IT CANNOT BE OCTOBER ALL READY!

It started in July, Roy and Kathy came for the 4th of July weekend. We had a good time together and also spent a day visiting Branson. We had not gone to Branson in about 5 years, we had just driven through a few times. We went down under the Route 65 bridge that goes over the river. We took pictures of the old bridge which is being replaced with a newer, wider one. While there we also took pictures of the old railroad trestle then a train came through to make it even better. We later walked up to the new shopping center that runs along the river. We then went to the old train depot and got tickets to ride the old train that takes you a few miles into Arkansas. We didn't get to sit up in the observation seats so we did not get to see much more than trees and leaves. Keep this in mind if you ever take this trip, be the first 50 or you won't get seats on top. It was still a lot of fun. We then walked up to the old original business part of Branson and went to the famous Dick's 5 & 10 store. It is a store filled with a little bit of everything and anything you might ever need. Back to the shipping center and time to eat supper, we choose the newly opened Chicago Pizza Place. We then stopped at the river to watch the water and fire show that goes every hour on the hour while the National Anthem plays. This time of night there is more to the water and fire and lots of music, it was spectacular. Kathy was able to get some beautiful pictures of this unusual display.
On the 17th of July, I met Bob in Alton, Illinois at the Alton Marina. Today Beth was having a book signing and Child's fun day. The marina is so pretty and many of the boat owners came by with their children to color pictures, blow bubbles, have cake and hopefully have the parents buy a book. Bob and I were to have met a week earlier to surprise Beth at an art show in St. Louis. Beth was having some of her art work shown in the gallery. As it turned out, Bob had an apartment fire the night before and was out buying clothes and getting a motel for temporary living. Bob and I went off later in the afternoon with our cameras in hand and got some nice pictures of the marina area and the beautiful bridge that takes you into St. Louis. We were also enjoying spending time with Brad that day as well as at dinner that night. That evening we all went out for dinner and then on Sunday, we shopped with Beth and the boys after having a lunch at a local restaurant. That evening after a pizza party at Beth's apartment complex we had fun playing with the boys in the park that is across the road. The boys are growing fast and I wish I were closer and could spend more time with them.
On the 23rd of July, I met Roy and Kathy at a beautiful hotel in Peoria, (just like the one Nancy and I stayed overnight at in Springfield, Missouri). We walked the river walk to a local restaurant for dinner than walked back to the hotel. Saturday we went to the Princeville Historical Museum and met Uncle Roy Mueller, cousin Charles and his son Jason, Bob, Beth and the boys. We had a good day checking out the old school, old farm equipment, the fire department demonstration and all the activities going on. That night we were all guests of Uncle Roy Mueller at a dinner and lots of fun talk. Sunday morning found Kathy, Roy and me walking a nature trail and checking out the birds, with cameras in hand. We had our morning walk so we were now ready to leave and head out on our own directions home.
Next thing I know is, it is August, that means it is reunion time. I had been working on the Thatcher Family News but knew I had to finish that up. Roy and I had been busy keeping the grass mowed, the animals cared for and some new fencing electrified, a gate installed to keep the horses in their field and generally having all in good shape. I started cooking up the reunion stand-bys, Farmers Beans, Taco Soup, getting the beets pickled, the onions pickled and buying brats, hamburgers and what ever else we might need. What a good time to see everyone again. It was great we can all get together, tell stories, sing along and just have fun, time seems to slip by so fast.
Nancy and I met in Branson for an OWLS meeting, they had good speakers and it was a nice day getting together. I was sorry that Doris did not get to join us for lunch. It is the only time we get together in the past year or so.
I signed up and took a CCW course so I am now qualified to carry a concealed weapon. I don't know what good it is when I travel to Illinois or Wisconsin, for these states do not have or honor conceal & carry weapon laws. This is the area where I would be traveling alone most of the time. I do feel good about knowing I know how to handle and shoot a pistol, I had never touched one until that day.
September and I am packed and ready for a trip to Florida and Disney. Roy and Kathy made all the arrangements but I still had to fly alone, not only that but transfer in Atlanta, GA to another flight to Orlando, FL. I did ok for I met Roy and Kathy as I got off the plane and entered the baggage area. We had a great nine days. We stayed in a Tree House, it had three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a dinning room, front room and two large bathrooms. It could sleep 10 people if a family rented it. There was extra bedding in one closet, the couch could sleep two, the two chairs slept one each, and there were bunk beds in the third bedroom. The first day we checked in and went to Magic Kingdom, had a great dinner and saw the parade and fireworks. The second day we went to another park in the morning and were off to another park when I missed the step getting onto the bus and down I went. I cut my leg but thought nothing of it for I cut and bruise easily. Kathy saw that the leg needed attention so we headed back to the tree house while Roy went for first aid supplies. What a dumb thing to do, but it didn't keep us from going every day to something new as well as repeat areas we really enjoyed. The nine days went fast and it was time for the return trip. We left and at the airport, Roy explained what area was my security check-in and what uni-rail to take to get to my terminal. They left for their plane and I people watched for awhile. I then went through security and put on my shoes, picked up my purse and bag, and followed the crowd for the uni-rail. After getting off, I realized I was in the wrong place, back on the uni-rail to the terminal and then I saw the place that Roy said I was to go. When I reached the Nashville, TN airport, to transfer to Springfield, MO, I had to almost run the length of the concourse, turn right and all the way down to the last boarding spot. Two men were standing there, I asked if it was loading 1st class at this time, they said everyone is loading, go ahead. I got on and the two men came behind me and the door was closed. That sure was close, I would not have liked staying overnight. It was a fun time and I am so glad Roy and Kathy included me in their vacation. I am also happy to know that I am able to get around by myself, so I took a few scenic routes, I made it!
At the farm, Roy and I have spent some time trying to get some of the equipment to work, we did get one field of hay in, the rest of it is still in the field. Roy did get the sickle bar working on the tractor, we got it lined up and attached to the tractor and he cut a few rows and it looked good. We trimmed trees, bushes and put up part of the corral that he and Carol took down a few weeks ago. He needed to brush hot around that area and get it ready so he can ship off some of the young bulls. Roy's friend, Verle, finished putting up the corral and he will get the bulls in there and load them up for market.
I have started digging up some gardens so I can let them go to grass, it is too hard to keep the flower gardens nice as well as keep up with the grass and house. I may not get it done this fall, but I am working on it.
Last Saturday I went to Mt Vernon, MO to the Apple Butter Days. This is one of the largest celebrations in the area. Frank and I went to many of the different fairs, even this one years ago, but I don't remember any being so big. There had to be hundreds of crafters and food booths all over town. I did buy three jars of apple butter for the three ladies at work. It was about 12 or 13 blocks to my car and I did that trip twice, once when I got there and another to put the jars of apple butter and my top shirt in the car, then to leave about three hours later. I got home fixed a sandwich, put my feet up and read a book for the rest of the afternoon. So there we are, into OCTOBER ALL READY! Hope you are all busy and enjoying the fall weather