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. 

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No births this year or new pet additions. 

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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 

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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.

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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

Year in Review 2023

 Well we survived another year!  

Here is the summary of our year.

Our oldest daughter Trica is still living in Duluth MN.

Our youngest daughter Jen and husband Andy live in East Grand Forks, MN. Jen teaches at Northland Community College and Andy teaches at UND.  They are empty nesters except for the time we visit them over the Winter.  Golden Retriever Sadie and Sheltie Little Elvis are a big part of the family.  Adam and Noah both live in town and stop by often. 

The Grands:

Savannah lives in Bemidji, MN owns a Lash Extension business and is looking forward to buying a house soon.  She has two dogs Chewy and Kalila.

Maddie and her husband Brenton live in Grand Forks ND. Maddie is a Dental Assistant and Brenton works for Bobcat.  Hey Mikey was six this year, Cee Cee was three and they welcomed Ree in June.  They have two dogs and cat who Cee Cee named Doug. 

Paige is working as a Dental Hygienist in Bemidji MN.  Paige became engaged to Cole this past year and a wedding is being planned for 2024.  Cole has a dog named Rosie.  Sadly Paige's kitty named Bailey died this year. 

Noah works at Simplot and has a dog named Aurora.  He is looking to buy a home soon.

Adam is attending UND and working most of the time, he has a girlfriend named Courtney and a cat named Phoebe. 

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Deaths this year

My Cousin Petie died Feb 8, 2023 she was 78 years old.

My Cousin Judy died Sept 17, 2023 she was 71 years old.

My second cousin Will died April 27, 2023 he was 76 years old.

Friends; Hubert (87), Erna (96), Barry (78) and Dave (73)

Pet Deaths: Bailey who was about 18 years old, she was Paiges kitty. 

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Far Guy has remained relatively healthy this past year with no hospital visits.  He stays busy,  his favorite summertime activity is sitting on the patio in the sunshine watching the birds at the bird feeder and making wood chips while he is listening to his music. He tinkers on his 1959 Desoto, and polishes it on a regular basis.  We were able to attend a few car shows last summer.  

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis/Psoriatic Arthritis and Lyme Arthritis last summer, they have not yet discovered a medication that helps with the pain or the extreme fatigue.  I continue to see different specialists. I stay busy crocheting and doing some embroidery.  Wood Carving is difficult for me, my hands do not like the movements and strength needed to push the knife.  I do what I can do. Not as much as I would like but like I tell Far Guy it is what it is. 

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The Great Grandchildren who light up our lives! 

 Family Photo

Goodbye 2023 and we are hopeful for a wonderful 2024!

Far Side

2021 Year End Recap

 I usually write a year end blog post...so here we go.

Our oldest daughter Trica is finally divorced, she still struggles with issues that we cannot help her with.  We saw her once this year back in October. 

Savannah is very busy with her eyelash extension business and school, she will graduate in 2021 with a degree in Business.   She has two dogs, Chewy and Kalila and Luna her kitty.

Maddie will be starting a new job soon, she is a Dental Assistant, the new job will have great benefits.  She is a very busy Mom to Hey Mikey and Cee Cee.  She and Brenton have a dog named Koda and a couple of cats....Raina and Loki.

Paige is in Dental Hygienist school, she works part time as a bartender and takes care of her very elderly cat Bailey. 

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Youngest daughter Jen and her husband Andy bought a second house and fixed it up,  it is an Air  B & B rental called Home & Away.   It has a great location just one block from The Ralph (a huge arena).  They are both Instructors at Northland Community and Technical College. They have Little Elvis a Sheltie who is 12 years old and the new puppy Sadie a Golden Retriever. 

Noah has a job with benefits and he is now in a Supervisory position.  He moved into the Air B & B and has a room  he can lock when it is rented.  He couch surfs with friends or goes home to his parents when the Air B & B is rented.  He has a dog named Aurora. 

Adam is going to school, he is not quite sure what he wants to be when he grows up.   He works part time and has a cat named Phoebe that he adopted a year ago. 

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Great Grandchildren!

Hey Mikey was four this year and will be five years old in 2022. 

Cee Cee will be two years old in 2022. 

They grow so fast.

