This and That

Well - a day of not getting much done! I was up early and off to Hudson - just under 2 hours from here - just this side of the St. Croix River and across the river from Woodbury, MN. Katie and Jason lived there when they first were married, and when they lived in New Richmond, we often would drive into Hudson to shop. Katie worked there until their move. Anyway, today I drove there to pick up supplies for Operation Christmas Child - at Harvesttime Outreach Church. I got 50 cartons to hold the shoe boxes that will be coming in, T-shirts for volunteers to wear, labels for the cartons, tape to close them, and log sheets for each person or church to sign when they bring their boxes. I decided to head straight home rather than stop and shop. I was tired. Thank goodness we get an extra hour of sleep tonight - I have even changed the clocks down here. It's cloudy and cold out. No sun! Last day of it being light out at 6 until next spring. Checked the Alaska blogs that I follow. Added a new widget to my blog. Lynn got my washing machine unclogged yesterday - all that corn silage had plugged up the pump. It's working now. I still have the mess in there to clean up. The house is nice and warm with the wood heat. Well, time to do dishes and fold some laundry.

Trunk and Treats

Tonight at Impact, after lesson time, there will be a fun time of going outside - trunks of cars will be decorated for the Fall Season - maybe using the theme GLOW - God Leads the Way. They will also have treats in the trunks. We are doing a lesson using a pumpkin. I took the top off and cleaned most of it out, but Lynn and the kids will finish the rest while I read a poem. I have one activity for them to do and hope to print off a picture to color or something. I am also working on Operation Christmas Child - getting more info on what to do the week boxes we be delivered to our church.

Our trip to Boston

Grandpa Lynn holding Oliver for the first time!!

Me holding Oliver - he has Greg's blue eyes.

Hera is such a sweet dog and well behaved.

Greg holding his son!!!

Greg and Lynn tried to get as much done as they could! They are laying the underlayment.

Oliver lays on this on the floor. Before you know it he will be rolling around.

They were given this seat by friends. Oliver seems to like it. He sleeps in it.

Vanessa put Oliver in his lobster costume. Hera will be dressed as a crab!!! We had times to just relax and hold Oliver. We had times of going downtown and eating out, walking around Boston Common, eating at Top of the Hub, meeting friends of the kids.... It was a nice trip. Thank goodness the weather was good - at least on the days we flew. We missed the 2-4 inches of wet snow that fell here - it is all gone. We missed the rain that Atlanta will get today. Sunday skies were mostly clear so I could see much of the land below. Our niece Candee, who is an air traffic controller, gave me this web site - www.flightaware.com- to find out where our flights flew. They differ from what the carrier magazine shows.

Saturday in Boston

Hi again. It is a relaxing day in Boston. Greg and Lynn are taking a break from their work upstairs. Ollie is asleep right now while Vanessa is off to a tennis event for Aceing Autism. We met their friends Shafali and Richard and their cute boys - Nishu and Kiran. They will be moving to California in the next month. It has been raining off and on all day. Lynn and I will fly out tomorrow morning, stop over in Atlanta, then fly out in the afternoon. We should land about 5:30 in Mpls.

Hello from Boston

Greetings from Boston - West Roxbury burrough. We are enjoying a long weekend with our son, his wife and their 5 week old son. The leaves are nearing peak color here. Some trees have lost their leaves. It's kind of cool. We walked downtown Boston all afternoon and my face was cold. We had lunch at Top of the Hub in the Prudential Building and did some shopping in the center, which is connected by a walk way to Copley Square. You can see all of Boston from the restaurant - floor 52. You can see the harbor - there was a large cruise ship anchored there. President Obama was in town this afternoon and we could see the street closed off to the Westin where he stayed. I guess he spoke at MIT. Greg works downtown near where we walked. We walked to Boston Common and walked around the park. Boston is really not a large city, but driving is crazy. Parking is worse. I will have pictures once we get home.

