Annonymous Birthday Cards

keep showing up at my house. The latest is a funky 100 year old card from some people I don't Even know, Leona and Herman. Ok, this reeks of my sister Marlene. And anyway there is always an old picture of me when I was a child. She is so funny!

Grandma Rush

Sarah's grandma passed away early Tuesday morning. She was a great lady. She had a really good sense of humor and was very kind! She has just been getting sicker and sicker. She broke her hip about a week and a half ago & then she got a bad infection from an anti-biotic they were using to treat a urinary tract infection. I think she was just tired of not feeling good. The obituary from the Flint Journal is below:

Alva S. (Sy) Rush
RUSH, Alva S. (Sy) - Of Flint, age 86, died Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at Avalon Hospice. Funeral service will be held at 10AM Friday, June 27, 2008 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Pastor Doug Klein, officiating. Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to the charity of their choice. Visitation 1-8PM Thursday at the funeral home.

It's Over, I'm Tired

Woke up Saturday morning bright and early (6:30) to thunder & rain. Oh well. It melted the crepe paper so we had to change the red-spotted tablecloths. Other than that it was okay, by the time we got up it was nice and sunny & everything was drying! We had a nice turn out for the G.P., weather was ok, not too hot. It sprinkled a few times but not too much to ruin anything. We didn't run out of food (the big nightmare!) and actually we had too much. BIG shout out to Tom & Renee, Meckenzie & LeAnn, Mike & Chris(Trenton, Lindsay & too) and Trina for all the help. We couldn't have pulled it off without you guys. It was nice to see everyone. The biggest surprise was Ms. McCann, Katie's third grade teacher from Gaines. She was an awesome teacher! Everyone loved the video that Renee made and hopefully she'll get her business started doing videos. I don't even know if we have any pics - such a busy day. I think Katie took one of the cake, if I can find it I'll upload later today. We had a bonfire after the G.P. Had to stay up on the longest day and all. We toasted the new choclate smashmallows (that's what Syd calls em) that Renee brought over. Different.

June 17, 2008

Sarah turns 40! Some friends decided to decorate the house/yard and we had a little get together to celebrate. It was a cold and cloudy day. The sign kept blowing down, we had to keep putting them back up. Sarah was surprised to see all the signs when she got home from work. She was really suprised to see the blow up picture that Chris did from their middle school year book. We had the Aurands and cousins Mike, Chris & Trenton over for hot dogs & such. A fun time was had by all!

Happy Father's Day to All the Dads

We decided to have Sarah's mom and dad over for brats and burgers. We had an early dinner (4:00) it started to rain about 20 minutes after we got everything in from the grill.

I cooked up 5 lbs of burger (taco) and 3 lbs of chicken today for the G.P. on Sat. Everything is pretty much done. I still have to cook up some more chicken and just buy the fresh stuff.

Yesterday was Katie's graduation at Perani Arena. It was nice and over in 1 &1/2 hours! I will upload a pic when I get up off the couch and get the sd card. We went out to Bubba O'Dooleys afterwards for dinner. It was pretty good. I had a stromboli which was really good.

Week In Review

I'm so happy that Rich's Greenhouse is open. I went and got a variety of fruits and made a yummy fruit salad one night. Sunday we went to the Creek Farmer's Market but it was pretty bad.... Wednesday I attended a luncheon (FCS) to honor the mentors in the mentors program. We're still waiting to hear if the grant to reinstate our jobs will be approved.

Yesterday I was on the computer all day making reservations for our trip to San Antonio and Austin TX. Sarah needs to attend a seminar for one of her service companies so we decided to make a mini trip out of it. We'll be going the last w/end in Sept. Should be fun, I've never been to the Lonestar State before. Probably go to the Alamo, it's in San Antonio. Don't know what else.

Saturday is Katie's graduation ceremony. Then we'll probably go out to dinner. Then of course there is the never ending list of "get ready for the party chores!" Today I'm just chillin - probably do some of the accounting for the buss.

Just Busy

Getting ready for the big par-tay. Renee dragged me out shopping for flowers and pots and stuff one day. Now I just have to plant them! Sarah's been busy painting the deck, putting up and painting a wall in the garage. The grass is coming in good with all the rain we've been having. Yesterday we ordered the balloons and bought more decorations. Did I mention that I can't wait until this bash is over?

Tonight I'm making Monte Cristo Sandwiches. I saw Rach make them and thought they looked yumm-o. I'll tell ya how they are!

