Farmview
March 1, 2012
Wow, another month of winter gone and it's still decent. March came in like a lamb.....we'll see how it goes out.
I went to Eagle for groceries today. Needed lots of fresh fruits and veggies and gobs of other things for my Weight Watcher's diet. I know I had way over $100 worth of stuff in the cart. The lady started checking me out and I realized I'd forgotten my wallet. No cash, no credit cards, no checks, NADA! I apologized and left, leaving all the stuff in the cart for them to put away. I was both embarassed and angry but surived it.
I got home and went to get my wallet to put in my pocket. Couldn't find it anywhere. I checked the washer and dryer and sure enough I'd run the things through both. Nothing really too badly messed up but my Medicare card got the worst of it. I called and ordered a new one. I don't know what a washer and dryer does to the magnetic strips on the credit and debit cards, nor my license either. Guess I'll find out when I go to use them.
Played 500 at Terri Meyers this afternoon. Had a good time and surprisingly I won. I wonder if I cheated in my scorekeeping as it didn't seem like I had cards that were that good but........
Galen went to bed early. He's not feeling the best. Wondering if he picked up what Miss Ella has had for the last few days.
I need to get to bed too as we're planning on swimming in the morning. I'm to be at Fran's at 7:30 so I best get moving before long.
Night everyone!!!
March 4, 2012
I've missed a few days writing because I'm reading a book about an apocalypse and I can't quit it's so good. I'm still not finished but thought I bettter get back here before people think I've died! Of course you know I haven't died Arden because we've got 3 games of WWF going AND you're beating me bad!!! grrrrr!
Jaxen and Ella called the other evening wanting to spend the night. I'm writing this because it's the first time they've stayed all night. Jaxen did once or twice when he was really little but he doesn't even remember it. Anyway, we had a good time. Both kids went to sleep and slept the whole night so we got through it w/o any trouble. I was afraid about 3 or 4 a.m. one would wake up wanting Mom but nope, didn't happen.
I'm doing very good on my diet with Weight Watchers. So far a good 1st week but like everything else 1 week "just ain't gonna do it". We'll see how long I last.
Crystal and the kids were in Cedar Rapids for a birthday party at their cousins but came home early because of the weather and I was very happy to see her post on Facebook that they were home. It's a long trip after dark with 2 kids and yucky roads.
I went to to church and Sunday School by myself this morning since the kids were in Cedar Rapids. While there it started snowing big beautiful snowflakes. I just couldn't hate it because they were so pretty, no wind and warm.
Galen just went to bed and I guess I will too.............night!
March 6, 2012
It is soooooooooooooo nice out today I had my walking done by 9:30 a.m. Gosh it was 43 degrees then and now it's 57 at 11:30....do we dare think spring???? It's March so we know we'll have some more bad stuff BUT it's getting clooooooooose.
I'd like to start seeds today. Galen got some sand for me to go along with my peat moss and pearlite but our tax appointment is tomorrow so that must get done first.
I do have cinnamon rolls sitting on the cornstove to raise. However, the house got warm enough that we've turned the stove off so I don't suppose it's doing much good any longer.
The oven is pre-heating and the rolls will be in the oven for Galen to have a fresh one for dinner. We'll see how good he thinks they are. I used to make them almost weekly when we lived in town with all the kids around. He always said they were the best ever. I quit for 15 years and now he simply says, "you need a little more practice". Such a diplomatic man! :)
This evening I'll go to Weight Watcher's to see how I've done. I've been extremely good so I'm hoping to have lost. Wish me luck!!!
Have a great day!
March 7, 2012
Cool Linda we are super queens!!! I lost 3.8. Not a whole lot maybe but it's a start!
It's warm out this morning. As I walked to the garage to get flats to start a few seed it felt and smelled exactly like spring. It's raining enough now to get the west window wet but not really much. It's just always so exciting knowing spring is soooooooooooooo close!!!
I started green pepper and cabbage seeds. A whole pack of cabbage seeds as I'm hoping to make gobs of frozen slaw for next year. Also a whole pack of green pepper seeds. Two reasons for them. One is they're harder than heck to get going so I may just have to buy plants in the end BUT if they come up and there's lots of them I found this good recipe for stuffed green peppers that Galen likes and I'll freeze more this year for winter eating.
I also started early girl and Amish paste tomatoes. There again if they produce well I'll can alot of juice, salsa, pizza sauce, etc. Way more work than I like to do but great to have on hand all winter.
Gotta run. It's 12:15 and I need to get some dinner started so we can be at the tax lady at 2:00. Wish us luck.
Have a great day everyone!
March 24, 2012
It's been awhile since I got here. I've had the flu for the past 8 days and don't know what other excuses I can find so I guess that one will have to do. Bad stuff and I'm glad I'm pretty well over it.
