The New Water Cooler
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It sounds like a good trip overall. Sorry Charlie is struggling. Hopefully returning in February is better for you all. Will it be hard to haul your camper that far?
I worked on graduation stuff yesterday. Caleb took off for robotics and Zach made a sketchy trip home for his interview. He is doing it now and then we’ll have lunch and he has to head back for a required event for one of his classes. He seems in really good spirits so that makes me happy. He’ll be done with his junior year in three weeks. !!!! Craziness.
I’m not sure how Saturday will work for us and Caleb trying to do both his robotics finals and get to the big acapella event but hopefully we figure it out
I still have to finish my taxes. 😞
Friday!0 -
Been trying to watch the robotics event on the livestream but it is terrible. It goes about 20 seconds and then you have to refresh. Frustrating. But Caleb’s team is doing ok. 16 out of 50 so far.
Caleb got his first outside scholarship today! The American legion Maynard Jensen scholarship has been awarded to Caleb! I’m so happy for him0 -
Your household sounds busy. Yay for C and his scholarship! How did Z feel his interview went? He worked there last summer under different management didn't he? Good luck with robotics and singing events.
Charlie has settled in. He is not afraid of Miles anymore and tolerates him near by. We have taken him to the beach twice and he enjoyed it the second time as much as is possible for him. Today we hiked about 1.5 miles on a nature trail in a state park (I'm still working on leg strength). Then we went to a beach and walked for a bit and sat on some big rocks to watch the waves and catch some rays. I love the sound of the waves breaking so I could have sat there all day but didn't. We went to a restaurant that had a patio and they allowed Charlie to sit with us under the table. Tonight, Karah put Miles to bed and we told them to go out and get drinks and dinner together and we would stay with Miles. Tomorrow is our last day. We are going to the Farmer's Market again and hope to get in to the Alligator Farm. That place is crazy busy!
We've had weather ranging from sunny to severe storms, temps from 60's to 80's and some windy days. Over all it has been pleasant and nice to be away from winter for a bit. When we get home the snow should be gone and I'm hoping to start riding my bike.
Happy Weekend!0 -
I bet beach walking is fantastic therapy for you. How much longer do you get to stay?
Loooong day. Robotics was up and down. The first two days Caleb’s team was scoring quite well even though they had poor match ups. Ended up 11th out of52. Felt happy with their final alliance (the finals the teams pick their final team). But just had two bad runs. Caleb’s autonomous program glitches and the drivers didn’t get their tasks done. Ended up 8 out of 12. Didn’t even get back to their starting seed. Caleb is unhappy with himself. He thinks he should have coached better. Then we ran off for him to sing. It was great as usual, but he was just done. Poor guy so tired. He said he couldn’t sleep at all at the hotel. The other Columbus robotics team was also in his room and they are ……. Odd.
Hopefully he sleeps well and feels better tomorrow0 -
We are home! Charlie is very confused for some reason. What a home body!
That is too bad about robotics but learning how to deal with less than desired results is part of life. C sure is busy so I can imagine he is very tired.
We are beat too. Long two day drive. Last nights hotel was better than the one on the way down. I acquired a cold in FL or it is allergies to all the things blooming down there. I'm going to give myself a COVID test just in case.
The snow is gone! If is is in the 50's tomorrow and not raining, I'm going to try out my bike.
Russ is cooking a frozen pizza for our dinner since we just got home. We stopped at the grocery and picked a few things up but don't have any energy to do anything.
We are having my sisters over for Easter dinner on Sunday.0 -
Another crazy weather windy day. Tonight we lost power and had a fire (probably power related) in a field right to the south of our home. That was some excitement nobody needed. It’s gonna be a long night worrying about it for sure.0
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Did lightening cause the fire? Such crazy weather around the country. We are expecting a severe storm but not sure of arrival time or if it will pan out. Our plow hills are reduced to about a foot high with the rain and warmer temps. Yesterday, I rode my new bike on the trail for an 11 mile round trip. It felt good on my knee but I need to get stronger for sure. Rain predicted for the next week so we'll see if I can squeeze in a ride again between drops.
I came home with this cough and congestion. COVID test was negative but I am wiped out. I made my Mom's home made throat/cough syrup with honey, butter, lemon and a splash of bourbon. I've been taking Nyquil at night which helps me sleep for awhile but dries out my sinuses. I just woke up from a nap and am drinking tea with honey. I hope my energy comes back for the weekend.
