Sunday, December 13, 2015 Justin's 16th birthday!!

Good evening! I mean to sit down and write every day, but somehow that hasn't been happening! We have been busy here.
I've made 9 different types of Christmas cookies, now I'm ready to pack them into containers for the family. I made pfefferneuse too, for Wendy! I took an assortment to bible study this morning, they went over well.
I have my Christmas letter written, it's rather short this year. But we haven't sent one in a long time. My cards are cut and the sentiments are stamped, I just have to finish the fronts. I printed out the return labels. I should be getting most of them in the mail this week. Wow, I'm impressed with myself. haha
We just finished running distilled water through the distiller to get it cleaned out prior to starting it. Now it has to run for 24 hours and then we will have distilled water! We've only had the thing for about 3 months, without getting it running. Orrin still has to hook it up to the faucet up here so I can turn it on for distilled water from the tap! Love it.
We went to early service this morning and then bible study. My Rohloff led the class today. Not sure if I spelled that right. We visited a little afterward and discovered that his wife Sarah, is an aunt of Steve Kruschel! It is a small WELS world after all. They are going to WI this week to see her parents, they are both very ill and close to going to meet their Saviour. 
It's too hard to even think of what we've been up to the last few weeks, this is why I should keep current with this blog. I've been working on stamping, coloring and cards. We had our Treadlers Christmas party last Tuesday, and our craft club Christmas party last Sunday. Those are really the only parties we have to go to this year. 
We're going to Dan's on Thursday, hoping that the weather co-operates for us. We'll probably come home again on Monday. Jeremy and Laura have graciously agreed to let us spend the night there on Wednesday, so we can get an early start on Thursday morning.
We're hoping to stop at Al and Lisa's on the way home. We're not sure yet where we'll be spending Christmas. Either in Rapid City or in Gibbon.
Wendy and family, Al and family and Jeremy and family were here for Thanksgiving. We had such a good time with them all! Eugene drove down for the day, we were happy to have him join us. The men played some euchre, shades of old times! We played games and Friday the guys were outside shooting guns. Jeremy had smoked a turkey and I made a ham, and Wendy brought potatoes, we all ate well. :)
I'm hoping that I'm better about this from now on. Have a great week in the Lord!
Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy.

 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” - Galatians 6:9-10

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Good evening! Just a short post today.  We went to early service and bible study. It was a very slim crowd in bible study, only 10 people and that includes the Draegers.  I'm not sure why.

Then a quick lunch at the DQ and over to HyVee to buy groceries for the weekend.  That blew a large wad of money!! There were a lot of people, but not terrible. We got right through checkout.  We also stopped at Papa Murphy's for some pizzas for the freezer, everyone likes pizza!  I had an e-mail with a 25% discount for those. So I think we'll have everyone fed for the weekend.  :)

Orrin was up in the attic this afternoon for quite a while.  I haven't been up there yet to see what he all accomplished, but I'm sure it will be impressive.  We haven't had anyone sleeping up there for a long time.

I finally got those file cabinets cleaned out, so now to move them out.  Nothing like company coming to get things done.  

Alan Olivera stopped by last night and dropped off a pheasant, all cleaned, packaged and frozen!  He had stopped at the shop last weekend and visited with Orrin and told him he would bring us a bird.  He was hunting in the area.  He's married to Orrin's cousin Pam (Just) and we hadn't seen him (or them) for years.

Very unsatisfactory football game today, :(.  I know there are some Packer fans among us, so I guess it was satisfactory for them.  The Vikings should have won, though, I think it's just a matter of attitude.  And that's as much as I know about football.

