Monday

 I did my 3 church services today.  They were all very different, but all good!  Now I'm sitting here waiting for 10:00 to come so I can go to bed!  My finger feels much better today - looks better, too.  

Yay for us, we got a little rain this morning - not much, but every little bit helps.  They were actually mowing the cemetery this morning when we walked.  We haven't done much walking for about a week, so it felt good to get back out there.  There was a nice north wind, so it wasn't hot!

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Sunday

 The kids left the campground shortly after breakfast, but we didn't get out of there until about 11:15.  We took our time getting packed up.  It was a good weekend...great weather after the thunderstorm went through.  Has anyone looked out their window to see the beautiful moon tonight?  It is gorgeous!

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Saturday

 We had a great day today!  The heat and humidity were gone!  It was 78 and just beautiful outside.  After breakfast this morning, Bryan and Dave took a long hike.  Dave twisted his ankle and fell.  Hope you doesn't hurt too bad tomorrow.  He's limping pretty bad this evening.  By the time they got back after 2.6 miles and a 650 foot incline, it was time for lunch.  

After lunch, Bryan and his family went for a walk.  Dave and I also went for one, but we went to one of the trails...another one of those hilly trails!  After all we are south of Dubuque in the hills/cliffs of Eastern Iowa.  Beautiful walk!  Then we all rested.

Dinner was cooked on the open fire.  It was a good day!

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Friday

 We made it to Maquoketa Caves State Park.  This part of the state is beautiful - very hilly and green!  They've obviously had more rain than we have in the 'loo!  It took us about and hour and 40 minutes to get here.  We had some storms go through about 4:30 or so.  We decided not to start a fire and thought we should eat inside.  The radar looked pretty scary!  As it turned out, it was fine...just some rain.  We couldn't hear the thunder inside the camper with two little kids and 4 adults.  

I got my stitches out this morning...not a fun experience.  I've got steri-strips on my finger that are supposed to stay on for 5 days.  I don't think they'll stay on for 24 hours even.  They said not to worry about it if they came off.  I'm sure they'll be gone by tomorrow at this time.  

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Thursday

 We got busy today packing the camper.  We leave tomorrow for Maquoketa Caves State Park, south of Dubuque.  It's about a 2 hour drive and I get my stitches out at 9:00 so we can't leave until after that.  

Here's what my finger looks like now...I can hardly wait to get  these stitches out!!

We picked up a grocery order today and other than that we didn't do much.  I had an interiors meeting this afternoon.

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Wednesday

 Wow, it was another day over 90 today.  We're supposed to get a bit of a break on Friday.  I did go outside today...for a while!  Not long, but I was in the shade and we had a nice breeze at that time.  Dave went to get the camper so we could get it loaded tomorrow.  We'll take off for Maquoketa after I get my stitches out on Friday.  

We cooked some country style ribs today - cooked them for 2 hours.  We'll put them on the fire Friday night to finish cooking them.  Hope they're good.  They've got more fat on them than I like, but we'll cut most of that off before they go on the campfire..  We'll then add BBQ sauce wand hope that they are wonderful!

I'm watching the Cubs.  I get so frustrated.  I don't understand how they can look so good and the next day look so bad.  We're still doing well overall, though.

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Tuesday

 Today Mary and I finished our painting and tonight we put the frame on it and  hung it in the lobby.  Most people really liked it, but the oldest among us thought it was definitely different.  Our lobby is now updated and modern looking - the funeral home look is gone!!  Here's Mary and I with our original abstract art!!

We pulled colors out of the paintings on the other side of the lobby and we did really well with the colors.  The canvas is 4' x 5' so it's a big painting.  

This evening I attended a Zoom Bible study thru our church here in Waterloo.  It's all about the Psalms...very interesting.  Dave mowed at Bryan's.

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Monday

 Mary and I worked on our art piece for the lobby.  It's an abstract painting so I'm not how well people are going to like it...and I'm sure they will be vocal about it!  We worked for over 2 hours this morning and we'll probably work that long tomorrow, too.

It was really hot here today - 97 but felt like 105.  So no walking for us!

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Sunday

 We attended our 3 church services this morning - all very good services.  Should have a good start to our week!  We walked early today because it was to be in the 90s...at 7:30 tonight it was still 87!  Dave went to Bryan's to work this afternoon.  

This evening we went to Bryan's for dinner.  Good food!!

More later..

Saturday

 This was a wonderful day.  We had rain off and on all day...much needed.  So we cleaned house!  This evening, we cashed in our Italian dinner that we purchased last fall.  Yum!!  We had lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and chocolate cake with cherries in it!  Delicious!!

Sure glad we purchased this dinner...it was wonderful!!

