Latest snapshots

Bergamot-also known as Bee Balm in bloom along the trail

Butch the electrician doing his least favorite part of the electrical work down in the crawl space. It is hot!

Out to eat with friends at B'J's in Glidden Iowa, 20 miles west of Jefferson on Hwy 30. Pictured above is Jack, Pete and Butch.

Jerrilyn and Denise.

Watching Elise Grow

Headphones: http://youtu.be/ONk1R2ncM-Q


Swimming: http://youtu.be/gIeQNLVUJ7M

A Trip out of town

Yesterday we went to The Wolfe Eye Clinic in Ames, IA for Butch's follow up after the laser treatment to remove the film some people develop after cataract surgery. Everything is A-OK , come back in a year. We will be returning to the same place for me to have the initial consultation about cataract removal next Monday.
 After Butch's appointment we went to Hickory House, a world famous place in Ames, for lunch. It was good but each of us will order differently next time we go. It is a great place to eat but it is one of those places where you can benefit from someone else's positive experience when it comes to choices.

We spent a bunch of time in Lowe's after lunch picking up electrical items so that home projects can proceed. We stopped in Boone to spend some time with Jason and ate supper at one of his favorite places in Boone, The Colorado Grill, another great place to eat but I was so full from lunch I tried to eat light but with a minimum of success.

I have a collection of pictures I have taken lately and will try to have them posted soon. I have sure enjoyed our great-grand Elise and her pictures. Her Momma is a teacher and has the luxury of getting to spend more time with her this summer.  

Our little engineer

From Amanda Teeter

Have to be a bragging mom for a minute. If you can't read the sign it says she pottied 11 times on the big girl potty today. She's doing so well for the first week out of diapers.

This is the more...

We hurried through our wonderful farmers market supper so we could make the 6:30 movie. It was Brave, a Pixar movie. It was good and kids will like it very much. It always surprises me a bit when I can get emotionally invested even a little bit when it is really only a cartoon. Good movie but only a one timer in my opinion.
What a shock when we came out of the theater and hit with the powerful heat and humidity. Today was supposed to be the hottest for awhile. Sure hope that is correct.

Triple digit heat and such

Jason came over yesterday and helped Butch with getting things done in the crawl space. I offered but I have rules...like can you get me out after I get in there. I think he had reservations as to my skill levels beyond the concerns of getting me into and out of the  crawl space as well. But we are both glad for Jason's help and I wondered to myself what I could fix for supper that would be a special treat. I mentioned creamed eggs on toast and Butch thought it would be a good choice. We tried creamed eggs on toast as a breakfast choice in Magnolia Park with minimal success. BUT we used gravy premix and I did not do that. I used a made-from- scratch old fashioned white sauce. You know butter, flour and milk and all like in the old days. It was wonderful!!! And Jason loved it which is the most important part. He said, "I bet you thought you were going to have leftovers." and indeed I had thought that but it was okay. I haven't had someone rave over my cooking for quite some time. It was nice.
After supper Leo stopped by with some sweet corn he purchased at the farmers market. Can you believe sweet corn before the 4th of July? Unheard of!! Colleen was telling me this morning that it was planted March 15th! And then I helped Colleen with her computer and she brought me some peas and new potatoes from the fore-mentioned farmers market. We are eating very well these days.
Butch is nearing the halfway mark on the wiring...so I am just full of good news.
I am in a bit of a push as we are thinking of going to the movies so more later...or tomorrow A M.

A-OK

I must be much better as it is hard to remember to take the medication. It was not at all hard in the beginning.  I am now able to eat normally and eating is one of the things I enjoy best so that is a good thing.
Butch is working on the electrical and I am helping with that on occasion as well as doing other odds and ends like laundry, cooking...yes, I said cooking,,,and watering plants and pulling weeds.
I am still getting my 2 miles in every morning with my friend Colleen. We keep each other going and there are days we each would pass on if we were on our own.
I walked through the garage yesterday afternoon and I could smell garlic...and then I remembered the garlic Colleen gave me to plant. So I looked at it and it was sprouting. In other words it was screaming to be planted and so I planted it. In two different locations. That tells you how humid it has been lately. Also tells you that plants have their own way of screaming and garlic is pretty damn good at it. I love the way this garlic looks when it matures. It looks like a graceful crane. I hope it takes off so I can get some pictures...or perhaps I can find some on Google images.
Found one!

