Spencer, then Cherokee

Up and devotions.  Looks like a great day!!  I left for Spencer about 10 and then decided to go to Doses first and get a roll of brown material.  I got to Sioux Rapids at 11:30.  So good to talk to Becca and see the kids.  I took some flowers for Becca, bars for kids, and pesto for parents to share.  Ben got a job at Cresco and starts on Wednesday.  I headed to Spencer and enrolled our 12 pictures in the fair.  I tried to find a cheap photo enlarger for 2 pictures to enlarge to 8x10.  No luck, so no more fair exhibit entries.  I bought a sweater to perhaps take on my bus trip.  I stopped at HyVee before heading to Cooks.  We grilled Denny's pork loin for supper and played rummikub before heading to bed.  Best part of the day was hearing from the family in a group phone call.  Matt was home with kids waiting for Becky to get home.  Jensens were home before Phillip headed to the 2+ hour church service.  We are at Cherokee and Luke's were in Milwaukee on their way to a Chicago.  Milwaukee was filled with HD people and so Lukes family got an "off the grid" airbnb (a tent in a yard).  Interesting.

IG FM

Up and devotions.  I started onion dill buns and headed to IG.  I stopped and got some tomatoes from Mary.  At DosesI got some camo glasses for the fair.  At home I baked brownies, coffee cake, peanut butter bars and 2 batches of buns.  Quick nap before study at 1:30.  Susan, Rita, Laura, Teresa, Jenn, Mary Kay, Sharon, Oxianna.  At the farmer's market they were celebrating Seniors.  They had free ice cream and took pictures of seniors.  I had flowers for them to take home.  Sold 4 flowers, 2 buns, a few bars and pesto and pico.  At home Denny had been cleaning the Jeep and kept polishing it when I got home.  We chilled for a while, me in the hammock and Denny in the lawn chair, before watching Heart Land and going to bed.

Flowers I made for Melanie for Resource room gals' first day of school.

Coffee with friends

Up and devotions.  I headed to pick up Julie and go to Mary Kay's for coffee.  It was good to visit.  At home I went to picking flowers, weeding and putting them in bunches.  Denny got the wiring redone on the trailer and was really happy about that.  BUT he lost the gas cap on the bobcat.  He was also happy about chopping down all the overgrown sunflowers.  I was happy about putting together 9 bunches and about 32 -3 flower bunches for seniors that come to the FM.  Nice night just watching Heartland.  Jensens got new wheels.

Doctor Appointment

Up for devotions before heading to OG Train.  I am inviting the group for a noon picnic next Tuesday after volunteering in IG in am.  Denny picked me up around 9:15 and we headed to a SC Dr. appointment with Dr. Bissel to check on Denny's hurting knee and hip.  The knee looks pretty good, but Yes, there is arthritis in hip.  Cortisone shot or surgery.  We are meeting with Dr. Meyer to talk about it.  (Actually, I just think Denny likes the attention and the meals that we get from the church.)  We went back to IG to get blood work done to make sure it is not an infection causing the pain.h  Shopped at Bomgaars and Foodpride, then off to Ft Dodge to look at a truck.  Nice truck, more that what we need and more  money that we were hoping.  BUT I did get 2 wonderful meals out of todays ventures.  In FD we ate at the Mineral City mill and grill.  Really good food. 

Denny wrote this update for kids on Dr. appointment. 

So today I had an appointment with my knee surgeon in Sioux City/CNOS.  I made the appointment because I have been having trouble with my second knee replacement on my left knee.  It has been painful, stiff, and feeling like it might give out/fail like the first knee replacement did.  Sometimes it is a little tricky walking.  I have not been able to sleep through the night due to the ache and pain.  Dr. Bissell manually and physically evaluated the knee replacement and believes it is okay.  I also had x-rays taken of the knee today which he thought looked normal also.  However, the original x-rays were at Horn Memorial in Ida Grove to which he wanted to compare.  During the time we were in Sioux City they had not arrived after his request.  We have a follow up in 2 weeks at his clinic in Ida Grove.  The other thought Dr. Bissell had and another of my fears was that there is some infection in the replacement knee area.  I do not recall having any symptoms regarding the infection but always know this is a possibility i.e. I always take a prescribed antibiotic prior to dental appointment and cleaning to avoid any bacteria settling into the prosthetic area.  Therefore, had blood draws today to determine if there actually is some infection.  

