HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE

She may only be three but she know what she likes....things like cousins,


Buzz and Woody,

Horses of any kind,

Golf cart rides,

Dora,

chicken soup and much more.

Happy Birthday Nattie!

ANOTHER BLOOGER IN OUR FAMILY

Dana sent me an email to let
me know about the newest
blogger in the family.

We all hope that this
post is updated frequently.

I think she is a cutie and
it isn't just because I
am her Great Aunt Kathy.

STILL CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY

Being an Ottersbach from birth means eating out is important to me. Robin always said that if the tires on our car passed our mailbox we thought we were suppose to go out to eat. We have blamed this on Grandma Lucy but I am sure we have all carried this tradition much farther than she did.

Since I am basically a 'home body' I have altered this to call in your order, pick it up and bring it home.

I bragged about Cheeseburger in Paradise so much that Todd, Christa and the girls sent me a gift certificate for my birthday. I like it when you get a gift certificate and it can be used at different restaurants and this one was like that.
The winner was...



Lee Roy Selmon's is right next to Cheeseburger in Paradise and we love them both. That is where I chose to order from. It was delicious. We had Fried Green Tomatoes with a sauce, Beef Brisket, Smashed Potatoes with mushroom gravy. It not only tasted wonderful it looked good too. I took a photo to post but in a 'stupid moment' I deleted it from my camera when I was trying to delete some other photos so just trust me it was GOOD.
Thanks again to Todd, Christa, Anna and Sarah.

SEEING DOUBLE?

Remember these guys from my Dec 20, 2006 post? They are still smiling but growing like weeds.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

You have all heard that phrase used before.
When I turned 50 I got 'THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING'. That year I got a newborn baby. For my 51st my gift was a cute little one year old. With each year my gift changes and becomes a different little person that does new things and changes just a little. This year my gift is a spunky little 4 year old that will constantly be growing and changing until our next birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! I know it started for you even before mine started but our date is still the same. I love you.

Note from Kathy

Dana said that hospice came yesterday and brought them some equipment to make it easier for Robin to be more comfortable at home.

John Rott, our pastor, went to see Robin when she was in the hospital. He told her that while he was praying for her God told him that he (God) was going to heal her. Robin has said all along that it is in God's hands.

We all know that God's love is more than we could ever imagine and is will see us through!

RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL...

and planning on going to Louisville tomorrow. Robin, Dana and Emily are getting on a plane tomorrow afternoon so keep them in your prayers.
She was talking and moving around much better last night and determined to go to her class reunion. She was very tired but looking forward to getting to sleep in her own bed last night.

ROBIN UPDATE

EMS took Robin to Cape Coral Hospital last week and they discovered that she had swelling in the brain and a blood clot in her leg. They put a screen in to catch the clot if it moves (so it won't go to the lungs) and they changed her medication to get the swelling down. Last Friday she could not say the words she meant to say but is doing much better now. She will probably have to cancel the trip she had planned to go to Kentucky but she is having a hard time accepting that. The nurses say she just isn't physically able to make the trip. I will try to let you all know how things are progressing.

# 200

This is my 200th post to my blog. Since updating family news was the reason I started it I thought that a picture of some of my family members was the appropriate way to celebrate the occasion. We all went to Robin's the other day. (We in this case is David, Nik, Troy, Masion, Hunter, Chloe, and Bryce. Robin, Dana and Emiley were there. Tara and Nat were at school)Getting everyone in a photo is just too much like work so here is a photo of some ot them.

"FRESH AND CLEAN" NATTIE

Just like the Barbie dolls, Natalie comes in many varieties. One of my favorite is this one. We find her after a long soak in the bath tub. Fresh, clean and very loveable.

YEAH FOR THE WEEKEND!!!

I am looking forward to the weekend and I think maybe lunch at Cheeseberger in Paradise is in order. David and I are free this weekend and if it doesn't rain maybe we will enjoy the pool and just relax.