We're having amazing weather. Supposed to be 74 today so I'm hoping to get Galen to move the picnic table outside here and get a few plants potted up. I'd actually like to get a few in the ground even though I know it's 6 weeks too early but would be fun to try it. We'll see what the day brings.
Thus far, almost 11:30 a.m., I'm not even dressed so I'll have to start moving a little if I hope to get anything accomplished.
Have a great day everyone....or anyone that might be left to read!
March 30, 2012
Wow, I'm impressed. I really didn't think anyone was reading anymore and at least 3 of you are. Cool! Thanks for responding.
This has been a busy and not always nice week. My cousin Lewis Wesley Snook died over the weekend. Galen and I attended his visitation in Mason City on Monday evening. It was nice to see his wife, kids and 1 of his 3 brothers that I hadn't seen in almost 20 years. Lew was the next to oldest of all we cousins and it's sad thinking he is the first that has died of "old age" complications. He's Arden's brother and he too is a sad man. RIP Lew and know you were loved by many!
On a brighter note we went through Belmond on our way to Mason City and I lost 2 more pounds. That brings me to 7. With being sick the week before and eating nothing and then getting my appetite back last week I really didn't know what was going to happen. Two pounds down was a good thing!
This afternoon Galen and I took the golfcart around the countryside looking for asparagus. Only at Josh's is it up but not enough to fool with yet. It is early but with such a mild winter and early spring we thought maybe..... We found a number of places where it was last year so we, well mostly Galen, removed the old grass so the sun can do her thing. Galen and I don't even like asparagus. Neither do Crystal or Ella but Josh and Jaxen do so I freeze it for them and Josh puts in on the grill.
I've got so much food in the freezer from last fall that I don't know what to do with it all. Someone suggested making jam out of some of the fruit so this evening I cooked down a 2 gallon bag of black raspberries. Ella loves the jelly so I got 4 pints made this evening and have enough juice to make another 4 pints tomorrow. She, being little, doesn't like the seeds in jam so jelly is what I make. Any suggestions on what to do with the leftover berry with seeds? Gosh I hate to throw it away but.......
Happy to report we got .3" rain last night. We surely need it.
Anyone but me buy lottery tickets today? I bought 2 so what's that make 2 chances in 176,000,000 or something like that????
Time to sit back and enjoy a cup of hot tea and read my book before bed pretty soon. Have a great rest of the evening everyone!
March 31, 2012
Happy last day of March everyone!!!
It's been a cloudy, dreary, cool day and we even have the cornstove on again after a week or two of not needing heat. It did get a little warm in here this afternoon so I opened a window.
I got another 4 pints of raspberry jelly and 3 1/2 pints of raspberry jam made today. I don't think I like the pectic I got from the Amish. It just doesn't seem to set up as well as Sure-Jel. Oh well, Galen will enjoy it on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, etc. if it's too runny for toast. Live and learn!
Jaxen was here this afternoon and we played lots of games. He'd been outside with Grandpa before coming in and was drenched from playing in the water outside while helping Grandpa water raspberry bushes. These grandkids don't have a clue what cold is and he had a great time. However he was one big shivering goose bump as he changed clothes.
It's not quite 10:00 but I'm tired tonight and on my way to bed. Night everyone!!!
April 1, 2012
Happy April Fools Day everyone. We had an absolutely gorgeous day and after Ella and I got home from church and Sunday School we worked outside. Actually, she picked every tulip in the yard she could find. I kind of cringed at each snap but hey, she's only little once and the tulips will return next year. She also picked the dandelions and they and the tulips make quite the nice boquet in the vase on the counter.
Galen roto-tilled the garden and I got potatoes planted. He did such a nice job of tilling it that I worked like mad to get it all raked and looking smooth and perfect. Crystal and Ella walked over to see what I was doing and both dogs stomped all through it. I might have killed the dogs but Ella was watching soooooo. lol
Jaxen called about 7:00 all excited that he'd lost his first tooth. They didn't know it was loose so it was quite the surprise. He wanted Grandpa and I to come over to see the hole. Of course we did and he was just as excited as the people who won the lottery last week. What fun for him. I wonder how fun it'll be this summer with no teeth when it's time to eat sweet corn.
Time for bed. Hope you all had as good a day as we did! Night
April 2, 2012
Good morning everyone. It's a beautiful day while looking out the window. Sunny and just downright gorgeous with a temp of 64 but the winds, up to 29 mph, are making it miserable to be outside.
The winds are from the east this year and that's unusual for us. Of course, this is the first year I've had my little greenhouse in the garage hoping to open the east door to the morning sun. Today I decided no matter what they must have some sun so am hoping the car holds the greenhouse up and the wind doesn't blow the plants to kingdom come. Ah, the joys of gardening. LOL
Heaven's no we've never planted this early. The ground is usually still frozen now or so muddy you can't get in the gardens. This weather is perfect BUT a little scary with no rain last fall, very little snow this winter and now this dry spring. We're still hoping and praying for rain!!!
