Here's Grandpa and Grandma's new patio enclosure. It looks exactly as Granny described it to me. Love it!!!
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Saturday, October 30, 2010 - Only 11 more months until my birthday. haha!!

Speaking of birthday celebrations... the Florida Berg kids are gathering at Bergs' house today to celebrate Grandma's birthday. Don't worry. Diane gave strict orders that Grandma is not to do ANYTHING.

Howard and Irene went to Epcot yesterday so they stayed overnight at Bergs' house instead driving home and then driving back. Good idea! Steve and Mary are already in Orlando because that's where they live so they just have to drive on 436 for a few miles.

When I called last night, it sounded like the party had already begun. There was hootin' and hollerin' and laughing and such carrying on. Wish I could've been there. It sounded fun.

But the fun continues today. If everything goes smoothly, then Diane will bring Biskit over to mingle with her people kinfolk. I've dubbed her the therapy dog because she makes everyone happy. Wait a minute. I need a Biskit. awwwww

Gotta go get my papers and some more coffee. It's finally light outside so I can see if there are any critters outside trying to scare me. One more week and we FALL BEHIND!! bye, djb

P.S. When it got down below freezing the other night, I had to bring my plants into the garage. Later that evening, I saw a freaking MOUSE scurrying under the tool bench. YUK!!! It's a good thing I don't live near Disney because I HATE MEECES TO PIECES.

This picture is in the Beacon-News this morning. Check out the two ORBS above the silos!!!!!! -Brian Powers, Staff Photographer, Aurora Beacon-News
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Thursday, October 28, 2010 - This is way too easy!

As an amateur meteorologist, I'm always fascinated by extreme weather... but then I'm also equally interested in cosmic occurrences!

Here's the description from the Beacon-News:

Strong winds and gusts of 47 mph whipped across the cornfields along Francis Road Wednesday (10/27/10), making it difficult for landowners to begin cleaning up the mess left by a low-intensity tornado that crossed four farmsteads a day earlier.

NIU Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said the tornado formed in a cornfield east of Meredith Road and Route 38 near Elburn at about 6:55 a.m. Tuesday. He said the tornado tracked down Francis Road, curved around a couple of bends in the road, then turned north near Beith Road.

While there were sheaths of metal strewn in neatly harvested fields, the heaviest damage flattened two barns, toppled a metal grain bin and snapped a utility pole at the base on a Francis Road farm.

“The damage was consistent with a low-intensity F1 tornado,” Sebenste said. F1 tornados typically have wind speeds topping out at 100 to 110 mph.

The tornado caused structural damage to two farmhouses, destroyed an older barn and garage, pulled the vinyl off of a steel frame structure, destroyed a tool shed and pulled down a vinyl fence, Sebenste said.

“This was considered a fairly weak tornado, but it still produced significant damage,” he said.

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As I said before, further south from the farm in this photo on Francis Road is where Marcus died. He spoke at Andrew and Jarrett's funeral along with others. For some reason, he has a connection to the boys. It's my opinion that the brighter orb is from Marcus and the lighter orb is from Jarrett.

Call me crazy. Don't really care. It makes me happy and makes me smile -- especially since the sky is so blue and sunny and it's almost as if they're giving me the message: "Stuff's not important, love is. We're still around watching over you."

I love orbs. And Happy Birthday to Grandma!!! bye, djb

Clouds south of Elburn at 7:46 a.m. Not sure when the tornado hit but the sirens went off in Elburn at around 7a.m.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - It's official - we had a tornado in Elburn this morning.

This is from Tom's Facebook page:

Hey Tom: the NWS has confirmed it :) It was an EF 1 tornado here this morning less than 1 mile from me.......
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
614 PM CDT TUE OCT 26 2010

Wow! That's weird to not find out all day that we had destruction and chaos not too far away. Oh my. later, djb

This limb was caught in the crook of the elm tree and is stuck there.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - Ron called me and said that he and Liz (the birthday girl) heard Tom Skilling talk about some damage in Elburn. Since I'm a friend of Tommy's facebook page, I checked it out. Here's the posting from Tom's Facebook:

Brad Hruza: Tom, we have quite a bit of damage in Elburn. Houses damaged, power's out and waiting to hear may have been a possible tornado touchdown here. I'm trying to get into the area. I'm a trained spotter.

Tom, I got in - it's a mess. Tree branches, poles, houses damaged. It is a mess. It's in Elburn just west of 47 is closed for a 2 mile stretch on Keslinger Rd. Just reported it to the NWS - 8 hours ago
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So, after I read his posting, I realized that it was right along Keslinger where you have to pass Andrew and Jarrett's crosses. It was probably just the boys playing with the angels. haha!!! later. stay safe out there, djb

Here's the latest picture outside the computer room window. The carpet of leaves on the bottom extends across the entire yard. You can also see some of the sticks that have fallen.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - We know why it's so windy around here today -- all of the politicians exhaled at the same time. hahaha!!! bye for now, djb

This is the view across the street. Only a few pretty fallish looking trees.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - It seems as though the severe thunderstorm fell apart before it got here. Other places got some damage from what I've been hearing but we just have the winds which are going to keep blowing for the next two days.

Oh that's funny. The leaves are being blown across the front yard -- looks like they're going over to our neighbor's yard. Yeah, keep going north, that's a good idea.

Better go take care of some business. Pretty soon it'll start snowing and then at least I can go out and shovel the driveway. When the leaves are wet, you can't do anything but look at them. All righty. see ya later, djb

Here's Jarrett's pumpkin as of two days ago which would be Thursday (10/21). I wonder if any of those seeds on the ground will sprout next year?
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Saturday, October 23, 2010 - Happy Birthday to Alan!! That's Uncle Al, the kiddy's pal.

We're finally getting rain -- not much but at least it should help with the dust bowl that's out in the yard. The grass looks so brown and ugly. Earlier this year, we had LOTS of rain and the grass was very green.

Isn't that the way these things go..... bye for now, djb