Iowa's Dallas Clark

It was a sad night last night - the Colts lost to San Diego in overtime in the playoffs. And the boys didn't get to come over to watch the game due to the slick roads/weather. For those that might not know, I'm originally from Carmel, an Indianapolis suburb, so I'm a Colts fan. Most people out here are Vikings or Packers fans and those are the games that are usually on TV here.

We are proud that talented Colts player, Dallas Clark, is from Livermore, a small town about 25 miles from here. Last Feb., Glenn took the boys there to a basketball game and Dallas was "home". They got their picture taken with him. He called them "the 3 amigos".

Colts tonight!

Not much happening here today except the heat wave of 27 and it's been sleeting. The roads are very slick. There was no work done on the house. Bill had planned to cut some trees at his mom's but it was too windy. I've had a nasty cold so I've been reading some Beverly Lewis books about the Amish. I've always been curious about them. Ross called to see if he, Reed & Rob could come over and watch the Colts game with me tonight! I went to get some "party/game" food. I'm making Chex Mix, Lil' Smokies, and Funfetti Cake but have a feeling they may not get to come over due to the roads. GO COLTS!!

Soffit & Siding

Mark got quite a bit of the soffit done today - looking good!









Greg sent a truck about 3 hours away into Minnesota to pick up our siding. The flooring guy came out to measure our "new" carpet in this house to see if we have enough for the basement - and we do. Bill had new carpet put in this house before we got married with the idea that we could use it in the basement of a new house whenever.








Another one of our awesome sunsets. I had noticed while talking to mom on the phone that the sky was looking really orange. When we hung up, this is what I found!

New Year at 11:00?

I totally forgot something else that I found out here last year!! On New Year's Eve I NEVER thought about people to the west and that the New York ball does not drop at midnight for everybody?!!! My friends and family in Indiana - did you ever think about that?? Mom said she didn't either. I guess I assumed that TV delayed the ball dropping show for people west of the Eastern time zone until their midnight! It's really strange for the ball to drop here at 11:00 and it's not Jan. 1 for another hour! For us, there is NO BALL - at all! After New York does their thing, the party goes on in California for another 2 hours? until their ball or orange or whatever drops! (I didn't stay up to see what they have - anyone know?) It's good for all those people who don't want to stay up until midnight! For me, I guess I'm going to just have to pretend that it's midnight at 11:00 from now on!

Bill and I are going to do some measuring and try to start deciding where we want electrical outlets in the new house. I now have faucet AND lighting books to look at. Thanks for the couple of comments I got re: stoves. Anyone else have the 2 oven range - or wish you did? Our 2 showers and tub were delivered yesterday. Two out of the 3 were wrong and one will be going back. The plumber didn't check what came in and was being sent out to us. Mark and crew are going to start on soffits tomorrow and siding next week, weather permitting.

Hope you have a very relaxing New Year's Day!

New Year's Eve

The guys finished the roof yesterday! Hooray! We decided not to put the small gable over this window on the right front. It looked too small compared to the gable over the garage and seems to look fine without it. There will be less problems with water and downspouts this way. Mark says it can be added later if we really think it needs it. I think what would be perfect is a couple fake dormers but Bill says no way!



I took the Pilot to Glenn & Amy's shop yesterday for an oil change and right front door adjustment. Here's his building, Dunkerly Ag & Truck. He does semi repair, tractors, golf carts, etc. Diane's hair salon, Di's Hiway Style is here too.








It was - 2 when we got up this morning but Mark & crew showed up by 8:00! At least it's sunny! They finished putting the Tyvek on the house and now are doing inside work. I hurried up and made some choc. chip/oatmeal cookies for them since they're only working until noon since it's New Year's Eve. I thanked them for working on our house when it's so cold. As I was walking back to the house I heard someone say "they're still warm!" and all hammering stopped. :) Pretty soon the empty container showed up!

While waiting for the Pilot yesterday, Diane, Lacey & I went to the appliance store. We need to have that decision made soon too. We know we want a French door refrig. with freezer on bottom but I'm struggling on whether to get a gas (propane) or electric, smooth (glass) top stove! If any of you have opinions on these, PLEASE leave a comment or send an e mail! The glass tops are a pain to clean (I had one) and you have to use very flat pans (no grill pans or anything warped). I've never used gas. They say propane doesn't heat as hot as natural gas. I'd also love to have one with 2 ovens - the one on top is small and would be used most of the time. Large enough for a cookie sheet, pizza, etc. I don't know anyone who has one of these. Many times I've needed to bake 2 things at 2 different temps. Help!

Tomorrow Martha Stewart's show is going to be all about blogs for those of you who really don't know what a blog is!


Happy New Year to all!

Cindy & Bill

Bill's Christmas Present

Bill signed for the "new" combine Fri. It's a 2007 John Deere 9760 with new 30' bean platform. They will use the old corn head. He rounded up all the odds and ends for the old combine so they can turn it in for the trade. The new one is being checked over. Right now there are 7 used combines sitting at the JD dealership in West Bend.

Shingles started going on the new house today! We went to Algona today to pick out the kitchen counter top & sink and dropped off house plans at the flooring place so that they can get the carpet ordered. They tell us that companies are not making carpet ahead right now so it's best to get it ordered ASAP. Next is a another trip to the appliance store and need to start looking at the books of faucets! We got home after dark so couldn't see how much of the roof is done.