Our Family.......

Heroes

I was searching for some neat-o quotes on firemen, and I found this one:

All men are created equal, then a few become firemen.  ~Author Unknown

Last week, a fireman was killed while fighting a grass fire in the county.  Now, ordinarily that is news and I would feel bad for him and his family and say a couple of prayers for them.  But......now we have one in our own family.  And it hits much, much closer to home.  We have been so happy for Chad, and proud of him, not just that he made it, but that he did it so quickly.  And, I must admit, although he did very well at his previous job, he just seems MADE for this one.    He's just not the sit at a desk, wear a suit and cologne type.  He's more......sit at a bulldozer, wear jeans and a t-shirt, smell like fresh air type.  (Bet ya thought I was going to say smell like something stinky type, huh??!)

But it was the topic of lots of conversations last week.  In the grocery stores, in the staff lounge, at the post office, you heard everyone talking.  And bless her little heart, my daughter watched the funeral on t.v. and cried for the fireman's family (and for her own fears) and I was touched again how much my daughter truly loves Chad. 

People lined the streets, young and old, waving flags and placing their hands over their hearts so that the procession could see that the community DID care.  That we do respect them. There has been such a touching, outpouring of support for the firefighter's family.  Some really special friends and I wanted to do SOMETHING...... so we took dinner to Chad's crew the evening of the funeral. 

Such neat guys.                                                                  

Really, REALLY nice, funny, friendly guys.  They look like a harmless bunch, but I think they can be real pranksters.  (The ring leader might be the one in the center).  (Chad is second from the left and his Captain is in the middle).  They were reeeeeeally hungry, but were kind enough to pose for a picture before chowing down. 

They were so thankful and happy to have food brought to them, we might just do it again!

I'm always amazed when Chad tells me what he's been doing  most any week, how highly trained they are, how there is a reason for everything they do and HOW they do it, and how seriously they take their jobs.  I heard a quote once that being a fireman is long hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.  I would imagine that's pretty close. 

And I love, love, LOVE that this station has, for a long time, been really supportive of the kids in the community.  They have gone to the grade schools for activities and programs, and whenever possible go to the home football games.   Kids NEED to see honorable men, in respected positions.  It makes a difference.  Truly. 

We all stopped for a minute last week to think about everyday heroes, and I hope for at least one evening five of them knew they are appreciated and we are thankful for what they do, every single day.   

And just so I am not getting too sappy.....here's the quote I think Chad will like the most: 

Firefighting is all about ass - busting ours to save yours.  ~Author Unknown
                                                                

Wahoo!!!!!!!

I FINALLY got my swing!!  I am so excited.  If you remember......from the slightly damp trip to Hillsboro, I purchased the swing I should have last year.  I didn't mention to my oh-so-patient husband that it came in a box.  Actually I forgot, but I would have bought it anyway. 

Sunday afternoons at our house are veeeeerrrrrry lazy.  Never a plan, except to examine the backs of my eyelids.  THAT is a routine for me you can set your watch to.  Uh, the fact that I TAKE a nap, not time it.  No, never a time limit.  So this past Sunday I take my usual 2 hour nap, and when I wake up..... my knights in shining hardware are here!!!

A long time ago, Hoyt asked Ray to go with him to the farm and when I asked what they were going to do, the reply was to "do things men do".  Hmmmm.  I suppose that leaves it wide open.  Anyway, now that is a standing joke around our house.  When he is puttering around in the garage or needing to work outside, he's "doing things men do".  So Ray wanted to invite Chad over to "do things men do". 

Look at the muscles on that guy!!!  (Sorry Chad - I know that probably would embarass you, so I was talking about Hoyt!)

They patiently worked together, putting each board on just the right way.  Under the direct supervision of..........

My ever-patient sweet husband.  He's honing his "supervisor" skills (keeping his mouth shut) and he's getting better with each job. 

Actually Chad and Hoyt were dropping little "bombs" like "hey that's not so crooked" and "extra parts are no big deal" which of course brought my OCD husband running.  But it's perfect.  Just perfect..

Except for one reeeeeeeeally small detail.  The chains are a bit...short.  "It's a good thing you bought that step stool!" laughed my husband.  It's a table you moron. 

Michelle says I'm "vertically challenged".   She's getting coal in her stocking...

First Day for School!!

