More snow

We did have a wild snow storm Tuesday night, with some snow but mostly wind, preceded by rain and quickly falling temps, so we had a good layer of ice with snow on top of it. We had some excitement around here about midnight, when I heard the alarm clock make the noise telling me the power had gone out. Right after that I saw this bright light, but thought it was lightning, as they said that it was a possibility. Well, I woke up at 5 Wednesday morning, the power was still off, so when Everett woke up I told him, and he got up, dressed, pulled the generator out of the garage, and got it all hooked up, and running. We proceeded to get ready for the day. At 9 AM he came home to refuel the generator and noticed a tree that had broken off by the lines out back. As he was ready to leave the driveway, the power company truck pulled up behind him, and help was on the way. He was able to tell the guy where he thought the problem was, and they had it fixed in an hour. It was after all this that it occurred to me, that the bright light I had seen at midnight was the tree falling on the line!!

Most all the schools were closed Wednesday morning, so we did not have Coffee Break either. It was a bonus day for me to catch up with work around the house.

Things were mostly back to normal today, although the roads were still a bit icy as the temperatures were not warm enough for the salt to work. I did not have trouble up and back to Byron Center. Emma was her cute self as always. We had lots of fun most of the time. She was not too impressed with Grandma when I went in to her room about 1/2 hour after I had put her down for a nap. I walked in the room to find her diaper on the floor and her onesie hanging open. She has not figured out yet that a bare butt makes for a painful spanking, but that is what she got. She was so sad. At least she had not wet the bed, or it could have been more troublesome for her. She did fall asleep very quickly after that, and was all smiles when I got her up. Some lessons are just so hard to learn, and I wonder when she will figure out that the same results occur every time she does it!!

This evening we met up with friends in Ada so we could drive to Rockford to go to the funeral home. Traffic was slow about half of the way, due to slippery roads. We saw our friends at the funeral home, and then stopped on the way back at the Rio Grand Steakhouse for dinner. We had a nice time. We got out about 8:30 and the snow was really coming down. We are supposed to get 6-10" of snow by sometime tomorrow.

From Spring to Winter

It was a beautiful warm day with mid 50 degree temperatures, and the snow disappeared right before our eyes. In a matter of an hour the temperature went from 45 and rain, to 28 degrees and snow. Now we are waiting to see what will happen overnight. So much for the weather.

I am glad I did get a chance to get groceries today, so we have what we need in the house. I think we could live for quite a while on what we have in the freezer and the pantry.

It was an ordinary day, with calls to make, cards to send, more organizing and cleaning. One of the leaders in Coffee Break lost her 92 year old Mom today. She had broken her hip about 2 weeks ago, and never recovered from the surgery.

Oh yes, nephew Derrick Stel turned 27 yesterday. Happy birthday, Derrick. He and Ruth live in Modesto and are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first baby in February. We saw them in Nov. when we were in CA.

Saturday with Kids

What do you do on a Saturday when you have three nine year olds at your house? Well, you get up early because they will not allow Papa and Grandma to sleep too long. Aidan was up at 6:30, Grandma at 7 and the girls followed closely after. After breakfast Papa took the kids on a long sled ride, pulling them behind the tractor. They made a few turns through the yard and then went all the way to the river behind our neighbors all the way to Dr. Dave's property. Papa also plowed the path all the way, as Brett plans to take the kids on their winter hike next weekend.


They came in all cold and excited and had used up some of their excess energy. They all practiced their piano lessons for awhile and worked especially hard on timing. They all did a good job. Then it was time to make some molasses cookies. Their class had some molasses cookies this week, and they wanted to try some too. We found out that we did not have enough molasses, so when Papa said he was going to Lowell, we all got in the car. First to the variety store for some puppet supplies (embroidery thread, wooden spoons) and then we also picked up some suet. On to Meijer's for some groceries, while Aidan and Papa went to the hardware store. We had lunch and then finished the cookie dough, and let it cool in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Olivia mixed up some blueberry muffins and Regan helped.

The girls had to try the new shower and tub, and when they were ready we went to Applebees for dinner, Sam's for gas, and Target for a few items.

We are winding down for the day, and I have to mention that Aidan played some games on his DS, and the girls did a lot of reading. They will be ready for bed very soon.

January Sun

The sun is out this morning, and making the world a white jewel. It is so lovely with the blue sky,and icicles forming a valance on the outside of the windows. It is nippy out at 11 degrees, but does not seem so bad without wind.

The week has gone by so quickly and I can not say we got a lot accomplished, but it will all get done. Everett ended up needing some extra rest after work this week. On Tues. his Bible study was canceled and he ended up in his chair for the evening. He had big plans for Wed. evening, and somehow we both enjoyed our new den in our recliners.

Wednesday after Coffee Break I had a chance to do some shopping so picked out some rugs for the foyer and kitchen. I am laying them out and seeing how they fit in before I tear the tags off.
Yesterday was my day with Emma. She was very talkative and did not want to go to sleep. I think she was out of her routine a little as my friend stopped in and she played a longer time after her lunch than she is used to. At one point I scolded her a little and gave her a pat on her butt, and she looked at me sideways and yelled 'no'. She was not impressed that her Grandma would reprimand her. She finally slept a couple of hours till 4:30.

Brenda came home after a couple hours at work because she was not feeling well. She had chills and all over soreness, so went to bed, while I stayed, so she could sleep.

Last night Everett worked hard in the shop and is making some improvements on our sofa. It sits so low, so he is trying to come up with something creative to improve it.
Brett stopped in with all of the supplies the kids will need for the weekend,while Brett and Roxanne go up north to stay in a condo at Shanty Creek. I will pick the kids up at school today, and keep them till Sunday afternoon.

