Organ Donation

Choosing to be an organ donor is a very personal decision. My occupation has given me the honor of helping with organ harvest. We don't do the transplants at our small hospital.I'm not sure if I can explain the feeling in the operating room when a family makes the decision to have a loved one's organ's donated. We are used to helping patients with an operation that will save lives and improve life style. While we never see the people that will receive the gift of donation, we experience the reverence and gratefulness of the team that does the harvesting. There is a special spirit in the OR that is felt by everyone there. I know what donation has meant to my family. My brother has been a recipient of a kidney, lovingly donated by his daughter. My nephew was killed in a car accident in 2004 and his eyes, tissue and bone were lovingly donated by my Sister because he made a statement saying that he would like to be a donor if anything would ever happen to him.My Sister-in-law will receive a stem cell transplant next week to hopefully put her leukemia in remission.This video by Paul Cardall is really beautiful and it certainly speaks for itself.Whether or not you would choose to be a donor, you certainly can't deny the value of the lives it changes.

Time to Mow Baby!

Ahhhhhh, the first cut of the season. It's always fun to cut the grass for the first time in the spring. It's also always fun to cut it for the last time in the fall! I don't think anything smells as good as fresh cut grass. Except my neighbors dinner that was cooking outside on the grill..showoffs! It was the perfect night to mow. The temps have been so mild this week and the sun feels great. The greenhouses are opening and the Easter bunny brought me two new red raspberry bushes that need planting. I have all kinds of ideas for the Pines landscape. Now I just need to get it in gear and get going on them!

The grass is all cut. Eddy toys are still sprinkled around the lawn. Sort of like a little child who leaves their toys all over the floor!
The magnolia tree is bursting with big pink blooms!
When this area is all out in bloom it's really a sweet sight to behold. Slow but sure it's getting there.
The chairs are out and ready for you to park your bum and enjoy a sunset.Oh, and bring a friend!

Bear with me please

Knowing how I blog, I bet you thought I would have a story about bears! No, I just have a few more pics I couldn't resist posting.This is actually out of order because these were from Friday. The kids arrived on Thursday night. Friday morning this little pumpkin was looking so sweet and cute just waiting for YaYa to take a pic. I swear she has the bluest eyes ever!
Our first stop on our fun weekend was to the Lodi outlet mall. Craig and Amy scored some really good buys for everyone and Craig picked up these cool shades. They would look cooler if his tongue wasn't hanging out! He'll probably kill me for printing this pic.
We had our first fire of the year. The kiddos really look forward to roasting hot dogs and making s'mores. Craig is a gourmet hotdog cook. He learned from the best. His Dad. All the years of Scouts paid off!
Besides hotdogs that the kiddos wanted, Amy and I thought foil dinners would be fun to do. So we gathered the makings and wrapped them in the foil and put them on the hot coals to cook to perfection...NOT!! We made the burgers and cooked them on the stove, added the veggies and potatos and threw the foil packs on the grill. Done in no time at all! Hey, we're not Grizzly Adams in the wild. They were yummy by the way.
Taylor enjoyed his s'mores by the fire. They made it all over his face. Unfortunately they made it back again to his face around 10pm when he up chucked every item he consumed that day. Poor little guy, he was really sick for over 24hrs. Glad you're all better now Taylor!
Amy and I did our fair share of running around to gather all the Easter doodas...and even with a list managed to forget about 5 essential items. But we did not forget the way to the Parsley Pot,a place that's full of (as Jack's Dad used to say)"cute things that smell good". Since it's just down our country road we walked and enjoyed the day. We actually found things that we just couldn't live without and no list was involved!
Last but not least, the weekend would not be complete without an Eddy moment. He loves all the kiddos, and yes he can be annoying because he just wants to be with all the humans. But he's so gentle when he's with the little ones. He can't help it that his head is big and just at their eye level. We will give him points for trying to be good. Here's an example: Sophie with her foot in his mouth and his paw on her leg because he just loves her! Good boy Ed!

What did you "find" this Easter?

Sometimes my blog has these little themes that just jump out at me. Today on this beautiful Easter day, the word "find" and "found" seem to fit the pictures and the feelings I have for this holiday. Everyone knows I love Halloween and Christmas, but I find that I enjoy Easter the most. Growing up it was a big deal in our home. Mom made special Greek foods and usually we celebrated with our Greek relatives so we had 2 Easters every year. We got new clothes to wear on Easter Sunday and growing up Catholic involved many Church traditions. I love the theme of renewal, hope and new life. When family and friends have passed, the knowledge that we will see them again because of what our Savior Jesus Christ has done for us has deeper meaning. I find it hard to believe my kids are all grown up and their children are also getting older. I'm glad they still enjoy getting together and sharing good food, good fun and good traditions that we have passed along. I find it harder to coordinate all the schedules at times, but appreciate the efforts of the kids. They have in-laws and their own homes to do the traditional things too. Thanks for making this day special for Jack and I. Yes, it's a lot of work, but much fun too. This is a long post and I apologize for all the pics and words. I hope you had a great day and I hope you "find" this holiday to be a favorite of yours too.

