My trip to Iowa

We made it home from a great trip to see family and friends. My babies are growing by leaps and bounds, and I enjoyed every minute of every day!

Duke had a good time too, he found out there were other people in the world and he grew like crazy. He even took a swim in my son's pool!

Our family got together quite a bit to PARTY!

We had a get together on Saturday evening after I arrived, then on Sunday afternoon we had a pool party at Rich & Stephs we had fun, lots of laughs and everyone got wet!

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I was able to visit, relax, get updated, spend time with special friends. Mrs. Hamilton is one of my favorite people, and it was good to see her. I also got to spend time with my buddy Jodi Feller.

This turned out to be a very special visit as she was in a terrible motorycycle accident 2 days after this photo was shot and I traveled to Madison WI to visit her in the trama center. I am pleased to report she is on the road to recovery, however she had us scared. Get better my friend! We love you!

Here are more photos from Iowa!

This is my brother Bill in white and my son Rich in blue. My grandson Ian decided to crash the photo but didn't turn around in time.

Here is Lara with Anniken in the pool, cool shades little guy!

This was Saturday night at Beck and Brads......great to see everyone!

Bill and I clowning around...

Richie taking a nap! He'll kill me for this.........

Bill, Vicki and Steph enjoying a day at the pool

A day of fun

Just chillin', Sarah and her friend Rachel use their artisic talents with

chalk drawings!

Everyone loves Duke!

Grace loves Duke!

Rich loves Duke!

Lara loves Duke!

Sarah and Rachel loves Duke!

Joy loves Duke


I guess Duke is a pretty lucky little fellow!

Sarah just learned to ride her 2 wheeler!

We met up with my co-works from J H Revell Jewelers & Goldsmiths and had a little fun at
Texas Roadhouse. I even got a free tee-shirt! Wooohoo



I believe Beck and Brad were starting to show the wear from "mom" being home too long.

All in all I had a great time, saw alot of my friends, got to shop a little at

TJ Maxx, and other places I love. Had lunch with Audry, saw our cruizin' buddies Rick and Sandy,saw Larry and Sherry out and about, got tons of kisses and hugs to last me a while, but it was good to get back to my Kentucky home where my honey was a waitin' and my little corner of the world was just as I left it. Beautiful!

Getting ready to leave for a visit to Iowa

Tomorrow I leave for Iowa, I'm so excited to see all my grandbabies and grown kids. It's been over 6 months since I've had baby kisses from Alex, Grace, Ian, Sarah or Anniken. Life is way too short to stay away from these little ones for too long. This will require a 10 hour (at the shortest) drive. Since Duke will be joining me for this little trip, it might take longer because of his small bladder, not to mention mine. Ha! No coffee for me. He'll keep me awake, this dog in never still. I only wish I had that much energy. Luckly, he loves his little doggie crate which is soft-sided, and he'll have his blankie with him so off we'll go. He's also grown quite a bit since this photo was taken and timid is not exactly how I'd describe him even though he looks cute and innocent in this shot. He's a Great Dane in disguise.

We have had rain now for about 2 weeks and out "so-called" pond is now a lush green lawn. Thanks goodness, I never thought we'd have grass out there. Let the mowing begin!!!

July 4th was a huge success for this lake community. We had boat buzzing by our place since last weekend. Oh, and there was this HUGE houseboat, with hot tub on the top deck and slide off the back that went by and it seemed to take forever. Jet skiers are in abundance, skiers, tubers, power boaters and slow fishing boats have gone by on parade all summer, but particularly this last week. The land party started last weekend with Somerfest held at our park. The Kentucky Headhunters (from Glascow, Ky) and Exile performed and then a huge fireworks display ensewed. Of couse Snickers (the dog) has been catatonic all week as personal fireworks are legal in this state. Thank goodness for the rain!!!

The last weekend in June Jeff and I attended the Kentucky AppalachianCraft Fair at our local arena. They had really cool stuff, dulcimers, baskets, rugs, quilts, jewelry, brooms etc. were show and available for purchase. I met a few neat gals, struck up great conversation and cut to the end, I've been invited to attend their local guild called Sheltowee Artisans. This is a "judged" group. They said they need more jewelry makers, so next month I'm going. I have been beading for a couple years now and have sold at the Farmers Market in Iowa. But I'm really excited to let this passion I have take off. We'll see what happens. I just got in a supply of very cool semi-precious beads to make different items with. I love working with sterling silver and natural stones. Above is a sample of one of my early necklaces.

