Reunion Weekend

Not only is it my class reunion weekend, it's also the weekend for the Schulte reunion. We'll be going to Tolmie Park for a big fish fry at noon today. One of the things they know how to do very well it put on a great feed! It should be a fine time, and with the cooler temperatures it will be much more pleasant.
Here's an update from Thursday's blog. Remember, Zach got a motorcycle on Thursday. I heard that he was told to ride it on the outer perimeter of their property so that he didn't ruin the yard near the house. Well, I'm speculating here, but riding the outer perimeter doesn't give you much opportunity to show everyone what you can do. No one stands way out there to watch! For whatever reason, Zach rode in the yard right by the house, and spun his tires, tearing up the grass and making a rut in the yard. Mom and Dad were not happy. Zach lost his riding privileges for two days. So he won't be riding again until Sunday! I sure hope his Dad remembers how much he rearranged our rocks and grass when he was a younger. Maybe he does remember, and that's why he's on Zach for it, because we cased on him all the time for tearing up the yard and driveway! Looking back, it really didn't matter, but at the time we thought it did. Funny how time changes things.
I was looking at pictures earlier this morning, and just enjoying them so much, I decided to add a few here. Not necessarily because anyone else wants to see them, but I wanted to try adding more than one at a time, just to see how (or IF) it works.






Yes....it does work. I've discovered that I can add up to five pictures at a time. I have yet to figure out how to put them exactly where I want, but I'll keep practicing.
Let me say that the gas price picture was taken last summer, but it's about average for today as well. The next photo was from our Christmas Eve Treeing...we go around catching people off guard and taking pictures of them...wish them Merry Christmas and then go to another victim. It's a lot of fun, and as you can see, Judy was NOT expecting us!

Walls Are Poured!

As of today, the walls are poured and they're taking the forms down. The plumber is getting the drains and stuff in so they can pour the floor. Pouring the walls was quite a sight! They used a pump outfit, and it worked really nice! It's just been a few weeks since they started the building project, but much has been accomplished. It's going to be nice to have them just a mile or so down the road from us.
Dennis just called, and the races are over. He's on his way home already! I can't believe they got out so quick. I wonder if they didn't have very many cars show up to race! Anyway, he finished third, right behind Tyler.
I wonder if he'd stop at the store before he comes home to get some really good ice cream? I doubt it very much! Blue Bunny Pistachio Almond sounds good...and it's on sale!
Well, since he's on his way home, I better get ready to go greet him with a big old welcome home smooch.

Road Trip with Zach

Zach spent the night last night, and after breakfast this morning we decided to go shopping in Quincy. He wanted to go to Hobby Lobby, so how could I say no? We first stopped in Keokuk to look at helmets. Zach is getting a motorcycle, and we thought we'd check prices and see what size he'd need. We also looked at riding boots, chest protectors, and all kinds of accessories! Then we fueled up the van and headed to Hobby Lobby. We found that stickers and scrapbook papers were half price, so we got a few stickers. We also walked down the street to Learning Adventures. It's one of my favorite places to find unique learning toys and things for the kids. I bought Zach four pencils for school. He'll begin second grade on August 23. That seems impossible!
Anyway, after that we stopped at TNT and were fortunate enough to see Bryan Smith. I told Zach that Popo and I have known Bryan since he was Zach's age. We had really stopped in to check out the helmets, and did in fact end up buying one. After a quick drive through at Wendy's we headed home. Zach stopped in at Ed's to show his Daddy the new helmet, so they decided to pick up the motorcycle on their way home. I would imagine that Zach tore up the yard with his new wheels this evening.
Dennis is still (it's 9:30PM) out polishing his race car. He's getting ready for the races tomorrow night. Last week he had some tire troubles, but still managed a third place finish. He had a wheel alignment done this afternoon, so is thinking he might have a better handling car tomorrow. Who knows how late he might stay up working on that thing. As for me, I'm just about ready to shower and stretch out with my book. I might read several pages before falling asleep!

I Needed A Good Laugh!

