An Evening with Kathy & Judy 4-29-10

I always look forward to an evening out with my daughter. So when she found out that the talk host girls from WGN. Kathy and Judy would be speaking in town, she called me immediately and asked, "Do you want to go?" "Yes! Let's go." So she signed us up quickly because she knew the tickets would sell out fast...which they did. We had only heard Kathy and Judy on WGN. I didn't hear them alot when I was working. But after retirement I got to hear them a lot more.They are not believers but we would enjoy the different topics that would come up on their show. They even at times talked about what different people at the radio station believed about God. And since of the people who work for WGN are true believers, Kathy and Judy would actually tell us what those people believe. Which I found very interesting because it was the gospel in a nutshell.

At any rate, Ann-Marie and I were able to meet some really great ladies at our table. We even had a Kathy and Judy at our table...just not the ones who worked for WGN.

Both Ann-Marie and I were wondering if Kathy and Judy would mention why they were fired from WGN. Which of course they did but were very careful of what they said because they were still under contract...ending soon. But perhaps one of the reasons they explained was due to rating. Now, I'm not sure how that could apply to them, because they seemed to have a huge following. But at the same time they both expressed that there is life after radio and express different directions they might be taking.

After a delicious dinner and various FUNNY skits by different people we finally enjoyed just listening, crying, laughing as Kathy and Judy caught us up with what they both were doing. The photo above is us with Judy.

And here we are with Kathy!

Now whenever we hear of Kathy and Judy, we can say, I saw them both in person. It was a wonderful evening and I'm so glad that we attended an evening with Kathy and Judy.

Garage Sales - Footville, WI

Finally I was able to download the photos from my sister's Jan's photos to show you just how full you can pack a car that already has five passengers. (Fours sisters and one niece.) We heard that there were alot of garage sales in a small town called Footville. So Carol, Beth and I met my other sisters, Louise and Jan near Footville, WI. And there certainly were alot of garage sales. I saw this old antique oil container that I thought Louise might want. She did purchased it and found out from her husband that indeed it was used to put lamp oil in.

My sister, Carol who at that time would be moving back to WI from CT saw a vacuum cleaner that she felt she could put to great use.

With the five of us we packed the trunk FULL! Now I wonder where would we put that vacuum cleaner Carol had purchased?

Never fear! With Louise big old card, Carol just placed it on her lap. No problem !

Oh, and what about that piano bench that our sister Carol purchased....just let sister Jan and me hold it on our laps.

It was indeed a fun filled day. We did stop for lunch at a small place right in the big town of Footville. Then continued on to finish a few more garage sales. As you will note from the photos above, it was time to head home.

Jackie Retires 4-02-2010

It was on again! It was off again! I'm talking about my dear friend Jackie's retirement. You would find an "X" through a date that Jackie told me she would be retiring! Then something would come up and she decided to wait a little longer. But after all, it was up to her when SHE wanted to reitre.

So after so many "X's on my calander I wasn't for sure when she told me that April 02, 2010 was to be her day of retirment...and it truly was finally. So, I just wanted to have a small supper for her. I had invited Ann-Marie and Brett and of course little Sam just follows them. Later I found out Candice was home alone since her family members were all in Texas, I invited her and Brielle too. My day was busy making a new salad receipt from Rachel Ray. I was so surprise that everyone loved it! I know I did.

Then I made a scalloped potatoe dish. The steaks were being marinated. Later the guys would cook them on the grill.

It was so much fun getting this dinner ready. I had fun making my own nut cups. Setting the table with a plant for Jackie to plant in her yard as my centerpiece.It's that beautiful hydrangea plant in the photo above.

I had found a nice card that said at the top, "I DID IT". Then I downloaded a photo of Jackie in it. Since it has magnets on the back of the picture, I hope she put it on her refrigerator!

And as always, Ann-Marie find those funny cards about retirement.

And of course what goes with a good dinner...desserts! Yes, my friend Jackie made the dessert!!! And they were so delicious. The above one WAS and apple and pear dessert.

And for the CHOCOLATE LOVER...you truly would love the above one. Something like a triple chocolate dessert!

Jackie survived the evening. We even made her play a game she had never played before. SEQUENCE!

I just want to wish her the best retirement! HAPPY RETIREMENT MY FRIEND!

My Easter 2010

Well, I am so disappointed with myself for not taking my camera to St Charles, where we spent the entire afternoon with Brett's brother Dave and his wife Dawn. It was a beautiful day! Lots of food..good ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes etc. And of course plenty of chocolate candy. Ann-Marie and I even got out and took Sam for a nice stroller ride around the park next to Dave's home. BUT I FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAMERA TO TAKE PHOTO OF SAM'S FIRST EASTER!