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Friday

Since it was going to be a hot one today, we got our walk in early.  Other than that, though, we didn't do much today.  This evening we went to see Linda and my great-great nephew and my great-great twin nieces.  What a fun time.  I got to read to them and then Blaise read to me.  He's a good reader!!  Linda said he's reading 3rd grade books and he is only starting 1st grade!  

This was such a fun time.  Oaklyn loved my phone and wouldn't give it back to me until we left.  Rowyn took us to see her room and I got to watch Oaklyn take her feeding which I'd never seen done before...plus she ate some yogurt with her spoon!  Blaise has a Cubs room, complete with the coolest nightlight (a baseball diamond with his name on it).  

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Thursday

 Dave went to the doctor about his wrist today.  Had a bunch of xrays and got some prednisone type drug.  He's feeling a bit better this evening.  I didn't feel so well today.  Don't know why.  I've had headaches for the last 2-3 days so it might just be allergies.  I closed the balcony door and turned the air back on.  I'm hoping that will help!

I didn't do much except I baked cookies for Dave and took a nap.  Oh, I also read a bunch.  I'm reading a good book...Golden Poppies by Laila Ibrahim.  This is the 3rd in a series of wonderful books.  The first one is Yellow Crocus, then Mustard Seed, and this year Golden Poppies came out.  Wonderful characters - very well-written.

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Wednesday

 What a beautiful day we had here!  Dave and I sat outside again this evening.  The little hummers don't like it when we do that, but they sneak in to get a few sips of food anyway.  

I'm watching the Democratic Convention.  I've enjoyed the format, although it's a little like an infomercial.  

Dave is having issues with his right wrist.  He can't even use an eating utensil in that hand.  He goes to the doctor tomorrow morning.  So his right hand is messed up and my left hand is...at least we have two good hands between us!!

I was able to get my newsletter one today.  Yay!  Now I've got to work on the ByLaws to get them in line with the Florida Statute 723 which changed a lot this year on July 1st.  Yuck!

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Tuesday

 I took my bandage off this morning.  This is the first day I get to wash it with hydrogen peroxide and then use a bandaid instead of that big honker bandage.  My finger looks horrible!  I probably have 8-10 stitches and it's black and blue, but at least I can now use it a bit.

Dave and I went for our walk this morning.  It was gorgeous here!!  We had the balcony doors open all day.  We also had a zoom meeting with our financial advisor.  This afternoon, a lady here in the building and I put Gesso on a big canvas.  We ended up putting 4 coats on it.  Tomorrow we're going to attempt an acrylic pour!  Should be fun!!

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Monday

 We walked this morning and it was beautiful out.  We also sat out on the balcony for quite a while this evening.  It was a perfect evening!  

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Sunday

 We're home, unpacked, and laundry is almost done!!  It was a great weekend with the kids!  My hand is a little tender!!  

I'll be glad to get this bandage off - it's falling off mostly, but I can't take it off until Tuesday.

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Saturday

Friday

 My middle finger on my left hand is sticking up so it's pretty hard to type so this will be short.  We're camping at Pike's Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa.  Such a pretty drive here.  My left hand has been pretty numb until tonight...it's starting to throb a bit now.  My bandage has been coming off, and it's not to come off until Tuesday so that's a bit of an issue. 

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thursday

 can't type but all's well..

Wednesday

 I had to walk by myself again today.  Dave was busy getting the camper and getting it ready for our trip this weekend!  

We got our internet back sometime in the night - yay!!  

I talked to the hospital and my surgery is set for 3:00 PM tomorrow.  I'm going to be hungry by then since I'm not supposed to eat after 3:00 AM!  I don't believe I'll be up at 3:00 to eat!!  I really wanted a morning procedure, but it is what it is!

Talk to you again tomorrow night...if I can type!!

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Tuesday

Yesterday a big storm called a derecho flew through Iowa south of highway 20 - we're barely north of highway 20.  We were under a severe thunderstorm warning, but we didn't get the winds and not even much rain.  Over 10,000,000 acres of crops are down across Iowa, along with lots of damage south of us.  We did, however, have some big lightning that knocked out our internet and tv (some stations).  Mediacom took a big hit evidently...we still don't have internet.  We have a hotspot that we use in the camper so this afternoon we went to the camper to get it.  I've finally gotten caught up on all my emails, etc.  

This morning, I had a Covid test...it was negative!  Not the most pleasant experience I've had, but it didn't hurt.  Just was a little uncomfortable because I thought I was going to sneeze the entire time!!  I had to have it before my surgery on Thursday.  Tomorrow afternoon I find out when my procedure is.  I'll be glad when all this is over.