The road to recovery

The mouth is better. It is not 100% yet but I would say 80%. It seems as we get older the little irritating things we must deal with come out of the blue and stay too long. The plus side of this is that I have dropped a few pounds. Most likely it is temporary but hey I will take what I can get out of the situation.

Our doctor guy came and pulled up all the flooring so it was nice that all worked out. Butch had a short break from his electrical chore because the loose flooring was all over the place. He enjoyed the break and played golf a couple of days. I am assuming we will both be back at it come first thing tomorrow morning. First thing for me and first thing for Butch have some space between but that works great for both of us.

Our Southern Belles

Great grands Nina Grace and Scarlett

Think I will make it

Yesterday was not a good day for me. My mouth hurt and throbbed throughout all of it so I finally broke down and went to the doctor.  Am on a different kind of antibiotic and today is better...or at least I think it is so far. It feels like I may be able to tolerate solid food later. We will see.

Wednesday I went to J.I.G.'s (Jefferson Iowa Girls) There were only five of us there but smaller is often better and I would say it was one of those times. It works better to be able to visit with everyone. If I had felt better I would have enjoyed it even more. The next one will be in the same place, The Corn Patch in Grimes Iowa on July 21st. I know our organizer Jayne reads this blog so I will take this opportunity to tell her that in visiting with people about the number who showed. you should consider it just one of those things. It really does not matter how many shows up as long as it is still enjoyable and it certainly was that. Circumstances can sometimes get in the way. When we have our house finished I plan to have a JIGS gathering and ask my sister-in-law Keri to cater it for us. I am really looking forward to it.

We had an answer to our Craigslist posting about the floor and a chiropractor from Ft Dodge who is renovating a house wants the oak flooring. He came last night and finished the bedroom floor and will return on Sunday to remove the remainder of it from the living room. I am so glad that worked out and that the oak flooring will find a new home.

Tuesday evening Butch and I went to Ogden to see my grandnephew, my deceased sis Jayne's grandson, play his last ball game of the season. These are  pictures of Devon. 

And here is a picture of Ethan with his mower from Father's day.

More info-Tony Hamilton

http://www.jonesfh.com/

Here is the website for Jones funeral home for anyone that would like to go online and offer condolences to Tony's family.

Leo
And from Joann Jorgensen
http://iowa.obituaries.funeral.com/2012/06/19/anthony-jay-tony-hamilton/

Elise does drive

Not the best week for me

I have a semi-blocked sluggish salivary gland under my tongue. This feels basically like a tooth ache. I have researched everything there is on the Internet...yes, I know that is an exaggeration...to do for a blocked salivary gland and I am doing them all frequently. No I have not gone to the doctor...yet. I am taking antibiotics among other things and if that doesn't do anything for me I will get to a doctor soon. This started Sunday evening. I seem to be getting better but of course it is never fast enough. This is not only painful but also a big nuisance. So if I tend to be a bit cranky you now know why. My salivary glands seem to be a bit dried up and this also results in creative juices drying up a bit as well. So...I will catch you up later on the bits and pieces of our lives

From Sandra Holtz and Leo about Tony Hamilton

Wanted to get this info out to the Brookers although you all might have heard by now. Terri Hamilton Duffy called this morning to tell me that Tony was found dead. Don't know the cause yet but his diabetes may have played a role.
Sandi


( PS from Barb-This is the son of Darrell Hamilton(deceased) and the grandson of Paul and Norma (Brooker) Hamilton.)

visitation Thurs. 5-8 at Jones Funeral home and no time yet for Fri. service

 services for tony-visitation on Thurs and service Fri. at St. James


(PS from Barb -This info is spotty and I do not have the particulars...like city but this is all I have. I suggest you all get in touch with those you know for details).

From Susan Brooker-Elise's Nana

Susan Brooker

Here is my conversation with my two-year old granddaughter last night: "Elise, Mommy and Nana are going to Target. Would you like to go with us, or stay home and play with Papa?" Response from Elise: "I want to go with you............I'll drive!" It took Nana quite a few minutes to regain composure. That girl is just a hoot!

Her mama says that Elise said this with a straight face too.

Her great grand says that you do not have to be around her long before you realize she is a natural comedienne.