The last of the corn and hay harvest

Yesterday Lynn and several neighbors finished up the last of the corn silage. Lynn did not get into the house until 9:30 and since he was up around 4 am to milk cows, it was a LONG DAY! Nate, our hired man, did chores last night so Lynn could keep hauling the chopper boxes and unload them into the silos. Thankfully it was a nice day - fairly warm, and no wind. You can see that our Alfalfa field south of the house is mowed down. It will be round baled. Today is even warmer than yesterday - should be near 60 degrees, but it is quite windy out. I got much of my to do list done yesterday. I got the car cleaned out, the garage a bit better than it was, blew debris off the patio and driveway, emptied more flower pots until next spring, and got some cleaning done in here. I also worked on my Sunday School lesson plus lined things up for my sub for next Sunday. Thanks Julie S, for teaching my class for me. Rebecca K is going to teach in two weeks for me when I am in ILL. I also looked at a music video to use with the little kids downstairs each week before class time. My time will be limited until our return from Boston, so I will wish everyone a great week.

"New home"

Katie put a picture of their new home on her blog, so I am putting a view on mine. Here is their back yard - at least part of it - it is very large. I won't show the back of the house as they are going to be completely redoing that this fall and winter. You will just have to wait and see - no doubt Katie will show pictures as the work goes along and the completed project. Until then, you can at least get an idea of their new abode.

Fall home decor

I thought it would be fun - at least to me - to take pictures of some of the "Fall" look in our home. I recently purchased those two Acorn people - cute aren't they?. I also bought the glass container of peppers - will not eat. The green flower vase I found at the mini mall flower shop - unique. Lynn started the fire in the insert here in the living room - so toasty warm, so I will keep tossing the wood in. It's not a cold day - should be 50 this afternoon, but the house started off cool especially in this room. The sun is coming out!!!!!

Carnival Pics

A couple of girls from our church made items to sell at Harvest of Talents. Several others helped with the carnival in and out of the big tent in the church yard. Despite the cold and snow, there was a good turn out. Hopefully next year the weather will be normal warmer early Oct weather so more kids can come and have a great time.

Ho Ho Ho!

It seemed a bit like Christmas around here today. Snow fell all morning and part of the afternoon. Some places like Menomonie received nearly 3 inches. It's been 100 years since we received snow like this, this early. It is still snowing in Hayward as I write this, but most has moved to the central and eastern part of the state. It only stuck to the grassy areas - roads were just wet. It was actually kind of pretty out - absolutely no wind. It's going to feel more winter like most of the week before warming up over the weekend - back to the 50's and 60's. Merry Christmas!

Grandson Oliver

I am finally posting a picture of grandson Oliver (Ollie). He is now 3 weeks old. So far we have only seen him via Skype - thank goodness for that, or via their web site and Facebook - but in less than two weeks we plan to head out east to see him in person!

Library view

Finally, I took some photos in and around the library. Nancy does such a great job of decorating. You may not see it, but there are lights on the displays. We had a light dusting of snow on the ground yesterday morning. It was quickly gone, but when I arrived to work, it was still on the grass on the island across from the library. We have a great view!!!!! The lake is low, so we do need more rain to refill that. If you want to see any of my pictures in a larger view, just click on them. They will open in another window and be easier to see, Just talked with Greg, Vanessa and Oliver by way of Skype. We can't wait to see Oliver in person in just over a week. Boston, here we come!!!

Harvest of Talents Day

Next is the Harvest of Talents Day! This event has been a year in the planning. Funds were raised to provide for the county food pantries and a special needs funds for area residents. Today in church we gave out the funds and had a celebration. May God bless these monies and all who will benefit from them. People - young and old alike made many items to sell. There was a children's room, a Christmas room, jars of jams and jellies, hot apple cider, delicious sweet rolls, hot off the machine popcorn, an auction, Bluegrass concert, carnival under a tent outside, and much more.

