Ancestors

Recently my daughter Kristin and I have been working on genealogy for our family. There is something so compelling to find the stories of family ancestors before us. Above are pictures of Lonnie's great grandparents on his father's side. The top picture is Johann and Phillipina Jahnke, and the bottom is Johann and Albertina Leitow. I wish we had a lot more information about their story of coming to America, and then to Nebraska. Both families were homesteaders in our county, and they were some of the early settlers in this area. We still farm the Leitow family farm ground. When I am walking around the land, and the homestead place where the Leitow's began their American story, I feel a wonderful connection to them. I think about the fact that, at some point, they may have stood at the exact same spot that I am on. That they too enjoyed the beautiful sunrises, and sunsets around their land.

Kristin is like a detective, uncovering facts, and maps, and bits and pieces to puzzles. We were extremely lucky to locate a box of very old photos with generations of pictures. What a wonderful find. Luckily most of the photos were labeled with names. Some of those photos tell their own story...like the story of the Great Great Uncle that we thought had never married. He actually was married to a "mail order bride". We have their wedding picture. Sadly , the union did not work out, and she left him. Amazingly enough, Lonnie remembered a story about that uncle that his Dad used to tell him.

While I have been truly enjoying all the fun stories, photo's and facts about these people, most of my enjoyment comes from spending time and sharing a common interest with my daughter Kristin. We will continue searching and hopefully finding stories. We recently spent some time at the local library using Ancestry.com. I think we were both overwhelmed by all the information available, but anxious to check it out again..soon.

Time in a Bottle

On Feb 7, 2011 Lonnie & I celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary. WOW..that went fast. The song "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce was one of our songs..and of course another favorite..."The Wedding Song" and a song from Fiddler on the Roof...I can remember a line from it,but not the title..."Where is the little girl I carried"..... Seems like only yesterday we were saying I DO! and after all this time I'm still glad we did! Remembrances of that day. Beautiful sunny weather...72 degrees. We didn't even need to wear coats. I remember Lonnie's Mom saying to me.."Happy the bride that the sun shines on". It made me feel so special to hear her say that because she didn't say sentimental things very often. I felt so welcomed to her family by those words. Walking down the isle with my Dad..John, he was such a special man in my life. He was my step father, but the only father I knew and he always made me feel special and wanted as his daughter. My Mom wishes for a happy marriage, and love in my life. And my Aunt Rosie opening her home to us for me to get ready for the wedding, and for taking some pictures before the wedding. All in all a wonderful day.

Blog Slacker

Oh, the dreaded words. Blog Slacker. That is what I have been. I check in from time to time, but didn't feel I had anything to share. But I did, I do, and I am. Sorry for the lack of attention dear Blog, while you are named Inspired Muse, sometimes the inspirator is slacken'. haha

Things have been just a little crazy of late. Daughter Chelsee had a kidney stone and headed to the ER in much pain. After a night of IV therapy and heavy pain meds, they transferred her by ambulance to a larger hospital in another city. Stone removed...life getting back to normal...but it all lingers in the mind.

So, an activity that my girls and I have been planning for the end of February is fast approaching. My daughters and I are having a "Scrap-Mania" weekend. We are all pretty excited about it. Everyone is suppose to have a little demo to show a technique, or show a sample of a technique that you have tried. The girls are waaaaaaaay ahead of me in this department....wow, the cool things they think up. But I have to admit, there is something Chelsee and I worked on together that turned out pretty cool...more to follow, I can't reveal any secrets yet...but soon.

Lifeline

Life is a Patchwork of Friends.

I just completed, well almost completed this wallhanging. I still have to layer and quilt it. I received it as a Christmas present, already cut into pieces and ready to sew kit. What a wonderful way to get me kick started again to get sewing. The name of the wallhanging is called "Lifeline". (notice the zig zag rick rack "lifeline". This quilt reminds me that our Faith, family and friendships are our lifeline through almost anything, happy, sad, funny, or struggles, you just have to let them in. Thanks for the kit Mary Beth. The fabric is very special because MB chose it from the fabric stash of our dear friend Mary Therese B, She just keeps on giving and keeping us moving forward whether she is here physically with us or not. Yesterday Chelsee was looking at some of my fabric. She found my squirrel fabric and asked. Where did you get this, and why did you buy it?? lol. Well, I just told her the truth, it's Mary's fault, she sent me a "Mary Wink" and made me buy it. Mary and I always had a special squirrel joke..that just went on and on and on. Our Stitchin' group had lots of squirrels laughs because of it. So..moving forward, and keep lovin life. There will be something squirrely sewn in my future.

