More than cooking in the kitchen

Lately I have realized that my kitchen is the engine of my home.  It is the epicenter of everything that happens in our family.  With Christmas behind us and the New Year right around the corner I spent several hours in the kitchen cooking and baking, which only makes sense because that is what one would assume I have been doing in the kitchen.  However, it has occurred to me in the past few days that my kitchen is much more than a place to cook and eat.  My kitchen doubles as a hair and nail salon (especially when the Princess is home).  It sometimes resembles an explosion of a Gander Mountain or Cabelas store when Byron comes in and decides to drape every last dining table chair with camo clothing!  The kitchen is sometimes used as a therapy office where advice that is appreciated and sometimes not appreciated is given freely while sitting at the table.  It is a nurturing place where both of my girls have learned many life lessons while standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes.  When we bought the house it had a dishwasher but after a few years it stopped working, it was right about the time that the girls were big enough to help wash dishes so we opted not to replace the unit.  Believe me there have been many times that I have wished for a dishwasher, but I wouldn't trade the conversations that the girls and I have had while gathered at the sink for anything,  Some of those conversations have been very serious.  Conversations about life and love, and conversations about what kind of prom dress and shoes they wanted.  Whatever the topic, I am fairly certain that we would not have enjoyed them so much had we not been standing there with a sink full of hot water and suds!  Indeed, the kitchen is used for so many other things besides cooking.  Just tonight it was used as a dance floor while Lena sang the Little Drummer Boy to me over and over and over.   There is usually music playing in the kitchen so sometimes the dancing just happens.  Yes, the kitchen is for so much more than cooking.  It is the place in my home that I feel very safe.  The place where I want my children to remember learning those life lessons and a place that I will always want to spend my days.  Even as I am typing this blog, I am doing so at the kitchen table.  Another use....a home office....hummm with tax time right around the corner I am wondering if I can claim that?  Home is truly the place where memories are created and I say most of our memories were created right here in the kitchen!

Christmas 2010

Another one is in the books and I will say it was one of the best.  Christmas 2010 found Lena home early from school and Ashley and Tony came in on Christmas night and will be here for a few days.  This time of year my kitchen seems to be so small and I have a terrible lack of counter space but I am so happy to have a house full of family.  This year I had both MY family and Byron's family here for dinner.  Instead of cooking ahead and trying to keep it warm, I thought it would be a great idea to cook everything and time it so it was ready by our 7:00 dinner time.  Lets just say that worked but it was way stressful for this hostess.  At 3:00 yesterday as I was beginning the preparations for the meal I found everything in my spare fridge (in the garage) FROZEN.  The cream cheese was like bricks and the spare gallon milk resembled a block of ice.  Thankfully, I found it with time to spare so a disaster was averted.  Cooking went really well and I was spared having to go outside to help with chores because Tony and Ashley arrived.  Tony rescued me from walking dogs and that was like a Christmas miracle!  I do love my soon to be son in law!!!  My mother in law arrived early and it was good to have time to visit with her.  Jacob was here with Lena and we are enjoying getting to know him.  He seems like a wonderful young man and it is always fun to watch a new relationship as it develops.  Byron's brother and sister in law, Keenan and Luann were here as well and that was a special treat for us.  Their kids are not coming home until New Years so they were able to spend the evening with us.  Aunt Patty graced the table as well and she is always a joy!  I love to hear her stories and just generally love having her around.  My sister Kathy, nephew Kurt, niece Caitlyn  and her boyfriend Will were here too.    My table was way too small and the kitchen was way too crowded but it was so good to have everyone here.  This year instead of the usual snowman dishes I used my Grandmothers china which, when set, made for a beautiful table.  I knew that I wanted to use the dishes so weeks ago I started looking for table linens that would complement them.  I had no success in finding the right linens, so I made my own.  I sewed napkins, table runners and a tablecloth..  I had so many complements on them and I will say that having the table set with Ti-Ti's dishes brought back some wonderful memories for me.  Memories that while I washed each piece before we used them and washed each piece before I put them back in the china cabinet flooded my heart with joy.  This time of year I miss those family members that have gone to be in heaven.  My Momma and Daddy most, Byron's dad, Grandpa Cade and my brother and grandparents.  Family is so important and is what truly makes the holidays "the holidays."  We have many traditions, some big, some not so big, some silly and others serious.  I hope that we have taught the girls well and that those family traditions continue on.  Lena said to me last night, "I hope that Ashley's children and my children are close."  I assured her that they would be but stressed to her that it won't just happen, both she and her sister will have to work to make sure that their children become close friends. 
Family, that is what this holiday is all about.  Let us not forget why we are able to celebrate such a joyful occasion...IT ALL STARTED WITH A BABY BORN IN A MANGER.  Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

The TOOTH FAIRY

Not sure why I started thinking about this particular tradition but happened to as I was laying in bed last night listening to my husband snore!  I really have been focused on tradition, rituals, and family and I happened to remember one that I thought you might find interesting.  The TOOTH FAIRY! 

Having girls has always allowed me the privilege of doing things just a little more feminine than what some people do things.  The Tiede girls grew up knowing how to work hard, respect people and be the best friend that they could be to the people who loved them.  I remember well telling them to be pretty inside before worrying about being pretty outside because if you took care of the inner beauty the rest would follow.  That being said I was all about making them girly girls.  Ashley learned the girly girl lesson later in life and has learned to balance it well with being her daddy's "boy".  She can hunt and shoot with the best of them but very much loves her purses, clothes and jewelry.  Lena is well...a princess.  She has been since she was big enough to get into my makeup basket and paint her face.  Now, I am sure you are all wondering what this has to do with the tooth fairy.  Well, as most people know the tooth fairy comes while you are sleeping and takes the tooth that you lost (or had pulled) from your head and replaces it with some type of monatery reward.  When I was a kid that usually meant a quarter or maybe a dollar if the Fairy was feeling really generous!  The tooth fairy always visited the Tiede girls and took their teeth to....where ever teeth go when they fall out of your head.  To keep the girls asleep, I asked the fairy not to put money under the girls pillows but instead we put the tooth in a glass of water and this is when the magic happened! The tooth fairy (and we all know that fairies are female), she would gently reach into the glass of water, take out the tooth and drop in a quarter.  But the magic came  when she reached into the water, it would magically turn the color of the dress she was wearing.  The girls were always more excited to see the color of the water than they were to recieve the quarter that had been placed there.  Red, blue, green, yellow orange and yes, purple were just some of the dress colors.  I know that this will be something that the girls carry on with their own daughters, when and if they bless me with a granddaughter.  And if that doesn't happen, we may have to request a special male tooth fairy with a different color baseball cap!

The most important ingredient....LOVE

It is that time of year whenI seem to spend more time in the kitchen than I do in any other part of the home.  In past blogs I have stated that my mother was a FABULOUS cook and that sadly I learned very little from her.  I think I was just too young when she passed away that I took her skills for granted and thought that someday, when I was old and she was really old, I would take the time to learn from her.  I am old now and she is gone so now I will say to you, Do Not Wait, because every day is a gift from God and he makes no promise directly to you about tomorrow.  Sadly, it has taken me 40 years to learn this and only through a series of losing people that I love so very much.  Live for today like there will be no tomorrow because that could just be reality.  With that in mind, I will continue to talk about family traditions, holiday traditions and loving all that comes with those.  The past few days, I have been consumed by baking.  There is just something so therapeutic about it.  Cookies have been high on the list and my sister reminded me about those little pineapple cookies that my mother used to make.  They were WONDERFUL!  I just may have to try to make some of those today.  Outside the baking there have been many other treats, rice krispie treats, carmel corn, and homemade veggie soup which have warmed my kitchen.  The smells are nearly as warm as the heat generated by cooking and the smells seem to take me back home.  Home to that place where my mother was the one in the kitchen and I was the one laying on the floor with my feet propped up on the hearth of the fireplace.  I wish now that I had been in the kitchen with her.  
A dear friend of mine just told me yesterday that you cannot change yesterday so don't let it screw up today! His words, not mine, but they really hit home.  Soon my house will be full again.  The girls will be home and things will just be right!  If you have holiday traditions make sure you continue, if you have none that readily come to mind, start some new ones this year.  It could be as simple as baking a cookie or making a favorite holiday treat .  Whatever you cook, remember the most important ingredient is LOVE! 

Carrying on and starting new family traditions...puffy rice.

