Grampa Anton Westerman

Grampa....that's what I called him. He was one of my earliest heroes. A very hard working man that loved his family very much. He loved to play cards, mostly sheephead and pitch. He also would play rummey with me and my Gramma, and Gramma didn't like it that sometimes he would help me win. lol

All of us grandkids used to watch him while he was playing cards because he would always rap the table in a certain way that made us jump . (something they did when playing sheephead, to trump or something like that). I lived with my grandparents until I was 4 years old. I remember feeling very loved by them. As I grew older I would go and spend a "summer vacation" with them. I enjoyed the time I spent with them, looking at photos, playing a lot of cards, going on walks, and rock hunts, picking apples and making every imaginable recipe with apples or rhubarb. My grandparents had blackberry bushes, and they were the largest blackberries I had ever seen. Usually I would go pick a nice size bowl of the berries, wash and stem them, then add some sugar to them and serve them up to my Grampa. Well, one day let's just say that the blackberries turned out extra special!!! I prepared the blackberries as usual, but instead of adding 1/2 cup of sugar, I accidentally grabbed the salt container (also a clear glass container) and add 1/2 cup of salt. Grampa's first bite told it all, and so did his German after he sputtered from his "sour" surprise! Grampa never did let me forget that special recipe, but he always re-told the story with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. "Acck, vhat is in the blackberries", I still hear him saying that to this day! I miss having my Grandparents to go visit, and play cards with, and share memories with, but they are in my heart and mind ready for reminiscing anytime I choose.

"You Are Loved"

Lucky, that is exactly how I felt when I was asked by Lois O to join her in attending a Josh Groban concert in Omaha. She won 2 tickets from a local TV station. She remembered that he is a favorite of mine. WOW what a concert! I heard some of my favorites by Josh..yes we are on a first name basis..silly me! Fav's "You Are Loved" everyone needs to hear this song, and his Grand Finale.."You Raise Me UP" The concert was impressive, his ability to connect with the concert goer's with his music, sense of humor, and his genuine personality. Amazing to see him play the drums with such power! Also..he sang in 4 different languages, English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. I didn't care that I didn't understand every word...I along with all the others there "felt" what Josh was singing through the power of his voice and emotions. Again WOW WOW WOW ! The "opener" was a performer named Elew. I have never see anyone perform music playing a piano in the manner that he did..again impressive, powerful music. He played a different song with his right hand, and another song with his left hand simultaneously and it sounded fantastic. Thanks again Lois O for inviting me. It was a night to remember!

A Special Tribute

Here we are, the Stitchin B group, with the Mary Brunsing tribute quilt we made for the upcoming Cattleman's Ball. We wanted a special picture of us with the quilt by the street sign for the alley named in Mary's honor. Our quilt will be featured on the Cattleman's Ball "Big Auction" held right before Sara Evans performs on Saturday night , June 4, 2011. Pretty exciting. Hopefully it will bring a nice sum to help fight off that monster CANCER. We miss you everyday Mary, but as you can see, you are still in our lives.

UPDATE: Our quilt sold at the Cattleman's Ball Main auction for $3,500. We are all so happy to help the cause to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

Kaiya & Pigeon

Kaiya's favorite toy is a little stuffed blue pigeon. There are also storybooks about the adventures of Pigeon. When planning began for Kaiya's 1st birthday party, Amber & Ryan decided they wanted a pigeon cake for her, and asked Chelsee if she would make it. We celebrated Kaiya's 1st birthday on Mother's Day. The cake was amazing. Chelsee did a fantastic job, cake made from scratch with yummy filling. The design turned out great, and it looked like one of the Pigeon story books, with a 3-D pigeon on it. Chelsee had the assistance of Kristin & Ryan. Those 3 could open a shop together!!! The cake looked so professional. Kaiya really liked her Pigeon cake along with all the other fun things she received. Can't believe she is a year already...officially on Wed.

These are two books that I recently finished reading. Both started a little slow, but I really enjoyed reading about the people lives. I believe both have a continuing storyline, and I am hoping to find the next book for each in the series. I love to read books that are a series. Once I get involved with a story, I like to continue reading about it. My favorites are books that continue for 4 or 5 books. Over the years I have read the series called "Dragonfly in Amber". I loved it. Some inappropriate language, but basically a historical fiction with some time travel through standing stones. I have reread it through the years many times. I don't mind re reading a book or re watching a movie if it is a fav. It's like visiting a longtime friend.

