KND

I drove to Oberlin today to visit numerous friends so I didn't have a chance to call LaVern. About midday I got a text message on my cell phone from him. It read: Choc. ice cream KND. Okay........I figured out he must have taken some "play" time and went to Mt. Ayr for a chocolate ice cream cone. But I could NOT figure out the KND so I had to call him.
KND...................kitchen not done
ha ha I told him I was wanting a text that read KD.
Tonight our son that lives the closest to us called and they want to pick up the RV this Sunday. Oh boy. It is currently parked in front of our house and it is my kitchen!! I either have to get home or poor LaVern will have to pack up all the dishes, food, and clean the RV for them to pickup. That ole RV has sure been used. Not only have we taken numerous trips in it but we lived in it for 9 months and now it has been the kitchen for a couple months. So I guess LaVern will be pulled off the kitchen for a few days and work on RV. Darn. KND.

Update on kitchen

I may get home before Christmas yet, possibly by the fourth of July! Christmas in July!! Still working on the trim but it was nearly finished. Three coats of finish on the new (old) wood floor is completed. Wiring is done. Kitchen sink has been painted but he still has to make the new (old) wood countertop for it. We bought the base cabinet at Lowes. Really discounted because it was damaged in the back. LaVern laughed and said most people would think we were nuts if they saw him out there painting an oak cabinet. What can I say? I had a sink base in mind for LaVern to build but knew by the time we got to this point of the remodel I wouldn't care what was in there! I was right. ha ha It will look old by the time we are done. Our kitchen is 16x36.........BIG. Almost like remodeling 3 rooms!
I need a cup of tea. I checked and it is 57 degrees this AM in Diagonal. Perfect. Off to Oberlin again alittle later this morning. Yesterday evening I picked up grandson Reid and we went to the park where they have an old band shell. Sat on a blanket and listened to a cowboy sing old trail cowboy songs on a variety of string instruments. Simple and enjoyable entertainment.

The plans

6:30 AM this morning my mother asks, "So what are your plans today?"

My reply, "I don't have a plan and I'm sticking to it".

Takin a break

A pleasant 63 degrees this morning and since dad is still asleep I have opened a door to let some fresh air in. After living with central air the past 14 years I was concerned about not having it when we went off grid. Now I wonder how I lived with it! There are French doors right by the computer desk so one is open and I am listening to the glorious birds and breathing in the air. I know, plugged sinus but they can't get any worse then they are right now. Ugh. I plan to stay the rest of the week so I may have to either look for a netti pot or in the least a baby nasal thingy.
Baked cookies and brownies yesterday afternoon so that I could put them in the freezer for the folks. I'm going to defrost the freezer yet this week. Nothing like doing things backwards! Fill the freezer then empty to clean. duh
Today I am going to a friend's house and we are going to make woolie Christmas trees. Still going to make another Oberlin run but the coffee house is closed today!

quote from a movie: "My darling girl, when are you going to understand that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

TV time

I have watched more TV while at my folks for 4 days then I have in the past 4 years since we gave up TV. I can honestly say I have not missed having a TV. Sometimes I shudder when I think how much money my parents are spending to have "real TV" and then they only watch one or two channels. I will probably go home and retrain our dogs (too much dog whisperer) and I won't have to look at a National Geographic at the library for quite some time.
I have however managed to watch a couple good movies after sabotaging the remote from dad. The Proposal with Sandra Bullock was funny. Betty White is still a hoot after all these years.
I'll call LaVern later to see how much rain we received. I got on the radar this morning and it appeared the storms were right over Diagonal again. Good news is that it is about 10 degrees cooler in Iowa then here in Nebraska. My brother is experiencing 55 degrees this morning in Greeley, CO. Bro, send some this way!

