Mary Louise Eklund

Tag: Holidays

  • Happy 2014!

    Happy 2014!

    Dusting TV Set with a feather-brush from the National Archif of the Netherlands as a member of the Flickr Commons No known copyright restrictions.
    Dusting TV Set with a feather-brush from the National Archif of the Netherlands as a member of the Flickr Commons No known copyright restrictions.

     

    **Blows the dust away and gets out broom**

    Why hello there!  It’s been awhile since I’ve been here.  Lots has happened and not so much has happened.  I do have a good excuse as to why I’ve been gone.

    First off Miss Mo my female kitty got worse.  It was very sad.  She died and we did discover that the issue was a fast developing spinal cancer.  I still miss her very much.  She was a very special girl.

    Miss Mo at the Vet's. She made a number of visits before the spine cancer took her.
    Miss Mo at the Vet’s. She made a number of visits before the spine cancer took her.

    Next Mike graduated another post-grad program in Norfolk.  It was another trip there for a few days.  I was very proud of him.  While there we went to Colonial Williamsburg.  I made lots of great picture.  Yes I’ll do a very belated post about them.

    Then there’s work.  A few times we’ve had short staff for medical reasons, people moving, etc.  At times I’ve work full time rather than part time to help out.  I love what I do so I don’t mind.  BUT for me it’s a side thing.

    Finally my writer’s block broke.  Yes I furiously wrote 41 chapters of a whole new story, 21 chapters on my Urban-fantasy with a rural setting, and about 12 on my steampunk novel.  The muses were so demanding I’ve been cramming in writing where ever I could.  Now my goal is to go to an event in Madison by their continuing education branch where I can do pitches to publishers and agents.  Oh to get an agent!  My focus will be on the whole new story and getting it prepped as that muse is the most demanding.

    He's a cadet now. He'll be commissioned as an officer upon his graduation. This photo is from his graduation from basic earlier this year.
    He’s a cadet now. He’ll be commissioned as an officer upon his graduation. This photo is from his graduation from basic earlier this year.

    Aaron is doing well in college and in ROTC.   He got a full scholarship in bio-chem from them.  He loves having his own small apartment.  No roommate problems that way.  Being one who has to report to PT at 5:45 am with roommates who think 10:45 am classes are early can be difficult.

    The holidays were nice.  Our big present this year was a new furnace and boiler.  Our 30+ year old one finally gave up the ghost.  Heat is a must in Wisconsin and a new system isn’t free.  So each time the radiators bang with a surge of new heat we wished each other a very Merry Christmas.

    Did craft fairs again this fall and winter.  They went very well.  Now maybe I’ll make time to get an on-line shop up in 2014 along with a book agent and a few novels sold!  Eh?  why not dream big!

    Mike and I took a vacation to Florida in the fall.  Again we enjoyed an airboat tour.  Also we managed to not go to a single amusement park.  Did hit the beach though!

    Wonderful airboat tour to ourselves!
    Wonderful airboat tour to ourselves!

    Health wise 2013 was one of improvement.  My 2012 surgery seems to have helped many issues.  It’s a slow and gradual process getting healed and stabilized but well worth it.  Sadly as you get older bouncing back from such things goes slower than I’d like.

    Finally for Mike – he’s nearing the end of his Navy career and retire looms on the horizon.  I don’t know what we’ll do with ourselves.  We’ve spent all our relationship with our lives accommodating the Needs of the Navy first and foremost.  Now, there will be no monthly drills, no 2 weeks or more of active duty, no call ups – just waiting until we need to collect retirement.  However that might be pushed off another year or two if he can.  Captain Mike loves his Navy.

    Yep Blue is the leader and the cause of frequent screen repair in the summer. As you can see his brother hangs back to ensure all is well.
    Yep Blue is the leader and the cause of frequent screen repair in the summer. As you can see his brother hangs back to ensure all is well.

    Our remaining pets the two Furry Boys – Red and Blue are facing problems of aging cats.  Red has chronic kidney insufficiency.  Blue had hyper thyroid.  They both take medication regularly.  They are healthy and happy  but aging like the rest of us.

    As for comics…  Yes I’m still into them.  Saw Thor The Dark World and enjoyed it.  However I do agree Tom Hiddleston’s Loki got the best lines.  Then again I’ve always enjoyed snark  (sarcastic humor).  As for reading – I am behind.  As in a few short boxes behind not counting those I only get in digital form.  So be patient with me, I’ve been writing more than reading.  However if there’s an issue you really want to chat about – shout out to me and I’ll be sure to move that title to the top of the catch-up list.

    I guess that gets everything caught up about me and mine.  Hope you and yours are doing well, had a great holiday season and are looking forward to 2014.

  • Kenosha Gets In the Holiday Mood

    Kenosha Gets In the Holiday Mood

    This house is in our neighborhood. It’s just behind the bank and across the street from the grocery store. It is a sight to beho- ho-ho-hold!