Harvest on the Farm

This is the first of 3 parts I will share with you today. The first picture is of Lynn unloading corn silage and blowing it into the silo. Then, I took one of all 3 silos - they will fill the smallest silo next. Finally, here is one of the fields and the woods to the west. The fall colors are not as vibrant now as they were just two days ago. The windy weather yesterday took many of the Maple leaves down. We did get all the apples off the last two trees - Lynn hopes to have them pressed into cider. We sold one large bag at Harvest of Talents and filled the frig bins with some.

Fall Harvest

Hello on this pretty fall day! After several days of cloudy, rainy weather, the sun appeared today. I was hoping to mow some lawn - it had grown more than I realized, but I could not get the mower going. So I took some pictures and emptied out some of the flower pots that are pretty well done. They will need washing and putting away. I took a picture of the chopper box Lynn was pulling to the field north of the house - they are making a pile of corn silage and will cover it with plastic. I also took pictures of one of the apple trees in the back yard. You can see that the neighbor's trees are turning colors. Clouds are again forecast for tomorrow, so I will enjoy today. I have some cleaning to finish indoors and more laundry - some baking as well. Tonight will be quiet, since Impact was canceled, so the Harvest of Talents crew can get the church ready for this Saturday. Lynn will keep working until dark most likely. We will appreciate the nice days we are given!

A grandson!!!!!

YAY!!!!!! We have a grandson!! Oliver was born to our son and his wife Vanessa this afternoon out in Boston, MA. He weighs 7lbs, 7.oz. and is 20 inches long. All is well at this time. We are so thrilled for them!! Will show pictures once we have some. I have one on my cell phone, but that is it for now.

New laundry floor

Here is the new flooring Lynn installed in the laundry room. We have waited many, many years to finally get this done. It's the vinyl that does not need glueing. So it went down quickly. We purchased the non-wood, already finished trim so it should hold up well and not need upkeep. I am thrilled with it. So easy to care for, so nice looking.

Saturday 9/19 - Baby is on the way!!!!!

Today is a big day - our next grandchild is on the way!!! Will keep you posted when the baby arrives. In the meantime, I am including a picture I took the other day of granddaughter Emma after we picked her up from school. I bought each of my girls the Back to School flag, which Katie had just hung that day. This is a final look at the townhouse the kids have lived in the past year and a half. They will be moving down the road a few blocks in just two weeks. I am also including a picture of the farm fields taken when there was some fog. Our wonderful weather continues - day #19.

More pictures from the weekend

Grandpa Lynn had such a nice weekend - very relaxing for him - time to read, nap, and play with the kids. We didn't do anything real special - just enjoyed the family and time away from the our routines. We all need that.

Labor Day weekend

We had a wonderful weekend - relaxing and fun - with the family. Kylie has started school. Alyssia is growing up so quickly at over 3 years of age; Natalie is starting to walk - she will be one year in a month. Leslie is feeling pretty good - she's a very busy mother. Summer camp is done; now the fall weekend retreats have begun. Tonight is the cookout and registration for Wednesday Impact for church. It will be held at the city park. I am trying to get everything back to normal since our return home Monday. I hope to make a trip next week to see our other daughter and family. Our nice weather continues. We could use the rain- but it's been so nice out. Two weeks of gorgeous weather.

Labor Day greetings

Hi to friends and family from northern Illinois. We are enjoying a weekend with Leslie and family. There is only one group of campers - on their own - camping in the wilderness area. So Dan has had lots of free time to enjoy his family - watching football and tennis. Go Melanie Oudin - hope she wins the US Open. The granddaughters are growing up. Kylie is in kindergarten, Alyssia is now potty trained - YAY!!! Natalie is starting to walk. The weather here in the Midwest has been spectacular - sunny, fairly warm, and low humidity, but the mornings have been too cool for the pool water to warm up during the day, so no swimming this trip. I have taken some pictures so will post when we get home. We head home tomorrow afternoon. It's been good for Lynn to just rest and relax and enjoy the kids. We are anxiously awaiting Grandbaby Vogel-Farley's arrival into the world!!!!! How exciting that day will be! Daughter Katie and family have found a home to buy and hopefully that will happen in the next month. Another move, but this time just down the road. Happy Labor Day to all.

