It may be early, early Friday morning in Dallas but it's still Thursday in Alaska!
1. It's been a week of long days at work, but I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to do one plus jobs since one year ago today I didn't have a job.
2. It's been a fun week reliving memories of the trip posting pictures on fb and the family blog.
3. Facetime with Emma yesterday. She was eating hotdogs and 'matoes for lunch. She wasn't about to share her 'matoes with me.
4. Wednesday night we got in the spa to cool off after a walk around the neighborhood. All of a sudden we smelled skunk--very fresh skunk. You've never seen two middle-aged overweight women crawl out of the spa and get in the house faster!!! Thankful the smell stayed outside.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Thankful Thursday 7/3/14
1. Thankful for the U.S.A. I think it's the best of any place.
2. Thankful that my sister is having a wonderful visit in China with my nephew.
3. Thankful that technology allows her to share pics and posts with me to put on her blog. Her family and friends can track her trip on the other side of the world.
4. Thankful I survived a very, very busy week of work. With the holiday weekend quite a few were on vacation, and I had to cover my old job, what I do of my new job, and other communications work as well.
5. Thankful a co-worker spent several hours prepping the two offices for two new team members on Monday. She knew I was overloaded and completely took that off of me.
6. Thankful she and another co-worker are so willing to cover me next week while I'm on vacation next week.
7. Thankful we had only a half day of work today which gave me more time to get ready to leave tomorrow.
8. Thankful that last night after doing yard work I could get in the pool and cool off. It was wonderful.
2. Thankful that my sister is having a wonderful visit in China with my nephew.
3. Thankful that technology allows her to share pics and posts with me to put on her blog. Her family and friends can track her trip on the other side of the world.
4. Thankful I survived a very, very busy week of work. With the holiday weekend quite a few were on vacation, and I had to cover my old job, what I do of my new job, and other communications work as well.
5. Thankful a co-worker spent several hours prepping the two offices for two new team members on Monday. She knew I was overloaded and completely took that off of me.
6. Thankful she and another co-worker are so willing to cover me next week while I'm on vacation next week.
7. Thankful we had only a half day of work today which gave me more time to get ready to leave tomorrow.
8. Thankful that last night after doing yard work I could get in the pool and cool off. It was wonderful.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Thankful Thursday 6/19/14
1. A wonderful, wonderful trip to SC for Father's Day Weekend.
2. Eventually getting there safely after boarding three planes, two of which had "maintenance issues."
3. Parents who are willing to be at the airport at 2:00 a.m. to pick me up.
4. Getting to see two siblings, two in-laws, and four nieces and nephews.
5. Finding blackberry bushes on a Sunday evening walk with my mother. We went back and picked eight cups. She made a batch of blackberry jelly on Monday.
6. The local berry farm still had fresh strawberries. I got my first fresh strawberries of the season Monday morning. The ones in the grocery store don't come close!!!
7. New job is going well for what I'm doing of it. It's very, very busy trying to do my old job until it is filled while learning the new job.
8. Got in the pool last night for awhile after a hot day. It makes sleeping so nice.
2. Eventually getting there safely after boarding three planes, two of which had "maintenance issues."
3. Parents who are willing to be at the airport at 2:00 a.m. to pick me up.
4. Getting to see two siblings, two in-laws, and four nieces and nephews.
5. Finding blackberry bushes on a Sunday evening walk with my mother. We went back and picked eight cups. She made a batch of blackberry jelly on Monday.
6. The local berry farm still had fresh strawberries. I got my first fresh strawberries of the season Monday morning. The ones in the grocery store don't come close!!!
7. New job is going well for what I'm doing of it. It's very, very busy trying to do my old job until it is filled while learning the new job.
8. Got in the pool last night for awhile after a hot day. It makes sleeping so nice.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Thankful Thursday 02/13/4
1. Mostly thankful that I'm not in the Midwest with its record breaking amounts of snowfall this year, and thankful I'm not in the southeast with it's snowstorm of the last two days. I'm just done with snow--maybe in my lifetime.
