Gardening

Ron built an 8 foot square raised garden for me. I have so little space with sunshine in my yard that it was hard to settle on where we would put it. There was quite a bit of discussion on the maple tree in the center of the yard. It stayed. The garden gets sunshine all morning. Hope it's enough. It's been  fully 20 years since I've gardened. I am already excited for fresh geen beans. And you may expect my zucchinni abundance somehow...in the fall!

And the bottom picture is Ron's Hollyhocks. He planted them last summer from seeds he harvested around the area. A hollyhock here, a hollyhock there. It takes two years for them to bloom so this is their year! They also are hogging all my garden sunshine. Oh well...

Back to the Garden

I am so excited! I am getting a garden this year! One of the problems with this wonderful tree filled yard has been finding a space with sunshine enough to grow tomatoes and beans and onions, peppers and more. I haven't had a real garden for more than 8 years now. But this year, Ron is building a raised bed- well, a larger one and two small ones to put in a sunny spot at the east edge of our lot. He should have it done by the first of May so everything can be properly planted and better yet so that things can produce properly. Last year I put in 4 tomatoe plants on the north side of our garage. I watered and weeded and got long leggy tomato plants and exactly two tomatoes one day late in August. Very disheartening. So pictures soon I hope!

Our Girl

Here she is! Two already! That happened so fast. She is a blessing and a delight. We had a great Easter weekend with the grandkids. I must confess that I slept nearly all the way home. I didn't think I was so tired, but they do have a lot of energy. We ate, hunted easter eggs, played with birthday presents, blew bubbles and more. That sounds pretty tiring doesn't it? What Can I say? More weekends like this please!

Sunday Evening

Have you ever had something relatively small hang over you like...a sword? ANd then have a whole day , a whole weekend really, hurtle toward that one dreaded moment? The day before I can put it out of my mind and because the weather is nice I can push it to the back. Today though I find myself growing more irritable and anxious. It's so dumb I tell myself. I can get through this. But I know that a lot of how I feel is because I really don't do well at this and I do a crappy job in front of a whole lot of people. Is it possible to offer this up? To ask God to take all these really bad feelings, this dreaded thing and ask Him to make something positive of it? IT's the only hope to make this into something positive I think....

Dancing

I am learning to dance. Seriously. I never thought I could do that because 1. I am pretty uncoordinated and 2. I am more than 50 years old and have never danced. Can my brain be taught something that new? Well as it turns out, I guess I can. We are dancing every morning for 5-10 minutes at work. Brenda taught us our first one. Can I tell you how much I enjoy this! Oh my! We're dancing to Alan Jackson's "Good Time". I hate country music. But I'm rethinking that all of a sudden. I found a place where I can go to learn more. Anyone want to come with me? This has been great for me!
Oh and in a couple of weeks, I'll have some pictures to post to prove that I'm telling you the truth about this!

Making time stand still

I remember clearly my father in law telling me how I should cherish the moments with my young children because time would fly by faster than I planned. That was more than 30 years ago and now that I'm approaching the age that he was when he told me that, I can only nod in amazed agreement. If only there were some way to keep time from moving so fast... So, I've created a list. My list of moments to freeze in time:
(in no particular order)
My father walking me down the aisle
Bedtime prayers with my children
bike riding on summer days with my kids
hearing my grandfather's voice as he reads to me
sunsets-
on the farm in Illinois as I ride westward on my horse Stormy
At Webb, during the eruption of Mt. St. Helen. There were spectacular weeks of them.
In the Boundary Waters as the sun sank into endless lakes
Horseback riding, toward home, looking at the clouds and wondering about heaven
The first time I sat at my desk at my first full time teaching job
Supper table prayers with my family.
Birth-days as I examined every toe, and finger and perfect eyelash
My kids laughing and playing and arguing together
Softball/baseball games at Webb with community all around
Isaiah's birth-his very first cry.
five baby grandchildren cradled in my arms
Holding Phinehas' hand as we walked down the street, sunlight shining in his golden hair
Watching Ron hold and pat and sing to his children, to his grandchildren
Sitting in IHop with Jeremiah as he drank glass after glass of lemonade
Watching my children's baptism
riding in a blue impala with the fella that would one day be my husband
holding a newborn Simeon and seeing his red gold hair for the very first time.
Walking through the streets of Clinton after driver's ed on a warm fall day dreaming about the future
listening to a babbling baby girl tell me about her day
A car ride home from a family event when I was a child, seeing Orion bold and bright, the same one that I see in the evenings even tonight.
Yes. I would make time stand still if I could. "Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart.”

