Oh, and Betsi! So hope all goes well with your reunion, your trip to Seattle! And that your flooring goes in well and looks great!

Whew! we have worked all yesterday evening and all day today. But we have gotten soooo much done. Gary's shop looks great, we have everything separated out amongst fishing, hunting and carpentry. It's all organized and looks great. I'll be taking some things to OK when I go for Gary's get together to give to his sons. The rest of his things I'm going to go through slowly like Janet suggested. There's no hurry.

I'm going to turn our office into a bedroom. Gary and I both had computers in there, but I'm giving Gary's computer to Abigail. I decided I could move my computer desk to my bedroom because the kids are taking the king size bed and with a regular sized bed in here, the computer desk will be just fine. I'm going to put 2 twin beds in both the bedroom. That way I'll have beds for Brooke, Bryan, Abi and Emma to sleep in when they come to visit. That will be much better. I think I'll be really comfortable having my desktop computer right here in the bedroom. If I can't sleep I can get up and get on the computer. LOL!

We have worked really hard this weekend. I'm really happy with all that we got accomplished. Now, I can work leisurely sorting through things and deciding what to do with them. I am going to take some of Gary's hand tools, some fishing rods, and a few other mementos that I know he would want his sons, aunt, uncle and sisters to have, to OK when I go up this month.

I'm tired but so pleased with all that we got done.

Gayle, so glad you had such a productive and rewarding day. I'm sure it helps to stay busy and make plans for the future. I'm sure Gary's sons and family will really appreciate your thoughtfulness!

We got up early and cleared the remaining decorating items out of the Parade Home. The cleaning people were just arriving when we finished to prepare for the owners to move into their new home.

The rest of the day was spent doing laundry and cleaning. I did take time to go to the farmer's market. So today we ate fresh sweet corn picked yesterday, fresh purple hull peas, home raised tomatoes and cantaloupe. I bought a few pickling cucumbers, too so I can put up a few jars of dill pickles. Don't think I'll find any fresh dill though. There wasn't any at the market, so may have to use dill seed this year.

Tomorrow after worship I hope to steam clean carpets. No rest for the wicked as the old folks used to say!

Gayle, i am so glad you have had help getting sorted with the tools etc, it makes the job easier too with being able to chat as you work.

I just wanted you to know i am thinking about you all, it is so so hard, but take each day at a time - you will get through it.

You all were busy Gayle to get a workshop in order....especially a man's workshop...lol I'm so glad you're pleased with the outcome. Gary's sons are going to be so happy to have some of their father's things. You are so thoughtful. I am also glad you're going to take your time with the other things. Plenty of time, it will also help keep you busy when all you want to do is think.

As with the computer....that's exactly what I do. If I can't sleep, I either get on my laptop or iPad.


Marilyn...we have a Farmers Market here too, but it's not as good as I would like. There is a guy that drives a small van around to small towns and I've been buying off of him. I honestly have never tasted fresher and better tasting veggies and fruits. He comes to a small little burg about 15 minutes from me on Wednesdays so I always look forward to see what he has.

Yesterday I went to an auction. I'm so glad I did. I bought a new couch (I think it's called Micro Suede), it's a chocolate brown color and is beautiful. It's only 2 months old and I bought it for $300. Their neice told me they paid $1200 for it. I also bought a beautiful dining room table and chairs that were a couple of months old also for $70. I'm just so happy. I've not been able to find some good deals for quite some time and the first thing I wanted to do... was show Mom. Anyway....as soon as I get them in the house I'll take some pictures. Right now the dining room set is still in the van and the couch is sitting in the garage. When both the guys are home this evening we'll bring them in. Ricky had to work, Rick is in working on the rental house and I'm trying to get things caught up here. It was a very good day yesterday.

