Where's Spring?

Monday May 13- With that title, this picture isn't what you would think of? Today was a beauty of a day. We had blue sky, warm temps, sunshine and a light breeze. It was kind of perfect. The problem is these days are few and far between. So we enjoyed this one. Stayed at the campground and did some cleaning. Ruby got a bike ride and a nice walk down by the finally filled up lake...that's where the picture is from. We spent some time sitting outside as well. I could use more days like this.

Tuesday May 14- Guess what....rainy and gray again today. We had made plans with some friends from church. They are taking us to a bakery, My Mom's Bakery that they love in Ely. The owners are using his mom's recipes. So we drove in and met them at the church. Off we went. The town is super small but the little bakery was done up right. It was a super small place. Mike and Linda introduced us to the owners. We picked out some treats. First we ate our cinnamon pecan rolls, which were amazing. We got 2 more to take home. They are also famous for there kolaches so we got a couple of those to take home. Mike and Linda called a head to have them hold 6 pumpkin bars and they gave us one of them to take home as well.

Wednesday May 15- Today we had an appointment to take the car to Van Horn Chevrolet. When we purchased the car they told us that oil changes were free for the first 2 years, as long as you take it to a dealership.Well when we arrived they told us it was only the first 2 oil changes. Since we had already drove there we let them change the oil. The next time I think we will take care of it ourselves. I guess we misunderstood. After we headed back because we have some sunshine again. They did wash the car but I washed it again when we got back. Then Jeff got it waxed. Jeff also got the screens from the shower house and replaced the men's side.

Since we had some sunshine still I was sitting outside when I noticed this little frog sitting on our rug outside. Don't think I ever saw a gray frog before. Must be an old one.

Thursday May 16- Today we are Maddyn's babysitter. We also have started taking care of Wanda's cat OB. She is the camp host on our second loop, and has gone to Hawaii.  So before heading into town we had to take care of the cat. We arrived and had to make Maddyn some pancakes. She was a hoot the whole time we were there.

After breakfast we played with her baby. Then we went for a walk in her carriage. She wasn't ready to come in so we went to the back yard and played with bubbles. She loves being outside. It was a really warm one, it got up to 90 .......  WHAT! We didn't have to watch her the whole day though. Justin came home from work early because they have a visitation tonight. So when Maddyn went down for her nap we came on home. It is super warm and we are suppose to have some pretty big storms in the area tonight. After supper Jeff went to Palo to play guitar, I stayed home and watched the radar. We got very lucky with the storm part. We did get some rain but it didn't start til we were in bed.

Friday May 17- Well we had rain all night. When we got up it was still rainy. We looked on the radar and it is suppose to rain most of the day. Jeff decided he wasn't hanging around here all day. After doing our cleaning and taking care of the animals we left. Miss Ruby was pretty wound up, she was on a coaster crusade. She just can't stand having the coasters sit on the table. Every morning she steals them. Then if I get them back she will jump up with Jeff, she waits for him to pick up his coffee cup. She springs into action by grabbing the coaster and running off. After morning she really doesn't bother them much.

Our first stop was for breakfast at Perkins. Then we did a little shopping. I got Miss Ruby a new harness. Jeff looked at a few shops he liked and I did the same. Before heading back we stopped at the store to get some supplies. The weather man was fairly correct, it's been raining most of the day. It is also very gray and cold. There is 30 degrees difference from yesterday. We had supper and then we went in to watch Justin play tonight. Wellstrung played at The Thew Brewery. We have never been there before. It was nice to watch and listen to them again.

Saturday May 18- Another gray, cool, gloomy day. We had planned on Hailey coming out today and spending the night but those plans changed. We just hung around here all day. It was a long long day. The park isn't full because of the weather forecast. We did see a bit of blue sky but not much.  We did have a camper come knocking on the door to tell us that one of the water spickets won't shut off so Jeff went up to try and take care of that. We don't need any extra water around, that's for sure.         

 I can say the bright note is with this weather...the birds love it so I can watch them. Here are just a few of my many many pictures.

scarlet tanager

Found a robin nest in our tree

gold finch

jelly eating oriole

Sunday May 19- It rained a lot last night but it stopped by morning. It didn't rain today but it was windy, cloudy and very cool. This does not seem like the month of May...Went to church, the store and then came on home. Again another long day....who took Spring?....I want it back.


Monday May 20- Oh my it's a cold one today, it's in the 40's. I decided to do some cleaning inside. Our friends, Maren and Jeffrey are suppose to be here tomorrow. I made some cookies and chili for supper. I'm running out of cold weather meals. Since the birds are so active I decided to make a bigger batch of hummingbird juice. I sat out my button feeders on the picnic table today and before I knew it the birds were using them. I grabbed my camera and got some cool pics.

We stayed around here today and got things done. Jeff worked on the slides. We did see some sunshine today but not much or for very long. More rain expected tonight.

