Messages By: ulnamn

Getting ready to take off to visit friends...return tomorrow.  Yes, jane, the Dells really got hit, didn't they.   Guess that means no water shows this year.  we used to enjoy driving through whenever we went that direction.  We've had some bad weather around us but so far we haven't had any damage.  A cool day today....barely 60.  I spent yesterday and this morning sewing.  Allergies must come out as these men get older.  Archie's nose needs a funnel.  Tomorrow night we're ivited to friends to play cards, Thursday I have my mammogram, and Friday brings the end of the week already.  Saturday is open house for our granddaughter so sure we'll get a lot of visiting done.  have a good week!  Joy 

Glad to see your note, Lois.  Sorry to hear about your SIL.  Always hard to see that final goodbye.  I've had a busy week as usual.  Played cards Monday night, spent all day at church on Tuesday with the quilting group, Wednesday was picking up kids from VBS and getting my yearly physical, visitng at the nursing home, getting home just in time for a quick bite and then off to play cards again.  Thursday morning I had a meeting at church and then came home to prepare "hot dish supper" for the farm...two sons and families.  Made two hot dishes, salad, french bread, green beans and dessert.  About the time dinner was over my DIL called to say our grandson had wiped out on his motorcycle...just a mile down the road...6:30  Archie and I arrived just after they had air-lifted him to the trauma center in Minneapolis.  We drove my son and DIL to the hospital.  He had bad road burns plus a gash in his forehead...numerous scrapes and bruises.  We spent time with him until they started to clean him up...went to a waiting area.  They had taken catscan, etc before we arrived.  We didn't actually talk to the doctor until shortly before midnight when he was going to sew up his head.  My son, Archie, and I left about midnight....bed at 1 AM.  My DIL stayed the night.  In the morning it was decided he would need surgery to remove a bone chip so today they opened up the wound on his forehead and went in to remove the chip.  He had the neck collar removed yesterday and was up to go to the bathroom so that was a plus.  Today he sedated quite heavily because of all the road burn pain.  When he does come home he will have to return to the hospital daily to have his bandages removed and his burns dressed.  I plan to help with transportation as my DIL is still recovering from back surgery.  Today I cleaned house, washed our sleep apt machines, and washed the car.  Archie wanted pizza for supper which was fine with me.  I hope Leo has gotten some results by now...no fun waiting.  Our valley friends said today that it was hot and dry.  Please keep Cory in your prayers.   Joy       

Just thought I would check again to see if anyone has been on line.  We played cards this evening with our Wednesday friends.  Lois, you have had a rough time.  As the old saying goes...it never rains but it pours.  That's the way we felt when we arrived home from Texas after just putting out $400 to have our car fixed, came home to a frozen sewer for $400, time to have 50,000 mile checkup on the car, two grandchildren graduating, Archie's skin cancer surgery, grandson's accident, DIL back surgery, and now preparing for cataract surgery when I return from Alaska...the list just seems to grow.  We did enjoy a great wedding last Saturday so that brightened things up a bit.  Every day I just am thankful I can navigate.  I visited two friends in nursing homes on Tuesday and brought them communion.  Makes me feel guilty that I haven't been going as often as I should but that gas price wants me to fit visits in when I'm going that direction.  I certainly hope Leo gets in real soon.  Archie goes back to his doctor on Monday.  The bed is calling my name and I am tired.  Went shopping this morning to pick up things for our pig roast on Friday.  We had about 170 last year.  Enjoy the fourth and remember those who are fighting for our freedom with a prayer.  J

Jane...glad to hear things are going better for you and Bill. 

Glad to see you are still alive, Dolores!  I want you alive when I come to Alaska as I would like to meet you. We fly to Anchorage August 23.  It sounds as though you went on part of the trip we will see.  We take the boat across Prince William sound to Valdez,  then to Delta Junction, to Fairbanks for 2 days, train to Denali for 2 days, back to Anchorage on to Seward to our ship...lots of stops on the way.  Just keep praying our health will remain good so we can go.  All these gas prices shouldn't make a difference as we made our reservations months ago.  Archie goes to the VA Aug 12 for his annual checkup.  I see my eye surgeon Aug 5.  Yes, Lois, gas prices do make a difference in travel and camping.  Our friends from our valley park are getting together August 7 and it will cost $20 - 25 just for gas to join them.  I'm sure glad we don't drive our motorhome to Texas anymore.  The SUV wil be costly enough.  I've been doing more walking each day to prepare for our trip.Do hope all is going well with your men folk.  J 

