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| Iowa Visit Kids and Jane |
Feb 28, 2009
Iowa Visit
Feb 15, 2009
Cupid Has been busy....and so have I
I know that time seems to have slipped away again. I have been working out on the assembly floor and getting up to start work at 5AM has really taken some adjustment. I have been lucky enough to stay on days, until the week of Feb 23rd. Then I start evenings. By the time I put in my days, I spend the weekend recovering. LOL I don't have to be at work until 3:30 but will work till 2AM. Another whole adjustment. OK now the cupid part. Justin went to Georgia for the weekend to be with his valentine. Things are getting kind of serious, but they are both very happy. This picture was taken on Valentine's Day on Jekell Island which is near where Kat lives.
He is on his way home tonight, so I am sure I will hear more as the week goes on.
Steve and I both have a long weekend coming up, so we are packing up and heading north to Iowa to catch up with everyone there. Other than that we are all surviving. LOL
I will try to be better at keeping everyone up to date.
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| J&K valentine's day 09 |
Steve and I both have a long weekend coming up, so we are packing up and heading north to Iowa to catch up with everyone there. Other than that we are all surviving. LOL
I will try to be better at keeping everyone up to date.
Jan 23, 2009
Catching Up
Hello all....I know it has been a long time and I have sooooo much to share. I am still trying to adjust to my new work schedule, so I haven't been doing a very good job keeping up. I am still on days for training(which has been a blessing) and will be on days on more week. Just long enough for my body to adjust to being at work at 5AM. Work has been pretty slow, and we are all hoping the economy improves soon.
First and most important, Justin has a girlfriend. Her name is Kathleen (she goes by Kat) and she lives in Georgia. They met over the internet, and she has been to Kansas twice, once just before Christmas.
. Justin and Kat have known each other for quite a while, but we finally got to meet her. As you can see from the picture, they are both very happy. We are very proud of Justin and welcome Kat to the family. They are taking it slow, but she makes Justin smile.
More news. I am a great aunt. My niece Jennifer(who lives in Florida) had a baby boy. My parents are great grandparents for the first time. His name is Charles Keith and my brother Tom is very proud to be a grandpa.
And finally, my neice who lives in Georgia is getting Married in June. Mary Ellen is graduating from Dental Hygeniene school in May. We were going to get together for that, but then my sister called to cancel that party and announce the wedding. She is going to get married at a Georgia Plantation so it will be an amazing experience. I will be sure to take lots of pictures. She has been planning this since she was about 5. Kat will join us there, so she can meet the Dubey family. I figured if she can survive that, she will make it. We hope when she comes back, that we will be able to get together so she can meet all of Steve's side as well. :)
First and most important, Justin has a girlfriend. Her name is Kathleen (she goes by Kat) and she lives in Georgia. They met over the internet, and she has been to Kansas twice, once just before Christmas.
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| From Justin&KatDecember2008 |
More news. I am a great aunt. My niece Jennifer(who lives in Florida) had a baby boy. My parents are great grandparents for the first time. His name is Charles Keith and my brother Tom is very proud to be a grandpa.
And finally, my neice who lives in Georgia is getting Married in June. Mary Ellen is graduating from Dental Hygeniene school in May. We were going to get together for that, but then my sister called to cancel that party and announce the wedding. She is going to get married at a Georgia Plantation so it will be an amazing experience. I will be sure to take lots of pictures. She has been planning this since she was about 5. Kat will join us there, so she can meet the Dubey family. I figured if she can survive that, she will make it. We hope when she comes back, that we will be able to get together so she can meet all of Steve's side as well. :)
Dec 30, 2008
FOLLOWING PATTERNS
Did you ever try to follow a pattern, and then get confused by the directions? To your left, you see my most recent excursion in Purse H*ll. I am sure most of my sister-in-laws remember our shopping trip for Linda's 50th birthday. We ended up at some really unique shops, and most of us purchased something from the Parkville Quilt shop. Mine was the Tube Pocket Purse. When I first read my instructions, Note number one said, and I quote,"If you do not like read instructions, please have someone read them to you." That should have been my first clue. Two days, at least 32 hours, and much ripping, cussing, basting, reripping....arrrrghhh. However, I can honestly say after all the struggle, the end result is awesome. Just don't expect any for this Christmas LOL. The first one was a nightmare, almost from start to finish. Since there is no "pattern pieces" to follow, just instructions on how big to cut, etc. it made for some strange results. The blue and brown bag is my first try. Since Bert was nice enough to let me use her machine, her wisdom, and her material, I created one for her as well. Everything was so much easier the second time around, until I got to the strap. OMG the strap!!!!! I was finished with the purse except for the strap by noon. I had started about 9 this morning. I figured I had it made. Then, after lunch, I tried to fit the strap. I don't know how this woman expected this to work. Her instructions weren't clear at all. At 6 PM, I gave it over to a more competent seamstress, Bert. She tried 3 or 4 times before she finally got it. So....How is everyone else's projects coming???? I look forward to showing off my nightmare at the big Fiesta, and will be happy to share the pattern with anybody that wants to try their luck?
