Tag Archives: birthdays

STILL waiting!

by nebraskawheatie

Jamie’s due date was Monday, April 1. Tomorrow will be the week beyond the day she was expecting to give birth.

IMG_3138Last week’s doctor appointment      

I saw her today. Poor girl…she is MISERABLE! We had some really yummy peach/apricot wine (thanks Dale!) to sample this evening. She decided she’d have a few sips. She was paying for it big time with severe heart burn the rest of the evening. I remember being at the point she is now – just ready for my body to be back to “normal”.

While she was sitting here, she pointed to her belly and exclaimed, “watch this!”  I made it over to her just in time to see her lop-sided belly start to  move. One jab over here – another over there. While the whole family was gathered around her very swollen belly, we all began trying to coach that baby to make its appearance SOON! “Please, baby, come tomorrow”. “Stop being a bad baby and make your appearance”. “Come out NOW”!

She asked me to go to her dr. appointment tomorrow. No turning that request down! Maybe it will be her last. Jim’s birthday is Tuesday. I wonder if this baby is just waiting for Tuesday to roll around so it can celebrate his/her special day with Grandpa?

On another note, I hung clothes on the line today AND began cleaning garden debris from the flower gardens. I just can’t believe how therapeutic it is to dig in the dirt! My back is yelling a little tonight but I’m hoping I can get back out there again soon! It’s been a LONG winter and it sounds like the “S” word is making its way back in the forecast later this week.

It will soon start feeling like harvest is around the corner. The trailer house is coming out of storage on Wednesday. It has an appointment to get a few issues taken care of before the big trip south. I’m anxious for harvest to roll around but I’m NOT anxious to leave a six-week old baby and come home to a five month old. I will miss so much – it makes me want to cry!

 

Jamie – Our Firstborn/Our Guinea Pig/Our Leader of the Pack – turns 27

by nebraskawheatie

Twenty-seven years ago today, we brought home a tiny little baby – the beginnings of the Z Crew.  Jamie was just a little more than 24 hours old when we left the hospital in my little blue Subaru. It was sooo cold that evening, we couldn’t keep the car warm. I remember feeling like I was probably going to jail when I took that tiny little baby out of her car seat and held her close to me. I was hoping I would be able to keep her warmer than the car was providing.  Our little guinea pig was born at 1:01 p.m. on December 23, 1985.

jamie-1-001

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#3…this is for YOU!

by nebraskawheatie

“A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.” ~ Unknown

Taylor turned 18 on November 2. It was the day we left on our annual fall camping trip. Life happened and I haven’t been able to do a post just for her. This is your post, Taylor…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I decided what I wanted to do for you was to gather a few pictures together for all the world to see. What I really wanted them to see was a shortened version of the kid you were and the young woman you have become. I hope I have adequately done this.

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As Promised…Cheesy Potato Soup (and more)

by nebraskawheatie

Before I get to the recipe, I wanted to share a couple of items I found the other day while looking for something else. Surely you’ve never done that! The other day, I said something to Callie referring to the tigers which turned to butter in the story, “Little Black Sambo”. That was one I remember my Grandma reading to me and it was a favorite of mine. Callie had no clue what I was talking about and I wanted her to read it. Well, for some reason, it wasn’t in the place I always thought I remembered it being in. Instead, I found these great reminders of days gone by:

This is an old postcard Grandma sent from Regina, Saskatchewan in 1972. Her friend, in turn, returned it to Grandma and then Grandma gave it to me (knowing my love for the harvest). This is what is written on the back in Grandma’s handwriting, “We’ve had a very good year. This is like our 3 machines and we pick wheat up like it shows here in the North Country. Only we have cabs. I LOVE it up here. Pauline”

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“When You Only Got 100 Years to Live”

by nebraskawheatie

“15 there’s still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there’s never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live”

“100 Years” lyrics by John Ondrasick – Music Video performed by Five for Fighting

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OH HAPPY DAY!

by nebraskawheatie

The title of this post will only mean something to Jenna and the rest of my family. 🙂 However, we certainly HAVE celebrated a couple very happy days recently. I will attempt to keep the number of words to a minimum because I’m sure I could get long-winded. The number of pictures I’d l ike to share will make this posting long enough.

On Saturday, April 21, Taylor went to her very first prom.

img_2866She had ordered her dress online – in plenty of time –  on Thanksgiving. When she received it, it was way too big. I couldn’t send it back to the “store” as it was created in China. So, the next thing we had to do was take it in. It was a job that seemed rather overwhelming to me but I was willing to accept the challenge. I had questions, though, how to make it happen and called upon a neighbor who had done dresses like this in the past for advice. Taylor and I went to Judeen’s house for help. Judeen, bless her heart, just took over the job. I think she knew it was going to be something I really didn’t want to tackle! And, I’m so thankful for her and what she did. You would never have known that dress was taken apart and re-sewn. THANK YOU, JUDEEN – you are a miracle worker!