Tuesday May 21- This morning first thing we had to head to town. We both are getting our lab work done. Then on Friday we have our doctor appointments.  We heard from our friends and they are going to be a day later. When we got home it cleared for a little bit and the orioles were extra hungry. They showed up in full force. I counted 10 on the fire pit today. That is where I sit the bowl of jelly.

I had to load up the car and get back in to Cedar Rapids by 3 o'clock. I am staying over night with Aston and Hailey tonight, cause there parents are out of town. I took advantage of there brand new washer and dryer. When they arrived home from school another set of clouds rolled in and poured rain the rest of the evening. After fixing supper I took Hailey to gymnastics. It lasts 2 1/2 hours so I didn't stay for it. I dropped her off and went back to visit with Ashton. I came back to see the last hour of her practice. Oh it was raining harder when we left. It just poured. Got everybody in bed including there 2 dogs, well one dog and one horse dog.

Wednesday May 22-Well I really missed my own bed, and them dogs, well they sleep with me. So I woke up really early but was still tired. I got both kids off to school. Then I loaded up my stuff and headed for home. When I got home my feeders were empty so I had to take care of them. Then I needed to do my camp host duties. We had people stopping by asking questions today. We are going to have a busy weekend, with the holiday and all. Our friends, Jeffrey and Maren arrived. They set up and came up to visit. The wind was so crazy that we changed our menu for tonight. No burgers on the grill in this weather. So I prepared them an Iowa classic, loose meat sandwiches or maidrites. After supper we went for a walk around the park before calling it a night. I can't wait to get in my own bed tonight.


Thursday May 23- We have sunshine......I started off by doing my camp host duties and taking care of Wanda's cat. I also took Ruby for a walk because it was so nice. I actually got to sit outside and enjoy some sunshine...yeah! Jeffrey and Maren came by and asked if we wanted to go for a walk, and we did join them.

It warmed up some and I sat outside in my swing chair. I noticed the hummingbird's were being rather bold. I grabbed the button feeder and put them on the table next to my chair, then I put it on my knee. I also grabbed my camera and waited very patiently. It was worth it because I had one drink from the feeder on my knee and even got a picture.

Boy talk about making my day. Why I'm so fascinated by these birds I don't know......but I love them! Jeff went in to Palo to jam tonight, I walked with Jeffrey and Maren.



Friday May 24- Doctor appointments first thing this morning. We sure had lots of rain last night, and it is suppose to rain most of the day. When we were in our doctor appointment you could hear the down pour of rain. So gray and depressing...good news is everything looks good with our lab work. Before heading back we stopped at Seth's to pick up a box with Belle's dog food in it. It is prescription dog food and it just keeps getting more expensive with a smaller bag. So aggravating. Seth was working from home. He has a project he wants me to do. He is kind of a shoe guy and he wants me to customize a pair of his shoes. He bought all the stuff and so I'm going to give it a go.  I had a video to watch and I went ahead and got them taped up to give them a start. I think the trick is going to go slow with lots of thin coats of paint.

first coat

We had made some plans for the evening with our friends. With the weather not really sure if we can do them. So we took off and went to Union Station to watch Jarrod Hogan play. He is one of Justin's friends and really nice to listen to. Justin even came down to join us for a bit.

We left here and headed down to Newbo Rock the Block. We were going to listen to the band there. The weather had held off. When we arrived nobody there, I guess they cancelled. So we took a walk downtown. Then back in the car to go to a new place to have dinner, Daisy's Garage. It was ok, but I guess I was expecting a bit more. The company and conversation was great.


Saturday May 25- Up early to get the shower houses clean before our campers wake up. Then we went to Cedar Rapids for there first of the season farmer's market. I think everybody had the same idea. It was packed. Justin, Molly and Maddyn met us there so that was fun. I think the vendors were happy with the turn out.

yikes

Since the weather is so nice we decided to have a family dinner tonight. So on our way home we hit the store. The kids are coming out later with there families. In between our two activities I got a couple more coats of paint on Seth's shoes.

 The family arrived and we had a really nice time. We had a simple but yummy meal and even some games. So nice to be able to get together with family and friends. Oh the sunshine was great too.

After everyone went home it was time to clean up and call it a day. So happy that the weather was good. It was suppose to rain all day.

Sunday May 26- No rain again. Jeff had made plans to go to a blackjack tournament with the boys. I was going to stay back and work on his Seth's shoes. I did get a walk in. I started early with painting so I got lots of coats done. I won't show you all the pictures but I ended up with a total of 7 coats of white paint and 3 coats of black on the swoosh.

Next thing I know Hailey called to say her Ashton and Katie were coming out to the beach so I met them down there. It was plenty warm but the water too chilly for me. The kids didn't mind it. They even did some exploring of the tall grasses to look for critters. They came up with this big tadpole and some snails. It was  a nice afternoon.

I came back home and heard from they guys, they are still playing. Going in to the final round Justin was top of the leader board and Jeff was in 3rd. Well when it was all over Justin got 3rd. They had a fun time and Jeff got home around 7:30. I had plenty of time to finish up Seth's shoes. I sent him a picture and he says they are dope....I guess that's a win..

Well I will continue this long weekend next time....until then.