Hero Homecoming Surprise

My sister is a teacher's aide at the elementary school where her two youngest kids attend school.  Yesterday, the school held an assembly where students spoke about who their hero was.  One fourth grader, Jackson, shared with everyone how his soldier dad was his hero and how he missed him very much because he was fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan.  Being an Air Force brat, I remember how hard it was when my dad (or my friends' parents) were gone for months at a time.  Dealing with uncertainty of whether they were coming back was awful.  So, stories like this always make me tear up.  When my sister posted this link on Facebook yesterday, I knew I had to share it.  Jackson, I'm so happy you get to spend Thanksgiving with your dad!

Read the article (and watch the video) on our local CBS affiliate station, KKCI.com.  Have tissues close - you will need them.

Fab Finds: Lisa Frank Revival

In grade school, one of my favorite parts of getting ready for a new school year was planning my new year's worth of school supplies.  I'm sure it will come as a shock to everyone that I planned out everything I needed for school (I've talked about my office supplies obsession here and here).  For years, I also kept a detailed list of everything I wore each day including my socks, shoes, jewelry, etc.  I digress... 

A couple days ago, Jaime posted a link on Facebook about the "vintage" Lisa Frank items at Urban Outfitters.  If you're a child of the 80s, you probably had Lisa Frank in your backpack...and loved everything hot pink and purple.  Or, you were a major dork.  There were two groups.  Also, I find it a little bit sad that these are being categorized as vintage items.  Does that make me vintage?  I was pretty shocked when I learned Saved By The Bell and all the shows from TGIF were on Nick at Night.  But I still don't think that makes me vintage...

Lisa Frank Limited Edition Vintage Under The Sea Designer Desk Set

Lisa Frank LImited Edition Vintage Tri-Fold Binder Set

Lisa Frank Limited Edition Vintage Vinyl Zip-Pouch

I'm about 99% sure I had a Trapper Keeper with the three bunny ballerinas on it.  I was that cool.

So long, Grandpa John

Remember when I told you about growing up in North Dakota?  Well, one thing about living in North Dakota as a military transplant, is the fact that likely none of your family lives there.  This was the case for me.  Military families have a tendency to befriend others and assimilate a sort of family with those around them; Grandpa John and Grandma Bonnie were this for me.  They were the closest thing I had to grandparents growing up.  They lived on Highway 2 between Larimore and the Grand Forks Air Force Base.  From my first memories, I remember only fond experiences at their house.  It was beautiful - lots of white (the exterior, the carpet, walls); their home was like a fancy palace to me.  They were the most kind-hearted people.  They were educated and always supported my education.  They attended my kindergarten graduation - I remember being so proud to count, read, and tell time in front of them. 

Grandma Bonnie always had bars or some sort of dessert on hand, ready for any passersby.  Grandpa John always had handfuls of vitamins he'd share (whether we wanted them or not).  I used to swing on the tire swing and watch cars pass along Highway 2 when mom and/or dad were inside chatting with them.  It was a good time.  Grandpa John and Grandma Bonnie had their Ham Radio licenses, and I'm pretty sure that's why my family became so close to them.  The summer after my mom moved to Minnesota, and I lived with the Rohls on the base, I drove up to the Peace Gardens to take the Ham Radio test because I knew it would make Grandpa John happy.  He escorted me to the test site...and back to their camper when I didn't pass the test - he was devastated.  I hope he found joy in knowing I made my mark in other aspects of technology.

When Grandpa John and Grandma Bonnie used to go on cruises (two a year), they always shared their experiences with us when they returned.  That's probably why I was so excited to go on a cruise my senior year of high school - I wanted to experience something I'd always heard was so fantastic.

Grandpa John passed away last week after a long battle with cancer.  I still have a card at home from Grandma Bonnie she sent a couple months back.  She mentioned how happy she was that I was doing so well, and how Grandpa John was fighting cancer again.  The funeral is tomorrow in Bismarck, North Dakota.  I wish I could make it to give Grandma Bonnie a hug.

I'm a firm believer that God puts people in our path who will forever make an impact - and Grandpa John was certainly that for me.  He was a hard-working man.  He was passionate about the military, ham radio, traveling, and his family.  He was a good man.  I'll miss him and always remember him fondly.  Rest in peace, Grandpa John.

