August 6, 2023 - A lapse in time!

Oh my! Time passes.  Blogs go without attention. In 2018 I was trying to find my way without my anchor - my husband. A whole shit ton of situations and circumstances happened during my time away. 

The short bulletpoint presentation follows.

• Hubby and I reconciled, remarried and are stronger than ever.

• Family counseling is great for many reasons. I'm grateful for everyone's cooperation.

• My Momma died in October 2018. That's a whole other post to come.

• I rescued a sweet little male Bichon Friese. My little white fluffy fluff fluff! Grief purchase after my Momma died! Haha

• I had a colon resection, but the end result included a partial hysterectomy to remove cervical cancer. 5 blood transfusions later, we discovered that I now have Lyme disease, probably from a transfusion. Always save your own blood before major surgery! I am now 35# heavier than the day of my surgery, but cancer free. So, fuck off fatty tissues!

• Covid-19 shut down the world. I was glad. I had to work from home and thus I was able to get more rest after my surgery!

• My health didn't bounce back after surgery. Some of my co-workers decided i was either faking or milking it out... even going so far as telling me they recovered faster than I was. Comparing their surgery and recovery to mine. Forget the fact that they didn't have the exact surgery. Whatever. Anyway, skipping ahead about 9 months and I gave Boss-Man my notice... almost one year after my surgery.

• I quit working for someone else on a Thursday. I took the weekend off. Got a new haircut. Had my first official manicure, and went to work for myself, full-time, the following Monday.  It took me a month to decompress. 

• Dec. 2022, we expanded the giftshop into the shop next door. I now occupy the entire side of the building!

• In March 2023, we also lost my sweetheart of a Father-in-law.

I have always loved my life, even though there were some dark moments. My treasures are, once again, all in line. Things are copestetic!

Six Great Men In My Life

Pop and Baby Danny 11-2012

There are six great men in my life. These men have taught me many things. Things that are good, bad, funny, necessary and even heartbreaking, but all very worthwhile and important to the woman I am this day.

I'm only including the men that are alive. While I could include my Grandfathers and a Step-Dad, I'm not writing about them today. Today is for the living.

Me & Pop - 1970

Starting with Pop. My Pop is in the photo above. He's holding my nephew, Daniel - Danny to me and forever.  This was taken yesterday, 11.3.2012.  Pop taught me how a woman should be treated. He taught me this by not only treating me the way a woman should be treated, but by treating me the way a woman should not be treated.  He didn't do anything immoral with me - don't go there! LOL YIKES!! I'm a total Daddy's Girl, but he was young and made plenty of mistakes with parenting. I love him all the same. Pop and I have a crazy telepathic bond. I kid-you-not. Pop just knows when I need him and I never fail to call, just when he is thinking of or needing my shoulder.  I'm a smart cookie and I don't sugar coat, I know he's a rascal of all kinds, but he's my Pop.  When I have cooking questions, depending on what I'm making, I'll give him a call.  If I need someone in my corner, I call Dad. If I'm crying and heartbroken about my mother, his first wife, I call him. He is the only other person on earth (besides my Auntie) that knows her like I do. Actually, I don't think my Auntie knows her the same way Pop and I know her, but she knows LOTS. Anyway! My Pop - the first man I ever fell in love with - the only way a Daddy's Girl can fall. He'd sing me to sleep and give me butterfly kisses. When I had a nightmare, I'd go to Dad. He became Pop when he stayed with us for a while - we needed a different title for him, for the boys. Pop it is!

Matt. My hubby. He taught me that just because we argue - doesn't mean that someone has to LEAVE. That's what I learned from my parents I guess.... every time they argued, Mom would leave.  Matt taught me to stay.  You hear the phrase, "Real men don't leave."  Well, yeah, okay, but what about women? Strong women know when to stay, when to leave and when to get her "Black-Chick Swag" on and take off her earrings!! LOL "Don't make me take off my earrings!"  Matt treats me like a lady. Matt treats me with love. Matt is AWESOME!!! He loves me in my Love Language (acts of service). That means he takes out the scary, smelly garbage when it's dark and scary outside.  That means he will help me with things when I'm too tired or hurting. Take a bullet for Matt? Drink poison for him? Wash his dirty underwear? YOU BET!!!

