Great weekend

Quiet time at home. After the last season in Texas it has given me a greater appreciation of my time here in Iowa.
Sunday evening . We went to a gathering of the "Rebounders" , people from our youth who have left Jefferson and then returned. When we moved here it was one of the joys of our life to find this ready-made family. I would never have guessed that would happen and then to have it be a group we find very congenial is another bonus. We laughed ourselves silly Sunday night.
Yesterday I snipped a bunch of photos from daughter-in-law Laura's facebook page. I laughed when I saw all these fish photos of Jason as our family albums from Lake Panorama are loaded with Jason and fish pictures.

And then I snipped some others that caught my eye.

Elise and her bubbles at her 2nd birthday party

Laura and Ethan

Amanda reading "If You Give a Pig a Party" to Chloe and Elise. Great book by the way.

Can you read Ethan's face? This was at Ethan's 3rd birthday party.

Washed Gary and Susan's trailer

We have been meaning to get their trailer washed for quite some time. It washed up very well. I was afraid the awning was toast but as it turns out it was just very dirty.

New phone

A whole lot of yesterday was spent on learning about the phone. I read tutorials...downloaded apps etc. Just learning how to slide, pinch and tap in a timely manner is a challenge. Being computerized has given me a leg up because they are essentially mini computers but it is also like trying to learn a new operating system. Slow going. Butch says to teach him how to answer the phone, make a call and speak a text message and that is all he wants to know about it. It dings every time a new email comes in and I told Butch he would need to learn to ignore that sound. He is having a tough time doing that.
The kindle app was already on the phone so all I had to do was put my Amazon user name and password in and I have all the features of my kindle on the phone. I always or nearly always have the phone with me so this is VERY handy if I find myself waiting somewhere. I can read a book! I tried it out and it worked very well.
We haven't used the GPS yet but I have looked it over and I am sure it will work fine.
I downloaded Word with Friends but the screen is awfully small. I prefer using the computer for that and reading and answering email as well as browsing the web. But those things can be done on the phone and I am sure there are times I will use it for that.
I tried out the camera and it is a great improvement over the other phone camera. I took a picture of myself... I am always shocked when I do this. It is a stark contrast from how I look and how I think I look. Oh well, Father Time is not kind. I can get Picasa on the phone and that should help the transfer of pictures from phone to computer and vice versa. See?, I am not done fiddling with the phone. Every bit as time consuming as setting up a new computer.
The battery in the phone seems to go down very quickly. I have hopes this will improve, thinking it is all my fiddling with it that is making it drain off in a hurry.
This too shall pass...

View of San Francisco & Bay from an AIRSHIP If you had to pay for a flight it would have been $495 per seat. These pictures are awesome. http ://home. comcast .net/~bzee1b/ Zeppelin / Zeppelin . html

Gary and Susan's Backyard Flood

Crazy weather these days!

http://youtu.be/kjrw7u0HlyA

Gary, that looks awfully close to your patio!

Mom

Friday's Frustration

We have a new phone. I have been debating quite awhile on an upgrade but finally took the plunge. The GPS feature was a big pull. I had a heck of a time getting my contacts transferred. In fact it did not happen until this morning after going online on the laptop and getting it figured out. So anyone who sent a message yesterday...I really did not know who you were because I only had a phone number to identify you. But I did know today Peggy...who had snow on the ground in Carson City NV!!!

We had a few showers yesterday but really not enough to put much in the rain barrel. I do believe I planted the hosta's correctly...at least they are looking pretty good today.

We visited the local cemeteries to place some flowers there. I have missed many years but when we are here we do get it done. They have to share though because I do not get one for each of them.

At the Jefferson cemetery

And at the Catholic Cemetery. Mom is there too ...wink, wink

This is my paternal grandmother. She died at 25 so I never met her and I am sure there has not been flowers on her grave for many decades. She gave birth to a mighty fine guy who was my daddy and she would have been very proud of him. He died young as well . He was 33.

Different kind of Day Thursday

 We had no plans for the day other than an appointment at the lumber yard to look at windows. It ended up feeling like one of those days you are led around by your nose. Jason called and offered his help in getting the 6 mil moisture block laid down in the crawl space. With the two of them working on it it did not take long. It helps tremendously having that plastic surface down there. Now it isn't so unpleasant to go down there and it makes it a lot less dirty too. We were just finishing up with that project when the lumberyard in Grimes called to tell us we could pick up the pocket doors. So we borrow Leo's pickup and head for Grimes. We drove through some terrific downpours but did not get a drop at home. We came back through Boone picked up some Hostas at Jason's,went to supper with Jason and Laura came on home and planted hosta's...Had a very full day.
We desperately need rain. My rain barrel is very near the bottom. Last year I did not have to use city water on my plants even once but most likely will have to this year. 

