Labor Day Weekend

This weekend we started a project that was a long time coming. We stripped the stucco off the bell tower. Better explain a little. We live in an old church. Have for the past (almost) 15 years. Over the years we have completely stripped all the plaster and lath out of the inside, refinished as needed. All the wiring, plumbing, etc has been updated.

About three or four years ago we started to put siding on the house. It has been quite a project. On most of the house, we had to strip stucco off, put furring strips up, then hang siding. We put Hardi Plank on. Then it has to be painted. Its been a long process. The last part was the bell tower. Susan's brother in law, Rick, came out to help. Here we are getting started.

This was a big weekend project. In addition to Rick, Madison, Hannah and Susan assisted. And, a neighbor boy, Colton Downey helped. All of their efforts and assistance was greatly appreciated.

Since Rick doesn't mind heights, or so he says, he was elected to do the high work. In the picture above, he was on the top of the ladder, about 12 feet above the porch roof, which is about 10-12 feet off the ground. It seems a lot higher than it actually is.

The bell is still in the tower and will be for awhile longer. On Saturday, we pondered the idea of taking it out. After a little studying and head scratching, we decided it was too risky of a proposition. On one side of the bell is: BUCKEYE BELL FOUNDRY 1887. On the other is VANDUZEN AND TIFT CINCINNATI. Quite cool. We also found initials in the wood made with nail heads. Also the year 1923. Its our little piece of history.

Anyway, after three long, hot and windy days, we got all the stucco and lath off. Put new OSB up, a couple of new windows and some flashing. We will start siding when we have time and Rick has promised to come back and help with that.

Once again, I cannot give enough thanks to the ones who helped: Madison, Hannah, Susan, Colton. And to my brother in law, Rick, words are not enough. Your help was greatly appreciated.

Oh, did I mention it needs a roof now?

Birthday Boy

Well, another birthday has come and gone. On Monday I celebrated my 44th birthday. Just another day. I say that a lot, but don't always mean it. My youngest daughter called me that day. I thought it was someone else when I answered the phone. They (my daughter) said, "Happy Birthday." My reply was thanks, just another day. They said, "But you're 44." Yeah, I said. It was real quiet on the other end. I said, Still there? They said, "Yeah, I love you." It was at this point I realized it was Hannah. What do you say? We talked for awhile and she said love you and will see you tonight. That was my birthday. We had supper, Susan, the girls and I. I opened my presents from them and watched a movie together. What else could a person ask for? I was surrounded by those that love me. It was a good birthday.

Birthdays are just another day. But, depending on how you spend that day, it can be JUST ANOTHER DAY. If you spend that day with ones you love it can be the best day. I remember my dad telling me when he was a kid, birthdays were just another day. Usually, he said his mom or dad would say well, Happy Birthday son. They had a special plate that the birthday person would use. We made up for those days after all of us kids were around. We always celebrated family members birthdays. Even if it was just supper, we were together.

So, I had a birthday. It was the best birthday I've had, so far.

Young Family Reunion

On Saturday we went to Sun City for a family reunion. I call them rebellions, but this one wasn't too bad. Young is my mother-in-laws maiden name. I personally didn't know very many of them, but I met a few. Normas brother Virgil was there and some of his kids. His daughter Debbie, is friends with my sister. They went to school together. Debbie said the last time she saw me "You were this tall". Well, I've grown up(and out) since then.

One gentleman I met, Walter Dean Young, was from Buffal OK. I have a cousin that lives there and him and his wife know her and her family. The other neat thing about Walt was he grew up in Ashland. Ashland is only about 25 miles from Ford. When he found out I lived in Ford, he started telling stories about when he was in High School and playing Ford in football and basketball. I had a great time listening and talking with him.

All in all it was an interesting afternoon. They made plans to get together next year, in Sun City. Hope we have a bigger turnout. It will be fun meeting new relatives of my wife.

Home!

We ended up staying at the Broxterman B & B for two nights. Service was impeccable and the company extraordinary. It was good to be able to relax and not have to think about loading up right away. We left around noon today and headed home. I let Hannah drive from Topeka to Wichita. She did a real good job. Had a couple of stops to make (Sams and Home Depot) and then we headed home.

Met Carol and Sammy in Pratt to get our Boston Terrier Smalls. She didn't seem to overjoyed to see us, but the dogs in Ford was another story. We let them all out to run and they were very happy to see everyone. We got the car unloaded and started on laundry. After being gone for only 6 days, we sure seem to generate a lot of laundry to care of.

We had a really good time and will try to give a wrap up tomorrow. Oh, by the way, it was Madison who drove to Wichita. Just trying to catch all of you!

Night, world. Glad we are home.

Vacation: Day Quatro

Heres a recap of our fourth day on vacation.

We got around fairly early and headed to Omaha, NE. Got to the zoo around 10:00. First stop was a bathroom break. We then went through the Desert Dome. That was pretty cool and got to see lots of different desert dwellers and other interesting animals. Then we went to check out the gorillas. After the gorillas, it was getting a little warm, so the girls cooled off.

After a few more animal visits, we went for a ride on the tram. From here we could see several different animals, the train and lots of other things.


Here is a picture of my bride and I.

