Watts Up?

How time flies! (AKA Happy February!)

2012-02-02T20:06:00.000-06:00

The days have passed in a blur.
Flu
Frank
Work
Snow

Everything has run together, and I don't know where the time has gone!

Frank now weighs 27 pounds, and he isn't fat, just big! He is only 13 weeks old! Yikes! (look at all these ! can you tell he is big?) And busy? Yes, very busy, he is a 13 week old chocolate lab after all. Sometimes Allison and I wonder what he has in his head? Brains, or Rocks? Did I mention he is a chocolate lab puppy?

Big Footed Frank!

I had the flu, and missed 3 days of school. I'm still coughing, and congested, but hopefully it continues to get better!

Work Work Work what can I say? If I want a pay check, I have to show up. They are funny that way.

Snow, a broken snowblower, two shoves, and an hour and a half of shoveling 7+ inches of the light fluffy snow. A new snowblower, and an additional 3 inches of snow. Thank you God for snowblowers! We would have died if that 7 inches were as heavy and wet as those three! I think we would have died just shoveling those 3. Did I ever tell you we have a really l-o-n-g driveway?

7+ inches of soft blowing snow

Happy February!

Fresh Apple Cake

2012-01-16T15:50:00.001-06:00

Germany, 1993, what a long time ago.
Wonderful, lifelong friends were made in that quaint village of Sippersfeld.
Many meals were shared in each others homes and
Many unforgettable memories were made.

One of my favorite memories was going across the street to the man who sold apples, I bought a huge basket (purchased at the basket factory - yet another great memory) full of tasty apples.

I brought them home and promptly make Fresh Apple Cake.

Kym Thurman came over and we ate ~~most of~~ the still warm dessert.

Kris, Allison and Baylee played together, and Kym and I visited for hours.

What a sweet memory!

Fresh Apple Cake

4 C diced, peeled raw apples

2 C sugar

½ C oil

2 eggs well beaten

2 t vanilla

2 cups flour

2 t baking soda

2 t cinnamon

1 t salt

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

combine apples and sugar. Let stand 10 min. stirring occasionally.

Add oil, eggs, vanilla and nuts.

Mix well. Stir in flour, soda, cinnamon and salt.

Mix well.

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes in a 9x13 pan greased and floured. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar while still warm.

Frank the Small Brown Puppy

2012-01-16T11:15:00.002-06:00

I need a better title name for this cyclone of a brown puppy.
Frank the Small Brown Puppy
Frank the Growing Machine
Frank the Monster Puppy
Frank the Cuddly Pup

I don't know, any suggestions?

The small brown puppy name won't last long because he is already 20.4 pounds.

He is doing so well, he will sit, lay down, and we are working on retrieving. Sure he goes and gets his toy, but doesn't always bring it back. I would love to have him stay as well, but he needs a lot more work with that one. How can a 10 week old puppy stay? Let me tell you, not very well!

Brindle is still doing really well with Frank, Puddy on the other hand hates him. He is too hyper for him. They can be in the same room, but if Frank gets near the kitty, off Puddy runs. I can't blame him, I would love to do that at times too. Did I already say Frank is a whirlwind of energy?

A Busy Time

2012-01-10T07:12:00.001-06:00

It's been a busy end of the year!

Kris and Melinda moved out of state.

New Years Eve at the Van Rheenens. Making doughnuts.

Cousinly love, and Puppy Time!

Franks first trip.

Puppy Time with Logan.

Have Puppy will travel. What a good traveler!

Before. Remodeling our downstairs tiny bathroom.

Kevin has lots of Puppy help.

Gutted bathroom. It looks so much bigger with nothing in there.

I haven't had much time to blog, or even get on the computer with all we have been doing. I hope to get back into the swing of things soon.

The puppy is growing every time I look at him. He already weighs 18 pounds. He was 8 1/2 when we got him. He must have some serious growing pains!

A New Addition

2011-12-30T07:08:00.003-06:00

December 18th we adopted a new member into the family.

Six week old, Chocolate Lab, Frank, Franklin, Frankus, Frankie, Frank the Tank, our neighbor even calls him Frankfurter.
It took days to finally name this sweet puppy.
Having picked him up graduation weekend, several names were thrown out there. Several ISU related - Cy, Geoffroy, Freddy, some were not - Sheldon, Walter, Buddy (the elf - it was Christmas time!), Leonard, and Moose.
We finally went with the original thought from Allison when we sent her a text photo as we were picking him out, "He looks like a Frank" :-) Coincidentally, Kris had a professor named Dr. Frank, so this name fit the bill of both ISU related, and not really because we didn't think about that till later.
Needless to say, our Christmas has been a lot of fun, running around after a now 8 week old puppy.
I haven't had much time to blog, or read, but I've had a great time playing with this bouncing, biting, chewing, brown cyclone of happiness! :-)

A Monumental Day!

2011-12-17T22:31:00.000-06:00

Kristopher Patrick and Allison Kasey

Sitting in the auditorium today, it struck me what a monumental day today was! Kris and Allison were both on the floor, waiting to hear their names be called so they could walk across the stage and become Iowa State University Alumni. (for Kris, this was his second ceremony in a year and a half!)

Kevin and I are so blessed to have such wonderful children, and we are so proud of all their accomplishments, especially this latest endeavor - graduating from ISU!

Kristopher and Dr. Stone - Tebow Style

Kristopher and Melinda Watts

A proud daddy!

Allison walking across the stage.

Hi Allison!

Hi Kris!

Two down, two to go! ISU cousins.

Kris, Melinda and the "rents"

Allison and Juan

A Whirl Wind of a Month!

2011-12-13T18:25:00.000-06:00

What have we done since Thanksgiving?
Well, what haven't we done may be an easier question to answer.

Each weekend we have been somewhere other than home, and each weeknight we have been preparing for the next weekend...Whew!

Thanksgiving was great.

Jingle on Main was so much fun with the fireworks, shopping, music, and visiting with friends and family downtown!

The VanRheenens and my mom came for a short visit.

The Watts Family Christmas Bash - 36 of us there this year- babies everywhere!

Move Allison's stuff to the downstairs bedroom, bring the reading chairs upstairs
move Allison's stuff from DesMoines home - she will be here after this weekend!

Oh, our washer finally died, it's been getting louder and louder and sounded like a jet engine - then nothing- let's go shopping in our free time.

We got the tree up (last night - that is like the latest we have had it up in many, many years).

Start Christmas cards.

This weekend, is Allison and Kris's graduation.
Yes, they are both graduating! Allison with her Bachelors, and Kris with his Masters.
What an exciting time in their lives!

Help Kris and Melinda move their things into a storage unit, and then over the new year, get them moved to Illinois so they can begin their next, new chapter in their lives!

Oh, and update blog. :-)

Ready or Not Christmas is less than 2 weeks away!

allison trayton dalton

melinda and kris swinging connor allison holding leah

diana holding leah

moving allison

old dog brin

kevin and allison - moving

kevin and allison loading the truck

allison dina and brin loading the truck :-)

movin' out

following kevin home on the hour and a half drive - i got a little bored and started taking photos, is that legal?

wild turkeys in our back yard - wild!

kevin can park pretty well!

having loads of fun with our new washer and dryer

putting up the tree

2011-11-25T10:00:00.001-06:00

Over the river and through the state, to Kris and Melinda's we go...

Thanksgiving 2011 was a little different this year.

Not bad different, but

my family is growing up, good different.

We headed over to Kris and Melinda's around ~~9:00~~ 10:00 and enjoyed a day of looking through ads, checking out Melinda's new car, cooking, eating, cleaning, eating, visiting, and putting a puzzle together.

