I had a friend. Her name was Julie. We had a really unique friendship. We didn't call each other every day, even though we were next door neighbors, but we knew we had a bond. She called us Lugie sisters because we discovered we both had Lithuanian heritage. We had disagreements. So what. Doesn't everyone? She was beautiful. A little crazy, a little over the top, and she was my friend. I am glad to have known her. Glad to have spent so many crazy moments with her. She loved her family. HARD! She actually loved everyone who needed love HARD! I admired her and yet I could be jealous of her. I got mad at her and wondered what to do the make it ok. She glowed at times and hid from everyone at times. She had a husband named Rick. He adored her. It showed. He smiled in her presence. Her two sons, I am sure will never be the same. I hope they will always remember the things their mother taught them. Julie had cancer. When she went through the treatments, she was up. She made everyone else think it was ok....It wasn't....But from the time she found out, she made everyone else think it was ok. She always told her boys they were special. What a nice thing to grow up thinking. I will always be appreciative for the time I had with Julie. I hope in her heart she felt the same way. She is an angel now. God is lucky to have her with him. We will certainly miss her here on earth. The moments we had that drove us apart, are stopped in time now, to relish the fun and fabulous times we had in our crazy neighborhood together. Julie, I hope our last conversation we had together, was as important to you as it was to me. Hill Court is not the same, will never be the same, and is very sad tonight.

Ava Katherine Vinson....daughter of Christopher and Jessica Vinson

Her name is Ava. She is beautiful. She is sweet. She was ours and now she is gone. She is in a place we all want her to be....But we want her here with us! We were not ready for this! We need to turn back time! She is in heaven and God is with her. She was so small and yet the memory of her is so huge. It hurts.....

How are we to fathom the loss of a beautiful child? What is there to do? How do we go on? I can't even imagine the deepness of the grief, the emptiness of the soul. Whether you have them for twenty years, two years...a minute, they were still yours, you wanted them to be yours forever, and you are not, absolutely NOT ready to let them go. And yet you must. You don't get to be the one to decide. It is not fair, it is not right, it is hurtful. But in your heart you know where they are and who is taking care of them now. You know now that happiness and light is all that surrounds them, a gentle hand and spirit is with them at all times. But your heart still hurts, you feel an ache you can't describe. God is with you to help you get through the worst. But how can you just let go? Let God have his way? Those are answers only a parent who has lost a child can answer. I imagine there has to be much soul searching and prayer. Many days of waiting for the pain to get alittle better, the void in your heart to fill. You will never forget, you will always be ever mindful of the presence you had in your home for however long you had them. But in time peace will come, and remembering will hurt less. You will start to hear people talking again, you will enjoy laughter and love again. I can only imagine this because it is not me. But I am here, and so are many others ready to lift a hand to help. Time is such a great healer. People say that... I hope they are right.

It has been awhile since I have written. I wanted to take this moment to say Happy New Year to all of my loved ones. I truly mean HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I have heard so many people say they can't wait for the year to end. Some sound like they have had the worst year ever. They can't seem to think of one good thing to say about 2009. If this is you, think again. Try to think back into the entire year. Look at every day carefully. Was it really ALL bad? There are 365 days in that year. Can you think of some days of joy? A day when something brought a smile to your face? How about a day that something good happened to someone else you know, and that made you happy. If you truly feel like it was the worst year ever, I feel for you. I hope 2010 is a better year . One way to make it better is to look outside yourself. If you think you had it bad, look around you. Look to the left and right of you. Pick up a newspaper and read the headlines. I am sure there is someone you know who has had it worse than you. And if you do, reach out to them. Extend a hand, a kind word, an offer of some kind of help. Do this and you will automaticly feel better about your own problems. In all life has to offer, being a friend, showing some kindness to another, smiling when you don't really want to, is the key to a happy year. Only you can make you happy. Make up your mind that THIS is going to be your best year ever. That is what I have chosen to do. That is my only resolution. I CHOOSE to make this the happiest year! Not only for me, but for everyone around me. I want to extend the hand of friendship, rebuild old broken bridges, refresh the friendships I already have, and start new ones. I choose to look outside myself and try to be more in tune with other peoples feelings. I will be that person who can be depended on to lift you up not bring you down. I am not trying to minimize your bad days. Bad days are what they are. I am challenging you to move on from those bad days, take whatever you can salvage from them, move forward with a new perspective. Look to the next day with a song in your heart and a smile on your face. Here comes 2010. I am ready. I am determined. THIS WILL BE A GREAT YEAR!!!!! I have taken a look at last year. The good, the bad, the ups and downs. I will be learning from this and taking it forward into the new year.......Now when I say to you Happy New Year, I will be saying it with the knowledge that it will be true. I wish you many things for next year. Many blessings, joy, strength for what ever comes your way. And I am letting each and every one of you know I am here. Waiting to be your friend, waiting to help make your year as good as I intend mine to be. There is strength in numbers. Let's do this together..... love to all. Be safe and enjoy your last day of 2009.