Some guy somewhere here in Iowa had a field of sweet corn up 2-3". He said IF it makes it he'll have sweetcorn ready by the middle of June. I think I'll buy a bag and put a little out just to see what I get.
We need some money to put in the crop and the prices are ridiculously high so we sold some corn this morning for $6.37 a bushel. This is alot more fun than the $3.30 it was 2 or 3 years ago. Of course, the prices of fertilizer, seed, etc. have pretty well kept up with the price of grain so we're not really making that much more BUT it's still fun! :)
April 3, 2012
Another windy day but still can't help getting out there to dig in the dirt. I planted some beets while Galen took a nap. The package said, "when all danger of frost is past" so again I doubt it works but good grief one just can't hold off. I'll plant more in a couple of weeks but for now I'm having fun.
I bought Galen a new chair one day last week and it was delivered today. I think he likes it but it takes him awhile to adjust to new things. Change is not a good thing to him but his other chair was such a mess he even agreed he needed a new one.
I went to Weight Watchers tonight and lost 1.8 lbs. That's almost 10 lbs. but not quite yet. I went to the show by myself afterwards and saw Hunger Games. I'd read all 3 books and just couldn't resist going. I don't when or what the last movie I went to was but this one was good!
Stopped at the grocery store while I was in Humboldt this evening. Bought a bag of onions so hope to get them out tomorrow.
I'm beat. It's 10:45 and I have to have dirty dog to the vet by 8 in the morning to have him shaved and bathed. They must hate seeing that mutt come in but this is the 4th or 5th year I've taken him so they must feel it's worth it.
Night everyone!
April 4, 2012
Morning sunshine!!! Windy again but hey it's 62, sunny and so much nicer than this time of year could/should be.
You're welcome Arden on me having nice thoughts about Lew. What else could one say? He was one of the nicest men I knew. On a fun note....aren't all we cousins though! ;)
Wish you and others could be here for Aunts 100th. We're celebrating, as you know, on the 14th and then on Sunday I've FINALLY got things arranged with Mark Snook and Aunt Reva. We're all, including Uncle Don, Aunt Kathy, Helen, Leah, Aura Lee, Mark, Roma, Aunt Reva, Uncle Duane, other Hitt's and myself to meet at Aunt Reva's at 1:00 for a potluck. Jim and Anita, Marilyn and Carroll, Bud and Shirley and Sandy may also be there. Who knows who else by then! You??? Come on, be like others and fly in for the weekend! Wouldn't that be a kick to see so many again??? Would love to see you, give you a hug and have a nice chat...been so long! Remember those younger years in CA when we had so much fun...you were involved then too Linda. Fun times so long ago. Ron even talked like he might be here for Aunts party on the 14th.
I just removed everything from my kitchen counter and scrubbed it until it shines. I have ALOT of kitchen counter and it did take some elbow grease!
Took Emerson to the vet this morning. He's such a happy dog, he doesn't even get upset when I take him. He only goes once a year for his shave and bath. They have to knock him clear out and you'd think he'd learn to hate it but he's such a nitwit, albeit a nice nitwit, that he just wags his tail and "smiles" at whoever takes his leash to lead him back. I took him in at 8 looking like a little sheep dog and will pick him up about 4 looking like a rat. First time we took him and I brought him out to the car Galen said, "there's no way you'll convince me that's the same dog you took in".
Time to fix some dinner. Galen's out spreading manure, yep, that's what you do on the farm in the spring. Clean buildings and thankfully put it in the manure spreader and take it to the fields or pasture. Lovely job!
Well let's see. The clinic called about 2:00 saying Emerson was raring to go home so I went to get him and then came home to plant 200 onion sets. Should be plenty for winter but I found cutting them up and freezing in bags for pizza, roasts, etc. really makes them sweet. I can already taste them next winter.
Had our preschool board meeting and have decided to close it. The teacher has handed in her resignation for the end of the year. With the government regulations and so few kids it's just more than we can do anymore. It's sad as there is no way once we give up our licensing the state will ever license us again BUT not much else for choices, soooooooo
This posting is way longer than normal so it's time to stop and go to bed. Night everyone, sleep tight and pleasant dreams!!!
April 5, 2012
Another sunny and windy day. Not quite so warm with a high of 62.
We played 500 at Fran's today. I had some extremely good cards but, alas, others had better. I didn't eat one thing until just before time to go I had some fresh grapes and strawberries. So much good looking food, including ghoulash that I love and haven't had in years, garlic bread that looked and smelled marvelous and brownies with chocolate frosting that I drooled over for 30 secs. and refused to look at again. Sigh, this being fat and loving food is really the pits!!!
I came home and ate 2 slices of diet bread toasted and 1 1/4 cups Kix with 1/2 cup milk. I was a very good girl but then after Monday night of pizza and treats at the movie I decided I'd better be good.