Working adventures

Weekends have me longing for ...longer weekends lately. I have always been passionate about my job but lately, well I've had room for stewing. The water heater in my office ( yes my office) went out yesterday. It soaked the carpet in my office and will take a chunk out of my budget somewhere. The fire chief rushed into the library this afternoon while the repair man did some soldering because he set the fire alarm off. That, my friends was mildly entertaining but not something I want to repeat. A phone call yesterday has given me lots to ponder, but mostly about ny real capabilities. I'm thinking I'll have to say "No" to this request. City council though, seems to be pushing things forward in unexpected ways that can't be made public yet! Then we should talk about my memory which doesn't seem to be functioning properly these days. I have a new employee starting in a week or so and I worry about the orientation . Poor girl really doesn't know what she's getting herself into methinks. So, now you all know why I have to go to bed early every night. And why an extra weekend day woul be very nice!

Faith and Doubts

In St. Paul tonight. A conference. We got here last night, late. Like past midnight late. You would have been proud of me. I was wide awake. I think it was adreneline flowing. I drove into St. Paul right straight up 35W into St. Paul having to totally trust the GPS. When we first got that thing I didn't have any trouble trusting it. The GPS led us faithfully exactly where we wanted to go. Then one time it didn't. We went miles out of the way in fact. So should I trust this thing or not? Well, since I didn't have a map open and it was dark, and I had no idea how else to do this..I listened to the GPS. What do you think? Is this really faith? Is it faith by default? There sure were plenty of doubts mixed in as I looked around and wondered if I shouldn't be heading off in a different direction. I kept heading in the direction Miss GPS was telling me, despite my misgivings. And. Here I am. Right where I wanted to be all because I kept going despite my doubts.

DST

Clocks set ahead. check.
To bed early. check.
Dark when I wake. Again.
But on the plus side I am enjoying a 'longer day'. :)
When told the reason for daylight savings time the Old Indian said, "Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to and have a longer blanket."

I've been thinking.

1. Ready for outside activities: biking, hiking, camping, swimming, walking the neighborhood, having brats uptown on warm evenings.
2. Finish the bathroom remodel...please soon.
3. Reconfiguring our yard for a fire pit.
4. thinking about a vacation...YES!
5. Time to put in the new upstairs windows. Wouldn't it be nice to get a new carpet up there as well!!
6. Take time to have lunch out of the office.

Yes. These few things are plans for spring. It's almost here.

Just build me another book shelf

I really enjoy using technology. Love love love my ipad, laptop,kindle fire, phone and whatever else there is to fiddle with. Love experimenting and learning new stuff, but here is my big confession today: I really perfer reading from a book. Real live paper book. Skip my nook, my kindle, my ipad for the book and head right to the printed on paper book. Someone said to me today something that made me nod my head in total agreement: No, don't buy me one of those nook things I'd rather have a book. If I run out of room build me another book shelf. Yes.

On "Winter in the Heart"

I really thought I hadn't done any blogging for way more than a year, but I see that it is not so. I have pictures from Christmas 2010 and even a post from 2011.

It has been a long year of...well, probably normal things, but some that are not quite so. Once mom died I didn't think things would ever look the same again. And really, life has gone on very differently. Well, differently than I had planned I guess. But still, the good things: There has been the family-kids and grandkids; a joy and a blessing. There has been work; something I've always loved now coming into closer perspective. There has been home life;really I must focus on a bigger picture. There have been friends; they bring focus and keep me from myself. Thank goodness. There has been church; I am reminded that this life is not about me.

So, while I sometimes feel a bit aimless and confused and find that I am still struggling, I am not without hope. I have seen blooms coming up through the winter snow, Robins singing before the winter storms, clear signs of coming spring. Faith takes hold...

On forgiving

I have , like many others, been in this position many times.. Needing to forgive. From experience I know i must find a way fo let this go. Really, the hurt comes from a direction i wasnt expecting, and I'm pretty sure these people really have no idea. There are clearly two sides to my heart in this, you know, the one that is so crushed and dismayed that it insists on clinging to the pain. I am trying not to cuddle up to it, or to let it grow in me, but I sense it taking root. Yesterday I heard from my pastor that forgiving doesn't mean that what was done is ok, or that it somehow makes everything fi e, it just gives you ( me in this case) release. I so need that. I need to let this go. I need to not nurture this pain let it root and take hold of me. I think too, that it's not like I've never unintentionally, or even intentionally hurt someone. I have graciously received forgiveness many times. I guess the other huge struggle is in knowing what my continued responsibility to these people is? Do send them birthday cards. Invite them for meals? Call and chat like I used to on occasion? I want to ignore them nd just cut them off. Nicely of course. If I never saw these people again that would be fine with me, however I suspect forgiveness won't let me off quite that easily.
"this is how the heavenly father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart"

