One Gallon

Julie got a new Honda Civic Hybrid car. On her first commute to work she used exactly one gallon of gas. That is 40.7 miles to the gallon. You can imagine that she is very happy. The above photo was taken on her cell phone camera for proof. Below is a photo of what the car looks like. It is not actually a photo of her car.

Mom is Fine

BLOG QUEEN'S NOTE: I FORGOT TO POST MOM'S BLOG THIS WEEK. SHE'S GOTTEN A FEW CALLS WONDERNIG IF SHE IS OK. SHE IS FINE.

Good Morning,

I've brought out the suitcases and started sorting out the things that need to come home with me. I will be flying home in 9 days. I know the weather will not be as nice as I would like it to be but there is no place like home. I've had a good winter and managed to keep fairly busy but it will be good to get back to my family.

Sunday I went to church. In the afternoon we had the final Band Concert for the season and then I took Ed & Norine to Applebee's to say "thank you" for all the nice things they have done for me.

Tuesday I took tickets at the dinner show.

Wednesday morning, Joe & Pat Anton(Brandon Braucher's grandparents) took me for breakfast to Village Inn. Brandon is the young man that works for Jeff on the farm. We had a great visit and I got to know them. Brandon looks like his maternal grandfather.

Thursday was the final Concert series at the ballroom. I was an usher again. 3 men performed 30 different instruments during the course of the performance. They were very talented and it was a good program.

Friday evening was the annual "Going Away Party" for all the volunteers. It was a dinner and dance.

All these events make it sound like things are winding down for the season and they are. This next Tuesday will be the final event for the season. It will be the Tuesday night dinner show. Then I will be packing in earnest getting ready to leave for Minnesota I fly home Tuesday, April 7.

I will be home for Easter this year--it sounds like I will have a full house for the special day. I can hardly wait.

I will write a short note next Sunday and then I will not be writing for the summer but stay tuned because you never know when Sue will be putting up some pictures.

Peace & Love, LaVerne

Hello Friends and Family,

Time is winding down and I will be back home in Northfield in just over 2 weeks. I will miss the nice warm weather but it will be good to be home.

It was a quiet week so I got some pool time in which is good. Jim & Eve Boyd, my neighbors, invited me for supper Monday night. Good food and good visit.

Tuesday was St. Patrick's Day and the park had the usual parade. That evening I was invited to Dale & Marlene Hannah's annual Irish party. A good time was had by all. I left a little early but I guess the singing and fun lasted quite a while.

Wednesday I rode along with Ed & Norine Maier to Mexico. I was to have a form made for a bridge where they extracted a tooth 3 weeks before. Well, the gum hadn't healed enough so I'll have to wait until next fall to get that done because there won't be time before I leave for Minnesota.

The Classic Chorale gave their concert Thursday evening--it was excellent.

Friday, Milt & Gloria Berg from Northfield came for a visit. I entertained them at our local Terrace Green restaurant for lunch and then we had a good visit sitting on my deck. They spend one month here at Fountain Hills. They were gracious enough to take a box and one piece of luggage of mine back to Northfield for me so that makes my trip home easier because I won't have to handle so much luggage.
That evening, Al & Grace Conklin invited me for a cocktail so the day was full.

Saturday evening I ushered at a concert. "The Duttons Family" performed for a full house here at our ballroom. 750 tickets were sold. It was a great concert and lots of talent.

Today, Sunday, the Viewpoint Concert Band is holding an outdoor concert up at the Gazebo.

My sister-in-law, Marie(Mia) spent a short time in the hospital in San Antonio this week. Henry and Marie are spending the winter months with their daughter, Jane, there and she had a health problem. She is back home at Jane's now and feeling better. My prayers are with her and with my brother, Henry. They are very special to me.

Until next week, Love, LaVerne

What a face...

Now you can see why it is so difficult to say "NO" to this dog. Actually he is doing very well. He graduated from Puppy Training School and will start classes for "advanced" puppies this week. He will be 6 months old today.

Owen is 5!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Owen. Looks like you had a party. Gina says.... A great time was had by all.... 22 of his friends! He celebrated at a Pump It Up inflatable party palace and then had the grandparents over for dinner that night. He's milking this "birthday week" for all it's worth- we'll celebrate again on St. Patrick's Day.

Did Owen get a dirt bike? OMG.

Blog Day

Blog Day

The spaghetti dinner I talked about looking forward to was indeed a real treat. Jean is married to an Italian so you know that she makes good spaghetti.

Tuesday evening I worked at the Dinner show here in the park. It is not a hard job--just taking tickets and the show was 3 belly dancers!!! They were very good and exceptionally talented but 15 minutes of it was long enough and it lasted an hour!! Guess the guys enjoyed it more than the gals!

Wednesday I hosted a cocktail party and supper for some of the old softball friends of years back. We still like to recall the "good old days".

Thursday evening I ushered at another concert. Jim Travis spent an hour and 15 minutes singing and playing the accordion and telling really funny jokes. It was very enjoyable. That afternoon we had our block party--almost all the people on the block attended and the food was great-as usual.

Friday evening Ed & Norine hosted a cocktail party and dinner for the softball friends. We do have a good time when we all get together. The girls are at one table and the guys at the other which is normal. I think the girls outdid the guys when it came to laughing!

I had a very pleasant surprise this morning when I opened my email--my grandson-in-law, Barry, wrote me a really newsy email telling me about what has been going on in he and Bethanie's lives. What a guy! Thanks Barry. I will answer you soon.

This next week my friends Milt & Gloria Berg from Northfield will be stopping by to go to lunch and visit. They spend the month of March in Fountain Hills and always come and look me up while they are here. I hope to catch up on all the news from home.

Until next week, Love, LaVerne

Iowa Fun

It was Owen's 5th birthday. Ava, Jenny and Jude help celebrate. Owen with this Cake???

What a shock. Steve has already started tricking out his mini. Raise your hand if you are surprised by this????!!!!

New Glasses

Is that Bible Man wearing new glasses? How handsome is he? You look amazing Nathaniel. I'm afraid with your new glasses you will see that your front teeth are missing. Don't worry, you'll get new ones:)

Don't move to Fargo

Attached are photos from our Fargo, ND Cardinal Plant. They had to use a skid loader to plow out the front door. The snow is over the roof in some spots.

Ketcher Boys

here's a couple of pictures chad has sent recently if they can be added to the blog. One is Chad having school lunch with Nathaniel (missing front teeth) and the other shows a very mature Matthew getting ready for school.