Random thoughts and Weekend fun.

Woke up Saturday, and planned a day out, enjoying the day off, and spending some time together. Almost ruined the day when I told Earl we didn't have as much money to spend as he thought we had, and he reacted like I thought he would-disappointed. I, then, felt like it was my fault that there wasn't enough money as we'd like to spend, as I manage the finances. But, after talking about it, we agreed that as frustrating as it is, that's what is, and someday things will get better for us...patience, patience, patience. It's not like we are spending anything on ourselves, ...we didn't even give each other Christmas presents. So we went to St. Cloud, went to Sam's Club, tasted all the samples, bought a few things, renewed my membership there, and fought the crowds. Then, we did a little dreaming about what our next car would be, by going to several dealerships, and looking and trying out cars. If you could have seen Earl drooling over this red, fabulous sports car, with black leather seats, stick-shift, and sun roof, you'd laugh, too. Where's my camera? Then, we went to Red Lobster, as Earl got a gift certificate for there, and enjoyed a wonderful meal. Afterwards, we went over to Crossroads mall, and walked around. Wow, we hadn't been there for quite a while, as we saw all the remodeling that had been done. Ran into Mary Jo Fandel, and she asked about Danielle...she was impressed with all she does. Finally, we stopped @ Cariboo Coffee, and got some drinks(turtle mocha for me), and headed home.
Sunday, we attended Tanner's 1st Communion service with his family, and Chuck's sister, Lynn and hubby. Tanner had Sunday school, and then a hockey game in Albertville. So, we dropped off a gift for him at the house, and gave Ashley's birthday gift to her, along with some breakfast rolls for them to enjoy. Then we went to St. Mary's for Mass, and listened to their great youth choir, and wonderful service. After fixing a big breakfast of eggs and blueberry pancakes, I took advantage of the warm weather of upper 30's, by walking the dogs for 30". They loved it! Relaxed the rest of the day! What a great weekend! Now to plan the rest of the week.

Winter Burrrrrs!

After a busy week of caring for women with pneumonia, and surgeries, and post-partum recoveries, I got the weekend off. What a nice relaxing one, too. Well, almost. I had to drive to Bird Island on Saturday to attend a regional winter board meeting for whom I'm secretary in -16 degree weather, and pick up three other ladies who were going, too. I took the truck as it gets nice and toasty, and runs good in the cold. Thankfully, no mishaps occurred, and I could snuggle up at home afterwards. Friday night, my hubby and I went out to eat at the Western Steakhouse. The food was good, but with the big screen TV on, it wasn't as conducive to talking to each other. I was disappointed that it seems to be turning into a bar/lounge, instead of a nice, quiet restaurant. Still it was nice to get out. Sunday,after church, we encountered a young man walking along the highway, heading for Kandiyohi, having run out of gas in his car. We decided to stop and give him a lift to the gas station, and brought him back, and made sure his car started. He had a puppy in the car, and we could see he was happy to have his owner back. As we talked to him, he related to us about people he knew from our church. Isn't it a small world, and how after we stopped to help him, then two other cars stopped to help, too? The rest of the day was spent watching the play-off games. So, it's the Patriots and the Giants for the SuperBowl. Wished the Packers had won. So starts another week!

A year Ends, A Year Begins

As the year 2007 wraps up, I reminisce about all that occurred on the last days of December. Our family gathering after Christmas was held here. It seemed the right place to be, collecting all the children, and grandchildren together with the parents, listening to the laugher, the excitement of opening presents, the sharing of food and lives, the connectedness we feel of family. For some it is brief, for others, lingering as the day ends. I love it all.
So my resolve for the New Year is to keep this family of ours connected, and receptive to each others needs, and wants, and mostly, love, laughter, and life.
I spent the last day of the year, helping a new mom bring her baby into this world. Always, such joy! And then, getting a phone call early New Year's day from my son, telling me he became a Daddy for the first time @ 11 pm on N.Y. eve, and welcomed Luci Belle into the world and this family. Tremendous Joy! All is well, and Mama Maja is overwhelming joyful.
With one day to get ready, I took down the Christmas tree, ran to the store to get some groceries, order a plant for a dear friend who's father had died, bought a sweater and hat, and baby Levi set for Luci, packed, and awoke @ 5am the next day to catch a plane to Spokane.
So good to see you, son, as we drove to his apartment, and he filled me in on the details of Maja's labor,and Luci's birth. We spent the night at the apartment, met Milly, the cat, and cuddled baby Luci. What a little doll. Who does she look like? I see Adam, and Maja both, but am partial to Adam's looks in the eyes, and mouth.
She's a nightowl, so not much sleep was had by the parents, and the reason he had no showers, so the next day, after visiting the Pediatrician for a check-up(She weighed 7lbs.1oz, almost back to her birth weight of 7lbs.3ozs.), we headed over to her parents home to live for the rest of my stay. Her family is great, met both brothers, and sis, Robin, Mom, and Dad. They had a guest room for me, and room for the new family, too. It felt awkward, at first, being their guest, but as I talked to Priscilla(Maja's mom) we became very comfortable with each other, and hopefully, will remain friends always. She has such a good heart, and takes in many of her family members,and friends, cooking great meals, and making you feel at home. We shared the baby, and advice, and meals. Putting our heads together, we plotted out our children's lives. We even toured the city, and went to church together.
Alas, time came for me to leave, gathering up my photos, and bags, hugs and kisses all around, and sadly, saying good-bye to all, gosh, it's hard to leave, not seeing the baby again, for a while. Better post new pictures soon!
Spokane is a beautiful city, with ponderosa pines, mountain views, beautiful lakes, hotels, and snowy weather. Maybe I'll see more this summer when the wedding plans are formalized in August.
Since i've been back home, it's been work, work, work. Except, when I went with my hubby to St. Cloud on Friday to see the VA Dr. about his high blood pressure, and dizzy spells. When I told them about his sleep disturbances, the Dr. thinks it could be sleep apnea that's causing his problems. They now have a home testing for it, having him wear a glove, which measures the adrenaline levels, to see how severe it is. If high, he will be fitted for a C-Pap mask. Actually, he was relieved it wasn't his heart causing the inc. BP. Maybe this will help his tiredness, too.