Flowers & Garden

It even sparkles.

Pretty flowers.

Doug says this is almost 3D.

The Candy Corn plant is growing.

Looks like we might have another bumper crop of zucchini this year.

Potatoes.

My favorites.

White lilies.

Monday Update

It was a busy weekend. I painted more trim for the bathroom, I think it is all done, now Doug just needs to cut and put it all up. Shopping for a shower gift with Chloe on Saturday. Lots of other shopping as well. Putting up the awesome tiles in the bathroom. Visit from Thomas on Saturday and Sunday and Wedding Shower on Sunday. I'm exhausted!

Saturday Update

Yesterday was a long one at work. But, it finally ended. When I got home we went to Menard's to pick up some new tile to replace the bad ones. We are going to change it up a bit. More to come when it is done.

After shopping at Menard's we decided to have supper at Red Robin because Doug had a coupon for a free Birthday Burger. The burgers were really good last night and we also had onion rings, cheese sticks and of course fries. Before we left they brought Doug a free Birthday Sunday and sang Happy Birthday to him. He asked them not to, but they said they were psyched to sing to him. How could he refuse! I think he turned three shades of red. There were at least 3 other Birthdays, so he was not alone in his embarrassment.

Birthday Party Pics

Good times.

I like this photo!

Oh no!! The zoombies are going to get Diedre!

Silly Ana.

Congrats! Three years!


Nick, what's with the grown up look?

Yummy........

Looks like everyone is having a good time.

Aww, baby Alex.

Friday Update

Friday is finally here. Busy weekend ahead. We will probably work on the bathroom some more. We have to get tiles up so the sink can go in. I think it will look so much better with new tiles. Saturday, Chloe and I plan to go shopping. And Sunday is Diedre's shower. We also need to get more compost for the potatoes. I'm a bit upset. My bush beans were doing well and I think the rabbits have been eating them. I will have to plant them all over and figure out a way to keep the rabbits out.

Chloe posted this for me on Facebook.

The Archdiocese Footwear of Choice

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Thursday Update

I have been trying to add pictures from last weekend to my blog this week, but for some reason the add image in Blogger does not want to work in either Google Chrome or Apple Safari. It just jams and I have to relaunch the browser. Oh well, I'll get it figured out one day.

Last night Doug and I decided to tear out the bad tiles that were in the sink area in the bathroom. Just when we were almost done and had it looking pretty good, we decide to get into another mess. Of course there was more behind the tiles than what we expected, including chalk. We just added another couple of days work reconstructing another wall section.

Wednesday Update

Happy hump day everyone. Happy last day of 2nd year teaching to Thomas & Diedre. Also happy end of 2nd year to Amber, not sure when your last day is.

The season finale of Glee was good. Ross and Chloe watched it with us last night. We had Pizza Hut pizza and pasta. We do not recommend the pasta, the lasagna tastes kind of like spaghettios. Deadliest Catch was also good.

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Moon Zoo

NASA wants the public to look at new high-resolution images of the moon, taken by its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, and answer questions about how many and what kind of craters you see. The site is extensive, but easy to navigate- you can take a crater and boulder tutorial, read up on the moon and then start mapping out the landscape of the moon as you see it. It’s fun and helpful to science!

Tuesday Update

Sorry fans, Blogger was down yesterday morning so I could not post.

I think the weekend caught up with me yesterday. I was in a fog most of the day at work. Very sleepy. We didn't do much last night. Had pizza for supper and watched Last Comic Standing. Actually, Doug watched and I fell asleep on the couch. I'm sure if you ask Doug, I was snoring. I'm still a little tired this morning, but much better than yesterday.

Sunday Update

Wow! It feels like there were 2 Sunday's in one week. The Birthday Grill was a huge success! The food was fantastic and Doug got some very wonderful gifts. Mao even got brave enough to try and come out to see what was happening. After most of the guests left we went to the patio with Ashley, Paul, Mark & Wanda and had a nice fire. Ashley and Paul went to get things for S'Mores and we had them after all.

