jill. These are pictures from the last 20 years and I am missing a lot of pictures I thought I had. We have moved several times and I must have stuff in the garage attic which I will never find until I move again.

I am excited about going through her pictures on rainy and cold fall and winter days.
Jill is busy buying her Claire's and Hot topic stuff on ebay to get ready to sell it for the holidays. She gets so busy she doesnt leave the house, always watching ebay.

I have no complaints about ebay except it takes up to much time when I could be scrapping. But, you can get great deals on almost anything and especially pet flea meds.

Going to the new rheumatologist today to get test results. If I do have Rheumatoid arthritis instead of osteoarthritis the meds are probably very expensive and have a zillion side effects. Right now I am happy not taking anything except Nsaids when I need them for my hands. I know I will not take steroids, period!!!!

I am still waiting for my new Sure Cuts a Lot program for scrapping. According to the tracking number it has been in Detroit since July 3rd. I could have driven down to get it but it is on its way from Texas.

Working on luminaria for the Relay for Life. Tracy and I are donating for each bag we are doing. It makes us feel like we are paying back for all the help we have gotten.

Boy, I miss my Renton family. They kept me busy. I hope that they realize I was of some help when I was out there. They have so much running around to do besides work.

Bye for now, got to check out the weight watchers meeting time so I can go this morning when I go to the doctor.

Have a great day, everyone!

Monday morning after the holiday weekend

2009-07-06T07:52:00.004-04:00

Hi to everyone and I hope your weekend was filled with fun and memories and lots of pictures.

This is the first year in a long time that I was in Michigan for the July 4th events. Beaverton has a big celebration over the 4th but I had not been to any of them even though we are only a mile away from the park.

Tracy and Brad were up for the weekend and it was so nice having them here. They were in and out but for the first time in a very long time it was family. I really did not want them to leave.

I did even get a simple scrap page done last night. I have to be busy at night so I don't snack. The holidays are really bad for that and saturday night at Jill's where her hot dip and taco chips were sitting on the counter was not a good test for me. So I collapsed and ate. Tracy had to many of my brownies too and felt sick.

Ryan moved on friday to start four months of intensive training at the Police Academy. Today is the first day and his brother told us that former students are invited to the first day and he was going to make sure he was there (not for moral support, I am sure) for Ryan. Justin, dont be to hard on him. He is your little brother.

At Ross Lake on the 4th they had cardboard boat races. That was really fun to watch.
The boats could only be made from cardboard, duct tape, paint, and caulk. In the adult class the coke boat collapsed right away. The kids did better than the adults.
So the pictures I am posting are of the race and then as a gift to Ryan, his scrapbook page.

See you all soon!!!

David, Laura, Jake and Kennedy (and Walker), I really miss you all.

Happy Tuesday

2009-06-30T13:18:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,

It is cool here today and I love it. Kind of cloudy, rains once in a while, and reminds me of Washington. I love the summers there.

Not much going on here in Beaverton. I am having a garage sale on thurs and friday to support my scrapbook habit. Some of the neighbors are bringing clothes over, which is good cause at least there will be an assortment of sizes.

Listing some more of my cartridges on ebay. I bought the Sure Cuts A Lot software program to use with the cricut as it eliminates needing to buy more cartridges. Hope I can start using it as soon as it comes but I have limited computer literacy.

Buddy is going to the doctor (vet) today. He bent one of his nails all the way back on fathers day. We nursed it for awhile, but, now the nail broke off and what is left looks like it could catch on something and start bleeding again. Of course, that wouldn't happen till the 4th of July when there is no vet open.

Well, I am going to sign off for now. More work in the garage and we are also having Tracy and Brad for the weekend so I need to change the spare bed.

Happy 4th to all if I don't get back on here. Bye for now!

