Regarding A Really Big Number. . .

Seamus has me wrapped around his little finger and here’s why. . . Me: What should we do for Grandma Day?
Seamus: I just want to play at your house.

But we also spent some time at “your” park. I found a pretty good hiding spot while Seamus quickly counted to ten. When it was his turn to hide, I had to count to 69—which is (I think) his current favorite really big number.

When asked how old he was, Seamus announced, “69”.

Grandma: You can’t be 69, Seamus, that’s even a bigger number than Grandma.

Seamus reconsidered and then chose “66”.

Grandma: That is still a really big number!

Seamus, impressing us that he is getting really big, insisted, "I am eleventy sixty-six!"

Whew! We were convinced!

And he has Grandpa wrapped around his little finger as well!

Grandpa: What team should we cheer for?

Seamus enthusiastically: White Sox!

Can that be comfortable?

What is a sleepover without a popcorn party?

And beating Grandma at "Soots" and Ladders?
Grandma: Have you ever been to Brookfield Zoo?

Seamus: Once I have been. Do you know what once means?

Grandma: What does it mean?

Seamus: Once means one time. Twoce means two times. Threece means three times. Fource means four times.

Seamus skipped five, then experimented with saying sixce and gave up and then explained. . ."Six means just plain six. That’s all. Not six times. Just plain six."







Our favorite zoo activity was touching the “x-rays”. But then it was also lots of fun to ride the grasshopper which was really a praying mantis but how easy is that to remember? We also loved the dolphin show and afterwards watching the seals and sea lions!

It was a great day!

Sensing that I was tired, Grandpa drove to take him home. I asked, “Seamus, are you tired?”

To which I got a resounding standard four year old answer: Noooo!

And I believed him! Where does all of that energy come from? One half of a hot dog, some lemonade and cheese curls just wouldn't do that much for me!

Grandpa reminded me of my age which is not by the way 69 but it is a really big number.

Lounging at the Lake with Lester's Ladies

My Grandpa and Grandma were fruitful and multiplied. Their children numbered ten. I cannot tell how many we number now but, invited by Lester’s Ladies, 29 Girl Cousins (including some girl cousins by marriage) rendezvoused at Round Lake in Michigan for a few days to reminisce and to make new memories.

Knowing full well that this was going to be a exceptional bloggable event, I went armed with my Canon Power Shot and started aiming and clicking before I even walked in the door. We were magnificently welcomed with signage and welcome gifts and beautiful flowers! You may wonder if LL’s had been reading and clipping from Martha Stewart, Pottery Barn and Real Simple for the past two years but seriously, they are naturals and possibly incognito contributors to some famous decorating magazines and are prohibited from revealing that info at this time. Regardless, here is a sneak peek of their work.

All but Aunt Arvada's family were represented.

These welcome gifts were provided for all 29 cousins! Thanks, Jo, Janna, Carma and Wanda!

Sweet florals were placed all over the cottage.

Notice some more florals!

We had an absolutely fabulous dinner—like Martha, they not only decorate, LL’s also cook. Next we were invited on a pontoon boat for a small tour. It was going famously well. We saw a home where a judge may have lived. Soon, however, our slightly overweighted craft encountered a sand bar. Angie, being the youngest cousin immediately jumped in to rescue her nearest and dearest. Soon after, Ann was also assisting. Impulsively impressed by their chivalry, I stepped forth as well. I have no idea why, I am still trying to look for an explanation. I never even took life saving. Immediately, I empathized with all of the centuries of grief that Peter has taken for trying to walk on the water. I wisely had my responsible sister, Donna, hold my camera before I jumped. Soon all three of us in the water realized that the large stones on the sand bar in this somewhat smallish lake had not been rounded and smoothed by strong waves and currents over billions of years. We hopped back on the pontoon to get feet protection. Unwisely, I requested my camera back and carefully put it in my pocket so as not to lose it as I am prone to do. After just minutes of rest, however, I unwisely went forth again into the water which is why I have pictures of the first two hours of our wonderful reunion and no additional pictures.

Chef Janna was the Grill Chief

The pontoon with Jo at the helm.

The Lester Family Cottage

The rest of the pontoon story is blog worthy. After getting the pontoon into deep enough water to safely start, six others were able to assist and get me back on the pontoon. I think Ann and Angie just jumped on. However, then the pontoon would not start even though Jo and her capable assistant Wanda as well as several others tried many times. We could not believe it but it was true, none of us on the pontoon tour had brought a cell phone out on the lake! So we yelled and waved (but did not undress) to get the attention of three fisherman who successfully ignored us for at least twenty minutes. Finally one brave fisherman did come on board and looked at the pontoon and pointed out the kill switch and we laughed enough to scare him off and we were soon on our way again. I must say that Jo brought the pontoon into the pier with complete accuracy and precision and quickly regained her status as a worthy captain.