I hope everyone had a good time and thanks for making Doug's Birthday special!

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Saturday Update

Yesterday was one of the busiest and best days I have had in a long while. I did dishes and laundry before anyone else woke. I finally put the windmill in the garden. I painted more trim pieces for the bathroom, helped Doug with the bathroom, went shopping with Chloe and cleaned Thumper's tank. The toilet is in and working and the door is on. However, we are having an issue with the sink, so no sink yet.

Ashley & Paul arrived around 4 and Thomas & Diedre got here around 6. Ross couldn't make it last night because of his Dad's B-Day:( We were going to go to Hamburger Mary's, unfortunately they were having Pride Prom and we could not get a normal table. All we could get was the small, round tall tables with tall seats. Not comfortable for a group of 7. We decided to go to Outback instead. The food was pretty good. We all had a blast. When we got back home Chloe showed us pictures she took in Nicaragua. she got lots of nice shots and a few fun short videos. We also watched some of the old Howe home videos. What fun seeing little Doug dancing around. Although Curt probably danced around more than any of the other Howe boys.

Thursday Update

The bathroom is getting there! Doug laid most of the floor tiles. The tricky part around the toilet area is all that is left for the floor then finish putting up trim, install toilet and sink and put the door back on. I really like the floor so far. It looks much better and updated.

Work today then I'm off 3 days. Get to see Ash and meet Paul for the first time tomorrow! All 3 kids will be in town. Should be a fun weekend. Yeah!!

I can haz shrimp cake?

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Wednesday Update

We had a nice rain overnight. Hope it doesn't make it too muggy today.

Yesterday Doug finished patching the bathroom ceiling. And I painted the ceiling and the section of wall that was also patched. This was done in between commercials while watching Glee of course. Next week is the Glee season finally. Chloe and I are both on the edge of our seats. I also stayed up late to watch Deadliest Catch. Phil was not looking very good.

I still need to paint a little more trim and put a second coat on the door. Doug hopes to finish the floor and install the toilet today. I really like how everything is looking.

Tuesday Update

Yesterday was good. Doug did a little work on the bathroom ceiling where it needs patched. Other than that we did not work on it. We still hope to be done by the weekend.

Yesterdays weather was beautiful! It was perfect for setting outside to eat. The ribs were excellent and so was all the other food. Everyone was very stuffed as usual. While we were setting out side Doug saw something in the sky it was very strange and pretty far up. It could have been a mylar balloon or a kite, although it really wasn't moving like either. We also kicked around the idea of a UFO. Of course, it was a very small UFO if that was the case.

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Monday Update

I'm having a good extended weekend. Gardening, mowing, painting the bathroom trim. Not finished with the bathroom yet. It seems like everything takes 3 times as long as we think it will. It is coming along good though.

Last night we decide to get out and get away from the bathroom work for awhile. John and Jessica had invited us over for a grill out. It was a smaller gathering than the birthday parties usually are. They had hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans with bacon and hamburger, watermelon, crudites and chips. Of course after eating, John brought out the sno-cone machine. Ross and Chloe even stopped by. It was fun. Then we all went back home and Wanda & Mark stopped by to see our progress on the bathroom and to hear some of Chloe's Nicaragua stories.

Today we are having our annual Memorial Day gathering. We will have riblets, Spring Salad, dinner rolls and Krusteaz lemon bars. Wanda is bringing watermelon, cheese & crackers.

I can't wait for next weekend to have all the kids and their others here. I hope the weather will be nice and not too hot.

Gifts from Nicaragua

I love all the gifts Chloe brought us back from Nicaragua. She also bought herself some nice handmade earrings, sea shells and a dress.

A small tray.

This little turtle is probably my favorite.

Cloth flower made from t-shirt material.



Tortilla warmer.

Friday Update

Bobo is home:) She is very tired, but she also had a wonderful time. I will let her tell her stories in person. She brought us some awesome gifts from Nicaragua. I took pictures of the gifts, but I am having problems uploading the pictures to blogger today. Will post them as soon as I can.

Welcome back Chloe!!