Scrapbook Garage Sale

2009-06-27T12:51:00.002-04:00

This morning I went to a garage sale at Scrapbooks Galore & More in Midland, Michigan. They have it the last saturday of the month at the end of each quarter. Well the ladies selling stuff there were mostly direct sale dealers with the stuff for probably half price and a lot of paper from DCWV at .10 a sheet etc. One gal that works at the store had a lot of the designer paper for 5 for 1.00 and I spent $2

Well, of course, I realize it is another attraction to coming into the store itself, plus they are renting the tables, and you know the paper we all love is on the store racks, cleverly displayed and with layouts. I am really learning this retail thing.

I must say the designer paper that we get in the LPSC kits that are yet to come in the mail are gorgeous. Now all that is needed is talent. Of course, art was not something that was offered at the high school I went to. So, I just wing it.

Hope you all have a great weekend. This past week has been really hot and humid here in Michigan and we are getting a reprieve now with just high 70's and low humidity.

Hope the weather is nice for my garage sale thurs and friday. Bye for now.

Sugar and spice

2009-06-24T18:58:00.003-04:00

First about this picture, Lakin and Kennedy (because they are girls) are easier to scrap. I love all the things you can add to girly pages. I still forget to journal and I was thinking that maybe if I had a journaling stamp, I would do more of it. So, I guess that is on my list of necessities.

Lakin was such a cute baby. She did not look like all the others in the family, so I guess that came from her dad's side, along with his feet. All the girls on my side of the family ended up with short stubby toes almost webbed. She was lucky on that one. All the men kid us about our feet.

Lakin just spent three days here. Of course there was a lot of moments that I wished she would go home. However, it is very hot here, and I hate heat. I sure wish I was in the Pacific Northwest. If I ever get a chance, I will move there.

Everytime I got on the computer since sunday night, Lakin was right here wanting to get on. She doesnt want anyone looking over her shoulder or asking questions. She also wants breakfast and lunch. Well, I dont make breakfast or lunch for us, so why would I remember to do it for her. If I remember correctly, if you are 12 or 13 you made your own lunch. What do I know. I know the Anson kids in Washington are really more self sufficient than Lakin is.

Well, I think I just heard thunder and I just took the dog for a short walk and it was sunny. Buddy did not want to come back but since sunday his back paw has been bandaged and he hops. Of course now when we are not looking, he does walk but when you mention it, that back paw goes right back up in the air. What a con man.

He had a major cut around one of his nails. He jumped off the deck and got it caught. It really bled a lot but I am sure he is fine. He could get the bandage off if he really wants to.

Well, Happy Hot Weather to all of you! I knew cause I was going to be in Michigan that it would be unbearable. Hope the AC keeps working.

Love and Hugs to all, Roxy

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T07:17:00.002-04:00

Good morning, It is hot and muggy here in Beaverton, Mi. I hate the humidity and would not do well in the east except, I love North Carolina. I have not been to any others states on the east coast except Florida and it was in the summer. I remember staying in the pool or inside in the afternoon.

Tracy called last night and really wanted to be here with her dad. It is a 3 hour drive each way and after her first week back to work, I really thought she should rest up. She is a paralegal and there was a trial last week so she had to be there really long hours. Well, they settled the case. The attorney's do mainly semi-truck and railroad cases.

Tomorrow she starts her radiation treatments, number one of 33.

I got an unexpected phone call yesterday afternoon. I graduated in the first graduation class of Regina High School, in Harper Woods, Michigan. They have a newsletter that comes out regularly and when it came yesterday, I saw that they had mentioned my dad's death. My dad was a big supporter of the school and was always talking about Sr. Leanne the principal. Where this is leading is that the phone call was from one of my old friends from high school. Her name is Lori Cremer and she saw the article in the paper. I have not seen or talked to her since our 5 year reunion which was in 1965. Wow, what a pleasant surprise.

I have not seen any of the gals I was friends with after high school because they lived in the suburbs of Detroit and Dave and I moved farther north many times. We usually got together once a month to play cards and I did not like to drive at night as back then I thought it was far. Now I am 2 1/2 hrs away but I look forward to meeting them for lunch some time this summer.

