Dreaming of flowers

 Well... flowers and warmer weather for sure!  

I started a new puzzle, worked on my crochet projects...one is out for a trial by a little girl and the other needs a bit of an adjustment...so I will work on that.  

One of Jen's small stone creations. 

Far Guy gets to visit the NEW hospital today for his infusion.  He has heard from the nurses that the infusion rooms are all individual with private bathrooms and big screen tv's...parking is already a nightmare over there.  Good thing I just drop him off and pick him up. 

Still cold...our high yesterday was 10F or -12C   our low was -13F or -25C  with a real feel of -30 most of the day yesterday.  We might bust out of the deep freeze on Friday..maybe.

How cold is it?  Squirrels are throwing themselves at the electric fence to warm up:)

Far Side

 

Still chilly

 We came out of the deep freeze to grey dirty snow.  You wouldn't even want to make a snowman. 

Far Guy had three appointments yesterday...all is well as can be expected.  He saw a Cardiologist and a Pulmonologist.  We went  out for lupper at our favorite Mexican place here in East Grand Forks.  Far Guy likes their tacos and I like the loaded nachos. 

We stayed out of the extremely cold weather for four days, ventured out for an afternoon on Tuesday and back in for Wednesday's sub zero temperatures. 

How cold was it?  Chickens would have lined up at the oven to bake:)

Far Side

Creating Fun Stuff

Jen had a couple of projects happening.  These are wall decorations.

Far Guy helped Jen by dipping the individual pieces of wood in food coloring.  I love the way it turned out...so vibrant!

This is one I helped paint, in this photo you can see how the wood pieces stick out at different levels. 

Jen took both pieces plus a few other creations over to the shop in Grand Forks. 

Fun Stuff! 

Still very cold here.  

Far Side

Quiet Sunday

 It was bitterly cold outside.  We have extreme windchills forecast through Tuesday afternoon.  We are staying indoors until Tuesday afternoon when we have to venture out for Far Guy's medical appointments...he has three on Tuesday afternoon, all in town thankfully. 

We finished a puzzle and Far Guy did some woodcarving and some painting.

He has some Purple Coneflowers in progress. 

Hope everyone stays warm during the cold spell. 

Far Side

Cold and Cards

I picked a project and completed it!! Yeah me! 

We always put cash in cute cards for Christmas, last year I made my own cards and envelopes from card stock...this year I just decorated the front of the blank cards that I purchased...and the envelopes came with the cards...sweet... I am all set for Christmas 2025!   I can cross this project off my list!  In fact I can cross it off the next years list also as I made two years worth of cards!!

I wrote some notecards to people that I had been thinking about...they are ready to mail. 

Twas a cold day...the real feel temperature was -30 F the whole day.  Only Sadie ventured outdoors. 

Jen taught us a new card game called "Trash" it is a new fun game!

Far Side

Windy Day

 It was very windy all day yesterday (Friday) not sure what the windchill was but winds were gusting around 50 mph...the snow is all a grey color now...some of the finest soil in North Dakota was airborne.  We are in the deep freeze now for a few days. 

Even Sadie wanted to stay in... the wind scared her.  Jen went out with her so Sadie could do her business. 

Three of six crochet projects...and a puzzle.  I wonder which one will be finished first. 

Supper was "What is in the fridge"  in my case that was peas and scalloped potatoes. 

Evening activities are...a hockey game on TV, petting Sadie, crocheting, maybe some Deal or No Deal Island, petting Sadie. 

FYI when I play tug with Sadie I should not sit in a computer chair on rollers...

Far Side

Nothing new

Not much new here.

I ran an errand for Far Guy...he needed some stuff... the store he sent me to had yarn for sale...more yarn may have been purchased for yet another project.  I am not doing very good on my word for the year ...focus.

Colorful artwork at the shop in Grand Forks.

flippin' happy home decor and more

We have one more day (Friday) of decent weather then our neighbors to the North are opening the deep freeze again:)   We have nothing planned for the weekend other than staying inside where it is warm! 

