A Glimpse...

I'm afraid this may run long....

It's been a very busy week - mowing, weeding, working, planning, laundry, cleaning, packing, waiting, have all taken their turn in claiming my attention.

Here are the promised pictures of last week's trip to Grimes.

I think I could get a job at the circus - stuffing clowns into small cars.  Or parachute folding.  Let me know if you hear of any openings.  (Actually it would be more fun to practice these skills on a suitcase for an exotic vacation)

Knowing this weekend would include some family time, I started right away Saturday afternoon and managed a nap, hung a shower curtain and added some things to my bathroom, distributed the goods I had brought along, swept floors, and added a few touches to the kitchen and bedroom.  I got quite a lot done before Naphtali and Aidan arrived and all work ceased.

It had recently occurred to me that I currently inhabit a bathroom with 8 drawers - 5 of which contain my stuff.

My new bathroom contains 2 drawers, although the linen closet is located inside the room giving me access to whatever I might need.  

Baskets and bins should do the trick.  

Company will claim the use of this bathroom, meaning that I will temporarily share Tim's and need certain things to be somewhat portable.  

(We've had the pleasure of company already, you know)

Aidan and Naphtali came down for part of the weekend and we went to Fort Dodge to see my mother and sister for a while on Sunday.  We grilled kabobs and enjoyed an easy visit.

  Lake Cornelius was Monday's destination for a few hours with the Kauffmans and Larry & Mary, who were enjoying the company of their daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

All the recent drive time has allowed me to consider options for ordering the household  as well as work and school.

I'm tired of living by myself.  There are plans and processes that require me to be in one place - our new place.  Having the prospects of a (very) part-time job at the local library, it may mean I'll want to look for something else, as well, in time.  Transcripts and schedules will need to be coordinated in Nebraska and Iowa to finish my last few classes.  I hope to make a stop at Des Moines Area Community College when I'm in Grimes next week.  

A new blog will also probably make an appearance in the near future.  It seems appropriate to conclude this blog as the Nebraska chapters are brought to a close.  Title and topics are still being tossed around but will no doubt take shape as one by one the last strands holding me here are severed and, in the days ahead, I'm able to move forward.

Housekeeping details

Mother's Day brought phone calls all around - my kids, my mother - it was good to talk with everyone.


Grades were posted today.  My 4.0 is intact.


The good ladies of the Garden Club had me out for lunch today.  Another round tomorrow with another group of Intrepids.  

The proverbial lull

(sorry about the eyes...)

I truly enjoyed having Naphtali and Aidan here last week.  A fast moving Minnesota snowstorm kept them here an extra day.  With Tim in for both weekends it has been a bounty of family, good conversation, and fun.

I'm so glad they were able to visit!

I'm also glad I was about a week ahead on my studies - not much got done with all the distractions - meaning that now I'm pretty much right on track again.

With travel plans for the next two weekends I'll have to make every minute count this week.  (optimistic, n'est-ce pas?) 

Valerie will be in Iowa for a quick visit next weekend so my mother is trying to get all the girls together.  I'm sure there will be laughter and some wild scrabble competition.  My mother offered to let Charlie join us (!) but Tim said they would hang out together.  

The following weekend will find Tim, Charlie and I in New Brighton for Aidan's birthday.  

Busy, busy, busy.

Really!?

We had planned an excursion today, hoping to find treasures...

This is part of the day's output.

This is bedtime reading material.

Really.

Smiles all around

Look who showed up at our door yesterday!

Several within the family knew of this surprise and everyone kept the secret - Naphtali even called me from the road!  She said she was running errands - Trader Joe's to be exact.  What she didn't tell me was that the Trader Joe's was in Des Moines!  I'm still smiling!

Giveaway

You can link through to a delightful interview with Naphtali here.
It's all part of a giveaway for one of her bags.  I already have several but that didn't stop me from throwing my name in hoping to win another...

I'm not sure who to credit for the photo - Jessica or Naphtali....

Joyeux Noel

 Tim left this morning for Iowa. 

Charlie and I will leave in the morning - after a 7am breakfast at the library.  Charlie has had his bath, the last load of laundry is in the washer, things are packed and ready to go, so this is it for me until next week.  We're looking forward to a couple days with Jacob, Naphtali, et al, and trust they will have good weather for their travels.

