uh-oh
And Camper was much worse today. She is only sleeping, not playing, and not eating. The diarrhea is almost non-stop. We were at the vets forever. I even took in a stool sample for them. The vet thought she might have a virus. She tested negative for worms, but they couldn't be 100% positive that wasn't the problem either. (Camper got her ears cleaned a bit more. They said it will require more on her ears, but they want to get her healthy first.)
She got three drugs: an antibiotic, a wormer, and something that will hopefully stop the diarrhea.
She is dehydrated. They gave me a special milk replacer to put her on. We also got a special canned food to give her. It will be gentler on her stomach while she is sick. She is to get at least 2oz. of the milk replacer in before I give her any of the food - even if I have to force it down her throat with a syringe.
She did take her two ounces willingly (it took awhile) and has ate a couple teaspoons of the soft food. She is a bit more alert, but still "leaking" pretty bad. She isn't taking her meds so willingly.
I'm going to have to bathe her tonight. She is a mess and doesn't need a skin irritation on top of this. She really hates any wet things, especially baths.
I have to let the vet know every 24 hours how she is doing. If she is not better by Saturday, morning I have to take her back.

speaking of campers
I get to go play at the KOA long term. They're short a person and I get to be a camp worker. I'm taking Camper with me, but the girls will have to stay here. They don't behave so well in the 5th wheel when I'm not in it. That's part of their old age anxiety. Willie's already giving them extra attention. Camper is requiring quite a bit of mine.
I will miss my computer terribly. I will update when I can.

I have something new!
Diverticulitis!
The joy of being me still reigns. Doc put me on an antibiotic.
I keep all my pills on the window sill above the kitchen sink. It is so full - one more bottle makes 7 for me, 1 for Rand, his and her separate vitamins, calcium (Tums), Tylenol, and vitamin C. And I have anit-oxident vitamins for the dogs as well. We are all getting so old!

every day
My peeing squirrel has been back every day. And every day he pees for distance on my screen room. Today he brought a friend. His friend did not pee, but my little friend peed on the remote laying on the ledge!
Girlfriend is getting smarter. Usually she stays close to the house and waits for him to run. Today, she waited under the tree he always runs up. He escaped by a hair.
Shall we have a name the peeing squirrel contest?

again with the doctors
Monday evening after my last update, I got hit with some serious pain. This time is wasn't my joints clamoring for the most attention. It was my lower left abdomen. I was pretty well doubled over for awhile. It is my "usual" spot for my adhesion pain. I called my PCP's office on Tuesday morning and couldn't get an appointment with him until next week. I asked when he was doing the walk-in shift. Smart me, I got to see him that afternoon.
I was almost hoping for something as simple and mundane as a hernia. I figure the adhesions have either got a nerve, my colon or more. (tendons, major blood vessels - been there done that)
Doc was worried about my uretor and kidney. I hadn't thought that big. Last time adhesions were removed, I spent quality time with a urologist saving my left kidney.
I got to have a cat scan bright and early this morning. The good news is they got the IV in with one stick. I had one of best techs (Gayla) who used all the tricks of the trade to get my veins to pop first. Of course, being me, nothing is that easy. First thing when I got there they handed me the large cup of crap to drink. Looks like kool-aid, tastes like crap, with an after-taste that sends shudders down to your toenails. That gets to sit awhile and I'm granted another cup of crap to drink. After another large passing of time, they haul me back to the cat scan. A quick test scan shows my body is not sending the contrast through. I told to go walk for 20 minutes to try to get things moving. My joints weren't thrilled with that idea, but I didn't want to be there all day either. I went outside and circled the entire building a few times. I went back in, they came to get me, and again - It has traveledin my body, but not near enough. I'm handed another large glass-o-crap and told to walk again. I'm really limping along by now.
The third time was a charm, the IV went smoothly and I was finally allowed to continue the scan. Afterwards, I'm advised to stay home for the rest of the day. Why? A side effect of the cup-o-crap is explosive diarrhea. Nice.
When I got back out to my Jeep, my joints were so sore from the walking, it took several tries to figure out how to get in the thing.
I rewarded myself with a trip to a pet store on the way home. We have crinkle balls! I also updated the dogs' ID tags and got Camper one.
I have stayed close to home, but did not suffer from "side effects" until this evening.
At this point the rest of the world always wants to know if I learned anything about my tests yet. Not yet and I don't worry about such things. I have been through too much to worry about little things. Most tests are little things to me.

