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Great weekend

2010-11-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

I guess it is about time that I start blogging again. Had a great weekend--Kari & Charlie came out & we went to Paneras for lunch.Then we came back here & they cleaned my house.Great job. Then Mark, neighbor next to Denny was over & raked all the leaves that were in the yard. Wasn't that nice of him? He was the one who shoveled my driveway last year after Pudge went to Az. Kari brought out sone homemade wild rice &chicken soup that she had made. It was really ,really good. We are going to have Thanksgiving at Kari's house this year. It is too much for me to tackle without Pat here to help.
I have to go to eye Dr. today. Iwas there 2 weeks ago for routine check & the pressure in my rt. eye was high so he wants to check it again today.The left eye was fine.
Kari also put all my pix that are on the computer on a disc. After that is done I delete them from computer.I have a lot of pictures!! But the discs are sure a lot better than all the big old albums.
Our weather has been really great for Nov.It can stay this way for a whole lot longer!!

More about Ottawa

2010-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

Another memory of Ottawa-We had to go to a little post office to get our mail.It had been agrocery store also butno groceries when we lived there.The train would throw out a mail bag as it roared thru Ottawa & the station master would take it to the post office. Outgoing mail was put in a bag then attached to an ironpost& as the train went by a man in the mail car had a long rod that he would grab the mail bag off the pole.My friend & I would go to the little depot to watch this & to see if the guy ever missed the bag. He never did when we were there. Then we would go to the P.O. to wait for the mail to be sorted & get our mail if we had any.
On Nov.11th 1940 my friend,Lorayne & I went to the P.O. about 11:30 to get the mail--It had been sunny in the AM but it started to snow about that time. It was about 12:30 when the mail came in & the snow was really coming down.We had a hard time walking home as the wind was blowing & it was snowing really hard! I was glad to get home.That was one of the worst blizzards in Minn. Many people were caught out in it & died.Trains & cars could not get thru the big drifts. We did not have electricity & were lucky that way as all electricity was out all over. Our neighbor borrowed lanterns from us so he could milk his cows.We had a battery powered radio so we could hear all the news about the blizzard-which was not goodnews!!

Ottawa

2010-07-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

Donna wrote that the Kiewatt reunion was to be in the littlet0wn of Ottawa that is halfway between LeSueur & St. Peter. My folks moved ther when I was in high school.They lived on the old Kiewatt place. It had a barn &pigpen & chicken coop & outdoor toilet--No running water or electricity.My parents had 2or 3 cows & some pigs & chickens. there was a pasture & a small cornfield.The place was wired for electricity but they could not afford it so we had kerosene lamps & lanterns.
I did not want to change schools so it was decided that I could stay with Dorothy & Art in St Peter during the week & come home on weekends.The train ran thru Ottawa so I was able to ride it from St.Peter to Ottawa On Fri Eve & return on Sun at noon.The ride cost one dime!!!The conductors got to know me & were very friendly. Ginny went to school in Ottawa & the school is still standing but is very run down & is not used for anything.The old Kiewatt place is all gone --bought up by the white sand quarry which is a big enterprise in Ottawa. They ship white sand all over the country.

BIRTHDAY!!!

2010-04-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! We really celebrated the birthdays--Fri Mary Beth, Denny & Pat were here for lunch.Mary made a really good pasta salad. Then on Sat neices & nephews were here(13) total & everybody brought something to eat so we had a great lunch.Ethan & Relia were the little ones & they really got along well.They sat on the little chairs that I have in my living room & pretended to have a tea party-Relia poured in little cups from the little teapot. & then they would pretend to drink --Then she would ask Ethan "Do you want some more?" & he would say yes.We took scads of pix of them!!- Then on Sun the family came for dinner(16) counting Denny.The only thing I fixed was a ham .Lots of good food & company over the weekend.And I do not feel any older!!
Mary Beth & Barb H. are going to the casino in Hinckley on Thurs.We have been there since last fall.
Diane made the neatest picture for me--It is pix of sisters & she had old pix of me Dorothy & Ginny.One was the 3 of us by the old Quonset hut that Ginny & Allan lived w hen he was going to college in Mpls.Can't see much of it but I know that is it. You can see the corrigated side(sp?).
I really want to thank everybody for making my 85th birhtday so special.

1

2010-03-31T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is March??!! It is a great one! At least Pat & Pudge won't be coming home to snow & ice! Bryan called yesterday & is coming out to get his boat this weekend--he is getting fishing fever with this nice weather. Diane-the manhunt had to be scary-Did they think he was hiding in the woods by your place?
Got the bill for the overnight stay in hospital --It was $9344--Quite an expensive hotel!! One baby aspirin was $5.46.Isn't that awful?? Thank goodness my hospitalization pays for all of it. I have'nt gotten the bill yet for the rescue squad. I will probably be shocked when I see that!
A big tree across the street by the creek fell down yesterday. It hit the shed on the house across the creek from me. The tree was really rotten.Denny went over to check it out. I heard it fall but Denny saw it go down.

Followup

2010-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr. on Mon for followup after hospital & everything is OK . The yeast infection is cleared up --My blood sugar is running a little high but Dr. gave me a med to get it more regulated & he assured me that it would not make it to low.I have been watching what I eat which I was very careless about before. Denny just came over to see some pix of his little niece who just had a 1st birthday party & the mom sent some pix .He has been coming over every morning to check on me. I guess I scared him pretty bad!!

7 he assured me it woul

Hospital

2010-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

I guess most of you know that I was in the hospital Wed &Thurs because of low blood sugar.On Tues I was feeling dizzy & sweaty before I ate breakfast but after I ate I felt OK. Same thing before lunch & supper & also I had some tingling in my cheek. Denny was over in the evening & I told him about it . He did ask if maybeit had something to do with blood sugar but like a dummy I did not test it .SO in the morning Denny thot he should check on me before he went to his job.He woke me up & I could not talk -words very slurry & I had no strength-could barely move! Denny called 911 & the paramedics asked Denny if I was a diabetic & he said yes --They took my blood sugar & it was 50-They gave me glucose & within 5 min I could talk & answer their questions. Took me to the hospital in ambulance where they did a CTscan,Xrays of chest & an EKG.Next day the Dr, said all tests were normal. Isn't that good news? The probable reason for low blood sugar was I was on an antibiotic for ayeast infection & The antibiotic increased the diabetic meds. My meds are changed some now & I go to my DR on Mon for followup. Needless to say I am testing blood sugar 4x day.Now it has been a little high so maybe new med isn't working so well. That was sure a scare for me & everyone else!!
Kari & fam went to Az yesterday for a week. Jeff came out today & vacuumed & cleaned the kitchen-Did a good job too.
I came home on Thurs aft. Denny has been over Fri & SAt Am about 8:15 to check on me !!