A friend sent the following story to me, and it tickled me so good, I had to share it! Read on:

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of
women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you
check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.
Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman
leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't
matter.
The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's mom,
no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook,
if there were one, but there isn't - - so you carefully, but quickly,
drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it
on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume "The Stance."
In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake.
You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the
seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance."
To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you
discover to be the EMPTY toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can
hear your mom's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat,
you
would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. You
remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one
that's still in your purse. That would have to do.
You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It is still smaller than your
thumbnail.
Someone pushes open your stall door because the latch doesn't work. The
door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your
chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the
toilet. "OCCUPIED!" you scream, as you reach for the door dropping your
precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your
footing altogether, and slide down directly on the TOILET SEAT. It is wet
of course.
You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom
has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered
seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any,
even if you had taken time to try.
You know your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because,
you're certain, her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat
because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you
could
get."
By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so
confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a firehose
that somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the
toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.
At that point, you give up. You are soaked by the spewing water and the
wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you
found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.
Now, you can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic
sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk
past the line of women still waiting. You are no longer able to smile
politely to them.
A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet
paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You
yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it into the woman's hand and tell her
warmly, "Here, you just might need this."
As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used and
left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why
is your purse hanging around your neck?"
This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restroom
(REST??? - You've got to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men
what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly
asked question about why women go to the restroom in pairs.
It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you
Kleenex under the door.

I hope you laughed as long and loud as I did !

I'm Back!!!!

The HughesNet tech-man just left. He arrived here at about 10:45 a.m. and found that our satellite radio (receiver?) was malfunctioning. He has everything all fixed up now, for which I am very thankful! Wow, I really missed my high speed service. I even signed up for 50 free days of dial up from AOL. It was so slow!
It's another scorcher outside today. They're saying that tonight storms are expected. I sure hope we don't have any problems with the satellite system due to storms! I can't even think about waiting for the technician to come back within 3-5 days! Do you know how long 3-5 days seems when you are waiting for service?
This morning, I went for my DOT physical. Dr. Pam examined me and said I should be able to handle two more years of bussing. School will begin on August 23. On the 21st, I have to attend a mandatory drivers meeting, and will find out then about who gets the new busses! I have heard that they're equipped with air-conditioning, but I'll believe that when I see it!
Well, now that I have internet service, I must check out the mail and my favorite sites.
TTFN!

Back Online...Finally!

Well, it's Sunday night, and I have been on the phone with tech support three different times today! Each time I called them I was put on hold for about 20 minutes, and spoke with six different people. When I got off the phone the last time, I think the lady said that someone would call within the next five minutes. It's really hard to say what she said, because we don't speak the same English! However, no one called. Five minutes, twenty minutes, still no call, so I went to watch a movie. I was not about to call back and get put on hold for another 20 minutes! What a waste of time. Grrrr! Anyway, when the movie ended, I came up to check and behold! It started off pretty slowly, but is working fine now. I don't know how long it will last, and don't know what the problem was. We started noticing some problems Saturday afternoon, but thought maybe the weather was the cause. When it was worse when I got up this morning, I knew it wasn't the weather. It was plenty hot, that's for sure! Wyatt is coming to stay with me tomorrow. We'll surely have a fun day!

Staying Cool---Mission Possible!

The temperatures here have been nearing the triple digits and with the humidity factor, it feels like a sauna! I personally try to stay inside where the air is cool whenever possible. Dennis and the boys, though have to keep going in spite of the heat! Travis and Gail have their new basement nearly formed and expect to pour the concrete Monday morning. Here you can see Travis, Gail, Ashley and Dale working on the footings. Dennis and I were there helping too, and it was hot! Since this picture was taken, they've put up forms, and re-rod. In addition to all the work being done on the house project, we've had quite a lot of graves to dig these past few weeks. Dennis has also helped two different neighbors dig up water lines that were leaking. I sure hope ours don't start leaking!
The horse and calf don't seem to be suffering with the heat. They have good shade, and can stand inside the barn where it's usually cool (comparatively speaking) and we keep the water tank full. Scamba, however, has moved into the house. He now thinks that the mud room is his house. We don't mind though. He's about 13 years old, and we want to keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as he's with us! He's been the best dog we've ever had!

We're only about four weeks from returning to school! Summer has passed too quickly. The first day back on the bus will be August 23. I have several things I'd like to do before then, but I've been to Michigan and Colorado, plus a quick trip to Wisconsin, so if I don't get anywhere else, I've done plenty! It's been fun!

The horse needs a lot of riding, but it's just been too hot for me. I did go ride with Pam and Alan at Shimek once, and have taken a few short rides right around here. Maybe I'll be more interested in riding when the evenings are cooler.

