Dinner at Steve and Peggy's

Chef Peggy carving her Prime Rib.
The Iowa Gang. Bonnie, Mom, Owen, Luke, Gina, Jere, Steve, Peggy
Steve tries his hand at carving the prime rib.
Jere, Owen, Gina, Luke
The beast.

Christmas with Bonnie's Family

Greg, Bonnie, Jesse, Ben, Scott and Ami
Bonnie, Jesse, Ami
Scott with his old Star Wars Jacket Framed. May the Force be with YOU.
Scott, Ami, LaVerne, Jesse, Ben
Jesse and Ben

Fun in Iowa

Row, row, row your boat?
Scary ghost stories at Christmas? Somebody tell Bonnie that it is not Halloween.
Owen and Luke try to beat up Aunt Sue.
Sue misses the tree and Luke watches.
"Mieska Brothers" present a concert.

Iowa Visit

Great Grandma unwraps her present from Luke and Owen and SURPRISE!~! It's Luke and Owen,

Grandpa Steve shows us how to play the guitar. Or is that a Ukelele?
Aunt Bonnie and Luke try to have fun in the snow.

Merry Christmas from the Dockens

Merry Christmas from the Docken's.
Barry and Beth, Jeff and Annie, Sean and Heather, Josh and Whitney.

Merry Christmas from the Ketchers

Chad, Lorianne, Matthew, Jonathan, Nathaniel and Brighton.

Peggy Sue Got Married

Steve and Peggy got married on December 21, 2007. And yes, Steve IS wearing a sport coat.

Last week Steve called to say he had won a Harley Davidson Motorcycle in a contest he forgot he even entered. Yes, he really won a motorcycle!! Then he said he got a good raise from his boss so, Mom told him to rush out and buy a lottery ticket and he did. He later called to say he didn't win, but wanted the dollar from mom.

Then he called to say he got married. Really! I'd say the really lucky thing for him was the marraige!! How lucky is guy like him to get a terrific person like Peggy? I'd say he's about as lucky as any guy can get for finding and keeping Peggy around. Best wishes to the bride and groom!!

Greetings from Mike Berge

Just wanted to send my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the Mieskas' and Family! From your cousin "once we moved" ha!

Mike Berge

Fun news from Gina and Jere

Luke and Owen Santa and Luke
Santa and Owen
Jere, Luke, Santa, Owen and Gina

We are looking forward to seeing you- Luke and Owen are arguing over who gets to stay in their room with them (we have plenty of extra room- no one will need to stay with the boys :)

Merry Christmas from the Mieska Clan in Iowa~ Santa popped into my brother's house today to check and make sure everyone has been on their best behavior. Luke was a little frightened because the Big Guy asked him if he keeps his room clean and helps mom around the house. So needless to say, he's been my constant companion since we got home and my kitchen table is sparkling clean with Pledge! Owen warmed up really quickly and gave Santa lots of love.
We hope you all have a magical Christmas Season!
God Bless,
Jere, Gina, Luke, Owen and Baby Mieska

Dinner at moms 12.16.07

Jeff had to "bust a move" and show us how to dance as part of the crazy game that Bonnie brought out for us to play. Beth and Barry had to pattycake. (Sadly we had to show them how!!)

Whitney and Josh Josh with his favorite poppy seed bread for a birthday cake!
Most of the crew minus Greg and Julie who were on the wrong end of the table!
Annie and Beth Thumb Wrestling as a "game challenge"
Barry had to try to touch the ceiling. (And he did)

Dinner at moms 12.16.07

Barry and Beth making spritz cookies. Mom and Annie helped with the cookies too.
The kids still like to decorate!!
Josh joins in to celebrate his birthday.
Ami making salad for dinner.

We had dinner at mom's last night to celebrate her return from Arizona and also Josh's birthday. The photos show you what a good time we had. We played a new game that called for some serious physical ability. We also baked some spritz cookies. A good time was had by all.

