CEMENT BLOCKS EVERYWHERE!!!!

One of these days, these will be a beautiful building!! We finally got our computer moved to the new house and internet hooked up yesterday so I will try to keep you informed on the progress.

Slow but Sure

Gary and Keith laid the first row of block Thursday night. I will post the pictures. I went to the girl's ballgames today. All three got hits and that was the first I had seen Cayla hit off a pitch and not the T. Chloe is quite a slugger!! Casey's team was so far ahead that they only had to play five innings. They all played great today!!

Long overdue post!!

I just realized that I have not had a new post for over a month. We sold our home and have the closing soon. All of you who know Keith know that he has been wanting a pole barn at our old home for years. Well, we (actually Keith's brother Gary) poured the footer for a 30 x 40 building at our new home Monday. Gary will be putting up a split stone cement block building for us. The block look like stone on the front and are a beige that matches the lightest brick in the house. Keith is excited as he will now have space for his drill press, table saw etc. I am happy as they will be out of the garage!! I will post a picture of the footer. It is to the south of the house and does not interfere with our view of the ponds from the house.

We still have a few things to move but as starting June 12 to the 30th (18 days) Keith has 14 auctions, I'm not sure when we will get it done. Chloe and Cayla have a t-ball game tonight that I am going to and they also have one Saturday and Casey has a softball game Saturday too. After the game, Kurt's family is taking me out to lunch for my birthday.

Kurt came out last night and put his deer stand in the woods. He's looking forward to hunting season already.

Keith has been so busy with the auctions lately which is good. We also had the guy with the backhoe pull out some shrubs that were past their prime and when we get some good dirt put in, I will plant the plants that Kevin & Sarah got me for my birthday and Mother's Day.

We are pretty organized in our new home except for the scrapbook room as my desk is still at the old house. As we have so much more storage space, it is easier to keep the house clean.

I am also going to post pictures of the girls at one of their games this year. If I have time will add pictures of the landscaping before the bushes were pulled and after, but as I have not planted the new plants, that will have to wait for a later post. Don't have time for the after picture on the bushes. Gotta go to the game. I'll post it when I get the plants in and do a before and after then.

WE HAVE MOVED!

Well, Saturday we stayed the first night in the new house. Friday they laid the rest of the carpet. Sunday Kurt and family came and helped move the freezer, a dresser, a couple recliners etc. Monday morning Keith left early for 3 auctions in eastern Ohio and didn't get back home till last night. His birthday!!

While he was gone I would stop at the old house and load the car and take it to the new house and put it away every night. I am down to just the kitchen cupboards and of course the furniture and wall hangings we are leaving in until the sale is over Wednesday. As Keith doesn't have an auction this Saturday, I think he can get the garage done. We still have lots of sorting to do, but will have more time after the auction.

I will post some pictures soon of the inside. Would like to get the rest of our furniture in and something on the walls first.

Update!

They carpeted the living room, dining room, and hall with the same carpet. They were supposed to also put that in the scrapbook room, but did not have enough without seaming it so they didn't do it. They put the chinese green in the master bedroom. I had to go a pick out something different for the scrapbook room and they will lay it either today or Friday. The gray for the spare room will be in today or Friday (had to order it) so I imagine they will do them both on the same day. The carpet for the front porch has not arrived yet! They did do the office also. Yesterday Keith & I (I took a personal day) put down the flooring in the utility room and put up some more light fixtures (only two to go) and put somethings away in the cupboards. They are delivering my new washer and dryer today. We have a stackable and there are cupboards above where they go so could not use it. I decided I did not want to use the waterbed anymore, so they delivered a bed frame and new mattress and springs yesterday too.

We could have stayed last night as we have a stove and refrigerator in the garage, but Keith wanted to go home so he could use the hottub. Not sure when we will start staying out there. We are leaving most of the furniture in the house for the sale as houses seem to sell better with furniture in them.

Had a nice stay at the Holiday Inn Express Saturday night (before the Open House) but the new restaurant we tried was a bad experience. The Open House went well, I guess. At least there were people waiting to come in when we left at 10 till 2. It was from 2 till 4. The auction is only 13 day away. Wish it was over.

Progress!

