Haha, we have a Lee road here, but I bet it's not the same! (I'm in Florida). I want to get your book online...

Enjoy the beautiful weather -well I guess it's raining now...

I hope you had a good day Michael. What is your next book going to be about? Or would you rather not say just yet? Take care.

Chad

RYN to Timmy,

In my youth, we used to "wear" Sloppy Joes.  :D  I wouldn't want to wear your kind of Sloppy Joe, though, although I am sure some people HAVE worn them, when they have antagonised the owner for long enough.  Hee hee.

Love,

Minty.

Boy I would of loved to see that in pictures!!!!

Dennis the menace is right!!

Did Mr Mischief sleep well after his exploits? Sounds like a very eventful day! We have had similar "Picasso moments".

I loved the mental image of Johnny doing a little "touch up" painting... Funny!  Maybe not right at that moment, but later.

Congratulations on the book signings; I hope they go well.  I pray that sales of your book go through the roof!

Chuck and I are going to see Fireproof this next weekend. I'm glad you said it was good; we're looking forward to it.

Take care, and have a good week, friend. 

Michael,

I don't have grandchildren yet(Thank God as my oldest girl is only 16)but I do remember those days, like when my oldest son decided to make a snowscape on the kitchen floor using a five pound bag of sugar. Have a good trip. Take care.

Chad

HI MICHAEL,

Have an awesome trip. I am happy your son got a job here. It is so hard right now. I will pray that all goes ok for you and that things look up for this job stuff here in Michigan. Lord knows we all need it...

God bless you, your family, and your puppy and any other pets you have :)

michelle

You are such a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather...I can't tell you how much I admire you for that :)  I hope Denise's foot gets better and stops hurting real soon.  And have fun fishing up north, I'm sure you will!

~Tons of love

Michael,

Thanks for all of your kind comments in my diary... they mean so much to me....You truly are a dear friend to me....

I am happy to hear of the different job for your son, this will be good for him, a step in the right direction.....

Have a safe but fun trip up north.... Cant wait to hear the fishing stories when you get back....

Until next time... blessings be unto you and yours....

Love and HUggs

Janica

[Rumyn]

have fun on your trip up north and for God's sake stay off the boats! 

i'm glad you have the opportunity to go away due to work, but i'm hoping more people volunteer to leave so they don't start forcing people out.  have a good vacation and do plenty of relaxing for the rest of us!

Fireproof...with Kirk Cameron. You say its a good movie for someone struggling with their marriage. How so? Is that movie available at any video store? It has a biblical perspective? Well, sounds interesting.

I could use the poop brigade in my yard. LOL! Get those kids over here with their shovel. LOL!

I'm sorry to hear your being laid off...I will pray that your lay off is just temporary and you will soon be called back. In the meantime, may God Bless you with other work. In Jesus name, Amen.

Take care friend, Love, Alice

Thanks for the comment :)  I hope Lily and Johnny get better real soon.  Have fun salmon fishing and at the potluck dinner!

~Tons of love

Hi Michael,fishing upnorth sounds like alot of fun,salmon is good /tasty.

That movie sounds great too,I think i should go see it with my husband,maybe we can soon,he don`t do much except work,and whatever he does after work for other people,we don`t do much together.

Enjoy your time with Denise/friends.Take care

hi my friend.. im sorry to hear about the ' more time  off  from work ' you heard about . :(

 idk. i cant even imagine. we are so used to a certain way and then...

 have a nice time up north.  umm, boats ok this time ?.lol I pray yes!.

 hope the grandbabies feel better.emily was off from school the 2nd wk  for 2 days . yes she too woke up w. a frog voice.I wish i had it on video ( it was so cute, yet so sad ), so frantic 'my voice is gone mama '.  as she tried to even get the words out.and her eyes popped out.lol.cute again, but so sad .lol. and fever..2 days off from school..

anways hope all is back to norm soon.

 denise will need the time off . thats gottot be so exhausting, itas from our hearts .& I know you both love them so much . but tiring , i can see.

