Monkey Business

It was my brother Bruce's birthday on the 11th. I figured he totally needed a monkey hate so I went up to my craft room, gathered materials and began crocheting. I presented the hat to him in the Walmart pakring lot yesterday. Why the parking lot you ask? Because that's where we decided to meet everybody before the 2nd annual Pepin family and friends sleigh ride.
But, before it was presented to Bruce we tried it on. I can totally see how we derived from our primate ancestors...I think.

A family pic with all the "kids"

I can't believe I haven't shared this picture on the good ole blog yet. We had my little brother come over to take "family pics" with our non humanoid "kids." Well, actually those are the only type of kids we have. So yeah, they are our babies and that means every once in awhile we need a family picture session.

Getting the fab five to sit nicely and all look at the camera was a bit of a challenge. But, we did it and I just love their fluffy heads to pieces. Aren't they the cutest puparoodles ever? Ok, I may be biased cuz I'm their mom and all. From left to right are : Allison Jeanne, McKenzie Elizabeth, Brayden Michael, Macey Jewels and Arizona Claire. Yup, they have fancy middle names too and when they are getting disciplined we totally throw out their middle name to get their attention. You know, like our parents did when we were sneaking cookies from the cookie jar. Or, if you were like me, you were always into mischief so the Katherine Marie was uttered pretty much on a daily basis.

Our original plan/hope was to have the dogs, our cat Betsey Sue and our tortoise Chloe Michelle (get it? Mi-shell...it was Ken's idea after I refused to let him name her "Shelly" ) all in the same photo. Ummm yeah, totally didn't work so I got the honor of holding them. Chloe is rather photogenic eh? This was our last Christmas with our gorgeous Betsey. I am so happy we captured this photo.

So, there you have it, the whole Woodbury zoo. =)

25 years

Twenty five years ago the world lost a handsome, intelligent, funny, loving man. He was a brother, an uncle, a nephew, a son, a friend, cousin, a husband, and my Dad.

Dad's passing was a blessing. He had fought the colon cancer for some time and I know he missed my mom dearly. Mom died two months before Dad. Sometimes when I think of Dad, the memories of him seem to be taken over by two times. When he had cancer, and when he didn't.

I'm not going to lie, most of the time, my memory goes to when he had cancer. I was 10yrs old when both Mom and dad died. I have horrific images forever engraved into my mind of his struggle. I don't know what was worse, seeing Dad's body slowly deteriorating or knowing and seeing that his heart was broken without my Mom.

Dad worked at the paper mill to provide for his children. Ten, including me. He was a hard worker and did his job well. He loved his children, even if the words were rarely spoken. We knew.

Before dad died I never gave it any thought on what it would be like to not have your dad and just how much he would be missed. I miss seeing him laying on the couch, eyes closed, him snoring while Andy Griffith was on the television. We'd try to change the channel and he'd pipe up "hey! I'm watching that!" WOW!! Dad had special powers! I often wondered how he did that!

I don't drink beer, nor does Ken but how I would have loved to see dad share a beer with his son in law, just like he did with my brothers numerous times. I'm pretty sure I would have twisted his arm enough to teach me how to play cribbage.

One of my special memories is when we would go camping as a family. Dad, with mom's help outfitted an old school bus into a motor home for the family. That "tan sedan" took us on some fun adventures. The funnest being the years we had our family reunions at Otter Lake in Munising, MI. I often wonder if that's why I love the area so much. It is a place of fond, fun, happy times in my family. It was a time before cancer, before colostomy bags, before oxygen tanks, before medications, before those stupid sponge swabs to moisten his mouth. It was a time of innocence. A time where not a care in the world was around me. It was a time to watch my dad drink his Strohs or Blatz while he stared at the ceiling singing "Please Release Me" while my brother Pat strummed his guitar. It was a time of Dad daring me to throw a water balloon at my brother and offering me a nickle, a dime and a quarter. Those are the times I truly miss.

