Thursday, December 30, 2010 I can't believe how long it has been since I have written on this blog. Christmas is over, Thank God, and tomorrow night it will be 2011. To recap some of the things that has happened since I last wrote, or at least I will try to remember !!!
Randy arrived in late summer and spent a little over two months back in Arkansas. It was great seeing him and he came over here alot, either on his tractor or ATV. Now he is back in California and he called me today to tell me he had got the gifts we picked out for him. He loved everything, a hat with hair, a t-shirt and a puzzle. Ken got the same puzzle for Christmas, plus a clock that runs on balls, a real fancy thermameter, and a hat. We spent the day here, and Ken really enjoy his Chrismas. I fixed the meal he wanted for Christmas dinner. I had his room all decorated for Christmas and even bought a "flat" Christmas tree that hangs on the wall like a picture. I got two special need kitties, one is particiallly blind and her name is Mikko, and the other one is Ms. Olivia and she has a brain injury. I bought quite a few guineas (babies) and also some chickens. We are not getting eggs which we don't eat. In the summer I was giving Randy all the eggs but now they are gathering dust in the frigerator.

Saturday, 31 July 2010

I can't believe that I haven't written since April. Which shows that in the summer I am too busy to mess around with the computer much.

I planted a large garden this summer. White and sweet potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and banana peppers, green beans, broccoli, onions, califlower (which didn't come up), brussel sprouts, acorn and butternut squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, gords, radishes, zucchini, and asapargus. I was able to can quite abit and still have more canning I hope to do. One of our peach trees produced 6 quarts of fruit which is already for winter. The other peach tree also has peaches on it but it won't be ready to pick until fall. We had 1 pear which I haven't checked lately so it may be ready to pick. We planted 2 more cherry trees since the ones we had died. I also planted 6 elm trees, and two cedar trees, plus some other varieties of trees, mainly for shade. Our weather has been really hard on the garden. We need rain badly. It clouds up, even lightening and thunders and then no rain. Once in a while we get a very light sprinkle but not enough to water anything.

I bought 15 two week old guineas which are now 5 weeks old. I put them outside yesterday in a large cage and they will be released after they get all their feather and can fly in the trees for safety.

David came down earlier in the summer. He brought back our trailer and also gave us some of his homemade goodies. He made 2 planters, 2 trillis's, and one bird feeder. I hand dug a hole for the birdfeeder.

Ken ordered another flag which I also hand dug a hold for the pole. We put it up beside the road and it really looks nice. Plus it will be an easy thing to see from the road incase someone comes that doesn't know where we live.

My little dog Robbie was killed by a car and about 6 weeks later I got a different dog named Abbie. She is very small and is a lap dog. I really like her and love to hold her.

We are in hopes that Kenny, Melissa and the kids will be able to visit us in August when Kenny takes his vacation. But at the moment I don't think they will be able to come. Ken is just heart sick about not seeing them. If we had the extra money, I would fly him out there to see Kenny but it will go on my list of things to do when we win the lottery. I did order some toys for the kids but it looks like they won't get them till later.

Ken got shingles and is taking medicine for them now. He is not in as much pain as he was because the doctor is giving him pain pills.

Randy is suppose to pull in August 3rd and both Ken and I are looking forward to having him back here from California.

This summer two of my nieces found me on Face Book, Anglea and Peggy. It is great to be able to chat with both of them again. I don't think the girls know how much it meant for them to get in touch with me again.

I seldom get to chat with Gary but it sounds like he is having alot of fun this summer. Larry is back living with his father. I haven't talked to him in ages.

I held a garage sale for Tender Heart. I didn't make as much as I hoped but was able to give Andrea White a small amount of money to help with the wild life.

I haven't gained any of the weight I lost and in fact lost a little more. Depending on the brand, I can wear 14's, 12's and 10's. I really have to watch what I eat or I am finding I can gain a pound of two real fast. I also had my hair cut off. It was really long, hanging down from my back bra but it was a pain in the ass to keep it up, plus it was hot. Now it is really short and I kind of like it. I don't love it this short but now I can wash and go in it which is one thing I couldn't do with the long hair.

I baby sit with Yuki earlier this year and will be again in two weeks. Plus I have taken care of Sam and Romona's dogs several times when they go someplace. And if they go on a trip they always have me come over and check the house for them. In about a month, Cindy Keeter wants me to take care of her dogs and cats when she flies to New Jersey. I will only be doing that for 3 days.

I lost to Ferrets, one to a stroke and one to cancer and gained 2 Ferrets, Ringo and Bear. So I still only have 4 ferrets. I think they are the sweetest animals. All the rest of our critters are fine.

1 May 2010

We got a little rain this morning but enough to soak me to the skin. I was outside filling up the humming bird feeders when Mother Nature decided that I needed a shower. I came into the house dripping. I can't than Mother Nature enough. I did get all the humming bird feeders filled, I might add. Ken stayed in bed most of the day watching racing. Only problem was most of the racing shows were rained out. He did find one though. Sam and Romona came over in the late afternoon. They came over on one of their ATV's. Romana brought me some small trees that were growing in her yard and I gave her a wondering Jew. I am not going to plant the trees until I get some tomato cages to put on top of them. Mainly because they are very small and I know either Ken or I will mow them down unless I have something to show us where they are planted.

Friday, 30th of April 2010

All day we waited for the rain but it didn't rain till early evening and then it really rained. But we did have alot of wind and I brought in my 4 containers of flowers because the wind was trying to beat them to death. I mowed grass all morning and a little in the afternoon and then I quit because my back was saying quit now or you will pay hill. Ken went out and mowed some too. I broke my belt on the garden tractor so I used Ken's mower. Ken and I put the bird feeder up that David had made me on a pole. It really looks nice. We ended getting almost 3 inches of much needed rain . Now my garden should be happy but the problem is, it also makes the grass grow. There is no justice in this world.

Thursday, 29th of August 2010

Ken hasn't been feeling to hot in the last couple of days. He didn't even get on his computer until evening. He needs a lap top so he could get on-line while he is in bed. I drove up to Tennison and bought some plants at Bamba's, then Quality Feed to buy dog food, plus bird seed. Then over to Dollar General just to buy a few needed things. One was Ice Cream because Ken has been enjoying having some mainly for dessert in the evening. I was going to stop at the gas station to buy gas for the mower and my car but I didn't want ice cream soup so headed back to the house to put the ice cream in the freezer. Then went back to the gas station for the much needed gas. I then drove past our place to the Hilltop Liquor Store to get Ken some wine. He drinks a little almost every evening. When I got home, planted the flowers in 2 hanging pots. Only problem is, we live on Hurrican Hill (just kidding) and the wind is blowing awful. I finally brought all four hanging flower pots into the house for they were being blown all over the place. I watered all the trees, flowers, and garden with the sprayer. It sure makes it easier to water things for now I can just drive up to the needed plant or tree and spray it until it has had it's fill of water. Unhooked the sprayer, then started mowing grass. I mowed until it got dark. Only got the front and back where the fruit trees are, then started up the driveway on both sides. I can't believe how much the grass has grown. I am going to try to do some mowing Friday before the rains come.

