Sadie Hawkins Prances

My little Sadie is lonely by herself. It is hard to see her cling to Pat and me, but we won't get another puppy at this time in our lives. It is hard to travel with pets. Sadie will go with us and we will be a happy threesome. Now, please don't tell me this is a spoiled little pomeranian. Look at the stack of pillows.............

My knee surgery

It has now been 5 weeks since my knee surgery, and my progress improves every day. The doctor had told me I would have pains in odd places and bruises showing in odd spots, and sure enough, both of these have come true!! I have been going to the physical therapy appointments, and boy do they ever give me a workout. I learned to love the recumbent bike, and also the little shocking stimulus treatments, with ice bags also. Oh, the numbing would feel so good. I am so much better and will continue to improve. I will faithfully walk, even if I don't feel like it. It is already much better.

This picture shows my compassionate best friend for the first 2 weeks after surgery. It would bend my leg at different degrees and I know it was my best recovery tool. Odd, isn't it?!

Lady Catillion

My beautiful, loyal little Lady Catillion (Catie), my little white pom, has gone to the happy place for pets. Catie had suffered for at least 2 years with heart disease. She passed away on September 7, 2010.

Beauty in the day.......

What I really need to do is remember how fortunate I am to be retired with travel in my future and thank God for the friends I have acquired in my life. We all have our own purpose and possibilties are abundant, so why do I think I should carry all of my burdens and not turn them loose to the one I need to depend on. I am sitting inside a library, in front of a huge window overlooking the beautiful green park, and a tiny corner of the lake, and what more could I ever ask for.

It is a beautiful day today, and I look forward to another one tomorrow.

Mama Griz with babies

This was so awesome to have a glimpse of these dreaded creatures. We were probably 200 yards away and up a hill, but to see this bear wild in the woods was truly incredible. The bears are on the endangered list among other animals, and they are increasing in numbers. Innocent people have been mauled and hospitalized, some lived and some not. It makes me wonder why people camp in tents and are so unprotected from these attacks.....

Myself.........

My genetics have played a toll on me. For many years now, I have had trouble with both of my knees. My Mother had 3 surgeries on her knee, including knee replacements. My brother, Dick had a knee replacement in August of 2009. In May of this year, I saw a new orthopedic doctor, thinking he would have a magic solution for me that no one else knew about. Well, he didn't!!! When he also told me there is nothing that will ever fix my knee problem (osteo-arthritis) which is wearing down of the bones and cartilage, I knew I was doomed by genetics. He talked me into getting a shot of synvisc into my joint, which would give it some cushioning. I know I do have rosy colored glasses in my thinking, but I truly thought even though I was told the shot would last 6 months to a year, I thought I could possibly be an exception to rule and it would last forever. It has now been less than 3 months and my knee is not healed. Pat went with me to see Dr McInnis, and together we were told, there is nothing other than surgery that will fix my knee.

I am scheduled for September 7th at 9:30 a.m. I decided yesterday, I have enough information from the internet. Two family members have given me their knowledge. There can be too much information tucked away in my brain, so I am going to stop reading and go about enjoying my life as I can.

MY SADCATS

My little Sadie and Catie are really turning into traveling companions. Before we left CDA, they both had a bath. I didn't have time to brush them until yesterday. The wind was blowing here at Canyon Ferry, so it was actually pleasant to brush - the cooler air was nice, comfy lawn chair, and nope they could NOT escape my hold. They are now beautiful and ready for the rest of the travels. They just look at me like I have totally lost my mind while I am cleaning them for the occasion. "OH, when will she ever be DONE!" Today, I am done - the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.

TRAVELING WITH KIDS AGAIN.........

Well, I will have to tell all of you, that to travel with kids once again, is a new found pleasure!!! Pat and I are taking Mason (9 years old) with us on this trip through Montana, and he just keeps us in stitches with the laughing machine. We have to see things in his little eyes, and when it has been quite a few years since living with my own children, he keeps me on my toes. Mason and Pat are very similar - well, rephrase that, Mason is like Pat!!! The woods, the man stuff, the truck, the worms, the gun talk. Give me a girl to talk to once in a while. Actually, I did have my girl fix in Seeley Lake, Montana. I spotted a log cabin quilt store. It is a beautiful store, as I had heard about from other CDA ladies who had already ventured over here. I bought a book to make little gifty things. They can be made by hand or by machine, so that will be nice. Today, we will be heading toward Bozeman, MT, and then on to Billings to see my family. The reunion starts on Friday afternoon through Sunday. The last leg of the trip is to Yellowstone Park. Mason has already been warned not to expect a trampoline, or playground of any kind. He says he is fine with that. What a trooper he is. A true pleasure to have with us.

We are readying ourselves for our first "longer" camp trip going to Montana for my family reunion in Big Timber. This is a new location so most of us don't really know what to expect which is fine. I am giving a genealogy class with my cousin Bessie Nelson. She has written a book about our Grandpa Hansen, and I have a copy of it packed in my box to show, just in case she does not have it with her. We will gather on Friday, play games and gene class and craft raffle on Saturday; church service on Sunday. One of our cousins, Jerry Ebelt is a pastor and I just love to hear his wise words of wisdom. Lori is coming for the first time, and will bring Justin. Pat and I will have Mason, and then we will continue to Yellowstone Park after the reunion days. We are really looking forward to this adventure!!!