Update from mom 12/10

Hello from COOL Arizona,

Yes, it is quite cool down here right now. Marland never wanted me to say it was cold here so it is "quite cool". It is not nearly as cool as I will be in 2 days though. I will arrive in Minneapolis this next Tuesday and I'm told that it is COLD. I do have a pair of "cuddles" here that I intend to put on for my trip. Sue called this morning and told me that Jeff has the heat turned up at my house so I should be okay. No matter what the weather is, it will be good to be home.

Advent season started this week so I attended the service at church on Wednesday evening. It really makes me excited about the coming of Christmas. The true meaning is awesome. Then on Saturday afternoon I listened to our church choir sing the wonderful songs of Christ's coming. Really magnificent!! They performed the annual Christmas Cantata.

This is Sunday and I have planned a small "surprise" 70th birthday party for my friend, Norine. Hope we can surprise her.

I'm in the process of packing my suitcases to spend the next month in Minnesota. Even if it is cold, I can keep warm in my little house.

As a result of my writing in the blog each week, I'm hearing from several people and that makes me feel good. This week I heard from Heather and Josh. Thanks guys!

This will be the last blog from me until next year. I'll get back to you in January. Sue will possibly post some pictures of Christmas if you keep looking.

P.S. The picture of that handsome boy on the blog is Jonathan Ketcher, my great grandson who lives in Florida. You look very intelligent, Jonathan. Cute, too. Happy Birthday on Saturday.

Until next time--Love, LaVerne

New Glasses

Who is this handsome fellow with the awesome new glasses!! You look terrific. Congratulations.

12/3 update from mom

Hi Folks,

It's Sunday again and time to let all of you know what a boring life I am leading. I just got back from church and I'm baking a pie and have invited Ed & Norine and Dick & Joyce for dinner this evening. That is, if, Dick & Joyce get back here. I accomplished something I have never done before this week---I drove Dick & Joyce to the airport on Tuesday!! I've ridden with Marland dozens of times but never driven it myself before. My car is a really old but sturdy car but I've not driven it much so it took some getting used to. I've entered a new phase in my life!!! I'm going to pick them up again this afternoon--that is if the weather will allow. While I was in church this morning, I had a message from Dick that it is storming up in Oregon so---I"ll wait to hear from them. That will probably alter my dinner plans also! So it goes!! They flew home for a funeral for a dear friend.

Tuesday noon, Lorn & Kitty Schneeberger, a cousin of Marland's, came to visit. I took them to lunch at our local "in park" restaurant and then we came home for apple pie and ice cream that I made earlier. We spent four delightful hours visiting and what a great time I had. They got me up to date on all the friends I used to know in Elbow Lake. I thank them very much.

This week I got a very welcome surprise email from Eileen Gibb(my niece) from Oregon. She must be reading the blog and knew how much I appreciate hearing from blog readers. Thanks, Eileen

Saturday I attended my church Christmas salad luncheon. We sang Christmas carols and some of the gals put on a clever skit. What a variety of food!!! Lutherans women are noted for that!!

Friday and Saturday we had almost 2 inches of rain. That doesn't sound like much to people in other parts of the country but in Arizona it is awesome. Our average yearly rainfall is 6 inches and up until now we had only had less than 2 inches in 11 months so it was very welcome. It makes lots of TV news because it happens so seldom. Remember Peggy? It never rains in Arizona!! Only when you & Steve go on your Harleys!

That's about it for this week. Next week I will be writing my last blog for this year. On December 11, I will be flying to Minnesota for the holidays and won't be back until January 9 so no blogs while I am gone. Sue will probably be posting holiday pictures so stay tuned.

Love to everyone, LaVerne

A Keeper

A Keeper

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in cowboy boots, flannel shirt and a hat and Mom at the window, waiting for him to come in for lunch, dishtowel in her hand.

It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep, often fixed with duct tape. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made the kids crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.But then my dad died, and on that cold fall night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.

So... While we have it... It's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.
This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... And children who struggle with who they are and where they are going..... Dogs that have gone blind.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close!

Update from Mom Nov 24

Hi Blog Readers,

It's been a pretty quiet week so there is not much to write about.

