Marquee Message That Made Me Think

I saw a marquee along the roadside as I was driving home from having lunch with my dad last Friday. You know how some things just catch your eye and make you think?

The message was............




"Problems are a chance to do your best."

I said to myself, That is right! That is absolutely right!" I don't know if any of us want problems, but sometimes problems or challenges become opportunities to discover or realize our inner resources.

Why this picture of Derek today? Simple reason...I like it! And, it makes me think about how we can always choose to do our best, but we cannot always do it alone. Sometimes, we need to ask for help, and trust with the innocence of a child that help is always available to us.

And, there you have it....Judy's thoughts on a Monday morning just because she saw a message on a marquee on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

A Nice Friday Afternoon With Josh

Tom and Josh, our 17 year old grandson, have been working on setting up a website for our friend, Steve. Friday afternoons are becoming the time set aside for this joint venture. It makes me think of the old days when Josh and his brother, Christopher, and sister, Amelia, used to come over on Fridays for Science Friday. Many a Friday I would come home from someplace to see pop bottle rockets flying in the driveway or step on an alarm system as I came in the house from the garage. (They really liked that one. Seems alarming Grandma was part of the experiment!) It was all good fun and many a happy memory was made.

It is so beautiful here today. It is 77 degrees and sunny with blue skies and lovely clouds. What could be better than working on the website out on the front deck?


I come in handy too. Guess how? When I come around I say things like, "Hey, are you hungry Josh?" Yep! Tis something I learned from my mother. "Feed them and they will come!" So, armed with a couple sandwiches and some apple juice boxes I got to enjoy a few minutes with the two working boys.


Later today, Tom and Josh will be doing a bit of driving into downtown Minneapolis. Josh starts his driver's education behind the wheel training tomorrow and they want him to have had a little practice in downtown Minneapolis first.

I had only one thing to say............"That will be in your car, right Tom?" I will be staying home. Tom will do really well with this. I think you got the right licensed driver Josh! I love you Josh!

Davey Is 4...Happy Birthday Punkin!!

On July 3, Davey turned 4 years old. We went over to his house yesterday to have a little birthday party and we had a really nice time. Here are some pictures from his special day!

He got lots of Thomas the Train stuff, computer games, puzzles and a motorized Big Jake Dump vehicle that he can ride all over the back yard. It can go forward and in reverse. It took Davey about two minutes to learn how to drive it, if that long! I think Bob the builder is still his favorite thing in the whole world though. I believe the Bob the builder party hat he is wearing is from his birthday last year. Some things just stand the test of time!

I sure love you Punkin! Happy Birthday! Love, Me Mah and Be Bah

Vitality

My last post had to do with three words that got my attention during a hallmark movie. Poverty of spirit. The context was realizing our dreams. I usually think of the word poverty as having to do with money. But, in the movie, the context was what keeps us from doing what we want to do? If we have a life dream, and don't know how we can possibly make it come true, the only thing that can stop us is poverty of spirit.

This morning I got a quote that goes along with this.

"Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over." (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

I have started so many things over. I like giving myself second chances or third chances or as many chances as I need to accomplish something. I don't use the word failure. I don't mind saying, "Well, that didn't work." And, then I try something else. And, I especially like giving myself "do-overs". The truth is, sometimes we don't know what to do, so we do what we know to do and that doesn't get the job done. In time, if we keep trying we will get the job done. We might even run into the answer by accident, and that is always fun.

One day, I was watching a video with Davey. He was sitting on my lap and he had the remote to the TV. He was pushing button after button just experimenting. He is almost 4 years old now. He pushed one button and the whole screen went fuzzy. He looked up at me and said, "Oh, oh!" I suggested he give the remote to me. He kept the remote. He kept pushing buttons. The screen returned to normal. He looked at me and we both smiled and said "Wow! You got it!" and we clapped and laughed.

