Update

 There are still LOTS of boxes.

And bags.

And totes.

And random stuff in corners.....

But things ARE progressing!

Saturday???

Wow, where did the time go???

Kyle and Rod worked all day and got

the skirt done on the front of the house.

I didn't get a picture, since I was teaching,

but here is one from today at the

back of the house.

We will do the sides later.

Closer to winter.

Right now we just need to be able

to get in and out of the house.

The rickety stairs we built did the

job we built them for,

but they were too hard for the dogs

to go in and out of.

(Me too......)

First he dug the dirt.

Then he brought in load after load after load

of dirt and made a pad outside.

(Thankful for all those house pads he built

for the Bergers in Palm Bay...)

Dumped a bunch of loads of dirt.

And then switched machines and spread it all out.

He had to get VERY close to the house,

but he is a maestro with his machines.

And now we can get in and out of the house

with no trouble!

Don't know what is going on with the siding.

It doesn't look like that in real life.

Sunday Rod and Kyle went to church

and I taught day two of Louisiana.

Monday I went in to town to get a load

of stuff from the house...

AND the PEACHES!!!

They look great and smell even better!

I'll be cutting some into small chunks

to freeze dry for the farmers market.

Some will just go in the freezer for eating

in/on ice cream and yogurt over the winter.

And lots of them are turning into peach jam.

It was our favorite thing!

I taught my Monday night class while

Rod hung blinds over some of the windows.

I was planning to update the blog after class,

but forgot I agreed to a RS Pres Zoom at 9pm

right after class and we didn't finish up until

a little after 10:00.

Made a quick sandwich and headed to BED.

Meanwhile, Rod was busy putting up the

new blinds in the house.

I was only able to get them for the two kitchen 

and two bed-side windows.

The other large windows I had to order some

from Amazon.

Looks like WalMart isn't carrying them anymore.

Grrrrrrrrrr.

So we did the "new move-in" thing and 

hung blankets to keep out the HOT

afternoon sun.

Just putting up the blinds made a big

difference in the temperature in the house.

It was over 100 outside and the AC

was able to keep it a comfy 77 inside.

(We don't have any insulation in the attic

yet, so that will improve but not today.)

Patience Grasshopper!

(hahahaha, I have to keep reminding myself.)

Today Kyle and I went back into town

and dropped his VW Gulf at the local

mechanics where they evacuated all the

freon from his (non-working) AC system.

There was almost none in there.

(It hasn't worked in about 3+ years...)

Then 45 minutes later (after I had a nice

phone chat with Mom) we went back and

picked it up.

Kyle installed a new compressor and then

we dropped it back off again.

And headed into Hays for Tuesday shopping.

On the way back into town, he picked it

up again and enjoyed ICE COLD AIR

all the way back to the farm!

Doors are COMING for all the doorways,

but at $200 a pop it might be a minute.

So we got some pretty black-out curtains

and rods for the important doors.

(Bathrooms, closet and my office.)

A little privacy goes a LONG way.

Meanwhile, Rod was BUSY at home.

Put all the handles on the cabinets and

all the drawers in the kitchen and bath.

There are a LOT of them!

He also put up the little shelves above

the stove for my spices.

I ordered 40 handles and he ran out!

Kyle has the same ones and is

pretty sure he has some left over,

so we will get some from him and

be able to finish up the few that

were missing.

And then he did the last of the painting!

Before.....

Still wet...

Looks so much better!

He's a MUCH better painter than I am!

And now they are outside, working on the

back side of the house.

It's only 68 outside!

So they are taking advantage of the cool weather.

It will be back in the 100's by the

end of the week.

This is a sneak peak for fall.

I plan to get the pea seeds in the ground

tomorrow.

And some bush beans I forgot I ordered.

That along with the 3000 carrots Kyle planted

a couple of days ago, 

should be it for the fall crops.

I harvested the very first of the orange okra

and cooked them up for breakfast.

We will be planting orange okra

from now on.

It is DELICIOUS!

VERY sweet!

And when the green pods get too long,

they get woody, but I picked a couple

long orange ones and they were still

sweet and yummy, so I consider that a WIN!

Anyhow.

I'm going to see about some dinner for

these guys.

Still need to unload all the chicken and

dog feed up at the barn.

But wanted to get an update on here 

before you all disowned me!

We Are HERE!!!!

