January 27th, 2024

Butch has been retired two months’ now. It’s nice. We had a couple winter days where even he was happy to stay in. Otherwise very mild warmer winter. 

People say well Butch how is retirement? I said how come nobody ever asks me. Things are very different for him but also for me. For 41 Years I have taken care of everything. Now Butch is home and he must think I forgot how to do it. He wants to always help me, and I understand that but go do your own stuff.  

Three months already with no Zoe. I miss her. I want another dog but for all the wrong reasons. I will wait and see if God puts a special dog in our path. 

I think Jodi and Andrew might start building their new home soon. I really wish they would wait till the housing crash and prices are the way they should have always been.

Gods hand is moving in this world, and we are about to have an exodus moment. Then things change for our good. 

He has been building urns and working on a bigger project he wants to finish. 

I think Willa is getting use to him being here when she comes. She likes to sneak up on him when he is relaxing in his man cave. He joins us too on our once a week out to lunch. 

Travis and Kim got engaged at Christmas. Not sure when the big date is but thinking they will make it a small one. Then they all move into Kim’s small home. It won’t take long, and they will know a bigger home might be required.

Jordon enjoys kindergarten. They grow up so quickly. Eden is twelve now. She was here with Willa one week and I taught her to sew. She had told me when she was eight or so her grandmother gave her a sewing machine for Christmas but still in the box. Well, I pulled out mine and we made some purses. She was so happy. 

We have no real plans right now to go anywhere. Trips are more for the warmer weather. However, we might take a ride to Janesville to see my sister and her husband.

 God is so good He never stops taking care of us. Blessings.

 By our Jodi December of 1995 after my dad her grandpa Bob died. 

I watch the trains as the last car goes by and after it's gone, I can't move. Cars beep, people pass but I still can't move. 

I remember as a child being excited to see the last car of the trains. Waiting to see if he would be on it. Even if he wasn't there was always the possibility, he could be on the next one. I'm an adult now and that excited feeling has turned into emptiness because I know he won't be on the next one. He's at home waiting to leave us forever. The train is long out of sight and still I can't move. 

It's been six years since you've been gone. Memories of you are still so clear. How you loved to sing and what a great voice you had. If only I could hear it once more. The way you made people laugh. I don't think I'll ever meet someone quite like you. How you loved to be outdoors working in your garden. What pride you had in your roses. Your patience in teaching me how to drive a very treasured memory. How lucky I am to have had you in my life. Not a day passes when I don't think of you. I miss you grandpa. 

My mother her grandma Joy died April 7, 2021.