Crazy Christmas Drivers

Has everyone else experienced the insane, stressed out drivers on the road the last few days?
Their minds are definitely on everything but their driving and the road.
Today one special lady became the crowned queen of crazy drivers for me. Following behind her on a 4 lane hiway, all of a sudden she just stopped in the road and looked back and forth thoroughly confused. After I honked a couple times she proceeded forward.
All I can say is - What can you expect from a lady in a car with big reindeer antlers on both sides of her car!!!!

She's Out to Get Me!

I was talking to Karen yesterday....relating to her my experiences with my new wonderful GPS that Mike got me for Christmas early. It's great for my job as I'm driving all over the Twin cities and it is keeping me from getting lost most of the time. The lady on the GPS can be annoying at times if I don't go where she wants me to go.....like the time on Wednesday when I was driving from south Mpls to New Brighton....got to downtown Mpls and she told me,,,,,no demanded...that I cross the bridge that was down!!! I guess there are a few glitches.

Karen says that I have a homicidal GPS, hmmmmmmmm. I'll be careful....I'm still using Mapquest too, not totally putting my life in her hands.

For all you guys wishing you are in Minnesota - here is a day in the life - 9am 12/1, 1pm 12/1 and 9am 12/2

New Job

It's been awhile since I posted....have been amazingly busy with my new job...just learning the ropes. Things are starting to settle into somewhat of a routine....Drive, Orient, drive, see patients, drive, practice, organize, drive, learn, see patients, organize, organize, etc, etc, etc
As you may know, I like organizing, so that works, I love taking care of people - so that works, and believe it or not....I like the driving...gives me time to think, enjoy the outdoors, gives a big variety to the day. I have LOTS more to learn....but I have a wonderfully, patient Preceptor and 3 months - plus to learn my job. It's been a great move for me to make.....ask again in 3 months when my brain has quit spinning.

Goodbye Times Three!

The last week has included way too many goodbyes! Last Saturday morning Mike and I were dropping Brian off at the airport for his 3-month schooling in Virginia. Thankfully, we will be seeing him soon at Christmas....still it's hard to say goodbye.

Friday morning I said goodbye to Mike as he took off for deer hunting.....up to the cabin with a friend from work, Brad. He was really looking forward to time off to tromp through the woods...and get that elusive "Deer." I think he enjoys the quiet time in the woods the most!
The house sure is quiet now that we are "empty nesters"....sometimes nice but I do miss him.

Monday evening I said a very hard goodbye! After 6 1/2 years of taking care of my young patient, I said goodbye. Even though I often took care of other patients, also.....I spent
thousands of hours caring for him..... a special bond develops.....I will be able to visit, but it won't be the same. I've talked with him before about meeting in heaven some day....seeing him running, talking and laughing.....what a joy it has truly been to be a part of this famly!
I'm very excited to begin my new position next Wednesday, but still there is an emptiness.

Goodbye, all

The "Beez" is Home

We get to have our Brian home for a couple weeks! He came home from Hawaii Sunday at 6am and will leave in a couple weeks for his "machinist school" in Virginia Beach that starts on Monday, Oct. 29th.

He was excited to come home during hunting season as Dad and Brian are going to get a couple days of hunting in. He's just excited to not work for 2 weeks. We had some wonderful pineapple tonight that was just picked a few days ago....so good.

Here's Brian and his Dad......best buds!

I went over on Thursday to see my new little
Great-Nephew! What an adorable little baby. I got my "Baby-fix" with a little "hold-yous". Dawn and Hunter will be Great parents!

So! Welcome to the world: Wyatt Marlo Anderson!!!!

OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

So...I'm taking a stop out of my comfort zone! As of this Monday, I have 4 more weeks in my present position at work. Fairview offered me a position last week as a Homecare Case manager, and I have accepted! I really feel that is the right thing for me to do next as I really have a desire to work in this area. It will be a large variety of patients and duties, but also alot of driving. Sometimes I think I'm a little old to be trying something new, but God has a plan for me in this so I'm taking a step out! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOya!