2. Get to see family tomorrow for the weekend! Woo-hoo!!! So thankful to be surrounded by their love.
2. Get to see family tomorrow for the weekend! Woo-hoo!!! So thankful to be surrounded by their love.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Day 11 and Thankful Thursday
Today is Day 11 of my "being under the weather." I haven't had anything like this any time that I can remember. A week ago Monday I left work mid-morning with a fever and stayed home the next day. After lunch on day 2 I was resting and thought, "I have energy. I am better." I got up, cleaned up, and truly was better. At work the next day I was cold and felt a cold coming on. The next day it felt more like bronchitis coming on. Days 5, 6 and 7 was scratchy throat. Day 8 I went to a walk-in clinic and started an antibiotic. Day 9 when I thought I would be seeing good results I was worse than ever--I had the most serious sinus pain I could ever imagine. Day 10 I stayed home and while I'm much better today I am not quite up to being at work.
So what makes me thankful?
1. Having medical insurance. Even with high deductible insurance it is comforting to know I have help with medical costs. The antibiotic without insurance was $53.78--with insurance $10.00.
2. Having a work team leader who is supportive and allows me to work at home on days like this.
3. Having family who have been concerned and care.
4. Having a friend who will make me dinner even if her first words to me yesterday when she got home from work were "You look terrible."
5. A co-worker gave me a sachet of this last week when I returned to work. I'm not a hot tea fan as I know I'm sick when I want it. This cinnamon spice tea is really good and has felt great. I immediately ordered it on ebay and it came on Tuesday. I think I like the sachets instead of the paper tea bags.
So what makes me thankful?
1. Having medical insurance. Even with high deductible insurance it is comforting to know I have help with medical costs. The antibiotic without insurance was $53.78--with insurance $10.00.
2. Having a work team leader who is supportive and allows me to work at home on days like this.
3. Having family who have been concerned and care.
4. Having a friend who will make me dinner even if her first words to me yesterday when she got home from work were "You look terrible."
5. A co-worker gave me a sachet of this last week when I returned to work. I'm not a hot tea fan as I know I'm sick when I want it. This cinnamon spice tea is really good and has felt great. I immediately ordered it on ebay and it came on Tuesday. I think I like the sachets instead of the paper tea bags.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Cookie Nostalgia
Today I'm baking springerles for the men in my life at the LCKlopfenstein family Christmas. I always feel as if both my grandmothers would smile knowing I was carrying on their baking tradition for Lynny-Boy and Mark as well as Mike, Joey, and Andrew who never got to eat their wonderful springerles.
I tend to get rather nostalgic when it comes to Christmas baking.
Two years ago this weekend I was in Washington, IL learning how to make these cookies better than I ever had before with Betty Schumacher, my mom's long-time friend and maid of honor. From her I learned a few tips most importantly of which was I NEEDED a KitchenAid mixer. I actually got one in the process of losing my job a year ago. These are the cookies I made with her.
And this is my KitchenAid mixer. I like red.
One year ago I made springerles with my dear Mary Lee. She laughed at my quirks about cookie and especially springerle cookie baking. That's ok--I bake a lot of love into my cookies.
In 1986 my sister Mary came to visit me in IL just before Christmas. We were in a small kitchen store on the square in Washington and saw a springerle rolling pin. We knew Mom really wanted one, but the $17 or $18 price seemed pretty high for two pretty poor recent college grads. However, we splurged to give it to her. Just a few weeks later we were shopping in Boaz, AL and found springerle rolling pins at a kitchen outlet for $2.97!
For the next few years I would make the springerles with Mom's help always trying to recreate the springerles we remembered-mostly misses with an occasional hit.
In 1988 I moved into an apartment in Morton, IL. In another building of that complex my grandmother's first cousin lived. Anna Freidinger was also a springerle extraordinaire who taught me not to roll the dough too thin. She also taught me that it was much better to use a rolling pin that was three cookies wide instead of six.
