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 Most of them were on archaeology and so were very outdated.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.

Wednesday, 17th of February 2010

Sun is shinning and it is really pretty outside as long as you stay in the house. Then it is as cold as heck.
Just after the noon hour the repairman came to fix the noisy refrigerator. What's strange is he couldn't find anything wrong with it but when he pushed it back against the wall, it quit making the noise. He did put a new water filter on it but that was all. Cost me over $100 to find out that there was nothing wrong with it.

Tuesday, 16th of February 2010

This morning I drove Ken to the doctor for blood work. While we were in the office waiting, Judy Hardman and her mother came in to also see the doctor. We both talked to Judy about having Kenny come over here and do some work for us. Ken wants him to haul at least one load of rock for the driveway, bring us a load of top soil for the garden, and also do some work on the house where he will have to crawl under it. Poor man! On the way home we stopped at the Day Old Bakery and I picked up several items and then to Millers Hardward to get saw sandpaper. Ken went in to the store with me. This was the first time in probably over a year that he has gone into the store. We decided to stop at Sam and Romona's on the way home but didn't see either the pick-up or car so we just turned around in their drive way and came home. Probably within an hour Sam came here and wondered why we had drove in and then turned around. He said he had the truck and car in the garage. He seldom parks in it so we just assumed they were both gone. Sam stayed a little while. After he left, the oxygen people came by to check the oxygen machine and exchange the empties for full tanks. We only had two empties. They are coming back Thursday to replace the big oxygen tank.
I boiled chicken and made chicken and noodles. Froze 3 containers full. Ken is laying down now and I expect he will be sleeping soon.
We had our first insurance salesman stop by just before it got dark. A Tom Fredrickson from Kansas City, KA is working the Harrison area trying to talk people into purchasing Platinum Services Inc. We were polite and listened to him and then said "no thank you".

Monday, 15th of February 2010

We woke up to a very cold windy day. We are getting snow showers but not enough for it to collect on the ground. Ken got on the computer for a very short time. He wants to take a shower so I need to put the ferrets in their cage. Otherwise they will be climbing in the shower with him, being under his feet, plus licking the water off of his feet. Gary wrote on FaceBook that Nikcole is expecting a baby. He didn't say when the baby is expected but hopefully he will tell give me a date soon. I got to chat with him later in the evening and Gary has no idea when the baby is expected. I also got to visit with Donna (Deardorff) Klug last night on FaceBook. I know we chatted way over an hour.

Sunday, 14th of February 2010

Sunday was a very quiet day for both Ken and I. I did spend quite a bit of time on the computer working on genealogy. Ken watched racing on t.v. David called me in the evening and we talked over an hour. Ken hasn't been on the computer for several days. He is just not feeling like going on. Heard from Betty. We are going to be baby-sitting next month with Yuki. Both Ken and I can hardly wait for we really enjoy him.

Saturday, 13th of February 2010

This morning was a strange weather day. It started out really cloudy and it tried to snow but didn't last very long. Sun finally came out and the rest of the day wasn't bad.

I drove over to Joyce's house and helped her with her computer. Stayed a couple of hours and on the way home stopped at Subway and got Ken a beef and cheese sandwich and I got a ham and cheese sandwich. Ken was really pleased. He hasn't been eating very good but he sure did scarf down the sandwich. He watched car racing all afternoon. For supper he had a very healthy ice cream sandwich! He's sleeping now (10:06 p.m) but I am sure he will be awake later tonight. Then I will go in to the living room and maybe we can watch something interesting on t.v. together.

Friday, 12th of February 2010

It was a cool day today. I went outside and started rearrangeing some of the storage containers we have in the carport. But my hand were so cold, I gave up after working on three containers.

Ken has been in bed all day. When he stays in bed and doesn't get on the computer, I know he is not feeling the best. But when I ask him about how he feels, he just tells me he is fine. At least he ate, not healthy foods, but he did eat. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him.

If the weather is decent tomorrow, I am going to drive over to Joyce's place and pick up some newspapers. I use them for the ferrets.

It slightly snowed today. Probably for about 15 minutes and then you would have had a hard time counting the flakes. It didn't hardly make the deck wet. Oh, yesterday I bought a heater for the dog waterer. It is working great and so far the dogs haven't chewed it up.

Thursday, 11th of February 2010

Ken was home most of the day alone. I had to go to Harrison and it felt like I was there all day but I wasn't. I left home around 10:30 in the morning and got home about 3:30. I went to the doctors to have them draw blood. Nothing wrong with me but he seemed to think I needed blood work. Then to Hudson's Grocery Store to buy a few things that Wal Mart doesn't sell. I then stopped at Tractor Supply and bought a water heater that you can put in the dog water pan. In other words, I was tired of breaking the ice every time I went out there. Also got the dogs two balls that you fill with treats, and some of those leather strips that they like to chew. Almost next door from Tractor Supply is Fred's Variety Store and I went there and bought paper products since they are cheaper than Wal Mart, and a few other grocery items. I then when to Wal Mart and bought groceries, so now Ken and I have a full larder again. Stopped at the Vet's and got more ear medicine for Cindy and then headed back to our home. Of course as soon as I got home, there was groceries to put away, and fix a meal for Ken. I am now setting, and trying to relax.

