Thursday....and the countdown is on!!!!

Well, I can't believe it, but Christmas is just a week away! I still don't have a Christmas letter written and I do need to get the cards out........maybe this weekend..........I'm having a good time, baking cookies and decorating the house. More later....

Dec. 14th.....

Good Morning, everyone.....

I'm "moving slow" this morning.......this weekend I cleaned house and rearranged the furniture so that we could put up the Christmas tree.....Mission Accomplished! :-) Today it's baking and wrapping presents.....then I'm off to the post office to mail out some packages.... Hhhmmmm....

Nov. 30th........

Hello everyone....is it really the last day of November? Wow! Time sure does fly......I'm sitting here, drinking my coffee and watching my morning show :-) I suppose I should get into the gym and do my workout routine......"we'll see"......

Yesterday I worked in the house.....cleaning, organizing, and throwing!!!! My goal today is to go through cards and pictures.......and catagorize the pictures for various projects that I have in mind.....Hhhmmmmmmm! Last night Dom took me out for a pizza and a beer at the Crossroads.....Yummy! So now I have leftovers for lunch....that reminds me, I have to clean out the refrigerator today! Garbage pickup is tomorrow!

"Black Friday" was nuts around here in Marquette, but I guess it was "nuts" everywhere! I didn't get out until 10:00....that's early enough for me! Ha! Then Friday night, Diana and I went to Michigamme for the "Illuminarie Walk." It was a cool sight, as the merchants had lined the main street with about 300-400 milk jugs with tea lights ablazing inside each one. The stores (all 5 of them) had cookies and hot cider, along with some specials for the shoppers. I found a really pretty scarf......

On Saturday, Mike took care of the Stella and Spencer while Kirsti and I met up with Terry and Ed, along with Christy and Sadie......Billie, Jerry, and Natalie.....at the Irish Pub downtown. We had a great lunch and fun visit.........Sadie fell asleep in Christy's arms.......:-) She's growing up so fast too. Dan and Ethan were out hiking the woods........they will be up again at Christmas time.

Sunday.....I HAD to get something done in the house!!! So I started on my "chore list" ......

Dom went up to the camp and had a great visit with his buddy, Brian Landretti. The hiked and played some cribbage.........good day spent with his best friend!

Well...I need to get going on the day......happy Monday to you all!

Thanksgiving Day ! Gobble.....gobble......

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all of you out there reading this.......it's snowing lightly outside, but the ground has not been covered.......YET.........it's the second time this month that we have visibly seen the white stuff.....Kim and Mike left for downstate this morning....they both have to work at the ER in Mt. Pleasant tonight.......we had a nice four-day visit. Mike even put in some "hunting days" with his dad at a deer camp down in Gwinn. Kim had family time with all of us.

The turkey has been dressed and is on the "cook mode" ......... the pies have been baked.......the Macy's Day Parade is on the TV.......and I'm sitting here blogging and drinking a cup of coffee!

I am so thankful for this "retirement job" ......... my friend, Marci and her family, came over last night.......Marci and Chuck brought me some wood so that I can have a fire in our fireplace.....thank you, Marci and Chuck! We had a great evening.....the kids, Ellie and Cole, loved the spaghetti and jello jigglers!!! We all had a great time in the hot tub, but the best moment for the kids was taking a bath in the claw-foot tub........playing with all the tub toys that are always ready for the grandchildren! LOL.....Aaahhhhhh....the simple things in life!

What can I say.........when I think about all the blessings that I have been given? Four beautiful, healthy children......all grown up and living their own lives, at various stages of life.........four beautiful, healthy grandchildren......each one special and unique........SO much fun to be around them!

Thanksgiving dinner is at 5:30 tonight.......so I think I'd better not eat too much during the day.......I think I might just take a nice long walk in the woods, AFTER watching the parade and the Packer/Lion football game! :-) Hugs to all of you..........

Anna......our dog's latest scenario

Poor Anna.....our German Wire-haired Pointer dog, got attacked by the neighbor's St Bernard......quite unexpected!!!!! Thus, she just got home from the vet's and has to wear a cone so that she doesn't open the stitches! Check out these pictures.....the poor thing.......

So for the next couple of weeks, I'll be sticking pretty close to home.....

Halloween 2009

Here are some pictures for all to enjoy...... Kirsti decided to dress up as a French maid.....and here is Stella, as "the princess" ........Spencer was a pumpkin (at Kirsti's)........then we all were at Diana's house.....ready for candied apples and chocolate........MMMmmmmmmmmm !

