Saturday nite...well actually sunday 1am, and I can't sleep. Too excited about leaving I guess, or maybe its the mind won't keep thinking of things to pack, take, or do to shut our lives down. So, thought I'd write an entry here while I have the time.
Missed the winter storm Thursday nite. Yeah. Have another coming tomorrow nite, but it should miss us also. Sorry Okla & Tx, you are going to get it again.
Weather is beautiful. 50 degrees and no wind, and sunny.
Chick chick ( the neighbors chicken) and I have been playing a lot lately with this nice weather. So far we have found 3 eggs over here. Today's was in the chiminea. She is so much fun.
The kids seem real excited for us to come, and I can hardly wait. Hope the weather is good for our drive up the 3rd, and back the 13th.
Going to try and get some sleep.
BJ
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentines Day
Man, life has just blown by. Since the last post, we went to Mexico, blew thru Christmas, New Years, several folks Birthdays, Packed food for Numana twice so far, Super Bowl, and Isaac's birth! That's right, we have a new grandson born on Ground Hogs Day. Feb 2, 2010, @ 3:52am. He weighed 10 pounds and is 21 1/2 inches long. This is Mandi's 3rd child to weigh 10 pounds even, with her first at 10lbs, 11oz, and Cosette at 8lbs,6oz. Guess she and I "born them" half grown, since she weighed 9lbs 7oz, and Todd weighed 8lbs, 6oz. I was told I weighed 6lbs even tho I was 3 weeks late. I can't even imagine holding one that tiny. hahaha
We were all set to go up right after our early arriver came 1 1/2 weeks early, compared to 2 and 3 weeks late, as we had all planned on, like all the rest. But if we waited, and went with the original plans of the first of March we will be there for Malacs birthday #13. He is really counting on us for that, so even tho I am dying to get my hands on the new baby, which of the 2 grandsons will really remember when we actually came. So the baby will be 1 month when we get to see him, and all the other kids, and the parents too! :)
I/we talk with them all often, but boy this long distance grandparenting is hard. The kids talk about all the games and cards we have played together, and who will win in the future games.
I always take goodies up for them, and the closer it gets to us coming the kids have begun asking if there will be any surprises with me. So we have lots of good conversations about all that.
Today is Valentines day. We have been celebrating all weekend, starting with a nice nite out with friends friday. Yesterday we slept in, cut wood and hauled it home, and cleared some tapes we had taped of our favorite shows. Decided we were so tired last evening, we ate in, and went to bed early instead of going to hear Todd's band playing in Valley Center. Sorry Todd.
Today started with church, and Gary should be bringing KFC for lunch. Then maybe another lazy day with the videoed tv movies.
Begining to think time away "Marchish". This means stomping things down so we can be away. Another road trip for the concord. Got the engine fuel system fixed again, so hopefully the old car can handle another long trip. If not, we might be buying a car quicker than planned.
Heck the concord only has 153,000 plus on it. Should be good for another 50,ooo or so, right?
I hope so, cause I haven't had time to really think of what kind of car I want next.
Well by for now. More in the future...
BJ & Gary
We were all set to go up right after our early arriver came 1 1/2 weeks early, compared to 2 and 3 weeks late, as we had all planned on, like all the rest. But if we waited, and went with the original plans of the first of March we will be there for Malacs birthday #13. He is really counting on us for that, so even tho I am dying to get my hands on the new baby, which of the 2 grandsons will really remember when we actually came. So the baby will be 1 month when we get to see him, and all the other kids, and the parents too! :)
I/we talk with them all often, but boy this long distance grandparenting is hard. The kids talk about all the games and cards we have played together, and who will win in the future games.
I always take goodies up for them, and the closer it gets to us coming the kids have begun asking if there will be any surprises with me. So we have lots of good conversations about all that.
Today is Valentines day. We have been celebrating all weekend, starting with a nice nite out with friends friday. Yesterday we slept in, cut wood and hauled it home, and cleared some tapes we had taped of our favorite shows. Decided we were so tired last evening, we ate in, and went to bed early instead of going to hear Todd's band playing in Valley Center. Sorry Todd.
