July 30, 2009

Happy 26th anniversary Ken!
Thanking the Lord for the blessings of the past 26 years. Doesn't seen like 26 to me, but Ken said the surgery definitely made it seem like 26 to him. Getting old and can't deny it, but the Lord does not promise we will stay and feel young forever!

Dear Ken,
May we continue through life's journey beside each other for many more years.
May our hearts still hold the love, respect, and admiration for each other that we held 26 years ago.
May our home continue to be filled with the hope and love that it has been for the years we have shared so far.
And may we be blessed with many more years together.

Love, Nan

July 29, 2009

Beautiful flowers to wake up to this morning! The doorbell started ringing yesterday afternoon...

First a beautiful rose bouquet from they Palatine Baseball Association...thanks guys for thinking of me. Ken was pleasantly surprised - of course he devotes a lot of time to volunteering and we have spent 20 years in baseball in Palatine since Kenny was 4 yrs. old.

Next Pesches was at the door with a gorgeous basket from Tom, Joy, & Sandy! It has a deep blue African violet, a minature rose, a begonia, a diffenbachia, and the orange one I think is a Kalanchoa. Very pretty basket - thanks so much!

And finally another beautiful bouquet with a get well balloon from Mac & LuLu. Very pretty mixture of pink carnations, roses, yellow daisies, and more. Thank you - so pretty!

This morning I had my first "real" therapy appointment and I realized why Dr. Finn calls them the "physical terrorists!" Whew - very intense. She had a goal of getting my knee to 90 degrees flexion and I was able to bend it to 103 degrees! Bending is very painful as it feels like the stitches are going to burst open any minute. She says that is the scar tissue breaking up - I hope so!!! I also walked with the cane and she felt I was steady enough to do it at home, but not outside. So, all in all, a successful morning of therapy. Will look forward to a nap and then some of Sue's chicken tetrazzini for dinner.

July 28, 2009

Sue & Z visited me today and brought this adorable carved tulip - I love it! They also brought me smoked whitefish from Door County ~ muy deliciosa! ~ and chicken tetrazzini dinner for tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Sue! Glad I could be a part of your day! Like you said - 55 and still alive!! Thanks for the visit. No outside therapy today - will work at home. Ken is busy with the bathroom remodeler, so it is a good thing there are no outside trips today. Donna made us a chicken casserole for dinner which looks wonderful, so we will be all set for the day.

July 27, 2009

Here's my new bear, now called Henry, and the flowers from Lynn, Steve, & Ray. Thanks so much. I always love flowers, they just lift the spirit! Thanks for visiting me in the hospital, you came such a long way and I really appreciated the visit. I had visits from my Dad from Huntley the day of surgery, and the Litzenbergers who battled Venetian night traffic to visit - thanks so much! This morning I have my first physical therapy visit to find out what the next few weeks have in store on that front! Then off to the hospital to have my blood test to make sure it is thin enough - don't want any blood clots! Dad has made a roast for dinner to help out! Thanks Dad - sounds delicious! Thanks to everyone for their prayers and calls - your love is deeply felt and appreciated.

...late posting due to computer glitches at home - DSL line not working too well these days.

July 26, 2009

Sunrise over Lake Michigan - the view from my room this morning with the Gund bear Ray brought for me yesterday. Hopefully will be going home today. Therapy is going well and should be able to be discharged.

July 25, 2009

Here I am with my physical "terrorist"(as Dr. Finn calls them!), Chelsey, on my walk back from therapy! Walked all the way there and back in the morning, and since I am posting this in the evening, I did it again in the afternoon! It is painful, but I am doing it. Didn't expect to be doing this well, in fact, I was pretty terrified about how I was going to do. Sometimes it feels like my knee is just ripping apart. I know that isn't true, but it sure feels like it! Well, hopefully I will have done well enough to go home tomorrow. Will keep you "posted" :-)

July 24, 2009

1st morning after surgery I took a few steps and sat in the chair!

