Musings

This morning I had some free time on my hands to look browse the web so went to Bookish. There was a comment about Miami columnist Dave Barry and I thought, "Who is this guy?" So I went on a headhunt and found him. Lo and behold, he had an article about Grand Forks and I just thought I would share it with you all, it sort of tells us what he thinks of the frozen north land; that is what we are right?

My 65th birthday was celebrated on February 27 with a Ladies Only pool party. When one reaches this milestone, there should be some sort of a celebration. right? Especially following a year when you realize that life is moving in more directions that you would have believed. After having my hip and knee replaced, I did some deep thinking. What do I want to do with my spare time, what little there is. Here is the list:
1. spend more time reading
2. commit to spending more time with hubs
3. Call the family more often and tell them how much I love them and miss them
4. see the family at least once a year for about 3 - 4 weeks
5. call my favorite Aunt at least once a month (you aunties can figure out which one that is on your own)
6. take better care of myself physically -i.e. eat right, lay off the sugars and carbs, and exercise more often.
7. turn over areas to volunteers and watch them enjoy what they do (they are the marvel of the society, they do wonderful things)
8. just enjoy each day in all kinds of weather, stay inside if it is too nasty and read or play on the computer!
9. make sure the dust bunnies are cleaned up at least every three weeks, I don't want to become a fanatic, just have a clean house. Oh, that doesn't mean not pick up the rest of the time, just not do any deep cleaning, the dishes must be washed, the toilet scrubbed and the floor must be clean enough to eat off of at least two times a week. Chuckle!

Now for the photos of my dad's family from the 2007 Family Reunion:

Lake at Quadna Mountain Ski Resort where we held the reunion .

A Wedding Shower

Sisters

Their mom and dad - Aunt Renee & Uncle Bryce Ross

Uncle Bill, Aunt Rose, Uncle Ron, Uncle Bryce, and Aunt Ruth Ross

Ah, the food, yummm!

The Campfire

The Harmonizers, they use to sing by the piano in their youth, now they sang by the campfire.

Roseau County Museum Woman's History Month Update

We have had wonderful programs celebration Woman's History Month. The second Saturday in March, Roseau County educators and supporting staff received recognition. One of the areas researched was the Teachers of the Year. All teachers in the county who had received this honor received certificates of recognition.

Speakers for the event were Kelly Falk, Roseau TOY 1975, Karla Rislov, Roseau TOF 1984, also was on the Honor Roll for Minnesota Teacher of the Year; Therese McBride, Warroad, 1994; Judy Puczinski, Greenbush/Middle River, 1997; and Cindy Sandahl, Warroad, 2008. They told of the changes that had taken place in education over the years. 93 year-old Kelly Falk had seen the most changes from when she first taught to the present day.

Special music was provided by two local church Bell Choirs.

The exhibits designed by the Education Committee chaired by Pam Solberg and the talents of Janice Brenden, Diane Churchill, Kelly Falk, Katie Hedlund, Gail Johnson, Elaine Lang, Sharon Lund, Aliza Olson, Sheila Olson, Lori Schaible, Marion Solom, and Joyce Wiodtke were wonderful reminders of how education has changed and how women have participated in that change.

Over 100 individuals attended the event and enjoyed the fellowship of other educators from across the county.

Roseau County Teachers of the Year

Temple Trip!

We are heading to Bismarck North Dakota to attend the temple tomorrow. It seems like it has been ages since we have been anywhere. The last time we headed out it was so icy that we decided to go back home. I probably wasn't ready for the 400 mile trip at that time anyway, now I am though.
Our friends called to tell us where they were staying and that it had a pool, so I immediately went on line found the phone number and called to make reservations. I love their children and their littlest one was so disappointed that she wasn't invited to my birthday party a couple of weeks ago (it was a ladies only party) that know she will be excited to know we are going swimming. Such an adorable little girl!

I have decided to take Monday off also. I don't usually do this but I have been working too many hours and need to remember that I am only suppose to be working four days a week, not five.

Most of yesterday and part of today was spent working on a grant. A friend did some editing for me; aren't friends great? It always is so much better to have someone else help you clean up what you write, at least for me it is. Often I don't have time to have someone do the clean up as I am working on things at the last minute. I put it down and try to reread it before I send it off, then when I see it in the paper, errors,glare out at me and I am frustrated. There is just too much to do and not enough time to do it all.

We escaped the big snowstorm. Brian, our Schwan man was in today. He lives about 125 miles south of us. He reported that they had between 12 and 16 inches of snow! We were lucky if we had an inch. It was very windy on Tuesday night, so much so that the visibility was no good on the way home. No snow or ice on the road though and in the morning the roads were excellent. It was strange seeing the snow piled in the middle of the streets in Roseau. It didn't seem like there was enough snow to make the piles that high, but after the grader pushed them to the middle there was plenty.

Early tomorrow morning we will be leaving to Bismarck . It is going to be wonderful to walk into the peacefulness of the temple and leave the world behind and think only of the Savior. Then on Tuesday it will be back to the business of life with the next Women in History program on Thursday evening, a Red Hat event. Fun!

Sooo busy!

With all that has gone on this past week one would think I would have updated my blog for sure. What can I say?

On March first we had the grand opening of Women in History Month at the museum. Everything went so well. I was more than pleased with the exhibits done by the One Woman committee and the Women in Education Committee. They all did a wonderful job telling the story of the women who have made differences in our county.

