Sun Feb 28

2/28/10 Checked my moms at the unit. We went to SS and church. I was in the nursery during SS. 2 cute little girls in pink. It was really fun to watch them. I read them books, too. After church we took Stangls home. We had soup and salad in the chilly sun room. At least we did sit in the sun and it was bearable. When we were Texas Denny said he would rather sleep on the other side of the bed. So we switched sides of the bedroom this afternoon. Basically we moved dressers from one side to the other. And vacuumed under the furniture. Man, we're living on the edge. Have you ever heard of such excitement? We watched another DVD that we had previously seen. Denny went out to move snow with the tractor and I watched another DVD that we have seen. I guess getting them at the library is not the best idea. I already had checked out the best ones. Is this a kinda nice thing about getting old? Kinda like people with Alzheimer's ... They meet new friends everyday. We watch new DVDs everyday ... but they are faintly familiar. Pretty sad. Not the movies. They were good ones ... even a second time. Maybe it would help if IG was a bigger city with a bigger library. Just thankful for the good things that we got. Prayer time at church tonight at 6 pm. And a final DVD. YUP, you guessed it. We had seen it too. Have you figured out by now that a person could check out 5 DVDs from the library? ... for 3 days.

Sat Feb 27 1575

2/27/10 I went to the unit early. Denny went to work at the Odebolt bank at 8 and I headed to Carroll to go to WW. I shopped a little afterwards. I had good luck at a consignment shop. 50% off on some winter things. I got a Columbia coat, 2 pairs of slacks, 2 capris, about 4 tops and 2 workout sweats. When we got home we just lounged around and watched a library DVD that we had already seen. We took the pickup and Prius in to IG to wash them. (Our hose was under a snow bank.) While I was at the unit Denny started a fire in the coop. We ate supper out there. Then he relaxed by waxing the 2 vehicles. I relaxed by reading 485 in the coop by a roaring fire.

Fri Feb 26

2/26/10 I went for a quick cup of coffee at the folks. I left the unit about 9 for a home school meeting at the EEC. While I was getting ready the HS pricipal called to see if I could sub this afternoon. Sure can. It was in the resource room. I stopped by the IG library to return a DVD that Denny and I had watched. They had ordered a book that I wanted to read. Michael Perry is the authur. I read his book Coop while I was in Brownsville. I ordered 485 to read now. I would laugh out loud when I read the Coop, much to Mandy's dismay. She was reading The Girls of Ames and didn't like my interruptions. Thanks, Nancy, for being a librarian and bringing good books to B'ville. When I got home from school I went to the unit. After Denny got home visited and ate salads in the basement cafe.

Thur Fab 25 ... 59???

2/25/10 Denny brought peanut butter toast and coffee to me in bed. He brought chicken dinners to Mark and me for lunch. For supper we went to the folks. We had steaks, baked potatoes, relishes, cheesy vegetables,. and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. YUM!!! There is nothng better than great grandma's birthday cakes. Neil came to spray for a couple hours. Tax appointment at 4:15. Nice to have phone calls from all the kids. Especially a conference call from my 2 sons.

Wed. Feb 24 1475

2/24/10 Another full day. Makes you want to just sit back and enjoy watching the work (and world) go by. Torren and his big wheels, Me and my pickup. I took the truck up to the unit about 6:30 am. We shipped out 890 pigs today 13.57 #. Washed 3 rooms. Denny brought us pizza. Nick and Mark were there for lunch. Jon S. helped count and move pigs then he went to school. I gave Denny a ride back to Arthur. Yesterday the bank guy we were talking to said we might as well use the bank car. Denny brought it home tonight. Locked the keys and all his bags in the car. Opps. After Awana the deacons (and Susan and I) went to the hospital and prayed with Teresa and Bob. She's had quite a battle. My heart goes out to those in combat with cancer. Pray also for Jenny H., Becky's mom, who was to have her first Chemo today. When those we love struggle with major health issues all, the minor problems of life pale in importance. I thank God I can work my buns off at the unit. We take so much for granted. It's people that are important and our relationship to the God of the universe. May my friends going through tough times feel His closeness in the midst of their deep waters of life.

