50 years

This past weekend we took a one day trip to Georgia for a very special occasion. It was for Mr. and Mrs. Claude O'Neals 50th Wedding Anniversary. Fifty years of being in love with the same person. Sharing every....well, everything with that person. Uncle Claude and Aunt Myrtle (Sorry for the informality but that is what I call them!) have four very special kids who have wonderful spouses who would not let this very special occasion go by without some kind of celebration. All had a hand in the celebration just like they all have each others hands in their own. I was first introduced to this family over 25 years ago. From the first day that I walked into the O'Neal home in Dale City Virginia, I felt like I was family. My first impression was one of peace, love and family. Even though all the "kids" were going off in different directions, they at one time or another during the day would come together to talk about their day, what was happening in their lives, and what was going on. And then they were off. Off to work, school or to "play". Aunt Myrtle and I would talk about being a wife and later mother. She took my kids in like they were her own Grand kids. I guess after four what is a couple more? She and Claude whether they knew it or not, guided Lee and I in our own lives. We couldn't go to Michigan from Virginia without stopping in Dale City to see them. As we all "grew up" and moved in separate directions, we wouldn't get to see each other as often, but when we do, it is twice as special. Only last year, we introduced them to our next generation of family. Ms. Ellie. And like all the other babies before her, Aunt Myrtle took her under her wing too. Thank you Uncle Claude and Aunt Myrtle. We love you very much.

Green eggs and Ham???

These eggs are not dyed. If I did not see them with my own eyes I would not have believed this. Yes, these eggs really are green. Lee's mom has a friend who has a chicken that will lay colored eggs. Blue and Green. I asked her if they feed them a certain food or if they eat nothing but grass and she said no they just eat regular chicken feed. It is a certain breed of chicken that lay them! It is amazing some of the things that are in our world that are still out there to explore and learn about. So yes there really is such a thing as green eggs and ham!! Sam I am! (Not) I always wondered if Dr. Seuss was real!!

Moja Rodzina (My Family)

For the past ten months I have been researching my family. It all started when we went to Lee's family reunion this summer and he was given a packet of papers that was his complete family history from the first Touchton to come to the United States in 1657. Both of us were so interested in the story of his family and it made me realize how much I was missing out on mine. I started talking to my Aunt about it and she was able to give me some information. It was a start. I talked to a friend and she was able to tell me how she started tracing her family. I started by googling names. Looking up names on the Ellis Island website and any other genealogy website I could find. Including a Polish one. I found Michael Juda, my great Grandfather. Walter Juda my Grandfather. These are their pictures along with my dad. Michael was the first to come to the United States in 1906 from Wola Poland. Our history is small so far but it is a start. I have discovered who my Great Grandparents were, who my Grandparents were and where they all came from. I know there is more to discover and I will keep looking because I now have a sense of who I am.

Vet visit

Guess who went to the vet today? Just a check up, regular shots and a clean bill of health. We went to a new vet today. I just did not feel that Gretta was getting the care that she deserved with the other vet. For a little dog, she has a lot of affection once she gets to know you. (That takes about all of two minutes!)
I was really impressed with this new vet today. He came in, immediately started talking to Gretta. She didn't bark at him or anything. This from a dog that barks at her own shadow? Seriously.
He took her little face in his big gentle hands and got right down to her level and said "Hi little girl. How are you? You sure are pretty." Gretta just looked at him like they had been best friends all her life and instantly relaxed! I was a little jealous! But I too felt relaxed and knew that she was in good hands. Gretta is apparently a "vaccine reactor" which means she has to have benadryl prior to her shots. So she got her benadryl, we waited 15 minutes and then we got the other shots. We completed the exam without barking, biting, or even so much as a growl. The only growling was from me when I went to pay the bill! But what price do you put on your pets health care? I remember when our Gretchen was really ill and we almost lost her. My husband put down one credit card and said "When this one is maxed out, use this one", as he placed a second one on the counter "and do what you have to do to save our dog." Gretchen was with us for almost 10 years after that scare. So what price do you pay for something that is priceless to you?