Galen and I took a drive this evening. Went and looked at a place at Lake Cornelia that supposedly one of Galen's relatives has bought for $700,000. The home was pretty and it was just a downright gorgeous evening for a ride.
I've changed into my sweats and have a cup of hot tea waiting my attention so this is it for another day. You all have a great evening and we'll visit again tomorrow......Night!
April 6, 2012
It was not nice getting a phone call this morning saying Aunt Louise had died. It was 10 days before her 100th birthday and she had told Marcia she'd rather we be planning her funeral than her birthday party. While feeling the sadness of her parting we also giggled a little as we realized she'd won again. Instead of a birthday party next Sat.,14th, we'll be having her funeral and memorial service. It's such a sad day for all of us and yet we must rejoice as she's been ready for this since she was 90. We have known and loved you all our lives Aunt Louise and we were able to keep you until we're now the seniors. RIP you my beloved aunt, you will be missed!!!
Galen went to a sale, I went to Eagle and ran errands. Crystal and the kids have gone to Cedar Rapids for the night. Josh spent most of the evening here.
It's time for this sad day to come to a close. Good night everyone.
April 7, 2012
Raining this morning. Galen started watering berries after coming home from coffee and now seeing it raining on the sprinklers that are going full blast is a wonderful sight.
April 8, 2012
I went to church this morning after almost being too late to go with Uncle Don and Aunt Kathy calling from Connecticut. It was a nice sermon and the kids did a good job with their program.
Josh, Crystal and the kids went to their church and then over here for an Easter Egg hunt. Josh and Crystal bought Jaxen a dirt bike with training wheels and he found it on the Easter Egg hunt. What fun!
We and Josh's went to JoAnn's for supper at 5:00. Rick grilled brats and pork burgers, etc.. I made potato salad. Crystal went after groceries and JoAnn I walked. Nice evening and we were home about 8:00.
Pretty day but windy...sigh! Time for bed...night everyone. Hope you had a great Easter too!!!
April 9, 2012
Galen watched Jaxen while Josh and I took Ella to Glenda's and then he and I on to Des Moines to pick up his truck where it was being worked on. We found it wouldn't be ready until tonight and it was 11:00 a.m. He stayed and I came home. With his sleeper he could wait there and watch movies, eat, sleep, etc. and he thought it might help them get it done if he was there to bug them. He was home by about 6:00 and then off again with a load to somewhere.
I went to WW in Belmond to to face the music after a 4 day binge, including yesterday. The gain was 3 lbs. so I'm determined to start again in the morning. I actually feel crappy and felt so good when I ate right. You'd think I'd learn!!!!
Covered everything tonight as the temp. is to get to 26. Galen thinks it's cold enough that even covering won't work but I"m giving it a try.
April 10, 2012
Chinatown! I was just talking to Arden and Denny about Chinatown a couple of weeks ago Linda. How I HATED the food back then but enjoyed Chinatown. Now, how I'd love to go to Chinatown and eat everything in sight! Those were fun times!
Beautiful but cold morning. I didn't get up until 7:30 and the temp. was 32 sooooooooooooo, I don't know how the plants have done. Supposed to be as cold tonight so I'm leaving their covering on until it warms up tomorrow.
I am hoping to stay home today. I am so tired of going, going, going that it will be nice to stay home and get caught up.
Hey Linda, believe it or not, I even turned down an August bus trip to New York. It's a 10 day trip and Fran, Bill, Bernie, Ann, Jerilyn and a bunch of others are going. I decided I'd rather do a 3 day trip first with a group like that than 10 days. Now, if it were you it would be different. We've traveled together and I know we'd have a good time BUT never traveling with that group I was afraid of 10 whole days of togetherness. LOL
April 11, 2012
Well,l the temperature this morning at 7:30 is 24. Hello mother nature let's get these temps a little higher. My plants were ok yesterday when I checked but we'll see if they made it through last night. Grrrrr It's really not a problem as it was just an experiment planting things outside in March but it would be fun to keep them!
I'd much rather spend time down with you guys than the 10 day trip to NY Linda. I just wish you could talk your brother into going down.
I'm on my way to Josh's to watch the princess for a 1/2 hour or so before she goes to preschool. Then I'll take off for Mission Circle at church.
I'm hoping this afternoon is warm enough to walk outside. I haven't walked for days! Hard to believe I did 3 miles daily for a couple of years and now can hardly make myself do 1 mile.
When the lady came for Ella she had 5 dogs in her car that she was taking to the vet after dropping the girls off at preschool. I questioned letting Ella get in the car but she couldn't wait to see all the dogs so I let her go. I was happy to see her all in once piece this evening! :)
Galen and I did some hoeing this afternoon. Hate, hate, hate weeding but sure nice for him to help me out.
Don't know if I'll write tomorrow or not. I'm going with Fran, Bill and Jerilyn to DM to see Barry Manilow. I saw him a few years ago at the Civic Center and he did a great job. This is at the Wells Fargo Arena which is much bigger and I'm not sure about the acoustics so I'm hoping it's good too.....I'll let you know!!! lol
Beth, you need to check in and let me know how your travels are going!!!
