IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME!

My gosh, how time flies! Well so you probably have figured out that our vacation week at Decorah is long over. The rest of our week there was uneventful until Friday morning. It rained at night and one morning until about noon. We never did go back out on the river because it had gone up with the rain and was moving pretty fast. Pretty unsafe then. We made it to the Whippy Dip a few more times and we went to their famous pizza place for supper on Friday night. It was great when Milan got his phone call from the Colonel on that Friday morning. I have never heard his phone ring so much as I did that day when word had spread through the Patrol.

So we have gone to an auction in the last few weeks and acquired things for an apartment and have boughten more furniture from friends who are remodeling. He is pretty well set now. Saturday we went to Manchester and he now has a place to live in a month or so. The tenants will not be leaving their before Aug. 20. So he will be commuting or staying in a hotel. The apartment is a two bedroom and we couldn't have asked for it to work out any better regarding rent etc. Milan starts his new job tomorrow and he is very anxious to do so in a lot of ways! Thanks to all of you for the well wishes. He will do a great job.

The fourth of July we just hung out at home as it had rained most of the day anyway. I guess we did to see The Hangover in the afternoon. You definitely need to be in the right frame of mind to see this movie. Jason said he really liked it which I am sure he did. But that movie also has Jason's humor. We did go to Grand Mound that evening for the fireworks. They put on such a show. It was a fun time.

Otherwise not much else is happening. This weekend we will be going to Cedar Falls to the George Wyth State Park with Milan's brother and another couple. They have bike trails that you can get onto right at the campground and so I hope we will be riding or bikes a lot. It should be fun. Ashley will be departing on Friday also to go out to visit Julie and Jason for the weekend.

I will try to do better posting. But for now I hope everyone is well and enjoying our wonderful summer.

DAY 3 OF VACATION

Tuesday was a pretty wet day here in the form of rain from around 1 p.m. to past 11 when we went to bed. But today turned out to be a beautiful day but also wet. We went canoeing before Aaron, Sherri and Becky left for home. We did a 3 hour trip. About 1/2 hour into the trip there was a hazard which they called a stringer. It was a tree down and also in the current. The point is to stay out of the tree. Well Milan and I did not achieve that, we went into the tree and also flipped our canoe. Then Aaron and Sherri also flipped and into the tree. The current was very strong there and we just could not stay out of the tree. Besides us being first time canoers we had to get wet right? Anyway it was a good time and nobody got hurt. What beautiful bluffs we saw along the way and some that they called chimneys, enough said. I did have a water proof camera also and had taken some pictures but guess what, the camera is in the Upper Iowa River somewhere :) We didn't lose anything else though besides a couple open cans of beer and the camera was about 4 years old. So that is how our week has been going.

VACATION

in decorah this week. We arrived up in Decorah on Sunday afternoon. Unlike last year right after the flooding at this same time, the camp grounds are busy. Yesterday afternoon was tubing down the Upper Iowa River. The water was a little cold just for a few minutes or so. I know it is hard to imagine but there was some laughing going on especially when you get stuck on the rocks because well maybe from a lead butt! Anyway we had a safe trip. The weather has been just right so far. Today we hope to canoe but the weather doesn't sound to promising for that. We will let you know tomorrow. Have a good day

LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN ON ....

the last day of school when kids ride horses down main street bottle necking up traffic, water balloons being thrown, skateboarders dressed in costume and the city police out in full force; all being witnessed on my walk today!

MAY IS . . . . .

Birthdays, camping or not camping on holiday weekends because campgrounds are full on the Monday before the weekend :( graduations, Mother's Day, family, Respect for Law banquet, golfing, Memorial Day, finding out it will be a baby boy James in September, (one more generation for the James name), viewing good and cute engagement pictures, planting a garden and watching everything grow and warm weather

GO CAPS GO

We went to a Capitals hockey game when we visited Julie and Jason in November. It was a blast. I didn't, still don't understand much about the game but became a fan (probably because the kids are). We have been able to watch a couple of the playoff games on TV but the last couple are only on their local stations. So here to the Caps with hopes of them to keep winning.

