Helena rising/shining stars

Fourth day in a row G'pa fixed  his signature breakfast.  We ate among the lisianthus that came yesterday.  I ran out of flour and used whole wheat flour in coffee cake we took to Jensen's at 7.  I cleaned the bnb.  Ernie is staying another week.  Out in CSA I put the 525 plugs into soil blocks.  Kane played with cats and sang along with some of the pandora songs. so cute.  We left for Savannah at 12:30, stopped in Atlantic to get vanilla, girls cowboy boots and beanie babies.  When we got to Matt's, Torren was there.  Quick soup and then to talent show.  It was fun to watch. Guess who is now taller that her G'ma?  Such a pretty happy girl!   Torren was part of a emcee pair for the student counsel skit and then sang the song by Toby Mac: I will lift Your Banner high til the day I die.  

So proud of him!!  Ice cream and finish soup when we got home.  Great day in Missouri!!!

I'll keep swingin' for the fences
It's like this heart is defenseless
Against the passion that's pumpin' through my veins
Blood, sweat, tears, it's a callin'
And if I can't walk, then I'm crawlin'
It might flicker, but they can't kill the flame

I can't stop
I can't quit
It's in my heart
It's on my lips
I can't stop, no
I can't quit
It's in my heart, yeah
I'm all in

Til the wheels fall off
Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
Til the day I die
Til the day I die
Til the end of the line

Til the day I die

It's Your name I'll glorify

It's runnin' deeper than the ocean
This ain't religion, it's devotion
365, every minute, everyday
So in the middle of the madness
They can stretch me out like canvas
But I ain't ever gonna fit in their frame

I can't stop

I can't quit ,,,,,

Til I die and they put me in the coffin

Don't matter if I'm on the road or if I'm recordin'
Tell me what you think about me, that really ain't important
You know Imma represent um, I ain't playin', can't afford to
I only got one life and I get it though
And this is not an act, not a movie, not a TV show
I don't know what quittin' means, I don't ever take it slow
You know I'm on the grind, me and Toby in the studio
Do it for the King, what you know about that?
Say you goin' harder, mmm I doubt that'
You say you doin' work, but you're asking where the couch at
How you doin' work when you asking where the couch at?
God is not a crutch, you can use Him when you wanna
You only look to heaven when you goin' through some drama
And when they goin' through some problems and that's the only time they call Him
I guess I don't understand that life, wonder why?
Cause' I'm all in
Til the day I die

Til the wheels fall off
Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I'll lay it all on the line
Til the day I die
Til the day I die
Til the end of the line
Til the day I die
It's Your name I'll glorify


That is my desire, Lord, that I may lift your name on High ... until the day I die.
 Devotion 365 ... every moment  ... of every day

Rec

Fun full day.  Denny fixed his great breakfast ... so Kane said he had had the same breakfast for 4 days.  Little does he know his grandpa has the same breakfast of his chosing everyday.  Kane put on his coat and played outside with the cats for about an hour.  He came in to warm up.  Then back out.  Ernie is staying another week at the air bnb.  We made meatballs for supper tonight.  He went back out to play some more.  We went to the rec center from 12:30- 1:45.  He was really wanting to swim and had been playing so nicely by himself the whole visit.  At Bible study they were having pizza and watching a movie.  We went back to the rec center to swim until our tax meeting at 5.  Kane made a great structure.  He said he was the best builder in his class.  Then to the visitation for Bev Winquist.  We took the truck to Odebolt not to get fixed.  At home we ate great meatballs.  

