A great feeling

A while ago, unbeknownst to me,  I was nominated for the South Dakota 4-H Hall of Fame.

A couple weeks ago, I was notified that I had been chosen to be inducted into that Hall at this year's State Fair.

If you would like to read the article in the home town paper, here is the link....


Four Named Hall Of Famers: Four long-time 4-H leaders from Marshall County will become Hall of Fame members on Monday at the State Fair in Huron. Mike and Rose Kraft of Britton and Julie Symens

I can't believe how the years have gone by.  Thirty one years as a leader is mind blowing to me :)

Each year was focused on and accomplished and it's added up to many youth, adults, and groups that I've been involved with.  Couldn't be prouder.  It's a great feeling to know that others have noticed.

All for now.
JULIE

A beautiful day

I've returned from my trip to Colorado.

My daughter got married!

Beautiful cool day for an outdoor wedding with a couple of sprinkles to shower blessings on them.
The local sheriff was the officiant - he did a wonderful job for the newlyweds.

The location was near the river in a grove.  Justin made the arch, and Leah put together the decorated steer horns.  You can tell it is an agriculture community.

My daughter Leah and my new son, Justin.  This is the ONE PHOTO I took all week :)

We had a good time at the reception.  Simple decor of white tableclothes with mini cowhide centerpieces with wooden boxes, succulents and silk flowers.  Roping dummies for the kids to mess with, and a DJ for dancing by the adults.

The venue was the 4-H barn where the fair was held last week :)  Very appropriate!

I struggled a bit the early part of the week with fatigue and some muscle pain in the left hip.  I had to have my mom bring more pain pills as I hadn't thought I'd need them.  I was still taking 2 antibiotics all through the trip, so the stomach didn't always cooperate.  Finally took the last dose of one yesterday, and tomorrow afternoon the other kind will be gone, too.  

After that will be the time to hope.  Hope that all bacteria inside has been taken out.  Hope that I don't have a relapse. Hope that this has finally taken care of it all. 

I believe I will attempt a small craft event in a couple weeks.  It's a first time event, but it's close and it's inexpensive.  I have to get back to doing life.

All for now,  JULIE

Bright spots

I've been trying to find a bright spot in every day.

Post surgical has been rough.

My hamstring and incision aren't so bad. 

I left hospital with a picc line - twice a day infusions of an antibiotic.

Please no contact with cows and horses, and outdoorsy types of things was the doctors request.

A week later, they added another antibiotic orally.

The two together have been, how shall I put it,   HELL.

These little guys, and 3 more, made an appearance.  Momma cat is quite wild, but has decided we are a nice source of food.  I can't say they are tame, but they are getting used to people and that we have yummy food to share.  Fun to watch and on occasion I get an opportunity to nab one and snuggle.  Only a few hisses :)

I didn't quite get to 3 weeks on the IV drug, before side effects made the doctor agree for a discontinuation.  Thing is, he added a different oral antibiotic to replace it.   So I'm still taking 2 different drugs.   Suffice it to say, my stomach is not happy, my head is not happy - headaches- and my general overall state of affairs is ICK.  

Tomorrow I have a recheck and I am going to campaign for a drug break at least so that I can maybe enjoy my trip to my daughters wedding.  I waited a bit too long to book flights - I was feeling so crappy, I couldn't begin to focus on it- and now I'm gonna pay through the nose for my tickets.   Oh, well. It is what it is.

Every couple days, I've found a bit of energy to check my horses water source and last night, the calves and cows came over to see what I was doing.  

I think they are so cute with their curious ways.

It always makes me smile when i get to watch these little guys.