Andrew & Jarrett's Other Website About My Stuff

2012-01-28T08:11:00.002-06:00

Sammy Squirrel's cousin is sitting in the tree waiting for... his picture to be taken at 7:18 a.m. this morning.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Last night, around midnight, it started to snow very lightly. We may have gotten an inch or so. It's very pretty but it won't last.

January is almost over and next week, we're going to get close to 50 degrees. Tommy Skilling said that this was the warmest winter in 72 years. We all agree that it's very unusual.

Just wondering what this is going to do to the insect populations that are used to below zero temperatures in the winter. Does this mean there's going to be MORE of them?

Or maybe they're going to move further north because it's too warm here. haha! see ya, djb

2012-01-23T17:47:00.000-06:00

2012-01-22T11:48:00.001-06:00

Here's the follow-up to the previous snowy video. I think the only reason I shot this was because papa Cardinal was in the tree.
~djb

2012-01-20T17:19:00.000-06:00

This is the video I made for Diane this afternoon.

djb

2012-01-14T10:10:00.002-06:00

It's probably a little hard to see but there are deer tracks around the bird feeders. They apparently came in the night looking for a snack.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 14, 2012 - We've had such a warm and snow-free winter until two days ago that I kind of forgot about putting bird seed in the feeders because they didn't really need it. There were so many other sources of food.

Plus, in the fall, I always try to be cautious when feeding the birds because I don't want to attract any RODENTS, e.g., mice, as in I hate meeces to pieces!!!

So now, I'm going to have to put my boots on and trek out into the yard and fill the feeders for the birdies and the deer.

The other day, when I was driving on Green Road, I saw two deer crossing from the right to left and into a corn field. I looked back and I saw about a dozen or more other deer further along in the field. WOW!

Thankfully, it was in the afternoon and I could see them. gotta go TCB, djb

2012-01-13T07:43:00.002-06:00

Here's the driveway at 7:23 a.m. this morning. Where did all that snow come from???
----------------------------------------------
Friday, January 12, 2012 - Apparently after Bob snow blew the driveway last night, more snow fell out of the skies.

This is winter. It's been so nice not to have to deal with this until now. I guess we'll just ENJOY it. brrrr, djb

2012-01-13T06:53:00.003-06:00

It may have been Friday the 13th of January 1989 - just after this photo was taken, the wagon tipped over!
---------------------------------------------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012 - YIKES!

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen).

All of sudden, I realized today is Friday the 13th. Here's some interesting tidbits I discovered:

Some Christian traditions have it that at the Last Supper, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table.

Triskaidekaphobia may have also affected the Vikings - is believed that Loki in the Norse pantheon was the 13th god - more specifically, Loki was believed to have engineered the murder of Balder, and was the 13th guest to arrive at the funeral. This is perhaps related to the superstition that if 13 people gather, one of them will die in the following year.

Another Norse tradition involves the myth of Norna-Gest: when the uninvited norns showed up at his birthday celebration - thus increasing the number of guests from ten to thirteen.

Ancient Persians believed the twelve constellations in the Zodiac controlled the months of the year, and each ruled the earth for a thousand years at the end of which the sky and earth collapsed in chaos. Therefore, the number is identified with chaos and the reason Persians leave their houses to avoid bad luck on the thirteenth day of the Persian Calendar, a tradition called Sizdah Bedar.

After all these years, the above tidbits finally explain a lot to me. I've got this triskaidekaphobia from BOTH sides of my ancestral tree. WOW! cross my fingers, see ya later, djb

2012-01-12T20:08:00.002-06:00

At 7:45 p.m., I took this photo of Bob snowblowing the driveway. It's a little hard to see because of the snow falling in front of the FLASH.
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 12, 2012 - I went outside about 20 til 4 and came in about 4:30. The shoveling was difficult for two reasons: iciness under the snow and heaviness of the snow.

I made Bob a really good dinner tonight because I knew he'd have to go out and blow the snow around. While I was trying to take pictures of him in the driveway, I could see our neighbor, Steve, also blowing his driveway. 'Tis the season.

This is not snow that you want to shovel. TOO HEAVY - the heart attack variety. Okie dokie, snow ya tomorrow with our final totals, djb

2012-01-12T14:34:00.002-06:00

At 1:37 p.m., I went out to take a picture of the driveway, instead I saw the snow blowing off the shed. WOW!
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 12, 2012 - Once it started snowing just before 8 a.m., it hasn't quit. Right now, it's that real light sneaky snow that manages to add inches upon inches of white stuff.

It's beginning to look a lot like January? Okay. Sounds good. see ya, djb

2012-01-12T08:59:00.002-06:00

Here's the driveway at 8:55 a.m. - it's not completely covered with snow ...yet.
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 12, 2012 - Now, I have my benchmark photo. What was I thinking? I always take a picture of the driveway. Can't wait to get out there and do some shoveling.

This has been such a weird winter. Yesterday, it was 55 degrees here. Everyone knew that it would snow one of these days. After all, we do live in NORTHERN Illinois.

Better go take care of some business. snow ya later, djb

2012-01-12T08:35:00.003-06:00

The snow started just before 8 a.m. Here's the pool at 8:28 a.m.
------------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 12, 2012 - So, we're finally in for some SNOW today. They're predicting various amounts but since we've only had a teeny, tiny dusting so far this winter, whatever we get will be pretty, yet annoying, however some individuals will welcome it.

The problem lies with people who have forgotten how to drive in snow. It's easier than driving on ice but it still takes some patience to arrive alive. WOW! I didn't realize what I wrote until I typed it.

Okie dokie. snow ya later, djb

2012-01-08T07:52:00.002-06:00

This is the wolf statue that Julie has in her living room. Of course, I took a picture of it on Christmas.
------------------------------------------------
Sunday, January 8, 2012 - The FULL MOON is coming!

In the early hours of tomorrow morning, the moon becomes full. That's why it's been looking so large these past few nights.

January 9, 2012 - 2:30 a.m. EST - Full Wolf Moon. Amid the cold and deep snows of mid-winter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. January's full moon was also known as the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule. In some tribes, this was the Full Snow Moon, but most applied that name to next month's moon.

Moon info from www.space.com

As of now, the Full Snow Moon designation doesn't apply here. Officially, we've only had 1.5 inches of snow! Good! later, djb

2012-01-07T12:08:00.004-06:00

Here's the birthday girl (tomorrow!), Kylie -- this was taken last year when she got all gussied up for Homecoming.
------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 7, 2012 - All of a sudden, I realized that I needed to put in a recent picture of Kylie. Not the ones from years and years ago. haha

I love this photo up above. When she came to visit this past summer, she looked even more gorgeous than this. What a little sweetheart. She still remembers the boys. I like that.

Bryar was only 4 months old when they died, so she doesn't really remember them. Even though she was one of the last family members to actually SEE them alive.

The boys came home from school while I was taking pictures of baby Bryar (in February 2003). Jarrett asked Karen, "WHAT's her name again?"

Karen said, "Bryar. Like a briar bush." His reply, "Oh."

Ah, the memories. Happy Birthday to Kylie on Sunday, January 8th. Love ya, honey! Hope you have fun. ~djb

2012-01-06T06:51:00.003-06:00

Christmas Eve 2002 in Casselberry. We weren't there that year but I do have the pictures (and thousands of other ones) -- and it's so nice to see Chuck along with everyone else!
--------------------------------------------------------
Friday, January 6, 2012 - The other day when I tried to copy my old photos, nothing worked. So, I called Fast-Teks (computer repairs) located in Elburn....well not IN Elburn, but with an Elburn address just like us. haha

Anyway... Bob came yesterday afternoon and took out the hard drive (that I had put in Jarrett's computer) and moved my 37,000 photos to the new computer. That's a lot of pictures. "Say cheese." Also, a lot of documents that have the genealogical stuff I worked on for years.

It took quite a while to move them, as you can well imagine. So, he's coming back this morning to finish it up. I'm planning to put a new hard drive in the 9 year old computer and give it to Julie so she can learn how to use one without fearing that she'll break it.

I think the easiest thing she can do is to get a facebook page and go from there. We'll see how that goes. Then, I can send her all photos that I have of Buddy, their dog. It's been almost one year since he went to doggie heaven. Wow, time sure flies -- and so must I. bye, djb

2012-01-03T09:37:00.002-06:00

Jarrett's first photo - looks like he's waving at the crowd!
------------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - Happy Birthday, Jarrett!

I just can't stop wondering what Jarrett would be doing if he were still here. It would be amazing, I'm sure.

When he was interested in something, he'd laser focus on it. And I can only imagine what kind of movies he would've made with all of the options that are available now that weren't there 9 years ago.

I just remembered something. He was the one who built the computer that still has my 30,000 pictures on it. One of these days, I have to get those off there. Where's Nick when I need him?

Just remembering Jarrett today more than most days. God bless my little weasel. Love you forever, Mom

2011-12-24T06:24:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, at 2:08 p.m. EST, the temperature was 86 degrees in Florida!
---------------------------------------------
Saturday, December 24, 2011 - Christmas Eve 2011 - We don't even have the slimmest chance of experiencing a white Christmas tomorrow, BUT in Florida, you might get a sunburn on Christmas this year. haha

I still remember the first time I was in Florida for Christmas and it was 82 (my favorite temp) degrees. To me, that was great!! My favorite tree is the palm tree. And a palm tree with lights is gorgeous.

At 7 a.m, I'm going to start making my potato salad for tomorrow's Christmas get-together (it always tastes better when it melds for a day). Plus, I'm making a 7-layer salad which we're all excited about.

Hope it turns out okay. I know I shouldn't worry because anything with bacon and special mayonnaise should be pretty tasty.

Gotta go get some more coffee. later gators, djb

2011-12-22T07:45:00.002-06:00

These are the angel ornaments Diane sent me for Christmas. Aren't they adorable!!!
---------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 22, 2011 - It was surprisingly easy to get the pictures of Andrew and Jarrett inside these angel ornaments. They're very well made. Not chintzy at all.

Thanks, Seester!!

You can see Andrew's A to the left of Jarrett. Don't know if you remember, Diane, but you also gave me an A and a J one year!

And, every year, I decorate this little tree and sit it on the counter in the kitchen. This is the same tree that Andrew and I bought back in 1986 at Kmart in North Aurora. WOW!

