It's September, Let's Catch up

 Yikes! Where does the time go??? 

It's been hot-Dilly has been helping with yard work.

And we got a basketball hoop for him-he shoots hoops every day!

There have been a few windy storms pass through-we lost some small branches and one bigger one.

I got them cut up and burned one batch then we had another blowing storm and had more! So now the fire bowls are full again!

We went to a "Flea Market" at Huibbard Park-unfortunatly the only things there were clothing resellers. Who Knew there were so many people selling used clothing-I swear they had a Hawkeye shirt for every man woman and child in the county there!

There were a few selling artwork and little jewelry, but nothing worth the time it took to park!

We've had some good park time!

I like these playgrounds that have the rubber mats on the ground-they are so much nicer!

And I've started this quilt. I bought this pattern many years ago, like 25 years maybe?  and it was the most expensive pattern I'd ever bought. $15.00

It's not a great pattern in my opinion-I'm glad I didn't start it 20 years ago!

You have to trace off all the pieces and cut the templates out and then the 2nd blocks have paper piecing-which I kind of like.

I'm using a pile of batiks that I got a couple of summers ago at a yard sale. 

These first blocks are kind of wonky, but I think it will work out in the long run.

More to come on this one!

And the Electrician came and did the check up on the generator. It's ready when ever another storm comes along!

And the saddest news too, My Mom is dying. She moved to Iowa River Hospice this week. Iowa River Hospice Is a really nice facility, they have been so accomodating. She is suffering with congestive heart failure and kidney failure. 

This was back in July, not lomg ago at all and time just keeps rushing along.

Love those smiles!!!

Well, That Was Unexpected

 It was raining cats and dogs on Friday morning, and around 6:30am I was in bed wishing the dog didn't need to go out, and I heard a big loud WHHummmP! noise. It didn't bother the dog, but I got up to have a look out the front windows.

This picture from the sliding door off the kitchen is funny because you can see the TV screen reflected on the glass, and it's telling about the severe weather warnings. A branch off of the front yard tree broke off and fell right beside the deck!

After the rain stopped I went out and had a better look. Yikes!, just missed the generator!

And missed the porch!

But did not miss the fence. Not bad though!

See where the branch came from! 

I am so thankful, a friend of Dannie's texted me asking if I could use some help with the branch in the yard! Thank you Missy & Andy and their crew with a big chainsaw!! Such good hearted people , I am sooo thankful!! We had it all cleared away in less than an hour! Good workers! 

I had to run into Menards to get a connector and a couple of new caps for the fence repair, I had enough top rail left over from previous repairs! 

There! All fixed up and good to go! 

We Got the Power & Merry Christmas

So, back in May Hubs made the final decision to get a whole house back up generator. He made the arrangements with a local electrical company to come and install this Kohler Unit. They ordered it and we settled in to wait,......and wait.......and wait.

Finally the week before Christmas, they completed installation. It was way more complicated than any of us expected. Mainly because they have only certain folks that do each part of the installation. One guy came and laid in the pad for the unit to sit on, then a few weeks later a guy came and ran piping for the power unit portion. Then a few weeks later the gas company came and installed a new, bigger meter-which was on back order. Then a few weeks later a guy came to inspect it all, then a week or so later a guy came to do the final set up and test run it.

Anyways, it's all done. If we have a storm and the power goes out, then the unit will kick in and we can continue to operate the house the same as always.

We had a nice Christmas Eve family get together at Julie's. Lots of good stuff to eat with soup.

Caitlyn pointed out that it's all adults this year. 

Hubs made a delicious vegetable beef soup and Julie served minestrone soup from Olive Garden.

It was unusually warm this year, about 50 degrees!! 

A nice family shot before everyone takes off.

We had the gift exchange, this year's was something edible. A good variety of stuff was gifted!

Julie has Grandma's ceramic Christmas tree and it's still looking as beautiful as ever.

And I haven't posted a picture of the ornament wreath this year so here it is.  Merry Christmas!