What a fun day. We headed home around 7:00, and by the time we got home we only had an hour and a half till Wal-Mart's black ~~Thursday~~ Friday began.

There was not a thing I wanted, no 2 dollar waffle maker, no dollar fifty movie, but we went anyway. We went inside and made a not-so-quick trip into the madness -and promplty left!

I had never seen anything like that in all my black Friday shopping! Wall to wall people! You couldn't move!

We went home and looked through ads again, and then Allison and I went to Yonkers. Only a 15 minute, or so, line. I can handle that.

We went back to Wal-Mart around 1:00. Made a quick loop, found nothing we wanted, so bought some eggs, beets, cream cheese, and rice. We were tired and giggly as we waited behind one person (we could have done a self check out without waiting, but wanted to purchase our goofy order with a real person).

Off to Target, where once again, there was nothing we wanted, but we were right there so why not..

They were more organized then Wal-Mart had been, but wow! The line went back and forth through every isle. All the way to the back of the store! What smart planning! There were people buying TV's, and cat litter! At 2 in the morning!

We had a great "experience" laughing at the crazies!

In bed by 2:45. Whew! What a day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

6 Weeks

2011-11-21T07:10:00.001-06:00

There are only 6 weeks left until 2011 will be history.

We think we are doing pretty well so far in the holiday preparations department...

Thanksgiving Pies are on the agenda this week...

Thanksgiving will be different this year. (just like every year I guess :-).
Kris and Melinda are hosting! How fun that will be!

Outside decorations are in place, and waiting for the weekend to be lit.
The last of the leaves have been collected, and the trees are bare, waiting for the snow to fall.

The Christmas lists are being made and just as quickly checked off. (We are trying to get everything bought and done early this year. So far so good.)

Wait, only 6 weeks?

Black Friday this week?

Holiday Hoopla downtown Friday night.

A quick work trip to Florida for Kevin.

Boxes of Christmas Cards stacked on the end table in the living room, a constant reminder to get busy!

Christmas Cookies to make,

House to decorate,

Christmas parties to attend, and even host.

Squeeze in an out-of-town Family Christmas Gathering. (my ugly sweater is no where ugly enough....yet)

A work "team building" get together.

Kris and Allison will both graduate in one short month!!

Allison has to move by the 31st.

All in 6 short weeks!

My Kind of Snow

2011-11-10T07:29:00.000-06:00

2.5 inches of wet, sloppy snow.

A few small snowmen sprinkle the lawns

but now that snow is

all but gone...

That's my kind of snow!
The here today and gone tomorrow kind!

11-9-11 SNOW!

2011-11-09T07:28:00.000-06:00

Wet, Slushy, First snow of the Season!
Ready or Not, here IT comes!

potpourri

2011-11-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

New Pictures above the Piano

While taking a walk, we saw this "Cross" on a house. So cool!

My first hand at reupholstering a chair.

The finished product.

My new tablecloth. :-)

I hate being sick!

2011-10-21T08:43:00.001-05:00

I          icky

H         hot

A         absent

T         tired

E         energy gone

B         blankets

E         eating? yuck!

I          icky

N         nauseous

G         g (i can't think of anything. i'm sick)

S          sick

I           icky (imagination is gone. i'm sick)

C          cranky

K         kindly leave me virus. it's almost the weekend!

M-I-Z Z-O-U

2011-10-16T21:10:00.003-05:00

With a packed car, and a full tank of gas, Friday was a busy day. After work, we headed out of town to visit our long time friends. A long 6 hour drive put us into their driveway at 10:00 at night. Allison and Sho arrived around midnight, we visited for a while and turned in around 1:00. It was a short nights sleep.

I heard the first rousings of the fans around 4:45. We wanted to be on the road at 6:30 to get a parking spot and be able to find a good viewing spot for the parade.

It was the Mizzou 100th Homecoming!

A pancake breakfast, four lone red shirted fans among an entire gymnasium of yellow and black!

A parade, no red shirts anywhere other then ours.

Tailgating with Mizzou fans - friends who were good sports.

Off to the game, where at least there were a few other ISU fans cheering on the Cyclones.

What a humiliating game, I don't even want to talk about the score (52-17).
We finished up the day with dinner at an Irish pub.
What a fun Saturday!

We visited till 1:00 this afternoon, and then headed home.
What a great weekend!
Thanks Stephanie and Jason!

A Leafy Sunday Stroll

2011-10-09T17:20:00.001-05:00

Indian Summer In Iowa.

This week we have seen temperatures into the mid 80's, quite warm for October.

Kevin and I enjoyed a nice walk today, enjoying the last of the warm weather. The temperatures will begin to fall this week, by Wednesday it will be in the low 70's and by Saturday they say the high will be only 58!

Ahh, Fall.

The leaves are really beginning to change now, and I love the way they smell and sound as I walk along the path.

Pupusas

2011-10-08T21:04:00.001-05:00

Salvadorian pupusas with pickled cabbage and hot sauce. My new favorite food! Okay maybe not my favorite, but wow was it good! A pupusa is a thick, hand-made corn tortilla that is filled with cooked pork and cheese. It could have beans, or just the pork, but the one I had was pork and cheese. Then they top it with a pickled cabbage and hot sauce. Ummmm!

This morning, Kevin and I headed first to Ames, and then DesMoines. We picked up the kids, and headed to the 2011 World Food Festival in DesMoines for lunch. We enjoyed food from:
Salvador
Ethiopia
Mexico
Turkey
Thailand
Russia
USA
Jamaica
and probably more.

It was so much fun! And we got to try so many different types of foods.

Kevin and I enjoyed a quiet, scenic, back roads drive home. We saw farmers out harvesting, and beautiful fall leaves.

What a great fall Saturday!

Brindle - The Mighty Hunter

2011-10-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

Brindle loves going to the lake, any lake, or pond, or shore, she love wading through the water.

She loves to chase frogs on the bank.

She loves to chase ducks taking flight.

As we walk on the path around the lake, she is my best friend. I really, really hate grasshoppers.
They jump
this way,
that way,
always my way!
I scream, and point, and Brindle goes into attack mode!

One less grasshopper in the world!
My hero,
Brindle!

Welcome October

2011-10-02T20:49:00.001-05:00

October arrived with a cool, plant covered, morning.

September is only a memory...

A wedding

back to school

Kevin's long days at work (sometimes 12 busy hours a day planning for their huge class)

Welcome October!

Kevin and I had a great weekend, no plans, "nothing to do".

We...

Mowed the lawn and picked up sticks from our wind storm this week. (65 mph gusts)

Took in recycling

Took Brindle for a walk around the lakes. The beautiful fall colors are beginning to arrive!

Got 2 vehicles cleaned, inside and out.

Went to church.

Took another long walk around town.

Watched the Bears win :-)

and the Cyclones lose :-(

Welcome October!

What a great weekend!

An Iowa Hog Roast

2011-09-26T15:54:00.000-05:00

Over 70 neighbors and friends

Yard games

Great food

A cool autumn evening

A hay ride

Cats, cats, everywhere cats

Ping Pong

and so many small children running around.

Saturday was so much fun, spending time on our friend's farm, enjoying an old fashioned hog roast.

Thanks Mark and Nancy!

Happiness is...

2011-09-18T23:03:00.002-05:00

A sweet baby boy

A loving baby girl

Brother and Sister

Years go by, and Brother and Sister grow.

Living in seperate towns, miles apart.

My heart is happy when I call to see what they are up to, and...

They are shopping, having dinner, and playing games

Together!

Happiness is

Grown children

Having fun together without Mom and Dad making them!

A Day Off?