Thursday Update

Chloe is back in the states!! We will see her for supper tonight. I am so excited to see her and hear her stories and hug her! I hope work goes by quickly today. I'm also excited for the three day weekend this week and next. I'm taking Friday the 4th off, so next week will be a 3 day work week.

Wednesday Update

Not much to update. I'm a little angry at the rabbit that broke off 2 of my pepper plants. I also planted 2 more tomato plants and squash. Glee was pretty good last night even though it was about Gaga. The costumes were pretty good and the boys even slipped in a little Kiss. Hopefully it will stay a little cooler until we get the air conditioner part.

Tuesday Update

I am excited to see Bobo later this week. We really miss her. And then next week, if all goes as planned, we will have all three kids here together. This just doesn't happen as often as I would like.

We are staying as cool as possible with just a small window air conditioner. The part for the air conditioner unit has shipped, so hopefully in a few days the whole house will be cooler.

I'm excited for Glee tonight, even though I am not into Lady Gaga. It should be good.

LOST Eyeballs

For Wanda

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Monday Update

It's a bit warm and sticky this morning. At least I have most of the garden planted. Mark and Wanda brought us a hot pepper plant and cilantro, so I will need to make room for those. They will probably go in planters.

Last night we watched the series finale of Lost. Six seasons of Lost crammed into one night! Now Wanda can watch Glee!! Yeah!!

WORLD TURTLE DAY!

Happy World Turtle Day!!

The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

Turtle Day is celebrated worldwide in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities.

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Saturday Update

Getting ready to finally do some gardening. Wish me luck!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Pac Man 30th Anniversary Special From Google

Friday Update

Happy Friday everyone. It is actually a Friday for me! No work tomorrow. Because the emails are all caught up at work, our supervisor is taking us to lunch at Gringo's today. It should be an easy day, lunch at 11:30 and a company meeting at around 3.

Thursday Update

I had a wonderful day off yesterday. It was nice spending the day with my wonderful husband, especially since it was our anniversary.

The weather is going to get hot and muggy soon. I guess we had better get started on the garden. There are just so many things going on right now, hard to get focused on the garden.

I want to thank Wanda for the nice candy corn plant she snuck over here for our anniversary. This is not the actual plant. I will post pictures when we take some.

Happy Birthday Tommy!!

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Wednesday Update

It's our wedding anniversary today. I am not working, I took the day off to stay home with my honey! I'm not sure what we plan to do, possibly plant something in the garden.

Joe Biden and Chet Culver were in downtown CR yesterday. They had a rally at Green Square Park and then had luch at the Blue Strawberry. It was ridiculous how many police officers were standing around while they ate at the Blue Strawberry.

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Tuesday Update

Monday was a busy day at work. I even went on the phone for the first time in over a month. Partly because we are getting caught up on the emails and partly because one of our phone reps was out for the day. It wasn't bad and the customers were pleasant. A full day of work today and then off on Wednesday for Anniversary bliss with my hubby. I like the urban dictionary definition #6 for hubby (The Man In Your Life That Makes You Feel Safe,Secure And Special.)

After work Doug and I went to Fareway. They had Pepsi Max Cease Fire (Pepsi w/hint of lime flavor) 8/$1.00. It kind of tastes like RC. It's nice to get 2 liters for 12 1/2 cents. Big Bang was hilarious and we finally got to find out what happened to the elevator!

Religion - Making you believe the tomatoes in your garden will evolve into watermelons

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Time wasting & addictive

isnoop.net's magnetic poetry

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Monday Update

I'm feeling kind of icky in the tummy this morning. I hope it goes away before work.

Yesterday was a very productive day for me. I washed dishes, twice, did laundry, mowed the yard, cleaned twirlies off the patio, went grocery shopping, did a tiny bit of cleaning and helped Doug a little bit with supper. It was Mark's Birthday, so we had chicken on the grill, oven fries, salad, macaroni salad and best of all, Wanda brought her famous Butterfinger desert. The group ended up being; Doug and I, Mark & Wanda, Johnny and Ross. We watched a Survivor reunion special. I always forget Survivor is even on, unless someone mentions it.