Well, I haven't posted for over a week now. At the new home, all the painting is done. All the woodwork has been cleaned except the bathroom & utility room. The kitchen cupboards are all ready to start putting things in as are all the closets. The carpet was supposed to be put in, but the installer is busy on a tile job in Auburn. So it will be Monday or Tuesday before he will be able to do ours. Hopefully I will have the remainder of the woodwork done then. We can then move whenever we want.

We have been busy getting ready for the open house at our present home Sunday. Friday Melinda will clean and Vickie Apt and I will wash all the windows. Saturday Keith has a big auction, so I will finish anything that needs done in the garage then. I made reservations at the new Holiday Inn Express for Saturday night! We need a break and we purchased a gift certificate for a one night stay that will expire in May so the timing was perfect!!

Only twenty days till our auction!!

Painting is going well.

We hired Dawn VanHorn to paint the rooms after we primed them all. She has been there two days so far. The master bedroom has two coats, the office has two coats, the scrapbook room and spare room have one and she has two coats on the burgundy accent walls. She started in the hall, and will be back tomorrow.

Day's carpet called and the roll of carpet we purchased is enough to do the living room, dining room, hall, and scrapbook room but not the master bedroom. Keith called me today and he had found a remnant at Lutterbeins of Chinese green plush. I took the sample wall color (Frosty Pine) with me after work and checked it out. They look great together. I love it. I was glad there wasn't enough of the other now. Keith also picked out the carpet for his office. The spare room carpet isn't in yet, but we are crossing our fingers.

We are busy getting our home ready for the open house. We have nine days! Piece of cake-right!! I'm sure everything will get done. My best friend, Vickie, is coming down tomorrow night to help. Her husband works nights.

I am working on the bathroom cupboards and medicene cabinet. (Sorry Kevin, I took a break) Kevin would be proud of me for how much stuff I have thrown out so far. Well, breaks is over, back to work.

A Feeling of Accomplishment

Well, here it is Easter Sunday. We have gotten a lot accomplished. We have all the walls primed with a oil based sealer. All closets (9) have been primed and painted. The kitchen cupboards have been washed inside and out and polished. All carpet has been pulled up. Keith & Kurt hauled two loads of "stuff" and carpet to the dump. Kevin painted 6 of the closets Thursday and I painted 3. Keith painted the entire basement (took him a couple days) He also cleaned the basement and shelves so we could start taking things out there. Kevin helped me sort and pack up my scrapbook room, closet and computer room. He was a great help as an organizer. Kurt, Christy and the kids were here helping Friday and Saturday helping all day too. Saturday night we went to Lowe's and bought all new light fixtures and ordered window coverings. Tomorrow morning Bill Schooly will be there at 6:45 to start spraying plaster on the ceilings. Dawn will start painting Tuesday or Wednesday. After the paint cures for a couple days they will lay the carpet. I have done about all I can out there till they are done.

Now I have to get this house ready for an open house on the 22nd. I think we are on the right track but time is so short. This home will sell (hopefully) at auction one month from tomorrow. I am ready for a break. I am going to bed early.

Work, Work, Work

We have been busy. Kurt, Christy and the kids came and helped me at the new house Friday night till 9 o'clock. Keith was in Jackson, Michigan at a sale which started Saturday. Kurt and Christy did a lot of taping getting ready for paint. Saturday I had hired two girls to paint and Kurt and Christy and the kids again came to my rescue and did all the rest of the taping. We got the four bedrooms, bathroom, utility room, living room and dining room primed. The kids helped wash wood work, take down spiderwebs in the basement and anything I asked them to do. I stripped the wallpaper from above the kitchen cupboards and the kids kept sweeping up what I threw on the floor. It was a long day. I was there eleven hours, Melinda painted ten hours and Paula painted around four or five hours. Kurt's whole family worked from around ten to five. We were all pooped. I went back Sunday from two till six. Keith took down most of the light fixtures and worked in the garage and basement.

Today I went our around nine and Paula came and helped today. I primed the three walls with a gray primer that we are going to have painted burgundy. We got all the painting finished except the closets. She is coming back Wednesday to help. Keith was out today too and cleaned out the garage, worked on the basement and some of the woodwork. Keith & I went and picked out the carpet. We are now kinda waiting for the plaster guy to come and spray the ceilings. Then everything will go pretty fast. I have painters lined up and then the carpet guys.

I think I will go soak my feet. Tomorrow is another day. Kevin will be here Thursday to help.

Busy, Busy!