Another storm is headed our way. We are suppose to get rain, ice and then snow. Doesn't that sound lovely? Nothing is happening yet (7:24 p.m.) but I looked at radar and the storm is getting closer. As long as we don't lose our electricity, we will be fine.

When I got home, I also baked a cherry pie but Ken has fallen asleep so maybe he will eat a piece later tonight. If he doesn't wake up soon, I will have to zap it in the microwave because he loves to eat warm pie with ice cream.

Wednesday, 10th February, 2019

Woke up to no pain. Yaaaa for pain pills. No matter what, I am not going to go outside and shovel the rest of the snow off the deck. Besides if I do clean it all off, then it would probably start snowing again. The driveway has some drifts in it but so far I am able to plow myway through to get the mail. But today when I went up, the car was not happy but it made it and that is all that matters.

Ken got on the computer this morning but he didn't stay on as long as he usually does. He is feeling pretty good. He is just tired of looking outside at the snow, etc. He wants to go out and ride around on his garden tractor. I wish he had an ATV. I really think he would enjoy it but they are pretty expensive so I doubt if we buy one.

Tuesday, 9th of February 2010

The good news is, it's not snowing. The bad news is, my deck is covered in snow. I pushed alot of the snow off of the deck but my back is giving me fits so didn't finish the job. Maybe this afternoon, I will try to finish cleaning it up, but may wait till tomorrow.

Ken got an e-mail from Dick, wanting to see this blog. Hopefully he is able to get on and is reading it now. I am hoping that he will become one of the follers. Hint-hint !!!

I rearranged the kitchen a little, plus swept and mopped. I also baked two loaves of pumpkin bread. Now I have a mess on the bar because I am working on a spring wreath to hang outside. I can already tell I need more fake flowers, mainly sunflowers.

Monday, 8th of February 2010

When I crawled out of bed, found almost 3 inches of snow on the deck. I think God hates me. I got dressed and went out and shoveled the yuk off. Now it is several hours later and guess what? There is snow on the deck and bridge again. It has snowed all day, sometimes it is falling very lightly but right now, it is really snowing. We are seeing alot of birds eating at their dishes and I even have water out for them.

Ken got on the computer this morning and stayed on till around 1:30. Pretty soon I am going to start a lunch for him.

I talked to Sam and Romona this morning. Sam offered to help me get to the store because he knows I haven't been there in almost 2 weeks. We still have food but I must admit that we are out of alot of things. I also talked to Joyce. As usual she was heading out the door to go to town. Driving in lousy weather and snow doesn't seem to bother her. It sure bothers me.

It's after 5 now and it is still snowing. There is at least 5 to 6 inches of fresh snow for me to shovel off of the deck and bridge. I am not going to do it till tomorrow when it quits snowing. At least it is not real cold. Sam came over and brought me a health book to read. Romona is hoping I can find some information on Ken's back. I haven't so that means a phone call to the doctor tomorrow.

Sunday, 7th of February 2010

It has been cloudy all day and quite cool. The weather people are saying that tomorrow we will get more snow. I hate snow!!! I cleaned up the deck more, just incase it does snow. I didn't want the new snow to mix with the old snow, especially the yellow snow.

Ken was on the computer around noon for several hours. Yesterday when he took his shower I noticed that the lower part of his back and upper hips has red track marks all over it. Not for sure what it is, but I am keeping close watch on it. I sure don't want it to turn into bed sores. It doesn't hurt him, nor does it itch. Just very strange looking red track marks. If anyone reading this has an idea what it might be, please let me know.

Tonight Ken is going to watch a football game on t.v. He is rooting for the team from Louisiana. I fed him early and later I will fix him some popcorn if he wants it.

Later in the afternoon, I was back on the computer working on genealogy, plus face book and my e-mail.

Marie and Don Simmons called this evening. Marie is my cousin and they live in Texas. I haven't seen Marie in a long time but we keep in touch by phone, or cards & letters.

I washed clothes today and got them all folded and put away. Ken is a very happy man tonight since the Saints won the game. It's late in the evening and he is still awake, watching some disaster show.

Saturday, 6th of February 2010

This morning I went out and chipped the ice/snow on the gravel and cleared a path so Ken could walk on the gravel to the carport. He wanted to go outside to start both of the Garden Tractors .
Then he came in, took a shower and went to bed. It took awhile but he finally warmed up.

I worked on genealogy in the afternoon. Plus sent out a couple of genealogy letters to people that wanted information.

Friday, 5th of February 2010

Weather wise, this has been an interesting day. We woke up to light rain. Then about noon it went from rain to instant snow. And I do mean snow. Huge snowflakes and it really came down and covered up the nice clean patio and bridge which I had cleaned. It snowed real heavy for about an hour and then the snow moved east. I went outside and cleaned up the deck and bridge again and then took care of the outside dogs.