And that's all for tonight.  Have a good night,

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy
 

Paul wrote, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:10

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Good Morning! Thought I would get this written now, since I seem to run out of gas in the evening.  My computer was out for a day (horrors!) so didn't get a chance the other night.
What happened is. . . Orrin was changing the light bulb (flourescent) in here, and decided to check the light switch. In doing that, he shorted out something, and one line went dead. He went down and hit the breaker switch and all was well. We thought. When I went to the computer to go online, I couldn't connect. I did the whole reboot thing 3 different times and still nothing, so I called MVTV. They were going to send someone out the next day (yesterday).  When I do the reboot, I turn off the computer, unplug the router and then just turn off the APC power to turn off the modem, which is plugged into that. Yesterday morning I thought I would try this one more time, only instead of turning off the APC I unplugged the modem. And then it worked!! Strange, I've never had to do that before.  Oh, well, it's working and that's all that counts. Also, until I unplugged the modem I couldn't connect with my phone either. Can any of my tech experts explain that to me?  As soon as I unplugged the modem, my phone connected.  Well, that long story didn't get shorter, haha.
That whole paragraph is underlined in red, so apparently my grammar wasn't very good!  
I've just about emptied the two smaller file cabinets into the one larger one. Does anyone want either of the two smaller cabinets? One is a regular metal one and the other one is wooden. I'll take a picture.  I've heard from a few people that now that I've found where the larger pictures are, they are not seeing them.  And the smaller ones are just too small to see.    

 Hopefully, one of those will show up.  
Sioux Falls had 18" of snow yesterday!! We didn't get anything, which is fine with me. It is cold out though. I guess it is November, we can't expect 60-70 degree weather forever.  
Nothing else exciting here.  Next week is Thanksgiving and people coming! Yeaaa!
Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy
 
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Hi, again! It's very dreary here today, in the low 40's and it's been raining all day. I don't know how much we've had, as we took our gauges down a few weeks ago. My birdbath is full though, and the driveway has lots of puddles.  We did need the moisture, and I guess it was inevitable that we would get colder.  It would be nice to have some sunshine again, though.

I've heard that there have been more layoffs at EMPI and probably less than 50 people left there.  Sure hope they can find something else to come in, it's a shame to lose a business like that in a small town.

I had Treadlers yesterday, we got a few things done, started on the next year!
We made plans for one meeting in December when we will have our Christmas party. I dropped Teddy off for grooming and picked him up on the way home. He always smells so good after that!

I made bread and some buns on Monday. I have good luck with buns, except they don't look that great! I don't know what I do wrong. Anyone have any tips?  I'm trying to get things ready for Thanksgiving.  I hope the weather holds until after that. I remember that in years past, we always had a storm for Thanksgiving!

I've started doing my coloring for Christmas cards, I may actually get some out this year!  We had cards made when they did the church pictures.  I really didn't like our picture that well this time, but what can they do with what they had to work with!  LOL

Well, Orrin's in so I suppose I should think of something for supper. Maybe some Tilapia, that's always easy.  :)

Have a great evening and stay warm and dry!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and handsome Teddy 

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Psalm 19:21

Sunday, November 15, 2015

It is the half way point in November already! How did that happen?  It was another beautiful day today, although someone mentioned this morning that we are supposed to be getting a change, a downward trend in temps.

Yesterday I read a book and puttered around.  That was about the extent of it.  :(  

This morning we were up for early service and went to bible study.  We finished John 3 and got a healthy start on Amos.  So far that seems pretty gloomy, actually.  There were some things that were remindful of the situation in Paris right now, though. Hmm, my spellcheck does not seem to like the word remindful, I kind of do, though!

We lunch at the Roadhouse and ran into the Schwandts there, so they joined us.  I had dinner, the others had breakfast.  Then we stopped at the County Fair banquet hall, to check out the art show, as Boyd had an exhibit there.  Lots of very nice pieces there.  There were drawings benefiting the Salvation Army.  From there it was a quick stop at WM and then home.  I told Orrin I had to take a little nap, as I had a very restless night of sleep last night.  He did some cleaning up around the yard, and came in for a nap as well.  We were determined to wake up by 3, and by some miracle, we did!  I had missed a couple of phone calls, so on checking discovered that I had won a prize from the art show!  It was a book that one of the vendors had written.  She sent it home with Boyd.  Kathy said Terry had won a prize as well, wonder what he got?