Arizon

2010-03-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

My six weeks in Az sure went by fast! The weather was chilly most of the time&rainy. I had to buy some sweat shirts & long sleeved blouses as I only had summer clothes there.Had sent them down with Pat & pudge so I did not have to bother with baggage on the plane.. We went to some estate sales--Pat was looking for furniture & to a big flea market.Went to a casino once but I did not like their 5cent machines( I play the 1cent or 2cent ones here)We went to Bingo one night at the community center. I do not care for that1Also they had a Minn night there-a good chicken dinner--Pat had Tshirts for us that had Minn on them-Mostly hockey shirts. Every morning the mourning doves would be cooing-there were lots of them. Even tho it was cool it was better than Minn --no snow or ice & green grass outside. It was fun watching the golfers right out the back.
Janet & Linda were here this past weekend We went to a concert at St Andrews church which was great.On Sun we went to Como Park to see the flowers which were beautiful. I had not been out there since Hans & Rachels wedding. The snow is melting fast which is great but we will probably get at least one Mar snow storm but we know it will not last long.

2009-12-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas

2009-12-30T12:41:00.000-08:00

After Christmas

2009-12-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

Had a great Christmas --Everyone was here except Shannon who spent it with her Mom & Grandma. It was her 35th birthday also.Had a good time with our get together with the nieces & got some really good cookies with the cookie exchange!!I sent my clothes for Az with Pat & pudge so all I have to take when I go is a carry on.I am going on the 18th of Jan & return on Mar 1st.Now I am going to try to post some pix. Not to good at this yet!! Could not figure ho w to do the pix yet Will keep trying!!

2009-11-27T15:08:00.000-08:00

Pretty table by Martha Stewart (Pat Soderberg) Zoie- Pat's Little neighbor girl. She loves Pat & wants to go with her all the time She is four & is such a good girl. She ate a little bit with us & then had to go home for her dinner at 6pm

Matt & Amber- his fiancee

news about cruise

2009-10-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Got back from the cruise late Sun. night-11:30pm---I was really tired as I had gotten up at 7am-Had a little nap at the airport & on the plane.The cruise was really great BUT I had forgotten how hot it gets in the Carribbean & with the humidity it was really bad for me. We only got off the ship 3 x .We went to San Juan,Puerto Rico,St. Thomas USVI,Antigua,TortolaBVI & Nassau,Bahamas. We went to a beautiful beach in St Thomas but I did not go in the water-to hard to walk in the sand but a nice breeze so it was good.We shopped in Antigua& I got a couple of bright flowered shirts. Then we took a tour in Tortola up the mountains with wonderful views. But the hairpin turns were a little much!!Then we took a city tour ro Nassau & that was the longest two hours of my life!!It was HOT& Humid & the tour cab was not air conditioned & the tour was boring.I was so glad to get out of there.My clothes were just wet from sweat.The food was great & the shows were really good-we went to the stage show every night after dinner.& there was a casino that we stopped at every day!!And we met some really nice people. It is raining & dreary out today-I am about to take a nap as soon as I get done with this letter.

news from Willernie

2009-09-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

I Haven't blogged for awhile but when every day is the about the same &no news it is hard to think of something to write about.I always read everyones blogs every day & now facebook.It is so much more fun to read than to write!!
I did write an email about taking a cruise in Oct. This will be my 5th one--I really like those cruises!! Two have beento the Carribean(Western &Eastern) Panama Canal & Alaska. This one is also a Carribean but different ports of call.Nassau,Bahamas-& british Virgin Islands,St Thomas USVI & Puerto Rico.
Wed. I am going to Battle Lake MN-Not far from Fergus Falls -to Maxine & Alan Johnson's house for our yearly get together with Eleanor & Maxine.Alan is on oxygen & can't drive a long ways so we are going to their house. MaryBeth is going with me as I would not drive that far by myself. I do not drive very far any more--to grocery store,bank, & mall which is about 5or 6 miles from me. I can tell that my reflexes are not what they used to be!!
I have not sewed anything for a long time but now I am going to make two blouses for the cruise.one black & one print. I was looking at pix of the other cruises & noticed that I was wearing the same dressup blouse on 3 of them so decided it was time to make a new one!!.
Yesterday was cool & rainy so I made a big kettle of vegetable soup.It really hit the spot.
Oct 3rd we (Donna Janet Pat Diane & Dave ) are going to Scandia Mn.for a Swedish folk dress show.Scandia is a little north of Stillwater& was settled by Swedes.They have a museum there & several buildings(log) showing how the pioneers lived. This is also the area that the series of books--The Immigrants #1 & then 3 more but I can't remember the names of the others But they were really good books.Have any of you read them?They are fiction but really tell about the hardships of the pioneers.

Trevor

2009-08-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

This is a pix of Trevor taken last week. I don't know where these kids get their height from!!Trevor will be 16 in Nov.& he is already 6 ft. tall!!

He is going to St. Thomas Academy this fall. He got a scholarship-He is really good at baseball as a pitcher. The school has started practicing for football already & he has gone to three practices--He was here today & was walking very stiff as he is sore from the practice!!

Duluth & company

2009-08-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

I went to Duluth Sun. & Mon. to see Matt.This is a pix of him in his room.Hre lives in a house with 2 other guys & 2 girls. He is not far from the lake & has a great view from his window. They have 3 cats &2 dogs but the guy with the dogs was not there-he is on vacation--I saw 1 cat.It was on Matts bed when we came in.Met his girl friend also but she had to work at 5pm on Sun. We went to that restaurant ( an Italian one)for supper.It is right on the main street of Duluth. Then Matt had to work onMon.We went there for lunch before heading home .It is a Mexican restaurant--Matt is a cook there. The pix is him making our tacos.

Last weekend my brother-in- law Gene Bushard from Montana was here. He is 81 yrs old & still drives all over but his son drives the truck --They sell mufflers all over Mont & part of N. Dak. Gene just drives the car.

This year is the 60th year for Willernie as a city-they are not planning any big thing --just announcing it on the water bill.

concert at Como

2009-08-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Pat & I went to a concert at Como Park last night--It was Sweet Adeline choruses from around the state. Janet was there with part of her chorus(most were on vacation) but they sang at the end> There were over 200 on the stage singing & it was VERY impressive.Ijust watched it on YouTube. I could see Janet but I knew where she was standing otherwise I do not thinkI could have found her. Denny took me & his neighbors out to eat Mon. We went to the Roman Market which is here in Willernie where the laundromat used to be. He did this because of helping him with putting up a retaining wall between their houses & me because he parked his house trailer in my back driveway while the workmen were at his house.They have good food & big portions. We have had really good weather --but we still need rain.

Beet Greens!

