Dear Deb

Dear Deb,

I miss you.  We didn't gather as a group this year to remember you or to once again grieve through laughter.   However, you were on my mind all day December 31.   Not that you are not on other days.

There is so much I wish to tell you.  So much I wish we could share and talk about.

I know you are there listening and watching, but I miss you and your physical being.  I miss our talks, laughs and tears.

It has been  more than a couple years now since you took your own life, but it still hurts.   I hope you found peace.

I love you and was proud to be your friend.

Love, Joanie

Loss of Dear Friend

Today I attended a memorial service for a dear friend.   She was 84 when she became an angel away from earth.   She had been an angel on earth before that.  Sadly, we lost her human side a while back due to  Alzheimer's and other health issues.  She was a loving caring person, who I met through working in the legal system and we became friends.  She was so wise.   She was a hard worker, German heritage, a  "lady".  She and her husband farmed and raised a family.   She came through many hard times with grace.   I admired her greatly and she will be missed by many.  

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.  ~From a headstone in Ireland

New Show and Other Tidbits

I just got done a bit ago watching "Life Unexpected" on CW. It is a new show and I liked it. Did anyone catch it? I think it is one I will try to follow. And, it is on during a time slot that would be good, I can easily give up CSI Miami. :-)

I am in Kearney tonight, in a big motel room with a king sized bed all to myself! What luxury!

I came to Kearney with my friend, S, and we had a nice drive down, talking and laughing together...aw-- the joy of friends. It has been a while since we had any time to share together, so this was a treasured time!! We also enjoyed a wonderful supper at Red Lobster...another great treat! Then, we visited her brother in law and sister in law, and oh, boy, we had a fun time, and so many laughs. What a great evening we had!

Tomorrow we will enjoy and learn at a workshop and then drive home. It was really foggy and misty out (and then a bit of snow) but it looks to have cleared off now.

The Angel...

I told you a couple days ago I would post a picture of the Angel ornament I got from my dear friend, S.

Isn't it beautiful? It looks great on my "Angel" tree....and will be so special always! (I also got a gift certificate that I will enjoy immensely....to get my "foo foo" coffee!!

Another thing we did...

A few of us "rang the bell" for Salvation Army in our effort to "give back" this year. Here are a couple photos...let me tell you, it was REALLY cold that night!!! Sorry the photos are not very clear...using your camera phone in sub zero temps must not work that well!

I am thankful for surprises! Today, I got one, in fact! I received a gift from my friend, K, for helping with some trainings at work. It smells so good, and is so silky... I love this! Tuscan Honey Silky Body Cream! So, instead of a thankful photo today, you get a photo of my surprise!!!


And...isn't this true?--------If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

Todays Thankful...and Weekend Comments

I am thankful this weekend for weekends, in themselves! I mean, really, aren't you?

And since I didn't post yesterday, I will give two thankfuls! I am also thankful for friends, old and new. What would we do without our friends? Do you have a friend or 2 that accepts you just the way you are? A friend or 2 that you can tell anything to? A friend or 2 that does't criticize, judge or envy you or you her? I do. And I cherish that. I have friends in my life that I just relish. I am lucky. I love you, my friends. I hope I can be the kind of friend to others in those same ways. I saw an old friend today at church, and it was like we saw each other yesterday, instead of a long while. During the sign of peace, she gave me a hug and held me tight. It was wonderful. I hope you have friends like that...old and new.

Hard to believe the weekend is already winding down! I went out pheasant hunting with my hubby and a couple friends yesterday. They have asked me to go along a couple times, but this is the first time I went along. I just walked the lines, hoping to flush out pheasants. They were right...it was a LOT of exercise, I didn't have to go to the Y! It was especially a lot of exercise walking in the mud and snow with my boots on! It was just nice to be out moving around in the fresh air! I figure it won't hurt me to expand my horizons once in a while, huh? I grew up around hunting, and in fact, used to go out hunting with my dad--sometimes even our family went out. I'm just too soft hearted to really be a hunter! But I had a good time, and suprised my daughter, Tina, and my one sister, who is an avid hunter, by going out with the guys! Have a great rest of the weekend....

Thankful...

I am going to follow Jojo's lead and give thanks on a daily basis in November. Yikes, it is already November 3...so I'll just start today. Thanks Jojo, for reminding me that we need to remember our gratitude!

