My Other Office - Part 2

This is the front entrance to the Iowa Veterans Home, which sits on 150 acres on the Iowa River. The Home was founded in 1887 and is now the second largest state-owned veterans home in the country. We serve approximately 725 residents between the ages of 28 and 101. Our residents range in accuity level, from skilled nursing and dementia care to domiciliary care (independent living). Since I started in December, I've only seen snow and mud; but spring is a glorious time here on the grounds.
Yesterday, the 21st Annual "Jerry's Barnyard" event took place in the courtyard. There were 15 different animals for residents, staff, and local school kids to enjoy.
My job also takes me to some less-than-desirable places, too. Last week Governor Culver signed legislation that provides funding for infrastructure improvements at our facility and also for the state's maximum security prison in Ft. Madison. So, my boss and I drove down for the bill signing in Ft. Madison and got a tour of the facility. This photo was taken by John Gaines of the Associated Press (we weren't allowed to take cameras in). We were standing in the area of the prison built in 1839 (solitary confinement) where the worst of the worst in our state judicial system sit in their cell for 23 hours a day. It was incredibly moving to see such young men (average age is 28) so lost and without a shred of hope or humanity. I stood on the other side of the glass and iron wall and could see their empty eyes. I will never forget that experience.

The Movable Cold

DD graciously shared her cold with me. This stuff is awful! Fever for a few days, cough, chills, headache...yuck!

The weather and illness cleared enough for her to play soccer last week. The girl has a ways to go in the coordination department.

Sam was de-clawed and neutered last week. We all took pity on the poor kitty and treated him well while he recuperates.

We lost a dear friend last week. After nearly a year of health issues, Frances H passed away. I have never known a kinder, gentler, more genuine person. What a blessing it was to call her friend.

Earth lost an angel but heaven gained a saint.

Birthday Girl

DD celebrated her 7th birthday last weekend with a slumber party, dinner at Pizza Hut, movie night to see "Nim's Island", and a terrible cold.

DD and O at Pizza Hut. DD didn't even want a birthday cake, but I talked her into these (so adorable) cupcakes:

DD and O play Simon Says to wear off some of that energy (didn't work):
Dancing and jiving to "Bratz" movie soundtrack - - still had lots of energy:

And, this is DD on Sunday morning with a 102.7 temp. She was definitely out of energy. She slept most of Sunday and my mom came over Monday to sit with her. Slowly, but surely, she's getting back to normal.

My other office

I have a little office on site at the Veterans Home, but on most days from mid-January through the end of April you can find me here:

These photos were taken on the most gorgeous day we've seen this year. On Sunday, DH, DD and I went to Des Moines for breakfast at Gateway Market Cafe and browsed their fantastic selection of natural and organic foods. Then we went to Earth Day in the Junction, a fun event for the family with displays, information, shopping, and free oak seedlings (we got two of course). Then it was off to the Drake Relays Parade in a quaint part of Des Moines. Walked away with a ton of candy, beads, and a new appreciation for small town living. On the way home, we stopped by the Capitol and got some more great photos.

View from the west side of the Capitol looking towards downtown Des Moines:

Memorials on Capitol grounds with the new Supreme Court building in the background:

Close-up of the memorial:

New additions to the Columbus statue:Last, but not least, a shot of DD hamming it up:

End of week three

And it feels good. Despite the rain and wind that has ensued, progress has been made on the new house. This week, the floor for the basement was poured. You can see the bump-out for DD's room and the main entry as well as the egress window in the basement for a (someday) fourth bedroom. You can also see the stairwell from the garage to the basement - - this will be poured concrete stairs for DH to have access to his workshop in the basement. This is a "secondary" stairs. The main stairway will be in the center of the house. To be continued...

These Days

The weather here has been a bit unpredictable - snow one day, 76 degrees the next, wind, then cold and rainy. DD insists on wearing capris and I insist on her wearing a jacket; I guess this is what they call "compromise."

Photos from the road

Took a couple pix on the way back from Emmetsburg. The first one is along Hwy 18 outside Cylinder, Iowa. This is a straight-out-of-the-camera shot. The morning light was perfect.

And this is Hwy 69 near Clarion, which is the northern tip of a large stretch of wind turbines (in the distance) that harvest the wind. Quite a different crop than this old tractor is used to.

And this one is reminiscent of what the old pioneer trail may have looked like (though I realize wagon wheels aren't as wide).

Whenever I take a trip, I'm always "seeing" great photos but not wanting to take the time to stop and capture it. This time, I'm glad I did.

