It's above 32 degrees today

I'm hoping that some of the snow and ice, mostly ice, will melt over the weekend so that I can dig out the sidewalk and steps. It has really been treacherous this week, but so far no falls. I don't want anyone, including me to hurt themself.

I'm going to St. Louis over the weekend to shop. The pile under the tree continues to grow. I am seeing Len again and yesterday ordered something for him from Ireland. They assure me that it will get here before Christmas. I love all this seasonal stuff.

Let me know, Sarah and Jessie, when you plan to get home. I would like to make plans for our time together either Christmas eve or Christmas day. I haven't checked the divorce visit schedule but I will if you want to stick to that. This may affect you, Jessie, more than it does the rest of us due to your work schedule.

Stay safe and warm until then.

Barefoot on the Beach

Wasn't sure I was going to get home Thursday night, the sleet and snow made for an interesting 50 mile commute. Once I got there, I didn't go anywhere and it took the better part of Rachel's Friday morning chopping away at her car. (she did have some help) She is now house sitting at Aunt Molly's for several days while they are in Washington D.C. I had several movies to watch so it seemed the only thing to do was cook comfort food and watch tv. Beef stew, stuffed pork chops, beef stroganoff, and chocolate chip cookies make for a delicious weekend. The front yard has some major branches down but I'm not going to do anything about them until the weather moderates. The high was only 19 degrees yesterday. Hope you all have your winter coats, hats, and gloves handy.

For those of you who weren't there to decorate, the Christmas tree is up and beautiful as always. I have started putting gifts under the tree. Let me know when you all plan to be home to celebrate. Jessie, is the pic of your new friend? Maybe you would like to bring him home for a few days, if you can get the time off. Actually, any time would be nice. Just let me know.

All right, I have updated. I will try to do this more often.

Yes, it's been 15 years

The Halloweenie Roast is set for this Saturday at 6:30. I haven't invited too many people but Rach has and it will just be good to have a bondfire. It has been raining off and on...hope it holds off for Saturday evening.

Last night, I decided to bring Lilly into the house. I'm going to give her a chance to redeem herself now that she is no longer a pup. She went all night without making a mess in her kennel and I'm hoping for the same today. If so, then she can become a house dog. At least quasi like the other two.

I have redecorated my bedroom with new mattress, new linens, new curtains. I really love the memory foam mattress topper. At some point I will make the frame. For now, the mattress is on the floor. I had the heat registers and the single iron bed sandblasted and spray primered everything last night. It was raining so it didn't dry very fast but looked good this morning. Several more coats and then can be reinstalled. It's only been about 7 years!!!!! I am going to strip the waterbed frame and put it in the southeast bedroom with a new mattress. I got a call yesterday that the mattress is in and I'll go get it in the next couple of days.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all this weekend. Jess, have a good time at homecoming.

I want to get off this merry-go-round

My computer is finally fixed but I lost all the links, so I have been trying to rebuild my favorites. Thanks, Sarah, for choosing SUCH an easy word to use for your site. It took me a while to find you.

I am looking forward to seeing you all this weekend. Nothing like a wedding and sr. night to bring out the sisters. The house is torn up but what else is new??? Sarah, could I get the pics from Aunt Molly's wedding?

Spengler Party

Everyone was impressed by Tim dancing. I guess you girls have never seen him do that...haven't been around long enough. It was great having all the company. Next time, Sarah count the beds so that Ryan doesn't have to double up.

This a.m. in Psychology Class we ran an experiement dropping Mentos into Diet Coke and Diet Sam's cola. We are studying experimental design and this was a visual lesson on how to do a lab experiment. It's a beautiful day and it was nice being outside for a while this morning.

I still haven't got the kitchen straightened around from the party. The food is almost gone, except for the fruit which is not going to last much longer. I'm afraid I'm going to have to dump it. Rachel and I ate the potato chips right away. I so seldom buy them but I love them soooo much. I'd rather have those than sweets. Rachel has been eating the chocolate cake and it is almost gone. I told Larry about Kevin's hat and he told me how to clean it. It turns out he had one to show in when he was younger.

I went to The Inn at 834 last night to hear music and was surprised to see Michael Taylor (not our cousin) sitting in for the guitar player. I don't know if you remember him but he and his wife Jean live in Pawnee and he has a recording studio. I used to see them a lot. I'm getting out more to some of the things I used to do. Saturday night there is a series of art openings and am planning to attend those. That and mow the yard.

Whoever took the pic of you girls, I would love to have a copy for my desk. I forgot my camera this morning, but I promise that next week I will make copies of the party for all of you.

Don't worry about J. R. keeping up...We talk

R. and I went over to M.'s house last night and she seems to have everything under control for the weekend. On Saturday a.m. she is needing help decorating and getting things out to the lake. I'm sure we'll have enough help to do that. The Iowa family is going to visit their house on Saturday around midday so the breakfast on Sunday is off. Kevin really wanted to get on the road to the west and the breakfast/brunch was originally set up so they could visit the house and see where they live. I'll be having breakfast at my house, or going out for anyone who wants to be present. Just give me a count of heads on Saturday.

I have been VERY busy here at school but things will settle down after Labor Day. I am planning a couple of outings this fall...just bought tickets to see Spamalot at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis and I think I will be going to the Breeder's Cup at Louisville, KY. At least that is the plan for now. I went to my first horse race in June and boy! was it a lot of fun! At least one of us knew what was going on.

R. is getting so much mail from colleges, it clogs the mailbox. Her stack is bigger than mine, now! We are attending another get-together in St. Louis which is set up by MIT. She was invited this time, probably because she attended last year. We are still going to visit Northwestern and Washington U. this fall.

The waterbed sprung a leak so I am in the process of knocking it down and building a new bedframe. It has become too big of a hassle to have a water mattress so I decided to get something else for a change. I'm waiting for the income tax check to come back and then I will buy a new mattress. In the meantime, I am sleeping on one of the twin mattresses on the floor in the front room. Tonight, I'm going to get the bed situation straightened around in anticipation of anyone who wants to stay at Prairie Sky over the weekend. There will plenty of room.

I'm excited about seeing everyone. Can't wait!!!

OK, I've been off for the summer

Back at school...bummer!!! It took the better part of an hour to get the computer up and working but I'm Baaaaack. Am looking forward to the State Fair and the wedding and have lots of news to tell everyone. Nice car, er truck, Jessie. More later.