Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun, & Mon. April 19-23

From another gorgeous spring day in MO,

I didn't realize it had been this long since I've been on this blog. I think we had seven at breakfast on Thursday morning and then I had a very abbreviated library board meeting in the afternoon. My replacement was there and as soon as we had a quorum with the old board, then I scooted out.

Jim joined the second breakfast group on Friday a.m. and then we left here about 10:00 to 10:30 to head to Liberty. We checked out Kohl's first as Jim had found some ban-lon type of shirts there last week that he really liked - and the price was right - so he picked up another couple or three on Friday. We ate at O'Charley's, did some puttering at Target, and then headed to Excelsior Springs.

The various field event teams were already warming up when we arrived and the girls' pole vault started about 30 minutes later. It was a lovely afternoon for a track meet. There was sort of a cool breeze in the evening, but I tucked Jim's sweatshirt around my neck and I was fine. We left about 8:00 as I had hit the "brick wall" about 6:00 - arrived home about 10:00. I guess the meet was actually over about 10:00.

On Saturday, we did a few a.m. errands and then I picked Vickie G. up about 9:45 and headed to the Presbyterian church for Betty's funeral. I anticipated a large crowd and the upstairs was full, but not packed. I don't know if they had to seat late arrivals elsewhere. I hadn't seen the two girls in years and had the younger one as a seventh grader when I first came to Chillicothe in 1967.

A cousin (from my mom's side of the family) came over a little after 12:00 and we went to the SteakHouse for lunch. Jim had spent the a.m. replacing oil in the engine of his boat and also fixing a defective back light. Margaret and I spent some time at Kay G.'s after lunch. Kay and Margaret had been roommates years ago at MU.

Sunday was sort of a puttering day for us - packing, laundry, checking lists, and eventually enjoying the two morning newspapers. Of course there were also errands to be done.

We left here about 7:45 this a.m. as we had taken the truck to the shed last evening with a forecast of some potentially bad weather. We retrieved the truck and then went to the FEC station where Jim checked tire pressure on both vehicles. We then headed out in separate directions - Jim home to pack up items that had been organized yesterday while I went by the vet's office to see if they had space for the two girls (they did), post office, high school to pick up scholarship applications, and was at the libary by 9:00 to help with the first "public" day of the annual used book sale.

The other volunteer and myself kept a rough tally of what money was brought in and we were approaching the $350 amount when we left at 1:00 - probably the average price of a book was $1.00! I had taken some paperwork to putter with and a book to read, but didn't touch either one while I was there. When I first looked at my watch, it was almost 11:30!

I ate alone at the SteakHouse afterwards - a hamburger and a side salad, and then went to the bank to get some cash for the trip to Pomme. From there I came on home and puttered with scholarship data. Pat called a little later and we met at HyVee for awhile and made plans to go to Country Kitchen for our evening meal. I really outdid myself at supper - ended up having a caramel and pecan waffle - and of course also topping it with pecan syrup. I have enough sugar in me that probably is more than a usual week -- but it was excellent. I am so tired already that I don't think it will effect my sleep tonight.

Jim has called from Pomme and he is safely there. He had the boat parked at the campsite and was in line at the water station so as to fill the reservoir in the trailer. Of course after that he had the setting up and then clearing the water lines of the anti-freeze that we had put in last year. He always adds some Clorox to the water. We don't drink from the reservoir as I keep a gallon container of drinking water in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I would guess the water would be safe, but I am not wanting to take any chances. Jim has decided to go to Springfield on Tuesday and spend some time at the Bass Pro - without feeling guilty about me reading in a waiting area (which I don't mind doing.)

I doubt if I will be back on the blog until April 30th or May 1.

Be safe.
B.

Tues. & Wed. April 17 & 18

From a Missouri where maybe spring has finally arrived!

Before I begin, Jean S. came by after school today to tell me that Betty McCoy died today. Betty taught seventh grade science at the junior high from about the second year I came until probably 1993. She was a very creative teacher and liked for the students to search out answers through experiements and other activities.

Tuesday was a full day for us - maybe too full. We walked at the Y about 8:00 and by about 9:30, we were heading to the NKC area. We stopped at Roger's for Jim to check out fishing equipment, then went on to Sam's as I wanted to get trays for Velma (doesn't need them yet, but we are toying with going to Pomme next week), ate at O'Charley's, and then checked prices of sheets at Target and Kohl's. We really hadn't had the other sheets that many years, but they were getting very think and had a few holes in them.

