Thursday

Today was another get-ready day.  We are leaving early in the morning to spend the weekend in Indiana.  I don't know that I'm taking my computer so this may be the last post for a while.  We plan to come home on Monday.

I finished all but 5 of our Christmas cards today.  I ran out of adhesive so couldn't do any more.  I also called HP to get help with our printer because I couldn't get it to print, even hooked up directly with a cord.  They told me it was too old - they were going to charge me for their support.  So Dave and I went out to Walmart and bought a new one.  I got it hooked up and printing!

Dave had me pick tomatoes and water the plants today.  We have a neighbor who will water them while we're gone. 

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Wednesday

Dave and I walked the cemetery today.  This was my mom's birthday and while we were in the middle of our walk, there was a tiny Mylar balloon that said "Happy Birthday" lying by the side of the path.  It wasn't even 3" big.  I told Dave that Mom was wanting us to acknowledge her special day!!  In actuality the wind was blowing pretty hard so it probably blew from someone's grave, but it's my story!!

We went out to run errands after walking and we even ate lunch out - at Carlos O'Kelley's!  Love going there. 

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Tuesday

Dave and our neighbor, Neil, cut down a tulip tree behind our condo this morning.  It was dying - split at the bottom and about half of it was dead. 

When they got it down, Neil's wife and I went out to help with cleanup!  That was my "walk" today.  Dave's Fitbit says he did 9.2 miles for the day!!

I also worked on getting rooms in Ft Lauderdale for Kelly's graduation this spring and I worked on our Christmas cards.  I only have 24 left to do but I'm running out of adhesive, so I had to order some!

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Monday

Dave went to park the camper this morning after washing out the tanks at Camping World.  I went to get my hair cut and my eyebrows waxed!  Yay!!  I needed it!  Then I went to Walmart to get a few groceries.  When we both got home, we worked around here a bit.  I also worked on Christmas cards. 

Dave's laptop has a glitch.  Don't know what's going on.  Can't find our home wifi network anywhere on it.  I tried some things, Mediacom tried, Bryan tried...no luck.  Tomorrow  we're taking it to a computer place.

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Sunday

We cooked breakfast outside again this morning.  Nothing like eggs and bacon cooked and eaten outside.  I had a PEO function at 2:00 so we had to hurry and get home.  So we had to pack up and get going.  After I got done with my chores, I went and got Kaitlyn so I could hold her for a while.  Aidan was entertaining us so we had a good time!

We got home in plenty of time to get the camper unloaded and everything put away.  Now we've got the laundry done.

My PEO function was a merger celebration.  Our chapter and another chapter merged in order to keep the other chapter from disbanding.  So now our chapter name is FE-JP.  Here's a picture of the members who attended today.  Nice event!

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Saturday

We had a fun day today.  Dave and I went into Clear Lake to the Surf Ballroom to see the museum they have there.  It was very nice.  In addition, the ballroom was set up for a wedding reception - for 500 people!  Wow!

There was a farmers market going on just on the back side of the Surf Ballroom so we walked around it.  Then we went to Central Gardens where not only the flowers were beautiful, but the wedding party was there doing their pictures.  What a beautiful setting!

This afternoon the boys went fishing - Aidan caught 4 fish.  He was so excited.  Dave said they caught 10-11 but they were all small so they threw them all back in.

Tonight we cooked and ate outside.  It's very chilly here!  Bryan made campfire donuts for dessert tonight.

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Friday Night in Clear Lake State Park

We got here safely and the weather is fantastic.  Actually it's a little chilly tonight.  We've all had to put on jackets.  We got set up, but nothing put away when Bryan and his family got here.  I usually get the two kids when they get here and today was no different.  Aidan likes to watch cartoons, so he's easily entertained.  Kaitlyn is a very active baby - on the go all the time...so she's harder to watch.  I sweep the floor before they get here and off she goes!

After grilling our supper, Aidan wanted to go to the playground.  We all went except Erin.  Aidan played and played and didn't want to come home.  Bryan put Kaitlyn in the swing and she loved it.  You just have to watch this video!!  Turn up your volume so you can hear her joy!!

