This past year has been a devastating one for Detroit. The mayor was thrown in jail, scandals are breaking out everywhere and now a city council member has pled guilty of bribery. It is so hard to believe that this is the same city where I grew up.
I loved growing up in Deroit. Anything you wanted to do was withhin a short drive. We had a world class symphony, a beautiful zoo, theaters, entertainment, stores and restaurants, Boblo Island, Edgewater Park, Metro beaches, Canada across the river, Motown, parades, any kind of athletics you could have imagined and on and on. The history of Detroit is an exciting one with the sprawl of housing and the auto industry.
My friends and I used to walk everywhere and when it was too far to walk we caught a bus. For .30 cents we could go anywhere (.25 cent fare and a nickel transfer). And we did. We all had parents who made sure we knew the rules about being home before dark. No one really worried about dangers.
I guess the whole world is changing - and not necessarily for the best. What's scary is that these are our leaders who are committing the crimes. Maybe some leaders always were crooks but we just didn't know about it. I don't know. I wish I didn't know now, either. I want to love where I grew up and not be embarrassed by it.

There's a T.V. show on called "How I Met Your Mother". Every time I see this it reminds me of how my boyfriend (now husband) met MY mother. Bruce and I had been dating for maybe a month when we decided it was time for him to meet my parents. I was (and still am) very proud of my parents. My father had built the house we were living in and my mother could make anything she put her mind to.
My parents were sitting on the couch watching television when we walked in. The introductions were made and we sat down on the couch also. The couch we had was a huge sectional, so my folks sat on one side and we sat on the connecting 'L'.
There was a coffee table in front of the couch with a plate of my mother's incredible fudge. The plate was closer to my mom than me, so I asked her to toss me a piece of fudge. Boy, did she! She plucked a piece of fudge off the plate, wound up and let it fly.
I coouldn't have been farther than four feet from my mom when she fired the fudge off. I saw that missile coming straight at my head so I ducked. And Bruce caught it right between the eyes.
He didn't move (stunned?). My father had watched this whole episode and he didn't move either. My mother and I, on the other hand, were laughing hysterically. It took a few minutes to gain control and even then giggles would erupt throughout the rest of the night.
He married me anyway. I figure he was forewarned so he has no excuse for any oddities that may have happened, are happening or might still happen.

Yesterday was Father's Day. For some I'm sure it's a day full of joy and laughter. For some, however, it's not. I think most of us feel that when we have children we will have them with us for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, that's not always how it is. Presents, cards and phone calls help with the loneliness, but the sure thought that your children love you is what keeps dad's (and mom's) going. My wish is that all dad's and mom's know how much their children love them.

Well Tigger was at it again. Last night Steve opened the front door to let Tigger in. He noticed two tiny paws hanging out of Tiggers mouth. Steve tried to pry Tigger's mouth open, but Tigger wouldn't give up. Steve grabbed Tigger up tried again to get him to open his mouth. Finally Steve starting shaking Tigger upside down so he'd open his mouth. That worked. Out squirted a baby mouse! The little mouse ran as fast as he could away from the crazy cat. Can you imagine - the little mouse was caught by this huge cat, he was imprisoned in the mouth of said cat then rattled back and forth between four huge sharp teeth then spat out. And probably all he was doing was crossing a field, minding his own business!
I just hope none of the neighbors happened to be looking out their windows to see this little drama on our front porch!

This morning Bruce and I went to Chris and Dana's new townhouse. His kids were visiting from Toledo for a whole week. They are the cutest kids. They all smile and hug me and make me feel like I'm special - when in fact they are the special ones. Brandon is the oldest at 9 and has been tested by his school for his IQ. He tested in the top 12% of the nation! Wow! I guess weknow where all of our smarts went to.
Josh is the middle child. He's a lot like Chris. He's a tough guy, but sweet and snuggly on the inside. Boy, will he hate this post!
And Ashley. She's the princess. She loves pink and purple and Barbie dolls.

I usually love surprises. However, not all surprises are good. Today Stephen told me there was something for me on the porch. I knew I hadn't ordered anything. It wasn't my birthday, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. So I cautiously looked out the window next to the door. And sure enough, there it was. A large, grey, dead mouse. Tigger had been at it again. He's the best mouser I have ever seen. This year alone I've lost count of the many mice and shrews that he's brought home and laid on the porch. Mind you, I'm thrilled he's controlling the rodent population, but I really wish he didn't have to show off.

A few weeks ago Stephen was in Germany. I let Abbie out to do her 'business' and spotted the back end of a mouse. On the welcome mat. I would rather take care of a whole dead mouse than just the tail, butt and back legs of one. NASTY!!! And of course, Stephen was in Germany and Bruce was at work so I had to take care of the partial carcass.

I had a lesson on how time changes perspective.
The other morning I went to take a shower. When I pulled the shower curtain back there lay a tiny blue car. 25 years ago that would have been a minor irritation (maybe major, depending on the kind of day I had). This time I smiled. Three of my beautiful grandchildren took a bath there and I could still hear their happy squeels. The little car reminded me of how precious the little ones are. I know now what I wish I had known 25 years ago. I wish I had known that time has wings and small children grow up to be adults. The good thing is that the grown adults bring their own little ones home to Grandma every once in a while.

My sweet grandchildren left for their home. I am so grateful that Sara made this long trip by herself to visit us. Sometimes I forget how incredible a hug from a child is. From my point of view I can look down and see pure sweetness looking back at me. The little arms so innocent, the bright eyes so trusting, the smile full of love - it gives me pause to think and wonder how God must feel when we turn to Him.

Welcome. This is an attempt to reach out to friends and family and let them know how we're doing and what makes us happy. This has been a difficult year with a death in the family, the fear concerning Bruce's job at GM and my poor health. However, we have been greatly blessed many times over. We will be focusing on the positive here as a way to say thank you to our Heavenly Father for His care.

K Hamlin

We also have a beautiful granddaughter in Germany. Her name is Katarina. She's 4 years old.

Sara, Raef, Brady and Kaylee all came to our house for a few days. We all had a fun day at a park near my home.

Brady went from one play item to the next to the next to the next without stopping.

Raef showed how athletic he is by climbing everything including a ten foot rock wall then sliding down a pole.

Kaylee is the happiest child. She's also fearless. The tallest slide was no challenge to her.

Grow Where You're Planted

'Grow where you're planted' doesn't necessarily mean a physical place. It could be a job, a new neighbor or even a new circumstance. I think that's why I decided to start 'blogging'. I can see new experiences as a chance to grow. And maybe even grow with some input from my friends.