Night everyone.
April 12, 2012
Had Ella this morning and then took her to Glenda's on my way to Jerilyn's where we waited for Bill and Fran to pick us up and head for Des Moines. We went to Prairie Meadows first and I came out $15 ahead and Fran $65. Jerilyn lost $20. Poor Jerilyn and it is her birthday today.
We ate supper at China Buffet and then to see "Mr. I Write the Songs man, Barry Manilow". He was very good and we had a good, good time! He has aged since I saw him 20 years ago but I'll be darned, so have I! :) He didn't run all over the stage and jump around like he did previously. He had a couple of younger ones doing that for him. It was obvious he has a bad knee or hip.........so typical of most of our set!!! lol As I said, he was really good and we had a great time.
Just got home a few minutes ago and it's now 12:07 a.m. Need to get to bed so we can head down to Des Moines again tomorrow. We'll spend the night, Josh's too, at the Ramada Tropics Hotel or some such. It's a place for the kids to have a good time. I have a feeling the kids will end up in our room while Josh and Crystal go out somewhere in the evening.
Galen hoped to work bean ground after Ella and I left this morning but he's in bed and, I'm sure sound asleep by now, so I'll have to find out in the morning.
My car was wet when I got in it at Jerilyn's so we've had a little rain. Hope we can get some more tonight with it listed as a 90% chance.
Night everyone!
April 19, 2012
Wowzers, it's been a long time since I was here. I've been busy and when I've had the time to check in this silly page won't load....grrrrr!
We've been having rain...glorious rain. We've needed rain so badly and for so long and now we've had about 2 inches in the last week. It's gotten cool again and I've had to cover my plants a number of times but so far they're still kickin'. We didn't get the storms Des Moines and south got. The night of Aunt Louise's funeral one cousin had a tree fall on 2 of her childrens cars that were parked in her drive. Yikes! No one hurt though, which is the main thing.
Yesterday was such a pretty day that Jaxen and I chased butterflies. Welllllllll, let's be honest, he chased butterflies as I wanded his way. By the time he caught one I was usually up to him and he was having such a good time he had no clue that Grandpa wasn't running right along side of him. After catching 6 we took them to the house to show Mom and then over here where we snuggled in and watched "Happy Feet".
Millions of butterflies that look like monarchs BUT they're only 1/2 size or so. Do monarchs grow after hatching or are they born full size? Hmmmm, guess I don't really know. If they aren't monarchs what are the little cuties???
Such a damp cold rainy night I think we'll just stay inside, where we've been most of the day, and have popcorn for supper. My that sounds good! We had potato soup for dinner and it was good too.
AND oh yeah, I gained 3 lbs. over Easter and was afraid to go Tuesday after eating like a Trojan (you get the idea) the weekend of Aunt Louise's funeral but......insert drum roll here.......I lost the 3 so am back to where I was 2 weeks ago. Somedays things just go your way!
Talk to ya later everyone!
April 20, 2012
Linda called Galen last night to talk about how their Mother would have been 93 yesterday. He thought yesterday was the 17th so hadn't even thought about it. I hope she had a good time in heaven celebrating with all the family that's gone before her. Happy Birthday Grace, we all still miss you!!!
I watched Ella this morning until Kyndra picked her up for preschool. I've seen parts of the animated Tarzan movie a dozen times with the kids but never seen how it ends. Sooooooo, after Ella left, I sat in their house all by myself for 20 mins. to find out. NOW I wonder why but at the time it seemed well worth the time! lol
April 24, 2012
Well CRAP, I wrote a whole thing this morning and it's gone. What the heck!!!! Makes me mad.....I'm going to bed!!
April 25, 2012
I lost 2.6 lbs when weighing last night but then going out for JoAnn's birthday supper at Lomita's I indulged to a horrendous extent and am sure I gained 5 back. Felt sick all night and still full this morning but after kicking myself all night long I'm back to being good. Grrrrr!
I had to uncover 2 tomato plants yesterday morning as they were actually growing out of the tops of the gallon milk jugs. Crazy, they shouldn't even be put out for another couple of weeks. We'll surely have more frost/freeze warnings before the middle of May. Such fun all this transitioning from winter to spring; especially when one is fool enough to plant things outside in March. lol
Galen got the field across the dredge plowed yesterday. It's kind of a dreary morning with a few raindrops hitting the window but things are to straighten up after 10 and reach a high of 82. We'll just have to wait and see if it's too wet for the elevator to spray today.
Me? I'm hoping it's dry enough to play in the dirt today and plant a few more seeds. Uh yes, I know it's still too early but.........
April 27, 2012
Yesterday was busy and I didn't get here. I played bridge in the morning at Donna Liscum's and won....COOL!!!
