Bonnie's Blog

I'm back!

2011-09-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been five months since my last blog. I have been super busy at work. I was covering for a co-worker who was on maternity leave for 8 weeks and went from co-managing four properties to managing 15! Now that my co-worker is back it seems slow. Funny how that works. My office is now located in Worthingon which is a huge change for me since I've been downtown for 14 years. I really miss being able to leave my office and walk somewhere to get lunch. The commute is a little longer too. Not looking forward to driving 270 in the snow.

Stay tuned!

Top 15 List

2011-04-13T14:22:00.002-05:00

I have spent all of my adult life in some type of customer service position. Recently I was at the vet and the groomer and experienced bad customer service. So I thought of a few things that I try to live and work by. 1 Don’t be an idiot. Apologize sincerely when you inevitably are an idiot. 2 Don’t make very many promises. Keep the ones that you make. 3 Look people in the eye when you’re talking to them. 4 If you forget someone’s name, say, “I’m sorry, can you remind me of your name?” 5 Don’t be a snob. 6 Seek out the other side of the story. 7 Accept apologies. Holding a grudge will consume you. 8 Agree to disagree. 9 Acknowledge everyone you come into contact with. 10 Know that life’s not fair and it never will be. Get over it. 11 Say please and thank you. 12 Work hard, especially when no one is watching. 13 If you can’t think of something nice to say, keep you mouth closed. 14 Beware of “reply all.” 15 Remember the Golden Rule: Due unto others as you would have them do unto you.

OMG!

2011-03-18T15:30:00.010-05:00

It's been six months since my last blog update!!! Where does the time go? Mom had hip replacement surgery in September, then another surgery in November. She is in physical therapy and doing well.

Since my last update we survived Halloween (my fav holiday - I dressed up as Flo from Progressive), Thanksgiving (at Jim and Amie's house) and made Christmas cookies at Jenn's. Liz and Cody came home for Christmas. They stayed for two weeks. The longest they have stayed with us since moving to NC. I LOVED IT! Liz and I got massages and pedicures and went out to lunch at Basil. YUM!

Kiki the Cow

Bonnie as "Flo" with Brian "Joe Dirt"

Cookies with Jenn's kids

For the first time ever we all celebrated New Year's Eve separately and then got together for a potluck New Year's Day.

In February we lost power in our house for 22 hours due to an ice and wind storm. You know you might be a dog hoarder when you need a place to stay that will take you and four dogs. My sister was nice enough to open her home to us and our dogs. My four and her two had a blast.

Autumn with Roxy, Bonnie with Kiki, Stella and Gabe, Ally with Bowzer and Daphne.

It has been a long winter, but we have made it to the middle of March and now I'm looking forward to Spring and Easter.

Deployment, move, foster dog

2010-09-27T10:42:00.002-05:00

Liz's husband Brett was deployed on 8/29. She and Brett have been renting a house for a year. The owner decided not to renew the lease because they want to put it on the market (stupid idea). So Brett and Liz had to find a new place to live in the ten days before he was deployed. Brian and I drove to NC on the 16th and help Liz move from a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with a garage, to a 2 bedroom, 1 bath duplex with out a garage. Needless to say some things had to go to a storage unit. And worst of all (for Liz) the duplex doesn't allow pets. So we took Kiki, Liz's 45 pound pit bull home with us. She is the sweetest most loving dog you will ever meet. I've found she likes to sleep under the covers and snores! Oh well, so do I!

I'm back, really

2010-09-06T19:59:00.002-05:00

So, it's been a very eventful, stressful summer. My son-in-law Brett was supposed to be deployed to Afghanistan in October which meant he and Liz and Cody would spend two weeks home with us. But unfortunately Pakistan got the worst Moon soon weather in 80 years and 1/5 of country is covered in water. President Obama wants to improve his relationship with Pakistan so he is sending tons of money and troops there to help. Unfortunately Pakistan is like LA during hurricane Katrina times 100 and everyone has a gun and no one likes Americans.
So, I sent Brett an International Calling card so hopefully he can call Liz when he gets it. Tomorrow I am sending the first "goodie" box". Next week I will send the 2nd. It will include homemade applesauce and freshly picked apples.

It give me something to do and I know the troops appreciate it.

May God Bless them and keep them safe. Amen

I'm Back!

2010-07-21T21:55:00.002-05:00

I'm really sorry I have been MIA for awhile. I just haven't felt like updating my blog. To be truthful, I haven't feel like doing much since my niece died in February. But now, I think I'm out of my funk, and ready to take on the world.

At the end of June Brian, me, Jacob and his girlfriend Paige drove to NC for a much needed visit to my Liz and her family. Let me just say that NC in June/July is HOT, HOT, HOT. I can't even imagine what August feels like. We went to the beach twice. Brian and I looked like tourists in our shades, sunscreen and hats. But I REALLY didn't want to get a sunburn on vacation. Our first night there Liz and Brett had "a few" Marines over. What that really meant was about 40 beautiful men each bringing a case of beer. So needless to say, Paige and I enjoyed the eye candy. I thought only Ohio rednecks built a bonfire when it was 96 degrees. I was wrong. They do it in NC too.

We took the gang to see the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. I really liked it but Brett was disappointed that Bella didn't get bitten and turned into a vampire. Obviously he hasn't read the books.

Liz, Cody and Kiki drove to Ohio in July so that Cody could spent a month with his grandma. Liz and Brett will be visiting Ohio sometime in August for Brett's pre-deployment leave. He will be deployed to Afghanistan sometime in September for 5-7 months. I'm sure this will be difficult for Liz and Cody. Please keep your thought and prayers with them.

Special visit from Liz

2010-07-08T20:35:00.001-05:00

Liz is coming for a short visit this weekend! Yeah! i can't wait! She is bringing Cody to Ohio to spend the month with his Grandmother Marva. So Liz and her pup Kiki will be with us Friday through Monday. I have her room all cleaned and ready! Will take and post lots of pictures!

Post for July

2010-07-07T21:56:00.003-05:00

Okay. I obviously haven't posted for awhile. I actually haven't been much good at anything since February. But life does go on. Brian turned 46 in March. I turned 44 in April. Jenn. Amie and I drove 10 hours to visit Liz, Bret, Cody and Kiki for a few days. We had a nice time at the beach. I think Amie and Jenn might be in love with a certain Marine by the name of Jansen Bowman.

April Birthdays!

2010-05-11T15:22:00.002-05:00

This isn't the best picture we've taken, but it was on my cell phone at Mongolian BBQ's. This is where we went for our birthdays.

Spring!

2010-03-23T14:17:00.004-05:00

My pussywillow Tree.

Crocus

Daffodils in my flowerbed

Why I haven't Blogged for a while

2010-03-17T20:51:00.002-05:00

My last blog entry was 2/14/10. I really haven't felt like blogging much recently. I've been down in the dumps for a few weeks. I lost my niece Shannon to suicide in February and I really haven't felt like doing much more than working, sleeping and drinking wine. Losing a loved one stinks. Losing a loved one to suicide SUCKS! I won't go into details because if you are close to me, you already know the details. I am working through the grieving process just like all of us.

Here is what I grieve for:

I will never get to see her graduate from grad school.
I will never get to throw her a bridal shower.
I will never get to see her get married.
I will never get to throw her a baby shower.
I will never get to see her have children.
When I hugged you goodbye on Wednesday Pizza night I didn't realize that was the last time.

I will never will never know or understand the pain you were in but I forgive you.

I will take care of Bowzer for ever, if necessary.

I hope you and Teresa are watching over us.

My God bless you.

I love you.