Just as I predicted in yesterdays post, Ashley has officially decorated her first "grown up" Christmas tree and there is not a hint of blue to be seen!  It is truly so exciting for me to see how our childrens tastes and traditions form as they grow into adults.  Ashley will be 23 in just about a month and she is such a beautiful young lady.  Last month she attempted a family tradition that even I have never taken on.  Byron's grandmother and mother have always made this rice dish at the holidays that the kids lovingly call "puffy rice".  It is this strange mixture of rice, milk and sugar that gets baked until it is well, puffy.  Being a Tiede only in name and not by blood (I truly believe you have to have the genes to eat that stuff) it is not something that I ever ate (outside the one spoonful back in 1987!) nor have I ever attempted to bake it.  Well, Miss Ashley decided that in keeping with the holiday tradition she would have to make her own puffy rice since her work schedule would not let her come home for the holiday.  She baked a trial batch which she used her fiance' Tony and her little sister as taste testers.  Tony absolutely enjoyed it which causes me concern (not a Tiede) and Lena gave it two thumbs up but insisted that it had a little too much sugar in it.  I am just proud that Ashley took it upon herself to carry on the tradition.  I understand that her second attempt was successful as well because that is what she contributed to Tony's families holiday dinner.  Suprisingly enough, it was a hit and I will say that I am greatful that the pan of sticky, gooieness made such an impression on Tony's family because it will surely be a tradition that will continue to be carried on for many holidays to come. 

Oh Christmas Tree

Well here I am again attempting to catch up with this blog.  I am not sure why I struggle so with keeping it updated but for whatever reason I just seem to be so bad at it! 

My last post was August 25 and now I am fast approaching December 25th, where does the time go?  Christmas is right around the corner and that means that I am in the kitchen baking like a crazy woman.  I love to bake, it is my therapy.  I do believe that my husband enjoys my "therapy sessions" as much as I do.  Christmas cookies are one of the things that bring back many happy memories for me.  It is not just eating them that brings back memories it is the actual baking.  Is there anything better than the aroma of fresh baked cookies and brownies when it fills the house?  Not to mention the added benefit of warming up the house with the non stop usage of the oven.  My momma was a baker and as I have said in past posts she could always seem to make SOMETHING out of NOTHING.  I remember well those fabulous little pineapple cookies that she would bake and while I have often tried to imitate them I have never figured out exactly how to keep them soft in the middle and crunchy on the edges.  I think she must have sprinkled them with a little "magic" to get them to come out so perfectly.   Smell is something that always triggers those special memories for me.
The Christmas season has already taken us to the Christmas tree farm where Byron and I found the perfect 10 foot tall Frasier fir tree to bring home to stand tall and beautiful in our family room.   It was a little different this year as it was just the two of us choosing a tree.  Ashley and Tony were not able to be here for Thanksgiving and Lena had to go back to school so the selection process was left entirely up to us.  I think we chose wisely.  In honor of my dad the tree is decorated in blue and silver.  Dad LOVED a blue and silver tree and for years those have been my color choices.  For years the girls have said they can't wait to decorate their own trees and for Ashley the time has come.  I carefully boxed up all the ornaments that her Grandma Tiede had purchased over the years and sent them to her.  She was excited to go through them and I know she is excited to put up her very own Christmas tree.  It is with some certainty that I say, I doubt she chooses blue and silver as the colors!

August 25, 1990

August 25, 1990 was the day that the Lord chose to bless our family with a new member, LENA ANN TIEDE.  Lena being born on the 25th of August was such a blessing because that day happens to be my father's birthday as well.  Of course she was a special grandchild for being born on his birthday and I received MAJOR daughter points for that as well. 

The day started out pretty uneventful.  It had been a long hot summer and I enjoyed laying in the pool while Ashley poured buckets of water over me proclaiming me her "fat mama" !  I know she meant that in the nicest way!   After indulging in the pool I loaded Ashley up and took her in to Aunt Millie's where she would spend the night while Byron and I went to the wedding of a dear friend.  I felt so good that day and I even bought a new dress and maternity pantyhose to wear to the wedding. While getting ready for the wedding I remember I felt this really sharp "poke" and I remember making the statement...not tonight...I am going dancing!  Well, Byron and I headed into Monon for the wedding and when he hit the railroad tracks I felt this really warm gush (sorry for the graphics!)  I remember looking at him and saying "either my water just broke or I peed my pants (or maternity pantyhose!).  We took a detour to his Aunt Guynith's house to use the bathroom and that is when I discovered it truly was the water that had broken!  Thank goodness because I was mortified that I had actually peed my pants!  No labor pains accompanied the water so we took a minute and drove by the church to let them know that we were going to go have a baby instead of going to the wedding.  We stopped by home picked up my bag and some magazines for Byron to read, called the Dr and headed to the hospital.  The non existent labor pains began about Brookston and I remember thinking that we were not going to make it to the hospital.  Thank goodness we didn't hit traffic because had we Miss Lena would have been born in the car.  a mere  30 minutes after arriving at the hospital she arrived.  Big, beautiful and healthy she was absolutely PERFECT!  I just knew for nine months I had been carrying a son but much to our surprise she was all girl and still is to this day!  20 years have flown by.  Lena is now entering her second year of college and we could not be any more proud of her.  She is an absolutely beautiful young woman on the inside as well as the outside.  She has her fathers quick wit and sense of humor and from me she got.....hmmmm...well....I am still trying to figure that out!  I am not sure what characteristics she got from me but she did pick up my love of fountain sodas and shopping!    We love you Lena Ann Tiede.  Never forget that.  I know there have been times when she thought we were the worst parents on the planet but someday she will know that everything we did we did and do because we love her! For years Lena shared her birthday with her grandpa.  Her Grandma Linda would bake a red velvet cake for them and he would sing the llama song to her.  She LOVES her grandpa and even though he is no longer her to celebrate with her I know that secretly she is wishing for that cake and song!   Happy birthday sweet girl, I love you more than you know.

Life just happened

Life happened to me the months of July and August 2010.  There have been so many events the past month and a half that I haven't had time to even think about posting.  But today I was given a gentle reminder by one of my faithful followers that I needed to get in gear!  So, here I am again attempting to catch everyone up on what has been going on. 

I am not sure exactly what happened to the month of July.  I know it was HOT and I am never very happy when the weather is extreme!  The end of July and the first of August was filled with many different things.  Some of them were happy others were sad.  August for me brings many birthdays, a nephew, a sister-in-law and brother-in -law, a cousin or two, my daddy, my youngest daughter and the one that I would like to forget....mine.  Yes, I am another year older since my last post and I must say I am feeling the effects of 44.  My back aches just a little more when I finish mowing the lawn and after producing mini cheer camp for 60 girls I think I need to invest in orthodics for my shoes because my feet are killing me!   I am thankful that I am still able to put my socks on standing up which is the way my husband measures agility! 
August brought a huge loss in my life.  I lost my boss of nearly 10 years.  Gary was a great guy, the kind of guy that made everyone laugh.  Pastor Chris Dodson said at Gary's funeral that many of us at the church that day thought we were Gary's best friend and he was right.  If you knew Gary for 10 minutes or 10 years he would make you feel like you were truly his best friend.  It was evident from the line at the funeral that Gary had many friends.  People loved his infectous smile and big belly laugh.  Gary did EVERYTHING BIG.  He had a big personality, a big heart, and big voice and big love of friends and familly.  Our office is quiet now, no one yelling my name from the back office.  No one talking so loudly on the phone that I can't hear myself think.  The very things that used to drive me nuts are the things I miss the most.  RIP Gary, I will always love and miss you!  Yes, August has been filled with many days that filled my heart with grief but tomorrow August 25th is a very special day. A day that deserves its very own post! 

Say Yes to the Dress

This weekend I came to Evansville to spend a little time with the girls on their turf.  Anytime that I get to spend with them is precious but I do truly enjoy spending time with them here.  I have been able to spend one on one time with both of them and then spend time with them together.  All weekend has just been incredible.
Ashley and I took hours, about 4 to examine dresses at Davids Bridal.  While the consultant there was kind she did come across a bit pushy and I was certain she wasn't tuned completely into Ashley when she asked her twice in 20 minutes where Ashley met her finance!  Ashley did try on several dresses at DB and of course fell in love with the second one she had on.  It was beautiful and Ashley's eyes were all I needed to see to know that she completely loved the dress.  We had promised each other going into the store that we would not buy a dress on that day.  It was, after all, the first store we had been to and the first time she had ever tried on wedding gowns.  So, keeping each other true to our promise we departed for a late lunch and time to contemplate the gown.  Once we had finished lunch we decided to hit another store to see if there was anything she could find that she liked any better than the one at David's.  The Bridal Warehouse was a much more relaxed atmosphere.  I mentioned to Ashley as we went in that I hoped they would not be quite so "stuffy".  Sure enough the consultant there (Krystal) was amazing.  I would guess she and Ashley are about the same age and she knew all the right things to say and do.  Not pushy, very in tune to Ashley's desires in a gown.  She listened to every word Ashley said.  She pulled 5 dresses and the first two were just not great Ashley.  The third one rivaled the one at the other store but then the 4th dress Ashley said she loved it as much as the other and quite honestly I loved it more than the other!  She looked beautiful and glowed with this dress on.  Not wanting to waste the time of the consultant Ashley decided to try on the 5th and final dress.  It was truly the FINAL dress.  When the curtain opened and Ashley walked out into the room there was no question that we had found "THE DRESS".  Ashley's eyes sparkled when she looked in the mirror and I must admit that I had to choke back tears.  I had cried at Davids and Ashley gave me the "seriously mom" look so I was determined to not let that happen again!  We decided that we needed the opinion of the Maid of Honor and those of you who know my youngest daughter (Ashley's little sister) know why she needed her opinion.  Lena would be brutally honest with Ashley as to her opinion of the dress.  So we rounded up the Maid of Honor and Ashley's Mother in law and headed back to the first store.  Ashley tried on the dress and both Angie and Lena said they liked it.  I could tell that Lena was not knocked out by it though.  From there we headed to the Bridal Warehouse to get their opinion on the dress that we both loved.  When we opened the curtain I was more interested in watching Lena's face than Ashley's because I knew how Ashley felt about the dress.  Lena lit up like a Christmas tree confirming that her sister had chosen wisely.  I savored that moment...I never want to forget it.  Because for just that moment I was the luckiest mother in the world!  I truly cannot wait to continue planning this wedding with both Ashley and Lena.  Two very different girls but both wonderful in their own ways.  I am sure we will plan a wedding for Lena someday and it will be much different than the one we are planning now.  I love them both more than they will ever know and I just feel so blessed to have them as my girls!

