Feb. so far and pretty long!!!

The month has been pretty hectic with lots of ups and downs. The first weekend in Feb. we have our annual Scrapbooking retreat, in Des Moines. We get to stay at the best hotel. Fabulous beds with lots and lots of pillows. Just feels so wonderful to lounge to your hearts content, and not worry about laundry, meals, or anything else.. Then there is the bonus of spending time with some of the most fun women I have ever known, wait, not some, THE MOST FUN WOMEN I HAVE EVER KNOWN. There is never enough time with these women. Oh, and then there was the scrapbooking, yeah, we did scrapbook. I got 13 pages done. Here are some of the two page layouts I did.



All of these are for Katisha's albums. Since she is a Sr. want to get all of hers done. The two above, were of pictures taken this past Thanksgiving. The first one was done using a page kit I received from a friend, Gina. We had a page kit swap in our group, and this gorgeous kit was her contribution. The second one was from lots of stuff I had on hand. I don't recall who made the paper.

These last three were done with some of her senior pictures. The first one of these is from a page kit by Autumn leaves. The second one is part of a sketch challenge we did at the retreat. The third is a page kit from Heidi Grace. We played some games, and had tons of challenges to keep us motivated for the weekend. It was a very productive weekend.

The second week of Feb. was spent running lots of errands, and whatever, but mostly recouping from the late nights at the retreat. I'm thinking at 60, I just may be getting too old to stay up past midnight, and get up before 8. I think the body requires more sleep.

That week also brought on a lot of pondering. I started my group in Sept. 2001. I had met a few scrapbookers in our community, and just happen to have access to a place where we could get together. So I started doing a monthly crop. We started out with probably 6 or 7 of us at the very first crop. At one point we had 19 attend, which was actually way too many. The group had gotten to where we had 17 members, and usually had around a dozen in attendance In 2003 I started a yahoo group, just to help us better keep track of things, and to talk back and forth. We have had lots of ups and downs. Since this was my group, I was the one that everyone came to with complaints. There were several members that always made it a point to thank me for what all I did for the group. There were also some members that never bothered. Whenever I tried to take care of the complaints, then people would complain for trying to make things better for the group. Like people have said, "You can never make everyone happy".

So, as on Feb. 17, the Ames Area Croppers, no longer exists. About 1/2 the group, have let me know how sad they are that the group ended. I guess it didn't matter to the others. I know that I have sure felt much better since ending the group. A really huge weight off my shoulders. There are a few that I will miss like crazy. There are several that I will continue to see frequently, which I guess was a big problem for some.

Now for the saddest thing we have had to deal with for quite some time. On Friday the 13, some very dear friends of ours lost their beautiful 21 year old daughter. This family is one of the most beautiful families I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Ashlie's parents and her sister will be in our thoughts and prayers forever. This young woman taught something to everyone she ever came in contact with. Yesterday was her visitation, and it was truly one of the most moving events I have ever attended.

http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=20262925&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554450&rfi=6

I really want to say, live every day as though it were your last. No matter what a small deed someone does, don't forget to say Thank You, and Smile. Whenever you hear the mundane, "Have a nice day", don't forget to say, "You have a nice day, also". It just might make the difference in their lives, and might be the only smile they get all day. If you want a friend, you first need to learn how to be one. Be thankful every day, for all you have!!!!!

Tagged

I just got tagged from a super talented lady named Tiffany. If you haven't seen her work yet, you must check it out! For the tag, simply go to the place where you keep all your photos, scroll down to the 6th folder and choose the 6th photo.

Post the photo and describe it. That's it! Have fun!

This is a photo of me and the daughter of one of my bestest friends. I was in the delivery room when Jillian Jean was born, which of course makes me a little more partial to her. To be honest, this was one of the funniest experiences ever. Amazing what women in labor will admit to their best friends.

