Trica’s Birthday

Trica was supposed to be born around April 1 she waited 18 more days..I went into labor the morning they scheduled to induce me.

Back in 1972 you had to have the whole works..enemas..shavings..before you could give birth.  Fathers were not allowed in the delivery rooms yet.  Far Guy paced in the Father’s Lounge, whilst I gave birth. We did not know if we were having a boy or  a girl..babies were always a surprise back then.  I thought for sure I was having a boy, Far Guy wanted a girl.  He was pleased and so was I after the surprise wore off.  I asked them twice in the delivery room if they were sure she was a girl..of course they laughed and said yes they were sure.

Remember those sitz baths..those funny tubs where your feet hung over and just your bottom went in..those sitz baths were lined up against a wall and when it was your turn you went to soak for as long as they would allow you to, visiting with all the other new mothers. 

I found this old photo of Trica.  She was two years old so it would have been 1974.

She wore glasses for awhile to help a lazy eye.  What a struggle it was to keep those glasses on her.  She would take them off and throw them.  She didn’t like wearing them at all.

This was probably about 1990, the year she graduated from high school.  She is holding Caramel, a gift from a beau.  It seemed liked every beau she had gave her a kitten.  When she went off to college we were left with two of her kittens from different beaus, Caramel and Shadow and two horses Farrah and Willow both Arabian mares.

Trica is back in school again, she is in the Nurse Practitioner program at UND and in a year she will graduate.  She is very busy with her school work and three teenagers.  Happy Birthday Trica:)

Wistful Wednesday : April 17, 1998

Our middle granddaughter was born on this day in 1998, on a Friday.  You know what they say about Friday’s child..loving and giving.  Yes, she is most certainly that!

I didn’t remember it as a Friday. She was labored and delivered in ICU because her Mom had a previous C section and the Doc wanted her there.  Birthing a baby in ICU caused quite a bit of excitement for the patients that were aware..they we all asking about the baby.  She was perfect, I got to cut her umbilical cord and followed her after she was born to the NICU because her Mom could not.

She recently asked me if she could have been switched at birth.  I explained to her that there was no way that could have happened because I was with her when she was away from her Mother and I knew exactly what she looked like.

  She had the cutest hair..it had a mind of it’s own and stood straight up.  She was such a good baby, and an even better baby when her Mother stopped nursing her…she has some immature tummy problems…that were solved with formula.  She liked to cuddle but when she was ready to go to sleep she liked to be put in her crib and covered with her blankie with the satin edge.  When you would put her down and cover her up she would reward you with a huge smile and swiftly she would be off to sleep.  No fussing..unless she was hungry…when she started to eat real food she loved cooked vegetables..carrots and green beans were her favorite she would stuff them in her mouth with both hands..she still likes her veggies.

  A four generation photo.  Me, Trica, Savannah holding Madison in one arm and a stuffed animal in the other and my Mother Madeline.  Madison was just a couple of weeks old in this photo. The photo was taken at my parents home on the lake.

Fifteen..just like that she is fifteen. Hard to believe how fast time flies!

She is all caught up with her homework after missing several weeks of school with Mono..she says she feels much better now.  Happy Birthday Maddie!

This is birthday week at their house Trica’s birthday is tomorrow.  When she was laboring with Maddie I suggested that she hold off for another twenty - four hours so she could share her birthday. I think she said “MOTHER are you nuts?”:)

Chance: A sign

Far Side bought me a sign.

It says “ A spoiled rotten Border Collie lives here.”

Wanna see me and my sign?

I am sure that “spoiled rotten” must be a good thing..cause Far Side says that all the time.

We got five inches of snow.. Far Side is a little cranky..more snow is due on Wednesday and Thursday.  She said “Oh Joy” not really but it sounds better than what she really said.

