I thought I was done with blogging, due to lack of interest... but here I go again.
I just had to share our Christmas memories with those who could not make it this year.
Special prayers go out to family and friends who are having some challenges, in terms of health and finances.
Our love goes out to them and to all who are hurting.

cheesy potatoes, my fav!

We held our second annual flutophone concert.
Not to brag, but I am quite gifted in this medium:-)   Our rendition of  Ludwig Van Beethoven's Ode to Joy would have brought  tears to your eyes.  (No, really.... hearing us butcher this timeless classic would literally have brought tears to your eyes!)

Renee's pets picture perfect

As Tiny Tim so aptly put it,
"God bless us, everyone."

All I want for Christmas is...

Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be! ♥

Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be
When our time has come
We will be as one
God bless our love
God bless our love
Grow old along with me
Two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun
When the day is done
God bless our love
God bless our love
Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end
World without end
Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through
For our love is true
God bless our love
God bless our love - John Lennon 

As sons and daughters who loved their parents and wanted to honor them in a special way, we performed that song for my parents' 50th anniversary party.
We made a recording in my brother Mark's music studio and each sibling had their own solo part to sing.   It is a day I will cherish forever.
I can't listen to that music without tears blinding my eyes.

 birthday presents in 1952

I spent so many happy birthdays with my incredible family. I  wrap those memories around me, like a blanket, to comfort me when I am sad or lonely.
When I look back at those days, it sometimes seems just a shadow of a dream... but I cling to every detail.
The special birthday guest of honor was allowed to pick out his or her "favorite meal"- which usually consisted of sloppy Joe's or hot dogs and beans in the early days but evolved into a more sophisticated menu with time.
If  Mom were alive today, I would order up beef roll ups (with bacon and onions) and a mountain of mashed potatoes and gravy!  And I would choose the chocolate banana cake with her one of a kind creamy icing- the likes of which only my Mom could produce.

I got my "mommy cake" (thanks, Beth!)

This Friday, November 16th, I will turn 63 years old.  How did I get so old,  so fast?
In terms of longevity, I have been blessed with more years than many of my friends and relatives.
I have sailed the seven seas and visited most of the major capitals of the world.
I witnessed the changing of the guard in London's Buckingham Palace, viewed the Mona Lisa in Paris and explored Michelangelo's Sistine chapel in Rome.
I rode a camel at the pyramids of Egypt, stood in the place where Jesus was born and died in Jerusalem and sipped Ouzo in the islands of Greece.
With my own eyes, I have seen the Beatles (twice), Elizabeth Taylor, John F. Kennedy and Mr. Spock...and many other  rich and famous people from my time and generation.  I was lucky to have been in the right place at the right time.  It was a kinder and gentler world with security not such a high priority.
I worked in my chosen profession for over 40 years, which afforded me the privilege of owning two homes and 9 new cars.
I have experienced the unconditional love of  family and the support of loyal friends.
And I have the peace of understanding and the knowledge that when I die, I will be reunited with all my loved ones.

60 years ago

See George, you really had a wonderful life. - Clarance Oddbody

Yes, what a wonderful life I have had, indeed!

People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same. Look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow.   Erma Bombeck

Big Girl Suits

an original poem by me!

Three new bathing suits
lying on my bed
I had to buy a bigger size

Back in the 70's

because I'm overfed.

I pulled the waists together
to make them look so tiny
but do not fear or mock me, dear,
they'll stretch to fit my hiney!

I got them cheap, so do not weep
an end of season sale
Al tho despite the "black and white"
doth make me look a whale!

But one day soon, perhaps by June,
my bathing suits will be
since I'll be trim, thanks to my gym
a distant memory.

The Eyes of an Angel

LaVerne Lois Kucera

June 3, 1924- October 17, 2009

I can NOT believe it has been 3 years since we lost our beloved mother.  

Mom, I miss you more deeply with each passing day.
Would that I could let you know just how much your presence in my life has meant.

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

How Can I Say Goodbye

 by  Brinda Carter

Mom its been over a year now since
God and His Angels called you away.
Oh how the Angels rejoiced as you walked
Through those Pearly Gates that day !

Mom when they said you were going to die
I refused to believe it could be true.
How could I allow myself to even
Imagine saying goodbye to you.

Mom you were an Angel here on earth
I learned so very much from you.
You were so gentle and so kind your                  
Smile would always see me through.

You taught me how to love unconditionally
And how to be my very best in all I do.
You gave your all to God and your family
Never once stopping to think about you.

You were more than a mother you were my
Best friend and a great listener too.
Oh how I miss our special talks, and
All the fun things we used to do.

Mom I can never say goodbye to you,
Because I could never bear the pain.
Instead I say I love you Mom
Until we meet again.

Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest... Put Our Service To The Test! 

Chef Danny drove all the way from Washington DC  to prepare a royal Fall feast for our dining pleasure. 

