Spent all last week getting ready for our big garage sale on Friday and Saturday - where did all the stuff come from over the years? By the time we had everything pulled out from the basement, shed, boat house and garage it was was a scary pile - how in the world would we ever get rid of it all!
Friday morning we woke up to clear skies and sunshine, the temp got to close to 70 and we had a perfect day for the sale. Our good friends Don and Jess came over to help (they love garage sales anyway!!) and we don't know what we would have done without them because a sale it was! We had a great crowd and sold ton's of stuff - Friday night we wondered after a day like that, how would Saturday go? Saturday went very well too - just didn't sell the furniture that we wished would go but got rid of the shop and garage items and a lot of the small stuff that has spent the majority of it's life in boxes, closets or cupboards. We do have some left but can add it Ashely and Justin's sale next Saturday in Willmar. We've had sales there with them the last two years and things sell very well there too.
Anyway the worst is over.
Have a little over two weeks to get what we are keeping to storage and then we can kick back for a while.
Our weather seems to have come around a bit - Friday was perfect, a light shower Saturday morning early and around 70 for most of the day.
All the kids are coming over today for Mother's Day - they are bring salads and desert, we cooked a turkey that needed ojt get out of the freezer and will make hot turkey sandwiches.
Happy Mothers Day all you moms.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
We will be homeless in MN - well kinda!! RV here we come!
Well it's for real - house is sold with closing 5/27! So we've been busy - finding a place to park for the summer (or until retirement is official), finish sorting thru all the remaining stuff - deciding what's being sold, what else goes to TX and what we put in storage until a final decision about it is made.
This all pretty much happened while we were in LasVegas from the 15th to the 22nd - Bob had work meetings there. Many phone calls, emails and a few faxes later and the deal was done! Had a some fun while working there even won a few dollars to cover what we spent. Kelly and Blake got there the Wednesday before so we had a couple days to party with them before the flew home on the 17th. Will post some pictures later.
We had the whole family home for Easter - celebrated Saturday afternoon and evening so some of the bunch could go to the in-laws on Sunday. Kids helped in digging thru the "stuff" and even got blessed with some of it. Got the boat ready to sell - delivering that to St Cloud tonight. Need to get the skid loader sold and that will take care of the big stuff. Got a couple of garage sales set up for the next couple weekends and also have talked to an auctioneer about putting what's left over on a community auction later on.
This has happened pretty fast and we had a couple of nights of limited sleep as we processed everything but we are starting to feel pretty comfortable about the whole thing. Once the retirement decision is firmed up we will be ready to hit the road.
We will be staying at an RV park just a couple miles from the house for the summer. Not the greatest place but price was right and very convenient - winery just accross the road!!
Till next time.
This all pretty much happened while we were in LasVegas from the 15th to the 22nd - Bob had work meetings there. Many phone calls, emails and a few faxes later and the deal was done! Had a some fun while working there even won a few dollars to cover what we spent. Kelly and Blake got there the Wednesday before so we had a couple days to party with them before the flew home on the 17th. Will post some pictures later.
We had the whole family home for Easter - celebrated Saturday afternoon and evening so some of the bunch could go to the in-laws on Sunday. Kids helped in digging thru the "stuff" and even got blessed with some of it. Got the boat ready to sell - delivering that to St Cloud tonight. Need to get the skid loader sold and that will take care of the big stuff. Got a couple of garage sales set up for the next couple weekends and also have talked to an auctioneer about putting what's left over on a community auction later on.
This has happened pretty fast and we had a couple of nights of limited sleep as we processed everything but we are starting to feel pretty comfortable about the whole thing. Once the retirement decision is firmed up we will be ready to hit the road.
We will be staying at an RV park just a couple miles from the house for the summer. Not the greatest place but price was right and very convenient - winery just accross the road!!
Till next time.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
We could be Homeless!!!
We got an offer on the house!!!!!!!!!!! A good offer taboot - no conditions, no contingencies, no appraisal - cash deal, no home inspection, closing 5/27!! This could be it! This is scary but I guess this is what we have planned for. So now what and we are leaving tomorrow for Las Vegas till next Thursday - a lot to do in a month - a whole bunch of stuff to get rid of.
