Always...an Adventure.....

The What Cheer Flea Market is Packed.....

with Vendors...

It's going to be a Great Show....

See You There!!!!!

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{I'll be telling you all about The Adventure.....

after I get a little rest....

I will tell you....

it involves....

Wire....

Sparks...

Climbing under the Ford....

and...

Living the Dream.

: ) }
The above song....
is a Perfect Fit.....
for Today.
In a Whole.... Lotta... Ways.
: )


just... a moment.

We just pulled in... from The What Cheer Flea Market....
Set Up....

We are tired.... beat.... fried... and smell not... so... good... 

: )

It's been a Long... Day.
Another....
Long...
Day.

I was going to share this 'Day' with you...

First thing...

Then...

I thought....
was....
Reminded...

There are a few other... more Important Things... to share... before that.
Here's The Big One....

THANK YOU.....

I..have kept my nose...so Tight... to The Grind Stone....

for so Very Long....

I haven't stopped.... for even a moment...to say....

"Thank You"....

to the Many Angels... who have carried me.... and my Entire... Family.

God Bless You...

: )

Each...and Every One... of You.

: )

I...Hope, you have an Idea....

How Very Much.... Your Prayers... 

Light...

Loving Thoughts...

Kind...Words....

and.... 'Help'... 

 Mean to Me... and Mine.

I have.. to keep going.....

Pushing On....

I have No Choice.

Our Lives... Depend on It...

If... I were a 'Normal' person.....

I would have said this... weeks, and Months ago....

but... 

The Pressure... is so... Intense.......

It's been difficult... for me... to catch my breath....

All I can do... is work....

and keep things turning....

My mind...is set....

But... tonight...

something stopped the gears.....

and said...

"Remember...Those.... Who Carry You"....

oh my...

I...hope... you'll forgive me....

I should have said this...so long ago.

Thank You...

Thank You...

Thank You...

Love You....

From The Bottom... of My Heart....

I Do.

I know... you must think... I'm insane... at times.... : )

When I sound so.... 'Perky'.... about a Gathering.... 

then...

so Very... Broken....

There is a Strong... Focused Side....
simply...
because...

I have no choice....

It's a part of me.... that some how....

pushes the Sentimental side... the Broken... side...

the... side of me... that has nothing left....
to 'Give'...

Aside.

That side.... is what Your Prayers... have given me.....

Strength... 

to Go On...

It... even... surprises... me.
: )
You Never... let me... walk... alone.

What an Amazing... Blessing.... You All Are...

I Thank God... for Each...and Every One... of You......
May God... Bless.... Each and Every One...
of
You.

The What Cheer.... 'Moments'... seem so.....
'small'...
but...
Thanks to Each and Every One of You....
We are Gettin' 'er Done.
: )
 here are a few images... of...
This day...

Liz... Miss. Scarlett.... and I...
rolled in... with a light load... this Morning....
We Loaded the Ford..... Heavy.... in a few... feet, after we arrived...
oh my.

I don't know... what I would do...
without our Children... and Grand Children.
Liz...works her Heart out....
oh my...
Miss. Scarlett... Cleaned and Cleaned... the Old Gnarliness.... I had gathered....
As I look at the images... I captured... I see...
Miss. Scarlett and I... both... share a Passion.... for Old Cupboards...
: )
Soulfulness....
Respect....
for Days...
long....
past.

: )

: ) : ) : )

Thank... You....
Love... to you....
: )
Barb C.
{I feel... so Very Thankful.... for the Gifts... in my life.
Thanks.... So Much.... to Everyone.... who has stopped by.... the 'Simply Iowa' Booth....
with so Much.... Love... in their Hearts....
<3
oh...my.}

Why..... Not?

Why....

Not.

Night before last......... while visiting with Mark, on the phone....

{hadn't talked to him in days...}

He reminded me... about The What Cheer Flea Market...

I have been so.... focused on Mom..... John... Family.....
Yard...and Food....

I had forgotten all about it.

He said he was going to set up.....

I thought....

I.... should too....

Why Not....?

The Big Truck.... is packed so Heavy.... from the Last Big Event....

and.... I can always... always... use the money.....