Nobody was scolded. Nobody felt bad. I guess I think there is never failure in learning. (By the way Sarah, this was your remote at your house) So, there you have Judy's thoughts at 6:30 AM on a Thursday morning. I am going to get another cup of coffee now.

Good morning world!

Made Me Think

It is Friday night and I am watching a movie on the Hallmark Channel. I haven't seen it before. It is one of the good ones. One of the ones that makes you think. There was a three word phrase that got my attention. Three little words.........

Poverty of spirit...............

Back In Show Business

Dad just sent this picture! Looks like he was a guest on Adam's new Coffee Time talk show at the new radio station. This is so cool! Adam does such a great job with talk shows. He is going to have other guests too come September/October! Dad, Joe (from Ireland) and I will be doing a road trip to South Carolina and will get to be guests. I cannot wait! I repeat...I cannot wait!! I think I will need a new outfit!

Home Sweet Home

Here are some pictures of Adam's, Sara Beth's, Joseph's, Kallsen's and Parker's new home. It is beautiful and has a great yard for the kids to play in. There is a great safe driveway for them to ride their bikes on, a car port, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and lots of space! Thanks Tom for sending the pictures.! It really helps to see where they are. Now, I can't wait to see pictures of the family once they get settled. I also can't wait to get down there and visit. Soon..Soon...Soon!!!!

I love you guys and am glad you arrived safely! xoxo

They Made It!!

I wish I had a picture! Tom called and said they arrived in South Carolina at their new home about 4:30 p.m. our time. They were tired but doing ok. The house is a long brick ranch style home with four bedrooms and two baths and a big back yard. It is four miles outside of town.

His camera battery was low but he took some pictures of the outside and the inside. I doubt they will have internet access there but maybe he can find a hotspot and get the pictures downloaded and sent via email tomorrow. I will cross my fingers and hope. I bet he might just get a chance to go see Adam's radio station tomorrow and do it there. Let's hope!

I'm glad to know they are finally there!

The Journey Continues

While Adam and Sara Beth were picking out Adam's new glasses, Tom and Joseph did Kallsen and Parker duty in the mall. They found some play cars that kids love to climb into. Parker got his turn to drive with Joseph as his passenger. Wait, where is Kallsen? Life is ok when both little ones go the same direction. I can only hope Kallsen is standing next to grandpa while he is taking this picture!



While Parker is satisfied with the little cars in the mall, Kallsen just can't stand the thought of not being in the big yellow beep beep with his daddy!

They made it as far as Lexington, KY last night. They didn't stop until a little after midnight and hope to arrive in SC late afternoon or early this evening.

They will need to unload the truck then and get some beds set up and hopefully rest their weary bones. I wish I was there!

A Delay In The Travel

I talked with Tom a couple times today. They had a slight delay on their way to South Carolina. Adam's glasses broke last night so they called from Dubuque,IA this morning. They were in the mall there waiting for Adam's new glasses to be made up.

Later tonight I called Tom to catch him at the Waffle House in Indianapolis, Indiana. They were going to travel further tonight so they could have a shorter day of travel tomorrow.

Adam goes to work Monday morning and they want to get to their destination and do some unloading yet tomorrow night.

Wish them luck!

It not only takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to move a child and his family. The feeling doesn't change. I am going to miss you guys a lot!

Heading Back To South Carolina

The truck organizing crew

Yesterday was a big day! Tom, Kara, Christopher and I traveled down to Estherville, IA to help pack up our son Adam and his family for their move back to South Carolina. After a year of having them close by, they are returning to South Carolina where Adam has started a new job. He will continue to be in radio and is looking forward to his new position as general manager of an AM station there. Sara Beth has secured a teaching job fourteen miles from their new residence. She will be teaching fifth grade for half the day and working with special and gifted students the other half.

Packing and cleaning went smoothly and left none of us too much worse for wear. Christopher, who is 14, gave it his all. I don't know what we would have done without his cheerful and willing attitude and just hard work. He is so strong! Joseph worked non-stop throughout the day and at times looked at Christopher with awe!!

