They're here! They're here!

Ok - we've only been back from Germany for over a month... but I finally have all the photos uploaded and ready for your viewing pleasure. I could not figure out how to do "albums" on Picasa, so I used the good ol' standby of WinkFlash. I know many people don't have their own account for this, so I created one for everyone to use.

Site: http://www.winkflash.com/photo/signin.aspx
UserID: guestofnohner
Password: nohner123

On the main page, click Friends (small button at the top in the middle). Once you click there, you'll see PiserPower - click on that. In there is a Germany folder. Click on that, and all the sub-folders are ready for viewing. Some have lots of pictures, some have only a few. Hope you enjoy them! I know I had a great time taking them, and look at them often just to remember where we went.

Love and peace,
Denise

Update

Sorry this is a lame blog post, but I wanted everyone to know that I am sorting through my 1000+ pictures from Germany, and am trying to put some order to them before sending a link. I don't think I'd get too many people just sitting and scrolling through that many pictures in one sitting. So, I'm attempting to go through my journal to blog about those days/cities, and put the corresponding pictures with it. Thanks for your patience!

love and peace
Denise

Germany!

Wow - what a trip so far! The Y and the Z are in different places on this keyboard, so typing is not as easy as it should be! Today we are in Oldenburg, which is the home of our host Wilke. He is walking us ragged - bound and determined to get us all in shape before we come back to the states. We flew into Hamburg early Sunday morning, got off the plane and through customs within 30 minutes...let's just say that only two flights had come into the airport that morning. We were in Hamburg until Tuesday morning, and in that time, we saw the Dom Market, Botanical Gardens, Miniature Wunderland, and lots of old buildings with wonderful history. There are lots of historical places documenting WWII, and I am humbled by the pictures of the destruction. I know why America was in the war, but we don't always get all sides of the story when we get taught history.

Tuesday we took the train to Bremen, once again walking all over downtown. The architecture is so beautiful here, and I have taken over 600 pictures so far (yes, that is from Sunday to Tuesday). We then took a tour of the Beck's brewery - and we were certain to get our money's worth when we got free samples. :)

Today we are going to a museum and into the city of Oldenburg. We will have a picnic for lunch, and then out to dinner with Wilke's family. They have borrowed a sports bus for today to haul us around, and they have just arrived. So, time to log off and hit the road once again. If I have a chance to post again before we leave, I will do so. I think our hotel in Hamburg has a hotel, so I can check in one more time before we depart.

We are having a wonderful time, and we all still can't believe that we're actually here.

love and peace
Denise

Farkle!

Ok, who has played farkle on facebook? I know I have, and I love it - I'm constantly battling myself to get higher scores than all my friends. The thing I hate about this game on FB, though, is I want to play against my sister, but we can't seem to. We can both be logged on at the same time, but we can't see each other. We thought perhaps it was a geographical thing, but I have played against people in England and France, so I don't think that holds water. FB says in their info about it that they are working on being able to just challenge your friends, and we are eagerly waiting for that.

The coolest thing about this app on FB is it reminds me so much of playing this fun dice game as a kid with my grandparents. I mostly think of Grampa, though. When I roll the 6 dice, if I get a 3-of-a-kind of deuces, I put them back and think "gotta grow 'em up." Or when I'm about to roll, I'll say "come on aces, show your faces." I'm sure there are people on FB who don't know Farkle has been around for a long time. You can actually buy a Farkle game nowadays, but why do that when all you need is a cup, 6 dice (or 10 to play Greedy), and a notepad and pen to keep score. I don't think Grampa would be able to play the game like he used to, but the way he would play, and the things he would say, will always be with me, making me smile as I roll the dice.

Does anyone play something today that makes them think fondly of their childhood? Thanks for taking time to read today - I know I don't post often. At least this time I didn't get the "ahem" from the fam damily.

love and peace
Denise

Farewell to a wonderful musician

I found out this week that my high school band teacher passed away (at the age of 55) from a heart attack on Memorial Day. I have been saddened by this a lot this week. It's not that I was particularly close to this teacher, but he awoke something in me that wasn't there before having him as a teacher. His name was Steve Werpy - Dr Steve Werpy, actually. He worked very hard to get his PhD - in fact was working on it when he taught me my senior year. He was an associate professor a Dickinson State University, and they are holding a memorial for him on June 10th. I felt compelled to write a farewell letter to him, and they are being kind enough to read it at the memorial. I thought I would share it with all of you (whether you knew him or not).

