Memories of the Heart......

While attending my sister's wedding on August 4, 2007, my husband Elias and I got to visit with my cousins, Charise and Aimee. These girls and their sister Dawn and brother Joey are very special to us. When I moved to Florida after graduating in 1972, I moved in with their parents. During that time and after moving out, I continued to take the children places and spend time with them. I love being around the little ones. After marrying my husband, Elias, we would bring the kids down to our house for little vacations and sleep overs that continued when our own children were born.

At the wedding, the girls shared with us how much those visits meant to them and that those memories are some of their most vivid memories from their childhood. They told us what great times they had with us. They brought me to tears. You never know how much you can touch a life or what memories you can help to make.

God gave us the opportunity to provide childhood memories for these kids and we feel so blessed that they shared this with us.

Diane Henne and Don Reifinger Wed

Last weekend we attended the wedding of my sister and Don Reifinger in Pennsylvania. Here are pictures from the event. The nice thing was that I saw many people I had not seen in a long time. More on that in a later story.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Diane%20and%20Don%20Wed/

Parallel Parking in Philly!

She's done it! Our daughter, Jessie, who moved to Philly from Tampa a few months ago, has learned how to parallel park. During a visit last weekend, we experienced it first hand. Also pictured is the view looking down the steep hill from Jessie's apartment and also all the steps up just to get to her apartment house. There are three more sets of stairs inside!

Sewing for Alex!

Now that my daughter's baby shower is over I can post pictures of my latest creation. My daughter and her husband wanted a special nursery for their baby. This is the first project that I designed, sewed without a pattern and finished it quickly. My 1st grandchild inspired me.

I couldn't have done it without several friends........ Barbara Helms, boat designer, fish provider and general supporter and nag to get it done, Patty Pierson, hand sewer and helper with anything I needed done and Marijke Browning, artist who helped designe the octopus, crab, starfish and helped with the boat.

The picture above shows Debi opening the set at the baby shower. See the link below for more pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Crafts%20by%20Doris/For%20Alex/

Shower Held for Our 1st Grandchild!

A baby shower was held on July 28, 2007 at Palm Gardens Banquet Hall in Homestead in honor of our daughter, Deborah Ruiz and her husband, Eddy. Our 1st grandchild should be born in approximately one month. Here Debi and Eddy stand at the entrance of the hall with a poster of their past pictures.

Debi was surprised by over 55 guests including a surprise visit from her sister, Jessie, from Philly, Aunt Diane from Pa. and family friend, Nancy Kirmani from Maryland. Also surprising her were her babysitter, Lorie, from Tampa and Lorie's mom, Linda and Joan Sfakianos. Debi's kindergarten teacher was supposed to attend but had a death in the family but Robin Lodge from Florida City Elementary surprised Debi. Also traveling a ways was Sharon Rhyce from Tampa and Sandy D'Orazio from Cooper City.

Debi spent almost two hours opening the many gifts and our grandbaby is going to be well dressed and taken care of. Debi also opened a bumper pad and quilt set that I designed and sewed for her.

Go to the link below to see the pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Baby%20Shower%20July%2028%2007/?start=all

HOMESTEAD/FLORIDA CITY DOES HAVE GOOD TASTE!

South Florida does not only host a heck of a lot of wine drinkers...we also host our own winery. Two very nice residents, Peter and Denisse Schnebly have opened a winery right up the road from our home. Go to the link below to see the article on the winery. One more place to visit when you come to visit me!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19439584/from/ET/

Heisler's Dairy Bar...my first job!

My first job was scooping ice cream at Heisler's Dairy Bar. We had a wonderful time working there with Pearl and Morris Heisler. I used to call them Mom and Pop. We cemented many strong friendships that continue today by carpooling and working together. Nancy Fenstermacher, Diane Martin, Nancy Jones and Bonny Mohrbach to name a few! What great times we had. I think we should have paid them for working there as we really enjoyed it! Go to the link below to see a local newspaper article on the dairy. The new owner, Leonard, was just a little whipper snapper when we worked there! Every visit home includes a visit to Heisler's for a C.M.P. No one else makes them....vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, marshmallow creme and peanuts!

http://www.tnonline.com/node/186514