Surviving Sixty

Steve

You look great Bro!!

I had a blast preparing the Surviving Sixty Kit for my twin brothers.  Steve is styling the black wig.

Scott had the stomach flu so we were not able to watch him open his gift.

I wish I had a camera to take the picture when he opened up the hair piece that once belonged to my father.

Love the twins:)

January 12, 2012

I want to make this

We enjoyed FGO (For Girls Only) at the Festival of Trees.  This quilt is an advent quilt.

We (my sistas and I) want to make this for next Christmas.

Isn't it adorable?

We have connections at a quilt shop and they are going to help us out.

Happy Sewing!!

Freedom Fighter

So proud!

Fall Happenings

 Clint and Limmie...She loves to cuddle with him.

 I look really bad here but this is where I recouperated for 6 weeks.

 at the syracuse city pumpkin walk.  K Mae and a friend

 K Mae and Mom

 a tradition for K Mae and I to go together

 Nightmare before Christmas display

 All branches of the armed forces displayed here

 For Blake

 Caraline dressed up as a Smurf for Halloween.  Josh and I stopped by to visit and help out by getting 300 pounds of candy ready to hand out.

 The Smurf and hubby

 New tradition for Halloween...handing out bags of cotton candy.  Go Cougars!!

This was Josh's contribution to the Halloween decor....or lack of it this year.

What an eventful fall we have had.  We were blessed to have an abundant harvest in the garden and have been busy canning.  Fred is the best help around.  I am a fortunate woman to have such a loving, hard working and caring husband.  Through thick and thin we are an eternal team!

moving on

Wow, it has been an eventful fall and with that I've learned many life lessons. 

I am profoundly grateful for the power of the priesthood.
I am a firm believer and have a strong testimony of prayer.
It's okay to be sad and not live up to the expectation that you have to be happy all the time.
Families are eternal.
I have more empathy for senior citizens.
My mind and body have separate agenda's.   
I'm still learning about patience.
Heavenly Father loves me.
I still snore and wake up Fred.
I don't like hospitals.
Parvovirus B-19 is a nasty, painful bug to get.
Time goes by and if it is God's will, healing takes place.
I am blessed with a wonderful spouse.

Memories

 cotton candy man

 kenzie's birthday

 the Ostergaard family at Arlan's funeral

 Ostergaard Siblings

 Carolee and Char   LOVE THIS WOMAN!

Ostergaard Cousins

On September 14, my beloved brother Arlan Mack passed away from pancreatic cancer.  He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor.  We all miss him very much.  During his illness I became ill with a viral infection called Parvovirus B19 which settled in my hips.  It has been a painful and slow recovery.  I still use a walker and try to use the walking sticks for some therapy, sitting is also difficult for any period of time.  However, I'm trying to be patient.  I know at some point I will get over this.  My husband has been wonderful to me and I have appreciated the support, prayers and love from everyone.
I hope to be able to go back to work in three weeks but it will all depend on the mobility and pain.
My brothers told me I have a puppy disease and I've gone to the dogs.  My brother in law teased be about what some people will do for attention.  HA HA HA  I love you guys and the humor is much appreciated.

Northslope 2011

 The gangs all here!  Mason, Kenzie, Blake, Caraline, Josh, Fred, Char, Kallee, Duncan, Natalie, Dave and Mary Engleman and Clint...oh and Limi

 Fred

 Ax mishap

 Battery Mishap

 What kind of mushrooms are these?

 Mama and Limi

 Lost Key Mishap

Chef Kallee wearing Uncle Arlan's hat.  I brought the hat to camp to have my brother with us.  It is one of his construction hats.

update on my bro

Here is the latest on my brother.  All markers indicate pancreatic cancer.  However, there are no tumors on any organs in his body.  They described the "mass" as if someone had thrown sand on the perineal (sp) lining.  He will take three more rounds of chemo, starting on Monday.  They think they may have the pain under control and will be able to send him home tonight or tomorrow.  Claudia is holding up as well as she can.  Marcus has made it home and is able to help take care of Tyrel.    They are so grateful for the small miracles and blessings that have come to their family so far.   Heavenly Father truly loves us all.   Have a great day and keep smiling :)

Brother

Big Brothers
Older brothers
I have three.
They tormented
and teased me
relentlessly.

They held me as a babe,
fussed over me I hear.
One even shot me eye
and he became full of fear.

My eldest brother
has the bluest eyes.
He is quiet and gentle
and so very wise.

He has a battle he is
fighting and it's looks grim.
My heart is aching for
his family and for him.

I know the father is watching
and it's all part of the plan.
It still hurts knowing
that pancreatic cancer will
take such a great man.

I love you Arlan.   Mom said you were so proud to have a baby sister.  She said you looked over and watched out for me.  I loved that you let me drive your car up and down the driveway when I was 15.
I loved to watch you ride horses and wild machines.  You were so fun to camp with.  You would take us all on crazy four wheeler rides and blaze trails where no machine had ever gone before.  You played
practical jokes on us all and you were the best engineer around when it came to hanging up the tarp at camp so we would not get rained on.  YOU were Mr. Prepared for anything.  I think you learned that from dad.  You were our camp cook and clean up guy.  You saved our truck from disaster and fixed it at camp.  You grinned and laughed so hard around the camp fire that your face went beet red.  You could fix anything.  Your framing and construction skills will never be matched.  You were there helping anybody in the family that needed it.  You are made of steel and yet this awful disease is attacking your body way too soon.  You became Mr. Tough love and held firm to what you believed in.  You adore your sweet Claudia and have been there for her everyday.  Oh and the best compliment you paid me was when you said I was just like MOM.   I love you brother.  You're not dying of cancer, you just get to learn how to live with cancer and I pray with all of my heart that the lord will help take care of the pain and will allow you to linger with us for a little longer. 

She did it!!

a couple of months ago Kallee decided that she would run a half-marathon.  She put in a few runs each week and today she finished!!  Not bad for a rookie runner.  Love you Kallee!!