My friends from Oregon, Richard & Joyce Jones, arrived on Wednesday so I was happy to see them. Richard has already helped with a couple of tasks that I can't do myself so I told them I'd probably make a pest of myself.

Thursday was Thanksgiving and I spent a very nice day with friends at Leisure World. In the evening I stopped in at Ed & Norine's and saw a few more friends that had just arrived. I had calls and emails from quite a few blog readers--thank you.

Friday, Gary & Aline Kranz from Amboy, Minnesota called to tell me that they are now in their place down here. Hope to see them one of these days.

Saturday, my mentor and friend, Margaret Gruetzner stopped by to greet me. They are from Canada and she was one of my saviors last year. She took me shopping ever so many times and was there for me in every way that matters. They arrived last week but now are heading back to Canada because George is ill. He had a triple bypass a few days ago and now will go back home to recuperate. I will miss them oh so very much.

I went to church this morning at 6:45 and the temperature was 45 degrees. That is pretty cool. Now it has warmed up and I just finished my walk and I am wearing shorts so it doesn't stay cool very long.

I am looking forward to visiting Lorn & Kitty Schneeberger this week. They are down here spending a couple of weeks with their daughter, Karen and family. Lorn is Marland's cousin and they live at Elbow Lake, Mn.

In 16 days I will be flying back to Minnesota for the holidays. I'll be home a month so hope the weather will not be too harsh. I'm lonesome so being with family will be a good thing.


Love, LaVerne

PS> My good friend Ginny Graff (Mrs. Don) is very sick and in the hospital at Mayo. Please pray for Ginny and her family. She has Bacterial Encephalitis,

Jeff is doing fine after surgery

Jeff is home from his hernia surgery and is "Totally out of it" on drugs. He was under general anesthesia and it sounds like it went well.

Update from Mom 11.19.07

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

It's a few days early but want to hope that all of you will think of many things to be thankful for.
I have much to be thankful for and keep remembering all the good things that have come my way.

I was invited to a nice luncheon on Tuesday at Stan & Jean Wheatley's to visit with a former neighbor of mine. She now lives in Sun City West so only gets over here occasionally. Several of her former neighbors were there also.

Thursday morning, I took Ed & Norine Maier to breakfast. I wanted to thank them for all the help they've given me since I arrived down here.

Friday I went to " The Welcome Back Party". It was nice and the finger food was good. As soon as the music started playing, I took my leave. It still hurts to listen when I can't dance.

Saturday was a fun day. Our semi annual garage sale in the park took place so Norine and I scooted around on her golf cart to find all the bargains!! I got a hummingbird feeder!! It's what I've been waiting to buy when I went to a hardware store but I got one here for a real bargain! I also got a Sunbeam electric fry pan. It's just like the one I have at home that I bought when Steve was born (that makes it 55 years old) but I still use the one I have. What a bargain!! And only $1.00
At noon I went with Shirley to a Craft Sale at Leisure World. Saw lots of beautiful things. I was tempted but decided I really didn't need anything right now. We met a friend(Lorraine O' Donnell) who lives there and the 3 of us went to lunch at a Thai restaurant. It was my first experience with that kind of food and it was GOOD.

I went to church this morning and then spent an hour at the pool this afternoon. 20 minutes on each side and 20 minutes in the water!! Felt good.

Thanksgiving Day I am invited to Lorraine's home in Leisure World. There will be 13 of us. I had 2 invitations and accepted the first one. It's nice to be popular!!

I've received several emails from some of you that are reading the blog. I know I asked you to write me occasionally when I wrote the first blog and now some of you have responded. You make my day! I do get lonesome and I thank you.

Love, LaVerne

Website for Jenny's Baby News updates

Click HERE to visit Jenny's baby website. The password is nova. You need the password to access the site.

OR copy the address below into your web browser.

http://www.babiesonline.com/members/getpassword.asp?be=m/myangel

PS> Jenny is Peggy's daughter and is having a baby in January.

Gina, where is your website????:) We want to hear about your baby too!!

