Over the weekend, our youngest daughter became engaged. YEAH!!!! Much excitement should ensue. It was sort of cute. The Keithinator called on Thursday to basically check it out with us if it was okay, made us promise to drop no hints, insisted that I would approve of the ring. He asked her on Friday night. On Saturday, when I was at the library, she called. All is well. She is excitd. I defintely do approve of the ring (although it looks like she may have to acquire a sling to help carry it arround.) We may be looking at a fall wedding which gives me 10 months to lose 10 pounds. Sounds doable (maybe) and to let my hair grow long enough to do something with. My other concern is getting a wedding quilt done in that amount of time. But I'm sure I can count on some of my quilting buddies.
St. Andrews feast day was celebrated in church this morning. Much wearing of kilts, some piping, some inappropiate comments from the pulpit about going commando. I realized that piping can still make me tear up.
Tonight after feeding mommy and daddy, Dave and I went for a long walk around the point at Metro park. We got there sort of late and the sun was just going down. IT was magical. We could just make out Detroit, we saw a freighter. We were again attacked by very hungy squirrels. This time we were prepared with a bag of peanuts. The little beggars just about chased us across the park. They insisted on two at a time. Very cute to see them stuff one in each cheek. The lake was like glass and some of the big mansions across the canal were already decorated for Christmas.

It seems that I have no gotten around to posting for a very long time, more than a month, I think the longest I have ever gone without posting since I started this blog.
So, sewing-I've got another quilt ready to bind, just waitng for it to come back from the quilter, will make the binding tonight. Have finally figured out how to quilt my red wall hanging started in Escanaba with the quilting buddies and finished in 'Muth. It'll be heavily quilted and masterpiece #2-one of the ones that says-a quilter lives here. I've got the stencils -so just need to mark it and get some brown quilting thread and then I can sit quietly in the corner for the next two years and amuse myself. Then, I've started a new sister's choice out of a tan on tan and reproductions prints.
Too bad work and life get in the way.
All sorts of car adventures lately. We went up to West Branch on a beautiful fall day to see Esky play in the play-offs. Of course, they blew it. Somethings never change. (Side story: after moving out of Esky 14 1/2 years ago, I swore that there wouldn't be a soul there who recognized me. (except for coach Flynn of course.) As we climed into the stands, I got attacked from behind. JAN!!!!- It was Debbie, Barb's step daughter and one of the girls' former babysitters. She's all grown up now, married to one of the coaches, with kid's in Franklin.) On our way home, Dave fell immediately asleep. I was listening to the radio and heard an ad for a big sale in Bay City. I took a side trip, pulled into their parking lot and Dave found exactly the car he wanted, a PT cruiser who's only fault is it's color(silver.) It was amazing to watch him neogotiate. He only used his eyes. He talked the salespeople who were as slippery as they come down six thousand.
The next day, the transmission fell out of my car, so we are both very poor right now.
Okay, I'm guessing more has happened in six weeks but I'll write more later.

I am home from a two hour trip to the dentist. It didn't exactly hurt as I asked for "happy gas." But two hours (two crowns and a cavity) is a long time to keep your mouth open with four strange hands in your mouth. I feel a bit beat up and a tiny bit woozy. So I will just relax and recover. In an hour or so I may even change my clothes and go to the gym.
Last weekend, I went to Homecoming at Alma, always a strange experience. We walked around campus, went to the game. The band was fantastic, the football not so much. When we got cold and when we reached thirty points points behind, we left the stadium and wandered to the warmth of the library. Dave had never been before. Things had changed a bit and Dave had never been in it before. But on the other hand things had not changed that much, despite two additions to the building. I found the children's lit. collection and two seconds and it was a mess, needed shelf reading so....being me, I sat on the floor and began to put it back in order. (Here, I will admit it took a minute to remember how to do Library of congress, but only a minute.)
"Not your problem, dear," Dave said. "Not your job anymore..." I continued rearranging. "Step away from the shelves. Now. You cannot keep every collection in the world in order." I supposed he was right. I left in neater but not perfect.
It felt good to be back on campus. It was such a nice place to grow up. I didn't see a soul I knew, not even an old professor. (But then, it has been 37 years since I graduated. --Hush! I'm not that old.) The kids seemed so very young. le sigh.
Okay, I'm going to go and read for an hour and see if I can feel my face again by then.

