Beautiful day.....

in the neighborhood. It got to almost 50 degrees today :) got the Christmas lights all down and put away. Perfect day for it. Opened the windows to air out the house since Brad has had a stomach bug since Saturday morning.
Have been walking almost every day for an hour and trying to really watch what I eat... since last week I am down 5.3lbs I'd really like to lower my cholesterol and not go on diabetes medication, which is where Im' heading if I don't do something... that is my motivation.
We will be back to snow every day in the 8 day forcast, January is back :) At least we got rid of the ice on the driveway before the next wave....

News

I thought I would post some pictures just to catch up on some.
I feel like I am finally getting more in the groove of things with my job, but soon things will change... starting next month we will be making apple products until sometime in March or so I've heard, this includes, Apple pies, dumplings, crisps, and apple butter. I will be busy canning apple butter is what I heard today. This is very labor intensive work is also what I've heard. I really do love what I do :)

I had to take Bradley to the Dr. this afternoon They measured him, he is now 5' 6" tall. He is 6" taller than me and 6" shorter than Doug. He weighed in at 113 -1/2 lbs. Since september he grew 1/2 an inch and gained a pound.

Snow is falling, we are getting a lot of wind and BIG fluffy typ of snow flakes, I can see it stuck to the front of the house. Bradley just got home from the basketball game and said there is ice under the snow, radar shows rain over the lake.... Gotta love Michigan weather !!

Took the kids to Bronners and downtown Frankenmuth on Sunday, they were really shocked at the number of different ornaments available, I will have to take them again in the summer when it's not so busy :)

More pictures

My dearest friend in the world :)

Brad is in the upper left with his friend Vincent, in the front left is Cassidy ( Vincent's cousin ) , Morgan, and Mady, for people that want to know who they belong to in the same order: Me & Doug, Tony & Becky ( Bell ) Lungaro, Tom & Marcia ( Squire ) Bell , Marc & Kelly (McCrory ) Monique and Charlie & Stefanie (not from here ) VanHowe... Hard to believe they are teenagers...

Denistry from the Heart day at Lakeshore Smiles.. 3 Dentists and an Oral Surgeon along with a huge staff of volunteers worked on people all day free of charge..... This was about 1/2 an hour before Cranes called and asked if I'd come and talk to them about a job.... I left within a month later.

Brad thought we needed a picture of our big lazy cat Shadow napping on his bed....

The "Pretty" Christmas tree, this one matches the lights I have outside, the good tree with all the kid made ornaments and ornaments with special meaning is downstairs in the family room...

Pictures...

Bradley in the Troop 45 Boy Scout troop Goose Festival float, there is a tent right in back of him and boys around a campfire roasting marshmallows over a ( fake ) fire... the boys made the float after coming up with the idea...

Camping Labor Day weekend in Traverse City, Doug was getting stuff out for dinner. It was such a kid oriented place we only saw Ryan when it was time to eat.

Brad never left the campsite, I guess he thought Doug and I would be lonely if he went off to have fun ....

The boys in front of Misson Point lighthouse

A rainbow during a nice summer storm...

life.......

Well, you can tell by how long it's been since I've blogged that I've been pretty busy. As I mentioned I was changing jobs when last I typed... I started my first week at Cranes with a bang, right into making applesause... not an easy task. All the lifting, bending carrying of really heavy things and being on my feet alllllllllllllll day really took it's toll on me... I actually had to see a Chiropractor for the first time ever. She wanted me to take a couple days off too and I just laughed and said in November I will... The weekend before last was actually my first weekend off but I went to Traverse City with the former Dr. Cassell crew, or at least 4 of us, plus Dr. and Sally. We had a ton of fun!! Then last weekend was my first full weekend at home, I felt like I accomplished a few things around the house. I am off on Monday's for November and December then back to 5 days a week. Besides my body aching, I am really glad I made this change.

Change

Well, things are changing, or at least my job is. My last day at the Dentist office, which is what I've done for the past 22 years is Wednesday. As you may or may not know, I have worked at Cranes for the past few years on the weekends in the fall... well, Becky & Laura offered me a full time job in the "main" kitchen, which is where everything is made! It was something I really couldn't pass up! It will be a lot more flexible with the kids schedules, and I actually will be gone less during the day, but working more hours... wierd huh? I will get home earlier in the day too, so more time for homework. I start on the 9th of September and go right into my 7 days a week for 2 months. I will continue to work weekends for Christmas money. I am glad Dr.C will be on vacation for my last day, makes it a little easier. I did actually agree to stay on to do some consulting with Accounts recievable and insurance things.... until they get to know the patients.

July Fun in the Sun....

Teenage fun!

Ryan warming up...

More teen fun! This is Bradley, his friend Vincent, then the neighbor girl Mady and her friends Cassidy and Morgan, oh and Ainsley from next door was here with a friend too.... The little ones left after awhile, the other 5 hung out in the hot tub... summer fun!!

work

Well, I had to work today, all day, sort of a bummer with a holiday tomorrow, but the bright side, I'm off Monday for the holiday and everyone else, will be back to work, and it's supposed to be nice on Monday. I don't plan to do much, I'd like to enjoy a nice relaxing day at home with my boys. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July !!!

One word....

Brrrrrrrrrr

Sums it up for the first day of July....