Aunt Bonnie

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-02-08T10:55:00.003-05:00

I was lucky enough to have two strong men to dig out our cars and clear the snow from the driveway and sidewalk. So while they were outside working hard, I made sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes and home made chocolate chip cookies. I figured that if they were working hard in the cold, I could at least keep their bellies warm.

Nature is amazing

2010-02-08T10:52:00.002-05:00

I used to say that I hate winter. I really don't hate it. I don't like to drive in freezing rain, sleet, snow, etc. I don't like to be cold or wet. I don't like to scrape my car windows in my work clothes. Other than that, winter's not so bad.

Jacob took this picture on his cell phone. It's Big Darby Creek about 800 yards from our house. It really is beautiful.

Random Stuff

2010-01-26T11:09:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's the end of January! But I'm glad because that means only four more weeks until our girls trip to NC to visit Liz & Brett. I'm so excited! I can't wait!

Sometimes I just can't believe there are so many stupid people. I was working at Old Navy last night and my co-worker was cashier and she rang up this woman's order. She wanted to pay by credit card. We are so good about checking ID so my co-worker asked for the woman's ID. She said the Visa card she was using was in her husband's name but he said it was okay for her to use it. We told her he had to be there to sign. She wanted to get him on the phone and have him give his verbal approval. We told her again that legally he has to be there to sign. She asked to speak to a manager. Our manager told her the same thing. Do people really think they can use someone else's credit card without the signer there? Really, in today's world of identity theft? Come on people!

This weekend

2010-01-24T20:33:00.002-05:00

So Saturday I went to my nephew Nathan's basketball game. Of all types of sports I understand basketball and baseball the best. It was so much fun to watch them play. The best free entertainment is watching 8 year olds play basketball. Nathan did a great job guarding his man and passing to team mates. It was so much fun. Then I picked up Jacob and his Xbox and went to Jenn's for Nathan's "game birthday party". The boys hardly made any noise. Three TVs and three Xbox's. Who could complain? I think I played 3 games of Clue with Autumn and played "basketball" with Ally for an hour. It was so much fun!

Sunday I went to my friend Jen's Pampered Chef party. I really haven't been to one for about 8 years because I really have just about everything they sell. But the problem with being married so long is that the stuff I bought 15-20 years ago had worn our or broken. So I got to see some new products. I'm making a list for me an for Liz.

2010-01-22T14:55:00.000-05:00

I was going through some old bins of things and found all of Liz's Halloween and dance costumes. My niece Ally loves Power Rangers so I gave this one to her. She has been wearing it for 3 days. She cracks me up!

January...could be a boring month

2010-01-19T23:11:00.003-05:00

Okay, so not a lot going on in January. My older brother Bill had surgery on the 18th to fix tears in his rotater cuff. Very painful. We are celebrating January birthdays tomorrow. Joe, Trisha, Amie, Nathan, Autumn. Am I forgetting anyone? Hasn't been great weather here in Ohio. Liz called me from NC on Sunday to brag that she was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Five weeks until we visit her. I can't wait. Projected weather is between 63 and 83 degrees! Yeah!

New Year's Eve

2010-01-06T10:23:00.008-05:00

Keeping with tradition, we spent New Year's Eve and Grandma and Grandpa's house. We also celebrated Autumn and Nathan's birthdays, which are in January. We ate lots of good food and some of us drank a little :-)

Autumn blowing out candles. Unfortunately Ally stepped in right as I took the picture.

Autumn singing to xbox "Sing It".

Bill

Jenn and Ally

Joe's "beer glass"

Jacob, Jenn, Ally, Bill, Amie and Joe

Christmas Even & Christmas Day

2010-01-05T17:02:00.014-05:00

Christmas Eve we let the kids open one present. It's always new pajamas. My mother-in-law Lorraine started this tradition with her kids a long time ago. When she passed away I took over. On Christmas Day Jacob woke us up around 8:30. We opened gifts, took showers (six people = a lot of hot water) and went over the Grandma and Grandpa Fox's house.

Liz and Brett opening at Grandmas

Joe and his girls, Trisha and Tristyn

Joe and Crystal

Shannon, Jim and Amie

Okay, so Jacob gets this goofy smile from his sister.

Jacob and Grandma

Amie, Shannon, Jim, Grandpa and part of Brian LOL!

Brian, Bonnie & Liz and Grandma & Grandpa Fox's

Liz opening gifts - she always makes this silly smile!

Jacob playing Xbox live a few days after Christmas

Cody - Christmas Day

The Wendel's visit for Christmas

2010-01-05T15:50:00.011-05:00

Brett, Liz and Cody arrived in Ohio from North Carolina late Wednesday, December 23. The next day we visited a little and then they went to Brett and Cody's Grandma's house for Christmas. Here are a few photos I took before they left. Kiki is there white pit bull puppy. She is the same age as Roxy only three times as big. She is also deaf. This doesn't stop her from playing with the other dogs. She is very loving and like to sleep on your lap.

Liz, Roxy and Kiki

Kiki, Stella and Stormy (doggie-in-law)

Kiki sleeping (I think this is her sneaky way of GROWING while she sleeps)

Gabe, Kiki, Stormy, Stella (I tried to get Roxy but she ran away to play)

Roxy and her mommy enjoy a post Christmas nap

I just had to take this picture and I told Brett and Liz I was going to put it on Facebook. Brett has been living in NC since July of 2008 and apparently has grown accustomed to the warm weather there. He was so cold in Ohio and it was only in the 30's and 40's here.

Visit from the Thomas Family

2010-01-05T15:31:00.008-05:00

My sister Jenn and her family came over one evening for pizza. They had not seen Roxy, the puppy we kept from Stella's last litter. Brian made pizza and the kids played with Roxy, Stella and Gabe. Then we watching Nathan and Jacob play a dirt bike xbox game. I don't know how I didn't get a picture of Autumn...

Uncle Brian tickling Ally
Nathan & Jacob

Ally putting her best wrestling choke hold on Jacob

Christmas with the Henry's

2009-12-21T10:45:00.011-05:00

On Sunday we celebrated Christmas with the Henry's. We did this early because Bob and Carolyn left today for Florida to celebrate Christmas with her family. We had appetizers and sandwiches and then opened gifts and had a nice visit. Bob got us a GPS and a WebCam. Now we can see and talk to Liz and Brett in NC!

Bonnie, Jacob and Brian

Sonya, Jordan & Jeff

Jordan opening gifts

Jeff, Bob & Brian

Jacob's huge knife

Jacob opening gifts

Jacob, Grandpa Bob, Carolyn and Jordan

Jacob, Grandpa Bob & cousin Jordan

Jacob & Roxy

Brunch with the girls

2009-12-17T13:39:00.003-05:00

I started working at CompuServe in 1984. All the women in this picture worked together at CompuServe at some point in time and some of them still work for Verizon/WorldCom.

Kim, Janet, Lisa, Patti, Bonnie, Beth, Debbie

Making "Sugar Coma" Cookies

2009-12-17T12:08:00.006-05:00

After my sister Jenn had kids, we started a tradition of making iced cut out cookies around Christmas. Last year we added Grandparents, cousins and Aunts and Uncles to the invitation list. This year Grandma and Grandpa came, me and Brian, Jim and Amie and Shannon. We had a slight problem with the dough being too warm (I made it just before we got to Jenn's). But Uncle Brian saved the day by going to Meijer and getting a few rolls of store bought dough. The kids are a wiz at rolling out the dough. It takes a little more coordination to pick up the shapes after using the cookie cutters. Of course they all love the icing and decorating part. And Daphne and Bowser loved licking all the sprinkles that hit the floor.

