June 17, 2005: Dog Walk & Badger Trip

Yesterday, I took Maggie and my little sister, Brittanie to Spring Lake 

for the Dog Walk. 

It was quite a long walk. There were probably around 25 dogs and their 

owners there. 

It was probably around a 4 mile walk all together.  They played 

some games and Maggie won.

She got some treats and I got a $10 certificate for this restaurant.
 
My little sister stayed over night as we had to get up early tomorrow 

to go on the Badger from Ludington to Wisconsin. 

The Big Brother/Big Sister organization was having the Bigs and 

Littles go on the trip. The Badger paid for the trip.   This was going to be

the first time I had been on this ferry. 

April 2005: Disney Cruise

We went to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, MGM, and Animal Kingdom. The first day, we went to Epcot. We had a nice lunch at the Morrocan restaurant at Epcot with a belly dancer. We took a picture of grandpa next to the dancer and he said he didn't even realize she was next to him. 

Later on in the evening, we met one of my aunt's friend's cousins who

lives in Orlando and works for Disney.   He gave me some information 

on housing, jobs, etc there.  He started out with ticketing at Disney for 

1 1/2 yrs before getting an accounting job there.  He took us to MGM to 

see this neat water/laser show.    Luckily we went to the early show, as it 

rained out by 9 p.m.   We had dinner at the ABC Commissary and went 

to the Muppets 3-D show and after that, we ran like mad in the rain to 

the park exit.   We grabbed some garbage bags from a worker and 

used that for ponchos.

It was quite funny.
 
My mom and I spent the next day at Magic Kingdom and went on the 

rides. We really liked the log ride.   We had a nice lunch at the Crystal 

Palace Restaurant there and the different Disney characters came around 

your table.The buffet was really good.  It overlooked the Magic Castle 

which was neat.
Then, at night, Charlene, grandpa, Beulah, mom and I went to this 

Hoopty Du dinner show at the Wilderness campground.  We took a boat 

from Magic Kingdom over to the campground.    It was a nice show.  They 

served us chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, salad, bread, and strawberry 

shortcake for dessert.
 
The 3rd day, the whole family went to Animal Kingdom and took the 

safari ride and then we split up for the afternoon.
 
 
We got on the cruise on Sunday, April 1st at Port Canaveral.  The cruise
itself was ok, but more geared for kids and families. I did get my picture
taken with Mickey and Minnie. I still have to download those pictures.
 
My mom and I went Parasailing on the trip.   It was fun, but scary being 

way up there in the air.   I was able to see the whole island that Disney 

owns (Castaway Cay).
 
But, I am glad to be home now.   I have been on 5 trips this past year 

and exhausted.    Lately, I have felt stressed out for some reason and

that has been bugging me. I sure hate feeling so down.    I sure hope I 

start to feel better soon.

March 2, 2005: Grandma Gonyo's Advice

"Don't dwell on the past. I know at this time of the yr. it is hard not
to think about it but remember ACCEPT THE THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE- COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS YOU CAN AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob worshipped both you and Joannie and he was a wonderful son to me always so thoughtful to everyone. He would always remember his Grandma with little gifts and she thought the sun rose and set in him. You know how much Pauline thought of him. She always said he seemed more like her son as he was so considerate and good to her as Ken was not that thoughtful at times. We cant change things but I do know Bob would want the very best for you and would want you to be happy. Nowadays more is understood by the Doctors than it was long ago. I was always so proud of both of my boys . I thought they were both good looking and so good always to me. We had many good times together. We can't go back and change anything so the best thing is to keep your mind busy, don't sit around and brood about something you can't do anything about. You can take care of yourself. I try to delve into some project around here.  I work on Norms book work which keeps me from thinking about how old I am and how wrinkled I'm getting. As Abraham Lincoln said, "You can be as happy as you make up your mind to be. No one's life is perfect and no one gets thru life without troubles. You think some people are so happy but you find out everyone has a cross to bear. Remember everyone who took their troubles in a sack to church and put them on the altar, the priest said you could pick anyone's sack to take home and everyone took home their own sack. When you think of what a sweetheart you are, you are able to walk, see, have a job and a nice car to go places, how many people would love to be in your shoes. When I see these young gals (renters of Norms) tied down with kids, no money, waiting table to make enough for food and rent and they come up short all the time, my cleaning lady cleans every day to make ends meet and her one daughter ran away and the son is hyperactive and she is so tired when she comes, she goes with a crumb bum who drinks
and one door is off his car and it is painted 3 different colors and I think WHAT A LIFE !!! Be thankful for all the good things."