The fourth picture is hard to see, as I tried to take the picture of the 8-foot scarecrow in the dark, outside of Kirsti's house......(Mike was on stilts, dressed as this scary creature......scared the wits out of most people, as they didn't think he was a LIVE person!!!! ) HA!

Girls' Weekend Out! AGAIN ..........

Kim came in for the weekend, and she played with Stella and Spencer. This photo is when Spencer decided that he wanted to be "the chef" in residence. Stella is hamming it up too. This was our only time that we ALL could get some time to be together.....our lives are so busy! So....

The Longhini girls had a great time in Bayfield, Wisconsin this past weekend......no kids or husbands / significant others, etc. LOL We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast, and the girls each had an hour message........while I soaked in a hot, mineralized whirlpool spa!!! A couple of wine bottles and a "chick flick" in the evening.......just what R & R is all about! :-)

Happy Halloween, Everybody!!!!!.....

It's windy and cool.....but not raining! So we're off to do some trick or treating in town with the kids......Diana will join us all in town.........Later.....

Applesauce......and apple juice........

Hey there....it's cold and rainy outside! I just got back from exercising at the gym.....and have a pot roast in the oven. Last night I canned numerous jars of applesauce and apple juice. I wasn't counting on making apple juice, but alas........I had too much water in the mixture!!!! Thus, it turned out to be just juice.....and yummy! It is fantastic! In fact, I might try concocting apple slush ........ HHhhmmmmmmmm.....

More pictures from the "Road Trip"

Colorado.....motorcycling in the mountains.......and standing at the top of the "Red Rocks" natural auditorium! Amazing scenery!!!

I can't believe how fast the three weeks went by with my sister, Katie.....Kathryn to many people........and Kay to most of her friends! We had a great time "on the road" ......shall I say that we didn't leave too many stones unturned! We traveled all four of the "four corner" states.....from Arizona to Utah to Colorado to New Mexico and then back to Arizona! We visited with DJ in Winter Park, Anne Marie and Dennis in Denver.....and of course, Nick and Ve, along with their two daughters, Jenna and Laura AND the great granddaughter, Kyrie, who also all live in Denver. Great time had by all!

Sunday......Oct. 18th

Well.....tomorrow I'm here at the homestead and settling in on my "new job assignment." I think I'll make applesauce in the morning and go out for lunch with a neighbor at noon. Then I'll hit the gym to get back in sync with my exercise routine, etc. AAAahhhhhh..........this is the life! :-)

Happy Birthday, Kirsti........

Hey everyone.....

I just got back last night from my "Road Trip" with my sister....we had a great time! I'l have to blog about it maybe this weekend......but in the meantime, we celebrate Kirsti's birthday today.....so ....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIRSTI!

It's hard to believe she is 35 years old today......Hhhmmmmm.......where does the time fly?

Sunny Arizona......for 1 more week!

Hey there.....

Katie and I just got back from our "road trip" to Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and back to Arizona. We saw so many sights, but I'll just show you a few of them........here I am showing you a view from the Estes Park (Coilorado) while on a motorcycle ride with Annie and Dennis. Katie rode behind Annie and I was on the bike with Dennis. What an amazing ride! The first picture is from Santa Fe.......a 400 year old church....lots of history there.....

Cold Colorado......

Hi there.........it's cold and windy here in Colorado! Imagine this.....yesterday we rode the motorcycle in the mountains and around this area ....and then last night it snowed in the mountains! The passes were all snowed and ice covered...Brrrr.........we will be leaving this city on Sunday.....heading to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque.....then on to Phoenix.........:-)

Out west.....pictures show it all!

Here are just a couple pictures of the approach to the Arches National Park in Utah.

What a breathtaking view...........it was quite the experience! The photos don't do justice to the actual sight though....it is a "must" on everyone's "bucket list!"

Sept. 25th....Road Trip

Hey there everyone.....Katie and I are now in Colorado.....we arrived about 7:30 tonight......after spending the night in Mohab, Utah......wait until you see the pictures that I will post tomorrow.....the Arches National Park was awesome! Tomorrow we are heading up to Winter Park to visit DJ......more later........hugs to all!

Summer at the Brunet household

Well.....as you can see, it's been a productive summer for Mike and Kirsti on the homefront. They added an addition to the porch to make it a wrap-around porch. Plus, they have repainted the entire house. It looks beautiful! Stella and Spencer have enjoyed the summer, and as you can see......they are growing and changing every day!

