1 and 1/4 down

Finished my first summer class on Friday. Organizing the reading/writing block. Not sure if I learned how to do that exactly but I earned 1 credit on my way to 5 this summer. Went up to Effigy Mounds yesterday for the first Saturday of 4. It was awesome. We did some bird-watching, hiking, eating and listened to 2 outstanding speakers. Bob Anderson, who is responsible for the Decorah eagle cam and introducing the Peregrine Falcon back to the Mid-west and Jon Stavers, who has been bird monitoring on the Mississippi River for 30 years and studying the Red-shouldered Hawk, were our speakers. It was simply awesome listening to them describe their work and passion. I have a new found respect for environmentalist and people who dedicate their whole life to what they believe in. I was kind of dreading or at least not looking forward to the next 3 Saturdays that I have to give up for this class but now I am excited about them. The only thing that scares me is that yesterday was so good that the rest can never be as good. But even if they are half as good that will still be great. My next workshop is June 25 and it is Silos and Smokestacks.
On another note, we actually got to cruise today. It was too wet for Jon to spray so he came home and we went cruising from 12 to 3. Alan and Ronda went with us. That was nice cause we never get to see them. We went down to Olin and over to Anamosa and then back to Cascade. Cruised through town and then were supposed to stop for Music at the Park but we came home. I then went out to help Abby out with the kids. We came back to our house for supper. The Corner Tap was having ribs tonight and they sounded good so we ordered 4 dinners and I picked them up to go. I almost fainted when she told me how much they were. $69.00!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, we won't be ordering those again for a while, if ever. They weren't as good as Schroeder's either. I guess we need to ask how much things are before we order from now on so at least I have an idea of what I am going to be paying.
Jon is going out to Nebraska for a meeting tomorrow. He is leaving at 3 in the morning for a 9 o'clock meeting and then coming home tomorrow after the meeting. Sort of drive, meet, drive. He is going with Jake and Mark so I don't have to go along. I am going with Abby, Trent and Addy to CR to get Addy's 1 year picture taken and do a little shopping.
Right now I need to start my paper for my class. I figure if I do a page after each class it will be easier than doing a 4 page paper when it is all done. Yippee!

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

I just love summer mornings like this. It is sunny, warm with a small breeze and everything is so green. It just doesn't get any better. I wish I could package it and bring it out in the middle of winter. :) Jon is home today. Yay! We called Trent to see if he wanted to farm with Papa today. Silly question. He is on his way over and we are going down to Jim's to do a little more cleaning up and seeding. A great day and Jon home and Trent gets to help farm. It does get better.

Goodby, Adam

Adam and Joelle came and went and it's already Thursday. It was so good to see Adam. He has grown into such a nice young gentleman. He got home Friday night about 10:45. At least that is what he said cause I was in bed and passed out from 2 Tylenol P.M. and 2 regular Ibupro. I was not feeling the best as Trent would say. I got up around 1 and saw Adam's flip-flops on the floor so I knew he was home. I did get up the next morning with Jon cause he had to go to work at 6. Adam even got up to say hi and goodby to Dad cause Adam was going down to IC to see some friends, play golf and wouldn't be home til Sunday. He actually said that was the most sleep he had gotten all week. Adam came back for brunch on Sunday morning and then he headed over to Joelle's sister's graduation party. He came back home on Monday and stayed til Tuesday about 4. Joelle came over on Monday for supper. Mom, Joe, Sherry, Mac and Karen and Claire were also here. Along with the Toppings. Everyone but Ashley. Tuesday was really a laid back day. Abby and the kids came over and we just hung out. Went up to see Dad at work. Then he came with us when we went out to Tory and Abby's. Went on a tractor ride with Adam and Trent. Just visited and caught up. We talked about when we can come out to CO this summer. Right now we are planning on Aug 11- 15 or 16. There are not a lot weekends that work so hopefully this will.
I watched Addy and Trenten yesterday and today cause Abby took Tues off so she could spend it with Adam. Addy actually started to crawl yesterday. She is not real excited about it yet. She still gets mad and screams when she wants to be picked up. But she can do it. But mostly she just want to at this point. Now I have to start on the walking. No rest this summer for that girl. Trent is just Trent. Yesterday he rolled a watermelon off the island. I was in the bathroom and I heard this thud and Trent comes in to tell me the watermelon broke. It was on the floor split in two. It was a real juicy one too. I asked Trent if he learned anything from this experience. Maybe that watermelons are round and they will roll if you push them. I managed to save most of it. It was a good one too. Trent had Tae Kwon Do tonight. Ash, Addy and I all went over to Monti with him. Tory had a lesson and Abby had a tour of the facility so we stayed the whole lesson. Trent was not focusing real well but he did fine. Left the kids off at Ronda and Alan's and am now waiting for Jon to come home. Not sure if I have the kids tomorrow. Abby probably has a lot to do at the building so I might have them for a while. But I can sleep in so that will be nice.