It's Almost 2010

   And it can't happen fast enough for this Diva!  I'm really looking forward to the new year ... not that 2009 was bad, but new year brings a new beginning.  (The 2010 resolutions come tomorrow!)

   We're famous -- the Mankato Magazine is out and it has a feature with Jean and her stamping House!  I was very good and managed to elude the photographer that day .... it's cool.

  Happy New Year !!!!

So . . . the end is near

  December 30th -- who'd a thought it would come this quickly.  Is it just me or does time just seem to fly past.  And I'm not getting any younger as it passes.

  I think it's supposed to snow again today.  Oh joy, just can't wait, I LOVE shoveling, plowing, de-icing -- can't seem to find the sidewalk no matter what I do.

Happy Wednesday!
M

OMG it's monday again

I've decided I need to conquer my phobia's of Mondays.  So I lept out of bed in anticipation of coming to the office and the pile of projects that await me.  (WRONG).

I did, however, fortify myself with a large vanilla iced coffee from McDonalds on the way past -- my wheels automatically veer into the drive in .... it's one of my many bad habits.  The City had cleared the boulevards overnight so now I need to start chipping away at the sidewalks.  Oh joy.

I finally got some sewing done -- the first warm window quilt is hanging in a window here at the office -- it looks pretty cool.  Too bad I forgot my camera.  The strip pieced table runner is pieced and the binding is attached and ready to and sew .... i whipped up some cloth bags to cover baggies of chex mix.  And of course I started planning the next warm window ... pinks and greens for my office.  At the rate I'm going it will be done by 2020.

Retirement is 2026!!! Yes I'm counting. 

Diva

Another day of holiday ...

david & emily at the family reunion in September -- note the green grass -- i swear when grass returns in April (maybe May) -- I'm not going to whine about mowing because the snow pile below is now 9' tall -- I am praying when it melts it runs to the street not into the basement.

Queen and I did our final tour of Christmas lights -- 3 weeks 3 times 3 hours -- the south end of town is not as well decorated as the north end!  Even the college has lights (and huge piles of snow) .. the City has yet to clean up the boulevards etc.  downtown is a mess -- as are my sidewalks -- tomorrows project (s).

Off to bed -- I'm trying to stay awake longer but it's not happening.....one more holiday and life gets back to normal -- or as normal as can be.

Diva

the Aftermath . . .

okay, so here's the deal --- I think we had 12" of snow and maybe an inch of rain.   it's hard to tell -- it looked like a foot when Nick and I were shoveling the deck and then it started to rain ...  now I have ice to chip at the office -- the City has yet to clean off the parking lanes and boulevards to downtown is really really messy.

okay, here is Santa in action -- notice the sleigh is red --- this was Thursday afternoon --- before it started to rain --- with the first 9".

and here he is at the office -- hauling the white shit away from the fence and over to the front yard this was this morning...then he hopped in my vehicle -- headed home for lunch and back to moving white shit until dark....

okay, those of you who knew me in my youth -- remember Fred, the horse -- the building behind the piles is Fred's house -- not sure why but elder thought it was a great place to pile snow....

the FAKE tree -- looks pretty good for $65

okay this is elders version of the power shovel...note he is 2ft from the house ... a bit close for the rest of us....so far no window casualties (yet) this was taken on xmas eve too.

so, the sewing machine is calling

Diva

Yes, it's really early

  ... and I've been up for an hour already.  I assisted with getting the bird into the oven.  Need to get 'em done so the oven opens up.

Merry Christmas !!

 

  and here in old Traverse des Sioux -- it appears to have rained --- the snow totals seem to be a couple of inches -- not the 8 of yesterday.  

ho ho ho

Diva

More Party Pix's

betty

joyce (yes, I have your corkscrew gismo)

the visitors -- note Nick was liking the massage ...

(damn cat)

WinVestor's Xmas Party ....

judy, sue & ruthie

donna

ruthie & deb & the beverages!

maryetta & the mugs

Party #2 ....

   Party #2 is done....went pretty well.  The front room here on 3rd street is larger than I thought -- 2 large banquet tables, one small table, one desk and 15 chairs...we had a meeting, food and good conversation.

   Good food!  Although, I've never been to a potluck with bad food!

   Next on the agenda is 1.5 days of work, 1 day of wrapping, 1 day off and then back to clean up all the projects and crap accumulating on this desk !!!!

  Party pictures in the future!