Tom and Adam organized the moving truck masterfully and Kara and I packed and sorted and cleaned and carried manageable boxes to the truck. There were no disasters unless you count one near disaster. Right as things were done and good to go, Adam opened the door at the back of the truck and their new filter queen vacuum tumbled out of the truck and onto the driveway...attachments flew and the case came apart. We think it is fine. It appears it just popped apart and didn't actually break. If that is the worst that happened, it is all ok. Nobody was hurt and nobody even got upset. This group just seemed to take things in stride and the mood was focused, friendly and doing what the situation demanded. Adam put it back together and back in the truck it went. No tears shed..just maybe a "shoot" or "what just happened" was uttered. I think that was me!

Tom is driving to SC with the family and Kara, Christopher and I headed home. We stopped off in Mankato to eat and doggone if all three of us didn't look like an old person getting out of the car! I wasn't sure any of us could stand up straight for about five minutes.

It was a big day! We are going to miss you guys! Thanks to Parker and Kallsen for being such good little boys! Man, I love you all!

Parker blowing gramma a kiss.......now that brought a smile

Parker was ready to roll

xoxo

All Of A Sudden

I was sitting in my basement this afternoon doing what I love to do....working with pictures on my laptop and talking with my friend, Joe, from Ireland on instant messenger. In a flash, the weather went from overcast and calm to a stormy hurricane, or the closest thing I can imagine to it. The trees were bending and waving in the wind and the rain was coming down in torrents.
And, wait!! Was that hail I heard?

I turned on the TV to see if the weathermen were interrupting the daytime soaps. Sure enough they were. Then the sirens sounded and I went upstairs to get my money box, my purse and my cell phone. I always take those few things with me to the basement so that, in the worst case or almost the worst case scenario, I would have some cash, my ID and my cell phone to "reach out and touch someone."

Within a half hour all was well, at least for my area. And, I went to work and carried on as though it was just an ordinary day.

When my daughter, Sarah, sent me this picture of my grandson, Davey, tonight I just smiled. While I know the weather wasn't as severe in their area, there was something gentle and calming and reassuring and warming as I looked at Davey experiencing and enjoying today's rain.

I love this picture. I love the sheer innocence of it. I love the pure enjoyment of nature's gift to us. It made me stop in my tracks and breathe. It is such a simple picture and yet had such a profound affect on me.

Some Of The Things That Make Me Happy (and some a little sad)

The very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our lives is toward happiness. - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Kallsen's beautiful blonde hair in the sunlight

Seeing the love as Joseph says goodbye to his great grandpa

Derek waving a fond farewell to Adam and his family

Watching Sarah, Davey and Derek watch Dave walk in to his St. Kate's commencement

Getting a great picture like this one

Eating bread pudding at Cucumbers Restaurant with Davey

These are just a few of the things that make me smile and make me cry. But then, a beautiful rainbow must have both rain and sun. I guess life is like that too. In order to be truly beautiful it must have smiles and tears.

A Special Day

Saturday, May 19, 2007 was a special day for my son-in-law, Dave. He graduated from The College of St. Catherine with his Master's degree in Organizational Leadership. It was a beautiful day and we were so happy to be there to celebrate his accomplishment.

Congratulations to all of you, Dave, Sarah, Davey and Derek. It took all of you to make this possible.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!! We love you!

Double Virus?

Two of us here at my house have been out of commission the last few days. I am one. My laptop is the other. I have what must be a spring cold with fatigue and laryngitis and my laptop might also have a virus . I have not gone to the doctor, but my laptop has, and it won't be home again for a couple of days.

