Friday Update

Ordered my dress for the wedding this morning. Excited to receive it!

I'm also glad it is Friday!!!!!!

Ashley's Shower

I think Paul's Grandma just told Ashley to stay sexy.

Sisters.

Nice picnic basket!

Love the pilsner glasses.

Yum, wine.

Candle & candy.

Bagels in bed.

Bride survival kit.

Hum, they look to big for Ash.

Shower door prize.

Sunday Update

I survived the long week with my supervisor out on vacation. It was stressful at times when the phone were ringing off the hook and a dozen things were going wrong all at the same time. I managed to take action and get things done, so everything would run smoothly again. I exaggerated a bit there. A dozen things never happened all at once. But for the week that was probably a good total.

Chloe and I took our road trip up to Minnesota for Ashley's shower yesterday. The road trip was at least as much fun as the shower, if not more fun. It was nice to see Paul and Ashley, even though we only saw Paul for about 10 minutes. He was not allowed at the shower. Although he did make a appearance in a video. Ashley had a lot of fun and did a lot of blushing. Oh, did I mention? Chloe and I think Paul's grandma is a bit crazy!

Ashley showed Chloe and I the wedding invites. We love them! Can't wait to get one in the mail.

Wednesday Update

It has been very busy around here. Last weekend was mostly spent helping Justin move. He is safely in Madison and I hope the truck was unloaded without much trouble. Monday and Tuesday I was still quite tired. So far today I feel much better. Maybe because Doug helped me color my hair last night and I do not feel so old with the gray hairs.

Last night I had a pleasant surprise when I got home. Chloe was here for supper and to catch up on True Blood. We also called Ashley and we all talked to her on speaker.

Ashley and Paul had a scare with the honeymoon plans. All seems to be well now, except for maybe the car rental. I'm sure they will work it out though. I'm glad they are still able to go. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you will need to ask Doug or Ashley more details.

Three more days and then road trip with Chloe to MN for Ashley's shower. Woo hoo!

Pictures

Sorry about not posting for a while. I just have not been feeling it. Here are some pictures that I have been meaning to share.

One of the burnt branches from our tree.

This tomato is the size of a small babies head. We have another just like it!

This is the gnome that started my love of gnomes. He has come back to me and is now residing in our garden.

A zucchini blossom. I just picked a huge zucchini from the garden last night, I have not taken a picture of it yet.

White eggplant. We have never tried this variety before.

Doug and I built this model together on Saturday. Oh, for fun!

Our new monitor/TV

40" monitor, crazy right? It was the best deal though, we really could not pass it up.

Friday Update

Wow! Friday is finally here. Although I will be working tomorrow. I plan to go to the Stamp-A-Stack party at Diedre's mom's on Saturday. We also need to go over to Justin's and pick up a few more things. Hopefully it won't be so hot this weekend. We put our new book case together on Wednesday. All of our books certainly look more organized. Doug cooked our latest batch of summer sausage yesterday. Yummy!

Well it's time for another day of work. Have a wonderful Friday and stay cool!

Tuesday Update

Scorcher weather!! We had a very nice visit from Chloe last night, she watched True Blood with us and had some left over pizza. She even ended up spending the night. The power went out at her Mom's and the heat was unbearable.

For Wanda, this was what Chloe wrote on Facebook after watching True Blood.

Dear True Blood,

I cannot even handle you right now.

Have a wonderful day everyone and stay cool!

Friday Update

Friday already. This vacation sure is moving quickly! Doug bought the big TV Johnny told him about a few weeks ago. We managed to get it on the entertainment center in the Day Kitchen. It really seems big!

We saw Chloe briefly on her birthday. She was actually still working, but we had to meet her at Sam's Club to pick up some things for a Big Brother, Big Sister gathering. Yesterday Thomas & Diedre stopped by for lunch and then we went to Culver's for the flavor of the day, it had chocolate & caramel. It was delicious!

I think I am going to mow the yard this morning and then I'm not sure what else, I really don't have any set plans. We might go see Gayla play at Java Creek this evening at 7.

Wednesday Update

I'm on vacation the rest of this week. Not sure what all I plan to do. I'm sure I will find ways to keep busy.

Today is Chloe's 23rd Birthday. Happy Birthday Bobo!

This past weekend was fun. We had a nice long visit from Thomas and Diedre on Sunday, which was their 1st Anniversary. Chloe stopped by early as well. I'm always happy when some or all of the kids are here. We had BBQ'd Ribs and they were fantastic! Doug also made brocauli salad, baked beans and Amana sauerkraut salad. I baked a strawberry-rhubard pie. It was very good.

I need to look for a new pair of tennis shoes, my Skeechers burst open on the side. The curse of fat feet.

