Productive Day Until Time To Bathe Rusty

I had lots of help today, and we got quite a bit accomplished. After completing several jobs, we thought it would be fun to give Rusty a bath. He really needed it! Well, turns out that Rusty didn't want a bath, but since we'd already applied the shampoo, we couldn't stop until he was rinsed. Long story short, the bath ended with one freaked out dog, two very concerned boys, and an extremely painful wound for me. Dr. Dennis helped clean the wounds and applied the super glue and bandages. I sure hope it doesn't get infected! Rusty is now resting quietly beside me, all soft and fluffy and smelling nice and clean. Was it worth it?
Zach mowed our grass and Wyatt trimmed. Wyatt also cleaned the interior of the truck. Both helped do some work at the cemetery, filling low places. I suspect that with all the rain we've had, there may be lots of places needing attention before Memorial Day.
I had hoped to include a few photos, but am unable to upload. After many attempts, I'm giving up!

Finally able to upload the pictures.....Sunday night.

Hail, Hail, It's Stormy Here!

Actually, it's stormy all across the central states, from Texas to Chicago. Fortunately, we don't have the tornadoes that are ripping through Oklahoma and Kansas. I was just about to fall asleep this evening when the hail started. It sounded like someone throwing rocks at our house. I feared that the windows were going to break. Thankfully, it didn't last very long. It may not look like much in the photo, but it sounded like coconuts falling from the sky!

Farming has pretty much come to a stand still. We've had rain, and more rain. It will eventually dry up, and then they'll be planting crops....some of the farmers will be replanting.

I am looking forward to the last day of school, June 4th. I'm sure the kids are as well. We have about three weeks left. I will be traveling with the fifth graders to Des Moines to visit the State Capitol one day next week. It should be a great time.

The storm seems to have passed, so...good night!

Civil War In Keokuk Again!

I wonder who will win this year? As usual, along with the Civil War Re-enactment we have rain, heavy rain, and chances of more rain for the weekend. It seems that it always rains on them.
Today is the day all the students get the Civil War tour. I'm in the bus, waiting on the fifth graders from our school to visit all the interesting displays. This is probably the fourth time I've taken this trip with the 5th grade classes, and only one time was the weather nice so that all the activities could take place in the park.



Travis and Dennis have been doing some planting. They've also been working on a culvert that the beavers plugged. Finally, they got it opened up yesterday....just before the rain! Now maybe the fields will drain better. Those nasty little beavers are always causing problems.

Mowing season is in full swing. I've mowed already twice, and it's almost knee high again already.

I must say that the beauty of spring has never looked more beautiful! I don't know if every spring is this pretty, or if it's just such a welcome sight after our long winter. Either way, it is absolutely gorgeous!

Neighborhood Restaurant Story

I received this in an email from a friend and believe it worthy of sharing. Obviously, it's not MY story, but I do like it!

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a
group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the
recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what
ensued:

They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young
man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is
healing the sick." The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and
he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market
would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don't
deserve all of that money." Another said, 'The stupid Republicans want us
all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be
made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate." At this, I had
had enough.

I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and
approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one
moment?" They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end
of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I
will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone
interested?" They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do
something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in
this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had
just made my point. "I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no
money what so ever. Anyone interested?" In unison, a resounding "Hell Yeah"
fills the room.

"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who
receives this money free bargain." I noticed an elderly couple was paying
attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking
his head in apparent disgust. "I tell you what; I will give it to the one of
you most willing to obey my rules." Again, they looked at one another, an
expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,
"What are the rules?" I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet
defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you." They giggled
amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, "What an old coot. He must
be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man." I smiled and
leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate
offer." They gaped at me for a moment.

"Hell, I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest
among them. "Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked. The
elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the
privacy of their table. "Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?" I took a napkin
and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial
obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set
forth upon consummation of this transaction." I signed it and handed it to
the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. "Where are the keys
to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us
as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling
them before the excited new homeowner.

"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of
your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere
from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day.
You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without
question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this
gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with
enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as
mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These
are my terms. Here are your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young
man looked at me dumb founded.

"Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous
terms?" the young man appeared irritated. "You did when you signed this
contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge
that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the
agreement." Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to
restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of
people. "You can shove that stupid deal up you're a** old man, I want no
part of it" exclaimed the now infuriated young man. "You have committed to
the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the
deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have
you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and
without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master."
At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against
the unfairness of the deal.

After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true
intent. "What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to
you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then
revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you
can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you
did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your
failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape
you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only
chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is
given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom." With that, I
tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is
the nature of your new health care legislation."

I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was
surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained,
shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you Sir, these kids don't
understand Liberty these days." He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he
said, "You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab." I shook his
hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a
glimmer of hope for my beloved country.

Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get to Godly conduct
Clifford A. Wright


Please feel free to share with others

March Winds Bring April Showers, April Showers Bring May Flowers...

And, what do May flowers bring???

PILGRIMS!

The past few days have indeed been quite windy, and March is all but gone! We are in Iowa City this morning getting Dennis' eye exam. I came because they told him to bring a driver.

Zach and I enjoyed our brief time at the Lake of the Ozarks. We went to the LOTO Gospel Sing. We enjoyed the fine music from the Lesters, the Martins, Higher Power Quartet and the Booth Brothers. We also dropped a few dollars at Miner Mikes, the batting cages, and of course the go-karts. We stayed overnight at the Village Inn....adjacent to the Outlet Mall....110 stores! Zach begged me to go shopping... (just kidding). We looked them over from the highway and decided there was nothing there for us.

Well, I'd have added a photo of Dennis here in the waiting room, but before I could get set up to take the shot, he was called into the exam room. Looks like we might get in and out pretty quick! Hmmmm....wonder where we'll go for lunch! Since I've not eaten yet, I'm getting pretty hungry.

Well, that's it for this time.

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!