The Truck... had a rear dual... blown... but... I could have that fixed.... in no time..

Yes... Liz and I are working on the Amana Estate Sale....

I... can still do that.... if Mark is there... at What Cheer.... or Liz...can stay....

I can keep cleaning...and working... at Amana...

{Don't Miss The Amana Estate Sale... it is going to be..... Wonderful...

 {and I have just seen the tip.... of the Iceberg...

It will be in September... stay tuned....}

So... the tire was fixed....

The Tent...and loads of dibby dabbies....were Piled... on to the Ford....
this Morning....

 Away.....
 Liz and I went...to What Cheer...today.

Lynn... came and helped.... unload... and set the tent...
{Bless His Heart! {along with Pam.... our What Cheer... Friend! }

My right arm... is still.... down.... it works... but... oh my.... at about 10%....

He and Liz... did Most... of the Heavy Stuff.....

The Tent... is Up...and Full... Liz, Miss. Scarlett and I... are taking another load, in the Morning...

and will finish setting the booth.....

Mark is coming tomorrow night...with another Tent... and a Big Load....

Lynn and Lea... are bringing a load... as well... : )

It was a Long... day.....

On our way home... tonight.... we stopped at Lake Iowa....

where my Sister in Law... Shirley's... Celebration of Life.... was being held.

Liz and I...were so....Dirty.....

but...I knew Shirley wouldn't have cared.... : )

nor... would any... of The Conner Family. : )

They didn't.....

It was a Full House.... and was Beautiful....

Just... like.... Shirley.
As I told my Nieces... and Nephew....
Shirley.... was a Blessing...
a...Gift....
to us...all.
What an....Amazing.... Woman.
Just got off the phone...with Peg.....
: )
oh my....
I reminded her... No One...
should speak to me... after 8:30 p.m.
or.....
before....
8:00 a.m.
It's an ugly time....
Thank God.....
she doesn't care...
and... understands.....
Love to ya...
Hope to see ya...
at What Cheer.
Barb C.
{images tomorrow Eve.... }



and... He Walks with me.... and.. Talks... with me.... : )

In The Garden....

was Mom's... Favorite... Hymn.

It was interesting... her Grand Daughter...

Ellen...

had the song all typed out.... and ready for us... to sing.... 

for Mom's Memorial....

{she didn't have a clue.... she simply said..... when she heard it....

she always thought of Grandma. : ) }

{I... had just found out...a couple of years ago... when Mom...shared with me.... this was her favorite....

 I don't talk to Ellen..........very often... she lives far away....

 we are on different... paths.... it seems....

I'm so glad...she and her Lovely Family... could make the long... trip...}

oh my...

: )

When I finally sat down..... Saturday evening...

{It was such a Lovely Day...

So many Folks... came, visited.... sipped wine... ate Czech food.....

and Celebrated Mom's....

'Life'...

: ) }

My Brother in Law...Jim... brought his guitar....

and began playing Mom's Favorite tunes....

She So... Loved to Sing!!!

I began taking images of him...

then...

I saw, Mom's Roses....setting in her Memorial...next to her ashes...

 literally begin to Glow.

It was... Stunning.

They opened up....

and continued to 'Shine'... as Jim played....

: )

oh my.......

My Gift... for the day...

: )

Merry, Wayne... Liz Justin and Katie... along with our Guests...helped carry food out....

there was much... Laughter...

: )

It was a Beautiful...

Beautiful...

Day.

Thanks to All...

who helped make it so.

God Bless...

Love to You...

Barb C.

{as I was preparing food.... Saturday morning...

the phone rang.

It was my Sister, Jo Ann... {Dad's oldest daughter...}

She had planned on coming, but... had just gotten the news.. our Beloved Sister in Law...

Shirley Conner... from Millersburg, Iowa... had past away the night before...

I was stunned....

Shirley, was such an Inspiration to me.... I spent many Summers, in Millersburg...growing up....

Several Summers...

From the time I was 13...I'd have a friend, join me.... and we'd... ride horses bareback... the 60 miles... from Cedar Rapids.... to Millersburg... then spend a week...

{a two day 'Journey'...}

Dad would come, and pick us up....and haul us home...

Great Memories....