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Deaths: 

 My cousin Dean died of a heart attack he was 62 years old.

My cousin's wife Mary Ann died she was 76 years old.

Far Guy's Godmother Marge died she was 89 years old.

Long time friend Brian died of Pancreatic Cancer he was 64 years old.

Long time blog friend Mildred died of Pancreatic Cancer she was in her 60's.

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Jen's Sheltie Miss Miney died last January, she was 15 years old.  We miss her very much. 

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Far Guy had four valves placed in his lungs at the University of Minnesota, they were supposed to improve his breathing...they did not work...he had a miserable summer until the valves were removed in August.  He still gets the infusions once a week to help protect his lungs.  He struggles to breathe, some days are better and some are worse.   He wood carves when he feels up to it.   All of his Doctors are now in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 

We moved in with Jen and Andy in November to be closer to Far Guy's Doctors for the winter.  Jen and Andy have a very large home, we have an office for our computers, a bedroom and a bathroom.  There is a very large kitchen, living room, craft room, game room and a movie theater!  We will move back to the woods when the weather improves.  We are very thankful for Andy and Jen making the winter easier for us! 

I am busy, I have many crafts to occupy my time and this year I learned how to do Mosaic Crochet. 

We took Far Guy's old car to several car shows last summer...a 1959 Desoto Firesweep.  It has an appointment at a body shop for some work and a new paint job this winter!   So next summer we are looking forward to a few more car shows. 

We were married 52 years just a few days ago. 

December 1969

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Far Side

I missed my blog anniversary the other day...14 years...uffda. 

2020 in Review

 This is the catch all report of 2020.

Our oldest daughter Trica is still struggling with health issues.  She is still in process of being divorced...possibly one of the most drawn out divorces in history.  She is not employed and at the moment doesn't want much to do with anyone.  If you are inclined to pray...she could sure use prayers.  She was able to visit with her daughters and grandchildren the day after Christmas. 

Savannah is working at a Radio Station and going to Bemidji State University, she has changed her major to Business.   She took a class in the cities and is now an Eyelash Extension Technician part time. She said "I could put some lashes on you Grandma it would give me practice on an older person."  Savannah has a dog named Chewy and her kitty Luna.

Madison is happily married to Brenton and they are the proud parents of Hey Mikey who is three years old and Little Miss or Cee Cee who was born in March.  Madison is a Dental Assistant and really likes the Dentist that she work for.  Brenton works in his Dad's Machine Shop in Michigan.  They measure their snow in feet not inches. They have a kitty named Raina.  Update:Maddie has another cat...not sure what his name is.  His name is Loki.

Maddie and Cee Cee...Photo by Jen

Hey Mikey plays pinball....Photo by Jen

This was his first attempt at playing Pinball.  Jen and Andy recently had this old pinball machine restored.  It was the Pinball machine from our Resort that Jen played for hours.

Paige is waiting to get into a Dental Hygienist program and in the mean time she is working as a CNA in a Nursing Home.  She was bartending at a pub...but with Covid that place is closed down for indoor dining.  Paige has Bailey (a very old cat) for company in her apartment.

A photo of all our Grands  better known as "The Five"

Noah, Maddie, Paige, Savannah, Adam  Christmas Day 2020...Photo by Jen

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Our youngest daughter Jen and her husband Andy moved from Fisher Minnesota to East Grand Forks Minnesota in June.  They spent the summer remodeling their new to them home. They are both Instructors at Northland Community and Technical College. Andy custom built oak cabinets and Jen was the Interior Decorator. 

Jen and Andy

Noah graduated from UND with a degree in Chemistry and left Noodles & Company for a full time job with benefits. He and his gal friend share two little dogs, Aphrodite and Aurora.

Noah... Photo by Jen

Adam graduated form High School in May of 2020.  He worked as a line cook all summer and into the Fall until Covid closed the eating establishment. He attends Northland Community and Technical College, he is taking classes to see what he likes. Yesterday he rescued a cat from the Humane Society by the name of Phoebe.

Adam at Drive By Graduation

Miney is 15 and Little Elvis is 10.  Miney has Dog Vestibular Syndrome and has good days and bad days.  Little Elvis has all good days!  Update: Elvis is 11 and thinks his name is Hermione.

