February 13, 2011: In Memory of Grandma Marjorie Hope Gonyo

When I came home from church, mom said I should sit down.   She said that Marianne had called and left us a message that Grandma Gonyo had passed away in her sleep during the night.   I was glad that she didn't have to suffer any longer than she did.     She was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.    She had breast cancer around 5 yrs ago and had radiation, but did not want chemo at that time.        Her close friend, Norm Schultz, has been calling her everyday since she returned to Michigan last May.      She had carpal tunnel surgery on her right hand last winter which was painful for her.     She hadn't been the same since that surgery.     She wrote me emails up until around April with one hand.      She enjoyed writing her whole life.     I have saved several of her emails with wonderful advice.    The hardest part for me is not being able to write her about my life and ask for more advice.    She was excellent with that.      

It didn't hit me until tonight that she is gone.  I took Maggie outside and looked up at the cloudy sky, but could see a glimpse of the moon and prayed for my grandma.  She is now in heaven with grandpa and my dad.  I miss them all.   

Yesterday, my mom had a heartfelt talk with me about my dad and her courtship and marriage.   My dad's grandmother told my mom that she was going to have a wonderful mother-in-law, which is exactly what she had.   Finally, the pieces of the puzzle are getting filled with regard to my dad.  It has taken almost 26 years to get the information that I have been looking for.

Early last week, I had a dream about planning my grandma's funeral, so I called her Tuesday to say hello.  She wasn't feeling well, so really didn't want to talk.  I just talked a few minutes and said I loved her and she said she loved me too.  I am so glad I gave her that phone call.

My grandma is the one who got me interested in watching the soap opera, 'Young and the Restless' back in 1990.  I have been watching it ever since.    She always got a kick out of the character, Victor Newman.     There are many times, I would stop over her house at 1846 Manz St. in Muskegon to visit with her and watch the soap opera.       I also enjoyed playing cards with her.   We played Kings in the Corner quite often.  

She was born August 9, 1919 in Brunswick, Michigan.   She had a sister, Pauline Kimball, and a brother, Max Morrison.    She married my grandfather, George Gonyo, on August 9, 1940, which would have been her 21st birthday.    She had two sons, George Gonyo and Robert Gonyo.     My father passed away on April 24, 1985 and my grandfather passed away November 11, 1993 down in Zephyrhills, FL.   

I will remember the times up at the cabin in Baldwin and all of the good food we had there, such as Bugles, ice cream sundaes, pot roast, and cheesy potatoes.      When she went to bed, she always had on the radio, which helped her sleep.  One time I was staying at their house on Manz and enjoyed listening to the scanner.   I knew what crime was going on in the area.     

She gave me this frame that says "Before You Go to Bed, give your troubles to God.  He will be up all night anyway".   I have that sitting on my night stand for reference.   

I will miss my grandmother deeply.   

February 2, 2011: Blizzard 2011

This morning, I got a text from Tiffany Peterson, saying she got an automatic phone call from 911 saying the County of Muskegon offices were closed to non-essential employees.  I think we both fit in that category.   I gave Tiffany a call and we watched the reports on WZZM13.   


I really didn't get back to sleep the rest of the morning, as I was checking facebook and the news for more weather updates.      


Muskegon got around 14 inches of snow overnight.     I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the window. The snow is up to my knees.

February 1, 2011: Louisville to Muskegon

I can't believe it is the last day of our fun-filled vacation.   I don't think any of us on the bus were in a hurry to go back to the possibility of a blizzard that is on its way.  
Helped Tim Shelton, our bus driver, find a place for lunch.     I am sure I drove him crazy with my laughing.  :o)
We had a nice conversation.   Our escort, Ernie Sloan, was getting a kick out of us.      I guess that is also my second job----entertainment.


We played a game on the bus that if you said the word 'bus' then you put a nickel in the cup.   Boy, you don't realize how many times you say that word.    Tim tried to ask what transportation I took while living in Chicago. I said: Metra, El, South Shore train,  and couch, but not the word bus.


It's a good thing I went back and sat down in my seat, as shortly after, we went by a semi and a big piece of ice flew off of it and hit our bus's windshield, cracking it.  A little while later a bird got caught in the wipers, which was pretty funny.


Had our last lunch at Culvers just north of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I enjoyed my mushroom & swiss burger.


We got back to Muskegon around 5:30 p.m.    


Here are the stats on the bus trip through Orchard View Travelers.   We went 3,950 miles, used 571.75 gallons fuel, and spent $1973.51. The average price of gas was $3.46.  The bus gets 6 mpg on the highway.  

