Month: February 2015

Just “friends”

Posted on by Melissa

I have a feeling I’m gonna need to ask for forgiveness at the end of this post. But don’t give up on me yet… just keep reading 🙂

It’s been a few days since I’ve shared anything about life here on the farm. And I’m trying to narrow down all the thoughts and directions this post could take.

It’s been a flurry of activity, mixed with cold and wind, just like outside today. A lot can happen in ten days around here.

Heck. A lot can happen in ONE day!

Since my last post, Valentine’s Day came and went. We had a special delivery at our house and this time the flowers weren’t for me.

See, usually it’s a toss-up between which daughter Dan can coerce to run to the nearest flower shop to pick up a beautiful bouquet for me. It’s become a bit of a family joke, and one I look forward to hearing about each year after the delivery.

However, this year proved to be a little different.

A bouquet of twelve RED roses arrived without a daughter’s assistance! In fact, it turned out to be FOR one of our daughters… and for the single one, too!

Rose Bouquet

Hmmmm…. now, what do you think ol’ dad thought about that?!?

When I got home from work and saw those beautiful roses, I had a big smile on my face! And Dan… Well, he just shook his head.

First, he had to break the news that they weren’t for me, which I imagine had him feeling a little guilty.

So, assuming they were for Kayla, our youngest daughter, I asked who were the roses FROM then?

“Cody”, he answered, “her…. ‘friend‘.”

Hmm… I could just imagine how the thoughts had rolled through his head when those roses had arrived…

  1. Roses?
  2. RED roses?!?!?
  3. AND a box of chocolates!!!
  4. AND A TEDDY BEAR?!?!?
  5. WHO IS THIS GUY?????????
  6. CODY????????
  7. CODY WHO?!?!?!

Kayla’s voice rose up when she said over and over… “Dad!!! We’re just friends!!!” to which dad replied, “Well, I can’t remember the last time I got RED roses from a ‘FRIEND!'”

Ha ha. I just laughed and shook my head, all the while smiling. And I imagine Kayla had turned just a shade redder than those roses!

She had escaped to work that day and later left for a trip with one of her best buddies.

While she was gone that weekend, I enjoyed the treat of fresh flowers in the house, even if they weren’t mine!

When she got home later that weekend, we all teased her pretty good. Dan wanted to know a little more about this “friend” and Kayla got the message that maybe it was time we meet this “friend” of hers.

A few days went by and we were talking during chores about the upcoming rodeo in Waterloo. Usually we all get to go, alternating chores with the girls so that some of us go on Friday night, and some go on Saturday.

Kayla nonchalantly mentioned that Cody would be coming over Friday night. She tried not to smile while she looked at the ground.

We looked at each other and all busted out laughing!

Ohhhh, Kayla. She was trying so hard not to smile but her face just couldn’t contain it!

She laughed too and looked at us all and said “Stop. Just stop. We’re just friends!” And we just laughed some more!

Dan and Chelsey tried winning tickets on the radio over and over that week for the rodeo, but with no luck. One morning, they heard the winner’s name come over the radio… “KEVIN FROM FAYETTE!”

Later that morning, our neighbor Kevin called to tell Dan the news. Last year we won tickets so we figured it was his turn.

The week went on, and Thursday night Kevin stopped over at Chelsey’s. He offered them the tickets to the rodeo, which she happily accepted.

However, by morning she had decided that meeting Kayla’s new “friend” would be more fun than the rodeo, so she passed them on to Cozie and Chase, who took Reed with them that night.

Chase, Reed and Cozie at the rodeo!
Must’ve been dark at the rodeo! Chase, Reed and Cozie

After chores, I worked on frying catfish while the girls helped me get the homemade garlic fries made. The brownies were fresh out of the oven and the sweet corn went in.

You would have thought that Chelsey had a new suitor arriving, as much as she checked out the window for Kayla’s new “friend” to drive in!

The dogs barking sent Chelsey to the window once more as she announced in an excited voice that Cody was finally here!

To be continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Treats

Posted on by Melissa

It was a busy day for us! Chores went smooth this morning with Chelsey and Kayla both here to help.

We headed to Starmont School after chores to serve frozen yogurt. Today’s flavors were Strawberry and Chocolate Mint. I loved the Chocolate Mint but many of the students went for the Strawberry.

We had a great group of volunteers show up to help and enjoyed lunch with them afterwards. We got to hear about our friends trip to Alaska, which was entertaining. Some day we hope to go there with our family.

We got home and got the big ice cream machine all cleaned up and headed right out for chores.

Our friend stopped by to help get our baler set up for next year. The timing got messed up on it when we were replacing a part last fall and luckily we were done with it for the year.

Brrrrr! That wind sure was a killer tonight! Dan didn’t put on his coveralls before he ground 2 loads of feed and boy was he cold in that wind!

When we got back we scraped, hauled manure and bedded the freestalls so the cows are nice and comfy tonight. Hopefully the wind dies down by morning!

