April "Winds"

I thought March was the windy month?? Well, we have sure been having lots of wind the last several days. But before that we enjoyed 80 degree temps!! Lots of sunshine though - which is wonderful. Dan's surgery went well but they did find lots of damage to the shoulder and had to reconnect several tendons. He was definately laid up for about a month. He is now back in the tractor mixing feed and planting crops. I am sure it is more than the Dr. would allow!! He has therapy 3 times a week. He is not using his right arm much - no strength as far as lifting it up. Therapy will have to build the strength back up. He is getting good at doing things with one arm and a little assistance from the other. His other arm really hurts sometimes at night because it is getting such a workout!!

We enjoyed our Spring vacation in Tennessee. We had rented a cabin in the mountains and let me tell you, it was really in the mountains!! Winding, switch back roads to get to it but it was beautiful. Had a hot tub on the deck which we really enjoyed every evening and morning. We went to several dinner shows, did some hiking in the Smoky Mountains, spent one day at Dollywood - an amusement park, and of course, the usual tourist shopping.

The school count down is on - 7 weeks. Next will be our annual fishing trip to Canada as soon as school gets out. And looking forward to family reunion in Montana this summer.

Time to get started with Saturday work. We have to do some cleaning up in the yard and mowing grass. Angela and Travis working at the campground so probably won't get much help from them!!

Surprise, Surprise!!

Well, lets see if everyone has given up on me or if "someone" still checks my blog once in awhile!! If so, you are in for a surprise because I am actually writing!! Let me know as I may keep up with this.

The school year has been busy. Angela played volleyball, just finished gymnastics, and has now started track. She is also driving now so that saves me a lot of running. Travis enjoyed football and I think he is now going to do track. School is going well for both of them.

Dan has surgery on his shoulder tomorrow and will be in a sling for 2 months. The tendon is tore in 3 different places. He will have to be very careful and will be limited as to what he can do. Will be interesting. He thinks maybe he will like it so well he will retire. I kind of think it may be the other way - he will be anxious to get back to work!!

I promise to write again!!

Memorial Day

As I was having my morning coffee, I was so thankful for an email from Dale and Bonnie with pictures of Ken's, Mom, and Dad's graves. I took some time to reflect and have some memories of each one - and miss them so much once again. Thinking of each one who would be remembering loved ones.

As the day is coming to an end, I feel like it was a wonderful "Monday". So glad to have an extra day at home before going back to school. We started our day with our morning walk. Danelle went with me - she was ready to walk after her half marathon yesterday. Michael cooked brats and hamburgers on the grill for our lunch. Caught up with all the laundry. Finished switching my closet from winter to summer. I don't have one of those "year round" closets!! Did some work outside in the yard. I actually feel like going back to school tomorrow! Only 2 1/2 weeks left!!

Graduation

We all went to Minnesota for Danelle's graduation Saturday. We had a wonderful week end. Can hardly believe her 4 years is over and now she starts another phase of life. We got all her stuff moved out of her apartment. Had a nice time at Irene's and special to be there for meeting on Sunday with the people Danelle has been meeting with. Jane came up from Iowa and Jerry and his kids were there. Now, Danelle is living at home until her apartment in Madison in available - June 1. She started her job today and her shift if 1:00-10:00. So, we probably won't be seeing much of her. She is working at Orange Shoe Gym as a personal trainer.

As for the rest of us, Dan is busy planting corn, Michael is still working night shift as a diesel mechanic, Angela, Travis and I are counting the days until school gets out!!! We are all anxious for Summer.

The Golf Cart Ride

Ok Brenda (and everyone else), here is the golf cart story. We spent a day at Catalina Island while in CA. Dale was so excited about renting a golf cart and being our chauffeur. Sounded like fun!! We were given a map and had to follow a route - or I should say, we couldn't just go anyplace we wanted to. Maybe that was a good thing as I am afraid of where we might have ended up. This golf cart held all 6 of us. Dale at the wheel with Travis as co-pilot (first mistake to put those 2 together), Bonnie and Angela in the middle, Dan and I the brave souls who sat in back - also facing backwards. Well, our driver and co-pilot couldn't wait to see how fast it would go. Ha Ha - not very fast!! Which was definately good for our safety. Sometimes we weren't sure if we were going to make it up the hills or if Dan and I would have to get off and push. The sad part, we were even getting passed by golf carts!!! That did not go over well with Dale and Travis as the rest of us thought it was pretty funny!! Travis keeps telling Dale to "Go faster". Well, he was going as fast as he could. But sometimes it was too fast - going downhill or around some corners. We thought for sure we were going to tip over a few times. It probably felt worse in the back. Thank goodness for the seat belts. He did almost lose Dan one time. Anyway, it was fun and a beautiful, leisurely ride!!! Wow, 2 posts in one day!!!

Turkey Hunt

The night before, Travis sets up the turkey blind and chairs. You know, you have to be comfortable while hunting!! All the supplies are ready for an early morning. Oh yes, and a little practicing with the turkey calls - gobbles!! Up at 4:00, gather everything up and walk up to the woods. Just a little bit of rain - which is okay because they have a little tent. We know there is a nice tom up there because we've been watching him every morning come out and strut across the field. Dan and Travis are so excited as they start their turkey "gobbles" and watch him come down from his roost and out of the woods. They gobble and he gobbles back at them. So, they are now having turkey conversation and just watching him and hoping to call him in close enough to shoot. Well, to their surprise, all of a sudden, there is a gun shot and their treasured turkey falls over. I can only imagine the look of surprise on their faces as they watched this and look at one another - wondering what happened. Well, someone decided to sit in our woods and help themselves to the turkey. Needless to say, this person will not be on our property again!! So, now they have to find another place where the turkeys are. They were quite disappointed. This is Travis's first year to hunt and he was so excited. This week is Dan's tag and next week is Travis's. So, they will get to hunt for 2 weeks. Will let you know if they have any luck!!

Dreary Days!!!

Well, it has been raining, cold and damp. The thing that is the most upsetting is I haven't been out to walk. I have to admit, I am a fair weather walker. We had some really nice days and I was enjoying my walks after work. Now, nothing!!! I have a treadmill and eliptical sitting here - but they are not as much fun after walking outside. Anyone else have that problem?? I just felt like complaining a little. Maybe I should post some CA pictures - that might brighten my attitude. I don't even have them on my computer yet. Maybe next time.