We have set the date for our auction of our home and other real estate we own for Wednesday May 9, 2007. Not very far away. In the meantime we need to get the new home cleaned, painted, carpeted, ceilings sprayed, new light fixtures, window treatments, etc. Then we want to get moved so we can get this home ready to sell. That leaves us 41 days to get everything done. (But who is counting?-ME) Pray for us.

Well, We did it!! Bought a new home!!

Well, we bought a home at auction today. It has 11.43 acres, 7 acres of woods and 2 ponds. It has 4 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, large living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room and a full basement. I am posting a couple pictures so you can see it. Can't wait to show it to the kids. Kurt's are coming home from Florida right now and will be home tomorrow. Hope they can come over to see it. I don't know when Kevin & Sarah will be coming, but I am anxious for them to see it too. Now we have some work, painting etc to do and then get our home and lake cottage sold. What exciting times!! It also has a three car attached garage and a one car detached garage!!

Van Goghs we are NOT

Well, Keith and I went to a painting class for beginners today at the West Unity Library. We each painted a landscape. I won't tell you which one I painted. They are similar but neither of them look like the one the instructor painted. We enjoyed it and may end up buying some painting supplies and start painting for fun. I'm sure you can tell we aren't going to make a living painting!!

Family Get Together

We had a really nice weekend. Kevin & Sarah came home Saturday and we went out to dinner. It was a relaxing evening. Sunday we had my sister Karen and all her family over for lunch. Karen, her twin daughters and their spouses and her six grandchildren, Kurt, Christy and my four grandchildren and Kevin and Sarah. It was a housefull, but I think everyone had a good time. There were 10 children between the ages of 3 and 10. (One set of twin boys!) And there were 10 adults. Karen and Kathie's husbands had to work. As the next day was President's Day, I didn't have to work. That is why I planned it then. Kevin and Sarah didn't have to work either so they stayed until around one o'clock before they went home. It was really good to see and spend time with all of them. When Karen's girls were younger, they used to spend a week with us in the summer and I miss seeing them since they are grown up and have families of their own. I will post some pictures of the families.

Old Fashioned Snow Ice Cream

Well, here we are still snowed in. I am sure we will be able to go back to work tomorrow. All the schools in the county have been closed for two days and so has the library! We have been under a level three snow emergency which means we have not been able to go anywhere, and I have loved it.

There was a thing on the news about making ice cream out of snow. It reminded me that my mother, who is 93, used to tell us how her mom would have them go outside and get clean snow in a dishpan and make it into ice cream. I asked her once if she had Grandma's recipe and she said no, but she had one she had cut out of the Toledo paper years ago but had never tried it. She gave me the recipe and asked me to try it if we got a heavy snow - so tonight I asked Keith to go out and get me some snow and I made it. It tastes just like homemade ice cream that you make in the freezers.

Here is the recipe in case anyone would like to try it.

One gallon fresh fallen snow

2 1/2 cups milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.

Combine milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg and beat until eggs are well blended with all other ingredients. Pour over snow and stir (I used a whisk) until all are blended. It will become thick like real ice cream and ready to serve. It may be set out in a covered container in the snow until ready to serve.

We ate ours right away and put the left overs in the freezer.

Hope some of you will try it. It is really good.

Jellyfish

Can't believe I forgot a picture of the jellyfish. I told you about Tom & Keith's picture twice. I'm just not with it. It is a balmy 10 degrees here and Keith just came in out of the hottub. I can't believe anyone would go out in that weather but once you get in it's great!!

Back from vacation-and freezing!!

This picture is of Keith and Tom picking grapefruit behind Tom's place in Lakeland.

This picture was taken in our favorite restaurant down there, Inlet Harbor.

The last picture is of me with the palm tree they planted at our time share several years ago. We take my picture every year to show how much it has grown.

The next picture of of Keith and Tom picking grapefruit behind Tom's place in Lakeland.



