IOWA, SSOURI and KANSAS

This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We got on the road about 7:30 this morning.  The sun was rising in the east over the snowy landscape that was NOT being attacked by the fierce northwest winds this morning.  The temperature was right at zero, and the smoke from the smokestacks formed huge plumes in the eastern sky.  It was a beautiful morning.

The sun came out for awhile, quickly changing the frosty surfaces to nice dry roadways.

These guys looked happy!

Soon we crossed the state line into Ssouri, the show me state.  What?  You've never heard of Ssouri?  Well, look there, that's what the sign says, so that's what it must be.  Well, anyhow, we have been eating out of the cooler, which contains the stuff I cleaned out of the frig so we could shut it off.  It's been ham and cheese sandwiches, a bit of smoked salmon, crackers, cookies and oranges.  We were craving something warm so

we thought this Ma and Pa's Kettle sounded like a good place for a cup of soup or something from the grill.  Well, we were now in southern Ssouri, which Ernie counts as the deep south, so he had to order his very
favorite.......are you jealous, Glenn?.............

a small serving of biscuits and gravy.  Yes, the small, 2 biscuit serving.  Not a good way to start his plan to loose 20 pounds.  I don't think he gets the connection between biscuits and gravy and the pot belly behind the plate!  I had bacon and eggs, which was nothing special, but it sure beats another day of ham and cheese.

We're on the right road......35 South to Wichita.......

And here's Kansas! 

We saw quite a few oil pumps chugging away, pulling up the black gold.

And this is for my friend, Judy.  Enjoy!

I love windmills.  Love the wide open range country around the Flint Hills.  Love the fact that the snow is disappearing

and the color green is making an entrance!  Yes, Toto, I think we are back in Kansas!

PS:  We had ham and cheese and crackers for supper again.

INTERSTATE 35 THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF IOWA

 You might want to read the previous post before this one. 


Sorry for the blurry pictures.  Dirty windshield, snow blowing and moving truck all contributed to the fact.

Here we are entering Iowa.  Iowa.  Always reminds me of my 4-H songs from eons ago, back in  my youth!  Iowa, beautiful land.  OR  Iowa, Iowa, that's where the tall corn grows.  Iowa, Iowa, that's where the pretty girls grow.  Or in my case, the tall girls grow because I'm tall.  Anyhow, that's all ancient history.  Back to the here and now.

Doesn't look like Iowa is going to be any safer than Minnesota was.

 

Again, my childhood.  We loved to play in the big drifts along the country roads where we were raised in Northeastern Iowa.

 

This one is bad folks.  Jaws of life.  About 6 emergency vehicles.  Two cars on the left, and two down a large embankment on the right.

 

Let's just hurry and get past this scene.  My neck is tensing up.  My shoulders ache.  My chest hurts.

 

We stopped at a rest stop only to be told it was worse ahead.  We were told there were many, many vehicles in the ditch.  

We followed this sanding truck for a few miles, and felt pretty safe.  But he turned off.  I don't blame him as the worst was yet to come!

One upside down, one up ahead a bit, and two in the ditch in the northbound lane.

Hey guys!  The sign says SOUTH 35, can't you read that!  South is supposed to be warmer.  Oh, I guess not south Iowa, uh?

 

And it continues.  I know there were ten in the ditch in a one mile stretch of road.

 

Okay.  Here's three more.  Grab the Garmin and find the nearest  motel.  Only 7.3 miles ahead.  I hope we can make it.

 

Hooray for Super 8!  Cheap room but nice and clean with a king bed, TV for the Vikings game tonight, and wireless internet for blogging.  What more can we want!

And now the sun is shining.  The wind is still blowing though, and the temps are dropping to about ten below tonight.  So better be safe and warm and spending the money for a motel than freezing in the ditch someplace waiting for an ambulance.  Or on a cold slab.......oh, don't even think that way.

 I am going to relax and try to settle my nerves and work the aches out of my neck and shoulders.  Let me tell you that the stress of the four hours we were on the road this morning does bad things to FMS nerves and muscles.

Thank you Judy my friend.  I know your prayers got us here safely!  Oh, give thanks unto the Lord!

TEXAS TRIP BEGINNING........

We left home about 8:20 this morning.  It was cold and crisp, but didn't seem too windy.  We had been promised a light wind out of the north, the weatherman said so, so we figured we were good to go!

Well, we'll be good to go as soon as the windshield gets cleared off!

Hummmmm, the roads don't look very good.  Oh well, we're almost to Interstate 35, that will be better.

Ahhh, here we are.  It should be better going now.......

