What a Day

I don't know if it is the weather, or what might be going on, but we sure had a crazy day at work/school today. Seems the kids were very tense and fights were breaking out everywhere. We were in the halls during all passing times today, Everyone! There were other "issues" that the admisitrators were dealing with all day. It just seemed all the kids were on edge. Thankfully we made it. The end of the day came and kids were headed home for four days and hopefully by Monday they will all be in a better mood. It is one of those days, that when it is over, you KNOW you were NEEDED. That gives you a mixed emotion, but its why I work where I do.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am really looking forward to tomorrow and Friday. Mike will be home and we will get to spend some time together for a change. I miss him so much, but if he is going to do what he wants, he needs to stay in Ames and concentrate on his education. I don't think I ever realized just what his career was going to be like in getting the education. Its tough, but Mike loves it and is going to do fine.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, you can eat a lot, and enjoy all those you love - family and friends.

Aunt JoAnn's Pumpkin Bread

This is THE best Pumpkin Bread ever and Michael craves it! Thanks to Jo Ann, I have it once again. It was lost, but now is found! You guessed it, I will be baking some maybe tonight!

3 1/3 Cups Flour
2 Teaspoons Soda
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
3 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Oil
4 Eggs
2/3 Cups Water
2 Cups Pumpkin
Sift dry ingridents, including suar into bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. Divide into 3 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 about one hour. Cool slightley and turn onto racks to finish cooling.

Getting OLDER

Well, today was my 52nd birthday. Man that number seems so old. They say you are only as old as you feel, and this year I can truly say I do not feel my age. That would be the first in many years. Yesterday a friend invited us to his lodge and bought our breakfast. They just happen to have a craft show "yippee". I actually bought a couple Christmas Presents there! While there the Green's walked in and how nice that was. They are special people! Anyway, they were headed to Garvis to look at a bike, where I found one that I liked, for a beginner bike anyway. It is priced really reasonable, and definately not out of the question as yet. Later they came and picked us up and we went headed to Perry to Jeff and Sally's, but Louise and I decided we really wanted to hit Pamida before going to Jeff and Sally's. Good thing! I found a bed in a bag for Mike, and he said it was "just what he wanted" and I picked up a couple other things I needed. Then to Jeff and Sally's, and they tagged along to pick up the Busch's (yes, all motorcycle family members). Busch's live in Beaver which is right near Ogden. WOW, the snow in that area...good 3 inches, but it was very icey and slick. Got the Busch's and on to Jefferson for dinner. (hmm how many miles for dinner was this?) Oh well, lots of fun. Then back to Busch's as Judy did her handiwork making cherry crisp, brownies and homemade ice cream. YUM. The guys went to the shed to check out some motorcycle stuff and the gals ended in the living room just talking girl talk. Finally about 11 pm we were leaving there, Oh my the FOG! Couldn't see but about 3 feet in front...we made it to Ames and dropped off Mike's bedding. After leaving Ames the fog seemed to get a little better and closer to Des Moines, the roads were clear and no more fog. Finally to bed about 1 AM and I am usually there by 10 pm. This morning up and went to Prole for Breakfast then back home and out came the motorcycle. We rode the motorcycle and followed Green's to look at my boss' bike. Well, Louise is now the owner of that one! Its beautiful! GO LOUISE! Then grocery shopping, did a little more christmas stuff and back home. Then over to Green's so Dennis could help Ernie and Louise fixed dinner. Oh, that was really nice! So, a great day! Mike texted me several times telling me happy birthday. Wonder if he realizes how good it made me feel. Dennis' nephew posted on my facebook page to tell me happy birthday, which was so nice. WOW! I couldn't feel any better. I guess its now back to work for three days. Looking forward to the whole time of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving here with my boys and then to Iowa City and thanksgiving with the Irvin's. All the boys will be there and that is special. Its going to be a great week.

Can you believe I have been posting pretty regular for a week on here??!! Kim should be in shock!

Finally Friday

Well, Friday is finally here, and I am sure glad. Hoping to sleep in just a little in the morning. Lots planned for the weekend, yet I have no idea what Dennis' plans are so mine might get changed. I know we are going to another GWTA chapter's meeting in the afternoon on Saturday and then going to Jefferson for dinner and hoping they will have a band. That could be quite drive home, but glad we are not the ones driving...Thanks Ernie!

