WITH SINCERE CONDOLENCES ...

Judging from the 'fragrance' of the air here near our computer - I'm guessing Mickey and Minnie recently lost another Iowa relative.  Uff-da!  And yet, I'd rather put out DECON and take a chance on this odor - than have to live with LIVE relatives of the famous couple.  It's doesn't happen THAT often and even now it's not so overwhelming that you can't breath. 

A few years ago (before I started putting out DeCon) one died in our heat vent somewhere.  We did EVERYTHING we could think of to diminish the smell.  It was horrid.  And being in the heat vent, the warm moving air kept it especially pungent!

It was fun this week to have a day off in the middle of the week.  Being a City employee I got Veteran's Day off.  Whoo hoo!  I played in my basement for a little while.  Meaning I made a couple of cards!  I feel like I don't get down there nearly enough!  It's so relaxing.  Except - right now I have about a thousand dead wannaBees down there. 

WannaBees are the Japanese Beetles that wanna be Ladybugs.  We've been inundated with them here in the last month. 

Got our Goddard Family gala Thanksgiving planned.  Not me personally got it planned.  There was the customary gathering of the Goddards in a food establishment and that's where it got planned.  I'm so thankful for the cousins who took charge.

I'm in charge of POP!  I know that recipe, so that is what I am doing.  Wyn - I think Gr'ma kind of volunteered that you would bake a turkey.  I have a roaster pan if you want to use it!  See what happens when you get the reputation for being a good cook?    My cousin Tammy said she LIKES to cook.  That on a day off on the weekend she likse to cook and actually thinks "what can I cook next?".  I don't think that thought has EVER crossed my mind.  Not once!  "What do I HAVE to cook next?" has probably been there a time or two. 

My friend Sharon, when I was talking about dressing for Thanksgiving said "oh that's EASY!" - keep in mind that she is a professional cook.  So she probably not only makes it easily, but GOOD.

Nick shaved his head this week.  He's such a party pooper - I wanted SO BAD to take pictures of the process, but he threatened me!  LIFE and LIMB -- so I didn't.  Seriously though there is almost NOTHING as amusing as seeing someone with huge shaved chunks out of their hair here and there!  I should have done it anyway.  At least at my funeral there would have been funny pictures to show while telling how I met my demise! 

Stamping last night at Tammy and Dwayne's was fun.  I even got to sit and make the cards.  SO now I have duplicates of some, but that's okay.  Unless my memory really fails me and I send the same card to the same person -- who will know!?  

Thanksgiving for our clan is, as far as I know -- here at my house.  ON THANKSGIVING DAY -- around 2-ish.  Bring by anything that you can the day before so I can get things warming and ready if possible. 

And so there you have it -- boredom reigns supreme!  Oh ... one thing!  We got a weird email today.  It was kind of an unbelievable email.  It was from someone we KNOW and had the CORRECT email address (theirs) and it said they were in Nigeria (big red flag here!) on a vacation and blah-blah-blah ... sad story and they needed money.

First of all the Nigeria thing is always a clue.  But then --- these ARE people who have traveled the world.  What IF something had happened to him and he was using his yahoo account to TRY to contact someone here in Muscatine?  Wouldn't we be sad if we found out that we should have done something?  (It was Gary Pudewell for those of you who know him.)  So after talking together, Randy called Gisele and Gary's house.  And Gary is okay.  NOT in Nigeria.  They had a virus in their computer and it was using the email account to spam people.  So if you get an email from someone you know -- and they are in Nigeria on a vacation needing money ... well, you handle it however you want, but it's probably the same thing.

Later gaters!  HAPPY SABBATH!!

A LOT TO SAY ABOUT ... STUFF!

You might wanna get some chips and dip and a soda ... I've got a bunch to say!  *wink*

First -- THANKSGIVING PLANS:

I'm planning for it here - unless anyone says "NO WAY!"  Tom Turkey and a fruit salad are already taken care of.  So what are you planning to bring (you don't have to be specific, just so we don't have a lot of duplication!)  I am doing smashed taters and the rolls for sure. 

Time?  Didn't we do it a little later in the day last year with pretty good results?  What time works best for everyone?

Night/day before - start bringing your stuff (if you choose to bring a lot of stuff) early so I can have it warm and waiting (we'll use crock pots and such to keep it all perking along). 

Mom?  Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same if we said don't bring ANYthing - but how about you don't bring EVERYthing!  *smile*  Choose a couple of things like everyone else (as long as it includes pumpkin pie).  Make the day a joy for you too!

Second - SOMETHING BUGGING ME FOR DAYS!!

What happened to tolerance and kindness in this world?  I heard something so mean spirited this week that it bugs me.  Why do some people think they can say ANYTHING they want -- outloud -- and not have to worry about hurting other people.  The Bible says that without the love of God - people's hearts will wax cold.  Cold wax is hard!  Hard hearted people. 

Please all - forgive me if I've been mean-spirited in words or actions and have hurt you in any way.  I like to think that I wouldn't PURPOSELY do that (except I have to Randy sometimes -- sorry honey!).

Third - I missed the jammies memo!

I am no fashionista - you might have noticed!  Stop laughing!  But I did go and get a haircut this week (again) and I have to say that my hair was looking so good today that I wished I could look in my rearview mirror all the rest of the day!  {{insert wolf-whistle here!!}}

But seriously I must have missed the memo that says being an adult female (or male) and wearing flannel jammie pants in public was attractive, appropriate, or ???  I saw a lady AT CITY HALL today with flannel TINKERBELL pants on.  She was a grown up -- and she strolled in like she MEANT to be there in her PJ's.  I had to conciously drag my eyes AWAY from her - because if I hadn't I KNOW my mouth would have soon said "excuse me ma'am, do you know you're in your jammies?"

Later I got to thinking that I've seen that more and more - and Randy - NO MATTER WHAT THE RESPONSE FROM ANYONE ON THIS IS ... you are STILL not allowed to wear your snowflake pants, your plaid pants, or any other pant that I may deem inappropriate outdoor attire ... OUTDOORS -- oops!  a little sidetracked there ... mighta been an issue once (or twice) -- anyway seems like flannel pants with Tinkerbell or stars, or polka dots or clouds ... and even sometimes SLIPPERS are showing up more often.

My main question - since I missed the memo and all -- is if you wear this kind of attire - is it WITH a bra or without!??


And last ... finally to the end of my ramble (this time!!) --

Anyone who has ever met Nick's dog Ti - knows that at our house Ti is synonymous with NAUGHTY DOG!  All manner of naughtiness eminates from this pup.  He's lucky he's cute and has a nice personality.  Or he'd find himself on a back alley of some Chinatown somewhere ... not long for the world!  Chewed everything you can think of - including my leather sofa (BTW Nick -- when does that go for repair?), chewed NEW shoes (and old), oh my -- this is way long enough that I don't need to make a chew list.  Everything.

