Just Thinking....

...about my last four years. Most of you know I did real estate inspections for mortgage companies for four years. I really LOVED the work, BUT hated driving on bad roads in the winter, and even though I only worked about 10 days out of the month ( which I LOVED) it seemed to always conflict with something.Last July because of the high gas prices I quit my job. Today, I ran across some of my pictures from those years of criss crossing the state of Iowa and really started making me miss ONE of the biggest reasons I LOVED my job....The wildlife I saw and the scenery of our beautiful state. Another thing,the thing I miss Most(and don't have a picture of) is my monthly visits with my folks. I never got a picture of Mom and I in the car with the computer on my mom's lap, or her filling out the contact cards we left at the doors, or programing "Miss Guide" (the nickname Mom gave my GPS) now depending on how she was doing directing us,her name was either spelled Miss Guide OR Misguide !!! We did have some really wonderful times. I just can't believe we didn't take ANY pictures of US !!!

Here are just a few pictures that made my trips SO special.

The sea gulls in Montrose

Eagles in Keokuk

a goose family in Monticello
The walk around the Montecello park

Deer at Lake Panorama

It's STILL the 18th !!! :O)

Whew !!! I intented to do this, this morning and forgot!
I DID call though !!
Happy Birthday to a wonderful, godly father!
You are so special to your family and we all love you more than words can say!
Thank you for your wonderful love and example to us. Hope you had a wonderful day.
I LOVE YOU, Daddy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Can anyone help me???

Myron brought this beautiful little plant home for me last night.

There was no name, description,or care instruction so I don't know ANTHING about this pretty little thing.

Here is wishing everyone a very happy Valentine's Day!

My Week

Sorry,I have been "MIA" in "blogland" this week. A week ago I woke up with bad sinus headaches, drainage, sore throat and just all around feeling tough. I tried to hit it with over the counter meds and thought maybe it was getting better. By Friday night I realized I was losing the battle. Monday went to the dr. and got some antibiotics and have started recovering. I am still very weak and still have some slight symptoms but I am improving:O)

Here is what I have been doing all week. Really exciting, I know, but that's about all I have been up to doing.
* SLEEPING...(so glad Myron didn't think to take any pictures of THAT!!)
*Five Alive( prescription from Dr. Kim)
*Vicks and Nyquil,kleenex,and LOTS of cough drops (the old standbys)
*My laptop
( thank you everyone for keeping up with your blogs...Has given me something to read,along with facebook)
*Little House on the Prairie marathon
(started out with season 1 from Deb,then Sunday Patricia sent Seasons 2-4 home with a neighbor from church,
I own seasons 5-8 so by the time I am up and going again I should be an authority on Little House! :O)
With several sleepless nights they have been such a blessing!
Hope everyone else is well. I have heard a few reports of others with sickness. Hope spring comes really soon!!!

If you ever get to Ames Iowa...

...be sure to eat at Hickory Park !!!!
It's known for it's BBQ and it's ice cream.
VERY reasonably priced and every thing on the menu is wonderful.
The atmosphere is similar to Cracker Barrel.
It's GREAT food, at a Great price, in a Great setting !!!

There is always a wait ! I have waited for 20 minutes to an hour ,BUT it is worth the wait.
You just need to be prepared for it.
These two are waiting patiently :O)

My Weekend

My weekend was quite interesting. At noon on Thursday, Patricia, Deb and I took off for Slater, Iowa. We were staying with My brother,Mark and his wife, Mary Lynn.We were going to Van and Bonnie's Chocolate Breakfast Friday morning.
( Don't forget you can click on the picture to make them bigger)

We were getting ready to go out to eat,and Deb ran up stairs to get her coat. On the way down she missed the bottom step and fell. She broke a small bone in the bottom of her ankle. We loaded her in the van and took her to Urgent Care in Ankeny. Deb was such a trooper. Other than a "wince" on her face occasionally she was laughing and carrying on like she was fine, BUT we know she was hurting.Can you see FIVE people taking one lady into this office. I bet we were a sight. Deb had a good night (with the help of some pain meds)The next morning she went back to the pharmacy to be fitted for a fashionable boot, which she will have to wear for 4 weeks. We got her home Saturday afternoon and she is doing well,considering.

Deb and Patricia insisted that Mary Lynn and I go on to the choclate breakfast SO.... we did....

We left the house at 6:30 and when we got there we stood outside for about 20 minutes then inside for another half hour. The crowd was double what they had anticipated... Wonderful chocolate !! Oh, my goodness! It was very crowded but still a lot of fun !!!! We were there for about an hour sampling. The highlight for me was seeing Van and Bonnie. I have listened to them for YEARS and it is always fun to see them in person !!!! I even saw a couple of friends too!!!