Additional visitors

We also had/still have/ noisy visitors every afternoon around 3:30. Lots of parrots.

Visitors

A little slow in getting this posted. Brian and Aubrey came last week for a visit. Aubrey was the hit of the park. Nothing like having a couple hundred grandparents surrounding a 3 year old. Aubrey turned into a bashful and quiet little girl but everyone was gushing with attention.

Henry endearing himself to Grandma B.



Aubrey putting milk and cookies out for Santa.

Christmas in Austin. Something gooffey about Christmas and 70' weather. Just not right!!!!!!!

But, we'll take it. Mary and I went up to Austin on Tuesday and stayed until Friday. I think three days is the maximum dislocation allowed from now on. We had an enjoyable Christmas break, even though I can't seem to keep my facts straight. Thought Mary would be (and she was) accustomed to Christmas Mass so we went to St. John Newman, only problem was, we were a half hour off, so the mad scramble to St. Austin. Which was fairly easy to find but almost impossible to find a place to park. Ended up standing but enjoyed it anyway.

Anyway, how can you visit a 3 year old and a 7 month old and not have some pictures.

Had Thanksgiving at Christine's and Dan's, stayed at Katie's and Yohann's, then headed south for warmer temps. Stopping at Brian and Jill's for a few days. And of course, had to get the newest grandson.

Latest Project

Well, here's the latest project. Have to put a finish on it (the part I hate) and then it will be done. Next, the chairs.

Neighborhood Sightings

Memory Walk

Saturday, September 13Th was the fifth year in a row we did the Alzheimer's Memory Walk and fund raiser. The first year was in St. Paul in 2004 and the ensuing years in Spooner. This year we came in third in the most dollars raised and for the second year in a row, we were first with the most walkers. Last year we had to use Buster to break the people tie, didn't need him this year. It was a shorter walk this year and a little rain fell just to give us some variety.

Sunday was the second annual Pool/Birthday party complete with lots of food-both junk and healthy. That is one event that puts a smile on Mary's face and every one has a good time.

Other items: Turned off and drained the sprinkler system. Getting nice big tomatoes and the green peppers are developing nicely. I think they should beat the frost.

Desk

Just to show off my latest project. The top is out of 2 1/2" rough sawn maple that Jon Gross and I got, along with a lot of oak and ash, from Delano, Mn. about 3-4 years ago. Was able to re saw the 2 1/2" into 1". This stuff is very hard and only a new blade would cut it without burning. Drawer fronts are red oak with black walnut (from Julian Juelich) around the handles.

Has three coats of hand rubbed satin on it now, will put a coat or two of poly on the top.

Visitors from Texas

Brian and Aubrey came to visit on Friday (8/22) and left on Tuesday (8/26). I believe Aubrey had a good time visiting her cousins as did they.

In case anybody doesn't know, Aubrey is quite a talker with an extensive vocabulary.

We drove them to the airport and after we got back went for a walk and Mary said "So sad" "Miss them".

Vacation, SW Wisconsin

Mary and I took a short vacation and had some interesting sites. Villa Louis, House on the Rock, and Frank LLoyd Wright's home. Also, a very well maintained round barn.

Iowa Visitors, August 14th. (Jim & Marie B.)

Jim is sooo excited!!! Just unending things to do in northern Wisconsin.

Watch Dog

Had to show this! Virgil will get a kick out of the resident of the bird house he gave us. Don't know what possessed this frog but sure was funny!

It works!

Wednesday noon and we have a working sprinkler system. Have to bury the pipes, tweak the sprinkler heads, and reseed. Probably take longer than I would like.

Wired the sprinkler system today, so tomorrow is the big day, test time. Will find out how many leaks, wiring errors, and if 24VAC can travel 150' and still have enough umph! to trip the starter switch for the pump.

Texas

What the park model in Texas looks like. Our winter abode.

Started an irrigation system today. Looks like a two or three week project. Will keep you posted.

This is the display cabinet that I made for the church. A parishioner started and made the base, I finished the base front, made and installed the drawers. Then did the upper. Which is quite heavy. Another guy did the poly coating.

They want to use it for display/selling stuff.

Larry & Irene Came to Visit, July 5, 2008

A rousing game of ladder ball, with Mary being crowned the reigning champion.

Some of the flowers

South anyone?

First entry. Recuperating from the 4Th of July and weekend visitors. Almost enough activity to let you forget about your shingles. Shingles has been the constant irritation for the past month. Guess I need to work on my writing skills. More later.