We spent two and a half weeks in Florida and had great weather. We stopped at Kevin's on the way and also got to see her dad, Stan. We had a nice visit, but not long enough. It was in the upper 70's every day but one. One was in the sixty's and raining-so we went shopping. We went to the Daytona Flea Market (surprise) twice and also a flea market in Lakeland with Tom & Mary. We walked on the beach and it was great. I did see something that I have never seen on the beach. The day before we came home we took our walk and there were dead jellyfish on the beach. The day we left we talked to the lifeguard right in front of our condo and he said it was because the wind was out of the west and when the tide came up they got beached. He told us not to touch them because even though they were dead they could still sting you. He didn't need to warn me, I have seen enough about them on tv. We really didn't do much this year, spent some time in and around the pool and hottub. Mom came and spent a day with us and treated us to a fish fry on our way down at her place. Can't beat those fresh fish!! We went to Lakeland when our time was done at the timeshare and spent two nights with Tom & Mary who are down there for the winter. They are at the same place as Byron and Judy so we also spent some time with them. When we left Florida it was 74 degrees. We had to go straight to Cleveland as Keith had an auction there on the 25th. The night before the auction Wayne took the auction crew to Buca de Beppo's. We went there in Cincinnati the first time we met Sarah so it brought back some good memories. When we got there it was 12 degrees and they had 5 inches of snow. Welcome back to Ohio. We got home around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday the 25th. I have been swamped at work and have been watching Lost the Second Series when I get home at night so I will be ready for the Third Season!! Keith went with Kurt, Kraig, Casey and two of Kurt's friends to the gun show in Lima yesterday. I stayed home and cleaned house and did laundry. It feels good to get caught up on everything. Now we have to start getting our tax papers around, a job a never look forward to. We are having my sister Karen's families here along with our family for a get together on February 18th. I have to start thinking about what I will be cooking! I am looking forward to seeing them all. I don't get to see enough of Karen's twins and their families. There will be 12 adults and 10 kids (between 10 and 3) here. It will be fun. Sadly, I have not done any scrapbooking since July. I have to get back to it.

Time is flying!!!

We had a great Christmas with our family this year. We did not get to clebrate all together until Friday. Kurt and his family came on Christmas Day and we all opened one gift, but waited to open the rest until Kevin & Sarah could be with us.

While they were home we spent a day at IKEA. Kevin got the rest of the things he needed to finish his kitchen and I got a new picture (again) and a new light fixture. Kevin installed the light fixture for me.

This time of year is pretty stressful for me. I do the books for two public entities. There is balancing and closing out the year, W2's, 1099's, state financial reports, etc. ARGGG. But I have been working extra hours to get all done.

Kurt had a lucky day!

Friday evening Keith and I went to Angola and finished our shopping and went out to eat at the Herb Garden. Saturday morning Kurt and Christy brought the kids over so they could do their Christmas shopping and then Kurt had his Christmas party at work Saturday evening.

We had a fun morning. We shopped at Pence's Carmelcorn Shoppe first. Then we visited JoAnn & John so we could see her new granddaughter, Anna Rubyrose. She was one month old on Saturday. We went out for lunch at Wendy's and then did a little shopping.

When we got home Cayla was ready for a nap and of course Grandpa helped her take her nap. The other kids and I did some wrapping of packages. When Cayla got up we had supper and then watched the movie Santa Clause Two. We had some snacks and watched a little more TV before Chloe and Cayla laid down in our bed.

Kurt and Christy got back around ten. It was Kurt's lucky day as he won a muzzle loading rifle at the party. He was pretty happy about it. I took their picture when they got home.

Today Keith went to the gun show in Montpelier, but I mainly just relaxed. I have a board meeting tomorrow night and Red Hats Christmas Party Tuesday night. As usual the weeks seem to start off with a bang.

Looking forward to Christmas with our family.

Fun evening with the kids.

Friday night I went to Butler and met Kurt's family at the Chinese place. We had a good meal, did a little shopping and then went to the girls Basketball game. Casey played during the halftime of the varsity game. I have a few pictures, though they are not real good, I will post some. I think Cayla enjoyed the cheerleaders more than anything. I was very proud of Casey and so lucky to live so close that I can go to most of the kids activities.

Keith could not go as he had an open house for his auction in Findlay on Friday and stayed all night for the auction on Saturday. Tonight we went out for dinner with Tom & Mary and Mike & Etta. We had a good time. Good food and conversation.

Library Christmas Party

The Annual Library Christmas Party was held Sunday, December 3rd. We had quite a turnout, with 99 attending. This included employees, trustees and spouses. I received my 10 year service award. It is a clock. We took some pictures and I will add them. The clock is engraved on the top. It says - Kathleen Whitman in honor of ten years of service. Williams County Public Library.

