Day 86

It's Christmas vacation!!!!

Day 85

Grading done, one more day of finals for Taylor, with the help of Taylor and neighbor Phil lumber moved from driveway to inside garage.

Day 84

More studying by Taylor, more grading by me, plus painting in the master bath.

Day 83 - 145,954

More grading and work on the insurance claim, presents wrapped, and sadness with death of our dear, "happy" cat Angel from cancer.

Day 82

Grading, grading and more grading with the insurance claim thrown in!

Day 81

Contractor came yesterday to measure for stairs and other projects, I finished removing tile from master bath, almost as bad as removing wallpaper! First night at home in two weeks!!!

Day 80

Band concert, beautiful music once again!

Day 79

Mayor' Youth Commission senior recognition Monday night, tough basketball game against East Tuesday night, all in the midst of USD finals week.

Day 78 - 145,494

Last night of six years of Madrigal on Saturday, came south Sunday night to avoid fog and freezing drizzle.

Day 77

Madrigal night 2, another fun night and the celebration of a 19th birthday!

Day 76

First night of Madrigal with Nan and Pop, need different whipped cream, finished bedroom.

Day 75

Bedroom painting completed, repaired Taylor's Jester pants.

Day 74

A very cold start,  more painting in the bedroom, five hours of Madrigal alterations.

Day 73 - 144,910

First snow of the year on Saturday, painting continues, they raised up this electric box a couple weeks ago . . . is that a good thing?!?! It's Madrigal week!

Day 72

This was the temperature this morning, I guess winter is here. First snow forecasted Saturday. Baked cookies for After Prom Committee to sell. Lunch at Go Red for Women Luncheon. First basketball game for the Crusader!

Day 71

Bathroom tile removal: Before and during, still working on after! Started painting master bedroom at Dunes. Fun night at "Avenue Q" at USD.

Day 70

A creative solution to displaying Taylor's ornament collection

Day 69

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Day 68 - 144,311

Things could be worse! Good news, the southbound lanes of I-29 from Elk Point to North Sioux are open!!!

Day 67

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 66

Swept and vacuumed the basement, cleaned eight inched of yuck out of sump pump pit, sprayed walls with Mr. Clean, finished dusting the blinds.

Day 65 - 143,974

Some days we all need a clamp or two to keep it together, unloaded a trailer full of stuff at the Dunes, is this the last time we move the bathroom tile?!?!

Day 64

Just when you think the sunrise could not be any better . . . it was spectacular, trip to Severson Tile in Sioux Falls to select tile for kitchen and master bath, love what I found, hosed out horse trailer to haul more stuff south, Friday night = pizza night!

Day 63

A fall of fantastic sunrises, washing windows and dusting blinds.

Day 62

The beautiful fall weather continues, annual mamogram done, lovely evening at "Fiddler on the Roof" with Taylor.



Day 61

Another beautiful fall day, still trying to recover from the weekend, Taylor was a great MC on Sunday at the 4-H recognition event and he was a 10-year member.

Day 60 - 143,248

Heartbreaking loss in the finals, the thinker, another week begins, decision to wait to finish the basement until we see what spring brings.

Day 59

Sportsmanship award from Wednesday, the Crusader cheers the girls on to victory, finally found a hotel room.

Day 58

Day to catch our breath before heading to Cedar Rapids again, more beautiful weather.

Day 57

Happy cats, successful one day trip to Cedar Rapids and back for state volleyball tournament.

Day 56

Corps says they will continue releases to lower reservoirs, too dry to rain or snow, both cars fit in garage!

Day 55 - 142,903

With the help of the return to Standard Time we see the sunrise again. Chance of first snow this week! Not so many miles last week because of trips with the Suburban.

Day 54

First night sleeping on air beds at the Dunes house. Nice to have a 12 minute drive instead of 40 minutes. Corps says they will be more aggressive and flexible about winter and spring releases and that they will communicate better . . . we will see. Looking forward to the weekend.

Day 53

Jody and the General listen to my neighbor, General says if Montana has spring rains again we are "very vulnerable", not exactly what we all wanted to hear. Lots of "I am very sorries". Sorry doesn't cut it this time General!

Day 52

A trip to the farrier postponed due to 35 mile an hour winds, two trips from Vermillion to Dunes to get garage cleaned out, trip to Storm Lake to watch volleyball team qualify for state tournament . . . Cedar Rapids here we come!

Day 51

The Crusader cheers for heat and hot water, now we are ready for winter's arrival!

Day 50 - 142,627

Words I never thought I would share in public, "We have gas!" As in hot water and heat!!! Who knew a water heater and furnace could be so beautiful?!?! Another lovely day, a perfect night for Trick or Treaters.