2011-09-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

No School today!

I could sleep in

I could read a book

I could go shopping

I could...

shove everything from the dining room and hall into the kitchen and

Shampoo the Carpet?

Oh well, it was a productive day.

Socks and Shoes

2011-09-16T13:01:00.001-05:00

I had to dig out socks and shoes for work this week. We have been enjoying a cool front in the area, and Wednesday and Thursday mornings were down right cold! We even had a freeze warning Thursday.
So, good-bye sandals (for now :-), hello shoes and socks.

Happy Birthday Allison Kasey!

2011-09-11T10:14:00.002-05:00

Allison's birthday is Monday, September 12th. Kevin and I had the privilege of going to visit her this weekend, and we were joined by Kris and Melinda. What a special day we all had helping Allison celebrate her special day...

A sunny cool morning saw us heading to Des Moines .We stopped in Ames to pick up Kris and Melinda, what a crazy idea that was! The kick off of the ever popular, Iowa/Iowa State game was only an hour and a half away! Cars were everywhere! Exit lanes were backed up for over a mile! We finally made it to Kris and Melinda's apartment, and quickly were on our way.

Off to Allison's apartment. A quick plugging in of the crock pot, a petting of Puddy, and off to the Des Moines Farmer's Market. This was our first time going, and it was incredible, the largest one we had ever been to. It was more like market day in Italy.

French Pastries, Dutch Letters, Vegan Chorizo Tacos, Beet Smoothies, and Fresh Apple Cider. What a diverse morning of food we enjoyed!

Next stop, the furniture store, Kris and Melinda needed a sofa.

While we were at the furniture store, we had an unexpected, fun experience. Between looking for sofas, and talking to salesmen, we kept returning to the theater seating area where the TVs on the wall were all tuned into the Iowa/Iowa State game. As the minutes ticked away, we just sat down and enjoyed the end of the game. More and more customers and salesmen and women came and enjoyed the game, Iowa State fans, and Iowa fans together, filling the chairs, and floor in the entire area. It sounded like a sports bar, the cheering and the groans. What a fun time! Iowa State finally won in triple over time! Yeah!!!

A visit to the local winery was our next destination. Only minutes from Allison's apartment, we enjoyed Iowa made wine and beer samples. Of course we had to make a few purchases. :-)

Back to Allison's for sauerbraten, spaetzle, green beans and ice cream cake! Yummy!

A quick trip to the mall, and we were on our way home, 12 hours after leaving.

I am so glad we got to help Allison celebrate her birthday this weekend.
What a fun day, shared with our wonderful, grown kids.

Family and Friends

2011-09-05T21:54:00.002-05:00

It wouldn't be a wedding without family and friends!

It was great seeing everyone.

I just wish we could have visited with everyone more.

It's hard just saying hi and a few words, and then moving on to the next table.

Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher Watts

2011-09-05T21:17:00.006-05:00

September 3rd, 2011, what a special day!

Kristopher Watts and Melinda Wolf were married!

What a beautiful wedding! (and couple!)

Rehearsal

2011-09-05T21:03:00.002-05:00

Friday night, cars were pulling in the church parking lot from all over the Midwest.

Besides the local cars there were ones from Minnesota, Des Moines, Ames, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

Kris and Melinda's close friends and family were in town for the Rehearsal!

8 days and counting!

2011-08-26T07:10:00.000-05:00

The count down is into the single digits, and I am realizing, I have a lot to do.

It's 6:30am and I am already up with two cakes in the oven and a load of laundry in the wash.

I've got cake balls to make, the house to clean, and school is now in full swing

The carpet may not get cleaned, but people will just have to excuse the dirt. I have other things to do besides clean, beige berber carpet that we are going to be pulling up in a month or so anyway. Beige carpet is a poor choice for a home with a dog, and a cat. Especially on the stairs! Who thought of that?

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you enjoy the sunny, warm day, and I will see a lot of you in 8 short days!

A Sweet Good-bye

2011-08-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

The last of the Harry and Delsie Watts children are gone. We buried Aunt Georgene yesterday. What a sad day for those of us who are left to mourn, but Happy is the day because Georgene was a sweet, born again Christian who loved life, and yet was ready to go Home and meet her Savior face to face.

We can know with certainty that today she is laughing, pain free, with her husband Christy, and her two children Donny and Linda. What a reunion they must be having!

http://hosting-24967.tributes.com/show/Georgene-R.-Foster-92181212

Deep Fried Butter On a Stick

2011-08-14T21:02:00.003-05:00

Iowa State Fair 2011

We had the best time at the fair this year! We went with Stanley and Maria Wolf, Kris and Melinda and Allison. We had a great time seeing all the crowds, exhibits, and of course the food.

We had to try to the new state fair sensation, Deep Fried Butter on a Stick! We stood in line for about 25 minutes talking with perfect strangers in line about the sick sounding treat. We got to the front of the line and had to add to our order a deep fried pineapple on a stick and a deep fried snickers on a stick.

We justified it by saying we only come to the fair every of couple of years, we are having a mini vacation weekend, we aren't eating a whole one and the excuses go on and on...

And the consensus among all 7 of us, was

They were all GREAT!

It was funny, as each customer got their deep fried treat, strangers would come and watch them eat it, asking all kinds of questions. We actually had done that before we got in line. The man we talked to said it was definitely worth it, but he wish he would have ordered two.

The line starts way back there!

Fryer

Busy at work

Heart Attack Menu

First bite for Allison

Buttery Goodness

Oozy Goodness

Pineapple on a stick

Butter on a stick

Fellow fair goer enjoying his Deep Fried Butter

Fun at the Iowa State Fair

2011-08-14T20:05:00.001-05:00

10 on 10

2011-08-11T08:54:00.001-05:00

I had seen this 10 on 10 thing several months ago, but every 10th of the month I would forget. Finally yesterday I remembered to take 10 photos, one each hour of the day. They aren't that thrilling, I have been very busy getting ready for school, Melinda's shower, moving Allison, painting, and the list goes on and on.

Summer has been here awhile, and the flowers are showing it!

We let Allison take our small kitchen table for 5 months, so we have the larger one in the Kitchen now. A little crowded.

Getting ready for Melinda's shower on Saturday.

The windows are open!!!

Beautiful

Look at those temperatures! In August, we are so fortunate!

Kevin's big blue truck. We used it to move Kris, and wow, what a gas guzzler! But quite the help, we were able to get him all moved in with few problems.

I've really enjoyed being a part of the Facebook group "You know you are from Belt, Montana if..." It has been fun reminiscing with fellow Beltites. (Beltians? Belters? Belt.. Belt Alumni?)

Trying to finish painting the deck.

Allison moved to DesMoines to do her student teaching this semester. Trying to get her room cleaned, and ready for overnight guests, maybe even Allison if she ever gets to come home for a visit. :-)

Allison's T-Shirt Quilt

2011-08-04T11:15:00.002-05:00

I managed to finish Allison's quilt before she got home from Spain, and I forgot to post the finished product. So here it is...

Summer Garden

2011-08-04T11:12:00.001-05:00

This spring I planted several different types of pepper plants, two types of tomatoes, and some zucchini. We've enjoyed many of these delicious veggies so far and hope to harvest many more.

I didn't know I was growing Puddys though.

Puddy trying to keep cool in the 100 degree temperatures!

Canoe Trip 2011

2011-07-28T11:31:00.001-05:00

Kevin and Kris headed to the river with several of Kevin's co-workers last week.

They had a fun time spending most of the day drifting along the flood stage water.

(I didn't think they were crazy at all!)

They all made it safely to their destination, about a half of an hour before a huge storm was upon us.

