Random Thoughts

Just a few random thoughts/things that have been happening (or will happen shortly) in our family.....

1. Scott and I will be leaving for a 10-day trip to Charleston and Savannah in a few weeks - we'll be gone from April 17-26. We've been to Charleston before, and loved it. We need a s-l-o-w, relaxing pace for awhile, and the lovely spring flowers, old plantations, and cobblestone streets sound perfect for that...

2. Rachel was in the audience of the Oprah Winfrey show one day last week. Harpo Studios is located right near where she works.

3. 19 lbs. down and counting on the Medifast diet. I am now in Week 5. Many thanks to my great coach, Brenda! (I'll be taking a few days off when we're on vacation, but then right back at it!)

4. Katie will be in L.A. for a few days during Easter week (for work). Grandpa Nykerk says it's OK for her to go (he says she must clear these things with him first).

5. Dave and Rachel leave for 3-4 days in Austin, TX this Wednesday. Gee, I guess quite a few of us are traveling these days! (As far as I know, that's OK with grandpa, too - ha ha.)

6. Scott's been working on our taxes this year. Thanks, dear.

7. If you happen to be downtown during the Tulip Time craft fair in Centennial Park, look for us. We'll be having a booth there this year. It runs the Saturday and Sunday of the week prior to the main festivities and parades.

8. Why is it that when it rains sports on TV, it pours? I couldn't decide what to watch today - the Pistons, Tigers, MSU, and U.S. Baseball Team were all on. I caught a little bit of all of them.

9. We cleaned part (not even all!) of our basement this Saturday, and filled 3 giant garbage bins and still had lots of other loose odds and ends. Although I swore when we moved 14 years ago that I would never hold another garage sale, I started a pile of items to sell while we were cleaning, and I've decided to have one this spring. What doesn't sell goes straight to Goodwill. Anyone else want to join me?

10. Happy Spring, loved ones!

We Pulled It Off!....

First, let me apologize for not posting any pictures of Rachel's surprise party last night, but in a typical Jean-move, when I thought I had charged my camera battery, I had put it in upside down, so needless to say, it was dead on arrival. Thank goodness I can rely on Brenda to always bring her camera; which she did. I'm sure she'll be posting soon. So, on to the fun! For the last week and a half or so, Karen Collings, Brenda and I have been planning, scheming, inviting and preparing for a surprise 50th birthday party (at Karen's house) for Rachel. Well, we pulled it off, and everything came together beautifully. Jim and others who were in contact with Rachel during the last few days managed not to spill the beans, so that when she arrived at Karen's last night in her soccer gear, she really thought she was there for coffee with a few friends from church who were supposed to be there to surprise Dave Ebels (whose birthday was the same day as hers); and then she was planning on heading for her game. Jim and Chad were in Detroit for the Pistons game (nice win, Pistons!), so she drove over by herself.

When Ellen Moes greeted her at the door, we all ran out from our hiding places and yelled "surprise!" and from the look on her face, I think she really was (surprised that is). From there we had a great evening of sharing some of our memories of Rachel over the years (everyone had written, or in my cased typed - hey, it's faster) on index cards and she read them aloud - lots of poignant, funny and wonderful memories of our dear sister, aunt and friend. She then opened a few gifts, and through the course of the evening, we enjoyed plenty of good food and wine, and many, many laughs. Speaking for myself, I think we all had a grand time. A special thanks to Karen for coming up with the idea in the first place, and for sharing her beautiful home with us. Happy Birthday, Rachel, and many, many more!

Great to See the Sun!

I am SO sick of winter! It seems great to see some sun today, but I thought I'd also throw a little color on my blog. Not much happening in Hambergland, kind of a quiet week - that can be a good thing! It's Saturday morning and I'm procrastinating from cleaning the house. I've talked Scott into cleaning our scuzzy shower stall for me this weekend - it dawned on me this am that when there's no yardwork, gardening, etc. he might as well help me clean the house, right? Ha Ha. I can't complain. He's one who easily starts the laundry or throws the dishes in the dishwasher, etc. without being asked. In fact he teases me about the pile of magzines, mail, food dishes that tend to accumulate around my favorite chair by the end of the week.

