WANTED YOU TO KNOW

I had a message today from Caring Bridge. It was from Gerry, Life SPR, Lynn Marie's husband. If you are a blogger who did Wednesday Hodgepodge each week you would have seen Lynn there at Life Through Bifocals. Lynn was diagnosed Multiple Myeloma which is a Plasma Cancer of the blood back in May of 2013. Sadly Lynn Marie passed away this week. This is part of the message from Gerry:

"On Wednesday morning, at about 4:30 I heard her coughing. I found her sitting on the edge of the bed with her face over an emesis bucket. She told me that she was spitting up bile. I asked her if she wanted one of her anti-nausea pills, which she did. I gave her a pill and she laid backed down in bed. 
     

As she laid there, her eyes were closed and she began poking her fingers in the air. I asked her what she was doing. She said that she was doing a crossword puzzle. She became more unresponsive at which point I called 911 and asked for an ambulance.

Lynn was transported to Catholic Medical Center where she remained unconscious and unresponsive. The ER Doctor ordered a CAT Scan which revealed that Lynn had developed a brain hemorrhage and that was causing her current symptoms. The doctor said that nothing that they did would change the outcome. So I made the decision to just keep her as comfortable as possible.

Lynn was eventually brought to a room. It breaks my heart to tell all of you that my soul mate, my immortal beloved, my loving and devoted wife of almost 47 years passed away quietly around 1:45 p.m. She felt no pain and I remained at her side throughout her ordeal."

Please keep her family in your prayers......

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Volume 270

Thank you Joyce....

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? 

I'm going to choose Huntley Lake near Antioch, IL. My father had a cottage there for many years which our children got to enjoy. Of course we had moved to California when they were still young but I would take them there for a few weeks each summer. 

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

I'm not sure. How about a veggie drink. I would say V-8. Does OJ with extra pulp count? Otherwise I guess the other fruity drink would be made with grapes....I call it wine!!!

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simply your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

I wouldn't call my life simple right now because I put everything off but I will say write down your daily goals. I like to make lists. 

I would like to create a morning routine to motivate myself into doing more around the house. I get on my computer first thing each morning and pretty much stay there most of the day. 

It has made me very lazy over the years. Sure I do light cleaning and laundry but going deeper is definitely something that needs to be done. 

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

I stared working full time. I wasn't planning on going to college so through my secretarial class in H.S. I was hired by a company in Oak Brook, IL. 

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

I'm going with no. Not sure I've ever listened to one. 

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

I'm going with just different. 

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I have a kind heart like my father. He would give you the shirt off his back, goes out of his way to help everyone. I'm going to also say that as much as I have been like him most of my life I have hardened over the years so I am not always as willing to be that person but I love being kind, it brings pleasure to my heart. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

So today I drove over a very large bridge to meet up with the MadSnapper in Florida. 

She had a cute mystery post yesterday. Lunch at Cracker Barrel and two hours of sharing stories. Thank God for GPS!  It was perfect in every way and she was exactly the way I pictured her to be! Thank you Sandra.....

Oh my, I have meet up with three bloggers this year. 

Isn't that awesome?

I WAS THERE.......

~ American Idol Farewell Season Finale ~

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Here is my story of how I got to see the America Idol Finale. Back in 2012 my blog friend Sandie in Georgia told me I should start to follow Ann because she was moving from Florida to California. So of course I went over and followed her blog. 

Ann doesn't blog much anymore but is on Facebook, the same with Sandie, but I have become great email Pen Pals with both of them. I've been emailing about life stuff with Ann since 2013. It is amazing how you can become best friends with someone you have never meet. 

That was of course until yesterday when I met Ann in person and she is the one that got the ticket for me to see the American Idol Finale with her. I couldn't talk about it in advance because up until noon on Thursday we didn't know yet!

So Ann was texting me while I was at bowling and she had a very interesting time in line meeting up with some of Trent's family members who were looking to see if anyone had extra tickets and Ann did! 

So I left after bowling and meet up with Ann at the California Pizza Kitchen there at the Dolby Theater and we had lunch before we headed into the theater for the live 5 pm taping. 