We were at Cameron a little after 3:00 and Jim helped Mike J. run off the pole vault. The cross bar broke again this year - and after trying to fix it, the sag just kept getting more and more pronounced. Actually a second one was also broken and eventually a third one was located - surived until the end. I don't think I've ever seen a pole completely broken, but these were definitely damaged in the middle. Jim was exhausted by the end - had taken about an hour longer than necessary because of the numerous repairs.

We arrived back in Chillicothe a little after 8:00 and initially I thought we would just leave the car at B/B as I had asked them to lock it with the keys inside. We decided to stop by and get the car - thank goodness - as the window on the driver's side was down and the keys were in the ignition! Needless to say, I passed on my unhappiness at the service desk this a.m.

Jim joined both breakfast groups this morning and we eventually walked at the Y. I had not tried the treadmill before and since Jim was the only other user, I asked him to get me going on it. I don't know whether it was because I was already so tired, had already eaten breakfast, or whatever, but I didn't last long. I really didn't think I was walking that fast, but I have been exhausted the rest of the day. I also had not slept well last night - just couldn't get to sleep and I had not had any sweets or caffeine - so don't know what was going on.

I had a haircut this a.m. - usually get it done on Thursday, but Amy and her family are flying to Boston on Thursday to attend a convention relative to Tay-Sachs - the final diagnosis of her one year old son.

The girls had "haircuts" this afternoon and look great - as well as smell great. Abby is currently on my lap and Trixie is at my feet - will take Abby's place if she decides to get off - which I doubt.

I have breakfast with the ladies in the a.m. and then will probably walk with Jim at the Y. I have my "last" library board meeting in the afternoon. It probably is good timing as my replacement will be voting on some important items and by next month there should be even more to vote on relative to the renovation of the current library. I will probably be in tears when I leave as I have gained so much by my almost 8 years on the board.

If I don't get on the computer on Thursday, I probably won't be on again until Saturday as we will attend the track meet at Excelsior Springs on Friday evening - and will be home late.

Be safe.

B.

Sun. & Mon. April 15 & 16

From a much warmer MO,

We enjoyed the Sunday newspapers and then basically puttered. Jim mowed the yard late in the a.m. and I tackled the tub and surround wall in the main bathroom. I don't know if I made it look that much better, but it is clean. I made good progress on the second CJ Sansom book - DARK FIRE.

Today is absolutely gorgeous. The sun is out and it is warm enough that I have cut-off jeans on and am going without socks with my Birks. We walked at the Y this a.m. and then came home to clean-up. Maybe spring has finally arrived to stay. I looked at the peonies and I think some have maybe made it through the freeze (those interior plants) and maybe there will be some peony blooms after all. Jim has gone fishing at Indian Creek. I met Pat at noon at the Pizza Hut. I am about ready to curl up with DARK FIRE and see what kind of progress I can make - it I can stay awake. I did get several errands done this a.m. and would have done more except a warning light came on the car so I scooted to Barnes-Baker and they will look at it tomorrow.

Jim and I are going to the northern part of KC on Tuesday. Jim wants to check some fishing items at Roger's and we have a 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath, and Beyond. We need to replace a set of sheets so we will try there first - otherwise will go on over to Penney's, Macy's, or Dillard's. Of course Target is also close to Roger's and BB&B - so who knows. We will be back at Cameron by 3:00 or a little later as there is a track meet there. I doubt if I'll get on the computer on Tuesday evening.

We are being changed over to a high speed system this evening. I will do a new log-in on Tuesday morning and hopefully we can follow the directions. The equipment was installed this past week. Our e-mail address will remain the same as we are staying with CMU. Hopefully there won't be any glitches. I won't know how to act for incoming mail to come in quickly - especially those with pictures or attachments.

Be safe.
B.

Fri. & Sat. April 13 & 14

From a sunny, but still somewhat crisp MO,

We had a full day on Friday - walked at the Y in the a.m., puttered around here until we could find out if the Relays were on - they were - made a mad dash to HyVee to get sandwich makings for the hosptitality room as well as for ourselves - arrived at the stadium a little after 12:30 - bundled up and watched pole vaulting and the last of the running events until probably close to 6:00 - went to the Steakhouse for a salad and half of a sandwich - climbed in bed. I hadn't really gotten cool yesterday (high was probably in the mid 40s), but when I climbed into bed I really felt cold so I added a second blanket and finally felt like a human being about two hours later.