I hate that cancer took my dad. I hate that he never saw me finish grade school, or meet my boyfriends and threaten them in some sort of fashion. I am sure he would of thought of something to try to "scare" them into treating his daughter right. We never had the father daughter dances or days at school. I really wished he could have been at my wedding. I know he would think Ken is pretty top notch.

Oftentimes I compare the love Ken and I share to the undying love my parents had for one another. It is when I look at Ken's and my marriage and the love we have for one another that I realize...not all of my memories of Dad revolve around cancer. Ken's love for me and his family is a mirror image of the love Dad had for mom and his family. I was able to learn what true love was in the short ten years I had my dad. Cancer didn't teach me that, dad did. That my friends is the most treasured memory and the biggest gift my daddy gave me. I miss him everyday.

To Mom

To Mom:

You taught me how to crochet in one day. We'd sit for hours making skeins of yarn into balls.



I'd pick handfuls of dandelions you would proudly display on the windowsill.



I'd go upstairs and collect the "dirty hangers" Why empty hangers were called dirty hangers is beyond me.



We'd put my Puff The Magic Dragon 8 track in the player and listen to it before I went to school.



I was your Suzy Bell.



When I was 10....You died



I am living with my real dad and his wife now. They love me very much and treat me like their daughter. But, I still miss you, Mom.



I'd pick two handfuls of dandelions so you could put them in a jar on the windowsill, but toss them on the ground.



Man, I wish I could sit on your couch and watch you crochet.



I have learned that wanting "things" and having more is selfish.



I wish I told you I loved you on November 11th instead of getting mad that you said I couldn't have another Cabbage Patch Kid.



I wish I hugged you and told you that I loved you every day.



When I was a teenager



I'm in high school now, Mom. I wish I could tell you about the boy/boys I have a crush on.



I sit in my room crocheting while thinking of you.



Your voice is beginning to fade away now. But, I never forget the way you'd say Katherine Marie.



I go to your grave and tell you I love you and long for a hug from you.



What I wouldn't do to sit in the Church pew with you and hear you sing "Amazing Grace"



I go to my Junior and Senior Prom but you aren't there to help me get ready.



I have my first real boyfriend and fall in love, only to have my heart shattered.



I could use your advise so I go to your grave and talk to your stone.



When I am 18 I meet the love of my life. I wish you could meet him, Mom. his name is Ken. I think he is The One.



I was given the blue afghan you made. It always was my favorite. I sleep with it every night. It makes me feel like you are giving me a big hug when I have it in my arms.



I got engaged to that wonderful boy Ken, Mom. Oh how I wish I could tell you this in person rather than visiting this stone.



I took a pregnancy test and we are expecting!! You are going to be a wonderful great Grandma!! I want to rush to you and get your advice, Mom. After all you raised 10 awesome kids. Who better to talk to than you, Mom.



I'm lying here in a hospital bed. I lost the baby Mom. I had an ectopic pregnancy and they had to remove my ruptured fallopian tube. I don't know what hurts worse, the pain of losing our baby or not having you hear with me, Mom. I realize my step mom is a god send. She understands and shows me the love I know you would show.



Mom, I need you.



Today is my wedding day. I am 20 years old. I wake up and get ready all by myself. Darnit, you should have been here. You would love Ken. he treats me like gold and he's rather handsome. He wants a big family too, Mom. We played a song in yours and dad's memory and our baby's too. I hope you heard it. The whole day I thought of you. I even wore your Mother's ring to have you near.



It's my 22nd birthday I and I just found out we are pregnant. I want to share my birthday and this awesome news with you....so I close my eyes and think of you.



I can barely remember your voice now and it breaks my heart.



I really need you, Mom. We lost the baby to another ectopic pregnancy. Dreams of having a family are shattered. I could really use a hug from you right now. Our angels reside with you and Dad in heaven now.



We go through a handful of adoption processes and they never go right. I need you Mom.



I'm 35 now and it's the 25th anniversary of your passing.



I still sleep with your blue afghan every night.



I go to your grave and I smile when I think of you.



I crochet for hours on end. You have put the passion for yarn in my bones. I know, my passion is a bit extreme.