Toodles
Diva

Family Reunion Pix

a cd of 300 pictures arrived today -- 300 pictures from the Dranttel/McCarthy Family Reunion in September --- I may have posted some of these earlier -- they are fab!!

okay, cousin jack with a watermelon -- specifically -- a charleston grey --- with a "cracked heart" --- grew to fast in the heat and the hearts crack -- dryness will do it too

ron, nancy & louise --- one was into his food -- not sure about the other two!

uncle eb (seattle/tacoma) and mary jo (sarasota) ...

Monday ..... Party #1

  Party #1 is done.  As is meeting #1.  Board of Adjustment & Appeals.  I'm learning lots.  More than I need to know.  The meeting appeared on Mkto TV ... oh ya. 

  Party #2 is tonight and has been relocated to HERE!!!!  So, I've plowed snow, shoveled snow, heaped snow and have begun to stash the non essential junk that is stitting around.

  Computer geeks were here again yesterday.  Rebuilding the new Server is the next task.  And then restoring from the current (old and rebuilt) server to the new Server is next week.  Gotta love technology. It keeps me going, and aging, and grumpy.

Diva

Oh Nooooooooooo

Have you heard the forecast?  During the morning commute (is 1.5 miles a commute?) -- the weather dude on the radio said we could end up with 18" of snow this week -- 3 today,  3 tomorrow and then over the holiday it gets uglier.  Yes, I'm groaning as I type. 

And yes, I heard this while in line at McDonald's -- good thing I'm going to need nourishment for all the shoveling.  The parking lot is already filling up with snow.  Elder commented it was time to bring tractor to town and move snow to the "yard" ---

Queen and I toured lights last night -- we're about 1/2 down with Hooterville.  We stopped at Jean's with the thought we could take the field road home.  Wrong .... good thing I asked before I drove, didn't have my cell phone with me --

Diva

Shopping Diva ! ! !

  Diva and Mother (she would be the Queen) finished up the Christmas shopping yesterday.  We were GOOD shoppers. 

Queen had a Kohl's coupon for 20% off ---- oh la la, we did well.
When in Mankato, must do Sam's Club -- copy paper was on sale too!
Lunch -- a must.  Dunn Brothers Coffee -- it was quiet and peaceful (and tasty).
Shopko -- treats for Nick -- I almost typed the gift --- i'm willing to bet he doesn't read the
      ramblings of this old Auntie, but ya never know.  It's cute and metallic green!  With the purchase
      of Nick's gift I received a $10 gift card --- so I spent it!
JCPenney -- the only place without a line -- I returned some ugly pants I bought a while back
     found more treats for Nick -- needless to say -- 36" inseam blue jeans are hard to find.
     Queen had a $10 coupon and she found undergarments.
Lastly,
  Gander Mountain -- I had never been there, I was gift card buying but found 3 sweaters, a
      sweatshirt and a tote bag for myself. 

Back to Hooterville -- $Store and more lights for the ugly FAKE tree. 
The Lori, the haircut specialist arrived and we all got trims! 

So, the tree has lights and decorations.  The other decor is scattered about -- next up is the vacuum job.  Cookie baking is tonight -- during the Vikings game.  We bake, elder #1 has TV to himself. 

Happy Happy
Diva

Technology & kids

  okay Diva had a day yesterday like none other. 

  i ended up calling in reinforcements for the computer issues -- and the new geek is young and a riot to watch working (the old geek was there too!) ... them kids ya know --  point, click and speak a whole different language ..... this networking crap is wacky  (if i could get away from microsoft i would)

  per young geek -- it's gotta be a software issue ... so he's coming back monday to chat with tech support and point/click/wave his magic wand ... but he's not an early riser......

  my stress level dropped -- even though things aren't 100% yet (more like 35%) -- but it's going to work and soon . . . and he's going to be around for a while ... old geek would like to travel and not worry about me -- i'm sure i'm causing his blood pressure to rise .....

   so i'm off to finish up my xmas shopping (i know it's gonna be baaaaad) ... i have a list and i'm sticking to it !!!!!!


happy happy
M

T G I F ......

   So Diva has computer issues.  Again.  With new computers.  So Dr. Lee was here yesterday -- we are learning lots.  "Opportunistic Locking" -- really doesn't sound like a computer term does it?  or Delayed Write Fail --- I don't know. 

here's a picture from yesterday's Free Press of the new xmas lights in downtown St. Peter -- an anonymous donor -- they are pretty.  Thank you anonymous donor.

and as I type I'm sneezing and hacking -- nose be dripping and throat is sore --- gonna hit up the stash of drugs in my desk drawer -- I can cure anything.

happy weekend

Diva

10 Things to ....

Do in Saint Peter.....