I could write a book... just about... The Millersburg Days.... : )

Shirley married my Brother, Sonny... when she was 15....

They were married for 61 years....

Had Five...Beautiful Children....

and were a very Close... Family...

Shirley... was the Rock.....

She could do... anything....

from making the Kids Clothes....

to cutting everyone's hair...

{she was a Beautician along with her...Many... other 'Gifts'... }

{They had four Daughters and One Son... all four Girls... were Homecoming Queens...

They are All... Beautiful... inside, and out... as was Shirley....}

My Dad...Adored her.....

and Always... always... Loved, Admired... and Respected her....

He said... she was the Best Thing... that ever happened to Sonny....

: )

Sonny... would Wholeheartedly... Agree. : )

She would go Hunting and Fishing... with him... yet... was All... 'Lady'...

Shirley... was... Perfect.

I've never known a Stronger Woman....in my life.

My Heart... is Broken... for Sonny.... Cathi, Sharon, John, Susan and Beth....

Love to Them...

Prayers... to them...

It was the Little Ones..... that made the day.... so Wonderful...
Children's Laughter.....
what a Beautiful.... Beautiful....
Gift.

No Boundaries.

This Morning.....

through the gentle rain.... and distant grumble... of thunder...

Polly and I found our way, to the rabbit hole.

I had wanted to capture an image, of the Beautiful Queen Anne's Lace....

We were greeted on our path... by a little toad. 

He seemed a bit bewildered by Polly's inquisitive... nose. 

But.. then we all went on our way....

The Queen Anne's Lace...is a 'weed'... I have admired from the first time I saw it...as a little girl.

I could see, why it has that name...

The blossoms look like the collar of Lace, that would be worn so proudly.... 

by a Queen.

I, also love the Free Spirit... it demonstrates....

I give it...and many other 'volunteers'  that Mother Nature... Blesses us with.... 

Free Reign .....

after all....

No One... can paint the Earth... better than...

Mother Nature.

: )

It was kind of sad, this morning... tho.

Queen Anne's Lace... is a mid to late Summer Bloomer...

it made me realize... how very much... I have missed of this year.

The Winter...was so... Harsh....

Spring... well...

I barely recall... 'Spring'....

now...

we are ending.... 

Summer.

The little shop... seems a bit...in disbelief, as well....

I have abandoned it... for so long.

It didn't scold me...this morning... as it has, in the past...

after I had left it before, for extended periods...

none... ever being.... this long.

It... seems to know....

It...seems... to be missing a part, of itself.... as well.

There, is an emptiness there....

It...doesn't seem to 'shine'... quite as brightly... as before.

There is a 'flat' note....

a 'missing'... key....

The music... is gone.

Liz and Miss. Scarlett are coming out.... we are going to work, down the rabbit hole....

for a while....

It will be good.... for us all.

Then... we'll begin pulling things together, for Mom's Memorial....

It's tomorrow, from 2 'til 6.

Love to ya.....

Barb C.

I...woke up at 3:33 this morning......

oh my....

oh...my.

Time...has no... boundaries these days....

none.

{and yes... I meant 'grumble'... not rumble of thunder.....

It went on and on... growling...and complaining....

 kind of like an elderly man... who wasn't happy with his morning coffee....

wouldn't send it back.... or get a fresh cup.....

just wanted to make sure ya knew... it wasn't up to snuff....

You knew...it wasn't really threatening... it just wanted to let ya know... it wasn't happy... : )

yeah...the sky....

 'grumbled'....

: )

{being a long time... waitress... I know that sound... all too well... : )

it made me... smile. }

Gifts.... of Old. therapy.....

Went searching for a Vintage Pie Server....today.

Came home... with a Bag Full.... of Vintage... Lace and Jars and Jars... of Old Buttons...

No... Pie Server....

I have had dozens of them...over the years....

{and...sold them all... }

had to borrow some, for John's Memorial.....

I...need a few for Mom's.....

Seems.... they are scarce, these days....

I also found... a Mourning Locket.... Rosaries... Flower Frogs....

and... an old... Needle Display.... showcase... along with all sorts...of dibby dabs... 

I could barely squeeze it all.... into Jethro's trunk.....