July 23, 2009

Ready for surgery - I think!

Here we are waiting for our escort up to surgery.

July 22, 2009

Ready or not - surgery tomorrow to replace my left knee. Here are my lovely companions for the next few weeks! Hm-m-m-m-m - could be worse I suppose - I keep telling my self, "I can do this" .... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Keep me in your prayers! Will have Ken take pictures for me, but probably won't post them for a few days.

July 21, 2009

One last day of work before surgery due to a staff meeting and as I went in to do a few things before the meeting, this little guy gave me a good laugh! So check him out....I tell the children he is cleaning my computer screen. The children love him! They cannot figure out how I got my dog in my computer! Kind of takes the scare out of coming to the nurse, so he remains a fixture in my office.

July 20, 2009

Went out to check my lace-top hydrangea this morning, and it is just starting to bloom. Hopefully it will bloom Wednesday so I can see it before my surgery. As I was admiring it, I noticed my little old Norwegian garden gnome peeking out from behind it. He is getting old - lost his watering can, but Mom gave it to me, so I plan on him hanging around the hydrangea for a while longer!

July 19, 2009

My mom made this for me years ago and it still sits on my kitchen window. It reminds me of her every day. How I miss her. The little statue was given to me by my friend Vicky when Mom died and the stones are from the fountain Mom gave me, also. Thank you Lord for the blessing of a wonderful mother who cared so lovingly for her family. I am so thankful and pray I can be half the woman she was!

The Proverbs 31 Woman

10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

July 18, 2009

Yellow roses in my garden in bloom this morning - so pretty!
Made Norwegian pancakes for the last time before my surgery to treat the guys. See my entry on the 4th of July for my recipe.

Happy 50th Anniversay Phil and Jan Roos ! Your ice cream social was very nice and I loved seeing your wedding pictures and Jan's beautiful dress.

July 17, 2009

Here are our awards from cheer camp and our new "spirit stick" to eventually add to the display cabinet - I have to enjoy them for awhile, first!

Last day of work, except for a meeting Tuesday, before I have my knee replacement on Thursday. Need to finalize my files for the IL State Board of Ed. visit and organize my things to work at home while I recuperate.

July 16, 2006

Day 4 of cheer camp at the Rockford Clocktower Resort and it has been quite an experience for us all. We all learned so much and just had a great time together. The girls received a "superior" rating in their final evaluations and did a great job. Most importantly I feel blessed to be able to work with a great group of girls. Phil. 1:3

July 15, 2009

Well here we are again, bright and early on Day 3 of cheer camp! Today was the Hero's Rally so some of the girls dressed in their favorite superhero costumes. Fun day for all and Lauren was chosen for the All American Team which means she may have a chance to go to London to cheer in the Macy's New Year's Day Parade! Very exciting!!

On a more important note, our devotions were remembering our dear Mr. Sherman as his memorial service was tonight. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15. Thanks to Mrs. Garcia, I was able to take the night off from camp and go. The Grace Gym was full to remember him and the service was so memorable. Mr. Sherman asked that during the eulogy they have all of his former students stand up - more than half of the gym stood up!!! And then his son asked "What is the Good Word?" and all of his students said "Praise the Lord!" There wasn't a dry eye in the place ... the service ended with bagpipes to start "Amazing Grace" and everyone sang. Thank you Lord for this amazing man - I am so thankful he was a part of my life for the past 22 years.

July 14, 2009

Rise and shine for me at 5:45am so I could shower, have some java to get my blood flowing, and then wake up 16 weary cheerleaders!! Here they are this morning in their tie dye outfits - so cute! And all so sweet in the morning - really, I am not kidding - your parents should be proud of you! And they are working hard, believe me! This afternoon they are enjoying some free time at the CoCo Key waterpark before they are back to work on their cheers for tonight.

