processing

Helen passed away last night. Her decline was surprisingly rapid and I did not expect her to die quiet so soon, so we are still processing. As per her pre-arrangement there is no funeral or visitation. This still bothers me a little, though at least I was prepared for that. When Mark's father died we did not know this ahead of time.
These are fall crocus, from my neighbors yard.
Bright springlike flowers in the fall.

Shalom

?

I've had plenty of quiet time to process, but still feel a little overwhelmed. Nine days ago my father had a heart valve replacement and I spent a very long and stressful day with my mother in the waiting room. He had excessive bleeding after surgery and almost went back to OR that afternoon.
He had just stabilized the end of that week when we found out Mark's mother was declining rapidly. She was diagnosed with cancer in July, which we decided not to treat due to her other health problems. She has now gone from being restless and confused, to unresponsive. I spent the night in her room the past two nights as she was still trying to get up at times. Now she is medicated and not even able to swallow. Hospice has been wonderful in making sure she is comfortable and thinking of many other little things for her comfort.
My father has gradually improved though bleeding problems kept him in the hospital with chest tubes in till today.
Today I am relaxing with some mindless entertainment.

Shalom

Treasure

Two years ago my mother finished transcribing and compiling my grandfather's World War One diary which consists mostly of the time he spent in France and the trip there. That summer she made a copy for each of his 7 children and 13 grandchildren. Included in the booklet were copies of photos he had taken, postcards he purchased, letters he sent home, and related documents like his draft notice and supply list. What a treasure.
My grandfather met another young man from northern Michigan in his company before they departed for France. In his diary he writes about the pledge these two young men made to each other, that if one of them did not return, the other would look after that soldier's family. He also writes about the sister his friend described, and his desire to seek her out after the war. His friend contracted pneumonia in France, and James (my grandfather) helped care for him till they reached a place where he could receive medical attention. But it was to late to save his life. James kept his promise to his friend, and the sister he expressed interest in... she was my grandmother.
Shalom

Cousins

When the highschoolers backpacked the Jordon river valley in northern Michigan last month they spent one night on my cousin's property. That was where my mother grew up, and is now owned by my first cousin Jack. Jack and I are the same age and were in the same class a year or two in elementary school. I have 13 first cousins.
At a family get together on that property a few years ago Julie first discovered some cousins, though they are second cousins. I think she felt she was missing out on something. You see my children have only one first cousin, she is ten years older than Julie and lives in Oklahoma. Julie has only met her a few times. My father's extended family has frequent reunions, and Julie has been to many of those, but it seems there are mostly adults there.
So here's to family and the way it enriches our lives
Shalom

Is summer over?

I love the weather this week, and looking foreword to more next week when I have a better schedule. Mosley makes sure we get to enjoy all kinds of weather, walk is his favorite word. Is summer really over? This feels like the weather we often have at Cedar, mild days and cool nights. So this is the mariners cove lodge at night.
I am not really ready to be back in the school routine, though a little structure is probably better for me.
Enjoy the holiday weekend
Shalom

new routines

We are adjusting to the routine with the dog, now Steven is home. Soon Josh will come. We are getting a bedroom ready for him. Then Julie will go back to school. Somehow I am not looking forward to the end of the casual routine, or non-routine.
The house painting goes on when the weather holds.
I wonder if we will have an Indian summer this year, since we had no real summer.

Shalom

who will be living at our house?

For years the kids have wanted a dog, and I haven't wanted the responsibility. Over time we have taken in several cats who were unwanted or not allowed in the owners new circumstances. Now we are down to one cat. and have given in about the dog. So we will be looking at one later this week.
Steven called recently and inquired if we might be open to having one of his friends stay with us this fall. Josh is the other food service intern at Cedar this summer and is hoping to attend GRCC culinary school this fall.
This will require a little rearranging, purging etc.
So we will see what the next few weeks bring

Shalom

quiet summer days (daze)

as we say at work "boring is good."
Life just keeps rolling along. Mark is getting much of the house painted. Work has been a little slow lately. Cars need repair. Julie thinks we should get a dog, and I think she has convinced us... if we can find the right one.
Today I sorted through quarters and found most of the ones needed for everyone's 50 state collection. but there is no spot for the DC quarter.
Steven will be home in a couple of weeks. and then school will start.

