Goodbye to 2011

Less than six hours left in 2011---how will it be remembered? For me, it's been a love/hate relationship. I love that my Mom and I have gotten closer this year. I hate that my sister, Karen and I have grown further apart. I love that my Grand kids are back in Missouri. I hate that Brad and Chely are divorcing. I love that I got to see a different part of our country when I went to Utah. I hate that the kids had to move away for me to see Utah. I love that once again Doyle and I were able to travel to Minnesota for Kruse-a-palooza. I hate that Roy was not there to enjoy it with us. I love that Doyle and I both have jobs. I hate that gas is so expensive. I love that my sister, Irene was able to come and visit several times this year. I hate that my sister, Irene lives so far away. I love that we have our health. I hate that I had to start blood pressure medicine this year. I think that I could go til midnight making this list! Like every year in the past and every year to come, 2011 has had it's bad with the good. I'm most thankful that 2011 was spent with the people that I love and that love me. I've never been blessed with the "best" of things or a ton of money BUT I have something far more valuable and important. I have a husband that loves me for me, a son that I'm extremely proud of, and the BEST Grand kids. I wake up happy and thankful each morning for the blessings that I've been given and thank God each night for those same blessings.

Priorities

My work week is over (finally) and now I have a few days at home before heading back next Monday. My house needs some serious attention after Christmas and the Grand kids being out of school and around. Also my laundry seems to have multiplied and is more than usual (hummmmm). What I want to be doing is to be in my craft room. I'm thinking ahead to 2012 and my resolutions. I have this idea to make a "inspiration" board. I already have the cork board, so all I need to do is decorate it and start pinning stuff to it. So, I need to put up the computer, get busy on the work, and then I get to play! Happy Thursday, everyone.

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas!! We had our Christmas yesterday, since that's when Brad had the kiddo's. Today we'll have lunch with my Mom and then hopefully get back home in time to take down the decorations (what little we put up). Tomorrow, it's back to work for me, Doyle has the day off. I love Christmas but my heart just wasn't in it this year. I think this is the first year that we didn't send any Christmas cards and I didn't make any treats. Hopefully, next year will be better. I already have some ideas floating around my head for some small crafty gifts to make for next year. Despite my mood about the season, yesterday was a day to forget everything and just enjoy my family. We did have a great day, seeing my grand kids happy is all the present I needed.

It's Almost Time

One week--that's what we're down to. Actually, it's less than that for these Kruse's. Brad will have the kids' on Christmas Eve so that's when we'll have our Christmas. Doyle and I went and got groceries this morning and I had finished up the Christmas shopping on Friday. I have a bed full of gifts to wrap yet today. We decided that we would have steaks (Emily loves Papa Doyle's steaks), Green Bean Casserole (Brad loves it), baked potatoes (my favorite), and Cheesecake (Patrick's favorite), for Christmas Eve dinner. Now we just have to decide how "Santa" will visit. If all else fails I'll have Brad take the kids for a little "light seeing" drive and Santa can deliver there presents then. I'm anxious to see the kids' get there presents, that is truly the best part of Christmas. Doyle and I had decided much earlier in the year not to exchange gifts but I do need to make him a card yet. I must say that I'm ready for 2011 to be done, it's been a rough year with a lot of heartache and I hope that 2012 will be a much better year.

Christmas is Coming---Ready or Not!

It's time for me to get serious about Christmas shopping! I have bought a few gifts and have most of the goodies for the stockings BUT, I have a lot more shopping to do. So, I'm off to Springfield bright and early in the morning. Hopefully, I will find everything I need and be finished by tomorrow night. I promised Miss Emily that I would take her shopping (she wants to get her little brothers some gifts), so I will probably end up taking her to Springfield on Saturday (unless I can talk her into shopping in West Plains). We can't wait too long or we won't be able to move around in the stores! I'm hoping to put up our tree and decorate on Sunday (if not before). I decided to wait until the weekend so the little ones could help. I haven't even decided if we're sending out cards this year or not---I guess it depends on if I buy some. I should have made cards this year, but with everything going on, it's just not going to happen. Well I'm off to make a list for tomorrow----wish me luck!!!

Many Thanks---Part Two

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Brad, the kiddo's, Doyle and myself enjoyed dinner with my Mom and her friend, Terry. I forget just how good a cook my Mom is sometimes. We provided the turkey and ham and she did the cooking. She also made most of the sides. I made a cherry cheesecake and a pumpkin pie on Thursday morning. We had so much food, but isn't that "normal" for Thanksgiving?? Mom sent most of the leftovers home since she is by herself.

I wimped out on Black Friday shopping. I just couldn't muster up the energy to get out on Thursday night and I was enjoying being at home Friday too much to leave the house. I figure I'll take Miss Emily shopping in Springfield next Saturday. She has her heart set on shopping in Springfield and Nana can't say no! I think I can get by with taking Patrick to West Plains! Doyle and I finally got out and went to Wal-Mart this morning and got a little shopping done. I had to bribe him with breakfast out, but it was worth it.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over and now we are moving on to Christmas. I am so far behind this year. Usually by this time I'm pretty much ready, but not this year. Hopefully, I can get in gear and get things done in the next couple of weeks and enjoy the rest of the holiday season--we'll see!!!

Many Thanks!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this. I have so much in my life to be thankful for. I'm posting tonight because I don't think that I'll get a chance tomorrow. The grand kids are here tonight with Brad and will have dinner with us at my Mom's tomorrow. I had to work today, so I'll be doing my cooking tomorrow morning. After dinner I hope to take a little nap in preparation for "Black Friday" shopping (beginning Thursday night). I wish it would go back to being "Black Friday", I don't really like this starting on Thursday business! It cuts into my football watching!

I'd like to take a few minutes and list what I am thankful for this year: First of all, my family. Doyle is not only my husband, my better half, but also my foundation. Brad and his kids are my world. My extended family (on both sides) are a true blessing. I'm also thankful for a good job, a nice home, and some really great friends. Thanksgiving always makes me think of my Dad as it was his favorite holiday. I always seem to miss him the most at this time of the year. He never got to see Brad as a man or meet my grand kids and I'll always be sad for that.

Lastly I would like to say that somedays I think of the "other side of the fence" but having been there, I know that the BEST side is this side! Not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday I am thankful that Doyle and I were able to find out way back to each other after a while apart. My wish for everyone reading this is that you are happy and thankful for all that you have , just like I am!!!!

