Daisy's Diary

Happenings since January

2009-07-19T01:07:00.009-04:00

I have some catching up to do!

In February, my sister and I went to San Antonio to visit our other sister and help celebrate my sister's 50th birthday. We had such a good time with family and celebrating Texas style with good food, rodeo, Brooks and Dunn concert, shopping, Riverwalk, dancing in our new cowboy boots at Gruene Hall and much more.

March we celebrated Lydia's 5th birthday! Can't believe she is 5 already.

May we went up to dad's with our youngest sister meeting us there. Was more hands to do the work and so much fun visiting with everyone. Playing WII was a big hit also.

June we went to Naomi and Lydia's closing program at school. Lydia loves to sing. Naomi played the handbells. It was fun to see her concentrate to make sure she did it just right.

July we had a great deck cookout at Brian and Sarah's and played games. We took in a Phillies game on July 4th.

Been enjoying the great summer weather we have had so far this year. We have yet to turn on our central air since the temps in the evening have been so nice.

Will try to post little more regularly going forward and elaborate little more.

My sister, Donna

2009-01-24T22:34:00.004-05:00

On January 10, my sister celebrated her 50th birthday with a surprise party organized by her children, Andrew and Christine. Family, co-workers from Glaxo SmithKline, and neighbors and friends attended. It was nice to see Donna so pleasantly surprised and enjoying herself. It was held at a restaurant/bar in Conshohocken where she lives. There was a light snow fall that night which made it look so pretty. My gift to my sister is a trip to San Antonio, TX to visit our other sister where we have some surprises for Donna there too. We leave on Feb. 12 and will stay a week. Donna is a very special sister to me since she has lived here near me for many years and is such a part of my life. I don't know what I would do without her. She has been my only family while living here all these years. I love her and am thankful for her. I wrote 50 reasons why she is special for her birthday. It was very easy to do since we do so many things together. Recently we have begun scrapbooking together. She is good at keeping me on task. Love ya, sis (my twin) :) and looking forward to going to Texas with you!

WHERE DID TIME GO??

2009-01-06T19:18:00.015-05:00

I feel like I need to fill you in somewhat on what's been going on in my life to keep me busy.

So, after our September trip to celebrate my Great Aunt Faye's 100th birthday spending time with my sister Dee, Aunt Jo along with my other sister, Debbie and Donna, we did go make another trip up to my dad's for our traditional fall road trip visiting the corn maze/hayride. Fall is my favorite season and we love the farm country up in Williamsport. Plus this initiates us into fall!

(Christine, dad, and Donna)

Then we celebrated Naomi's 6th birthday in October. We had also had Dave's birthday, Melody's birthday, and Phil's birthday in October. Jon and Mel had family over to their house to help Naomi celebrate even though she was not feeling too well that day.

(Naomi, Darlene, Lydia)

Our first grandparents day at Open Door Christian Academy was in November. Naomi enjoyed having both sets of grandparents there and we enjoyed being there with her.

(Dave, Darlene, Naomi)

Donna, Jon, Mel and girls and Bethany and Phil were here at our house for Thanksgiving dinner which was fun. I tried some couple new dishes this year finding the recipes on the web. One was a new stuffing recipe and the other was with yellow squash. Both turned out good if I say so myself. We played games, worked on our Christmas wish lists, watched football, and worked on a holiday crossword puzzle. The weekend after Thanksgiving, Debbie and Ralph Shay from Texas came for a visit and we enjoyed seeing them a couple of times.

I celebrated my birthday before the Christmas holidays. December is always busy getting ready for Christmas, shopping, baking, wrapping, etc. Our family get together was at Jon and Mel's on Christmas Eve. Lydia said, I got everything I wanted! Naomi asked me after New Year's if she was ever going to see me again -- we did see a lot of each other from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Mel, Lydia, Jon, Naomi Phil & Bethany Brian & Sarah

Donna, Andrew, Christine Donna & Darlene

Happy New Year -- 2009!

Happy 100th Birthday, Aunt Faye

2008-09-30T20:02:00.006-04:00

My great Aunt Faye turned 100 on Sept. 10. She is my grandma DeVillars sister (the only living sibling) and lives out in a nursing home in western PA where I grew up. We love Aunt Faye and her children and their children. It was certainly an honor to travel out to help her celebrate her birthday at a party on Sept. 14. My sister from Texas flew up to Philly and traveled with us to our dad's who then drove us out to western PA. We stayed overnight and spent some time with our sister who lives out there. Us sisters hadn't been all together in over 5 years. We saw so many relatives we hadn't seen in such a long time.

