~Death leaves a heartache no one can heal...

But LOVE leaves a memory no one can steal~

Deer Camp...

Everyone knows that Mike was not a hunter, but he was definately a "man's man." Marsha sent me this email the other day, and well I just had to share it. I changed a name or 2, but it just seemed a little funnier this way:

It was that time of year again, and all the guys were at deer camp. No one wanted to room with Bob, because he snored so loudly. They decided that is was not fair to make one of them stay with Bob the entire time, so they voted to take turns.

The first guy slept with Bob and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot. The other men asked, "Man, what happened to you?" He said, "Bob snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night long!"

The next night it was a different guy's turn. In the morning, the same thing- his hair was all standing up, eyes all bloodshot. Once again the men asked, "Man, what happened to you? You look aweful!" He replied, "That Bob could shake the roof off a house with his snoring. I watched him all night long!"

The third night was Mike's turn. Now Mike was a tanned, older cowboy; a real man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. "Good morning!" he said.

They could not believe it! "Man what happened?" Mike answered, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Bob into bed, patted him on the butt and kissed him goodnight. Bob sat up and watched ME all night!"

i miss you a little...

There is a song John Michael Montgomery sings that I have always loved called "I Miss You a Little." It goes something like this... "I miss you a little since you've been gone, a few little memories keep hangin' on. I miss you a little I guess you could say a little too much, a little too often, a little more everyday." Today marks 36 weeks since you made your journey... I miss you a little too much, a little too often,

a little more everyday!
Love & miss you,

Ang

what a ride...

~Lifes journey is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body... but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting

"WOO-HOO! WHAT A RIDE!"

Mike you had a great ride... way too short, but you lived every minute of it to the fullest! RIP babe!

Love you always,

Ang

xoxo

bAcK fRoM BoIsE...

~Well Boise was a bittersweet trip for us. We had a great time, but of course we missed Mike. Lots of georgeous cars to see, glad I was not one of the judges! The Woodie took 1st in its class "Altered Street Wagons" and Mike won the Street Achievement award for Design and Originality. It was a great tribute to him. So with that said... here are a few photos from the show.

Enjoy...

aNgIe, SpEnCeR & wOoDiE

wOoDiE

aNgIe & ChArLiE

(the painter from American Hot Rod)

PaT, jIm & LiSa

JiM jOnEs 1957 ChEvY & wOoDiE

~Thanks to Scott & the rest of the New family for inviting us to participate, to big & lil' Jim's for getting the Woodie up there, Brandon for letting us use his trailer, my dad & Pat for hauling the Woodie home, Lisa, Shannon & girls and Mitch & Noelle for coming up, and my poor mom for staying behind and dogsitting (as always)!

~Love you all~

happy birthday baby...

Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday sweet Mikey...
Happy birthday to you!

I know that there is a HUGE party in Heaven today, and it is all for you! We love and miss you more than you will ever know. March 18th will never be the same here on Earth without you.

Love you baby... happy 63rd birthday!

~Ang xoxo

The Sky Angel Cowboy...

Pat Hall sent me this e-mail and I found it very fitting for Mikey's blog.

*Be sure to pause the music player so that you can hear this amazing little boy!

Thanks Pat!

And Logan... you are an ANGEL!

On the Road to Boise...

~Last year Mike was invited to take the Woodie up to the Boise Roadster Show in Idaho. However "chemo-land" (as he would refer to it) kept him from being able to go. So, this year Spencer and I are going to haul the Woodie up to Boise and show it for him. It is a 4 day show running March 12-15. We will post some pictures when we return!

Dear Dad,

I missed you. I missed you during the Super Bowl, of all things. It wasn't even the Cowboys! (Is it ever?) But, I missed you.

We wouldn't have gotten together for a big party. But, I would have called you. We would've chatted a bit about football...maybe the Cardinals. Maybe the fact that we couldn't cheer for the Cards because they're always playing the Cowboys...and where do my loyalties lie.

We would've eventually talked about the weather. It's beautiful here. I'm sure it's snowy and cold in Utah.

I would've said Good-Bye and most of all...

I Love You.

Oh Christmas Tree...

I just wanted to share some pictures of Mikey's little "hot rod" tree that we put up at the cemetery for him.

On December 23rd, Leavitt's has what they call their "Luminary Display". They light over 6,000 candles in honor of our loved ones that have passed. Here are a couple of pictures from that beautiful night...

And last but not least... Cindy went up on Christmas Eve and lit a candle at Mike's grave. Now we had some very wicked weather that day and on Christmas day as well. I mean it was basically a blizzard! But with a little help from his sweet spirit... that candle stayed lit until December 27th, when it finally burnt down to the bottom! What an amazing sight...

the big kid...