Catching Up

My blogs have been fairly sporadic as of late and again I am making the promise to keep the up to date.  So with that in mind I just want to catch you all up on the activities that have been keeping me from my blog! 
Last week was my wonderful husbands birthday!  It was his 49th birthday (no, I am not kidding, it really was his 49th!)  next year will be the BIG ONE!  Each year I generally have a business trip right around the 24th of June and this year was no different.  So, we headed out for a birthday weekend celebration...just the two of us!  Friday morning we headed to Illinois where we made a stop at HornBaker Gardens.  This magnificent place was located just outside Princeton and was truly a beautiful sight.  They had on display (and for sale) over 120 different variety's of hostas.  As many of you know both Byron and I have a love of this leafy, green annual.  Along with the hostas there were day tons and tons of day lily's and gorgeous ponds to wonder through.  If you are ever near Princeton Illinois please take the time to go wander this wonder of nature.  You will be glad you did.  Once we had both had our fill of horticulture we took off north to Wisconsin.  Of course we had to make our final destination Prairie Du Chean which is home to a wonderful Cabela's store!  Byron was like a kid in a candy shop there and I must admit it was fun to watch his eyes light up when he found many bargains!   We spent the night there and Byron decided we had to visit Cabela's again on Saturday morning before we left town and surprisingly enough he found more things to purchase on Saturday!  We headed on North to the Wisconsin Dells which can only be described as Las Vegas for 8 year olds!  Water parks that would fill football fields lined both sides of the highway that runs through town.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to float down the lazy river (because I had to be in meetings) but the hotel we stayed in was absolutely beautiful.  I had hopes of floating on Sunday but woke up to a nice steady rain so again my hopes were dashed!  We had to head home shortly after a breakfast meeting on Sunday but all in all it was a great trip.  It had been nearly 5 years since the two of us had been away for more than one night together!  Thanks to daughter Lena who came home to run the kennel.  We could not have gone if it were not for her extra efforts. 
My mind has also been pre-occupied with wedding plans.  Ashley and I plan to do a little wedding dress (looking) shopping this weekend.  She has an idea of what she wants but really needs to try on a few hundred or so dress to be sure!  I am looking forward to this with mixed emotions.  I hope I can control the tears when she actually walks out in a bridal gown.  I am sure that is just wishful thinking and I probably will not be able to stop the flow and the runny nose! 
The kennel business is hopping right now and we have been so blessed to have a "house" full of dogs.  The Lord has truly provided on this one and answered prayers.  I was not so sure we would see the business come back but it has and is in full swing.  Lots of dog walking going on here and that is a good thing. 
I believe that catches you up to date and once again I will try to keep this going.  Happy Summer!

Fathers Day

Well, I have tried a couple times to blog about this day but never seemed to finish.  I just didn't have or couldn't make the words come.  Today is father's day.  I am sad that my father is not here to celebrate with but will attempt to tell you about what kind of person he was. 
I can tell you all the typical stuff about him being a hard worker, a provider, a supporter but I really want to tell you that he was truly my safe place.  Now most girls would tend to lean on their mother if things were not going right but I leaned on my father.  He was my rock.  Always there with words of wisdom to make me see that things were not as bad as I had thought.  I never really remember Dad being hands on when I was young.  Raising kids was "womans work" and he left that up to Mom.  But after Mom passed away that is when my relationship grew with my father.  He was here helping us build the kennel when he had his first heart attack.  I recall vividly putting him in the truck (never do that, always call an ambulance) and driving him to the hospital.  I remember waiting while the transported him to Indianapolis and recalling all too much that it was an instant replay of mother.  Dad was fine for awhile but other health issues began to creep in and those problems led to surgeries that would have him end up recouperating at our home.  I can see it as plain as day, Ashley and Lena (mostly Lena) "doctoring his leg" where they had made the incision to remove the vein to repair the heart.  He loved his grandchildren and they loved him back.  I recall many good times with him just sitting on the patio and watching him play with the girls.  I miss him and honestly cannot wait to see him again.  I hope he and mother are saving a place for me in heaven because I know that this is my temporary home and someday I will get to see them again.  Too many tears are running at this moment to finish this blog and I really shouldn't have waited until fathers day to write this.  I guess the pain is just too real and as much as I think I can go on without him I do miss him so.  So...Until I get there, save a place for me...I'll be there soon.  Love you Daddy!

Sweet Summertime

Summertime is in full swing here at the Tiede house.  The kennel is once again full of barking, tail wagging, large and small dogs.  It does feel good to be busy again.  Thursday nights are consumed by 4-H which I thought might slow down once both girls were done but I have come to realize that Byron will always be a 4-h'er.  I think it was Ashley who said once that if you cut her father he would bleed little green clovers!  He does enjoy it so much and I am glad that he is able to help so many kids reach heights they never thought possible.  My time seems to be consumed with mowing the lawn, which is an every other day event.  I can't complain about mowing because that is my sanity time.  I love the feeling of the sun leaving its little stinging kiss on my shoulders and I LOVE the smell of fresh cut grass.  Although, I find as I get older, my allergies do not agree with my love of the smell.  Summer is such a great time to reconnect with friends and neighbors at cookouts, the ice cream shop (the Sycamore of course!) and occasionally at the gas station while getting juice for my mower!  We have had the opportunity to share in a couple neighborhood cookouts and have enjoyed them so much.  I am still awaiting the first firefly of the summer and know that it won't be long before they start flying up out of the bean fields that surround our house!  I hate bugs but I don't really consider them in the bug category they are more like...hmmm...well, I guess they are bugs but they don't make me run, screaming like a girl!
Another childhood memory came racing to mind yesterday when I drove my car across a patch of hot tar.  The first thought was "crap" now I am going to have to get the tar remover out and clean the car but no sooner did I think that I thought wow, I hear tar bubbles.  Now, surely you all have had the pleasure of tar bubbles.  You know when the tar gets hot from the sun it actually bubbles up, late in the afternoon they begin to cool down and that is when the magic happens!  I would sit for hours when I was a kid (yes I sat in the middle of the road) needless to say it wasn't I-65!  The neighbor girls lived on a dead end, black-topped road and they would always call me when the tar bubbles were "right".  With the girls (Pam and Robin) I would sit and just pop the bubbles. Without a doubt I would get tar on some article of clothing and it would not come out, but that just didn't seem to matter!  As we got older we discovered the joy of riding our bicycles over them to hear them pop, then our cars.  ThenI grew up and was frustrated by tar on my vehicle.  I am glad I took the time to sit and think about those warm summer days and endless hours of tar bubble popping.  The Tiede girls think I am crazy when I get so excited about such a simple thing.  But it is the simple things (like fireflies, cookouts and yes, tar bubbles) that make summertime so sweet.  ENJOY! 