We went to the matinee this afternoon, and saw the Peanuts movie.  My dear hubby was very patient about going to this, but I think he kind of enjoyed it too.  The theater wasn't too full for this showing, so it was quiet.  It was a cute movie.  All of the previews were for children's movies too.  I promised him that the next movie we see would be for adults.  Maybe the new Star Wars movie?  hehe.  Afterward, he decided we needed a little something more substantial than popcorn so we stopped at the DQ and shared a chicken strip meal.  Then, as we needed some milk, we stopped at the Dollar General for that, it's $3 a gallon right now.  I was surprised they were still open, but I guess they are open until 10 every day.

Now we're home and settled in for our regular lineup, so I'd better get off here.  I did find where the photos that are regular size are, now I wonder if they are showing up?  Please let me know.  The others were just too small.

And that's about it.  I'll share another picture, let me know how that works.  :)

One from the seminar.

And Alan's birthday card.  Alan, if you haven't gotten it yet, don't look!  Oh, Lisa had put something on FB yesterday about a shooting over by Gibbon, how did that turn out?

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy


The apostle Paul, who was miraculously called to Christ while in route to persecute Christians in the city of Damascas - located near the heart of embattled ISIS territory in modern day Syria - wrote in the Bible, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1-5).



 

Friday the 13th, November 2015

Don't know if this is supposed to be a scary day, never seemed like it! I was up early and it was 27 degrees out! Brrr.  But it did warm up into the 50's today, so not so bad. 

I went to Watertown this forenoon because I wanted to get to the eye doctor before noon.  My lens had fallen out again last night, for the second time. It was the screw holding the frame together that was not holding. We were able to get it back together last night and the other time too. But I decided the screw must be stripped, so wanted to get it replaced. Now that I am farsighted rather than nearsighted (after cataract surgery, I think I made the wrong choice there) Orrin has to help with it, as I can't see close up without my glasses!  Anyway, long story still long, I did get it fixed, hopefully for good this time.

Then I stopped at GSI with a few things, and did a little shopping as well. Kathy was there shopping, and so were a few other ladies. I had a cup of coffee with them, and then headed over to Needleworks for the machine embroidery class.

There were quite a few people there this time, and I met a few new ladies. I think the socialization is the most compelling reason to go to these.  :)  After that, I stopped at Culver's for the FOD and then back to Papa Murphy's to bring a pizza home.  I haven't done that for a while. I always get the family size, more for the $$, but then later I wonder why?  Well, we'll have leftovers for a while. 

It doesn't seem like I accomplished much, although I did track down a design pack.  I was going to lend it to my friend, only to find she already had it!!  LOL

I'm happy to hear that you all are able to get my pictures now, but now I have to figure out how to get a larger version.  The other day when I was fooling around there, I did get back to that page, but now I've forgotten how I found it!  Grrr.  I wish Google would quit messing with it and with me.

I chatted with Justin and Dan last night on FB, they had gone to see the Peanuts movie.  Wonder if I can talk Orrin into going?  Hmmm.

Oh, forgot to mention that the good Lord has been looking after me.  The other night, on the way back from Monte, I  nearly hit 2 deer just east of our place. It was dusk, and I almost didn't see them!  And then today, someone just pulled right in front of me, almost collided!  Luckily, they saw me at the last minute and I saw them, so it was avoided.  Why don't people look before they pull out of a parking spot??

Well, we're due for a nice weekend again, yeaa!  I'm afraid that when Thanksgiving gets here, the weather will turn.

Have a great evening!  Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."
-Psalm 32:7

okay, here's the bigger picture, hope you can see it?

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - Veteran's Day!!

Hello, surprise!!  Whenever it's Veteran's Day, I always think of mother's story of going to Jabbo Westerman's wedding.  In those days, the reception was held at the home. Well, anyway, this was 75 years ago, the day of the great Armistice Day storm.  The bridal party and all the guests were stormed in for several days!  What a way to spend a honeymoon.  Since then, the day has been retitled Veteran's Day.  Mom and Dad had so many good stories, I wish I had recorded more of them.

It was a very gloomy day today, but at least no storm! We are supposed to get strong winds later, but I don't think we'll be getting any moisture.  Maybe our family in Rapid City will get some?  Probably for sure in the hills out there.

