Author: Laura Weers

I Value Spending Time With Friends And Family

I value spending time with friends and family. We all want a happy family, a good home life, and a fulfilling job. Encourage people and try to make a difference in the world. Help people out even if you give them some of your time. You will put a smile on their faces. Treat people kindly and respect them and be considerate of their needs.

I Value God In My Life

Without God, my life would have no meaning or purpose. God has a sense for all of his Children on earth. We should share our knowledge of the Bible with others regularly. Treat people with integrity and the utmost respect. As God is with us, we should be trustworthy, faithful, merciful, sound, and kind to others. Make a positive and everlasting impression while you are around and helping people with their everyday needs.

I Value God’s Creatures, Large And Small

Animals bring great joy into my life. I have had many pet dogs and cats over the years. I had a pet goat that lived to be 16.3 years old. I had three horses in my life. I have been around livestock in my younger years. We had cattle, pigs, and chickens. Pets are excellent companions as they naturally know when you need them by your side. My cats are like family to me. Each cat has its distinct personality. Some cats are introverts, and some are extroverts, just like people are. Some cats tend to meow a lot, and others are pretty—another thing they have in joint with humans. I love to watch various birds eating out of my bird feeders.

I Value The Beauty That God Has Created On Earth

I love to look at majestic mountains. I love to hear the pounding waves of the ocean. Each country has a beauty that may be uniquely its own. I love looking at the national parks and flora and fauna. The national parks help make it possible for future generations to enjoy looking at the same things that I want to look at today.

I Value People With Old Fashioned Values

I like people that treat each other with respect and common decency. Being kind and compassionate to people should be a given. I want to be around a genuinely good person with outstanding values. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions, and their efforts should be reasonable. I like people that take pride in their work. If you borrow something, return it in the same or better condition than when you borrowed it. I have found that common sense is not so common anymore. Be generous, treat people fairly, be loyal, and always thank people for what they do to help you in life. An excellent relationship with God is a must that allows people to have the correct values in life.

Tags Inspirations with Laura

Shopping and Discovering New Things in the Small Towns in Iowa

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 17, 2020
1 Comment on Shopping and Discovering New Things in the Small Towns in Iowa

I like to drive around in the small towns in Iowa and shop at their stores. I have discovered a lot of great treasures in the small towns in Iowa over the years. I like to shop at hardware stores and buy tools, pyrex dishes, garden equipment, lawnmowers, dehumidifiers, appliances, etc. I like that their stores are not crowded, and you get service after the sale.

I have purchased a lot of furniture at family-owned furniture stores for my rental properties over the years and for my home. I have found beautiful recliners, bedroom sets, couches, and lamps. I have stopped at carpet stores also and purchased their end rolls of carpet and beautiful wood flooring.

Northwood, Iowa

The other day, I drove around on the rural roads in Northwood, Iowa, and discovered many Amish and Mennonite homes. I found a wonderful Greenhouse owned by a Mennonite family. They had wonderful mums, trees, garden supplies, and more. I purchased some Deer to stay away from the powder and will return for some of their mum plants later. I also discovered a Mennonite family selling tomatoes and farm-fresh brown eggs. I purchased two dozen of her wonderful-looking brown eggs. I drove further down the road and saw an Amish man headed to the field with his two young sons.

St.Ansgar, Iowa

I like to shop at Home Sweet Home in St. Ansgar, Iowa. I have purchased beautiful blankets, cards, dish clothes, baking dishes, Christmas cards, home decor, and more. They have a lovely, clean store and are very friendly and accommodating to your needs and wants. I like the local hardware store in town. I have eaten at The Blue Belle Inn over the years and stayed at their Inn. The rooms are nicely appointed, and their food is excellent. I like to look at the white albino deer displayed in a glass building in town.

Clear Lake, Iowa

I love shopping at Larson’s, Wilcox Furniture, Ralhpene’s, and The Red Geranium and eating at the beautiful Clear Lake, Iowa restaurants. All of the stores have amiable and accommodating employees. It is effortless to maneuver around downtown Clear lake, Iowa. I love to sit next to the Lake and watch the boats on the water. Walking while you spend your day at Clear Lake, Iowa is fun. There are many parks to see and drive through.