Saturday we went to visit Kurt's family. We missed Christy as she was shopping with her Mom. When we left Keith asked me what I wanted to do. I said I would like to shop in Fort Wayne. He said on a Saturday night?? Are you sure?? I said don't ask me what I want to do then. So he took me shopping to Fort Wayne. I couldn't believe the parking lot at Glenbrook. There were no places to park, even clear out by the road!! So he took me to the door and said "Do you have your cell phone? I said yes so he said "Call me when you are done!? That was not really what I had in mind. So I went shopping and I guess I am getting old. I really did NOT enjoy the crowds. I got three presents and called him to come and get me. I think I will shop in Defiance or on the net.

We went out to eat at UNO's and got our favorite seafood and crab fondue there. Then we went to Gander Mountain shopping. It wasn't really crowded there, but not as much for me to look at.

I have most of my shopping and wrapping done!!

Thanksgiving is gone-but Christmas is on the way!

We had a really nice Thanksgiving with Kurt's family. I will post some pictures. We had more than we could eat. I was so thankful to be able to spend time with my family. Kurt's had to leave around three as her family was coming to their home. We went out to Tom's around five and spent some time with Tom, Mary and Keith's Mom. Kevin called us in the evening to wish us a Happy Thanksgiving.

Keith went to the gun show in Fort Wayne yesterday. Kurt has a table there to sell guns. Kraig was there too. Christy and the girls came later in the afternoon. I stayed home to put up the tree, decorate and wrap packages. I talked to Kurt on the phone and he said Bob took pictures (I always go with Keith and take pictures for my scrapbook) I hope I can get some pictures from Bob. I sent turkey sandwiches for the guys. I put mayonnaise on them so they wouldn't be so dry. I found out something about my grandson. He does not like mayonnaise. Keith said he took one bite and then did not eat anymore. Kurt asked him what was wrong and he said it had mayonnaise on it. I will never make that mistake again. Sorry Kraig!!

I sold my nativity scene last year at our auction. I had had the same one for years. It was very large and very breakable. I bought one at an estate sale in the hills of Georgia, just north of Clayton, Georgia near the Carolina border. We stop at lots of things that look interesting and this is one stop I am glad we made. There was a sign that said "Estate Sale" and an arrow up a narrow road on a hill. We went and it was just a little ways up the hill, but the house or "Log cabin" was really interesting. They told us it was built before the civil war. Just walking around in the house was neat. I found this nativity scene there and I put it on the fireplace mantle. I bought another one at the "Hopkins Girl's Craft Sale" to put on the coffee table that is grandchildren freindly. It is stuffed and they can play with it. I couldn't really get a good picture of the tree. I put burgundy and gold ornaments on it both shiny and frosted, round and teardrop shaped. Gold garland, gold and burgundy silk poinsettas, and burgandy berries. It has a gold star on top. I'll try to get a better picture later. I bought a package of 100 hangers and only had three left, but I still have 18 bulbs left!! Keith is going to have to wire up the hanging light as it hangs right in front of it. When we go to IKEA, hopefully the Thursday after Christmas when Kevin & Sarah come home, I will get a new light fixture for there.

We have had beautiful weather the last couple days with near record highs in the high 50's. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Keith got a new toy.

I had a doctor's appointment in Toledo today, so Keith went along. After my appointment we went out to lunch and then an afternoon of shopping. Keith bought a swivel screen portable DVD player. It will be nice to take along on vacations. He is playing with it now to figure out all the bells and whistles.

Kurt, Christy and the kids are coming over for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Will miss Kevin & Sarah, but they could not come home this year. I am really looking forward to it. Bought a 17 pound turkey so I am sure we will have plenty to eat.

I am ready to put up my tree. I bought all new decorations this year. As Keith mentioned he would like to have a "nice" tree. Not the decorations that I have used for the last 36 years!! It will be a change, will post a picture of the tree when I get it decorated. I will miss the decorations Kurt and Kevin made as children but maybe they won't.

Happy Turkey Day to you all.

MURDER MYSTERY!!

Well, everyone has gone home, and the mystery is solved. No one guessed the right suspect, but we had alot of fun. First I served them a meal of tater tot casserole, apple salad and crescent rolls, coffee and lots of different teas. I also served bottled water from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis! I wore my apron that Kevin and Sarah brought me from their honeymoon while I was cooking and serving.