Galen went for coffee and then spent from 9-8 out getting corn planted on the north side of the dredge. Got that side finished but it was way too windy and rainy to go out today and plant.
Today, beings the way the weather was, I just stayed inside pretty much and fiddled around in here.
Galen was out working on his tractor most of the day and spent a lot of the time out in the wind. Brave man! :)
April 29, 2012
Another rainy day. We needed the rain so badly, we wanted the rain so badly, it's been a wonderful rainy spell BUT enough is enough. Being a Californian orginally I do not do cloudy days well. The first couple I'm ok, after that I'm grouchy and all I want to do is eat. That is exactly what I've been doing for 3 days. Anything that comes to mind is mine and I have NO will power to leave it alone. Galen and I seldom go out to eat JUST to be eating out BUT after church I said let's go out to dinner. He, of course, said ok and we went to Clarion to Pizza Ranch. Linda has eaten at Pizza Ranch with us but you others probably don't know what it is. Oh my gosh, it's Good. Yep, that's good with a capital G! It's buffet style and not only is it pizza, it's chicken, potatoes and gravy, salads, etc.
I had lost 12 pounds until Friday. I'm afraid to weigh myself to see what I've gained in these 3 days.
April showers bring May flowers, as they say. We should have some beautiful ones in the next few days, hope, hope, hope! Truthfully the iris, I have many colors, have been beautiful for 2 or 3 weeks now.
April 30, 2012
Wow what a difference a day makes. The sun was out today and I'm a new person. Had to be at Josh's by 6:30 a.m. to babysit. Took Ella to preschool at 9:00, Jaxen to the bus at 11:30 and then free to be outside until picking them up about 4:20. Crystal had a meeting in Des Moines and got home about 6:00 p.m.
I planted carrots it 2 tractor tires and 3 hills of watermelons by the bins. I walked over a mile but I still ate too much. Must make myself weigh in tomorrow night to face the music and begin again. Afraid if I don't go I'll just quit....NOT a good idea!
10:15 and Galen's already gone to bed. I'm on my way too. Night everyone!!!
May 2, 2012
Sorry Linda, I was busy all day and didn't get here yesterday. Mom used to talk about May day baskets, knocking on doors and running but we never did it in CA. At Savannah the 5th graders, the oldest class, got to go around the May Pole, we had a queen (not me), princesses (not me), etc. All classes did square dances (me too) that we'd spent weeks practicing. It was really fun!
Yesterday Jaxen heard about May baskets at preschool so this morning he and Crystal put one at our door, knocked and ran off. What fun!
I went to Weight Watcher's last night and gained .4 pound. I was soooooooo happy that it was just .4 and not 4 pounds.
Jan called about 9:15 and asked me to work for her today. Doc Welter, her brother in law, had passed away. I, of course, did it for her so didn't get much else accomplished until after 5.
I did get more carrots and beets planted. Cantaloupe too and I put 14 cabbage plants out. Great to be outisde and enjoy a beautiful day, especially after being cooped up inside all day.
May 3, 2012
Today is Josh's 39th birthday. Where have the years gone? It doesn't seem possible. Some days I wondered if any of us would make it through the years but he's grown into a great son, husband and father. What more can we ask!!! Happy birthday Josh, we love you and wish you many more.
Galen slept late and didn't go to coffee. After dinner he actually went to bed and slept most of the afternoon. Seems to be a little better tonight. I hope so!
I went to Eagle while he was sleeping for meds and groceries. Ben Franklin's had beautiful flowers and veggies outside but I drove right on by for now. I'll try to wait another couple of weeks.
I've got a lot of different things planted Linda but not huge amounts of anything. I don't can like I used to. It used to be dozens of jars of green beans, salsa, pizza sauce and on and on but we just don't eat like we used to, nor do we have the company for meals that we used to have. It's mostly just out of habit that I still do it. How about you, do you have garden?
It's almost 11:30 and Galen went to bed an hour or more ago. Guess I will too. Night everyone and pleasant dreams.
May 6, 2012
No garden at all Linda? Isn't that illegal??? :) It actually quit raining long enough that I pulled a few weeds today and we even ate our first radishes.....oh yeah, yum is the word there.
This morning the preschool board put on a thank you social after the kids community Sunday School program. Oh my, what good bars, donuts, etc. and I was a pig. Can you imagine that! It was to thank the community for all the benefits we have put on through the years that they've attended and helped support. Now that we're closing the doors we wanted to give back a bit.
Ella was here for awhile today and told me she was going to her first big girl birthday party. The birthday girl will be 4 and Ella's 3 so I'm sure it's a big deal. Would love to be a fly on the wall and watch all these little snippy girls.
Galen and Josh have spent the afternoon putting a security light on the outside of Josh's machine shed. No not the shed "we" helped moved Linda.