They've Come to Take Them Away - Hee-Hee

Well, after weeks and even months of suspicious behavior in the neighboring 2 houses.....the police finally made a sting! The police with a multitude of vehicles and men spent the day at the house next door...Grandma said " I'm not sure I'll get supper ready....there's too much to watch" Hee Hee. Mike went over to the house, but of course got no info...just "we're processing a crime scene" . The mailman said the police went in with guns drawn and took 2 people out in handcuffs. They have been in and out with those big rubber gloves all day. Sooooooooo we got it figured out, (being the great crime scene investigators we are) - must be a meth lab? Well, we'll probably know next week when it's in the shakopee paper under police calls.

Maybe we'll get our neighborhood cleaned up now.

The funny thing was, Karen had just talked to me this morning about an apartment on 25th and 13th in Mpls and I begged her not to, as it was a really bad neighborhood....she brought that back to tease me after our little adventure yesterday.

Gail

We're Back! It was a fast trip, but SOOOOOOOOOO worth it! It was so good to see Jason, Andrea, and Boaz. Andrea and Jason made us feel so very at home...Andrea had the prettiest little "Welcome/Happy Anniversary basket" on our bed when we got there. I think we gained a few pounds while we were there....Andrea is way too good a cook....I'm trying a great Thai recipe this week.

We had a ball with Bo! He's such a happy baby... so very busy....and really likes being around people... (especially grandpa and grandma, ha ha). He's getting a couple teeth- halfway through...so he was a little fussy, but grandpa and grandma were happy to give him a little extra spoiling...after all, we won't see them again until Christmas.

I took a little trip while I was there...actually, it was a short quick trip down the stairs at about 3am...was going across the hall to the bathroom and didn't want to wake everyone up by turning on the light ....thought I felt the corner of the bathroom so I stepped in.....OOOOYA.....stepped into thin air and flew down the stairs on my shoulder/leg! very graceful....just thankful nothing broke....got bruises and aches and pains to show for it...but feel very lucky! Guess my trying to not wake anyone up didn't work...oops....

Well, anyway, we still are glad we went ....had a wonderful time. Here's a couple more pictures of our time with the kids:

The summer has sure flown by!! We've been so busy, but it has been a great summer.
Mike and I were planning a little Anniversary get-away this weekend to Iowa. Well, He came in the bedroom at 5am before he left for work and said."I just have to have a "Baby Bo Fix"!!!! So, I talked to Jason and Andrea and they were nice enough to let us come - we hope they know that we will be looking forward to seeing them, too!!! Are we crazy? We will leave here Friday evening and coming back by Monday night...Mike can't get away more than that.....It should be fun though...Mike and I really enjoy traveling together. ......Andrea just called to give us info on how to get on base, etc. , She says that "Bo requested" that Grandpa and Grandma watch - his Baby Mozart movie with him....We are going to have soooooooooooo much fun!

BABY ANDERSON

We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for the new "Anderson Baby" to arrive in September! I went to a wonderful baby shower last week for Dawn: so many wonderful presents, cute clothes, etc. I had alot of fun making the baby quilt and pillow for "baby". I'm ready to start my next one if I can just find some "quilt time.".

Blah, Blah, Blah

Just a short note to make you laugh....Grandpa and Grandma were over last night...we were talking about everybodys blogs (we all agree we REALLY like Paul's). Grandpa had his own version.....he said that he had a hard time getting into some of the "Blah's". Grandma corrected him, "Blogs, Roger, Blogs".

Grandma's Visit

I'm finally home after what seems like one perpetual vacation this summer. Mike and I spent 4 wonderful days camping in Grand Marais (still our favorite place). It was so beautiful up there.
Then 6 days later Karen and I went to Sibley State Park for 3 days. It was also very relaxing and always a good time with Karen (3 days of laughing, good talks, etc). I got home a week ago last Wed and due to some unexpected time off at work, I decided I needed to have a "Baby Bo Fix". Mike thought it was a great idea, so, since he couldn't get off work I took off Thursday for St louis (promising to take tons of pictures). The trip went well (except for maybe the night in "Pittsville, Il" at the "Green Acres Motel".) It was all very appropriately named. - Very clean and safe....but felt like I was back in the 60's....I just couldn't drive any more (had gone 480 miles). I spent 3 days in St Louis spoiling my grandson.....and just relaxing with Jason and Andrea...they were wonderful and we had a great time! They have a beautiful house and a really pretty, safe and quiet neighborhood. Lot of good food (way too much). Stayed overnight by Madison and got to spend the evening with Ronnie and Monica...it had been way too long since I'd seen them. Got home Tuesday evening and was back at work Wednesday. Right now, just waiting for the ambulance to bring my patient home. it will be good to get back as I've been all over the twin cities taking care of a large variety of patients (mostly hospice). It was good to get out of my comfort zone, but I want back in the zone for awhile!