Yesterday Scott and I spent the whole day in the city again. We did a lot of shopping for wedding stuff again! We had to go to the liquor store and try to get an estimate of what we need to buy because we're running our own bar. Then we went to an engraving store and bought a little pewter piggy bank train for our ring bearer with his name and our wedding date on it. I also found little heart shaped jewelry boxes and I had those engraved for our flower girls too, to put the jewelry I bought them in it! Then we headed to a book store and bought our minister a $50 gift certificate and a little book of inspirational quotes that has a gift card holder in it :) I know he gets paid from our church fee, but I know it's not a whole lot and we wanted to do something a little extra too!

We also did some test driving again! We found a 2009 Ford Edge in our price range with pretty low kms. We've decided to stay away from the Enclave because the ones we can afford are 08 or 09 and they have lots of major issues, according to what we can find online! After test driving the Edge I think I feel more comfortable in it, especially for city driving. Anyways, this one has navigation, the vista sunroof, memory seats, heated leather, everything we wanted! Except a factory tow hitch. The salesman told us that Ford does not do factory tow packages for Edges, but we googled it later and they do! We could put on our own tow hitch but it wouldn't tow nearly as much. We're thinking we'll get a small trailer in the next couple of years and use it for hauling yard waste to the dump etc. and we are hoping for new kitchen appliances in the next couple of years too that we'd need to haul with a trailer. So we'll have to see if an aftermarket hitch would do that much for us.

Today I'm just doing some chores and working on some more wedding stuff. Scott is labeling the wine bottles today, and I'm going to print out some fun questionnaires for our guests (such as, how many kids will we have?) so we can keep them and look at them years down the road :) In the meantime, we have "Jukebox Oldies" on tv playing through the house, laundry being washed, and a beef roast being cooked in my brand new slow cooker from my mom :D I love Sundays!

Lindsey how exciting when is the wedding ? I am sure that you are plenty busy these days..

It's July 7th Gina! Coming up too fast lol! I don't know where the time went!

Lindsey, you are getting so close! It's so much fun to be "with" you while you take care of all the wedding details. I love it.

Janet, your day at the auction sounds like so much fun and you found so many great things!!! I can't wait to see pictures.

The kids left about noon today, Abi had to play volleyball at 5:30 and they live about 3.5 hours away from Austin. It was hard to see them go. I have a lot of things to do, but still I love them being here.

I bought a bed. YAY! The kids were going to take the tempurpedic king bed home, but then Bryan realized that our king bed was actually two separate twin extra long beds, so he took them apart and put them in the guest room. They fit perfectly and they are REALLY nice beds, so my houses guests will love sleeping on them. I already had one twin bed in the other bedroom, so I only had to buy another twin bed, instead of THREE! Yay again! I bought a full size bed for me. I didn't want it to take up too much room in my bedroom since I moved my computer in here. I found a really nice bed, I hope I like it. Both beds will be delivered tomorrow, so everything will be ready for the kids to come back soon! This weekend Brooke and Bryan slept in the king bed. Abi slept on the twin bed, I slept on the couch and Emma slept on a pallet on the floor. Next time, everyone will have their own bed!

I had one really hard moment today. Our renters always make the rent check out to Gary and Gayle Acton. I don't know why but they did. So, of course when I received the June rent check, it was made out to both of us. I decided to take it by the house and tell them about Gary and ask then to make another check out to me. I knew the wife had a reoccurrence of breast cancer, but we hadn't been over there in a couple of months, so I didn't know how she was doing. I knocked on the door and one of the sons answered. I told him I needed to talk to him and he asked me to come in. I was standing in the hall and told him that Gary had passed away and he was so kind and he hugged me and told me how sorry he was. He asked me to come in and sit down and when I went in to the living room, I could see the flowers everywhere and instantly I knew that his mom had also passed away. Turns out it was just a few days before Gary. Oh dear, we both cried and consoled each other. They are such a wonderful family. There is the father, two sons out of HS and a daughter who is 14. Whew! That was hard. One son had been working during the day and another working in the evenings so that someone would always be home to take care of the mom. The son I was talking to had been working in the evenings but he said he was transferring to days so he could be home in the evenings to spend more time with his sister. I thought that was so sweet.

