The Grands

 Getting all the young adults together is hard, last Sunday worked for most of us to gather.  Adam drove from Western North Dakota...Adam's fiancee Courtney had to work or she would have been here too.

Here they are oldest to youngest!  They brighten up our lives!  We played games and had a White Elephant gift exchange....and an incredible meal that Andy cooked.  Prime rib, twice baked potatoes, carrots, parsnips, popovers and snickers salad and then all kind of Christmas goodies. 

It was so quiet in the house after everyone left. 

Far Side

A birth and a death

 Life goes on, we are born and we die. 

First the birth a very happy occasion!  It's a boy!  I crocheted him a yellow baby blanket for his baby shower...not knowing if the baby was a boy or a girl!

This little fella weighed in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces on October 4th 2025.   He is the first child of our great niece Hailey and her husband Isaac, the first grand for Niece Stacey( Grandma Stacey is holding him in the photo)and the first great grand for my other baby brother and she who sees robins first! ( Maybe I am a double great auntie!)

Then a death:  Son in Law Andy's Grandma Ed died on October 3, 2025, she was 96 years old just 29 days short of her 97th birthday.  Her obituary says it all...Edna was called home by the one who loves her most!   She is the last Grandma for Andy and Jen  and the last Great Grandmother for our Grands Noah and Adam.  Grandma Ed lived a good long life, living in assisted living in her later years and then to the Nursing home for only two weeks, the last week on Hospice.  Our sympathy to all who loved Grandma Ed. 

I have a photo of Grandma Ed taken in about 2003...at Adam's birthday party.  Tall baby Adam had a good start and eventually towered over his Great Grandma Ed. 

Births and deaths the world keeps going round and round.  Happy and sad times all mixed together.

Far Side

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to break down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to count as lost,

a time to keep and a time to discard,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Biopsies

 Plural...yes more than one. 

Far Guy had to go to surgery on Monday to do a biopsy on the glands in his neck.   He did fine and preliminary results are good, next week the complete biopsy report should be back.  Our hope is that everything is benign.  He has a very sore throat from all the tubes and scopes they put down his throat. He also has a wound on his arm where the Charge Nurse who was called in to do his IV ...put such awful tape to secure his IV that when it was pulled off it took off his skin so now he has a very sore wound too.  I would show you a photo but it is awful looking. 

We both got to visit with Grandson Noah and I got to see Granddaughter Maddie while Far Guy was in surgery.  Jen made a wonderful meal for us on Monday night...pulled pork, eggs and potatoes topped with cheese.

Tuesday on the way home we both saw our Dermatologist.  Far Guy got the all clear and I had two biopsies; one on my forehead and one on my arm the results take about ten days. I also had two other spots taken care of one on my chin and one on my ear...cauterized and frozen for those.  

We are back home in the woods again.

We miss this dog.

She got a good amount of attention from us while we were there. 

Today is our day off.  Then Thursday and Friday three more appointments locally.  Far Guy says he is tired of Doctors. 

Minnesota weather: High 74F or 24C Low was 50F or 10C they say it was real foggy in the morning...however I did not get up that early on Tuesday. Nice Fall weather and some of the trees are showing some color especially the Fall Gold Ash trees and the Maples.

Far Side

Sadie and cooking with Maddie

 Sadie loves the pool. She has her own dock that she can use to get out of the pool.  Lately she is being difficult bringing back the pool ring.  She retrieves it just fine but then will not give it up and takes it way on the other side of the pool and drops it…we will get her figured out soon.

Maybe we just need a bucket of toys! 

Maddie and Baby K were over, Baby K slept the entire time. 

