Memories to Share

 I have a memory from my childhood that I shared with my grandchildren a couple of weeks ago.  I remember a bunch of us from the neighborhood going to the intersection of Hillview and Grunewald streets and picking cattails and milkweeds and "exploding" them all over the road.  We had a huge quantity of fluff in the road.  There was so little traffic back then that it seems we were there for at least a half an hour or more creating this pile of fluff.  We were trying to get into mischief but really there was no harm in what we were doing.  A couple of weeks ago on our Sunday walk, Pat got some cattails for the kids out of the ditch.  I showed them what we did as kids and they joined right in thinking it was just as wonderful as we did.  They waited for cars to come by and as they did, they slowed way down as to NOT disturb our fluff.  What a disappointment!  The cars were supposed to go fast so we could see the fluff fly!  Dumb people.

Yesterday we went for our walk again and as you can see, we made another pile of fluff.

 These fuzzy ones that Adam is holding don't make very good fluff, but the brown ones that look like corn dogs make great fluff.

 You can see that even Brock was having a good time.

 I don't know how many we pounded on the ground, but it sure seemed like a lot.

 At times it was flying around pretty good as you can see by what Clare is doing.

 Adam with his bouquet.

 Even Papa got into the act helping our little Brock.

 What a harmless and entertaining time we had.

 Adam liked to run through the flying fluff. 

Finally a car came that wasn't afraid to disturb our fluff.  We ran off the road so the car wouldn't have to slow down.  You get the idea.  Fluff was flying everywhere and the kids ran out into the road afterward to run around in it. 

Cami had it all over her coat and on her hands and in her mouth.  As she tried to get it out of her mouth, she would put more in as her hands were covered.  Then she tried wiping her tongue on her sleeve.  You guessed it.  More than ever was on her tongue then.  She was gagging and spitting.  It was really funny watching her.  I helped her and then her mom helped her until she spit all the cattail seeds out.  When they went home last night, they still had fluff on their jackets.  I'm glad I could share something so fun from my childhood with my grandkids. 

Trying Something New

On Monday I signed up for a fitness class.  This is the first time I've paid someone to work me out.  The reason I decided to do this was then there would be some accountability on my part.  There are 11 of us in this class and I think only a couple are actually more fit than I am and I'm NOT fit!  Monday's class consisted of being weighed and measured. YIKES.  Anyway, we had so much of that to do and instructions that we only had a 15 minute workout.  I felt it a bit on Tuesday.

Today was the second class and we got WORKED!  I came home absolutely beat!  I can't remember the last time I felt so exhausted after a workout.  My plan is to do some kind of exercise on the days when I'm not being worked by our trainer.  I'm guessing tomorrow I'm going to feel this one. 

Next Monday is cardio day!  I'm so glad I have several days to recooperate!

A Treasured Friend

On Saturday my friend, Sue passed from this life to the next.  She was only 55.  Last December she was told that she had approximately six months to live.  Well, that doctor didn't know Sue!  She was on month number 11.  She is a loving, caring, compassionate, giving, tender-hearted woman who will always remain in my heart. 

We met many years ago when she moved to this area and married a local man.  I was her visiting teacher when the two of us had small children and that was the beginning of our friendship.  It didn't matter that she moved away for ten years and we had no contact.  When she came back, we picked up right where we left off.  We talked about important things and we laughed together.  I think she and I were visiting teachers to one another or companions with one another on and off for probably 10 years.  I love this woman!

She never talked about herself.  Rather she would ask how you and your family were or about some other life events or community happenings.  She was a master at deflecting the attention on others.  She loved her children fiercely and maybe at times was guilty of aiding them too much.  Who among us isn't guilty of that?  When I would ask how the pain was she would simply say that it was there and then change the subject. 

I know this incredible woman had a difficult time in her growing up years.  I also know she lived on a very meager income for most of her adult life.  She always made it. 

When she came back to this area to live in 2004, she also made her way back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She was converted to the gospel and did her best to live it.  She gained a strong testimony and I think, finally about a year ago, came to understand that she was loved by many as well as the knowledge that she is a daughter of God and he loves her completely. 

Today I had the privilge of dressing her for the final time.  I am always amazed at the miracle that takes place when I have that honor.  At first, the body is just a corpse.  When we were finished I turned to look at her beautiful face and she appeared to be smiling.  I mentioned it to Clare and Gene and they both agreed.

Thank you my friend for allowing me the privilege to be a part of your life.  I'm at peace knowing that you no longer have to be in pain and you can move freely.  You are able to see many of your loved ones who have already passed on.  I know you are happy and at peace.  Until we meet again...

More Time Away

 It is so nice to have our boys old enough and capable enough to take care of themselves.  It's also really nice to have Clare so near by if they should need anything.  On Thursday we went to Chicago for Pat's work.  Then on Friday afternoon we flew out of Milwaukee on our way ot Provo and also General Conference.  We've been attending October conference in Salt Lake City for several years now.  I wasn't planning to go as I had some other things I wanted to help with.  With little Evie Mae making an early appearance, how could I not go?

With a delay in Denver (again) we finally arrived in Provo after dark.  We knew it would be dark, but it was even darker.  We got our rental car and drove over to Sammi and Jeff's.  This is where we got to meet our newest grandbaby.  She's absolutely perfect!

I had such a wonderful time holding, changing and feeding her.  Since I live in the central time zone, I was up way early.  This was the time of day Evie was awake and I could take her and let her mama sleep.