I just had an adjustment at the chiropractor, so am taking it a little easy, so I do not undo it.

More Winter

Most of the schools were closed today, because of a snow storm. It looks beautiful with everything covered in white. Occasionally we see the sun and the next minute the wind is blowing and the snow is flying again. At least the temperature made it to 21*. I thought I might have Olivia, Regan and Aidan here today, but Roxanne did not want to drive in the snow either, and I don't blame her. I have not been out so I am not sure how the roads are. Most of the cars are traveling by our house at the regular speed, but it is a state highway, and cleared first.

The birds have been eating so much, that I had to get out and feed them this morning. Yesterday I had a nice surprise, when I looked out of my front window and saw a bluebird sitting in the bush. On Sunday there were 9 wild turkeys eating under the feeders. They are very shy and the least little noise sends them in to the woods. They are such big ugly birds.

The last of the floor got mopped today and the ceiling fan got a good cleaning. I was a little nervous because as I was cleaning the fan, the metal circle that covers the cords fell down. After the disaster I had with the dining room light I was preparing for the whole thing to fall on the floor . Thankfully it was nothing serious, and I got it put back together. I made lots of trips up and down the ladder to get the job done, so am happy to have that finished.

Everett has Bible study this evening, I think. I have not gotten a call saying it was canceled.

Enough Celebrating

I did get some work accomplished even though I spent some wonderful time with friends today.
This morning it was time to get some work done at my desk, as I did the laundry. I had lots of calls to make, and some work for Caring Ministries from church.

At 11:30 I met Sue so we could celebrate her birthday over lunch at Applebee's. We just had a relaxing time talking and catching up with each other, and our families. She had spent time with her daughters over the holidays, so we had not been able to get together for some time. She has one daughter in Alabama and another in Chicago.

After lunch I was going to make a run to the bank, but found out it was closed due to MLK day, so went on home and put some furniture in place and got some more things from upstairs and put them in place. I figure if I take a couple of armloads down each day and place them, I will get this place in order by spring:-)

At 5 I met Nella Mae, and she drove to Uno's to celebrate our friend Joanne's birthday which is Feb. 3, and met Norma and Joan there. We had a couple hours of fun and lots of talk and good food. We will not be able to get together till some time in April as all of us are traveling somewhere all of Feb. and Mar. Getting together with retirees is very challenging. We have some dates set for mid to late April so hope they work out. Friends are wonderful and spending time together is so much fun.

a

Sunday Rest

How nice to have a day of rest!

We went to both services today, and had Pastor Bruce this morning, and this evening enjoyed Seminarian Mark Van Stee. How interesting to have pastors the age of our sons, and remember when they were kids. Brings back some interesting memories. Both did a very good job; Pastor Bruce on 'encouragement' and Mark on 'joy'.

This afternoon after a nice nap I did my Coffee Break lesson, and read the paper. This evening we picked up Margaret for church and were able to bring her home as well, as we did not have our Bible study this evening.

I talked to Mom a bit ago and she had a wonderful birthday, with 31 in attendance at her party yesterday, and many calls and cards too. She loves all the calls, and loves to tease; right Elton and Brett?

It is a cold 10* out, but is going to be a real heat wave tomorrow with a high of 24*

A Great Saturday

There was a lot of activity at our house today! Brett, Aidan, Olivia and Regan, Joel, Brenda and Emma were here this morning before 9:30 to help us move more of the furniture from the garage into the house. Most of the large pieces are in place and it is starting to look like our home again. Brenda and I washed or vacuumed the stuff as it was moved into the foyer, and the guys moved it to the various rooms. The kids took care of Emma and also helped with little jobs. Aidan vacuumed the crawl space, and did a good job.
Everett is especially glad that he could move his car into the garage for the first time in quite awhile. It worked out good as the temperature was down to zero when we were on our way home this evening.
Everett did get the basement swept up, and hopefully we can get it scrubbed and painted soon, so the kids can have their play area back again. They will really appreciate it, as they ask each time they come when it will be ready.
My Mom celebrated her 86th birthday today at Leisure Living. Her birthday is tomorrow, but it worked best to celebrate it today. ( I am not sure they celebrate birthdays on Sunday too often)
It will be nice to have a day of rest tomorrow. We need it!!

TGIF

It was a cold day, and a good one to stay indoors and get some more cleaning done around here. I thought I better get busy before Emma comes tomorrow. Yesterday when I picked her up she told me that " Grandma house is aucky and Mommy's house is clean". Not good when a one year old is telling things like that.
It has been a better week than the last 2 , and I will catch you up on that later. I have most of the floors mopped now, and the kitchen is about as good as it will get- still have to move the fridge and clean under there.
Tomorrow the local kids and grandkids will be coming over to help move some of the bigger items from the garage. They are such a blessing, as it would take us a long time to get it all finished by ourselves.

Happy New Year- Jan.4

It is the 4th of January but we still want to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

It is what I consider typical January weather; some snow, cold temperatures, wind and very little sunshine. We are so grateful for our warm home and warm cars and everything else we have to be comfortable. We do miss our heated garage now that it is full of furniture, and most mornings the cars have some snow covering and even ice:-( Not fun, but not worth complaining about.

Now that the holidays are behind us, we can get the last of the workers in and out of here. The carpet is scheduled to be laid on Monday, and then we can begin to move in the furniture. I am already enjoying my laundry room, and now can wash everything that has dust on it!!

We have had more opportunities to be with the local grandchilden, which is always a blessing. Aidan, Olivia and Regan will be staying overnight on Saturday, while Brett and Roxanne go to a State game Sat. night. We will be celebrating Roxanne's birthday on Sunday at Brenda and Joel.
Well work is waiting, so I better get to it.