 I seen the  advertisement for  that movie..yes it looks awsome. I actually see   the article  1st in Todays Christian book..and then seen that Kirk  worked on the set for free ..WOW.I think he got paid for the part, but to work free(working on set ) . yea, that cuz  we all want to set an example & get the message out there..

  maybe ill see if m wants to go see the movie.. idk..   some days I just wish I cud be in an apprmnt w. emily..then other days I just  see me sitting being old, and lonely still. just to make emily have her daddy allthe time again.but then i think & say.. gosh.. with the business, he has  never had a real daughter /father relationship.

not that he doesnt love her.. she is  his life,  then the business.24/7 well i hope. he just works so darn much to keep the business going so  we can have a life..but its killing our marriage, and him emotionally, draining him. yet, he  wont sel l.idk.

im just tired of ' being there for him, as a wife & friend..when i dont get anything for myself . not materialistics, ya know. this life is comfortable, but we know it cud be gone tomorrow...

anyways . gtg off the pc.. lots work to do.

have a great blessed day my friend & a wonderful time w. family from church..

what an awsome Idea..maybe ill send out an email to my gf from church & see if they'de like to do that . like yoursaying  a pot luck after..  even if it was here after , i dont mind.. just to get together.i havnt seen them in it seems forever. bad.bad.

gtg.

(hugs )

~me

[fromthisdayfwd]

I heard about this movie on our Christian radio... Tell us about it after you saw it!

Have a great date night on Saturday!

Michael - One thing our church did was have each member of the congregation take one of these little tests to see what their unique individual gifts are.  Then they set up different "committees" and devised an outline of what spiritual gift/personality giftings would be best for each area of service.  Then they requested volunteers to join each group.  The philosophy is that too many people serve in areas where they are not gifted, therefore they don't experiencing joy in serving which results in burn out at which point that person no longer wants to serve in any capacity.  If you would like, I can send you a copy of the test that we took...it's really cool.  You can email me if you would like @ pamstep006@gmail.com so I can either email you a copy or mail it...whichever you would prefer. 

I'm so glad to hear about Dottie and her fitting so nicely with the fam...that's a blessing all its own huh? 

One more thing....Please tell Denise "Hello" from me.  I read where she commented on Gina's diary.  It was cool to hear her voice !!! 

i saw the pics of dottie in wendy's last entry, and she is just cute as a button.  you make me want that breed of dog!  i love the floppy ears.  the story of her barking at the ants is too funny.  my mother's akita eats bees.   goes wild when they're buzzing around his head.  maybe that's it.  maybe it's the buzzing that does him in.

i'm glad the kid's are adjusting to her too.  i know it takes some time for the kid's to adjust to a dog and vice versa.

I checked out the pics on Wendys site.  Too cute!   Loved the one with you in your hat!

Ive mentioned the turmoil in our church before.  I finally quit asking my parents about it.  My dads blood pressure shoots up so high.  They are not for any change.  I am afraid they will get left behind if they don't quit fighting it.

I would be so lonely without my puppies around, and they make me laugh all of the time!

I think that a church is more then just the people that gather together. Church is about what is taught about God. Not everyone teaches the same thing. A mormon wouldn't fit in a typical christian church and a pentecostal wouldn't fit in a morman church.

Why are people leaving? Is it over doctrine or over certain people?

thank you so much for the comment

and I'm deff praying for you tonight at the meeting

 Michael - You always say the nicest things about your wife - and she herself sounds like a really nice person - I would say you are both blessed to have each other - honestly, I didn't know they made men as nice and considerate as you are in this world - (other than the movies, of course) - but apparently they do - at least one - LOL -  I don't have a lot of friends (anymore), either - my best friend died last October,and she was probably a lot like Denise's friend, Darlene - she was more like a sister to me than anything else - she was family - I have known her since I was 17 - she was 7 yrs. older than me when we met and we bonded immediately and have been very tight ever since.  I miss her every single day.  It would be nice if Denise would write a diary - I am sure everyone would like her - I know I would - I was a "stay at home mom", too, and proud of it - if you don't have to have someone else raising your kids, why would you want to?  Your biggest worth is in being the best mom that you can possibly be to your kids, and there is sure nothing wrong with that.  I would say it is the other "moms" who think their jobs are what constitute their "worth", who have the problem with their identities, not Denise.  Anyway, tell her to stop feeling bad - she obviously is a good mom and you are the best, too - your entries always make me feel good, even when I'm having a bad day -

Take Care!