Talkin To Terry

Facebook is all the rage now and for years I never understood what all they hype was about.  I spend all day at work in front of a computer and the last thing I want to do when I get home is spend more time there.  When talking to people (in person) they would say, "hey, I will FB you", no they couldn't "FB" me because I didn't have FB.  It was almost as if I had to be ashamed that I was not a facebooker!  I would cringe when I saw the question coming and would literally try to dodge it!  Anyway, after years of dodging the facebook question I broke down and created my page!  To my surprise, I actually look forward to getting on the computer and finding out what is happening with friends, family and complete strangers!  I know, thank goodness my mother didn't hear that one!  My kids made me promise that I would not friend request their friends~but agreed that if their friends made the request of me I could accept.  I have held fast to this rule and surprisingly I do have several of their friends on my friends list.  I have had a great time catching up with people that I haven't seen or spoken to in years and that is where this post is heading. 
I have caught up with my best friends since kindergarten, Lisa and Mary, friends that I went to college with, Susie, Sarah, Katie and Cathy. And that is just a few of the people that I have been able to "spend time" with.   I have been able to share stories with them, allow them to meet my family and meet theirs as well.  It has been a true blessing to reconnect with so many people.    One of the people that I have reconnected with is a high school classmate named Terry.   Thinking back to 1984 I try to recall if we were friends, acquaintances, or just two people who went through public education together.  My first thought is that yes, we were friends but I don't recall really ever spending anytime with him.  Terry has a twin brother, Todd, that seemed to have a much bigger personality than Terry's.  As I set and think about the two of them I remember that Terry was the quiet one and Todd...well, was not!  Everyone seemed to like Todd, he was outgoing, funny, a real people person. I remember being very intimidated by Todd.  Maybe it was just the difference in our personalities but I just remember hoping I never had to meet him in the hallway by myself because you just never knew what he was going to do or say.   Terry on the other hand had his group of friends and really didn't seem to waiver too far from them.  One day while on facebook, Terry just popped up on chat and we began the typical "catch up conversation".  I have found out so many things about him and I kick myself for not taking the time to get to know him better all those years ago.  It seems we were brought up in two very different types of homes. Mine was loving, warm and a true comfort zone and his was more unstable and uncertain.  If I had only known then, what I know now I would have worked harder to have made him part of my circle or I would have tried harder to be a part of his.  Terry told me the other day that he remembers coming to my house to get a bunny for his niece, something I had no memory of. What was even more amazing is he described my home down to where the rooms were when you entered.  He was only there one time but he recalled the layout of my childhood home perfectly.  He said he remembered the huge fireplace and meeting my mother and feeling the love that was inside the walls of that house and he was right.  He only met my mother that one time but he was right about her too.  Full of love and never judgemental, that was my mother.  But, as kids go, we seem to judge too harshly on things that now just don't seem to matter.  I guess being a grown up has its advantages and being able to see past stereotypes and social groups is one of them.
This blog is for you Terry, I hope you read it and know that I feel truly blessed to have reconnected with you!  God Bless you my friend!

Happy Birthday Sister!

Today is a special day! It's my sister's birthday! Happy Birthday Mary Kathleen! I LOVE YOU!

My sister is an extraordinary woman. Four years older than me she was always my caregiver and while I don't remember it I have been told that she cared for me from the moment I arrived home from the hospital. The story as our mother would tell it went something like this...."I was standing in the kitchen cooking supper and turned around and there was Kathy, coming down the hallway with the baby. I froze afraid if I yelled at her she might drop Karen. I said to Bob...don't yell at her, just get the baby!" At four years old she loved me and while we have had our moments, I am certain that she loves me still today. Recalling fond memories of growing up with a sister is easy. I remember how she would take me down in the floor and dangle and spit wad over my face...gross I know...but it is one of those memories. I remember go shopping with her at "Clothes Quarters" one of our all time favorite places to shop. We would also shop at Value Village which normally included a trip to McDonalds for those new chicken nugget things! Thats' right, I remember when Mcd's introduced the now famous NUGGET! Another favorite memory of mine was sharing a bedroom with her. There is nothing quite like sharing a bedroom with a sister. We would lay in bed at night and play the "radio game". No one else ever played this game because we "invented" it! We would also watch TV in bed using both an imaginary TV and remote control! Time passed rather quickly and I remember her in high school. She was popular, well liked by her friends and teachers. Kathy was the stats keeper for the football team and I think she may have even done some time keeping swim times for the swim team. I remember her getting ready for dances and proms and wishing I were as grown up as she was. Right out of school she went to work for a local fertilizer company. She did well there and truth be told her job kept our family afloat at times. I loved this time of our relationship because she was "grown up" and I wasn't. She would spoil me with those Saturday shopping trips to Lafayette and she always bought so that made it more exciting for me! She met the man that would become her husband and the best things that came from that relationship is her two beautiful children Kurtis and Caitlyn. Her marriage ended and that was a rough time but she is a strong, determined woman and she was not bound to let a failed marriage hold her down. She picked herself up and started all over again.
We often joke that we are so different yet so much the same. I do not deal well with the big things in life. Things like death of family members. Kathy on the other hand was with both my father and brother when they took their last breaths. That is how she is. I would describe her as TOUGH. She knows what needs to be done and then deals with the situation head on. Now, with that being said, do not let her lawn mower break down or let her get cut off in traffic because she does not deal with those day to day things at all! I would say "crap, the mower isn't working" but she would be much more descriptive and probably use language that would rival a sailor!

The loves of her life are her children. She adores everything about them but what mother doesn't? Raising the kids on her own gave her a special bond with them. Probably more with Cait than Kurt because he was a senior in high school when the marriage ended. Caitlyn truly became her best friend and that friendship continues today. Our relationship continues to grow now that we are both grown. We are better friends now than we ever were then and our friendship continues to grow daily. I love you sister and that will never change! Happy Birthday!

Make a Difference Monday

Today is Monday and I won 227 million dollars in the lottery! I began thinking of ways to disperse my good fortune and I want to share just a few of the places that will be benefiting. First the mortgage company will be happy to hear that I will be sending a check to pay off my home. My sister will also be happy to hear that I am sending enough to cover hers as well! Ashley and Tony just received that new home they have been dreaming of complete with a herd of cattle, goats and that horse that Ashley has long wanted. Lena has received the new Chevy Avalanche to drive on rainy days in Evansville and also the Corvette convertible for those sunny days! I have given enough to the church to cover most any need that will arise and know that they will use the money wisely to benefit many people. Along with the church, the White County Ag Association is receiving a check to build the "Ira Hedges Memorial" rabbit barn, something Byron has wanted to do for a very long time. Prairie State Christian Service Camp be endowed funds to refurbish the buildings on the grounds and purchase any additional land that they may need. Milligan College will also receive funds for a scholarship program as well as the University of Southern Indiana, which will be used to benefit someone that might not otherwise get the opportunity to attend college. I am not certain if the water wheel is still in buffalo creek but if it isn't I'd like to see it put back in! Monticello Youth Football will be able to fund several scholarships this year with money that will be provided to them.....This is just the beginning of my Make a Difference Monday!

Wait,, what? It was a dream....I didn't win the lottery? Well the list will have to grow longer until the day actually comes and I am able to do the above and so much more! This is what I would do given the opportunity! Hope you had a make a difference moment. Ashley and Lena did...they adopted 2 kittens from the shelter today! Welcome to our family, Tyler and Myron!

Mothers Day

Mother's day is right around the corner and I am faced with those conflicting feelings that come with the holiday.  I LOVE being a mother.  The joy that our girls bring to my life is one that I find difficult to put into words.  I feel like I grew up with Ashley.  I was young, just learning what being a wife and mother was all about when she came along.  I often wish I had been a little older when I had her because I had a tendency to try to be more of a friend to her than I did a mother.  Certainly regretful but thankful at the same time that the Lord blessed me with such a wonderful child and now beautiful young woman.  Lena came along a little later and I had begun to figure out the whole parenthood scene.  I am certain that I treated her differently than Ashley.  I think I pushed Lena a little harder, expected more from her and never gave her an inch, knowing that if I did, she would take a mile.  Lena told me a few weeks ago that she never remembers getting spanked as a child but she remembers Ashley getting spanked.  SHE WAS A QUICK LEARNER!  We rarely had to discipline her because she was quick to learn from her older sisters mistakes.  I have said it before and I will say it again, our girls are the joy of my life.  I pray for them every night when my head hits the pillow.  I pray for their significant others and I pray for their children which haven't even been born yet.  I pray that God will richly bless their lives financially, spiritually and emotionally.  I cannot imagine life without our girls and I want them to know how blessed I am to have two of the most fabulous young women on the face of the earth in my life.  I love you my babies, and yes, you will always be my babies! 
I lost my mother when I was 24 years old.  She never had the joy of getting to know the girls and sadly enough I don't feel like she even really knew me.  I had only begun to become a woman when she passed and I just hope that she smiles when she looks down and sees what I have become.  I miss my mother more than words can say.  She was not a "flashy" mother.  Never worried about how she dressed or if she was good enough for people.  Oh, I wish I had picked up that characteristic from her.  She was truly a fabulous woman and the hurt that I feel is so very deep when mothers day rolls around.  Every year I make that trip to the cemetery to see her and the tears flood from somewhere deeper than my eyes.  It is my soul that aches when I am there because I just want so badly one more time to be held in her arms and smell that lovely scent that was her.  You see, this is where the conflict is.  I love being a mother but I dread "mother's day."  This year will be different  I am not making that trip to the cemetery because I am going to travel south to spend the day with our girls.  I will however think about my mother and pray that she knows how very hard life is here without her.  I love you momma and I hope that you save a place for me up there.  I never fear death because I know that you are waiting with that silly grin and southern charm that I miss so very much.  Happy mothers day to all you Mommy's out there, may you be blessed by your children.  Hug them tightly and remember you can NEVER say I love you too often.

