Papa is now in Traer at the Sunrise Nursing Home as of today. It's a little too early to tell what will happen next. Just resting and getting adjusted. Not sure he knows where he is or what is going on most of the time. The picture above was taken last summer with the Pennsylvania cousins and Marvin. So glad we had that time to be together.

I have photos to down load from my camera and just haven't had time to get to it. Mieke "graduated" from Preschool last week. A BIG deal to her. Lots of questions about why we did not have a big party for her or presents. Maybe, if she makes it to the 12th grade, we will have that big party for her.

Papa Ulven is not doing well. He is being transported to Iowa City Hospital today. He has some bleeding in the brain. Matt will go to be with him. We will have to wait and see. Prayers appreciated for God's will and His strength.

Papa Ulven is now recovering slowly from his surgery. He had a herniated disc in his lower back which was removed and the spinal area was cleaned up. He will be on the rehab floor for some time until he strength returns. Right now he is a little confused but managing.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's garage sale weekend in Hudson. About 50 souls are pedaling their stuff on lawns and garages. Mieke is a shopaholic. So the deal I made with her was in order to shop, she had to earn her own money. Mieke has wanted to have a lemonade stand for a long time. Now was the time. Yesterday afternoon was hot (80+). We found frozen lemonade at the store for 99 cents and four boxes of Capri Sun in the garage and we were in business. The neighborhood was literally buzzing with saws and sprayers and workmen: across the street a tree was being taken down and next door the folks were sealing a foundation. Customers!!

In the span of 2 hours she made $13 dollars. Then with the money burning a hole in her pocket she was off to shop around the neighborhood. We drove to the newer sections of town and found more girl stuff. For $1 she found a small Barbie house, 50 cents for princess slippers and $3 for a purse. All practical and fun. At 7:30 am she was up, dressed and ready to "sell lemonade and make some more money!"

Saturday 
Our new ride. Yep. It's a VAN. We succumbed to the lure of the mini-van. Deeee-lux accommodations and aging parents (Matt and I as well as the grand p's) sort of brought us to this decision. We were losing our swagger getting in and out of the sedan models. Matt still has his road-hugging 2-door Dodge Stratus which quickly restores our cool while driving and reminds us that we are not as limber as we used to be when we get out.

Mieke thinks this van is "magical" because of all the button pushing you need to do to get in and out. It has even created a competition for our little riders to see who gets to "push the button". There is a button for everything. The key fob has a variety of buttons for opening and closing and it's a little confusing on the right and left door buttons. (my right? or the car's right? facing or from the rear? oh, hell, just push a button!) Mieke has chosen the third row, passenger side seat for her domain. Furthest from mom and you get to feel all the bumps.

Sunday

Mieke loves her big sister Jelena. These two fell asleep watching a movie while we were out to lunch on Sunday. Jelena goes home the 12th of June to Serbia. Sniff, we will miss this bright young woman!

Monday

I have a part-time summer job! Hudson has a Summer Kid's Adventure program for the 12 and under set. It is in desperate need of overhaul. No one would step forward to lead so.......I threw in my application and ......being the only applicant.....I got the job. Seriously, we need something for kids to do around here with no pool and no rec center. I have 5 teens working with me four mornings a week (still leaves us lots of pool time).

SO the photo above is all the broken crayons from a large box of very sad looking crayons that came from the Community Center in Hudson. I know there is a craft for these.....yep little ones melting crayons on city property...bwa ha ha! And that is Pinkie Pie Perfect, Mieke's newest stuffed thing to love. It's a hamster.

Tuesday
Matt's dad took a ride in the new van from Paullina to Waterloo on Tuesday. Sunday he fell and had to call 911. Long story short, he has a herniated disc in his lower back. He will have surgery at Covenant Hospital today, Thursday, if all goes well. See, that van has already fulfilled its purpose.

Wednesday
Long day of errand- running.

Thursday
Mieke has been dreaming of a lemonade stand. Garage sale weekend is here so we are "building" a lemonade stand. Hot chocolate if it is cold. At the moment Mieke is picking up the toy room and when she is done, we get to build.

Keep you posted on the progress.....