Laura’s shower

Up at 5.  Wow!!  That's the second day in a row that Denny is out of his comfort zone and up a moving early. We left about 6:15 and got to Blair in a couple hours.  We had a sister call at 8 and visited in Kim and Gary's driveway.  Kim planned a great wedding shower for Laura and Graham.  It was great to talk with their 3 boys and Laura's mom, Paula.  I brought 4 arrangements and onion-dill buns and cream cheese pastry.  Kim had 3 fun games that we did using the tv as a screen.  There were 12 of us around the table.   The guys headed to town and ate at a diner.   Denny always loves breakfast.  We got home around 4 and just sat and visited and rocked in the living room.  Lovely day.

Bomgaars Black

Wow, we went to bed early last night.  And I was awake every hour.  8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm and then I got up and took a Tylenol pm and read my one a day.   Then at 6 when I woke up, Denny was ready to head to Bomgaars.  Breakfast eaten and coffee made.  Yes, we did get a lot of stuff.  including 4 bags of dog food for when we head to Texas and Henderson watch Keelie.  From there we headed to Denison Bomgaars and Walmart.   At home I made pastry.  Hopefully it will taste good.  We went to Galva and got 12 bales of straw to use as insulation for Keelie this winter.   At home I finished the centerpieces for Laura's shower.  I am looking forward to the party and Denny said he would drive me there.

Happy Thanksgiving

Great day!!!  We had a family phone call at 9.  So good to hear from / see our children.  The smoke alarm was going off at the airbnb that Johnson and Goldsmiths were staying, so Rose covered her ears.  I heated the potatoes in the crockpot, but it took too long and so I put them in the oven, also.  We left for Kingsley about 10:30.  Jenny and Frank had a great meal and fun family there.  So nice of them to have us join them.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Thank you Jesus!  We got home about 5:30 and went to bed.

Clean the Airbnb

Wonderful morning.  I made ribbons for the centerpieces, hope they can be used on Saturday.  Denny started cleaning the floors of the airbnb.  I cleaned the refrigerator and stove.  Now to decide what to do tonight.  Will we go to Cherokee and spend the night? and then go to Kingsley in the am??  Nope, we were still cold and so we just went to bed.  Another lively day on the farm with D&F.

OGT and snow

I got up for AM mix and then went on the elliptical for about an hour before going to OGT.  Denny had coffee ready early before he headed out to disc for Larsons.   He was working north of IG and I went and got him before his 12:30 haircut.  I took him back out to drive tractor and I went back to IG to do a few errands.  I applied and paid for my permit to carry, picked some greenery and ribbons for centerpieces and got sliced almonds for a shower pastry.  I started 4 centerpieces.  Denny got home about 7.  Cute picture of Laurie J. and 3 boys.  Amazing baby ...

Amazing miracle for Marshalls:

checked ticket price ... more

Slow start.  Gotta love time/coffee with Denny.  Nothing going on.  In the afternoon we went to Lynn's and Denny  chain sawed trees and I Tordoned them.   Then we did the same on the trees across the road in the feed lot.  SO GOOD.  Checked on different flights, but not good enough to switch flights.  Some are 10 hours longer.  Uffta!!  We chilled after getting done cutting down the trees.  I didn't go to watch the Mo. Johnsons because of forecasted poor weather.

                                                              
     

Thankful ingathering

We got up and went to SS and church.   I the afternoon I ordered a ticket to N.    Lynn S. and Denny helped me choose a ticket.  At 6 our church and the in gathering.  It is always great food.   The sharing thankfulness about life during the service is always encouraging.
picture from Tyler's baptism.

Home ...

I got up for sisters' phone call.  Then we had a family phone call.  Such a nice way to start a Saturday.    I took 30 bags into IG from SOS to OGT.   I stopped at the Doses GS, got groceries, and went home.  It was a nice slow day.  I and 20 pounds of potatoes into party potatoes and 2 batches of Cavatini.  Denny and I watched 4 Dolly Pardon episodes.  Matt got the Swing from Kane's birthday hung up for the third time.  Kim wanted a picture of me with our dog, Keelie for a bridal shower for Graham and Laura.

Home

Best news ... made it ... 10% weight loss ... with shaving legs, trimming toenails, and not putting mascara on my eyes.  Celebrated with guacamole.  Lazy do nothing day, but listen to the OABCIG football game at 1.

And here I though it would have something to do with Denny's hearing aids.  

How sweet!!

