Weather turned really windy this afternoon just like we were warned it would. Not real cold out though but felt rather cold. Still a desert here.

Had my Swedish group this morning in Lindsborg at the Bethany Lutheran Church. I was sooo surprised when I got there that this week’s hostess already had the coffee made and the table set. Wow. No one ever does that!! How very nice. And then she got up a bit early at the end of the program, and cleaned all the kitchen/table/coffee pots up. Very very nice. She made my day!

I met Paul and Sally at Pizza Hut. They are getting new kitchen floor and new carpeting. How lucky. I can only dream. Our carpet is ruined because of our dog but no chance of getting it changed. I cannot have anyone come over here. No family get togethers here ever again. I am just too embarrassed. And I am not allowed to do anything on my own to make our lives better. It is soo hard to watch everyone else I know get new homes or get to remodel the home they live in. And they all have actual houses. It is not nice to be jealous but hard not to be. Oh well. Too late for me. I am glad my friends are lucky.

I had some shopping to do in McPherson. Had trouble finding what I wanted but finally did. Then I went to Lakeside Park. Hoping to take photos of geese, but none in the water. All too far away.

Took a nap this afternoon and woke up with my acid reflux in full swing. Felt awful. Took a couple of pills and now ok.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Weather has warmed up a bit here. Missed rain the other nite. Of course. Chance again tonite and tomorrow. Ha. I do not believe it. Was in Wichita today with howling winds. Nothing here at home. Tomorrow we will get high winds. They are never wrong about winds or heat. Ever.

We got our furnace fixed on monday very early. Nice to have heat again. Not too cold during the day, but nites are cold.

Wednesday I met with 4 classmates in Salina at Moka’s for lunch and coffee. We talked for 4 hours. Such fun!! And what memories. Great times. And love Moka’s. Awesome place! Certainly feels one is anywhere but Kansas!

Today I went with Dirk and Naomi to the Crown Uptown Theater in Wichita. It is a dinner theatre. The play was Steel Magnolias so the meal was Southern food. We had sallad, gumbo soup, mac ‘n cheese, rice and beans, fish, and the best fried chicken I have ever had. For dessert I had chocolate cake with chocolate sauce over it. It was sinful.

After the play we drove to Bradley Fair to check out a chocolate place we all have looked at. It is called Cocoa Dolce. OMG!! Check their website!! Never seen so much chocolate. And all sorts of drinks. Will be my new go-to place to relax when in the city.

So nice to have 2 good days. And with people who are so dear to me and who make my life great. I had a ‘friend’ — known her all my life — who truly had turned into someone who made me feel so bad inside. She got in a snit and refused to spend time with me. I have made the decision to cut her completely out of my life. I feel 1000% better. My real friends are the ones I have been with the last 2 days. And the ones I see every sunday. Mutual love and support, no drama, no games. Life is too short to put up with crap from anyone.

I got such a surprise today. My friend Lan rang me on my mobile phone —- all the way from India!!! He has been there for 4 weeks and gets home next week. How great to hear his voice. We were both very close to John. And I think we are both mourning his dying and as a result we have grown a bit apart. No more. When he gets home, we will grow close again. What a pleasant surprise.

With John on my mind, I stopped at the Smoky Hill Cemetery to visit him. Gives me peace. I drive by there almost daily and always talk to him then. I will never quit missing him in my life.

We lost all our cats a year or so ago. Think we had a bobcat here. We have now seen a couple of orange cats hanging around and they come to the house to eat the cat food I put out. One looks older and looks younger. Now there is a grey cat with long hair. I hope it is a female. Huge and fluffy. Wish it would get tame. Got a photo the other day. Keeps the mouse population down.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Weather is really really cold again. In the teens at nite. I almost roll myself up like a mummy at nite to get warm. But much better than being too warm. Of course, no rain or snow. Nary a chance. Very sad.

Last weekend was really quiet. I had the stomach flu so I stayed home from work. No lunch out on sunday. Everyone was busy elsewhere.

I did watch the Arsenal game over the weekend. A good game but we came up a goal short. Still fun to watch.

Monday was my hair app’t day. Got my hair cut, coloured, and styled. Very nice to be pampered. After my app’t I picked up Beth and we ate BBQ. And talked!! Had a good visit.

Tuesday I went with Elly to the Webster Conference Center for a luncheon given by Bank One. The do the bus tours we go on to see plays in Kansas City. Good food. They told us about the tours for the coming year. There is a Canadian train tour I would kill to go on. But no such luck for me. Far too much money. And a Colorado trip is doable but no one to go with. Sad. Would be fun. We are doing 3 trips this coming year.

