Sinday/funday!!

No real change in not taking SLEEP last night.  So good to be in SS.  Nice prayerful bunch of ladies.  After church we came home and fixed sandwiches with the left over meat, naps, finished cleaning the Prius, and I made a bouquet for golf tomorrow.  The rest of the night we sat on then porch and rocked.  

There’s something really special about having a big age gap between your kids.   It’s not always what you planned, but somehow, it’s exactly what your family needed.    You get the baby cuddles and the big kid conversations.     You’re packing school lunches while also packing a diaper bag.     Cheering at a soccer game on Saturday… and pacing the living room with a teething baby by Sunday.    It’s chaotic, yes. But it’s magic.     Because when that older sibling walks in the door and the baby lights up you realize this wasn’t just about you getting another baby…   It was about them finding each other.    The big one becomes a helper, a protector, a hero in tiny eyes.     And the little one? They remind the older sibling what it’s like to slow down, play, and be someone's favorite person.    They learn from each other in the most unexpected ways patience, responsibility, silliness, trust.   It’s not always easy having one in diapers and another learning pre-algebra…  but it’s beautiful.   Because one day, they won’t remember the gap.   They’ll just remember growing up with a built-in best friend.     And you’ll remember the beautiful in-between, where both your arms (and heart) were always full.

Go State!!!

Slow am. Sister call.   We showed the airbnb guys around the place.  Denny showed me how to run the small chainsaw.  We watched the ISU IA game upstairs in the bunkhouse.  Hurrah!!! A win for ISU! Around 5 we headed to Old Town.  Nice evening listening to music and visiting with Maryann and Kenny N.  Nice day.  

Home most of the day

I sorted stuff in the kitchen to get ready for airbnb.  I went into IG and Melissa helped get a sample ready for the lab.  Lord, Grant wisdom to restore my health.  After I got home I rehomed the rest of the plants from the youth building.  Uffda!!! This was not fun.  I headed to study,  Bless Susan for having study at her home even tho she is not feeling the best. Rested after getting home after study.  (fell asleep during the news).  Finishing up repainting roof on the machine shed.  

PT and coffee at Farmacy

Nice slow am.  Denny (& I)  cleaned the upholstery in the Prius.  Uffda!! Dirty!!!  While Denny was in PT I started my Zoom with BSF.  Good to see the gals again.  Loved coffee and visit with Denny at the Farmacy.  I went out to putzt around  in the CSA and dream about CCF flowers.  Uffda!!  Denny fixed supper.   Gail and Bruce said we can use their timeshare.  Report from Lab said no c.diff, more info to follow from Sanford next week.   

                                             

                                               

                                              

       

     

Keenager/Alta/ Cherokee

 I was up and had devo at the house.  When I got the car loaded.  I made Denny toast and coffee and headed to a fun day!!I golfed with Laura D from Cherokee, Jan and Becky from Denison.  and Jan and Christy from Alta.  Fun round.  We shot a 40.  I didn't stay for lunch, but took it "to go" as I went to the Olive Branch.  Ladies' clothes were 10 cents.  I also got some dried flowers in case I got horticulture ready for Clay county Fair.  I left to get the boys after school.  Mandy joined us and the boys played on the school playground.   I called the clinic for a visit with nurse Melissa.   We went to Jan's and Mandy loaded  a refrigerator in my car.  I stopped at New Leaf, Mandy went home to get soccer stuff and feed the boys, then I joined them at the soccer field.  Fun to watch.  At home Denny fixed supper and tv before going to bed.  Fun day!!

                                 

                                 

OGT

 I went to OGT in the am. Best part of the day was having coffee with Denny at the Farmacy  SO fun!!! And then we were lucky enough to have Susan and Nadia join us.  So good to touch base with them.  We stopped at the bank and did some transactions.  Noe money and Tex travel for Jensens.  At home Denny struggled with Financial money for painting the roof top.   In the afternoon I mowed the lawn and put together flowers for Golf tomorrow.  Nice supper .. Virgin River tv later.  

Happy Birthday Luke!!

 We are so thankful that yo9u are our son!!  May God continue to lead and guide you each day of your life.

Denny and I spent the day doing not very much.  I changed some sheets and packed up stuff to move out to the bunkhouse unit the 15th of September.  

Heading home

 We watched Nancy's church on tv.  I headed home and got there 6 + hours later.  T'was good to be home.  Denny has been cleaning.  I just drove 6 hours and once again appreciated how Denny drove tp Brownsville This sign says it all.  