Well, I subscribe to a thing that gets sent to my email each day called StoryPeople.  It's just quirky little one sentence 'stories' that appeal to my sense of humor.  More often than not people look at me when something Brian Andreas has written makes me smile - and say HUH?  Well today's was funny to me because ... #1) I listen to public radio a LOT (love it) and #2) it made me think of naughty Ti. 

I put the following together. 

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE ...

It's not the s-lo-w lane actually, because there is always plenty to do.  With 1/3 of my afternoon job coming to an end at the end of the month, I have found myself up to my neck in things that I want to tie up before I turn over the property. 

Today I was able to drive to Iowa City and shop and purchase an egress ladder for one of the units.  Three years ago when the property reopened after major refurbishing, it passed inspection and has until now.  An inspector determined it needed a few changes in one room to make that unit compliant with code.  Hence my shopping trip.  I'm glad to have that purchase made.  It will be delivered in 2 days and installed by the maintenance guy and we're good to go with a reinspection.

Of course every trip to the IC area incorporates a squeeze of my baby J into it!  Today was no exception.  She was supposed to be napping, but was still awake when I got there.  I got to change a stinky diaper.  (Under every stinky diaper is still a soft baby bottom - cute as can be!)  Then she demonstrated her every improving skills at crawiling and manipulating things with her hands.

The day ended with getting my hair cut.  Thank you Rhiannon for going with me.  BORING as it was. You didn't have to go, but it was nice!  I like my cut better now that I'm home and seeing it in my own mirror!  I always look spectacular in the downstairs bathroom mirror!  *wink-lol* 

Bellie, I got some jasmine rice.  Now to find myself a good Roasted Tomato Soup recipe (anyone?) -- it has to have roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion and cream - and be topped with jasmine rice.  I had a bowl of Roasted Tomato Soup with jasmine rice this week and it was superb.  Now to duplicate it.  GLORIA????  I thought of you immediately - it seemed like a recipe you might try.  Have a good recipe?  This was thick (in part because of the scoop of rice in it) but also from the tomato and other things.

Off to bedroom I go -- It's still to early to say off to BED I go, but I can at least go to the bedroom and read or something until an appropriate time.  I'm pooped!

DAY ONE OF FALL BACK! Did you remember?

I am sure going to enjoy (???) getting up tomorrow better than I have been for the last couple of weeks.  It's been SO dark in the morning.  I like light in the sky (at least a smidge - is asking for one or two small sunbeams all that much?)!  Probably won't like the darkness coming before I get home though. 

I guess it doesn't really matter one way or the other.  I don't get to make the choices!

Here are a few more pictures taken yesterday that I just HAD to share.  It's our little monkey.  See her tail and the banana in her back pocket?  She could have cared less, but we sure thought she was cute!  We took these when we came back to our house after the farm and just before our small group started.



Poor Nick.  He is really sick.  He didn't feel good before he left for work yesterday, but he went anyway.  When he got home he ate some soup and went straight to bed.  He got up today long enough for me to make him some oatmeal and get him some Sprite and soda crackers.  Haven't seen him since. He's been sleeping pretty much straight for over 24-hours now.

I worked on my card projects today.  I have several I have to do.  I'm going to do part of my community service as a card making class for ladies at Hershey Manor.  I have one of two projects done for there.  And I have an idea for the second one (which is 1/2 of the battle!).  I also got some stuff ready for our next stamping night.  So as of November 1st -- I'm really on top of it.  I won't stay there, but *ha!* I'll enjoy it for tonight!

I better get off of here and do something else.

Ludke family -- where are you guys?  I haven't heard from ANYONE lately!!

A DAY ON THE FARM!

Another beautiful day at the farm.  That little house holds a lot of love!  It's a tight fit with all of us gathered, but it's filled with chatter, smells of good food and love!

We arrived after church and already several had gathered!  Mom was busy in the kitchen and it was smelling wonderful.  She works too hard!  Wynter and Rhiannon chopped up some onion.  Obviously I had not trained my daughter in the art of onion chopping.  She did pretty good though.  Wynter was the champion of the onion chopper though! 

Tons of toppings from the aforementioned onions to tomatoes to to black olives, sour cream, guacamole ... and that was just for the tacos!  There was fajitas (with choices of chicken, steak and tofu, four mexican style casseroles (and my ever thoughtful mom had mac and cheese for those who weren't Mexican food fans).  Not to mention a bevy of desserts.

Mom -- it was delicious -- but SIMPLIFY!!  *lol*  or DELEGATE!  It's okay (REALLY) to give us each a recipe and a list of "to-do"s.  Thank you though for the amazing food!  I know I appreciated a delicious meal and I'm sure others did as well!

And Joy -- she made a couple of pies.  So she still gets her title ... of YOUNGEST FAVORITE DAUGHTER!

Bellie and Mark came a little later as Bellie works at the Lutheran Homes.  She is a nurse there and sometimes her schedule includes weekends.  She had her FORTIETH (40) birthday this last week too!  Happy birthday dear sister!

Also congrats to Mark and Bellie on their 3rd anniversary this month and John and Gail on their 18th anniversary.

We enjoyed having Ryan home for the weekend.  He did children's story and Rhiannon had special music for church.  Jaimee was happy to have her daddy.  Hard as it was to have her sitting so close to us in church - we refrained taking her from Ryan because she hadn't seen him in two whole weeks.  She seemed perfectly content to be sitting in her father's arms. 

We left the farm and came home to get ready for small group.  We are well over 1/2 way through the Desire of Ages.  Much as I am enjoying it - it's a LONG book and we will all be glad for a change.  We read through the chapters in the book and then read the account in the Bible as well. 

After small group - Sabbath was done and we rooted around for food (basically sandwiches) and popcorn left from small group.  Watched the movie The Propsal.  It was a cute movie.  Had a few naughty words, but not as bad as so many.  Things like referring to your backside as A-- and stuff like that.  But the F-word was NOT in it.  I hate that.   Wish they could make a movie without any of those words ...

Here are some pictures of our three little characters (the great-grandchildren) plus Colton was in a few and JoDe, Rhiannon and Tonya were in some.

NOT MUCH HAPPENING ...

Not so much going on - I'm just glad it is Sabbath.  I'm ready for a nice quiet Sabbath.  Are you?

This week started pretty regular and then seemed to shift into high gear.  Partly because I filled in all day at City Hall on Wednesday and only ran to my afternoon job over the lunch hour.  That meant Thursday I worked a little later in the evening and then again today I had some things I had to accomplish.  So I went in.

