God works in mysterious ways

Life has been moving fast and slow all at the same time. How quickly a family make up can change.

A year ago discussion was begun with my extended family over plans for a family reunion. See, most of my family lives in Michigan and Wisconsin and a dear cousin in Florida. It always seems to happen that WE travel to the North since there are fewer of us than of them. Going on any trip is expensive so the thought was to try and create a vacation destination so everyone gets to go someplace new. Research was begun on many different spots in the US. My parents even took a mini-vacation to the Lake of the Ozarks to get some resort group pricing options. A place was picked, a contract was about to be signed, life started happening. From this point several family members had to back out due to unknown factors such as jobs, expenses, what have you. So, it was decided that the reunion in Lake of the Ozarks would not happen...contract cancelled. It was disappointing. I was so looking forward to seeing everyone.

Then this past spring, I really felt like I had to go to Michigan and see family. I made the decision to go - driving across the country. My mother decided that she'd go with me to help with the boys and get some family time in while she was there. While we were there the family received some devastating news. My Uncle Mike had bladder cancer. He was in pain while we were there from a recent surgery. But he came to all the family gathering events so that he could be with us. He laughed, made jokes, stood in family pictures. As we were leaving there was still many unknowns that further testing would reveal. But we felt that our goodbye was our last.

Also, while we were there we had noticed that Ralph (Grandpa) didn't seem to be himself. He seemed more fatigued, not as enthusiastic, less talkative and his color didn't look good. When we got back to Texas we expressed this concern to Grandma - and she had noticed these things too. After a doctor's appointment and some blood work it was determined that he had a form of leukemia..."treatable" according to the doctor.

Mike had learned that the cancer had not spread...good news. But his only treatment option was chemotherapy. Before that can begin an appointment with a cardiologist needs to be made. See, Mike was a lifelong smoker. He knew the risks this habit could bring to him...and was realizing it was catching up to him. He had a horrible night that night...and passed away from a heart attack the next morning. Gone, two weeks after being diagnosed. His prayers, most likely, being answered.

We flew to Michigan for his memorial service two weeks later. It was beautiful...so many people kept coming and coming. I was asked to play the keyboard and lead the group in two hymns. I didn't know where I would find the courage to do it. But I did. Mike helped me through, he knew I needed someone to sit on the bench next to me.

While we were there, we were able to visit with family again and see how Ralph was doing. We had learned through phone conversations and discussions that he wasn't doing well...confused, not eating, not drinking, trouble walking, beginning to take a crazy amount of medications including chemo pills and thalidamide...all to bring the white blood cell count down. He did recognize us...for brief moments but we knew he was not himself. Grandma was caring for him at home....it was a full time job and he could not be left alone. When we saw him and his condition...we knew he was in the final stages of life. Grandma had done all she could but she needed help and we were there to do it. In a matter of 2 days...we had got him transported to the doctor's office. The doctor helped us decide that hospice was the best choice for Ralph's end of life treatment. Grandma agreed....the family agreed. It was painful to experience such sorrow over Mike and within hours be experiencing such sadness for Ralph. He was moved to the hospital where we knew he would not leave. We had to leave for Texas the next day - with heavy hearts and concern for the others. Again, it was our final goodbye. Ralph died peacefully the next day - surrounded by family and loved ones.

It was painfully clear why the family reunion at Lake of the Ozarks was not meant to be. It was obviously clear why I felt the need to go to Michigan this summer and be with family...not knowing that 2 of those dear family members would soon be leaving us. It was sorrowfully clear why Mike's service was 2 weeks after his death so that we could be there to celebrate his life and care for Ralph's ending of life.

I could not be there for Ralph's service this weekend. I was sad to not be with family. I wanted to be there to hold my Grandma's hand as she said goodbye to her husband only 2 weeks after saying goodbye to her son. But see, other life events have been happening around me. And I needed Ralph here with me. I prefer to not go into too many details here on my blog...but transitioning from a contract to a salary employee has not been easy. A lot of unknowns, a lot of waiting, a lot of putting your faith in others to carry through. It has been an emotional roller coaster from disappointing to elated with joy. I knew Ralph had his hand on my shoulder as I was offered the job at more than the salary I was expecting. We can do things for ourselves and our guardian angels can help us along.

God does work in mysterious ways.

Cake Wrecks

You have to check out this blog. Lindsey sent this over to me and I was on the phone with her crying and laughing over it. If you think I charge too much for my cakes...think again. People actually paid money for these cakes. And make sure to read her commentary - funny stuff.

