Sunday

 Sunday was uneventful.  We finally felt up to working on the 2025 Christmas woodcarvings.  They are in all stages of progress... 26 are nearing completion...maybe. 

Minnesota weather: High was 54F and the low was 29F according to Far Guy...when I got up moisture was dripping off the garage roof. 

For supper we had salad, fish, carrots and pineapple.  The carrots that my baby brother and his wife canned were delicious!

My other baby brother and she who sees robins first came by to visit in the evening.

We have a fairly busy week with five medical appointments...however two are virtual...but one is far away....and so it goes. 

A large warm blanket a birthday gift from neighbor JoLynn!  Thanks Jo! She knows I like sunflowers!

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Quiet Day

 It was a quiet day on Saturday. I went over to visit my baby brother, his bride, Smudge and Baxter in the afternoon.   Then I had a nap.  We started watching Poldark on Netflix....my kind of show.

Far Guy got the new battery hooked up for Tilly and drove her out of the garage!   

We had what is in the freezer meals for supper...I had vegetable beef soup and Far Guy had Jambalaya.

Evening Visitors were next door neighbors Steve and Jo.  Good to see them!

Minnesota Weather; High 55F or 13C  Low was 36 or 2C eh.

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Visitors and a nap

 I am a tad tired after the busy week.  I spent most of Friday resting and doing quiet things.  I tended to a few things on my list of things to do and had a nap. 

Niece Katie, Hunter and Aubrey visited us they are here from Western North Dakota.  Aubrey is a Senior this year and has been accepted into the Nursing Program at Minot State University!  She will be an awesome nurse!! ( Aubrey is my other baby brothers Grand)

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Thursday happenings

 Far Guy had his weekly infusion that protects his lungs while I went to the lab for a blood draw for my Rheumatologist appointment next week, then I picked up our grocery order at Wally World, then to the other grocery store for a few things, the pharmacy and the bank.  The pharmacy at the corner of happy and healthy has no idea what they are doing.  

When I picked up Far Guy we went to the next town South to the Dentist where I got a new crown and after that we went to the bakery for flatbread! (Cross off stitch removal, blood draw and the Dentist off my list!)

We came home and unloaded the groceries and low and behold the corner of happy and healthy had the correct prescription ready.   I was tired so Far Guy went by himself while I went to the couch for a nap. 

My baby brother, his bride, Baxter and Smudge visited in the afternoon.  My baby brother took care of the leaves in our yard on Wednesday before it rained on Thursday. 

Far Guy made supper; fried potatoes and eggs with toasted flat bread...yummy. 

Minnesota Weather:  High 64F or 18C Low was 53F or 12C with intermittent rain.

A double yolker! 

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Three appointments

 Three appointments down..three to go..and Friday is a day off!  

Far Guy saw his Oncologist.  A different maintenance medication will be tried, as the present one has a number of bad side effects...think thrown into the deep end of menopause.  The cancer is all gone however  the Doctor would recommend three weeks of radiation treatments.  Due to Far Guy's fragile lungs and his heart function a specialist in Radiology must evaluate him. 

We met with Great Grandson Hey Mikey's third grade teacher.  A donation was made to that classroom in memory of Far Guy's sister Jan who taught third grade most of her teaching career.  The donation will go for books, a field trip and water safety! 

Jen removed the stitches from my forehead with only a little trouble because they were very tiny stitches...she consulted a You Tube Video at one point while I waited under her lit magnifying glass. 

Sadie came home from Daycare to greet us and Andy made burgers on the grill...delicious!

The next morning Far Guy had all of his staples and stitches removed from his chest.  He talked at length with his surgeon.   Far Guy is his career #3 man with breast cancer.  Regarding radiation the Surgeon said he would  trust the opinion of the Radiology specialist and that risk vs reward is a tough call. 

After that appointment we headed home.

I drove most of the way...Far Guy drove the last 60 miles so I could rest a bit. 

