Hopefully work outside

Up for devo and T25.   Took garbage out.  Hi Ho Hi Ho, then outside I go.  All morning I kept putting it off working outdoors with the flowers.  But finally I did go out and it was a beautiful day.  I put on the wheel for the wheel barrel, wiped out the little blue pool, carried the alstromeria  plants to the deck, planted some eucalyptus in 3 pots,  cut off stems of dahlias, carried dahlias to CSA barn to rinse off, tilled up 2/3 of the flower area south of the coop so it can be planted to grass, and rested quit often.  I worked hard.  Hopefully the flower area will go to grass so I won't have so much work to do next year.  "Good bye" flowers, hopefully "Hello, more time for golf".  Airbnb came about the time I left for Awana.   Only 28 kids there.  Almost as many leaders. Denny face timed with boys about making carpet ball tables over Thanksgiving.  It sounds like a great project to me.

Denny goes out of the house

So yesterday Denny decided to move out of sleeping in the computer room.  He also decided not to take Tramadol (that he has been taking for about a month before his surgery for pain so he could sleep at night).  So during the night he really started feeling badly and couldn't sleep, now that was a great night for him to change beds.  I got fresh water, tylenol pm, and what ever he thought he needed and finally we got to sleep.  In the afternoon he googled withdrawl from Tramadol and yup he had 80% of the symptoms.  Sooooo we will see what tonight brings.  Good to get off the meds!
It was a very slow T25 and devotions before I headed to ogt.  In the afternoon we just hung out.  I should have gone out to work on dahlias, but I didn't.  At 4 we went in to IG and Denny got a shot at the clinic.  He dropped me off at Ranae's and we walked the trail.  At home it was great just to be together.   Phone call from Luke and Missy and This is Us.  Nice day!!!
I went out to feed Keelie and saw these tremendous pretty leaves.  I love the colors of fall.
SO pretty.   AND Rose saw bapa in a book and made the connection and so she called the farmer with the gray goatee and the gray hair in the red hat, "Bapa".  It made Denny's day!!!

Home Sweet home

Up and tried T25.  We'll see.  My filling is loose and so I called and Patrea could fit me in at 2.  I got some Medical stuff for Denny before my appointment.  Almost $400 for a appointment, office call, x ray and white filling.  Uffta!!  At home I went out and dug some dahlia bulbs.  Oh, my that is a lot of work.  Mary Kay and John came over for tacos.  She brought caramel apple pie!!  YUM!!!  It was so good just to sit and visit.  Denny even put on jeans.  First time since the surgery. 

Candidate lunch

Up and devos.  I went out and picked some eucalyptus and put together the last fresh flowers of the season.  I had picked the flowers outside of the youth building at church.   Nice bunch at SS.  It was good to get together and feel sad together.  It was no coincidence that our study covered Psalms 23.  The lunch after church was really good.  At home we napped.  Slow wonderful nonproductive time.
I watched Rocky from 1976.  I had forgotten much about the movie.

Haley CC

I got up at Gails and read in bed.  Good to visit with her before leaving to Maryville at 7:45.  Haley ran at 10.  The race was around 3 40 acre fields.  It is really fun to watch her!!  She got about 30th and the first 15 qualify for State.  I think her time was 24 minutes and something.  After the races we ate at Pizza Ranch.  4 hour drive home.  I went to the pizza feed at church with the pastor candidate.

Jack Day Friday October 26

Made Denny breakfast before I headed north.  Fun Day!!!  Jack and I went to Sanford to meet with IG home schoolers.  We watched a planetarium show and then shared the banana splits sundaes that I had brought.  Next we headed to the grocery before going home.  Jack took a 1 1/2 hour nap and then I held him and he slept another hour.  So sweet to hold a sleeping baby.  I got home and fixed supper of bag salad and fried hamburgers, took a shower and headed to Atlantic where I stayed with Gail and Bruce.
Julie L. lost her battle with cancer last night.  She will be missed.

Home and study

I got up for devotions, but then went back to bed after Denny got up.  When I got up Denny had already made his breakfast.  Ooops.   It was nice out, so I started to dig up gerbera daisys and dahlias.  I sure would like the plants to live beyond the season, I don't know if they will be able to live in Brownsville or in the sun room.  Uffta!!  There were 9 gals at study.  At home we chilled in the sun room and had pizza for supper.   Missy and a friend made duvet covers for 3 blankets for the kids.  These are the Clay county fair exhibit placing sheets.