 It has been a LONG time coming,

but last night we actually got

to spend the night here!

Jim moved the "Welcome Home"

sign Rod made me after one of my

Tucson trips a gazillion years ago, 

to the new fridge.

It made me smile!

We aren't fully moved in.

And there are a LOT of boxes.

And other random construction stuff...

We had to turn the living room 90 degrees

because of the boxes,

but we are HERE!

It felt so good to sleep in our new bed!

The moon was full last night,

it shone right in our bedroom window.

It was lovely.

For the 17 seconds before we fell asleep.

This morning Kyle walked over with Bear

and we headed down to the garden to

finish harvesting the potatoes.

Good harvest!

Especially considering it was pretty

neglected. We watered, but that was it.

And then Rod picked up Jim in town

and they headed to Home Depot to pick

up the wood so we can close in under the

house and Kyle can bring in the fill dirt.

I headed into WaKeeney to bring more

stuff back to the house.

And Kyle started moving dirt.

He found a section where it looked

like the previous owners had dug

into a hill and so he is just

continuing. When he is done he will

re-slope it and you won't even know.

AND we will have more flat ground.

He continued dumping dirt on the front

and the back of the house all afternoon.

I taught.

Rod fixed the leak under the half bath sink.

Then Kyle came back over just before

sunset (just after my class)

and we went for a walk down to the

stock tank and back.

It was a LOVELY evening!

With LOTS of fire flies!!!!

We are going to LOVE living here!

And now it's LATE.

And we need to quickly eat something

and get to bed so I can teach in the morning.

Hope you had a wonderful Friday.

AND

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SABRINA!!!!!

We are so happy you are here!

We love you bunches!

Home Again!

 WOW!

That was an adventure!!!

First, let me say how much we loved

getting to be with our family this

past week.

All the love we shared!

So many families are so dysfunctional.

They "get along".

Or don't.

But we TRULY love each other!

It is such a blessing!

Ok, I have a GAZILLION things to

do today, so this is a down and dirty

of yesterday's adventure.

It started out with a terrific breakfast

with Greg (Southers) at Waffle House!

YUM!!!

And then he took us to the airport.

We arrived in PLENTY of time to be

comfortable and not worry about

having to rush.

Our flight took off right on time and

was a nice, easy flight.

I had a window seat, Rod got to sit

next to me (we were split on the

flight IN to Dallas...).

Once we got to Dallas, we found our

gate and realized I am TERRIBLE at

telling time when it involves changing

time zones.

Instead of a SIX hour layover, we had

just over 2 hours.

So we found Le Madeleine, but instead

of sitting down for a meal, we just

grabbed an already made sandwich to

split. (It was DELICIOUS!)

And then headed from Terminal A,

where we arrived, to Terminal C.

They announced it was a FULL flight

and recommended checking your bags

(for free) especially if you were in

the last group to board.

(Us...)

So we did.

Which was nice, since we didn't

have to shlep our bags all day.

As we were pulling IN to Dallas,

they announced a nation-wide Ground Stop.

No planes going IN or OUT.

Stay in the boarding area and we will

give you more details.

Meanwhile, I texted Rozann, who checked

and said it was a line of severe thunder

storms that was shutting down a bunch

of airports.

(We later found out it was actually an IT

shutdown that affected ALL American Airline

flights... ugh.)

Anyhow.

We headed to Gate C33.

Ate our yummy sandwich and settled in

for the wait.

OH YEAH!

While we were sitting there, Rod

headed off to the restroom.

And came back with a HUGE lump

on his forehead!

The poor guy was putting his backpack

on after washing his hands, spun around

to leave and ran right into a wall!

(It was painted the same color as the

wall behind it and just blends in!)

Broke his glasses, but not his nose!

Small favors.

And then we were alerted that our flight

would be delayed and moved next door

to Gate C32.

And then were delayed further and moved

back to C33.

Then over to C24.

Once we were all seated and awaiting

boarding instructions, they let us 

know our plane was actually at Gate A27.

(Back where we started!)

So we ALL herded on to the train and

headed to the other terminal.

And then we were delayed.

And then we were delayed.

And then we were delayed more.

And then we were delayed more.

We were supposed to take off at 8:05.

By this time they were saying 10:30.

And then the pilot and crew arrived.

And the plane FINALLY showed up.

And SIX passengers (including a 

"dead heading" pilot) got off.

