Monday, December 29, 2008

Pictures

The fist two pictures were taken in 1995. It appears the first one is a little out of focus. The second one is a picture of the 1460 IH combine Dad bought when his L Gleaner burned up. The last three I scanned in color and black and white. They were taken by Betty in 1991.















Electrical Outage

Betty woke up during the night and noticed the electricity was out. We didn't look what time it was. We didn't think we had anything to worry about as we have backup batteries in both our alarm clocks. Well guess what, apparently both batteries are dead because I scared awake about 7:30 to both clocks blinking. Betty is suppose to be at work at 7:30. Betty called work to tell them what happened and what a mad scramble to get ready for work did my wife embark on. I think she probably should have been there sometime between 8:00 and 8:30.

I have an appointment in Bismarck on Wednesday to see the results of my CPAP test. I'm thinking we probably better get some batteries for the alarm clocks because if it happens again I think somebody could get injured if they get in her way. That somebody would be me!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Our Christmas Celebrations

Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas! We had a busy but fun Christmas vacation. Christmas morning we had our Church Christmas program. Duane and I left a little early so we could pick up the candy bags and take them along. Right after we left the house I realized I didn't set Caseys gifts for his teachers out, so I called him and told him to get them out from under the tree and sit them on the table so they wouldn't forget them when they left. He answered me yes maam, will do. After we hung up I thought that wasn't Casey that was Brandon. I never thought too much about it until later when Brandon told me he knew what him and Alex were getting for Chrismas. I said "how do you know?" I didn't think I had to hide the gifts anymore. He said "well you told me to go find the two gifts for sunday school teacher and catechism teacher, and how can I not know what was in those big packages?" .We bought them big hard gun cases that will hold two guns, and they have a handle on top. I guess looking at them wrapped you can't help but know what's in them. I just knew they wouldn't be snooping under the tree before we opened and didn't realize who I was talking to when I directed him to go look. All my kids and Duane sound the same on the phone. I really have to talk to them for awhile before I'm sure who I'm talking to.

After the Cristmas program we went to a local church and had our family dinner there. We also had a surprise 40th Birthday for Duane's brother Doug. He was really surprised. After we got done eating and all the men were sitting around visiting and waiting for desert us women snuck around and brought all the gifts and cake in, and quickly decorated the table. Then we just opened the sliding door between the rooms and everyone started singing Happy Birthday.

After dinner and a much needed lunch (ha,ha) we went to our house for awhile.

In the evening we went to Duane's parents for supper and to open gifts. Everyone was able to make it home this year. I am just amazed at how much Lisa and Bleau's kids have grown. We took a bunch of family photos, but of course we used our regular camera so it will be awhile before I can post any.

After evening lunch we went home to open gifts. Brandon and Alex got to open their gifts first. Since they already knew what they were getting. Then the girls and Ryan and Casey. They also exchanged names so they opened them as well. We thought it was kind of funny, they has us draw their names for them and let them know who's name they had so we did. Later we realized they all had the same name this year as they had last year. Next year we'll have to draw them while everyone is home so they can put it back and draw over if they had it before. We got a big screen T.V. for Christmas, so we got our gift as soon as Brandon got here. He called us a week or so before Christmas and wondered if we were still going to get one. We have been looking and talking about it for about 3 months now(since our old one died) and we have been using Ryans 19". Brandon and Alex went to check out diffent options, and to price them out. Then he called us the day before he came home and told us he found a really good deal, and that's what the kids wanted to get us if we could chip in on it. Someone, one of his friends works with ( at a local electronics store) bought a new T.V. about 6 months ago and didn't realize it was way too big for his livingroom. So he decided to sell it. He got a really good deal on it himself because he gets a discount. Brandons friend said it was a good deal and that we can even purchase warranty on it yet, so we decided to get it. I was always afraid one that big would be too big for our livingroom but Brandon has been working on me, saying it would be ideal in our long livingroom because you can see it from the dining room and it really doesn't take more area up than what a small T.V would. Well, He was right it really is nice. I'm glad you talked me into that size and kind Brandon. After we opened gifts Nicole, Julie, Casey and I played Survivor while everyone else took turns playing playstation. Duane and I retired early, well if you call 1:30 early. I think Julie went shortly after that, and Ryan headed home right around that time, but I don't think everyone else went to bed until 3:00 or 3:30 AM.
Alex and Nicole slept on the air mattress in the computer room. When I got up the morning I went to shut the computer room door so I wouldn't wake them up and there was nobody there. I went out into the livingroom and here they were sleeping on the couch. Well, Brandon thought the air mattress leaked last time they used it but he said maybe they just didn't have enough air in it. Alex said we'll just try it. Needless to say it leaked really bad. So they never got much sleep. The next night we hauled a mattress up from the basement and they slept in the middle of the diningroom.

Nicole took this picture for me this afternoon. Our digital camera died so it's the only picture I have to post for now. Thanks Nicole!
As you can see everyone is taking turns playing Playstation 3.



