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

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