Edited to add: With all the travel going on lately, I completely forgot to mention a great special event: Sarah and Gage celebrated a year of marriage on May 22. Steve and I are so proud of the two of them and can’t wait to see their future unfold.
Before I get into my follow-up Wisconsin post, I wanted to share a couple of photos of Steve’s quick visit to Florida. (I didn’t go with him since my flying time/money was focused in a Wisconsin-ish direction.)
He wanted to see Noah play just one basketball game this year. If you, like us, are long-distant grandparents, you know how hard it is to not get to be there for all of the events in your grandchildren’s lives. (Nathan is the assistant coach of Noah’s team.)
Steve had a wonderfully relaxing time which was much needed after the stress of the past few months.
from the south to the midwest. Here is a little synopsis of the good times from my journey.
I wanted to take special note . . .
of two special photos because they illustrate three things I really love: thriftiness, creativity, and ingenuity.
A little backstory:
For a long time, Ruth and Arnold had a clothesline out in the yard which is actually featured in two of my all-time favorite photos of mom. (This was a few years back.)
Turns out lugging laundry out that far out on the lawn got to be a bit taxing and they decided they needed something on their back deck instead. Most people would go to Amazon and buy a rotating clothesline there. But not the Resourceful Rehbergs! I present to you a hand-crafted clothesline made of an old bed frame, a disk brake, and a wheel bearing.
Isn’t that great?
with the dirt bike ride I referred to in last week’s post. (Followed at the end by a little bit of four-wheeling footage.)
A few things to note while you watch:
What about you?
Are you a dirt bike or a 4-wheel driver? Have you ever had a funny experience driving something you were unaccustomed to?
Are you a creative person when it comes to making something instead of buying it? What is an example of something you have done?
Happy belated anniversary to Sarah and Gage!! The year has really flown by!
Your Wisconsin pictures are beautiful and looks like Steve had a great visit too.
We are 4-wheel riders. We used to have a Honda Ranger but traded it in on a Can Am side by side. We love to go trail riding in the Black Hills in South Dakota. They are usually very windy and steep and always so much fun. We go with a large group of friends, stay a week and ride 3 of the 7 days. Once, we were on a trail where we could go no further, so had to turn around. One of the group couldn’t quite do it and got the rear wheels over the edge. He held the brake while another guy hooked up a winch to the vehicle and a tree, then pulled him back up. SO SCARY!! We were all shaking after that one!
LeeAnne,
Yikes. I got shaky just reading about the wheels over the edge! Thankfully someone had a winch along and was able to do the rescue mission.
Sounds like you have quite the adventures out there. I’m sure the Black Hills are absolutely gorgeous.
Happy (and safe) 4-wheeling!
Happy Anniversary to Sarah and Gage! That year has gone by fast.
So happy Steve could go down and be with the kids and see Noah play and Nathan coach.
Love all the photos you have posted. So thankful you can go see your mother when you get a chance to.
I am not a bit creative, not at all. So when I see other’s creative and crafty ideas I am so impressed.
I watched and laughed at your mini bike ride. Loved all the laughing and the dog barking was the icing on the cake. haha!
My mom, years ago decided she could ride my youngest brothers mini bike. Hilarious. She tipped over and tried sitting it up
but the throttle had stuck and she tried to run with it. Oh my, Good memories.
I rode my older brothers big motor bike ONCE, I tipped over on the road trying to turn around and had to leave it lay and walk home. He wasn’t impressed with me. If that wasn’t enough, my son bought a small motor bike probably 14 years ago and showed me how to run it… His mistake for sure. I did drive it very slowly all around the yard and then told my youngest daughter to hop on and I’d give her a ride. I came to our pine trees which I just ducked under and it took her right off the back of the bike. She was less than happy with her mommma. haha! Then I left the key on and wrecked his battery. He didn’t want it replaced, cause I would have paid for it. I think he didn’t want me on it anymore..hmmm! Wendy
Wendy,
Wow! What a list of bike stories you have. And also your mom! I admire her perseverance in trying to RUN with a bike after tipping it over. I would have run, too–in the other direction Sounds like you both share the same adventurous spirit. And it also sounds like you have a patient brother, son, and daughter. 🙂
I enjoyed your stories!
The pictures of Wisconsin are beautiful. The sky is so blue in several. I especially love the miniature church you found.
I am not a creative type of person at all. I would be the one going to Amazon to find something.
