April 2006 - Posts

• Selective Hearing??

  As I was waiting for an answer from my husband after I had asked him the same question a couple of times, I thought I would write a poem about his selective hearing. I know we are all guilty of selective hearing at some point, but added to perhaps a slight hearing loss, it seems like it becomes more frequent as we grow older. Anyways, my thoughts on the subject with a little humor. My husband and I have been married for a while Many things happen that still give me a smile Married 40 some years and that�s a lot But still glad we gave it a shot I still talk a lot, but supposedly his hearing is �bad� It appears he doesn�t hear half of what I say; oh so sad Yesterday, I asked him if he wanted Pork Chops now or wait a while He responded with �Chicken�s OK� and that made me smile Actually, I laughed and said �You hear but don�t listen to me� But after all these years, I�m just glad we still be Posted Apr 27 2006, 08:06 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Congratulations Chris!

  Yesterday, we received a phone call from our grandson Chris. He was very excited and rightfully so. He has been offered a FLAS Fellowship to study at Indiana University. His grandfather and I are so proud of him. He has always worked very hard and is very deserving. I started thinking that it was not so long ago that he was at home and just becoming a teenager. Now, here he is off to Indiana to pursue his doctorate. When he turned thirteen, I wrote a poem for him. Some parts of the poem have not changed at all; e.g., his love of music. I would like to share my poem with you. Let me tell you about Christopher Green Pretty soon, he'll be a teen He started out oh so small It's hard to believe he's grown so tall He plays the piano, sax and the flute, the clarinet, french horn and bells to boot He collects instruments, both large and small and he plays them well one and all He has a talent that few can share Chris and his music - what a pair! He also is a geography buff Just ask him a question right off the cuff Countries, rivers and mountains too Stumping him is hard to do Besides his music and talent for grades, his sense of humor can sure win raves He makes you laugh with his silly antics But there are times when he's made us frantic His broken wrist, his damaged toe But what comes next was quite a blow He practiced for weeks the piano he's play for Mike and Margaret on their wedding day He cut his hand, oh so bad He couldn't play. It was so sad. He also has his favorite teams - with jackets to match or so it seems Michigan State and Raiders too. SU and Notre Dame to name a few He teases his brother endlessly But times will change and that you'll see He'll be a man before you know You'll wonder where the time did go And now he towers over me But my grandchild he'll always be Posted Apr 26 2006, 10:52 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Family

  I have not been on the computer much in the last few days so needless to say, I have not entered anything into my blog. I always try to write something with perhaps a little humor and so to do this lately has been a little difficult. Earlier, I mentioned that there were health issues in my household. Well, my husband not only has been diagnosed with lung cancer, but also developed pneumonia. It appears that everything will go in a positive direction once the pneumonia has been cleared up. We are getting to the end of that road. I guess what I want to say here is that without our family, I really don�t know how I would have handled all that was going on in such a short period of time. My husband and I are so very, very fortunate to have such a wonderful family. Each one of our children has been there for anything that was needed of them; physically right there next to me. Even our grandchildren have done everything that they could do; hospital visits, cards, phone calls, extra hugs and kisses, etc. Other family members and friends too have been so caring. My husband made the remark that he did not know that so many people liked him. You would have to know him to realize how ridiculous a statement that is. Please continue reading my blog. I also would appreciate any comments that anyone might have re: any of my blogs. Posted Apr 24 2006, 05:30 PM by dianastories with no comments

• An Easter Blessing

  Most times before our holiday meal, it is my husband or me that usually say grace. In the year 2000, our two grand daughters Michelle and Lyndsey (at that time, ages 7-1/2 and 9) wanted this special honor. I wrote this Easter Blessing poem for them to say. Easter Day is finally here We've waited just about a year We ask you Lord for you to bless Our family and friends and all the rest Easter baskets piled so high For every little girl and guy Ham dinner with cloves and cherries Basted with wine to make you merry Potatoes, breads, and veggies too Salads and drinks, to name a few Chocolate desserts, cakes, and pies Lots of goodies; my oh my Our prayer is over and now complete Thank you Lord for all we'll eat Amen Happy Easter Everyone! . Posted Apr 15 2006, 10:04 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Spaghetti and Meatballs