How Hard is it to Just be Nice??

I'm at home today (yeah, for a three day weekend) and noticed something. I went to Subway to pick up a sandwich for lunch, and as I'm ordering, a man came in. He waits his turn to order but as soon as the clerk asked for his order he turned into a real jerk. Who goes to a sandwich shop and doesn't expect to be asked "which bread"? If someone answers "just regular bread" would you not ask for clarification? Then when he's asked about what kind of cheese, he gets even more agitated, grumbles something under his breath, and has to go back outside and ask whoever is with him. It all just made me very uncomfortable. All I could do was tell the clerks that I hoped they had a good day as I was paying. Maybe it's my upbringing as a child of restaurant owners that makes me sympathetic to all service workers. Whether it's at a restaurant, a grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc..., I always try and "think" before I speak. I never want to be "that" person that is talked (or complained) about after I leave that establishment. I can't help but think "if you're in a bad mood" or if your day "isn't going that great"---it's NOT that person behind the counter or cash register's fault!!!

Momma Bear

Okay, note to my brother. Don't come in MY house, sit on MY sofa, and trash MY son. You will get a ear full and you will get shown the door!! That is all!!!

Happy Day

Today is Doyle's birthday and we celebrated by spending the day together in Springfield and here tonight at home. What a trooper---he tagged along to every store that I wanted to go to. He didn't complain when we had to backtrack around Springfield after I couldn't find what I wanted at a craft store. He also didn't say a word when I wanted to stop by Kurt's, and he had already told me how hungry he was getting. When we left the house this morning his list consisted of one stop (Lowe;s) and my list grew as the day went on. Thankfully we did get some Christmas gifts bought, that makes me feel better. Days like today remind me of why I love this guy so much and why being with him is the BEST decision I ever made in my life. I love you, Doyle---Happy Birthday!!!

Time

Where has 2011 gone?? I can't believe that it's time to start Christmas shopping (actually, I should have started long before now) and Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. And although I should take my Mom's advice and "never wish your life away", I will be glad to see 2012. This year has just had too much heartbreak. We lost Roy, something that we think about every single day, and have yet to get over. Then, Brad and family moved to Utah only to move back a couple months later (which was a good surprise), but in the end their marriage couldn't survive. Now we deal with those consequences daily. It's just so hard to stay neutral and to know what to say, when to say it, etc.... It seems like I'm on edge all the time, and I hate it that I sometimes can't enjoy the kiddo's when they are here. My nerves are fried and I'm walking on eggshells in my own home. Needless to say, I've got to get a hold of this situation in my own mind and make some changes. It doesn't help that besides Doyle I really don't have anyone that I can sit down and talk to. I'm leery of some people that I once considered my closest confidants. This is not where I planned this post to go but I do feel a little better to get it out there. Maybe I'm just dreading the holidays and the potential headaches that could come with it. Life adjustments take time and I hope we all come out better on the other side of these.

What to do, what to do!

I can't make up my mind what to do on Saturday. I really want to go to Springfield and go to the scrapbook store for their birthday celebration and sale. But I also know that I really don't need any new supplies. My room is too full now. I really should just stay home and sort, purge, and clean that room. Or maybe stay home and actually use some of those supplies. I guess I'll see how I feel about it closer to the weekend.

Feeling Better, Finally

Today was my Friday, and it couldn't come soon enough for me. I need a few days at home! I've been feeling crappy for quite awhile and it all came to a head on Monday. For the past couple of weeks I've been having headaches (I even had a migraine two weeks ago tomorrow), and have just been feeling bad. Then last weekend I started feeling dizzy every time I stood up or moved too fast. Well, it finally dawned on me to take my blood pressure. High blood pressure runs in my family and it's something that my doctor has had me watching for a while now (that is, when I remember to check it). Needless to say, when I got around to checking it, it was high. Then on Monday morning I was feeling so dizzy at work that I went across the hall to the Cath Lab and had one of the nurses take it. It was 198/89 with the auto, they are sometimes unreliable, so she took it manually, it was 150/99. I called and got an appointment for that afternoon and when I left my doctor's office, I had a little something extra--a new prescription. I hate having to go on medication, but I hate feeling like I'm going to fall over too. It's only been a few days but, I'm feeling much better!!

To Purge Or Not To Purge

Do you ever get that "wish I could chuck it all" feeling?? I'm not talking about a job, husband, or family---I'm talking about stuff!! My house is very neat but don't look in the closets or under the beds. It's all put away but my closets are full and there is no more room under the beds. Please don't get the wrong mental picture, when I say they is no room under the beds it's because I have totes with "stuff" under there, not just stuff tossed. It's organized stuff but I know that it's there and it's starting to eat away at me. How long am I going to hold on to that favorite pair of jeans hoping I lose a little weight and they fit like they used to?? How long am I going to hold on to that half price wrapping paper that I've had for the last two Christmases and have yet to use? And I haven't even mentioned my real organized mess: my craft/scrapbook room!! I know one of my road blocks to purging is thinking about how much money I spent on this or that, but isn't peace of mind and a feeling of knowing that what you have is what you need worth something? As I get older I think more about what I'll leave behind (I know, it's kinda morbid thinking), but I don't want my stuff to be a burden for anyone to have to deal with. I don't want my loved ones to have to decide what was important to me and what was "just stuff". I want my grand kids to have scrapbooks that I made, not a room full of stuff that I was going to use to make them scrapbooks. Does this make sense to anyone else, or am I just having a moment? Either way, I feel a BIG purge coming to the Kruse household---anyone need any wrapping paper???

Lazy Monday

Today is my last day home of a five day off stretch. Back to work for four days starting tomorrow. I really do love working 10 hour days. I got a lot done here at home over the past couple of days, so today I get to do what I want to. I do have laundry to do (when don't I have laundry to do), which I have already been at for a couple hours now. My plans are to watch the Nascar race that was rained out yesterday, and to sit in my favorite chair and cross stitch. Hopefully I will get a lot of stitching done, I need to finish what I'm working on so I can get to work on some little projects that I want to do for Christmas. Wow, I can't believe that I'm thinking Christmas, but it will be here before we know it.