Typically I try to get my hours in for my afternoon job so I don't have to go on Friday.  It's not such a big deal during the summer months, but these winter months it's almost impossible to work all day and get things tied down in time for Sabbath. 

Rhiannon and Jaimee came down this afternoon for a little bit.  Rhiannon has special music tomorrow at church.  Randy said it sounded really nice today.  They got the speaker settings all figure out and she got the opportunity to work with the mike so she knows how she will sound.  Pray for her that nerves are abated when she starts to sing.  Ryan has children's story!  He didn't remember saying 'yes' to that -- thought he had agreed to prayer or offeratory.  So that was a surprise to him.

Rhiannon was so excited for Ryan to get home.  It's been 2 weeks since he's seen his little girlie and she's done SO MUCH changing the last couple of weeks.  Rhiannon said she's a crawler now!  Meaning FORWARD crawler!

Hey Goddard girls (and guys) -- wanna know where we get our amazingly gorgeous look?  *LOL*  Here is a picture Mark's son Zachary found in the Ocar Grossheim collection.  It was taken in June 1928 - and is of Grandpa (Ivan)'s sister Sini.  Isn't she pretty?

I DID THE CRIME - now I have to pay the fine!

No, this orange color isn't to represent anything to do with HALLOWEEN.  It's to represent the pretty ORANGE jumpsuit the county let's you wear if you are a criminal!  I'm trying  to avoid that little ensemble!

FIRST -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DADDY!! I'm the worst daughter as far as those things. I haven't even called. I had to work all day at City Hall. Spent my lunch hour running to my afternoon job and then back. Tonight I just got home a little bit ago (it's almost 7 p.m. now). I'm zonked. Still have to finish up Vonda's Vine - evening edition - and do the church bulletin! ZZZZZZzzzzz!

I have to start thinking about my plan for conducting my community service time - those 25 hours to rectify my crime of speeding (with an expired license no less!). I've talked to one place and she was happy to have me come do a couple of card making classes for the seniors there. So will at least start with that. Those things take awhile to prepare for - with getting the pieces cut and prepared. So that should help! I have until January -- I don't think anyone would have trouble finding places to volunteer, so I know it won't be hard!

Wishing FULL TIME paid jobs were as easy to secure! I'm sure I'm not alone in that feeling. So many people are wishing the same thing.

I'll JUST KEEP TRUSTING MY LORD, as I walk along --

I got a bit of distressing news today.

As I went between one job and another, I got a phone call from my afternoon District Manager. She had just learned, and was relaying to me, that approximately 1/3 of my afternoon job was going to be discontinued. This also probably means that 1/3 of my afternoon job paycheck will be discontinued.

The different properties I take care of have different owners and investors and it's their prerogative as to who the management company will be. I think many times these investors have their OWN management companies, under a different corporate umbrella.

This portion of my afternoon job has been looking for a new general partner. My guess is that they found one who has some sort of ties to a different management company.

LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL ... *sigh*

What is faster than a speeding bullet and more dangerous than a text messaging driver?

It might have been me this morning on the way to work.  I was running SO behind.  I'm not even sure how that happened.  One minute I was doing great and the next minute I was LATE.  I pretended to 'iron' my hair, shoved it around a bit on my head, spritzed some helmet maker (aka super strong hairspray) on it and off I went.

But not before throwing my toothbrush in my purse and grabbing my make-up basket.  As I drove, I was giving myself a beauty make-over from Bare Escentuals!  The rear view mirror was my only witness of the transformation!  I keep a hair-do utensil here at the office, so I plugged it in and attempted to rearrange my helmet after I was here.

THE WEEKEND ENDED and all is well...

I know, I know -- Oh Von, how you go on!  Well, yeah ... I guess! 

But let me tell you something.  Life has a lot of things in it you would rather would not be in it.  Sometimes you wonder if there is ANY good around.  And you wonder 'what next'?  And then God slips in something fun and wonderful as a reminder that HE is in control and gives us blessings all the time.  We have to recognize them.

WE ARE GETTING ALONG VERY WELL!

Bundled as she was last night this little peanut got chilly.  I know because she woke up at 2 a.m.  (she'd gone down a little before 7:30 p.m. so that wasn't too bad).  When I changed her diaper, I discovered that her skin was chilly to the touch.  So I added a nice warm covering to her and she slept nicely until about 6:30 a.m. 

Thinking she was probably up for the morning I brought her downstairs and we sat on the floor and played (I was really groggy still and not ready for getting up*).  I made her a bottle which she drank a bit of and she became really fussy.  I thought my notes from her mommy said this was a smiley time of day and this was NOT a smiley baby I had.  I thought she acted tired still.  I carried her back up to Rhiannon's room and we both layed down on the big bed and snuggled under the warm blanket and she fell back to sleep for another hour (about). 

SIX HOURS and so far ... NOT SO BAD

Hey there! I'm an overnight Gram(me)!! So far (for about 6 hours now) I'm doing great. Baby Girl is off schedule real good. Napped maybe 1 hour instead of two. And her ONE hour was in a couple of short stints.

Gr'pa the escape artist made excuses that he had things to do this afternoon - he couldn't stay here and play with us.  But that is okay.  So far so good! 

FOUR DOGS is going to be the bigger challenge in my book. I had just gotten Jaimee to sleep rocking her. All of a sudden the dogs decided to get up from THEIR naps and romp. Seeing what they had in the works I carefully got up and proceeded to lay her in the other room.

LAST FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP FOR ???

Going to bed early.  Must be well rested.  Vitamins are laid out for morning consumption.  A can of 'Popeye' spinach is on the counter for Randy (he's gonna need his Popeye sized gr'pa muscles!).   It will be just Randy and I on duty. 

I can't/won’t leave Nick in charge of Jaimee! *smile* He scoffs at her outstanding abilities to do things! Like eat, poop, smile – he thinks enough is enough already! And did you see her in that Ducky Riding YouTube video? If she wasn’t waving, then I don’t know what she was doing!

Seriously, I know he would take extra good care of her.  While he isn't mesmerized by every little things she does - he does think she is "one cute baby".  For him that is LOVE! 

OUR FIRST ADVENTURE IN OVERNIGHT GRANDPARENTING

Please know - we are not afraid.  We are calm.  There is no reason to panic.  We have a plan.  There will be NO problems.  We are prepared.

This weekend (starting around noon-ish Friday) will be Randy's and my first ever shot at overnight grandparenting.  We are atwitter!

We've received the Excel spreadsheet from Jaimee's parental units providing us with a checklist of where, when, what, and how for all the moments of her life!  Now, if only Jaimee could read!  Then she would know what she is expected to do!

