my dad is gone.

he died while Katie & I were on the way to the hospital to visit Friday morning. We had a mini wake in his room with Mom, Brenda, John, Lisa, Max, Logan, and Aunt Mary, complete with ice water and snacks provided by hospital, then went to lunch at Lakeside, then to the mortuary for arrangements. He wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered on the farm. there will be a memorial service.

it was my weekend to work, and I made it through. it wasn't fun, but got it done. have the next 3 days off. baby Ian's shower is Saturday. Dad will never get to be a great grandpa, even though he always was a 'great' grandpa. I know it was for the best and I didn't want him to suffer but I miss having a dad, although I am 48 years old with 2 grown children and a teenager. you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

he got to work up till last week, he was never one for being idle. that man taped his fingers back on with electrical tape when he about sliced them off working and milked on crutches and with the flu. he was tough. and hard headed. he always had time to read to grandkids or challenge them to a game of checkers or take them for a tractor ride. he loved his family, his farm, and his cows. building fence and cutting wood were his hobbies.

Katie made the calls for me, bless her heart.

she went to Chase's Sat. nite, I came home and crashed on couch watching the Ghost Adventures Villisca Axe Murder House episode.

blew off the GS nut sale, saw the reminder and had to hustle to get the word out to turn orders in, the girls came thru like champs, got it all online, and will deliver to Chillicothe tomorrow after I make bank deposit. and when was the absolute positively must be done deadline? tomorrow, of course....

my sisters put me in charge of ordering the Dad and Grandpa arrangements.