Eight and One Half Inches of Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to 8 1/2 inches of snow and still snowing. They closed the library so I am getting paid (act of God) to stay home and cross stitch!! Keith just went out to plow the snow. He bought a snow blower attachment for the tractor, but hadn't picked it up yet. He is going to pick it up today. They are calling for 6 to 10 inches more today! I went out and snapped a lot of pictures and I will post some. It is beautiful as long as you don't have to drive in it. It is a very heavy wet snow and I love the way it piles up on the limbs of trees. Kurt's family got us a bird feeder for Valentines Day. There is a picture of it. It has lots of snow on it's roof! Notice the big drift in front of the shop. The woods are beautiful! As the hot tub is in the garage, guess who's car has to set out - Keith's. It is covered with snow pretty deep.

Don't pay the ransom-I escaped!!

I know that I haven't posted in so long, you probably thought I had been kidnapped! I have been busy. I hand wrote recipe books for Kurt & Christy and Kevin & Sarah of my favorite recipes. Each book had over 200 pages. I hope they like them. I put little notes on some of the recipes. Anyway. It took a long time. I gave them to them for Valentines Day and then I started on a cross stich sampler for my newest grandchild. Kevin & Sarah are expecting in August. I am really going well on it. I work on it while watching TV, on my lunch hour, in waiting rooms, etc. Well of course if I haven't posted in a long time, you know Keith has bought something. I am posting a picture of our new (to us) hot tub. We put it in the garage for now. We will probably move it out on the back patio in the spring. We went out to eat with Chappy & Jenny last night. Keith used to work with Chappy at Goodrich back in the late 60's and 70's. We are still friends and Jenny is one of Kraig's teachers at Riverdale. I know this is just a bunch of random stuff, but I was very disappointed with the Edgerton Village Council. They have voted to tear down the Town Hall. It was built in the late 1800's and has an opera house upstairs. I worked in the building for nine years and it is a big piece of Edgerton history. Well, I guess I have rambled on long enough. Just wanted you to know I am still kicking.

Vacation

Keith & I got back from our Florida vacation Sunday. Quite a change. When we got to Florida the first day it was 81 degrees. When we returned home, it was 10 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrr. We had a relaxing time. We went to Mom & Denny's Sunday for a fish fry and took Mom back to timeshare with us and took her back home Monday night. It was sure good to see her. Keith & I went to the movie "Bucket List" Tuesday. It was really good. See it if you get a chance. Of course we went to the big flea market at Daytona Beach and did a little shopping on other days too. It was great to get back home even if it was pretty cold. We went to one of our favorite resturants down there "The Inlet Harbor" and stopped at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. I will post some pictures. Also one of me beside the palm tree they planted one year we were down there. We take a picture every year to show how the tree has grown that year. Wow, when I posted the pictures, I realized that all these were taken the same day. I didn't take near as many pictures a I usually do for some reason. Maybe it's because I am so far behind on my scrapbooking!!

Family Christmas Celebration

We had a great weekend. Kevin & Sarah came home Saturday and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. We did alot of catching up with them and just enjoyed being together. Monday Kurt and Christy and their family came to spend the day with us and it was great to be all together. We really enjoy spending time with our family. Monday when Kurt's got here, we opened our stocking gifts and then had breakfast. Our traditional egg casserole and french toast casserole. This year Kurt & Christy brought delicious biscuits and gravy. Then we opened all our gifts. I think everyone liked what they got. I know I did!! Believe it or not, Keith and I got each other the same thing!! GPS systems. We are still laughing about how we never discussed GPS when we would see an ad on TV because we were each afraid we would give it away!! We called my Mom in Florida and talked to her. I got all of the grandkids a new robe. Kurt & Christy and family had to leave in the afternoon to go to her family Christmas. Kevin and Sarah left not long after Kurts to get home so they could celebrate Christmas with her sister Katie and nephew Casey. I got a really neat pop up book on Amazon.com and read it to the kids. I asked Kurt if he wanted to see it and he said "No I want you to read it to me." So I did. It has been a long time since I read him a book. But it looks like he enjoyed it.

Today we went to Fort Wayne and went out to lunch with my sister Karen and husband Bob and then to the National Treasure movie. I thought it was great and I am sure there will be sequel and I am looking forward to it. I would like to wish all our friends and family a Happy New Year.

The Whitman Clan

On Saturday the 15th of December we had all of Keith's brothers and spouses and sister and his Mom over for a get-together. Usually when we get together there are so many kids and grandkids and it seems that the families sit together and they never really get to visit for long. Don't get me wrong, we all enjoy seeing all the kids and grandkids and really don't see them often enough so that they can get to know each other. So Keith decided to put this together. We decided to do it every year. Maybe in the summer out here so the guys can fish is they want. They started coming around noon and we ate at 1:30. The conversations never stopped. We had plenty to eat. We never got out a game or cards. They were happy just to talk. It was between 10 and 11 before everyone went home and I don't think Keith was ready for them to leave! Linda stayed all night with us and we stayed up till after one just talking.

They all made it except Greg. Tom & Mary, Gary & Lorraine, Dave & Linda, Jim & Pam, sister Linda, and of course Keith & I. Greg could not come as they were calling for snow (and got it) and he is in charge of cleaning roads for the county. He was missed. Another reason to have it in the summer next year. I will post a couple picture of the day.