Ally rolling out the dough

Autumn
Nate and Ally decorating the cookies

Sugar Coma Cookies

Book Review

2009-12-09T15:33:00.004-05:00

Right now I'm reading a really good series from author David Rosenfelt. He is a former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures and his main character Andy is a defense attorney who inherited 22 million dollars and opened a no kill animal shelter. He owns "the world's best dog" Tara, a golden retriever. The books are very funny, especially considering there is a lot of police work and courtroom drama. I highly recommend this series. "First Degree" is the first book in the series.

Christmas Decorating

2009-12-09T15:00:00.004-05:00

Every year, for the last 23 years, I have put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. But this year we were in NC for Thanksgiving and didn't get home on Sunday. Then I spent a week procrastinating and dreading the whole idea of dragging everything out of the garage, up the stairs and getting it all out. The other reason for procrastinating was because until Friday, I still has puppies! Last Sunday, I finally did it. Brian and Jacob went to see a "boy" movie. You know, the kind were things crash or blow up and there is lots of blood? So I decided to use this quiet time to put the tree up. I also baked cookies and watched some programs I had on the DVR (from October!). So here is our tree!

Puppies are Gone!

2009-12-09T14:57:00.001-05:00

The last puppy went to a new home on Friday. Yipee!

Windshield replacement

2009-12-09T14:46:00.003-05:00

So the Monday after Thanksgiving I went out to my car and noticed a 6 inch crack in my windshield. I didn't have the money to repair it until Friday. But by Friday the 6 inch crack was now 15 inches. So, the whole windshield had to be replaced. We called Safelite and they came to my work and replaced it in an hour. $224 - Merry Christmas to me!

Thanksgiving in North Carolina

2009-12-04T14:28:00.010-05:00

Brian, Jake and I drove to North Carolina the day after Thanksgiving to visit and have our Thanksgiving dinner with Liz and her family. We got there around 2pm and went bowling on base at Camp LeJeune. Then we went back to their house for pizza.

On Saturday morning, Brett made breakfast for us all. Then Liz and I put the turkey and ham in the oven and started making side dishes. We were all set to eat at 1pm. It was yummy! Liz and I have decided we need to start a ham support group. After dinner we went on base to shop at the MCX. Brian bought Liz a new vacuum cleaner and Brett a floor jack. I bought Cody a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads to wear while skateboarding. Brett showed us where he works and on base there is a 1950's tank that was pretty cool. After shopping we went to one of their neighbor's for drinks and to sit around a fire.

We took Roxy with us so she could play with Kiki. Here they are playing with Cody.

Roxy and Kiki playing in the front yard.

Roxy actually took the bone away from Kiki.

Two really tired pups after playing hard all day.

Roxy sleeping next to Jacob in the van on the ride home to Ohio.

"Grand-puppy"

2009-12-04T14:21:00.006-05:00

I can't believe I didn't write a thing for the entire month of November. Wow! I'll have to make up for it in December. Here are some pictures of Liz & Brett's puppy. Her name is Kiki and she is a 12 week old white pit bull. She is just about the most sweetest, loving dog I've ever met. She obviously doesn't know she is a scarey pit bull!

Trick or Treat

2009-11-02T14:17:00.008-05:00

Roxy & Daphne

I'm not sure if Daphne thought the puppies were fun

Trick or Treat was on Thursday in our neighborhood and Saturday in Jenn's. So we went both nights. We took Stella and the puppies to Jenn's house. After the kids went trick-or-treating we went inside to play.

Ally & Bill

Alley, Autumn & Nathan as Butterfly, Pocahontas & Harry Potter

Crazy Uncle Brian

Fox Family Reunion

2009-11-02T14:03:00.007-05:00

Amie & Jim
Ally, Scott & Autumn

Ally & Jenn

Brian, Liz, Carey & Cody

So, where did the month of October go? Here are some pictures of the family reunion. Sadly it was not well attended so we won't be having one next year.

Seriously?!

2009-10-09T15:08:00.008-05:00

Black and brown puppy

White puppy sleeping funny

Black puppy sleeping funny

White puppy face

White puppy 3 days old

Stella had puppies again (third time) on September 20th. Even though we got Gabe neutered, there are apparently bullets still left in the gun for several months. So, we have three females and 3 males. One of the females is mostly white with some black markings. All the rest are black, brown and white. We are so blessed - NOT! I will say that they are cute.

Apple Picking

2009-10-09T14:51:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite things to do as a child was to go apple picking at the Ohio Orchard with my siblings, Mom and Grandma Morris. Sadly the Ohio Orchard is no longer in business but Lynd Fruit Farm is. My favorite apple is the Suncrisp. It's yellow, tart and crisp. I love to bake with it. Last weekend we picked Jonnathan and Jonagold. I made four apple pies and a huge pan of apple crisp. Yum!

Nathan Autumn & Ally

Big brother trying to pull Ally between the rows of trees.

Bridal Shower

2009-10-09T14:12:00.005-05:00

The gifts
The cake

Now I tell ya, how many times have you been to a bridal shower and got to watch the wedding on DVD? I bet zero. Well that's just what we did at Liz's bridal shower on September 12th.

Liz got some great stuff for their new home.

The Wedding of Liz and Brett Wendel

2009-08-30T14:40:00.030-05:00

In church waiting to get ready.

Talking to Carey to calm her nerves .

Putting on makeup.

Getting the veil just right

The dress is on!

Now some jewelry. She wore a pearl bracelet and ring her Grandma Lorraine gave her. This was her "old". She wore my pearl earrings as her "borrowed". Her dress was "new" and her flowers were "blue".

Giving last minute directions to a guest.

Cooling of a little

A barefoot bride.

Daddy looking a bit nervous...but the bride is smiling!

Brian walking her down the aisle.

Brett waiting for his bride.

Listening to Pastor Mike

During the ceremony.

Getting ready to exchange rings.

"The Kiss"

Mr. and Mrs. Wendel.

Brian, Liz, Brett & Bonnie

Cody (Brett's brother) with Brett & Liz

Grandma Betsy & Grandpa Bill with Liz & Brett.

Parents and Grandparents with Liz & Brett.

Nathan shaking Brett's hand.

Autumn with Liz & Brett.

Carey and Cody decorated the car.

The handsome couple outside the church.

On Saturday, August 29th, my daughter Liz was married to Marine Lance Corporal Brett Wendel in a small ceremony in their church in Hilliard.

They decided on Tuesday, to get married on Saturday. Who says you can't plan a wedding in four days!

We found Liz's dress at Eastland Mall. It's a strapless dress made of ivory chiffon with a tie around the neck. With heels on the dress didn't touch the floor so she decided to wear ballet slippers and at the last minute changed her mind and went barefoot. All the celebrities do it, so why not Liz. The morning of the wedding she got her hair done at the salon I go to. Then we went to Garden Ridge to pick out flowers to make her bouquet. We made it from two red roses and two white roses and a blue flower. We wrapped the stems in red, white and blue flag ribbon.

The wedding went smoothly, with the only exception being the pastor called her Lorraine twice (it's her middle name). He asked Brett for Liz's middle and last name just before the wedding and we think he was concentrating so much on that, he forgot her first name. He remembered before he got to the vowels and then used Liz.

My brother-in-law Scott took 220 pictures and said not one of them should be deleted.

They will leave for Jacksonville, NC in a few weeks. Then back to OH in mid-October to pack up the house and pick up Cody and move to a home in Jacksonville.

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, prayers and love.

A big dog visits pizza night

2009-08-13T15:59:00.005-05:00

Nathan with Bowser, Scout & Shelby.

My sister Jenn is dog-sitting for our friend Jen. She has a Newfie-Golden mix named Scout. He is a beautiful dog and has pretty good manners for just being 2 years old and with a bunch of people he doesn't know.

Daughtry = Yum!