Wednesday, 28th of April 2010

Woke up to the phone ringing. It was Andrea and she was heading to Harrison and wondered if I would meet her there so she could give me more yard sale items. I bought some tubs while I was in Wal Mart to store things in. Ken worked on the spayer and got it put together and then tested it by watering the plants. Plus he started a fire in the back and tried to burn the stump. It burned a little but it is still there! Jessie came by and checked Ken's oxygen machines and left more tanks. I got to see a picture of her new baby girl. She is darling. Ken went to bed in the early afternoon and stayed there the rest of the day. I think being outside really made him tired for he slept most of the afternoon. I worked on the items that Andrea gave me. I ironed a hugh amount of cloth napkins and got them all packaged up. I ran out of plastic bags or probably could have finished packaging everything and pricing them. I also had to make more price tags.

Tuesday, 27th of April 2010

Ken rode with me to Harrison but didn't get out of the car. We went to Home Depot, Millers Hardware, Wal Mart and Tractor Supply. I saw Joyce at Tractor Supply. I bought a weed sprayer but I am going to use it to water all my plants. We stopped at Wal Mart and they had got more fruit trees in and I was able to buy another cherry tree, plus I bought flowers to put in the big planters. I saw Romona at Wal Mart and she offered to bring home the cherry tree and the 2-50lbs of top soil in Sam's truck. Our car was full and I don't think we would have been able to get it home otherwise. We put one of the planters on Robbie's grave. The other one I put beside the steps in the front of the house. I am going to build a stand for the bird feeder but haven't started it yet. When I got home I hand dug another hole for the cherry tree and planted the flowers in the planters. They look really nice.

Monday, 26th of April 2010

We had lots of company today. First Sam stopped by and connected the wires in the carport so now we have electricity. Then Betty and Wayne came and picked up Yuki. Just as soon as they left, David pulled in with all sorts of goodies. David built me two planters, one large bird feeder, and 2 trellises. Plus he bought me a cherry tree, and some garden plants and seeds. In the evening I hand dug a hole and planted the cherry tree, plus planted all the plants he had bought me.

Sunday, 25th of April 2010

Ken and I went out to the carport and cleaned up the trash I had found. We were going to stay out longer but the wind is really blowing so we said the heck with it. Ken watched racing most of the afternoon. I drove up to Sam and Romona's to see if they had a t-bar driver, but Sam didn't. Sam thinks he will be down tomorrow to connect the electricity in the carport. David had talked about driving down today but he didn't because he didn't feel very good. He says he will be here on Thursday of this coming week.

Saturday, 24th of April, 2010

This has been a strange day for weather. One minute it gets dark and then rains like heck, then the sky clears. Then within a hour, it is cloudy, and raining again. I mainly cleaned the house and washed clothes. Talked to David. He is sick and he isn't for sure if he will be coming down tomorrow with the trailer. I hope he stays home if he is sick for Ken or I sure don't want to catch what he has. When the t.v. wasn't messing up because of the weather, Ken got to watch races most of the day.

Friday, 23rd of April 2010

Ken and I went to Harrison and stopped at Wal Mart and Home Depot to buy more seeds and plants. In plants I bought 4 egg plants and 6 brocolie plants. In seeds I bought califlower, brussel sprouts, and acorn squash. I planted the squash with the rest of vine plants. The califlower and brussel sprouts, I planted them in cake pans and hopefully with in two weeks I can plant them. I also bought 12 plants of asparagus which are not planted. They are packed in sawdust and I won't plant them until the new raised garden boxes are built.

Thursday, 22nd of April 2010

I watered the garden this morning since we really are not getting enough rain to really make the soil wet. Planted muskmelons, watermelons, squash, pumpkins, and several varieties of gords. Sam came over to visit with Ken,

Wednesday, 21st of April 2010

Ken went out for a little while in the morning but his back was bothering him so he went back to bed and mainly watched t.v. I went out in the morning and found a few weeds growing in the garden, which are now goners. In the afternoon I suggested to Ken that we drive to Yellville to Hudson's Grocery Store since they have a small garden area and see if we can find a tree that we like to replace the one we lost over the winter. I bought a pot of decorative ferns for the front of the house, a Silver Maple to replace the tree we lost, and a Evergreen to plant. When we got home, I hand dug three holes, put the fern by the house, the Silver Maple in the front part of our yard, and the Evergeen which is called an Arborvitae Green Giant #3 between the house and the carport. Hand digging in this rocky soil is hard work but they are all now planted and the work will be forgotten within days.

Tuesday, 20th of April 2010

Ken was able to get up for the first time in about a week. He went outside and actually got on his mower and mowed till noon. Then he came in, ate a little lunch and layed down for awhile. I also mowed in the morning and part of the afternoon until Betty and Wayne stopped by with Yuki. I am going to baby sit with Yuki while they go to North Carolina for a week. After they left, Ken and I both got on our mowers and finished mowing the whole place. Boy does it look nice. I need to fix a little supper and then I expect we will watch t.v. until we fall asleep.

Tuesday the 13th through Tuesday the 29th, April 2010

Goodness. A whole week has gone by without me writing anything. It's not that I had forgotten to write but Ken hurt his back really bad and almost everytime I get on the computer, he is calling me for something. Ken comes first here.

Ken hurt his back last Tuesday the 13th. We are not for sure how but I suspect he twisted wrong when he was trying to shovel the rock and dirt back into the trench where the electric line is running from the pole to the carport. I saw he was getting quite winded so I went out to help him. At that time I nor even him had any idea he had hurt his back. I wasn't able to do it real good but at least now you don't see the pvc pipe in the trench. Sam came over later in the week and saw it and said he would come over and really fill it in with his tractor. At the time of Ken working on the trench, he had no idea he had hurt his back but by the next morning he was laying in the bed in massive pain. About all he can do is get up to go to the bathroom using his walker, but otherwise he is confined to the bed.

Ken had ordered a t.v. from Amazon on Sunday and Wednesday we received it. Then Friday a man from Direct T.V. came out and got his room wired so now Ken can watch t.v. The t.v. works fantastic. Great color and Ken is really enjoying it.

Friday I went to Wal Mart in Harrison and bought some much needed groceries. I was practically out of everything. I shouldn't let my larder go down so low but I didn't feel comfortable leaving Ken for any length of time. But now with the t.v. working, I felt more comfortable leaving him for I knew he would probably watch t.v. the whole time I was gone.
Later in the afternoon Sam came over and visited with Ken for quite awhile. Sam really likes Ken's new bedroom and enjoyed setting on the sofa talking to Ken.

I mowed the front part of the yard but didn't mow the whole area from highway down to the house. Now (Apr. 29th) it looks awful and I plan on starting the mower and get busy today. Thank goodness I enjoy mowing or I would be really dreading the job.

I have been working on the garden alot. I now have 7 tomato plants in the ground, 6 banana peppers, 6 green sweet peppers, plus I planted bush green beans (4 packages), cucumbers, onions, and zuchini. The rest of my seeds will be planted as soon as I can prepare the ground where I plan on planting the vine plants. I need to rough up the soil and I may have Ken do it when he is feeling better with the garden tractor and rake, or just call Sam and have him do it. So far my pole green beans, radishes, and white potatoes are up. Everything looks good so far. Which means we haven't had any storms to blow things down or hail to crush the daylights out of them. I also bought two hanging flower plants which are now in the garden hanging above the raised garden boxes. I have been carrying over the timbers to the place where I want to build four more raised garden boxes. Two large and two small boxes. I think I have enough timbers but need to buy a batch of lag bolts and washers to put them together.