2009-07-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Diane posted some great pictures of our weekend & Donna did a good job of telling what we did so that leaves me nothing to tell about except that it was a great weekend--The weather was just perfect!!And Sarah got good pic of their visit to Willernie--I just love looking at all the pictures.Relia is so cute --she says lots of words now,She liked the ants that Pat had on the table &Pat gave her some to take home.Last year at this time we were all getting ready for the Alaskan cruise--we had Relias 1st birthday party on the ship.
Yesterday I had Mary Beth over for lunch & cooked up some beet greens for her.SHE LIKED THEM! We had buffalo burgers also & an Irish dish called colcannan which is boiled cabbage & mashed potatoes mixed together.She liked that too.I really like it.The recipe calls for bacon bits too but I like it without.
Ginny ,what happened to the nursing home in Lake Crystal-it is not there by the cemetary. Did they move it?
Denny isn't done with his house yet-has to get the carpeting in but the builder is all done so he really isn't living in the new addition yet. He has washer & dryer & bathroom upstairs that he uses.

More pixat wedding

2009-07-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

This is Gabby passing out Choc.chip cookies!

This is Shawn Barry watching the kids at the ceremony THe blond ones are Dans & the two other girls are Sineads. They were all very good!& cute!

pix of wedding

2009-07-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

Cutting the cake -Sinead & Dan--PattyWagon in backPat driving-She decorated it for the bride & groom

mary beth ,liz, gemma at church for Sineads wedding

tryout for pix

2009-07-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sarah sent me directions on how to send a pix on the blog so I am going to try it. Lets see what happens!!DIDN"T WORK. I got the browse button & picked the pix but itdid not tellme how to transfer pix to blog. I saw upload but it was covered by the pix so I could not click on it. I guess I need someone to show me & then hope I don't forget how!!
Yesterday I made an Irish dish --colcannon-recipe was in the paper.It is mashed potatoes & boiled cabbage & little onion & all mixed together & I think it is very good.You boil cabbage & potatoes separate- then mash potatoes & then add cabbage.Onion is cooked with cabbage.Can also add bacon fried crisp & broken up but I like it without meat.Gemma said she has eaten it but she does not like cabbage so does not make it. Also this past week Mary Beth gave me some beet greens that she got at the farmers market-I like those-I boil until tender & then put on salt & pepper & a little vinegar.
Donna,Good for you replacing the toilet seat!! Hope you get the electric back today. Our trip to Walnut Grove is coming up soon.I am looking forward to it. My car will take 7 passengers counting driver so you know for planning.

update

2009-07-08T10:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't written here since I got my new car & I was going to send a pix but I haven't taken any yet .I went with Allison Hulback to Menomonie Wis to Barb place so that is my first trip.Then I got busy making cookies for Sinead Barry's wedding--that was Pats idea to give everyone 2 choc.chip cookies in a bag tied with ribbon.--so Imade over 400 cookies for 200 wedding guests!!then Gemma,Pat, Mary Beth & I bagged them all & Pat decorated baskets & the little girls passed them out at the reception. The wedding was Sat 3rd--Old church in Minneapolis-a really neat one--then the reception was in a friends yard in LinoLakes. Pat Gemma & I decorated the tables. Pat used tiger lilies & wild white flowers for centerpieces.She also decorated the Patty Wagon for the bride & groom to ride around. I will post some pix on email as I do not know how to put pix on a blog. Maybe someone will tell me how?? So now to email.

7

2009-06-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last Sun I went with Donna & Janet to a musical at Bloomington Civic Center. It was the Music Man & it was really good. Then we went out for supper & then Jan & I went to my house & she spent the night.A good time was had by all!! Now this Sun Pat, Kari , Jamie & I are going to Anna's dance recital.They always have a number they call Dads & Daughters. This year Bryan agreed to be in it with Anna--We can hardly wait to see this.He said he actually had fun at the practices & meeting the other dads. Anna is so pleased tht he is doing this with her & we are proud of him for doing it!
The Willernie Garden Club(Pat Soderberg, Gemma Barry & me as a consultant) planted a window box for the post office yesterday.They are going to plant something in front of the town hall--Can't do a window box as can't drill into stucco --which Vic stuccoed years ago.
Pudge is in Canada fishing this week with 3 other guys. They go to the same place every year.
We are getting a little misty rain today but we need more. White Bear Lake is way down-Paper said about 3 ft. --So come on rain!!

Memorial Day weekend

2009-05-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Linda & her granddaughter Claire came on Fri & stayed overnight.Then they went to Dianes house & to attend Joshs' graduation Claire is 7 and she is a delightful little girl. Pat gave her a ride on the Patty Wagon which she really liked. Kids just love riding on it. We went to the cemetary Fri eve to put flowers on the graves.Claire had several questions at the cemetary which Linda answered quite well. A new experience for Claire. Pat & Pudge went to Hayward ,Wis for the weekend & Denny went to Iowa with a friend so it is really quiet around here. The weather so far has been just perfect --Just a nice breeze & 75 degrees. Mary Bethjust called & she is going to bring me some rhubarb-I always like some in the spring to make some sauce.

Weather & such

2009-05-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

What a difference a few days make--first we have a really chilly day with wind on Sun. then comes Tues with a temperature of 89 degrees!!We who live in Minn. sure are a hardy bunch to survive the weather changes!! I had a really nice Mothers Day-went out to eat with Pat, Bobby &her mother & Shannon. Sat Bobby called me & told me that Shannon was in the hospital--had fluid in her lungs & around her heart. I went to see her on Sun & she was much better but still on oxygen. Her fiance has been in Iraq but will be home sometime this week. I have met him once.He seems to be a really nice guy.She has a beautiful diamond ring & they plan on getting married in 2010 but thats all I know.
The lilacs are all in bloom now & so are the little wild Mayflowers & violets. So is the creeping Charlie but Pudge sprayed the lawn so now it is gone -at least for awhile!!
Kari & the kids came out on Fri & took me out for supper.The 26th is Travis'10th birthday- those kids sure grow up fast!!

May 1st

2009-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was May Ist & Allan Addleman's 80th birthday!!When I was young we used to make May baskets out of construction paper or old wallpaper samples and we would pick wildflowers-violets or Mayflowers & put in the basket . Then we would go to our friends house & hang the basket on the doorknob & run so they would not see us. Especially if it was a boy!!I lived in the country so I would stay with my friend Eleanor who lived in town which gave me a chance to hang Maybaskets.I am still friends with Eleanor & we get together once a year for lunch. She used to come & stay overnight with me on the farm. She loved coming out there & I loved going into town!
I went to Menomonie Wis. yesterday to Barb Hulback's . Everything was so green& the leaves were popping out on the trees. We saw an eagle on the way home. He was sitting on a telephone pole by a small lake. We have seen him there before. Barb & Don have 3 bird feeders outside their living roomwindow & the birds were busy eating.Wesaw cardinals, woodpeckers, finches,cow birds & mourning doves. The orioles & hummingbirds are not back yet.