Me & Mario - 2009

Mario. My little brother. Mario taught me all about nature vs. nurture. Mario and I, at most, have had approximately 10 months of our lives in which we have lived together.  We are so alike! It's a crazy and creepy kind of thing! I mean, I don't mind people knowing that I'm alot like my brother, but I bet he isn't so crazy about people thinking he's like a girl - even if it is his sister! LOL When Dad had Mario with Claudia. I didn't want to be with my mother, I wanted to be with Dad and my little brother. It broke my mother's heart. At the time, I'd drink poison for him. Now, I'd just SLAP it out of his hands and say, "What the FUCK are you doing!?!?!! That's POISONED for crap sake!!! Don't drink that!!" LOLOL

Rick, Mario, Benny - 2009

My sons, Rick and Ben. I knew that I would love my children, but I did not know that I would fall in love with my children. I never knew that I could love another being as much as I love my sons. I love my brother alot - and I would have taken a bullet for him. Then I had children. Before my sons were born I didn't know I could love someone even MORE than I loved Mario. Then along came Rick and Ben. I didn't know I was capable of that much love!!!  I'd take a bullet for my boys. I used to say I'd take a bullet for Mario, but now that I'm a mom, I'd just shove Mario out of the way and duck myself. LOL My boys though - I'd lay my life down for them.

Mario and Baby Danny - 2012

Then! Along comes Baby Danny. I have yet to hold him physically in my arms. It's all virtual. I'm all about Auntie tears and tons of love. How can I love one tiny little man so much without holding him in my arms??!!! Baby Danny is teaching me all about loving someone that really isn't mine, but is related. Baby Danny made me love my Sister-in-Law more than I ever dreamed I could love her. I mean, if Mario loves her, that's enough for me - I love her too. Unconditionally. It's just that now she has expanded my family. Family is everything to me. She has given me a gift - the gift of being an Auntie. I ADORE my Aunties! I never thought I'd be an Auntie. I was my parents only child until I was 13 years old.  I'm a big sister and I love Mario with everything a sister who lives 1500 miles away can give.  Now he has made me an Auntie!!

I didn't know, growing up, that I could love with such ferocity.  I didn't know I could love so unconditionally.  I didn't know I could love.  I was loved growing up. I am a loving person and always have been. I've worn my heart on my sleeve my entire life, but these six great men have stretched my heart in ways I never knew existed.

Thank you guys - I love you.

ABC - Childhood Traditions

None. There weren't any. We moved too much. We didn't do things every year - things that were special. There was the bottle brush Christmas tree every year. However, it brought such grumbles....

There were always twinkle lights for the tree and when we couldn't afford a tree the lights went on the wandering jew plant. That was pretty.

Gram usually had a birthday cake for me, if Mom couldn't.

I tried to listen to the same Christmas album every year. Here's a Youtube link:

The only tradition was a God-given one - it has always snowed by or on my birthday. God hasn't let me down.

As for my family NOW - we have given up the Christmas tree for several reasons - space, storage, personal reason, etc. However, I have instead  made up wreaths for almost every door in the house! I personalize them for each of us and then for the family.  Those are kinda neat really.  We also choose to observe the days of Hanukkah. We aren't perfect, but we try to do our best.

We are also trying to pay attention to Sukkot and Passover.

ABC - What to take on a desert island...

The question posed: "If you were trapped on a desert island, what are three items you would take with you?"

Simple!

I'd take my THREE guys!

It doesn't matter what I have, as long as I have my family!

Daddys & Their Little Girls

I was at the coffee shop one night. It's a christian book store and coffee shop.  

Well, when I was there on this particular evening, I was sitting facing the storefront windows.  I happened to look up when a young man was walking in with his little girl.  She was probably about 7 years old, not much older than that.  They were holding hands and she was chatting away in the manner that I assume all little girls chat.  The young man looked down once in a while, smiling and responding with words that I could not hear.  She was all bouncy and skipping her way across the parking lot, all the while holding tight to her Daddy's hand.  He came to the traffic lane, put  his hand on her shoulder to stop her, looked both ways, took her hand again and they crossed the lane and entered the store.

He bought her a sweet drink and a coffee for himself and then they looked around a bit and left.

I was thrown back into memories and longing at the same time. Memories of a walk that I took with my Dad at a tender young age; and longing for those memories to be tender like the moment I had just witnessed.  The one walk I do remember with my Dad was not a tender moment.

So, as not to become a bitter and angry woman, I decided that I needed to really search for a good walking memory for Dad and I. I can choose to be happy and full of joy or I can choose anger.  There aren't too many memories, however, I do have a few...