Mom's weekly update

Veteran's Day 2007

Hi Everyone,

I just came back from a wonderful program in our park to honor all veterans. The Concert Band and the Classic Chorale, made it inspiring. The band played all the hymns of each service ( Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Canadian Forces) and as each hymn was played, the veterans stood at attention when their hymn was played. Awesome.

Things have settled down a little after the first week of seeing all my friends and I got some cleaning and necessary things done. Last Sunday, the Vikings were on our local channel(that doesn't happen very often) so I watched Adrian Peterson play an outstanding game. Vikings won over the Chargers!! Yea!

Phyllis & Bud sold their park model and were leaving on Monday morning so I had them for dinner Sunday evening (Maiers too) We had a nice visit but I don't like to see them go. They left early Monday morning and it was a sad day for me.

Monday & Tuesday were uneventful but Wednesday I visited my old neighbor who lived right across the street from me. She is now in a nursing home but it was hard to see her there. She still knew me which was a surprise to me. We spent an hour remembering the good times we had when she was here. After I left her, I stopped and spent an hour with Doris & Arden Caldwell, friends from Amboy, Minnesota, who live in a park about 5 miles from me.

Thursday I went to our weekly Country Store here in the park. Annie, I got your earrings back from Betty, who fixed them for you and polished them too.

Friday I had cocktails at Ed & Norine's.

Saturday, Hannah's, from Canada, stopped by to see me and then Woxland's from Rushford stopped and took me to dinner at Village Inn.
Saturday was a difficult day for me. It was one year ago that I lost Marland. Many of my immediate family called and emailed me and it made me feel special. Thanks to all of you. Several friends also remembered me.

The weather remains very nice. Temps are in the high 80's and low 90's which is just right. I've been to the pool almost every day but limit my time in the sun to just a few minutes. I don't want to burn and the sun is pretty intense.

Love to all of you. LaVerne


Our weather continues to be nice. The temps are in the high 80's and low 90's which is just right.

Remembering Dad

I've been looking through pictures all day trying to find one of dad that I really like. I kept coming back to this one. It's a picture of dad in his glory. He was the center of the universe for a few seconds. He couldn't wait for us to get to Arizona and ride into the park with our bikes. I swear that he spent the day telling everyone who would listen (and some who wouldn't) about our visit and that we'd be on Harley's. Once we arrived he had to get out his "bike" and join us. He had a good life. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. He had a good life. He really did have a good life. Right up until the end. When he sensed that there was no more hope he was ready to go. He didn't want to suffer and he didn't want to hang around if life wasn't worth living. He would have hated being in a nursing home, or being home bound or unable to be himself and do what he wanted to do. He had a good life. He wasn't rich and he wasn't famous, but he had a good life. He enjoyed his family, his friends, his work and he had fun. I still expect to see him sometimes. I actually forget that he is gone. I'm sorry he got sick and I'm sorry he is gone, but I'm glad that he had a good life. He worked hard and played hard and make people laugh. He had a good life.
Today is the one year anniversary of his death. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in others it seems like a long time ago. I miss him and I wish he was still with us. When he was getting really sick and we all knew it wouldn't be long until we lost him I screwed up the courage to "have a talk" with him before he died. There were things I wanted to say and wasn't sure how to say them. I had a chance one afternoon when he was still pretty alert and I was alone with him at the trailer. I told him I loved him and that he was a good dad. I will never forget what he said. First he said "I tired to be a good dad" and then he said "I had a good life".

Poem From Jesse

Do Believe by Jennifer Janiszewski

There is nothing i can do, to make him come backThere are no words I can say, that can replace the words you long to hear
There are no answer's I can give, that will satisfy your questions
There is not another soul I can introduce you to that will ever replace his And, there is no love I can offer that will ever replace the love you shared

I can not promise your broken heart will ever be completeI will not say it could have been worseI will not deny it was a tragedyI will not lie and tell you he will come back

He never really left

I do promise he hears you when you speakI will say he loves you no matter the distanceI will not deny he is in a better place
And, I will not lie; he is waiting to greet you someday
He is every you step you takeHe is in everything you doHe is the air you breatheHe is every beat of your heart

