Well they whupped Texas' butt pretty good! LOL!

I didn't even know they were playing because we don't watch any sports but I just had ro kid you because they are a Kansas team!!!

I went over to Jessie's on Saturday. The kids are sick, etc., etc., so I canceled my plans and went over there. I didn't stay more than 3 hours. I just could not stand to be around them! He is so anxious and negative over not finding work, and she has fallen into that hole too.

Yesterday, I told her I would call her when I got home and see if she needed me. I found out then that they had no heat! They have no money, and are waiting for HEAP to kick in. I told her to take my charge card and get oil asap! They have food stamps (she just told me about that too), and are applying for Child Health.

I just don't know what they are going to do. There seems to be no work up here. He applies all over the place, and doesn't get hired. He was telling me that on Monster.com there's a new scam. You apply, send in your resume, and get offers for business opportunities for $10,000! Aren't people cruel?

I am very worried about them. Of course, he could get a job tomorrow, but today he doesn't have one. I don't have enough money to help them with more than a few thousand dollars. That doesn't go far with a family of five!

I feel so bad for Jessie too. I know she doesn't feel well, and he is truly driving her crazy. He doesn't handle life well, so stress sends him into such a negative zone. Of course, he takes it out on her. They had a big talk about it last weekend. I hope he listens to what she has to say. I think he needs anti-anxiety meds. Not that I don't understand his anxiety, but it's not doing anyone any good. He has high blood pressure too.

OMG! I feel so helpless. I just don't know what to do for them! I know I have to be supportive and understanding, and go over there more. I just hate the negativity there. I am also scared for them. I just don't know how this will all end up.

Gayle.....I didn't get to see the tile...the links wouldn't come up for me for some reason.

Judy....I'm sorry things are so rough for them right now. Is there any thing they really don't need and could sell? Maybe have a 'winter' garage sale? Also...do they have to stay where they are, I mean, can he hunt for a job somewhere else? I wish I had some really good advice. So many people are out of work and suffering. Can he get himself bonded and hire himself out as a handyman? He'd have a bit of advertising expense, but it shouldn't be too bad. Didn't he put your flooring down? Can he try at a flooring store...or maybe a hardware store like Lowe's or Menard's?


Haven't done a whole lot except for dusting and running the sweeper. Did the doggie laundry today too. Now I'm just goofing off.

Judy... I am so sorry things are so tough for your daughter and her family, I dont have any advice to give, but i just wanted you to know i am thinking of you all, and praying things soon pick up for them. It is so awful, the worry and stress must be terrible for them.

Thanks for the ideas, but they have several things up for sale, he is looking downstate, although Jessie isn't going to move. The kids are happy and in a great school. He may have to work down there and come up weekends. As far as advertising, he has done that several times, and has applied to just about everywhere except McDonald's. I think it's prayer time!

Judy, I'm so sorry your daughter and her family are in such a difficult situation. I just can't imagine how it must be. It must be such a helpless feeling. I would be so scared. They must keep thinking that surely something will come along. I understand Jessie not wanting to move, but if Steve finds a job somewhere else, won't it take too much of his paycheck to live in another location? I seriously don't think I could handle it. She must be very strong.

The daughter and son-in-law of a friend of mine had to close their wood working business in Missouri due to lack of business. Both had to go to work at Walmart and they barely make ends meet. Their children are grown and gone, so it's just the two of them. They are having such a hard time. It just gives me shivers to think about the hardships.

I dont' have any answers, I just feel so sorry for everyone in this situation.

I keep hoping for the best. It would be awful if they had to move, not only for them, bit for me. I moved up here to be near them.

You just never know what life is going to give you. Now, they all have the flu, but Mackenzie is going to sing tomorrow at Cafe Night at her school. One day at a time!