Dec 28, 2008
Getting Older
Wow....what a birthday. I am visiting with Bert and her family. We all slept in this morning, and then off to church. It was the feast of the Holy Family. I always tease my Mom saying she had my birthday on one of the best days. She always feels guilty because I was born so close to Christmas.
When we got home, we had muffins and coffee, and then it was off to shop. As most of you know I love to shop, especially the novelty shops and little "specialty shops." We set up supper in the crock pot, and dessert as well, so everything would be ready when we got home. We laughed at the silly stuff and just had a wonderful time. I think we found a wonderful store to go "sister shopping" when we all get together again. After we ate, the Brecheisen's presented me with my birthday gift, a book titled "THE MARINES". I was very honored by their choice, and it will join the others in my Marine library. I even surprised them all with a big OOORAAHHH. We have spent the rest of the evening working on Christmas gifts, and goodies for the Mexican Fiesta to be held on New Year's Day. I appreciate all the good wishes and phone calls from family and friends.
When we got home, we had muffins and coffee, and then it was off to shop. As most of you know I love to shop, especially the novelty shops and little "specialty shops." We set up supper in the crock pot, and dessert as well, so everything would be ready when we got home. We laughed at the silly stuff and just had a wonderful time. I think we found a wonderful store to go "sister shopping" when we all get together again. After we ate, the Brecheisen's presented me with my birthday gift, a book titled "THE MARINES". I was very honored by their choice, and it will join the others in my Marine library. I even surprised them all with a big OOORAAHHH. We have spent the rest of the evening working on Christmas gifts, and goodies for the Mexican Fiesta to be held on New Year's Day. I appreciate all the good wishes and phone calls from family and friends.
Dec 26, 2008
Ahhh Christmas time...Last night I got together with Betty and Doyle, Bert and Michele, Kevin, Jody and Dad. Nicole, Amanda and Connie stopped by. We had a great evening.I just wish I had remembered my camera. Tonight we went up to Connie's for supper to celebrate Nicole, since Steve is her Godfather, and got to see Linda and Duane as well. We had dinner and chatted, Nicole opened her gifts and then much to my surprize, they brought out a birthday cake. WOW. What a nice surprize. Thank you all for helping make my Christmas special and my birthday a grand celebration. You are all amazing in your own way.I can't wait to see what we will do for New Years........Any ideas? It is only a few days away.
Dec 21, 2008
The stockings were hung....
Well... Things have been hectic. I finally caught up on most of the family blogs.....and reading about the gingerbread men (like grandma used to make) reminded me of a lot of our family traditions. I thought it might be fun to share some with you all, and hope that you will share some of your family traditions as well. Perhaps with so many different families blending together, we can find new traditions to add to the old.
I would say one of my favorite family traditions was going out to pick the Christmas tree. This was no small task. We would all bundle up in our snowsuits, boots, mittens, hats and scarves. Usually by now, the snow was not too deep, but we would walk through some pretty deep drifts, because we all remembered from earlier in the year exactly where the perfect tree was at. You know everything looks different under a blanket of white. There was 6 of us to please, although Mom and Dad usually went along with whatever one the four of us kids decided on. It never failed though. The tree never fit. It was always too tall, and just a little bit crooked, and maybe a little bare on one side. That is the side that always went towards the wall. We got out the bucket, filled it with water, and then we had to wait for a week for the tree to settle. (I realize now that part of that is true, and part of it was that Mom and Dad were tired from the hike). As the tree thawed out, the smell of balsam pine would fill the house. Whenever I smell that certain scent, I am transported to all my yesterdays.....and Christmas. I am certain there must have been some of these at the first Christmas as well.