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Births:  

Little Miss or  Cee Cee  was born March 10.  She gave us quite a scare in April when she had a bladder infection and went into Septic Shock...luckily she recovered quickly. 

Cee Cee just a few days old....photo by Jen

 A photo taken just last week by Jen...her winter headband fits!

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Deaths: 

My Aunt Anna died in November, she survived and fought Cancer for 35 years.  She was my Dad's only living sibling.  Aunt Anna was 85 years old.  Her funeral was live streamed from the Lutheran Church in town.

My Dad's Cousin Big Elmer died in October of Covid.  He was 84 years old.  His funeral was live streamed from the church where he was a Pastor for many years.

Aunt Helen died in September she was 90 years old.  She was married to Far Guy's Uncle Archie who died in 2019. 

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Our happenings:  Far Guy was taken off the Lung Transplant list in September, instead he had a stent placed in his heart and special medication to keep the stent open.  He will be 71 in a few weeks.

We purchased a 1959 Desoto Firesweep in early September it is his project car, it is all original and has only 56,000 miles on it. 

The old folks going for a drive

We still share the woodcarving hobby, although Far Guy carves more than I do. 

I keep busy with blogging, photography, crocheting, killing weeds, mowing lawns,  shoveling snow and keeping one eye on Far Guy.   I am a Find a Grave volunteer and try to do entries at Family Search when time permits.

Covid 19 in 2020...Far Guy is healthier being a hermit.  We go out one day a week for his Infusion at the Infusion Center (the Infusion gives him the protein he lacks to protect his lungs). I pick up groceries curbside and go by the drop off at the Post Office and through the Drive thru at the Bank. If we cannot buy it in town we order online or go without.  We have visitors out on our patio and stay at least six feet apart. Far Guy's Doctors appointments are all Zoom meetings and he does his own physical therapy here at home. Recently he went to the Dentist to repair a tooth that has been bothering him for many months.  We will be more than happy to get the vaccination when it is available to us. 

Most photos by Jen and the last photo was our trailcam.

We wish you a Happy New Years Eve!  Stay home and stay safe! 

Far Side

2019 Year in review

2019 was a busy year. 
We had four big events.

The first was a long overdue trip to Hawaii.
We are forever thankful for our travelling companions:  Adam, Andy, Jen and Logan (a friend of the family) they made the trip much easier for us old people.  Eleven days in Hawaii where it is warm and the sun shines everyday!

The second event was ongoing for several months.  Trips to Minneapolis/St Paul to the University of Minnesota for a lung transplant evaluation.  Finally July 23, 2019 Far Guy was listed for one lung.  After a nasty fungus invaded his lungs the listing changed the first part of December to two lungs...so we wait.  Our bags are packed and we have a list of last minute things that must go along.

Our third big event was Maddie's Wedding....she is out first grand to get married.  Her husband is a really nice guy and he fits in our family quite well.

Maddie, Hey Mikey and Brenton

 
Our fourth big event was our 50th Wedding Anniversary on December 20, 2019.  Celebrated with family.

Here are the old married 50 years people

Family Updates:

Daughters

 Our oldest daughter Trica is struggling with some health problems and is unemployed at this time.  After 25 years of marriage she and her husband are in the process of a divorce. 

Trica and Maddie

Our youngest daughter Jen is still happily married and employed as is her husband Andy.  Miss Miney and Little Elvis the Shetland Sheepdogs are getting older but living a good life!

Jen and Andy in Hawaii

Grands

Savannah will be 24 in 2020.  She works several jobs and goes to school part time.  Her major is Elementary Education.  She still has her dog Chewy and a couple of cats.

Savannah

Maddie will be 22 in 2010.  She works as a Dental Assistant for a Dentist in Michigan.  She loves her job.  Her husband Brenton is employed in a machine shop.  They moved from one place to another in Michigan...so they had to re home their dogs;  Amos is now an emotional support dog in a Veteran's Home and Deacon found a home with a Veterinarian and family of children. 

 Maddie

Paige will be 21 in 2020.  She is working two jobs and going to school in Duluth Minnesota.  She will be taking the family cat Bailey back to Duluth with her.  Sadly Sigourney the Pot Bellied Pig had to be re homed... happily she found a family of pot bellied pigs to live with. 