NOT!!!!!!!  Oh well, we're almost out of Minnesota, it will get better soon.

NOT!!!!!!!!  This is a big 5th wheel trailer and truck, looking at the bottom.

But we're guessing things will improve now..............................

next post

SUNDAY MORNING WONDERLAND

The beautiful scene below is the street in front of our church.  There is so much moisture in the air that the trees were heavily coated with frost.  It was kind of cloudy when we went in to church, but an hour later when we came out there was bright sunshine.  Oh it was a beautiful sight! 

This is the pile of snow in the grocery store parking lot with a fairy dusted tree and the Perkins flag behind it.

The red barn is the only color in the black and white world.

We spent most of the afternoon packing up the trailer for our trip beginning tomorrow morning.

And we visited with our youngest son Lance, his lovely wife Tya, and the girls, Jaden and Madison.  They had been snowed in on Christmas so made the trip out this afternoon so we could see the girls before we leave.  We love this little family so much!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

After Christmas Eve services last night, we drove through the campus of the college where we both used to work.  I love the campus at Christmas time!  The decorations are so beautiful.  Below is the lighted garland at the entrance to the main building.

These trees are in the circle between the main building, the library, and the chapel.  The white lights shining through the heavy white snow are absolutely beautiful, don't you think?

We had 10 of the 15 grand kids here today, but Jacob and Caleb had to leave early because Jacob had to go to work at the nursing home where he is a dietary aide.  But here are eight grandkids......... 

Adam, Justin, Joe, Aaron ......then the two beautiful girls are Katie and Kjirsten,  and the two in front are Ben hiding his face and Anna bugging him.  We had a good day with lots of food, lots of laughter and lots of love.  Hope you did, too!

TO BE CONTINUED.......

 Our landlord/neighbor was out bright and early this morning, cleaning up the first round of this storm.  It's calm and peaceful out there right now....the lull before the next round.

It sure is beautiful out there.  It's the actual winter wonderland.  Sure wish I had time to go for a walk!

I love the way God decorates the trees and bushes.  Most people are grouchy today because of the snow, but I'm loving it!  And the next round is coming later this afternoon......to be continued...........................

AND IT BEGINS........

......the snow storm, that is.  I was in town this morning and early afternoon.  At first it was rain coming down, but it changed to snow by the time I came home.  Then three hours later we went back into town to meet Chuck, Thea and Nicolas for pizza.  They are expecting to be snowed in at her brother's place......if they can get there,  and then Chuck has to work this weekend, and we leave for Texas on Monday.  So we decided we'd best see them now in case the blizzard messes up everyone's plans. 

An hour and a half later, the snow was really blowing and swirling, and driving was becoming treacherous.

There weren't as many people on the road as you would expect to find on the night before Christmas Eve.  Did you know that Norwegians celebrate the 23rd as Little Christmas Eve?  Well, at least some of them do!

The decorations in our little town are huge snowflakes.  Tonight they were competing with millions of smaller snowflakes that were declaring that there is strength in numbers, and that they will bring the town to a standstill if enough of them band together.  And I think the smaller flakes will win out this time.  The forecast has been changed.......now the weatherman is saying we could have 18 plus inches by Friday when the storm ends. 

KISSING THE FACE OF GOD

My scanner doesn't work with this computer so I took a picture of this Christmas card.  Isn't it beautiful?  Mary is pictured as the young girl that she was.  Just think about the words to this song.  She kissed the face of God!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Has come to make you new;

This Child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Has walked where Angels trod?

When you kiss your Little Baby,

You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?

Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?

This sleeping Child you're holding

Is the Great I Am!

BIRTHDAY TOTE BAG

It's kind of hard to see, but the tote is red, white and blue with flags and stars.  That is the theme Gail asked for, so that's what she'll get.  Her birthday is Wednesday.

And please notice the white chest behind with it's nice drawers and the door with shelves inside.  Thrift shop!  I love it and it will be perfect for my fabrics and sewing stuff.  Hubby informed me that we live in an apartment and don't have room for more furniture.  Hummm, I'll have to get rid of something, I guess. 

THANK YOU TO RUTH AND IKE

This is my family.  Yup, all those white haired people!  Back row is Ike, husband of sister Ruth who is the tallest sister, then is Carolyn, wife of only brother Paul.  Front row is sister Betsy, the skinniest sister, her husband Ross (yup, Betsy and Ross!) then is the youngest sister, Lois, who had a birthday yesterday, then is the oldest and fattest sister, me, and hubby Ernie.  We had a birthday party / Christmas party yesterday at Ruth and Ike's home, about 40 miles from here.  Ruth is a lovely hostess, and we more than filled our bellies!  This was brother Paul's dessert plate!  Don't ask me how he remains so slim and trim!

