Monday, March 28, 2016

Texas, Wisconsin, and a Sweet Grandkid




Hi everyone! It's good to be back in blogland. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. As you may know, we spent a week with our daughter and son-in-law in Texas, which was wonderful! 

Happy News:

The most wonderful thing about it is that they announced that they're moving back to Wisconsin - and not a moment too soon! I never thought it would happen. We're thrilled!  It will be a four hour drive to Green Bay, but that's a lot better than a 20 hour drive to Texas.

Just so you know, the photos in the collage above are:

Top Row, left to right:
Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, where we attended the symphony on Friday night.
Sundance Square, Fort Worth, our son-in-law and daughter (looking cute)
Denton County Court House interior doors

Bottom Row, left to right:
Denton County Court House, stairs (just gorgeous!)
Denton County Court House with signs and bank clock
Sixth Floor Museum (JFK assassination) Dealey Plaza, Dallas, TX (fascinating)

I did take an excessive amount a few other photos while there, which you might have seen on Instagram (@cranberrymorning)


Sign in a restaurant wall, Denton plaza

I've never eaten chicken fried steak in my life, so I really wouldn't know, but I thought it was a cute sign.

***

Sad News:

While in Texas, we got a phone call from our son, telling us that our good friend and cousin, Eric, had died totally unexpectedly, of a massive heart attack. We communicated with people back in Eric's home town, wrote an obituary, flew home on Saturday, and on Sunday drove to SW Wisconsin to attend Eric's funeral and attend to his affairs, which took most of the rest of the week and will be an ongoing process for quite some time. 

Lesson? Be sure to make a will.


Holsteins Nr. Westby, WI


Eric and Mr. C.
Yes, he was threatening me with the garden hose.

 

Sunset photo taken south of Westby, WI
March 24 


AND...

Last, but not least...



I had to include this photo of sweet little Oliver, playing peekaboo behind his bedroom curtains when we were at their place for Easter dinner after church.


So now you know what I've been up to for the past couple weeks.  What's been happening there?




Linked to Mosaic Monday



***

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Have a wonderful Monday!

Judy
at

33 comments:

  1. eileeninmdMarch 28, 2016 at 7:38 AM

    Hello, I am so sorry for your loss of your friend and cousin Eric. Sending my prayers to you and your family. It is great news your daughter and family and moving back to Wisconsin. It will be nice to have them closer to you. Great collection of Texas photos. The last little one is adorable. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  2. AngelaMarch 28, 2016 at 9:18 AM

    FYI: According to Google Maps, it's actually only 3 hours 20 minutes from your place to Green Bay, not 4 hours. :D Therefore, I expect you'll visit 16% more than you'd planned!

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  3. Arlene GMarch 28, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    I enjoyed following your trip on Instagram Judy. And I am so happy that you will have your son back in Wisconsin. But I am sad that you received such sad news as well. We also lost an old friend over the weekend to a heart attack as well. There is no promise of tomorrow for sure. I spent the morning putting away my Easter decor...does not take as long as Christmas thank goodness.

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  4. 20 North OraMarch 28, 2016 at 9:34 AM

    Looks like you had a great visit despite the sad call. I know you will love having family closer. That Oliver is precious!!

    Judy

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  5. Lady LindaMarch 28, 2016 at 9:35 AM

    Oh Judy, so sorry to hear your sad new, but delighting in your happy news. Your little Oliver is a doll. How wonderful it is to spend time with our families. Hugs...Linda

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  6. Small City ScenesMarch 28, 2016 at 9:48 AM

    So sorry for the loss of you friend and cousin. Bad news tempered with good news---family moving back home. YES!
    Beautiful mages.
    MB

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  7. Debby@Just BreatheMarch 28, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    That is some exciting news about your daughter & SIL moving back to Wisconsin!!
    So very sorry to hear about the passing of Eric. ((Hugs))
    Yes we have a living trust and it is very important.
    Sweet,sweet Oliver, what a cutie pie!
    Take care and God bless......

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  8. DebbyMarch 28, 2016 at 10:54 AM

    Sorry about your friend.
    Looks like it was a fun trip. Oliver is adorable. So exciting about your family moving closer.

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  9. Margaret Birding For PleasureMarch 28, 2016 at 11:15 AM

    Sorry to hear your sad news. Now that last shot is priceless and the one before it is stunning also

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  10. Sara - Villa EmiliaMarch 28, 2016 at 11:21 AM

    Hello Judy, what lovely greenness in the cattle photo! I too love all the green. :)
    I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Fortunately there are also very happy news and a photo of a very cute grandson.
    Have a blessed new week!

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  11. AnonymousMarch 28, 2016 at 11:22 AM

    Sorry for the loss of your friend and cousin. Life is full of joy and sorrow usually right on top of each other. Glad you got the good news that your kids are moving back to Wisconsin.

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  12. AnonymousMarch 28, 2016 at 11:45 AM

    My deepest sympathy in your loss.
    What a precious photo of your grandson. I am very happy that your daughter/sil are moving so much closer! I have been away since Dec. but have recently added two blog posts. When you catch your breath, stop and visit.
    God bless your day.

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  13. ElizabethMarch 28, 2016 at 11:57 AM

    So sorry for your loss. It is wonderful news that your daughter will be moving closer! Your grandson is so cute!

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  14. DeniseinVAMarch 28, 2016 at 12:46 PM

    Great news about your family moving back to Texas. So sorry about your cousin Eric, always a shock to get that kind of news but I am happy for you regarding your family returning. I know how I would feel. I enjoyed all the photos, the mosaic was lovely, family ones especially. Little Oliver is such a cute little boy.