Spring news

2009-04-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was reading the White Bear paper this past week especilly the want ads & here is a couple that were in there::"FOR SALE used bubblegum collection. Topp's,Fleer,Bazooka Joe--WE've chewed them all and now we're selling our collection! Call before the flavor goes away"
2nd one--"FOR RENT: 1 room shackon the bottom of White Bear Lake. Water & utilities included. Call now!" THEN I looked at the date of the paper & it was April 1st!!
Barb Hulback was here Thurs. & Fri & she did my taxes for me-I am always glad to get that done & I get some money back which is really nice!! The snow is nearly allgone but we are supposed to get some tonight--but it does not last long.This has been a nasty spring -Cold ,snow rain & a little bit of sun.
Linda, dying Easter eggs sounds fun-- I have'nt dyed any for years.I am having everyone here for Easter dinner. Pat always organizes an Easter egg hunt in the yard for the kids & the adults.The kids get wrapped presents-each kid has a colored ribbon on their present &they can only collect the present with their color ribbon on it.The adults collect plastic eggs with funny little presents inside & it is alot of fun-- one egg has a $5 bill in it but most of them are just dumb stuff!! but funny~!
Happy Spring!!

Good times

2009-03-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Had a really great week last week. Linda was here--We went to Diane's for lunch on Tues but the weather was nasty so we did not go to Southdale to meet Donna for supper-It was snowing & blowing --just nasty!! Janet drove my car to Dianes & did a good job!!Wed. we all went to Omni theater & saw 2 shows--one on the Great Lakes & one about Cal. I have not been there for ages. On Thurs. I called the eye Dr. as my left eye had been watering & was mattery & itchy.The Dr. said I have blepharitis which is an inflammation of the eyelids so now I have an antibiotic ointment to put in eyes +artificial tears. Linda left on Fri & went to Rochester . She left for home on Sun.It was great to have her visit.
Pat came over yesterday & cleaned the cupboard under the sink & some drawers --they sure look good!! I have been embroidering some pillowcases & some dish towels but I have to go to fabric store & get some needle threaders or I will not be doing any as I cannot thread the needle without them!!
Finally we are getting spring weather 60 degrees for today!Ihave my door open to let in this nice air!! Hope everyone is enjoying it!!

untitled

2009-03-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

I went to a movie last night--"Doubt" with Meryl Streep .I liked it a lot but anything with Streep is good. She is a really good actress. I am waiting now for Pat to come & clean my food cupboard. I mentioned it yesterday when she was here & she said she would do it. Boy, She is a cleaning fool!!To her cleaning & organizing is not work but FUN!! To me it was always work!

I just finished reading book about Minn. river. It wasthe history about the river& I found it to be very interesting as we lived by the river for many years by St. Peter. I always thought it would be fun to take a boat from the beginning of the river at Big Stone Lake in western MN. to St. Paul where it joins the Mississippi. Anybody interested in doing this with me?? Somebody strong as they would have to help me in & out of boat!!

Looking forward to Linda's visit next week.

New TV

2009-02-22T15:49:00.000-08:00

I am enjoying my new 47 in. TV.I thought it would be to big in living room but it isn't & the picture is great. But today I was going to the computer but decided to watch some TV first . After a bit I was going to change channels & I was clicking the buttons & nothing was happening--So I thought 'What is wrong with this new TV?? ' Then I realized that I had the telephone in my hand instead of the remote!!?? SENIOR MOMENT!!
I have been on the computer most of the afternoon looking at all the facebooks-A guy can spend a lot of time just doing that. We had such a good time going to Rochester last Sat to the tea put on by Janets Sweet Adelines & having Aurilia with us. I went to the casino Fri. with Mary Beth & Barb--WE took a bus tour-just for the day --we went to Hinckley. Did not win any money but we had fun & had a great lunch at the buffet.I am going to watch the Oscars tonight. Ihave not seen any of the movies but it is still interesting.

Recipes

2009-02-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

Pat & Pudge got home yesterday--I have n't talked to them yet today but I am sure they are not enjoying this cold. It got to 7 below last night. I have been going thru my recipes & recipe books-The Good Neighbor Club is going to publish a cookbook & we all have to turn in recipes. We are just in the very first stage so it will be awhile before we get it published. Anyway while reading all the recipes I got the bug to bake something. I am going to make some banana bread as I have some really ripe bananas that I had put in the freezer & they are now thawing . I have not made that for years. I want to make some Frogeye salad. I got the recipe from Jan & it is good! but I do not have all the stuff for that so will have to go shopping ---but not today! it is slippery by my driveway as it melted some the other day & now it froze. My garage door opener in the car does not work so I have to get out to shut the door & I do not care about walking on the ice!! Too scary for me!!

Back home

2009-01-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

Well I am back in the frozen North. I got back from Phoenix Fri eve & the temperature was 80 above & it was 11 below in St. Paul What a change!!I reall enjoyed myself in Arizona--if you have read Pats blog she tells about all that we did.The time went really fast. Pat & Pudge would like to go down there for 3 mon.next year & I would go & stay longer also.Had a big stack of mail to sort through-Denny had been picking up our mail -Pat & Pudge have a lot too.I toured Dennys new addition yesterday-They have gotten alot done in the last 2 weeks All the walls are in so you can see what it will look like--There are 2 bedrooms & full bath ,walkin closet & hallway upstairs. I did not go into the downstairs but they have torn out the wall between the bedroom & living room so it gives him a bigger living room.
I went out yesterday to get groceries & I do not intend to go out unless absolutely necessary!!I am SO glad I do not have to go to work!!Don't worry you guys your turn will come!!

Trip

2009-01-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful holiday season with family & friends--Now I am getting ready to go to Arizona on Sat for two weeks. Pat & Pudge have rented a condo there for the mon. of Jan. They left on Dec 27--they drove there. Their friends Jim & Gloria rented a condo also by them. I have talked to them & they say the weather is great --they had lunch out on the patio yesterday.It sounds great!! Also they have a heated swimming pool so yesterday I had to go to Pats house to get her bathing suit-& I am packing mine as they have a hot tub which I really liked when we were on the cruise.

Denny 's house is really shaping up-the carpenters are there every day & getting a lot done- it sure looks different with the second story on it .
Pat & Pudge took my suitcase & Gemmas with them in the car so we do not have to deal with them at the airport . Wise idea , right?? Going to the bank now to get money & then I am all set.

