Hometown Pictures

There have been a few people that have said that they can't picture my hometown. I tried to capture a few pictures of Casper while I was visiting.

One the snow stopped it was very pretty, partly because the wind wasn't blowing. Thank goodness! I think that is a first in a long time!

Reflections on my hometown

As you may have seen in my previous blog post, I am home in Wyoming for Christmas. I generally do head in this direction for Christmas, and each year I wonder why. It has nothing to do with anything other than the weather. Wow. I freeze whenever I am here. This is the only time of year that my most immediate family all gets together. We are spread across the country, literally. My brother is in the DC area, my uncle is in North Carolina and I am in Portland; while mom and dad are in Wyoming and Colorado, respectively. My grandmother, aunt and her family, and another aunt and uncle also reside in Casper.

The leaning tree in the park across the street from the house (I hijacked this photo from my brothers facebook page-thanks Josh!)

Weather aside, it is a good time spent with family. This year my brother and I both worked on Christmas Eve and flew into Denver as our schedules allowed. We celebrated Christmas on the 26th, which also happened to be Wayne's (my uncle through marriage to my Aunt Jonna) birthday. My Uncle Ron (from NC) arrived into Casper the 22nd and so we were able to spend a day and half-ish with him before he left. We also were able to see one of my dad's brother's and his wife and one of their granddaughters, my second cousin (who I might add is now 20 and I remember the day she was born). I sort of felt old for a moment, then realized I am getting old(er).

It has been nice to be in a place that had for so long been home. Casper is growing and expanding so much that it seems to be a different place each time I return. I wonder if it just started changing after I left, or if I just notice it now since I am gone for such a long time between visits?!

Me and Aunt Jonna (my mom's sister)

Dad and Wayne

Grandma

Hannah and Rebekah (cousins)

Uncle Ron (mom's brother), Mom, Josh (my brother)

Hope you all had a greast Christmas!

PS There is talk of us going to a snow-less place for Christmas next year....maybe!

White Wyoming Christmas

Opposite of Mr. Crosby's dream of a white Christmas, I HAVE ONE! And, truthfully, I am dreaming of a green Christmas. If it hadn't been for the incredibly difficult drive from Denver to Casper, I may be more inclined to appreciate the snow of my hometown today.

I spent Christmas Day flying from from PDX to DIA and then as a passenger in a car that went very slowly from Denver to home. Thank goodness I wasn't the one driving. I was enough of a nervous Nelly just being a passenger. Because of winging/driving on Christmas Day my family decided to wait until the 26th to celebrate. My most immediate family however, opened gifts last night, on Christmas day (night). It was a great time, mellow, which was nice.

This was the view from the front seat of my Dad's car on Interstate 25 between Denver and Casper. This was the "good" part of the drive, before seeing a jack-knifed semi and roll over that we saw the aftermath of.

Waking up today I saw that the snow had continued to fall through the night and was still coming down.

Above: This was the buried grill in my Mom's backyard.

Below: My hand next to the snow built up on the retaining wall surrounding the backyard.

Some snow on the table:

Yes, you are seeing it correctly. Almost 14 inches. Plus, it was really cold...single digits.

I shoveled. I can't remember the last time I shoveled. Heaven forbid, I should forget. I will spare you those pictures as I was most definitely still in my pajamas, bundled up of course. You could only tell by looking at my pajama pants, which fit the occassion- light blue with snow flakes on them! :)

Above: view looking south on the street.

Below: The view out the front window of the house.

I am finishing this post on the 27th and this was the same view out of the same picture window as the picture above.
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Wyoming!

CREDO AT CHRISTMAS

written by Daniel Roselle


At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.

I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.

I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm a person with love.

I believe with Italian children that La Befana is not an ugly doll but a good fairy who will gladden the heart of all.

I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.

I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will lessen hostility among adults.

I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.

I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through the sky and fill the earth with joy.

I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.

I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St.Stephen's Day will erase sorrow.

I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from a church tower will strengthen humankind.

