Gram's House

by Meredith

Thankfully I haven't had hard change forced upon me for most of my life - up until the last year and a half.  I loved that, even though experienceing change is a good thing, because no matter what change happens.  It's inevitable.

This past weekend we moved my Grandma into an assisted living community.  Her place is beautiful and looks like a one bedroom condo I would purchase.  Also, it's super close to our home in Richfield.  It just got too be to much - helping her and my mom.

I always knew this day was coming, but wasn't sure when and never wanted to be the one to pull the trigger.  We had to do it though.

It's a strange feeling doing something you know you have to do, but really don't want to in fear of the impact.  When we were moving things Miranda Lambert's the House that Built Me kept playing over and over in my head.  I kept thinking about all the times I walked into her kitchen and she was sitting there in the same corner spot beneath the radio with a cup of coffee. She had lived there since 1952 when my grandpa built it and they moved from Iowa.  My mom was raised there, I stayed there all the time growing up and majority of holidays were celebrated in this home.

Then I started to think of all the new memories yet to be made.  She feels good and looks good.  Not everything will go away.  It's just a house after all and she can't take care of it, or herself, the way she use to.

It's funny too - I went to church Sunday and the sermon was on change, and how Autumn symbolizes change and the ability to let things go - just like the trees do when they drop their leaves.  Only then, when you are emptied, can you make room for more - something new.

It will be ok.

Fall Colors

by Meredith

Autumn is in full swing in Minnesota.  This is one of my favorite times of the year.  The weather is calm, the temperature is right and the trees are gorgeous - to me they look like fireworks across the sky.  These pictures were taken by a friend of mine from church as he walked along the Mississippi River this week near St. Thomas.  Watch for the peak of fall foliage in your area on The Weather Channel's website.

Sakroots

by Meredith

I did it - last weekend I bought a new fall handbag.  I fell in love with the new Sakroots line.  This off shoot of The Sak focuses on helping the environment.  Sakroots supports The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign with raises funds to restore and plant one billion tress by 2015 on 2.5 millions acres of Brazil's Atlantic Forest, one of the greatest repositories of biodiversity on Earth.

The designs were beautiful and so unique.  I wanted all of them.  Looking at the concept of Sakroots more, I found that the designs were created by chosen artists that are also environmentally conscious and share the same world philosophy of the company.  The prints are meant to be laid back, cheerful and fun.

The designer of my bag is Joshua Davis of New York.  The flower power print represents hope, love and peace.  Thank you Joshua for your amazing creativity.

 

Gopher Football

by Meredith

I finally made it to the University of Minnesota TCF stadium! It was a great night, even though it was chilly! And, the Gophers brought home a win against Syracuse, 17-10!

 

{Halftime}