Out Ioway

My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and earth,
He will not let your foot slip-
He who watches over you will not slumber.
-Psalms 121:2,3

 
The ProgenyArdithSharonJasonDerek

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Mayo, the Dayo

Loren has a shorter than usual stint up at Mayo this year for the annual check-up.

Just two long days, Monday and Tuesday; he'll be driving home tomorrow evening.

First day's tests are finished. They took the usual 3 pints of blood (I could be wrong) early in the morning and then moved on to chest x-ray, EEG, dermatology (check for skin cancer), meeting with the transplant coordinator and the most favorite one of the day, kidney function test.

That's where they pump you with fluids until about 3 seconds before you explode.

But thankfully that is done and Loren can loaf around the hotel room, resting up for two walks on the treadmill-of-doom, tomorrow.

Here on the home front we trudged along as usual, facing a full week of school after 4 days of vacation. We celebrated by He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named entering two fluff words on his computer spelling list, getting caught and having to redo the entire list.

That's always fun.

He followed that by several more miscreant acts which brought on extra KP duty.

After lunch I ran in for milk, taking HWSNBN with me, to prevent...whatever.

Then my nap, which nowadays always coincides with computer game time, to insure a modicum of sleep and a minimum of mayhem.

Later, there was that whole stove incident where I pulled it out and cleaned around and underneath, still unable to find the source of an icky smell. So now we know whatever died definitely isn't under the stove, but behind the wall.

Nothing like fresh, homey scents for the holidays.

However, we did have a good scoff around the supper table, eating burgers donated from the meat locker of generous church friends.

Then it was comedy with Dick Van Dyke, followed by a movie. The latter was a little tricky, with the DVD/VCR kaput, but they watched Ice Age on Carolyn's computer, which is as close as we can come to seasonal viewing with most of our Christmas fare still on VHS.

All that video time insured it was safe for me to get in 4.25 more miles on the treadmill.

The movie was to placate the bashed plans for Ethan to see Star Trek (on the computer) with Carolyn and I. A certain person had requested something special for the day, to which I'd given a blank stare. Later I thought, "Why not?" and issued my Star Trek directive. It became apparent this would not be wise as cold symptoms progressed throughout the afternoon. At least that's what I thought. Naturally there were pleas to the contrary and cheerful remonstrations of recovery. I decided to remain firm and stick with my third decision.

An experienced mother wouldn't have mentioned the possibility of seeing something until closer to showtime, but I should get the hang of this in a couple more years or so.

I think the important thing to remember is that I successfully raised hopes only to dash them, later.

My work here is done.
 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Ma's Arbor Day FoundationThanksgiving Weekend Gift

Dear Arbor Day Foundation,

I wish to express my complete and utter shock thanks for the 10 trees which arrived by mail, this morning. What an unexpected surprise! (Hel-LO-ooo...they were supposed to come in the spring!)

As per instructions on the package--"Plant immediately!"--I shall be taking them out to the garden this afternoon. There should be time before the forecasted snow flurries arrive later this evening.

Admittedly, I had expected them closer to March or April (I mean seriously...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?) but will endeavor to take good care of them, heeling in the young trees over winter. Finding room in the garden should not be a problem as we do have a pick-ax.

At this time of year when we are hunkering down for nearly 4 months of winter counting our blessings, you will definitely be in my thoughts (something along the lines of, "Has the whole world gone MAD?").

So thank you, again, for the Crabapple, Redbud, Flowering Dogwwod, and other trees which may never see the light of day you sent.

Your gift has certainly added mind-boggling and hair-pulling commotion an invigorating component to my day.

Sincerely,

Ma Hoyt (who lives in North Central Iowa, and not next to the equator)
 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Excitement in the Heartland Part 1

Sorry for lack of posts. The Internet service has been abysmal of late. But feeling extra courageous, I decided to try posting two pictures this evening. Figured I can always come back in a couple of hours to see if they've published.

Of course, it is more than slow service that has kept me from posting. The thrilling life of a homeschooling mom is enough to keep anyone busy.

For instance, every night I write out the assignments that Trevor and Nolan are to start on while I am exercising. It's not that big of a deal. But if I didn't write it out, they wouldn't do it.

It has only been recently that I haven't had to write more basic instructions such as:

1. get up
2. eat breakfast
3. get dressed

That first one is especially tricky, though recently Trevor has requested to be woken up at 6:30 so he can get his math done quickly, leaving him free to go back to bed (I just made up that last part...usually he spends his free time reading How toe Train Your Dragon for the upteenth time).

And once I am finished on the treadmill, there is the excitement of taking my protein drink to the computer and confirming that, "Yes, it's not loading anything, a-GAIN."

So you can see my mornings are quite full.

On exceptional days I go shopping in the afternoon. And this past Monday I had the distinct privilege of driving over the new bridge in Iowa Falls!


My but it is snazzy. Threes lanes! The technological pace in our neck of the woods can be exhausting.

The next step for Iowa Falls, obviously, will be to build a new town to go with the bridge.

After an experience such as that I need several quiet days at home to get my heart back to normal speed.