All day today there has been something eating at me. In the back of my mind...hidden somewhere trying to get out. I really hate when that happens. You don't know if you have forgotten someones birthday, or an appointment. If you were suppposed to baby sit someones children, or be dog sitting someones dog. There could be so many things. Sometimes I walk into a room only to wonder why I am in that room. Where did I put my glasses? And in my case that could mean walking into walls. I have caught myself trying to put ice cream in the cabinet and salt in the freezer. What could possibly keep my mind so locked up? Have you ever found yourself at a stop light, and as the light turns green, trying to remember where you are? And there is always, where are my car keys. I guess that is better than where is my car. Never can find my purse, wallet or necklaces. But believe you me, I can remember each and every girl my husband has ever met, dated, or thought about dating. I can remember almost 35 years ago, the face of my beautiful newborn baby. I can remember like it was yesterday my first kiss, my first ride in a car alone, and so many trivial things...I just can't remember what I was supposed to do today. If anyone has a clue about that, please let me know. ....I hope I remember who you are...

My baby turned 29 years old today. TWENTYNINE!!! I can hardly believe it. I remember so well looking at that babyface for the first time. All of my children really. They are all adults, and I still feel like the young mother I was then...in my heart. My body is another blog. It is an amazing advendture motherhood. So much the rollercoatster ride. You never really know how you are going to feel until you just get on that ride. Will you be scared? Will you have fun? Is it going to hurt? Is your heart going to jump right out of your chest? Are you going to be bored? The answer to all of the those questions is yes..OH! Except the bored one. No mother is ever bored with children. But the rest of the answers are YES!! You will have all of those feelings as a mother and probably a few more hiding in the wings. But each and every feeling has a place in your heart. You learn so much from your children. Mine have definetly taught me laughter, and ....well.....fear. Fear because they are always so fearless. When they wanted something, they seemed to have no fear. No fear of the parents, (and believe me they should have had fear) no fear of the consequences. They just bullied in, or snuck around, and did it,until they were caught. But then... they were full of love...(But I LOVE you mom). See, love and fear. Is it worth the motherhood ride? It most certainly is!!! Wouldn't trade it for the world. I hope both them and I learned something from the ride to adulthood. To this day they are still fearless. They know what they want (and I know better than to try to tell them what is good for them)and they go and get it. I wished they would stay babies forever, but I love the adults they are now just as much. And now I have grandchildren!!! Now THEY make my body know its age. Picking up a 20 pound baby is not as easy as it used to be. I could balance a baby on one hip, hold the hand of the other going up a flight of steps to make sure the oldest got to dance class. Now I huff and puff just going up a flight of steps...I get confused and forget what I was talking about....did I mention my baby turned 29 today?