I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log will create warmth in human souls.

I believe with American children that the sending of Christmas cards will build friendships.

I believe with all children that there will be peace on earth.

My Birthday in Picture Review

My day began here...

...it was REALLY hard to get out of my nice warm bed.

Alas, I did and I went to spend my day here...

...it no longer looks exactly like this, but this is my place of work.

When I checked my email first thing this morning one of them said I should spend some time here...

...maybe for my birthday next year?!...probably not, but a girl can dream.

While at work:

1) Megan and I won the door decorating contest, and re-presented our door presentation; "The Seventeen Days of an ElderPlace Christmas"- very humorous.

: 2) I opened a few of these... {along with a few cards}


Thanks to gift givers- you will of course get individualized thank-you's in the near future!

: 3) I got lots of these... {was also sung to}

Thanks to the hug givers and the song singers!

I somehow even accomplished getting some work related things done! :)

Then I left this place...

And went to this place...

To see this movie... (which, I thought was super-cute!)
...with these lovely ladies! {Catherine (a volunteer from work, visiting from Paris, France...and yes, someday I will visit her...maybe for my birthday next year?!- probably not, but a girl can dream), me and Liesl} Then I talked on this, a lot...

I also checked messages received on it throughout the day! Thanks to all who called/voicemailed/texted! Your thoughts were greatly appreciated!

Then I ate these for dinner...yummmmm.....

I felt justified in eating french fries for dinner because I ate a salad and an apple for lunch, though I didn't really need to eat fries after eating the dessert from last night!

Now, I am updating my blog, as I am getting ready to get back in this....

...if she lets me in my spot...and I hope I dream of going here...maybe for my 30th birthday?!

Hey, a girl can most definitely dream!

Thanks to all who celebrated my birthday with me in any way, shape, or form! It was a great one!

(credits to the pictures that weren't taken by me will be posted soon...)

"Why is a birthday cake the only food you can blow on and spit on and everybody rushes to get a piece?" ~Bobby Kelton

Good thing I didn't have birthday cake! That is all I have to say about that! Though the dessert I had was AMAZING! The friends I spent the evening with are AMAZING! Though the picture leaves something to be desired. And this was the 3rd time (apparently, for us, the 3rd time is not necessarily the charm).

This year I had sort of wanted to "by-pass" my birthday. Not for any particular reason. Then I had a change of heart and decided to celebrate. I planned (if that is what you call it) a gathering for dessert. It has always been tricky to do a birthday thing for me, with it being so close to Christmas, school breaks occurring, vacations, etc. I was blessed to have 4 of my dearest friends join me, with others that couldn't make it. This was the first time that some of my friends met other friends. In planning stages it was weird for me to think about, in practice-it was a very enjoyable experience.

Thank you to those friends that I was able to spend my pre-birthday dessert shindig with and thanks to all those who could not make it, but sent good thoughts and messages! We'll see what the actual birthday brings!

Stasia, me, Marta, Megan, Holly!

It is finally decorated...

...Christmas tree 2009,

and it's only been set-up 2 weeks and one day!

Now it can officially be Christmas!

"The most wasted of all days...

... is one without laughter."
~e. e. cummings

And how right he was!

Last night was my CU Girls Group Christmas gathering. We were doing good this year to do our gift exchange before Valentine's Day, truly. Last year I decorated my apartment for Valentine's Day a week before we did our gift exchange in my home. Originally, we weren't going to do gifts, then we decided to go for the "white elephant" gift idea. The goal: to get the corniest gift.

I caught a cold, shared it with a few people, then the cold got worse. I felt pretty miserable and wasn't in the mood to go Goodwill shelf searching for a gift, but sucked it up and went, but not without back-up. I wouldn't say I made Megan go with me, I'd say I begged her too, but that isn't even accurate, though I would have considered begging if she hadn't agreed out of the kindness of her heart. Thanks, Megan! We saw a few promising things, then Megan hit the mother load of corny gift. It looked like a baseball cap, but was heavy and plaster-y. She asked me what it was (I had no idea), then I picked it up and there was a hole in it...? Ding, ding, ding...birdhouse. Super corny. I found the "perfect" thing. To the cash registers we went, and only about 10 minutes into the search, thank goodness.

