Rhonda

Graduation time is almost here

Eric’s graduation invitations came this week – yeah! My cousin took his pictures and worked up the invites and she does such an amazing job. It’s great having such a talented professional photographer in the family!

This fun little notebook contains everything I need to remember to plan this graduation. Lists, addresses, ideas, etc. It will get used a lot the next couple of months!

So yesterday and today I worked on gathering up addresses, typing them into the computer, printing them out and getting the envelopes stuffed and ready to go. I have to say, I’ve done a lot of mailings throughout the years working as a secretary but it sure is a lot more fun when you’re home with Pandora playing your favorite music, a nice candle burning and a nice quiet house to work in. And a friendly cat to keep you company!

Thanks to Amazon – I didn’t have to run to Osky for supplies!

One graduation project to check off the list. Now to get the cake balls ordered. My niece has a catering business and makes the most delectable sweets – cake balls being one of them. Eric specifically asked for them so of course cake balls it will be. He very rarely asks for anything specific. His normal answer to any question is “I don’t care!” Next I’m hoping to get together with Abby and decide on decorations. Hopefully we can DYI the decorations. If I get that taken care of this month I can concentrate on the food in May. Then it will all be over with before we know it!

In the meantime, Eric got fitted for his tux earlier this week. His date went with us to the store to pick out colors for his tie and vest and I had to explain to her that she would have to make the decisions. His answer to all her questions – “I don’t care!” If he really does have an opinion he will say otherwise he really just doesn’t care. He’s a pretty easy going guy!

It’s hard to believe he’s going to be graduating in such a short time. You would think that by this time I’d be used to this but it doesn’t get any easier. You’re so happy to seem them get to this point and to see them go off and spread their wings but it’s so sad to think he’ll be going to college next year and won’t be home. He will be missed around here.

I took this picture through the glass hoping to not get his attention but he caught me!

We’ve had lots more rainy, cold, windy, dreary days but there was one afternoon that even though quite chilly, the sun did shine. Because Drew so wants it to be nice so he can play outside, he decided to take his blanket and his Kindle and entertain himself on the deck. I didn’t think he’d be out there long but he proved me wrong. It almost dark when he came in – cold and ready for his bath but at least he got some fresh air!

Signs of Drew

This little guy has been hanging out on the back porch for awhile now – I think he’s looking for some sun!

I’m not sure how long this little piggy has been keeping company with my dad’s Easter bunnies and chicks – I just noticed him today! He blends right in!

I never know what I’m going to find where in this house. Drew leaves his mark in every room in the house. I know he’s been through every corner, cupboard and drawer. He’s found things that I’ve forgotten I even had and somethings he should never have found! He has no boundaries and believes if he found it, it’s his. We’ve had discussion after discussion about respecting others and their belongings. Someday I hope it will sink in. It can be very frustrating at times but for the most part we’ve learned to accept it and laugh because you never know what you are going to find where!

Another Chilly, Overcast Day

Yesterday’s sun was short lived. Today we have overcast skies and it is chilly out there. Joe decided to burn off the grass around the pond. I call it a watering hole. It used to be a nice, pretty little pond and even had a sandy beach area for the kids but then we had muskrats. Joe did a great job keeping them under control but all of a sudden they just took over and they’ve ruined the pond. It doesn’t hold much water anymore. I prefer to keep the grass growing up around it so we don’t see it so much but Joe hates the way that looks so this year he’s decided to burn around it. He’s having a little trouble get it to go because it’s been so wet. That’s better than worrying about the fire taking off though. That is always my fear when he decides to start burning.

Since they never got the fire to really take off around the pond – Joe and Drew decided to roll the yard. Sometimes I like to ride on the 4-wheeler with them when they do this but it’s just too cold for me today. I’ll stay inside, do some laundry, pick up the house and just piddle around instead! I see Drew’s teddy bear has decided to go along for the ride!

The Sun Was Shining!

Drew is easy to spot – he is the one in sunglasses!

We saw some sun! Drew had his first soccer game of the season and I was not looking forward to sitting in the cold and wind that had been forecasted for the day. But we woke up to sunshine and warmth – well, warmth for us anyway. I had my long johns on but was able to take my coat off and be comfy in a sweatshirt. It was wonderful! Drew had lots of fun – he said he played goalie and defense. They don’t really have positions and they don’t keep score at this age. They just have fun!

