February Blahs

No - you haven't missed anything. Nothing's been posted because very few home-related projects have been accomplished this month. It seems that February's gray days and bone-chilling temps have sapped our energy. It's been easier to hunker down and hibernate than get up and get busy. But life goes on and here are a few tidbits from the last two weeks:
1.) Camera 

I took our good digital camera to church a few weeks ago to help take directory photos. I was using the tri-pod, trying to take pictures without a flash (since the flash quit working months ago). Wouldn't you know that I wasn't paying attention - and the camera crashed lens-first to the floor, shattering the glass lens filter. Luckily, nothing more appears to have been damaged but I do need to buy a new filter and try and find a flash repair solution. <sigh>

2.) Ribbon Cutting

Scott, my brother Tim, and I traveled to Kearney for the afternoon on February 12th. My parents' business celebrated the official ribbon cutting of a 19,000 SF addition to their business, complete with the Chamber of Commerce, mayor, and lieutenant governor in attendance. Tim and I are on the board of directors so we, along with our older brother Mark, got to use ceremonial scissors to help cut the ribbon. After a few hours of mingling and appetizers, we were back on the road and home by 10 PM.

Our niece Chelsie and her cousin Maggie - all dressed up for the party! Maggie's daddy Nick is now working with my dad at Ward Laboratories, and Chelsie works there part-time while finishing up college. It's "all in the family!"

We missed our sister, Karolyn, but the three of us did our best to represent the board of directors (Mark, me, Tim)

Dad got some help from his oldest great granddaughter, Allie, while making his remarks.

Allie was so excited to have her grampa and gramma (Mark and LuAnn) in attendance! It was a fun afternoon for all.
3.) House Closing

This past Thursday, The New People officially closed on their sale of our ol' Grant Street house. We were able to walk through the Grant Street house a few weeks ago to really say goodbye. Who knows if the new guy that relocated from Memphis will let us stop by? To celebrate their new role as "Not the New People Anymore," Kevin and Sara invited us to their beautiful new home last night for a delicious lasagna dinner. We were entertained by 2-year-old Bennett who sang some songs for us while beating a toy drum with a Tinkertoy. Such fun! 

"Goodbye"

4.) Picture Show

This past Tuesday, we enjoyed pizza and a picture show with the Camps. Marita and Carl hosted us, nephews Pete (and Karly), Andrew, Pat (and Kathleen) along with Kathleen's dad and brother (Tim and Jimmy.) We were treated to a digital slideshow of Kathleen's favorite wedding photos. The newlyweds are coming up on their 6-month anniversary (and still seem to be on cloud 9.) We also got to see photos of Andrew's recent adventure in Chile, where he spent a week hiking and exploring. It was such a fun evening!

5.) Meet Me in St. Louis

Now here we are - it's 2PM on a Saturday and we still haven't figured out what to do this weekend. Tomorrow, I'll be in St. Louis for a work-related tradeshow (flying in and back the same day) so we're hoping to get something accomplished yet today. Check back soon to see if we were successful!

Stay Tuned for Our Next Adventure!

February Begins with Snowy Day

Finally, winter arrived. Though it was a swell January with temperatures quite often in the 50s, it felt good to begin our February with some snow on the ground. The snow started to fall rather quickly overnight Sunday the 1st, and with wind and falling temps, most of the city (including church services) was closed down for the day.

What would we do without the Ranger and its plow?

Scott cleared the driveway twice on Sunday to keep up with the snowfall and the wind. 

The official snow fall total was about 5.7 inches but some spots at noTTafarm were 10-inches deep with 2-foot drifts.

 Using the shovel . . .

 . . . and the little snow blower to clear the courtyard.

Another four inches fell on Wednesday (Feb. 4) so Scott and the Ranger had a little more work to do. Now today, (Feb. 7) the temps have again risen to the high-40s and our beautiful crystalline landscape is melting away. Only 39 more days til spring begins!

Stay Tuned for Our Next Adventure!