Three stages of a Man

1. He believes in Santa Claus

2. He doesn't believe in Santa Claus

3. He IS Santa Claus

We're ready to spend a Christmas (just the two of us). Neil and Lizette are in So. Calif. and Glen and Sheri will be spending Christmas with her folks. We are looking forward to just putting a fire in the fireplace and relax and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol." We'll be having a stress-FREE day which will be nice even though we'll miss being with family. The nice thing is I'll be with the love of my life which is a tremendous blessing that I don't ever want to take for granted. God is good...ALL the Time.

A Bithday Celebration

On Sept. 8th, Sheri celebrated her birthday by doing some shopping. John and I celebrated her b-day by meeting them at Chilies in Plainfield on the 5th of Sept. It had been a while since we'd seen Sheri and Glen so we had a nice visit. It's always fun for me to try and make birthdays special for those I love. Sheri is a sweet daughter-in-law and is a perfect wife for Glen. She's a blessing to our family and I'd like to think we are a blessing to her as well.

New MiniVan for The Bug Man

Well we were hoping that we wouldn't have to buy any vehicles for The Bug Man this year but one of our old vans just kept needing repairs so we broke down and got a new one. It's a new model from Ford called The Ford Transit Connect. Althoug it's smaller than our other vans, we think it will workout for our needs.

Here is a link to see what it looks like. Of course we'll be painting it green and lettering it.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

A Bit of Trivia

Here is a bit of trivia that some of you already know and others do not. I was born on July 9th, my sister, Doris was born on July 10th and Rena , my younger sister was born on July 12th. They had to induced labor when it was time for Rena so the doctor asked my mom if she had a preference as to the date. She said that since she had one on the 9th and one on the 10th .... she agreed to be induced on the 11th so that the 3 B-days would be consecutive. As it turned out, my mother's labor was induced on the 11th but it went longer than expected (30 min. past midnight) which made Rena's b-day the 12th. So in case you didn't already know that info..........., now you know!! BTW, my baby brother came along 4 yrs. after Rena but he wanted to be different from us girls and came Feb. 23rd..... and my brother's 1st born came on Feb. 23rd just like her Dad. I hope you found all that to be very interesting. There may be a quiz next week so don't forget anything you've just read.:):):)

MOTHER'S DAY

Some people have told me that I looked like my mother. I just wish I was (half) the wonderful Mother she was. She taught me about love and self-sacrifice, hard work and doing your best. She loved her children & gave us all a sense that we were special to her and that she was proud of each of us. That is the goal I strive for ... to let my sons know that they are special to me and that I am proud of them both.

On Mother's Day each year I always think about the fact that I was blessed to have had a Wonderful Mother. Her life ended way too early when she died at the age of 50 from heart disease. I was only 25 yrs. old at the time with two little boys (one 3 and the other only 16 months). They never got to know what a Wonderful Grandma she was. She didn't get to see them grow up and turn out to be fine young men....... nor did she get to see other grandchildren born after she was gone and even great grandchildren. I miss her terribly to this very day and think of her so often and wish I could put my arms around her one more time and tell her how VERY special she was and what she meant to me and to so many others that loved her dearly.

A Special Day for A Special Person

May 1, 1919 was a very special day. Vernis Marie Cooper was born. In 1938 she married Kenneth Lowell Vermillion. In 1942 their first son Kenneth Robert was born and then in 1946 they had another son named John Paul. I didn't get to know her until 1968 when I married John but I was blessed to know her for 37 years. She passed away in July 2005. If there was only one thing I could say that I learned from her (because there were so many) was how completely generous a person could be. She was always "giving".... of her time, her money, her love, her possessions and mostly of herself. She loved her 3 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and since I lost my own mother in 1976, I was certainly glad that she got to see her grandchildren grow up. She always treated me like a daughter and I miss her to this day and when May 1st rolls around each year I think of her and what her life meant to so many.

Spring Break in Colombia, South America

Since Lizette had a Spring Break from her classes, she and Neil went to see her family down in Colombia. It has been such a long time and many of her relatives came quite a distance just so they could be there while she was home visiting.
It wasn't a long visit (only about a week or so) but one that was long overdue since she hadn't been back home since she and Neil came to the US. after getting married back in 2005.
They are back in L.A. now and Lizette is continuing her classes and doing so very well. Neil stays busy with clients on the computer. They got back on Easter Sunday about 8pm and then it was back to class for Lizette the next day.
Also, on the 21st of this month, my sister, Doris underwent gastric bypass surgery and as of today is doing quite well. Wanda flew home to help out while Doris was out of commission but is back in Colorado now with hubby, Sean.
I'm looking forward to what the month of May will bring.