Found a pile of treasures.... while visiting P.J.'s Shop.... in Czech Village....

{P.J. and her Husband, Dave...made us the most Awesome...Cherry Cheesecake...

for John's Memorial....

I was returning their pan.... then... got lost...in 'Treasures'...

  {Everyone Raved... about their Cheesecake......

and the one.. Dwight and Ed Brought....

oh...my....

{Winds Reach... Urbana, Iowa... } 

{I was only looking for a few... pie servers.... oh my... }

My Sister, Merry.... and her Family... came with...

We are trying to gather for Mom's Memorial...

Mom was Full Blooded Czech....

 We will be serving food... she enjoyed... and created for us... growing up....

The food... Mom.... grew up with....that her Mother created.......for her Family.

There is some Wonderful... Czech Food... in Czech Village.... we will be gathering there, just before 

Mom's Memorial... oh my. }

The lace... and buttons...

 : )

well.... 

they were all about... 'me'...

My mind... gets lost... when I play... in these old fragments.....

My...kinda... 'toys'....

I could sit for hours... sorting... and examining the Beautiful hand work.....

'therapy'

There isn't a pill...on this Earth....

 that can do for me....

what the Love... of Old... can, in a few...short.... moments.

oh my.

Thank You... for the continued Prayers...

Please... don't stop.....

: )

Life... has been... a bit...

'Round the Bend.....

here...

: )

it... 

truly...

has.

: )

Love.... to you...

Barb C.

The Cross

The Suffering...of Children.

This... is my Beautiful... Rosary...
I wear it around my neck... and hope... it doesn't offend... anyone.
It brings... Peace... to my heart.

I knew.... in my heart....

when John's 'Celebration'... was over... it was going to be tuff....

It... has been....

and...the Kids.

oh my.

I, have lost my Soul Mate... Best Friend, Husband and Father, to the Kids.

John, was always here... looking after them, when I couldn't be....

They, too... are so very... very lost.

So much, came 'Home' to roost... last night.

This is...all so very Much... for us....

Please... keep... the Kids in your Prayers....

Justin... is struggling... so.

They all are...

but, John and Justin... had such a 'Special'... bond....

Just like, my Dad and I had.

I, can't reach him...anymore...than my Mom... could reach me.... when Dad went Home....

Last Christmas... money was so....tight.... 

{Mom had been in, and out of the Hospital.... bills were slamming us.... it was ugly.... monetarily...}

We were going to buy...for the Grandchildren... and give all of the Kids... a little money....

Hadn't done any shopping for anyone...except the Grand kids....

yet.... I was Driven... at the last minute...{the 23rd} to find the most

 Perfect Cross....

for Justin... to wear.

I found one... late... on the 23rd....

I had called my friend, Pattie.... who has many wonderful pieces, she had none....

We kept talking.... as I was racing through town.....

I went to the Christian Book Store... they had nothing... that was exactly what I had in my heart...

 for Justin....

I finally.... was ready to give up... {yet... what was 'Driving me'.... wouldn't allow it.}

I stumbled across a Pawn Shop.....

Went inside.... and found... the most Perfect.. White Gold... Cross....

and heavy chain....

It took... nearly every penny I had.... 

but.... I knew... Justin... HAD to have it....

I knew...somehow... Justin... was going to have to lean on that Cross.... 

I was told....  by the Constant Push.... Justin... was going to have to Lean... on it.

{long before we had a thought... of what was coming our way.... God knew. }

I explained... to the other Kids...and John... where I had spent our Christmas money.... and said... it was the Hand...of God... that was pushing me.... I...had no choice...

{ we Always... keep things 'fair'...with the Kids....in every way...The Kids...all...understood.... totally. }

I gave them each... Rosaries... vintage Rosaries.... that I had here, in the house.... and directed them....to keep them very close.... {another Push.... from The Lord.......}

I was so... Driven.... and Insistent... they All.... have Crosses.... to Lean on...

We don't belong to an Organized Religion....

and...I have never pushed the Kids.... I, simply..... Believe... God, will come to you... in a very personal way... if... you ask him to... no matter where you Worship.... we are all...His Children.