David called and said he would be coming down here on April 22nd to bring us our trailer and he is also going to bring me some rhubarb plants. Ken is not fond of rhubarb but I sure am. It will be nice to have the trailer back home. There has been several times I needed it this last year but I hated to bitch at David about getting it back here.

Another niece contacted me. Angie (Callahan) Ocasio who is Alberta (Lehmer) Callahan's oldest daughter. Known her since the day she was born. She is now married and has 4 children. Angie lives in Bellevue, Nebraska. She filled me in on her brothers, Todd and Brian, but we didn't get to talk about her younger sister, Melinda. That will come tonight if I see Angie on FaceBook to chat with her. I am thrilled that my nieces are contacting me. Alberta doesn't have a computer but looked at the pictures on Angie's computer and enjoyed them. I wish Alberta had a computer for I can't imagine not having one. I always loved Alberta and felt like she was my little sister. She use to stay all night with Jerry and I when she was young.

Joyce gave me a whole batch of newspapers. I kept some but also shared with Sam. We both use them for the garden, plus I use them for the Ferrets. I shredded some and put them around the pepper plants. Some of the tomato plants I put the two broken aquariums over them protecting them from the cold evenings, and the others I cut the bottom out of some plastic jugs and put the tomato plants in the jugs. I can remove the lids during the day and at night put the lids on the jugs and they will not feel the cold as much. And of course the newspaper tucked around the peppers helps them from feeling the cold.

Ken has a hard time getting me to hear him when I am in the kitchen or bedroom, so I went out and brought in the motion detector which lets us know if anyone has driven into our driveway. Now all Ken has to do is wave his hand over the detector and it goes off. I can hear it with no problem. Ken has been testing it quite abit to make sure I can hear it! LOL

Our first Hummingbird flew in on the 15th. Of course a male, then on the 16th, we had another male fly in. On the 18th I saw my first female. We should be seeing lots more arriving any day now. I have all my nectar feeders filled so there is no shortage of sugar water for them to drink. Still haven't seen any Oriole's but they should be arriving soon. Plus no Blue Birds or wWrens are using their new homes as of yet. Probably too soon to start a family but I am so anxious to see all the birds I enjoy watching.

I have been pricing things for the yard sale for Tender Heart Wildlife Rehab. Joyce gave me quite abit of things which both Andrea and I appriciated. I need to start advertising in the newspaper and radio now. I am planning on having the sale on May 7th and 8th. I also need to make sale signs to place on the highway. Not for sure what I will use for we don't have any large boards here. But I will think of something.

Wed, 7th through Mon, 12 of May 2010

It has been several days since I have posted anything on here. I just haven't felt like writing. Ken and I are still missing Robbie. I will try to remember some of the main highlights of the days I have missed writing on here. Sam and Romona arrived back home last Thursday. Sam drove over here Friday and buried Robbie for us. I went into the house crying and stayed there for quite awhile. Thank Goodness Ken was able to be there for the burial. Before Sam came over Thursday, both Ken and I mowed the grass and Ken was able to finish the back Friday. Monday the oxygen people came out and brought us a batch of oxygen tanks. I talked to Romona also on Monday about helping me price things for the yard sale. I also mentioned I needed Sam to come over and help me move the sofa bed out of Ken's bedroom and bring in the other hospital bed into that room so I can sleep beside Ken and be there for him if he needs me. Not for sure when he will be able to do this but knowing Sam I won't have to wait very long. Sunday Ken got on the computer and ordered himself a t.v. for his bedroom. I called Direct T.V. and they will be out Friday to connect the t.v. to Direct. That is, if the t.v. arrives as fast as they say it will. Thursday Ken and I drove to Fayetteville to see the oxygen doctor. When we got back to Harrison we stopped and ate. First time we had been out to eat in ages. Later that evening Daniel Strout stopped by and visited with Ken and I. He is running for sheriff of Boone County. We really like him and plan on supporting him. We told him he could put signs in our front yard, close to the highway. Drove to Harrison on Saturday and met with Andrea to pick up more yard sale items. Then in the afternoon I drove over to Joyce's for she also had some sale items to donate. She thinks she will have more items to give to the sale. With in the last two weeks I have heard from two of my nieces from my "former" life. I am thrilled. It is wonderful to know that they haven't forgotten me. Their names are Peggy (Todden) Rothmeyer and Angela (Callahan) Ocasio.

Tuesday, 6th of April 2010

I drove Ken's Garden Tractor up to Sam and Romona's to mow the grass but found out I had a flat tire. So I limped home. The Sears man came out and fixed both mine and Ken's garden tractor and then we both drove up there and mowed the front lawn. Sure looks better than it did.
It really looks like rain but around here you never know just by looking at the clouds if it will rain or not.

Monday, 5th of April 2010

I drove to Flippin and did a little shopping at Wal Mart and also bought gas there. Drove up to Sam and Romona's and watered the plants and fed the birds. Boy is there grass in the front yard getting long. I am going to ask Ken if he cares if I mow it.

Sunday, 4th of April 2010

Very quiet Sunday. We didn't really do anything that is worth writing about.

Saturday, 3rd of April 2010

Ken went outside and drove his garden tractor down to the area that he would want a fence for the horses. He wanted to get an idea how much land that would consist of. It wasn't as much as he thought but it is still big enough to keep the horses. I really don't think we will end up with them but you never know.
I have been staying inside most of the time today. I did go outside and plant a few hills of potatoes. Most of the time, I am thinking of Robbie and tearing up. I keep seeing him but sadly it is just in my mind. I can hardly stand this grief but with time I know it will get easier.

Friday, 2nd of April, 2010

Robbie still hasn't come home. We are still hopeful that we will see him but so far no sign of him. I even have food left outside, just incase, but he hasn't been here to eat it.
I worked on the garden today. I got all the newspapers layed down and covered with straw. Now I need to work on the outside of the garden boxes but I am not in a big hurry about doing that until I get more boxes made. I moved the miniture pumpkins and gords plants to their home. They really look good. My radish plants are now out of the ground. I planted one row of pole beans and found some watermellon seed that I had saved from last summer and planted them in the garden, covering them with the aquariums.
I started to drive around the neighborhood to look for Robbie in the afternoon but I didn't have to go far. He was laying beside the highway dead. You could tell that it had happen probably within an hour. He was very badly hurt and I am sure he didn't know what hit him and hopefully didn't suffer. Ken and I will miss him so badly and I feel so depressed and sad. He was my buddy and always was with me. I just don't understand why he would run for he had a good home with plenty of food, and love.
Joyce called in the evening and wants us to keep two horses that her cleaning lady has. She knows we don't have a fence or any type of shelter but we sure do have the land to keep one on. When she told Jennifer that, Jennifer offered to put a fence up and build a shelter for the horses. I told Joyce to have Jennifer to come over to look at the area we would want the horses kept in, and to discuss what kind of fence and shelter she would put on the land. Jennifer has five children and wants a place just to keep them but she is not going to give them away for her boys love them, and want to ride them. Joyce also said she has found a free Welsch Pony that needs a home, plus the people that have the pony also have two pregnant horses and they want to give those ponys away when they are big enough to leave their mother. We can't keep these free horses unless Jennifer builds us the fence. So it is just a wait and see.
I had a terrible time sleeping. All I can think about is Robbie and why he would have left this place. Ken says he didn't run away, that he was just a dog that wanted to run. But nothing no one says helps. I just miss him so much. Ken wrote to Sam and told him and asked him to dig a hole for burial of Robbie's remains. I am sure Sam will do it but it won't be till next week when he gets back from California.