It was so wonderful to meet her in person and we will definitely be meeting up again. If you follow me on Facebook and you see me post about a movie I am seeing you will almost always see Ann's comment because she is a huge moviegoer too!!!! 

What a night! The show was amazing. I got a couple of pictures that are pretty clear. You couldn't have your phone/camera out during taping and of course everyone gets on and off the stage pretty quickly so you don't really get a chance to get a photo of them. 

We were way, way, way up high and it was rather difficult at times to know exactly what idol it was from the past. Even though there were two very large screens which they use for close up shots of the stars during The Oscars, they didn't use them during the show. So what you saw on TV (which I watched Thursday evening when I got home) with their names by them.....was often at times a mystery to us.

However, that didn't make it any less wonderful and fabulous to be present for the Farewell Season Finale of American Idol.

 Trent Harmon Wins.....

 We did not get showered with confetti.

This photo was right after the taping finished.....

(you could actually download this photo and zoom in)

Just a little information that you might find interesting. A few things are taped in advance prior to the show like when you saw Jennifer Hudson sing, that was taped in advance and we watched it one of those big screens just like you did at home only at home you think it is live! Same with Jennifer Lopez, that performance was also taped in advance. 

Thank you Ann for an amazing evening and thank you

American Idol for all the wonderful years.....

P.S. To my blog readers......yesterday I accidentally cleared my Feedly reader so I may have missed a post of yours. 

A CLOSE ENCOUNTER......

OF THE BEST KIND!

I had an opportunity to meet up with a blog friend of mine. I have known Alexis for over six years now. Alexis and her husband surprised their boys with a trip to San Diego. They are going to the San Diego Zoo today, Sea World and of course visiting Legoland in Carlsbad this week. 

We were able to meet up in Escondido yesterday for an early dinner at Ramono's Macaroni Grill. We talked for 2 1/2 hours and it was wonderful. I had my favorite Penne Rustica and Alexis had my second favorite Pasta Milano.....delizioso! 

It was so different. It's like you know this person so well because you have been emailing each other for years yet sitting at dinner with her felt surreal, like being in a dream.  

We are really a threesome when it comes to our friendship. Our friend Amy who lives in Wisconsin is a part of that. We all became friends at the same time and we still talk about having a girls trip someday. Alexis lives in Washington and we haven't meet Amy in person yet. (Of course I could be their mother's)

Alexis, it was so wonderful meeting you in person and I know that this meeting has proven that you can be best friends with someone you had never meet in person before! Thank you for a great time and taking the time from you vacation to meet up with me.  xoxoxo

AND THE ANSWER IS.........

If you know me you should know how much I enjoy answering questions which is why I love doing Wednesday Hodgepodge each week. So when my friends offered to play along with their awards and tags they didn't have to twist my arm. 

My friend Betty at A Bench With a View was given a Liebster Award and left some questions to answer to anyone who wanted to play along so here I go:

1.    What is your favorite Christmas song? 

I have several favorites but I do enjoy "Baby It's Cold Outside" with James Taylor and Natalie Cole.
2.    Pumpkin or pecan pie?

Pumpkin pie has always been my favorite but mainly because I didn't grow up with pecan pie. Had some at my MIL's this year and loved it! 

3.    Did you go to any of your high school reunions?

Yes I've been to a few but the most resent was just this past September for our 45th Class Reunion. 

4.    What was the last book you read?

The Shack by Wm.Paul Young and I couldn't tell you anything about it. I just don't retain things like that. I guess that is why I can watch movies over and over again too! 

5.    Favorite day of the week and why?
I think it is Friday. It is usually a pizza night, Mark is most likely in town and we usually watch a DVD together. 

6.    Have you ever been hunting?
No

7.    Facebook, friend or foe?
I am a friend of Facebook but I miss my blogging friends who only do Facebook now because I enjoyed reading their posts. 

8.    Did you play board games as a child? What was your favorite one?
I don't remember playing board games as a child but I enjoyed playing Candyland with my children. Now my favorite is Scrabble. 

