Back home...

We got back from Higgins Lake on Tuesday. What a weekend! I left Saturday after work. I had to go pick up my Mike's sisters car after I got off work. I was driving that up north. I still hadn't packed yet. The kids were home straightening up the house and packing their own stuff. I didn't get home until 3 pm. At 3:30 one of Mike's other sisters called me to pick her up from the airport. It's 5 minutes away so it's nothing to get there but I still wasn't done packing. I called my brother-in-law, who's house I just left, to go get her. I ended up getting her. He was causing me so much stress. In the mean time he got to my house. I rushed around and tried to gather the rest of my stuff. When I got up there I realized I only brought 2 sweatshirts and a pair of jeans. I did bring my clothes for the Memorial Service... that was the most important.
The kids drove with my b-i-l and my neice and great-nephew. I drove my s-i-l. We were going to follow each other but somehow his 75 mph turned into 80. We got separated but I managed to pass him somewhere around Birch Run. I called him to let him know we were stopping to get coffee and go to the restroom. He said he was driving straight through and not stopping. Well we ended up beating them there. I don't know how he thought he wasn't going to make any stops with a 7 month old. lol!
There were about 20+ people at Mike's moms. It was a mad house!
Monday was the mass. That's it. Just a small service. Nothing at a funeral home. That's how he wanted it. He was creamated so there wasn't a body to see. Mike did a reading, the kids carried the gifts (wine and host for communion) and a granddaughter read something that she wrote. She wrote something for each letter of his name. That brought tears to everyone's eyes.
The women of the church preapared a lunch for afterward. It was a nice service.
Mike did a lot of the work, he did a lot for his mom. He really wanted to be there for her to get things taken care of after today but he needed to get back to work.

This is a picture of some flowers and the urn.

4/52

My father in-law passed away yesterday. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer two months ago. This is my tribute to his life here on earth. He will be missed by his wife and their 8 children & their spouses, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

- Vince Gill

3/52

The theme this week is Self Portraits. Yeah, I've done them in the past but I really don't like doing them. I just don't like looking at my self. The lighting in my bathroom is bad. I looked yellow so I did some playing and this is what I came up with. I didn't crop much.... just the spot above my head. I used my 50mm lens... that's why its so close.

I was bound and determined to get a photo of the full moon the other night. It didn't work out as planned because of all the clouds. My shots turned out to be bright glowing blobs in the sky. This morning as I was driving David to school I noticed how clear the sky was. I got home, grabbed my camera and my tripod and set up in the backyard. I'm pretty happy with the results but it's not as good as I was hoping for. Next time.

2/52

We had a lot of snow that started falling on Friday, January 9. It didn't stop until Saturday night. This was taken out of our patio door looking at the hot tub. You really wouldn't be able to tell what it is because of all that snow. I planned on getting in it this morning. The cover was too heavy to lift off. I bet I looked like a big dork wearing my hat, robe, and snowboots.

1/52

I've decided to start a 52 week project. Let's see how long it lasts. As usual... I've procrastonated... guess my New Year resolution didn't work out. ha!
I took the Christmas tree down today (do you see a trend here?) and it always makes me a little sad putting away the ornaments as I reflect on past years. You see each year we add a new ornament. I put away an ornament that had a photo of my hubby the year we got engaged, the kids baby booties from the year they were born, photos on ornaments the kids made me when they were in preschool, a flute to remind me of the intruments they've played in school band, jet skis, a girl playing basketball, a football player, you get the idea. So now they are safely stored until next Christmas.

2009

I think I'm going to start a new project this year. It will be a photo a week project. So in the end, hopefully, I'll have 52 photos. So if your interested check back.