Thursday, 1st of April, 2010

Still no Robbie. Both Ken and I keep looking in the field beside of us and calling but no sign of him as of yet. I drove up and down the highway, just incase I saw his little body laying there but he wasn't there.
Ken and I mowed the grass in the front part of our land. We got it all done. Our weather was beautiful and infact it got quite warm in the afternoon. I drove up to the gas station and filled both containers with gas. When full those gas containers are heavy.

Wednesday, 31st of March 2010

When I got up one of the first things I did was nail the strips on the board we will be putting on the bird feeder. Then Ken and I worked a little bit more on the wire, only this time it was in the carport. Ken cut the post for the bird feeder we are building, I hand dug a hole and got it buried. It really looks nice.

It was so nice in the evening Ken and I went out side and set on the deck. Of course all the dogs went with us. We were just looking at the scenery and all at once I saw Robbie run around our neighbors house. Ken and I both called him but he wouldn't return home. I was up almost all night walking around the deck and even walked up to the neighbors house calling Robbie but never saw him.

Tuesday, 30th of March 2010

Both Ken and I spent quite abit of time outside. I hosed out all the buckets. Ken got things ready to string the wire from the pole to the carport and then had me help him. We must have worked at least 2 + hours on it. But we got the wire to the carport after shoving it into a pipe first, then glueing the pipes together. In the afternoon I drove to Joyce's and picked up newspapers, then to Sam & Romona's and fed the birds and watered the plants and then back home. Ken cut the board which we will put around the large board which will hold feed in the new homemade bird feeder. David called in the evening and said he had got his birdhouse books. He seemed very pleased. Marie and Don also called and wanted the phone number and address of a cousin of ours, Julian Warren of Oregon.

Monday, 29th of March 2010

Today Ken and I both had a busy day. Ken went out with me and drove his garden tractor with trailer and I filled it up with food garbage that I keep in a bucket, and dog and cat poop that are also kept in buckets. Then I got on my garden tractor and we drove to two different locations and dumped it all. Usually the coyotes and birds clean up the food garbage in no time at all. The poop we use to fill in holes on our land and eventually we will put soil on top and sprinkle grass seed. Actually we are waiting for Kenny Hardman to bring us a load of top soil but so far no truck has driven down our driveway. Ken then started mowing the front section of our land. I let him do it for quite awhile and then stopped him and had him go in and lay down, for when he sets up for quite awhile, his feet really start swelling. I had made a list of things to do today and got all but one item done. There is always tomorrow. In the garden I layed down what newspaper I had and covered it with straw, then picked up all the rock that I had dumped from a tub that I used for flowers. I put a fence post in the tub and then filled it with rock. I don't think the post will fall any time soon, unless we have a tornado here! I also tried to rake the garden and stir the horse poop into the soil, watered the garden and then moved a plastic cover from the fur trees to a different location, plus put duck tape on an aquarium side that was broke. I turn the aquariums upside down, and use them as hot houses for new plants. I have two broke ones that I use and they really are working out the way I wanted them too. Right now I have seeds started in them and they are all up and look real good.
I finished the bird feeder in the back yard by Ken's bedroom windows and it looks great. I will be able to feed regular birds that eat seed, plus hummingbirds and orioles for I have seperate feeders for the nector drinking birds. Ken and I burned papers in the wood pile which is close to the driveway enterance. By doing that , we were able to knock down the wood pile. Ken helped me hang two new bird houses for the bluebirds. Now I have four and hopefully all will be filled this summer.
We had all the house dogs out and Robbie ran off. He is good at that! He didn't come home until evening, He stunk like hell and was really dirty. I gave him a bath and then Sugar got a bath too. From now on, when we are out for any lenght of time, Robbie will be chained up to the dog house outside. We sure don't want to lose him or have a coyote make a quick meal of him. Ken has now given Robbie a new nick-name, "The Arkansas Travler".
Ken is feeling better today, although his feet are still quite swollen. I think by going outside it did him a world of good.

Sunday, 28th of March 2010

It's been a quiet day today for both of us. Ken did get on the computer for a little while. I cleaned the mouse cages and cleaned the kitchen too. Ken wanted to watch racing but the races were rained out. I used four buckets of horse poop on the garden. Randy called in the evening to check on us. He sure is thoughtful.

Saturday, 27th of March 2010

I had a busy day. I drove over to Joyce's early in the morning and took her 6 empty buckets which will be filled with hourse poop by the afternoon. Joyce is having her horse barn cleaned out and horse poop makes great fertilizer for the garden. I also went to the postoffice bought some stamps, and mailed Easter cards to Leslie, Luke and Liam. When I got home Andrea called and wanted to meet me at the Dollar General to give me a batch of items for the garage sale that I will have for her. Andrea takes in wild animals that are hurt and I wanted to help her and this was about the only way I could do it. I am planning on have the sale in the middle of May. After I picked up the garage sale items, I drove back to Joyce's and brought home 6 full buckets of horse poop. It stormed, not a lot of rain but when it came down it was pouring, plus we got a small amount of hail. Ken has been staying in bed and I think his feet look better. Ken got to chat with John on FaceBook. I sorted all the things that Andrea had, hung up a batch of clothes. Sure hope I can get other people to donate items for this sale.

Friday, 26th of March 2010

We had a nice day. Ken and I set out on the back deck for quite awhile. I have been trying and pretty much succeeding keeping Ken's feet elevated today, either in his bed or in the motorized wheel chair. His feet are swollen really bad and he even took water pills to hopefully get the swelling down. He had been going to the bathroom alot but so far both feet still look quite swollen. I moved the 4 bird feeders to their proper home in the front yard. Two were on the front deck, close to Ken's window but the Opposum was eating out of them every evening and making a total mess. I also mowed the front yard, just in front of the house. The grass wasn't real tall but it was growing in clumps so I at least got it to look smooth. Drove over to Sam and Romona's place and everything was o.k. I did put feed out for their wild birds. I got a package today of wild bird products, 2 oriole nector feeders, 2 small bird houses, and three hooks to hold either the nector containers or a bird house if it is the hanging kind. The new ones I got today, hook onto the side of a building or tree. Ken says that if it is not raining tomorrow, we will go outside and put the 2 new bird houses on 2 different light poles near the house so we can see the birds using their new homes. But the weather people are saying we stand a 60% chance of rain with thunder. YUK. I received quite a few Happy Birthday Greetings from family and friends on FaceBook. Even Leslie sent me one which was my favorite!!!