Jan

Denise!!!! I was excited (and honored) that you left me a commment! Thank you for your kind words.  We feel like we know you here already, and I for one look forward to hearing more from you on this site.

I truly always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but God had other plans for me so I was obedient. But in my heart I wanted to stay home and raise my daughter.  He has been gracious to me, and He provided loving, godly people around to help be an example for her.  She has grown into a wonderful young woman with a heart for God.

As far as your worth....... the Bible says you are worth far more than rubies.  I like that, don't you?

Take care, friend.  Enjoy doing what God has called you and anointed you to do. Love, Gina

*oh, hello Michael. Forgot this was your diary.  sorry, I got carried away *

i feel as if we already know denise and her heart.  i mean....she withstood you in your early years right?   lol.

seriously tho...how cool it would be to have denise be part of this site and the unusual realm of friendship it can offer. 

keep trying michael!!!

i loved this entry ,and  i still need to read many  of your entries from b4 today .sorry --im so behind.. peeking  here/there....

maybe there was a reason I read this one today ..ironic. how true believing & caring you are for your wifes feelings, heart . now, im not going to comair you to him.I wont do that . youve already been spoken about to "M',  he still dont get how I can let  a man read my diary..but i pick & choose & yes I do allow you & 2 others..but the ..

'''..but you who read me enough to know me, you know that I value being truthful with all my heart. Well, truthfully speaking; I have never met another lady who was as kind, open, honest, loving, giving, caring, sweet, and just plain a blessing to spend time with as my wife, ever.''

 really hit. me . I actually got tears , I can see as well as others, you do care so much for your  wife.the way it  should be.. well, if i care so much for  my husband  , why am i stuck here.

ahghg .anyways .

i just wanted to say  denise is a lucky lady(ya know thats not the 1st tiem ive said thta ..lol), and Im happy for  both of you, with your happiness & love for each other...xoxo. thats what a marriage is supposed to be about. your marriage inspires me .

as for her 'aquantences in the past ..I do believe in the saying 'misery loves company '..and Im glad denise isnt friend w.them anymore. they obviously were  jealous of her ''healthy life ''now, and yes, we make what we live like. we choose to stay miserbale, so denise was smart to allow them to move on. they obviuosly were worth her precious friendship she has to offer..sounds harsh as I write that , but that upsets me, when we have beautiful hearts , we think the woman friends  we 'know ' are true..then we see the 'real them . I can see why she shaerd a tear w, you in the bed at times. i wish I had my husband I can actually have listen to  me . Im so happy she has you as her best friend too.

 yes, some struggle more then we have ,  we are able to be at home moms..well,  some of us have , and some of  us dont. in all catagories.. others just need to udnerstand  .. we are what we made ourselves.. and I know..and you do to, as far as us being 'comfortable,'. a huge part of that is the Holy Spirit in us.

michael, from my heart i want to say . I know Im not  loosing faith , i dont think Im wandering, but its so hard to not think if 'things ' when he isnt ther for me. I pray , and know in my heart our Lord will helpme thru this transition, and make me wiser, and   stronger to go the way i know I need to go.. divorce.. i shudnt have to 'hang on '.

 idk..i just wanted to write of your caring for denise, was BEAUTIFUL. the way the man in our lives should feel about us.Support us in ever departemnt .. esp when we give them what they want .  Its not all materialistic either. we know that can be gone tomorrow. we all know that .  its the natural -internal connection we all long for .God Bless.

 ~me

thnx for sharing this beautiful entry.. have a wonderful day with your beautiful wife :)

Real friendships are really rare... I don't think I can call anyone a true friend like Darlene is to your wife so I think that she's actually lucky to have one at least! My husband is my truest friend and I'm grateful for that.