Today was a busy day. I had office hours this afternoon. That means that all of my students (or anyone else) can walk in to see me any time during my office hours (1:00-4:00). My students have a paper due next week, so I had a parade of them in and out of my office all afternoon. Then I had class with them 4-7. This is the last class that I have to "teach" for the semester! WHEW! Next week, they have an out of class assignment. I was supposed to be out of town next week for a conference in New Orleans, so I had told them we wouldn't meet for class. Gary was going with me, but when he got sick last month, we decided it would be best if he didn't go. So, I cancelled part of my trip and will only be going for 2 days the 21st and 22nd. The following two classes are student presentations and then the semester is over for me November 30th. Seems early! I will have a boat load (30) papers to read though starting next week! But I will have plenty of time to read them.

Yesterday I had a pretty productive day. The fenced area where I let the dogs out was filled with leaves so I got the blower and rake out and got busy. I honestly don't think there is one leaf left out there...lolol. Ricky then took the blower to the roof and blew out all the gutters. It was such a beautiful day to be outside.

More beautiful 70+ degree weather today so I hooked the power washer up and washed the bus and the van. Then came in...took my shower and had a nice lunch of cheetos...lol. Oh well, guess I need to get to the grocery store soon.

JANET! I LOVE CHEETOS!!! I eat them till my fingers are thick with orange cheese! :D

Today was Emma's birthday, she is 4 now. She ordered spaghetti, cheese bread and cake for her birthday supper. The family didn't take her presents to her birthday party at the ranch last Sat. so she got to open her presents from us tonight. We had a fun evening!

Happy birthday to Emma! :)

Yesterday in our weekly meeting at work I was told again I should start thinking about taking some time off because I have hardly any work to do :( I know I have work COMING but I just don't know when! So in the meantime I tried to get in touch with the people who will be giving me work, asking if I can get it asap or if they know WHEN I might get it.... but didn't get much response. I know the admin assistants are swamped and have been getting work sent to them from another office as well, so I offered to help out where I could and have spent the last two days typing lab results and phone lists :rolleyes: At least I'm doing something and showing I can be flexible. They need help, I'll help, even if the work is pretty monotonous. Scott said "I'm not sure they want to pay you as a secretary as much as they pay you as a technologist" lol

What else bothers me is that nobody has work to do, but they've only told ME to stay home and use my banked time. All the contracted designers from Arizona? "Oh maybe you can go meet with clients and do some marketing!" I know they are engineers and I am a mere technologist, but I guarantee I know more about design in this part of the world, and I know inside out what our company does and can do because I've worked in every area. But I suppose I just need to take the time to prove myself capable! And in the meantime I will do whatever kind of work they throw my way because I really want to save my banked time for Europe!

Other than that, I'm starting to relax a lot because our house is pretty much DONE! We finished painting the last "living area" two nights ago.... the back hallway and laundry room. Scott rearranged the washer and dryer and hooked them back up last night. Tomorrow we will install our new light fixtures. The only things left unfinished are the two bathrooms and the master bedroom, which we will tackle another month. It feels so good to have so much accomplished!

We were going to go play cards with my grandma tonight, but when we called her this morning she told us she's leaving today on her bus trip to Tennessee with her sister! Lol my grandma is just always on the go! But it's good for her and I'm glad she's still traveling and doing what she wants, especially after what she's gone through lately. Good for her!

Judy, I'm so sorry to hear that things are tight for Jessie's family. I know that as a parent we never quit worrying about our kids and the economy has added even more worry for them. I hope that a job becomes available soon.

Gayle, it's hard to believe that you're at semester already!! With all that you do...I forget that you're a teacher as well......with students and everything!!!

Tell little Emma Happy Birthday from me!! How special.....she got two birthday celebrations!!!

Lindsey, Wow.....you've been working hard on the house if you have so much done!!! You're gong to have to take pictures for us!!!

Today...... I made chocolate fudge brownies. I hadn't had brownies in a long time and then Diana made some for my visit. So today....I made some and they are sooooo good, that I hid them.... :D Thing is....I hid them right on the kitchen table and they'll never know they are there.....lol...I'm so bad.