Pescadero

Walking along Pescadero beach.

Shopping with him in 1995 - we were looking for a fun shirt for my newborn baby - a trinket to remember the trip later.

Walking with him, while holding his hand, to his Father's funeral.

Walking through the marsh with him when he came to visit us in our home here in Wisconsin.

Not many walks, not many at all, but these few that I do have I have decided to hang on to. I have decided to put them at the front of my memory banks.  I am happy for the little girl that I saw. Happy that she will have some young memories of happiness and togetherness with her Daddy.  I may not have had the best role models, but there are good role models out there that I can use as examples and conversation starters for my own sons.  I may not personally have had the best, but God puts people in my path, thereby showing me some of the best that is out there; and for that I am thankful.

Raising a Modern Day Knight - Pondering #5

#5 - Making Dinner a Priority

We have always made meal time a priority.

When Matt works 2nd shift, the morning meal and the mid-day meals are the big sit down meals.

When Matt works 3rd shift, the evening meal is the big sit down meal.

Sometimes we will have "Dinner & A Movie Night", whereby we sit in the living room while watching the movie.  Sometimes that actually entails LEAVING the house and really going OUT to dinner and then catching a movie. Those are fun & special treats.

Breakfast is almost always a hot meal consisting of some sort of egg dish, potatoes, hash browns, corned beef hash, rice, meat, Spam, fried onions, black beans, maybe salsa. Tuna used to be in on the list before the big earthquake in Japan, now I won't eat fish at all.  Also included could be tortillas to wrap up things. My latest discovery was Breakfast Tator Tot Casserole!! Very yums!  We used to do lots of cereal or pancakes, muffins, sweet breads, but since I've been watching what we eat and since I have to be gluten-free, pastry items don't really make the breakfast menu often. 

The best breakfasts are leftover cold pizza from Tony's Pizza or leftover Birthday cake.  Whenever there is a birthday, we eat cake for breakfast every morning until it's all gone - our crazy family tradition!

Left over cake for breakfast!

940 Saturdays

There are approximately 940 Saturdays in the life of your child, before he or she reaches the age of 18 years.  I have 16 Saturdays left...

How did we spend all of those Saturdays?

In the early years, I was working a 9-5 job Monday thru Friday, therefore, my Saturdays consisted of laundry, shopping, cleaning and baby duty. Hubby worked some of the Saturdays in 12 hour shifts.

We bought a house and I still worked 9-5, Monday thru Friday.  My Saturdays now included laundry, shopping, cleaning, baby duty and yard work.  Hubby still had the job with 12 hours shifts.

Then baby #2 came along with bed rest. Hubby still had the job with 12 hour shifts.

A few years later we added a puppy and I was a SAHM.  Everyday felt like a Saturday!

Then I worked opposite of hubby. No more 9-5 job, but still a Monday thru Friday job. Saturday chores were done on whatever day of the week I had off.

Then we started homeschooling the boys. Saturdays became a day for chores and sleeping in.

Then we started Sunday School.  Saturdays were spent doing chores and any final preparing for left over Sunday School messages and lesson plans.

Fund raising activities happened on Saturdays.

Saturdays went thru many changes: Family Movie Night - Family Game Night - The Day We Will Celebrate Your Birthday Night - Bath Night, etc.  The daytime hours were still spent doing chores and errands.  

Saturdays were sometimes the day I did all sorts of cooking for the upcoming week.

Hubby changed jobs! No more 12 hour shifts, but sometimes Saturdays. That was alright. Our Saturday switched to Sunday afternoons!

Our Saturday/Sunday activities for several years and into the now include: Big Family Breakfasts - Family Movie Time - Family Dinner Time - Visiting Gramma and Grampa Time - Road Trip Day - Baking Day - Game Day - Disposable tableware Day(s) - Sleeping in Late Day(s) - The-day-we-will-celebrate-your-Birthday Night - Eating all the Leftovers Day - Pulling-out-the-futon-and-sofa-sleeper-and-watching-movies-all-day-and-night Nights. Anything and everything we can squeeze into the weekend we do. I try to get all the chores done before the weekend so we can just relax.

I guess we didn't really waste 924 Saturdays! We did lots and lots together. It just so happened that our "Saturday" didn't always fall on a Saturday. We took advantage of any and ALL downtime we had. So, actually, we had more than our fair share of "Saturdays"! I'm so glad we did. I treasure it all.