Paige

Noah will be 21 in 2020.  He will graduate from The University of North Dakota in the spring with a degree in Chemistry. He and his girlfriend Hannah share a dog named Aphrodite

Noah and Hannah

Adam will be 19 in 2020.  In the spring he will graduate from High School.  He took a hiatus from his job as a prep cook for the Robotics season.  He is undecided about his career path. 

Adam

Our Great Grand

Hey Mikey! 

Hey Mikey will be a Big Brother this year!  Photo shamelessly stolen from his Mom's Facebook page

In other news;

Jen, Andy and Adam are hosting a foreign exchange student from Belgium.  He is a delight and will be greatly missed when he returns home. 

Jonas

Jen and Andy are building a new home in East Grand Forks Minnesota.  Andy is doing all the custom cabinetry and will be the general contractor on the construction project.  The plans are final and it should be a beautiful home that should be completed in 2020.

This year we said a final goodbye to  Far Guy's Uncle Archie and his cousin Stevie and to friends Al, Tess, Bill and to my cousins son in law Charles.

There are no pet deaths to report this year. 

We are most thankful for all of our family. 

In 2020 we look forward to the birth of our second great grandchild.  

To a lung transplant and full recovery for Far Guy.

Some changes that will make everyday life easier for us. 

Last year we spent New Year's Eve in Hawaii at a Luau.   This year we shall have a quiet evening at home...possibly I will cook a steak for supper. 

Far Side

Year in Review 2018

Time once again to look back at the happenings during the year and our family.
Our daughters:

Trica and Dick 2018 They are empty nesters except when Paige comes home to visit.  They have a dog named Jade, a cat named Bailey and of course Sigourney Paige’s pig.

Jen and Andy still have a couple of years before they are empty nesters.  They have two Shelties…Miney(13) and Little Elvis(8).

The girls and their spouses all have jobs!

Grands:

Savannah 2018

Savannah is attending Bemidji State University and has two part time jobs.  This year she gained a cat named Simba to join her animal group which includes Chewy and Luna.

Maddie 2018

Maddie took Hey Mikey and moved to Michigan.  She has a job there as a Dental Assistant.  She has two dogs; Deacon and a new pup named Amos.  Sadly her kitty Ziggy died this year.

 

Paige 2018

Paige is attending the University of Minnesota at Duluth.  She still has a pot bellied pig named Sigourney who lives with her parents…cause you cannot take a pig to college.

Noah 2018

Noah attends the University of North Dakota.   He works full time while going to school.

Adam 2018

Adam is a Junior in High School.

Great Grandchild:

Hey Mikey is busy little guy who is 19 months old now.  He makes us smile!

Children make your life important…  Erma Bombeck

Deaths:

Friend Ruby (100),  friend Jim (71), Aunt Delores (82), Aunt Louise (88), Aunt Lila (86), Brother in Law Tim (63), Cousin Tammy (49) and Cousin Marc (50). May they all rest in peace.

Pet Deaths:

Many paw prints were left upon our hearts this year. 

Biggest Changes:  Life without a dog.

Biggest Frustrations: People and places with heavy perfume and after shave.  The Clean Air Act is supposed to protect people from air pollution…that would include any and all perfume/fragrances.  This year I have noticed that peoples clothing stinks from fabric softner/ fabric softner pellets that keep on giving and giving.

Happiest Moment in 2018: For me that was being able to bring Far Guy home from the hospital after three hospital visits.   For Far Guy:  Most likey his 50th Class Reunion.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

2017 Year in review

Boy that year sure went fast.  Time for the updates.
Children:

Trica and her family

Trica is a Nurse Practitioner at a Clinic in Northern Minnesota. Trica’s husband Richard is in the Radio Business.  They have a Black Lab named Jade and a kitty named Bailey.  This year they moved to a home in the country.