But you can clearly see that we had enough to eat, especially in the sweets department.

In the afternoon, as the men sat in the living room and half visited and half snoozed, us gals sat around the dining room table and went through a big stack of old....I mean old as in antique.....greeting cards.  Many had been sent to our great grandmother, Martha, from her sisters, Mina, Belva, Hulda, Emma, and Anna, always referred to collectively as "the great aunts."  Some were sent between the sisters and a couple were from our grandfather to his mom, our great grandmother, or from her to our grandfather.  The postage was a penny on these cards. and often the address was only to Mrs. xxxxxxx, town, state, nothing more.  Many were written in Norwegian!  Most of the dates range from 1911-1924, but several are from 1908!  That is over a hundred years old!  The colors of the cards are sharp and the cards are in good shape.  Only the pencil writing on the back is a bit hard to read!

We displayed all the cards on the table and then each of us five kids took turns choosing our favorites.  What treasures!  What a connection I feel to great, great aunts, who were sending Christmas greetings to our great grandmother, at the same time a hundred years later that I am attempting to send cards to friends and family! 

These were some pretty Christmas and New Year cards

 These are beautiful Norwegian cards.

I loved the Christmas and Easter cards, but everyone was a little freaked out by the hair on this Valentine!  I would like to frame them for display, but I want to be able to read the messages on the backs, too.  I haven't quite figured out what I'll do with them, but they certainly are a treasure!

Many thanks Ruth and Ike!  It was a very nice party where I hope we were making memories that will last as long as those greetings cards!

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE

This morning was my annual physical and all the fun stuff that goes along with that.  Especially fun is the squeezing of the girls procedure.......NOT!  Don't have the lab results back of course, but everything else seems fine.  I am a healthy person.  But this post isn't about my physical.

As I walked into the new part of the clinic, the new mammogram and imaging department, I noticed some wall words that brought me to a dead stop.  Now, I have been complaining recently about a couple of issues, issues that won't go away, and I can't do anything about, but I kept on complaining.  The wall words informed me that I needed a huge attitude adjustment.  The words:

We cannot direct the winds, but we can adjust our sails.
I can't change the situation, but I sure can change how I view it.  Thanks wall words.  I needed that.

GET READY, GET SET, GO!

I don't know if it is because I complained here on this site so the whole world could read it or what, but hubby bought me a new laptop!  So far so good.  I just got it this afternoon, so I certainly  haven't explored the whole thing yet.  But I think I like it.  I think I like it a lot!  I still will use the little netbook when traveling, but the keyboard is having issues and I can't count on it working right from one day to the next.  I got an HP, just a basic laptop, for pictures and email and internet.  I don't plan on installing a bunch of things on it, so I didn't need a big expensive one.  

I realized that I hadn't updated you on Gail's hospitalization.  She was released last Thursday, after the blizzard was gone and roads were plowed, thank goodness!  She seems to be doing okay so far.  When she has one of these attacks they take her off all food and drink and give her only IV's for three or four days, then slowly introduce food again.  She is eating just fine now, so I hope it continues.  Thank you to those who prayed for her.

There are no cookies baked, no cards sent, and few other preparations completed.  Do you think I should get busy?  I have two sewing projects to finish and I am just not in the mood but I am going to have to do something shortly as time is running out.  I have my physical tomorrow morning, I promised my sister a ride tomorrow afternoon, and church tomorrow night.  Thursday is a Christmas party at the college where we used to work, Friday I said I'd give my daughter a ride to a doctor's appointment.  So, the project and cooking and baking that has to be done before a Christmas party on Saturday is in jeopardy unless I start tonight!  Okay.  Get ready, get set, go! 

DUMB COMPUTERS

My goal in life is to get a decent computer.  We've always bought the cheapest we can find, then wonder why they don't work.  UGHHHHHH!

Love the different lines on this picture of my patio chair.  This was about half way through the blizzard.

Just one of about a dozen piles of snow in the grocery store parking lot.

The ground doesn't look like we received 8-10 inches of snow.  When the wind is blowing so hard, most of the snow ends up in neighboring states, I think!  The sun is shining today, and life would be a whole lot better if the dumb computer would work.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  The wind is blowing 35 to 40 miles per hour, the 8 or more inches of snow are rearranging themselves over and over and over, the actual temperature is 9 degrees, but the windchill or "feels like" temperature is a minus 15.   Sounds like a day to stay indoors and drink some coffee.  Or should I say some more coffee, as the first pot is gone already!