Kirsti is back to her teaching (resource room at the elementary level) and Mike is a medical rep for surgical gadgets at the local hospitals. Both are busy and active with the young kids and they also fit in biking and hiking, etc.

Kathy, Mike's mom, and I took care of the kids last weekend and we had a great time! That wrap-around porch was wonderful at the end of the day! After the kids were tucked in their beds, we sat outside and toasted glasses of wine........how lucky we are! Exhausted........but lucky!

Wisconsin Dells Get-Away

Dom and I had a quick get-away for a few days at the Wisconsin Dells. Here are some neat pictures of some of the places we visited......the train museum, Circus World, and a look at some of the sights!

Annie (our dog) and her friend, Jilli

Everyone needs a good friend......and Annie sure enjoys spending time her buddy, Jilli.

We spent some time with our friends, Jerry and Jenni in Minocqua, Wisconsin. We had a good time watching the two dogs chase the ball in the backyard. Both dogs were so "dog gone tired" that it was funny to watch them collapse right next to each other.

Meanwhile, Dom and I enjoyed good food and yes.....another hot sauna! The girls must have beat the boys on the hot temperature in the sauna.....because it WAS HOT!

We only get to see them once or twice a summer, as they head for Florida for the winter. We send them along with happy thoughts.

Great Summer Memories..........

Good friends......Barb and Chuck Schneider with Dom

One of the quick trips this summer was to visit with our our Bay Cliff friends, who have been on many adventures with us throughout the years. We had a great visit, super supper, and hot sauna that evening! All of our children are grown and off on their own journeys in life. We shared pictures and laughed about "the good old days."

Sept. 14th......first Monday off!

Hey everyone....

I can't describe how good I feel these days!!! Retirement is wonderful! I spent the weekend at Kirsti and Mike's house.....babysitting the two grandchildren! We had a great time, while the mom and dad skipped town for a much needed get-away! Nana, Mike's mom, and Dom also lent a hand in occupying the kids' time and we all had many a good giggles.....

Today I have been busy.....Dom and I bought a new oven/stove and the store delivered it this morning. I now have double ovens........look out, Julie Child........your competition has arrived at her place in time! LOL I plan to put the ovens to good use this winter and perfecting the art of nisu and apple strudel! Yum!!!

Well, I'm off to pick up our neighbor, Daphne, from the airport........more later....... :-)

Sept. 10th.....3 days into my retirement....LOVE it!

Well folks,

Picking blueberries, walking the dog, baking cookies, spending time with the grandkids and friends, sitting on the beautiful beach of Lake Superior, exercising at the gym, doing a little bit of shopping.........HHHMmmmm....it's doesn't get much better than this!!!

First Day of My New Retired Life! ..... Sept. 8th!

Hello everyone,

I just spent the most wonderful day........my official "day of retirement" .......I had lunch with my retired teacher friends at a local restaurant, reconnected with some old friends, spent a couple of hours on the beach at McCarty's Cove with Sandy and Joylin, grilled some hot dogs for supper at the house, and took a long walk in town with Kirsti and her kids.........Aaaaaahhhh.......I think I'm going to like this new life! LOL

More later....... with pictures........check my blog tomorrow......

Sept. 3rd.....Happy Birthday, Kim!

Hey there....

I have been very lax on my blog page....sorry! But I couldn't miss this opportunity to wish my youngest bird.....Happy Birthday! So, Kim.....I love you and I am thinking about you....

Right now I'm in the Twin Cities, helping Trina and Jon out with the kids....they are going to be putting their house up on the market, and needed an extra pair of hands....so I'll be here until Sunday or Monday.....I'm being flexible! Since I'm retired.....my time is my own! Somewhat!!! LOL

I'll write more later.....

Sunday....Aug. 2nd

Hey there....

I made some raspberry jam this morning and am now working on the computer.......it's a sunny, but windy day here in the U.P. The flowers love the sunshine and we've had plenty of rainfall, so life is good for the plant life!

Yesterday, my friend, Barb, and I checked out a new luncheon place....the Irish Rover......nice place and good food. Then we picked up some raspberries and checked out the Farmers' Market. Lots of people in town.....fun time in the summer!