A Favorite of Mine

Here are the lyric's to one of my favorite songs:

It's not what you thought
When you first began it
You got what you want
Now you can hardly stand it though,
By now you know
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up

You're sure there's a cure
And you have finally found it
You think one drink
Will shrink you 'til you're underground
And living down
But it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up

Prepare a list of what you need
Before you sign away the deed
'Cause it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
'Til you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
So just...give up

I first heard this song on a commerical for one of my favortie shows on A&E, Intervention. It's now one of my all time favorites. It's called "Wise Up" and Aimee Mann sings it, give it a listen on You Tube.

Sunday For Me

Although I had to work on Sunday, 9/11, I couldn't get it out of my mind. I kept thinking about what had happened to our country on that day, and what has happened since. I'm afraid that we are going back to our old habits and something "like" that will happen again. Yes, there were a lot of ceremonies and reflection on Sunday, but what are we as people doing on a day to day basis? So many of us, myself included, are only concerned about our lives and the lives of those closest to us. I've been thinking about this for a while now, how selfish we are as a people. I can't think of any better example than my own workplace. We are a small department, only eleven plus two prn people, and I see it everyday. We do "work" together nicely, but we also have constant gossip and backbiting. I try to not become a part of it, but I'm human and I do get sucked in quite often. So my 9/11 "resolution" is to be a better person. To think about how my actions affect others and to do more for others. I do see rays of hope in my coworkers and I hope to help those rays grow by doing what is probably not expected but what is right.

August Staycation

My week at home is almost over and I really have accomplished very little. Not that I haven't enjoyed my days at home, but I need to get in gear these next three days. I had big plans and I've just kind of blown them off. I ended up going to Springfield on Tuesday with Kurt and Karen (for Zoe's birthday) and I have to go again tomorrow. My Mom is going along tomorrow and we'll be bringing Zoe home with us. My trip tomorrow is for a little work on my car. The ignition "sticks" from time to time and you have to literally beat the key (and try, try, try) until the darn thing will start. It's left me stranded and waiting on Doyle more than once in the last few weeks. The part was changed shortly after I bought the car but now I wonder if it really was since it is once again doing the same thing. Maybe they used a refurbished part but, this time I'm requesting a new part!! Nothing is more irritating than getting in a car and it not starting. It really has nothing to do with the motor, it's the switch itself, when it happens the key will not turn at all. It's like it's locked and you have to figure out the magic code to unlock it. Anyway hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow and it will be a worry of the past. Time to get busy on that list, I have to go back to work on Monday (yes, it's my holiday to work this year) and time is getting away from me!!!

The Next Fifty

I survived the big 50! Yes, my 50th birthday came and went on Saturday and I'm still here. Now that it's over, I'm wondering why it ever bothered me at all. I'm no different now than I was on Friday. I still have a husband who I love, I still have a son who makes me proud, I still have three of the greatest grandchildren ever, I still have a home that makes me comfortable, and a job that I don't hate. Add to that my extended family and what more could a person ask for. Of course, there's always room for more money or a bigger house, or any list of "things"---but in the end, that can't make you happy, more comfortable maybe, but not happier. Only a person can do that for themselves. Enough with the psycho, mumble jumble, now for the fun.

A couple of Saturdays ago Doyle and I made a trip to Springfield and he got my present then. A Nook color from Barnes & Noble. I've wanted one for months and was thrilled when it was finally in my hands. I've enjoyed it A LOT since I've had it. Seems like all I want to do is sit and read once I get settled for the evening. My other interests ( cross-stitching, scrap booking, etc...) have suffered but, I can't help it, I just love the Nook. The grand kids spent the night on Friday night so when I got up on Saturday my favorite little people were in the house. Sadly, Doyle had to work, but when he got home he brought with him a dozen cupcakes with the cutest little sunglasses on top of them. Needless to say the kids loved them! Later, after Brad and the kids left Doyle and I just hung out around the house, not really doing anything. We didn't even feel like going out to eat, I just wanted to be where I feel the best---at home with my best friend, (and my Nook)!!

So, all in all, I must say that life on this side of 50 looks great. I had so many well wishes posted on my facebook page and this was one my favorites-- it was from a classmate at Woodward High:

Happy Birthday, Jessie! Welcome to the Fab at 50 club!!

I'm thrilled to be a member with so many other fabulous people that I know and respect. It sounds so corny when I type it out BUT....The best is definitely yet to come.

My Mother, My Friend

I have a new appreciation for my mother these days. About a month ago our lives were kinda turned upside down when Brad moved back in with us. Since then it's been hard for us to get into a routine. Not only is Brad here but most weekends we have the kids here also. We were used to having them spend the night, but not with their Dad here. That changes the game a bit. No longer are Nana and Papa in charge of what the kids can do, what they can eat, etc... So, needless to say it;s been a big adjustment for all of us. Last weekend it just really hit me, and I kinda had a little melt down (not in front of the kids or Brad), poor Doyle got the brunt of it. All of the sudden I needed to talk to my Mom and she was kind enough to drive to my house at midnight and stay with me and just talk about things. Her being willing and able to do that for me has allowed me to see her in a much different light. Now we speak almost everyday where before I might go weeks without talking to her. I've always had a "strained" relationship with her, but as I get older I do understand more about how her life has been. I've not always agreed with her choices (just as she has not always agreed with mine), but I do respect the choices that she has made in her life. Bottom line, they were hers to make (and mine were mine to make), and who am I to question that. I love my Mom and I don't want to keep her at bay any longer. At our ages now we can be more than Mother and daughter, we can be really good friends and that's hard to find these days.

I'm Back

We had a wonderful trip to Minnesota the week of July 17-22. It's always good to see family and be able to spend some time with them. They all make it a really fun week. My sister-in-law Lorie is a saint for allowing us all to invade their home for a week. We stay with Doyle's sister, Betty and her family. She makes us feel so much at home, and takes such good care of us while we are there. Only bad thing about being gone for that week was that we missed being here for Brad's birthday. He had to settle for a phone call and the cash we left for him. Hopefully, we will all be able to go to Kruse-a-palooza together next year.

Three Again--So Naturally!!

Once again there are three of us--Brad moved back home!! Not sure how I "should" feel about this, but I know that I MUST support him, no matter the situation. Life throws some curves, I didn't dream that Brad would be home again and that on "weekends" we would have the kiddo's here too. I won't go into details on a public forum, but I will always do what I can for him and his kids. THE END!!!