A little hint for the genral public that I have figured out over the years:
If a nurse calls it means they didn't see anything remarkable.
If a doctor calls - something is up.
I know by the time I answer the phone what to expect.

Unless there are serious physical problems inside me, this won't show anything. Adhesions do not show up in x-rays, cat scans, MRIs, ultrasounds - the only way to see them is go in and look. But, if they are seriously screwing up my insides again, that damage can show up in tests.

the animal doctor story
Camper has an appointment with our vet tomorrow. She has developed fairly serious diarrhea. Not good for someone so small. Camper is still gaining weight, but I worry about dehydration. She has been through so much in diet changes, starved, weaned too early, and etc. I want to have her checked out again. She could need a different brand of food, wormed again, diet supplements - I'd rather be safe than sorry.

on the southern edge
This evening Rand and Willie made the trip to MIL Donna's and took Aunt Jo my Rascal scooter. They came home with fresh eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini bread.

he did what?!
As I was letting the dogs (and Camper) out, I realized there was a squirrel on the screen, stealing food from bird feeder. He is right next to my "easy" chair and just above the dog's heads.
I quickly stepped in front of the doggy door to block the girls' way. The squirrel in a panic, froze. The girls have spotted him and they really want out now!
The squirrel has no real path to safety from his current position, if I let the dogs out.
I had my hands full of recyclables I was taking out to the bins or I would have just locked the doggy door. As it is - my hands are full, the dogs are ramming my legs, and the squirrel is now doing tight circles on the screen, but not leaving. There are only about six feet of space separating all this action.
I decided to scare the squirrel into action. I toss an empty water bottle so it will bounce on the screen near him.
Yeah, that got action!
The squirrel goes into a rage and starts barking furiously at me! Now he is too pissed to leave. He retaliates by peeing all over my chair! Who knew squirrels could pee for distance?
Now, I'm the one who's raging. I retaliate by stepping aside.
The girls cut loose, the squirrel makes a run for it, and escapes by less than the length of his tail.
Camper? Sitting under my chair purring. She really likes it on the deck.
Camper may not have noticed the squirrel; but Molasses the Ty bear took a real beating tonight!

trapped by the heat
Most people have snow days or the cold keeps them trapped in their homes. The cold causes me instant pain joint wise; and if it is too cold, will touch off what I believe to be a bit of asthma. (shortness of breath, severe coughing, pain)
I am also just as trapped by the extreme heat.
Having had three heat strokes, I cannot tolerate the heat for any length of time. Of course Iowa has had heat indices in the 100's for days on end. I cannot go swimming. Even if I could survive the trip there, When you're lap swimming you need to breathe on a regular basis. Last time I went, I was not "getting" enough air. It is even hotter and more humid now. I must time shopping trips for the very early mornings. Not all stores are open then. I can't work in my yard. According to the current weather reports we have one more day of this and then we will get some relief. I can't wait to enjoy my screen deck again.

musical homes
Eric and Renee should be moved into their new home now. Their very first home! I'm excited for them!
Rand spent yesterday helping move Rob in the heat. Luckily, not only were there temps in the 100's, there was a parade (really!) that blocked access to the main entry way of Rob's new place! Everybody got to haul most of the furniture up a fire escape. I stayed safely here at home. I stepped outside long enough to get the mail.
Rand then got to work from 5:pm to midnight. The area were he works is not air conditioned. He declared moving Rob easier.

it's all about Camper
This morning we went to our new Target. I'm slowly, but surely, changing my prescriptions to that location as they need refilled. (3 down - 3 to go) I have yet to hit the new Starbucks at our new Target. Not as much fun when you're decaffeinated. "I'll have the fat-free, decaf, cafe mocha frappuccino, with soy, no whip" Just sounds a little fussy. It was Rand's first visit. The new store is very nice, but they don't have any clearance out yet. I miss that.
We bought more kitty litter - my how time flies! We also got a taller profile litter box. And proper cat claw clippers. They didn't have any crinkle balls or we would have got her some.