I think Amy has found having her cousins living out East is like having a mini reunion! I enjoy her family so much. They are really good kids and I'm glad they have let us host them from time to time. Laney and Taylor, we wish you could have come too. Maybe next year?
Katie found a minute to stop and give me a smile before continuing on the hunt for the super egg!
Sophie and her cousin Ike didn't care what was in the eggs, they just enjoyed finding them and opening them up...well, Sophie did enjoy the chocolate that was inside the little kiddo eggs!
We enjoyed having Zeb and his family come down for the Easter festivities. He seemed to find the day to be "egg"stra special.
This year Driana decided she was too old to hunt for eggs, but she got to hide them with the grown up folk. That made her happy, but me sad. I can't believe she's 14. She's a good big Sis to Cameron.
Summer was happy to find that she's still young enough to be included in the egg hunt. She made up the rule that once you're in high school you're done with the hunt part of Easter at YaYa and PawPaw's. Two more years for you Summer!
Are you finding room in your basket for all the eggs Alexis?
Katie was a big help to Alexis when she needed a boost up to find some tricky hidden eggs. You're a good cousin Katie!
Anthony really seemed to enjoy the egg hunt this year. He's getting so old now (8) but he still found it a challenge!
Finding eggs is easier for the youngest group. We put them in a separate spot in the yard from where the older kiddos hunt. Addy has a matching dress (in a different color) with her Sister and she looked the very image of Easter dress up.
Alexis looked so cute in her Easter dress and she always has a camera ready smile for me. She found the egg hunt tiring when she kept looking for the last of her eggs...we found out that we had forgotten 12 eggs that were suppose to be hidden! So after an exhausting search we discovered the mistake and made amends to all.
Cameron seems happy with his Easter egg finds!
Here's Phil wondering what is left from dinner that he can enjoy. I don't think he had any trouble finding plenty of Easter goodies!

Happy Happy Birthday Jordan!

I'm try to figure this one out. Jordan in 26 today. Wow! He's the youngest of the 4 dudes of my loins. I'd love to say that today is a day just like the day you were born Jord, but I don't really remember the weather. I was just happy to get you out of there! You were almost born on April fool's day, but Dad wasn't going to let that happen and so I waited until the next day and voila! You entered this world at 12:15pm weighing in at 10lbs 8oz! Guess you had the last laugh after all. When the first babe weighs in at 2lbs., you don't expect the last one to weigh in at 10lbs. But that's not the puzzle here...how can my youngest be 26 when I'm only 29??? While I go and sit and ponder that equation, you go and have a great day. See ya at the fire pit tonight for something yummy and maybe even a cake! Happy Birthday! We love you! Mommo and Dad (aka yaya/pawpaw)

Easter cuties or Spring cleaning?

While I should have been doing spring cleaning, I couldn't resist making these little lamb thingies that I saw in a magazine. They turned out pretty good. Hmmm...I wonder if I can find another crazy project to keep me from cleaning house? I'll get it done, I'll get it done...heck spring isn't over until June 21st!
This is my cast iron lamb cake mold that I use every Easter. I wanted to see how the little lambs will look next to the cake when I finally get to bake it next weekend. Awwww...I think they will look very cute!
On a totally different note, Jordan picked up his new car on Friday. So I guess our carpooling has come to an end and I now get to return to walking the 1/4 mile from the employee lot to the hospital every day. I don't mind the walk (I need it!) but I did enjoy the drive in with Jack and the ride home with Jord where we could have nice quick little talks about life...quick is the operative word..Jordan is a man of few words! Nice wheels!Truth be known what I really liked was when I was running late, getting dropped off at the door saved me from punching in late!

Things to do on a sunny day

The weather was pretty stinking nice this past weekend and I tried to use my time wisely in doing a few needed chores. I have to admit to all the world that I like to clean carpets...I should do it for a living! I cleaned the carpet in the dining room and opened all the windows to let in the nice warm breeze. Being so inspired I decided the lower half of the walls needed a little paint touch up. I ended up repainting the whole lower half. It looks much better and all the nicks and scuffs are gone. Hmmm....the ceiling in here needs a paint job too but the weather has turned wet and cold so I think I'll wait a bit longer. Besides, I hate paining ceilings!
Donna and I took an nice little walk on Sunday since the weather was so nice...Geez I have a big head!
This is what I have to show for all my hard work Saturday afternoon. I raked out the front planting area and cleaned up some flower beds...I even wore gloves. That just goes to show you how tender I really am! (Sweet too I might add!)
As you can see,Eddy was really concerned about my sore thumb..no don't get up Ed, just keep lying there in front of the fridge so no one can get by...hey, I need ice for this blister, get out!