" He is like the wind. You can not see him...but you will always feel him"

Message from Mom

Hi Everyone,

Yes, I'm back at ViewPoint and I'm enjoying the nice weather. Sue asked me a few days before I left Minnesota if I was going to contribute to the blog this year. I said I would if anyone is interested!! Sometimes my life is pretty boring! I'll try to write once a week but I ask that all of you that read the blog, please write to me occasionally,so I'll know what is going on in your lives. My email address is mlmieska@aol.com

I had a good flight down except I got my shoe caught in the escalator at Mpls. airport and I fell backwards in slow motion. When I looked up, my one shoe and my carryon were at the top of the escalator and I was lying down at the bottom. A very nice couple helped me up and escorted me to my check in. I have a lovely bruise on my right hip but no other problem. Clumsy is the word!!

When I got to Phoenix, I caught the Super Shuttle immediately and they dropped me at my door at ViewPoint Resort. It worked out really well because Phyllis & Bud had come down by car a week earlier, and they took my 2 large pieces of luggage with them so all I had to deal with was my carryon. It seems I didn't do a very good job of that!!

The first few days the temperature at late afternoon was 100 degrees but it has since cooled down to the low 90's. Just right.

I took a 2 day trip to Mexico with Ed & Norine where Ed had dental work done. I just had my teeth cleaned.
I left all my getting settled work until I got back. I have the rest of the winter to do that. Ed & Norine had me for dinner the first night I was here which was very nice of them. They also had me another night for fish.

Shirley Knowlton(her husbnd died just one month before Marland) had me and 2 other widows for dinner on Thursday, Harriett had a surprise 75th birthday party for Mick on Friday night, Saturday morning, my 95 year old neighbor took me to breakfast at McDonald's. I was just starting out for my walk when he asked me to go. I said "no" because if I ate breakfast with him, I would gain weight and if I walked, I would lose weight.
Besides that, I was expecting the fellow that I hired to wash my park model to come at 8 a.m. Clarence looked at his watch and said" It's only 7 a.m.-we could be back by 8!! He is so lonesome that I couldn't say "no"!! There goes my good intentions! That evening I invited Clarence to eat supper with me.

This morning, my former neighbor, invited me to go with them to church here in the park. It was held outdoors and the weather is beautiful. How could I refuse? They then took Clarence and I to breakfast at our "in park"restaurant. Do you see where this is going? I will be woddling if I don't quit all these invitations!

Some of you know that my sister-in-law,Phyllis & Bud have sold their park model and will be moving back to Minnesota. I will miss them a lot but all of us have to make that decision some time in our lives. They will leave tomorrow morning so I am having them for dinner this evening. Ed & Norine are invited, also.

So far, I have managed to unpack my luggage but I have lots of cleaning to do. I moved the deck furniture out last evening so now I must tackle the Arizona room. I'll take one day at a time.

Ed Schmidt got the battery in my car hooked up and running, Bob Salvage got the batteries in my golf cart checked and has that running and Ed Maier trimmed the tree and watered and fertilized it and has gotten the patio lights working. What would I do without friends? I am grateful to all of them.

I did find time one day to buy groceries! It takes more than one trip to get all the essentials but I'll get there.
That takes care of the first 9 days of being in Arizona. Those of you that aren't too bored can stay tuned for another week of dribble next week.

Love to all of you. LaVerne

Remembering Dad

As all of us remember my dad and celebrate the anniversary of his death in our own special way, I wanted to share the celebration Jeff and I attended last night at our church. It was All Soul's Day, so those who have died in the last year are honored. Special 3 day candles were lit for each honoree. We sang How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace. Dad would have been bawling. We have the candle burning at home now. I was reminded of the great hymn we sang at dad's funeral, Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Dad, we miss you, we missed you in the springtime, summer and harvest here at the farm.

Annie and Jeff

SPOOKY BOYS FROM IOWA

California here I come

Michael left for California today and his family already misses him. Below is his contact information:

berge79@gmail.com
Michael Berge
10304 La Hacienda Ave Apt J13
Fountain Valley CA 92708
(310) 918-6124