  I was trying to think of something to write in my blog and my daughter Cathy suggested that I write about Spaghetti and Meatballs. No, I�m not going to give you a recipe, but rather tell you about my family and its fascination with Spaghetti and Meatballs. First of all, as I was growing up, my Mother always served Spaghetti and Meatballs on Thursday. She would prepare something different for my Dad because he was pretty much a �Meat and Potatoes� kind of guy, but the rest of the family had �you know what�. Lots of Italian families would have Spaghetti, etc. on Sundays, but my Mom only made it on Thursdays. The only time we would have Spaghetti on Sunday would be if we were going on a picnic and many times Mom would bring the Spaghetti, etc. with us. The sauce and meatballs were prepared at home and fresh Spaghetti would be made at our picnic spot. Needless to say, other picnickers appeared to be just a little jealous when they smelled Mom�s sauce as they sat and ate their hamburgers and hot dogs. When we were all out of the house, we would still go to Mom�s on Thursdays either to eat there or take a bowl of Spaghetti, etc. home with us. For a long period of time, my parents and my immediate family shared a two-family house, so we did not have to go very far for dinner on Thursday. In the summer months, Mom would prepare dinner no matter how hot the weather every single Thursday. The only difference was that we got to eat outside at a picnic table. One summer, we all went to Canada on vacation and on the way home we had car problems and had to pull over onto the side of the road. While my Dad and husband went to get parts to repair the car, guess what? Lunchtime was here and the kids were hungry so Mom pulled out the cold meatballs and made sandwiches. I will never forget the looks on my Dad�s and husband�s faces as they pulled up and saw the kids sitting on the tailgate of our station wagon eating. Mom came to the rescue once again. Cold meatballs on a hamburger roll may not sound very good, but believe me it was. Can�t tell you how many times I have thought of that particular afternoon. Fun times. Well, that�s my story about Spaghetti and Meatballs and I didn�t even mention anything about my Grandma�s Spaghetti and Meatballs. But then, that�s another blog. Posted Apr 11 2006, 07:20 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Bunko Night

  Tonight is Bunko (Bunco) night. It�s the night that twelve girls get together and play a dice game. There are three tables of four; one table being the head table. Three dice are thrown to see how many one�s you get, then two�s etc. I�m sure you can tell already how complicated it is. I�m not going to bore you with the rules, but only say it is a fun night out. I never realized how many people play this game, but there are shirts, etc. that you can even buy on the Internet. Half way through the night we get to eat; of course, we have been snacking and drinking right along. We laugh a lot, eat a lot, and at the end of the game, depending on your score you may even win a cash prize or a gift. Because our particular game players are family members and friends, it is also a good time to get together. When we first started playing a few years ago, it was just a game for the girls. After a little persuasion, our husbands joined us for a couples� bunko night. They weren�t too happy at first to play, but once they saw all the fun, food, and drinks that were involved, they were eager to play the next time without any persuasion at all. It goes to show you, that you never know how much fun something can be until you try it. Posted Apr 07 2006, 08:12 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Special Birthday Wishes

  Our family is celebrating another birthday today. We have had lots of birthday celebrations since the beginning of the year. Today is my husband�s birthday. We should not have any more until the summer months. I would like to tell you a little bit about my husband. I met him when I was not quite 16 and he was 20. We were both attendants at a wedding. His best friend was marrying my aunt who was just four years older than me. We have laughed many times about his best friend becoming his uncle once we married. I don�t want to get too mushy here, but he is a very special person. Last year, for his seventieth birthday, I wrote him a poem. It will give you a little idea about the guy I am married to and why I think he is so special. Seventy years now has come your way And to me a very special day I�ve only be there for a mere fifty And most of the time, it has been pretty nifty You�re the best friend that I�ve ever had Always there through the good and the bad You�ve achieved much in your seventy years I can�t possibly list them all here A young man from a family of many Who worked in a store just to earn a few pennies There was WT Grants, and the TB San That�s when I met you; my perfect man We dated for about two years. I had to finish school But you waited for me; that was the rule Then off to the Army you did go With your shinny brass and looking just so But you came home to me so I�d become your bride Having you there always by my side In a few short years, our children numbered three Just the right number for you and me A better husband and father there could never be All the love you gave them and to me You had many jobs along the way But Crucible Steel was where you would finally stay Then it was decided with a little push from me To work in the jail and a deputy you�d be Danny called you Barney and we all had our laugh But little we knew then it would someday become one of your craft You worked very hard usually more than one job at a time Taking care of your family with every nickel and dime The years passed and our children were now out on their own So hard to believe how quickly they had grown But there were grandchildren. What a wonderful thing Just the thought of them would make your heart sing You�re PaPa, Gramps and Grandpa too But whatever they call you, it ok with you Time moved on, waiting for the time to retire and take a break But what was I thinking for Heavens Sake Crucible�s no more, but new jobs have taken its place Between the Credit Union, Court and the Knights, it is sometimes a regular race But there is always a little time to watch the Military Channel or some carpentry show Always wanting to keep yourself in the know Oh, let�s not forget all the babysitting that you really enjoy Or making sundaes with cherries for little girls and boys So many things in seventy years that it�s hard to list And I�m sure that there is much I have missed But one thing for sure is the feeling we all share Is the love for you and how much we care I hope you have a wonderful birthday and all of the rest I love you honey. You are the best! Posted Apr 05 2006, 06:46 PM by dianastories with no comments

• Just a Short Message

  Just a short message for anyone who may read by blog��� The last few days have been a little hectic health-wise in my household and I have not had the concentration to write. I am now back with hopefully some good stories. Check out my blog tomorrow. Posted Apr 04 2006, 06:42 PM by dianastories with no comments