Well, It's About TIME!

It's raining and a little on the stormy side this morning. While I was syncing my "pod", I got to thinking about how long it had been since I made my "weekly" list of five things for which I am thankful. HA! Weekly? It was early in December when I last posted my list! Well, anyway, I got to thinking about that, and FINALLY!!! here is my newest list:


1. SPRING! I am truly thankful that we live in Iowa, where we can enjoy the changing seasons. Often on those fun little “Get to Know You” e-mail questionnaires I am asked which season is my favorite. I have to say, I don’t have a favorite! I love them all! Still, I am thankful for spring. I’m so enjoying the lush green color of our hay fields and lawn, the blooming daffodils and red bud trees, the songs of the songbirds, and watching them build nests. Also, I’m enjoying the warmer temperatures and the longer days. Yes, I am thankful for spring.

2. HIGHWAYS! Do you remember when a trip to Fort Madison or Quincy seemed like a very long trip? Do you remember when Iowa City seemed to be so far away? I can, and do remember! Today, we travel to Iowa City between the morning and afternoon bus route to do a little shopping and have lunch! It’s a four lane, divided highway from here to Cedar Rapids, or Fort Madison and Burlington. We just got home Sunday from a weekend trip to the Ozarks. I can remember back when the trip to the Ozarks was on a narrow, winding road that took forever, and now we can get there in under 4 hours! I am thankful for the roads that make travel so much easier and enjoyable.

3. VISION! I am so thankful for good vision! I recently had an eye exam and got new glasses. I’ll confess, I don’t really like wearing glasses, but I am getting used to them and am very happy to be able to see!

4. BOOKS. I really enjoy a good book! Of course, that’s one reason I’m so thankful for vision! I can read so much better with my new glasses. I’m thankful that there are so many really good books available to read. Reading a book is almost like a vacation. I am thankful for books!

5. WANDA! I’m thankful for Wanda. She’s a wonderful person, and Wanda also loves books. She is very generous to share them, so I can read from her extensive library. When I get a book from Wanda, I can be sure that it will be a good book, without explicit language or trashy themes. I’m thankful for Wanda.

As always, there are so many things for which to be thankful, but these are just the five that popped into my head this morning.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Belated Birthday Wishes HEIDI!

So, how OLD are you now? We sure hope you had a great birthday. It couldn't have been a more beautiful day, that's for sure! Anyway.....just want EVERYONE who reads this to know that Heidi "FoolBaby" Hays is another year older!


I had the great pleasure of being at the Lake of the Ozarks Annual Gospel Sing for the weekend. Bobbie and I left right after our bus routes Friday afternoon, and were able to attend three concerts and enjoy absolutely great Southern Gospel music! We saw the Ball Brothers Quartet, Higher Power, Sweet Harmony Boys Quartet, Dove Brothers, The Lesters, and Triumphant Quartet. Every performance was excellent and we really had a good time. We also did just a tiny bit of shopping while we were there. Sunday morning, we had breakfast at Stewarts. If you've never eaten at Stewarts, it's a really great value. They serve biscuits and rolls that are the size of a round birthday cake! The food is good, and the prices are very reasonable! I was able to get a few pictures of some of the groups performing. If you are not familiar with Southern Gospel music I would describe it as "inspirational, uplifting music with a country style". It's played on 91.7 FM radio a lot, and if you don't love it, there is something wrong with you!
As I type, I'm watching a pair of bluebirds trying to start a nest in one of our bluebird boxes. Each year we enjoy watching several families of bluebirds raised just outside our window. With any luck, maybe I'll be able to get a picture of them for my next post. Things are so green and beautiful, but the grass is needing clipped, so I best finish this post and get out there!

Crash and Burn Monday!