There is almost 14 inches at the snow stick now..some melted and compacted down during the day.  We were at an important meeting all afternoon..well they were, I was holding down the fort (car).  We didn’t get home till late and immediately after supper Far Side grabbed her towel and headed for her bench..and it snowed on us whilst we were playing ball:)

Snowed Out

Snow: softly falling, going sideways, fluffy, wet, mushy, icy, dry, cold, sparkly, fall, fort, storm, watch, warning, sleds, machines, blowers, plows, fence, shovels, skiff, heap, dump, bank, drift, angel, man, flake, boots and balls.. I am tired of them all.  I am snowed out.

Lets see..the first snow last Fall/ beginning of Winter fell on  October 5 2012.  HELLO that was SIX months and ten days ago.  I have been a trooper..I don’t like snow, I don’t like to be cold..the only nice thing I can say is that there are no snakes, ticks or mosquitoes the size of small birds.

Chance doesn’t even want to be outside in the snowy crap anymore..although that is probably because it was windy.

The little birds were feeding frantically.

Far Guy filled all the feeders in the morning and by late afternoon many of the feeders were empty.

The rafter of turkeys visited many times throughout the day..if Chance was inside..they were under the feeders.  The squirrels were obnoxious as usual.  They are starving to death I guess.. they are really getting bold.  This was earlier in the day when it was just spitting snow.

This squirrel could be in the circus..I watch him leap from a tree about six feet away from the feeder.. on the second try he made it.  As you can see the coffee can upside down on the feeder pole doesn’t help.  I hate to trim the tree branch but that may be the only option.  We are going to switch around some feeders and see if that makes a difference.

Oh ya, the snow stick..for all the bad guessers.  It gained again.. another two inches for sure and who knows what it will show in the morning.  I write late at night when it is quiet and I can download the days events.

A blog reader from North Dakota is tired of the snow there too..he says  he lives in Snowrth Dakota…close neighbor to Minnesnowda..and the winter that just won’t end:(

Trains

We took the day off yesterday and headed for a train show.

South of us the snow is not as deep..or piled as high.

It was a good train show..I bought a Zamboni..no that is not a train..and I bought some signs for Far Guys Train Set.  Far Guy bought a bunch of “stuff”..he says he might qualify as a train hoarder.  We stopped at a few antique shops on the way home to feed my old photograph addiction.  Chance is a good traveller..he likes all the activity and looks out the window most of the time.

He got to play ball when we got home.

Some of the snow melted while we were gone.  We have one inch less than Friday!  Making progress!!  At this rate in 11 days the snow will be gone!!

I think a bunny or a squirrel has been out there running around mashing down the snow.

I am certain that I am going just a little snow crazy..I emailed a friend in North Dakota where they are due to get 16 inches of snow and said:

“I just heard you will get 16 inches of snow..I laughed..sorry:)  C”

What are friends for anyway? 

We will honker down for the duration (again) ..sounds like this storm is sticking around for a little while, we are supposed to get 6 plus inches of snow and possibly some freezing rain:(

Snowing some more

As if we didn’t have enough snow..we got some more.

You can see the snow stick on the left of the photo..still pretty much covered in snow..about 12 inches I think.

In a month the GFO (Governors Fishing Opener) will happen in Park Rapids..it is a big deal for fishing/tourism for the area.  This morning they went out and measured the ice on the lake, there are 32 inches of ice.  It must melt at a rate of an inch a day in order for the ice to leave the lake in time for the Governor…he may have to just fish from shore in waders..or float around on an iceberg.  

Many of the snowbirds are disgruntled, they came back and couldn’t find anyone to remove an entire winters snow from their driveways.  What snow is left is hard as a rock..it is nothing but ice crystals..like a big old ice cube.  Septic systems were froze and needed to be unthawed..just one of the perils of leaving Minnesnowda for the winter.  Just one of the reasons we stay home all winter and wash a load of laundry everyday.

I have been busy “winter cleaning” the kitchen.  I am about half done.  I took down the flannel valance and put up a summery cotton one…maybe that is what made it snow.

