Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes!

I hate to say, but I will be thrilled when this tax season is over. For some reason this year it just seemed to be a little too much. I still enjoy visiting with my special people but I seem to be going in all directions and running from one end of town to the other all the time. OK enough complaining (Ken would like that too!). I think I have everyone finished up—and now to finish ours and one paid return.

And, in the middle of all this we are doing a book project, printing to be complete by April 11!! We think we may make it!!

Another Tax Day

Well I am on my way to Maranatha Village (where Mom lives) today to do taxes for the people there. This will be my second day there this year. We decided to split it up and do one day in February and one in March. I think there are few enough that I will only be there this morning. Last week I got just about everyone else on my list done including Billings and Republic and the last of Springfield. Hoping to wind everything up this week and get Mom's and ours done! It's been a little "taxing!" I'm sorry, I wasn't going to do it, but I couldn't help it!!

Snow Again!

Well we've had anywhere from 6 to 10 inches of snow depending on where you are in town. It's downright freezing. I'm cold! Should warm up today all the way to 53 degrees so we are hoping for some thaw. As I write it is 24 degrees. I am actually sitting by the fireplace with flavored coffee thinking about all of you (in your warmer abodes)!!

Have a great day.

My Good Buddy

Talked with my good friend Barbara today and just thought I would reminisce by looking at some photos we shot when she was here a couple of years back. Missing you Barbara, come and visit soon. That goes for the rest of you too. There's always room at the Horn Inn!

This Could Be Perkitty!

ENJOY!

We won't be showing Perky this video!!

Brrrr

I had a early appointment this morning or I think I would have stayed in bed. It is icy cold. When I got up I could hear freezing rain hitting the windows. As I drove to my appointment cars were sliding. I was being sure that they weren't anywhere near me!

I am once again home and making no plans to venture out. It is nearing 30 degrees but signs on my way home showed 26 and 27 degrees.

Well, the fireplace is on and Perky is perched close. So I will sign off and plan to get things done inside the rest of the day

Question of the Day

How do I keep doing things on the "To Do" list and it keeps getting longer?! That is the question. Of course if I keep thinking of the question I'll never get the list done, but then I will quit adding to it too! Deep!!

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Today - To Do

Today started well by my talking with my cousin Melba. Nice start to a day of trying to catch up on lots of work that has been slipping by. I made a "to do" list but stopped at the bottom of the page! Maybe I will make a new one when this one is finished!!

Yesterday I spent the day doing taxes at Maranatha Village. They had me scheduled for 9 -4:30 and I was pretty busy throughout the day. Mom came after her lunch and helped me with copies and talking with those waiting for their appointment time. I got to meet several of her friends from the apartment.

Mom and I ended the afternoon by going to Braum's for an ice cream cone! Then I took a Spud Max home from McAllister's Deli for Ken's and my dinner. This homemaking is such hard work!!

Well have a great day and I will let you know if I checked all my items off my "to do" list when next I blog.

Farewell to a Good Friend

Daddy's little dog Cowboy, passed away this morning. He died of heart failure and was found this morning in the hallway. He was 15 and has been a good buddy to Buster and Carolyn (his official owner) for the past 16 months. His little presence will sure be missed. Buster is roaming the house, looking for him.

Daddy sure enjoyed his time with Cowboy and loved cuddling with him and letting him share his blanket. Thank you Carolyn for sharing Cowboy with our family and we share in your and Buster's loss.

Happy Valentines Day

Well the snow is melting and we can see the streets and grass once again. At least in the areas that the sun reached. Now if it's shady like the driveway of the house where I did taxes today, and you confidently, unknowingly walk across the slab of skating rink, you may learn to dance! Quickly! The ladies comment when she opened her door was, "I thought you were going down." That was said behind her snicker! It had to have been comical. At least I wasn't wearing a dress!!

Ken, Mom and I went to lunch today at our favorite Chinese restaurant and then as Ken headed back to work Mom and I headed to the Mall. In between tax clients of course!

We are suppose to have another storm coming in but not sure now when it will be. May try to get some taxes done tomorrow before it hits again and I have to "quick step!"

FYI: For those of you who don't know, I do taxes for the elderly during tax season for the Missouri Office on Aging. This is a free service that Missouri provides and I have been doing it for about five years. I do many taxes for homebound clients and also some of the Health Care facilities in the area.

Hope your day was happy and full of love...

It's Warming Up!

Check out the bird feeder. By the way this is one my brother Don made for us. The ice has built up even more than last time I posted. Today was finally warmer and the ice started melting. The ice is dripping off the feeder ...