Love
Grandma

January 2005: McAllen, Texas

My mom and I left on Saturday for McAllen. We flew from Muskegon to Detroit to Dallas to McAllen. The temperatures all week were in the 60s, which was much nicer than 12 degrees, which we had here.


As soon as we got to Texas, Beulah drove us around the town. We dropped off her dog, Missy, at her friend, Kitt's house. We got to see the trailer they rented last year. She wanted to show us this restaurant called Pepe's that is the place for the young people, but it closed at 6 p.m. We had a heck of a time finding it in the dark. It is right on the Rio Grande River. So, then we decided to eat at IHOP. Grandpa isn't doing too well. His health is ok, but his mind isn't there. Plus, he gets very tired and doesn't want to do much. It is sad to see him this way, as he was always full of energy and always on the go. The first day we were there, I noticed such a difference. He tended to wander around, get ornery, etc.


Sunday, we drove over to South Padre Island, as I wanted to see that. It is narrower than I expected. There is a beautiful bridge you go over. We stopped at the Visitor's Center and got some reading material. They have a free shuttle that stops at different places on the island, so we took that around. It wasn't too busy on the island as it was in the 60s and breezy.
The time to go there is during spring break in March when all of the college kids are down there. But, it gave us a chance to see the area. We also stopped at this lighthouse that is on the other side of the bridge in Port Isabel. We had lunch at this Treasure Restaurant and it was delicious.
Grandpa didn't want to eat anything for lunch. That is unlike him to do that, too.


My mom lost these clip on things for her glasses while we were in Port Isabel. We looked all over the restaurant thinking they were there. On our way out, we looked and grandpa wasn't there. So, then we tried to find him.  He had wandered back to our table looking around for those glasses. He doesn't tell you he is going back to the table, he just wanders. That is scary.


On Monday, Beulah took us to the local mall while she went China painting. The mall has every store you can imagine. I got a leather jacket for $99 from Dillards and then a hot pink leather jacket from Casual Corner for $99 (regular $299) so I was happy with my deals. Then, Beulah picked us up and we went for lunch at Black Eyed Pea Restaurant which is like a Chili's.


We discussed Grandpa's current health. Although his basic health is good, his memory is not. I don't think he has alzheimers, but has the characteristics of it. Beulah said there is no way he should be living alone. She says she notices things he forgets to do everyday. You have to
tell him to change his shirt or shorts, or he wears the same thing every day. He may leave a stove on, forgets to take the dog out, etc. We think it is getting to be the time for him to either be in assisted living or stay with Beulah. Beulah has thought hard about it, but said she would be willing to have Grandpa live with her. She doesn't want to live in his house, as she feels she would be unhappy there, which I agree with. It is a large undertaking to take care of someone, but she wants to do it. We did talk to grandpa about selling his van and he agreed to do that. We can't sell his big yellow car as he wants it to become an antique car. He got it in 1984 and wants to keep it 4 more years. We would like to sell it, but can't at this point. We even asked him if he would like to live with Beulah from now on (even after coming back from Texas) and he said he gets lonely at home himself. We told him if he moved, we would probably have to sell his house, which means he would have to go through all of the appliance parts he has in the garage. Once we clean out his garage, then we will have him go through that when he gets back to Michigan.


It is so sad to see him the way he is, as it isn't like him. He was sleeping much of the day in his lazy boy and watching TV.