Jen and her family

Jennifer continues to teach English at a Community College.  She is the Mayor of their little town.   Jen’s husband Andy teaches Electronic Technology and Automated Systems at a Community College.  Andy is a First Responder and very active in Vex Robotics.  They have two Shelties; Miney (12) and Little Elvis(7) and a very old cat that may outlive all of us named Chaucer.  They continue to renovate their early 1900’s foursquare craftsman home.
The Grands:

Savannah and her dog Chewy.  She also has a kitty named Luna.   Savannah works three jobs…she is a sales person at JCPenney, a personal care assistant and works at the radio station for her Dad.  Savannah is our giggly grand.

Maddie… I took this photo of Maddie twenty days before Mikey was born.   Maddie is in school to become a Dental Assistant, she would like to work in Oral Surgery…like she says she will be saving the world one tooth at a time.  She will be done with school in May and do her Internship during the summer. She has her horse of a dog Deacon and a kitty named Ziggy.  Maddie is our most easy going grand…she goes with the flow.

Paige graduated from High School.  She attended St Catherines for one semester and has now transfered to the University of Minnesota in Duluth. She would like to pursue a career in medicine. She spent Christmas in the Florida Keys.  Paige has a pot bellied pig named Sigourney for a pet.  Paige is our Grand that calls just cause she misses us.

Noah graduated from Northland Technical College with a AA degree one week and the next week he graduated from High School.  He has declared a major of Chemistry, attends the University of North Dakota and would like to do something in the medical field. (his Mom is on the faculty at Northland…so she walked for his graduation…and her students)  Noah likes college and he works part time at Noodles. He has an apartment very near the campus.  He is our most serious Grand.

Adam

Adam is a sophomore in High School.  He plays the cello and is very active in Vex Robotics.  He has his drivers license and a car…a red one.   Adam is Adam…he was delighted  at Christmas with a pair of Spock Socks and a lego keychain.  Adam is the grand that always makes us smile.  He is very tall. ( I could have used him when I was decorating that tree!)
Great Grand:
Mikey was born the end of May.  He is a happy little boy unless he is hungry.

hey Mikey!  One month old.

Mikey at seven months old.  He can sit up by himself and is beginning to show some interest in crawling.  He keeps his Mom real busy!
Births in our immediate family:  Mikey…his parents call him Kaine but his Great Grandpa and I call him hey Mikey!
Biggest Changes: We are a nursing home for an aging Border Collie…we have made adjustments to care for him properly.  He almost died the first part of December…so he is on a strict diet. I am not sure what is better, let him eat what he likes and have him live a short time or manage his diet and have him live longer but more whiney cause he is hungry.
Biggest Frustrations:   I had one major surgery and three minor ones…we have learned that only one of us can be sick/recovering at a time.  We are better off if I am not the sick and recovering one.  ( All surgeries had good outcomes except for the carpal tunnel which I am still recovering from.)  People and perfume/aftershave…Far Guy struggles to breathe with every little bit of fragrance…even someone’s fragrant shampoo….body lotion… smelly fabric softner sheets they use on their clothing.  I am tempted to ask everyone that comes into the house to shower upstairs with our soap and shampoo while I wash their clothing and then come down to visit. If you struggled to breathe and then felt like your lungs were burned for days afterwards how would you feel?   Far Guy still struggles with Trigeminal Neuralgia and with Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency. Unnecessary germs; Check out clerks coughing and hacking away and then handling our groceries….we stand back and watch the checkout people…and pick the healthy looking ones!   In Walmart we have learned to use the self check outs.
Deaths: Two of my Aunts died this past year.  My Aunt Kay in February she was 76 years old. She was married to my Uncle Butch (My Mothers brother) who died a number of years ago.  My Aunt Karen died in May she was 65 years old ( She is my Mother’s youngest sister.) We are still waiting for her ashes to be returned to Minnesota so we can have some kind of graveside service….it doesn’t seem right to have …nothing. 
Happiest Moments: Watching our daughters manage life events… graduations and births.  When Mikey was born safely and Maddie was okay.  Spending time with our children and grandchildren and now a great grandson too!

And of course time spent with Chance.  It is his favorite time of year…snow eating time!
That about wraps up our year. We spend much of our time quietly at home, most days we get along together just fine.  Sometimes we kinda feel like hermits…but that is okay too. 
Happy New Years Eve! We will have a nice supper…steak I think…and maybe we will share a beer…and we will most likely be asleep before the new year is ushered in.