Blog with No Title

I hate that when I first start my blog, in very large gray letters, I see “Add title.” It’s the hardest part of the blog and the program unnerves me in the first minute as I sit and stare at the screen and get no further. So today I’m wondering what actually happens if a blog just has no title.

Life in general has been busy and sometimes hard lately. My aunt passed away a couple of weeks ago. I made the trip to Illinois with my parents and while it was sad, it was also wonderful to see family; an ice storm chased us home. A dear friend here just passed away this morning, so it is a sad day. As we traveled to church today, for the entire hour trip, the sun shone through a hole in the clouds. Several times I commented to Noel that heaven opened its doors for Robert and the Son was shining through. My parents blew a transmission in their car, and 7 weeks later, they are still without a car. But in the midst of frustration, sadness, and a crazy world, I did get to visit grandchildren last weekend. We experienced a lost tooth, break the rules night, and 2 soccer games. Noel has only played pickle ball twice in the last 3 months but got a bronze medal in a tournament last weekend in Cape Girardeau; he definitely has earned a break.

The house is exciting because of the constant changes. The Genie lift left Friday. All the siding is done except around the garage doors and on the deck around where the patio doors and kitchen window have not been installed yet. All the windows are installed except a few on the deck which do not need the lift to happen because he can stand on the deck to install them. It is good to see the lift go! And I love our siding; I’m not a fan of vinyl but love the look of wood.

Now it is on to the back deck. I was hoping it was going to be next but didn’t say anything because I know my dreams are not always the best order for getting things done. Luckily, it is much easier to put in patio doors and a window with the deck on. So, I am thrilled to be getting the deck. Hopefully by the end of this next week, we can eat some of our meals on the deck, and my dad can come visit and enjoy sitting out there. It will also become my office for some days and a great place for our Bible study now that spring is coming. Hopefully soon we will have a couple bird feeders out there. He is now close to halfway done with the floor. It is taking longer than expected – of course. =) Noel has a huge blister on one knee – a popped blister actually. Like the size of a quarter. He got new kneepads today but not so sure it is much better.

I believe the front porch which goes from the driveway to the entry door will be next. The outside entry also has to be tiled. Then I think it will be on to the inside. Nothing has been done inside yet other than some electricity in the garage. Oh, one other thing he has started is putting in the attic floor.

I have started clearing the view. I probably took down 12 trees yesterday. For some trees, Noel will have to use his chain saw; the reason to use the mini is we take the entire tree, roots and all so we don’t trip over stumps when they are covered by fall leaves. The hill still scares me a bit on the mini, but it truly is safe where I am. I love yelling timber; I’m a quiet person who gets loud when a tree is actually falling. =) But when I come across a tree with a taproot, ugh! I have an oak tree small enough that I can put my hand around the trunk and my fingers will touch. But 3 ft underground, the root is over twice as large in diameter as the actual tree. I’m convinced if I ever get to the bottom of the root, I’m going to find panda bears. And the huge rocks I’m digging up, my goodness. If anybody wants a rock for decorating, we can accommodate you! Today I had a double tree. The roots were close to the surface but went out so far. Hindsight: we should have used the chainsaw! I probably worked at it for 90 minutes, and then the storm came. Lightning was all around, and I was done. But Noel said we had to get it down because it couldn’t just hang there with a storm coming. So, in the rain – and a little lightning – he finished. It was about an 8′ root ball. So many spiritual lessons with trees! Tap roots, roots, 2 trees growing together bring strength. . .

I was able to get tile for my office, the outside entry area, and the entry coming in from the garage. 2100 pounds worth! I bought it in Kansas City and was a little concerned about all that weight in my little pickup truck. But all was well! I did the fun, easy part. Poor Noel gets the hard part – eventually.

Zeke caught his first squirrel. Go Zeke! No, I will not share a picture. They are all 4 enthralled with toads of which we have bountiful supplies! They are filthy pups tonight, but they definitely love their country life. Dink & Fuzz enjoy taking life a little easier than the pups do. Dink is soundly sleeping on the decking in this picture, and it hurts my neck just watching him.

And that about covers where we are right now. Oh wait – the yard! Oh my! I took this picture to encourage us in a few months when we aren’t nearly where we want to be with the yard but are closer than we are now.

After July, we want visitors so we can sit with you on our back deck, enjoy the view, and relax a little which doesn’t happen much these days.