What Retirement Is All About

A few old friends got together today and reminisced about the "good old days". Kenny and Bruce went to school together at the old Anchorage School in Waumandee and Orlin and Bruce graduated together from high school a number of years later. It may be good that parts of the conversation wasn't recorded! I love this type of unplanned get-togethers - this is what retirement is all about, no time constraints, no agendas, yep, cookies, coffee and comrades! Call an old friend of yours today and get together for a visit.

Crusin' Cousins

Our entire family got together a few weeks ago, and the two "big" cousins got to spend time showing new little cousin Ivy all kinds of tricks. Ivy showed the big kids how to maneuver between and around chair and table legs and how to show respect upon entering Grandma's kitchen when it was her time to be the leader. EVERYONE should bow down and kiss the floor Grandma walks on - right? I think everyone got their allotted amount of exercise in before it was time for strained squash and peas, along with corn on the cob and waffles for those with an entire set of incisors, canines and molars.

Chilly But Sunny

Valentine's Day is here and there isn't a cloud in the sky - and we are beginning to recognize that bright orange object in the sky again. The air is still very chilly but we will take this sunshine any way we can get it. While running errands earlier today I realized I could use my sunglasses - this picture shows our neighborhood burro who is very classy and always in style with the season. He is ready for the sun, and knows how important it is to protect himself from damaging UV rays. Obviously it works because this little guy has been our neighborhood's silent sentry for many years and he still looks like a teenager! Enjoy the sun - Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Neighbors Reunion

The weather finally moderated enough for all the old neighbor kids to travel home and get together over a few treats and mimosas (thanks for the idea Lora Jean!) Ivy got to play with her cousins and meet our neighbors' grandchildren. She also had lots of fun and exercise showing her skills in speed crawling and body dexterity while kissing the floor and doing "patty cake" with Auntie Kersten. Big cousins, Finnian and Adalia, were kept busy watching over her and giving Ivy tips on how to stack rings and maneuver under and around the dining table and chairs during crawling races. (I think they may have shared where the fruit snacks are kept in Grandma's cupboard too). The fun only multiplied when Hannah and Cailin arrived with their mom, Lora, Grandma Brenda and Aunties Denise and and Lynette. Who knew that playing hide and seek in Grandma and Grandpa's closet and upstairs tub could be SO MUCH FUN!!
The adults had a great visit too before everyone had to depart for more adventures.

Kevin, Shawn, and Ivy accompanied Grandpa and Grandma to Alma where the bakery reopened after being closed for over 20 years. We enjoyed hot beverages and several varieties of sweet treats. The new baker is using much of the original equipment. If you go, be sure to buy a loaf of bread and watch it being sliced on the original 1922 bread slicer - be ready to enjoy the chatter of the antique slicer as it slowly shivers its way through the fresh, soft bread. After a short walk in the crisp winter air and checking out the eagles fishing on the river we headed back home.
Warm weather is promised - spring won't be next week, but it definitely is inching closer....ahhh - Life is Good!

Another Cold January Weekend

It's another weekend of mind-numbing cold outside but we've been keeping warm and busy with a Granddaughter Week. We finally got to Madison to visit with Shawn, Kevin and Ivy between cold temp days. We had great fun with Ivy - and Grandpa B. even put up a ballerina bar for her to practice on. OK, its actually a pipe to cover some metal spaces where little fingers could get stuck, but I think Ivy will be in fine shape after all the pull-ups she has been doing. She's very busy learning "So Big" and discovering all kinds of new and delicious foods. We stopped in LaCrosse on the way home from Mad Town and Adalia came home with us for a few days. Grandpa's job on Saturday morning was assembling a huge dollhouse we received from a neighbor. He had an eager assistant on the project and it has a place of honor in our dining room, living room - wherEVER! We'll have to find projects to do when its Finnian's "Grandpa and Grandma Weekend".
We have a sad duty this weekend as we say goodbye to Orlin's last aunt on the Mueller side of the family. Sweet Aunt Tracy Mueller passed away on Friday at the age of 95. She was the matriach of our family and we will miss her so. May she be quilting with angelic threads of gold and silver. Peace and love to her family.
Stay warm and safe -

AMERICA - YES WE CAN!

We have been glued to the TV - what a memorable day for America! We all need to do our part and try to help this young leader who needs our prayers and support.

A few hard working people put together an inaugural ball in Wabasha, Minnesota tonight and we were invited to attend. It was a wonderful event where an jazz ensemble played throughout the evening; we toasted our new president and sent prayers and thoughts through the universe to bless him and his family. YES WE CAN have a great country again.

BRRRR..irthday

Oh man, the temperature today is really a doozie! I bundled up to walk to the post office - layers and layers, with barely a peep-opening to see through. It takes longer to get layered up than it does to walk to the PO. But it was worth it - Netflix had Mamma Mia waiting for me, so I'm thinking its going to be a movie and hot chocolate night!
To those of you who know me, you know I have two daughters, but what some of you do NOT know is that I have a Quasi-daughter, who is having a birthday today- These old neighbors still know how to have 80's fun! Happy Birthday Q-daughter Colleen!