June 14, 2014: Devon VanZanten's High School Open House / 2013 Honda Civic

Back in February and March, I started to get my anxiety back due to the polar vortex, the lack of sunlight, my financial stress, etc.   I got on a new medication, we sold both our cars for a 2013 Honda Civic to share, and cut back on other expenses.   It was hard to give up my Honda CRV, but I knew I couldn't afford the payments at that time.   A few weeks ago, I saw this 2 door black 2013 Honda Civic on the lot and we asked for a quote.   The quote we got was $16,500.   I really wanted my own car again and even tried to work out a deal with my mom, but she said no.

Well, last night, Mom was thinking again about the car situation, as she was the one who didn't have a car during the day, as I was driving our 1 car to work.    She said we should go back to the dealership and see if that car was still there, so we went last night.   Sure enough, the car was still in the lot.    I secretly was hoping I could get the car, but new that financially, I wouldn't be able to do it again.

Mom decided that she would co-sign for the car for me, as long as I made the payments. She also gave me part of my early inheritance to pay off the credit card bills from our move into the condo.  This was the only way I could afford a car payment again.   I was thrilled to get a car again.    I haven't had a 2 door car since high school, but this car was a great deal ($3000 off blue book).   I always wanted a black car, so I was getting that too.     

So, we spent the morning at the dealership getting the car, and then hurried home to get ready for my cousin, Kelsey's son, Devon's, open house.   I still can't believe he is 18 years old and graduated high school.   He will be attending Central Michigan University in the fall.  College now costs about $20,000 a year, so Devon is responsible for half.  I can't believe college is so expensive these days. How are kids supposed to pay for that, a car, housing, food, etc?

We drove my new car to Kelsey's house.   It was nice to chat with our relatives, Christi, Larry, Pam, Charlene, Steve,  Kelsey, Matt, Emma, and Devon.
They did a great job with the party. They had the food in their garage and the tables and chairs in the driveway.   They served chili dogs, pasta salad, chips, etc.  They had a snow cone machine, cotton candy, and a candy table with all of Devon's favorite candies.      

Christi said she and Ken were moving to a home on Bear Lake Rd, so she was excited about that. She is also working on her master's degree from Cornerstone University.

Overall, this was a fantastic day.

June 8, 2014: Kenny Kibbey's High School Open House

 

 

This must be the year for graduations, as I have Brittanie, Kenny's, and Devon's parties.    Kenny Kibbey is the son of one of my friends, Kathryn, whom I used to work with at the health department.  Kathryn is now working at the Juvenile Transition Center.     About 8 years ago, I used to hang out more with Kathryn and Kenny.   I had them for Maggie's birthday parties, went to their camp site in the summer, and to Summer Celebration.  In past years, we both have been busier, so haven't been able to get together.

Kenny graduate near the top of his class at Reeths Puffer High School.  He will be going to Muskegon Community College in the fall.  He already got a nice internship at a shop in town.   

It was nice to see Kathryn and Kenny again. I am very proud of him.

June 7, 2014: National Asparagus Festival

Mom and I had been wanting to go back to the asparagus festival for several years, but there would always be something else going on that weekend.  Well, we had this weekend free, so decided to check it out.  I asked my friend Rhonda Collins if she would like to go with us and she said yes.

We got to Hart, MI around 9 am and waiting for the first activity which was a visit on an asparagus farm.    It was free to take the school bus up to the farm and learn about how an asparagus farm operates.   I learned that it takes 3 years from the time the asparagus plant is planted to when it is ready to be harvested.     The harvest season ends in mid June.     This tour was very interesting and such a nice addition to the festival.  

I got to pick asparagus and eat it right away. I was surprised that it had a sweet taste to it.

After our farm tour, we went to sample some foods made with asparagus.   It cost us $5.  All of the samples were delicious.    We kept going back for more samples.

We walked around the small art fair and bought some bracelets made in Uganda.   They matched our necklaces we bought at another art fair in Newaygo.

We watched the parade and acted like little kids running after the candy that was thrown out into the crowd.  I even caught at t-shirt that was thrown my way.  That was a nice surprise.
Rhonda and I truly act like kids when we see candy.  She said she usually sits next to kids at the parades, as she can get some of the candy; otherwise, no one throws it at adults.

We went to the chicken dinner at the Methodist church.  It was good, but not like the dinners we remember where many of the items had asparagus in them.

Took Rhonda around Silver Lake and walked up the large sand dune.  She said she had never been to Silver Lake which surprised me.   Of course, we had to stop at Cherry Pointe Market and get some blueberry streudel.  I was disappointed that they didn't have the cherry donuts.  They don't start production on those donuts until later in the season.

It truly was a wonderful day up in Hart and in Silver Lake. We are very lucky to have these places to visit in the summer.

May 31, 2014-Grand Haven, Coast Guard, and Josh's Art Show

Summers are a busy time in my life which is just the way I like it.  I hate everyday life.   I love to explore the world and see new things. 

Today,  we met my mom's friend, Judi Zubrickas, in Grand Have at our favorite breakfast spot, Morning Star Cafe.   We also stopped at our favorite bakery,  Great Harvest Bread Company.   

Then,  Judi came to our house and we took Maggie on a walk on our trail around the property.  I wore my flip flops which was a big mistake as my feet here hurting by the end of the trail.   

Mom and I drove down to Pere Marquettte park to go to the open house of the Coast Guard.   We got to walk in the south pier lighthouse to the top.  It was not very easy to walk up the steps and ladder to the top.  There was only enough room for 4 adults at the top.  The Coast Guard only has to maintain the light but they don't own the rest of the lighthouse.  There is an organization started that wants to preserve lighthouses.   