This is Camper is her basket on the bench in the kitchen. She loves baskets, so I designated one just for her. She figured it out very quickly. She takes her naps there and has learned to sit in there while we eat.
What a smart kitty!
(click on photos to enlarge)







We are rather lacking on cat toys, but Camper is just as happy with the paper she pulls out of the garbages, my bears, the miniblinds, the dogs, my water bottles, the recycling bins, - she is very imaginative! I put down a box with an opening she can run in and out of and climb on. I made a small climbing obstacle course for her to get to her food bowl. It keeps her entertained, keeps the dogs out of her food.
Camper is doing great. She eats like a pig. I've have caught her pulling over the bag of Iiams kitten food if her bowl gets to low for her liking. Not empty, just low. She loves the dogs. When I let them outside she runs out right after them to play on the screen deck. And usually comes in when I call the girls in. Camper likes to act tough and regular attacks the various bears I have around here. She always goes for the throat first. Her favorite is a Ty Classic Beanie Baby named Molasses.

it looks like good-bye
This time it looks like my Scrambler has really found a new home. In Michigan. Josh will come pick her up at the end of the week. I feel really good about him taking my friend.
And it sounds like my Rascal Scooter will go aid Aunt Jo. I haven't used it since I left work. It will help Aunt Jo keep up with her gambling! ;)

Tickles tagged me for this poll!

1. If you were a celebrity, what kind would it be (movies, tv, literature, crime, etc)?

I would be a famous author - known for my witty and hard-hitting writings. Eventually I would be elected president when it became apparent I was the smartest person for the job.

2. Which other celebrities would you make a concerted effort to try and be around?

I'm not very fond of most people - butI could have fun with
The Blue Collar Comedy Guys

3. Which other celebrities would you avoid like the plague?

All of them except.......

4. Which celebrities would you date?

John Travolta

5. What would be your “Celebrity Cause”?

Eliminating Stupid People. ESP - sometimes you just know........

6. Since celebs always get off, what crime(’s) would you commit?

I'd hit people who really needed it.

7. What would be the name of your tell-all book?

I 'm Always Right

8. Tag 3 people to do this poll.

Smooshie
Catherine
JustLisa

9. Link to the post that tagged you.

TicklesTapeworm

Is there a scratch under my eye?
Note to self:
When you hold the toy, catnip-laced, mouse out and the kitten runs for it, she will probably come back for it just as fast. And this time your face is the backstop.

Camper is still doing great. I have had to adjust my bedtime as she prefers to hit a "wild cat" mode around 10:pm. My bedtime is when she crawls up in my arms, starts to purr, and touches my face softly.
Currently, Camper has emptied the small waste basket in my office of all paper and chased it all over the room. Last night we played backgammon on the computer together. She found it fascinating. She loves to play with me, the keyboard and the mouse while I'm trying to catch up on the world. There are things my keyboard could do that I didn't know about. But a small cat found the secrets. Usually just by sitting down.
Girlfriend's ears seem to be a great amusement to her as well. And Kizzie's tail.

To continue the kitten play by play: she is now laying behind the keyboard, reaching underneath with both paws, trying to retrieve a water bottle cap she chased underneath.