I went over to Montevideo this afternoon to get my hair cut and my nails done. That always feels good.  I misread the time, so I was there an hour early.  Of course, the library was not open, so what to do? Not much else in Monte but go to WalMart.  I found my favorite Christmas Oreo cookies, the ones covered in white fudge, so it was not a total waste, LOL.  

Orrin was surprised to get a call from the dentist that is denture was back and fixed, so he has his teeth back! He had broken one on Saturday, and of course, that has to be sent in.  I'm always happy to see his teeth back in, too.  

  Just a picture of a card that I had fun  making.  The verse is "Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened!"

And that's all folks!  Stay warm!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy 

 

"Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Wow, I'm finally back! I just fell off the radar for a while, sorry about that.  I won't try to catch up, but will hit a few highlights.
On Halloween day we went to Mankato and did some overdue shopping.  Then we met Jeremy, Laura and Maria for an early supper at Maria's favorite, Red Lobster! We were celebrating her birthday!  Here's a pic of her card -

 Hmm, the google photos has changed again, that's rather small. Hope it shows up for you all.  Anyway, we had a nice visit. Jeremy has been offered (and accepted) a new job with a large construction firm in the area, he was quite excited about it, and we were very happy for him.  We headed home after the meal, and they went trick or treating!

Last Thursday, I picked up a friend and we went to a machine embroidery event in Sioux Falls.  It went from 9-4 Friday and Saturday.  We really enjoyed it, made lots of neat things and learned a lot of things, too.  Very pretty designs, it was so hard to choose just a few.

 Just a few examples of the things they displayed.  I met some new friends, and am hoping to take this in next year too.

Sunday we were invited to Krause's to celebrate their 40 years on the farm they're on now.  Lots of friends there to help them celebrate and got lots of visiting done.  First thing on the agenda was a hay ride!  So, even though it was very windy, we went around Lake Alice and then back for a great supper.  

The weather stays unseasonably warm. Not complaining, just saying! It was in the 60's again today.  Al's, Wendy's and Jeremy's are planning on coming for Thanksgiving weekend, I sure hope this weather hangs in there.

And with that, I'll sign off.  I'll try not to miss so much again.

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Good Evening!!  Whew, here it is almost another week!  It's been busy though, if that's a valid excuse?

I just spent the afternoon at Trinity in Clear Lake with the Treadlers group, getting ready for the sale on Thursday.  We filled every table and rack we could find!  I think there are more quilts than ever before, and there are soooo many really beautiful ones.  Some really large ones too.  I sure hope we have a good turnout on Thursday, it would be a shame if there aren't a lot of people to see and enjoy them.

Sunday evening into late Monday night, the wind really blew here, gusts up to 65 mph!  We had so many apples all year, but a lot of them are on the ground now.  I'm so disappointed.  We wait for the first good frost, as they are better after that, but it's been just too nice this year and we haven't had that frost yet.  I'm hoping that by that time, we'll have help to pick them and some left to pick!  The ones I've picked up from the ground are pretty good.  

Tomorrow is beautification day again, and Teddy is due for that on Thursday.  I'll drop him off in the morning on the way to Clear Lake, and pick him up after the sale.

Thanks for letting me know if you're able to see the pictures.  So far I've heard from 3 people, 2 don't get them and one does??  Still can't figure that out.
 
And that's about it for now.  Have a great evening and tomorrow!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy
  

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1

 

October 8, 2015

Brr, it's still chilly, we aren't seeing any signs of that warm up they talked about.  Maybe by Saturday.  It is October, so I don't know what I'm expecting!

I've heard from several people that they aren't getting the pictures I post.  Please let me know if you are or aren't.  I haven't been doing anything different, I think it must be something with google +.  I'll have to mess around and see if I can come up with a different way of posting them.

