Happy Birthday, Heidi!

I'm home now—got in this afternoon—after a wonderful time with Heidi and her family. This was an unusual time for me in Seattle since Heidi and Chad were in the middle of a move to a new house when I arrived. It worked out well, however, because I was able to help with the kids so that Chad and Heidi could do some things at the old house.

I really enjoyed playing with Marshall and getting to know Corinne better. Here are some of the photos I took.

This was Chad's birthday dessert: a strawberry/rhubarb buckle. His birthday is July 11.

Heidi created these beautiful blown glass bowls. The fur tree was carved from a large chunk of a sequoia tree. She asked for the chunk after the homeowner took the tree down. It was on her walking route. 

Family photo of Heidi holding Corinne, Marshall, and of course, Brian. 

Marshall enjoying Heidi's chocolate birthday cake.

Stuff

I can't recall a time when so many people were moving—many of them "down-sizing," leaving a home with several bedrooms and multi-levels, to homes with only a couple of bedrooms and all on one level. Most of them are in my age bracket, and thus have accumulated years of "stuff." Like me, their closets are stuffed, their dresser drawers are stuffed, the garage is stuffed, the kitchen cabinets are stuffed. When did we gather so much stuff?

Last year, when my cousin Pat was going through my Aunt Liz's stuff, my cousin Linda, my sister and I sat in chairs as she opened box after box, deciding what to keep; what to discard. At that time I went home with some "stuff" – really nice things, but where was I going to put them? Then a couple of months ago, at another "cousins weekend," Pat brought out more boxes and bins of "stuff." Again, I brought things home. Do you want to know the truth? I have yet to unpack these treasures because I have no room. My closets and hutch are stuffed.

In early May, my girlfriend Bonnie's dear 94 year old mother passed away. Bonnie, whose home is already stuffed, had to make big decisions about what to do with her mother's things. By the way, her mother's home was also stuffed. Bonnie offered her mom's TV to me. I thought about taking it, but felt so guilty about having more than one TV. Well, I took it and now have 2 TVs - one in my cottage and one in my bedroom. I'm actually enjoying it. I also took a beautiful china plate, a darling figurine w/music box, and a beautiful pear paperweight. These latter items I was able to put to use right away.

So now my friend Laurey is moving to a smaller home – she's downsizing. A few weeks ago she gave me a beautiful bird bath. I had no problem using this since it sits outside my porch. She also offered me about 40 movies—some still in the original wrapping. Well, I took about 25 of them. I know, my movie library shelves are already stuffed, but I couldn't resist! This past Saturday I went to her home to help her sort through things. Again, I came home with more stuff: pastel chalks, a couple of children's books, a darling bedroom lamp, and a teddy bear. I could have had more. She offered me a treadmill that has hardly been used. I declined. Where would I put it? She also offered me a GORGEOUS hard rock maple bedroom set. It has two lovely dressers, a beautiful maple framed mirror, a night stand, and a matching head and foot board to a double bed. I couldn't use the head/foot board, but the others pieces would have been beautiful in my bedroom. That was Saturday. I had to let her know by Monday night and move the furniture out by tomorrow. The decision was overwhelming to me: how would I be able to empty my dressers, arrange for a truck to pick up my pieces and deliver them to charity, and then go to Laurey's home to pick up the furniture and bring it to my home? I declined. Someone is going to get a beautiful bedroom set. Lucky them!

Now my brother has bought a new house—all on one level. Prior to moving, he and my sister will have to get rid of a bunch of "stuff." Lord, help me so I am not tempted to bring home even one thing from their home!

Seeing what my family and friends are going through, I have begun to get rid of some of my stuff. So far, I have cleaned out three dresser drawers. I threw some things away, shredded some paperwork, and have a bag of things to take to charity. It's a start!

My Big Toe

[This is not my foot—merely an example of what mine looked like this morning.]

It seems I can't go a full year without some sort of problem with my feet. Nine months ago I had a toe nail removed on my big toe due to an ingrown toe nail. That new nail is nearly full grown, and as of last week, it was getting painful. By yesterday, the area around one side of the nail was a vibrant pink. This morning it was red. Thankfully, my podiatrist had an opening today so she was able to look at the toe and evaluate it. The new nail is growing a bit curly - and thus, there isn't enough room for it. After numbing the toe, she removed a sliver of nail about 1/8th inch wide and then applied acid to the area, killing the possibility of any new nail growing in that area and thus allowing more room for the nail. She said it is 98% fool proof.

I'll be soaking it twice a day for the next six weeks, applying a medication to the area, and finally covering it with a couple of band-aids. The Novocaine has yet to wear off, so it's feeling fine.

Wedding Bells – 50 Years Ago

50 years ago this evening, I was walking down the aisle to be married to Steve. It was a beautiful wedding with my sister and Steve's sister standing up for me. Steve's brother and cousin, Mike, stood up for him. My cousin John was my page boy and carried my train. Our good friend, LeRoy sang a solo, as did I, and our home-town church organist, Irene, played the organ. My Aunt Liz and Aunt Ginny, plus others, had a big hand in helping me get ready—baking, frosting, and bagging the groom's cake—cherry devil's food.