Cloudy skies in our area.  We had afternoon naps...in my case more of a sleep and for supper we warmed up some of the fabulous Pizza we made on Monday.  Leftovers can be a blessing. 

Minnesota weather: High of 56F or 13C  Low was 50F or  10C eh! 

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Bits and pieces

 I have been trying to use up bits and pieces of yarn.  I started this project last Spring and I work on it in the evenings when I watch TV.  It is coming along but still has a long way to go. 

Usually I can eyeball the balls that will make a row but sometimes I have to join the ends or give up and throw the yarn away...gasp!!.  

As you can see it makes for some colorful stitches.  Each row is a different color...I took the photo cattywhampus just to confuse you.

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Lotza appointments

 Now that the house and yard is mostly taken care of, we can concentrate on the medical appointments this week.   Far Guy has three medical appointments and one misc appointment. I had four appointments but I cancelled two of them...Jen can remove my stitches from the biopsy in my forehead and PT is going well so it can be rescheduled in two weeks.  BTW my biopsy came back with clean edges so that was good news!  So between us we still have six places to be on various days this week.

These Mums were outside the Farm Supply place where we went to get Tilly a new battery.  She refused to start the day before she was supposed to get her transmission checked.  Hopefully she will start now and eventually she can make it to her appointment one day soon.  My baby brother and his bride helped to get the battery loaded in the car so we could take it for an exchange.   My baby bother was also here several afternoons taking care of leaves!  We appreciate all the help!

Supper was homemade pizza.  It was really good!  I think a twice baked crust was the secret!

Minnesota Weather: High 51F or 11C  Low was 34F or 1C eh!

The last outside water hose was disconnected. All the misc "stuff" that was in Ranger Blue was put away.  We went to town for a prescription with stops to recycle and to drop off outgoing mail, and a book to the local little library.

The Ben Franklin store in town is now closed...they moved the store to a different town...not sure where...but as nasty as that guy was I hope the door hit him in the you know what on his way out of town. (he let it be known that he could not survive on the Winter time locals, there would be no going out of business sale and to stop asking because all inventory would be moved to a new location and there would be no warning as to when the store would close)

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Grand Crew

 Grandkids Savannah, Paige and Cole came over yesterday to get us all caught up with scrubbing and vacuuming and some dusting.  Cole washed the house on the outside and did a whole bunch of outside projects.   We are mostly ready for Winter now!  It feels real good to have things caught up with!  

Cole, Paige, Far Guy and Savannah

What a good bunch of kids/helpers.  We are blessed to have them in our lives.  

In order for our warranty on the finish of our home to be valid you have to wash the house once a year.  

Proof that the house was washed on October 12, 2025. 

It was a busy day.  The Grands make us smile:)

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Trail Ride

 We finally went for a ride in Ranger Blue.  I have not been for a ride since June 9th.  My time waiting is up ...four months post Laminectomy Surgery!  Yeah me!  I can get in and out of the higher vehicle with no problem.  I thought I might need a step stool but I didn't.  Physical Therapy is going well he says he sees improvement every visit.  So there ya go.  Pain wise...I still have some.   My Doctor says it all takes time. 

This was a smoother trail...then we did one a bit rougher for the views. 

The Fall color is mostly over. Warmer overnight temperatures in September was not good for beautiful color in my opinion.  

We did some woodcarving on the Christmas ornaments and had a nap.  I did odds and ends...stuff that never shows.  For supper we had soft tacos and Far Guy's famous Chili Cheese Dip that I found in the bottom of the deep freeze. 

Minnesota Weather: High was 65F or 18C Low was 52F or 11C eh. 

A birth and a death

 Life goes on, we are born and we die. 

First the birth a very happy occasion!  It's a boy!  I crocheted him a yellow baby blanket for his baby shower...not knowing if the baby was a boy or a girl!

This little fella weighed in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces on October 4th 2025.   He is the first child of our great niece Hailey and her husband Isaac, the first grand for Niece Stacey( Grandma Stacey is holding him in the photo)and the first great grand for my other baby brother and she who sees robins first! ( Maybe I am a double great auntie!)