We made scalloped potatoes with ham. Maddie likes to learn how to make different foods for her growing family. We made the rue with equal parts butter and flour (1/4 cup each) stirred and stirred some more then add 3 1/2 cups of milk and stirred some more until almost boiling then poured over sliced red potatoes and ham sliced up in bite size pieces. Bake for about an hour and fifteen minutes at 350 degrees F. I have an oval blue and white speckled enamel pan that I like to use for many things I put in the oven. I like to add some Parmesan Cheese before serving. ( If you make the rue with rice flour it is a gluten free dish)

Noah stopped by after work to check on the elderly. 

Happy first day of July!

Far Side

Sharks and a shoe thief

 Jen, Andy, Adam and Courtney are safely in Hawaii they had an adventure yesterday in a shark cage. 

Probably not something I would do but Jen said it was not scary at all.

Back at home. Someone is stealing my Crocs so I cannot leave.

She loves us so she is not too lonely. Noah was over to check on the elderly and have some pool time with his dogs and Sadie. Then after supper Far Guy threw her pool ring a few times until she dropped it on the other side of the pool and would not retrieve it…I think she had enough of the pool for the day.

I had more pain yesterday so I had a long rest and then a nice nap. I might have walked too much the previous day. Far Guy woodcarved.

Far Side

Yarn

 Jen escorted me to Michaels the other day…as if I didn’t bring enough yarn with me.  She dropped me off at the front door, I grabbed a cart and wheeled myself through the store.  I had not been in a store since June 5th. 

I needed grey yarn for fake wasp nests. Jen and Maddie both need the fake nests. I have two done and a third almost done.

The pretty yarn will be my reward after I finish the wasp nests. The grey fake nests will be treated with outdoor decoupage after they are dry they will be hung up and discourage wasps from making a nest in the area and they will move onto another area.  I do not have a pattern, I just make it up as I go…it does not need to be perfect. 

It was a very nice day on Saturday, Far Guy woodcarved and I crocheted out on the back patio.  In the afternoon Grandson Noah came to check on the elderly and swam in the pool with Sadie. 

I am feeling a bit stronger every day. I still need help in the shower and picking things up off the floor. 

Far Side

26

Our oldest Grandson Noah is 26 years old today!  They grow up so fast!

Back in October of 2000 he was 17 months old.  

Noah with his very young looking Dad, that is Noah's Great Grandmother ( my Mom) holding out her hands for Noah to come.  I am not sure he did as he was a shy kid. 

Happy Birthday Noah, we hope you have the best day/year ever!  

Love you always and forever!

Grandma

Noah's Wedding

 The groom is waiting for the service to start.

Waiting with his best man ...brother Adam.

Coming down the aisle with his parents

Getting married.

The bride Hanna and the groom our Grandson Noah...married. 

There was a meal after the ceremony.  Pulled pork on Noah's Grandma Sheila's homemade buns, twice baked potatoes, corn and coleslaw...then of course the wedding sugar cookies and mints.  It was a lovely reception.  There were about 50 guests...mainly close family and a few of the couples friends. 

Far Side

Just a tad big

 I finished the pink coodie.  

Maddie stopped by so I sent it with her for a trial run.  I can make it smaller.  From the photos I know what I need to do to make it fit better. 

I asked her to try it on Peach.

Way too big for Peach! 

We also visited with our Grandson Noah on Sunday! 

Supper was pizza...our usual Sunday supper. 

Far Side

Year in Review 2024

 It was a year!  Why is it as we age time seems to go by faster and faster?

Our oldest daughter Trica lives in Duluth Minnesota, we saw her one time this past year and that was at Paige's wedding. 

Our youngest daughter Jen and husband Andy still live in East Grand Forks Minnesota and we spend the Winter months with them.  They have a Golden Retriever named Sadie.  Jen teaches at Northland Community College and Andy teaches at the University of North Dakota.

Savannah is doing well with her Lash business in Bemidji, Minnesota.  She has two dogs Chewy and Kalila.

Maddie is a Dental Assistant, her husband Brenton works at Bobcat. They live in Grand Forks, North Dakota and they have "The Greats"  Hey Mikey, Cee Cee and Peach.  With a new baby due in June!  They have a very busy household...two dogs Sam and Koda and a cat named Doug. 

