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!

Football Friday

After taking a brief break yesterday, I find myself back at the office today. I woke up this morning feeling kinda grumpy but I am sure that has nothing to do with staying up watching Texas and the "Tide" last night until midnight. As you begin to find out more about me you will realize that I am a huge fan of football. High School, College, Professional even Youth Football, It doesn't matter football is good whenever I can watch it. Never having boys, I am not sure where that love came from. I did have cheerleaders (both Ashley and Lena cheered) and I think following the girls while they cheered nurtured my love of the sport. I think the majority of my infatuation with the sport was learned at a young age though. My brother was a football player and it was always a fantastic outing to follow him on our own version of "Friday Night Lights". My sister even got in on the act becoming a statistics keeper for the team. I remember sitting on bleachers, freezing to the point of thinking I would never thaw out but somehow I survived. Some of my best childhood memories are of the parties that would take place at our house after the games. My mother (being from Arkansas) was quite the cook and while we never had a mountain of money she could always find a way to throw a FABULOUS party! I was 5 years younger than my brother which meant when he was a senior in high school I was in the 8th grade. I had many crushes on his teammates that would show up to take advantage of our mothers wonderful food! To those guys I was nothing but Joe's kid sister but they were just a step under "God" status to me. They were the guys with the prettiest girlfriends and the coolest cars. As I sit reflecting on this somehow what really seems to matter are the memories of food, football and family.

Be sure that you are instilling those family traditions and memories in your children. When your "Nest" is empty and they return home you will be surprised the things they will remember and what they will share with you. It may be something as simple as a football after party that will make memories of a lifetime. Just ask me!

Welcome to My Empty Nest

After some consideration I have decided to become a blogger. I don't think I really know the meaning of the word~Blogger~ it seems to be such a silly word. Once you say it, you automatically want to rhyme it with the word clogger and that just seems wrong to me. At any rate, here I am and I am going to make an attempt at it. When wondering what to "Blog" about, I decided that it should be something interesting, something that others will want to read about, a blog that may offer some advice, while seeking it at the same time. I will admit that my inspiration to blog came after reconnecting with a dear friend from college. Sarah may possibly have the best blog I have ever read and I thank her for the inspiration!

2009 brought many changes to our family. Our youngest child left home for college, leaving my husband, myself and our labrador Noopy, as empty nesters. I had never fully contemplated the meaning of that either...Empty Nest. It does make sense to me as I have often thought of our home as a nest, a place to raise our young, teach them good values and then send them off into the world. Our "nest" is located in a small town in Indiana, a town with more pigs than people and only one stoplight! It is my hope that I can capture many memories in this blog and leave my "electronic fingerprint" out there for those who know me now and those members of my family that have yet to be born. If you have ever had the curiosity to read someones diary that is what you will be doing here. I truly hope that you will check in often in 2010 as I attempt to continue to adjust to life without all the drama that came with raising two girls, continue to run my own business~work for another company outside the home and live life as fully as God possibly intended.