We also got to see our Aunt Jo from Ohio -- our deceased mother's only sibling. Four of her five children and their spouses came too for a picnic. My Texas sister hadn't seen Aunt Jo in about 25 years. It was a very full and jammed packed weekend in western PA. The trip back home that same day was difficult and long, but we enjoyed our time together talking. It was definitely a trip we will remember for a long time.

Is it really fall?

2008-09-30T19:47:00.009-04:00

I can't move onto fall until I wrap up summer. In August, we spent a wonderful week in Stone Harbor, NJ. We had a perfect week of weather and fun. One person missing in this picture is my sister Donna who was taking the picture. She wasn't able to go last year and was sorely missed so we all loved having her again this year. She adds so much! We ate good thanks to the young cooks. We took the girls to the Cape May Zoo which was fun too. We enjoy the beach and pool equally and are glad to have both. Our one dinner out was in Somer's Point at the Crab Trap which was super and well worth the wait to get in. It is sad to see our relaxing summer come to an end but we cherish the memories and look forward to next year!

Summer's end

2008-09-01T20:45:00.005-04:00

I am glad to have gotten to the beach three times this year -- Wildwood with my sister, Ocean City with Bethany and Phil, and then Stone Harbor with all the family. Ocean City was very relaxing. Bethany and I enjoyed sitting on the beach reading in the morning and then walking the boardwalk and shopping. We went back to the place we were staying in Somers Point for lunch and then relax some more playing games or more shopping while we waited for Phil to get off work. We went to a movie one night and saw Wall-E. The weather was nice. We found a new love -- Shriver's gelato. I think the coconut or pistachio were my favorite flavors. It definitely hit the spot and kept us coming back for more :)

Phillies and 4th of July

2008-08-26T22:04:00.006-04:00

Fourth of July in Philly at a Phillies vs. NY Mets game -- complete with hot dogs, water ice, soft pretzels, Philly Cheesesteaks, warm summer evening with family and friends and the Phillies WON! Was a wonderful day!

Drummer Boy

2008-08-26T21:43:00.006-04:00

Back in July, we attended a worship concert at our son's church where my youngest son was the drummer. Since he usually plays a guitar, it was different seeing him playing the drums. As a young boy, he always wanted to have a set of drums and would love to twirl sticks in his hand like he would if he was playing. He was a natural and even had his own fan club. It was a nice evening.

Wildwood 2008

2008-07-22T21:23:00.006-04:00

I went to North Wildwood, NJ with my sister, my niece and her friend for a few days the end of June. The weather was nice and we enjoyed relaxing by the pool or on the beach. We also enjoyed walking the boardwalk and getting our ice cream. We always ride the surrey and attempt the big ramp at the end of the boardwalk. I always enjoy my long talks with my sister. She is a dear friend. Ya Ya Sisterhood!

Longwood Gardens 2008

2008-07-04T12:18:00.009-04:00

As promised, here are some of my favorite pictures from our day trip to Longwood Gardens -- with my two sisters, Donna and Debbie, when Debbie was visiting from Texas. Even though she had once lived here, she had never been there. We had such a lovely day. I had almost 150 pictures so you can imagine that it was difficult to pick only a few.

I am Back

2008-06-14T11:16:00.015-04:00

Sorry to have been gone for a while. In late April, we had a surprise 30th birthday party for my oldest, Jon, down at a Wings lacrosse game. It included some of his friends and co-workers plus family. I think he was truly surprised much to his wife, Melody's delight. Then on his actual birthday, May 2, we had a small dinner party at our house. Can't believe he is 30.

In mid-April, Dave and I took the girls to the circus down at the Spectrum which was a lot of fun! I think we all agreed the elephants were our favorite.

Memorial day weekend was spent by a bunch of us going up to my dad's in Williamsport, PA to spend a time of camping in his back yard and doing work around the outside of his house. Boy did he have a list of jobs for us. We all worked hard and got a lot done but there were some things we didn't get done. My sister came from Texas to spend some time with us and go up with us to help. The girls found a caterpillar naming him Bob and a frog naming him Stanley. They were hard workers too.

We enjoyed Debbie's PA visit and was sad to see her leave on June 2 to go back to Texas. But looking forward to her coming later in the year for another visit. My sister and I took a day off from work and took Deb to Longwood Gardens for a day. It was a beautiful sunny day and the flowers and plants were magnificent! I will post pictures on my next post. I will try to post more often during the summer. So until the next time. . .