I'm back to working 5 days a week - kind of miss my three day weekends!, but of course in this day and age we feel lucky just to be working! I think my brain and body are already gearing up for retirement, though. I enjoy having my time at home so much. Haworth just instituted a few more cost-savings measures, like taking away their company match to our 401K and beginning next year, they will "pro-rate" our vacation time - accumulate it as you go, rather than getting it all upfront.

I spoke to both my darling girls yesterday - had to get my "fix" - I have to hear their voices if more than a few days go by - ha ha. They always brighten my day. Katie is going out with her old roommates tonight to celebrate both of their birthdays. Unfortunately, Rachel was frustrated because their condo roof is leaking - no fun to pay for repairs on top of everything else. But, other than that, all is well with our dear Chicagoans. The girls and I usually take a short mom/daugher weekend somewhere together at least once a year, so I'm trying to come up with a fun place to go not too far from home. Is anyone else getting STIR CRAZY?

Wonderful Time In Colon.....

What can I say? A picture speaks a thousand words. We had such a wonderful day with Jen, Jason and the girls in Colon yesterday. Dad was delighted with the whole thing, and did very well - didn't seem to be tired at all, even at the end of the day. He enjoyed every part of the day, and as Jen said in her blog, we arrived in Colon around 2:00pm. First off, he got a real big kick out of the GPS system and how it took us right to the front door of Jen & Jason's house. (It came in very handy on our way home, which was after dark.) Then, when we got to the house, the girls were napping, so Jen showed us around - the house looks great, freshly painted and so spacious!

Then the REAL fun started. Little Kels got up first, with those rosy cheeks. Had to stay on mom's lap for a bit, but then warmed up to us. Same with Macey, when she got up a bit later, but it didn't take long and she was herself - I had brought some paper and crayons and asked her to draw some pictures for me and great-grandpa, which she gladly did. She proudly showed me her very own room upstairs and her playroom, where we enjoyed a bit of the Veggie Tales and a couple of books.

Great-grandpa was in heaven when Kels sat on his lap to watch Miles and Otis, and later, without my even asking her, Macey went and gave great-grandpa a kiss (and me, too)! Then we enjoyed a nice supper of BBQ's and brownies (that Macey helped make) and on to the game! Jason is a calm, cool and collected coach, and his team did a great job - didn't quite pull out a win, but it was a very good game. It's cute how Macey knows exactly where the concession stand, the water fountain and vending machines are - she enjoys her "skittles" and wanted to be sure that each of us had a candy bar! We headed home after the game, arriving in Holland around 9:00pm - Dad talked a lot on the way home about how much he enjoyed the trip. He got the biggest kick out of little Kels always shaking her head "no", how she walked along with her carriage - she looked so proud - it looks like she'll be walking on her own in no time. And of course Macey was just a delight the whole day - I couldn't get over how well-behaved the girls were for the entire BB game.

Thanks, Jen, Jason, Macey and Kelsey - for a wonderful day!

Just a Quick Post....

....To let you know about another coupon site that I found:

http://www.couponcabin.com/index.htm

25 Random Things About Me

And, taking my cue from Brenda, below are 25 Random Things About Me.....

This was fun. I tried not to think about it too much - it's funny the things that came into my head....

