Another Auld Lang Syne

"The year is dying, in the night, Ring out wild bells and let him fly"
We sing that song every year at church the Sunday before New Years and the kids always chuckle.
This year Walt said, "NO, we won't sing it becaus Sis Geis is not the music director anymore" (It's her favorite)
But alas, we sang it anyway and big smiles flashed across our row on Sunday.
2009 is going to be a good year for me, at least I'm going to try to make it into one.
There's joy out there to be found, so I will do my best to find it.
Enjoy the festivities tonight, whatever you find yourself doing!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano y Felicidad

The season was merry, the year is ending, Christmas went by so fast as usual. I always feel a little melancholy after all the festivities are over and everyone has gone home. We missed Tod and Brent and Stephanie being here this year.
As I reflect on 2008, I am thankful for many things. All my kids were together in May for Brent's wedding, that was a wonderful time. Tod is in Arizona serving his mission and loving it. He is learning so much and our family is being blessed.
I am realizing how old we are getting and the inevitable changes that come. Mom is in a nursing facility and it was sad to realize that she won't be coming home again. But she is at peace there.

Spin and Win

Not wanting to hit the half-century mark, I told everyone last year that I am now counting backwards. So this year I am now 47 (do the math) and when I hit zero, then I plan to die.
At any rate, some of our kids treated Walt and me to dinner and games at a place called Dave and Busters. This is an adult playground, with games and tickets in the Chuck E. Cheese fashion.
It really was a blast from the past and quite fun for all, with oldies like Skee Ball and the infamous claw machine, along with new favorites like Deal or No Deal.
I am not great at games, but I tried a few, and honestly I can see how gambling for real cash could become a bad habit.
If you want to relive your youth, I recommend this place for a fun night out.
The food was good, not too pricey, but don't get carried away with the amount you can spend on games, there are lots to choose from.
We bought one card and shared it, and managed to accumulate 1000 tickets, coming home with a small prize for all seven kids and even one for Becca, who gave up her Friday night to babysit.
Thanks everyone for an awesome time!!

No Shoes, no shirt, no problems!!

My favorite season is almost over. I looked at my blog and realized how busy I've been since I last posted in the middle of winter.
I am drinking up every last bit of sun, even if it's only through the window at Mindy's scrapbook, where I hang out most afternoons.
I have taken a few long walks and am planning to take many more before the snow flies. One place I haven't been to in 2 years is Cuyahoga Valley National Park, specifically the Ledges area, and I hope to get there soon.
School starts next week and I am down to a senior, a freshman, and a fifth grade student. I have much more time alone during the day, some days good, some days lonely. But I'll be filling my time up as I usually do. I'm one of those people who can't sit still too long.
Any ideas for a wild way to end summer?
A good book and a lawn chair sound inviting.

Snow, snow, and more snow!

Happy Leap Day and probably the most snow on record in one month. I think the second highest snowfall recorded in Feb, for those of you who like statistics.
In the background is Elder Tod, playing the piano and singing rock songs as LOUD as he can!! I guess that's how he relaxes, but in our small house... need I say more? Less than a week left for him to leave, I will miss that boy. Phoenix, I hope you're ready.
I have a lot to be thankful for, especially my patient husband and all 8 of my wonderful kids. Each one adds so much to my learning about life. And those grandkids are the light of my life.
Rock on!!!

Granny Gross

Trying to get a good pic of grandma wasn't easy, but these aren't too bad. Wish she could enjoy these, but at least she still knows the kids. Cousins Abbie and Alexandra share a laugh with granny. Don't know how many of those she has left.
Gross is really my maiden name, no joke. A few years back, we found a Ghostbusters figure named Granny Gross that opened her mouth wide and looked really GROSS, when we gave it to Mom she laughed and laughed. We miss your sense of humor, Grandma!

Birthday Buddies

Two snow days in a row, and two birthdays coming up. Abbie, 10 and the Valentine Boy, Tod, turns 19. His last birthday in Ohio for a while. I guess I had two children born in February to beat the winter blues. These two are always good for a laugh. Happy birthday kids!!

Happy Anniversary

Thanks to our children, who gave us a wonderful gift in November, Walt and I had a very relaxing time in Amish country. No commitments, our cell phone wouldn't even work down there. It was a true getaway and we loved it.
I highly recommend The Inn at Amish Door, great view from our room. It's a beautiful Inn, no smoking or alcohol permitted, I was impressed with that.
The food at the restaurant is heavenly and the Inn provides a very nice continental breakfast in a lovely room with a very nice view of the countryside. Just peace and quiet and getting away.
If your into a busy weekend with lots going on, then this place is not for you!
We didn't rush, talked through our meals, had time to read and relax in our beautiful room.
The Amish are very religious, the Inn had three nativity scenes still displayed.
One was outside, it was life-size and lit up at night. In the lobby there were two others displayed, one on the mantle beside a beautiful Christmas tree. The other was on a table, an entire Nativity village displayed wih animals and everything.
I felt a very good spirit there, and the employees were so friendly.
Thank you to my wonderful kids for a very relaxing weekend!!

No, I'm not too old for this!

That's probably what you are all thinking, but I'm needing to get out of the winter blahs and this seemed like a good way to start.
I will be a grandmother of 8 in 2008, so you will probably see some grandma moments here.
Like this morning, when I called Noah for his 7th birthday and he told me he lost a tooth yesterday. Then naturally I spoke with 5 year old Ian like I usually do and this was his question:
"Is this Grandma Cindy?" I said yes. Then he asked, very seriously, "Has anyone in your family ever lost a tooth on Birthday Eve?" Where does he come up with this stuff? I cracked up, as usual, after I talk to him I always do! Then Nikki told me that Ian and Noah decided to invent "Birthday Eve" which is of course the day before your birthday. Never a dull moment with kids!
I always look forward to seeing them, and can always count on a hug from Ava and Noah.
Hopefully this won't be boring, and I will get my kids to show me how to post pictures also.
Happy 2008!