Tonight I make a cursory search through the linen closet (or would it be under the bed?) for crib blankets.  I think I still have them.  I hope the threads aren't falling apart.  You know my own tiniest baby - Nicky - will be 24 years old in January. 

Please know - we are not afraid. We are calm. There is no reason to panic. We have a plan. There will be NO problems. We are prepared.

LUDKE-ville 10/17/09

Happy Sabbath!

I've been playing with this blog (probably more than I should be). I don't really UNDERSTAND blogs, so it's been fun to fiddle and ... well, not sure if I know more or am more confused. But it doesn't matter. It's interesting!

We've had a nice Sabbath so far. Started off with us needing to pick up Jerry, a man who is in a nursing home - due to his disability caused by a high school football accident, to take to church. I decided to call ahead and see if they could ask him to meet us at the front door. I was rewarded by a sweet Phillipino accent... "Bellie's station #2".

It was my SIL Bellie who had to work today. She walked him out to the front and showed me her slick new phone! I love my Blackberry, but hers and Rhiannon's and Ryan's all make mine look sorrowful. I mean they have touch screens and ... EVERYTHING. Bellie is able to say "text Vonda" and it opens up text messaging. Then she can say the message - and it types it out. She doesn't even have to TYPE it. How cool is that?

It was fun to see her so early in the a.m. She's such a great addition to our family! Almost three years now isn't it?

We got to SS late (mutual fault, I would say -- I feel like I race around so much during the week to get UP, get to my computer to get Vonda's Vine done and sent, be sufficiently beautified to leave the house, and be in my chair at work at 7:30 a.m. -- that I have convinced myself that I need to lolli-gag around a little on Sabbath morning!).

Lolli-gagging has its benefits! I had totally forgotten about my beauty tip ... HEMEROID (sp?) CREAM ... I was rewarded this a.m when I went digging in a drawer for something else with a full tube of PREP H. I slathered that stuff all over my face - and I have to say that I looked at least 23 1/2 minutes younger INSTANTLY.

It seemed like EVERYONE did a really nice job with their portions of the service.

Chuck Lee does such a nice job with teaching the SS lesson. I should have gotten there earlier. Sometimes I get a little 'peeved' at discussion because there is so much "I think" or "my opinion", etc. and not enough "THE BIBLE SAYS ..."

Moving into the service - the gentleman who spoke presented a really nice message. He has a special talent in public speaking and made his topic very informative, spiritual/Biblical, and easy to listen to.

Children's story was nice - it was about a town in Romania that during one of the World Wars had hippos in their zoo. Everyone was concerned about them being hungry (and sad). So they gathered over 9000 articles made of straw (which was a popular material to create slippers, shoes, hats, bags, etc.) and they fed the hippos slippers, shoes, hats, bags, etc. during that cold hard winter.

Special music, the lady who had agreed to provide special music had unfortunately forgotten and was gone. So we asked Karin W. to do it. Her special was well done, especially considering she had only a day of preparation time.

Even the call for offering went well. The person who was set up to do it called about 20 minutes before and wasn't going to make it. So Randy asked Abby Paul to do it. She did, and in my opinion did a great job. I loved her prayer when offering had been gathered and brought back. Her words were clear, youthful, and heartfelt. I was blessed and I know God WILL use the offering to His glory!

Anyway - my custom (to take a short story and make it L-O-N-G) has been upheld. The bottom line is that it was a very spiritually rewarding service.

This afternoon we're just hanging out. Randy and I took Jerry and his mom back to the nursing home after church. I'm going to take a little nap in a bit. Then it will be time to make popcorn. We have small group here at 5 p.m. We always serve popcorn and ice water. (We're such good hosts/hostesses aren't we?) When we first started small group I tried having bars or cookies or ... but that got to be more than I wanted to do. Popcorn seems to be well received by everyone and it's become a staple. Once in awhile we'll add something small (candy corn, caramels, etc.) but usually not.

Following that we're having a little gathering here. It was supposed to be the young people. Savannah, the little gal who did an evangelistic series here last year, came back to visit Lynn Tavener. (She stayed with Lynn for all three weeks of the series.) Lynn wanted something for her to do tonight with young people. I emailed a couple of the girls at church to let them know about it. Haven't heard back from them. The other girl I thought might come is involved in Homecoming Festivities tonight - so I can't blame her for not coming. Homecoming is a big event - complete with pretty dresses and tuxedos!! So our gathering is going to end up being GEEZER WII, I think! Should be interesting!

Hope your Sabbath day is full of peaceful blessings. I can't tell you how much I love Sabbath. I don't think I would be sane without it.

We want to hear from everyone! I think of you all often and even though Ludke-ville doesn't seem all that 'personal', it is. I have each of you in my mind and heart as I write.

V

rludke@machlink.com

LUDKE-ville 10/15/09

Feels like a long time since I wrote a Ludke-ville note. I feel bad because I consider this my personal email to each of you. I love hearing from people and always hope to hear back from each of you!

Well, starting from today and going backward -- howz that for a plan?

10/15/09

FIVE LEFT SHOES. Yes, five. All left ones.

I ran home at lunch (my afternoon job is less than 5 minutes from home) - walked in and oh my! Every day with Ti is an adventure in puppy boredom. He's lucky he is cute ... BUT!!

Today someone left the main floor coat closet open about 6 inches. Never mind that it was dark in there, but Ti (I suppose Rooney might have helped, but am sincerely doubting it since we USTACOUD leave the door ALL the way open and NONE of our shoes would wander out.)

So anyway Ti busied himself with finding 5 left shoes and bringing them out into a pile. He also busied himself by bringing a rag rug from the front door to the dining room. He also busied himself by bringing the afghan from the back of a chair in the family room TOWARD the dining room. He emptied a basket of some books.

YUP - we USTACOUD leave our house and except for a few animal hairs here and there we didn't know we had a dog. But Ti reminds us of why TWO dogs are NOT better than one.

Of course now that I'm home, he is sleeping soundly. Must be worn out from all the frolic of the day. *sigh!*

*LOL* I think God made creatures cute while they were young and super spunky or else you'd reconsider pets, kids, etc.

I saw a WALKING STICK outside today. It was on the side of the garage between the two garage doors. Don't see those around too often. They must be kind of lonely. Unlike those pesky LadyBug Wannabe's who travel in herds.

WED10/14/09

There are now TWO of us in my office with allergy to hair dye. One of the gals had her stylist/colorist do a patch test on her and she reacted. Today she asked me all about my allergy. It was hard to talk about it because my vain side colored my hair a couple days ago, so I'm really suffering right now. It will only get worse for awhile, before it starts getting better. Anyway, she was talking about itching and I was feeling like scratching!!! (ME, not her -- I would scratch ME!)