2009-08-13T15:40:00.004-05:00

This isn't the greatest picture. But it was taken at dusk on my cell phone.

On Friday, August 7th, at the last minute, I decided to buy a ticket to the Daughtry concert. I knew my friend Jen Kuck was going so I called her to see if I could tag along with her and her friend Sherri. I left work and got in line outside the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion around 5pm. The gate was supposed to open at 6:30 and there was already a decent line. It was a nice afternoon and I had a book to read. Jen and Sherri got there about 6pm and they finally opened the gates at 7:00. If you haven't been to the LC (I hadn't) it reminds me of a mini-Polaris Amphitheatre. There was food, drinks and Daughtry souvenirs to buy. I got a pizza and a beer (only $4.50 - I was shocked) and sat on the lawn with the girls.

And we waited. And waited. And waited. I went to get another beer and I asked the Bud Light girl when she thought the opening band would start. She said probably around 9pm and then Daughtry would play at 10pm. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I'd been there since 5! Why would you open the gates at 6:30 and not play until 10pm! How drunk do you want people to be! Well, we saw plenty of them. It was fun to people watch and make silly comments about them.

Sure enough, Carolina Liar started playing around 8:30. They only have one hit song and the rest were okay. Then another band I'd never heard of came on. They played well but no one knew any of their songs. Finally at 10pm Daughtry came out. He was fabulous! Every one of the band members were smokin hot!

We had a great time, despite having to wait so long.

Pool Party!

2009-08-13T15:26:00.005-05:00

Nate on a raft

Autumn posing

Ally resting after swimming.

Last Sunday Jenn, Scott and the kids came over to swim. It was in the upper 80's so the pool felt great. Brian and Scott did "cannon balls" and when it was Ally's turn she said "Cover your eyes, I make big splash". Yeah, all 25 pounds of her!

RIP Chloe

2009-08-04T17:23:00.003-05:00

Saturday we euthanized our 14 year old dog Chloe. She had been showing signs of deterioration for several months. She had cataracts in her eyes, didn't hear well and last Sunday started dragging one hind leg. She also stopped eating. We spent time with her during the week and talked to the kids. Luckily Liz works for a vet and he said we could bring her in when we were ready. Liz and I took her Saturday morning. She went peacefully. I'm sure she crossed that "Rainbow Bridge" and is sitting on a blanket next to our other loved ones and four-legged friends who have passed. Here is the last picture of her.

Grandma Betsy's 70th Birthday!

2009-08-04T17:16:00.004-05:00

Well, if you want it to cool off or rain, just ask the Henry's to have a pool party. For the third straight time it's either been raining or too cold to swim when we have a get together. Sunday the pool water was 78 degrees, but so was the air! And the wind was blowing so that made us feel cold once we were wet. Oh well, it did make it comfortable to sit on the deck and eat and celebrate Mom's 70th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Grandma opening her cards

Grandma, Ally, Nathan, Jacob, Liz, Autumn

Columbus Downtown Dog Park

2009-07-27T16:26:00.003-05:00

My friend Liz Leahy is part of the board that established the Downtown Dog Park Association that recently opened. She asked me to volunteer selling water and soda at a booth at the Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival. So I enlisted Brian, Liz and her friend Carey. We worked Saturday evening from 6:30 to 10:00. We were slammed! Liz and I would take orders and money and Brian, Carey and another guy would dig into these huge tubs of ice to find the soda. It was a bit of hard work but fun! And we went early to eat ribs. Yummy!

Here's a picture of the dog park

Here is their website - http://www.columbusddp.org/

Fire early Saturday morning

2009-07-26T00:37:00.009-05:00

This is what is left of the house where we have Jacob's car parked so the mechanic can work on the engine. Jacob's car was not damaged because it was parked next to a de-tached garage about 100 yards away. This was a 5500 square foot 2 million dollar house. They think it was caused by an electrical fire. Luckily about three weeks ago the people moved out because there was a grease fire in the kitchen that left a lot of smoke damage.

No Pictures

2009-07-18T21:17:00.002-05:00

I didn't take any pictures but I have picked many bowels full of peas and green beans this week. I am freezing them to use in veggie soup this winter. I also picked a few cucumbers and green peppers. Brian used the green peppers on our pizza this week. I also froze onions. This weekend I am going to freeze peas and green beans. In a few weeks when the tomatoes come on strong I'm going to make tomato sauce and can some. I can't wait! This will be a new adventure!

2009-07-18T21:15:00.001-05:00

Brian made this table so we could have extra seating on July 4th. It's made out of treated wood so it will last forever.

Brian's Tomatoes

2009-07-18T21:10:00.003-05:00

Can you be more boring?

2009-07-18T21:03:00.002-05:00

For once, in a few months, we didn't have something planned. I woke up on Saturday and had breakfast with Brian and for two hours we watched videos. From CMT to Michael Jackson. It was nice. Then we got groceries and I took a nap. Yes a NAP! I know it's hard to believe. Then I made a nice fire in our fire pit and not 7 minutes later it started to rain. Unbelievable! I was so mad! After the rain stopped it was 9pm and I opened a bottle of wine. Life it good!

Loving the fresh veggies!

2009-07-15T21:00:00.006-05:00

Look close and you can see Jalopenos.
Yummy onions

Lettuce, spinach and green beans. I picked a huge bowel of green beans over the weekend.

Picked two cukes tonight!

Brian make salsa over the weekend with onion, jalepenos and cilantro from my garden. YUM!

July 4th Celebration!

2009-07-05T20:12:00.026-05:00

Watching parade
Catching candy!

Looking at the parade floats.

Avery, Abby, Grace (Hemwall), Ally, Autumn, Nathan (Thomas) My FAVORITE PICTURE!

Nathan with glowing headband.

Girls with "poppers"

Jenn with Brady and Autumn

Grandpa Bob with Stormy

Aimie, Jim, Scott, Debi with Brady and David.

Ally and Avery in Aunt Bonnie's pool.

Sparklers.

More Sparklers

Jake (age 6) and Liz (age 8) LOL!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa Bill and Tristyn.

Grandpa Bill & Tristyn

Brady with Grandma Betsy

Cousin Chelsea with Brady

Autumn & Nate roasting marshmallows. They really just burned them and then put more on and burned them again. LOL!

This year was a special treat because my cousin Chris and her daughter Chelsea (FL), my cousin Judi and her son Jalen (DC), my Aunt Mary Sue and Uncle John (KY) and several cousins from the Columbus area joined us for the July 4th celebrations. We started at 10am with the Hilliard parade. Followed by a cookout and swimming at the Henry's. Then a bonfire and fireworks at the Fox's. It was so nice to see and talk to everyone. I was sorry when it ended. Here are some pictures.

Red, White & Boom! 2009

2009-07-05T19:59:00.009-05:00

LeVeque Tower sits next to my building.

My brother Bill on the 24th floor in front of the LeVeque Tower.

Bill & my nephew James

For the last few years some of my family members and I have gone downtown to watch the Red, White & Boom fireworks on top of a building that I help manage. Here are some pictures from this year at One Columbus located at High and Broad Streets. The fireworks were not as good or as long as past years. But considering the economy and cut backs, it was great "free" entertainment.

"Staycation"

2009-07-04T01:10:00.002-05:00

Brian and I have been on vacation this week and he is on vacation next week too. We have spent MANY hours working in the yard, deck and pool. We are now ready for the big July 4th party. My Dad's birthday plus we are celebrating my niece Tristyn's 13th birthday. We are ready! I have been praying to Mother Nature to keep the rain away until Sunday!

Granny Shot concert

2009-07-02T21:10:00.012-05:00

Trevor & Luke
Nikki, Jon's wife.