Well, Happy Fathers Day to my husband Dave, my son David, my son's in law Ray and Brad. I don't have my dad but I know he is watching over us all down here. So in honor of all dad's, the picture is of my dad, Robert G. Goodman.

saturday's work

2009-06-20T19:43:00.002-04:00

I think I have a keeper in this blog header and background that I have chosen.

There are so many free sites to pick from but some of them I just could not get to upload. So, I am tired out and finished for the night.

Love to hear your comments.

Brandon's Graduation

2009-06-20T14:05:00.003-04:00

I just received a phone call from my son, David, who lives in Renton, Wa. He attended Brandon's graduation from DaVinci HS in Davis, Ca. last week and then he went on to Tahoe where all his poker buddies from his neighborhood met at his condo for a weekend of fun. Well, attached are a couple of pictures from Brandon's graduation.

Here are the pages that somehow did not show up on my Happy Friday

2009-06-19T12:24:00.003-04:00

The one picture was done for the LPSC June Challenge and the one of Tracy and Lakin is for Tracy's scrapbook. She gave me some of her pictures and so this pages is for her.

Happy Friday

2009-06-19T11:50:00.002-04:00

Hi out there. Not much going on here. I got an email from my sister, Janet. Her son joined the Air Force and was sworn in yesterday. He will not be deployed until Oct. 1st. I am sure they are very proud of him and I will pray that God will keep Matt safe.

Well, my girls and I are collecting donations for the Relay for Life. Since I signed up first, Tracy is jealous that I got her brother's donation. O Well, mom's come first.

Yesterday I visited the dermatologist for a yearly check up (supposed to be every six months) but I haven't been to see him since 2006. Well, to make this story short and to the point, I had a small wisdom spot (the derm. calls age spots wisdom spots) on my left cheek (face) and now since seeing him, it is a very large spot. I think that he should pay me for the abuse he did to me instead of the other way around.

I did some scrapbook pages and I am posting them now. It seems that if I leave everything spread out on my worktable, my creative time seems to be right before I go to bed. I can look at that mess all day and no inspiration but then come 8pm and bam, it hits me. I think that looking at all the blogs and the scrap club pages helps and it takes time to sink in.

I noticed that a few gals are giving their blogs a new look. So, that is something I might attempt.

Well Happy Fathers day to all of you. I am taking my husband out for dinner and charging it to him.

David, if you ever read any of this, I miss you, Laura and the kids. I know how busy you all are and I am going to miss that this summer.

Well here are my pages:

most recent scrap pages

2009-06-16T12:48:00.001-04:00

Relay for Life

2009-06-16T12:10:00.002-04:00

Hi, I have been working on recruiting my girls to sign up to walk with me in the Relay for Life on Aug 8th here in Beaverton.

The only time I have done this is a mile walk while we were on the cruise this past february. So that cancer may be wiped out in our Lifetime, Jill and Tracy and I are walking on a team here for the Gladwin County Relay for Life.

We went to a graduation party last weekend downstate for the Anson side of the family. It was a nice party but I hate that 2 1/2 hr ride each way. So after doing that saturday, sunday was wasted after church.

I have done only a couple of pages recently for my scrapbooks. Got to get out of my rut I am in and get going. The weather is nice so I dont really get into that mode and then when it's raining, I don't get into that mode either.

Must be that it is summer.

Last saturday, Ryan, my second grandson, passed the agility test for the Police Academy that he will start on July 6th. Justin, his brother is also now a police officer. We are very proud that Ryan is going to do this too. It seems that there is so much crime everywhere, maybe moreso because of the economy.

Well, my computer was messed up and I hope I can find the two pages I did on sunday.

Here goes my search for them.

happy friday

2009-06-12T08:21:00.004-04:00

Hi again, we have sunshine finally. To all in Renton Washington, I want you to know that our mosquito crop is in full force. I never even saw a mosquito when I was out there.