I'm glad Darlene is comfortable with you and yes there should eb more Christians like you, who talk the talk AND walk the walk... You guys are  a blessing to this world!

I have often wondered why it's easier to find true friendship here on this site than it is in the "real" world.  Hmmm....

Is it because we're all so busy in the real world with our own agendas that we have trouble taking time to be a true friend? I really don't know. I have some really great friends in the world, but there's a connection here that defies explanation.

Yoo hoo! Denise!  There are lots of cool people here.  You won't be sorry!

I am sure Denise is ALL of those things and more....and she is truly blessed to have a husband like you, and a family like she has... Yes there are ups and downs BUT you travel them together and you travel them with the Lord... thats the ways its supposed to be....

God Bless all of you....

Love and HUggs

Janica

HI Michael,

Your wife is the most blessed wife on the face of the earth to have a husband like you. It is terrible that so many people have made judgements about Denise like that and were supposed to be her friends. I cannot say much, because my friends (well I only had a really close few), but my friends and I do not speak anymore. It is wonderful that she has at least one true friend. True friends are the ones who are always there for you and do not put you down. She is your wife, and the one that called her a princess was out of line because it was said in a condescending manner. Why can't people see the beauty in someone and the differences without getting all huffy and snobby like that? SO your wife chose to stay home and be a mother...what is wrong with that? Certain jokes should not be made, because the fact that they were thinking them in the first place is just rude. I am not perfect and I say silly things too, but to tell someone they are not worth anything. How is that a joke...

God bless you Michael..you, Denise, Darlene, Wendy, David, and all your grandbabies and kids...

(((((DENISE))))

(((((MICHAEL)))))
((((WENDY)))))) and family

SO the big 50 is coming up. WOW, that is a milestone. You should be darned proud of yourself. My dad hunts in Alpena. It is so nice up there. I wish I could get away and go. Are you excited about your birthday. Visiting friends is always a good choice. Hope all is well for you and your family...

Peace and God bless

Michelle

my cousin is throwing my aunt a big supurise 50th bday party.

my mom is turning 50 in just four years.....she's already freaking out and pushing her age back(when i lil she was 29 forever lol)

have a good weekend

Hey there! My mom turned 50 this year and my dad did last year. From what I hear 30 is the scariest of all, then it gets better to turn a decade. So I'm less than 2 years away from the worst myself ;)

Hope you have a good week end!

By the way, you know the reason that there are so many birthdays in September, don't you?  Well, count back nine months, and you have holiday time, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, because it gets so cold up there.  In my country, we call them "holiday babies." 

Love,

Minty.

RYC:  Hee hee.  Chico sounds like a challenge too -- a loveable one.  Yes, they are special, even the grumpy ones.  Scootie, on the other hand, is Mr Pussonality.  His motto is, "Will you love me?  I love you!!"  He loves people, especially his Mummy and Daddy, and his Aunty Timmy.  He is a real gentleman; he will wait for the "ladies" to eat, and he will get in line till it's his turn at the communal bicky bowl.

Don't worry about the big FIVE OH!!!  Life gets better as you get older; I am living proof of that.  You don't look 50 anyway, and you have a youthful attitude to life, so you will never be old, no matter how long you live.  I am 50, but I have friends of all ages, and I have great chats with them too.  Age is just a number, not a condition.  You'll be fine!  That said, I can't believe it was 9 months ago that I turned 50 and that I am almost 51.  How quickly time flies!!  My life is like a toilet roll.  The further towards the end I get, the faster it goes, and each revolution, which represents one year of my life, just whizzes by.  I won't carry the a....ogy any further, for obvious reasons, but I will say that, having hit menopause, I do feel a little "flushed" from time to time. 

Love,
Minty.

Yes, it was a blessing that my mother's visit turned into a blessing.  It was an unexpected blessing.

I really need to rest now.  My walk today did wear me out.  I am having a challenge moving tonight.  I am stiffening up.  My back is hurting as well as legs, ankles, arms, and feet yet I feel good.  I got a whole bunch more pictures.  I was able to post some tonight.

