Remembering our Mom and Grammy ~We said Goodbye Seven Years Ago

My mother cherished the time she spent with family.

We all tried to visit her as often as we could.

Here we were, celebrating one of her

milestone birthdays at her Assisted Living Facilities.

Remember, I had gotten the call seven years ago,

before 7am on January 28th.

Because she was a high-risk patient,

she was being transferred to the hospital in Grand Forks.

We made arrangements so we could travel and meet her there.

Typical for the Dakotas, the temperatures were frigid.

She had surgery, however, suffered a stroke, and spent

the next week in the hospital before passing away on February 7th.

Being an organized person, she had written her own obituary.

When I opened that box of her important documents,

I found all of her funeral arrangements,

along with this poem.

Mom, I think of you often. I miss talking to you every day.

Especially today, the day you flew with the angels

to your heavenly home.

Take care,

~Natalie

Remembering my Mom ~This Day, Six Years Ago

Those of you that have lost a parent will relate. 

Even tho’ you expect it will happen someday, 

when your mom dies, it creates a big hole in your heart.

I used to call her every day to chat, 

on my way home from school.

But this time of year, I miss her more than ever.

She had fallen several times, 

but the spill she took on January 28, resulted in a fractured hip.

Because of her heart condition, she was considered a high risk patient.

She was transferred to the hospital in Grand Forks, 

where she had surgery to repair her broken hip.

The following day she suffered a stroke.

Scott and I traveled back and forth from Aberdeen to be with her.

She died on February 7th, the day before a huge blizzard.

 I love these photos of a very special weekend...

A much happier weekend.

It was the last time our daughters visited their Grammy. 

We all spent Mother’s Day weekend with her, 

before they both moved away.

Mom lived in an assisted living center, 

so we would eat with her in the dining room,

and then sit out in the warm spring sunshine on the patio.

But, back to this week in February...

Due to the Winter Storm, 

Valentine’s Day, and the Presidents Day Holiday,

we held her funeral on this date, February 15th, 2013.

She planned every last detail herself. 

She let me know where to look when the time came.

In addition to her Obituary, and the Funeral Plans, 

she left this poem, 

“Miss Me, But Let Me Go”.

My Mother, 

always organized, 

always considered every detail.

I miss her.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mail Call ~Sincere Messages after the Loss of Our Sweet Callie ~~Thank You

Those of you that have lost a pet know 

how difficult the following weeks can be.

Thank you, everyone, for leaving kind comments on facebook...

and for those of you that sent pet sympathy cards.

The box on my porch contained this kitty candle 

from one of our darling daughters.

Our Callie was a special cat.

She was our helper cat.

She was our social cat.

When we were home, she was right there...

watching over what we were doing.

We miss her.

Hug your pet today.

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Furry Friends are Such Faithful Friends

This cat, this very special cat, came to live with us

seventeen years ago.

Callie was adopted by our daughters, but when they left for college,

she adopted me as her human.

She is my helper cat.

She follows me from room to room.

Correcting papers...

cleaning house...

and creating in the Sewing Studio.

Today, I am so sad to tell you that she is not doing very well.

Hubby and I think she has suffered a stroke.

A week ago, she was herself,

engaging, social, such a sweet kitty.

On Monday, we came home 

from work to a very different cat.

We are just keeping her comfortable,

hoping she will sleep away in the comfort of our home.

Give your pets an extra hug tonight.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Week Went...and Remembering Mom on the Day she Went to her Heavenly Home.

Like nearly every one else, we were invited to 

watch the Super Bowl with good friends.

Awesome food...close game...

and entertaining half-time show.

Monday morning came way too fast, but it was much easier to get out of bed 

knowing we had a great plan for first block.

Remember Mr. Hansen? 

He teaches and coaches at our high school.

Every couple of years, his planning period coincides with my foods class.

We enjoy having him come in to demonstrate.

It's also so important for the students to hear about how he does the cooking in their family.

Gender stereotyping...dissolved.

While he has mastered many entrees that are far more complicated,

this day was all about Toad in the Hole.

click here for the directions

So simple...but a perfect snack, day or night.

And then the students went out to their labs to each make their own.

Sweet freshman girls used a heart shaped cookie cutter 

to make one for me!

It was a great start to a long week.

Many of you remember that my mom fell at her assisted living facility, 

two years ago on January 28th.

She had a fractured hip and required surgery.

She suffered a stroke the day after...and died a few days later.

When a parent passes away, we know that this is the natural progression,

but it's not easy. I will always be thinking about her this first week of February.

Remember this poem...

My mom had written her own obituary,

and it was tucked inside.

Here is the full post from two years ago.

Mom and Grammy,

We miss you.

Take care,

~Natalie

Valentine's Day Recap...

Fridays at school are always a high energy day...

but add to that, Valentine's Day.

Students exchange flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, candy and cards.

However, we started our day on a more serious note.

I invited my friend and colleague into my Independent Living class 

for a guest presentation on STDs.

Appropriate, right?!

My Foods class had made sugar cookie dough on Thursday,

and it was chilling overnight in the refrigerator.

So, yesterday, we rolled, cut, and baked Heart Cookies.

And making the frosting was an important task.

Students were quite focused, don't you think?!

And their final product?

I'm not sure we are pinterest ready,

but our cookies were delicious!

After work, hubby and I tossed around the idea of 

cooking dinner together at home, or going out for a bite.

We did not need to discuss this for long.

By Friday, we are usually worn out from the work week.

We ended up at our long-time favorite restaurant,

Mavericks.

And this was the Valentine Special.

It was perfect!

In fact, it was perfect for hubby and me to share!!

He enjoyed the steak and potato... 

I enjoyed the steamed broccoli and grilled shrimp.

There was a crab cake for each of us...

(Sorry, I took a bite before I remembered to take a photo.)

And, for the sweet tooth...

a heart shaped brownie,

strawberry ice cream,

chocolate and strawberry syrup,

with a shaved chocolate garnish.

While Mavericks is our long-time favorite,

we have a new restaurant in our neighborhood, Flatlanders...

and is easily our new favorite.

We stopped on our way home for an after dinner beverage and were treated to these complementary strawberries.  

They were fabulous!

It was a wonderful evening.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. today is the one-year anniversary of mom's funeral.

She had been adamant the people should not spend money for flowers for her funeral.

However, that request was accidentaly omitted from her obituary...

Of course, we ordered the casket spray when planning her funeral,

but I was afraid there might be other bouquets, against her wishes.

But the good Lord, again, took care of every detail.

Because this was the day after Valentine's Day,

even though her loving nieces and nephews tried,

there were no other flowers.

I also want to thank everyone who left such kind and loving comments here on my blog and on my facebook page.

I appreciate your friendship.

~Natalie