Cool, rainy Friday

Hello to anyone who takes the time to look at my blog. You never know if anyone is looking- I might just be talking to me. It's been a rainy, cool day. Lynn finished 3rd crop hay yesterday, so the rain was good. Now we pray that the corn is able to finish getting to the corn silage stage before frost comes. They are saying that Sunday or Monday morning will be quite cool. Frost in Aug is not good, especially after the cooler summer we have had. Lynn and I made a quick trip to EC today and FINALLY bought vinyl flooring for the laundry room. Now, to get it put down in there. It would be wonderful to do it this week before we leave for Labor Day weekend. Well, Friday night football begins in a few minutes, so time to go. GO PACKERS!!!

New flower bed

Lynn built a new flower bed for me this summer. I bought a few plants to start with plus a lillie that SIL Wilma gave me. I then moved a few items from another flower bed that were getting covered by flowers - a star shaped design, a flag and Hummingbird feeder, foot prints in cement from Kylie and Emma, and "Emma" girl with bird house figurine, then I bought a glass ornamental object; now there is an Hisbiscus plant. I hope I am able to keep that going through a cold winter. Lynn returned from Boston last night. He spent four days helping Greg remodel or at least begin to remodel the upstairs of their home. He had a great time. I'm glad he was able to go. He has had no time away from the farm or carpentry until this month. Summer is gradually or maybe quickly winding down. The sun is setting about 8:10 and is nearly dark shortly after 8:30. I miss those longer days of early summer. I have the best memories from Junes past - family vacations to Parshall, N.Dak, playing ball at nearly 11pm out on the farm, picnics with family and friends; lots of great memories. We have finally had some good rains. We are catching up on moisture.

Sunday morning

I apologize that I have not been updating my blog on a daily basis as I do during the quieter winter months. We just came through a week of "sort of" hot weather - 80's, but more humid. Yesterday the clouds moved in and kept temps down. Rain moved in later in the day and it is once again raining this morning. It is to be cooler and less humid all this next week - maybe I will finally get the lawn mowed. It was just too muggy all week to go out and mow during the day. The county fair is going on this weekend, so this morning a community church service will be held out there. Our early service - usually at 8, will be not meet today- community service @ 9 instead, then our regular 10:45 service will be held - and today I am running the computer. Lynn and I hope to get to church before 10 to get the computer turned on along with the projector and monitors. I plan to take our kitchen footstool to sit on. I took a chair on Tuesday and it is very comfy, but a bit too low. Lynn is getting ready for his trip to Boston tomorrow. He will need to finish packing and get things loaded this evening. Katie, Jason and Emma stopped in yesterday - bringing back our truck which they used to haul the last of their household items to storage. The sale of their house in NR should happen this week. Enjoyed watching the Packers play Cleveland in their first pre-season game. Today is the final match of the PGA championship which is being played in Minn. God bless -

Just checking in folks!

I apologize that I have not posted in quite a while. It has been gorgeous out today - just right - after getting two wonderful rains earlier this week. At least 2 inches and more nearby. Hot weather is forecast for this weekend, so I want to get the yard completely mowed and trimmed tomorrow. I got the back yard done this afternoon. Now to finish...... I watered the flowers in pots - the gardens are just fine. I also washed off the picnic table - it needs painting or staining, but since it belongs to daughter Katie, I will let her decide. Once they have a yard once again, she will want her table back. I also sprayed Round-Up on the weeds that stick up through our patio blocks and another area by our garage. They are tough to pull, so easier to spray them. Lynn will be heading to a seminar early in the morning with our pastor. They will stay overnight with friends from our past. I need to print off some photos for him to take along. Well, time to walk on the treadmill. God bless to all!!!