It's a DRY heat.....(martha)

After 8,053 miles we rolled into the driveway Tuesday night safe and sound...... Or was it?

Jeff immediately cranked down the thermostat (15 degrees) to cool off the house while we unloaded the car. We worked up a sweat toting four suitcases, two storage bins, one set of golf clubs, several book bags and one garment bag from the SUV. Hmm, the house still felt very warm.

Oh, Oh. We discovered that our air-conditioning system was DEAD. Sometime during our journey to the north, it passed away. Just when we thought we were done with workman....





Jesus, Moses and Delbert helped us chill out!

Tuesday night was toasty. Wednesday night was coooooooooooool. Thursday they came back to finish installing everything. The house is done.

Now, where have I heard that before?! (she smiles)

Well, hope springs eternal.

My hero....(martha)

Jeff saved me last night. He killed a scorpion INSIDE the house. Yikes!


"Why are you calling me?" he asked.

"Well," I hurriedly replied, "you have bigger shoes! Besides, I have open-toed sandals. What if I miss (trying to step on him?) He might sting me!"

Naturally Jeff stepped up to the plate (pun intended). He squished it. Then Jeff cleaned up the critter. (He always cleans up his messes.) What a guy!

The surprise for us is that this happened in Texas. We had been expecting our first 'up close and personal encounter' to take place in Arizona. Of course, our hosts had warned us about the nightlife in Texas. Not sure we imagined this.

As I said, Jeff is my hero.

3 out of 3 babies have arrived!.........(martha)

We welcomed with joy another sprout on the family tree!

It is my pleasure to announce the birth of Eli Joseph Stangl born on Wednesday, August 25th at 1:08 pm, 7 lbs. 8 oz.. He is 24 hours old below.

Proud parents are Morgan and Matt Stangl holding Eli Joseph.
Great-uncle Jeff Kraus (are we old or what?!) is holding Eli Joseph. Eli's grandparents are Jeanine (Jeff's sister,) and husband, Al Stangl. They have been our hosts for our Minnesota haj.

The new family is doing well....just short on sleep.