How does your garden grow???

I have missed being able to garden. There is nothing like the taste of fresh vegetables right out of the garden, but with my arthritis it makes it tough to work the ground like it should be done. But thanks to some thought, and the help of Dad and our neighbor Ruth, I am gardening again.

From garden and birds

Ruth had an old water troughs with some leaks, and Dad had an old tub out back. Voila....a garden at an easy to reach level. The tomato plants are in Dad's, and I have already promised him so fresh red juicy tomatoes when we get some. In Ruth's I planted both pepper plants and cucumbers. She also donated the cracked lattice. So I am hoping for a really "green" garden.

From garden and birds

Then we have one big tub with two Zucchini plants. I will keep you posted on our progress.

From garden and birds

Bird fun in the backyard

Hello all. No I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I wanted to share our "bird sanctuary" with everyone. We got some fallen branches and created a "thicket" for our feathered friends.

From birds and flowers

Even with all the rain, we finally know that spring is on the way. We have tried many different things, and at first, we mostly had Starlings and Grackles. We decided to try just safflower seeds for a while, and most of them lost interest and went to other feeders elsewhere. We then brought out the oranges and lowered some of the feeders into the "thicket" so the little ones can feed more securely. Now, we have all kinds of smaller colorful birds that keep us entertained. Of course, we still have our squirrel family that is always up to no good, but they are fun to watch as well.

From garden and birds

From birds and flowers

He comes in to eat the peanuts that we put out for him as well as the blue jays. We are lucky enough to have cardinals,

From Steve Birds May 08

gold finches,

From birds and flowers

indigo buntings,

From birds and flowers

and orioles, both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. The orchard Orioles are the darker color orange. It says they will bring their fledglings to feeders and fruit, so we will keep an eye out for the little ones as we have seen both male and females.

From birds and flowers

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From garden and birds

Of course, our friendly woodpecker makes an appearance every day as well. He certainly doesn't want to miss out on the fun. I promise to update more often as I am sure with spring in the air, there will be lots to keep everyone up on.

Iowa Visit

Iowa Visit Kids and Jane

As most of you know, we went to Iowa last weekend. Please click on the picture to enjoy the show. I have also started my new hours at work. I work from M_THURS 3:30 - 2AM. So I am still trying to readjust my sleep habits. We had a wonderful visit as you will see from the pictures. I couldn't believe how much the kids had grown. I guess it has been 6 months since our last visit. Friday night, we went to Sheila and Matthew's for supper. Then Sheila and I snuck off to a Jewelry party. When we came back, Brandon and Karla had showed up. We packed up and headed to John's. On Saturday, Nate and I visited "The Fickle Frog" downtown, then we met Lisa and Sheila and the kids for lunch. WOW. With all four of them there, I know why you are young when you have children. (It was lots of fun). We then went to visit with my cousin Monica, and meet Peppy the papillion. I will put more in about that later. Sunday, Sheila and Matthew were off to the slopes in Minnesota. We had lunch with Lisa, Cody, Layla and Wyatt and Brandon and Karla. John introduced us all to Jane, his girl friend. Nate was working, but came home before we left. We were able to split the trip up both coming and going, thank you Brecheisen Family. It made the going a whole lot easier.

Cupid Has been busy....and so have I

I know that time seems to have slipped away again. I have been working out on the assembly floor and getting up to start work at 5AM has really taken some adjustment. I have been lucky enough to stay on days, until the week of Feb 23rd. Then I start evenings. By the time I put in my days, I spend the weekend recovering. LOL I don't have to be at work until 3:30 but will work till 2AM. Another whole adjustment. OK now the cupid part. Justin went to Georgia for the weekend to be with his valentine. Things are getting kind of serious, but they are both very happy. This picture was taken on Valentine's Day on Jekell Island which is near where Kat lives.

J&K valentine's day 09

He is on his way home tonight, so I am sure I will hear more as the week goes on.
Steve and I both have a long weekend coming up, so we are packing up and heading north to Iowa to catch up with everyone there. Other than that we are all surviving. LOL
I will try to be better at keeping everyone up to date.

