~~ODNEAL FAMILY BLOG~~Port of Readlyn, Iowa

I'm not a big fan of Halloween and dreaded it actually when the kids were little and having to dress them up in costumes they hated, walk from house to house to house so they could fill up a bag with candy that they didn't need! SO glad that we have been done with that for a long time. I do however every year get out the witch and pumpkin crafts that my Mom made for me. And this year I made up some treat baggies for my office co-workers and bosses. I would have been more creative but I decided to do it on Thursday night around 8:30 so pumpkins out of construction paper and sandwich baggies was all they got. With candy of course! I'm sure they will enjoy them. And don't you love the witch wall hanging? She is so ugly that she is cute. This picture doesn't do her nose justice. It is large and has a black wart on it that sticks up. I wish sometimes that I had my Mom's creative genes but apparently I didn't because I struggle every time I even do a s...

This was on the same memory card with Friday's Foto of me sleeping with Gadget. Guess this is why he felt the need to get me back! Gizmo actually has her leg over top of Bruce's arm while they are both sleeping. I guess maybe we need to get rid of this comfy old leather couch since it seems to bring on sleep. And even for the cats! Actually no, I don't know if I will ever totally get rid of this furniture. We bought it used from friends of ours and it is the most comfortable and has held up great compared to other crap we have had over the years. I guess when I put new flooring in the living and dining rooms this winter I will just redecorate some because the furniture is here to stay! Why change something that is perfectly fine and functional? And still looks good. I think our friends got screwed on what they charged us for it! Oh well. That was over 6 years ago and I can't help it that they HATE the furniture they bought to replace it. They shouldn'...

This picture is Bruce getting back at me for all of the photos that I take of him sleeping with or without the cats on the couch! The other night I was feeling exhausted so made the mistake of laying down on the couch instead of heading to bed (Absolutely cannot go to bed at 9:30, right? Just have to stay up for the news! Or try in my case.), and Gadget climbed on the couch with me and then cuddled right up by my face apparently! Don't we both look so peaceful? Niether of us can be called a little bitch (we call Gadg that alot!) when we look like this. Maybe I should nap on the couch more often. For me it is a very rare occurence. I bet Gadget wouldn't mind if I did more often. Everyone have a great weekend. Enjoy the sunshine and warmth while we still have it around!

I apologize for not posting all week long but it has been a busy week.  We made the football playoffs and had a game last night.  BRRRRRRR, yes it was cold with the horrible wind but we were able to pretty much get out of it.  Thank goodness for hand and feet warmers.  But Wapsie won and it was a good game so all is well.  Tyler played pretty much the whole game also so it was fun for Bruce, Cole, and I to watch!  We play next on Monday night at West Branch.  Good luck Wapsie Valley Warriors!  And I promise I will try next week to get back to my regular posting for the 3 or 4 family members and a few strangers that check this little blog regularly!  Have a great Friday! 

Even though I call you my "little brother" we all know that you are OLDER than me. You are just the youngest of my other brothers. Here is a picture from our family weekend and I guess I took this because you must have been losing your ass and was giving up to sit down like that! Just kidding. We had a great time that weekend and I hope we can continue to do it year after year. Life is way too short we all have found out, and we need to enjoy every moment that we can! I love you my brother Rick and am so glad that I have you as one of my awesome bros that I know would do anything for their little sister. Right?????? Love, FRED

Here is one of my fall photos that I submitted to Schnack at KWWL from our final river ride of the year last weekend. And it made the 6 o'clock news last night. What was really strange was that Bruce happened to come into the house just as I was done showering after Jazzercise and starting supper, and we were just chatting in the kitchen when he saw my name on the TV screen. I might have missed seeing it if not for him taking the time to talk with me before heading back to his shop.  Thanks for taking the time honey!  I saturated this photo so I think it looks prettier than the one I emailed Schnack. Oh well. Still a very nice photo of the bluff in Lansing. Everyone have a great weekend!

I hate to admit it but over the years I seem to be pretty good at just putting the dates out of my mind to ease the agony. On this date in 1999 I got the most awful telephone call at my work from my Grandma (my Mom's Mother) screaming to me that my Mom was dead. And telling me that "of course she is since noone was here with her all the time". Let me just say that I think to this day that was THE VERY WORST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE! Yes I forgave my Grandma because after all it was her daughter she had to find, and noone can or should have to endure that. But it really hurt very deep for a very long time. I had taken Mom that week to a doctor appointment and we had eaten "happy meals" at George Wyth per her request. She knew her health was bad and her prognosis not good (she had asked her doctor that day), and I treasure the memory of her and I stopping after our lunch and helping a turtle off of the road to safety. I hope his fate was much better than my...