Tired and Happy

VERY Quick trip through Omaha on our way back from Denver.

This is the hard working Daughter in Law that helped get it all together:

Seriously?

Wishin you had one of these mustaches?

And let the games begin. Goin for gold.

And goin for Bronze.

Thanks guys! It was awesome!

OLD FRIENDS IN A NEW WAY

We had one busy last 4 days! First off, I was mistaken in believing that Chicago is one day away. Well, it is, technically. It is 14 hours. But with bathroom breaks and meals, and... a little shopping in Albertsville, MN it is really 19 hours! 19 LONNNNGGGG hours, that is. If ya have to drive that, it's good to be with people who are fun to be with. Which meant the trip was do-able.

So, we made the long drive to go to an ASL Special Assembly. And one really fun part was that this ASL Assembly, I actually knew people! Many friends I know from Omaha were assigned there also! So, I managed to get a "few" pictures of them. Wishing I had gotten more!

Wait, I didn't know, Fred was in Sign Language? But where is his family? And... who is that sister? This really threw me. Until I had an oh!!!! moment. This is Fred's twin brother!!?!?!!? Forgot he had a twin brother! So, I told him he looks JUST LIKE Fred! He said, "No! Fred looks like me!"

And, new ones in ASL!!!! And, old friends who visited us last winter. We became good friends from that visit when I found out who they were related to. Well, they became good friends because they are awesome people! It was so great seeing them all again!

Our Hailey

We had a super busy weekend, as usual. And it's 7:15 AM Monday! I should have been in the shower ...and dressed by now. YIKES! Story of my life!

We had our Circuit Assembly and the Pioneer meeting on Friday. I must go in English for this information to sink in like it should. So, I came home knowing I have TONS of stuff to work on!

Part of our busy weekend was a visit from our youngest Granddaughter-Hailey:

She is in a French-Imersion school, so she is learning French! I won't be able to understand her, but she will do awesome I know, she already is!

She just started Kindegarten this year and when I saw her in August her hair was really long. She has a new hair-cut now and is adorable, for sure. But she told me the reason she cut her hair was to give it to kids who have cancer so they can have hair!
It just makes her even more adorable!

Changed it! FIxed it???

Hey Angie! I did this all by myself! (I think?)

Whatever the problem with the picture showing up, by changing the background it seemed to disappear!

Whatcha think of the new background?

Retirement process, step 1

In preparation for "the Retirement", I have been scaling down and pushing things out! Our plan is to move to a smaller house. Which also means, less junk! So, looking around, we have LOTS and LOTS of junk!

I was blessed to be home 3 days this week and my goal, other than prepare a sign language talk and study for our sign language meeting (that was 1/2 of 2 of the days) was to clean out a couple closets. What is left here is amazing compared to what it was before!

And if you knew that most of that will also be gone by then, well, I did pretty awesome, right!
One thing in the closet is a pair of my hubby's pants that he bought last Jan and I "promised!" to alter for him. I can hear my voice now, "Oh, honey, don't you pay to have them altered! I can do it for you...free!"

Well, the 1st step to that would also be to get out the sewing machine. And you see, the desk that was originally for my sewing machine has been loaded with .....junk also. So, I am so excited now! After years! My sewing machine is back on the desk!!!

One step closer to pants altered!

Retirement? For Who?

275 days

39 weekends

6596 hours

395,795 minutes

23,747,758 seconds

9 months, 1 day, 20 hour, 36 minutes, 23 seconds

For my hubby, it's all about the countdown.

For me it's

"What in the world will I do with that man when he retires????

We are trying to figure out, what and where after he retires. (Notice it's "He" retires! Don't think it will ever happen for me-I don't get a retirement check) We know we want a change, we drive about 1/2 hour to the hall 7 days a week and it would be nice to be closer.

I also desperately want to be closer to my kids and my grandkids.

So, I asked them, "What's your best offer?"

My youngest said, "When you move here....". She wants some of her own family nearby. Can't blame her, I feel the same way!

My oldest son says, "When you move there, you will see us more often!" Wait a minute?!? Was that a promise or was that a "Don't move here!!!!" Not sure about that one.

My other daughter is in the process of making a life changing decision to live in Ecuador for the rest of her life. That story another day. She would also like to have family near by....in Ecuador!

Her offer is Ecuador with all it's peaceful simple life.

Then there is my younger son and his wife. They have 4 children and gave the most fun offer yet. "Unlimited evenings and weekends with no roaming charges!" Wow! Don't even get that with my cell phone!

Tough decisions. Mainly we just want a simpler life. Less house to take care of. Less stuff. Any and all offers will be considered!

Speaking of less stuff.
Put 3 bags on the back porch last Monday to be picked up for charity. Different charity called the next day. I always agree to donate, that way I am motivated to clean out!

I have FIVE more bags!!

They are reproducing in my house!

Scary!

I know, I know.

I really have been wondering if everyone has just given up on me posting! Probably should have.
My summer has been CRAZY!
~Working everyday
~ASL Assembly in Michigan
~ Visit with family in the states
~Service, Service-LONGGGGG Days! Finished the year with 841!!!! Yipee!
~C.O. last visit (that was a week we loved!)
~Courtney had surgery so her family stayed with us for a week. (Same week as C.O. visit, and finishing my time for the year!)
~Anniversary trip to Jessica Lake in the White Shell!!!! YIPPEE that was a de-stresser.
~Breathe (had to be scheduled or I'd forget!)
~Clean, cook very badly, and try to keep on truckin!

So, now after next Tues, things will slow down to a quiet riot, hopefully!
We are now down to 2 in the house, which helps to slow my life down as well.
So this is my official effort to get back on track.

Have 30 minutes to get ready for work.
Hope to see you next week!