I’ve never ridden a four-wheeler or dirt bike. My older brother used to race dirt bikes many years ago. The farm that my dad went to for many years – like 50 probably – had a Ranger/Mule (not sure which it was). It was an enclosed four-wheeler with a back seat. When they were still able, my mom and dad would go out to farm on a nice day and ride all over. My dad would go out many times without her and ride all over.
Looks like both you and Steve had a great trip. While I don’t have grandchildren, I know how it is to live far from family having lived in Tampa for nearly 13 years. Once I moved back to Kansas, it was nice to be able to go to my niece’s tennis matches when she was in high school, even if it was a 3 hour round trip.
Phyllis,
I’m right there with you on going to Amazon rather than trying to make something myself. NOT my gift!
I’d have been right there with your mom and dad, taking leisurely rides on a vehicle with FOUR wheels, not two. Much less precarious. I know that is a sweet memory for them–just tooling along and looking at things, talking, and enjoying the outing. It’s the simple things, isn’t it?
Happy belated Anniversary to Sarah and Gage!! What a year it’s been!!
Yes…our family rides motorcycles and 4-wheelers. I’m only coordinated enough for the 4-wheeler though! Our younger son (now 21) learned to ride a bicycle without training wheels by the time he was 3 so that we’d get him a motorcycle. We thought we were buying ourselves some time by putting that rule in place (no motorcycles until you can ride a bike) but…no. I’m usually funniest (read that as “not the best”) at docking a boat in the wind. I make lots of corrections! Love your video!
Have a great week!
Suzanne,
What a talented son riding a 2-wheeler by the time he was three. So much for buying time, right? 🙂
And you can dock a boat? I am sooooo impressed.
This is a great blog! I especially like the black & white photo of Sarah and Gage and the photo of Nathan and Noah, The photo of Steve, Nathan and the grands is so precious.
I have fond memories of different family clotheslines. Love the simplicity of hanging clothes outside on a line to dry. I also have memories of hanging my sister’s diapers on the clothesline many many years ago, after cleaning the clothesline first. My sister owes me.
Thanks for giving us the motorbike ride video! Loved the left turn across the dirt field! Reminds me of the old Benny Hill sitcoms!
Negative for me as a dirt bike – 4 wheeler. I need walls between me and the outside world!
Creative? I learned how to sew in my 7th – 8th grade Home Economics class. I made a green wool pleated skirt that I really liked and was very proud of. Several years later I made lined draperies that I still own today and hope to use again!
Gloria,
I greatly admire anyone who can sew anything! Sounds like you’re pretty accomplished to make a pleated skirt in junior high. Wow!
I can just picture you out there pinning up diaper after diaper. Sometimes being a big sister is fun–sometimes it’s not! 🙂
That is an awesome video… I’m so glad you have camera footage of it! Had you never been on one before? It sure looks like you knew what you were doing! I like most things with engines, though I don’t ride them much. I have had a motorcycle license for many years but haven’t been on one in over a decade. I did go four-wheeling with my brother-in-law and nephew a couple of weeks ago, though. Speed is so much fun!
Kristina,
I was on a dirt bike in a much younger life. I’m impressed you have a motorcycle license. Holding one of those big ol’ things up and balancing them seems like an impossible task to me. I’m impressed!
The balance part is key!! I’m not actually all that strong, so I have to be careful about keeping it well balanced especially when stopped. If it starts to lean either direction… it’s pretty much all over, and I’m going to drop it on its side on the ground. Which, yes, I have done. Twice. Once while riding alone, stopped at a gas pump, and a stranger had to come and help me lift it back up onto its wheels because try as I might there absolutely no way I was picking it up alone. Ahhhhh, memories.
Of total and complete mortification.
Kristina,
Yikes. Falling over on a motorcycle seems like it would be traumatic. Thankful for a kind stranger who got you back up again even though it was a bit embarrassing. You are far braver and than I. 🙂
Happy Belated Anniversary to Sarah & Gage!! I’m not a dirt biker or 4-wheeler, but that 4-wheeler sure looked fun! I’m glad Steve got to go see Noah play in a basketball game. Upward is such a wonderful program. I hope the entire Smith clan is able to enjoy a good week.
Sue Ellen,
Yes, the 4-wheeler is much less intimidating than the dirt bike although I was still a little worried about myself, even on that. 🙂
It was nice to get to do something new.