Dana and Emiley are flying in tonight so we will have to go to Robin's to see how much Emiley has grown. Look for a photo of them next week on my blog.

DON'T PAY THE RANSOM...THEY LET ME GO

That is a line we use around our house whenever we return after being gone longer than expected. It is usually used to get the person that has been waiting at home to laugh so you won't be in trouble because extended absence.

It has only been a week since I posted but I just haven't had time. I have been busy. I keep hoping my life will slow down just a little but I don't think it will be anytime soon.

I am working Mon - Fri 9-5. I have Natalie Sun, Mon and Tue nights, taking her to daycare Mon, Tue, Wed morning before work which means taking care of food baths and entertainment for an only child (and we all know how high-maintainace an 'only child' can be). She is getting to be more fun all the time. The pool and the golf cart are still big deals to her.

I am going to work on books at church 1 or two nights a week (the good news is I think I am catching on to their system). I had to go to the doctor this week and I took Robin to her doctor on Mon. I am trying to get back to the gym 4 times a week so therefore the little time left is spent doing little chores of life.

Robin started taking Chemo tablets this week. Five days on, twenty-three days off.

Dave hasn't been playing much golf lately. He did play last week with the pastor of our church. (I don't think either one of them did too well). Dave is planning to go to Maine in August to see Brad and we are seriously considering a trip to Germany in May (That means we have to get these forms filled out for passports). Life is busy but God is good!

JOSHUA

I fell in love with this little fellow 20 years ago. He was the cutest little thing you have ever seen. He was smart. He loved balls, balloons and Toddie. He liked the rest of us OK but never as much as those things.







He could keep us laughing with the things he said
or did. Winking before you turn 2 was always a good trick to amaze the adults around you.

This kid was teased tourtured and encouraged to do things he shouldn't by every teenager around.

I tell you all of this so you will understand why I am so happy for Joshua now.

Dave and I went to his engagement party this week and meet his Bride-to-Be. She was charming and from all the things I have learned about her, an answer to all of our prayers.

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH!!! ALL OF THE JOHNSON'S STILL LOVE YOU AS MUCH AS WE LOVED THAT CUTIE WITH THE WINK.

MMMMMM GOOD!

The day finally came to try out the Mother's Day Gift/Sushi Instructions ...after a stop at the Bagel Factory, a walk on Ft Myers Beach and a workout at the gym Dave and I went to Blue Pepper for fresh tuna, the oriental grocery for other supplies and Publix for vegetables.

These are the ingredients I started with.













I did have a few problems with timing, but it was a very successful experiment. (Unlike my bread making experiences.)

But even though I am very proud of myself because it tasted very good, I think I will still go back to see my friend Noah, he is a professional.

OUR TRANSPORTATION SUGGESTION

Todd, Christa, Anna and Sarah are moving out of town and they are going to be house sitting. The owners of the house have a motorcycle (as seen in the first photo). Because of all the the patients Dave has seen after they had a motorcycle wreck we wanted to make a suggestion for a safer form of transortation for them. This would be large enough for the whole family and I am sure if Anna is taking care of the dog she won't mind one more animal to care for.

THE NOMADS OF THE JOHNSON FAMILY ARE MOVING...AGAIN

Yes, Todd Christa and the girls are on the move. This time they will be keeping their apartment and just house sitting in the country. From what I have seen in the photos it is a much smaller town but has a large Library/Cultural Center that their group has recently opened. I know they are excited about experiencing what God has for them and where could Todd be any happier than in a Library.

HE'S BACK

I can't be sure that this is the same one that was on our #3 tee on Labor Day but if it is he must like to come home for the holidays because he was sighted and photographed on another lake on the golf course over Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

HAPPY 7TH ANNIVERSARY TODD & CHRISTA

Even though it is tomorrow where they are it is June 3 where I am and I wanted to wish Todd and Christa a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

(Due to poor computer skills this was not published yesterday when it was suppose to be)

CELEBRATE

Robin turned 58 and we went to Tokyo Bay to celebrate the happy occasion.