Jenn & Isaac

Guys with Miller Lite Girls.

Luke & Matt

Nikki's TatTas

Bonnie & Brian

Bill & Nikki

Bill, Jenn & Bonnie

Amie & Jenn

A few days with Autumn

2009-07-02T20:59:00.008-05:00

Autumn paints Uncle Brians toes.
Autumn paints Uncle Brian's nails.

Uncle Brian paints Autumsn's toes.

Autumn gets ready to paint Uncle Brian's toes.

Autumn give Uncle Brian a "Make-Over". He's such a good sport!

My 4 year old niece Autumn spent two days with us while we were on vacation. We had a blast. It's a little strange that she wanted to give Uncle Brian a make over.

Mary, Mary How Contrary...

2009-07-02T20:50:00.012-05:00

This is the first time I've tried to grow onions. Hopefully they will be good this weekend.

We had fresh peas in our salad the past few weeks. Hoplefully I will have enough to freze some.

we've been picking fresh lettuce and spinach for a few weeks. Can't wait for the green beans. Wait a minute. I don't like green beans!

This is the first year I've grown Jalapenos. We are gowing to make and can fresh salsa with the peppers, tomatos and cilantro. YUM!

I've made a few salads with the radishes. Can't wait for cukes!

In just one day Brian made this awesome table for our yard. We'll need it for our July 4th cookout!

Pride 2009

2009-06-24T14:29:00.005-05:00

Brian and I went to the Pride parade with a bunch of friends. We hardly every have someone take a picture of us. We are both a sweaty mess because it was 88 degrees and very little shade. Still not a bad picture of us.

Terri's birthday

2009-06-24T12:52:00.010-05:00

Everyone in the pool
Sherry, Cosmo & Jayme

Brian
Brian and I took Friday off work and went to our friend Terri's 40th birthday party. It was a pool party at her sister Jayme's house. When we first got up that morning is was thunder storming. But the skies had cleared by 10am and it started getting warm. I turned out to be a beautiful day. We spent eight hours in the pool with all of Terri's friends and family. There was great food and they rented a Margareta machine which was pretty cool.

Father's Day

2009-06-23T16:05:00.016-05:00

Does Scott really need two rings?

We had a Father's Day cookout at our house on Sunday. The weather was beautiful and the pool water was 80 degrees. The kids had a fabulous time. Ally was swimming in a ring all over the place and Nathan was diving and swimming underwater.

Nathan with goggles
Nate & Jim

Autumn, Nate & Jim

Jim floating in a ring

Does Jim really need a fish ring?

Brian & Amie

Bill

Autumn

Autumn, Ally, Scott & Nate

Ally

Ally & Jim

Dad, Liz & Mom

Ally & Aunt Bonnie

A gift for me!

2009-06-16T13:44:00.004-05:00

Look what my wonderful husband made for me on Saturday and Sunday!

Jacob's Tattoo

2009-06-16T13:30:00.010-05:00

Outline
Stacey the tattoo artist
The outline filled in

Stacey doing the shading

All done! With no tears!

Jacob's tattoo cross with the initials of his Grandmother Anna Lorraine Henry and Aunt Teresa Ann Fox.

Random Thoughts

2009-06-09T15:36:00.004-05:00

Popcorn and lemonade do not taste very good together. Neither does Crest and diet Coke.

Your children, no matter what age, can always surprise you.

Dogs always bark at something when someone is asleep.

If you water your garden in the morning, it will rain later that day.

If you absolutely have to get somewhere in 15 minutes, you will get caught by a train.

Balding, middle-aged men in tiny convertibles look silly.

Teen aged boys with loud car stereos are silly.

If you wear a white shirt you WILL spill something not-white on it by the end of the day.

There should be a stupidity tax.

Prozac should be added to the water system rather than Fluoride.

Why did God create mosquitoes? I'd be happy to donate blood to them if only they didn't leave me with an itchy welt.

Okay, I fell better now. I think I'm done. Thanks for listening.

weekend news

2009-06-06T21:24:00.003-05:00

We've spent many of the last weekends working in the yard and garden and visiting sick people. So this weekend we decided to have a little fun. Friday night we watched my niece Tristyn play fast pitch softball. Her team is 4 and 1. Saturday we slept in and then went to the Memorial Tournament. Sunday did some work on the pool - It's all ready to swim in thanks to Brian's hard work. I watered both gardens and my flower beds with rain from my barells. Then we borrowed Dad's motorcycle and took a ride to visit Brian's Dad in Urbana. Loving the beautiful weather!

Bonnie "Biker Chick"
Tristyn - Age 12

Garden update 6/04/09

2009-06-04T20:58:00.003-05:00

I've been picking lettuce, spinach and green onions almost every day. My cucumbers, peas and green beans are looking good. I've picked 4 strawberries too.

Memorial Day at Terri & Laura's

2009-06-04T20:55:00.003-05:00

Laura & Brian
These are pictures from our friend Terri's cookout on Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day/Jacob's Birthday

2009-06-04T20:15:00.008-05:00

Jim, Amie, Ally, Trisha, Autumn, Tristyn

Dad * Joe

Autumn & Jake

Ally & Nate

Jacob - The birthday boy!

Jake's Cake

We combined Memorial Day festivities with Jacob's 18th birthday. Yeah, my baby boy will be 18 on June 9th. I'm way too YOUNG to have a baby that is 18. Anyway, here are pictures from our bonfire party.

How does MY garden grow?

2009-06-04T20:10:00.002-05:00

Tonight I picked my first strawberry of the season. And yes, I ate it! We have about 10 blooms on our tomato plants and three green tomatoes! I have harvested and frozen about two dozen green onions and I have picked ALOT of fresh lettuce and spinach. My cucumbers are up and so are my radishes. Not sure what's up with my carrots. Pepper plants are doing well. The herb garden is coming up slow. I usually plant "plants". This year I planted seeds. I'll give it a few more weeks.

Fresh veggies are the best!

2009-06-04T20:06:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend Brian grilled steaks and I made a salad from fresh lettuce, spinch and green onions from my garden. I added store bought radishes, tomatos, and carrots. We also had corn on the corb. It was delish!

Sick, sick, sick

2009-06-04T19:58:00.002-05:00

Okay, I almost never get sick. I usually have one or two sinus infections a year. I am diligent about taking vitamins and other supplements and try to eat healthy. But last week after my sand volleyball game I got a fever of 103 that just wouldn't respond to any medicine. Then Wednesday morning I woke up with tummy trouble too. I went to the doctor and she said I had an ear infection and a stomach virus. She gave me antibiotic drops for the ear infection and put me on a liquid diet. I ran a fever for three days, alternating between burning up and a sweaty wet mess once the fever broke. I missed three days of work and lost 7 pounds. By Saturday I was feeling better, no more fever, but zero energy. I managed to get stuff ready for our yard sale at Mom and Dad's. But I really just sat in a chair and Jenn did most of the work. By Monday I was feeling better. The tummy issues are still hanging on. I'm hoping they will go away in a few days. I'm now getting an allergy shot twice a week rather than once a week to try to keep from getting another ear or sinus infection. Oh the joys of the outdoors!

Garden update

2009-05-21T10:06:00.002-05:00

Well, here is our little experiment for the summer. This is actually Brian's idea. We'll see if it works.

This is a "topsy-turvy" tomato plant holder. Brian bought a post and put it in the ground and then screwed four shepard hooks, one on each side. We inserted the root ball of the plant into the bottom hole and placed a piece of foam around it to hold it in place. Then we added dirt which contained fertilizer. Then we added the cover at the top which contains a hole in it for watering. This system is supposed to yield more tomatoes because the plants are upside down. It’s an experiment and if it works we can re-use them next year. I'll keep you posted.