January 31, 2011: Chattanooga to Louisville

This morning, we went to the Hunter Museum of Art in downtown Chattanooga.    There is a neat glass bridge next to the art museum.   You walk across from it and can see all the way down to the road. It is pretty freaky to walk on.    There are two parts to the museum.   The older paintings from the 19th century are in the southern mansion.  The newer art pieces were in the modern portion of the museum.      I highly recommend visiting this art museum. They have some fabulous pieces.


After lunch, we stopped at the Russell Stovers store.     I bought myself a box of Valentine candy, but won't open it until Valentine's Day.   I am always good to myself.  :o)      


Tonight, we are staying at a Drury Inn in Louisville, KY.    I highly recommend this hotel chain.    They have a small dinner from 5:30 to 7 every night and a nice breakfast in the mornings.  The hotels are very nice, too.    


Enjoyed chatting with the bus driver, as well as a couple on the trip.    You always learn something from everyone you meet.  I am surprised by how many couples on the trip are on their 2nd marriages.   They seem so happy together.  I think that is awesome.


I've been watching the weather reports back in Michigan and not looking forward to the possibility of 10 to 12 inches of snow.  

January 30, 2011: Ocala to Chatanooga

The next few days are going to be a long ride home.    We left Ocala, FL early this morning.  We had a lunch stop in Cordele, GA, and then got to Chatanooga, TN around 5:30 p.m.


I helped the escort plan our lunch and where we would stop.   I enjoyed doing that.   In retirement, I would love to be an escort for a tour company.   Traveling has always been in my blood, and I can't imagine life without it.
If I had endless money, I would love to drive around all 50 states on one trip and just stop and see all the sights, but unfortunately, I have to work for another 30 years. 


We still plan to check out other areas of North Carolina.   Olive said that we should also check out New Bern, NC, as it is a beautiful city.    


There is a hotel in Memphis, TN called the Peabody Hotel, where there are ducks swimming in the tountain.   The ducks do a walk through the lobby at 11 am and 5 p.m. every day.     Many movie stars have come to this hotel to see the duck walk.    I am hoping we can stay there a night when we go this summer.  


Learned a little from the older folks on the trips. So many of them are couples and been married awhile.    They know how to give good advice about life.     Some are single and enjoy that, as well.     You never know what people go through, until you talk to themI .  Sometimes, I may look at someone and think they have it made. Then, they tell me their story, and I am so surprised.      


As I have been writing, I have been saying how I have wanted to be married and have my own family, which I hope is in the Lord's plan for me.

January 29, 2011: Las Olas Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale

We left Miami early this morning.   The porter didn't get our luggage, so we hauled it down ourselves. We were not impressed with the service at that hotel.  It took them forever to bring all of our luggage up when we first got to Miami.     The room was ok.   We weren't in the room that much anyway.  


Spent about 3 hours on Las Olas Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale.  They had a bunch of galleries, shops, and outdoor cafes.    Traffic was better in this city than in Miami.     We found this wonderful Italian bakery and got some Italian ice cream and some cannolis.    


Took the Florida Turnpike through Orlando and spending the night in Ocala, FL.   John Travolta has a home in the city of Anthony, which is just outside Ocala.    The escort and bus driver got a kick out of all of the movie star homes we have found on our travels.    


We are planning to check out Raleigh in probably June.    The temperature may be better for me.  I've been reading about the unemployment situation around Florida, which isn't too good right now. Forbes listed Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami as the top 10 worst places to find work.   


When you are trying to figure out your future, you look at so many different things.    You can't always prepare for what is ahead of you, but sometimes, make it a little easier by making some better decisions along the way.


Praying for my future and that I find a good home, church, and a job.    I have been praying for a husband and a family of my own, but sometimes wonder if it will ever be.    Thank you for being such good friends and family to me and thank you for your prayers.

January 27, 2011: Gator Park & Hard Rock Cafe

It was another relaxing morning for me. I enjoy taking my time and not rushing around. Man, I wish I was retired and could do that every day.


We went to the Everglades today to Gator World to see some alligators. We took an airboat all around. Saw some alligators which was pretty cool. One of them had baby alligators about 4 months ago. The tall grass on the sides is real sharp at the top. It can even slice your fingers. I forgot the name of this grass, but it is found all over the Everglades.


We got to see a Scorpion. I held a 4 foot real, life alligator and my mom took a picture. That was pretty cool. The skin on it felt cold.


Had dinner tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami. Found out that our bus driver, Tim Shelton, was an extra in the Kurt Russell movie filmed in Coopersville. He said he was wearing a tshirt that said Shelton on it.


I had wanted to go see my dad's aunt Pauline's home in Coral Gables, but we just ran out of time. Here are the directions to it so next time I go, I won't forget to check it out. ‎916 Venetia Ave. Coral Gables. --- Go to the Granada entrance at 8th. St. and go S. on Granada for 2-3 blocks to Venetia