Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:52:57 -0700WeeblySat, 14 Mar 2026 17:50:08 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/stormsWhat do you remember of storms?  I remember Mom always had supplies on hand so we would be okay until they could plow the roads.  I also remember I had to go to the grocery store whenever a storm was being talked about.  For the storm "they" are talking about I can tell you a LOT of people are at the store today.

​Then do you remember how long the storm was?  How much snow?  What you did during?  I can remember enjoying the "snow day(s)" as a kid.  I can remember making sure I had needlework supplies, as well as food, for the storms in recent years.  I can also remember a "mountain" in front of the house, for most of the winter,  during the snows a few years ago.

So.....fun things to remember....... and laugh?  Remember it is better to laugh than to start screaming!
]]>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:10:01 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/naps8358618Do you remember when your first born baby came home?  Do you remember "older, more experienced" parents (and maybe even the doctor) telling you "when the baby takes a nap - TAKE A NAP."  My son will be 50 this year but I remember not only being told but actually following the advice.

I also remember the occasional nap while being Dad's caregiver.  Not as often, but they did happen.  Not as often because I only rarely had to be up in the middle of the night.  I did learn to sleep with "one ear tuned for Dad" though - in case he needed me, or fell, or called for me.  Makes for interesting sleep patterns - right?

The interesting thing, as the 3 of us take care of the 3 of us, is one sister just came home from having surgery and being in the hospital for 4 days.  Our bedrooms are next to each other so, yes, I'm the one listening for if she needs help.  The problem is.......  I seem to "hear" things.  I came to hearing her call me - at 3:00am.  The problem is she was sound asleep!  I definitely think a nap is on the schedule for this afternoon!  Sometimes it is easier to laugh.... or you will start screaming!]]>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:57:31 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/memoriesSo many memories this week......  First the Olympics were awesome to watch and reminded of other Olympic games - both summer and winter -- AND when we were a lot younger and riding sleds or trying to skate.  What were you thinking of?  Did you get to watch any of the Olympics?  What is your favorite to watch?

​We always watch figure skating but added skate boarding, some skiing and some of the bobsled.  The skiing was both skiing down the hill and jumps - as in jumps with "flips."  We agreed it was interesting to watch and reacted when the jump didn't work.  None of us had tried skiing so memories were of agreeing we weren't going to try more.  The bobsled reminded us of a friend of our family's who had a 'toboggan' run from their back door, twisting and turning down the hill to the edge of the river.  We all agreed it was a LOT of fun.

Then we were watching a different table, while we were out to eat, with a LARGE piece of chocolate cake.  We remembered going out to eat with our mother, the night before she suddenly died, and have a wonderful dinner with all four of us eating some of the chocolate cake with some left on the plate.  A wonderful memory we could share! 

​Memories......something to think about...........  ]]>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:26:43 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/step-stepWhen you see "step" what do you think of?  The flight of steps in front of you?  The steps to actually finish the project you have started?  The things you need to do?  The steps to learn a new ________? Or, maybe, like me you are watching where you put your feet because carpet can trip you?

I've recently been learning new exercises, following step by step, to get stronger.  I've also been trying some new patterns in knitting which require, at least the first few times, following the directions.  Then there is the decision for which step to change or eliminate.....

OR..... with the snow, and sometimes ice, there is the fun of walking - anywhere.  My family tends to point out "steps" - like carpet and uneven surfaces - because I can trip over carpet!  It can be very helpful because I may, or may not, have seen it.  Our trip to the United Kingdom almost two years ago, started with both sisters saying "step."  By the time we got to the airport our two friends were also pointing out any steps.  By the second day of the tour everyone on the bus (all 28!) were pointing out steps.  I did point out that one or two would be enough!!  The memory is fun, and still able to laugh...... because otherwise you will start screaming!]]>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:56:58 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/sharing3711410So....what do you think of when you see/hear "sharing"?  You have shared a room with a sibling?  You have shared the last piece of ______ with a sibling?  You probably did it the same way we did - one person "cuts" the other person decides who gets which piece.  What other things are you sharing?  Maybe your talents?  Food?  Making warm things for people who are cold? Maybe sharing when you have felt God's presence, strength and guidance?

Sometimes the people, in this house, are pretty good at sharing.  Sometimes not so much.  We are pretty good at sharing what we are good at - one cooking, two with needlework.  We are willing to help someone else learn how to do something -- cook, quilt, knit.  We are even willing to make for someone else to eat/use.  Then there are the times when it is the last of some dish (a favorite) or dessert.  We are NOT always willing to share them - especially chocolate.

So..... how are you at sharing?  With everything going on right now CAN you share about God's love?  Can you show God's love, even with "just" a smile?  Something to think about.........
]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:38:19 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/errandsRemember when it was "easy" to run errands?  All we had to do was walk a few blocks...or a short drive in the car.....  Pretty "easy" to get to the car, get to the store, park the car and get back home....  Remember the cartoons of the child in a snowsuit unable to move (usually saying they had to go to the bathroom)? 