Reed’s Valentine Party is tomorrow at Preschool. It’s our turn to take treats so tonight after we got in from chores Reed and I whipped up some homemade Brownie cupcakes.

He could hardly wait for his “Taster’s Bite” of the brownie batter, ha ha. We got all the ones needed for school in the oven before he dipped his teaspoon in for a try.

Mmmmmm, he said, with big eyes!

While they were in the oven, Dan and I went to work tracing and cutting out Reed’s little hand for his Valentine Cards for his classmates.

image

image

And Reed worked on signing his name to them all.

He will give each friend a valentine with a string cheese treat that we picked up at our creamery today.

Did you know that our creamery, AMPI, has a retail store where anyone can shop for cheese, butter and milk?

This is where our milk is taken when it leaves our farm. Stop in if you are in the area.

It’s just down the road from Starmont School and not far from the newly famous home of the Bachelor, Arlington, IA. 🙂

Hello, Dolly!

Posted on by Melissa

Some things you just can’t plan any better. This was the case a few weeks ago.

My friend Sabra and I headed to Minne-sooo-ta for a girls night out!

Now I gotta tell ya. The definition of girls night out has drastically changed in the ohhhhh, say… last five years.

We’ve…. matured. Okay, we’re old!

No more heading out to the bar for these girls! That being said…

We’ve graduated to… (drum roll please)

“Dinner Theatre!!!”

Yes, dinner theatre.

There was a little bit of mystery as we were led into the room full of tables and people in the theatre. We were booked to sit at a table of six, not knowing who the other four would be.

As we sat down, we commented to the two ladies already sharing an appetizer, that we had wondered who we would be seated with?

The lady kitty-corner to me shook my hand and laughing, said how great it was to meet someone with such a great name… just like hers!

I extended my hand to the other stranger at the table and said “Well, you must be Sabra, then?” Ha ha!

Nope, Brenda, she said. And that was all it took to break the ice!

Me, Brenda, Melissa and Sabra
Me, Brenda, Melissa and Sabra

As the night went on we had a great time getting to know these two, telling where we were from, what we do for work, how big our families were… etc.

We talked quite awhile about our kids. Sabra and Brenda both have two kids, and all have names starting with A!

I told of my three girls, followed by Reed, and Melissa also said she has a son, although older, married and expecting his first child with his wife.

It wasn’t long before we were showing pictures of our families.

All of us also enjoy going to concerts, and talked about all the shows we’ve seen! We laughed over who our first concerts were, and who we still want to see.

As the lights dimmed before the show began, we were already trying to decide when we could get together again.

We had a great night out!

And it wasn’t just because of the delicious food, or the awesome show… we met two fantastic ladies that turned out to be our newest friends!

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My Cheerleader

Posted on by Melissa

Before I was married, I worked in the office at a church. I loved my job. I loved what I did. But most of all, I loved the people.

Some days were quiet. Others, busy. But one thing that was constant were the “regulars” that would stop by on an almost daily basis.

There was Paul… he would come by and make sure everything in the building was running smoothly. Ruth Ann, she took care of the tape ministry and sent out cards for all occasions. Marie would come in every week and put a message on the answering machine. Lola, a spry lady in her 90’s, was in charge of the bell choir. Muriel took care of the bookkeeping and Sharla would stop by to pay the bills.

Then there was Dorothy.

It’s hard to sum up in a few sentences all that Dorothy did. It’s hard to remember all of the things that she did.

What I do know is that she was one of my favorites.

I met so many friendly people those first few weeks that I started a list. After someone stopped in, I would add their name in my notebook and write what they were in charge of.

That list grew and grew, but at the top of that list was Dorothy. And I just kept adding tasks she was involved in behind her name.

Every time she would stop in, she’d ask how things were going, and I would ask the same. It wasn’t long before I really got to know Dorothy.

She talked about her daughters, their families, her grand kids, and she talked about sports too! She loved to catch me up on the latest game that she had seen.

She always had something to share with me and I really enjoyed sharing with her too.

As I sat in church today, thinking about all the talks I had with Dorothy, I realized that she was one of those cheerleaders that God had put in my life.

She was one of those people that constantly encouraged me, just by caring.

Even after I had left the area and moved to the farm, once in a great while, I would run into Dorothy at a ball game or a restaurant. And we would pick up right where we left off, catching each other up with family news and such.

And just last fall, my son Reed got a Halloween card in the mail. It came with a cute little conversation just for him from Dorothy.

Talk about feeling loved. It had been over five years since I had left my job at the church and still this lady was showing she cared.

Today was one of the saddest days I’ve had in a long time.

But I will forever be blessed, as I will always know the value of taking time for another, by the cheerleader God sent to me named Dorothy.

Road Trips and Reminiscing…

Posted on by Melissa

Friday started like any other day around here. We were up early for chores and I worked outside until it was time for Reed to go to school.