long journey to a quick end
or The Tale of Grandma, the Bear and her chairs
Mom's favorite camping rocking chair finally gave out. Mind you, she used it where ever she was. It was the only one she could tolerate sitting in since her back surgery over a year ago. She came up yesterday morning to get me and we were to find her new comfortable chair. New being used loosely here. The first chair she sat in that was right would do.
We started out by skipping the chair search and going to our brand new Target at Merle Hay Mall. It was the first "open to public" day. We realized after finishing shopping at Target, with the new location, we can now walk from Target to Younkers, our other most favorite store. It is located at the other end of the mall.
Now Camper is chasing and nipping at my fingers as I type.
Then we hit a Goodwill. Many chairs were tried, but no chair passed. We hit Aldi's for a few groceries, and debated another retail store for the chair search.
By then the oppressive heat was getting to us and we were both gaining in pain from our morning outing. I suggested we go back to my house and Mom could sit in all my chairs. If any of them felt good to her - she could have it. I didn't let her try the ones on the screen deck. (She has coveted my new set since last winter) I told her it was way too hot to sit out there just to test chairs.
Grandma tried my desk chair, but it wasn't comfortable either. I sent her downstairs to try chairs in the family room. Finally comfortable success! Luckily, Willie was home and could load for us. Grandma now has my white recliner. She refers to it as Heaven in a chair.

in my swimmin' hole
the tortoise and the hare
Monday I didn't go swimming. That was the night of the storm, electrical loss, and no APAP most of the night. I was zapped the whole day.
Tuesday I did hit Ashworth pool with Willie in tow. I was able to out swim him by a multiple of 5. Willie declared the pool too big to swim too many laps. Granted he hasn't been swimming much this summer, but he did letter on the swim team and I am a disabled Gramma. ;)
The last two days I chose not to swim. It is so hot and humid out you can barely draw a breath. I love to just lap swim. At some point I have to breathe. It looks like this heat is going to continue. I may just have to settle for what little I can do. I need to be in the water.
One of the many things I enjoy at my KOA pool over the city pools - the ability to go for a morning swim, before the heat traps me at home.

Rob is moving this Saturday in the hottest days of the year. Projected temp is supposed to be 100 degrees or above. Volunteers neeed.
Okay, time to clean the cat spit off my reading glasses and untangle my necklace from her claws.
One of these days, I'll post my blog with all the errors in it - that I get from Camper's input the entire time.

sweet dreams
I had my APAP machine "downloaded" today. I'm sleeping an average of 6-7 hours a night. I'm down to an average of 5 sleep apeneas an hour. Before the APAP just one month ago, my average was 39 sleep apneas an hour.

Photo Friday - silky

This is my niece, Duchess.
She has the silkiest coat I have ever felt.
And a nice smile ;)

highlights
of life lately
Camper likes shiny things. It took her no time at all to notice the four earrings I have in each ear. The first night she bit my left ear so hard it bled. But she has been much gentler since. Still frisky, wild, and onery, but no more blood. Not that much anyway.....
I think the reason the girls are so nice to Camper is because she provides them with "dog treats"....... We must get a covered litterbox!
Camper spent a great deal of time today on our screened porch - she loves it. When I would call the dogs in, she would come right in as well.
I tried to go to bed a couple of hours ago, but someone wasn't tired. And I wasn't getting to sleep while I was under attack. (maybe I was twitching just a bit to bring on the attacks)
That cat hater Rand spends a lot of time looking for her and carrying Camper around.
I have been more exhausted and sore today than I have been in a long time. It finally occurred to me - we did lose electricity in the big storm last night. I was sleeping without my APAP most of the night. I have been sleep deprived today.

Vacations forever
Everyone should quit their normal life and just go on vacations forever! It would then be a happy peaceful world. I managed my goal of hitting the pool at least three times a day. I am deeply tan - and very blond! - thanks to the sun and chlorine! and it never rained on us. Of course the temps were so high it seemed almost impossible to breathe. We skipped fires in the evenings. When the temp is still 90 degrees at 10:pm - sitting by the fire didn't sound at all appealing.

We even came home with a very unique souvenir this trip.

our newest family member

This photo is by Patricia
- I'm still looking for my camera after all the unpacking.