I find myself missing you more today than I ever have and I wonder how that is possible. I only had you for 10 short years. How can I miss something so bad that I barely had? Then I realize, you have always been with me, Mom. you are in my heart. You are in my thoughts.

It is you that inspires me to be the best daughter, wife, daughter in law, sister, cousin, aunt and friend I can possibly be. In those short 10 years you made such an impact on my life. I want to be a better person because of you.

I honor my husband. The love you and dad showed for one another is a mirror to the love Ken & I share. You taught me what that kind of love is and I knew what to look for. You continue to teach me every day to never give up, because, you never did.

You were full of P&V and well, Mom...I guess you could say, so am I. I do wish I could pick up the telephone or just drop by and hear your voice.



I close my eyes and I feel you in my heart. You may not be here on earth with me but, you will always reside in my heart & I can reach in there and talk to you anytime I want.



I miss you Mom



Love,

Suzy Bell

Life is too short

Yesterday I went to my Uncle Harold's wake and this morning was his funeral. It's always nice seeing the family but so sad that we meet up under sad circumstances.

This past summer we went on several camping trips with many members of my family and it was awesome. Oftentimes on those trips it was mentioned that we hardly ever get together as a family anymore other than some birthdays and major holiday's.

Ya know, life is really too short. Even if one lives to be 110yrs old. It's still too short. We talked about each family member taking a month and and having a day or night that they family comes over for food, fun and laughs. Last month my nephew and his wife hosted a Pumpkin Carving party/Fall festival. This month my family is going to have a chili cook off up at our camp and next month Ken and I are hosting a Christmas event.

I think it's so important to make those memories and enjoy one another's company. I never thought I would have lost both of my parents at 10yrs old. If I would have thought it was possible I would have made more memories, been kinder and done my very best. Life has a way of throwing curve balls and we never know when it will end. Nothing lasts forever and nothing is ever going to be perfect. So don't wait for the perfect moment...it may just pass you by.

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right,. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly, forgive quickly. Nobody promised life would be perfect, they just said it's worth the ride"

Make your ride one worth remembering.

It's been a year...

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane
We would walk right up to heaven
And bring you back again

No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why



Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know



But now we know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store

Since you'll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you'll always stay.


Today is Nana's 1 year anniversary of her passing. It seems like just yesterday we got the news, but at the same time it seems like it's been am eternity since we shared laughs, hugs and kisses. I miss her so much... I miss our random phone calls, the emails, her words to the wise, and outspoken demeanor. There are several times a week I just want to pic up the phone and call her. No words could ever express just how much she meant and continues to mean to me. Her memory lives in my heart. Her knowledge continues to guide me, and I continue to love her. We miss you Nana!!!

Joshy and Charissa's wedding

My lil brother Joshy got married this past weekend. We inherited a fab new sis in law, Charissa and a four legged furry nephew, Dominic. Dominic was the ring bearer and Charissa's aunts girl pup was the flower girl...or umm pup =) It was the cutest thing EVER.

A week whooshed by in a blink of an eye

Wow! I totally didn't mean for a week to go by without posting. We had a fantastic Easter lunch at Ken's grandparents house and then we went to my sister's to visit afterwards. There were two awesome things that stick out about that day. We had a pie eating contest. Yup, you read that correct. We put our hands behind our backs & acted like pigs! It was hilarious. The most precious thing was hearing my nieces say "this was the best Easter ever!!" I asked them why they think that. My oldest niece, Kayla said "because everybody that I love is here" Jordyn said "yup, me too" and planted some hugs on her auntie that has a heart made of mush. My nephew wanted rides in our pickup truck so his Uncle Kenny hooked him up with that.

This week we also bough this desk. Ken had seen it on clearance for $50. It was regularly $200!! Cha Ching!! So, Miss Kathy gathered some screwdrivers and went to work after Ken went on the road.

