Monday

I'm pondering something tonight.  Why do people insist on spreading hate?  There was a post on facebook that just perpetuated hate...for Muslims, for Democrats.  "Remember 9/11" - like the Representative from Minnesota had anything to do with that...or Democrats for that matter.  Socialism was also brought up...what about farmers getting government payments for years?  Isn't that a form of socialism?   What about fire departments, police, Medicaid, Medicare???  Sad, sad, sad!  It's kind of like reading the Bible and saying that you shouldn't do this and ignoring the fact that you're doing 3-4 other things that the Old Testament tells you not to do...like eating meat from an animal that has cloven hoofs!  Or wearing clothes made from "unclean" materials.  OK, I'm done ranting!

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Sunday

The weather outside isn't very good here.  It only got to about 64 degrees with almost constant mist.  Yuck.  At least it's not Montana!! 

We went to church and then to HyVee to get some groceries.  This afternoon we vacuumed and dusted.  This evening, Bryan, Erin, Aidan, Kaitlyn, Jan, and Forest (Erin's parents) came for dinner here.  Aidan loves to play with the tractor we have here and with the little cars we have.  Kaitlyn is standing on her  own and just plays with whatever she can find. 

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Saturday

What a beautiful day here!  We went for a walk this morning - Dave was chilly, but it didn't take long walking before he warmed up! 

Since we didn't get to go camping this weekend, Bryan took his camper out to Blackhawk Park.  Bryan, Erin and the kids, Erin's parents, and Dave & I went out there around 3:00 and enjoyed the playground as well as a campfire.  We cooked out there and ate supper there.  Kaitlyn fell asleep on my lap by the campfire.  That was so much fun for me!!

I know you can't tell by the picture, but her face is down.  She just crashed.  She had a big day with only one 45-minute nap. 

We came home in time to watch the last few innings of the Cubs game.

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Friday

We both had doctor appointments this morning.  We've both got this awful cough.  Dr ordered chest xrays for us both.  Dave's portal tells his results but mine doesn't show the xray.  All of our blood work is in our portals, along with summaries.  That's a pretty cool way to get info to patients.  My eye doctor does it too.  We wanted to get our flu shots, but they were out of the high dosage serum.  I was to get a prolia shot, but they needed an order from the doctor 2 weeks ago...wouldn't have that.  I wanted to get my mammogram today, but I need to wait until October 21st or something like that - I'll be in Florida.  I wanted cough syrup, but doctor forgot to prescribe that.  I was batting 1.000 - just like our Cubs!!

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Thursday

Went to Tai Chi this morning and this time I didn't feel like I was going to faint!  I moved around a bit in between the various exercises, so my legs didn't get locked down!  Much better.  We learned new movements today - warmups for the legs, feet, and ankles.  I've decided I'm pretty uncoordinated!  Good thing there's no video!!

This afternoon we cleaned out the camper so we can put it away for the winter.  We were supposed to camp in McGregor, Iowa this weekend, but it's supposed to rain all day Friday, Friday night, Saturday night, and all day Sunday.  So instead we're going to go to a park here locally where Aidan can play at the playground and we can have a bonfire and sit around and enjoy the kids. 

Late this afternoon, we went for our walk.  Nice cool day - no humidity to speak of! 

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Wednesday

Kind of a boring day today.  Chilly outside and raindrops here and there.  I went to walk outside but as I stepped out the front door it started raining.  I came back in, went to the basement garage and walked a mile down there.  Then Dave and I went to Walmart and we walked another mile there!  So I got my 2 miles in without any raindrops falling on my head!

While we were out, we went to 3 Amigos for lunch.  Good food!  This afternoon I finished a book while Dave took a nap.  Now I'm watching the Cubs.

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Tuesday

I went to the eye doctor this morning.  I was able to find a glasses frame that I liked, so got that paid for and ordered.  When I got home, Dave and I ate lunch and then we went for a walk in the cemetery.  Later we washed windows.  After the tuck-pointing was done, they really needed it.  Unfortunately there's rain in the forecast for tonight.  It was nice having clean windows for part of the day any way!