Thursday, 25th of March 2010

It rained almost all day but it was a light rain. We got about an inch and a half. Ken was on the computer alot today. He is looking for a t.v. for his bedroom. David called in the evening. He is talking about driving down here in about a month with our trailer. Sure hope he does. We could use it.

Wednesday, 24th of March 2010

Ken and I went to Harrison today in the van. First I stopped at Hudsons Grocery Store to pick up the wheel chair that Rex had brought with him. He is putting up a green house for the plants they sell. The green house sure looks nice. You can tell the wheel chair has hardly been used. All it needs is a good cleaning for it had been stored in a shed for probably over 6 months. Then we went to Home Depot where Ken got 10 - 10 ft. lengths of PVC conduit which he will bury in the ground for the electricity. He also bought a few other things he needed. He used his 4 wheel walker today so hopefully he won't get such an awful back ache tonight. When we got home Ken wanted to put on the motorized wheel chair lift but we had major problems and now will have to wait till Sam gets home to help us take it back off. I washed the wheel chair with lysol and then gave Ken a ride in it. I worked in the garden, putting up two frames which I will cover with plastic to make small green houses for my plants. The way it looks outside, it will be raining by dark.

Tuesday, 23rd of March 2010

Rex Brisco and his wife brought over the hospital bed and put it together for us. Rex also has a "almost" new wheel chair and I will get it tomorrow. Joyce came over and had Rex help her load the cabinet and love seat in her pick-up. She put the coffee table in the front seat of the truck. After they left, I washed the bed in lysol and then made Ken's bed. He layed down in it and said it was real comfortable. Now he wants a t.v. and lap top computer for his new room. I think the cats think we bought the bed for them for when ever they get a chance, they are on it.

Monday, 22nd of March 2010

I met Joyce up at the Dollar Store and then rode with her to Harrison to look at a store that I had never been to before. Probably won't be back. It was not to my liking. Then we went to Wal Mart and I bought Ken a bedspread and mattress cover for his "new" hospital bed. Then on to Freds where I found blankets, and some wild bird accessories that were on sale. Talked to Don and Marie on Joyce's cell phone. Plus Judy Atkinson called me.

Sunday, 21st of March 2010

Woke up to heavy rain. Actually it rained all night. We ended up getting 5 & 3/4 inches. Then a major snow storm. The weather station said we got 6 inches of snow. It was a real wet, heavy snow. Cleaned up the bridge and front of the door but it was coming down so fast, I couldn't keep up with it. So I just gave up and stayed inside. Sam called and wanted me to check on his two wheel dollie and tow staps, that some man was suppose to bring back. I will do it tomorrow. Have no intention of going outside and driving in this snow.

Saturday, 20th of March 2010

This was a busy day for me and very productive for Ken. Ken is still having a lot of back pain and he stayed in bed almost all day. I went over to Joyce's and she went with me to Harrison to look at the hospital bed. I ended up buying it. It isn't as nice as the one Ken has but it is decent and it works. The man that sold it to me is going to deliver it here, possibly Wednesday. Then I drove Joyce back to her house and then came home. Oh, Joyce gave me more newspapers for the garden. It will be several days before I am able to go back out there and work on the garden because it is so wet. Joyce also gave me her cell phone to use since she has so many hours left on her phone and she knows she won't be able to use them and with it, I can call people long distances with no charge. In the afternoon I got another phone call from Joyce. She had drove back to Harrison to a business show and she won a moterizer wheel chair carrier with ramp which she gave to us. So I drove back to Harrison in the van and picked it up. Both Ken and I are thrilled for now Ken can go with me when shopping, get out and look around the stores and not hurt his back. It will give Ken so much more freedom, plus I will get to enjoy his company when I am shopping. It started raining in the afternoon and by night it was pouring. Plus it is cold outside. Even the animals are not staying out very long.

Friday, 19th of March 2010

Ken and I drove to Harrison in the later morning. I had several stops I wanted to go to. Plus we drove out the man's house that has the hospital bed but he wasn't home. I left a note and he called later and we made plans for tomorrow, unless it is snowing. It is suppose to but maybe we will be lucky and it won't. When I picked up mail, found the Harrison Newspaper in our box with our address on it. I knew that Joyce had given me a gift subscription and called her and thanked her. Robby keeps running up to the neighbors house and won't come home until I fire a gun, so when I was in Harrison we got an eye hook and connected it to the small dog house so when he goes outside now, he will be locked up. I have a long chain so he will have plenty of running room, it's just now I won't have to deal with him running up to the neighbors anymore. Ken did too much walking at Home Depot, he bought most of the electricity things he needed to put electricity in the carport, and now he is in bed, with major back pain. I had suggested he use a wheel chair while at Home Depot but he wouldn't think of that. I hate to see him in pain but other than give him a muscle relaxer, there isn't much I can do for him. We did stop at SubWay on the way home and bought our usual.

Tue, Wed, & Thurs, 16th-17th-18th of March 2010

As you can see I havent written in my blog for several days but I have a good excuse. Been busy as heck. Ken and I drove to Yellville to buy a few groceries on Tuesday. It was pretty cold that day so other than taking care of Claudia and Cusco I stayed in the house. Worked on Ken's blog and also his new bedroom. Wednesday I received 2 phone calls from two different men with hospital beds that they would sell me. The first one wanted way to much but the second one was very reasonable plus this bed has a trapeze and I will buy it if I like it after I look at it. It was nice enough to go outside and both Ken and I went out for awhile. Ken set on the deck and finally ventured out to the carport. Thursday....another nice day. I worked on the garden laying down paper and then straw. Used all the newspaper that Joyce gave me. Still have quite a ways to go before it is a finished project but alot of it I can't do until I build more planter boxes. I rearranged the furniture in the livingroom and both Ken and I like it way better. The way I have the chairs now, it makes the room look way bigger.

Monday, 15th of March 2010

I drove to the post-office to get a box to mail some things to Melissa and then went to Joyce's and picked up her newspapers. Drove back home, packed the box and then back to the post-office to mail the package. I mainly worked on Ken's blog all day. Ken isn't feeling real good today. He stayed in bed most of the day and he didn't eat much. His back is really hurting him. Plus he is having a hard time sleeping at nights. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him.

Sunday, 14th of March 2010

Today was a very cloudy day. We got some mist but it hardly got the deck wet. I worked on Ken's blog most of the day. Ken got on the computer too and even gave me some information for his blog. I talked to Sam this evening and told him bye and to drive careful. He and Romona hope to leave at 7 tomorrow morning. They think they will be in California by Friday evening.

Saturday, 13th of March 2010

This has been a cold, kind of wet Saturday. It has only misted but with the wind, it almost feels like ice pellets hitting your face.
This morning Betty and Wayne stopped by on their way home and picked up Yuki. He will be missed for he is fun to have around. They didn't stay long for they were anxious to get home.
In the afternoon Sam and Romona stopped by to tell us good bye for a little while. They are leaving for California Monday morning and will be gone a month. Sam wants me to feed the birds, and Romona wants me to keep her house plants watered. Plus just check the place and make sure no one has messed around on their land.
I was going to hang more hooks for humming bird feeders but it is just too cold to do that. Besides I don't think the humming birds will be back until the end of March or early April. I have some of the feeders already hanging out side but I don't fill them until I know I have hummingbirds. The red on the feeders help attract them. I will spot them I am sure as soon as they fly in, and that way they will have fresh nector when they arrive. I have also been hanging more bird houses but I need more places to hang them. I am thinking of asking Sam to drill a hole where I can drop a post in it, and hook for hangers on each side so I can not only put some food on the post but at least hang one bird house on it. I also ordered two more bird feeder stations. When it warms up, Ken and I will pour cement in the bottom container so the wind doesn't blow them over.