Awana banana split

I was home until Awana.  When I am gone and return from anyplace it seeems like I have 2 roomfuls of stuff to bring in from the car.  Then the pile of stuff that needs to be put away doubles every 15 minutes.  So this am I made 5 trips to the bunk house, 4 trips to the dumpster, I took things to the machine shed 4 times, 2 trips to the basement, 2 trips to the CSA shed, and got most of stuff put back.  I still need to get the ladder and take a box up in the attic above the garage.  Oh, my, I get out so much stuff.  I do wish the family book would have come today.  Oh, well, something else to look forward to.  I am sure it will come tomorrow when it can't be sent.   Awana went well.  There were   I think we used about 5 pails of ice cream, 5 whipped cream, 5  24 ounce of frozen strawberries, chocolate and caramel sauce, 5 whipped cream and chopped nuts.  I think they were about 25-30 first time guests.  The pastor candidate and his wife are here for the weekend.

This Creed was on Terry's funeral brochure:

Farming nurtures the family ties that make life rich in many ways money cannot buy. 

Farming provides education for life and no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth and maturity in such a variety of ways.  

True happiness come from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience. 

Full day

 Devotions in am, and I was out the door about 7:30 and as I backed out I stopped the car because the red tree in the front yard was so pretty.  I took a quick picture before I headed to OGT.  The souls who work there are such a nice bunch of people who serve the Lord by sorting, folding, and packing clothes into boxes.  I left during 9 am coffee and got some groceries.  Then after OGT to Widow's luncheon.  After I got there I realized I still had to get ingredients for Banana split night tomorrow.   Next back to IG to get bananas.  I took Kennedy and Jillian with me.  Back to church to put away bananas and get flowers ready for parsonage.  At home Denny gave up waiting for me.  We napped and I went to to Terry T. visitation.  Carol has been such a sweetie all the time I have known her.  I would stand with her any place, any time.  These are deep waters that she is going through and my prayers are with her and Morgan, Meghan and Judd.  At home Denny had showered and it is my job to help him put on those blasted support hose.  Uffta!!  I am getting faster.  His fused 90 degree ankle is the toughest.  Matt is working in Minneapolis and read to Rose.  Lucky Uncle!!  Wish it were me.

Happy and Healing at Home

I enjoy the quiet of the morning.  I suppose I should do more like put the noisy dishes away or fold clothes or vacuum the basement, but I would hate to wake the boys up.  :)  Laurie and Alan got here about 10 to pick up/ pack up stuff to send in 2 suitcases overseas.  It was a great day.  After lunch Jack and I went outside and it was so much fun to just follow him around with the camera.  SO CUTE!!  Hard to know which picture to put on my blog.  Mandy and Jason got here around 7 (they had gotten berk shoes from Gail) and took our boy home with them.  We have had so much fun with him.  It has been a blast!!

Golden Fall Carpet

I slept in until 6:30.  It was after 8 when Jack woke up.   The best thing was when Missy called when she was fixing cheese quesadillas for supper.  It is SO good to hear and see her life.  Breakfast after Jack got up.  It was a good time for both guys.  I went to SS late to share Jessica's prayer request and Denny's success and thanks for surgery going well.  Before church there was an informal reception for Harskamps.  Jack and I spent church in the small nursing room.  He played so well with the toys in the room.  After church the youth group served a lunch.  At home playing ... and lunch ... and naps.  I worked on 3 canvas prints to order if okayed by Denny.  Another stinky diaper after nap.  G'pa continued his nap, Jack played in the sun room and  I watched Madam Secretary.
This weekend Jensen's took a trek, one of the places they visited was the Monkey Temple.  Or something like that.
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Best Medicine ... Home ... Own bed ... Jack

Denny slept pretty well last night.  At least as much as you can get after being woken up every 4 hours to take pain pills.  I got the beds made in the airbnb and vacuuming done.  I went into Harskamps auction for the next few hours.  I did not buy anything, (only a hammock out of a box that another gal bought).   So much nice stuff!!!  A lot of people went home with great treasures.  I am not at the place in life to get more stuff, even if it is really cool stuff, but I was so happy to watch all the happenings.  At 3 I met Jan at the Subway parking lot for the handoff.  Poor Jack had to wake up after being a sleep for 20-30 minutes.  That is not a fun time for me either.  BUT a cookie sharing at Subway helped.  We got home to be greeted by friendly animals.  Both parties were happy.  And Jack is great medicine for G'pa.  What a nice boy!!  After a warm bath he went right to sleep, about 15 minutes before his mom called from California.  I/we really had a hard time downloading 2 pictures, but finally Denny figured out how to do it.    I finished the book work.  We ordered books and went to bed.  Hurrah!!!

