Third week of February

Cast Splint

On Tuesday Jeff sat with Ridley while I had the cast removed from my hand. Well here it is …my hand. My wrist and hand are weak after being in the cast for 7 weeks, but I can tell it is improving. I will start therapy on Tue morning. Until then I promised to leave the splint on (except while sitting still watching TV). I have been very well behaved, you can ask Jeff. The doctor said I should be able to use a scissor in about 6 weeks, not too sure about the pruners!

On Wednesday we got together with Vickie, Josh, Ridley and Char to have dinner with Bob to bring in his birthday. We went to Joseph’s because they have pie, but no one had room for pie after eating the big meal.

I took Goldie to the vet this week because she had been throwing up more than normal. She’s always been a puker, but it was too much. She has lost quite a bit of weight since last years check up. The blood test and x-rays didn’t show anything wrong. We put her on sensitive diet dog food and she seemed to be just fine with that for a few days. However; now she has stopped eating all together. It has been two days and I don’t know what to do, I can’t get her to eat anything.

Jeff’s business is building up steam. The tuning business is picking up and he is now getting more calls from repeat costumers as well and refusals and warranty tunings from Schmitt Music. This week is the Therapist symposium Jeff works at every year so he has been busy making therapeutic spinner boards which he hopes will all sell at the work shops
As a matter of fact Jeff needed to pick up a few things to make the boards so we took a trip to Joann etc. and while he was getting covering material I scored on some very pretty scrapbook paper. We met up with Vickie and Ridley for lunch. It was a pretty good day, and tonight We are just going to hang out at home and watch an old western.

Good Night Pilgrims.

Valentines Weekend

Valentines weekend got off to a wonderful start with the performance of two brothers playing classical Brazilian guitar music; Sergio and Odair Assad. Jeff and I had the pleasure to see them at one of the large churches in Stillwater. It isn’t a very familiar style to me and I enjoyed something a bit different. The sound was good and we didn’t have to drive into the city, and park ½ a mile away to see a quality form of entertainment.

On Saturday Char join Jeff and myself at the Minneapolis Motorcycle Show at the convention center. I realize that it’s not what most people think of for romance; but we had a great time.

There were novelty bikes and replacement models and some newer designs on the floor. Char sat on a few to see how they felt for balance and weight. I didn’t try on any jackets because my hand is still in the cast and they weren’t going to go on. I didn’t see anything that really interested me either. I still have time for that.

Later in the day stopped at Vickie's and wished her a Happy Valentines Day. It also gave Char a chance to play with Ridley before having dinner at Dino's. By a stroke of luck we missed the Valentines crowed.

Happy Birthday Bob Cutler

Happy Birthday Bob

Febuary 17th 2009 is Bob Cutlers Birthday, I believe this makes 96. For many years Bob played trumpet in a local band. He servened in world war II. And he raised a loving family.

Bob has resently moved into his new studeo apartment at Boutwells Landing. He is back on the 4th floor. Things are moving and changing quite fast for him.

All the best to you Bob Cutler.

Tuesday with Ridley

Tuesday afternoon was my turn to spend with Ridley while Mom and Dad were working. There is a noticeable difference in his size and development every week. He makes the little cooing baby sounds and does the baby bubbles. He is reaching for objects and can hold on to toys and gets them in his mouth. It is fun to watch, and he is so happy, his beautiful smile lights up the room. Speaking of lighting up a room, my camera caused some puzzling looks; it shines a red light before the blinding flash. Poor boy was probably seeing spots. Next Tuesday Jeff is going to sit with Ridley while I get my cast removed. Then I won’t worry about bopping him with the hard, rough cast. And I won't have to deal with it any longer either. Jeff is really looking forward to spending some one on one time with his grandson. They will probably be talking motorcycles.

This weekend is the motorcycle show in Minneapolis. Charlene will be joining us to the show this year. Jeff is quite tickled that Char will be looking at larger bikes that the one she has now. There is a new 900 that he has been checking out on line and it will be at the show. I am going to look at new jackets, but it is hard to try anything on with a cast on my arm. It will be another way to spark spring fever; first the warm February weather and then motorcycles!

Last night Jeff and I went to the Saturn dealer and kicked a few tiers. We didn’t see anything that we thought would take the place of the Blazer but we have the word out. There are challenges when one is 6’6”. We now know that Jeff doesn’t fix in a Saturn Sky very well. Oh well, guess if we got one it would be mine.

It was a rather sad occasion last weekend when we said farewell to Jean. The room was filled with family and friend, hearts and lives that Jean has touched over the years she graced this planet. Jean would have been happy to hear the beautiful music that filled the air.

Robin flew in and Nora drove up from Chicago. Robin did his best to gross me out with his bloody foot, but it is always good to see him and Nora. Jeff took Robin to the ER because the areas where the planter warts were removed was bleeding so badly. I think and hope that he is doing better.

We also got to see Karena and Pat and of course little Rinn. I even got her to smile with the spoon on the nose trick.

On Sunday I had an oppertunity to do some shopping with Char. I'm not much of a shopper, but it was great to spend time with Char.

This afternoon I am going to spend playing with Ridley. (I will take all the clothes Char and I found for him this weekend). I will take my camera with me in case he is feeling up to having his picture taken. He is a cutie.

Como Park

In light of the pending cold weather I thought I would share one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities.

On Saturday Jan 10th Jeff and I met up with Char at Vickie’s place and we all went to Como Park conservatory. We had lunch at the cafeteria before wondering around the lush, green and warm greenhouse filled with tropical plants and flowers. The sunken garden is still planted with Poinsettias for the holiday display, but it will soon be switched over to spring blooming bulbs.

There are so many different kinds of orchids. In the orchid house there are 800 different varieties. They switch the plants out around the gardens as they bloom. There is a great range of colors and sizes; beautiful.

I think Vickie and Char make great butterflies. And although it’s a great disguise, Ridley is a frightening tiger.

What a great place to spend a cold January afternoon and how convenient that Vickie lives so close. This is a great place to hang out no matter what season.

Keep warm....

I'm sure that most have heard about our new addition to the family, Lola. We brought her home on December 26. What a great Christmas present. Other than a patch of white on her chest, she is glossy black with gold eyes. She is very fond of Jeff and enjoys hanging out with him in the morning before he heads to work. Lola doesn't say much, quite quiet. She seems to be fitting in just fine.

Willy still isn't sure what to make of her, but his intentions are to play with her, but she isn't too sure about him either and would rather he keeps his distance. Some day they will be great friends, maybe.

Goldie doesn't seen to care about too much and this isn't the first cat she has had to deal with. As long as the cat don't mess with her bed or food dish, she ignores her and Lola doesn't seem to be as threatened by Goldie either. Goldie and I have agreed that Lola reminds us of Shadow; our lost kitty friend from Hayward.

These are a few pictures I just want to share.

Just wanted to share a couple pictures of Ridley, that smile is contagious.

Have a great day.