Bethany's Birthday

2008-04-08T21:45:00.004-04:00

Today is my daughter's birthday. She is very special. Some of the things I love about her are:

She plays the piano beautifully. I enjoy hearing her play and miss hearing it on a daily basis like when she was young and living at home.

She is a good cook. She didn't learn from me but has had many great influences in her life in the culinary arts.

She is a conscientious teacher. She cares about her students and listens to them. She loves math and has a mathematical mind. She is a hard worker.

She is a loving wife to Phil and is always asking don't you think Phil is the greatest. Phil is her best friend.

She has a contagious laugh. Her smile lights up the room.

She is a great daughter. I enjoy shopping with her and going to Panera Bread!

She is a true and loyal friend not only to me but also to others.

I could go on and on, but she is probably wishing I would stop.

I wish her a very happy birthday. She has brought much joy into our lives and I thank God every day for her.

Where did March go? Some March highlights

2008-04-01T20:33:00.007-04:00

I can't believe where March went. I love March Madness so was busy with basketball in most of my free time so that is where the time went I suppose.

We did celebrate our youngest granddaughter, Lydia's, 4th birthday on March 16 by attending her church and having a church luncheon afterwards. She loved her Dora and High School Musical gifts. She even counts in spanish.

I also spent a day shopping with my daughter while she had off from her teaching on spring break.

My car died and after a couple of jump starts had to give in and get a new battery.

Spent a Saturday with my granddaughters playing games, Barbie, and reading. Naomi wanted Grandma to show her how to do a cartwheel. Can you believe that? I tried but. . .

Attended a Sixers game with our son Jon

Went to a concert to hear the Genevans (Bethany and Phil's college)

Went to the Morris Arboretum with my sister to get a feel of spring.

Easter dinner at Bethany and Phil's.

Attended a memorial service for our dear friend Thelma VanTil who passed away at age 80.

Play at Phil-Mont, Miracle Worker

Started our taxes

Our youngest son started a new job at Hatfield Meat Packing as a electronic technician. He is very excited about this new job and all the great benefits plus it is only 3 minutes from his home.

My sister and I are enjoying our weekly Salsa dancing lessons. Trying to get that hip action down.

I will close with a few more pictures from our Lydia birthday celebration!

Fun in the sun!

2008-02-19T20:03:00.003-05:00

My sister and I had a wonderful time on our cruise in the western caribbean. Trying to decide which picture to post was difficult since we have so many. This was taken in Tulum, Mexico from the Myan Ruins. I think this was my favorite excursion. Of course, there were so many things we loved about our trip. We had perfect weather, met so many nice people, got spoiled being waited on and eating such good food. The variety of seafood, fresh fruits, desserts, need I go on was excellent. We kept saying what day is it and is this really winter? We learned how to do about 4 country line dances. There was about 105 people in our "sea is for country" group that went on the cruise and every night we gathered in the Starquest lounge for our 2 hrs of line dancing. There was so much to do on the ship and the staff were funny and did an excellent job. We have a funny video of us going up the Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. I needed the proof that I actually did it. Well I am still getting caught up so hope to post more often but then it is almost March Madness and you know I love my college hoops so will see. . .

Still busy but alive!

2008-01-21T18:15:00.000-05:00

I need to post a quick note to let my faithful readers know that I am alive but still busy. My work was closed today for Martin Luther King day so I thought I would get a lot done. However, we felt we needed to attend the funeral of our daughter-in-law, Melody's, uncle. Since their family was very close we knew Uncle Bob too since he was at many family functions and lived across the street from Jon and Mel. David and I did get our Christmas decorations put away plus I sorted through all my clothes to pack for my cruise! Yes, I am leaving this Saturday with my sister Donna. We fly to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and catch our ship on Sunday traveling to Key West, Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and then back to Florida on Feb. 2. We have much pre-reading and planning to do so that has kept me busy plus making sure my work was done. It is weird packing summer things when we are having such a cold spell. I keep wanting to pack lots of sweaters and socks. So will close this for now but will try to post some pictures of our island adventures soon after I get back.

Reminders

2007-12-29T13:19:00.000-05:00

I am still getting caught up from the holidays. It is a comfort to know that many of my fellow bloggers are behind in their blogging also.