It's been a busy couple of days.  Tuesday morning I  had book club in town.  They've finally gotten that street tarred, so I could actually drive up to the library!  Yay!  We discussed "Home Front" by Kristin Hannah. I had listened to this book when I was working and it was very good.  Very emotional.  She has written several excellent books.  We had a large group, more than usual.  We went to Subway for lunch afterwards.  Then I headed home, made a couple cards, and off to Trinity Treadlers!  We're getting close to the sale day, it's the 15th.  So many things to finish up and discuss.  These are some of the Treadler ladies.

When I got home, Zach called, so we were able to wish him happy birthday!  We had a nice visit with him.  

Yesterday, Ted and I went on a walk, which we hadn't done for over a week!  He was thrilled.  When we got back, I grabbed a bucket and picked up some of the windfalls.  Orrin thought that was silly since there are still so many on the tree, but it bothered me that they were going to waste.  Then I made some bread, making one loaf of regular bread, one loaf of cinnamon bread, and a pan of caramel rolls.  After that, I did my magic with the apple peeler and took care of the apples.  After we had supper, I made a pan of apple bars.  I was ready to be off my feet by the end of the day.  Some of it went into the freezer for the sale next week, and some into the fridge for us to enjoy!

Today's been rather quiet.  I've done some card making, and some cleaning up and that's about it.  When I went outside, it was windy and chilly, so didn't do the walk.  Orrin needed me to run to town, so I took the Buick and Teddy rode along.  When I stopped at Jim's, he jumped over me and out of the car.  I think he thought we were at Vicki's!! He ran to a young girl who brought him back to the car, silly dog!  He would have come back when I called him, but it was nice that she caught him.  

And now I have a roast in the pokey pot for supper, so should go do something about that.  Have a great day!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

See you later, alligator

 Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

 

October 5, 2015

Happy October!  Where has the summer gone? Why do we ask that, when we know it's just rushed by.  It sure turned chilly here, though it's supposed to get warm again by the weekend.  They're even talking about getting to the 80's, if you can believe it!  We're not so patiently waiting for a good frost so we can pick our apples.  I'm going to have to watch the windfalls and use the ones that are fit.  We can't believe the number of windfalls we've already thrown out this year.

I had craft club tonight, which is always fun, and when I came home the coyotes were really howling to the west.  So Teddy will be going out on the lead again for a while.  I don't think he could outrun them.  And I'm not sure he's smart enough to stay away from them.  :(

We went to Octoberfest at Great Plains on Saturday.  They had a pretty good crowd and lots of items.  Orrin was watching for a rifle, but the one they had went pretty high.  Jeremy was wanting one.  So we'll have to check around.  It is a fund raiser, so there aren't any bargains as a rule.  Scott Gillespie was the auctioneer again, and he does a good job.  I visited with his mom, Marilyn for a little while.  I did get some honey, which is one of the things I wanted, as the bread I make uses honey.  

Sunday we went to early service and bible study again, but since we had been in town on Saturday, we didn't have any errands, so we went home right after eating lunch.  Later in the day, Terry and Kathy came over to pick up the tractor (again).  Hopefully, the problem is taken care of this time.  They brought some more  honey!!  So Wendy, if you want some, let me know.

Today was just a normal (for us) day, nothing exciting.  Tomorrow will be busy, with book club in the morning and Treadlers in the afternoon.  I did get a couple of cards in the mail this morning.  Zach's birthday is tomorrow and I sent one out for birthday club.  I colored some tonight at craft club, so I can finish them in the morning.

And that's all from here!  Be sweet, parakeet!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy.
 

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

(Ac 2:38–39, NIV 2011).

 

Saturday morning, October 3, 2015

Well, I tried to do better but just marginally!  I guess I have to just make myself post every night even if we didn't do anything eventful during the day.  Mostly because by the time too many days roll around, I've forgotten what we've done.

Yesterday was Jane and Gene's 59th anniversary.  I came across a family picture from 1960 the other day, of Oma and Opa, Robert, Jane and I, just took my breath away for a bit.  We will all be together again some day. 

We're getting ready to go to Great Plains today for Octoberfest.  I made 2 apple pies to take, so we'll go this morning.  It's from 1-6.  I made 3 pies last night, and will keep one home for us.  :)  It's always a good time and a wonderful fund raiser for the school.  