Well I guess it'll all work out - need a prayer or two.
Well I guess it'll all work out - need a prayer or two.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A lotta catching up to do here!!!!!
Holy Cow!! Can't believe it's been a month since I've last posted - time flys!!!!!
We had a great time the last three weeks in TX - leaving there on the 21st. The weather was perfect and knowing how cold it still was and how much was still on the ground in Minnesota made leaving pretty tough. We got home on the 22nd just in time for a 10" snowstorm on the 23rd - everybody said "Welcome Home"!!!!! We almost headed right back to TX.
Now two weeks later it's finally warming up - 65 today but we still have some snow banks around the the lakes are still covered with ice. Big Thunderstorms forecasted for later today and tomorrow.
The first week at home we caught with the kids and grandkids, helped Kristin move to a new apartment, babysat the grandsons one night and our granddaughter another day and night.
Vicky had to do a resort conference in Bemidji on the 28th so she headed up that way for a couple days - had some peace and quiet.
Work at the bank has been very busy and we move forward merging the nine Iowa branches into the Minnesota charter and also shutting our data processing center in Iowa and converting them to center in MN. I'm sure I will be on this detail most of the year. Have several trips to Sioux City, Holstien and Aurelia on the calendar over the next few months.
We got the 5er opened up - spend one afternoon in it pretending to be camping and watched a movie. Noticed that slide was not closing completely so took it over to the dealer. They thought it would be a quick fix by just retiming the slide but after working on it for about an hour they notice that the weld on one of the brackets had come loose - so left it there and will pick it up later. Should'nt be an issue as we had only used it 2 nights last fall after we brought it home.
We are going to Las Vegas for a week - have a bank technology conference to attend. Maybe "if" we play the machines we might have some luck!!
Nothing new on the house front - had a couple of good showings a few weeks ago. Realtor tells us that March is always slow - people like to wait now to look at properties when the snow is gone. We'll see!
Found out we will be grandparents again in the fall - this will make four grandkids!
Well best get this closed and posted, need to get vehicles cleaned up after the messy roads last week. Will be going to St Cloud for Grant's birthday party tomorrow - will have some pictures then.
Take Care.
We had a great time the last three weeks in TX - leaving there on the 21st. The weather was perfect and knowing how cold it still was and how much was still on the ground in Minnesota made leaving pretty tough. We got home on the 22nd just in time for a 10" snowstorm on the 23rd - everybody said "Welcome Home"!!!!! We almost headed right back to TX.
Now two weeks later it's finally warming up - 65 today but we still have some snow banks around the the lakes are still covered with ice. Big Thunderstorms forecasted for later today and tomorrow.
The first week at home we caught with the kids and grandkids, helped Kristin move to a new apartment, babysat the grandsons one night and our granddaughter another day and night.
Vicky had to do a resort conference in Bemidji on the 28th so she headed up that way for a couple days - had some peace and quiet.
Work at the bank has been very busy and we move forward merging the nine Iowa branches into the Minnesota charter and also shutting our data processing center in Iowa and converting them to center in MN. I'm sure I will be on this detail most of the year. Have several trips to Sioux City, Holstien and Aurelia on the calendar over the next few months.
We got the 5er opened up - spend one afternoon in it pretending to be camping and watched a movie. Noticed that slide was not closing completely so took it over to the dealer. They thought it would be a quick fix by just retiming the slide but after working on it for about an hour they notice that the weld on one of the brackets had come loose - so left it there and will pick it up later. Should'nt be an issue as we had only used it 2 nights last fall after we brought it home.
We are going to Las Vegas for a week - have a bank technology conference to attend. Maybe "if" we play the machines we might have some luck!!
Nothing new on the house front - had a couple of good showings a few weeks ago. Realtor tells us that March is always slow - people like to wait now to look at properties when the snow is gone. We'll see!
Found out we will be grandparents again in the fall - this will make four grandkids!