The canoe was almost pulled off the top of our Vue on the way home by very gusty winds!

These too are camera photos, but they turned out pretty okay! Surprise, Surprise!

Cameras

2011-07-28T11:15:00.000-05:00

I've been such a slacker this summer. I own 3 nice cameras, and yet I seem to always leave the house without one.

Most of the photos in the previous posts have been taken on my cell phone. That's why they are grainy, out of focus, and just all around icky.

But, at least there are photos. Better icky, then none at all.

I did grab one this morning as I looked at the approaching storm. We have been fortunate right here, but to the east of us, they haven't been quite so lucky...
10+ inches of rain over night! Wow I can not imagine!

Melinda's Bridal Shower

2011-07-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

Melinda had her first bridal shower this month.

She looked beautiful in her white sundress,

and we had a fun time visiting and watching her open many nice gifts.

Just a little over a month until the wedding. :-)

Fun at Uncle Kevin's and Aunt D's

2011-07-28T10:51:00.000-05:00

With heat indexes entering the 120 range, this summer with the nieces was a little different. Not nearly as much time was spent outside. Even playing in the pool wasn't as much fun in that kind of heat.

So we did a lot of inside activities....

Making chocolate crepes

Baking brownies

Shopping for school clothes

Playing at a children's museum

Going to see a movie

Going to the water park

Checking books out at the library

and playing inside games.

Overall, I think the girls had a good visit, and it was fun seeing how much they had changed since last year.
Sure we have seen them since then, but together, without their families around, we really got to see how they have matured, and changed since last year.

We are so happy we were able to squeeze the time in to visit with these sweet young ladies.

They're Here!

2011-07-19T22:47:00.001-05:00

A brand new pool and a slippery slip-n-slide adorn the lawn.

Popsicles fill the freezer, and kid friendly foods are on the menu for the week.

The Nieces are here!

In a Quandary

2011-07-15T13:15:00.003-05:00

Three days ago we began the process...

We moved all the things on the deck to one side, and Allison

Scrubbed
Scrubbed
Scrubbed.

Two days ago we

Painted
Painted
Painted :-)

We got 2/3 of it done. (the part where there weren't any plants, furniture, or grills)

Yesterday it

Rained
Rained
Rained.

I moved everything onto the painted section, and scrubbed the non-painted section (the deck was wet already anyway)...

Scrub
Scrub
Scrub.

Today it is stinking hot! Too hot for the paint to stick properly!

Tomorrow it is going to be even hotter!

Guess what, the next day it is even going to be hotter then that!

And there isn't an end in sight!

Add the humidity and we get
A HEAT WAVE.
Look at the photo, when I took my camera outside, the lens fogged up!

Thanks for sharing in our quandary.

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog!

2011-07-12T22:02:00.001-05:00

Six weeks have flown by, and Allison is home from Spain. She had a great time, met lots of new friends, and enjoyed the Spanish culture! We are so happy to have her home.

Welcome Home Kasey!

Fun In Chicago

2011-07-12T21:43:00.001-05:00

Friday I dropped the dog off at the kennel, and Kevin and I headed to Chicago.

We had a ~~hot~~ great time in the city.

Saturday morning we woke up early, and enjoyed a leisurely morning drinking coffee, and surfing the internet for things to do.

We found a car show to go to, so that was our first stop of the day. We enjoyed looking at cool cars, and we even met a celebrity there. Tucker, a yellow labrador, that does commercials and advertising. So cute!

I had my first shopping experience at Trader Joe's, and enjoyed looking at all the tasty things in that store.

Then we headed to Smoque for a BBQ lunch. We had seen Smoque on FoodTV, and knew we wanted to go there. It was pretty good, but not as good as Jim's in the Quad Cities.

We went back to the hotel and swam, rested, and then finished off the night with a stop to 5 Guys burgers.

Sunday we woke early and took the train into the city. We walked around and saw so much, we even enjoyed a Chicago hotdog. The day was so hot, 98 heat index. Whew! We went into Sears and walked around for awhile just to cool off.

We got off at the Damen stop (while on the train) and enjoyed walking around and exploring this neighborhood. There were neat shops we looked in and a nice park we rested at.

Time to get back to the park and ride.

Allison would be landing at O'Hare in less then 2 hours!

Summer Project

2011-07-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

I've been sewing.
Making a long overdue project.
Our dining room has become a sewing room.
Our kitchen floor a cutting table.
(my project is large!)
The backs of chairs hold strips of fabric.
The piano is a good spot for accessories.

Today is my third day of this project and
Lord willing, my last.
It's a love/hate project.
I want to make it, but hate working with the stretchy fabric.
Interfacing is abundant!

comments

2011-07-08T09:20:00.000-05:00

I talked with a friend yesterday and she told me she couldn't leave comments on my blog, so today I changed a few settings, and hopefully you will now be able to, unhindered.

Give it a try...

A Grassy Hillside

2011-07-08T09:15:00.001-05:00

Saturday's fireworks with the family were

loud
heart pounding
brilliant!

So on Monday, Kevin and I decided to stay back from the crowds. We didn't go to the festivities but we enjoyed the fireworks from afar.
We found a grassy hillside minutes from home, put down our blanket, and enjoyed the fireworks, just the two of us.

distant booms
silhouetted treetops
relaxing
brilliant!

Fourth of July Weekend

2011-07-04T14:10:00.010-05:00

The 4th of July

Family

Fun

Food

Fireworks

Grandma, Kim, Travis and Logan came for a visit this weekend.

We saw fireworks and had the closest seats ever! We were pretty much looking straight up for most of the show.

We grilled out, watched a movie, visited, and had a great time being together.

What a great 4th of July weekend!

Melinda and her mom came over Sunday and we assembled 250 boxes for wedding favors, made 64 (so far) soaps to put in the boxes, wax sealed the invitations, and had fun laughing and being productive.

Home Town Festivals

2011-06-24T08:19:00.003-05:00

festival fun ~ 2000

We have lived here for 11 years now, and have attended our home town festival only a handful of times. We are usually at the lake during this week. This year we will be home, and I am looking forward to walking around and seeing old friends, eating fried foods, and enjoying the crowd.

Early Morning Sun!

2011-06-24T06:43:00.013-05:00

As you know, I am not a morning person. I like the idea of mornings, but when it comes to getting up early, I would rather just hit the snooze and get a few more precious minutes of sleep. Imagine my surprise this morning, as I am laying in bed, birds chirping, and the sun sneaking through the curtains, when I roll over and check the time.

5:15!

I try to fall back to sleep, to no avail. :-(

As I finally become alert, and my eyes begin to focus, I notice the sun.

The Sun!

I haven't seen much of it in the past few days, and I notice the temperature, 54 degrees! It's going to be a glorious day!

I sit in my favorite spot and enjoy my coffee as I check my emails, facebook, and favorite blogs on the computer. I notice the sun shining lower on the tree out my window. Beautiful!

I go check on Brindle who I have already let out, and she is laying in the sun watching for those pesky squirrels to cross her path. (notice the bench, I painted two of them and a glider bench two days ago.)

Allison's car is covered in dew, what a pretty site on a late June morning!

Inside, I look out the kitchen window and notice our new windows, and I see cottonwood tuffs in the screen. How can that happen in such a short time. (maybe I don't like the way that sun shines in after all.)

I go check on the kitty, what is he up to this fine morning?

I should have known better.

Father's Day Weekend

2011-06-20T08:31:00.009-05:00

How much fun can we squeeze into a single weekend?

1 - a car show

2 - a motorcycle show

3 - an air show

4 - checking out car lots

5 - 3 baby birds under the deck

6 - ribs

7 - a new smoker

8 - bbq

9 - movies

10 - visiting with friends

11 - church

What a busy, fun Father's Day weekend!