Justin and I, had a heartfelt... visit.... Christmas Day.... as we were in route to pull a friend from the ditch....

I shared the story.... of his Cross.... with him.....

He hasn't taken it off..since....

He... is so broken..... now...

Lost... and Angry... 

I tried... to talk with him... last night....

oh my... it was a late night...

He still... wears the Cross.... I Pray... he Leans on It......

 Looks Up....and Opens his Big...Soft...Broken...Heart....

to the One... Who Will... Carry him.....

Please... Pray for our Children.....

and...All... of The Children...who suffer...

today.

Love to you....

Barb C.

The Half... that made me... whole.

I see... I took few images.... at John's Memorial.

The above.... and a few below, I took this morning... before we took everything... away.

I hope, others... captured a few....

It was a busy day.....

I would guess... 200 to 300 Friends and Family.... found their way...to us... throughout the afternoon, and evening.

We had Folks.... until after 11 last night.....

The Flowers... were incredible....

the Food... was, also... incredible...

The People.... were, Incredible.

Gifts...really.

John... would have so... Loved...to be Here....

Every Single One of Us... So Wished.... He Was.

This is where we had John's Ashes....

The Tent.... was his...

Memorial.

Katie and I, at the last minute, decided to hang the drop cloths 

the night before....

she had to run, and find some.... we had bought out our local store, for table coverings....

Jan, made the Collage... {Liz and Katie helped, too....}

It was Beautiful.

Family and Friends... came... from near and far.....

It was such a Gift... to see Everyone.

Peg and Mary S. 

Cindy and Tom...

oh my...

When it was time to read the Eulogies...

I was so Proud... of the Folks... who came forward.....

Dave... his Beloved... Friend... for 60 years.......

Kristi... our 'Fourth' Daughter...{Kristi and Sue Ann... : ) } was Beautiful...... when she spoke....

and... even our quiet... behind the scenes... Peg.... stood beside me.... and spoke...

what a Gift...

Cindy N. spoke... of his Love, like hers.... of our Beloved... Hounds.....

oh my...

Nicky... was there... looking on.....

{this... was.... tuff.... for all of us. }

Mary S. shared she and John's Mutual Love... of the Kitties...

 and of 'Munchkin', the little Kitten, she rescued... from us....

 {he was a dwarf.... that was born here... with health issues.... } 

John was so worried about, letting go.....

{ John had no idea... Mary...was as much...or More... devoted... to Kitties... than he was... at the time...

Mary kept him updated.... John... was so..... relieved... }

  She holds him... so very Dear....

 Her husband, Tom... sneaked Munchkin in...to the Hospital...shortly after they had gotten him... when she was given... 'the news'... and had her double mastectomy... oh my... }

Then...Hoss... who, with his Beautiful Children... visited John... at the Hospital......

so many times......

and... worked beside John....

Admired... and Loved...him....

spoke... so Eloquently....

oh my....

{Hoss reminds me... of my Dad.... when I watch him... with his... children... : ) }

I...did my Eulogy, first.... and.... rambled on... and on... I suppose....

I...had so.... very much.... to say......

{as you all know... I tend to go on... and... on....}

With everything that was going on... I didn't have time to write one... so....

it came straight... from my heart.

oh...my.

When I woke up... yesterday morning...

{didn't get to bed, until one.... was helping the Guys in the Shop, after it got too dark.....outside to work. They were working non stop.... to finish a motor in a Chevy...truck.... so our friend, Steven could get it home to Wisconsin today... 

{I'm sure... the Guys... 'Loved' my input... oh dear...a Million... Questions... and  'Did Ya's'.... 

I walked in... when I heard them fire it up.... for the first time...then stayed... to trouble shoot...

{oh dear... }

Hoss and Justin....
These Boys... get to work at the crack of Dawn... every day.
{between 5 and 6 a.m. }
Working 'til 1 a.m. is more like John's... Hours...
They... were Exhausted......
we.... all.... were. 

