What a day!

I told Jim I wanted to sleep in today, we have been getting to bed after midnight the last few nights and I could feel it starting to wear me down. Well I didn't sleep in to much, but I did stay in bed until 8. I got up and did some laundry while Jim went and cleaned the post office. I just made myself a cup of coffee managed one sip and the ambulance pager went off. Dang no one responded. So leave my coffee and respond to a train that hit a car.  Got home around 2 o'clock, enjoyed watching some of the Doctors. Decided I better eat - made some pancakes. At 3 o'clock decided a nap would be in order. slept on and off for around an hour. Phone kept ringing and ringing. This evening just getting ready to visit with Brody on the phone and what the heck the pager goes off again for a man buried in a trench with difficulty breathing. I responded to help load and took back up. It would have been a great day to just stay in bed; maybe tomorrow!!

Almost the next generation

On May 1st I attended my last uncle's funeral.  Uncle George was by far my favorite uncle.  I knew him the best of all my mother's siblings, he and his wife lived in North Dakota while they raised their family. They lived in Whapeton and Minot.  Uncle George worked for BNSF just before retirement they transferred him to Minneapolis.  He lived there until Aunt Cese passed away. He and Brian then moved to Breckenridge, MN.  He got to live in his new home for a little over a year before his sudden passing.  One thing about a sudden death is one can be thankful that he didn't have a long period of illness and suffering.  After the funeral my cousins and I had a wonderful visit. While visiting, we realized we are almost the next generation - we have one aunt left. Aunt LaVonne lives in California and of course isn't getting any younger.  The first part of this year she moved from Carson City, NV to California to be closer to her kids.

It's kind of a scary thought that we are almost the oldest ones in the family now. Must be time for a family reunion so our kids learn some of the family history.

                                Cousins Linda, Bruce, and Brian.  Brian always the clown!

Retirement

Sunday I traveled to Bowman to attend church there.  Pastor Strand celebrated his retirement with a wonderful worship service at Bowman Lutheran Church followed by a reception. 
Pastor Strand moved to Bowman in 1977, if I figured it right I should have been in his first confirmation class. He married Jim and I 26 (almost 27 years ago).  He and his wife have been a wonderful asset to the community of Bowman. The church council presented him with a certificate to go to Medora and golf at Bully Pulpit. He was thrilled!  Then they presented his wife with a certificate to Cedar Canyon Spa in Medora. She was so excited.  They have built a new home just a few blocks away from the church, so they will be staying in the community.  It isn't often that a church keeps their pastor for more than 10 years; I wonder if this is some kind of record 36 years!

Enjoy your retirement Pastor Strand, you will be missed at church for you wonderful sermons and leadership.

Here Comes the Bride!

June 1st brings us to Michelle and Joey's wedding. We worried about the weather all that week from May 27 - May 31. it rained every single day. Some days it would just pour and pour all day long. It wasn't long that our neighbor called and said they had water in their basement. A very fast trip down the stairs found our sump hole filling fast. I woke Jim up and told him we needed to get that pump hooked up and fast! The pump has been running nonstop since we got it running, but no water on the basement floor!

Jim had been sick all that week starting with Sunday, May 26. He called in sick on Monday afternoon, his supervisor told him it wasn't an option. Poor guy couldn't get his blood sugar up over 70 his made it his 10 hour sift, but not without a very upset wife! His supervisor got to deal with me the next day - she knew I was not a happy camper! Thursday night while decorating Jim had a spell where he had no idea where he was. So we spent Friday pushing fluids and lots of sugars into his body. Thank heavens we got him feeling better for Saturday.

Saturday morning rolled around without a cloud in the sky - could not have asked for a more beautiful day! The son-in-laws and I got the rosters and cake to the hall in Sentinel Butte. Michelle's personal attendant finished decorating the church. Seems everyone will just pitch in and lend a hand where needed!  Pictures started at 1 P.M. and so the day was well on it's way. At 5 P.M. we found the church filling fast! Pastor JT did a wonderful service, then off to Sentinel Butte for a wonderful night of food, visiting, and dancing! I'm thankful that as the girls have gotten older they are more and more help. At 1 A.M. they were great help at cleaning up the church!

Now we only have one left to get hitched. Kelly says that is not in her life plan. We will see what happens when she gets to college. There will be a young handsome man that will sweep her off her feet!

 

Some of the lovely pictures from friends and the photographer! What a perfect day!!

First Birthday!

April 26, 2013 we celebrated Brody's first birthday. Denise and Brian had a wonderful birthday party for him. Patty, Brayden, Michelle, Joey, and Kelly were all able to make it from our side of the family. Brian's folks and sister arrived later Saturday evening. Jim, Kelly and I went down to Bismarck on Friday afternoon which was Brody's birthday. So we just had to make sure he had a cupcake on his real birthday! Looked like he was a part of the Blue Man Crew! He loved every bit of it! Brian made sure grandma had clean up duty. I had to change the bath water a couple of times!!

 Why haven't I had this good stuff before?

 Grandma's Blue Boy!

 Brody showing off his John Deere tools from Aunt Michelle and Uncle Joey!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA'S BUDDY!!!

Graduation

Even though I have had a post in ages, this one is a little late also. So I will play catch up a bit.

May 10, 2013 Michelle graduated from Bismarck State College with a business degree. We are so proud of her for working full time and taking full time credits online.  We had a nice little party for her at Denise's house then we went to Texas Road House for supper. What a grand day!

May 26, 2013 we celebrated Kelly's graduation. Rather an emotional in day - wasn't sure how I would feel that morning. I did shed a few tears knowing that it was my baby graduating and she would be moving on this fall. But then a part of me was like OH YEAH!!! So proud of you baby girl for graduating with honors and for being the beautiful lady you have turned into. No more kids in school, no more having to be at any sporting events, concerts, conferences, or any other school activity that I don't want to be at! Now will be a time to relax and enjoy some time to myself.

 

Very busy May with all the graduations! What a great time to celebrate!!!