Baby Birds!

2011-06-17T16:29:00.003-05:00

We have a proud Mama Robin living under our deck.

Her first of 3 babies hatched today! How very cool!

God Thinks You're Wonderful!

2011-06-17T09:38:00.005-05:00

We were in the Christian Book Store about a year ago, and Allison had picked up this cute little book. God Thinks You're Wonderful! by Max Lucado.

We both read through it and loved it. It was so simple, and had such a good message... God Thinks You're Wonderful!

"Our hearts are

not large enough

to contain the blessings

that God wants to give.

So try this.

The next time a sunrise

steals your breath...

or a meadow of flowers

leaves you speechless...

remain that way.

Say nothing and listen

as heaven whispers,

"Do you like it?

I did it just for you."

So remember

"God is fond of you...

If he had a wallet,

your photo would be in it.

If he had a refrigerator,

your picture would be on it.

Face it friend.

He's crazy about you.

I had to buy the book, and I am so glad I did. I've enjoyed it several times, and I keep it out on the end table for anyone to pick up whenever. Just as a reminder of how God Thinks I'm Wonderful!

I hope you've enjoyed a couple of my favorite pages.

School's Out For Summer!

2011-06-08T09:04:00.005-05:00

I've had that song running through my head since yesterday! Yes, once again the school year is over! I made it through another round of budget cuts and layoffs, and I will be back at Lincoln in the fall to begin my 10th year in the library. We had a bonus on our last two days of school, we got out early both days because of the heat advisories. We have had such a hot spell here the past several days, and have had heat indexes go well into the 100's. Some of our schools in the district don't have AC, so the entire district gets to go home early!

Deck plants have been planted,

the sun is shining brightly,

school is out,

summer is here!

How On Earth ?!?

2011-06-08T08:34:00.003-05:00

Puddy has always loved his birds! (July 2000)

How on earth did it happen?
The pet door?
A door held open too long?
A naughty cat?

There was a bird in our house this morning !?

I had heard the commotion while I was still in bed, I thought the cat was just going crazy as cats sometimes do. He was in Allison's room meowing and jumping around. I got up,told Puddy he was stupid, sat and had my coffee, and heard it again! I went to investigate. This time he was in my bedroom freaking out. And then I heard it! There was a bird in my room!

Being the brave, critter-wise, person I am, I closed the door and called my husband. Knowing he couldn't be home in the next minute, I donned my winter coat - hood up (I didn't want to get pecked at. you know how dangerous those sparrows can get!) I got some gloves, and entered the room. The first thing I did was grab the cat and throw him into the hall. (okay, I did that after I screamed as the bird flew to his perch atop the window curtain) I quickly went to the window he was not at and took the screens off (thank goodness for the new windows with easy to remove screens. I would have been 10 times as long if we still had the old windows) I opened the windows all the way and hurried out to get my camera. It took me maybe 10 seconds to grab my camera, and I carefully entered the bedroom. The bird was already gone. He knew what to do, and it wasn't to hang around for a photo op.

The excitement is over!
Now the cat is roaming the house looking for his new "toy".

Leinie Ride 2011

2011-06-02T20:50:00.007-05:00

Memorial Day weekend took us yet again to the beautiful, green state of Wisconsin.
To Chippewa Falls to be more precise.

The weather was beautiful, and Kevin, Kris and Melinda rode 50 miles again this year. They all said it was easier than last year. The weather was cooler, and yet not too cool. A wonderful sunny day!

I enjoyed the morning taking photos, relaxing, and going to the shoe sale. This year I went to the sale twice. The first time with everyone. Kris got 3 pairs of shoes, Melinda found a pair of boots, and I found a pair of shoes. Then, while they were biking the next day, I found a pair of boots, and another pair of shoes. :-) This trip definitely made up for last years, shoeless trip.

We enjoyed an outing at the River Bend Vineyard with live music, and good wine. None of us had ever been to a winery like that before, and we were definitely impressed with this one.

Of course we toured the Leinenkugel Brewery again, and enjoyed cool refreshments in the Leinie Lodge. :-)

We missed Allison again; her second year without joining us, but she had a good excuse. She is in Valencia, Spain, going to school for the summer. Maybe next year...

Leinie Ride '10

Leinie Ride '09

In Flight

2011-06-02T20:45:00.002-05:00

A cool bird flying out of the Leinie Barn.

Mixed up May

2011-06-02T20:20:00.003-05:00

College kids are home.

Mom visiting for 3 weeks.

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes!

Kevin to Germany for 3 weeks.

Softball with Melinda.

Everything is turning green.

Ahh, May.

Never Ending...

2011-05-04T21:30:00.004-05:00

2011 ~ Year of the House (revisited)

New doors and windows were installed this week. We had a great contractor, and they got the work done in short order. They look great, now I just have to figure out how to get the sticky residue off the glass. :-(

Family Fun on Easter Weekend

2011-05-04T21:00:00.000-05:00

The college crew was home for Easter. We had a great weekend laughing, playing games, golf, messing around, and making some fun family memories.

Hunting Golfs

2011-04-10T16:01:00.006-05:00

The weekend brought Kevin and me a surprise visit from Kris, Travis and Logan. (When Kris comes home, we get to see Melinda too.) We had a quick 29 hours together, but squeezed in many fun things.

1) lunch at doughy joey's (pizza)
2) ice cream shop
3) visit to the harley dealer
4) "hunting" golfs
5) a delicious dinner of pork chops, mac and cheese, salad, and garlic bread (made mostly by Kevin and Travis)
6) a late night (9:00) walk to the ice cream shop (once we got there we deciced we didn't really want it. walked downtown and home; about a 2.5 mile walk.
7) church
8) a mexican food lunch
9) home to relax and drink cold, sweet slushies (it's 86 degrees out right now) for awhile before the young men had to leave at 3:00

Lots of laughing, talking and good food! It was great seeing everyone!

practicing our putting...

Kris and Melinda...

goofing off...

...that there's how to golf.

Giant Logan

2011-04-10T15:38:00.000-05:00

A Perfect Saturday

2011-04-02T22:35:00.015-05:00

I had never really thought about what I would consider a perfect Saturday, and then today I had one.

Kevin and I woke up not long after our regular time, enjoyed some delicious coffee, and got ready for the day. We left the house by 9:00.

First stop, video store to return a video from last night, Salt. It was a pretty good action/adventure movie.

Then Kevin washed the Vue while Brindle and I waited in the warm car.

At 9:15 we were off to Dubuque, 2 hours away.

We headed to the Mines of Spain state park, and enjoyed a couple of hours of hiking along all different types of terrain.

Southwest, dessert looking valleys, hills that totally wore me out, flat land, river banks, you name it, we walked it. It was a cool, windy, early spring day, and I started out wearing two jackets, and earmuffs. Kevin was brave and only wore one jacket. As the sun got higher, the day grew warmer and jackets were first unzipped, and eventually tied around our waists.

A fast food burger for lunch and our journey home began.

Our first stop was Betty Jane Candies, Easter is coming after all.

Then through some really hilly, twisty-turny countryside to Edgewood Locker to buy some delicious local meats. Then to Hazelton to an Amish store to get a few staples and wonderful homemade bread.

At last Home! Almost 9 hours later, tired and hungry.

We threw some chicken on the grill, got some baked beans on the stove, and whipped up some coleslaw, and of course we had some delicious toast with that good Amish bread.

What a wonderful Saturday!

Treat Time!

