This is the storm that began our four-day raincation. We left this field on Monday evening and haven’t been back since.

There was something foreign in the sky this morning when we got up.

It was the sun.

Monday evening was the last time we were in the field. And, if you remember, we left it just prior to the rain because the moisture went up and the storm moved in all at the same time.

There’s been a lot of TV watching, walking (Taylor and I walked 13.5 miles over the past several days) and a lot of nothing. This nearly drives Taylor and Callie crazy. I usually have enough to get caught up on that the rain days don’t bother me too much. But when the girls are bored, it makes me wish I was a tour director and had all kinds of activities planned for them. You can only do so much shopping in Limon. Our options are ALCO, Dollar General and Family Dollar (which is closing). There are a couple of thrift stores that are fun to walk through – once.

On Tuesday afternoon, we received a call from Jack asking if we’d like to meet them in Colorado Springs the next day for supper and bowling with their entire family. We were to meet them at the Bass Pro Shop about 6:00. This gave us all something to look forward to – and a reason to dress up a little, fix our hair and put on makeup.

Wednesday rolled around. Taylor and I walked and then we all got ready to head for the Springs. Once we got close to the city, we were given the option of shopping or taking a drive in the mountains. The last time I gave the girls that option (last year), we nixed the shopping and headed for the hills. We decided to do the same this day. However, the darkest, gnarliest looking storm moved into Colorado Springs the same time we got into the heart of the city. Then the alarm went off on all of our phones. Flash flood WARNING for the Springs. Doesn’t this just figure!

NO WAY…are you serious?? So the mountain idea quickly turned into find-the-Bass-Pro-Shop idea. We still had over three hours before we were to meet the rest of the gang.

The only glimpse of the mountains we got was when the clouds lightened up a bit.

So, Jim drove around the parking lot for a while before parking. The girls and I did not want to shop in Bass Pro Shop for over three hours. We dropped him off and got back on the interstate and found the closest WalMart; an easier place to kill a bit of time. And still it rained. We eventually made our way back to Bass Pro and killed the remaining time wandering.

Callie and I found a couple of easy chairs to kill the time.

The entire gang showed up…EVERYONE! It was such a fun evening. The best part was seeing how we all cleaned up.  None of us had on our “field look”. Barry even asked me if I had gotten my hair fixed. “Nope – just washed it. It’s not my typical jump-out-of-bed look”.  🙂  Sometimes, it’s just fun to have a reason to wear something other than shorts and a t-shirt!

The kids saved room for dessert – and it looks like they thoroughly enjoyed it!

We couldn’t bowl because the storm messed up the computers. So…we did a little more wandering and having fun figuring out which tent we’d like to go camping in and which backpack we’d need if we ever decided to hike across Europe.

And it was STILL pouring rain when we left Bass Pro Shop at nearly 10:00 p.m.

Yesterday, I decided I was going to cut up some fabric and make a baby blanket. Callie helped me sew the pieces together and Taylor helped me arrange and re-arrange the pieces until we came up with this:

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We had fun doing it together and we hope the baby who receives it will love it!

Today was another hang around the Cottage day. Taylor and I did our daily walk and then decided we should probably clean since we’ll be having company bright and early. YES! Jamie and Eli will be here for the next week. Can’t wait to spend time with that little guy again! The cold, cloudy, rainy weather is being exchanged for record-setting high temps beginning tomorrow…and wheat cutting! Doesn’t that just figure!

Probably a good thing, though. Jim was told the wheat around Jordan will be ready to be cut NEXT WEEK. Doesn’t that just figure!

Tonight’s sunset at the Limon KOA.