Visit to NW Iowa

I just got back from a work-related trip to Emmetsburg and Sheldon. I stayed both nights at the Queen Marie B&B and this was my room:

This photo honestly doesn't do the room justice, though. Paul and Peggy, owners of the Queen Marie were very pleasant and professional and spoiled me with their superb hospitality.

On the way to Sheldon, I stopped by Spencer to see some old friends. A beautiful small town with a well-kept Main Street and neat shops. Props to the Mayor!

Wish I had more time to stop by Sugar Creek on my way home - - I was thinking of you, Kelli!

Can't wait to see the fam tonight.

A birthday, a cat, cake, and a cow(boy)

I had a wonderful birthday weekend. Now that I'm 35, I officially have to "round up." The extended celebration began on Friday, when DH brought Sam home. Sam is a little lover, but very lazy (he wouldn't even turn around or get up to lick this plate):
On Saturday, we went out for dinner and then to the Waterloo Blackhawks hockey game with friends and the kids. It was DD's first hockey game (we've created a monster). I got my first ipod - - after a little trepidation, I got it up and running and downloaded the "Once" soundtrack (good stuff!). After church on Sunday, my mom took DD and I out to the 4H omelet breakfast. DH and DD made a carrot cake for me on Sunday afternoon.
This is my little brother (11 years younger than me) - - okay he's not so little in that he towers over me now. He's truly a "cow-boy". He's fallen off his horse, literally and figuratively, many times but continues to perservere. He cusses a little, picks himself up, dusts himself off, and starts again. He recently returned to the area and, although I was hesitant at first, I'm so glad he's back. Our relationship hasn't been the best, but I think we've finally turned a corner. By the way, he's single ;)

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV)

After the omelet breakfast, we went out to my mom's house. Little bro brought up a new calf to show DD - - it was a twin! Although DD was a little overdressed for the cow yard, she got right in there.

What? You mean she's still alive?

Why, yes, I certainly am. Even on this rainy last day of March, I find myself wearing a sunny yellow bell-sleeve jacket just to appear cheery. Truth be told, I am a much more cheerful person these days. Went through a dark time, though, and kept to myself a bit. Why dark? Well, we sold the farm and (gasp!) moved to town! I can hear the collective sigh across the agrarian blog-o-sphere. The self-imposed shame was getting a little heavy and I finally decided to come clean with y'all.

We are building a house in town...

I really love my new job...

I adore my family...

I am healthy (in the "I really don't work out, love my Doritos, but it could be worse" sense)...

I realize that the few of you who actually read my blog for the "farm life" ramblings might be disappointed. Believe me, I miss the farm and my chickens, and the ridiculously large garden, and the creaky old farmhouse, too. But it was time to make a change in my physical and emotional surroundings.

It's gonna be okay - - and I'm not just sayin' that. I believe that God has a plan that even I (the control freak that I am) can't understand. I hope some of you will follow us on our new adventures. Should I change the title of this blog, considering the circumstances? I need to think on that one a little.

For those of you still with me, here's a few photos of the "missing months":

DD came a long way with her cross-country skiing this winter:

DH built this awesome barn for her animals (complete with a hay loft, tack area, feed bunks, removable gate, ladder, etc). He rocked her Christmas. Plus, she got a piano/keyboard and is taking "lessons" from her mama.

Then, I found this gorgeous doll house in the second-hand/antique shop. That clear bucket in the background held tons of dolls and furniture and miniatures. Picked up the whole thing for $30 - - steal of the century!

Easter time came around and while we were dying eggs, we dyed a bit of DD's hair PURPLE. Can you believe it was actually my idea?! See, I've mellowed a bit.

We spent Easter Saturday with my (extended) family in Denver, IA. We had a great time catching up with family I haven't seen in years. This is a photo of me, my mom, and my lil' bro.

And, of course, this is DH and me. He's such a hunk o' man!

And this is the lot where our home is being built.

And after the first week of construction. Actually, we wall forms are up, ready for the concrete, but I didn't get a picture of that.

Update and Holiday Greetings

As always, lots of changes here. I started a new (full-time) job at the Iowa Veterans Home as their PR/Marketing Director and Legislative Liaison two weeks ago. It is a wonderful opportunity to be an integral part of the third largest veterans home in the country. I absolutely love it and look forward to all the exciting challenges this position will provide.