Well, lady, you are brave. Nope, zilch, nada on the dirt or 4wheeler. My daughter and her family are vivid riders. Those beautiful grandchildren – those towheads – how precious. So glad could spend time with them. Late congrats to Gage and Sarah, hard to believe it has been a year already. I loved hanging clothes outside – they smelled so fresh. My mom used to hang them in the winter (I didn’t) because she would bring them in stiff as a board, and they still had to be hung so they could dry. Such beautiful pictures – each one of them.
Sharyn,
I can’t quite imagine hanging clothes in weather so cold the clothes got frozen! Quite a big difference from bringing in clothes fresh from the line in springtime. Sounds like your mom was a huge fan of clotheslines. Good for her!
Yes, I do love those tow-headed grandkids. Steve truly enjoyed his time with them.
I am not a dirt bike or 4 wheeler at all, but I do remember that the first time I rode a bicycle with hand brakes instead of pedal-backwards breaks, I took out a row of trashcans. There may have been shrieking involved.
I am on the creative/frugal side, so I’ve made many funny-looking but functional items. There is an incredible establishment nearby that is a thrift store/junk yard/hardware store/recycling center where you can find pretty much anything you could imagine (Becky, you would absolutely love it. Look up “Urban Ore” in Berkely, CA). I’ve made contraptions to carry things while biking, quilts that wrap around a hammock to make a cozy cocoon to spend the night in, and removable straps to hold flip flops on your feet while crossing rivers. I loved seeing the clothes line!
Robin,
Loved your description of your first bicycle ride especially “shrieking may have been involved.” If you watched my video you know we are kindred spirits. 🙂
I just looked at the website for Urban Ore. I could spend several DAYS in there and never get bored. What a great place!
I love your “inventions.” Lots of creativity going on there!
I’m so happy Steve had some fun with the FL kids and grands. Such good pics! I especially loved the one of Nathan and Noah.
I enjoyed the pictures of your visit too. Such a special time. You were very brave to get on that bike. Your little detour into the field was so funny–your audience was very appreciative! 😁
Love you, miss you guys!
❤️ Deb
Deb,
I loved that photo, too. It was taken by a photographer who was there to shoot the game.
Yes, my funny field foray. I’ll do anything to keep the family (and myself) entertained!
Miss you all!
I like the dogs barking too. You made their day, bec.
Pretty pics of spring in wis.
I thank the Lord daily for this wonderful gift from him. What a treat and blessing!
Love my clothesline! So easy to use and no up and down the hill with clothes basket.
(A must for elderly ladies such as I… Lol)
Ruth
Ruth,
Yes, the dogs made the whole thing seem so much more exciting.
I can only imagine how much you are enjoying your clothesline; the perfect design and perfect place for it.
Love your memories!!! Love your family! Love your… skillz…. lol.. I tried that on a dirt bike one time up in Claytors Lake, Va. Went straight up a hill and jumped off and let the bike keep going… It was not a pretty site. Thankful to be here to tell that one. Praying for you family and especially your dear Mother. Pray for a close friend of mine that just found out she has lung cancer and three spots in her brain and some in lymph nodes. We were high school classmates and we used to travel with our hubby’s and bowl together in tournaments. Such good memories. Such a broken heart for her…. Have a blessed week.
Kaye,
Wow. You jumped OFF a bike? You’re the one who has the skills! 🙂
So sorry to hear about your friend’s cancer; that is tough news to hear. Since you’ve known each other so long I know it hits you all the harder. Hugs and prayers.
I have not tried a 4 wheeler but did try a motorbike when I was 20ish. Was doing ok till I headed up a hill to slow. Started to roll backwards and wasn’t sure what to do so I just hopped off and held the bike till someone came and took it from me. That kept me off motorbikes. I don’t always think of it as creativity but I go by the old saying necessity is the mother of invention… I love to sew and I love fun print socks that I wear out in heels. I found a use as I make little mice filled with catnip out of the foot part and owl stuffed toys with the top. Hubby laughs at me but they sell well at craft sales.
Patti,
Oh my. I never thought of rolling backward on a motorbike. Another way to be traumatized on two wheels! 🙂 I’m not sure that I would have been coordinated enough to just hop off so you deserve extra points for that maneuver.
Good for you taking your creativity to craft sales. Sounds like you’re on to some great ideas!
The barking dog in the video adds to all the fun! You go, Gma Becky!!!
Greta,
Yep. Gma Becky is now entering her second childhood. 🙂