Photo 365 + 8 - September 30
Today's goal was to see how many things we could fit in. We started with church, and then pressed on to the Brewers game with Dale's unit. Ugly game, but good food and good company. And then it was on to Florida, and our visit with James, Liz and Edyn. This should be an awesome picture week!
Photo 365 + 7 - September 29
I always love family celebrations! Now that everybody is so busy, it gives us a good excuse to get together and catch up. Today was a celebration for Joey - happy 17th birthday! (and great desserts, Kristin!)
Photo 365 + 6 - September 28
That trip to see James, Liz and Edyn is sneaking up, so Dale and I were shopping for snacks for the plane tonight. How can you argue with Mint M&M's?
Photo 356 + 5 - September 27
It's not very often anymore that I get to get a face to face meeting with my customers, so today was a treat. One of my Brazilian customers was in town, and we got to have the day together. I am taking official credit for this picture since I set all the camera settings, and thanks to Dale for snapping it.
And we had a beautiful moon leading us on the way back home.
Photo 365 + 4 - September 26
Road trip! I have a customer in town from Brazil who was supposed to find his way to my office, but due to his training schedule, it didn't look like he was going to make it. And since I rearranged my trip to see James, Liz and Edyn, and Cindy really wanted me to meet with him, Dale graciously agreed to be my driver for a trip to Minneapolis. On the way through Wisconsin we went through fields of windmills. Dale mentioned what a pretty penny the farmers must be collecting for sharing their fields, because the windmills go on for miles.
Photo 365 + 3 - September 25
It looks that since it's fall, the bugs are looking for warm places to hang out. The window in front of my desk has a southern exposure, and the box elder bugs are there in numbers, sucking up the sunshine before the snow flies.
Photo 365 + 2 - September 24
Monday Night Football! And Jeff and Torque came over to share dinner and the game with us. Unfortunately, Trinka isn't quite as good about sharing her stuff, as she is hovering over Torque just waiting for her in to take her bone back. Jeff said that he doesn't usually chew on them at home. Simply amazing how much more attractive they become with somebody else's spit on them.
Photo 365 + 1 - September 23
The leaves are starting to change, and the colors are starting to be beautiful. Here are a couple of spots in the neighborhood that were especially striking.
I've been taking pictures of Charlie since he was born, and his mom asked me if I'd mind taking some 2-year pictures of him since he turned 2 in July. How could I say no? He's your typical 2-year-old, and after a lot of chasing him around I did capture some decent shots.
Photo 365 - September 22
I did it! Here is photo 365! When I started this last year, I didn't think there was any way that I would be able to take a picture every day, but I happily surprised myself. And for those of you who have followed my blog - I think I will turn it into a 365-Plus...and keep going as long as I feel I have something to capture.
First, our family is back together! I had about a 5 minute window of sunshine and took some pictures of me, Dale and Trinka.
Laura promised to cook dinner for Dale after he came home - his favorite - Prime Rib! And she really came through tonight, pairing it with garlic mashed potatoes and arugula salad. Absolutely wonderful!
Photo 364 - September 21
I think this clematis bush may have made the blog way back at the beginning. While I love the flowers, it sure would be nice if it bloomed a little earlier in the season. The bush has gotten absolutely huge, and refuses to be contained on the trellis.
And the blog would not be complete without a picture of Dale's new truck. He is totally thrilled to have it, and I guess after 15 years of driving the old one, how can I even argue? I wouldn't - he totally deserves it, and I know he'll drive it for a good long time.
Photo 363 - September 20
Before Dale left for deployment, he wanted to buy a new truck. I asked him why would he want it sitting in the driveway waiting for a year, and suggested he wait until he got home. Today we bought it. We went ahead and got an extra protection package for the finish, so he won't actually get to pick it up until tomorrow, but then he will be the proud owner of a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. And it even has a Hemi...
Photo 362 - September 19
A while back I posted a picture of a deer checking out Cindy's bird feeder. Today it got even better. When both of the feeders down in the trees were found to be empty, the deer decided that maybe the one up by the house would yield something more appealing. She didn't seem to mind that I was taking pictures, either.
Photo 361 - September 18
My car was wonderfully behaved while Dale was gone. The only things I had to do for it was fill it with gas, make sure it got its oil changed and get the tires replaced. Dale came home on Thursday, and by Sunday the "Check Engine" light had come one. The dealership said something about a cam sensor. It was replaced today, and while doing some other updates my computer quit. So this is the "key" to the loaner. Except it's not really a key at all. It feels odd to be starting it up without actually having to turn anything.
Photo 360 - September 17
I came home from work today to find Dale unpacking, and I thought, terrific! That will eliminate those big green duffle bags from the floor in James' room. Now I'm wondering why I was so excited...because I now cannot see the bed, and I'm not sure where everything is going to go. I think somebody is going to need to do a little Goodwill cleaning of his own. He has two chests of drawers, so something's gotta give here.
Photo 359 - September 16
After the fire we had in the fire pit last night, my car was covered in ashes, so we took it to the car wash for a bath, and continued on to Port for a walk by the lake. Trinka was mildly interested in the geese, and we enjoyed a nice walk at the marina.
Once upon a time, Mom said that she would never get another dog. Well that all changed today, when she and Fred picked up Libby. She is a very sweet cockapoo, absolutely adorable, and not at all afraid to play with Trinka. Trinka returned the favor, and offered up her ball on numerous occasions for Libby to try to get her tiny mouth around. It probably won't be long before they're running together and she's actually keeping up.
Photo 358 - September 15
Uncle Dale has been gone for a whole year, and has a lot to catch up on (and also people to catch up with), so this morning, we went over to Port to watch Jesse play soccer. His team wasn't terribly successful, but we did get to see him play hard and even score a goal! All in all - a success!
Photo 357 - September 14
Over the years that we have been together, Dale has amassed what I consider to be a rather large collection of military coins. He has gotten them for achievements and awards, some he has purchased, like the coins he got at James' graduation from basic training, and some he has traded for. Yesterday, I was kind of surprised when Dale's prior commander came up to me and told me that I had been nominated for an award, for my help with the Family Readiness Group, and that I had been the runner up, and he had a certificate for me. What he also had was my very first coin - actually an Adjutant General's coin, and I'm kind of proud of it. It only took me almost 30 years of being a military wife to earn one of my own.
Photo 356 - September 13
It's not even Photo 365 (although pretty close), but today I got to welcome Dale home from his nearly one year deployment. I can't even describe the feeling when he stepped off that bus. Now it's time to try to regroup and remember how to be a couple again!
And this picture isn't officially "mine" but since it's the first time we've been together in six months I wanted to commemorate it.