Kalona, Iowa

I am very familiar with Kalona, Iowa. I love eating at the Tuscan Moon Restaurant, which features Italian food in Kalona, as their food is always perfectly cooked. Kalona is an Amish and Mennonite community. I love to see the horse and buggies pull up to the stores. The Amish and Mennonites are excellent cooks and bakers. I was invited to a Mennonite home that served food to a group of eight or more, and I must say that that was the best meal I have ever eaten in my entire life.

Keosauqua, Iowa

Keosauqua is located on the big bend of the Des Moines River in southeastern Iowa. The towns in the area are called the villages of Van Buren County. The Hotel Manning is a very historical hotel. I have stayed at the Hotel Manning and was impressed with the historical architecture of the building. I loved the room, and their food was excellent. The oldest courthouse in Iowa is located here and was built in 1843. It is a must-see for everyone. The Lacey Keosauqua State Park is a beautiful park to drive through. I would recommend going to all of the villages of Van Buren County for their historical significance.

Various Small Towns In Iowa

I have found beautiful treasures in Pella, Vinton, New Hampton, Farmington, Bonaparte, Bentonsport, Hampton, Traer, and other small towns in Iowa. Always remember there are still some stores left in the small towns across Iowa where you will find a wonderful treasure of your own.

Tags Travel

How We Rise Above Disappointments And Set Backs Makes All The Difference In Our Lives

How We Rise Above Disappointments And Set Backs Makes All The Difference In Our Life

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 14, 2020
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Faith

If you do not have faith in yourself, you will not have faith in God, as they go hand in hand. When large unexpected bills appear, have faith that you will find a way to get them paid. All of us will fail with certain ventures in our life. The key is moving onto the following experience and not dwelling on the failed one. Staying faithful with God by your side will take you very far. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.

Self – Pity

If we wallow in self-pity, we cannot help others or even help ourselves. We become self-absorbed in our troubles and consume our every waking hour. The evil one loves it when you wallow in self-pity. Always pray to God to help you get through the storms of life. We must never forget there is always someone worse off than we are. Be grateful for the things you have and hope things will get better.

Disappointments In Life

All of us will have some disappointments in our life. You may be worried you are unprepared to go out in the world and get a job when you are young. You may have to go back to college and further your education to get the position of your dreams. You may miss out on specific golden opportunities in your life. Remember, another fantastic option will come if you put yourself out there and show your attributes and talents to others.

Set Backs In Life

You may have health setbacks in life. You may not be able to do all the old familiar things you used to do in your life. All of us have to find a new you now and then. Life will throw many curve balls at us over the years. We must remain focused on what we can do and run with them. Reach out to others, comfort them with their problems, and keep busy with what you can do. If you think you are beaten, you genuinely are, as it is all in a person’s mind.

Don’t Let Anything Break Your Stride In Life

Do not let negativity into your life; it will want to take up residence. Positive-minded people are the people that keep the world moving full steam ahead. Negativity will swallow you up like a vortex, and you will control getting sucked down daily and see no light at the end of the tunnel. Always think of your glass as half full and not empty.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People

Uplift and praise people for a job well done. Go to church and praise God for all the wonderful blessings he has given you in your life. God has always been there for all of the storms in my life. Pray to God without ceasing to help you get through the batteries in your life. Surround yourself with people that have a positive attitude toward life.

Tags Inspirations with Laura

Growing Up On A Farm In The Midwest

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 10, 2020
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I loved growing up on a farm. When I was young, we had chickens, pigs, cattle and corn, soybeans, and oats. I would follow my Grandfather all over the farm. My Grandfather found a tiny gray and white kitten in the field one day. She was beautifully marked, and we named her Flossie. She was an excellent mouser and had many lovely kittens over the years. I would watch my Grandfather do his daily chores and ask him about what he was doing. My Grandfather died when I was about eight years old. I missed him and my Grandmother very much.