Kirsti and I hung out with Stella and Spencer last night.....first, we went to her friend's wedding, and then we went to a "pig roast" / summer party at Carrie and Colin's house....they have a big summer party every year....complete with a live band ("Trailer Hitch") and a "bouncy house" for the kids to slide down!.....Then we took the kids for some dancing at the wedding reception.... Whew! Stella sure likes to dance.......she dances circles around the rest of us! Mike was busy working on the house project. Their house is almost completely painted on the exterior....and he's adding on a wrap around porch....quite the project!

Dom is heading out west on Thursday or Friday..... stopping in to see the Trina and her crew in Minneapolis ....then on to Brian's house in Omaha......and then to DJ's house in Winter Park. He'll be back on the 18th.......he plans to do some hiking, fishing, and visiting with family and friends.

Meanwhile back at the ranch....I'm planning to do some house cleaning and organizing....I still have to go through my "teacher stuff" that I brought back from my classroom. Much of the good stuff will go to the grandkids and I'll have to decide what to do with the rest of it!!!

'hope to hear from some of you who read this blog........?????? Later......

Fun times with the grandkids......

Here's Morgan.........what a cute kid, hey? He's so much fun.....and he loves to play with trucks and "diggers" ........ you have to be on top of your game when he's around........

....and here's our Natalie.....she's our little "drama queen" .......you can note her dress up attire....... she's so much fun to play with............

Good memories......DJ surprised me with a visit!

Here's Katie, standing outside of Kirsti's house (before the new coat of paint on the exterior walls of the house........and also, here's DJ......saying a quick "good-bye" to Stella and Spencer on his last morning in Marquette. We had such a great 3-day visit! He flew in on Friday night, and as I came up to the living room (Kirsti, Trina, and I had taken a sauna....)......there DJ was....sitting on the couch, with a big grin on his face!

On Saturday, my kids and Dom surprised me with a "surprise" retirement party.....I couldn't believe it! My sister, Katie, was in on the secret party too.......it was carefully thought out and put together by the whole crew! We all met at the L'Attitude Lounge for a quick glass of wine (or so I thought), before we moved on to a family dinner at Kirsti's house. Of course....it was all a set up! LOL.......what a great evening! My high school friend, Jan Arnold, played and sang at the party....that was so special! All of my close friends and family were there....but the biggest surprise of all.....part of my Arizona family came in for the event! My niece, Kristina and her husband, Randy, and their daughter, Hailey.........came out from the background.......Whoa!!!! "Oh......what a night!"

More blogging later......

July 27th

Hey everybody......

I just got back from my 40th class reunion in Calumet. We didn't have a very good showing of classmates, but those who did show up......we had a great visit! I got home last night about 10:30 p.m. Needless to say, I'm kind of "slow on the draw" today! LOL

So.....I'll try to catch up on a few of things that I have been doing this past month......

July 23rd.......Fun Summer!

Hey there everyone.....

I know it's been a long time since I blogged, but it's been a busy time.......I have had quite the surprise retirement party that was sprung on me by my family this past weekend. Our son, DJ, flew in from Colorado and so did my niece and her family from Arizona! The party was on Saturday night and you could've knocked me over with a feather!!!! LOL Needless to say, we have been "on the move" for the past weeks! My sister, Katie, spent the last month with us and she flew back out to Arizona yesterday morning. DJ flew out yesterday afternoon......

So I know that everyone is expecting pictures.......but you'll have to wait until the next blog. Right now I am sitting in the waiting room of the Subaru car dealership, patiently waiting to get my car door fixed. The back door is locked and won't open under any circumstances.....Geez.....there's always something! :-(

Last night, my girlfriends and I spent the evening on the Lake Superior beach with a bonfire and a couple bottles of wine! We had a beach party at my friend's beach house and ordered in pizza. After much laughter, telling jokes and stories, we split the party up at about midnight!

This weekend I have a class reunion........40th!!! You can do the math! :-) So I will be able to see some of my high school classmates.......from Calumet! All for now.........later.....

Making jam.....again! :-)

Hey there....

It's Thursday night and I'm ready to make jam out of my 32 quarts of strawberries.....

Growing Grandchildren........

..................Here are some recent pictures of Kirsti and Mike's two kids..........Stella and Spencer. Both of them provide us with many hours of laughter.....

Downstate Weekend......5 weeks ago....

I need to blog more often.....and send out some pictures to all of you who follow my blog.....we went downstate the third week of May.....and here are Mike Parks (Kim's boyfriend) and Kirsti, swinging with Stella........then we have Kim and the crew at her PA building at CMU......and then Spencer, who enjoys picking up leaves and sticks!!! LOL

White Coat Ceremony....and then some!

