It’s been overcast and rainy the past three days here in southeast Iowa. But the birds sure are singing so we know spring is here! It’s a typical Iowa spring. It’s chilly and damp and there’s not much that can be done outside. Drew’s first soccer practice was canceled. Yesterday we decided to go to Des Moines to the camper show being held at the state fair grounds rather than sit around the house. My dad and mom went with us and we met up with some friends from Clear Lake.
None of us are looking to buy a camper but we always have fun looking. We look at all the different choices and go home still loving the one we have. That’s a good thing!
Today is another overcast, drizzly, chilly day – one of those lazy sit around the house days. It’s nice to have one once in awhile. Joe had to leave to go north for work this morning – as much as he hates leaving on a Sunday, he doesn’t mind so much when he’s headed to Clear Lake – to work for the next couple of days with a good friend who works for the same company. They have fun together even if it is work. Eric is home all day which is a treat for me. I feel like I hardly get to see him anymore. So the boys and I are being bums this afternoon and enjoying our time together! (Of course Eric has basketball going on TV – but that’s okay – I’ll survive!)
I love this quote – and the fact that it comes from an old sampler makes it mean even more! (Not a good picture but I didn’t want a picture of me in the photo!) One way that I keep saved the memories of my ancestors. My great-grandma’s dressing table. Dresser scarves stitched by my grandma. The glass powder container was my mother-in-law’s and a cigarette case that belonged to my grandfather. And a couple of pictures of my mom when she was little. I love keeping saved the memories of my ancestors by decorating my house with their possessions. These possessions mean so much more to me than anything new I could buy in a store!
He asked me where the clothes pins were. I should have known he was up to something! I have no idea why there is a white fox hanging on his “clothes line” along with some of his clean clothes – probably to torment Pierre since the fox is his toy! 
I finished this little cross stitch yesterday. I condensed the pattern to fit into this frame I already had. Love grows best in little houses. After almost 27 years in this little house I like to think this is true. We’ve looked at different houses over the years but never found anything we thought would be the perfect fit for us. We’re not that picky – at least not where the house is concerned. Our pickiness is directed more towards location. We have to live in the country. In my younger years, I wanted someplace that was far far away – gravel road, long drive, no neighbors. Now that I’m older, I can appreciate the fact that we live along the highway. We can always get to town, no matter the weather. And very little gravel. You have to turn onto the gravel to get to our driveway but that is all. I would like to not even have that at this point. Gravel dust is not fun when it’s dry out. And neighbors are nice to have. We have great neighbors. They aren’t that close but it’s nice to know they are there!
My February photo. It’s a little more panoramic than January’s. Definitely not as green. I wonder what the March photo will look like? We’ve had cold days and unseasonably warm days this month. I’ve even hung clothes out and been outside with bare arms and bare feet. Very unusual for this time of the year. It was so nice to be able to open up windows and let the fresh air in. Today is a nice sunny day with a high of 55. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60’s with a chance of rain. Then Wednesday and Thursday looks like high 30’s and chance of snow. We could still be in for some cold, snowy winter weather. I never mind it so much this time of the year – we know that spring is just around the corner and I do love the snow!
We don’t do anything special for Valentine’s Day. I used to make a special meal, set a pretty table with candles and hearts and surprise Joe and the kids with chocolates and cards. I haven’t been able to coordinate something like that for a few years. It’s amazing how busy our lives can become. Especially when you have children so spread apart in age. I was going to try for last night but Joe had to be unexpectedly gone overnight for work. Then Eric wanted to go to the basketball game after bowling practice. Tonight Eric won’t be home because he’s gone to support the bowlers who made it to sub state. So – I gave Eric his chocolates and card this morning before school and will give Drew and Joe theirs tonight. I am helping out at the Kindergarten party this afternoon so that will be a nice Valentine’s surprise for Drew. Hopefully I will have time to make S’mores brownies when we get home to go with our leftovers for supper. I’ll light a candle and supper can still be special. Joe will be home and the three of us can enjoy our evening together. I’ll give Joe and Drew their cards and chocolates. We’ll have fun picking out which chocolates we want to eat because I know they’ll share with me!
There wasn’t much to report last week. Just typical days. Kids to school, Joe to work, Eric to work and bowling practice and a bowling meet we couldn’t get to. I just can’t justify taking Drew out of school at 1:00 to go to a 2:00 bowling meet in a neighboring town although I hate missing seeing Eric. He understands and says we don’t need to go to any of them. But, we very rarely miss supporting the kids in whatever they are involved in. He has a meet this week in town – we will definitely be there for that one!