But I can back-up to when Sam came to Grandpa and Grandma house to give them an Easter Card. And, of course, I had my camera ready. Isn't he so sweet...he looks so bashful!

Now he's starting to look right at us.
Happy Easter Grandma and Grandpa!

So, I'll just remember this Easter in a very special way.

Dave did get his camera out and took lots of photos! And we did enjoy visiting with Brett's family.

Family Gathering March 22, 2010

It's been so long since I have updated my blog, I'm not sure where to begin..but begin I will. Let's just start at the Rehfeldt's gathering out at the Berg Farm. Due to my mother passing on to glory, the family would all be together once again...I hope not our last!! Farmer Elmer aka Bruce Berg, married to my beautiful sister, Louise (She just might read this.) have a wonderful large farm in Brodhead, WI> And they are both great people when it comes to having a huge group of people around.

Plus, Louise is an excellent cook! And with the help of her daughter, Tammy everything seems to flow just right!

Another fun aspect of being on the farm is that Farmer Bruce will just hitch up the horses to the wagon and anyone can enjoy a nice country ride!!

It was a time for cousins to visit with each other...we really enjoyed having Anna here all the way from France! That's always a treat.

It's a time for hugs, providing that you let people hug you!! Above we have Ann-Marie and Alex her cousin from Montana greeting each other with a hug.

It's a time to see new babies that we haven't seen nor held in person...like Trey! He was such a joy to watch crawling around everywhere! So happy that he is now one healthy baby!!

It's a time to catch up with other families that we don't see that often!

Above brothers and sisters go over the plans for Mom's Memorial Service for the next day.

It's time for my younger great nieces and nephews to be up to no good!! Not really...I think they are being good.

It's a time to be silly and just enjoy each other's company! Like Tammy and Colleen. I think they'll be after me for posting this photo.

Ann-Marie and her cousin Michelle from Oxnard, California.

It's a time for sisters to try and take a photo together. It took awhile but we did it. I guess we forgot to take one of the brothers.

Just enjoy the photos. There are so many photos on facebook from other family members so if you are not bored by now, you can check out their pictures.

Thank you Lord for my large family! And thank Bruce and Louise for allowing us to have once again...fun, food and fellowship!!

Sam Visits Grandpa Trotter's Grave

March third will always be a reminder to Ann-Marie and me that life is indeed very fragile. Yes, that's the day God took her dad and my beloved husband to a much better and eternal place, heaven.
Ann-Marie took the day off so we could take Sam to see grandpa Trotter's grave. With the sun so bright and inviting us to be outside we looked forward to this day. Candice, who mother's grave is also at the Scandinavian Cemetery, met us at my home along with sweet Brielle. Gary, Brett, Ann-Marie, Sam, Candice, Brielle and I headed for the cemetery. Now as often as we have visited this site, you would think that we would have no problem locating the exact spot. We did not figure the factor that the stone marker would be covered in frozen snow. So here we all are out trying to find Bob's marker. Using our feet, then car window scraper we tried to locate the place. After trying so hard and discovering lots of other people's marker, we had to give up. Well, settling for a nice spot perhaps somewhere near Bob's marker and which we thought the small wreath would add a nice touch, we snapped the photo above. As the saying goes, "That's as good as it gets." Or same saying of that sort.

Besides, the wind was blowing some and we were getting a little cold. But you know Sam was really enjoying being outside.

There are many things we pray for our children (child in my case) and our grandchildren. Thinking about the many things I loved about Bob and would want to be passed on to Sam are way too many. But beside the fact that I want Sam to know the Lord at an early age, I do pray for two characteristics I believe Bob possessed. The first to rightly divide the Word of God in his heart and life. And OH TO HAVE A WONDERFUL, WHOLESOME SENSE OF HUMOR!!!

A Little Valentine's Party With Mom

It's always fun to get together when my sister, Jan come down. And since Valentine's Day was coming up, we planned a little Valentine's Party to be held at River Bluff Nursing Home where my mother now lives. So many members of my family are very crafty...in more ways than one. But especially with making handmade boxes, like the cone-shaped one and the smaller box one pictured at the bottom of this photo. Just fill them with any goodies and everyone is happy.

My sister, Louise spoiled us all by purchasing pizza for everyone. Plus she made a great pasta salad.

My sister Jan, made this delicious thick heart-shaped cookies. They were so big and sooo good, I had to take one home to enjoy eating later.

Since Tammy's husband Rick had the day off, he was able to join us. Plus Gary and Brett attended too.

And whenever Sam and Ann-Marie are with my mother and I, I always want to get a photo of us...because here you see four generations. Something I never ever thought would be.

It was so fun just chatting, eating and enjoying all the goodies bestowed on all of us by one another.

Just want to wish eveyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!