Happy Birthday, Lori

Forty-four years ago today, my eyes were opened in a whole new way.  I couldn't have imagined what motherhood would feel like.  I couldn't have dreamed of the love I would instantly feel for this amazing baby.  It was a feeling like no other and in 44 years it hasn't faded a bit.  Lori has been an amazing person since the day she was born.  She's always been mature well beyond her years and not only a phenomenal daughter but a loving and wise friend.

A little while ago, I conducted a phone interview with her.  Here's how it went.

Happy Birthday, Lori!  Are you having a good day? Yeah, we just sat down to watch TV.

Do you have any special plans for the day?  Actually I'm not having a birthDAY.  I'm having a birthday weekend. 

When I got to work Friday they had cake for me and my cubicle was decorated which included about 50 balloons.  And I got a 'Happy Birthday' painted wine glass, a bottle of wine and along with the cake, tons of other pastries.

When Marcus got home that night we drank wine and watched 'What Does the Fox Say' on Dancing with The Stars about 30 times in a row and it was the most relaxing, fun night.  On Saturday I was battling maybe a small, tiny hangover.  It wasn't really a hangover but it was close but we went to the brand new outlet mall, Nebraska Crossings, that opened this weekend just for me where Marcus followed me into every store, held my purse and my bags, and was so sweet.  It was a beautiful day with a full moon.  In one direction there was this beautiful mall and if you turned around, about a stone's throw away, there was a dried corn field.   When we left there we went to my favorite restaurant Carrabas and had delicious food and tons of water only.   Then today before I got up, Marcus went to the grocery store so I wouldn't have to, Emily left a happy birthday note on the fridge, Jared gave me a card and wished me the best birthday and Marcus is waiting on me hand and foot.  I'm one lucky, happy girl.

Are Marcus and Ryan both home?  No.  Marcus and Jared are here.  Ryan called earlier and tweeted at me.  It was very sweet.  And Emily was here but has left now.

Were there any special highlights in the last year?  ummmm, Well, I started streaking on Memorial Day and have walked or run at least one mile every single day since then so streaking really works well for me.  But what I feel best about is that I've inspired other people to do the same thing and we actually started streaking with a mind to cover the miles to Afghanistan where my brother Dan is right now.  And I love that so many people have joined to support him and all the troops over there.

So you work for Pharmaceutical Technologies.   Can you tell us a little about your job?  I help people and pharmacies with their insurance inquiries and coverages and provide processing assistance.  I also work with Medicare plans and their members to answer questions regarding coverage and benefits.

Has the Affordable Care Act complicated your job?   No not at all.  Changes are in the works but not everything was effective October 1st.  When people ask questions about what doctors or tests are covered regarding those specific changes we direct them back to their plan.  We help with pharmacy benefits and medications and the insurance plans deal with their own medical isssues.

So the Affordable Care Act hasn't changed pharmacy coverage much?  No, most changes will take effect after the first of the year.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?  Calls I don't like are hospice calls or calls that have to do with children or infants.  Really the most challenging is dealing with angry people because some medications are not covered.  Because they're very, very angry.

What do you like most about your job?  The people I work with and I do like helping people figure out their pharmacy benefits or alternate medications that are covered.

 How did it feel to have a son old enough to go out and enjoy cocktails with? (http://www.musingsofthesixties.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-birthday-ryan.html) It was nice... the whole night was fun and comfortable.  I thought it would be odd but it was really great.  He was very responsible which made all the difference.

Do you have any special goals or plans for the coming year?  I would like to run maybe two or three half marathons.  I'm  99% sure I'm going to do the Indy 500 race on Memorial Day weekend.  Also, Jared graduates this year and he'll be going off to college. 

What else can you tell us about yourself that might be interesting?   I have two shelties named Lolly and Lilly who look a lot alike and two black cats named Coco and Cola that look a lot alike.  I like living in Nebraska where I never thought I'd live.  I like Omaha.  And I feel like this area is safe and it's very scenic.

Also, my newest obsession is vintage clothing and styles from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  I've been daydreaming about opening a vintage consignment shop with brand name clothing like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Anne Klein with lots of outfits like Jackie Kennedy wore.   A couple of weeks ago I spent the weekend with Marcus in Pella, Iowa where I found a vintage coat.  It fit perfectly but most of all, there was such a difference in quality and workmanship.  Just trying it on made me feel glamorous

And that was pretty much the end of our interview.  She does look glamorous, doesn't she?  There are many things I could tell you about Lori too.  For one thing, she's hilarious whether she's mocking her Dad watching the weather

or mocking her mother when I loaned her an extra plaid shirt I had,

or one of the instigators in one of my favorite shots of my kids.

 She's a good and creative cook

and she loves her nieces and nephews but probably not as much as they adore her.

And of course her family is everything to her

I love Lori's wisdom, sense of humor, and helpfulness.  But most of all, I love the person that Lori is.  She's had her share of troubles but she's indomitable and resilient.  She's the voice of reason and the calm in the storm.  I believe she has the gift of insight, a connection to nature, and a special spiritual awareness.  She's also blessed with the creative eye of a photographer, she's a gifted landscaper, and she has an extraordinary sense of style.   We're so glad Lori was our firstborn.  No wonder we had so many kids!!!

Happy Birthday, Lori!  We're hoping your day and the upcoming year are equally phenomenal!

Happy Birthday, Ryan

Today is our grandson Ryan's 21st birthday.  It doesn't seem possible that it's been 21 years since our first grandson was born but I guess it has.  And he's been an awesome first grandson.

