Must Have Been a Moment of Hysteria

Now that we have moved we are getting "settled" into our new surroundings and as part of that I had to have us check out the area library. The nearest library is in a neighboring community (Pop. 262) approx. 2 miles from us. After getting library cards and scanning all the shelves I did end up checking out 5 books and interlibrary loaning 2 other books. I can't help it, books are an addiction for me. As you can see I already have 11 books on my "Things I'm Consuming List" so it wasn't like I really had nothing to read. It's a sickness but I think I found some really good reads. Here in no particular order is what I newly have on my bed-side table:
"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller, this book came from Nicole Baart's book discussion she is conducting on her blog, I had to snag it if I could, it sounded like real food for thought sort of reading.
"Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog" by Lisa Scottoline, had to pick it up out of curiosity sake, who doesn't want to read about the amazing adventures an ordinary woman can have?? Then "Worst Case" by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge you just have to love murder mysteries that only James Patterson can spin!
"Rush Home Road" by Lori Lansens here's what the back cover said that drew me in: "The story of a seventy-year-old woman's journey through the nearly unbearable sorrows of her past in order to save an abandoned little girl, this is a novel of exquisite power, honesty, and conviction. Its portrait of how much has changed, and how little, over nearly a century in the realms of race, love, hate, and loss is quite nearly without flaws."
"The Watchers" by Mark Andrew Olsen "Two lives collide in a globe-circling adventure involving both peril and discovery: Abby, a young woman whose visions of heaven turn her into a Web-celebrity; and Dylan, a troubled young man sent by an ancient foe to silence her. From California beachfronts to Nigerian rain forests to Jerusalem and back again. A high-octane blend of action, mystery, and spiritual battle spanning centuries."
"Out of Mind" by Stella Cameron "Willow Millet longs to deny her family's exceptional gifts - paranormal talents known to few, shared by even fewer. Benedict Fortune is one such-a connection that should have strengthened the undeniable bond between him and Willow. But her self-doubt has driven them apart. Married instead to her business, Willow's concierge we-can-do-anything service is thriving until it is hit by a string of bizarre and fatal accidents-every victim a client. Now her livelihood depends on two enigmatic socialites and their notoriously decadent parties. Willow and Ben are thrown together again and their need for each other is as strong as ever, but they are challenged at every turn. Dark forces are stalking Willow-coveting her gift as a means of cheating death...and ruling New Orleans forever."
"Past Perfect" by Susan Isaacs "Katie seems to have the ideal life: a great husband, a precocious and winning ten-year-old son, and a dream job-writer for the long-running TV series "SPY GUYS". But all is not as splendid as it should be because writing about the espionage business isn't nearly as satisfying as working in it. Fifteen years earlier, Katie was in the CIA. She loved her job (to say nothing of her boss, the mysterious Benton Mattingly). Yet just as she was sensing she was in line for a promotion, she was fired-escorted off the premises by two hulking security types. WHY? No one would tell her: When you're expelled from the Agency, warm friends immediately became cold ex-colleagues who wouldn't risk their security clearances to talk to you. Until that day, Katie was where she wanted to be. Coming from a family of Manhatten superachievers, she too had a job she not only adored but a job that made her, in the family tradition, a SOMEONE. Fifteen years later, Katie is still stuck on being fired. Was she set up? Or did she make some terrible mistake that cost lives?
I'm super excited to read all of these latest finds rather than do my household chores! The dusting, laundry and vacumming can wait, right?? Have a great weekend!! Blessings, Melissa

At a Standstill

I set here today in a haze contemplating all the things around our house (we've newly moved into) thinking about what needs to be done while issues of life and death flood my mind. Recently there have been 3 family aquaintances battling cancer and two have just lost their fight with the third individual now being assisted by hospice. My heart is breaking for the families who are now left to pick up the pieces. All of these individuals fell in the age bracket of 30-42, they were married and each had small children ranging in age from 7 down to 2 years old. I do believe there is a God and he has a larger plan and that we are not meant to understand but as a human with flaws I want to know where is the fairness in all of this? All of these individuals were upstanding citizens, loving spouses and awesome parents. Where is the justice? I think about the people out there who commit horrific crimes who don't care one ounce about human life, how can that happen? Then I think to my life and what concerns are consuming me today. I'm thinking about how my dishwasher isn't working properly so I'm agitated that I have to wash and dry all the dishes by hand, I think about how I get irritated about socks and underwear not making it into the dirty laundry like they should, I think about the boxes that are still setting around my house that still need to be unpacked and how untidy it makes my house look. Really? These are my top concerns today? It pales in comparison to what our friends are dealing with today. How to go on after spending these last few months watching the love of their life waste away and pass from this life to another, how to raise your kids remembering the parent they've lost and give them all the love and support of two parents even though now they have one, how to help the family be well-adjusted even though they've experienced something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy?! Today I'm going to be content with my defunct kitchen appliance, my family who "forgets" where their dirty socks and undies should go, and the unpacked boxes containing pieces of our family's life around the house. I will cherish being alive to live another day and realize that I am very lucky that I can read a book to my children without tiring, that I can walk and run and hop all without carrying an oxygen tank, and I can have days without pain. Thank you to the one above for the reality check!! Excuse me now as I must go love on my preschooler and watch "Sesame Street"!

Blessings,
Melissa

Local Course Now Played

I just played the local 9 hole course in Latimer, IA. I played the course with my two sons Jack and Austin. Austin played all 9 holes with me while Jack lost interest by hole number 6.

I shot pretty well. Jack helped me find my first drive on hole number 1, and I did lose a ball on another hole. But overall, the round went well. I did hit the green on the 155 yard par 3, and I did hit 2 other greens in regulation.

I kind of lost track of my score due to helping Jack and Austin along, but I felt good about it.

We walked the course too.

I plan to play the Hampton, IA course soon too. It is only 9 miles away from us. I heard that course it very nice.

Golf Domination

I invited a good friend from Mankato, MN to play golf this weekend. We played the new Ankeny, IA course.

I played the best 18 hole round I ever have played. Drives and approach shots were pretty darn good. The short game and putting did not let me down either. I shot a 44 on the front 9 and a 41 on the back 9. I had a realistic chance for an under 40 score on the back 9, but the 18th hole was pretty rough.

I have yet to play the local course here in Latimer, IA. I may do that later today since it is my last free day before school starts on Monday.

Golf Update

I will use this as an update for my golf game. Last Thursday I shot under 90 for the first time. I shot a 42 on the red course (front 9) in LeMars and shot a 44 on the Green Course (back 9).

My partner, Steve Shea, shot a 39 on the back 9 to beat my the 5 strokes I beat him by on the front 9!

I then played in the Orange City Chamber Golf Tourney and my team took 4th place. We got nothing. But I did get closest to the hole on hole 11! I won $25 chamber bucks for that accomplishment.

I am going to Northern MN to golf with some college buddies later this week. I will update then.

First Pic

Here is the family at the 2010 Tulip Festival in Orange City, IA

Welcome to Our World!

Hello Everyone.

This is the Drier Family Blog. Myself or Melissa will be posting here. You will know who posts what.

Looking forward to sharing with all who follow.

Mark and Melissa Drier