Next came the tree trimming. This again was done with great ceremony. Dad would do the lights. We didn't have the little twinkle lights, they were the big ones. Once he had the lights on then came the ornaments. We all have our favorites. There was some we had made when we were younger, and some that got handed down from other family members. Each one was wrapped with great care, no matter if it was a paper ornament, or a glass one. Each one had special meaning, and found a certain spot on the tree. We would take turns one by one, picking an ornament and putting it on the tree. Once all the ornaments were placed, Mom got out the boxes of tinsel. You remember those little thin silver strands. She would place them with a gentle touch, and finally Dad would turn on the lights. It was like someone had waved a magic wand. The lights were glowing as much as I am sure our faces were, in anticipation of more Christmas magic.
Finally, on Christmas eve, we would gather by the tree, and exchange our simple gifts to one another. This was started so that when Christmas day came, the small things we had gotten from our siblings wouldn't be lost under everything that Santa had brought. We were almost too excited to sleep. Mom and Dad would send us off to bed. We would hang our stockings by the bed. They had little jingle bells on them. Santa would come over night and fill our stockings with nuts, oranges, pencils and one small gift. Mom told me later that she would hear us get up early on Christmas morning whispering and giggling to each other. This was suppose to keep us from getting too anxious to come downstairs and wake them up to see what Santa brought. Steve and I continued the stocking tradition with Justin, and he told us often it was always fun to see what we would stuff in his stocking.
So as the countdown gets closer, listen for the jingle bells, smell the balsam fir, the gingerbread cookies (oops sorry Angie) and share the simple joy of Christmas with family and friends.
I would say one of my favorite family traditions was going out to pick the Christmas tree. This was no small task. We would all bundle up in our snowsuits, boots, mittens, hats and scarves. Usually by now, the snow was not too deep, but we would walk through some pretty deep drifts, because we all remembered from earlier in the year exactly where the perfect tree was at. You know everything looks different under a blanket of white. There was 6 of us to please, although Mom and Dad usually went along with whatever one the four of us kids decided on. It never failed though. The tree never fit. It was always too tall, and just a little bit crooked, and maybe a little bare on one side. That is the side that always went towards the wall. We got out the bucket, filled it with water, and then we had to wait for a week for the tree to settle. (I realize now that part of that is true, and part of it was that Mom and Dad were tired from the hike). As the tree thawed out, the smell of balsam pine would fill the house. Whenever I smell that certain scent, I am transported to all my yesterdays.....and Christmas. I am certain there must have been some of these at the first Christmas as well.
Next came the tree trimming. This again was done with great ceremony. Dad would do the lights. We didn't have the little twinkle lights, they were the big ones. Once he had the lights on then came the ornaments. We all have our favorites. There was some we had made when we were younger, and some that got handed down from other family members. Each one was wrapped with great care, no matter if it was a paper ornament, or a glass one. Each one had special meaning, and found a certain spot on the tree. We would take turns one by one, picking an ornament and putting it on the tree. Once all the ornaments were placed, Mom got out the boxes of tinsel. You remember those little thin silver strands. She would place them with a gentle touch, and finally Dad would turn on the lights. It was like someone had waved a magic wand. The lights were glowing as much as I am sure our faces were, in anticipation of more Christmas magic.
Finally, on Christmas eve, we would gather by the tree, and exchange our simple gifts to one another. This was started so that when Christmas day came, the small things we had gotten from our siblings wouldn't be lost under everything that Santa had brought. We were almost too excited to sleep. Mom and Dad would send us off to bed. We would hang our stockings by the bed. They had little jingle bells on them. Santa would come over night and fill our stockings with nuts, oranges, pencils and one small gift. Mom told me later that she would hear us get up early on Christmas morning whispering and giggling to each other. This was suppose to keep us from getting too anxious to come downstairs and wake them up to see what Santa brought. Steve and I continued the stocking tradition with Justin, and he told us often it was always fun to see what we would stuff in his stocking.
So as the countdown gets closer, listen for the jingle bells, smell the balsam fir, the gingerbread cookies (oops sorry Angie) and share the simple joy of Christmas with family and friends.
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