Meet Rusty!

We now have a guard dog. Beware if you come visiting!

Groundhog Day and Other Trivial Stuff

Just as expected, we will have six more weeks of winter! I know these things without Phil's help. Spring always comes on March 21, whether or not Phil sees his shadow. It really makes no difference. I wonder who started that whole "tradition" and why. I suppose with all the information available on the Internet, I could research it and find out. However, I don't think I care enough to spend my time in that endeavor. I have much more pressing things to occupy my time, such as:

• Nagging. Now, this is NOT something I enjoy, nor do I spend a lot of time doing it. I don't have to, because Dennis gets just about everything done before I have a chance to nag. But, on occasion ... enough said.
• Office duties. Most recently, preparing to file our income tax report. Also not something I particularly enjoy, but it is always a good feeling to have it done and not worry about it for another year.
• Playing games. This I enjoy very much! We've been getting together once a week all winter with a fun group of friends and family.
• Quick trips to town for various reasons, often including lunch.
  
• Reading. I love to read. I have to limit myself on this or I would get nothing else done!
• Small Group. Every Tuesday evening, we meet with people we like and have a time of study, prayer and fellowship. It usually includes some very tasty treats!
• Trips out of district. I drive the bus for extra curricular activities. My favorite trips are the band trips and show choir. I'm not much interested in basketball, but I drive for those also sometimes.
• Useless time spent on Face Book. I find myself there every time I sit down at the computer. It can really take a lot of time if I'm not careful. However, many times I've learned some interesting information or news from my Face Book friends, so it's not all useless time. It's an easy way to keep in touch with friends afar.
• Vacation. I'm not spending time ON vacation yet, but I spend quite a bit of time planning. I get to decide where to go, what to see, where to stay .... I actually think sometimes that half of the fun of a vacation is in the planning! This I enjoy! In fact, once I had so much fun planning our vacation that we saved a bundle of money, because we didn't even have to go!
  
• Wyatt. I love spending time with Wyatt. Some day he will grow up and not have time for me, so I take advantage of every opportunity.
• Xanadu. Call me crazy, but I spend a LOT of time here in Xanadu. My home is Xanadu! (Xanadu is defined as a place of beauty, luxury and contentment)
  
• Yard work. Actually, this is a pretty slow time for yard work, but I do try to keep the shrubs trimmed and neat, clean up after the birds and other critters. Even during the winter this takes a little time. Of course, it will require a lot more time as spring nears.
• Zach. I also love spending time with Zach. He too will outgrow me someday. I treasure every moment he shares with me, knowing that soon he will be busy with other friends and activities.
  

Well, that completes the alphabetical list of how my days, hours and minutes are spent. Note to Charlie: I appreciate your confidence in me. :)))

A Hunting We Will Go!

Today we're going to have pheasant for Sunday dinner at Mom's. Travis and Dennis went hunting Friday, and Dennis had a great time.


They're hoping to take Zach and Jake next week.

Yesterday, I drove our show choir to Muscatine for their first contest. They did very well. The judges scored them as a solid 2. One is the best possible score, and five is the worst. A two is pretty good for the first time out.

More things that occupy my time:

• Kitchen duties
• Laundry
• Making music (I like to play my piano, and play around with making up tunes)
  

(Note to Charlie: I'm accepting the challenge....but it's going to take some time)

Well, time to wake the boys up and start getting ready for church.

Time Flies

Sunday was our surprise party for Mom and Dad. I'm quite sure they were totally surprised, and many friends and loved ones came to wish them 'Happy Birthday'. (see the previous post for the picture)
As I just told a friend moments ago, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper....the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." I must be very near the end, because life seems to be flying along at an incredible speed! January is nearly gone. It seems that I stay quite busy, but get nothing done. Not that I'm greatly concerned about that, but some days I wonder how I could have been so busy and accomplished so little!
These are a few things that occupy my time:

• Assisting with "Sparkle In the Darkness" girls' group
  
• Bus Driving
• Community Bible Study
  
• Dennis
  
• Exercise (I always intend to do more, but usually don't)
  
• Feeding the birds
• Grand parenting
• Housework .... just a little bit, once in a while
  
• Imaging (photography and photo editing)
• Jesus ... I'd like to think that Jesus is included in every minute of every day
  

I thought about trying to use the entire alphabet, but won't for at least two reasons:

1. I am unable to think of an activity for several letters, so a complete alphabetical list isn't even possible for me and my limited vocabulary.
2. The complete alphabet would mean a list of twenty-six activities. I am not that active! And, if I were, it would sound as if I were boasting.