I will post more in days to come of my lovely holidays with my family, but wanted to take this post to notice all the reminders I have in my house of dear family and friends. This picture is not in my house but my youngest son's. Over his bed headboard is the longhorns that my dad picked up for him while we were in San Antonio, TX few years back at my nephews wedding. In my house I have a "Don't mess with Texas" coffee mug, lazy susan on my table with Texas on it and other reminders of my dear sister and her family in Texas. I also have my depression glass and quilt that reminds me of my grandmother, a quilt that Dave's mother made us, my boathouse row and fancy lamp that my dear sister got us, plaques in my kitchen that were my mothers, my refrig magnets that remind me of my special trips, and of course at Christmas I have many reminders in homemade ornaments from my grandmother and my children while growing up. I won't take the time to list everything. However, I do love surrounding myself with reminders of those in my life (past and present) that have touched my life. Many of you know how much I enjoy my pictures on display. My great Aunt Pearl also loved her pictures to look at daily. I cherish these reminders for the memories they bring me.

Give Thanks, Live Thankful

2007-11-28T19:44:00.000-05:00

As I reflect on the last few busy weeks getting ready for Thanksgiving and now getting ready for the next set of holidays, I am conflicted about truly giving thanks and then living like I am thankful. We live in a world where we are struggling to keep up with what others expect of us materially, financially, physically, mentally, etc. I am always comparing myself to others and find I come up short. I am truly thankful for my health, my home, my family with me over the holidays, my job, living in America, my husband, my God and church family, my freedom, my Bible, music, my daughter playing the piano, my husband and son playing the guitar, my granddaughters. But I need to do a better job in living like I am thankful and give of myself to others.

Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices

Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices

Who from our mothers' arms, Hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today

O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us

With ever joyful hearts, And blessed peace to cheer us

And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed

And free us from all ills, In this world and the next

All praise and thanks to God, The Father now be given

The Son, and Him who reigns, With them in highest heaven

The One eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore

For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.

November birthdays

2007-11-06T19:57:00.000-05:00

Today is my niece, Christine's, 15th birthday. She is becoming a wonderful young lady. She is a good student at PW high school. We have lived away from most of my nieces and nephews, but Chris and her brother, Andrew, have always lived near us. I have enjoyed watching them grow and attending their school events. Chris was always my ice cream girl. When we would go to North Wildwood no matter what we were doing, we always had to get ice cream at 3:00! What was her favorite? Was it party cake ice cream? Have a great birthday, Chris!

Remainder of October birthdays

2007-10-27T17:17:00.000-04:00

We had my son-in-law, Phil's, birthday on Oct. 22 but will celebrate by taking him to see a Flyers game on Saturday, Nov. 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If you know Phil, you know he LOVES hockey!

Naomi, our first granddaughter, turned 5 on Oct. 26. We are having a family gathering at Brian and Sarah's on Nov. 3, but I took her with me to my dad's in Williamsport last weekend. The weather could not have been more perfect for a corn maze, hayride, and roasting marshmellows over a campfire. We even shopped for a birthday present together!

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!

2007-10-09T20:12:00.001-04:00

This is a busy birthday time for our family.

First birthday is my sister Debbie's birthday on Sept. 30. We are 19 months apart. I wish I could help her celebrate her birthday but she lives in San Antonio, TX. We did get together this summer when they came to visit.

Next birthday is my dear hubby of 31 years. His birthday was on Oct. 2. We went to Shady Maples in Lancaster for his "free" birthday dinner. It was seafood night!

Then my daughter-in-law, Melody's, birthday was Oct. 4. We had cake and ice cream at our house to celebrate these birthday's and played games. It is always fun getting together. We still have two more October birthdays at the end of the month so stay tuned to see their pictures.

Happy Birthday to You!

Appointments, Appointments, Appointments

2007-09-26T19:01:00.001-04:00

I had my physical last week at my doctor's office and now have a list of appointments to make like:

Mammogram
Dexascan
Upper GI
X-ray
Orthopedic doctor for back
Eye doctor
Come back to have ears checked
Hearing aid doctor
Dermatologist
Already been to the dentist -- yeah

When you get older, the list of doctor's gets longer! But for the most part all are routine, for which I am thankful. Since I have such good health insurance, I can't complain. I am also thankful to be back working out at our fitness center at work. I was not able to go until after I completed my 3 epidural injections into my back. Now I enjoy reading my book (Jane Austen currently) and listening to my MP3 player while on the treadmill. Taking it slow to start. I have a tendency to overdo. Don't want to have more appointments to make!