Windows and a party

Today we go talk windows. Big decision. We need 4. Needing only 4 we might go top of the line. Things are starting to come together.
We have been invited to a gathering Sunday evening. I am ready to meet up with old friends. Too much work makes one old and crotchety.
later...

Electrical entrance

Yesterday was a big day...started early and went late. Butch changed the electrical entrance into the house. I helped. If one has never been involved in such a deal you might not know how extensive this deal is but we now have an updated electrical entrance and I am glad we only had to do this once. Today Butch is finishing hooking up what is necessary to carry on with the project.

This is the one I wanted to make. We had to enlarge the hole. 

One of the casualties of the project was a wrens nest. It was in the very top of the part that sticks above the roof. I said I helped. I didn't say I knew what all these things are called. Butch had to disturb the nest and the 7 eggs within. This pained him no end.
 So today we went to Bomgaars and bought a wren house. We put the old nest in the new wren house but have serious doubts this will work. But we are trying. Also years ago when we lived on vine street we had a wren house made from a clay flower pot on the back porch that was used every year. So we also fashioned a clay pot wren house. Maybe between their two choices they will choose to move into one of their new digs.

Keri made Butch a pecan pie this weekend. Here is a picture of what remains. It was delicious as always. 

Arkansas Nightlife

At Bill and Jo Brooker's Place

 At

On my walk...

Took a camera with me on my walk yesterday...As I was strolling down the side walk I spotted this squirrel having breakfast and snapped his picture. It is not a particularly good photo but I posted it anyway because just as I was taking the picture a woman came flying out of her house and said, "What are you doing?!" and I said "Taking a picture of a squirrel." She calmed down just a bit then but I was thinking 'get a grip, lady'. Geez. My camera was no where near getting her or her house in the shot. I still do not know why she had her undies in a wad.

And then as I was coming home I spotted Leo and Lexi sitting in friend Norma's driveway on the phone. Leo was on the phone, not Lexi.

Later in the evening Leo and Keri came into town to get their evening constitutional , a regular habit on their part, and we joined them for a walk to the Dairy Queen. One of the things I truly love about Jefferson is that it is a great place to take a walk at any time of the day or night. And it is pretty darn nice having family nearby as well.

Before and After-windows closed off

1.This is before the window was removed and closed in. The location is where our bathroom/laundry will be located. 

2. Closed in but no paint.

3. Finished!

No before picture for this location. You think you have every possible angle but...Wrong!

Closed in but needing paint.

Still in need of a 2nd coat of paint.

This is on the south side of the house and where the window was located will be where my stove and vented microwave will be set when we are finished.

Progress

It has been a productive week here at the little house on the Iowa prairie. We have two windows filled in along with other holes that needed filled before we can insulate. I have some annual and perennial  flowers planted. I am holding off on more till the new windows are in because they would get trampled in the process. It looks like electrical is next on the list. Butch has doubts about what is needed but I have it pretty clear in my mind where I want things located so it should go a bit smoother than he thinks. We need to get the electrical boxes and wire in place before insulation too. For me getting it insulated has become a goal of sorts as it should look a whole lot different when that is done. Let's call it a mini-goal.
The weather has been near perfect despite the fact we could use some rain. My rainbarrel was filled early on but I can tell it is getting down because I can wiggle it a bit. Cannot do that when it is full. I could also tell there was not much snow this past winter as the soil has a much different quality than last year. It is dry farther down than normal.
Must get on with the day...so till next time...

The work has commenced in earnest

Yesterday we both got down to business after our walk. Butch closed off a window on the south. It will be where the kitchen stove will be located so the window simply would not have worked in that spot. I helped him now and then when he needed a hand but in between I worked on the flower bed in front of the house. Oh yes, this was after two loads of laundry. So I feel like I worked my butt off yesterday but last I looked it was still behind me.
Today's plan is to close off another window. This one in the bathroom. Butch hates to have this one closed because the ventilation from it has been beneficial at times. But there comes a time when you just have to plunge forward. The sequence of things can sometimes be tricky.
Moving on now...

Papa Gary's birthday videos

These are all small videos.
Friends: http://youtu.be/0QyJjQVHgNc


Presents: http://youtu.be/qsQp8C3NVsg


Bike: http://youtu.be/UUeKC_Fvpes


Bubbles: http://youtu.be/cr9V5LA1rTQ


Slide: http://youtu.be/MyTdm4Ps680

From Papa Gary-Field Trip

School Field Trip to Deanna Rose farmstead


Goats: http://youtu.be/6rf9OF2fIXI


Hayride: http://youtu.be/yhWDx9RPgGk

Birthday video coming soon

Birthday weekend

Getting reacquainted with our great grand Elise on her birthday weekend.

