April 29, 2011: Prince William & Catherine's Royal Wedding

I remember watching Princess Diana's wedding back in 1981.  Now, her oldest son, William, was getting married to Catherine Middleton.    This wedding has been in the news for about six months.     It was aired on every major network.    The wedding ceremony began at 11 a.m. London time, so I got up at 4 a.m. my time, in order to watch the nuptials live.       William and Catherine had dated for about 9 years.  They had broken up in 2007 for a few months, but then got back together.      This was supposed to be the wedding of the century.    After the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, they took a carriage ride through the streets of London to Buckingham Palace, where they did their famous kiss.   One of the little chubby bridesmaids covered her ears while the military planes flew above the palace.   It was quite funny.     They had several parties during the day.   Although the wedding was played over and over on the news, it still was gorgeous. They estimated that it cost about $40 million.  

My Best Friends Growing Up

I was very blessed to live on Lawnel Avenue and have many kids to hang out with in the neighborhood.

Kara Filius lived down on the corner of Lawnel and Lincoln, next to the farmhouse.  I met her when I was 4 years old.  Mr. Crab lived in the farm house next door. We used to go to his house to get cookies and candy.   He was the nicest older guy we had ever met.      He made it to 100 years old.

Eric Anderson and Jeff Anderson lived behind me at 2260 Columbus Ave.    I met Eric when I was 4 years old.   We went to each others houses almost every day.   His mom, Patty, was the greatest 2nd mom to me. She used to make us sandwiches and punch and we would sit on this small picnic table in their back yard.

There was one morning when I got up around 7:30 a.m. and ran in my pajamas through the backyard over to Eric's house and yelled for Eric.    His mom yelled out the window that he was still sleeping and he could come out later. I was so excited to hang out with him.    We all laugh to this day about that.

Their younger brother, Matt Tomasiewicz, came along in 1984.   He was like a little brother to me all growing up. I would take him to the movies, bike rides, ice cream, stores, and play baseball, kickball, and tennis outside with him. 

Justin Sternberg lived next door to Eric and Jeff.     He was always so humorous growing up.   

Next door were Ted and Pat Zimmer's family.  They had 5 children (Kim, Lori, Sharon, Debbie, and David).   Debbie and David came over when I was little to play with me.   

Across the street were Bill and Kim Daugherty.   Bill was my age and Kim was about 5 years younger.     Next to Bill and Kim were Anne and Tony Ruthkowski.   Their grandchildren, Jessica, Alison, Karen, Joe, Jeff, and Kelli came over to play.      Across the street from the Zimmers were Anne and Tony Kulikowski.    I played with their granddaughters, Alexia, Alissa, and Aleah Wysozan.

On the corner of Lawnel and Leon was Mike Keith.    He wasn't there very long.  When he moved to Grand Haven Rd, he came back one day and told us how lucky we were to have so many kids to play with in the neighborhood.

Later on, I met Nicole Sanchez, Paresh and Priya Hansji, who lived on Columbus street.     Between all of these kids, I always had someone to hang out with.    

My dad's friend, Bob Dykema, had 2 kids, Kim and Steve, who we went to visit in Jenison on several occasions. They had a pool in their backyard which was so fun. Also, my dad's friend, Ron Morse, had 3 boys (Dan, Jim, and Phi) who we saw during the year.  They lived in Spring Lake on Carol St.

I met Sue Arnouts in grade school. She lived on Reneer St.  I didn't hang out with her much as a kid, but when I got to high school, we became great friends.     I have enjoyed hanging out with she and her daughter, Ashley.      Ashley was born in 1993.  I hung out with Sue and Ashley all the time.     They have been wonderful friends.

In 2002, I met Cody and Conner Schotts.  They moved in next door.  They were like my other little brothers. They came over to visit me.  I taught them how to play croquet and we played video games. I will never forget them looking out their bedroom window and yelling over to me and I would yell hello back.

Even though I was an only child, I never felt like one, as I always had someone in the neighborhood.    

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.