The new crew got on.

Stayed for about 20 minutes.

Got off again.

The plane's APU (power system, basically

the AC) was broken, it was currently 90

inside the cabin and getting hotter.

So they found us a NEW plane and we ALL

hopped back on the train and moved to Gate D24.

Where we waited while they did....

something.

And then we ACTUALLY BOARDED!!!

The pilot was extremely apologetic and

put the peddle to the metal and shortened

a one hour, 3 minute flight to 58 minutes!

And then we sat on the tarmac for 10 

minutes because the ground crew wasn't

there to guide us in.

Hahahahaha.

FINALLY got into the airport and

headed down to the carousel to get

our bags. After the usual 20 minute wait

to get them all off the plane and into the

airport, we grabbed them and headed

out to the car.

By this time it was 2:30 am.

We got our car out of the paid lot,

hit the highway and then got off

at the next exit to fill the tank

(and buy some Diet Dr Pepper and

Combos) and we were OFF!

Put some fun oldies on Pandora and

I SANG the whole way home.

We pulled up in front of the house

at 5:44 am.

And went to bed.

Hahahahahahahaha.

I just finished doing my paperwork

for last week's classes, and now I'm

going to pack up my computer and

take it to the house (with a load of

other stuff, against the rules to drive

there without a load of stuff to move!)

and setting up a fake zoom to make

sure it's good to go.

And we MIGHT sleep there tonight!!!

Yippeeeeeee!

Anyhow.

Thank you again to everybody for 

making last week such a positive 

experience. It was so good to see

everybody and catch up with all the

goings on in everyone's lives.

We love you guys!!!

You KNOW he's going to tell everybody

at church that I poked him in the eye.

(I'm teaching this weekend, so won't

be there to defend my honor.... lol.)

TUCSON!!!

 I know.

I'm TERRIBLE about taking pictures.

I just finished teaching and now

I'm heading over to Nancy and Reid's house

to have a bowl of tortilla soup.

She's FAMOUS for this soup.

YUM!

And I'll try to get pictures, but EVERYBODY

will be there and it's a little crazy.

Speaking of crazy.

Yesterday, Reid had to go in for

emergency Retina surgery.

He had 2 tears and a slight

detachment to his retina.

So he is doing the whole

face down 24/7 for 30 days

except for bathroom break.

But the doctor was pleased

and he's doing well.

Chris' heart decided to act up

after he was outside in 110 heat

and 57% humidity (which is a LOT

in the desert) and dragging around

trash cans and doing other stuff

to help tidy up.

He may possibly be heading to the

hospital to check and make sure he's good.

It's been a little nuts.

But (as far as I know...)

Sondra's entire clan arrived today.

Some drove, others flew....

Nancy's Jeff and his girlfriend arrived safely.

(And are watching the StarShip launch with

a true insiders commentary!!!!! Wish I 

was there to watch!)

This is us in the jetway.

Sondra took a picture of Mom and I

yesterday, but I haven't gotten it from her.

I'll do better.

The internment is 9:00 tomorrow morning.

The funeral service is AFTER at 11:00.

(NOBODY wants to be outside after about

9:30 in this heat....)

Rod and Greg had the honor of going over

today and dressing Dad.

It was tender and difficult,

but Rod was honored to be asked.

OK.

I'll check in again.

Probably tomorrow afternoon.

And hopefully I'll have pictures.

Nite all!

Septic!!!

 It's not PRETTY,

but it is EXCITING!

Yes, I took the picture through the screen.

lol.

They started working on the septic

yesterday afternoon.

It went GREAT.

Until they hit a layer of solid limestone.

Who knew.

But they persevered and figured out a

way to get it in the hole

and then build up the ground AROUND

and over it, so it's still buried at the

required depth.

(It gets inspected tomorrow morning...

fingers CROSSED!)

Notice there is a LOT of space under the house.

Even the AC unit is WAAAY up there on a platform.

The plan has always been to put some

cinder block around the base and then

bring in fill dirt and raise the land up

so there isn't such a HUGE drop

(and fewer stairs from the future deck...)

So the plan should work out.

We hope.

Phew!

Hopefully it will pass.

We are so grateful for these men who

are so willing to do what it takes

to get us into our new house.

Meanwhile.......

Rod and I will be driving down to Wichita

in the morning for an 11:30am flight

to Tucson to join the rest of the family

for a Celebration of Dad's Life.