Being Gluten Free

I think today since my friend Mary was waiting on my blog, I am going to talk about something she is very involved with. A gluten free diet. Mary has two children on this diet and has had her whole kitchen changed because of it. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats, and other whole grains. There are a multitude of men, women and children with an intolerance to it. People with Celiacs desease can have serious health issues of they stray off the gluten free path. Children with Autism have had amazing results when their parents have the patients and the time to search for gluten free products that the kids will even eat. New recipes are learned, and thank goodness for the internet. You can find so many interesting articles and ideas. There are old companies like Betty Crocker and Green Giant coming out with new labels and changed recipes. Side effects of gluten range from bloating, skin disorders, focus isssues, and personality changes. It would surprise you to know that by just eating a peice of bread a child with and allergy to gluten could go into a full blown attack and have to be rushed to the hospital. Now my friend Mary has had more than her share of learning experiences. She should blog recipes for those of you who are just getting started. She can make just about anything and her kids are better because of it. Eating this lifestyle is not easy, it is daunting, and alot of hard work, but if you committ to it, search out allies, and use the web, you should be able to be successful.

Good afternoon everyone. It is a beautiful fall day and the sun is finally shining. I need to get up and take a walk or something. Shouldn't waste these days, winter is just around the corner. Thinking of winter has brought me to Christmas. Can you believe how soon it is going to be here? I think we will be doing alot of shopping online. With all of the craziness with the flu and such, I really don't want to take the chance. Even though I am dosing myself with all of the anti-virals, I still think I will try to stay safe. We are trying to save money now in readiness of the Christmas shopping and I really think not going into the stores and price comparing online can save quite a bit. When you are at home, you are not getting caught up in the energy of the music and the people. Plus, if you shop out of the house, you usually end up eating out. Another rather hefty price tag sometimes. Using a list really helps me too. I try not to just buy something because it is on sale. Getting a feel for what people want instead of a sale price makes me feel better anyway. Sooooo, let the fun begin! Let me know the things you want so I can start the shopping flurry. Now my friends, I think I am going to put Christmas away for at least and hour, and go outside to enjoy the fall that is already here!!!

The Facebook addiction

Gotta love Facebook. In five minutes this morning I already knew my youngest daughter was out of bed, my grandmother was having hip surgery, and my brother-in-law was in the ER. My addiction to this website is because of these things. I can see my sons feelings about just about anything, keep up on cousin activities, and chat with friends. I can read my daughters blog, see pictures of my grandchildren, and share pictures with everyone. There are relatives on there that I am getting to know better, friends of friends that I am reading stories about, and all around having a great time. The only downside to this, I can't get off of the computer. I can play scrabble with an unlimited number of people, start new and interesting websites, chat at the same time that I am taking my turn in scrabble and eat a sandwich. My butt and back are complaining,but I can't stop myself. Somebody please call me and talk to me in real voices, ask me to go somewhere with you, take me for a walk, a ride in the car, tell me to get up and get a shower,.....HELP!!!

Hello everyone! Well I am here to report that the advice about vitamin D, plus the emergenc and whatnot acutally works. I feel much better today and am looking forward to a cough free, mucus free weekend. Oh, and let's not forget the sauna. I think I will try that again tonight before bedtime. I am fortunate because my honey has built a sauna in our basement. We are going to visit my youngest daughter in Fishers Indiana this weekend for her birthday. She is a teacher, so I need to take her a care package with all of the germ fighters. She teaches first grade so she is constantly exposed. Sometimes, all of the handwashing in the world isn't enough. I have a habit of forgetting to take the things I need, or do the things I need to stay healthy. I KNOW I should exercise, I KNOW I should eat more fruits and vegetables, I KNOW I should drink more water. Shouldn't it be easy? We all know what to do...we all want to do it....why don't we? It SHOULD be so easy, but it isn't. There are too many other things to do when it comes to getting up and working out....there are too many places to eat, with too many unhealthy yummy choices, and water doesn't taste near as good as a soda. Did you know that carbonated beverages deplete your bones of calcium? I think I am going to challenge myself and all of you to make a change today. Even if it is as small as drinking one less can of pop or taking twenty extra steps. Let's see what we can do to live one extra year, lose one extra pound......LET'S GET GOING!!!