Yesterday, my grandson, Brandon, graduated from Da Vinci High School in Davis, California. I wish I had been able to see him but his dad went and I hope he took lots of pictures.

I did not get much accomplished yesterday, the clouds were heavy and without being able to get into my car and drive off is very crippling to my lifestyle. Of course I could have used the time to scrapbook but couldn't seem to get it all together.

I sure hope that Laura, sends me new pictures of Jake and Kennedy. Tracy took Lakin to the Adrian Michigan airport and got the pictures of the Nascar drivers when they arrived there yesterday. Lakin loves Nascar and so it was fun waiting at the airport for them to arrive. Here are the pictures.

Well...................

2009-06-08T19:48:00.003-04:00

Happy Monday, If you havent heard, we (my husband was driving) hit a deer on the Highway yesterday on the way home from our weekend at Tracy's. Dad (Dave) was helping Brad drywall and install a cabinet and make the new countertop for their bathroom.

Buddy went with us and he was good on the way down but I had given him a tranquilizer. So he just slept. However, on the way home it did not work and I think it was because he was so wound up and he is like a baby and he just couldn't settle down.

Today it rained really hard here quite a few times. I read and worked on the scrapbook challenge of the week. So the pictures are of my wrecked car and my scrapbook page. The car has over $4,000 worth of damage. We did not even bring the deer home and it certainly would have made for quite a few dinners.

Hopefully, I will get back on here tomorrow. Oh, by the way, Tracy had her check up today with the gynecologist-oncologist and does not seem him again until December. At least that is all clear. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont know what happened to what I wrote.

2009-06-02T20:08:00.003-04:00

Somehow, everything I wrote for June 2nd got lost. It was not important anyway. It must have been a sign to forget it, however, I can still ramble on.

Tracy is doing well, Jill has really cut down on her smoking, life is good.
Lakin is with her mom for two weeks and this is the first time that Tracy is not working while she is there. They are spending quality time.

Yesterday a movie and to much popcorn, today the oncologist and the new hair do for Lakin. She had her mom wear the favorite wig and wanted her hair cut just like it.

I was shocked when I got the pictures but I really like it and so far Lakin does too.

Well, going to sign off now, enjoy the nice days, even though it is on the cool side here. I think David and his family probably have warmer temps right now than we do.

Till later__

June 2nd and not summery at all.

2009-06-02T19:51:00.004-04:00

THE LAST DAY OF MAY

2009-05-31T19:31:00.003-04:00

WELL IT IS THE END OF MAY AND COOL HERE IN MICHIGAN. MAY TURNED OUT TO BE A MEMORABLE MONTH. FIRST, ON MOTHER'S DAY, THE GIRLS AND THEIR HUSBANDS AND DAVE AND I WENT OUT FOR BRUNCH. WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND A LOT OF QUALITY TIME TOGETHER. TRACY HAD JUST HAD HER 2 UNITS OF BLOOD ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE AND WAS FEELING GOOD AS HER COUNT WAS UP. WE JUST ALL WANTED TO GET THE SURGERY OVER WITH. WELL, GOD DID GIVE US THE GREATEST THING WE COULD ASK FOR, TRACY DID NOT HAVE OVARIAN CANCER. SHE AND I AND DAD TOO WERE ABLE TO GET ON WITH OUR LIVES AGAIN WITHOUT FEAR. WHAT A BLESSING AND RELIEF.

TODAY, I DID TWO PAGES FOR MY ALBUMS. I CUT OUT THE LETTERS AND GOT THE PICTURES SORTED AND MY PROJECT WAS READY FOR ME TO JUST GET AT TODAY. THE NEW SCRAPBOOK KIT PAPER IS AWESOME AND I USED IT FOR DAVID AND LAURA'S WEDDING PICTURES. BEING MAY, MOTHER'S MONTH, I ALSO DID A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM. SHE HAS BEEN GONE FOR FOUR YEARS BUT I STILL MISS HER VERY MUCH.