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Thursday

We're getting things packed to take off again tomorrow.  We're camping at Clear Lake this weekend.  Sure hope there's no tornado this time!!  Actually the weather forecast shows a  beautiful weekend!!  Down in  the 50's in the evenings! 

I worked on Christmas cards after I took my walk this morning.  Dave was at Bryan's mowing  We're doing laundry now, so tomorrow morning we'll get the stuff out of the refrigerator and finish loading the camper.  Don't know if we'll have internet while we're there...we'll see!

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Wednesday

After our walk this morning, we had shopping to do.  We went to Walmart, Sam's, Fareway, and the bank.  We ate lunch at South Town - a bar/restaurant near the mall.  Someone had told us their tenderloins were really good...we didn't think they were so good.  Dave got a big piece of gristle in his.  Mine was okay, but nothing special.  We won't go back there.

This afternoon I worked on Christmas cards and finished a book.

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Tuesday

Dave had another eye doctor appointment.  The steroid shots in his eyes have helped reduce the swelling from his cataract surgery and he's seeing so much better!!  Dr wanted to see him in 3 months, but we'll have to have that appointment in Florida!

I was Suzy Homemaker today.  I made cookies and homemade ice cream.  Nice treat for a rainy day.  We needed the rain, though, so we're not complaining!

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Monday

Our weekend went so fast, I'm having a hard time believing that it's Monday...and now it's Monday evening!! 

This morning was a lazy morning around here.  We didn't either one get up very early.  When we finally got around, we took our two mile walk in the cemetery.  Then it was time for lunch.  I worked on Christmas cards while Dave went to get something at Walmart.  I worked on reconciling bank accounts, etc.  We were also able to get a chiropractor treatment this afternoon - yay!  He worked on my arthritic toe joint...I about screamed!!  Hurt pretty bad, but I must say it's much looser this evening.  I can actually bend my toes again!

There's no Cubs game tonight, so I'm going to bed early.

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Sunday

We got a bunch of rain last night - everything looks much greener around here today.  Lots of puddles!

We went to church this morning - great sermon!  After church we went to walk and to get a couple of things at Walmart. 

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Saturday

Nice quiet day here - we needed one!  After we got around this morning, we went to Fareway, Walmart, and to Sam's - after a week of camping, we needed to get some things!  Our cupboards were empty!!

Came home, had lunch and Dave went to Bryan's to work on our camper.  A couple of things needed repaired.  I watched the Cubs game.  I also started working on our Christmas cards for this year.  I've got a long way to go!!

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Friday

I'm a little confused!  We usually come home from camping on a Sunday, but today is Friday and we got home this afternoon.  Strange!

We had a leisurely breakfast cooked and eaten outside this morning.  Then we packed up and came home.  We had a fun week with Bryan and his family!

Now the laundry is done and everything is put away...until next weekend!!

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Thursday

What a wonderful day we had today.  Besides the weather being beautiful, we had so much fun at Blank Park Zoo.  It's such a clean zoo...the only odor I found was near the miniature Brahma cows...and that wasn't offensive at all.  Just smelled like cows!

We got to see the baby white rhino!  It's darling and has a long ways to go to be as big as mama rhino!  They also have 4 giraffes, a couple of elands, and okapi - all in the Africa part of the zoo.  In the Australia part of the zoo, you walk around with wallabys  roaming around freely!  The Discovery Center was wonderful, too. We didn't leave until about 3:30 and we got there around 10:00. 

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Wednesday

We had an absolutely beautiful day today to go back to the State Fair.  We met the kids at the Little Farm.  What a fun experience for kids.  They get to do so many fun things.  They get to plant seeds, "milk" a fake cow, pet a fake sheep, "pick" corn, collect fake eggs, then sell them all at the market.  Then they get to spend their fake money at the store!  Aidan loved it!  Of course, we had to see the baby animals. 