Oh, I almost forgot! This morning I thought I was looking at a yard full of dandelions (it was dandelions a couple of days ago) when I realized it was probably 100's of goldfinches fluttering around on the ground. Must have been some bug that they wanted. I have NEVER in my life seen such a sight and was it ever beautiful but truthfully a little eerie too.
Time to read my book, well actually my tablet. Do you still call it reading a book? Hmmm, I don't know, do you?
May 8, 2012
Got up with such ambition and was looking forward to working outside as soon as the grass dried. Instead the clouds and rain took over. Galen and I spent most of the morning playing suduko. We enjoy it and even played again tonight. He has a computer hooked up to the TV so we just sit here in our recliners and enjoy. I sometimes think how Grandpa Snook played solitaire at the dining room table in Chariton when he was an old man. Now we use the computer. What will our children and grandchildren use!?!?!
This afternoon I went to the library and did my walking out of the rain and then on to Humboldt to weigh in at Weight Watcher's. Lost 1.8 lbs. this week which was much nicer than gaining the .4 lb. last week. Got a few groceries and then home.
As you can see there wasn't a lot of ambition extolled around here today but tomorrow is supposed to be nice so we'll see how it goes.
Galen would sure like it to dry up so he can finish planting corn.
May 9, 2012
Sunny morning and just getting ready to go out when ring, ring, again and Jaxen wanted to come over. So, he and I went out and worked some ground and then we planted cucumbers. He said I'll help but I won't eat them. My tastebuds do not like cucumbers Grandma. He didn't like radishes when he bit into one today either. I told him to bite clear through and really get a taste, they're full of chocolate. Poor kid believed me and then said I was wrong, that one had no chocolate in it. When I laughed he realized I'd gotten him good! Such fun.
Galen tried twice to plant corn but the ground is just too wet so will try again tomorrow. He's getting pretty antsy.
Had a library board meeting at 5:00 and home about 6:30. Out to walk before supper and then home to relax.
May 11, 2012
I'm having a heck of a time opening this page so I may just give up before long. I tried all evening last night and have tried a number of times today. Grrrrrr!!!!
I went to Humboldt to have blood drawn this morning. I was home by 8:15ish so thought I really did well. Of course I had to fast and I so badly wanted to stop at Hardee's for a bacon, egg, cheese biscuit or the bakery for a donut BUT I actually talked myself out of it and came home and ate right. Shocking I know but I was actually good for once. Can you tell I'm proud of myself???
Galen was already over across at his mothers planting when I got home. He finished and is now done planting and will stew and fuss about it until harvest. He's become an old man!!! :)
We took off on the golf cart and picked more asparagus this evening. With the wind it was really too cool but we survived and got a nice bunch of asparagus.
Arden, I just don't think the rhubarb is going to amount to much this year but maybe it's just still early.
Got an overnighted (is that a word) UPS package today with a loaf of sourdough bread, a bottle of olive oil and one of balsamic vinegar for Mother's Day from Kendra and Scott. YUM!!!
Time to play some suduko so have a great evening.
May 12, 2012
Jaxen came over awhile ago to show me his new summer haircut. A Mohawk! When I told him he looked like an Indian he had no idea why I'd say that. What are these children to do w/o westerns being made anymore? We all knew how the Mohawk Indians wore their hair, how Daniel Boone had his coonskin hat. Seems like pretty much all they know is blood and guts......oh yeah, that's what we know too about the Mohawks and Daniel Boone! lol Not nearly the amount of blood and gust of today however.
As Jaxen's sitting here watching "Racing Stripes" I decided to try opening this page. It actually opened so I'm writing while I have the chance
I pulled a few weed earlier this afternoon and also got a few radishes picked, cleaned and in the fridge for supper. Yum, they've been good. I'm sure these will be too.
Galen is mowing. Seems he does alot of that after the rain we've had. Gosh but the lush green grass is pretty.....especially since I'm not the one mowing.
Crystal called about 7:00 last night saying Ella wanted to come over for a bit. Sure, no problem and then she started in that she wanted to spend the night. That was a shock as she's only stayed with us once and that was with Jaxen here too. She called to ask Mom and then Dad brought her clothes over and sure enough she stayed. Went to sleep about 9:30 and up about 7:30. Good as gold! Wonder how often we'll have that?????
Movies over and the little Indian wants to walk to the bridge.
Have a great evening everyone.
May 13, 2012
The kids and I went to church this morning.
We started working outside about 11:00 and ended up spending most of the day at it. Galen tilled outside west of the porch and we planted between 75-100 glad bulbs. In another part of the same garden I planted 4 tomato plants. He then tilled another strip west of the garage and I planted 10 green pepper plants. Galen hauled a bunch of cow manure up and we got everything in all the gardens fertilized and now hoses and sprinklers ready to water in the early morning.
Crystal went golfing so Josh and the kids were here alot of the afternoon and of course the kids helped us immensely. :)
We're both beat and just sitting here vegging out and watching TV shows we have DVR'd.
