Keenager and Cherokee

 At home.   Well for a while.  Gail came about 7:30 and we had coffee and then went to play pickleball with Evie and Esther.  Fun time with Craig and Kara, too.  We left and went for golf at IG.  Fun Day !!  We got 4 birdies' and shot a 32.  We got second, lots of laughs and fun.  We had a lovely lunch with pretty decorations from Mike and Brenda's reception.  Gail helped me to take down the decorations.  After we got home, Gail left and Denny and I headed to Cherokee and watched the boys in gymnastics and soccer.  I drove home and to bed we went.

Party for Ben and Evie.

I dropped off Denny at church and went to the country club until about 11:45.  We napped after we got home.  I went out to the CSA and sorted and straightened some.   At 3:30 we went into the party for Ben and Evie.  Fun time, Great food, Much to Celebrate.  PLUS I invited Evie and her sister Esther to play pickleball with me ask Gail tomorrow.  During the get to gather I went to play about 30 minutes of picklball.  I asked Brenda and talked to Jan and Maebell and the Queenager golfers are using the decorations tomorrow.  At home Denny and I watched a movie.  

Visting Mary Kay, Ballard's, and Omaha

Fun day.  We were slow in the am.  I called Mary Kay and went there for coffee after I showered.  SO good to spend time with her.   I came home and chilled until we left for Moorehead.  There were a lot of people at Ballard's Celebration of Life.  Lord, be with the loss that the family is dealing with.  

Bunches of Pompus grass.

It was  a slow morning.  We were home and just chilling.  I went to Brenda's in the afternoon and we looked at the burlap that came on amazon.  We put 25 blooms into groups and taped then put string af=round them.  We put together 50, 25 for bottles 25 to lay on the burlap that has lights under it.   We watched TJ play football.  fun time. 

Sad

This is the text Denny sent to the kids after we got home from the eye doctor.  

 So I did have my cataract eye surgeries but the outcome is not what I expected at all.  Due to the fact I have 4x amount of astigmatism my vision now without corrective lenses is a blur and much worse with my glasses and even nonprescription sunglasses.  Legally I can’t drive because I am restricted to corrective lenses.  I can not take an eye exam for 30 days until my eyes have healed to get up to date prescription for my glasses..  currently I am not sure it is wise or safe to be driving.  I am still hoping my eyesight will improve some in a week but at my post op appointment today the Dr didn’t give me much hope.  I have another post op in a week.  He said this happens 1 in 4000 cases and especially those with astigmatism.  Aren’t I fortunate!  I could have had this corrected for $7,000-$10,000 but decided at my age it wasn’t worth the money.  You might say that when the Good Lord was passing out astigmatism I got back in line more than once!  Sorry for the long text but I wanted to make you all aware. I will update in a week.

Yes it is frustrating but can be dealt with.  It will probably be more like 40 days until lenses are available 🤷 Apple iPhone has a lot of good options for the vision impaired user, like me. I got excited today when the mail came because the county paper was there however I can’t see it or read it. So I use the Magnifier on the iPhone to pick out some articles I wanted to read.

Second Cataract

 Slow morning getting going.  We slept well.  I had gotten up a couple times, but fell back asleep.  A good breakfast at the Hilton and then to Vanc Thompson Eye by 9:15.  I worked on the blog and Denny went in a little before 10 for his procedure.    WE got home about 1.  Denny drove blurry from IG and I took the Prius home.  We were happy to be home and chilling.  I finished listening to the book. 

Heading to cataract surgery

 I got up to take clothes from SOS to Orphan Grain Train.  I had PT at 9.  We left for SC at  10:30.   We got to Cataract place in good time.  And were done about 2.  Denny was feeling pretty good and we stopped at Mr. Stir Fry to eat.  Gotta love their crab rangoon, cheesy mushrooms, terieaki chicken, and garlic green beans.  oh, yes and fresh pineapple.  Next we got new shoes for Denny at Peak performance.  He waited about an hour to get his hair cut at Sports Clip, I looked around a couple stores in that area.  We both got amazing pedicure with heated shoulder weights and war/ hot towel treatments.  The Hampton we stayed in was very close to Target, but I was so tired I just continues listening to my book The Winemaker's Wife.  

