I love these photos.
They are so representative of my Karen's beautiful heart.  Her smile never leaves.

Another really difficult month--financially.  $82.00 for new car license tabs, 'cause it's my birthday month. Six months worth of house insurance due.  I was paying by the month and think I'd better go back to that way. Why don't I put away a little  money each month to pay for these extra things?  Hey!  I would, if I could, but every month, the bottom line in my budget is red--in fact, I rejoice if it is only a bit pinkish!!

I wish I had that $20.00 back that I gave to the homeless vet.  Why did I give the next door kid five bucks for carrying in my groceries?  I should put the tags on my wedding outfit and take it back for a cash return.  Of course, I have a new bill each month in the summer--$40.00 a month for lawn mowing.

==================

I decided to get my car washed--needed it soooo badly.  When I drove into the entrance and they hooked my car in, it felt like it was a bit crooked.  But it went through fine--until the last, big brush.  KA-WHAP!  It yanked my driver's side mirror right off!  It was so loud, it made me jump!

I pulled back around to the entrance and told the guy what happened.  He had to shut the wash down, go in and get my mirror.  I asked,"Do I file a claim to get this repair paid for?"

He pointed to the, "We are not responsible for external mirror, antennas, blah, blah, that come of the vehicle during the wash process."

I was about ready to cry, "Could you at least give me my seven dollars back for the wash?"

He looked at me like I had two heads.

The mirror is one of those you can adjust from the inside--wires and all.  I don't need that kind of mirror.  I am perfectly capable of rolling down the window, putting my hand out and adjusting it.  What was this repair going to cost me?  In an already dark red monthly budget.

This morning I drove on down to Brighton to my service garage.  I was singing, "God Will Take Care of You" all the way in.  The guys in there have always been good to me in fixing my old car.  Using not the most expensive parts, but good enough to last years.  Kevin greeted me.  I laid the mirror on the counter.

"Ahh--I want you to pull outta here and go up three buildings to the body shop.  Ask for Ryan.  They can do it better and cheaper than we can."

So I left and drove up to the body shop.  Kevin must have called ahead because Ryan was waiting for me in the drive.  I handed him my mirror.

"I don't really need this fancy mirror.  Can you get a regular mirror from the junk yard and just put it on?"

"Come with me," he said.

He sat down at his computer and put the VIN of my car in.  Then he called a parts place.

I'm standing there thinking...two, three, four hundred?

He put some more information into his computer, looked up at me and said, "A hundred dollar bill."

All of a sudden, water started coming out of the corner of my eyes.  I was soooo embarrassed!

I never cry!  I didn't cry at the wedding.  I don't cry at funerals.  I never cry.

"I'm sorry for being so emotional.  I thought it would cost more and...I guess I'm relieved."

"That's okay,  We'll get the part and call you for an appointment.  You won't need to find a ride home because the fix will only take about thirty minutes."

So I asked for a copy of the paperwork, so in case I get stopped by a cop, I had proof I was going to get my mirror fixed.

I drove back to the service garage--Kevin was the only one at the counter.  I gave him a hug, still with tears in my eyes.  "Thank you so much!"  He got one of those "aww shucks" looks on his face.

Then I had to drive all the way up to Walmart in Howell to pick up a prescription.  Not too worried about the cost.  Probably $3.00.  The pharmacy guy handed it to me and said, "No co-pay today."

I sat in my car.  Why was there no co-pay?  There was three months ago.

I use the Walmart Savings Catcher.  I put in my receipt number, they check other stores and if a product I bought is cheaper somewhere else, they give me the difference and it goes on a card I can use the next time I shop.

I had over $22.00 on that card, but last week when I tried to use it, it showed zero balance.  So I called their Corporate office.  They don't use that card anymore.  They put the savings on your Smart Phone and you use that at check-out.

I explained that I didn't have a cell phone.  How was I going to get my savings money?  I had let it build up purposefully to use in a RED month.

The service guy didn't have any help for me.

"That doesn't seem fair," I said.  "Not every old person has a Smart Phone.  I don't."

He was sorry, but couldn't help.

I said, "I understand.  Thanks for trying to help me."  and hung up the phone.

Hours later, I noticed an e-mail from Walmart.  I thought it was a notice that my prescription was ready.  I opened it to read it and there, from the customer service guy, was a e-gift card.  All I have to do is present it at the check-out.  They will scan the code and I will get my money.

========================

Coincidences?  I don't think so.  I just  looked upwards and said, "Thank you, God!"

and this one will be getting married on

May 29th, next year.

===================================

I am feeling bad about Dar.  She came over yesterday evening to talk.  Her conversation left me feeling pretty shaky.

April of 2016, her car was rear-ended by an SUV.  She still has no settlement from it.

She has many health issues since then.  Related to the accident?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Caused by her emotional/mental issues?
Some.

She has had over a year of physical therapy.  Then, she had to have hernia surgery.  Two months ago, shoulder surgery.  

About six weeks ago, she had another AFib and had to have her heart shocked back into normal sinus rhythm.  Two days later, she had an ablation.  