I really want to finish cleaning out the spare bedroom. I got a great start on it Wednesday night. Also need to get my scrap table and my desk cleaned off. I have been working on my medical receipts for the year and what a mess I have right now!

I might try to get some of my Christmas stuff out/ready to set up. Next weekend, I will only have "some" time on Friday before we take off to Iowa City, and I want it up and done.

Sand and the Stone

I received this and I just have to share this.


Sand & Stone

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE! AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: 'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE' THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?' THE FRIEND REPLIED: 'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT' LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON,

AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM.

A DAY TO LOVE THEM,

BUT THEN AN ENTIRE LIFETIME TO FORGET THEM. SEND THIS TO THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER FORGET.

I JUST DID.

TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE! DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE,
BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

Quite the day. Had a good day at work. Since I am wearing my hair curly, several are saying things, but the funniest thing, I was walking down the hall during passing time, going back to my office and some kids behind me started messing with my hair and saying something about the curls. It was so funny. I couldn't believe it. Kids...they are good people.

I didn't get much accomplished at home, well, nothing accomplished at home. We did go to the Honda Riders Cycle Club meeting tonight and had several good laughs. I guess I am going to be the one setting up their winter meeting locations. We elected Frank Adams as our President for this year. He was going to be the President last year, but then he was deployed. He is now back and retired from the National Guard. We are happy to have him back.

Tomorrow night we are going to go help Ernie and Louise again and hopefully they can put his Mom's house behind him. It should be ready to put up for sale after tomorrow night. He is rather sad, which I understand. They need the rest and peace of having it sold.

Mike called tonight, oh it is always good to hear from him! He finished an application process for the Rome trip and started the process for financial aid. Praying hard that he can get some aid. He also found out that he can do his masters in Finland or somewhere and he is really wanting to do that. If he goes there it will only take one year, where here it will take 3 years and he will get more of what he needs over seas. Oh man...our babies grow up too fast. Looking forward to seeing him soon!

Can you believe this? I have blogged every single day since SAturday maybe? Kinda boring blogs, but oh well. I did it!

Oh, I did accomplish one thing. I have started the process of ordering state maps from every state in the US. I want 6 of each and want them quick! If you read this and are from somewhere besides Iowa, please let me know if you can get some of your state maps. I don't want the Rand McNally ones, I want the ones published by the States Department of Transportation. I found out that South Dakota not only has a regular state map, but they have a separate "Motorcycle Map!" They told me it has special roads that motorcyclists seem to love...oh yea! TWISTIES!

Well, not a productive day for me, other than going to work. Dennis had a productive day. Got home and WOW he is actually purging and getting rid of a bunch of stuff...thankkkkk goodness! Tonight, just kinda veggin out. Need to get some things ready to mail, but other than that, won't probably do much. I reflected a lot about the weekend and how I have found some family on my Mom's side through facebook. I hope we can keep in touch. I am going to start making my list for Christmas shopping, not sure what to do for some yet. I hate giving money, but that is one thing Rich wants cause he wants to buy a hydrolic jack for motorcycles. Mike just needs clothes and money for school projects and to save for summer classes in Rome..yes, Rome! YIKES they say that is gonna cost somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000! That one scares me! Dennis and I won't be doing anything, we have ours and he is still looking to get us knew phones. So, then we have his parents. What to get them? I don't know, that is always hard. This year its worse! Guess I am going to ask for a list, but won't probably get much on it. I have our gifts for the family exchange, we get things and don't mark on them and then we can steel. This is more for fun than anything. Its a good time. Also trying to decide, do I bake cookies this year? Well, I have lost 50 pounds and if I bake certain ones, I WILL eat them, so maybe not. I love frosted sugar cookies and I love Aunt Judy's spritz cookies (i got the recipe from her, so they are still hers). I just better not.

We had a fun day today. Didn't do a lot. Went to breakfast with many friends from the GWTA group at Gabby's in Prole. We had a lot of Laughter. Lots of talk about planning some fun rides for 2009. Dennis was going to get our bike out, however, frost on the hill to get it up from the garage prevented that. Then we just were not at home. We went over and helped Ernie and Louise on Ernie's Mom's house, then Dennis had to go check out the new toys of cellular phones. Every two years around Christmas he has to get us new phones...well, phones or toys, something like that.