JT Day

I headed into the rec center and did 20 mins ono the elliptical before the AM mix class.  Then I went to swim for 1 hour and headed home to shower before going with Denny to Cherokee.  Tyler had a temp last night and can't go to daycare within 24 hours of a temp.  It was a pleasure for Denny and me to spend the day with the boys.  What nice boys they are.  We all took naps from 1-3:30.  Holding a sleeping baby who feels under the weather is the sweetest thing.  Funniest thing was when we came in the front door, I saw Jack across the room.  I usually kneel down to intercept the fast moving hug that is coming when the Grands don't know their speed and strength.  WELL,  sure enough Jack did come running and ran right past me to Grandpa.  So funny,  I guess I know how I rank.  :)  BUT on the way home my sweetie husband let me stop at the REC center while he got some groceries and shopped.   Bless his heart.  I went on the elliptical 1 hour, Matt called and we visited another 10 minutes, then I went to the sauna for 15 minutes.  So good to sweat ... and the weigh-in for the 7 week challenge is tomorrow.  We watched Hallmark, "When Calls the Heart."  Wonderful day!!

Awana parent's night

Slow am.   I baked pumpkin bars for Awana tonight.  At 1 I went into the OGT and helped Schleswig gals who wee volunteering.  Then I headed to Paxton Jewelry with the lost diamond from my ring that Denny found.  Hurrah!!  Quick stop at SOS where the filled the Prius up with about 30 bags for OGT.  I met Denny at the church with pumpkin bars, cider, and red hot punch.  There were about 245 people at the parent guest night, including the groups in the youth building.  Nice turnout.  We were home by 8:30 and I sorted bags from SOS.  Denny and I watched went to bed and I stayed up and finished the task.  Mandy called and we are going to Cherokee tomorrow.  YEA!!

I loved our barn growing up.  

Happy Birthday Haley!!!

Sweet sixteen.   Love you so much, Haley!!  May God richly bless you this year and every day of your life!!!

   

I didn't set my alarm, but I woke up and went to Jen's AM mix and  the sauna.  I had devos at the rec center and walked 2 miles on elliptical before going to OGT.  There is such a nice group of people who volunteer there.  I got a few groceries for Awana parents night tomorrow, then went to swim 1 mile.  The pool felt great.  At home Denny was finishing cutting down the trees in the terraces.  What a job!!!  So good to have it done.  Later Denny to the jeep to town to wash it.   I went out in the yard with the mower and started to mow the flower beds.  Of course I got a carpet tangled up in the mower.  Uffta!!!  The battery was low and Lord, help the mower get going tomorrow am after it has had the battery charger on.  Bethany came over to borrow the Jeep.  Her car is getting fixed after a coon or something ran into it.

JT day

I set the alarm for the 5:30 class,  forgetting it was Zumba .... and I hadn't been to that class for a long time .... Well just kept moving,  my heart doesn't know if I am on the right foot or left (wrong) foot.  We did the sauna afterward.  I headed to Cherokee,  What a nice fun day with the little guys.  I think Tyler was still a little under the weather, no temperature, but his breathing was noisey.  In IG I went to the grocery store before going to the rec center and going 4 miles on elliptical.  I took Laura's clothes to her that we got in Coon Rapids.   Denny and Joe went to Sharon's at 7 to audit the church treasurer's books.  Good to just chill and visit at home with rocking chairs and time.

Sunday Funday

Good to visit with Missy this am before we went to SS.  SO Good!!!!  Good to be in SS with the gals who we share our lives with.  After church we ate and napped.  I got up and went to the rec center.  I swam a mile, sat in the hot tub, and walked 4+ miles on the elliptical.  I talked to Shauna for a while as I walked.  At home we watched some tv before going to church to hear Lewises talk about "Pathways"  A bible study system that is used in foreign countriesMandy reading before kGrands heading to bed in Dubuque.

Nick's funeral

I got up for early Devos.  Great way to start a day.  We had a sister's phone call at 7:45.  Gail is down in Brownsville.  Another great way to start a day.  At 9:30 we headed north to Rock Valley for a funeral.   We drove through Hull Iowa where my mom grew up.  Denny drove past the elementary school lot where we used to go visit my grandparents when they lived there.  Their house isn't there, but a grassy lot is in it's place.  It was kinda across the street from the church that I took a picture of.  I tried to call my cousin Dave, but my contact information was not correct, so finally about 15 minutes before we got into town I tried to call Dave's brother Barry and Barry gave me the correct phone number.  When we got to the church and I took the present for Renae (from the SS class) into the funeral director.   We gave Dave a call from the church parking lot and arranged to meet him after the service.  We washed the car and got a card sent.  The service was really nice.  My heart was breaking for the family and their loss.  So hard.  We went to Dave and Sue's home afterward and had a great visit.  So good to catch up on family.  Nice weather for a drive to NW Iowa.  At home I called Kim and offered help for Graham and Laura's wedding shower the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Should be fun!!  Haley is having a coed birthday party tonight at her home.  Sweet 16!!! So blessed.

