Decisions........

Recently I took my son on college campus tours. We went to Western Michigan University, Michigan State University and University of Michigan. He said he will apply to all of them and Duke University in North Carolina. But what I liked most was that he fell in love with Michigan State University.

Well, since I graduated from there 26 years ago (oh man, am I feeling really old now), I was happy to see he liked it there. We had a great day at Michigan State and I took several pictures, but somehow deleted them all :) But, luckily I had posted this picture to facebook and was able to save this again.

I kept asking him if he liked State because of me (I couldn't contain my excitement showing him my old dorms), and he said it wasn't. I was glad to hear that, because it is his decision, one he has to make or he might regret it. Truth be told, I have been pushing U of M more because of the pre-med program. But, he didn't feel the warmth and friendliness on that campus tour, as he did at Michigan State. But, he is still applying to keep his options open. That is if he is accepted. I am hopeful he will be though. I think he will have no problem at State, but don't want to get overzealous and jinks it.

As much as I want to guide him in the direction "I think he should go", I know he has to make this decision. If I really sit back and think, I am lucky he wants to pursue an education and just be happy in what he decides. No matter what his future brings, if he is happy and treats other people well, I will be glad in that.

I love this picture, he is my pride and joy :)

The Blame Game.........

Just food for thought..........



I believe we have the capacity to guide our lives and control our situations.

People who blame others or situations without taking responsibility for their contribution to the problem never get the sense of satisfaction of growth. By refusing to see their own errors, they lose the opportunity to change the very aspects of themselves that keep them stuck.

Should we place the blame on others for our misfortune? In fact, according to a Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, blaming someone else for one’s mistakes is a socially contagious condition—the behavior literally spreads from one person to the next.


People have the tendency to blame others for the problems in their lives, little realizing that others have no power over them unless they willingly permit themselves to be influenced by others. You have the power to control your actions and you can mold them in whatever way you want. Why give someone so much power over your life??


About three years ago I wrote this poem. I experienced an individual try to blame the hardships in their life on someone, as I felt they were blind to the fact that it was their actions that caused people to react differently to them. I have seen this happen again and again and get frustrated when I see people play the BLAME GAME! But, I guess it is easier for some, rather than finding fault (growth) within themselves.

I am so very fortunate to have a father who is very wise, who taught me at a young age that I would always lose out, in so many ways, when I play that game.

So, here goes...........just my two cents on the matter :}

You Not Me


Why is it so easy to blame another?
Why do you not see further?
If you thought for a while, outside of self, you will see.
It could even set you free.

If you blame me for your sorrow,
you will never grow with each tomorrow.
Rather try to face the forbidden,
and realize who are you kiddin`.

You are the reason for your life's course, not me.
Once you believe this you can break free.
I cannot make people see you a certain way.
It is rather because of how you choose to play.

Others will see you from your actions, not your word.
So walk the walk, and pray to the lord.
You may be seen for what you show, rather than say, you are.
For this is the best way by far.

My hope is that you can see, it is because of you not me.
So set yourself free and take responsibility.

Little Cuties...........

So far, summer has been busy with graduations, ball games and parties at friends. I usually grab my camera and love to take pictures. Adults shy away, but kids want to see their picture right away and then it is a free for all, posing for the camera and all.

Here are some of the cuties I have been fortunate to capture:

This little guy was excited to get a picture with his squirt gun,

Next, he told me that he was gonna soak me....

I loved this little guy, he was so cute, but wanted his ball in the picture.

This cutie is an old co-worker's little guy. He just posed so perfect for me :)

This little girl is one of my previous student's kiddo. I was taking prom pictures of my son and she was just so adorable, I couldn't resist snapping a few of her.

My friend's son had a ball game and I ran into another one of my former students with her little guy. He wasn't so thrilled with me taking his picture at first.

So, I snapped some when he didn't notice. He was having a ball climbing a dirt mound, doing what little boys do best, getting all dirty ;)

Prom overload.......

Oh my, I have been so bad at taking the time to blog. Not that I don't have much to write about or say (lord knows I definitely love to talk), I just have been occupying my time reading lately.

Anyway, my son recently went to three proms this year.

First, he attended the Niles High School prom with a senior girl from his Allied Health class. She had asked him to go. It was so cute when he told me how nervous she was asking him. The prom was beautiful

Here is Colton with his date.

Two of my favorite people to photograph :) They are just so good looking, at least I think so!!

Next, he went to the Buchanan High School Prom. These two girls were so very sweet. They did not have dates and asked Colton to escort both of them. They knew he had just gone to the Niles prom the night before and paid for his ticket, dinner and boutonniere. Again, he met these gals up in Traverse City at the HOSA Conference.

Finally, he went to his own prom and asked Ashley to go, as they have been great friends and co-workers for a few years. He had the best time with her. The best part for him was going to dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse.

I loved his look in the below pic :)

Next year, he said he just plans to go to his prom, as it is his Senior Prom. Three was just too many, but a great experience for him to see how each school district's were different. I liked best when he told me how at Buchanan's Prom they couldn't dance any closer than 6 inches. They could not touch and I thought this was great with how kids are dancing now.........way to close!