A couple things first... Dr. Werpy was a different sort of guy. If you called his house, his answering machine had a clip from Star Wars - Yoda, to be exact. He loved Star Wars so much that Eric and a few others took the tall, dome-topped garbage can from the band room and painted it like R2-D2...and the Werpster loved it. Dr. Werpy never took our word for it that the Weird Al song called "The White Stuff" was about Oreo cookies...he thought it was a disgusting song, and we got such a kick out of it! Lastly, Dr. Werpy had music living in his blood. Everything to him was music. I sincerely mean it when I say he awakened something more about music in me that last year of my high school career. In my letter, I say something about my xylophone solo - and I mean every word of it.

Here's the letter (sorry this is such a long post). Dr. Werpy was a wonderful teacher, and his passion for music was wonderfully contagious to those who chose to get close enough to catch some of it. I am quite certain this man is leading some sort of heavenly group of musicians.

Love and peace - Denise

"Dear Mr. Werpy,

Oops – you’re Dr. Werpy now, aren’t you? When you taught me my senior year in Sidney (1992-1993), you were only working on your Doctorate then. In fact, I remember your license place said “PHD2BE” and I always knew you would make it. I never had a chance to tell you how your passion for music touched my life…so let me try to now.

When you conducted our band, I’ve never seen anyone so entranced by what he was hearing. You would get on your podium, we would play our song, and you would hold your arms up at the end – even after cutting us off – and just stand there in the moment. Then you would begin to back away from the music stand, and would almost fall off the podium. We thought it was funny at the time, but we all recognized that you were lost in the music.

Had it not been for your encouragement and love for music, I would never have made the Honors Concert at Festival in Glendive that year. That was the hardest xylophone piece I have ever played, and the most fun I’ve had playing one. I thought you were crazy to ask me to use four mallets! Thank goodness Baker always let us use their very nice equipment since ours wasn’t up to par for wonderful solos such as that.

You were not a nickname kind of guy. We had nicknames for quite a few teachers – but not disrespectful or bad ones (well…mostly). I remember asking you if we could call you “The Big W” or “The Werpster”, and you paused and said, “Uh…no.” You didn’t even crack a smile, and I was certain that I offended you. I hope you know that to this day, a few of us still refer to you as The Werpster…we always have, and we probably always will. It has always been a matter of endearment to us.

Thank you, Dr. Werpy. Thank you for bringing another level of LOVE for music to my life. I was sorry to only have you my last year in high school, but you made such an impact. I can still pick out pieces of that xylophone solo, and that was a LONG time ago.

I am so sorry to hear of your passing, but I hope you know that you made a difference in the lives of musicians everywhere you went. I will never forget that wonderful senior year under your tutelage, and only hope that your final resting place is playing your favorite music.

Until we meet again,
Denise Johnson Nohner"

Miscellaneous

I know - it's been a long time. I'm not a consistent blogger. I am a consistent lazy-butt, though. heehee.

I dropped out of the weight loss challenge at work. I was having bad lung issues, and had to focus on getting them working properly. This meant there was no working out for this gal, and I dropped out of the challenge. I am still desiring to lose weight, but have to motivate myself now. The lungs are back in order now, so the working out can commence.

I have an official start date with Lighthouse1. Mom and Dad - sorry that you didn't hear it from me on the phone, but read it here. Maybe I'll call dad later since he doesn't read this, and tell him the news. My official start date is June 15, and I'm happy. This means I'll finally have insurance again, and can see about getting an upper endoscopy done. Unfortunately, getting insurance with Lighthouse1 doesn't mean much - since their plan is preventative only, with a high deductible. Getting a new job may enable me to be get on Brian's insurance, but I need to speak to his HR person first. After I lost my job, we tried to get me on his, but apparently we waited too long, and they turned me down. So, I need to call her and see what's what.

We planted a garden this year, and most things are coming up nicely. I don't believe our squash worked, and our potatoes were duds. We are considering replanting, understanding that we won't have big potatoes or squash from it. We'll see. I have a double row of peas that are coming up so nicely - and I just put chicken wire between the row so it'll grow up that way. We also have cucumbers, squash (maybe), broccoli, lettuce, carrots, kohlrabi, potatoes (maybe), corn, and sunflowers. We are doing the sunflowers for the birds to feed on. It's neat to see it growing! I also bought a couple topsy turvy tomato planters. Looks so cool on the commercials, but I have already killed 2 plants (grape tomato and regular tomato) - planted those too early. We just planted a second round (cherry tomato and regular tomato). The regular tomato is looking a bit rough, but the cherry tomato plant looks pretty good. I would advise anyone who wants to try these to get plants with a thick stem, and be VERY CAREFUL when putting into the planter. It says to go up and through the hole, not inside the planter and through that way...and that's probably the best. We'll see if we get any tomatoes at all.