Today started with church, and Gary should be bringing KFC for lunch. Then maybe another lazy day with the videoed tv movies.
Begining to think time away "Marchish". This means stomping things down so we can be away. Another road trip for the concord. Got the engine fuel system fixed again, so hopefully the old car can handle another long trip. If not, we might be buying a car quicker than planned.
Heck the concord only has 153,000 plus on it. Should be good for another 50,ooo or so, right?
I hope so, cause I haven't had time to really think of what kind of car I want next.
Well by for now. More in the future...
BJ & Gary
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Turkey Day
Can U believe it, its almost Thanksgiving! I talked with Mandi and her kids this morning, and boy do we miss each other. They are all doing fine. Baby Isaac is growing like he should, according to the latest sonogram. We have had a really busy couple of weeks, with everyone calling here at the last minute to get their range or whatever fixed. Happens this way every holiday. So Todd and Gary have been working long hours. Me too.
Gary and I got one more of the 3 hedge trees taken down last Saturday, which leaves 1 to go. Boy these are hard to do, since we don't want to hit something while dropping them. This last one was a trick. Garys' chainsaw got stuck in the tree, with the tree more than 2/3 way cut thru. We had it tied to the truck bumper with a rope to try to help aim the way it was to fall, so we would miss their fences and pool. So I ran home in the golf cart to get a hammer and wedge, that Gary wanted. After trying to get the saw out his way, he finially took me up on my idea of my elec chainsaw, and the sledge hammer. When I got back again, it finished burning up my start switch, and still didn't free Gary's saw. Next, I got in the truck to pull easy and see how "tippy" it was. Gary pulled down on the rope, trying to put "bounce" pressure on the rope, and instead it came off the truck! Oh good golly, did that tree wobble back and forth, before standing back up straight! We were both holding our breath, and thought we just bought Darryl a new pool. God was helping us tho, as I had just held hands with Gary before we started, praying everything would go smooth, with no damage or injury. He kept that tree up there, till we could get that rope back on the truck. I pulled all the slack out of it, and then pulled a little more, and some more, and finally it started rocking towards me in my rear view mirror, so I just gunned it, and pulled it on over. Chainsaw fell free, unharmed. We were so relieved the tree fell exactly where we had planned. Spent the rest of the day cutting it up.
Sunday was Thanksoffering Sunday at church, so the whole day was full, and we got our first turkey meal of the holiday. It was great.
Had the neighbors over for spagetti last nite, and tomorrow I will have their boys all day.
I did groceries today, so I am ready to relax for the holidays. Going to Todd's for the day Thursday, and see our 2 oldest grandboys.
Where is this yr going? Its almost Christmas! Have a great season of thanks with your loved ones.
Luv, BJ
Gary and I got one more of the 3 hedge trees taken down last Saturday, which leaves 1 to go. Boy these are hard to do, since we don't want to hit something while dropping them. This last one was a trick. Garys' chainsaw got stuck in the tree, with the tree more than 2/3 way cut thru. We had it tied to the truck bumper with a rope to try to help aim the way it was to fall, so we would miss their fences and pool. So I ran home in the golf cart to get a hammer and wedge, that Gary wanted. After trying to get the saw out his way, he finially took me up on my idea of my elec chainsaw, and the sledge hammer. When I got back again, it finished burning up my start switch, and still didn't free Gary's saw. Next, I got in the truck to pull easy and see how "tippy" it was. Gary pulled down on the rope, trying to put "bounce" pressure on the rope, and instead it came off the truck! Oh good golly, did that tree wobble back and forth, before standing back up straight! We were both holding our breath, and thought we just bought Darryl a new pool. God was helping us tho, as I had just held hands with Gary before we started, praying everything would go smooth, with no damage or injury. He kept that tree up there, till we could get that rope back on the truck. I pulled all the slack out of it, and then pulled a little more, and some more, and finally it started rocking towards me in my rear view mirror, so I just gunned it, and pulled it on over. Chainsaw fell free, unharmed. We were so relieved the tree fell exactly where we had planned. Spent the rest of the day cutting it up.