Elise at the zoo

I didn't get much today but any bit of Elise is always good.

http://youtu.be/qZ-rsXQHsXU

It's all okay

Everything is good here just not much change. We are plugging away on the house and making progress. Butch has started on the electrical and we have discussed the floor situation with an expert. He says removal is too labor intensive when you can buy new so up it will come and most likely into the burn pile. We will not worry about taking it up carefully. Things happen much quicker when you can rip and tear without care.

Butch made a sacrifice this morning and got up soon enough to go with Colleen and I on our walk. Then we walked up to the Uptown Cafe for breakfast. He was hungry for biscuits and gravy.

Jason, Laura and Ethan came for a visit later. On the way over Jason said they saw a deer get hit by a truck. He said that happens all the time and we do not think much about it but watching it happen was quite disturbing. It did not die instantly. 
Ethan is being worked on for potty training and has been for quite some time. Jason was telling us that he started to take Ethan over to the neighbors to ride in their little electric car when Ethan said he had to go potty. So Jason wheeled him around to take him to the bathroom right away. While in there Jason asked him how it was going and Ethan, age 3, said, "You are driving me nuts!" I think he must be tired of the process...or perhaps it is the hovering that he is tried of.

Ethan and his first catch

Ethan's Nana Phone

Ethan likes his Nana phone because the best messages come from Nana! Ethan is spending the weekend with Papa Jason and Nana.

BooBoo

Look at those sad eyes

Appointment in Ames

Butch had an appointment in Ames yesterday for a laser treatment on his eye. It seems about 10% of people who have cataracts removed have to later have this treatment and wouldn't you know Butch is one of them. They said it was a simple procedure and in fact it seemed to be. It sure did not take long and the Wolfe clinic in Ames seems like a very well run facility. I made an appointment for a prelim on getting my cataracts removed. July 2nd is my appt.
We stopped in Lowes afterwards and were disappointed in the Ames store. Their selection was very limited on nearly everything we seemed to have an interest in obtaining. We did pick up $200 plus worth of stuff but that is never hard to do. What we needed most were items Butch needs to get started on wiring and we have most of that now

Oak Flooring Fizzles

It seems that as soon as people find out there is a bit of work involved to attaining this "free" oak flooring they are no longer interested. We have had 6 inquiries but no takers as yet. So plan B is to go ahead and take it up ourselves and then set a price of $200 plus . It would still be a bargain.
Butch started on the electrical while I put together one of his favorite meals as a reward. Pot roast. Also got my early morning walk in and did 3 loads of laundry.
Daily watering of plants and flowers is also necessary to keep everything alive but I imagine many of you are in the same boat on that one.
My friend Sherri who runs a daycare had a post on Facebook that really made me chuckle. "Cleaning house with children in it, is like brushing your teeth while eating oreos." Every mother I know understands that one completely!

Gary and Susan's Summer Vacation 2012

After spending hours this evening finishing this I realized I left out our visit to Glen Eyrie Castle:http://www.gleneyrie.org/

 

I worked to keep it short but it is still over 8 minutes long

30th Anniversary Summer Vacation: http://youtu.be/007gSffYHRo

2012 Summer Vacation visiting areas around Denver, Colorado including Red Rocks Amphitheater, Downtown, Parker Days, Cherry Creek North, Arvada, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and Garden of the Gods.

Leo's Pal

Leo's father was an electrician and salesman would call on him every week to see if he needed any electrical supplies. One day as the salesman was taking the order Leo would wander into the room and  say, "And a puppy for Leo." He did this several times and after the business was finished the salesman told Russell (Leo's dad), "I didn't want to say anything in front of your boy but we do have some puppies that are ready for new homes." And Russell said,"Well if it wouldn't be too much bother you can bring one next time." And so he did. And that was Pal. Pal was a very special dog and I say this not being a dog person myself. This picture had to be taken shortly after Pal arrived at his new home.