TuTu Cute!

Yes, seriously, another Kaiya post. But is there anything more sweet than a little girl in a tutu! I love it. Amber got this tutu to have Kaiya's 1 year picture taken in it. I saw a shirt that would go perfect with it, now decision, make or buy...I think it would be the perfect combo..the shirt says "tutu cute" on it. Lovely.!

Kaiya is definitely enjoying the feel of the tutu tulle between her fingertips..

sweet, sweet, sweet.

Kaiya Smiles

Our little Kaiya has such a wonderful SMILE. I just can't get enough of that sweet face. Here she is with Chelsee, and in her new sunglasses, which she loved. Also just a silly, sticking out her tongue half smile pic. Hard to believe that in just a little over a month she will be 1 year old. Chelsee and Amber have been planning a special cake for Kaiya! I won't let the surprise out of the bag...but it will be a cute one that from something that is a favorite of Kaiya's. I'm sure it will bring a smile to her face!

This is Why I'm a Keeper

"Mom, why do you keep all that STUFF?"

The card above is part of why I am a "keeper", and "saver". When I was a young girl I started saving greeting cards that I received. Sad to say I don't have all of them. However, I do have quite a few of them. The card above was always one of my favorites, and it came from my Great Aunt Elizabeth Vandenberg Keller. She was the sister to my Grandmother Mary Vandenberg Westerman. Aunt Elizabeth was a great story teller, so many of my aunts and uncles were. I wish I had the talent that they had in capturing their audience of nieces, nephews and their family members. Aunt Elizabeth wrote many letters to me over the years. I have saved some of them. Now I wish I had them all. When I started saving my cards, I remember keeping them in a special box. I loved reviewing each and everyone of them from time to time. I remember wishing I had the cute hairstyle that the girl on this card had, and Oh, how I would have loved to had the telephone too! The best part was always inside...the sweet message, but the best was how she always signed ....Love Aunt Elizabeth in her beautiful scrolling hand writing.

When I look at this card even today, and the other cards I have, it brings a wonderful memory alive in my heart, even when that special person is no longer here with me. Oh yes, I'm a keeper, a saver....and I will continue to enjoy the cherished memories looking at my"stuff" brings. and YES, I still save most of my cards! Just can't part with them. They make wonderful bookmarks and are a great reminder when I open my book, and find them inside with whatever sentiment is tucked inside of them. Yes indeed, I'm a keeper!

I've Got a Secret

I REMEMBER MAMA

I am so excited. I found an old movie on DVD that my Mom and I used to always watch together (it was an old movie then, even older now!!!). The title is "I Remember Mama". My Mom used to let me stay up to watch old movies with her. This "special" treat started when I was very sick and had to take medicine at regular intervals. Instead of making me go to sleep, then waking me up for the last dose, she would let me stay up and watch TV with her. At that time, there were late night movies on. (Sometimes I wonder if it really was very late, or if in my child mind it just seemed very late!) This movie was always one of our favorites. I ordered it from WalMart, online. The suspense of waiting for it to arrive grew each day. Finally today, my copy came. I have not told Mom that I found and ordered it yet. I plan on having her out for a special viewing, with treats and snacks. I can still remember my favorite parts of the movie and can't wait to share watching it with Mom again. I think we will probably look through family photos while watching. We are always multi-taskers around this house! haha.

I thought about saving the movie until Mother's Day, but I know I can not wait that long to watch it with her. So-- time to check the calendar and set up a movie day! Because you know " I Remember Mama"

Mia

So Amber started the Clarisonic want/need off by getting the first one. After Chelsee & Kristin saw how great it was for the skin, they both want/needed one. After research by all of us..lol.. we discovered that it might be a possible answer to some skin care issues that they were having. If this works, it would be better than using medication, and be better for the whole body. So, we found a promotion where there was a great buy two with a price reduction, plus some free stuff. So birthday gifts for both Kristin & Chelsee! Kristin chose lavender and Chelsee chose the turquoise. Also, this was really cool, we ordered them right from the Clarisonic web site. They offer free engraving, so they each have their first name engraved right on the MIA! How cool is that. The Mia is actually a smaller version of the larger Clarisonic, but will be great for travel and regular use. Feels so good to find a product that will be helpful!