No. 10 on my Christmas Wish List has been Given!

This past weekend my son Danny, his girlfriend, Amanda and our daughter, Debi came to our home to accomplish number 10 on my wish list. Now I know it was the least expensive thing but it was time consuming. The kids got all the Christmas bins (about 20) down from the attic in our rear garage and brought them up to the house. The tree was put up and the platform area under the tree was completed. I'll post pictures later but we have a tree that has a deformed trunk. It looks like the leaning tower and there is no way to straighten it up but hey....it is unique. Now all I have to do is to finish all the other rooms. Pictures will be posted later.

The Boys....

This past Sunday our son, Danny and our grandson, Alex decided to take a little swing on the hammock at our house. I don't know if you think the same thing but think I they both have an "I'm up to no good" look!

South Dade Community Choir Performs for Christmas

I am a member of the South Dade Community Choir. Our choir will be presenting our Christmas Concert as follows:

December 1st, 2007 - 7 p.m. at New Beginnings Church in Homestead -

Biscayne Drive by Community Bank

December 2nd, 2007 - 3 p.m. - Keysgate Clubhouse

December 9th, 2007 - 7 p.m. at South Winds Christian Church.

The concerts are full of exciting music and the best thing is that entry is free. What a nice way to start the holiday.

For more information, please feel free to contact me at 305-972-5460.

All I Want For Christmas.....is NOT my two front teeth!

Don't take this e-mail too seriously. Just laugh and go along with it. Live up to the challenge.

Everyone asks...."What do you want for Christmas?" and no one ever answers with what they really want! One year an attorney friend asked me what I was wanted for Christmas. I told him that I was going to ask for mud flaps for my truck. I was truthful...he was stunned that a woman over 50 would want mud flaps for her truck! I received the mud flaps and it was the best gift I got that year! Ha! Everyone knows my red truck is my baby.

In thinking about it....this year...I have decided that everyone should let loose and really say want they want or something that they like. I am going to do just that! Below is a list of things that I just might like to have and won't necessarily buy for myself. I will update this list from time to time as I think of things. Now...before I get a thousand nasty e-mails about how selfish I am, think about it.....I am not saying that I want all of this...I'm just listing some things I think about or things I like.

NOW THE CHALLENGE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I ask that everyone reading this article , family, friend or stranger, leave a comment at the bottom with a little list of their own. I decided it is not being selfish...it's just telling the truth.

Hopefully...this will solve the problem of getting a new sweeper, dust rag, perfume you don't like or something else. Some lists prove to be very varied and interesting.

It goes without saying that all of us would like peace in this world and some of you will say....oh gee...I don't want anything. Come on now...there has got to be at least one thing.

Come on....what would you like.....hints to your spouse.......chores you would like done....family...children.....have at it......send me your list in comments below this story!!!!!!

Crazy things I dream of......

1. A Cargo Space Pack for my pick up - 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 found at http://www.merikor.com/

2. A docking station for my Ipod - the mini one = so that I can play music in my sewing room or any other room.

3. A really good quilt stand or a gift certificate from Joann Fabrics to go toward the cost of one or for sewing supplies.

4. A good pen that writes in blue ink....blue is what I have to use for work. No gel pens allowed.

5. An I-tunes gift card.

6. A comfy chair for my sewing room so that I can sit and do my hand stitching and watch tv.

7. Bright red salt and pepper shakers.

8. My kitchen and family room painted.

9. Dog proof chicken coop with chickens and one rooster. (No...I'm not crazy...just diverse!)

10. Someone to decorate my Christmas tree (the forest usually and I don't do heights) and help me decorate the house...I even decorate the bathrooms!

11. A Rowenta iron for my sewing.

12. A combination machine with side by side expresso and coffee maker.

13. Opal earrings - my birthstone.

14. A male and female finch with cage (my husband will kill me)!

15. A crucifix necklace.

16. A facial

17. Christmas dishes

I'll update this but hope you will respond with your list in the comments. I'll be looking for your comments.

Be truthful!!!! I have it from a great source that SANTA CLAUS READS MY BLOG and besides...it is so nice to dream!!!!!

Grammy's Boy Has Grown!!!!!

Of course you must know that while I was gone for a week on my recent trip, I missed my new grandson, Alex, so much. Yes...I missed his mommy and daddy too and my husband but oh boy....was it ever hard being away from Alex!