Tues Feb 23

2/23/10 The OA-BCIG girls are going to STATE!!! Pretty AWESOME! The last time was in 2006. I went to Howard and Anabel's for coffee this am. They had listened to it last night and were so excited. What a thrilling game! Tracey got a text at Bible study last night saying that they had won in the last 14 seconds. I worked at the unit til about 1 and then headed into IG for a 2:30 dentist appointment. I got there early at 1:45. They were on lunch break until 2 and so I decided to go get milk at the grocery store. When I came back at 2:30 the gal said my appointment was at 2 and she didn't have time for me today. I think I am getting old and losing it. I went to Arthur and waited for Denny (til 5:30) to break snow drifts for the Prius. School got out early because of the weather ... It really wasn't that bad. So glad I have the pickup to drive ... or I'd be staying home.

Mon Feb 22 1357

2/22/10 There is just something about cute brothers with sisters with pigtails. Vet and sow owner came to the unit by 7. I think the pigs we're going to wean look pretty good. One in gilt room 1 wasn't good. I got a hair cut at 3:30. Then to Arthur to get a 4 good shoppers. I stopped at pastors and got 4 kids to set up the Awana store. Then we went to IG to get more to fill the store. Supper of pork on slices of bread and chips and dessert that they had picked out. I went to Steph's for Bible study. It has been since Dec. 11 since I have been with those gals. So good to spend time with them. Home to visit with Denny and Now to bed. Keep trusiting the Lord in all youdo.

ana

Sun Feb 21

2/21/10 Who is the best horse? I took the pickup to church early for SS. Denny was working at the unit. Lazy afternoon. I entered all my checks and just killed time on the computer while Denny took a nap. We went to prayer time tonight.

Sat Feb 20

2/20/10 Didn't sleep the best last night. Lots to think about and we're both coming down with colds. Neil L and Ivan R joined us at the unit at 10 am to give shots to the 1000 pigs that are due to sell Wed. This afternoon was nap time. It looks like the thing to do is to snuggle up in a sleeping bag. Hopefully later we'll work on some book work. Tax appointment next week.

Fri Feb 19

2/19/10 No torture report. The day with 5 and 6 year olds went well. Of course you realize I did do a lot of shoe tieing and coat zipping. But I had forgotten that kindergartners have 2 -20 minute recesses ... plus 5 minutes on either side for getting on and taking off snow clothes. There was a 30 minutes time on individual computers in the computer lab. A reading aid came in and read to them for 20 minutes. Noon hour and recess was 60 minutes. We worked on 4 centers (each for 15 minutes) for an hour, Plus a 45 minute rest period ... and 15 minute snack time after the afternoon recess. And because the principal was in such dire need of me (the 8th sub for the building today) he found some one to cover so I could make my 3pm doctor's appointment. Ya, I would say the day went okay. The one student who previously at times would put his head in his shirt and withdrawal (only to be taken to the office until he was ready to join the class) ... and last week the same student just took off running after recess (had to call the police to locate him) was a model student for me. How about those apples? I do luck out sometimes. I fed the sows about 5 am. Then to school. After school Dr. appointment. To the unit to feed sows. Then to Arthur and IG. We met the sow owners at the Pizza Hut. Got home about 10. Always stand in the need of prayer for God's wisdom and guidance.

Thur Feb 18 1177

2/18/10 Coffee at the folks, then to work. The drier isn't working right. I went to Sue's for Bible study, then got some appointments made in town. OH MY! Alan H called for me to sub in Kindergarten tomorrow. In a weak moment I said yes. This should be an experience. I better get to bed. Watch this site for a torture update. Gloria used to teach kindergarten. Maybe I should have brought her home with me.