Telling a few stories

2008-12-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has come &gone & Christmas is coming up fast!! I have a few of my decorations up --not the tree yet but will get that yet this week.And am thinking about making the plum puddings.I enjoyed going to Rochester to see Rachel & kids & Peder &Sarah & Relia. They are so much fun to watch them play-Janet got out her dolls & doll bed & the girls had fun with them.Joe played with plastic blocks--they had numbers on them & Joe would say the nunbers in German--up to 20!
Donna has a funny on her email today about men taking messages. Well I have a couple of them also & they are true ones about Vic & Tony Dadey. When Peder was born (they lived in Ill) Steve called my place & Vic answered the phone -Steve told him that Donna had a baby boy &named him Peder.The message that Viv relayed to me was"Peder called & said that Dolly(she was Pudges sister & lived in Conn.) had a baby & named him Steve. I called Pat right away & she was surprised--She called Thelma(Pudges mother) & told her. Thelma was also surprsed & said I didn't even know she was pregnant!!so she called Dolly right away & Dolly has no idea what she is talking about!!!We finally got it straightened out & we have always gotten a big laugh from that story.And another one was a Tony Dadey story. Tony stopped by my house & I told him Denny was coming .Well he went to Pat's house & told her that Ginny (my sister ) was coming.Pat called me & asked why I hadn't told her that Ginny was coming I said O My Gosh I have to go get groceries & clean house !!I asked Pat who had told her that & she told me Tony so we got that one straightened out pretty fast!! But we did learn mot to give those two any messages!!!

none

2008-11-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

About time I write something here again! I love reading everyone elses blogs!!Well I have lived long enough to see history made --A black president-I wanted to be able to vote for a woman Pres but this will have to do for now.I wish him well but why anyone would want that job is beyond me.
I really enjoyed our visit with Ginny,Allan & all the rest . Diane is a great hostess & great cook. I was able to get Cheryl's pix & even managed to order some on the computer.Will be able to pick them up tomorrow-Anothergreat thing about a computer. I watched the Donnatelli's thing on TV --I did not know they made their own Pasta.
We had snow this morning but it is now 2pm & it is a all gone now-Just a taste of what is to come!! I had fun going thru Donna's pix & Pat had fun organizing her closet.
It sounds like Relia is saying a lot of words now & she sounds like a busy little girl. Looking forward to seeing Rachel & kids & very excited to some first pix of Marshall. I loved the pix of the kids in their Halloween costumes Even the little puppy!!

Sympathy

2008-09-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

My sympathy to all the DeFor family upon the death of Erna--mother. grandmother & greatgrandmother &friend. It was so great that her family got to see her & say goodby. Our weather has been perfect these last few days but the leaves are starting to turn so we know it will be getting cooler. I am getting a new washer & dryer on Wed.--a stacked one. Pat is taking my old washer but could not take the dryer as it is 250 volt & their basement is not wired for that.I am going to call the grandkids & see if they can use it. Mary Beth just came to visit so I am going to send this & maybe write more later.

Mini Trip up North

2008-09-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

This past week I went with Pat & Pudge to Duluth & to Tower Mn. We got ahold of Matt in Duluth & went out to eat then we went to the house he is renting with a guy from LeSueur Mn. It is an old house & it is really neat. I liked the old door knobs. It has a big kitchen & Matt says he likes to cook.Also a neat fireplace in the living room. We left on Mon & went to Fortune Bay Casino & Hotel(near Tower) Pudge played golf in afternoon but had to go to a different town so Pat went with him intending to shop & look around the town. Well ther wasn't any shops & not much town(I can't remember the name) but she found a library so spent the 4 hrs therebut she enjoyed it .I went to the casino & played for a little bit . Had a $25 coupon from the hotel for casino then got $5 for signing up for card & $5 for sr. citizen.Good deal! So I played with their money Almost the whole time I was there . The next day Pudge played golf again at the casino &hotel golf course .Pat & I went to the Indian Museum which was close by--it was really interesting.Pat found some really nice cat tails by road so she picked them to bring home.The weather was just perfect & we had a great time.
I was glad to hear that Erna had gotten better.And that Hans & Heidi got to visit with her.Maybe that was why she rallied knowing how much her family loved her.
I like this hi speed internet & I have to learn how to send pix.

Labor Day weekend

2008-09-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed looking at all the pix that everyone sent of our cruise. I just got hi-speed internet on Sun. thru Comcast. I did not know they worked on Sun but they did. I am just trying to get used to it--I think I will keep my Yahoo email address as I am used to that & everyone has it.
Pat & Pudge were gone for the weekend. They went to Hayward Wis. to Jim & glorias cabin & then they went to Chicago-I think on Mon. SO it was pretty quiet around here until yesterday afternoon. I went for a ride on the Patty wagon(golf cart) Went to Pats house to check on the tomato plants then I went to the Roman Market restaurant to get a sandwich but they were closed so I headed for home. As I was coming down Warner Road I heard sirens so I pulled over & the ambulance & 2 police cars went by--they turned onto the same road I was going to turn so I took off & when I came to the top of Faversham Rd I saw the ambulance in my driveway-I hurried down & my garage door was open & rescue squad & police were coming out the door!!I said "What is going on ?"& police said my emergency signal from Life Alert had gone off! I have no idea how that happened but I must have leaned on somehow --They then called my responders #1 is Pudge & they got him in Chicago( their home calls go to his cell phone). I imagine they called Denny #2 & Barb Parent#3 But they were not home so at that point they call the rescue squad. The policewoman told me they had searched the whole house. I think they were glad when I came tooling up on the golf cart!! I stayed outside for awile talking to neighbor & in the meantime Pudge had called Kari to see if they had been to my house that day.When I got into the house Kari was calling me so I called Pat & pudge to tell them what had happened .While I was talking to them Gemma came rushing in & was happy to see I was OK. Pudge had called her to find out what was going on!! Enough excitement for one day!! & for one week!

more about our trip

2008-08-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

I forgot to tell you about our plane--We were at the SeaTac airport waiting for our flight homewhich left at 12:30 pm-- We had about an hour to wait & we were at the gate when we saw a notice on the board that tells about flight etc.--the notice was asking for volunteers to take a later flight and would be given $300- Pat. Denny & I took advantage of this & got a voucher for $300 and a voucher for $10 for food. The next flight left at 4:10-the time seemed to go really fast.
Denny went today to get his airline ticket to LA as he is going there the end of the month for his niece's wedding. He used his voucher & he still has $33 credit!! Well worth the wait!

Cruise & other stuff

2008-08-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

The cruise was just fantastic!! I liked it that there were so many people on the ship that we knew-we were always running into someone you knew. Pat ,Gloria, Darcy (Glorias sister)Denny & I got to Seattle about 9:30 am on Thurs. WE had reservations at Holiday Inn Downtown --Gloria & Pat looked for a cab to take us to hotel & They got a limo for same price as cab. That was the first time I had ever ridden in a limo! We went to Pikes fish Market & ate lunch there then I went back to hotel for my nap.We went to a restaurant noted for its sea food for supper.Then when getting into cab to go to hotel I shut the car door on my left leg--Now that really HURT! &did it ever get black & blue. It did not bother me on the ship unless I bumped it but I kept putting ice on it the first few days. On Sat after we got home it started to hurt & get prickly sensations like a bunch of needles & kept it up on Sun. so I went to Dr. yesterday & it had developed a surface blood clot. The Dr. numbed my leg(not enough) & then made a small incision & pushed the clot out. I have to go back Fri. to have it checked.
The scenery in Alaska is just awesome.WE saw whales, dolphins, glaciers, mountains--Linda Pat Gloria Darcy & I took a train tour in Juneau that followed the old gold rush trail-That was fantastic.
Our room said it could sleep 3 but when I walked into room there was no couch like I expected but a bunk bed!!Well guess who was the lucky one to get that?No, not me --I could not have climbed the ladder to get up there so Linda was the unlucky one. She did good!!
I have not had access to internet since Aug 4--Juno could not get it so Pudge sent for a disc & had to reinstall Juno so now I can get on but I am going to change to Comcast & get high speed
internet. I know Pat sure likes theirs now & she gets on the computer more.

