Mesa here we come...

Too much snow in Northfield. Off to Mesa today we hope, if the planes are flying.

Update from mom Feb 26

Hello everyone,

Wow! What a week I've had. Sunday I went to church and then in the evening I went to the Minnesota picnic for all Minnesotans that live in the park. Only 167 people showed up and there should have been 3 times that many. Guess it's too busy a time of the year for many people. Imagine though--all those Minnesota cooks. The food was awesome.

Monday I was invited to go to lunch with Norine cause it was my birthday on Tuesday and she had too many other things to do that day so she asked if we could go Monday instead. Sure, I didn't have any objection. She picked me up at 11:30 and we went to Terrace Green, the restaurant in our park, When we walked in I saw a couple of my friends and started to greet them when I noticed LOTS of my friends!! Guess what? They were all there to surprise me for my birthday. They really caught me off guard and I couldn't believe that 12 gals would take the time on this busy month to help me celebrate. They had cards and gifts and we all had a lovely lunch. Norine even brought a beautiful decorated cake. Wow--I didn't know I had that many friends here. There were even 3 that told me later that they couldn't make it. I was overwhelmed. Thanks, Norine

On Tuesday I was still reeling from the surprise. Phyllis & Bud came over and had a drink with me and that was nice.

Wednesday was the beginning of Lent so I went to church in the evening and had the ashes placed on my forehead.

Thursday was a concert, The Gateway Trio. They sand and played songs from the Kingston Trio and The Oak Ridge Boys. Good program. I helped put away chairs.

Friday I was invited to the 50th Wedding Anniversary Party up at the ballroom. Terry & Vivianna Brown were celebrating their 50th. They are the couple that made a special point of stopping in at the hospital when Marland was having his 6th and final chemo treatment. Judy King Harvey brought coffee and cookies for us to have while they were there. She is so great.

Saturday my very good friends, Richard and Joyce Jones from Oregon came to spend a month or so here in the park. I have missed them so much. They are the couple that, instead of sending memorial money at the time of the funeral, sent me a beautiful silver jewelry box with the inscription, "To LaVerne In Memory of The Hammer" with a bat inscribed on it. For those of you who don't know, Richard always called Marland The Hammer when he came up to bat. What a wonderful gift and memory!!! Thanks Richard & Joyce

During the week I received 3 lovely bouquets of flowers, one was yellow daisies with tiny yellow roses mixed in from Jere and Gina & boys, a miniature yellow roses plant from Bonnie & Greg, and baby orchids with mixed flowers in it from Peggy & Steve. Emails from all my grandchildren, a picture email from my 4 little great grandchildren and their parents from Florida. E cards from a few people, calls from Bonnie, Steve, Annie, Jeff, Sue, Heather, Jesse. A call from Chad. Several emails from friends in many states.

Ami sent me an E card and as soon as I opened it, I knew immediately who it was from cause as it was opening, I saw the ears of a cat. Only Ami would think of that. Thanks, Ami.

I say a very BIG thank you to all of you for making what would have been a very difficult time for me so very special.

I almost forgot---Most of you know that this Friday I am anticipating the arrival of 10 very special people in my life. I have baked over 200 cookies for them and I don't want any left when they leave. I am SO excited.

I don't know if there will be time for a blog while they are here so stayed tuned.

Love & Hugs to all of you. LaVerne

Ice and Snow Storm

SIX days and counting. The weather here is bleak. Ice and snow storm is here.

Iced over windows. These photos were taken at 1pm Saturday.

Can't wait to get to Arizona next week. These photos should explain why. The windows on the East side of the house are frozen over with the sleet that is falling. It's a mess on the roads. Mesa here we come...

Mesa Meal Plan

Day/Meal
Meal Plan
Count



Saturday breakfast
toast, fruit, cold cereal
8



Saturday lunch
grilled burgers/buns, baked beans, green beans
11



Saturday supper
ham, hash browns, pasta salad
7



Sunday breakfast
scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fruit
11



Monday supper
roast beef, potatoes, carrots, oven-baked rolls, salad
11



Tuesday breakfast
english muffins, fruit, cold cereal
11



Tuesday supper
sloppy joes/buns, chips, pickles, salad
9



Wednesday breakfast
pancakes, ham, fruit
10



Wednesday lunch/picnic
deli meat/cheese/buns, chips, fruit
6



Wednesday supper
Buca's or spaghetti at home
8



Thursday breakfast
fruit muffins, cold or hot cereal, fruit
8



Thursday supper
Buca's or spaghetti at home
8



Friday breakfast
leftovers
8



Friday lunch
leftovers
8
Itinerary


Day
Plan
Wednesday/Thursday
Jeff leaves for IA - load bikes at Steve's and leave
Friday
Sue picks up Bonnie and drives to farm (leaves car)