I was watching the Cubs but gave up on them.  The Pirates scored at least 7 runs in the 7th inning.  That's when I turned it off!  I guess there's always next year!

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Monday

I did something different today.  I went to a Tai Chi for arthritis class today.  It was a beginner class and we learned 6 upper body warm-up exercises.  About 2 minutes from the end of the class I had to go sit down - I thought I was going to faint!  Interesting.  My muscles hurt this evening and I didn't think we really did much to get them to hurt!  I'll be interested to see how I do Thursday.  We meet Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 at our church.  I tried to talk Dave into going, but he wouldn't.  Maybe when we get to Florida we can find a yoga class that we can do together.  After I had a chance to cool down a bit, we went for our walk.  It was a gorgeous day!!

This afternoon I got my 15 cards/envelopes done for our silent auction.  I also made up a gift certificate for Dave's donation to the auction - car detailing to be done in June when we get back to Iowa.  I was then able to get my card-making area cleaned up before I start on some more cards.

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Sunday

Another wet day here!  After church we walked in the mall and then stopped for some groceries. 

This evening we had dinner at Bryan's and after we celebrated Kaitlyn's first birthday.  She was in a good mood and so was Aidan. 

Happy birthday, Sweetie!  We love you!! 

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Saturday

Rain, rain, please take a little break!  At least we're high and dry in the condo!  It rained or drizzled off and on all day today - and this evening, too.  In fact, it was really raining just a few minutes ago!

Dave and I went to the farmers market this morning.  Didn't get much - it's just fun to see what's there.  Several of the booths weren't there today - guess they didn't want to put up with the drizzle!  Then we went to Morg's in Waterloo for lunch.  This afternoon Dave went to Bryan's to help him while I watched the Cyclone football game on tv.  When it was over, I switched to the Cubs game.  Fun day for me! 

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Friday

Woke up to thunder, lightning and rain again this morning.  Everything is green, green, green...except for the corn and soybeans - they are starting to turn.  The soybeans are turning rapidly.  If it's dry enough, I predict harvesting by Oct. 1st.

Dave mowed her at the condo today and took some sand out to Aidan's sandbox.  The guys who are tuckpointing our building got the wrong kind of sand, so Dave took it for Aidan.  I made (or tried to make) some cards today.  Also got my newsletter done and to the publisher.

We also walked the cemetery today.  There was a funeral though, so we only got in a mile and a half.  Had to detour around the funeral.

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Thursday

This morning I had a committee meeting and Dave went to the doctor.  He got prednisone and an antibiotic.  I may have to go tomorrow.  I am feeling better tonight.  This afternoon I talked Dave into taking a short walk.  It felt good to get out and walk.  We only walked a mile, but at least it was a start.  We're having summer again here.  Poured down rain this morning - hot and muggy this afternoon!

Just finished watching the Cubs get beat in the 10th...just like last night.  We're not very good this year for some reason. 

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Wednesday

It felt like mid-July here today.  Dave is still under the weather and my throat is feeling suspect.  Plus my sinuses are stuffed.  I went out to get a pedicure this morning.  Then my walk today was walking through all the aisles in Joann's and the aisles in Dick's Sporting Goods.  It was too muggy to walk outside.  By the time I got home, it was sprinkling.  When I got inside, it started thundering and lightning.  Whooeee, that lightning was something!   Right outside my balcony door!

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Tuesday

Dave has caught the crud - maybe from Kaitlyn because she's had a snotty nose and a cough for about a month...I've had the cough but not the nasal involvement.  After Dave got up, he went back to bed for a 2 hour nap.  Then this afternoon, he slept for another hour or so. 

Speaking of Kaitlyn, today is her 1st birthday. 

She's always got the cutest smile!!  We're celebrating her birthday on the 22nd, so we didn't see her today..  Her mommy posted this picture, though.

I was a bit of a slug today.  I went to WW to weigh, then I came home and made a couple of cards.  But other than that, I didn't do much.  I just tried to be quiet so Dave could rest.

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Monday

I had an eye doctor appointment this morning.  So most  of the day I stayed inside out of the bright sunshine.  I tried to have the patio curtains open, but that was just too bright.  Mostly I stayed in the bedroom where it was relatively dark.  It takes my eyes about 7-8 hours to un-dilate!  After supper, Dave and I were able to go out for a walk around the neighborhood.  We saw some beautiful houses and some that needed a bit of a touch-up.  We were very critical - haha!!