It was a teacher in-service day, so we had no school. Zach and Wyatt came over for the afternoon. We had a busy day. Tyler brought the motorcycle over on his way to work, so Zach could ride. Wyatt and I rode the four wheeler. Zach had a big crash. He was going way too fast, and didn't make the corner. Wyatt and I didn't actually see the wreck, which is probably a good thing. In the picture, Wyatt is coming back from checking to make sure Zach was OK. We rode quite a while longer, although we DID slow down just a bit! Wyatt and I picked up a lot of sticks that had fallen on the trails. Some of them were pretty big, and once we ran over one and it flipped up and hit my leg. We stopped to look at the big creek. Wyatt was looking at that big sand bar, and wanted to go play over there in the sand. It was warm today, but not warm enough for that yet. Picking up sticks seems like such a good idea that we went out in the pasture and made a big pile of sticks. Then I let the boys use lighters to make a fire. They played in the fire for a while and then wanted to ride some more. While I fixed some lunch, they played "Walkie Talkie Hide and Seek". That's when you each take a walkie talkie, and one hides. When the one hiding is ready, he calls on the walkie talkie, and the seeker goes looking. The hider tells the seeker one or two things he sees, and that helps the seeker find the hider. It's really fun. I played with them after lunch. Wyatt and I were a team. We went back to build up our fire again, stacked on more sticks. Just before Kathy came to get them, Wyatt was riding his bike. Of course, he was pedalling as fast as he could. We're not exactly sure what happened, but the bike tipped up on the front tire and Wyatt went over the handle bars and landed in the rocks. Bad wreck! Zach and I both saw it happen and ran to see how bad he was hurt. Amazingly, he was fine. Then Kathy came and they had to go home. It was a fun day...even with both boys crashing their bikes. So, since we also burned so many sticks, we called it crash and burn Monday!

NEW Updated Welcome Arrival...SPRING!

It's another beautiful day! Sunshine, mid forties and the snow and ice are almost gone! We've been seeing lots of red-winged blackbirds which, according to some (Linda K.), is THE sure sign of spring's arrival. I'm waiting to hear the whippoorwills and see lightning bugs!
I haven't any new pictures to post, but with the beautiful weather I'll be getting out and shooting some pictures of the house project. They've made a lot of progress! Still a lot to do before they can move in though. Before planting season I hope! Can't believe it's already a week into March!
That's all for today....I'm heading for school to transport those students back to their homes.

Quite some time ago, I got TAGGED....I didn't really know what it meant for a long time, and after it was explained I didn't get around to responding, so---Here it is Deb! And NO tag-backs!
1. Do you like the looks and content of your blog?
Yes, I do.

2. Does your family know about your blog?
I believe they do…at least those with internet access do.

3. Can you tell your friends about your blog?
Absolutely….I hope they’re reading it and leaving comments!

4. Do you just read the blogs of those that post on your blog ?
Nope…I read lots of others that have never posted on our blog.

5. Did your blog positively affect your mind?
Hmmm….I’m sure it has, but could not say how!

6. What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?
I am not aware of the number of visitors to my blog, but those who visit get to read what’s going on around our place, and with pictures.

7. Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?
No

8. Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
I think it’s a great way for friends and family separated by distance to keep in touch.

9.Do you feel the blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
No…I don’t.

10.Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
I don’t read them, I only read the blogs of people I either know personally or have a mutual friend.

11. Do you think criticizing your blog is useful?
That depends on who is criticizing, and why.

12. Have you ever thought what would happen to your blog if you died?
Never thought about it, but it wouldn’t be updated ever again after I pass away.

13. Which blog has had the greatest impression on you?
I am unable to answer….I just can’t decide!

14. Which blog do you think is most similar to you?
Again, I don’t know!

15. Name a song that you listen to. Just ONE???? I listen to music all the time. Southern Gospel music….. The one playing at the moment is called, “Is Anything Too Hard for God?” by the Whistnants.

OK...now I think I'm supposed to tag someone else. So, since I can't tag Deb (she tagged me) and the only other person I know who reads my blog and is a blogger is Heidi....well...Heidi! You have been tagged!

President's Day on the Pond!