I promised one of the sweetest little girls I know that I would put her picture on my blog when she started school (since I did her brother's).  So......here's Miss Kendell 

She is getting to be SO BIG!  It seems like yesterday she was a tiny baby on her first trip to Red River.

Here she is getting ready to go to school!  No, she's not driving.....

It's not that she CAN'T as much as her mom won't let her.  I have no doubt that she could if she put her mind to it!  

 

 

They grow up so quickly.  Seems like just yesterday...

I'm waiting patiently for her next visit......

Kendell, will you come and visit me for Fall Festival again??

I'll post pictures again to refresh your memory....

They live among us......

The most BIZARRE thing happened this weekend.  I don't believe in aliens, but I do believe in freaks, retards and just plain idiots.  I don't mean retards as in a real physical chromosome abnormality, but retards in the mentally screwed kind. 

Saturday afternoon at the mall.  Eat a taco in the Food Court, shop at Dillards, Icing, CJ Banks, Claire's, you name it.  The last stop of the afternoon is JoAnn Fabrics.  My shopping companion found the cutest little silk top at Dillards for a bazillion dollars that I could EASILY make for half a bazillion.  We decide to go our separate ways for a bit and meet at the fabric store to pick out a pattern and the material.  I get there and Shell is already looking at the books.  No one else at the table, so I sit across from her and start thumbing through the pages.  We hear a lady ask the clerk if she can sit at this table and read her book because she'll fall down if she tries to read standing up.  (Should have been our first clue to RUN).  Have you ever met one of those people that strike up a conversation that you care absolutely nothing about but they act like you are hanging on their every word and will NOT take a hint?  I figure she's that kind.  Great. 

I couldn't get that lucky. 

After about five really quiet minutes of nothing but page turning and the hum of the air conditioner, Ms. Freak in a very LOUD and tonally challenged voice turns to me and says "Were you just checking the burners on my stove in your mind?  Cause I thought I saw you there". 

Jodi:  "                             "???????

What the heck?  (Only in more sailor-esque language).   I swear, my mind just stopped.  Dead.  Then I think....Candid camera?  I look at my trusty companion whose eyes are about the size of softballs. 

Jodi:  "I don't think so......"

Ms. Freak:  "Cause I thought I saw you there"

Am I being "Punk'd"?  Is there a hidden camera?  I recover at the sound of my lovely daughter gathering up every bag within arms reach and slamming books shut......"I gotta find fabric, you coming??"

Well I'm sure not staying here alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They live among us.  And they breed.  Beware.  She's coming to a store near you.....

Do-overs....

Okay.....if you've been paying attention to the "do-overs" theme....I haven't been TOO subtle, have I?  You'll notice that I've had something in the back of my mind.  If you have lived very long at all, you have something in your life that has altered the course.  Maybe temporarily, maybe forever.  A broken engagement, moving across the country, a divorce, a remarriage, or the death of a loved one.  For me, the biggest one was losing my Dad.  I always think about it at this time of year.  Not so much any other time, really, but now since September 22nd was the day that everything changed for me.   This is my favorite picture of my Dad.  Mostly because it is exactly how I remember that he looked.  And no, that isn't my brother, and no it isn't a joke. 

I started this post two days ago, but when i woke up this morning, I decided that it seemed too......down.  And I don't want that.  Someone who was so kind and loving in his lifetime should be remembered in a happy way.  Because that's the way I remember him!

I remember a few things about him, but not nearly enough. 

I love this picture because it seems to be some time after we moved to Wichita (I was born in Herington) and the yard is so awful.  It reminds me that I have a teeny bit of a green thumb, and I got it from him!  See the difference in the two pictures?  The grass, the flowers, the sandbox he made for me and Joker (the dog). 

I remember a few indoor things, but mostly my memories are outside.  Believe it or not, I think I get my creativity from him!  Not artsy fartsy stuff, but more like Edward Scissorhands stuff.  He created with dirt and grass and trees. 

This picture, to me, looks like the epitome of innocence.  Sheets blowing in the breeze, two girls playing on the swingset, I am on the left and have no clue who the other girl is.  He built the cage for my rabbit in the background.  (My bunny bit that mean little Rodney Schroeder and I wasn't too sad). 

I remember going to Grandma's and that it was a special place for Sunday dinners.  And I remember the drive home from Hutchinson and laying in the back seat and looking up at the sky and talking about stars and important 10 year old thoughts with him.  I remember him being there to see me sing in church and going to church with me the months before he died.   I'm so very thankful that he was right with God, and that he made those professions before he died. 