Great Time at Don and Ada's

Wow! What a wonderful time we had with Don and Ada! We arrived on Sunday afternoon, and hadn't been there an hour until the boys were in the river. They enjoyed throwing rocks, and stacking rocks to make a wingdam. They worked on the project off and on all week long. They also enjoyed the hot tub! After being in the icy cold river water, they had to get into the hot tub to warm up. Don took us all up into the mountains (about 12,000 ft. elevation) on four wheelers. It was beautiful, and so much fun! Mom rode with me and we trailed behind, so we were covered with dust, but Dad went from silver hair to RED! Take a look at the Colorado Redhead. We went over the million dollar highway to Silverton one day. That was a beautiful drive. We had lunch there and perused the shops. Silverton lies in a little valley surrounded by mountains. Colorado mountains are just indescribably beautiful. All the gals went into Durango to do a little shopping one day. Tyler, Kathy, Zach, Wyatt and I went rafting on the Animas River right through the middle of Durango. It was a fairly short ride, and everyone enjoyed it. The whole week went by very quickly. One of the biggest thrills for Zach was riding the four wheelers. Don and Ada have 6 of them, and they let Zach ride the little one first. After a day or so, he was "graduated" to the bigger one. Then he got to take Wyatt riding. We enjoyed the whole trip, and this time, the van didn't break down. We did have Tyler and a tool box though, so we were prepared just in case. Wyatt and Zach really enjoyed baby Alex and also Alex and Dakota, the dogs. The boys were not ready to leave when it was time to come back home. But, then....none of us were! Thanks again Don and Ada for your wonderful hospitality!

Westward Ho!!!

On the road again! We left Saturday morning, not as early as I would have liked, but good enough. We have the van loaded down so good it's got it's nose in the air. We've traveled without incident so far to Colorado Springs. Zach and Wyatt did very well being in the car from 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. We "exercised" them at every stop and played countless rounds of Bingo as we drove. We first spotted mountains in the distance at Limon. The boys were unimpressed. As we got closer though, they got more excited about the mountains. Wyatt was especially interested in those big mountains. He can't wait to play on that mountain. He's looking forward to playing in the snow without a coat. Hope there's snow at Wolf Pass!
We found a room, finally, with an indoor pool in Colorado Springs and the kids enjoyed pool time. After a good night of sleep, we're preparing to pack back into the van for another 400 miles of travel. I'm using the motel high speed internet service to update the blog. Tried adding pictures to our Michigan trip at home, but our computer is so slow it can't get the job done. Wish I could get DSL at our house!
Well...enough for this time. We're on the road again......

Whitefish Point and Mackinac Bridge

What a day! First, we had a great breakfast compliments of our motel. Then we loaded up to head out sightseeing, and the van wouldn't start. Called our mechanic. He suggested that we replace the coil pack, which we did. Still nothing. Called our mechanic. He said, try replacing the spark plugs, which we did. Still nothing. So we called AAA. Got towed to Cooks garage. Rented a car, and went on to the sightseeing plans. Had a great time. While we were at Whitefish Point, Mr. Cook called to say the van was ready. New fuel pump, which was what our mechanic figured it probably would be. We didn't hurry back, because we were about an hour away from the garage. Continued our visit at Whitefish. Saw where the Edmund Fitzgerald went down in 1975. Saw big ships way out in Lake Superior. It was beautiful. Then we came back to Sault Ste. Marie for dinner at the Locks View Diner. Enjoyed an excellent meal while watching big ships go through the Soo Locks. Guess what we had to eat? Whitefish! It was delicious. We were fortunate enough to see the biggest ship on the great lakes lock through. It was the Paul R. Tregurtha, and it was huge. Tomorrow we plan to do a boat tour of the Soo Locks. After supper, we drove down to Mackinac Bridge. Actually we drove across the bridge. It's long! And HIGH! We saw several ships and Lakes Michigan and Huron...at least that's what we think. We walked the beach and visited the Mackinac Lighthouse. Then we returned Sault Ste. Marie. We're really enjoying the trip, the sights, and even the van breaking down was an interesting and funny detour in our plans.
We took the boat tour through the Soo Locks the next morning. It was interesting and informative. We were actually in Canada, but without passports. We went under the International Bridge and through the Canadian locks. We so enjoyed the Locks View Diner that we went back for lunch. Went shopping in all the gifts shops along Portage Street, and then decided to go back home through lower Michigan. With no destination in mind, we started driving south. We enjoyed the scenic drive along the lakeshore until dark. We kept driving because none of us seemed to want to stop. So we arrived home at 6 o'clock! Our trip may have been short in duration, but we logged nearly 2000 miles of travel and had a great time!