Wed Feb 17

2/17/10 I got to drive the pick up today. I'm sure my Malibu would not have traction in the snow/ice and Denny didn't want to come home to get me before Awana. YEA!! I could drive it to the folks for coffee before going to work. At work I sprayed out the nursery room and made some fall out litters. Hopefully they will gain weight before we sell them next week. I went to IG to get groceries before Awana.

Tues Feb 16

2/16/10 No breakfast near an orange tree today. Denny got up before 7 and started the tractor to go get his pickup. Short night. He cleared some snow at the intersection. When the road was clear enough to drive the pick up home, we went back and he drove the tractor home. I worked at the unit and he went to the bank. At night we went to bed early. No surprise at that. By the way the oranges are sour ... Not sour grapes, sour oranges.

Mon Feb 15

2/15/10 Last am in Texas. It has been great... a short weekend as planned ... but a little shorter than planned. As Denny said, at least our over night at Houston we spent time together. Good to look on the bright side. We had a breakfast of hash browns, eggs, sausage, bacon, coffee and toast. (Denny's favorite Texas breakfast ... He could have it every day and never grow tired. Of course he could have it every day in Iowa too and never grow tired.) Then we went to airport to get boarding passes printed. We stopped at Gloria's for coffee. They were good friends of my folks for over 30 years. Before leaving we packed and cleaned the home. I think Denny lives for that. He moved every piece of furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, refrigerator, washer, drier, 3 beds). What a man. He puts me to shame. Gloria picked us up to take us to the airport about 4. Our flight got in to Omaha about 11. The drive home was pretty uneventful ...until Kiron ... Mark had said there was snow ... We stopped before getting stuck west of Barkers ... Drove past Curt L.'s ... and blasted through some drifts on that N-S road to come to a stop at the intersection of Pioneer and 300th. We put on our snow gear and walked the last 1 1/2 miles home. Welcome back to Iowa. Got to bed about 3 am. Good to be home???

Sun Feb 14

2/14/10 We got up early to head to S. Padre Island Baptist church at 8:15 am. Then coffee shop and to the beach. It was a great 4 hours just walking, relaxing and lying in the sun. At 5 there was a Valentine dinner at the Park. We worked at the trailer between the beach and dinner. It was a beautiful day 80- 85 degrees. Most people said it was the nicest day of the season. It was nice. Hot tub at night.

Sat Feb 13

2/13/10 Great breakfast... of course bacon, hash browns and coffee. We did go up to the community center at 8 am for coffee and donuts (and update on park activities). Last night at Wal-Mart we found another niche market for the pigs... Hogs heads for $16 each. Now you know where to get them for hour next barbecue. After the donuts we worked on cleaning the deck and siding. About noon we left for Progreso, Mexico. Hurray for Karmen to help us get there. It's about an hour to get there. We decided to park on the US side and walk across the International Bridge. Boy, were we glad we did. We passed a lot of cars waiting to get into Mexico and walking back to our car we passed a lot of cars waiting to get out of Mexico. Denny thought knew what it would be like, but it was a lot more crowded and congested than he had imagined. No big purchases, just Mexican peanuts (Japones) and vanilla. We ate at Garcia's. Cloth napkins and table clothes, pretty dishes, glasses. Then they came with chips and salsa ... and pickled jalapeno peppers. That's when Denny's eyes really got happy. Great meal. After we got back to B'ville, we shoppe at Burlington Coats Factory...no luck. And Wall-Mart again...very lucky at intersection ... Thank you ,Lord, for protection. We thought about walking to C&C Wings, but chose to stay home and watch a Red book movie. Hot tub again. HURRAY!!

