Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 214
The enviable truth of being a parent is that someday the last one will leave the nest. No matter how exciting it might sound, it still pulls on the heartstrings a bit. Everyone jokes and says, “It’s going to be hard when your baby leaves,” but it’s no joke. Not because he was the baby, not because he was the favorite, but simply because he was the last. The last 18-plus years you have changed diapers, kissed boo-boos, chased one child or the other all over and back, and now you are just supposed to switch gears like it’s nothing. In the blink...
I’ve been having lots of “feelings” lately, and I don’t like it one bit! Feeling number one, sadness. Today I pulled the plug on summer. I don’t know why, but that’s how I feel every time I drain the pool. This year felt different, though, maybe because the reason I’ve filled it every year is because my son is leaving home and spreading his wings in less than a week. I know that’s how it’s supposed to work, but I’m still not crazy about the idea. Feeling number two, rage. I’ve been on a killing spree. There are so many stinking flies in my...
The two hottest days of the year are the Nuckolls County Horse Show and Oregon Trail Day. Saturday was no different, yet hundreds of people turned out to take the tour in Oak and enjoy a day of history. More than 200 carloads braved the heat and the dust to see the Oregon Trail Re-Enactments. I was so happy that our youngest, Nicholas, could join us this year. He said it was fun and enjoyed it but would have enjoyed it more if it had been 70 degrees instead of a thousand! The daytime Emmy goes to Nicky! LOL! After the tour, we sat in the park,...
I have such great neighbors. I had a pile of tree limbs sitting out by the road. It seemed every chance we had to haul them off, it would rain, and we were unable to. One day, after work, I looked out, and the pile was gone. I asked Jacob if he had hauled them off; of course not! LOL! Another neighbor took the giant pile of rocks sitting in the back yard giving me anxiety. Maybe one day, I will get a chance to return the favor, or at the very least pay it forward. Last Wednesday, after delivering papers, I came home to mow the yard. Usually,...
The last couple of weeks are finally catching up to me, and I feel as if I could sleep for a month. I drove to Fort Riley with a friend yesterday to pick up Robert’s vehicle. He flew out on Sunday for another six-week training and wanted me to bring the truck home to get some of the maintenance done that it is in dire need of. I’m not sure if the Army, my son, or myself can seem to keep dates correct, but I could have sworn he left a week and a day earlier than I was previously told. We got to Riley a little after lunchtime. We stopped at the...
By Teraesa Bruce I am writingfrom the pump area of the Nelson swimming pool. It seems my office changes weekly, if not daily. I tried to sit in the office and type, but between the guards coming in and out and my pool rats, I couldn’t keep a thought in my head. Thankfully it’s a slow day, and the two guards can run things without me for the most part. I’m here to deal with the pumps, and water testing, have a level head in an emergency, and occasionally grab a kid out of the five-foot area under the slide when a child overestimates their swimm...
I read this on Facebook today, “Dear, whatever doesn’t kill me, I’m strong enough now. Thanks.” That hit home this past week and I’m pooped! It’s been one dramatic crisis after another. I’ve started answering the phone with “Now what?” instead of “Hello.” I wish I could go into more detail, but trust me, it would give you a migraine, and that’s a burden I must bear on my own. All I can say is the kids are happy and healthy. The husband is happy-ish, which is normal. I’m still kicking around, obviously, LOL. There is a roof over our heads, food...
Roe v Wade is all anyone seems to be talking about right now. There seems to be no blurred line on this topic; you are either for or against abortion. It is my understanding that the decision to allow or not allow abortion will now be left to the individual states. Before I give my personal opinion on the subject, I want to make one thing clear; I am not for or against abortion. I have never had to make a choice between myself or my unborn child. I would like to think I would never choose to end the life of my child, but without actually being...
What a weekend! We went to Fort Riley to visit Robert and my two adopted army brats and family. We arrived at the boys' place early in the afternoon on Friday. We were at the house long enough to use bathroom, kiss the baby and head out the door. Robert's truck had been broken down in the barracks parking lot for over a month, and George was on a mission to get it fixed. The tumblers in the ignition were worn, and the old worn key that worked just fine all this time had gotten bent, so he was...
Many of us have that one thing we are crazy about and collect. It can be hard to make our family and friends understand why we are so crazy about it. My brother-in-law collects vintage t-shirts and sneakers, my husband collects toys and comic books, and my dad collects coins. For Leroy Johnson of Angus, cars are his thing. He has more than a dozen on his farm, and his recent purchase has the community all a buzz. For collectors, there are few Mustangs as highly prized as the Boss 429, as only...
I got plates on the scooter, and I’m getting better at corners. I haven’t run anyone over yet, so I’d say I’m doing well. Not quite ready for a Harley yet, but I’m making progress. LOL! Jacob made it home safely from his dad’s house, and he has “enjoyed” navigating the details of purchasing an out-of-state vehicle and dealing with crazy insurance companies. Today he gets to register it, so he is just about broke. LOL. I’ve gotten a lot of flack for making him purchase his own insurance. I’m not sure why. It is his truck, and he is graduated...
The sun is shining, the pool is open, and the boy comes home from Dad’s tomorrow. I feel just a little lighter now that the worst of my stress has come and gone with no major drama. Jacob is driving himself home from Dad’s in his new, gently-used pick-up. I am happy for him that he finally has his own wheels and happy for me now that he will be paying his own insurance. I am nervous about him driving all that way on his own and a little sad that he is grown-up enough to have his own vehicle—just another one of those catch 22 cosmic jokes...