Far Side

Nice Day!

 We had a great day, it was 39 F or 4 C eh...got gas in the car ($2.59 a gallon...$2.47 with my coupon)and got it washed.  Ran some errands and made some scalloped potatoes for supper, Andy put a ham in the smoker...it was a really good meal. No one joined me in eating vegetables...Far Guy ate two peas...go figure I am the only one who like peas in this house.  I will have peas for lunch:)

Last week I bought this box to hold scrubbies and the small pouches I crochet. 

They fit perfectly!  The box is good sized and full so I am all caught up with those projects for now. 

Far Side

All smiles!

 "The Greats" were here over the weekend.  Growing like weeds and full of laughter and smiles intermixed with a few squeals by Peach...she knows how to get attention! 

All three loving a blanket ride.

Sadie checking to make sure everyone is okay...secretly I think she wanted a turn too:)

We have been in the deep freeze. Today should be better...45 degrees warmer than yesterday.  I am going to fill the car with gas and get a car wash! 

Four medical appointments crossed off the list yesterday...one more later this week.  

Far Side

I won!

 Sara over at Punkin's Patch had a drawing and I was the winner!!  Yeah me!

Fun stuff...a project bag, a note pad and her Lamb Camp ...the bottle lambs booklet!  The lamb camp booklet is a treasure in itself! 

 Head on over to Sara's blog...she is better known as the crazysheeplady. Over there you will find great photos about her flock of sheep...she does the hard stuff...raises bottle lambs that are rejected by their mothers...and takes in/rescues sheep that need a home and special care from Sara.  She washes, cards, spins and knits the wool from her sheep. I have been reading Sara's blog for many years...following the ups and downs of her life on Equinox Farm (falling in love with all her critters). Her blog is a treasure!  I am a winner just reading her blog however I do appreciate the gifts!!  Thanks Sara!

Far Side

Sun bursts and dogs

 On Sunday afternoon I headed over to flippin' happy home and more decor.  It is a small shop on Washington over in Grand Forks North Dakota.  It is where Jen consigns her artwork and some of my crochet items...she was working and the shop owner was there and gave me permission to take some photos. 

This is the piece that I helped Jen paint a few days ago.  It is just beautiful! 

I will be showing photos of the shop from time to time...it is an interesting place. 

It snowed here and then turned cold.  

The sundogs were out.  Here is a photo of one sundog.  They almost always signal really cold weather.

Stay warm! 

Far Side

Puzzling and a few movies

 This puzzle was hard.  Never again will I buy a puzzle with so many dark pieces...it was a struggle...but it is finally done. 

The next puzzle has flowers and a couple of dogs...maybe it will feel like Spring instead of Winter.

It snowed here yesterday a couple of inches. 

This week I watched three good movies.  A Dog's Purpose, Carryon, and Jerry and Marge Go Large ( a true story).  All great movies and well worth the watch. 

Presently my crochet project has a few glitches to work out, so it is still in process.

Far Side

Stones

 Making art...

with polished stones...artwork by Jen.

Far Side

1991

In 1991, Osage had its Centennial.   Some how I got roped into helping with the Centennial Quilt.  Anyone in the community could make a quilt square, it was quilted and still hangs inside a glass case at the new Osage Community Center.   

 The photo was taken inside the old Community Center/Senior Center/the school where I went to 5th and 6th grade...I believe we are in the 6th grade side of the schoolhouse.  I believe my Mom took this photo.  These photos were were amongst my Mom's many photographs. 

I am at the end of the quilt in the red shirt...my shirt says Pine Springs Resort as that is the resort that we owned at that time...a summer fishing resort with eight cottages and a campground. 