Happy May

So hard to believe that a month has passed and I have not blogged anything. The month of April was one filled with many exciting things. The true end of winter and seeing the plants shoot up out of the flower beds is something that I always look forward to. The hostas are back, as well as the roses, lilacs, lillies, and several different grasses! Nothing blooming just yet but the lilacs are about to burst any day and I am so excited.

Ashley blessed us with some exciting news in April as well. She and her boyfriend of 4 years have decided to get married. Tony gave Ashley a "golden egg" for Easter which contained a beautiful engagement ring. She is very excited and we are for her as well. Wedding planning is something new to me as I haven't been involved in the planning of a wedding for 23 years (our wedding)! The tentative date right now is 9-10-11. I know, I know but at least it will be an easy date to remember! Colors for the wedding, Black and White, accented with Burnt Orange. Nice for a fall wedding and burnt orange is Tony's color so at least he has been given some input! Wish me luck as I make the journey through wedding planning and becoming an "in law"! I am certainly going to need any advice that I can get so don't be shy~let me know what you think!

Lena is about to finish her first year of college and we are so happy and proud of her. Seems just like yesterday we were planning her graduation party from high school! TIME Flies! She has decided to take a job at Burdette Park in Evansville for the summer, working in their office. She is super excited about the job and we wish her the best of luck. It will certainly be different for her as she is used to carrying large trays of food to people and tending to their every need. Sitting behind a desk, spending time on the phone and getting her feet wet in a different type of customer service will be priceless experience for her. I will say I am a little sad that she is opting to spend the summer 5 hours from home but it makes sense that she would want to be in Evansville with her friends and sister. I am hoping that she uses her organizational abilities and gets her sister fired up on planning a wedding!
Well, that is about it for now! I promise to try to keep up better with my posts.
HAPPY MAY TO YOU ALL! Enjoy Spring!

April 4, 1987

On April 4, 1987 I was 20 years old and about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. That journey was becoming a wife. At 20 I am not sure I fully understood what I was diving into, but my heart led and my feet followed. So, here I am today at 43 years old and celebrating our 23 wedding anniversary. So many times I hear people say, "I married my best friend" I don't think I did that. My husband has his own friends and I have mine but I did marry my soul mate. I married a man that is my complete opposite. I am outgoing, attempt to be funny and congenial and generally like people. Byron is quiet, always suspicious of other peoples motives and is perfectly happy to set for hours in the woods and ...Think! I tend to think more with my heart than my head.
Our first meeting was rather odd and most of you know the story...Byron was working on memorial day weekend at the egg farm and I drew the short stick and had to work in the office at the farm that day. A load of chickens had just come in and while unloading the carts of birds, Byron was "run over" by a cart. I was elected to drive him to the hospital where the diagnosis was a broken collar bone. Byron was married to Candy, my friend and co worker and they were expecting their first child. It appeared they had it all. A twist that no one could see coming did, when a drunk driver crossed the center line and killed his wife, unborn daughter(Allison), and hunting partner "Tar" his black Labrador. His little cousins life was spared, saved by the body of Tar shielding her from the impact. Shock is not even close to what we all felt that day and many days, weeks and months after. It was an unimaginable tragedy. Byron and I became friends and spent some time together never really imagining that someday we would marry. He dated other people and so did I. Then one day out of the blue, I looked and him differently and he did the same towards me. We were engaged in October of 1986 while on a trip to Miami Florida. Family members on both sides scoffed and said it would never last. Some said it was too soon and others said we were marrying out of grief. Like our marriage would somehow console us. Looking back I don't know that I would do anything any differently. Yes, I was young and had many things in life to consider but becoming his wife was one of the happiest days of my life, failing in comparison only to the birth of our two beautiful girls.
We have been through so much in 23 years. The births of our girls had to be the most proud moments, the death of my parents and a brother and the passing of Byron's father probably the most despairing. Purchasing our own home (which we did 20 years ago on April 4th) was the most exciting moment. We have built a business out of nothing but the dirt we owned and today own and operate the largest, most respected boarding kennel for miles around. It certainly has not been an easy journey to this point but we made it...TOGETHER. Never did we throw up our hands and walk away. We choose our battles carefully. There are many things that I do that annoy my husband and vice versa, but it is what we choose to do battle over and how we react to those battles that makes the difference.
We are different. Byron loves to be outside, close to nature. He loves to stay up late and get up early and really doesn't care what anyone thinks about him. I, on the other hand, go to bed early and sleep late whenever I can. My idea of nature is the beach, on a blanket, watching people walk by and I worry way too much about what people think of me. I guess what it all boils down to is marriage is what you make it. Along time ago Byron and I decided the MOST important people in the world were the 4 that resided in our home. I am not saying that extended family is not important, they are, but we don't get caught up in the drama of what everyone else is doing and find it is best when they don't get caught up in our family. As our children grow and are becoming adults I hope that we have taught them and set and example for them to carry into their own marriages and relationships. I know that Byron will probably never read this post, he hates computers, but if by chance he does read this I want him to know that I will love him forever with no conditions!  You truly are the love of my life!

Make a Difference Monday

Today was one of those days that you dread for a week and then it gets here and you find that it wasn't so bad after all. After many gray, rainy days the sun was actually out in all its glory and my skin was happy to feel it's ultra-violet rays! Wasn't sure once again that I was going to have a Make a Difference Monday Moment but God never fails and here it came.

Got home from work and went through my usual routine. Checked my e mail, popped up on facebook, you know the routine. Byron was busy outside, big surprise I know! I began manning the kennel phone, which thankfully has been ringing pretty steadily lately! I had made a couple nice reservations for this summer when a call came in from a client that moved out of the area several years ago. She introduced herself as Dee and I knew immediately who she was. I have always had a knack for remembering names and voices, I guess that comes from all my years in customer service. Anyway, Dee went on to tell me that we had kept her golden retriever several years ago when they lived in Monticello and I said " sure I remember Todd" and she stopped in her tracks. She began to cry and was just joyful that I had remembered her beloved pet. Todd had passed away about 3 years ago and they had a new dog now. It seems she was unhappy with the kennel she had been using and wanted to know if we would be willing to keep her dog if she made the hour and a half trip to us. Of course I would be happy to keep her pet. If he is anything like Todd he would be a joy to have! Her gratefulness was nearly enough to erase the inconsiderate client I had dealt with on Sunday morning.

Sometimes I look so hard for the make a difference moment that I nearly overlook the simple things that the Lord places in front of me. That is my make a difference moment. Did you have one? Would love to hear it if you did!

Spring Break Shenanigans

Spring break is here. The last couple posts have been about those sure signs of spring. Sandhill cranes migrating north, warmer temps and oh yes, let us not forget the mud! I failed to mention that another sign of spring is here and that is spring break. While many people associate spring break with the beaches of Florida our girls chose to spend this spring break a little differently. Both girls managed to make it home. Lena is here for the duration of her spring break but I must use the term here rather loosely. She has been working, catching up with friends, shopping and helping her best friend Kassie plan her wedding! She has also been busy tormenting the dog.(exhibit A the photo of the dog wearing underwear!) She has been a joy to have around the house and those crazy moments are the ones I miss the most! Our home just seems to come back to life when the girls are here. Not only do Byron and I get excited to have them home, the dog is crazy with excitement when they are here. He will lay for hours at night and stare out the window waiting for their headlights to come down the road. Cracks me up that he can spot those headlights over a mile away!! Ashley was able to be home but just for a few days. Her job search continues and that took her back to Evansville early. We will continue to pray and ask that you will as well for success for her efforts. Ashley and I were able to spend some time together last Saturday, going to auctions and rummaging through thrift stores, looking for items for her first home. Yes, Ashley is moving into a real house (not a dorm room or apartment) for the first time in 4 years! As much as I hate it she is most at home in Evansville. There is nothing wrong with Southern Indiana other than the fact that it is 5 hours from here. She is as far away from home as she can get yet still be in the state of Indiana. A stones throw from Kentucky she is so excited and we are excited, happy and proud of and for her. Byron and I are planning a trip to Evansville in the next few weeks to help with the cleaning and painting, landscaping and whatever else needs to be done!
Things are certainly beginning to come back to life after a long, cold winter and I must say it is coming none to early for me! Happy March!

Rain and Mud!