GOING TO POST THE PICTURES AND RELAX. HOPE MY RENTON FAMILY HAD A GREAT WEEKEND.

Getting organized

2009-05-30T08:32:00.002-04:00

Good morning from Beaverton.

I have spent an hour on my blog, changing and re-arranging and I guess I will leave it for a week unless I come upon something I really like. It is hard piecing it all together. Most of the backgrounds that match the banners are just too busy.

I must say that all of a sudden I have been re-arranging my workspace, thus no scrapping getting done. All the scrapbooking supplies, pictures etc are in the spare bedroom. I will just have to clean if we get company which would be Tracy and Brad. Maybe my sister Sandy will come for the 4th of July and then she comes again in November when Rick (her husband) is coaching hockey. They usually come right before Thanksgiving for a tournament in Midland.

I need to sit down and tackle the pictures, but they are all from when the kids were babies and I like to recent pictures. However, I do have books that I am doing on all the grandchildren. Tracy and Jill really enjoyed looking at them. I did not realize until I pulled them out, how many pages are done.

Well, have a great weekend. Sure hope the weather is great for everyone.

Love to all. Roxy

Creative Block

2009-05-28T14:05:00.004-04:00

I seem to be going through a creative block. Now I have never been very creative but if you have enough stuff on hand or a nearby scrapbook store or online bargain basement, I have usually been able to throw something together. So, here is what I did last night. The picture of Girls night out has another page to be done but I figured the most important part was Tracy and her favorite nurse, Jo, at Toledo Hospital. The other pictures are Tracy and Brad and Lakin.

So here they are:

Back scrapping

2009-05-27T11:02:00.002-04:00

Well, I am trying to get back to some creative thoughts, so I can put them on paper.
Since I have been home I have not accomplished much. I did go to Mass today and I did thank God for Tracy's miracle and for giving me the opportunity to be with her through this whole journey. I also thanked God for letting me be able to spend the past 6 summers with my wonderful son, my daughter in law who I would love to have as my daughter and Kennedy and Jacob. Brandon was there sometimes too. I really am going to miss all the activity this summer but hope to get out there for a tournament. I will miss the pictures and I hope they send me some so I can keep those scrapbooks filling with their life experiences.

Hopefully I will have pages to post tomorrow.

Bye for now and God bless,

Roxy

wrong date on all my pictures of my scrap pages

2009-05-21T17:25:00.002-04:00

Well, I just noticed that the dates on my pictures are not correct. I really did just work on them but they all say 1/2007. The batteries in my camera died and I got rechargeable ones and did not know I had to change the date. Oh well, mental fatigue or as Tracy calls it, chemo brain.

Will post again this weekend after I get back to that little town with nothing to do.

Pages of my grandaughters

2009-05-20T18:56:00.003-04:00

Here are a few pages that I worked on and I love them. Kennedy and Lakin could not be more adorable subjects to work with.

With love to them both, grandma

It's been a while

2009-05-20T09:45:00.005-04:00

Good morning to all my friends and family. We are all doing well after the anxiety that we had for the last six months. Tracy is getting stronger every day and I will go home this weekend. Her dad is coming down on friday with Buddy and Lakin. I imagine we will go home saturday night as buddy will be tired from chasing her 6 cats for 2 days.

I have gotten four scrapbook pages done and it is all finally coming back to me as at first the pages looked plain. I have to scrap in the dining area and put it away when I am done and at home I am used to walking away from it and then going back to it.

I probably wont post the pages until I get home.

My thanks to all who have been so patient and thoughtful during this whole journey.

roxy

God's Greatest Gift

2009-05-16T14:09:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning Tracy had surgery, a complete hysterectomy. They removed a Mass the size of a pool ball(the doctor's word for the size). IT WAS BENIGN!!!!!!!
I took a few pictures at the hospital and will work on the pages tomorrow. I got some great new paper. It will be hard to decide which to use.

God gave Tracy, Brad, Lakin, her dad and I the greatest gift he could. It was our very own miracle.

