Rose's Ramblings

Photography Class

I know that it's been a very long time since I posted anything on my blog.  It's been an extremely busy summer and it hasn't slowed down yet.  I'm busy with my job learning a new CRM program and getting ready to train  users plus Rich and I are going to Tri-C for a photography Class.  We are really enjoying this class a great deal.  This past weekend we had an assignment to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art to view and comment on an art display there by Andrew Borowiec.  First time since I've lived in Ohio that I went to the Art Museum. 

Anyway our first assignment for our class was a portrait assignment and it was due last night.  We had to submit four photo's, two of each subject.  Everyone in the class had to present their photo's and the rest of the class critiqued them.  Our photo's got a great review and I am confident that we will get an "A" on the assignment.  These are the photo's I sumbitted.  Our next assignment is on landscape and we are looking forward to that one.  With fall being here there should be some great outdoor shots.

 

 

Family Reunion 2010

 
This past weekend was our annual Filippino Family Reunion.  This year it was held in Pittsburgh, PA.  Normally when we have our reunion in Pittsburgh we have a large turn out.  This year it was rather on the small side but boy did we have a great time. 

Two important events happened at the reunion.  First my cousin Tom Sumerauer from Texas came with his wife Sherry and daughter Brianna.  We haven't seen them in a very long time.  Their daughter Christa could not make it because she couldn't get a flight out.  We spent many hours reminiscing. 

The next heartwarming event was that my brother Albert was  celebrating his 70th birthday on Sunday and he got the best present anyone can ever get.  He was reunited with his son after 15 years on not seeing him.   It's a long story that really doesn't matter.  My niece convinced Kevin to come to the reunion and he did.  Kevin will be 18 in September.  Grew up to be quite a nice young man.I have never seen my brother so happy as long as I've known him.

What a wonderful time we had with my family.  Looking forward to next year.

Buckeye's Prom 2010

Last night in the midst of the worst weather we've had this spring was Buckeye's Prom.  Jessica was invited to the Senior Prom this year by one of her very dear friends.  How fortunate to be a Sophmore and get to go to the Senior Prom.  From what I understand she was only permitted to go to the Prom but had to come home right after.  Curfew was midnight.  After all she is only a Sophmore.  Good call by Mom and Dad.  Anyway she looked beautiful as well as her escort who looked very handsome.

A Visit to Kent

It's been a very long time since I posted anything.  On Tuesday we took a drive down to Kent to see Ban and Amanda's new apartment.  What I beautiful apartment they have.  Although not completely furnished yet it is really very nice and spacious as well.  They have two bedrooms and two full baths.  It's hard to believe that Ben is going into his third year at Kent. 

We had a very nice time.  Lisa, Rich, Jessica and I took the trip.  I made dinner and brought it down along with a couple of gifts for their new apartment.  We all pitched in and got them a huge gift certificate to Giant Eagle so the could stock up on food.  Always a much needed thing for these college kids.

 

 


 

A Milestone

It's been a long time since I posted anything on my blog.  Mainly because I really don't have much going on.  I know that I am sick of this weather and ready for spring.  Especially this year.  I will be enjoying my new found energy and can't wait to get out in the yard and work. 

My energy comes from my 65 pound weight loss.  Yes, that is where I am at right now.  It is slow losing now but I am extremely happy with my progress and have no regrets.  It's fun shopping now in the regular departments for clothes instead of the plus department where everything is so limited.  I can't even emphasis how much better I am feeling and how much more exercise I am getting.  I am even able to do spinning which to me is the hardest exercise out there.  Below I have a picture of the Capri's I used to wear for exercise.  I can't even keep them on now.  These are the one piece of  clothing I am going to save to remind me of how I once was.

 

Today is My Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!! 

January 11, 1944 I came into this world at 6:00 am on a blustery snowy cold day.  Yes, 66 years ago.  In looking back at my life I never thought I would make it to where I am today.  My first 18 years were pretty horrible.  Growing up in the ghetto projects of Rankin PA wouldn't have been that bad at all except for all the other circumstances.  Those I could have done without.  Being poor isn't bad.  Everybody was poor there.  The difference is that most of the other families grew up surrounded with love and caring people.   We did not.  So with that being said I am reflecting on my life today as I see it.

I didn't turn out that bad after all.  I came to Cleveland Ohio at the innocent age of 18.  I had some hurdles to overcome once I got here but being the strong person that I am, I managed to overcome them.  I married and had two wonderful daughters who in turn gave me five equally wonderful grandchildren.  Although my husband didn't live long enough for us to enjoy our later years, I was fortunate to meet a wonderful man whom I married and enjoy every minute of our time together. 

So now that I am looking back at my life I feel very fortunate and blessed.  I am healthy, I have a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, a loving family which is now extended, but most of all I feel the good Lord was with me all these years to help me get through some of the worst times in my life.  I also look back as we all do and think of things I would have done differently but if it meant being where I am today, then I wouldn't change a thing.  Life is good. 

So once again I say Happy Birthday to me.

Making Christmas Cookies with the Boys

Today was the day I told David and Anthony we could make cut-out cookies and decorate them.  I got the dough made the the cookie cutters all set up.  We made the first batch and then I got sick.  As usual Rich stepped in and finished the cookies with them.  I think they enjoyed it and will get to take the cookies home.  Since they worked so hard we decided to meet Ben at Applebee's for lunch.

The Reader's Digest Angel

Once upon a time many years ago Lisa made me an angel from a Reader's Digest magazine.  I think she was in third grade at the time.  Every year I put this angel out at Christmas time.  After so many years of handling and taking in and out of storage the paper became brittle and dry rotted.  I finally had to throw it away.  She was an adult by this time but she never let me forget that I threw her Reader's Digest angel away.

Well on Saturday when we had the tree trimming Lisa gave me an early Christmas present.  She made another Reader's Digest angel.  This one will go in my curio cabinet so I don't have to store it.  Isn't it beautiful???????  What a wonderful present.

Tree Trimming

For the third  year in a row Lisa had her tree trimming party.  After coming home from Pittsburgh we had the Tree Trimming event to do.  She had the house all decked out with fancy little Christmas things, the meal cooking in the oven and the table set and even the craft table set up for the kids

David and Anthony had a great time making ornaments for the tree out of pipecleaner and beads and putting together a paper chain. 

The meal was wonderful and Lisa had little gifts for everyone.  She hasn't lost her touch for entertainment.  Norma, Dave, Jessica, Rich, John, Lisa,myself, and Don were here.  We missed Ben but he had to work. 

Roscoe Family Christmas

This past weekend was our annual Christmas get-together for the Roscoe Family.  For the second year in a row Anthony and Ryan were hosting it.  Rich and I left early Saturday morning for Pittsburgh.  It was quite calm all the way through Ohio and parts of PA but the closer we got to Pittsburgh the weather started to get worse with the snow.  The last part of the trip I spent with my head down and eyes closed.  Thank God we made it without incident.

After arriving at Anthony's and settling down we left for the Southside Works for our dinner at the Hofbrauhaus. There we met up with Warren, Dawn, Cameron, and Madison, Steven, Kara and Dakota.  What a wonderful time we had.  Laughing, talking and just plain enjoying a great time with the family.  Afterwards we went back to Anthony and Ryan's for dessert, coffee and drinks and a lot of storytelling and reminicing of the "good ole' days". 

  

The whole gang. 

  

Steven, Kara and Dakota

 

 
 
 

Warren and Madison