That was a long time ago—a half century—and while we didn't live together happily ever after, we are friends, and share 3 amazing kids and 8 adorable grandchildren. We now share this day with our son, Peder and his wife, Sarah, as they had their "surprise" wedding on this same date, 9 years ago. Happy Anniversary, Peder and Sarah!

Voicemail

For the past six or more years, I have had voicemail from my telephone provider. It has been very nice, allowing me to save messages for years. I have many precious ones—Annika when she was about two years old. I could hear Rachel in the background telling her to leave a message and sweet little Annika says, "But she's not talking to me." I have some from Josiah thanking me for sending him Sir Topham Hatt and hearing him say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I have some from Heidi and Hans telling me "Happy Birthday, Mom," and "Happy Mother's Day!" There are some from Rachel who was just checking in. There's one from Aurelia asking me to go to supper with her. And I'll always love the one of Hans calling to tell me William has been born. But the one I really don't want to loose is from my Aunt Liz. I cherish it. Next week I will loose the messages because I am changing my carrier. What to do? Today I called my sister and brother to see if one of them has a tape recorder. Luckily Janet has one and is going to loan it to me so I can play the messages on my speaker phone and record them.  [I already checked with Centurylink to see if they can record them for me. No such luck.] I think my grand kids will think it's fun to hear their voices when they were so young.

There are letters, emails, and text messages (not yet from me), that are nice to read. But for me, there is nothing like hearing the voice of my loved ones.

Farewell, Uncle Allan

Today our family gathered at the cemetery in Lake Crystal for a burial service of my Uncle Allan's ashes. He passed away February 12th of this year. This is the same cemetery where my grandparents on my mother's side of the family are buried. We took this opportunity to put flowers on their graves.

Uncle Allan and Aunt Ginny's kids, my cousins: Dave, Linda, Diane, and John

My maternal grandfather's grave.

Pat graciously dug the holes for our red geranium plants. This grave is my maternal grandmother's.

Jerry, Linda, Janet, Pat and I standing at our maternal great grandfather's grave. Nels immigrated from Sweden, coming by ship and settling in Minnesota where he met and married our grandmother Valinda.

Ellie, John's wife, with Pudge

Cousin Linda; Pat with Aunt Ginny

Jerry with Dave and his wife, Cheryl

Dave, Diane's husband, with granddaughter Hazel

My darling first cousin, twice removed, Hazel

Preparing for the picnic. Our family has had multiple picnics at this park.

Dave, holding his darling grandson, Vance (Hazel's baby brother)

Remember the cousins' slumber party this past weekend? An idea came up that Pat could/should create a "gift" bag for Aunt Ginny and each of her kids. This is our cousin Dave opening up one of his treasures. This was really fun!

Here's Diane inspecting one of her gifts.

Was John pleased with this jug? Yes, I think so.

My cousin Diane holding her precious granddaughter, Hazel

L to R: Jerry, Pat, Janet, Dave, Linda, Diane, John and yours truly

Cousins' Weekend 2014

This past weekend my cousin Pat hosted a slumber party at her house for my sister, cousin Linda and me. It rained much of the time we were there, but that didn't keep us from having fun. We weren't there very long when Pat started bringing plastic bins in from the garage full of dishes – lots of them. These bins have been in storage ever since Pat and Pudge moved into Aunt Liz's house a couple of years ago. It was fun looking through them and helping Pat to decide what to keep, sell, or donate. Many, many things were offered to us; I restrained myself and came home with a little more than a one grocery bag full.

Pat (Janet and I) love blue glassware. This was a nice collection.

Linda seems overwhelmed with all of this!

Taking a break, Pat puts together a potato casserole.

Janet and Linda enjoying the walleye fish Pudge fried for dinner. Yum!

Pat and Pudge.

Memorial Day

MEMORIAL DAY POEM

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As Taps began to play.

The Chaplain led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say.

Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

Author unknown

I dedicate this to my son, Hans, who has already served our country more than half of his life. God bless you and your family, Hans!

Flag raising ceremony in my home town this morning

My grandchildren Aurelia, Leo and Felix

Felix faithfully put his hand over his heart when the colors passed by.

Bud Grant's Garage Sale

Bud Grant posing with the back of a stadium seat that has been painted in his likeness

When I heard Bud Grant, former Minnesota Vikings head coach for years, and now 87 years old, was having a garage sale—his final garage sale—I made it a point to try to go and at least look at what he was selling. I already knew where he lived because a friend of mine had driven me past it years ago.

The sale started at 5 pm yesterday, which is the time I get out of work. I hurried home, fed Nels, grabbed my camera, and took off. His home is just over 3 miles from mine. Never did I expect to see so many cars and people! They were parked bumper to bumper for blocks and blocks. I turned onto his street, driving slowing so as to not hit the pedestrians and other cars looking for a parking spot. When I was one house away from his, I noticed a man approaching his car with a poster in his hand. I stopped, waited for him to get into his car, start it up and slowing back out. I popped right into the vacancy. Talk about good luck!

