Does anyone have information about the gathering that is supposed to happen at Mt. Pleasant this year? I am interested in finding out about it.

We had a great meeting Saturday. We met at the University Roadhouse. A really cool place just off of campus here at Western Michigan University. It was a glorious day and we were able to eat out on the patio. I even got a little sunburn on my arms. I had the portabella panini which is one of their "bestest" sandwiches and sweet potato fries. Along with a raspberry iced tea to top it off. Fantastic!! We had eight ladies meet for lunch and we were able to set our basic plans for meeting for the entire summer through September. We have a "Shippsee" trip in two weeks to the flea market. A summer evening potluck and pontoon ride at a members home on Long Lake in June. A ride in the Kindleberger Festival Parade in Parchment in July along with the craft show and possibly "Christmas in July" at Noel in Jamestown. (If I can still make reservations this late in the year. Very popular restaurant) The Kalamazoo Fair (Red Hat Day)in August and a patio Bar-B-Q and swim party at another members home. Looks like a pretty good summer for the 7Kt. Ruby Rebels. I gave all of our members new name tags that a member of my church makes and a poker chip for the societies 10th birthday for a keepsake. We all had a really good time and now I have to write up our email and snail mail (for those members who don't have computers) letting everyone know what a great time we had and what our plans are for the future. I started the monthly newsletter when we first got organized to let everyone know what was going on and who was doing what when they missed a meeting so cards could be sent, calls made or whatever and the girls really look forward to it now. Some like to put it in their scrap books along with their pictures for that event. I usually try to include a copy picture of Ruby or some cute little picture somewhere in the letter to make it more colorful and try to include a little humor to. Some of you might like to copy this idea as it seems to really inspire the girls to keep us up on what is going on in their lives also. Everyone have a great Holiday and just relax and really enjoy your time with friends or family. Love and hugs to all of you precious ladies.

My goodness but the weather changed on us overnight again. My poor little buds don't know what to do. Peonies are up about a foot, tulips are sagging and lilacs are afraid to peep out of their buds. Down to freezing again last night after being in the seventies last week. Poor babies. My pups go to the door and look out first when I open the door to let them out. They love the sun but balk at the cold as they have very short hair being doxies. We have miniature dachshunds.
I think because their legs are so short and they move so close to the ground that their bellies must get cold too, but they hate to put on their sweaters because their legs are so short they step right out of them and then they trip all over the place. You have never seen any thing so pathetic as a yard full of drunk looking doxies tripping over their garments. "Mother" gets very mad at them when they get in her flowers because they tend to trample them but they don't seem to care all of that much. They do it anyway. Sometimes I think for spite!! They stay real clear of my climbing rose bush though because the little bugger reaches out and grabs you every chance she gets and tears you a dandy hole in your skin with her sharp little thorns. I threaten every year to tear her up but then she blooms so beautifully and I remember why I put up with her evilness. I am getting excited about the Grand Rapids Convention and think that I finally have everything that I need to take with me for the different events. I am only staying over Friday night and then driving back to Kalamazoo after the event Saturday evening. Kind of alternating between Red and purple in outfits. Red for the big ceremony just because it is such a fun color. Now all I need is a stash for shopping? Got awhile to gather that. Looking forward to putting some live faces on my email contacts. Margo

I think Spring has made it to Michigan!! The sun has been out-full force the last few days. My tulips are reaching for the sun. Purple, orange and red. They look so beautiful. My lilacs are trying to get buds and my peonies little red heads are peeping up through the dirt. The yard is starting to come alive. We have had three days of 70 degree weather now with showers coming tomorrow afternoon. Just as the little buds will need to be replenished from the sun drying them out. Isn't nature's time table wonderful at times. She knows just what everything growing needs. Sure, sometimes she interrupts my schedule planned for outdoor activities but she doesn't always cater to us. Her growing things are what are important to her. She expects us to care for ourselves with the knowledge that God has "supposedly" given to us humans. I say "supposedly" because some of us still haven't gotten it!! LoL. Otherwise I don't believe there would be so many of us drug, alcohol, etc. addicted. This of course is just my thought.
Well, I am back after having to take two days off work (I still don't have the bug out of my home computer)for my husband's health. He is doing so much better now. Neighbors blowing their yards and burning leaves and trash really got to him and his oxygen tank just wasn't giving him enough air the last two days to compensate. I had the house closed up and central air on but still the fumes got in whenever I opened the door to let the pets in or out and this really bothered him. I fear for him now most everyday. If you pray daily, please keep him close as breathing is getting more difficult daily. Thank you. Blessing to each and everyone who reads my blog and have a great day. Margo

Guess What? It has actually been sunny and warm here for the last couple of days again. My poor tulips and hyacinths have been trying to make an appearance for the last couple of weeks. They are up about 4-6" now depending on which one you look at. I think Mother Nature has been playing "Deal or no Deal" with us for the last month or so. You know-"Snow or no Snow". Can you believe after having weather in the 60"s we had flurries again on Sunday night? It is still getting so cold at night yet but beautiful during the day. It was 23 when I got up and is 43 at 10am already. Supposed to get to 60 this afternoon.
I entered my chicken chili in the chili cook-off at church Sunday night. I think I might have won if they hadn't run out before all of the judges were able to taste it. The ones who did raved about it and most wanted the recipe so I have to make up cards to take to church next week. Each judge only had one vote and like I said they ran out before all of them got a sample. Anyone could vote that paid $5 and we ended up with 39 judges and only 10 entries. They started giving to big of samples to the judges. I only made a small crock pot of the chicken chili because I used my large crockpot for the TexMex chili and I didn't like the way it turned out so made my favorite as an after thought. Guess I should have made that first. Next Year!! Guess I could ramble all day but need to get to work as that is what they pay me for. Love to all and everyone have a great day. Margo

I thought I could handle this OK until I started visiting other sites. My gosh-Gals, How do you do it? Sites with so much on them. Animation, music and everything else under the sun. I guess I need to just keep playing and exploring and maybe I can add a little more than my name and one picture. Took me a week on and off just to find out how to work my blog. Never been on one before. Any hints from anybody sure would be appreciated since you all are such wonderful experts.

Is there anyone going to the Grand Rapids Convention that needs someone to share a room? It kind of looks like I will be going by myself this time as no one in my group has said that they want to attend. This would be my first time to one and I would like to go but really don't want to room by myself. Maybe we can share a room. I am from Kalamazoo and guess I could drive back and forth O.K. but would rather join in the fun from there. Let me know if anyone is interested?