Shopko

I like Shopko stores but it doesn't seem like there are many left. A couple of weeks ago when I was in Mason City I asked Jill if they had their summer T's yet. She thought that they did so Dale, Jay, Briana and I headed to Shopko. I found the shirts and Jay helped me pick out colors. I have been told that I could buy more patterns or more variety but for me, a handful of solid V-neck T's and a pair of capris and I am set for summer. Yea, I know I am not much of a fashion queen. I think I was the last hold out to wear capris but when my friend, Linda started wearing them I knew it was time. I seriously thought that they looked like the fifties and that they wouldn't stick around long. I thought the same thing about Crocs. Who thought that people would actually buy and wear those bright colored clogs. I still do not intend to buy Crocs but I was wrong about their longevity. So after my trip to Shopko I am practically set for another season. I wonder what happened to most of the Shopko stores. I am glad that the store in Mason City is still open. Now I just need a pair of capris. It may be a while before I feel like going shopping again, so the capris will have to wait. A girl can only shop so much.

Happy Birthday, Baby Jay!

My baby boy turns twenty-nine today! It's just amazing to me that this beautiful baby has changed so much and been around for so long. Twenty-nine years go very quickly.
Saturday Dale and I drove to Mason City to celebrate with Jay and Briana. After lunch together we all went to the hockey arena to watch Jake and the Mason City Mohawks play hockey.

Dale took some very good hockey pictures again and this is one of them. It was fun to spend time with Dan and Jill again too.

I did not do a very good job in the photography department. I took one quick shot and it was blurry! You can see the obvious evidence on the right! I still wanted to include the photo since it was Jay's birthday celebration and to show his birthday cookie. Briana carried out the "big cookie" tradition. She knows that we always got a big cookie at Cookies Etc. for Jay's birthday even after we left Mason City.

It's always nice to spend time with Jay on his birthday. Although it was a couple of days early this year, it still makes me think back to the day that he was born. I enjoyed digging though the old photo albums to find a baby picture. He was a gorgeous baby! Happy Birthday, Jay!

Iowa Icing

Wednesday we got freezing rain. It was a skating rink outside. My boss had encouraged me to take home some paper work when we met on Tuesday so that I could work from home when the ice hit on Wednesday. It felt like a luxury to wear my robe and sit on the couch with my laptop all day long while catching up on some of my computer work.

I felt a bit wimpy staying home but after breaking my arm last year I think I have become more cautious. Although I didn't leave the house on Wednesday there was plenty of ice left to see on Thursday. The streets were just wet so driving was safe and the ice coating looked decorative. I grabbed my little point and shoot camera out of my purse and took these shots at work. Saturday is predicted to be forty degrees so the ice will be gone soon.

Winter Wonderland Weekend

Winter can be gorgeous which is a wonderful reminder that I do love the seasons. Last weekend I headed to Waterloo to spend the weekend with Ashley and Travis. I was a bit concerned about the weather because the warmer temperatures have led to foggy mornings. The temperatures and humidity created an amazing winter wonderland. The fog did not cause driving problems so I was able to enjoy a beautiful Saturday morning drive. I just pulled off the road a minute to get a quick shot of this farm house.

It was so nice to hang out with Ashley and Travis . . . very relaxing! Ashley and I did a little shopping and a little cooking. They left the Christmas decorations up so I got to see the tree, nativity and nutcrackers. Of course it was fun to hang out with Mowgli, play and cuddle with him during a movie. I love going to church with Ashley and Travis too. It's good to be with them and I usually get to see some former St. John friends too. The weekend went too quickly. It was time to go home and get ready for another five day work week. After all the shortened holiday weeks, it's time to work hard and save up my PTO for time off. I always love my time with the kids and look forward to the next visit. Ashley and Travis are great hosts and I always feel comfortable at their house. It was a wonderful winter weekend.

Baby Photography

Do you remember my big knitting project? I made this blanket for Ashley to use for baby photography. I asked her for an image to post so that I could show my finished product and show off her amazing photography. This baby boy is just beautiful and he makes my blanket look good. Ashley was interested in the knitted texture and I think that we achieved that with the blanket. Check out her blog and her website. Both have lots of beautiful examples of her photography. She does photo shoots in Cedar Falls/Waterloo as well as Des Moines. I am so impressed with her photos and proud of the work she has done to start her own photography business. I think I should be her honorary prop assistant!

Mohawk Hockey Weekend

My nephew, Jake and the Mason City Mohawk Hockey Team traveled to Des Moines this weekend to play four games. Dale and I love watching Jake and the boys play and Dale does a good job of catching the action with his camera. Dan and Jill stayed at my home and that was a huge treat! I just love having them. It was a wonderful weekend.

The first photo is of Jake's goal. . . it was a beautiful goal. Jake had great control of the puck and flew down the ice on his skates. After my time on ice skates last week I have a whole new appreciation for the skill that Jake has developed. It's especially fun for me to go to these games and be surrounded by familiar Mason City faces, family, old neighbors and classmates. Its nice to catch up with people. I am looking forward to the next Mohawk Hockey game very soon.

Happy New Year!

Its been a good year that has gone very quickly. I thought about typing my thoughts on how life has changed or not changed in the last twelve months and how the next twelve months might be different or the same. I even typed several sentences and realized that it didn't make much sense to me therefore there isn't much chance that it would be meaningful to others. I do realize my life is pretty stable. I have the same job, the same home, the same vehicle and no major family changes. I am blessed in many ways.

I chose this photo because it looks like family fun to me. . . one of my favorite things. I look forward to more family fun in 2010. I look forward to a few road trips and vacation. I look forward to meaningful work with wonderful volunteers and clients. With all the cold weather this week, I think that I am beginning to look forward to Spring too! Happy New Year to All!!