The Big Day - June 19th!

Lots of busy work going on the last few months. Larry and I have set our wedding date - June 19th. After a wee bit of compromise, we have settled on an early afternoon wedding, outside at the ATEC courtyard at BBCC.

I plan on the decorations to be fairly simple, as what I DIDN'T want to do is ask a lot of people for their help, but it seems I can't pull this off WITHOUT others help. So I am very grateful to friends and more friends. The list of invitees seems to keep growing, as lots of old acquaintances want to come see the big event.

I have asked an old friend, Clyde (former base commander) to escort me to where all the action takes place. He's a sprite 91 and currently recovering from total knee replacement surgery. I am happy to have him walk with me to this new chapter of my life - although he may have a cane. And he is pleased as punch! (grrr, harrumph, thanks for asking. Remember how Dad used to sound?)

I have to keep reminding myself I am a MATURE bride - no fancy thingamajiggies for my hair, a modest dress, hide the arms, don't draw attention to the front....rules, rules, rules. But it is fun! I'm exercising and dieting - a whole bunch! Also have to get the house rearranged to accommodate Larry, as it appears we will live here at least one year. I would rather buy a new place all together, but maybe next year....

Here's a picture of Larry and I at a recent event:


Hope all is well - Love you bunches! Mo

And here it is, the winter garden...Sorry it's taken so long to blog again, Matt changed settings in our Kodak ap, so I've been struggling around trying to figure out how to do this, again! This is the first winter we've been here and have had less than a foot of snow! Knock on wood! And, yes, I am looking sooooo forward to spring, to see some color again in the yard! I've never been crazy about winter, snow or not, and can understand why some people get so darn depressed during this season! Hope my sisters are all healthy and enjoying some nights cuddling next to the fire with their someone special! more later, t

Me - a DIY'er!

Not having enough to do before the big sit down dinner for 18 on Christmas Eve, I decided to paint my bathroom counter tops. Big Guy was going to buy me new counter tops for Christmas (romantic no, but much needed & appreciated!), but I decided to see if they could be painted.

After googling "painting laminate counter tops" I found a few sites that gave me loads of ideas.

Here is the "before":

Okay, no offense, but purple is not my thing. Either is oak. I painted the cabinets, which were a Hodgepodge collection of leftovers (not complaining, this house was VERY inexpensive!)

This is during:

I didn't know whether to shoot myself or go blind at this point!! Pretty scary looking, I know.

BUT, I did persevere, and this is the finished product:



Pretty cool, huh? I must say so myself. When I showed Big Guy, he about fell over - "when did you have these installed" I have to laugh - he knows how much of a crafty type person I am NOT!

This is a close-up. I used about eight different colors of paint, and threw in some stain also. I didn't like the sponge look, so I ended up pouncing my paintbrush on the surface. All in all - a nice finished product.


Now off to the kitchen - first I have to learn how to make veins....Love to all - Mo

Welcome 2010!

Last year certainly was a year of changes for me! Stunning grief and soaring joys, and always, those little moments of pure happiness and love.

After a HUGE amount of conflict, I became a Christian. For so long I had a side of myself that looks at people who are Christians and wonder why they can't be nice? That issue has always been a sore spot with me, but I am learning not to judge (not my job!) and to accept people as they are. They are the ones who have to answer later.

I learned the Lord works in mysterious ways. If my life hadn't traveled the path it did in 2008, it wouldn't have the outcome it did in 2009. Sounds mysterious huh? Let's just say I learned things really do happen for a reason, we just have to be patient to allow life to unfold. Of course, patience isn't one of my many virtues, but I'm learning. Kinda....

I learned there is definitely life after death. Marge, you mentioned this via your work in ICU, but I know for a fact it exists. There is a time in passing when they can see in the hearts of people, and that's good enough for me. Just make sure I get that pedicure, T. I'm just not sure what form this takes, but my enquiring mind doesn't need to know that fact for many years. I think the words "scary" and "wondrous" sums that up.

I learned not everybody likes me, but I can live with that.

I had to let go of a cherished friendship, but embraced many new friends I didn't even know I had. When Big Guy and I announced our engagement, so many people told me what a lucky guy HE was, when all the time I was thinking how lucky I was. Go figure. I miss Kate, but have Marilyn - wish I could have them both every day!

Last year brought the greatest change of all - Brady KNOCKED on the front door before coming in my house! I guess he's all grown-up now, huh?