'HE' is my 'SHE' now........

A few posts back I blogged about my cat Mason and his feline urinary problems. Well, shortly after that post, his condition deteriorated and he became totally blocked. Which, as I had explained is life threatening. This time it was so bad (because of scar tissue from the previous times), they could not catheterize him. So, in order to save my little buddy, they would have to perform an emergency surgery called a perineal urethrostomy. In other words, Mason became a girl cat.

The vet said he had more damage than anticipated and the surgery took over 2 hours. All I know........I am glad I have my buddy back :) Worst thing is this happened just before we were to leave for a family vacation. I was ready to stay back and have my family go without me. But, my husband was frustrated because I have not been on a family trip in seven years! I always stayed back to help with my mother or father.

After I explained to the vet that my husband really wanted me to go on this trip, he said they would keep Mason for the time needed (which ended up being 14 days). I visited him every day until we left, called the vet's everyday while on vacation for a check up on Mason, and couldn't wait to see him when we got home. I did have a nice vacation though :)

So, now my little 'guy' is doing GREAT.

Well, aside from his shaved butt! He seems to be as happy as ever!

A great sign is his 'chirping' he does at the birds out the window. When he was sick he hid and would lay in rooms that were darkened.

Back to playing hide-n-seek.........he thinks I can't find him ;)






Playing with his yarn!







AND........sleeping in my chair......the little stinker. I don't mind sharing as much anymore!

One thing he didn't lose....the attitude when I point my camera right in his face! He only tolerates it so long!

But, right now I'll take him any way he is!!

Anticipation for the reflection......

Every year I look so very forward to this particular bloom. You see, the tree is in my parents yard, right outside the breakfast nook window.

I remember many a visits where my mother and I would sit at the table and talk and look out at this tree. She would always comment how beautiful the blooms were year after year.

I love the beauty of the bloom, but I love the memory I have of my mother more. This tree is the reminder, so that is why these blooms are so special. It is the reflection I have that means the most.

I plan to frame this picture and bring it to her. I hope it brings a smile to her face and helps her remember some of the beauty surrounding her life :)

Cute Colby is one............

Our little guy is not so little anymore. Colby recently turned one year old and is still as loving and playful as he was the first day we brought him home.

This first pic is after my hubby gave him a bath. So fluffy!

A couple of weeks after we had him. One of my favorite pictures of him.

A couple of months old here....






Recently, he was intently studying a little bug......so cute :)

and......here is "The King" sitting on the back of the couch. He loves to sit up higher than anyone else, kind of like he is in charge!

Well, come to think of it, he does 'rule the roost'! Well, most of the time anyway :)

Lemon Cheese Bars

I seem to make these quite frequently, as these are my son's absolute favorite. Then again, most things with lemon flavor he likes :)

These bars are super easy and only require 6 ingredients.

Lemon Cheese Bars

1 Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix (it actually calls for Duncan Hines)

1 lemon (zest and juice) using 2 tablespoons of the juice

2 eggs

1/3 cup Canola oil

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature

1/3 cup sugar

Combine the cake mix, oil and only 1 of the eggs.

Mix at low speed 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides down with a rubber spatula until crumbly.

Reserve 1 cup for the topping and set aside.

Using your fingertips, press down the remaining crust mixture in a lightly sprayed ( I use Pam) 13 x 9 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Leave the oven on.

For the cream filling mix, place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl used to prepare the crust, with the same beaters...no need to wash yet. How nice is that! Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until creamy.

Add the zest only from the lemon,

2 tablespoons of juice from the lemon,

the remaining 1 egg,

and the 1/3 cup granulated sugar.

Beat on low speed, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides occasionally until well combined and creamy.

Use the rubber spatula to spread the filling mixture to the sides of the pan, covering the crust completely.

Scatter the remaining 1 cup of the crumbly crust mixture over the filling.

Bake until crust is golden brown and the filling starts to set, 14 to 15 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into 24 bars.

They are very yummy! I have had people request I make these for different occasions, they are that good! Easy to make....

15 minutes prep time and 27 total minutes bake time.

I found the recipe in a book my hubby bought me a while ago, called 'The Cake Mix Doctor' by Anne Byrn (page 312). There are a few others that are quite good in this book.

Somehow it comes easy.........

This year my son took a class called Allied Health and has done wonderful in it. With this class, he became a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). He recently competed in February at the regional conference and placed to go to the HOSA State Leadership Conference in April. It will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort. He is so excited to go. I will not miss this one for the world! I am so proud of him.

This pic below is after he burst in the door and said, "Guess what Mom??". He was so excited and proud that he made it to State. I love when he comes home and is so excited to tell me something about his life :) I am going to miss that when he is off to college.

Ahhh....that smile, I love to see that!

I always tell him.........'the sky is the limit for you', if you keep working hard :) He keeps amazing me every day. I thank the Lord that he has his feet pointed in the right direction.

I am truly lucky to be his Mom!!