It's soon getting to be time to pick apples again.  We haven't had a good frost yet, but it's getting closer.  It was in the high 30's this morning.  I hope we'll have some helpers again this year.  We've lost quite a few to windfall this year, but there are still a lot in the tree.  We found out when we were at Wendy's that our crab apple trees are enough to pollinate our big tree. We had wondered about that, since it's a long apple tree. We went to the Jolly Lane nursery there, and talked to them for a while, and got lots of good information.  I came home with a new hanging houseplant, a goldfish plant.  It's really pretty.  I'll add a picture.  Which brings up another question.  Alan said he wasn't getting my pictures to come up.  And when I asked Kathy she said they weren't coming up for her anymore either.  How about the rest of you?  Please comment to let me know.  I've been using my phone through google to add pictures, I may  have to figure something else out.  And please do feel free to comment, there's a place to do that at the bottom of the blog.  Comment on anything, good, bad or indifferent!

Monday I had club here and that was fun.  One long time member dropped out, so we are down to 7 now.  7 old ladies just having a good time!  Got the house in pretty good order.  I still have work to do upstairs, but will take a break for now.  The rest of the week was just work as usual.  Made some bread one day, and baked pies yesterday.  

And not much else to add, this next week should be busier.  I did some stamping of images and was going to start doing some coloring, but haven't gotten that accomplished yet.  It's so easy now, with my little corner all set up!

Here's a picture of our Treadlers group, and also of my new plant.

And that's all for now, will add more later.  Hugs,
Orrin, Linda and Teddy

For some reason, Proverbs 11:25 came to my mind where God tells us that “a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

 

Sunday, September 27, 2015 - over a week since my last post!!

Hi!!  I'll make this short, and will probably add more over the next few days.  I know it's been over a week since I posted last.  Put it down to inertia, and being gone for 4 days!

We went to Rapid City last Thursday for the boys grandparent's day on Friday.  That was lots of fun, it's always good to see how their days go.

Just a couple of snapshots of the day at school.  They also had a water balloon toss outside, didn't get a picture of that.  It was too windy and chance of rain to do much else outside, so they had their activities in the gym.  And then after that we had to play some mini golf with the boys and of course, Armadilloes!!

 

Then the next day we went to the market square, what a beautiful day to walk around!

 Then on Sunday we went to the Prairie Berry Winery and the Brewery for wine tasting!

After eating at Red Lobster and meeting Mara there!!  Then we went to Keystone for a while and then headed back.  

Monday we left for home after everyone was off to their respective places.  Just a wonderful weekend!

Now I've been tackling the monumental task of cleaning out my dining room and living room.  Just a couple pictures - one of the desk area before and one of the same area now transformed into a creative corner!!

It's going to be soooo much fun to work here.

 This morning we were up for church, didn't stay for bible study, so we could do our errands and get home to get back to work.  

Dan called the other night and we had a long visit, it was so nice to hear how they're all doing.  Thanks for the call, Dan.  

And now I've caught up a little bit.  Thanks for your patience.  Some days rememberances and feelings just catch up with me.

Hugs,  Orrin, Linda and Teddy

 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.   

(Ps 118:6–9, NIV 2011)

 
 

Monday, September 14, 2015

Here I am, a few days later again!  My intentions each night were to blog just a little bit, but somehow that doesn't always happen.  And then there is so much to remember.  Because you know my life is such a whirlwind!  haha

Friday, after my trip to Watertown, I did stop in Clear Lake to meet up with some EMPI friends for a nice long visit.  It was so much fun, I hadn't seen most of them since I left that day last July.  There was so much to catch up on, especially with the major layoff of a few weeks ago.  I hope we do it again in the not too distant future.  Let's see, there were 8 of us plus Rose, who waited on us.  What I miss most about working is the social part of it, so it was super to do some of the socializing again!