Then a death:  Son in Law Andy's Grandma Ed died on October 3, 2025, she was 96 years old just 29 days short of her 97th birthday.  Her obituary says it all...Edna was called home by the one who loves her most!   She is the last Grandma for Andy and Jen  and the last Great Grandmother for our Grands Noah and Adam.  Grandma Ed lived a good long life, living in assisted living in her later years and then to the Nursing home for only two weeks, the last week on Hospice.  Our sympathy to all who loved Grandma Ed. 

I have a photo of Grandma Ed taken in about 2003...at Adam's birthday party.  Tall baby Adam had a good start and eventually towered over his Great Grandma Ed. 

Births and deaths the world keeps going round and round.  Happy and sad times all mixed together.

Far Side

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to break down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to count as lost,

a time to keep and a time to discard,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Potholders

 We are a potholder/hot pad factory here.  I load the loom and Far Guy weaves, I take them off the loom and start another for him.  It is a great activity for him as he sits in the heat/massage chair.   He is just 14 days post mastectomy surgery so his activity is restricted.  He is still battling a cold. 

I like doing the designs.  Some are destined to be Christmas gifts and some headed to flippin happy home decor and more store in Grand Forks ND. 

Thursday was a busy day while Far Guy went to his weekly infusion to protect his lungs I picked up a grocery order at Wally World, went to the other grocery store for a few things that Wally World does not stock, filled the car with gas, got a car wash, went to the Post Office and the bank.  After we got home we unpacked groceries had lunch and a long nap for me, Far Guy just rested but didn't sleep. 

We had left overs and a salad for supper.  

Minnesota weather: High 67F or 19C Low was 40F or 4C. 

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First Frost

 We had our first frost early Wednesday morning.  It is time to put some outside "stuff" away.

The old watering can, water hoses and car wash stuff that can freeze and other "stuff". 

It will all happen little by little over the next few days. 

We had Moons over my Hammy again last night for supper because we had the fixins  and they are easy.  Ham, cheese, egg on bread grilled to perfection.  Far Guy made a few fried potatoes and we also had peaches. 

Minnesota weather: High 63 F or 18C Low was 25F or -3C.  It was a sunny day.

Not sure where the day went while I cleaned one bathroom, washed all the sheets from upstairs and caught up on laundry...mostly.  Oh yes I ordered some books for book club, groceries to pick up and some misc supplies that will be delivered. 

I am feeling somewhat better, Far Guy is trying his hardest to get all better.  It was a Fall cold...started with a extremely sore think razor blades in your throat then hits your nose that runs like a faucet and then it settles in your chest with a nasty cough. Uffda. 

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Book Club 2025: October

 The book for this month was  Kristin Lavransdatter:1 The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset.  It is Historical Fiction that takes place in 14th Century Norway. 

This book is the first book in a trilogy.  So naturally when I found all three books I bought them all in anticipation of a really good read.

Uffda.  It was a slow forced read that I did not enjoy.  I give it a 4 out of a possible 10.  Everyone else seemed to really like it and they all plan to read the series.  Not me...one of the gals said she was not able to find the books so I dropped them all off in her mail box yesterday.  That is one way to clear books out of this house!!!

Usually I like Historical Fiction....so this book was a disappointment.

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Crowning moments

 I saw my Dentist.  I have a very old 20 plus years old crown that needs to be replaced.  It was falling apart and driving my tongue crazy...and every time I sneezed it scraped the inside of my mouth.  He sawed it off and I will return next week for a new crown...if I outlive that one they can pull the stupid tooth. 

And so it goes.  Far Guy and I are feeling better.  Hopefully we will keep improving.  

Trica made Moons Over My Hammy for supper.   She brought eggs from her chickens that have just started laying eggs...she is getting 3 to 5 eggs a day.  In my opinion brown eggs are the best.

Minnesota weather:  Highs 57F or 14C  Lows 37F  or 3C we are in the throes of Fall.