June, Wow!

So my fans are getting jumpy again. Have no fear. Anyway, we went camping again this weekend. I had a great idea. Since we were going down to dad's to clean on Saturday I decided that we could camp at Proud Lake and then just hop on over to dad's on Sat. night. That worked out pretty good. And we even got to test out the camper in a thunderstorm! It stormed from 10 p.m. until about 2 a.m.Friday night. I gotta admit it was a little frightening. But the camper held up just fine. Sunday dawned cool and cloudy. All around us we could hear people packing up. I didn't want to get caught packing up in the rain so we booggied and split 45 minutes later. We stopped at National Coney Island at Beck & Pontiac Tr. Man that area has changed so much I didn't even recognize that it was where I lived in the apt.
So by the time we got home it was warming up and sunny. So we decided to start a few projects around the yard. There is alot of work to do. Patching bare spots in the lawn, flower pots, flower beds, etc... Pics are of some of the finished and unfinished projects.

P.s. As you can see we need to buy a new umbrella for our table as the meices have chewed up the old one!

Where Has The Week Gone?

Camping over Memorial with the Renee's was lots of fun. There was all kinds of stuff to do: blanket volleyball, Tye-dye, a DJ, A band, riding bikes, walking to the bathroom. And then of course there is always pushing Sydney on the swing! We ate well and rested well. We did pack up early because we heard there was to be rain/storms and we didn't want to be stuck packing in the rain. We ended up doing the traditional yard work on Monday. Yesterday I did laundry most of the day and then last night was Katie's graduation from skill center. She is a medical assistant and she can now take her test to become a "certified" MA. Today I went to a luncheon that was associated with my old job. I saw the boss people. They are just waiting to hear whether or not the grant $$ will be approved. If so I will start back in the fall. If not I will look for a new job....
Mr. and Mrs. Blue Bird have a flock of young-uns. We can hear them chirping away in the birdhouse. Tomorrow I need to grocery shop and do the accounting for KNS. I am getting behind in that! Sorry I missed my sister-to-pher's 60th birthday party on Saturday. I hear it was very nice! I will have to think of another way to surprise her..........

Camping 101

Okay, I've been to Target, Meijers, Kroger, Target again, Walmart & even Sam's Club. I think I have everything for the weekend. But I can guarantee when I get to the campground I will have forgotten to get something! Should be a nice weather-wise weekend. Yahoo! We just need to re-fill the water tank and crank down the top and pack up the van and buy ice, and... and... Can't wait!

Factoids #59 - 57 -
I remember my first day of kindergarten because my baby brother came home from the hospital.
My best friends growing up were Sharon Bell, Jimmy Clark and Mary Laukka.
I used to bake with my mom when I was little --all the big sibs were in school.

60 Days Til I Turn 50

Factoid for Day 60:
My Favorite Childhood Book - A Fish Out of Water featuring, Mr. Carp, Mr. Carp

A Very Busy Day(s)

Saturday started out bright and early with a trip to the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. We bought 2 very large hanging baskets for the front porch. Also some herbs and veggies for the "Salsa Garden." Next stop, breakfast at the Broken Egg for a delicious breakfast. Elizabeth's Stew with Clancey's Hot Sauce for me and French Toast w/Carmel for Sarah. On the way home we stopped for some Manure at Gil-Roy's for the garden. Since it was a pretty nice day we decided to get the camper ready for next week-ends camping trip. Sydney came over to try out the little bed and "help!" Next we (me & Syd) filled the water fountains and bird feeders. In between all this, Kam (Katie's fiance) came over - he is back from basic training. We didn't recognize him with no hair! After about an hour's rest it was time to be off to Mike & Chris's for the last card party of the season.

Sunday - Sarah put in the garden and then we went shopping for storage totes for the camper. Also got a coffee maker for the camper and some odds and ends.

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird

Today I have confirmed that a pair of Bluebirds have taken up residence in a birdhouse that is attached to the privacy fence in the back yard. I saw Mrs. Bluebird go into the house several times. And Mr. was keeping watch. The were very protective of their home. Can't tell if there are any babies yet.