All of the ladies are gone now...on the left is Grace...she made the best cookies ( she and her husband lived two farms away from us), next to her and quite hidden is Auntie Esther/Far Guy's Aunt...we loved her very much.  I am not sure who the man is in the photo...maybe Mel?   Standing talking to me is Dorothy...I went to Release Time classes at her home when I was in Grade School...in later years I helped her teach Release Time ( Release Time was always on Wednesday and was like Sunday School...called Release Time because the kids got released from school to attend...we would form a line and walk over to Dorothys house) Dorothy dedicated an area in her basement for Release Time.  Then the lady in red...is Harriet...a sweet lady...her husband Ray was a favorite ...when my baby brother and I would be with our Dad at the repair shop...he would buy us soda out of the Coke machine!  Then there in her red shoes is Olivia...in these years she always made me a cake for my birthday...she made the most delicious chocolate cake with boiled icing...sometimes when she would make the cake and it wasn't my birthday she would call me to come over to have coffee with her and Walter!  Olivia worked for my Mom for many years cleaning cottages at my parents resort...she was the best kitchen cleaner ever. Olivia also grew huge Dinner Plate Dahlias. 

I wish I could recall the conversation that day...I do not...but it was still a good day.

Grace, Auntie Esther and Olivia all stitching away.  Dorothy is in the background. 

Good memories of some great women.

Far Side

Spirit

 The Christmas Spirit is leaving the neighborhood, those that hired their decorations done have been de decorated.  Funny thing one side of the street was mostly decorated and the other side was not.  Interesting.

Jen decorated very nicely near the front door...very cheerful! 

Three medical appointments this week, leading up to five next week.  Usually we are organized and the right hand knows what the left hand is doing...we are both scheduled for appointments at the same time one day next week...good thing they are in the same town. 

I saw my Rheumatologist yesterday, he has run out of options for me...so he is referring me to the pain clinic.  Not sure what they will do.   My sudden rise in skin cancers is most likely the side effect of the RA meds that did not work for me.  My RA Factor has doubled and my Ferritin level is very high...not sure what will be done about that either. 

Sometimes no plan is a plan. 

Far Side

Guilty or Innocent

 I have a pair of red crocs that I wear as house shoes.  Guess who loves to steal them?

Guilty...but sadly guilty.

Now if she could only speak and tell us where the other shoe is???  Perhaps she thinks if she keeps it hidden I won't be able to leave.

Far Side

Playing with fabric

 Jen was playing with strips of fabric one day...she allowed her Dad and I to help.

Fabric is put on two sided adhesive paper and ironed to adhere it.  Then they are cut into strips...the other side of the backing is removed and it is put in place on special paper...when it is all done it is put on a canvas.  I worked the blues on the right side while Far Guy stripped backing off of strips until his thumbs locked up. (I know from experience that this is painful...but we still had to laugh a bit)

I was only the consultant on the next piece. 

Both pieces have gone to the shop in Grand Forks.  

I can play with fabric as long as no sewing is involved!

Far Side

Cool Wedding

 There was a wedding this weekend, it was supposed to be an outdoor ceremony.

Peach all dressed up

Maddie, Brenton and children.  Brenton's Mom was married over the weekend, because of the severe cold it was moved indoors.  Cee Cee and Peach spent a fair amount of time on the dance floor:)

The weather was bitterly cold with a high temperatures below zero.  

Far Side

 

Word for the year: Focus

 Five days into the New Year and I finally decided on a one word intention for the year.  Focus.

I need to focus on many different things and my list is in my head...perhaps I will share it in detail someday. 

For now I am focusing on going through my photo files...I have so much to do...but I have to start before it gets so out of control that it will be impossible.  Going through the photo files will help me with another project on my list...update the Grands photo albums.  A Grandma with a camera has its advantages.  I gave Paige a flash drive of her wedding photos...so I can cross that off my list. 

You can see we still have a bit of snow.  It has turned bitterly cold.  The high yesterday was -1F or -18C eh.  And it was windy...someone described it as teeth breaking, snot freezing cold.  I cannot argue with that.

We had a quiet day yesterday...I made vegetable beef soup.  Some was frozen for quick meals during the Winter.  As I write this on Saturday evening Jen and Far Guy are watching Sioux Hockey, Andy is of town for a Robotics tournament and Sadie makes the rounds from person to person for attention.   I am going to focus on my crochet project unless I get distracted by the puzzle. 

