Visiting Day...

     After a late night (I stayed awake blogging until 1:30AM) I had to do some hard talking to myself to get out of bed and venture out.  All through the night I heard the crunch of tires rolling across the snow covered streets.   I reasoned that a late, restless night was adequate excuse to sleep away the morning.  But then I also knew this was my only chance to see church friends and to attend a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for my almost first cousin.  SO....out of the cozy bed I climbed.

    Do I remember how to drive on this stuff?  In a borrowed car?
     

 

 Church service at my
         "old church"

Renewing wedding vows after
                      50 years

     Ginger and I grew up in towns close to each other.  She was my "cousin".  I lived with an aunt and uncle for several years.  My aunt was my dad's sister.  All of my  uncle's  Kundinger family populated Park Falls so I was included as part of that bloodline, though not officially.  I roughhoused and wrestled with the boys cousins and knew the girl cousins that lived  north of us. 

      In adult years after we all went our own ways Ginger and I were reunited when we both became members of the Park Falls church.  We are great friends and Ginger considers me family.  On one occasion a few years back Ginger admitted how jealous she was of me when growing up with Aunt Emma and Uncle Jack.  Really?  It was probably because my aunt always had a taste for fine clothes, nice furniture and huge, delicious meals.  I had no idea Ginger felt that way.  All is fine between us now.

     There is a remarkable story between Ginger and her mother, Louise (who is still alive at 101).  Louise had Tuberculosis as a young married woman.  She was in the sanatorium for several months.  At one point she was allowed a 2 week home visit.  Louise returned to the sanatorium and discovered she was pregnant.  The doctors wanted her to abort, saying that the baby would hinder her recovery but she refused saying that God had given her that baby.   It turns out that the growing fetus held up Ginger's lung, enabling it to heal and become well.  Later the doctors said the baby actually had saved her life.   

     After church there was a meal and reception for Claude and Ginger.  That was great for me since it allowed me to visit with many church friends and Kundinger family friends I hadn't seen for a long time.  Even my real brother, Fred, came in.  I hadn't visited with him when I left in August. Everyone was interested in my new life in the Pacific Northwest and had inquiries about the RAIN.  Not that bad, I said.  

     By mid afternoon--with me full of food and conversation--I returned to Betty J's home.  It was time for a long winter's nap for both of us.  (2 hours for me.  Great).  After supper we began a "3 out of  5" Upwords game tournament.  With me taking control of the first two wins, we'll have to see how the rest go in the next few days.  Then it was once again time for another long winter's nap.  (Is that a long nap in winter or a nap in a long winter?) 

    I missed a day of sunshine in Vancouver,WA today.  It is a totally different world here in the north mid-west in winter.  Most of one's energy goes into staying warm and occupied inside while the arctic air is dominating outside.  I have a renewed admiration for the hardy people who call this area home.  Me?   Call me a Pacific Northwest Mountain Mama.  Love the folks here, but can't wait to get back to green grass, rain and mild temperatures.   

 

       This had been a good "visiting PF friends" day in the life of Grandma G.  

 

       "God sends his love and his faithfulness."  (Psalms 57:3)  

OFF to the Mid-West.....

 SUNRISE OVER MT. HOOD

(FROM PORTLAND, OR AIRPORT)

LANDING IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN

 SNOW

ICE ON THE RIVER

SNOW ON THE ROADS

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS ELVES

TWELVE (OF 18) GRANDKIDS

 OUT THE BACKYARD

16 OF 21 FOR THE GATHERING

 

 

 

 

 COTTON CANDY   YUM!

 GRANDMA G READY FOR THE NORTHWOODS

 

     This has been 2 good "travel east" and "Wisconsin Schmidts Christmas" days in the life of Grandma G.

     "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6: 24-25)

     

Time to get out the long underwear.....