That's an old tree. I just realized that this is supposed to be in the boy's blog. duh, Donna. all right, I'll do that, too. bye, djb

2011-12-17T09:54:00.002-06:00

At 6:58 a.m. this morning - this is what the front yard looked like.
---------------------------------------------
Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Late yesterday, we kept hearing that it was going to snow during the night. Obviously, a lot of people dismissed that idea because we've had a dearth of snow so far this year.

We just don't have the SNOW mentality ingrained in our brains yet. Example: I was planning to go into Wal-mart to get some address labels (no one else has them) this morning at 7 a.m. HA!!!

Not such a good idea until the roads get plowed because people just don't know how to drive on the first big snow of the year. Actually, there's only about 2 inches or so out there -- maybe 2 and a half inches.

But it isn't going anywhere any time soon. Boy! I've sure loved having NO SNOW. But remember what I always say, Snow ya later, djb

2011-12-13T06:49:00.002-06:00

Here's Rachel and David with Christmas cookies for me and Bob.
---------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Last night, about 8:30 p.m., I was chatting with Granny, when Bob came around the corner and said, "Someone's here to see you." I hadn't even heard the doorbell.

When I walked over, there was Rachel and I thought it was Isaac at first, but it was David. He's grown about 6 inches since school started. He said, "A lot of people make that mistake."

Thankfully, I had started my Christmas decorating yesterday so things looked waaaaay better than the previous days. I think it was the festive jolt I got from being at Ron & Liz's house. Thanks, guys!

And the cookies are SOOOOOOOO good!!!! David also said, "We're lucky because our mom likes to make cookies." haha

Now, I've caught the Christmas spirit from those sweet kids. Happy Birthday, Jesus! later, djb

2011-12-10T06:44:00.004-06:00

The almost full moon photo taken this morning at 6:05 a.m. Temperature was 9 degrees ABOVE zero.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, December 10, 2011 - I didn't realize that today was the full moon until a few days ago when I saw the moon getting bigger and brighter... So, I've been wondering what the name of this moon is. I thought it was the Full Snow Moon, but since it was only single digits this morning, this name is totally appropriate.

December 10, 2011 - 9:36 a.m. EST – Full Cold Moon: On occasion, this moon was also called the Moon Before Yule. December is also the month the winter cold fastens its grip.

Sometimes this moon is referred to as the Full Long Nights Moon, and the term "Long Night" Moon is a very appropriate name because the nights are now indeed long and the moon is above the horizon a long time. This particular full moon makes its highest arc across the sky because it's diametrically opposite to the low sun.

Last, but certainly not least, this will also be the night of a total lunar eclipse.Viewers across the western United States and Western Canada can catch the total phase before the moon sets. Alaska and Hawaii can see the entire event from start to finish. Central and Eastern Asia and Australia are also well placed for viewing this eclipse (where the calendar date will read Dec. 11). Totality lasts 51 minutes.

the above full moon info from space.com

moon ya later, djb

2011-12-09T08:02:00.002-06:00

Here's what the driveway looked like at 7:36 a.m. this morning!
---------------------------------------------
Friday, December 9, 2011 - Okay, the first snow event for this season began some time last night. This is what we were greeted with today. oh my!

I'm just SOOOOOO glad that we went into the city on Tuesday instead of this morning. The expressways are not so expressive when it snows. They're more like molasses.

Hey, I just saw my first SNOW PLOW of the season at 8:05 a.m. This is only going to get worse. big sigh.....

Remember: this is NORTHERN Illinois not Florida. haha snow ya later, djb

2011-12-07T08:42:00.002-06:00

Here's my poinsettia. I actually got it before Thanksgiving!
---------------------------------------------
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - Every year since I can remember, I've had to buy a poinsettia. One year, I actually had more than one -- that was a fun year.

I used to take care of them and they'd last until the summer. The past few years, not so long.

Happy Birthday, Jesus. see ya later, djb

2011-11-30T15:34:00.002-06:00

Here's Julie and me on Thanksgiving (November 24th). This artsy photo was taken by Krissy.
---------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - Thanksgiving was almost a week ago, so I figured it was about time I put in a picture of us girls celebrating the day.

You can see her Pfalzgraff clock on the wall up above the window. The next day, I ordered a Pfalzgraff butter bowl for her from Replacements, Inc. It was fun and she's very excited.

Happy Birthday to Howard and to Jason. bye, djb

2011-11-15T17:43:00.003-06:00

This was the view out the west window at 6:56 a.m. this morning. It looked so weirdly cool.

Here's the same view out the west window at 7:20 a.m. Yikes, where did the weirdness go?
---------------------------------------------
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - They kept saying on the radio that there was fog this morning but I didn't really see it until I looked out the west window. WOW!

Isn't that a great spooky picture. It kind of looks like smoky mountains. haha bye,djb

2011-11-13T06:55:00.002-06:00

On 11/11/11 --- I took this picture of the wireless thermometer's reading of the time (courtesy of the Atomic clock) at 11:11 11
-------------------------------------
Sunday, November 13, 2011 - Yes, I'm two days late and a dollar short. BUT, here's the picture I took on Friday at 11 minutes and 11 seconds are 11 o'clock. Right after I snapped that photo, I got a phone call from Krissy and we went boating.

So, I never popped this in here until now. The reason I put it in now is because I wanted to say that as of this particular point in time, the temperature on my computer (54 degrees) in Elburn is the same as the temperature in the Orlando Sentinel online newspaper in Florida (54 degrees).

That doesn't happen very often but it does occur from time to time, so I wanted to make note of it for future reference and possible discussion of weather and temps. haha later, djb

2011-11-06T07:36:00.002-06:00

Here's my burning bush looking all red and pretty, plus you can see the colorful trees in the background.
---------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 6, 2011 - I took this picture last week or the week before....whenever. All of sudden, I realized that my burning bush was ablaze in its full fall foliage. Love it!

It's especially easy to see now because all the weeds are gone. During the year, you never know what type of bushes are planted around people's houses. That is, until fall comes and the burning bush shows off.

Fall back. bye, djb

2011-10-21T06:46:00.002-05:00

Here's a picture of God's fingernail through the skylight this morning at 5:37 a.m.
----------------------------------------------
Friday, October 21, 2011 - This is it. Yikes!!!

I'm anxious and excited and nervously awaiting getting my own personal PROSE device to put into my right eye in a few hours.

The worst part of it all is the drive into Chicago. There are SO many cars and so many crazy people out there driving.

You'd think at some point, they'd give a mental health test when they issue the driver's license. HAHAHAA! That's funny.

Now, I gotta go. Later...........djb

2011-10-12T07:25:00.002-05:00

Here's the almost full moon this morning at 6:41 a.m.
---------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - The REAL Columbus Day.

When I brought the garbage can out to the street at 6 a.m. this morning, I was thrilled to be able to see the moon because yesterday (FULL moon), the sky was overcast.

At first, I used my little camera -- the photos were less than good. In fact, they were pretty bad.

So, I grabbed the big Canon with the telephoto lens and shot the above picture. That's just the way it looked, too.

Another beautiful morning. We've got rainy and cold weather headed this way but I'm enjoying the here and now. later, djb

2011-10-09T09:39:00.002-05:00

This is one of my four hanging baskets -- this one came back to life with gusto after the brutal heat subsided.
-----------------------------------------
Sunday, October 9, 2011 - We've been having PERFECT weather this past week. My definition of perfect is 82 degrees. Yeah, it's been right around 80 - 82. Sunny. No rain. Gorgeous!!!!!

Yesterday, I mowed the parts of the lawn that have no leaves on them yet. I smiled the entire time because it felt so nice out there in the yard riding around on Juanita Querida.

Oh, that reminds me. I took a picture of the back yard covered in leaves. I'll put that on Andrew and Jarrett's blog.

Gotta go. see ya later, djb

2011-10-02T12:55:00.002-05:00

Okay, here I am with Jeannette and Colleen Schmidt's in Elburn on Friday night, September 30, 2011.
----------------------------------------------
Sunday, October 2, 2011 - We had the BEST time at Schmidt's on Friday night. Not only were the two sweetest girls in the world there, but we also saw a bunch of Jarrett and Andrew's friends....it was absolutely perfect.

Plus, I had my annual sombrero Rosita's lunch with Bergy & Avis and Ron & Liz which was also absolutely fabulous.

What a GREAT birthday I had. Happy Birthday to me. later,djb

2011-09-30T16:57:00.002-05:00

Here's me with the mariachi band mural at Rosita's today. We all have sombreros on our cabezas.
---------------------------------------------
Friday, September 30, 2011 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. FELIZ CUMPLEANOS A MI.

Today, on my boofday, I met Bergy & Avis and Ron & Liz at Rosita's for lunch so I could get the next photo of me in a sombrero on my birthday for my collection.

While we were eating, I noticed that mural above the bar, so I took a picture of it and plugged in my photo next to the girls.

Ron was kind enough to take a bunch of pictures of me in the sombrero. Yes, it's the eighth year I've been doing this craziness.

Coincidentally or not, the first year I did this was the first year that Andrew and Jarrett were not on the planet to celebrate with me. I'm sure they'd both think it was a hoot.

Still wish they were here with me. That's the one present I'll never get. see ya later, djb

2011-09-22T08:40:00.002-05:00

My front flower bed has been wiped clean by professionals -- not much left.
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 22, 2011 - When I looked back at the photos of how gorgeous my front flower bed was a few short years ago, it made me crazy at how out of control it had become!

I have NEVER cut down the flowers or the grasses in the fall like a lot of people do because I want something for the birdies to sit on and eat in the fall and the winter....

...however, it became so weed infested that I couldn't take the ugliness any more. I pulled so many weeds so many times and cut down so many wild weed trees that I thought it would be okay this year. NOT even close.

My plan now is to dig out the numerous weed trees which have roots that go all the way to China. I really need a sharper ax but then I thought about it....probably not a good idea in my hands.

Plus, I'm going to have to kill some flowers to also kill the weeds. But maybe then I can actually walk through the garden. Oh yeah....and mulch heavily in the spring.

Also want to plant some more hearty tulips and daffodils this fall in the spots in the garden where they disappeared over the years -- through disintegration or critter theft.