Gratefulness

I saw someone else doing this. On their blog. I wondered at the numbered lists, but when I figured it out I realized what a great idea it was. Actually I read a whole book about this: Developing the habit and attitude of gratitude. I led a Sunday School class for 8 weeks where we dove into developing gratitude in our lives. It is a very appealing quality in other people. In fact, I'm quite drawn to people who are creatively thankful. By that I mean, they go above and beyond just saying Thank You. They actually ACT thankful, and tell others how thankful they are. Well, I don't want it to be too smothering or anything and really there's nothing wrong with a plain " thank you", but I do want to grow in my gratefulness. Perhaps that will keep me from my 'moodiness' (or sullenness if you will) It's a part of the 'LIVE OUT LOUD' move for me. So I have a new tool to help me. Well, not really new, just different and more fun. My IPAD. I put a journal App on it right away so it's my 2011 journal. I put away the pen and I am typing this year. So far, so Cool. My point? At the end of every day's entry I have space to reflect. I am listing 5 specific things that I'm grateful for. I may elaborate on what I mean, or it might just be a list. The point, of course, is to conciously think about all the things in my life that should make me truly a more grateful person. Then I will add one specific action that also shows more gratefulness from me. Like writing a thank you letter.... So. Want to join me???

Hands

The youngest and the oldest. How quickly time flies by. I have thought many times lately that I can hardly believe where I am in life right now..5 grandchildren? Aches and pains where I've never had them before. Married to someone nearly 40 years? Yes, time has flown by..

Christmas 2010

I see it's been months since I've done any blogging. So there's nothing like getting a Christmas letter via my blog. If you didn't get one in the mail, it isn't because I don't wish you a Merry Christmas. But Thank you so much to all for friendship, and support. Onward and upward in 2011, and we hope you all continue to be a big part of our lives.

What could be better than inviting all our friends and family into our living room and sitting with them to chat about our year! Oh wait, I do have a way-Our Christmas Letter! So come join us in our front room and listen in on our conversation:

Ron: So, Sue, I'll let you start with what happened this year. I don't remember much anymore.
Sue: Lots of things that happened this year could go in this letter. We should probably organize
things in a logical way. Chronological could work.
Ron: Perfect. So the first thing we should talk about is my garage. Just look at it. Big, beautiful, woodsy color, and we can even use it!
Sue: Yup, that one would work. However, you're not done with it yet. Aren't you still putting in electricity, putting up a ceiling or something?
Ron: Ok, I'm still working on it.
Well, I did finish putting in a new floor in our living room. That turned out pretty good don't you think?
Sue: Pretty? Yes. And it only took 3 months to do. We really should have more people over so they can see it. I don't think that's too interesting for a newsy Christmas letter, though. Good thing they weren't here in this living room when you dug those dead squirrels out of the chimney. Now that was gross. Poor Burt and Faith. They still don't know that that awful smell was right over there in that fireplace. I think we'll keep that to ourselves.
Ron: Ok, well then we could talk about my trip to the Boundary Waters. That was a pretty good trip
Sue: You didn't even catch any fish.
Ron: That hardly counts. The weather was great, the other guys caught fish and we got to canoe.
Sue: Well, take it away then! Did you bring your pictures? We could do a slide show here or something. I'm sure our friends and family will love all your pictures of water, trees, canoes, and fishing poles.
Sue: Or, hey, wait. Our biggest news was grandchild number 5! That should be at the top of our list.
Ron: You're right, April this year was a pretty big deal.
Sue: All 9 lbs. 13 oz of her. What a little princess.
Ron: As I remember that's exactly how big her father was! Oh, and her name. Her name, means princess; Sarah Elisabeth.
Sue: And here we are at the end of the year, and she's crawling and has teeth popping through. She's going to give her parents and brother a run for their money.
Ron: That reminds me, we had the other 3 grand-kids over for a few days in July while their parents were gone. That was adventure at its best.
Sue: You took them “camping” in the new garage and used them for manual labor.
Ron: They loved it, and don't tell everybody that. It sounds like we're, well, slave drivers. They did other fun things... Boat building, wii playing, picnicking days!
Sue: Ok, then, on to other things. I really think our friends and family should all hear about our one and only camping trip to northern Wisconsin. I mean after all, who wouldn't be jealous of a trip to a place filled with giant mosquitoes, no electricity, pit toilets, and bathing in the lake.
Ron: Oh, hey, that's pretty negative. You forgot that I do all the cooking. The weather was perfect. We sat around the fire ring and ate s’mores and pudgy pies, AND we were there with friends.
Sue: shhhh..I just want everyone to know how “hardy” we are!
Ron: Well, we don't have to tell them exactly where we went. That would help.
Sue: Ok I think they got the camping idea anyway.
Ron: You forgot to tell everyone about the family weekend together in Cancun.
Sue: You're right, that's because we didn't go to Cancun. We went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.
Ron: Well, you're the one always wanting things more exciting. It'd be pretty exciting to take our whole family to Cancun don't you think.
Sue: Yes. Though, having 5 kids, 7 adults and a dog in one house was adventure enough. It was a lot of fun. I'm so glad we enjoy being with each other.
Ron: And what was the highlight of that whole weekend?
Sue: It had to be playing “Family Trivia”. Jon comes up with some good prizes. Weird questions, but good prizes. Though, admittedly I love the zoo, and the Lincoln's Farmer's Market.
Ron: I still can't believe they expected me to know what Simeon's middle name was...
Sue: At least he didn't make you memorize “Goodnight Moon” again.
Just think, they'll all be at our house again for Christmas. I have to come up with some sort of adventure for everyone. A non competitive ‘game’ this time.
Ron: How about having them help me put up the ceiling in the garage. We could make it a puzzle.
Sue: Maybe having a White Elephant exchange will be adventure enough.
Ron: We could start on the bathroom....
Sue: Maybe here would be a good place to tell everyone that you had projects galore at Amy's new house in Michigan and it's like, your favorite thing to do. Projects that is.
Ron: I suppose. I didn't end up at the doctor's and the Chiropractor's after I was finished like I did after spending a couple hours picking strawberries in June.
Sue: Yup, I think it's time to summarize. We promised not to talk about doctor visits. We really had a pretty good year, don't you think.
Ron: We have.
Thanks for joining in on the conversation here! There's no question that we have seen answers to prayer, God's faithfulness to us and our family.
“admonish….encourage….help…be patient…But always seek to do good to one another and everyone. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks. He who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it.”(I Thes 5:14-16,24)
We don't know what the next years will hold, but we do know that God is faithful. We wait in great hope and expectancy for 2011 and pray for you to know God's grace and love...

