Santa's Helper

Drew was asked to be Santa's helper this year for the Annual Kramer Christmas Party. She got to ride in on a fire truck and then helped hand out treat bags to kids after they sat with Santa. She had a great time and looked beautiful too!

Happy Place

I had such a happy surprise today that I thought I must share it with the cyber world.

Ben and I have been in Toledo for a couple days while Ben has had some sort of VW training. I have taken the opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done. Well, while driving to a store I happened to see a Lone Star Steakhouse! At first, I just sighed a sigh of sadness, because I have missed this restaraunt at home. Everyone of them, in the metro Detroit area closed up, one by one.

After my brief moment of silence, I realized that this particular restaraunt did not look boarded up! It was actually open! I was quite shocked and excited, to say the least. It was like a resurrection of a long lost friend. Ok, maybe that's a little extreme, but it put a big smile on my face and I ended up high-tailing it over there after I finished a shopping session.

I ordered my favorite steak, the delmonico and cheddar, bacon fries. Yummy. I even got a free caesar salad from my waitress. I think she thought I was a little strange. Maybe it was the perma-smile, I don't know.

Anywho, I just thought I would share that.

And for anyone who also misses this restaraunt, I found out that there are 4 left in Michigan. The closest to the Detroit area is in Belleville.

Thanks for listening!

McGuffey's No Joke

I apologize, let me correct myself...McGuffey isn't a joke.

I have officially been humbled by the McGuffey Sixth Eclectic Reader that we use for Jordyn's homeschool literature program. Although she has rarely required my help, I have risen to the challenge and assisted her in finishing the assignment...until today. Today I failed. Consequently, this book sits right here in front of me, reminding me of my downfall.
I have decided to include just a small part of her reading in my blog today. I guess I am hoping that I am not the only one who find this, for lack of better words, 'advanced collegiate'. If so, then I blame the brain bleed! :-)
But, wether or not anyone else easily understands it, I'm going to have to dig my heals in, log onto dictionary.com, and give it another go.


Character of Napoleon Bonaparte

...He knew no motive but interest; acknowledged no criterion but success; he worshiped no God but ambition; and, with an eastern devotion, he knelt at the shrine of his idolatry. Subsidiary to this, there was no creed that he did not profess, there was no opinion that he did not promulgate: in the hope of a dynasty, he upheld the crescent; for the sake of a divorce, he bowed before the cross; the orphan of St. Louis, he became the adopted child of the Republic; and, with a parricidial ingratitude, on the ruins both of the throne and the tribune, he reared the throne of his despotism...
(here's some more)
...The whole continent trembled at beholding the audacity of his designs, and the miracle of their execution. Skepticism bowed to the prodigies of his performance; romance assumed the air of history; nor was there aught too incredible for belief, or too fanciful for expectation, when the world saw a subaltern of Corsica waving his imperial flag over her most ancient capitals...

I'd give you more, but I'm plum tuckered out and contemplating restructuring my curriculum to line up with the cretinous homeschool stereotype of teaching only Bible memorization and home economics....hey, that 'cretinous' was a big word! There's hope; mabye Mcguffey's rubbing off on me after all!

My New Ride

It took about 7 weeks but it was worth the wait (I couldn't drive anyways). Ben found this GMC Safari for us that looks like it just came off the line! It is in perfect shape inside and out with only 70K miles.

We were looking for at least a 7 seater, 4x4, with a good towing package. This fit the bill and the colors were perfect. Now I am searching for a camper for it :-) .

Here is the jeep that we sold. This was actually the 2nd navy blue (my favorite color) Cherokee that I have had. They are fun to drive and extremely reliable. But, with not headrests for the girls, and only 5 seats, it was time for something else.

Much To Be Thankful For

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, but most anyone who even looks at this blog, probably already knows why, so I will spare all the details and just say that I am THANKFUL to be getting back to normal! Last Friday the doctor gave me the ok for more (restrained) freedom, but all I really heard was that I could drive again! YEAH! (And that the problem is reversing and I should be back to normal in about 6 months- that was good too!) It had been 2 months since I had driven! I thought it might feel weird, but it didn't. It felt like it was about time! So, besides a daily headache that hopefully physical therapy will be able to get rid of, I am doing great and very thankful to everyone for the prayers, gifts, food, and love that you showed to me and my family. I am truly humbled by it.

Here is a picture of one of the beautiful gifts I received.