Shalom

Swans

Ducks, geese, and cormorants and of course seagulls are all common at cedar campus, but not swans. These were looking for a handout, and left when there was none offered. but they did briefly explore the beach.

Looking foreword to the return of the mexico mission team saturday evening, and to hear their stories.

Shalom

Scrub brush

This little glade at cedar campus has a magical or fairylike appearance. The plants covering the forest floor are feathery looking, but the naturalist told me they are called scrub brush, and indian women used them to clean pots and dishes. They are not particularly scratchy feeling to walk through.

This is a medow nearby

Some of many lovely restful places

Shalom

Ah, Cedar Campus

Another home
a second family
a place to be refreshed,
to relax and recharge

We are greeted by Steven, who carries our luggage, then cooks our food.
Many friends with whom we can pick up right where we left off last year.
The stories of travels, kids growing up, adventures, aging parents, and all the routine activities of families.
Nature
Relaxation
and great teaching.


Back to reality, work, bills, and preparing for the youth trip to Mexico.

Shalom

Cedar Grace

Cedar is a good place for books, socializing, recreation, outdoor activities, and so much more.

The pleasant trees

the silver rippling water

the flowers and clouds

the undimmed sunlit sky

and bread by Thee,

Our gracious Father given

we thankful take

from Thy so rich supply

Shalom

busy times

Looks restful doesn't it?
I'm SO ready for Cedar right now! So much to do before then, including getting some things settled with Mark's mothers situation. Some changes there you will here more about later. Then there is work and all the other mundane things to accomplish. Our garden and flowers and sunshine add cheer in the midst of everything.
Shalom

July

It is July already!

For us that means our Cedar Campus vacation is coming soon. I have just about finished straightening up some of the things the young adults left behind. Have been thankful for the cool weather this week, to get things done.

Now work, one afternoon at arts camp, some shopping, and we will be off to cedar next weekend.

The flower on the left is the hollyhock, our mystery plant. It is only attractive in a close-up, and will soon be cut down.

Happy 4th Everyone!

Shalom

quiet around here

This week just Mark and I have been here. Julie is at camp, Linda in Guatemala, and Steven at Cedar Campus. Very quiet household, and less laundry and dishes. Julie will be back tomorrow, and we will then start getting into the swing of summer. Between work and the heat I haven't accomplished anything this week even with the quiet. Mark has been working hard around the house, the heat doesn't wilt him much.

These are my flowers in the front yard. Mark just put mulch around the perennials on top after hoeing up all the weeds.

Linda is settling in, and started teaching Wednesday

Shalom

New Adventures

I don't know anything about what Guatemala City looks like. From looking at terrain on google earth, I imagine the surrounding area might look a bit like this. So this week L.M. is trying to decide what to take and what to buy before she leaves. Wonder what we will be shipping next month? I am looking forward to seeing her pictures and hearing the stories once she gets there. Now I have quite a list of blogs to follow.

Shalom

Stability

Do you know What this is? It has been hiding in my closet for 31 years, and I've never worn it.
Thirty one years ago today I started my career as an RN at Blodgett Hospital. I never wore a nursing cap after my student days because I've always worked in pediatrics where we wore colorful tops and no caps.
I seem to be a person who values stability. Mark and I have been married for almost 28 years. Spectrum Health (Blodgett/HDVCH) has been my employer for 31 years. I have lived in this house for 21 years, and the apartment before that for eleven.
I'm not afraid of change, but I do like familiar things. Or maybe moving , changing jobs, etc. is more work than I want to deal with.

Shalom

Moving away

Not us, just Linda. She has accepted a job in Guatemala, and bought a plane ticket to leave in 12 days. They want her to start before the end of June. I knew this was coming, but figured it would be in the late summer, not right now. So now she is very busy getting together what she will take.

They grow up we pray for them and let them go, then keep praying for them.

Shalom

Summer begins

The foxgloves and phlox are almost gone and the peonies are in full bloom. The vegetable plants are in the ground, and the storage shed Mark is working on now has a floor and walls.

Tomorrow is Julie's last day of school, and we are looking foreword to festival this weekend, as well as the elders & wives retreat. We need to squeeze in festival fun and food around the retreat. So summer really has begun.
The mystery plant from last year has reappeared (see top left). It has now been identified as a hollyhock. More pictures coming as it blooms.