Zach stayed over last night, and we've had a busy day! Lots of fun and laughter! We had a reading time, which is a very pleasant pass time for me! Zach is supposed to read some every day, so he's started reading one of my Church Choir Mystery series. He's into the fifth chapter, and I've asked him about the story. He gave a brief summary of what he's read so far, and I was happy to know that he's actually able to read and comprehend the story. He's in second grade! The book is one I will enjoy reading! I'm thankful that he's able to read so well. After reading a while, we went out to play in the snow. We really needed to get the snow off the pond, and wanted to make a snowman, so we made "snowpersons" on the ice. It was a great way to get the snow off the ice so the light could go through. Our big snowperson collapsed under the pressure of wind gusts and 50 degree temperatures. It was fun, but we sure got wet! After tiring of that, we came inside to make cookies. We also played Crazy 8's and enjoyed a few of the cookies.









Last Friday evening, we had the pleasure of going to Quincy and having dinner at the Patio with some friends. The meal was excellent, but the company was even better. It was just a great evening. It's been a long time since we've enjoyed the fellowship of these fine folks!

February....Finally Something to Post!

This morning it was 23 degrees! Wow! Spring seems to be just around the bend. The birds are singing, sun is shining and we're under a winter storm watch! Oh, well...it IS Iowa! Actually, I'm thankful for the warmer temperatures and sunshine.
Tyler and Kathy along with several others went to Galena for a weekend of skiing. The boys have been with us all weekend. Unfortunately, they've been sick since they got here. Yesterday, they were having fevers of 103 and 101, so we just watched movies, read stories and took long naps. They seem much better today, although they're still not as perky as usual. I caught them sitting together in the recliner listening to Zach's music on his MP3 player. Zach got the MP3 player for Christmas, and loves it! I've filled it with songs twice since he's had it, and he and Wyatt are listening to the new songs we put in yesterday. I thought it was a sweet scene, seeing them sharing the music.
Dennis (Popo) was quite busy this past week. He is so glad Kyle was home and willing to help out. We had lots of graves to dig, and with Travis working the day shift it makes it late when they get started, so Dennis and Kyle went ahead of time to break out the frost. There is about 25" of frost now. In addition to all the gravedigging, Dennis and Kyle cut wood and backfilled the graves. It was a long and exhausting week for Dennis and he says he wouldn't have made it without Kyle's help. Today, he is "recovering" from the long, cold work of the past week. I "snooked" in to get a picture of him at rest. "Snooked" is what Wyatt says for sneak, past tense. LOL! Anyway, Popo most likely won't be thrilled having this picture posted for the world to see....hahaha! Dennis did get a break yesterday when he, Travis, Kyle and Kirk went to Macomb for the afternoon to a farm show thing. He said he had a really good time. Kyle took them to one of his favorite eating places in Macomb.
We're now playing school. Zach and Wyatt are pupils in Mrs. Jean's class. They are hard working students, and they are really into their assignments!
I (Mrs. Jean) must go grade some papers!

Dad's Home and Doing Great!

Mom brought Dad home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, just in time to celebrate their birthdays! Yesterday was their birthday....yes, both of them were born on January 20th! Anyway, it was exciting to see him back home and I'm sure they were very happy to be there!
Last evening it started snowing lightly, and by morning we had about three inches on the ground. It continued off and on throughout the morning, and we ended up with 5-6" total. It's beautiful, and probably very slick, since there is still a lot of ice under it!The birds were flocking to the feeder today....as usual. We also had four squirrels dining on birdfood. I tried to take a picture of all the birds at our feeder this afternoon. I counted as many as sixteen cardinals at one time.
Tomorrow and through the entire week, bus routes will be on hard surfaces only. My route is all hard surfaces anyway, so nothing changes for me.

This is Thursday and What a Day!