Gotta go. It's ALMOST fall. see ya, djb

2011-09-14T17:09:00.004-05:00

Two tomatoes were in the garage on the counter. Notice that one has been half eaten ---- but by whom? ah ha!
---------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - Okay, so I was out in the garage in the late morning when I heard a noise behind the shelves. Thinking it was a mouse, I high-tailed it into the house because I hate meeces to pieces!!

About 2 p.m., I went out into the garage (to get in my car) to drive into town to mail a letter to Alyssa when I noticed a critter running around in the same place near the shelves.

It wasn't a mouse. It was crazy ALVIN the CHIPMUNK. yikes!

So, I drove out and went into town, mailed the letter and then came back. I walked out to the street to bring in my garbage can when I spied him again. He was knocking over mosquito spray cans and scooting around all over the place. Yikes again!

I left the garage door open and the side door and went into the house. After a time, I came back out to see if he had left. NO, he hadn't left.

He was eating one of the tomatoes that I had set on the counter. WHAT? A vegetarian chipmunk??? ay yi yi!!

What to do? I grabbed my can of bug spray and sprayed the tomato and came back in the house.....leaving the doors open in case he wanted to go back home to his hole in the ground.

Later on, I checked out there again but didn't hear him or see him. Hopefully, he's gone!!!!! Remember the bird I had in the garage for two days? Yeah.

Also, a couple weeks ago, I had the mad screeching squirrel coming toward me near the washing machine. I told him to get out there more than once! (That's when Bob asked me what's going on out there??)

Actually, it's still a WILD KINGDOM out in the country. see ya'll later, djb

2011-09-13T17:41:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, I saw this haziness toward the west and wondered what it was?
----------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - I didn't smell any smoke, but I saw a haze toward the west. It wasn't humid today and it was really windy so what was it??

Then, I heard someone on the news say that smoke from Minnesota was blown here by the strong northwest winds. hmmmm

MINNESOTA WILDFIRE SMOKE REACHES ILLINOIS

Smoke from a forest fire in northeastern Minnesota carried south by wind is apparently entering Illinois, filling the sky over parts of northeastern Illinois with a gray, smoggy haze.

~Chicago Tribune

So, I took a picture and here it is. Not too bad here but apparently other places are really smoked in. Yikes! ~djb

2011-09-12T05:58:00.005-05:00

Here's the Harvest Moon this morning at 5:11 a.m. CDT shortly after it became a full moon.
----------------------------------------------
Monday, September 12, 2011 - For some reason, I keep waking up at 4 a.m. every day. THAT is annoying!! Except for today because when I looked out the window, I could see the full moon.

By the time I decided to take a picture of it, the clouds had partially obscured the view. However, I was able to get it to peek out from behind the clouds for a photo (see above).

Here's the scoop on the Harvest Moon:

September 12, 2011 - 5:27 a.m. EDT – Full Harvest Moon: Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal (fall) equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September in the Northern Hemisphere, but (on average) once or twice a decade it will fall in early October (right after my birthday!).

At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Usually the moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night – just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans and wild rice – the chief Indian staples – are now ready for gathering.

------------------------------------------------

So, now you know that by the time you read this, the moon has already become full earlier this morning. Have a GREAT day, djb

2011-09-11T10:32:00.002-05:00

9-11-2004 - 9:18 a.m. - Andrew & Jarrett's memorial pond had just been completed.
----------------------------------------------
Sunday, 9-11-11 - Here's what I don't understand... people only seem motivated or interested in celebrating BIG if an occasion has a zero on the end, e.g., 10, 20, 30, etc. (exceptions are made for 25, as in silver anniversaries).

This has driven me crazy for a very long time. Was there a law passed when I was out of the room? I remember last year, when Grandpa and Gladys turned 90. That was a HUGE deal. And living to 90 years is incredible and should be celebrated.

However, isn't turning 91 a BIGGER deal plus ONE ???

Where in the world did this mind set originate??? Is it because we have 10 fingers and our number system is base 10? Is it because we have a special word for ten years: DECADE?

If you find out, let me know. Maybe it's because I always thought birthdays were important so I made them festive and fun for the boys. Not ever imagining that my special parties for them would end forever. (You get to eat whatever you want.)

Now, I get to remember the anniversary of their deaths. Each year, I remember them (well, each day, all day, every day) specifically on March 3rd.

If I had to wait until 10 years after they died to always remember and never forget....wow! That would suck. djb

2011-09-05T10:21:00.002-05:00

Here's the thermometer reading this morning at 6:35 a.m. Only 50 degrees on our patio. In the 40's out in the yard!!! A few days ago, it was 95....yikes!
-----------------------------------------------
Monday, September 5, 2011 - Labor Day and Grandpa Burkholder's 91st birthday.

Yesterday, I heard that this coming winter in northern Illinois is forecast to be a lot like last winter. WHAT??????

Snow. Snow. And MORE Snow! oh boy! Can't wait for that. Is it time to move to Florida yet? brrr ya later, djb

2011-08-20T10:23:00.004-05:00

UPDATE: It's a cicada!!! He's the bug that was flying around in the garage last night. Hard to get a really good picture.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, August 20, 2011 - While I was chatting with Granny last night, I heard a very loud, crazy bug flying around inside the garage. I kept opening the door so he could fly out, but after a while the crazy thumping stopped so I figured he left.

Well, he didn't. This morning, I found his lifeless carcass on the floor... he landed in front of the dryer on the carpet in the garage. Sure glad he didn't get in the house.

Bugs and critters. Oh my, djb

2011-08-13T14:08:00.002-05:00

Here's what the sky looked like toward the northwest at 12:51 p.m. this afternoon.
---------------------------------------------
Saturday, August 13, 2011 - FULL STURGEON MOON.

It seems as though it often rains when there's a full moon. Not sure why that happens. There must be some mystical explanation.

I've been tracking the storms since I got home from Elburn, and they seem to be going north of us. They were headed right here and apparently made a left turn. Whew. That's good.

Now the sun is shining just a little bit. see ya later, djb

2011-08-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

Andrew is obviously fishing for sturgeon in the canal at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Port Charlotte.
---------------------------------------------

Aug. 13, 2:57 p.m. EDT – Full Sturgeon Moon: When this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water like Lake Champlain is most readily caught. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because when the moon rises it looks reddish through sultry haze, or the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

The occurrence of this full moon on this particular date is rather poor timing for those who enjoy the annual performance of the Perseid meteor shower; this display will peak on this very same day and the brilliant light of the moon will likely wash out all but the very brightest of these swift streaks of light.
----------------------------------------
Now, you know WHEN the full moon will occur. later, djb

2011-08-10T09:38:00.002-05:00

On Monday, August 8th, at 10:08 a.m., I saw the Elburn fire truck outside the computer room window.

After I took the first photo, a few minutes later, I took this one after the ambulance arrived at our neighbor's house. (note: He's okay now.)
-----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - Okay, so on Sunday, the ambulance was on the west side of our house and Monday it was on the east side of our house. Yikes!!

I was afraid that our house would be NEXT. In fact, the way my blood pressure felt yesterday, I'm lucky that I didn't have to take a ride in an ambulance!

In the afternoon, I spent 5 and a half hours in the driveway cutting evergreens, moving pine needles out of the way, cutting flowers and more flowers, pulling flowers/weeds/grass, trimming the lilac bush and that other weird one that the June bugs like to eat.

All of this because I'm having the driveway seal coated on Friday... IF it doesn't rain. At least, I'm in the queue.

The entire time I was working in the driveway, I felt kind of woozy and weak. My legs felt really weird but I knew I HAD to get this done because the driveway sealer guys wait for no man.

All of sudden around 5:30, I realized that I might be feeling weird because of my blood pressure. Yeah, okay. When I checked it, it was 90 over 54. THAT was after working outside for five and a half hours? Seemed a bit low.

So, I drank some Gatorade - okay, so I gulped a bottle of it. Then, I ate most of a hamburger for dinner with LOTS of salt on it. Since I got the abscessed tooth business last week, I've been afraid to eat real food because of the pain. Apparently, I needed some sustenance, as in REAL food.

This morning, my blood pressure is 92 over 52. That's normal for me after sleeping. Now, I have to go out and mow the lawn because the lawn guy put weed and feed on it last week, then it rained and now it's cool -- so the grass is growing like crazy!!

And if the driveway is sealed on Friday, I won't be able to get out Juanita Querida on Saturday because it has to rest for a few days and who wants to get tar on their tires? Although a person could walk on it after 24 hours.

Note to self: go buy some Gatorade. right. see ya later --- I hope --- unless I drop dead. bye, djb

2011-08-07T06:54:00.002-05:00

This is what I saw out of the west window this morning at 4:50 a.m. -- it's a fire truck or maybe it's the ambulance.
-----------------------------------------------
Sunday, August 7, 2011 - A little bit after 4:30 a.m., this morning, I heard the wind outside. Yikes!

The storm was coming earlier than I thought. I had to get all of the plants out of harm's way....which I did. Then, I took some Advil and decided at exactly 5 a.m., to start putting my three different eye drops into my right eye (Azopt, Timolol and Lotemax).

Now, it's 5:48 a.m., so I figured it was probably a good time to actually FINISH the page I started for Aunt Helen since I'm awake and I just made some more coffee.

Oh, and the other thing that happened about 4:45 a.m. was that I saw a flashing RED light toward the west (pictured above). Lo and behold....there was a fire truck, an ambulance and two fire dept. cars at our neighbor's house down near the lake.

So, I tried to take pictures through the wind and rain but it's really hard to get anything in the dark, through the window. They left at 5:10 a.m., with no flashing lights or sirens. Hope whoever it was is going to be all right. Not a great way to start your day. Understatement.

My abscessed tooth, jaw, etc. is less bad this morning. I believe the doxycycline is finally working its magic. Hope it continues!!!! have a nice day, djb

2011-08-04T08:38:00.004-05:00

Here's me this morning around 6 a.m. with an Icy-Hot pain patch on my cheek. Hey, there's Jarrett's helmet in the picture seemingly floating in the air!
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, August 4, 2011 - Yesterday was a day from hell. Today is less horrible, although I'm still in pain from time to time.