My poor flower beds are in some dire need of sprucing up this year. They’ve been neglected the past few years since we had Drew. I’m hoping to spend a lot of time outside this summer and work from one bed to another and hopefully get them whipped back in shape.

We enjoyed the nice day. Eric, Drew and I ran to Osky to get some groceries after soccer. We ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant – yummy! Then back home to help Joe rake the yard. He had even cleaned out my flowerbeds. I was happy to see that and very appreciative – less work for me! Drew and I even sat out on the deck for awhile. He loves sitting out there. It needs a lot of work to get it cleaned up after the winter but we got the cushions out and sat for a few minutes and discussed our day.

It was starting to cool down so we decided to drive out to Belva Deer. There were a few changes – a new parking area has been added to the campground and a new outhouse has been put up and the old one taken down. There were some people out on the lake fishing but no campers yet. I’m getting anxious to get our camper home but I know we probably won’t get any camping in until after graduation.

Glad To See Friday

A sweet prim stitch that hangs in my kitchen – words to remember!

What a long week this has been. I’m glad to finally see the weekend. It started out so sad. Such a tragic accident to occur in our community. (See previous post). Joe was out of town from Sunday through Tuesday night. Then Wednesday afternoon he and I headed to Ames to stay the night. His brother had surgery for prostrate cancer yesterday morning. Joe wanted to be there to support Tom so we stayed the night so that we could be at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. The surgery went great and it looks like they were able to get all the cancer. What a blessing. Although the circumstances were not so fun it was nice to spend some one on one time with Joe Wednesday evening then with all of his siblings and some of their spouses yesterday at the hospital. Tom isn’t married but his girlfriend was there too. We enjoyed some reminiscing and I think she enjoyed hearing the siblings talking. They haven’t been dating for very long so I think she got to learn some things about the family throughout the day! She seems like a very nice person and you can see that she cares for Tom.

A springy wreath to welcome us home after a long day away.

It was a long day and so nice when we got home to run over to Dad and Mom’s to pick up Drew (they kept him overnight for us while we were gone) and have a warm, home cooked meal there. Eric headed over too so we got to enjoy more family time there. There’s nothing better than being with family eating a home cooked meal after being gone overnight and eating junk food all day. Family time all day and then family time in the evening. Precious.

A spot of green in a dreary landscape. Spring is here!

I think the weather this week has made everything just a tad harder to deal with. I’m beginning to wonder if we will ever see the sun. It’s been cold, wet, windy, and just downright miserable all week. Looking at the forecast it doesn’t look like things are going to improve anytime soon. But, things are sprouting up out of the ground despite the weather and the grass is getting greener by the day so we do know Spring is here and one of these days I’m sure we’ll be donning those sunglasses and short sleeves. At least we have something to look forward to! Before you know it, everyone will be complaining of it being too hot and these dreary cold days will be long forgotten! So, I’ll just light another candle, keep my slippers on and stay inside as much as I can. Cuddle under a blanket with Drew when he’ll let me and enjoy each day as it comes!

Pierre is getting a little too brave around a burning candle.

Did anybody see Trace Adkins on the Today Show today? I’m glad I was able to tune in. I have always liked Trace Adkins but now that I know his drummer personally – I enjoy seeing him perform live! The drummer, John Richardson, is from my hometown! His mom and my mom are good friends and we spent Saturday morning coffee at each other’s houses when we were growing up. I can still see the play room in their neat old farmhouse – it was so much fun to visit. He and his brother Tom and me and my sister Beth. Nobody deserves the honor of being the drummer for such a well known singer more than Johnny! He’s worked hard and followed his dream and it’s great to see him living it now!

Lots of Tears Today

It’s been a sad day for our little community today. Two brothers, both in high school, ran a stop sign and hit a semi. The semi driver was also from our community. They were quite a few miles away from town, the boys heading to an appointment in a neighboring town when it happened. Tragically, one of the boys and the semi driver was killed. The other boy is in the hospital. This is always a such tragic thing to have happen and in such a small community it affects so many people. The parents of the two boys were both school teachers in our community, the father was also a coach at the high school. They both now work for the AEA. The semi driver had lived his whole life here, raised two children and has grandchildren living here. It is such a sad loss for both families. My Eric called me from the school this morning when he found out and was in tears. It was so hard to not go to the school to just hold him. But they had counselors and the Ministerial Alliance there to help the students and the teachers get through this. The community will rally around both families to help them all through this terrible time. That’s what communities do. We all know God has a plan for these two – we just have to trust in him to see us through this.