I'm finishing up laundry and will need to dust and vacuum for Sunday dinner with my sisters. Russ is making a pomagranate glazed ham, a corn dish from our summer corn we froze, another vegetable. My sisters are bringing party potatoes, salad, and pineapple upside down cupcakes.
What are your Easter plans?
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from what I heard it was a transformer that blew (we were also out of power during the fire). Yesterday when I saw the field in the daylight - it was a huge area that was blackened. Yikes. Really close to one of the houses - not ours, but still. That had to be terrifying.
Guess we are heading to Wayne again for Easter.
I hope you are feeling better. There are plenty of other nasty bugs and bacteria out there to make you feel terrible, not just COVID.
I love a glazed ham, but the powers that be say no. Food tends to have to be "like Grandma would have made it." And nothing against the food my grandma made, it was mostly delicious, but sometimes changing things is ok.
Got to watch Caleb's barbershop quartet practice perform their piece they will do for district music contest the other night. The choir teacher had the least amount of critique for them. He definitely has a soft spot for the traditional barbershop. The official contest isn't until next Friday and Saturday.
Another WINDY day. Bleh.0 -
Will C join a choir club or group in college? He seems to enjoy it so much and puts himself out there for competitions. He must get that from you and your influence.
The weather turned to windy, gray and cold here the day after I rode my bike. Just as well as my cold has me wiped out. I slept in the guest room last night so I wouldn't wake Russ with my coughing. I took Mucinex DM instead of Nyquil but it didn't suppress my cough as well as Nyquil.
It just started snowing, April 15th! Not unheard of but so disappointing. 22 degrees today with strong wind gusts...ugh!
I get it on the food that is acceptable. Even though Russ loves to cook different dishes and does an amazing job with holiday meals, he has his stubborness when it comes to certain dishes. Certain dishes must be included in the meal because that is tradition for his family.They must be like what he grew up with prepared by his great aunt, grandmother, mother and aunts. His brother, Bob the chef, was the same way. At one of his hotel restaurants where he was executive chef, he put Grandma Hazel's Pot Roast and his mother's spaghetti and meatballs on the menu. Both very good but interesting to say the least.
I am headed to the chiropractor to get the kinks out of my body from the long drive to and from FL. I may stop at my friend's store and visit with her if she is there but I will mask so I don't spread my cold.
That burning field sounded scary. Glad your neighborhood is ok.0 -
I would love for Caleb to keep singing in college. I also think it would be so good for him. His other classes will likely be difficult and stressful and singing is fun. We'll see. I am definitely encouraging him to do so.
I hope the chiro and another days rest is helping you feel better.
I think the menu is shaping up. I cornered Caleb a bit. He finally stated he really like grandma's calico beans and the strawberry pretzel salad. So we'll tentatively plan smoked turkey (a ham in reserve), slider buns and condiments, baked mac-n-cheese, fresh fruit, calico beans, strawberry pretzel salad, cupcakes. And deviled eggs by my mom if she is up to it. Sounds yummy! The calico beans I'll have to get my moms recipe. And I pawned off the strawberry pretzel salad on my sister because that salad hates me.
Caleb is feeling the year end burn out. He is really tired and stressed out. A lot of homework, projects, new music and etc. I hugged him and reminded him only a couple more weeks. Don't quit!
Have a wonderful weekend.0 -
Your party menu sounds yummy. I love all those foods. Strawberry pretzel salad is the best but I get it only when someone else makes it which happens once in a lifetime! Russ makes a wonderful Calico Beans. One of our favorites too. It sounds like the party is coming together so less stress for you.
Flurries still flying around here but not sticking to the ground. I'm still tired and coughing so I take afternoon naps to take the edge off. I cleaned the bathrooms today and will dust in the morning. Russ said he would vacuum and steam mop tomorrow morning for me. I didn't even have to ask so I am very grateful! My sisters will arrive around 2:30 and we will eat around 3:30 or 4pm. It will be relaxing and I haven't seem them in 2-3 weeks so we can catch up.