For weeks you have heard me complain about winter and cold and snow but now I think I need something new to complain about and the Lord has blessed me with just that! RAIN AND MUD! I should just be happy with the fact that it is above freezing and the sun is shining.
I am one of those people that is never happy with the weather so, soon I hope to be able to complain that it is too hot, I have a sunburn from spending hours mowing the lawn, and lets not forget the air conditioning bill!

Enough of that at least the sun was out for awhile this morning and Byron and I were able to spend most of the morning in the woods splitting firewood for next winter! I know you are all envisioning me with an ax in my hand but I am happy to tell you that I get to sit on the tractor and run the hydraulics to the splitter to split the wood! It was nice to be with Byron for awhile just out in the warmer temps and sunshine. I do love spending time with him regardless of what we are doing. The sandhill cranes were out today flying over on their annual voyage back north! They are such noisy critters and people around here that don't know better mistake them for geese. I, living with a die hard waterfowler, have been taught the difference. I just look for the long legs trailing behind to distinguish the cranes from the geese! They both fly in the "V" pattern so don't be fooled by that! It is nice to see them because for me they are a sure sign of spring! I look forward to seeing them in the sky flying north and not south! Over the next few weeks I am sure that I will begin to see other signs that the spring season is upon us! The sale of motorcycle insurance goes way up this time of year too! I can't wait til it gets here !

Here is wishing you all a happy, rainy, muddy spring!

Simple Saturday

Today was a wonderful day. You know, one of those days when you are required to do absolutely nothing, yet accomplish so much. The Tiede girls are back at school so the house is quiet again...until spring break. Byron was out with the coyote hunters for the biggest part of the day so I was left home...just me and Noopy. Byron was kind enough to take care of the kennel dogs before he left and actually let me sleep in. I love those mornings when I wake up and know that I can just lay in bed, talk to God and ponder my day! Sleeping in until 8 am (yes, that is sleeping in around our house) is a treat so when I woke I decided to surprise Byron with a simple breakfast of Oatmeal. I think he was happy to have a warm meal before he headed out to hunt. The dog and I decided to take advantage of the cold morning and spent some quality bonding time with each other. Man I LOVE that dog. He has made the transition to an empty nest so much easier!

After our bonding time, I decided it was time to do a little dusting and cleaning. Hardwood floors are great but the dirt and hair from the dog just never seem to end! I swore when we took the carpet out and put in the hardwood that I would never have carpet again because of the self sustained eco system that was actually underneath the carpet. I believe it doesn't matter how great the vacuum is or how often you use it, you never remove all the dirt! So, with wood floors it is much easier to see and clean but I don't know if that is really better or not! Anyway, the cleaning was a success and they do look better or did look better for about 5 minutes! I enjoyed those 5 minutes! The dog tracks are back. It just never ends with the mud, snow, water...ugh!

With that chore out of the way I decided to do a wal*mart run. I didn't really need to go but it was nice to just take my time and shop. Back home I decided to try to warm the house up by baking some pecan cookies (a favorite of daughter Ashley's boyfriend Tony) too bad they are 5 hours away and I will have to eat these for him! Byron got home just in time to do evening chores (once again saving me from the cold)! Goodness I appreciate him so much! A simple supper and then time for the olympics! It was truly an enjoyable Simple Saturday!

"The Rock" Waiting on Spring

I think by now you all know how I feel about winter, cold, snow etc...I am NOT a fan. The great thing about February is that it is a relatively short month as far as the number of days go but for me February takes FOREVER to pass 28 days! I am so looking forward to spring! I cannot wait to go out and dig in my landscaping. I love to see what little plants are brave enough to sprout through the cold ground. My husband always cautions me about uncovering things too soon. I know I shouldn't but I just can't resist. I love to see if the hostas made it through the long winter and to find any hint of green on the rose bushes or hydrangea bushes just makes me really happy. I am hoping to make a few additions to the landscaping this year, I just haven't decided yet what needs to be added. It will be hard to beat the knock out roses that we added last year. They are absolutely beautiful. This fall we added 3 dwarf lilac bushes so I am hoping that they bloom and fill my yard with that lovely lilac smell. I am also looking forward to filling up the "water rock" again. For those of you who have seen it it is really something and for those of you who don't know about it, well...here is the story. In April of last year Byron and I decided to a water feature to our landscaping. We knew with the dogs that a pond would not be a good idea but still I wanted some type of moving water. We spent many hours at lawn and garden shows looking at pond kits, waterfalls, and many other things. Then one chilly April morning Byron had driven the back roads into town to pick up my newspaper and he returned with the biggest smile on his face. He came in and proclaimed "I FOUND THE ROCK!" I called the local farmer that owned the woods that housed "THE ROCK" and asked if he would mind if we took that rock. He told me I could take as many rocks as I wanted! What a generous guy. So Byron on the tractor and me in the truck we took off down the road to retrieve "THE ROCK". It took awhile, a chain, a prybar and alot of grunting and we were finally able to hoist the rock into the truck. Thank goodness for our tractor! We came home and picked the perfect spot for the rock. Called a friend who had a huge drill so that we could drill a hole through the rock for the water. Anyway you get the picture. Hole dug and lined with pond liner, submersible pump installed, water in the hole and in goes the rock. Now, keep in mind we could have purchased a "fake rock" and kit for 89.99 at the local garden shop but where is the fun in that? We had a great time working together to put this in. Today, "THE ROCK" looks a little like it is waiting for spring to arrive so the water can flow through it again. I must say...I am waiting too!

Spring will be here soon and when it arrives I will add a picture of our "ROCK" with water flowing!

Make a Difference Monday

Well, here I am again on Make a Difference Monday. I think that life itself can be difficult and believe that you should treat everyone you meet with a smile, because you just never know when your smile might make a difference. You never know what other people are dealing with, financial difficulty, the stress of caring for an aging parent, or possibly the loss of a job. Keeping those things in mind, I started out again in my usual way. Well, not really because my car is in the shop and I had to depend on the kindness of my husband to drive me to work! Thankfully he participated in Make a Diffenrence Monday or I would still be home! I returned to work dreading what I might find after missing two days last week with a massive sinus infection! When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised that my desk was not covered up with tons of work. I started my day and began looking for my Make a Difference Monday moment. My boss arrived with a smile on her face and a happy to have you back attitude! Then boss #2 arrived and the same smile and attitude accompanied him! Having them welcome me back was my Make a Difference Monday moment. Little do either of them know how much I appreciated feeling needed! Did you have a Make a Difference Monday moment? If so, I would love to hear about it! Please share!

Make a Difference Monday

I have decided that Monday's will now be titled Make a Difference Monday. I know that I should strive to make a difference every day but am hoping that by dedicating Mondays, I will purposely try to make a difference. So, on this first Make a Difference Monday, I started out looking for something I could do. I took my usual drive to work, hoping for a stranded motoritst, or someone who might need my help. No such luck. I went to work and just knew that I would run into someone at the office who needed a friend, a shoulder to cry on, something and wouldn't you just know it...NOTHING. It was beginning to look like Make a Difference Monday was going to be a bust! I ended up working a little later than usual due to the fact that I had so many phone calls today. I packed up my desk and started home. I decided to reward all my hard work with a fountain soda, diet of course, so I ran into the convenience store. I noticed as I approached the soda machine that there was a steady stream of water flowing over the edge of the drain and onto the counter. Ashley, the store manager, was the only employee there and I mentioned to her that she was experiencing a slight "Flood" on her counter top. She attentively came over and attempted to stop the flow of water. People were coming in the store and actually lining up at the register. I noticed she was feeling a little overwhelmed, wanted to do the clean up and knowing she had to take care of the people waiting in line. I told her to go help the people and I would clean up the flood! TA DAH...Make a Difference Monday Moment now granted, I didn't save a stranded motorist, or rescue a puppy from a burning building but I did help someone feel just a little better about a bad situation. And for a moment, it felt pretty darn good! So...Did you have a Make a Difference moment today? If so please share with me, I would love to hear about it!

February Football

Once again for those of you who know me know that today is a very important day for me...That is because it is Super Bowl Sunday. I truly love football and wait every year for this day to arrive. It is usually met with great anticipation but even more so this year because one of the teams playing happens to be the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS! I love the colts as a team but I think much of my intrigue is due to the quarterback Peyton Manning. Peyton, notice I am on a first name basis with him, as are most colts fans, is perhaps the greatest quarterback the NFL has ever seen. I love the way he keeps his composure in tight situations, 3rd and long to be exact and even 4th and 1, when he looks at the sideline and gives the signal to "go for it". He is a true scholar of the game. I think one also has to admire his overall demeanor. Never does he bring attention to himself. He is always humble and knows that without the rest of his team he would merely be a man on a field getting knocked around by gigantic linemen. A true gentleman he remembers where he came from and is also a great contributor to his Indianapolis community. I believe that the Lord gives to us so that we can give to others and that is exactly what Peyton does and with a 22 million dollar a year salary and a 50 million dollars signing bonus with the colts (not to mention all the mutil million dollar endorsements), he should be giving back. With all the hype of the game I need to remember what truly makes the superbowl super. The commercials are merely a distraction for me, its not something that I get overly excited about. I am a creature of habit and a 3 million dollar, 30second commercial really isn't going to make me buy a product. Besides, I am not a beer drinker, not looking for a new job, and probably won't be buying a new car anytime soon! What does make the super bowl SUPER is getting up watching all the highlights of the past season, cooking food, waiting on friends and family to arrive to watch the game! Listening to people who think they understand football complain about calls (when they actually have no idea what they are complaining about) Watching the men act as if it is their god given talent to know EVERYTHING about the game. It really just cracks me up! I will today take great pleasure in watching the game, being with those I love and will start looking forward to the next great NFL season.