2011-03-28T21:13:00.005-05:00

The house was full this past weekend. It was one of the most fun weekends I've had in a long time. We cooked, laughed, shopped, laughed, ate out, laughed, visited, laughed, and of course had a cool treat.

Photos

2011-03-14T09:22:00.011-05:00

I have always love photography.

I got my first camera for a gift back when I was about 10, a little 110 camera. No focusing, it was just a simple point and shoot camera. I took so many photos of my friends, my dog Snoopy, and the Montana countryside. It was so much fun!

As I got older, I began playing with my dad's cameras. He always had several cameras in the house, and I enjoyed playing with them all. I loved the manual focus, and learning about the different lens settings. Rolls and rolls of film I would go through. My parents never complaining about buying me roll after roll of film or the developing costs of each one of those rolls.

I remember having a subscription to a photography magazine when I was in my early teens. I dreamed of becoming a famous photographer.

I've got a bookcase of albums, full of pictures, to show my love of this hobby. (maybe I should have chosen a different passion, one that didn't take up so much space?)

In the past 10 years or so, I've had 3 different digital cameras, each one I loved for it's own special features, and reasons.

And now, I've got thousands of computer folders full of digital photos.

Now, yet again, I've moved on, I bought a SLRd. A Canon 60D. I've only had it for 2 days, 45 short hours. I've loved playing with it, and so far really only learning the basics. It is so much fun, and it reminds me of playing with my dad's cameras so many years ago.

So, a long time ago dream is still alive, and I thank my dad for instilling this love of photography in me. Even though dad has been gone for over 10 years, I feel a closeness to him while I am excitedly learning to use this new camera.

Saturday Morning

2011-03-05T08:48:00.005-06:00

Saturday morning.

Up at my normal time. :-(

I've enjoyed my cup of coffee while surfing the web, and now I need to begin my day.

I've got a grocery list to make.

Then I need to go get all those things on my list.

Kevin has been in Orlando for the last two weeks, so I need quite a few things.

When he's gone, I get take out a lot, and make a big pot of soup and eat on it for several meals.

What can I say, I enjoy the break from cooking. :-)

I have missed Kevin, and can't wait for him to get home! The first week went pretty quickly, I watched "chick flicks" and HGTV. But this second week has d r a g g e d on and on... You can only watch so many movies, and home shows. I need some face to face conversation with my best friend.

My Fan

2011-03-01T17:08:00.002-06:00

My number one fan, or maybe my one fan.

Either way, I want to recognize my wonderful sister Margo.

Diligently and kindly - she always posts comments on my blog entries.

Thanks for being such a great support Margo!

Sick Children

2011-02-27T10:28:00.003-06:00

Being awakened in the middle of the night is never easy.

It's even worse when you are awakened to a sick child.

Rocking the little one till they fall back asleep, tylenol kicking in, foreheads cooling. (hopefully)

There isn't much you can do. Try soothing, love-in-your voice words. Pray.

This morning at 1:04am I got a call from my not-so-young daughter, she was sick.

She was feeling so bad. Poor girl!

I hope my sleep induced words were soothing and said with love-in-my voice.

I prayed.

Get well KC, I love you!

A Change of Plans

2011-02-25T16:19:00.005-06:00

Kim, Mom, Dina
November '08

Mom and Kim were planning on coming over here this weekend for a visit. Weather being what it is in February, unpredictable, plans have had to change. With the chance of snow and freezing rain, they decide it would be better to stay home. I don't blame them, you sure don't see me going over there!

So now I'm not sure what I will do this weekend, maybe a little early spring cleaning? I'll let you know...

Quotes...

2011-02-25T16:12:00.002-06:00

I just finished a book and at the beginning of each chapter were some fun quotes.
I thought I would share some of the better ones...

* If God is your copilot, trade places.

*Exercise daily - walk with the Lord.

*Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

*May you live all the days of your life.

*The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

Waiting...

2011-02-18T11:16:00.004-06:00

Here I am sitting in an automotive waiting room. What did I used to do? Watch the sports channel, read car magazines, listen to bored children complain...

I could be doing any of those things right now, but instead I can blog while I wait for an oil change. Technology :-)

Sneak Peek

2011-02-18T08:47:00.007-06:00

Saturday

Sunday

Thursday

I finally got the Christmas decorations taken down from outside (well all but the lights on the roof, that is Kevin's job. :-)

We have enjoyed a nice taste of spring this week. Yesterday it got up to 63! The snow has really melted, and it's nice to see bare ground again.

I've got lots to do today, I've got 3 young men coming from Iowa State University for dinner (fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and some veggies). Kris, Travis, Logan and Melinda are all headed to the Chicago Auto Show this weekend. This will be the pickup spot for Melinda, and the dinner stop. :-)

I've got laundry to work on and I've got to go get the oil changed in the car.

Off I go ~ to scurry around the Iowa countryside. :-)

No Excuse

2011-02-03T08:20:00.004-06:00

I have no excuse for not posting in such a long time. I've been lazy, and doing lots of other things. I've been cleaning out files, closets, installing a new printer, laundry, filing fafsas, shoveling, snow blowing, and probably thousands of other things I can't think of right now.

It's been a pretty good week at school. :-) I went on Monday, Tuesday was a snow day because of the impending Blizzard that began at 11:ooam-ish Tuesday, Wednesday no school because of what the Blizzard had done, dumped tons of snow all across the midwest, and now Thursday, a two hour delay because of wind chills 20 to 30 below! Brr.

Here are a few random pictures I have taken as of late...

Kevin's new Backgammon Game.

Allison's Christmas Monster, Walter.

After the blizzard of '11.

Digging out around the house so the snow isn't packed up against the siding for months!

A poor Blue Jay getting his feathers ruffled by the 30+ mph winds.

More Pictures...

2011-02-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

Kris's Pinocchio Marionette

Snow Packed Everywhere

Icicle off of garage

Brin

Warmer Days...

2011-02-03T07:59:00.001-06:00

According to Punxsutawney Phil, we are due for an early spring...

Can't wait!

Spring Blossoms

Fishing :-)

Our Feathered Friends

2011-01-07T09:22:00.006-06:00

The birds have finally found the birdfeeder, and since I have been home most of the week, I have had the opportunity to get a few photos of these birds...

Perspective

2011-01-07T08:19:00.002-06:00

Why do the 60 hours of the weekend seem to fly by so quickly?
Friday night to Monday morning seems to be a blur!

Yet when you are sick as I have been this week, Tuesday night to Friday morning
has dragged on forever... and ever, and I am so sick of, well... being sick!

Perspective.

House of Sickness!

2011-01-05T08:55:00.004-06:00

Virus one Virus two,
I throw up how about you?

No, I can't eat and if I do,
everything goes right on through!

I need a drink, but it won't stay down.
I've got chills and can only frown.

I've got cramps and eyes so weary,
If I don't get well soon, I will soon be teary!

Too much information, I don't care!
You keep your virus and please don't share!

I get upstairs, you get down
lets not spread these germs around.

Virus one Virus two
I want to feel better, how about you?

It's A Major Award!

2011-01-01T19:08:00.008-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kevin and I had a great day today spending a lot of quality time together. We spent almost 5 hours working on this puzzle this afternoon. What fun!

Cake Balls 101

2010-12-30T14:27:00.005-06:00

Allison and I began our first ever attempt at cake balls last night. What a long process, but definitely worth the effort.

We finished up today with about 135 of them. Each batch makes about 65 cake balls. We made both red velvet and strawberry. We had so much fun making them.

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-29T15:11:00.012-06:00

Kevin and I took a wintery walk along some of the miles of trails our town has to offer. The previous night it had been foggy and when we awoke, we were in a winter wonderland. Brindle enjoyed running through the woods, sniffing all the exciting smells. We had a great, tiring walk.