Thursday Update

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Thomas and Deidre will be here for our Sunday gathering.

Yesterday was crazy busy at work. There were only two of us there for the phones. Our supervisor had to pitch in and answer phones. Most customers were pretty nice, but some were down right nasty about having to wait so long. Of course the nasty ones took 5 minutes or more to explain how long they had to wait, causing the next customer to wait that much longer.

Tuesday Update

What a wonderful weekend. We had a chance to have fun with both family and friends, it was very nice.

Saturday was spent in anticipation of Paul & Ashley's arrival in the afternoon. Chloe & Curt came over for supper and a visit. We had sliders, junkyard dogs and all the fixin's. A good time was had by all and no one went hungry. After Curt and Chloe left, Paul drove us out to the Jordan's family reunion for the fireworks. We even spoke to Thomas from the car using bluetooth, it was fun! Doug brought some fireworks he had and a few of the Jordan's had gotten together and purchased a whole bunch. It ended up being the best display they have had yet. As an added bonus, the ISS passed by. Wanda pointed it out in the sky to many of the Jordan relatives.

Sunday morning Paul made us Tonga Toast for breakfast. This is a breakfast favorite served at the Kona Cafe in Disney's Polynesian Resort. It was simply delicious. Doug wants to serve it on a Sunday some time and is already think of all kinds of variations. I will post pictures soon.

The rest of the morning and afternoon were laid back. Ashley and Paul went with me to Dollar General to pick up Nyquil and band-aids. Nyquil for Doug and band-aids for Paul. Paul had a nasty blister on his heal. Paul & Ashley went to Java Creek for coffee and brought back Chai for Doug. Then they left for a little while to go see Keeley Carson at her family's backyard BBQ.

Sunday evening we went to Dan & Gail's backyard BBQ. Lots of people we do not know were there. Chloe joined us in time to eat. We mingled a bit and then Amy and Pat arrived and we felt a bit more comfortable. After eating we played some yard bean bag toss. It was fun, but I mostly enjoyed watching. I was really bad at playing, Chloe & Amy are very good at the game. My brother and Pat were very competitive. I still don't really understand the scoring. Paul had a good time talking to a squirrel and trying to take his picture. After all the rest of the guests left we went in the house and played a game called Cronology with Dan, Gail, Amy & Pat. It is a very fun trivia game. We stayed until about 11:30.

On the 4th we started the day with scrambled eggs, sausage & hash browns cooked on the grill. Ashley and Paul left for MN around noon. It was sad to see them leave. After they left I went shopping for shrimp and a few other things. We had Mark & Wanda over for Buffalo Shrimp and Doug made me a smaller batch of Lemon Pepper Shrimp. I don't care as much for the hotter Buffalo Shrimp. The shrimp was delicious. I had also made a very good Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad. Chloe stopped by to get caught up on True Blood with Wanda. We all watched True Blood, even Mark! After watching the show we decided to drive out to Central City to watch the fireworks. It was great, there were little private shows going on before the big stuff started. One of the bigger shows was either coming from the direction of the golf course or possibly Prairieburg. The fairground fireworks went on for about 15 minutes. The other display had started probably 5-10 minutes before the fairgrounds and lasted clear to the end of the Central City fireworks. It almost looked like a competition. We will definitely be going back next year.

Thursday Update

Yeah! Today is my Friday! I can't wait for the weekend. Visit from Ashley and Paul all weekend. We should see Chloe a few times throughout the weekend. A BBQ at my brother's on Sunday. And who knows what else will happen.

I love a good old movie. Need to see this one again sometime.

Adorable Kitties

Tuesday Update

I had an awesome day at work yesterday, hope to have the same today. Three days of work left this week and then off until next Wed. Can't wait!

We get to see Ashley and Paul this weekend! I am getting so excited. The only thing that would make it better would be if we had all the kids together for the weekend. Oh well maybe next time.

Doug is planning to rebuild the steps out back this week. I really like his plans for it. I just hope the weather holds out and doesn't get too hot before it is completed.

Well it's time to get ready for the work day. Have a good one everybody!

Our fishing trip

Doug slipped in the muck. This is the skid mark he left.

This was not a keeper, but it was the first fish of the day.

Thomas at Richmond Springs.

Cleaning the catch.

I think he had enough trout fishing and gnats for the day.

Thursday Update

We had a great day yesterday trout fishing with Tommy. Tommy caught two keepers and Doug unfortunately caught nothing. I actually did not fish because I do not have a fishing license. We also had a wonderful lunch at the Franklin Hotel in Strawberry Point. I had the mushroom & Swiss hamburger with strawberry shortcake for dessert. The shortcake was still warm from the oven! I will post pictures once they are transferred from the camera.