Off to Alaska

Thursday morning, I am off to Alaska. Troy and Elicia will be on vacation during part of that time and I will "babysit" four! One is almost 12, one is 9, one is almost 5 and Jacob is almost 2. This Grandma should have lots of fun. Here is Troy with son Jacob..

Then I hope to visit Terry and Kellee in New York. Terry went to Iraq in May, back to Ft. Drum in August and now another overseas assignment soon. Mom wants to be there! Here is a picture when they came to Iowa in 2007.

And in October, I am registered for a real estate class in New Mexico and will visit with Tim and Andrea and Jonathan and Dyson. Here are their pictures..

Frustrating things for homeowners who said SELL

If you haven't noticed...there is a ting of fall in the air. This is the time in Iowa to make sure that your flower beds are mulched, your yard is in good condition and ready for winter. Look at the front door; should you paint or varnish before winter? Does your window door side lights or solid view front or sliding door have pet paws, now is the time to clean before winter. Don't overuse carpet deodorizers and room fresheners. A little bit goes a long ways.

I heard a great figure today. In July, the housing market went up 3%. Home buying and selling are not exact sciences. There is no "better" day to hold an open house.

Selling? So there is no good reason for "why" a home hasn't sold. Investigate, ask questions and be wise.

I had a great open house yesterday. Listed on 17 acres is a home in Cedar County listed at $510,000. The farm land is in CRP which means that the government pays the farmer not to farm and is paying $140.00 per acre per year and the contract was for 10 years.

Amana Lily Pond

There is a beautiful lily pond in Amana, Iowa. I had to go to Marengo and High Amana, Iowa today for real estate and notary and stopped by and took these wonderful pictures.

Any Maj Jong players out there?

Wish I could find players who want to learn the Chinese tile game of Maj Jong. Last night we went to Muscatine to see Dan and Lori and boys. They had spent the afternoon playing Maj Jong (well, Dan got called to work at GPS) but Lori and the boys played. They played with friends that they have taught the game.

The game started in the U. S. with WrightPaterson Air Force Base rules. Those are the rules we play.

I hope we can encourage friends and family once we get to New Mexico to learn the game. I love it.

Took the day off to visit Galena, Illinois

If you have never been there, plan a trip. It is very historic and I will include pictures. What a neat town. I always thought it was on the Mississippi River but it is on the Galena which is upstream about 3 miles. Riverboats used to come up to Galena but now there is too much silt.

This is a fun questionaire, hope many will return it

This is for your entire life!(x) Gone on a blind date(x) Skipped school(x) Watched someone die(x ) Been to Canada(x) Been to Mexico(x) Been to Florida(X) Been on a plane( ) Jumped out of a plane( )Been on a Helicopter(x)Been lost(X) Been on the opposite side of the country(x ) Gone to Washington, DC(x) Swam in the ocean(x)Cried yourself to sleep(x) Played cops and robber() Recently colored with crayons (x) Sang Karaoke(x) Paid for a meal with coins only?(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?() Made prank phone calls(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue(x) Danced in the rain(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus-(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about(X) Blown bubbles( ) Gone ice-skating( ) Gone Skiing () Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Gone to the movies(X ) Been to a drive-in movie
I want to know more about you.1. Any nickname! Roberta

2. Mother's name? Lola Hulbert Spragg
3. Favorite drink? Tea, if if were talking alcoholic-Margarita's. It used to be Diet Pepsi but I gave it up May 5, 2008 when Terry went to Iraq to remember to Pray for his safe return.
4. Tattoo? No
5. Body Piercing? Earrings
6. How much do you love your job? I like what I do and am glad to have one

7. Birthplace? Cedar Rapids, Iowa

8. Favorite vacation spot? Lots of places, Galena, Illinois, Up Hwy 1 in California, Chama, NM, Mississippi Gulf Coast
9. Ever been to Africa? No10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes11. Ever been on TV? Yes
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? No

13. Ever been in a car accident? No

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door, six passenger Freestyle is mine. Dale has a 4-runner Toyota

15. Favorite salad dressing? Ranch

6. Favorite pie? Strawberry (fresh)

18. Favorite movie? There are a few: It's A Wonderful LIfe, Sound of Music,

19. Favorite holiday? Christmas
20. Favorite dessert? Smoothie made with buttermilk

21. Favorite food? Mexican

22. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
23. What do you do to relax? Watch TV

24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
25. Favorite smell? Rain and the ocean

28. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Ten years older
29. Furthest place you will send this message? Not sure
30. Who will respond to this the quickest? Kellee

Happy Birthday, Andrea

And tomorrow, Saturday August 9 we will sing happy birthday to Andrea.

What a great daughter-in-law! Have a great birthday....Now let's all sing.

Love, Roberta and Dale

P. S. For those who don't know: Tim and Andrea live in Tucumcari, NM...our future residence when we get our Iowa house sold and our New Mexico house completed.

Happy Birthday, Mary

It is birthday time for Mary Spragg...Let's all sing!

Nice to visit with you, Mary. Sorry I missed the Capitan reunion in NM but I will celebrate in thought to my graduation day at the Anamosa reunion on October 4. It is also Pumpkinfest in Anamosa so you will have to see lots of pictures.

Thanks for the picture of Bob and Mary, Mary, at Capitan. Wish I knew how to take it off my cell phone and post it....but I am just learning the blog...that would be just too much to take in.

Love you Mary.

Roberta

Gas at 17 cents...wow

Balltown newest!

Here are the pictures...note the gas pump inside with gas at 17 cents. Yeah right.

Balltown oldest restaurant burned in Dec 2007

We were sad when our favorite restaurant on the high bluffs above the Mississippi River burned on Christmas eve. With the assistance of many, many man hours and much money, they opened in July, 2008. Like Mike, the owner said, no lives were lost and "God Bless." Here are some pictures of the "new".

This one proud mother "and grandmother"

Thank you, Kellee.....Terry came home yesterday from Iraq and on her blog, she video'd him greeting the kids individually. They had no idea he was coming home and you can see them and their thrill of daddy being home.

Welcome home, Terry.

Love, Mom