I must quit here, because the time has slipped away, and if I don't get going, there will be no one to drive the students riding bus #30 home!

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!

To the best Mom and Dad on earth, Happy Birthday! I love you!

This picture was taken while we were visiting friends in Colorado a few years ago. Mom and Dad still look the same. They're very active and healthy, for which we are all very thankful! If we took a picture of them today the scene would be ice coated. School has been called off again today because of the ice.
The New Year started off with a bang, literally! We "partied" with the Rockholds, Mickelsons, Mom and Dad and Travis and Gail at the Rockhold's house, eating and playing games until midnight and then firing off a New Year's salute! It was a great time.
We've had plenty of work so far this year, and are thankful. When the temperatures dropped below zero, and the snow was piling up, it was a little stressful, but we were so blessed! We had no problems with machinery starting up and running, and we were able to get everything done with no complications. That may seem insignificant to some people, but we believe God cares about us and for us, and He answers our prayers. We are thankful!
Our snow is now almost gone, but this morning we have a layer of ice. We're enjoying it from the warmth and comfort of our home. We don't have to go out in it until this evening when we plan to meet with the family to celebrate the birthdays of Mom and Dad.
Happy Birthday, Mom and Dad!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

The past couple of weeks have been a flurry of activity!
We again enjoyed a wonderful weekend with the Rockholds and Mickelsons. We went to Camp Forest Springs for the Christmas Dinner Theater. Of course, we stopped in Fennimore for some Wisconsin cheese, and had to get a winter picture with Igor, the Carr Valley Cheese mascot.
The trip is just over 400 miles, and believe me, we laughed almost all the way!

When we arrived at CFS, we were treated as royal guests. We enjoyed appetizers, an excellent dinner, and the play, which was the best yet! It was an intense drama with a touch of humor. It was fun, and at the same time, portrayed how desperately we need Jesus Christ, and the difference He makes in our lives.




We got a little snow the following weekend, and took the little boys sledding at the cemetery. That's always fun.




















Christmas was spent with family from both "sides". We spent Christmas Eve with the Schulte bunch at Pam's house. Then, Christmas morning, we went to Tyler and Kathy's for a fine Christmas breakfast. While we were there, Zach cut his hand with Wyatt's new pocket knife. It was a pretty bad cut, but with a little tape and some super-glue, they got him fixed up. Then, Travis and Gail's for a delicious dinner, and off to Mom and Dad's for supper with the Nye clan.


One of the special joys of this Christmas was getting to meet Ruben's mom and sisters. They came from Honduras to spend Christmas with us, and we were blessed by the time we shared with them.








Snow started falling on Christmas day, and this morning we have about 5-6 inches on the ground with snow still falling. It's beautiful!



All too soon, this year will be history! Happy New Year!

Candlelight Carols In The Windy City

What an incredible Christmas celebration! We enjoyed the evening immensely! Moody Church itself is something to see, and the performance was excellent. I'm uploading a video I recorded from one of the selections. The Bell Choir did three songs, and I didn't think to record even one. I love the bells! They're my favorite part of the whole program. The conductor also included the entire audience for three songs, and singing carols amidst a huge crowd, accompanied by a symphony orchestra is just indescribably beautiful.

The weather could not have been better! Expecting it to be frigid and windy, I wore my warmest clothes, and never actually cooled off! At times, I was uncomfortably warm, which is much better than miserably cold.

Amtrak is a great way to go. We arrived in Chicago in time for lunch and ate at The Artist, which was just a few steps from our hotel. The Congress Hotel gave us an upgraded room, so we enjoyed the extra space, and even had a small view of the lake. We ate real Chicago-style pizza at Gino's Saturday evening. Delicious! I've never met a pizza I didn't like, but Gino's is the best I've ever tasted.

Michigan Avenue was, of course, very busy... and beautifully decorated. We looked at everything, and even made a few purchases. I'm continually amazed at the beautiful buildings. There was just so much to see, and so little time! We covered a lot of ground for our brief stay. Gariann and Julie could have covered a lot more without me, but were kind enough to adjust to my pace.

• Glitz and glitter
• Caribou coffee
• Germantown
• Spiced hot drinks in a souvenir boot mug.
• Stairwell races
• Coat on, coat off, coat on, no off, no, ON, oops, Off again and on....
• Hot chocolate and candy at Ghirardelli's
• Bloomingdale's and Miss Ellen
• Macy's animated windows
• Candied nuts and Chicago-style popcorn
• Policemen on horses
• Swarovski crystal
• FoodLife stir-fry
• Family restrooms
• Revolving doors
• Booty lift britches
• Sad blisters
  

It was a great weekend!