Gary started off the weekend on just the right note by telling us he had a new job! We were all excited about this. Gary is a middle school math teacher and football coach at a small school 30 some miles from their place in Lees Summit as of last Friday.

Elise Colleen Teeter is two,
 What a surprise this little snippet is! Her vocabulary is astounding and there are many examples of this. Her Nana Susan was getting her dressed and she said she wanted to wear panties. I asked Susan incredulously if she was wearing big girl panties and she said that she was referring to pull ups. Although she is trained for the big job.  She told Elise they would have to see if her mom had sent any so a few minutes later as she was putting on her diaper she said "I want a different diaper."  A DIFFERENT diaper? That blew my mind. She not only has a large vocabulary she also knows the meaning of the big words she uses.
Later she was saying she had a hangnail. This "Hangnail" was on her sock and it was a loose string but she really does know what a hangnail is her grandma assures me.
Cheese is her favorite food and she still has a ravenous appetite. Yes, she is spoiled but that is what grandparents do. She has 'imprinted' on her Papa Gary and follows him around wherever he goes and the minute she is upset about anything she wants Papa Gary. Papa Gary is her go-to guy for everything.
Her birthday party was a big event for her and she handled it quite well with only little spots of upset. In the midst of opening gifts she wanted to do something else and started crying. Her Mom said, "Elise, there are more presents to open. She said, " I am crying". In other words, Mom I am busy right now, maybe when I finish. She talks all the time...and I mean ALL the time. Her mother was the same way but I believe Elise may have her beat. Everything she does she tells you. "Eating cheese. Now waffles and dip. Dip, by the way is syrup and just like her great grandpa Butch she likes the 'dip' better than the waffle. Go outside. Go inside. Vacuum. Fork. Heaven. (Wiley the cat went to heaven to be with God) and yes, she also says God.
I will relate more of her  vocabulary words as they come back to me or Nana Susan reminds me!
Below are birthday and other weekend pictures.

The skirt Elise is wearing is  a tutu...a craft project her mother found on Pinterest.

Part prep

Papa Gary and Elise

.

Gone, Gone then Home

Butch and I will be in Missouri this weekend helping wee Elise celebrate her 2nd birthday. So not sure I will be on the computer at all...most likely not. So you can skip a couple of days. OMG I am giving you a vacation! I really do need to send out a nudge because every now and then I think many of you have dropped off from keeping up and I would hate for that to happen.  That is said partially with tongue in cheek.
Butch and I are listening to an audio book so I am really looking forward to the trip. We are currently listening to Rush Road Home by Lori Lansens
Here is what it is about:
"When Addy Shadd was a young girl living in Rusholme, she was taught the history of her town, which was settled by fugitive slaves in the 1800s. It was told to her like a storybook legend - and although Addy is forced to leave her beloved home as a teenager, the place will call to her for the rest of her life. She thinks of it as a commandment: "Rush home, Addy Shadd. Thou shalt rush home." But the stories and memories of Addy's past have been buried deep in her 70-year-old heart - memories that are by turns dark and poignant, erotic and mysterious.
When five-year-old Sharla Cody is abandoned on Addy's trailer-park doorstep, the old woman doesn't know if she is up to the task of mothering the willful, curious child. But she takes the little girl into her home, and Sharla opens a door to Addy's past - to memories of the strawberry fields, the church graveyard, and the tender crust of her Mama Laisa's apple pies. The past returns to Addy Shadd, and as she sits in her trailer she can close her eyes and "see the county farms and city streets and recall each season of death and rebirth." Somehow, Sharla Cody helps Addy make sense of her long and hard life so she can find forgiveness - and finally make the journey home again."

                                         

J.I.G.S. Day

Yesterday I enjoyed a day with the girls, J.I.G.S, otherwise noted as Jefferson Iowa Girls. Really we are girls of long ago but girls all the same. We met for lunch at the Corn Patch in Grimes, Iowa. A nice place to eat by the way. It worked well for us as they were not rushing us in any way so we were able to sit and visit for as long as we liked...and we liked alot.
It is also a place to find out what is happening. A real, ' I heard it first here first' deal because my former classmates are involved in their community and thus know what is up. Jefferson had an A & W Root Beer Stand for many years. As a matter of fact I worked their as a carhop in my youth. Little known fact as they say.Well our dearly loved A & W closed a few years back much to the dismay of many people and not just locals. Well, we will once again have an A & W and that is cause for celebration! It will be open ASAP as I understand it and they are actively getting things done. Whoohoo!!
While I had a day away Butch managed to get a move on with the house and he made quite a bit of progress too. He has started on the pocket door area and will soon have it ready for the hardware part of it. He continued working on it today so things are moving along nicely. I will be taking new pictures shortly.