Birthday Party in Heaven

Today is January 28th. The fourth and final Thursday in January 2010. If you read the post "Every Seven Days In January" you will know that today would be my momma's birthday. I did my crying this morning and now have decided that she would not want to hear the blubbering. She would say to me..with her slight southern accent..."Go ahead, cry me a handful!" I can still hear those words from my childhood and have an all too vivid memory of Aaron (her grandson by affection) standing in front of her with his little face buried in the palm of her hand literally sobbing, to cry her a handful!

My momma was a FABULOUS woman and I miss her most on days like today. Her birthday, the anniversary of her death (January 30th 1992), and Mother's day seem to the worst for me.

I don't really know if they are having a party in heaven today, as I have yet to fully grasp how "heaven works". Another topic for another day. I would think that heaven is like a continuous party~never ending joy and celebration. If they did have a party I know it would be great. My dad is there with her and so is my brother, along with numerous other friends and relatives.

Something that I fondly recall about her is the funny words she used. She would say things like "daggumit" (which I think is the same as "dadburnit") which is most likely translated to doggoneit it my language! She also used the word "swig" which still today makes me laugh. Swig, what kind of word is that? Used in a sentence it would go like this..."Can I have a Swig of your coke"? I think the appropriate word would be drink but swig was one of those southern style words that she would often use. She was never sick without being tired. You know what I mean..."I am sick and tired of your fighting." could often be heard as my sister and I would fight over something trivial and "Bless you pea pickin heart" was another one. I am certain that my heart never picked peas but at least I was blessed. Truly blessed.

My momma grew up in the hills and hollars of Arkansas, where she learned to care for her younger siblings, while her mother worked in the cotton fields. She was a wonderful cook. She even used her cooking talents in the cafeteria of the elementary school that I attended. She could take the worst tasting, government issued peanut butter and make an amazing peanut butter sandwich! Having her in the same school building as me was a definite plus. I remember falling on the playground and not going to see the school nurse~I got to go see my mom. What 9 year old wouldn't love that? Back to the cooking.... I can remember coming home from school and complaining that there was nothing to eat, yet within 2 hours (and she never left the house) there would be a giant meal on the table. Her cooking talents were endless and the amazing thing is I never saw her measure anything. A "dab" of this and a "pinch" of that, there is that wonderful vocabulary again!

She always smelled great too, especially on Sundays! Sand and Sable was her perfume of choice. Ocassionally, I will be in the mall or grocery and someone will walk by me and I will catch the scent of their perfume and it reminds me of Sundays with Mom. And let me also mention the locket that she wore to church nearly every Sunday. I don't know where she obtained this locket but if I had to guess I would say Avon. A picture of Washington crossing the Deleware graced the front. Now let me say, I know exactly why she wore this locket and it had nothing to do with her being a history buff. It had everything to do with the fact that it was the perfect size to hold the gum wrappers from the gum that she would give Heather, Tennille and Aaron during church to keep them quiet. We always had to clean up the pew before we left church and the locket was the perfect way to not miss any wrappers! I have that locket and cherish the memories that it holds as well as the gum wrappers!

Mom loved her children. The 3 of us and Deb made 4. She loved her grandchildren even more. Deb's 3 kids came first and she loved them like they were her own. Then Joe's kids, Amy and Ryan then later Natilee. Kathy and I were pretty much blessed with babies at the same time. Kurt, then my Ashley, my Lena and then baby Caitlyn. She loved them all. I remember how happy I was the first time I watched her rock my Ashley. She cuddled her up and loved her like only a grandma (or "Nanny" in this case) could do. I only wish she could see all of them now. Maybe she can, maybe just today there is a special birthday window in heaven that she can look out of see what a wonder legacy she has here on earth. Oh, I hope that is true because she would be so proud of all of them. I hope there is a birthday party in heaven today. I hope it comes complete with cake, ice cream balloons and oh yes a special birthday window!

Just January

January is a LONG month for me. It seems there is no end to the icy winds and slick roads. The sky is generally gray and it seems as if I may never see the sun again. I want to be optimistic about the month of January but that is kinda like being optimistic about hitting my finger with a hammer! No good can come of it. The days are short, the nights are long and it just seems like it drags on forever. I would like to post something positive about this dreary winter month so I shall think for awhile....(insert jeopardy music here)!

Okay, got it! January is one month closer to February which is the month before March which is just before April and that is when it begins to warm up in the great state of Indiana! There, see no negative Nellie here~ I just wish it would go by a little quicker!

Ice~Ice~Baby Ice!

I heard all the warnings yesterday on my way to work. The gal at the convenience store told me that an ice strom was coming. I contemplated making a wal mart run for all the necessities...milk, bread, pop tarts and toilet paper but I got in a hurry and ignored the warnings! Well, it did start to freeze rain and now here I am, iced in with a dangerously low level of all things necessary!
Being homebound really isn't all that bad, considering it gives me time to do all the things that generally I don't take time to do. I enjoy the smell of cookies baking and warming up the oven inturn warms the house so cookie baking is on the list. I will say I am fortunate to work a job that allows me the luxury of not going in when the weather is bad. I have read far too many grumbles on FB pages today from those less fortunate! I am sorry for your bad luck and shall eat a freshly baked cookie for you all!!! Laundry will also top the list, though I have very little of that to do. Seriously, how much dirty laundry can two people generate? Last but not least I will attempt to read something meaningful. This is something I should do when I am iced in or not! I will most like jump over to Sarah's blog and choose something from her list as I know she will not let me down in choosing something grand. Oh wait, how will I get to the library???

I have seen the healing hand of God~Jeremy Camp

Today was a joyful day! My boss, Gary, had his follow up appointment with his oncologist after completing his first round of cancer medication. I am so happy to say that the medication and even more so the prayers have worked. The tumor in his kidney and others in his lungs are shrinking in size. What fabulous news for he and his family. This is the result that we have all been praying for throughout the past few months. Praise the Lord...he does answer prayers.

Never under estimate the power of prayer. I cannot stress enough how powerful prayer is especially when more than one person is praying. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is necessary. Prayer is how I begin every day and how I end every day. I even manage to fit in just some whispers during the day. I heard a few weeks back that if the only prayer you ever whisper is
Thank You, that is the only prayer you need. I think it is so important to just thank God every morning for waking me up and allowing me to spend another day on earth. One of my most favorite songs from childhood is Awake my Soul and with the Sun. We sang the last verse as the doxology in our church:
Praise God from whom all blessing flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

When it really matters

Today started off on a bad note. Got up early knowing that I had to get to work early so that we could make our annual voyage to the dairy farm. I always approach this visit with much dread but I do enjoy the visit with the farm family. I will get into that more later.

I had done chores last night while Byron was out chasing geese with his "friends" as Lena loving refers to them. I guess that is what they are but she takes such joy if imagining her dad with "hunting buddies" or any kind of "buddy" as that goes. I finished up chores in the usual manner with a "goodnight" and a "see you later" the dogs quietly settled in for the evening. Byron got up early to meet "Sammy" who was arriving at 7:00 am the next morning. As I hustled around the house trying to stay on schedule and not be distracted by the TV and the news coming out of Haiti, I was interrupted by "where is the poop scraper that I left on Kooie's kennel?" Not really and angry voice but a matter of fact voice, a father type voice one that sent me through the roof. I proclaimed that I had hung it on her gate so that it could be used in the morning, (Kooie always poos in her kennel overnight then stomps about like BIGFOOT). Kooie is a 5 pound poodle! Anyway, long story made longer, Byron could not find the scraper. I marched to the kennel, growling the whole way out there that I really didn't have time to be doing this walked straight to Kooie and there IT was, hanging on the gate, just as I had said. The fatal error of my ways was that I hung it on the gate on the outside and did not put it back where I found it. Even a blind man could have seen it on the gate but I was corrected by Byron telling me that a blind man would have found it if it were put back where it was originally. Touche' ! I guess he got me there! I left for work without another word said and with no morning kiss. As I drove to town that really bothered me. I should have known better but it was too late to turn around. I had to get to the office.

