My car that has been parked at Mom and Dad's has been greatly missed! To get it up and running was one of my first things to do when I got to Melby. So by Monday morning, the 'ole Aurora was up and running, insurance, registration and tabs renewed!
Tuesday afternoon I hit the road to Fargo and got to see Kelsey and Matt and Kacie.
It was great to catch up with these great girlfriends. We shared some good catch up time over a bottle of wine (to which all of us ending up just having a few sips before we all opted for water). I really enjoy spending time with this gals and seeing how we're all getting older and we opt out of the alcohol because a glass of water and an early bedtime feels way better! Aw, I'll take age 25 over 21 anyday!
I said my good byes to Kelsey and Matt before heading over to Kacie's new place in South Fargo. Kacie's boyfriend Ryan was due home any day; he's been in Iraq for the past year. Kace has done a wonderful job putting the "woman's touch" on Ryan's house. Now that I'm writing this, I received the great news that Ryan touched down in Fargo at noon safely - WELCOME HOME RYAN!!!
Kace and I ended up staying up later than we expected (2 am!) but the chat was well worth it. Kacie and I share a lot of the same moral values and beliefs so it's always so easy talking to her on almost every subject. The next morning we shared a great cup of coffee (or 2!) on the deck listening to the geese fly in before we parted ways to start our days.
 |
| 2005 Moorhead State Nelson Hall Reunion!! |
My next stop was Glenburn, North Dakota - (just a little north of Minot) to catch up with my hometown friend Andrew Zickur who grew up on the outskirts of Melby about a mile away from my parents. So I hit the road for the last stretch of traveling for the day - about 110 miles north of Bismarck. Andrew....or shall I say Sargent Zickur is stationed at the Minot Air Force Base there.
I made it to Andrew's just in the nick of time to get out hunting with him and his fellow AFB buddy Dusty. And although it was Geese Opener, the ducks were much more abundant to which I got some awesome footage of ducks flying in that night.The town of Glenburn was great!! I even got offered a job during my 3 day stay - as a school bus driver! woohoo!! My favorite part was when I had to make a fax and so I was instructed to do it at the City Council. When I got to the door, I discovered it was closed for the day. Underneath the poster it stated "CLOSED Friday: Doctor's Appt in Bismarck" - ah haa I love it!!
 |
| Andrew Zickur - the person who never fails at putting a smile on my face! |
Each morning I would get up head out for a sunrise walk/jog at the same time Andrew departed for work. Those morning walks were glorious and so essential to a peaceful mind. You get to do so much thinking with no distractions - just Mother Nature surrounding you.
During the next two days we scouted and hunted every evening. I know usually success is based on how many birds you killed, right? Although we didn't take any birds, the success rate was 159% every day! It was such a great time to take in the beauty and simplicity! Plus it was really fun for me to capture some video while we were out there!
Oh, did I mention we saw a moose?! And it was by far the most action I've captured on my camera in the fields before!
Andrew Zickur is one person who can always put a smile on my face and make me laugh at anything!! As my left Glenburn, my cheeks were sore from laughing so much!! Mark Glenburn down as a SUCCESS!
 |
| GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA RUGBY, ND |
I was a little bit suprised! I stopped to snap a pic and continued on my way.
Now here I am in Elbow Lake; it's hard to believe that just 6 hours ago I was in Glenburn. It was so good to be able to hug these precious little gifts, better known as my nephews- Ben and Drew. Also fun to catch up with my brother Tom and his wife Kari who just announced they are expecting their first child together in February!! Another niece or nephew for this Auntie - whoooa boy!!
My poor nephew Drew got sick so Auntie arrived just in time to cuddle and baby him. And of course who doesn't love being greeted with an "Auntie Jo!!!" and big hug from Benny!!
I remember when I was sick as a youngin' and how much patience my mom had while nursing us back to health. Oh, I don't know how she did it but in the end it doesn't matter how much tylenol you've had or how tasty the chicken noodle soup is, what it boils down to is the nursing, the cuddling and the care. To know that someone is there to put a cool sheet on you just seconds after you requested the warmest quilt, to know that someone will just hold you and rub your forehead through all your madness. I was so glad I made it in time to be able to help with Drew tonight. Those are the moments Auntie's live for!!
- Quick re-cap of good lessons:
- Living out of a carry-on is not so bad.
- The simplicity and peace of a small town is grand and under-rated.
- Do not act on emotions - go to the Bible for advice when wanting to react to your emotions.
- Cuddling, extra patience and love is KEY when you're sick - why do you think every kid wants their mom when they feel their worst? Because Mom's are the best at it.....Auntie's come in a close #2!!
- Do not let a couple hours keep you from visiting a friend or two - you really can fit a lot in a 3-4 day road trip.
