These are some of the pictures that I took at the Swamp Fox parade on Saturday. I watched it with Amy and her family. I thought I took more pictures, but I guess my picture taking skills are not that good.

Sunday Update

It seems that everyone is settling in at school. Thomas has had class for a few days now and he is back to work at the Waterloo Home Depot. He says he will be having lots of homework this year. Chloe seems to be enjoying her classes. Although I wish we would hear from her more. Ashley is getting into her Philosophy class. I believe it is kicking her arse a little more than she thought it would.

I saw this sticker in a car window at the grocery store yesterday. The car belonged to a very old couple. I thought it was great.

Friday Update

I'm glad it is Friday. Saturday we will probably watch the Swamp Fox parade from our front yard. Who knows, maybe I will take the camera up close and get some pictures. Last night we watched a show about Sea World and now I want to go. Ashley has to work at Hy Vee on Saturday so we will get to see her for a little while. It is amazing how quickly washing the dishes goes when there are only two people in the house. That is all for now.

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise” - Alden Nowlan

Wednesday Update

I have to go back to work today after my long weekend. At least I only have to work three days this week. Last night Ashley stopped in for a short visit with some friend from Cornell. I don't remember all of thier names. One was the girl from Nebraska that was here on Sunday. One of the boys is from Colorado, his name is Steve Irwin. The other boy is from San Francisco.

Thomas is moving back to school today. It will be different around the house with just Doug, myself, Mao and Thumper.

Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing.

Steve Irwin

It is very sad, at the age of 44, Steve Irwin the "Crocodile Hunter" has died from a stingray barb that pierced his chest.

Here are some pictures from my brother Tim's vist this summer. It is too bad he could not have brought the kids as well.

Sunday Update

I found the listing for my Dad's house in Moreno Valley, CA. I thought the link would take you directly to the listing ,but it only will take you to the Realtors web site. Then you have to search the listings for Moreno Valley.

Saturday Update

Two days until Thomas moves back to Wartburg. We will then be official empty nesters for most of the next year. I will start the count down to Summer 2007 on Tuesday. Sob......

SMILE IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

Wednesday Update

Yeah, today is Wednesday. That means I have three working days before my 4 day weekend that is coming up. We got the Basher moved in. It sounds like she is having fun. She my be enjoying the new freedom just a bit too much. I'm sure she will figure it out.

Move in day for our Cornell Ram, aka The Basher.....

Monday Update

Blah, it is Monday morning, it is raining and I don't feel like going to work. I am just so very tired. I guess I have to go anyway and I am very glad that I don't have to work tomorrow.

You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh - it's as simple as that. Jay Leno

These

are

some

of

the

beautiful

flowers

from

the

roll

out

flower

garden

Ashley

got

me

for

Mother's

Day.

Everyone is happy on Friday.

Thursday Update

Alright here is the update everyone has been asking for. I really don't have much. The overtime is done at work and I"m very tired. Not much happening at home. I think the kids are just anxious to get off to school because everyone they know is already at school. I still would like to get flower pictures on the blog but they are nowhere to be found.

Saturday Update

I want to put pictures of my flowers on the blog, but I still can't find where Ashley put them on the computer. It was a long week. I worked 12 hours of OT. I am tired and yet I cannot sleep in very late. I guess I will need to wear myself out today. The summer is winding down and the kids will all be in school within the next several weeks. Chloe starts next Tuesday, Ashley moves in the 29th of August and Thomas moves Sept. 5th. Mao is really going to be sad for a while, not to mention Doug and myself.

I was going to put pictures of flowers on the blog today. But I was not able to find them where I thought Ashley said they would be. I will have someone help me find them tonight. All I found was this picture of Mao with scary eyes.

Friday Update

I have to go to work early this morning so this is going to be a brief update. The race is on to get things done before the kids go to school. Mainly cars need fixing, so this means a lot of stress for Doug. I feel bad for him, but he handles it well. Company picnics are boring and the food isn't very good. I think my watch battery is going bad. It said 3AM when I woke up this morning and the second hand had stopped. I reset it and it has stopped 3 time already.

Checkout Jump, Little Children at the Dock Street Theatre.