Headed home

Denny had me look under the chair and find out what type of recliner I slept in last night.  He said he had never in the last 5 years seen me sleep so well.  I stayed asleep while nurses came in and checked and probed and poked.  I didn't even snore too much!  I just thought that it was soft and comfy!!!  He has done the hospital rigamaroll very well: insulin checks, PT, OT, deciding meal choices, shower, bandage changes. What a guy!!!  Before his shower I left and went bought an outfit.  I also ate at Mr. Stirfry before we left.  We decided that we would head home about 4 right after Denny got his pain med.  And so we did.  The new 4 lane was open to Holstein.  We stopped to get pizza on sale, not knowing that 17 orders were ahead of us. (So there was a wait.)  Hurrah, we got home, Denny decided the best bed was to sleep on the Murphy bed with is head facing the opposite way.  He set his alarm for 4 hours from the last time he took pills (the time he can take pain meds again)  I continued to do book work.    

Hip replacement surgery

We did not sleep well last (Wednesday) night, but we are up and moving early this am.  We headed to SC about 6 and checked in at Dakota Dunes.  Now to wait for the 9:30 surgery.  When I met with Dr. Meyer after surgery he said it could not have gone better.  Denny was back in the room about 1.  He had a spinal epidural, so he can't feel his legs.  I just waited in waiting room (and had 2 raised glazed donuts)  Uffta!!! Now I have decided to staying in Denny's hospital room tonight.  The lazy boy recliner really feels comfortable.   I always feel like I am missing out when I leave him alone in the hospital.  :)

Jack Day!!! Hurray!!!

I did a little book work before devos and heading to Cherokee at 6:30.  It was a fun day.  Missy called about 9 am and we three facetimed.  The roofers were pounding a lot.  Now Jack was so busy playing in the living room and kitchen.  I sat at the kitchen bar working on my computer; Jack came in the kitchen and was very quiet.  I thought that was kinda different; when I looked Jack was sleeping on the kitchen floor.  Guess I could have picked him up and taken him to his crib, but instead I just took a warm towel from the dryer and put it over Jack.  He slept for almost an hour and then we went to the grocery store.  When we got back it was a beautiful afternoon and so Jack toddled around in the warm sun and I watched.  I took Jack to Jan's about 4:30 and then headed to Awana.  Denny was really sore and left a little early to get ready for surgery. 

Mandy and Jason are headed to California until Monday to visit with college friends.   The Grandparents get to watch Jack.  Hurrah!!!

OGT and a beautiful day

Denny sleeps the best from 4 to 7 am.   That made the 8 am search committee meeting tough to get up and going.  I went to OGT and bought salad afterwards.  After lunch Denny rested and I went out to work in the yard.  I also tried to start making a photo book from pictures from this summer.  It is great to have a relatively warm sunny day.  I took stuff from the garage to the bunk house.  I pulled up some zinnias and mowed over the snapdragons and basil.  The frost took them out.  Denny read all the info for his surgery.  I love the sun and warm weather. 

Doctor appointment

I am SO thankful to be retired.  But as I sit in the sunroom I wonder how many of my flowers have gotten nipped by the frost.  This am is nice with coffee, a soft warm blanket, the "fireplace" running,  and Denny.  Love it!!!
We headed to IG for pre-op check up.  Then to SC CNOS for blood draw.  Hardee's in Holstein and perscriptions at Shopko and dogfood at Bomgaars.  Home to answer airbnb questions.
Haley wore her glow bracelets in the shape of a pink ribbon for pinkout week at SHS.  The band members used clear tape to put the glow sticks on their t shirts and jeans and duct tape to fasten flashlights on their shoes.  It was a very cool halftime show.