Friday, 12th of March 2010

Soon after Ken and I woke up we got a phone call from Tom who works for Sears and he got the part for our refrigerator and wanted to come over in the afternoon and put it on. So Ken and I got dressed real fast and left for Yellville to get some groceries. We took Yuki and Robby with us. A man was selling doggie cookies and I got a bag for all the dogs. Ken let the big dogs out when we got back home and I carried in the groceries. Ken fed and cleaned up the poop but had me put fresh water in their drinking containers. It looks like rain outside and once in a while you feel a drop or two. Tom came early but thankfully I had all the groceries put away. He was here about 2 hours working on the refrigerator and Ken stayed in the computer room and messed with the computer. Later in the afternoon I worked on Ken's bedroom again. This time I moved the sleeper/sofa and boy was it heavy. But now you can see how it will look when I get the rest of the furniture out and buy a bed for him. Ken really likes his room so far. I am going to have to buy a t.v. for him, call the satalite people and get another box for his room. Plus I want to buy a phone for his room. He will probably never use it but it will be there, just incase. I am going to buy a rug for the middle of the floor. I measured the size I want to put down and I don't think I will be able to buy it at Wal-Mart. We have a carpet place where I am sure they will be able to cut it to the size I want. Around 6 in the evening it started raining but so far it is just a good sprinkle. Ken and I got a homemade Thank You card from Leslie, Luke and Liam. It is so cute and I will of course save it in my scrapbook with all the other things we have received from the kids. Betty called to find out about Yuki. She said they would pick him up tomorrow (Saturday).

Thursday, 11th of March 2010

Ken and I got up early so he could get to the eye doctor in Harrison but when we got there they said that the Veterans had canceled the appointment and I would have to call them so Ken could see the doctor. But Ken doesn't want to for he is not having any problems with his eyes. Then we went to Wal Mart and had the oil changed in the Neon. Ken wanted to stop by Millers Hardware and price electrical supplies for his carport. He did and practically fainted over how much it would cost. When he got home he priced the same things on the internet and found that it would be way cheaper to get them from the internet. While we were in Millers I got more shelf brackets for the deck and bridge so I will be able to hang more hummingbird feeders. I started working on the computer room, moved a cabinet out and put in shelves. I have worked on it almost all evening and I am sure it will be several more days until I am done. I can't wait till Joyce gets the love seat and cabinet so I can make what I will end up calling Ken's bedroom, actually look like a bedroom. If I had a way to move the furniture over to her house, I would but I would have to make several trips to haul what she wants and at the price of gas, I will wait till she picks it up with her pick-up. I couldn't believe how nice the weather was yesterday and today it was cold as heck. Go figure !!!

Wednesday, 10th of March 2010

Another busy day for Ken and I outside. Ken started his tractor and drove around just looking at the place. Eventually he took some tubs that had held flowers up to the wood pile to burn. Sam came down and dug a trench for the electricity that he and Ken will install in the carport. Ken can hardly wait till it in installed so he won't have to use extensions cords to run any of his machinery.
I worked on the front of the house, picking up the rest of the rock and tossing it under the deck. Then I started emptying the tubs that held dirt and rock for my flowers. I found a whole batch of Lily bulbs and transplanted them in the new flower garden area. I took down the large bird feeder which was standing against the deck. Ken wants me to order at least 2 more feeders that can stand in the yard. As I am planting the bulbs, I am first laying down straw and then putting dirt on top of the straw. I would think my flowers will love their new area.
We are under a sever thunder storm watch and it is trying to sprinkle but so far not much has fallen from the sky.

Tuesday, 9th of March 2010

It rained last night but not very much. We stayed in the house almost all morning. When I went out about noon to take care of the dogs I found the temperature decent although a little windy. So I went back in the house and had Ken get dressed and we both went outside and set on the deck for a little while. Ken got chilled so he went back in and I stayed out and removed the rock around the gutter so we can replace the bent in gutter that the dogs walked on and smashed. Then I started removing the rock in the front of the bridge and got most of it removed. I put it under the bridge and deck and hopefully we can get some lattice in the front of the deck and on the bridge to hide the rock.

Monday, 8th of March 2010

It wasn't as nice today as yesterday. Both Ken and I were out side in the morning together and we set in the rockers on the deck. Ken had a hard time breathing, I think because of all the wind so he went back inside around noon and took a nebulizer treatment and this afternoon he was either on the computer or laying in his bed. The Sears guy came by to check on the refrigerator again. He think we are under warrenty and we may get a new compressor since ours in noisy. I drove to the liquor store and bought 2 more bottles of wine. Then to the gas station to get some pepso bismo for Robby who has the scoots again. He hated it but I made him take it anyway! I guess tomorrow I am going to have to take Robby to the vet and may take Sugar at the same time since she is batting at her ear. I have been putting medicine in it but it doesn't seem to help, and I can tell her ears are clean so the doctor will just have to check inside and find out the problem with her ears. Ken hasn't eaten anything all day until this evening. I worry about that but there is no way I can force him to eat. Later I will give him a small glass of the new wine I bought. Hope he likes it. This wine came from Napa, where/as the other wine I bought came from Modesto.

Sunday, 7th of March 2010

When Ken and I got up this morning, we got dresses and then went to Flippin. I made two stops, Dollar General first and then to Hudson Grocery Store. We took the five dogs with us and they sure enjoyed the ride. When we got home, Ken worked in the carport and I worked outside on the deck and garden. It was super nice outside all day and neither one of us came into the house until very late in evening. Then Ken got on the computer for a little while and I went back outside to do a little more. Now Ken is in bed and as you can see, I am on the computer to write on this blog and check e-mail. Then it will be off to bed for me for I am tired.

Saturday 6th of March 2010

Betty and Wayne brought over Yuki to stay with us this next week while they are in Chatanooga, Tennessee for a meeting. Ken and I went outside for a little while and although it is beautiful outside, it is cold. Ken did get to set in a rocker on the deck for about a half hour while I started removing the lights from the fake Christmas tree. Later I went out to the garden and layed what was left of the black paper for weeds in the pathway. I didn't get very far for I didn't have much left. I will be buying more, and Joyce is saving me newspapers to lay down over it. Right now I have put down rocks on it so it won't be blown away.