This past Friday night Milan and I did some errands in Davenport. Milan bought me a digital camera for Mother's Day. I am not his mom, but told him I probably act like it sometimes. I can't wait to figure it out and start using it. I have been playing with it a little bit. So maybe you will a picture or so on our blog every now and then! It is our goal to perfect using it in time for the wedding in October.

So I wonder if the person giving Julie a hard time about her blog is the person that doesn't have one of her own up? What do you guys think?

We had a nice Easter with family. It always go without a hitch but man can a house fill up in a hurry. It was a beautiful day. This last Sunday we went to Mom's church to their spring dinner. It was very good and I enjoy it because I see people I haven't seen for quite a while.

Well I hope everybody is well and enjoying the nice weather.

Ta Ta for now

FUN WEEKEND

Friday evening our church hosted our annual fish fry. It started on Thurday night when Ash and I went to help set up for it. On Friday Ash and Milan went down to the hall at 1 to help with whatever needed to be done before serving time. Milan always takes big pieces of cardboard down to put down on the floor of the garage that is donated to us to use by a neighbor to fry the fish in. Now this neighbor is not a member of our churce so it is truly appreciated. Our meal consists of fried fish, baked potatoe, colseslaw, an added treat was hushpuppies, cherry sauce and homemade desserts. We served around 550 to 580 people. I went down after I got off work and we were all home by 9. For some that is a long day being on their feet. Saturday we went to Grandma Fs to do yard work and put in a new doorbell. She had quite a bit of rock in her grass from the snow plow this winter. So we raked that out and Ash cleaned up her flower beds. We even evened up the grass line to one of them. Mom and I took the brush to the dump that afternoon only to find that the gate was locked. There was another gentleman there wanting to do the same thing. So I said I would just climb over the gate and they could stick the brush under the fence for me. Well I got to about rung 3 and the gate started to wiggle. So me the chicken that I am LOL got back off of the gate and climbed under the fence also to take care of the brush. Saturday night Ash and I went to our high school's production of Grease. The kids did a good job and it was very well attended. Sunday we just hung out, Milan worked, as it was not a very nice day anyway.

A FUN WEEKEND

Our busy and fun weekend started on Friday night. Our church had our annual fish fry. We served about 550 to 580 people. We serve of course fried fish, coleslaw, homemade desserts and this an added treat was hushpuppies and cherries. And of course I forgot baked potaotes. On Thursday night Ash and I went down to the hall to help set up. On Friday Milan and Ash were there by one to help with whatever needed to be done early on. Milan always gets big pieces of cardboard to take because we actually borrow a neighbors garage to cook the fish in. This neighbor is very generous because he is not a member of our church and lets us use his garage for free but I am sure he at least gets tickets to the dinner. I went down after work to help until the hall was cleaned up which was about 9 o'clock. Milan served baked potatoes and Ash I believe was one of the mainstreamers to help keep the workers in the dining hall in order and organized. Saturday we went to Grandma F's and did some yard work and put in a doorbell for her. She had a lot of rock in her grass for the snow plow this winter so we raked that out and Ash cleaned up her flower beds and we even evened out the grass line on one of them. Then Mom and I took the brush to the city dump. Well when we got there the gate was locked. There was another gentleman there wanting to get rid of his brush also. So I said I would just crawl over the gate and they could hand me the brush or put it under the fence. Well I got three rungs up on the gate and it statrted to wiggle and I got chicken LOL. So I too crawled under the fence with the brush and did my good deed.
Saturday night Ash and I went to our high school muscical Grease. The kids did a good job and they had a full house. Sunday was a relaxing day since it was not as nice as Saturday.