Happy Birthday Glen

In 1975 John and I were living in El Paso, Texas because John was working for a new Montgomery Ward Store that had just opened in 1974. Since I was born and raised in El Paso, I was excited to be back living near my folks again. While we were living there, God blessed us with another son on April 7th and we named him Glen Aaron. He was a sweet, happy, lovable baby and he is still a very happy and loveable man with a heart as Big as the State he was born in. Hope today is another Very Happy Birthday for Glen.

Nice Write Up in our local Newspaper

Here is a nice article from our local newspaper about THE BUG MAN Inc.

A Special Day for Neil and Lizette ...................... *** Happy Anniversary***

It doesn't seem possible that four years have flown by already .... but it was four years ago today that Neil and Lizette were married in Colombia, So. America. Today they live in the Los Angeles area and seem to be very happy there. John and I are very happy for them and proud that they are working towards reaching the goals that they have set for themselves. We wish we could be with them to help celebrate this special occasion but at least they do live near family in Southern Calif. I have two sisters that are out there. Doris and her husband, Mack have lived out there for almost fifty years. They have a son, Hollis that lives out there and a daughter, Wanda, that lives in Colorado with her husband, Sean.
Rena, my younger sister has lived in that area for about 25 years herself. It's hard to believe that so much time has gone by so quickly. I just wish it wasn't so far away. It's hard to be so far away from those you love and don't get to see very often. Hopefully we can make a trip out there soon and enjoy each other's company but until then, we will hold them close in our hearts.

A Good Home Show

We've been in several Home Shows but I think this one was THE Best so far. Of course, only time will tell if it was worth the investment of time, money and all the effort of preparation but there were good crowds each day and lots of people stopping by our booth and asking questions about how to get rid of their bugs. John, being a "people person" and loving the kids as he does had a GREAT time with his hand caterpillar puppet. Some kids LOVED it while others were too shy to get anywhere near it but ALL in ALL things went smoothly. It was a BIG job and we're glad we did it .... now it's just wait and see what kind of results it produces.

Anxious for Spring

There's a saying that goes..... If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion and (visa/versa) If it comes in like a Lion it will go out like a lamb. Well, it came in like a lamb so we're hoping that it will also go out that way no matter how the saying goes. It is still cold here today but this weekend it's supposed to get up to 70º and it hasn't been that high since last fall. We are all MORE than ready for some springlike conditions.
The Bugman Pest Control is ready as well, since our business drops off quite a bit during the winter. We are ready to get "back in action" so to speak. Of course, with the economy like it is, we are VERY grateful to have a job that can pay the bills.
I've recently been trying my hand at learning a little more about how Ebay works to try and earn a little mad money (not too Mad:):): Since the stock market wiped out about half of our 401K (like everybody else) we won't be able to retire any time soon so I'm trying to think of ways that I can bring in a little more money to help our financial situation.
We are truly thankful that our situation is not as bad as so many that have been forced out of their homes. God keeps watch over us and continues to bless in so many ways and we don't want to ever forget that. He will be sending Spring soon because he is faithful to send each season in the order He ordained from the beginning. Til next time find the joy in each new day the Lord gives us.

Our Wedding Day (41 yrs. ago).

Forty-one years ago today God blessed these two young kids as they tied the knot. Like all marriages there have been ups and downs but we know we love each other and are looking forward to the days that are ahead of us. Like fine wine our marriage and love for each other gets even better with age. Here's to the next 41:):)

Blogger : Luv to Bug You :: Configure Video Bar

Blogger : Luv to Bug You :: Configure Video Bar

Got My Honey on Facebook

Well, I never thought he'd go for it but John actually WANTED to sign up on Facebook so I helped him do that this week. Now it remains to be seen if he actually does much with it but I'm proud of him for even trying cause like I've already shared ......He DOESN'T LIKE COMPUTERS!!!!
If you haven't signed up on Facebook, I would encourage you to. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I really enjoy it a whole lot. I was hoping to help my sister, Doris, learn about how to use Facebook but we weren't able to make it out there this year. Next Feb. 2010 Doris and Mack will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Wow, where did all that time go ..... it sure went by fast.