Back to the Philippines - Strings of the Heart

My cousin, Erik, called me this morning. He needed my email address so that he could send me photos that his brother, Karl, took.  Karl is on a special journey back to his roots.  A spiritual journey of sorts, I imagine.  I feel so loved to have been thought of, when my cousins were sharing the photos.

Karl is standing in front of Lola's birth home.

A wide street view of her birth home.

This is the rice field that Lola Mom played in as a child. Later, she hid from Japanese soldiers here during the war. Then,  Lolo Dad's Army post was set up here in this field - where Lola Mom caught his eye...

for the first time.

Mt. Pinatubo in the background (the volcano that erupted and destroyed Bacolor in 1991, the 2nd largest eruption of the 20th century)

Family in front of the Church of Bacolor, Pampanga. It was built by the Spaniards 300 years ago.

Another Family Group photo.

Karl - My Precious Pinsan on his Journey.

Filippino Foods

Pancit - foreground

Lumpia - background

I am so JEALOUS!!

In a good way though.

I love it when my cousins call me.  I love talking with Erik (and the rest of you!), whenever we talk, we pick up like we just spoke a few days earlier.  My cousin, Jason, said to me, "Talking with you, Tyra, is like going home."  I love that. It totally warms my heart and brings me peace.  I was blessed with a few precious telephone moments with Erik this morning. It totally made my day. Hell! That one telephone conversation, filled with "Cousin-Love" will carry me through the next few months! We talked health and heartache.  I asked Erik how he is faring, without Lola Mom in our physical presence. It's been almost a year for both sides of my family.  We mentioned things like not being able to delete their phone numbers off of our phones. My cousin, Mindy, has a recorded voice message on her answering machine from Grams - she can't bring herself to delete it.  I asked Erik if he felt Lola Mom since she passed, as I had felt my Grams one afternoon.  I thought that Lola Mom had come to all of us in our dreams the morning she left us, but Erik, sadly - so sadly, said she hadn't done that to him.  However, he did mention his sister's dream and how Lola was so concerned for him.  That brought him comfort that Lola WAS indeed trying to reach him before she left us completely.  I was there with Grams while she was talking to whomever it was that I couldn't see. She was telling them my name; and when Lola Mom was leaving us, she woke me up.  I can understand Erik's sadness.  Lola Mom loved us all so much - and in ways that were specifically unique to each one of us.  I am so glad that she permeated our family with love, because it's still there, filling us up - keeping us together in ways that only a modern, spread-around-the-globe-family can be connected - with strings from her heart.

Love Tank is Filled

Had a great breakfast with Renae today! We met up at a restaurant and had breakfast together. She wanted to take me out for my birthday --- back in December, but I couldn't fit her into my schedule until TODAY!! Terrible!  December is incredibly busy though.  Thankfully, she is a patient friend. We didn't leave the restaurant until just over 2 hours had passed!  Time flies! She had a yummy french toast with bacon and I had scrambled eggs and a double order of hashbrowns! I think Ren' drank a whole pot of coffee!

Then! I had an equally great visit with my Auntie. She hasn't been feeling well due to an infection in her leg.  I wanted to go visit her this weekend, but she was sleepy.  Since I was so close today, I popped in for a quick visit. I'm so glad I did. She's good for a good time and a good laugh.  Her IV's were hanging from the ceiling fan! It was so funny!

Then, then, then!!! I came home to a great smelling home with dishes done, supper made and school work completed!!  Hubby had a meatloaf and potatoes in the oven and lunch on the stovetop!  It was great. The house smelled incredible.

But, wait! There's More!! (think ginsu knives) Since I didn't really have anything pressing to do, we sat around and watched movies all night drinking cocoa and cuddling with the kitty-gato.  We watched some of the Band of Brothers, parts of  Twilight and now parts of You've Got Mail.  The cocoa was yums. I found a wonderful mug from Good-Will last week. It was only $.49. It's pretty too. Turquoise green, flowers and a green and yellow stripe on the top rim and a purple stripe on the bottom rim.  It isn't hand thrown, but it was made to look as if it were. Kitty-gato was cold and buried his nose into Rick's tummy and wedged himself in between Rick and the rocking chair cushy.

My new beret that I just completed!

I also finished my hat!  It will match a scarf that I made.