I woke up at 2 a.m. (8/3) in SEVERE, EXCRUCIATING pain in my left lower jaw so I took a bunch of Advil and put some Anbesol on my gum. Tried to go back to sleep.

When I got up a little before 6 a.m., I couldn't wait to take some more Advil. Plus, there was the garbage to take out to the street. At least, it wasn't raining any more.

Oh yeah, we had that really bad thunderstorm Tuesday night with winds that were around 70 mph. Lots of sticks in the yard and the pool. Just what I didn't need!!

After I went hysterically berserk from the unrelenting, crushing pain, I decided to take my shower and go into Elburn and see Duke. His son was friends with Jarrett. Anyway, his receptionist told me that he could see me tomorrow unless they had a cancellation. That was fine.

Thank God, someone cancelled and I got in to see the doctor at 2:40 in the afternoon. I have an abscessed tooth and gum and LOTS of trouble in my mouth. Thankfully, he shot me with novacaine so at least the pain was finally gone for a while.

I have to take antibiotics for 10 days and also he gave me some very nice pain killers -- they make me sleepy so I don't care.

Right now, I feel like I was run over by a small truck. And it's very hard to eat anything. Gotta love those soft pretzels!!

Okie. Time to go. I do have to find something to eat. later, djb

2011-07-27T17:14:00.002-05:00

This is what I encountered once I opened the drawer - a bee hive full of honey bees making honey.
--------------------------------------------
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - THE REST OF THE REST OF THE STORY: So, after I sprayed the drawer with the entire can of spray, then waited for quite a while, I went back out hoping the bees were all dead, gone or dead.

When I opened the drawer to put it in a garbage bag, I encountered the above situation. WOW! There were still bees buzzing around. And these are the bees that sting me and hurt a LOT.

When Bob got home, he helped me put it in the garbage bag, but there was still some buzzing going on. Very scary. Don't like to get stung. ouch!!

Now, it all made sense. A few years ago, we had an underground bee hive that was discovered by a woodchuck. That was very weird. I have pictures somewhere. He dug underground and pieces of the hive were all over the yard.

So, I figure that it was some critter that smelled the honey and used his critter paws to open the drawer. How smart is that?!

Not sure why he took bites out of the seed packets but maybe he encountered some problems getting to the honey and figured that maybe some of the seeds were "special" and he'd get high. hahaa

gotta go. Not sure what to expect next. But I'll be in touch. djb

2011-07-26T14:05:00.004-05:00

Here's the weathered chest that sits on the patio year-round and holds my plants in the summertime -- it was vandalized last night.

Here are two seed packets that were bitten by an unknown critter, so I guess I was critterized.
---------------------------------------------
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - When I peeked out the door this morning, it looked like someone had rummaged through the green weathered chest that's been on the patio since Jarrett and I bought it at a garage sale many, many, many years ago.

Apparently, in their search for something (?), they tossed the seed packets on the ground. Interesting.

When I went outside and to take pictures, I could see "bite" marks on a number of the packets. They weren't real big bites so I'm not sure which critter to credit for the dirty deed.

But, interesting to me is that the critter was able to OPEN the drawers. WOW! That is a hoot and a half.

THE REST OF THE STORY... I took a few pictures this morning and tried to ignore it for a while. But this afternoon, I went out to clean up the mess. As I pulled out the drawer on the left side, wasps started swarming out of the drawer...

WHAT? That was weird. I'm not sure what variety they are because I didn't stick around long enough to do an entomological study.

Instead, I ran in the garage and grabbed my handy can of wasp and hornet spray and sprayed the crap out the drawer. That stuff sprays 22 feet so I didn't have to get close.

So, now there's a real dilemma because (1) what critter did that? and (2) how long have the wasps been living in that drawer and what is their intention?

This is really getting to be quite a wild and wooly place to live. see ya later, djb

2011-07-24T06:47:00.002-05:00

HOT temperatures can be fatal to your dog (or your kid).
------------------------------------
Sunday, July 24, 2011 - It's 6:48 a.m. as I type this. There is a HUGE, dangerous thunderstorm headed our way. I should add, AGAIN. We're in the path... we must have a bull's eye on our backs.

This one has hail, wind, torrential downpours. Yikes! I'm typing as fast as I can. Charging my phone, making coffee, getting ready to batten the hatches before all hell breaks loose.

If there are any typos, pardon me. hope to see you later, djb

2011-07-23T07:49:00.002-05:00

This is a picture I took yesterday morning at 9:07 a.m. just before the next storm blew in.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, July 23, 2011 - We have ANOTHER thunderstorm on the way. It is absolutely incredible.

Apparently, we are situated right on the "ring of fire." Hey, I remember that scenario from about 27 years ago when I lived in Aurora on Sheffer Road.

I took some video but I have to upload it to YouTube. That takes a while....and I have to turn this off once I hear thunder and SEE lightning. bye....djb

P.S. This is all happening because someone said, "We need rain."

2011-07-22T08:33:00.003-05:00

Here's two star gazers I photographed yesterday morning. Whenever I see two star gazers together, I always think, "THEY LANDED AMONG THE STARS."
----------------------------------------------
Friday, July 22, 2011 - It's about 8:35 a.m., I see that another line of thunderstorms is headed this way.

A little after 1 a.m., this morning, there was a fierce thunderstorm that went through in about half hour to 45 minutes -- only left a half inch of rain but the lightning was unbelievable.

And the thunder was that really loud kind that echos because the clouds are so tall. It was quite intense. I couldn't sleep because I was worried about my plants getting blown away.

....however, this morning, only one plant fell over and there was no wind involved in that one, just a torrential downpour that lasted for a half hour. So, that would be an inch an hour.

Yikes! Better go. snow ya later, djb hahaha

2011-07-19T15:23:00.002-05:00

Here's Grandpa, baby Alyssa and Granny - probably about 14 and a half years ago.
-----------------------------------------------
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - I just heard that it's 95 degrees in Sugar Grove which translates to a 103 heat index. WOW! That's pretty hot. Summer time....summer time.

I just read that Alyssa's birthday is July 22nd. Is that true? Or do I have incorrect information? That would NOT surprise me.

The reason I put Grandma and Grandpa's picture in is because last night when I talked to Gran, she told me that yesterday, she and Grandpa returned to WATER AEROBICS. WOW!!!

It had been exactly 11 months since they had been there. It was such a joyful reunion with all of their fellow swimmers. I know they saw some of them at their anniversary party in February.

But the fact that they're actually going there and doing it -- it's awesome!!! It's amazing. Boy! I'd better get my lazy ass in gear. hahahaha bye for now, djb

2011-07-11T10:31:00.002-05:00

This is the aftermath on the deck of the severe weather we had this morning. I know, it could be waaaaaaay worse.

When I took this picture, the wind was blowing at least 60 mph. For some reason, it doesn't show the sheets of rain coming down.
---------------------------------------------
Monday, July 11, 2011 - STORMY MONDAY!!!

When I heard that we were in the path of the severe weather this morning, I quickly put up my website (andrew-jarrett.com). Then, I went outside and moved most of the plants and vegetables.

I ran in the house to take my shower before the storm came. When I went in the bathroom, it wasn't too bad yet....when I came out of the bathroom about 7 minutes later, it was pitch black. Dark as night.

The wind and rain were hitting those tall windows on the west side of the house with such fury, that I went into the garage because I was afraid they were going to break if some sort of projectile hit them. It was kind of scary for a while.

From previous storms, I know what the trees look like when the winds are above 60 mph, and it was at least that much.

The scariest part of this whole day is the frog in the swimming pool. I do NOT like amphibious creatures -- not like the boys did. It must be some sort of joke Andrew and Jarrett are playing on me. NOT FUNNY!!! yucky!!!

There are a lot of tree limbs that took a hit and landed all around the yard and it appears that the star gazer lilies also took a BIG hit. (insert sad face). At least, the windows remained intact.

The other day, someone said, "We NEED the rain." I said, "NEVER, EVER say that because you don't know what you're going to get."

I do believe some people said that they needed rain in Florida before the THREE hurricanes hit in 2004. Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.

If I don't get too creeped out, I'll take a picture of the frog. yech. later, djb

P.S. And all of this occurred before 8 a.m. this morning. wow!

2011-07-10T12:40:00.002-05:00

That looks a like a perfect margarita -- this must be Rosita's!

Here's the view on the patio last night at Rosita's. It was so perfect out there even though the temperature hit 92 yesterday!
------------------------------------------------
Sunday, July 10, 2011 - We had to go to Rosita's last night because it was ODD SATURDAY: 7-9-11

That set of numbers (consecutive odd numbers) only occurs six times in a century. At least, that's what I heard. Pretty cool!

We haven't been to Rosita's lately. The brothers and my sisters in law went last weekend when we were sitting around the pool eating brats. So, it must've gotten in my brain like a worm.

We didn't see Bob and Joan but I did meet someone who knew a girl I went to grade school with (her name was Jean Chaplin).

I was taking pictures and on the way out, he asked me if I was a tourist....and after that, it was a hoot of a conversation. I'm pretty sure Bob was wondering WHERE I was but he probably figured I ran into someone I knew or someone I was related to.

Lately, I've been meeting people who have a Kingston connection. It is sooooo interesting. When we lived there, our two phone numbers were: 292 and 203. That's hilarious!!!

Better go check on the pool temperature. see ya later, djb

2011-06-27T07:02:00.002-05:00

Here's Ma Cat on our deck in February 2011 -- after the two feet of snow that had previously been there melted.
----------------------------------------------
Monday, June 27, 2011 - When I talked to Granny last night, she said that she couldn't get the new update on my website. So, I'm going to put it on here and add a few more details.

Sunday's Journal Entry, June 26, 2011- Yesterday afternoon, before I started mowing the lawn, I
saw two kittens on the deck. They were very small -- and of course, I immediately knew who they came from!

The cat pictured up above is their mama. They scurried off the deck but managed to squeeze through the spaces in the fence and went UNDER the deck and then started "meowing." At least, the foxes Made no noises when they lived under there.

At first, I thought there were just the two. But later, when I was out in back yard mowing, I saw Ma Cat and her other offspring. There were either four or five going through the bushes to our neighbor's house. But the little grey one decided to run back under the deck.