Watching And Learning

I started to follow my Father around the farm after my Grandfather died. I would watch him and the neighbor makes many repairs to farm machinery, lawnmowers, etc. My Mother worked in town as a Young Adult Librarian during the day. While she was working, I spent time with my Father. I would gather the eggs from the chicken house. As I grew older, I would put oats in the oat seeder for my Father. My Mother would run the baler with our 560 tractors, and my Dad and I would stack the bales.

My Farm Pets

My cats and our dog would follow me all over the farm. I had a swing set, and one of my cats would lie nearby while I was swinging back and forth. My cats would always wait with me in the morning for my school bus to pick me up. We had an old heated milk house that I waited in for the bus in the winter months.

Raising Runt Piglets

I helped raise two runt little piglets, Ann and Jerry. Ann was a Hampshire, and Jerry was a red Duroc. I ensured they were fed, watered, and tended to their needs. They increased, then went to the market, and the money they sold went into a savings account for me.

Helping Out With Things On The Farm

I have always loved to walk around on the farm. When I was about 11, our pigs broke out of their yard. I noticed them and got them back where they belonged after fixing the broken fence board. I could not find a longboard, so I spliced two panels together by nailing them from both ways and bending the nails over. My Father never did replace the board that I fixed. The pigs never escaped again.

Working With Farm Equipment

I would empty the wagons as a teenager and watch the corn dryer to ensure it did not overheat. I also combined 80 acres of corn on a farm my Father rented. I loved running the combine and watching the hopper fill up with grain. I would auger the corn from the combine into my Father’s grain truck.

I Am Very Blessed To Have Been Born On A Family Farm

I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up on a family farm with loving parents and Grandparents. I still love the farm dearly and always try to make sure everything looks good as an honor to my parents and Grandparents. God Bless all of the farmers and all of those who help them.

Tags Farm Life, Inspirations with Laura

Light And Darkness

Things always look brighter in the light of day. When bright and sunny, you feel alive and regenerated and want to accomplish many things. In the darkness, things seem more foreboding and frightening. We feel like our battery has run down on dark and dreary days.

A Bright And Sunny Day

I want to get many things done on a bright and sunny day. I work outdoors, go for a drive and do something with friends. I consider a sunny day a perfect day. Go for a purpose with your family or explore new places you have never been to before. You could take food and have a family picnic in the park. Take a walk in the garden and follow the marked trails, and you will see a lot of wildlife, flowers, and trees of various kinds. I loved walking in Lime Creek Nature Center, Mason City, Iowa. The trails are marked, and multiple trees are identified.

Darkness

Places seem scarier when it is completely dark out. In scary movies, it is generally dark when the monster comes out to attack someone. On dark and dreary days, I like to read a book or do things in the house that need to get done. Getting together with a friend on a dark day is a good idea, as you will both feel uplifted at the end of the day. It seems many severe storms happen in the middle of the night, magnifying their power. We do not have to fear darkness; God is always by our side.

Evil And Darkness

Darkness is a symbol of evil and fear. Darkness is like a scary monster that is waiting to devour you in the absence of light. The devil loves darkness as he seems to do his evil deeds in total darkness. Do not have dark thoughts, as the devil loves to have you think about dark thoughts. Remember to always come out of the darkness and look to the light of God to guide you on the right paths in your daily living. You always have a light to help you find your way out of the darkness. We have lights on our streets, homes, cars, signs, and more, so we will find our way around even though it is dark out. Jesus is the light that helps protect us from evil one.

Light Illuminates Your Path In Life

Without light, we would be in total darkness. Pray to God to let you always see the light that shines through him. God will be your beacon in the night for all the days you feel a little darkness. Light makes us feel better, and light helps our crops grow. Remember the song – ” This little light of mine I am going to let it shine.” Let the light in you shine upon those you love and the people you meet along life’s Hi-Way.

Scripture: James 4: 7

We can have victory over the devil by knowing the word of God. God is light; in him, there is no darkness.