The chef was entertaining.



Both of her daughters and granddaughters were there and looking good.




Dave and I got there early and started at the Sushi Bar. Wish you all could have been here to celebrate with us. We missed you.

HAPPY 58TH BIRTHDAY ROBIN

Robin turns 58 today and we are going to Tokyo Bay tonight to celebrate...hopefully photos will come.

MONDAYS

These are the kind of Monday's I like. I slept in until 7am, had coffee and devotions, went to the gym, went up to church to do the payroll checks and came home and made crabbies.

I wish I had gone to the oriental grocery on Saturday so I could try my new Sushi recipes but I didn't and I don't think that they are open today.

Dave and I used my Outback gift card that Nik sent for Mother's Day to try the new Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant.

It was very good. We both got Cheeseburgers. Mine was the 'signature' Cheeseburger in Paradise and Dave had the 'special of the day' Bluecheese Burger.

REPORTING ON OUR WEEKEND

It's Monday morning and I am back at my desk. Friday night we went to an Open House. It was the home of the parents of the owners of our company. (That almost sounds like a riddle.) Lifestyle Interiors did all of the decorating. It was beautiful!

Saturday morning Dave and I went to "yard sales". We bought Tara a mirror to go over her dresser, Natalie a horse beanie baby, 10 sheets of transfers for windows for Halloween and Christmas, two curtain rods with brackets and spent only $10. We went to the gym so that means we will be sore again this week. In the afternoon, we spent some time at the pool and then went to Robin's. I made Eddie Stackler's Oatmeal Praline Cake which probably nagated all the work at the gym.

Sunday morning we went to church. I had a Mission Committee meeting after church and Dave grilled steaks and chicken for lunches. Dave got a little golf in and I did some sewing on cushions for Robin's lanai. We started watching the movie Lakehouse but it got late so we'll finish that tonight. No real earth shattering news but we did enjoy a restful weekend.

SUSHI CHEF IN TRAINING

I got this for Mother's Day from Todd, Christa, Anna & Sarah. Now the pressure is on, I have to make my own Sushi just like the pros. The Chef at my favorite Sushi Bar has tried to give Cheryl and I some lessons but on a few occasions he to told us "no try this at home".

Eric, one of the designers at work, told me that it took him a few tries. He gave me a few more tips and after looking through my book said it was a really good one. Watch for updates and photos of the first few attempts. Even if I have a few failures while learning it should be entertaining.

,

COMPROMISE WORKS SOMETIMES

I call this dog Pluto. Natalie called him Goofy. We never did agree on that one but for her to let me put the big red bow in her hair I had to put one small red bow on his ear first. Wouldn't it be nice if all the disagreements in life were fixed that easily?

MOTHERS'S DAY RECAP

Yesterday was a very nice day. I got up and when I checked my email I had gotten an E-card from Todd.

Before we went to church Carol called to say they were coming down the first part of June so I got to talk to Mom then. She had called Friday when her Mother's Day gift arrived but I was planning on calling her on Mother's Day too. My mom is the oldest Mom in our family and she has done a very good job of teaching us all how to be good Moms.

After church, Carol and Tony came over for lunch and stayed all day. It was nice to get to spend time with them. It was David's and Carolyn's first Mother's Day since Helen died.

Tony brought his laptop and we got to see a lot of photos of their kids and grandkids. It was great! Their youngest grandkids are the twins and I would love to get my hands on them.

N called and we all got to talk to her.

The newest Mom in my family is Dana. Here are photos of her baby, Emiley and one of her and Jeff at the Garden of the Gods. (David and I took Todd there when he was Emileys age.

WEDNESDAY WAS A GOOD DAY

Wednesday was a full but good day. Natalie woke up all by herself. She was very talkative in the morning and was ready to leave even before I was or we had to leave to be on time. Work was busy enough to go by quickly but not so busy that I was rushed all day.

Tom treated us to a very nice dinner dinner at Shrimp Shack and then spent the night at our house. (I don't remember him ever doing that before).