Fri Feb 12

2/12/10 Slept in, Missed continental breakfast...Denny said he didn't even want to think about Continental. We did enjoy at noon seafood buffet before riding the shuttle to the airport. Once there we put our name on the standby list and "honkered on down" for a 8 hour stay before our flight. Let's see, what could we do there? I still don't know what we did, mostly watch people and tell each other who the people we saw reminded us of. During the wait we saw Cindy R., Judy S. Now the big question was if one of us fit on an earlier flight...would we split up? YUP! I left standby about 6:00 pm and Denny went standby about 6:30. When I got to Brownsville, I drove Nancy's car to 4 Seasons. She had left her car at the airport on Monday when she headed home to Madison, Wisc. I had an extra set of keys. At the Brownsville home I checked out the refirgerator and made a grocery list. Then to the airport to get Denny and Wal-Mart to get food. We grilled steaks and had baked potatoes. YUM!! So good to be in Texas. Hot tub before going to bed.

Thur Feb 11

2/11/10 We decided that Denny would come home and get me before we headed to the Omaha airport. I worked at the unit, then came home to finish packing and clean the house. Becky and the kids were headed to Kingsley for a long weekend. If things worked out, we could perhaps meet them at Missouri Valley... Mc Donalds. Well, Denny worked later than he had hoped. As we left Denny prayed for a timely trip to Texas. We got to wave at the Missouri Johnsons along I 29 between Missouri Valley exit and I 680 to airport. Hurray! We got to the airport on time. In fact, there was a plane to Houston loading while we waited for our flight. I said "Maybe we should try to get on that flight." Denny said "No, we'll just wait til our flight." Well, when we got on our plane, the earlier fight had still not left. It was sitting on the tarmac. Hurray! Off we went to Houston. We hurried down to our departure gate. NOT HURRAY :< Our flight to Brownsville had been cancelled. Now that was a new situation. We could stay in the airport or pay for a motel room. They booked the next available flight ... 24 hours later. Friday at 9:30 pm, but we could come to the airport early and try to get on standby. Denny called a motel and when he tryed to call them to get a shuttle to the motel, no one answered. In the meantime another couple from Sac City was in the same situation. A Ramada shuttle stopped in front of where we were. Long story... We 4 took it to the motel. It was not the airport Ramada ... It was north Houston Ramada. 20 minute ride thru dark streets. UFFTA We stayed there. Enough said for now.

Wed. Feb 10 950

2/10/10 Denny dropped me off at the unit again on his way to work. I sprayed out farrowing room 6 and disinfected it. Treated all my baby pigs because I am going to be gone til Tuesday. Yesterday I wrote out Psalm 27 and James 1 and put them in a zip lock bag to give me something to think about while I work. It helps to keep my mind centered on what is important. When Denny dropped me off today he said 'Whatever you do, do it to the Lord". Good thing to think about. I walked home about 5:15 and Denny got home about 6. We headed to Awana skating party. Not nearly as much fun as last year. But there was a good turn out and I didn't fall down and get hurt. Pack before we went to bed.

Tues Feb. 9

2/9/10 Denny dropped me off at the unit again. Just don't trust my car on the ice. It's frustrating to not go any where and not be in a drift... just on ice. I finished processing the last 500 pigs. and finished fixing all the heat lamps. Denny stopped after work and gave me a ride home. Almost 12 hours at the unit is plenty. But you can get alot done. Mark's shoulder continues to bother him. NO home school meeting, no motorcycle meeting. Denny changed oil in the generator at the unit before we headed home for box pizza.
.