Sunday was Thanksoffering Sunday at church, so the whole day was full, and we got our first turkey meal of the holiday. It was great.
Had the neighbors over for spagetti last nite, and tomorrow I will have their boys all day.
I did groceries today, so I am ready to relax for the holidays. Going to Todd's for the day Thursday, and see our 2 oldest grandboys.
Where is this yr going? Its almost Christmas! Have a great season of thanks with your loved ones.
Luv, BJ
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Back from Mexico
Ok Ok, we are back, but I refuse to return mentally. I am just going thru the motions, of going thru the emails, mail, papers, suitcases, etc. Life goes on, but call me "Peter Pan', CAUSE i WON'T COME BACK AND GROW UP. Going to retain my vacation mode as long as possible.
Don't know if I will be getting Christmas cards out this yr, or doing the letter that I need to do, that goes in the cards. Might not have the annual Christmas Party we host each yr for the 100's, and might not put up much Christmas decorations. That might take some doing to accomplish any one of the items listed, and in order to accomplish them I'd have to come back mentally. Today I say noway, so by next week we will see how I feel.
Gosh while we were gone, one of our darling church members and friends died, and we missed the funeral too. Also our sister-in-law broke her hip and had surgery, and our sweet granddaughter Sadie Grace fell and broke her collar bone. Gary broke a toe, and Mercy (Gary's sister) is doing better after her fall that broke her neck vertebrae. My brother will be having surgery Dec 3 to resection his colon. Man, when it rains it pours.
Speaking of pouring, when we arrived in Mexico, hurricane Ida was still there, and delivering alot of rain for a couple days. But you know us, it was fun to play in the surf on the kayaks, even in the rain. I mean, come on, wet is wet, right ?
We did some snorkeling on a 45' catamaran, and Gary got to pilot the boat on the return trip. They were amazed he returned them to their mooring mark exactly on the money. But since he is so good at GPS, he felt it was nothing. Had lots of fun with those guys, and for lunch they feed us all steak and lobster on the grill. Yummy.
The rooms were great, the beach was wonderful, the help was great, and the food was good. Lots of good friends, since 44 of us traveled down there together. Of course we always make alot of new friends also on each of these trips.
Came back home to semi cold today, 40's and windy and heavy overcast. Tomorrow possible snow. Go figure. But it is that time of yr.
As everyone knows, I love rain, and it rained at least once a day every day we were in Mexico, but just short rains the last 5 days. We loved it!
I'll include pics, and more details as I think of them. Remember, I am in vacation mentality right now, and wouldn't want to strain something trying to remember all we did this past week.
God was so good to provide this trip for us, and our safety in travel and while there.
Luv BJ & Gary
Don't know if I will be getting Christmas cards out this yr, or doing the letter that I need to do, that goes in the cards. Might not have the annual Christmas Party we host each yr for the 100's, and might not put up much Christmas decorations. That might take some doing to accomplish any one of the items listed, and in order to accomplish them I'd have to come back mentally. Today I say noway, so by next week we will see how I feel.
Gosh while we were gone, one of our darling church members and friends died, and we missed the funeral too. Also our sister-in-law broke her hip and had surgery, and our sweet granddaughter Sadie Grace fell and broke her collar bone. Gary broke a toe, and Mercy (Gary's sister) is doing better after her fall that broke her neck vertebrae. My brother will be having surgery Dec 3 to resection his colon. Man, when it rains it pours.
Speaking of pouring, when we arrived in Mexico, hurricane Ida was still there, and delivering alot of rain for a couple days. But you know us, it was fun to play in the surf on the kayaks, even in the rain. I mean, come on, wet is wet, right ?