Oak Flooring

We have decided to use woodgrain vinyl planks as flooring in all the house. Two reasons really-1. We do not have enough to do all of the floor and we cannot decide where and how to divide kitchen from living room. Really did not want them divided anyway. 2. We were going to hire a pro to do some patching in the bedroom and they are hard to get and expensive.
So to simplify and be able to do it ourselves we decided to do the whole place with vinyl that has the appearance of wood. This particular project is a ways off yet. But first the existing oak floor needs to be removed and it seemed a shame to destroy it being sure someone would want it. So as I was starting to take up boards yesterday I said to Butch,"I should post this on Craigslist and let someone else take it up." He said, "Why don't you?" So I took a couple of photos and posted it. Free to anyone who will take it up and remove the nails. I have 4 inquiries so far and have told them all it is first come, first served making sure they understand they do the removing. There is about 330 square feet of it. Here are the photos I included.

Here are some other house photos I have taken lately.

Bill Brooker's furnace installation. Thank You, Mr Bill!

Our new electrical entrance.

A general view of things- standing on the south wall facing north. Pocket doors will be installed in those walls that are only studs at the moment. To the left is the bedroom and to the right is the bathroom.

We really appreciate hearing from all of you who are keeping track of us. We like to hear about what is happening with you as well as your comments on our projects.

Lay around Day

Yesterday was a lay around day and it was a good day for it too. Very warm. In the 90's. And we old people wore ourselves out with all the festivities.
Bill and Jo were here for a week and Bill was invaluable in all that he helped us achieve toward our goals on the house. They are now en route back to Arkansas and I am sure they will be glad to get there. A disruption in routine can be a blessing but it is always nice to get home and settle in once again too.
We had a shower last night and with a mere tenth of an inch in the gauge that is all it can be called. We need a two or three day misty soaker.
Well Butch is in the house and ready to start on something and I promised to help so enough for now

Summer fun images | Summer fun photos from the Bell Tower Festival 2012

 All of the Bell tower photos I took yesterday.

Summer fun images | Summer fun photos

Bell Tower Festival

Friday evening we went to the town square to see an Elvis impersonator, Joseph Hall from Lincoln NE. He was very good and quite pleasant to look at. Needless to say he was impersonating the YOUNG Elvis. Then Butch and I walked home in the dark just like days of old.
This morning we walked uptown again to see the parade and the wonderful Art Show held in the renovated All Ability Bike Shop. Here are some pictures from today. I will attempt to choose the best of over 80 pictures taken today.

Bill Morain

Keri, Jo and Leo wait for the parade.

Annie, Dorothy and Toto

Class of '62

Tiny dancer inspired by the music of the...

Town and Country Band

Lucy and Charlie Chaplin

Mr Sorenson

Iowa Farm equipment

Future Farmer

Isiserettes- Drumstick is a blur

The Art Show

Comes to mind

We were blessed with a dibby-dab of rain yesterday morning. I checked the gauge this morning and it did not have a drop in it. Butch and Bill had a long frustrating day getting the AC to work but they finally were successful late in the day and then we enjoyed a scrumptious grilled meal at Leo and Keri's. It also happened to be their 32nd Anniversary. Here they are 32 years ago.

After supper we looked through old family pictures. That is always a fun time. Ran across this one of Butch and I from a long time ago.

 Perhaps early 80's. Now you may want to put a caption on it and I would be interested in what you might say. I may tell you what I think later.

This was on the trail this morning...can you find the bunny?

After our walk this morning Colleen and I assembled her Simple Wifi antenna. And it is working great for her and she is now a happy Internet user.

Butch and Bill made their way to the golf course this morning. Butch said he forgot to take his head. Most likely all the pent up pressure of yesterday.

Butch looks like his dad

Wanna see why we all say Butch looks like his dad? Go to this site: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=91523022

Overpass

Snipped a great view of the new overpass off Facebook this morning. 

