FUN WEEKEND....once I got out of Sioux Falls

Well, I will try and give the shortened version of the weekend.

I was supposel to work till 12:30 on Friday and then I was going to meet Mom in Orange City where we would go and watch Jana play her first college Varsity volleyball game. S0 on my 10:30 break from work I drove the car to the gas station to fill up with gas and where I proceeded to have a flat tire (aauuggh). I called Mom as I was walking back to work and told her the situation she said she would pick me up and we would figure this out since I was going to be late getting back to work from my break and would not be able to deal with the tire till work was over. I was unable to take vacation time and jsut leave work early becasue I have to save all my vacation time for when I have my teeth removed on Wednesday.

So Mom picked me up and we went back to the car. I had to drive it (yeah, I know i am no suppose to do that but didn't have much choice at the time becasaue if I left it at the gas stattion they would have towed it) just a liittle ways across the parking lot and park it there where it was further out of the way.

I didn't want to attempt to change it at that time - as I have never fully changed a flat tire before and I thought lets get to the game and I will deal with it on Saturday when I return to Sioux Falls. So Mom and I started to leave Sioux Falls and I called a friend who I thought would be home (back in SF) by Sunday and see if he (yes a he - see above remember he is a friend and that is it) would be able to change it for me on Sunday. Well, it turned out he was in town and was willing to come change it then. So Mom and I turned around and met him at the gas station where he proceeded to put on the bunny tire for me. We thanked him and took off for te game. We only missed 1.5 games or matches (not sure which is correct) and were still able to watch Jana play. GAME 1: won in 3

After that we checked into the hotel :) Grandpa said we might as well do that wether then drive back again on Saturday, THANKS AGAIN DAD!!! Then we met up with the volleyball team and everyone else at the Pizza Ranch for supper. Then went back to the college and watched another game at 8:30 that night. GAME 2: won in 3 Den, Arla, Scott and some of his friends then all went out for ice cream together. It was fun seeing you again Scott hopefully will see you again as some more games.

Saturday we were back for another game at 11am. GAME 3: won in 3 Then a bunch of us went our for dinner at the Nederlanders resteraunt. Mom and I then spent the afternoon shopping in OC and having some fun......:) (pictures and videos to be posted tomorrow -- Jess and Darci - we love you!)

Then it was back to the college and we watched the last of the volleyball games for the weekend. Grandpa, Leon, Sharla and Jeremy drove up and cjoined us for this game. GAME 4 - won in 4
It was fun, fun, fun, fun to watch. Jana rocked it out on the floor.

Then off to Culvers in Sioux Center for supper and goodbyes were said and Leons family headed home and Grandpa and Grandma drove me back to my car in Sioux Falls.

So today I took it to a tire shop and they said the tire was to bad to fix and wanted me to buy new tires. I said to put the bunny tire back on and then I drove to Chandler and exchanged vehicles. They will have McClains check the tires tomorrow and I drove the blazer back to Sioux Falls. The plan is that Mom will drive my car back to Sioux Falls on Wednesday since she will be taking care of me after I have my teeth all pulled that day.

Jana, have another great game and good luck on Wednesday. I will have the computer set for grandma to watch it on but I have a feeling I will be drugged up and trying to sleep it off.

Lets see, for those of you who live away I believe Travis had his first soccer game last week Thursday and lsot a heartbreaker 3-2 in double overtime. He plays again this Tuesday. To my knowledge, SW hasn't played any volleyball games yet.

That is all for now.

Love ya all, Vonda

Birthday's

Happy belated birthday Heather and early birthday Delaine......

Well, it has been awhile since I wrote on here so I thought I would update you on all the new and exciting things going on in my life.

One week from today I get all my teeth pulled. I don't know if that qualifies as new and exciting but that is my life.

The exciting part is that the Friday I get off work at 12:30 and I am driving to Orange City where I will meet mom and go to Jana's tournament game. She plays 2 games on Friday and 2 games on Saturday and we will be staying overnight in a hotel in Orange City. :) Yeah, can't wait --- looking forward to watching you play Jana.

Jess and Darci will we see you there?

