Puppy Charm

I've always thought that there is nothing sweeter in the animal world than a new puppy, at least sweet when it's behaving! We have added a cute little Border Collie to our family. He was born May 24, 2011. We still have not decided on a name for him. Nothing is really feeling right yet. Which is surprising. We've tried a couple names, but just didn't seem right. Chelsee & Lonnie said NO to the name Scoundrel...I thought it was cute, and you know puppies, sooner or later he will be in trouble. He discovered the little squeaky mouse toy for our cat and claimed it for his own. He absolutely loves playing with the squeaky mouse. Tossing, and flipping it and pouncing on it. So much fun to watch him.

We picked a pretty bad time weather wise for getting this little guy. The heat index is expected to be over 100 with the temps in the upper 90's, and very high humidity. So....we kept him in the house with us last night. Today, in and outside to play etc. After church we made a stop at the local Pamida for Puppy Chow, chew toys, and of course a little hard plastic wading pool that was on sale there for some splashy cooling playtime. All set up to have some wonderful fun with this little guy. So, if you have any name suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Hopefully we will come up with one soon. He needs to have his own name.

Simple Thoughts

This picture makes me think of the "glow" that comes from God's creations. All around us there are things of beauty. On my way to work this morning I noticed the beautiful periwinkle blue blowers that bloom in the roadside ditches. Each summer I am waiting for them to bloom. Time to get the camera out and take a walk and gets some nature pics of them. It always amazes me when I see so much beauty that is naturally there. It is not planted, or pruned, or watered except by nature and our Lord. That is pure JOY and Bliss to see.

Here is a favorite quote of mine that I found about 6 months ago. Enjoy.

When you come to the edge of all the light you have known,

and are about to step out into the darkness.

FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen...

There will be something to stand on

or

You will be taught to fly.

I try to remember that when I am struggling with life's circumstances, I will either be guided to stand firm. . . or . . . learn to fly.

Happy 4th

Just a little FYI, my Internet has not been working right for quite some time so I have not been able to post. Finally, it seems like the techs have fixed the issues that were plaguing the tower we received out signal from. So, keeping my fingers crossed, it seems good right now. I realize, that can change again...usually does. haha.

This time of year usually gets me thinking of one of my favorite songs by Lee Greenwood, "God Bless the USA". Very nice sentiment. I remember one of my daughters ( I won't name names...) being very little, sitting on the "potty". I could hear her singing in there, and went to check on her. There she was proudly singing "God Bless The USA" loud as she could, and clapping her little hands onto her legs to make a clapping sound. It was so funny and sweet at the same time.

Now I look back reminiscing and remembering what a wonderful time that was in my life. I was an at home housewife, and mother. I know I was always busy, never bored to be home with my family. I consider myself so lucky to have had that opportunity. I would go back to being an at home wife if I had my choice. I miss that lifestyle. Just seems like there is NEVER enough time to get everything accomplish since I work outside of the home. Farm life is busy. Well, I don't mean to sound complainy...not meaning to at all. Just a fact of life, we live in a faster paced world now.

So for now...I'm PROUD to be an AMERICAN, where at least I know I'm free. Happy 4th everyone.

Grampa Anton Westerman

Grampa....that's what I called him. He was one of my earliest heroes. A very hard working man that loved his family very much. He loved to play cards, mostly sheephead and pitch. He also would play rummey with me and my Gramma, and Gramma didn't like it that sometimes he would help me win. lol

All of us grandkids used to watch him while he was playing cards because he would always rap the table in a certain way that made us jump . (something they did when playing sheephead, to trump or something like that). I lived with my grandparents until I was 4 years old. I remember feeling very loved by them. As I grew older I would go and spend a "summer vacation" with them. I enjoyed the time I spent with them, looking at photos, playing a lot of cards, going on walks, and rock hunts, picking apples and making every imaginable recipe with apples or rhubarb. My grandparents had blackberry bushes, and they were the largest blackberries I had ever seen. Usually I would go pick a nice size bowl of the berries, wash and stem them, then add some sugar to them and serve them up to my Grampa. Well, one day let's just say that the blackberries turned out extra special!!! I prepared the blackberries as usual, but instead of adding 1/2 cup of sugar, I accidentally grabbed the salt container (also a clear glass container) and add 1/2 cup of salt. Grampa's first bite told it all, and so did his German after he sputtered from his "sour" surprise! Grampa never did let me forget that special recipe, but he always re-told the story with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. "Acck, vhat is in the blackberries", I still hear him saying that to this day! I miss having my Grandparents to go visit, and play cards with, and share memories with, but they are in my heart and mind ready for reminiscing anytime I choose.