Friday, 5th of March 2010

I have some fantastic news. When Ken got up this morning, he got dressed, went outside to the garage and then rode with me to Harrison so I could get new tires put on the back of the car. Now....I am not through with the news. When we got home, he immediately got on the computer and stayed on it all day, or at least till 6:15 in the evening. He is now getting undressed and heading to bed. I am thrilled because he spends so much time in bed. I think he is feeling better since he knows that eventually spring will be here. Actually I am thrilled about that too.
Leslie called us and thanked us for the camera, camera case, and the card maker. She has been taking pictures all day. Plus I got to talk to Luke and Liam. Luke also said thank you, not for sure what Liam said but I am sure he was thanking us too!!!
When we got home from Harrison, I saw that Robby has diarrhea with a very messy hindend. I gave him a bath and then cut his hair. Then I gave Sugar a bath and she got a hair cut too. Sugar is still pissed off at me but Robby is fine once I put the scissors down. So while Ken was on the computer all afternoon, I spent most of the afternoon setting on the floor cutting dog hair. My back will be talking to me tonight! :( And Joey, my kitty, is walking on his hind foot and although it is still swollen, he is not in much pain, or at least I don't think he is.

Thursday, 4th of March 2010

Joyce called this morning with the sad news that the baby colt had died. She got the same man to come over to her place and bury the little guy.
Ken drilled holes in all of the gords I had grown last summer and then I hung 9 up around our place. 2 busted when the drill started drilling the holes. I plan on growing more this coming summer. I had to drive to Harrison to take Joey to the vet. He has a sore right back foot and I don't have any idea what the problem is other than he can't walk on it. When I got to the vet, he looked at it and said that Joey had a very bad sore on the bottom of his foot. He squeezed it and out shot puss and blood. He gave Joey a couple of shots for the infection, plus Joey is running a fever. I am suppose to keep him seperated from the other cats and dogs for a couple of days so they don't get any of the infection in their mouth by licking him or any puss that he leaves when walking. The picture of Joey looks like it need straightened up. That is the position he was in when I took the picture. If you look at the cat stand or his hinny, you will see it is in the right position, it's just Joey is crooked!
I was going to go to the Dollar Tree to get some canned cat food but about 2 miles from our home, I had a blowout. A man put on the donut and I drove myself back home. Cats will just have to eat dry cat food until I drive to town.
Ken went outside this morning and worked on the carport. When I got home from the vet. I went outside and worked on the garden. I was able to cover two parts of the walkway.
Oh, when I was in Harrison, I also renewed my drivers license.

Wednesday, 3rd of March 2010

Joyce called this morning to tell me that one of her mother horses had her baby and died. The baby is still alive but if I was a betting person, I don't think the baby will live either. Joyce has one more horse that is expecting and I sure hope this next mare has her baby without any problems. She wanted me to come over and I drove over to her place in the afternoon. Joyce had hired a man to dig a hole and bury the horse. The baby is in the house and she is and I tried to bottle feed it but it refused to suck the nipple. I stayed there till 6 and then came home.

Tuesday 2nd of March 2010

It was quite cold outside so other than going out to feed the dogs. I still went outside and worked on the garden. I am laying some black paper down between the walkways, then putting down alot of newspapers, then straw. Then I have to wet it to keep the straw from blowing all over the place. This project is going to take me several days. Ken has been staying close to his bed for he has been cold almost all day.

Monday, 1st of March 2010

This morning I drove over to the recycling center and got rid of all the glass I had thrown in the garbage can. Gee if feels good to get rid of it. Ken got on the computer for a little while this morning, then took a shower and went to bed which I had put on clean sheets for him. He is all snuggled up now and I have a feeling he will be taking a nap in a little while. Especially since he has a full tummy too. I was looking at a health magazine that Joyce had given me and I think I have found out what Ken has on his back. It is called Chronic Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis. According to the pictures it could and can get alot worse but I am guessing it is in the early stages of the disease. From what I have read there isn't much that can be done about it other than medicine. And it could even be cause by one of the medicines so he can't win no matter what. Of course he doesn't want to go to the doctor so I will just keep a close watch on it and if it gets any worse, I shall drag his ass to the doctor.
Joyce came over in the late afternoon and looked at the furniture I want to get rid of. She wants to buy the love seat, and also wants the cabinet which she wants to put her t.v. in because it has doors in it. I will give her that cabinet along with the small coffee table. She thinks Shirley Clark from Florida will buy the sofa-bed. Only problem is, it won't be gone till May but I guess I am in no hurry. Then I will be looking for a hospital bed. Hopefully the money I get from the sofa bed will pay for it along with a decent matress. I also want to get one of those rolling hospital table for that room. That way Ken will always have a table near him. I just hope he doesn't start living in that room. I enjoy him in the livingroom where I can be near him. I know I can be near him in the back bedroom but I don't think it will feel the same. I am thinking of giving him my t.v. in there for it has a big screen and of course the remote. He is thinking of just buying a new one and we may go that route. Lot of this is just a wait and see. For first I have to get rid of the sofa-bed.

Sunday 28th of February 2010

I drove over to Joyce's in the morning to pick up old newspapers. I gave her a telephone table that she wanted. She is going to try to find a buyer for the sleeper sofa and loveseat. Then I will start pricing and buy an extra hospital bed for Ken. I don't think he will like sleeping in the room but we won't know till we try it. Ken thinks it bothers people to see him in bed and I say if it does bother them, then they don't need to visit. I had planned on working on the garden but it was just too cold to stay out for very long. Randy called in the afternoon. It was great hearing from him. He hasn't set a date yet for coming back here but hopefully he will be here between May and June. He is a wonderful help to both of us, and we really do enjoy having him around.

Saturday, 27th of February 2010

Ken went outside a little after 9 this morning. He had planned on drilling holes in the gords that I had grown last summer for bird houses. It was just too cold and he came back in the house, colder than heck. He never did get warmed up until this evening. Ken then got on the computer and was there all the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon.
I finished straightening up the craft room, and then started on the computer room. I have been working on genealogy and when I do that I end up taking alot of my notebooks out, for they have all the families in it. Plus I have been putting pictures of the family in the genealogy, which means I end up taking alot of albums out. So the desk was piled high with notebooks and albums, plus history books. It was alot of fun cleaning up and to be truthful, I am still not done but did put a dent in the mess.

Friday, 26th of February 2010

Ken hasn't felt good all day. He just doesn't have any energy to get up and even go to the computer for very long. I am thinking that it might be smart to buy a lap top for him. Only problem is they are kind of expensive but if it will keep him entertained, it will be worth it. I just need a magic pill for him.
I am still working on my scrapbooking supplies. I think I am done, unless I find something that was in the wrong place. I have been throwing away alot of papers that I had since I lived in Iowa. Some I had re-read and some I hadn't looked at since I left. It was time to get rid of them. Most of them were on archaeology and so were very outdated.
It was decent outside but still not warm enough to work on the garden. Hopefully tomorrow I can start on it. Tonight I am washing clothes and all of the ferrets baby blankets. Right now they are laying on towels until I bring in their clean warm blankets to lay on. You should see them when I spread them out. They crawl in them, and snuggle. They are so sweet and cute.

Thursday, 25th of February 2010

I drove to Harrison in the morning to buy some toys for Luke and Liam. Then I drove to Fed Ex and mailed Leslie a digital camera plus other goodies and the new toys for the boys. I went to the computer store and bought a keyboard for the Apple computer. I also picked up some papers at the doctors office. Robby rode with me and he behaved himself. He loves to ride in the car and actually is a pleasure being with me.
Sam and Romona picked up 6 bales of wheat straw for me. It is suppose to get warmer within a few days, so hopefully I can lay it down in the garden to keep the weeds down in the walk-way. Sam also bought himself the same amount and he is going to lay it down in his garden too.
I have been trying to straighten up my scrapbooking supplies. I am making a good dent in it. When I am through, it should be way more organized and easier to find a special paper, etc.
I connected the key board and now the keys work, but still can't get on-line. I need to call the phone company and see if they can tell me what I am suppose to do, other than throw the dang computer outside. Ken wasn't even able to get on-line.