I'm itchy - but I AM gorgeous! I really LIKE my haircut (I got it re-cut after the FIASCO haircut of a couple months ago.) But there are still some days that are not good. Like today (Wednesday) - every morning when I get ready for work I am flying around like a maniac! (I always feel like the music in Wizard of Oz when the wicked witch is peddling her bike - with Toto in a basket - and the music is rapid and rushing ... well anyway that's my morning in my head theme song.)

So anyway I got to work thinking I was some sorta hot chic and then I looked in the mirror. OH BOY! I looked like I'd been rubbing balloons on my head to stick on the wall. Every hair on my head had an assigned duty. Either it was CLINGING to my head for dear life or it was WAVING aimlessly straight away from my head. NONE of my hairs were doing what the 'cut' intended them to do. Can't imagine what people were thinking - it made ME laugh and I shoulda been crying.

Son in law is on his way home for mid-term break today. Which basically is a weekend with a couple of extra days off. But its enough that his little family is happy to have him all to themselves for a few days. He gets to take Baby J to swimming lessons and Wee Read tomorrow (with mommy, I'm sure!).

TUESDAY - 10/13/09

I had an all day training for my afternoon job on Tuesday. Had to travel to the Mesquawki Casino in Tama for it. I thought of you Gloria - they had a really big BINGO place right close to the conference rooms. In fact one of the ladies at my training also had to drive quite a way to get there, so a friend came with her to play BINGO while she trained.

Lots of white haired folks at the gambling casino on this Tuesday! I wonder if they bring in bus loads of people for the day or something because there weren't that many cars in the parking lots. When we left there were quite a few more, but early in the a.m. (10-ish) cars were sparse.

The casino/hotel had a conference room area and that's where our training was held. It's a nice facility and it was GOOD training. Last year's was kind of non-informative but this year I felt that I learned quite a bit. Plus the 5 hours on the road gave me a chance to listen to my Bible on CD CD's ... I've listened to most of 1st and 2nd Samuel today.

I stopped by Coralville on the way home to see the little peanut. She looked sweet today. But her little cheeks were red and her little nose was runny. I think she spent too much time with Grandpa this past weekend.

We gave her crawling lessons. She gets up on all fours like she is GOING to go somewhere, but then she either goes backward or nowhere. So while she was up on all fours I manipulated the back end of her (legs) and her mommy manipulated the front end of her (arms) ... we did left/right/left/right ... at the end Baby J picked up one arm and then toppled.

She'll get it on her own eventually, but we had fun playing with her. At least Gram(me) did!

BACK TO THE PRESENT - Thursday

I suppose, even though there are just paragraphs and paragraphs of absolutely gripping adventures from my life left to write, I should probably say SO LONG!

Hope you are seeing God's blessings in your life each day.
Keep in touch!

LUDKE-ville 9/12/09

There are very few rewards for getting older. However, the Lord is good and gives us blessings at every age! To the left you’ll see a little bathing beauty that has blessed us pretty much over the last 6 months! Jaimee got to take a bath at our house last night.

‘GOT’ to take a bath – MIGHT be an understatement.

We’d worked on a yard sale all day here and like all of us, she had become pretty grimy as the day progressed. Somehow she even had ink behind one of her chubby little knees. I imagine someone was carrying her AND a pen at the same time. We were all sweaty and dusty and baths were refreshing to say the least.

Toward the end of the day I was sweeping and rearranging some things in the garage and my heart was as light as a ‘bird hair’ as my little niece Reese would say (most people say light as a feather!) because I thought I MIGHT get to park in my garage again soon. And then Day One of our sale ended and we brought it all back in for Sabbath. Nope! Fuller than ever!! But that’s okay because we DID get rid of a lot of stuff. Hoping tomorrow is really successful so we can get this stuff OUT OF HERE!!

So let’s see what has happened since the last time Ludke-ville wafted across the internet and landed in your email box …

One thing was that my guys went out to the farm and fulfilled a promise that I had made on behalf of our family – WAY EARLIER IN THE SUMMER … and that was to power wash the front porches and paint them. They got the power washing done one day and then went back on the next day to paint it. They got it all covered with paint and the paint ran out. So mom got another gallon and it is riding in the back of my van. Maybe this week they’ll go finish it up.

Last Monday was Labor Day and a Vonda’s Vine lady and her family were going to be at something called Village Fall Festival at Scott County Park. Her family makes brooms the old fashioned way. So we (Randy and I) drove up. It was so fun. I really loved it. There is a little ‘village’ there with lots of historical artifacts. We enjoyed watching the folks do the brooms. One couple was cooking over an open fire. Made bean soup that looked wonderful. If it hadn’t been for the old meaty looking bones laying there (ham hocks?) I might have been tempted to sample it.

As it was they had some cornbread that had been cooked in an iron pot and also some doughnuts that made me remember Gr’ma Goddard’s yummy-lishious homemade donuts. These had had gotten cold and hard (maybe from the day before?), but the memory was fun. Do any of you remember Gr’mas donuts? And how she’d shake them in a bag of granulated sugar?

They had an Indian guy … sorry, NATIVE AMERICAN guy all dressed up in his NA outfit and doing dances. Did you know that NA’s had boomboxes? I thought they were real drums they were dancing to, but there it was a boombox! AND bright white tennis shoes! His information was really interesting though and we watched for quite a while.

We (at least ME) were glad we went!

I also had quite a bit of vacation days this week which is rather nice. I got a ‘use it or lose it’ note from HR, so tried to get ALL of last week off (since Monday was already a holiday). But my boss said HE was going to be gone and he really wanted me to be there if he wasn’t. ?HUH? Anywhoo – I told him if he was going to be gone then I really wanted to be there! *wink* We compromised. I took off Tuesday and Friday.

Really NEEDED the whole week as we were digging stuff out of the basement and pricing and getting ready for the yard sale. LOTS of work for next to nothing! But we do have space that we can now fill up again if we want to!

We have an old TV in the basement -- nothing really wrong with it except no one watches it and it is not one of the new flat screen small 'takes no space' versions. It is a big bulky one. Nick says KEEP IT!! I might want it if I get my own place!

I told him after that - that he could COUNT on it going with him when he goes. Even if he does not want it anymore it is going. Because he said "NO" at this time. I'd love him to get rid of his rickety pool table too - but we have the ping pong table top on it and it is serving as my craft table now - so I'll hush on that one!

