My new room mate

Meet Gem, or Molly, or whatever. She came with a temporary name that we're ignoring and we just haven't decided what fits her best. Molly is Erik's "strong" suggestion. We'll see. I finally figured I was almost lonely enough to commit myself to the responsibility of having a dog, and I saw her picture in the Shelter ad. Love at first sight I'm afraid. Decision made - now we both get to live with it.

She's a terrier mix - mostly West Highland (we think), about a year old, the perfect size to curl up next to me on the couch, sturdy little legs for walking but small enough to fit into my back pack when my walks get too long for her. Of course it's brought immediate changes in my life. The fact that she came into heat the night I picked her up, hasn't helped. She's so affectionate, "normally" quiet and docile, that we're accepting the little inconveniences. Unfortunately, one of us cried and whined for 4 1/2 hours last night, and for once it wasn't me. Now I need a nap.

I'm so excited about Thanksgiving, with Cari and family, my folks, Heidi, Paul and Anna and even Stephie and Kristin and their guys coming. My little house has just been begging for company.

I've started doing volunteer work at the Waupaca Library, something I truly enjoy. It's only a mile away, so getting there is a perfect walk too (when it's not raining). This weekend I'm curling in and working the Blaze Orange Bonspiel in Waupaca. This should be fun. Wish me luck.

So to all, Happy Turkey Day!

Enjoying Summer

I can't believe it's September already. This has definitely been one eventful summer.

had a grand lawn party with thirty wonderful friends and family who helped me one way or another with my move, and I got to babysit Erik and Elyse - twice. Now, I'm planning my trip to Georgia to visit Krista, Joe and the girls on the 19th of this month. After leaving them, I head off to Bob and Carol's for a few days.

In the mean time, I've been helping Grace out on the truck farm, mostly working in the sorting shed and some light picking. Over this holiday weekend, however, I'm going on the selling truck to Shawano - long days, but fun!

These photos are of Elyse and Erik when they visited Nana. Joe sent me some cute ones of Kate and Caroline - my August birthday girl, that I wish I could post too, but in typical grandma fashion, I was unable to download them. Maybe next time.

Elyse started school this week and I went with her the first day to meet her teacher and find her classroom. What a great experience. While in La Crosse, I also got in some golf, and terrific trout fishing. I tell you, my secret trout stream never fails me!

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful and exciting Labor Day weekend.

Caroline will be 6

Look at this beautiful brownie for Caroline to take to school! Plus, my lovely Kate Marie and Sweet Caroline with their gorgeous smiles. It looks like they were a lot of help to Mommy in making this super birthday brownie.

I'm looking forward to going down to see them all in a few weeks. It's been too long since I've had any good Kostuch hugs. In the meantime, help me wish Caroline a happy 6th birthday. She's growing so fast.

First Big Party

What a great way to "break in" the new house. I've now been in my own home for two weeks and it's truly starting to look like a home. Last Thursday, Holly helped me put up paintings and wall hangings, which really seemed to bring things together. Oh, I have some left - like the entire basement, but I'm proud it's working out so well.

Cari and Elyse, plus Keri Stengel and her kids, Sydney and Carson, spent the weekend with me, and broke in the guest rooms and the play room down stairs. The gals came to race in the Waupaca Triathlon, as a team along with sister Holly. They all did wonderfully, all surpassing their personal bests - Cari swimming over 1/2 mile, Keri biking 20 miles and Holly running over 3 miles. They came in 5th out of 19 teams. Congratulations gals!!! I got to watch Cari's swim and Holly's race came right past my house, so we made signs, waved flags, cheered on 900+ runners (along with Great Grandma and Grandpa, Sally, Scott and Sam), for a couple of hours and then almost missed Holly entirely. All in all, it was a wonderful day. Everybody ate a big meal of chicken enchiladas, red beans and rice and Sydney's favorite - marble cake with chocolate frosting. Then we spent 4 hours playing in the water and cooking in the sun at the beach. We all crashed early last night. Gee, I wonder why.

It was a wonderful gift to me me to have everyone here. I'm looking forward to lots and lots more company and parties.

Some hard workers, helping me move

I can't believe I'm actually moved out of High Meadow. Here are some of my super hard workers. Without my wonderful crew, I'd never have made it. For the most part, I was too busy to get any pictures taken. And, though I was able to snap a few, I don't know how to put in a collage, so this will have to suffice. A great big special thank you to all my terrific friends and family who helped me so much. Dan (the pit boss) and Carol(my decorator) Sambs , Holly (my constant right hand gal) and Dan Bacon, Cari (who kept me moving) and Rob (super electronics guru), Court (there every time), Barrie (let's try it this way) and Kay (I'll find room in these cupboards somehow) Lutze , Jan and Vern Hanke and grandson Mike (work, extra help and food - wow!), Bruce (my dolly makes light work) and Nancy Helbach (I'll get you more boxes), Sid Hammond (a great surprise helper) Got to see Barb too!!, Ward and Wendy Weiss (sweat and liquid refreshments) , Amber Petersen (food, packing and a smile), Marg Nelson, Linda Kassera, Barb Krumrai, Barb Kelly and cousin Sue Dunbar (super packers every one of them) , David Smith (my construction expert) , Scott and Sally (I'll take care of the kids) Aho, Mom and Dad (food, storage and moral support), Elyse and even Erik. I've probably forgotten someone, but not on purpose. Holly helped me so much and so often, she's practially lived at my house. How can any person be so fortunate to have such good friends and family? Believe me,I know how lucky I am.

So, I'm in the new place - 534 Demarest Ave., Waupaca - same telephone and email. I'm surrounded by boxes, but slowly making progress. Stop in and visit sometime soon. I'd love to see you!

One week to go

Next week at this time, I'll be loading up the U-Haul. Every day has been filled with packing, organizing and making things ready. It seems there's almost as much telephone/paperwork as anything. The closing will be Friday morning and thankfully, all will go off without a hitch so that we can unload starting right afterward. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I have friends and family who have offered to help me with the move, which is wonderful.
Most of the "little" things have fallen together, with just a few hangers-on, like selling the tractor and snow thrower attachment.

I had to miss the wedding in Phoenix last weekend, but was there in spirit, with everyone else. I'll make it up, however, and see them all again maybe in the winter. Moving into a smaller house in town should allow me the opportunity to do a little more traveling, which I'm looking forward to.

Well, off to pack and haul out some more. Heave Ho!!

Work can be fun!

Wow, did this week fly. And I got a lot accomplished. Yes, I golfed a couple times (badly), but mostly I was working on the house. I lost in the third round of match play at my club, but gladly, as I've to much going on to do it justice.

My cousin Sue came one day and we packed up all of the upstairs. That afternoon I hauled it all to the garage. Good job done. The house passed the buyer's home inspection this week with flying colors. Next week is the inspection on the house I'm buying. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it goes as well. The rest of the time I was picking strawberries and raspberries, lining up moving help and trying to keep the garden watered and the birds happy. In this drought, that's not an easy task.

Today, I worked supervising the car parkers at the Iola Old Car Show, starting at 5 am. This afternoon, friend Barb helped me pack again and then we had a nice dinner together. It's so much easier to do these chores with someone's help. Tomorrow, I work at the cash register in the Lioness food tent again at IOCS. With all this going on, next week should come as a relief. I wish I had pictures of some of this, but then, it's mostly work.

Best of luck to Jordan and Kailea. I hope their wedding is a blast. Thanks to Holly for taking Granny and Grandpa to the airport this morning and I'm glad they landed in Phoenix, safe and sound. I'll be thinking of you (and watching the web cam).