Grandma Luv

As I sit here typing today, I still can’t believe it’s true. Grandma Luv has left us after 90 wonderful years of life. It just seems so surreal because she was such a large part of my life growing up and it just seemed like she would always be there.

We made our way down to Nebraska Friday morning for the visitation and it was so hot! I’m just glad the church had air conditioning! I’m always nervous to see how people look at their visitation/funeral because often times they don’t look like they did in life. However, my grandma looked absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. It was also so great to hear stories of her from my relatives and others that came to visit. My grandma was the school nurse in a town of 1,200 for 20 years (also the town where my dad and his 7 siblings grew up) so you can imagine all of the people that got to know her. She touched so many lives and I’m sure she will be remembered by all.

There was a four-piece brass quartet for the burial ceremony and I must say they made the whole day complete. After the priest said a prayer and the burial ceremony was done, the quartet started into the most fantastic, grandiose version of “When the Saints Go Marching In” that I have ever heard – kind of like it was straight out of New Orleans. At first people didn’t know what to think and then after a few seconds, everyone was clapping along to the song – just the way Grandma Luv would have wanted it.

The couple days in Wisner were spent doing things that reminded us of Grandma Luv (when we weren’t at the church). We went down to the Wisner Lanes for some bowling (much like we did every Christmas), played cards (like every gathering at her house), went to the VFW and enjoyed a fuzzy navel (her favorite drink) and drove by the old house to see what the new owners have done with it. I was happy to see that they still have her bench on the front porch and the birdhouses in the yard. :)

I have so many great memories of Grandma Luv and she will always hold a special place in my heart. She was such an amazing woman and her feisty spirit will most definitely be missed.

Rest in peace, Grandma Luv.
Will love you and miss you always.

It's a Beager

My friends, Jess and Eric, got married last weekend at an amazing log cabin resort along the shores of Lake Superior (about 15 miles northeast of Two Harbors – see map). I met Jess through a teammate and we became friends and ended up being roommates our senior year and "super senior" semester of college. Eric happened to move into our apartment building our last semester and it was just meant to be. I still remember the day he moved in like it was yesterday. We were peaking through our window shades at the "new guy" and she kept talking about how cute he was. :) I am so happy for you two...congratulations!!

Back to the weekend...we went up after work on Thursday so we could extend our vacation and spend some extra time with friends. We had a bonfire on the shore of Lake Superior and then had some drinks and played cards at our cabin with the whole group (entire wedding party and then some).

On Friday, a few of us went hiking at Gooseberry Falls and made our way down to Lake Superior. It was so relaxing and refreshing! Then we went back to our cabin in the afternoon to grill some hamburgers and play cards. We finished off the day with the rehearsal and dinner.

Saturday was the big day! All of the girls got ready and had brunch over at the bride’s cabin. It was cloudy and rainy most of the morning, but it all turned to sunshine right before the wedding! It ended up being a perfect day.

June is going by so, so fast! I just got back from the North Shore and I’m already packing for my trip to Colorado – I leave Saturday! I am so excited to go hiking and spend some time my mom and aunts.

Here are some pictures from the wedding last weekend.

Map of where we were at (15 miles northeast of Two Harbors on the shore). Our bonfire on the beach - it is so beautiful up there!

By the lake.

This is a picture of the patio at our cabin (with the grill) and the wedding/reception site in the background (with the arch). We couldn't have asked for a better location!

Sally, Jon, Me and Tresa on our hike.

Kind of cheesy...but I like the picture. That's me by Lake Superior.

This is the beautiful view of the lake from the log cabins at the resort.

The handsome groom anxiously awaiting his beautiful bride.

Me with the beautiful bride.

Me with the bride and bridesmaids (minus one) minutes before the ceremony.

Me with the goat boy.

The Mankato girls...having a good time. :)

Number 5....Is Alive!

Wow…it has been a while since I posted last. Since then my summer soccer league started (playing twice a week), I went up north for a friend’s bachelorette party (making yet another appearance at Zorbaz), went for some bike rides, enjoyed a good amount of bonfires and spent some time at the lakes on the weekends. I promise to start posting on a regular basis again. Summers just get so busy and hectic!

My good friend, Jenna, is coming back to Minnesota for a long weekend (from Colorado) and I’m really excited to see her! She just got engaged so I can’t wait to see her ring and celebrate. I’ll be gone for the weekend, so she’s meeting me for lunch downtown Minneapolis tomorrow – if she can navigate her way there. :)

Then after work, I’m heading up to Two Harbors, MN. A good friend, Jess, is getting married and I’m her personal attendant. I’m really excited to be a part of their big day - it should be an absolutely beautiful wedding. They picked a great resort on the shores of Lake Superior and we’re staying in log homes on the beach!! I’ll post some pictures next week.

That’s it for now. One more day of work for me…then it’s time to play. :)

Have a great weekend!

P.S. The title of this post popped into my head when I was thinking about how long it's been since my last post. Just wanted people to know that I'm still alive! Number 5...Is Alive!! Can you name the movie??