It will be a relief for C when he has handed everything in and is done with high school. College is busy and crazy but is the step to a good job and independence so is a different motivation. Singing at college may give him a peer group with common interests and help him plan his time since he will have a lot going on with classes too. Less free time you have, often the best time management occurs.
Well Happy Easter to you. I hope tomorrow is relaxing and tasty for you.0 -
Easter blessings to you and yours! I wish you were close enough to come here pretzel salad and a visit!
Are you feeling better? Did your sister ever feel recovered after her stone procedure?
Just waiting for Zach to get ready so we can head out for my folks.
Have a great day. Hugs0 -
We had a nice Easter. I hope you did too. My sister Becky wasn't feeling good but came anyway. As the dinner progressed she was falling asleep at the table. Eventually she went and laid on the couch with a blanket. She was coughing a lot! Rather than going home she proceeded to stay and rest on the couch. I gave her meds and sent some home with her. She is going to do a COVID test today, hopefully. If she is positive I will be very upset. I have a head ache right now but could be from two cups of caffeinated tea this morning. My cold is better but still coughing but not as much or as hard.
Snow is falling and sticking on the ground! It looks like December/January here. My bulbs are coming up so I hope this doesn't ruin them.
I wish we could visit too. Maybe we should do a face to face messenger call sometime? That would be fun.
Happy Monday!0 -
Oh no. Stupid Covid. I hope not, but I guess it’s the fourth wave. Easter was pretty good. Just a quick check in. Hopefully more later!0
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I took Charlie to the vet this morning for his extreme scratching. We wanted to know if he caught a parasite in FL or if the new plants and pollens down there just got to his allergies. She didn't find parasites but put him on a medication short term to see if it helps him. If the itching persists we will do allergy testing. He has had two doses and I think it is beginning to help. I'm suppose to call the vet by Friday and report to her if he is improving or not.
I'm hoping for warm temps Saturday so I can ride. A friend I've reconnected with on FB but haven't seen since high school wants to ride with me so we made a time to go. It will be fun to see her. She is single, has grown kids and is an all around very nice person.
I spent the afternoon reading and napping then made a one pot pasta for Russ and I. He appreciates it when I cook and I should offer more often but I don't enjoy it. Not an excuse I know. Who really does like putting a meal on the table most nights?
I ordered a deer and rabbit repellent spray to put on my plants. I just know the animals are going to eat my bulb blooms before I see them. I'm hoping this will help and keep them away.
I hope you are having a good week.0 -
Oy. My sister fell at the airport yesterday (was going to travel for work surprise) and she broke her tibia. Yikes. It is obviously not great she is staying home even today. She never misses, so she is obviously feeling horrible. This will be an added strain on her. She never slows down. And honestly being forced to slow down will be an added burden for her. People are like - oh well - it will force her to take care of herself. Mmmmmmm.... it will make her feel like a burden and will honestly probably make her feel worse being unable to do her normal. I wish it were as simple as it is forcing her to slow down. She is not built that way. She is also super upset because she is not feeling like she can use the crutches well (she has put on a good bit of weight in the last few years) and I worry that will cause her additional injury trying to do something she is not able to do. Sigh.
That's so amazing all the people you have connected and re-connected with.
Hope your pup feels better soon. How are you feeling?
Take care!0 -
Sorry to hear of your sister's fall. Is she in a cast? Is her husband helpful at home? It is difficult to have injuries that interfere with daily living, especially when you are the one that does it all and takes care of the details.
My cough seems to be returning today and I'm not sure why. It has been better for a few days and now I'm coughing frequently. I have to go to the bathroom a lot so I don't wet my pants. I hate that!
Charlie seems to be doing better, scratching less, since starting the new med yesterday morning. I'll call the vet tomorrow and report in. He still scratches occasionally but not as vigorously or as long.
I went to the gym this morning and rode the stationary bike for 20 minutes and did some upper body work and abdominals. I talked to two MN friends for over an hour each on the phone too. There went my day... I'm also doing my laundry.
Windy again today but hope to have warmer temps this weekend. It is suppose to cool down next week again, boo hoo!
Do you live close to your sister if she needs help? My sisters won't ask for help even if they need it unless the doctor orders them to do so for a health reason.0 -
My sisters husband is amazing. He will always takes wonderful care of her, so I’m not worried he’ll stop now. And I live very close to them. If she’ll allow me to do anything I am close by.