A weekend recap-
Saturday-quel jour, quel jour! We left at 7:30 to make down to A.A. in time.
Yeah, right! We were there by 9. Dave refused to even stop at campus like I wanted as he wanted to get the perfect parking spot. Which, I admit, we did-only ten dollars and only a brisk half hour walk away. ("Perfect parking spot" is colored by the fact that it is Ann Arbor on a football Saturday.)We wandered over to the big house and discovered a new tradition forming-the welcoming of the football players to the house. This happens two hours before game time. The spectators line the route leading up to the tunnel, the band plays, the cheerleaders cheer. As the bus pulls up, the band breaks into the fanfare, and motorcycles cops appear as if out of nowhere and lead the players, dressed in business wear to the the tunnel. Several thousand voices break into the "Victors" and the players process down toward the tunnel, appearing to have about as much enthusiasm for the experience as a stroll to the dentist. (except for the third string quaterback who pumped his arms in the air and thought the whole thing was kind of cool.)
After that we continue to wander around the sports complexes and discovered the Reveille house where the band get ready for the game. A crowd had gathered there too. We joined it, figuring that something was coming up. WE were right. After a while, the drum line came out, the head drum line, and put on a great show, their complete show. Utterly fantastic.
Then it was time to go back to watch the game. It was fun. After half time, I suggested that I had seen everything I had come for and we could go home. That was nixed. I was tired of sitting so wandered around and looked at people
After the game, we stayed for post game band show. (See a theme here-I had come for the band and went away satisfied.) After the game show, we went to the woman's volleyball game at the Crisler. Because of bad construction, we took the long way home, down Telegraph. Yup, really long way but we didn't want to attempt 23 with one lane of traffic and 10000 cars.)
Sunday, we sang. I hate to be lead soprano. Firstly, I can't always hit the high notes strongly if I don't have someone to pull me up. Secondly, I don't like the responsibility of leading the entire choir into the loft. Thirdly, if you are lead soprano, you have to stand in the dead spot. There is something about the accoustics of the choir loft that in that corner, you can't hear ANYBODY and it feels and sounds like you are singing all by yourself. It is a very lonely feeling. Hopefully Lisa will be healthy by next week and she can bear all the responsiblities.
Now, it's back to work. I'll get at the book order. NOW. Or at least soon.

I haven't posted for awhile. It is that time of year. Life piles up. Choir has started again. I want to exercise but there is no time. I want to sew but there is no time. I would love to read, but ... you see the pattern.
Tomorrow, after story time and the kindergarterners come over, I will be running away for the afternoon with my sister. We haven't decided what we are going to do yet but no doubt the weather will be beautiful and a Michigan fall is a treat. I am thinking Port Huron or Frankenmuth. Then I'll hurry back home to see one of my favorite little girls who has the lead in the community theater production. No doubt I will be blown away.
Saturday is football. We have Danny's excellent tickets for the U of M game. No student section for us. We'll be on the 50 yard line. The game is not that important. I go for the band, the cheerleaders, the people. The weather is suppose to be great. It'll be fun (if we can find a parking place.)
At work, story times are all filled up and going along marvelously. Mrs. Mooi is on vacation for a few weeks which means I have to do everything myself, breaks and lunches will be sort of iffy, but on the other hand, I get the entire desk to myself and can make all the messes I want to. I also get to take care of her cats everyday.
Our other excitement is that Nick, the page, is getting married next weekend. I am psyched about the wedding. It's to take place at Cross Roads village. How cool is that? Such imagination--