Far Side

Book Club 2025: January

 This month we read Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.

I gave the book a 8.5 out of a 10.   It is a non fiction book based on facts.  The subject matter should have been in a High School United States History Class...but I do not recall that it was. 

Most of the gals in book club appreciated the book...not enjoyed...because the subject matter was a tad gruesome at times. 

The yarn in the photo is very dark...a new project I am working on...actually I am working on two different crochet patterns for the same thing and we will see how it all turns out. 

Far Side

Puzzling

 We like to put puzzles together during the Winter.  We have finished two so far this Winter.

The Pringles puzzle all the pieces were in the can. 

Disney Villains puzzle...sadly this garage sale find for a dollar was missing a piece.  The black pieces were a struggle.

This one is now on the puzzle table. 

I had a Video Chat with my Spine Specialist, they have prescribed yet another medication...Lyrica and have scheduled me for a different steroid injection.  If that one fails I will get a referral for surgery. 

Far Side

Shiny Brite

 Our daughter Jen set up a tree filled with Shiny Brites as a Christmas surprise. ( Her Christmas surprises always make me cry.) Jen is very thoughtful and always does everything to make us feel right at home during the Winter. 

The tree sits out in the game playing area, where Far Guy woodcarves and I put together puzzles.  We enjoyed the tree every day. 

It was so much fun to see all the special ornaments on a tree again...it has been awhile since they were on a tree and appreciated!  

We undecorated the tree and put away the ornaments a few days ago...thanks Jen for one more Shiny Brite Christmas.  Hopefully is is the beginning of a Shiny Brite New Year:)

Far Side

Happy New Year!

 

Hope you all have a wonderful 2025!

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

Cute cards

 Christmas Cards and letters...I enjoy them all.

This is a card I unearthed from last years Christmas cards it was too cute to recycle.  It is a card from My Nephew Jacob and his family...they live in Japan.  

I have a very talented friend that made this card!  It is a piece of fabric that is stitched around on the card...batting on the back makes the card a bit puffy and the sequins make it sparkle a bit.  

Another card that was recycled...someone put a lot of work into this card and I enjoyed it too!

And a Sadie look alike!

Son In Law Andy thought perhaps he should get a red truck so Sadie could have her photo taken! 

It is almost the New Year...seems like the days just fly by!

Far Side

17 years

 My blog is still a teenager.  I have been blogging for 17 years, I began in late December of 2007.  Those real early blogs were on another blogging platform that is now defunct.  However I have those blogs as hard copies and I may revisit a few of them on this blog next Summer...especially the ones with family history.  ( So that is now on my to do list.)

My Grandson Adam asked me ...when do you blog Grandma?  I usually blog in the afternoon or the evening and then set it to auto publish at 3 AM.  If I know I am going to be really busy I will schedule a couple ahead of time.   Yes I could be dead and still blogging...technically! 

Flowers last Summer.  I love primary colors in a pot of flowers. 

We are doing okay Up North, there was a mix up with Far Guy's Infusion, the Doctor even tried to straighten it out....with no luck.  Back home Tiff and Lynn gave him Zemaira at the Infusion Center.  Here he gets Aralast that makes him very short of breath.  The Pharmacy up here says they cannot get Zemaira. Far Guy will contact the Pharmaceutical Company himself.  Far Guy gets infusions every week to protect his lungs, he has a genetic defect...rare disorder called Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency. 

I am keeping busy with puzzles, reading, crocheting and petting Sadie while keeping one eye on Far Guy. No improvement in my RA pain...the injections in my back worked about ten days. I was hoping for longer...but thats life. 

I will keep blogging as long as I am able.  I enjoy reading many blogs and connecting with many people all over the world. 

 Thank you for reading!

Far Side

The Greats

 We spent some time with our Great Grandchildren better known as the Greats.

Peach are you supposed to be climbing stairs all by yourself?

Cee Cee did you know your socks don't match? 

Sisters both smiling!

All together...everyone smile. They have lots of energy...more energy than the old folks. 

Far Side