The girls have been sleeping through most of the night. Jim put them out about 9:30 last night (he was also tired) and I didn't put them out until after 5:00 this a.m. I think the night before he put them out about 10:30 and they didn't make any noise until almost 6:30.

We sort of slept in this a.m., walked at the Y about 8:00, and then we took on the project of taking the mattress and box springs off the bed, and did a thorough vacuuming with our new vacuum cleaner. While everything was in disarray, I decided to wash the mattress cover - so now we have a clean mattess cover and clean sheets back on the bed. I really need to go to the laundrymat to wash the bedspread, but will be crawling into bed in a few minutes.

We escaped the snow last night and only had a little rain. There is nothing worse than heavy snow in the spring - except that it usually leaves quickly. I-70 seemed to be the dividing line in western MO.

We have no big plans for Sunday other than enjoying the newspapers and the girls. The weather is supposed to warm up some - more like a typical spring. We have a couple of track meets coming up this week - Tuesday at Cameron and Friday at Excelsior Springs.

Be safe.
B.

Wed. &Thurs. April 11 & 12

From a sunny, but crisp MO,

These two days have been relatively easy on us. Jim joined both breakfast groups on Wednesday a.m. and I headed to HyVee to join Pat. Jim and I walked about 10:00 at the Y. Helen came down from Princeton and several of us gathered at the Steakhouse for lunch - then I slept the afternoon away.

I joined the ladies for breakfast this a.m. - am thinking that maybe 8 of us were there - Jan, Clara, Pat, Sandy, Julie, Margaret, and yours truly - am leaving out someone, but the old mind is tired. Mary W. had gone to the NKC area with her husband early this a.m. for follow-up tests from the treatment he had received earlier. Margaret was back from the Master's where she and her husband had enjoyed (even if cold) the days on the course.

Jim and I walked about 10:00 today at the Y - then I headed for bed. I don't think I slept that much, but didn't have energy to get anything postive accomplished - housework or reading. We did get out about 3:30 to take care of Jim's supplemental health insurance that comes due on June 1 - will switch companies and save about $200. Afterwards we headed to the track as Jim wanted to see how the vaulters did at Maryville yesterday - terrible weather - rain and cold - as we had not gone.

I am hoping to curl up with the book by Sansom - DISSOLUTION - again tonight. It is not a fast read, but I am rather enjoying the content so far. I am somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 finished.

The Relays are here tomorrow afternoon. I haven't looked today at a weather forecast, but the last one I saw called for thunderstorms. I volunteered to make sandwiches so I won't get the ingredients until late in the a.m. I get some shaved ham as I can always chop that and freeze it for ham and beans. I will also get some shaved turkey or chicken as that can be used in the sour cream enchiladas if necessary.

Be safe.
B.

Mon. & Tues. April 9 & 10

From a now rainy and still somewhat cool MO,

Monday seemed like an active day for us. I was at the RSVP office a little after 8:00 and helped Ron some with the usual Monday activities as I wrote the hospital check, balanced the monthly checkbook, and did the xeroxing. He had a few more changes than I had last week on the computer so we timed it quite well - we were walking out in one hour.

Jim had decided to go fishing after he had been to the Y so the girls and I had the house somewhat to ourselves. I received the message that a new ink cartridge was needed and I had been waiting for that as I wanted to run a new printout on the family tree and new it would take many pages - 161 pages for what I have on 16 generations. While this was running, I took the time to also run the vacuum cleaner upstairs and do some dusting - just never managed to make it to the main bathroom.

I have started a new author for me - a fictional history series by C.J. Sanson. The first book is DISSOLUTION. At this time there are two more books in the series. I started the book on Monday, but have yet to turn a page today.

We walked a little after 7:00 this a.m. I had a meeting relative to finding a "back-up" for our back-up for Mobile Meals. Betty P. has the job that I would go crazy with - taking phone calls for new recipients (also getting their address and food needs), making changes, contacting the hospital, keeping track of who owes money for meals, etc., etc., etc. Anyway she needs a back-up and at this time it would be mainly to contact the hospital when Betty has to leave early for a doctor's appointment in KC. The meeting was in the Baptist Home and it was the first time I had been in their facility.