Also I have decided to teach myself the mandolin. I've always been intrigued by its sound and purchased one earlier this month. It is scheduled to arrive today, I can't hardly wait. Being a Music Education Major in college gave me a love for all instruments, so this will be fun. Who knows maybe you'll see me on YouTube some day. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Well, much to do, I must cook for Jeff, he somehow forgot, so he won't waste away to nothing, I'm cooking a few dished for him for while I'm away. Have a wonderful July. Peace.

A day after the rain

We finally had rain yesterday. Last rain was May 4th! Oh my...The dogs and I sat on the porch as the rain kissed the dry hard ground. Soon the peepers deep in the dry wood started to sing their song of rejoicement. It was a quite, slow, warm rain, the Earth appreciated every drop. Snickers went out and stood in it. Duke had never seen it, so, he was quite puzzled by each drop. Our "so-called, filled in pond" was thankful, because now the grass will grow. The sound was lovely, I lingered on the porch and gave thanks for each and every drop. So, come on summer, we've been refreshed.

Another day.....

The first day of summer is just around the corner and sundown is a great time of the day here on the lake. We love the peacefulness here, the beauty and the journey God is allowing us to take. No, it's not Iowa, in the fact that our family, friends and well known names like Kimberly Rd, and Brady St are not here, but, Cumberland Gap, Great Smokey Mts., Boone Natl Forest are the names we are getting acquainted with now. So, Jeff and I look to find the new adventures, names and faces we will get to know, and are thankful of the opportunity that lies before us.

We took a trip to Pigon Forge, TN , that is where Dollywood is located, about a month ago, it's the Wisconsin Dells of the Smokeys only bigger. Same traffic jams, same discount surf shops, surf shops ~in the mountains?!? Well, it was a T R I P, one that Jeff does not want to revisit, I think Cades Cove will be our next adventure. Too many cars and lines, gawkers, children running, screams from the bungi jumpers, food, tons of places for you to lay down some green to be entertained for us. Yup, just like the Dells.

Somerset, the town adjacent to Burnside (where we live) is a "small town" with a big lake in it's backyard, so we have alot of tourists because of Lake Cumberland. It's the second largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River, and so here comes the tourists. We have the boat traffic on the weekends, the Saturday night stock car race that echo's up the lake, and traffic to contend with every weekend, but during the week and actually everyday we have the beauty of the mountains, and forest. Riding our motorcycles is a BLAST here, lots of roads that snake around the mountains and hills, and of course beautiful vistas and overlooks.

This spring Jeff spotted a black bear across the road from our home one early morning........wow, I keep my eyes open and watch the dogs carefully. We have deer that silently pass by, our late-night diner on fallen birdseed, Rocky Raccoon, and a VERY LOUD Whipporwill that is desperate to find a mate. All in all, it's a completely different life from Iowa, but a very wonderful place, this Kentucky.

We are about an hour and a half from Knoxville, TN or Lexington, KY so if I am in need of a TJ Maxx or Steinmart fix; it is possible and within reason. Gas prices are hovering at $2.89 a gallon, I'd hate to have a dual engined boat that gussels gas, but running around isn't out of the question.

On the flip side, there is alot of poverty here. I have learned that some families in our county, and other surrounding counties do not have running water, or electricty. They don't drive, and many are underfed and undereducated. This disturbs me immensly. I know this is more prevlent in the south, but have seen it first hand and it's different than just hearing about it. So, pray for these folks, that is the very best thing anyone can do is pray. I know the good Lord is a whole lot smarter than me or Gov. Ernie Fletcher and He'll know a solution, and if that involves me, well then I'll have to get involved.

Well that is all for now, I send you our our love and hope you have a wonderful day. Know we think about you all and miss your smiling faces. If you wish leave a comment, I'll look forward to reading them. Peace!

Today is Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Well I took the plunge and have decided on a blog to share with you. Now you won't have to worry about not getting photos or emails, and you can check on whats'up with us here in Kentucky. My friend Heidi has a blog on this site so I felt it must be a good site. So, I'll let you know when the blog has been updated with new material or photos from our life on the lake.

So, have a groovy day and take care! Claudia

A rare look at a rare man!

Jeff works at a cabinet shop, he's modeling his new workshirts!

I just love this, he's really being a wild and crazy guy!

Less stress more laughs! He really likes being an employee, not an employer!

Later!

Snapshots of the 4-legged variety!

Duke is the newest baby in the house...

Harley thinks he's a dog!

Hannah is the shy one...

Snickers is the grande dame of the house, I'm so glad they let us live with them! Ha!