The other part of the story is that I have also been having pain in my left hip which also has been making it difficult to get around and sleep.  So, I describe these factors to Dr. Bissell and he promptly sent me back to x-ray for the hip views.  Here is the problem he said your hip’s arthritis is close to bone on bone/wore out.  Here are your options, 1. Do nothing, 2. Cortisone shot (temporary relief and no replacement for 3 months after the shot). 3. Have a hip replacement.   I opted for immediate relief with the hip replacement as I did with the back surgery.  Dr. Bissell does not do hip replacements but my back surgeon, Dr. Meyer does.  I am trying to get into see Dr. Meyer for a consultation as he has a clinic in Ida Grove also and is also a Doctor/Owner of CNOS.  There is also a possibility the two problems, knee and hip, might some how be related because there is a nerve that goes from the hip to the knee.   RAGBRAI may have been(probably) “the straw that broke the camel’s back” so to speak as far as the hip goes.  

Cute picture of a fisherman:

Home Getting ready for the fair

Up and at home.  Just around and at home.  The airbnb'ers left about 11 and we started to clean.  Around noon I headed to IG Selections.  I enlarged 16 - 5x7 prints and bought the spray glue and foam board to mount the pictures.  Denny finished on the basement and started to install the "Nest".  It is working ... and I got the photo exhibits ready to enter on Friday.  AND Mandy called just when we were done.  Nice visit, they are on their way home from the boundary waters.  From there Denny cleaned the pickup more (he's dreaming of upgrading) , I started mowing, and Denny joined me to finish mowing.  I planted the 2 hot rod switch grass that I got in Carroll at Earl May.  We chilled out by the fire pit before heading inside.  We got a lot done today.  BUT I have realized now that we are retired .... it is hard to remember, "What day IS this????"  'cause everyday is like Saturday.  Did you know ... I love it!!!!

Let me know if you think you see any blue ribbon photos in these pictures!!!!!

First tackle football game for Torren

Nice relaxed am.  I went to church early for prayer time.  After church I got a few groceries.  Denny cleaned the pickup in the afternoon and went to 5 pm search committee meeting.  I made 5 batches of hamballs for the freezer for Awana training.  Nice visit with Sanjai and Reena on the deck.  They check out tomorrow am.  We put pictures on a drive to take to IG yesterday. It looks like Torren had a great football game this weekend. 

Trimming trees

It is always a great day when I get to talk to my kids AND today I face-timed with Missy and family.  So good to hear about school days for Evan and how he loves creative writing and  how he has an assignment to write a factual report.  Brooks told about church this morning.  Quite long and ALL in a different language and about their shopping trip.  Denny showed them the CSA area he seeded with grass.  Denny trimmed a lot of trees, we had lunch, a nap, and then made food to go to SS get-together at Brian and Mary's home.  Very nice time.  Great food. Fun hay wagon ride.  Reese said to me,"It's easy to pray for Missy and Phillip, when  go to bed I pray that they will have a good day.  When I wake up I pray that they will have a good night's sleep."  Lord, thank you for those encouraging words and the knowledge that friends are praying.   Always a good day ....

Fun to have no plans for the day

Up for devotions.  Looking forward to today, 'cause we have nothing planned.  And as the day comes to a close, that is about what I did ... nothing.  After watching some you tubes on flavoring kumbacha and having 2 gallons (which have been in stage one fermentation since Aug. 4) sitting in the purple room closet, I mixed up 4 pint canning jars with blueberry/mango, strawberry, and cucumber dill.  Hope they don't explode in broom closet.  Next fun (NOT) task was trying on clothes and sending 2 good sized piles to Grain train Tuesday.  Denny's knee/hip continues to bother him.  Of course, as we sit on the deck and do nothing and eat supper, he says it doesn't hurt.  He got the chainsaws running.  Now that was a job!  'Planning to do more trimming tomorrow now that tools are working.  At 3 he had a haircut and we headed to IG and Arthur.  I got ingredients for curry chickpea, but it didn't seem as good as Phillip's.  Nice supper on the deck.  The airbnbers used the soccer field.  Fun!!