Sand Volleyball - Week One

2009-05-20T14:58:00.002-05:00

Our volleyball team won both games last night. Yeah! And we played a team that was much younger than us. It's the best two out of three games. We one the first, they won the second and we won the third. Go BOMA Columbus!

A Full Weekend

2009-05-20T12:30:00.002-05:00

I'm still trying to recover from the weekend. I took Friday off so AT&T could install DSL and DVR service in our house. While waiting for them I worked on my flower beds. Brian had the day off too and replaced a few boards on our deck. The deck came with the house and we've lived there almost 20 years. So some of the boards were starting to disintegrate. I weeded more flower beds and Brian mowed the grass. Then we went to Lowe's for a few items and I picked up some annuals.

Saturday morning I got up early and steam cleaned the living room carpet. Then I picked Mom up and took her shopping for her flowers. This was out Mother's Day gift to her. She got several flats of annuals, one Shasta Daisy, new gloves and a new pair of grass shears. Plus two of these containers that have 6 plants in them that you plant in one big pot. Then we met Jenn and the girls for lunch.

Saturday evening I finished planting my vegetable garden, except for the tomato plants. My friend Amy's friend Johanna came over in the late afternoon and took the last two puppies. Yeah! No more puddles on the floor!

Sunday Jenn and I planted the flowers that we bought Mom the day before. Brian, Bill and Jim helped Dad clean up some branches that we can use on the bonfire this weekend. They also helped him move the camper and Bill mowed grass.

Sunday evening I had a training/meeting at Old Navy. By then my allergies were really acting up. I woke up Monday with a sore throat, runny nose and my ears felt like they were full of water. I stayed home and tried to rest. Ended up doing a little more yard work. Brian tilled my new herb garden. I'll be planting herbs on Wednesday.

I'm happy to say that I watered all my flowers and veggies with water from my two rain barrels. It's a little more work but rewarding and FREE!

Weekend Stuff

2009-05-11T14:56:00.010-05:00

I really meant to post this last week but didn't have time. We took the kids to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine. WOW! Hugh Jackman is a hottie! Actually, all the men in the movie are buff and handsome.

Friday we took Jacob to see Star Trek (Liz declined). Another WOW but for a different reason. Sure, the men in the movie were cute, but not buff and much too young for me anyway. But it was a great movie and had a good story line that all the "Trekies" should enjoy.

Saturday my fabulous daughter "kidnapped" me and took me for a pedicure as my Mother's Day gift. Those pedicure chairs are great! I sat in mine long enough for three cycles of the massage. And now I can wear my sandals without being embarrassed.

Sunday I did lots of work in my flower beds. I was lazy last fall and didn't do the fall cleanup. I got three flower beds cleaned up and weeded with the help of this great tool my wonderful husband got for me.

It's a Black & Decker cordless cultivator. I love it! I can get up close to my flowers and "till" in between the rows in my vegetable garden since there isn't enough room for my honkin big tiller.

Then I went to Mom's to have dessert with my siblings and parents. It was a nice visit and the weather was beautiful. I swear I pushed Autumn on the swing so long her hands were hurting.

I stopped at Meijer and bought my tomato and pepper plants and some flowers for my front beds and deck. Now I just need to find time to plant them. Oh and I almost forgot! I used my rain barrel for the first time!

Being "Green"

2009-04-25T19:33:00.004-05:00

My husband must love me. This week he put together (so to speak) and installed two rain barrels for me. They will collect the rain from our gutters and down spouts and I will use the water to water my flower and vegetable garden. It won't be as easy as turning on the hose and sprinkler. But we want to do our part to help Mother Earth. My Dad got me the white one from a truck washing place he knows. The blue one was left in a neighbors yard when they moved out.

Small Miracles Do Happen

2009-04-25T19:31:00.002-05:00

With our busy schedules, it's hard enough to get both my kids in the same room together, let alone with Jacob wearing a tie. So this morning before the funeral I just had to take a picture.

Teresa Threlkeld Fox 7/19/1961 - 4/21/2009

2009-04-25T19:12:00.004-05:00

Teresa Ann Fox

FOX Teresa Ann Fox, 47, of Mechanicsburg, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in her residence surrounded by her family and friends; following a courageous battle with Melanoma. She was born July 19, 1961 in Columbus, Oh. Teresa enjoyed working for Loving Care Hospice since 1997 as a home health care aide. She also enjoyed fishing and collecting antiques. She loved spending time with her family and they will sadly miss her. She is survived by her husband, William Kenneth Fox; her parents, Larry and Bonnie Threlkeld of London; her mother, Nancy (Everetts) Wells; her daughters, Shannon Fox of Hilliard and Amanda (Dale) Ward of Glouster; her son, James (Amie) Fox of Rosedale; her grandsons, Jimmy and Memphis Ward; her brothers, Larry (Lilly) Threlkeld of New Mexico, Gary (Becky) Threlkeld of London and Michael Threlkeld of South Charleston; her father and mother-in-law, Bill and Betsy Fox of Hilliard; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and a host of friends. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, 24, 2009 in the SKILLMAN, McDONALD & VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Mechanicsburg. Funeral service to celebrate Teresa's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2009 in the funeral home with Minister Wendell Hurley officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Mechanicsburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Loving Care Hospice, P.O. Box 445, London, Oh. 43140. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.

We had a beautiful service this morning for Teresa. Although it was windy, we couldn't have asked for better weather. There were many people at both calling hours yesterday as well as the service today. I spoke a few words and so did one of her co-workers with Loving Care Hospice. There were so many beautiful flowers and everyone had so many kind words to say about Teresa. It's funny how you don't realize how many lives one person touches until they are gone.

I will miss you Teresa but I know you will always be with us in our hearts and in our wonderful, happy memories. To quote the minister, "I'm sure you have a big bass on the hook right now".

Love,

Bonnie

Funeral Arrangements for Teresa Fox

2009-04-22T16:47:00.007-05:00

Teresa and grand-dog Mack - 10/08

Teresa & Bill at Jim and Amie's wedding 10/07

Teresa & Jim

Teresa & Amie

Calling hours are Friday from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm at the Skillman, McDonald, Vernen Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg. The funeral is Saturday at 11:00 am. I think the obituary will be in the Dispatch tomorrow.

We are all doing as well as can be expected. Bill, Jim and Shannon have been so strong. I am so proud of them. They did an excellent job of taking care of Teresa these last three weeks. I was there for some of the tougher times and I know it wasn't an easy job.

Thanks to Loving Care Hospice for taking such good care of Teresa. They have a wonderful staff of caring aids, nurses and doctors.

Special thanks to all of our loving and caring friends and extended family for their prayers, encouragement and helpful emails. Some days I would be at work checking my email and get a funny joke that made me smile for the first time all day.

I am blessed to have such close friends and family.

Teresa

2009-04-21T09:55:00.004-05:00

My sister-in-law Teresa passed away this morning at about 8:30 am after a two year battle with cancer. She was 47 and had been married to my brother for 30 years. My brother Bill was with her and so was her step mother. The past two weeks have been extremely rough and emotional. As you probably know I have a very close family and have known Teresa since I was 12. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet. I will keep you posted.

There is not a nicer person in the world than my sister in law Teresa. I met Teresa when I was 12. My brother Bill and Teresa were high school sweethearts. In June of 1979 I was in their wedding. Teresa gave me my first nephew and niece. A few months after Shannon was born, Teresa stood next to me while I married my high school sweetheart.

When I had my first child I remember being just a little angry with Teresa. You see, she made motherhood look so easy and here I was struggling to be as good a mom as she was.

