McCain Road...

When we moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1987, we bought a ranch on the outskirts of town. A nice neighborhood which was a big loose oblong circle consisting of about 50 homes. Most of the homes were built in the 50's for mid-level executives working for Consumer's Power Company. The landscaping was overgrown and hiding the house. This could hardly be called the green, green grass of home. And it was summertime. Something John was compelled to repair. Right away. He was mortified how bad the yard looked. Not an easy fix. But fix it he did.

Mag VB admiring lousy grass, over grown shrubs

O Tannenbaum...

My Christmas tree is coming down for another year. I really enjoy having it up, but I get twitchy after Christmas and want my living room "back to normal." I've never minded people who put up their decorations early. The ones that drive me a little nuts are those who cling to their tree and outside lights through January, sometimes February. Time to move on folks. This is about my fascination with ornament collections, and growing to love my Christmas tree. (A favorite, my Lladro collection. Kinda pricey which is why there's only 3)

 

Lladro's

The Middle...

Joshua. Our middle kid. Only one of the 3 who arrived on his due date without much fuss or fanfare. His name was the only one we did not have to compromise on. We both loved the name Joshua. He had so much beautiful hair I took pictures of the back of his head. Probably got all that hair from the strange cravings during my pregnancy. Lemon meringue pie and sauerkraut. Not always at the same time, but more often than not. I could and did eat whole cans of sauerkraut. Usually right out of the can, cold. Kind of surprised I still like both those foods. Though Josh arrived on time, he was pokey with everything else. I guess the word is contented. He was not in a hurry to do anything too soon. Crawl, walk, or talk. Except get rid of his bottle. From day one on this earth he always preferred his thumb. At 8 months he gave his bottle a major league toss across the room, strongly indicating he was done with that thing.

Joshua 1976

Kind of Hush...

It started in 1998. My life changed. I woke up several days in a row and just felt different, strange. Couldn't put my finger on anything specific. Not physically sick, but I felt weird, especially my head. Head felt full and crowded. Not the typical spot people usually insinuate where I'm full of it. Went to see my family doctor. She found nothing wrong. She referred to a local eye, ear, nose, throat specialist, Dr. Fox. After some tests, he concluded I was suffering from a temporary or permanent hearing loss in my left ear. He wanted me to try some prescription steroids. Sometimes massive doses of steroids will kick start a nerve that's gone off the reservation in your ear. You start gradually, increasing the steroid amount per day, then decrease just as slowly. So this wasn't a quick fix. Took a couple months before I was done taking them. Unfortunately there was no change. Notice how well my hearing is in this picture.

Me and Shannon, 1992. Perfect divinity!!!

Lake Shoakatan...

Mom and Dad tried camping when I was a kid. Maybe some kind of bonding therapy after Larry had been killed. Mona was married and out of the house. They bought this tiny camper and decided our family should experience the joy and quiet contentment of the great outdoors. I don't remember a family meeting deciding that the Black Hills (since none of us had ever been there) would be the destination of our first ever camping trip. So where did the Gerritson's choose to go on their great family adventure? Let's go to Minneapolis! The biggest city within 300 miles. What on earth were they thinking? Mom, who dusted the dining room and kitchen floors on her hands and knees DAILY. Camping-really? This was way too primitive a life style for her. It would be the only time we used the camper. It disappeared from the back yard not long after that strange trip.

 

1962. Neese in camping clothes???

Barb...

Nothing about me has ever been elegant. I've never had an ounce of fru-fru in me. Wasn't really a tomboy, but didn't care for ruffles and lace either. In high school I thought my short cheerleading skirts were really cute. But I always hated garter belts, nylons, slips, skirts, fancy shoes and dresses. I haven't worn a dress or heels since Shannon got married in 1998. I'm more comfortable in a Nike t-shirt and jeans with my Keens's and Merrell's. Sweats at home are even better. I do admire women who are feminine, and dress to the nines. I'm just not one of them.

At John's house, 1965. Hand knit sweater from Mom...

 

Landon Andrew...

Labor Day weekend, 2000. We were headed to Lansing, 100 miles away to meet Shannon and Ariana for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Our son-in-law Tracey was in Jackson for the day, doing something at school where he was an elementary school teacher and the boy's high school varsity basketball coach. Shannon was about 9-1/2 months pregnant. Hot, miserable and swollen, her moods no longer needed defining. Crabby (I'm being kind here to a much loved daughter) pretty much summed it up. We were halfway through breakfast when Shannon excused herself to the restroom. She came back and said her water had just broke. John leaps up from the table, yells, "move it, let's go, let's go!" Shannon shot him a look that should have ignited the building that hot September morning. "I won't get anything but ice chips once I get to the hospital. I'm eating my pancakes. Sit down!" Alrighty then, let the woman (be nice I reminded myself) finish her meal. We called Tracey, finally headed to the hospital. Once Tracey arrived, we took 9 year old Ari back to their house for awhile. After lunch we drove back to the hospital just in time to see our first grandson, Landon Andrew, who was now all of about 10 minutes old. Ari was totally smitten. Tracey (his first child) was in awe and could not stop his tears. Shannon was happy and thrilled to no longer be pregnant (whew, me too).

 

Ari 9, Shannon and Landon, September 4, 2000...