Ramblings

Here are some pics from last weekend. We went to see Summer play upwards basketball in the morning. Of course we ran into Cameron and Anthony cheering their Sister on to victory! Cameron had a ring pop that turned his lips blue...something he thought was great! Saturday night Phil and Amanda took Alexis to the movies and we had the fun of watching Addy for a bit. She's such a character! She loves music and dance and that is really a perfect combo of Mom and Dad! She really does turn into a different child when her Sister arrives. You can tell she just idolizes anything Alexis does and they are a hoot together. Being Grandparents is the best! As long as I'm rambling on, I should give a little update on my Sister-in-Law,Bonnie. She's still in the hospital in Chicago and has received 2 chemo treatments. She's hanging in there and doing well. She has a good attitude and she's anxious to get home. So thanks to all who have kept her and my Brother in your prayers. I'll let you know when she gets to go home, something we're all praying for!

On My Honor

Tonight we had an Eagle Court of Honor for Dakota Crawford. It was a really nice ceremony and fun to see these young men as they have come through the scout program as little Cub Scouts and mature and move up the ranks to the highest rank of Eagle. It's quite an honor for them and for their parents who work just as hard as the leaders and boys do to make all this happen. Dakota is a wonderful young man and I know this will be an important step in his life. Eagle is the one thing these boys do as kids that will bring admiration even when they are old men. Of course I get all misty eyed at these events. I teared up when we said the pledge for crying out loud! It just got more touching as the night went on. The Scout gives his parents Eagle pins, one for Mom and one for Dad (who is also his Scout Master). There is something new that wasn't there when my boys were in. They have a Mentor Pin that they can give to anyone they want. Dakota chose Jack. That was so sweet and of course it made me cry. Jack has served in Scouts for 20yrs. (more or less!) and has been everything from a Cub Master to a Scout Master and now he serves on the Troop Committee. However, he's there for every scout night during the week and every scout event and has mentored all of the young men who have received Eagle Scout rank. He's been with them for Scout camp and high adventure trips. It was really great to watch him receive that pin tonight. I know it meant alot to him.Congrats to Dakota, his parents and all the leaders that help in our Scout program. Here is a pic of Jack and Dakota.
Derrick Kenscan and Dakota take a minute to enjoy the night!
Dakota (on the left) as a new Eagle Scout hopefully encouraging Joey to get his done soon!
Tommy Spellman and his little girl came all the way from Hawaii for this event. Actually he and his wife moved back to Ohio a few months ago and we were happy to see a former Eagle Scout of the Ashland Branch who did the Eagle Charge for Dakota tonight.
Jack and Derrick (in uniform) and Tom Spellman who served with Jack many years until his family moved to Columbus.

Day Off

Tuesday I was given a low census day. I did many things...I baked bread, hung some curtains, cleaned house, shoveled snow and took Eddy out for a romp around the grounds. As I was puttering around the kitchen I turned around and there was this sight...I'm sure it happens everyday when I'm working. There's something just not right about this!

Today was the Pits!

Surgery suites are places made up of many different tempos...personalities...moods. Many days we are crazy busy,running our tails off, sometimes we are slower and the day seems to drag on. Fridays are usually a crazy busy day and today was no exception. However, as the 3:30 shift was heading for the barn door, we observed Lisa, a 4:30 shifter, enjoying a last minute snack before heading into the last case of the day. She was spitting cherry pits into the garbage can and I thought that this needed to be on the blog. Why? I don't know, I guess because it made us laugh, and sometimes that's the most important part. The laughter and friendship we share. Thanks Lisa for the giggle! You will notice that she stops right before the end to let a sterilizer repair man use the garbage can. She's polite as well as talented!

Divide and Conquer

Usually Jack and I spend Saturdays doing all the running and errands that we can't do during the week. This Saturday we went our separate ways. Jack to the Klondike Derby with the Boy Scouts and me to errand running and grandkiddo basketball watching. Last year when Jack had Klondike it was very, very cold. This year our temps were in the 40's and much of our snow had melted.This wasn't a stellar year for our scouts. Only 4 boys were able to go and for whatever reason, they didn't do as good as last year. But they went and I think they enjoyed the day. I should have had Jack label these pics, but since I'm the chief blogger and bottle washer, I'll try and remember what he said they were. So here's our divide and conquer Saturday. I think I got the better end of the deal!

Here's the Klondike sled. It's the exciting part of the competition where they have to pull it across the snow/(grass this year). I won't go into what happened when they were pulling it, only it did involve a scouter from another troop and a falling into the sled. That's all I know. Oh, and they didn't do very well. That's ok, better luck next year. Atleast it wasn't 5 below like last year!
I couldn't figure out what they were doing in this pic. Jack said paintball. Ok, they look like they are dressed for fight!
This is log cutting, or sawing or something that involves a log and a sharp instrument. Go for it boys!
I know this is not a "crop circle"...it's a knot tying competition...I think.
Fire building...I don't see any smoke guys.
Dakota Crawford in yellow shorts..on a cold day...typical crazy teen!
I'm not sure what's going on here, but there's Dakota in the yellow shorts..brrr!