These are definitely feral cats....you would understand what I'm saying here if you ever heard them howl and growl with a guttural screech that sounds like it came from the depths of hell.

WOW! And I love cats....but someone in the neighborhood is feeding them and NOT getting the Ma Cat neutered. I saw an ad about two NON-NEUTERED cats eventually being responsible for 5 million offspring in ten years. Yikes!

I wouldn't care if they weren't right under the deck and they weren't so damn cute. They are absolutely adorable. I would LOVE to have a kitty again. But then I think of Hobbes -- and I just couldn't go through that .....and I miss him so much!!! He was one mean.territorial cat. Those other cats wouldn't stand a chance if he were still here.... neither would the foxes.

Oh and speaking of the foxes -- the other night when I was talking to Granny, I saw Trey Fox sauntering around on the deck. When I started to open the screen, he left in a hurry. BUT, a few minutes later, he joined up with two other siblings.... THEN, another one joined them.

I can usually tell which ones are the females....because the males are ALWAYS fighting and rolling around in the grass with each other. So cute.

Then, there's the robin's nest next to the tree by the slide. The first set of baby birds are gone. Now, because of the recession, it's being used again! Never heard of that before. But seeing is believing.

It's like a wildlife center out here. I won't even mention the raccoon poop all over the deck, the carpet, the driveway, the yard..... They come to eat the mulberries -- here they go 'round the mulberry bush....

P.S. Ma Cat and one kitten just walked by the window in the computer room. They must think they live here......NOT!! Gotta go check on business. bye, djb

THE REST OF THE STORY: When I went upstairs and out onto the deck to tell Bob what I saw, he TOLD me what he HEARD. Apparently, one of the kittens sneaked into the garage last night and was in there all night hiding behind the pool chemicals and other stuff on the right side of the garage. That would explain the meowing I heard last night by the garage door and this morning when I went out to get the newspapers.... ah ha!

He could hear the kitten meowing and Ma Cat was outside yeowling for her baby. Bob opened the door so she could get in to retrieve her kid. But he didn't know for sure what was going on until I came up and told him I saw them. I immediately closed the garage door. This is way too hilarious. I "almost" had my kitten! Now, I know where all those paw prints in the driveway came from few weeks ago! Kitty cats. OMG!!!!

2011-06-23T08:05:00.002-05:00

This is the map that was on Tom Skilling's weather page in the Chicago Tribune this morning (it's hard to see but it explains a lot to me). Source: Frank Wachowski, National Weather Service Archives.
-----------------------------------------------
Thursday, June 23, 2011 - On Tuesday night, this was the weather situation in our area. When I first saw the Weather Channel right around 8 p.m., that orange blob on the map on the left side was bright RED. Plus, there was a bow echo and they mentioned the words "RAIN WRAPPED TORNADOES."

That night, it was raining and getting dark, so you couldn't see the clouds. But, in this morning's Daily Herald, I found this little tidbit:

A certified weather spotter reported a tornado in Yorkville about 8 p.m. Tuesday, and that a funnel cloud - but no tornado - was reported over Sugar Grove at 8:05 p.m. near Route 47 and Interstate 88.

Okay, I can drive to that last location in about 5 minutes. In fact, we left Blackberry Inn just before 8 p.m. Tuesday night. It was just sprinkling a little bit when we left there and by the time we got home 5 minutes later, the skies opened up and it poured buckets of rain.

This could have been a whole lot worse. Most of the people who were interviewed on the news yesterday, said that they definitely thought of the people in Joplin who lost everything after the storm was gone and they were outside surveying the damage.

They may have lost some trees, but at least they still had their home. Wow! This has been one crazy winter, spring and now SUMMER! Yikes! see ya later, djb

2011-06-20T06:40:00.003-05:00

These tomato plants were the exact same size about three or four weeks ago. The one on the right was given Miracle Grow Tomato Plant Food. WHAT an awesome endorsement for that product!
-----------------------------------------------
Monday, June 20, 2011 - Last week, I had a problem with one of my tomato plants (not pictured above). He was looking feeble and weak, and I thought he was going to die.

So, I decided to buy another tomato plant at Jewel in Batavia (where Shawna is in charge...she's my friend on Facebook) just in case it actually didn't make it.

Well, when I went in there, she wasn't working, so I wandered over to the patio tomato plants and lo and behold, they were having the same problem with theirs as I was with mine.

Still, I needed a replacement -- just in case. I picked out the little guy on the left in the picture up above. When I brought him home, the difference between the two plants was stunning.

Back Story......I was there in person at the Plant Tent when the tomato plants were delivered (warned by my sources)..... and they were all the SAME SIZE. I can't believe that simply putting the diluted tomato plant food on that plant almost every time I water it has made THAT MUCH difference.

Can't wait to eat some fresh tomatoes. I love summertime. see ya later, djb

2011-06-09T07:50:00.004-05:00

This rather grainy photo was taken at 7:40 a.m. this morning. The quality is not so good because it was thundering, lightning and raining like crazy when I snapped this picture!
--------------------------------------------
Thursday, June 9, 2011 - It started raining during the night and as of 7:40, we've had 2 and a half inches of rain. When I went out to get the newspapers at 6:30, we only had an INCH and half.

This is quite a storm we're having. It's the result of 95 degree temperatures (for the past three days) running into very cold temperatures in the 60's coming in from the west.

At least we're not having wild fires like they are out in Arizona. That is so unbelievably tragic and so very sad. I always feel sorry for anyone in the path of a natural disaster - especially fires. There's nothing you can do but get out of the way and say a lot of prayers!

Better go. later. djb

2011-05-30T10:58:00.003-05:00

Here is the Rhubarb Crunch that I made this morning from my very own rhubarb.
-----------------------------------------------

Here's my Rhubarb Crunch after someone took a piece out of it. Oh yeah, that was me. "Life's short, eat dessert first!"
-----------------------------------------------
Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 - Before the very bad, severe thunderstorm hit (twice) yesterday, I cut some rhurbarb from the patch in the back yard.

It was too scary to make it yesterday, what with all the lightning and thunder and heavy downpours, so I made it this morning about 8 a.m. I haven't made it in 6 years.

The last time I made it was for Grandma Burkholder. She took a couple of pieces with her when she left our house for the last time and we never saw her alive again.

She totally enjoyed it. That was why I gave her the last two pieces. God bless Grandma. And God bless the ones who gave their lives for our country - we remember them on Memorial Day. Amen. ~djb

2011-05-28T08:49:00.002-05:00

Here's Andrew and Jarrett's evergreen trees in Blackberry Cemetery. They are such happy trees.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, May 28, 2011 -I just realized that I put MY tree picture on Andrew and Jarrett's blogger blog website. duh! Hey, it's early...what can I say!

This past week, I put one of my little gardening shovels in the trunk and finally got in to the cemetery to put three evergreen fertilizer spikes around each boys' tree.

I do it in the spring and the fall. Right after I took care of business, we had tons of rain the next so that helps the fertilizer get into the roots. It has been a tree week for me.

Arbor Day is EVERY day. haha bye, djb

2011-05-06T08:07:00.002-05:00

That looks like two guys up in my big maple tree. Yikes!
------------------------------------------------
Friday, May 6, 2011- Yesterday, the tree trimming guys finally came to do what else??? Trim the trees!!! yeah!

They were here from just before 8 a.m. until just after 3 p.m. And they worked like troopers all day long.

I was so glad that they got here BEFORE the flowering crab started flowering because that's when the bees arrive en masse. Of course, there won't be as many flowers this year but the tree is more open and maybe some grass will grow underneath.

It's a gorgeous day today. I'm going to mow for the second time this year. Can't wait. It's supposed to get up to 68 degrees. For us, that's like a heat wave.

Better skedaddle. See ya later, djb

2011-04-26T08:59:00.003-05:00

Left: two rolls of toilet paper before being downsized Right: two rolls of toilet paper after the shrinkage.
----------------------------------------------
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - A few weeks ago, maybe as long as two months ago, I realized that the brand of toilet paper I've been using for years didn't seem to last as long as it previously had. And no, I wasn't using MORE!

When I buy a 12-pack, I can only put 8 rolls in the drawer in my vanity, so I store the other 4 up in Andrew and Jarrett's bathroom. All of sudden, I realized that I needed to check this out because something just wasn't right.

I put one of the old rolls next to one of the newer rolls and it was definitely shorter. When I put two rolls next to each other, it was considerably noticeable.

Here's the scoop from the package information:

Scott tissue - 1000 sheets per roll - unscented bathroom tissue

Former size:
One-ply: 4.5 x 3.7 inches (per sheet)
Total: 1382.4 square feet

NEW size:
One-ply: 4.1 x 3.7 inches (per sheet)
Total: 1257.6 square feet

So, I wasn't crazy! It's actually smaller with less square footage. And I just heard this morning that they're raising the price on toilet paper and coffee. Two of my favorite things. hmmm

How low can they go??????????? later, djb

2011-04-10T09:30:00.003-05:00

Here's the second attempt by my tenacious robin friend at building a nest on top of the down spout on the deck next to the swimming pool!
------------------------------------------------
Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Yesterday, I took down the first attempt that was made at building a nest in this location. Then, this morning, I saw the robin out there going at it again!!

Of course, I love to see the birdies build their nests in the TREES but this is on the deck, next to the pool and there is always poopage associated with birdies. Yuk!

Plus, the eggs have a tendency to FALL (that darn gravity!) out of the nest when the winds blow. In fact, later today we're supposed to have severe thunderstorms with possible 75 mile an hour winds.

And tornado watches and warnings and so on. It's been predicated that we're going to get up to 88 degrees today. Seriously, that is awesome. I guess we have to take the warm with the dangerous.

Gotta go check out the situation. see ya later, djb

2011-04-01T14:59:00.003-05:00

Here's the brutal snowstorm that invaded us today at around 12:30 p.m. CDT
----------------------------------------------
Friday, April 1, 2011 - So, we got our April Fool's Day snowstorm. When I pushed a few buttons on my camera to see what time it was, I realized that I hadn't SPRUNG AHEAD on my camera's clock. That was a good head's up from my camera.

