My Favorite Animal....

Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken."
She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed.
My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal.
I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA.
He said they love animals very much.
I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office.
I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was.
I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.

She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am.

Today, my teacher asked me to tell her what famous person I admired most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders."
Guess where I am now...

Who do we really see?

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA. It was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.


One nurse took her copy to Missouri.

The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.


Crabby Old Man...
What do you see nurses? . . ... . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . . . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .... . . . . With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . .. . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice .. .. . .... . The things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . .. . .. . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .... . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . .. . You're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am. . . . .... . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . .. . As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .. . . .. With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . .. ... .. Who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . ... A lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . .. My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . .... . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. . . . . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . ... . . Have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children .. . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .... . . . Young of their own.
And I think of the years .. . . .. . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . ..... And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . ... . Life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . . . ... Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . .. . . That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . ... . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . ... . . Look closer . .. . See ME!!


Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.

We will all, one day, be there, too!

Tonight's Conversation....

Me: That meat is way not done....(watching food network)
Dan: Yes it is - it is cooked perfectly...
Me: Ummm..No it isn't.
Dan: Well, do you want them to cook it to death.
Me: Well, actually yes, I do want dead meat if I am supposed to eat it!
Dan: The meat looses it's flavor once you cook it too long...
Me: My meat always has plenty of flavor when I eat it.
Dan: Did you know that some restaurants won't serve well done meat?
Me: Well, I guess then they don't want me to come eat at their restaurants!

School....

Everyone has been asking lots of questions of me lately about how homeschooling is going and how long it takes and what are they studying??? The kids study the same subjects they would if they were in school....they have Math, Reading, Phonics, Science, Music, Spelling, etc but they just do it at home. As far as how long it takes, all depends on them....sometimes they "get 'er done," and othertimes it is like pulling teeth. Sometimes we have interruptions during the day and sometimes they just can't sit still. Overall, school is going well and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. I love having my kids with me and knowing what they are learning and NOT learning. Anytime there is a stool that is empty K will hop up and fill in because she loves doing school too....

The Start of A New School Year

This year I have a second grader, a kindergartener, and a preschooler. I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed when the boxes of curriculum came. Two big boxes and I pulled book after book out. However, I was also excited at what my kiddos would be learning. Thank goodness for the teacher's manuals so I can help them correctly learn. :)

Kassie is all excited about going through her books and is already asking if she can do more! That is where Charlie was until he actually HAS to do it! LOL They are doing well so far - still trying to find a decent schedule. Dan is home during the morning to keep the girls busy will I work with the boys and then we usually find time while Tessa is napping to finish if we hadn't already. Tessa even has to do stuff too......

Needless To Say....

So Charlie says to me the other day...."Mom, I need to go to the eye doctor." I asked why? He says, "Because we have no carrots in the house and the flashlights in my eyes are going out because you know that carrots are the only thing that recharge the flashlights in my eyes." I asked if I could just go shopping for carrots. He said, "Yes, I guess that would be fine." Needless to say, this morning's trip to the grocery store included carrots...

Yesterday, this was overheard...."You are not a robot, you are just a regular old girl." Kassie was pretending to be a robot and Charlie wasn't happy with her, so he told her she couldn't be a robot. Needless to say, she didn't listen.

The other day, I took out some lego kits the kids "lost" and now the quote of the morning is: "Can this day get any better?" Needless to say, they left them laying around and lost them again. That didn't take long....

Last Saturday we went on a bike ride and had a couple friends over after for supper. I gave the kids freezies afterwards and Kassie shimmied up next to Wayne and asked, "Do YOU want a freezie?" It was hilarious how she did it. Needless to say, we all got a good laugh out of it AND Dan is polishing his guns more because his little girl - who only turns three at the end of the month - is already flirting.

A New Kidney

Six years ago today we were in the cities awaiting for my Dad to come out of surgery. A wonderful teacher from Duluth had decided she would donate one of her kidneys. My Dad was the perfect match for it. While waiting all day for word that the surgery had been successful we sat in the waiting room for hours! It was a success!

Dad will have to take anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life but that sure beats the alternative. Since his transplant, his life has resumed some sense of normalcy. He had been on a strict diet and had no energy. He had been on dialysis but not as long as many others that have to suffer through that. Every year that passes I am forever grateful to those that choose to do live-organ donations. What an awesome thing to give - LIFE!

My father now has the opportunity to meet and play with his grandchildren....seven of whom were not born at the time. He has had a complete recovery and is able to enjoy life again. His energy and appetite has returned and he is doing many things they had wanted to but never would have been able to do - like travel.

This picture was taken last year but shows him with all of his grandkids....

Since then we have been involved in the National Kidney Walk raising money to find a cure for kidney diseases. The kidney disease my father had could also affect our brothers, sons, and grandkids - and so we continue to fight the disease. The Kidney Walk will take place on September 17th. If you would like to walk with us or help with a donation please check out this website....our team is Lauer Power....because you are strongest when you stand together and that is what it has done for our family....brought us closer together. PLEASE help by going to the site below - every donation helps and it is all tax deductible. Thank You!!!

Jody's Kidney Walk site

Forever Grieving the Loss of a Great Man!

On the Fourth of July, the world lost a great man. Uncle Pat died in a four-wheeler accident as he was setting up a four-wheeling trail along his property. He was killed instantaneously but not found until the next day. His time here on earth way to short for us at only 56 years. Dan was very close as there was only eight years difference between them. The wonderful memories Dan has shared with me of going to his Grandparents' farm and growing up with his Uncle Pat. I had far less time getting to know him but was touched very much by his life as well.

Last year we celebrated Uncle Pat's retirement and 55th birthday. He was going to enjoy life with his family and do some farming. He had a contagious smile and laugh. He had the kindest heart and was very genuine. His concern for you was always evident and he made you feel very important. He would give the shirt off of his back to help others and never expected anything in return. AND, he was a Dodge man = gotta like that!

Here he is with his beautiful wife, Mary and

their two handsome sons, Joe and Tony.

We love you, Uncle Pat and will miss you so much. While your time here on earth was so very short, we know that you are partying with Aunt Anne, Uncle Don and your parents. God keep you close until we all meet again. Until then - soar on eagle's wing! We continue to hold Mary, Joe and Tony in our prayers....I know this won't be easy for you. Let us know if there is anything that we can do for you!

Post some newer pics....

Since I haven't been on here in awhile - okay so about 10 months....I thought I would come back and just post some pics of my beautiful kiddos.....playing on one of the FEW very nice evenings that we have had this spring....