Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:43 pm on December 24, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Megan   

  Megan’s Clouds 

  With passing birthdays that Dennis and I have enjoyed, our needs are minimal and having nothing to do with material items.  Each year we seem to live a bit more minimalistic.  It feels good.  The “extras” that we do have in our home are these: that we have an emotional attachment to our own personal history, the handmade items from family, or those that have come from my creativity.

  Families know that our Christmas is a celebration of knowing that those self same families are safe, happy and being good to each other.  That’s all we wish for and that is what we want Santa to assure us with.  Our request is that being thought of is all the gift that we need and we really feel good when family members honor that.

  As Dennis and I ruminate over family members during the course of the year we keep our eyes and ears open.  We get the biggest bang out of doing for some that we hope will be surprised.  We can feel like Santa Claus!  

  At Megan and Nicholas’ home on Saturday after having enjoyed a good meal, the time went to visiting about what was going on in their schedules.  I could not keep up with it, I can tell you straight out.  It seemed ages ago when we could have either one of the two kids or both of them for a period of several days.  As soon as the kids hit school age, the trips to get them from Eden Prairie became less.  We never minded the miles on the highway, we were scoring time with the kids.  Carrie and Jeremy had just as many miles under their belts as we did.  Priceless.

  The afternoon was winding down when Megan came to me with a white bag.  “Grammie, this is from me to you.”  I was blown away and touched to the bottom of my Grammie heart.  Inside the bag was a ceramic rendition of a cloud factory.

  

  Megan’s Cloud Factory

    Believe me there is a story behind this:  Megan was born in a December.  The summer of the next year, Megan could come and stay  without a worry or a bother to her in getting homesick.  Granted, it is a long two hour drive when the little squirmy butt is tied down in a car seat with only mile after mile going by the window in the backseat of our car.  It wasn’t long in that summer that there were two and three word sentences coming from the backseat.  Cruising down Minnesota State Highway 60, out of the backseat came “Cloud factory!”  Dennis and I looked at each other.  “Look!  Cloud factory.”  Megan spotted the sky full of the steam billowing out of the stacks of the ethanol plant right out of Lake Crystal.  Well . . . from then on it was dubbed “The Cloud Factory.”  When Nicholas came along in their family and they would both be in the backseat coming to our home, you know he was tipped off when we were getting close to “The Cloud Factory.”

  Megan Lena turned 15 on December 2nd, which is my Mom Lena’s birthday.  Somewhere when her and her mom were out and about, there to her amazement was a cloud factory just meant to be found by Megan.  “The Cloud Factory” will be the most treasured “extra” in our home for as long as I live.  That little piece of ceramic can evoke more memories than a small library.  I took the card that was with it and the back of that card now has a synopsis of its special meaning.  I tucked that card in the hollow of ‘The Cloud Factory” for it to remain there forever.  Not to worry, I will be building my stash of memories that will involve everyone of my family for years to come.  Some of those memories when I share them, bring a light in their eyes of awareness.  It is in their library of memories as well.  Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 6:44 pm on November 24, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Megan   

  Tenacity 

  I believe tenacity goes hand in hand with logic and vision.  It most likely comes to some of us in an entire package.  I have it.  I saw it in Kevin this fall when we stopped in at Fairfax and were given a demo on the full sized hoist he and Kersten had been working on installing in their residential garage so they can work on and service their vehicles.  It worked slick as a whistle complete with the paint job and newly applied logo.

  

  68″ x 88″ is quite a lot to feed through the machine for the quilting process. She worked through various ways of doing it. Hmm. I have done the exact same thing on large projects. What a Megster.

  I saw tenacity in Granddaughter Megan when she spent the better part of the pre-Thanksgiving days with us.  Megan was determined that the fabric she had brought with was going to go home with her as a finished project Thanksgiving night.  For me, putting together a twin sized quilted project can kick my behind, let alone getting it done from Tuesday evening when she hit St. James to Wednesday evening.   She welcomed breaks and I made sure to keep her hydrated and fed.  When I offered to help out with the quilting grid of 4″ x 4″, she said “Thanks Grammie, I’ve got it.”  We had time to joke with each other and talk about some serious day-to-day issues.  Somewhere in this sewing retreat we even managed a visit to the Old Alley Quilt Shop to pick up several additional projects to put in the hopper the next time she comes to visit.  Megan and I didn’t get to bed until 1:00 on Thursday morning.  We needed showers, food and downtime.  Megan showed true tenacity. 

  Dennis enjoyed seeing her leave the Thanksgiving dining table, quietly putting on her jacket and head for the patio porch.  Dennis made sure it was warm enough that she could take off her winter coat and get comfortable with the cats.  Megan spending quiet time told me that she felt the relief of the completed task and also felt the pressure that she had put herself to see the task at end to completion.  With her being two hours away and the winter season just beginning to buck, she wasn’t going to take a chance of not getting this surprise Christmas present for Nicholas home with her.  Megan has true grit.  