Card stamping was SO fun this month. I don’t really know why except that maybe the projects weren’t as complicated and there weren’t so many people. I think that was relaxing. It’s always fun, but I really liked Denise’s project (made two of them!!) and will be using them (and the idea) in the future. My friend Diana made some adorable ADORABLE cards … can’t wait to get one of hers! (We’re doing a card swap, so she’ll get some I made and I’ll get some of hers – and about 11 other people.)

Lasagna for lunch today. YUM. Rhiannon makes a really good pan of lasagna. I made a box of brownies (with walnuts) and they were good too. Think we’ll make it with some spinach next time.

And well, it’s getting late. Our yard sale continues tomorrow and I have to get up and out pretty early – so will say so long AFTER I tell you one more thing!

My hair is “smokin’” … *LOL* I got such an nasty cut a while ago and thankfully Joy helped it some. But I’ve never liked it or thought it looked good until this morning. I borrowed, on a whim, Rhiannon’s flattening tool. I love it. Randy likes it. Several people in church commented that it looked nice. I am going to try it again tomorrow.

Jill and Mike – sounds like your RV is really nice! So happy for you! Randy has enjoyed talking with you a couple times lately. Sounds like Mary is heading back to Mason City from Red Wing. Hope that goes well for you Mary. Joannie – MORE PICTURES!!! You’re little girls are so fun to see! Steph –hope all is well out that way for you guys. Hi to Deb and family too!

Bryan family … “HEY THERE!!!” Been a long time since I’ve heard from any of you. Keep us posted on what is going on in your lives!

JoDe love the Watsonian, keep it coming! Reese looked so darling today in church!
To everyone else – write! We love hearing from everyone!

Vonda

LUDKE-ville 9/1/09

Hi All –

It’s been some time since I Ludke-ville’d you, so when I had a miracle happen today I wanted to at least get started on one so I could TELL YOU. See the picture up there?

This week Longaberger® had a ONE DAY sale on a new basket called the Bread Carrier Basket. I still have Vonda’s Vine which is my on-line presence, a newsletter (2x daily) for Longaberger folk. I was working on a Vonda’s Vine supplement to share with my subscribers (and customers). As I fussed around with it I tried to find a logo I KNEW I had, but was having trouble finding it.

I saw one picture that seemed to be out of place. It had a goofy name, so out of curiosity I opened it in my document I was creating (Bread Carrier Basket, remember?) – and there was this picture of bread and the Bible verse. I didn’t look ANY further for the other graphic. I figured God wanted that picture inserted in that document I was sharing with several hundred people who would in turn share it with hundreds (thousands?) more of their customers.

I just KNOW Jesus is coming soon. And people NEED to know that Jesus loves them. I guess He was telling me to let people know. What do you think?

The past two Sabbath’s we’ve had “out of door” services. The first weekend was our church sponsored LOUD THUNDER MINI-CAMPMEETING. Done this as long as I can remember (even when I was little). It was a gorgeous day. We were lucky enough to have Gerri and Dale Eddy as our guests for the weekend. They are parents of Rhiannon’s good friends Kristen and Kim (they were in her wedding). They are kind enough to let our Ryan stay with them this semester while he is in school. We’re ever so grateful for their kindness.

We also had our guest speaker at our home that weekend. Elder Van Hurst (first name Van second name Hurst). If I had the musical talent that just his pinky finger had – I’d think I was a musical GENIOUS. He is SO talented. He can make the piano play those “old time hymns” in a way that has even the kids tapping their toes. He is good! And SO personable. When I found out we were having him at the last minute – of course I PANICKED – but it all worked out (as it ALWAYS does).

Last Sabbath we drove up to Thompson IL – where the Clinton SDA church was having a mini-er mini campmeeting. We didn’t take coats. It was CHILLY and WINDY and we didn’t take coats. How bright was that? FORTUNATELY our new BEST FRIENDS – had extra coats and parkas and were generous to loan them. Seriously we were so thankful for the covers. Even so we left before the afternoon meeting as my feet were turning to ice cubes quickly!!!

We went to Branson on the Road this past Sunday. The Lion’s Club sponsored them as a fund raiser. Randy won a ticket and so we, and Rhiannon and her baby Jaimee, all went. Jaimee was SO tired when we left for Central Middle School Auditorium. We questioned if she’d have a baby meltdown during the show or not. Naturally, I HOGGED her for the show. And she laid out on my arms, little legs draped casually – and watched the show.

She is a little country music lover I think! Especially when they’d play a Johnny Cash song – that little 6 month old foot started moving in time to the music. It was funny. The lady sitting on the other side of Rhiannon even noticed it. She did really, really good. The last part of the show – I took the Gr’ma option and handed her off to her mommy. They said “last song” and we thought WHEW!!! Then they did an encore song … yikes!! And then they did an encore to the encore … DOUBLE YIKES! Jaimee didn’t every TOTALLY melt down, but if they’d encored the encored encore – we WOULD have ‘had it’.

That little girl is GROWING like a real weed. We hadn’t seen her for about ONE week and when they came down on Sunday afternoon both Randy and I were SHOCKED at how LONG/tall she had gotten. I mean, she is still itty-bitty by human standards, but I told Rhiannon to stop feeding her STRING BEANS!!! (She just started eating real human food 2 weeks ago and is LOVING every bite!)
Randy and I celebrated (?) our 34th wedding anniversary this week. Yes, it was an eventful day … we started off by FINALLY remembering to say those magic words … “Happy Anniversary” to each other – by email and phone. We ordered a celebratory PAPA MURPHY’s ‘bake your own’ pizza for supper! Oh we are SO romantic, aren’t we!!

I ran up to see my cousin Robbie in between jobs this afternoon -- took her a few balloons. She broke her ankle very seriously earlier in the summer when a porch swing collapsed when she was using it. She had to have surgery and has been in a cast since! Sounds like she had had some unusual stuff going on with the ankle and leg – so she ended up in the hospital with blood clots.

When I got there she was getting a boot put on her ankle. They'd cut off her cast. There was a saw sitting there at the foot of her bed like a regular old machine shop SAW!!!! (had a vacuum thing attached to it too) -- they came in to take some blood and she was spooked about that. I kidded her that she'd lived through having a big old saw used on her - she shouldn't be worried over a needle!!

Aunt Lois was there - sounds like she's been there most of the time. She seemed sort of worried, as we all would be. Robbie has more than one clot probably ranging from her groin area to at least the ankle. When they did the ultra sound they only did to the top of the plaster cast -- that's where they saw multiple blood clots and why they assume that she probably has more below that. Now that cast is off - but they didn't sound like they were going to check it out.