We did some snorkeling on a 45' catamaran, and Gary got to pilot the boat on the return trip. They were amazed he returned them to their mooring mark exactly on the money. But since he is so good at GPS, he felt it was nothing. Had lots of fun with those guys, and for lunch they feed us all steak and lobster on the grill. Yummy.
The rooms were great, the beach was wonderful, the help was great, and the food was good. Lots of good friends, since 44 of us traveled down there together. Of course we always make alot of new friends also on each of these trips.
Came back home to semi cold today, 40's and windy and heavy overcast. Tomorrow possible snow. Go figure. But it is that time of yr.
As everyone knows, I love rain, and it rained at least once a day every day we were in Mexico, but just short rains the last 5 days. We loved it!
I'll include pics, and more details as I think of them. Remember, I am in vacation mentality right now, and wouldn't want to strain something trying to remember all we did this past week.
God was so good to provide this trip for us, and our safety in travel and while there.
Luv BJ & Gary
Monday, November 2, 2009
Headed out again
Just letting everyoneknow, that watches this blog, that we are at it again.
Yep, we are leaving town early this friday morning. And I do mean early! We have to be at the airport at 5:45 AM! Haven't figured out how early before that I nned to get up to get ready. Wow, I haven't been up at that early since.... Man, I don't remember since when. So this will mean early to bed?
We will be headed to Mexico by airplane. Planes, boats(not trains), and automobiles! hahaha
Of course we will be going by way of Memphis from Wichita, before we fly to Cancun Mexico. Then we board a bus to the Grand Oasis Resort. If this is anything like the other resorts that we have been to, it will be superb! We will be traveling with "Bob's Bunch". Senor Bob does a bang up job getting these trips together. So 40 of us will have a wonderful restful week, with a few adventures mixed in. These places have all the wonderful food inclusive, all the drinks, and usually alot of activities all day, nitelife, as well as hot tubs and pools, and the ocean water and the sand. Might get to parasail again! Might do boogie boards, or sailboats, snorkling, etc. We'll see.
Did lots of office work and laundry today, and unloaded the wood we cut saturday, and downloaded all the pics we took on the Michigan trip.. Mulched the oak leaves today, so it doesn't look too bad tonite. Done with supper and dishes, and thought I'd blog here, before CSI, and then hitting the hay. I love a good day!
Started gathering "stuff" for the trip today. More of that kind of activity tomorrow.
Mandi called, and her sonogram today showed little Isaac's heart beat is improving, praise God. She will have her next appointment in 2 weeks. Keep praying for him.
Well that's enough today, so goodnight.
Luv BJ
Yep, we are leaving town early this friday morning. And I do mean early! We have to be at the airport at 5:45 AM! Haven't figured out how early before that I nned to get up to get ready. Wow, I haven't been up at that early since.... Man, I don't remember since when. So this will mean early to bed?
We will be headed to Mexico by airplane. Planes, boats(not trains), and automobiles! hahaha
Of course we will be going by way of Memphis from Wichita, before we fly to Cancun Mexico. Then we board a bus to the Grand Oasis Resort. If this is anything like the other resorts that we have been to, it will be superb! We will be traveling with "Bob's Bunch". Senor Bob does a bang up job getting these trips together. So 40 of us will have a wonderful restful week, with a few adventures mixed in. These places have all the wonderful food inclusive, all the drinks, and usually alot of activities all day, nitelife, as well as hot tubs and pools, and the ocean water and the sand. Might get to parasail again! Might do boogie boards, or sailboats, snorkling, etc. We'll see.
Did lots of office work and laundry today, and unloaded the wood we cut saturday, and downloaded all the pics we took on the Michigan trip.. Mulched the oak leaves today, so it doesn't look too bad tonite. Done with supper and dishes, and thought I'd blog here, before CSI, and then hitting the hay. I love a good day!
Started gathering "stuff" for the trip today. More of that kind of activity tomorrow.
Mandi called, and her sonogram today showed little Isaac's heart beat is improving, praise God. She will have her next appointment in 2 weeks. Keep praying for him.