I'm pretty sure wherever you are in the world, it's not snowing. haha. bye, djb

2011-04-01T06:23:00.002-05:00

This picture of the front yard was taken through the kitchen window with Bob's new Blackberry's camera. I love it!!
----------------------------------------------
Friday, April 1, 2011 - April Fool's Day!!

Yesterday, Bob sent me a picture of his office that he took with his new Blackberry. I couldn't believe the quality of the photo.

When he got home, I tried to take the above picture and failed. But he got it. The only reason I would get a different phone is to get one with a camera so that I can take a picture any time, any place, anywhere. What a great invention!

The reason I wanted a photo of the middle flower bed up above is to show the lack of dead grass out there. I spent two hours cleaning it. Well, part of time was spent chatting with my neighbor, Phyllis.

Whenever I go out in the spring, I see everyone. It slows down my yard cleaning progress BUT I get to visit with all the neighbors who are out and about. It's so much fun.

Since the kids are off school this week, she had two of her grandchildren with her. So, Grace and Ryan were riding their bikes and playing catch with a bouncy ball. Then, it was time for them to go back next door.

That's when I started picking up some of the millions of sticks that had fallen during the winter. Well, the next thing I knew, Gracie walked back through the shrubs and was also picking up sticks in my yard -- and of course, Ryan was following her lead.

It was so sweet. She just did it spontaneously. No one asked her to do it. I was so touched by her kindness. And such a good example for her younger brother. WOW!

When we took all the sticks back to the burn pile I made an interesting and weird discovery. The moles have built a freeway in the back yard. Ay carumba! More on that later. see ya, djb

2011-03-30T11:20:00.003-05:00

Here's Rachel's new sneaker. Do they still call them tennis shoes? DNK
------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - Happy Half Birthday to me!

Rachel went into the city (that would be Chicago) with her mom and grandma a few weeks ago to see a play. Her comment about the play was that it was "long." haha While they were in there, she got the new shoes.

The day I took the picture up above was the day that she had to come over and say HI to me. She was carrying her basketball. When it gets warmer outside, we always play Horse. Remember, I used to beat Jarrett with the Granny shot.

That also reminds me of the day that Lindsay and Sammie came down to visit. Sammie told Lindsay that "she just had to give Aunt Donna a hug." awww Isn't that sweet!! Those little girls are so much fun!

All righty. I'd better go outside and bring in my recyclable container. I took it outside at 5:58 a.m. armed with my flashlight so I could see to the end of the driveway in case any critters were intent on stalking me. Remember - we don't have any street lights out here in the country.

Then, at exactly 6:15 a.m., I heard the garbage truck announcing his arrival loud and proud driving up the street. That is early..... Although I suppose better early than not at all. For sure. later, djb

2011-03-13T06:44:00.002-05:00

Earthquake Link below. Above: BANYAN TREE - Given to (Thomas) Edison by (Harvey) Firestone in 1925.
----------------------------------------------
Sunday, March 13, 2011 - It's 6:47 a.m. in the new time and 5:47 a.m. in the old time. Daylight Savings Time. I heard someone say that last night. We're not fogies, we're "old school."

Here's another link to an even more comprehensive list of the earthquakes in the world. It is absolutely mind-boggling!

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/last30.html

For some reason, I can't establish a clicky link. I'm supposed to but it's not working. It's worth cutting and pasting if you have any curiosity about our shaky planet. God bless them all. ~that's it for now, djb

2011-03-12T08:55:00.004-06:00

Here's a watercolor that Andrew painted many years ago.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 12, 2011 - I'm SO horrified by the earthquake in Japan. I can't even imagine how frightening it was for those poor people.

As soon as I could get on the computer, I went to the USGS (United States Geological Survey) and checked their info. WOW! I could NOT believe how many after-shocks they've had. After-shocks that were way worse than any earthquake I've experienced.

Here's the link to the USGS:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php

It seems as though the earth is moving under our feet - quite literally. You never know what's going to happen next. ~djb

2011-03-05T09:29:00.002-06:00

Here's the final photo of the flowers at the cemetery on March 3, 2011, including the newest bouquet of purple and yellows on the right side.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 5, 2011 - On Thursday afternoon, Ryan met me out at the cemetery at 4 p.m. That was the time I had decided to pick up the flowers because of the impending rain storm. And when he called, we decided to meet at that time.

Every year, his mom buys a nice arrangement from Kar-Free Flowers in Sycamore (where Rod works). They do such a fabulous job. In fact, we got tons of flowers from them when the boys died.

Anywho, it was so great to see Ryan. He's looking good. I invited him to Schmidt's but he had other plans and said he'd try to make it but he never did. Next year, the 3rd is on a Saturday so I think we can start planning now.

In fact, I've already invited some people who didn't make it this year. Plan ahead, right.

It is time for me to take care of some other business. Just a few snow flakes coming down. Pretty soon, it'll be spring. After all, I saw the robins this morning....picture to follow later. bye for now, djb

2011-03-03T09:13:00.002-06:00

Here are all of the flowers at the boys' grave this morning. They reside on top of the old freezer during the rest of the year.
----------------------------------------------
Thursday, March 3, 2011 - I went into Blackberry Cemetery a little before 8 to put the flowers in front of Andrew and Jarrett's gravestone. Every year, I always add something new.

This year, I put together the flowers hanging from the shepherd's hooks. I wanted something that looked voluminous and I think I achieved my goal.

Then, I went over to Jewel and got my two balloons that I'll put their pictures on for tonight's get-together. I wasn't going to do it, but I just had to. They didn't have exactly what I wanted in Elburn.

But they did have blue and gold that looks yellowish, which coincidentally, were Andrew and Jarrett's favorite colors. I also got some REALLY bright flowers to put out there, too.

Gee, you didn't already have enough flowers??? Time to go and unfreeze my fingers. They're still frozen. see ya later, djb

2011-02-28T06:07:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, the gang was all here in Florida for Grandpa & Grandma's 65th wedding anniversary - even me!

----------------------------------------------

Monday, February 28, 2011 - During this short month, I certainly accomplished and experienced a LOT in four short weeks.

We began the month with BLIZZARD warnings and had about 20 inches of snow on Groundhog's Day. As the month went on, we were all aware that my mom and dad were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on February 27th. Were we going to make it here -- or not?!

After numerous phone calls and a lot of yakking, I was the only one of us seven kids who wasn't going to be here until I talked to Dr. Lee last Monday, and she said, "why not?" And I said, OK, then.

I flew down with Denny and Avis on Friday, and it's been a whirlwind ever since. This morning, we leave to go back to Illinois but not before we pack our bags with not just our lightweight clothes but with wonderful, happy memories of a weekend of fun and reconnecting with one another.

And celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss with Grandpa and Granny. Those naysayers said it wouldn't last. But we're glad it did. And Diane is forever grateful that they moved to Florida back in the early 70's. (insert smiley face here)

We had a blast! Plus, the most amazing thing of all is that we all get along so well. It only took 60 years or so..... haha! That's a joke, kids.

There are tons of pictures to look at. I haven't seen them all yet but I will share them later. Gotta go drink some more coffee. bye for now, djb

2011-02-19T17:12:00.003-06:00

Here's the kitty that used to hide under our neighbor's deck until the snowstorm, now he's decided to come and visit me.
--------------------------------------------

Here's my black and white visitor kitty who keeps wandering around our yard. He's the one who sat on the edge of the pool earlier this winter.
----------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 19. 2011 - The black and white kitty has been around for a while. But I never see him when I'm outside. All winter long, I've seen kitty cat paw prints in the driveway.

The other kitty was the one my neighbor called about and saw in our yard. She wondered if the kitty was mine. No. Just another visitor.

I'm sure they heard all about Hobbes and they're looking for a good time. see ya later, djb

2011-02-18T07:37:00.002-06:00

This is a special photo of the full moon in the west this morning at 6:16 a.m. I had the camera on candle light setting so the flash wouldn't go off. However, the trees were in the way and so was the window.
---------------------------------------------
Friday, February 18, 2011 - As you read these words, let me just tell you that the full moon has already occurred. Here's the scoop:
-------------------------------------------------

February 18, 3:36 a.m. EST – Full Snow Moon: Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was known as the Full Hunger Moon.
--------------------------------------------------------
Okie dokie. Now that you know it's the full SNOW moon, you can carry on -- especially if you live in Florida. haha bye for now, djb

2011-02-15T18:00:00.002-06:00

Here's Andrew and Jarrett's evergreen trees today on Andrew's birthday. Hey! Where's the road?? The snow really hasn't melted that much.
----------------------------------------------
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - I'm SO glad that I planted those trees many years ago. At least, now when I go to the cemetery, I see something alive that is connected to Andrew and Jarrett. It makes my heart happy.

And it was thanks to Fred that this happened. Yes, I must call him tomorrow. haha bye, djb

P.S. Happy Boofday, Andoo

2011-02-10T08:09:00.002-06:00

Here's the biggest icicle and his friends that were hanging from the gutter on February 8th right outside the kitchen window.
--------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 10, 2011 - On Tuesday morning, I decided that I had to get outside and knock those big icicles off the gutter because they made me nervous.

So, I bundled up and went out the front door into the highest drifts of snow that I've been in so far this winter -- it was at least two feet deep.

And it was hilarious! I had one of my long garden tools that has three tines on the end. As I trudged through the drifts, I fell down into the snow twice. It was like falling in a marshmallow. All I could do was laugh -- and then push on the handle to get myself back up again.

But I did accomplish my task. All of the icicles came crashing down and just a bunch of frozen snow remained. It wasn't going anywhere.

I sure know how to have fun! see ya later, djb

2011-02-05T13:16:00.003-06:00

Here's another photo of yesterday's view of the hoof prints and birdie feet prints around the feeder in the front yard. It's fairly distinct.

This picture was taken 24 hours after the one above. There are a lot more hoof prints out there this morning. That's so exciting!
------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 5, 2011 - When you look closely at both photos, it's apparent that the deer followed the same path as the day before. I suppose the snow is so deep they just want to walk in the same place and not have to make a new path.

When I looked out back, I could see a trail of deer prints all the way up back, then around the north side of the house to the front yard. The deer came through the bridal wreath bushes that are at the end of our property.