Jane, nice to hear from you....so glad Bill is doing well. Sorry to hear your daughter has more problems but sounds as though the healing has started.  It all keeps you busy!  Archie 's appointment has been changed but we don't have the new date as yet.  I'm just trying to get things organized around here.  I hadn't gone through esate things for a while so am getting the stuff updated and cleaned up for our sons so they won't have a big mess when we leave this world.  I don't think I'll ever get all my pictures and scrap booking done!  My DIL is in Mexico this week so I'm helping take care of our 9 yr old twin granddaughters.  They are busy getting ready for the county fair with their 4-H projects.  We had 1 1/2 inches of rain Saturday...looks like more today.  Picked a lot of beans and they certainly taste good.  Do hope all is well with everyone.  J

I posted a letter last night but don't know what happened to it.  Sorry to hear Leo has to have surgery plus a skin graft.  so thankful that Bill is getting along better now.  Seems we all have these little episodes that keep popping up.  We received our Alaska stuff today but haven't had time to look at it.  I picked my DIL green beans this morning...she's still in Mexico on her mission trip.  Can't see them go to waste so Archie helped clean them and we froze them.  My son is just too busy right now with harvesting the rye, etc.  I've had him and the twins for dinner each night to help out.  Bed time for me.  Do hope all is well with everyone.   J

So nice to see a couple notes on the board but can certainly understand    the reason for not posting....caring for family takes a lot of time.   We leave Saturday morning and arrive in Anchorage around noon time.  I hope to meet Dolores sometime on Saturday.  Congratulations to you and Leo on your 60 years, Lois.  I know you'll have fun in the Ozarks.   Joy

Arrived home last Friday evening but have just been too busy to get to the board.  It was so good to meet with Dolores and Glenna even if it was just for an hour.  Will have to send out our picture for all to see but it is in my other computer so that will be another time.  Archie was tired from the 6 hour plane ride so I thought it was better for him to rest.  He does get tired and complains that he can't do everything as fast anymore...guess we all hear that song!  Archie is busy in the field today so I have some time to myself.  I froze some tomatoes and picked green beans this morning.  I had doctor appointments Monday and Tuesday only to find out that I am in good health which made my day.  Cleaned house and entertained Wednesday night, lunch out with my S-I-L s on Thursday and returned the lugage I had borrowed.  I did buy one large bag and borrowed two others....one carry-on....so many regulations on size but we didn't have to pay any extra baggage charges.  I'm resting a bit to get ready to go out tonight for dinner with friends.  Seems we always have something going on...put over 200 miles on the car this week chasing parts and running grandchildren around. Sorry to hear Leo had such a time with his skin cancer.  Archie has an appointment next Thursday so am praying he will pass inspection.  Some days his face looks real good and other days I wonder.  We enjoyed the trip...some parts better than others.  Archie was tired of looking at mountains by time we finished our trip..  We did hear a lot of Alaska history plus saw bears, mountain sheep, caribou, whales, sea lions, etc.  The cruise was more fun for me as I did get off in all the towns to see the sights...waliking on my own.  Archie is not a walker so he'd get off the ship and spend time calling the family.  Every place we stayed was first class with outstanding food.  We stopped at the state fair so I took pictures of the very extra large pumpkins, cabbage, etc.  I'm glad we went but once was enough for a tour and cruise.  I'll have to check out Dr Phil.  Joy   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The time still flies by and I guess it's time to catch up again.  I'm not sure who had mentioned Sparks but I decided to look into it this week so it has taken my time to get going.  They track all food and exercise for you plus friendly people to encourage one another....much like Dr Phil's.  I have gotten back into walking each day after breakfast plus doing strength training three days a week.  Using my program that I had from the gym.  I have lost five pounds since I came home from Alaska.  My goal is to lose a pound a week. 

Today is a beautiful day in MN.  We had 1.8 inches rain yesterday....won't help the crops...too late.  The guys are filling silo today so Archie is busy outside.  Hope everyone is feeling up to par.  Archie's skin doctor gave him a good report although he did take one bio on his arm...will get report next week.  Have a great day.  Joy