Shalom

Carol

Memorial Day

The holiday weekend is over. We did have grilled burgers, etc. Enjoyed the lovely weekend with 5 days offbut did not do to much else to mark the occasion.

I don't know when the GR parade was, and might not have attended anyway, but feel that memorial day should be honored somehow.

Thursday evening Julie and I watched the Amway fireworks from canal street park, and I played with taking fireworks photos.

Shalom

Blue sky

This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Today it is easy to rejoice in the beautiful day the Lord gave us.
A cloudless blue sky, the maple seeds helicoptering down in the breeze.
The heads of the baby birds popping up from the nest on the neighbor's rain gutter.
More flowers and flowering trees popping out everywhere.
A quiet afternoon to walk about the neighborhood and enjoy it all.
So many things to be thankful for.

Shalom

Springtime

I'm into springtime activities.

Last friday I attended MSU secondary education internship convocation. or as Linda says " graduation part 2".
Saturday I bought 6 flats of annuals for my flower garden, and planted them this week. Yes I believe the frost danger is over, especially for my raised beds in the city.
I've been enjoying all the beautifull, abundently full flowering trees as I walk or drive around town.
Today Julie is having her 16th birthday party, in a park. We hope the weather is dry. Today I need to shop for the picinic type food she requested.
Mark is putting up a new porch railing, after tearing off the old decrpit one last fall

Hope you all are able to enjoy the lovely spring weather

Shalom

Purging things

We have been working on the constant task of sorting and clearing out things in our household. Mark has been working on the basement, and I sorted some of my books. I also gave away a couple of wedding gifts that have been in boxes on shelves for nearly 28 years. Sentimentality aside, if we hadn't used them in all these years. why keep them? One was a deviled egg plate, and I hate deviled eggs.

All the items went to church for the "clothing exchange" I brought no clothing

Loving the warm SPRING weather!

Shalom

Carol

Spring Break

Spring break begins with a little sunshine, along with the cold weather. We will be here for the predicted snow over the weekend. I am working all weekend, and disappointed about missing the basketball games Saturday and Monday nights. Julie's big activity for the week is taking segment II of driver's ed. Perhaps we can get a little shopping adventure in late in the week.

Next year I hope to have a special spring break trip. Linda is planning to find a job teaching English in Central America next year, so I am saving up so we can go to visit her next April wherever she is. That will be something to look forward to, especially after we find out where she is going to be, and even more after she leaves next fall.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Holy Week

Shalom

The right place to be.

I've heard people say it before, and never thought a lot about it. Recently I heard a parent of a child I was caring for express to a relative that though their child was very ill, he was in the the right place to receive the care he needed. It really is true, no-where else in the area can a very sick child get the care they get right here at HDVCH. That is why we get children from all over the western half of the state and even the U.P. Though we are in the midst of a very busy time, we still have so many people dedicated to giving excellent care. I am proud to be part of it! Is that why I am going in for an extra shift tonight? Really it is for the sake of my co-workers and patients.

The photo is the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, under construction

Hope you have a great weekend

Shalom

Water

Have been thinking a lot about water. We have used more than our share of it today. Laundry by the bushel, and major cleaning in the kitchen. Besides the usual dishwasher, showers. etc. How many gallons did we use? It just comes out of the faucet, we don't have to haul it or worry about it's purity, just pay a little for it.
Even as the stock market falls, and the unemployment application goes in, we still get to enjoy the modern conveniences.
There should be sunshine tomorrow, even if it is cold. So I will enjoy that, not beaches or waves.
Shalom

Taxes

It's that time of the year. The tax man cometh, or giveth back as the case may be. I finished my federal and state returns. I have two city forms yet to do, Walker and GR. And I have Helen's taxes to do. Getting the info organized is the worst part. I think I'd rather do it myself, vs having to get the paperwork organized for someone else.

Now after accomplishing this much I reward myself with diversion.

Shalom

What's in the Box?

Mark has been cleaning the basement. Yesterday he found two boxes I need to explore more completely. We know that one contains high school yearbooks and other memorabilia. The other box includes notes from nursing school. In one we found an envelope of the cards we received when Linda was born, as well as the church bulletin when she was baptized. That is just the surface view, I wonder what I will find as I sort through and toss.