I don't know if it was guilt or the desire to see what Grammy bought for Alex that encouraged my daughter, Debi, to bring him down to see me first thing on Sunday. Whatever it was....I'm happy she did.

Our boy has grown. He is big now. Here is a picture of him taking a nap in our hammock on Sunday. Yes...he's wearing his Miami Dolphin outfit before he outgrows it! Ha!

Thanksgiving and Snow in Pa.

This year I traveled to Pa. by myself to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family for the first time in years. My daughter, Jessie, who lives in Philly was also able to join us. My brother Jay and I did all the cooking and baking. We enjoyed every minute of it.

The first day I arrived it began snowing and continued snowing for a total of about 6 inches of snow. On Thanksgiving it was so warm that it melted. I haven't seen snow in years!

My brother Jay lives in Brockton, Pa. behind a home owned by the Fabrizios who present a huge holiday display and takes donations for Make a Wish. It was great to see the display. The family really is dedicated to provided enjoyment to the community.

Please go to the link below to see all the pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Thanksgiving%20in%20Pa%202007/?action=view&slideshow=true

Tamaqua Class of 72....Friends Forever!

While in Pa. for my mom's party and Thanksgiving, I was able to visit with some great friends from high school. Pictured below are Nancy Fenstermacher and myself with our long neck pumpkins (it's a long story) and also pictured are left to right....Kathy Jones Krapf, Barb Koch Hill, Diane Martin Mountz, me and Deb Meredith Delp. It is so nice to stay close to such great friends.

Surprise!

A surprise party was held on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 at the Elks Club in Tamaqua, Pa. for my Mom, Marian Hollenbach and my Uncle, Robert Krapf (Unky). Unky just turned 70 and my mom will be 80 on December 27th. I flew to Pa. to surprise my Mom and I was the booby prize behind curtain number 1.

We told each of them that it was a party for each other and to keep it a secret. My mom was totally shocked. Classmates, family and friends attended for both of the birthday children.

Please go to the link below for more pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Surprise%20-%2011-07/?action=view&current=100_2054.jpg&slideshow=true&interval=3

MY BABIES.....

Here are recent pictures of my babies. Alex has started wearing....I mean eating cereal! I think he has more on him that in the belly. Debi is doing well after her surgery and is getting around more with baby Alex. He loves being outside.

THE BIG BAD WOLF AND THE 3 LITTLE PIGS

STARRING

CADE, ELLASON, MCKENNA AND PRESLEY KNOUSE!

Here is the picture of the Knouse children in Tampa. I made Cade's costume to go along with the three little pigs that his mom, Tara, found. Not only are they cute....they are a pleasure to be around! Knouse number 5 is on the way!

ALL ARE WELL!

DEBI - Just a note to let everyone know that our daughter, Debi, is doing well. Debi had surgery last Tuesday and had her gall bladder taken out. She came home from the hospital on Wednesday. I baby sat our grandson, Alex, so Eddy could be with Debi. They are now back home trying to get back into a routine with the baby.

MOM - My mom is now back at her home for the first time in about 4 weeks. You may recall that she went into the hosptial for compression fractures, had a pace maker put in, had a punctured lung and was really down and out. She spent a week at my sisters and went home yesterday. She is week but coming along.

We pray that everyone stays healthy now!

Never Ask What Else Can Go Wrong! Our Daughter, Debi, is in the Hospital.

I was on my trip this weekend when I received a call from my daughter who was crying that she was going to be admitted to the hospital. You may recall that she had her appendix taken out several years ago and had bad results from that surgery. She just gave birth in September and she was upset. Bottom line.....Debi had surgery today and had her gall bladder taken out. She did well and hopefully will be home tomorrow. Alex, my grandson, is missing his mommy. I have been babysitting and it is quality bonding time. Today is much better than yesterday as we have finally figured out each other's routine. We went for a long walk this morning and he is very content. Debi will be home tomorrow and Eddy will be taking off of work for the next week. He has been with Debi at the hospital and wanted to know if they could also take out her tonsils as that was the only other thing he thought that could go wrong! Ha!

The Palma Maria, Mt. Dora and FRIENDS!

This past weekend was my annual trip to Mt. Dora for their annual craft fair. This year I was accompanied by my friend, Nancy Kirmani from Maryland, Barbara Helms and Patty Pierson from Homestead. We traveled to my sister-in-law's home in Maitland, near Orlando, on Friday. Saturday morning we went to the craft fair where we were met by my friend Marcie Heese, her husband Phil, their daughter Jennifer and her boyfriend James, Nancy's husband, Oscar and Barbara's friend Judy. We walked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the end of the day I received a phone call from my daughter saying she was being admitted to the hospital. We decided to leave the next morning but go to dinner at the Palma Maria in Maitland.