Katie... Little Justin...Lacey and Lance { Hoss's two.... Darling... Children far left and right...  }
stayed up... with Mark, Hoss, Brandon... and me.... until we got the Old Chevy... going....
the Guys had worked all week... changing that motor....
It's been one thing... after another...on this motor change....
{when Steven {The Chevy owner..and Friend...} was visiting, several weeks ago...Jiffy Lube changed the oil...then started it, without oil, or a filter....
and the motor locked up....
Steven... has been without a truck...since.... they had to get this done....
The new motor... after it was changed... kept over heating.....
I.... was concerned....
I thought it was the thermostat.... but... they assured me... it was New..... and it was a slim chance....it could be that....
they thought it was a warped head....on the replacement engine...that was provided to them.
oh my... oh my....
{that would have meant... taring everything....back...down. }
I told them.... we have had brand new... thermostats... be bad.... many times... over the years...
Thankfully... it was....that...
They changed it yesterday morning... {simple...} before taring the engine apart....
oh... my.
It's running.... Great!
{as good as any Chevy can.... : ) }

The First Word.... that came to my mind.....when my eyes opened.... as I laid.... next to Polly....

in the dark.... was....

"Run"

after all.....

most everything.... was ready to go....

for the Celebration....

Still had to give Jethro...a bath.....

and a little food prep....

but... I thought...

"They can handle all of that..."

I...didn't want to see this day.

I could have postponed this... for a hundred years.

I...knew... when this day.... was over.... 

another chapter... would close.

oh my....

I...was so right.

Today... has been, beyond... difficult.

Taking everything down....

Gathering up...the Beautiful Flowers.... to dry.....

oh my.

Thank God... for Liz... Peg....Mark....Katie...Kristi...Steven...Nick... Kelsey...{Scarlett and Little 'J' }

 Merry Jo...Wayne... and... Justin.

Justin...like his Dad... kept working, in the Shop.... for half of the day....

Many, Friends... and Family members... went inside.... and visited with him.... there....

God Bless...Them.

He came out... later... and...it was...Good. 

I opened the House... and let Folks, see.... John's Amazing.... Masterpiece......

They... were... Floored.

He did it all.... with Nothing.... 

Nothing....

oh my.

Tonight....

I played... Tammy, 'Another Lonely Song'....

That... is the one... that truly... truly... says how my Soul... feels....

I, would re write some of it.....for this time... 

I...have loved this song... since I was a young... girl.

What a double edged.... sword... my beloved music... has become.

This... is my version...

Time....

won't ease my Memory...

It's killing me... now.

and

Lord...how...I need him here....  

just to feel him near.....

and...

hear... him breathing.

Still....

the Night goes on...and on...

Another lonely song.... I'm singin'....

Lord....don't think bad of me....

 don't get mad at me......

You... know.... I'm...

weak.

And it couldn't cause... a whole lot of harm.....

to run.... away... from these arms....

cause... 

John's in His...

: )

I know... he is....

I know... he is...

but...

God,

I...

Love...

him.

And tho........ 

I should be stronger... like they... think...I am...

but...

it's the way... I am, now.

and Lord...

guess... I'll stay this way....

I can't play... this way....

just because... I'm lonely...

Still...

the Night goes... on and on...

Another lonely song....

I'm singin'....

Lord... don't look down on me....

don't frown on me....

let's just.... keep talkin'....

Yes.... The Lord... and I... have shared many... unspoken words..... these last, many days....

oh my.

Love... to you...

and... again... 

Thank You... to All.... who have 'Kept'... us... and continue...

to 'Keep'... us...

God Bless.... You All.

Barb C.

{Peg.... called on her way home....this late afternoon....

she was... sobbing....

said..... she felt so..... bad.....

leaving me.

Silly.... Girl.

She said.... she could feel.... the Sorrow.... that has me.... enveloped...... and it was... killing her... to see me... this way.

{and...here...I thought... 'The Hatter'.... had It All.... 'Together'... and Under His... Hat. : ) }

I guess... those who 'know' me....

'Know' me.

Please.... don't worry....

Pray...

: )

just...

Pray....

oh my....

That little March Hare....

what an Angel... she is... <3 }

Thank You... All.

The Sky... Lit Up...

over John's Beloved... Old Oak... at the end... of this day.

It was...

Simply... Beautiful.

Thanks so much, to Everyone... who attended John's Celebration of Life.