Rainy Days

Drew eating his afternoon snack in the rain.

It’s been overcast and rainy the past three days here in southeast Iowa. But the birds sure are singing so we know spring is here! It’s a typical Iowa spring. It’s chilly and damp and there’s not much that can be done outside. Drew’s first soccer practice was canceled. Yesterday we decided to go to Des Moines to the camper show being held at the state fair grounds rather than sit around the house. My dad and mom went with us and we met up with some friends from Clear Lake.

Its perfect candle burning weather – this one is called Snickerdoodle – yum!

None of us are looking to buy a camper but we always have fun looking. We look at all the different choices and go home still loving the one we have. That’s a good thing!

Today is another overcast, drizzly, chilly day – one of those lazy sit around the house days. It’s nice to have one once in awhile. Joe had to leave to go north for work this morning – as much as he hates leaving on a Sunday, he doesn’t mind so much when he’s headed to Clear Lake – to work for the next couple of days with a good friend who works for the same company. They have fun together even if it is work. Eric is home all day which is a treat for me. I feel like I hardly get to see him anymore. So the boys and I are being bums this afternoon and enjoying our time together! (Of course Eric has basketball going on TV – but that’s okay – I’ll survive!)

Quiet Days

After such a busy weekend it’s nice to have a quiet week. We haven’t done much of anything this week. Joe has been busy with work. The boys are gone to school every day and I’ve been getting the house back in order. It never fails, when we have busy days the house becomes a mess. Laundry and picking up – that’s my week so far and that’s fine with me. Drew starts soccer tomorrow night, prom and birthdays next month and graduation in May. Busy days ahead. I need to enjoy these quiet peaceful days as they will be few and far between in the coming months.

Busy Days

Wow – the last three days went by like a blur. Friday was a fun day. My mom and I spent the day in Kalona with my daughter Abby as she lives there. She was off work for spring break. We visited the antiques stores and specialty stores and went out to lunch. It was the first time we’ve ever done that and it was so much fun. No pictures were taken of course. We’re not a picture taking bunch. Kalona is such a fun little town to explore. It’s an Amish town. You see horses and buggies everywhere and lots of fun little shops. Our first stop was the Amish bakery. Lots of yummy pastries and fun things to see. Then a little shopping and lunch at the family restaurant and more shopping. We didn’t buy much. I picked up a little yellow vase and a potted plant. We just enjoyed the day with each other. Hopefully we can do this more often.

Looks like a serious discussion going on here.

Then Saturday Joe and I took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill. It felt so good to get so many things out of the house. Just the beginning of clearing things out and trying to simplify. Grocery shopping while we were out and then back to Kalona to babysit our grandson Braxton so Jeremy and Abby could go out for supper. He’s such a sweet little boy and he and Uncle Drew have so much fun playing together. I can see they are going to be quite the pair when they get older as they are buddies already. We could have our hands full!

Then Sunday was spent in the timber at dad and mom’s cutting down trees and splitting wood. It was a beautiful day – a nice cool breeze and sunshine. A perfect day to be outside and working. The timber is my happy place. I spent hours and hours down there when I was growing up. Wandering around, exploring the creek, sitting quietly for hours watching the squirrels and the fox play, picking wild raspberries, riding my horse, Cherokee. It was heaven for me. Now I hardly ever pass up a chance to spend time down there. We have wiener roasts down there and just take the mule down and ride around and spend time cutting down the trees that have died. It’s a great place for Drew too – he loves to spend time exploring and playing as did all the kids as they were growing up and they still do when they can.

Standing back while Joe cuts down a tree. Mom will hate this picture but I love it – this is how I will always remember them when we’re down in the timber.

And the chainsaw is stuck – time for a wedge.

A busy, busy weekend. Very little time was spent at home. But a lot of time was spent with family. There’s nothing better.

Keep Saved . . .

Keep saved the memories of your ancestors. – Family record sampler

I love this quote – and the fact that it comes from an old sampler makes it mean even more! (Not a good picture but I didn’t want a picture of me in the photo!) One way that I keep saved the memories of my ancestors. My great-grandma’s dressing table. Dresser scarves stitched by my grandma. The glass powder container was my mother-in-law’s and a cigarette case that belonged to my grandfather. And a couple of pictures of my mom when she was little. I love keeping saved the memories of my ancestors by decorating my house with their possessions. These possessions mean so much more to me than anything new I could buy in a store!