From Liz

2008-06-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

I just checked my blog & I haven't written anything since May!! Where does the time go? For someone who is retired with nothing to do I sure find myself not being bored & always keeping busy with little things --like being on the computer for a couple of hours reading other peoples blogs & the email!!. And then I look something up --like a recipe & the time really goes !!
We were all disappointed that Ginny&Allan & Linda could not make it to Minn. but it was a wise decision with all the flood waters in Wis & S. Minn.
I finally got Vics old boat & trailer sold--I put an ad in paper on a Wed & it sold on Sat. It was Bryans boat now but he had bought a different on so did not use this one anymore. Got $400 for it which I was surprised as it was an OLD boat!The money went into Abby & Annas college fund.
Pat & I did go to Jamies school for Grandparents day She had drawn a pix of me & Pat-FUNNY! I was real skinny & Pat was fat ! I think she got her drawings mixed up!
Mary & I are going to casino at Hinckley tomorrow & stay ovemight.We have a coupon fpr a free room & that works great as I can go take a nap & then come back a play the slots some more!!
Now the weather is nice we(pat &I) have been riding around on the golf cart(the Patty Wagon) Went to library yesterday.It is fun to run around with it--You ought to see how the people laugh when they see a white-haired old lady driving it!!
Lynn lets see some blogs now.

News from Liz

2008-05-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Sunday I went to a baby shower for Emily(Dianes daughter). It was at Diane & Daves new house in Blaine.Their house is really,really nice .Has lots of windows so gets lots of light-they have a screened in deck(very smart for Mn.& allthe mosquitos)& that looks out over a pond & some woods & a cornfield. Diane said the farmer planted the corn for the wild life & they reallyhave it. They have seen deer ,wild turkeys, beaver in the pond just in back of their house & sandhill cranes. We saw the cranes on Sun. Janet came on Sat & spent time with with Donna before she left on Sun for the Ukraine. Emily got a lot of nice baby things at the shower. There were 3 babies there--one was only 10 days old!! Janet is in a Sweet Adelines concert on May 17th & Diane & Dave are going -they are going to pick me up.Pat will be in Hayward Wis. so I didn't think I would be able to go but this will work out fine. Fri. I am going to Jamie Lorch's School for Grandparents Day. We were to write a letter & tell what it was like when we started school. I think mine might be a litte different as I started school in a one room schoolhouse.YES we had to walk to school-rain,snow or shine. We were on a farm which was only about a mile from school. The teacher had all 8 grades-there were aout 12 or 15 students altogether. There were little desks in front & then medium size ones & then large ones for big kids.I carried my lunch in a little tin pail with a cover.Lunch was usually a peanut butter sandwich, a cookie or piece of cake & some fruit like an apple or raisins. When I was in 4th grade the country school closed & then I went to school in town & a school bus picked us up. At the country schoolwe had to carry water from the neighboring farm .We had to take turns to get the water --we had a pailto carry the water. The toilets were outside toilets -one for boys & one for girls. In winter ther was a big old heating stove that burned coal & wood. The teacher would get there early in winter to start the fire so it would be warm when the kids got there. Interesting times !!

Spring!

2008-04-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

We had 1 day of spring--yes terday! It was a beautiful day --now today it chilly again but no snow in the forecast--lucky us!! I am now another year older but I do not feel any older!! Thanks to everybody who sent me cards--Pat & Pudge ,Kari & fam & Mary Beth were here Sun for a nice dinner that Pat had made & we had a birthday cake & everyone sang Happy Birthday to me then we lit the candles again & sang to Kari & then once again & sang to Pat. We got a lot of mileage out of that cake!! I have rented out the basement to a young teacher until th end of the school year.She was hired at Pats school to finish out the year & she needed a place to live as she lives in Menomonie Wis. I agreed as I knew it was not permanent. Pat & Pudge are getting a new roof put on their house--There are about 8 guys over there working on it. Denny was here this a.m. with plans for an addition to his house. He is going to add a 2nd story & have 2 bedrooms, bath & laundry room up there. He is retired now & enjoys retirement.Don't we all??Pat will retire this year& that will be different for her. I enjoy reading everyones blogs --I check them every day!

latest news--

2008-04-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Did we ever get snow on Mon.!! About 10 in. here.I had an appt. at the chiropractor but it was snowing and blowing so that I cancelled it. No way was I going to drive in that!! Donna was here on Sat. to get her vest & dress that I had sewed for her. Pat was here also so we went out to eat lunch at a new restaurant here in Willernie-There has been a small market where they sell meat ,cheeses & deli sandwiches. They bought the laundromat nextto it& made it into a restaurant. We now have 7 eating places here in Willernie from an upscale supper club to a coffee shop. Pat was here cleaning the downstairs as there is a possibility that I will rent it out for 2 mon. The school where Pat works hired a new teacher & she lives in Wisc. so wants a place to live until the end of the school year. I said OK but did not want anyone permanent. She came out on Sun & looked at & will let me know before Sat if she wants it.She looks about 17 !! Pat is now in Chicago with her 2 friends on their shopping trip.Their kids went together & gave them that for a Christmas present. They took the train & were looking forward to that. Bryan & family went to Florida for a week & Pudge went to St, Louis (I think) so I have Bryan's little dog Casey.She has been really good for me-When I had her before she cried & whined a lot-not this time -she is getting old so she sleeps a lot . But she has to sleepin the bed with me.She is little -about 8 lbs. The snow is just about all gone already!

Chicken with its head cut off!!