Jim and I took the girls to the vet's this a.m. for their yearly shots and also the dosage for kennel cough. Jim dropped me off at HyVee afterwards and sat in the truck with the girls while I did my weekly shopping at HyVee. We then came home and after items had been put away, we made a trip to the Steakhouse for lunch. Jim Beemer came in shortly afterwards and was in the booth behind us. When we realized he was going to be alone, he joined us in our booth. We hadn't visited with James in a long time so it was a very nice time. He is gaining more and more usage with his right arm that took a hit when he fell from a step stool several weeks ago.

I have dozed this afternoon with the girls. Abby doesn't seem to have any effects from the shots, but Trixie is sore. I lifted her up on the bed and also down when we got up. She had to be strongly encouraged to go outside to do her thing, and then came in through the basement. I wondered where she was and looked down the stairs - and there she was looking up - so I went down to the basement and carried her up. She is now on her daddy's lap with a dry towel over her.

The only thing on the agenda for Wednesday will be the two breakfast groups that Jim joins. I may go to HyVee and join Pat and Jerry - will just see how the morning goes.

I made a new recipe this afternoon (before going down for a nap.) A couple of weeks ago when I was at HyVee, Doug L. was there on the pretext of picking up the ingredients for taco soup. The ingredients were a little different from the recipe that I use (has white and yellow hominy rather than corn) so I e-mailed his source of the recipe and have now made it. It think maybe I would prefer a little more diced tomatoes as compared to one can of Rotel, but we will see this evening. I may even make some corn muffins to go with it - will see where the energy level is at 5:00 - just looked at the clock on the computer and guess we are there already.

Be safe.
B.

Sat. & Sun. April 7 & 8

From a sunny, but crisp MO,

Saturday was rather a quiet day for us - walked at the Y, did several errands, slept the middle part of the day, cooked the smoked turkey and had some for supper - absolutely delicious.

I had thought today (Sunday) would be quiet, but Jim decided he wanted to see "The Namesake" at the AMC theater in south KC - 119th and I-35. There was an early (10:45) showing so we went to that and then headed to WilJenny's at 135th and Metcalf. We did go to the Half Price bookstore near the AMC and found a few books that we had been looking for - at a good price. After WilJenny's we made a stop at the Barnes and Noble in Town Center - then came home. We bought at quart of salsa at WilJenny's for Don has he loves it. He has already been by to pick it up.

Jim has mowed the yard since we returned while I am on a second load of laundry - plus putting books away that we bought today. I'm thinking the second in the Tudor series is on tonight - and I hope I can stay awake long enough to watch it.

We had a phone call from Marceline today while we were gone and I've returned the call and left a message. A relative on my mom's side of the family is quite ill.

I am helping Ron W. at the RSVP office in the a.m. - primarily to save him the time of xeroxing. Beyond that, I need to do a few errands - and then will curl up in the recliner to begin a series by Sansom on a three part mystery relative to Henry VIII. Sue J. had recommeded the third book (only one the library has) and I found the first one at the Half Price Bookstore today and the second one at Barnes and Noble.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs. & Fri. April 5 & 6

From a cold and blustery MO,

I am sure that more and more damage must be happening to flowers and fruit trees. I think the low this a.m. was 19 with a windchill of 9 - and the high was probably in the mid 30s!

We had a full table at breakfast on Thursday - of course lots of lively conversation. Helen was coming down so several of us joined her at noon at the Beijing. I did heat up leftovers for supper last night!

We did manage a good walk at the Y about 10:00 on Thursday and about 7:30 this a.m.

Jim joined the second group this a.m. for breakfast and I headed to HyVee and joined Pat and Jerry. Pat and I left here about 11:15 for Trenton today to join Helen at Huckleberry's. Helen had left her good jacket at the Y yesterday afternoon and after a couple of calls they tracked it down. I picked it up this a.m. and took it with us to Trenton.

We really don't have too much planned for this weekend. We will walk in the a.m. at the Y and I hope to begin reading a novel that Sue Jones recommended - SOVEREIGN by C.J. Sansom. It is part of a series with DISSOLUTION and DARK FIRE also listed. I am not sure which is first, but am going to give this book a try. I guess I could go on the internet and find out the order and then check with the library to see if they have the others - oh, well - I'll see how Saturday goes.

Be safe.
B.

Wed. April 4

From a sunny, windy, coolish MO,

My poor daffodils appear to have gone by the wayside as they were bent over this a.m. and the blooms were brown. The tulips don't appear to be in any better shape and I haven't had the courage to check the peonies! The temp this a.m. was in the mid 20s with a cold, blustery wind from the north.