Sometimes I feel a little sorry for myself when I think of all I've missed.  And then I think about all the things that he has missed.  Things he would never have CHOSEN to miss. 

Mostly it makes me think of Michelle and how he would have been such a wonderful Grandpa. This is Shell on her first birthday.  He was such a marshmallow for me (and I knew it), he would have been putty in her hands!

He would be so proud of her and the wonderful young woman she has grown into.   And she would be impressed how he could build anything.  How easy going and funny he was.  How he would like Ray, and  Chad.  How things might be different.  But I don't feel sorry for very long, because I trust in God's wisdom.  And I am thankful for the knowledge that he knew Christ and was saved.  And it's taken a really long, long time to get to this point (not to mention some therapy) but I know that things have turned out guided by God's hand.  I never noticed it before, but in the bulletin that the kids in the youth group signed the morning my Dad died, the pastor's sermon was really fitting.  Look at the sermon title.  Weird, huh?       I realize that what we've been through and what we've done makes us who we are.  And I realize that this is also the guiding hand for some of my life decisions.  I understand like few people can how important a father is.  Especially to his daughter. 

How important your family is, period.  And I'm thankful for my brother who took such an interest in Shell when she was little and made a real honest effort to be part of her life.  Family should be there through thick and thin.  It speaks to the kind of person you are, deep inside.

From Easter eggs they dyed together every year, through the teens and hormones, and tantrums and accomplishments.  He's been so proud of her every step of the way.  And she adores him.  When she was little, he always, ALWAYS had a package of peanut M&M's in his pocket for her.  She'll never ever forget that!  And I don't even remember how that got started.  He was just "Uncle 'wayne wif da M.M.'s."

And look at the pictures.  This is a picture of my Dad at around 8 years old, and a picture of Duane at 8.  And it's always been so crazy how much they look alike.  But what a neat gift that is, too.   

It also happens to be the school picture that was taken a couple of weeks before Dad died. 

So........if I had just one day of "do-overs", I would choose one day with my Dad.  To ask questions, to talk about stars and family and kids and a million more things. 

To have him hold my hand one more time.....

But today I am going to be so thankful that I had the chance to know him.  I wish you could have know him too!

Random

Okay, this is just too funny not to share it.  I've never in my life been photogenic, but this is just hilarious.  Doesn't this picture looks like we should have giant lollipops in our hand and be singing (in a really nasal-ly high voice) "Weeee represennnt the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild...and wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land!!"

And this might be the only time I thought Michelle actually looked a little like me~!!  Just thinking out loud.  And waiting for Fall weather.......

 

Weekends..

I love, love, love weekends.  More so since I started back to school...

This weekend, my shopping buddy and I went to the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair! 

We were shopping warriors.  She's the only person I know that can POSSIBLY out-shop me.  Well, not out shop me, but out-LAST me.  She has the stamina of a much younger shopper.  (duh).

  Why is that important, you might ask??  When you have hundreds of booths and vendors with some of the neatest (or weirdest) merchandise in one location, would that matter??  Because THIS is how the day started:

And (weather wise) it was downhill from there. 

Shopping wise, it was terrific.  You just can't keep a couple of good shoppers down.

Whoever the weather man is that missed this forecast should be hung out to dry.  Fortunately, she had the good sense to wear a sweatshirt, and I had the good sense to have a couple disposable ponchos in my car.  Hooray!We got up E*A*R*L*Y to drive a short hour away to the Fair.  Michelle kept watch and every time a car passed us, noted whether they were male or female.  "Hurry up it's another carload of women!"

And when I didn't speed up quickly, she would bait me with:  "they are probably going to buy a swing!".  That was my goal for the day.  My one purchase that I have been WAITING on for this day to arrive.  And my very patient husband drove all the way up there to pick up for me.  (it wouldn't fit in the trunk).  Oh, did I mention it looks something like this??

Yeah, I forgot to tell him that also.  Actually I forgot myself, though it would not have even been a speed bump to slow me down in that purchase.  A good backyard swing is a wonderful thing.  I'll be SURE to post that once it's up.  Hopefully this week!

We had a great time.  She is my favorite shopping companion and I rely heavily on her advice.  She doesn't hesitate to tell me "that makes you look like you're having a mid-life crisis".  Or, "okay MiMi" (from the Drew Carey Show).  But she's inspired me to make a few really great purchases that I would not have thought of, had it not been for her.  She is the queen of organization.  Don't know where that came from, but the girl has every last thing organized and in it's place.  Her classroom is that way to.  She's my daughter, but that's not my gene.   