Jenny drives Sue, Bonnie and Annie to airport 2:15p

Peggy flies to AZ - takes shuttle to Mom's

S, B, G, A arrive at AZ airport at 6:50 pm - get rental

drive to Mom's - Sue picks up Julie at 9:30pm - go to

their hotel
Saturday
Sue & Julie & ? pick up Anne at airport and stop in

Scottsdale to get Anne's bike

Bonnie & Annie and ? Buy groceries

Jeff & Greg & ? clean bikes and pack bikes

Pool for everyone as needed

Sue and Julie out for the evening
Sunday
leave for Tombstone - Best Western Lookout Lodge
Monday
back to Mesa by suppertime
Tuesday
day trip to Tortilla Flats or Carefree - lunch there

take Julie to airport by 5 and return Anne's bike
Wednesday
pack up Steven & Anne - airport in afternoon

Pool for everyone as needed

Maybe picnic at Superstition or Lake with bikes
Thursday
Day Trip
Friday
Flea Market if it rains - short day trip - pack & load

bikes - leave at 5 pm for airport

Julie picks up Sue and Annie @ airport and drives

to farm - Jesse picks up Bonnie & Greg
Groceries

Dairy Case
eggs
milk
butter
sour cream for dip
english muffins - large package
oven rolls packages


Deli
salami & turkey for sandwiches
cheese for sandwiches

Fruits and Veggies
red grapes and green grapes
strawberries
bananas and apples
carrots
potatoes
salad makings (lettuces) 3X



Bakery
buns for sloppy joes
buns for burgers on grill
bunsbread for cold sandwiches
breads for toast

Dry and Canned
baked beans
pickles
pasta salad makings
pancake mix
syrup?
muffin mixes
spaghetti noodles
spaghetti sauce
Rice Krispies
marshmallows
dry cereal
large jar whole cashews (biking)
dry fruit for biking
rice cakes (salted - large ones)
tostitoes scoops
chips


Meat
ham
roast
bacon

Frozen
hash browns
green beans
garlic bread

Paper
paper plates
napkins

Beverages
Mountain Dew
Diet Coke
Propel
Crystal Lite - strawberry/orange
Flavored Coffee grounds
Beer
Wine

Update from Mom Feb 19

Hi People,

Better check Saturdays blog before you read mine. Somebody's really excited!!!

This has been a slow week--I've not been very busy but enjoyed myself.

Church on Sunday--quiet on Monday--

Tuesday evening Denny & REnee Stock came and got me and took me to their home for a lovely dinner. We had a really good old fashioned talk.. If your ears were ringing then we were probably talking about you!!! Renee had made a delicious dinner and topped it off with a yummy Rum Cake. I got the recipe from her cause it was so good.

Wednesday nothing-

Thursday an old friend whose husband used to play on Marland's softball team came over from another park and we went to lunch at our restaurant--Terrace Green. Her husband passed away this last fall.

Friday, Ruth Berg, my cousin from Florence, Az. came up to the Dr. and she stopped to visit. We spent a couple of hours remembering old times. That evening there was another concert so I helped move chairs again. I'm getting my exercise!!

Saturday I went to Target with a friend to buy another air mattress. If you don't already know--I'm getting company the 2nd of March and I want to treat them right so they'll come back again. I'm really anxious for all of them to come. I think there will be 10 of them.

Today I went to church and this afternoon is our Minnesota picnic in the park. There should be over 200 of us. Can you imagine all the food!!! I'm making Gina's recipe for corn casserole. Yum!

This next week my calendar looks pretty full but I'll be telling you all about that next Sunday.

Love & Hugs, LaVerne In case you're wondering, I'm still walking twice a day to keep fit.

Get your motors running...

The guys loaded the bikes today and we're heading for Mesa on March 2. Look out...

Update from Mom Feb 11

Hello Everyone,

I keep forgetting to tell you each week about my hummingbirds. I had a feeder on both sides of my house so I could see them from both sides. I put them out the second day I was here and before the day was over I had one on the west side. The one got broken so now I have only one on the west side but the birds keep coming back. When it is cool they don't drink as often but they usually fill up just before sunset and I enjoy watching them. When I ever get to a store that sells them again I'll buy another feeder.

Sunday I went to church and my calendar doesn't show anything else. Oh yes, I just remembered, it was Super Bowl Sunday and I watched the game alone. In between commercials I watched " How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days" I'd seen it before but it was better than the ball game!!!

Monday I was invited to Ed & Norine's for supper.

Tuesday I had 3 couples over for cocktails. The first time this year. Marland would have been proud of me cause he was the one who always mixed the drinks and I realized I had to do it! It was Fryrears(they used to come to The Steer almost every day when they lived at the American Legion campground just north of the Big Steer) Maiers and Phyllis & Bud were the other couples.

Wednesday I went to the Choraliers concert in the park. That's a different bunch than the Classic Chorale that performed the week before.

Thursday was "The Swingtips" concert. A swing band. Fair but nothing great.