I am still dismayed by this item, check it out youself!

Corny, right?!

Needless to say, I won the corniest gift category. Woohoo! It was deemed the gift that would be passed from person to person, year after year. Rachel was the lucky girl to take that prized possession home for the year. I told her I expect to see it hanging the next time I come to her house. Somehow, I won't be surprised if that is not the case. We laughed and laughed and I cried because I laughed so hard. I hope I laughed off all the calories that I ate, somehow, I don't think it actually worked out that way. It was a good evening with good friends!

2008 Group Picture when we were at Zoo Lights!

Jamie, Liesl, me, Rachel, Rose

2009 Group Picture

Fleecy Goodness and 2-year old burritos

I have said this before, maybe not in this venue, but I think two-year olds are adorable. Especially a cute one who goes by Nora and is one of my neighbors. We have developed a bit of a bond and she is so excited whenever she sees me (except that one time when it was dark and she didn't recognize me-she still said hi and waved though). She is also the only toddler I have met that can say my name, correctly, while yelling it and running up a flight of stairs. Impressive. I'm not sure I can do that! :)

Anyway, I decided that I would give her a Christmas gift this year. After much debating and idea assistance from my mom, I decided on a gift of a fleece blanket. One that required cutting and tying, and cutting and tying, and when I thought I was done-more cutting and tying. I made a total of 3 (one for little Nora and one for each of my twin cousins-who don't read this blog, so I am not ruining any gift giving experiences). Those 3 took me 6 hours. But it gave me time to have a quiet, movie watching day at home. A much needed day.

I decided this evening was the time to deliver it, along with a small gift for the whole family. Nora was in the bath when I arrived and couldn't wait to get out to come see me. Makes my heart melt, especially when I got her hug. I told her I brought her something and I wanted her to open it. She got situated to open it and dug in. This will be a fun Christmas for Beth and Jorge with her excitement about opening presents. She absolutely LOVED her blanket. I made the mistake (not really) of telling her she could lay down and wrap up in it and be a "Nora burrito" and so she kept wanting to be a burrito. Too stinkin' cute. I forgot my camera, but got a couple of pictures with my cell phone, which means they aren't the greatest quality. Enjoy!

Ezme thought she needed to help. A lot of help she was...hmmm...

The one above was the beginning stages of Nora's. The one below was the finished product for one of my cousins. They all got washed after Ezme quality tested them. And approved of them all, I might add.

Below are the poor quality pictures of the "Nora burrito."

Don't smile...whatever you do, do not smile.

She looked so serious, whenever I took a picture. The rest of the time she was smiling, laughing, bouncing. Oh, the energy of a 2-year old. I truly enjoyed my first gift giving opportunity of the season! Merry Christmas to you all!

"What Makes a Puddle?"

Alternately titled: "Remembering a grand guy!"

What Makes a Puddle?
by Barbara Brandt
~
Phillip always wondered things; he always wondered why
The sky was blue, the grass was green, and how the birds might fly.
His favorite time was Sunday, after lunch with Grampa Joe;
They'd take a walk for exercise and talk an hour or so.
~
Phil took big steps to match Gramp's steps and listened to him hum.
Together they would whittle sticks while chewing juicy gum.
They'd often find a place to rest, a log or rock or hill,
And ponder things of interest, especially to Phil.
~
"Questions, questions all the time," Grampa'd always say.
"Just let 'em fly...I'm ready...What'cha need to know today?"
I'm puzzled 'bout the puddles...some are wide and some are small.
Sometimes they're here and then they're gone. What happens to them all?"
~
"You want to know what makes a puddle?" Grampa said, "No doubt...
It's when it rains...the waters pool...with no place to run out."
Then Phillip asked, "How does the rain know where to stop and rest?"
"It looks for holes and cracks and things, to settle in, I guess."
~
"I understand," said Phillip, "just why the puddles stay.
But answer for me Grampa...what makes a puddle go away?"
"That's why we have the sun, my boy, to warm and dry the ground.
And the wind is mighty helpful as it blows the wet around."
~
Then Gramp took his big rough hand and held it out to Phil.
And said, "It's time to get along...here take this, if you will."
He handed Phil his pocket watch...he trusted him you see...
He said, "My boy, here's somethin' for your curiosity."
~
The whole next week Phil kept the watch, to think about and question,
Til Sunday, when the walk again was Grampa Joe's suggestion.
"Still got my watch?" asked Grampa Joe, before he carved his sticks.
"Yes sir," said Phillip wondering, "now please tell me why it ticks."

