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Monday, November 30, 2009

Waiting for some status!

Every time Steve and I get ready to travel, which is pretty often these days, I check in on line to print my boarding pass and expect some bells and whistles to go off. Maybe some words to pop up on the screen to say that I now have achieved silver or maybe even gold status on my favorite, American airlines. But no, no such luck yet. How long must I wait? Today, I am trying to get back to the big D from Orlando, Fl where we have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with all 4 "kids". I have discovered that trying to find an empty seat on an earlier flight on the Monday after Thanksgiving is IMPOSSIBLE. And, I have a Christmas party at my house tomorrow night! Yikes! So what's a gal to do?
1. Make a list of things to do when I get home.
2. Get a Coldstone.
3. Finish reading "Going Rogue", which I am really enjoying by the way.
4. Clean out my purse.
5. Decide what to serve to my guests tomorrow night.
6. Make a grocery list.
7. Return as many phone calls as possible.
8. Purchase magazines.
9. Walk some laps pulling my carry-on that is ever expanding due to airport purchases.
10.Make sure I get my quota of Starbucks since it is here and I love it!
Let the chaos of the season begin! It wouldn't be late November if I wasn't experiencing some sort of pre-Christmas jitters. Happy Holidays!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Time flys when you are busy!

Then month of November will go down in history as a BLUR! After the quick trip to Minnesota, I got involved with a wonderful young woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago when her baby was 3 months old. She already had 3 children. Upon diagnosis, her husband left her. Long story. She has just recently had surgery to help with painful scar tissue that resulted from the intensive radiation she had. This woman is courageous and trusting in God's provision for her every day of her life. I am blessed beyond measure to be getting to know her and count her as my friend. She is an absolute delight.
I flew in to Raleigh for 5 days to check in with Steve's mom who just had a lumpectomy to remove a cancerous tumor. She had some drs. appts. to go to and we just wanted to treat her like a queen for a few days: cooking some meals, cleaning a bit, etc. She is doing so well and won't need to start radiation until January. Her prognosis is very good.
That weekend was Louise's sorority parent's weekend and Steve and I loved taking she and Zach out for dinner before the big party. What a fun night. We tailgated with her on Saturday before the game and enjoyed spending a picture perfect day sitting in the stadium. Sometimes the outcome of the game isn't part of the memory. Just enjoying one another's company is enough.
The WHOLE family will converge on Orlando this Tuesday to spend a week reconnecting. We rented a fun house not far from Disney and will squeeze in as much cooking and eating; watching football games; parks; and whatever else we come up with. Can't wait. Lots to be thankful for!

Monday, November 2, 2009

A restful weekend in Minnesota

There is nothing like going back home, even if it has been almost 30 years since I lived in the state. And still, not much has really changed. All of my extended family is still there and still living in the same places. That is reassuring somehow.
I spent the weekend at my parents place near New Ulm and enjoyed catching up with them, looking at old pictures, sharing new and old stories and visiting with aunts, uncles, neighbors, and old friends. We spent Sunday morning worshiping at the church I grew up in and my parents are still active in. Sunday night we went to a concert series event that was held in the auditorium of my old junior high school. I walked in and stepped back in time. The seats in the auditorium are every bit as small and hard as I remembered them. What memories!
We are at that place in our lives where our kids are all in a really good place and our parents are all still living independently. I think maybe these are the " golden years " for us. That in-between time when we can just up and go whenever we want and enjoy the adventure life offers us. We are going to try to fully appreciate this time in our lives. God is so good.