Well that's enough today, so goodnight.
Luv BJ
Thursday, October 22, 2009
wow, its been a week since posting!
Sorry, Life has been a blurr since the last sat am post. Wow, has it been that long?
Our day at Klackles last saturday, was fun, full, and so many activities. Corn maze, dirt bikes, rides on tractor pulled trains to the orchard to pick apples, pumpkins, and for fun. Lots to eat, zip line, as well as lots of apples to eat.
The kids just fell into bed, when we got back late. So did we, after our showers of course.
Sunday....we got up early, and got all the last minute things loaded, and went in to say good bye to the kids. Figured if we left early today, when they would have church to turn around and focus on, might make our leaving easier. Played one last card game of 3's with the boys and Sadie.
It was still a truly sad moment in time. Loving each other, and having to be apart is no fun. But the idea of having something to focus on soon after our departure, did help, but we weren't there to witness it.
Our trip back was great. Sunny, and got warmer and warmer, the furthur south we came. 70's is sure better than 40's.
Stopped in Des Moines and got to visit with Aunt Helen. what a sweet lady.
Got home 1:30 am, and showered, and fell into bed.
Monday.... Todd showed up for work at 8:10am, and we just rolled over and went back to sleep. At 9, Gary intercomed down to the office, and ask if Todd needed him today, and got an immediate yes. So out we rolled, and the day began. Still in vacation mode.
We learned life went on, even tho we stepped out of our lives for a month, but it didn't stop or wait for us. Todd did a great job keeping up with the business, and some of our duties here at home. He became a great pilot in this past month. He piled "stuff" all over the place here in the office. I looked thru the piles, and decided they can wait. Still in vacation mode. After Gary got home, we unloaded the boat. Wow! My house looked like it exploded with all the stuff everwhere, but there is always tomorrow to put it away. I am still in the vacation mode. Went to bed early.
Tuesday....did laundry, laundry, laundry, put some stuff in the rooms they belong, or actually put some stuff away. Slowly, I am making progress at this, but I am still in the vacation mode. Went to get groceries, so we will have bread, and milk etc now.
Wednesday...put away some of the final things still out. Handling some stuff in the office. Gary got the algea eater fish in from the pond to the sun room, so they might live thru the winter. Only the smallest didn't make it, but the 3 biggest, about 1 foot long each, are now inside, and learning to live in a much smaller area. The coi, and goldfish will be fine in the pond all winter. Still need to bring in some of my plants before they freeze. The ones I left out when we left got frosted while we were gone, so I just need to cut off the dead and move the pots in. maybe tomorrow, since I am still in vacation mode.
Went to church for dinner and choir. Good to have so many smiling faces greet us. Still in vacation mode.
Thurday.... Doing office stuff, and hanging out. Still in vacation mode. Talked to my grandbabies up north, and doing this blog entry. Still in vacation mode, and each day I have been calling folks on the landline to touch base since we are back now. Fot 2 more weeks anyway. Then we are headed to Mexico for a week of swimming and fun in the sun. Still in vacation mode.
Tonite is survivor! and of course I am Still in vacation mode.
Luv BJ
Our day at Klackles last saturday, was fun, full, and so many activities. Corn maze, dirt bikes, rides on tractor pulled trains to the orchard to pick apples, pumpkins, and for fun. Lots to eat, zip line, as well as lots of apples to eat.
The kids just fell into bed, when we got back late. So did we, after our showers of course.
Sunday....we got up early, and got all the last minute things loaded, and went in to say good bye to the kids. Figured if we left early today, when they would have church to turn around and focus on, might make our leaving easier. Played one last card game of 3's with the boys and Sadie.
It was still a truly sad moment in time. Loving each other, and having to be apart is no fun. But the idea of having something to focus on soon after our departure, did help, but we weren't there to witness it.
Our trip back was great. Sunny, and got warmer and warmer, the furthur south we came. 70's is sure better than 40's.
Stopped in Des Moines and got to visit with Aunt Helen. what a sweet lady.
