Closed for Construction...

It has been awhile since I have blogged, as I had predicted. Although I am on a brief break at the moment, I am still buried with work. I am, therefore, giving myself permission to close until after the new year...or not....

I know I am very fortunate in my life. Sometimes, however, good things cause problems, too. Like Monk says, "Its a blessing and a curse.". Blessing: I get to be in a doctoral program; Curse: I have no time for anything I like to do. Blessing: I come from a loving, large family; Curse: It hurts so much when you lose one of them.

This picture is of two of my little brothers and my younger cousin (the one in the middle with the bow) on the occasion of his First Communion, about 1962. 2/3rds of this little group are dead; my brother on the right (hit by a drunk driver, 2003) & my cousin (sudden heart attack, last week).

Thus, due to the pressure of school, and the potential morbid tone of my posts, a temporary closure seems to make most sense. See you next year.

And let's not forget another birthday of great importance...

...the birthday of my cousin; a sister of my heart. She is exactly three days older than me. We have celebrated our birthdays in one form of togetherness or another, as long as I can remember. Hmmmm, I remember... while blogging about my grandson's 15th birthday, I remembered our shared 15th birthday(How can I have a grandson that age?).

I lived (and live) in Chicago, she lived (and lives) in Nebraska. We wrote very long letters to each other (paper & pen, believe it or not) and added to them every day. During year 14, leading up to the 15th birthday, we often wrote of how we were looking forward to this most important birthday. We were going to be allowed to date boys once we turned 15. As luck would have it, there was a dance scheduled just after I was to arrive from Chicago (I am sure it was to celebrate our birthdays). We had the boys all picked out. Not only that; we each had a new dress to wear to the dance.

I finally got to her farm, we ran upstairs to her (and her real sisters') bedroom. I pulled my new dress out of the suitcase & she pulled hers from her closet. Yep, you guessed it...the same dress! Well almost; they were very "mod" with a black and white, large houndstooth check bottom and three decorative buttons just above the checks, however one top was green & one top was orange. I really can't remember which color belonged to which one of us.

We just laughed, went to our dance & had a blast...the boys are long gone, but we are still sharing our birthdays...

A most happy birthday my dear cousin, Rita; and may we have very many more; together.

More Birthday Blogging - Late entry

It was pointed out to me that I did not birthday blog for my grandson, on June 10th. In reality I had blogged & then deleted the blog. I was afraid I would embarrass him... a 15 year old wants to be on "My Space" not my space. However, now that his birthday is safely over, and I am sure he does not read his grandma's blog, I wish my very special 15 year old grandson; a very happy birthday & a wonderful year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLIN' DONOVAN

One Year and Counting....

Well, Pete and I have been married for one whole year. We have certainly had a wonderful and busy one. Two new grandchildren, many more family members, and other general life-building activities happened. We couldn't help but think this week-end of all the fun we had last year. The field looks quite empty without a big tent; and although everything is green now, its not quite like the sea of green of last year. Pete asked how long it would take us to call everyone to hurry over, put up a big tent & throw some food together. Too long for this year; but here is to many others....

To My Very First Sister I Ever Had...

I wish you a very happy birthday.

Four birthdays and a graduation!

Well I know I am late for many birthday blogs, but I must say I have had a very busy few days...
First, as of last Thursday, I have been a Mom for 35 years...

Happy Birthday, Jen!
Next, on the same day, my godson-nephew turned 25. He was Jen's 10th birthday present.

Happy Birthday, Bobby. Enjoy.
Then on Friday, Iain turned 10 & had a sleepover for 11 of his closest friends.

Happy Birthday, Iain, 10 is a very good year.
On Saturday, my wonderful sister-in-law Maria celebrated the anniversary of her birth as well.

Happy Birthday, Maria...let's toast your birthday soon.
Last, but certainly not least...Mary graduated from college!!!!!!

Way to go, Mary. Enjoy your week off before you start your master's classes.

Soooo, I ask forgiveness for not blogging in a more timely manner. I will try to do better in the future.

How Lucky Am I...

...or as my Uncle, Father Bob would say, "How blest are you".

My cousin Patty Joyce, her daughter Casey and granddaughter Sydney came through Chicago last Thursday. They were returning to Michigan from Nebraska where they celebrated her Mom's 94th birthday(Happy Birthday, Aunt Margaret!). Patty & her sisters began going through some of Aunt Margaret's zillions of pictures & Patty was showing some of them to us. Patty allowed me to borrow some & scan them. I was quite moved because some of these pictures were intimate slices of experiences that formed who I am.