About 2006 I read an article in the GR Press about a recently released book that told the story of springerle cookies. Many, many years ago a minister in Germany wanted his illiterate parishioners to have the story of the birth of Jesus in front of them. He and his family carefully carved various nativity scenes in blocks of wood and cut out cookies that told the Christmas story. My dear friend Jayne from Handbells saw my blog post about the book and the next year she had a very special gift for me.
I tend to get rather nostalgic when it comes to Christmas baking.
Two years ago this weekend I was in Washington, IL learning how to make these cookies better than I ever had before with Betty Schumacher, my mom's long-time friend and maid of honor. From her I learned a few tips most importantly of which was I NEEDED a KitchenAid mixer. I actually got one in the process of losing my job a year ago. These are the cookies I made with her.
And this is my KitchenAid mixer. I like red.
One year ago I made springerles with my dear Mary Lee. She laughed at my quirks about cookie and especially springerle cookie baking. That's ok--I bake a lot of love into my cookies.
In 1986 my sister Mary came to visit me in IL just before Christmas. We were in a small kitchen store on the square in Washington and saw a springerle rolling pin. We knew Mom really wanted one, but the $17 or $18 price seemed pretty high for two pretty poor recent college grads. However, we splurged to give it to her. Just a few weeks later we were shopping in Boaz, AL and found springerle rolling pins at a kitchen outlet for $2.97!
For the next few years I would make the springerles with Mom's help always trying to recreate the springerles we remembered-mostly misses with an occasional hit.
In 1988 I moved into an apartment in Morton, IL. In another building of that complex my grandmother's first cousin lived. Anna Freidinger was also a springerle extraordinaire who taught me not to roll the dough too thin. She also taught me that it was much better to use a rolling pin that was three cookies wide instead of six.
About 2006 I read an article in the GR Press about a recently released book that told the story of springerle cookies. Many, many years ago a minister in Germany wanted his illiterate parishioners to have the story of the birth of Jesus in front of them. He and his family carefully carved various nativity scenes in blocks of wood and cut out cookies that told the Christmas story. My dear friend Jayne from Handbells saw my blog post about the book and the next year she had a very special gift for me.
Day 2 of Being Iced In
Well since I'm now on Day 2 of being iced in, I have time to post although rather late.
A few thoughts from my Thanksgiving trip:
1. The morning news on the day left said that I would be 1 of 39 million people who were travelling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday. Well they didn't say "I" would be, but they gave that statistic.
2. At times it seemed as if most of those 39 million were driving between Dallas and Little Rock.
3. I am much more brand aware of Motel 6. I drove the same route in July and never noticed that there is a Motel 6 at almost every exit between Dallas and Memphis apparently.
4. It was interesting driving through Memphis while listening to the new John Grisham book on CD since he focuses many of his stories in north Mississippi with many references to people from or going to Memphis.
5. It was incredible to see so many stars in the late evening sky on the drive.
6. It was strange driving through Decatur when that had been my destination for 40+ years.
A few thoughts from my Thanksgiving trip:
1. The morning news on the day left said that I would be 1 of 39 million people who were travelling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday. Well they didn't say "I" would be, but they gave that statistic.
2. At times it seemed as if most of those 39 million were driving between Dallas and Little Rock.
3. I am much more brand aware of Motel 6. I drove the same route in July and never noticed that there is a Motel 6 at almost every exit between Dallas and Memphis apparently.
4. It was interesting driving through Memphis while listening to the new John Grisham book on CD since he focuses many of his stories in north Mississippi with many references to people from or going to Memphis.
5. It was incredible to see so many stars in the late evening sky on the drive.
6. It was strange driving through Decatur when that had been my destination for 40+ years.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Today
Watched a little girl who was probably a young 3 with her father in Lowe's. She was carrying a plunger that was about 2 inches shorter than she was, a hook which I thought was dangerous to give a kid, and a bag of unopened Doritos. It was all she could do to keep hold of everything. She was oblivious to anyone around as she sauntered following her father to the checkout. She was enjoying seeing anything at her eye level--the Energizer bunny on a display, the big keys pictured on the key maker--and made a comment about everything she saw to no one.
Her father kept turning around, "Laura, come on."