Special greetings to the girls in Merida - hope you have a great time together. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

tradition

This time of year we are surrounded by tradition.  I think my kids would agree that Christmas at our house was celebrated as a holiday of traditions, rather than a religious holiday.

Many magazines or TV programs are dedicated to helping you observe, or replicate, a variety of traditional Christmas traditions:  decorations, foods, colors, activities, songs, aromas, movies, and more.  They will also give you pointers on bound-to-be-new traditions (check here for a lovely example of Christmas colors).

Families tweak these traditional traditions, creating their own particular traditions:  foods (lefse, spritz, prime rib, oysters), locations (Grandma's house), activities (poker), songs (guitar singalongs), how gifts are exchanged or opened, ornaments, tree selection....

In our little corner of the world, billed as the Pony Express capital of Nebraska, a new tradition was begun last year.  The local pony express club finished the looong process of paperwork required by the USPS to create and use a commemorative cancellation stamp.  This Saturday members will gather the deposited mail, sling it across the horse and ride it down the line, before affixing the special stamp.  Those of you (most of you) who receive our Christmas card will find that stamp on your envelope, so look it over - enjoy a new spin on an old tradition.

There was a deadline, (aargh!I could do an entire post on deadlines) of course, so a few stragglers will miss the cut...

.

Ghosts of Christmas Past

May your days be merry and bright....

Where to start?!

We are back from the east coast - maritime New England or midatlantic.  It was great.  Thanks to Jacob and Kate for putting us up, putting up with us, and showing us a great time!

We decided to do NYC, as this is probably our last visit. Thursday it rained, (and it was raining hard when we first arrived) so a few adjustments were necessary. It was a good day but I have very few pictures due to the rain....We stopped at the Riverside branch of the NY public library for a minute after we parked the car.

This sign made me laugh - and we saw them everywhere!

Made our way to the subway station and headed for the harbor.  The rain let up long enough to enjoy the sight of the Statue of Liberty and a quick visit to Ellis Island.

 

On our return we ducked into a museum for some warmth and culture.  It was the Smithsonian's exhibit of American Indians and included a section on MesoAmerica which we had just studied in my WldCiv class! 

We dealt with some light rain as we walked around Times Square and the surrounding area.  Saw Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller and Lincoln Centers, ate a slice of pizza at a local joint, saw lots of suits and boots and umbrellas.

Friday we headed to Rhode Isalnd to satisfy our ocean cravings and ended up at Charleston Beach where we saw the ocean wild and tall and green and booming.  It was majestic and awesome.  There was a storm brewing in the Atlantic and this was the result.  Stopped at Mystic on the way back and browsed in a favorite shop.  (funny to think we've done this often enough to have a favorite shop)

We also visited Waterford beach which is a couple minutes from Jacob and Kate, right there in New London.  We walked and clambered over rocks, speculated about an amazing piece of driftwood, and picked up a few rocks and shells to add to my collection. 

We stopped there again on Saturday before we left and I found this:

I love flying.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy the sights through those tiny airplane windows.  (Tim graciously allowed me the window seat on all our flights.)  Providence is just a delight.  The colors, the wooded areas, the estates, the islands and bays, the boats, the backyard swimming pools in all the different neighborhoods - I love it! This time I saw snow east of Chicago, and it was my first time to fly at night.  The nighttime lights of Chicago were magical.  I wish I knew what route we actually took - I'd love to be able to identify the cities we passed over. Their lights were entrancing.

A quick peek

Here's Aidan (with a helping hand from Grandpa) somewhere behind the Twin Owls.  This trail was a new one for us and we really enjoyed it.  Huge boulders, incredible vistas, some rain, some sleet, caves and fancy rocks....
It was a great day.

Caught napping

Today was pretty much a wasted day.  October has been spent in a seemingly unending cycle of current homework, homework that would be due while we were away, and homework that would be due on our return, and, of course, the new round of current assignments.  Plus work and daily household responsibilities.  (sidebar:  Tim has graciously done all and I do mean ALL the mowing this season.  You don't know how much I've appreciated that)

We are leaving again on Wednesday, so this week has been no exception.  Today - well - let's just say that today was less than productive. 