Kay Voss answers Kay Stilson

Hey, I will adopt you....bring veggies. haha Jim bought at least 50 new strawberry plants this year besides the 4 long rows we already have. One would think we had 15 children living here......He did cut back and only got 40 baby chicks this year. The "other Kay".... 

Bill and Jo Brooker's Fox

Bill and Jo have lots of wildlife come visit them as they live on the Little Red River, Heber Springs AR

Sent on May 6th from Kay S

For my friends who know Bill and Kay this will not be surprising...We need to reach out to our friend in this time of need. Perhaps we should consider an intervention.
Barb
From Kay:
"I have been home exactly 1 week today and already I am dreading the summer. Bill went up to his special little fruit market just across the border in Michigan. They had fresh strawberries for 25 cents a quart. His heart stopped, his eyes bugged out and he had thought he had hit the mother lode. He came home with 20 quarts. I am just now getting done. I ended up with 9 (16 oz). Red Neck wine glasses, 18 other jars of various sizes, but most were 16 oz, and 4 quart bags of sliced berries that I froze. I could give a s--t if I ever see another strawberry. Tell Butch there will be an ample supply of jam this winter on Peach Street. Also in this same trip he got a head of lettuce, a head of cauliflower, celery, and last but not least a bag (not small) of fresh green beans. Think of me, as it is only the first week of May. Somebody please adopt me QUICK"
Kay S.

Daddy is her hero

Storm Damage

Elise is looking over the storm damage to her new swing and play set she received for her birthday. She said, "Daddy fix it". And I am sure he will.

snipped from Facebook

Yesterday

Early morning we left for Atlantic...dentist and eye doctor...Went straight to our destination and stopped at the dentist first. I needed just a little adjustment on my bottom denture but he was extremely busy so that took up any extra wiggle room we had before our eye doctor appointments. We went straight from the dentist to the eye doctor with both of us getting eye exams. Butch is going to need a bit of laser work on his left eye and is scheduled in Ames for June 14th. He was told at the time of his cataract surgery that is not an uncommon occurrence.  On my exam he said I was needing cataracts removed but it was up to me how soon I wanted to get that done. However he did tell me it would be pointless to get new glasses as they would not do me that much good given the cataract situation. Night driving is out of the question for me right now but I already knew that. I am thinking of waiting till we get to Texas for more than one reason but I may change my mind.
After our appointments and with my vision totally messed up we went to lunch at The Farmer's Kitchen meeting up with my old Senior Haven partner, Connie Jones. Don't misunderstand, Connie isn't old. Actually she is near our kids age but it was a long time ago when she was the cook and I was the manager at Senior Haven. We had many good times together during that period of our lives. We had a tasty lunch too.
After that we moseyed down to friends Sherri and Randy Clark's house. Sherri has a daycare business so it is always interesting at her house. I was tickled when she told the children to leave the door open because "Somebody could get hurt." Grant, aged 2, said, "Who?"
That tickled my funnybone.
Sherry and Randy had plans to go out to eat with their friend Izetta Bopp and asked if we would like to join them. With nothing else on our agenda we agreed to meet up at 5:30 at Izetta's.
In the meantime we went to visit with golfing/squaredancing friends Bill and Bev Gunderson. Bev was just finishing up hostessing her bridge group and there were several people there we knew. However I did not know till later that another old bridge playing friend of ours was there. I totally missed Sue Schwanke being there! Duh! I am going to use the excuse that my vision was still messed up and it was but I really should have been paying more attention.
We met up with Randy and Sherry at Izetta's place. Izetta  lives at Heritage House, a senior housing place in Atlantic. It is the first time I had been in Heritage House and it reminded me of an upscale hotel. Very nice. Izetta will be 100 in August and her son has 3 big parties planned for her. She will be up for them too as she is still very sharp and agile. We used to play golf in tournaments with Izetta and her partner Jack so we reminisced about golf and enjoyed some wine then making our way to the Redwood in Anita for dinner. We had a great time with conversation and good food. We made our way back home after that and I was tired enough to not even think about doing anything on the computer...so this is a long entry.

This is a picture of Izetta Bopp and Sherri Clark. Sure lookin' good!