I hear you about the bathroom and coughing. I have had big problems with that myself.
More wind.
Friday eve.0 -
Getting my hair cut today. Afterwards, Russ and I are going to the National Park Visitor Center to get trail books so we can begin hiking as many trails as possible in the next year or so. We hope to hike a short trail this afternoon. It is going to be in the 50's so a good day to start. Rain is predicted at some point today or this evening. Hopefully we can hike before that happens.
That is good your sister lives close and you know her husband will care for as she needs it.
What is the date of the grad party? Do you have the details worked out?0 -
Our open house is 5/21 in our garage and graduation ceremony is 5/22. Many of the cards I have seen are also 5/21, some the week before and some during the week (the are very few venues so weekdays it is for some)
Details are coming together. Bernie needs to start smoking the turkeys, I am worried about getting them done, but he is being very unworried. I know that is his gear, but mine needs to see progress.
We actually had some rain last night.
District music today and tomorrow morning and then Prom.
Hopefully more grad progress.0 -
Our hike was vigorous, up and down large hills to get to Lake Michigan. I did not recollect how hilly it was. I made it to the overlook and back but it was slow and it did me in for the rest of the day. My cough is more frequent again so I did not ride my bike today and am taking it easy. I sprayed my plants outside that are coming up with rabbit repellent. My deer repellent isn't here yet.
Russ is putting the stands together to hold our metal troughs for the raised veggie garden. We may go to a movie on the local national park later at the theater (promo movie and history of the park). It's a free showing and then it will be released to the public, I think. If I'm still coughing quite a bit, we won't go.
It sounds like your party will be great. Bernie will get the turkeys done, but hope it isn't the day before.
We had a rain storm last night. This week is suppose to get colder and possible snow again. Such a strange spring.
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Caleb said they had a good time and they obviously looked adorable, er amazing.
. Long night waiting for them to make their way from dance to post prom to breakfast to finally home. We all had a quiet day yesterday.
What do you want to grow this year?
The wind has been so bad. I do not remember having weeks of red flag days. 60 mph day after day. Yuck. And dangerous. Nebraska doesn’t usually have a lot of field fires, but have had many in the last weeks. Scary.
Another week starting and Michele working at home. She must feel really bad.0 -
I hope your sister feels better soon. It must be hard for her.
I'm glad prom went well. It definitely takes the weekend with recovery and all.
It has been windy here too. Temps are getting colder again and rain and snow possible this week.
I plan to grow at least 3 kinds of tomatoes, various peppers, herbs and some chives if possible. Maybe some lettuces. We will go to a starter plant sale at a local organic farm in May and see what they have.
That is scary about the fires. The west usually burns all summer. That would be horrible if NE and surrounding states had fires. Are you getting much rain?
I listed my ebike on FB Marketplace today. Hopefully I get some interest at some point.0 -
I can’t ever recall having so many news stories about fires. I think it is more unusual here. We haven’t had much rain at all. Not nearly enough.0
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Well I hope your town stays safe and all of the midwest and west this summer. We have had a lot of precipitation for the past year. MN was a drought last summer and I don't know if they caught up, but at least they have had lots of snow and rain storms this spring.
I just turned on the CBS morning news. The author of the book Unmasked was being interviewed. He is the detective that solved some of the famous cold cases like the Golden Gate Killer, Laci Peterson, and Jamie Dugarr murders. My sisters and I will be seeing him at the National Writer's Series in Traverse City in May. This will be the second Writer's Series event I've been to. I enjoyed the last one quite a bit. In his book, he also talks about the impact on himself and other law enforcement when they work on these horrific, tragic cases over their careers. I think we hear him May 10th.
Russ is sick now too. My sister went to her doctor yesterday and got an inhaler to help her breathing and an antibiotic. It's obviously a virus so I'm not sure about the antibiotic tx but may be she suspected bronchitis or pneumonia coming on too. Becky is a smoker and coughs daily without being sick so she has had difficulty breathing with her cold. The doctor told her this cough lasts up to 3 weeks or so. I got mine in FL, Russ from me, and I don't know where Becky picked it up because we weren't around each other until Easter and she was already sick.