Shalom

February Winding Down

I've heard it called the longest short month of the year, but this February wasn't as cold or gray as usual, so far.

I am finally over what had to be influenza. I've never had it before, and did get my flu shot. No dwelling on the symptoms, jut glad to be better. Tonight I am back to work, and ready for that.

I got pretty bulb flowers for Valentines day, looking foreword to more flowers from them for years to come. That seems a good valentines theme, beautiful things that will last for years.

Shalom

Whew!

Very tired
When I knew I would be working more I didn't know it would happen quite this fast. After nearly a year of being a bit slow, work is suddenly very busy. It many or may not last for a while, so I picked up extra hours this week and next. As a result of my schedule early this week I completely missed the beautiful day tuesday. Actually I sort of noticed as I walked across Michigan street at noon, after working 17 hours. Oh well, spring is coming, and more bright days also. The days are getting longer, and the deep freeze is gone, I hope.

Shalom

February Thaw

The piles of snow are melting, and the phlox are peaking out next to the front steps. An enjoyable day for walking outside, and taking pictures. In the picture upper left there is a plane. Today we are not thinking of getting away from the cold.

Next week we begin adjusting to Mark being home full time, he was just laid off. They say it is for a couple of weeks, but we will see. So I may be working a little more.

Hope you all enjoy this warm and sunny weather.

Shalom

Rolling up my sleeves

Last night I unexpectedly got eight hours of my shift off, we had more staff on than we needed. Last week I got an entire 12hr night off for the same reason. That was particularly good timing as I had some financial paperwork that needed to be done by the end of January.
Today, instead of sleeping, I am getting some non-routine cleaning done.
The spills in my oven are gone, and hopefully by the end of the day, the spots on an upholstered chair will be also. Even with the tasks, I always see these unexpected days as a special treat. I haven't decided yet how I will treat myself today.

Shalom

Sunshine!

What is that strange bright glowing thing in the sky?

Actually we have had a bit of sun this week, but as I look out this afternoon the sky is a cloudless sheet of bright blue. I am excited to see the sunshine. It makes the cold and snow a lot more bearable.

Happy SUNDAY to everyone!

Shalom

Carol

Think Spring

I am trying to not complain about the weather.

But lately it just seems I have to push myself to leave the house unless it is necessary. I know it is way too early to think spring will come soon. I have been hibernating lately with my books, and not accomplishing much. So now is the time to think positive, get moving and get things done, even if the weather is gray.

Hope you all are surviving the cold.

Shalom

Carol

What's in a Name

My girls were recently talking about their middle names, and why the have some of the most common ones around ( J. Ann and L. Marie). After working in pediatrics and newborn nurseries for many years, I have lots of opinions on names. I usually don't like "trendy' ones, and dislike made up names. I feel sorry for children who's parents get a little too creative with spelling, leading to mispronunciation or other confusion. Then for our family there is another factor; our twelve letter, four syllable last name. So that is why my children have rather simple and ordinary names. But whatever the name, it's what's inside that counts.

the girls were hiding behind their hair too avoid having their pictures taken. I think L.M. is on the left.

Shalom

Carol

WINTER !!

I can't remember ever hearing so many people talk about being sick of winter so early in the season. It seemed to hit early and hard this year. The bad roads can be frightening. I have discovered, with my small car I often can not see over or around the snow piles. Today we are not supposed to get any significant snow, a good day to get out. I am longing for a bit of a thaw soon to get the driveway and sidewalk, and maybe even the roads clearer.

Wishing you all safety on all you excursions.

Shalom

Carol

Bite Sized Pieces

Happy New Year Everyone

The first week of the year has been busy, but now I have some time off.
I usually take time off in mid January. I plan a little "me time" as well as getting caught up on things prior to our busy season at work. One danger I always face is trying to accomplish too much, and then feeling depressed over not living up to my own expectations. So this year I really plan to take one day at a time and take my expectations in "bite sized pieces." As long as I get one thing done each day, I will be content. I plan to include a few social outings, Lunch anyone? or How about coffee, or a movie?

Shalom
Carol