The only reason I may have to venture out is that Gail thinks she may be released from the hospital today.  She is not pain free, but is so much better, and she has been able to eat popsicles and sherbet so is anxious to go home.  Her doctor hasn't been in yet this morning though, so she doesn't know what he will say.  I don't know if we will want to attempt the five mile trip in until roads are cleared, but our wonderful son-in-law is out plowing roads on the campus where he works, so maybe we can get him to take her home if she is indeed released.

But from what I can see out my windows, the blizzard still rages.  Hope your weather is better than ours!

HOSPITALS, BIRTHDAYS AND BLIZZARDS

Thank you to everyone who is praying for Gail.  When I left the hospital about five yesterday afternoon, she was in a lot of pain and had just recieved doses of pain meds and anti-nausea meds and she was sleeping.  If only the pain could be controlled so she could sleep deeply for decent lengths of time so healing could take place.  I was there when a doctor came in, but this doctor was new, not familiar with her histroy, so she really couldn't make any decisions or answer any questions until she had famiiarized herself with the case.  She did say she was going to call the doctor at the University hospital in the Cities who did the Whipple procedure in August and find out if he would rather have her up there for treatment. 

I am heading back to the hospital shortly, hoping I'll find a pain free, smiling daughter, ready to go home.  However, I know that will most likely not be the case.  Your continued prayers would be appreciated.

I'm thankful that the hospital is only five miles away as this whole area is in a BLIZZARD warning for today and tomorrow.  Predicted snow depths range from 7 to 10 inches with extremely high winds.  If this all comes true, driving much further than that will be out of the question.

Yesterday was my birthday, so after I left the hospital I met hubby and our daughter and son-in-law for dinner at Olive Garden, one of my favorite places to have a special meal.  As always, it was very good, and we had a nice time.  I had received a beautiful card, handmade by a daughter-in-law, phone calls from two other sons, and emails and cards from other family and friends.  And Sunday my three sisters had cake and tea and gifts for me before we attended the college Christmas choir concert.  I am so blessed!

BEGGING FOR PRAYER AGAIN

Once again I am begging for prayers.  Gail was admitted to the hospital again last night with a very painful pancreas attack.  The recent surgery has not removed these horrible attacks from her life.  Daughter Kari took Gail to the ER last night when I was attending a choir concert with my sisters in celebration of my birthday today.  I didn't get the news until later last night and we decided I could get a good night of sleep and then head up there this morning.  So as soon as I do something with my hair I am off.  I think I'll bring this little netbook with me and maybe I can post something from her hospital room.

Please pray that her pain decreases and that her strength increases.  Thank you in advance.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Good Saturday morning my friends.  Do you have sunshine today?  We don't.  What was your low temperature for the night?  Hubby said it was 15 here, up a bit from yesterday morning.  He also said it was minus one in Grand Forks where son Lenny lives.  I don't know if I'm ready for this!  We have about an inch of snow covering the ground, not enough to look pretty, and just enough to be a bother.

 

But the weather isn't the subject of this post.  The real subject is Chritmas music.  Do you like to listen to Christmas music?  What is your favorite carol?  I have a new favorite CD this Chritmas season, Andrea Bocelli.  Have you heard it?  Last week I happened to have Oprah on and heard her announce that Andrea Bocelli and Mary Jane Blige would be preforming a song from his new CD and that we needed to stay tuned to hear it because it was her new favorite Chritmas song.  Well, first of all, I don't do the whole read this book because Oprah says it's wonderful thing, so I wasn't paying too much attention.  And then I thought Andrea Bocelli and Mary Jane Blige?  You've got to be kidding!  I didn't think that combination of voices would work at all.  Not at all.  I thought the only thing they had in common was that they both had strong voices and both could sing really loud!  But oh my goodness, when they began to sing I stopped what I was doing and listened to every single note they sang.  It was absolutely beautiful.  In case you didn't hear it, they sang "What Child is This"  and I knew I had to buy that CD, not because Oprah said so, but because it was wonderful.  And I did buy it, and it is so good.  All of the songs are beautiful, but I especially love this one with Mary Jane Blige and the Lord's Prayer which he sings with the Morman Tabernacle Choir.  Over half of the songs on the CD are secular songs, and they are nice, but the traditional Christmas carols are abolutely wonderful.

So if you are in the market for a new Christmas CD this year, you should really consider purchasing this one.  Not because Orpah says so, but because I say so.  You won't be disappointed