Thanksgiving is over. On to Christmas!

I hope everyone had as happy a Thanksgiving as we in the Swensen household...at least me. Marla made the turkey and stuffing from our mother's recipe. I can't remember the
last time I had good, old-fashioned, made from bread stuffing. I made all of the side dishes. Lisa was in charge of clean up. Besides those already mentioned,present were Taylor, Nick, Aaron, Erik, Megan and Andy and their darling little ones. We ate at 1:30 so that all food had settled well before bedtime. Mid-afternoon, Marla, Drew, Taylor and I went out in the golf cart. After visiting the ducks on the pond, Taylor was complaining about how slow our cart went. He even ran beside it and showed me that he could run as fast as the cart could go! For a video, check out Marla's blog for Thanksgiving day. The picture on right is Erik with Kayley, Megan and Andy's miracle baby.

Friday I played golf while Erik and Arne went to Joey's for Chicago hot dogs and had a nice visit.

Saturday morning, Marla and I hiked Pinnacle Peak. According to my car clock, we completed the 4 mile hike in less than 90 minutes. If that's true, I'm pretty impressed with this 66 year old body!

Erik ate dinner with his parents Saturday night and then went to Lisa's. Erik, Lisa, Taylor, Nick and Brit went to Cosmic bowling. It didn't start until 10 so was WAY beyond my bedtime.

We skipped church this morning to get some things done around the house. I had to do laundry as Arne had no clean boxers...again! This open house schedule makes it difficult for me to get chores done. It's 8 PM and I'm just finishing up the last load in the dryer.

The picture below is from Friday night when Erik, Lisa, Nick and Brit went to Barcelona, a nightclub in Scottsdale. I guess they had a pretty good time. Brit swore off alcohol for at least the next day. :-)

Not Much Happenin'

I know it's been two weeks since I last logged in but REALLY there's not much news. We have Open House every day from 11-5. Booooring! Today I watched Brad Pitt on Oprah. While he's good looking, I would rather be outside. I did take a very long walk to get the mail today. :-) Last Saturday, Marla and I hiked Black Mountain. My quads (upper thighs for those non-exercisers) were very sore for three days. Guess I'm not doing enough leg work during my workouts. :-(

I'm reading a very interesting book about the Trinity. It's called "The Shack." I recommend it to everyone, even those who don't believe in God.

I'm getting concerned about President-Elect Obama's promise of "change." He keeps picking people with Washington roots. Not what I envisioned. Joe Biden and Tom Daschle aren't exactly new to Washington, nor Raul Emmanuel and Eric Holder. How about some new faces???

USA Make History

This morning in the fitness center locker room I hugged a black friend as we both hoped this would be a new beginning for America. While I didn't vote for him, I now think the election of a black man (I hope this isn't offensive as I think we are all Americans and don't like the hyphenated-American designation for anyone, including myself as a "Danish-American") for President is a good thing. Hopefully, it can move us beyond the anger and cries of racism. Do I think there are racists in America? Yes, I do, but I believe they are small in number and come on both sides. Watching the tears flow down the cheeks of Jesse Jackson as he listened to Obama's excellent speech, I couldn't help thinking how proud he must be to see a black man elected to the most powerful position in the world. Rev. Jackson had marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the civil rights marches of the early 1960's.

The economy is heading further south and we still have enemies who wish this country destroyed. I wish the Obama family well and pray for their safety as he tries to lead our country through this very difficult time.

Halloween weekend with Erik, Kadin & Gracie

I flew to Albuquerque on Friday, Oct. 31 to spend the week-end with Erik and the girls. Friday evening we went uptown where the girls trick or treated at the local businesses. Saturday evening we went to Pumpkin Glow, the Haunted House and then to a family dance. On Sunday, after church, we hiked to Fireman Park and back. The whole week-end was lovely Autumn weather, in the mid-60's. After walking the girls to school Monday morning, I flew back to Phoenix. It was a wonderful week-end and I thank Arne for letting me leave while we're trying to sell our house.

Back to Iowa

I flew to Iowa on Thursday, October 16. Mark and Marla drove from Omaha, where they picked up Megan and Drew, to Des Moines to bring me back to the farm. Thanks to Craig Peterson for the loan of his van. Don, Jan and the Burns' girls arrived at the farm late afternoon and Matt arrived later in the evening.

Friday, the temperature never got above 47 degrees. Needless to say, we didn't go outside, which made for a long day.

Saturday afternoon I spent some time with Gwen Peterson. Gwen was on death's doorstep a few weeks ago but she looked and sounded great. She has such a wonderful attitude.

After leaving Gwen, I joined other family members at the Methodist Church where I witnessed the marriage of niece Katie Kalkwarf. The reception was at the Starlite in Fort Dodge where I shared a room with Megan. During dinner, I had a long conservation with my aunt Nita.

Picture with my siblings...Marla, Kevin, Jan, Larry and me.

Sunday I went to Jody's home on Lake Panorama. We went for a boat ride on a lovely Autumn day. That evening we went to her daughter Chris and Randy's home in Des Moines for a celebration of Amanda's 23rd birthday. Monday we drove the pontoon across the lake so that it could be taken out of the water for the winter. Definitely the end of summer!

I flew home on Tuesday where Arne had been working hard to market our home. The stock market sure isn't helping.

Where are we headed?

After a good week-end with several people stopping in to view our house and one couple who seemed truly interested, I get up this morning and start reading the financial news. Even with the government "rescue", it appears we'll be continuing on this downward spiral. After years of saving and managing debt, it seems Arne and I will be punished as a result of those who didn't save and who spent above their means. Not a comforting thought.

My baby's 39!

Today is Aaron's 39th birthday. I honestly feel like I'm 39 so how can this be? Aaron called last night and we talked for over 90 minutes, much of it about politics. He was trying to convince me I should vote for Obama. I told him that he and his father could do that. Happy Birthday, Aaron!