We want to thank everyone who prayed, lit candles, or just held us in their thoughts.

Tracy is done with chemo and the radiation will be starting in a couple weeks. She will still get Herceptin until 48 treatments are done. (I think).

We are eternally grateful to all and especially Toledo Hospital Oncology dept. and Dr. Phibbs, the gynecologist-oncologist. Everyone was so nice.

If anyone knows why the nurse would wake a patient at 5am to weigh them, would you let me know the answer.

Bye for now, dont know what to do first as I will finally be a person again and not be walking around in a fog.

roxy

We had a safe trip down from mid-michigan

2009-05-14T20:14:00.002-04:00

Well, it is finally here, the night before the surgery. Tracy is doing the cleanout and sipping on a slurpee, all she can have till midnight and then nothing. She had chicken noodle soup minus the chicken and noodles for supper. Dont know how much any of us will sleep tonight. Cannot wait until it is over and Tracy said it has been too darn long, five months and just had enough.

Tracy is being funny, doing the last minute chores, the litter box (she cant bend so I guess that is my job). I bet she cannot wait to start telling her mom what to do.

I can always threaten going home, but my car is in Beaverton and her dad has to come and get me.

I will let you all know how our pajama party at the hospital tomorrow night goes. Jill says she can put beer in the slurpee cup and no one will know.

Bye for now, and thank you so much for all the candles and prayers.

Roxy

a couple more scrapbook pages of my grandsons

2009-05-12T19:03:00.005-04:00

this is another picture of our darling, Brandon.

Tracy's next stepping stone

2009-05-12T18:55:00.004-04:00

Hi again,

I am really not together this week at all. I wish, like Tracy wishes, that this was over and done so she can get on with the 33 radiation treatments. So, God willing that will be the case after friday.

www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=tlb

This is a beautiful candle site we are using for well wishes to use.

Thanks for stopping in. Roxy

all the Michigan family

2009-05-10T20:08:00.003-04:00

Jill and Ray, Tracy and Brad, Lakin, Dad (Dave) and I

My girls and I on Mothers day

2009-05-10T20:04:00.000-04:00

MOTHERS DAY

2009-05-10T19:53:00.006-04:00

I hope anyone reading this had a very happy and full Mother's Day. I say full cause we went to brunch at a very nice restaurant and there was so much to eat. Our family was together today except for my west coast family whom I miss very much. I could use my son's shoulder for the strength I need and I know a tight squeeze from David is all Tracy needs to pull her through.

I took some pictures and wont get to scrap them for a while so I am going to put them on here for you all to see.

Will be back on her some time tomorrow with some pages I have worked on.

Love and hugs to all moms.

Roxy

OMG

2009-05-09T13:25:00.002-04:00

I did not realize I have not posted anything in quite a few days. I have a couple more pages to put on and then I need to get to work.

My mind has been full of other things lately and now Tracy, Brad and Lakin are here for mother's day. We are going to Mass at 5pm today and then out to brunch tomorrow.

To all my friends and family who read this, happy Mother's Day.

Roxy

Ryan

2009-05-05T15:11:00.003-04:00

Today, before I cleaned up my mess, I tackled a few pictures. Ryan is 20 now and will be attending the police academy at Delta College starting in August and so I thought I would do his school pictures. Ryan and Justin were excellant in hockey and baseball (but I hate baseball) so I dont have many pictures from that. This summer Ryan is going to be on marine patrol for Gladwin County and we are really proud of his accomplishments.

So here are the two pages for today.

my favorite

2009-05-05T07:04:00.003-04:00

These cards took a lot of time even with the help of cricut Wild Card and the expression machine.

Dont expect to get much done today as far as being creative.

My love to my family. Roxy

2009-05-05T07:02:00.001-04:00

the cards I did yesterday

2009-05-05T07:00:00.003-04:00

making cards, curls, cookies, etc.