Now I'm watching DWTS.  Should be a good season.

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Sunday

Sorry - the only time I was able to get on the internet to blog was Friday night.  Saturday we went to the scenic overlook and onto a big sandbar in the Cedar River.  It was a beautiful place we were camping near!  The boys took a long hike in the afternoon while we girls rested!  At 6:40 PM Bryan told us it was supposed to rain at 7:00 PM.  It started sprinkling about 6:59!  By 7:15 it was raining and it rained all night!!  This morning we were able to eat outside, but it was wet everywhere. 

We came home after breakfast.  This evening, our HOA had our annual picnic.  Good food and fun evening.  It's good to be home!

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Friday

We're camping this weekend at Palisades Kepler State Park near Mt Vernon, Iowa.  It's only 62 right now and it's only 9:00.  I'm inside with the fireplace going!  I was cold!!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day though.  Erin and the kids are all in their camper.  Dave & Bryan are sitting around the fire outside.

This is a beautiful, hilly campground.  I'm hoping to get some pix tomorrow. 

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Debate #3

Well...debate #3 is over and I'm more confused than ever!  I like this about one candidate, and this about another candidate, and that about a third candidate.  I really like some of the "also ran" candidates as opposed to the front runners.  I think the VP is a good guy, but I think he's past his prime.  I think Elizabeth Warren was good, and I really like Cory Booker and Kamala Harris and Pete.  I think Andrew Yang is the smartest person there, and I really liked Julian Castro until he was mean to the VP.  Beto did a good job, too, as did Klobechar.  In my opinion, Bernie should retire.  Did I hit all 10 of them?  I am confused!!

Tomorrow we go camping again.  Don't know if we'll have wifi.

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Wednesday

Lightning, thunder, and an almost full moon - all in the span of about 15 minutes here this evening!  Maybe it is a full moon - it is beautiful!  Ooops, it's now lightning and thundering again!! 

Dave and one of the other board members worked on doors in 3 different condos today - got those all done!  It was raining outside, so they couldn't work outside!  By the time they got done it was 12:30 and he said, "Let's go for a walk."  I got up ready to go when we realized we hadn't eaten lunch and I had a lobby committee meeting at 1:30.  After lunch I went outside and at least walked up  and down the sidewalk to get a few steps in.  Dave went to the grocery store while I was in the meeting.  We're going camping Friday and we needed to get a few things before we go.

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Tuesday

I walked outside today after The View.  It was very humid, but the temperature was nice.  By the time I got home, I was dripping!  Dave had gone out to Bryan's to pick up sticks and logs!  We had storms last night - 5 trees fell down out at Bryan's.  He's got hundreds of trees so 5 won't be missed.  Dave worked out there for several hours.

After lunch we ran a couple of errands and got milkshakes from Four Queens.  Then it was home to rest a bit before Family Feud in the lobby downstairs.  Guess what - I won!  I came in second once, but usually I'm in the bottom half so that was pretty cool!

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Monday

I had a foot doctor appointment early this morning.  I figured I would get a cortisone shot in the joint of my left big toe.  I call it my "broken" toe because it feels like it is broken.  It is not; it has some pretty severe arthritis in it.  The doctor today, after looking at my xray, said I basically do not have any cartilage left in that joint.  His recommendation would be surgical replacement of the joint.  He said there's no hurry on it.  It's a matter of when I can't stand the pain any more.  I determined it's not bad enough for me to have surgery at this time...if ever.  I can walk without much problem.  The pain usually comes after my walks. 

Dave worked on replacing hinges on all of our doors.  They were brass and painted over numerous times.  Now we have brushed nickel hinges on all of our doors. 

I went out about 5:00 and took a short walk.  It was very muggy and I had on jeans - I'd been cold all day.  In fact when I went to the doctor's office, my temperature was only 95 degrees.  By the time I got back from my walk, I was hot. 

This evening we're having severe thunderstorms.  So far about 3 bands of storms have gone thru the area. 

