Back Deck

I love our backyard. I loved sitting in the hot tub enjoying the view.
The hot tub has been gone now for several years and we replaced it with a table and chairs to enjoy dining el fresco.
Last year the neighbors tree took out all the furniture and did some damage to the deck railing. The deck looked like a cage in need of a makeover.
I wasn't too excited about painting it again and looked into replacing it with a concrete patio. That was too expensive for me so I suggested maybe we just replace the railing. We found a metal one at Menards on sale. Mike got busy dismantling the old railing.

The more he tore the thing apart the more I was liking the openness.
He suggested we not have a railing at all. It was well under the recommended height (17 inches). The grandkids are all old enough to navigate the drop off so we took the railing back to the store and saved $1,000.

The more he tore off, the more and more I liked it all open.
With his back to work date drawing near, I knew we had to jump on it right away. We tackled this project together.
I picked out a barberry green and Mike liked it too. Which surprised me - He really doesn't care what colors I paint around the house.
We power washed - We used paint stripper (waste of money), we scraped and scraped and we painted/stained.

Upper deck is complete.
Now to get my swing hung up. Mike bought me a new swing for my birthday in September and it sat in the basement till warmer weather. I didn't see a point in having it hanging all winter. I told him I wanted it hung under the 3 foot overhang we have.
After some thought he knew it wouldn't work. I was disappointed for a minute and then I thought ha, he can make me a stand and then I could move it around the deck if I wanted too. I showed him what I wanted online. He bought the wood. I stained it - I thought about painting it, but couldn't decide what color.
Bryan and Brian stopped by for Mother's day and provided the extra hands to put this badboy together.

 Luke had an assignment for Kindergarten class - He had to poll people - what is their favorite playground equipment. My first answer was "Dah, I'm a twin it's the teeter totter." But then I told him I love to swing too. He told me that he would come over and swing with me. Anytime little man!

It's perfect. They hung it a little lower for me to reach the deck with my short legs. I did make a suggestion for him to make little side tables on the side posts for my drink.

 

This is my view from my swing.
I could spend hours out there swinging. Probably will.
Still loving my backyard.
Now to get started on the lower deck. ugh.....

First Communion

Mike and I got back from vacation to Mexico just in time to witness Roger's First Communion.
He looks all grown up in his new tailored suit.

I remember the grade school years going by so fast.
He was trusted with a reading from the bible. Yes, I am that Grandma that actually took a picture during mass.

It was a important day for the Flory family. I am so happy to be there. All the boys were decked out in their suits and the girls all looked like angels in their white dressed.

Very proud Grandparents.

And parents.
I hope that where ever his life takes him he keeps his faith.

We're Loyal to You Elgin High

My high school is celebrating 150 years.

I'm surprised it's still standing let alone being used. The west wing (English, Band, Chorus, Art and Shop classes) is now occupied by the administrated office for the district and the main body is a alternate school.
They had an open house and I talked Sharen into going with me.
It was kinda confusing to begin with, because they had changed the numbers on the floors. The basement was now the first floor - so they had 4 floors.
Once we figured that out, we wandered around the school.
Sharen stopped to try her luck at opening a locker. Most are gone, but a few remain.

Noticed the beautiful hard wood floors are all tiled now and the "bump" in the 3rd (now the 4th) floor is gone. There is still some beautiful old woodwork still evident (the library doors), but the old woodwork in the library is painted white. The view from the balcony in the boys gym hasn't changed. Still could get a sliver in your butt from the bench seats. The floor looked amazing. Nor sure if it's newer.

As we walked around the place it seemed everybody we ran into knew us. We met a woman who graduated with Vicki, but recognized us from her substitute teaching when we worked there. A dear old friend of Lester's sisters. A retired Elgin firefighter who graduation with Deanna. A group of girls who went to school with Linda and Mary. One was our ex sister-in-law, Holly.
We talked with a few old classmates and played "remember when?"

I really wanted to see the old office where I used to work. The main office is now a conference room. This is me siting at my desk as the Scheduling Secretary in 1971. If you had a problem with your schedule it was my fault. I spent my summers pulling IBM cards for each student for each class. It was more fun than it sounds.
If you wanted to make a change in classes your guidance counselor came to me and I would take care of it.

Sharen started working at the school not long after I did.