It was the start of high school football last night. Now through most of our married life, high school football meant packing the kids in the car and heading off for an adventure. When they were wee babes, it meant the long, winding trip to hills of Crystall Falls, the perennial class D champions, where we the entire school excelled at what they did. Needless to say, their athletes were great, but so were their band and cheerleaders. Of course, it was cold so they trip back was spent trying to get kidlets warm.
In elementary school, of course, we were eskymoes. We had our seats half way up on the 50 yard line with the Rolands sitting in the row beneath us. We would thrill to the band, marching around the field, banners waving. "Yeah orange, Yeah black. Yeah, Escnaba. Fight right back." Coach Flynn would glare at us from the side lines. The old man with the crazy hat and the bull horn would exhort the crowd to yell some louder. We would respectfully wait at the end of the game for the players to come and wave their helmets at us in thanks for our support.
When the kids were in high school, we were in Frankenmuth. Of course, my biggest fun was watching Mindy and her friends and counting the number of times they disappeared under the bleachers. (Sorry, kiddoes. You know I have to live through you.) It was always fun to speed the long way home after work to see who would be waiting at our kitchen table for the ride to the away game. (Do I remember once finding Luke sitting at our table getting his nails painted?) Once the girls graduated we moved higher up in the stands so that I could sit with the Methodist choir as they had expecations of me singing the descant for National Anthem.
But last night was cold and rainy. Dave didn't have the energy or the interest to tackle an evening out. I am suspecting it will be that way all fall. We have yet to score any tickets to the U of M games although I feel Danny may yet come through. And while, of course, they are a riot, it's not the same. Yup, meloncholy. But then, that an appropriate emotion for autumn.
Working on an book order this afternoon. Dave just came to steal my car as his engine light is on. I had plans to go to the mall this evening but that won't happen now. (Ha, the joke is on him. He will find it out of gas.) Not much to look forward to this evening. Oh well, I can sew. Four more blocks to be finished tonight.

Well. we are back home again and I am into my third load of laundry. I am totally confused as to what day it is and what time of day and where exactly I am so I guess it was a good holiday.
I understand now that to say that the traffic in Boston was hell goes without saying. THose people do not seem to feel that signage is necessary and what street you are on is their little secret and they are not telling. The GPS wasn't even that much help. We got out of there quickly.
We spent a wonderful afternoon and evening in Lexington and Concord, had a nice walk around Walden Pond, met Henry David (in the flesh- a most self-efffacing young man), visited the graveyard to say Hi to Louisa May, went to Salem to the house of seven gables (and were surrounded by bad karma and the lack of signage.)
Next day we went to Cape Cod, traveled out to the Kennedy Compound and finished the day with a long watch on the beach in Chatam picking up shells and talking to the seals. My toesies were finally content.
Saturday was the reason we went out East. We went up to Portland Maine to meet up with Dave's buddies from the AirForce. Good reunion. We went whale watching five hours out in the Atlantic, saw lots of whales (minke and right) and lots and lots of seals. (Turns out that deer spotting and seal spotting have alot in common.)
Sunday, we were so ennamored of Portland that we went back. We took a schooner out on the bay for a few hours. Dave had never been sailing on a tallish ship and fell in love with it.
Then we took a trolly out to the lighthouse. Just beautiful.
Yesterday we started home. The trip back into Boston was a disaster. Dave had such an attitude about the driving. But we found the airport, found our flight and then sat out on the taramac for several hours. When we got into Metro, of course, we had missed our flight into Flint but Delta very quickly found us another one. It was suppose to leave at seven and then nine and then at midnight they announced

By tomorrow night, these little piggies will be in the Atlantic Ocean. Needless to say, I am excited.

Do not sit on a bee, especially in a very short skirt just before you are about to go into heavy traffic.
Dave likened it to the organism scene in "When Harry met Sally" except with a slightly different timbre to my voice. It didn't last long but it was intense.
1000 page challenge party went well despite the rain coming ten minutes before it was to start. Oh well, that's the problem with programming outside in the summer time in Michigan.
All they have to do is build me a bigger library with a huge multi-purpose room and everything would be easier. We had 127 people show up. We jammed them into the reference room. Hot and smelly, but I think the kids had a good time anyway. What I liked was the number of complete families who showed up, mom AND dads and kids and babies.