Two weeks ago she started swelling up.  She gained 15# in two days!!  She has been to the Cardiologist every other day for the last two weeks, having tests, MRI's, Echo, EKG, and a heart cath.

She has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension.  The arteries in the lungs narrow and not enough blood can get through to the heart, thus raising her blood pressure--200/120.

It is also a progressive, fatal disease.  No cure, very little drugs to help maintain it.  The longest most patients live is 3 years.

It is not caused by smoking, but rather a rare genetic gene she was born with, although no one in her family has ever had it.  It will probably progress to heart failure.
===============
This really shook me up!  She's younger than I am and has always appeared so physically healthy.  

I don't know anything else to do except pray for her.

I hurt from the back of my neck to my toes.  I am not kidding!!

===================================

I had quite a fiasco with my make-up.  I actually had to Google, which to apply first, concealer or foundation.  Strange how I could forget a process I did every day when I worked.

When I opened up the light brown, white swirly Cover Girl foundation I had last used two years ago, it was kind of dried out.  So---like any normal woman, I spit on it a little, to get it to a more moist, creamy state.

Foundation--concealer--blush--more concealer.  Big poufy brush on cake powder.  Smaller poufy brush, more blush.  More concealer.  More poufy brush powder.  Highlighter under the brow--a bit of bluish eye shadow at outside corner of eyelids.  

Mascara--the scariest part of all.  I told my right hand tremor to just hold still and brushed upwards as best I could.  I discovered in the process, that I have really short eyelashes.  Where did they go?  Another coat of mascara--let it dry.  Should I chance another coat?  Nope--not taking any more changes of sticking the mascara wand into my eye!!  A bit of lipstick on my thin, disappearing lips and a final spray with a fine mist of water--just to set everything.

Hair?  That's easy.  A run through with the brush and spray.

Susan and Chuck picked me up at 12:30.

You can tell we were born 13 years apart.  She obviously came at the end of the gene pool!  HAH!

When we got to the big Catholic church, I sought out the groom's room, and presented  his "lucky penny for his pocket", to Marcus, which also gave us a few minutes to kiss, hug and for me to give him his blessing.

6'5" grandson Stephen walking me in.

I had to whisper to slow down a bit,

he was taking such big strides.

 Our side of the family

Della, Helene& Mike, Madeleine, my ex's wife, my ex, Morgan, Marcus, Me, Karen & Mark, Susanna and Stephen

Karen & Mark and Morgan & Marcus

The back of me and Grandma Irene's head

I now have her e-mail address.

She will be moving up here this fall 

The newly constructed Rivard clan.

Stefan & Maddie, James & Susanna, Morgan & Marcus, Mark & Karen, Carolyn & Stephen

Della, Helene & Mike in the back.

Stefan & Maddie to be married a year from now.

James & Susanna, dating.  He lives in Alaska, she in Portland, OR.

Carolyn & Stephen, dating, both in pre-med at Michigan State.

Me and my girls

Jennifer, Cindy (DIL)

Moi & Karen

Missing our Pammie a whole lot!!

 My Mark & Cindy

The reception was held on the grounds of Michigan State University, in the Horticultural gardens and conservatory.

 Chuck & susan

Karen and her eldest son

the groom.

I have tons more, but this is enough.

Interesting Note: 

Marcus graduated from University of Michigan--the inside lining of his Navy jacket was Maize.  The rest of us in Marcus' family either went to, graduated from or just love Michigan State University.  Morgan and her family moved here or still live in Ohio and are huge Ohio State University fans.  This makes for interesting conversations when we get together to watch college football and basketball.  It's a good thing we are all nice people, as there never is any picking on whoever's team loses.

Our family is now comprised of Catholics, Protestants (Morgan did not convert), Jews, Agnostics.  Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians.  Again, because we are all nice people, we never argue about differences...heck, we don't even think about it.  We are family and family means (should mean) acceptance of each member.

====================== 

BTW--the bathroom at the reception was 864 steps away.  There was a blue painted line on the cement walkway, that led through green houses on each side, through the loading dock area, around passed classrooms.  864 steps!  I counted.  I made the trip 3 times.  Plus all the walking on cement parking lots and sidewalks--thus the severe back, hips, feet pain today.

Worth every bit!!!!

I'm ready

I have my schedule make for tomorrow.  Susan and Chuck are going to pick me up instead of me having to drive to their place.  12:30 is the time--to get there by 1:30 for wedding at 2:00.

I have developed a UTI which is making my small bladder even more irritated.  I hope the ceremony doesn't last very long.  I will be sitting in the front of the church and would have to stand up and leave to seek a bathroom, while everyone watches me.

I shined up my old navy blue shoes and they will work.

I have everything ready to go.

I ran the top and skirt through the dryer,

on low heat, with a dryer sheet.

Hoping to prevent static cling.

I have my purse, knee highs, two scrubbies I made for

the bride,s aunt because I heard her mention how

much she liked and needed them.

Mints, a cough drop, tissues in the purse.

The gift

An Marcus' lucky year-he-was-born

penny for his pocket.