Catchin Up

Went to Mark & Laura's for yummy pizza and an awesome salad that Christ made. Dad turned 82 on Sunday. Saturday went to Dad's to clean. Made a not so great dinner. Flank steak that was tougher than leather. I guess I need to buy some meat tenderizer. Saturday night went over to the Renee's and played Singstar until the wee hours of the morning.
xkahxhxIkzkckznxknxjxnzcbxbcbvbxbcbc I am playing at Kaki's house. (this is Sydney typing)

Sunday got up for breakfast with Sarah's brother's family and mom & dad at a new place for us in Fenton called Beal Street. Breakfast was kind of slow and cold. The girls went to babysit so we watched a movie, Dan in Real Life. Later, took a nap, then went out to dinner at Lonestar. Ended the day with the 3 hour finale to Survivor. Yesterday I got some awful news that my niece's husbands' parents died. Please pray for my niece and her husband.

Ocho de Mayo

Right? Not much going on really.
Getting a haircut today. No color.
Making BBQ chicken pizza for dinner.
Gonna watch Survivor and LOST tonight.
Going to dad's birthday party tomorrow at Mark & Laura's house.
That's about it.

Cinco de Mayo

Getting ready to go to Don Pablos with cousins Mike, Chris, Linds & Trenton. Were not Mexican but it's a good a reason as any to celebrate and take a trip to DP. The bluebird of happiness visited me today. I have a bluebird that sits on our fence every day. I am so excited because we don't get a lot of birds around here for some reason. I snapped some pix but they are kinda far away. I will try and get some closer upper pix. If not I'll upload the ones from this morning. Made the resertations for camping with the Renee's for Memorial Week-end. Can't wait.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Eighteen E-Mails in My InBox

That's what happens when you have a garage sale. No time for the computer. The sale was Fri., Sat. and Sun. Friday it rained so we had to close early. Saturday it rained so we had to close early. But all in all it was a pretty good sale. Almost $400 total. (not all of that ours) Then today we had to pack everything up and put it away for another sale. Laura Therrian came for a visit on Saturday afternoon with her granddaughter Kenzie Rose. What a cutie. She was so interested in all the goings on. Oh yeah it was Katie's Sr. Prom too. So the place was hoppin'. We picked out some of Syd baby clothes for Kenzie and Laura got a good deal on an umbrella stroller from down the street. The date for the prom arrived at 5:00 in the Red Ferrari! So we had to quick do pictures. Lucky Renee was here to fix up a hair piece for Katie. She made it out of the previous night's prom's corsage. whew. Whirlwind. Today the Renee's left for their annual trek to Traverse City to stay in the Girl Scout Lodge. Hope the weather is good for them! What ever will I do without my BFF Sydney? I asked her that and she said, "I will come home, Khaki." So cute. Well now you are caught up on the latest!

It's The Last Day of April

AND

• My nose is running
• My eyes are watery
• My throat is sore

Hopefully I'll feel better as the day progresses. Think I'll stay home today, that's fine since gas is $3.75/gallon!!!!

Took the pansies and potted flowers in last night and covered all the flower beds because there was a FREEZE WARNING!

I think I'm whining... Guess I'll get a move on and see what the day brings...

Getting Ready For The Annual Garage Sale

Saturday we cleaned out the garage and set up the tables. We also brought up the totes and boxes of stuff to sell.
Sunday I emptied out and cleaned a tackle box to use for the money box.

Yesterday I went with Renee and Sydney to the $$ Store and picked up some Tag Board to make signs. I also got a new sign to put up at the end of the driveway. I went online and created the Ad for the paper too.

Today Sarah is picking up some new $$$ amount stickers and some brackets to make shelves to put ALL my books on.

Tomorrow I have to put the $$ stickers on everything. AND I still have to arrange everything on the tables. OH yeah and I have to go to the bank and get some change.

Whew! Having a garage sale is allot of work.

More Sunny Daze

I've been spending a lot of time outside - beautiful warm and sunny weather. The pic of "little tree" is from yesterday, April 24th. The other pic is "Sasa" and Syd on the new mower. I found out that I will be getting paid for all the work I've been doing for my old job.

In the news: Wednesday at the S.C. Middle School a boy was found at the bottom of the pool in around 10 in the morning. There are many stories circulating about what happened. From a seizure to a fight in which he got knocked out to he was walking along the edge and no one saw him. He was rushed to the hosp. He is still alive but on vent. His name is Roberto if you want to pray for him or his family.

Yesterday a HUGE forest fire in Grayling, MI. I saw pictures on tv. It was approaching I-75...YIKES! It's way to early to be so dry. There is a ban on burning already.