Monday, January 28, 2008
March 2008
Kim and I have signed up to run our first 5K together at the end of March! How exciting is that!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A Christmas Kind of Day
Today was a wonderful day. The kind of day where you play Christmas music, admire your tree, and light candles that smell like pine trees. The kind of day when the sight of wrapped gifts under your tree and cats batting at the ornaments puts a smile on your face. The kind of day when the smell of fresh baked cookies fills the air. The kind of holiday day where you forget for a minute that there's no coating of white on the ground, no snowflakes in the air, and that its just a week before the big day and you haven't even made a snow angel yet!
Yes, that was my day today. A week an a half ago we got about 2 inches of snow. After sitting in traffic for 4 hours to get to work and another 2 to get home, I realized that the snow was beautiful and it was time to get our Christmas tree or before we knew it we'd be headed to MN and wouldn't have need for a tree. (Yes. It really took 4 hours to get to work. Ask my mom, I called her every hour to update her on our progress. The news caster said "It was a day when the morning shift got to work in time for lunch and will get home in time for the late show.") So we got our tree, cranked up the Christmas carols, and decorated away. Finally, a little holiday spirit.
Then there was today. Remembering my childhood, and reminiscing of the holiday baking with Gram B, I invited our friends, their two kids, Son, Doan and Nam's sister over for an afternoon of baking sugar cookies, and the all important decorating process. I can't remember the last time I had such a wonderful day. The kids were so excited (I'm sure the 14 cookies they munched down didn't hurt!) to lay out, cut, and decorate their cookies. The excitement was contagious. Our friends little boy insisted on cutting out the last of the cookies, all the way down to the hunk that was too small to cut. There were so many cookies, but it gave everyone who wanted a chance to decorate a few.
Things have been pretty hectic the last few weeks. Work has been busy, Nam's finishing classes, and we're looking for a home. Having guests over and planning to bake cookies gave me a great escape from the everyday and really got me into the holiday spirit. And what a wonderful way to share my memories of Christmas past.
Yes, that was my day today. A week an a half ago we got about 2 inches of snow. After sitting in traffic for 4 hours to get to work and another 2 to get home, I realized that the snow was beautiful and it was time to get our Christmas tree or before we knew it we'd be headed to MN and wouldn't have need for a tree. (Yes. It really took 4 hours to get to work. Ask my mom, I called her every hour to update her on our progress. The news caster said "It was a day when the morning shift got to work in time for lunch and will get home in time for the late show.") So we got our tree, cranked up the Christmas carols, and decorated away. Finally, a little holiday spirit.
Then there was today. Remembering my childhood, and reminiscing of the holiday baking with Gram B, I invited our friends, their two kids, Son, Doan and Nam's sister over for an afternoon of baking sugar cookies, and the all important decorating process. I can't remember the last time I had such a wonderful day. The kids were so excited (I'm sure the 14 cookies they munched down didn't hurt!) to lay out, cut, and decorate their cookies. The excitement was contagious. Our friends little boy insisted on cutting out the last of the cookies, all the way down to the hunk that was too small to cut. There were so many cookies, but it gave everyone who wanted a chance to decorate a few.
Things have been pretty hectic the last few weeks. Work has been busy, Nam's finishing classes, and we're looking for a home. Having guests over and planning to bake cookies gave me a great escape from the everyday and really got me into the holiday spirit. And what a wonderful way to share my memories of Christmas past.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Gram B
It's good to be home with family. Gram B passed away early in the morning Friday. Nam, wonderful Nam, arranged my flight to Minnesota and called my office to let them know I'd be taking leave this coming week to spend the week with the family. Though a sad reason to be here, I felt this feeling of relief upon getting into Duluth. I was finally where I could comfort and be comforted by my family, share memories of the good days with Gram, and to say our goodbyes.
Today I went with George, Beverly, Sandy, Peggy and my mom to Bell Brothers funeral home. We sat with one of the funeral directors while he walked us through the memorial, the choices that had to be made, and those that Gram had already made for us years before. The morning was full of laughter and tears as we thought about how Gram would want to be remembered, and how her memorial could reflect that. Later this afternoon, taking comfort in a lasagna Kathy brought over yesterday, we spoke with Rev. Jeff who would be leading the service.
We spent time pouring over old photographs from my parents basement looking for a suitable photo for her obituary. (The obit will appear in the Sunday Duluth News Tribune, I'll post a link when its available.) What could have been another sad moment, was instead a time to laugh and remember the wonderful memories those photos captured. They even showed Gram in a light I'd not often seen - here I'm thinking of the photo of Gram sunbathing while on vacation with Peggy and the one where she has a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other! The many sides of that woman will never cease to amaze me.
Though it was difficult for me, I chose to be a part of this day, of this planning process. I said my goodbyes to Gram this past summer, and the Christmas before that. This helps me have my closure. I'm happy to be home with my family.
Today I went with George, Beverly, Sandy, Peggy and my mom to Bell Brothers funeral home. We sat with one of the funeral directors while he walked us through the memorial, the choices that had to be made, and those that Gram had already made for us years before. The morning was full of laughter and tears as we thought about how Gram would want to be remembered, and how her memorial could reflect that. Later this afternoon, taking comfort in a lasagna Kathy brought over yesterday, we spoke with Rev. Jeff who would be leading the service.
We spent time pouring over old photographs from my parents basement looking for a suitable photo for her obituary. (The obit will appear in the Sunday Duluth News Tribune, I'll post a link when its available.) What could have been another sad moment, was instead a time to laugh and remember the wonderful memories those photos captured. They even showed Gram in a light I'd not often seen - here I'm thinking of the photo of Gram sunbathing while on vacation with Peggy and the one where she has a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other! The many sides of that woman will never cease to amaze me.
Though it was difficult for me, I chose to be a part of this day, of this planning process. I said my goodbyes to Gram this past summer, and the Christmas before that. This helps me have my closure. I'm happy to be home with my family.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Fall has arrived...
Or at least I think it has. The weather here had been unseasonably warm. Then it became unseasonably cold. It's hard to know if we've settled into a more normal weather pattern. But today it seems like fall. The leaves, which were beautifully colored just yesterday, are now falling to the ground under this mornings rain. A cold front has moved in overnight. Along with the rain today, we'll see the temperatures drop from 60's to 40's by noon. From there the outlook is 50's for the weekend. I know that's not cold by Minnesota standards, but its the start to winter here. Today is just a dreary day.
It has been a pretty difficult last few weeks for our family. My thoughts are with Karen as she recovers from her fall. Gram B and the Baker family are in my prayers. Even with ample time to prepare, knowing we will soon say our goodbyes is very difficult for me, especially being so far from my home. Everyday I think of you all, and know that you are close to my heart. Finally, my prayers and sympathy are with my Aunt Millie and our family. Her sudden passing saddens me greatly. You are all in my prayers.
It has been a pretty difficult last few weeks for our family. My thoughts are with Karen as she recovers from her fall. Gram B and the Baker family are in my prayers. Even with ample time to prepare, knowing we will soon say our goodbyes is very difficult for me, especially being so far from my home. Everyday I think of you all, and know that you are close to my heart. Finally, my prayers and sympathy are with my Aunt Millie and our family. Her sudden passing saddens me greatly. You are all in my prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