Yesterday I spent in Wichita. Shopped at Sephora. Ate at Jason’s Deli. Will eat there much more often. Their food is organic without all the additives the American food is full of. I had Chicken Alfredo. Excellent. Then I saw my diabetic dr. All is well. Then I drove across town to shop at Ulta. It was a disappointment. I love the ones in Denver. The one here was bad. No one greeted me or asked to help. And they had all the cheap brands of stuff I can get at Walgreen’s.

On the way home I stopped at the White Peacock for some peach ginger iced tea and to read a bit. Love it there. The best place ever!

At my dr app’t I told him about my 5 week cough. He said from my symptoms I probably had Whooping Cough. Wow. He said it would have done no good to see my family dr as there is nothing to do buy ride it out.

About food additives. One of the best thing about being in Sweden is all the food is real food. No additives or anything fake. My friends/family there have never heard of HFCS. Amazing. It is in almost everything we eat. And so harmful. Why do we let the food corporations do that to us? And all the imitation flavours instead of the real thing. And MSG. And on and on.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Weather has stayed fairly cool. Snow was gone by morning yesterday. Still windy but today was calm and a bit warmer.

Met Sally for lunch at Jalisco’s yesterday. Good food, great conversation. I had time to kill before my acupuncture so I went to Lakeside Park in McPherson. Took some duck photos. It was so cold it did not take me long!!!

Had acupuncture yesterday. Back is better. Thank God!! Not perfect but then it never is. It is the thanks I got for many years of being a nurse. Too much lifting, pulling, and tugging.

Not much today. Have a touch of the stomach flu. Got worse as the day went on. So-so tonite. I called in sick to work. Did not want to wait till the last minute. Had a fun lunch planned for tomorrow I will miss also. Dang. This is going around town. Heard of several cases. Great. Like I am a crud magnet!

Yesterday I ran into a nice man who struck up a conversation with me. In chatting he said he grew up in Lindsborg so I asked who he was. I remember his name but he was quite a bit older than me so I never knew him. And tonite my cousin from Texas called for some ancestor info. We talked for 75 min. Family and lots of old Lindsborg memories. Fun conversations.

Here is a slide show with photos from Lindsborg. There were taken a couple or years or more ago and are in a Swedish American publication. See them here.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Create your own visitor map!

Weather did change. Strong winds and very cold. In the low teens tonite. We had lite snow. Sort of turned white. Sort of. Not enough for me. Never is. Not enough for any good photos. Sigh…..

Back is still miserable. Getting old. Hard to do much of anything. Quiet day at home with a long nap.

I started doing some counted cross stitch again. I finished a snow flake tonite. I am going to make Christmas cards with these next year. Just a few, not for all. Started a second one of reindeer, a tree, and a border. All very simple. Very. Simple.

Our of the house tomorrow. Woot!!! Tired of sitting here.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

ジュリーアン 平和

Create your own visitor map!

Weather is in for a big change. Strong cold front coming through. Maybe snow. Ha. Doubt it. In a wind warning tomorrow. Very strong winds. Glad I am staying home.

Yesterday I had a day full of errands planned. I got part way to Abilene to pick up some meds and my back got really painful. It hurt to sit and drive. After getting my meds, I stopped at Sonic for a drink so I could take some Advil. It did not help at all. I had plans for Monday evening but I called and cancelled. I hope my friends did not get angry but I could barely stand up straight to walk. Miserable. Have an acupuncture appt in a couple of days. That should help. I am thinking my hip is out of alignment again. Ugh.

Today I slept in. Supposed to go to Wichita to see my diabetic dr. I cancelled. Did not want to drive 2 hours in pain. Plus I have some fun shopping I want to do. Next week now.

Tonite was the Smoky Valley Historical Association meeting. The speaker talked to us about Cheyenne Bottoms. I learned so much. I drive by it often. Enjoyed it.

A man I am friends with on Four Square checked in today at Chugwater Wyoming. I love that name!!! Bill used to cut wheat there years ago. I always wanted to see what it looked like.

And speaking of Bill, today is his birthday. He turned 45. How can that be? I am still 29??!!

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Weather has finally cooled off. Good. Not enough though. The weatherman even toyed with me and said there could be snow or rain today. Ha. Not a drop anywhere near.

I worked yesterday at the Red Barn in Lindsborg. For a slow day I was there an hour longer than usual. The artist for the entire month is Eric Abraham, who is a friend and on the Raymer board. Then a Swedish teacher who is at Bethany College teaching Swedish during interterm came in. Her name is Birgitta. I have met her and her husband before. She and I talked and talked. So fun! And then we talked to Eric for a while. It was worth it to stay late!!!

I made Willie take me out to eat last nite. He never offered on my birthday so we went to Big Cheese Pizza. My fave!!!