Got home 1:30 am, and showered, and fell into bed.
Monday.... Todd showed up for work at 8:10am, and we just rolled over and went back to sleep. At 9, Gary intercomed down to the office, and ask if Todd needed him today, and got an immediate yes. So out we rolled, and the day began. Still in vacation mode.
We learned life went on, even tho we stepped out of our lives for a month, but it didn't stop or wait for us. Todd did a great job keeping up with the business, and some of our duties here at home. He became a great pilot in this past month. He piled "stuff" all over the place here in the office. I looked thru the piles, and decided they can wait. Still in vacation mode. After Gary got home, we unloaded the boat. Wow! My house looked like it exploded with all the stuff everwhere, but there is always tomorrow to put it away. I am still in the vacation mode. Went to bed early.
Tuesday....did laundry, laundry, laundry, put some stuff in the rooms they belong, or actually put some stuff away. Slowly, I am making progress at this, but I am still in the vacation mode. Went to get groceries, so we will have bread, and milk etc now.
Wednesday...put away some of the final things still out. Handling some stuff in the office. Gary got the algea eater fish in from the pond to the sun room, so they might live thru the winter. Only the smallest didn't make it, but the 3 biggest, about 1 foot long each, are now inside, and learning to live in a much smaller area. The coi, and goldfish will be fine in the pond all winter. Still need to bring in some of my plants before they freeze. The ones I left out when we left got frosted while we were gone, so I just need to cut off the dead and move the pots in. maybe tomorrow, since I am still in vacation mode.
Went to church for dinner and choir. Good to have so many smiling faces greet us. Still in vacation mode.
Thurday.... Doing office stuff, and hanging out. Still in vacation mode. Talked to my grandbabies up north, and doing this blog entry. Still in vacation mode, and each day I have been calling folks on the landline to touch base since we are back now. Fot 2 more weeks anyway. Then we are headed to Mexico for a week of swimming and fun in the sun. Still in vacation mode.
Tonite is survivor! and of course I am Still in vacation mode.
Luv BJ
Saturday, October 17, 2009
fri, sat
Getting around, headed to Cales football game this am. Also loading bikes, and balls, cause we are headed to an all church event this afternoon and evening at Klackles. It was/is an apple orchard, that the owners have added so much in the way of events, rides, mazes, bike trails, inflatables, etc. this will be a long full day.
Yesterday we didn't get to do the home school museums in Muskegan, due to the midwife hearing an irregular and slow heartbeat in the baby thur evening. So Mandi went in for a medical sonogram to check out our new baby coming. Mandi is 23 weeks, and the baby is a boy, and so far the test showed nothing wrong. So Monday she will go for a 2nd level sonogram which will show more in depth stuff, and find out why, and how to make the rate faater and regular.
Pray for Isaac Smith Corliss, because if they are not able to correct this, he might not be well and normal, if he makes it to birth. God is in control, and can fix all problems.
Yesterday we went for a walk to see the neighborhood, and then to check all the woods around their house. Fixed a couple swings that needed repair, and the girls raked (played) in the leaves.
Went to Brann's for steak last nite, and then played cards till nite.
Pics latter.
BJ
Yesterday we didn't get to do the home school museums in Muskegan, due to the midwife hearing an irregular and slow heartbeat in the baby thur evening. So Mandi went in for a medical sonogram to check out our new baby coming. Mandi is 23 weeks, and the baby is a boy, and so far the test showed nothing wrong. So Monday she will go for a 2nd level sonogram which will show more in depth stuff, and find out why, and how to make the rate faater and regular.
Pray for Isaac Smith Corliss, because if they are not able to correct this, he might not be well and normal, if he makes it to birth. God is in control, and can fix all problems.
Yesterday we went for a walk to see the neighborhood, and then to check all the woods around their house. Fixed a couple swings that needed repair, and the girls raked (played) in the leaves.
Went to Brann's for steak last nite, and then played cards till nite.
Pics latter.
BJ
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