A day with my girls!

Casey and Christy went on a field trip to Chicago Friday. Chloe and Cayla spent the day with me. They brought them over Thursday night. We stayed up late and watched a movie. In the morning we made cards for their cousin Elizabeth for her birthday party Saturday and cards to Libby. They used my stamps and some of my punches from scrapbooking. Then we went to town and I got my hair cut and then we shopped a little at Dollar General and went home and colored Easter eggs. I had to take my Jeep and get the oil changed. When we got home my mom and sister were waiting for us and they came in for a visit. After they left, we started a new movie. Kurt came to pick them up before it was over but he waited and visited with Keith & I till the movie was over. It was a very busy, but fun day with two of my girls.

Four days in Cincinnati

I drove down to Cincinnati Tuesday afternoon and stayed with Kevin's till Saturday afternoon. I had a great time. I really enjoy spending time with my family. Libby and I played outside a little bit every day. She goes at full speed unlike me. In the second picture Libby was trying to pick a flower that had come up. We met Lynn one night and went out to the Outback for supper. Saturday Kevin & I took Libby to story hour at the downtown library. Kevin also showed me where he works and we went to the Findlay Market. It was a fun four days, but I was glad to get home to Keith. We will find out soon if the new baby is a boy or girl!!

Thursday night Chloe and Casey are spending the night and then I will take them to school Friday morning.

A Day at the Gun Show in Fort Wayne

Yesterday I spent the day at the Fort Wayne Gun Show with Kurt, Keith and Kraig. Love spending time with my guys (even if it is a gun show). They are there again today, but I decided to stay home. Have been enjoying reading a good book. I am also getting my scrapbook stuff around to spend the day at JoAnn's home scrapping. Time for lunch!!

Casey's Circle the State with Song

Saturday we went to Fort Wayne with Kurt's family to attend Circle the State with Song. Casey was one of the 435 singers. I could not get good pictures during the concert, but asked the kids to pose afterwards. The concert was really good. We went to Sam's shopping after and Kurt's went with us. Then we went out to a Chinese Buffet for supper. We had a great time. We love spending time with Kurt's family. The tree is from our front yard this morning. I love it when the snow is heavy on the trees.

Let it Snow!

We had quite a snow storm the last couple of days. Pictures show that my front porch is not so inviting. We (Keith) shoveled out the other door and not that one. Keith used the snow blower on the tractor to open up the drive. I had a doctor appointment in Fort Wayne yesterday but rescheduled it. And lab tests in Montpelier today...but rescheduled for Friday. Hope the roads are all cleaned up by then. I started Weight Watchers online today...hope I can stick to it. Today wasn't too bad. I baked a pumpkin dessert last night, but didn't eat any. May take it into Mom

as Keith can't eat it all and if I leave it here....I can resist anything but temptation!

Our new canary, Katie!

Well, ever since our canary Clyde died, our canary Casey has been singing so loud (earsplitting). I think he is trying to attract a mate....so today I bought him a mate. We have named her Katie. If she starts laying eggs, it only takes two weeks to hatch them, so who knows, we may have a whole family of canaries soon. We are keeping them seperated for a couple days until Katie gets used to her new surroundings. I also got a much bigger cage. Another new adventure!

Keeping Busy Retired

Well, I retired 12/31/09. We left for three weeks in Florida on the 4th of January. It was cold but warmed up before we had to come back. We took our Airstream and stayed in a campground two weeks and in our timeshare on Ormand Beach one week. Keith's brother, Tom, and his wife and sister-in-law were in Daytona Beach and we got together several times. We went to Spring Garden Ranch (horse ranch) for breakfast at their restraunt. Keith & Tom went to an antique tractor show one day. That's why we took the gator with us. It is a really big show. Keith did some fishing at the campground. Not too much luck as the water was too cold. We also went to Travares and visited Wayne and Ginny Wilson in the home they purchased there. I will post some pictures. We stopped at Kevin & Sarah's on the way back for a couple hours but were anxious to get home. There's no place like home Auntie Em! So I just completed my first real week retired at home. Kept busy cleaning closets and cupboards. Just love being home. Did a little shopping and out to eat with my cousin on Monday. Had basketball games Monday and Tuesday - one was Kraig and the other Casey. It was good to get back to see Kurt's family too. Missed all the kids. Keith had five auctions last week so he kept busy. Now when I get caught up on things I need to do, I am going to scrapbook to my heart's content.

Late Christmas & Bald Eagle

Thursday, December 31st, Keith came home from town and said "grab some binoculars and come on!" So I did. We got in the car and went down the road just a little ways. Out in the field on the other side of the road from our house, was a bald eagle eating something it had killed. It was magestic. You don't expect to see one that close to your home in Ohio...but it was great!! Didn't have my camera...can you believe it?

Libby was better and so Kevin & Sarah came up Thursday and we had Christmas with Kurt's family, Kevin's family and our moms on Friday, New Years Day. Kevin's went home Saturday afternoon. Kurt's were over to visit today, Sunday. I love being with my family!! I will post a few pictures.

My Retirement Party

After the Board Meeting Monday night, the Board hosted an Open House in my honor for my retirement. It was really nice and there were almost 50 people that attended. They had a cake, and refreshments. I was given a gift certificate and a flower centerpeice from the board. My family, friends and co-workers attended. It was a very nice evening. Can't tell you how special I felt. I will post some pictures. While I was in my meeting, all the grandkids tried out my desk and they each have their own "style". Will post more pictures later.

Cayla's Christmas Program & Another Ballgame

Monday night we went to Cayla's Christmas Program, How the Penguins Saved Christmas. Cayla

was a reindeer. In the picture she is at the microphone - she had a speaking part. The picture isn't great, but it is hard when we were so far away the lighting didn't help me much. She did a great job and was the prettiest reindeer there!

Thursday night I went to Kraig's game against Garrett. He did a good job as always. In the picture, they are listening to the coach during a time out. Kraig is far left in the picture.

I had to work today--on my day off--to start training my replacement, Cathy Kimpel. I will take some time off later to make up for it. I only have 12 days left!!

Kraig's Basketball Game

I went to Kraig's basketball games Tuesday and Thursday nights. They were both home games. At Thursday night's game, Kraig made a basket and two free throws! He is getting better at every game. It makes me tired to watch him run as fast as he can from one end of the court to the other. He really must be exhausted after the games. He plays really good defense. Always on his man.

Last night I had Red Hat's Christmas Party at our home. My time at work is going fast. My last day will be the 31st and then I am retiring. We are finally getting around to interviewing replacements Monday and Tuesday. I gave them 90 days notice, but they are just now interviewing!! Don't know how much training I can get done! Especially if the new person has to give two weeks notice--that will take us to Christmas!! The Board is having an Open House in my honor the 21st.