Back at school I LIED!!

3 gels last night.  Slept pretty well.  Plus Phil. 4:4-8.  Lord, help me apply your truth. Back at school I LIED!! They canceled school because of snow. Forecasted snow. Snow that did come. Kids came over when Missy went to the doctor. She has sinus infection. We played family and went to the restaurant that was run by them. I baked Cinnamon rolls. The lard kind and they did not turn out the best. Also a double batch of banana muffins. Then I checked the email and there was a special to make a blog book. I worked on it most of the afternoon. Missy came over and helped me finish it up and order it. She brought over chili and I gave her cinnamon rolls. Jensens made 2 cute snowmen out in front of the house. Carrot noses and doggie treat eyes. Nice day, Not what I thought. I thought we would be in school. Thank you Jesus for each day of my life that you have planned.

Relax in the Lord

In bed until 6:30. Donuts with Grands. On the way we saw a bald eagle. How cool is that. A new 2nd grader in SS. Andy told me about his new job with Gordon Recovery. Praise!! Brooks asked Denny to wear his blue shirt, jeans, and Brooks had a black tie, if G'pa had one. So cute!! :) Quick trip to school to get the grade book. Leftovers for lunch. I took a one hour nap, then figured midterm grades We went to prayer time. Philippians 4:4-8 and Matt 6:19-24?? Lord help me apply them

Work in machine shed

Nice slow am, watched the movie that I slept thru last night. Denny watched it a second time. He fixed me eggs for breakfast. He started to put on the tractor chains, Phillip wants to use the tractor to move the LP tank to the other side of the road. I got tinsel trees from bunkhouse. Denny found lights in tub in the attic. We took a lot of just from attic down to trash and burn pile. Kids came over to put trees together. Denny strung some extra lights around. We had leftovers with Jensens. We watched at Beethoven Christmas movie while the tank was being moved, then I took the home. Missy is shopping with Laurie and Shannon in Ames today. Denny and I went to work at the machine shed. To a bunch to the hole, trash and burn pile. About 4:30 we headed to Denison. Boomgaars, Walmart and Mexican. It tasted so good.

Cold, Gray Friday ... not so black

Up and looking at SS lesson and reading devotional. Missy and I went to IG. Bomgaars Shopko. At home I started to make cinnamon rolls only to discover I didn't check my list and get yeast. UFFTA!! I just made 2 batches. and looked at Dave Ramsey. Pictures from 2010.

Happy Thanksgiving

Stayed in bed until 6:30. Coffee with Schrums. Nice lazy morning. Everett came to play with Christy. We set the tables, peeled potatoes, Arlan cooked the turkey in the grill. Jean made much wonderful food. About noon there were 18 people for a great dinner. There was bad weather in NW Iowa so Denny and I left about 1:45 and made it home by 5. Rainy half the way and snow covered roads as we neared home. Missy and Phillip had started toward Rolfe, but turned around before Storm Lake. They invited us for supper. A second nice Thanksgiving meal. I worked on starting to memorize Matthew 5. At night we ordered gifts for Grands online.
 

It seems like Saturday, car to Carroll

Didn't sleep well last night. Up and went through next semester student's Schedules. It was great to get a breath of fresh air with Denny before he left for work. I headed to Carroll about the same time. While they were taking care of the Prius, I shopped for gifts. Such a dilemma. I liked $15 throw, came back to get them... there no longer were 8, 2 had been sold. Was happy with next choice, The store gift bagged them for me and put tissue paper around the gift, so they are all ready to go. :) I came home and went to IG to meet Susan for lunch. Then to the school to work for about an hour. Then home. Denny went to the funeral in the am. We left for Indianola about 4 and got to Ankeny for supper with the Zimmermans. From there we went to Indianola and Arlan made Crembroulette while Jean made Missouri pecan pie. I got to bed after 11. Nice time.