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  15. Forest Dream WeaverMarch 28, 2016 at 1:02 PM

    Thanks for sharing this.....have a happy week!

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  16. Terri DMarch 28, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    I'm so bad about checking in on Instagram, but sure did enjoy this post and especially that adorable Oliver playing peekaboo!! Sorry to learn of your family's loss. Welcome back to blogland! I've missed you!

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  17. Debby RayMarch 28, 2016 at 3:12 PM

    Yes, I did miss you last week...welcome back! What great news about your far-away family moving back closer to home! Nashville, where mine are, isn't as far as Texas but it's still too far! I am so sorry to hear about your cousin, Eric. It is never good to hear news such as this but especially difficult when you are away from home. And just so you know, chicken fried ANYTHING is delicious...but I'm sure not too good for you :) Oliver is adorable.

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  18. The Joy of Home with Martha EllenMarch 28, 2016 at 3:29 PM

    Judy, it sounds like you had many wonderful times while visiting your daughter. Great photos of Dallas. What a cutie your little grand Oliver is peeking out the curtain! I know you must be thrilled to have them move closer to you.
    My sympathies to you and your family at the loss of your friend and cousin. ♥

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  19. DonnaMarch 28, 2016 at 3:31 PM

    A wonderful visit and great news! We visited family out west in March...what a great time to be able to connect with family!

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  20. MarciaMarch 28, 2016 at 4:50 PM

    Losing a loved one and so unexpectedly is not easy. Blessings to you and your family.

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  21. podsoMarch 28, 2016 at 5:06 PM

    Sorry about your cousin. That's hard and especially when so suddenly. Your photos make me want to visit TX, a place I've never been before. Good news about your kids moving closer!

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  22. Judith @ Lavender CottageMarch 28, 2016 at 5:44 PM

    A busy couple of weeks and I'm so sorry for the loss of your cousin. I learned real quick about making a will when years ago a gal's husband at work passed away suddenly, also of a heart attack at 40 on the squash court. She had to borrow money for a dress for the funeral because without a will, their bank accounts were frozen and...I don't need to tell you more obviously.
    Great news about your daughter and family moving back, a 4 hour drive is about what we do north to visit our oldest daughter and family, a stop half way for coffee and the washroom and we're there in no time.
    Hope you had a good Easter, I've enough ham leftover for many meals. :-)

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  23. Cheryl March 28, 2016 at 10:10 PM

    How exciting that your daughter and son-in-law will be moving nearer!! (I can relate to the exhilaration of hearing that news!)

    Oliver is darling!!

    So sorry to hear about your friend/cousin. A sudden parting is such a shock.

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  24. riitta kMarch 29, 2016 at 12:12 AM

    The cows have fun in the green... What a lovely sunset.

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  25. Karen @ Beatrice EuphemieMarch 29, 2016 at 12:56 AM

    Oh, so sad about your cousin - so sorry to hear this. I'm glad that you have your daughter and SIL's moving back to the home state to look forward to. Lovely photos, especially of your dear little Oliver. Take care. xx Karen

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  26. Tracy BatchelderMarch 29, 2016 at 10:20 AM

    We just got home (Texas) from our trip to Oklahoma and being too tired to cook supper, we ordered from our local cafe and guess what I got? Yep, chicken fried steak with cream gravy. A good CFS is hard to beat.

    Condolences on the sudden loss of your cousin. Thanks for the reminder of making a will.



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  27. Pamela GordonMarch 29, 2016 at 11:05 AM

    It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation trip. Great news on your son and his wife moving back 'home'. I'm sorry for the sudden loss of your cousin. I love the photo of the cows out in the green grass. We still have snow here! Have a good week Judy. Blessings,
    Pam

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  28. Carla from The RiverMarch 29, 2016 at 11:41 AM

    Hi Judy,
    I am so excited about your daughter and SIL moving back to Wisconsin. You will be traveling 29 often and will know it by heart. ;-) Be sure to stop for Gouda Cheese in Thorp.
    I am sending prayers regarding your loss.

    Oliver!!! He has the cutest eyes! Oh my, they make my heart sing.
    Carla

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  29. Jean | DelightfulRepast.comMarch 29, 2016 at 7:57 PM

    Judy, so sorry for your loss. And so happy you're getting your kids back in Wisconsin. Love that chicken fried steak sign. AND love CFS! You've never had it?! May I recommend that you check out MY recipe?

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  30. LynneMarch 30, 2016 at 7:28 AM

    Adorable "peek-a-boo" grandson . . . I like that 1-3 age . . .
    Learning, trying, curious, playful, some mischief too . . . love it all . . .

    Sad for you and your family in the sudden death of Eric . . .
    Sudden death presents its own set of sorrow . . .
    Thinking of you . . . you are in my caring . . .

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  31. IdaMarch 30, 2016 at 12:03 PM

    What good news about your daughter & SIL moving closer to home again. - Sounds like you had a good trip.
    So sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin.

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  32. RoseApril 1, 2016 at 10:47 AM

    so, it is a bittersweet sort of time. So sorry for your loss, but oh, so happy for the loved ones moving near home. So happy for you with that.

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  33. AnonymousApril 10, 2016 at 11:34 PM

    Good news your family is moving back! Sorry for the loss of your cousin, Eric. Obviously, you have fun memories of him.

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