Our second day at camp, a kitten was found in the timber by some kids. They took her to the office where Patricia informed 'KOA Rob' to give her to me. I'm coming out of the shower and Rob hands me a very small kitten and says "I'm to give this to you". I didn't even break stride as I thanked him and took her home.
I named her Camper. (as in "she's a happy camper")
Rand is a self proclaimed cat hater. He spent the first evening outside pouting while everyone else was coming in to visit our newest family member. But Camper would have none of that. She loved on him anyway, played with him, and he is now head over heels in love with this cat!
We took her to the nearest vet the following Monday. They said Camper is 6 weeks old, (too young to have left momma kitty yet) is basically healthy - besides the obvious of being very thin, (she must have been on her own for awhile) they treated her for ear mites (had them bad) and worms (just in case), and gave her a distemper shot. She weighed 1 pound 3 ounces.
Camper is now eating well and gaining weight. She litter boxed trained easily. Camper is so young, she had no fear of the dogs when meeting them. They are very gentle around her. Camper loves to jump out and grab their wagging tails.
Camper is very affectionate, playful and smart. I have managed to bath her and clip her nails a couple of times. The bath she wasn't so fond of, the nail clipping she is very tolerant of.
She rides very well in the truck and will join us on future camping trips.
After spending a week in our 5th wheel, she has made the adjustment to "home life" quite well. She is still using her litter box like a pro, and finds her food where ever I place it. I think I have it where the dogs won't get into it now! She spent the entire night sleeping between us. And once again, decided to attack my face in the middle of the night. Camper seems determined to "save me" from my APAP (my sleep apnea breathing device) nasal pillows. She follows Rand around like a puppy. So much for being a cat hater!

the end
The last weekend of our vacation we were joined by Kara and Thune on Friday, Rob, Lilly and her folks, and the old folks all on Saturday. Lilly and Camper adored each other. Each batting out trying to get hold of each other. I did break up the game when they started biting each other! BTW - Miss Lilly has two teeth now! And she shows every sign of being a pool rat like her gramma!

the decision is made
The estimates and sales pitches have been made and the winner of the honor of installing our new heating and cooling system goes to - Sears! We were just as surprised as anyone!
For the record we called 5 companies for estimates. Three showed up and the other two were no call and no show for their appointments. Two of the three got estimates to us quickly. Never heard back from the third. And the winner by a long shot was Sears! Our old, now dying, systems are Sears units. They lasted 26 years. Considering the life expectancy is usually 12-14, we think we can trust Sears. Now, we get to play the whole order equipment and financing game. With luck it will be installed some time in August.

Vacation everyone!
I have the camper packed except for laundry I'm waiting on. I asked Willie to get the laundry caught up for me yesterday. He got home fairly early from work. All he did was get his laundry caught up.
As usual, we will have our cells with us. But, we do tend to ignore them more when we are camping. Hope to see some of you out there.
If you need me, I will be at the pool - for the next week or so!!!

Photo Friday - Candid

This recent morning with my granddaughter, Lilly, resulted in some of the best candid pictures I have captured of her in awhile. (She's generally teething and not in the mood)
I chose this for Photo Friday because it was the most candid.
Check out the diaper.
What you can't see - is the the back of the diaper, her back, the blanket.......
Play time and the photo shoot ceased for several minutes.

My shade garden

It is young, but it will grow.
The main loss out of my new plantings is one Jack in the Pulpit.


my pond

I was playing with bricks today trying to come up with a pattern.
I'm still trying. I'll know it when I see it.
And I'm going to need more bricks.

back to nature
This morning I weeded and mulched the nature preserve as I call it. I trimmed up the bushes around the pond to allow more sunlight to hit my solar lights. I tried to get a picture of the nature preserve, but as of yet, cannot find the right angle to catch all the details. If I can get a brick arrangement around the pond, my wish list for this year, besides fall plantings, will be done.
I had a nice unexpected nap on the screened deck. Joys of reading the paper on a beautiful summer afternoon. But, I did wake up pretty sore. It was the wrong position to sleep in and no APAP breathing machine.

speaking of sleep....
The other night I slept a really long time, and really over slept by a few hours. I commented to Rand how well I slept. He said he had his worse night in a long time. It seems my machine was running in high gear most of the night and the noise woke him. That means I was not breathing well on my own at all. He debated waking me, so I would breathe on my own, and he could sleep.

not going anywhere
My Scrambler still has a home here and is available for purchase again. My buyer offered me an even lower price - I'm not desperate to sell and I didn't budge.