What a day this has been! I started the day by driving past my first bus stop without even slowing down! I was deep in thought, and just driving along...and as soon as I got to the stop, I knew I'd missed it. It was really too late to stop then, so I called the office and asked them to tell those people that I missed them, and would pick them up on the way back. Not a major deal, but stupid, for sure! Between the morning and afternoon routes, I only did a few dumb things. I got to thinking (a dangerous thing?) ... perhaps I've had a stroke or heart attack, and my brains are malfunctioning! So I did the simple test: smile, talk and raise your arms above the head. I could do all three, so must be OK. I dropped our cordless phone, and it broke into three pieces. I don't know that it will ever work again. Then, my afternoon route was a real trip. I had an incident and wasn't sure how to handle it, so I called my boss rather than announce it for the whole county to hear on our radios. She told me to pull over, turn on my four way flashers, and wait...she would be there right away. So I did. We sat on the shoulder of the highway, and sure enough, both Kim, and our school superintendant arrived within minutes. The kids had no idea why we were stopped, and I didn't tell them, because I wanted to let it come as a surprise. Sure enough, when Kim boarded the bus, they were surprised! Two or three of the students had been saying, "there's a bomb in the bag". I heard them saying it, and even though I was certain there was no such thing, I felt I could not ignore the totally inappropriate joking. All the students had to leave their bags, exit the bus, and stand in a tight group at the edge of a field. They stood out in the chilly wind waiting for the school officials to search the bags. When they got back on the bus, they were given a pretty stern lecture and a warning that should this happen again, there could be charges against them. Kim did get names of those who were saying it, and will deal severely with them tomorrow! Anyway, I thought that was just a strange day all day long.
Kyle came over this afternoon to play with Dennis. They'd started racing sprint cars on the play station game a long time ago, and since Kyle is leaving this weekend for a new job in Wyoming, they decided they should finish the championship race. Kyle ended up beating Dennis. I heard a lot (LOT) of loud long laughter, so could not resist getting a picture!
Dad is doing better every day. They think they have the atrial fib under control now, and if they do, he will be released in the morning. However, he will not be going home. He's going to spend about a week in rehab. He has trouble getting out of bed and up and down from a chair, because of the knee, so he will stay where they have the equipment and staff to work with him to get that knee bending and stronger.
That's about all I have to tell for today!

Dad's Up and Walking

We just came back from visiting Dad in the hospital. He is doing well. Tonight while we were there, he went for a walk. I think he will be hard to keep up with once he's healed up, because he stepped right out and took off at a pace that seemed pretty fast to me! Pictured here with his nurse, Melissa, he's just taking off. As you can see, he seems to be having a good time in spite of all the discomfort. The nurses think he'll be going home by the weekend. He's being a great patient. He especially loves his hospital clothes!

Are You Wondering...?

Well, it's 2007! I find this post very difficult to write.
Let me begin by saying that, "Even though...." my faith still holds. Many years ago, I heard Mark Scott preach a sermon from Habakkuk chapter 3, and it has often come to mind through the years, but especially so at this time.
On December 19, our grandson was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. Naturally, we do not believe he is guilty, but even so, he has been incarcerated since that day. He will remain in detention possibly until his trial. This has been very heart-wrenching for all of us. We have a long road to go yet through the legal system, and covet your prayers.
Ten days after that incident, Dad went to Burlington for knee replacement surgery. He came through that in his Doctor's words..."smooth as silk". The next day, he suffered a heart attack. Through testing it was determined that he has three arteries 90-95% blocked and two that are 75% blocked. Bypass surgery required! Since Burlington doesn't do bypass, he was transferred by ambulance to Quincy, where he is under the care of Dr. Kase. He will have surgery early Monday morning. They would have done it right away, but he developed some infection where the IV was in his arm, so they had to get that cleared up.
Naturally, Dad being the warm and cheerful patient that he is, received attention from all the nurses in the whole cardiac wing at Great River Medical Center in Burlington. Here he is pictured with Roxanne and Shiloh. They seemed to enjoy his banter and were very attentive to his needs.
So, it's been an emotionally draining few weeks, and will probably continue for some time, yet allow me to quote Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I will be joyful in GOD my Savior. The sovereign LORD is my STRENGTH; HE makes my feet like the feet of a deer, HE enables me to go on the heights." (emphasis mine)
To me, that's saying....No matter what happens....however bad it gets...I will rejoice in the LORD, be joyful in GOD MY SAVIOR...and HE is my strength. Pray that we all remember that!