What????

I am having trouble with my blog so I will do things this way.  I posted some pictures but could not get the writing to work, don't know why.
So I celebrated another birthday on Monday.  It was a fun day.  Played tennis, spent time with Terry and then she took me out for a nice dinner.  Terry kind of likes "birthday months" so I enjoyed a birthday month this year.  I got all kinds of little surprises during January which was fun.  On my birthday Terry gave me a pen.  I love pens and this one has a level in it, a ruler on it and a screwdriver---oh it also writes!  I received several birthday calls which was fun.  Even got to take on the I-Pad with Elspeth.  We had never done that and it was fun. 
We finished putting the floor in the garage attic.  It took 7 sheets of 4X8 plywood, a couple of clamps and an inexpensive jig saw--so for an investment of under $200 (Dave, plywood costs a bit more than $2 a sheet now!) we have a nice floor which makes it easy to store things out of the way.  We still have to go through things and order things but it was so nice to get that finished. 
I am again taking up reading this winter and enjoying it a lot.  I am currently reading about a crew of 16 who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean.  Sounds like something I would not like to do.
This may sound crazy but Terry and I signed up for a conceal and carry gun class.  We want to be able to have something with us in the camper if we happen to be in a remote area.  We will do that in February.
I would like to say one more thing about my birthday.  I never have made a big deal of MY birthdays but as time marches on they become more important.  Not in the day itself but in the fact that I am one year older.  I took time before and after my birthday to think about how in God's wisdom he grants good health and long life to some and not to others.  It is, of course, a mystery but something that is impossible to understand. Often it seems to not be connected to a good life, a healthy life, a godly life or anything one can put their finger on.  It just is. For whatever God's reasons are I am thankful for my life and I hope that it continues to for a long time.  

It is what it is--another birthday

More Janurary pictures

really Liam

Aaron, you got to be kidding

Leo is a happy guy

and around we go

pictures again



Ruby Lee




Faustina Adkins




Audrey Lee




Faustina

One week left of January 2014.  I ventured out to play tennis yesterday as the temp told me it was 37!  That is chilly for here.  I will play tennis again this morning but the temp is at 48 this morning. 
It will be work this afternoon.  Terry and I put about 90 square feet of 1/2 inch plywood floor in the garage attic Wednesday and plan to add more today.  It is so nice to be able to store things on a floor rather than make sure things are sitting on the 2X4s so they do not come crashing down through the ceiling.  We purchased 4 sheets of plywood and may need 1 or 2 more depending on how far we go in the attic.  I am not used to crawling, pushing, pulling, lifting, pounding etc so yesterday I was sore ALL over.  Still it is so nice to get some projects finished.  We also have some yard work to do. 
I am bummed out with the cool weather because we have not had a chance to try my new inflatable kayak yet.  We finally purchased our life vests so as soon as the temps get into the high 70s or low 80s we need to get out on the water. 
We came home yesterday with 7 books so we should be busy inside for a while too. 
I got a note from Jerry Wind this morning.  His wife Susan's father died yesterday.  They were planning a party for him in March for his 100 birthday.  I think even this winter he was playing golf once or twice a week.  He spent winters in Lakeland FL.  A long life and I think a life well spent. 
No, I forgot to put on the water for my FP so need to do that.

more pictures




Not an old picture but an all time favorite--in Lassen Volcanic NP

 Here we are at January 21 and it seems like yesterday that Terry and I had a glass of wine-cheers to the new year and then it was bedtime 10:00 PM!!  But we are now on the down side of January 2014, in the middle of winter, getting excited about tax time, getting some projects done and there is more too.
I went to the store this morning and on the way out I just had to buy two bananas for breakfast.  Why? well years ago, about 55 years I think I said to myself, "I really like bananas but we can not afford them so when I get to be an adult I am going to buy one everyday!"  I have not purchased one everyday, in fact there may be weeks that go by without one but it seemed right this morning.
We got some work done last week.  Yard work was done, some order in the garage was finished and some decisions were made about more work.  This week we hope to get floor boards in the attic of the garage so it is easier to get things in and out and also need to get some finish on the chairs by the pool.  We just have to work those things in between tennis!
We purchased new tires yesterday.  We priced them out at Goodyear, a tire center and at Costco.  The "out the door cost" varied by over $400.  Which is the best deal I wonder?
A new approach this morning.  I waited with my FP until now so I can sign off and THEN enjoy that wonderful FP down to the last drop.