cool to the touch
Rand was able to get a new fan motor for our central air and it is up and running again. Hopefully, it will give us this summer, but no guarantees. The fan is new, but the rest of the system is still 26 years old.

too hot to handle
Rand brought home the Sprinter 5th Wheel tonight. The brakes were being repaired. As soon as he got home with it, we had to take it right back to the shop. He didn't even unhook. We could smell something hot and it didn't take long to find the source. The new brakes had overheated - on the way home. I was hoping to have two days to pack for our big trip. We have to unload the freezer, fridge and more for repairs. At home we keep it plugged in. Now it will all have to be done in one day and on what will be the hottest day of the week. They promise it will be ready to go on vacation tomorrow.
While in Ankeny, we had supper out. (It was already going on 7:pm) we ate at the IHOP. We don't eat out often. We do tend to order things we don't get at home. I had a large salad (joys of being married to a meat and potato guy); Rand had liver and onions (my only comment - YUCK!)

Happy 4th of July!
Rand and I celebrated with a trip to Menards. I got mulch, compost, and new solar lights for the pond. I added the compost and mulch under the big maple tree. I'm having trouble getting things growing in the soil there. Hopefully this will help. I'm not going to plant there until fall. I also put new mulch under the "little" lilac bush. Which is very little now. All my lilacs were over 15- 20 feet tall. I couldn't even reach any of the blooms this year. I'm severely pruning them back this year to bring their size under control. I'll miss the privacy they provide, the birds will miss their taller roosting spots, but it will make the bushes healthier. And blooms I can reach.
Tonight, the noise of illegal fireworks (you may not have dangerous fun in Iowa) all around the city, surrounds me and the smell of smoke wafting in is setting off my allergies.
I have got to share my "new rock" story with some people now! Mom and SIL Tina were just as awed as I predicted!

I survived the 3rd
For those not in the know - the 3rd of July is my bad luck day.
Also little brother Jeff's birthday.
Karma would say I have bad luck because I was so disappointed when Jeff was born. I was four and I really wanted a sister this time. I was the oldest and already had two baby brothers. I was so disappointed - Mom even got a call from the neighbors. Seems I was trying to sell my newest little brother - door to door - for fifty cents.
My bad luck on the 3rd of July includes:
An exploding gas oven - I was severely burned. (I was 16)
More than one car accident over the years. (never my fault)
Serious falls, other injuries, and heat strokes.
Rand watches me like a hawk anymore on this day ominous day of the year.
This 3rd was a very warm, humid, no air moving, day this year. I did try to turn on our air, but it had completely died again. Happy 3rd to me. My history of heat strokes - I was more than a bit worried. I got to share - Rob and Lisa came for dinner and Rob is now sporting an even shorter hair style now. After the haircut and a nice dinner, we retreated to the cool of the family room in the basement for movies. We watched Hitch and Office Space.

the second
The city has finally sprayed for mosquitoes in our neighborhood and we can enjoy our yards again. I spent early Saturday morning finally weeding my new shade garden and got it mulched. Most of my weeds were volunteer tomatoes and corn planted by the squirrels. I did over do and got a bit over-heated.
I went to the pool and was much better.
That evening of course, was the class reunion.
Interesting tidbit - While I was attending my 25 year class reunion in Murray, Iowa; my mother was attending her 45th year class reunion in Leon, Iowa. We both had a good time.

as for our lack of air.....
Rand is going to see if he can get at least a new fan motor. He can replace it himself. That is the biggest thing wrong right now, of the very many things wrong. The fan is the main reason we are not getting air (the rest of the dying system overheats) and a new one will buy us a little time. We really would rather buy a new heating and cooling systems "off season" and take advantage of special offers and rebates. We do have a few other companies coming over to give estimates, but we both still trust the service Lozier's offers best. The weather looks to be mild over the next few days. That will help.