Ken was on the computer for several hours. When I finally got on the computer, I had an e-mail from Paul Tucker telling me that Ronnie Cornelson died on the 28th of January. I knew Ronnie since second grade. He had a heart attack at home. He was 66. Paul Tucker is another guy that I have known since first grade. He and his parents Dean and Dorothy and brothers and sister were our neighbors when we lived in Madison County. I loved Dean and Dorothy. Dorothy taught me how to make pie crust and got me my first job, working with her at the Aldo Cafe in Winterset. Oh, I also got an e-mail from Christy (Mountain) Hogue telling me that Tommi (Mountain) and her husband Jim Orr left for Texas yesterday. The Mountains were our neighbors just west of our place and Tommi and I are the same age & very good friends. Christy also said that Richard Mountain was leaving for Tahiti. Must be nice !!!!!

Ken is having a hard time warming up. I may put another blanket on his bed. But right now he is sleeping so I will wait till he wakes up to see if he is still cold. Sam called and said that he and Romona are not heading to California right now. They are staying here because Romona's mother has to go in to see the doctor for some heart tests. Sam worked on our front storm door and it now closes. He wants to come back later and fix it right but as far as I am concerned, it works and that is what matters.

My brother David called in the evening. He is working a part time job at the place he use to work for. He said he couldn't make it on S.S. and he hated to give up eating. He only works 2 days a week and is home every night. So that shouldn't hurt him, at least I hope not.

Thursday, 4th of February 2010

What a yukky day. Woke up to sleet with a little rain thrown in. I cleaned the front of the entry way to the house, along with the bridge. That way if there is an emergency, Ken can walk out hopefully without falling. Besides, it looks nicer without all that sleet.

Ken was on the computer most of the morning while I cleaned the kitchen and livingroom, changed sheets on his bed and burnt papers outside. Ken wanted pancakes and bacon for breakfast which of course I fixed for him. Now Ken is in bed, looking at t.v. and also looking a little sleepy.

Sam called from Harrison to see if I need any groceries since I hadn't been out all week. I told him that all I needed was a loaf of bread. So he bought me a loaf of bread and visited for a couple of minutes. Sam and Romona are headed to California next week for a month. We will really miss them. Especially if we get another snow storm.

After the sleet quit, it has rained all day. Not hard but enough to make it misserable. It is pretty cool outside and it even feels cool here in the house. I have worked on the Jackson genealogy all afternoon. I am finding quite abit of information on this family. Jeanette Jackson was a childhood friend of mine.

Wednesday, 3rd of Feburary 2010

I went out and took care of the dogs this morning. They had ice on their drinking water so it must have got quite cold last night.

Sam came over and fixed our storm door so now it will shut. When it warms up, Sam is going to come over and take it down and probably replace the frame.

Ken ordered batteries this morning from Harbor Freight. I can't wait for them to come in by mail because right now I am not able to take any pictures.

I worked on genealogy all evening. Entered the Jackson Family in Ancestry.com. I think I found all that I was able to find. Now I will have to do research to find more of the family. I want to get back to the Hogg/Hogue genealogy and get it all entered but I am getting sleepy so I guess I won't do it tonight.

Tuesday, 2nd of February 2010

This morning Ringo, the little boy ferret, came to live with us. Ringo's parents brought him over here, early in the morning just after I had got out of bed! I dressed really fast and was able to meet them at the door. They walked down our drive-way because they were afraid they might get stuck. They also brought some food, a carrier, a couple of toys and a leash. I have never used a leash on my ferrets. People who have leashes, really like them but so far, I have never let mine outside. If I had a ferret playpen I might but they are EXPENSIVE!!! Ringo gets along with Bandit, Smokey and Carrie although there was alot of smelling butt! He is very healthy and has a darker coat than my other two dark ones have.

I put Cusco and Claudia out in their cage later in the morning. I added more straw, gave them fresh water and food. Plus they got a chew bone so hopefully they will be comfortable. It is not suppose to get real cold tonight.

Ken was on the computer twice this morning. First to look at is e-mail, etc., and then to help me because I was having problems viewing the pictures I took. I will have to go buy another battery for I can't even charge up the one I have. Ken is sure I can find a new one at Wal Mart.

Monday, 1st of February 2010

This morning was pretty quiet. I washed clothes and of course folded and put away. I was also on the computer for awhile. Ken got on the computer this afternoon.

Sam came over to visit with Ken. They are leaving next week for about a month to California. We sure will miss them.

I drove up to the mailbox. The car wasn't happy about going up the drive way but I made it without getting stuck. Ken got some medicine. This is new medicine for the swelling in his ankles and feet.

I took some pictures of the snow. Alot of it has melted but there is still quite a bit left. It will be several days before it is gone. I was going to put Cusco and Claudia out into the kennel but when I walked out there, even though it is under the carport, it had quite a bit of snow in their home so I'll wait at least one more day before putting them out there.