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A Loud, Screaming THANK YOU!

by nebraskawheatie

I just realized something as I was brushing my teeth and getting ready to end the very first day of the new golden decade that I am about to begin.  It hit me like an emotional punch in the gut how BLESSED I truly am! I received more birthday wishes today than ever, I’m sure! I have Facebook to thank for that, I know. However, I also know there are a lot of wonderful people in my life. You are who makes me. 25 years ago, I was definitely not the same person I am today. I have grown and I have each one of you to thank for that!

The opportunities I have been given the past 10 years have been amazing! I don’t know how the next 10 could get any better. I do know that with age comes wisdom and a sense of satisfaction in who you have become. For these two reasons alone, I look forward to what the next ten years have in store for me. And, I look forward to including you, my family and friends, in those moments. Thank you for taking the time to wish me Happy Birthday, for the phone calls, for the cards and for taking time to let me know you were thinking of me today. I woke up this morning and told myself, “I don’t feel any older” 🙂 It’s all good. I knew once I got through the reminders of the day, it will be ok – and it is.

Goodbye 40’s…HELLO 50’s!

by nebraskawheatie

Tomorrow, I will be 18,261 days old…or 50 years old…or half a century old. WHOA! How can this be? Life really does happen in the blink of an eye! Am I feeling a little crummy about it, YES! Will I get over it the very next day, YES! I know we never know how long we have on this crazy earth and how long we have with our loved ones but by being 50, I know I’m closer to death than I am to birth.  For the heck of it, I went searching for some fun “being fifty facts” and the following are the ones I found that I liked:

“Turning 50 heralds a decade of transition, many of them involving bodily changes. Menopause ends the childbearing years. Gray hairs supplant natural color, forcing one of three decisions: let nature take its course, cover the gray or try a completely different shade. (Unlike men, women haven’t embraced head shaving as midlife sexy.) Changes in vision require reading glasses. Gravity takes its toll as our necks sag, stomachs bulge, breasts droop, faces wrinkle, underarms swing like fish bellies. Waists thicken and knees and back ache. Skin loses its elasticity, causing some of us to try and turn the clocks back by means of all sorts of chemical and medical interventions — moisturizers, ointments to reduce age spots, wrinkle creams, Botox injections, plastic surgery, face and eye lifts.” (About.com Turning 50 – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Turning Fifty for Women)

” Women over 50 are president, CEO, and the star of their own lives. If you have the attitude that life is precious, that life is grandiose, that you don’t want to waste any time, you will make this quality time.” — S. Mitchell (WebMD 50 Great Things About Women Over 50)

“It is not unusual for someone to feel a lot of anxiety about  turning 50 years old, but once you reach your 50s and beyond, you are going to  wonder what exactly it was you were so worried about.”

Tonight, the sunset was spectacular! It was almost as though God was giving my 40’s a grand farewell and it made me smile! I look forward to what the      50’s have in store for me. I do know I’m not going to stop living life to the fullest, I will still view the word “impossible” as a bad word, and I will continue to look for God in every part of my day! Here’s to the next 50!

Like Two Sparrows in a Hurricane

by nebraskawheatie

I heard this song today – while on my way to the chiropractor.  I’ve heard it a million times and it’s sung by a country singer that I never really liked very well. Her voice is one, though, that makes me think about being a little girl. Her first song, “Delta Dawn”, was released when I was 10. She was 13. So, I guess we’ve sort of grown up together.

When I heard Tanya singing her song on this particular day, it brought tears to my eyes. Why? I guess because I finally REALLY listened to the lyrics and it made me think of the past 30+ years of dating and being married to Jim.  We’ve been through the first two stanzas of her song and are now headed into the third. I realize she talks about being 83 and I’ve got a ways before that birthday finds me but it is right around the corner. The years go so fast as we live each day, which turn to weeks, months and years way faster than it did when I was 10.  Being “middle-aged’ makes a person reflect and realize just how fast life really does go. How do you make anyone going through the first or even the second stanza of this song realize that in the blink of an eye they’ll also be looking at the third?

My advice to the first and second “stanza-ers”: Carpe Diem (seize the day)! Each day you are given on this earth is being exchanged for something.  Exchange your days working hard, build strong relationships, do something good, right, worth your while, and of good purpose. Above all else, keep the faith and watch how God meticulously pieces together your life puzzle as you experience each stanza of your life.

