Daruma

We painted our Daruma, a toy from Japan. You paint the iris in the eye and make a wish for the New Year, when your wish comes true, you paint the other iris. I told the big H his couldn't be football related. Thanks Andy and Beth.

Playing with the new Christmas toys

Project Day

The Big H went into Daytona to help Ken do some painting, so I'm free to begin some of my projects. I have a quilt that I'd like to start and also a cookbook that can be typed in on the computer. It's supposed to be 80 today, so going outside with a book is also a good idea.
We have been golfing 2 1/2 hours a day, it will be nice to have a couple of days break, although I have done some improving. I even parred a hole yesterday.
Jen it's "to market to market to buy a fat pig, home again, home again jiggity jig", it came from some old nursery rhyme book.

Red Sparkly Shoes

Note the red sparkly shoes. Beth bought these with the money from Aunt Terry. She loves them.

Christmas at EPCOT

We had a fun day at EPCOT, I think we did it all. We had desserts at France, Norway and Morroco, but decided France was the best.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and Peace on Earth.

Christmas Spirit

My Christmas will be warm this year, so that will be a big change. The last time we spent Christmas in Florida was when Jen was 2 1/2. Maybe because I'm older my memories of Christmas past is what I remember best. The Christmas programs for school, sunday school and girl scouts. All the angel and fairy costumnes my Mother made out of nothing, and all the exchange gifts she had to buy for us when I'm sure there we're sufficient funds. Santa came to our community tree with a big bag of candy and nuts for all of us. Presents were small; gloves, scarves, mittens and one small toy. The Christmas tree was never bought until the last minute and then there were always branches missing. At this time of year I miss all of my family that aren't with us anymore, but I have great memories. Make good memories for your family.

Astor News

We did 2 rounds of golf this afternoon and even went to church this morning. Bingo won't be for a couple of weeks during the holidays. It was 78 today, but a cool wind is bringing cooler temperatures tomorrow. The temps are going back up bu Tues., so Andy and Beth will be warm. I hope everyone that was flying out this weekend got out and those that were on the road, got home safe.
Tomorrow we need to go to Deland and stop and pick up some oranges.

No more Winter

I took off the boots and winter coat. We reached 64 by 10:00 this morning and 73 by this afternoon. We are in Atlanta tonight. I hate big cities! We should get into Astor by tomorrow afternoon. Howard is planning on golfing by Sunday. It has been clear sailing so far.

Happy Birthday To Theresa Sue, Kyle David, and Troy!

We had our Christmas party this weekend. I think everyone had a great time. The grandkids skated, ice fished, sledded, had snowball fights and made a huge snowman. We got terrific presents. The weather here was wet snow this morning, so everyone headed home early this morning. They all made it home safely.

Deep Freeze

It got to 15 below zero last night. We are stuck in the house, the big H isn't feeling well, lucky there are lots of football games on this weekend. We have to go to Ashland tomorrow. I need to do some shopping so I can finish my cooking.

The tree is up, the presents are bought and wrapped. I am getting excited about seeing everyone. We will be kind of close, but that should be fun.

March of The Penguins

This is why we go south for the winter. It takes so long getting ready and then you feel like you have 10#s on. Give me shorts and tennis shoes and walking in the sun.

Happy Thanksgiving

My Thankful list today is long. I have three wonderful daughters, who have great husbands, and they gave me 6 perfect grandchildren. I have a terrific husband, who takes care of me and takes me to a warm climate for the winter. I have wonderful friends and a great place to live in our retirement. Our health is good and we are still active, golfing time is coming up again. I have all my brothers and sisters, and wonderful memories of my parents. I don't know what the next year holds, but today I am blessed and I will enjoy my good fortune.

Today's Activities

We are home schooling Kyle. He watches the "Animal Planet" for his Science Class and then watches "The Office" for career training. Tomorrow they are going back looking for the Big Buck.

Kyle's First Deer

Grandpa said it was a perfect shot through the heart. He was really surprised. Kyle is still shaking.

Change of Pace Week

Everything is changed this week, quilting is done for the season, no cards. I'm home all week taking care of the big white hunters. They are going out for a later start today. There is snow in the forecast, they are hoping for that. No deer have been sited yet.
I have been doing some Christmas projects and making some Christmas cookies.