I used to hide my chocolate in the freezer! Nobody ever went in there except me!
Enjoy those brownies...yummy!

Linds - I also can't wait to see pictures!

Gayle - It always is amazing how fast the fall semester goes, isn't it? Do you have a winter semester? I remember grading those research papers. I used to dread it, but it really was nice to learn new things, see how far my students progressed, and especially to give A's to those who deserved it. Teaching is the most amazing thing to do, don't you think? The world is a better place for you being a teacher. Gayle!

Happy Birthday to Emma too!

Jessie called me yesterday to invite me to ago to town with her and the girls. Mackenzie needed clothes. I surprised myself by saying yes! I usually don't like spontaneity. I had such fun! Kassidy is 8, and I know that this is the end of the little girl part of her life, so I enjoy every minute of time with her. She is really so bright too! She's like a little computer. While jess and Mackenzie were clothes shopping, we ran around the Body Shoppe, trying on every sample of creams, lotions and whatnot. When we walked in, she said to me, "Testers Grandma...look for testers!" Then a saleswoman came over and Kassidy was thrilled! She and the woman were discussing the various deals and packages you could get. I was thinking, "Poor woman...it's like trying to sell body creams to 2 children who are just playing with the testers!"

Then we went on to lunch, Walmart for a million things, the girls got presents, and we finally went home. I bought Mackenzie new bedding and Kassidy got a new baby doll (who she named Ashley, by the way). When I walk with Mackenzie, we hold hands, which is so lovely. She still lets me kiss her cheek in public!

I really enjoyed the fact that I was there to help Jessie. Like I said in an earlier post, she isn't feeling well. I know I complained about being expected to help so much, but I really am enjoying the kids, and it always feels good to help someone out, especially your own child. I think making the transition from being so free to being there so much was difficult. Now that I'm in the mode, it really is a very good thing. I still feel guilty though, when I don't go over. Well...nobody promised me a rose garden!

Today's agenda:

Bathe the dogs
Set up the invisible fence for the dogs (I have an indoor transmitter, and have to figure out where to put the flags outside. I hope I don't get in trouble for putting up flags).
Laundry
Give myself a facial
Hang a picture
Clean up

Not too bad at all!

Sounds like you have enough to keep you busy Judy.

Today I cleaned the kitchen good. I love clean looking countertops..:) I was going to go get some groceries, but had to pay bills first so I knew how much I could possible spend. I may go later this afternoon while the guys are out deer hunting.

I need to bath the dogs, but not in the mood...so maybe tomorrow. Can't think of anything else I really did today.....oh I did go pick Gidget up from the Vet. She's doing just fine.

I'm planning on going to church tomorrow....I just hope I can get up and moving.

Today I haven't done much at all. I did wash a couple of loads of laundry. My sister came up Friday night and spent the night with me. She took Mom back home yesterday evening. Mom my sis and me went shopping and got a few things for Christmas. That was fun. We hadn't gotten to do that for a long time.
We had a really good time in Tennessee. Mom broke down a few times but all in all it was a good trip. I think we both needed it.:)

It's so nice that you got to spend family time with your Mom, Paula. You need to be together now.

Hmm, I woke up

went to a taqueria for breakfast

went bedsheet hunting until finding the right one

went grocery shopping

made sandwiches for lunch

check e-mail and more

I kept the girls today. Abi is 14 and she can keep Emma who just turned 4, but their folks had to be gone all day, so that is a long time for the sisters to NOT get mad at each other. So, I took them shopping at the outlet mall. We only bought a couple little things, but Emma rode several of the kiddie rides so she was happy.

Then we picked up papaw (Gary) and went to eat Chinese food - REALLY GOOD!