Well there you have it. I didn't follow my own advice and now I feel like I am getting a cold. I DID start with all of the things I told you to do to stay ahead of the dreaded cold. But just not soon enough. But here is the thing. I visited with my beautiful grandchildren last night...my beautiful, snotty nosed, coughing, grandchildren. I love these kids with all of my heart, so when Maggie went to give me a kiss(look out, here comes the snot), she got me right in the mouth, snotty nose and all. I tried not to think of what would happen because all I wanted was that doggone kiss. Now I tried to get one from Carter as well, but instead I got a kick in the shin. No harm, no foul, (can't get a cold from that). Thank goodness Maiya was well so I could get lots of love from her. Now I am left with what to do. So here is what I did. Drank 2 emergenC packets in a glass of water, took some echinacha and Zinc. Swallowed some pomegranete extract, made a beef roast with a ton of onions and fresh garlic(also good for germs if I didn't tell you). Now I am drinking tons of water, getting in the sauna and hoping for the best. I will let you know what becomes of me. If you don't hear from me for a few days, you will know.

products I love

Yesterday I talked about some of the products I have learned to use for flu season. Here are some of my tried and true products for some other areas. Still on the thought of cold and flu. "Cold and Allergy "season made by Zand. I love this product if in fact you couldn't stay ahead of the cold, or if allergies plague you. I have referred this to many people and use it myself. It really opens up the sinus cavities for you. Another one of my favorite products, and this is for depression," rhodiola", made by Natures Plus, I prefer the timed release version. I have used this for just a feel good product, but it also gives energy and keeps you on an even keel. It also boasts anti stress properties as well. If you are looking for a product to cleanse with there are many. But a simple liver cleansing product is Milkthistle, made by any company. There is also a very good formula called "The perfect cleanse". you can get the book with the formula at health food stores. It is a mixture of organic lemons, grade b maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and filtered water. If you are having skin issues or have a cough that won't quit, just feeling run down, a cleanse might be the answer. We get so many toxins in our bodies, sometimes the body just needs a little help getting rid of them. Oh, and if you just can't breathe and nothing else helps, try a netti pot. You pour saline into your nostrils and clear them of mucus. The pot looks like Aladins lamp. Kinda cool really. I hope these little tidbits help. I have more, but not enough time, and some I would like to research again before I put them out there. Have a great day everyone!!!

Let's stay ahead of the flu

With all of the nasty flu and virus activity going around, I thought I would use my blog for alittle "let's try to stay healthy" chat. People run to the doc for a fix after the fact, I thought maybe I could give you some pointers for what to do to keep yourself ahead of the game. There are several products on the market that are anti viral. Vitamin C being a good one. There is a product out there called EmergenC from Alacer. There are several different flavors and one of them is focused on the immune system. You can buy this at Walgreens. They even have their own brand of this product. If you have never tried this, I suggest you do. Not only is it good for your immune system, it gives you great energy. Many B vitamins, you just put a packet or two in water and sit back and be amazed. Better than any energy drink out there. Also for keeping you out of sick mode is olive leaf, oil of oregano, colloidal silver and grapefruit seed extract. All of these are helpful in your fight to stay well. I worked in a health food store for 5 years and the owner would have employees take these during cold and flu season. I would rather take something as easy as these, than take my chances with the flu shot. And don't even get me started on shots of any kind. There is the "wash your hands" approach as well. Stay away from crowds as much as poss. too. I think I will be doing alot of Christmas shopping on line this year. Oh, another product I feel is good for you to do instead of antibiotics is acidophilus. This product is great for balancing the bacteria in the body. Yogurt carries these properties but you can get it in pill form at higher dosages. I hope this helps some of you keep your health in check. There is so many nasty germs out there. Good luck.

