I HATE Death!

My granma died today. 

This is me with her in August.

We hoped she would hang on until Thanksgiving,

but we knew it was doubtful.

Granma was the last matriarch in my family.

Being that mom died when I was 19....

My Granma Hagen died 11 years ago...

Granma Furne was it.

I am thankful that I have many aunts still...

but "my" blood matriarchs are gone.

I am thankful that she is no longer in pain.

But, selfishly, Thanksgiving will never be the same.

Playing Ah Heck, Hearts or any card game won't be the same.

Being in Iowa, won't be the same.

This woman that I loved dearly, 

held my Iowa (dad's side) family together.

With her stubbornness, love, devotion to her family,

and always being there for her family, she loved us

like no one else can!

Granma,

You were so special to me and I miss you terribly already!

I love you!

2011 Christmas Card

Shiny Sparkly Ornaments Christmas

Turn family photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mommy Make Over

Today at school was Mommy Make Over!  It was a pre-Mother's Day gift for us!

I arrived this afternoon and was welcomed into a transformed cafeteria by dimmed lights, soft music and a special chair just for me. After waiting just a little while, my stylist, Kye, arrived and handed me a "menu" to choose what procedure I would undergo.

Hair

Makeup

Massage

Manicure

Pedicure

I had it all!!!

He was so excited and super proud!

Wanting me to look my best, I received several rounds of blush, lipstick and eye shadow.

My toenails have never felt so wet before! ;)

Me and My Stylist

My Manicure in lovely purple

My Pedicure

My Makeup! Had some great eyes, goin' on!!! =)

When we were through, he presented me with a card with his toothless picture on the front of it and inside were a few things that he thought of about me. That is what follows:

My mother is the most wonderful Mom in the whole world!

She's as pretty as "a diamond."

She weighs "14" pounds.

She is "6 feet" tall.

Her favorite food is "soup."

Her favorite T.V. show is "Dancing with the Stars."

When my mom was little, she used to "pick flowers."

I think my mom looks funny when she "jumps on the trampoline."

I know my mom is angry when "I hurt Kru."

I wish my Mom and I could "go to the zoo" together everyday.

I wouldn't trade my mom for "my DS."

How sweet! And humorous!!!!!

My Favorite Time of Year!!!

It is that time of year again that I just love!

THANKSGIVING!!!!

The older I get, I believe the more I love it!

Thinking back throughout my life, 

I can honestly say that this has always been 

my favorite holiday!

Trying to understand why and pondering on this 

has brought several ideas to mind....

* 1 of the only times I see my Iowa family during the year

* it has been a consistent happening in my ever changing life

(really, I can count on both hands the # of times I haven't been in Iowa for Thanksgiving!)

*  it is a time of happiness, no stress, no drama... happiness

* I love my Iowa family for so many different reasons

to name a few...

no drama

unconditional love

even though we only see each other once a year,

feels like we see each other daily

laughter! like crying & peeing your pants laughter!!!

playing card games

I just love the Furnes!!!

We leave tomorrow and I can hardly stand it!

I'm so ready!!!!

We will miss a few aunts and uncles this year, 

but there will still be a huge clan of Furnes gathered 

on Thursday!

I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope everyone (the 2 who read this blog)

has a fabulous, memory making Thanksgiving too!

6 Weeks Until Thanksgiving!!!

"Only 6 weeks until Thanksgiving!"  When I heard this on the radio the other day, I was shocked!  I couldn't believe it was only 42 days away.

While that may make some go into a frenzy or panic, because we all know what is just around the corner from T-day, it made me smile and it gave me a sense of inner peace, that I needed!

You see, I get to see my family over Thanksgiving!!!  It is a once a year event that I look forward to more than I can explain!!!

It is strange here in the south where we really have no change in season, to know we are in Autumn.  I forget what time of year it is!  So when I heard that the other day, it thrilled my soul.

I love Indian Summer, Autumn, Thanksgiving, the changing leaves, the noise and smell as you walk through the leaves on the ground, raking huge piles of leaves and jumping in them, beautifully trees dressed in reds, bronzes, oranges and yellows!!  The nip in the air of chilly Fall days, and I could go on and on.....  but I won't...  because I love all that so much, but I don't get all of that here in Texas.

But before I begin lamenting my sad tale, I DO get Thanksgiving in Iowa!!!  I DO get to go and see my dad's side of the family!!!  I DO get to be around people that have known me my entire life, they know me!  And they still love me!!!  I get to sit at a table with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and play cards!  I will spend some special time with just me and my granpa, who I love so much!!!  I will laugh so hard with my granma and aunts that we will cry and hopefully not pee our pants!  I will be among the many for the group picture!!!  And I will relish EVERY second, because they come too far and few between!!!

I have been going to my granma and granpa's house in Iowa since I can remember.  I have picture after picture after picture of all of us!  When Great-Granpa (Gramps) and Granma (Grammy) came, as we grew in numbers, to us growing up and now having children of our own in the photos!  It is a tradition, and 1 of the only traditions that my family has, that matters so much to me!!!  There have been years that I wasn't able to make the trip, and they were sadder Thanksgivings!  Because NOTHING!!! on Thanksgiving makes me feel the way I feel when I am with my family in Iowa!!!  My brother and his wife made the journey last year from DC.  That was the first time since mom died that Kory and I were there together! It was grand!!!  And they just bought their airplane tickets this week for this year! YAY!!!

NOTHING beats your family!  I love them all so much, even if I only get to see the majority of them 1 time a year!  They are so precious to me and I hope these next 6 weeks fly!!!