Jacob and Kate are expecting us for a few days out east.  We've requested a day in NYC and plan to take the train into the city.  I'm looking forward to the trip. 

I've finally downloaded the pictures from the quick getaway  Tim and I made a few weeks ago (which was wonderful).  The pictures from our trip with Naphtali and Aidan (always a treat).  And 2 of my three biology experiments. 

I hope you're ready for this because I am actually going to post something rarely seen on the North American continent:  That's Lake Odessa behind me, taken by Tim back when we made our trip.

I'll catch up again sometime soonish....

My break is flying by - one week left!
There has been progress on my list - the curtain is up, some of the weeds have been tackled. Closets and drawers have been cleaned.  I've managed to do some reading and a little online shopping.  I've taken, and passed, a CLEP in American Lit.

Here's a glimpse of the weekend in Fort Dodge.  It was sooo hot!  The drive there was uneventful.  Naphtali and Aidan were available for part of my visit and, as always, it was a treat to see them.  On Sunday,we went over to see my sister and Mike.  He's been busy siding the farm house and it looks great.  We looked in at the horses and new kittens, and played with the dogs a bit.  This kitten found a cool place to nap.  My mom and I sat in the shade and watched everyone else cavorting in the pool.

Naphtali and Aidan

Andrea grilled some chicken, fixed sweet corn and fed us a good summertime meal.  Although black tie was optional, Aidan came to the table in what looked like a smoking jacket over his swim trunks and COWBOY BOOTS!

Yes, let's put those two ideas in the same sentence, again.  Here is Aidan wearing COWBOY BOOTS!  We (Grandma Donna, Naphtali, Aidan and I) had looked for a pair at several places Saturday night, including the Goodwill, and though we didn't find COWBOY BOOTS, we did find a necessary piece of COWBOY gear - a guitar.  Why were we looking for cowboy gear?  His camp has a dress-up day each Monday, they've done clowns and rock stars, and the next was cowboy.  He found a mustache, jeans and plaid shirt, hat, and this wonderful guitar!

On our way to Andrea's, we made one last stop to look for the COWBOY BOOTS.  Aidan tried on several pair and he loved them!  Now, some might think that is a bit of an exaggeration, but let me point out that he told his mother that if he got the black pair he could wear the COWBOY BOOTS to school.  Sound logic and sartorial sense.  

I happen to think there are few things cuter than a lanky kid in shorts and COWBOY BOOTS.  Jacob wore them for years.  We had mentioned to Naphtali several years ago that the day would come for Aidan, and let's just say she was less than thrilled with the idea.  So permit me this small measure of glee - a boy should have COWBOY BOOTS - at least for a season - and Aidan is quite dapper in his. 

By the way, he opened car doors and made sweeping bows as we seated ourselves, in imitation of the doormen he had seen in NYC.  It was great.  James and Naphtali have such a delightful son.  I'm looking forward to the pictures of Aidan in full regalia.  (if you can refer to COWBOY duds as regalia)

They headed north from there and my mom and I returned to Fort Dodge.  We went to the apple orchard, played scrabble, caught up on recent events.  It was a good visit.

A busy weekend

We had a great time with the Kahls. As you may well imagine, this little guy drove the bus for the weekend.



Aidan turned six. He kept Grandpa busy with stories and boy stuff. He and Charlie took several walks - some with Naphtali, one on his own, and he, James and Charlie delivered birthday cupcakes to friends in the neighborhood.



Grandpa worked on project for Naphtali while the rest of us did a MOA adventure. James had registered Aidan's birthday at the Nickelodeon Universe, giving him a free pass for rides. We tagged along and enjoyed a couple rides with Aidan. It was my first (and probably last) trip to MOA.





I was amazed (not by the mall) that on the trip there - it was a surprise - we'd been in the car for a while, everyone is talking, distracted, engaged, we're swooping along the road, under here, over there. At some point we make a slight veer to the right, joining a different flow of traffic, no signs, no buildings or landmarks, and Aidan says this is the way to MOA! He did that several times. He knows his way around, recognizing an area, or an off ramp as the way to thus and such! Amazing.




There was en easter egg hunt Sunday morning before church. James hid the eggs while Mom, Aidan and Charlie released a bit of energy. The morning was lovely. (the weather for the weekend was pretty much made to order) The songbirds in their neighborhood are a treat. Crocus were up and open. Tulips won't be far behind.