(I wish I'd thought to photograph one of the posters we saw displayed on Michigan Avenue. It seems that in the opinion of Chicago, our President's halo has slipped. )

Much, Much Later Update: Video finally loaded!

The Schulte Men Went Shopping!

And take a look at what they brought home!
















The guys were able to get back in the field today, and had a pretty good day. They hauled over three thousand bushels in spite of a two hour wait at the elevator.
Zach and Wyatt were here Friday to decorate our Christmas tree. It's beautiful, and both boys made a new ornament for the tree. They have made special ornaments for our tree every year since Zach started school.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're just two days away from Thanksgiving, and then four weeks to Christmas! Where does the time go? Zach and Wyatt are planning to come Friday to decorate our Christmas tree. They have helped every year since they were born, and it's something they seem to enjoy. Of course, I do too!
Most of the farmers in our area are still trying to harvest the crops, including us. It's been a rainy and wet fall! We're are thankful for a bountiful crop! And we'll be thankful when it's all "in the bin" too! Our calves did go to the sale on November 7th. They weighed in at 401 pounds each! We were thankful for the check we received for them. About a week later, we bought a young Angus bull. Wyatt named him Big Daddy T. The last calf we let Wyatt name was "Burger King", and we have maybe five or six packages of him left in the freezer.
We have so much for which to be thankful! I've been noticing on the Facebook pages that people are posting something each day for which they are thankful. I have not been doing that. In fact, I've hardly been on Facebook lately. So, because I have so little else to say, I'm going to list just a few reasons I have to be thankful!

• Jesus loves me!
• I can worship openly.
• I have parents who have loved me all my life....and continue to do so!
• I have godly parents.
• I have two sisters and a brother.
• I am prayed for daily....(by those godly parents)
• I have a faithful husband.
• I have two wonderful sons.
• I have two wonderful daughters-in law.
• I have grandchildren! And great grandchildren!
• Most of my family lives close (within 50 miles) and we get to see one another often.
  
• I have a comfortable home.
• I have reliable transportation.
• We have Christian radio.
• Indoor plumbing.
• I have a job!
  
• I have eyesight, and the ability to read.
• I have friends.
• I have clothing.
• I have plenty to eat.
• I'm in good health.
• I enjoy playing piano. I'm thankful now for those lessons!
• I live in Iowa, the heartland of the USA.
  
• I have enough.

I'm sure I could go on and on, but I received a call from Dennis, and he needs my help! So, that's it for this time!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumn Activities Abound!

Can't believe today is the nineteenth of October! Summer was over way too soon, and amazingly, we're just a few weeks from Thanksgiving! We've traveled countless miles and enjoyed making many great memories with friends and family.
In September, Bobbie and I enjoyed our annual trip to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Quartet Convention. Every time we go, we believe it's the best ever, and this year was no exception. We enjoyed every minute of the trip. We did spend one night at a stinky, sleazy Motel 6 on the way over, but we were able to get some rest, and it really gave us a lot of laughs. Honestly, it was the worst room ever! Let me just say that we will not ever be staying there again.
Oktoberfest 2009 in Ottumwa was wet and cold, but our marching band placed very well in the parade. We took four bus loads of kids, and the weather was so miserable that the bus drivers found a lovely coffee shop, and we stayed warm and dry for the whole time!
Gariann, Mom, Nanci and I went to Branson for the weekend of October 10th. Bob and Brenda gave us a place to stay, and treated us as royal guests! We did some shopping, attended Karla's wedding, and enjoyed an evening at the Dixie Stampede with Hoffstatters and Porters. I came home with a whole new wardrobe! Wow!
Looking ahead, we have another wedding, Candlelight Carols at Moody, and CFS Dinner Theater yet to enjoy.
The foliage in our area is in beautiful fall color, and now that the sun is shining, everywhere I look is simply gorgeous. Farmers are busy with harvest, although Travis and Dennis have not yet started. It's been a little wet, and the crops are still a little green. They expect to be in full harvest mode by next week though.
Our calves have grown, and are just about ready to take the ride to Keosauqua, where they'll find new homes. We expect to sell them early in November, or at least before Thanksgiving.
Well, that pretty much summarizes what's been going on here at Honeysuckle Lodge.
Enjoy these beautiful fall days!