Janet, I was thinking of you as I went into our rent house. I want you to know that I am so lucky though, our house was SPOTLESS. I didn't call or anything before I went over and I am so pleased with house nice it looked. The wood floors looked better than MINE! We have stained concrete in the back part of the house, so they should be fine. I know lots of other things can happen, but I was so relieved to see the house looking so wonderful.

Got my new bed today and it is nice and comfy! I think I'm going to like it a lot. I got the twin bed too and it is nice also; however, the twin sheets I had did not fit it :( so I had to run out and get some. Ross, a discount store, had some really nice 350 thread count for $10.

Wow thats really good a price for 350 thread count Gayle..... I really do like good quality bedding, i have some 400 and 650 thread, and once used to good quality -cheaper just wont do, but i paid a lot of money for my bedsets, the cheapest was £50 and that was at a discount of 45% as well.

I am glad you are getting sorted with the house, it will be so much better now everyone having their own beds.

I know it is very hard for you, but i am thinking about you and praying too.

Take care of yourself.

Today has been a beautiful day, lovely and sunny and warm, so i bought some plants for my hanging baskets that i have at the front of my holiday home. I have six baskets and i bought some lovely plants, yellow and orange marigolds, blue lobellias, double hanging petunias, pink and white that are perfumed and are gorgeous, and some others i cant recall the names of - i am not very good with names of plants. So i came home and planted them up and they look really nice (i will take some pictures once they get growing and fill out a little), i have lots of leftover plants, so i will take them home and do my 2 baskets that i have on the front of my house.

We are away (at holiday home), until Sunday 10th, and i am just relaxing and chilling out. I have had a problem with my eye though, very swollen and wow painful in my head and ear, had to go to the hospital and they gave me some anti-biotics as they said it was an infection - been on them now for 3 days and the swelling is going down, but the pain is still there, feels like someone is jabbing a needle into my ear.

My uncle has been in the hospital as he suddenly went off his legs and couldnt walk, also had pain in lower back, he was finally admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago - what a job i had though as he kept refusing to go. I had to be very firm with him in the end, as he couldnt stay at home unable to mobilize, he is now in rehab, so i felt i needed a break away, it is very tough working, looking after him and my family too, i think thats what caused me to feel so ill lately.

I am going to enjoy my week off work and brace myself for going back home.

I went to dinner with a cousin who only lives about 20 miles from me. We talk on FB and play Words with Friends and Draw Something, but we don't see each other that often. She is actually from my step side of the family so I was never super close to her, but she is a really really nice person, so we had a nice time together.

Gayle, it seems like you're keeping busy getting things all in order. It will be nice to have beds for everyone when they come and visit.....It sounds like you got a really good deal on sheets. I shop at Ross when I go to Muskogee and visit my Aunt. It's a cool store!!!

How sad to find out that not only had Gary passed but also your renter. I'm sure it was nice to see that the house is being kept up.

Oh Diane.....I'm so sorry that you're ear is causing you problems. My Mom had an ear infection that made the whole side of her face swell. I hope it gets better soon!! Get lots of rest at your holiday home!! It sounds so nice!!

Marilyn, it's so good to have you back!! You've been missed!! You are so busy.....I can't believe how much you travel!!!

Nothing much going on here.

Yesterday I worked my 'you know what' off and now I'm so sore. I started by cleaning the hutch that was given to me. It was so dirty that it looks like a different hutch. I can't believe how long it had been since I moved furniture and dusted. There was so much dust I'm totally embarrassed to admit. I use to be such a picky house keeper, but not anymore. I would be if it was just me, but for now...not so much.

I will be posting pictures of the furniture I bought in the pictures forum.

You did do a lot Janet. Don't overdo it and get your neck flared up. I'm so cautious for you because Gary would sometimes do something that would flare up his neck.