Working for the Weekend

Remember that old Loverboy song---that's what I'm doing this week. I'm down to two days left to work and then it will be a nice four day holiday weekend! My sister and niece will be coming to Missouri from Kansas so that's enough to make the weekend great. Add to that the fact that Papa gets to take Emily and Patrick fireworks shopping and then we'll all get to enjoy the show. I remember always having fireworks with my brothers and sisters as kids. We would see who's sparkler would be the last to go out (although, the sparklers today don't even compare to the ones we had), and we would all watch as my Dad set off the fountains that were saved for last.

I'm meeting my sister in Springfield on Friday and we plan to go to Branson for the day. Branson has some great outlet malls and they will be having their sidewalk sales this weekend. I would also like to check out the scrapbook store there in Branson. Maybe I'll find some bargains! Then on Saturday, we plan to do a little more shopping in Springfield. Hopefully, it won't be too late when we get back to my house on Saturday evening. As far as Sunday and Monday plans, I'm leaving that open. As long as I get to spend some of the days with my grand kids, I'm good!!!

My Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday, he would have been 81. Although he's been gone for almost 17 years now, I still miss him everyday. He was only 64 when he passed and at the time I thought he had lived a long life. Now as I'm turning 50 this year, I understand just how young he was. I often wonder how my life would be different today if he were still here. Brad was just 11 when he passed away so he never got to see the man that Brad has grown into or had the privilege of being a part of  Brad's family. I don't think that anyone can be prepared for losing a parent but I've come to realize that as time goes by, I miss him more. Maybe it's because I'm getting older myself and the thought of something happening to me or Doyle seems more "real" everyday. I like to think that if he were still around today he would be proud of and love the family that we have grown into.

Leland Leroy Finley
June 17, 1930-September 22, 1994

Rest in peace, Dad--for I will see you again one day!!

The Past Week

Seems like forever since I've had a chance to post. It's been a mad house around here the past week. Here's my week of news all in one post.

First of all, Brad, Chely, and the kids are home. They left Utah last Thursday, stayed in Nebraska on Thursday night, and finished the drive on Friday. They arrived at our house about 10:30pm on Friday night. Everything seems "right" once again. I love having them home!! They will be staying with Chely's folks in West Plains until they get their own place. I'm not sure where they are planning on living (West Plains, Willow Springs, or where?), I'm just glad that they will be close. Brad went back to work at Jasper on Tuesday morning and Chely will be working in West Plains with a girl she went to school with.

We had a great visit with my sister, Irene, and her family over Memorial Day. I met them in Springfield on Friday for a little "retail therapy".  We got a late start on the shopping after lunch and didn't get back to my house until after 9pm. It was a long day but it helped to take my mind off of Brad's family being on the road. If I had been home I would have been pacing around all day worrying. Doyle and Ed got to do a little golfing together so that made them happy.

Saturday evening we had a little party at the Abbey farm to welcome Brad and Chely home. Chelsea did a great job of planning and getting everything ready. Doyle was once again the "grill master", and of course did a fantastic job. It was good to get everyone together and visit. The kids loved the four-wheeler rides around the farm.

Sunday was a day for Jade, my niece. Her birthday is June 3rd so we chose to celebrate in on Sunday. Ed and Doyle had gone to Mountain Home and picked up her gift, a 125cc motorcycle. She chose pizza (which worked for me) for the meal and except for her cake being chocolate instead of vanilla, everything went well. Chely, Emily, and Patrick took Jade to the Pirates 3D movie to end her day.

Monday was a big day--not only was it Memorial Day but it was also Cameron's 2nd birthday. Irene, Jade, and I placed wreaths for our Dad and our nephew in the morning. It's always a sad thing but something that I feel needs to be done, out of love and respect. Then it was back home to get ready for the party. Brad and Chely had requested kabobs and luckily Chely and her Mom put them together while I got the sides ready. We had quite a crowd and there were no leftovers (yay)!!! Cameron did quite a number on his cake, I'm still finding cake goo on the chair. Not a bite went in his mouth, he just liked smashing Thomas the Train into the cake. I ended up getting him his own little cake and going with mini cupcakes for everyone else. That really worked well. It's hard to believe that he is two already, he's quite a little man!!

Tuesday was quiet--everyone was gone and I was home alone. I used the day to get caught up on laundry and housework. Wednesday it was back to work and it was a very busy day. It's always busy after a holiday. I worked again on Thursday but I was a floor tech instead of in the IV room so it was a much calmer day. Today, I'm home alone again and I need to get motivated. Right after I finish my coffee!!!

Mother's Day 2011

This year was the first Mother's Day that I've ever had that didn't include seeing Brad, so to say that I wasn't really looking forward to the day is an understatement. It was also my Sunday to work which didn't add to my non-excitement. My work day was pretty non-eventful and it really passed quickly although I kept waiting for Brad to call me. When I got home Doyle was on the phone and I figured out that it was Brad. Finally it was my turn to talk and we visited for quite a bit. After out talk I continued with supper, cleanup, winding down from the day and getting prepared for the next. Then around 9:30 the phone rang again and it was Brad--he started the conversation by telling me that they were coming home. As I like to say: the Utah experiment is over!!! They have found out that the wages there are the same as here but the cost of living there is much higher (and I think that they are all pretty homesick). It was a really expensive lesson to learn but, like a lot of us, it was one that they had to learn for themselves. So for now the plan is for them to be back in Missouri around Memorial Day. They are planning on staying at Chely's folks until they can get everything sorted out. Brad is trying to get his job at Jasper back, I'm not sure where that stands. I pray that everything works out for them, it's been a very stressful time. I will breathe easy only when they are safely back in the Ozarks. So in the end my Mother's Day turned out to be one of the sweetest I've had!

One More Week

Hopefully at this time next week Brad, Chely, and the kids will be back in the Ozarks. They are planning on starting back on Thursday, May 26th. They want to drive straight through, but I'm not sure how that will work out. That's a long, hard drive! I do know that my sister, Irene, her husband, and daughter will be at our house for Memorial Day weekend. They will be driving to Springfield next Friday and then will come to our house on Saturday. I have a lot of work to get done around the house this next week. I need to finish up on my spring cleaning and get to the grocery store at some point. Also Cameron's second birthday is on the 30th so I need to get that shopping done. Wow, so much to get done---I better get busy!!!

Update: I talked to my sister yesterday and now they will be going to Springfield on Thursday afternoon and getting to our house on Friday. Friday will be very busy since that will be the day that Brad and family should be back. This will be one Uhaul that I won't mind helping unload!!!