1. My favorite font is "Franklin Gothic Book"


2. I would love to fly in a hot air balloon


3. I plan on going to Tuscany within the next five years


4. I wore braces on my teeth a few years ago


5. I once dated a man who drove a hearse (for fun – it’s not like he worked at a mortuary or anything)


6. When I was in high school I worked as a "pinkie" at Holland Hospital


7. I once took a walk around the Haworth pond with Ernie Harwell


8. I used to be able to ice skate


9. I was a member of the West Ottawa Vocalaires


10. I just ordered the soundtrack from the movie "The Man in the Iron Mask"


11. I adore vintage childrens’ books


12. I have a bunion the size of Texas


13. Sometimes I cry in church when the choir sings certain songs that remind me of my mother


14. I’ve always wanted to go up in outer space


15. I have the most wonderful children in the whole wide world – no, really!


16. I usually stay up past midnight


17. I’m completely annoyed when people don’t use their turn signals


18. I laugh hysterically every time I watch Seinfeld


19. My husband and I once carved our initials in a tree near Beulah


20. I love the taste of lemons so much that I’m growing my own lemon tree


21. To me, heaven is watching a Tiger’s game


22. I’m happiest at home


23. I got fired from my first job


24. I love the smell of new books and rubber dolls


25. I have a scar on my kneecap that looks like a smile

Nykerk Breakfast, Katie's Birthday and More....

"Ahhh, my tummy is full!"

Bill looking great, and Brenda Lee looking fabulous!

Here's one happy guy who went out for breakfast with his family recently.....

We always have fun, don't we?

Here's our birthday girl! Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

I may be biased, but aren't they the cutest couple ever?

"Just what I just wanted!" (that's an inside joke....)

Loving sisters....I'm SUCH a lucky mom!

Chocolate covered cherries and cherry frosting for our birthday girl!

Can't forget Ally! She's one great dog....

We went to Chicago last Friday and part of Saturday to see the kids and to celebrate Katie's birthday. Had a wonderful time, "as per normal." (I always think of my sister when I use that phrase - how ya doin' Carol?) So, we enjoyed a nice dinner in a new Italian restaurant that Katie had selected (I can't remember the name!) and then went back to Dave and Rachel's condo, where Katie opened a few presents and we had some cake. We left early Saturday afternoon, and took our time going home, stopping at Michigan City to go to the Lighthouse Place Mall - they have a few new stores there, since I've been there last - including a Bath & Body Works outlet - great deals, there. We also each got a pair of shoes and I loaded up at the Pepperidge Farm store. By that time we were famished, and we dug right in on those goldfish crackers! We also drove through the backroads in that area for a bit, because we wanted to explore the area along Lake Michigan near there that they call "Harbor Country." There are several little towns just a few miles apart from each other - New Buffal0, Union Pier, Sawyer, to name a few. Quaint and cute little towns with lots of shops, galleries, etc. We wanted to see the area because we're thinking of renting a cottage in southwestern lower Michigan this sumer, so that our kids can join us and we can meet somewhere halfway between where we live. We'd like to find a nice cottage on an inland lake - someplace where Ally can come, too!

After we left, Rachel and Dave had a surprise planned for Katie! Under the pretense that they would be taking her out for supper, Katie showed up at their condo, only to be greeted by a room full of friends who were there to surprise her for her birthday! They all went out to celebrate from there - kudos to Rachel for taking the time to plan such a nice surprise for her sister!

I don't think I've posted since our last Nykerk family breakfast, so you'll see a few pictures here from our visit to DeBoer's Bakery. What a great place, and delicious food! How about the picture of dad? He cracks me up.

I'm looking forward to having lunch with Brenda tomorrow, and then going out with our friends Lynne and Dave Hall in the evening. I have 2 more Fridays off before Haworth goes back to a 5-day work week - I'm really going to miss these 4-day work weeks. The company is laying off about 150 salaried folks over the next week or two - I've been told my job is safe for now. This whole economy thing is getting to be a bit much, don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you, and especially to the darling little ones, Macey and Kelsey! We received the most wonderful Valentine's Day card from them in the mail today (and I have a feeling all of you will get one, too!) They are beyond precious - thank you little sweethearts! We're looking forward so much to their upcoming shared birthday party at Grandpa Bill's house.