Here I am sitting at Sharen's desk. Most of the time students couldn't tell the difference.
She was the guidance secretary. I'm really not sure how we got these jobs. Neither one of us had any experience. I was called down the principals office a few days before graduation (pretty sure I hadn't done anything wrong, but scared anyway) and Chet Alexander offered me a job. Started on the Monday after graduation. I still have no idea who recommended me for the job or why, but I loved working there.

This elevator used to give me fits when I had to haul my computer cards down to the Data Processing center in the basement.

old elevator

The summer of 1971 the district wanted to get all the files on Microfiche. We were building a new school and there was talk of moving the old files too.
 I breezed through the scheduling so Mr. Alexander had me in the basement cleaning out students records.Luckily I only had 1960 thru 1971 to do. It was in an old vault and it was dirty and musty. I had to go thru each file and save just report cards and recent picture in case of transcripts. I will admit I was curious and spent some time my first week or so looking at friends files, but that got old and I had a job to do.
While in the basement I had to pass through the storage area. That's when I saw a clock. I wanted it. I asked Mr. Alexander - He always wanted me to call him Chet, but not going to happen, buddy - You're my principal - for it. He told me I could have it!
They were doing remodeling in the girls gym and the auditorium. I'm not sure which my clock came from, but I treasure it.
It still hangs in my family room. It doesn't work, because all the clock back then were pneumatic and ran off the main clock in the main office.

When people ask me if I liked school I always say sometimes. I wasn't a great student. I had some really great times and people I can still to this day call friends. I always tried my best, so I wouldn't disappoint my parents.
But the best times I had at this place was working there.
I loved my job - I loved my bosses - I loved my coworkers and I especially loved  the students.

Feed the Starving Children

Mary and Bryan take Luke and Roger to package meals for hungry children. They have fun doing it and know that are helping children that really need it.
Bryan knew that I would really enjoy it and let me take his place on Saturday while he stayed home for some one on one with Owen (which I was planning on doing).


After a short video about the children we were helping and just what was involved with the process we were assigned to team Cambodia.

Had to wear hairnets

Roger wasn't too thrilled to have his picture taken with the hairnet on. I told him I was an old pro at wearing a hairnet from my days as a middle school cafeteria cook.

hallway of sinks

Everyone was asked to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Roger counted - I sang Happy Birthday - same time frame.


Not sure if it was the young girls (and Mary) dumping the food into the bags.

Team Cambodia

Or Roger and Luke, the "packing Ninjas" but we kicked it!
The packing table had 18 numbers on it and they had to put 2 bags on each number. Then into a box. I played a math game with Roger and Luke "How many more do we need?" Roger got the answer right every time using math. Luke ended up counting down the bags, but nailed it too.

Luke and Roger stacking our meals to be packed

I helped them stack them into the box to go to shipping. They were so into it and so good at it. Every time we would finish a box I would shout out (probably too loud) CAMBODIA!! and throw my hands up.  Luke finally joined me and shouted with me. 26 times - Yes, we finished 26 boxes. It was probably because our bag ladies were teenagers with energy. But this Grandma gives the credit to the "packers" department.


Music was playing and I was singing and dancing along really enjoying myself. No one cared. At least I don't think so, maybe I just didn't care what they thought. Either way, good time for me.


A blessing was said over the packaged food and we gathered back into the waiting room to hear our totals for the day. The total  was 253 boxes, enough to feed 178 kids for a month.


Bryan told me that I would enjoy it and feel good after we were done.
He was so right.
I am definitely doing it again.

Twin Day

Sharen and Dup are watching the Zierk kids while Mom and Dad get some really needed R&R in Cancun.
It was time for them to learn how to sew. Sharen suggested PJ's and they loved the idea.
First stop - Joannes. The twins have never been.
What?????

They both wanted fleece - and it was on sale.
I told them that they had to circle the whole store and choose all the ones that they liked. There was fleece on the top shelf all around the store.

Grandma and twins

They needed to pick out all the ones that they thought would work and put it in the cart. Sharen had Kallie's cart and my cart had Kendall's selections.
Kallie had 2 and went with her first choice.
Kendall had 5 possibilities and choose another one altogether. And that's why you need to look at the all before choosing.

Kallie is helping Kendall decide

Final decision made

 Now on to the cutting counter.

Cutting Kendall's

Sharen told them how much to get and when the lady asked them they both got it right. They told her it was their first time sewing and the lady was excited for them.

After a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Kallie got to sew first and Kendall did the layout and pinning first.

Kendall tried the rotary cutter, but settled on scissors

Kallie struggled a little bit with the pins, but she did it!