Royal Watcher

Am I a sap for loving the Royal Wedding? When the date was set months ago I asked for the day off so I could watch it live. The closer we got to the day, the more my co-workers ribbed me about it. The teasing was all good natured and I even egged some of it on. I must have got to them because on Thursday several of them were doing internet searches on the Royals, etc... So yesterday morning I got up at 2:30am and parked myself in front of the television to take it all in. At about 7am one of my co-workers texted me to ask me what I thought about the hair, dress, etc... She was watching it too! Regardless of what anyone thinks I had to watch. I watched in 1981 when Diana married Charles, and I watched all the coverage of Diana's death and funeral. I think I've read just about every book written about Diana and her boys. There was nothing anyone could say to me that would keep me from watching this wedding!

Happy Easter!

Easter blessings to all! Although I can't be with the grand kids today, I did get to talk to Emily, Patrick, and their parents earlier today. They were planning on taking a little day trip to a park for an egg hunt and a little picnic. It sounded like a perfect Easter day to me. They got the box of goodies that we sent last Friday, the kids were very happy with their gifts. Brad sent us pictures of them tearing into the box. I was glad that it got to them before Easter so they could have their gifts. I hope everyone that reads this has a great Easter and can take a minute to thank God for all things good in our lives!

The weather here in the Ozarks would not be good for any egg hunt. It has stormed off and on since last Wednesday. We've had several bad storms here with lots of rain, hail, thunder, and lightning. To date we've gotten around 8 inches of rain and it's still raining. At least it's a slow steady rain (right now) instead of storms. It was really storming last night, our electricity kept blinking off and on, finally at 9pm I just went to bed. Doyle and I took both cars into town earlier for gas and we have a nice little "stream" to go through on our county road. The rain and storms are suppose to continue through Wednesday. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if this system moved through the area a little sooner than they expect it to.

Tomorrow starts another work week and the end of another month. Hard to believe that May is upon us. We have onions and potatoes coming up in the garden. It will soon be time to get the tomatoes, peppers, and beans in. I'm actually going to try and freeze some tomato sauce this year. Normally we share our produce with Brad and Chely, but we won't be doing that this year. With groceries getting so expensive I need to take advantage of everything that we can produce ourselves. In the past we have let a lot go to waste, I'm vowing not to let that happen this year. I'll let ya know how that turns out!!!

Life Changes

This post is really the third in my "the kids moved" series. A lot of things changed in our lives when they did. Doyle and I are "true" empty-nesters now, except that we did inherit Brad's basset hound, Tag. He is a pretty good dog, (he does like to take off and run around the neighborhood every now and then when Doyle lets him loose) and loves to take walks with us. I've been doing my spring cleaning and it's amazing how much stuff we had here for the grand kids. I've sent two big boxes to Utah already and I'm still finding odds and ends that I think they need. The biggest change (and the worst) is our weekends. We were so used to having the kids come over if not every weekend, every other weekend. I have to keep myself busy on the weekends or I could get really down. At least with spring and summer on the way we will have the garden and yard to take up those weekends. Also I've been spending more time in my craft/scrap booking room since I got back from Utah. Since the kids moved Doyle and I both think that Skype is the best thing since sliced bread--it's now our favorite activity!! At least with Skype we can see the kids and grand kids and get our "fix". Yes, life has definitely changed for us but this has also made us appreciate each other more and to understand that "life" should be enjoyed because you never know when your life will be turned up side down.

An Epic Journey--Part II

Okay, so we have made it to Utah and now it's time to unload the Uhaul. Luckily, Chely's sister and her husband were there to help. Brad and Kurt took care of the heavy things and Jenny, Chely and I carried in the other stuff. I don't think I helped that much, I mostly stayed in the apartment and kept the kids out of the way. The truck unloaded pretty fast, and we had all the big furniture in it's proper rooms before we went to sleep that night. The next few days were spent getting everything organized and put away. On Sunday, Chely and I went shopping and I got several house-warming gifts for them. We found curtains for the bedrooms, baskets for Emily's books and scrapbook goodies. I also got them a much needed bookcase. The days just went too fast, and before I knew it, it was Monday night and my flight was the next morning. My one regret about the whole trip is that I really didn't get to see much of the area. We mainly stayed right around Draper, I never even made it to see the big Mormon temple in Salt Lake. I did see the one in Draper (it was big in it's own right, but nothing compared to the one in Salt Lake or so Brad told me) on Monday night when we took a little sight-seeing tour. When Doyle and I go back for a visit, we'll be able to do all the tourist things. This trip was really about getting them out there and getting them settled. Tuesday morning we woke up to lots of snow and slick roads. Chely drove me to the airport and it was NOT a fun trip. The roads were terrible, it was so early the highway trucks hadn't done much work on the roads yet. My flight was at 7am and we pulled up to the front door of the airport at 6:35. Luckily, I had gotten my boarding pass on Monday so I could go straight to security. When I got to security, the line was very backed up, but it moved really fast. I didn't get a body scan, or a full body pat down, just had to walk through the metal detector. I made it to my gate to be about the last one on the plane. Then we ended up sitting on the tarmac for quite awhile waiting to be de-iced. This was only my fifth time to fly and my first by myself so I was kinda nervous about the whole day. The flight was a smooth one and before I knew it we were landing in Denver. Because of our late take off from Salt Lake my layover time was cut to about an hour 20 min (from two hours). I found myself a seat in the terminal and waited for my flight to Branson. I met a woman from Springfield and we had a nice visit and I also made a call to Doyle. When our flight was called and we boarded I was once again a little nervous, this plane was so narrow compared to all the other planes I've flown on. But it got me to Branson and besides being a little bumpy on the decent, it was a smooth ride. It was so good to see Doyle waiting for me and to get that first hug from him. I didn't realize that I missed him so much until he hugged me! It was a cool, rainy day but we made the best of it and went to the Branson Landing and had lunch at Joe's Crab Shack before we started the drive home. I think I was so relived to be home that I slept most of the drive to Mountain View. Once I got home I had to get unpacked and get myself psyched to go back to work on Wednesday thru Saturday. It was probably a good thing that I had to work the next four days, that way I really didn't have time to think about the kids being gone. I'm thankful that I was able to help the kids move and I look forward to when Doyle and I go to Utah for a visit--I'm constantly checking prices and just need to get Doyle to commit to when we'll be going!