Tuesday. No, it's Friday for this week

Again at school early, met with superintendent at 7:30 for his monthly visit for anyone interested. Independent Living made pizza, orange juice smoothie, and tried to make a cookie in a bowl. It did not turn out very well. Mr. Miller was gone today. I gave flowers to staff. I left right after school, to take Anabel to gymnastics. It was fun to watch her. She said it was the most fun time, because they got to start to do handsprings. I picked up Missy's online HyVee order. She worked at school until late. Denny had a nice meal fixed when I got home. I am happy for a long weekend. Lord, grant me wisdom.

Short week :)

I went to school a little early. On Friday we got out a little early because of snow, so I had some desk work to do. Sometimes struggles come. Lord, grant me wisdom. IEP meeting at 3. On the phone, in foods room, car trouble for parent. Visit with Andrea and Cathy, After school meeting until almost 5. Took little pots to Rentals to have them filled with flowers for resource staff. Denny and I went to the visitation for Duane. So sad. Lord, I take so much for granted. Pictures from May/June 2011

Thank you Jesus for this day

I got up and read devotions and the book that a student had chosen for AR reading. We met Karen and Luke at the Kiwanas pancake breakfast. Pete was fixing pancakes. I was in the nursery at church. So thankful that Jenna helped. Denny sat with Nak. kids. They had car issues and didn't join us for pancakes. After church we had soup. I read the 2 missed chapters of George Mueller to the kids, then Denny took them home. We watched a movie and then napped. This is the first day my left knee has hurt. I can't remember doing anything to injure it. Lord, please heal it. I don't want this to be the start of knee surgery. Uffta!! So tragic. So saddened by Duane's death. Lord, be with the family. Ingathering at 6. Great meal. Sat with Jennifer and her mother Vickie. Great sharing afterward. 26K.

Fun night at Olde Town

Great day Denny worked at Odebolt. He drove all directions to check if I could make it to Carroll for car check up. Nope, I rescheduled for Wedneday. I did go into town and get some Financial Peace DVD's. They weren't just what I wanted, but I listened to 3 of them and made fill in the blank information. I spent some time out in bunk house looking for the actual tapes that I wanted. I couldn't find them, but did take out a couple bags of trash to the dumpster. Denny stopped at Mark's after work and they cut off the bottom of the laundry room door. Luke called from Denison and they stopped here to change clothes. Then we went to Olde Towne. We joined the other 3 Goldsmiths. It was a really fun night. Lots of good food. We went to their house for a short time before heading home. We got an email from church that Brian's dad Duane had died last night. So sad. We are praying for the family. These are deep waters.

:) :) :) :)

Fridays make me :) Regular day at school, but shortened :) The threat of a bad snow storm brought a 12:38 dismissal. Refusal to read AR book. Quite the situation. Nice to make it home safely. I listened to a couple of Financial Peace DVDs. So discouraged. They weren't the one I hoped for. Lord, guide me. We invited the Jensens for supper. I fixed soup and started the fire in the coop. Then when Denny came home we decided to take the supper over there. Only two of us had to venture out in the cold blustery night ... not the 5 of the Jensens. Pictures are from 2010... 5 years ago.

Thursday

Denny has a meeting in town early in the morning and so I headed to school early. Regular day. That means I spend much of my day asking the Lord to give me wisdom. I tend to build walls and not bridges. (Lord, I need help to do classes. Give me the wisdom I need to teach. Thank you that you said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Call on me and I will answer and show you things that you do not know. Trust in the Lord, with all your heart and lean not to your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.) Independent living fixed chicken Alfredo and steamed veggies. I stayed after school and worked on plans for the next two weeks. I headed to a motorcycle meeting in Schleswig about 6:30. Denny had ordered food for me. It was fun to be with those guys. Peggy had set up game to play after we ate.