 
       I'm off to northern Wisconsin 7AM tomorrow--Friday.  I had to search through my clothing to find warmer, winter items.  Among them is a REAL winter coat, snow boots, long sleeve shirts, and long, snuggy underwear (pink).  I am excited to see my family and friends, but NOT the cold, snowy weather. 
      I am leaving at just the right time.  Vancouver is forecast to have 3 days of sunshine in the mid 40's. (a little sarcasm, please)   Wisconsin will be in the teens and snow. 
      I did get myself up this morning to go to water aerobics.  I didn't feel like going, but really felt refreshed after.  Then a perm and sunshine later in the day made.......my day!
      Packing is a real challenge for me.  You'd think that after several times one would be fast and organized.  NOPE.  But it is done and one little suitcase will cost $25 to check while the other will go on board with me.  Those of you who travel get the picture. 
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Backwards again.  Wednesday.   Feast of St. Steven.....

      "Good King Wenceslaus looked out on the feast of Stephen,"   Today was the feast of Stephen (sometimes Steven).  It is also my dad's Birthday--John Steven.   He died several years ago.  Though I didn't live at home with him much he still had a great influence in my life.  As kids we called him Pop.  His favorite joke was when we wanted to do something we would chant, "Can we, Pop?  Can we, Pop?"  He'd put his fingers in his ears and declare, "Sure, go ahead and pop"

 

Gertrude and John Jarosinski

 

      My mom passed away several years ago on Christmas Eve.  She laid confined to bed from a stroke in a nursing home for many years.  That Christmas she was freed to be young and up and around again. 

      Most of the day was spent catching up on emails to friends, paying bills, doing laundry and figuring out what to pack for my trip to Wisconsin.  It was also a tired day--probably the aftermath of Christmas activities and food, food, food.

 

      Next post from the frosty northwoods of Wisconsin. 

 

    This has been 2 good "get ready to fly to Wisconsin" days in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "Your love,  O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."  (Psalm 36:5)

 

      

Merry Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 2012

 Zach, number one, grandson comes to visit Dec. 24

 Santa found the
Schmidthouse....

                          Christmas around the Globe(s)

Santa Claus Junction

 

Geese from the wet lands behind the park



 



 I found a Holly Tree
right in the park.....

Almost a partridge in a pear tree



True Meaning of Christmas....

Christmas

Christmas Eve at Grandma Carole's





 

Santa Angie/Santa Grandma   1AM

      

The Holly and The Ivy.....Deb's favorite carol

 

 

     This is a good Pacific Northwest Christmas day....

 in the life of Grandma G

 

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end."

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

I Left my Sock at.....

     This has been a busy weekend.    Saturday I sent out a number of emails to Wisconsin folk to make sure I have a welcoming welcome when I arrive on Friday for a week.  Also talked with my sister in Indianapolis for a long time.  Then it was time to head out to Freddy's for some Christmas shopping. 
    All went well until.....until.......I lost my sock.  OOPS.  An "all man made material" boot doesn't feel very comfortable without a sock.  One sock on and one sock off.  I think there is a nursery rhyme that involves that and Deedle Deedle Dumpling, My Son John.   Maybe it was a shoe.  Been lots of years since I thought of that one.  Anyway,  I was looking for the just right boot or shoe to go with my Christmas outfit for the next day.  I took off my right boot and sock to try on a possibility, AKA a shoe.  Then several followed; soon my left boot and sock came off (on purpose--I took them off).  After many try-ons I decided to keep my money and wear the boots I had taken off.  Time to put them back on.  By then I was down the aisle from where I started.  My left sock was right there. (Actually it may have been my right sock that I left there.)  Come to think of it, I put the sock on my right foot; I remember walking around with no sock on my left foot.  Anyway,  I put on one sock and boot then looked around for the other sock---not there.  I went down the aisle to where I first started out thinking it might be laying there--NO.  Ends up I never did find it and trudged around Freddy's for 2 hours with an uncomfortable left foot.  When I got home I threw away the other sock, which at that moment was a right foot sock. 
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     Sunday, Dec, 23   Christmas Eve, Eve. 
     This year it is like a 3 day Christmas--to me anyway.   This morning I sang my original song for my church service.  Who Do You Say He Is.  It is the Bible Christmas story in song  and then the question to ask oneself, "Who do I think Jesus is?"  The presentation went well and was well received.  Debbie and Angie came to the service.  I was happy to have family there. 
     After church it was back to Freddy's for just 3 items.  The day was sloppy wet--like God forgot to turn the cosmic faucet off.  But it wasn't SNOW or ICE.  I was grateful to finally get home.
      At 6PM the Millers and Carole were coming over for a Christmas dinner of New York roast and the trimmings. It was 1PM when I got home; 5 hours to finish lots of stuff like cooking, cleaning up, wrapping presents, waving the broom at the smoke alarm until it quit it's annoying noise, making a mincemeat pie.  Christmas is not Christmas without mince meat pie.  I couldn't find one to buy so had to make one. 