DD has succeeded in achieving "toothless" status. Here she is in her "jack-o-lantern" phase:She lost three teeth within one week. The poor tooth fairy is going to have to get in hock soon if this keeps up. The toothless wonder still eats almost anything and thinks that "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" was written especially for her. Her elementary music concert was Monday night and OH WHAT A RIOT! The high school gymnasium was PACKED!

DH is supposed to be on winter break, but the college still has him working . . . on a roof . . . chipping ice . . . the less I know, the better off I am.

The chicks are officially part of the flock. They are now integrated into the rest of the chickens. They can't quite figure out the whole "roosting thing." They were still huddled up in a corner when I last checked on them. I'm pretty sure they're not all Rhode Island Reds as I had been told (some pretty cool looking ones, though). I got 18 eggs today. I keep a big cooler full of egg cartons (filled, of course) in the back of my car . . . they've become like "zuchini" around here - - I can't even GIVE them away!

DH is putting me to shame around here with all the wonderful things he bakes up. Last weekend he made a wonderful crumb-top apple pie (perfection) and this weekend he made a bunch of small banana bread loaves. We've had the bread with dinner every night this week. My cooking creativity has gone south lately. Maybe I'll get motivated after the holidays...then again...

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Holiday Spirit

Sending some happy holiday spirit your way. Yesterday, I worked at the church in the morning and DD and DH got the Christmas decorations down from the attic and set up the big tree. When I got home, we decorated the house and the tree. In the middle of everything DD decides to go pull her own tooth (with a wash cloth)! What a brave kid! Her two top front teeth are very loose and I'm sure we'll soon be hearing "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth!" Now I need to try to find that song to put on the blog...

DH put some pizza dough in the bread maker and we had homemade pizza for supper. My neighbor friend came over and we all watched "A Christmas Story" and "Holiday Inn". What a great way to start the holiday season! DD even made her own pizza (she doesn't look too happy about it, but she was thrilled).

Well, the chickens are laying 7-10 eggs a day now. Way more than I know what to do with, so I guess I'm back in the egg business. We've had a raccoon that has been sneaking into the chicken house if I forget to close the little door at night. The other night when I went to tuck Gary into bed, the 'coon had tipped over the cat food and all I could see was his tail sticking out of the bin. I ran back to the house (with Gary still in my arms, of course) to get the .22. By the time I got it loaded and back out there, the 'coon was gone. Then last night about 1:30, Gary was crowing; then the other rooster was crowing. I totally blew it off thinking I was either dreaming or the chickens had gone crazy. But this morning, the cat food bin was tipped over again. The chickens were probably scared and crowing in distress... (duh farmgirl). So, I guess a trap is in order. He doesn't bother the chickens, but I really don't want a 'coon roaming around.

DH is in town today as part of an ARK Crew we have at church. Have you seen "Evan Almighty"? In that movie, ARK stands for "Acts of Random Kindness". We sent away for a kit that helps get you started identifying needs in y0ur church and community and acting on those needs. Today, our church's ARK Crew is at the home of a congregation member who recently moved back into the community. They've moved to a different home and then her husband got shipped off to Iraq and she took a new job. With a couple teenagers and all the changes, they haven't even had time to unpack. So the crew is there helping her get organized and decorated for the holidays. What a blessing to be able to do this for the family.

Sure glad this is a chicken farm...

These guys are especially happy that today, most Americans are eating turkey.

You can probably see that we got a little snow yesterday. It was a little white knuckle driving around noon yesterday, but by late afternoon, most of the local roads had cleared off. Today, we received some big beautiful white flakes (you'd have thought it was Christmas).

As usual, we had a bountiful dinner at MIL K's with 26 of our nearest & dearest. Lots of fun to watch the cousins play...

DD dressed as a "Pioneer Pilgrim" (same as her Halloween costume) and read a Thanksgiving poem...

and DH cut the bird...

and then we all sat around and gabbed.

Does anyone have any experience with a "house trap" in their septic system? We just discovered that we have one and it is causing a few issues now that we've installed a water-saving toilet in the upstairs bathroom. Ideas?

Also, for the record, the kitten that I mentioned in the last post is doing just fine. It wasn't even our kitten to begin with, but I shared all your wonderful and thoughtful advice with the kitten's caretakers and they're happy to report that "Patches" is doing great.

Now that DD is in first grade, she brings home assignments every night. She loves to read and enjoys math, so getting her to do this is not as challenging as I expected.

I'm also trying to involve her in the kitchen more. DH lets her cut things with a knife (under close supervision, of course), but I'm not that brave. On this particular evening, we made meatloaf and had extra hamburger, so she helped make hamburger patties for the next night. She's growing up way too fast!