Socks

2010-12-29T15:01:00.003-06:00

Bright, Colorful, Fun socks.

White Christmas

2010-12-24T21:01:00.009-06:00

Kevin and Allison hiding from the camera.

Brindle
Allison's Breads

Snowy Walk

Kevin, Allison, Kris and Melinda looking out the window at a stuck car. (Kevin and Kris hurried out to help push them out)

Allison, Melinda and Kris on our walk.

Hi Kris.

Working on doughnuts.

Allison on a snow mountain.

Helping shovel so we can go to the store.Almost done with the doughnuts.

Snow!

Last night we all (Kevin, Kris, Allison, Melinda and I) went downtown and went out to dinner. By the time we left the restraunt, snow had begun to fall.

We walked downtown and went into some of the shops, then we headed home and played a fun new game; Wits and Wagers. We all enjoyed an evening of good food and laughter.

This morning, Christmas Eve, we awoke to fresh, white powder everywhere. Over 6 inches of it!

We baked and cooked a lot today, and Kevin and Kris shoveled -- a lot! By the time the snow stopped, almost 24 hours after it started, we had over 10 inches of fresh white snow.

We all got to take a walk, and I was exhausted by the time we got home. Trudging through knee deep snow is difficult, but fun!

I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas Eve, and are able to wake tomorrow to a beautiful Christmas day, and celebrate our Saviors birth.

Merry Christmas

The Countdown Has Begun!

2010-12-20T20:46:00.002-06:00

Only 4 days and we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior!

I must be getting old, it seems like it was just autumn with the changing leaves, and here we are in our 3rd week of December already!

Kris and Allison are both home from college, another semester under their belts.
While I was at school and Kevin at work today, they made homemade caramels, mailed a package (without a card I was going to throw in, but that's okay, I didn't have to go to the post office. ) they shoveled the drive after 4 inches of snow fell, and planned dinner.

Kevin and I both have two more days of work this week, let's see what else they can get done. :-)

I've got a few more things to pick up at the store, and I am pretty much finished preparing for Christmas. Good thing, these next 4 days are going to fly!

I hope and pray you all are enjoying this special season!

Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2010-12-12T18:47:00.007-06:00

Blizzard of December '10

2010-12-12T11:01:00.011-06:00

Weather canceled plans for a family get together in Centerville this weekend.

snow blown between the windows

As I write, I hear the winds howling outside and can only imagine how the roads out in the open are so impassable. We made out pretty well, we were on the low end of snow. We only got 4 1/2 inches! Kraig up in Minnesota received 17! The temperatures have dropped steadily since yesterday when we had rain and 40 degree temps. This morning...5 degrees!

Allison is home with us, she had planned to go to Centerville with us, but instead we have enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend at home.

poor Allison's car

it looks so cold!

I finished up Christmas cards last night, and plan on throwing a lasagna in the oven soon.

Thanksgiving Break '10

2010-11-29T20:10:00.012-06:00

And yet another Thanksgiving has come and gone.
One of the things I was most thankful for this year were the five days of fun and laughter that filled our home.
Grandma, Kris, Allison and Emmy all arrived Tuesday, and of course Melinda came over too. We were happy to have everyone in our home! There's nothing like the laughter and noise of happy people!

We had such a good time together...

Games

Puzzles

Movies

Jingle on Main

Cooking, Cooking, Cooking

Shopping

Laughs and more Laughs

Family!

Thanksgiving!

To the Snowy White Arctic!

2010-11-21T15:19:00.020-06:00

Yes, we went to the arctic this weekend. Well, maybe to be more precise, we went to Minnesota.

Kevin and I both took half a day off of work on Friday, and were just finishing up with the "loading of the car" when Tara pulled into the drive. We got her stuff loaded, and were headed north by 1:45.

Just over the border... SNOW!

It had been a week since their snowstorm, and the crusty white stuff still filled the ditches and covered the land!

We woke Saturday to sunshine and temperatures in the 30's. We enjoyed a day of visiting while we walked through craft stores for Tara and Ikea for me.

Tara, Kraig and Deb had never been to Ikea. I asked them how they could never have been to my favorite store before?

I had a great time showing them around.

Kraig now claims Ikea is his favorite store too, and has threatened to call or text each and every time he heads over there so he can rub it in. ( he only lives 40 minutes from the Minneapolis one. He said he may even go back today. How mean!)

After shopping all day, we headed home to the smell of roast cooking in the crockpot. Dinner was on the table 15 minutes after we got home, and we enjoyed a fun evening getting Lyn's closet put together, (Thank you Ikea ~ okay, AND Home Depot)

We looked outside around 10pm and there was a beautiful sheen covering everything! It was freezing rain!

So much for an early start home today. We had planned to be on the road by 7am, but roads were iced over and closed this morning. We kept checking the road conditions on the internet, and finally got on the road around 9am.

What a sloppy ride home, once again, half way out of Minnesota the freezing rain turned to drizzle, and then FOG!

Kevin and I are home, resting, waiting for our small group to arrive.

Poor Tara had 3 more hours to go.

What a fun weekend we had in the cold, wintery land of the north.

Isn't family great!

Sunday

2010-11-14T20:09:00.003-06:00

I think I've posted before how I love Sundays. But it is worthy of being posted about again.

I love getting up and enjoying a cup of coffee reading the paper and looking through the shiny ads.

Then off to church, and how I enjoy the sermons of Pastor John. He has such good sermons.

Home to have a good lunch, today was Kevin's favorite Chicken Casserole. One of my favorites to make too - so easy!

Time to read a book and enjoy some computer time.

Then time to get ready for our Sunday night small group. I made apple cake to share tonight.

Almost 2 hours of small group time of sharing and learning, and visiting. What a great time.

Sundays :-)

I think I enjoy Sundays so much because I don't feel guilty if I'm not doing something. I'm not supposed to work on Sundays right?

Frosty Mornings

2010-11-11T08:06:00.004-06:00

Frosty Mornings are becoming a thing of norm these days.

Gone are the mornings of sitting on the deck drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying the warm morning sun.
Now I enjoy a warm robe and slipper socks while sipping my coffee with seasonal pumpkin creamer in it.
Thoughts of roasting a turkey and family are creeping into my mind as I silently cross off the days and begin my planning.
I've looked through my stash of Christmas gifts I have bought throughout the year, and find it sorely lacking. ~ I need to really begin looking for gifts.

But today, I will finish enjoying my coffee, clean the house a little, and enjoy this wonderful, sunny fall day in Iowa.

Challenged...

2010-11-04T19:43:00.012-05:00

At church this past Sunday, we were once again challenged to "walk the walk". There is no better guideline to follow then...

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5: 22-23; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Here and Gone

2010-10-21T18:37:00.007-05:00

October is almost gone! Only one week left!

How time has gotten away from me. Where did it go?

School/Work

Visiting with family and friends

Sunday Night Small Group

Water Aerobics

Walking the dog

Kids home for the weekend

A trip with the bride and bridesmaids to look at dresses ( SO much fun!)

Trying to get that one side of the house painted (still!)

Not to mention... well I guess I need to change that...
To mention all the day to day things,

cleaning
laundry
grocery shopping
washing cars....

There you go. October is gone.

Now I know where it went.

Apples Apples Everywhere

2010-10-10T20:11:00.021-05:00

Apples.

Sweet and Tangy.

Crunchy and Juicy.

Everywhere we went this weekend we saw apples.

Betty Jane's Candy Store to buy delicious caramel apples to share.