There are about 40 people that work at the Muskegon Coast Guard station.

We toured two of their rescue boats.  One was made in the 70's and one was made just recently.  They are going to replace the older one with a new one.

The new vessels cost about $650,000.   

In the evening,  we drove to Grand Rapids to see my coworker, Josh Maitner's art show at the Splurge Salon at 1168 Ionia.   He did a terrific job on his art.  They were selling for about $300 a piece.  He did one for me a few years ago which is on the wall as you go down the steps downstairs.  

It was nice to see other coworkers come to his art show.  Ann Schrader was in charge of the drinks.   Kathy Gardner and Doug from Environmental Health came too.  Kathy is now working for the State in Lansing.   She likes her new job but says it's complicated work.

We stopped at the Woodland Mall before coming home.

May 28, 2014: My Little Sister's Graduation from Muskegon High School

Words cannot express how proud I am of my little sister, Brittanie Kammers.  After struggling my first time with depression in 2003, I started to involve myself in some positive things to help me take my focus off myself and onto other things.   One of the things I got was a dog named Maggie.   The second thing I did was become a Big Sister in the Big Brother, Big Sister Program.  I wanted to be a positive influence in another person's life.   I was interviewed and then matched with Brittanie Kammers when she was 8 years old.

I remember the first day I met Brittanie, which was in October 2004   She was the cutest little kid.    I met her mother and then asked if Brittanie could come to my house on Lawnel Avenue.   Brittanie and Maggie were sitting in the back yard playing in the leaves.    I took a picture of the two of them together.  Then, Brittanie and I made chocolate chip cookies.   That was our first day together.  

Over the years, we did alot of fun things together.  I took her to Chicago with my friend Beth Alkema Short and her 2 daughters, which was a blast.  Brittanie and I went to Mackinac City with my Mom and Maggie.   We went to a nice luncheon at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. We went to Michigan's Adventure,  had Glamour Shot photos taken,  manicures and pedicures, went to a Tigers game, etc.    I truly had alot of fun with Brittanie.  As she became a teenager, she became more interested in her friends, which is typical at that age, so we did fewer activities.   I have remained a part of her life, even if it has been more in the background in the past couple of years.

I was so excited to get the opportunity to see her graduate from high school.  Tonight, she graduated from my dad's alma mater, Muskegon High School, exactly 50 years later.     

It brought tears to my eyes to see her get her diploma.  Her mom, dad, 2 brothers, grandparents, and her first teacher from Head Start came for the occasion.

Brittanie had tears in her eyes when she saw all of us there to greet her after the ceremony. I pray that she has a successful college career and life and that we stay in touch forever.    

Brittanie's grandmother, Rosemary George, put our picture on facebook and wrote these beautiful words about me which meant the world to me.  She said "This is my granddaughter BRITTANIE and AMY GONYO.  Amy has been Brittanie's Big Sister for the past 10 years! She is a wonderful person and has always been there for her.  She is so compassionate and dedicated to her!  We/Brittanie have been truly blessed to have her in Brit's life!  Thanks Amy! 

May 26, 2014: Memorial Day Parade in Lakeside

My friend Mirelda Tokarczyk had asked if I would like to walk in the Lakeside parade in order to advertise their family snow plowing and lawn care business.  I told her I would love to.

We met at her sister, Laura's house on Crozier St.  There were a bunch of her kid relatives that were going to be in the parade,  too.  We all put on the Tokarczyk Services shirts.   

I got to sit in the trailer in the back of the car while we drove through Glenside to the start of the parade.  it was fun being in the trailer and having the wind hit my face while we drove through town.  Of course, it could have been dangerous had we for in an accident.   kids under 16 can't ride in the trailer or you would be ticketed.

Mirelda had made up 500 candy bags for all of us to pass out to the kids at the parade.  We ran out halfway through the parade.  I saw Rhonda Collins at the parade and gave her some candy. Jennifer Elenbaas,  Sara Luna, and Lisa Wolters saw me in the parade and waved.

Mirelda invited me for hot dogs and chips at her sister's house after the parade which was nice. We had a nice visit.   

May 24, 2014: Annual Trip to Baldwin

We decided to take our neighbor Kay Mueller on our annual trip up to Baldwin. Of course, we had to stop at Hillyop Bakery near Grant for their rolls.   

Then, we went to Newaygo and wandered around the art fair.  Mom and I got this cute handmade necklaces for $10.  They were made out of magazine paper.   We found some clothes at the 37 North store. We had a nice lunch at the Train Stop Depot restaurant.

We continued up through White Cloud.  I wanted to find this hotel that my coworkers, Deb Wilson and Kevin Green had talked about.  It was called "The Shack" which is in a little town called Jugville.  Its a beautiful resort near White Cloud.  They serve banana splits at night if you stay at the hotel.  Some of the rooms have jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces.  

They also have breakfast and dinners.  

I thought it was a beautiful place to stay.

We showed Kay where our cabin was located.  Stopped at Peggy Katt's store, Katt's Meow. She had some beautiful clothes in the store.   Peggy says she is having a harder time walking around.   She has fallen twice recently and become black and blue.  She and Kenny are going to start going to Florida in October and come back in April as the winters are too dangerous in Michigan for walking.

We had ice cream at Jone's Ice Cream.

We went to the gravestone for my grandparents and my dad to plant flowers.  Uncle George had come up about a week ago to plant some geraniums. We planted some day lilies. 

Showed my Mom and Kay the Amish Community and the school where I helped with the shot clinic.

Overall,  we all had a lovely day.   when we got home,  I lauds on the couch and fell right asleep. I was exhausted.