Reunions

I attended a family reunion over the weekend. All at once I'm one of the oldest in my family! That's scary!!! My sister, Glee and her husband, Ron, hosted the Klingerman family at their home on Sunday. The Klingerman's would be my dad's side of the family. My Grandma Baade originally came from southern Minnesota so . . . a lot of family are still in that area. They live around the Rochester area and beyond. The numbers are dwindling . . . less every year. All that's left are cousins. Every other year the gathering is in Iowa so next year we'll make the trip to Minnesota. It's an interesting day. You never know for sure who's coming but know that there will be plenty of food and lots of visiting.

Glee's children were there. I enjoyed spending some time with Jackson. He's such a darling little boy. He's so good with a bunch of strangers! We kinda passed him around for a bit in the afternoon. My brother, Mark and his wife, Sandie, were also able to be there. That was a plus. We don't see much of each other and they only live in Cedar Falls. Sandie and Mark are anxiously awaiting news of their first grandchild. Son Nick, and his wife are expecting any day now. Actually she's overdue so . . . we're all waiting to hear the news. Hopefully soon, Danielle was due July 7th. Nick and Danielle are stationed in Virginia. Nick's in th Navy and in and out of port. I can't remember the last time I saw him!!! Brother Josh and his wife, Keeley are also expecting so it's a lively time in their household at the present. Josh and Keeley's little bundle should arrive sometime in August!!

It's kinda fun getting together with relation you don't see very often. We talk a lot about old times when Grandma was still here. We also bring each other up-to-date on what all our famlies are doing. Lots of cousins in Minnosta that we don't see often at all. But their parents, or grandparents fill us in when we get together.

Mark & Sandie stayed a little later and we 5 all had a good visit. Hopefully we can all get back together soon, with our children, and have a real Baade family reunion!!!

I'm hard at work on a scrapbook for Jim & Mandy of their wedding. I do so love scrapping. I spend a little time everyday of the week on something associated with scrapping and the weekends I usually try and get X amount of pages done on whatever project I'm working on. Jim's wedding is so much fun to work on. It's like re-living the whole thing again. So many pictures were taken. Some extremely good pictures and I can't seem to decide which to scrap so end up with lots and lots of pictures. All of them are great memories

It's very humid in our area these days. I put the air on in the morning so that I can do something when I get home at lunch or for the evening hours. I usually end up shutting in down around 8:30 or so and use my tower fan the kids got me for Mother's Day. Sounds like the humidity is going to be around the majority of the week. Fair time. It's always warm for fair!!

I best get something done around here. Hope all have a good week. Talk to you soon!!

Just another day . . .

First of all, how do you like the blog? Thanks to Mandy I now feel like I too am in the 21st century. She did such a great job on the first one, that I asked her to make the change on this one. I'm impressed. I love it! Thanks for the long-distance fix Mandy!!

I read Jim & Mandy's blog before I do much of anything. Gives me ideas and reminds me that I need to continue to write in mine more often. So here goes . . .

I complain all the time that I'm boring (and I think I am) but I did finally DO something this weekend. I and a friend went to the local production of Beauty and the Beast. They did a great job and I enjoyed it very much. Local productions are put on in the Grand Opera House. The Grand was originally a theatre and I can still remember going there to watch movies. One that sticks in my mind is the Dean Martin films where he was a super sleuth!! Anybody else remember them?? The next production is Peter Pan and I may pass on that one. Depends if anyone asks me or not!!!!

I spend the majority of my time in my spare bedroom doing what I love -- scrapping!! My sister says it is no longer a hobby but an obsession! Probably!! As of late I've finished a number of projects in record time. My biggest expense seems to be my ink. I have the majority of my pictures all scanned and in my computer or on CD's, but when I work on a project I change the size of some of the pictures. I finished a baby book for my niece (her Christmas present 2007), another baby book for my sister (Grandma brag book) and a Christmas book for a gift for the upcoming holidays. I've found a place on-line that has some of the cutest stickers and emblishments and have added to my current collection of that. I did a book of Jim & Mandy's wedding for Mandy's mom, Jackie, and she was so gracious when she gave me a thank you card and added a gift card to Michael's and now I'm itching to use it. I asked Mandy if she wanted a black/white album or one with some color. She gave a very nice compliment and said to go ahead and do whatever cuz she likes my work. (Tell your friends, etc., as I'm trying to get a business started on the side with scrapbooking!!) Anyway, my project right now is a complete book for Mandy and Jim. This one could take some time. I have pictures of the engagement party (everyone has their copy of that), Mandy's shower in Dubuque (copy of that to the bride) and am now working on the wedding day itself. I have all kinds of shots of the rehersal supper (compliments of my daughter -- she took lots of pictures) and lots and lots of snapshots and wedding pictures from the photographers and family to work with for the before wedding fun (getting dressed, etc.) through the service, after the service, pictures at the park and the reception. I also have some pictures Mandy forwarded to me of their honeymoon. I told both Mandy and Jim this will be at least a 2 book project and probably 3!!! I can never decide which picture to put where and they had so many good ones taken of their wedding day. I'm excited about it.