One of the greatest joys of my life is being a labor coach. Jillian was the 9th baby I have had the pleasure of watching come into this world. It is the biggest high in the world, to watch God's greatest miracle. I do have one question that I will never figure out, as long as I live. How can any man witness this, and walk away from this creation. BTW, Jillian's daddy is present, and a fantastic daddy.

Oh, I need to tag someone. Hmmm, Rosalie , Janalee , Gina and Joellyn . Sorry girls.

Seeing is believing!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, do you believe this. Never in my life did I think that this would ever happen. I really feel I have never had a racist bone in my body, and believe me, I am thrilled. I just never even thought this is something that might happen. I even thought a woman would run our country, before a black man. OMG, when a Catholic became president elect in 1960, my Lutheran family members were all in shock. Holy Cow, what would my ancestors think now?

My first encounter with people of color, were in the early 50s, and my cousins pointed out a "colored" person, in the grocery store, across from Welch Jr. High School, here in Ames. Since I lived in ALL WHITE, Norwegian Roland, I had never encountered such. I was told that if I said the "N" word, they would cut my tongue out. Imagine my fear, a year or so later, when my mom stood on main street in Ames, and actually talked to one of them. I remember being scared to death.

My next encounter, that I recall, was in the late 50's. Like I said, living in "white Roland", it was just a subject that never came up. My parents divorced in 1957, and my biological father moved to Des Moines. I recall him talking late at night, with my stepmother, about a "N" family moving into the apartment building, and how horrid that was, and it would mean all sorts of problems. The next time I went to see him, he had moved.

At the age of 11 or so, on one of our visits, my step sister and I walked to the Hinky Dinky store, and there was a little black girl outside the store, and Randy started playing with her. I remember distinctly thinking, "Why is my Daddy afraid of her?" Those were my exact thoughts. It really seems like a grown up thought, but I realized that she was no different that me and Randy.

There were very few encounters growing up in Story County, but I do remember never feeling fear, superiority, or anything negative. I know there was a curiosity, but I wanted to learn. I wasn't taught anything in school about the struggles of African Americans. The only teaching was briefly when talking about the Civil War. That was it. I graduated from high school in 1966.

I do remember an incident in the early 60s, where we had a gospel group of African Americans come to our school, and they told us they weren't allowed to stay in either of the two hotels we had in town. I found that appalling that they could come and perform, but couldn't spend the night.

In 1994, we went to Gulf Shores, Al. and stopped at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. The shock we felt when we realized that there were still killings of innocent humans, whose only "crime" was being born the wrong color, going on in the 60's. On our way home we drove through Mississippi, and faced one of the most fearful events of my life. My beautiful, gorgeous 4 year old, African American granddaughter stated she had to go to the bathroom, at the very same time we drove by a barn, with "KKK" spray painted on it's side. We found a restroom, separate from any other building. We whisked her in and out, and were on our way. I just never want my grandchildren to ever know fear and hatred because of the color of their skin. With this beautiful man holding the most powerful position in the world, hopefully they never will.

Thank you America, WE DID IT!!!!!!

Good Grief

I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged. Just going from day to day. We have been deluged with tons of snow, and horrid cold temperatures. I can't tell you the last time the kids had a full week of school. As Don and I get older, we talk about why we remain in Iowa, esp. in the Winter. I know, FAMILY. One of the advantages of being retired, generally don't have to go anywhere.

I have managed to get some scrapbooking done, but mostly have been sorting and purging all of my supplies. Got an album almost done this weekend. It is one I did of a girlfriend weekend. It went pretty fast, with lots of laughs, just remembering all the fun that we had. I am going to scan it, and probably post on Flicker, eventually. Turned out pretty cute.

This is a 2 page layout I did last week. I used Daisy D paper, and some embellishments I have had for ages. This is my granddaughter Grace.

This is just a simple page. The subject matter is my 16 year old grandson. He had found the Bumble Bee infant costume and put it over his head. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Well, back to the day to day. Nope, kids don't go to school today, some teacher's inservice thing. Maybe tomorrow.