I just LOVE it!! I wasn't fond of the drawers and there are other things I could use openings for. Almost all of our old and new cookbooks are on the top, the recipe boxes are on the right hand side where one of the drawers would have been. They no longer take up my limited counter space in my small kitchen. It's super convenient to sit at the desk and page through the books, jot notes, etc. We purchased the cardinal ceramic a short time after Ken's Nana passed away. It was one of her favorite birds. The candle holder in the middle used to be his Nana's. I have since put Nana's fish bowl there. I might get a betta fish for the lil tank. We'll see. Ken now has a place to put his settlements from work on the left hand side. Usually they go in the file cabinet in their envelopes which is total chaos. They are right there so I can do my totals on a monthly basis. I am certain this desk will help us run our business more efficiently. The calculator has a place, as do the envelopes. Yesterday I spent a good 7 hours doing paperwork at it. Uncle Sam will be happy. I don't know if you noticed or not, but I have a big thing for notebooks. There's one for our budget, meal ideas & recipes, gardening, blog and other writing topics, ideas and quotes. You name it, I've got a notebook for it. It's not uncommon for me to have 5 notebooks in each room and a stack of empty ones. I do have to admit, my notebook obsession sometimes drives Ken batty.

When I work in the den 9 times out of 10 at least one of the dogs is sprawled out on the couch in front of the patio doors. This is our Allison Jeanne taking an afternoon siesta in the sunshine.

The day after I put the desk together I came down with the flu, spent two days pretty much sleeping and drinking oodles of water and resting some more. Hence the whole no blog posts. I have several ideas rolling around for future posts. I'm almost back to my normal happy go lucky, energetic self and will be back to normal posting soon. Hope you are having the greatest weekend.

~Kat~

Prayer request

This picture was taken at my sister Jamie's house. Many of my friends know, I was adopted by my biological Dad's parents. I didn't have much at all to do with my biological Mom until later in my years. Anyways, the woman in the picture with me is my biological Mom... she had a stroke today & is in the hospital and not doing so swell. Tomorrow Ken & I are going to go visit her.

I have such strong feelings right now & I really hope she will be ok. I just got to know her, as an adult...and she is a great person with a wunnaful heart. I am not ready to let her go & look forward to sharing more of our lives with one another. I know she made some not so swell choices in life but I don't hold that against her. I had a great life & am very thankful I was adopted.

I am not completely sure how she is other than she is having a hard time talking and her right side is not working properly. She also has Multiple Sclerosis, osteoporosis and a few other health woes...I ask that if you are the praying type to please say a prayer for her and keep her in your thoughts.

Christmas

Christmas trees start going up in our house on November 1st. Yup, I said Trees, meaning plural. Three big trees to be exact and 5-10 table top and various sized trees find their way into every nook and cranny.

The front of the house can be seen from Main street...which is 4 blocks away...

The den tree is adorned with a couple hundred multi colored lights and all the homemade ornaments.

The main living room tree had a few new additions this year. My friend Brandy made two of these ornaments for me back in August in memory of our babies. Ken purchased our angel ornament this year & he also found a fantastic humming bird ornament in memory of his Nana.

We all know we need to have a tree in the bathroom to provide that ambiance as we sit on the throne!!

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a self picture. Not very often you see us razzle dazzled up.

We rent a hall for Christmas seeing there are 32 of us and face it, who's house can accommodate all of us? Here I am with my big sis Laurie. I just realized her shirt matches my scarf...p.s. the scarf was put on AFTER we consumed our fab meal...to hide the bulging belly!!!

This is only one side of our big circle where we play a gift game. Clearly one heckuva fun event!!!

My brother Kelly

Jay & Osten...Jay's my brother Bruce's boy & Osten his his son.

Me with my lil brother JJ

And back to our living room tree

Of course our bedroom needs a tree!!! We took a big honkan bag of pine cones back from Nana's yard Massachusetts back in June when we went for her funeral. I can't think of a better way than to have them on our tree. =)

If you dare to venture up our windy staircase with tiny steps you'll see this at the bottom landing. I guess I don't have pics of the kitchen trees or the one on the upstairs landing. Believe me, those rooms didn't go without yuletide joy!!! My electric meter knows so!!!!