First Day for the Big Hunt

I got up and got the hunters off. It's 18 degrees now, but is supposed to warm up, so I hope they are warm enough. I have alot of baking and projects that I want to do this week.

Happy Birthday Andy

Happy 10th Birthday Andy
Love Grandma Peggy & Grandpa Howard

Anyone Look Familiar

Jingle Bell Walk

A cold day for the Jingle Bell Walk, but we did it.

Family Tree

For all of you who enjoyed Emily Baldwin's picture, this is her husband Ebenezer. How come that name wasn't passed down.

A New Day in America

Time for a Change

Sew N Sews

We've made 130 quilts this year for the homeless and abuse centers. This is a terrific projects. Materials are donated, we purchase the batting by making a quilt to raffle off. I will be taking 20 quilts to Milwaukee this week for the shelter there.

Old pictures

Doris gave me a cd with some old family pictures. This is Emily Baldwin, wife of Ebenezer, mother of Eunice Balwin, wife of Walter Frost Sr. parents of Walter Frost, my grandfather. I think that makes her my great, great grandmother.

Vote

Past Halloweens

This is how we did costumes before they were bought in Walmart.

Turkey Feather Trail

We walked the new hiking X-country ski trail in Ojibwa today, it is just beautiful. It was built with prison labor. This is the site of my 3rd geocache "The Walk of the Ojibwa by the Chippewa".

Worst Jobs

My worst job would be "Noon Goon" at Grant School. I knew all along that I was at the bottom of the totem pole when they had staff appreciation day and we weren't included. That really killed Lynn P., what an idiot. Every bad job just teaches you what you don't want to do, and how you don't want to treat others.
The Big H says working on dam gates under the river or working in the boiler house were his worst jobs.
Jen I took off the Rhinstones and replaced them with another row of beads. When I told the other women, they didn't understand what the problem was. I'll give you the results of the auction, which will be Dec. 1.

Bras for Cancer

This is my contribution to the "Bras for Cancer" project. The bras are displayed in local businesses. They will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go for breast cancer in our local area. I hand sewed all the beads on.

Sanderson Sisters Candy Dish

Time to put out the Sanderson Sisters Candy dish. Thanks Bill.

Sunday Visitors

Stan and Anola, Jerry and Sue drove up to visit us today. They ended up in Mellon, 50 miles north of here, Mapquest directions were confusing. When they finally got here we had a nice visit and I fixed a roast beef dinner and apple pie. Brewers and Packers were on, but both lost so the visiting was better. It's raining now and getting dark, so I guess I won't be going for a walk.
I watched "Dan in Real Life" the other night and got the idea of an entertainment night. Be warned for our Christmas party. A favorite song, musical instrument, song, story, dance whatever. No one is exempt.

Stone Lake Cranberry fest

Eight of us went to the Stone Lake Cranberry Festival. There was a huge crowd, the weather was beautiful. We went to breakfast first, so it would warm up. There was a lot on new things, I did buy a couple of things for Christmas.
We've had several freezing nights, so the gardens are done for this year. It is supposed to be warmer this week. We have a golfing gift certificate I would like to use up.

Show and Tell

This is my project for Show and Tell at my Quilting Group. You never get too old for show and tell. I was going to make them for gifts, but WAY too much work.

That Pinging Sound

Pinging may not be a good sound in a car, but it sure is a good sign in canning. This is the last of the tomatoes. It was a good crop this year. We'll still have a few fresh ones, but I'm done canning.

Oh the smell of fresh paint

I have the Big H painting, the lower bedroom looks great. The whole main floor needs fresh paint, but there is no starting and stopping point. HE CAN DO IT! I'm staying out of his way and just doing clean up.

Football, Football & More Football

Fall Colors

The trees are really starting to turn here now. It should be a pretty trip south tomorrow. We went to Barber Lake golfing today. It was such a beautiful day. Troy will appreciate this - we picked up lots of balls in the woods.

Tomorrow we are getting the cap for the truck and meeting Howard's family for lunch, going to Cole and Kyle's football games and to Clayton's on Saturday. I should be a great weekend.