Our mystery was set in Paris in June of 1940. Everybody came in costume and some were really neat. As it ended up, Vickie Apt also known as Princess Idelle Chattre was the murderess.
I am posting some pictures. Bev Glore was Duke Schwazhe B.U. Klare (complete with military uniform and mustache. Jerra Mae was Barbara Z Enhussie (dressed in furs and jewels) Judy Koerner was Belinda Screete (owner of a thriving high fashion studio) Zelma was Weyland W Awfcorce (a pilot of renown) Jane was Khover T. Ageante (well travelled and worldly individual) Patsy was Malcolm R. Conntint (a soldier of fortune gangster type) and Judy Shipe was Mare K. Trairie (a journalist for a newspaper). JoAnn and I were extras as everyone showed up. We were Justin Case and Sue T. Case.

Keith came home from his auction in time to take a group picture. I will post some pictures.

Everyone said they had a great time and I have had two call me after they got home to tell me again how much fun it was! Sorry, I got carried away with the pictures, but I have so many good ones. I will have to have Kevin show me how to add as a slideshow sometime.

Murder Mystery!!

I have Red Hat's for November and I am having a murder mystery. It is set in Paris in 1940 on a train just before the Germans enter France. We have ten members and usually we have anywhere from 6 members on up attending each month. As the game is for 8 people I was a little worried we may not have enough people. Guess what, they must think it sounds like fun as all ten members are coming. I assigned the eight parts and JoAnn and I will be Justin and Sue T. Case. We will be able to ask questions and to guess who did it, just not have a part. I am having it at our home on Thursday night. I will post a picture of everyone in costume. I am really looking forward to it. I will serve a light supper before we enter the "train".

Got most of the closet done. Got rid of over 15 pair of shoes. Can't wear flat soles anymore with my ankle. I also got rid of a whole storage container of sweaters. Will either put on e-bay or give to the Goodwill. Now I just have to go through the clothes on hangers. Some have been in there for years and haven't been worn. I am not good at getting rid of things, (wish I was a little more like Kevin - he is so organized-not sure where he got that trait) but was really in the mood when I cleaned the closet.

I also took out all the Christmas presents that I have boughten and that gave me some more room. I am planning on wrapping tonight to get them out of the way for the mystery dinner. Right now they are on the dining room table.

Keith has an auction in Coldwater, Michigan tomorrow and one in Toledo Thursday and Saturday. He is keeping really busy.

Happy Birthday Mom & Chloe

Today is Mom's 93rd birthday and Chloe's 6th birthday. I called them both today and wished them each a happy birthday.

Keith has been gone most of the week in Lima getting an auction ready, having the open house and today was the auctiion so he will be home tonight. I haven't really been doing much. I brought some movies home from the library (putting off cleaning my closet-which was my goal for this week) I watched Shaggy Dog with Tim Allen and Click with Adam Sandler. And I have been reading the new Janet Evanovich book.

I guess I can't come up with any more excuses, so I will go clean my closet.

LONG TIME - NO BLOG!!

I check Kevin & Sarah's blog everyday and sometimes more than once a day and I am disappointed when there is nothing new. I just realized that I have not posted anything since we got back from our vacation in October!!

We have been pretty busy, especially Keith with all his auctions and getting ready for them. We did go to Deer Creek State Park October 15-17th. Of course I had classes for my job, but Keith got a little R&R. Our 36th wedding anniversary was the 18th. Not a record - but pretty good for nowdays.

I took a day of vacation on the 20th and we got to keep the grandkids all night. Kurt & Christy went away with another couple to Brown County and rented a cabin to celebrate their 12th anniversary. Kevin & Sarah also came home on the 20th so we had a houseful and really enjoyed it. I bought the movie "Over the Hedge" for the kids, even though Kurt & Christy had taken them to the theatre to see it, they enjoyed it.

The next day, Christy's Mom came and picked up the kids and they kept them overnight on Saturday. Kevin, Sarah & I went out for lunch and then to Keith's auction. When it was over we piled in Keith's truck and went to the new IKEA store in Canton, Michigan. We had a great time and I bought a neat picture for above the fireplace that I just love. It is a photograph taken in France. Kevin hung it for me when we got home (around 1 a.m.) and he also installed a new light fixture to shine down on the picture which is really neat. We are looking forward to going back to the store with them when they are home for Christmas.

The next day Christy's Mom brought the kids back around noon and we headed out to the Engler Christmas. We all had a good time and Mom sang a song which we all joined in on the chorus. It made Mom really happy.

