Category Archives: Other

Monday Morning Inspiration

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Last night, our church hosted the Fifth Sunday Sing. (I bet you can’t guess how often these happen?)

It was amazing! From the country church singers, to the little girl with the amazing voice, to the wonderful woman with her puppet, to the children’s bell choir to the group from South Korea.

The children's bell choir...ready to go!

 

 

That’s right, I said a group from South Korea.

There was a group of students that attend Northern State University (in Aberdeen, SD, just a bit south of us), that go to church in Ellendale. They blessed us with music from their culture last night. Do you know what the best part was? Even though I did not know what they were saying (although, truthfully, the words were on the screen, I was just too mesmerized to read them), it was one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever heard.

Perhaps it was the jubilation in their voices, perhaps it was the talent of their pianist and guitarist, or perhaps it was just the love of God flowing through the whole church…whatever it was, it was a sight to behold. Of all the times to not have my flipcam! Argh! I was brought to tears by words from another country, I didn’t understand what they were saying, but I completely understood everything they meant.

And the evening just kept going on in much the same way…amazing talent, beautiful music, wonderful fellowship and a feeling of joy and happiness as you left the sanctuary. What a great way to end one week and start another!

My boys...ringing their bells!

 

 

I just had to share that with you…and a reminder, less than 2 hours until the KitchenAid drawing! :)

Where were you?

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This weekend will mark 10 years since our country was changed, security was tightened, and everyone became a little more cautious. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years…I can remember it as if it were yesterday.

Boss Man and I had just been married that year, and he was on his way to attend Big Iron in Fargo. (Big Iron is kinda like the world’s largest craft fair and fashion show for women…except with tractors and grease.) At the time I worked in a government office. I was checking the morning CNN report, but for some reason, the site kept crashing. My co-worker called in from the field and said that the radio was talking about a plane crash.

And then the phones rang. We were informed about the security risks and vague details of what was going on. All employees were offered the chance to go home, if they felt unsafe in a government building. It was chaos. And it was shocking.

I remember leaving work that day (we all stayed the whole day…because we live in rural North Dakota, and figured we were probably off the terrorists radar) and going to my mom and dad’s and watching the news with her. We sat there, in disbelief, and cried. How could you make sense of it?

The next few weeks are a blur…it seemed as if everyone was just going through the motions. We traveled on a delayed honeymoon in November of that year, and I remember being nervous at the airport. And I know I wasn’t the only one.

And here we are, 10 years later. It’s hard to believe that so much time has gone by, and yet the emotions and feeling of helplessness are still so fresh in my mind. My heart aches, just thinking about it.

This weekend is a time of reflection, a time of remembrance and a time of healing. We will continue on, because we are Americans and that’s what we do. We pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and continue feeding, protecting and healing the world. And so, on Sunday (as I do most days) I will pray for our leaders, pray for our soldiers and pray for our citizens…will you join me?

My country...

 

He Thinks We’re Just Siding

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Imagine Trace Adkins song, “She Thinks We’re Just Fishing,” but use the words, “He thinks we’re just siding.” That’s what I’ve had in my head all day.

Yeah, I’ve been working on my parents’ house again. This time, we’re putting on a rock-type finish and new siding on the south and west sides…as well as six new windows.

West side of south porch...Saturday's project!

 
We finished the most of the porch on Saturday. My sister and her family were down to help. It went well and we had a lot of laughs!

Trim work...how many hands can you get in there???

 
But today…well, today was just me and Dad. And although there were times that we missed the extra hands, it was pretty cool.
 
But it wasn’t just siding. It was laughing, learning, and loving every minute of it.
 
It was joking about a broken hammer, laughing over a broken level, teasing over pinched fingers and blaming each other for the recurring rain storms. And it was fun. We didn’t get as much accomplished as we had hoped…but we accomplished more than I could dream. I have memories stored away, for those days that I need them.
 
I have pearls of wisdom, that only dad’s can give.
 
I have a feeling of accomplishment, every time he lets me know that I did something right.
 
I can look at that house, and always know that it was our sweat, our blood and our tears that made the latest improvements. And with every neighbor, friend and passer-by that stops and gives a compliment, it’s a sense of pride over a job well done.
 
But most of all, it’s time with my Dad.
 
And he thinks we’re just siding.
 

My Dad, Roger...he's even figured out a cell phone! ;)

Wordless Wednesday – Parade paradise!

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As I mentioned yesterday, Monango celebrated 125 years this weekend. And what better way to celebrate than with a parade! Check out my parade pictures for Wordless Wednesday:

Grandpa drove one of his tractors in the parade.

Auntie B and cutie Cousin N drove another tractor. Showing vet-school pride!

Uncle J also drove a tractor...this time with the NDSU flag!

Uncle B and Aunt L (along with Cousin H and Cousin G) drove Grandpa's Toronado. Hmmmm...we may have too many letter abreviations going on here!

One of our neighbors had a family float, congratulating Monango on 125 years!