I realize that it has been three weeks since I've posted.
My usual excuse is--work. Nay, summer reading. But today is the last day (that most of us work)of summer reading. It has been a zoo, but a very healthy zoo this year. Many books read, many young readers made. We have the big party tomorrow and then, all's to be done is statistics.
I have had some fun this year. Dave and I went to a really neat funeral a few weeks ago. I know. To say that a funeral is fun may seem wrong. But Joe was a grand old guy of close to 90 and his very, cool kids, friends of Dave's from the Huntington days, were insistent that the funeral be a celebration of his life. So after a fine Catholic liturgy, we were off to food and then the party, with a live band and an open bar. As we left, after much dancing and singing, his youngest daughter hugged me and said, "daddy is looking down on us from heaven and he is so happy that you came to his party and had a good time."
Last Tuesday, I went on the ALma reunion cruise down the St. Clair river to Joe Muir's. Last year, I took Dave and had a very nice night. This year, I took Mrs. B. since she's also an Alma grad, as well as being a fellow deacon and a fellow bell ringer. We could have done without the thunder storm when we were out in the middle of the river, but, too, that was exciting, just wet. (we were on the top deck, covered but not sheltered.)
On the way home, she felt the need to unburden about her long dead husband who had been killed when jogging in Iron Mountain of all places. I pointed out that had she called the Presbyterian church for help at the time of his death, as the newest deacon, it would have been job to help (this all happened in 1981, just before our Minderz was born.)
Next week, after three days for record keeping, I am out of here. First stop-Boston, then Maine, then the U.P., then Illinois. Yeah!!!

Another day of bein inundated with kids. Individually, they are darling. In mass, our life is chaos. Maybe we program too much. Over 70 kids showing up for each program (up to 200) and then they stay. We need a bigger library.
Doesn't help that Mrs. Mooi is off having an emergency root canal this afternoon. Some people sure know how to have a good time.

Happy 4th.
We'll be in our usual spot in Bay City on the fourth. The music won't be super this year but they say the fireworks will be the best ever. (Don't they say that every year?) Suzie will be arriving tonight which I have to say I'm not real excited about. We don't have else planned for the fourth, maybe a trip to the farmer's market in Flint.
I have tomorrow off too. I'm sort of planning a trip to Port Huron. Suzie can't keep up with me and Daddy doesn't want to go so I'll do the trip by myself which will be okay. I want to take the two mile walk (okay maybe I'll only do half of it)Do some shopping. It'll be great.
On Sunday, it'll be church, grandma and grandpa, and probably a trip to Metro park. At some point, I'll get my feet in the water. Probably Port Huron on Friday, Lake St. Clair on Sunday.
Summer reading is almost half over. I am surviving. Lots of delicious kiddies. Lots of crabby staff.
--

Yesterday was Dave's father's day, first hot day of the summer. I wore as little clothing as is legally allowable for an old lady like me (a mini skirt and a sleeveless t-shirt and sandals) and we went down to the Detroit river and caught a cruise boat. We cruised for two hours, past the rich houses on Gross Isle, past the old Bob-Lo island and onto Lake Erie, which really isn't a bad lake there (we michiganders tend to be snobby about Lake Erie. It's more a pond really.) It was cool and comfortable out on the river. I didn't get burned, just got some color which I needed dreadfully. Suzie was content, amused herself. As usual for a Saturday in June, on the Canadian side of the river, there were tons of wedding parties, coming down to the river for their pictures. We yelled and cheered and the captain blew the ship whistle. I was rather disappointed not to see a freighter, up close and personal. We did see two but both too far away to identify. (Shipping is woefully down this summer. Just check Boatnerd.) Wonderfully contenting afternoon.
After dinner, we checked out a different metropark, Lake Erie Metropark right on the lake. Very pretty park, but I couldn't put my toesies in, too rocky. Probably just as well as the water looked a bit scuzzy. I would have loved a long walk but my injury prevented it. ( My injury-I haven't blogged. I have a sports injury. Me! I hurt myself at the gym last week. Nothing real exciting. Just pulled my back moving a piece of equipment, 'cuz you see I'm old. It has hurt to walk all week but a weekend of rest and I think I'm almost back to snuff. It was the longest day of the year yesterday and when we got back home at ten o'clock, it wasn't quite dark.
Today, it was daddy's father's day. After church, (I managed a conversation in French with a visiting missionary. He commented on the purity of my accent. HA!) we took pizza to dad. Poor mommy. I don't think she figured out who I was all afternoon. Then we took Suze to see Up. I enjoyed it immensely as did Suze. Dave slept through it but he was okay with that. It was a good nap he said. We have discovered the theater in Birmingham. Easy parking, cheap prices and great places for snacks afterwards. (Although their cupcake place did not come close to the yumminest of Mindy's cupcake place. They were pretty but tasteless. That's okay. WHo needs great cupcakes?)
On to the 2nd week of summer reading and some yucky medical tests this week (Barium swallow? Dave's had it and said it isn't terrible but I'm hardly looking forward to it.)