I found a book and remember now why I don’t read so much anymore. I get so caught up in them that the time gets away from me. Last night, I thought I would just read for an hour and go to bed. Two nights in a row, bedtime has come and went without my noticing. I love getting lost in the pages. Things with the pool are going well this year. That makes me nervous! LOL! If we could just get the water to warm up, it would be almost perfect. Opening weekend is going to be chilly, but maybe not quite as bad as last year. The Money Pit is still the m...
What a week! After surviving graduation, George decided he needed some time off and scared us all half to death with a trip to the emergency room and an overnight stay at Mary Lanning. He is fine as frog hair now, but his blood pressure went through the roof on Monday. His VA doctor said to take him in immediately. We are still unsure of what caused it. The heart doctor said more than likely environmental factors. Whatever that means. I love the moisture we are getting, but I am not fond of the grass growing at an exponential rate. I mowed on F...
I did it! Two boys graduated from high school. I deserve an atta boy! I wasn’t sure we were going to make it there, but we did! I think I had more anxiety over getting through graduation day than I have had the entire 17 years of raising the boy. George and I, my dads, all three moms, my ex-husband and his wife, his two kids, our two kids, George’s two kids, and four of my strays, all in one community building; the day went off fabulous. Every possible scenario of how it could go wrong had run through my head at least a dozen times. I’m so pr...
The L-N Class of 2022 is graduating at 4 p.m,,Saturday, in the high school gym. Their class motto is “Just be happy we got this done on time - Class of 2022.” The class flower is a yellow chrysanthemum, and the class colors are light blue and pastel yellow. The Class of 2022 has chosen “This is how we do it,” by Montell Jordan as their class song. With graduation on our heels, I thought it appropriate to give some advice to those beginning their adult journey. Most people will say things like, “This is the beginning of a new chapter,...
This weekend I worked on getting the house picked up and organized. This required moving a few items we are currently not using out to the garage. I have this fun game I like to play; it’s called how many things can a person stuff into a tiny area before it all comes crashing down on her head! I was also looking for a flower pot. It’s a high-stakes game of Jenga to remove any one object from the pile. I found the pot at the bottom of a bunch of boxes. Only God knows why boxes were stacked on a flower pot, but the flower pot remains at the bot...
Sometimes I get the desire to look more put together. Not often, but it happens. I recently purchased a couple of sundresses, thinking I might wear one to graduation. Last weekend I was shopping and found another dress, and so I showed George and asked his opinion. He said, and I quote, “Better be careful. People might start thinking you’re a girl!” I shook my head and said, “We wouldn’t want that now, would we!” I know it’s strange, but I feel more comfortable covered in dirt, drywall mud and paint than I do with makeup, hairspray and...
Students at Scott Middle School in Lincoln were asked to choose a problem in our world, research it and find out what can they can do to help. Eric Nelson, humanities teacher, said our "Make a Difference Project" started simply as a way to make research more enjoyable and meaningful for the sixth-grade students. He encouraged students to choose topics that are near and dear to their hearts, and they typically pick things such as cancer, poverty and abuse. Scott sixth graders have been doing this...
The past week flew by. Hubby was home for most of it, which completely threw me off. He concussed himself, and the doctor thought it best he stayed home. I guess he is not as hard headed as I thought. Thankfully he is all better and back to work. The Money Pit is coming together nicely, I finished the living room this weekend, and I am more than happy with the turnout. Renovating would have been my chosen profession if I could go back in time. I love the work, but I’m not sure I could do it day in and day out anymore. Next weekend, the hubby pl...
The ordinance book for any city is a "beyond boring" read. In fact, when I worked in the city office, I wanted to run away when revisions came in and the books needed to be updated. No matter how dry of a read they are, the citizens in any community need to familiarize themselves with the laws governing them. The City of Nelson recently adopted a Vacant Property Registration Provision. What does this mean for the residents of Nelson? Well, if you own a property you do not live in, this one may a...
I’m having trouble getting my ducks in a row this week and keeping them there. Every time I have started a task, I have been re-tasked to something completely different. I feel like I’m running in circles. After months of looking, debating, and scrutinizing, the hubby and I finally purchased a new bed and frame. Our budget was less than impressive, but we needed something. We knew we wanted a king-size bed because our queen was too small and hard as a rock, and the cat needed more room to sprawl out between the two of us! LOL! Then there was...
I’m so tired of being tired! I did have a productive Saturday, the first in a while. I suppose that means I’m starting to get back to my ol’self. I got the house clean, laundry done and had supper on the table by six. Then on Sunday, I was up and moving by half-past six, which, if you know me, you know that doesn’t happen often. Sunday morning I was doing a little catch-up for work and did my best to work ahead a little, just in case I get sick again. Sunday afternoon, we went over to Mom’s to celebrate her birthday. My brother and his famil...
If you've ever been to a Lawrence Nelson Raiders game, you've probably met Gabriella Herbek, otherwise known as Gabi. That's where I met her. I was sitting in the bleachers at a basketball game when she sat beside me and began talking my ear off. Gabi is a resident of Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence Nelson High School in 2016. She knows just about everyone, and if she doesn't know you, she is not afraid to say Hello. Gabi has a smile to share and a positive attitude. When she was just...
I woke up to the birds chirping this morning; that was a nice change of pace. Usually, it’s my alarm clock squawking after I’ve hit snooze for the fifteenth time. When I came downstairs to get my morning cup of joe, I could have sworn I heard them in the wall! I suppose birds in the wall are better than bats in the belfry or basement, for that matter. I had a busy weekend of patching plaster while George worked to piece our second-hand countertops together. There might be more patch than plaster at this point. The countertops are looking nic...
