A New Appreciation

After attending Tristen's birthday party in Fairfield today, I crossed the highway to the Hy Vee store where Caleb works. He's been working there part-time for a while now. He was working bagging grocerys. I had never really given it much thought (everyone just takes it for granted) but while I was standing there talking to him I realized how busy he actually was! There was no time that there wasn't someone being "checked out" and he was hustling all the time keeping up with the items being slid down to him. All the while being courteous to the customers and of coarse asking the routine "paper or plastic?" of each customer. I learned (or relearned) that some of those 'easy' jobs aren't always that easy!
GREAT JOB CALEB!!!

A GREAT WEEK-END

The weekend started with a call thursday evening from Cindi telling me they were coming to Mt. Pleasant after work friday. I went over friday evening and picked up Caleb and he spent the night with us (Mike and Cindi arrived about 10:30 friday evening). Regretfully, Caleb had to work saturday, so I took him home sat. morning. Then Cindi, Mike and I went to Burlington and updated out cell phones. We then went to Mike and Linda's and had a great time visiting and playing various games with them and Mallory. Saturday night Mike and Cindi left the Parker's and I to go to the casino. I stayed and visited with Mike, Linda and Mallory for a while. I came home and watched a little of SNL then went to bed. Before falling asleep I heard (with my yapping dogs who could help it?) Mike and Cindi get home. They had lost their "alloted" amount of money.
Sunday we got up and they packed up to return to Chicago. We left and agreed to meet in Moline at Bishop's Buffet for lunch. They was stopping in Burlington, and me in New London. I drove to Illinois to find, with the warm temps. and rain that I-280 was closed for a 3mile stretch due to an Ice Jam that had flooded it. I detoured around and arrived about 10 minutes ahead of Mike and Cindi. We had a nice lunch and visit, then came the hard part - parting - It was Wonderful having them here I just wish it could last longer. But hopefully, I can get to Chicago sometime soon. They both have birthdays in March (one week apart) and usually the weather is good enough to venture that far by then - in Jan. and Feb. I don't trust the weather to stay good long enough to make the trip.
The weather was (other than sloppy gravel roads)FANTASTIC. Sunday night with the warm temps and rain, the snow was nearly gone. Then this morning when I awoke it was snowing and we already had approximately an inch on the ground. I thought "yeah, things are getting back to normal"!

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