My cousin Dave and his wife, Rock Valley Iowa. 

Friday November 15

Well, I didn't hit the pound mark I wanted first thing in the am, so I went out to trudge 3 miles, huff a lot and sweat a little.  That and no liquids helped a half a pound.  At 9:30 I had an appointment with Crystal the dermatologist.  She gave me a shot on the spot that was not infected, but irregular.  I came home and Denny was going out to the terraces again.  I called 2 jewelry stores and the insurance guy with the estimates then I headed to Storm Lake with my diamond less ring.  In IG I had gotten aa dozen roses for $10 with 2 cans donation.  I put them in pint jars because it is Nurse Practitioner week and I took them to Mandy's NP at the clinic.  I got there about noon, there was a little uncertainty with ER transfers/treatments/noon break.  Hope the flowers helped.  Mandy and I made a quick trip to Walmart.   I stopped at Paxton's Jewelry, left my ring, and made arrangements to get the stone replaced.  Then I headed to SOS.  I picked up some bags that  I could take to OGT.  When I got home I sorted and took off price stickers from the sos clothes.  At 6:30 I headed to the Sound of Musica musical that the HS put on.  It was so good!!!  As I was sitting in the rocker at the end of the day Denny said from the bedroom, "Guess what I found?"  Yes he found my diamond on the carpet in the bedroom.  Praise the Lord!!   Now I have to remake arrangements, but that is doable.

Thursday November 14

Well, I am on this weight challenge and so I know my body will not lose weight unless I workout, so for the next 2 weeks my body may be startled because I am going to try and exercise.  I went to Jenn's AM mix, then as long as I was at the rec center I swam 1 miles.  Now that takes over an hour ... just in time for Dose's to get open.  At Doses I found a candle and a figurine I can share with Renea whose brother died in a hunting accident on Monday.  I went home, took a nap and got up at 1:30 to head into study.  Denny reminded me that study time had changed from 2 to 1:30.  UFFTA!!  Well, better late than never.  Denny headed out to cut trees in the terraces.   After study I went to the rec center and went about an hour on the elliptical.  I had planned to take my yoga pants and go to the weight class at 5, but in the hurry of leaving I forgot them.  At home Denny has been working on revising the Awana manual.  Tomorrow I weigh in.  Uffta!!

Home from DM

When I got upstairs from the basement Jean and Arlan greeted me with the info that the weather was bad.  Uffta!!!  Laura and I headed to the airport around 8.  I parked in hourly rate lot and we got checked in and to the right place.   As I was driving home, yes, the roads were slippery,  but I made it okay.  Denny took me into my haircut at 1:30.   Then we were home until Awana.  This afternoon while I was sitting on the rocker,  I looked down and my diamond was gone from my wedding ring.  Uffta!!!  I called the insurance and need to talk to a jeweler about getting a replacement.

Tuesday ... Heading to Jeans

I got up early and I had not exercised so I headed into OG for the 5:30 workout with Jen.
After that I swam a mile and headed to OGT.  I was picking up Laura at 2 so I went to the rec center after OGT and went on the elliptical 4 miles.   Laura  is heading to Chicago to spend the weekend with Amy.  We stopped at the thrift store in Coon Rapids and Laura got a couple pants and sweaters.  We got to Jean and Arlan's about 6:30.  Very fun visiting and eating pizza.  That was the night.  So good.  

Thank you veterans

I am so thankful for the veterans who sacrificed so I may live in freedom.  God bless each and every one of them. 

Church :)

My knees hurt during the night and so I took a Tylenol pm at 4:30 and set my alarm for 8:30 so I could get up and get ready for church.  SO good to be at church and to hear the report from the Haiti team.  It had been over a month since I have been there.  Denny and I had a nice relaxing lunch, spinach salad and sweet potato soup.  I watched The Crown and then trudged 4 miles on the gravel, but my knees are hurting now.  Denny said it's going to snow tonight, so he may go with me and vacuum Cook's carpet.   That sounds good to me.