Awana again :)

Great breakfast in the sun room.  Kane ate everything.  I finished emptying our suitcases and washing clothes.  Kane played with a cat while I was making soil cubes for the lisianthus that are arriving this week.  I got about 635 done.  On the way to Cherokee Kane fell asleep.  (This grandkid work is hard work.)  We ate lunch with Cooks, yum!! Mandy was happy to get sweet things from Karen and baby clothes that Denny had picked up for her.  I stopped at the Blooming House.  Lots of pretty plants.  We picked up the Jensens after school.  They played at Jensens while I took a nap.  (This grandma work is hard work.  :)  )  Then to our place to play Candyland, make peanutbutter cookies for youth group, grilled cheese and tomato soup.  During 3rd and 4th girls prayer time, many girls thanked God I was back again.  It was sweet, even if it was kind of a ripple effect. One started and so the following ... followed.
So nice to spend time with Kane.  He is a sweetie.  He likes numbers and math.  (was happy counting soil cubes and trays, and windmills on the way to town.)  Very organized, (always puts dirty dishes in the dish washer, and asked for a "dirty clothes" bag to put the clothes he wore today.)   Like to leave on time and loaded his bag and stuff in the car while I visited with Jenny and Frank.   Loaded stuff for Cherokee in the car, so we could leave sooner.   Liked to play with the cat in the CSA shed.  On his own he started to draw a picture with markers that he had carried out to the CSA shed.
Lovely day in the country.

Home

Got home about 1:30.  Short night, good to be home.  Brooks came over about 6:20, the rest of his family was going to DesMoines for TAG fieldtrip.  I took Brooks to school and then came home to unpack and start some clothes washing.  I made two trays full of about 72 soil blocks each.  I headed to Kingsley about 1.  Great addition to Frank and Jenny's house.   Back to Arthur about 3.  Turned off tunnel hydrant.  Waited for Brooks, then we 3 headed to visit Maryann.  At 4, Soccer practice.  Nice visit with Kristin B. during soccer practice.  After Denny changed his clothes he helped me take the rotten dahlia bulbs out of the root  cellar.  The boys wanted to see the windmills again, so we took them in the pckup.  Quick supper and baths.  Our bnb guy, Ernie, stopped by to introduce himself.  We took kids to Jensens.  They were ready for a quiet time, oops sorry.  Nice visit and catch up on their day before heading home.  Mandy called and was tickled to meet MeKenzie for supper tonight and then to Milford to pickup a couple bags of baby clothes that she bought on an online trading post.

Great day in the country.  Love the video and picture Luke sent.  Rose looks like she is growing so big.

I just added up and since March 15 we had 59 visitors to the deck.  Cru-22, Pool-9, After church-7, Iowa people-4, Pantry-7 and Pickle ball-10.  Such fun!!!!! 

Pickle ball

Up and took unraised cinnamon rolls to the Pantry.  It was breezeless, warm, and humid when we played pickle ball.  My glasses fogged over; it was that humid.   I invited pb players to our place at 11 for lunch of food that had to be used.  I made a big salad and sent home the rest of the salad and partial filled bottles of dressing.  Tom and Luann, Sandy and Roger, Don and Wilma, Julie and Randy, Les, Lois, Nice bunch of people.  Said out goodbyes to Gloria and Joan.  Lois gave us a ride to airport.  Airplane trip home was uneventful,  Landed in Omaha about 10:45, Late night getting home after quick Walmart stop for milk, bananas, and eggs.  Wonderful days in the Valley!!!   So thankful for the warm weather and memories.  

It's really a Sunday ..........

To go with all the past 6 Saturdays.  Hurrah for the Valley!!  Nice slow am.  I got a call from Matt and arranged for Kane to come to NW Iowa with Hirschmans and then to IG, and then meet later in the week to make the Grand exchange.   Coffee and breakfast.  Church at 10:45.  We drove to 77 Flea market after church.  Denny said he was okay with following me and then was amazed how fast I made it down the rows of vendors.  Really, my sandals were starting to give me a blister and I knew I needed to get home to take them off.  I got me 3 favorite produce: avocados, pineapple and jicama.  Then home to finish putting the rest of the stain on the deck.  Uffta!!  Note to self, make sure stain is stirred well before applying.  The bottom half of the can was a different color and glossiness.  I am okay with splotchy.   By the time I get back down here next season it will probably be all worn off anyway.  Denny napped,  I killed time looking on facebook.