Sharen also purchased some material for Matthew, who opted  out of the shopping part to go hit some golf balls with Papa.
But he was up for the cutting and sewing part.

Matthew cutting his White Sox flannel

They were too short to reach the peddle so Sharen handled the speed and they each helped the material through.

There first sewing project and I am so happy I got to be a part of it.
I had a great time hanging with the twins. Who have that "twin thing" down. It really does exist.

Finished project

I'm excited to see that the lines matched up. I did mess up on Matthews a little. The Sox logo is upside down. He is such a sweetie - He truly did not care.
If you can read Kendall's shirt it says "Totally got this" and boy they sure did.

Puzzle Warehouse

When Mike and I travel we have the pleasure of taking our time and making detours along the way. We get to visit many interesting place that we wouldn't travel just to see. Football Hall of Fame, Baseball Hall of Fame, Marine Corp Museum, Sox games and Cubs games - You get the idea. We are not big fans of "driving straight thru".
On our trip to Texas in February, Mike choose the Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg, MI. and my choice was the Puzzle Warehouse in St. Louis (Thank You Linda for telling me about it).
We got to St. Louis on our way home and the weather was horrible and the place was closed. I was crushed. I was looking forward to it for months.
Mike noticed that Logan had a baseball tournament in Jacksonville, IL over spring break and suggested we go to the tourney and drive the extra miles to St. Louis to see the Puzzle Warehouse.

I was Happy - Happy to be here

I  asked the lady if they sold these signs - Nope. I told the owner that old people (who make up the majority of puzzle fixers) are not always online and they need to get bumper stickers or decals for cars. She thought that was a good idea. 
Man do they have puzzles. Lots and lots of puzzles, games and "brain teasers" for all ages.
I slowly walked through the store to soak in everything. I started to notice different makes of puzzles. Ones I have never heard of.
I for sure wanted to try some - now the hard part, which ones?
I headed back to the over 2000 pieces puzzles section and really didn't find one worth the money. I still have a 6000 piece that Mike bought me to fix.

Hurry take the picture

 I did find a 24,000 piece that I thought was cool, but. it was 15 feet long. No place to put it in my house. It was so heavy. AND it was $343.00.

I walked back through and started to write down the makes of some of the interesting ones to look online to purchase. Mike is chirping in my ear - "get it, get it"
Dummy - just like Mike and Frank from American Pickers say "the time to buy it, is when you see it."

Didn't buy all these, but I wanted too

I chose only 4 to try out.
I cannot wait to get started and then share them with my sisters.
If you are a puzzle lover and ever get to St. Louis, or even close to St. Louis, you have to go here. I'm pretty sure that I will be making a return trip sometime on one of our travels.

Maybe by then they will be selling bumper stickers.

Bye Bye Tonsils

Roger had his tonsils out last Tuesday.

Bryan text me this picture saying they were going to be late. He had a little more than just his tonsils, but the Doctor said he did good and all went well.
Mike and I were in charge of the younger two. Picked them both up from school/preschool and had a great evening. For a little guy, Luke sure can eat. Mary thinks he could turn into a jelly sandwich - now I see why.
Owen still prefers his mother at bedtime.
After his bedtime book, he insisted on waiting for Mary. He started out siting on the edge of the bed to wait. I told him that was fine with me.
I assured him that she is coming home and will sneak in to kiss him goodnight.
 "OK, I'll just lay down, but I'm not sleeping."
He laid there and kicked his feet to stay awake. I knew that trick and put a blanket over him.
When I asked him what pillow he like to use he put his head down and went to sleep. Proved to me I still got it!

On Thursday, Mike and I went in to keep an eye on Roger while Mary worked. As a young boy, Mike loved to play battleship. He bought the game for Roger and they played and played.

Roger caught on pretty quick

Roger beats Grandma

I even took a try at it. Roger beat me....
Mike had a Doctors appointment on Friday so it was just me and Roger. I could tell he was hurting pretty bad. We spent time watching TV. Playing battleship and Connect 4.
I did manage to win a few games, but I notice it was only when his meds were wearing off. He clearly couldn't concentrate on his moves.
I helped him get started on his pile of homework.

Religion - Ash Wednesday assignment 

I really enjoyed it. I was a little bummed there was no Math. We laughed about the adjectives worksheet. He wanted a "pretty" pig - me a "stinky" pig. I told him I was going to take him to the fair so he can see just how stinky pigs really are.

I know it takes time for the healing process. I hope it goes fast for him.