Keenagers

I headed out for Storm Lake and golf.  It was fun playing with Peggy S. Jackie S. and Linda G.  We shot a 36, but we were out of the money.  I got a yellow pitcher and 4 glasses at SOS.  Plus I had them fill the car with bags from SOS to take to OGT.  Next stop Walmart to get Mrs. Wages for hard boiled eggs.  In cherokee I watched a little of the boys gymnastics and then I went to the soccer fields.  At home Denny fixed pork loin steaks, cheese green beans and rice.  YUM!!!   I woke in the night with sore shoulder.  

Heading home

Slept in until past 7.  Karen had fixed breakfast pizza and chocolate crescants. We drove to the stadium to meet Mark and Lauren.  We went to church at River of Life.  On the way home we got sandwiches from Jimmy John.  We started home about 2, with a 4 1/2 hour drive ahead of us.  I listened to Remembering by Wendel  Berry. We had a full morning.  Slow getting up, drove to football stadium to see Mark and Lauren, drove to church.  Ate Jimmy Johns on way to Luke's, Headed for home About 2:30, Got home about 6:30. picked flowers and put together for Queenagers,  SLEPT IN MY OWN BED,  First time since August 1.  

Apple Fest

We moved slowly in the am.  Matt and Becky went to a celebration of life for a good friend.   We left for Excelsior,  it is about an hour drive to Luke's.  His back yard is looking great.  He rented a bobcat and leveled out the ground and put in a rock terrace.  We met Mark, Lauren, Steph and Stephen. We walked the Apple fest, looking at all the booths.  I splurged and Rose and I painted 2 apple plates.  When we got back to Luke he used the Blackstone to make amazing Mexican food.  It was good to sleep in Luke's basement.   

Friday night Lights

 Wonderful slow morning.  I got up, had devo, and then went back to bed.  After lunch we went to the lake.  Kane has a really nice kayak.  We had rice Sausage casserole before heading to Princeton  for TJ's game.  They lost, but TJ had 5-6 punts.  Denny's body was pretty sore.  We visited until almost midnight.  Good day!!

On our way to Zimmerman

 We left for Minnesota about 9:30.  Pretty non eventful trip,  Actually arrived about 1/2 hour after projected time.  I took a hydro/ last night and still feel little groggy.  North Dakota 3 M's from Gomaco Golf Airbnb left the Home Place before we headed to Minn.   We drove right to Kane's game.  The weather was beautiful.  They won the game.  At home we ate the pizza they ordered and had a good visit before heading to bed.  

PT

I had PT at 11, played PB before that, went to Thistledown and spent $100 on flowers.  Lord, by they live thru the winter.  I got all plants in the ground before we headed to Awana.  Neat World picture that Pastor Dave has in his office.  

Tuesday and

 Drove back from Cherokee at 6 am.  It was rainy.   Our Airbnb guests left and so we got to cleaning.  I went to IG for Physical Therapy at 12:30.  I stopped at Judy's afterward.  Denny had PT later and pre op with Dr. Veltri.  I used the afternoon to catch up on the blog.  Sure seem's like Sunday today.   Heading to church tonight to hear speaker.  

                                

                                 

Golf at Sac City and then Cherokee

 I went to the CSA and put together 3 vases of flowers.  The gals at Keenagers really enjoy then.  I played with Marilyn, Tracey and Cub.  We shot a 39 and 51.  Uffda!!  It took a long time.  Then I headed to Storm Lake to SOS, spent one $ and got a sweet corn butter holder.  Then to Alta and got $2 worth of 10 cent things.  At Cherokee the boys were finishing up with gymnastics.  Then we went to soccer.  tyler just smiles the whole time.  Jack is learning to go after the ball.  I gave flowers to Jan and Mandy.  We went to Cooks for brats and snacks.  Denny headed home and I slept in their guest room and left the next morning.  Fun to watch the boys and see Jan and John.  

Sunday Fun Day

I really like our SS class.  Lot's always to pray babout.  I the afternoon we fisnished cleaning Prairie Whole.  Tiago has moved to the cabin.  We had the basement booked before we got his booking.  We chilled and napped in the bunkhouse in the afternoon.  It is good to sit on the patio and visit with the 6 couples from Schleswig.  Ernst's came out and after showing them the bunk house and coop, they invited us for snacks in the sunroom.  Denny and I have spent time admiring the painting that Brooks and Evan did.  TJj had a great game Friday night and had a big cheering crowd.  