Happy Mother's Day ladies. I hope you had as good and productive day as I did!
May 14, 2012
You're right Linda. Kids and grandkids make life grand!!!!
Wow, I made it here again......nice surprise! Galen's taking a nap. It's only 11:00 a.m. but we've put in a full morning. He went for coffee at his usual 6:00 a.m. On his way he turned the sprinkler on in the strawberry bed at Josh's. I went out and started watering, watering, watering. As I write we're on the last bed and should be able to shut it off in 15 mins. or so. Nice job done.
Crystal had a conference call this morning and Jaxen thought he'd rather come here than have to be quiet and ignored for a couple of hours at home. After a 1/2 hour of being outside and not getting to stay inside to play, snuggle, etc. he decided he'd rather be home and ignored. Funny boy!!! lol
I've even got my mile walked. I really don't know why since I'm getting plenty of exercise with working outside. Could it be that I have to weigh tomorrow night and I was so Bad (yep a capital B) Saturday???? If I stay good until weigh in tomorrow night I'll have been more than perfect (truly) 6 days out of 7 which is a 1st for me. Am I improving???? I can only wish!!! Of course, after weigh in we're going out for supper with JoAnn and Rick for Mother's Day.......sigh, we all know I'll be horrid!
At 2:00 I have an online class to attend. Jan, the librarian, should really be doing it but she has no interest and I've been using the service, NEIBORS-audio and ebook book downloads, for years through another library so she asked me to do it. I kind of enjoy learning new things so hope it's interesting.
Time to crash for a few mins. and drink my ice tea and read a little before starting dinner. I bought fat free weiners and can't wait to have a hot dog. Strange aren't I!!!
May 16, 2012
A busy day today. Galen and I went to Ella's preschool graduation this morning. The teacher introduced each child by name, how old they are, said what their favortie thing was about school, etc. and what they want to be when they grow up. All wanted to be a fireman, doctor, policeman, etc. until she read Ella's......she wants to be a pirate. It cracked everyone up. The Methodist minister was sitting next to me. I said to her, "she's ornery enough to be a pirate" and Christina said, "I looked at all the children up there and thought, yes, if I had to have guessed which child said they'd grow up to be a pirate it would have been Ella, hands down". When they handed her the diploma, rolled up with a ribbon, she put it to her eye looking out like a pirate at sea. That child marches to a beat the rest of us don't hear but oh how I love the ornery little thing!!!
Anyway, Galen and I went on to Ft. Dodge for some shopping. I bought more flowers. I bought some in Humboldt last night when we went out to supper with Rick and JoAnn but, of course, I didn't get enough.
Home for dinner and then in to the library to Brady's Pampered Chef Party. Lots of us in and out and really had fun.
Back home where I fixed supper, well, we called it supper and then out and got my flowers planted in all 3 places. Had enough this time. I put the windmill you bought for me Linda, west of the porch in that garden and put bright pink petunias around it. Am sure it will be quite gorgeous in a month.
When I came in about 8:30 I told Galen I think it was the nicest evening of gardening I've ever had. Very little breeze but enough to keep the bugs away, totally quiet and the perfect temperature. My but it was nice.
Oh and btw, I gained .2 lb. last night. Really a bummer after being so good all but one day but I'm sure next week will be better. Four of us that weighed gained a few ounces this week. I don't know about the others. I was so in hopes of hitting 15 lbs. but maybe next week.
Don't like this game of Words With Friends we're playing Arden, you're doing too good.
Galen's gone to bed and it's 11:15 so time for me to get there too.
Night everyone, pleasant dreams!!!
May 17, 2012
Thought I had bridge today down in Ankeny but found out it's not until the 31st. My calendar said today but it had been changed. I KNEW it but forgot to change it on the calendar. Glad I didn't go clear down there and make a fool of myself.
Galen's planting buckwheat this morning. No idea why, other than he got to talking about it and decided to try some. Not much but a little so we'll see what he ends up. The only thing I knew about buckwheat, before we read about it on the net, is buckwheat pancakes. Dad loved them and Galen likes them periodically too. Actually I have some pancake mix in the freezer that I should fix for him........later! lol
I thought I was finished with planting flowers but before falling asleep last night I decided on more. I have to run to Eagle sometime today or tomorrow so I'll just pick up a few at Ben Franklin's or the greenhouse. Today is horribly windy so I won't put them out yet. The ones I put out last night and the night before are not happy with this wind I'm sure. Grrrrr
Linda, Kendra and Scott have asked me to go to St. Thomas with them next January. Of course they asked Galen too but he has no interest. Anyway, when I said to him......St. Thomas or Texas he said Texas. Maybe if I keep mentioning it that way we'll be down next winter. However, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you! :)
The buckwheat farmer is in and it's about time for dinner. I took a peach/raspberry cobbler out of the freezer to bake and it should be done soon so it's time to close and figure out what else I'm fixing.
You all have a great day!