IG FM

I started some dill buns and texted Melanie and told her the flowers were ready.  She decided to have me bring them this afternoon.   The gray day looks calm and slow moving, but I kept busy all day.  1:30- 3:30 gals came for study: Rita T., Mary Kay, Susan, Teresa, Oxanna, Sharon, Jenn, Laura, and me.  Rita brought gift for all because they are moving and she knew she was going to miss us.  So sweet!!!  Denny made 10 pounds of pico degallo and all of it sold at FM, all 12 peanut butter bars sold, 10 brownies sold, 7 pesto sold, 7 flowers sold and I delivered 12 flowers to resource room for Melanie at 3:45, 3 out of 4 onion dill buns sold, AND when I got home Denny was fixing a great supper of grilled pork loin steaks, sliced tomatoes that he had left sugar bowl out for me to put on tomatoes, and creamy cukes that he had looked up a recipe on line in order to make.  WOW!  What a guy!  Wonderful meal out on the north deck out of the wind.    While I was at FM Denny mowed our place and CCF.

Jack Day

Headed north about 6:30.   Jack had fallen and bumped his head right before I got there.  We played out (rocked) in garage/front of house until naptime about 10.  Jack woke up about 11:20 and Jason came home for an early lunch and packing.  We headed in to town for a 5 mile stroller nap/walk.   Jason took the stroller into the office and we walked from there.  Fareway, downtown, New leaf, back to Fareway to buy a forgotten item AND ice cream at the Pharmacy.  Melanie called to order 11 bunches for flowers for resource room.  :)  It was such a fun slow moving day.  I love just sitting and watching Jack toddle around and explore and slowly do hard things (like go up and down small steps).   At home we picked off basil leaves while we visited on the deck.  Denny made pesto while I got flowers for the resource room.

Home school picnic

Up with the birds (that's the sound of my alarm at 6 am) and heading to Orphan Grain Train.  Orville turned 101  on a Tuesday.  I invited them to my house for a picnic Tuesday Sept. 4 after working in IG.  Should be fun.  Denny's knee is really hurting him, if he uses it.  Lord, give the doctor wisdom.  I can hardly wait for appointment on Tuesday.   I worked all afternoon on getting ready for HS.  Moved tables around, put on table clothes, pick flowers, and finally pulled weeds in lily row.  They were huge!!!!   Wendy L. gave me this picture of flowers I put together for Maryann and she delivered.  Nice bunch of families here for picnic.  Lovely weather for meeting.  It went well, but did miss you, Susan.  :)

Early haircut

I did not sleep in.  I made it to my 8 am haircut and set up an appointment for a perm in 3 weeks.  From there I headed to Carroll and bought Hot Rod Switch grass like I saw at Spirit Lake.  I also got some jingle bells and spray snow at New Hope.  I got 50 2 cup containers and 50 one cup.  At home we cleaned the garage and house in preparation for Home School pot luck.  Denny's knee has been hurting him and so he made an appointment with Ben Bissel next Tuesday to look at his knee that has had 2 surgeries already.  The airbnb is ready,  and I cleaned the upstairs refrigerator.  We facetimed as Jensens walked to catch the school bus.  Boys left facetime vidos about leggo bounty that E&B made.  Missy sent a picture and we got  glimpse of a day in the life in SE Asia.