Today I met Sally, Paul, Richea, and Chad at Chili’s for lunch. Sally, Richea, and I exchanged Christmas gifts a bit late. Sally bought my lunch and had a gift for my birthday. They even sang to me. The restaurant gave us a free dessert that was beyond sinful. Hot brownie with ice cream.

I got brave tonite and made some artisan bread that is no-knead. It came out ok. The crust was a bit too crusty but next it will be better. I tried the first slice. Very easy to make.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Create your own visitor map!

Weather continues to be far too warm but we had wind today. Cooler air coming and maybe rain or snow. Ha. I doubt it.

Yesterday I met Beth and Janet in Salina at Moka’s for lunch and for my birthday. I was 29 again on thursday. Ha. And we celebrated with 2 pieces of cheesecake that we shared. So sinful!! We talked for 4 hours!!! There was never a quiet moment!!! A great day!

I stopped at Hobby Lobby and bought some counted cross stitch things. Not done that for a while and am in the mood. Started a small one tonite of a snowflake.

Today was Swedish group. We had a real Swedish speaker. Very interesting. And she is a cool person. And taught me a new Swedish phrase! ‘Kul att ses!’ I like that! And will use it often!

After group I met Elly at the Brick House Grill for lunch. Some of the best burgers in town. And their pizza is to die for!!! Had a nice visit!

Willie brought me flowers tonite. I was surprised. I was pretty sure he had forgotten my birthday. Think there was a good reason he was a day late so will forget that.

Lindsborg has lost 3 restaurants in the last couple of weeks. One closed due to the owner’s health. Another probably due to lack of business and the owner’s health. And our largest one for unknown reasons. Whether she had no clue how to run a business. I know she or someone spent a ton of money on things that did not matter. It was the only place in town that had some Swedish food. Without it the tour busses will quit coming to Lindsborg. There is no other place large enough for a tour bus. Very sad for our town.

Watching the Cotton Bowl. Very disappointing. I prefer the real football to American football. Sad game but we did make it there.

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

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Weather was almost 50F yesterday and upper 50s today. Does not put me in a good mood. Where is winter? Why can we not skip summer and have it cooler? God forbid that would happen. No rain or snow chances at all. The drought rages on.

Yesterday Willie, Jay, and I went to Bill and Jenn’s to finally celebrate Christmas. Oh, my, how Ava had changed!!! She can almost sit all by herself. And she laughs and smiles. And. She has a temper!!! She holds her breath!!! Adorable!! It was hard to buy gifts for her. Others have gotten her everything a baby could need. Wish I could have gotten more for her. We got her a handmade and hand painted chair from the Hemslöjd and they painted her name on it. And I had heard about something called a Baby Bullet (I think). It is to blend table food for baby food. Jenn seemed excited to get it. Jenn fixed a wonderful turkey dinner for us all. A fun day!

On the way home from Preston, the car started shaking and sounding louder. It was like driving on a washboard. I had told Willie about this a few weeks ago and he looked at me like I was nuts. And ignored it. Well, cars don’t heal themselves so we shook all the way home. Today it went to our mechanic. Guess I am not so nuts. Something with a bearing and the differential. Greek to me! The car is starting to nickel and dime us to death. Oh, well. I can dream of having a nice car with good mileage. I can dream.

Today I went to lunch with Naomi, Dirk, and Keo. We ate at the Courtyard on Main in McPherson. Awesome place! It feels very European and not at all like Kansas. Always a good thing. I had the Autumn Salad —- spinach, breaded chicken bits, walnuts, feta cheese, dried cranberries. Love it. A fun afternoon.

Busy again tomorrow. This has been a great week!!! Nice to have one of those now and then!

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

ジュリーアン 平和

Create your own visitor map!

Weather was in the 40s and sunny today but the breeze had a very cold bite to it. No winter here. Headed for the 60s this week. I am hating this weather. I have not hope for winter. Hoping though….

Stayed home all day on sunday. A lazy start to 2012. And boring.

Today I met Sally for lunch at Jalisco’s. And I was so happy to see Miguel!! He has been gone for several months back home in Mexico!! We caught up a bit. Sally and I had a nice visit.

Jenn called and she got sick last saturday but was feeling better today. That crud has surely hit our family hard. Tonite I do not feel just right. Sneezing. Achy throat. I started taking my liquid med from my acupuncturist. I DO NOT want to be sick again. I got my cold on 28 nov. Five weeks ago today. And for the last 2 days, no coughing spells. Woot! Willie stills sounds bad but says he feels a bit better.

Busy busy week ahead, but it is all fun stuff!! Guess I am glad the weather is ok this week!!

वर्षा, बारिश, आज आया. हीट गुंबद दूर जा सकते हैं.

***See my day in photos here.***

ジュリーアン 平和

Create your own visitor map!