    One thing I noticed our first season here was the attention to yards. No really here and Michigan people on the whole tend their yards more than say in Tennessee, South Carolina, or Florida. Why I don’t know, but they do. I suspect it has something to do with the awful winters they generally have here and the Midwest ethos. I throw in the last part because there’s awful winters in upstate New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island (all place I’ve lived) but they don’t pay attention to lawns like Michigan and Wisconsin do.

    This lawn attention carries on to holiday decorating. I showed you our neighborhood at Halloween, now let me introduce you to it during the Christmas season. There is a street here in Kenosha called Christmas Lane. It’s known for the over the top Christmas decorations. It all started as a friendly competition between two neighbors. They tried to out do each other every year. It got so competitive that tarps were put up so the other fella couldn’t see what was coming until the great reveal! Eventually the whole street joined in the spirit of lighting up the night.

    What follows are highlights of our neighborhood and of Christmas Lane. You can click on any picture to be taken over to my Flickr account and there see even more photos.

    We are simple folk who go for a few simple strands of color. T he big bulbs like I remember being on trees of my childhood.
    We are simple folk who go for a few simple strands of color. T he big bulbs like I remember being on trees of my childhood.
    The view down our street.
    The view down our street.
    Neighboring decorated houses
    Neighboring decorated houses
    This one was done in all white lights but I liked it!
    This one was done in all white lights but I liked it!
    Santa and his light reindeer!
    Santa and his light reindeer!
    This looks like the Griswald place!
    This looks like the Griswald place!
    This house on Christmas lane has a miniature scene in the window every year.
    This house on Christmas lane has a miniature scene in the window every year.
    Santa is on his way. I really like how they lit the windows in the background.
    Santa is on his way. I really like how they lit the windows in the background.
    Some look better a bit out of focus. Reminds me of watching the tree as I fell asleep on the couch as a kid.
    Some look better a bit out of focus. Reminds me of watching the tree as I fell asleep on the couch as a kid.

    Until next time!

  • Let’s Start A NEW Thanksgiving Tradition

    Let’s Start A NEW Thanksgiving Tradition

    Thanksgiving 2012 (18)

    It’s hard to cook a 20lb turkey when you can only lift 10lbs.  Also time on my feet was limited.  I started by making the Broccoli Salad.  It’s a layered salad that marinates for twenty-four hours in the fridge.  After that my guys lived up to their promise and joined me in the kitchen.  They were a great help in all the chopping to make the stuffing (I do stuffing with apples, veggies, sausage, nuts…).  They were also the heavy pan lifters.  Mike was the official Turkey Baker of the house.  He did as well as I could.

    There was a mix up about Thanksgiving dinner time so we didn’t conflict with Aaron’s obligations at Sara’s family.  It was okay we went over for dessert at Sara’s house then came home to have our dinner.  It all worked out just fine.

    I liked having help so much that I’m going to make family preparation of the dinner a NEW family tradition.  I’m all excited for it and gung-ho for next year.  The guys don’t seem to be embracing it so much.  I can’t see why they wouldn’t love it too instead of sleeping in while I cook or watching football while I cook they get to get up and be a part of the holiday preparations!

    So here’s our day in photos:

    My start on the broccoli salad.
    My start on the broccoli salad.
    The start of a new family tradition or at least my sous chefs of 2012.
    The start of a new family tradition or at least my sous chefs of 2012.
    The meal progresses...
    The meal progresses…
    The guys goof off at the table. It's my family tradition to take pictures of holiday table before anyone eats. We have 3 generations of them. However my group no longer does good china nor do we take it seriously any more.
    The guys goof off at the table. It’s my family tradition to take pictures of holiday table before anyone eats. We have 3 generations of them. However my group no longer does good china nor do we take it seriously any more.
    The final result - a wonderfully delicious plate!
    The final result – a wonderfully delicious plate!

    Until next time! Hopefully the new tradition sticks – I’m sure they will come around to it.

  • Back to Routine Postings Soon

    Back to Routine Postings Soon

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    Great Smoky Mtn Heritage Center Townsend TN by me, more photos here

    WOW! The holiday whirlwind has hit. Ours this year comes with some unique extras! I’ve got surgical restrictions through December – no heavy lifting. So picking Mr. Red the chubby kitty is OUT, never mind lugging packages. Oh and I hope to be starting a part-time job. More on that when I know it.

    Aaron has finals to get through then packing up and moving out of his house. He’s off to boot camp and other schools as of January 2nd. Needless to say he’s a bit stressed! Uh yeah, we’re selling his car too so no insurance while he’s gone for 5 months. Then when he gets back we’ll help him get another one.

    Mike has school on-line and preparing for going there in person in January. I’m going too but for me it’ll be a week of writing on the beach away from the Wisconsin winter!

    Did I mention in the middle of this we’re going to do Christmas and New Years? uh- yeah. Busy busy BUT that’s what life is for – to DO THINGS. So I’m livin’ baby I’m livin’!

    Be back soon with MORE stuff! Until next time, don’t eat too many holiday cookies.