Paige married Cole in October.  Paige is a Dental Hygienist and Cole works for a Irrigation Company. They live in Bemidji Minnesota. They have a dog named Rosie.

Noah lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota and works at Simplot, he supervises the cleaning of all the machines and the chemicals used.  Simplot processes potatoes.  Noah has a dog named Aurora. 

Adam moved to Dickinson, North Dakota. He works at Menards in the plumbing department and will attend Dickinson State University this next semester.  Adam's gal Courtney is also a student at Dickinson State University, if all goes well they will graduate about the same time. (2 years from now) Adam has a cat named Phoebe. 

**********

No births this year or new pet additions. 

***********

Deaths...we had a few. 

Far Guy's Cousin Bill Weeks  January 25  age 78

High School Friend Cyndi 

My Mother Madeline February 11 age 94

Neighbor Cheryl  July 13 age 70

My Cousin Diane August 13  age 68

My Cousin Patsy September 15 age 72

Far Guy's Cousin Tom's wife Linda October 4  age 78

My Cousin Kathy October 11  age 75 

*********************

One of our bestest Winter friends Little Elvis died September 27, 2004 he was almost 15 years old.  He had a good life.  I miss him sleeping on his bed near the foot of my bed and as old habits are hard to break I look for him automatically when I get up during the night.  I miss him.

************************

Far Guy keeps busy; he woodcarves, fixes on his old car and occasionally he goes to a car show.  He is my best sous chef and helps readily in the kitchen.  His lung function is about 19% so we limit our activities to outdoor gatherings as much as possible.  He rarely goes into a store because of perfumes, aftershave and cleaning products that people/stores use. 

I keep busy, I have many crochet/craft projects in the works at all times.  I am still struggling with pain from all my ritises  I do daily exercises and should have bought stock in whoever makes Tylenol.  One day at a time. 

There you have it the big wrap up for 2024.

What will 2025 bring us?  A new Great, time spent with those we love...both humans and dogs!

Happy New Years Eve!  We have not stayed up late enough to ring in the New Year for a number of years.

Far Side

I love you

 The Grands each wrote I love you on a piece of paper and Jen laser cut the words out.  Each one a bit different! 

There was some discussion about the style of Noahs hair making him taller this year than his brother! 

These five light up our lives!  It was fun to spend some time with them, play some games and hear them laugh together and tell stories about each other. 

We love them too!

Far Side

Our grandsons

 The wedding was a good time to spend some time with our grandsons Noah and Adam...and of course their parents Jen and Andy.  Jen and Andy rented a large enough place for all of us to be comfortable.  Far Guy and I just stayed one night. 

Our oldest Grandson Noah, he took a vacation day from his job at Simplot in Grand Forks ND to come to the wedding.

Our youngest grandson and the baby of the entire family...Adam.  

Adam has a gal named Courtney, we like her too!  They both live in Western ND where Courtney is attending school and Adam is working at Menards and planning to go back to school Winter semester.  

 A wonderful group photo! 

Time always goes too fast when you are around the people you love most in the world.  We get to see Noah quite often...Adam not so much since he moved. 

Far Side

Grands and Greats

 Our youngest Great Granddaughter, Peach is flanked by two very handsome young men.  They almost look like security guards!  

The handsome young men are our two favorite Grandsons; Adam and Noah. Adam and Noah's parents are our youngest daughter Jen and her husband Andy.

Where is the littlest piggy tailed Peach heading?  She had been at the motel with her siblings and her Dad and a family friend who helped with their care...because their Mom was busy being a Matron of Honor.  

Where ever is she headed?  She had quite an entourage....all people who love her; Adam, Noah, Jen, Hey Mikey and Andy with Cee Cee.

Peach had activated her Mom radar!

And then they were photo bombed!

But you get the idea.