Area businesses also came out to support our town. Including cool throw-backs to the old days, like this truck!

Big Bro was in the pageant, which gave a very quick synopsis of the history of Monango...from the beginning of time to present day. Very cute and funny! And Big Bro's acting debut!

I could post a bunch more pics, but I think you get the point. It was a great afternoon and lots of fun for the kids…but the best part was seeing the community coming together. It’s funny how we’re separated by mere miles, but it takes a celebration to bring us together. Here’s to hoping that it doesn’t take another 25 years to see each other again!

We may be rural…but we are not alone.

North Dakota nice…even when flooding

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Have you heard the term “North Dakota nice” used before? Around here, it means that no matter what, you’re polite and kind, even to total strangers. And it happens…a lot.

And now we use it for our road signs…as I saw yesterday on the way to baseball/tee-ball:

Please...and thank you.

 
We’re flooding around here. And although it’s nothing like what’s going on north of us, it’s pretty significant for our area. Now our roads are flooding in places that have never flooded before…but we’re being nice about it. We’re remembering our manners and asking nicely for everyone to “take turns.”
 

The highway now has water over the road. It's one vehicle only crossing, so please, take turns!

 

My Mom tried to take a picture of the water we were driving through, but it's basically just a picture of her taking a picture. LOL! :)

 

If you're traveling Highway 11 east of Ellendale, please be careful!

 
 
But, it’s not just that way here. If you check out the Minot News Facebook page, you’ll see hundreds, if not thousands of instances of “North Dakota nice,” where people ask for help and receive it. Or people offere assistance without even being asked.
 
People have offered truck driving assistance, storage spaces, places to sleep, walking pets, watching children, packing items, you name it, it’s been offered. (Even licensed massage therapists have offered their assistance!)
 
A lady posted on Facebook that an elderly woman needed assistance evacuating. Within seconds, the call for help was answered and more than 30 people showed up to pack what they could and help her out.
 
I guess you could say that’s just how we operate. You take care of what you can…and when you can’t, someone will usually be there to help you out. Most of the time, you don’t even have to ask for the help, it’s just there.
 
But, back to the ball game…and a very important announcement! The boys love their summer ballgames, even when they don’t have many opportunities to play, thanks to the rainy summer we’ve had!

It's a big swing for this little batter!

 

Happy Birthday Big Bro!!! Where did the last 9 years go???

 
Today is a very special birthday for a very special boy…HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BRO! Nine years ago we were blessed with you…and every day I thank God for having you in our family! I am one lucky Mama indeed!!!

48 Years…and Counting

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Happy Anniversary to my parents. They have been married an amazing 48 years today!

Now, I’m not going to get all weepy about how my parents are the perfect couple and have the perfect relationship and I hope that someday that my husband and I can follow in their footsteps…well, except I kinda do.

You see, my parents are different than most. But they kinda need to be, because our lives are different than most.

My Dad has had heart problems for more than 20 years now. Calling 911 and seeing an ambulance at my parents’ house was nothing out of the ordinary. Dad’s been told by countless doctors that unless he changes his ways, his days are numbered. The doctors just happen to be wrong on that number, because it keeps going higher than they expected…so Dad has continued on his wayward path. It’s what we’ve come to expect.

Nothing could shake him…until last year. Let’s take a step back:

Shortly before Christmas 2009, my Mom had a cold that she couldn’t shake. So she went to the local clinic and was told that she should go have a sore in her mouth checked out by a specialist. The specialist got her in and took a biopsy of the sore. She had to go back for a more in-depth biopsy. And just a few days before Christmas we found out that my Mom had cancer.

But they had a plan.

Shortly after 2010 started, my Mom and Dad drove down to Omaha, Neb., to a specialist who decided that Mom’s cancer would best be treated by removing a portion of the roof of her mouth, along with any other tissue that he deemed necessary. And so it was scheduled.

Prior to her surgery, Mom had to have a whole bunch of tests done. They needed a baseline to go off of for subsequent testing. Mom was the opposite of Dad…where his medical records could fill a warehouse, Mom has very few. She had only been to the doctor a handful of times since my little sister had been born, and most of those visits were typical cold/viral illnesses. Not regular checkups. (And for reference point, my little sister just turned 30 this year.)

Long story short, my Dad ended up having an anxiety attack after my Mom’s surgery…which landed him in the hospital overnight. Did you know that anxiety attacks and heart attacks look and act very similar? I do. Now.

Mom’s cancer was removed, along with part of a tonsil and a couple dozen lymph nodes from her neck. She had none of the bad side effects, didn’t need to have therapy to re-learn to eat or talk, didn’t need to have chemo or radiation. The only thing she needed was to have a plate added to her dentures to cover the hole left on the roof of her mouth.

We were blessed.

And now, we’re facing a new battle.

Mom has macular degeneration. And she’s started treatment to have shots in her eye. We all thought it was simple cataracts. That’s what her regular eye doctor said this winter. And he told her to wait until he got back in May to have something done. But we convinced her to set up another appointment with a different doctor while waiting. Which led to a retina specialist. Which led to this new route for treatment.

