Children are a gift from the Lord, (and that includes grandchildren for sure!) SERIOUS T-BALL!

BUBBLE MANIA!

YOGA WITH MAMA!

CASTLE EXPLORING!

PICNIC LUNCHES!

ROCKS & STICKS RULE!

ARTS & CRAFTS CAN BE FUN!

HORSEBACK RIDING IS THE BEST!

"GUN" LEGOS WITH NANI!

Recent Events

DALLAS ARBORETUM with best highschool friends!

AIDEN & ELLA in North Carolina

TIME WITH NANI at the park & the museum

IN NEW JERSEY with Keaton & his family

Gallbladder Surgery!

Hunter and I returned to the Quad Cities a week ago with the express purpose of pursuing gallbladder surgery for me. With digestive issues for 11 years plaguing me around every corner I wanted to make one more stab at discussing removal of the gallbaldder with a surgeon. After a good discussion followed by an ultrasound revealing gallstones it was full steam ahead for the knife! Surgery went as expected, an unbelievable same day procedure! I was sent home with a packet of instructions on wound care and pain meds. Pain meds and I don't often see "eye to eye". In fact any narcotic drug takes the upper hand in my body and plays havic with both my head and my stomach. We requested a non-narcotic drug but even that caused periods of intense dizziness resulting in my decision to stop all drugs and just grin and bear the discomfort. One of the reasons I decided to "sqeeze in" this surgery between our travels was to, in the near future, experience the tastes of Italy without stomach discomfort. Italy is on the radar for the end of April! My current dilema-will I feel well enough to board the plane let alone eat the food? If you asked me that question at the moment it would be a resounding NO! But I realize I'm a impatient person and prone to setting high expectations. When my dr. said I could eat anything I wanted except fatty foods I took him at his word, forgetting every body is different and copes with trauma in a variety of ways-mine being digestive distress after almost ANYTHING I eat! Yet, as I sit here 6 days after surgery still in my pajamas at 11:00 a.m. I am encouraged by the comments made in online chat rooms concerning this surgery. Most have to strictly limit their diets from 1 to 6 months or more and need at least 2 weeks of rest to be able to return to more normal activities. So let's see where that puts me on our travel schedule-2 weeks puts me on a plane to Italy and 1-6 months covers to and from Italy twice! Guess I won't be eating sauce laden spagetti or drinking heavy wines but maybe I will be able to taste a bit of Italian bread with no butter and enjoy some grilled fish! Although I seem a bit discouraged I am not. This experience is helping to teach me patience and I'm learning to depend on God's Word: Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." P.S. In three days I'm planning to ride the tandem with Hunter for an hour in training for a week's bike ride in southern Italy beginning May 12th. Am I again being too ambitious? I'll keep you posted!

Define "normal"

A week ago Rebecca, our daughter, wrote a blog and listed things she did that were normal to her but others might think them odd. She then challenged others to do the same so I am responding to her request to share.

NORMAL for Hunter & Nancy:

1. Not only grinding coffee beans every morning but now roasting green coffee beans from other countries once a week in a hotair popcorn popper!



2. Making our own soy milk, yogurt, bread, and ice cream.



3. Moving our home from state to state. (Full time RVing is the only way to retire!)



4. Unfolding and assembling our boat to go fishing.




5. Taking our tandem bike out of two suitcases and assembling it before we ride 30-50 miles. (Not really our bike but loved the photo. Can't you see us assembling THIS bike???)



6. Unpacking scuba gear and spending an afternoon diving in a nearby quarry.




7. Flying to Italy a couple of times a year to play dragon & princess with two little grandsons.



8. Sharing Jesus wherever we go! (Hopefully this is not odd but normal for all believers!)

Why I love the tandem!

Wind in my face, sweat on my forehead, muscles aching, butt & back sore and yet, I love it! What's that I love? -Riding our tandem bike! After our grueling 30 mile ride-most of it facing head wind I began to reflect on why is it we do this? What's there to love? First of all this is an activity both Hunter and I enjoy doing together. In retirement you have more hours together therefore it becomes necessary to find a common enjoyment.
It's widely known that exercise promotes health. "Tandeming" is one way to insure we stay healthy!
Challenges stimulate the mind and riding our bike provides many of "those" opportunities.
Face to face with new people-we've met wonderful bikers on our journeys sharing stories and recommendations for future bike routes.
See the world-with our "take apart tandem" we can throw it into 2 suitcases and travel the globe in search of new and exciting places to ride. In May we will be touring the heel of Italy. Can't wait!
Our adivce to husbands and wives wanting a great acitivity together?-buy a tandem and start having fun!

What is Florida?

Sunshine, beaches, seafood and Key Lime Pie!!!

My Valentine!

I am answering the question posted on my daughter's blog. What are some reasons you love your Valentine?

1. He's the King of fixing anything broken-no job too big or small!

2. Will eat ANYTHING I fix-even a flat piece of gluten-free rice bread! (Oh, and say it is delicious, too.)

3. Patiencely corrects any of my computer "mess-ups".

4. Has always been and continues to be the ultimate best father of our children, full of wisdom ready to share at the first phone call.

5. Loving & very attentive pappa/nano to his 5 grandchildren.

6. Honors my request for quiet in the wee morning hours so I can have my devotions and even joins me with his ipad Bible in hand!

7. Loves my mother.

8. Playfully teases me to keep me smiling while I fend off his playful Italian "butt pinch".

9. Allows ice cube feet and hands on his toasty warm back.

10. Accompanies me to romantic movies and shopping even though he'd rather be in a deer stand or with his fly rod on some quiet stream.

11. The most trustworthy partner on a tandem or as a buddy scuba diving!

12. Gently coaxes me to play cards with him, even though he has super "card sense" and I DO NOT! Then during the game he encourages my feeble attempts, yet not just letting me win but trying to teach me a thing or two-such patience!!

13. He is so friendly to everyone he meets and that attribute helps me open up to others more freely.

14. Above all else, I love him because he seeks to love me as Christ loves the church!!