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Sunday

Dave walked with me this morning and it was lovely walking!  Then we came home and watched 2 of our 3 church services.  We've still got Anona to watch, but the service wasn't up yet.  So maybe tomorrow.  

We went to Bryan's tonight for supper.  It was a really good supper, too.  

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Saturday

I pretty much spent the day alone today.  Dave worked painting the overhangs/awnings around the entrance doors of our condo today.  So I went for my walk alone.  It was a hot walk today.  There was a nice breeze, but most of my route is hilly, so I'm out of the wind a lot.  

I also made juice for the hummingbirds and I read a lot!  Around 3:30 I went out and sat on the balcony to read.  It was shady and breezy and I enjoyed it immensely.  When Dave finally got home around 5:15 he came out and sat with me for a while.

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Friday

I had my pre-op physical today and I think I passed with flying colors.   I also got my consultation with the nurse and found out when I go for my COVID test and when to stop eating, etc.  Lots of information - I think that's why I've had a headache all afternoon.  My brain is in overload!!

I was quite busy today.  I did most of the filing and I'll finish tomorrow.  I helped Dave put new screen on our balcony door...and I'm sure I forgot something else I did.  Tonight we went to Bryan's for pizza and a movie.  We watched "Cars".  Those movies are so fun - there are so many things you miss the first time you see a movie.  Then I try to figure out who is doing all of the voices - they had quite a cast!

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Thursday

Dave and I walked early this morning - early for me, anyway.  By the time we got done, I thought it was time for lunch, but it was not even 10:00!!  

I "painted" with my alcohol inks today.  I shouldn't have.  I have a pre-surgery physical tomorrow.  My doctor will think I've got infection in my finger!!  (I used red inks!!)  I've worked at getting the ink off and I've removed quite a bit of it, but it's under my nail and around my nail to where I can't get to it.  It wears off after a few days but tomorrow it'll still be quite vivid.

I started to watch the Cubs tonight, but they got behind 0-6 in the 3rd so I turned it off,  Ended up 2-13 - glad I turned it off!!

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Wednesday

Dave and I got married 30 years ago today!  Can't believe that it's been 30 years already.  Time really does fly by!

To celebrate our anniversary, Dave worked on painting the entry to our building...and I walked by myself!  Then this afternoon, we treated ourselves to a visit to the chiropractor...and then we ordered dinner from The Brown Bottle in Cedar Falls.  Dave had prime rib and I had lasagna.  Delicious!  Here's to 30 more!!!   haha - don't think that's possible.  I'd be 102 and Dave would be 99!! 

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Tuesday

We had another beautiful day here today.  I didn't walk until after lunch, but it was lovely out!  I also cleaned up my craft table and finished some more cards.  I'm about ready to do some more backgrounds!  Also worked on some more photographs in Lightroom.  Unfortunately I don't know how to add these LR pictures to Facebook, so no one gets to see them but me.  I'll have to figure this out!!

I'm sure glad baseball started again.  I've been enjoying watching the Cubs play!! 

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Monday

Our walk this morning was very invigorating!!  It was actually kind of  chilly!!  Felt like lots of Iowa State Fair mornings!  I had the balcony doors open all day after our walk!  This evening Dave said he was cold, so he shut my door! 

I worked on some cards today and made a mess on my craft table.  I also worked on some of the pictures I took this past weekend. 

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Sunday

Aidan wanted to go fishing one more time today, so all of us but Erin went to the river to fish.  I don't have a license, so I played in the silt and sand with Kaitlyn while the boys fished.  Aidan fished for about 15 minutes, then he played in the silt/sand too.  About an hour later and no fish, we went back to the campers and packed up.  We were both on the road by about 12:45.  The kids were going to stop at Culvers in Marion, but Dave and I came on home.  After we unpacked and put everything away. we did the laundry and then I took a nap.  These camping trips wear me out!  It was a fun weekend!

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Saturday

We had another beautiful day of camping here.  It was pretty much perfect weatherwise.  It did sprinkle on us just a little bit when we were eating supper, but that's all.

Dave and I went into Mt Vernon.  I wanted to see the Cornell campus.  Mt Vernon is such a pretty little town.  We didn't see anything run down at all...of course, we didn't see all of the town.  The campus itself was beautiful - just near campus are two churches that are gorgeous - the Methodist church and the Presbyterian church.  Plus, on campus, there was a beautiful lily garden.  We got lots of pictures of the flowers, but they're on my big camera and I haven't uploaded them to the computer yet.

We stopped at the grocery store on the way back to the park - got pizza and wings for supper.  They were both a hit!  Bryan's family all went back to the sandbar to picnic and let the kids play in the water.  We all had a fun day!

More later...