Vonda

GRE... :S

Hi Family,

This is a post to ask for your prayers. Tomorrow at noon I will be taking the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) in Sioux City, IA. I am slightly nervous as this will have some bearing on my graduate school applications and acceptance. I am hoping to earn a good score (that being a score I am satisfied with and falls within the averages of the graduate schools to which I am applying), so that I do not have to take it again during this semester. So, if you think of it, I would appreciate your prayers for tomorrow: safe travel, calm heart, clear mind, and most of all, a great score!

I have been studying for the past two weeks (total of 6 days with a break for Katie's wedding alst weekend), so I feel fairly prepared-- as prepared as one can be for a standardized test, so hopefully it all goes well.

Now that I think about it, Shane is taking graduate coursework... Jody, did he have to take the GRE? If so, any advice?

Thanks all!

Love,
Darci

I was messing around on the computer and came up with this. Enjoy, it was taken at the Worthing ton park the Sunday of Tony, Danielle, and Zoe's farewell. Vonda

Fruit salsa for chips - how daring are you?

3 RIPE MANGO'S ... pieces to be cut into 1/4 inch pieces--
1 tsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 of a red onion, finely chopped
1/2 bunch of scallion onions

A lady brought this to work and I know it sounds crazy but it is really good with chips. You eat it with chips just like you would any salsa or chip dip. I would personally cut back on the onions. Don't be scared and how about trying something new :)

Mom, did Shela ever give you that salad recipe from when we were at Adrian?

Love ya all, Vonda

packing my "baby"

Hi everyone,

Sad day today. Jana had a bunch of girls overnight last night and as I cleaned up the basement this morning, it made me very sad to think how all these girls will not be here all the time any more. Then we had to pack up the van and Jana's car with all her stuff and that made me even sadder. I can't believe we are actually sending our baby off to college. 25 1/2 years of kids in the home and now it's going to be finished. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but then I guess, I really don't have much choice in the matter. :) Jana is ready though, so that's good.

We will be getting to Chandler tomorrow night at around 7:30 or 8:00. I don't think Scott is coming along. Be kind of a quick trip, so he says he'll come some other time.

Jana has freshman orientation and they have stuff for parents as well next Saturday the 22nd, so I am going to stay in Chandler Monday night through Friday. Den will come back up on Friday and then we'll head to Sioux Center early Saturday morning. So hopefully, I'll get to see most of you Vander Woude's in those few days!

Today is our 29th Anniversary and we are going to a the wedding of one of Scott's friends. How romantic right? This was another romance that kind of started in our basement when all Scott's friends would hang around on Sunday nights.

Take care. See you soon
Love,
Arla

WHO NEEDS AN EXERCISE MACHINE

Hey everyone, although my foot surgery was a success and most of the pain is now gone, I can no longer use my exercise machine. It puts to much pressure and movement on my foot and causes me pain during and after using it. So if anyone wants the machine or knows of anyone who wants it please let me know as I would like to get rid of it and look for something else i can use in the apartment. The exercise is a tremendous help to my hot flashes and the last couple of weeks they have gotten worse (nothing like right after the surgery) so I would really like to get rid of it and look for something else. So if any of you would like it or know of someone who would pleasee let me know. Thanks, Vonda

teeth

I will be having my teeth pulled Wednesday September 2nd.

this and that

Hi everyone, My computer is broke so I am trying to do this from my phone. I thought it was about time we had another blog update so here it goes. I went to the dentist today and had he impressions made for my dentures. I will call the oral surgeon tomorrow and schedule the surgery. A bunch of my friends are leaving tomorrow for WeFest and will be using mr camper since I am not able to join them this year. I am not real happy about that but can't change the fact I have no vacation time to use. So I will just spend the weekend in sioux falls working in projects and catching up with other friends. Shane I am glad that everything is going well for you an agree you have come a long long way in a short time. Tony and Danielle that picture on your blog ot tony holding Zoe is absolutely gorgeous. It is without a doubt my favorite picture of her EVER! Well I will post again when I know when the teeth are getting pulled. Take care everyone love you all. Vonda