Since I have owned my laptop the two of us have been virtually inseparable. Now, that is a funny thought! To some people, a computer might be a thing, an object, a machine. When I got my first desktop computer in 1998, I wanted it to be my friend and treated it as such. When I got my first laptop in 2006, it became a part of my relaxation. I use it while sitting in my recliner, the phone beside me, the TV in front of me (so I can watch American Idol or HGTV) , and I have a blanket close at hand in case I get cold. All my creature comforts are there.

While what I have just described might sound simple, it is significant. Everything I have told you is to share something very important. The scene above is to give you a little peek into what has become my own personal sancuary. Until my laptop returns, I am here at my desktop. Not to be totally undone by this situation, I have moved another recliner over here and piled it with pillows to make it usable and ohhhhh so much more comfortable than an office chair. My laptop might have a virus, and I probably have a virus, but the viruses will not get me down.

Perhaps, as the saying goes, truth IS stranger than fiction. I might just write a book titled, "The Day My Laptop Left Me".

Parker Has Pneumonia

How life can change! Our son, Adam, is on his way to South Carolina. He is driving alone as he will be starting his new position next Monday, May 14, 2007. Sara Beth is finishing up her year teaching and manning the homefront in Iowa. Joseph, Kallsen and Parker are with her.

If that wasn't enough to handle, Adam just called and I learned that Parker woke up in the middle of the night last night and crawled into bed with Kallsen. He was apparently hot enough that Kallsen knew to go get Sara Beth and bring her back to Parker. Parker had a temperature of 102 degrees and it hadn't broken by this morning. She took him to the hospital and they drew blood. Results showed that he has pneumonia and is anemic. This is hard news to hear for a dad on the road and a gramma three hours away who can't just run over and help and get back to her own job.

I have not talked to Sara Beth yet but will find out how little Parker is doing once things have calmed down a little bit. The pictures of Parker are from this last weekend. The first picture was taken on Saturday, the second picture on Sunday and today he has pneumonia. How does this happen anyway? I hope as I am writing this that they are all home and Parker is resting comfortably. I love you Parker, Sara Beth, Joseph and Kallsen!

More Pictures From Our Beautiful Day Last Sunday

Derek loved eating powdered sugar donut holes. At one point it looked like he had a golf ball in his mouth. It was so funny!

And, Kallsen preferred the mini chocolate donuts!

Parker loves basketballs and Kallsen loves to ride anything down the driveway

Davey and Derek taking a moment to just watch

Kallsen looking up at his dad

Family hanging out....I love this scene

Parker on the deck with the basketball

Sarah with grandpa

Adam with grandpa

Amelia Is A Beautiful Person For Many Reasons

Amelia, my granddaughter, is a beautiful person inside and out. She is not only talented, but she has a wonderful heart! I will tell two things about Amelia in this post.

The first story.........is..

Amelia, who is nine years old, had a big day last Saturday! She performed in the spring production at her church. The production was excellent and Amelia had a small speaking part as well as a part in the opening dance. Practices for these performances start weeks ahead of the performance and the costumes, singing and dancing rival a mini-broadway show! Adam, Sara Beth, Joseph, Kallsen and Parker came up from Iowa to be in the audience along with Amelia's mom, dad, two brothers and Tom and me. We love you Amelia and are so proud of you! You did a great job!!

Below are some pictures from the performance. And, following the pictures is a story that tells you about Amelia's heart.





And, the second story...........is..

While we were waiting for the program to start, Amelia's mom told us about how, at a garage sale in their neighborhood, Amelia set up her lemonade stand. She sold bottles of soda and water for 75 cents a bottle. She also told the buyers if they paid $1.00 for a bottle of soda or water that 25 cents would go to charity. Amelia ended up earning $35.00 and some cents. She took $30.00 of her earnings to the bank and opened a savings account and the rest went to charity just as she promised. She took the remaining money and asked her mom to take her to the grocery store where she bought food and then asked her mom to take her to the food shelf/pantry so she could donate the food.

Amelia is nine years old and has a heart of gold. I am proud of you Amelia and I love you!