She's on Coumadin and that other blood thinner that I can't remember -- it's a common one. Doing it by IV right now - will have to have pills for quite awhile after she gets out. She is hoping to go to the Ringling Brother’s Circus this weekend still. Keep her in your prayers!!

I signed up to be part of a SYMPATHY CARD card exchange. It’s turning out to be a BIG exchange and last I knew I had to make 26 cards. YIKES!! I hope people don’t all have them say SYMPATHY – I don’t want to have to use 26 of THOSE. I’m going to do one set (13) of mine with some other sentiment. It’s been fun to go down and play for a bit here and there.


Think of you all OFTEN. Rhiannon said something about it being fun to drive out east together sometime. We’ll be giving it some serious thought. Need to get up north sometime too. It was much easier when mom and dad were there and we had a place to crash! We did enjoy our flying trip to Red Wing earlier this summer though!

Love and God’s blessing to each of you!

V

PS Hello to our Ryan!! Love you!!


Isn’t my little dolly … just a DOLLY???? Well, it’s getting to be bedtime – guess I’ll go up and get ready. Just wanted to touch bases with you all.

LUDKE-ville 8/7/09

We’re on the edge of a HEAT WAVE … We have heard repeatedly today that the weekend is going to be HOT. DANGEROUSLY hot one report said. I’m not into DANGEROUS anything, but heat is right up there at the top of the list. Add humidity to it and it’s way up there!

Seems like there is always something out of the ordinary happening. So maybe it’s NOT out of the ordinary. Hmm? I’ll have to think that over. I had a jury summons mailed to me a few weeks ago. This is the FOURTH time, I think, that I’ve been called for jury duty. One time I got selected to sit on the jury. Twice I got excused or there wasn’t a trial on my day.

So I didn’t think much about it. I’d call the night before. I’d show up if they told me to. And within an hour I’d be on my way to work. NOT!!

I called the night before. The recorded message told me to show up, so I did. I was one of forty people there. They only need 12. So I’m encouraged by looking at the sheer number of people there, my odds were pretty good to be on my happy way soon. They randomly selected 24 out of the 40. The rest had to still stay there. One by one the attorneys questioned us. Do you this, did you that, how do you feel about this, would you …??? LONG. BORING.

To make it worse the defense attorney felt the need to be wordy. Instead of saying “Is the ball red?” He would say “If Rodney the Mailman was driving his truck past you in the light of the moon on the 23rd day of February in a snowstorm … would it be fair to say the ball could look PURPLE?”

To make it worse the defense attorney felt the need to be wordy AND he had a speech impediment. Instead of saying “Is the ball red?” He would say “If Wodney the Mailman was dwiving his twuck past you in the wight of the moon on the 23thood day of Febwuawy in a snowstowm… wouwd it be faiw to say the baww couwd wook pupwe?”

People were looking at him, concentrating on him and almost every time they’d say “Could you repeat the question please?”

Long story a little shorter – I was chosen. It turned out to be a 2 day trial. OWI – A one vehicle accident occurred. A male and a female were in the truck. The female maintained that she was NOT driving. And yet – the male was trapped in the truck, had to have the jaws of life cut him out of the truck and his arm was pinned between the truck and the ground – ON THE PASSENGER SIDE of the vehicle. We listened/watched a very long (48 minute) video recorded from the officer’s car at the scene. We heard her talk a lot. Just before the trial started she signed a statement that said she WAS driving the vehicle. (duh!) So it was our job to find her guilty or innocent of operating under the influence of alcohol.

We found her guilty – but not until after we had to re-watch the entire boring video and deliberate some more to satisfy a couple of jurors. DO NOT ask me to ever lie for you. Those ‘character witnesses’ were almost funny in the way they tripped themselves up. But I have determined that I do not want to be in that position ever. Anyway – we did find out that this was her THIRD offense for OWI.

That was Wednesday and Thursday. I went to work after we got out on Thursday. Arrived at 5 pm and worked until 8:30. Got most of my rent posted – terrible time to have to be away from the office. Today I worked a full day at City Hall. I could have had those extra hours yesterday too – except for jury duty. Fooey.

I got my hair cut this week also. Not sure yet if it was a good thing or not. My sister in law Bellie got such a cute haircut from Regis – so needing one badly I made an appointment and went in. I told the girl what I wanted. I must have explained it differently in my words than I was picturing in my head. But … like my little sister told me once when I cut my OWN hair – “Vonda, you know I can’t cut it longer right?”

I fussed with it and got it to look okay on days one and two – but if I thought it looked a little "iffy" on Wednesday and Thursday - I was wrong. TODAY it is atrocious. There is so much humidity in the air that each and every hair on my head shrugged it's tiny shoulders (does hair have shoulders?) and gave up ANY attempt at being fluffy and cute-ish.

Nick has a full weekend with his 5-year reunion and a trip he wants to make to Des Moines with some other folks. He’s very pleased to have his yellow car in his possession. He seems to think it’s fun to drive.

If you are in our area – mark the 21st and 22nd on the calendar and join us for the Loud Thunder mini-campmeeting. Van Hurst is coming to be the weekend speaker. We’ve had him before. Very personable. Our friends Gerri and Dale – who are actually the parents of Rhiannon’s good friends Kristen and Kim – are coming to be with us for the event. We’re looking forward to that.

I need to head to bed – Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.
Vonda

PS Aunt Lois how is Robbie doing?

LUDKE-ville 6/13/09

We drove around Red Wing – one of the places we HAD to drive by (a couple of times) was ‘home’. 313 Cedar Street.

They had pulled out the bushes around the house and put in all new windows and siding (wouldn’t dad have loved that?). I doubt they would have liked the way the ‘gravel’ or whatever that is looked around the house. It looks bland.

June 13 – 11:48 p.m.

Well, here we sit somewhere south of the Minnesota border - getting a ticket. Hmm? Randy was driving. The officer said it would be a warning ticket. A warning? That we pay up or else? It is taking a long time.

Our trip to Minnesota -

We decided to drive part way to MN last night (Friday). Stayed along the way at a motel. Waited to sort of the last minute to make a final decision whether to go or not. Once we did decided, our hope was to go to church in Red Wing, see Mary, see Joan, Kirk and Scarlet and go to Amy Arnold's grad party and head home yet Sat. night.

Turns out RW closes church during MN camp meeting, so that option was off the table. We stopped in to see Mary and her nice apartment. The three of us did a nice driving tour of RW. Randy and I hadn't been there since dad died. A lot was the same - but much had changed too.

I wasn't 100% sure we would actually go north or not. So didn’t make contact with Joan ahead of time. When we called her Friday she said they had plans already on Saturday. So we weren't able to see them.