I got a rental scooter today so I don't hurt so badly tonight.; 

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Tuesday

Since I hurt so badly after yesterday at the Fair, I stayed home today while everyone else went to Adventureland.  It looked like they all had a fun time.  Aidan rode a train and a dune buggy type thing and what looked like a fire engine.  They also went to the water park which is the back of Adventureland.  He told me he rode the crooked river and that he learned to swim!!  Haha!

I had a very quiet day.  I read and I played games.  I did get in the truck and made a run to HyVee to get some drinking water.  I even found my way back with no trouble!

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State Fair!!

Today I walked the Iowa State Fair - 12,569 steps worth!!  My feet, my legs, my back - tired, tired, tired!!  Next time we go, I'm getting a mobility scooter.  It's much easier on me...and Dave because he doesn't have to hear me groaning!  He wanted me to get one today, but I wanted to walk.  I walked a bit this morning before we left for the fair.  I got lost cause I turned the wrong way - I was gawking at campers and campsites!  I ended up walking 1.5 miles just to get back to our site!  Didn't need that extra 1.5 miles.  Tonight after supper I pushed Kaitlyn in her stroller until she about fell asleep, too.  Tomorrow I'm staying here at the camper - my own staycation!  Dave will go with the kids to Adventureland. Here are some sights I captured today!

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Sunday

Church was good today as usual.  After church we came home, ate lunch, cleaned up the house, finished packing the camper, cleaned the refrigerator while it was pretty empty, and left for Des Moines.  Bryan beat us to the campground as usual.  We were probably 20-25 minutes behind him in arriving.  We got all set up and cooked burgers/hot dogs for supper.  Bryan started a fire and I took Kaitlyn in her stroller for a walk.  By the time we got back she was pretty tired.  Tonight she tried to eat rocks!!  She wanted down on the ground so Bryan put her down on the rug we have.  She would pick up rocks and put a couple in her mouth, but we caught her and told her no.  After a few minutes, she just picked them up and threw them down.  Aidan found some other kids playing on the playground, so he made friends.

I'm headed to bed.  My back is killing me tonight!  I've taken 2 Tylenol and now I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow is a big day!

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Saturday

Dave and I went to CF for the farmers market this morning.  Picked up some sweet corn, some cucumbers, an onion, and a yellow tomato.  Yum!!  Since it was sprinkling, we then went to the mall to walk.  This afternoon, we got things ready to go into the camper and Dave loaded it.  I went to Linda's because Bob was there.  Since the ladies were shopping, Bob and I were there alone for a while so we had a nice visit.  I paid him our half of putting permanent vases on mom/dad's stone and on Bert/Helen's stone.  The mowers are really hard on the vases. 

Kyle, Cassie and the kids came after a while so I also got to see Oaklyn, Rowyn, and Blaise.  Then the ladies came home (with McCoy) so the household got very active!!

I stayed to eat tacos with them.  What a fun afternoon!

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Friday

We had the most fun today!!  I went to weigh in at WW and then we went to Waverly to meet Kaylee, McCoy, and Rowyn for an early lunch.  Kaylee is watching Rowyn every day.  Oaklyn stays with her nurse, but on Monday or Tuesday, Kaylee had all 3 of them!  Good thing Blaise goes to daycare!  Since we were early we walked the streets of Waverly and got in a good mile.

 These two are a hoot!  Rowyn  doesn't like to sit still - she wants to walk everywhere and daddy is her favorite word!  She talks a bunch - you just can't tell what she's saying.  McCoy is so good.  He's a bouncer...loves to bounce up and down!  So he's very interesting to hold.

This is the river that goes thru Waverly.  As we were walking over the bridge, we stopped to take pictures.  One from each side of the street!

When we finally got back to Waterloo, we had shopping to do.  We went to Walmart, Sam's, Menards, and the bank.  Whew!  No problem getting  6k steps today!!

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Thursday

We went for our walk outside again today.  In fact, the weather was just about perfect!  This afternoon I even sat out on the balcony.  It was so very nice!  Warm but hardly any humidity and a nice breeze.