Two Cute!

I recently visited at the Cooper's house and saw their new additions, Nathan & Alexis. They have grown so much since the last time I saw them! Beautiful babies.

Family

My cousing Kendra and her son, Chase are in from Arizona this week.

They (along with Uncle Marty & GG)were able to visit with us at my parent's house. It was great to see them. Chase is such a cutie! Very active (as a boy should be), and so smart!

Thanks for taking the time to be with us, Kendra & Chase! Sorry about our lovely Michigan weather, lol!!!

Papa is entertaining with his bird noises.

GG and Chase.

I kind of forced this picture :-)

Here's me and mine!

God's Reminder To Himself

Over the past years I have really grown to love rainbows. I was recently able to snap a picture of this one out my front door, that was off to the east. I am overwhelmed with the this sign ('token') that he has given as one of his everlasting convenants with Noah that not only covers those who believe who he is, but also to those who don't. I think it's great that he gave it as a reminder to himself (v.16) that he will look upon it and remember. How truly amazing and what a merciful God!

Gen 9:11-17
11.
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
12.
And God said , This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
13.
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14.
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15.
And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16.
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it , that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17.
And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Listening Pleasure

Please visit this site and open it in a new window so you can have appropriate background music playing to appreciate the 'Michigan Adventure Indeed' post that follows.

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Sanford_And_Son.html

I wish I knew how to make the music stream in, but I don't so this is the best I can do :-)

Michigan Adventure Indeed!!

Well, we definetly got our 'Michigan Adventure' on our most recent camping trip to Muskegon with family and friends! We ran the gamete on experiences to say the least. The day started off and stayed raining until we reached the campground. Then, thankfully, it was quite beautiful and warm and we were able to set up camp and enjoy the lake. But, everything changed that night as a severe thunderstorm rolled in and basically 'broke down camp' for us. It poured and stormed and poured. The canopy came down, the camper started leaking on one end, the tent zipper got stuck so water was getting all in there (thankfully the tent stayed up), the camper door wouldn't shut right....it was a doozie. All 10 of us ended up staying in the cabin that night. The next morning the guys took the kids out to breakfas and all the wet towels and clothing to the laundromat while the women folk tried to make sense of the aftermath. Eventually everything was put back in order, the weather was gorgeous and we headed off to Michigan Adventure for a great day at the park (forgot my camer, sorry). Near the end of the day the sky started to threaten more rain so we tarped up the camper and tried to secure everything. We were all set and starting to relax when a campground employee drove by and warned us of a 80mph wind & storms coming our way. So we kicked into high gear and tore down anything that could possibly blow away. My canopy (which is my favorite part about my campground for some reason), the tent, and any little thing was secured down. And we waited....and waited....NOTHING. No storm! It went south of us. I guess that's a good thing, but it sure seemed like a let down for some reason. We had a fun night after that and then, Mother Nature slammed us with another thunderstorm during the night, just so we didn't feel completely left out. The next day was completely gorgeous and we made full use of the campground and lake. It was fun.
It could have been a tragic experience, but thankfully everyone laughed through it and it turned into one of those 'remember when' memories that will always be appreciated!




Here are some of our fun, no rain, lightning, or threats of imminent death pictures. The lake was a blast. Clear water, sandy bottom and extremely friendly fish!

And, here's the aftermath picture. Normally my campsites are quite inviting looking. If you look close enough you can see a blue tarp drying back behind the camper and my faux grass back there too and another one on a post in front of the camper. What you can't see is my awning drying out on a picnic table across the road, lol. This is a sad, sad, 'Sanford & Son' looking salvage yard. The theme song was sung all weekend for this beautiful picture! I think the blue tarp really does it in. But, hey, that's what memories are made of. I'm looking forward to next summer! There's always room for one more!