Let the rain come

I didn't sleep the greatest last night, l was awake and in bed, tho.  Airbnb left, I rototilled around flower beds before SS.  I had taken flowers for Bailey's shower to church yesterday.   Lots to talk to after church.  Susan and Gordon took us out for lunch at Zimmies.  Good talking and good food.  Shower was from 2-4.  At home Denny spread feed,weed,fert,seed so it is ready for rain to make it all work.   Washed and made beds.  Watched the rain from the deck.  Evan wanted to send me the picture of the plant nursery on their way home from school.  I told him I can hardly wait til I can come and see it.  We saw a car like theirs in Zimmies parking lot, and we had to go check it out.  DARN, not Jensens.  Rose did sidewalk painting today.  

45 years ... Thank you , Jesus!

Another great day ... Well, at least we got a lot done.  I was so tired from pulling weeds I fell asleep at 8:40.   In the am Denny tilled the row area south of asparagus.  I went in to town to take Laura and Beth to Dose, but the lattice she was thinking of using for her wedding was sold.  We ate guacamole for lunch, kept working, cut down volunteer sunflowers, and I started to weed the lily row.  Now that looked insurmountable, so I took a shower and went with Denny to get rye grass seed and another bag of weed, feed, seed, and a spreader at Bomgaars.  When we got home he worked on that area.  We had wonderful steaks and spinach salad for supper.  SO good, thanks Bill for showing us how to grill.:)  According to tradition, we looked at wedding album pictures (only this time it was not at the restaurant, it was by fire pit).  Love that guy!!!!

At home

Wonderful day !!! I had a dermatology appointment with Crystal at 10.   Everything is ok; Next appointment in April.  I took flowers in to her and she (and all the staff) loved them.  Dose before. Groceries after.  Denny met Ken and gave him some Awana materials that we are not using any more.  In the late afternoon we made pesto and refrigerator dill pickles.  I put 4 square glass vases together for Bailey's shower.  Beautiful day with no real plans, but to be home.  I did call and make an appointment for car estimate. 

IG FM

Full full, day!!! I can't believe  I didn't wake until 7:30 AND I had a hair cur scheduled for 7:30!! Uffta!!!  I don't ever sleep that late, so I had to call and apologize and reschedule for Monday.  I can't believe it!!!    Plan B on day's activities.  Started onion dill buns, picked flowers and make into 16 batches, didn't have right ingredients for baking more food.  Sharon, bless her heart, bought them for me at Wall Lake grocery store and brought then during study, so I baked brownies and coffee cake.  Pretty good night at FM.  All 4 of Denny's pico sold out in 15 minutes.  I brought food from FM home for supper.  Nice night kinda going thru FM $ records. Pictures of girl Johnson cousins, Hirshman 2 cousins, Jensens on second week of school, Mo Jo at first day of school.

Jack Day Hurray!!!

I love to wake and read and or look at my phone in bed, so being at Cook's gives me that opportunity.  I headed upstairs at 7:30.  They left about 8 and Jack woke at 8:30.  I got a kick out of watching Jack toddle around.  Sandy O. came for a visit and we visited out on the patio while Jack toddled around outside.  Jack loved the swing.  Sandy thought the patio was wonderful.  Naptime at 11:30-2:30.  Mandy got off work at noon, but went to Jason's office and did paperwork.  I headed for home after 4.  Denny had gotten the fertilizer spreader going and done some of the yard.  I should have started harvesting flowers, but we just sat and visited.  We got the estimate for our patio paving, more that what we had hoped for, but I think we will go ahead with the project. 

Good bye to the Lake

Up and devo and walked 4 along the street.   I really enjoy looking at all the houses, cabins, and landscape.  It was a full day.  I went back to bed for a time after walking.  We packed our things and straightened; as Dnny vacuumed I went down the street and picked up a table at the end of a driveway that said "Free".  Such a deal.  McDonalds for breakfast.  Home just in time to drive to IG for my dentist appointment.  I had a sensitive tooth, (not even sure which one it was), they checked it out and put some floride "varnish" on it to protect it from temperature issues.  Quick stop at the grocery store before heading home.  I didn't bake bars for the FM because I had some in the freezer.  Out to pick flowers and put them in 15 bunches.   1:30-4.  Off to Holstein and only sold 4 flowers and 2 pesto.  I headed north for a Jack Day tomorrow.  Mandy was at the golf course, so I went to meet her there.  It just happened that they were having a ladies night with venders , like Tupperware and 31, at the CC.  The gal in charge said I could sell flowers; I ended up selling 9 more bunches and 3 pesto.  Made my day not carrying flowers in to Jason and Mandy's home for overnight storage.  The bedroom in their basement is so cozy for me to sleep in. 