Sleigh Ride

I organized a sleigh ride for my family on New Years Day. Once Jim realized the Casino was not county road 551 & made it to the farm we were on our way. There were only 20 of us...12 were either sick, thought it was too cold or poor Dave & Lindsey were dealing with furnace issues. We originally had 2 sleighs reserved but they were able to fit us all on one. Can we say tight squeeze?

We meandered through the woods & on our way back the owners stop & we have a lil bonfire, roast marshmallows, hotdogs, have cocoa...fun times. This is my brother Bruce's youngest sone Jason & his lovely wife Jen.

trying to get ourselves all sandwiched in & covered up...

My brother Pat & his wife Kim chillin by the fire.

My lil bro JJ took his girlfriend Meghan. My brothers Mike & Kelly are all bundled up & pretty unrecognizable too. It was one heckuva chilly night!!!

We left as the sun was going down. My cousin Julie, sister Laurie & her boyfriend Ernie took part in the fun too.

My oh my...we were packed like sardines in the sleigh!!!

My niece Ellie & lil brother Jesse peeking at me.

And then you have Ken and myself...all bundled up, noses numb, toes tingling in pain but having a BLAST!!!! We'll definately be planning this again!! Maybe in the autumn when the leaves are in full color and it's not so jeepan cold!!

Goodbye Nana

On Saturday June 13th Nana went to be with Grandpa.....

I will treasure, love & miss her forever. She really was one of the most amazing, funny, outspoken, couragous, kick ass women I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life.

I have a hunch that when Nana passed Grandpa was waiting for his beautiful bride. On the 20th of June is their Anniversary & I have no doubt that they will be dancing in Heaven.

Green Bay!!!!

We went to Green Bay today to turn our truck in & decided to make a lil fun day out of it...My lil brother JJ rode in the pickup with me & Kenster was in his semi on the way down. Anytootles, after we dropped the semi off we drove around town trying to figure out where to eat. We already knew Cold Stone Creamery was a MUST but we needed to be adult-ish & eat something besides that.





On our drive around we went by Ken & My 2nd apartment we shared together. We lived in Green Bay for a whole 6 months & never once took a picture of our apartment. Below is what was our apartment window....

Very close was a kick but store...Barnes & Noble & sir Ken let me go in!! I picked up 3 fabulous books. One on crocheting, 'The Friday Night Knitting Club' & 'Eat, Pray, Love' Ohhh how I love books!!! Then we went next door to the Circuit City that was going out of business to see if Mr gadget head Ken could find anything.

THEN we rode around some more & decided to go to Lambeau Field to get some 'eats' and take a lil tour of the place.

JJ took a pic of Ken & I in front of the Vince Lombardi statue

And next to Vince was Curly Lambeau.....

Vince creeped me out a tad....no matter what angle you look at his face his eyeballs are looking at you!!! Much like the picture of Jesus my family has!! CREEPY!!!

As we made our way in Ken got all stoked. He's one hard core Packer fan....

We stepped in the doors & looked all around. Below you can see Ken in awe. He mentioned he got the chills. Like I said, he's hard core about his Packers.

Banners of past Super Bowl Championships hang on the ceiling.

The ambiance was awesome and ken's reactions were the best!! JJ also was taking it all in.

After we finished dilly dallying around taking pictures of every nook and crannie we took the escalator up to Curly's Pub for some yummers.

Yup, even a picture of the napkin was taken. We were in Lambeau Field folks & that's a BIG deal!!!

The food was outstanding!!

And like I mentioned before...COLD STONE CREAMERY!!!!! You know the saying "there's always room for Jello?" Well for us oikers "There's always room for ice cream!!!"

Ken making faces with his banana & cake batter ice cream...
And JJ being a goon with his chocolate & peanut butter...
And me with my Cake batter & Sweet cream....I DON"T do sissy sized amounts when it comes to ice cream!!!! Especially Cold Stone!!!

Ken drove half of the way home & we pulled over in Menominee, MI to let JJ drive the last hour. Seems like just yesterday he was a lil twerp. Well, he's still a twerp...but not so little!!
We turned the kinda sad event of turning in our truck into one heck of a fantastical day!!!