First Attempt!

For the first time in my life, I'm going to paint a picture. This photo came from my front yard and has been sitting on my computer ever since. There is a pencil sketch on the wall in front of me. Yesterday I drew outlines on a canvas and am just about ready to start putting paint to it. I have been reading one of Cindy's books on color. She is giving me some technical advice, but the end result will be mine entirely. When I get it finished, I will post a photo here.

Hi all. Been a while since I wrote anything. Been busy, just got back from a few days at Mike Mitchell's. Hunting, got a couple of shots, but nothing to show for it. Oh well, there is still some time left in the season. Nate's are coming home tonight for the weekend.

Wanted you all to hear it from me before rumors get spread around, Rose has left us for the time being, and maybe permanently. Roger and I went to Mike's on Friday night, and on Saturday Morning she left, took her clothes, her truck, some savings, and a few other things. She apparently met a friend (male) who had flown out from Nebraska at the Buffalo airport and they drove together back to Nebraska. I just talked to her for the first time since she left, she said that she doesn't know what she wants to do yet.

I will let you know as much as I can as soon as I can. I would ask for our sake (both hers and mine) that you keep this info to yourselves at this time unless someone asks, then if possible share as little as possible. She may at some time come back (I am not real optomistic at this point, and I am not certain what I want), and I would prefer to share the news with people as I feel they need to know. Please do not judge her harshly, for my sake if not for hers.

Love, Bob

The Last Piece Is In Place

The carport, sunporch, & deck were added over the last couple of weeks so the house is completely framed. This addition makes it look much larger even though it's only the size of a two car garage. But because of the height, it looks big. Wade has been shingling the roof since the weather was so good and working on the insulation too. It's coming along really well and keeping him busy. No nibbles on this house--actually very few lookers--so no reason to rush to finish. And with the holidays coming, I suspect traffic will become even slower.

I just remembered that today is Mom's birthday and her death day. She would have been 83 years old. I still think about her a lot.

Miss you, Mom. Happy Birthday!

Knauer Knews!!

Hey..How are you all? We are doing pretty good here...Boring life but busy....work, sleep, do papers, work, sleep, clean house, do papers...get the drift?? But anyhow...Life goes on and seems to be going faster and faster...can't believe it's almost Christmas time again...Good grief!!

Well don't think I ever updated about our trip...Will post some pics later when I get aroundtoit...but we went almost 2300 miles. Left on Thursday am and came back on Monday afternoon...It was way too many miles for that many days...Don't think we'll do that again..We just went into Ohio and Michigan (as Roge said--it's too far to go to Wisconsin and down into Indiana too...As it was we ended up driving a lot of interstates just to get somewhere and then to get home at a decent time..Don't want to do that again but ...we did get to see some fun stuff and we did enjoy ourselves. Went up to Cleveland Ohio and saw Lake Erie from there--had to get down and taste the water there--never saw waves on water that wasn't salt water so wanted to be sure...That was fun... Then checked out the Cleveland Browns stadium--not a browns fan but....still was cool to see something you only see on TV. ... Then went on to Michigan. saw a lot of flat land and alot of trees--some colorful some not--went up the West side of Michigan, so saw Lake Michigan, and alot of pretty county there. then went up to Mackinaw Bridge and crossed into the "Upper Peninsula" . The Mackinaw Bridge and the Upper Peninsula were worth the whole trip....The U/P is very remote and not much up there--makes you realize how the country was years ago before we all were here...We really liked it up there and liked seeing all the lakes..Went up to the northern end so we could say we touched Lake Superior too...Would have liked to travel across the U/P and came down through Wisconsin but knew we just didn't have enough time to really enjoy it... Maybe another year...We were kinda disappointed in that we were surprised at how flat Ohio and Michigan are...There are not a lot of hills...Of course, I thought "go north--see hills" like in PA--found out that wasn't so...So we decided we are more "hill country" people and will travel to those more next time.. Wherever that may be....But we still had a good time and enjoyed being by ourselves and also being away from work and stress here so it was good....

well, I'd better go...will write more again soon about the rest of our life...write soon everyone...

hello

Just wanted to tell everybody I love you and your all awesome people

"So Long, Farewell, Aufweidersehen, Goodbye"

What a week it's been. I'm glad it's almost over. Don't ever want to go back.

I started feeling a little funny last Sunday, but didn't think too much about it. By Monday morning I knew I had the flu, but worked most of the day anyway. (I did knock off earlier than usual.) Monday night was bad, bad, bad--fever, chills, nasty headache, diarrhea, painful joints, etc. Tuesday was a repeat that didn't start to let up until afternoon. Wednesday was better, but I didn't do anything. On Thursday, I went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and cleaned around the house a little. That night, I went to Wal-Mart and bought some Pepto-Bismol and Alka-Seltzer. Yesterday, I went to a large kitchen remodel we are doing just a few miles away and worked all day. Had at least seven men there and got a lot done, but I was whipped at the end. I'm feeling fairly good right now, considering, except for my hands, head, belly, and just generally overall, which aren't back up to snuff.

I've had to force myself to eat simply to maintain, lost a lot of strength which I need back. For about three days, all I had were two bowls of chicken noodle soup and a couple Reese's cups. I did chug the water though, didn't dare to get dehydrated.

I haven't been sick for years and this one made up for all those others that missed me. I think this has been the worst flu I've ever had. Since Cindy was in "Joisey", no one was here to feel sorry for me except the dog, and he spent at least as much time sleeping as I did.

Speaking of Cindy, last time I talked to her, she had the flu, Amanda and the three oldest kids had the flu, Justin was gone most of the time working, and then the mother-in-law showed up. She was not a happy camper. She'll be flying back to Jax on Sunday afternoon, which will probably make a difference. We'll be flying up Dec. 27 for three days, so might be able to see some of you then.

Berty, how are you doing? I think about you a lot.

Love you all.

Makayla

I got a letter from Makayla on Friday. It says and I quote...

Gramma, That was so nice of you. I was wundring wat you wur dowing to. Love, Makayla I am cey borging.

Now, I'll translate... She was wondering what I was doing also. (I wrote in my letter to her what I was doing at the moment--can't remember what that was.) She is keyboarding (in school). She gets her d's, b's, and g's a little confused and she writes just like she thinks it sounds! Sometimes, I have to think for a little while what she's trying to say...

Beth suggested a great idea. When I write to her, I enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. That way, she can write back to me without it being an issue to anyone. This is my second letter from her. I was SO happy to get it--I can't imagine how she must feel when she gets a letter from someone. On that note, if you have time to write a short note to a little girl whose life has been topsy-turvy, I'd be forever grateful. Her address is 30 Pee Wee Ln, Duncannon, PA 17020.