Wednesday, 10/6 - The crew outlined the patio design, dug out two foot of dirt and mulch, leveled the area and put down 3 base coats of gravel, tamping each coat after bringing in the material by wheelbarrow. Watch that first step out the back door , it's a doozy!

"Paver patio project progressing" . . . It began simply a few weeks ago by removing rails on the deck. Last week the deck was completely removed, the diseased ash tree taken out, and stumps ground. Ciminello Landscaping brought their crew in Wednesday, 10/6. As of today, the steps are in and paver patio floor is complete. Seat wall, columns and landscape will be added Monday and Tuesday! We have a great crew on the job and the patio is really taking shape!

Happy Birthday . . . Happy Anniversary! Rose Anne celebrated her special day, Thursday, September 30, on the road in Johnston, Iowa. Also, one year ago last Thursday, we closed on our new home! Yesterday, October 5, marked the one year anniversary of our move into 2818 Big Sur Drive. Time has really flown by! Boxes are all gone, numerous projects completed, and Rose Anne is THOROUGHLY pleased with her new job. Projects have included: a new paint job on the house, ceiling fans, exterior landscape lighting, flowers 90 bags of red mulch added, trees & deck removed, new furniture, and many other additions including our present project, a paver patio with landscape. God continues to Bless us!

Shopping, chocolate, an unfortunate football outcome, and a euchre lesson capped off a wonderful visit with Wes and Jennifer . . great they could make the trip!

"ZELEBRIEREN!" . . . Oktoberfest in Columbus with crafts, food, music and dancing! The Meiler Vier . . or Brat Trot . . . kicked off the Festival with a parade of athletes, singing & playing of the United States and German National Anthems and an Alp Horn fanfare start. The runners stayed on the Expo grounds, ran through the festival and were saluted by the spectators hoisting 32 oz. steins of Bier. 83 degrees at the 6:15 PM start . . as advertised, a fun race . .we still competed well with Rosie finishing 8 of 15 in her age group and I was 3rd of 6. "PROST"-ein toast (beer) . . . "ZUM WOHL"-to your health (wine)

"Are you sleeping, Brother John?" . . . . no, as usual, he's on the road and came to see his "Sis"!

Brother John . . . "Meiler Vier" . . . Wes & Jennifer . . the First Fall weekend was filled with fun, family, and activity. Rose Anne attended the Ohio Farm Science Exhibit on Wednesday. During the day she realized that her brother, John, also attended as an exhibitor for Waite Implements in Westfield. We enjoyed a good visit with him Thursday evening. Friday evening brought the opening of the Columbus Oktoberfest at the Ohio Expo Center. Alp Horns, the traditional tapping of the keg, and 485 participants running the Meiler Vier kicked off the 3 day festival complete with beer, brats, Bavarian folk music & dance . . and Cream Puffs. It's a good thing we ran 4 miles prior to indulging in the Germany cuisine! Wes and Jennifer drove from Saginaw late Friday evening and spent the weekend. Shopping, lunch at Molly Woos, Euchre, and unloading a new 185 lb. Liquor Cabinet were a few of the highlights. What a great autumn weekend!