After dinner I went to church for my second night of training. Walter, my instructor (and the guy that will have to correct any mistakes I might make) was leading a Bible study when I got there so I had time to figure out how much I had learned on Monday and what questions I needed to ask to get me past the places I got stumped.

When I got home I checked on the computer and saw that the girls in China were on so I called and got to talk to them too.

Robin did have her first radiation treatment yesterday. The staff was not very polite about her appointment because the wanted to change it and the scheduling staff said she didn't need to but she got that worked out and it went fine. Except for them being unkind to her it was a good day

RELATIVES COME AND FRIENDS GO

Living in Ft. Myers, Florida we are in a constant change of who is here. Jim and Bev some our close friends from Canada went home this week and won't be back until fall. Carolyn, Dave's sister and her husband, Tony are here for a couple of more weeks and Tom is in town this week.

Dave and Tom are playing golf today and we are all going out for fish tonight.

Dana and Emiley are coming tomorrow night.

I have agreed to be the assistant to our Financial guy at church. That means I pay the bills. I started training Monday night and go back for lesson 2 tonight. He is leaving town for the month of June so I hope I catch on quickly. I keep having this flashback of when I was in high school and I was the assistant to the Athletic Director during my study hall and after doing his filing for one day he decided that he should do his own filing. (For some reason his logical order of things was different than mine).

We now have Natalie Sun., Tue., and Thurs. nights and she is getting so grown up and so pleasant to be around. She loves books, the pool, movies, and David's golf cart.

IN WITH THE NEW

I might not be able to have as many people over at the same time but now I at least won't have to worry about the chairs breaking when they sit on them.

Come on over to visit and try them out for yourself.

FINALLY

After years and years of playing, with many "close" but "not quite" David made a hole in one.

On Tuesday April 17 on hole #10 he hit the ball and it fell directly into the cup. He was playing by himself. When he walked up to the hole and saw his ball in the cup he looked all around hoping that someone was watching. No one to the left or right, or in front or back. He even looked up at all the nearby condos for someone to witness this lifelong dream. The rule is that if it isn't witnessed it isn't real. (Golfers are like fisherman they sometimes embellish the facts.)

He couldn't help himself, he had to tell the story anyway. Last week when he got home from work he found a package on the porch. On the outside it was addressed to Dave and a note that said "I believe you Dave" signed Brad. It was a blueberry shortcake and it was delicious. Yesterday this trophy was in a box on the porch when he got home. The note said:
Congratulations on your Hole in One. While we didn't witness it, your word is as good as gold! HA.
Your golfing Buddies,
Connie - Phil - Brad
They also wanted to know if his new clubs contributed to this achievement.
Now he knows he made one but it would only have been better if his buddies were with him.

OUT WITH THE OLD

My new dinning room table chairs and barstools are being delivered Thursday so tomorrow we have to get the old ones out.

Mom and Dad bought this table, used, when I was 7 years old and we brought it with us when we moved to Florida. It has been refinished and our cats scratched it up again. We have had lots of friends and family gather around this table over the years but when we had friends over one night in February and noticed that the chair one big fellow was sitting in was about to come apart we decided it was time for a new smaller table with STRONGER chairs.

A LOVER OF QUILTS

My mother's mother made beautiful quilts.
My fathers sister, my Aunt Rea, helped me make my first quilt when I was 6 years old.
She and her daughter made Todd a quilt before he was ever born.
My Maid of Honor's mother made Dave and I 2 quilts before we got married.
Ona gave me instructions on hand piecing quilts via the mail 1000 miles away.
I use to have very good friends come to my home on Monday nights to quilt.
I helped my friend, Sarah, finish a Christmas quilt while she cooked Indian food for me.
I taught a quilting class at my last church (with students from teens to 7o's).
All through my life quilts have been connected to people I love.
I AM A LOVER OF QUILTS.