2008-03-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

Time that I write here again!! I am like Donna with her 10 min. weekends--it was only yesterday that I wrote here!!!At least it seems that way. Sun. Pat & Donna & I went to Rochester to celebrate Janets birthday. We went out to eat & then came back to their place for birthday cake. Lynn & Eddie came --I havent seen Lynn for a long time. & it was good to see Eddie after he had been so sick & in he hospial.He is doing great except for a monstrous hospital bill !!--$30,000 ---& no hospitalization! Poor guy will be paying that almost the rest of his life .
I have been to the dentist twice last week-Had one small cavity & then my front bottom were getting loose. Dentist put a fine wire to the solid teeth & the covered that with dentists cement.Now they are fine!
Yesterday I got a new dining room table -new to me -It was Tiny's. Angel(Tiny's granddaughter) called Pat the other night & told her the house was sold & did she want the dining room table so she went to look at it & told me it would look good in my dining area so yesterday Pudge & Denny got it .It is really a pretty table -also has 4 chairs. I'm glad I got it.
I noticed that Sarah used the expression"like a chicken with its head cut off" but I bet you young folks do not know how this expression came about. On the farm when you cut a chickens head off & let go of it it would flop around as much as 10 feet or so from where it lost its head ,hence the expression. another bit of trivia you could have lived without!!!

bits & pieces

2008-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

Pat & Pudge got back from Florida last Sat. & got home in time for some more frigid Minn weather!! We have had our share of it this winter. Several below zero days & wind chill bad. Doesn't bother me too much as I stay inside- Although I have been going to chiropractor once a week for the pinched nerve .It is 95% better. I got the Life Alert last week. A small machine plugs into the phone line & electric outlet.When the lady was here we tested it-My machine is in kitchen on the little shelf under cookbooks-- any way she had me go all over the house to see if they could hear me after I pushed the button which is on a string around my neck--I went downstairs by the washer &dryer & they could hear me loud & clear-then I went into the garage & shut the door & they still could hear me. Amazing !! Hope I never have to use it!
Yesterday Mary Beth & I took tour bus to the casino in Hinckley.I did not win this time but it was good to get out of house & do something different. i made a vest for Donna tis past week-She had the pattern & material. It turned out good but I had a terrible time with the lining! She hasn't seen it yet.
I am reading a book by Minn. author P. J. Tracy--a mother & daughter team--one lives in Mn. & the other in Cal. It is a murder mystery taking place in Mn. The murdered person is put in a snowman--There have been 3 so far & I am only half way in the book. It takes place in winter in Mn.and is Oh so familiar when the write about the weather.

casseroles & bean soup.

2008-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

We did get together at Diane's house on Jan.26.When we were there we talked about hot dishes. Diane said they called them casseroles--here in Mn casserole is the dish the hot dish goes in.I told them about Minnesotas hot dish law & then I told them that the U.S.Senate had a law that bean soup would be on the menu every day in the Senate dining room & this was a Senator from Minn. that got that passed. The Senator was Knute Nelson & this was at the turn of the century.He had gone to the dining room & they did not have bean soup on the menu So he went back to Senate where it was made a Rule that bean soup be on the menu every day. It is not a law but a Senate rule & apparently tradition has taken over as bean soup is still served every day!!Minnesotans get passionate about their food!!Although no one has gotten lutefisk as a rule or law --YET!!
Pat & Pudge left for Florida yesterday-Good timing as it was 14 below here this morning. I am staying in the house!! I made some Spanish rice for lunch today--I haven't had that for a long time.
Tomorrow someone from Life Alert is coming to set it up for me.I hope I never have to use it --but it is a safeguard. You have to pick 2 or 3 people to be first responders so I put down Pudge & Pat & Denny Lindroth & my neighbor Barb Parent. They have to have a key or access to one. I will know more after tomorrow.
Heidi that was to bad about the cabin having bats. I am not afraid of them --just the rabies they carry so I do not like to get to close to them either.
Yesterday I downloaded the pictures from my camera to the computer--I felt so smart that I was able to do that-but I did have good directions.I wish I could send pictures but my computer is too slow but I enjoy everyone elses pix.

Minnesota Winter!!

2008-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

Oh Yes !we have winter in Minn. this past few days! 14 below in AM ! I have'nt stuck my nose out the door for two days except to grab the paper. Tues. Mary Beth & I went to casino (on a bus tour)It wasn't as cold then --I did well as I came home $70 richer. That does not happen very often--usually not at all!! I have gotten some information about Life Alert & I will probably get it. It costs 37.50 a month& they install a speaker phone & check once a mon to see if it is working properly. You can get either a bracelet or a necklace to wear all the time.I like the necklace.Iasked the Dr. about it & he gave me info -Also said it was a good idea for someone living alone. Pat thought it was a good idea too.
This coming weekend Pat & I are going to Liz Reeds wedding in St. Cloud This is my great niece. Then on Sun we are going to Dianes house to get together with Linda,Donna, Janet & I think Jerry.
The wedding is on Sat at 4 pm . we are staying overnight in a motel & will go right to Dianes house on Sun.
I had some turkey noodle soup for lunch & it was just great for a cold day. Stay warm everybody!!

none

2008-01-10T11:03:00.001-08:00

I guess I should blog more often as I forgot how to get in but after a few tries I finally made it!! It was really great to see Heidi,Chad Janet, Donna & my family during the holidays. I still do not have my decorations put away-they are downstairs waiting to be sorted & put away. I have a pinched nerve in my lower back & it affects my rt leg so I have been going to chiropractor & putting ice on it when I sit. It is getting a lot better but not fast enough for me!!
Tues Mary Beth & I are going to the casino in Hinckley-we haven't been to a casino for ages-I think the last time was on our cruise in Oct.
I enjoy reading the blogs & reading Rachel's fromGermany --They sure have had a lot of moves in their life already. And I love all the pix that everyone sends. Aren't computers just amazing?!

General news

2007-12-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

I thought I had posted another blog on Thurs. but Donna told me this that there was no new one--so I checked & it was in draft--I could not figure out how to get it posted then so here is a new one -Hopefully I will do this right!I wrote that we had a wonderful Thanksgiving & that I was getting tired of leftovers.I made a really good turkey soup & that is the end!! I have made a couple of batches of scones this past week to use up the heavy whipping cream that we did not use. Pat gave me some dried cranberries that I put in one batch with some orange zest- they were really good .I have frozen most of them.
Barb Hulback came yesterday to sell her craft stuff at a sale at St. Andrews church. She was there yesterday from 4pm to 8pm & today from 8:30 am to 1pm. She made a little over $100 yesterday & she isn't back yet today.I guess she will be staying here again tonight because of the snow coming down heavy fo the past couple of hours. She lives by Menomonie Wisc--about 1& 1/2 hour drive. She has 2 daughters that live here in Willernie but neither one has extra room so she sleeps here. She makes the BEST fudge so I got the ingedients & she made a batch for me last night.I intend to give it for Chistmas presents--after I give it a taste test!!
Pudge brought over the golf cart & it is now in the garage for the winter. He also checked the snowblowers which is a good thing with the snow falling today.
HAPPY WINTER!!

bad, bad Liz!

2007-11-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Yeah I'm bad for not writing in this blog for so long!!I enjoy reading other peoples blogs but I get lazy & do not write in mine. I love the ones with pix & wish I could do that but My computer is too slow. Last week we went to Donna's --Jerry, Janet, Peder, Sarah & darling Aurelia were there--so guess who got all the attention even tho we were celebrating Jerry,s, Peders & Sarah's birthdays!!
Last night Pat & I went to Bloomington to a church where they have a Christmas tea.The ladies of the church have a table with 8 people --They use their own dishes & decorate the tables--We get a chance to walk around before they serve so we can see all the different tables & how they are decorated--Our table was decorated with purple & gold. We had the same hostess as last year-Donna knows her & that is how we get tickets. Her husband is our waiter. Donna will probably send some pix-Right Donna? They served mixed fruit,mixed greens salad, quiche & dessert & of course tea.
Thanksgiving at my house-almost everyone willbe here.Bobby is working so she will not be here-She works security at the airport & works every holiday--Kim is cooking for Bob's daughter & 2 grandsons. so they will not be here either. There still will be 15 people counting the kids.
Peder said they enjoy my blogs that i write about old times- I will do some more of that in the future(when I can remember some stuff!!) that will give me something to write about.
Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

swimsuit!

