"The Middle Place"

Today is April 15, 2008 and I just finished readying the book "The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan and wanted to share my feelings. " The Middle Place is about calling home. Instinctively. Even when all the paperwork--a marriage license, a notarized deed, two birth certificates and seven years of tax returns--clearly indicates you're an adult, but all the same, there you are, clutching the phone and thanking God that you're still somebody's daughter" (words by Kelly Corrigan)
It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me remember what going through breast cancer was all about. It's kind of ironic, but we must have been going through breast cancer about the same time during the years of 2004-05. It made me remember how I loved my husband and my girls, my family and my friends for helping me through that difficult time. It made me think of my Dad and how much I love him and appreciate his sense of humor. It made me remember times of growing up and silly things I'd forgotten about. It made me remember my Mom and wish she were still here to share things with. It helped me to remember that I'm still not out of the woods and that my cancer can come back and how much I want to enjoy the life I have. Towards the end it made me face thinking about a funeral for my own Dad and how difficult that will be. It made me cry and love my family all so very much. It made me cry and truly appreciate that I am still somebodies daughter. After I finished reading the book, with tears streaming down my face, I instinctively picked up the phone and called my Dad. He wasn't home which was probably a good thing because I could hardly even talk to leave him a message and tell him how much I love and miss him. I did call and talk to him later and told him how much I loved him and how grateful I was for having such a great Dad. What a book on so many different levels.

6 Months in Wisconsin!!!

Today is April 10, 2008 and in 8 days we will have been in Wisconsin for 6 months! Time is going on. I'd like to say, "Boy how time flies when you're having fun" but I'm still not so sure that what we're having here is called fun. Jeff has really taken on a big job and sometimes I think it's even bigger than he thought it was going to be. Being the first project of it's kind is pretty overwhelming. Plus being the one responsible for some of the major parts of this up rate, well, to say the least, it's a major job for my sweetie!
Speaking of my sweetie, he's going to look at a Harley tonight! Maybe it will help him relieve some of the stress from work!!! I think that's a good excuse for us to buy one anyway and enjoy riding up through Door County this summer!!!
We both miss our family something terrible. Thank goodness for being able to go home for a visit every two months. It gives us something to look forward to! Something else we are looking forward to late this fall........our 8th grand child! Britnee and Preston are expecting a new little one in November. We are so happy for them (and us)!
We are getting to know the area better all the time and are looking forward to warm weather and sun shine (if it ever happens!) so we can get out and about a bit more on the weekends. So far we've spent most of our time shopping, eating out or watching movies. Which is fine but we're ready to be out and about. It's a good thing we like each other!
We especially missed getting together with our family for Easter. That's when it will be the hardest I'm sure...for the Holidays. Dad and Merlene did stop in for a real quick visit while they were in Wausau visiting Mitz. It was nice to have a familiar face from home here for a visit. They are our only visitors so far.
Well, just last week we traded pickups. Our 8-1, 3/4 ton, GMC was breaking the bank with it's gas mileage! (or should I say lack of it!) We are now back to driving a 1/2 ton Chevy. Hopefully the mileage will double. We hated trading because we liked our truck but we just don't seem to have the need for that big engine and won't be pulling anything around for awhile. Just as a side note: gas just went up today to $3.39 a gallon! YUCK!!!
I'm doing OK being here. I'm getting to know a few more of the ladies in the ward. It's still not Grant, nor will it ever be, but it's getting better. I'd still rather be in Idaho hanging out with my daughters and grand daughters!!! There are some real nice people here and we are doing alright. We have the 4 Missionaries over for dinner once a month and enjoy getting to know them. I go to BYOP once a month: Bring Your Own Project. We work on projects and have a Pot Luck lunch at the church. It's nice to just go and enjoy the ladies. I finished a baby quilt for one of the sisters in the ward at the last one. I've also started listening to books on CD. It gets addicting. I'm into my 11th book so far. I don't listen to so much Dr. Phil or Oprah now. I also enjoy listening to books while I am on the tread mill, elliptical trainer or my recumbent bike. It helps the time go by!
Did I mention that we miss our family? Well, we sure do! Whining isn't going to help so I guess I won't. Maybe Spring getting here will help.