Other than that, not too much else is new. The hubby and I bought kayaks over the holiday weekend, and now just need nice weather and no wind to go enjoy them. What fun!

Love and peace
Denise

She goes down...

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter. =)

As you may recall, I am in a weight loss challenge at work. We had our initial weigh-in four weeks ago, and have now had three weigh-ins. I am happy to report that I am down a total of 8.8 pounds, and I'm really excited about it. :) What am I doing? Well, I am not just going home and sitting on my butt all night - that's a major improvement. The hubby and I are eating more nutritional foods, and not as much as we used to. But, I am hitting my elliptical machine and my Wii Fit and Wii Jillian Michaels games. There are more things that I should be doing, but I am incorporating them slowly. If I try to do too much at once, I won't stick with this. I want to lose 40 pounds by the time we go to Germany in August. I have just under 4 months, and 31.2 pounds to go. I know I can do it.

love and peace!
Denise

Choo...choo!

I hear the job train a-comin'. Yes...I do. I met with the DQ boss's boss today. Cool guy - likes to talk more than I do...and that's saying something! The job is mine, but it will take possibly 4-6 weeks MORE before they can make it official. The reason for this is one person is shifting out of the DQ team to the CC team, and until they free up some budget on the CC team, there isn't room for me on the DQ budget. So, it's going to take a little time to get that money freed up, but then I was told I am in.

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Lemme tell y'all...my husband is RELIEVED. And, so am I. I did shoot the boss's boss an email to ask when we will discuss compensation and benefits, as well. I don't want us all working under wrong impressions before the next 4-6 weeks pass.

Did I mention yet that I'm a happy girl? Well, I am. I could just about jump for joy. It felt so great to be told "I've heard wonderful things about you since you've been back on board. You're fast, thorough, and have shown that we need you on our team again."

HELL YEAH.

big sigh. whew. thank you God for everything.

love and peace
denise

I....am....job?

No, not quite. **sigh** Let's see...I've been a temporary employee of the big L for three months now. In this time, they have been "working" on getting me a permanent place on my old team. Before I rant and rave, I will admit that I am so very thankful to have work and a paycheck. I have friends and family who are not so fortunate right now, and my heart goes out to them. The market is tough everywhere.

I sincerely took for granted that a snap of the fingers would open the door back up at the big L. I mean, when I chose to leave to pursue the position in Sartell, I was told by various people that I had a spot if I ever needed to come back. So, when I choose to come back...where are those people? Well...not with the big L anymore. They have all moved on to other positions as well. So, the new honchos in place know nothing of what kind of an asset I am, therefore are not so anxious at having me back.

I have spent the last three months proving why this company needs me - and have even been involved in what they call SWAT teams (escalation team for major issues). Me...the contrator. :) Feels good...but makes me wonder why the foot dragging continues. I have two colleagues here who are really going to bat for me, and if it weren't for them, I'm sure I wouldn't be here even in the capacity that I am. But, if they really valued my expertise as they say they do...wouldn't they want to make sure to get me in and not let me go again? They know my resume is out there and that I am actively looking. Yet, I continually get the "we're in a holding pattern". I want to say "the runway is clear...land the damn plane!!" But, I don't. My two favorite colleagues keep telling me that the wheels are in motion, and that something will happen soon. Of course...they have said this for nearly a month now...bless their hearts. Plus, there's more to the story than I feel I can put in here at this time because it involves other people. So, that'll have to be another post.

So, fingers stay crossed (which makes it hard to type my blog), and I just keep showing them day in and day out how much @ss I kick. If you have extra things to cross in my favor, please do so.

Thank you also to my hubby for the support and encouragement he gives me. He experiences my frustration often, and doesn't bark back. I'm a lucky girl.

love and peace
denise

Update...and then some

Thank you to my dear aunt ME who reminded me that I have a blog, and haven't updated in while. When last we left (doesn't that sound like an old-fashioned book or story?), Dad had surgery, went well, and we were waiting for the next step. He has been on the mend for just over a month now (WOW!), and is tired of sitting at home. =) He saw the oncologist on April 1st, and he explained that with the surgery, there was an 85% chance at a total recovery. Incorporating chemo would bring that number to about 90%. However, with Dad's kidney issues and his diabetes, the oncologist did not feel the gain of 5% was worth the risk of screwing those things up. Surgery did enough, and he's getting back to normal with stuff now. No sense riling them all up.