There were.... Many.... Many....Wonderful Friends...

and Family.

Thanks... so Much... to all of the Hands....

 Loving Hands.... who helped.... make it...

Beautiful.

I'll be posting images tomorrow...

tonight....

I, am....

drained.

Love you all.....

so Very... Very... Much.

God Bless.

Mama...

Rose Marie (Dvorak) Conner

Passed away March 20th, 2014

at Mercy Hospital.

Rose was born February 21st, 1920

on her Family Farm, near Garner, Iowa.

She was the daughter of John J. Dvorak and Emma I. {Hanzlick} Dvorak.

John came from Czechoslavokia, in the early 1900's Emma was also Czech, but was born here.

When Rose was born, the Dr. told Emma, there was little hope for the tiny infant.

Her Mother, wouldn't give up on 'Rosie'.

 she kept her in a small dresser drawer, on the wood burning Cook Stove's Warming Oven's door.

Rosie 'lived' 94 years.

Rose was a Licensed Beautician. She and her sister, Helen Turnbull {husband, Roger } owned and operated their own Salon before they married. Rose married Lester Norenberg in the early '40's.

They had three children Cheryl Schafer (husband, Jim} of Toddville, Iowa. Larry Norenberg

of Marion, Iowa. Merry Jo  Collop {husband, Wayne} of Richland WA.

She later divorced.

Rose remarried April 2nd. 1960, to Marion W. Conner they had one daughter 

Barbara Conner 

{husband John Helm} of Fairfax, Iowa.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marion, brother, Frank Dvorak of Cedar Rapids {Florence}

sister Helen, and daughter, Chery.

Rose had 8 grandchildren, and 9
great grandchildren.

Rose worked hard, her entire life. She loved life. Loved animals, and people.

She enjoyed singing, and sang until she went 'Home'. 

Her laugh, would light up a room, she was Loved by many.

We will be having a Celebration of Rose's Life on July 26th, 2014

from 2 until 6 p.m.

at the home of her daughter, Barb.

{101 Williams Blvd. Fairfax, Iowa}

Friends and Family, are Welcome to join us.

We will have some of Rose's Favorite dishes.

Feel free to bring a covered dish... if you wish, but come visit. 

Thanks to some Special Folks, at Heritage, who looked out for our Mom.

Getting There...

The back area... behind the house....
was like a Jungle....
The Fountain... was full of a 'mess'....
{Stinky.... Awful....Mucky... Mess. }
The stepping stones.... were something I threw on the ground, for necessity.... while Brandon and I worked on getting the fountain... cleaned and running...
It was a Mud Hole....
Major... Mud...Hole.
{I threw 2 down... so we could keep working beside the fountain... then... two more... as we drained the Muck... and created...
 a Swamp....
 oh my...
there has been so much rain... the ground...is saturated.... }
{This was all.... dirt... {mud}
It really...looks... nice.... now.
John... would have... Loved It.
EVERYTHING....
we do... is with John... in mind.
Everything. }
After we got the fountain going....I decided to put more stones down.... then Val and I landscaped the area....the other night....
The big trellis... was nearly on the ground... from the recent Storms....and being so heavy... with the wild... and crazy.... Massive Trumpet Vine... John had planted, years ago...
{He built the trellis...from old... old...wooden pump rod.... I had bought at an auction... for a dollar... years ago... There was a Pile of it... When John saw it... on the truck... he said..
 "I...have an idea...for that...."
: ) : ) : )
 He laid all the rods out... then bolted them all together, to form this Giant...Trellis.
Then... he Couldn't Wait...for the Vines... to Cover it!!! : )
They Have...... oh boy.... : )
Brandon and Justin...put it back up... and we carefully trimmed it up....
oh my....
This area has been time consuming, to say the least....
but... it was one of John's favorite places....
We made some Really.... Good... Memories...
under that Old Oak....
It'll be all together... by Saturday.....
or... the Best... we can get it. 

Polly and I.... sat, this evening.... after everyone went home....
and gazed... at the Fountain.....
we....sure Miss.... Someone.
yes... we sure.... do. 

