Feb. 11 - 24

From an almost warm MO,

Abby is sitting on my lap - head draped over my left arm - so forgive errors.

We haven't done a lot of things in the last couple of weeks, just continue our daily routines - Jim is walking four miles a day - usually 5 or 6 days a week, I do my one mile usually 4 or 5 times a week, Jim is now at about 27 pounds off and I am eating too much and am having trouble getting past 10 pounds. I don't think my knees or hips will take much more distance per outing so I just need to begin watching the quantity of what I eat - again.

Jim checked the weather yesterday and decided we would do an outing on "blue highways" today. We headed towards Jamesport, but did a short cut towards Gallatin, passed Altamont, and then headed north on 69 towards Pattonsburg. This town was heavily flooded in the infamous 1993 devastation and most of the town is now located on a higher elevation.

We headed west at Pattonsburg on "Z" towards King City. About 8 miles east of King City we spotted the wind turbines. I remembered them as being large when we were in Iowa a few years ago to see Carolyn, but had forgotten how big they really are. We were able to get off of "Z" and head north and then west on good roads to be right in the middle of these enormous structures. Jim wondered if he could hear them and he eventually did so, but I heard them a lot earlier. I would not want to be living immediately next to one and was actually surprised at how many homes are nestled among the turbines. Of course the land owner leases the land ($3,000 per turbine) to the wind company and this will continue for 25 years. I think I read that a total of 27 turbines will be eventually built, but my guess is that at least two/thirds of them are in place at this time.

We continued west into King City and then ended up eventually heading south on 169 to St. Joseph. We made quick stops at Borders and Sam's (found gas at Sam's to be $1.60.9) and then continued south to Red Lobster. We were back in Chillicothe in good time.

We stayed up late last night watching the KU/OU basketball game. I plan on going to bed early tonight and Jim is planning on watching the Presidential speech.

We have a few things coming up the first couple of weeks in March - both of us have routine dental visits, I have an annual physical at the doctor's office, and track will begin on March 2.

By the way -- Tammy, I saw you across the way at the game last Friday (last home game for this year), but missed you afterwards. I didn't spot Clint in the student section.

I am hoping I can talk Jim into a spring outing to Austin the latter part of March. We've not been there before in the early spring and I am ready to see Doug and Dara again. Dara had a birthday yesterday and on the 11th, we mailed a box to her - insuring it - and eventually discovered that it had not been delivered to their home. There is a signature on the delivery receipt, but I cannot interrupt it - obviously not Doug or Dara. Thank goodness we insured the box, but we are now waiting on the post office there to determine if it was delivered to a wrong street - or just what happened. We'll see how good the insurance is. I do have a receipt from the jewelry store where we purchased her gift.

Be safe.
B.

Jan. 2- Feb. 10

From what seems like a warm MO,

We have had extremes in temperature since I last blogged - several mornings below freezing and now in the upper 50s and lows 60s during the day. The latter is almost over for a few days according to the weather channel, but I will take the good weather whenever I can. At least we have not had ice to deal with as earlier in the winter.

Jim walks at the Y (up to 4 miles each time) 5 to 6 times a week and I manage one mile 4 or 5 times a week. He is an earlier riser than I am so he is usually at the Y before 7:00 - and I go when the mood strikes me - usually late morning.

Jim has seen his doctor about his injured finger and has had therapy until Jan. 23 - the finger will never be perfect, but he can now grasp a fishing pole handle and he is happy. The day after he managed this feat - we headed to Cabela's for an outing.

We have eaten at Fogo de Chao (on the Plaza) with John and Sandy. We did a noon meal as it is much less expensive and we all came away delighted. I knew we would, but I don't think J&S realized how good the food (salad bar as well as meat selection) was.

I have done envelopes for Mobile Meals each Friday a.m. (takes more driving time time than computer time) and have done one Monday morning with computer work. In other words - we have not had a hectic schedule.

Jim is reading the last Dorothy Dunnett book in the current series and is almost dreading finishing it. He has so enjoyed the various series that she wrote.

We have watched a lot of basketball on tv, and have had some frustrations with the Texas Longhorns. Hopefully they will get things together before the Big 12 tournament and then the NCAA tourney.

The girls have now been with us for four years - doesn't seem possible. We had them trimmed this past week and a much needed bath. They continue to be spoiled rotten.

We don't have too much coming up - Jim sees his urologist for what should be a routine visit this week, we have 6 month dental appointments next week, we get our taxes done the week after that, and I have my yearly check-up with Dr. Metry the second week of March. I will also be picking up applications for the Retired Teacher scholarship and then will be setting up a meeting with the committee to make a decision.

Until next time.
Be safe.

B.