Gramma Hazel is Home

Gramma Hazel was born in 1917 in Franklin, PA, the oldest of 4 girls.

She was married to her high school sweetheart, Ira, for 57 years and was a devoted mom, always home for her family.

She was a hands-on grandma, who didn’t hesitate to get on the floor to play, whether it was a game, cards, or puzzles.

She was always up for Rumikub and Scrabble.

Gramma Hazel was a perfect example of an independent woman, always making the right decision, even though it wasn’t always the easy one. She was able, even as she aged, to take some suggestion and make it her own idea, like when she decided to stop driving and sell her car at age 90!

She was a huge Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians fan. She loved her LeBron James – Shaq, not so much!

Mom’s motto was go-go-go, whether she was baking cookies and shopping with her girls. A lot of people are not fortunate enough to have their Gramma live as long as she did and we know how lucky we are.

We will miss her so much!

(The above was taken from notes to be spoken at her funeral on Monday)

I'm torn because part of me wants to be in Ohio for her funeral and the other part of me knows she would have told me to stay home. Like my mom says, it's far more important to spend time with loved ones while they are alive than at their funeral.

Personally, I will always remember Gramma by her clip on earrings, Chanel No. 5 perfume, the way she'd pat her wet curly hair to make it dry just right, how she'd fall asleep mouth WIDE open while reading the paper and then totally deny that she was sleeping when we caught her, her soft wrinkly arms, the way she said and called me "Honey", the way her old house in Kent smelled, and how much she loved to play games. I'll especially remember how she'd proclaim "Pass!" when she didn't have the right cards or tiles for her turn. So cute. She could still kick butt in RummiKub!

I love you Gramma!

If anyone is reading this from Kent, the services are:

Monday January 18, 2010

S.C. Bissler & Sons
628 W. Main St.
Kent, Ohio
330 673 5857

Calling Hour 1 - 2, Service 2pm

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Hospice of the Western Reserve
300 E. 185th St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44119

In memory of Hazel Kline
28520 Westlake Village Dr., B 122
Westlake, Oh 44145

Gobble Gobble

OK, so I know I'm over a month late. I'm horrible, but here goes...

We spent Thanksgiving with Zach's family this year and were treated to some time (albeit short) with Zach's cousin Janna and her daughter Briella who were in the US all the way from Guam.

She's a doll, isn't she??

That's baby Beckam in the background who was quite the ladies man. He's the son of one of Zach's high school friends who was over for dinner with his family the night we arrived.

They all thought the treadmill was great fun.

That's Janna reading with Tatum...

...and Zach with sweet Briella.

Double the fun in the tubby!

Tatum loved her first Thanksgiving dinner that she could actually eat. The gravy was her absolute favorite. She dipped everything in it and even scooped it with her hand and ate it alone. It was yummy, so I don't blame her!

Here's the whole family, L-R: Zach, Mr. Vince (Zach's dad), Mrs. Lyn (Zach's mom), Jennifer (Zach's oldest sister), Zach D. (Jennifer's boyfriend), Jennifer's friend (ack! I can't remember her name), Megan (Zach's other older sister), Miss T, and me (behind the camera).

We all agreed the gravy was the favorite and we need WAY MORE next year. I think it ran out on the 3rd round of left overs. NOT acceptable! :) (xoxo Mrs. Lyn!)

Hank found a cozy spot...

Tatum "played" the piano...

Aunt Jennifer got her "baby fix"...

and Tatum did her first "Hook 'Em!" (how cute is that???)!

We had the Zeller Christmas on Saturday since everyone was in town. Tatum was a doll in the adorable dress Gran and Pops bought her.

She enjoyed her new bicycle toy... good practice for when she gets a tricycle!

She also enjoyed pumpkin pie, well the whip cream anyhow!

Oh, and ALL the dogs came along... it was a LONG ride into town (6.5 HOURS). That's about 3 hours longer than usual. Tatum was such a trooper.

Zach had to run back to Austin for a surgery and then back to Flower Mound all before noon one day AND we had to leave way earlier than planned to get Zach back in Austin for surgery by noon on Sunday. Needless to say, Zach was DONE driving.

More to come about Christmas #2...

Meet Hank!

Introducing the newest member of The Zeller Zoo.... HANK!

We adopted Hank in November from Town Lake Animal Shelter during their Adopt A Senior Pet program. He is a 6 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound and extremely lovable.

In honor of Sara's memory, we chose to adopt a senior pet since Sara found us when she was 6 or 7.

Piper and Jack love their new playmate (who acts as young as they are) and Tatum loves him too. He took to her immediately and as of yet she has gotten the most Hank kisses.

If you or anyone you know are looking for a furry companion, please consider adopting from your local animal shelter or a rescue group! There are TOO MANY loving furr purrs out there just waiting for a forever home.