Catching Up

Hello all....I know it has been a long time and I have sooooo much to share. I am still trying to adjust to my new work schedule, so I haven't been doing a very good job keeping up. I am still on days for training(which has been a blessing) and will be on days on more week. Just long enough for my body to adjust to being at work at 5AM. Work has been pretty slow, and we are all hoping the economy improves soon.
First and most important, Justin has a girlfriend. Her name is Kathleen (she goes by Kat) and she lives in Georgia. They met over the internet, and she has been to Kansas twice, once just before Christmas.

From Justin&KatDecember2008

. Justin and Kat have known each other for quite a while, but we finally got to meet her. As you can see from the picture, they are both very happy. We are very proud of Justin and welcome Kat to the family. They are taking it slow, but she makes Justin smile.
More news. I am a great aunt. My niece Jennifer(who lives in Florida) had a baby boy. My parents are great grandparents for the first time. His name is Charles Keith and my brother Tom is very proud to be a grandpa.
And finally, my neice who lives in Georgia is getting Married in June. Mary Ellen is graduating from Dental Hygeniene school in May. We were going to get together for that, but then my sister called to cancel that party and announce the wedding. She is going to get married at a Georgia Plantation so it will be an amazing experience. I will be sure to take lots of pictures. She has been planning this since she was about 5. Kat will join us there, so she can meet the Dubey family. I figured if she can survive that, she will make it. We hope when she comes back, that we will be able to get together so she can meet all of Steve's side as well. :)

FOLLOWING PATTERNS

Did you ever try to follow a pattern, and then get confused by the directions? To your left, you see my most recent excursion in Purse H*ll. I am sure most of my sister-in-laws remember our shopping trip for Linda's 50th birthday. We ended up at some really unique shops, and most of us purchased something from the Parkville Quilt shop. Mine was the Tube Pocket Purse. When I first read my instructions, Note number one said, and I quote,"If you do not like read instructions, please have someone read them to you." That should have been my first clue. Two days, at least 32 hours, and much ripping, cussing, basting, reripping....arrrrghhh. However, I can honestly say after all the struggle, the end result is awesome. Just don't expect any for this Christmas LOL. The first one was a nightmare, almost from start to finish. Since there is no "pattern pieces" to follow, just instructions on how big to cut, etc. it made for some strange results. The blue and brown bag is my first try. Since Bert was nice enough to let me use her machine, her wisdom, and her material, I created one for her as well. Everything was so much easier the second time around, until I got to the strap. OMG the strap!!!!! I was finished with the purse except for the strap by noon. I had started about 9 this morning. I figured I had it made. Then, after lunch, I tried to fit the strap. I don't know how this woman expected this to work. Her instructions weren't clear at all. At 6 PM, I gave it over to a more competent seamstress, Bert. She tried 3 or 4 times before she finally got it. So....How is everyone else's projects coming???? I look forward to showing off my nightmare at the big Fiesta, and will be happy to share the pattern with anybody that wants to try their luck?

Getting Older

Wow....what a birthday. I am visiting with Bert and her family. We all slept in this morning, and then off to church. It was the feast of the Holy Family. I always tease my Mom saying she had my birthday on one of the best days. She always feels guilty because I was born so close to Christmas.
When we got home, we had muffins and coffee, and then it was off to shop. As most of you know I love to shop, especially the novelty shops and little "specialty shops." We set up supper in the crock pot, and dessert as well, so everything would be ready when we got home. We laughed at the silly stuff and just had a wonderful time. I think we found a wonderful store to go "sister shopping" when we all get together again. After we ate, the Brecheisen's presented me with my birthday gift, a book titled "THE MARINES". I was very honored by their choice, and it will join the others in my Marine library. I even surprised them all with a big OOORAAHHH. We have spent the rest of the evening working on Christmas gifts, and goodies for the Mexican Fiesta to be held on New Year's Day. I appreciate all the good wishes and phone calls from family and friends.