First Official Road Trip

My first road adventure following surgery was a trip to Rapid City SD to be with youngest sister Judi. Sister Debi arrived in Omaha on Saturday (10/23) to spend a few weeks with her "sisties". She was able to meet Mr. Cooper on Sunday and we had a nice dinner with the rest of the Carpenter's. Debi and I left PDale on Monday heading to RC via an overnight stop in Ogallala with Michelle and family.

We arrived in RC on Tuesday mid-afternoon. A real interesting trip. A slow moving cold front with 30-50 mph winds makes driving a little more challenging. AND with Debi driving it makes it all that more exciting! Yesterday the winds ranged in 50-70 mph in areas around RC, the day was overcast, and we even had a few snow flurries. Today promises to be a better day...Mr. Sun is shining brightly!!!

Our plan today is to do a little sewing on quilt projects, a little fabric shopping and just enjoying the nice weather Mother Nature is providing today.

2001 Ford Mustang Convertible

I really loved this car!

Each convertible top proved to be a tighter, better fit. The Mustang was so easy to lower, no zipping of rear window or loosening interior roof. It had a 6-CD changer, leather seats, remote entry and was all power (including drivers seat). It was a sweet ride.

But as retirement loomed on the horizon I wanted something I would be able to travel great distances in...practicality won again...darn it!!!

Indian Summer

Once again Mother Nature has not disappointed us. This River Birch is in our front yard. While this photo does not do it justice - leaves are a beautiful bright gold. We are blessed with the same colors each fall. With temps forecasted for next week these leaves will soon drop.

Red Convertible obsession...

Larry and I have had many rides during our 42 years of marriage. I'd like to say that all of them were "sweet"...but when you become a parent safety becomes a major concern. When we married he drove the 67 GTX and I had a 64 Plymouth Belvidere. When finances become tight we sold mine but kept the cool car. It was pre-Michelle that we purchased a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 as a second car. I blame that little ride for my obsession with red convertibles (with white tops).


Again, these are not our photos. I think we spent about $200 for her in the late 60's. She had glass packs...a prerequisite in our early years.


I remember purchasing a second '57 for parts. I swear this is the same car...that sat in our driveway for months while Lars worked on the convertible.

Michelle loved riding with the top down...blew her little blond curls all over the place. Again, we loved the Ford, but it was starting to need more attention "repair wise" than we had time or funds for. We traded for a Chevy pick-up we had moved to Waverly, and Larry wanted something a little more reliable to get to and from work with.

Years later (after we had moved to Pleasant Dale) we learned from a neighbor that our 57 Ford was found in a storage barn in Emerald and that he (the neighbor) had refurbished/rebuilt it and it was on the road again!

We have owned a total of four convertibles, all red and with the exception of the Mustang (hers was "camel") all had white tops. '57 Ford Fairlane 500, '84 Pontiac Sunbird, Chrysler LeBaron and the '01 Ford Mustang. I dream of one day owning a 60's era red VW...but that will only be a dream...for now anyway!

There's nothing like hitting the road with the top down on a warm sunny day with the wind blowing through your hair. I miss it yes but I have grand kids now so it's time to act like an adult...again!!!

1967 Plymouth GTX

Before we were married Larry purchased a 1967 Plymouth GTX. It was a special order and I had input to the color. Red with a black vinyl top. It was a 440 Magnum, four speed posi-traction, with bucket seats, leather interior, chrome wheels, extra wide tires on rear, with exhaust cut outs and glass packs. One real sweet ride!!!



These are not our photos, but are as close to what we once owned.

This little beauty took us on our honeymoon to California in February 1968. When we learned in early 1970 that we were expecting our first child, Michelle, we chose to sell using funds to purchase our first home. Sometimes being a grown-up can be so difficult! We loved that car...but it was time to "move on".

Oh, and we did purchase a "replacement" car...a 1957 Ford Fairlane convertible...red with white top. But, that's for another post...

College Football...Alas...

Alas my Nebraska Cornhuskers fell flat losing to Texas 13 to 20. If they had only caught all of those passes can you imagine the score?

But, alas, the Wisconsin Badgers were successful in bumping off #1 Ohio...


So a "Big Red" did win yesterday. I do believe Nebraska's first away game will be visiting Wisconsin in Madison next October. I would love to be in that sea of red!!!

A Restful Nights Sleep...

Last night was the first night in five weeks that I got to sleep in my own bed. I have been somewhat hesitant to attempt the spiral staircase as you have to poise yourself differently when climbing than when doing a straight flight.


And while I wish these images were ours they aren't, they represent what I imagine our place looking in my minds eye --- fresh and clean!

So in closing...

Our Montana Family...

A Beautiful Family

(Melissa, Esmé and Mitch)

Our Youngest...

Youngest daughter Melissa and her daughter Esmé.

Have you ever???

Gosh darn we've been blessed ... twice!!!

Noah (8 years old) with little bro Cooper (1 day short of 7 weeks old)

Go Big Red!!!

Oh, how I love my Nebraska Cornhuskers!!! Last night's football game was fun to watch.

"They're Baaaack"...

I believe HHBB would be pleased too!

I'm looking forward to next year when I am able to attend all of their home games.

Wake Up Call...sort of

First thing I saw this morning when I woke up.

Little Bit was snoozing on my chest!

My "temporary" Master Suite

It's been nearly a month since I have slept in our upstairs bedroom. Have to tell you I'm beginning to miss our queen-sized bed!!! Must mean that I am "on the mend".

For the time being, our living room has been my "master suite". Our twin sized sofa sleeper was converted (with additional twin sized mattress for more heighth and padding) to become my sleep pod.


We recently replaced my rocker/recliner with a "lift chair". It's all electric and with the help of a six way remote will operate to rise, lower, back only, leg only...you name it...it can do it! It is a real beauty...makes getting up and down much easier on the new hip. I have begun sleeping in the new chair at night - which allows Larry to sleep in twin bed. (He had been sleeping in old recliner each night to be near me, in the event I needed assistance!) Please note to left of picture, Larry extended the lower step to accommodate my walker, enabling me to move from living room to rest of lower level with minimal difficulty.


Residing on the first floor allows me more mobility to kitchen, dining, bathroom, straight stairway to accessible shower (yes I need assistance) and of course a big screen t.v. (complete with swing out arm) and cable access (and yes, I love my HGTV)!!!


Am I becoming spoiled? No, not really...I'm becoming bored with this arrangement and am really looking forward to driving, managing stairs and yes...running the vacuum.

Favorite Teacher...

Everyone has a favorite teacher. Mine was Mrs. Gladys Atkins, my 5th AND 6th grade teacher at Saratoga Elementary School (in the late 50's).

Last month I saw her obituary in the newspaper and was somewhat saddened. She was 88 years old, which was so hard to imagine, favorite teachers don't age do they?

I remember Mrs. Atkins as a loving, caring individual. She showed true patience when dealing with her young charges. I don't think I ever saw her upset or angry. She was the kind of a teacher you never wanted to disappoint.

I always felt safe in her presence, she gave me a warm fuzzy feeling just being in the room. I had and still have a great deal of respect for Mrs. Atkins. I hope that she knows how many life's she touched in her lifetime.

Thank you Mrs. Gladys Atkins.