After visiting the penquins and aqaurium, both of which were great, we decided we were hot enough and had seen enough of the zoo. We did a little shopping and visited Cabelas. By this time it was almost time to meet up with Susans cousin. Susan had not seen her cousin Jimmy in over 20 yrs. They recently found each other on Facebook and had texted each other getting caught up. Susan was extremely nervous, but happy to see him. When he showed up at our prearranged meeting point, Susan and Madison went out. Jimmy had a hard time believing that Sis belonged to Susan. We visited for about an hour. Jimmy then had to get on the road as he had a load of pigs to deliver in Idaho on Wednesday. He's making plans to come visit us in September.
Susan and her cousin Jimmy.

We had decided earlier to drive to Topeka for the night. Madison drove most of the way and I finished off the last 40 miles or so. We arrived at the Broxterman Bed and Breakfast around midnite. We were all tired, as it had been a long and hot day.

Vacation: Day Tres

After getting around this morning, (breakfast, swimming, WalMart run, etc) we headed East. At Wall SD, we turned south and entered Badlands National Park.

The four of us decided that we had seen this scenery before. Last year on our epic road trip we visited the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon. The rock formations and colors were real similar. The only real difference was some of the signs!!


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What is it with the snakes in South Dakota??

The rest of the day was spent driving. We ended up at North Sioux City, SD. Tomorrow we are going to Omaha and check out the zoo. Our plans are to stay in Omaha for the night and hopefully see Susans cousin. She has not seen him in over 20 years and recently reconnected on Facebook. Thats cool, isn't it?

Vacation: Day Dos

Sunday, we took our time getting around. After all, Saturday had been a long day in the car. After eating breakfast and letting the girls have more water time, I think they are part mermaid, we headed for Mt Rushmore.


It's been about 22 yrs since I had been here before. A lot looked different. Not the mountain, but the visitors center looked different to me. There is also an ampitheatre where they do a nightly light show. There is also a walking trail that goes around the base and you can take pictures from several vantage points. After making a required deposit at the gift shop, (shirts, postcards, books), it was off to Crazy Horse.

This was a little disappointing. I know it is a much bigger scale than Mt Rushmore, but hey, they have been working on it for 50 yrs. I don't know if it will ever be completed. Other than the head being done, it looks like it did the last time I was here.

After we left Crazy Horse, we took in the scenery and headed back towards Rapid City. Along the way we saw a lake that Madison thought was probably where they filmed parts of National Treasure 2. Going through Keystone, Susan saw a sign for Old Tyme Photos. Now, this is something I have done in the past with family and friends, and was something I had wanted to do with the four of us. So, I turned around, made arrangements and as they say, the rest is history. We ended up with two photographs. You check them out and see for yourself. Today, Monday, we are heading East. Going to Omaha NE and their zoo.

Vacation: Day Uno

Whew, a long day in the car. Got gone from Ford around 7:30. Had to run to Dodge, so it was about 8:30 when we actually hit the road. Made decent time and hit the Nebraska line about 11. Stopped in Lexington to try and catch up with a high school classmate. Maybe next time Todd. Sorry we missed you.

Left Lexington and let Madison drive. She does a good job, but still scares her old dad a little. She drove until we hit the South Dakota state line, around 4. Madison thought Nebraska looked like Wisconsin. Although shes never been to Wisconsin, she thought she knew what she was talking about. Actually, it looked a lot like sw KS with all the corn.

South Dakota had a little more scenery to look at. Saw several neat things along the highway. Saw our share of rest stops and restrooms, including the one that had signs warning about Poisonous Snakes. Figure that one out... Drove thru Wall, by Wall Drug. That reminded me of a trip mom, dad, and I took. Came North to see Uncle Lindy and Aunt Leona and family. My 3 girl cousins from that family tied all my underwear and socks in knots. They still kid me about it to this day.

We got to Rapid City about 7 and found a motel. A little shocking on the price, but sometimes you got to do it. Our motel had the required indoor pool and hot tub, plus,...a WATER SLIDE!!! All of us took our share of trips down that. We all had a lot of fun relaxing and enjoying the water.


Tomorrow we are off to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Don't know what else we will do, but we will have fun.

This "little" fellow hitched a ride with us. We thought it was funny.

My Dad

Tomorrow, July 23, would have been my dads 90 birthday. Its hard to believe he has been gone almost two years. Seldom does a day go by that I don't think of him. It is kind of funny how different things bring back a memory of him. I catch myself telling my girls a story about Dad a lot. I'm sure next week, while we are on vacation, I will have lots of stories about trips I took with Mom and Dad.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine lost her grandfather. I left her a post that as long as you remember them, they won't go away. I think there is a lot of truth in that statement. I hope that I share enough with my daughters that when I am gone, they will have those stories of their grandfather tell to their children and the memory will go on.

After both of my parents were gone, we had an auction of their belongings. All of us kids had items that we wanted. One item I took was Dads toolbox. This was just a little metal box that he used to take out on service calls and it also went on several vacations. After I brought it home it sat in the basement for several weeks. One night I needed a tool of some kind, so I opened Dads toolbox. As I opened the box, I caught a whiff of a smell. It's hard to describe that smell, but it was my Dad. I remember Dad coming home from work and me sitting on his lap. He would smell of grease and dirt and everything else from his job. That toolbox made me feel like 8 years old again. I love of you Dad.

Another birthday will be celebrated tomorrow. This one is my niece Colbys stepson, Brock. Happy Birthday, Brock. Hope you have a good one.

Something New

I've been wanting to do this for awhile now. I was inspired by niece Marla when she was doing her blog for school. It is a neat way to stay connected, see pictures of the family and just know what they are doing. Give me feedback as I get started to let me know what you like and don't like.