A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

Mom enjoying the sun as she waits for her guests Son Tim from Singapore and his daughters Ami, Lauren and Meghan and their children Jacob, and Sage Tim and Ami, Meghan with her daughter Sage (18 months), Lauren and her son Jacob (12 months) and Ami's son Ethan (5). Tim lives in Singapore, Meghan in Baltimore, Maryland, Ami from Anaheim, California and Lauren from Sydney, Australia These sweeties are the 3 youngest greatgrands of mom's 9 greatgrands

I was able to purchase the excellent language lessons of Rosetta Stone for learning Polish. It just seemed a great idea for my birthday - I am excited to begin. I will keep you posted.

Joanie, Mona, MJ and Tina enjoy the lake view and then the fireworks THANK YOU one and all for all the facebook greetings, phone calls and e-mails. Not to mention the balloons, the cakes, the flowers, the cards, the e-cards and the fireworks! We have been celebrating my special day - for an entire week! :-). I am soooooo glad so many remembered and I am tremendously blessed with incredible friends and family! I look forward to this new year with hope and anticipation of the furtherance of His plans and destiny for my life in the nations.

A little bit out of town but a beautiful ride and setting Granddaughter Sarah comes to visit - note mom's new pixie hair cut Daughter in law Sue and mom enjoy the wonderful patio

Notice the 3 cakes :-) Enjoying the sun Jim as Uncle Sam This last week has been quite the roller coaster of a week. The condensed version is that we moved mom into an extended care facility last Monday July 6. The roller coaster part has been all the realities of that and coping with the emotions of the new reality. The Lord had repeatedly told me not to take matters in my own hand and to wait and see what would happen and indicated I would look back and say - truly it was the Lord. When the boys decided now was the time and talked with mom, she replied that "Yes, it is time and she was ready." What a relief that was to hear. Last Sunday we had unusually wonderful weather and had a grill party on the deck and most all the family was able to come. Mom loves sitting on the deck in nice weather and loves even more having her family around. We celebrated the 4th of July, my birthday and being together. On Monday the 6th we took mom to the facility. Now we are all in that ...

Let freedom ring! God bless America and God Bless you!!

It was only an overnight but we got a chance to make chocolate chip cookies, enjoyed "Red, White and Blue" French Toast for breakfast, hugs from greatgrammy and time for the boys to play catch with dad not to mention falling in love with a stray dog.

A couple of my nieces think so and since they told me that I have seen some moments that would have been viewer worthy. So, here is the latest episode - Saturday, June 27 was the 25th anniversary of my dad, "Bits" death. Mom had been wanting to go up to the cemetary to see how the plants were doing so we scheduled 2.30 on Saturday....of course it was pouring down rain but hey, we had the help - MJ, Kathi, Jim & Rhonda so off we went. We then kidnapped David for the "visit". Mom was so excited to be out for a ride even in the rain. The "dry" run - Jim & Kathi trying out the ramps How many Irishmen does it take...... I rolled the car window down for this shot :-) We miss you Bits! - On the tip of the flag - Jim has placed his "Callery for Fulton County Treasurer" badge - don't miss mom in the car The plants are looking good and we added a bouquet of roses

"No rules for kids" Uncle Jack tried to back the riding lawn mower out of the garage. The door actually hit his head and he was flicking glass out of his hair. He is ok, the lawnmover is ok, (David is glad because it is his!) he did the lawn so that's ok and now we wait for the repair.

Is mom a Maxine look alike or what?

and the strawberry shortcake - fresh berries and from scratch shortcake - yummy! Check out the painting on the wall - MJ original 1992

For the past 3 summers I have enjoyed special trips with my grandchildren. Michael just sent me this photo from 2 years ago. Do I look happy or what. Friday, the grands (and their mom) finished school for this year and the whole family flies to Florida tomorrow with their "Nana" and aunt, uncle and cousins for a week in Disney. Have a great trip!

Mary Katherine and Mary Jill sit with their brothers Jack and Michael Aren't we sweet :-)

and their new bikes!

Mikhaila and Great-Grandma Raelene and Michael Great-Grandma Jill with her oldest grandson Michael and her oldest great-grands, Bryce, Mikhaila and Austin who will be 13,12 and 11 this year A computer bonding moment between dad and son What a joy to have Michael and Bryce come and spend a night and the rest of the family join them the next day. Then Michael even spent an additional night and we had lunch together.before he hit the road Jilly's happy! and so was Great Grandma Jill

Carol and I met in Budapest, Hungary a number of yoears ago. We quickly became fast friends. Four years ago she moved to Capetown, South Africa but we were able to catch up in Holland at a conference 2 years ago. Now we are amazed to find ourselves in the USA at the same time. She graciously drove up from her mom's near Philly to spend 3 days with me. We had a great time together. Carol got to meet 99% of the family including the dogs (to her delight!) even in this short of a time. Mom just loved her and Carol & I even got a day out together. What fun renewing sweet friendships. At our favorite ice cream store Together again!! and the weather is rainy but we managed to breakfast with a friend in Caroga Lake, check out a cabin for summer rent (with the grands) and drive to Cooperstown with great stops on the way Saying so long to mom

My favorite "kiwi" and wonderful roomate and long time friend, Edith Bond is leaving Hungary after 12 years and will be returning to her homeland. Her mom anxiously awaits her..... but for the rest of us :-(. ... Another "change" that must be embraced!! I met Edith my first month in Hungary in 1997 and we have been fast friends ever since. It won't be the same to arrive back "home" to Hungary and not have Edith waiting. How I will miss her green thumb, her freshly made bread and muffins and her quiet strength and sensebility in my life. How I will cherish the memories of all our road trips especially the first one to the Hortobagy and the hundreds of kilometers we drove to Szeged and our favorite pit stops with coffee, camera stops, stork stops along the way. And what about that Summer Camp so many years ago and all the visitors and too numerous adventures to mention. (or remember!) I am grateful for skype, e-mail and facebook to keep in touch......but...

A precious little dress carefully preserved....maybe from my sister's christening?? Not one but 2 "Tune totes" with 45RPM records - none of which are classics :-) I found a special jewelry box, one that used to be musical and it still held some special jewelry - special to a teenager. "they" say every family has a "historian" someone eager to record the family data, collect and display the pictures and research the family tree. Amongst my siblings that would be Jack's wife. In my family it is my daughter in law and yet as I look over what I found in the attic and proclaim as treasure maybe I am a type of sentimental historian recording momentoes of special events that colored our life.

This is a full size quilt top that my grandmother made. It never got quilted or finished but it is still in amazing shape. This is my first bible - a burgundy leather King James with my name on the cover - how I loved it and I underlined a lot! 6 months from my first This is a Betsy Wetsy or Tiny Tears from the 50's Mom wore this hat with a grey suit when she went away on honeymoon in 1946 and my dad bought her these dishes while in Niagara Falls on their honeymoon

Welcome! We had to push everything into the center of the floor this year when the house was reroofed. Yes, the interesting wicker pieces are mine. On a rainy day last week I decided to see what I had packed away in mom's attic. My stuff has been there since 1976 but resorted in 1992. Of course, there were some things I had totally forgotten about and am now deciding what to do with them.