Walking up to his driveway, I could feel the excitement in the air. There were probably 50 people already in line, waiting to pay for their finds. Others were looking at tables with jerseys, shirts, and other sports paraphernalia and a lot of hunting and fishing gear. I slowly bypassed them and walked up to a table that had a couple of plates with birds on them, and a darling Swedish candle holder. I guess the others were wanting sports memorabilia. Not I. I took a bird plate and the candle holder and made my way to the garage. In the garage, I picked up a couple more items and proceeded to the woman running the cash register. I walked up to her and said, I think I owe you this amount. She wrote up my items, took my money, and voilà, I had scored! Bud was seated just a couple of feet from me—signing books people were buying. I leaned in (right next to a TV camera man who was pointing his big lens Bud's way) and had my photo taken next to him.

After choir last night, I took a couple of my friends to my car to show them my purchases. They encouraged me to go back and have him sign a couple of my things. I stopped by his home on my way home from choir, but the family was putting things away for the night. They suggested I come back today, which I did.

Bud Grant was very gracious, taking time to talk to each person who had stood in line.

Happy 10th Birthday, Josiah!

Deep in thought

Josiah, communicating with a Sailor onboard Hans' ship.

Tomorrow my oldest grandson, Josiah, turns ten. I'll never forget the excitement of becoming a grandma. I was at Heidi's for a visit when Hans phoned me to tell me he was born.

Josiah is growing into a nice young man. He is handsome, sweet, and intelligent. I enjoyed spending some time with him in Japan last December. Though I don't get to see him or talk to him as often as I'd like, I think of him every day, and never stop praying for him. Happy Birthday, Josiah!

Celebrating Mother's Day Because of My Three Kids

For years, Mother's Day was a tough day for me because my mother had died. But that all changed when I became a mother. I'm the proud mother of these three kids, Hans, Peder and Heidi.

Peder, Hans, Heidi

Photo taken September 2008

These adult children of mine are now parents, and will be celebrating Mother's Day with their spouses and/or children. Words don't express how proud I am of each of them. There's not a day I don't think about them and pray for them. They continue to bring me so much joy and happiness.

I want to thank them for maintaining a great relationship with me and for making my life so happy.

Spring is here!

The weather really changed for the good this past weekend. It put me in the mood to get some flowers for outside my screened porch. It also spurred me into calling my brother and sister to see if they wanted to meet me somewhere halfway between our homes. Thankfully they were available and so we had a very nice time over lunch on Sunday.

For my way home, I decided to take an old U.S. highway that we took before the Interstate highways existed. [My kids may think the Interstates have always been around.] I drove from Owatonna to Faribault, enjoying the sights along this two lane highway. At one point I thought, my dad drove this same road. It made me feel good.

In Faribault I found the garden nursery that a local twin cities station has been advertising, Donahue's Greenhouse. They claimed to have a big variety of geraniums, one of my favorite outdoor plants. Pulling up to the curb, I noticed there were tulips blooming outside the building. Oh, how I love tulips! Walking into the nursery was wonderful! I have never seen so many gorgeous flowers in one store. Plus, there were beautiful bird baths, lawn decorations, and a big selection of items for fairy gardens—very popular now. They had an adorable fairy garden in a Red Ryder wagon. I was disappointed to not have my camera with me. But if click on their link, you can see for yourself.

I'm happy with the look of my plants and have been enjoying them very much!

Changes

It's no news that things are always changing – even furniture in our homes changes by the hour – more dust accumulating on it unless it is being cleaned. This week two big changes have been revealed to me: first, the building in which I work is being sold. That doesn't mean we would be moving. Rather, we would have a new landlord. Also, our current space may be reduced by 4,000 square feet, in keeping with our new lease signed earlier this year. So, my little cubicle office location may be changing. It may be a little harder to get a good parking space. These things are no big deal. The second development has to do with my church. The smaller campus at which I often volunteer in the choir, is having a change in pastors and is no longer going to offer a traditional service. Thus, no need for choir members. This affects many people.

On a broader scope, our church hired a new pastor last summer. With that, we are noticing more changes week by week. Do I like all of them? Honestly, no.

Change is often uncomfortable - moving one into new territory. For some, it goes unnoticed; for others, it is a hard pill to swallow.

In February, my Uncle Allan passed away. That has been a huge change for my Aunt Ginny and her kids. It affects me, too. I have always known them as a "pair."

Also in February, my granddaughter Corinne was born. She is a welcome change! For Heidi, Chad, Marshall and Brian, they have had to make adjustments, but for me, she is one more darling to love and care about.

There is one change I am anxious to have happen: I would love the weather to warm up and the leaves to break out on the trees. I am so anxious for spring and to be outdoors again. Bring it on!