     Our dinner was delicious and the hang out time was fun.  I let people open the presents I had bought for them.  Even Bentley dog received a gift.  (that's a first for me.)
     They did come over with the news that a 2.8 earthquake a few miles west of their house  had just happened (4:28PM).  They said they felt it.  Still, beats constant snow and cold.     

   
    "On the 21st day of Christmas I baked a mincemeat pie...
and had roast beef dinner with all the Millers close by."
    
     This has been 2 good pre-Christmas days in the life of Grandma G.

     "While they were there [Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,  because there was no room for them in the inn."  (Luke 2:6-7)

    

    

Are We Still Here?

 

 

     There has been some discussion about the world ending today.  It appears we are still here.   I don't think too many folks were worried about it, but I feel sorry for those who had to be afraid of the happening. 
      I developed a headache overnight.  Don't know if is allergy, sinus, virus or pinched nerve.  Fortunately I was already scheduled for a chiropractic adjustment.  I think that helped, along with an ice pack, a nap and not moving around very fast.  Hope I am all better by tomorrow because it is preparation day for 3 days of Christmas celebrations. 
     I've been spending a lot of time at the piano.  I am going to play and sing an original Christmas song for my church service on Sunday morning.  It is a song a wrote a number of years ago, but haven't done much with.  So, it is a matter of figuring out a set accompaniment, learning it, practicing with the singing part and exercising my voice so I don't sound like a grandma (hello). It feels good to be at the piano again.
    I'm a little lonesome for my Wisconsin family.  I am getting to know folks out here, but the city is still bigger than  the 2, 900 citizen town of Park Falls.  I am NOT missing the  2 degree temperature they are having right now.  Friday I am flying "east"  for a Christmas visit.  Yeah!  (As long as there in no snow on the roads.)  Oh, last night my car was frosted over.  Ick.  It was gone by  today; the afternoon temps were quite mild, but I wasn't up for a walk.
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      Yesterday I received a box of business cards.  I am another step closer to getting back into giving piano lessons.  Good. 

 

Angie, Micaela and Jake (and Bentley dog) came over to finish decorating cookies.  I

 

 

FLASHBACK

INDIANAPOLIS CHRISTMAS

2011

 

 6 of 7 Indianapolis siblings

(2 more in Park Falls)



Visiting my foster sister and dad----Jim died in the spring at 93.
Susie is oldest of 13 children



    

    "On the 19 day of Christmas the world didn't come to the end......
so I wrote out a few Christmas cards to send."

    This has been a good 2 pre-Christmas days in the life of Grandma G. 

     "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." 
 (Matthew 24: 36-37)

 

 

 

 

 

 



I Ate a Mouse....

 



      "On the 17th day of Christmas I ate a little mouse.....
there's one less critter scurrying around the house."

      This has been a good "ate a mouse" day in the life of Grandma G.

 

     "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David."  (Luke 2:4)