Hello,
Today we made ravioli and had Leroy’s sister, Pat and hubby over. We learned something about this ravioli recipe. For some reason the recipe given to us had almost no garlic in it and Pat tells us it should have quite a bit. That makes more sense as this is rather bland. We will have to get a copy of the original recipe that came from their Italian neighbor.
Leroy also gave away some weight—tools that is. Now the next move should be lighter. We keep working on elimination and it does seem to be happening. We went through some pictures but most of those Pat already had.
While they were here we had a video chat with Miriam and girls. They had commented that they had not seen her in more than five years so we fixed that problem even if it was not in the same room they could see and talk. Olivia and Nora spent some time going in and out of a closet providing entertainment.
After they left I went out and took a walk in the park. There was almost an inch of snow on the ground with a little bit more falling. I am so pleased that the park policy is to clear the walks. It was so great to take that half hour walk on the clean surface. It was wonderfully peaceful.
Leroy had shoveled most of the drive way before I came out to help him in the morning and he did not think he needed any more exercise. He did work up a sweat out there so I guess he did enough moving around.
Paula
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Epiphany
Hello,
Epiphany is here so the Christmas decorations are coming down, slowly, but coming down. The advent wreath was easy since it has its own box. At some point my children asked me to label furniture so that they would know, after Leroy and I had died, the source of items. This is a good idea when talked about but takes more effort for this chick to put into reality. I have decided this year I would put notes or a big sheet explaining the Christmas things. How long will it take me to put these things away? It will be a long time. Or maybe it will be a short time because I have almost everything strewn out on the floor behind me and I do not like looking at that even if it is in the basement that I can escape from.
I have finally uploaded our Christmas pictures. There are over 80 pictures in the file, but you are welcome to look at as much or little as you would like. I have left all duplicates or duds in as our children have not looked at them yet. Why I think they would be interested in duplicates or duds I am not sure. Leroy told me he had worked on taking out the red eye, but I still see quite a bit, but then maybe he got tired and quit before the job was done.
Enough Christmas stuff. Last night I thought the music went well for the children’s event. I enjoyed doing it. It has been a long time since I have done something like this. Our oatmeal eating reputation is getting solidified. Because of the number of boxes people seemed to think we must be eating it for more than just breakfast. I was glad to have those boxes as the children enjoyed beating their drums and imitating walking as we sang “As with Gladness Men of Old.” The little ones sang la-la and the older kids read and sang the words.
Tonight is an Epiphany service at one of the other Lutheran churches in town. I am looking forward to that. Can you imagine that people seldom say, “We get to go to church again today!” Seems something is not in our sights as a good thing.
Paula
Epiphany is here so the Christmas decorations are coming down, slowly, but coming down. The advent wreath was easy since it has its own box. At some point my children asked me to label furniture so that they would know, after Leroy and I had died, the source of items. This is a good idea when talked about but takes more effort for this chick to put into reality. I have decided this year I would put notes or a big sheet explaining the Christmas things. How long will it take me to put these things away? It will be a long time. Or maybe it will be a short time because I have almost everything strewn out on the floor behind me and I do not like looking at that even if it is in the basement that I can escape from.
I have finally uploaded our Christmas pictures. There are over 80 pictures in the file, but you are welcome to look at as much or little as you would like. I have left all duplicates or duds in as our children have not looked at them yet. Why I think they would be interested in duplicates or duds I am not sure. Leroy told me he had worked on taking out the red eye, but I still see quite a bit, but then maybe he got tired and quit before the job was done.
Enough Christmas stuff. Last night I thought the music went well for the children’s event. I enjoyed doing it. It has been a long time since I have done something like this. Our oatmeal eating reputation is getting solidified. Because of the number of boxes people seemed to think we must be eating it for more than just breakfast. I was glad to have those boxes as the children enjoyed beating their drums and imitating walking as we sang “As with Gladness Men of Old.” The little ones sang la-la and the older kids read and sang the words.
Tonight is an Epiphany service at one of the other Lutheran churches in town. I am looking forward to that. Can you imagine that people seldom say, “We get to go to church again today!” Seems something is not in our sights as a good thing.
Paula
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Who Knew?
Hello,
This morning walking in the park we saw a bike rider. I was pleased to note that there were four bikes on the rack at the middle school. A couple riders went past our house as well. Leroy put our bikes away and neither of us is very eager to bring them back out. The weather fluctuates quite a lot and we like to keep the bikes warm.