John E. Stiles

May 17, 1930 - September 26, 2012

Obituary

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

This past Saturday, I attended the Minnesota State Fair.  It was pretty similar to the Iowa State Fair, except I think there were more people there.  I met up with Gena and Luke (who had just moved in to his freshman dorm at the University of Minnesota), and we spent the evening together walking around the fair, eating food, and people-watching.  Iowa has some great people-watching, but I think Minnesota's people-watching is far better.  I saw a tattoo that was written on a lady's back...but the font was reversed (I'm guessing so they lady could read it when she stands in front of the mirror and looks at herself with a hand-held mirror?).  I saw a completely unhappy couple taking a self-portrait (the woman was about 8 months preggers, and the man was disinterested in her and the terrible photo they took together).  It was an awesome people-watching evening.  Plus, the weather was fabulous - high 80s with a light breeze (just like it was for Cassie's wedding the day before).  I didn't get a chance to enjoy Sweet Martha's Cookies, but the French fries I had were heavenly (and gluten-free).  Also, we ran into Cassie's mom and sister, and Josh's cousins, Natalie and Derek.  I'd say it was a great get-together.

Making spin art for $4

Can't wait to frame this masterpiece!

Delicious French Fries

Gena's deep-fried pickles

Luke's Dippin Dots (they don't have these in Alaska)

Natalie and Derek working hard at the cheese curd stand

 After we had our fill of the fair, Gena drove us over to the U of M so Luke could give us a tour of his dorm room.  I can't believe Luke is old enough to go to college.  I remember his first (and second) year of kindergarten like it was just yesterday...where did the time go!

He's a college guy now!

I Like Hymns

There.  I said it.  I like hymns.  I like singing them.  I like the familiar tunes.  One reason I like shopping at Hobby Lobby is I get to sing along to the music.  I know not many other kids grew up singing hymns every day at school and then at church three times a week, but I did.  And I'm not bitter about it.  Yes, it's a bit different from most people.  But, seriously, who said I was like most people...really...

Anyway, my favorite right now is Untitled Hymn sung by Chris Rice.  It's really great and makes me feel empowered and close to Jesus, which I guess is why some people refer to it as the Come to Jesus song...

A few of my other favorite Christian musicians right now are JJ Heller and Laura Story.  Minna, Angel, Jill and I saw JJ in concert last year in Dubuque.  It was great.  She's so sweet and her husband, Dave, is equally as adorable.  JJ is sort of like a Christian version Norah Jones.  This is one of my favorite JJ songs, What Love Really Means.  I hope she comes back to Iowa again for another concert!

Another song by JJ I adore is the Boat Song.  It's up-beat and so sweet.  The music video is pretty cute, too.

Laura Story is also pretty cool.  Her style is much more traditional hymn-like, but I like it.  One of my favorite songs from her is Blessings.  It's kind of sad, but it's good.

So, there you have it.  I dig hyms and Christian music.  They make me feel so much more at peace when I listen to them.  Not that I don't enjoy a good Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, or Michael Buble song every once in a while.  There's a time and a place for them all.  You should see my iTunes...it's a crazy jumble of all sorts of tunes.  And I like it that way.

Summer Vacations

Growing up, I didn't really have a summer vacation.  My parents were Ham Radio operators.  Dad's call sign is N0HAN; mom's is KB0MGV.  When I was homeschooled, my mom taught my sister and me Morse Code.  She was upgrading her Ham Radio license and learning Morse Code was required.  I don't remember much (more than SOS), but I'm glad I had the experience.  Anyway, back to family vacations.  Pretty much every summer, we ventured three hours from our house near Larimore, North Dakota, up to Dunseith, North Dakota for the annual Ham Radio Fest.

I loved every year when I saw the giant turtle.  It meant the gardens were just a few minutes away.

"World's largest man-made turtle" was "erected as a novelty" in 1982, welded together from over 2,000 steel wheel rims by, George Gottbreht.

Other vacation highlights included the clock, the sunken gardens, and the Peace Tower.  Every year, the garden is planted differently, so seeing the different flower patterns was truly exciting.  I was homeschooled and lived in North Dakota, folks.  Almost anything was exciting to me.

The Flower Clock plantings change every year.

A narrow channel flows through the center, the 49th parallel, of the formal garden.

Most years, I remember sleeping in our family car for the couple of days we were there.  I think we slept in tents a couple of years.  Once (that I remember), a bear was rumored to be in the campgrounds.  This is probably why I don't like camping now.  Who would want to die on their family vacation by being eaten by a bear?  Not this girl.  So, that's one of my childhood summer vacations.  The others were spent at Family Camp and Junior Camp, camping trips put on by our church.  They were about as fun as camping at the Peace Gardens.  Ok, they weren't.  They were worse.  Even as a little kid, I didn't want to be in nature for more than a couple of hours.  When, in fourth or fifth grade, I took three suitcases to Junior Camp, I should have come to grips with this.  I enjoy the comforts of home and being inside.