The Palma is owned and run by Anna, Mary Ann, Palma and Pete Rosinola(sp?)from Tamaqua. They used to have a restaurant right in front of my home in Tamaqua, Pa. Of course, a great time was had by all and they always treat us like family. My guests were drooling over the great Italian cooking. It is the best! And oh...their peanut butter pie, banana cream pie and other desserts are to die for!

As I sat reflecting the next day, a tear came to my eye as I realized that at this dinner, I was surrounded by my best friends in the world and there is nothing like having friends at your side. My friends from the Palma who treat me like I am their sister who comes to visit. My childhood friend Nancy who was there with me since elementary school. My friend Marcie who has been there since we met when our daughters were infants. My friend Patty who I met at a craft group and has hung in there with me. My friend Barbara who is my faith partner as well as my friend. She has seen me through thick and thin and stays by my side....all my friends have helped me through life and still love me! Friends are what it is all about.

Here are pictures from our dinner. Pictured left to right are Barbara Helms, Nancy and Oscar Kirmani, Anna, Palma, Mary Ann, myself, Patty Pierson and Marcie Heese.

Next Weekend.....Mt. Dora or bust!

Next weekend is the annual Craft Fair in Mt. Dora, Florida. If you can....you need to attend. It is an event like no other. I will be traveling there along with several friends. I'll keep you updated!

G O C A N E S!

This past weekend my husband, my daughter, Jessie, and myself

traveled to Tallahassee for the FSU vs. Miami game. We left early Friday morning and drove to Tampa to pick up Jessie who had flown to Tampa from her home in Philly to do some temporary work in Tampa. We then traveled on to Tallahassee where we were the guests of my former classmate, Nancy Everhart and her husband, Harry. Nancy and Harry were very instrumental in assisting my family after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Upon arriving at the Everhart home, we were shown our quarters. Our daughter claimed the suite above the new workshop that they had built and we were given a beautiful room and bath in the house. We talked, we ate and laughed!

On Saturday we tailgated with friends of the Everharts....of course...they were FSU fans but they were great people. We had one other Wisconsin fan who was a friend of a nephew visiting one of the friends. Harry and his friends have the saving of the spot down to a science. They go early and put cars in place and the tent up! We had great food....great drinks and great friendship.

The game. What can I say? It really did not matter who won as it was a great game with continuous action and up until the last minute, you didn't know who was going to win! We had great seats and the weather was in the high 70's.

Sunday morning we left to drive back to Tampa, drop Jessie off for her flight and then travel home.

What a great weekend thanks to our dear friends, the Everharts!

Here are a few pictures including one with Nancy and Harry. Oh....by the way.....my daughter has a really bad habit of getting ready to take someone pictures and then flipping the camera on herself. This ones for you Jessie!!! A self portrait! No....I will not remove it!

Introducing Olivia Rhianne Rosengren

This past weekend we were fortunate enought to drive to Tampa to visit friends and attend the baby shower for a young lady who used to be my children's baby sitter when they were little. Lorie and her husband Richard have just adopted a little girl who is one week younger than my new grandson, Alex. Please go to the link below and view their meeting.

God could not have given Olivia better parents, better Grandman, Linda, Aunt Tanya, Uncle John and good cousins, Sarah and Jonathan! He knew what he was doing when he blessed them with her.

Click on link below......

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Olivia%20Rhianne/

Cade is my Favorite Wolf!!

Cade is my daughter Jessie's best friend's son. He is 5 and is the older brother of three sisters and another sibling is on the way! Cade's mommy found three little pig costumes for the younger girls but couldn't find a wolf costume for Cade so Jessie asked me if I would make it. It was hard to determine what a wolf looks like without being too scarey but I think you will agree by the pictures that Cade is one good looking wolf! I had the pleasure of personally delivering his outfit to Tampa this weekend. More pictures as soon as the three pigs get their costumes and their mommy, Tara, sends pictures.

Alexander Elias Ruiz is Christened.

Our grandson, Alexander Elias Ruiz, was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 1:30 p.m. on October 6, 2007. Alexander was dressed in a bubble romper that was made by his Grammy...me! It featured a pleated bodice with buttons, a bow tie, Peter Pan Collar and an embroidered cross on the belly.