... but rolling off the house roof. It looks like a waterfall. We are suppose to have warmer weather tomorrow (52 degrees) and then another storm on Friday. I think I will stock the shelves. We ran out of milk on this last one!!

This is Don & Rita in the park a couple of weeks ago. Ashland had a little more snow than we did!!

It's a Tad Cold Here!

I have to admit you could have seen more and a clearer picture but there's no way I am going outside just so you can have a clearer picture of how cold it is out there! Just believe me. And there are no birds coming to this feeder!

This is Perky watching the birds hunkering down in our covered porch. She finally went out for a while but got cold feet!!

This is the same feeder a little later. It's a little hard to see (no I'm not going outside) but it has thicker ice and the ice sickle is longer!

Warm enough to go outside!

We were finally able to go outside and we spent some time at a new park here in the area. It is meant as an educational facility for children to learn about animals and working farms. They have all kinds of animals and we really enjoyed our time there. Of course Ken went wild with his camera. I have included some pictures here for your enjoyment!

We really checked into everything!!

Christmas Letter to Friends & Family

MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
AND MAY THE PEACE THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN BRING
BE IN YOUR HEARTS


2007
WHAT A YEAR!

JANUARY – The year started off cold and Peggy’s daddy’s health declining. With Daddy having to be hospitalized, Mother was with us when the “Great Ice Storm” hit during the 13th-19th. During the evenings, Mom, Ken, Perky and I huddled in front of the gas fireplace since it was the only heat in the house, and under piles of blankets at night trying not to freeze waiting to go to the hospital and visit Daddy and their heat during the day!

MARCH – With Daddy still not doing well and unable to walk on his own, the decision was made to place him in a care facility. Don and Rita came, and Ken and I left for three weeks with our friends Mike & Sheri Hillenga in Italy. We stayed at their home and had a great time of fun and travel, seeing a lot of new places.

APRIL – Don and Rita left but were in the area traveling and visiting friends in case they were needed. Daddy’s health declined and he went to be with the Lord on the 20th. We miss him dearly but know that he fought the good fight and now he is resting in the arms of Jesus and walking without pain.

MAY – Peggy became a senior citizen in some places (55); hey, that discount isn’t half bad! Participated in Convoys in Las Vegas, NV and Port Arthur, TX. I got to see good friends from Davis, CA, Gretchen and Michael Batis, while in Las Vegas. They have moved there and it was great to have them be a part of the Convoy held there.

JUNE – Held huge garage sale for Mom, selling items from Dad’s beloved John Deere room and much more.

JULY – Mom moved out of our home into an apartment at Maranatha Village, the AG’s retirement community. She has adjusted well and loves the fellowship and friendships she has developed. We are very proud of her. She has a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, dining room and she has it nicely decorated. She can look out her balcony and see turkeys and deer and she really enjoys it. I participated in a Convoy in Harrisburg, PA and Ken went on a story in Alaska, spending a week on the Yukon River in Athabascan villages.

AUGUST – Mom and Peggy traveled to Oregon for a family reunion. They were together on what would have been Mother and Daddys 65th wedding anniversary. Lots of family fun and reminiscing. Mom stayed in Oregon while Peggy came back home to attend General Council in Indianapolis, IN with Ken and then participate in a COH there following Council.

SEPTEMBER – Peggy spoke at a ladies retreat in Glorietta, NM for her niece Debbie’s church and had a wonderful time visiting and sharing. Then there was the Convoy of Hope in Concord, CA and of course Mom went with Peggy and the ladies of the church had a huge luncheon for her and she had a great time visiting with all of them and reminiscing and being loved on.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER – Mediterranean Cruise with Jim and Sherryl Ford. We traveled to Barcelona, Spain and then cruised to ports in Spain, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, and Portugal having a wonderful time. What a trip. The only negative was we all came home with a cold virus! Montgomery, AL was the site of the last Convoy for Peggy for the year with over 9400 guests receiving groceries, medical information, free hair cuts, kids carnival and much more. Over 500 of those guests asked Jesus into their hearts at this event. Ken was elected President of the International Pentecostal Press Association and he conducted his first board meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

DECEMBER — As we finish this letter, Peggy is battling pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung, remnants from the virus picked up on the cruise. Hopefully, by the time you receive this she will be well.

This year was definitely different for us with the loss of my Daddy. But we have managed. Traditions will change but God will remain the same and with His steadfast love and support we will face the challenges, make the changes, love a little stronger and come out victorious.