Welcome to Springter or is it Wintering?  A whole new season.  More snow is forecast for Sunday..7 to 14 inches of winter wonderland..I can hardly wait:(

Chance: Looking outside

Hiya!  My turn, my turn!   I get to blog again yippee..life is pretty boring around here. Far Guy works on his trains all day..Far Side either cleans like a mad woman or works on “Museum stuff.” I don’t like to be left alone downstairs and I hate her museum printer upstairs..I hid under the train table, until Far Guy decided he wanted to play ball.

The big excitement yesterday was a trip to town for supplies that Far Side needed.  Usually she is more organized..but this last museum project kinda snuck up on her. 

It snowed.  Some of the roads were icy.  It was a gray day…no sun..and it was cold.

Back at home.

I wish I was taller..

I can see out the window.

There is a squirrel up in that feeder on the right..Far Side missed the great photo opportunity.  That squirrel leapt from the tree where the other two are all the way to that feeder.  Later in the day one ran right up the feeder pole.  Far Guy is going to have to come up with some kind of squirrel baffle.  Right now he just opens up the window and hollers or lets me out to patrol.

The turkeys came by to scratch around under the feeders.  We have several groups that come through, a group of eight, a group of thee and if you can call him a group..one solitary skinny turkey that would hardly make a sandwich.

I am not supposed to chase/herd the turkeys.  Surprising them is not the same as chasing..and herding.. well they are difficult to herd because they can fly.

The snow stick gained an inch and a half..seems we are going backwards toward winter again:(

Cold

It is too cold for the snow to melt.  Honest. It is fairly disgusting.

Chance and I had to go to the Post Office so we  stopped a few places to take photos.

The beach April 10 ..open water..but no swimming anytime soon.

The road home, there is a spot/approach at the top of this rise where I can pull over get out and take  photos now that the snow has left the edge of the road.

You can see we still have plenty of the white stuff.  More is forecast for today. FUN

Chance is good company. We turn the heater up full blast and I roll down his window so he can stick his head out.  He has been known to touch the door locks and lock all the doors so the open window is kinda a safety feature when I get out of the vehicle. 

I was lollygagging at the top of this rise..just appreciating the silence..when I heard a vehicle approaching and slowing down.  I hurried up and took the rest of my shots..

a big voice said “ You Okay..you’re not broke down are you?”

I giggled..no just taking photos.. I am just fine but thanks for checking.   Nice to have a nephew that will stop and check on his old Aunt.

Chance and I checked the snow stick because we are sure that everyone wants an update. 

We still have ten inches of the beautiful white crap  stuff.  This is one of the most miserable Aprils I can remember in quite a long time.  It is just not warming up.  Where is that global warming that everyone talks about?  It certainly is not in Minnesnowda:(

Wistful Wednesday : Stuffed Animals

I found this old polaroid photo of Far Guy and his sister.  It made me smile.

Mostly likely this was taken about 1960.  Far Guy looks to be about 10 years old..his sister would have been 15.  His sister looks all dressed up and ready to go someplace. Far Guy looks like he is staying home.  The photo was taken in Far Guys room downstairs, his sister had her bedroom upstairs and when she went off to college he moved into her room.

They were showing off their collection of stuffed animals.. Far Guy says the tigers and the dog were his and the rest were probably his sisters..he knows for sure that the seal was hers.  He said “The monkey was really neat it had a rubber face, ears, hands and feet.”

I bet that bedspread was chenille..and was most likely yellow.  Far Guy remembers it as a wonderful warm covering that was yellow. There used to be so many beautiful designs in chenille bedspreads:)

Some Signs of Spring

The Fish Hook River is open.  It is a gathering place for Canada Geese, Ducks and Trumpeter Swans.  The river froze this past winter..so there was no open water for waterfowl.

There was only one pair of Swans when we drove by.  Usually there are more.  On our way into town a pair of Trumpeter Swans were running along in the ditch..maybe looking for water.

