The Grand Tetons

In the summer of 2004, my husband, my nephew, and I went on a road trip "Out West". Our trip was more than a vacation it was a special journey.

My big brother, Steve, always loved the mountains. He had dreams of living in Montana or Wyoming. However, lung cancer had other plans. His tumor was inoperable. The doctors told him that treatment would just give him some more time. I can't believe how strong he was. I don't mean physically. I mean mentally. I know he didn't do the treatment for himself. He did it for us. Family was always the most important thing to Steve. However, chemotherapy and radiation were abandoned and he decided that he was going to live life to the fullest, as best as he could. His main goal was to take his youngest son, Lee, "Out West" to see the Mountains.

I offered to drive them "out west", but he declined. He knew that I had two little girls to take care of at home. Steve always put others needs ahead of his own. He was determined to go on his own. I think most of us didn't think he would get to go. But he really surprised us.

He told his hospice nurse that he was going whether they liked it or not. So she arranged for him to have several oxygen tanks for the trip. When my brother told me they were going, I really didn't think I would ever see him again. That was the one time in his illness that I completely broke down and cried.

He drove through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado and back. I don't know how he did it. His son was not yet driving. They had an incredible trip of a lifetime.

AND HE CAME HOME!

He lost the battle in Ocotober of 2003.

Which brings us to the summer of 2004. My husband and I took our teenaged nephew out West for the purpose of spreading his Dad's ashes. My nephew had a map that he had highlighted the route he took when traveling with his Dad. We followed that route for the most part, even stopping at some of the same hotels. We saw numerous National Parks in South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. We decided that we were going to spread his ashes in the Grand Tetons. I played my favorite song, "Imagine" by Mercy Me, as we drove through the park. I popped open a Miller and rose it to my brother. Then his son went off the trails and privately spread the ashes.

Rest in Peace Big Brother!

What is on Your Bucket List???

What is on Your Bucket List?

This could get quite interesting. I can't wait to hear what you have to say. . .

I am going to start my bucket list right now:

1. Go to Italy

2. Do something uninhibited and crazy!

3. Become a Nurse (working on it).

4. Get in touch with old friends.

5.

(dang this is harder than I thought)

I am going to ponder this and write more in the comments. . .I can't wait to hear from all of you. Don't be shy!

Little Me--Childhood Memories

My blogging friend, Sir Jack, got me thinking about childhood memories. My sister had scanned these old photos and sent them to me awhile back. I think they are quite amusing. This first one is during my "hair is too short, I look like a boy" stage.

My sister and oldest nephew (he is now 30), little me (age 8)and my doll.

The above picture was taken shortly after the Christmas of 1977. I grew up in a really cool and very HUGE house on 90 acres of land. This was the living room and we had a real bear rug that my Dad had killed. My nephew was born Dec. 22nd, so he came home on Christmas day. They stayed at our house for a little while with the new baby, so my mom could help out. In case your wondering, my Sister was born in 1956 and I was born in 1969. She is the oldest and I was the youngest.

Wow--nice coat. My parents dressed me funny in the 1970's.

Little me with Giuseppe the Sicilian Donkey (& my dog Lucky hiding behind him).

I lived on the Rolling Ridge Ranch in Hubertus, Wisconsin, located in the Holy Hill area. We had up to 36 miniature horses, 2 sicilian donkeys, quarter horses, dogs, cats, racoons, ferrets, goats, ducks, and peacocks (am I missing anything?). My parents were the first to bring Miniature Horses to Wisconsin. We had a registered, national champion, stallion named Freeman Star, who had a lot of horse show ribbons. There are still mini horses around that are from his bloodline. People would come from all over to see our Ranch. We even had school field trips from inner-city Milwaukee. Some of the kids on the trips had never seen real animals before. We didn't charge admission, because my parents said it was a hobby. We could have made some bucks! When I was 15 we sold the ranch and moved. I still miss it.

My Crazy Family

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What's for Dinner?

Night after night, we go through the same conversation:

"What do you want for dinner?"
"I don't know, do you have any ideas?"
"No, do you?"
"No."

As much as I LOVE Food, I really am kind of sick of it. It seems like nothing sounds good any more.

And then I ask the kids:

"If you could eat anything in the world, right now, what would you pick?"
"I don't know."

So. . .night after night the struggle continues. One of our major dilemmas is that we don't get home until after 6:00 and we are just too tired to do much of anything. When I am in school it is even worse, because I also have to study.

Here is our challenge for you--do you have any quick, easy, and delicious dinner ideas for us? Any information, recipes, ideas would be most appreciated.

I thank you in advance.
Ciao!

My 9 year-old Drives a BMW

She really DID drive Uncle Jim's car. All by herself.

Need a New Toy for your Kitteh?

Do you need a new toy for your kitteh?

Keep scrolling down:

This is Steve:

I'm kidding!

I repeat: I AM KIDDING!!!

Believe it or not, Steve likes to lay on top of Maverick the kitty!

They love to play together, and Maverick doesn't try to eat Steve.

I guess my niece, Jamisue, keeps him well fed.

Now for the serious part.

My niece took in a hamster with a tumor. She tends to save disabled animals. However, Hammy suddenly had babies (in addition to the tumor/not instead of).

So. . .

These 15 BABY HAMSTERS

NEED HOMES!

They will be ready around July 17th.

I thought it would be fun if we come up with names for them. Any ideas?

If anyone is interested in a sweet, little, pet hamster, let me know!

Fireworks, Family, and Frogs

Wow! What a holiday weekend. This is what we did:

Kewaskum fireworks, West Bend Parade, Cook-Out at my sister's, swimming, being lazy, West Bend fireworks, Summerfest in Milwaukee and a movie.

My best fireworks photo:

Kinda looks like bacteria or fungus or something:

Psychedelic:

Grand Finale:

Our Movie Star family:

I caught my first frog:

Isn't he cute?

Wearing the Columbus T-shirt and catching frogs:

My prince charming:

West Bend 4th of July Parade

The Spectators:

Stand and Salute

This one reminded me of Public Enemies:

It's not a parade without the Cub Scouts:

No camels, but we had lots and lots of llamas:

Little baton twirlers:
Someone has too much time on their hands:
West Bend High Schools band:


Scooters seem to have replaced the bikes:

Badger Middle School:

They are coming to get us:

Now this looks like fun:

and this looks like even more fun:

Vietnam POW cage:

Tiny Miss Jackson:

More PE memories:

The Harley's are really important in West Bend:

Giant Flag:
The end:

Dear Johnny Depp--Letters from my Little Girls

My girls asked me to give these letters to Johnny Depp if I saw him.

I told them that there were no guarantees that I would even see him, let alone meet him.

Interpretation: "Dear Johnny, I saw you in real live person. My Dad saw you. I tried to get an autograph, but I didn't from Gianna (6 years old).

From the almost 10 year-old.

Interpretation: "Dear Johnny Depp, I saw you in Beaver Dam. You looked at me. I was in front. You were probably thinking about your daughter. My Dad was an extra. He was the one that asked you if there was a walkie-talkie in that car. Call. I love you! Love, Chiara

This picture was taken just before Mom (me) met Johnny, on Thursday in St. Anne, IL. After I spoke with him I said, "Jerry--these are from my little girls" and Jerry the Bodyguard took the letters.

We really hope he read the girls letters. Even if we never know, the girls can certainly dream that he did. I think he probably got them. Both Jerry (body guard) and Johnny like kids.

This picture was taken right after I gave Jerry the letters.