As I looked at this picture,I flew back in time. That is Aunt Margaret, as always, serving food on the far left, other people are all over the house(you can be sure there are as many people in the kitchen on the other side of that marvelous 2 sided butler pantry). Grandma Nora is in the center of things & cousins of all ages are in various states of relating...this picture truly represents my Aunt & Uncle Francis' farm. You could drop in at any time and be treated as if you were one of their own & had been expected. It really was a safe & wonderful place.

At the last big get together there, my daughter (LaSirena)kept running in & checking with me...is it ok if I go on the porch with the other kids?...yes, you can go anywhere on the farm with the other kids...then, Mom you mean I can go in the yard?...yes anywhere, I then watched her out the dining room window, she was immobile with amazement, in she came again...you mean I can go out of the yard, out of the fence...yes, anywhere. The concept of so much freedom, for my little city girl, was too much.

When I think of the Fenton clan, I think of this place. Looking at this picture, brought it all back. It also finally dawned on me (duh) that my goal to buy a farm was really just an attempt to provide for my family and friends, something close to what Margaret & Francis gave to all of us. So I really was not looking for a place of peace (I will have to change my blog ID) in Hummingbird Hill, but rather a place of easy relatedness; joyful chaos.

Joyful chaos brings me to my next picture & the true source of what I love about my life: the hugeness of my family. On the Fenton side alone I have 46 first cousins. My cousin Rita & I are smack in the middle. We are surrounded by the baby boomer crush of kids, & we girls are the majority (in this age group). Keep in mind I had all brothers until Theresie & Colleen came along at(my age) 10 & 14. When I got together with my girl cousins I was a little terrified & alot overjoyed.

This picture is of just a very few of my cousins on an ordinary day creating joyful chaos. They are all +/- 3 years of my age. I am not in this picture, but I have been in many similar situations. Note, it is not ALL girls, but have you ever seen such a giggling, gaggle of gangly girls? Don't you think I am very lucky,...er,blest?

Happy 30th, Kelly

My sweet neice Kelly turned 30 today. I wish I could be in Florida celebrating with you. I will always remember the day you were born. It has been such fun being part of your life so far.

Love, Aunt Jane

Transitions

As I stated, changes are happening at Hummingbird Hill. Here is HH before:

and here is HH after Tom & crew spent several days working:

Another transition is the end of my very brief time away from class. I expect I will be less consistent in my blogs for awhile.

What is happening to Hummingbird Hill?

We are under construction!

My nephew-in-law, Tom, is quite gifted & we are getting a beautiful new garage & turning the old garage into a family room. Plenty of room for you to visit.

The gift that keeps on giving....

For those who were not part of my life in eighth grade, I would like you to know what I received as an eighth grade graduation present...


MY SISTER COLLEEN!

I must admit there were times I wanted to return her (like when she dumped all of my expensive perfume in the toilet); but I still have my 8th grade present & I think it was one of the best gifts I have ever received.

Happy Birthday to my baby!!!

Today is my baby girl Liza's 30th birthday. I guess it's official; I have babies no longer. Well, it has been official for awhile, but I am slow to realize it. I look at her & still see my snuggly little one.

Thank you to everyone who shared our little celebration, and to those who were unable to be there,but were in spirit. A "retro" fun time was had by all.

I am very lucky. Even tho my baby is all grown up, I still have lots of little ones to snuggle with. Thanks kids.

Christmas Chaos + Family Fun = New Year Reflections

We have had so much fun this holiday season. We were blessed to see so many members of our families, from all the various sides. We also missed some regulars which reminded us how important they are (Dawn, please don't ever vacation until Dec. 26th anymore)! We were able to enjoy cuddling Dexter and sharing the enjoyment of the current crop of kids playing with the dollhouse that Colleen took out this year which all of the grandkids (now adults) played with during their childhood Christmases.

We also found out that by next Christmas there will be at least 2 more babies...Congrats Erin and Tom & Angie and Chris.
I also was able to spend the holidays with many long time friends (no way I am going to call us "old"). New Years was spent at Hummingbird Hill; it was as warm as springtime. I was able to walk around and think about the past year, and what a year it was. Pete & I married and officially combined our families. We had a great green party surrounded by so many that we love. We went to Lithuania and found many more family members we had not known about...(I promise to get back to the trip soon).

I also thought about those we love and are no longer present; but are certainly still with us.
I also prayed that everyone still present, will be with us next year. My final wish of 2006: A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS 2007 TO YOU ALL