Our main committee the organizers and One Woman committee


At promptly 2 pm, Roseau County Commissioner Mark Foldesi, Roseau County Historical Society Vice President Irene Olson, Roseau County Women in History chair Linda Vatnsdal, Women in Education committee Pam Solberg, Roseau County Historical Society staff and the many members of the committees, cut the ribbon for this the first Women in History exhibit held in Roseau County.


The Women in History committee consisting of Linda Vatsndal - chair, Carolyn Eeg, Dawn Johnson, Leanne Johnson, Loralee Marvin, and Carole Wilson worked very diligently to provide a wonderful program and exhibits to honor 18 Roseau County women who have enriched their communities in many ways. The women honored in 2009 are Lois M. Johnson, City of Badger, Agnes Paulsen, Barto Township, Hilda Erickson, Deer Township, Nelsine Dahl, Dieter Township, Irene Kristofferson, Enstrom Township, Ruth Eeg, City of Greenbush, Clarice Bolin, Grimstad Township, Delores L. Andol, Jadis Township, Amelia Janson, Lake Township, Lorraine Hedlund, Malung Township, Florence Hanson, Mickinock Township, Luella Solberg, Reine Township, Marie Budd, City of Roseau, Gladys Venaas, Ross Township, Pat Westman, Spruce Township, Maxine Penas, Stokes Township, Verna Grafstrom, Unorganized Township - Norland, Margaret Marvin, City of Warroad.

The Women in Education produced a wonderful DVD of interviews with women from across the county who have worked in the education system. Their exhibits consisted of the first women who hold various positions in the educational systems, from bus driver to janitor to teacher. Several women served on this committee and their talents are very evident when ones walks through the exhibits they designed. Pam Solberg chaired this committee whose members included Janice Branden, Dianne Churchill, Kelly Falk, Katie Hedlund, Gail Johnson, Elaine Lang, Sharon Lund, Aliza Olson, Sheilia Olson, Lori Schaible, Marion Solom, and Joyce Woidtke.
So many visitors participated in the festivities it is time to show some of the things that went on.

Today, the program honored Teachers of the Year and women involved in education in our county. Next week I will place some of the photos from that event on the website.

Four days to the grand opening

The time has gone by so fast. For several days now, volunteers have arrived to help with signage and putting exhibits together. STS was in yesterday and rearranged the car, put the back on an exhibit case, hung a photo of Roseau High School's first graduating class. The piano was delivered for the musical numbers to be performed on Sunday.

To those who don't know what is going on, the Roseau County Historical Society is opening the first celebration of Woman's History Month at the museum on Sunday, March 1 at 2 pm. We will have a ribbon cutting and then honor several women (called One Woman)who have been selected by the cities and townships in the county as women who have contributed above and beyond to their communities. We will also honor the women who have contributed to the education of the children of our county whether they are teachers, paralegals, secretaries, janitors, cooks, well you get the idea.about 1/3 of the exhibits have been transformed to state these areas. It has been a lot of work, but what a wonderful example of a pioneer classroom and modern classroom are exhibited. Teachers of the Year from across the county will also be honored. See find out more about the events being held go to our website, Roseau County Historical Society events to locate a schedule. These programs are open to the public and are free of charge.

Well, it is time to get ready for work, or I will be late!

Stiffness and Total Knee Replacement

One of the major problems with total knee replacement can be stiffness. It is almost 8 months since my tkr and I continue to have stiffness. It is not just a morning problem, it can be a middle of the day or evening situation also. I woke up at 4 this morning and was so stiff I decided to rock in the rocking chair.

One of the reasons for my stiffness is not going on the bike or rocking in our wooden rocking chair lately. Work has been all consuming what with the upcoming opening of our exhibit on Sunday.I have spent countless hours working until 7 or 8 and come home too tired or it is too late to exercise. One thing I decided to do yesterday, should have done this LONG time ago, is to take a walk in the morning while my car is warming up. In Minnesota, it is not uncommon to warm one's car for 10 to 15 minutes in the winter before you drive it. It warms up the transmission oil and the motor oil giving the car a chance to lubricate better. Yesterday was the first morning I headed down the road for about a half mile plus walk. Last night when I got home at 8:30, I again headed down the road. This gave me about a mile walk for the day, a help for sleeping and exercise but did nothing for my (rom) range of motion. I also did not ride the stationary bike when I came home.

When I woke up at 4 this morning I decided to rock for a while, then put a weight on the ankle of the knee with the tkr and work the bend. That helped quite a bit. I do not have the greatest rom, only about 105 degrees. I have pain when I come down the stairs normally, but force myself to do this anyway. Another thing that is bothersome is the swelling, this of course affects the rom, and my knee is always swollen still. Even after icing it is swollen. I encourage anyone who has tkr to purchase a stationary bike and ride it! Also a good old fashioned wooden rocker or a glider rocker is imparitive to your success in regaining rom. I still do the exercises that I received during physical therapy, not every day but about 3 to 4 times a week. They help with strength and rom.

Now a little about what is going on at the museum for those snow birds who are interested. We have about 3/4 of our signage completed. I believe that we will be done by Friday, better be it is my 65th birthday and I am having a pool party with my "girl friends" and I will not be available amy more! Sunday at 2 pm is the ribbon cutting ceremony and the introduction of the one woman township and city selections. I am excited for the One Woman nominees and look forwad to seeing how many family members and friends come out to honor these women. Lots of work and planning has gone into everything. What a great group of women we have worked with on this program! It is phenomenal to see how things have come together. If you aren't home by Sunday snow birds, you will be missing something very special!

Well, it is time to try and go back to sleep. This is the first morning that I have not gotten up and worked on exhibit signage. I even get to sleep in, well until 7:30 anyway.