Making Lemonade…
- posted by: Legends
- posted in: Uncategorized, My Life
- on: May 16, 2008
out of lemons.
Yes, I know this is quite the wacky picture of my mom and I, but let me explain my life for a minute.
Over the past few weeks, we have dealt with some illness stuff around here… most recently was the surgery my grandpa had yesterday. (All went well, by the way… and thank you for all of the good wishes!) Thanks to all of this illness stuff, life has been a bit stressful around here.
And, it is not over yet. Matt’s mom is having surgery first thing Monday morning and then we will be on the road to dealing with the fact that my grandmother’s blood counts are up, indicating that her Cancer has returned. Yes… loads of fun around here!
So, as we were making our way to the hospital, my mom and I took the scenic, nostalgic route to Galesburg, IL. That included driving through Galva, IL, where I lived my toddler years up until I was in the third grade. We went past our old house, the school, downtown, etc… enjoying some time to reminisce.
From there, we made our way Bishop Hill, IL which is a little artisan town full of true Swedish heritage. This took us to the Colony Store, where mom and I found lots of Swedish memorabilia and items, including our Viking hats that we really bought for the boys. We decided, however, to blow off some steam and wear them around town ourselves. Needless to say, we made a statement, which included pillaging (or rather shopping) at the pottery store.
We decided to make lemonade out of our lemon-y day and just blow off some steam that had been building up with everything that has been going on. It was goofy, childish, and a lot of fun! I love the fact that my mom and I can just spend time together being silly and hanging out. We enjoyed our morning adventure to the hospital and at the end of the day, we had great results, thanks to a great team of doctors and some heavenly intervention.
I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and that you, too, can make lemonade moments out of the lemons of life.
Amy G. #1803 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 11:41 amWhat a great day you had. You really deserved it. It’s always good to get away and spend time for yourself, otherwise you will go crazy trying to be strong for everyone else. Good for you!
Paula #2796 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 11:42 amGreat to hear everything went well with grandpa. Looks like a great stress-releiving morning. Enjoy your weekend and try to have some quiet Steph time
Lisa #1989 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 11:57 amIt sounds like you and your mom got some very special time together stephanie. I am so sorry you have having so much stress lately in your life. It can’t be easy. Chin up!
Kimberley #2626 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pmI love that picture of you. You and your mom could be sisters, seriously! You’re blessed to get along so well and enjoy each others’ company. That’s great. Your family’s in my prayers.
May says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:34 pmI will *need* to see that photo scrapped for real. Oh my. SO glad that the surgery went well and will continue good thoughts…
Amy says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pmMy prayers are with you and your family.
doverdi says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:38 pmSounds like you & your mom had a great day! I can’t believe how much you look like your mom Stephenie. So sorry to hear of all the stress you’ve had in your life & hope that things start to improve soon.
Meghan E says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pmWhat a great day to blow off steam! Glad to see that grandpa’s surgery went well.
connie #2909 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:41 pmGlad the surgery went well and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. So glad you were able to turn the day into a positive day–now a days it is too easy to be drawn to all the negative things in life! LOVE the picture and can’t wait to see it scrapped!
Missy says:
May 16th, 2008 at 12:50 pmFUN, Steph! I’m so glad the two of you could have so much fun to try to destress a little right now!
And since I live on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities, it’s fun to hear you talk about places I’m familiar with! Sounds like I need a road trip to Bishop Hill sometime soon!
BethW #2906 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pmHow wonderful to have a mom you can “play” with-what a blessing. Wishing you and yours faith, love, and hope in the days that follow.
Roseann #2933 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pmHow great the way you worked an adventure into a stressful day, and so glad everything went okay. Will keep your family in my prayers, and hope everything works out well. TFS
Marla #3291 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pmHow Awesome is that Stephanie!! You have to be able to do this in life or your stress will take over your life and kill you. I am glad that you were able to have this fun with your mother!!
Sue #2266 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 2:56 pmI went to Bishop Hill several (20?) years ago with my aunt and uncle who lived in Moline, Illinois. I love anything Swedish as my grandparents immigrated to Iowa from there. Love the picture!
Kim #669 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pmTerrific that you have such a great relationship with your Mom. I’m like that with mine.
I hope and pray that all your family members recover soon. All the best to you and your family!
Peg#3675 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 4:03 pmI’m glad you had some enjoyable time yesterday and will be praying that all turns out well.
As you wrote your post, I travelled with you. I know all the stops you are talking about as my family has been to all of them. If I knew you were here in my area I would have waved hi to ya! lol
Here’s to many better days for you and your family.
Veronica says:
May 16th, 2008 at 5:00 pmWow. I’m so sorry about the diagnosis and I wish your mom the very, very best of luck with her surgery.
Every one of those great days makes up for a lot of hard ones. And knowing more days like yours are coming make all the difference when you think you’re too tired to keep trying. You two definitely seem to be made for each other!
It’s great to find a day of joy and comfort in the midst of a crisis. It’s definitely what keeps us going, what makes all the hard work of staying alive worth doing.
Jennifer Muller says:
May 16th, 2008 at 5:19 pmWhat a great way to make some fun memories out of hard times. Here’s hoping that all turns out well with your family.
Merlene says:
May 16th, 2008 at 7:06 pmHappy to hear that the surgery went well. So, did the boys get the hats?
Rita #2797 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 10:14 pmMy prayers and thoughts are with you during this stressful time.
Hope everything turns out well for you and your family.
P.S. Your mom and you look like sisters.
michelle 3624 says:
May 16th, 2008 at 10:49 pmLove the picture that is just something that my sis and I would do at times like those you are going through. It is good for the soul to play now and then.
Carrie #1172 says:
May 17th, 2008 at 4:27 amPrayers of good health for your Mom & Grandmother. Hugs girl!
luv2stamp # 3510 says:
May 17th, 2008 at 11:10 amGlad to hear you had such a memorable time with your mom..all the best to you and your family! TFS
debby 2852 says:
May 17th, 2008 at 11:17 amSteph, you are crazy and I’m glad it’s part of your gene pool! LOL
Tara says:
May 17th, 2008 at 8:30 pmWhat a gift you and your mother give to each other….. Glad to know your grandpa’s surgery went well!
Cheryl says:
May 17th, 2008 at 9:02 pmMy prayers are with your family Stephenie. I’m so glad that you and your mom took a little time for you and just to be silly. So important. Blessings.
krafty wahine #395 says:
May 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pmStephanie, sending you prayers, wishes and love you way. take care…
Michele L. says:
May 18th, 2008 at 8:00 pmHey Goofball (LOL)…fun pictures! Anyway, glad to hear things are going well for your grandpa.
Mary Mc says:
May 18th, 2008 at 8:15 pmGlad you guys had time for being goofy so important in life to take time out and just chill! Sending you well wishes with everything else going on!
Rita Shimniok says:
May 18th, 2008 at 9:42 pmSo nice to return to your roots and live some nostalgia. Love the hats - kudos to you for making lemonade of your day!! Will be praying for Matt’s mom and your grandmother, and glad the surgery went well. Onto healing for everyone! HUGS!
Tami #804 says:
May 19th, 2008 at 2:46 pmYour relationship with your mom is priceless. Thanks so much for sharing a peek of it with us. Enjoy every moment you have with her
Sandy #1781 Wilkins says:
May 24th, 2008 at 10:20 amI am so way behind on the blog posts, but this one caught my eye. I am very sorry that you and your family are going through so much right now, and I am so very glad that you are able to find the lighter side when you can. I hope every mother everywhere, even the young ones, see this picture and remember that it’s OK to goof off a little.