Cookie Cutter Lady

We had the Cookie Cutter Lady at Red Hats today. She makes original tin cookie cutters. Unbelievably elaborate cutout cookies. She uses a "slipat" for cutting, freezing and baking her cookies. I have to get one, they are wonderful. I guess I'll put one on my Christmas list. They sell their cutters at Williamsburg.

Just practicing

Rain Rain Go Away

I know it was dry, but an all day downpour is too much. I nursing a head cold (biking on Madeline Island), so I'm staying inside sewing on the dress. It is ready to be tried on, I hope she likes it. I was happy to have an inside project. The big H is working on a cabinet to put the upstairs tv higher.
Enough "lipstick on a pig". Could anything be more stupid, how about healthcare, the unemployment rate, the huge deficit, and no money for infrastructure, are we looking for a diversion?
Looks like a Chili supper.

Hail Mary

Notre Dame is playing today, so I'm hearing some colorful language at the TV. I went for a walk and got rained on. I cut out THE DRESS, I at least got a start, I hate sewing with satin.
I watched both conventions, I can't say I was unbiased. I even read the Newsweek article so I would be informed. I need to deal with the Big H, he is getting way too involved and feels he has to voice his opinions to everyone. It's unbelievable, but there are actually people that believe in the other choice.
I've got tomatoes overtaking my kitchen. I'm sure we will have a freeze soon and then they will all be gone. I sure hate to see summer come to an end.

A Trip to Madeline Island and Bayfield

We spent Wednesday and Thursday in Bayfield. We went geocaching on Madeline Island and in Bayfield and Ashland. We made 100!!! We stayed in a hotel with a whirlpool, but after biking all day and walking UPHILL to the cemetary cache I really needed it. We had a beautiful sunny day yesterday and really enjoyed ourselves. Saw several caches with the Rysewyk name on them. The Indian Cemetary one stumped us, but was a great stop, the last 5 cachers didn't find it.

Congratulations Troy! We like to see you all employed.

Race to 100

I didn't know there was a race, but I was supposed to have won it this week. I wasn't watching your numbers. Now that you have made it public, you know your sister and her children will try to beat me. No competitve spirit in this family.
A beautiful Labor Day weekend.

A Salute to the Olympics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO_BnsrWMnI>>

I'm so P.O.'d

I got a letter in the mail with a check for my trip. I had just called them a week ago and they told me my papers would be coming. She had my money for 5 months, there was no credit or phone call, poor customer service. I will cross them off my list. We now are free for the month. I just think of all the things I bought to go on the trip. I personally think with the gas prices and the exchange rate, they weren't making any money. When I signed up I asked her if this trip will go and she said, yes, it was going.
We're anxious to see how Big Bubba does tonight. I thought Hillary was o.k., she didn't really fire anyone up.
The Big H handled my depression by taking me to Hayward to look for a truck topper, but I did lunch and a few geocaching.

Convention Junkie

I also watched the convention last night, much to my surprise. I'm hoping for more entertainment tonight. Hillary better not screw it up, tomorrow night with Bill should be interesting. They seem to hold grudges. You lost, move on. I thought Michelle was inpressive.

St Peter's 100th Anniversary

Mass and picnic in the park.

Goodbye Big Red

The Big H sold his truck tonight, so now he will be staying home. It means hours & hours in car dealers. Anyone know of a deal with good gas mileage.

Silver Medal

In honor of the silver medal for the women's gymnastic team, I'm posting this picture of Jen at age 6 and Bela Karoli. I love listening to Bela commenting, he gets so involved and excited. Those Chinese girls sure don't look 16.

Blueberry Pie

It looks like we got enough for a pie. It was slow picking, only a few berries. I wanted to get enough to make a pie for the big "H's" birthday on Wednesday. There was a big, fresh bear dump where we were picking, but we didn't see him.

Another One Bites The Dust

What is it with these politicians, don't they ever think they will get caught. It's always more fun when the other side gets caught, but at least our side gets caught with women.
Just finished watching Anne of Green Gables. I will now be prepared to visit the museum on Prince Edwards Island. I figured the movie would be easier than reading the book.
Opening night of the Olympics, it should be spetacular.

It Must Be August