I enjoyed lots of laughter, tiny specks of pure happiness (I just wish we could put those in a camera for later). Kharsyn laughing on the swing, Kharsyn's face with the Christmas lights reflected on it as he checks out the tree, Keeley SMILED at me!, Clyde's face when I asked him to walk me down the aisle (or whatever) when BG and I get married, oh the list for 2009 goes on and on!

Thank you, dear sisters, and if anyone else in Bloggerland follows our journey, for walking with me during these past two years of many changes. Love to all - Mo

Well, this year is almost over and as we can see a lot can happen in 365 days.
I've been so blessed to have such a fantastic family which has supported me
through the last year. Blessed to be able to reduce my hours to part time
at the hospital. Celebrated my 25th anniversary with them this year!
Blessed to have Dennis at my side for the last 42 years (and they said it
would not last ha ha)! Blessed to have such great understanding
sisters for moral support through this year. I am very blessed!!!

Happy New Year to everyone and may it be as GREAT as this last year..
I know it will be!

Love to all of you from your sister.....Margi

Christmas Wishes for You!

It's that time of the year again - hurried, worried, blurried. Can you say "there's just not enough hours in the day, or money in the bank"?

I was stressing because Big Guy's mom, daughter and grand kids are joining us for Christmas Eve. But I forced myself to take a deep breath and remember what the true meaning of Christmas is....not just friends and family, but the birth of Christ.

Here's my Wish List for YOU in the coming year:

I. HEALTH. I wish for us all to be healthy, watch our diets, exercise, and be pain-free this year.

II. PEACE FOR A RESTLESS HEART. If that is your ailment, you know what I mean.

III. GOOD MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Maybe you will or won't remember those who are now gone, but it doesn't hurt to say a prayer for them. Mom, Dad and Pat - that is half our family! Friends, co-workers and the little old lady down the street - say a little prayer for them.

IV. LIVE IN THE NOW. Tomorrow may or may not come. Who knows - maybe I'll fall over using my latest exercise video.... haha.

V. BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. So may have so much less! Too much food - jeesh ,think of those who go to sleep hungry. Too many parties - think of those with no friends. We do live in a TOO MUCH society, but we don't have to live our lives answering that call.

VI. REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. We celebrate the birth of the son of God.

So to my dear sisters, living and passed, and our friends in blogger land - Merry Christmas! Love to all - Mo

Glad for you!!! Hope it's the wedding of your dreams, Mo'!
I have been baking cookies and stuff, wrapping presents to send to Yakima with the boys. This will be the first Christmas that I haven't had the kids and grand kids around me! But, I hope that they have a merry Christmas where ever they are, always...
Anyone who knows me will find this tidbit funny, but I think I am becoming a bird watcher. Birds are high on my fear meter, have never liked being close to them, but now I have a pane of glass between me and them, it's o-k. I wait until they leave before I fill the bird feeder! But, holy cow, there are so many types of different birds out here! Wrens, sparrows, gnat catchers, finch, the list is endless. I tried to identify them all yesterday, but I had to give up. It's kind of fun to watch them, they way they sort of roll in like waves. There's the brave ones' who will not be scared off for anything...one's that want to eat off of the bird feeder, and others who are content to scratch up the scatter left on the ground. I think it will be hopeless for me ever to get closer than this to a bird! And, Kizzy likes all the action, and is ever alert for a cat. (You can't say that word out loud around her---she goes nuts!)
Am slowly getting ready for the holidays. Have my sisters in my thoughts, am hoping you are all well! Take care, and more later. t

The Big Guy & I

It is really official - after 22 years of (my) being single, I'm gonna try it again! Big Guy asked me to marry him after the NYC trip. We had tossed the idea around, but in deference to his stepdaughter's wedding, I asked him to can the idea for awhile.

On the way home from the wedding, I thought, this is really real! Big Guy has been an anchor against my storms, and vice-versa. Life is short, so we are trying hard to make the last chapters of our live's warm and fuzzy. Hope you agree - the boys are happy, so is his family.There's all sorts of responsibilities and issues to be sorted out, but we are hoping for a June wedding.....

It is, of course, a big change for me - me to we, mine to ours, but we slowly work through these issues every day. Please join us in our celebration of love and life - Love ya' lots - Mo

Happy Thanksgiving, Strawberry Mallos & Our Pat

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone has a great day. We are having dinner with the Tracy clan, Kenny & Trish, Bob & Jenny, Barbara & Jay, Gladys (Big Guy's mom), Amber & family.

I will cook my own turkey sometime this weekend - can't wait to have sausage dressing!