IT SURE WAS A FUN AND FAST WEEK

Julie and Jason fly out this evening at about 6:15 :( It was a fast and fun week though. Wednesday was pretty much a do nothing day. We had steaks for supper and then the kids were off to their Cousins Ryan and Mindy's so they could meet Cadence who is almost 11 months for the first time in person. Jason went to coffee with his dad for a couple of days to kick off his morning. Thursday Julie Ash and I went to Dport so Ash could order her dress for the wedding. It is so pretty. Then we went to Von Maur so I could show Julie the dress I had picked out for the wedding. She gave the okay! so I have ordered it and it is already at the store. As we were walking out of Von Maur Julie just wanted to walk past the shoes. So we did and low and behold she found bridesmaids shoes she liked. So when we got home she did the internet search and found out that this weekend they were 30% off plus the price was cheaper than in the store to start with. So that was all kind of fun. Thursday night we went to Genos in Preston for pizza and then card playing after we got home. Julie learned how to play Rummy. Friday night we went to a hockey game at Moline and watched the Flames beat the Iowa Chops. Saturday the kids got their engagement pictures taken and then to Bluff Lake for supper where we met Dan and Gretchen Chapman. The kids were going bowling with Dan and Gretchen afterwards but to only find out that they were having a tournament at the bowling alley so then they went to a bar and had a couple of drinks before they came home. They were also here to witness hopefully the last snow fall of the winter season in the springtime. At least the weather was just starting when they did their pics so they did get some outside ones done also. I can't wait to see them.

Wedding plans are in full swing and getting really exciting.

Now we all get to get back to the real world and go back to work on Monday. We are all grateful I think that we all have our jobs to go back to.

I hope everybody has a good week.

SAFE AND SOUND

Julie and Jason arrived in Iowa about 11 p.m. last night. There flight from Chicago toMoline was about two hours late. But that allowed Milan and I a trip to the book store for reading material as we sat at the airport to greet them. Now Moline airport is not busy so for a while it seemed we were the only ones there.

Milan, Ash and I are all on vacation this week to enjoy our company. I think tomorrow Ashley, Julie and I will go to Davenport so Ashley can order her dress for the wedding. That will be fun! I know the girls should go by themselves but I just can't help myself and will tag along.

We have been very spoiled by all of the spring weather. The trees etc. are really starting to bud out. But I guess we are back to a reality check for the rest of this week. We all know though that warmer weather is right around the corner to have with us for a few months.

It sure sounds like from all of the blogs that people are doing well and are keeping pretty busy. We have not done anything to earth shattering except looking forward to having Jason and Julie come for a visit. I am sure it will go quick.

I hope everybody has a good week and weekend.

Sunday and Chicken Noodle Soup

Tag! Fourth folder, fourth picture, I had to add some pictures to get a fourth folder which I needed to do for a long time anyway. I did not take the time to delete pictures so I really didn't know what I was going to get. This happens to be a picture of Jason's little brother and either Jason or Ashley in Aberdeen MD December 2007 on Jason's graduation weekend.

Today we started out having breakfast out. I had started making chicken noodle soup yesterday and then finished it when we got home from breakfast. This afternoon we took our chicken noodle soup and went to Sharon and Bill's to play several hands of rummy. Sharon had also made freshed baked rolls, several were sampled before we ate fresh out of the oven. We had not played cards for a long time so it was a lot of fun.

This past week Ashley was bitten by the GI flu bug. It took her about 2-1/2 days to recover. Just think how long it would take Milan or I to recover! That was the first time she has gotten sick as a rookie first year nurse so that was not to bad.

Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday afternoon and evening we had the opportunity to babysit our great niece who is nine months old. She was a lot of fun. I can't wait to have grandchildren! I taught her how to fake cough and as of Friday I think her mother was still thanking me! LOL

Chicken Soup and a Fun Sunday

Today was a fun Sunday. We started our day by going out for breakfast. Then we came home and I finished making chicken noodle soup. Then this afternoon we proceeded to Sharon and Bill's to play several hands of rummy. I took my delicious chicken noodle soup along and shared it for supper. Sharon had made fresh baked rolls, which really several were sampled much before we ate supper because they were still warm. Then we made it home to watch the end of the Nascar race.

Ashley was bitten by the GI flu bug this week. It took her about 2-1/2 days to recover. The first time she has been sick since becoming a rookie nurse. Just think how long it would take Milan or I to recover if we got it!

This week we had the opportunity to watch our 9 month old great niece for a couple of late afternoon and evening hours on two different days. She was so much fun. I can't wait to have grandchildren! I taught her how to fake cough and her mom told Ashley on Friday that she was still fake coughing LOL.