In Madison

 Sister phone call from Jean.  Slow chill am with Nancy and me.  I think I'll fast today and see if I can get this digestive problem corrected.  Uffda!! We just spent the day doing nothing.  I put a new layer of velcro on  Nancy's sofa so the cushions will stay put.  I tried to find some things I could possibly use for petite flower arrangements.   Keith and Jane have amazing wildflowers growing on either side of their driveway.

To Madison

I had devo upstairs looking out.  I didn't see the detergent and so I didn't wash clothes/ bedding/ towels like I had thought I would.   I went to Craig's and Marilynn and I walked around across the road and looked at Craig's stuff.  Fun and laughter.  About 11 I headed to Madison.  I stopped apcovple times and got there in the rain about4.  Keith and Jane were bringing Justin's kids back to Madison, so they stopped for supper.  They had a great time with their 4 grands at Breezy Point in Minnesota.  I've been having something not quite right with my digestive system.  Bummer.  

In Win!!

I was up before Bruce came to get Toshi to go fishing.  I had coffee on the upstairs Patio.  beautiful!!! I got up Lynn at 7.   We walked around the yard and went to Craigs.  Bruce and Toshi got back and caught a lot of fish.  Bruce went to fix some breakfast and we took a quick look at the cabin and SilverCreek.  We stopped at Bruces.  Great meal.  I showed them bluff ton, we napped and then Bruce came over and we played PB from 2-3:30.  Quick shower and off to the Wildberry, Seed saver, Farmer's Market, Whippy Dip and Dunning Springs.  We stopped at the fish hatchery before going to Toppling Goliath.  Nishamuras bought us supper.  It was raining when we were on our way to Bruce's fire pit and so it was canceled.  I drove them past the yard Art before a quick stop at Bernie's and then home and to bed.  Full Day!!

In Decorah

 I joined Lynn in the upstairs patio.  Beautiful.  She said they are heading home, but first to Burr Oak and Seed Savers after Toshi gets back from fishing.  I went to IG to play PB.  Then to Joan of Ark.  Ferneva gave a talk on flour/sugar bags used to make clothing.  I ate a Culvers with Bev, Cindy and their aunt Mary.  I drove to Dunning Springs and took a nap on the parking lot and then walked up to the spring.  It is beautiful up there to do my devo.   2 groups of people stopped and visited about my reading.  I talked to Bruce and we met inBLuffton for a burger.  He (and Craig) got the roofs of buildings painted.   I stopped over at Craigs before going back to Keith's.  Nice day!!

To NE

 I went to OGT before heading to NE Iowa.  I called Ann on the way to see if she was home.  She called back and said that Charlie had had a heart attack and they were in the Mason City hospital.  Uffda!! Lord, be with the family and heal and restore Charlie to health.  Uffda!!! I headed to Decorah and called Mugs.  I met her at Plymouth Rock.  Fun to visit.  I met Bruce at Barnie's and had a burger.  Lynn and Toshi came to Keith's about 8.  Snacks up on the upstairs patio.  Great day.  

Cherokee!!

Up and putting one tablecloths, opening coop, sighs on bunkhouse and cabin.  to get ready for homeschool group coming eat 6.  I took flowers to Keenagers. and played with Andrea C.  After lunch we went to her house and looked around.  Tyler was at home and he and I played a couple holes of golf.  At 3 we headed to get Jack.  Back at the golf course the boys found 14 balls and had fun washing them.  I headed home about 4:45.  There were about 86 home schoolers at our farm.  Full spaces.   

Heading home

 I had a really good night's sleep, not waking up to use RR.  and slept until after 6 am.  Coffee, Devo, Horses in the mirror, Flowers by mirror, Walk, Lake. 2 years ago Carol G. died.  Matt fixed breakfast on the blackstone.  We left for home about 11.  Denny driving all the way.  Quite the guy!!

Kane's game

 lovely am.  We had toast and bananas.  Matt set up a pickleball court on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.  Fun playing.  We had a great lunch.  Luke and family came about 11.  Traeger smoke pulled pork. pasta salad, coleslaw, YUM!!  We left about 2:30 for Kana's football scrimmage.  At night we had chips, guac, cheese. So good. !!   

In Minn

We pent the morning walking around downtown Excelsior.  So fun to see the shops, get coffee, run errands with Karen, eat lunch and grocery shop.  The BBQ place we ate was excellent.  We left around noon for Matt's.  Very relaxing and chill.  Great supper of steaks!!!  