  Having had quality time with Megan and seeing how this soon to be 15 year old handled herself, it made me proud.  Proud isn’t enough, I am thrilled that this teenager liked hanging out with us on Stauffer Avenue.  I have picked up from other grandparents that their teenage grandchildren have no time for them. 

  With this sewing retreat experience how could I not be enthused in whatever I tackle in this season between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  When I have an idea of what I want to do, it’s a matter of having everything on hand before I start.  There is nothing worse than a UFO . . . unfinished objects.  I have my orders in at Amazon for a few special items.  I could run my legs off in various stores seeking and searching.  Now I can watch for the mailman.   Hurry and wait.  The most difficult aspect for me.

   
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  Noreen 5:13 pm on August 31, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Carrie ( 12 ), Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  The beginning of the last long holiday weekend of the summer. Our surprise was a visit from the metro kids. Carrie, Megan and Nicholas spent the afternoon with us. What a treat. Megan had a sewing project that we needed to get nailed down so that when she went to purchase her fabric she would get the proper amount of yardage. It is hard to believe that she will be having her 15th birthday in December. The teachers will have a challenge with Nicholas. What happens between the ears comes so easily to him. Nicholas will be 10 in November and has a kind spirit. The need to compete while participating in sports does not interest him. Right now he is anticipating playing golf next season as he and his dad got quite a few rounds in this late summer. While Megan thrives with ice skating events that she had this summer, Nicholas’ highlight was kayaking on various lakes in their area. This visit will be the last for some time as the school year will be off and running on the 4th of September. It was a great day.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on April 7, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Carrie ( 12 ), Jeremy, Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  Megan’s Woodworking Project 

  

  Megan is in 7th grade and there is no longer a class called Home Economics. I remember my friends Renee telling me about this when her Gabby was in junior high school. It is now a varied year that does include woodworking, some DIY, no cooking or baking, but with some sewing, weaving and sketching. I need to ask Carrie what this course is actually called. This was the last year that Nicholas’ school class would be doing anything for Valentine’s Day. He was so over making paper valentines and coming up with unique wording. At that time Jeremy helped Nicholas with a candy vending machine to have candy for his classmates. The plans were developed in the workshop in February. There was nothing stated in the class curriculum that it had to be an original, just that it included wood. For Megan it had to be a a home project detailed with photos of the various stages of work and a descriptive report followed by the finished project. It was Megan’s turn to get herself full of saw dust and a bit of glue and wood stain. Megan also told me she had never really looked at her dad’s shop before this. Jeremy may find it a bit crowded in his workshop in time to come. Fun times with their dad.

   

   
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  Noreen 4:22 pm on March 30, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Carrie ( 12 ), Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  So it Begins 

  

  Today was the beginning of a wonderful weekend. Carrie came with Megan and Nicholas from the metro. Will those two kids ever stop growing! Megan and Nicholas were on Spring break and Carrie was in-between showing clients prospective homes. Nicholas and Grandpa Dennis had some serious conversations in the patio porch while Snuggles got some extra TLC from Nicholas. Megan shared with me a software program that allows her to do intricate drawings on her laptop that then can be printed out. Carrie and I caught up with each other and l may well have a plan for some embroidery projects. Just a fantastic day. There is more to come as Kevin and Kersten will be here on Sunday. The gray days and clouds don’t stand a chance of putting a damper on the weekend.

   
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  Noreen 4:58 pm on February 19, 2018 Permalink
  Tags: Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  It is priceless to be able to text with Megan. She is now 14 and Nicholas is 9. They are at the age that they do stay home alone for a time. Kody, the dog, is getting to be a good watch dog. Saturday night the first text came in. “Grammie, we are having an old fashioned dinner tonight.” That was followed by a photo of Hungry Man T.V. dinners. “Nicholas said mine looked gross, but I put it in the microwave and actually doesn’t look or taste as bad as it first seemed. Nicholas wants to do his own.” I texted back and mentioned that maybe Nicholas could fix his and when he is about to enjoy it, he should just sit back, close his eyes and pretend he was at a high-end steakhouse. I reminded her that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. “Grammie I guess I will be the strongest person ever then.”

  I texted her that at least by nuking, there couldn’t be any cooking utensils that would over heat and burn the food or them. I went on to relay to her the time her mom and Kevin were home alone making popcorn. The end result was not realizing how hot the handle was and the utensil was set on the vinyl floor. The pattern came off of the floor with the picking up of the pan. I spent some time using my Tri-Chem oil paints replicating the design. “Grammie I’ll have to remember that and have a bit of info when it is just the right time to use it.” That a girl.