"You Are Loved"

Lucky, that is exactly how I felt when I was asked by Lois O to join her in attending a Josh Groban concert in Omaha. She won 2 tickets from a local TV station. She remembered that he is a favorite of mine. WOW what a concert! I heard some of my favorites by Josh..yes we are on a first name basis..silly me! Fav's "You Are Loved" everyone needs to hear this song, and his Grand Finale.."You Raise Me UP" The concert was impressive, his ability to connect with the concert goer's with his music, sense of humor, and his genuine personality. Amazing to see him play the drums with such power! Also..he sang in 4 different languages, English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. I didn't care that I didn't understand every word...I along with all the others there "felt" what Josh was singing through the power of his voice and emotions. Again WOW WOW WOW ! The "opener" was a performer named Elew. I have never see anyone perform music playing a piano in the manner that he did..again impressive, powerful music. He played a different song with his right hand, and another song with his left hand simultaneously and it sounded fantastic. Thanks again Lois O for inviting me. It was a night to remember!

A Special Tribute

Here we are, the Stitchin B group, with the Mary Brunsing tribute quilt we made for the upcoming Cattleman's Ball. We wanted a special picture of us with the quilt by the street sign for the alley named in Mary's honor. Our quilt will be featured on the Cattleman's Ball "Big Auction" held right before Sara Evans performs on Saturday night , June 4, 2011. Pretty exciting. Hopefully it will bring a nice sum to help fight off that monster CANCER. We miss you everyday Mary, but as you can see, you are still in our lives.

UPDATE: Our quilt sold at the Cattleman's Ball Main auction for $3,500. We are all so happy to help the cause to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

Kaiya & Pigeon

Kaiya's favorite toy is a little stuffed blue pigeon. There are also storybooks about the adventures of Pigeon. When planning began for Kaiya's 1st birthday party, Amber & Ryan decided they wanted a pigeon cake for her, and asked Chelsee if she would make it. We celebrated Kaiya's 1st birthday on Mother's Day. The cake was amazing. Chelsee did a fantastic job, cake made from scratch with yummy filling. The design turned out great, and it looked like one of the Pigeon story books, with a 3-D pigeon on it. Chelsee had the assistance of Kristin & Ryan. Those 3 could open a shop together!!! The cake looked so professional. Kaiya really liked her Pigeon cake along with all the other fun things she received. Can't believe she is a year already...officially on Wed.

These are two books that I recently finished reading. Both started a little slow, but I really enjoyed reading about the people lives. I believe both have a continuing storyline, and I am hoping to find the next book for each in the series. I love to read books that are a series. Once I get involved with a story, I like to continue reading about it. My favorites are books that continue for 4 or 5 books. Over the years I have read the series called "Dragonfly in Amber". I loved it. Some inappropriate language, but basically a historical fiction with some time travel through standing stones. I have reread it through the years many times. I don't mind re reading a book or re watching a movie if it is a fav. It's like visiting a longtime friend.

TuTu Cute!

Yes, seriously, another Kaiya post. But is there anything more sweet than a little girl in a tutu! I love it. Amber got this tutu to have Kaiya's 1 year picture taken in it. I saw a shirt that would go perfect with it, now decision, make or buy...I think it would be the perfect combo..the shirt says "tutu cute" on it. Lovely.!

Kaiya is definitely enjoying the feel of the tutu tulle between her fingertips..

sweet, sweet, sweet.

Kaiya Smiles

Our little Kaiya has such a wonderful SMILE. I just can't get enough of that sweet face. Here she is with Chelsee, and in her new sunglasses, which she loved. Also just a silly, sticking out her tongue half smile pic. Hard to believe that in just a little over a month she will be 1 year old. Chelsee and Amber have been planning a special cake for Kaiya! I won't let the surprise out of the bag...but it will be a cute one that from something that is a favorite of Kaiya's. I'm sure it will bring a smile to her face!