An Epic Journey

Okay, so I'm finally going to tell the story of the kids' move to Utah. It's been a few weeks now, so I hope I don't forget any of it. Here goes......

I'll start the story with the day before we start out. It's a Monday and I have to work (I had also worked the day prior (Sunday) to free up the IV tech to work while I'm off), my house has been like Grand Central Station with people in and out. We had family over for meals with the kids so they could spend some time with them before they moved. Plus Doyle had been going back and forth to the kids' house helping move things that they weren't taking with them for one reason or another. Finally at about 9pm on Monday he brings the last load of castaways and unloads them into our garage (to be dealt with at a later date) and Brad follows him in the Uhaul. After baths and showers we all get to bed knowing that the next morning is the dreaded (for us anyway) day!

Day 1 (Tuesday, March 1)
Doyle has to work so we wake up Brad and Chely so he can say goodbye. Most people think that Doyle is a hard ass, but if you truly know him you know that he loves his family and I knew that this was going to be a hard morning for him. It was bad enough that he had to tell Emily, Patrick, and Cameron goodbye the night before, so they could sleep until we were ready to leave. How do you tell your son (and his family) goodbye? Especially when he (and they) have never lived further than 35 miles from you. Let's just say there were plenty of tears that morning. Finally at about 8am we pull out of our driveway. Brad, Chely, Patrick (the co-pilot), and Sophie (the dog) are in the Uhaul in the lead. Myself, Emily (my co-pilot), Cameron, and Reese's (the cat) are following in their Ford Freestyle (it's like a cross-over, three seater vehicle). I'm dreading the long drive ahead and I feel bad that I've left my house in what I think is a mess (what can I say, I'm type A). We are loaded down, I can't see out my rear view mirror because the cat carrier that Chely bought is so big and it is sitting on the stroller which is sitting in the seat. Needless to say I'm a bit nervous, It's not like you drive across country everyday. The plan is that I will take the lead before we hit Springfield and take us pretty much around the city and that I will lead all the way through Kansas City. We are trucking right along and we stop for our first fuel stop in Clinton, MO. We all think that the Uhaul is drinking a bit more gas than the dealer had said it would, but we fill up and move on. Kansas City wasn't too bad, we hit it at a good time in the day and except for Cameron pulling on the cat carrier (which really didn't help my vision out the back), we made it through with no trouble. We have to stop again for gas at St. Joseph, and by now we know that the Uhaul is really sucking the fuel, but what can you do but fill up and push on. I'm following the Uhaul and we decide to stop at Grand Island, NE at a Wal-Mart so Chely can get the oil changed in their rig (she didn't get around to it before we left and it was past time). We had a little time to kill, so I find a smaller, more rigid, cat carrier for Reese's. Had I only know what was coming I could have saved that $30, but who could know? It's dark by the time we get back on I-80 and are headed west again. I didn't know it at the time but Brad and Chely were planning on trying to push through all night and get to Utah non-stop. Those plans didn't quite happen. Somewhere around 9pm on I-80 in Western Nebraska the Uhaul begins to smell hot. Brad pulled off the road and tried (as best you can on the side of the road with trucks whizzing by in the dark) to check things out. Nothing is spewing out and nothing is dripping, so we take off again. Once again they smell the "hot" smell and know that we can't keep going. We finally make it to Ogallala, NE (yes, I didn't know it really existed either, I thought it was a made-up town in Lonesome Dove) and check into a Holiday Inn Express. Chely gets a hold of the Uhaul customer service and they tell her that no one can come out and look at the truck until the morning. Did I mention that by this time it is raining a cold rain? This didn't jive with what they were told when they rented the truck (24/7 service, NOT), but what can we do? It's late, we're all tired and just want to go to bed, except Cameron. He wants to run from one end of the room to the other and chase the cat and dog. Then the phone rings and it's the front desk, someone under us has complained about the noise. After a small fight Chely gets Cameron down and asleep. I was in the other bed with Emily and Patrick who had argued who was going to sleep by me so I ended up in the middle, which was fine until I woke up in the night with a charlie horse and I couldn't even get to it because I was wedged in so tight between the kids. I finally got Patrick to move a bit so I could switch places with him for the rest of the night.