Real Saturday in the Park

Breakfast on the deck and then pickle ball at 8:30.  I stopped for coffee at Gloria's and called the sisters.  Denny came back to email Ernie who is staying for a week at bnb.   Made plans to go to Taste of Texas at the historic Laureles Ranch house museum by the farmer's market.  We went to the pool for a couple hours, then got cleaned up and headed to Old town Brownsville.
Note from Denny:

As you look at Mom's blog, I would like to explain the picture...we met a very nice immigrant couple at the Taste of Texas, a Palestinian Catholic husband and a Palestinian Greek Orthodox wife.  

We enjoyed our visit immensely.  We spent most of the evening with them along with a Shrimp boat operator and their family..8 shrimp boats 

,

To SPI

 After devotions and a cup of coffee I started staining the back steps,  Then the deck floor.  We got a bnb reservation request for next week.   We left for the beach about 11, parked at Harbor Access, and walked south toward the jettys.  Walked about 4 miles just enjoying the beach.  Then we drove to Palm Cafe on the beach.  Back home about 5:20.  Then I stopped in the 3 sister's get together at 401.  Lots of ladies were there.  A little after 6 Wayne, Kay, Wendy and Brian picked us up to go dancing at Fun n Sun.  Denny and I laughed and lot and danced alot.  Home by 10:30.  Great Saturday in the park.  Denny's new term for time in Brownsville.
Luke sent text picture with Rose happy in the morning between her parents.

Facebook from Cassity:
It was so nice to get the chance to spend Sunday celebrating my Grandma Mary’s 90th birthday; thank you Nancy Youngren for organizing the event. I have so many fond memories of time with my grandma growing up….gardening, couponing, exploring outside, climbing trees, going to her hair appointments at Norma’s, playing dress-up with her old nursing uniforms, taking care of great-grandma DeDe, taking runs/walks down the gravel road while she would bike behind us, and wading in the stream full of leeches . When she would pick us up from school or come to our sporting events, she always had a cooler full of drinks and snacks (even if we were just a mile from home). She would tell us in the Winter: “Go outside and play; pretty soon it’s going to be too warm and you’ll want to be inside.” and then in the Summer she’d say: “Go outside and play; pretty soon it’s going to be too cold and you’ll want to be inside.” She is one of the kindest persons I know, a prayer warrior, and can carry on a conversation with anyone. What a blessing she has been in my life.

Pantry

I went to Pantry early before Denny got up.  At 8:30 I came home to change into tennies.  We went to play pickle ball.  At home I made good and Denny cleaned.  At 1:30 we went to the pantry.  40 came to get food.  Denny gave out potatoes, watermelon and tomatoes.  I invited 7 workers to supper on the deck at 5:15. De, Glen, Shelly, Janet, Nick, Hilda, and Arnie.   I made pulled pork sandwiches, Ramen noodle salad, cuke salad, brownies, whipped cream, and garlic shrimp  with rice.  So good to use up some great food in the freezer.  So good to visit out on the windy deck.  Chilled and watched tv.

Progresso

Man, Why is my robe pulled high around my neck?  It is 70 degrees outside for breakfast.  We moved slowly and headed to Mexico about by 11.  We walked the streets and ate in a second floor restaurant.  We swam after getting back.  Denny rode 8 miles on the bike around that park and I went to a thrift store and got him 3 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts.  At night I went and played pool,  Denny found a movie to watch when I got home.  Love these Saturdays in Texas.  

Worked outside

Lazy am.  In bed until after 9.  Coffee and breakfast on the deck.   Then Denny started to trim branches on trees by the deck.  I hauled them out to the road for Tao to pick up.  Denny also dug a trench for the extension cord that goes from the pole, past our deck, to Henderson's trailer.  We chilled out on the dock.  Then started trying to put the bike rack on Nancy's car.  Note to self.  This was not a fun project.   We stopped because of lack of success.  We both showered and took a nap.  I went out in the sun and read for an hour.  When I came in Denny was doing book work on the computer. Still no bike rack on the car, ... but I found another you tube that might help us.  Hope Springs Eternal.  Nope, didn't get it on.  We biked 5 miles in the park, walked to CVS to get coffee for tomorrow, and then watched a movie on the computer on the deck.  Another great day in the valley.