Saturday was just a quiet day, didn't do anything too exciting.  I continue with my cleaning and organizing, my hope is to get the computer area done this week before we leave for Rapid City.  I am on a throwing away frenzy, it's amazing how much "stuff" can be accumulated.  Some of it I can't even identify!  I'm raising a little dust, so a lot of sneezing is going on.

Sunday we were up for early service and our first bible study for this year.  It's comforting to get back in that schedule.  We ate Chinese with Rose and Al and Terry afterwards, and then just headed right home.  We both had long naps.  Then the phone rang, and Terry was bringing his tractor over.  Well, turned out he was laying out in the ditch waiting for his ride to pick him up!  We don't notice much on the north side of the house, usually we're in the family room to the south.  Anyway, they came to the door, Pete wanted to ask Orrin a question.  I had just made a simple supper of leftovers, so couldn't even invite them in for that.  So sorry.  First night of Dancing With the Stars, there's quite a strange group this season.

Today Ted and I got our walk in again.  My tummy has been acting kind of weird, so haven't felt like getting too far from the house.  Then I really dug into the paperwork here, and got almost all of the filing out of the way.  Again, much was discarded.  I cleaned off the desk, and moved my markers in here.  I have a computer, keyboard and monitor if anyone would like it?  It's one that I won at EMPI and has XP on it.  It would be fine for kids or for gaming or whatever.  Just let me know if you're interested.  Tonight I made Hamburger Chow Mein, where are our unexpected guests now?  By the end of the week I am going to post before and after pictures of this room.  I should clean out Teddy's toys, too, but which ones should I throw?  He pulls different ones out all the time.

And with that -  Let's Jam, Sam!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy. 

Romans 8:28
'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'

Friday, September 11, 2015

 Off for my haircut and mani Wednesday! Got the right day this time.  My car could go in auto to Monte this week! Got a walk in this morning before I left, my walks are short! Other than that, just did more cleaning and organizing. Will I ever be done, you ask? So do I.

Thursday did our walk, we're pushing it harder, made it all the way to the neighbors driveway.   I cheated yesterday, when I should have been organizing I took a nap. Worked on it later instead when we watched America's Got Talent. Finals next week! Back to the organizing now! I'm close to moving my card making station in there. Yay!! 

Orrin mentioned that it was Senior day at the Lac Qui Parle country fair, so I said, let's go!  And we did!  We had supper in the 4-H building, and then walked around.  It's a shame to see how few the exhibits have become.  The 4-H building, while very nice, still was down quite a bit.  And the clothing exhibits are mainly clothes they buy, instead of sewn clothing.  They do have a new building called the Event Building (I think) and they had a band playing in there.  We sat and watched that for a while, we enjoyed watching the dancers.  Since it was senior day, there were a lot of white heads there, and they really know how to dance.  Friends of ours were dancing the whole time we were there, and when we came back later, they were still dancing!  We walked around some more, covered the other side of the grounds.  We hadn't been to the county fair for a few years, and I'm thinking it will probably be a few years before we go again!

Anyway, it helped my steps count, I went way over my goal, yay for me.  :)

Got up this morning and Ted and I took our walk.  My legs were kinda tired from yesterday, so we didn't push quite as hard, but made it almost as far.  It was actually cold out, I wore my earmuffs and put the hood up on my jacket.  Thought I would get this done this morning, I have embroidery class this afternoon, so will leave for Watertown around 11.  I have a box of stuff to take to GSI and will do that before the class.  No other errands this time, and hoping to be back in Clear Lake in time for a get together with EMPI friends.

I'm sharing a couple pictures of the cloud formations on Wednesday, I just thought they were so striking.

And with that -  gotta go, buffalo!
Need to do some filing this morning to clear off the desk.  

Hugs,
Orrin, Linda and Teddy

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Wendy's birthday!!

Good Evening!  It's really cooling down which is great!  Ted and I did our walk yesterday morning, felt good after a few days off.  The apple tree is still losing apples, but there are plenty left!

I also noticed this plant in the ditch, I'm sure it's a weed, but haven't seen it before.  Anyone know what it is?