If you know me, you know I love my birds! Wilma and I are always trying to steal each others birds by giving the best food (especially the hummingbirds) ...but I guess there's enough to go around. ....Anyway......I heard that if you want to keep the ants out of your hummingbird feeder just put a little vaseline on the rod going towards the feeder and they won't go in...so, I thought it was worth a try. The other evening Mike and I were on the patio (watching the birds and other creatures) when a red-headed woodpecker decided to sit on the pole that my feeder was on. As we watched him, he did a slow slide down the pole, kind of like a very slow fireman.....only upside down....what a weird sight! Guess that proves it not only keeps ants away but woodpeckers also!
Gail

"A Big Puddle"

This is just a quick note to make you smile. Karen always makes me smile!
I told her yesterday that she should have more company over since her apartment looks so cute and homey......She remarked that it was so hot out that her friends would just melt...and all I'd have left would be a "BIG PUDDLE OF COMPANY!" hmmmmm, interesting....a puddle of company......thanks Karen.

Dinner with a Friend

We had a wonderful supper on the patio last night with a good friend. Some of you may have known our friend Carol Peterson who passed away very unexpectedly a few weeks ago...her husband, Bruce came over for the evening. It was very bittersweet to spend time talking about Carol and her family. Carol was an amazing lady.....a great example of what a Christian woman is like....she had a true servant spirit, a gentle sense of humor, and just loved to be around people and find ways she could help them. When you were with Carol she always made you feel special....It's so hard to imagine life going on without her here. I saw her a week before she died and had such a good talk with her....a very pleasant memory now. She has left us with such a challenge now....to leave a legacy of caring and love that will live on after we're gone. Remember Bruce and their families in your prayers.....they will miss her very deeply. Though, Bruce is very honestly happy that Carol is with her Savior now!
Gail

Up at the Cabin

We just got back Tuesday night from Mike's parent's cabin....What a beautiful 3 days! It's so quiet and relaxing up there! Since it's just Mike and I it's really quiet! We do miss the kids at times. I try to make up for the boys not being there and try to do as many "guy things" as I can. 'Went fishing at Clear Lake one afternoon....it was really fun. We caught about 20 sunfish, Mike finally said, we have to quit, i don't want to clean any more fish! I tried my best to be one of the guys! I took alot of my fish off the hook, UGH, and baited alot of my hooks! Lost alot of worms as "I wasn't putting them on right", Mike gave me some petrified maggots???? - at least they didn't move! and I just put my brain in the same mode as (when I have to touch something unusually unpleasant in my nursing job) and then it was easy! In the end I had to resort to leaches......Mike said "Just let them suck the end of your thumb and hook it under the sucker! YucK......but I did it ......Fun was had by all (except the fish, leaches, worms and maybe the maggots?).
It's great exploring the new "Empty Nest" life! We're finding new things to do together and having great talks! We do miss the kids but thank goodness for the internet and cell phones so we can keep in touch! Gail

SLOW DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWN!

As you probably know Mike is at a jobsite on 494 that is working nights for awhile. He's in that world of trying to sleep during the day and drink enough caffeine to get through the night...you know what I mean...we've all been there!
But, you probably think, at least it's quiet. Wrong, wrong, wrong...you have to remember this is the time when all the crazies and drunks are on the road. I would hope that most people understand the large signs that say ROAD CLOSED and SLOW DOWN CONSTRUCTION. But alot of people think this doesn't include them, including:
One inebriated man (2.2 on the scale), that proceeded to knock all the cones down and actually hit the large hand tool in the hands of one of the crew!
Or the lady that went past the signs and stopped by the guys (stopping in the soft tar); when told she couldn't go up the ramp she said "but I live THERE I have to go up THAT ramp,"
So if you think of it or are up at 2AM you can certainly pray for Mike and all the other hiway guys out there!
Thanks.

Blog Anxiety

With a little encouragement and ALOT of guidance from Karen, we have also jumped in the Blog Pool! Like I told Karen - there is so much in my brain - but I can't get it out (Blog Anxiety she said). So I put one toe in the pool, my foot and finally a giant belly-flop!

Here we go! Oooooo-Yah!!!!!!
Gail