"OK."
"Laura, hurry."
"OK."
"Come on, Laura."
"I'm coming."
She reminded me of a niece and I smiled.
Her father kept turning around, "Laura, come on."
"OK."
"Laura, hurry."
"OK."
"Come on, Laura."
"I'm coming."
She reminded me of a niece and I smiled.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Aa Random Saturday
Miscellaneous thoughts from today:
You do have to put baking powder in cornbread. I had it but forgot to add it with the other dry ingredients.
My friend's son will be getting married this summer. Yesterday he and his fiance had their first meeting with their minister and his wife. He is about 80 miles from here and the fiance is living in Texas. Between now and the wedding the minister, his wife, and the couple will meet by Skype every two weeks and for the year following the wedding as well. I haven't been through that process but that certainly impresses me as a minister who sees his responsibility as much more than pronouncing a couple husband and wife and collecting his fee. Oh, there's no fee either for this.
Today I sold my table and chairs. They had no real sentimental value to me, but I liked them. I found them at a garage sale about 5 years ago and had them refinished. Renae recovered the seats on the chairs for me. For some reason I don't like selling those or the hutch for the big move. The younger couple that got it were obviously happy at how nice they were and said they would take good care of it.
Thankfully I'm not as sick as others, but this cold has pretty well wiped me out. I slept hard for over an hour late this afternoon which means I didn't get to Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day.
My parents are the best.
You do have to put baking powder in cornbread. I had it but forgot to add it with the other dry ingredients.
My friend's son will be getting married this summer. Yesterday he and his fiance had their first meeting with their minister and his wife. He is about 80 miles from here and the fiance is living in Texas. Between now and the wedding the minister, his wife, and the couple will meet by Skype every two weeks and for the year following the wedding as well. I haven't been through that process but that certainly impresses me as a minister who sees his responsibility as much more than pronouncing a couple husband and wife and collecting his fee. Oh, there's no fee either for this.
Today I sold my table and chairs. They had no real sentimental value to me, but I liked them. I found them at a garage sale about 5 years ago and had them refinished. Renae recovered the seats on the chairs for me. For some reason I don't like selling those or the hutch for the big move. The younger couple that got it were obviously happy at how nice they were and said they would take good care of it.
Thankfully I'm not as sick as others, but this cold has pretty well wiped me out. I slept hard for over an hour late this afternoon which means I didn't get to Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day.
My parents are the best.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Weekend Trip
Friday I left work to pick up two friends, Jayne and Renae, to make a weekend trip to the Creation Museum. Thanks to Mom and Dad's membership and generosity for sharing passes.
We joked about being "Friends of Lynn" throughout the day since it said we were his guest on the back of the passes.
The museum is very interesting and very well done. We also great enjoyed seeing one of my very special friend's portray Anna in a Christmas Town drama.
Another highlight was seeing her daughter and her family and going out to eat with them. So hard to believe that the sweet little junior in high school when I first met her is now the amazing mother of 3 children. Just because it was so cute I asked him to tell his joke several times:
How do you keep a spider to keep from stop (sic) smelling?'
He then sweetly plugged his nose and said, "Hold his nose."
If you are in the Cincinnati area in the near future and eat at LaRosa's I highly recommend the Montgomery Inn pulled pork pizza. Mmmmm, very good.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Aunt Hulda
This morning my mother reminded me that our dear Aunt Hulda would have been 100 years old today. She was a single great aunt who was like an additional grandmother for me and my siblings.
She was well-traveled and brought back an infant dress for me from Egypt.
In 1968 she had a stroke that left her paralyzed on her right side. I do not remember her before the stroke. When we visited in Illinois we would help her in the morning get ready for work and in the evening we would help her get ready for bed. It was quite an accomplishment to remember the exact count of her pills every night. Included in all of the pills were two "Buffern", which how I still think of Bufferin tabs today.