I met their friends Sarah and Paul.  Very sweet couple with a new baby.  He asked me if I found anything unusual that I just couldn't live without.  I said "unusual, yes.  Can't live without, no!".  I was thinking of these rock animals.  Someone had an entire booth of painted rocks.  I have no idea if they were bit sellers!

So we shared a really hot, crispy funnel cake, and walked. And walked.  I haven't walked that much in wet clothes since the Walk for Mankind as a teenager.  We were soaked, but thrilled with out purchases.  Ralph scored a bigger dog biscuit jar, and I found a great little pin that the lady personalized with "Goddard Lions" on it for me.  She found the perfect Boss's Day gift, and sign for her laundry room.  And, of course a surprise for Zoey. It was a really good day. 

Inspired by the Mennonite ladies and all the great food there, I made beirochs today.  Mennonite ladies have the reputation of GENERATIONS of great cooks.  Paul said that was the whole reason he goes; the food.    I always like mine with cold mustard.  Never thought of it until I saw Richard do that at Grandma's!  MMMmmmm. 

Yep.  A good weekend.  And it's not quite over!

Friends and Joyland

My friend Carolyn is such a dork.  A loveable, kind, one in a million friend.  She moved to the other side of the planet (actually Houston, but it feels like the other side of earth) and I miss her very much.  She sent me this video and it really got me thinking.  For those who might remember Joyland, not just the park, but the era.  And if you grew up in or near Wichita, I'm sure you do remember!

It was THE happenin' place to be!  Cotton Candy, Sno-cones, popcorn, tilt-a-whirl, and not just any swimming pool, the BEST swimming pool in town.  HUGE-est pool in town.  Best diving boards.  It was a treat to get to go there.  It was expensive, unless you had good grades.  Every year, you could take your report card to Joyland and earn free ride tickets.  What an incentive!  And sometimes, your dad's work would have a "company day" and you got to go and ride all day!  If you're at least my age, you probably even remember the old woman who lived in a shoe.....and her "spanking" her tot when you peeked in the window!

Some of these are pop up enabled so if you click on them, you get a full size picture.

Some of these are really new, and some are pretty old. 

I found this picture of Joyland  before there was even much of a town around it.  It opened June 12, 1949, so it really IS a Wichita Landmark!

And....it just wouldn't be a trip to Joyland for a teen or tween without...........

The Roller coaster!!!!!!!!!!

After the make sure everyone is buckled in.....it slowly pulls away from the dock..... remember seeing that guy slamming some bar?  It was the brake!!  The train picks up a little speed as it rounds the corner, then the anti-rollbacks GRAB onto the line of cars as you ascend....tension building......

no turning back.......

The view from the top is really cool!

Here it comes!!!!!!

 This is the best picture I can find, but it truly does not do it justice.  It feels like you are rocketing into the 80 foot drop, bursting through the trees, and into the second rise, and down again.  You jerk into the left turn and start praying that you don't flip over the sides, because all of the sudden, you've realized this is a WOODEN roller coaster, and it feels rickety!!!  Maybe it's the constant rumble and shaking, I don't know....

Just when you think it's slowing down, You get two more really good "bumps" and start to realize you don't have a prayer of stopping!

Then, you come screaming into the station, thank goodness for the bar that little man is pulling with all his strength to stop the train!!

Did I mention that this bit of history was built in 1949??   There were 44 of these in North America, and only 33 remain.   I guess maybe it really WAS rickety, not just my imagination!

 

The Wacky Shack.   This was a new addition.....and it used to cost more than any of the other rides. 

Remember the BANG as you went through three doors, with squares on them that got smaller and smaller so it felt like you were traveling down a tunnel??  And how it was so cool to go through the turning cylinder inside and just as you thought you would splash into the water, it turned with a big jerk??  It, too, is a one-of-a-kind attraction.  It was added in 1975.

I don't know this lady, but the expression on her face kind of says it all!!

This is a general view (once you got off the roller coaster.                                                                

And just for Carolyn....a  picture of her friend Louie. 

This is only one of two Military Band Organs (meaning it duplicates the sounds of 25 band players) and is the ONLY one of it's kind available for public viewing in the U.S.    It has survived refurbishings (some of the pipes were taken during World War II for the metal shortage).  In 1912 it cost $5,500. 