It had been so much fun last weekend to see Smuda’s- it makes us want to reconnect with everyone - so we felt sad to be close to Petersons and not see them. Yet it was our fault for not making definite plans earlier.

We drove over to Prescott WI for the grad party. What a beautiful day and such a pretty town, hadn’t been there before. In order to not appear TOO decrepit and hobbly when we saw friends we hadn’t seen in years - we stopped at their visitor center to potty, stretch, and limber up!

The view was outstanding from the bluff, TOTALLY peaceful and calming. If that was all we did in Prescott on that Sabbath day, it would have been a blessing to have been there. The girl working there toward the CONFLUENCE. We were both polite. Smiled, then walked toward where her finger pointed. Once out of earshot we confided to each other that we didn't know what a confluence was. Randy's friends enlightened us. We now know it is where 2 rivers flow together.

The graduation party was nice. It was so pretty out, a perfect day. The gathering was outside under some tents, the setting was park-like at the graduate’s grandma’s home. There was no blaring music so it was easy to visit, which I appreciated. Amy is a lovely young lady with dreams of college teaching her all about Asian studies so she can participate in the growing connection between world markets … or something like that!

Randy sure enjoyed, as did I, visiting with long-time friends from his days in Red Wing. David Arnold, Gene (and Kathy) Littlefield, and Ken Dickey. How those guys lived to adulthood is a mystery!!!

One of his friends, actually I guess two of OUR friends, work at a company I thought was a power plant – but turns out they make drywall and ceiling tile. Not sure where the disconnect in MY mind came – but I always have thought they worked at a power plant. Anyway, talking about the disasters that have brought business into the drywall business in recent years. I couldn’t help but think that we will be seeing more of these disasters as time progresses. Jesus surely is coming soon.

Now it is 11:48 pm and we are nearly 1/2 way home. YAWN. We Google’d a high school friend whose name came up often in conversation. Found a phone # so Randy called Clark for 30 minutes or so. Sounds like they had a nice conversation.



I think these are sideways - I'll have to learn how to do this better on the blog.



We drove around Red Wing – one of the places we HAD to drive by (a couple of times) was ‘home’. 313 Cedar Street.

They had pulled out the bushes around the house and put in all new windows and siding (wouldn’t dad have loved that?). I doubt they would have liked the way the ‘gravel’ or whatever that is looked around the house. It looks bland.

If you click the pictures in this Ludke-ville they should come up larger on your screen …











June 13 – 11:48 p.m.

Well, here we sit somewhere south of the Minnesota border - getting a ticket. Hmm? Randy was driving. The officer said it would be a warning ticket. A warning? That we pay up or else? It is taking a long time.

Our trip to Minnesota -

We decided to drive part way to MN last night (Friday). Stayed along the way at a motel. Waited to sort of the last minute to make a final decision whether to go or not. Once we did decided, our hope was to go to church in Red Wing, see Mary, see Joan, Kirk and Scarlet and go to Amy Arnold's grad party and head home yet Sat. night.

Turns out RW closes church during MN camp meeting, so that option was off the table. We stopped in to see Mary and her nice apartment. The three of us did a nice driving tour of RW. Randy and I hadn't been there since dad died. A lot was the same - but much had changed too.

I wasn't 100% sure we would actually go north or not. So didn’t make contact with Joan ahead of time. When we called her Friday she said they had plans already on Saturday. So we weren't able to see them.

It had been so much fun last weekend to see Smuda’s- it makes us want to reconnect with everyone - so we felt sad to be close to Petersons and not see them. Yet it was our fault for not making definite plans earlier.

We drove over to Prescott WI for the grad party. What a beautiful day and such a pretty town, hadn’t been there before. In order to not appear TOO decrepit and hobbly when we saw friends we hadn’t seen in years - we stopped at their visitor center to potty, stretch, and limber up!

The view was outstanding from the bluff, TOTALLY peaceful and calming. If that was all we did in Prescott on that Sabbath day, it would have been a blessing to have been there. The girl working there toward the CONFLUENCE. We were both polite. Smiled, then walked toward where her finger pointed. Once out of earshot we confided to each other that we didn't know what a confluence was. Randy's friends enlightened us. We now know it is where 2 rivers flow together.

The graduation party was nice. It was so pretty out, a perfect day. The gathering was outside under some tents, the setting was park-like at the graduate’s grandma’s home. There was no blaring music so it was easy to visit, which I appreciated. Amy is a lovely young lady with dreams of college teaching her all about Asian studies so she can participate in the growing connection between world markets … or something like that!

Randy sure enjoyed, as did I, visiting with long-time friends from his days in Red Wing. David Arnold, Gene (and Kathy) Littlefield, and Ken Dickey. How those guys lived to adulthood is a mystery!!!

One of his friends, actually I guess two of OUR friends, work at a company I thought was a power plant – but turns out they make drywall and ceiling tile. Not sure where the disconnect in MY mind came – but I always have thought they worked at a power plant. Anyway, talking about the disasters that have brought business into the drywall business in recent years. I couldn’t help but think that we will be seeing more of these disasters as time progresses. Jesus surely is coming soon.

Now it is 11:48 pm and we are nearly 1/2 way home. YAWN. We Google’d a high school friend whose name came up often in conversation. Found a phone # so Randy called Clark for 30 minutes or so. Sounds like they had a nice conversation.



Sunday – 1:53 p.m.

We thought strongly about seeing if we could find the spare key at Ryan and Rhiannon’s as we sailed by there at about 1:30 a.m. this morning. So tired, thinking that extra bed in the extra room sounded like it was calling our name (the kids were in Illinois camping this weekend). Not wanting to waste time by trying to find it in the dark, we continued. Finally got home about 2:36 am – I’m sure I was in bed asleep by 3 am.

Needless to say it was good sleep in this morning. We got up and threw all four dogs into the van and went for a drive over to the arboretum and walked them. Figured it would be fastest for both of us to take two and get it all done in one fell-swoop. Otherwise Randy would have been out with dogs for the next hour or so … one at a time. Yes, I think Nick is still dog-sitting. Somehow though our presence allows him to believe we are in charge!

A thoroughly lovely weekend—hope yours was equally as nice.

Take care – keep safe – love Jesus!

Vonda

PS – Our friends asked how Ryan was doing. I guess when things seemed DIRE, I kept you posted. The news is … we still don’t know what ‘got him’. The lymphoma oncologist does not believe it to be lymphoma. Then they thought it was the histoplasmomsis. Nothing ended up growing in the culture they did, so they ruled that out and took Ryan off the antifungal medication. He is feeling better, and it appears that we may not ever know exactly what made him so horribly sick. As he continues to get stronger and back to 100% -- Thank you for your prayers. God has been good and answered our prayers for his healing.