Next, we dropped Papaw off and we went to the sporting goods store to look for Abi some ankle braces for volleyball - but didn't fine what we were looking for. We went to the sporting goods store on the University campus, and Abi always enjoys seeing all the college kids and their array of hair color, tatoos, and piercings. LOL!

We didn't get home till about 4:00PM and then their folks got home about 5:00. I had to go to Petco to get the boys some food, and run by the grocery store for bread and milk.

Gary is going to take the train up to Oklahoma on Wed-Sun. Yes, I am concerned about him going, but he will be with family and should be in good hands. At least he will be on the train and won't be driving - I always worry about him driving. It's a 4.5 hour drive and he gets so sleepy!

I'll be flying to New Orleans on Sunday, so Brooke will pick him up and bring him home (boy, I'll miss having her here to help with things like that after they move to Houston!). I'll be home about 1:00PM on Monday (quick trip). I have a presentation to do Sunday afternoon, or I wouldn't go at all.

We went to church this morning. Out to eat to Olive Garden with Rex, of course, and Karen & Carlton and Garrett & Melissa. So good to have them all together.

Home for a bit, baked a cake and some brownies, then off to Carlton's grandmothers to shoot some guns. I shot a little 35 pistol, and the kids shot all sorts of things.

Home and off to evening worship service.

Home again, munching a bit, not too hungry after our big lunch. Doing laundry to get ready for a busy work week and family in the evenings. Karen & Carlton will be here through next weekend. I think they leave on the 22nd.

We were visiting Scott's parents for the weekend, and his nephew who was staying there while his sister and her husband were in Mexico for a wedding. Yesterday morning we were at church when his mom got a text from his sister saying there was an explosion at their resort but they were okay and being evacuated. We got home and watched the news...5 Canadians and 2 Mexicans are dead, with 2 more Canadians in critical condition and many in hospital :( That is so scary! I am so thankful they are home safe now.

Other than that we had a great weekend of visiting, and we got home last night in time to watch our football team win in the SECOND OVERTIME to go to the Western Final next weekend! Woohoo!

Today I went over to the woods to take pictures of Ricky and the doe he shot this morning. He has been hunting for 3 years and this is his first. He called to tell me got one and I kept hearing this rattling sound so I asked him what it was. ......lol....he said "Mom it's me"... :)..."I'm cold and really excited at the same time" so he was shaking. Even though I really don't like for the deer to be hunted, I do understand the damage they do not only to crops but to vehicles too. It's just that I can sit on my porch and watch them in the fields and also see so many on my bus route. Such beautiful animals....anyway...I'm so happy for him.

Janet, So happy for Ricky. Saw the pics on FB. Nice doe!!!

Today, Rex and I both went to the podiatrist. We've each had a sore heal for about 6 months. His right one, my left one. We both have heal spurs. Go figure. So we each got a cortisone shot in our foot that was really painful. We go back next week for another shot and are both on anti-inflamitories for a month. That should do the trick for about 10 years, according to the doctor. I sure hope so. There are exercises too that should help.

We spent some time with Karen, Carlton and Melissa today. Went out to eat for lunch. It's so nice to have them here. Savoring the time!!!!

I'm really not doing anything today...lol. The guys left to go look at trucks for Ricky. I hope they find one that he can afford.

Marilyn....I had a heal spur some years back...don't really remember how long, but a long time. The Dr. I had was great and told me that when I start feeling the pain...it would be over and he was right, so it wasn't as bad as I had expected. I only went for the one shot though and I've not had any trouble. I'm pretty sure it was before Ricky was born....almost 20 years ago.

Janet, did they have any luck finding a truck? Hope so!

Twin heel spurs! That's love!

My dryer stopped working a few days ago. I went online and it sounded like the belt broke, so I hunted down a new belt yesterday. I didn't want to wait for my SIL to scratch his butt to get over here and fix it, and who knows what he would charge me, so I found a video online, and along with the guy who owns the appliance place's directions, I fixed it myself!