My Cats And Their Favorite Cat Toys

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 3, 2020
2 Comments on My Cats And Their Favorite Cat Toys

Kohl continues to have a passion for toy plastic frogs. Yesterday the only cat toys out of my cats toy box was two plastic frogs. Kohl can occupy himself all day long by chewing on and tossing the toy frogs across the room. Conrad must have his toy mice to carry proudly throughout the house. Conrad also likes the toy birds. He carries them with his tail straight up in the air as if to say look what I caught for you today. Conrad loves to play with his circle game toy that has a ball that he can spin around in the track. Garfunkel plays with toy balls and toys filled with catnip and toy birds. My cats love to eat cat treats out of their cat treat dispensers.

Catnip Toys And More

Small beanie babies, toy balls, mice, catnip toys, toy birds and small stuffed animals seem to be what my cats next door love to play with. Everyday that I enter the house next door I see mice that squeak on the floor. One day there was a toy lion on the floor along with a catnip filled beaver for cats. Maggie likes One Fast Cat. Maggie figured out how to use One Fast Cat ASAP.

Cat Trees And Hammocks

My cats next door love their cat trees with perches that have built in scratchers and balls attached to them that they can bat around. They have scratchers that are on the floor along with cat hammocks that have rope that they can scratch away at to their hearts content. They also have a game that they press their paws on and small animals pop up.

What Cats Find To Play With

I used to have a Siamese cat that would gather up the old used small sponges. She would then toss the sponges up in the air and then she would pounce on them when they hit the ground. My house cat love to play with my old scrubbers that I used to scrub the dishes with. My cats also like to play with wine bottle corks and old wooden spools. My cats also like to play with medium sized rubber or plastic balls.

All cats seem to love catnip filled toys, toy mice, balls, cat hammocks and small stuffed animals and things that they discover on their own. I hope you enjoy watching your cats at play and relaxing as much as I do. God bless our feline friends.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, cat Toys, Picking Out A Kitten

Reflect And Pause

Think about your life in general. Think about your actions and why the outcome turned out as it did. If you do not reflect on life now and then, you will not grow. Never get stuck in the same old rut because it feels familiar or safe. Branch out into other things and never be afraid to try new ideas, as they may benefit you for many years.

Take Time To Pause

Take time to pause. Stop doing an activity that does not seem right to you. Look before you leap into something you may regret. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, as the old saying goes. Do not invest in something that appears to be a sure thing, as you may lose your money quickly. Pause your speech and think if I want to say that. Do not speak angrily or send off a nasty letter; after you cool down, you may throw that letter away.

Take time to pause during your week and spend quality time with your family. Life is too short not to spend time with those that you hold dear in your heart. Your children will grow up quickly and move on with their lives much sooner than you think. Time waits for no man.

Reflect On Your Life Often

Reflect on your life often. If you are unhappy, only you can change the results. It is never too late to start a new job or go on that vacation of a lifetime. When you are tired of one job, go out and find a job that will fulfill you and bring joy into your life and the lives of others. Some people reach their full potential in life after they are retired. People have started great artists, poets, and new businesses over 60 years old. It is never too late to find a new and more fulfilled you.

Share Your Experiences With Others

The older I get, the more I want to express myself by blogging and sharing my experiences. I take more time to stop and smell the roses. I enjoy visiting with people in rest homes and assisted living units. I learn a lot from them as they have a lifetime of achievements and experiences to share with me.

Make Your Dreams Come True

Live within your means and make your dreams come true. You probably won’t if you think you will not succeed in life. If you want something wrong enough, keep working and reflecting on how you can accomplish reaching the dreams you have for your life. Always reflect on things and do not do things in haste. Pause because you cannot return words when you leave your mouth. Do your very best at any job, and others will know that you take pride in your work, Stop, reflect, and pause often.

Tags Inspirations with Laura

Maintenance I Have Done To My Rental Homes Over The Years

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 27, 2020
No Comments on Maintenance I Have Done To My Rental Homes Over The Years

Tags Rental Repairs

Keep Up Your Pace In Life

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 24, 2020
No Comments on Keep Up Your Pace In Life

The pace of life refers to the speed at which changes and events happen. If you live in a big city, you probably live a fast-paced life. Small towns let you live the pace of life you prefer. I like to keep up with a group and am usually in front of the pack’s leader.

