Prayers needed

I can't go into details yet. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to. August has been a tough month. I know that God only gives us what we can handle. I know I can handle this and whatever else September brings. I'm just mad.

Just please, do you annual check-ups and if a Dr recommends that you have standard testing done. Just do it - no matter what - more time will be spent trying to forget about the test than actually having the test.

My dad died because he wouldn't go in for a heart check up - I asked him to several times in the three months before he passed away. He died of something hereditary (just like his mom and aunt) that could have been treated. That made me very angry and I made sure it's on my health record so I don't fall through the cracks.

So if you need to think of me and kick the butt of anyone in your life who won't do the tests/check-ups. If you need me to I'll be glad to kick your butt. =)

life as a grown up...ah to be a kid again.

I love Sundays!

Soup and warm clover leaf rolls with a nice cup of Joe.

I started decorating for fall this weekend. My comfy cabin quilt is on the bed, bed warmer is ready and the pictures changed.


Boyd loves this print


Playing a little frisbee on a freshly mowed lawn.


Finally figured out a name for my cake business. "Blumen Creations!"


Plus it can work for all my other hobbies to....scrapbooking, card making, etc. =)

Thinking a lot about Christmas. Trying to think of an idea to top last years Christmas card - who wouldn't love that face?


Also starting to work on some Christmas presents. 2 done, 1 started and 2 were started but I need to start over, oops!

Settling down and hanging out with my boy, he loves his Skippy!


So that's my wrap up of the weekend. It was pretty low key but just what I needed. Next weekend starts football season I can not wait!

A series of unfortunate events

This is the best way to sum up our summer. And I for one am happy to have the summer coming to a close.

It started off with Boyd getting injured and being off work for almost two months. A month or so later I was in a car accident. The next day my mom was in the hospital - she's OK now.

Here I sit, still off work and trying to stay active enough that going back to work won't be too painful.

This fall I am looking forward to:
* football - my nephew is playing JV this year (woo hoo!)
* football - the local team is one to watch
* football - the school where my dear BIL Loyd taught and coached is memorializing him with a logo on the helmet. This has been the plan since February, just so the locals know we aren't copying any other school.
* football - my other nephew is playing 6th grade this year (woo hoo!)
* football - Iowa Hawkeyes
* football - Minnesota Vikings are going to rock!
* fall leaves
* warm sweaters
* crisp mornings with the smell of chocolate or coffee in the air - hey Nestle is here and we love all their smells.
* hearing the marching band practice - why is it after 20 years I still find myself walking in step when I hear them?
* decorating for fall

and most of all.....it's getting closer to Christmas! I can't wait to start decorating the house. I'm hoping to get everything setup so I can have a coffee here. Not sure what I'll do with the dog or the husband. hehehe.

Missing Loyd

Today it's really hitting me again that we lost a much loved member of our family. Along with that we have lost a connection to DH nephews and great nephews. Everyone is busy with their own lives and Loyd was always our connection. Sharing stories of his grandsons and laughing his big laugh.

Loyd would have given Boyd so much flack about Favre joining the Vikings. Loyd loved to get both of us going about football. As we get closer to the start of the season, both NFL and Division I, I know it will be a hard time for Boyd. He always called Loyd to chat about the game or a certain play.

I try to be there for him but well I am not a Packer backer and it's hard to be positive about the Pack when they are a division rival. I do talk about the Hawkeyes but it's just not the same.

Wrestling season maybe the most difficult. I'm hoping that surviving the football season will get us (or me) more prepared for wrestling. I found out a friends hubby is into wrestling and I'm hoping to connect them. I know it won't be the same but I'm hoping that it will help.

I would love to figure out how to get the family together every couple of months. Since I don't live in the area it's hard. Plus Loyd's boys tend to be home bodies (like their Dad) and it's hard to get them to family things.

It's part of life I know but it's one of the parts I don't like.

M'mmmm goood

A few weeks ago I had a whole gallon of milk that needed to be used. Around my house that means one thing....baked goods. Using the secret family recipe that my mom found and has used forever. I ended up with everything in the picture plus a dozen clover leaf rolls (three balls baked in a muffin tin).

It was a long day of baking and I had to call on my mom to help out with a little more flour and some apples. Of course I paid her with baked goods. =)



I haven't made these for a long time - Mom makes them a lot and shares. I had fun wearing my apron, using my new fiesta baking bowls and being reminded of my history as I was kneading the warm dough. I know that I am one of a long line of women who have made their own baked goods and I love feeling that connection.

Sorry I won't share the recipe but I could be talked into taking orders.

County fair revisted =)

Here's my picture of what I took to the county fair.



The red matted picture of Buddie had a comment of "nicely presented Blue". At first I wasn't going to enter this picture because he had the doggie hollow eye but I love the pic and I don't photoshop so it made me happy.

The ornament picture had a comment of "no center of interest red". I don't understand this, it wasn't about one item it was about the whole thing - like pictures of fields of flowers but whatever I love the picture.

The scrapbook pages had a comment of "good craftsmanship well done Blue" I think these were the only scrapbook pages entered so the comment made me happy. Plus I had 2 things that were cut over both pages.

All in all it was an interesting experience. Next year I will be more particular about the pictures I take if I take any. I really want a pink ribbon so I need to research what's needed to get that. Hopefully I can plan ahead. =)

Are U ready *4* some football?

Woo Hoo!

Favre #4 signed with the Vikings!


This Vikings fan is so excited. Her GB hubby isn't. hehehe!


I cannot wait for the real season to start.

This is "our" year!

county fair

A few weeks ago I participated in the community section of the local county fair. They had several sections and I chose scrapbook and photography. They also had a cake section but I didn't feel up to that this year.

For scrapbooking, the instructions were confusing only 2 items. It didn't say 2 pages but 2 items - with no definition of items. I took in a simple book of a lot of my Buddie pages only to find it was 2 pages. sigh! I selected his 2nd birthday pages.

For the pictures I selected one of Buddie from last years Christmas shoot and one picture of a bowl of ornaments (everyone loves that one).

I was happy to get 2 blue ribbons and 1 red (I so disagree!). The judge took the time to make some comments which really impressed me.

Also my mom took two of her ceramics projects and she got two blue ribbons.

I'll try and get this updated with pictures.