May 12, 2009

I sometimes wonder where all the time passes.  We have been extremely busy at the Inn and the sudden realization that we have not updated our website in awhile does not help the feeling of being overwhelmed.

This past March we added two new additions to the Inn.  Stanley and A-Rod, two white Pekin ducks. (Donald Duck variety).  When we had the boys name the ducks we had assumed they were both boys.  I am beginning to wonder if Ä-Rod" took so many steroids he has changed sex?  They lived in our children's old play pen in the house until they were old enough to be moved outside.  They now have the run of the pen and they are sure liking the pool facilities we purchased for them at our neighborhood WalMart. My children think they opened the new Tractor Supply store just for me. For some reason I seem to be spending a lot of time there.  I keep telling the boys I am doing a John Deere gift basket for farmers, but somehow they know I am there eyeing the additional farm equipment and supplies for the Inn.  I do have enough room for a horse...hmmm???

Hunter, well he will always be our wonderful support system.  Always there ready to clean-up the floor, push books left on chairs to the floor to allow seating availability and assist in greeting all guest with large Lab love. 

The Inn may be a little shy this year of flowers since my boys decided to help weed.  I use to have a real nice perennial garden - "'Hey mom, took care of those weeds like you asked!".  I am sure glad I had separated some to the Friendship garden.

Oh, yes.  I am asked quite frequently, what is a friendship garden?  Well my friendship garden is a garden where any of my friends can come and take a plant or share a plant with me.  This garden is a symbol of my friends.  Like my friends, I inherit new ones, but my old friends just keep blooming and can never die.  Every year they seed again to fill my heart. Every year I add a pair of last years kids shoes to the garden - which symbols the children in my life. And yes, I add a used baseball for the two baseball players in my life.  It's a place of warmth.  And I can not thank all my friends enough for continuing to make it grow. (However, I may need to out a fence around it when my boys are gardening.)

August 17, 2008

Well it is only about 2 weeks before college starts and our youngest still does not know where he is going. He really likes one school and has been accepted by a few others, but we are still awaiting the final decision.  So you can image we are a little stressed.  Please take that into account if I sound crazed when you call to place your basket order.

I would also like to apologize to my friend Claire who took a ride (not intentional) this past week with Hunter.  She is now aware how big Hunter is and when he sees those rabbits he thinks he has to catch them.  Sorry Claire. 

June 14, 2008

I would like to thank everyone who always asks how are two sons are.  Well, our oldest is out playing baseball in Springfield, Illinois for the Springfield Sliders.  Getting him to his summer collegiate baseball home for the summer was, well lets say "Dorothy" has nothing on us.  We hit the Indiana and Illinois border just as a tornado outbreak was happening.  (Yes, I know for those who know me, tornado's seem to chase me, I don't chase them.)  Anyway, we found ourselves in a little town off I-74, a town with the nicest people, but you could not help but wonder are we in a Stephen King movie?  After hearing the sirens go off for more than 2 1/2 hours, we finally headed out.  What a lightening display followed us for over 2 hours.

Yes, during his first two weeks there he has had his first home run and he has backed into a bus.  The child with the great driving record.  No damage to the bus.....more his ego...since it was his baseball bus that takes the team to his games. 

We do hear from him when he needs money, of course. Or to let us know about going into a tornado shelter.  He is living his dream though.  I told him the other day how lucky he has been to be able to play something he loves so very much.  He got to pitch and win a State Championship game, he has a scholarship to play D1 baseball and he spends his summers on a diamond in a new town.  Any parent who has a fellow baseball player like ours knows, what the highs are and the lows.  He has devoted his whole life to this.  As a parent I can only wish he is given a chance to reach his dream.  It is a tough and competitive road. 

Our other son is getting ready for college.  So that means two in college.  (Please buy more baskets!)  He is enjoying his summer helping around the Inn and also playing baseball.  College?  He is still somewhat undecided.  He has signed at one school, but is waiting to see if any offers come in to play ball.  His muffler decided to start making a horrible sound the other day, looks like more $$$$$.  (Did I say please buy more baskets?)

Our English Black Lab "Hunter" has found the rabbits in the yard to be extremely fascinating.  Now if we could only get him to chase them away from my garden.  The other day I was hanging white shears up in the gazebo for a tea and he must of thought they were a ghost blowing in the wind.  He could not stop barking at them. 

Now on another note, our hearts go out to all the Boy Scout families, Iowa families and farmers who have lost so much in the Midwest this season due to the horrible storms and rain.  Our prayers are with you.

And I would also like to thank all the families that come watch our oldest son and his teammates play.  These boys come from all over and it is such a wonderful feeling for them to see all those fans in the stands.