I was glancing at Nolan's math section, preparing one more detailed lesson plan the equivalent of two sentences, when I came upon this series of family portraits on the back of a math test....


It reminds me of Picasso.

Who said we don't have culture out here in the cornfield?

Tune in next time for Part 2, when I'll share about recent visitors to the Hoytstead.
 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Slow, Slow, Slowwwww

Guess I don't have the right to complain about Internet, since we did survive without it, growing up :-)

But, if your main means of communicating with people and catching up on the outside world is tied to your computer, you start to see your life passing before your eyes as the loading circles go 'round and 'round without actually getting anywhere.

Not sure if our provider is having problems or it's the end of the world. Guess we'll know in a couple days.

Most exasperating as you see mistakes or typos that need correction and your realize you might reach retirement age before things improve, at which time no one will remember what you said, anyway.

On another front, I am very disappointed at the slow moral development in a certain person under my authority. Trust me, no one can hurt you like a kid.

Then there's my brain. Not sure if it is having problems, because.....I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT USED TO WORK FASTER OR NOT. Just have a general impression of impending disconnect.

Probably need more chocolate.
 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Funeral Trip

Guess I should report in after being away for several days.

The trip out to Indiana and back went smoothly, thanks to my wonderful older kids going with me. Kendra and I traveled with Ardith and Justin (who did all the driving) and Jason also came along in his car, taking some of the excess luggage.

Jason didn't mind driving by himself. In fact, he prefers it. Something about maximal woofer output, I imagine.

Had some very good visits with family and people from Mom's church which I hadn't seen for a long time.

Particularly enjoyed seeing my cousin Terry and her husband Ron. The only embarrassing moment was when I introduced them to my kids and pronounced their name wrong. Which I didn't realize I'd been pronouncing wrong forever. But Ron and Terry are good sports and now all I have to do is live for 53 more years, pronouncing it correctly, to make up for my faux-pas.

I was kind of shocked that Mr. and Mrs. Felts (college music teachers...she was my piano instructor) came to the viewing, with their daughter Alicia (and her two daughters), whom I had not seen since college.

Then too, Rich and Theresa Dick, my high school choir director and the person who got me an audition for a scholarship at Grace. So great to see them.

I was very touched that these dear people came.

We didn't arrive in time for the first viewing on Friday, so a couple from MANY years ago, returned at the end of the second viewing to see me. Lowell and Diane Nofzinger.

It makes me feel guilty because I am not a nice enough person to deserve such kindness (that's not false modesty, just a dose of truth).

The service on Saturday morning went well, I thought. It was nice to hear all the different activities with which Mom had been involved. I heard a lot of interesting bits I had not been aware of, partly because I was the baby of the family and not up on her earlier life.

I've been coughing for over 3 weeks and was concerned that our special number (Ardith, Sharon, Kendra and I...."Sweet By and By") would be interrupted and spoiled by my hacking. But thanks to an endless supply of menthol cough drops, it went fine. I couldn't taste as well the next day, however. Somehow that did not stop me from eating.

We had a nice family time together after the meal, over at Mom's house. Sharing stories and laughing a lot. Found out some goodies about my siblings, and my kids discovered some tidbits about their aunt and uncles, too.

Must get back to this setting, however. It's time for getting youngin's to bed.
 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Out Indiana-way

Wanted to let everyone know we are safely in Indiana....oops, sorry Loren...just realized I forgot to call you.

Anyway, we are safely here :-D

Stopped at the last travel plaza (to change clothes) before leaving the toll road and then went right to the viewing at the funeral home. So my mind was on that and then we got visiting with people and before you know it, I am here and realizing I forgot to call home.

Several people came that I was totally not expecting and it really touched my heart.

Mr. and Mrs. Felts, my music history and piano (and theory) teacher. And as a special surprise, her daughter Alicia (and her two girls). I haven't seen Alicia since college so I guess that's....oh....over 30 years.

Also, Rich and Theresa Dick. Very special to see them and I think most people would not drive an hour to do this, but then, we are talking about very exceptional folks.

At the very end a couple walked in and we were preparing to leave, and it turned out to be Lowell and Diane Nofzinger (hope I spelled that right). Hadn't seen them in over 30 years and frankly, they looked WAY too young...but to get back to the point, they had returned to the later viewing after seeing I wasn't there at the earlier one.

Ma was floored. Really, people are so sweet. Mom and Dad touched a lot of lives, here.

Had good (but too short) visits with my brothers and sister, a nephew or two and assorted spouses.

And concerning Mom, it is very strange to see your mother lying in a casket, not quite looking like she did in life because it is simply impossible to do justice....well, anyway...

We had a good trip out. I am very thankful for Justin and Ardith taking me in their car. Made it easy for Ma!

After we got down to Warsaw we spent a little time at Tysons with the idea that we could practice for special music since they have a piano. Which they don't have, any more. But we messed about and I guess people will understand if it isn't perfect.

Again, sorry I did not report in earlier.
 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Muddling Around

Trying to get myself in gear for the coming 3.5 days.

There's laundry to fold, clothes to pack, and several sheets of paper to be written up, detailing lessons and menus and activities and strong admonitions to behave.

