Norris Family Blog

Tax Assessor & Bike

A few days ago, I received a new assessment for the property in Daleville that we had purchased through a tax sale. The old house had been demolished in 2016, but the assessor's office had not removed the value of the structure from the assessment. I called and the person told me I would have to bring, to their office, some proof the house had actually been demolished before January 1, 2017.
We headed to Daleville Monday morning and on the way, I called Lee Enterprises and asked Nelson Lee to write out a paper stating what date he had finished the job. He agreed to provide me the paper. We arrived in Daleville about 3 PM and unloaded the Equinox. A couple hours later, Nelson came by with the paper for me. I thanked him and said I would take it to the assessor's office the next day.
Tuesday after fixing a pot of coffee and a cup full to take with me, I drove to Muncie and went inside the assessor's office in the courthouse. It took about 5 minutes and the paper work was filed and I was told the value of the old house would be removed from the taxes we owed for 2017 payable in 2018. I returned to Daleville. Before lunch, Stacey and I rode around town in the golf cart picking up cans. Later that evening, Linda & Stacey went to see Kim at her house in Anderson.
Wednesday, Linda & Stacey went to Pendleton and picked up Nana, then returned to the Daleville house. We chatted with Reba before going in the gold cart to the Daleville Legion for lunch. Their lunch special was chicken dumplings, mashed potatoes & a roll. There was a crowd of around 40 people eating at the Legion.

We returned to the house and talked a little longer before Linda took her Mom back to Pendleton.
Thursday, Linda went to Chesterfield and purchased a used bike for Stacey to have in Daleville. She also bought a few cans of spray paint to redo an old cabinet we were going to use in the kitchen. It is setting on the porch behind Stacey in the picture below. Stacey immediately started riding the bike, it was a big hit with her! She remarked about how much it was like her bike she had when she was younger.

Friday morning we went to Denny's for breakfast, then packed the car and headed home.

Posted by Dave at 7:30 PM
Categories: Current Events, Daleville

Farm Pics

We've had plenty of rain this summer and the farm is really green as a result.

The creek has slowed down a few times but continues to have water flowing.

The view below was from our shelter house.

Posted by Dave at 4:00 PM
Categories: Current Events, Farm

Brent's Birthday Cruise

Linda and I had been readying the farm for Brent's friends coming to take part in his annual Birthday Cruise. I started to drive the older Mule (named Julie) to do something, but the starter just clanked and never turned over the engine. In fact the lights were barely coming on and were really dim. The battery had went bad in just a few hours from the last time we had drove it. Since the temperature was over 90 degrees with terrible humidity, I decided to just jump start it and drive in down to the pole barn, then work on it the next morning when things were cooler.

Friday morning, I went down to begin the removal and replacement of the battery. I had the battery out and hauled to NAPA in Burkesville by 7:30 AM. I purchased a new battery and then stopped at the Minit Mart for a few sausage biscuits. I took them home, where Linda, Stacey and I ate before I went to the pole barn to replace the battery. About 20 minutes later I fired up the Mule and drove it to the house.

Friday evening about 6 PM, Brent arrived with his family. Frank, Mike and Shelly all arrived separately around 8 PM. We talked with everyone until a little after 11 PM, when Linda & I went to bed leaving them talking in the living room until the wee hours.
Saturday morning, Pauline helped Linda fix pancakes & sausage for everyone to eat. As soon as breakfast was over, talk began again, but I interrupted and had the guys help me get the boat ready and hooked to the truck. The girls were making sandwiches, gathering towels and packing coolers. Shelly, Frank, Mike, Julie, Brent, Kyle, Pauline and Stacey put their suits on and we hauled them and their stuff to the pole barn. Shelly drove her car with the other girls and followed Brent in the truck with the boat and guys to town and then the lake.

They returned to the farm around 5 PM. The change in them was noticeable, as their skin was a brighter shade of red from the sun. They were also tired and thirsty. This year they didn't go for pizza, but stayed at the farm and fixed sandwiches while some played Aggravation. Others just showered and relaxed with conversation. Most of them went to bed around 10 PM or before.
Sunday morning breakfast was bacon & eggs with biscuits and homemade jam, after which a lot of stories were told. Showers and packing was done as old tales were being enhanced. Good byes with hugs and hand shakes happened about noon and they left for home.

Posted by Dave at 6:00 PM
Categories: Boating, Current Events, Farm

Races @ Anderson Speedway

Stacey, Linda and I arrived at the Daleville house about 3 PM. Pauline, Brent, Julie and Kyle arrived around 8:30 PM. Coco, Poco & Pepper were all there too.
Saturday morning, Kyle and I made an early run to pick up doughnuts for everyone. During the day, Julie, Kyle & Stacey enjoyed the Daleville Splash Park while Brent and I made a trip to Walmart to buy an access point.

Linda had planned the trip for all of us to go to Anderson Speedway and watch the races. We all loaded into their Traverse and headed to the track, arriving early enough to watch the time trials. Brent picked the seats where he and my Mom used to set. He had a lot of "I remember when..." moments during the night.

The late model class was the first on the track for the heat races.

As daylight turned to darkness, Julie & Kyle ran around to different places to watch the cars race.

Brent joined them right by the guard rail for the start of the Legend cars. There were a couple Champ Cart races before the Figure 8 was ran.

Sunday morning after breakfast, Brent loaded his crew and headed home. Sunday afternoon, Wayne Reagan stopped by in his "Muscle Car". It was a 396 cid Chevelle with a 4 speed transmission. Wayne and I graduated together in 1969. He took me for a ride around the county roads, then returned to the house and we talked while setting on the front porch.

It was good to see Wayne and I asked him to stop the next time he saw our vehicle at the house.