  Yes . . . Grammie gets to tattle a bit on their mom. It keeps the relationship between Megan, Nicholas and me real. I would never want to be the Grammie that they think is boring to visit. It has already been difficult for Dennis and me to not have them be able to have extended sleepovers. Their snowboarding, ice skating, violin lessons and having their friends involved in their day-to-day doesn’t leave much time. But . . . the memories that Dennis and I have are as fresh as the new fallen snow of today. The freezing rain we could have done without.

  I did text Megan on Sunday evening and asked her how the “old fashioned dinner” fared on a scale of 1 – 10. She gave it a strong six. Having communication with Megan is priceless. You cannot image how painful it is for me to text, not physically. I spend more time going back and correcting than going forwards, then it flips into the draft mode, etc. My school typing class is so ingrained in me, the perfect phone would have a full sized pad and ya know that isn’t going to happen.

   
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  Noreen 4:53 pm on November 5, 2017 Permalink
  Tags: Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  I had never kept it a secret that I would miss the days when Megan and Nicholas couldn’t spend as much time with us as in their toddler days. Long weekends and even 5 to 6 days at a stretch would find the kids seeking and searching every corner in our home or seeing what the large Maple tree held in store for their times with us. Wise ole Uncle Kevin . . . “When Megan gets a bit older, Mother, she will be calling you on her own, emailing you or perhaps even texting you.” Sure enough. It has all come to pass. Once a week Megan and I have texted back and forth. Last night I texted her and wished her well for her skating competition today. Not less than a few moments after the competition was over with, I received Megan’s message that she had won first place today. A few moments later, I received a photo via my phone of her hand holding the first place award. A bit later Carrie sent a photo of Megan and her coach. I so do love the modern tech stuff and all it holds. Having kids that can give good advice and sharing what is going on sure doesn’t hurt either.

   
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  Noreen 4:10 am on December 3, 2015 Permalink
  Tags: Carrie ( 12 ), Lena ( 6 ), Megan, Raymond ( 4 )   

  It Is a Birthday Kind of Day 

  

  Oh for the wisdom that sparkles
  in Lena’s blue eyes.

  Today my Mom would have been 99 years old.  I hear many people make note of their heroes in life, from sports individuals to philanthropists.  My heroes in life were, and still are, my parents.  Today would have been Lena’s day.  No doubt she would have made plans for the entire family to come to the farm in Boon Lake Township located in Renville County either the Sunday before or the Sunday after the December 2nd date.

  When I think things get tough in my life, I only have to stop and reflect on Lena’s life.  My Mom grew up in a large family with a father who was a party man.  Emil would not think twice about staying at a local pub while his family hustles to take care of livestock on the farm.  Emil would buy drinks for others and come home with not a coin left in his pocket.  Emil also spent some time in prison as he had taken a pitchfork to my uncle Bill.

  I only bring up the information about Mom’s childhood, and it never, ever left a negative mark on her beautiful soul and heart.  Mom and my Dad met when they were both hired hands on a farm.  My parents went on to have a family of four who they raised and took care of with every fiber in their beings.  My Mom often would share with me that she never wanted for anything after marrying Raymond as he was a good provider.  When times were tough, we may not have had a lot of materialistic things, but we never knew the difference as we were happy and content within the home that was provided for us.  Dad taught his boys to work wonders in the tool shop and my Mom taught us girls the fine arts of baking, cooking and sewing.

  I know she made a huge impact on the grandchildren, playing cards with them or letting them follow her around when they would spend time in grandma and grandpa’s home.  Even for my granddaughter, Megan,  who wants to be a writer, there would not be enough words to sufficiently describe Lena and her legacy.

  On another note, when daughter Carrie found out she would be having a baby in the late November or early December time via a c-section, Carrie reserved December 2nd for Megan’s birth.  Today Megan is 12 and Mom would have been 99; my breath is taken away for oh so many reasons and I have memories sliding down my cheeks.

   
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  Noreen 11:32 pm on April 4, 2013 Permalink
  Tags: Aunt Esther Anna Wendlandt, Carrie ( 12 ), Kersten ( 6 ), Kevin ( 8 ), Megan, Nicholas ( 6 )   

  

  Nicholas and Megan cleaning out the big maple tree, getting ready for another season of playing when they visit.

  It seems as if Easter Sunday was a long long time ago rather than five days ago. Easter Monday we attend the funeral of my 97-year-old aunt Esther Anna Wendlandt Opitz. Of the possible 29 cousins there were 15 of us there to celebrate Esther’s life and become reacquainted with family that get together too seldom and then usually due to a funeral. Within a half hour of getting home daughter Carrie arrived with Megan and Nicholas for them to spend time with Dennis and me. They had not been at our home for an extended time since prior to school starting in the fall of 2012. It was a whirlwind of activity as the possibility of any dust bunny escaping was slime to none. There were birdhouses painted as well as sleeves that seemed to get in the way of the creative styles. (More …)