Here's a picture of Kim, receiving her white coat at a ceremony for her PA program.  She will be graduating next summer with her degree.  We are so proud of her and all of her accomplishments.

Sisterbelle, Katie and I.....are out on the mini golf course downstate...............guess who won?    NOT ME...........

This is a picture of one of the holes on the mini golf course we played on Sunday evening, after Kim's "White Coat" ceremony.
Last weekend we went down to Mt. Pleasant for Kim's "White Coat" ceremony at CMU.  We had a great visit and participated in many activities and events with my sister, Katie, and also Kirsti and Kim.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.

June 30th..........

Movie day with Sisterbelle.......

Wednesday.....June 24th....

Hi there...
I'm just showing some friends how to do this blog stuff...... Sandi

Thursday update

Hey there everyone,

   It's been wonderful this week, having the time to just relax and rest!  I have a "chore list" to tackle here on the home-front, but it will have to wait.......

Sunny and summer-like!

It's a beautiful day and I need to water the garden........I just checked Trina's blog.....what a cute entry!  :-)

June 15th....Planted the garden today!

Hi there everyone......

     Well, it IS the official day of summer for me......my dad always said NOT to plant the garden until June 15th....so being a good daughter,  I have held off until today.....BUT I have everything planted and watered down for the night!  I have several different vegetables planted ....I'll have to take a picture and send it your way!  I think I may plant some corn on the side of the house, since I ran out of room in the small garden....that's tomorrow's project!   Well, we're putting some hamburgers on the grill and the corn on the cob is getting ready to go in the pot! :-)  Gotta run.......hugs to all of you!

Wednesday.......June 10th

It's been fun......while Kim was in class this afternoon, I checked out the downtown area....cute little shops and art galleries......plenty to keep me busy.....but  then back at the apartment, I enjoyed just watching movies, resting on the couch and chilling   :-)

I'M DONE!!!!! OFFICIALLY RETIRED :-)

IT'S FRIDAY AND I HAVE JUST CLOSED THE CLASSROOM DOOR FOR THE LAST TIME IN MY CAREER!  It's 2:30 and I'm home already!   Whew!!!!  More later........ :-)

Last Field Trip Today!

Good Morning, Everyone....

   Well, it's on the "rainy side" for the weather outlook, but the field trip to the Fayette State Park must go on........so we will load the bus at 8:45 and be back to school around 3:00......Hhhmmmm....I'll let you know how things turn out!  Later.....

It's the final countdown........LOL

Good Morning, everyone.....

     I have only 7 more working days to go.....June 5th is my last day!  I KNOW that I'm ready for this.......it's been a "barn burner" at school....doing all the paperwork, cleaning the closets and shelves, sorting books, etc,   BUT the end is in sight!

    We had a good weekend.......despite working on report cards, etc. we had a picnic down at the Harbor Park and I attended a graduation party......then I cleaned and rearranged the livingroom and we grilled for supper last night.....

     It's supposed to rain today, but we need it!   Well....I'm off to work!   Have a great day!

TGIF......Whew! Only 8 more teaching days to go!

Hey everyone....

  It's been a crazy week, and exhausting.....I've been cleaning shelves, bookcases, and teaching full force!  Whew!  I am exhausted!!!  But I had two full baskets of trash going out the door when I left at 6:00 tonight!!!  And.....there will be more....... :-)

   Later......

I'm Back.....

Hello there...

  It's another Monday and I am back in the "salt mines".... but not for long!  :-)  Only 13 more school days left.....Wow!  I do need to figure out what to do with my belongings in my classroom....but right now, I have some papers to grade......LOL

    We had a wonderful weekend in the Twin Cities with Trina and her crew!  The "cousins" had a great time together.......we played at the parks, flew a kite, and played trucks and trains, etc.  It was a "good time had by all."

    Later....

Tuesday....May 12th

Hello everyone.....only 15 more teaching days to go! :-)

   I picked up some more paperwork today and will mail in my application tomorrow to the state of Michigan.  

   Tonight Kim and I are off to the movies.....it's "bucket night" .........  so we will eat supper at the theater.  We're going to a chick flick....LOL

   This weekend we will all head to the Twin Cities to see Trina and Jon & their two cuties.....Kirsti, Stella, Spencer, Kim, and Grandma are hitting the road late Thursday afternoon.  We're going "for the max."  We'll be home on Sunday evening.....

     All for now......later.....

   

Happy Birthday, Stella........May 7th

Good Morning, everyone......