“Two Sparrows In A Hurricane”
She’s fifteen and he’s barely driving a car
She’s got his ring and he’s got the keys to her heart
It’s just matter of time
They’ll spread their wings and fly

Like two sparrows in a hurricane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
And faith that can move anything
They’ve heard it’s all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they’ll never make it, love says they will

There’s a baby crying and one more on the way
There’s a wolf at the door with a big stack of bills
They can’t pay
The clouds are dark and the wind is high
But they can see the other side

Like two sparrows in a hurricane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
And faith that can move anything
They’ve heard it’s all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they’ll never make it, love says they will

She’s eighty-three and he’s barely driving a car
She’s got his ring and he’s got the key to her heart
It’s just a matter of time
They’ll spread their wings and fly

Like two sparrows in a hurricane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
And faith that can move anything
They’ve heard it’s all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they’ll never make it, love says they will

Wine and birthdays.

by nebraskawheatie

Not sure how we got ‘er all done, but the festivities certainly made the weekend go much faster than I like. It all began Friday night with Jamie, Jenna and Callie. Last summer, Jamie had sent me a link for a “Living Social” coupon from the Slattery Vintage Estates winery and I thought it sounded like it would be something worth purchasing and taking advantage of. The deadline for the coupon was ever so sneakily creeping closer and closer so we decided to partake in our cheese,crackers and wine tasting adventure. We were missing Taylor. She is the HS girls basketball student manager and was at a ball game. It was a LOVELY evening. It got even better as we were leaving – the owner of the winery asked if I was the older SISTER. That was definitely a boost for the ‘ole ego!

P.S. Callie was NOT drinking wine. She was enjoying an icy cold Pepsi in her souvenir wine glass.

 My poor starving children.

Jamie giving us her famous “Jamie” look.

Me and Jame.

Jenna, Me and Callie

Slattery Vintage Estates winery is a beautiful place – inside and out. In the summer, they offer some fancy tents to spend the night in, featuring wonderful old antiques. I think it would be quite the adventure hanging out there on a summer evening – as long as it wasn’t 102 with 90% humidity and lots of bugs.

On Saturday morning, I got up and drove the High School Art Club to Omaha (in the school bus) to tour the Joslyn Art Museum and the Latino Museum in South Omaha. I had never been to the Joslyn before. I’ve been to more art museums this year than I have in my entire life. In February, Jim and I were at the Louvre. In December, I very briefly walked through the National Art Museum in DC. Omaha’s Joslyn is not as big (of course) as the other two but it’s a very nice art museum. I was excited to see a couple Charles M. Russell paintings and also Currier and Ives. My harvest Grandma was the one who introduced me to both of these artists. Seeing them immediately took me back to a time and place when I was much younger. I appreciate the fact that Grandma passed the love of so many of her favorite things to me. The funny part is, I wasn’t even aware of it when it was happening.

Taylor just inside the door of the Joslyn.

“The Weeders”

 Charlie Russell painting – A Montana resident.

Taylor and I in front of the Joslyn.

When we got home from Omaha, about 3:00, the day wasn’t over yet. Callie and I decided we’d get her room painted. So, we have been painting a little here and little there with hopes of finishing before basketball practice starts (10th of Jan.). So, when I got home, I changed clothes and headed upstairs with her to paint a while. We had a little bit of time before needing to head to Mark and Candi’s for Brook’s 8th birthday party. When it was time, Cal and I cleaned up our paint brushes, changed clothes once again and headed to the Rathe’s house for supper. As usual, Mark put out a spectacular “feed” and we all ate till we were ready to burst. The little kids, though, were having way too much fun to waste much time eating!

 Happy birthday, Brook! Brook was showing us the matching nightgown she and her doll shared. CUTE!

Taylor and her beau, Nick.

This is what birthday parties are all about!

After church on Sunday, Callie and I once again changed our clothes and headed upstairs to paint for a while before it was time to go party once again. This time, we would be celebrating Jim’s mom’s 88th birthday. We gathered for pizza and birthday cake. I think she enjoyed her day! This is the same woman who was struggling so very hard to breathe on Thanksgiving morning and ended up spending several days in ICU. She’s recovered quite nicely!

The gang!

Mom and her grandkids – notice…ALL GIRLS – except for her great-grandson.

 Added the grandson-in-laws.

And now, her kids – Jim and Maureen. and me and Harv.

Jim and his big sis, Maureen.

Happy Birthday to Mom Z. and Brooklyn! We celebrated being 8 and being 88. It’s always fun celebrating a birthday and eating birthday cake!

 AND, Callie and I got her room finished!