I am thankful for the miracle that we are receiving in Allison...she is coming back to us, slowly...and each day is a step forward.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Birthday, my friend

Happy Birthday to my friend, S.

She is my rock, my shoulder, my friend. She encourages me, cries with me, laughs with me, and she is always there for me. My life is better having her as my friend, and I am so lucky. I hope she has the bestest birthday ever.

I love you, S!

Bike Trip

Our annual bike trip to the Mikkleson Trail in South Dakota was last weekend. We have an awesome group of friends that we go with. This year was a "wash"..literally. It poured rain, and we were unable to ride.

We still had fun, though...we toured Mount Moriah Cemetary, as I wrote earlier (see here).

Then, on Saturday, we toured two wineries...go figure that I'd enjoy that! It was awesome! Then, we gathered to watch UW play football on TV. I went with three others on a hike that afternoon, as it cleared off some. It still would have been too bad to ride on the trail. That night, supper at the Alpine Inn at Hill City, famous for their filet mignon. (It's all they serve in the evening.)

Sunday morning was more rain, so we enjoyed company for a bit, then headed off in different directions. We went to Rapid City for a while with friends and headed home.

It was disappointing to not be able to ride, but a great time with good friends. We may have to change up to an earlier date next year, as we have had rainy cool weather the past three years.

Bike Trip 2009 Photos

Bike Ride 2008

Bike Ride 2007

At least I had NO ACCIDENTS! :-)

Thankful for Good Friends

My good friend, S, wrote a blip on her blog about me the other day: Read it here.

She is such a great friend, and I don't know how I'd get through some days without her! I did have a particularly bad couple days at work, just due to a big amount of stress, deadlines, and overwhelming craziness here. I even wrote on Facebook Monday that I had had a "day from hell" and I had some friends comment on there, too, making me feel better.

What would we do without good friends? I hate to think about that one....

A Day Away...

We headed to South Dakota today for our annual bike ride on the Mikkelson Trail. We did not ride today, but just enjoyed the day. We will ride both Saturday and Sunday.

Today, some of us went to see Mount Moriah. (It is Deadwoods' historic boot hill cemetary, where "Wild Bill" Hickock, Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, among so many others were buried.) It was really interesting and also a good hike. The cemetary is on a hill, and is quite a bit of walking. We really enjoyed it.

Here is a slideshow, be sure and click so you can read the captions about the photos. If you want, you can go to the photo page and view instead: (Mount Moriah Photos).




After, went to the crab legs and prime rib buffet at the Silverado, and ate too much. It was quite tasty! We walked for quite a while, stopping in various stores to look around and casinos where I played a whole $2.00 on the nickel machines, and then headed back to the motel. Tomorrow, up bright and early to peddle....

Night at the Flicks

Yesterday was a long tedious day, and my friend, S, asked if I wanted to go to the movies. I first thought, no, I just want to curl up and veg. But, I thought, maybe OK. I thought I was going to have to help hubby with a fixit project as well, but he was all done. So, my night was free. So, after exercise class I went to see "17 Again" with my friend, S, and another gal. I am so glad I did, it was such a great break, and we laughed our pants off in spots. I think there was only the three of us in the whole theater!??? But, I noticed another group of 3 or 4 in the back finally, but then they were gone when we left already....so who knows? It was so nice to just relax with friends and laugh. Parts of the movie were dorky, but most of it was just enjoyable and some of it, like I said, laugh your pants off funny!

And, if I were a teenager, I'd have a poster of Zac Efron on my wall.....

On the Road Again....

I am leaving today for the next few days for a workshop and then technology conference in Omaha. I am sure I will get really smart. Well.....maybe...ha! I will be traveling with my friend, S, and know we will have a good time laughing and talking all the way. I love my friend. I got out my suitcases and Sissy has been latched onto me ever since. She wants to go with me! Poor baby. She has to stay home and watch out for Sammy and my hubby. I will post from our motel, which looks like it will be awesome, brand new.

This week I celebrate for my sisters' birthdays, J and J! (We all have J names!) One had a birthday the 19th and one today, 21st. They don't read my blog, but Happy Birthday to them! Have a great day!

Last Week

I think Sammy mentioned to you all that I had gone on a road trip. My friend, S, and I went to Kearney for a workshop. It was a good workshop, and driving with her is always a lot of fun. We seem to find lots to talk about. I enjoy the time together!

