Dogwood Acres Weekly, 01/19/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 01/19/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Last week was kicked off with my birthday. I worked a long day, but was able to go to a movie and out to eat the next day. I already had an appointment in Springfield so that gave me a good excuse to play a little. Rick went along and followed me around in J.C. Penneys (oh, did I forget to say there was a little shopping done too?). Actually I finished first and went to warm up the car; finally calling him on his cell phone to tell him we would be late for the movie if he didn't move a little faster.
Lunch was at Chili's where we both had enough left to take home for a late snack. Rick had a big breaded tenderloin steak that just melted in your mouth, along with some good mashed potatoes. I had steak fajitas with portabello mushrooms which was just pretty tasty. When we got to the movie Rick had to have a big tub of buttered popcorn. What fun is it to sit through a movie without popcorn?
Christie was able to dine with husband Bill in Kansas City this past Saturday night. Bill’s job is to make sure his clients in the steel industry are happy and sometimes feeding them encourages them from crossing over and going with a different company. If the menu of buffalo rib eye, sweet potato soufflé and cheese cake of perfection doesn’t keep them coming back, the nice evening surely will. Coming home Sunday evening was well planned as Sean had a nice dinner waiting so Bill didn’t have to cook ONE time this weekend. Granddaughter Madison even questioned the fact that HER daddy cooked dinner instead of Grandpa Bill. It doesn’t bother Granny Christie WHO cooks as long as it’s not her.
Ashton, Erin and I went to the log house Friday night to see Justin, who helps the girls put music on their ipods, mp3's and such. He has an enormous amount of music on his MAC and we appreciate his help. Kasie was working late and he had just cleaned out the stove and was building a fire to warm up the house.
Rick went to Neal's Monday afternoon to watch the installation of their new Heatmor outdoor furnace. Neal's lifelong friend, John Warren, from Marshfield has a franchise and got it all hooked up. I guess that was no easy task as it weighs sixteen hundred pounds and then undergound heat pipes, electrical wiring and some plumbing had to be done. It heats all of their water, besides keeping the cabinet shop and their house warm. Neal said their house is the warmest it has ever been.
I took Ashton and Erin to Springfield Saturday where we shopped at the Battlefield Mall. It was quite an interesting shopping trip as I tried to look at clothes through the eyes of a teenager, who was also texting, but we did all right. While in town we stopped at the Redeemed Music and Book Store, where I look for audio books, and saw several people we know. First of all was the girls' cousin, Jackie Wray, who works there. She is all grown up and married now. We also saw Jackie's dad, Tony Taylor, and then, Tommy Roberts from Ava who was visiting the store for the first time. I found another Karen Kingsbury audio book and the girls found some good books to read.
It was dark before we headed home and the trip was a quite one. Both girls had plugs in their ears listening to music; Ashton was multi-tasking as she also texted most of the time and I listened to the radio station of my choice with no distractions. We parted ways in Sparta where their Daddy met us at Casey's. I filled up my gas tank and went on but I think they talked Daddy into taking them inside for a cappucino. The day was a good one, but I was sure glad to get home and put my feet up.
While relaxing from the long day we got a phone call from Diane Stewart in Taneyville. She called to tell me the duplex I have listed across the street from them was on fire. I gave the owner's phone # to the sheriff's department and drove by Sunday to take a look. The building is still standing so the fire damage must be inside.
Sherry Collins from Taneyville Country Store passed away Friday night. Rick and I feel so privileged to have known Sherry. She always had time to visit and was an inspiration and friend to many. She will be missed.
Bye for now.
ELANE CRUM

RE/MAX Associated Brokers, Inc.Office: 417-336-7987Cell: 417-239-4059

Website: www.elanecrum.comWebsite: www.elanecrum.remax-midstates.com