Monday Update

Monday came around way too fast. This is going to be a very busy week at work. There will only be two of us in the department all week because our supervisor is out on vacation. At least Thursday will be a short day. We will have our company summer party starting at 12pm until 5 pm and it is manditory to go. Ashley got her car on Saturday. There are a few things that need taken care of. It is still a sweet car though.

Friday Update

It looks like Thomas made it back safely from his trip to Six Flags and Chicago. I haven't actually seen him yet because I went to bed before he arrived home. Tomorrow we go pickup Ashley's first car. A beautiful 1973 VW Beetle. This has been her dream car for a very long time. I am so happy for her. Well I have to get ready for work. Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

Take your happy pills everyone. It's going to be a fantastic weekend!!!!

Wednesday Update

Happy hump day everyone. Thomas was tired but happy when he woke early this morning. Going to Six Flags for the day. Mao was a bit upset with Thomas for leaving so early. Ashley is also uber excited. She will be getting her very first car on Saturday. Last night Diedre and Thomas took us out to eat at the Red Lantern. Good food but the hot stuff upsets Thomas' tummy.

Strange statues around the world

I just thought this picture was fun and wanted to share it.

Saturday Update

I stayed up too late and Mao woke me up too early. What I'm trying to say is I'm tired and don't know why I don't just go back to bed. Probably because I'm also hungry and hungry always wins.

Happy Friday

Thursday Update

Nothing much to write about. Last night for about 15 minutes we had all of the kids together for supper. It is not very often that we all get to have a meal together. We had oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and a salad. It was nice.

Tuesday Update

I am updating my blog from Thomas' laptop, how cool is that! Mao is setting on the other couch,half snoozing and half looking at me like "Why are you using that thing?" Last night Doug and I went to Menards to use our rebate from the shingle purchase. I'd say we did pretty good. We got a cross-cut shredder, 8 solar lights for out in the patio area, a chaulk gun, two window blinds, 20 lbs. of charcoal, bug killer, a large summer sausage (for Thomas' favorite - vacation sandwiches), a lock box for Ashley, and other assorted smaller items. Now I have to send in rebates for some of the items purchased and we get to have a smaller shopping trip in the future.

Monday Update

I suppose I should update. I just haven't felt like updating everyday. This weekend was pretty good. Chloe has been staying with us the last few days. I haven't seen her a lot because she is working, but it is nice to have her around. Doug's friend Chris and his wife Kate stopped for a visit on Friday night. On Saturday we went to Chris' sister Cheryl's 25th wedding anniversary party at Squaw Creek Park. On Sunday we didn't do too much. It was nice having a Sunday off from cooking.

Wednesday Update

Yesterday was a long busy day at work. I almost thought it was Tuesday when I woke up today. In fact, when I titled this update I wrote 'Tuesday Update' and then thought "Wait a minute, yesterday was Tuesday!" Last night we had roasted chicken from Hy-Vee, rolls and salad. It was very yummy. Doug and I watched Last Comic Standing and I washed dishes during the commercials. Not much else happened last night.

Monday Update

I haven't felt like blogging lately. Not much happened on my days off from work. We cleaned out part of the garage and we cleaned the dining room closet. Other than that it was just too darn hot to do much. Ashley has been having fun getting ready to go off to college. Yesterday we had everyone over for salad bar day. Everything was very good. Especially desert.

Happy 18th Birthday BoBo!!!

Tuesday Update

I officially have a very small garden started, thanks to our friend Mark. Last night I planted the two tomato plants and two pepper plants that he gave us.

Ashley's new moniter arrived yesterday. I want one!!! What a lucky kid.

Please sign the Bring Back Bar None Petion to Hershey Foods Corporation. This is the best candy bar ever.

I am an official Take 5 BzzAgent. So get yourself a Take 5 candy bar and enjoy. It is the perfect blend of sweet and salty. It is also the best candy bar currently available. The best candy bar ever is the Bar None (also made by Hershey), which is sadly no longer available in the US.

Doug and I watched the fireworks at home last night. Thomas went with Diedre's family and Ashley went with Sam. Chloe was spotted downtown with an unknown friend. The long weekend is over for me and today it is back to work. The nice thing is I have another long weekend next week. I have vacation on the 13th and 14th.