Wednesday, 24th of February 2010

This has been a pretty quiet day. Ken did get on the computer but not for very long. I can tell he is not feeling good today. He was cold so I put an extra blanket on his bed. He hasn/t eaten much today but I think he got enough to be kind of full. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him. It has been really cold outside today. Other than taking care of the outside dogs, I stayed in and when the cats or dogs went outside, they didn't stay out very long. I am driving to Harrison tomorrow so I can mail a camera to Leslie. It is a digital which I am sure she will love. I also want to stop at Wal Mart and get something for the boys. I sure don't want them not to have a new gift when they see their sister has one. I am not for sure what I will buy them. Hopefully what ever I get them, they will enjoy. Plus I will send the sale receipt just incase Melissa has to return it for what ever reason.

Tuesday, 23rd of February 2010

I drove to Harrison this morning to buy some diet food. Actually I bought lots of fresh vegetables and fixings for salad, some raw chicken and some goodies for Ken. Also went to the day old bakery and then to the feed store where I bought two 50 lbs bags of dog food, some bird seed and straw to pack around the dog houses. In the afternoon, I baked an apple pie and later in the evening Ken ate a piece. Sam and Romona came over late in the evening so they could watch local news because there was a guy on the news that they knew. They can't get local news on their t.v.

Monday, 22nd of February 2010

Boy is it cold today and this evening it is even colder. Ken said it was below freezing. I am so glad that I bought that hotwater heater for the dogs waterer. It really saves me from beating that ice.
Ken was on the computer quite a while this morning. I actually walked into the craft/guest room and got it all straightened up. Where is company when you get a room so clean you are actually proud of it! Oh well. Such is life. I did a little more scrapbooking and started straightening it up and organizing it so I can find things easier.
Sam called this morning to check on Ken and me. He wants me to find out what Kenny Hardman charges to deliver a load of top soil.

Sunday, 21st of February 2010

It is raining today. Not hard but it is really coming down. Our cats want out so bad but when you let them out, then they turn around, run right back into the house, and give you dirty looks for their wet fur.
Ken spent most of the morning on the computer reading all of his e-mail. He got a letter from Kenny which was the highlight of his morning. He finally got off at 2 in the afternoon and now he is watching racing.
This morning I looked out the window and saw 3 rabins. There may have been more but I only saw 3. I should take some raising out to them but I really don't want to get wet. Besides with the rain, there should be lots of grubs and worms coming up to the surface for them to find and eat.
I have been working on my scrapbook, arranging pictures. Not for sure if I will get it all done today but I will give it a heck of a try.

Saturday, 20th of February 2010

This was a busy day for me but first let me write about Ken. As I left early in the morning for Harrison, Ken stayed home and I think he spent most of the time on the computer. In the afternoon he watched car races. And in the evening, Sam and Romona came over for a visit. Ken and Sam are planning on putting electricity in the carport this summer. Sam will dig the trench with his back hoe. Right now Ken is using an extension cord from the house to the carport to run anything that requires electricity.
I drove to Harrison for groceries. First I stopped at a parking lot where a guy was selling California oranges. I bought a big bag for both of us enjoy eating fresh oranges. Then on to Wal Mart where I bought most of my groceries but couldn't find a few things so stopped at Edward's Grocery Store and found the missing items. After I put the groceries away, I went outside and worked in the back on the planter boxes and the back of the deck. I covered a frame that I put over the new pine trees so hopefully they will be protected from some of this awful weather we are having. Then straightened up the back of the deck.
It has started sprinkling this evening but not very hard. Tomorrow we are suppose to get rain but I don't have the rain gauge outside so I won't be able to tell you all how much we got.
Ken and I got a homemade valentine card from Leslie, Luke and Liam. It is so pretty. I am going to put it in the scrap book that I have made for things we receive from them. I even save the envelopes and put them in the scrapbook too!

Friday, 19th of February 2010

The Schwan man came by with my order. He was a new guy as our regular is going in for surgery the first of next week. I worked outside most of the day, on the deck and the garden area. Ken came out in his motorized wheel chair and enjoyed the decent weather we are having right now. But it was real windy so he didn't stay out a long time. I washed clothes in the evening.

Thursday, 18th of February 2010

Sears called early in the morning to tell us that the repairman would be out between 12 and 3. He arrived at 1 and never did find out what the noise was. But it has quit. As much as it doesn't make any sense, as soon as he moved the frigerator out, it never made that knocking sound again. He has no idea what it was, in fact he never even heard it. He did put in a new water filter and the wasted trip cost over $100's. At least Ken and I don't have to listen to it on the hour.

Ken and I went outside and Ken enjoyed setting in a lawn chair for at least a half hour. Hopefully now we will start getting days where both Ken and I can get out.

Ken heard from his doctor and he said that the blood test turned out good. I also heard from mine and I was a little high on my carbohydrates so I am suppose to watch my diet. Of course I will but I already do. One thing I can do is cut down on white rice and white bread. No potatoes but I seldom eat potatoes. Also cut down on sugars but again, I do. I only use diet sugar unless a food product already has sugar in it. Anyone reading this has any suggestions I sure would appriciate any ideas you have.

I got a package from my cousin Marie. It contained lots of old pictures of my Dad, my uncles and aunts, grandparents, and a distant cousin that Daddy use to talk about but as far as I know, I never met. I was thrilled. Although you don't know any of these people, I am going to post some of them. You will get to see cousin Marie and her hubby Don on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, my Dad on the first Halterman tractor, my grandpa cutting the oats with his work horses, Daddy, his father Frank and brother Harvey (Marie's father) plowing up the clover field, Daddy moving farm equipment from one of their farms to another family farm, Daddy filling the barn with hay (clover) and his cousin Marie, Daddy holding Marie as baby, Grandma and Grandpa Halterman, Grandpa and Grandma Halterman (Grandpa looks like he is setting on an electric chair), Grandma it Woolworth getting her picture taken at one of those booths, sporting a new hat, Harvey (my Dad's brother) and his wife Berniece Halterman, Jennette (my Dad's sister) and her husband Lloyd Detwiler (I always knew them as Aunt Sally and Uncle Johnny), Berniece and Jennette sporting new hats at Woolworths, Harvey and Lloyd (also taken at Woolworth), Jennette probably as a teen, Esther Detwiler (my cousin), Grandma with 2 of her birthday cakes, and Grandma (taken at another time) of flowers she was given for her birthday. As you will see these pictures are quite old. Love the dresses and hats that they are wearing! NOT !!! Sadly these pictures didn't have dates. This is why it is important to date and name your pictures. I am lucky, I knew all these people and the ones I didn't, Marie knew them and wrote on the back of the pictures. She even knew where some of them were taken. I believe most of these pictures were taken in West Des Moines or by it's older name of Valley Junction, Iowa.