In honor of Veteran's Day

I added a link to a 7 minute "you tube" video. It's pretty neat if you like art in action &/or you're somewhat patriotic. Click on the title to see it. Make sure your speaker is on.

Well, I just sat down to look at my calendar of this past week's events, and realized that we were supposed to be in Gering an hour ago for an appreciation supper. Oops. An hour ago, Eden and I were playing in the leaves. I much more appreciate that!

You have two more days to vote! (see bottom of page) And I demand some comments on our new blog. Everybody else's blogs has comments. What do I have to do to get some, Huh?? Ok, sorry, I'm just grateful that somebody checks it out every now and again :-)

Monday, Eden went to daycare and I worked like a fiend to get things done around here. Spent the morning uptown doing odds-n-ends errands. She was back home before I knew it.

Tuesday, we went to Scottsbluff in the morning. Al had to record at the studio and the rest of us went along for the ride. Naturally, our county had a high wind advisory and we were playing dodge ball with all the tumble weed flying across the highway, laughing at all the people who had it stuck in their grill or under their chassis. It was funny until we hit a big bundle and drug it all the way to town.

Wednesday, I made potato soup and fresh bread. The house smelled wonderful all day, (minus the kid's rooms where the diaper pails are). My newly refurbished carpet cleaner showed up on my front stoop, and I hauled it out of the box, all ready to use it. I got it put together all by myself and realized that the lid to the vacuum part was busted from the gasket. Nice. The broken piece of plastic was in the bottom of the box. I called the company, ready to complain. They didn't even let me get a word in edgewise, they just said they'd send me a new part. I put tape over the gaping hole and said I'd try it out anyway. I'm still waiting for the part....

For Al it was Confirmation class, choir, a quick meal in the office, followed by a longgg evening meeting. I was beginning to think he had fallen asleep at the office. Of course, when he has a long day, so do I. I love my daughter, but it gets old to hear "daddy?" all evening. When I put her to bed, I told her she could lay on her bed and wait for him to come home. That calmed her enough to fall asleep. She really is cute when she sleeps.

Thursday morning, I gave blood at the community center's blood drive. As I was leaving, the tones went off so I got to go on an ambulance call. I put a roast in the slow cooker when I got home, so supper was taken care of and I spent the rest of the day getting the house in some sense of order, as my cousin, Amalea, was coming on Friday.

Friday was full of fun. We got going in the morning with the help of bacon and eggs. The weather was fixing to be beautiful, so Al took the naughty bench outside to stain it. It has been sitting, unfinished, since I bought it at an auction back in Wilcox. After two coats, it's looking very nice. Eden and I played outside and Lars fussed for most of the day. Al also hung up my Ansel Adams black and whites of Yosemite in the upstairs hallway. They add a bit of character. He also hung two umbrellas on the wall next to our new artwork that is now hanging at the top of the stairs. It is very cute. We purchased several frames for the stairwell and now hope to fill them with family photos. That is the latest project forthcoming. I'll post pictures when it's all done.

After lunch on Friday, Lea was still in absentia, so I decided to try out my newly refurbished carpet cleaner. Remember this story from a few weeks ago? Well, I turned it on, let it heat up and pushed the button. Alas, no water comes out. I shut if off, took a deep breath, turned it back on, and tried again. Alas, no water output. As we say in the medical field, the Bissel can't void. Just as I was about to call the company & give them my latest opinion, I saw Lea drive up. So, I put the carpet cleaner away and said I'd deal with it this week.

Friday night was Ladies night at Church and I managed to get 3 pages done, minus the journaling. That was a nice break. Eden looked forward to seeing Alexis and Kyra all day and talked about it from lunch time on. Next time, I won't tell her until an hour before we go.
Lea and Lars lounging

Saturday, the kids and I took Lea to Chimney Rock and ScottsBluff Nat'l Monument. Another beautiful day with balmy weather made it a wonderful day out. We hit Walmart for 20 items or less and it still took nearly an hour. What possessed me to go to Walmart the Saturday before Thanksgiving? What a mad house. There was, like, shopping cart wars. Of course, it's the only Walmart within at least 100 miles.














Lea gives Eden an airplane ride before playing on the floor with Lars

I had help getting the kids ready for church this morning, and we still were late. Walked in right after the preacher did. His stole was crooked the whole service and it really bugged me, but I tried to get over it. Lea left after lunch and we promised to do this 'weekend thing' again. Al put another coat of stain on the bench & then we watched the last Nascar race of the season. Eden & I went outside before it got dark and I raked leaves. Every time I had a pile, she jumped in them. She had a ball and I loved watching her. After a pizza dinner, Eden peed on the floor, then went in the potty an hour later. We're making progress in that department, but oh, how slowly!

Eden atop Scottsbluff National Monument