Beautiful sky today from the front porch. Cool - was down to 58 degrees early this morning! Can't believe summer is almost over already. It sure went fast!August 22, 2009
Beautiful sky today from the front porch. Cool - was down to 58 degrees early this morning! Can't believe summer is almost over already. It sure went fast!
August 21, 2009
Apricot vanilla white tea in Grandma Serra's old teacup and Milano cookies - delish! Thanks Lauren for the thoughtful get well gift!
August 19, 2009
Ah! The wonders of modern technology and new cell phones! Able to see the first images of my beautiful new nephew Brodin not too long after he is born to my sweet niece Linnea! Congratulations Linnea & Pete --- and Grandpa Paul & Grandma Wendy, too!
August 16, 2009
My favorite suncatcher from my BFF, Lynn. It's fallen off of the window a few times, but has endured!
August 13, 2009
Three weeks today since surgery. As Grandma Serra would say "can imagine?" Here is Henry checking out my scars. This is a soft focus so you can't really see how ugly it really is!!! Although ugly is a relative term, because when I am feeling good and walking well it will be "beautiful" to me!! Thank the Lord for the progress made in the medical field. I look forward to a nice long walk in the future. August 12, 2009
Mums in bloom from Florie & Roger. Reminds me that fall is just around the corner! I don't think I am ready for summer to end quite yet! August 11, 2009
Back for my 3 week visit already! Hard to believe that Thursday will be 3 weeks since the surgery already! My physical "terrorist" was able to get my knee to bend to 107 degrees yesterday! They were pleased with my progress and the wound is healing well, so it was a good visit.
August 8, 2009
Kuma, our faithful friend!! Always there to greet me in the morning with a friendly "paw and doggie smile" Nothing like the unconditional love of a faithful friend! Hard to believe he is already 9 years old! 
August 6, 2009
Angel statue Dad brought me from Canada that says: "Daughter... God has blessed you and smiled upon you. He has sent his angels to guide you and watch over your every step."
August 4, 2009
I tried to capture the beauty of the African Violet in the basket from Tom & Joy. It is such a beautiful specimen, so delicate and a deep violet color. Reminds of my Norwegian grandma who loved African Violets and had many beautiful plants. I was never able to keep my cuttings from grandma's plants going - I bet Tom still has one, though - he got the green thumb!!August 3, 2009
I have received so many beautiful cards and notes, but this one I especially love because it was handmade by Caitlin Litzenberger! The delicate drawing with the beautiful caligraphy inside and out is especially nice. Thank you Caitlin for taking the time to make a special card for me. I just love it and will treasure it.Looking forward to dinner from Rebekah and Pastor Calvin tonight! We have been so blessed to have so many people want to send meals and help out. I am not up for cooking yet, especially with this recent setback. Thanks to everyone for your help.
August 2, 2009
My neighbor, Blanche, made me this little angel. This is a Norwegian "hardanger" embroidery that is traditionally worked with white thread on white material. It is a beautiful form of embroidery and one that I am hoping to learn someday. Thank you, Blanche. I will treasure my little 'hardanger' angel.Unfortunately spent this morning in the Immediate Care. Had a fever up to 102.6 last night and haven't been feeling well for a few days. Unfortunately the pain med was masking a bladder infection probably from the catheter, but I wasn't feeling it until the fever was able to burst through the Tylenol part of the pain meds! Any kind of infection can find its way into my knee replacement, so we wanted to get on top of that quickly.
Looking forward to a Chinese dinner from Mac & LuLu ~ thanks for taking care of us!
August 1, 2009
Still waiting for my hydrangea to come into full bloom. I can't get our there yet, so I have Ken take a picture of it periodically so I can see what it looks like. It is a "lace-top" variety, so it gets delicate little blooms like the ones beginning to appear around the edges of the purple buds. Can't believe it is Aug. 1st already. Summer has flown by! Happy Anniversary to Lynn and Steve Lilja!
July 31, 2009
Here is the pretty little plant from Isabel along with the cool Sox bag that was greatly admired by all of the Kramer Sox fans in the house ~ "now that's a good present!" as one of them exclaimed as they admired it! Thanks to Isabel for the tasty chicken burritos last night and the yummy berry shortcake. 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 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.
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. 1:3July 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.
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