The Farmers Have Flown the Coop

Being the Midwestern, rural, hospitable and generous people that we are, we're giving our family a long-lasting Christmas gift this year:  the wonderful and most desirable opportunity to experience winter chores for 3 weeks! 

And while they're here basking in the winter glory and having the time of their lives.....

we'll be in Panama, suffering with the heat and the humidity and the terrible, terrible company of friends and family.  

 We'll suffer through the tropical fruits....

 the mountainous vistas....

the comfort of mom/grandma....

 the pristine beaches....

the fun with cousins....

the jokes and hilarious stories told by brothers...

the reminders of why you fell in love with your husband...

and the comforts of home.

It may be a long ways from Irish Grove, but it's home all the same.

Yes, it'll be rough.  But we'll make it through the next few weeks somehow.  And so, since we won't be seeing you for awhile....we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See ya in 2011!

'Sibling' Rivalry

Remember those days when you were little and your brother or sister got sick?

 

Maybe they had the stomach flu or a perhaps a fever?  And everyone, including you, joined in the rally cry to take extra good care of them?

Grandma would bring over chicken noodle soup......

 

and mom would buy soda crackers and 7-Up, just for them.  

"That's OK," you'd think.  "I'm healthy enough to run around and play, eat a full supper, go to school...I don't need any pop or crackers." 

"I'm a good sister, I won't be jealous.  They're sick, after all."

But slowly you started to get tired of all the attention your sibling was getting.

Grandma came by a second time with jello.

Their friends were calling to see how they were.

And you had seen them playing a little bit....especially when Mom wasn't looking. 

That was the moment you were able to justify the sheath of crackers that somehow ended up in your room.  

And that glass of 7-Up you chugged down when no one was looking. 

This?

This, my friends.....

is a lot like that.