More pictures



Leo in his new crib in September of 07



 

Christmas boxes for Faustina, Audrey, Jude, Ruby, Benedict, Agatha and Elspeth




Chinese checkers sets to the married kids and Terry




Ironman trophy for Terry's daughter Kim

  We made things official yesterday--no more landlines for us which means Terry's long time number of 239-593-0960 and my long long number of 651-699-4861 are no longer.  Actually we had not used them for some time now but with contracts etc now days we had to wait until January 12 to make it official.  We are now down to 2 numbers which of course makes a lot of sense. 
Had an interesting day yesterday.  Went to church only to find the building closed which was the same thing we found when we went to a business meeting Friday.  I almost expected our house to be closed when we returned home but no it was open!!  Stopped in to see a car that is going to be auctioned off at the "off the chart" Naples Wine event in February.  This is a bright yellow Lamborghini that happens to be #45 of a 100 made.  Just in case anyone has thought of bidding on it the sticker price is $630,000.  I would think that the auction price might be over a million! It sure would open eyes if we could pull our camper with it!  Also walked through Saks 5th ave store on the way to see the car.  The first, and only, dress shirt I looked at as we walked was marked at a bargain of $650.00.  I decided I did not need a new shirt!  I thought for a nano-second and decided I did not need a new care either.  It was a fun day seeing what the rich and famous have to worry about.
Played tennis today and I was on my game.  I was surprised because on Saturday I stunk up the court so badly I thought they may have to bring in new clay!  Of course it is always fun.  Have matches scheduled for the next three days so hope the weather is good. 
It is 12:47 PM and of course my FP was done and over hours ago.  Terry and I will be out and about for a while today as she has a PT session at 2:00.  While she is there I will do a couple of errands that need doing.

From August of 2007



Leo at 4 months



Mostly our tree, mostly damage to Mark and Judi's house!

No more FP this morning, no more thoughts this morning and I promise I will not mention that the temp in Naples today should be 80+.

It is old picture month



Liam pleading with Audrey not to cry now!




Faustina at 7 months




Agatha at 7 months

Only pictures today.

Sucess at last




Is that a lefty Leo?




Watch those toes Henry!



It seems like it should have been so easy yet after trying and trying and trying I finally was able to take pictures off the old computer and put them on the one we use.  For the month of January I will be putting some old pictures on the blog.  Here it looks like Henry may be a budding woodworker!
We are experiencing our second chilly morning.  My smart phone showed 48 this morning.  I am not complaining as in the total picture of weather we have seen around the country that is mild mild but for Naples it is a tad below normal.  At 9:00 when I get on the tennis court I am hoping it will be a bit warmer.
Terry and I are excited.  For the last few years our living room coffee table has been a wicker table meant for a patio.  That means if you want to set any kind of drink on it you had better us the glass or wooden try we have on the top.  If you don't it is almost guaranteed to tip.  Finally we ordered a table.  We could get it in 2-4 weeks.  Not a fancy one but a table made by a wood worker (not me) so it will be sturdy and functional.  When we ordered he said about six weeks but in a phone conversation yesterday he said he had started to cut the wood and it may be here in 2-4 weeks.  In the mean time we will try to set the glass on the wooden board!
FP is gone

Pictures of the family gathering in South Bend




Leo, what is it?




Leo, Ruby and Audrey ready for the rink!




Liam, big cousin showing how it is done




John, a long way from his Jack and Jill ice show in Devils Lake




Ruby in thought




not sure what Audrey is but she looks cute




nothing like a water slide in the winter




Elspeth looking her best




Enjoying a fun meal after the museum and water place

Of course pictures are worth a 1000+ words so no need to say more.  

Happy New Year



Elspeth Zoe Lee at 5 months

We are already at January 4th. 
Naples is getting a bit of the nation's cold weather.  I know that brother Dave, my kids and others would beg to differ on my opinion of chilly weather but life in Naples is different than other places and it was chilly today.  We had a light rain most of the day with a high of 63!  Chilly enough to wear long sleeves!
As I write Terry is making turkey soup in the kitchen.  Before Thanksgiving we purchased 4 turkeys at the discount price and we made the second one yesterday.  Soup would have been good today! 
I have yet to begin my editing of my writing which I want to finish this winter.  We have made a couple of trips to the library so have been enjoying reading.  Life kind of goes in cycles and the last week or so has been a reading cycle. 
I have many more pictures of Christmas with the Lees and will post them at a later date. 
We hope that all is well in the north as the weather sounds COLD COLD.  I think John said South Bend has been in the minus temps less than a half dozen times since they moved and I see on the weather it is supposed to be minus 3 nights the next week.  I think of Travis when I see a forecast of a high of -12 on Monday. 
Enough for now.