After getting my extra hugs and kisses, I dropped him off at preschool, came home, got cleaned up and packed my bag for the night. I was excited to get on the road to my friend’s house.

A few weeks ago she had invited me to go to a dinner theatre show with her in Minnesota. I was so excited! I love to go to performances of most any kind, and it happened to fall at a time when my husband would be busy at a wrestling tournament.

It was good catching up on the couple hour ride to Minnesota. We stopped about half way to take in a little shopping. We particularly enjoyed one shop called Urban Vintage, and marveled at all of the rustic items and functional decorations! Such cute uses for everyday things! We had quite a few “I can do that myself” moments.

Back on the road and into the city we went. It always amazes me how many businesses and restaurants there are… and I wonder with so many choices, how can they all survive?

We passed the first Casino I ever gambled at. I had just turned 18 and I had taken a trip with my mom and two sisters. I can’t remember what we went to Minnesota to do, but I can’t forget how I won, hand over fist, on one lucky slot machine!

I would win anywhere from $75 to 100 dollars, cash out, put in another ten or twenty, only to do the same again. I had quite a few tickets in my hand before my sisters found me!

And I remember they had a security person come stand by the machine so I could take a bathroom break! I cashed in my tickets before hitting the bathroom and felt like a bank robber as I counted the cash in that bathroom stall! And when I returned to my machine, I won just as much money as when I had left.

Boy, what an impression gambling made on me! Ha ha!

Speaking of casinos…The last time my friend and I had taken a trip, we stayed at a hotel casino in Illinois. We had drove through pouring rain and arrived over 2 hours later than we had planned.

It was nearing Midnight and I was sure she would say, “Let’s just go to bed”, but she surprised me and said “Let’s go!” And down to the casino we went!

We each had given ourselves an allowance and played several machines before we stopped to watch a guy who was winning on a Wheel of Fortune machine.

I always liked to watch those games. When the lights would flash and the machine would blare WHEEL!     OF!      FORTUNE!!!!!     and the big wheel at the top would start to spin!!!

As we stood there watching, she said, “When we come back in the morning, I want to try this machine”, pointing to the one I was standing next to. I studied it a little to see what it took to win on it.

We were coming back in the morning? Hmm. I hadn’t planned on that.

I had reached my $40 limit already, but pulled out a 20 dollar bill and said. “I have a 20, do you want to play?” and she said “Nah, I’ll wait til morning.” So I looked at the machine again and said “Do you mind if I play it then?” (Not figuring on coming back in the morning) and she said “Sure, I don’t care.”

It wasn’t long before I got in my rhythm of betting the maximum only every so often when I thought it would hit. Slowly I was racking up the credits.

And this machine was fun, I mean really fun! Once in a while, it would give you a winning combination, and then go crazy, spinning over and over, doubling, sometimes tripling the original winnings!

Soon, the guys we had been watching at Wheel of Fortune had turned their chairs, looking to see what our shrieks were all about! This idle machine had come to life, lighting up over and over with matching reels!

I was up over $700 before I saw my luck beginning to fade. We looked at each other and agreed it was time to quit.

I hit the cash out button and we headed to the teller window. What a thrill! And what a great beginning to our trip!

Winning made our trip that much more enjoyable.

Our next stop was in Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival. That year Spring had come early, and I joked that the “Tulip Tour” we took was more like a “Stem Tour!”

We had a great time shopping though, and I came home with three reminders of our trip.

I bought four 3′ Tulips that had been welded and brightly painted. They were so happy looking! I knew right where I was going to put them!

I also purchased a Bird Feeder that was a great looking barn. It reminded me of home and our farm and I looked forward to putting it out each summer.

And the third thing I chose hangs in my kitchen. It’s a silver plated measuring spoon set embellished with scroll work and cupcakes. They hang right next to where I do my baking and make me smile every time I think about our trip!

One other treasure from our trip was a visit with my Aunt Gerry. Now this hadn’t been on the agenda, but when my friend heard me talking about my family and that they were only an hour further than our destination, she happily afforded me some time for a visit.

Aunt Gerry is a sister to my mom, and even though she’s lived in Michigan all of her married life, we stay close with her and her family.

It was so good to see her and talk with her and get our aye aye’s in. I was happy she recognized me, as it was one of her good days. 🙂

She so wished I had brought my mom along with me because she missed “Babe”.

We made up for it by calling her. And it was just like they were sitting across from each other, as I was with her, bantering back and forth.Me & GerryThat was my last visit with Gerry before she passed away.

Looking back, it amazes me… how things happen for reasons we just don’t grasp at the time. We go about our days, not thinking about the things that seem so insignificant.

And then somewhere in our minds, these moments become memories that we wish we could jump back into. Because they mean so much!

In this moment, as I think back to these happy times, I am grateful for great friends and family, that I took opportunities to spend time with people, and for making memories that are worth remembering.