Chuck decided to get a cover-up tattoo on his right arm. We spent about a month picking out the general idea. At first he wanted an American Eagle - but the tattoo artist said it would not work out. So his second choice was a black panther. Turned out really well, much better than the eagle in my opinion. She made a lot better detailing than the original. I find it makes him even more attractive, go figure. : } (the camera put a weird date on the picture??)

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The beginnings of spring seem to be popping up around - Missouri's usual perpetual sogginess, punctuated by brief periods of sunshine. Just enough to get your hopes up, but not enough to dry the garden. Missed that couple of days earlier in the month that I could have gotten the lettuce seed down and had early greens. Now it is just a matter of wishing there would be enough dry days in a row to plant without making mudpie.

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And.... I will have to do most the planting - Chuck is now working at two jobs. Mon/Tue up at Busey Truck and Equipment, Wed-Sat down in Scott City at Buckheits. Not sure how long he will want to keep that up. Do me good to get the exercise - after I have the Litho that is. Crossing my fingers that after the first week in April we can get the recurring stone thing solved. Especially since we sleuthed out the diet factors. Crossing our fingers.

Today ranks as one of those perfect fall weekend times.

First Chuck and I went to the woods and rode the four wheelers up to the deer stands. Put up new swivel seats and camo around the stand. Laid out the last of the deer cocaine and stuff so it was a week before the season started.

Next step - coming back and play a little facebook, then head up to Wal-Mart and load up on turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving meals. And a cart full of other groceries.... feel very much that old mother hubbard's cupboards are full.

After filling the cabinets up, we got the chance to go motorcycling. Nice long ride through the countryside - fall scenery is the best. Plus, even though the wind was choppy, the temp and sunshine were perfect.

To top it off, we still had enough energy to get in the new hot tub and soak for a while. Just enough to take all the aches out and relax for the night.

All blessings from God and Life is good. : }

Chuck went to the nerve specialist and an occupational doctor to have further test for his back. The numbness left leg and foot are still there, and that whole dropsey thing about his foot falling over when he relaxes. He goes back on Tuesday to see what the next step is...

We have both turned into Facebook application addicts. Oh my, mafia wars has turned out to be a little more difficult to master than originally thought. At least we get little update snippets from the family that is online. I like to see the little day to day comments - makes us feel closer to the far away and busy family members.

Enjoying the New Hottub

Chuck really did a good job with the new deck and hottub installation. And just in time, since the weather is cooling off. We have been going out every evening to make the aches and pains disappear. Mine are more from the weather change, and his are more from hurting his back a while ago at work.
He should be learning if there is nerve damage this week. They are going to put some dye in his back and see how squashed the bones are. Crossing my fingers that it will just be one of those things they can work out and it won't need surgery.
Saying a prayer...

Seem to have forgotten this somewhere in the business of living. My bad.

Chuck and I were just commenting last night on how fast this year has flown by. We are coming up on the Fall... and it seems like Summer just flew by!

Our garden really took off this year and we canned salsa, spagetti sauce, pepper jelly, etc... all we wanted and then tilled it under. Looked out there the other day and the stuff we tilled under had turned into seedlings. Millions of little tomato, bean, and pepper plants. Too bad it seems that soon there will be a frost and all of them will wilt away. We spend so much effort trying to get stuff to stay alive in the Spring, and then it just jumps up on its own after we till it under. Go figure.

Looking forward to Deer Season!!! Plan on taking a whole week this year and devoting our attention to bringing some points home. Cross your fingers. : }

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!! In a HUGE break from tradition, Chuck and I have decided to forgoe the running around or big get together on Christmas day - instead we are spending time together. Just the two of us. : }



Corey and Amanda and the kids (5), got to come down last weekend to kick off the holiday season. Poor Chuck made chicken and dumplings for Friday evening- but the Crisco had a funny smell and we had to throw the first batch out... : { All was not lost though, we grabbed a ham for the Friday supper, and Chuck made another batch for lunch on Saturday that was fantastic!

We also had more grandkids over for the weekend (4), bringing the mahem total to 9 kids and 4 adults... fortunately there is a whole closet of comforters and gotta love those inflatable beds!

Christmas 2008

Chuck and I are busy gearing up for the holidays. Making a list, checking it twice... all that good stuff.

In the midst of trying to figure out how to organize our holidays so that we didn't miss anyone, and hopefully get to spend some really relaxed time together... we began to wish there were some way to keep in touch with everyone. Some way other than writing letters (we never mail) or sending text messages (that never get finished) or trying to make a bunch of phone calls (that one we actually do). : }

So... we decided to take a page out of Chris and Stacy's book. They always have such wonderful blogs and pictures and videos - makes you feel just a little less far away.