(i heard a blurb on tv this morning about the govenor is going to be speaking/babbling/whatever tonight and one of his themes was 10 things to do in Minnesota) -- this was at 5:00am so I may not have heard correctly....

So I thought I'd give it a whirl....

1   Check our our new $17,500,000 street -- be careful on the bump outs -- they are wicked
2   Lunch at GAC -- better hurry it closes over break and JTerm
               (the one time thru the line buffet is a deal)
3   Take a stroll on the walking track at the Community Center (FREE)
               (i used to walk at 5:30am   the early am walkers are a hoot)
4   Pattymelts at Patricks
               (it's not my thing but the burger eaters in my world rave over them)
5   Treaty Site History Center --- Check out the newest exhibit
               (the center/central exhit is finally done too)
6   The Arboretum at GAC is also fun -- more fun when it's warmer but the skiers like it too
7   The Traverse des Sioux Trail -- next to the HIstory Center is cool too....
8   Scott and Barb at Nutters always have a smile on their face!
9  117 S 3rd -- this old shack is always under construction
               (i do refer to it as the money pit)
10 The Farmers Market -- June is only 6 months away ....


   I'm open to suggestions if anyone else has any ......

ho ho ho

Diva

Frozen Hell

  Yes, it is true.  Hell has frozen over.  I purchased a FAKE Christmas tree last night.  The residents of Daisy Lane have sucumbed to the ease (i hope) of setting up and decorating for the holidays.  It's not pre-lit -- so the issue of making the lights work and look good will continue. 

  I will not miss the annual pine needle stuck in my foot, nor the discussions about getting it to fit into a stand, making straight in the stand and watering it.  Nor, the annual vacuum job. 

  The only good thing about this purchase -- when I got to the checkout counter at Menards -- it was on SALE --- I had a budget and I could have bought an even fancier one !   There is always next year.

  The next debate is when elder #1 is actually going to put it together -- I bought it, I'm not putting it together.  Last year, the $5 deal I got on Xmas Eve morning --- never did get lights on it....  Only I would negotiate for a cheep tree on Xmas Eve morning. 

Happy Trees
Diva

. . . . . .

more snowflakes fell.  i'm hoping the weatherdude was correct with his forecast -- the wind is supposed to blow from the northwest -- if so, the light fluffy stuff on the sidewalk will blow next door -- damn, i hate when that happens !!!!

i managed to waste most of yesterday away.  cooked in the afternoon -- funeral hotdish and tatertot hotdish -- lots of frozen lunches.  i attempted fried rice -- the barn cats will enjoy it more  . . . it was awful. 

gearing up for another busy cold week.

m

and the projects continue

so only 3 things on my list are done.   the topshelf, the laundry and part of the ear infection.  I did manage to sneak in a nap and i finished a library book.  detours.

so back at it today.  before the snow falls yet again.  once it starts it doesn't seem to stop eh.  i hope to walk this afternoon -- hopefully the deer hunters have giving up so i can stroll out to the big garden and check things out.  there has been enough vehicle (deer hunters and snowmobiles) traffic that it should be walkable.  i might have to borrow the hunting vehicle -- some goofy thing on tracks with a snowmobile engine.  the deer can hear him from 10 miles away when he fires it up. 

i do like snow.  i just don't like it when it's below 20' all the time.  yes, cold weather makes good ice and the ice fishing people like good ice. 



m

13 days and counting

  Is your shopping done?   Mine isn't.  I really haven't started.  Between working on Santa A stuff and the wacky week of weather it really doesn't feel like I've accomplished anything on my project lists.

 This weekend however is dedicated to the projects. 

 1.  All the stuff on the top shelf at the office will get done.
 2.  A Christmas tree will be purchased.
           The fake vs. real debate is still occuring.
 3.  I will be bonding with vacuum cleaners all over town.
 4.  The sidewalk/driveway/decks will be totally shoveled.
 5.  The bows will get attached to the roping on the office fence
           (need to find some wire to tie them first).
 6.  I will get in my walk.
 7.  The middle ear infection will be gone (thank you drugs).
 8.  I will start the curtain project and finish the warm window project.
 9.  Laundry -- did I type laundry.
10. Cookies (maybe -- I have to think about this one).

Happy Saturday .....

M

Robyn's Wisdom .....

  According to Robyn -- the temperature on your car thermometer, when you back out of the garage in the morning -- is the real temperature.  Don't even look at it for the rest of the day.

  Works for me.  It was 7' in the garage this morning -- evidently the garage is haunted -- my door was up this morning -- not sure for how long but it was down at 10:00pm when I put my box of homework in the wheels. 