I'm trying to get my house straightened up too after all the moving. Janet, you talk about dust bunnies - whew! I had them too!!! But they are all cleaned up now. I put my mom/grandma's quilts on the twin beds - well one of them still has the bedspread that Abi picked out when she stayed with me last year, so I won't change that one. I put my grandmas very old chenille bedspread on my bed. It is so pretty. I'll have to get some pictures.

The oxygen company is coming today to take away all of the oxygen equipment. I'll be glad when it's gone.

I've got some errands to run today also. I'm having my students do their class today online today so I don't have to go to school, but I am going for a bit this afternoon. One of my former students is applying for med school and asked me to write her a recommendation letter. I did that and submitted to this online center, but for some reason it is not showing up so I've got to go to school and try to resend it. It's OK. For some reason I don't have much energy today and if I didn't have anything to do I might just sit in front of the TV all day. Blah!

I did over do it Gayle, but so far I my neck area hasn't bothered me. Just ache all over.. :) Aren't those dust bunnies horrible. I had them flying all over the place. This just isn't me to let things get that dusty. But I just don't have the 'want' like I use to and definitely don't have the strength or stamina to move everything without aching for days.

I would love to see your grandmother's bedspread...I love chenille. I bet everyone will love having a bed to stay with you...how nice.

It will be sad for you I'm sure, but at the same time, you not having to see the oxygen equipement everyday. Let yourself grieve over another step. Not easy, I know...I'm still having a difficult time.

Yesterday I put some things in the hutch. It looks so nice with pretty glassware in it. Today, I think I'm going to go through the kitchen cabinets and see what needs to go. There are some things I'm sure I just don't need or want anymore. I have a booth rented for the flea market on the 16th so I'll have a place to take them and see if they will sell.

Did you get your cleaning done yesterday Janet? I spent the day running around doing errands. I have class this afternoon, but i have a guest speaker, so that will be easier than doing class all by myself.

Yes I sure did. Cleaned all the kitchen cabinets and mopped the floor. It looks so nice I almost hate keeping the dogs in there...lol.

Today, I'm tackling Ricky's room. It is going to be so dusty and dirty in there. I wanted him to help go through things, but he has to work. So, I'll get it all cleaned and we can go through it later. I know there are some things I could take to the flea market so it has to be done before the 16th.

Well I guess I'd better get busy or I won't be able to move.

Sorry it seems like I've been missing but I typed out a long post and then my computer got disconnected and I lost the whole thing and I didn't have time to repost it. My cord is loose and my battery won't charge, in spite of trying all I can to get a good battery. I've found out that it's an actual flaw in Dell's computers at the time I bought mine. UGH!!!

Janet, you are a go-getter!! Always getting so much done!!!

Your hutch was so pretty!! I'm sure you'll have fun arranging things in it!! Just don't over-do like Gayle said.

Gayle, it sounds like you're getting things back in order. I'm sure that every step is painful but is a move ahead. The family will enjoy having a room and a bed now when they come and visit!!

I'm trying to get my bedroom in order. It's been a mess ever since Dae Lynn moved in. I have some things that I don't have room to store in the closet and refuse to take them to the basement so they've just sat in my room. I'm getting so tired of it so I'm trying to get something done about it. Plus, I've got some stuff for the flea market and I'm pricing it to get it in the store. I don't make much but it is a little considering I hardly ever put anything in. I really should do better.

Okay....another couple rooms done. I cleaned and rearranged Ricky's room. It hasn't had a good cleaning in so long I'm embarassed to say. Now it looks so nice, but the cat sure wasn't happy with me at first...lol. She's okay now and all the kitties are happy too. We'll go through his things over the weekend or on his days off which are Monday and Tuesday. As long as it's done before the flea market on the 16th.

I was on a roll so when I got Ricky's room done, I cleaned the guys bathroom. I want to tell you that it was the most gross job I've done in a long time. Neither one rinse the shower walls down when they are done with a bath or shower and the walls were just so dirty. They don't clean or brush out the toilet either and I thought I was going to vomit. Whenever someone came over I would have them use my bathroom. Now we'll see how long it lasts. I will be going in there every evening and telling them what needs done before they go to sleep. There is absolutely no sense in letting it get that bad. They will just have to start calling me the bathroom cop....LOLOL.