2007-10-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

I forgot yesterday to tell you that I made use of my swimsuit!! I went to the hot tub almost every day & it was great!!There were lots ofheavey weights on the shipso I fit right in! Lots of people with walkers & a couple of motorized chairs & wheelchairs. one guy had a broken leg & he was in a wheelchair. Not to many young people on this cruise & only a few very young children.
Wed. Mary Beth went with me to St. Peter For our old friends get together. I have been friends with Eleanor for 70 yrs & Maxine for66 yrs. We have changed a lot in those years!!! We have been getting together once a year now for 20 yrs.

Panama Canal cruise

2007-10-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

It was a great cruise! And the Canal was very interesting to go thru the locks-Our ship had about two feet from the wall of the lock-no chance of error! There are small locomotives on both sides of the lock which have cables to the ship & keep it steady. We were at sea for two days after leaving Fort Lauderdale. I went to beauty shop on ship & had my hair cut & set.The cost wasn't to bad-$52- but a lot more than I pay here as I get sr. discount-$15- I went to the library & took some books to our cabin but did not read much. Our cabin was at the opposite end of the ship from the dining room & buffet - which was probably a good thing as we had to walk a lot!!The food was fantastic! One night I had prime rib-next lamb-then lobster &shrimp-chicken kiev & the desserts were to die for. The buffet was great also-we usually had lunch at the buffet & everyday at 3;30 there was a Tea which we went to a couple of times.Our dinner was at 8pm. We had a real nice group at our table.One couple was from Las Vegas-one from Florida & one from Wales.The lady from Wales had her birthday so her husband treated all of us to champagne!
Our first stop was at Aruba-a small island off the coast of Columbia.We did some shopping there but it was so hot & humid that I could hardly wait to get back to the ship.Then we went to Cartagena-also in Columbia &it was hot there too so I did not get off the ship.Then to the Canal where we went thru the locks to Gatun Lake. Mary Beth got off the ship & took a tour thru rain forest & got back on the ship at Cristobal. I wanted to go thru the locks again so I did not take the tour + the heat was too much for me.At Cristobal the tempature was 87* & the humidity was 97* !!! then on to Limon,Costa Rica where we took a tour of country side & banana plantation. That was great. We were at sea the next day till we came to Ocha Rios Jamaica where we took a tour on a glass bottom boat--I have never paid so much to be uncomfortable in my life!!The boat was small & the benches we had to sit on were only about 14inches high so my knees were practically hitting my chin & you had to lean forward to see thru the glass AND the glass was leaking!! The crew kept mopping up the water with a sponge!! AND the biggest fish we saw was about 6 inches long & not even colorful.I've seen better minnows in a minnow bucket!Boy was I glad to get off that boat ! Good thing it was only an hour & that was to long.
After Jamaica we were at sea heading for Florida --we were north of Cuba when a passenger spotted 3 people in the water- Our ship turned around & sent out two rescue boats & thy searched for three hrs. but did not find anyone.I saw the small raft on the water but it was falling apart & pieces were floating all around .The Coast Guard was notified & we went on our way . We went to a stage show almost every night-1 night we went to a movie-also went to the casino but had no luck at all.Mary Beth did OK-She came out ahead $40 . I was really tired when we got home Sun. eve, I went to bed at 7;30pm & did not get up until 7am. But it was all worth it & I am looking forward to next cruise to Alaska!

Busy Week! (cont'd)

2007-09-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

I accidentally pushed publish before I was done !! Donna , I was sorry to hear about your bird but hope you get another one that sings a lot. Heidi--That was terrible about your hand --it had to be very painful .But I guess it could have been worse & it happened at the end of your vacation didn't it ? Linda it was so good to see you again.I really love getting together with my relatives.
I love the pictures of Aurilia(sp?)It is so neat to see how she grows & tries to do things now. Aren't these computers great??even if they frustrate me !!

Busy week!

2007-09-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have really had a busy week! On Thurs MaryBeth & I went to the casino at Hinckley-just for the day & we both came out ahead which is not usual-so we were both happy! Went to Austin Sat for concert that Janets' Sweet Adeline group were singing. It was really good.And we got to see Linda again and her new car-On Sun we went to Janets & Jerrys for brunch & had a nice visit.And a delicious brunch! On the way to Donnas house we stopped by the Buddhist temple which is by Farmington & Hampton--The address is Hampton. We went inside the temple after asking a man who was doing yard work-(he was Asian & maybe one of the monks) he did not speak English.Inside was altar with a large gold Buddha & vases & flowers & little statues. It is so unusual to see this huge temple in the middle of all the farm land.
On Tues I went on a tour to Duluth & Two Harbors. Tooka bus to Two Harbors where we had lunch & then got on a train which took us back to Duluth. The leaves were great south of Duluth but most of the trees up there on birch or poplar & they were bright yellow Just the sumac was red. It was a long day-Had to catch the bus by Maplewood Mall at 7;15 AM and did not get back until 8PM but I enjoyed the trip.Mary Beth & 4 of her old classmates were on the tour also.

Misc.

2007-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Now that I have a blog again I had better write something! It was cold here last night & there was a frost warning so I covered the tomato plants. Everything was fine this a.m. I was trying to hold out on turning on the heat but this morning got me --It was 60* in here & that was to chilly for me so on came the heat!!& it feels good--I suppose in a couple of days will have the AC on again--so what does a guy expect?This is Minnesota!!
I love the pictures of baby 'Reila --she is just precious. Sarah you are doing so good. Amazing how ideas change about babies. When Wayne was born in 1943 I had to stay in the hospital for 9 days & wasn' allowed to get out of bed for 3 days & then just to sit in a chair for about an hour! It was better in 1946 when Pat was born--Only 6 days in the hospital!!Of course the Doctors finally came to the idea that wasn't so good. They should have known- the pioneer women had their babies in the wee morning hours & then get up & make a meal for the family!!I think now we have hit a happy medium.
Love to all-Keep blogging!

new blog!

2007-09-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to access my blog so I got disgusted & created a new one!!so we will see how this goes.The new blog is readreed-liz.
Yesterday Pat &I went to Kari's for a birthday party for Jamies 6th birthdayAND she is the youngest great grandchild!!I am not going to write much until I find out if this works. I do not have the slightest idea how you will access this blog-if you know let me know!