Snow headed our way! Have a great day!0 -
Oof. Sorry the others are sick. No fun. Just plugging through the week. Trying to figure out what I hope to accomplish this weekend.
Did I mention that the invite for honors night came out and it is only for the honorees and two guest. I’m so sad and mad. I had already invited the folks and it was something they were excited for. I can’t believe it. The school hasn’t restricted attendance on anything all year but this? Such malarkey. So disappointed.
Caleb is really feeling the siren call of not wanting to do school work. Of course it doesn’t help that teachers and counselors tell them this semester doesn’t matter. FFS. Not that I want him to stress himself out unnecessarily, but it does still matter and the school should encourage the students. And yes I know they do it. It’s not stories. Ready to kiss it buh-bye.
Hump day0 -
Both my sisters and the two of us are still sick. Ugh, this is lasting awhile. Stay healthy in NE.
You will be so relieved when graduation happens and you are done with the K-12 system. I get your disappointment about the two invites only. Remember when we could only have 3 invites for high school graduation for my boys if the seating was inside? Drove me crazy because it discriminated against kids who have parents are divorced and remarried. Obviously who ever made that rule was either single or had an intact family and was unaware of the impact. I hope your parents handle it ok. There is nothing you can do and you and Bernie should be there.
It is so hard to study and get everything done at the end of senior year. The school may play it down but colleges look at final transcripts and check to see if a student let everything go once they accepted their college placement. I'm sure C didn't so it won't be a problem for him. Spring fever doesn't help either although our spring is non existent here.
Today I went back to the bike store and bought my rack, gear bag and lock. I'm set.
TGIF!0 -
You are right. I can't wait to put CHS behind. I'm sure there will be plenty of grips about upper-academia, but for now all my ire is at CPS.
It's finally Friday and I am counting the minutes. It is a million degrees at work today and my brain is boiling. It was like this last Friday, and then I swear they turned on the air for one day on Monday and it was glorious. And then it's been inching back to Hades everyday. Not inching, diving. So hot. I hate hot.
I am freaking out about feeling more stiffness and pain in more areas. I have been struggling with the pain in my left shoulder for a number of months, hoping it is that frozen shoulder I read about and that it would resolve, but the last few days my right thumb and and right shoulder are starting to give me problems. For goodness sake! I guess I have to go in. But I know it will just be a medication offered and I often don't adjust well to meds. Meh.
Caleb got an email from work about whether he wanted to start working (his intern/summer work) on May 9 or May 16. (Forehead slap). He doesn't graduate until 5/22 and he discussed plainly in his interview that he was available 6/1 after they return from a final Acapella competition in Nashville. He replied on the email reminding them of what was discussed. We'll see if it's an 'issue.' Zach still hasn't heard and it's been two weeks since he had to come in. Also, meh. I can see the recession racing at us. Last summer our backlog on Behlen Country was over 60 million. Today we are at barely 4 million which is less than a week. Feast or famine. Feast or famine.0 -
Hope today saw improvement for your sisters and that you are happy with your new bike.
Oh, and got rain last night. Too much. Like 7 inches in a few hours. So now we're flooding. And Wayne (we're the folks farm) not a drop.
TGIF!0 -
The trees are finally budding and the grass is turning green. I think signs of spring are arriving. We have the garden troughs placed where we want them. Now we need to fill with compost, etc. and Russ will build a fence around them too keep out hungry wildlife. We will do mostly starter plants but may do seeding for lettuce if we decide to plant it.
I rode 8 miles yesterday to get some exercise. My cough did increase when I got home. I took a hot shower and took a nap in the afternoon. Today I hiked with Russ and Charlie around our property to use different muscles. This week I have something almost every day. Tuesday we vote to recall our county commissioner and get someone different in there. Wednesday I see orthopedic doctor to check my knee and discuss future replacement of the other one. I will be riding with my sister and her friend if the weather is good later that day. Chiropractor on thursday and pedicure on friday.
I made a peach and blueberry galette that we will eat after dinner. I made the crust yesterday and rolled it out today and added the fruit and baked it. It looks beautiful and yummy. This is the first one I made and I will make more. I'm thinking I should make some crusts to freeze and then pull out when I feel like making one or have good fruit. Especially during strawberry season in June.
I hope the jobs at Behlen work out for the boys. Why don't they keep AC on if it is already hot?
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