Ann to the rescue.

This is my attempt at Search and Rescue.

Yay! Dear Cousin Lynn has a report and pictures on her Proverbial Pilgrimage blog. Eventually some other cousins will come through with more photos.

Let me say, that I have a wonderful husband. On Sunday we were married twelve years. He is accustomed to my inept ways and is patient and forgiving. Therefore, it was not a water logged camera that prevented me from taking pictures of adorable grandchildren on Sunday and Monday. That is another totally separate tale of my Canon Power Shot camera that involved strange disappearance and possible theft and return after the children were well on their way back to NC and CO. I am in possession of my working CPS camera now and determined to keep it attached to me at all times except when I get in water. . . I just heard Bob sigh.

A Humble Walk

Walter Gisel
July 5, 1918—June 26, 2008

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Dad was a simple man—a good man. He was a hard worker and loved to give and serve others. He enjoyed food and his farm. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. He loved well—his first wife, my mother and later my stepmom, Kay. He loved his children and their spouses and his grandchildren and their spouses, and great grandchildren. He was kind. He was sweet. He bought joy. He often sent us clippings of things that might be of interest to us. He always sent a note and a card on our birthdays. Pastor Z said on Sunday that he never saw Dad lose his temper—neither did I. He was a behind the scene type of person. He walked humbly with his God. No one could ask for more from a father!

Although we are thankful that Dad is not going to suffer anymore, our loss is great. We loved him so much.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7

I have written many posts about Dad. Don't Blink is a particularly happy memory of a day just a couple of months ago with Dad.

My Dad, A Gentle Man

Return to the hospital

Tuesday, I visited Dad and stayed over until Wednesday when Lou and Amy arrived. There were some good moments. Dad and I went for a ride in the car to see his farm. We also had a sweet visit with Aunt Mable.

Overall, we were disheartened by our visits. It seems that Dad is not getting better. Dad has some confusion, loss of appetite, increased weakness, more pain, inability to complete his rehab sessions and uncharacteristic sadness.

Today Dad was taken from the rehab center to the hospital--ICU. Dad's doctor told Kay that Dad may not get better. Donna is with Dad and Kay and we will get a report later. We are praying that Dad will sense the presence of God. We also pray that he can be comfortable--without fear or pain.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles . . . 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Family Matters

Yay—We have a new beautiful and talented bride in our family! What a privilege to watch the inspiring and moving, sacred vows. We are pleased and happy to welcome Bethany!

Blessings on you Bethany for taking Dan’s name! We think he is pretty special as well. You provide hope that our family name may continue. This is something that none of Lowell’s sisters could do for our family. Thanks, Lowell & Sheila, and Dan & Bethany and we are counting on you, too, Steve!

Bethany your new last name will be repeatedly misspelled and mispronounced but it is a very worthy, good name. We are proud to have you wear it!

Bethany and Dan’s wedding dance was outstanding with spins and dips and twirls! The best wedding dance this elderly blogger has ever seen in my scores of years of attending weddings! I am at a loss to describe it but it was totally surprising and fun! So inspiring that even Lou and Rog got out on the dance floor!

All wedding moms know the difficulty of finding the right dress! Sheila and her family went through that grueling process as well. But it was totally worth it! Doesn’t she look beautiful!

It was great to have Steve home—all the way from Ecuador. He returns tomorrow to complete his Peace Corps term. Sister, Katie, was radiant and loved participating as a bridesmaid and joyfully endured a bit of Steve’s teasing.

And now for the wedding cake—oh dear, I didn’t get that picture! This will do though. Two foods were served at the rehearsal dinner that accompany most of our family celebrations. We credit our appreciation and weakness for ice cream to Grandpa. Dan had a farmer friend make the creamiest ice cream ever in two flavors—strawberry and chocolate peanut butter! But even greater or at least equal to that addiction is another Grandpa and family favorite that is seldom enjoyed at a wedding celebration. We knew this was a real party!

Where'd I put that cane?

Grif explained to me why our Segways were set on turtle speed at the beginning of our Chicago Tour but the three 25-30 year olds also on our tour had theirs set at the higher speed right from the beginning.

"Mine is probably set at turtle speed because I am young and yours is probably set at turtle speed because you are elderly."

So now you know.

I am proud to say that shortly after that discussion, we both got promoted to the higher speed. Whew!

It was an exceptionally fun and beautiful day for a great Grandma Day with Grif--notice that was not Great Grandma--not yet--not for a long time--or at least a few years--at least I hope!