One day at the Lake

Up for devo and walked 4 miles.  Denny was up having coffee when I got back.  He worked on Awana and I listened to you tube flower talks.  We drove to breakfast at Rabab's.  Great breakfast that we can make at Brownsville.  Breakfast bowl: spinach leaves, roasted sweet potato chunks, cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs with a drizzle of chipolata sauce.  YUM! plus avocado toast with white cheddar cheese, sliced avocados, basil oil over a few red chili seeds.  In the afternoon we continued more of the morning.  We went for an 8 mile bike ride to the Okobogi Store and had a cold drink and deep fat fried Wisconsin cheese curds.  Then we biked back.  Kinda neat ... There is an Eggspuehler sign about a half a mile from where we are staying and I stopped to visit with Jack.  Jill and Jenny had gone to IG to get info at the court house.  We are sitting in the cabin watching the sun set over the lake and waiting to make a call to Jensens before the kids leave for school.  Hurrah!! All four of our kids talked on What'sApp.   Matt is in Minneapolis for work and so he and Luke called together.   (Missy's eye looks ... well, you notice it.  She said she hates it because everyone is looking at them already being Americans ... and there is a lot of domestic abuse ... oh, ya, that, too.)  Time will heal all.   We drove for supper, but all were closed so we ate salad at the cabin.

Cabin on Spirit Lake

Kim and Curtis offered their rental cabin at Spirit Lake and so we took them up on the offer.   After church we came home, ate, made bnb beds, changed tires on Denny's bike, put bikes on truck, made a batch of refrigerator pickles, made a batch of pico de gallo, vacuumed bnb, fed dog, and headed north after doing our "stuff".  We got there about 6:30.  Nice place to stay, pretty sunset view of lake from house.  Nice to be together in another setting, God is good.  

The bnb'ers survived the gruesome 50 mile run on the slippery, hot, hilly trails of Moorehead Park.  Amazing!   No, thank you, I am not interested.  No, Really, I am not interested...  No, no, thank you.  

Little house on the Prairie Whole leaves

I got up at 2:30 and took a benadryl.  Wow!! slept until 9.  That is unheard of.  I woke up and Denny, Bill and Kathy were having coffee on the deck.  Perhaps this was not the best night to take benadryl.  Uffta!!   So nice to visit.  After a while Kathy and I went to pick flowers, the guys made breakfast.  It was another amazing meal!  Tiefentaler bacon ... done on the grill using the cookie sheet and grease draining rack.  Plus cheesey eggs, and rebrowned potatoes from last night.  SO Good.  We picked cukes and put flowers together in the CSA barn.  They left about 1 with their "little house".  Denny went out to mow the soccer field, and till the area he going to plant grass seed.  I finished the flowers for church, kinda cleaned the CSA, did laundry,  and continued to straighten the house.  The  (leftover) steak I had for supper was SO good.  (Thanks Bill for grilling it so well.)  Pray for Missy and Phillip as they get furniture and appliances for the home they are renting.   I finished the book from Mary Kay and thought I would take a picture of the book and send to MK.

Real friends at home

Up for devotions.  Left for home a little after 7.   When we got home it was great to see our friends, the Reals.  I started on getting the flowers for Mary Kay.   She picked them up about 3:30, the same time the bnbers got here.  The 3 bnbers are running the 50 mile run at Moorehead tomorrow.  Uffta!!   We stopped and got keys from Kim on our way into IG.   We drove around and showed Bill and Kathy the sights in IG before we visited Old Town.   When we got home Bill grilled rib-eye steaks for supper.  An amazing meal!  Before heading to bed we chilled in the coop.

Oh, yes, my daughter got a black eye playing a 5 man "indoor soccer game on a basketball court".