July 13, 2009

Up at 6am and off to school to take the cheerleaders to cheer camp! We were off to the Clocktower Resort in Rockford for 4 days of intense cheer instruction. Fortunately the rooms were ready when we got there to check in (originally they said we couldn't check in until 4pm) so we were able to get settled get a little food before we went off to camp. Check out the link to CLA Cheer Buzz for more photos and info. Go Charger Girls!!!!

July 12, 2009

Church right before worship service this morning ~ where I have been blessed to spend every Sunday for the past 22 years! This is the day that the Lord has made, I always rejoice and am glad for it. Praising and thanking the Lord today for my church family and the blessing that they have been to me and my family over the years.

July 11, 2009

Here I am at 8am at Stacy's getting my nails done! She does a fantastic job keeping my nails looking beautiful! Her friend, Colleen, was there at 7am getting her nails done...now that's early! Kudos to you both for getting going that early on a Saturday! Nothing like an early morning "gab fest" with the girls - love it!

When I got back home I had a little quiet time as everyone was still snoozing, so I decided to make Norwegian waffles - made with sour cream and cardamon - m-m-m-m!! they were good.
Here is the recipe if you are interested:

Norwegian Sour Cream Waffles
("Vaffler" as my grandma would say)

2 cups sour cream
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
2 tablespoons water

Beat cream with egg beater until fluffy. In a separate bowl beat eggs until light. Combine and beat again. Sift together the dry ingredients and fold gently into the cream and egg mixture. Add the water.

Grease a medium hot waffle iron and bake the waffles until golden brown. If you must wait to serve them, put them on a rake on a pan in the oven and keep warm.

Makes about 12 "vafflers"

There won't be a crumb left!

July 10, 2009

I took this picture this morning in the Sanctuary as I remembered a dear friend, Mike Sherman, one of the finest Christian gentlemen I will ever know, who went home to be with His Lord and Savior yesterday. Be assured that Mr. Sherman was welcomed with the words "well done good and faithful servant" and hug from his beloved Sherry, as Ken so eloquently stated yesterday. He played this grand piano for over 30 years at the Church of Christian Liberty, most of which he had his lovely wife Sherry singing beautifully at his side. Now they are together again making heavenly music. He taught thousands of kindergartners, including my three sons, their ABC's using Bible verses that began with the letters of the alphabet. There wasn't a day after kindergarten that each of them would come home and tell me a Mr. Sherman story. His wonderful stories will be remembered by his students and will be passed on to their children for years to come as they teach them what to say when asked "what is the good word" ... "Praise the Lord!"

And as I borrow my husband's words again: Mr. Sherman was loved by all as a true Christian and a lifelong Cub fan. God bless his memory to us all.

July 9, 2009

Walking into my office this morning was so nice! And it will be so nice to come back to organization instead of chaos after my surgery. Thank you again for all of your help and great ideas, Beth. You are marvelous!! And a blessing - even if I said that before, and you are a gift from God and I am so thankful for you.... you give understanding to the verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

July 8, 2009

Here is Beth as she undertakes a major project - my office! Cleaning my office after 14 years of accumulation was something that I wanted to get done before my surgery. Fortunately I had the help of my good friend and co-worker, Beth Kott. She is amazing!! Like a white tornado. Here she is digging in this morning. I really should have taken a before picture of the whole room.... I never knew I could throw out so much. And I love her questions ... "Did your mother, Ken, or the boys give it to you, or someone that died??? If not, throw it out!" And did we throw things out - large black garbage bags full. And several paper recycling bins. I love it. Now all I have to do is a little tweeking - find a suitable computer desk that rolls so I can get that off of my desk, and put some things back up on the bulletin board. Thanks Beth - you have been a great blessing to me and I thank the Lord for you. Phil. 1:3

Happy birthday to Janet, Kathy, Karla, & Arlene!