Alex's Godfather is Daniel Jay Meneses, his Uncle on his mother's side and Godmother is Yesenia Nelson, his second cousin on his father's side.

The ceremony was presided over by Father James McCreanor and over 30 family and friends were in attendance to see Alex baptized. A reception followed at his Grammy and Papi's house.

Go to the link below to see the pictures and click on "slideshow" in the upper right of the picture. Make sure you view the captions on the pictures.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Alexander/Alex%20-%20Baptism/

My New Kitchen Counter

This week we installed granite on our kitchen counters. We used to have beige ceramic tile which was nice but the grout was a pain and a few of the tiles were chipped. Here is the before and the after...it is great.

Happy Birthday Daniel Jay Meneses!

Our baby boy, Danny, will turn 31 years old tomorrow and unfortunately, is out of town for work. We wish you a very very special day as your parents are so proud of you! You were a wonderful little boy who has grown into a fantastic young man!

Mami and Papi love you tremendously!

Oh Baby!!!

Our grandson, Alex, is two weeks old today. He is already changing and is awake more often. On Saturday he will be baptized.

The Feeling of Being Blessed......

Today I have had time to reflect on the events of yesterday and how blessed I feel I am. My daughter and son-in-law requested that I be the extra person attending the labor and delivery of my first Grandson. I am reflecting what I gained yesterday....

Besides a beautiful gift from God, Alexander Elias Ruiz, I also was able to be blessed in other ways....

• I was able to feel like I was an integral part of delivering God's gift.
• I was able to see the gift of true love and dedication that my daughter and her husband have for each other.
• I was able to experience the true love that the children have for me.
• I am able to realize that aging is a wonderful gift from God as I am given more blessings along the way.

God was with us in that labor and delivery room and his presence was felt. When I was handed the baby for the first time...maybe 10 minutes after he was born, God led my hands as I didn't plan it, but I made the sign of the cross on his forehead and blessed Alex in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

What more can I ask for in life..........................

ALEXANDER ELIAS RUIZ

Born on September 17, 2007 at 6:47 or 6:43... p.m.

Weight - 8 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 inches long

Mom, Dad and Grammy were present. Mom did a great job and Daddy was fantastic!

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Alexander/?action=view&current=AlexandGrammy2.jpg

Go to the link above and you will see me and my Grammy and also the slide show from my birthday!!!

Latest Baby Report.........

Here is a note from Debi and Eddy after today's doctor appointment. The pictures are of Debi today.

Hello to all:

I just wanted to let everyone know that it doesn't look like ALex will be born on his due date which is tomorrow...instead, if he is not born by Monday September 17, 2007 I will be induced at 7:00am. The doctor still thinks that he will come before that, although he has been saying that for two weeks! Eddy and I are extremely excited and just tired of waiting! Hopefully the next time you hear from us there will be pictures of our little boy attached!

Love,
Eddy & Debi

Are all Men Stubborn from Birth?

My daughter Debi, who is 9 months pregnant and is beginning to resemble the Michelin girl, is wondering if all men are stubborn. Last week it seemed that all signs were a go for her baby, a boy, to be born. No such luck......through hours of pains with come and go contractions....no baby. Her official due date is September 12th but the doctor said last week that all was ready and he probably would not see her for her next appointment. Well....she's still here and she's still pregnant. I told her husband to hold a flashlight at the "entrance" and yell.,..."go to the light Alex....go to the light!" They are about ready to try anything! We'll let you know when that stubborn boy decides to come out!

15 YEARS AGO TODAY....WHERE WERE WE?
15 years ago today we were walking around in a fog. The previous night was spent huddled in a hallway on a soaking wet floor.....praying that we would live through the monster that was trying to destroy the home we had built and lived in for not even a year. No words were spoken during that storm as the winds were deafening but a volley of prayers were aimed at the heavens and our Father to keep our family and friends alive. We prayed for our daughter, Jessie, who was on a trip in the Bahamas and could not get off the island. We feared for her life and later found out that she did not have to experience the wrath of the storm like we did.

In a small hallway, my husband, our son Danny, daughter Debi and friends, Marcie, Phil and their children, Jonathan and Jennifer huddled together in fear.