Aidan taught me how to make dumplings. Chinese dumplings. They were tasty, we were all starving so no one thought to get any pictures...Naphtali sliced the leftovers to saute with some bok choy the next day mmmmmm

And then we had to go home.

look what I found

We've finally had some sunshine. We also had what I hope was our last skiff of snow on Friday and are ready for spring. Tim is talking about bringing the bikes up from the backyard shed. I've walked around and looked at my pathetic flower beds - with the unexpected early snow last fall I never got the flower beds cleaned out and they now have winter debris on top of fall leftovers hiding little green shoots and it all needs attention.

I'll add a dream to keep the theme going - there has been talk of Jacob and Kate coming out some time this summer and Leslie (thanks!)offered us their cabin for a weekend if we can coordinate schedules for James, Nahtali and Aidan to join us. I'm dreaming of a lazy afternoon on the dock......

the blink of an eye

I have no photo specifically to accompany this post but I know some readers need the visuals so I pulled this from the archives because it is a favorite and gives me hope that the sun will shine. Flowers will bloom.

Charlie is doing well. The cone of shame has been returned to the vet. We hope to walk later this afternoon. Thanks for the inquiries.

We've had good phone calls from Jacob and Naphtali.

Tim made a quick trip to Fort Collins on Sunday when Iva (his mother), on a visit to her niece, Cheryl, threw a stroke. Iva is doing pretty well. Leslie and John went out yesterday to join Tim. These are the times that cell phones prove their worth. Plans were made, (some of my time and energy was diverted to assist Tim and prepare for the arrival of Leslie and John), changed and remade. And more have yet to be made. I think Tim is coming home tonight.

I also had a funeral on Monday - an 8 year old boy, killed in a car accident. The saddest of sad days. Thankfully it remains a rare occurance in my world.
Hannah Thompson,
Naomi,
Peter Sahr
Michael Reyna.
It's good to remember their names.

I just got off the phone with Tim. It wasn't a stroke - it appears to be seizure related which changes everything. I don't think he's coming home tonight - and we we're cut off. Did I just say more decisions to be made?

I have homework to attend.....

there was a message

from this little guy on my machine when I came home Thursday night. He was having an issue with his mother - who he kept calling "your daughter"- and wanted me to intercede....Aidan has the most adorable phone voice. I've still got the message and listen to it a couple times a day because that voice is entrancing.
I did call. All is well.

happy birthday!!

Birthday greetings go out to Jacob today!!




He and Kate also celebrated their anniversary yesterday.

With his new work schedule Jacob has gotten into the habit of calling on his way home on Sunday evening. Always a treat. Last night he reminded me that I don't need to stress about my school work and that I can call him, Kate or Naphtali for pointers and tips any time. I just may do that!!

Happy Birthday, Jacob!!

committment issues

if you are an expert, acting in the roll of an authority on something, please, please commit to an opinion!! it does me no good to read an article on 'the best time of day to exercise' (substitute the issue of your choice)if you never say what that best time is!! i understand there are probably liability issues involved in giving firm advice, but there must be a way to address a question without shillyshallying through an article rephrasing the question half a dozen times, giving equal print to alllllll the viewpoints before wrapping up with the affirmation that, yes, there is a best time, it will vary for individuals as well as individual circumstances and we all have to find it for ourselves. merci beaucoup!!



i apologize but there is no elegant segue.......

we enjoyed our family gatherings this past weekend. good conversation, good food, good grief! -24 degrees new years morning!! not wee-hours-of-the-morning -24 but around 8:30/9:00 -24!! the jordison clan enjoyed a new venue this year (thanks again to leslie for making it happen) making the old traditions that much easier on all of us.


tim garnered birthday wishes all around and scored a german chocolate cake, complete with candle, to complete the festivities.




he and james went to see avatar while my mother's scrabble board got a workout.

aidan should probably have a seperate post but in the interest of time i'll squeeze him in here, reminding readers that he is the most delightful little guy!!
now it's back to work, back to my own bed and routines, back to emails and phone calls instead of face-to-face conversations. we're already scheduled for the cities in april, for aidan's birthday and i've started turning a few calendar pages wondering when i can squeeze another trip east into the plans.....