Cousins picture

Ok, so here I'm trying to get just one picture of the 5 grandkids together. We start with the 4 boys until we can quickly (and I really mean quickly) get Sarah in place to get a shot of them all. As you can see, the results are pretty hilarious. Well, for me anyway. Simeon is obviously not too happy with this process. Ah well, it will be funny some day! And, all 5 of them are in the picture.

Wisconsin Camping

As you can see from my pictures we had the best weekend in Wisconsin. Granted, we didn't do a whole lot, but I think that's what camping is all about! I don't think I've seen skies so blue in awhile. The tree colors? Beautiful. Hurrah for camping. Eating, sleeping, walking...oh yes, and we talked. Our conversations these days revolve around retirement and aches and pains. Yikes, it is scary. Are we acting like old people? Maybe just acting our age. That's sad.

The Sycamore Tree

(sycamore) (Basswood)

Orange City has two beautiful, huge Sycamore trees that I walk past on my morning walks. They are so splendid I decided I wanted one for myself and our back yard. So we've been looking. and looking. In my research however, I discovered that the Sycamore is a space hog. It gets so huge it should be planted by itself in a space because it takes up so much room. Since we have quite a few trees in our back yard already, we thought maybe a different tree would fit better. So we went with the Basswood tree, a.k.a. the Linden Tree. (I did not know that before) The Basswood is also known as a Bee Tree. You can guess the reason for this, Bees love its blossoms and incredible fragrance. In fact, Basswood tree honey is highly sought after. (Though it won't make much difference to us since we aren't keeping bees as well) It too, is a beautifully shaped tree and grows quite large. There are several of them in our neighbor hood as well. So Saturday, we stopped at Del's Garden Center in Spencer and found our Basswood. We are taking out a spirea bush plunked in the middle of our yard and replacing it with this lovely Basswood. Now if I can just live long enough to see it as big as the one across the street!

Is This Heaven?

Lynn and I took an afternoon and headed to the Adam's Homestead Nature Preserve near McCook Lake near Sioux City last week. We've ridden our bikes on this trail before, but it is so beautiful we had to go again. We were not disappointed. The day was picture perfect. Lynn had made us a lunch and we stopped along the Missouri River and enjoyed the afternoon. I know this is one picture I have in my head that I want to keep. Thanks friend, for dragging me out of work to go do this. It was lovely!