Garage sales

Had fun this morning hitting a few garage sales in McCook. There were LOTS to go to but I picked out about six. They started at 8 AM which was fine by me as I was up at 4:45 AM. Slept in late this morning for some reason! Found a new pair of jeans for 50 cents. I'm a big spender when it comes to clothes. Best find was a garage sale where she either had a preschool or day care. Oodles of great things for kids as well as books. I picked up some wonderful kids puzzles for 10 cents, some packages of new modeling clay for $.25, a big bag of farm animal kids' rubber stamps, a big bag of beads (etc) for the girls to make necklaces. Starting to gather up a few things for projects when the granddaughters come and stay. We have to do a few "girly" things! I'll have a nice list of stuff for them to work on. Spent time this afternoon with my friend Mary. She is the MOST talented person I know. She teaches art at a Christian school here in McCook so I also glean her for ideas! My throat is sore we spent so much time talking!
Fixed dad some supper and now we are just hanging out. He says he just doesn't feel good so hope by the beginning of the week there is some improvement.
Peace and joy.

Allergies

I must be allergic to something here in Kansas/Nebraska that we do not have in Iowa. While living in Kansas I suffered with sinus infection continuously. Would get those awlful sinus headaches for which there was no relief. A couple times I tried the medical doctor when the pain was too great. Antibiotics which never helped. Finally we purchased an infrared sauna which was the best thing we ever did. When we were making our decision to get off grid we knew the sauna would be one of the items that would go. Just couldn't justify the power it would take although it was 110 and really didn't use much. We knew there were things we could do to help the pain of sinus. Neti pots are wonderful. Praise the Lord, since I have been in Iowa I have not had sinus infection nor even a headache. Came back to Nebraska and whamo, sinus are plugging up and I am just staying ahead of a bad headache. Maybe I will go see the gal that bought our sauna!! She would get a kick out of that.
Good news on dad. When he stands his blood pressure drops almost in half which accounts for the light headness. Now to find out why. EKG was good, blood tests good. He has always been healthy. Dr. thinks maybe the Prozac that he has been on for 4 years so he is taking him off that. Then dad just takes an aspirin and that's it. I talked to LaVern yesterday and told him I could come home anytime! He needs until at least the middle of next week providing the kitchen floor dries fast between coats. Happy days! Will now be able to do some cooking/baking for the folks and freeze some things plus go back down to Oberlin. I brought 7 books to read while here also! A visit to my chiropractor may be in order too as my back is not liking the day bed! I am loving being able to get on the computer daily but still not bad enough yet to pay the bucks for it when I get home! :-)

Old friends

I made a "quick" trip to Oberlin today planning on getting around to see everyone. Wrong. Was at my favorite coffee house from 9 until 1 pm!! ha ha Many old friends came by and we had such fun! I miss every single one of them. As I was leaving I told them I would come back down a day (if I can) before heading home. The bank there has one of those big huge signs that has continuous messages going across it. I told my banker friend Martin that I was going to spend the $5 for the day and have him announce what day I would be back down at the coffee shop so all the friends can come there instead of me trying to get around to see them. He laughed and said that was a great idea. Drove out to my best friend's home in the country. She is a kindred spirit and I am so blessed to have her in my life. We share so many likes, ideas and philosophy of life. She doesn't gossip and isn't fake. We never have fights but have laughed until we wet our pants! The chance of finding a lifelong friend like that is rare indeed. I love my cell phone with the "friends circle "(call anytime, anywhere unlimited...for free) specifically for calling her. So, I did not get to see everyone I wanted to. Sorry you all! But plan on coming back for a day after I find out what we are doing for dad. Hugs. Take joy.

FOREVER (Michael W. Smith)

Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

With a might hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever and ever, forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise

His love endures forever

Arrived at my parents in McCook NE. Lonnnnnnnng drive alone! Was only here for a couple hours when my father (who does NOT share anything) tells me he needs help finding a specialist. He is dizzy to the point of falling over every day now. Episodes are getting worse. (I knew nothing about this nor did my mom). So.........have an appointment with a doctor here in McCook for this Thursday afternoon and then dad wants to go to Ft. Collins, CO or that area if more tests are to be done. LaVern, I was only kidding about not coming home until the kitchen is finished! You may have lots of time to do it! This is what it's all about, His enduring love. For great is your love Lord. By your grace I will carry on.