Since there was a wonderful drug store up town that we loved to get candy and comic books from, Aunt Hulda allowed us to earn the money for these items by helping her. I remember negotiating with her that every thing we did would be a penny but anything to do with her feet was worth a nickel. (Remember we could buy a comic book for 15 cents or a big comic for 25 cents way back then!) On a typical day we would earn about 30-50 cents.
When we visited she would always give us money "to eat on the way home" which was of course her way of just giving us a few dollars since obviously our parents would get us food. We were torn between wanting the money and the look our mother gave us to not take money from Aunt Hulda. The life lesson I learned then was Aunt Hulda's words--"No one offers you money unless they want you to have it. If someone offers you money you take it and say thank you."
Her therapists recommended taking up a hobby so she and my dear Aunt Louise, another single aunt who was also another grandmother figure to us, took up ceramics. With her one good hand, Aunt Hulda would clean the greenware and then paint it after firing. They actually started a small ceramics business to sell their completed work.
Last Saturday at my annual pumpkin pancake breakfast I had these pieces as my centerpiece. I told my guests about how my paralyzed aunt and her sister had made these. Telling them about her made me wonder how old she was when she had the stroke. I told them I could only guess as she was always "old" to me. Today I realized she was only 56 when she had her stroke and then passed away 8 years later.
I've been thinking about her today as she passed away the Saturday after Thanksgiving which was 3 days after her birthday. I've thought about how young she was to have a stroke is by today's standard. And, I also wonder how different her treatment and life may have been if she had that stroke with today's medical improvements.
She was well-traveled and brought back an infant dress for me from Egypt.
In 1968 she had a stroke that left her paralyzed on her right side. I do not remember her before the stroke. When we visited in Illinois we would help her in the morning get ready for work and in the evening we would help her get ready for bed. It was quite an accomplishment to remember the exact count of her pills every night. Included in all of the pills were two "Buffern", which how I still think of Bufferin tabs today.
Since there was a wonderful drug store up town that we loved to get candy and comic books from, Aunt Hulda allowed us to earn the money for these items by helping her. I remember negotiating with her that every thing we did would be a penny but anything to do with her feet was worth a nickel. (Remember we could buy a comic book for 15 cents or a big comic for 25 cents way back then!) On a typical day we would earn about 30-50 cents.
When we visited she would always give us money "to eat on the way home" which was of course her way of just giving us a few dollars since obviously our parents would get us food. We were torn between wanting the money and the look our mother gave us to not take money from Aunt Hulda. The life lesson I learned then was Aunt Hulda's words--"No one offers you money unless they want you to have it. If someone offers you money you take it and say thank you."
Her therapists recommended taking up a hobby so she and my dear Aunt Louise, another single aunt who was also another grandmother figure to us, took up ceramics. With her one good hand, Aunt Hulda would clean the greenware and then paint it after firing. They actually started a small ceramics business to sell their completed work.
Last Saturday at my annual pumpkin pancake breakfast I had these pieces as my centerpiece. I told my guests about how my paralyzed aunt and her sister had made these. Telling them about her made me wonder how old she was when she had the stroke. I told them I could only guess as she was always "old" to me. Today I realized she was only 56 when she had her stroke and then passed away 8 years later.
I've been thinking about her today as she passed away the Saturday after Thanksgiving which was 3 days after her birthday. I've thought about how young she was to have a stroke is by today's standard. And, I also wonder how different her treatment and life may have been if she had that stroke with today's medical improvements.
Friday, November 23, 2012
A Few Favorite Stories
Yesterday I was reminded of three of my favorite stories from my nieces and nephews when they were little. Names have been omitted to not embarrass the speaker.
When visiting at my parents home one 3-year old nephew was sitting beside Dad at dinner. After the meal Dad complimented mother on what a good meal it was. The nephew turned to Dad and said, "She's a good woman."
Another time the nieces and nephews had all stayed at my parents so their parents could have a few days of quiet and we could all enjoy the kids. Grandma brought out a sweater to one of the nieces to put on in case she was cold--Grandma always thought they must be cold and needed socks and more clothes. One niece looked at Grandma and said, "Grandma, I'm not cold, but if you are then YOU should put on a sweater.