Well, I haven't counted the days until my birthday.  It is the end of the year.  Two days after Christmas.  I am fast heading for 50.  I am closer to 50 then 40 now.  I will be 46.

Glad you got a chance to visit with friends.

Thank you for stopping by my diary and HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!

Friday seemed farther away this week than most.  I can't believe it's almost here.

I know what you mean about learning from watching someone do it the wrong way, and I wish I could feel that way in the moment.  Afterward I think about it and pray for the strength to be a bigger person and not let it bother me, and I feel a little better, but when I'm THERE it sucks the life right out of me.  I can honestly tell the difference when I'm up there and I look in the mirror, I can see that I look just like...beaten down.  She can be so demeaning sometimes.

Friday seemed farther away this week than most.  I can't believe it's almost here.

I know what you mean about learning from watching someone do it the wrong way, and I wish I could feel that way in the moment.  Afterward I think about it and pray for the strength to be a bigger person and not let it bother me, and I feel a little better, but when I'm THERE it sucks the life right out of me.  I can honestly tell the difference when I'm up there and I look in the mirror, I can see that I look just like...beaten down.  She can be so demeaning sometimes. 

Friday seemed farther away this week than most.  I can't believe it's almost here.

I know what you mean about learning from watching someone do it the wrong way, and I wish I could feel that way in the moment.  Afterward I think about it and pray for the strength to be a bigger person and not let it bother me, and I feel a little better, but when I'm THERE it sucks the life right out of me.  I can honestly tell the difference when I'm up there and I look in the mirror, I can see that I look just like...beaten down.  She can be so demeaning sometimes.  I

OoOo Happy early 50th Birthday to you!!  I don't want to get older and I'm only 20 lol.  Yay for weekends, hope you have a good one :)

~Tons of love

how could you not be a weekend warrior with such a great family waiting for you at home!   those grandkids of yours are just too funny and too precious.

you and johnny remind me of paige and my step-father.  she cannot get enough of him.  just like you and johnny. she follows him everywhere like a lost puppy.

Dear Michael;

You sounded sooooooooo buy these days that I beginning to miss most of your lovely notes. But it is nice to hear how active you are all time with Denise, the kids, the baby & the grandkids + Dottie. Oh, yes, I believe you when you said Dottie is getting bigger fast. A neightbours dog here, a Labrador, has just been adopted a few weeks ago and now when we see her, she's seems to grow bigger. I heard that Labrador can grow really tall and big. I wonder if I get a Labrador my kids, but Andrew always reminding me about my couch and the garden!  ha, ha, ha ... Well, we'll see. If the kids are responsible to take care of a dog just as they took care of their 3 bunnies, I think I might reconsider about havin one!

I wish you a very happy day, Michael. And Good Luck for your book!

I love fall!  The leaves were just starting to turn when I left up north.  

My puppies love popcorn!  Especially the puppy.  She does a dance in front of the microwave when she heres it popping.

so glad you're back to work, but sorry to hear it's again temporary.  at least you have 2 weeks to fill.

i'm so excited for you and your book!  if you're going to use one of lilly and johnny, just make sure it's not one of them tearing the book to pieces!  it sounds like this whole book thing is sprialing into one great experience for you!

That stinks about the laying off... I hope you can manage and hopefully the sales of your book can compensate. It sounds crazy that they would lay off people with so much work to do...

Glad to hear about the good stuff though :)

Michael, I am so sorry about the struggles with your job being on again off again. Such is the economy here in Michigan. My hubby is only on temp work and that is on and off and he has not been able to find even a basic job like McDonalds. That is how bad it is. I will say a prayer for you that things get better with that. On the upside, I am glad to hear that your family is doing well. I hope you figure out a good way to get a good photo...with a pipe you might look like Sherlock holmes lol. I got a chance to look up the book you wrote online. Hopefully in the next week, I will order one. I am looking forward to reading it. God bless you...

Michelle

Two weeks to get caught up on a months worth of work. Then two more weeks 'off'. It is a good thing that God has blessed you with an abundance of patience and a gentle spirit when it comes to handling engineers.

[OrnamentofGrace]