I had anticipated a quiet day and it has turned into a day of some interesting action. Jim of course went to his two breakfasts this a.m. and I managed to crawl out of bed and head to HyVee. Pat had just arrived and Jerry Schmidt came soon afterwards. We were just seated and I realized someone was at my shoulder and it was Doug Long.

Jerry taught vocal music here in my early days and Doug arrived on the scene the freshman year of our son's entry into high school. Jerry is an avid history reader and loves to explore historical sites. Doug L. also has a keen interest in history and has a background in kayaking and mountain biking - with Jerry also having a love of photography. These two had not met before and it didn't take long and Doug was in awe of Jerry's historical knowledge - ranging from KC history to Custer's battle with the Indians. Eventually Doug brought up about the Thompson homestead just north of Edinburg (near Crowder Park) and this was something completely new to Jerry. Anway it was quite fun and interesting watching these two (close to a generation apart) explore each other's minds.

Jim and I walked at the Y a little after 10:00, cleaned up, and headed for Trenton, Gallatin, and Jamesport. We couldn't pass eating at Huckleberry's - with Jim having his favorite croissant sandwich and I couldn't by-pass the broccoli/cheese soup in a sour dough bread bowl. Just east of Gallatin we located a place that sells "natural" meat and bought a small smoked turkey. They have quite an assortment of meat there and I feel sure we will make a return trip. Of course south of Jamesport we had to stop at H&M to get a few treats - including some Havarti cheese.

We are now settled in for the afternoon. I haven't heard Jim say yet if he is going over to pole vault practice and I intend to settle in with a third in a series book by Susan Wittig Albert - a China Bayles mystery. These are very light reading with a setting just south of Austin, TX. She also has an English series written under the name of Robin Paige. Under the name of Albert, she also has a Beatrix Potter mystery series. I think Pat first came across these at "I Love a Mystery" book store on Johnson Dr.

Be safe.
B.

Sun., Mon, & Tues -- April 1-3

From a sunny, WINDY, cooler MO,

The weather has changed from lovely spring to reminding us that it can still be nippy. I am wondering what is going to happen to so many young plants as we are to have three or four mornings in the mid 20s! My peonies are probably at least 6 to 8 inches in height right now, tulips are blooming, apple tree has blossoms ready to burst, etc.

We have had some busy, but not frenetic days. We basically lounged on Sunday - recovering from being up late on Saturday night to watch the two basketball games. Actually Jim did meet John at 10:00 and they spent the late morning and afternoon fishing at Indian Creek - claimed they caught fish, but didn't bring any home. I did get a phone call from my cousin, Harvey and his wife, wondering if they could meet me in Brookfield. They had been visiting his sister and then were going to spend a little time with Aunt Maxine. We had a delightful visit. It has been several years since I've been around them in a small group and we had a lot of catching up to do.

I had computer work for Mobile Meals on Monday and that went smoothly. Ruth Benson came by to help and that knocks off a good 30 minutes of time to be spent doing the needed items. Afterwards, I ran a few errands - eventually including a trip to vet's to get more Heartgard for the girls. Danny happened to be there and when he found out that Jim was fishing at Joe Shelby (just south of the Meadville junction) he had to share with me a "hot" fishing spot for Jim. I decided to take it on over to JS and Jim was just getting his boat in the water. We stayed up last night to watch the basketball game - then had a loud storm go through our area during the early morning hours.

Today has been busy for both of us. We slept in this a.m., walked at the Y, and then the errands began. We had enough that we decided to go separate ways and even then it took me close to two hours to get all the needed things done - but I feel a lot better now.

Today is city and county election day for us. I will go to the Grand River Inn this evening to catch the election results - have never done this before, but Chuck H. had called. I am not expecting Jim to go as I am sure something is good on tv - there is always something good to be found on tv for Jim.

We had planned on going to Marshall this afternoon for the track meet, but with temps in the 50s and a cold wind from the north, we decided to stay home. I had bought some hamburger at HyVee this a.m. and have a meatloaf as well as baking potatoes in the oven. It is beginning to smell good so I need to prepare the "fresh" asparagus.

We don't have a great deal planned for the rest of the week - breakfast out for Jim on Wednesday and Friday and I join the ladies on Thursday for breakfast. Pat and I are toying with going to St. Joseph on Friday as each of us need to get a wedding gift for an upcoming wedding - plus we enjoy checking out the antique mall and some craft stores.

Be safe.
B.