Hello, My name is Danny...the middle son. It is with a heavy heart that I inform all of mom's blog friends that she is very ill. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a couple months ago, and is now receiving hospice care from my sisters Erin, Mary, Dawn, and myself.

Please say a prayer for her, or simply keep her in your thoughts.

Warmest regards,
Danny 

THE BUD MAN..AND A BABY GIRL

On my 80th birthday, my daughters, Mary and Erin bought me little "Buddy."  It was only a short time ago that I had lost Mele..my little companion for 12 years.  It's funny how you think you can never love another as much as you did ...but over and over it's been proven to me that there is alway "room for one more".. 

Buddy had never been groomed yet when this picture was taken..AND he has grown a lot..so another picture will be posted soon.  He is the very first male dog I have ever owned..and maybe it's just my Buddy..but he is a notorious chewer..and so far he has chewed or TRIED to chew nearly everything, Furniture, and not just any furniture..ANTIQUES!  Shoes, pencils, clothing, torn up floral arrangements he takes from table top.

He can jump from the floor straight up to the back of the couch and often overshoots and hits the window and falls behind the couch..comes out looking puzzled!  

He can jump up on table..(I think he is part kangaroo!) desks..coffee tables..so we have to put everything in the guest room and close the door.

IS THIS A YORKIE TRAIT..or is it a MALE dog thing.

He is house broke..and the new doggie door is a God send...bless the one who thought that one up.

  SO...

....and this is my little great granddaughter "Zoe"..

She is the second grand child of  my fifth child, Erin.  Her first birthday was just a few days before Easter Sunday 2016.  She has just learned to walk and is showing off her little Tutu.  I bought her a 1959 Roadster for her first birthday!  :)  One of those that she can drive when she is older and can also be driven using the remote by an adult.  

Her little brother, Roman who is 4 said.."Grandma..we can share..right??" when he saw the little white car..

"HAPPINESS" is written on the corner of the little windshield!  

I DO love having a large family..and tons of grands.

Love,

Mona

~GETTING IT TOGETHER~

The photo below was taken at my daughter's home. Many happy times were spent there. 

The home was once owned by the famous author Emily Barnes.  

This is a photo of six of my seven children taken some years ago.  My daughter, Sandy was not in it because she was living  in Georgia with her little family at the time.  My son that passed away in November is on the far right.  Pat.  This Easter his absence was felt.  Next to him is his brother, Mike.  Mike and Pat were 13 months apart in age and very, very close.  Crib mates.  It's been a tough few years for our family.
 Next would have been my first born daughter, Sandy, and "big sister" in our family...then my third son and forth child, Danny.  Danny is the one that lost his kidney's and his sister Erin donated one of hers.  She saved his life.  What a time it all was..a stressful time for all.
The chubby one is me before I revolted and stopped trying to keep my dark hair.  *Hint*  Never wear a bulky white sweater in a picture..it just DOES NOT work!  :)   Next is second daughter and fifth child, Erin Kathleen, then Maryalice, and then last..but far from least is my baby girl Dawn.  She is the mother of Wrenna Dawn on Face Book otherwise known as "Wrenigade"   The one that is off adventuring in ...Switzerland? right now.  She is coming to stay  with me for a bit in August..and needless to say..I cannot wait.  My granddaughters are ..amazing.  Every single one of them.  I be-est SO blessed!!  So are the grandson's and you KNOW how us grandmothers can go on and on...

Easter was really nice.  Four young great grandchildren were here racing around and this grandma was in heaven to have them.   Five greats were missing.  Only twenty four for dinner this time..many had to work and some were far away but were remembered at family prayer time as were those far away and those that have made their transition and are waiting for their Mom.

Belated Happy Easter to all of you out there... YOU ALL are another reason I have been so blessed.
Thank you for being there..
I'm out here trying to get my act together..

Love,
Mona

P.S.  Did you know I turned 80 while I was "gold bricking" and not blogging?  Yep, back in early October.  Some of you that do face book knew because my children advertised it.   LOL  How am I taking it?  NOT well..not well at all, :) but on the other hand ....I am happy to be here.