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Autumn

 The Autumn weather is here, winds blow the leaves in the yard to and fro... if a huge gusts comes by a few even land in the woods!   Last weeks highs in the 80's are history. 

The Oaks just turn brownish and then fall off. 

We are still under the weather but improving.  Far Guy has one appointment this week and I have three; Dentist, Dermatologist for a biopsy and Physical Therapy.  

We tested for Covid and neither of us have it.  

Trica made pork chops and rice for supper, we are grateful for the help. 

 Minnesota weather: High was 74F or 24C and low was 39F or 4C.

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Sick

 Far Guy shared whatever bug he has.  Feeling pretty rotten but I should be good as new in a few days.  Far Guy is about the same...not any better for sure.  He is teetering between being sick enough to go to the ER and sick enough to stay home.

We had a slow water leak in the bathroom upstairs...it was a bad shut off valve.  Our son in law Handy Andy came and fixed it for us!   Thank goodness for helpers!

Our oldest daughter Trica came last night to help the sick elderly for a few days.

I made chicken and wild rice soup for supper...chicken soup helps everything!

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Wild

 We have a little action on our security cameras.  Mainly a rabbit that hops back and forth, a kitty with white paws, squirrels and deer eating acorns.  

My other baby brother has more wildlife than we do.  He has deer, fox, rabbits, turkeys, coyote and a bobcat.

nice sized bobcat in the daytime

Thursday: My baby brother was mulching leaves in our yard when we got home. The leaves are about 50% down. I appreciate him mulching for us!   It is a dirty dusty job.  My other baby brother delivered our mail!

Friday I went with Far Guy to his Infusion.  His respiratory infection is not any better, I am keeping a close eye on him.  We picked up our grocery order from Walmart and came home.  My baby brother, his bride, Baxter and Smudge visited in the afternoon...they picked tomatoes for me. 

I am still putting "stuff" away.  We both had a short nap.  I made hamburger gravy with mashed potatoes for supper.  

Minnesota weather; High 86F or 30C Low was 64F or 18C. There is lots of dust in the air from the bean harvest in the nearby fields. 

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Fantastic News!!!

There is no more Cancer!  The  pathology report came back after the Dr appointment...and the cancer was all contained in the breast tissue, the margins are clear and the lymph node showed that the cancer has not spread!! 

Far Guy got his drain removed on Thursday afternoon. The staples have to be in place for two more weeks.  

However he now has an upper respiratory infection and is on medications. 

Thank you so much for all the prayers over the past Summer!

We are safely at home in the woods, the car has been unpacked.  It  will take me a bit to get organized again..unpacking and groceries ordered.

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Are we done yet?

 Far Guy has a follow up appointment with the surgeon today. Will his drain be removed…will they take out the staples…will they have the pathology report? 

We plan to head home to the woods after his appointment and my book club meeting. We are packing up “stuff” to take back home.  (Yarn, books, craft supplies, extra meds and devices)We will be back for a oncology appointment in about 12 days. Good thing they kinda like us here. 

I finished the puzzle with Jen’s help.

It was terribly windy yesterday, we sat outside a bit but did not wood carve.  No we are not done with the wood carved Christmas ornaments yet. 

Supper was eggs, pulled pork and tater crowns.

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Sadie

 Sadie is a good friend. She lets us pet and scratch her as much as we want.  

She lays outside when we wood carve and her beautiful coat gets full of wood chips.

She likes to bark at the dogs next door Nova a Black Lab, and the two little dogs one of which is a tripod and Trixie.  

She listens quite well to me and when she barks I call her to come and she does without hesitation. 

This week the big pool was covered up so leaves don’t fall into the water. She still has a small wading pool to lay down in…of course that is not the same as a good swim. 

It was another nice day in Minnesota high was in the 70’s and we had a nice breeze. 

Far Guy is feeling pretty good, he is recovering from the surgery better than either of us expected. He has an appetite and he takes nothing for pain. 

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