Day 2 (Wednesday, March 2)
Morning comes and once again Cameron is at the running game. Once again the phone rings, this time it is another guest who wants to know if we're having a bowling tournament up there. Chely handled it well, she just said we had a two year old with us and hung up. I get around and take the big kids down for breakfast and in the mean time the mechanic gets there to look at the truck. He decides that since it snowed overnight they need to take the truck to a shop in town to check it out. I felt sorry for this guy that Uhaul sent out, he was an older man who was recovering from a stroke and was walking with a limp out there in that cold. Brad and Chely take the truck to the shop and I stay in the room with the kids and pets. We have an 11am checkout time so I'm hoping that it's nothing serious and they make it back to the room in time to check out. The closer it gets to 11, the more I know that we aren't going to make that check out time. The kids and I walk down to the front desk and explain the situation and are told that we can go for the late check out time which is 1pm. That sounds good to me, I'm sure they'll be done by then. Brad and Chely do make it back before 1, but only to say that the truck can't be fixed and that Uhaul was sending another truck for them, but that means that the truck has to be unloaded and everything loaded into the new one. Seems there is an emergency switch on the transmission that was engaged all the time, no wonder the gas mileage was down to about 4mpg. Hopefully the kids can get some of their gas money reimbursed, anyway the customer service rep said they could try. In the meantime the hotel tells us that they have a weekly guest that stays in the room that we are in, so they ask if we would mind moving to another room so they can get that one ready. We load up everything and move, not knowing how long we will be there. Brad and Chely go to "help" switch out the trucks and I try to keep the kids occupied in a hotel room. I'll just say that by this time, we are all a bit testy!! As 1pm gets closer Chely calls to tell me that no one showed up to help them unload and load the trucks so her and Brad are doing it themselves. Uhaul was "kind" and agreed to give them a $150 credit because they couldn't find anyone to help switch the trucks. One good thing was that the new truck was bigger than the other so they were able to get everything that had been in the Freestyle also in the Uhaul. That was good for my vision out the back of the rig! I think that it was close to 2pm when Brad and Chely returned to the hotel to pick us up. The hotel staff was so nice and wouldn't let the kids pay for another night. If Doyle and I ever make the trip by car we will definitely stay there. So with half of day 2 gone, we are on the road again. Now we are traveling a part of the country that I have never been to before (I spent part of my youth in Nebraska but not this far west), and I'm enjoying seeing this part of the country. I can tell that we are getting close to the mountains by the scenery and somewhere in Wyoming we go under a flashing highway sign that reads: High wind alert-No light trailers. That would prove to be a warning to be heeded!!! At this point I need to mention that I-80 must be the "go to" route for 18 wheelers to go west. I bet there were 8 trucks to every 2 cars/pickups/SUV's, etc on that highway, and they like to fly. We are moving right along and once again Brad and Chely have made the decision (not telling me) that they will try to push through the night since they lost so much time earlier in the day. As daylight goes to dusk I can see the mountains on each side of us and Emily and I are having a good time arguing over if they are really "the mountains", she says yes, I say no. I guess when you go up gradually, you just don't realize how high you are going. Brad ends the argument when he calls to see if we saw the antelope and tells me they are "the mountains". And no, Emily and I never did see any antelope or the mule deer that Brad had spotted. The darker it gets, the more I notice the wind. I'm having a hard time keeping the car where I want it and I'm falling behind the Uhaul. Finally at one point when I'm on a bridge, driving no more than 45mph and fighting the car, a truck goes by so fast that I think I'm going off the bridge, I kinda lose it. I'm crying, Emily's crying, thankfully Cameron is asleep. Emily is trying to call Brad (Chely is driving the Uhaul at this point) and we can't get service (Brad said we were above the towers), we are just a mess! Thankfully Chely had noticed that I wasn't behind them and slowed down allowing me to catch up. I was never so glad to see the back of a Uhaul in my life. I flash my lights at her and she pulls off at the next rest area we come to. I tell them that I just can't drive in that anymore, I'm not sure if the high winds are worse at night, but I know that driving through those passes after dark is not something that I want to do again in my life. If Doyle wants to drive out there to see the kids, he will be driving that leg. At this point they tell me that they wanted to drive through the night but have decided we will pull off at the next town and spend the night. I'm good with that, Brad gets in with me and drives until we reach Rock Springs, Wyoming, where we check into a hotel. Chely got me a little roll-away bed so I could have a bed to myself. Of course when we first got into the room the kids fought over who was going to sleep in it, but in the end they decided to sleep in the big bed and I got the roll-away. After a little time to wind down from the "excitement" of the evening, the kids, animals, and us grown-ups are all settled and we all finally get some sleep.

Day 3 (Thursday, March 3)
We get ready for this day knowing that we will reach our destination today!! We are all road weary and wanting this trip to be done. It's snowing, but not so windy, so I'm ready to tackle those mountain passes again. We stop and fill up both rigs before we start what will be the last leg of the drive. Chely is at the wheel of the Uhaul (she actually drove it most of the way) and I'm once again driving the Freestyle with Emily, Cameron, and the cat in tow. Things are going great, it's amazing how much better things seem in the daytime. The further west we go, the more it is snowing. Once again we go under a road sign that reads: I-80 closed in 35 miles, I have Emily call her Dad and ask if they read the sign, they say yes, but we keep going. Now I know that we went much further than 35 miles so I figure that they just didn't get the sign changed from earlier or something. Then suddenly we are slowing down and finally coming to a stop. As far as I can see in front of us traffic is stopped. We sit there for a few minutes with the engines running, thinking there must have been an accident up ahead that has to be cleaned up. After a few more minutes we both shut off the rigs, I get my cell phone out (thank goodness for smart phones) and find out the I-80 is closed because of the snow. The internet doesn't say how long we'll be sitting so we just wait and wait and wait. At one point Brad, Chely, and Patrick got out and made a snowman next to the Uhaul. Sophie (the dog) got to run in the snow with Chely a couple of times while we waited. All I heard for a couple of hours was how Emily had to go to the bathroom sooooo bad!!! I did too, so I knew just how she felt. One of the truckers told Brad that the line of traffic stopped stretched for more than 35 miles but that we were in the first couple of miles of it. Finally after 5 hours the road is opened up, we needed to stop as soon as we could for a bathroom break, but the first exit that we came to was backed up for about a mile (everyone else needed to stop too) so we passed that exit up. We weren't too far away from the Utah line when we got stopped on I-80 so we went on into Utah before we stopped for one last break. The line in the bathroom was terrible (lots of people passed that first exit). After one last fill-up of the Uhaul and a snack for everyone we are ready to go again. We decide that Chely will lead in the Uhaul and Brad will drive the Freestyle because we will be hitting Salt Lake at rush hour and they kinda both knew where they were going. Once again this decision will prove to be a good one. We are getting close to the city and traffic is really picking up when I had my one shining moment (in Brad's eyes) of the whole trip. I spotted two Moose cows along the side of a mountain right outside of the city. Anyone who knows Brad knows that this was a great find for me, I'm sure it made up for me not being able to drive through those mountains with the wind blowing 50+mph!!! Anyway, back to the drive, we merge onto the freeway and then right in front of Chely a five car pile up happens. Thankfully she got the Uhaul stopped in time and Brad got the Freestyle stopped without rear-ending the Uhaul. I'm not sure my reaction time would have been as quick. After a few minutes we get back into the flow of traffic and we make our way to the Draper exit and into the Adiago Apartment complex, our destination. After everything that had happened we made it!!!

To be continued......

Home Again

This is just a quick post to say that I made it to Utah and back home. We are referring to the trip out as the "move from hell". The trip home had it's moments too! I'll take the time and post all the details this weekend!!