Well best get this closed and posted, need to get vehicles cleaned up after the messy roads last week. Will be going to St Cloud for Grant's birthday party tomorrow - will have some pictures then.
Take Care.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Another Warm and Sunny Day
Just can't say enough about the weather these last couple weeks - other than just perfect. Clear skys, light breeze and 85 - 90!
had lunch today with some old neighbors from St Cloud - Chuck and Jan Stock. Jan fixed a good lunch and we had a great time catching up on St Cloud people and progress. We only see each other a couple times a year and it's just a buzzin couple of hours.
Our youngest daughter Kelly, her husband Blake and Blake's mom are flying in tomorrow so will be five busy days of Mexico, shopping, pool and watering holes. I'm sure you will see and hear more about this later. They will be here till next Wednesday and then I will fly to Mpls with them to attend a board meeting then fly back on Friday. My sister and BIL Reid will be on the same plane coming down for a visit. So, yes Pidge, we do keep busy!!
Won't be long and we'll be heading back to MN - probably around the 21st as Vicky has to do a conference in Walker, MN on the 28th. I'm sure we'll get in on a little snow and winter before things warm up there.
Have breakfast (omelets in a bag) at Jean and Myron's tomorrow morning and then will head to the airport. S'pose to be 90+ here tomorrow so better let the kids know they may to have a pair of shorts handy to put on once they land!
Will be a lazy afternoon and evening.
Take Care.
had lunch today with some old neighbors from St Cloud - Chuck and Jan Stock. Jan fixed a good lunch and we had a great time catching up on St Cloud people and progress. We only see each other a couple times a year and it's just a buzzin couple of hours.
Our youngest daughter Kelly, her husband Blake and Blake's mom are flying in tomorrow so will be five busy days of Mexico, shopping, pool and watering holes. I'm sure you will see and hear more about this later. They will be here till next Wednesday and then I will fly to Mpls with them to attend a board meeting then fly back on Friday. My sister and BIL Reid will be on the same plane coming down for a visit. So, yes Pidge, we do keep busy!!
Won't be long and we'll be heading back to MN - probably around the 21st as Vicky has to do a conference in Walker, MN on the 28th. I'm sure we'll get in on a little snow and winter before things warm up there.
Have breakfast (omelets in a bag) at Jean and Myron's tomorrow morning and then will head to the airport. S'pose to be 90+ here tomorrow so better let the kids know they may to have a pair of shorts handy to put on once they land!
Will be a lazy afternoon and evening.
Take Care.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Time flys by and very warm weather in TX.
Been busy - normal!! - the last few weeks. Work of course takes the better part of of 4-5 days. We did get the wood floors finished in the LR, DR, kitchen and hall. A big change from the blue carpeting but really looks nice. Did need to get a few rugs for by the doors to catch the dust from the shoes and also a large rug for the center of the living room. Pete, Rod and I spent a few hours on our knees, which never hurts I guess, and a few ibubrofen for the hurting muscles - we gotr dun!!
BIL and SIL from Chicago were here last week - picked them up at 10:30pm in Harlingen and then they flew out at 5:30am - Harlingen airport is about 45 miles away so you know we had a couple short nights. Did a lot of fun things in the four days they were here too so needed a couple days this last week to rest up so didn't do much in the evenings. Did celebrate Joni G's 70th b-day on Thursday afternoon. Was a big surprise for her. Their son Mark was here from ElPaso - hadn't seen him in probably 10 years.
Last Friday we had nothing on the calendar and had talked about the Brownsville Zoo for the past 8 years we've been in the valley, so off we went. Was just as remembered it which had to be close to 15 years ago when we were there last with Vicky's folks. Even the one armed female orangutan was still there - and still having babies!! We didn't have any chicklets to give her this time tho!!
We stopped and a new burger place called Big Daddies Burgers - had fahittas and chimichaunga - enough food for the whole day and very inexpensive. Stopped for happy hour at some friends in Harlingen and then finished the evening playing buck and a quarter (also called 10 penny and 5 crowns)at Lloyd and Gails - didn't get home till 11:30 - a long fun day.
Yesterday met Larry and Rosie and Herb and Carol at Riverside for lunch, they stopped by the house to check out the floor for a bit.