Thrifting

Denny headed to work for Larsons.   I went to IG and picked up Judy, Zariah, and Quincy. We had fun thrifting first in Alta's The Olive Branch.  They were having a 50% off of everything.  The girls spent less that $3 and got 5-6 things.  Pretty fun!   Then we ate at Storm Lake McD's.  Then to SOS.  On the way home we stopped at Odebolt and saw Maryann and Paul.  After I let Judy off I trudged the trail for an hour.  I got home and crashed.  Denny called and wanted me to bring 2 quarts of water to the field, so I found him.  A couple hours later he unknowingly ran out of gas.   The diesel he was driving on a slope had 20 gallons on the fuel gauge, but the slope cut off gas to the engine.  Who knew?

gift card

Wonderful slow day.  Except that Denny is not feeling very well.  After lunch I ventured outside.  40 degrees and a 20 mile an hour wind from the south and so I headed south on the gravel.  Of course my phone had lost it's charge and so after 3/4th s of a mile ... no music.  I trudged south about 3 miles and then back home.  Walking when I needed to.  Denny went out with the grasshopper and mowed up some leaves.  We had a gift card/certificate to the Odebolt bowling alley and so we shared a prime rib meal plus a salad and soup bar for me.  Denny was feeling better, but after eating all that food he  was NOT feeling better.

Swimming

Up for devotions.  Great way to start a day.  I headed to IG to go to Doses.  I bought a suitcase and when I got home I started to roll and pack some of the clothes that I  plan to take to Texas.  Then I went to the rec center and used a punch card to go swimming.  I swam a little over and hour (about a mile.)  Makes me pretty happy.  Denny was home and had made a couple good calls,   He made an appointment with Jorgenson hearing in Storm Lake.  Curt called and had about a 2 hour job for Denny.  Hope fully it will work out well.  He left to start the job: going to the shop, taking the fuel tank  to Wanda's, filling the fuel tank, taking the tank to the shop, taking a truck to get a wagon at Merle' bring the wagon to the shop and hopefully get back to his pickup to drive to Storm Lake by 3:30.   I headed to study at Ginny's around 1:30.

Slow day at home

Nice am.  I called Kim and she was going to be around and so I walked/trudged there for coffee.  Then I walked home.  It was chilly, but I made it.  I took a hot bath and wrapped in a blanket.  It started to snow,  I looked out the window and tried to get warm.  Denny came home after working for Larsons about 5 hours.  We went to Awana, There were fewer clubber there, but still a good time.  Both Q and Z were fine and good to work with.  The vehicles were full that were going to Battle Creek and so Denny and I gave 3 girls a ride back to BC.  Good day.

OGT permit to carry

Up for devotions and coffee, I headed to OGT until 11 and then I went to Andrea at FB office and signed up for Welmark drug plan.  Lord, continue to guide me.  I am not comfortable choosing insurance.  Uffta!!  Before headed out to trudge 4 miles on the trail, I visited with Denny who was getting his haircut.  He was heading to Larsons to drive tractor.  At 5 Denny came home and we headed to the training for a permit to carry at Pizza Ranch in Denison.  Ya, I want to have the permit to be a packing mama.  This was the first step.  Uffta!!   Maybe ... it was the food I wanted.  To me, their food is great!!  And the 2 pizza pieces and 2 sides for $6 was wonderful!!

Jean and Paul and newest Grand daughter.  

JT day

Got to Cherokee at 7:30.  Mandy’s first day back at the clinic.  Fun day for me.  Jan came around 11.  Jason came home for lunch.      Jack helped me put a tenderloin roast and spices in the crock pot for supper.  Jack went down for a nap a little after 1 and slept until 4 pm.   I got groceries before I met Denny at the King Theater to watch the movie, Ar Astara.

Dallas Center Church

Well, the daylight savings time left us still getting up early to deliver a suitcase to Matt S. so he could take it to N.   Nice service in a rented storefront, the room is kinda narrow and long, but a good facility.  I tired to get warm after we got home, but decided to trudge my 4 miles.  AND luckily I finished right before it started to rain. Got good news that I am in second place in the "for the health of it" contest.  Lord, guide me and help me take good care of the body You have given me.

-Lawyers should never ask a Texas grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.

In a trial, a Texas small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.'

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?'

She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a
youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.'

The defense attorney nearly died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said,

'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.....🤠

Packing a suitcase

There was no tractor available for Denny to help, so he cut down trees in the terraces.  I went to StormLake and Alta shopping.  I got bags from sos and sorted them in the afternoon while I watched New Amsterdam.  There were lots of bags.  Denny and I packed the suitcase with stuff that Missy didn't have room for.  Nice slow night.  We're going to bed a little early and planning to head to Dallas Center and go to church.  The pastor, Matt S. is going to N. this week and is taking Missy's suitcase to N.

Funeral

Upandtrudged3milescalepicturefirsttimesince112016-147:)   Man, did I hurry to head to IG by 9:30 for Denny's dermatology appointment.   After his appointment we went to oSusan's and Gordon's and they drove to Spirit Lake.  It was the dad of a classmate of Denny's.  We got back about 5.  Long day, good visiting.  Baked sweet potato and then guacamole for supper.  Now I need to catch up and the past 4 days of blogs that I haven't done.

Thanks Luke for the cool dudes and shoes.