Well, it's time to get ready for work.

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Saturday Update

Off to work for 4 hours this morning. Thomas and Diedre will be in town around 10. We will have to give Thomas his Happy Birthday wishes today, as we won't see him on his Birthday. Hopefully the weather will hold out so we can mow the yard today. Wow, now I am just being random. I guess I don't have much to write about. Later...

Friday Update

I am happy Chloe made it to Nicaragua okay. There was a bit of drama though. The majority of her group was to fly to Chicago and since they were grounded, missed the first flight to Nicaragua. Chloe drove to Chicago, so she was one of three who had to go ahead alone. Exciting and terrifying at the same time! I guess the hotel is amazing and beautiful.

Tomorrow Thomas will be in town for a short visit. He has too many grad parties on Sunday, so he cannot stay overnight. I'm still not sure if I have to work on Saturday. If I do I will only work 4 hours, I have to see my Tommy..

Thursday Update

Sunshine! I need sunshine!!

Last night after work, Doug and I went to Walmart. We picked up some chicken and Amish Macaroni Salad for supper. It was actually quite good. Then we washed dishes together and settled in to watch TV. Not much on, Myth Busters was all about duct tape.

I'm sure Chloe made it to Nicaragua fine and I hope she is staying safe.

This will make one crazy sweater!

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Wednesday Update

I'm back from Eldora and ready to go back to work. Well not exactly ready for work, but you know what I mean. After getting home yesterday I didn't do much. We had pizza for supper and then watch TV the rest of the night. Glee and Deadliest Catch. Although I did doze off and on during Deadliest Catch. I was pretty wore out after the drive back yesterday.

Tuesday Update

Yesterday morning Doug and I went over to the Hiawatha Community Center and it was available for July 9th! Now we have a venue for the rehearsal dinner. Now the fun part comes. Decorating and menu planning. I'm kind of excited.

The drive to Eldora was okay, at little windy and a little rain about the last 20 minutes.

Last day of vacation today. I'm here in Eldora and having a good time. Last night Thomas and Diedre took me to The Firehouse for Mother's Day. I had the chicken club sandwich with steak fries. We also had an appetizer platter with mild wings, onion rings, breaded mushrooms and cheese. Yummy!! And we have leftovers for lunch today.

After supper Diedre and I worked on the invites for the rehearsal dinner and they are now all done. Today we tackle to wedding invites. It should be a productive day.

I am missing Doug and Mao though and also look forward to driving home later this afternoon and watching Glee and Deadliest Catch at home tonight.

Monday Update

I had a good Mother's Day. Got to see Chloe for a little while. We went up to Cedar Falls to bring back her bed. It fit in Puck with a little help from bungee cords. When we got home we unloaded the van and had lunch. In the afternoon I went outside and cleared the leaves around the front window of the house. Three large lawn bags and a 20 gal trash can later and I was done. My knees and ankles are a bit sore today.

This morning Doug and I plan to go check out the Hiawatha community center to see if they have an opening for July 9th. I hope so! I hope to leave around noon for Eldora. If it doesn't rain I will probably watch a tennis match this evening.

Right now I am finishing the weekend laundry and making scones.

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Sunday Update

It looks like it will be a busy Mother's Day after all. We are making an unplanned trip to Cedar Falls to pick up Chloe's bed. I think we will be strapping part of it on the roof of the van. I hope it doesn't rain and isn't windy! Wish us luck...

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Michelangelo??

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Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamaition of 1870

The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. Despite having penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years earlier, Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on Mother’s to come together and protest what she saw as the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mothers. With the following, she called for an international Mother's Day celebrating peace and motherhood:

Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts,
Whether your baptism be that of water or of tears
Say firmly:

"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of
charity, mercy and patience.

"We women of one country
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have of ten forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war.

Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions.
The great and general interests of peace.