While walking in the park Sunday afternoon, I heard a crack above me and then a solid thump on the ground about five feet away. I yelped and looked in time to see a squirrel twisting and thrashing to get from its back to its feet before scampering off. I looked up to see where it might have come from, but there were only very high branches up there. I wondered if the branch broke bringing this guy to the ground in a hurry.
Tonight Leroy and I are going to lead the music and worship for a kids gathering that happens once a month. It is pre-school to fifth grade. I had been saving oatmeal containers because I hate to throw them away. They will be drums and I have 14 of them to use for that purpose. Can you imagine that Leroy and I have eaten so much oatmeal since we have been here? This is the 42 ounce size. We have it every morning for breakfast, make granola, and make some apple crisps. The oats growers should be happy.
We get more junk mail here than we have in other early months after a move. I wonder what that means. Because the state of Iowa thinks I still live in Chariton even though I sent a letter telling them I have moved. We renewed the car license and their records showed that I did not live here. Also many businesses think the former residents are still here. We have even gotten some of their mail at Christmas. I was so surprised to see that. Also when I look myself up on the Internet they still do not have this address for me. Maybe I can just hide out for a while.
Paula
This morning walking in the park we saw a bike rider. I was pleased to note that there were four bikes on the rack at the middle school. A couple riders went past our house as well. Leroy put our bikes away and neither of us is very eager to bring them back out. The weather fluctuates quite a lot and we like to keep the bikes warm.
While walking in the park Sunday afternoon, I heard a crack above me and then a solid thump on the ground about five feet away. I yelped and looked in time to see a squirrel twisting and thrashing to get from its back to its feet before scampering off. I looked up to see where it might have come from, but there were only very high branches up there. I wondered if the branch broke bringing this guy to the ground in a hurry.
Tonight Leroy and I are going to lead the music and worship for a kids gathering that happens once a month. It is pre-school to fifth grade. I had been saving oatmeal containers because I hate to throw them away. They will be drums and I have 14 of them to use for that purpose. Can you imagine that Leroy and I have eaten so much oatmeal since we have been here? This is the 42 ounce size. We have it every morning for breakfast, make granola, and make some apple crisps. The oats growers should be happy.
We get more junk mail here than we have in other early months after a move. I wonder what that means. Because the state of Iowa thinks I still live in Chariton even though I sent a letter telling them I have moved. We renewed the car license and their records showed that I did not live here. Also many businesses think the former residents are still here. We have even gotten some of their mail at Christmas. I was so surprised to see that. Also when I look myself up on the Internet they still do not have this address for me. Maybe I can just hide out for a while.
Paula
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Random Thoughts and Happenings
Hello,
We ate all the smelly cheese before Christmas, but the smell lingered in the house for a couple days. Then there is that scent on the fingers or it is in the nose after eating it, lingering, lingering. Sarah and Stephen had some cheese that they use to make raclette. It is also a bit pungent, but not so much. Anyway they had some ends in the refrigerator that Leroy and I enjoyed eating, especially melted on bread.
One really nice thing about a Christmas Birthday is that I generally celebrate with some family around as families tend to get together on Christmas.
The sidewalks in both parks across the street are in great shape so we can walk on them even in deep darkness without worrying about tripping over the unexpected and unseen crack. They even clear the snow off the miles.
It warmed up after we came home. The greatest thing about that was that I could bury all of the compostable garbage that I had been unable to just throw out. I talked about taking it out and tossing it in the empty bean field, but Leroy was against that so I just kept flinging it into a five gallon bucket in the garage. Luckily it was frozen along with the ground so no mess, no smell. Now it is frozen so once again the bucket has been called into service.
Last night I begged Leroy to play a game. We played Boggle because I like it and I usually win, but I generously proposed that we only play three games to keep it light and easy for Leroy. Leroy won the first game and tied for the next two. So we played at least three more. Leroy either won or tied. I was distraught. What could be wrong? Is it because we were sitting on the floor? Leroy just smiled with a the grin stretching from one side of his face to the other. The world is certainly changing for the worse. I also had trouble with Sudoku yesterday. Such times.
Paula
We ate all the smelly cheese before Christmas, but the smell lingered in the house for a couple days. Then there is that scent on the fingers or it is in the nose after eating it, lingering, lingering. Sarah and Stephen had some cheese that they use to make raclette. It is also a bit pungent, but not so much. Anyway they had some ends in the refrigerator that Leroy and I enjoyed eating, especially melted on bread.