This is the quilt that Beulah made that I just got in the mail this week. It is old, well loved and worn thin in many spots. This one I won't use but I will cherish.

DAVID'S GRANNY JOHNSON

I have heard stories about David's Granny Johnson for 38 years but she died before I met David so I didn't know her personally.

Her husband, Papaw Jessie as I knew him, remarried. His second wife, Beulah, was a lady he knew from church. She was quite a bit younger than him but due to her health seemed much older than she was.

Beulah passed away earlier this year but I will always remember her delicious pickles and fudge. I am sure she could cook anything well but these two items were exceptional.

David's cousin is trying to settle the estate and contacted us to see if there was any of her things that we would like to have.

We asked for photos (or copies of photos) and one of Beulah's quilts or quilt tops.

Behind the photo of Dave when he was 4 or 5 years old was this photo of his Granny.

My next post will be a photo of the quilt.

NOT MUCH TO REPORT

This is just a catch up for the last week. I worked and did the normal things.

Last Thursday Tara took Robin to the Radiologist to discuss treatments.

On Friday David took Robin to the Neurosurgeon. They pretty much told us everything we already knew. They did schedule her to see the Oncologist.
Friday night Andy, Natalie's dad, took Robin, Natalie and I to Bahama Breeze for dinner then Robin and I went to Walmart to look for classy hats and scarfs. (She bought a hat.)

Saturday was a normal Saturday - go to the grocery and spend an hour at the pool. Saturday night Dave and I took Natalie and Andy to Cantina Loredo. Natalie has become quite pleasent to take out now. She is very well behaved and we are greatful that "Rochelle" has become a funny story from Natalies past. With all of Robin's bruises and scars it keeps Natalie busy kissing all of her boo boos.

Dana and Emiley are in Kentucky with Mom and Carol and Dana will be coming to Florida next.

So long until I get a chance to write again.

ROBIN IS HOME

Robin is home and "nurse Tara" is in charge and doing a good job. Dana and Emiley are going on to KY to visit Mom and Carol as planned and then she is coming to Florida for an extended period of time. She said that she had been away from her Mom too long and just needed to be with her as much as she could now.

The horrible events at Virginia Tech are just another reminder that things in this life can change at any moment. Thank goodness God does not change.

FEELING BETTER AFTER SURGERY

I just couldn't resist dressing her up and taking her picture while she was in bed and connected to all that equiptment. She is still smiling and enjoying her company. They did take her out of ICU and put her in a step down neuroprogresive unit. It is a 6 bed ward. She should get to go to a regular room today or tomorrow and she will start physical therapy to get her strenght back. Keep praying.

APRIL CELEBRATIONS

Troy celebrated his birthday this past week.

Happy Belated Birthday, Troy!

Christa will be this week.

Happy Birthday, Christa!

Hunter will be one week after Christa. Happy Birthday to you too, Hunter!

Sorry we couldn't be with each of you to celebrate but we wish each of you the best year ever and we want you to know we love you!

Robin's Surgery is Over

When she woke up last night she could see, no paralysis on either side and she knew everyone in the room. (Not to mention she is sporting a new hairstyle very similar to the one Brittney Spears had a few weeks ago.)

The doctors are waiting to give her the report of what they found but we know that God's decision is the important one and we are all continuing to pray!

This was her previous hairdo with Emilie (2nd granddaughter) in January this year.

Remembering

As I face tomorrow and Robin's surgery I am reminded of my father's battle with cancer. God is good and no matter what lies ahead I know he is with me but I weep at what may be ahead for those I love.

We all get so wrapped up in our own lives that we fail to do our part in the lives of others.

Robin is confident that she is in God's hands and that he will be with her in whatever she has to face. I praise God for his faithfulness and cherish the prayers of those of you...

PLEASE PRAY FOR ROBIN

EMS took Robin to Southwest Regional Medical Center yesterday because of severe nausea and stomach cramps and she was admitted last night. They gave her medicine for that and put her on a liquid diet. Now they will be doing more test to find out why she is having such bad headaches.