Where I live (MN) it has decided to remind us of the snowsuit!  The temp is in the minus numbers with a wind chill even lower.  Yes, we wear layers.  Yes, we have clothes designed for the cold.  And...YES(!) we look like kids in snowsuits a lot of the time.  So it takes almost as long to get ready to run the errands as it does to actually run the errands.  I will also admit my nickname, for years, has been "Nanuck of the north."

​You do have to laugh or you will start screaming!!
]]>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:16:45 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/have-you-seen-______How are you at finding things?  Do you have things, like most of us do, that you put some place "safe"?  It must be a VERY safe place because I still can't find several things!  Then there are the things I "just had" but can't find.  It can be very frustrating especially when one of the sisters comes into the room and finds it immediately.

Or.... you think of something, usually in the middle of something else, and wonder where it is.  It has gotten a little chilly where I live (MN) and I thought of my warm boots.  I knew they had moved with me but I hadn't used them last year.  So...... where were they?  The interesting part of moving from a 4 bedroom house to one bedroom makes for some very stuffed closets.

The good news is the boots were actually where I thought they would be!  Sometimes memory works!!  Like I've said.....you have to laugh or you will start screaming!
]]>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:04:41 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/waiting4061256How are you at waiting?  It probably depends on what you are waiting for and how long you have to wait - right?  There are some things we might have to wait "a long time" for - like knowing a new baby is arriving but not for several months.  To an adult that is pretty fast but to a child that is 'forever.'  Then there is waiting for the food to arrive when you are hungry.......  Or hurry to get to the appointment only to have to wait.

Or.....like last week.... waiting while a family member is in surgery.  What do you do?  I tend to be knitting and people watching - same as when I'm at the airport.  It was an interesting morning because there were several others also waiting.  Some were scrolling on their phones, children were playing with technology (not sure what you call it) and some were trying to "nap."  Some were actually willing to visit - especially when one person walked past us telling the nurse they gave their height as "6 feet."  I can tell you the person was NOT 6 feet tall!  It did get several of us talking though!

There was also the person doing crochet.  We exchanged patterns.....  Sometimes you learn a new pattern and sometimes you laugh........  An interesting way to "wait."
]]>Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:02:21 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/tradition8065037What traditions do you have?  Are you able to do them?  How do you celebrate Christmas?  What are the memories you have of "past" Christmas traditions?  We were talking about it last night because we were in worship at 7 pm - which felt WAY early!  Christmas Eve services are supposed to be at 11 pm so you are coming out of the church a little after midnight -- THEN it is Christmas.

Or what about how we dress for Christmas service?  Do you still get the new outfit for the service?  We always got a new outfit for the first day of school and Christmas Eve.  No, I didn't get a new outfit in September OR for the service.  I did think about it as I was "people watching" before the service though.......

Do you explain the tradition?  "We always did it this way"........  Why?  I love the story of the new groom asking why the bride was cutting the ends off the ham.  "Because this how my mother did it."  So.....ask new mother in law who gives the same answer.  Soooooo...... ask new grandmother.....  "because I didn't have a big enough pan to fit the ham."  Sometimes you get to laugh!

​And....sometimes you go look at neighborhood lights after an "early" worship service.
]]>Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:52:05 GMThttps://www.focusforstrength.com/memories/traveling8095572So.....how are the roads where you are?  Do you have snow?  Can you get out even "just" for errands?  ARE you going to be traveling this holiday season?  We have an interesting mix of family "close" (an hour's drive away) and "far" (plane ride or 2 day drive).  We live "up north" so driving conditions can be an interesting (remember we laugh not scream!) challenge.  This winter has had some especially interesting weather from flooding (northwest) to SNOW (northeast) to "dangerous" windchill (Midwest) so travel has some issues.

​Yesterday I was traveling, flying to be with my son, and working through "dangerous wind chill" and "winter weather" (where he lives) so expecting delays.  The fun part was the delays......  The first delay was the plane arriving was late.  Then "those who need more time" were boarded.  I had just sat in my seat when they told us we needed to get off the plane.  "Something is wrong we have to switch planes."  So there were three of us climbing back up the jetway and sitting in the first chairs we found!  Then the delay while they found another plane (and crew) AND we had to move gates (of course!).  The three of us, by this time, were having a great time!  Others were starting to join our conversations.  We decided that "old" people could say anything! Then the second plane came and we were each in our own seats.

The fun didn't end though.....  The "winter weather" where we were landing caused some issues getting to the gate.  As in our plane slid right past where it was supposed to turn.  The crew (on the plane AND on the ground) did GREAT! I just wish I could have had a picture of the tow truck "turning" the plane into the gate......   Like I've said...... you need to laugh or you will start screaming!! 
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