Mon Feb 8

2/8/10 Let's see. I was suppose to get my oil changed in the Malibu at 8 this am. I got up at 5 and went with the pickup to do my feeding of the mamas. I was home to get ready with Denny. I backed out the Malibu which had been in the lean to of the machine shed. And the car couldn't get enough traction to drive up to the house. The plan was to follow Denny to highway 175 then proceed east to IG. Well, because the car had no traction, so Denny had to come out and drive it while I pushed it. It gotup to the driveway and Denny went back in to finish getting ready for work. I followed him north. It was windy and medium high drifts that the pickup broke thru so I could follow it okay. Not my idea of fun so I visited with Denny and then turned around and headed home. Made it past home... to the unit... where the car ended on a patch of ice ... and would go no further. Mark helped me get it going and he drove it home. I rode back to the unit with him. I processed about 550 pigs from 11-5;30. Denny came and picked me up at work. I rode home with him. He had gotten chicken for supper. We had a bite, then went out and replaced an o ring on the hydraulic on the tractor. The electricity doesn't work to the machine shed since the power outage. I got to hold a flash light. It got fixed surprisingly fast. Then to bed for me. Texas on Thurs night is looking very good. I was shot. Darlene T. called to ask if I would be a co chairman of a refreshment committee... not good timing on her part. She didn't know. I was too tired to say yes to the job.

Sun Feb. 7

2/7/10 Look at that nice bunch of party-ers!! 6 great grandparents 4 grand parents, a great aunt and uncle, an uncle and a first cousin (once removed) ...plus 2 parents and a sibling. Today we went to church and some of SS. At home I made soup, Denny rested, then tried to move snow. He said the bobcat and tractor are not working right. Stayed home to watch Super bowl and work on stuff.

Sat Feb 6 800

2/6/10 After getting up early and working at the unit. Then studying the weather forecast and driving to the closest hard surface road, we decided to head to Parkersburg. Howard and Anabel rode along with us to the 2 year Anabel's birthday party. We got there about noon with 2 salads and 2 cakes. What a nice birthday girl!...and the party was really nice too. Great soup, veggies, cheese crackers. Good to see and visit with all 17 of the family. We got home about 7 pm. Long day for Denny with driving stress. I had a niced long [phone visit with Molly S. tonight.

Fri Feb 5

2/5/10 107 sows have had babies. In a way that is surprising. Last July the plan was that the unit would be emptied now. After 2 months with no farrowing, we now have another 4 groups of sows bred to have babies. One with 147 sows, one with 130, one 110, and one with 66. We'll have to see. God knows the future, I just need to be faithful with what I can do. Four months ago Mark said he would try to put groups of sows back together. Today he fixed the broken pipe in the wash rack so I could spray down the hall after we moved gilts to the B&G building. Yesterday he hurt his bad shoulder while he was moving animals by himself. He said luckily he doesn't work this weekend so he can stay home and ice it. Hope that will help. It would be tough to put an injured employee in the mix. I started the fire in the coop and we ate spaghetti out there tonight.

Thurs Feb. 4 755

HAPPY TWO YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY ANABEL!!! You are a real gift to us. Hope your day was great. I got a pet carrier out of an outside shed when I was at the folks for coffee. Howard has a kitten that he likes and Anabel has a kitten that likes her. He is going to get both treated at the vet. He gets a notion and just goes with it. I went to Bible study at Susan's this afternoon. It was good to catch up with Sue, Ginny, and Brenda. I've missed them. Please keep Teresa in your prayers. Her cancer treatments are rough. My heart just aches for my brave family and friends that are battling or have battled in many different areas of their lives. This song keeps running thru my head. "May all who come behind us find us faithful. May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey." Thanks for the many lives I have been blessed to be a part of. Thanks for your faithfulness and gratefulness in all situations. Your lives are an inspiration to me.

Wed. Feb. 3

2/3/10 The last 2 mornings when I leave the folks after coffee and head up to the unit to work there has been a deer in the road. Monday morning it was standing right in the middle of the intersection of 300th and Orchard. It's outline was to the left and the Angus bull outline on the "Johnson Brother Purebred Angus since 1904" sign was on the right. I wish I would have had my camera. I worked on getting a couple meals freezer ready to go to Paulsruds. It was a good Awana tonight. It has been a long time since I was there. The kids still like to play games, if you can believe that. While we were in Brownsville there was an American Days meal. See the gals in red. Fried chicken, potatoe Salad, baked beans and brownies. Jean came the next day.