Lunch with Iowa and LV people

I woke up to add to the blog.  Stopped at Pantry before going home to fix lunch for 6.  Happy that Dale, Mary, Genevieve and Rick could make it.  I made onion dill buns, and added to the cukes, ramen noodle, cookies, and sliced meat sandwiches.  After 3 when they left Denny  worked on the computer, emailing and signing up on line.  I went to the pantry, no new bags had come in.   So fun, Luke sent us a tape of Rose's first roll over.  Pot luck at 6, then we rode 5.5 miles on our bikes.  Love the days in the Valley with Denny.  Everyday is a Saturday.

Lunch after church

Nice am.  I set table on the deck.  We went to church Christ Church of the Valley at 10:30.  About 1, 7 came for lunch.  I fixed food that helped me clean out the refrigerator.  Meat balls, party potatoes, ramen noodle salad, melon and cookies left from Cru meal, cucumber and onions, and Kay brought pumpkin bars.  Nice to sit on the deck and visit.  Denny and I watched Autum Rush before biking 4 miles,  Next hot tub and guacamole on the deck.  Another  perfect day in the Valley.

Downtown BV

Nice to wake up with Denny here.  Coffee and donuts at 9.  This is the last time for the season as many are headed north.  We played pickle ball before heading to the farmer's market.  From there we headed to get a hamburger at Rutledge's on Washington and 12th.  In the first picture notice the red doors and how they are between 2 taller buildings.  This establishment started in 1922.  Yes, it is a small place between 2 buildings.  Maybe 6-8 feet wide.  :)  We ordered 2 $3 hamburgers.  You could smell the wonderful greasy burgers frying in the back.  Then to Elizabeth street where we headed the wrong direction, but finally retraced our steps and I bought another 2 pair of $9 sandals.  So happy to go to the HEB down there and get a few groceries I needed for Sunday meal.  At home Denny stayed at the trailer, I went to the pantry to sort thru some bags.  We walked to C&C about 7:30 and watched the first half of the ISU game.  :(  Then back to the park.  Another great day in the Valley!!!

Happy St. Pat's

Coffee on the deck !!! Wonderful!!!  We spent most of the day just hanging out in the trailer.  We walked to CVS and the dollar stores.  It is about a mile to get there.  At 5 we headed to the St. Pat meal.  Shepard's pie, garlic bread, and pistachio dessert.  Carlos sang for the dance following.   We bought Frank's bike from Joan and Denny rode it up to the meal.  Another great day in the Valley.

Denny's here!!! The Cru

Denny's airplane got to Brownsville at midnight.  So good to be with him.  We enjoyed the deck and had guacamole in the 72 degree weather.  I played pool with Joan until 8 pm.  At 5:15 ... 22 ISU students in Cru came to our place.  I served PH pizza, watermelon, a jug of Pepsi, Mt. Dew, water, and a tray of cookies.  They came right from the Island and left by 6 to shower before their next gig.  One car load stayed and wiped off the tables/chairs and took them down and put back in the house.  I helped in the Pantry from 1:30-4 when I went to get the pizza.  At noon I swam laps for 45 minutes and read a book in the hot tub for about 15 minutes.  (That's how long the timer on the airjets operate.)  I stopped for coffee at Gloria's and cut up watermelon for the Cru.  The pantry had gotten 1400 pounds of watermelon and De said it would be okay if I took 2 watermelons for the kids.  She also gave me a tray of cookies, (a pantry donation from Sam's).  In the am I set tables and chairs out on the deck.  Nice phone call from Mandy.