Friday I watched the Diablos try to play ball. They lost both games and I could just hear Marland yelling from heaven "Catch then kind" They didn't. That evening the entire softball association held their annual fund raiser. It was a hamburger feed and dance. They served 980 people. It was full house. I left when the music started--remembering other years was just too painful.

Saturday evening I attended The Pam Tillis concert. It was awesome!! I've ben helping the chair committee move the chairs for each concert so this week we were moving lots of chairs.

The weather has been really great- in the low 80's every day until today. It is threatening rain so it's a little cooler. 74 degrees.

Love to all of you. LaVerne

Update from mom Feb 4

Hi Everyone,

I can't top the blog that Sue printed last night of the birthday party but her goes:

It's been a rather quiet week finally. I was running out of gas so had to slow down a bit and turn down some invitations. I was getting all worn out.

I went to church on Sunday with an old friend from out of the park. She was a 24/7 nurse here in the park for a handicapped lady for several years but has since gone on to other things. In the evening I went to the Classic Chorale( a group of 20 trained voices from here in the park. Very good.

Monday was quiet--nothing going on.

Tuesday I went to the mall with Arelene to get my phone fixed. I had just bought a new battery 2 weeks before but had not much volume. Took it to Radio Shack(where I had bought the battery) and they discovered that the battery had already corroded so they gave me a new one.

Wednesday I took Ed & Norine to breakfast as a thank you for picking me up from the airport. Later that morning, I went with Margaret shopping. Bought some new sandals. That evening Wheatleys invited me to dinner. I had a long visit with Jean sho is a great gal.

Thursday I went to a Jimmy Travis concert. He is a comedian and a very good one. I had never heard his jokes before so it was refreshing. I even had a good laugh. Helped take down the chairs which Marland would have been pleased to know.

Friday was quiet. An old friend came to visit and we enjoyed 2 hours of remembrance

Saturday was a difficult day for me. It would have been Marlands 79th birthday. That evening Bethanie called and I talked to all the family. They were gathered at Bonnie's for dinner to remember their Dad. Wish I could have been there but they told me it was below zero so guess I'm glad I am here. After they hung up Duane & Barb Everson called and we visited. Duane is the pastor friend that had Marland's funeral sermon. I felt better after all the calls and then went for my evening walk.

Sunday morning I went to 7:30 church service and saw the MOST beautiful sunrise. It was breathtaking. This afternoon I will be watching the Super Bowl and trying to visualize Ami's excitement. Go Bears.

Until next week, Love to all of you, LaVerne

Birthday Party

We gathered at Bonnie's to celebrate dad's birthday. Bonnie, Greg, Annie, Jeff, Jesse, Ben, Heather, Beth, Sue, Julie, Rynda and John. We had a great meal and a lot of laughs. Rynda pointed out that there was no alcohol involved even though the noise level was quite loud at times. A good time was had by all. The photos below are from the party, except for the last one which is a picture from dad (and Jay's) birthday party last year. What a difference a year makes.
Some of the photos are silly and others show off the new paint job in Bonnie's house. You'll see photos of Sue in a dress from many many years ago. Can you tell what event it was from? Do you know where the dress came from? Can you notice what is missing from the photo? There is a photo of a very special ring that Greg bought for himself. You'll see diamonds and the initials HD. Heather (whose initials are HD) thought she should have this ring, but I don't think Greg is going to part with it anytime soon. The door prize winners were John and Rynda who won a chocolate fondue set. Yes, we give out prizes!! Enjoy the photos and know that we celebrated in a way that we are sure dad would have enjoyed. He was with us in spirit. Happy Birthday Dad.




Door Prize Winners....

There's the new "bling" for Greg.

Annie made a bundt cake.

Lots of good food.

Fresh coat of paint in the basement.









Notice the new purple kitchen paint job?

Photo from Dad's (and Jay's) birthday party last year. What a difference a year can make.
And a special hello to Loriann. Our most faithful blog watcher. Thanks for checking in so often.

Happy Birthday Dad...

Here is the reading for today in my daily reading book. The morning after my dad died, I was reading the Bible and talking to the Lord about my sadness. I found John 6. When I came to verse 39, the Lord whispered comfort to my sad heart: "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day." Dad's spirit was with the Lord already, butI knew that one day he would be raised and given a new body. As I continued reading, I noticed 3 other times in John 6 that Jesus said He will raise His people from the dead at the last day. He was repeating this truth to those who were listening long ago as well as to my heart that day. Our hope of resurrection will be realized when Jesus returns. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall bechanged." (1 Cor. 15:52). After the resurrection, believers in Jesus will receive their new bodies and rewards for their faithful service (1 Cor.3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11).When that day comes, we can all play a game of softball with dad in ournew bodies, and we will all get a home run. AND, we'll catch everyflyball in the outfield! "Get them kind!"
Happy 79th birthday, dad!!
Annie

Tonight we will gather at Bonnie's to celebrate Dad's 79th birthday. Feel free to use the comment section to send your birthday message.