A cool front coming through tonight promises temperature of 72 tomorrow!!
Good thing, because the reception is held in the Michigan State Horticultural gardens--conservatory.  All that glass might be a bit too warm if we had temps like we had this past week.

I will not be taking my camera, but hoping someone takes photos that I can get them to e-mail.

I have been remiss----

Over a week since I posted.  What can I say?

It's too dang hot!!!  We are not used to 94 degree temps, with 80% humidity.  Here in the Mitten State, surrounded by cool Great Lakes and many trees, we shouldn't have to endure this kind of weather.  If I wanted to sweat and feel faint all the time, I'd move to Florida!!!

While my neighbors open their windows and doors in the morning, I have my A/C on all the time.  If it is cool, it doesn't come on.  It's the humidity, you see.  To keep it comfortable inside, one must keep it dry.  To keep it dry, one must run the A/C.  I once had an HVAC guy tell me, when the A/C comes on, it will run for an hour to cool and dry the house.  Sofa's, carpets, curtains all hold the moisture and heat---it takes a long time to cool those things off.  It is cheaper to keep the A/C on than it is to try and cool everything down in the afternoon.  So, until we get that cool, less humid front
to come through tomorrow or Friday, I will keep the house shut up.  That way, my A/C comes on infrequently.

Anyway--expecting a break in the weather and for the wedding this Saturday--72 degrees and low humidity.  YAY!

I have all my gardening done.  I only have one pot of annuals.  A day after I finished, we got a good, soaking rain.

Madeleine had a ballet recital last week, that I attended.  Not only does she still dance, but now she choreographs dances and teaches two classes.  It was delightful and I got home at 8:55, just as it was getting dark.

Yesterday, I got my hair cut and my eyebrows arched.  As I was reclining in the waxing chair, I heard someone say, "MOM!"  It was Karen, there to also get her hair cut.  I thought for the wedding she was probably going to wear her hair "up", but she said, "I'm here to get this hot mop chopped off!"  What that means to Karen and what that means to me are two different things.  She probably is going to get an inch cut off.  When I say that, it means, I want it a half inch short all over my head.

Although I got it trimmed, with still a bit of length to bring my hair over the top of my ears, after the wedding--------I will go back to have it cut around my ears, and short, short on top!

I was so lucky that one of my genealogy clients had mailed me $150.00 check, as being the end of the month, I have no money.  I cashed that check, filled the car with $3.09 a gallon gas, $39.00, got my hair cut and brows waxed = $50.00,  and a couple refilled ink jets=$50.00.  I still have $$$ left to buy food, which is needed, but too hot to drive a car that A/C only works intermittently.

I have never in my life seen so many Maple tree whizzers, falling and laying on my driveway.  I have heard from sister and friends that they too have this problem.  I wonder what is causing it.  Too cold and wet an early spring?  Too hot and dry a late spring?  Whatever, in my long life, it is not a natural occurrence.

I need to sweep them off because when rain comes,

they will turn mushy and start to decay

and stain my driveway.

First Lord Baltimore comes

Then Lady Baltimore comes 

Then Lord Baltimore checks out the Hummingbird

feeder to see if the juice in there is tastier than in his feeder. 

I did write about the genealogy I am working on, right?  Trying to find the correct "blood line" surname.  

It took me days, but I finally figured it out and have gone back 12 generations.   I decided though, that because I had done research on the adoptive families, I would also enclose a pedigree of those ancestors.  I have his book done--90 pages.

Now to start his wife's book.  At first they wanted them together, but you know, nowadays with the divorce rate and all, I figured I would do separate books--one of his family, one of hers.  That way, if any unforeseen divorce happens in the coming years, they won't have to fight over who gets custody of the genealogy--although probably that worry would be the last thing on their minds.

I just have this obsessive, perfectionist thing going on with my genealogies.  I want them to be true, accurate and perfect in every detail.

After all...what else do I have to do around here, but sit at the computer and work 5 hours a day.

Oh--yes--there is laundry and cleaning that needs doing.  I can barely walk into this room for all the "stuff" that needs putting away.  Dust an inch thick in here.  I haven't washed the windows or the curtains as yet.  I have too many papers and research stuff on my desk to even think about clearing it off.

Ahhh--there will be time for that...later.

Spring Time

I have 4 Lilac bushes to the west of my house.

When I open the one living room window and my kitchen window, the scent that comes in

just about hynotizes me.  I have such wonderful childhood memories of the large

Lilac bushes my Mother had--also west of the house.  

"So the breeze from the west will blow their scent into the house." she said.

It's Spring time here!

====================

I made out a schedule or "to do" list or whatever you want to call it.

Monday--clean planters, arrange, plant.  Corn in raised bed by shed.  Cherry tomato in one pot, Bonny Best tomato in the other.  Large blue tub, plant cucumber to climb on trellis.

Plant annuals in 3-tiered planter.  Pull Quack grass from front garden.

Reality:  Monday, it rained all day.  Vacuumed and dusted house.  Washed bedding.

==================

Tuesday (today)--do Monday.

Reality:  It is going to rain most of the day.  Run to Walmart and Michael's.  Buy garden hose.

======================

Wednesday--do Monday??