Last night when we went to bed, I couldn't sleep.  I haven't done that for quite a while.  I finally got up and went to the living room.  I worked on a jigsaw puzzle on the computer.  Finally went back to bed about 4:30.  Got there and Dave had all the covers.  I had enough blanket to barely cover my ear!  Little by little I was able to inch the blanket my way.  Then about 5:30 he got up to go to the bathroom and I "stole" the blanket back!  I got up about 9:00 so I got a little sleep. 

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The Leak is Stopped!

The plumber finally came to fix the leak in the basement.  It was from our shower thru the pipes in the apartment downstairs.  The leak itself was in their walls.  It took the plumber about an hour to fix it.  He had to cut a hole in their wall, cut thru the pipes and repair them.  There's no leak in the basement!!  We can use our main bathroom again!! 

While he was here, I went out for my walk.  It was gorgeous out there today!!  When I got back, he was all done.  I got to see in the apartment downstairs.  In fact I got a tour.  It's full of boxes and boxes...and furniture and wine!  What a mess!

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Calm Day

We got 3/4 of an inch of rain last night - yay!  Everything is drying up here.  We were able to walk outside this morning, thanks to the rain for cooling it off a bit.  It was only 87 here today instead of in the 90's!

We had a pretty boring day today - and the Cubs game sucks so I shut it off!

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Happy Anniversary to Us!

Twenty-nine years ago today, Dave and I got married in Davenport, Iowa.  Hard for us to believe that it's been 29 years already!  Sometimes it feels like it was just the other day!  We wanted to do something fun for our anniversary - something different.  We decided to go to the Cedar Valley Arboretum for our walk.  It was fun.  We got our walk in out there and were able to see some of God's beauty at the same time.

It was a good day!!  We feel so blessed!

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Sunday

Another beautiful day here, but we're really needing some rain.  Possibilities for rain are in the forecast for this week.  So we're hoping.

Church this morning was sparsely attended, but it was a good sermon.  After church we went to walk at the mall.  We walked two laps and then went to Walmart for some fresh fruit for tonight's dessert!  Lots of times we go to Bryan's on Sunday night and tonight was no exception.  I made cucumbers and onions because Bryan loves them.  Dave got the two bowls out of the frig to take with us.  He got the leftover watermelon and the fruit...oops.  Poor Bryan didn't get any cucumbers & onions.  Dave will take some out to him this week!

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Saturday

We went to the Farmers Market in Cedar Falls this morning.  It's not a very big Farmers Market but they do have plenty of produce now.  We got some sweet corn, cucumbers, onion, and some white popcorn.  Our popcorn from the Dutchman's Store is gone and it's too far to drive down there.  We're trying this - it's from a local grower.  Hope it's good! 

Dave went to Bryan's while I rested and read.  Then I watched the Cubs win again!  This evening we're just hanging out.

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Yay!

I'm feeling a little better  today.  We actually got out and took a walk - only about 1 mile, but at least it was something.  My legs felt like rubber so we didn't do the usual 2 miles.  It was lovely out today - low humidity and nice temperatures.

Dave went out to help Bryan after lunch.  I read and took a nap.  Then I watched the Cubs win!!

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Thursday

We had to get up early today because the plumber who will be fixing the pipes below us was going to be here at 7:30.  Getting up at 6:30 when you're feeling well is one thing, but getting up that early when you are under the weather is for the birds!  I got up, though.  I took my shower, ate breakfast, and waited for him to come.  He was about 10 minutes late and only stayed a couple of minutes.  Then he and Dave went downstairs to the condo below ours where the water pipes are leaking thru to the basement garage.  It's their apartment that gets to have a hole cut out of their wall and the pipes replaced - which is good for us.  Unfortunately no one lives there.  Mr & Mrs have both passed away and their son uses it for storage.  So now the board will try to get in touch with him to tell him what will be done.

The rest of the day I slept a lot...and read.  Tonight we had popcorn and my sore throat feels so much better.  Sure hope it still does tomorrow!

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