9.    Do you play the lottery?
Yes we play but Mark takes care of it. We won $11,000. once! 

10.  Cat or dog?
Dogs but I don't dislikes cats. We can't have them because of allergies. 

11.  Do you think Koda is the cutest corgi you've ever seen?
Of course Betty! 

My friend in real life, Headless Mom at The Headless Family, was tagged and invited anyone who wanted to join in to play along. So here I go:

1. When did you get your ears pierced?  When I was a teenager with ice cubes and a needle.
2. Where was the first place you remember driving when you got your license? I don't remember but probably the local frozen custard stand that was a popular hangout. 
3. What was your first car? My first new car was a  1969 1/2 Ford Maverick. 
4. How many children did you want when you were young? How many do you have? I wanted to have 4 children. We have two children. 
5. Do you have a garden? What is your favorite thing to grow? (veg or flower? Something else?) I like growing tomatoes. We have a lot of flowers in the yard and my favorite is Freesia. 
6. What was the name of your first pet? Is there a story to go along with the name? I'm trying to remember her name.....I know it was a poodle. 
7. What was the cutest thing one of your children has ever said? (Substitute neice or nephew if you aren't a parent.) Well when my mother passed away Adam was around 4 years old and he said "When grandma is done dying will she come back." 
8. What is your favorite age of children, in general, (i.e. baby, toddler, school-age, teen, etc.,) I am going to go with babies. 
9. What is your middle name? Laurie
10. What dessert flavor is your LEAST favorite? Gosh I'm not sure. I'm going to go with orange yet I do like to eat oranges and drink orange juice. 

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.  

FYI: I still haven't started decorating.....

OUR REUNION WEEKEND

While we were in Chicago for our class reunion which was awesome we also drove around past our old house, special monuments and the houses we grew up in. I also told Mark that we had to try to go to the Brookfield Zoo while in town. (don't forget to click on the photos to see them better)

We of course also ate our favorites including Pizza and Italian Beef w/Sausage combo sandwiches. I was lucky enough to finally have my very favorite Barone's Pizza in Downers Grove, IL. The last time I had it was over 13 years ago and we shared this evening with my girlfriend Sherry and her husband Howard. It was a nice evening reminiscing. 

Actually it was 13th years with Sherry and Howard when I last had Barone's. I was in town attending the funeral for our best friends young son. Now since I mentioned this I will also say that we went to the cemetery to visit their sons grave which Mark hadn't seen yet and we also visited my mothers while in town.  

This was our visit of the High School we attended which is located behind the back entrance to the Brookfield Zoo. It was fun to see that the gymnasium was exactly the same and walking down the hallways was so much fun. 

That is me in front of my locker. It is a new locker but same spot. Right across the way was the water fountain which I had to have a picture of. There was a time between classes that Mark and I would pass each other there. 

We were not actually dating but there was some flirting going on. Can you believe the new water fountain they installed now has a place to fill your water bottles!!!

We ended up being able to go to the zoo for a few hours on Saturday. We spent about 3 hours walking around visiting our favorites. It was also raining on and off but thankfully it was real heavy rain.

I do have a story to share about this fountain. Sometimes things happen that you know are signs from God. I mentioned our friends who lost their son, these were our very best couple friends who we were with all the time. 

After I took that picture I walked up to look at the fountain and wouldn't know that the song "Wind Beneath my Wings" started playing and I just started bawling. 

That was the song the my friend Diane had them play at his funeral. I had sent her a music box with that song after I had returned home and that is when I put in a handkerchief and said "This is for your tears" and that is what inspired my ministry years later. 

This bear was behind glass. You can see it was raining.....

 The Polar Bear was behind glass too! 

 Some miscellaneous shots.....

 Hello....

 I just had this one put on canvas for my wall. 

 Mama cleaning her baby.....

 Group shot.....

This guy was not happy.....

 Mama and baby....

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Volume 190

Thank you Joyce.....

Click on over and join in the fun! 

1. I'm celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, 'You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." Would you agree? If not why not?

I have read this over and over again.....I tend to agree with this quote! 