woo-hoo!
By the time the weather will warm up too much for me again - we will be on vacation.
And the 5th wheel has air!
This is our annual "See you all at the KOA the second full week of July" family vacation. We choose the second week of July to miss the holiday crowds. And for many of our family, the 4th is not a guaranteed day off.
By declaring a certain week of the year, everyone can schedule accordingly.
By having it at the same place every year, everyone can schedule accordingly.
And no pesky planning and trying to come up with something new that everybody can agree on and afford.
We will be joined by Rob,Lisa, Kara, Thune, Lilly, Sandra, Ryan and probably the old folks, all for at least part of the week. Willie will have to work most of it. With the way the air is working he may have to stay with friends. Eric and Renee are the only kids I haven't heard from????
Haven't heard about my brothers yet. Alan and Lesia are due to be back in Iowa at that time.
Don, Jeff, Jeff????
I now have two brothers named Jeff
- another story for another day. :)

letting go
Tomorrow, (Tuesday) the new owner of my Scrambler is to pick up his new toy. :(

Class of 1980
~25th Reunion~
Murray, Iowa

Front row: Cindy, Shelly, Laura, Sheila
Back row: Rhenda, Bryan, Pam (me), Jack, Rebecca, Don, Gary

the statistics
Eleven showed for our 25th reunion.
We were a graduation class of 21.
Bryan, Jack and Don traveled from out of state to be there.
Laura, Bec, and myself traveled from out of town.
Cindy, Shelly, Sheila, Rhenda, and Gary still live in the Clarke County area.
Rhenda, Sheila and I are in the "Grandma catagory".
We had a beautiful evening for our affair - held at Gary and Doris' beautiful country home.
And in spite of my hot weather worries and general bear like attitude - I had a great time and I'm very glad I went!

Photo Friday - Used
my favorite wine

from the Ngatarawa Glazebrook Vineyards of New Zealand

One more smile for the road......

What a pretty baby!

old friends
Jackey and Angie made it to town today. They are from that great redneck state of Arkansas. We had a nice visit and Jackey even brought me a special present - a very special rock! I like rocks! This rock is special because of who he got it from. Mom and SIL Tina will be very jealous when they hear the story. Anyone who wants to know: must call me (or email me) to get the details!
We had a very nice visit and in good timing - their daughter's, Amber, wedding announcement arrived in the mail today.
Seeing Jack makes me think I should go to my class reunion on Saturday. I'll get to see Bec there as well! And drag Rand along - now he has Sunday off. At this point it will be up to the weather. As long as it doesn't get too warm tomorrow......

red hot
So, yesterday morning, before going to Fort Dodge, I was putting on sunscreen. I got my face sunscreen on, then remembered something else I needed to do and that is as far as I got on sunscreen application. I sunburned better on the way home, than I did last weekend in the pool.
I seem to have found the all quick fire quick healing cure for sunburn. Burt's Bees Apricot Baby Oil. I use this liberally at night after my shower. It smells fantastic and my burn is always improves dramatically overnight! I have used it on the last few occasions I have burned and I have had no peeling this year. I have bought several sample sizes of various Burt's Bees products over the past several months. They seem go very well with my sensitive skin. I usually buy them at my local Dahl's Food and Campbell's Nutrition. I like it better than any other body oil I have ever tried for a daily basis.

no autographs
I am "published". I wrote a haiku and submitted it to a web site featuring haikus. They liked it. My friend Tickles also had a haiku posted. A few years back Eric, and I (and others) had a great time spamming Rob's website with haikus. I would link to it, but Rob's older posts don't have the comments anymore. I have so many links going this post, I was thinking of NOT linking to Rob - just to see if he would notice!

oh hail
Grandma Donna's garden was destroyed in the recent round of storms.

uh-oh
Our central air faltered again today. Luckily, it was nice enough to open the house up. Test runs show it is up and going again. Tonight is beautiful enough we won't need it. Might as well let it rest. We really don't want to have to do this replacement on an emergency basis. We have gotten our estimates from Loziers for a new furnace and central air unit. Rand still wants to do estimates from other companies. I still want to go with Lozier, they have best service record with us. We had planned (and budgeted) to do this major replacement early next year. The best laid plans.....