Wow, can sisters be fun!!! As I have said before, laughter IS the best medicine. The four of us should not need a vacine if that is the case. Maybe I should introduce my sisters. They are in order, Terry, Suzy, and Meghan.We range in age from 54(that is me) to 35(Meghan). We spent three short days doing everything from campfires, scrabble, and Chipshawana, to eating and making fun of our shortcomings. We made a deal that whatever happens at the cabin stays at the cabin so I can't go into what the shortcomings are, just let it be said it was hilarious. There is alot to be said for a cabin on the water. The mornings were beautiful, swans were aswimming, and chipmunks were aplaying. There was a mist on the water that was inspiring. I almost broke out in song several times. They would have stopped me if I would have. We reminised about our childhood, and I think our parents would be pleased to know we feel we were very blessed in that respect. We had the normal rebellions and really thought we knew more than our parents, (we now agree we were wrong). All in all it was just what we all needed. There is a bond with siblings that is so important. In those kinds of relationships, you always know someone has your back. ALWAYS. Friends come and go, and the ones who stay are also your family, but growing up in the same house with the same day to day for on the average 18 of your most vulnerable years is the glue that cannot come appart. I am pleased that we had this time and hoping to make it a yearly thing and as all of our daughters grow, to add them as well. Woman of families unite! It makes your day to day easier when you have those friends....your sisters....your heart....

Well friends, today is the big day. SISTERS WEEKEND!!!  We are all so excited!!! The four sisters together for the first time ever, alone with each other to talk about anything and everything. A cottage on a lake, campfires, snacks, and time to really get to know everything we choose to share about each others lives. It is hard when family gets spread out, whether it is siblings, children, or parents. But the beauty of family is that no matter where you are or how long it has been, you just pick up where you left off and run. I am a big talker so it doesn't take long for you to catch up with me, I have no secrets and probably tell more than I should, but I believe if you really want to know someone, you let it all hang out and it is share and share alike. I am fortunate to have a family background with all of the love and no bitterness. This makes family get togethers so much fun. We all try to have each others backs even if we don't agree from time to time. I also am fortunate to have that kind of relationship with my children. They are all unique and I embrace their differences. And I hope they feel the same about me, (they happen to have a very different mother). As I have said from the beginning, my life is my family, and I can't wait for this part of my family weekend to begin. I will fill you in on Monday....no personal stuff though, just the fun facts.....

making a good day from a bad

Hello everyone, what a great day! Started the day out thinking I was going to be sick in bed. Turns out I just had a case of the nasty weather blues. My friend Deb and I had plans to go to lunch today,(which I almost canceled}. We went ahead and hit a Mexican place here in our home town. Small, cute place, great food. We had a good visit and then decided to go shopping. We went to all of the craft stores and got some great ideas for Christmas. Then we remembered the new Big Lots store opened so we took a little toodle over there. Not so impressed. But if anyone is looking for something fun and creative they can do for someone for the holidays, they have the neatest jewelry making supplies out there. It all looks super simple to do and I am seriously thinking about starting a new hobby. Every shape and size of beads, charms and chains to put them on. I am thinking I should buy a kit and have a jewelry making party. Anyone interested? until next time.   ME

Well my friends, this is my first attempt at blogging. I am not quite sure about it,but here goes. Today is a pretty rotten day as far as the weather goes, so it is a perfect day to jot down my thoughts. Since I have been out of work, I have been trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I am thinking, since I talk as much as I do, I may as well write it down for money. I am missing my kids and grandkids lately, wish they didn't live so far away. Everyones lives are so busy these days. We all need to take the time to enjoy ourselves. Last night my cousin Bindy came over and we spent half the night playing scrabble. We always have such a great time. You wouldn't think a board game would be so funny but you would have to know Bindy. She is a party all by herself. Laughter is such and important element in life. I always feel so good after a good laugh, don't you? It is really hard to get up and going when the weather is dreary don't you think? I need to get going. Need to go to the mall to get something for my sisters. We are having our first sisters weekend. All four of us are meeting in a cabin in Michigan to talk about what ever we want, and I am hoping.......laugh!!!