July 7, 2009

This is me at LifeSource this morning having another unit of blood taken for my surgery. Only 16 more days! I can't decide if that is good or bad at the moment ... but I am a little tired, so maybe that is why. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...."

July 6, 2009

This is my new Redbud tree that Ken gave me for Mother's Day. I can't wait until next spring to see it when the buds turn that beautiful deep pink, almost fushia color! I can see it from my kitchen window. The little tree by the house behind it is a Lilac tree that I got 2 years ago for Mother's Day from Ken and the boys. It will bloom at the same time and they will look beautiful together next spring! I think spring is my favorite time of the year.

July 5, 2009

This is the day that the Lord has made. We will be glad and rejoice in it.

This is where I have spent every Sunday morning for the past 22 years since February 1, 1987! Ken's brother Paul was married to Wendy the day before. Pastor Paul preached the Gospel at their wedding and we have been coming here ever since! We were welcomed with open and loving arms that day and we are so thankful for the blessings of a wonderful church family, thanks be to God!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!! Hope you have a blessed & safe holiday.

We started the day with Norwegian pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar with ligonberries or real maple syrup (or both!). My mom and grandmother made these often and they are delicious! Grandma always served them with multiberries, also called cloudberries, which she would bring back from her trips to Norway. I have never been able to find them here. They are a golden yellow, almost orange berry that grow in the mountains. My Norwegian relatives would pick them and then preserve them. Very, very delicious!

So here is my recipe for Norwegian Pancakes or
Norsk Pannekaker:

4 eggs
2 cups of cream
(Note: I have to double the recipe for my crowd, so I use 2 cups of cream & 2 cups of milk when I double it)
3/4 cup sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla (optional - this is something I have added, but is not in the original recipe)

Toppings: sifted powdered sugar, ligonberries, real maple syrup, or anything you prefer - berries that are in season esp. strawberries.

Beat eggs. Add milk and beat again. Add remainder of ingredients and beat until smooth. (can also use a blender) Heat a 7" or 9" non-stick crepe pan. Once hot, melt a small amount of butter on the bottom of the pan - don't burn it (I take the stick of butter and pull back the wax paper a little so I can easily rub the pan quickly with the butter) and then pour in about 1/4 cup of batter quickly tipping the pan to spread the batter around the pan like you would making any kind of crepe. When the top looks dry you can flip it if you want the other side brown, but I usually just roll it up since it is already cooked through and I prefer a moister crepe. I put them in a pyrex 9x13" pan and just fill it up and keep it covered with foil. When I am done making them all I put them in a warm oven for 5 minutes while I wake everyone up so they get nice and warm. I let everyone add their own toppings.
"Vaer sa god"...
as my grandmother would say which means "here you are" literally when serving something.

July 3, 2009

My new laptop arrived! Thanks Ken - I love it!

July 2, 2009

As I rode to work this morning I noticed this beautiful horse standing in the spot where the boys and I used to stop and watch the horses warm-up at Arlington Park on the way from school. It brought back so many good memories, so I had to stop and snap a picture.

July 1st, 2009

Here's Beethoven, our morning "rooster"- as soon as he hears me start to move he starts whistling his "good morning whistle" as loud as he can - it is loud & shrill, believe me it will get you up!!

This was my birthday present last year from my brother Tom and his wife Joy - a beautiful lace top hydrangea that is just starting to bloom. Thank you again - it is lovely!! Can't wait til it is in full bloom.

And a special "Happy 55th" to my BFF, Lynn - blessings and love to you this year!

June 30th, 2009

Here I am at the Univ. of Chicago Bone & Joint Center at Weiss Memorial Hospital for my pre-operative class for my left total knee replacement scheduled later this month.

My sweetie on the lakeshore .... On the way home Ken took the scenic route back up Sheridan Road and stopped at a park on Lake Michigan.

Cloudy and cool for late June!! In the 60's.

Happy 55th Birthday to my dear friend Debbi - hope you have a marvelous day!