With the Christmas season well on its merry little way, I thought I would try and do my best and try to enjoy it. Only 1 problem... all that I can think about is Mike! So, since he is always the biggest kid when it comes to this holiday, I thought that I would post a few pictures of Mikey when he was little kid! how could you not just love this innocent little face???

May this Christmas season bring out the big kid in all of us!

~Happy Holidays~

Love,

The Mannings

FREE TO BREATHE...

Even though we were not in North Carolina for the real 5k... we decided to have our own little "walk-a-thon" here in Ogden. We had a great time! We wore our "For the LOVE of Mike" shirts and walked the trail outside McKay Dee Hospital. The only thing missing was Mike, but I know he was right there with us... and he is now & forever "FREE TO BREATHE!"

Enjoy the photos...

~We love you Mikey~

Michael B. Manning

March 18th 1946 ~ October 29th 2008

~If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember... you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think... but the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.

~Winnie the Pooh

SPOOKALICIOUS!!!

~Mike is always the first to make everyone laugh... so in the spirit of the Halloween season here is another great laugh from Mike. These photos were from a costume party 2 years ago. He has got to be the sexiest drag queen I have ever seen... don't you think? Move over Dolly Parton, there's a new cowgirl in town!

~HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

Real memories...

Okay, the memory of camping with Dad and Ang is a little faint.





But, I remember a particular fishing trip at Flaming Gorge...It was me, Dad, and Jamie. We had sooo much fun. Jamie was playing the limbo on deck with "Chubby Checker". She would dance and dance to her choice of music.

Dad, of course, sat there arm on the steering wheel, shaking his head.

So, we were out on the rocks fishing. My dad was teaching me how to really fish. We were in a bass hot spot and determined to catch one. We were pretty dedicated anglers. Jamie was across the little cove from us...rockin' out on the rocks. As it started to rain, she was singing "Feels so goood comin' down" (Old 7-up commercial). Of course, she starts squealing because she accidentally caught a fish. We ran to help, but it was gone before we got there. She proved her method was the most effective by catching another just a couple minutes later.

Dad and I just sat there shaking our heads.


I love the Gorge. Cold mornings and chocolate licorice. Funny, I don't remember catching that much!


I love you Dad!

NOW I remember!!!

I can't believe I forgot about THAT camping trip...It was such a special one. I had soooo much fun. You're right Ang, I was a bit camera shy. I did manage to find a couple of pictures in my scrapbook.
That cabin was so beautiful.

Mmmmm...remember the steak and eggs in the morning? Yum!

...and that sweet little boy scout we found in the woods?! Dad's baked beans made him feel so much better!

What a good time we had. Thanks for the memories!!

Disco Down to Dee's...

When we went with Dad, it was always going to be something fun. We would go for a sleep over. We would go fishing. Or we might play in the pool in his backyard, eat apricots, and play catch. Most days ended at Dee's. I think this is where Dad and Angie's story started...

I have to know...

How did that go down? How did he first "ask you out"?

a little bit of mikey...

I just wanted to share with all of you a little bit about Mike that you may not know. Mike is a man of many talents, from building cars to playing the guitar; whatever he does, he does it well. We all know what a car guy he is and how talented he is when it comes to building them. He spends countless hours in the garage grinding and pounding, welding and painting... and in the end there is a beautiful masterpiece to show for all of his hard work!

Mike loves to play the guitar. He does not know how to read music, he plays by ear... and wow, the music he makes! As I said anything he does, he does it well!

Also once upon a time in his wilder days, Mike rode bulls and bareback horses!

However, the greatest talent of all... is that he is the best husband, dad, grandpa & friend anyone could ever want!

~ About 15 years ago, a very handsome and special man walked into my life. Mike is my best friend and the only man I will ever love. As everyone knows the last year and a half has been pretty rough on Mike, but we also all know that he is a very determined man and he will beat this ugly disease! Mike is also very fortunate to have the love and support of a wonderful family. The list of loved ones rallying behind him is endless. Everyone who knows him, loves him and is in his corner. We are both so very honored and proud that Monica and crew will be participating in the Free to Breathe 5k in November in honor of her dad. Thank you to all of those who are supporting Monica and Mike in this and also those who have been there throughout this trying time. Your love and support is what helps get us through... so keep it coming!

a long time ago...

I thought, I should blog about my dad. But, I tend to get all gloopy with emotion and erase it in the end. But, this one will stick. I may even let others read it, who knows.

Right now, I just want a place where we can all express our love and support for him.

So, please leave your love and well-wishes in your comments. We would all love a few more fighters in our corner.

Monica