I am so grateful that she sent me the video and got me to think. I could go on and on about memories here. riding the Mad Hatters teacup and saucer ride, and getting reeeeeally sick. the smell of the blacktop and how hot it was there in July.  Going there with family, friends, neighbors.  Of the place it played in my life and the people I've been there with.  And even this place makes me think of if only  I could have "do-overs"...... 

Mornings...

There are some summer mornings that are so beautiful.....words don't work.  Pictures do.

It's on mornings like this one that I'm ashamed I wasted one single minute of any morning during summer vacation.  What I wouldn't give to have a week of "do-overs".  I learned from Grandpa Woody and Bonnie how wonderful it is to just sit outside and enjoy the morning with a great cup of coffee.  Again, could I have a "do-over"??  I love my flowers.  These particular ones (vincas) loooooove heat and sun.  And if you water them too much, they die.  But if you take care of them, they bloom profusely until cold weather.  And that is DEFINATELY my kind of flower.  Our okra is still bearing, and the tomatoes have gotten lush and thick again (hooray!).  I just don't think I want to let summer go!

And that got me to thinking..... wouldn't it be an amazing thing if we had one day a year for any "do-over" that we wanted?  What would we choose?  Part of it is the time of year it is becoming... always does this to me right about now.  I won't get into it today, but sometime.   Changes in seasons always seem like a time for starting over, looking back, looking forward.  But fall, for me, is a time to look back and be thankful....but wonder......

Okeene

We had the best weekend.  In Okeene, if you couldn't guess!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE  "going to Grandma's house".  I am, TECHNICALLY, a granddaughter-in-law, but it is still going to my Grandma's house. 

Doesn't it just LOOK like a Grandma's house??

Some of the best food in the world comes out of this little house.  I have learned so much from Grandma about cooking.  She says you can be a really great cook, but the art of it isn't necessarily the recipe, it's learning to SEASON things well.  You can make anything great by the right way of seasoning.  By George, I think she's right!  I grew up with Beirochs (probably spelled that wrong).  But Grandma's are spectacular.  The difference??  Using the right seasonings and ROLL dough.  Not bread dough.  Even my mom asked me for the recipe!  I've had all kinds of co-workers offer to pay me to make them beirochs!  Not happening, but they ask me!

Isn't she beautiful?  She went to her 72nd Class Reunion on Saturday.  She "beat out" a fellow allumni by two days for the oldest graduate in attendance!  She is funny.  Won a couple of nice prizes for the honor, too!  She has some eye trouble, but she is still very sharp!!! 

We had a cookout on Sunday night, and everybody that could, came.  We invited Richard and Karen (next door neighbors but more than neighbors, really).  Mmmmm.  We had the perfect summer evening.  Ribs, brisket, hamburgers, sausage, the SWEETEST watermelon and buttery corn on the cob, Grandma's potato salad (the BEST), fried okra, canteloupe, and sliced tomatoes.  The locusts are singing, and it feels so good to come in out of the hot sun into the cool of the house.  And we get to be together.  That's even better than the coconut and french silk pies and homemade ice cream! 

Then Monday morning we went to the "cabin".  Phillip is building his own little paradise in Blaine County.  Charlene, however, may not quite see it that way.  They have had a plague of crickets!  I have never in my life seen a BUCKET of crickets, but that's what she swept up!  Ewwwww.  They guys were all outside "doing things men do".  Hoyt is playing on the tractor......

Then it's Ray's turn......           

At the cabin, Charlene showed me something really cool.  Grandpa Heffel used this door (the cabin was originally a grainery) to keep track of harvests.  They power washed the inside's several times, but this PENCIL marking does not go away.  She decided to leave the bit of history.  I think it's really neat.  It's probably Grandpa's way of saying "don't forget the past!".

Then Grandma, Ev and I drove by the farm real quick. 

"The Home Place".  We've had a lot of good times here!  Mike and Shell used to ride around on the riding lawn mower for what seemed like HOURS.  When they got older, they would go to Uncle Wesley's and borrow his four-wheeler and ride through the pasture.  And the Fourth of July they set the wheatfield on fire north of the house.  Ray will always remember getting "cornered" by the bull at the pond.  He yelled and yelled for Grandma to come get him.  Branding and vaccinating cattle.  Lots and lots of family video when the kids were small.  Oh, great memories. 

It was a very nice, peaceful weekend!