Silence is not golden

It is quiet in the house. Both boys are gone and I miss them already! I grew accustomed to the constant, "grandma............grandma..............grandma". Or little Gavin's response to all questions, "huh?". I miss the laughter. I miss the excitement over Lava soap. The little feet stained purple from the mulberries. Spending time with Reid doing his summer reading and seeing his improvement. Hearing Gavin exclaim, "A chicken pooped on my leg and it was hot"! Oh dear. Yes, it is quiet in the house.
I am leaving tomorrow to go to my folk's in Nebraska. Will swing down and spend a couple days with friends in Oberlin, KS. LaVern asked me how long I was going to be gone. I told him that depended upon him. He had a frown and said what do you mean. I told him I would come home when he finished the kitchen!! I'm hoping it will just be a week but I am ready for the kitchen to be completed. (before canning begins!!).
Will blog from Nebraska!!

Mud swingin,sheep fesitval,hiking to a tower, and on and on

The rain continues daily here. This morning while raining the boys built a big Lego castle. The rain finally quit and outdoors they went. Next thing I realized they had peeled off their jeans and were having a ball mud swinging!! I am thanking God as we speak for the sun that is now shining as I have a load of very muddy clothes to wash! We went to a sheep festival last Saturday. Stopped at the feed store coming home and purchased two Americana chicks. (Hens to be) The boys are excited as they will lay green and blue eggs! Nellie and Brufus are their names. I do hope they survive. Right now they are in a big tank with a screen top. Grandpa has been combing the magazines for the perfect little two hen house to build for them. ha ha We visited a covered bridge and then on to a big park in Winterset. Went on a LONNNNNG hike to a tower. Boys really enjoyed that. Then ice cream cones and home. We made puddle jumpers and grandpa built them stilts. They love coming to the library and checking out books. They even read them when we get home! One day they were down cleaning out the sheep pen. No complaints either! We are going out for pizza tonight. We are to have a sunny day tomorrow so I will take them back to the beach swimming and hopefully have time for a hike. We wrote our names with invisible ink this morning so that should be dry and we can see if we can read our messages. I could go on and on about all the activities but best get the pictures posted and finish up. Grandpa took the boys to the store. They are on a mission to find a whistle to add to our hiking pack.

LaVern and I both had sore throats last week. Mine went in to a dry chest cough. Ugh. Slowly getting over it. Saw the movie Shrek 3, ate junk food and sodas. Sunday afternoon the boys and grandpa took 3 hour naps!!

The adventures continue

We went camping at a state park only 30 miles from here. Had a grand time. Planned on staying another night but got rained out at noon today so packed it in. I failed to get a picture of the boys at the beach so another trip back. They loved swimming in the lake and the beach is really nice. We hiked, had a campfire and this morning we all went out in the canoe. Grandpa and Reid went out early for a long trip around the lake. The trails were mud but we tramped through them anyway!

Since it is Thursday we came to town. Our local ice cream shop has a special different ice cream for each day of the week. Today is lemon and it is our favorite! Tomorrow we are going to the movie, Shrek 3. Saturday we are going to a fiber and wool festival. Sunday (weather permitting) fishing at our Diagonal lake. Still want to get them to Living History Farms in Des Moines and grandma has lots of crafts yet to do with them!!

I have to share some of their conversations. Art Linkletter's show is sure missed.

The boys were talking about their length of stay at grandma's. 7 year old, "I'm staying 3 weeks".

5 year old, "I'm gonna stay for 2 months". 7 year old, "Your mom will really miss you". Reply from the 5 year old, "But I gave her a hug and kiss!"

Gavin, age 5, came outside with me early one morning while I was choring. We had been out for about 30 minutes and decided to pick strawberries for our cereal. He was picking away when suddenly he looked down and said, "Why am I just in my underwear?" (I explained it as okay). Later on grandpa came by and asked Gavin, "Why are you just in your underwear?". Gavin replied, "Because I am in the country!"

Common saying from both boys, "Hey Grandma, guess what?"