I set up a get-together for my cousins, John & JoAnn, Bob & Vee and Mike & Lynn at the country club on the 28th. JoAnn's daughter & her husband also joined us and we had a great evening reminising about the "old days". It was "Trick or Treat" night in Edgerton, so the kids came over before we went.

Keith bought some trees and ornamental grass at an auction that he had for a nursery. So we have been planting trees & grass. We took some to the lake and planted there on Monday night.

My mom is leaving for Florida on Saturday morning. Keith is in Lima for a couple days for a sale so I had Mom stay all night with me last night and we had a good time. Tonight I am going to a craft auction that a church in West Unity is having that I have attended almost every year for over 25 years. My friends Etta, Vickie and her sister Paula are going tonight.

Tomorrow I am taking a day off as Mom will have her water shut off in the morning and will be staying all night with me. I am taking her to visit JoAnn in the afternoon as JoAnn has some pictures of her Mom's (my Mom's sister) that she needs help in identifing who some of the people are.

Saturday I have a "Tasting Bee for the Busy Bea" that my club, Bryan Area BusinessWomen's Club is putting on. I have to take my pumpkin rolls and scalloped corn. Keith does not have a sale for the first Saturday since I can't remember. I have bought tickets to go to the "Odd Couple" at the Williams County Playhouse in Bryan. I think it will be fun. Mike & Ettta and John and JoAnn will be going with us.

So you can see I have been busy, but I will try to not wait so long to post next time. I will add a picture of the kids "Trick or Treating." Also my new picture. Isn't it neat?

South Carolina Vacation

Well, we have been back from vacation for over a week and Keith said the other day, "I can't believe that you haven't put something on the blog about our vacation!" So here goes.....

Keith had an auction in Bowling Green on the 19th, so I went with him rather than have him drive home after the auction and turn around in the morning and drive south again. We stayed part way between Bowling Green and Cincinnati - Bluffton I think??

We got up on Wednesday and drove the rest of the way to Cincinnati. We spent a wonderful day with Kevin and Sarah. We went to see Madison, Melissa's baby, and Linda & Greg's new home. It is really nice. I love the back yard. It feels like you are in a park. I also love the sky lights in her kitchen and bath. Two fireplaces. It is a beautiful home! We went out for lunch at Red Lobster and Sarah made a delicious lasagna for dinner. Gilmore was happy to see us too. We stayed all night with them. In the morning we went out to breakfast with Linda and then started on our way.

We spent the next night in Franklin, North Carolina and had a very short trip Friday to our timeshare in Westminster, South Carolina. Well the driving was short, but of course we had to stop at a flea market and an estate sale on the way.

We really didn't do a lot on our vacation but relax. They have an indoor pool and hot tub that we took advantage of. We always go to the big flea market in Pickens, South Carolina on Wednesday. We left for the market around 7 and I don't think we missed a row!!

We left early as Keith had an auction he could not miss on Saturday in Archbold. I worked at the auction in the office trailer. We didn't have to leave until Friday morning, but we left Thursday morning. We stopped in Kentucky for the night and stopped at Kevin & Sarah's in the morning on the way through Cincinnati. They had taken the entire week off, so they were home.

We got home around 5 or 6. We took our time unloading as we wanted to put things away as we went and I started the washer. We had not called Kurt yet, but they pulled in and saw a light on and kinda spooked them as all the vehicles were out but the mustang and they didn't think we took that on vacation. Then they saw me in the kitchen window and blew their horn. Kinda startled me, but that made us even. They came in and we had a nice visit. They couldn't stay too long as they were on their way to Christy's Mom & Dad's and they hadn't planned on us being home.

This week has gone by so fast with catching up on things at work and Keith went to Michigan to work on getting a big auction ready. He didn't come home until late Wednesday night. We got to talk a little in the morning Thursday and then both went to work. He had an auction that started at 6 and I had to be at the cemetery to sell a lot at 6 . He didn't get home till around 10. We had lunch together yesterday. He is at a sale today and I am here trying to get some things done. Can't remember the last time I worked on my scrapbooks, I am so behind. If I get the laundry and bookwork done, I may just go start working on my scrapbooks. I guess that is all for now.

The first picture is of the Smoky Mountains and the next is of Lake Hartwell. I am also putting in a picture of Madison and a rainbow we saw on the way home from Kevin's. A rainbow is God's promise that everything will be alright.