Good-Bye to a wonderful man...................

Just want to say pretty much what Mandy said in her blog..
A dear friend of mine died last Friday. John Pelka from Buffalo Grove, IL. I have known John over 30 years. He was ever so gentle, kind, loving, handy, smiley, and a real Harley loving, christian, family man. He leaves behind his awesome wife Karen, their son Joe, and their daughter Steph. A wonderful family. He is in the arms of our Jesus now. Free from pain, and hurt. The thing I picture, is when John got to Heaven he looked around to see my sister Lin. Lin doing her funny, 'LIN' dance welcoming him to the streets of gold. That's just one person John saw there. So many others who have gone before us. Please keep the Pelka's in your prayers........You will be missed John....Peace

SUMMER'S OVER..........BUMMER !!!!!!

Hey all, I am trying to get back into the swing of working again. I start Monday. :( I know I should be happy, but it's been such a fun summer. So much travelling, seeing family, seeing friends, being with little Brock. Then having Barb and Pete coming out here. The ranch. Man it was all so fun.
A few not so fun things. When little Izzy was in season we went out and bought her a $19.99 diaper. So Pilgrim couldn't get to her, and so the mess stayed in one place. Well.....we took a 2 day trip to New Mexico to see Bob's sister and her hubby. Well we kept the diaper on 99% of the time. Oh but that 1%. Bob was packing the car and called the dogs and they didn't listen. He looks to where they are and Ah-oh . Yes folks Izzy is due to have babies Sept. 12. It's Bob's fault. tee hee. I did my best to always have that diaper thing on her every minute except when she went outside by herself. Anyone want to buy a Rat Terrier puppy? It will be a registered breeding. Both are in UKC.
This week the crew from 'TRADING SPACES' were in Canon City!!! They were working on a Rafting Company lodge. So cool. I didn't get to see any of them but it was so cool to me knowing they were here. That show should be on TLC in two months. My friend told me they all stayed at the Best Western where she works. The designers were Laura and Mario.
Tonight Bob and his brother Randy went fishing in Pueblo and I went to our near by coffee place for a night of music. Two young guys in their 20's. Aaron and Chris. They live near Boulder but they both are from Wisconsin. So weird. So on their break I went out to them and told them I used to live in Lake Geneva and Delavan. They lived in White Water which is very close. Small world. I requested a John Prine song. And they sang it so well. I love John Prine, Harry Chapin, & Steve Goodman.
So anyway, back to the beginning. I start work again Monday. My heart isn't in it yet. I am having many thoughts about work. Do I want to stay in the child care world? I hear three different teachers want me as their aide. So that's neat. Do I want to change careers? I have been praying non-stop about what God wants me to do. I'd like to work from home. Just waiting on God. If you feel lead, please say a prayer for me. Along with that prayer, please keep praying for John Pelka, the Konrath family, Julia Lee, and my dear friend Kelley....I love them all. Healing...
Have a blessed week ahead all. Love and hugs...Gail

Sad news..... :(

Just a little note. I just heard my old friend from Ingleside IL. passed away. She had a staph infection in her leg, went to the hospital and four hours later she died. She leaves behind a husband Tom, a son and a daughter . Her name was Linda Konrath. Please keep her family in your prayers.....thanks...Gail ........GOD BLESS YOU....

MY SISTER WAS HERE !!!!!

Life can be so fun. This last week was great. Barb my sister and brother in law, Pete came out on Thursday and we packed so much in the 2 1/2 days as we could. Ate at The Windmill Restaurant in Salida, CO. We showed them the local sites. The 13 prisons, the World's Largest Rocking Chair, Goodwill, the school where I work, the Royal Gorge Bridge, Bob's yummy cooking, shopping galore. So many laughs I am still sore from smiling. I hope they enjoyed the chickens. Barb got to get an egg from the chicken coop. We took them up to the Ranch near Monarch Pass. We went on a great horseback ride with Bob's dad. I didn't realize what a great horse back rider Barb was. That was fun. I don't think Pete liked riding horses as much as Barb. Bob's Dad was a great tour guide and showed them all the cool horseshoe art he has made. He even gave them a horseshoe frame he made. I have the coolest Father in law. Saturday, we went to Trinidad to help our cousin Laurie with her "Relay For Life" stuff. That was awesome. Barb and I decorated lots of luminaries for loved ones who were honored and have survived cancer, and for loved ones that have passed of cancer. Pete was on stilts doing balloon animals and magic, and Barb and I did face painting. She is also way better at that then me. We got to be with our Uncle Ray (our dad's, funny brother) and Jodine his wife, and our other cousin Lois. Family is great. I hated saying good-bye to Barb and Pete. But like all good things, it had to end. It was so FUN!!!!!!!! Thank You Barb and Pete for everything. Come back again soon!!
Today was our church's 10th anniversary. We had a picnic at the park for the people. We served the community over 800 sausages, and tons of salads, chips, desserts, lemonade. Bob helped cook those 800 sausages. I took pictures. Our church wanted to show the community Christ is so important in every ones lives. Caring for one another. That's what it's all about. Not the Hookie Pookie. LOL. Bob and I came home and napped for 2 hours. I love naps........zzzzzz
So anyway, I have had a very great summer so far. It is nice not working. It is nice having Bob home, and doing fun stuff with him, and having visitors.
LIFE IS GOOD.....Until next time.........PEACE

I LOVED ILLINOIS, EXCEPT WHEN IT WAS HUMID....

I am home again. The last two weeks were FUN. I want to thank all the people who drove me around, took me out to eat, had me over, made me coffee and just all the fun. I had so much fun going to Willow Creek Church, the Northbrook Bike Races, Superdawg in Chicago, NBC Studio, the Jewelry show in Rosemont, IL, the train rides, the bus rides, Lincoln Park Zoo, Brock's pre-school, coffee shops, bar-b-ques, friends houses, seeing family, it was all so great. Of course the best part was just being with Brock so much. He is funny, silly, goofy, naughty (sometimes), he is a riot!! I love him more than anyone would ever know. I totally can't wait for him to be old enough to come visit us in Colorado. He kept telling people he was going to gramma's house to feed the chickens. And now he can. I came home and Bob had built two chicken coops . It is so neat to watch the chickens look for bugs and stuff. Bob did a great job. I am happy to be home, but really miss my Brock. I thank everyone who I was with. Molly and Mike, thanks for everything. Barb and Pete, thanks for the chocolate on my pillow. My family rocks!!!!