All The Details

Ok, here's the latest on "the big move". Now the plan is for Brad and Chely to drive the Uhaul with the pets and I will drive their vehicle with the kids, then I will fly home. They will get the truck tomorrow and start packing it up and we will take off on Tuesday morning. I switched my schedule around for the the next two weeks for all this to work out. Thank goodness I have an understanding boss and co-workers!!! Brad and Chely think we will get to Utah sometime on the 3rd but, I'm hoping to be there on the 2nd. I figure 20 hours in two days should be doable. But then I remember our 8 hour trip to Texas that took 12. They just travel different than Doyle and I. Anyway once we get there, I'll be able to keep the kids occupied while the truck is unloaded and things are put away. Also I'll have a few days to see the area and rest before I fly home on the 8th. I'm flying into the actual Branson airport, not the Springfield airport. The tickets were so much cheaper. I'm excited about going but not about the actual trip. It's going to be a long, tiring drive, and I've never flown alone before, so I'm a little nervous about that. It's a easy flight so I'm sure it will be okay. Good gosh, I'm almost 50, it's about time I take a trip by myself. I just hope my "full body scan" doesn't end up on the internet!!! HaHaHa

Grandkids

This week has been hectic!! I'm not used to having 3 little ones 24/7. My week started with working on Sunday and Monday, then Brad and Chely flew to Utah on Tuesday so I've been responsible for the kids since. It's a lot of running to and from school. Plus Patrick was sick Tuesday and Wednesday so he didn't go to school. I sent him today, but told him if he felt bad to go see the nurse. I'm sure we'll have lots of homework to catch up on tonight. Cameron didn't go to bed easy on Tuesday night but did better last night. Emily is a big help, she likes to help cook and clean up afterwards! Of course this would be the week that Doyle's work decides to work 10 hour days. Then after work he has to swing by Brad and Chely's and feed their basset hound, Tag. I'll get a little break this weekend, Chely's parents will take the kids either on Friday evening or Saturday and keep them until Tuesday morning. I'll get Cameron early and then pick up the big kids after school. I wish I had Monday off, but I don't, so I'll have to wait until next Thursday for another little break.

Here's what I know so far from Brad and Chely's trip. They have decided on a place to live. It's a 3 bedroom apartment in a really nice complex. It has all appliances, 2 baths, fireplace, garage, and storage. I'm glad that they will have a comfortable place for the kids to move into. Their little rent house is really just too small for all of them. They also will have access to a fitness room, and two pools. I'm anxious to go and see the place once they get settled. I haven't heard anything on their job hunting yet, hopefully I will today. It's going to be such a change for us all. Hopefully it will  be a good change for them, we really won't know until they are there. The kids told me they are excited but that they will miss us. I told them we will Skype and we'll come visit when we can. I may have to get a second job to go as often as I know I'll want to!!!

"If" Becomes "When"

Wow, I was so sure that I wouldn't ever have to write this post, but here I am, finally coming to terms with it. For about a year now Brad and Chely have been talking about moving, now it is more than talk, they are planning. When Doyle and I talked about it, it was always "if"--now it is "when". And "when" is soon. Brad and Chely will be going to Salt Lake City in February for interviews. I'm taking some time off work to keep the kiddo's while they go. They have already put a deposit down on an apartment, and are making all the arrangements to move. I'm not quite sure how I will handle it. I couldn't sleep last night, I just kept thinking about them not being here. I'm to the point where the tears are always there, just waiting to flow. I cried making breakfast this morning, just talking about them moving. I pray that this will be a good move for them, but I just feel like I'm losing them!!! I will post more about this later, I just can't even bring myself to write about it anymore today.       

Supper Guests

We had a wonderful time last night with Brad, Chely, and the grand kids. They came to our house for supper, Papa Doyle grilled pork chops and pork steak. We had baked potatoes, mac & cheese (a request from the kids), caesar salad, a relish tray (Emily's request), and baby carrots w/ranch dressing (another request from Emily and Patrick). Everything was so good and the company was better. There's just something about a houseful of family that makes me feel warm and fuzzy!!! Emily is such a little helper these days, she loves to cook. Patrick was connected to Papa's hip most of the evening (they were working on Papa's car)! Those little kids just mean the world to both Doyle and I. I know every grandparent says that, but it's so true.

Today, I'm cooking some things in advance of this work week. Also I'm looking forward to the football games a little later. It's hard to believe that there are only 3 games left to this season. I hope the games live up to my expectations which is that they should both be great games. We'll see in a few hours.

Missouri Winter

Awwww, finally the weekend is here! My weekend actually started yesterday, but I did laundry and housework, so I'm not really counting it as a day off. Of course I really don't have any plans for this weekend so I'm not sure why I'm so happy. Maybe that's the reason--I don't have to do anything or go anywhere. We got several inches of snow on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. My drive to work on Thursday morning was terrible, the highway trucks hadn't done much to the highways. By the time I got to work my neck hurt from being so tense. The drive home was better, until I got on our county road, the snow on it was just packed down and slick. I was just happy to get home, have the car in the garage, and be in the warm house with nowhere to go for three days. I'm ready for spring!!!

Time Flies

This weekend has gone by way to fast.....I'm not at all ready for tomorrow to be Monday!! Especially if the weather turns bad like they are predicting. Yesterday was so nice, I enjoyed the wonderful, warm, bright sunshine. I didn't even mind going to the grocery store, or pumping gas!!! Today I've got to get my laundry and housework finished. Hopefully Brad, Chely, and the kids will stop by at some point today. I need to get my grandchildren "fix". With their move looming, I'm finding myself wanting to s l o w down time. I almost hyperventilate every time they talk about "the move". I'm not sure how I'll handle it if or when it actually happens! But for now, I'm just trying to enjoy every minute I get with them.

A Day Out of the House

It's good to feel good again!! I finally got out of the house today. I had to go to my final Wellness meeting for work. My Wellness score went up two points from last year, YEAH!!!! That means another $100 bonus this year. Then I went to Wal-Mart and got groceries, which I absolutely hate doing. It is so windy here today, I had a hard time pushing my cart from the store to my car. Maybe part of my problem was that the cart was full. I think I counted 27 sacks plus the big stuff on the bottom of the cart. Guess that's what I get for not going more often. But once again the freezer, refrigerator, and cabinets are full and my bank account is smaller!

Brad, Chely, and Cameron stopped by the house for a bit this afternoon. They were in Mountain View and came by on their way home. We're going to watch the kids for them tomorrow evening. They are going out for supper and a movie to celebrate their anniversary. Hard to believe that they've been married for nine years on the 11th. Time goes by to fast!!!

Under the Weather

Gosh, I haven't been this sick in quite a while. There's a nasty stomach bug going around and it found it's way to me. My body hurts from laying around for two days. I do feel a lot better this evening so maybe I'm on the mend. I hope so, I have so much I want to get done in the next few days. We'll see how it goes!

2011

It's hard to believe that 2011 has arrived. This will be a big year for me personally. This is the year that I turn 50! I have some personal goals that I would like to achieve before the big day arrives in August. Maybe they can be called resolutions, maybe they should be called something else. No matter what I call them, they are things that this year I will keep to myself. My one resolution that I will share, I'm borrowing from a friend, and it is to live life with passion!!! Happy 2011!