Teresa loved to play euchre. She wouldn't play with my husband Brian for years because she thought that one time he cheated. She loved to go gambling with Bill. She loved to fish with Larry and Bonnie, Bill, Mom and Dad, Jim and Amie. If you went fishing with her you were usually disappointed because typically she caught the most fish and sometimes the only fish. She loved to go to auctions with Bill and made new friends there while collecting Longaberger baskets and Fenton glass. She loved her cats, Garth and Max. She loved being a Nana to Jimmy Dale & Memphis. She took care of sick people until she was too sick herself. She was so good at her job and got close to most of her patients.

Five years ago I had the pleasure of being a part of the ceremony in which Bill and Teresa renewed their vowels.

Teresa was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, mother, grandmother, aunt, co-worker and friend.

Many of us spent her last week with her. And although it was rough, I'm glad I did.

About three weeks ago when Teresa first asked to have Hospice involved in her care, I searched the Internet for a poem to post on my blog. The morning that Teresa passed I posted a poem. Twelve hours later Shannon called me to say that she had picked the exact same poem for her services. I would like to read it to you.

When I am Gone

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".

Collius Norwood

Got my seeds!

2009-04-19T19:49:00.002-05:00

I bought seeds for my garden yesterday. Here is what I'm planning to plant next weekend.

peas
peppers
lettuce
carrots
radishes
spinach

Once there is no threat of frost, I'll plant green beans, tomatoes and cucumbers. This year I'm planting an herb garden separate from my regular garden. Here's what I'm going to plant.

marjoram
dill
cilantro
catnip (no, I don't have cats but this is a natural mosquito repellent)
sage
basil
thyme
rosemary (also a mosquito repellent)
spearmint
oregano

Update on Teresa

2009-04-19T19:47:00.002-05:00

I took spaghetti pie to Bill's today and visited for a few hours. Teresa was asleep most of the time. Her breathing continues to decline. The last few anxiety attacks have been rough and lasted several hours. They are now giving her Ativan every three hours rather than only when she has an attack.

Please prayer for us to continue to be strong for one another.

Saturday Project

2009-04-19T19:41:00.005-05:00

I love our deck but in the summer it can get brutally hot. We have always wanted a canopy so that we can have some shade. We don't have any trees in the backyard except a pine tree. We don't want to plant any because we don't want leaves in the pool. So this is what we put together on Saturday afternoon. Nothing was broken and no one was hurt. We didn't even argue. Amazing!

My Backyard Composter

2009-04-19T19:33:00.007-05:00

Brian putting together the composter.
Almost done!

Add some rotten veggies from the frig and some grass clippings...

I'm on my way to making my on soil. Now I just gotta buy some worms....

"Jasper" visits Daphne

2009-04-17T22:18:00.003-05:00

My sister Jenn is considering taking another puppy from Stella's latest litter. Jasper looks alot like Daphne, the pup she took from Stella's first litter. So tonight Jasper visited Daphne to see what she thought of him. He is almost 6 weeks old. She is 8 months old. Here is a picture. The kids LOVE him. He is very sweet. The other day I was in the kitchen and I looked down and he was sitting next to my feet looking up sweetly at me. Brian's cousin Crystal is taking two puppies tomorrow "Jacob" and "Bella". They look almost exactly alike. Black, brown and white.

Friday Update

2009-04-17T22:10:00.002-05:00

Not much has changed with Teresa. She sleeps alot. You can wake her to take her medicine and then she goes back to sleep. Bill, Shannon, Jim and Amie and friends and family have been with her.

My father-in-law Bob is doing much better. Because he has been in bed for 6 weeks he has retained a lot of fluid. The put him on Laxis (sp?) and he has lost about 40 pounds and looks much better. Yesterday he was off the ventilator for 20 hours. When he can go a whole night without the vent they will remove it and the trach. They "capped" it so he can talk. He has been working with a physical therapist to get strength in his arms and legs and chest. After they take out the trach he will work with a speech therapist on talking and swallowing. Yeah! This is good news finally!

Wednesday update

2009-04-15T21:06:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a few days. I went back to work Monday. I am grateful for the time I spent with Teresa, Bill and my family last week. I spent a few hours with Teresa and family tonight. Her breathing is VERY labored. It's difficult to listen to. I pray that she is not in pain. Her poor little body just doesn't want to give up just yet. Bill, Jim, Shannon and Amie are so strong. Taking care of her isn't something just one person can do alone. It takes a few people, especially when she has an anxiety attack.
May the Lord bless us and keep us safe.
Pray for our strength.

Garden update

2009-04-12T16:16:00.001-05:00

After fighting with the tiller for about 15 minutes, I finished tilling the garden and putting the fence up around it to keep the dogs out of it. Not only do they like to play in the dirt and track it in the house. Stella likes to dig up what ever I've just planted. I planted 60 onions! Can't wait for warmer weather so I can plant more stuff!

Sunday update

2009-04-12T16:13:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter everyone.

I took lunch out to Bill's again today. Teresa slept all night again so they got some sleep. She was awake today only long enough to take her medicine. She had a small anxiety attack that only lasted a few minutes this time. She slept most of the day which we expected as the end nears.

Saturday update

2009-04-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Teresa slept well last night so they all got some sleep. During the day today she slept a lot. Then she had a really bad anxiety attack around 4:30 with severe difficulty breathing. Throughout it all she begged God to take her. She said she was ready. Bill quietly said to her "God is not quite ready yet. He'll take you when he is". It lasted about 20 minutes and had us all in tears. Hearing her beg God to take her is rough. It may be a rough night.

Keep praying for our strength.

Teresa

2009-04-09T18:54:00.001-05:00

Today is my brother Bill's birthday. We didn't make too much of it just in case it would upset Teresa.
Once a week the Hospice doctor's meet to discuss all their patients. After discussing Teresa they suggested making a small change in her meds. After doing that she was less "drugged" and more alert for most of today. At one point she asked everyone to come into the room. She introduced every single one of us to three of her co-workers who stopped by to visit. She remembered all our names. Then she asked Bill to get her jewelry. She gave Shannon her wedding rings and Amie her ruby ring and earrings. Mandy wasn't there but she wants to give her a special bracelet. Then she told us all we could have a Longaberger basket or piece of Fenton glass to remember her by. There wasn't a dry eye in the house except for Teresa. She was so strong and I know it took a lot of energy for her to talk so long. She is truly a special person that we could never forget. Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for our family's strength.

Update on Teresa

2009-04-08T20:57:00.002-05:00

The Hospice doctor came to Bill and Teresa's today. After she examined Teresa my niece Shannon asked her how long she thought we had with Teresa and the doctor said she felt Teresa would pass sometime between now and this weekend. Shannon, Bill and I have taken the week off. Mom and Teresa's step mom Bonnie (who has been her mom for at least 15+ years) have been there every day along with Jim's wife Amy, my sister Jenn and some close friends. Today she had a "sponge" bath and got her hair washed which she seemed to enjoy. Mandy came to visit with Jimmy. Both her brothers stopped by with their kids. She was awake for most of the day and could answer questions with one word answers and seemed to know everyone. When we thought she was asleep we would talk amongst ourselves and all of a sudden she would make a comment. It was cute and funny at times. The morphine has made her have vivid dreams and at times nightmares. We realized yesterday that having the TV or DVD on with something funny or pleasant was better than a violent movie or crime related TV show. She had two anxiety attacks yesterday and one this morning that were very scary for us and traumatic for her, Jim and Shannon. She didn't have any today (by 5pm) and didn't seem in pain as much as yesterday. She along with the rest of us have made peace and she is ready to go and we have told her that we will be fine and will take care of each other so she can go when she is ready. SO HARD! I have always looked up to my brother Bill. Now, more then ever I place him on a pedestal. He is so strong and so good with her. There is no better, nicer person in the whole world then Teresa. It is not fair and I struggle with this every day. Please continue to pray for our family.