Grandparents

Hans Pedersen and Hilga Wilhelmina Pedersen - my Mother's parents. Hilga was born in Sweden and Hans was born in Denmark.

Hans looks like a dashing young man in this photo. Look at the hair. Hans passed away before any of us were able to meet him. He was truly missed by our Mother. A horse kicked him in the leg and he died from a blood clot. Hilga was well known to all of us. She lived on a farm, moved to Glendive, retaining farm land; and later moved to Billings. Hilga was an entrepreneur, buying and selling real estate and I am sure she made profits even in those days. Hilga lived many years alone and passed away in Billings.

Carla Lynette Hart

Meet Carla, she is my 2nd daughter. Carla loves taking pictures with the camera on her cell phone. Be ready, because she will want you to pose. Carla loves animals, mainly her kitt'n smitten, but also has a true love for my pups and Lori's animals. Carla has made a good life for herself, and makes a practice of keeping in contact with her family and friends.

My daughter and Grandsons

Lora Kae (Hart) Patrick - my oldest daughter. Lori and Dan have made a family unit of themselves and two sons. Justin is now 18 years old and his younger brother is 9. They are very active boys and love to wrestle with each other, watch the tube, dirt biking & camping. Oh, the wonders that young boys can think of.

Idaho's Grand Canyon

This is a picture of the area we like to go camping and 4 wheeling. In the winter the roads are not even navigable, but in the spring they open up with trails for the fool-hardy or hearty. We have blazed our way through snow, mud and at times while riding there is a thunder storm that brings rain or hail. The views from the top of the mountains are breathtaking. We usually take snacks like a sandwich, crackers, kippered snacks for Pat and Mason, a drink of some kind and a lucky day, a cookie or two.

This is what the Hoffmans love to do while out camping or on our own adventure.

Granddaughters

Now this is a precious picture. Sydni Drew Hill holding her new baby sister Quinci Nicole Hill. New little personalities showing up each time we hear about them. How wonderful it is to have little ones to make us feel young again. Pat is called Pawkey and I am Grammaleenie.

We love you!!!

Grandparents

Louis Oluf (Olef) Hansen and Ingaborg (Jensen) Hansen: Parents of my Dad

Both immigrated from Denmark and met while living in America. There had to have been hardships to each as individuals and also as a family unit. Four children were born to the household and they lived on a farm in Lindsay, Montana prior to retiring to Glendive, Montana. I remember them and going to their farm, a short distance from our farm. They always seemed happy to see us and teased us with their Danish language. I wish you all could have met them.

Our Pets

Our two little dogs are Pomeranians. Sadie Hawkins Prances is a red sable and 13 years old. Lady Catillion is buff and is also 13 years old. They are wonderful companions for both Pat and me and we cherish the memories we have with their funny little antics.

They are my SadCats - this is how my email address was derived.

My Parents

Harold and Marie Hansen - My parents
My Dad was a farmer in Lindsay, Montana and my Mom was a grade school teacher through all of her career. My dad was way too young at the time he passed away, but his hard life of farm dust and mechanic fumes and poor medical help when he was younger, played a toll on his life. He passed away in 1972 at the age of 56.

My Mom continued to live in Billings in the family home and we had many gatherings prior to her moving into an assisted living facility. Mom always kept her spirits bright and loved hearing about everyone's adventures. Mom passed away in 2009 at the age of 93.

QUILTING ENDEAVORS

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My current quilt
My Mother hand stitched the blue and white blocks and I am now continuing the endeavor by making it into a quilt. The colors are not totally justified. There is lime green between each square and then the blue border is a wonderful addition and complement to the framework of the project.

I love this project, and I hope Mom does too. :)

My Discovery

Toward the end of June Pat and I visited the Grand Canyon!!! What an adventure it was to get there, but to be able to say we were there is inspiring to the soul. To understand we could walk along the edge and have absolutely no guard rail to stop a fall, was also thought provoking to say the least. Now, I will give my idea of another Great Wonder that will go unadvertised to the world - so mum is the word!!!

When we were 4 wheeling last weekend in Idaho, in Pat's secret hunting area, I came to a screeching halt at the top of a hillside! I looked over this valley, that was very similar in size to the Canyon I had seen a couple of weeks prior, only this time the hillsides were lush and green with vegetation. Now to put this in perspective - God had a hand in producing both canyons, and he showed me the Gift he gave us right in our own backyard. I traveled more than a thousand miles to see desert, dry, no green growth, other than cactus - some blooming. The Joshua Forest was a sight to behold, and not what you would expect it to be at all. The second canyon is less than 100 miles away, in Idaho, and in contrast we have about the same size canyon, river at the bottom, only the canyon walls are not sharp cliffs, but more rolling mountains and almost totally green with forest - pine trees that is and some deciduous trees as well. In the forest, hidden from our view, are elk, bear, moose, deer, wolves, and various small animals. In Canyon #1, we were warned of animals, but small, creeping critters we don't want to get close to for the venom they may share!!

So, a conclusion of this summer travel is, I need to appreciate "my own backyard" as well as far away hot spots.