Ahhhhhh.... this whole experience with Dad makes me want to move back to Montana. Life is short and so precious, and I don't want to miss any of it with my folks - or my grand-folks. My grandpa is on the decline toward Alzheimer's and just plain ol' old age. My gramma has to be one of *the* strongest women I've ever known. She does everything for him - reminds him of his meds, makes food, helps him up when he has fallen... It's that last part that concerns me (and others). Gramma just had back surgery yesterday (note to self...call to see how it went), and shes' not going to be able to pick grampa up when he falls. Well...she can't pick him up now, but can manage to get him to a place where he can get up. I make myself so very sad - and I'm so very far away. There's really so little that any of us can do, either. We are supportive, and encouraging, and we have all started talking about the possibility of grampa going into the nursing home. Crap - tears at work...no gouda...

How do you spend over 50 years with someone, and just plunk them in a home? Gramma - if I could offer you strength, I would.

On a brighter note...

I have joined a weight loss challenge at work. We all paid a fee to join, and pay a dollar each week to go into a pot for the "biggest loser" each week. The challenge is 13 weeks long, and we just finished our first week. I am VERY proud to say that I lost 2.21% of my weight!! Woohoo, and YAY ME! I have been utilizing the eliptical machine at home, and our Wii Fit. I am happy to report that my hubby is also hitting the cardio, and doing the Wii Fit as well. Time for the Nohner household to get in shape. As I get in shape, I will find a permanent job (another post...maybe tomorrow...or something). Once I have a permanent job, and am in better shape, I'd like to get knocked up and expand our Nohner family. Freaks us both out...but too bad. haha

That's enough for today. Auntie - have I redeemed myself? I sure hope so.

Love and peace,
Denise

And....exhale

Yep, holding your breath for like 4 days is very tiring...and I don't think blue looks that good on me, personally. Dad's surgery on Friday went very well. Dr. Bergin said there were no surprises and he was happy with it all. Mom and Carol got to see the tumor that was removed (*hurk*....but still kind of cool). Dad was out of it pretty much all day on Friday. Saturday was a tough day - he was very sore, and the pain meds seemed to make him feel sick. No food/drink can pass through his mouth and down his throat until he has some...uh...air "movement" below. =) His lungs are taking a beating because he is having a hard time breathing really deeply, so he has an oxygen mask on. He was not up for talking on the phone Saturday, and my heart went out to him - and to Mom. She's such a trooper! I hope to have her strength some day.

Sunday, I wanted to call all day, but decided to wait until our appointed Sunday time. Chatted with Mom for just a few, and she handed the phone to Dad. He sounded so frail, and I hope he never knows I said that. :) He had a rough day again - still in a lot of pain, and had to receive two units of blood because he is anemic and not producing enough on his own. He broke my heart when he apologized for not being in the mood to talk on the phone on Saturday. I informed him that we would have plenty of time to talk when I'm home with him the week after he's out of the hospital. Have to remember he'll still be recovering, and leave the joke book at home, though...

Mom called today to say that Dad's having a better day (at first freaked me out to see her calling during the day...assumed the worst...major heart palpitations). They removed the catheter, so he can put pants on (much less drafty that way), and that he is "gurgling", which gives them hope that some things are starting to move. I will continue to post progress here.

So...thank you for your prayers, thoughts, love, and support. It's so hard to be so far away at a time like this. I had to5 my minutes on my cell phone plan so I don't keep going over my minutes limit. :) Keep Dad in your thoughts as he continues to heal, and for my family as we work on being strong. Oh - and if you're a close friend, maybe lift some weights so if I call to lean, you can hold the extra burden.

love and peace
Denise

p.s. my hubby doesn't read this, but my heart goes out to him for being so strong when i break down and cry during all of this. he's not a man of many words...but sometimes it's not the words that count. thank God for my Brian.