Anyway, since I usually post pictures of our food, I wanted to post our meal for you. (This is largely due to the fact that we dont' have any fun places to eat here at home!) We ate supper at "The Venue" which is at the Holiday Inn there. MIND YOU, we did work out at our motel first! (Aren't you all proud of us???)

We both ordered the same entree:

(Seafood Rosetti ...I think that was the name!) The grilled salmon was to die for!

We shared a dessert....some kind of wonderful cheesecake...(NOW REMEMBER, we had worked out.... and we SHARED!)

For my drink, I had a wine flight...I tried a Pinot Noir flight. It was quite tasty. Not too much wine, so I was good on that one!

We also attended this big purse fair. We were really excited and had a lot of fun picking out new purses. Purses seem to be my downfall lately. My husband said "another purse"???? Oh, well, I didn't have one this color. Don't you love it???

Another special thing...

Last week, my friend, Joan (pr Jo-anne), stopped by with a little surprise... is this little bunny not cute? I love him and he brightens up my office and makes me happy (or should I say "hoppy"!!) (Ok, that was corny..I know.) She is such a sweetie, always doing little things that remind me that she is thinking of me. She is one of the most thoughtful people I know, and not because of these little surprises (which I LOVE) but because of the person that she is. I hope I can share some of the thoughtfulness and happiness and caring that she shares. Thank you, Joan!

Special Day for ME!

Wow! I was surprised and honored last week to be chosen to wear the "Coco" pearls. My friend, S, chose me and I was so overwhelmed.

This is the meaning behind the Coco:

Coco is an experiment in sharing. We hope the necklace will become greater than the sum of its links. It will become a symbol of reaching out to discover ourselves, sharing with one another, and enriching our school and community in the process.

*********

When we have the Coco, we are responsible for doing something for ourselves and others. Share with others "the necklace".

My friend, S, is part of the "Coco" group at her building. They do some really awesome projects. I was so proud to be wearing the Coco.

Thank you, S!

Funday Sunday

On Sunday, our bike group all gathered up at "R" 's house in Crawford. He had invited us all up for a fish fry. Upon arrival, we had some delicious snacks. There were fresh veggies and dips (I brought some as well), cinnamon popcorn..yum, smoked turkey and crackers and trout spread/dip. I tell you, it was tasty. Then, we went out hiking over at Fort Robinson State Park on and around the buttes. It was quite a workout at times for me, but I loved it! There was some snow/mud on the trail in places, and it was chilly out, but I dressed in layers and stayed plenty warm. We hiked for over two hours, and it was just awesome. We all enjoyed it so much! Afterward, he treated us to a fish fry to die for, with yummy food. Best of all, we loved the time together, had lots of laughs and story telling. It was a great Sunday. You can view the photos in my photo albums in the link on the right side of this page, or view my slide show here.

Thumbs Up!

This movie was just awesome. We went to see it with friends this weekend, and it was great. I recommend it highly.

In finding the image to the left, I found this comment on the movie, and I couldn't word it any better:

I saw the film and it was unbelievable. Clint Eastwood will have you laughing so hard you almost pee yourself while at the same time breaking your heart and making you want to cry. The movie takes you on a roller-coaster ride and the entire theater stood up in applause afterward. I highly recommend this film and if Eastwood doesn't get nominated for an Oscar something is truly wrong!!! The screening I saw was held at the Writer's Guild, so the room was filled with SAG, WGA, DGA, and other industry related people who I would wage know their movies. At points the entire room was laughing so loud I couldn't hear, and then minutes later all you could hear were the sniffles from people crying. The film has drama, comedy, and action and Clint Eastwood really creates a character that you care about and cheer for...again!

Road Trip

Good Sunday morning!

My friend, S, and I attended a conference in Kearney on Friday. We left, as Sammy posted, on Thursday. The conference was awesome, and we had so much fun traveling together. It's nice to have a friend that works with you! We learned a lot at the conference, and talked a lot on the long drive! Of course, we got weather. Last time we traveled (to Grand Island), you may remember we also got bad weather! (You can read about it by clicking on the red text.). Anyway, we debated, stay or go, but we came on home, and the roads were not that bad. And, I didn't have so many issues at the gas station this time either! :-)

During the week, we had spring like temperatures, near and around 60 degrees. This was my view this morning:

(hubby clearing up the snow)

(back yard-view 1)


(back yard-view2)

Gosh darn, where are my grandkids? I want to go sledding!