Photo 365 + 38 - October 31
With all the storms going on out East, we have been treated to what the media has referred to as "moonbows." These pictures were taken this morning about 7:00 a.m. - the moon was just on its way down and the clouds were cruising across the sky pretty quickly. I was pretty amazed at how bright it was.
Photo 365 + 37 - October 30
Of all the trees in the yard, it looks like the apple tree will be the last to finally give up its leaves. It doesn't look like it's lost many at all, and it's even holding on to a few stray apples too. It's nothing like last year, though, when the apples seemed to stay on until nearly spring, and then were just mushy messes.
Photo 365 + 36 - October 29
I never get tired of sunsets..I think they're one of God's most beautiful gifts. Tonight's was no disappointment.
Photo 365 + 35 - October 28
Trick or treating is a weekend thing here in Saukville, usually on the Sunday before Halloween. And since we have had Trinka, we've tried to dress her up because she loves to see the kids when they're outside, and we figure it takes a little bit of the scariness away from her. I had found her a jester-like collar, which was kind of fun, but we ended up resorting to an older costume I had picked up for her. She makes a great steer, but has a huge problem keeping her horns on.
Photo 365 + 34 - October 27
In additional to celebrating my birthday today, I also got to help Bryan and Christi Grothman celebrate their marriage. It's fun to watch the kids that you have known since they really were kids grow up into such wonderful adults. Congratulations, Bryan and Christi! Thank you for inviting us to share your beautiful day.
Photo 365 + 33 - October 26
Getting older is mandatory - growing up is optional...I believe these are words to live by. And it's nice to have them reinforced by my nieces and nephews when they tell me I don't look (or act) like I'm turning 50. I don't think that's a bad thing at all. Tonight started my 50th birthday celebration - a family dinner at Kristin's with Mom and Fred, Laura and Andy and Kristin, Steve and all of the kids. Great food (with a birthday cake made by Laura) and great company - what a nice start to my birthday weekend!
Photo 365 + 32 - October 25
Trinka loves her rawhide flip chips. As soon as she gets it, it is pretty much devoured. For some reason, she isn't the same with other rawhide surprises. This is her current rolled, bubblegum flavored rawhide roll. You can see the teeth marks on it, which isn't surprising, since she's been carrying it around for days. It will be interesting to see how much longer it takes before she actually decides to start chewing on it.
Photo 365 + 31 - October 24
I guess when Trinka and I went walking this morning I saw fog, but didn't realize how thick it was. When I went to work, I was lucky to have a car length of visibility in front of me. The sun, however, did its best to try to peak out. By the middle of the morning, you would have never known there was fog at all. And I'm getting really tired of dirt in my camera...I never had this kind of trouble with my old DSLR!
Photo 365 + 30 - October 23
When I asked Jeannie at church if she would be willing to decorate the altar again this year for the fall season, I certainly was not prepared to walk in tonight for choir and find this. What a beautiful addition this will be for worship! And we will get to enjoy it all the way up to the Advent season. She does such a fantastic job.
Photo 365 + 29 - October 22
I admit that I spoil Trinka. I would say a little - Dale would disagree and say a lot. She can be a little bit fussy about her food, so I am happy to put a little bit something in with her dog food to make it more appealing. For those rare occasions when I run out of her regular food, I get her a more expensive 5 lb. bag as a holdover until I can replace her regular food. And it's apparently so much of a treat for her that she eats it with no extras required. And she eats it fast...
Photo 365 + 28 - October 21
Dale invited me out for ice cream after the Packer game, so we took it up to Port and did a little hiking around. Lots to see tonight, and some opportunities to play with camera settings. Then the sun went down and it got a little too cold and it was time to go home.
They asked me to take their picture...and then laughed and hollered that I should put it on Facebook. I'm not sure how they figured they'd see it, though.
Photo 365 + 27 - October 20
I could have probably posted dozens of the family pictures from today's shoot of Kristin's family, but I'm putting up just one of my favorites. Plus individual ones of each of the kids - I get to be their "school picture" photographer this year. I hope Kristin is as happy with how they turned out as I am.
Photo 365 + 26 - October 19
This has been my ride for the past week, while waiting for the Dodge shop to finish the painting that needed to be done on mine. In addition to the hood that is being replaced under warranty, we're also having a couple other painting issues fixed. And I am so excited to get it back. This Dodge Journey is nice, but it not my "orange rocket" (as Dale refers to it).