2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birthyear, just the same date/same month.

The list is pretty long starting in 2333BC going through to 2013....here are a few:

1. 2333BC - The state of Gojoseon (Modern-day Korea) founded by Dangun Wanggeom during the reign of the Chinese Emperor Yao.
2. 1954 - "Father Knows Best" premieres.
3. 1955 - "Captain Kangaroo" premieres on CBS-TV, Good Morning, Captain!
4. 1955 - "Mickey Mouse Club" premieres
5. 2003 - Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy is attacked by one of the shows tigers, canceling the show for good.
6. 2008 - OJ Simpson found guilty of charges of kidnapping and armed robbery.

3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to 'have your cake and eat it too.'

I think I do that everyday, I'm a dreamer! Actually I have something going on right now that could possibly go in the direction of  'have your cake and eat it too' or it can explode in my face. I will let you know.

4. What's something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old

That's a hard one......I'm going to say that going to the Disney parks makes me feel young!

Something that makes me feel old.....all the time I've been spending at the doctor's office! 

5. When did you last do something that was 'a piece of cake'?

Spent a day with Adam and Tristen, went to the Getty Villa and had a wonderful engagement celebration at Fogo De Chao's in Beverely Hills. I haven't even written a post about that day which was back on August 10th! The day was exactly how I had hoped it would be. 

6.  Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What's something else you'd add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage)

Compassion and understanding comes to mind....... 

7. If I were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should I give away? By my calculations we'll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas.

Movie tickets, Amazon gift card, Cheryl's cookies.....okay I could type a list that would be endless. I am sure whatever you choose would be appreciated by the winner!   

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This is our long weekend in Chicago, IL. We will be mainly in Brookfield and staying in Oak Brook. We have a tour of our high school on Friday night, followed by an evening at a local pub. I believe their is also a football game going on if we want to attend. 

Saturday evening is a dinner at a restaurant in LaGrange. Should be an awesome weekend. Also meeting some friends for dinner tonight, along with having dinner tomorrow night with Mark's brother Jimmy and his wife Caprice. (My BIL & SIL) Can't wait to see everyone. 

Riverside-Brookfield High School

Brookfield, IL ~ Established in 1909

 That's me in the second row-second person.

 That's Mark in the first row-second person.

We return home on Sunday. I don't know if I will be reading posts or not. We do have some free time. Thinking that maybe on Saturday we can visit the Brookfield Zoo which is located behind our High School and is one of the country's largest and most respected zoo's.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Volume 184

You know what to do, just click on the button

and join Joyce's Hodgepodge today!

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

I would have to agree with that and thank God for the memories. I loved going to my grandparents summer home in Union Pier, MI. 

My fondest memory is about the little store in town that sold beach items, some clothes and a large variety of candy. I remember the sound of the screen door opening and the sound of the sandy floor beneath out feet. 

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?

I am not a fan but have seen a few races. Have never been in person but would like to go to one. What I would really like to do is race one of those cars. Yes I do notice makes and models when I am out and about. 

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?

I do believe that some things are too serious to be joked about like death and cancer but it also depends on the situation and the people you are with. We all know that laughter can be some of the best medicine. 

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

Yes I am definitely a fan. I have a very simple recipe that my mother use to make. I would choose lasagna!

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

My friend connections through Blogging and Facebook. Maybe that glass of wine at the end of a stressful day. Maybe that piece of cheesecake at the end of a special dinner out. Definitely the tradition of Friday night pizza which has been around since I was a young girl! 

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

That's a tough question......maybe Facebook, Google or McDonald's.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.

Vacation and engagement....you were so awesome! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My friend Christine who I surprised in Florida had this posted on her blog recently and I want to share it with you:  

"Good news on Rea! After 4 cycles of chemo, she had a full body MIBG scan and an MRI scan of the knee. The lesions on the knee completely vanished, all gone and the fracture is healing nicely. The MIBG scan showed the primary tumor to have shrunk considerably and the surgeon is very confident that she can remove it completely. No other cancer cells were found." ......Amen! 

Rea is having her surgery today so please keep her in your prayers!