Monday Update

I like long weekends. Especially when they include parties where the cops show up. The painting is pretty much finished, except for some touch ups. The Grad party is over and the clean up is pretty much finished. Time to kick back and relax for a few days. Life is good.

Thomas and I took care of weeds in the garden area last night. One step closer to being ready for the Grad party on Saturday. Oriental Poppies smell like skunk when you cut them. If you don't believe me, just ask Diedre. 

Thursday Update

Yeaaah!!!! The painting is finished. Everyone did an awsome job. Now it is crunch time to get everything finished for Saturday's party. We can do it.

Wednesday Update

Old Tony is visiting for a few days. I will update more after all this painting and party stuff is finished.

I thought I would post a picture of the new arrivals. I don't know which is which.

Too tired to update.....

Wednesday Update

The weather has not been co-operating with our painting. We are hopefully going to get some painting in on Thursday and this weekend. It is only a little over a week before the graduation party and I still have so much to do. It sounds like it is raining outside right now.

Tuesday Update

Yeah!! The roof is finally completed on both the house and the garage. The painting is about a third of the way completed. Hopefully some more painting will get done today. Our friends are awsome the way they helped out on Sunday. I think everyone needed a day of rest yesterday. I am still very tired from it all. Tonight I must go to sleep earlier than I have been for the last several days.

Just Don't Touch The Boxes, OK!

Friday Update

The roofing is well on it's way now. It is looking very nice. Now we just need some nice weather this weekend, so we can get started on the painting.

Thursday Update

Hopefully the roofing will go as planned today. Yesterday it rained most of the day.

Yeah! It's roofing day!

Tuesday Update

The roofing count down begins. Todays high is going to be in the 80's with partly cloudy skies. They are suppose to drop off the dumpster thingy this morning. Tomorrow the old shingles and stuff get torn off of the roof. And Thursday the new roof goes on. I am so excited. It looks like, for the most part, the weather will be good. The house and garage are going to look so different. And after we do the painting, it is going to be like having a new house on the outside. I wonder if Mao will get any sleep tomorrow while they are on the roof?

Monday Update

Monday: first day of work for the week, trash day at home, not exciting.....

Deadwood started a new season last night. It is just as good as it has always been. The hour goes by way too fast though. Yesterday we had the baked potato bar for supper. Everything was very yummy. Potatoes fill me up way to fast though. There are lots of leftovers, so I will be able to try the toppings that I wasn't able to get to. It looks like it is supposed to be sunny today. That is a good thing. We could all use a little sunshine.

Saturday Update

Wow, it has been a few days since I posted an update.

It has been a busy week. We now have the roofing contract signed and weather permitting we will have a new roof by next Thursday evening. I can't wait. Menards is loving us right now. We made several trips there this week and spent tons of money on roofing and painting supplies. I think it is going to be a cool weekend. Right now it is only 49 degrees. As long as it doesn't rain we should be able to use the powerwasher on the side of the house. Unfortunately, I hear thunder outside and I think it is going to storm soon. I can't think of much else to say right now.

Wednesday Update

We are officially going to paint the house ourselves. Once we get the house scraped and some rotted boards replaced, it shouldn't be too bad. We have a few volunteers to help; Mark, Wanda and I think Deb. I just hope the weather stays nice and doesn't get too hot or rain too much. Doug had a nice birthday, but he has been so preoccupied with the roof and painting thing, I'm not sure how much he was able to enjoy it.

Chet Culver won the Democratic party's gubernatorial nomination with 39 percent of the votes. I'm not sure what the rest of the results were.

I can't think of much else to update about so this is going to be it for my update.

This is supposed to be the most popular screen saver in the U.S. right now. See what you think.

Happy Birthday Doug!

Sunday Update

Today we are going to celebrate Doug's birthday with a barbeque. We will be having all of the usual barbeque foods; hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans and a few other specialties. Happy Birthday Honey, love Elvis.

We finally got the roofing job scheduled. I can't wait, the house is going to look so much better on the outside.

Thursday Update

Last night we went out to eat for Doug's birthday. We did it early because the kids will be busy on his actual birthday. We ate at Ting's Red Lantern. The food was very delicious, good call Ashley. Before we ate, we went to shop for a new air conditioner. Of course the one we wanted is out of stock. Hopefully it will come in on a truck today.