The Black Swan

I've saved the highlights of our Kalamazoo trip for it's own posting. Here's the scoop.
A couple weeks before our trip to Kalamazoo, Nicole called me to get my permission for an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime experience for Jordyn. She knows how much Jordyn likes to cook and that she desires to be a chef someday. Well, one of Nicole's old students is a chef at a 5-star restaraunt in Kalamazoo (or Portage, can't remember), so she sent him a letter asking if he would consider allowing Jordyn to come and observe him for a couple hours as he worked. He graciously obliged and they set the whole thing up. Well, Jordyn did much more than observe. She came around 2pm when dinner prep was starting and assisted Matthew (who is the sous chef) and Trent (the executive chef) and the rest of the kitchen staff for most of the meal prep. She handled the final process for all the coconut shrimp (pics below), made a poppy-seed and italian dressing, carmelized nuts, and portioned out pasta for a swordfish dish. They had her taste a variety of things so that she would become farmiliar with them and gave her a wealth of cooking instruction. It sounds like they went far above and beyond anyone's expectations and made her feel most welcome and wise! After our meals they brought her back in the kitchen and surprised her with a leather bound portfolio souvenir with a kind inscription and everyone's signatures. Then they surprised us by bringing us each a scrumptous raspberry sorbet!
This experience was so surreal, and I'm just talking about how I felt. What an unbelievable idea and plan by Auntie Dedo (Nicole), an amazing gift from The Black Swan staff, and a tasty memory for the rest of us!
Thank you Nicole and Matthew for making an unimagined dream a reality for my Jordyn!!!!

This is Jordyn after she came out of the kitchen to help serve our dinners. They gave her the apron as a souvenir too :-)

We were able to throw together a last minute mini-family reunion with Aunt Peggy, Krystin and her daughter Keira, and Melissa. They live in nearby Grand Rapids and changed around plans so they could come see us all and be part of Jordyn's great day! It was great to see everyone!

These are the appetizers, or should I say, 'hors d'oeuvres'. The orange one is coconut shrimp and the other one was some tasty cheesy thing with cherries I think. 'Brie' maybe? :-)

I think this was Dedo's meal.

Here was my meal, Rack of Lamb...yummy!

This is Jordyn's meal.

Dedo & Kalamazoo!

We visited Nicole in Kalamazoo a few weeks ago and had a great time. What a beautiful city it is! We were able to see the campus of Kalamazoo Valley (where she teaches), the modern downtown area, great shopping and, to my surprise, BENNIGANS! I thought all the Bennigans restaraunts had closed, but luckily we found one there. They have the best Monte Cristo sandwich. Also, they have the last Fannie May chocolate store operating in Michigan.
What a difference it is just a few hours west of here! Nicole loves it and I can see why!

I've seen this being done on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. If you want, cut and paste this into your blog, answer the questions, then leave me a comment letting me know you did it too.

A - Age: 35
B - Bed size: King
C - Chore you hate: Recaulking the tub
D - Dog's name: Zoe
E - Essential start your day item: Brush teeth
F - Favorite color: Navy
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'5"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Housewife, homeschool mom --> is it technically a 'job' if it doesn't pay?'
K - Kid(s): 2
L - Living arrangements: Kramer Homes, Center Line, MI
M - Mom's name: Mommy, aka, Ruthann
N - Nicknames: LaQuisha, LaQuanda
O - Overnight hospital stay: Childbirth
P - Pet Peeve: Anything concerning losing luggage
Q - Quote from a movie: Jean Valjean (Les Miserables) - "This is right, my dear. I stole something, I did. I stole happiness with you. I don't mind paying." OR ANYTHING PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005)
R - Right or left handed: Right Handed
S - Siblings: 2 sisters
T - Time you wake up: 6:30am
U - Underwear: Yup
V - Vegetable you dislike: Those little tiny cabbage looking things.
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: Can't find my keys.
X - X-rays you've had: teeth, ankle, chest
Y - Yummy food you make: fudge
Z - Zoo animals you like: tigers, polar bears

Bellagio

No words needed. Except, maybe,...'that ain't right'. I get mosquito bites, and he gets paradise.

p.s. -- I'm not really bitter...just 'bit...' LOL!

Lucky!

While we were up north, Ben and some buddies were able to meet up with Mickey (he had a work conference) at the Bellagio (of all places) in VEGAS! Lucky!

They had a good time. He says he will get me there again. I'm 'keeping my fingers crossed'

I was just informed that this picture is at Caesars, not the Bellagio....does it really matter????

Fort Michilimackinac

More UP Fun

The Dunes

Here's a picture of Uncle Leo's beautiful lodge.

Cousin Todd taught the kids how to shoot a gun.

Yooper Family Reunion

Every 2 years we trek to the U.P., eh? to our Popour family reunion. It's always a great time.

This year Noelle and I went together with all the kids and made a mini road trip out of it. We spent time in Manistique and Munising areas. Where were the guys, you ask? I'll update that in the next post.