The Rise & Fall of Howe's Mother's Day

At one point Howe even proposed converting July 4th into Mother’s Day, in order to dedicate the nation’s anniversary to peace. Eventually, however, June 2nd was designated for the celebration. In 1873 women’s groups in 18 North American cities observed this new Mother’s holiday. Howe initially funded many of these celebrations, but most of them died out once she stopped footing the bill. The city of Boston, however, would continue celebrating Howe’s holiday for 10 more years.

Despite the decided failure of her holiday, Howe had nevertheless planted the seed that would blossom into what we know as Mother’s Day today. A West Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe’s holiday. In order to re-unite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, the group held a Mother’s Friendship Day.

Mother's Day Central

I want to grow square watermelons.
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Saturday Update

This might be my last Saturday to work for a while. Or everything could turn upside down with the release of our new database at the end of the month and it could start all over again.

Last night was a little lonely. Doug was gone working on Rich's computer in Walford, so I went to Lindale. I got a nice walk in and I found a nice crochet shurg to go with my dress. The only thing I need to complete the outfit is spanx. I did not misspell shurg, that is what the tag says. I like this urban dictionary definition of shurg: "A cross between a shag and a shrug. When you don't really care about who you are shagging."You may not want to see the other definitions. It's hilarious, I wonder if someone at Sears thought it would be funny?

Needs More Salt

Friday Update

Happy Friday everyone. It looks like a few of us will be working this Saturday. The OT is winding down though, we are almost caught up. I might finally get time to do my gardening. Doug was at an auction with Johnny when I got home last night, so I took a few minutes to pull some weeds from the front flower garden and pick up sticks from the front yard. Mao was not happy about me being outside at all!

Congrats to Ashley for being accepted as a Studio Art Major a SCU!!

Thursday Update

It's getting closer to the weekend. Not sure if we are working Saturday or not, something about Mother's Day weekend. I have next Monday and Tuesday off. I plan to go up to Eldora and help address wedding invites. I might also stop at Chloe's apartment on the way up to load the rest of her stuff in the van. Should be a fun couple of days.

Actualización de miércoles

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

There are more strange things happening at Lawnboy's. Yesterday afternoon he took a chainsaw to the tree in the corner near the street for no apparent reason and the tree is no longer standing. I wonder what is next.

Both Glee and Deadliest Catch were great last night. I tried to find a video of Sue Sylvester Get's Physical to post. All I can find is the Glee lyrics for it.

Tuesday Update

Not much to blog about. After work yesterday we ate leftovers from Sunday. Watched TV with Doug and Chloe. Two Episodes of Big Bang Theory, Chloe had never seen it before. I caught her laughing several times. It was the first time I had watched Real Housewives of New Jersey, I think I was cringing.

Amazing!!

I Got a Tattoo of Myself, Only Thinner

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Monday Update

Yesterday was a good day. In the morning Doug and I went grocery shopping. We even picked up some heirloom tomatoes, Mr Stripey & Black Prince. We did not get to eat outside because it rained a little while Doug was grilling. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans w/bacon, coleslaw, melon salad, fruit salad (mangos, pineapple, kiwi & strawberries), chips and cupcakes. Ross even stopped by. I got to hold Alex again. He is actually getting a little heavier and Doug got some good pictures of him smiling at me. Everyone left by 9. It was a fun evening and a good meal.

Sunday Update

Busy day yesterday. 8 hours of work, Afton's birthday party, shopping at Sam's, menus and shopping list. This morning we are going grocery shopping and then a little cleaning, laundry and food prep for later today. Today's menu includes hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. We'll see everyone lucky enough to be here tonight.

Chloe showed me this one.

Isn't Bernice a beautiful cat?

Saturday Update

Off to work! Work, work, work....

Last night we had French Toast and Bacon for supper. Can you tell Chloe's home? It was delicious. After supper Chloe and I went to the Walmart. Chloe picked up a few things for her trip to Nicaragua and I picked up a gift for Afton's birthday. I also got Chloe some new sheets and a comforter for her bed, very colorful.

We're still not sure what we are serving on Sunday. And I won't have much time to think about it after work because of Afton's B-Day party.