Brazilian meal... YUM!!!

It was a lazy day and wonderful for me.  Sister phone call at 7:15.  Next week it may be later, 'cause Jean will be in California and 2 time zones ahead of us.  The basement is pretty clean from Tiago's work.  Notice his TP decoration:.   At night he fixed Brazilian meal for Doug and Margaret and us.  YUM!!!! Steaks, bake potatoes and potato salad.  Missy shared with me some pictures of her usage of the cards and notes I made for her visits to elementary classrooms.  

Thank you to the friends next to me in the stands who cheer for every kid every time.      Who want the best for everyone on the team. Who support them when they’re flying high and support them even harder they’re flailing. Who go crazy when they get the big hit, but who still encourage with the same heart when they strike out.      To the parents next to me who understand that these are kids—humans, just like us, who have good days and bad days, seasons of success and seasons of struggle. Who are giving their best out there, but who understand that even at their best, they won’t make every catch, every serve or every goal and they won’t win every game.       To the parents who get it.       Who get that youth sports are about developing and camaraderie and being a part of something. About working hard, gaining confidence, respecting your coach and building a team. About becoming leaders and learning about grit and growth and grace.       That the most important thing they’ll gain from sports is how to be better, stronger, more compassionate, more resilient people and that character development beats the number on the scoreboard all day every day. m      To the parents who have the village mentality. That it takes us all and that our kids will benefit from us cheering together as unit instead of silent pairing off and gossiping when a kid is having a hard time. That they’re learning by watching us and that it is up to us to set the tone—to lift up, to come together, to love.      A sport is just a sport.      A team is just a team.      But helping these kids grow into the men and women they were made to be is everything. What an honor. What an absolute privilege it is to be surrounded by other parents, grandparents, guardians, aunts, uncles coaches who get it. I’m so glad I’m not alone.      And I’m glad my kid isn’t alone either. 

Mow both me&denny

That’s what it’s about. 

That’s why we do it. 

Thank goodness we get to do it together. 

Love,

Amy

Physical Therapy

 Kinda slow getting around this am,  Denny headed into IG for PT.  I went in at 11 after giving "Schleswig"ers staying at Our Home Place a tour of the buildings around our yard.   After checking in at Horn I went to the Meditation room because it was quiet for the BSF zoom Bible study. Jason S. did my shoulder,  he gave me hope that it might be fixable.  (my words) I cashed the check from Farm to Table. I'm planning to tithe 30  give Jenny 75 and keep the rest for lisianthus next season.  Lord, may they live better than they did this year.  I stopped by the courthouse to order an absentee ballot.  I went to Casey's to finish off the gift card from somewhere.  At home I chilled and edited some IHEart Memories.  Denny is mowing for Larson's .    

SC & study

 I was up and getting the place ready for guests.  I made a cracker tray and picked flowers and put the kitchen drawers and cabinets in order and put Napali things out in living room.   We left for Sioux C about 7:20 I took the Prius in so I could stay in Ig and go to Study at Susan's .  Denny's cataract checkup went well,  He is getting one eye done the 24th and one the 25th.  We stopped at Earl May.  I had enough on a gift card to get 4 packages of seeds.  We returned unused material from the basement drop ceiling and had a sandwich at Wendy's before heading back to IG.  Susan, Teresa, Sharon, Pat and I were at study.   When I got home we visited with the airbnb ers then headed to bed.  

911 911 011

In the bottom of this photo, you can see Ladder 118 crossing over the Brooklyn Bridge on their way to the World Trade Center. This is their last known photo. Every single firefighter on that truck perished just a few minutes later. We vowed to never forget. Unfortunately, so many have. #SupportYourFirstResponders

Beautiful sunrise!!!  I cut down some big weeds in the flower area and headed to Cherokee to get my hair cut and nails done.  Then I went to Mandy's.  We went to Alta and then back home before 9 elementary student got off the bus at their home.  She was feeding them before AWANA.  I stayed for a while, then headed home to clean before new people came to our Home place.  I had the 3 beds made when Denny came home and started on the floors.  We got the home looking pretty good.