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

Today is the 8th anniversary of my grandfathers death. He was the only grandfather I knew, as my dads father died when my dad was young. He was a wonderful grandfather. Growing up I recall being 'Grandpa's girl.' I don't know if that is a memory, or thought that I have implanted into my brain that may not necessarily be true. I hope that the former was the case. I seem to recall (correct me if I am wrong, Mom and Dad) that when I was born Grandpa was in the hospital and only had to come up a floor or two to see me. Maybe our souls felt a special connection because of that?!

I have many fond memories of Grandpa. My grandparents house was just down the street...by one door. One home separating our house from theirs. We were often at their home and they were often at our home. When my mom was out of town we stayed with them. I recall one night having a nightmare...I was probably 6, maybe 7. Grandpa got up and sat with me in the night.

When I started school at the local elementary school, a matter of blocks from my home (we could see the playground from the front picture window) I would walk down to Grandpa's in the morning when my mom was taking Josh to the sitters. Grandpa would sit with me in the front room if their house, it was pink...the room, like Pepto Bismal pink, with a blue floraly couch and there were stripped purple curtains. WOW. It had been my aunt's room and she liked pink, apparently. We'd sit on the couch and read books in the morning. I would watch Grandpa give himself his insulin shots...I was fascinated...looking back I have no idea why. Grandpa and I had a certain route we'd walk. Down the street, past where we should turn to go to the school so we could walk by a house that had a dog in the yard that I liked seeing. Then we'd turn. I don't recall how many years we did this, probably not for long, as Josh was only 2 years behind me in school and I don't recall this morning tradition with him included. I do remember that as time passed and I grew older Grandpa would stop at a certain time and watch me walk the rest of the way to school by myself. The place he stopped got closer and closer to his house and further from the school. A guiding presence, but not over-bearing. He knew all little kids grew up and maybe this was his way of encouraging me, but still being there. He would wait in a spot I could see him until I got all the way to school. I would turn and wave. I don't know if he would turn and walk home right away, or if he'd stand there for a bit to 'make sure'. Either way I loved that he took that time. I don't recall him ever picking me up after school...any light to shed on that, Mom?

We traveled with him. He was hugely patriotic and designed/built/operated a unit called the "Avenue of Flags" and we traveled the state with it, would help set it up, or watch when we were too young, and then we'd walk in the parades alongside it. I remember the old pick-up that pulled the trailor and the many early in the morning trips we'd take. When my brother and I were in swimming lessons and saw Grandpa before we left he'd ALWAYS, without fail, say to us, "don't get wet!" We'd always shake our heads and say "Oh, Grandpa!"

He'd make homemade peach ice cream, he did all the cooking and at times we thought he put everything from the refridgerator into the pot. He loved animals, walking, spending time with family, telling stories about where he was born, his life on the ship in WWII. He loved reading the newspaper daily, reading Readers' Digest condensed books. He loved Christmas tree lights and always had the chasing/blinking lights on. He would drive for hours to a little town for a ham sandwich and on the return trip would stop at another little town for a malt.

