Winter Walk

Full moon, foggy, lightly snowing, silent, crisp and an amazing night for a walk in the country. Last night about 9 pm LaVern and I bundled up and with Owyn, the fearless Corgi, we went for a long walk down the road. It was such an incredible night for a walk. A few lights shown in the distance from other farms. We walked a couple miles and I hated to come back but another time. I need to write down these simple joys in my journal. Someday maybe the kids will come across them after I am gone and realize the true meaning of joy. Speaking of which, LaVern said that joy is free and that fun cost money! It must be why Take Joy is so important to me. And so my friends I leave you with that, Take Joy.

Libraries

I just love libraries and especially now since most offer "hot spots". I am sitting at the library in Mt. Ayr among all the books and blogging. All I am missing is a nice cup of hot chai tea and then they would have to usher me out at closing! Had several errands to do in town so ventured out. I had to make a list so that I wouldn't forget something. I have a stack of 7 books checked out for weekend reading. No internet at home yet so we usually read by the fire in the evening. Yes, we have electricity for that! Our new inverter should be coming soon and then we will be able to use everything that we would want as far as electrical. I really haven't missed not having it readily at hand. We finished putting up the wood ceiling in the bedroom that will become my "wool room". LaVern is working on the trim around the windows, door and baseboard. I may try to paint the walls tomorrow. The floors are all chipboard so I am going to try to paint, distress and then stain them. Hope the finish is something I can live with and we don't have to go to the expense of wood floors. This morning we chopped wood and then walked down to the well and started it. Chores, as LaVern calls it. The mornings have been beautiful. I love the snow and am going out yet this week to snow shoe. Would post some pictures but we can't find the camera! No clue where it is at so hope it just shows up. In case I don't get back to the blog for a couple days, wish everyone a wonderful, peaceful and healthy new year. TAKE JOY this next year, each and every day!

Goob's Repair

Located in Diagonal, Iowa! Just ordered new tires for the car. They will be in and put on this Thursday. Roads were plowed yesterday so we are out and about. I brought the lap top in and while LaVern was busy ordering the tires I tried to get online. Hooray! Success! I am assuming I am using Goob's internet server! Not sure how much snow we had this last time but Creston, north of us 30 miles, had 10 inches. The wind howled for two days. Lots of drifts at home. Cold, cold temperatures. Well, maybe not like up in Canada but cold for us here. We are working on a wood ceiling in one of the upstairs bedrooms. It goes slow, with lots of breaks, with a hammer and nails. LaVern is really missing his air nailer. We hope to get the other wood stove hooked up in the kitchen in the next week or so. We will use that until we decide on a big cook stove. This is a little wood cookstove but at least it should help heat that huge kitchen area. The sun is shining this morning. Electricity!! We like the sun. Mom is about the same. I will probably go out again after the first of the year for maybe a week. Have been talking to a girlfriend in Kansas daily and she was snowed in as well. It was quite a big storm that went across the plains. LaVern is patiently waiting for me to blog so I best finish up and check emails. Joy.

Headin Home

Sunday........December 20........I am finally headin home! LaVern drove out from Iowa to my brother's in Greeley, CO. He is such a sweetie but also has a sense of humor. It was 8:00 AM in Greeley and I am in my sweats enjoying a cup of coffee and slowly packing. LaVern was to leave Imperial, NE and drive to Greeley so we were expecting him about noon. My cell phone chimed and showed I had a new picture. So I clicked it open.............it was a picture of LaVern's pickup in front of my brother's house. It took me a couple seconds to realize what had actually happened!! I raced outside (barefoot and in my pj sweats) and there he was sitting in the pickup!! Surprise! He couldn't sleep so he got up at 4:00 AM and drove! Wow! 20 days without him has been 20 days too long!! We are now at his mother's in Imperial and will get up early and start heading east. Will stop in McCook and pickup the car. Hate the fact we have to drive separately but at least I will be headin home!! Originally planned to spend a day around Oberlin and go home on Tuesday but weather is saying a big ice storm and snow following beginning on Tuesday so we will scratch that plan and get back tomorrow. I can't wait to enjoy Christmas in our new home. Despite the fact that everything was just unloaded and I left! But you know what, it doesn't matter. LaVern, warm fire in the stove and home is all I need. Might be a bit before I blog again if nasty weather comes in as I still have to drive to Mt Ayr to get Internet.
Mom will be at the care center for at least another month, maybe longer. Depends on the antibiotics working on the bacteria. I think they have finally got her pain somewhat managed. She still has bad nights but at least the pain is alittle more manageable for her. Physical therapy works with her every day also. Her spirits are alittle better so your prayers are working. I spent time with her the last few days reading from the bible, a book of Max Lucado called Fear Not and prayed the rosary with her. Isn't it wonderful the healing power of prayer? I have seen the results!! Thanks again. Love to all.