Today was church, breakfast at the bakery with George and Shirley and a quick visit to Home Depot to pick up some eye hooks to hang our swing we bought 3 years ago in MX. Also got the some of the sidwalks pressure washed, the car washed then Myron and Elain stopped over. We had been by their house last week to drop off some grapefruit but they weren't home.
Tonight we were invited to Bill and Mavi's for ham supper and help them with a couple projects - a good meal and several good laughs.
Will be a busy week with work and then our daughter Kelly, husband Blake and Blakes mom Darlene fly into Harlingen Friday afternoon. So will be a busy weekend - should be fun.
Monday, February 7, 2011
It's Been A While Again
Just like the rest of the country, our weather in south TX has been unusually cold. We had 3 nights last week with temps in the mid to upper 20's, one night of freezing rain and one day the temp never got above freezing. The plants were covered and but fruit trees faired well the freezing rain seemed to have protected them. We did pick five pails of grapefruit just in
case so guess we'll have to freeze them or make a few more batches of grapefruit orange and vodka slush - I'm sure we'll have some warm days when it will taste pretty good! We just hunkered down - made some chile and finished up a couple jobs around the house.
Finally got the microwave installed above the stove - had this on hand for over a year. My initial measurements told me I had to remodel the cabinet above because the microwave was going to be too close to the stove top. Well, this years measurements didn't tell me that! Must be that the new stove is lower than the old - after all it has a smooth top.
Also put up some new lights above the table and in the hall - actually brought these from MN - had taken them out of the house there when we did some remodeling this fall. They fit in quite well down here.
Made a leasurely trip to MX on Saturday - went for a drive to check on some friends in Donna, they weren't home so since we were close to the border we headed down for a little shopping and lunch. Was pretty quiet except for the bunch from MN in Arriba's - they were well on there way to a fun birthday party by 12:30. Picked up a couple meds and a couple movies for $4, couple bottles of refreshments and headed home.
Been doing our regular dancing on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Sundays have been nice and sunny so we have been going out to Crazy Joe's by the river to listen and dance to Jealous Heart. The beer is usually nice and cold too!
The kids back home have been keeping the skid loader running and warmed up moving snow. They also removed the snow from the roof of the house - guess there was quite a pile up there - so sounds like they are having fun too!
Have a baked potatoes supper at 4:00, 50th wedding anniversary party at 5:00 at the Palms II and a the Harlingen bunch coming over for Prime Rib tomorrow afternoon so the fun continues.
Life is Good!
case so guess we'll have to freeze them or make a few more batches of grapefruit orange and vodka slush - I'm sure we'll have some warm days when it will taste pretty good! We just hunkered down - made some chile and finished up a couple jobs around the house.
Finally got the microwave installed above the stove - had this on hand for over a year. My initial measurements told me I had to remodel the cabinet above because the microwave was going to be too close to the stove top. Well, this years measurements didn't tell me that! Must be that the new stove is lower than the old - after all it has a smooth top.
Also put up some new lights above the table and in the hall - actually brought these from MN - had taken them out of the house there when we did some remodeling this fall. They fit in quite well down here.
Made a leasurely trip to MX on Saturday - went for a drive to check on some friends in Donna, they weren't home so since we were close to the border we headed down for a little shopping and lunch. Was pretty quiet except for the bunch from MN in Arriba's - they were well on there way to a fun birthday party by 12:30. Picked up a couple meds and a couple movies for $4, couple bottles of refreshments and headed home.
Been doing our regular dancing on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Sundays have been nice and sunny so we have been going out to Crazy Joe's by the river to listen and dance to Jealous Heart. The beer is usually nice and cold too!
The kids back home have been keeping the skid loader running and warmed up moving snow. They also removed the snow from the roof of the house - guess there was quite a pile up there - so sounds like they are having fun too!
Have a baked potatoes supper at 4:00, 50th wedding anniversary party at 5:00 at the Palms II and a the Harlingen bunch coming over for Prime Rib tomorrow afternoon so the fun continues.
Life is Good!
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