Happy Mutter's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you, my special extended family! You are all sisters in my heart, and you deserve every special thing this day offers. So from my family to yours, have a very blessed day!

Quick Economy Fix!

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America's economy.

Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander
the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following
plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan. There are about
40 million people in the work force who are 50 years or older. Pay
them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the
Following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new AMERICAN car. Forty million cars ordered -
Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing
Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!

Oh, and if more money is needed, have all members of Congress pay
their taxes.

Thank you.

Thank-you and Thank-you!

First I want to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers for Mom and our family. Mom is home from the hospital, and doing very well. We almost have her completely moved in to her apartment, and she seems to be adjusting very well now to the move, in fact anxious to spend her first night. Everything gets hooked up tomorrow, in the mean time she is staying with my sister Wendy.

I love the package from Cathy of Tolen Treasures that I won from her give away! It's all so wonderful, and I have received many complements! Every piece has a special place, and couldn't have come at a better time! Thank-you over and over Cathy!

Meet Bill!

Bill is a snapping turtle that took up residence in the drain that runs alongside the front of the house. We named him Bill, well, basically because he looked like one to Robyn and me. Today, Ken found him swimming in the driveway, flooded from yesterdays rain. Personally, my cat Andy won the prize for the better looking animal contrary to popular opinion!

Packages and Prayers

It's been a very hectic time, and this morning my mother was admitted to the hospital with heart palpations and extremely high blood pressure. She is currently in selective care. The movers come tomorrow to finish taking the heavy things from the house and moving them to her apartment, so I will be there to direct traffic in Mom's absence.
I did have a very bright spot to my day though, I won the give away at Tolen's Treasures, and the wonderful package arrived today! I couldn't believe the many fantastic things Cathy sent me. I went to take a picture and the batteries are dead, so they are re-charging and I will post a picture tomorrow of all the wonderful goodies. Thank-you so much Cathy, you really brightened my day, and I can't wait to show off your great work!
In the mean time, please say a prayer for Mom, this has been so stressful for her and I'mvery concerned for her.
Blessings,
Laurie

Cake and Family

This week-end has been very busy. First, I did the cake for my friends grandmother who turned 90, a triple layer lemon with lemon custard filling. It smelled so good!

Then today the family gathered at Mom's to begin hauling things to be taken to our homes, sorting through things , cleaning out the greenhouse, basement and garage for the new owners, burning lots of wood and cardboard, and recalling so many memories. We sat around the dining room table for the last time ever, and all of us had the same thought. Where will we do this now? So we're going to make the second bedroom in Mom's apartment into a dining room, and continue to have our family gatherings there. It won't be the same as the homestead, but it's the family and laughter that make it special, not the building. (At least that's what we're trying to convince ourselves of...)

Then we gathered on the front steps for one last family photo. My brother Jay, Mom, Jay's wife and our sister Cheryl, (we don't use the word in-law in our family. Once your here, you're one of us) my sister Marlene, me and my sisters Kathy, and Wendy, and my husband Ken.

So Tuesday she gets her key, and we'll move her in. And the door will close, along with that chapter of our lives.