I miss my Gma!

Some of you may know that we lost our Gma Sis over a month ago now.  It was hard on me losing Gma.  I didn't take it very well and I sincerely thank my cousin Kelly for helping me hold it together.  Now being a Simonsen which means I'm a cold blooded Dane at heart, it's not easy to openly share personal stuff...  Yes that's right...  Don't expect any personal displays of affection....  no hugs and kisses in public from a Dane!  But Gma was important enough to me to want to share this with you. 
I feel Gma was extremely influential over all of her grand children.  I know she was extremely influential over me.  But I also feel because she was so incredibly diverse, she impacted all of us in very different ways.  For me, I was lucky enough to grow up with a Gma who was an artist, a photographer, a stamp collector, a coin collector, a bird watcher, a bug collector, a family historian, and on and on...  It's hard to live up to all of that!  I also know that Gma gave me my appreciation for horses, big slobbery dogs, and a good book.  I find myself now doing little things that Gma always did.  My spouse jokingly chastises me and calls me "Gma Sis" when he catches me sneaking leftovers to the animals,  keeping that little scrap of paper because I like what is written on it, or hoarding cardboard boxes....  (you never know when you'll need a good box!)  Secretly I love it when Mike compares me to Gma Sis.  I'm proud to be compared to her!  But don't tell him that.  :-)
I think for me, Gma encouraged me most to be an individual.  Be unique and interesting!  Don't be mundane.  Do something different with your life no matter how strange other people think you or your interests are.  And then be proud of who you are!  Cherish who you are and work at it.  Be tough and don't accept or tolerate incompetence. 
So people, in memory of Gma Sis...  Here is my advice to you...  Start living your life whatever that means to you!  Get that bucket list established no matter how strange they sound and then start checking them off!  That's my goal.  And when people say that's strange, why are you pursuing that, you can say because I want Gma to be proud of me!
So in closing, here's a picture of Gma and how I will remember her.  She was so interesting, beautiful, smart, and tough.  I'll never measure up to her....  I miss you Gma!

Let the demolition begin!

As most of you know, Mike and I live in an older 1950's home.  While our home is awesome and I'm sure one of the finest on the block in the 50's, eventually things start needing repair and updating.  Mike and I have been here I believe almost 9 years this spring.  We spent the first few years making improvements out back building fence and cleaning up....  (when I say "we" I mean Mike is the driving force and I'm the gopher :-).  About three years ago, we figured it was time to start on the house.  While Mike is awesome at remodeling and so good working with his hands building things, I have panic attacks from the clutter and I wonder if I can get lung cancer from drywall dust!  It makes for some good laughs between us.  We started with the outside with landscaping, new siding, windows, new shingles, and a cool new color called sun dried tomato!  For awhile, neighbors were asking us if we were tearing down our house...  it looked that bad.  A couple years ago, Mike started converting our tiny one car garage into a great big three car garage with heat and water.  He just finished it this fall.  I have to admit it was a great idea and now one of our favorite hang outs in the summer time.
Well, now we are starting to move to the inside of the house.  We've done a few upgrades like painting, new carpet, when we moved in we had some wood floors restored....  Recently our small utility bathroom started falling apart just because of it's age.  So, Mike got out the sledgehammer and went to work.  We've been working a lot of hours at work so I'm sure it's going to be a weekend project for him.  While I try to help, I find there isn't a whole lot I can do except slow him down so I just let him go.  :-)  I can't ever keep up with him.  So this is what our bathroom looks like right now.

We have a long way to go but Mike is so good at this stuff I've always been impressed at his abilities.  We went to Lowe's and got all our stuff!  I'm excited he's going to put a utility tub in here for me so I don't have to break my back anymore giving dogs baths in the bathtub!  (yes, I know simple things please me ha ha!)...  So while Mike is working hard remodeling on weekends this winter/spring, I'm hoping to be doing the below but I think it's wishful thinking.....  :-)

It seems I've offended my daughters!

Apparently my daughters are offended that once again, the Johnson Ranch Creatures take top headlines over them.  Not So!!  I proclaim.  :-)  So this entry is going to concentrate on my gorgeous daughters.  The girls were just here over Christmas and we had a fantastic time.  Monday everyone started back to school.  Kelsey is now a junior at Concordia Fargo/Moorhead.  She is a Biology Major and plans on pursuing a career in chiropractic medicine.  We toured Palmer last August and I know Kelsey has a handful of other schools she wants to tour.  All I can say is having a family discount on chiropractic treatments is very appealing!  Kasey is a sophomore at Concordia Fargo/Moorhead also majoring in Biology.  Kasey is in the pre-vet program, and I'm pleased to announce... plans on pursuing the Simonsen Veterinarian tradition!  I'm so proud..  And yet again, the possibility of having a family discount on vet expenses is very very appealing! Kasey tells me when she gets her office set up I'm going to come work for her.  I can't wait!  And lastly is Karley who is a junior in Highschool.  Karley isn't sure what direction she will be taking in the future but is focusing right now on marching band, soccer, basketball, and pole vaulting...  plus being the social butterfly that she is.  Karley stays extremely busy.
  So there you have it...  an update on the gorgeous K3 sisters.  Mike and I are so proud of them...  They are each beautiful, intelligent, kind, ethical, hardworking, and on and on and on...  I don't know where they got all their talents...  probably from their dad.  :-)  And having said that, please look at the following pictures and tell me who really runs the place around here...  It's not the humans...

Fun from 2010....

Lucy, Kayley, and Jeri

Felicity on Charlie

Kayley on Charlie

Mike on Charlie and Kayley on Lucy

Dora and Rasmus

Drake as Woody

Kelsey, Karley, and Kasey

Rasmus

Molly

Ginger, Jeri, and Kayley

Mike and Molly

Dora and Rasmus

Never thought I would have a blog!

Well, here we are...  2011, I've sworn off my facebook forever and now here I am with a blog.  Cool idea Kari!  Never thought I would ever have a blog but this could be a fun way to stay in touch with the fam...  Mike and I spend most of our time working but we do enjoy our little hobby farm we tongue in cheek call "The Johnson Ranch."  Hope you enjoy and follow us.  Happy New Year!  :-)