Behind every great man there is an AMAZING woman. In August I posted an 80th birthday tribute to my grandpa Nester. Today, the special lady that has been at his side for fifty years celebrates number 75. A soft and gentle spirit. Quiet on the outside with much wisdom and experience lying within. Not one to force her opinion on anyone, but if you want a well thought out and intellingent perspective, she's the one to ask. A diehard Rams fan who still mourns the loss of Kurt Warner. Stubborn (in a good way) and the lady who gave me my pretty blue eyes, fine hair and sensitive skin. I would call my grandma the glue that has held the Nester family together for the past fifty years, and none of us would be who we are today without her presence in our lives.
Grandma came over at least once a week dawning some sugary cereals (the ones mom wouldn't buy), and some other household necessities she had found a great deal on. When our family was younger, going over to Grandma's house on the weekend was exciting. We knew we'd eat some great meals and probably get to do something special. She loves to play scrabble, she sat through countless games of Old Maid, Checkers, and Yahtzee, and I'm pretty sure I won most of the time. She has always, and still does, attend every basketball, baseball, softball, soccerball, volleyball, football event known to the Nester family. Not to mention all of the choir concerts and school programs she's sat through in the last 15 years. I'd estimate she hasn't missed more than five events over the past 20 years - those probably being due to sub-zero temperatures on the soccer field.
She makes every birthday special. She made every childhood Christmas magical. She's an example of selflessness you don't see very often in our society. She puts up with a lot of things I would blow my top over. She is charming, beautiful, and extremely dependable. I feel blessed and enriched as a person to know her and to be able to call her my grandma. It's amazing to have a person in your life you know would do anything she could to make your life special, to help in any way needed. She gave of her home for my wedding day and it was amazing to get ready for the momentous occasion in the home she has made so cozy, warm and safe. She has sewn countless holes in jeans and sweaters ( I have one I need her to sew even right now). I love the life I still see in her. She knows what's happening in pop culture and makes sure she catches every new episode of Desperate Housewives. I've known her all my life, yet I'm still learning new things about her all the time. I have so many memories that are sacred to me that are centered around her- her love, her warmth, her caring, her giving, her beautiful spirit. She is a woman I admire and I love more than most anyone else in this world. I hope her birthday reminded her how special she is and how blessed and richer the world is since she was born.
I love you so, so much nat

2004

I'm shocked to find it has been nearly a month since I've written. Somehow December always slips right through my fingers. I'm sure it's the whole holiday thing, but it feels like more than that. Another year almost over. 2004 was a year full of unexpected turns. Most have been fabulous, but all have brought their own set of challenges. My first year of marriage went by so, so quickly. We're trying to cherish this time in our marriage for we know it will not always be this simple. Jason and I, Sophie and Pedro making us a family. Someday we'll have kids and we won't be able to road trip on a whim or sleep in as late as we want. It's been a wonderful year of growing more in love every day and of being surprised at how much there is still to learn about this person I've chosen to spend my life with. There have been bumps along the way, but we always smooth it over immediately. We make it a point to never let the sun go down on our anger. There's a lot of freedom in complete honesty and emotion, even when it hurts.
2004 has been a year of adjusting to a new phase in life. The loss of the presence of close friends due to growing distances. Deciding how you can reconcile the old you to the new person you're becoming each day since you've moved away. Wondering if friendships can continue living in the present and not get stuck only dwelling on what was in the past and how lucky we all were to have each other. 2004 unexpectadly brought me back home to St. Louis. It brought special people much closer, and made me long for the ones who used to be here to return. It's been a year of finding out who I truly am and what I'm made of. It's been me finding out what I do with my spare time, spare time I didn't have in college or even high school. It's been a year of fighting against the grain to become typical and to fit into American society. It's been a time of fighting the urge to settle down and carve out a life that's simple or easy instead of pursuing what I love. It's been full of frustration, discouragement, doubt, wondering, yearning, grief, yet there's still much hope, much love, and a belief that I'm not the only one looking out for my life and its direction. I know I was made for a purpose and I've more than expressed my desire to fulfill it no matter what challenges it will bring. Now it is a matter of pushing through the doubt and frustration. Focusing on the hope and the passion instead of the inevitable obstacles. 2004 was a year of changes and I'm hoping that 2005 will be a year where I am stronger due to the previous experiences. A turning of the corner in my heart and in my actions. I want to call and write my far away friends more. I want to spend more time with the special people right here. I want to pursue my passions unafraid of the possiblity that they'll never be fully lived out. I want to live unafraid, unhindered -free. I don't want months to simply slip through my fingers. I want each one to count and to show steps in the right direction. I'm ready for a new year.

rambling thoughts due to triptophan overload

The best part of Thanksgiving day this year was winning third place for my age group in the Gobble Wobble 5K. My prize was, appropriately, a chrome plated ice cream scoop. Oh yeah baby.

The best part of the holiday weekend was, getting to see Ashley Breitenstein in Columbia MO, along with Megan Crowley. It eased my missing college friends woes.

The worst part of the holiday weekend was (is), right now. I'm about to go to bed and morning brings another work week, and this one doesn't have a holiday in it. Reality Bites. (That's a good movie)

The bright side is, I think we're going to get a Christmas tree this week. That makes me happy! I just hope Pedro doesn't try to climb it. I have a feeling he will.

Ta Ta

EWWWWWW

My Kitty has ringworm. Suddenly I itch all over. I let that thing on my bed!

Today we had our first snow. I should say we're having our first snow because it's still coming down! I am now officially filled with holiday cheer.

I made popcorn balls tonight for the first time. I am so domestic!