Ok! I've been avoiding writing on my blog ~ honestly, it's the last thing on my list to do! I totally feel unmotivated to write and I'm quite certain most people would not be interested in what I've filled my days with!

I have had several celebrations and some not-so-good things that have been happening. First of all, SCHOOL'S OUT!! Today was my last day and I'm doing the 'happy dance'. "Summer afternoon" have always been two of my favorite words! I'm looking forward to summer afternoons on my deck with a good book! Can't wait!

My Dad, G-dog

Another celebration is the selling my dad's home! A lovely lady will be moving into his home August 1. In the meanwhile, I will continue to unload and organize his household items to sell, donate, or give away...honestly, it has been a painful task for me! My mother loved antiques and pretty things. Many new wounds and painful scabs have been opened as I touch and revisit Mom's things. Hopefully, someone will enjoy them as she once did!

Grampa Bill

Pray for Craig's dad as he lays in ICU at McLaren. He is very sick with renal failure! It happened so quickly and we're praying for a miracle! We're so grateful for his little Baptist church ~ they've opened their arms and hearts to Bill and Sharon. Knowing Bill will spend his eternity in Heaven brings peace and comfort to Craig and me. He needs our prayers!

Taadaa!! That's my life in a nutshell! This weekend I will pack my suitcase for my long-awaited trip to Phoenix with my teacher friends! We'll enjoy seven packed fun-filled days of travel and exploring and I'll return to more sorting, selling, and hospital visits!

Mackinaw Island

Wednesday, Missy and headed to Mackinaw Island. Every year we attend a women's conference on the island at the Grand Hotel and it's a time for us to catch up on our busy lives. It's a wonderful weekend for us to 'get away', pamper ourselves, and eat fudge! We took long walks, rode bikes around the island (8.5 miles) and ate awesome meals!

I'm grateful for Missy's friendship! She motivates me, encourages me, and she rekindles my inner spirit. In the sweetness of our friendship, there is always a lot of laughter and joy!

In honor of . . . my mother

MOM - Ilene Marie Daly

Today is Mother's Day - - a wonderful day to celebrate having a mom and being a mom - - however a part of me is sad and lonely. After losing my mom to a horrible, ugly, and debilitating lung disease almost four years ago, Mother's Day has brought a whole new meaning to my life. I'm very blessed to have had my mom as an example of motherhood. Because of her, I am who I am today. My mom was the purest definition of unconditional love. Mom was a pillar of strength and hope. Because of Mom, our home always filled with dreams and determination. On her knees, we were daily bathed in prayers.

As I reflect back across the years, I see myself on my mother's knee and I feel her gentle hand guiding me ~ restraining my selfish moods, my blind sense of wrong and pain. I hear her uplifting and encouraging words. I see the smile on her face. I feel the love from her heart. Truly, Mom is the wind beneath my wings. Isn't it true that a mother holds their children's hands for awhile, but their hearts for a lifetime. My only hope is that Jonathan and Julia will one day look back and remember a mother who prayed for them, a mother with time to listen and share with them, and a mom with loving arms to show how much I cared! I hope they will remember me as a "joy bringer", a "memory maker", and a "heart warmer", like I remember my mom! I love you, Mom, and I miss you more than ever!! MOTHER is a special word for LOVE!

Shop 'till you drop day!!

Saturday morning, Karen, Sharon, and I headed to West Bloomfield to the Homegoods Store. Upon our arrival, we thought we had won the lottery! Not only was there a Homegoods Store, there was a TJ Maxx AND Marshalls ~ right in the same shopping plaza!! WOW! It was our lucky day!

We shopped for several hours at Homegoods, each finding knickknacks and goodies for our home redecorating projects! Karen's trunk was FULL after we left our first store! No fear . . . we headed to our other 'favorite' stores! We touched, felt, compared, looked at, tried on, and returned! (Yes, I'm embarrassed to say that I bought something at one store, found something I liked better at another, and returned the original purchase ~ all in the same day!)

We had lunch, and headed south to Somerset Mall to the Brighton store! Yup, we had good luck there, too! Karen came home with a necklace, bracelet, and earrings! Our plans were to stop at Great Lakes Crossing on the way home, but we all decided we were too pooped to participate!

I've decided, I'm a collector of useless, worthless, can't-find-a-place-for-it, don't-need-it bargain shopper! But. . . I LOVE everything I bought!! It was a wonderful day spent with special friends!!

Craig's Birthday Euchre Tournament with friends

Last week Kathy called to invite Craig and me to a potluck euchre tournament at her house! She wanted to have a 'get together' with our dance club friends for dinner and cards. It just happened to be on Craig's birthday . . . so . . . I made a big lasagna and a chocolate macaroon cake to take over! We had a GREAT time ~ eating, laughing, playing cards, and enjoying each other's company. The friendships we share are precious and few . . . I love getting together with friends, for nothing else is as rich as times spent together with dear friends. Kathy & Steve, Rosie & Steve, Gina & Mark, Cathy & Jack, thanks for your precious gift of friendship! Thanks for brightening my day! Happy birthday, Craig! :-)

Spring

Today I looked out the window and I saw 'spring'! The sun was shining and the sky was light blue, dotted with puffy white clouds. As I walked around the yard, I noticed my daffodils were quietly blowing in the cool breeze! At this time, I was reminded how totally blessed I am. My Creator has refreshed the Earth with a magnificent palette of spring colors. The fragrance of spring has captured my soul and I delight, once again, in this awesome cycle of life! I love Spring!

April Dance Club

Gina, Rosie, Kathy, and me

Last night was Dance Club! We had a great time eating, dancing, and socializing! Craig and I have enjoyed this opportunity to get dressed up and have an exciting evening out with our good friends! Don't we all look smashing?! (Unfortunately, I don't think they wrote the song, Something in the Way She Moves, with me in mind!!)