Birthday Buddies…

one of the highlights of my trip was having lunch with my Birthday Buddy, Myrtle Knutson. 

She and I share February 23 for our birthdays and both of us agree that there is no finer day to have been born. 

Myrtle was born on February 23, 1911, and I was born 60 years later, on February 23, 1971. 

Myrtle is pretty remarkable.  She grew up in a small town in North Dakota and moved to Minneapolis as a young woman.  She never married and worked as a bank teller until she retired at age 65.  A couple of years ago, she fell and broke her hip, she was lying on the floor in her apartment overnight, before help arrived.  A month in rehab, and she was back home.  At 98, Myrtle still lives alone and does just great.  She gets her meals delivered now, and sometimes has a friend come in and cook for her.  She uses a walker now, but is amazingly spry!  She has a slightly naughty sharp wit and can keep a person laughing. 

Myrtle is a treasure and I feel so fortunate to count her among my friends. 

When we can, we get together around our birthday and go out for lunch.  This year we went to Perkins, off Riverside in Minneapolis.  Well, truthfully, this is the only place we have ever gone out for lunch, Myrtle really likes Perkins, and they like her there as well.  So we sat at our customary table, just inside the door, but out of the draft, and ordered a little lunch.  We talked about what has been going on in our lives over the last year and made plans for next years birthday lunch. 

In a couple years, we will both have milestone birthdays.  I will turn 40, and Myrtle will hit 100.  I think we should have a big party for those!  We planned out an adventure for 2011, both of us would like to have the party in Norway, but Myrtle hates to fly, and I just don’t know if I can take the time to do a sea crossing. 

After a little bit of birthday party planning, Myrtle told me she doesn’t think she will make it to 100, so we need to plan a big party for her 99th and my 39th.  I personally think Myrtle will out live me, but I won’t quibble, I love a good party. 

This party will take place in Minnesota, next year, as close to Feb 23 as I can get there. 

Save the date!

YOU ARE ALL INVITED.

Facebook…..

it is very fun, but it has taken me away from my blogging.  Dave yelled at me about it today, so here I am, because I am good wife. 

Making the round on facebook right now is a request to write 25 things about yourself.  So, I am re-posting it here, so you non-facebookers can see this.  It has been pretty fun to read peoples lists, and I would just love it if you would write your own list for me in the comment section!  (Hint hint)

Yep, the 25 things thing. Here is my version.
I have seen this titled “25 random thing about me”. “25 thing you don’t know about me” “25 things you don’t want to know”.

Mine is 25 things about me. Many of you may know some of these, I am not sure anyone knows all of them.

It has been so much fun reading the lists others have written, I got kind of jealous and wanted to write my own.
the deal is that you are supposed to tag 25 people and then those 25 people are supposed to write their lists and if you are tagged it is because I want to know more about you. Well, i want to know more about you, each and everyone of you.

1. I married for love and and a sense of humor, not for money.

2. consequently my dream of being a philanthropist with world wide impact may never come true.

3. I once audtioned for “Star Search” , I did not rise to national fame, perhaps my choice to cover the Sex Pistols was misguided.

4. I took the SAT, in 7th grade, my scores were fine and I never took it again. I have not lived up to my potential.

5. I After my 2nd year of college I moved to Alaska in search of a grand adventure. I found that adventure, I call him Dave.

6. I had my first piece of poetry published in 6th grade.

7. I have a forklift license.

8. Three kids does not seem like enough, although in truth I would say that even if I had ten.

9. Sometimes I wish that my mother was crazy, because everyone I know that has a crazy mother is also a fabulous writer, and I would love to be a truly great writer.

10. I am raising 3 really wonderful writers.

11. I like to make up silly songs, primarily about history.

12. I cannot sing “Children of the Heavenly Father”, “It is well with my Soul”, “I was there to hear your Borning Cry” or “Let all things now Living” without crying.

13. I want all those songs sung at my funeral, by a volunteer choir.

14. Although I love to make bread, I really don’t enjoy eating sandwiches. Too much bread.

15. When my kids are naughty, it is everything I can do not to cheer them on.

16. I love the idea of living communally and I hope that becomes a reality for us someday.

17. I throw myself into each and evey community I am a part of with reckless abandon. Every place I have ever lived is eactly where I wanted to be. Each time I have to move, a part of my heart is ripped from me, and that little piece stays behind. This is wonderful, because I have so many places I call home.

18. I got my first tattoo at 19 because I was sure that eventually I would marry a pastor and was convinced when that happened I would no longer have any fun. I married a chemist who later went to seminary, and have since found that many pastors are among the most fun. And I have added to my tattoo collection.

19. I felt petite once.

20. I can, if I have to, change the brakes on my vehicles. I prefer not to.

21. I have pictures of my dog on my phone, but not my kids.

22. When I see the suffering around me, locally and throughout the world, I am ashamed that I have ever felt sorry for my self in any way. My life is so good.

23. I went on a blind date that had all of the following: blood, flame, dirty diapers, doggie diarrhea, orange shag carpeting, a screaming infant, a malfunctioning toilet, stray hair on the entree and dental floss.

24. I don’t watch tv, I have never seen American Idol, I have never seen Desperate Housewives, I have never seen Lost. This is not because I feel I must shield myself fromt he evils of the world. I don’t watch TV because I am really lazy, and if I started watching TV I would never get anything done ever again.

25. Everyday I am thankful.

Ich bin trophenfrau..

That was my answer to what my profession is when asked last night at my German class.  Do you know?

No longer carrying her just in their hearts…

Now their arms are full as well. 

Cathy and Jim have their little girl. 

Take a look at Cathy’s blog for a picture and update. 

 

Celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, our dear friends, Cathy and Jim S-E, got the news they have been waiting for, literally, for years.  The name and photos of the little girl in China who is their daughter. 

 Soon, they will travel across the world to hold in their arms the little one they have dreamed of and planned for, and loved, for so long. 

I can only imagine that these next weeks will both crawl by with unbearable, infinite slowness, and fly by with the speed of light.

Join us in celebrating with Cathy and Jim, and their daughter! 

Join us too, in prayer. For their health, safety, travels. In prayers of thanksgiving. 

Go now, and take a look at this beautiful little girl. 

baby-girl-stanley-erickson

Introducing…

Julia Navy Seal Lawrence. 

 She is a 1 1/2 inch long baby Gecko lizard and joins Entropy(the dog) and Rock-Head and Fighter Pilot(the rats). 

Julia Navy Seal Lawrence is Sunny’s pet, but as Sunny is a generous and loving sister, she allowed “the Brothers” to have some input during the naming process. 

 

My secrets revealed…

Warning: this linked blog is heavy on satire. And humor.Check out numbers 81, 67, 64, 60, 59, 54, 53, 48, 44, 42, 28, 24, 23, 16, 6, 5, 3 and 1

You will have a much clearer picture of who I am. I did. Still laughing.

What the laptop sees…

Virtual tour part 1…

The kitchen.

Walking in the front door.

The view from the kitchen door.

The living room, as seen from the den.

The den.

Sunny’s room.

Paint pictures.

The boys’ room. 

My bedroom walls, “pumpkin pie”.