Fall Memories 2024

The last few months of 2024 were a blur. So much going on and so little time to capture it all! After three kids and the last possible opportunity in her senior year, Eric and I finally got to chaperone the Homecoming dance. While we didn't get to show off our own moves on the dance floor, it was fun to see the students dress up for the evening.

Then a hurricane decided to reek havoc in our area even though we are over 250 miles inland. Hurricane Helene shut our community down for a week that made groceries reminiscent of the pandemic.

Once things got back to normal (the utility crews were amazing!), Ashlyn and Alex took a few days off to see us for their birthday weekend. It was great to see them and her cute belly!

We had all her favorite foods ready so that she wouldn't go hungry no matter what she was craving.

When the baby finally arrived, we were all overjoyed! I never knew my heart was missing this precious little one, but it was. Now she's filled it to the brim. 💕

Her aunt and uncle got to give her sweet snuggles.

Opa and Grandma enjoyed holding her, too!

I couldn't wait to show off her picture at work.

Then there was another birthday to celebrate! Our own baby turned 18. 

The next day she bought a lottery ticket, registered to vote, renewed her passport, and got a credit card. She must be preparing to travel the world or something. And honestly, she just might.

We met for lunch at one her favorite spots to enjoy smoothie bowls.

Just a few days later, the house was filled with all things Christmas! I surprised the family with a reel-to-reel movie projector. The sound was a bit scratchy and the noise of the projector was interfering with hearing the actors say their lines. 

But the experience was priceless. I think the picture quality speaks volumes for how technology has advanced in 50 years. Still, watching "A Christmas Carol" being played in it's original format will be a classic memory we can cherish every holiday season now.

While our son was home, I enjoyed updating the patches on his US Army uniform. I don't use the machine much, so when I do, it's always special to have a purpose like this.

Being in the moment with the family meant that I didn't capture photos like I usually would. Now that everyone is back to a routine, I took the opportunity to show off one of my favorite gifts. It's a framed poster of Jesus and Mary at a time during his childhood when there isn't much written about him. I imagine they would have enjoyed a quiet starry night as she pointed out the constellations we still see today.

This poster spoke right to my heart because I have fond memories of the same starry conversations with my own children. I found a photo of us back from March 2004 when we were published in a magazine at the Roper Mountain Science Center.

That same magazine contacted me again a few months later about a different article. Who knew these two kiddos would be famous? I guess I slacked a bit when the 3rd child came along.

1st Senior Semester

It's her senior year! How did this happen so quickly? It all started with the last first day...senior sunrise.

 

Students only, no parents. I was grateful for the Instagram posts.

One of her besties! 

Then it was cross country season. They started training over the summer, but it hit home once the banners went up. 

She was the strongest runner on her team this year. It was fun to watch her in the lead, still smiling with her thumbs up! She enjoyed every moment. 

Her strength training paid off with award after award. Every race she finished in the top 10, and some she finished first overall.

The races start out like this with about 50 or more runners from a dozen schools. Our favorite runner is on the far left of the line with a blonde ponytail. 💛

It doesn't take long before she's in the fastest pack, often leading them.

Her consistent pace and long strides give her an edge in providing lots of space between her and her competitors.

As she nears the home stretch she's keeping a watchful eye on her time, always trying to best her own Personal Record (PR).

Her old PR was beat this season for a new one …20.42! 

That time earned her a first place overall finish. 😀

She and another senior were the team captains who led the group to State. 

They had a cute Insta post during the season, too.

A final team picture before the season officially ended. What a great group of girls and athletes!

AT Section

In January this year, I began training for a section of the AT with a group of about 12 former military service men and women. I was grateful they invited me into their group since I never served (but my husband and son do!). Two days before the hike was to begin, it was abruptly cancelled (the three leaders all had separate emergencies come up). 

One of the hikers sent out a group text at the same time I did asking "Who still wants to go?". No one else chimed in, so we texted each other and decided to go ourselves.

We kept the original itinerary and drove to the starting point...Lemon Gap on the border between NC and TN. Similar to the Foothills Trail, we followed the white blazes on the trees. The AT never crosses paths with the Foothills, so both can use the same color. Our first day was a short hike about 3.5 miles to Roaring Fork shelter. This one was really nice. There were three other hikers already there, so that made for fun evening conversation about where everyone was from and where they were headed. All of us slept in tents since the weather was good. 

The outhouse facility (or privy) was a comfort not usually found on the trail. Bring your own toilet paper, though!

Day 2 was about 8.5 miles of mostly downhill. My knees and legs were so sore! I'd much rather hike uphill than down. The terrain was very different this day than the previous day. 

Where the trail didn't offer a large tree for a white blaze, we looked for sticks painted with a white mark to make sure we were still headed in the right direction.

Finally we arrived at the shelter, or almost. It was another quarter of a mile downhill from the AT. Each shelter had a bear box, which was nice. That allowed us to safely store our food and trash without hanging it over a large tree branch away from camp. There were plenty of water sources along the trail, too. 

This campsite was a bit older... built in 1939. We were the only hikers who stayed at this site.

Inside, there is a place to set your sleep mat and sleeping bag. When it's raining, you could fit about 10 campers all in a row in here. Most opt for their own tent when it's nice outside to allow for more personal space and privacy. Plus, there are sometimes mice that will crawl on you in the shelter. Along the AT, each shelter also has a "journal" where hikers will jot down a note for future hikers. Sometimes it's an uplifting and encouraging message, other times a confession of sobriety, and others just a comic relief of a story they expeienced on the trail. Since neither of us thought to bring a pen, we didn't sign it.

On Day 3, our last day, we trekked 12 miles over the beautiful Max Patch. It was an exhausting 3,800 ft elevation gain (cummulative). But I was happy to be hiking uphill rather than downhill.

The views were worth it!

Once on the top, we enoyed clear mountain views of the entire 360￮ area.

We enjoyed a lunch break, soaking in the views.

Eventually, it was time to head back down.

After we returned to the car, we were ready for a shower and a bed back in our homes. I enjoyed the time to unplug, smell the pines, and taste the fresh stream waters. I also got to know a wonderful lady who I'd hike again with anytime! But as far as a goal to hike the entire AT? Maybe I could do it in sections. I'd miss my family and home too much to do the whole thing at one time.

Ancestors

A perk of having lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins is the opportunity to see family often. There's always an occasion to get together. I may not always be able to go, but I try when I can to stay in touch.

This particular event was a funeral of one of my favorite aunts. It gave my sister and I the perfect setting to visit several gravesites from long ago. I'm documenting the sites here in case my children were ever interested in learning where to find them.

My mom is burried in Union City, OK at St. Joseph's Cemetery, as are her parents Vima and Benno.

My dad is burried in Kingfisher, OK, on the land he farmed as a boy. Our clan is the only one allows on this side of the road until the other side is completely full. Dad's ashes are right between his parents, Teresa and Joseph. His marker is on the back side of their tombstone.

Between the two cities in Okarche at Holy Trinity Cemetary, you'll find my great-grand parents, Henry and Dora. This is the Henry who emmigrated from Weseke, Germany.

My grandmother's (Teresa Shaefer Mueggenborg) parents are also burried there.

So now you know where to find your ancestors if that's something you decide to do!