    It's Stella's birthday today......so Happy Birthday, Stella Isabella.......my, my.....I can't believe that you are now three years old!  Wow!  So now when my friends ask me how old my grandkids are.....????  I can honestly say......4, 3, 2, and 1 !!! :-)

     I'm going over to the MEA office after school to fill out my final papers for my retirement! Yeah!!!!!  Katie and I had a great 45-minute conversation last night.....talking about all the things we want to do in the near future :-)  Who's more excited?????  My friends.....my family.....or me?!!!  I don't know.....I think it's a toss-up! 

     Have a good day, everyone.....Later....

Happy Birthday, DJ........May 4th

Good Morning....

  It's Monday and the start of a new week!  And......it's DJ's 29th birthday today!  So.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG GUY !  It's really hard to believe that my kids are getting so much older!  LOL

    Today I am taking the fourth graders to the Young Authors' Conference today at NMU....I am so thankful for the sunny day and the temps should be in the upper 50's....wish me luck! :-)  

    I'll write more later........have a great day, everyone!

Happy Birthday, Morgan........April 30th

Happy Birthday, Morgan.........

     I can't believe that Morgan is four years old today!  Wow!  It was so much fun to Skype Trina and the kids yesterday......what an excited little boy!!  He was so cute, playing with his new Matchbox toy set on the floor....from Auntie "E" and Uncle Jim.  Little Miss Natalie was more interested in seeing and talking to our dog, Annie.  LOL

    Well....I'm officially retiring this year!  Last night I started the paper process and next week, I will hand in my official letter of resignation and paper packet! :-)  It's been a "great run" these last 36 years, but I'm getting tired.........and so I'm going to go on with my next "chapter of life" as of July 1st!

    The snow is almost gone in the yard....the birds are all building their nests......my perennials are starting to sprout in the flower beds.......and it's time for more raking!  I'm going to try and do a better job on gardening this summer.  I'm going to have to start making my own"honey-do" lists!  

      Have a good day, everyone..... I'll touch bases with you later.

  Hugs and Kisses to the birthday boy .......XXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOO

Happy Birthday, Spencer........April 26h

Good Morning, Everyone....

   It's Spencer's 1st birthday today!  Wow!  Where did that time go? :-)  It's also Marissa's first birthday too!  She is two hours older than Spencer..... :-)  SO....

     Happy Birthday.........to Spencer and Marissa!

  The sun is shining today and hopefully, it will be a lot warmer outside.......I may even rake the yard....Dom did some of the raking in the front yard, despite some of the snow that still remains in the yard .... here and there...... 

    More later.......

Happy Birthday, Katrina........April 24th

Good Morning, Everyone.....

   It's Friday morning and I'm just sitting here thinking of Katrina......who turns 32 years old today!  Happy Birthday, honey........I can't believe you're that old!  Wow!  The years do fly by so fast.....and it is true.....the older you get, the faster the years fly by! LOL

    Well, our 19 inches of new snow is finally melting....today the temps are supposed to be in the high 70's??!!!!  It's hard to imagine that we had a "Snow Day" on Tuesday!  We had quite the late winter storm come into this area!  Most of the schools in the neighboring districts were closed down for the day!  I couldn't believe it when the phone rang at 5:30, and it was my colleague saying....."NO SCHOOL".....AAaahhhhhh....music to my ears!  :-)

     Well.....T.G.I.F.  I'm off to work........tomorrow morning, I get to sleep in! I'll send pictures of the latest snow storm to everyone in the next blog....you are going to be laughing!  Have a good day.......and Trina......Happy Birthday......I love you!    

Friends for Fifty Years!

Tuula's parents (Ookie and Mumu)........Tuula and Stan...........with Matthew and Samantha

Special Moments........

No words are necessary for these photos :-)

Some more pictures from "Spring Break"

We had a wonderful time with our friends down in Florida.....and made some new friends along the way!  Special thank you to Greg and Sue.....and to Linda and Mike.  We had a wonderful boat ride through the intercoastal waterway that leads into the Atlantic Ocean.....then the next morning, I gave Sue a lesson on how to make pasties.........so then we had to take a couple pasties along with us, to have a picnic along Lake Okeechoobee...Yummy!  Then we went on a ride to see some alligators.......what a tour!  Needless to say.....we went "for the max" ...... and enjoyed every minute of it!

Great time was had by all!  Cruising the intercoastal waterway..........making and eating some homemade pasties.......checking out the alligators via an air boat ride!