Anthony is playing basketball on Saturdays in a program called UpWards basketball. It's sponsored by the Grace Brethren Church. It's a Christian based program and they really do a nice job. They even have little cheerleaders. Very cute. Before the game starts they put the player's picture up on a huge screen and lights are flashing and music playing and the announcer calls out the player's name. Very professional! This pic is a bit blurry, but I think you get the idea. I actually thought it was on video, but it was dark and I must have left it on pictures instead.
Upwards basketball even has a mascot: Hoop Dog! Hi Hoop Dog!
After the game was over I grabbed Anthony and had him give me a big smile before running off and getting a snack and awards. Good job Anthony! You're on your way to being a star!
Anthony is in the orange jersey throwing the ball in from the sidelines. I just love watching him guard his man! Nobody is getting past him for sure! I also love his little hop he does as he runs. I wish my boys could have had b-ball when they were in the little grades. Then again, it was a lot less running around on Saturdays!

Prayer Request

No pics today, just a prayer request. We just found out my Sister-in-Law Bonnie (my Brother Phil's wife) is very ill. She has leukemia and pneumonia and will be hospitalized for atleast 4-6 wks. She's at University hospital in Chicago and will start chemotherapy on Sunday. She can't have any visitors except for my brother because her immune system is non-existent at the moment. We just had our family Christmas at their home this past December. She wasn't feeling super great at that time, but flu season was here and I'm sure she thought it would get better in time. Phil and Bonnie have been married for 42yrs and are so dedicated to each other. Phil is staying at the hospital night and day and he needs prayers too. So if you can, please include them in your thoughts and hopefully there will be a miracle recovery and they can both be home sooner than expected. So here's a shout out to Bonnie: "We're thinking of you and Phil right now and hope you feel better soon and are able to get back to your little garden of eden in Morris soon! Love ya!"

My new favorite book

It's here! My little blog book has arrived. I started blogging in Feb. 2008 and for the last 2 years have blogged atleast 2-3 times a month. I had it all compiled into a book. I used the cutest blog on the block web site that I also use for my backgrounds. They started doing share books. It was very easy and quick to do and I think it came out super! I won't wait 2 years again to make another however. It will be cheaper to go every 6mo or maybe one year and do another volume. I got the soft cover but it's very sturdy and I'm very pleased with how quickly I received it. If you're thinking about doing one, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to save all your entries and pics without a ton of paper around the house!
Why blog? It started out as a way to send pics and keep in touch with family that live out of town. It turned into a journal that included pictures and I could write about how I was feeling or what I was thinking on any particular day. I don't think too many people read it, but all the important ones do! So now I have the last 2 years recorded and published and who knows, maybe someday one of the kids might like to keep it and see what really was important to me and to Jack. Although I do the writing and picture taking, he enjoys the blogs as much as I do.So if you're as bad about keeping a journal as I am, try blogging and you'll be surprised how boring you life really isn't!
The cutest thing about the whole book?? There are even chapters listed with the page numbers! Love it!

The snow is falling and the sleds are calling!

I you don't like snow, just keep on going because here are a few snow shots of the Pines. We have been getting snow all week but today we got a significant amount and tonight they're calling for much more. My commute to work should be interesting tomorrow! The back hill is ready for some willing sledders and I think I may give it a shot myself! So if you're bored, cabin fevered or just plain crazy, we'll provide the sleds, hot chocolate and plenty of snow!

When we say we live at Whispering Pines, we mean it! They never look lovelier than after a snow fall.
Now this is how a Christmas day should look.
Ed, where have you been snooping? He just loves snow!
No matter how scraggly a planting area...snow makes it look pretty!

2010

When we look back on the last decade it would be easy to focus on all the not so happy events. Family members that passed away and will never be forgotten, economic times changing, changes in families and health issues. But we have had some wonderful events too. Weddings, grandkiddos being born, travel times that were awesome and family events that drew us closer and our occupations that remind us how precious good health is and all the many blessings that we have. Community service that help us give back and church callings that increase our knowledge of our faith and remind us of what should really be the important things to focus on. I could mention all the resolutions I made..but I didn't really make any that are different from all the other past years! I just hope maybe I can accomplish atleast one! So lets head on into this new decade with hope, happiness, and good health. Here are a few things I did to start 2010:

We had to eat the "good luck" traditional New Years food: Pork (ribs because we don't like pork roast),black eyed peas, sauerkraut. I don't know if they really bring good luck, but I'm not taking any chances.
Say good-bye to Santa..See 'ya next year old fella!
Taking a walk in the creepy woods in winter makes it not too creepy...you can see all the nooks and crannies and enjoy the crisp air..a good way to start the new year.
So 2009, don't let the decade hit you in the bum on the way out...you also forgot to take the bronchitis you gave me with 'ya...Happy New year!

Having a Ball..B-Ball That Is

There are some things that stir the memories up. For me it's the thunka-thunka of a basketball as it hits the court. It's the squeak of basketball shoes as they stop and make quick turns. It's the smell of popcorn at the concession stand, and the hard bleachers under the old keister! During Christmas break we were able to catch one of Driana's JV games. It reminded me of the many trips in the freezing cold to high schools to watch her Dad play. I can't believe she's in high school now and playing b-ball too! Her number is 31 and Anthony seems to being saying in this pic: "Hey, watch this video of my Sister will ya!"