San Diego

Hey everyone. I got back from CA late Friday night. I spent Thursday night with some of my co-workers in San Diego and La Jolla taking in the sights. The trip was successful but I'm really glad to be home. See you soon.

Here's Mud in Your Eye

Behind every man stuck in a rut is a good woman to push him along. However, not being familiar with literally pushing a vehicle out of mud, Linda was quite surprised with the mud facial. What one won't do for a "turkey" or a turkey.

Providence

Hi everyone! I'm in Providence this week for Green Belt training. I flew in on Sunday and the weather was great. Today it's been cloudy, rainy and cold. I can see the capital out of my hotel window but I walked up there to take the pic. I was suppose to fly back on Saturday but I found out the training class ends Friday at noon. I managed to change my flight and will be coming home on Friday night instead. See you soon!

Spring??

Could it be that spring is finally on it's way? The cardinals usually eat at the sunflower feeder on the back fence. I caught this one up by house eating the safflower seeds. Yesterday, Inlaw4 saw a couple Robins and today we had half a dozen house finches. The junko's have been around all winter and they'll probably be taking off soon. They don't stay long once the weather starts to warm up. Last year a Rose Breasted Grossbeak stopped for a couple days so we'll keep a look out. Spring will get here eventually!

Welcome Back Jack!

Sorry Outlaw1.

That hurt!

Yes, it did hurt. I went to my Aunt's funeral and as I was leaving I fell up the stairs from the basement where the luncheon was held. I was sure it was broken but it was just severely dislocated. The doctor gave me a shot to numb the finger and then they put it back in. As soon as it was back in place it felt great. I could move it and everything but it's in a splint now. The nurse practitioner gave me a prescription for pain medication but I didn't need anything more than a couple Tylenol. I have another doctors appointment on Tuesday.

Too much snow indeed!!!

Of course we have had enough snow so far this season....but to lighten the mood I decided to drop in a few pictures from Olivia's 1st birthday party!! (a months later)

Hopefully ya'll enjoy!!!!

It's PARTY TIME!!!!!

I baked the cake, I made beef stew, we had all 4 great grandparents there, and my mom and dad, and Brett, Jack, and myself...and of course, the Birthday Girl, Olivia! It was an all around good evenin...except that it was the same day as all the tornadoes in the area...boo!!!

Hope to see you all soon!!

XOXOXOXOX

We're ready for Spring

OK, it's official we've had enough snow for this year. I've filled my snowblower gas can twice and it looks like I'll have to do it again.

We have a raccoon living under our deck. On Monday morning it left some tracks on the deck while checking out the patio door. Do you think it knew what was coming?

We've have drifts in the driveway. Thank goodness I don't have to shovel.

I cleaned off the bird feeders but take a look at the deck.
The juncos like to eat the thistle seed off the ground. The snows was about 2' deep.

The raccoon had a spot cleared where it went in and out. We haven't seen any tracks for a couple days. It'll have to dig itself out

The Rock River

The rivers so full of ice the ducks are walking.There's always one. This guy is standing on the railroad bridge below the dam.
Here is the dam. I'm not sure if the photo really does justice to the amount of ice in the river. I have a few more pics on the Mills' blog.

San Diego / Carlsbad

I was in San Diego (actually Carlsbad) last week. While it was normal winter conditions back here we suffered with temps in the 50's and 60's. The team took a late afternoon trip to the beach for a leisurely walk but we had to wear jackets to stay warm.

The pelicans flew in formations of 4 and skimmed the waves as they were cresting. I'm not positive but I think they were feeding even though I never saw any of them dive.

We also made it to the beach in the morning for walks. Again, we had to wear our jackets. This morning the fog was bad but it didn't stop the die hard joggers.

This guy wasn't as shy as the others but he didn't want us to get to close either. They follow the receding waves feeding on something. I never could see what it was but they were certainly busy eating whatever it was.
The pool area was really nice if you were a polar bear. Too cold to go swimming.

Rockford Christmas Gathering

Great Family, Friends, Food, and White Elephants were enjoyed by all. SOME enjoyed the football game too.

Deer Damon Dasher

Damon was Dasher the deer in the Olga-Brenner Christmas play Tues. Eve 12-18-07

Christmas & Birthdays Shawano

Engagement Ring

North Branch, MN

140 pound puppy sighted! Rumor has it he is still growing, living in this house, and has been linked in recent investigations to the dog food shortage in the state of MN.

Dave & Julie are Engaged!!

This was taken a couple of days after he fell down to one knee and decided to propose while he was down anyhow. One band is white gold and the other is rose gold.