People watching!

On Saturday there was an auction of one of my husbands friends of many years. Steve has bought most of his farm equipment from this man, and had always gotten a good deal. Harold has passed away and his collection of his many years of a salesbarn business was auctioned off to the highest bidder. I love auctions, and usually come away with something that will work for me in my garden or just because I think I really need it!!!!! But the best thing about going to auctions is the "people watching". You see old friends and neighbors that you haven't visited with for ages, and you meet new people, and watch to see what items others are interested in. I try to figure out who I am bidding against, because if it someone I know, I'll drop out of bidding for that item.

At this sale there were quiet a few of our neighboring towns Amish folks, as there were alot of horse related items. Harnesses, horse drawn farm equipment, and odds and ends of broken down equipment that when you work with your hands, can be brought back to life and good working condition. Alot of those items auctioned off at a very resonable dollar amount.

Of course I had my eye on the coal bucket so that I can plant flowers in it next summer. I got it for $10.00. Then there was an old steel wheel barrow with a steel front wheel and wooden handles. I got that for $20.00. For it to have gone so cheap, the wood probably isn't very good, which I knew, but don't care, as I'm going to plant flowers in this too! There were several other wheel barrows that when for alot more money! Then there were 19 old wagon wheels and all were in pretty good shape. I did not get any, but my girlfriend Lori bought 2. I thought they'd sell over the $200.00 range, but they didn't. The first bigger ones were $180.00 and less, and then the 13 other smaller wheels sold in the $80.00 - $100.00 range. I have seen these sell for over $300.00 at other auctions, but then there were only 2 to 4 at those sales. Maybe the fact that there were so many here kept the price down. Pictured below is our friend Randy - he bought his wife a large wood barrel that he is going to cut in half for her to plant flowers in them. He is such a goof ball! You can see the little wheel barrow was too small for that job!

We of course ate lunch from the lunch wagon. BBQ, hot dogs, pork sandwiches, chips, pop or water or coffee, and chips. The food wagon was busy all day.

Odda's visit to the Vet

Our pets love going to see their vet. The treats are real tasty after getting a shot! Friday Odda went for the last of her puppy shots. She is such a lover, and Patty and Doctor Paul don't mind that at all! She weighed in at 46 lbs and 2 oz. She is growing good.

After getting her shots we took a walk uptown to check out "crazy days" items. I think Odda was getting more attention than the items on tables that the store owners had. Odda sure didn't mind all the attention. She was such a good girl. I was so caught up in answering questions about her and the breed, that I forgot to take more pictures.

Odda behaved very well, and had remembered some of the obedience training we've started. It is so good to get her out, and she was a tired puppy by the time we got home. Later we visited our neighbors and their dog Chance. Hooch and Chance chased the ball and Odda lumbered after them! She is in that clumsy puppy stage. That was an experience for Odda. Lots of new smells to check out, and even was invited inside. She was afraid of their stairs, so stayed right by the door. It wasn't long and she was asleep. She and Hooch slept by the door until we were ready to go home!

Beautiful Jeanerette Louisiana

A couple of evenings when Leah and I were left alone, we drove around New Iberia and Jeanerette looking at the scenery. This home in Jeanerette is being restored. I don't know what needs to be done to finish it, but I think these old homes have so much more character than new homes. I think it is beautiful.

Jessica's husband Floyd grew up in Jeanerette and his family still lives there. The town got its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina, who came to the area in 1830. He purchased Pine Grove Plantation, known as Beau Pre, and worked as a tutor on the plantation, opened a store and saloon. He offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Officially the John W. was dropped and John Jeanerette became the first postmaster and the name Jeanerette stuck.

The town of Jeanerette was charted in 1878 and grew from the cypress lumber and sugar industries. Today antebellum homes can be seen in the city and through out the area standing witness to that era.

Sugarcane is a key factor in the community’s economy with 3 active sugar mills, one of which is located within the city. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil and gas, salt, carbon black, a garment distribution center, and fishing.

I am fasinated with the old oak trees and the growth of vines, etc. that hang from these majestic trees. We were told that the growth that hangs down is what early settlers used to make their bed mattresses with.

We drove past several planations, but stopped to take a few pictures of this one that didn't have a big fence to block the view. It was getting dark out, so the picture didn't turn out very good. I would have loved to toured some of these old homes, but don't suppose the people living in them would approve!

I Was Teary Eyed!

Grandma Jo and Renee!

I got to hold baby Renee today! Of course you know me - I welled up with tears! Can't help it. She is such a little sweet pea! Held her for a few minutes. She knew someone different had her. Got a tiny smile, but other wise, she just had her little lips all tensed up into a little "o". She was getting hungry, and I passed her to Jessica for that. By the next time I get to hold her she will be so much bigger! Leah went back to see her after I held her. Only 2 people can be there at a time.

Pretty in Yellow!

Her feeding tube was moved from her mouth to her nose, so she can practice nursing and sucking on the bottle better. Of course, she doesn't get enough on her own, so the feeding tube still necessary for awhile. Jessica and Floyd just back and said they are going to move her into an open air bed either tonight or tomorrow. Then Jessica and Floyd will be giving her baths, changing her diaper, etc., every time they go to the hospital. She only had one episode where she forgot to breathe today when we were there - so that is improving. She comes out of it herself, and just moving her or rubbing her does the trick too.