New Garage Doors

We got our new garage doors installed yesterday on the new building and on our garage. They match. The sun was on the house and not on the garage so they look different, but they are the same. Thought I would give you a sneak peak!! Did my Christmas baking today-made nine pumpkin rolls.

Christmas Down Under

Chloe was in her school's Christmas program tonight. It was Christmas Down Under. The songs were catchy and fun. Chloe had a speaking part, Plato Platypus, and she remembered every line and spoke up so you could hear her. It was a fun cute program and everyone did a good job, especially our Chloe! It was dark of course and my pictures turned out pretty dark. I tried to lighten one but I didn't do too good of a job. I have a picture of Chloe after the program, but for some reason, the program is not responding so I can't add it. Will try later.

Holiday Decorations

I have been busy decorating our home and finishing my Christmas shopping. We went to the library Christmas party last night. Just before we left, Kurt called from the woods and he had got a buck with his muzzle loader. They were going to hunt a little longer so Kraig might be able to get one. So we didn't get to see this one as we had to leave for the party. When we came out from the party all the windows on the car (and of course the sidewalk and streets) were covered with ice!! Merry Christmas! We had Doug & Mary Sue paint our garaage Friday and Saturday. They painted the ceiling and walls. Looks great. We had them paint the ceiling white and mixed together some white and rushmore stone left from the house for the light beige of the walls. I just thought I would send some pictures of some of our decorations-well probably most of them as I always get carried away when downloading picture. Come visit us. Frosty will greet you on the porch! I even have a couple snowmen looking at their family album setting next to all my family ablums and four nativity scenes. Now all I need is my family home and all will be perfect!

Mom's in Florida, Chloe is 7 and Chappy is 70.

It's been awhile since I blogged. Mom left for Florida and arrived there a week ago today. Chloe turned seven years old and we went to her party at Kurt's on Friday. Gary put the entrance doors and the window in the building Friday and put the cap and cupelo on Saturday. We went to Avilla for a surprise party for one of our friends, Bill Chapman who turned 70 years old. He is still so active and fun!! Keith is finishing up the soffit and facia on the building today. Now all that is left is the garage doors and they are on order. Well, not all, he is putting a ceiling in and we ordered the stuff to put that in today. It should arrive in ten days. So maybe in two weeks, we can actually say the the building is DONE. Although we still have to put the electricity in........and the weather vane.......... I don't think you are ever DONE!!

Busy Saturday!

Saturday was a busy day here. Keith, Gary, Jim and Tom put the roof on the building. Just needs the cap, cupalo, and soffit. I went to the open house of the town hall and the grand opening of the new flower shop in addition to fixing lunch for the guys and a pie for break time. Kurt's kids came trick or treating and KURT GOT HIS FIRST DEER IN OUR WOODS! I had just looked out the window as he had been in the woods in his tree stand for hours and said "I sure hope Kurt gets a deer." Just a couple minutes later Kurt called from the woods and said he had one and wanted Dad to bring back the gator to get it. He was excited and I was happy for him. Since it was a doe, he can still get a buck when gun season comes in. It is bow season now. Gary is here this morning and they are going to work on finishing the roof.

Friday night Keith & I worked at the library Halloween party. Over 80 kids came. Kurt & Christy brought their kids to the party. We had to dress up. Keith was the guy from Scream and I was a witch. I will also post pictures of that.

Keith's Truck

I forgot, I wanted to show you what Keith got done to his truck while we were in South Carolina. It really makes the topper look better now. I will post a couple pictures of it.

Last Truss Going Up.....

Just wanted to post some pictures. I took one of Kurt & Christy when they got home from celebrating their anniversary.

I went out to watch Keith & Gary working on the building and a blimp went over so I took a picture of it. And I took some pictures of the last truss going up. Then they are going to quit for the day. Keith has auctions every day next week except Friday and that is Grandparents Day at Riverdale. Kevin & Sarah will be here and we have the Engler Christmas Sunday and then the auctions start again, so I don't know when they will get back to putting the roof on.

I'm Back................

Doesn't seem like it's been almost a month since my last post. We went on vacation to South Carolina for ten days. When we got back, Fraidy Cat was gone. We had a great time and really hot weather. While we were coming through Kentucky, it was neat to see the tobacco hanging in the barns to dry, I will post a couple pictures I took. After we got back, Keith & Gary worked on the building. They got 8 of the trusses up last Sunday. All the block work is done. When they get the roof done, all that is left is the window and doors. I'll post a picture of them putting up trusses. As Keith has so many auctions, his time to work on the building is limited. I hope we get the roof on before snow.

When we got back, we went to Christy's grandparents 60th wedding celebration. I will post a picture of Christy's family there.

I went to Salt Fork State Park last week for three days of Public Finance Training. I have received my Certified Public Finance Administrator designation. I have to go to Deer Creek State Park for three days of software training week after next.

Keith is keeping really busy with auctions. This month he has had auctions on the 1st, two on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, two on the 23rd, 25th, 27th and the 29th. That's a lot of auctions. That makes 20 auctions in 31 days and getting ready for the auctions on the days in between. Tonight he is in Michigan. He left this morning and is getting the auction ready for tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am keeping the kids so Kurt and Christy can go out to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary. While I have them I am taking them to get their pictures taken. Keith and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary on the 18th. (Well we won't really celebrate that night as he has an auction at 6 p..m.)