Good Neighbors

It's great having good neighbors. Recently my neighbor, Adam Raub, came over on a 4 wheeler with a blade and plowed the snow off my driveway, and often does without being ask! Today I noticed I have a snowman in my yard (built by Tyler Raub {age 5} ) down near their driveway. Evidently, returning from school he decided I needed one. He had to work diligently building it, it's nearly as tall as he is.
I always enjoy talking to Tyler, he's always very serious, polite, and just a "little adult". Kind of reminds me of Lucinda at that age.

A Brief Add-on

Tony is doing well from his surgery, they had him walking a little today. He is having a little trouble keeping food down. (I think that may be due to being spoiled by Sandy's cooking and now being subjected to 'Hospital food')
Driving to Iowa City, I didn't think the highway was that bad, but between Mt.Pleasant and Iowa City (approx. 50 miles) I counted 11 vehicles either in the ditches or the median! The wind is getting stronger and the gravel roads are getting some fair drifts now. Kind glad I don't have
to get out tomarrow. Just kinda burrow in!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I began the year by going to Mike and Cindi's (via AmTrac) and was taken to Outback for a birthday dinner. As is about normal - AmTrac (California Zepher eastbound) arrived aprox. 3 hours late. The eastbound originates in California and by the time it gets to Mt.Pleasant it is almost always late. The westbound starts in Chicago so it is nearly always 'on time'
I had a very nice visit and returned to Mt. Pleasant Monday evening. I had some new experiences while I was in Chicago that I won't go into detail about in the blog but to say I enjoyed my entire visit.
I was invited to Mike and Linda's for a superb dinner tuesday evening, and of coarse stayed to watch the IOWA HAWKEYES whup Georgia Tech. in the Orange Bowl! (sorry 'bout that Robin) but I was really proud of how well the Hawks played!
Joe T. (my brother) entered Iowa City Hospital tuesday to have a hip replacement. As one person commented "Your whole family's fallin' apart". Molly had one done last spring, now Tony, (no I'm not having any problems YET). I haven't heard anything from Sandy or any of the family yet. Weather permitting, which is questionable, I am going to try to get up there and check on his condition.
Susie: I don't really have any new "Lyric stories" I saw her for a short time sunday but she was too occupied for us to get to "visit" much.
One more thing: I did make 2 new year resolutions. If someone will remind me next year I'll let you know if I was able to keep them. (both are questionable)

A PARTIAL UPDATE

I've been running up and down the roads again. Last friday I drove to Chicago and visited Mike and Cindi. I delivered some candy I had picked up at Maxwell's Market to them and also some I had picked up for Lyric. And, of coarse, enjoyed Lyric's 'sampling' each kind. After a very nice visit, I returned home on Sunday. Tuesday I called Molly and visited with her for a while, then Gerald took the phone and ask if I would haul a set of 'dozer rails to Hannibal for him. I said I would (He totaled out his 'big' pickup recently, so he only has his car and that old ranger I gave him) I went down wednesday to find the person that was going to load them was temporarily unavailable. We did get them loaded about 2:30, a little too late to try to get to Altorfer's in Hannibal before they closed for the day. Thursday, we met in Wayland, and went on down and got them delivered. I knew they were heavy, but measuring the bumper height with them on and again after they was unloaded. The rear bumper was 9 inches higher after the rails were unloaded!
Oh, anyone that doesn't know, Rails are the 'links' of the tracks. Gerald bought a new set and we took them down to have new 'pads' put on them. Eventually, when they're done and put on, his 'dozer will be "well shod".
Today, I only went to Mt.Pleasant, became distracted, and only done about 1/2 of what I had intended to do. (getting forgetful in my old age) I'm going to have to start making a list! ! !
In case I don't post again before then: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Back on the "Net"

I've been fighting this "thing" for the last two days. I finally got my camera working right, and tryed to 'file' some pictures. I don't know what I done wrong, but I got into something I couldn't get out of. I couldn't even shut the thing off! I managed to get out of it a little while ago. I was getting ready to call Caleb and let him figure it out. I get SO disgusted with this "$1000 nintendo" at times I could scream - however I don't think the neighbors would appreciate what I'd be screaming! :)
I'm not looking forward to the next few days. Ch. 6 is forecasting 6 to 10 inches of snow with 40 to 50 mph winds! then it's s'posed to get colder than . . . well, use your imagination! The phrases that come to my mind I won't post!

Oscar likes Doritos

I found out today Oscar Mayer (One of my Dachshund boys) likes Doritos. I had a few left in the bag (left over from Caleb's visit). Oscar tore the bag open (without spilling a single one) and cleaned out the bag. He made no commotion that would draw the attention of the other dogs, he obviously didn't want to share! I wasn't about to stop him he was sneaky to keep it from the other dogs i was chuckling too much!

A RECORD YEAR (for me)

2009 is the ONLY year that I have Bar-be-qued at least once every month! I didn't know whether I'd get one in during December, but today was so nice I had to complete my record! I seriously doubt that there will be another day the rest of the year that will be nice enough. For a record setting cool, damp summer that is amazing that I found at least one day nice enough to fire up the grill. The last forecast I heard it is supposed to really cool off for the next week or so.