Happy 60th Birthday!

Happy 60th Birthday to my MOM!

She also retired from her job of nearly 41 years last week, too, so she's had quite a full few days!

We had a fun afternoon with dinner, cake, and plenty of snuggles with baby Gabe.  

Queen of the House

There is a new queen in the house and I am happy to share the title.  

I may let other things slide in my home (dust on the furniture, fingerprints on the fridge, Polly Pocket paraphenalia strung about the dining room for days), but laundry MUST be caught up.  I have a bit of an obsession with keeping my laundry done.  If I'm stressed, I throw in a load of laundry.  If I'm lazy, I can at least throw in a load of laundry and feel like I've done something.  If I want to watch TV, I dump a load of laundry in front of me to fold so that I can feel productive as I watch an hour of "Rachael Ray."  A day without a washing machine is OK; after a few days without a washing machine, I start to get more than a little agitated.  I might as well have my hands tied together when I see cow poop jeans come in the house for days and am powerless to do anything to clean them.

I would think it is just one of my quirks, but it is hereditary, so I suppose I must call it a hereditary quirk.  My Grandma Kallas once remarked that she was disappointed when they changed automatic washers to stop agitiating when the lid was opened.  She liked to watch her clothes get clean.  I SO get it!  My Grandma Joachim told the story of a man in Eureka who, after the invention of the automatic washer asked, "Women have it so good here, what do they want in heaven?"  I'm not sure I want to do laundry for all eternity, but for now on this earth, it seems to be my calling as a homemaker.  Perhaps I also have my mom to thank for passing this on as my daily chores growing up often included moving laundry to the dryer and hanging it on the line.  (I still miss my clothesline!)  Interestingly enough, I didn't know how to wash a load of clothes until I left for college and I had my mom make me a cheat sheet of colors and temperatures to use.  I am certainly making up for lost time now!

I bought a new set a couple of years ago and was a happy mama until a few weeks ago.  The store was great to work with in getting a replacement part, my husband tore it apart and installed the new one, but I came home to water on the floor again last weekend.  He encouraged me to look for a new one . . . again.  UGH.

My first inclination was to return to where we've always purchased washing machines.  Then I remembered all of the recommendations I have seen for Speed Queen washers over the years, and even on You Tube comments when I was helping him fix the not-so-good GE.   I did some research.  A negative review on a Speed Queen--no matter the model--is hard to come by.  They are made in Wisconsin and are built to last 25 years.  Using their website's calculator, even with my ridiculous laundry schedule of 1-2 loads a day, it is built to last 20 years.  My store of choice doesn't carry the brand, so I did something uncharacteristic and found a new store. . . and even a new town . . . for this purchase.

I have my first load going now.

The dirty laundry piles are slowly dwindling.

I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful 20-25 year relationship! :)

Hello, Baby!

I was able to play photographer on Friday and take newborn photos of my new nephew.

He is just sooo very sweet and I even got to feed him and cuddle him as he wasn't so sure about this whole picture thing at first.  (I didn't mind!) :)  He came around to the idea and did awesome for being awake for our whole photo shoot!

I have to say I like photographing a little person who can't walk or run away--yet!

Welcome, Gabriel John!

Our family welcomed our new nephew and cousin Gabriel John Koenig early Saturday morning!

Congratulations to Amanda and Vince!

He is definitely a keeper. :)

Who wouldn't love these crazy cousins?  They have already had their first slumber party together!

Just another cold Monday

Hello, all!  Long time, no blog.  I apologize.  As it is Monday afternoon, I am in between newspaper proofs (saving the world from comma, period and spelling errors!) and thought I'd touch base with you during my little break.

Teresa did very well at the regional Free Throw Championship!  She made 9 of 25 and tied with another girl.  The two girls had a shoot-out for best of 5.  The other girl made 2 and Teresa made 1.  She was very excited about her performance. I was not able to be there, so there are no photos of this momentous occasion in our daughter's life.  I'm sure it won't be the last time. :)

I'm cow-sitting via camera, but every once in awhile move the camera to the other end of the barn to watch my puppy play with her squeaky toy because it is so much more entertaining.

Maybe getting a puppy in the winter wasn't the greatest idea, but Macy belongs on our farm and she has been a little ray of sunshine in these winter days.  Last week we watched her chase her tail, catch it and then try to walk away with it.  :)  She's already grown a little bit and is mostly a "free-range dog," as Landen says. . . I have a feeling she may have an appetite for the baby chicks that will be arriving in a couple of months.  This could be interesting . . . .

How was your Super Bowl last night?  We had a nice little gathering with great friends and WAAYY too much food.  Landen made these Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos for the party and they were delicious!  

That's all the time I have for today!

Stay warm!