The trip to the farm was a pleasant drive. I am able to talk with Gary about many different topics~life, football, work, college kids and more! We arrived promptly at 9:00 am and began our annual review with the "Dairy Men". Our review went well and as usual each of the farmers had their "assigned seats" in and around the kitchen. Lydia, the matriarch, floated around pretending to be busy but was locked on every word that was spoken. I admire Lydia, such a quiet yet strong woman. After the review of the farm ground, equipment, and livestock we started home. The drive was pretty quiet as I think Gar was just worn out. I started thinking about each farmer and why they always sit in the same place every year, like it is some sort of pecking order. They all know there place, Scotty by the stove, Ernie by the sink, Donnie just out of the kitchen in a chair and Rich right across the table from me. This is Ray and Lydia's house, a house that undoubtly holds many happy memories for their 3 sons and grandson. It made me take inventory of myself and for a moment I wondered if I had given my family the memories and family togetherness that they have. I can only hope. I think it is important for all of us to know where our place is. It is also important for us to know where the Lord's place is in our lives. I, for one, am guilty of calling on him when things are bad and I am trying daily to make him first and formost in my life. Praising him daily instead of calling on him only when I am in need. I want to be more vigilant about thanking him for every day that I am given and praising him for the little miracles that occur everyday like the sun coming up and me knowing that I have been given one more day on this beautiful earth.

I ended up back at the office around 3:00 pm to tie up the loose ends that come when you are out of the office for the day. The afternoon went by quickly and I was soon home, playing hyperdog with the Noop dog. Glad to be home I took a moment and flipped through the mail. The newspaper, a magazine, some bills and a reminder from the eye Dr. that it is time for Byron to have a check up! I had to smile and think in some sort of way that the Lord has a funny sense of humor!

Why we don't eat yellow snow...

and other life lessons learned at the boarding kennel. THIS HAS been the intended title of my book (that has yet to be written) for several years. When Byron and I decided to go into the boarding business we knew in many ways that our lives would change forever. Gone were the days of just being able to take off whenever we pleased. Gone were the days of sleeping in until we woke up and gone were the lazy evenings swinging on the porch swing until the sun set. But we have had so many rewarding times in the business that I would say they out weigh the bad. For one we have met so many wonderful and interesting people, People whom otherwise we may have never crossed paths with. It also allowed us to be stay at home parents (well...for the most part). We were able to put the girls on the bus and be there to meet them when they got home. I don't think the girls have yet realized what a huge deal that is but hope in time~when they become parents~they will look back and see just how lucky they were to have both parents with them. Ashley and Lena have always been a part of our family business. Walking dogs, doing chores and as they got older, making reservations and dealing with the public. We are now faced with running the business without them and believe me we knew it was going to be difficult but never fully understood how much we needed them.
The girls learned many life lessons at the kennel, the first one being why we don't eat yellow snow! I mean this literally as it was always a special treat when I was growing up to eat "snow cream". My mother was amazing at making the most delicious, creamy, frozen treat from snow. As a child I couldn't wait to rush out gather the snow and bring it back in for her to begin the process. However, she would always warn us to only gather the fluffy white snow and not the yellow. Sad as it is I never carried on the tradition of making snow cream. It just never seemed to be the same once mom was gone. The girls however learned to catch snowflakes on their tongues and loved just scooping up snow and eating it. I would in the same voice as my mother, warn the girls to not eat the yellow snow. Of course they always wanted to know...Why WE DON'T EAT YELLOW SNOW> When they became old enough and were promoted to the position of "DOG WALKER" they learned the answer to their question. This lesson was learned well...for obvious reasons. Other lessons on manners, grace, and compassion came in not so obvious forms. All of which I hope to touch on in posts to come!

My Empty Nest...Again

Well, I believe the holidays officially ended at 3:00pm today when Lena Ann left to go back to school. What a joy it was having both girls home for the holidays. Miss Ashley left early to return to the city where she finished out the holiday season and her 22nd birthday with her boyfriend Tony and his family. This was the first time we were not together on her birthday and the first time she did not spend the entire break here at home. I will admit at first I was bitter that I had to "SHARE" her with Tony and his family but as Byron always reminds me, it was in the contract that we signed the day of her birth~I just failed to read the fine print! I seem to be a little better with Ashley leaving than I am with Lena. Ashley has always been on the go. Traveling with 4-H shooting sports and generally always being on the go has taught me to accept her leaving. Lena on the other hand is quite a different story. Lena is a home body. Don't get me wrong, she has many friends and loves spending time with them. She is also a very well traveled young lady traveling to Australia and Europe but when she is home...she is really home. You will always know when Lena is here because my house is cleaner than any other time of the year. She is a true "White Tornado". Byron told me today that we would need to call the maid back that we laid off a month ago because we knew Lena was coming home. No sense in paying someone to do the job that Lena does so well for free! I think what I miss most about her being gone is the way she is always in the kitchen with me, helping me and learning from me even when she doesn't know it. She is very domestic and loves to cook something Ashley never did. As you may or may not know Ashley would just as soon be out hunting with her dad! I did buy her a crock pot and mixer for her birthday though so maybe those domestic skills are kicking in. The other thing that makes Lena's leaving so difficult is the way in which she does it. Ashley would joyfully hop in the car wave goodbye and off she would go. Lena drags her feet, hugs me more than normal and leaves with tears rolling down her cheek. I always know that she will be fine once she reaches school it is just the leaving that is so darn difficult!

As I sit here now I am truely alone. Byron is out hunting, Ashley is back at school and Lena is on her way back. Noop Doggy Dog is outside trying to find a white tennis ball in a mountain of snow and I believe that will keep him busy for awhile. I should take advantage of this quiet time and do something constructive but I believe the Sunday newspaper is calling my name!

Every 7 Days in January

It is another cold snowy day in the great state of Indiana and there are several things I need to be doing but find myself stuck to the sofa with a blanket and the dog! One of the things I need to be working on is laundry which is not bad given the fact that I do not have to go outside to take care of this! The other thing that is on my mind are the family birthdays that come every 7 days in the month of January.



January 7, is a day to celebrate the birth of my first born. Ashley Marie Tiede turned 22 this year. WOW 22! I thought last year was a tough one but 22 seems so old...so ADULT like, I am just not sure how she got to age 22 and I did not get any older?? Seriously, I love her and miss her like crazy because this is the first time in her life that I have not spent the actual day of her birth with her. I guess that is a sign that she is growing up. The other sign would be what the gift was she asked for. Are you ready? A CROCK POT! I know... where did that come from? I am certain it was the request of her boyfriend Tony who surely cooks more than Ashley does but at any rate it seemed like a strange request.



January 14, is the day to celebrate a life cut too short, my brother Joe. As I stated in my last post he was 5 years older than me and was grown up and gone before I really got a chance to know him. His life was full of desperate times but it was full of joyful times as well. He had beautiful children that will live on unfortunately without their father and now has grandchildren as well that will never know what a great person their grandpa really was. I am not going to pretend that his life was without fault it was but God forgives all sins and I believe that he is residing happily in heaven with the Lord.



January 21, a day to celebrate the birth of my niece Lindsey Marie Barkho. What can I possibly say about this one? Beautiful, intelligent, funny and so, so honest she is a wonderful young lady. Living in a more frozen tundra than Indiana she is a nurse at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota! Doing her life's calling and enjoying snowy weather. She is as unique and different as each individual snowflake.



January 28, a day to celebrate another person whom God needed more in heaven than we did here on earth. My Mother. I miss her more than anything in this world. It breaks my heart to know that she never got to see what beautiful grandchildren she had. My girls remember very little about her. Ashley remembers the way she used to tap the straw wrapper to open the straw and to this day Ashley opens her straws the very same way. Lena really has no memories of Nan, she was just a year and a half old when my mom passed away. My mother was a beautiful lady. She was never afraid to speak her mind and this put some people off but those who knew her, really knew her, loved her and knew that she would do anything for them. Mom was often referred to as Nan, or Nanny as she was tagged by Heather Jo (her first grandchild by affection). She was often accused (by my father) of taking in all stray kids and cats! Our home always had an open door policy. If you had a problem and couldn't be at your home you came to ours and you were not judged you were just loved. Love sometimes came in the form of hard work...you might have been required to carry in firewood for the huge fireplace in our home. Sometimes love came in the form of food. My husband says that I never learned anything about cooking from my Mom. She was an excellent cook that as Byron would say...could cook your huntin' boots and you would eat them and love them. Chili was always a favorite especially on cold days and of course every Sunday after church you knew you would find fried chicken, mashed potatos and gravy. She left this world far too soon. I felt like I was cheated and that God took her away from me but I realize there must have been some sort of lost child or possibly a cat in heaven that needed her more! I LOVE YOU MOMMA and miss you everday!