They were chatting at breakfast one morning and I missed the conversation but the next thing I know the 5 year old is singing, "Who let the dogs out? woof, woof, woof". I think this is a for real song but it was sure funny with him singing it.

During supper one evening Reid asked how old our dog Mattie was. Grandpa explained she was 14 years old or if she was a person she would be 98 years old. Reid, "Wow, that's really old". Gavin, 5 years old replied, "Yea, an old person's skin drops way down here" (He grabbed his cheeks and pulled down) ha ha I'm looking forward to that!

At noon when we had the thunderstorm the 5 year old told me that the thunder was the angels, bowling and the lightning was when they got a strike!! The rain was when they were either crying or sweating. Sounded good to me! (You should hear this little guy's prayers. They are amazing!)

Well, best sign off. Grandpa is over in the other section reading to the boys. We are heading back to the farm and going to work on a craft project. Needless to say nothing is being done on the house but we are sure having fun!

Second post with more pictures

And then there was TWO

We picked up the second grandson on Sunday. Gavin, age 5. He joined Reid, age 7. We are having a grand time and the adventures just keep rolling on. I told LaVern that he had better enjoy all this time with them both because once their parents see the pictures and read the blogs, they will never let them stay with us again!! ha ha

I will have to add the pictures in another blog. I haven't figured out the settings to add more pictures yet!! Or maybe this is it.

I will post again later some of the things the boys have been talking about. Kids say the funniest things. I have been writing them down so will post all at the same time. This morning we butchered two roosters. What a hoot! The 5 year old thoroughly loved it. He came saying, "awesome" to the whole ordeal. He jumped right in there and pulled feathers and guts. The 7 year old only tried after he watched the other one. ha ha We are having chicken and noodles for supper. It will be interesting to see what they think of that!

Then came the mud dams and mud roadway. We hit the thrift store today and picked up some more shorts and shirts. Tomorrow we are going camping with the trailer and tent. The lake has a beach and hiking trails. Plan on getting the canoe in the water also.

Gavin I think is a chicken whisperer. Every time I turn around that child is carrying a hen around and talking to her. He generally is able to walk right up to one and pick her up. The boys help with the chores morning and night. Only a couple broken eggs so far!

Early this morning we had a thunderstorm pass through. I was up at 4 and then at 5 there was a big crack of thunder. Gavin sat up in bed and said, "grandma, I'm scared." I asked him is he wanted to crawl in to bed with grandpa and he shot right in there. End of the scaredies. He and grandpa slept until 8 AM. Reid slept through the whole storm. The first night they "camped" in the kitchen with the teepee. We are having a great time with them and no mention of any mom and dad yet. (sorry, kids)

Grandson Reid

Our grandson, Reid is here from McCook NE. He is staying for three weeks and two days!! We have already had great fun. We are helping him with his Cub Scout book and hope to fill several of his achievements for badges while he is here. This morning, after chores, we hook up the horse and buggy and went for a drive. Reid had his first driving lesson. Then he went with Grandpa Vern, down south, and helped put up new fence. They had the garden tractor and pulled a wagon which they proceeded to dump over twice. We have been eating strawberries by the gallons. We are in at the library checking out books now. Had great fun on the tree swing, lots of twirling. We will work on the garden and Reid is going to build and plant a flower box.

I have a list a full page long of things we want to do!! More to come!

We have Twins!!

We were not expecting lambs until August or September so these were a surprise arrival. LaVern and I have never been shepherds before but we are sure learning fast!! We did the around the clock feeding, every 4 hours for the first two days. The lambs would NOT suck and LaVern was sure they were not getting milk. He milked the ewe each time and we fed them the milk with a drencher. I kept thinking something is not right. They didn't act nor look hungry but we tried everything to get them to use a bottle. Nadda. Then on Friday morning we went out to feed them and they both were up nursing! I think they were nursing all along. ha ha

The names: we have a Lan, a Lin and the mama is Lotion. Lan o Lin and Lotion.

More to come as I have more pictures to share. A second blog ahead of this one!!