We got about 3 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning. But it sounds like it will not be on the ground for very long.

Also I got tagged, so here is the photo, fourth folder - fourth picture

M R DUCKS!

Just heard a commentator on the Speed Channel say M R Ducks. It made me think of somebody special to me (my favorite daughter-in-law to be)!

C D E T B T ducks
M R not Ducks
O S M R
Y I B
M R Ducks

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I guess I better get on the stick on do a post!

The most exciting news from us: The house inside the gate right next door to us has gotten sold. A couple who own a factory in town (Dynamic Tube) has bought it. We are looking forward to nice neighbors. Hopefully they won't be crazy like the last one.

Ashley and I have been going to basketball games in Maquoketa and going to Clarence and watching Caitlin play. I have kind of gotten back into the basketball season again this year. We have also gone to a few of Ben's wrestling meets. I don't know much about wrestling but I really like watching it.

I am looking forward to a nice warm weekend! It will be nice not to see snow on the ground but then we will be seeing dingy brown I guess. I am going to have to start watching for the first robin. A fella told me the other day he heard they were in Indiana so maybe they are heading our way.

I hope everybody is doing well and staying warm. See you in the next post!

LET IT SNOW!!!

Shoveling snow sure is good exercise. We had about 5 to 6 inches of snow overnight and it is snowing again. They say probably another inch or 2. I got up about 6:15 and used the snow blower. Milan had to work at 6:30. He helped shovel. We had a nice little drift up by our garage. When Milan pulled his car out he had a drift on the top of his squad. It looked like it was a pizza delivery car!

I have to go to Crystal Burkey's baby shower this afternoon and probably will shovel the snow that is falling when I get home. That is going to be my exercise for the day.

Hope everybody has a good weekend.

ADDENDUM

I forgot to tell you all about the neat Christmas gifts I used yesterday to help prepare our Sunday meal. My electric knife did a terrific job slicing the ham. I have never operated an electric knife before and we got along just fine! Also to lift my ham out of the pan I used a Pampered Chef meat fork. That also worked very well. Those to gifts sure made my job easier yesterday!

On a sad note I found out on Saturday morning that I had lost a class mate. He had taken his life in Canon Falls MN. He was a really nice guy who always had a smile on his face. I last saw him in 2006 at our 30th class reunion. So many unanswered questions . . . .

OFF TO THE MOVIE

Well I guess we are just like Lynne, and went to see Marley and Me this afternoon. Ashley and I have read the book. So we both agree that the book is better. Needless to say go and see the movie, read the book or both, you can't go wrong. Milan and Ashley both had off today so it was a great afternoon activity.

We started out watching the Dolphins and the Ravens play today but it was half time when we went to the movie. I don't know how the game turned out for sure. All I know is the Julie is a Raven's fan of course and Jason is a Dolphin's fan so it could have been interesting at their household.

I have to go to work tomorrow, back to 10 hour days. It will sure be nice getting back to normalcy at work again. Our books closed at the end of the day on the 26th so we were limited to what we could do at our desks, other than catch up stuff which I needed to do anyway.

I guess now I am going to go sit and read the paper and enjoy the of the day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We hope the year 2009 brings good health and a safe new year to all of our friends and family.

Well here it is folks. My first blog posting. We had quite the eventful New Years Eve. We stayed home! That wasn't so bad either. Milan is working through the holiday day shift so he gets up fairly early. Me on the other hand gets to lounge all day and hopefully watch the Hawkeyes win. For all of you Iowa Staters, I promise I will not keep the blog yellow and black, I just had to be festive today.

We have had a very fine Christmas and hopefully entering into a very fine 2009. It was great seeing all of the families again. We had a new addition to each side of the family this year. Thanks for all of the gifts, but most important it was fun to all be together. We missed the loved ones who could not be with us to celebrate this year. As you all know, we have have a pretty neat event coming up in October so keep your calendars open. It will be a lot of fun. Julie's family is looking forward to meeting all of you. Just don't embarass me to much as I know I won't you!

So this is just a start. Hopefully I can add more and become more newsworthy as I go.

Also Lynne, I liked the looks of your new room.