The journey begins....

In less than 2 months Rob and I will celebrate some MAJOR milestones: Our 25Th wedding anniversary on 07/06 and Stephen's 18Th birthday on 07/07 and Jennifer's 21st birthday on 07/23 (also Rob's birthday) With all that in mind, today I begin (again) my attempt to reduce (me) It would be awesome to drop 25 lbs by our 25Th..but alas, I keep it real. For now 10 or 15 would be fine with me as a start. Oh the memories of the metabolism of youth. I have included a photo of what hard work and healthy eating can do to the frame of a young man of 17 years of age! Our Steve is in the gym 6 to 7 times a week and downs protein drinks like it is his job! Enjoy it now son, for as my internist spelled out for me at my last physical, " your at the age where the metabolism actually goes in reverse." Gads! Brings to mind a favorite t-shirt I spotted at Kings Island Park years ago that read: 'FAT PEOPLE ARE HARDER TO ABDUCT!" I chuckle, but would like to get in shape for my future and all the fun of seeing my emerging young adults grow up into healthy, spirit-filled individuals. I will keep you "posted" on any progress.

Dances and Mom's Day and Springtime...oh my!

We have now sucessfully put another prom in the books of McAninch family history....Stephen's junior year prom. A lovely night, and a beautiful date, Kaylei Edwards and all things young and wonderful! Thanks to facebook, there is not a pose or picture that has been omitted from the keepsake of memories for the class of 2011. Starting with the Promenade at THS which gave us a great chance to see ALL the beauties and their dates announced and oooed and awwed over for a photo op.( yes, I was beaming greatly) Aunt Amy and cousin Catherine came from Hudson to cheer on our big guy. Our bug guy is also the final Shook grandbaby to graduate high school. As ironic as it may sound, all of my Mother's(Grannie Shook's) grandchildren, will have graduated from E.J. Thomas Hall at University of Akron. As it is now, Jenn and Catherine, also will graduate from Ej with their degrees from the University of Akron. How exciting for all.

We have nearly completed another school year also. Jenn is done and Steve has less than one month to go, then busy summer. Jenn's boyfriend, Pat Divoky, graduated from Universityof Akron Magnum Cum Laude and will now go on to Pharmacy School. They are enjoying their time together and we enjoy seeing their joy as well.

Today is Mother's day and I was treated to special dark choc. bark from Pat and Jenn and singing cards from Steve and Jenn and Ghiardelli candy and a dozen long stem red roses from my handsome Prince Stephen and dinner at the outback with ALL my loves...Daddy too. A blessed day for a very contented MaMa. Peace and goodnight.

Well, I have officially signed off of my facebook account. I enjoyed seeing all my friends and family in photos etc. The games and all are a bit irritating and not needed. However, I chose to end my account for a far more practical reason. Our daughter's computer was infected with wicked virus via FB to the tune of 200.00 to have removed by Geek Squad. Jenn studies hard and I would feel terrible if she lost valuable documents due to my being all-hip and being on facebook. Alas, I will depend on the good old email and family updates to see my folks. I love to see photos of my loved ones and hope to get some in email. Back into my non-techno shell I crawl, peacefully! Looking for Spring, ~B~

Would love to write more

I hope to get to bloggin' a bit more in 2010. I love keeping my personal written journal, I just can't seem to get to my blog as often as I would like to. The perils of the forty hour worker- wife-mom I suppose. That coupled with the fact that the reason I can't write about my life, is that I am busy living it. (as it should be)
Always a writer,
~B~

WOW! Where has the time gone? Dance 2010

Steve and his lovely date enjoyed a group outing to dinner before the Tallmadge High School Sweetheart Dance....we've had the pleasure of watching all of these boys grow into fine young men. A good time was had by all!

Cate and Daddy go Trick or Treatin'

For Daddy Eric and Cate on a very special date:

Daddy and I went trick or treatin',

now it is time for some candy eatin'!

we saw the neighbors and spent time just meetin',

when Daddy and I went trick or treatin'.

My Elmo bucket was overflowin',

we didn't get lost,

cause Daddies ALWAYS know where they're goin'.

I got a little tired,

so towards home we started beatin',

after Daddy and I,

got finished trick or treatin'.

Mommy met us at the door

we couldn't of asked for a sweeter greetin',

now we will share what we collected.

when Daddy and I went trick or treatin'.

Another joy of toddler time!

(disclaimer, yes I will finish my Jenn story at another time, but I wanted to post my little poem and a picture of the "greatest" Great niece anyone could be blessed with)

to Cate:

I'm sure Mommy and Daddy,

would prefer that I be neater,

but there's nothing quite as good,

as mash potatoes off the beater!

You see, I am a toddler,

therefore life could not be sweeter,

especially when I'm tastin',

mash potatoes off the beater!

(a poem by Aunt B for Cate)