Update on my moms

After all the ups and downs of all that has gone on, I have so much to be thankful for. My mom is home, and Dad is being a fantastic caregiver. We went to see her yesterday, and she looks wonderful. There will be another surgery/procedure, in a few months. There are still a couple of blockages, in her heart. Just have to wait for her to recoup from this one. I am just so thankful that Dad got her to the E.R. when he did.

My mother-in-law is doing fantastic. She just makes me smile. I don't have the ambition and drive that she has, and she is approaching 100. They are seriously talking of sending her home next week. I don't know how it will go, but we'll see. As determined as she is, she will do it. I have to say a huge thanks to Mercy Hospital and their staff, for the wonderful care she received, and that they didn't just blow her off, as a 97 year old. They did a fantastic job.

Our other Christmas present, which I can't go into, in great detail, involves our youngest granddaughter. For the next three months, she gets to be with the people she loves the most and who care most about her. I am in amazement at how poorly some people can treat their biological children, and not bat an eye. So, to see the joy and relief in her face, her mom's face, and all of ours, has been truly priceless. All children should feel safe and loved, every moment of every day, forever and ever.

So we have had an amazing Christmas, so far, and still have more to come. I am so excited. Hope that everyone else has had the best Christmas possible. Our Holiday wishes to all. Our wishes for everyone, is a safe, healthy and joyous 2009.

My Moms

Man, when it rains it pours. Since Nov. 14, we have been running to Des Moines, 40 miles away, or Nevada, 8 miles away, to visit my Mother-in-law. As I posted earlier, at the age of 97, she had to have her right leg amputated, just below the knee, due to no circulation. She is doing fantastic. I am amazed every time I see her. She is working her bottom off with Physical Therapy, with the hope that she will get to go back home some day. She lives with her daughter, who is also wheelchair bound, so who knows.


She just works so hard, and keeps saying she can do it, and from what I have seen her do, she just might be right.

Well, Tuesday morning my dad called and told us that Mom was in the E.R., having a heart attack. They were taking her to Surgery to put in a stint for one artery that was 100% blocked. She came thru that okay, has to have two others done, but that will have to wait for a later date. Shortly after noon, she kept complaining of horrendous chest pain, so they took her back in, just to be on the safe side. Everything looked okay, so they figure it was caused by excessive Plavix that was given to her for the proceedure, causing extreme heartburn. The Dr. thought that is what it was, but wanted to be sure that something hadn't happened.

Aboout 3:00 a.m. yesterday morning she started having some problems, and her heart went into atrial fibrilation, fast, irregular heart rate. So yesterday was a day of tests and drugs, to try and get her heart back into a normal, regular heart rate. Finally at 3:30 in the afternoon, it happened. She did well the rest of the day.

This morning, Dad got to the hospital at 6:30, to find her rather agitated, and somewhat confused. She is having some problems retaining fluids, also, which isn't good. When we left this afternoon, her B.P. was pretty low. Dad hasn't eaten anything today, and plans on spending the night. We worry as much about him as we do Mom.

Me and Mom, Christmas 2006

I just can't believe that all of this is going on. It is the Christmas season, and all the kids are so excited and letting us know all the things they want. Me, all I want for Christmas is to have another year with my moms, and them to be healthy, both body and mind. I just think that I may be 60, but I need them as much today, as I ever have. I was asking Mom yesterday, about a recipe she gave me a few years ago. See, I still need her, and always will. Just hope Santa is listening to my wish list.

99 things

Several of my blogging friends have done this list, and I thought it was fun, so thought I would play along. Would love to see your list. The ones in bold, are the ones I have done.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Now here are a few other questions posted by others

Worn two different colored shoes
Worn your shirt inside out
Called someone by the wrong name
Driven the wrong way on a one-way street
Driven on a “buses only” street
Thought about stealing a cat
Actually stolen a cat
Assisted with a hemorrhoidectomy
Got lost going someplace you’ve been before
Eaten frosting straight from the plastic tub
Dropped your driver’s license into the toilet