Update on Teresa

2009-04-07T22:02:00.003-05:00

My brother Bill is the strongest, bravest man I know. We spent the afternoon and evening at his house with Teresa and many loved ones. It was a rough afternoon. She had a coughing spell and then a panic attack. She kept saying she was ready, that she needed to die. We told her it was ok to go, that we would be ok. Shannon told her we would take care of each other. She was crying and hyperventilating. We gave her an Ativan crushed in morphine and she was able to calm down. Then she was alert for about an hour. I think this was good because all of us (everyone who means something to her) was there. I will be spending tomorrow with her and Bill just in case. There is no way to tell when she will go. I will keep you posted. THIS SUCKS SO MUCH! I appreciate your prayers.

Birthdays

2009-04-06T10:26:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I haven't posted about my birthday! I had a great day. Brian got me three cards (crazy man!) One mushy card and two funny ones. And he gave me the new U2 CD that I have been wanting since it came out in March. I went to lunch at Tip Top with my co-worker Cindy. I had a pot roast sandwich on a pretzel bun. YUM! I didn't even know they made pretzel buns! They are delicious. Since my birthday fell on a Wednesday, of course we had pizza night at Grandma's. We celebrated all the March and April birthdays. Everyone was there, including my sister-in-law Teresa. It was great that she could make it. Liz gave me a card that made me cry and Jacob gave me a funny one. They got me a yummy smelling candle and a shadowbox that holds wine corks. So cool!

PUPPIES!

2009-04-03T09:42:00.005-05:00

One black, one white

Autumn with puppies
Brian with "Jasper"

Momma Stella with puppies

Stella and Gabe had their second litter of puppies on March 1st. The puppies will be ready for a new home around April 19th. Let me know if you know anyone who would be interested. These are great dogs!

Garden update

2009-03-25T20:51:00.001-05:00

My dad came over last night to look at my tiller. Turns out the spark plug had carbon built up on it. He replaced it and it started right up. So, got my garden tilled just before it started raining! Going to plant my onions this weekend!

Update on Bob

2009-03-24T14:52:00.003-05:00

Sunday when we visited Bob at the hospital we found him much improved. The doctors inserted a feeding tube and did a tracheotomy last week. Due to this they moved the vent from him mouth to his trach allowing them to stop giving him sedatives. He was given sedatives because it's the body's natural reaction to fight a vent. Now that he's had four days of nourishment, he is getting stronger. Hopefully they can take him off the vent soon. He will then go to a step down hospital for rehab and then to a nursing home. I am visiting a step down hospital tomorrow.

Stupid Tiller!

2009-03-22T22:13:00.003-05:00

Okay. So today I got up early for me and decided to till my garden in and planned to plant my onion sets (thanks Mom!). Brian started the tiller for me (it's gigantic) and it was back firing which I don't understand. I made about 8 swipes and then it quit. CRAP! My dad said I had the choke set too high but if I backed it down it stalled. I have babied this thing and kept it in the garage all winter. I'm going to try again in a few days. If I can't get it to work I'll have to have my dad or brother come over. Darn machine!

Twilight

2009-03-22T22:06:00.002-05:00

Those of you who know me know they I am a "Twi-hard" or "Twilighter". I pre-ordered the DVD but Amazon.com had my old credit card number so it won't be delivered until next week. So Liz waited in line 45 minutes at Wal-Mart to buy it. We watched it Friday night/Saturday morning. Then I watched it again with Brian. Then I watched the deleted and extended scene. Then I watched it witch commentary on. You have to watch this! Kristen, Rob and Catherine make comments during the film. It's hilarious! Yes, I know I'm a dork. My children remind me constantly. I really don't care!

Update on Bob

2009-03-22T22:02:00.002-05:00

So today we visited and he was very alert. No more sedatives! He had a trach and a feeding tube which we feel has made him a little stronger. He is in some pain which is understood since he has a trach, an incision from the first surgery plus the feeding tube. But he was moving his arms and seemed to know us and understand us. We feel positive about his progress. We (Brian, Bonnie, Jeff & Sonya) met with a social worker on Friday to discuss his extended care. When he is well enough to leave Riverside he will go to a "step down" hospital and then to a nursing home. I'm going to visit the step down hospital they recommended next week.

A very long day

2009-03-11T12:33:00.002-05:00

Yesterday my father-in-law Bob was rushed to the Riverside ER. Last Tuesday he had an endoscopy done at OSU as a follow up to a procedure he had a few weeks ago. Unknown to anyone, the surgeon who did the endoscopy tore a hole in his esophagus. Infection set in and he was close to being septic by the time we realized how sick he was and took him to the ER. He is the type of man who downplays everything and he kept telling us he was getting better. The surgeon said there was so much infection that he couldn't’t even see the tear. He said he was just hours away from tragedy. He is now in the cardia ICU and is on a ventilator for the next few days and is sedated. He was severely dehydrated but we are hopeful that he doesn’t have any kidney or other organ problems. We were at the hospital yesterday from 4:00 am until 7:00pm. It’s amazing how exhausting it is to sit in a waiting room all day.

Please keep Bob in your thoughts and prayers.

Some of my favorite quotes

2009-02-20T13:51:00.001-05:00

My friend Megan sent this to me in an email and I think some of them are hilarious!

1) When I die, I want to die like my grandfather--who died
peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the
passengers in his car."
--Author Unknown

2) Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you
get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle:
"Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."
--Author Unknown

3) "Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so?
There's a support group for that.
It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar."
--Drew Carey

4) "The problem with the designated driver program, it's
not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into
doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night,
drop them off at the wrong house."
--Jeff Foxworthy

5) "If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball
and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the
infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base."
--Dave Barry

6) "Relationships are hard. It's like a full time job, and
we should treat it like one. If your boyfriend or girlfriend
wants to leave you, they should give you two weeks' notice.
There should be severance pay, and the day before they leave
you, they should have to find you a temp."
--Bob Ettinger

7) "A study in the Washington Post says that women have
better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the
authors of that study: "Duh."
--Conan O'Brien

8) "Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography."
--Paul Rodriguez

9) "My parents didn't want to move to Florida ,
but they turned sixty and that's the law."
--Jerry Seinfeld

10) "You can say any foolish thing to a dog,
and the dog will give you a look that says,
'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'"
--Dave Barry

11) Do you know why they call it "PMS"?
Because "Mad Cow Disease" was taken.
--Unknown, presumed deceased

12) "Everybody's got to believe in something.
I believe I'll have another beer."
- W. C. Fields

Favorite "Twilight" Quotes

2009-02-16T11:13:00.002-05:00

I'm re-reading the "Twilight" series and I'm on book four. Yes, I realize I'm obsessed. But I really don't care!
Since it was just Valentine's Day, I realized how many romantic quotes are in the books. Here are some of my favorites.

"Look after my heart. I've left it with you." Edward

"I dream about being with you forever". Bella

"The outside world holds nothing for me without you." Edward

"You're dazzling me again". Bella

I just love romance!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

2009-02-16T11:08:00.003-05:00

Ok, so Brian didn't want me to get him anything for Valentine's Day. But of course I already had. I got him a cookbook, which isn't that unusual. He loves to cook and I love for him to cook for me. I got him Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". It's one of his favorite shows. And, to let him off the hook for my gift, I told him he had to make me dinner. So Friday night we had Three Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. YUM! And Saturday he made Famous Joe's Tri-color Pasta with Chicken. OH MY GOSH! It was fantastic! I can't wait until he makes something else!