And I don't have a picture to entice you.(and the cover is enticing)
Let me just book talk it.
Princess of the Midnight ball by Jessica Day George:
a retelling of twelve dancing princesses (one of my favorites) It has a handsome soldier, a sweet princess (well, twelve of them, Duh), lots of magic, some romance (but only longing glances).

Just wonderful

is into its second day and it is going swimmingly. The kids have been so excited and lovable. (Even if I just listened to fifteen minutes of knock-knock jokes.) I'm feeling that sign up is going a little slowly this year as we're not up to 200 yet and it's the 2nd day. However, programs not really start until next week so I'm thinking that's what makes the difference.
Tomorrow, we're back to Lunch with the Munch Bunch. It thrills me to know that a generation of children are growing up with memories spent on the library lawn, listening to stories.
I went home exhausted last night, (after being at the library at 7 a.m.) but it was a good tired.

No, not today, but it brings back memories.  Today is the last day of school in Lapeer and it reminds me of an evening about fifteen years ago.
   It was the last day of school when Sue was maybe in 3rd grade and Minderz was in 2nd. We lived in Esky where the sun in the summer really sets later since it's so far north and so far west.  Dave and I sat on the little cement front porch on a perfect U.P. evening.  The sun light was golden.  The breeze from the lake was soft. The air  was warm, the first warm day.  THe lilacs were still blooming so when the breeze blew, we smelled lilacs.  And the kids ran, with their best friends, Carol and Kevin, through the front yards across the streets, laughing and rolling on the grass, their little bare legs still white from the winter's jeans, flashing as their ran.  The neighbors all came out and waved and sat on their porches and smiled at the kids.  The whole summer stretched in front of us, days of walking down to the beach every single day, Wednesday evening down at the bandshell.  Dave had to work but the girls and I had the whole summer before us, days to play in the sand.  Such was the joy of the girls growing up in a small town at the lake in the U.P. 
  I miss it. I miss them.
  But it was a good day.

The trip to Chicago with Suzie went better than I thought. Actually, the train trip both ways was pleasant (All right, I admit it. I slept or at least dozed most of both ways) Suzie had her nosed glued to the window, watching the scenery and was quite content.
Really, I realize that Sue in a big city is not a perfect fit. She did not
have the stamina to keep up with us, she got distracted by everything, her behavior was not appropriate. But still we had a good visit with Minderz and the Keithanator. They were both excellent hosts and kept us well amused. We did some amazing things. We did the Adler at night and saw Saturn's rings (for real-they had telescopes set up.) We did the required trip out on Lake Michigan (sort of cold and windy) and took the water taxi to the Shedd. I have never been to a huge aquarium before and it was amazing. Although it was packed, Minderz was able to use her museum pass to let us bypass the two block line to get in (one of her perks). I utterly adored and want to go back again (maybe on a day when there are not 3 million people in it.) Our trip back to Lincoln Park was marred by the Hondorous/America soccer game. (There must have been no one left in Hondorous and they were crazy people.)
We couldn't get a bus so we walked and walked to the el. We stopped at a cute pub for dinner and then went to the waffle shop where I had the best chocolate in the world (or so I am told. Tasted the same to me. It did have a better texture.)
THe next morning, Minderz had to work so Keithers took us to the zoo. Nice zoo. Loved the giraffes, the very active and noisey lions, the swimming polar
bear. Then it was time for the trip home on the train. (I wonder why they keep the train so cold.)
So good time was had by all, although I am thinking it will be some time before I feel compelled to take Sue to Chicago again. It made me want to spend more time there, explore it some more. GO SHOPPING! (We passed THE crate and barrel and I have to say, I was tempted by the American girl store.)
Now, I'm back at work. Long night. I'll be glad to go home.