SHOUT

You know it makes me want to SHOUT, do do do do do do do

I tried to sing it,but oh well, not quite the same. If you haven't discovered this product yet, you need to go check out the laundry isle at the grocery store. The SHOUT color catchers have prevented many laundry accidents at our house. Just toss one in the wash cycle of the wash machine with your items. I use them a lot with clothing, but also with fabric that I am going to sew with. Another great use is for laundering items made out of Batik fabric. If it is Batik I usually put two color catchers in. It helps prevent fabric colors from running onto each other. I'm not saying it will prevent all issues, but I have had great luck with it. It's also great to send along to college with those kids that think they can wash any type of color garments together. YIKES...major pet peeve of mine.

Resolutions - 2011

This is one of my favorite crazy cards ...basically "You're as young as you feel" I don't think about age hardly ever. Not something I can do anything about, so I don't fret about it. That's pretty much how I feel about resolutions too, I might need to work on something...but.......

Do I make resolutions for the New Year? Well I will admit I am not very good at "making a list" of resolutions. I should be. It's good to reflect on things you want to change, adjust, or work on in your life. I hear many people talking about a "bucket list" now days also. I don't believe in a bucket list. I guess I feel that if there is something you really want to do..DO IT. But it doesn't have to be on some end of time bucket list. I feel that the enjoyment of doing something special, or adventurous, or just because you have always wanted to do it is somehow lessoned if you look at it as if you are only doing it because it's on your "I'm doing this because its on my bucket list". I guess what I'm trying to say is basically this.

1. I'm making a resolution to look at my relationship with my Lord, my family, and friends and try to work on the areas where I need a little sprucing up.

2. I'm not making the old "I'm going to lose weight resolution....because frankly I don't seem to do very well with it. I put this imaginary pressure on myself and usually end up sabotaging my efforts. So--I'm going to work on eating healthier, more exercise, and better attitude...and if some weight loss happens..that's Bonus....but I AM NOT GIVING UP MY CHOCOLATE! It's here to stay, but I will try not to overdo..a little here and there ..is fine.

3. NO BUCKET LIST FOR ME.....but I am going to make an effort to do and enjoy the things I want/need to do. Want and need are two very hard words to categorize. I may want and need something...so be it! If I want and don't need...well I might have to do a little thinking about it. If I need but don't want...well let's see, that doesn't happend too much.

Anyway...happy new year from my heart to yours.

It's Scrap a lappin time!

I have found a new hobby. Scrapbooking & crafting with the Cricut machine. It is so amazing. I got one for my birthday this fall. Chelsee has made great use of the Cricut making Christmas gifts, and scrapbooking. She has made some beautiful designs and has a flair of putting just the right papers and designs together. I'm still a novice and it take me a lot longer to figure out what I am doing. But I am getting there. Daughters Amber & Kristin are enjoying this hobby also, and each have a Cricut machine of their own. When we get together for a scrapbooking day, the paper is flying! Great memories made together.

Christmas in the 70's

One year for Christmas I received this black leather fringed/beaded coat. It was amazing. It was made by a woman in Winnebago. I still remember going to her very small home and getting measured for it...and it still was too big for me! I loved wearing that fringe coat, and how it felt when I moved..the fringes and beads moving with me. I wish I still had it, but I gave it go a cousin of mine and her dog had an accident on it. My hair is longer than it appears in this picture...I also had "hot rollers" and did a curl job on my hair that really curled it a lot. Of course I am wearing denim fringed bell bottom jean..the most comfortable in the world!

Kaiya

Baby Kaiya showing off her sitting up tricks!

Hugs, and grins, and giggles is what this little sweetheart creates!

I think we are all hooked by her sweet face and smile!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.

And the winner is....I finally found a tree I like. It is a pre-lit (all white lights) slim tree. I think sometimes I will add a string of colored lights too, because I also like the multi colored lights. It fits perfectly in the corner, not much room for gifts, but that's ok. So far Fat Cat Riley has not attempted to climb it. Even if he tried while I was at work I would know if he climbed it. If he tried, it would probably would be laying on it's side. It's not quite as sturdy as the old tree. I do love the angel on top of the tree. I've had this angel for quite a number of years, and never had her on top of the tree. I have a variety of ornaments on the tree..all different (they each hold a memory) and that's what we like.