May you have a wonderful holiday season remembering no matter what life brings, HE never changes, HE will always be with you, HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Peggy & Ken

Check out our blogs for a lot of personal news and photos, Perky’s antics, including shots from things we mentioned in this letter (including our cruise and Italy in March). This is a great way to keep up with Ken & Peggy. You can leave comments anytime or send photos (we love it) for us to post. You can also see tons of photos on Ken’s Flickr site and a few video clips on our YouTube sites, including Peggy’s Mom’s new home.

Kenhorn.blogspot.com
Peggyhorn.blogspot.com
flickr.com/photos/hornkl
http://youtube.com/kjwq
http://youtube.com/tpeag

For those of you who know mom, her new address:

Virginia Paul
3195 N. Circle Ln. #315C
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 833-3310

Posting Once Again

I have been neglecting my posting and now feel there is way too much to tell to bring you up to date. I will share a little bit each day and hopefully you will feel like I have not neglected you but been somewhat inundated!!

As you know I came home from our vacation with a virus which turned into pneumonia. This lasted seven weeks including Christmas. We did have a wonderful time in Scottsdale, AZ with my cousins Melba and Dick Callender. The weather was not as warm as we had expected but the company was. Good fun, food and games, football and a little shopping, just what the doctor ordered!

We so enjoyed all the cards and letters from friends and family and I have decided to post our Christmas letter here. So sorry I didn't think to do it sooner.

Hope you had a Christ-filled Christmas and are enjoying the beginnings of a wonderful New Year. Again I am sorry this is so late.

'40s Fun for the Holidays

This is my niece Debbie and her husband, Robert, from Albuquerque, New Mexico. They dress different over there! They are in costume for "I'll Be Home for Christmas" the program for their church this year. It looks like they are having lots of fun. Thanks Debbie for sharing the evening with us. Do you remember the '40s?! I don't think so!!

We got the news that someone will be home for Christmas! Debbie's son Timothy will be home from overseas for Christmas. We were so hoping for this and just got the news. So happy for ya'll. And also Nathanial is back to work on light duty after major appendix surgery. (Andrew stay healthy and don't dress funny!) Praise the Lord for great and mighty things. The Burns Bunch will be having a very merry Christmas this year!

Still Sick!

It's been four and a half weeks now and I am still sick. I am also frustrated and stir crazy since I can't go out in the cold air due to the pneumonia and lung problem. It's been hard to get anything done for Christmas. Christmas letters ready to run but the printer won't run the labels, I can't go to Kinko's! Mom's cards are ready to do but I can't run her labels! I can't send Christmas packages because I need to do last minute shopping! There's a lot you can't do when you can't leave home!! I've even tried online shopping and I will almost get to the end and I will hit a glitch!

Okay, I know that Jesus is the reason for the season and I am thankful to Him for all He has done for us this year. I know I shouldn't sweat the small stuff (but with a low grade fever!) but it's my nature and I guess I am learning a lesson somewhere in all this. I am just hoping to learn more than that we can't put lights on the tree next year 'cause Perky takes them off!! I've watched her! I'm home! Everyday!

Okay enough of my complaining. I am appreciating what I do have and what I am able to do and all I can do when I am well and for the good health I do have normally. I am also thankful that my mom has gotten along so well while I have been laid up. I am glad that Ken has been so supportive and appreciate how he looks out for me and takes care of me.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season and remember, no matter what you are doing, take time to remember the reason for the season is JESUS!

Guest Post: Peggy Is Still Under the Weather

Peggy has not done much posting lately due to her illness. I can hear her coughing as I type this. It's been a long haul. She still has pneumonia and we learned recently that she has a partially collapsed lung. Please keep her in prayer.

Ken

P.S. Ice storm coming in that may be as severe as last year's. Hoping not.

My Cuz

Two days ago my cousin Melba took a bad fall and broke her vertebrae. She got to come home today but was in the hospital for two nights. They did a procedure where they injected a cement into the vertebrae and it melded the bone together, immediately taking away the pain. The procedure worked and she now just has to heal from the other bruises from the fall and no lifting or twisting. Praise the Lord for modern medicine! If this procedure had not worked she would be wearing a clumsy back brace for up to 10 weeks on pain pills and probably much bed rest. Hey Melba milk this for all you can get! Dick she is going to need ice cream and hot chocolate and foot rubs. Go girl!!

Check This Out

Since I have been feeling lousy since our return with this viral infection I haven't posted! Please check out Ken's blog at:

kenhorn.blogspot.com

for pictures, etc. on our trip.