And today's school. Plus, emails and phone calls have been flying fast since Sunday. My brain full of mush, but we shall try.

Planning on leaving for Cedar Rapids around 4:00 this afternoon. Ma is pretty glad that other people will be doing the driving out to Indiana. Particularly since I accidentally bought caffeine-free diet Coke, yesterday.

Pretty soon I'm gonna need a minder.

Funny thing happened yesterday. I took Carolyn and Ethan in for the yearly testing. They go to the high school and it's a real life reenactment of David and Goliath, size-wise....but the best part was lunch in the cafeteria.

Rather than 4 or 5 periods of testing, spread out over 4 different days, they do all the testing in one day, finishing after lunch.

I used to run in and bring a sack lunch and take them to the gas station for a restroom break, but seriously, when the guidance counselor offered for Carolyn to just stay and have lunch in the cafeteria last year, I figured, why not? Carolyn is outgoing enough that it wouldn't freak her out like it might a couple other of the kids.

Same thing this year. I figured Ethan would lap it up, frankly. His middle name is, "I-can-make-lasting-friendships-in-2-minutes."

Background: Monday was Carolyn's birthday and she'd picked out chicken-n-biscuits for her birthday meal. Ethan immediately began lobbying for a change of rules. No more, "The birthday person gets to pick out whatever they want," but "The birthday person gets to pick out whatever they want, as long as it's something Ethan really likes."

He has a lot of things he doesn't like. We're talking about a person who just refused the offer of a Cherry Cordial Kiss because, "I don't like cherries."

I mean seriously...there's only so much I can do for a person like that.

Fast forward to yesterday and I think you can guess what is coming....at the school cafeteria they had CHICKEN-N-BISCUITS!

Every once in a while I feel like things are gonna work out.
 

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Anna Mae Baker March 23, 1918 - November 6, 2011



My mom passed away this afternoon.

She was 93 years old and had been in declining health these past years due to issues with suspected mini-strokes and diabetes.

Early this morning her blood sugar was quite high, and because of this and other symptoms, an ambulance was called and at the hospital she was diagnosed with a mild heart attack.

After further testing, the "mild" was upgraded to "major" (or massive...I'm going on second-hand info). The prognosis was bleak and she was given little time.

The day brought visits from friends and family, and Mom died shortly after one of the visits.

The above picture was taken during a Baker reunion the summer following Loren's heart transplant, which puts it in the year 2005 (I think). It was the last time all of us siblings were together before Dad passed away the following year.

Mom was a quiet but faithful kind of person who just kept on goin' and doing lots of little things behind the scenes to make other peoples' lives easier.

We are very thankful that Mom, after all the struggles in the past couple of years, can rest now eternally with her heavenly Father.
 

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Last Decent Day

And I'm not talkin' yesterday. Yesterday was one of those slate gray days you read about in Little House on the Prairie, minus the cheerful barn animals. The temperature hovered around 39 degrees and a cold rain persisted, splashing against the north windows, each large, drop embedded with 25-30 bits of stuff that looked suspiciously of ice.

No, the last decent day was Tuesday. And knowing it would spell farewell to warm weather, I took Carolyn, Nolan and Trevor to Prairie Bridges Park. We brought along old bread to feed potential waterfowl and chocolate chip cookies to feed more dangerous forms of wild life.

"Are there alligators in here?"...*chuckle*..."No."
"No, seriously...are there alligators around here?"

Real questions from real homeschooled boys who now have to really brush up on their local fauna.

Shimmering reflect-y image


Joe Cool and Nolan mess around by the creek.


One of the few birds Ma was able to snap: a cardinal.
Trevor and Nolan insisted on marching in the lead, which proved rather effective in scaring away wildlife.

American Bittersweet....
....or Celastrus scandens. That's Latin for, "the feeling you get when taking young boys to a nature park and all they want to do is throw rocks and sticks into every passing pond and mud-hole."

As mentioned, we'd brought old bread to feed the geese and ducks, of which there were few. However, upon returning to where we'd parked the car we noticed one lone Canadian Goose...
...which, on closer inspection, proved to be a remote controlled fake.

At least we didn't use up too much bread before we had that imposter figured out.

I'll bet the guy with the controls was laughing his head off.

Just for that, we didn't give him any of our cookies.
 

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Falling

Waiting for Loren to come home from a men's meeting at church. Not quite enough energy to edit and post pictures from today's foray to Prairie Bridges Park, but here is a shot of fall color from when we went shopping, last Thursday.



Of course, it's not that special. There was a car parked just to the left that interfered with the best tree colors. And basically, I was too tired to get out and get a closer shot.

Plus, The World Series (game six!) was that evening.

Part of the reason I am low on energy is from putting in extra miles on the treadmill. Ten yesterday! I was building up a surplus for potentially being gone part of the day, but that didn't work out, so I got in another 9.5 today and that should give me a cushion to fall back on in case I'm too tired later in the week.

From going on the treadmill.

To stay in shape.

And have more energy.

I could almost fall asleep right now, sitting at my computer....