July 31, 2006: Mom's 60th Birthday with Elvis

I decided that I wanted to do something special for my mom's 60th birthday, so I talked to my Aunt Charlene.  She suggested this Elvis impersonator from Grand Rapids, so she booked him for my mom's surprise birthday party.     We had the party at Sam's Joint in Coopersville.    My mom knew we were having a family dinner with Steve, Charlene, Kelsey, Matt, Devon, and Emma, but had no idea that we also invited her friends, Judy and George Zubrickas, as well as Bob and Becky Dykema.

My mom was so surprised when she got to the restaurant.  The Elvis impersonator was so funny.    Elvis sang to her, too.      It was so nice to see her so happy on her birthday. I will never forget that birthday.

July 30, 2006: Maggie in Grand Haven

The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven usually occurs the last weekend in July.   I bought Maggie a cute sailor outfit and wanted her to wear it around Grand Haven.    We walked along the pier and I took some pictures of Maggie.   She was so cute in her pictures.     It was in the 80s, so I am sure it was hot for her to wear clothes, but she kept them on long enough for her photo shoot.

July 2006: Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City

I started Weight Watchers in March 2006.  My mom said if I got off my weight, she would pay for my vacation to Canada in the summer, so I worked really hard at getting my weight off. I lost about 25 pounds before the trip which was very good.      

We took an Orchard View trip to Canada.    I hadn't been to Toronto since 1985.    We got to sit in the back of the bus where they had four seats facing each other with a table in the middle. It was great for playing cards and games on the computer.     We met a nice couple from Zeeland on this trip.  They sat across from us and also had the 4 seats and table.        Their names were Jim and Marty Zylstra.       We played cards with them during the trip and enjoyed each other's company.    There was another couple who sat behind us who were very nice, too.   Their names were Frank & Christine Lanovich.  They lived in a condo at Stillwater Springs in Fruitport. They were originally from a suburb of Detroit.  She retired from Ford Motor Company.

Our first stop on the trip was to Casa Loma, which is near Toronto.     We went there in 1985, but I had forgotten some of it, so it was nice to go back.        Then, we went to Montreal and then to Quebec City.  I really liked Quebec City, as it was so quaint and had the French flavor.     We had a nice lunch at a cafe in Quebec.   We enjoyed our chocolate fondue for dessert.      

We had a great time on this vacation.

July 2006: Frankenmueth and Elvis Impersonator

My Mom and I drove to Frankenmueth for the day to meet with her friends, MaryAnne and Nandor.  We had a chicken dinner and then went to see the Elvis impersonator.  In fact, this guy claims to be the son of Elvis. There is a website all about the DNA testing proving he is the son.  He sounded just like Elvis. 

June 15, 2006: Girls Weekend in Chicago

Beth, Bekky, Gracie, Brittanie, and I drove to the suburbs of Chicago and took the Metra train into the city, so the girls could experience the train ride.      We stayed at a hotel near the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.    We went shopping at the American Girl store, Marshall Fields, Navy Pier, had a meal at Ed Debeviks, and went on the Sky Deck tour of the Sears Tower.   We met up with my friends, Crystal and Ceylon at Bubba Gumps at Navy Pier and had dinner.   Brittanie loved hanging out with Bekky and Gracie.      

November 30, 2005: Maggie's 2nd Birthday

Again, I decided to celebrate Maggie's birthday, by having some friends and their dogs over for her birthday.  I got a cake for her birthday and we did games.  This time, I got take home gifts for the dogs to take home.     We played games and had food.     Brittanie, Jim, Melanie, Julie & Scott, Kathryn & Kenny Kibbey, and Chrisie Langlois Workman came over.  Everyone brought along their dogs.  We were now living at the Hampton Court apartments on Grand Haven Road, so it was pretty wild.   

August 6, 2005: Lucille Ball Birthday Bash (Jamestown, NY)

We got to Jamestown, New York, Friday night around 6:30.  We are staying at the Holiday Inn hotel which is right around the corner from where most of the events are taking place.  Last night, we went to the showing of "Yours, Mine, Ours" which Lucille Ball was in.  It was a cute movie. Afterwards, the museum was open to fan club members only for free.  So, we wandered around there. They had some desserts in there, too.

This morning, we went to the Giuseppe's Birthday Brunch with "I Love Lucy" actor, Bart Braverman.  This brunch was hosted by Melody Thomas Scott, who plays Nikki Newman on the "Young and the Restless".   First, we had brunch, then saw episode 149 of "I Love Lucy".  The Italian shoeshiner kid was the actor that was here to chat with Melody about his life on the set, as well as what he has been doing since then.

At the end of the brunch, Melody Thomas Scott, had to leave, so couldn't get formal autographs and photos, but me and about 3 others hopped on stage right away and I asked Melody if I could get a picture next to her and so she did.  I lucked out as she had other engagements to go to, so she was in a bit of a hurry.

Then, my mom and I did the candy wrapping contest. You have 1 1/2 minutes to wrap candies.  We ended up wrapping about 19 candies.   I had to use large scissors to cut the tin foil (which was hard to do) and then my mom wrapped the chocolate and had to run over and put them in this basket.

We went to the Lucy Desi playhouse and got to see the sets from the New York city apartment, as well as the Hollywood apartment.   I am used to watching the show in black and white, so it was nice to see it in color.   The walls are light pink, the couch in the living room is blue, and the kitchen is a pale yellow.  We couldn't take pictures in there, so that was a bummer.

Then, we got books signed by Keith Thibodeaux who played "Little Ricky" on the show.  

At 4, we went on the LucyTown tour and got to see Lucy's birth home, childhood home, and the cemetery where she is now buried (Lakeview cemetery).  Lucy's chauffeur for 30 yrs was a host on this tour and told us about his experience will Lucille Ball.   His name is Frank Gorey. We got pictures with him, too

Tonight, we went to a Variety show. It was supposed to star "Edie Adams", but she fell ill, so they had a variety show.  Melody Thomas Scott and a Lucy impersonator did this show.   It was quite cute.

I really wanted to go to the Meet and Greet the stars, but couldn't afford it.   I begged my mom to go with me, but she wouldn't.   I was quite bummed about that.  

At least, I got my picture with Melody and Keith.   

Tomorrow, we are going to a Mystery Luncheon starring Wanda Clark, who was Lucy's personal secretary.