Maddie and Peach.   Maddie is our oldest daughter Trica and her ex husband Richard's middle daughter  (they were divorced after being married for 24 years)...and Peach belongs to Maddie and Brenton. 

The wedding was beautiful.  I will share more photos as the days go on.  I will wait until Paige posts some photos on facebook to show you what a beautiful bride she was.  I had to get what photos I could and not agitate the professional photographers.

We are safely back at home. 

Far Side

Travel day

 On Sunday we traveled Up North for Doctor appointments on Monday. Had supper with Andy and Noah, watched Andy mow the lawn and we played with Sadie. She sure was happy to see us. Jen has been on vacation in Michigan and Andy just returned from a robotics tournament at the Mall of America.  It is a very busy household.

Fun to see all the different flowers in bloom vs snow banks that we see in the Winter.

Far Side

25 plus one day

 Noah was 25 years old yesterday, I must have been off in la la land, or forgetful city. 

Anyways our oldest Grand Noah is now 25 years old plus one day.  We celebrated with him last week, we went out to his favorite Mexican Place!  We had a good visit and he talked about his work and a very scary project that he thought was the best thing ever...I believe he said he was up 360 feet in the air and he would do it again!  He is happy with his job and is looking to buy a house. 

Photo of Noah and his dog Aurora taken last December

Happy Birthday Noah, I hope you had the best day ever! We are so proud of you!  Love you always and forever! 

Grandma  

Easter gathering

 We gathered at Jen and Andy's for Easter.   The food was marvelous!  We enjoyed way too much food and a rousing game of Bingo.  The Great Grands hunted for their Easter Baskets and had an egg hunt. 

We missed Miss Paige she had to be elsewhere, it is always fun to see these "kids" together.

Far Side

Weekend Stuff

Saturday I did a bunch of laundry, cleaned a bathroom and crocheted.  Noah joined us for a early supper/late lunch at the Blue Moose.  It was good to catch up with him over a meal.  

We had a quiet day Sunday, everyone is back home after meetings and weekend get aways.   Sadie is much happier with everyone at home. 

Far Guy and I did some grocery shopping and some more laundry.  We picked up Pizza from Papa Murphys and that was supper on Sunday.  

Our weather has turned warmer.  It was 35 F or 2 C eh yesterday...nice! 

Sweet Peas with raindrops, photo taken years ago one Summer day.

Far Side

Grands

 It was a day to celebrate Christmas with our Grandchildren or like I call them the "Grands."

We had lots of food; egg bake, little smokies wrapped in bacon, fruit and cinnamon rolls...and a plate full of Christmas goodies.  I even had a mimosa!  We gathered late in the morning to do brunch. 

We played games for prizes, had a white elephant gift exchange and opened stockings. 

Fun times!  Wonderful to see them all together.

Here they are tallest to shortest from left to right.  From right to left is their birth order.  They are a Grand group of young adults!  

Far Side

Four of Five

 Four of our Grandchildren were here for their Great Grandfathers committal service.  They came early in the day so that we could visit. 

Noah

Adam 

Maddie 

Paige holding Ree

It was good to get caught up with them and the goings on in their lives.  Jobs, travel, education, wedding, girlfriends and door dash:)

 Far Side

Noah, Sadie and a bear

 We got to see our oldest Grandson Noah on the 4th of July, he came over to join us for an evening meal.  He is busy at work and really likes his job. 

His dog Aurora was kinda happy to see us too.   She likes us a little...but not as much as Sadie! 

Sadie is enjoying the pool.  Andy built the deck near the pool.

Andy helps her get out of the pool. 

The pool area is fenced in...Sadie could jump the fence but so far she has not gone swimming unattended. 

Happy tired wet dog! 

On the way home we had a little excitement...we saw a very big BEAR running across the road.  Our first bear sighting of the summer.  ( It was near Zerkel MN) Just in case you think bears just stroll across the road...they can run really fast!

Far Side