Sometimes we all need a day like this one ~ filled with great food, friendship, hugs, cocoa, warm blankies and love, love, love! ♥

Thanks so much everyone! My love tank is filled!

Another Pet Rat Dies

11-16-11

Rick & Baby Mojo

Awww... Sleepy baby.

Good Boy, eat your veggie.

Check-in out his new tube house!

Baby Moj' and Momma!!

We think Little Moj' died from a twisted intestine.  He was quite the acrobatic rattie.  He would greet you by doing back flips!  Such a sweetheart, all full of energy. He was happy just sitting on your shoulder, peeking out from under your hair.

He'd gt real still while watching the cat, but when the other ratties were out and visiting, he wanted to get out and play, play, play! Such a sweetheart. 

We were only able to enjoy him for 16 days! That hardly seems fair.  Watching him die was painful. It would be painful watching any pet die. It would be painful watching anything die.  He died while being held.

You Are....

You are such a big help to me.

Both of you!

I needed to get so many things ready before I went in to work tonight.  I tend to get rushed a bit 'curt'. I may even hurt your feelings a bit.  However, there you are - helping me get everything done and accomplished.

Thank you so much for helping me!  You are a great pair - you two brothers! Helping us get ready to leave the house on time!

Love n' BIG hugs,
Mom

Waiting for Hubby To....

Matt arriving home after errands

with Sophie Baby!

I'm waiting for hubby to get home from work.  These last 15 minutes of the day, before he gets home, are the longest of my day!  I'm anxious. I'm excited. I'm impatient.  I'm also tired!

When he gets home, sometimes we all bombard him with our attention. It can be overwhelming.  The Leo-Kitty waits patiently by the side-door for him.  Sophie Bubbles greets him with whole-body tail wagging and whining.  We usually greet him all at the same time!  Sometimes the boys are at the door or in the dining room waiting.  Sometimes I'm at the door, unlocking it for him.  He can also find me in the recliner watching a good Doctor Who episode.  Sometimes there is a light on for him.

We can have ice water waiting ~~ or a cold beer!

It is the longest 15 min. of my day waiting to hear, "Honey, I'm home!"

I'm glad he likes to come home!

Ben the Wookie

Benny is my second son.

He rides shot-gun.

His hair is long and wavy.

He thinks his life is a bit crazy.

Like a Wookie, alot he can eat.

In arm wrestling, he can't be beat.

We started to call him Chewbaca,

'cause his height made you say ahh-ahhh.

Then big brother started drivin',

second son never mindin',

that in the passenger seat he had to be

That's when we heard Ben say, "I call Chewy!"

Chewy for Chewbaca

Riding shotgun in the Falcon

Han Solo at the gears

Space jumpin' thru the years.

Glad your truck doesn't have hyper-speed

'cause as your Mother, I'd surely need,

The Force to bring you home,

Safe and sound and in one piece.

Becoming Yoda at the door,

Tellin' your brother, "Fast drivin' you'll do no more."

Fortunately, for your Mother Dear,

 Rick is your bro, the truck is slow

and Luke and Han Solo are nowhere near.

It's The Most Wonderful Time, Of The Year

Ah-haaa! You started singing the Christmas song didn't you? 

I meant Autumn. I love Autumn!  I love the smells of the leaves and fires burning.  The sounds of the leaves falling and crunching under my shoes as I walk.  I can hear the chipmunk scurry along. The sky is so much clearer and more blue than during the hazy humid days of summer.

Pumpkins, golden fields, crisp mornings, hikes on the trails that don't make me sweat profusely.

Great hair days on which my curls are just WONDERFUL and well-behaved.

Cinnamon apple smells and tastes. Cobblers, ciders, punch, apple donuts with cinnamon sugar sprinkles.

Farmers' Markets with bulging baskets, boxes, trunks and truck beds.  Flea markets with baked goods from the Amish.

My husband's birthday. My oldest son's birthday. Thanksgiving.

Such joy, peace and serenity.

Hey Mom just testing to see if this works

Coolness! hahaha. I'm done with school for today just letting you know that!

Film Appreciation

One of your 'fun' classes for this year is a Film Appreciation class.  We are having so much fun with this one.  It's work too, but lots of fun and laughter to go along with the work.

The movie we watched today was Room For One More, with Cary Grant and Betsy Drake.

The movie was about a married couple that decides to take in one foster child and then a second.  The mother, Anna, also takes in stray dogs, cats and a rabbit.  The father, Poppy, has to come to terms with even less private time with his wife.