 On Saturday morning Pat, Erin and I went to the first session of conference while this little family stayed home and took pictures on my camera.

 It seems we cannot visit without there being some major laughter.  Several years ago there was a commercial from Arby's where they had a "ranch tooth."  Pat loved that commercial and Erin found it on the internet and Pat was off in laughter land once again.

 He said he needs to stop visiting Provo since this happened last time as well.

On Saturday evening we had a photo shoot.  Between me making the background and putting Evie how I wanted her; Erin taking the pictures and Sammi's editing, we got some great photos of our little angel.

I can't wait until the end of the month when they come for a visit and the rest of the family gets to meet their newest niece, cousin, granddaugher, etc.

It was a wonderful weekend that went by way too fast.  By Monday evening we were back home by our boys. 

A Quick Weekend "Away"

 This spring we attending the Dollars for Scholars banquet and won a few really great prizes via raffle.  One of them was a weekend at Captain's Cove which is just a few miles from our home.  It came with a casino package which obviously we didn't use.  The last weekend of the month we had the perfect weather and stayed two nights in this little "park model" home.  We invited the kids out on Friday night to go swimming and then again on Saturday afternoon after Andrew's soccer tournament.  We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.

We also played on the playground.  I love this picture of Cami and Adam looking down the slide.  I'm not sure what Adam was doing, but it sure is cute.

 Just prior to sending Brock down the same slide I grabbed this picture of he and his mom.

 I think Andrew thinks he's too old to come do fun family things with us.  But, he had a good time on the playground as well. 

 Then there were random races.  Most of which included Tom.  It's one way we can get him some cardio excercise without him knowing he's doing it.

 Brock liked this swing.

 Cami climbing the "climbing wall."

 Tom winning until Andrew turned on the afterburners.

 Cami sliding.

 Clare beating Tom.  He looks like he's enjoying it.

 Like I said, Andrew pretends not to have any fun with us.

 One of the very few campfires we had this summer.  It was just too blazing hot to have one.

I was able to watch the R.S. broadcast from the park model.  The next morning we got up early and left for home.  We got ready for church and headed off to Shawano.  It's my birthday present from my sweetie.  We have to leave the stake in order for him to sit with me.  We enjoyed their Primary Presentation.  Then back home to have dinner with the family.  A wonderful weekend "away."

Chicago

My sweetie had to travel to Chicago to train the new mechanic in the Chicago North FM Group on Thursday.  He met with Justin at a couple of buildings and is meeting with him again this morning at a couple more buildings.  Since we're flying out of Milwaukee this afternoon on our way to Utah, I came along. 

Can I just say first and foremost how grateful I am for Randy and Patrick in keeping our buildings so beautifully maintained?  Not that these buildings are falling apart or anything, but there are so many things that just make me shudder.  For example, the live flowers sitting on the organ in a terrarium of water.  I happened to glance over at the grand piano to see the water spot damage on the top of that instrument.  Apparently no one is concerned that the same thing may happen to the organ.  I understand that these buildings are used more heavily than ours in Wisconsin (meaning multiple units per building), but most of them are messy to say the least as well as having junk and piles of things on tables.  Makes me nuts!

The next thing I have to be ever so grateful for is that I'm so thankful to live where I do.  Sure, I have a 47 minute drive to the stake center and a 3+ hour drive to the temple, but I don't care.  The traffic and buildings are crazy!  The new mechanic is from small town Idaho and his wife is having a difficult time adjusting to living in this huge city.  On the plus side, I had 25 scores this morning so that would make a commute fun for Tom.

On our way to Provo when we're done here so we can see our girls (and Jeff) and meet Evie!  I'm pretty excited to see her and hold her and kiss those chubby cheeks!

50 years

 

50!  Can it be?  How did I get that old?  I guess one day at a time like everyone else.
I had an amazing day.  If every birthday was this great I'd take one every week.

First of all, I woke to find that some kind youth from the ward/community had decorated our trees and shrubs with some beautiful white "streamers."  How did they know it was my birthday?  It was also homecoming week and a lot of people got the same decorations in their trees.

My amazing visiting teachers came for a vist and brought gifts.

MaryEllen brought over her mom's refrigerator cookies that I love. 

I took a treat and lunch to the guys and Rosy at the mill and mowed the lawn while I was there.

My sweetheart bought me a new suit and a new swimsuit and cover a few weeks ago, so I already knew that was happening.

I went to officiate volleyball in Neopit and came home to a wonderful meal prepared by my sweet daughter, Clare.

All of that made me feel special and loved.  (I already knew that, but it is always nice to be reminded.)

The most amazing thing that happened was a gift from my dad.  He doesn't usually give gifts; only cards for birthdays.  He gave me a gift that I never expected.  He did something amazingly generous for me.  No, I'm not going to tell what as it's deeply personal.  The point is, in doing what he did, I realized how much the Savior loves me.   In my dad's generosity, I realized how that made me feel.  Then I discovered what it feels like to be truely humble.  I don't feel worthy of the generous gift offered to me, nor do I think I deserve it.  But, he gave it because he loves me.  

If I feel this way knowing how much I'm loved by my daddy, then how much must Christ love me to take upon himself my sins and open the way for me to be forgiven?

I cannot express in words what is really in my heart.  I can only say that I am blessed beyond measure.

Happy 50th to me.