The word is out: Get your food at Donna's bird feeder! haa bye, djb

2011-02-04T07:10:00.002-06:00

When it finally got a little bit light outside this morning, I could see that I had some deer visitors last night at the critter feeders.
---------------------------------------------
Friday, February 4, 2011 - Yesterday, I only had birds at the feeders....however, when I looked out this morning, I saw that there were multiple deer tracks in the snow. How exciting!

I got some good photos of a woodpecker and mama cardinal. Maybe I'll put those on the boys blogger blog. later, djb

2011-02-02T10:07:00.002-06:00

This is the view from inside the garage looking out into the driveway. It was almost a disaster because the snow fell inside and I had to sweep it away or the door wouldn't close!
----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - Because I'm a curious sort of person, I thought I'd open the garage door and see what was up. YIKES!!! The snow at the bottom of this picture is more than a foot tall - maybe a foot and a half.

It is unbelievable out there. I think it'll be wise to wait for the February thaw and just let it all melt. What an unbelievable mess. It is bigger than huge -- it's epic. wow!

I've got to go outside and check it out in person. later, djb

2011-02-01T13:25:00.003-06:00

Here's Mother out in the snow in Harvard in 1929 (no gloves). This is one of the main reasons she's glad they moved to Florida.
----------------------------------------------

Steve and Dennis posing in the snow in Kingston in winter 1960 - obviously the film was not developed until April.
--------------------------------------------

This is another version of Diane on the snow mountain in the winter of 1969 - and this film wasn't developed until JULY!
---------------------------------------------
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - Every once in a while, the wind starts blowing really hard....and the storm hasn't even started yet. It's going to be a nightmare out there.

Steve came over and blew the driveway before I had even finished reading the paper. God love him. There's going to be a lot of snow blowing going on around here.

Better go put some more old SNOW pictures on here. That's the way the Florida Bergs like snow -- only in pictures. haha

blizzard ya later, djb

2011-01-29T11:21:00.002-06:00

This morning, at 7:48 a.m., Mama Cardinal was having her breakfast with some of her birdie friends.
-----------------------------------------------

Later on this morning, at 10:21 a.m., after hearing the rave reviews about the food at the feeder, Papa Cardinal stopped by.
------------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 29, 2011 - It's not supposed to be as cold today, and I have proof of that because the birdies have finally returned to the feeders out front.

When it's really cold, they're nowhere to be seen. It's kind of weird. Like, where do they go?? Is it the same place that the boxelder bugs hide? hmmm

Hopefully, this cold weather is getting rid of some of the mosquitoes and lady bugs. That would be nice. see ya later, djb

2011-01-21T07:10:00.002-06:00

It's now 9 degrees BELOW zero at 7 a.m. Big brrrrrrrrrrr
--------------------------------------------
Friday, January 21, 2011 - Every time I look at the indoor - outdoor thermometer it goes down another degree.

I'm not going to look at it any more. This is just too much. Another good reason the snowbirds go south for the winter.

brrrrrrrrrrrr, djb

2011-01-21T06:22:00.003-06:00

See that MINUS sign before the 8. Yeah, that's 8 BELOW zero.
---------------------------------------------
Friday, January 21, 2011 - Last night, I called Granny about 8:15 and I always give her the temperature report. At that time, it was 17 degrees. For some reason, I decided to check it again at 8:50, and it had plunged 13 degrees in about half an hour!

Do the math: that means it was 4 degrees here. That's not the end of it. By the time we hung up close to 9 p.m., it had dropped another degree. It was 3 degrees. Of course, it was still ABOVE zero at that time.

When I got up this morning, it was 7 below zero. After a while, I checked again and it had dropped to 8 BELOW zero. That's really, really cold!!! No, that's brutal.

Stay warm out there, kiddies. brrrrrrrr, djb

2011-01-19T07:49:00.003-06:00

Here's the driveway yesterday afternoon. It took me almost 3 hours to get to this point with a little help from my friend. The snow that's still on there is frozen for life or until we get above freezing.
------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 - Happy Wolf Moon!

On Monday, we had snow for most of the day, but then in the afternoon, it turned into sleet, then freezing rain and finally back to snow. It was an unbelievable frozen mess.

I didn't shovel on Monday because when I went out to get the papers, I got totally covered in snow and decided to wait for it to abate. Well, that never did happen until Tuesday morning. When Bob got home Monday night, it was raining on top of the snow. Strange and bizarre.

On Tuesday at 8 a.m, I started shoveling the driveway -- that lasted for about an hour and twenty minutes and then, I just started crying and I couldn't stop. boo hoo.

It was exhausting work and the snow was so HEAVY (heart attack snow) but I couldn't quit because I knew that if I didn't get the snow off, it would freeze into ugly ice ridges.

As it was, the car tires made six separate places where the snow was mushed down and unmovable by shovel or machine. That's what pushed me over the edge -- every time I'd try to move the snow, I'd hit a barrier and was stopped short. I couldn't get any momentum going.

Plus, I felt woozy because I hadn't eaten any breakfast. Then, right in the midst of my mental breakdown, I heard the voice of an angel. My neighbor, Steve, asked me if I wanted him to finish getting the rest of the snow off with his snowblower.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!! Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

It was a miracle in Elburn. But even Steve's snowblower couldn't move the packed down snow in the middle of the driveway. Next time, I'll just go out and shovel in the snow storm and get wet and cold. It couldn't be as bad as this was.

....and now, we're headed for BELOW zero in the next few days. I wonder if I'll hear any wolves howling outside??? snow flake ya later, djb

2011-01-17T12:00:00.002-06:00

That's not fog, that's snowy snow flakes snowing and covering the road and hiding the trees and critter footprints.
------------------------------------------------
Monday, January 17, 2011 - When it gets nice outside, I'll be able to take a good picture of Gene's house across the street. You can just barely see the edge of his roof on the left hand side.

On Saturday, he started to get new siding put on his house. It's exactly the color that I want to get. I can't wait to see how it looks. It seems as though a lot of people out here who built their houses back in the 1970's are thinking of updating.

I came up with that idea last summer but didn't feel like having to be here for a month while it was being completed. Now I'm thinking, we could probably just get re-sided first and put the new windows on later. That's a great idea!

It's time to check on the weather report. snow ya later, djb

2011-01-12T09:58:00.003-06:00

The driveway this morning at 9:51 a.m. CST after I did a quick shoveling of the errant snow earlier. You can see that it is Garbage Day!
----------------------------------------------

The driveway last night at 5:49 p.m. CST - two hours and 19 minutes after I finished shoveling. Yeah, that's MORE snow on it!
----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 - So, after I finished putting the photo of my special carrots on here yesterday, I went out and shoveled the driveway for one and a half hours (1-2:30).

My legs were getting kind of wobbly so I came in for a break. Decided to call Bergs and tell them that we had snow (plus I needed to put up my feet for a few minutes).

Granny said that it was a bit chilly down there -- only 72 degrees. Say what? We'd love that. It was in the 20's here. Could've been colder but it was cold enough since I couldn't feel my fingers any more.

At 3, I went back out and finished up -- that took until 3:30. Of course, it kept snowing and the picture up above shows what happened to the freshly shoveled driveway. yikes!!

This morning, when I went out before 7 to clear a path to the road to take out the garbage can and recyclable bin, I went berserk and shoveled most of the driveway again!! This time, I had to come back in before I finished it all because I really couldn't feel my fingers. It was around 18 degrees.

I did what you're not supposed to do -- I ran HOT water over them to try and unfreeze them. Then, they tingled because they were getting close to frostbite. And I wear two pairs of gloves (really, really warm gloves) so I don't know why my hands always get so cold???

Anywho, it's exciting to have snow once again but now the sun is shining so I have to wear my sunglasses in the house. That's SOOOOO weird. snow and ice ya later, djb

2011-01-11T12:53:00.002-06:00

This is the twin-flame carrot that I had for lunch. It tasted really good!
--------------------------------------------------
Tuesday - 1-11-11 - When I grabbed this carrot out of the bag yesterday, I knew that I'd have to take a picture of it but I didn't know that right after the photo session, I'd eat it, and it would taste fabulous. yummm

I need a lot of energy because I'm going to have to go outside and shovel the driveway. They're saying we have 3 inches of snow. Hard to say until I get out there but it's so pretty, and I'm extremely thankful that the ugly grass is now covered once again! snow ya later, djb

2011-01-07T11:02:00.003-06:00

A picture of snow and snowy boys and a blue plastic swimming pool! They sure had lots of fun in the snow as you can see.
---------------------------------------------
Friday, January 7, 2011 - One of the reasons that I love snow on the ground so much is that I can see the tracks of the wild animals that romp around in our yard. That's so cool.

When I look at this picture up close, I can see that evergreen tree in the back right -- it's now about 20 feet tall. Wow! see ya later, djb

2011-01-03T14:55:00.002-06:00

Here's the boys' gravestone today on Jarrett's birthday. I got him some colorful flowers and two balloons.
------------------------------------------------
Monday, January 3, 2011 - All of sudden, I realized that I hadn't planned my photo op for Jarrett's birthday. So, when I went into town, I got him a star balloon and a smiley face balloon with the colorful flowers added for an extra bonus.

I'm trying really hard not to cry because it makes my eye red and causes me problems but it does help to hear from so many wonderful people who loved him. If you read this and you remembered Jarrett, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

With appreciation and love, djb

2011-01-01T21:20:00.002-06:00

Here's me holding baby Jarrett almost 23 years ago- January 1988
-------------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 1, 2010 - Happy New Year! I was getting ready to turn off the computer when I realized that I didn't write anything today on the FIRST day of the year. oops!

It was frigid and brutally cold here today. In Florida, it hit 80 degrees at Berg's house for a short moment. Hurray, the warm weather is back in Fla.

Nighty night. It's about 13 degrees here. With the wind chill, I think it's 100 below zero. brrrrrr bye, djb

2010-12-31T14:52:00.003-06:00

This is what the front yard looked like this afternoon at 2:40 p.m. The snow is almost gone. WOW!! Where did snow go???
------------------------------------------------

This is what the front yard looked like this morning at 9:58 a.m. just after the sun came out.
------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 31, 2010 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!
At 6 a.m., I saw lightning and heard thunder, and then again about 20 til seven. Yikes!!! We've had rain off and on since last night. No tornado warnings, thank God.