I made strawberry marshmallows to bring. First you have to cook up lots of sugar & corn syrup:

I added some strawberry jelly, because it sounded good. You add the boiled mixture to gelatin that has water added, and sits while you do step one. Then you beat it to death:


Here's the finished product - I drizzled, dropped, whatever some melted chocolate over the top. I have to say, they don't taste as good as the plain vanilla kind!

It's hard to believe our sister Pat has been gone for five years, isn't it? Of course, we know she is in a better place, with heatlh and happiness! I think she is happy to see her son in a good home. Thank you, my friends and family, love to all - Mo

Little Miss Keeley Irene Cook

Little Miss Keeley Irene Cook arrived last night! Lexi had a safe delivery and is doing great. Lexi and Quincy are chomping at the bit to go home, and Kesiah is waiting to meet her new sister.

Keeley came in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 19 3/4 inches. She sure likes to sleep a lot!

She proudly bears the Waslawski nose, and cleft chin. Did I mention she is a beauty? Love to all - Mo

I hate it when I feel I have lost control of my life, but this past October was just a big reminder of how small we are for me, and I suppose, for my daughter, Heather, too. But, there was a big long trip to visit Matts children and grandchildren in Utah, and our brief visit to Nevada, where no man (me) will tread again! Las Vegas is just not that appealing to this small town girl! But, Matt had a good time, none the less. It was great seeing Ryan, Morgan, Kaylee and Braydon again, and I miss them horrible! Especially Madison and Jack. And, now I am unable to go back for Kaylees new baby, due to an uncertain colon (of all the things, really!)...And, when I get home, for the second time (from hospital) I find my yard has transformed on me, and my garden is closing it's drapes on another season. For some reason this time of year makes me melancholy, and I despise that! But, this year I guess I will truly have to take the time to embrace the season. I have missed several birthdays (a lot) due to traveling and stuff, but I pray they all know that grandma and mom were thinking of them. Keep your chin up, heather! I love you, t

The Wedding

Yes, there actually was a wedding in New York....here's the beautiful bride and Big Guy. Brandee and her fiance were on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" for the bridal edition, and most of the costs for the wedding in Central Park were paid by the show!

Big Guy's present to the couple were paying for the two double-decker buses that took us to the reception. We had a great tour of Manhattan in the process - and YOU get to see the backs of people's heads....sorry....

My daughter-in-law Deena would have loved the cupcake tree. It was very colorful, and the cupcakes were really good - red velvet cake with filling. Ouch - no calories there!

That wraps up the trip! Love to all - Mo

Grand Central Station

Number two on my list to visit immediately was Grand Central Station....but it's really called Grand Central Terminal. Jeesh, give us tourists a break! I have to admit (sheepishly) we walked in, stopped and stared. Maybe our jaws dropped a wee bit. It was overwhelmingly beautiful, awesome and HUGE!

We could just imagine the people in their hoop-skirts, or suits and bowler hats rushing by to catch their trains. And the little ones running circles around everyone, or being held firmly by the hand lest they get lost.

It really is an amazing piece of architecture - many thanks to Jackie O for saving this treasure!

Simply amazing, isn't it? Okay, I know the pictures aren't all that great, but close your eyes....

Love to all - Mo

The Streets of NYC

Your typical New York deli. Clean, fresh and yummy! We noticed there were lots of prepared dinners, salads, even chopped veggies & fruits.

YEA! Bloomingdale's! No, we didn't go in...

Times Square at night - looks like Vegas, doesn't it?

Another Times Square picture - do you recognize the building in the middle?

Street-side vegetable & fruit stand.

All for now - love to all - Mo

More NYC

A visit to New York isn't complete without a trip on the subway! It was much cleaner than I thought it would be. Our hostess, Big Guy's cousin Janet, said most people get in trouble when they get OFF the subway - it's pretty easy to get turned around.

We took the Staten Island Ferry to Governor's Island and back to Manhattan. We passed Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. Ellis Island is where immigrants were processed into the United States. Our grandfather and grandmother came over in 1911 and 1916, I think it was. Guess granddad had to buy a couple of vowels, as our name was anglicized to Waslawski.

I imagine you all have seen pictures of Lady Liberty - but it's more special when it's YOUR picture you show - here she is - beautiful!


This is the Manhattan Island skyline. The Twin Towers were located on the left side of the picture. Do you see that curved building?

That's the one! It has a secret:

I love real estate hold-outs! That's all for now - more later - love to all! Mo