We survived but we will never forget..................never!!! It was the hardest life lesson.....for the first time in our lives we felt unable to protect our children and that is a parents' job. Hopefully we will never again experience that feeling. We learned the true value of family and friends.

My youngest daughter always said afterward...."Mami....please don't let it rain." How does a mother stop the rain?

Hurricane Andrew....August 24, 1992.
See pictures at http://www.local10.com/slideshow/weather/13966131/detail.html

Nine Month Report.....

Our daughter Debi, married to Eddy Ruiz...my favorite son-in-law, is in her ninth month of pregnancy. Her due date is officially September 12th but they say that the baby is already approximately 6.5 lbs. and is big and in position.

Debi has been having a lot of pain and I just thought she was being a whimp. Well...the doctor has diagnosed her with pelvic separation. This is a rare condition that happens during pregnancy and causes extreme pain

Its symptoms often include one or more of the following:

pubic pain
pubic tenderness to the touch;

lower back pain, especially in the sacro-iliac area
difficulty/pain rolling over in bed
difficulty/pain with stairs, getting in and out of cars, sitting down or getting up, putting on clothes, bending, lifting, standing on one foot, lifting heavy objects, etc.
sciatica (pain in buttocks and down the leg)
"clicking" in the pelvis when walking
waddling gait
difficulty getting started walking, especially after sleep
feeling like hip is out of place or has to pop into place before walking
bladder dysfunction (temporary incontinence at change in position)
knee pain or pain in other areas

Debi has 99.9 percent of the symptoms. Now I feel bad for telling her to suck it up! Ha!

One of the side effects may be a breech delivery, hand by face delivery, head down but facing up or head tilted. All of her ultra sounds are showing the baby with his hands under his chin! Next week she will have an internal exam and hopefully all will be ready to go.

We don't think she will make September. As you can see....she looks huge! These pictures were taken today when we went to lunch.

I Am Sew Happy!

My husband has finally finished everything that needed to be done in my new sewing room. Saturday he added shelves to my closet and hung a peg board for my tools, etc. Take a look by going to the link below. It took me two days to stock my closet with the supplies I had in my laundry room/office. It was tiring work and I have decided that I could open my own craft supply/fabric store but hey...."She who dies with the most material wins!" I am a happy woman and I think my husband is happy too because I will be spendingmore time here! He can watch sports all evening long now. The only addition I want to make is a glider chair on the empty wall by the door and then I'll bring in my Ott floor lamp so I can do my hand sewing there. Hope you like it!

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Our%20Home/Sewing%20Room/

A Place for Pins....get the point?

This is a picture of my latest craft project. I really love pins and I could never find the one I wanted to wear or else I didn't know what I had so I decided to do something about it. I took a bulletin board and covered it with batting and muslim. Then I added a Christmas tree in Christmas material for the Christmas pin area, Easter bunny fabric for the Easter and spring pins, Halloween material for the fall and Halloween pins, heart for Valentine's Day and Flag material for patriotic. I also hung three ribbons from the board so that I could put the pins with clips on the back that I couldn't stick through the fabric. I then hung it in my bathroom by my closet.

Alex's Nursery is Complete and Waiting.

Our soon to be born grandson's nursery is now complete. The murals have been painted by my friend, Barbara Helms, and I made the crib set. A friend Marijke made the nightlight with the fish on it on the shelf and Dee Dee made the garbage can in the corner. Visit the nursery link and take a look. Now we just sit back and wait..........

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l300/jolylady/Nursery/

Hosie Block Party!

While in Tamaqua, I attended the American Hose Fire Company Block Party. You haven't lived until you attend one of these events. Unfortunately my picture is blurry but it shows my brother Jay, friend Dick and another friend working the french fry booth. I saw more people with no teeth, heavy women in spandex, exploding beer bellies and more but we had a good time. My great neices, Shaylin and Randi also worked a booth as shown in the second pictue.

Remember Who????

Recently I got to see my cousin, Marilyn Derr Coates, who I have not seen in over 25 years. I also got to meet her husband Phil and I feel like I've known him forever.

I've decided that growing older is not a bad thing. It helps you to appreciate the family ties that you have and the closeness that you feel even though you are not physically living near family members. Marilyn and I have been keeping in touch via e-mail for a few years now. It certainly was wonderful to see her again and meet her wonderful husband and I'm looking forward to maybe visiting them in Arizona one day or having them visit us in Florida. The picture above shows Phil, Marilyn and her sister Donna seated and my husband Elias and I standing.