Sunday Return home

Nice am.  I slept in Torren's bedroom; it has a soft comfy bed.  We headed to church about 7:45.  After church and connections we went to eat Mexican.  Great meal, Becky made a good choice of restaurant.  I headed home and on the way stopped in Red Oak.  Two of my ISU friends were at a meet and greet candidate reception.  Last Saturday Maggie, Barb, and I toured the GPB house and took a picture in the second floor bedroom where we stayed.  The roads were pretty snow covered and ice packed from Red Oak to Avoca, but as I drove north from there the road snow/sleet disappeared.  At home I just crawled in bed with Denny to warm up and nap.  Slow night, very comfortable and sleepy.   Jensens are on a hike trip as they have a 2 week break between first and second quarter.  I have finished watching all 6 seasons of Downton Abbey.  Such a task completed...

Full day

Matt headed into St. Jo for a 6-8 am elder meeting.  About 6:30 Becky took Haley to school to catch a bus for the Saturday cross country meet.  I had devotions in my room and then went upstairs. Torren got up around 7 and started working on tightening his helmet in preparation for his game this afternoon.  The cross country course was challanging.  Haley did a great job; she said she took 20 seconds off her time on Monday.   It was slippery and muddy/  From Weston CC meet to Kansas city and shopping for dry socks and jeans, eating at Chick Fillet  and Torren's football game.  It was muddy on the field.  Torren got 2 good tackles.  We had blue apron fixed by Matt for supper, it was really great!!  After Haley got done with her CC meet Becky took her to a marching band contest in Central Missouri.  They got home about 9:30.  They also have a young man from church/ Missouri Western staying with them tonight. 

To Savannah

Up for devotions.  Nice sun room.   I left for Carroll about 8:15 to get the oil changed on the Prius.  I spent the time in New Hope.  Green tagged clothes were 3 for $1.  What a way to kill an hour and get 9 pieces of clothing for $3.  I have no life, but I sure enjoy this life.  Because the bridge is still out south of Atlantic, I took highway 148 south to St. Joe.  I texted Barb C to see if perhaps she was in Corning, but she was in Red Oak.  I had texted Maggie earlier this week and she was busy also.  Denny was pretty tickled when he read Phillip's Practical Farmer magazine and saw this article about Maggie and her husband, Steve ( who he had just visited with this past weekend).   We headed into foot ball game about 6.  Torren was in the tunnel for the football players and Haley played in the band during pregame show and a halftime light show.  It was a chilly night, and the footbball team lost 7 to 43, but the half time and spectators around me were awesome.    We visited at home before heading to bed. 

chilly

Morning in the sun room, wonderful , relaxing ...I went out at 10 to work in the flowers,  picking, rolling up water hoses, putting away hog panel structures, and pulling some weeds.  Denny has a   haircut at noon.  Oksanna called and I am giving her a ride to study.   I picked her up at 1:30.  She got change turned into bills and her fingernail fixed, I looked thru Doses.  We got to study a little late.  After supper we cleaned up after Terry G. finished fixing the basement kitchen ceiling after the water pipe broke.   Uffta!!! What a mess it was when water pipe broke, BUT it could have been so much worse.  After study we went to see Elfreida and pray with her.  I picked a cupful of raspberries at Paulsruds before coming home.  At home Denny was putting his feet up.  After supper we cleaned the basement and watched the 3 episodes of This Is Us that I haven't seen this season.  Pictures" Kara and her girls   Mary Kay and her girls.

Jack Day

I love the mornings in the sunroom.  Denny got up, fixed breakfast and went in to a search committee meeting.  He is really in pain.  He could hardly sit on a folding chair by the computer where I was working.  And walking so slowly thru the house to the jeep.  Lord, may the days go quickly until surgery.  I headed north about the same time Denny left to go to Arthur.  In Cherokee I stopped at the smokey $5 box  store and filled up a box.  Mandy went on the computer after she had been at the hospital and was encouraged.  She left for work about 11:30, working only the afternoon today, because she works Saturday morning.  I had lunch with Jason and Jack.  Jack went down to nap about 1.  Sandy came to visit about 1:30.  So good to talk to her.  She is meeting with a gal from IG who has brought her daughter to Awana.  Lord, guide activities.   Jan and Mary come for a visit about 3:30.  They are heading North tomorrow am.  I drove to Awana  on the newly widened 4 lane highway 20.   At home we chilled and visited in the sunroom. Pictures are of G'mas and the coop car and Bethany and Jacob visiting Japan Nakazawas.