This meal would put to shame the very best of any Disney banquet!

On the menu (a surf and turf theme) were an assortment of meats, poultry, fish and enough vegetables to satisfy the fussiest of Vegetarians (smile) ... including a variety of seasonal squash and a double mash made from both sweet and white potatoes!

Danny always provides an unusual and diversified cuisine.  This meal was no exception.
Check out the capon in the "before" picture below.
It is wrapped in Iberico de bellota, a bacon made from range free black footed pigs that roam the forests of Spain and dine only on acorns- a mere $40 for a small package!  (This little piggy went to market...)

rubbed with spice rum... or was it old spice?

ready for the oven

The Before:  Capon , beef short ribs (cooked 72 hours), spiced lamb and  Piachi- a rare ten foot 150 pound (white) fish found only in the Amazon... and just recently  available for export.

Chris leads our prayers of thanksgiving

cheesy broccoli cauliflower

The After:  sliced, diced and garnished by Sous chef, Blaze

We were also celebrating the birthdays of David, Mark and Billy.

"What do you mean, we are out of beer?!"- Nic

Grandma Lori and Joni

Blaze, Beth, Cheryl and Brenton

Billy, Renee, and Colin- the next generation

Sandy and Zachary and newest member of the clan

Roy, the infamous baby hog

And believe it or not, Bude was 5 minutes early!!

Thanks to Blaze, Lois and Danny- 

"Let's hear it for the cooks" - Dad

They say it's your birthday

Well, it's my birthday too yeah  
They say it's your birthdayWe're gonna have a good timeI'm glad it's your birthdayHappy birthday to you-   The Beatles

September 25th will be the BIG 60 for my twin brothers David and Mark.

I am quite sure this is a traumatic number for them and I send my condolences along with my birthday congratulations:-)   

Appropriate song for a birthday shared by twins!

There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared:  twins.  ~Josh Billings

My parents were not expecting two babies and they truly were surprised and a bit overwhelmed with the news!  

In those prehistoric days of yore, ultrasounds and other diagnostic tools were years away. 
Multiple births were a rarity. Back then, In Vitro and other fertility interventions were not commonplace.
Having twins during the early Baby Boomer era was comparable to today's "Octomoms" with their ever increasing litters!

Mark was not able to be delivered for some time after David had emerged because they gave my mother too much anesthesia, not knowing there was a bonus baby on board.

He was sleeping it off and they had to wait three hours til he awoke and could begin his arduous journey down the birth canal.

My mom was so caught unawares that she could not come up with middle names for her two newborns. (They are my only Sib's with no middle names.)

I was not impressed!

bedtime prayers

Boys, boys.... it is just a number!

For all the advances in medicine, there is still no cure for the common birthday.
John Glenn

It could be worse.  Christopher Reeves was also born on September 25th, 1952.  And Patrick Swayze was born that same year.  I am sure they would be more than thrilled to be celebrating their 60th birthdays. Kinda puts it in perspective, does it not?

You share your great year 1952 with many other celebrities, among them:

Mr. T, Pee Wee Herman, Roseanne, John Goodman, Paul Stanley, John Tesh, David Hastelhoff, Dan Akroyd, Micky Rourke, Neal Pert, and Liam Neeson.  You are in good company!!!

Quotes to ease the pain:

George Carlin
I'm sixty years of age. That's 16 Celsius.

Maurice Chevalier
Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.

Bernard Baruch
To me old age is always fifteen years older than I am.

William Butler Yeats
From our birthday, until we die, is but the winking of an eye.

Joan Rivers
Looking fifty is great… if you're sixty.

Mark Twain
When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.

I may be a twin but I'm one of a kind.  ~Author Unknown

That would certainly define David!  Since high school days, he has gone by Buddah or Bude. 
And yes, "one of a kind" is a nice way of describing him.  
He is a musician at heart.  He has a lovely voice and plays guitar.  Actually, I believe he owns more guitars than Elvis had in his prime! 
He is married to Cheryl and they have a son, Brenton.

"Just because two people look the same, doesn't mean they have the same dreams."

Mark is more into artistic endeavors.  He is a talented painter and utilizes experience from his trade (welder) to craft beautiful works of art.  He is married to his bride of three years, Jocy.

Twin one, twin too!  ~Author Unknown

For 59 years and counting, David and Mark have lived their lives within a few miles of each other. They presently reside in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Here are some words of wisdom (not mine) that may help you accept your age with more grace and dignity:

A 60th birthday is a wonderful occasion. You have crossed several milestones, but life just keeps looking for more challenges. Enjoy the bliss of sixty; enjoy the fruits of your labor. Surround yourself with your children and grandchildren, and tell them tales of the yesteryears. Relive the magical moments of life even while you look forward to new experiences. It's great to be sixty!

Mark, David and Danny