One really nice thing about a Christmas Birthday is that I generally celebrate with some family around as families tend to get together on Christmas.
The sidewalks in both parks across the street are in great shape so we can walk on them even in deep darkness without worrying about tripping over the unexpected and unseen crack. They even clear the snow off the miles.
It warmed up after we came home. The greatest thing about that was that I could bury all of the compostable garbage that I had been unable to just throw out. I talked about taking it out and tossing it in the empty bean field, but Leroy was against that so I just kept flinging it into a five gallon bucket in the garage. Luckily it was frozen along with the ground so no mess, no smell. Now it is frozen so once again the bucket has been called into service.
Last night I begged Leroy to play a game. We played Boggle because I like it and I usually win, but I generously proposed that we only play three games to keep it light and easy for Leroy. Leroy won the first game and tied for the next two. So we played at least three more. Leroy either won or tied. I was distraught. What could be wrong? Is it because we were sitting on the floor? Leroy just smiled with a the grin stretching from one side of his face to the other. The world is certainly changing for the worse. I also had trouble with Sudoku yesterday. Such times.
Paula
Monday, January 3, 2011
Exciting Times
Hello,
There is always something new and different even in the most ordinary things.
When going through airport security on the way home the guy pulled my metal water bottle out and asked, “Is this yours?”
“Yes,” I answered. I was sure it was empty, but asked anyway, “Does it have something in it?”
“No, but we need to give it a special scan,” he said as he took it off to another place.
In a bit he came back and told me, “We need to do a special scan of your hand.”
He had brought an unusual scanner with him and he proceeded to scan the pads of my fingers. After that he gave back my water bottle.
The other excitement was on the highway. Leroy, who almost always obeys every law as carefully as he can, blatantly broke two traffic rules. I aided and abetted as I urged him on.
We went past the exit for the airport when arriving. There was a sign clearly stating no u-turns, but since no cars were coming I convinced him to make a u-turn anyway. Then on the way home, we were in the wrong lane to make a left turn onto the road that would help get us home. At the traffic light he waited until the cars in the left lane were gone and then turned left too. Again there were no cars behind us. All of this saved us quite a lot of time, but Leroy is not very comfortable with such disregard for law and order.
Paula
There is always something new and different even in the most ordinary things.
When going through airport security on the way home the guy pulled my metal water bottle out and asked, “Is this yours?”
“Yes,” I answered. I was sure it was empty, but asked anyway, “Does it have something in it?”
“No, but we need to give it a special scan,” he said as he took it off to another place.
In a bit he came back and told me, “We need to do a special scan of your hand.”
He had brought an unusual scanner with him and he proceeded to scan the pads of my fingers. After that he gave back my water bottle.
The other excitement was on the highway. Leroy, who almost always obeys every law as carefully as he can, blatantly broke two traffic rules. I aided and abetted as I urged him on.
We went past the exit for the airport when arriving. There was a sign clearly stating no u-turns, but since no cars were coming I convinced him to make a u-turn anyway. Then on the way home, we were in the wrong lane to make a left turn onto the road that would help get us home. At the traffic light he waited until the cars in the left lane were gone and then turned left too. Again there were no cars behind us. All of this saved us quite a lot of time, but Leroy is not very comfortable with such disregard for law and order.
Paula
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Christmas visit
Hello,
When we landed in DC we tried calling Miriam since their plane had a scheduled landing just two minutes after ours. We found them landed already, but “Where are you?” we wanted to know.
Luckily we were in the same terminal. After about a ten minute walk we saw each other. Olivia stretched her arms wide and ran the rest of the way closing the gap between us. I gathered her in my arms as Nora struggled to get there too. Hugs and more hugs, what fun!
Sarah had said she would meet us so we called her to learn where she was. She was still on the Metro so we waited inside in the warm for her to get there. Leroy and I could have navigated the group through the train routine, but it was nice to have the real expert be there. Then it was on to a short walk to their house where Stephen, Lexi, Brian, Jen, and Sophia waited with more hugging, eating, singing, laughing, talking, and playing.
We considered it fortunate that DC did not get the snow that much of the east coast received in abundance. It was, however, cold and quite windy one day. We walked to the library with children in or on the back of a stroller. Before we left the house it was a bit of a struggle to convince some of them that they must wear hat and gloves with coat zipped and a small blanket wrapped around their legs. On the way home there were no arguments. Nora again did not want the blanket wrapped around her legs, but was quite happy to hold it on her lap and for much of the walk she put her face down in the shelter of that blanket.