This group was huddled under a snow ledge.  The wind was cold.

We drove on to “the point.”   The point used to be a place where you could meet friends for a swim on warm summer evenings.

Not much swimming happening there yet.  The GFO will be here in a month and two days..will the ice be gone?  ( Governors Fishing Opener)

Our weather is cool..cold..miserable..

Here is the snow stick..there is still 12 inches of snow at the stick.  It could start raining any day now..the weather forecast is for temps about 35F (1C)during the day.  HEATWAVE!!

We called a repairman for the oven..we can bake again.  We both watched how the repairman went about opening the locked oven..he stuck a coat hanger in through the side and unlocked it..and then replaced the sensor…if it ever happens again we could repair it ourselves because the sensor just plugs in.  A service call out here in the boonies is $80 plus the part.  So next time we can save the $80. I am glad it is fixed with the days so cool having a meal in the oven baking makes the whole house seem warmer:)

14

Someone is 14 today.  She joins her sister for the next 9 days..they are  both 14.

She was premature..born a little early at 35 weeks.  She had some problems breathing..she had apnea and came home wearing the monitor with all the bells, whistles and alarms.   Far Guy spent quite a lot of time up in Buxton helping to keep the household up there normal.   With a new baby, a almost one year old and a almost three year old our daughter had her hands full.

Our daughter still has her hands full with three teenagers.  We had cake and ice cream for Paige’s birthday.  Paige does not like having her photograph taken..but since it was her birthday she relented.

She was not named for a few days after she was born.  Savannah wanted to name her Alice..like Alice in Wonderland, Far Guy suggested Robin, and I suggested Grace.  Her parents named her Paige.  Most of the time I call her Miss Paige…it suits her.  Happy Birthday Miss Paige:)

Stupid Stoves

Last week it was the outdoor wood furnace.  It has a busted underground water line..and you know with the snow we have a repair will not be happening anytime soon.  Last year in April we had mild spring type weather…not so much this year. We are staying warm..but it is not at all like our wood heat.  The cozy warm spot in front of the kitchen sink where the water pipes run..is now icy cold..even Chance was confused..he liked to lay there and melt after a romp in the snow.

Yesterday I turned the oven on to clean..it got really hot and beeped and displayed error codes..and beeped some more.  I am not sure if the inside of the oven is cleaned or not because we cannot open the door, the lock will not unlock, and the fan is on and will not shut off.  We finally just shut the breaker off.. the stove top still works..if I want to cook which I don’t I will have to turn the breaker on to use the stove top.

Far Guy says, “I suppose all our stuff is getting old and will fall apart.”  Both stoves are heading toward that 15 year mark…as is the fridge.  I am sure nothing will happen to that fridge..I dislike it so much that it will last forever.  The Jenn-air stove I love..and new ones cost an arm and two legs…so we will hope this one can be repaired.

I am still doing my “winter cleaning”  and I am in the kitchen now.  I am having a blast:)

Chance: sNOw report

Hello!  It is about time..I finally get to blog again!  Didya miss me?

Newsflash: It snowed, it started yesterday in the afternoon.

Far Side said “Lets go sit outside in the snow.” So we did.  Her bench was wet..some of the snow melted..she had to go and get her towel.  She has an old ragged red towel she uses on her bench sometimes. She is not a fan of a wet butt.

She wasn’t real happy..or real warm either.  Usually the birds cheer her up.

The snow fell on me..and it fell on Far Side too.  She mumbled a bunch of words when she got tired of the snow falling on her head and put her hood up..I think she got snow down her neck.  Well I got snow on my neck too!

We finally went in for our afternoon nap whilst the ground turned white.  Far Guy says we all have cabin fever..could be..it is going to snow this weekend..maybe all weekend. 

Oh well I can always watch squirrel TV..I watch them watching me from the front step…it is anyone’s guess who will run first and fastest! :)