This is so very strange. Yesterday, everything was covered in snow and more snow. Today -- not so much.

Have a happy new year. lalalalala, djb

2010-12-30T07:30:00.004-06:00

EARTHQUAKE REPORT BELOW: I love this tree -- that's why I always take its picture.
------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 30, 2010 - Just heard about the earthquake in Indiana. Here's the USGS info:

Earthquake Details

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

Magnitude	4.2
Date-Time	Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 12:55:21 UTC Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 07:55:21 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	40.427°N, 85.888°W
Depth	4.9 km (3.0 miles) set by location program
Region	INDIANA
Distances	20 km (15 miles) ESE of Kokomo, Indiana 20 km (15 miles) WSW of Marion, Indiana 40 km (25 miles) S of Wabash, Indiana 75 km (50 miles) NNE of INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 11.7 km (7.3 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters	NST=103, Nph=113, Dmin=102.4 km, Rmss=1.49 sec, Gp= 32°, M-type="Nuttli" surface wave magnitude (mbLg), Version=7
Source	USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	usc0000x03

Did you feel it? Report shaking and damage at your location. You can also view a map displaying accumulated data from your report and others.

2010-12-29T07:50:00.002-06:00

We're having "freezing fog" this morning. This is the view across the street at around 7:14 a.m.
-----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - Okay, so I don't think I've ever heard of freezing fog before. Maybe once -- but it sounds so weird and apparently seems to be quite rare that it's not something that happens every day or every year....

However, it looks GORGEOUS outside. Everything is frosted with the results of the freezing fog. Wait a minute. Frosted freezing fog - fabulous!!!

frog ya later, djb

2010-12-24T14:07:00.003-06:00

Here's the driveway at 12:56 p.m. this afternoon. Hey, that driveway was clean earlier this morning!
-----------------------------------------------

Here's the driveway at 10:37 a.m. this morning. There's not much difference between the two pictures. Just lots of snow!
------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve - December 24, 2010 - I think I heard a snowplow. Yeah!!!

Just as Bob was coming home, Diane called me and said that she was wearing a Santa hat while driving her car with the windows open because it's NOT snowing in Florida.

It's supposed to be 71 degrees there tomorrow. Not sure what we're going to be but somewhere around 30 degrees with white stuff falling out of the sky.

If you're dreaming of a WHITE Christmas. This is the place to be. It's very pretty. sigh........

snow ya later, djb

2010-12-21T16:48:00.002-06:00

Here's the pile of snow that I made today. It's right by the driveway.
------------------------------------------------

Here's the driveway after I spent 3 and half hours shoveling it.
------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - I just got an email from Ron and he said that they got 4 inches in McHenry and he heard from Tommy that we got 6 freaking inches of snow.

No wonder it took me three and a half hours to shovel it. After I shoveled the heavy snow at the end of the driveway (thanks to the snowplows), I seriously thought about calling Bob to find out how to start the snow blower because this was going to be a major project.

Had I known at that time HOW MUCH snow as out there, I would have left it there. Then again, I didn't die so what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. I must be VERY STRONG!!

Whew! And we're supposed to be getting more SNOW just in time for Christmas. Yikes! snowstorm ya later, djb

2010-12-21T07:14:00.002-06:00

This is the driveway at 6:45 a.m. this morning. It wasn't snowing at the time, so it appears that I have some orbs!!
------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - Once again, I'm stunned to see so many orbs in this photo. The ones before and after it don't have them or I'd think my lens was dirty. This is cool.

It's a true winter wonderland out there. The snow covers all the ugliness of the dead grass and the sticks that fall out of the trees that mar the perfect panorama. sigh....

Plus, I don't have to deal with photophobia when the sun doesn't shine. Glass half full, doncha know. And the other nice thing is that when the temperature gets in the 20's, it actually feels warmer (okay, less cold) because we've been in the deep freeze for so long that we've gotten warped.

And finally - GO BEARS!!! I C ya later, djb

2010-12-20T19:16:00.002-06:00

These candles are on top of the refrigerator. The first thing I do every morning is to plug them in. Well, really the very first thing I do is TURN UP THE HEAT!!!
-------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 20, 2010 - I have no reason for not doing my Christmas cards earlier.... It might have been that I wanted to write a newsletter but when I did try that it was only about medical problems. That was kind of a downer.

But it seems kind of silly to send a card with just your name and no news. At least to me it does. But that's just me.

Next year, I'll have to do some really exciting things to put in a newsletter. Kind of like a bucket list, I guess. see ya later, djb

2010-12-14T07:15:00.003-06:00

Here's what greeted me when I got up this morning. Yikes and brrrrrrrrr!
----------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 - This is the temperature right outside the door in the dining room where the transmitter sits (brrr). I noticed that the official Elburn temperature was -3. Not sure where they get that number.

We do know where Aurora's official temperature is taken. At the airport in Sugar Grove -- a few miles south of here. Hey, it should be warmer but it never is. It's always the COLDEST temperature around these parts.

I saw that it was 29 degrees in Orlando this morning. That is extremely cold for central Florida. That's just wrong. It should not freeze on Mickey and Minnie! brr ya later, djb

2010-12-13T07:19:00.001-06:00

Here's the view outside yesterday afternoon. You can see the snow being blown around and also those bird feeders getting tossed in the wind.
----------------------------------------------
Monday, December 13, 2010 - Every time I tried to get a picture of the snow being blown by 50 mile an hour winds yesterday, I got nothing until I took the above photo.

It didn't blow continuously but the gusts were quite intense. Just glad we didn't get 2 feet of snow!!! bye for now, djb

2010-12-12T12:12:00.001-06:00

it's 12 12 on 12 12

2010-12-10T15:29:00.002-06:00

Here's Cullen with his security bone (aka security blanket) outside in the snow.
--------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 10, 2010 - This morning, I got a call from my neighbor, Brenda. She said that her big dog, Guiness, had to go to the vet for surgery on a hematoma so Cullen was home alone for the first time in his canine life.

She asked me if I minded going over to check on him and let him out to do his doggie business. There were treats on the counter if he didn't want to come back in the house.

That wasn't a problem. When I opened the door, he went out and then came back -- then out again, then in. then out, then in. out. in. out. in. You get the picture, right?!

He seemed to be coping all right. I stayed a while and petted him and talked about the doggie security bone he did NOT ever put down. Well, except for the one time when I gave him some beggin' strips. haha

When I got back home, I called Brenda and told her he was doing just fine. She was quite relieved to hear it. I told her that I know how it is. arf ya later, djb

2010-12-09T07:53:00.004-06:00

Here's the sunset on November 28 at 4:42 p.m. This was taken with my awesome Canon camera -- the detail is amazing.
-------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 9, 2010 - ...back to my story that started on Andrew and Jarrett's Forever in Our Hearts Blog...

There's a reason I like to get early morning appointments - the traffic in the afternoon is nuts and the drivers are all psychos.

Between here and Wheaton there are probably close to 20 traffic lights. I hit every, single RED light. Plus, there was a slow freight train in West Chicago. ay caruma!

I don't mind driving in traffic on dry roads in the winter time but I do mind driving on the same roads with CRAZY people!!!

It was like a bi-polar driving experience. There were people driving VERY slow and others who were driving very FAST (those are the lane-changers). It was pretty bizarre - can't we all just drive 5 miles over the speed limit and stop the insanity.

WHEATON EYE CLINIC: When Dr. Lee checked the pressure in my right eye, it was 17. Very good. She said that my cornea was a little dry. Wait a minute....when was the last time she put plugs in my tear ducts? OMG! That was it. That was my problem. I was so happy to hear that. She put new plugs in and I was good to go.

She did mention that at some point I might want to consider having my tear ducts lasered shut permanently which would keep my eye moist so that I could avoid the pain and suffering that comes from the collagen plugs dissolving and the moisture evaporating. I'm on board with that. Avoid pain. It sounds weird but she totally knows what she's doing. I trust her.

Pretty soon, I'll be getting my blood drawn again for the autologous serum tears. It seems as though I just did that. Times flies whether you're having fun or not.

Of course, driving home toward the west was a unique experience in its own right because the sun was setting and it was at an extremely annoying angle --- directed right at my eyes. How totally NOT FUN!! Obviously, I made it home or I wouldn't be writing these words. haha.

WEATHER UPDATE: We're supposed to be getting an inch of *snow* this afternoon. Can't wait for that. bye for now, djb

2010-12-06T06:42:00.002-06:00

Here's the present that Rachel brought over last night.
------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 6, 2010 - Last night, I was on the computer doing something when the doorbell rang. Since we hadn't shoveled the front sidewalk, I figured no one would go to the front door through the snow. Wrong!

It was Michelle's daughter, Rachel. Last summer at Elburn Days, I went on the rides with those two wonderful girls.

Well, Rachel had that box in her sweet little hands and said, "Open it." So, I did and inside there were COOKIES. oh boy!!

What a great and delicious surprise. I'm so touched by their kind gesture. Happy Birthday, Jesus. see ya later, djb

2010-12-03T09:00:00.003-06:00

Here's the poinsettia that I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. It looks better and BIGGER in person. I noticed that I forgot to take down the Halloween wreath (in the upper left hand corner of the picture!). That's funny. But on the right side, the angels are still hanging around.
-------------------------------------------------------

Here's a closer up view of my poinsettia. It was only ten bucks - Wow!
------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 3, 2010 - It was 16 outside and 61 inside when I got up this morning. I love when the numbers are opposite or would that be "transposed?" However, I don't particularly care for how low they were!

This lovely red poinsettia is the beginning of my Christmas decorating. Half of the boxes in our crawl space are filled with Christmas related items. And I couldn't be happier about that.

Yesterday, I realized that I have to get the Nativity set ready to take into Andrew and Jarrett's grave. Joseph had come unglued. Plus, the angel on top was precariously perched. I did use carpenter's glue but I think I'll also put some glue from the glue gun around the angel just in case. The winds do get fierce.

We're supposed to be getting 4-8 inches of snow starting tonight and into Saturday. Everyone is VERY excited. haha

I'll put a picture of what I'm going to be doing today on the boys' blogger blog. Brrrrrrrrr snow ya later, djb

Andrew & Jarrett's Other Website About My Stuff

Earthquake Summary

-------------------------------------------------------------------