On Monday, Beulah took my mom and I over to this Famous brands store as they have everything $16.99 there.
Then, she took us for the ultimate shopping experience. She said we would never
do anything like this before. She said she would give one of us a prize for the best deal. We thought we were going to a place with Ralph Lauren clothes for dirt cheap. We stopped at 'Ropas Usadas' and inside were heaping piles of used clothing that the Mexicans were sorting through one by one. The clothes were smelly and old. We couldn't believe that people actually went through all of that. We got a picture of us in the pile.  One guy was using a fork lift to sift through the piles. The Mexican women had masks on while sorting. It was a sight to see. I guess I couldn't imagine living like that. Down in Texas, the women have Ropas parties where they go to these stores and find clothes and wear them in a fashion show. 


On Monday night, we went to their clubhouse and had a potluck and some entertainment afterwards. Grandpa got Beulah out there and they danced a few numbers. That is the happiest I have seen him in a while. He was doing well on the dance floor. They stopped going dancing last year as he wasn't doing the dances right and the women would complain. He would say it was the woman's fault.


It is really building up in McAllen. Grandma Gonyo lived there for 6 months while my Grandpa was in the service. She worked at a department store there which was across from the hotel she stayed at. We think the location of that hotel is where the present Renaissance hotel is there.


Beulah drove us to Progresso, Mexico to check that out. We walked over the border into Mexico for 30 cents. The line to get back into the US was long. It was wrapped around the block. It took us around 45 minutes to get through the line. There were security cameras all around and sniffing dogs, but I still think it seems to easy for people to get into the United States. I think the security at the airport is much better than at the border.  They look at your drivers license or passport so fast, too.
We got into a rainstorm on our way back and the traffic was backed up for miles. Beulah is sure a good driver for only having one working eye.  She had cancer in one eye when she was a kid so has a glass eye. She sure gets us all over town.
Beulah is truly remarkable.

Tuesday night, we went to see the Dutton family in concert at their convention center. They sure put on a good show.

November 30, 2004: Maggie's 1st Birthday

I decided that I wanted to celebrate Maggie's first birthday by throwing a doggie birthday party. I invited our neighbors, friends, and their dogs to come.    We played a couple of games.  One of the games was to see which dog ran the fastest.  Of course, Maggie won that game, as she knew what to do. The other dogs just wandered around in the backyard.

Cody, Conner, Shannon, Brittanie, Ashley, Jim, Melanie, Jasmine, Patty, Jackie Balcom, and some neighbors came. I had food for the dogs, as well as the humans.    I bought a cake for Maggie to blow out.    Well, actually I blew out her candles.      I think the party was quite a big success.       Maggie is like a kid to me, so why not throw her a birthday party.

October 16, 2004: Columbus, OH/Longaberger Homestead

Well, we made it here to Columbus, Ohio. We got here around 9:15. We had some stops to do on the way, so that is why it took us longer. I usually don't like to drive in the dark, but didn't have much of a choice as I had to work until 11 a.m. today. I think I only have around 6 hours left of vacation.

It is hard to drive when it is dark and rainy and you are in an unfamiliar place.


We are staying at the Marriott Hotel by the Columbus Airport. Then, we will drive over to Dresden, Ohio tomorrow to visit the Longaberger basket homestead. We have reservations to make our own baskets so that should be fun. I will have to keep my basket in a safe place, away from Maggie, as she loves to chew on basket material.

October 2004: Little Sister, Brittanie

I decided that I wanted to make a difference in a child's life, so I volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sister.    They assigned me to Brittanie Kammers.   She was around 8 yrs old and had 2 brothers.        Our first meeting was at her house off of Lakeshore Drive.       The first actual activity was at my house.  She met my mom, as well as my dog, Maggie.    The leaves had fallen on the ground.    I took a picture of her with Maggie in the leaves.      

I took her on many activities over the next few years such as:   Chicago,  Mackinac Island, Spa Day (10th Birthday gift), hockey games, dog walks, movies, scrapbooking, Butterfly Farm at Meijer Gardens,  Badger Trip, etc.     I enjoyed spending time with her.    It got harder to spend time with her as she got older and wanted to spend time with kids her own age.  She truly has been a blessing to me.