I called him a little while ago to wish him a happy birthday and conduct this little birthday phone interview with him.  Here's how it went.

So this is the big one, isn't it Ryan?  The one you've been waiting for?  How does it feel to be 21?  It's great and kind of what I expected.  It's nice to have drinks with the family and stuff and now I feel like I've become a full adult.

So last night (after midnight of course) you could drink (legally?) for the very first time.  How did that feel?  It was kind of refreshing.  It'll be hard to beat that one.  It's a different feeling.

You didn't overdo did you?  No, I don't think so.  At least I didn't vomit or anything.

I know you celebrated with your mom and stepdad.  (How awesome is that, parents?)  Was anyone else there?  Yes, a few of my friends came.

After a year in at the University of Nebraska Omaha, you took a semester off.  Any regrets about that?  No I've been working a lot and that's helped me with my punctuality, time management, and saving some money to afford more school.

Oh so you plan to go back at some future date?  Oh yeah, I'm going back next semester full time.

What field of study will you pursue?  I'm going to study journalism which is what I really wanted to do after high school but I kind of got steered in a different direction that I just didn't like.  That made it hard to invest myself into it completely.  Journalism is something I've always enjoyed.

Do you think you'll ever move back to Indiana or are your roots firmly planted in Nebraska now?
I don't know.  Anything can happen.

Do you see much of Jared and Emily?  Yeah, whenever I go home.  I saw Jared and we hung out for a weekend recently and of course I saw Emily then too.  Right after she got back from Indiana I went to a Waverly football game and Emily didn't know I was there.  When I went up and grabbed her, she totally freaked out.  It was hilarious.

And do you have any special goals for the upcoming year?  I'd like to buy a car within the year.  Not necessarily right away but ultimately I hope to have enough money to afford a car, school, and living expenses.  If it doesn't happen, no big deal but it would be nice.

What can you tell us about yourself that most people might not know?  I'm a lot tougher than a lot of people think.  I feel like I'm more aware than most people my age.  And especially after taking this time off from school,  I think I've learned to not let opportunities slip by because I might not get them again..

Anything else?  Yes, I'd actually like to play baseball again if possible.  I want to maintain really good grades, train hard in the gym, and see where I'm at next August as far as trying out for the team.

And this is where I add some things that I know (and love ) about Ryan.  He's hard working and helpful

and not afraid to get his hands (or his entire) body dirty..

He's fun loving

and loved by his family,

his extended family,

 and some more than others.

All in all, Ryan is one of the best young men anybody could hope to know.  We love him and wish him not only a happy birthday but a good and successful year where all his goals and dreams come true.
Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Happy Birthday, Jared

Today is our Jared Micheal's 18th birthday.  He was our 4th grandchild and 3rd grandson.  Jared lives in Waverly, Nebraska with his mom, step dad, and younger sister.  His older brother Ryan lives and goes to school in nearby Omaha.

Today I interviewed Jared for his birthday.  Here's how it went.

Happy birthday, Jared.  Are you having a good day?  Oh yeah.  Things are going good so far.  Packers won!  Oh good!  I was going to ask if you were interested in any particular sports teams.  Yeah, I like the Packers and I've recently started following the Kansas City Chiefs.

Are you doing anything special for your birthday.  Yes!  Mom organized a little cookout and we're going to have all my favorite foods like shrimp, chicken, and bacon.  It's going to be glorious.  Bacon?  Yeah, we were going to have bacon for breakfast but we forgot it so we'll have it tonight.

Did Ryan come home for your birthday?  Yes

And will Emily be there also?  Hopefully.  Unless she's off doing her thing.

Are you enjoying high school?  I'm enjoying my last year of high school.  I'll miss Waverly but basically I feel like I'm ready to move on.

What are your plans for next year?  I'm thinking of applying at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and studying Business/Managerial Economics and Accounting.  I guess you like numbers huh?  Quite!

What career path are you interested in pursuing?  I'm looking into being an Investment Analyst but at this point I'm pretty flexible.

I know you detasseled corn over the summer.  What's the hardest aspect of detasseling?   The hardest part is actually detasseling along with the physical struggles that go with it like moving around in razor sharp corn leaves and sometimes slogging through mud.  But aside from all that it can be an enjoyable experience.  What do you like best about it?  Definitely meeting new people.  Did you save the money you earned or buy something with it?  For the most part I'm saving all the money.  Oh, for school next year?  Yeah for school ... or maybe a car.

Are you single or dating someone right now?  Single

I heard you took over some responsibilities to help your mom last summer while Marcus was away during the week and only home on weekends.  What were they and how did you feel about that?  Basically, I guess I was the man of the house.  I was in charge of mowing the lawn every week, trimming the bushes, doing some cleaning, and making sure Mom was sane.  It was interesting because I'd never been in that situation before.  Did you like it?  Not necessarily.  It was one of those things that you just had to keep doing and move on. I'll bet you feel pretty good about having done it right?  Yeah definitely!

Is there anything else you can tell me about yourself that most people might not know?  Not really.

Well there's a lot I can add about Jared too that this interview just doesn't cover.  He's one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, fun loving people I know.  He's quick to help out in any situation, he loves kids, animals, cousins, and the Christmas house and he'd do anything for his mom.  And he's loved so much by his extended family and his close knit Waverly family.

The only drawback about Jared is that we just don't see enough of him.  At any rate, we're wishing him the happiest birthday ever and a year that exceeds all his dreams and expectations.