Covid 19 Has Changed Our Pace in Life

We have had to live with all the changes Covid 19 has added to our daily lives. Covid 19 is not a change in our daily routine that we saw coming. In March, our lives changed drastically with the pandemic. We all have to social distance ourselves and wear our masks to return to our old familiar pace in life.

Keep Up Your Pace While Traveling

I like to travel and keep pace with the rest of my tour group. I want to walk by the tour guide so I can hear everything she is telling me about the area we are looking at. I love to listen to the towns’ history, what crops they raise in the area, and why the people settled there. I especially loved my European travels, seeing where my relatives came from and walking down the same streets they walked down so many years ago.

Surround Yourself With People That Have The Same Pace As You.

I once had a Personal Pace Toro lawn mower and loved it because it went as fast as I walked. The mower and I had the same pace. I went on one tour, and the lady’s roommate would always be the last one on the bus, and she was always the first one on the bus in the morning. She kept apologizing to her roommate. One day she did not show up for 20 minutes., We had a full schedule of tours that day, and the bus driver took off without her. She had to catch a train to get back with our group again. Our tour guide had told our group that we would have to catch a train if we were very late. She kept on being late, but she could not take over the pace of our entire group.

Keeping Your Pace In Life Is Very Important

Please do not be late for appointments as it slows down everyone’s pace that comes after you on that day. Being on time is very important, so the pace of life moves along efficiently and smoothly. Business people do not have time to wait around for you. Always think of other people and not only yourself. We want to keep up our pace in life to the best of our ability. We all have several things that we have to get completed in one day. Do not be the one person that breaks another person’s pace in life.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Travel

Staying Busy And Relaxing With The Pandemic

Staying Busy & Relaxing With The Pandemic

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 20, 2020
1 Comment on Staying Busy & Relaxing With The Pandemic

I like to stay busy weed-whacking around my trees and mowing my yard. I cut once or twice a week, depending on the weather. I keep busy writing blogs and posting them on my website. I read from a daily devotion book and reflect on how what I read can and will affect my life today. I love to read history books, so I have enjoyed reading about the past and how it affects my life.

Gardening

I love to work in my garden. I have eaten one eggplant, potatoes, green beans, peas, lettuce, and more items ready to eat soon. I put wood chips on the ground around my green beans and squash, under the tomatoes, and around my potatoes as the wood chips keep the dampness from giving your plants blight. From now on, I will use wood chips as my plant,s, and vibrant and healthy plants.

Relaxing In A Hammock And Reading A Book

I like to relax and read a book in my hammock that I purchased years ago in a hammock shop in Boulder, Colorado. My hammock is very comfortable, and I can watch my birds eating from my bird feeders, which hang just beyond the hammock. I love to feel the gentle breeze in my hammock as it is gently swaying back and forth. Relax and eat an incredible ice cream sundae while you are outdoors.

Drive Around In An ATV

I like to drive around in my Honda Pioneer 1000. I have vents in the windshield that let a nice cold breeze flow through. I look at the corn and the soybeans in the fields and notice everyone’s yards are mowed to perfection. I have seen wild turkeys and a few pheasants.

Watch Old Movies With Your Family And Have Quality Time

Watch old movies with your kids and have some popcorn or a pizza to enjoy eating. Make some of your family’s favorite foods, sit around the table, honestly share quality time with them, and ask everyone how their day went. Do not text each other at the table. Talk about news events and help each other with concerns or problems.

Walk In Parks And Enjoy The Great Outdoors

I love to walk around the parks with one friend at a single outing, see ducks and geese, and listen to the water gently flowing along. I also notice the different kinds of trees and flowers in the park. The parks are perfect for family adventures as you do not meet many people in the gardens. I like to eat in the parks and have a cold frappe, a fruit smoothie, or an iced chai tea. Walking in the great outdoors is genuinely relaxing, and you also get your exercise for the day.

Take Drives In Your Old Stomping Grounds

Take drives in your car and drive around any local lakes you may have in your area, as you can watch the people in their boats and people laying out on the small sand beaches. If you have been yearning to go to your old hometown, now is the perfect time to go for that short trip and see the old home place again. Drive around and look at houses that are for sale for something to do. God bless you and your family, and stay safe and enjoy each other’s company while you are busy or relaxing.