Wednesday Nov. 18

Dear Lord, help me as go thru this day. Give me your wisdom and love. Help me know how to build relationships and encourage people. Be with the Awana Parents night. May many parents come and hear the gospel. I ask for wisdom as plans are made for classes tomorrow.   The Awana night went well.  Red hot punch and 3 types of bars for the parents.
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Cut down and moved trees out

Got groceries before school. Red hot punch for Awana parents night. Visited with Mr.M about a student. Lord help me. One student in In. Living made Chinese New years cookies. Set out a couple letters. One para went home sick. I drove student to EBCE. Denny gave me a back rub when he got home from his  haircut. Thank you Jesus for another day.  Pictures  You can't really see all the work we got done on moving trees, but we did a lot last Saturday.

What a gray, cloudy, rainy day

Kinda Gloomy, even in the morning. Nice call from Mandy heading home after work. Now that made my day. After school staff meeting, discussed reward goal for student. Wow I am shot, so tired. We had sausage and squash for supper. I am trying to fix Kale chips. Mandy texted and told us good news about the next NP internship she is doing. Denny went out to the machine shed and is moving some old heavy files out and clearing out the place on a rainy night. Good to get it done. Pictures from November 5 years ago:

Love Sundays that come with naps

Up to work on SS lesson and do one a day, baked cookies, made lunch, We had 9 kids for donuts and reading book. Then Nakas over for lunch. Parents went to Spencer. Denny stopped at Jensens to get family pictures. Pretty fun bunch of kids 5 visitors at SS today, They got stickers :) Happy Anniversary Ben and Becca!! This was written to Ben from Becca on facebook. It's time to reflect on us. Our 16-year story, has included many interesting chapters. Life together is never dull! In 12 years of marriage, we've had 3 beautiful kiddos, 5 FT jobs, 5 PT jobs, 3 Brittany Spaniels plus 30 puppies, 6 horses, 75 meat goats, 1 pig, 1 skink, a couple salamanders, several turtles, a menagerie of cats, vacation in 3 countries, 4 moves from 10-200 miles, grad school, good choices, bad choices, rough times, & blissful times. Most importantly, our story has been blessed to include an abundance of the best things in life, and I mean the things in life that money can't buy, like family, prayers, love, laughter, blessings, & happy moments. These things are where I strive to focus; with God's hand, these are what carry us ever onward & upward. Ben, thank you for your contagious love of life, unceasing support, unwavering love, strong family values, unbelievable forgiveness & tolerance, and such remarkable humor. I've learned I cannot/could not do this thing--called life--without you. Thank you for keeping me afloat!!

At home Tree mendous day!!

Up and on a slow computer.  Fun to think of a day ahead of me and no real plans.   Lord, help me make the most of these 24 hours. We chopped wood, and cut down the mulberry tree behind the bunkhouse. And took down a high wire. So glad Jensen brothers were there to assist putting the ple back in the ground and redoing the wiring. And went to a Play at the high school.

Hurray

It's always good to have a Friday!!! Long day at school yesterday. Today I visited about my 2 medical days. Independent living fixed biscuits donuts and fruit smoothie. They didn't have time to fix eggs. Glad a student stayed to watch a movie about the book we are reading, One student was gone to get a physical. Visited Flex. I picked up a pizza for supper. Homeschool skating tonight. 6:30 - 9. There was a great turn out. Jensen cousins are visiting the Jensens and they all went skating. I went over to Jensens right before the cousins came. Denny stayed home after giving me a ride to town. I rode home with Phillip. Good to have a Friday!!

At school

The 3 teachers met to brainstorm on effective approaches to helping students achieve success. Will rewards time in the gym work? Right at 4 I went to Dose and didn't get anything. I guess seeing the stuff every week gets a little old. But it is still fun to look, but not quite as much fun. I stayed at school until I had class plans for the next two weeks. Then I worked on an IEP, so it was after 8 when I left. That makes a long day. But it feels so good to have a pretty good handle on what's going on. Pictures of the Grainery cabin. Fun Place!!