Power of Prayer

Tomorrow my Dad goes in for sugery to remove cancer from his colon. When Dad called to let me know his colonoscopy hadn't gone well, and that there was a "spot", my first thought was that my hubby's dad died from colon cancer. I was a good girl, though, and did not cry on the phone with Dad. He sounded positive, so I was going to be positive. I don't know if he'll ever know how hard that was. I am the one who has heard the horror stories of doctors who tell patients one thing, and it's really another, and they die. Or, a doctor says nothing can be done, and a second opinion proves something can be done, and the fight ensues. I know my parents trust their doctors, and I am happy with that. But, I will also be the daughter who questions things. Ask Dad's kidney doctor... :)

So, Dad checked into the hospital today because the last half of the prep for the surgery is harsh, dehydrating, and really lowers his blood pressure. I called to check in, find out when the surgery is tomorrow, and just to tell him I was thinking of him. The way he told me he loved me before we hung up the phone ripped my heart in two - in such a nice way. I told him I loved him, too and to take care, hung up the phone, and burst into tears. Yes - I get my sappiness from my mother... But, I'm ok with that. I love my parents so much, that the thought of them in pain or suffering just wrenches my insides out.

Short and to the point - please pray for my dad. Pray that God guides the hands of the surgeon, Dr Bergin, that God holds Dad in his arms before/during/after the sugery, and that we all lean on Him for strength in this time. The prognosis is very good, and I am putting my faith in the knowledge of the doctors, and God above. I hope you can find it in your heart to send him happy thoughts.

love and peace
denise

*Great* Week

So, the week of my birthday (1-11 to 1-17) was an up and down week. My birthday was good - thankfully. Monday the 12th was pretty ordinary - nothing too special on my end. My dad had cataract surgery in one eye, and now is able to use absolutely no glasses whatsoever (except for driving). It's awesome that the pain in his eye is gone, and the vision is back. Wahoo!

January 13 is my mom's birthday. I know my Gramma planned a little surprise birthday party for her at the church council meeting. Mom and Dad drove back from Williston, and it took over twice as long because of icky weather. Their youngest daughter called them that morning to tell them she had lost her job. Yep. I lost my job. I was so utterly shocked, I can't even describe it to you. I wish I could tell you they were doing layoffs or something. But no...the company is doing quite well, and they are still hiring people. No...they were just unhappy with me. It was such a bummer. My hubby was outstanding - letting me cry when I needed to, be pissy when I needed to, and he did his best to cheer me up when possible.

The great thing about this, though, is I'm a survivor. I got right on Monster that afternoon, and was job searching. I had an IM conversation with a former colleague of mine, and she let me know that my old company (Lighthouse1) is using temps in my former job because they were very behind. So, I emailed another former colleague of mine, asking if they have room for another temp. She said she thought so, and to email the HR person. I did, and two days later, she called me and asked me to come in right away the next day to help out. She also said they would see what they could do about just bringing me back on. Oh man...I hope and PRAY this will happen. I did not leave Lighthouse1 because I was unhappy in my job or anything negative. I left for an opportunity closer to home. So, I'm glad to be back. I hope I can go back for good. When I got there last Friday, it felt like coming home. People hugged me, for Pete's sake! It was so great, I can't even tell you. And, I'm just right back into doing a lot of the things I did when I was there 8 months ago.

The week started with my birthday, which was great. Then I lost my job and was hoping not to hit a huge depression rut. Then, by the end of the week, I had a temporary job lined up, and a possibility of a job. I am doing all I can to impress the hell out of Lh1 so they see how lucky they are to have me back. =)

Love and peace
Denise

Cards

Do you like to play cards? I love it! It's such a nice way to pass the time on these cold winter days, and most card games do not take a ton of thinking. I have a few favorites to play, and have been trying to teach my new in-law family some of them. Unfortunately, only a few are interested in playing cards. =( Oh well. For those who learn to play, it's fun to teach them, and fun to have them ask to play again.

I recently taught my sister-in-law (SN), niece (HS), and nephew (ZS) to play Hand & Foot. I learned this from a very good friend of mine in the cities (KA). She taught me how to play, and we used to go to her aunt's house for homemade pizza and cards. I've also taught AM and DM how to play. The differences between all of these people is fun. AM and DM like to play nice - making sure everyone has a chance to play lots of cards and get lots of points. Games with them take a long time, which is fun because we thoroughly enjoy our time. Playing with KA and her aunt - there is no mercy. If you don't play your cards right, you will get hosed. It's frustratingly awesome! So, I have taught SN, HS, and ZS how to play in a cutthroat way as well. It's good fun. Well...only when I'm winning, I guess. =) Just ask HS... there is harsh retribution when I get stuck in my hand, and there is a red three in my foot.

Anyone interested in learning to play Hand & Foot, I'll be happy to show you (or tell you somehow if you are far away). A word of warning - Hand & Foot can be a time consuming game...Be prepared to spend an hour to three hours playing, depending on how you play. Enjoy!

Love and peace
Denise