Cake Pricing

A few posts back I asked for your opinions on what you would pay for a cake. Well, folks, here's the price that I was paid for making this cake:

$1.75 x 60 servings = $105.00

20% for fondant = $21.00

Grand Total = $126.00

Yes, she wrote me a check for $126.00!!!! Well, if you called any bakery and asked them to do a stacked cake for 60 people with fondant and customized to match an invitiation they would probably charge anywhere from $2.50-$4.00 a serving. So, technically she did get a steal of a deal. And once I deducted my cost for the ingredients and supplies, I actually made around $90. I'm guessing it cost probably $40 just to buy all the stuff. So, there you have it. Maybe I should start my own business!

Jennifer Needs

Okay, I saw this over at my friend, Elaine's blog.....I thought it was so silly and I'm adding it here.

You go to Google and type in your name and then the word "needs" and the first 10 appropriate things that come up are what you list in your post. (my commentary is in parenthesis)

1. Jennifer needs to be in a mental health facitily right now (gosh, that might be true).

2. Jennifer needs a smack daddy. (okay, I honestly don't know what a smack daddy is and I'm not sure I need one of those)

3. Jennifer needs to give birth in the next week. (uh....no. I don't. Been there, done that!)

4. Jennifer needs a cane. (I think I've been walking just fine...but some days I do feel older than I should)

5. Jennifer needs your support (as always)

6. Jennifer needs a shave. (I think my hygiene is up to date...but you might think differently.)

7. Jennifer needs help! (isn't that the God's honest truth!)

8. Jennifer needs to lose some weight! (true, so true)

9. Jennifer needs your votes....(for what, I'm not sure...but I could always use your vote)

10. Jennifer needs 2 1/2 cups of sugar to make cookies for 15 people ( I do enjoy making cookies...but I think I have enough sugar if you want some)


Now, how goofy was that!

In Loving Memory

Ralph F. Starz

October 22, 1921 - August 13th, 2008

A Loving Husband, Father,

Grandfather and Great-Grandfather

One of THOSE Days

Have you ever had one of THOSE days? Where it seems like nothing is going right? Where you are being pulled in many different directions? Where you just want to go back to bed the instant you got up?

One of THOSE days where if you hear the children yell, punch, tackle, push, wrestle, grab something from, or scream in retaliation one more time today you think you're going to explode.

One of THOSE days where all it seems like you do is yell the words: No, stop that, what did I say, you're not listening to me, etc.

One of THOSE days that you are spinning your wheels. Emptying the dishwasher 2x, cleaning the plathora of toys up (again), or cleaning the floor only to have a giant glass of milk spilled on it.

One of THOSE days where friends call you because they want to talk or need your help but it's hard to concentrate on what they're saying because of the chaos inside my house and inside my head. But you desperately need the adult attention.

One of THOSE days where your husband is hurting or in pain and there is nothing you can do to help. And one of those days you want him better so he can help you....

One of THOSE days where you are stressed about starting another school year at work, uncertain about the future, nervous about the changes, anxious to have it taken care of.

One of THOSE days where you have to pack a suitcase to attend a memorial service for a family member that was loved....looking forward to seeing family, but not the reason for seeing family and feeling guilty that you are looking forward to the few days away.

For me, it's been just one of THOSE days...

Randomness and more Randomness

I have a bunch of photos to share and opinions to get.

1. The boys were caught being cute outside this week. Yes, Evan does have on his pajamas with a pair of sandals...so what. I was just glad they were playing nicely together.
2. Brennan was learning how to cross his eyes this week....did he do it?3. Grandma and Gramps came over for dinner last week. We spotted a rainbow after a little shower here at the house. It was nice to see God smiling upon us. 4. Kitchen Update....Kitchen Update!!!! We finished all the painting! I still have some decorating to do (that means some shopping)! Here are only a few pictures - the plumber came yesterday to install the new sink and faucet. So, I'll post pictures of that part of the kitchen when I get it cleaned up.
5. Cake Order - I was asked to do a cake for a baby shower. This is the first "order" I've done for a cake for someone that wasn't a friend. She had come to another baby shower I did a cake for and now she was throwing a baby shower and asked if I could do the cake. She wanted it to go with the notecard she left me. She wasn't real specific in what she wanted besides fondant and dots and a vanilla cake to serve 60-65 people. Here's what I came up with....do you think it looks okay? I didn't stray too far from the original idea. HERE's the big question......what would you pay for a cake like that???? 12" round stacked with an 8" round, covered in fondant and designed to match your invitations. I charged per serving plus a percentage for fondant. Let me know what your thought are and then I'll share with you the price. 6. Waterpark - I took the kid's to the little city water/splash park the other day. Then I get home and see the TV reports about a little girl dying from a virus she got at a water park in our area. Geez. Okay, so it doesn't really prove we were at the waterpark since you can't see any water thingy and it's not the best picture of the boys. But it was all I managed to take a picture of that day.

So there you go. My randomness for the Friday the 1st of August.
Have a great weekend!