I should have thought to take a picture yesterday. The chairs by the TV and the couch were full then.

Ryan never came out today because they were going to just hang out at home and maybe watch a movie. Brandon, Alex and Nicole left here around 5:30 PM. We all walked the house several times to make sure they weren't forgetting anything. Well, wouldn't you know they had been gone about a half an hour and here Alex and Nicole drive up. They forgot his bag of work clothes. They bring them to wash when they come home, Alex said I wouldn't be able to get along without those. At least they didn't make it home before they realized it.

Tomorrow Ryan and Tyler are coming out and we are going to open presents and have dinner. Tyler couldn't make it to our other Christmas celebrations because his mother was home and he had so many other Christmas get togethers to go to. So Ryan is going to get him tomorrow so we can open gifts and spend the day with him.

Then tomorrow night we are going to go visit Mom in the assisted living and bring her her gift. I talked to Carol and she said her and Harlow were going to visit her Christmas evening. I was relieved because our Christmas Day and the day after are so busy I knew I wouldn't make it there, and I would hate to have her spend Christmas alone. Some would say she doesn't know the difference but I think sometimes she maybe wouldn't but some days she would. Besides I would hate to think of her spending Christmas day alone anyway. I know she realizes if you haven't been there for awhile just by the way she reacts when you are ready to leave. Last time I visited it had been about a week since I had been there and when I went to leave she wanted to know when I was coming back. Usually she isn't so adamant about knowing. But I think she knew it had been awhile and wanted to make sure I was coming back soon.

Well, I guess I'd better go, I want to shower and then we are going to watch a movie. We have a bunch of them to watch. Alex and Nicole keep us in movies. Almost everytime they come home they bring us some to watch which is really nice because we love movies.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

IL DIVO

Amazing Grace



O Holy Night

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Hello,

Well again it's been awhile since we posted anything other than videos. Today was my day off. I started out the day getting blood work done in Linton (my annual check, well suppose to be anyway). A person tends to put it off. I still have to go in for my regular annual check up. I just went in this time for my blood pressure pill refill and she had to double my medication, and she wanted to run some other tests for cholesterol, kidney function, (because of the meds) and blood sugar.

After I got done with that I went for a massage. Duane got me a gift certificate for one for my Birthday. I was really nervous. Different people I had talked to said they went to this lady and ended up with bruises. I'll have to remember to thank them for that. I really enjoyed the massage. There were a few times when she hit knots that she had to work out, that it was a little uncomfortable but not enough to leave bruises. I plan to go back again, my neck, shoulders and back feel alot better already. They say you'll be stiff for awhile but so far other than a few tender spots I feel great. She suggested after a few massages that I go to a chiropractor because my body is out of alignment. I'm sure it's from favoring my one leg over the other for so long, and actually I was already told that by a chiropractor in Minneapolis a few years ago. One of those free (at a fair) evaluations.

After my massage I ran to Herried to visit mom. I didn't stay for very long because they eat dinner at 11:30. I thought it was noon or I would have went later. But I had a lot of things to do at home anyway. So I went and got groceries and went home to bake cookies, wash clothes and do some cleaning. I made a double batch of roll out sugar cookies and a double batch of ginger cookies.

My sister Velma called and we had a nice visit.

I made homemade pizza for supper. My stand-by (something quick and easy that everyone loves) we are waiting for the timer to go off now. Casey has Christmas program practice tonight.

Not too much else going on around here. We have been fighting colds again. Yesterday Casey and I were both sick (stomach flu). It seems like if it isn't one thing its something else.

Ron Dykema was here today to haul stacks. He got 11 hauled today but will have to come back tomorrow and haul the last 2. Duane would have been able to work today if he hadn't called about hauling stacks.

Monday, Duane helped Harlow pour cement for a new entryway on their house. He said he didn't realize how cold it was. He never wore his coveralls and got quite chilly.

Duane talked to Brandon the other night. He was pulling a friends car out of the ditch for him the other day and the tow rope snapped. It came back and hit the driver side corner of the cab hard enough that it put a baseball sized dent in it and took some paint off. I would say the Lord was watching over him, it could have came through the back window and hit him in the head.

Brandon was home this past weekend and helped Duane put a new waterpump in the Jeep. He also brought home his playstation 3 and a bunch of games. I guess Alex and Brandon played for a long time on Friday night. He said it's even more fun to play on the bigscreen. He has a 62" tv, and that's what him and Alex played on. Casey and Ryan played all afternoon while Brandon and Duane were putting the waterpump in. In the evening they all played. I even tried out one of the racing games. Brandon and Casey played until about 3:30 am. I guess Brandon just got it not too long ago and really hadn't had much time to play until the weekend.

Well, I guess I'd better go eat.
Have a good one.
Betty

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

A Better Way

by Downhere

Sunday, December 7, 2008

How Many Kings

by Downhere

Friday, December 5, 2008

Da Blues

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Tin Pan Alley (Pt 1)



Tin Pan Alley (Pt 2)