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Sunday

Great church service this morning!  Good music - great songs! 

After church we went to the grocery store to get a few things because we were hosting dinner this evening for Bryan, Erin, the kids, and Erin's parents.  We fixed chicken pot roast - chicken, new potatoes, carrots and onions.  Delicious!  Jan brought a lettuce, tomato, onion, pepper salad. and Bryan made homemade ice cream in his Kitchen Aid mixer, plus caramel brownies.  Yum!! 

We enjoyed watching the kids play!  Kaitlyn is standing up and does it so easily.  She also crab walks so fast!  It's hilarious!!

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Saturday

Dave asked if I wanted to go to the farmers market in Cedar Falls today and, of course, I said yes.  We hit the jackpot there.  They were having some sort of street fair with art vendors...jewelry, art pieces, paintings, photography, metal works, and clothing.  So we got our 2 miles in walking the streets of Cedar Falls.  While we were there, we ate lunch at Los Cabos, where they were having $5.95 jumbo margaritas...we shared one!  

Came home after lunch.  I read for a while and Dave went to Bryan's to help him power wash their house.  Now I'm watching the Cubs-Brewers game.  These 2 teams are certainly well matched.  

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Friday

Dave did HOA stuff this morning.  I slept until almost 9::00!  After I watched The View and we had lunch, we went to Waverly to tell Kaylee and McCoy goodbye.  They'll be leaving for Belgium on the 10th of September, so we won't see them again until June when we get back from Florida.  McCoy has changed so much since we saw him a couple of weeks ago!  He's pulling himself up and standing as much as possible.  He'll be 9 months old on the 23rd.  He hasn't crawled yet, but I'm betting he'll walk without crawling!

We'll miss them!  But, we can video call them and see the changes in him anytime we want!

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Thursday

I had one of those late nights.  I couldn't sleep!  I went back to bed about 3:30 and still couldn't fall asleep for a while.  I did finally get some sleep - got up about 8:30.  I had breakfast while Dave went to Bryan's to see if he needed to mow.  He came back pretty quick so no mowing.  The grass is slowing down a bunch. 

We walked in the cemetery today.  It was kind of chilly, but by the time we walked about 10 minutes, we had warmed up.  Had to run some errands after lunch - went to Walmart and to Sam's. 

Dave's at a board meeting and I'm watching the Cubs.

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Wednesday

I had a wonderful walk this morning.  It was cool enough that I didn't get too hot.  I actually walked my "route" backwards just to change things up a bit...might not do that again as there's one hill that seemed really steep going that way!  Plus, I think I missed one path...can't figure out where though.

Dave met with 3 contractors to get bids on things the board wants done here at the condo.  That's why I walked alone.  The sky was so pretty today!

The rest of our day was spent dusting and vacuuming.  I also got my craft area cleaned up and all of the filing done!

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Tuesday

We had to go to the mall to walk today.  It was very humid here and sprinkled off and on.  Since we didn't want to get wet, we walked inside.  We also stopped at Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart, so got plenty of steps in today!

I finished 6 sympathy cards...seems I've used up all that I had.  Another day I need to make some Thinking of You cards. 

Tomorrow we clean house again.  There's dust everywhere!  How does that happen? 

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Happy Labor(less) Day!

Hope everyone enjoyed their day off today!  I know we did.  I finished up my Christmas cards and organized some of the card ideas I've saved to Pinterest.  I then started a few sympathy cards - I'm out!  I didn't get far, though, because Dave was going to run some errands and I went with him.

This evening we went to Bryan's for spaghetti.  We've missed seeing the kids this week.  Bryan's mother and her family were there this weekend, so we didn't go out earlier.

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Sunday

We're back in the 'loo safe and sound!  My, what traffic there was this weekend.  Friday going to Indiana was bad  - lots of traffic; but today was worse.  I'm so glad we got home today because I can't imagine how bad the traffic will be tomorrow. 

We had a great weekend.  Stayed with Roberta but saw the whole family.  There were 31 people at dinner last night.  Fun times. 

We are both really tired.  Eight hours of driving both Friday and today is a little tiring.  It's only 7:51, but I'm ready to go lie down. 

More later...