Love ya Sista!

It's great to have a Sister...especially if it's one like mine. I didn't appreciate all the greatness of having one when she was the one with straight bangs...I had the wavy hair that wouldn't allow for such style, such elegance...not without looking like a doofuss...Thank goodness God invented blow drying hair devices...I was never able to have bangs like my Sister, but I did get to have the flipped up style Midge is modeling here. But hey, today is her birthday. I really should be thanking Mom for going through the birth cycle to give me someone to torture for a few years. But I have to thank Midge for turning out to be the best Sister/friend ever! Hope this beautiful sunny spring day is a super one for you. Love ya Kiddo! Happy Birthday! P.S...Jack thinks you're the greatest Sister-in-Law/friend and also wishes you a happy BDAY!

Old Friends and 1 New Friend

Welcome back old friends! No matter how deep the snow, every March these dudes come "springing" up through the dirt! These past few weeks we've had wonderfully warm, sunny days and all the crocuses and little tiny daffodils are blooming. Hope they enjoy this nice weekend coming up because the weatherman is calling for some snow on Monday. I knew we wouldn't be able to go through the month of March without a few flakes coming to the Pines...snow flakes that is!

Let's welcome this new friend. This little fella came by the other day to visit. His name is Porter and he's an American Bulldog. He belongs to Phil, Amanda, and the girls. He's going to end up weighing about 120lbs. I wish I was going to weigh 120lbs some day! I'm sure he'll hit that weight long before I ever will. Welcome my new Granddog!

Forward Time...Backward Time

Why do we need to change the time? Spring forward...Fall back...silly I say! I was just getting used to it being light in the morning, now it's back to dark. I know that's only for a bit, but hey, can't we just leave it one way or the other? I do like the light later in the day, but right now I can't get into my garden so what good is it to be lighter at night? I want to dig in the dirt...plant something...(I know peas are suppose to go in but I don't plant those)I really just want to plant some flowers for a little color out there. The truth is I really hate going around and changing the clocks again. Ok, so it's my car clock I hate changing. I never remember how it works. I have to get the manual out and then I think "this is so dumb..can't we keep the time the same all year?" Ok, enough whining. Here's what I'm talking about: COLOR!!

I just could't help myself

Because 99% of the snow has melted...because spring is almost here...because I love the Easter season...because the hospital had a sale in the lobby and 2 other employees bought one...yes, I succumbed to peer pressure...because I knew it would bug Eddy...Well, see for yourself:

Triflely Good

Some time ago I promised our Missionaries a Greek dinner. I went all out and made a ton of some of my Greek favs...I planned and cooked and made ready some delish dishes. What I didn't plan on was the flu. It attacked and I was down for the count. I'm hardly ever sick and that was the first round of some horrible stuff that lasted for ever! Well, I had to cancel on them and this weekend I tried to make up for it just a little. I made some Greek chicken/ala yaya...Chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, garlic, and of course feta cheese. It's wrapped in bacon and baked in the oven.It turned out very yummy even though this pic doesn't do it justice. Served with rice and a nice Greek salad and some other things, it was a good dinner. For dessert I made a trifle...or a stack of a bunch of things in a glass bowl! It was yummo too...One thing for sure, you can feed anyone, especially missionaries, on a Sunday when they have fasted for 24hrs. anything and it will be a hit!
This trifle turned out super...It's made with a wonderful lemon pudding (one of Jack's favs) that has a long story attached to it..fresh blueberries and frozen raspberries, pound cake and homemade whip cream (with some coolwhip thrown in!)One of these days I'll relate the lemon pudding saga!
The snow really is melting here at the Pines, even though it doesn't look it in this pic. We had some friends come passing by...can you see more than one?? Spring is truly in the air!

Get Your Motor Running...Head out on the Highway

I got out of work a bit early today and Jack and I decided to do a few errands before lunch. I'm sure where you live traffic can get crazy on Friday as everyone is trying to get a head start on the weekend...Well, we're no different. The day was sunny and beautiful and we were trying to enjoy the ride, but the road just gets jammed up. Don't you just hate traffic?
The only thing you can do is put the pedal to the metal and get past the road hogs...Hey buddy, who has the most horse power now?! Well, maybe you do..show off.
When the stress of all that crazy traffic is too much, it's time to stop for some lunch at a fav hangout...like the A&W Rootbeer Stand. MMMMM...coney dogs, fried shrooms and yummy fried pickles and of course a mug of icy cold rootbeer...Yep a great way to start the weekend!