One Christmas a nephew and I helped the grandparents by washing their cars and then decided to go get Aunt Mary's car at work and wash it too. In the office Aunt Mary offered our services to others and the owner's wife let us wash her car too. Several times on the way to the car wash, while we were washing the car, and on the drive back I went through this with the nephew.
"It is very possible that she will offer us money for doing this for her, but her husband has been very sick so why don't we just do a nice thing for her and not take any money. If she offers money just say, "Thank you for offering, but we are happy to do this for you and your husband. We do not want any money for this." We practiced it several times.
Back at the office the lady came out with a dollar for the nephew. He began, "Thank you for offering, but we are just happy" and then looked at me saying "Now what was it I'm supposed to say?"
When visiting at my parents home one 3-year old nephew was sitting beside Dad at dinner. After the meal Dad complimented mother on what a good meal it was. The nephew turned to Dad and said, "She's a good woman."
--------------------------------
Another time the nieces and nephews had all stayed at my parents so their parents could have a few days of quiet and we could all enjoy the kids. Grandma brought out a sweater to one of the nieces to put on in case she was cold--Grandma always thought they must be cold and needed socks and more clothes. One niece looked at Grandma and said, "Grandma, I'm not cold, but if you are then YOU should put on a sweater.
--------------------------------
One Christmas a nephew and I helped the grandparents by washing their cars and then decided to go get Aunt Mary's car at work and wash it too. In the office Aunt Mary offered our services to others and the owner's wife let us wash her car too. Several times on the way to the car wash, while we were washing the car, and on the drive back I went through this with the nephew.
"It is very possible that she will offer us money for doing this for her, but her husband has been very sick so why don't we just do a nice thing for her and not take any money. If she offers money just say, "Thank you for offering, but we are happy to do this for you and your husband. We do not want any money for this." We practiced it several times.
Back at the office the lady came out with a dollar for the nephew. He began, "Thank you for offering, but we are just happy" and then looked at me saying "Now what was it I'm supposed to say?"
Friday, November 9, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
August 28
August 28, twenty something years ago, my niece was born. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAIMIE. I still am planning on a bow fishing expedition!
August 28, 2004 a rental truck pulled out of my driveway, a good friend Lynn came over to help do a final clean up, I stopped by the gym for a few goodbyes at a volleyball match, and I headed out to Michigan. I pulled into town on a dreary rainy day and the trees lining the street were already turning colors. I could only think "What have I done?" But it's been a very good move. I was given a box of Schwan's Gold 'n Nugit bars as a gift!
August 28, 2006 I bought my Honda Fit. It was a great car as it had an amazing amount of room and could haul anything!!!
51 weeks ago today, August 28, I left on a 16-day trip to Israel/Jordan/Egypt--an unbelievable trip of a lifetime. To celebrate I drank a glass of Squencher, an electrolyte replacement drink.
August 28, 2004 a rental truck pulled out of my driveway, a good friend Lynn came over to help do a final clean up, I stopped by the gym for a few goodbyes at a volleyball match, and I headed out to Michigan. I pulled into town on a dreary rainy day and the trees lining the street were already turning colors. I could only think "What have I done?" But it's been a very good move. I was given a box of Schwan's Gold 'n Nugit bars as a gift!
August 28, 2006 I bought my Honda Fit. It was a great car as it had an amazing amount of room and could haul anything!!!
51 weeks ago today, August 28, I left on a 16-day trip to Israel/Jordan/Egypt--an unbelievable trip of a lifetime. To celebrate I drank a glass of Squencher, an electrolyte replacement drink.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Grandma Hemmer
Today would be my Granda Hemmer’s 110th birthday. She died in the fall of my senior year of high school. Labor Day weekend that year the youth group at church went on a camping trip. I’d never been camping and really wanted to go, but Mom and Dad said I should go with them to visit relatives in IL. When Grandma passed away several weeks later I was glad I had made the trip to see her for what would be the last time.