It's fair time in Dubuque County and for the first time in over 15 years I am not going to work there. I just can't get up enough ambition to go to work for 8-9 hours, and then hike out to the fairgrounds and stand out in the middle of a parking lot and direct traffic. I'm sure the fair will continue without me. I already miss the people I worked with on this project but to be truthful my health just won't permit me to do that anymore. I might sneak out some evening just to say hi! I always worked the paid lot and know that Kevin will probably let me come in 'free' for a short visit with those that are there.

I gave in last week and went to the doctor. I just haven't been feeling very well. Been taking time off from work hoping that whatever has a hold on me will give up and leave my system but that hasn't been working either so . . . off to the doctor. We had a long talk and as usual they wanted some of my blood. I stopped in Friday on my way to work and gave them some. I have a beauty of a bruise to prove it!! I have an awful time giving blood for testing and my nurse is now used to me and my problems. This time she used a butterfly needle and took it out of my forearm. Hurt, but we only had to do it once!! Results came back on Monday. I'll live until I'm at least 60 years old!!!

Actually my C1A came back at 6.8 (down from 7.3), my blood pressure was a little high (130/80), my cholesterol is at 130, I've lost 11 pounds and all the other junk they tested for came back fine. So what is my problem??? Stress! They told me it is stress! Well, I guess I'll just have to learn to live with the dizziness, the stomach aches and headaches, cuz I can't afford to quit this job!! Life goes on . . . .

We have a family reunion scheduled for this coming Sunday at my sister's. There are not many left on this side of the family. This would be my grandmother's side (or Dad's). Only people left are cousins and the majority of them are getting up in years. Unfortunately my children won't be able to attend. I wished they could, but they too have other things planned for this weekend. Barbie is on vacation and Jim & Mandy have a conflict. It's kinda fun sitting and talking to these folks as they tell a lot of stories about my Grandmother Baade and my Dad. Interesting, but boring for my kids!! Always plenty of food . . . .

Sorry no pictures this time around. Although I've been looking through some old pictures and find some I'd like to put on here but I'm at work at the present time so guess they'll just have to wait.

Speaking of work, I should probably get back at it. I'm working on our quarterly newsletter. Trying to come up with some activities that our Dubuque office has done in the past 3 months and upcoming events we have planned. Doesn't sound all that difficult but when you sit down and try to do it . . . I have a Senior Moment!!

Catch you all later . . . .

Summer

Barb & Mandy's Uncle Harry on July 5th.

Bob trying to grab the rope off the garage with a tiki torch!!

The other newlyweds -- Cheryl & Jesse.

My sister.

Jim & Mandy at Macaroni Bar & Grill in late June.

Yes, summer is definitely here! Hot and humid weather, rainy mornings, hot afternoons! And parties on Jim & Mandy's deck!! I spent part of my July 4th weekend in Ankeny/Urbandale. Jim & Mandy invited a number of family members to help 'baptize' their deck. Jim had replaced a lot of boards, painted, put back together, they bought a beautiful patio set and some new torches so . . . it was time for a party. And it was a great party!

Harry, Bob and Jesse brought tools to help trim trees around the house. Jim drug a lot of branches to the back of their property that afternoon. Harry used Jim's new ladder to get to the top roof and cut additional branches down that needed to be removed. While up there he asked Bob to throw him up a rope so he could lower the chain saw back down. Bob responded with throwing the rope . . . only it landed on the garage roof rather than the house. But as you can see he retrieved it! It was amusing!!! And I don't think it was part of the party entertainment.