Toodles
Diva

yep

. . . it's really cold out there.  I dashed out to start the car (in my jammies, bathrobe and slippers) -- my freeze dried out there. 

   So, laundry is in the washing machine.  The people are up and moving. 

   First doctor appointment is 8:20 --- next one is at 1:20 both in Mankato.  Lots of running today. 

   So it goes.


M

aaahhh SNOW ---

 it blew and blew and blew and it's still blowing ......

 heading out to hospital this morning -- cataract surgery for Mom, dr and staff had better be there --- we only have a mile to go....we are fortunate --

 I still have trouble grasping the new hospital located on the airport property, or all of the development up there in the last 10 years.  I still remember the airport arguments -- keep it or close it.  I miss it, it was fun to watch the "rookie" pilots practice take offs and landings on the lovely brown dried grass. 

 Not sure what's happening in town.  I left for home at 4:00.  Got home and then drove back to check on the coffee pot --- on or off .....  it was off.  Yes, I can be an idiot.  Not going in this morning until daylight.

Toodles
Diva

this is tressa and kids -- helping at Santa Anonymous -- organizing the books ---

I think Jean was giving David direction ?  David is the red bent over body?

Tuesday .....

getting ready for the big storm ---
   the snow plow on the atv is ready ---
   the shovels & brooms are ready ---
   the salt buckets are full ---
   the garbage curbies are tucked inside
   the evergreen roping is securely attached to the fence
   gas in the wheels (all sets of wheels)
   xtra coffee !!!
   xtra clothes at the office (ya never know)
   sewing project at the office (ya never know)
  
so the big question is tomorrow morning -- mom's cataract surgery is scheduled for 8:30 --- will the eye doc make it to st peter?  it's 2 miles by road but only a mile by atv to the hospital -- we can get her there (she's really ready !) 

i'm hoping to be home by 5:00 tonight --- i have a home project list lined up and it's the "Biggest Loser" finale ... 

so, enjoy the snow, the cold and the howling winds....

Diva

tired elves

so the elves that worked at Santa Anonymous yesterday have really tired bodies ... it was a good day .... the preliminary count is gifts for 400 kids .... i'm still working on the spreadsheet .....

age is hell -- the feet, the knees and the hips ache .... although the impending blizzard might have something to do with it .... dang weather, i have purposely not watched the weather today -- not a whole lot i can do to change it .....

the sooner it gets cold, the sooner it gets warm !!!!!


santa's elves ...

marie, jean, carol, butch, harry, 4 high school kids, barb, johnny, david, tressa, brock, brielle, becky, richie, sarah, kathy, lee, sue, mary, pam, joey, caroline, eric, patty, dana, lori, louann


the high school kids who did the pool party
the john ireland student council --- they are fabulous fundraisers


wow ....

okay -- 394 kids (148 families) received gifts and requests are still rolling in ....

8'

need i say any more




brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Pictures from Bob . . . . he's back and emailing

Mr. Bob (the semi retired mortician) is feeling better and sent me these pictures via an email....Mr. Bob is home recovering from a nasty case of the crud (like almost a month long hospital stay) --

anyway, these get the  awwwwww  reaction.


Marie

Ooopps....

okay large camel -- small trailer -- don't think i'll ever have this problem

a full to the roof vehicle -- i've had this problem

okay this is real -- yesterday -- Le Sueur -- (stole the pix from the free press website -- is it stealing if you give them credit?--- anyway)  -- i'm thinking the dude driving the cat tractor came to a sudden stop --- dang had to hurt -- and according to tv part of the road is still closed --- wouldn't want the bridge to fall eh!!!!

Santa shopping day --- the wheels are ready -- the body is ready -- the checkbook is ready ---

Toodles

M

Ho Ho Ho

crazy Santa stuff happening today --- but it always seems to happen ....

(check)  moola
(check)  volunteers
(check)  shopping
(check)  venue (well kinda) having trouble getting in before noonish


if anyone wants to volunteer -- we won't turn you down

diva

It's Official .......

  st peter is back to being a 3 stoplight town (well 4 actually) -- MnDOT took down the stoplight at the History Center/Ford/DanielsClinic/Prairie corner yesterday.  we're back to living with an expressway speeding thru town.

 us northenders don't count the 4th stoplight down at the south end ---

 rumor has it that something will be moving into the vacant Ford building in the new year -- i hope so, that's and expensive building sitting empty.

 50' today -- just might have to plant the bags of tulips i found in the garage last night.  i bought them with the intention of forcing them -- still might.

M