Our labor day was like any other day, didn't do anything special.  Orrin was trimming trees and bushes like mad and I went out and raked up the apples for him to load into the tractor bucket.  There were quite a few again.  We finished watching the PGA tour and I did some more cleaning out in this room.  Slowly getting there.

This morning I got up, showered and headed to Monte for my mani and haircut, only to discover that I had put it on the wrong day in my datebook and it's tomorrow!!  Turned around and headed for Watertown to pick up our meds.  I had a nice long visit with Delores on the phone.  Then when I got to WalMart I ran into Terry.  He said that Kathy was getting along fine.  Seems like I did a lot of driving!

When I got home, I checked her blog, and she had written on it this time and added pictures of Romania!  Very interesting.  Looks like they are mainly painting.  One more week there, I think.

Then we went to Dawson for our chiro appointments, had lunch at the DQ and came home.  I've been sorting through a bunch of CD's, lots of them photo CD's and some program CD's that are only through Windows XP, so think I can throw most of them.  I haven't used them yet, so probably never will.  There is one of dad's funeral, I didn't see any for mom's funeral.  

Alan posted some pictures of the boy's first day of school today.  Wendy had posted some last week of her boys and Cori had some of Isaiah's first day.  Fall is close, kids are going back to school.  Teacher moms are also going back to school.  Back into the routine of things.

Well, better shake, rattlesnake!

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

1 John 3:17-18
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his
heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

 
 

September 6, 2015 Sunday

Hi! Finally getting back on here.  It's been really hot here the last few days, so Ted and I haven't been getting in our walks.  It's supposed to cool down tomorrow, I sure hope so.

We didn't have any special plans for the weekend, just another weekend for us.  I made a couple of birthday cards for a couple of ladies that have birthdays this week!  We mailed them today from Watertown, so not sure if they'll get them in time, but better than I've been doing lately. Don't forget, Wendy on the 8th and Beth on the 9th. :) I got a new product called color bursts, so easy to use and fun for backgrounds.

Cori called the other day from Colorado, and we had a nice chat about their trip and their stay.  Hope they had time to do some sightseeing, too.  It's so nice when she calls, I really appreciate that she keeps in touch.

We went to early service this morning.  Slept in until 6:45! And church is at 8:30! And it's an hour to church!  But we made it.  Went for breakfast at the Wheel Inn and had one of their humungous blueberry pancakes.  Then we had some errands to run, as usual.  Needed some more mouse traps and Orrin needed some gopher poison.  Picked up prescriptions, but found out that one has to wait on the doctor, so will have to make another trip on Tuesday, 1 hr. each way! Grrr. My bad, I should have called it in earlier in the week. Oh, well. Living in the boonies means anywhere we go is a trip. So Tuesday, mani/pedi and haircut in the morning, run the opposite direction for the above meds, then back home and over for our chiro appts. 

We've been watching the PGA tour, and I was so disappointed that Jordan didn't make the cut this week again!  He has temporarily lost his putting mojo!  Sure hope the next one goes much better for him.  

I  decided to bake bread again, so that's setting now. Easy peasy recipe and makes 2 loaves, which should take care of us this week. Don't dare set any more caramel rolls, we just eat them too fast.  I still have 4 in the freezer upstairs, will have to get them out sometime this week.

I had gotten a facebook post from cousin Ron concerning our cousin's son, Rick Jobus, who lives in FLA and has ALS.  Here's the link to the article if you're interested.  Wendy, if you remember Karen Jobus? this is her brother.

http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/545394/Local-man-battles-for-access-to-new-ALS-drug.html?nav=5011

His father, Richard, passed away several years ago with a brain tumor.  Anyway, I requested to be his friend, so hope to keep in touch with him.  Please keep him in your prayers.

I see that Kunde's are camping in the hills with Kim and family.  Wendy said they were camping this weekend, too.  My idea of camping is a nice hotel with a hot tub.  But more power to them!

Well, I started cleaning out the cupboard in this room, so I'd better get back to it.   We picked up a pizza at Papa Murphys, so a simple supper.

Chow, Chow, Brown Cow

Hugs, Orrin, Linda and Teddy

Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.