Haven't run a cycle yet, but it will be fine. I am so proud of myself! I think I will go be on "Dirty Jobs" now that I am officially so macho!

They didn't find one where they went to look, but he did find one just down the road. I'm so glad he can afford it and the insurance. I think he'll be getting it tomorrow or Saturday. I really wouldn't mind having it myself. It's a 4 door Chevy S10 with a shortbed and 4 wheel drive.

Judy....I am so darn proud of you I could burst!!!!! I would not have even thought of checking online to fix it myself.

I really went online to see what was wrong with it by the "symptoms" to see if I should bother trying to get it fixed, or start looking for a new one. Go figure! The appliance store guy get $85 for a home visit!


Good luck with that new truck Ricky!!!

Woohoo Judy! I'm proud of ya too girl! Hope it works well for ya!

Today I am embarrassed to say that I had to go to the hair dresser and let her fix my screwup lol! I decided that I would try to color my own hair to save a little money:rolleyes:didn't work lol.......made a huge mess of it! But all is well now. She didn't charge me any extra to fix it, just the regular 70.00 thank goodness. Lesson learned. I won't make that mistake again. It was white and "butterscotch" colored:eek: Don't think I'll do that ever again!

Oh my...$70???? I use to color mine, but then decided to have it done every month. Cost was around $40. When she ended up at $50 I decided to quit coloring and go completely gray. I should've kept the money every month that I spent on hair color.....I'd have enough to buy an IPad by now....LOLOLOLOL

What did you use on your hair Paula? White and butterscotch sounds like ice cream!

Judy I wish it had've been ice cream....it would have washed out lol. I used kalidecolors, that's probably not how you spell it. I have used it before but not for a long time. Seriously my hair was snow white and brass. I wouldn't go out of the house for 2 days until I could get in to my hairdresser. It was horrible.

Yes Janet. She charges 70.00 for foiling. She will pull it through a cap for 55.00 but I like the way the foils turn out. I only get it done about every 10 weeks or so. The foil colors it closer to the scalp so it lasts longer. I agree that it is pricey but I don't want to go all gray just yet lololol.

I'm getting ready to go pick up Gary at the train station, he was 2 hours late when we went to Oklahoma on Wednesday, and today he is only an hour late! :D Trains, gotta love 'em!

I didn't do much today at all. Ricky wanted to go to Pepe's to eat supper so we did. I had the Stuffed Taco Dinner and two very very cold beers.....hmmmmm sooo good. Now I'm here and soon will be going to bed dreaming about an IPad.

Janet.......you are soo funny girl! Hope you enjoy your ipad dream lol!
Today I made 6 pumpkin rolls and put them in the freezer, washed a couple loads of clothes and that's about it. But it was a good day:)

You will NOT believe this! When the train from Oklahoma arrived tonight, I was waiting on the platform for Gary to emerge. Lots of people got off the train, and then no one else got off and they started to close the door.

I said, "WAIT, I'm missing a passenger"!!!!! They asked me his name and they had to PAGE him.

What happened? He had a terrible headache and had taken a pain pill, fell asleep, and didn't wake up when the train stopped!!! :eek: He actually had awoken and realized the train was stopped and was walking down the stairs when he heard his name being paged.

I had worried about him hearing his stop on the way up there and back, as he is hard of hearing and the announcements are often very hard to hear.

Luckily I was there to ask his whereabouts! LOL!!! :D

Oh, and he said the train had to stop once because a woman, a child, and a dog were walking on the tracks! :o Can you imagine!!!

Today was my first day of my vacation week!!
Woo hoo!! I have been working six, usually seven days a week for the past year, so today I took a fast trip to store, back home, put on my jammies, prayed the phone didn't ring, (it didn't) and resting.

Doing Thanksgiving dinner here for my family, so looking forward to cleaning house.. not really, but a darn good excuse for getting things done.
Also hope to clean out my closets! Goodwill here I come!!!

The next few days I will be very busy. :)