Things...are clean.... and ready to be 'dressed'....
We'll cinch it all up.... Saturday Morning.....
I...want it to be....Beautiful......
for John....
He built the Gazebo.... many...many years ago....
nearly 30...I'd say.
{oh my....}
I gathered the massive... mid 1800's Corbels... a few years later....
We put them on...and added the old Farmhouse Picket Fence.... I'd found...at an Auction....
It seemed... we never had time, to enjoy it.... tho.
We used it...for The Big Sales... then...
 used it for storage...between sales....
{like everything... and everyone...  around here....
 It... Is...a Work Horse...
and has earned it's keep....
It... needs a roof... badly...
Liz and I... {mostly Liz... : ) {and...Miss. Scarlett... {she kept the Staple Gun... Full... for here Mama... : ) }
stretched 3 new, natural colored 9x12 painters drop cloths...on the ceiling.... it made a Huge... difference... in the feel... of the Old Gazebo.... }
John...always parked the mower...in here....when it wasn't packed completely full....of old cupboards....
 and other...'treasures'... : )
I so... want to have it.... for him... like he, and I both envisioned it....

The....
Cat Man.
: )
John and Frankie....
We rescued Frankie....
He was dumped...here....
He was such an Awesome Cat....
John named him Franklin.... because the first Vet Bill...to get him on his feet...
was 100.00...
{after 'Franklin'... on the 100.00 Bill....}
{THAT was a Whole Lot Of Money... for us... back then.
It Still...Is. : )
But...Frankie... was worth Every Penny..... to Both of Us. }


Thanks.... So Much... to Liz, Katie, Merry Jo... Wayne...Val... Justin and Brandon....
The Boys Buffed and Detailed Jethro.....
Wayne... worked on the electrical mess... down the rabbit hole...
oh my....
The Girls...and I... Cleaned.... and organized....
Val brought out...some Beautiful Plants... for the Gazebo....
We have a long way to go....
but...
we'll get it. : )
Peg...Jan...Mark and Kelsey are coming tomorrow... to help.....
: ) : ) : )
Along with the rest of The Crew.... : )
We all.... want to give John.... a Beautiful... Day.
Love to ya....
Barb C.

Busy Bees. : )

My Sister, Merry Jo... her husband, Wayne.... and my Great Nephew, Jeramiah.... found their way to our door..... yesterday afternoon....

They drove from Washington State....

oh my...

It was so good to see them....

We were all so busy....running around, we said...short 'Hello's' and gave quick Hugs....

then we all....went to work.....

Liz and Katie... worked in the house... Brandon and I... outside.....

Then...we switched.....

We pulled all the furniture out of the house....

and scrubbed the floors....

We were all... Busy Bees....

Mark popped in...in the afternoon.... and he helped with everything...too....

The Rabbit Hole.... had the roof trim... completely torn off the back side.... the other night....

along with the electrical conduit.....

When Liz cleaned the ceiling fan....it.... came apart...in her hands.....

oh my....

it seems... with  every fire... that gets put out....

another sparks....

oh my....

Wayne and Mark... worked on the fan....

I'm going to try and get the shop fixed... as soon as possible....

Wayne said.... it isn't dangerous... just... ugly....

Bud's brother, Nick...created a Shadow Box.... for Jan to do a collage...of John's Life... in...

It's Awesome....

Bud brought it yesterday evening... then... helped us re set some of the stones on the walkway...that tree roots had buckled.....

oh my...

Liz and I went through pictures, then had them all printed in sepia.... for Jan to use, in the collage...she's coming Friday... to put it all together....

Liz, Mark and Wayne...laid stone... we had piled up........ for a walk way.... out back....

there had been a plank there.... for 15 years....

it was time... to get it done.

I planted flowers.... and scrubbed floors.....

There is still... so much to get done......

but... it will get done....

: )

I have to dig for tablecloths.... I know... there are several around here... I just have to find them all.....

Justin is working on Jethro....

Brandon... is going to mow... today... I'm going to trim...and weed whip....and... do, whatever else needs done.....

The Girls... are going to clean....

oh my....

: )

The House... is.... Buzzing...

: )

It feels good.... seeing it....and hearing... the laughter....

it truly does.

Love to ya....

Barb C.

{images a little later... : ) }