I am not real pleased to be here. It has been a hectic week and I think I should of/would of stayed home and rested (my stomach) but, alas, it was not to be.
Jamie retired this week. I cannot imagine working (or living for that matter) 35 years in one place. We partied it up big since she deserved it.
On Wednesday we had a formal tea. About 120 people came I think. We used china tea cups and had spring flowers all over the placed. We had a formal tussie-mussied made for her to carry.
Last night we had the staff (and former staff) dinner at Lenny Millers. Speeches were made, tons of food eaten, presents given and received. I think she felt truely appreciated. Sue and I were in charge of both events. It wasn't like we did except delegate and make and double check lists and buy food and bake. But it was exhausting. We had good times at both events but I'm glad they are over.
Now, I'm gearing up to go and see Minderz next week. We are taking the train on Friday, coming back on Saturday. I am a trifle anxious about keeping Suzie entertained on the train and getting her from one place to another on foot. (We walk when we are in the windy city, but Sue is not a great walker.) But I will get to see my Lake and my girl.

And it is so super to have ones own personal techie who will slave away on your machine and ask nothing for it but a cookie.
I caught a bad virus. I don't know what. I don't know where. It's not like I don't have very expensive virus protection but it got in and slowed my machine down to nothing. Couldn't even use word. So good old Dave worked on it all day, made countless calls to Dell (spoke to every techie in India he claims) bought me a different virus protection and voila, I am again cooking with gas. (although he did have to rebuild my computer and I have spent the past thirty minutes restoring my bookmarks.) He is a handy man to have around.
IN other news, we had Jamie's retirement tea this afternoon and I think it went very well. Everyone said it was lovely. SHe felt appreciated. My feet hurt even though I kicked off the heels an hour into it. I am exhausted but that is done.

Yesterday my favorite day of the year, Highland Festival in Alma. I was at the first one, the one held in 1968. I have missed a couple over the years, when we lived in the U.P. but not too many. Dave questioned me yesterday. I must like Christmas more, or my birthday. But I think not. Those days are nice but they have a lot of work involved, making sure everyone is satisfied and happy. Highland Festival day is just for me.
It is so much fun to wander around camus again, to take all the short cuts and know where every bathroom is. I make it a point to invite others to use them. "Just go in that building and turn right." A stranger will argue, "But it doesn't say there's one in there for us to use." "Look, I'm an alumnae and I say it's okay to use it. Come on, I'll take you in."
Yesterday, we took a short cut between two buildings to the main mall and as we entered the mall, we heard the burrr of pipes. I sighed and relaxed. "Scotland the Brave."
"What?" Dave asked.
"That's the name of that tune."
We followed the masses to the main gate, grabbed a meat pie and entered the stands for the mass bands. Is there a better sound in the world, or a more braw sight? I just adore the head drum major. He's a wizened military man. I have never seen him smile. He's been leading the massed bands for as long as I can remember. He has no qualms about yelling at any hapless young piper who doesn't keep the line straight. He will allow the bass drums to turn to get a fuller sound but they'd better straighten into line as soon as the line starts moving.
I love a man in a kilt (if he knows how to wear it. They also nab a few young men to escort the various princesses who have never worn a kilt before but they should really give them a few lessons in how to sit in a skirt. It can get embarrassing.) I saw an older gentleman with white hair in full formal kilt wear (short jacket and lace collar) gently escorting his mother down the hill. There were all the athletes in kilts and grey t-shirts with heavy belts to support their backs when they started lifting the cabers. There were all the band members with white socks and white short sleeve shirts and ties. They tended to have knives in the socks.
Well, now I'm tired and sun burned. Today, it was Dave's turn to decide what we were going to do. He wanted to go to Holland and walk the breakwater. I am not one to argue with that. It was amazing how cold the water was, (yes, I went in) but, after all, it was ice just three weeks ago. We also went to the zoo in the Grand Rapids. Great zoo. Suzie had such a good time.
Now, to bed.