Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there! Another holiday with dangerous conditions in our state.

I just read Mandy & Jim's blog and saw the pictures she took of some of the preparation for the flooding in the Des Moines area. It is unbelievable what is happening in our State. It's also very scary. All our local TV stations have been on air 24/7 showing the results of all the rivers that have overflown their banks. Words cannot describe what we see. I'm sure that up close and personal is even more indescribable.

Barb was scheduled to come for the weekend to spend some time with her Dad and attend an Open House at my niece's (her cousin's) place but with all the road closings decided not to come. But on Friday evening I got a call that she was coming anyway! She found a route that wasn't dangerous would be arriving sometime Saturday morning/noon. I was happy to have her come but also a little concerned because of all the flooding throughout the State. They have rerouted part of Interstate 80 through Dubuque. Yes, I said Dubuque. Highway 20 was full of semis on Friday and very congested coming into town if you were foolish enough to take Dodge Street. After the morning commute Friday all exits off of Dodge Street were closed. It was unbelievable the traffic!

Barb did make it. She brought me a new chair!! Well, it's new to me. She ordered a new recliner for her living room and willed me her glider/rocker. She really hates my big blue chair!! We got it upstairs okay and it is now sitting in my living room. Now my living room needs to be rearranged. Barbie also thinks I should look for a new sofa (maybe an apartment size one) so guess I'll put some ads in the paper and see if I can get rid of my sofa and chair. I'm kinda excited about changing my living room around. Sounds like the painters will be here shortly too. Now that's exciting!!! Obviously the little things in life excite me!

We did make it to Beth & Karsten's but first made a stop at my sister's. Glee re-did her bedroom and we had to see what that looked like. It's pretty cool. I love her new spread and the wall coloring she choose. Looks good Glee!!

We traveled up Highway 52N out of Dubuque. Last week parts of that highway were closed because of high water. We could see where that was!! Lots of farmland has nothing left but mud! Crops are gone. Lots of debris left over. Where there's fencelines that stayed put they're full of growned trees that were removed by the fast moving water -- roots and all. It looks very sad and that's only a very small part of what's been happening in our world. That little flood is nothing compared to what the people of Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Palo, Vinton, Iowa City and many other small towns are going through. I'm thankful that the city administration of the City of Dubuque had the forthought to erect the flood walls that we have protecting our City. What a lifesaver! The Mighty Mississippi looks very full too. Frenchman's Island in Guttenberg is an island of itself these days. The river was beautiful yesterday evening when Barb and I came back home. We should have stopped and taken some pictures.

We had a very nice time at Beth & Karsten's. Their new addition is beautiful. They still have some work to do on it and additional plans for future work to be done, but they have a great kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and deck. Beth fed us well. Good food Betsy!!! We spent some time with Jackson. He's growing so quickly right now. Glee & Barb put him in the swing and he took a quick 'power nap.' Like most babies he can sleep just about any place!

The other picture is of Jackson and his Mom at our Easter celebration at Glee's on Palm Sunday. Jackson loves noise and pounding his hands on the dining room table makes him happy. A baby's giggle is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. He's a very sweet little boy.

I finished a wedding book for Barb and also did one for Harry. I thought he might like a memory of his son's wedding. I hope so anyway. I really had a good time working on both of them. It's getting easier and easier to complete them these days. I must be getting faster or maybe I'm just getting better!!! You know -- you're not getting older, just getting better!

Sounds like more weather is moving into our area sometime today. I heard something about a line of storms coming through here and stretching down toward Cedar Rapids (like they need more water) and into the Des Moines area. Enough!!

I have laundry in and am working on finishing off my bedroom. Finally put my winter quilt away and got out my summer one. Makes the room look lighter! Washed the curtains and windows, now just have to put everything back together. Best get at that.

Hope all is well in your world. Take care and God Bless all.