He had a wonderful last day. At the beginning of that day we had no idea it was his last. He was in the hospital, but the doc had said anywhere from 1-4 weeks before he was gone. I think he planned his time, willed himself to go. He saw or talked to all those that were close to him that day. I was home for the winter break from college, my brother (who doesn't do sick people or hospitals) had come to visit, my Mom was there, my aunt and grandma were there, family friends had visited, and my uncle had talked to him on the phone. I think Grandpa was at peace, he said a prayer with us surrounding his bed. He had a miniature Christmas tree with lights and had a chocolate malt that he sucked down. Mom and I had gone home for the night after about a 14 hour day at the hospital.

Shortly my aunt called and said he'd died. Back to the hospital we went. Many people have a hard time seeing the dying, seeing death. I think seeing him was my first experience seeing a body. I will always remember the way he was that night. As hard as it was, it doesn't shade my memories of how he 'had been'...the reason, which I do respect, that many people use for not wanting to see those who are sick. My family and I have shared lots of memories since then and I felt the need to record some of them here so I can read them whenever I like. I am blessed that I had this wonderful guy in my life for so long, though I'd give anything to have had him longer.

This picture was taken at one of my birthday parties. I don't remember how old I was turning, but I remember we celebrated at the ice rink.
My mom and I think this was probably the last Christmas that Grandpa was alive. (2000)

Merry TubaChristmas

~Did you know: that there is a type of tuba that has a main tube that is 18 feet long? It's true.
~Did you know: tubas can be made to set in a players lap or to be wrapped to surround the body for marching? It's true.
~Did you know: in my naivety I only recognized the body surrounding tubas as tubas? It's true.

Now, I know better.

I had never been to Pioneer Courthouse Square for the Merry TubaChristmas, so I decided to head downtown for it this year. There were 300 tubas and the director is 91 years old. Impressive.

I was planning on staying downtown from when the tuba concert finished until another concert I wanted to go to started. Alas, I didn't have the energy to stay downtown for 4+ hours between the end of one concert and the beginning of another. Next year.

I have a video that doesn't want to load right now, I'll try later. For now, enjoy this picture of a unique tuba that was set-up right near me. And yes, it was an outdoor concert and it started raining (maybe that is why my cold flared up?! Stupid idea. Enjoyable nonetheless).

The "Did you know:" from above (besides the one about my naivety) was courtesy of Wikipedia.

Grinch? No, not this year.

Each year I am more dismayed by the early timing that Christmas starts appearing in stores. It sort of makes me sick when, even before Halloween, there are Christmas items/decorations for sale. Seriously people. Let's wait until at least the week of Thanksgiving. I usually am in a somewhat "Grinchy" mood about it. Then comes Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving (an appropriate time for Christmas goods to appear) and I have a hard time getting into the mood. I feel like this:
The last couple of years I have discovered that I have developed a bit of my own holiday season tradition. The day after Thanksgiving I sleep in! Yes, no Black Friday shopping for me. I get up, make tea, hang out and I start my Christmas cards. I get them all addressed that day. The following week at work we take our participants to the Providence sponsored Festival of Trees. It is quite the outing, backed and support by a majority of staff who come to assist. Generally, all of the staff and participants enjoy their time and it gets people into the holiday mood. Usually the next day (Saturday) I am motivated enough after seeing all the pretty trees to get my own.

This year Megan accompanied me to find my perfect tree. I believe it was a successful journey. After looking at a lot of trees I decided on the one that looked just right for the year. You can see it below. It is not the final product, as it has yet to be decorated, but the most important part is done: it is up and has lights on it. Really, truly, I would be okay with a tree with just lights on it. Maybe I will try it out that way this year?! Who knows! My grandpa used to put all the lights on his tree and let it sit that way for a few days and sit in the dark looking at the lights. My mom inheritated that practice from her dad and I've also inheritated it. Let's sit back and enjoy the lights.

Ezme even likes the tree!

Here is my first, official greeting for the season: Merry Christmas! Let the celebrating begin! Looking forward to spending time with friends and then seeing family soon!