Dad was cranky after the appointment. And did a little lashing out. But my sister found out what was truly the problem. He simply said:

“This isn’t supposed to happen to her.”

Yes, my Dad is a regular at the clinic, hospital, etc. My Mom is not. And in 48 years, my Dad has never worried that my Mom had anything wrong. She is his partner in everything they do: fishing, hunting, whatever it may be. And the thought of that changing has Dad scared. (Don’t tell him I said that!)

But I know my Mom, and she’ll persevere and she’ll tackle this newest complication the same as always. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I just want everyone to get along.” (My siblings will get a kick out of that last line. It’s Mom’s mantra – or maybe it’s mom-tra.)

And my Dad will be there with her…crabby, cranky and crying when she’s not looking. (My Dad’s a softy.)

After 48 years, neither cancer, nor bad heart, nor bad eyes can stand in the way.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

It’s All in the Name

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I spent the weekend helping out my Mom and Dad do a few projects around their house…like replacing a hot water heater. It was tons of fun…really.

Actually, I don’t mind helping them one bit. They’ve always done so much for us and since I was always the one physically closest to them, I’ve been part of many projects. Like replacing a porch floor, repainting the entry way, residing part of the house…little things like that.

I was thinking back on my days in school. You know, those days that you are forced to take classes like shop and home-ec. (I think they call it industrial arts and consumer science now. Ha!)

I remember one shop project in particular. We were supposed to make name plates for our homes. You know, those fancy routered slabs of wood that have the last name engraved on them and look so great outside your house? Well, that’s what it was “supposed” to look like.

I finished the project, but I had a bone to pick with the shop teacher. First of all, I was a girl, and if I got married, my last name was changing. So what was the point of the project? I wasn’t keeping it forever.

Second, we had to pay for the wood by the inch. Which to me, wasn’t fair. I mean, some people had really choice last names, like “Rall” and “Hafey.” I mean, even “Beringer” was bearable and wasn’t going to break the bank. My last name? Are you ready?

B R A N D E N B U R G E R

Yep. My expensive piece of wood was supposed to hold all those letters.

I was going to need a week, just to get the router through all that. And then paint. And then send it through the planer. It was a grueling project. And not all that cheap.

And here we are, some 20 years later. And guess what?

Anyone have an extra-large doorway? It needs a bit of TLC and a new coat of varnish, but it's all there!

 
My Mom and Dad still have it on the front steps in front of the house.
 
I think they just want to make sure they get their money’s worth.

Yeah, they call me Grace

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Uh oh. I think I’ve really done a number now. Yeah, I went almost all winter without a problem. In fact, I think the last time I saw a doctor was my check-up after George was born. But I’m guessing I’ll be heading in soon.

I can’t lift my left arm. As in, it hurts to put on my jacket. Lifting George is almost impossible. Typing is OK, but only because I use my fingers, and don’t move my arm.

You see, it’s winter here in North Dakota. And with winter comes snow…and ice. With ice comes quick trips to meet the ground. But the problem was that I didn’t let myself fall gracefully. Nope, I had to go “Val” it up and make it painful. I somehow jammed my shoulder. The silver lining? It’s my left arm, not my right. (You see? There’s a silver lining in EVERY situation, you just have to look a little harder sometimes.)

I’m guessing I have some tears in there. I’m guessing it’ll be a bit before it feels better. And I’m guessing that this is going to be a long spring.

Maybe, if I’m lucky enough, I’ll fall again and knock it back to normal? Hey, a gal can dream, can’t she?

It’s time to go out again and check cows. My wishes are that 1) #70 hasn’t calved and I can actually get her to the barn this time, 2) if I DO fall, that I don’t break anything, and 3) it’s 70 degrees outside. (Hey, as long as I’m wishing here, I might as well throw in one big one, just to make the others seem more plausible.)

Good night! And if I don’t wave to you tomorrow, it’s not because I don’t want to, it’s because I can’t! ;)

Making the most of it

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Last night I watched the Arizona Memorial Service on television. Wow. Talk about an emotional event.

As a mother, I cried. As an American citizen, I cried. As a human being, I cried.

Not one bit of this made sense. But, then again, so few things in life happen that make sense. At least, not right away.

But the one message that I took away from it all, which gives our country hope, is that we must not let these types of tragedies go by without taking the opportunity to make ourselves, our country better because of them.

Now, in my opinion, you can’t legislate yourself out of harms way. The only people that follow laws, are those that don’t break them to begin with. But where we can make a difference is in our reaction and relations with others.

We are a country of indifference. Instead of stopping to help others, we are too busy wrapped up in ourselves to take the chance to stop and be of assistance. If we notice something off, we tend to brush it off, figuring it was someone else’s job to step in. It’s time to start taking responsibility for our own actions, and realizing that we have to power to stop some of these events from occurring.

It’s time to start making a difference.