There is much to be said for this wonderful Christian lady. Her husband was killed early in their marriage when their children were 18 months (my mom) and 3 months old. She raised her young children through the Depression and moved in with her mother and single sisters. She was a widow for 50 years and 1 day. She did much through her church to help the unfortunate around the world. And she cooked.
But today I think about the many different things that happen that make me think of Grandma Hemmer. Whenever I hear “emphysema” or “asthma”, I think of how a lady who never smoked a day in her life suffered from both in her later years.
Yesterday at the farmer’s market I saw the biggest cinnamon rolls. I thought, “It doesn’t matter how big they are, they will never be as good as Grandma Hemmer’s!”
When I garden I think she would be proud of me. I remember her big vegetable gardens along with the beautiful flowers she grew around the edges. And when my garden gets too weedy I think, “Grandma Hemmer’s garden would never look like this!”
When I get hungry for molasses cookies I think of Granda Hemmer.
On the few occasions I putz around in the kitchen cooking various things, I think it’s my grandma coming out in me.
Last night my mom reminded me it would be Grandma’s birthday today, but every year the first time I write the date on August 2, I’m reminded of Grandma Hemmer.
There is much to be said for this wonderful Christian lady. Her husband was killed early in their marriage when their children were 18 months (my mom) and 3 months old. She raised her young children through the Depression and moved in with her mother and single sisters. She was a widow for 50 years and 1 day. She did much through her church to help the unfortunate around the world. And she cooked.
But today I think about the many different things that happen that make me think of Grandma Hemmer. Whenever I hear “emphysema” or “asthma”, I think of how a lady who never smoked a day in her life suffered from both in her later years.
Yesterday at the farmer’s market I saw the biggest cinnamon rolls. I thought, “It doesn’t matter how big they are, they will never be as good as Grandma Hemmer’s!”
When I garden I think she would be proud of me. I remember her big vegetable gardens along with the beautiful flowers she grew around the edges. And when my garden gets too weedy I think, “Grandma Hemmer’s garden would never look like this!”
When I get hungry for molasses cookies I think of Granda Hemmer.
On the few occasions I putz around in the kitchen cooking various things, I think it’s my grandma coming out in me.
Last night my mom reminded me it would be Grandma’s birthday today, but every year the first time I write the date on August 2, I’m reminded of Grandma Hemmer.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thankful Thursday 5/17/12
1. Had my first Skype call tonight with my sister and great niece Emma.
2. Enjoyed coffee tonight with two very good friends.
3. One more day of work and then the weekend.
4. This week's beautiful weather!!!
2. Enjoyed coffee tonight with two very good friends.
3. One more day of work and then the weekend.
4. This week's beautiful weather!!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Friday
So many things have happened in the last few weeks since the last post so here goes a list of lots of random thoughts:
1. I really miss my mom on Mother's Day weekend. I loved 3 years ago when she was here for Mother's Day.
2. Vacation was wonderful. Two weeks ago today I spent the entire day on the beach. Thanks to Jayne I read 4 books over the week--don't know when I've ever done that. I may write about the 4 books later.
3. I like teaching but I don't like the work between the classes, but then I think the students probably don't either.
4. Had a nice team outing with 3 of the 5 team members at the Volksparade at Holland's Tulip Time.
5. My car really needs to be washed. The nice thing about the color of my car (metallic light blue) is good for not showing dust, but the windows show how dirty it is.
6. This has been a couple of very busy weeks at work--getting back from vacation immediately having month end, busy days at the start of the month to invoice clients, getting ready for a server move today, etc.
7. Other thoughts shooting around like a ping pong ball in my head, but those will have to wait . . .
1. I really miss my mom on Mother's Day weekend. I loved 3 years ago when she was here for Mother's Day.
2. Vacation was wonderful. Two weeks ago today I spent the entire day on the beach. Thanks to Jayne I read 4 books over the week--don't know when I've ever done that. I may write about the 4 books later.
3. I like teaching but I don't like the work between the classes, but then I think the students probably don't either.
4. Had a nice team outing with 3 of the 5 team members at the Volksparade at Holland's Tulip Time.
5. My car really needs to be washed. The nice thing about the color of my car (metallic light blue) is good for not showing dust, but the windows show how dirty it is.