Photo 365 + 25 - October 18
All good things must come to an end...and today was Dale's first day back to work since coming home from deployment. Actually, I think he was almost ready to go back. It sure is nice to have some kind of structure to the days again, and it's time to get back on track.
Photo 365 + 24 - October 17
I got a phone call from Kayla a couple weeks back asking me where I got that bumblebee for Josephine...and I admit I was not entirely sure what she was talking about. Then she started describing it - you know - that teether that vibrates when you pull on its wing - and I figured out what she meant. Apparently Evie made it one of her favorite toys, and somehow it got left somewhere, and Kayla was trying to find a replacement. Thankfully, it was found quickly, but in the meantime, I did locate a replacement. I found it when we were in Florida with James and Liz, so in addition to getting an extra one for Evie, Edyn also has one of her very own.
Photo 365 + 23 - October 16
My visit to the convention of the Women of the ELCA offered a terrific opportunity for shopping with some very wonderful vendors. My treasure of the weekend was a beautiful cross. The woman that designs them also includes a bible verse that inspired her creation - I am very excited to hang this in my front window where it can catch some rays of sunshine.
Photo 365 + 22 - October 15
And no, I did not get it for him. This would be another fun birthday choice from the Schauers. The pictures definitely do not do it justice. There is music and dancing and flashing lights...and it has taken up special residency on the shelf in Dale's room.
Photo 365 + 21 - October 14
Worship this morning was a change up from normal. Today we enjoyed an outdoor collaborative service with 3 other local churches, outdoor for Cedarburg's Oktoberfest. Unfortunately it was kind of rainy, but overall it was a very nice service, with plenty of St. John participation.
Photo 365 + 20 - October 13
Happy 25th Anniversary to the Women of the ELCA! This weekend was our annual Synodical convention, and Laura was tagged to make a cake to commemorate it. As always, she did a spectacular job, and her cake was quite the photo op. The actual convention was held in a beautiful church - Grace Lutheran, and I loved their altar cloth so much I had to take a picture of it, along with some of their stained glass.
Photo 365 + 19 - October 12
OK he's not really a watchdog, but he certainly keeps track of things when he's visiting. This is Brittany's dog, Max. Since she's back in school, Max comes over a couple times a week and spends the day with us. This is his regular location in the garage when I go out do get my shipments ready. He usually doesn't come off the couch unless he's invited or if somebody interesting shows up while I'm out there.
Photo 365 + 18 - October 11
One of my favorite things that Dale brought me home from Kosovo is a new insulated coffee (or in my case, chai) cup. Not only does it have a map of Kosovo on it (showing Camp Bondsteel), but it's pink!
Photo 365 + 16 - October 9
People don't always know what a blue star flag is. In my front window I have a 3 star flag hanging - one star represents each of my military members, so there is one for Dale, one for James and one for Kenn. I also have a pin which is on the lapel of my jacket, and up until now, it has only had 2 stars, because I had it before Kenn and Kayla got married. Kenn has harrassed me about needing to upgrade it to 3 stars, and when we were down by James and Liz, Dale found one for me at the BX. Now I am current - 3 stars all around!
Photo 365 + 15 - October 8
Anybody who has watched "Despicable Me" knows who the minions are. And Dale loves the minions, and Kristin's kids know that. So what better to get him for his birthday than his very own shirt with the minions on it. And yes, he did wear it to volleyball tonight.
Photo 365 + 14 - October 7
Before James and Liz scheduled their wedding, Dale and I had planned a "Welcome Home" Packer party - kind of like the sendoff Packer party we planned a year ago before he left. We had a wonderful crowd of friends and family - the only thing missing was a Packer win! Dale's nephew, Trent, also had a surprise for him. He took a piece of Dale's dad's old radio equipment and converted it into a gun cabinet for him. It is a very sentimental piece for Dale, and he will be so proud to display it in the house. Trent did an amazing job, and I hope he knows how deeply he touched Dale with it.
Photo 365 + 13 - October 6
Congratulations James and Liz! Today we welcome Liz into our family - hopefully for her that will be a good thing. We can be a little bit of a crazy group. They had a beautiful day for their outdoor ceremony, and we were happy to be able to be a part of it. It made a special day for Dale to share his birthday with, too - Happy Birthday Dale!