2009-05-04T19:08:00.003-04:00

Well hi again, Today was a mixed up day. My grandaugter, Lakin, was here as there was no school. It was a beautiful day outside. Went for a walk early, gave Lakin a perm but should have used smaller rods. Then the day seemed to fly after that. Oh, she made chocolate chip cookies too. However, kids do not want to clean up, just make a mess.

I made a couple of cards using the wild card cartridge and they are pretty cute. I may even get them posted on here tomorrow but I havent taken pictures of them yet.

Our latest adventure is that Buddy has a new collar for behavior. It came last week and the first night he was outside and decided to make a run for it. Well, he got zapped on the easiest setting but he yelped and then started to run, well, did it again and the 3rd time he came back. Since then, all we need is for him to see the collar in our hand and he does not move a foot away from us. He has become downright boring.

Well, that is it for this evening. I am going to load the pictures on the computer so I can post them tomorrow.

bye for now. Roxy

Saturday and sunny

2009-05-02T08:56:00.003-04:00

Well it is saturday and partly sunny. In Michigan that means cloudy and you might see the son a few times. Well I hope it stays nice. There is a lot going on here in Beaverton Mi. today. Little league parade, little league season starts, Beaverton HS prom.

It all brings back memories to me and my neice Megan is going to the prom and her brother Zack is playing in major league this year and is a pitcher.

Let me tell you about Cindy. My sister, the youngest of 11 (I am oldest) has cerebral palsy. However, it is not to the extreme that some have it. She walks with steel crutches but has only slight impairments other than that. She drives a van with hand controls and even though she has a hard time getting one leg up she manages and does not give up.

Cindy is 44 now and her two kids have got a great mom and dont know it. Cindy has no money except for disability and a little child support but the kids dad is on unemployment and 500 a month does not pay for much. This is total. You know, never once in her life has anyway heard Cindy ask, why me.

Well, I have two sisters who are able to help them out financially. However, for some reason, the mail coming to Beaverton takes forever. Well, my sister sent a check up 2 wks ago for Megan's prom dress. The check is still not here. Megan borrowed a dress but it was not a formal, and when she got the dress yesterday after school, she was disappointed and did not want to even go to the prom. Mind you the check still has not arrived. So Cindy took Meg last night to get a prom dress using bill money to pay for the dress. I think she did the right thing even though a bill wont get paid, but, she sacrificed for her daughter once again.

Well, that is it for this morning.

Hello from Beaverton MI

2009-04-30T20:51:00.002-04:00

I almost forgot to post today. I had to make a quick trip to get some beauty supplies this morning. Megan, my neice is going to the prom saturday and had 3 inches of black roots showing.

Then as I got home it started pouring outside and I was not in the mood to do anything. However, then I got this terrific message from Tracy. She wrote it on her candle. She has finally realized what an amazing person she is as she went through chemo, missed no work, bowled on two leagues and better than ever. Wow, that is the power of attraction working. The more positive she got the more and more and more she received.

Her dad thinks Tracy and I are a little over the edge on being and thinking positive. Well, who knows. If we are, I like being over the edge. You get a head start that way.

Well, I hope the candles are burning brightly and we have another wonderful person who needs our lights and our prayers. So visit the the candle site and light one for Gabrielle' cousin Linda.

Love to all, and Happy May 1st.

Roxy

2009-04-29T12:17:00.004-04:00

The pictures I did this morning were easy as I had already bought the soccer paper.

Kennedy's tournament was last summer when I was in Renton and her team won the tournament for U-12 (the age group).

The Washington kids are really, really, into soccer. My grandson's Justin and Ryan here in Beaverton were great in Hockey. I only wished I had spent more time watching them play. Ryan who is 20 refs. a lot.

Well, we all make some mistakes when it comes to what we do with the kids and grandkids but we can only learn as we go on.

My neice Megan

2009-04-28T17:42:00.001-04:00

Megan is a wonderful, amazing and very beautiful girl.

She has a key at my throat so I have to write this.

2nd page of layout

2009-04-28T11:45:00.002-04:00