Challenging, Fun and Very Educational

I have Really enjoyed this last week as I've been online with Neil. We've done a whole lot of laughing and some sharing of what's going on in our lives. Lizette is one more step closer to becoming a citizen. I didn't realize there were so many steps in the process. I'm proud that she's up for the challenge. Neil is doing quite well in his work. He finds it interesting with lots of potential.
He's even been trying to teach me how to do some new stuff on the computer that will make my life easier....... if I can ever learn it all. One thing I've discovered about the computer is ............... there is Always MORE.... stuff to learn. I love learning new things about using my computer cause I use it so much and anything I can learn to make it easier and more efficient is GREAT. For example, I recently learned that if you hold down the (Alt-Key) and then type 167 on your "number keypad" (NOT the numbers at the top of you keyboard) you can make the little degree sign. [ie. bake at 350º]. I know, it's such a little thing but it's stuff like that ...... that makes using the computer more fun. I would love to sit down with someone that knew how to do ALL the things that I'd like to know how to do and just soak it up like a sponge.
Maybe someday when I retire ..... IF.... and when that happens, John and I can take some computer classes. John gets very frustrated when he uses the computer and does only what he has to do. He and I would also love to take a class to learn how to speak Spanish fluently and I still haven't given up on my lifelong desire to learn to play the piano. Well, maybe someday, but today I've got to get to the business at hand.........so that's it for now.

Feb. 4th -- A Special Day for Glen & Sheri

I can't believe it was 9 years ago today that Glen and Sheri tied the knot. So much has happened but it's just all gone by so very fast. In 2005 they celebrated by going down to Florida and seeing Disney, Sea World and visiting relatives. That same year in March, Neil married Lizette down in Colombia, So. Amer. but they have since moved back and now reside in the Los Angeles area. In 2007 Glen and Sheri celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary by going to So. Calif. for a visit which included Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, the San Diego Zoo as well as sight-seeing in Hollywood. A trip I'm sure they'll remember for a long time. Here's to many more wonderful years together.

Feb. 2nd -- A Sad Decision is Made

Well, it's with a heavy heart that we made the decision..... NOT to go out to California this month. January just about did me in and my poor body feels like it's been put through the ringer. I don't feel like going to the grocery store much less half way across the country. Hopefully when I get to feeling better we'll try to get away but the timing is just OFF for now.
I hate to disappoint Neil and Lizette as well as Doris and Rena but I wouldn't be good company if I feel lousy the whole time I'm out there so we'll just wait and see when there might be another opportunity.

The Last Day of the First Month of 2009

Looks like January is going out pretty much the way the entire month has gone. I've felt pretty crummy each day and today was no exception. I'm hoping that Feb. will bring with it a brighter outlook and better health. It's getting down to the wire (so to speak). I've got several things packed and ready to go but if I don't start feeling better than I do today, I'll be spending this next week ..... unpacking. Still waiting to see.

Hangin' N There

Just as I'm beginning to get over the hives, the weather has turned quite wintry. The snow is falling and of course, looks beautiful if you don't have to get out in it to shovel your driveway or drive anywhere.

If you can just sit by a nice cozy fire with a cup of hot cocoa and watch it fall ..... it's Really quite nice. We are expected to get more today, tomorrow and Wed. with an accumulation of anywhere from 6 to 9 inches total.

It's this kind of weather that makes us want to be in WARM, Sunny .... (did I mention Warm), Calif. We are still hoping to go but I'm still not up to parr. Hopefully, I will be by the weekend and if so..... we'll be as Willie Nelson says, "On the Road Again" .... if on the other hand, I'm still under the weather (no pun intended) we'll be right here probably til spring.

Sick ALL Month

We were hoping to be out in California by now but I've been sick almost EVERY day since the 1st of the year. First, I got a serious ear infection in both ears and after going to the doctor and getting an antibiotic, I was almost over the ear infection and then got a Really Terrible case of hives. It turns out I was allergic to the antibiotics that I was taking for the ear infection.

So it's back to the doctor to get something to clear up the hives. I was put on prednisone (a fairly common steroid) and was assured that in just a few days I would be much better and we could still be on our way to Calf.

For the last 3 nights I don't think I've gotten more than about 2 or 3 hours of sleep in a stretch because of the terrible burning and itch from these hives. I've never had hives before but................... just let me say "THEY ARE AWFUL" I've got HUGE red welts all over (even in my scalp) and they burn like the worst sunburn you've ever had. At the same time they itch like crazy. So between the itching and the burning you feel pretty miserable.

Tomorrow is Neil's birthday and it's been a number of years since we've been able to spend his birthday with him so we were really looking forward to that but alas it's not going to happen again this year.

Depending on how I'm feeling by this time next week we may be on our way out to Calif. It will definitely be a much shorter trip than we had originally planned but it would still be nice to get away from the COLD here in Indiana and go out and not only get to see Neil and Lizette but also Doris, Mack, Hollis and Rena.

I'm really tired of being sick. I'm hoping Feb. will be a Big improvement.
We'll just have to wait and see, taking it one day at a time.

BRAND NEW BLOGGER

I'm a real rookie when it comes to blogging but I thought it might be fun to try. And just maybe this can be used as a tool to keep in touch with those we love and care about.