Dr and head to Minn

Well, I can't say that Magnesium is helping me sleep.  yep  I am still getting up around 3-4 and not able to fall back asleep.  But hope springs eternal.  I'll Keep trying for about a week.   I planted Russian sage and yucca from church out by the mailbox.  Kinda slow at digging up all the grass.  I put together 2 bouquets for Minnesota.  At 10 we went in to a dermatology appointment for Denny.  The spot on my forehead I was concerned about is just an age spot.  Imagine that, am age spot on me!! I 'll keep my November 3 appointment.   I came home and napped, The lawn looks nice after mowing it yesterday.   Around 2#;0 Denny went to a Pt appointments and I drove the pick up to the Farmacy and got 4 iced drinks to take on our trip to Minnesota.  I used my $5 off coupon, then I went to study for a short time.   We left for Luke's around 3:30.  Lord, give us a safe trip and fun visit with our sons.  This text came thru Keenagers.  Phyllis like the flowers.

  Shane had post on Hannah with this great picture. 

At home

 I was up again and not able to fall back asleep ... even with magnesium.  I put out a plea for flower help and Ashlynn and Talon came bout 11 to help provide flowers for Food pantry.  I think they put together 22 clear pitchers and flower bunches.  We had orange juice on the patio before they left.  After PT Denny gave Toshi a ride to Odebolt.   I mowed from 1-4.  Invited Julie P. over and about 6 Toshi came over and brought potstickers.  YUM!!    Headed to bed with magnesium again.  

With the boys.

I got up for OGT.  Denny had physical Therapy.  After OGT I headed to Cherokee.  When I got to Cooks the boys were playing school in the basement.  It was so cute.   Tyler had just made a wordless book.  Jack was the teacher.  Andrea let us use their cart.  I took her some flowers around noon.  The Tuesday golf group was still there.  I had a great afternoon with the boys.  When I first got there and went down the steps to where they were they were excited about playing school.  Jack was the teacher and Tyler had just finished a wordless book.  SO CUTE!!!  After many choices the boys wanted to golf.  We borrowed Andrea's cart.  peanut m&m's were the treat when they hit a shot further than any other previous shot.  It when they made the ball in the hole with 5 putts.  They found balls, but today they didn't go down by the stream and reach into the water, because it had rained and the creek was up.  I chipped in an approach from about 60yard.  Hurrah!!  Jack saw it go in the hole.  Tyler missed my shot but he saw 2 deer on that hole.  The cutest thing was when we picked up wrappers/ trash that had been discarded on the course.  Tyler was picking up some sparkly red cellophane and said," I think we could us this for a craft project."  Love the creativity of those boys.  Mandy sent me home with 22 pitchers Uffda!! What to do with them?  Earlier I was thinking I had quite a few flowers and the Food Pantry is in Arthur tomorrow.  We'll see.... 

Happy 52 years

I headed to Holstein for Keenagers.  I had registered too late to play, but it worked well for me.  I was leaving Holstein at 11:15 because Denny had an appointment with Dr. Bisell, in Sac City.  I played with Marilynn and Sarah.  I brought a blue vase for one golfer to use as a gift.  I had a gorgeous pink gladiola  and so I made an arrangement for door prize for those who have battled cancer.  It was fun to see the pink golfers all over the course this morning.  After Denny got staples out we went to Lakeview and stopped at a Mexican place and then after supper at another place.  Lovely 52 year celebrating.  I left my car at church after golf  and rode with Denny.  After Denny left me at my car and I dug up the rest of the flowers that Terry G. had planted.  The church is putting in cement and the flowers would be trashed.  My back has been pretty sore since the flower digging.  

PICTURE from Joyce B. ...... from our 50th. 

Among Flowers  I am never happier than when I am surrounded by flowers. There is something profoundly healing in their presence, a quiet magic that speaks not in words, but in the language of color, fragrance, and delicate form. Each bloom seems to hold a little piece of joy, unfolding silently beneath the sun, asking nothing but to be seen, to be felt, to be loved.  When I walk among flowers, I feel a sense of peace I cannot find elsewhere. The chaos of the world fades into the background, replaced by the simple elegance of petals swaying gently in the breeze. I am reminded that beauty can thrive in stillness, that nature never rushes, yet everything is accomplished in its time.  Their scent lingers like a soft memory, their colors awaken my senses, and their fragile lives teach me the value of every fleeting moment. In their presence, I feel lighter, more human, more alive. They are nature’s purest poetry, blooming without apology, fading without regret.  So yes, I am never happier than when I am surrounded by flowers, for in them, I find not just beauty, but solace, wonder, and the quiet reassurance that even in this complicated world, there is still so much to be grateful for.                                                                                                              ~ 'Among Flowers' by Spirit of a Hippie  ✍️ Mary Anne Byrne