Olivia asked why some people were brown. I started to think about a good answer for a three year when genetics seemed like too much to get into. I talked about how people were many different colors. She asked the question again and then in a bit she said, “I know, it is because they were born that way.”
Now why did I not think of that as the perfect answer?
Paula
When we landed in DC we tried calling Miriam since their plane had a scheduled landing just two minutes after ours. We found them landed already, but “Where are you?” we wanted to know.
Luckily we were in the same terminal. After about a ten minute walk we saw each other. Olivia stretched her arms wide and ran the rest of the way closing the gap between us. I gathered her in my arms as Nora struggled to get there too. Hugs and more hugs, what fun!
Sarah had said she would meet us so we called her to learn where she was. She was still on the Metro so we waited inside in the warm for her to get there. Leroy and I could have navigated the group through the train routine, but it was nice to have the real expert be there. Then it was on to a short walk to their house where Stephen, Lexi, Brian, Jen, and Sophia waited with more hugging, eating, singing, laughing, talking, and playing.
We considered it fortunate that DC did not get the snow that much of the east coast received in abundance. It was, however, cold and quite windy one day. We walked to the library with children in or on the back of a stroller. Before we left the house it was a bit of a struggle to convince some of them that they must wear hat and gloves with coat zipped and a small blanket wrapped around their legs. On the way home there were no arguments. Nora again did not want the blanket wrapped around her legs, but was quite happy to hold it on her lap and for much of the walk she put her face down in the shelter of that blanket.
Olivia asked why some people were brown. I started to think about a good answer for a three year when genetics seemed like too much to get into. I talked about how people were many different colors. She asked the question again and then in a bit she said, “I know, it is because they were born that way.”
Now why did I not think of that as the perfect answer?
Paula
Saturday, January 1, 2011
On the Road
Hello,
Christmas day found us on the road, not with a crowd, but not alone either. There was some fog and some bits of snow and slush on the road, but not much as long as we headed east. Heading north the road was at first not as clear as we would like, but when we turned onto a smaller road all improved.
In about 20 miles however, we started following a snow plow that was cleaning up the edge and putting on salt or sand or some such. Then it was much slower going on this hilly, windy road. Often we got down to 5 mph. At the first chance Leroy slowly and carefully passed this wonderful helper who was out working on a holiday just for me and others like me. As soon as we crossed the county line the road was again clear.
With all of the help we managed to get to the airport rather early. Many cars in the long term parking area had about six inches of snow on their roofs. The Moline airport is quite small so it was no deal to find our way around. It seems to be a well thought out building with some amenities especially for the electronic using passenger.
Our flight to Chicago was quick as the flight attendant said, “Just 27 minutes from wheels up to wheels down.” In the Chicago airport we had to walk for at least 15 to 20 minutes to get to the next plane. Somehow I had thought they would be closer together since they were the same airline. No trouble to walk that long especially since we had not had our morning walk. The flight was on time and it was a short two hours before we landed in DC.
Again I am so grateful for all of the people who worked on Christmas day so I could see my family. I could have waited another day, but this was great. Would it have been more than 100 people that made this possible? I think so.
Paula
Christmas day found us on the road, not with a crowd, but not alone either. There was some fog and some bits of snow and slush on the road, but not much as long as we headed east. Heading north the road was at first not as clear as we would like, but when we turned onto a smaller road all improved.
In about 20 miles however, we started following a snow plow that was cleaning up the edge and putting on salt or sand or some such. Then it was much slower going on this hilly, windy road. Often we got down to 5 mph. At the first chance Leroy slowly and carefully passed this wonderful helper who was out working on a holiday just for me and others like me. As soon as we crossed the county line the road was again clear.
With all of the help we managed to get to the airport rather early. Many cars in the long term parking area had about six inches of snow on their roofs. The Moline airport is quite small so it was no deal to find our way around. It seems to be a well thought out building with some amenities especially for the electronic using passenger.
Our flight to Chicago was quick as the flight attendant said, “Just 27 minutes from wheels up to wheels down.” In the Chicago airport we had to walk for at least 15 to 20 minutes to get to the next plane. Somehow I had thought they would be closer together since they were the same airline. No trouble to walk that long especially since we had not had our morning walk. The flight was on time and it was a short two hours before we landed in DC.
Again I am so grateful for all of the people who worked on Christmas day so I could see my family. I could have waited another day, but this was great. Would it have been more than 100 people that made this possible? I think so.
Paula
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