Leah and I are on our way home tomorrow - see you later baby Renee! Lotsa love, G Jo

Bittersweet - Happiness & Sadness

Monday evening, the 20th: Leah and I will be getting ready tomorrow to head back home to Minnesota, leaving Wednesday morning early, driving to New Orleans for an afternoon flight north bound. Our trip has been one of laughter and tears. Tears of Joy as we have watched Baby Renee grow right before our eyes. She is so alert (when she is awake) and smiles and responds to both Jessica and Floyd. She has a really cute little smile, and the corner of her mouth turns up just so. Of course it could just be gas, but it is funny how she turns her head and opens her eyes when Jess and Floyd talk, coaxing her to wake up and look at them. She does like to sleep. But that's ok - that's what baby's do best! We've all teared up at news of her improvements. Today when we got to the hospital the air hose was gone from her nose, and Jessica got to feed her. Renee has some learning to do, but I'm sure it won't take long. It was so special to see my daughter hold her baby and both she and baby bonding with each other during a feeding. Today after we left, they moved her from level 3 to the level 2 area. That is so exciting!

My heart aches that I won't be able to be able to hold her and cuddle her in these next couple of months - darn all those miles apart that we live! Steve, I and Stephani do plan on driving down in late Sept., and then I'll be able to hold her and rock her some. Can't wait!!! I'll have to share her with her Grandpa Steve and Auntie Steph, but that's okey. By the end of September she will have been home for awhile, and I'm sure Jessica will have a good routine established. Wonder what will happen when the Grandmas come and try to spoil her!

The baby shower on Saturday was fun. Baby Renee got a lot of nice clothes, a jogging stroller, and a clothes hamper. She will be the best dressed little girl in New Iberia! We laughed and had a good time visiting with Jessica's friends, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. A few of the husbands came with (with their own presents of baby diapers) and Floyd and the guys had a few hot games of dominos out under the car port. They later grilled burgers, boudin, and beef and chicken shishkabobs.

Our trip has been wonderful - getting to meet our new grand daughter! Even the hot weather hasn't been so bad! (can't believe I just printed that!)

Sad that I'm now planning the trip home, but there will be another one soon enough!

Baby Renee!

Mommy and Renee

Leah and I arrived in New Iberia about 5 pm on Wednesday, meeting Jessica at Enterprise car rental. Turned in the rental car and home we went. Visited and started supper, but none of us were really hungry, so instead of eating, off to went to the hospital we went to see baby Renee.

Arrived at Women's and Children's Hospital, went up to second floor NICU. Only two can go in to see baby; and Jess or Floyd have to be one of the two. I gave them my drivers license and they gave me a badge. Then you go scrub your arms and hands, and if you are going to hold baby, you put on a gown. Jess and Floyd don't get to hold her that often, so they need to. I was happy to stand by and take a couple of pictures and talk to her. When Jessica talked to her, she would smile. So cute - could see dimples! She would open her eyes a little too. Can't believe how little she is. The nurse had her all dressed up for us! Her weight now is 3# 14 oz, so she is gaining.

There are 3 levels, and Renee is in level 3 and will move to level 2 when she is on her own bottle and her high flow is down to 1 liter or less. The nurse told me there are 35 babies in the NIC unit.

Renee holding Mom's finger

When I went out to the waiting room, then Floyd went in and changed spots with Jessica, and then Leah went in to see baby Renee. In the waiting room last night there were two other families there. One little boy that needs surgery soon, as his esophagus wasn't joined to the stomach; and another young family that has a little boy 2 months early weighing 2 lbs 6 oz.

Didn't get this published last night, so will add tonight's (Thursday evening) picture of Floyd and Renee.

Daddy and Renee

I went in with Floyd and Leah with Jessica this time. Then afterward, Jess and Floyd went to be with her together for a short time. Her weight tonight was 3 # 14.4 oz. Their evening routine of going to the hospital will go on for quite some time. She has some growing to do!

Odda's Night Out!

Our new pup, Odda, has started obedience schooling! I have been excited to take her, and tonight was sign up and 1st hour of working with nine other dogs. Five of the ten were under a year old, so there was a lot of raw energy tugging - for the first twenty minutes. It had been raining, so I was ready in my mud boots and already dirty jeans, but I was pleasantly surprised, because Odda didn't even try jumping all over me. She had other things to do that were more important. She wanted to play with a shepard cross pup that was close to her size. They were the same age, but Odda was probably 8 - 10 lbs heavier. She is the largest pup there! There was a boxer that is being trained to be a service dog; a rat terrier cross; a yappy little poodle; a big poodle; a siberian husky pup; a lab cross pup; a purebred lab pup; and a Lhasa cross dog.

We all introduced ourselves and dogs, and our instructor told us about herself and her training style and what is expected of us during this time and what our outcome will be. I like her; have done this before with our Jack Russel "Hooch". Will need to get him on board with this too.

We walked and dogs practiced "heel" and "sit" and we did figure 8 exercise. By the end of the hour - she was sitting when I stopped walking, and started heeling on command. Odda was one tired puppy! And I was happy!

Now we need to practice - practice - practice!

I will miss the next class because I will be in Louisiana, but will get back on track as soon as I get home. The class size is suppose to have twelve in it, so there were a couple missing tonight. I'll need to take my camera next time.

My friend Connie and hubby Gene drove by, noticed the class going on, but didn't realize that we were there! She was on her way home from the hospital. I had tried calling her for two days, and had no idea she was there until I read her blog that her daughter wrote to fill in for her. Keep getting better Connie!