Tony's 39th Birthday....a little late

We finally got to celebrate Tony's 39th birthday recently.  (Homemade chocolate frosting.  'Bout made myself sick!)

Hannah's 9th Birthday Celebration

Hannah's 9th birthday party last Friday....the Dede children are fortunate to have three sets of doting grandparents!  Hannah chose a snowman cake, and this was before our blizzard this week.  I have never seen birthday candles lit with a torch such as this, but it worked.  Lots of giggly girlfriends, fun and games, and happy children. 

Scenes from a Snowstorm 2011

 A night to remember....

 

 This pile of snow came mostly from the front door landing.  Our house faces west, and we couldn't open the door this morning until Mario went to work with the shovel.

Thinking that staying ahead of the game was a good idea, (and my suggestion), Mario cleared the driveway twice yesterday.  And the neighbors' too.   Didn't matter.

 I'm not sure how many inches we got.  I have heard everything from 16 to 28.  There are several places where the yardstick disappears.

 Mario's snowgear today included this look.

 Blake cleared a path in the neighbors' driveway.  Mario and Blake will dig them out tomorrow.

Looks like a heart attack waiting to happen, so after he did this the second time, I issued an executive order forbidding any more snow shoveling or snowblowing for today. 

It is certainly a storm to remember. 

Oops....

Well I sure made a mess today.   I was having lunch, and somehow I turned my cup of hot tea over backwards as I began to eat my hot turkey sandwich, and it spilled into my purse.  Yep.  The whole cup of tea in my purse that was sitting on the floor next to my chair.  Everything was tea-soaked.  My money to pay my bill was in a bank envelope, and it got hit first.  So I paid my lunch bill with wet money.  I just laughed.  I can't remember ever spilling a whole cup of hot tea, let alone having it land in my purse.  You just gotta be amused.  :o)

We have a piano player in the family....or 2

Hannah and Tony played a duet today in the Quincy Conservatory of Music Piano Recital.  The music by all the participants was enjoyable and entertaining.  I look forward to more of these!  We noticed that several preschool-aged little brothers took a snooze while the music played on....

Just pics... Jill, Chris and Makenna

 I'm not sure where you are Jill, but I'd like to be there with ya!

I don't think this picture was taken in Arizona....

Elder Law Matters Article

Today in our Quincy Herald Whig newspaper in the Financial Matters section, page 3, is a thoughtful article entitled "Elder Law Matters" by William L. Siebers, Attorney.  If more folks were prepared for this time of life, there might be less heartache and family struggles as people say goodbye.  Just a thought.

How many daycare kids can sit on a loveseat?

Here are some of Carrie's current crop of daycare kids.  Well, except for the big smiley face on the right.  Nolan has lots of buddies to play with.  The two babies in front are twins.  The little boy is Mr. Mellow, and his sister is NOT! 

Just here to PLOW MY ROW!

Happy 4th Day TEC 270.  I love the birthday gift sign.  It's hanging on my fridge.  And for the birthday bag of notes and cards and letters....how can a girl be so lucky to celebrate her birthday with 80 old and mostly new friends?  I had the best birthday and will never forget how joyful turning 60 has been.

Today I was hoping to take a young man to the orthodontist in Barry.  He is missing his front tooth.  Please pray for a compassionate, helpful doctor there who will take him as a patient.  Thank you :o). But the weather has prohibited our trip.  So another month we wait for the rescheduled appt. in Feb.  Good things come for those who wait.  I've heard that somewhere.  :o)

Almost 60....I'm wearing pink for this one!

Can't believe I will be 60 on Monday.  Kitty and Chico are very excited for me!  Right now, I am thinking, READY, SET,.....not quite go for TEC #270 beginning Saturday morning.  We are prepared, excited, and know for sure that there are good things in store for all of us.  God bless everyone :o) Jesus says, "Just offer what you have.  I will make up the difference." 
And I wrote this down from an article I read a few days ago....
Walk with your shoulders high and your head higher.  Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the US today.  (our church)
(Jeremiah) Stand by the roads and look and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is and walk in it and find rest for your souls.

Happy Girl at Sea World

I missed posting this one in December.  Elmo, Makenna, and Zoey hit it off at Sea World in San Diego. 

Nolan the Soldier Boy

I am trying to decide if Carrie and Tony have birthed a little warrior.  At 5 years old, Nolan is loving to play soldier, army man, whatever you want to call it, above most everything else.  O dear.  I have heard of such young men.  "Always wanted to be a soldier," the mom or dad says.  I'm not sure if I should start praying.  Well, I will worry about that tomorrow.  Or maybe I will just trust that God will take care of this little fighting spirit in Nolan and everything will be ok.  :o)

Third meeting for TEC 270 today.  I am loving how this team is coming together.  Such a terrific group, attentive, great participants, and they are so far putting up with this old lady as their leader!  Today, however, one of them told me I was showing my age when I called the DVD player the JAM BOX.  I somewhat apologized, told them I was sorry that I still did not know how to play music through the laptop computer (because I don't own one), and I saw a few little snickers in the room.  Well, I'm honest.  It's like the phone....I still just want the simple one where you say hello and goodbye. 

Someday a few of them may be where I am...just liking to do things the simple way.  But thank God most of the population has stepped up and learned how to use the new technology.  I guess.  I'm still watching my mom and dad's 19" Zenith TV from their apartment days in the 80's in Las Vegas.  I like it because the sound is so good.  Never mind the picture--yes, it is dull in comparison to Mario's big screen downstairs, but I have a hard time hearing down there.  So what good is watching if you can't hear?

Time to call it a day.  I am thinking about my niece Paige tonight.  She has gone to Australia with a group of students from Augustana College.  I hope she isn't where all that flooding is.  O my.  We are blessed here in so many ways.