Today's Photos

Breakfast Time

Roses on the trail

Daisy Patch

Yucca Bloom

Furnace installation

Busy is as busy does

Butch and Bill are hard at it in the house and making some good progress. I need to get in there and take some pictures but I hate to get in the way. I will sneak in soon and do that.
Cousins Dick and JoAnn Jorgensen and their granddaughter Hannah came to Jefferson to get some grave pictures and that made a nice break in the afternoon. Hannah took some shutters off our hands for her own DIY project. She is starting young taking on projects.
Late afternoon we ventured uptown to the first farmers market of the season and there were lots of goodies to buy including a tasty homemade supper of hamburgers, mac salad, bars and a drink for $5. Can't beat it with a stick.
The weather has been super unless you are in the business of growing crops and then it is a bit more than scary as there isn't one shred of rain in the forecast and we are in dire need of moisture.
So I have fallen into somewhat of a routine. Walk with Colleen at 7:00 AM and then come home to do whatever else the day may hold, like laundry. I REALLY like getting that walk in early. it injects so much energy into the very best time of day.
Butch just told me....
I was supposed to go to a grandnephews ball game tonight and I remembered right up to 5:00 PM and then both Butch and I forgot!! Darn, darn and double darn!!  I didn't even remember late. Butch did. This getting old really sucks sometimes. Back in the day I would NEVER have forgotten. I used to pride myself on my memory. Well those days must be gone.

Busy Sunday and here it is Monday

Butch and I went for a 2 mile walk. My friend Colleen sprained her ankle so she took the day off from walking. But we were back at it this morning. Today we chose the bike trail for our walk and I think we will tomorrow as well. It is a nice place to walk with an even surface and wide enough to walk abreast.
Jason called for Butch to play golf but then a storm brewed. As it turns out that is all it did was brew but they delayed their game until the threat was past. Leo stopped by and visited in the meantime. We got many things thoroughly discussed.
Bill and Jo arrived today from Arkansas by way of Waukee Iowa. Bill plans to help Butch with heating and plumbing installs and then Bill has a class reunion next weekend. Jo was only a year behind so she knows many of the classmates as well as Bill does.
 It will be a busy week for all concerned in Jefferson.
Bell Tower Festival is this coming weekend.

Auction Today

We took a day off from our usual routine and spent the day at a local auction. There were a few items we had a mild interest in so we set our internal limits and settled in. Butch had a nail puller, some clamps and a miscellaneous box of tools that held a few choice items he was interested in. I found a magnifying lamp that I thought was cool and told Butch to go as high as $10.  Butch was successful on his items and he even got mine for $6. When we came home I did a search for my new $6 Eschenbach magnifying lamp and discovered that new it cost $399.61 on Amazon.com! I was gobsmacked as they say. I knew it was a nice one but had no idea it was that nice. The only negative to it is that a smoker owned it and I have been trying to remove that smell with ammonia  ever since we got home  and I can still smell it. I will keep working on it. One suggestion I have heard is to place the item in the sun and now that I have cleaned it thoroughly I may try that next. The auction was fun and as long as I do not go too often it will remain fun. I am still holding off on buying too much until I know exactly where I will place it. And I now have a new rule that It will have to be a very special item to buy from a smoker. That smell is too hard to get rid of.

Butch ordered the windows yesterday and it will take 3 weeks to get them. That is the bad news. The good news is that there is plenty to do until they get here.

Last two

The last two mornings I have been able to get a good walk in by getting up early and walking with my friend Colleen before Butch is up. It really sets the right mood for the day by revving up the energy levels.
Butch is dealing with the details of the house getting things ready for brother Bills arrival to finish up the furnace hook up and maybe other stuff too.
As soon as I finish here I plan to go see if I can help in any way. If it is standing around and watching him think I will return and find something more productive to undertake.
We were blessed with a half inch of rain yesterday. I haven't checked the old rain barrel but I have hopes I can no longer move it around on its pedestal because of the abundance of rain water within its plastic exterior. The earth was grateful for the moisture. When I would dig a hole for something it was dry for a good 8 inches down. I am sure that half inch will only help for a little while.
Till next time...

Gary's Yard Saga

Like a lot of projects this one has gotten out of control. I tilled up the yard in March and added compost. I thought the spring break week from school would be enough time for the project. Here we are nearly June, with a letter from my homeowners association, and I am still far from done. My soil sure does look better but I need to get seed down pronto.


http://youtu.be/TwF4PDzYfiA

I like your last line, Gary.  "I can see light at the end of the tunnel" Whoo Hoo!!

Walk, Laundry and a nap

Arose early this morning and went for a walk out to the Jefferson City Cemetery for a walk with my friend Colleen. There are many untold stories in any cemetery. All one can get is a tiny vignette as you take in the relationships and the dates. You always wish you could know the rest of the story.
 After that pleasant little stroll I returned home and started in on laundry and watering plants. Butch was busy doing this and that inside the house and then decided it was too nice a day to stay home so he went to play golf. I stayed home and took a nap.

Ethan and his mower