Dancing through Life

2007-09-21T20:24:00.000-04:00

I went to see the musical, Wicked, for the second time this summer. I loved it so much I bought the CD of the music. There is one song that got me to thinking. It is called Dancing through Life. Some of the lyrics go like this,

"Dancing through life, Skimming the surface, gliding where turf is smooth, life's more painless, for the brainless, Why think too hard?, When it's so soothing, Dancing through life. . . . Dancing through life, Swaying and Sweeping, and always keeping cool, Life is fraughtless, when you're thoughtless, Those who don't try, never look foolish, Dancing through life, mindless and careless. . ."

Glinda (the good witch) and Elphaba (the wicked witch of the west) were friends and that theme is prominent in the musical which is full of contrasts like pretty and ugly, love and hate, pride and humility, etc. I noticed more things the second time I watched it.

I don't know about you, but just hearing those lyrics above makes me reflect on my priorities and actions -- what is important to me. What is a life worth living, what about death, how do you treat your friends and others. Do we judge what is only on the outside. Everyone in Oz longed for something: for a heart, for a brain, for courage, for pretty red shoes, for a way home. The two witches friendship was sorely tested and changed but in the end they sang, "Who can say that I've been changed for the better. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

It was a very thought provoking and yet enjoyable musical even though it is only through our triune God and the work of his only son, Jesus Christ, on the cross that we have real meaning to life.

Crawford County Fair

2007-09-11T19:15:00.000-04:00

You can see my dad in the back with the green cap on which if your eyes are really good you can see it has a 4H clover on there. This stands for 4-H clubs. Each year my dad goes back to our hometown area to attend the Crawford County Fair and present the Ralph DeVillars award to the best 1st year girl and best 1st year boy in the 4-H clubs. They enter and show a cow into the fair but have to take care of that cow all year long. The girl and boy who won this year are in the front row. The others are also winners in dad's book. You see, he encourages previous winners to not give up being in the 4-H club so for those who continue each year he recognizes them also with a monetary award. This means a lot to my dad since he was in the 1st 4H club back 60 years ago to show a cow and there were only 3 boys back then. He informed my sisters and I that when he is gone, it is our job to continue this award and presentation. The fair was a highlight of our growing up on the farm each year. Ironically, none of us ever entered anything in the fair (cow, any animal, fruits, vegs, homemade clothes, quilts, etc.). My grandmother usually entered her garden produce, including flowers and won many a blue, red, or white ribbon.

My sister and I travelled back with dad this year (we don't always go, been 5 years since we had been there). We visited many relatives including an aunt who will be 99 this month. We always drive by the old farms (ours, grandparents, and great grandparents). We also visited with our youngest sister who lives in our old home town. She is the one in the light blue top.

It is fun to touch base with your roots, but I have definitely become a city girl (or rather suburbanite). My sister in the middle (who lives down here) and I were tip-toeing around the dairy barns at the fair, not only because it had rained and was muddy but for other reasons not so pleasant if you step in it and we had flip flops on! YIKES!!! We had a hard time with the smells also.

It was really fun though to spend this time with dad and see how much he enjoys it and what a huge impact he has on these young folks. He has been doing this for over 10 years and it seems everyone knows him. The parents expressed how much they are thankful for our dad and how he encourages and recognizes the kids. It made us proud!

Dear Diary,

2007-09-05T18:57:00.000-04:00

So here we are at Daisy's Diary. How did I come up with the name, you ask. Being a country girl, daisy's were the flowers at my wedding along with ivy. Anyone who knows me, knows I love my ivy, you should see my kitchen. So can you guess my colors? Right, yellow and green. Then many years later, I was given the nickname Daisy by my boss and co-workers which was from a "daisy" sun-dress with little yellow jacket that I wore that day. Well, the nickname stuck and to this day, some of my co-workers still call me daisy including my current boss. I even get calls from those who no longer work with me and say, "Is this daisy?". It has come to be a term of endearment. I even have a daisy tatoo and a daisy license plate on the front of my car. As for diary, I kept a diary for many years as a child which turned into many journals from which I have derived many a story to pass onto my children and now my grandchildren. Computers have definitely made it easier to document my stories, memories, my thoughts and feelings. This should be fun!

Welcome to my blog!

2007-09-03T13:59:00.000-04:00

Let me hear from you and I hope to be entertaining and informative.