We will be back late on Tuesday.

I'll be teaching from there (as usual)

so will have the computer with me.

I'll try to post some pictures while I'm gone.

But you know I'm terrible at that...

lol.

So...

have a good weekend!

I'm excited to see the house when

we get back.

It's basically DONE.

Just some minor stuff like a bench

in the prep room and one to sit on

in the mud room,

shelves,

handles on the cabinets,

that sort of stuff.

So.

Next week?

MOVING!

But first, we have important matters

to attend to and family members to love on.

Love you all!

Kent Stoddard 08-31-1931 - 07-18-2026

 This is a hard one to write.

This will forever be my favorite picture

of my Mom and Dad.

And this is how I choose to remember him.

We lost our Dad on Saturday.

He fought a long, hard battle with Alzheimer's.

That is an ugly disease.

But he maintained his cheerful, kind

countenance throughout.

He played his beloved harmonica til the end

when he could hardly draw a breath.

But was able to play and end with his

patented flourish.

He had the deepest love for 

"My Joyce".

They were always together.

They were always holding hands.

They were always in love.

He blessed our family.

Lead with humility.

Taught us the skills we needed to

live life.

From changing a tire to serving others.

He worked hard, provided well.

But more importantly, made memories.

How many weekends did he come straight

home from work, to jump in the car and take

us to tent then trailer in so many different campgrounds.

We fed squirrels,

climbed mountains and waterfalls,

identified rocks and berries,

"felt the pain (pane)"

fished (not very successfully...)

skied, water and snow...

made bear track casts,

identified stars around a campfire,

and created a family foundation that will

last through the eternities.

He served as Bishop, High Counselor,

Stake Presidency Counselor,

Home Teacher,

Missionary.

And all he served, loved him deeply.

Because he loved THEM deeply.

And now, we know he has gone on

to continue the work on the other

side of the veil.

Oh, how I would have loved to be

there to witness the joyous reunion

as he arrived.

All those who I know were there to greet him.

Most of all.

I know there was the well deserved

"Well done, my GOOD and FAITHFUL servant."

We will miss you Dad.

I love you.

I am so proud of the life you lived.

I will strive to make you proud.

Bathrooms are DONE!

 Jim is the KING of the bathroom

installations!

We now have a grab bar!

(We were going to have the

toilet paper holder, but I bought

some that weren't big enough for

our large Sams toilet paper rolls...)

Gotta return those and get

bigger ones on Tuesday.

The half bath is all finished!

Looks good, eh?

It's a little.... bland.

So we will be looking for a 

colorful picture for the wall

next to the toilet.

He got the sink and faucets and

mirror in the master bath as well,

but was READY to come home

and didn't take a picture.

The fridge was installed and plugged in,

but there's no power to that wall right

now, since we needed to wire in the

stove hood. Since there are bare wires

hanging out, that breaker is off.

Looks good though!

Meanwhile, Kyle was down in the garden

hooking up the new hard line for the

sprinklers in the pumpkin patch.

It's an experiment, a lot of work,

and more $$ than I want to spend

for ALL the rows.

So we are going with this one row

with hard pipe and leaving the rest

of them using hose for this year.

We'll see how it goes.

We might change the whole thing

for next year.

You never know.

The orange okra is doing GREAT!

We even have some buds starting!

Maybe we'll have okra in a few weeks!

(Good thing too, I think I'm OUT

of okra from last year...)

I'm excited for this new okra.

Hope it's good!

Speaking of the pumpkin patch,

they are growing!

It's a little more than a "patch".

It's like half an acre or something.

We have several sugar baby watermelon

coming along!

And on the opposite side of the

tunnel we have cantaloupe.

And beans on both sides....

lots of flowers, no beans yet...

but you know beans.

One day there's nothing and suddenly

you are DROWNING in beans.

And a beautiful volunteer sunflower!

Some of our cantaloupe are already

getting their netting!

Not nearly ripe yet, but getting there!

Even the weeds were pretty today!

Plus Kyle and I cut,

blanched and bagged up

17 quarts of carrots.

All ready for the freezer.

We will harvest the other 2 rows

next week and get them in the

freezer too.

(But I saved a hand full to make

some carrot salad!)

I'll take a picture when I do.

But when I got home,

Sabrina was elbow deep in

baking.