It's all good fun, but the film showed the struggles that they had with each child.  It touched me because Anna miscarried their last child and feels a bit empty. I can relate to that empty feeling - as well as wanting to be a foster mom.  Poppy is reluctant to take on older foster children, but he is the one that makes 'Room For One More'.  I can imagine my husband doing the same.

The next school year.

We have started our next hs'ing year.

You are a Sophomore and a Junior - 10th grade.... 11th grade.... I could hardly believe what my hand wrote. I really had to think.

It feels like just a few months ago that I took those precious Kindergarten First Day of School photos.

My heart is rejoicing and breaking all at the same time.  I am happy for you and for me. I am proud of you and me and your Dad.  I am breaking apart inside because this is a stage of my life also.  A stage that is ending.

I am also afraid of the future because I don't remember what I did before we hs'ed you. I don't remember life without reseaching and organizing fun school things!  I am afraid of the completion - of the done-ness. Afraid of the feeling of empty. I am afraid of not being useful!

What will I do with myself?

Firefly Season



Google Image Firefly



When I was a younger - about 1989, there was a firefly caught in a spider web.  My Mom and I were just coming home from Gramma Wille's.  It was dusk.  We pulled into the driveway to park and we noticed a firefly flashing away out of the corner of our eye.  Upon further inspection, we noticed that the firefly was not moving, just flashing.

That's when we realized that the firefly was caught in a spider's web by the house.  I totally freaked out.  I wanted to save the firefly, but was extremely terrified of spiders.  We went to look at the firefly and the web and noticed that the spider was coming out of hiding and heading straight towards the firefly!

I screamed, "Mom! We have to save the firefly! Kill the spider!  She tried to tell me that the spider needed to eat, that this was nature at her ugliest.  I didn't care!  Mom plucked the firefly out of the web and squished the spider with her shoe.  We took the firefly into the house. 

We found a canning jar and some grass and put the firefly into the jar.  He stayed there overnight and then the next day he looked GREAT!!!  I'm guessing that he was able to get all of the spider gunk off of his wings because he was moving just fine.  We released him the next night.

He crawled to the lip of the canning jar and stayed put for a moment.  Mom and I thought that maybe he liked us and didn't want to leave.  Then we thought maybe he was scared or thought it was a trap and we were going to be mean to him.  At any rate, he did leave the jar and flew off.  He flashed his little light right away and I knew he'd be alright.

From then on, Mom teased me about being part firefly.  We wondered every year if he came back to flash his light at us.

Well, tonight, all these years later, Rick and I were in the back gathering the damp-again-evening load of laundry.  Ricky noticed the fireflies before I did.  They were all over our heads, gently floating around.  Some landed on my hair, one landed on my arm and shoulder.  I put my hand out and under a firefly floating past me and he landed on my outstretched hand.  I wasn't the right girl for him, however, and he flew off - flashing his little light at me to say goodbye.

Ricky was totally impressed and said so over and over. I replied, "Well, you know... I am the Savior of Fireflies." and then we had to run inside because the mosquitoes were starting to feed!

Can you hear me now? What did you say??!!

We just bought Benny a new MP3 player for his birthday. I told him to open it up to make sure I bought the right one.  Upon trying to read the foreign language directions, he said, what Matt interpreted as: "Three whores and an empty dwarf."  Which was REALLY supposed to be: "...durante al menos tres horas antes del primer uso."  We have no idea really what that says specifically, just a general idea based on the English directions.

Anyway!! Benny tried. Matt said, "WHAT!!!???" Benny smacked Matt. Ricky almost chocked on his cake roll. I laughed hysterically.

An Evening With My Guys & Gramma

We went out last night. To the Vineyard. They have live music on Fridays. This Friday they had a talent show. We didn't realize it though, until we arrived.  Gramma had a "date" with Rick and went out to eat at Applebees.  I had Benny!  We then met up at the Vineyard.

It was a funny night. There was a guy there that played songs on a bicycle tire pump - he was pretty good because we all recognized the songs he played.  Two lovely young ladies sang two songs and I teased you that you should invite them to join the band.  Pat sang silly songs and brought out her violin.

Of course we all had a yummy sweet caffeinated beverage - "with whip" of course and I ordered a cuppa chili and White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.  Very yummy!

Gramma got tired early, so we took her home.  It was a fun night though - Thank you so much!