Mandy fixed a fantastic supper. We had grilled brats, hamburgers and hot dogs, cheesy potatoes, and baked beans -- every kind of chips you could think of, fruits, dips, brownies, snicker salad, cookies, ice cream, strawberry shortcake, etc. Everyone brought something to share but Mandy did the majority of the work. No one left the tables hungry! If they did it was their own fault!!

My sister and husband came down for the weekend too. It was nice they were able to come. They have a Canadian trip coming up shortly. I'm sure they'll have a great time.

I came home on Sunday. Took a different route than usual -- I usually go 151, #1, and then 80 into Des Moines. Since all of the flooding my route has had to change. Highway 1 is currently not travel able. Barb & Jim both told me to take 151, 380 and 80 and I'd have no problems. I do kinda remember going that way many years ago but have gotten into the habit of going on 1. I had no problems at all -- until I came back home. I have no clue what I did but all at once I realized that I was on 151S/30W and heading back where I came from!!! So . . . I took a quick scenic trip through parts of Cedar Rapids and got back to where I was supposed to be. Only took me a few extra minutes and I got home okay. Duh!!! Guess I must be getting to the age where I have to have everything written out for me!!! But I will venture out again soon. I want to spend some time with the kids again. I need Mandy's advice on a couple of things and visiting with them is as good as an excuse as any!!!

I always complain I never go any place or see anyone but after looking over my calendar for the last month find that this is not true. I've seen more of my sister in the last 6 weeks than I did all of last year. She came down for a long weekend and some major shopping. I certainly enjoyed that a lot. Always fun to help spend someone else's money!!! The following weekend my niece had a party and Barb and I were both invited so . . . we headed north on Saturday afternoon. Made a stop at Glee's to check out the new bedroom. It's cool!! Had a nice time at Beth & Karsten's. Spent some time with Jackson, but would have loved to have spent more. Maybe next time. The following weekend Glee called me on Friday night to see what I was doing the next day and said she was getting her car serviced could I pick her up. Well that was really hard as we went out for breakfast and a little shopping. The really weired part of that visit was that I took my car to have a light replaced, pulled into the garage and she started talking to the guy fixing the light. She worked with him at Cabela's at one time. From there we went to Kohl's and we ran into some people she knew, went to Target and the same thing happened. I live here and didn't see a person I knew at all! We went to Perkin's for breakfast/lunch and our cousin and his wife were there!! At least I knew them. Like I said it was interesting! We missed a weekend and then spent time together at Jim & Mandy's again. Now I probably won't see her again until the holidays!!!

I had a vision appointment late this afternoon. I'm waiting for my eyes to come back to normal. I was really hoping it would stay cloudy this afternoon but the sun came out just as I left for the doctor's office. I got home okay, but boy is it bright out!!!! Eyes turned out fine. Don't even have to get new lenses!

As usual I've been scrapping. Finished Beth's book that I gave her for Christmas. Took it with me to Urbandale and gave it to my sister, so Beth should have it by now. Told her I'd be happy to add pictures if she wanted. "You snap 'em, I'll scrap 'em"!!!

I did a book for Jackie (Mandy's mom) and finally got that finished and Mandy got it to her. I had a very nice surprise from Jackie at the party. She gave me a beautiful thank you card but also included a gift card to Michael's. Thanks so much Jackie! You really didn't need to do that. I'm beginning to think that scrapbooking has become an obsession rather than a hobby!! And I do love it!!!

Time to do some dishes. I actually made myself a decent supper. I made out a shopping list for tomorrow night -- I'm just about out of everything!! I've decided it's about time to plan my meals and try and eat more healthy!! A friend of mine at work plans her meals for about 2 weeks in advance. She said it really helps on the budget and you can always change something if necessary.

I have a co-worker that was told her husband has cancer this morning. She's having a real hard time with it. He's beat it before, plus a couple of major heart attacks, and this one has gotten both of them down. John's not certain he really wants to fight this one or not. He's scheduled for some tests on Monday, but the last time I talked to Donna she wasn't sure that he would even do that. Say a prayer or two for both of them, please. They've been through a lot in the last 7 years and are about to start on it again -- if he decides to do treatments.

Best go. I told my sister I'd try to keep this up better than I have been. I'll try!

Take care all.