6. This has been a couple of very busy weeks at work--getting back from vacation immediately having month end, busy days at the start of the month to invoice clients, getting ready for a server move today, etc.
7. Other thoughts shooting around like a ping pong ball in my head, but those will have to wait . . .
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Thankful Thursday
1. Lots of good times spent with friends this past week--dinner with the Vandermeys at Penn Station and walking Shadow with Jayne last night.
2. My nephew-in-law was offered a job this week.
3. My great niece had her 6-month birthday yesterday!!!. Happy half-birthday Emma!!!!!!! And John Michael had is 15th birthday on Tuesday. How can the wonderful little boy now have a driver's permit?????
4. My car is waxed for the summer.
5. A great week for sports: last weekend was Final Four with men's and women's national basketball championship games. Baseball started yesterday with most games today. The Master's started today.
6. Most importantly--it's Holy Week and Sunday is the greatest day in the Church's yearly calender. He is risen. He is risen indeed.
2. My nephew-in-law was offered a job this week.
3. My great niece had her 6-month birthday yesterday!!!. Happy half-birthday Emma!!!!!!! And John Michael had is 15th birthday on Tuesday. How can the wonderful little boy now have a driver's permit?????
4. My car is waxed for the summer.
5. A great week for sports: last weekend was Final Four with men's and women's national basketball championship games. Baseball started yesterday with most games today. The Master's started today.
6. Most importantly--it's Holy Week and Sunday is the greatest day in the Church's yearly calender. He is risen. He is risen indeed.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Happy Birthday Mom!
When I was quite young I took a picture of my mother sitting with her mother while both were doing needlework with my old Brownie camera. I thought it was quite a feat that I found a verse that said, "As is the mother so is the daughter" from Ezekiel 16:44. I found out later that my mom didn't really like the picture because she thought it made her look old.
Today my mother celebrates her birthday. While I don't have a copy of the picture, I do have the verse.
Mom, these are the things that I hope I am like you.
1. I always want to have a desire to learn. I like that you are always reading and learning new things. While you may not become an expert you are interested in a variety of things and you always are interested in going to see new things.
2. I know I will never be the cook you are, but I'd be satisfied with "as is the mother so is the daughter a little bit" when it comes to cooking.
3. I hope that I am as open to hospitality as you are. From you I learned the joy of inviting others into your home. While entertaining may have been more of a chore for many years, you have always welcomed many different people into your home.
4. I hope I have the desire to be in the Word as you do.
Mom and Dad:
I love you Mom! Have a wonderful day--I wish I could be with you on your special day.
Today my mother celebrates her birthday. While I don't have a copy of the picture, I do have the verse.
Mom, these are the things that I hope I am like you.
1. I always want to have a desire to learn. I like that you are always reading and learning new things. While you may not become an expert you are interested in a variety of things and you always are interested in going to see new things.
2. I know I will never be the cook you are, but I'd be satisfied with "as is the mother so is the daughter a little bit" when it comes to cooking.
3. I hope that I am as open to hospitality as you are. From you I learned the joy of inviting others into your home. While entertaining may have been more of a chore for many years, you have always welcomed many different people into your home.
4. I hope I have the desire to be in the Word as you do.
Mom and Dad:
Mom and Dad with Andrew at his senior recital
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Ornaments
The ornaments are ready to go in the mail tomorrow!
This is all 10. Yes, I am constantly putting them in this order to make sure I have everyone. Yes, the rocking horse does look a lot like a sleigh. Yes, the snowman is made out of just one big snowflake. And yes, I wish the crafter had made a snowflake in red so all would be the same.
Here are some closeups of several to see a bit more of the detail in the "lace".
This is all 10. Yes, I am constantly putting them in this order to make sure I have everyone. Yes, the rocking horse does look a lot like a sleigh. Yes, the snowman is made out of just one big snowflake. And yes, I wish the crafter had made a snowflake in red so all would be the same.
Here are some closeups of several to see a bit more of the detail in the "lace".
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