Honey Hill Orchard to ride the hay wagons and play in the hay maze. We also bought some apples, apple doughnuts, and got to pet the sweet critters.

Mom's kitchen, bags of apples to peel and slice to make into pies.

LaClaire to the Apple Festival to buy cider and enjoy yet another sunny autumn day.

* We had a great weekend visiting with my mom and sisters. My sister Margo drove up from Georgia for a visit, and we got to see her for a few short hours Friday night and all day Saturday. I wish it could have been longer, but that ugly four letter word, work always gets in the way.

A Great Day For A Drive

2010-09-28T07:04:00.004-05:00

Sunday was beautiful. Kevin and I got out of church and it was a beautiful sunny day. Such a difference from the day before. We thought a walk through Ledges State Park would be just the thing to do on such a gorgeous day. We wanted to make sure Allison would be free, so we finally got a hold of her and headed to Ames.

Ledges never happened, but instead, we went to an apple orchard, a quick walk through the mall, and then down town to an art festival. Dinner at Great Plains Pizza, and then gelato. It was fun hanging out with Allison and Emmy all afternoon and evening. I am glad we decided to make this quick trip.

We also got to visit with Travis and Logan for a while. We saw Logan's new motorcycle, and admired Travis's free engine he just got. It was nice seeing these young gentlemen. I'm glad it worked out that we could.

We drove home under a beautiful harvest moon. I tried to take several photos, but nothing did it justice... thus, no cool moon photo. :-(

(Kris was in Wisconsin with Melinda and her family on Sunday. We had gotten to hang out with them on Saturday. We watched the UNI/ISU game and went shopping, and even played Guitar Hero. Like I said, Saturday was a gloomy, drizzly day. I hate to admit it, but we even had to turn on the furnace.)

Fall

2010-09-27T16:46:00.015-05:00

Fall is my favorite time of the year.
Sure I enjoy the sunshine and relaxing days of Summer,
a snowy walk in the early darkness of Winter, and
of course I love the new, bright green buds of leaves in Spring

but Autumn is such a special time of the year...

I love the way Fall looks...

The shadows are getting longer, and the rays of sun have a special urgency about them.
They seems to say "Wait, I'm still here, enjoy me - I'll be gone soon."
Each day the sun goes down a little earlier,
and I am always excited to see a beautiful Harvest Moon!
The leaves are so vibrant, orange, red, and yellow.

I love the way Fall smells...

Apple cider, cinnamon, musty leaves sitting in piles,
fireplaces starting up.
Pumpkins and cloves, and scented pine cones decorating the house.

I love the way Fall sounds...

Still.
Cicadas are gone, fans have been put away.
The AC is off, and it is
Still.
Leaves falling to the ground, and then the crunch as you walk through the fallen carpet of reds and oranges and browns. Squirrels cracking open walnuts, and soft breezes blowing through open windows. Football practice at the high school, and marching bands down the street.

I love the way Fall tastes...

Apple cake, pumpkin pie, apple cider, caramel apples, s'mores by the fire, casseroles permeating the house.

I love the way Fall feels...

Cooler.
Brisk mornings, and warm afternoons.
A warm jacket for an evening walk,
and a fuzzy robe in the morning.

Fall.

I hope you all enjoy this wonderful time of the year!

Sneaky Squirrel

2010-09-15T17:10:00.006-05:00

We have some sneaky squirrels in our neighborhood.
They are already hiding their nuts for colder days to come.

Nobody will ever find this one!

Sneaky Squirrel!

2010-09-12T09:36:00.007-05:00

Happy 21st Birthday Allison Kasey!

Had a great Friday and Saturday in Ames with the kids. Went out to eat, shopped, got to see a friend from WAY back (hi Stephanie, so nice to see you again), watched ISU lose :-(, and just enjoyed being with Kris and Allison. What a wonderful weekend!

How Time Flies

2010-08-31T16:15:00.009-05:00

September.

How time flies!

It seems like just yesterday we were having record breaking cold and snow.

Then came record rain fall, and now,

summer has come and gone, and fall is knocking at our door.

The kids are back in classes and are working hard.

I am back in the Media Center, getting used to a new schedule.

Christmas is less then 4 months away!

This past weekend, we went to Centerville for our niece Nicole's wedding.

~Again, how time flies.

It seems like just yesterday we were out at their farmhouse by Lake Rathbun watching little Nicole be a little Tasmanian Devil, destroying everything in her path.

It's a Miracle! * UPDATE *

2010-08-24T08:40:00.006-05:00

It's a miracle I tell you!
Allison's poor plant-in-an-egg is still alive!

Kris did his part in trying to kill it off
( unintentionally of course).

Last weekend while we were gone to Kenny's BD party, Kris didn't realize he needed to water this poor little plant.

When I came home and saw the dried, shriveled leaves, my heart did a nose dive!

I watered the poor plant and by Monday morning, it was alive and green again.
( sure, a few of the younger, weaker leaves didn't recuperate, but the rest of it did)

Whew!

The Circle of .... Painting

2010-08-24T08:13:00.005-05:00

Back in 2002 we began painting our house. Of course we started on the east side which was peeling pretty badly, and moved on to paint the front as well, just to give it a fresh look. The next year we painted the back (north side) and then stained the deck. That left only the west wall. We knew we would have to work on that this summer. It wasn't too bad, but the hail storm this year made all the slight peeling problems grow! So...

This past week we have been spending HOURS scraping, sanding, priming and painting and we are almost finished.

Each board gets scraped and sanded

two coats of primer

and two coats of paint.

On average, each board takes a little over an hour start to finish.

There are only 8 boards left to get the paint onto.

Poor Kevin, he is the one who has to paint anything above 10 feet. I don't like heights. So after work, he's been going out there and working till dusk trying to get this project checked off our to do list.

Dina's Birthday Fest 2010

2010-08-21T21:11:00.012-05:00

Kevin is such a great husband and dad. One of the special things he has done is starting the tradition of the Birthday Fest...

Whenever one of our birthdays comes around, we get to have several days of Birthday Fest fun, not just a single day of celebrating.

This week I've gotten to pick favorite meals, movies to watch at night, and last night we went out for southern BBQ for dinner. Kevin even brought home some of my favorite flowers.Today was another special day, Kevin and I had a leisurely morning enjoying coffee, playing on the computer, and talking.

Earlier in the week, we had decided what better way to celebrate my birthday then to go to Ames to visit the kids.

Heading out of town, we stopped at a couple of garage sales
(didn't find a thing, don't need a thing, why do we stop?).

We had a great day in Ames. A little different then two weeks ago when we were there. The students are all back, the streets and sidewalks are crowded with groups of freshmen, trying to find their way. (both on campus, and in life)

We pulled into town a little before noon, and we went directly to Dublin Bay. Kris, Allison and Emmy hadn't had breakfast yet, and Kevin and I only had toast ~we were all hungry.

We had a great day visiting with Kris, Allison, and Emmy. We walked around campus, went to the bookstore, and enjoyed each others company. We got a hold of Travis and Logan, my sister's boys, who are both now attending ISU, and they both got to join us. Kris had a friend visiting from WI who graduated in May so he was there as well.

Later in the day, we enjoyed a DQ birthday cake, and between the 8 of us, we polished one off pretty quickly. (just a small one, we're not that big of pigs!)

The kids have all been enjoying Destination Iowa State, walking around seeing all the new students, and enjoying the activity. While walking around, Kris saw Dr Mirka, a professor and the chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering there.
Dr. Mirka mentioned again how he reads about the Watts' on this post. One of my few fans...

"Hi Dr. Mirka" :-)

Anyway, I had a great day, and was glad the kids were all able to help me celebrate it.
Thanks everyone!