I have been working on some end of year insurance things I need to send in and getting caught up on things so when Jan 1 comes I will be ready to get taxes figured. I need to get those things done quickly cause need to file FAFSA for Mike by mid February. If filed well before March 1 then he is eligible for more scholarships. Those have really helped every year. Thankfully he does well enough to earn some. Iowa State is a very expensive school. On the news they say that kids that go there have the highest loans..uggg. Well, it is in the list of top schools for his field and that is a good thing. He loves what he is doing, and that makes it even better. He isn't one to change fields, this is a desire since he was a small child.

Bad thing, I wanted to work on vacation pictures and Pam's scrapbook and didn't touch either one. Oh well, I guess there is tomorrow night. I think we have a home night tomorrow night..YEAH! We are not home much, and sometimes I like it...I get to cook, but still haven't found the Clean Up person. LOL...so I am still doin dishes.

We have Thanksgiving figured out, having it in Rich and Tina's garage. Yup, Garage. Its heated and we will have a good time. Mike will probably be playing some music for us and that will just be awesome. Then on Saturday Dennis and I will take off for Iowa City to see all the boys and his parents for Thanksgiving. Dan and Jill and the girls will come in from Ohio and Dale is coming in from New Orleans. Sure wish the girls could come, but they are not able. This will make it so their Mom and Dad will at least have all their kids together. With his Dad's health, that is a very good thing.

Well, gonna try to keep doing this daily. I hope to be blogging tomorrow and think of some more things to blog on. Here is praying that Vickie and K are doing well in their new home tonight.

I said I would "try" to blog more. I am having a good time learning stuff on facebook and connecting with family I thought were lost. Its great. I want my boys to know their family. I didn't get any work done today on any of my photo's, and boy do I need to. When you take over 500 pictures on a one week vacation...umm, that's a lot of pictures to sort out, even if they are digital.

Dennis and I have been super lazy today. His back and my shoulder are really bugging us...guess the weather is playing games with my shoulder, but that is part of life. I did manage
to get a few things sorted in the kitchen and some things rearranged in the living room, thinking about Christmas decorations while I am doing this so its done. I am hoping to get those put out on Friday after Thanksgiving. Dennis has to work that day, and I think Mike and I are gonna do the Christmas stuff together. Will be fun.

We just had dinner with one motorcycle group tonight. Tomorrow, guess we are going to Prole for breakfast with another group. Dennis is talking we might be riding YEAH! Need to dig out my warm stuff, could be chilly, but should be dry. I am looking forward to a brisk ride!

Trying to think about what goals I want to accomplish tomorrow..hmm, find Mom's Zucchini bread recipe and my Aunt JoAnn's pumpkin bread recipe. Mike is begging for that pumpkin bread and I couldn't find it last time I looked. The zucchini I want to make and take to work for gifts this year. Made Salsa for all last year, this year, I have lots of zucchini grated and in the freezer, so gonna do that I think.

I also really hope to either go through vacation pictures, or work on Pam's book that we are making her from our Memorial trip. We will see..I also want to get some pictures on my blog and my facebook page. Time will tell...are there any good movies on tomorrow?

I'm Back

It seems like forever since I have posted. It was 7-8 months ago. Lots of changes have happeneds since then, everything is for the better. I decided I need to work on my blog, I have just started a facebook page, but I really want to keep my blog. I just need to discipline myself to doing this. The last few months have brought many positive things in my life. Life is so much better for me health wise since I last posted. I am able to walk much better, my pain is under a better control, not perfect, but much better. I have lost 50 pounds and need to keep losing. My kids are doing wonderful, Dennis and I have had lots of great things happen. We have had a few Eye openers also. Dennis' parents were both evacuated in June due to the floods of 2008. His Mom had no damage, but his father lost everything he ever owned. It is so sad. During that time his dad started having severe breathing problems and ended up in intensive care at the veteran's hospital in Iowa City. We flooded at home, we were at a motorcycle rally in Nebraska City, NE and were called home with a basement full of water, storm sewer back up. Water was in the drum of my dryer...YIKES...Dennis and Ernie worked for two days and were going to load all the junk on a trailer on Sunday. Sunday came and we had more rain, and yes, we flooded AGAIN! Dennis was at wits end. Thank goodness for good friends that help keep our heads on straight. We could never thank the Green family for all the work they did to help us, and to Mike who was here helping with everything. We still don't have the basement back in order, but it will some day. Dennis' dad is now living in a motor home on his property. He seems ok with that, but had to start over, and all his memories are just gone. So sad.

Well, enough on this post, so much more to share and pictures to load. Be watching, you will see what our year has consisted of, fun, sad and great.