___ A few days ago I took down my snow men. All are packed away. I'm ready for spring. St. Partick's Day items and a few spring flowers are out to get everyone ready for spring. I thought about taking a picture of some of our last dirty snow, but no one would want to see that! Now we are ready for spring rain to clean up our world. (Ruth, that is as close to spring flowers we can get here in Iowa on the last day of February.)
It's the beginning of Lent! So it's time to decide what to do for this year. Last year I wasn't healthy enough to do anything, except get well. (Which I did, Thank You, God) So I was thinking: What should I give up? Between hearing that Salvation Army, Goodwill and etc. are low on items and reading online ideas, I thought an adapted version of 'a bag a day for 40 days' of things we could part with, sounded good. ( Maybe a bag a week!) So this year I'm not giving up, I'm giving away! The KC garage sale is coming up the end of April and they need things too. Today I started on the toy room with some of the paperback children's books. I'm looking for ideas on where they would be best used. (Don't worry grandkids, I'm keeping some too.) It is a sacrifice for me to part with stuff.
A great concert was presented last night. Pictured are some of the girls in the 11-12 Choir. There was also 9-10 Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band and Swing Choir. There were some missing due to illness, but true performers that they are, the kids filled in very well, Swing choir especially. My camera died after this shot as batteries went down. You would think I would learn to take the camera bag along to have all supplies. They look plenty somber here while waiting to start a serious song. They had some happier, fun, numbers also. (First time I ever heard anyone "sing" the William Tell Overture. )
We went to Spencer for garage tours Saturday. There were 12 garages on the tour, some fancy, some not. Quite a variety. There were lots of cars in various stages of construction and reconstruction. We also toured main street and the malls. It was cold, but the snow flurries didn't amount to much. We had a great time!
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As a woman I was a minority, but I enjoyed the tour too and took lots of pictures. Most all the garages were so well lighted I just used available light. Now there is another garage tour in Fort Dodge on March 7. So I'll miss another Greene County Genealogical Society meeting. And there is also a volleyball tournament. See, I would like to be 3 places at once!
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Six additional photos from the garage tour on facebook: see "Camera Bug"
Received a new picture of our Great nephew. ( Stacey's little boy) Isn't he a cutie? Wish he was close enough to hug!
I went out to the hospital to visit and fill machines. Marg had sent Grandma Phoebe a lovely azalea with a Valentine balloon attached. Mom complained of not feeling "very well". But didn't have any definite complaints. Mainly didn't want to go out to the diningroom for supper. I tried to encourage her, but didn't get very far. She is not eating well and weaker from that. I think she misses Shorty. She has been without a roommate too long.
Today was the day, scheduled one year ago, to get our taxes figured. Should you have a tax appointment on Friday the 13th? It worked out just fine. What we had deducted was close!!! We aren't superstitious. Though it does make us remember the date that Pop got his arm burned last year. June 13th, on Friday!!! And he came out fine too.
We received a Valentine surprise in the mail today. Thank you, NC relatives. It will get put to good use.
Hil had a good two days.
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Sadie found a friend.
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Fans in the stands.
I tried putting some of the action pictures on a picasa album, but after I reduced them down for my dial-up to deal with them, the quality was poor. So forget that.
We went to Adel in answer to an ad on Craig's List. This fit our needs. Four years newer and 56,000 less miles. We worked a trade in, so don't have any car to sell, which is unusual. I never know when Pop starts looking, if it will be get a car, or sell my car first. Being a one car family just doesn't work for us. Actually there were a whole bunch more cars to look at from the list, but it got settled quickly on the first trip. I will be the main driver and Pop will have his pickup and scooter. We are wondering how many people will notice the change, and I'll see who reads my blog!!!
Saturday and Sunday were Club Volleyball tournaments. Saturday in Boone and Sunday in Fort Dodge. I was at most of the games Sat. and all of the games Sunday. Hil's team was undefeated!! They earned medals Sat. and T-shirts Sunday.
A busy day. Pop took the guys to Perry for the BRR ride. It was a beautiful day. Not the usual brr cold weather that is the first weekend of February most of the years.
Then it was off to Boone for Hil's club volleyball tourney. Her team placed first and I was home in time for 5:30 mass and supper at Uptown Cafe.
We drove over to check out the fire scene in Boone. It was bitterly cold when they had to fight the fire as seen by the ice still hanging on the trees and etc. They were busy today closing in a store front and channel 13 news was there filming a news report.
The boys were here last night and will be tonight. All scheduling worked out. Calvin had CCD and Jeff got picked up for school this am. You can see they stayed busy. Here they enjoy a little friendly competition
I worked at the gift shop today. Earl bought a Webkinz turtle and didn't want the tag!!! I'll email the #, Sadie. It was a busier day today. The boys should be at our house tonight so I'll get supper going.
He saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter!
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It will take at least that long for our snow to melt!!! The majority of those tracks are deer. A few kid....
Ruth sent an otufit for Grandma Phoebe. I washed and dried it yesterday for trying on today. I called her about 10:15 and told her I would be out to try it on and not get dressed yet. Well 20 minutes later, she was still in bed. She grumbled and complained, but did get up to see how it fit. Nothing was right with the world! She wouldn't let me dampen her hair for combing. Just has to comb it straight out as her usual. But all in all, after getting it on she decided "It is kind of pretty." I do need to rebuild the slacks as too big around and too long. The shirt fit fine in the waist, Ruth. The sleeves need turned under a bit and she thought they were tight..(They aren't) With the cuffs turned up the jacket is fine. The other blouse fits fine through the shoulders and chest. A bit snug through the hips, but she don't need to button the bottom button. Still doing pretty well for 94.