Now I'm sitting in a chair with nice cold water cooling off before I go take a bath and relax. I'm exhausted and so sleepy.

Janet you are so organised, you make me tired just reading what you are doing, your house is going to be all gorgeous and orderly when you are done.
You are giving me reasons to get stuck in myself when i get back home, we are still away until Sunday..... its bliss.

Diana.... i was wondering where you were, i have looked for your posts, hoping everything is going ok at home with everyone, and you are getting time out to relax.

Gayle... glad you are ok, i am thinking of you, i agree with the others, it will be better for you when the medical equiptment is all gone, sounds like you are keeping yourself busy and getting organised at the same time. You and Janet are putting me to shame:D

Wow! You all have been so busy! I feel like a slug, I am so lazy! I'm feeling very tired lately. I have been eating tons of sugar candy, and I think that might be making me tired. I must stop!!!!

My little Kassidy turned 10 on Tuesday! No more babies in the family! She really always will be the baby, but she is growing up so soon! Mackenzie will be 15 on June 15th! They are both such good girls! They do very well in school, have great values, and are such a pleasure to be with. The boy who Mackenzie has liked all year, it turns out, has liked her too! I don't know if anything will come of it, but I am so happy for her. It's so good for her self esteem. He is a really nice boy too. He is very bright, and is graduating, even though he is only 16. He is an athlete, and they met when doing the school play. I believe his family is also pretty religious too. She has good taste!

I have some boring chores to do that will take me about 3 days but I have put them off for so long that I don't even care if I do them or not anymore.

Gayle, I think you are doing such a good job of organizing and getting rid of stuff. I remember my aunt giving my cousin his dad's tools when he died. He was so thrilled! It is a very intimate gift for a man to get tools from somebody he loved. I still have my father's hammer, and his big stapler (including the staples), his meter stick, and probably a thing or two more. How sad that your renter passed away! You are in my prayers.

Janet, I have to go look at your new furniture pix! What great deals you got!

And congratulations Diana! A baby boy!!! How wonderful! How is Dean doing with his training? How is Karlie doing?

Linds, once this wedding is over, you are going to have withdrawal! It is so exciting!

I may walk the dogs tonight, or do some of these boring chores. Or, I may do nothing, and feel like a slug again.

I would love to see any pictures of your vacation place Diane. I bet it's lovely.

OOoooo......pictures would be so nice, Diane!!

Janet, there you go working circles around me as usual!! I was so tired from being up so late last night that I slept most of the afternoon and am still looking forward to going to bed!! I'm not used to being up much passed midnight!!!

Judy, your grandchildren are growing so quickly!! Mackenzie is about the same age as my older granddaughters......and I'm not ready for boyfriends either. Kera has one and Amy has had so many problems with her about the boyfriend. The twins, Karley and Kiley, don't seem to be too interested at the moment.......and Papa likes it that way!!!

Yes, we are having a boy!!! The due date is October 23. The doctor has moved it back a couple of times and this is where it's now at. I can't wait!!

Dean's potty training is going fair........he's ran into to tell me that he needs to go "poop" only to find out that he's already gone........but that's a good step. It's always an arguement after that because Dae Lynn gives him gum........he thinks that he needs some just because he told us!! He will go if we take him.....but doesn't recognize the need to go himself......but he's quite a bit ahead of other kids his age so we're not pushing it.

Dae Lynn took the kids to the pond this evening and with a life jacket on Dean can kick and paddle and swim around by himself!! That's pretty good for a two year old. We have always had our kids and grandkids swimming without a jacket around the age of four and he may be a little ahead of that too!!

I forgot my Aunt Marva and her husband, Jack, are coming to stay with us this weekend. Totally forgot!! Jack has a class reunion here in town and my Mom and step-Dad are going to be out of town so they are staying with us. It will work out well because Dae Lynn is going to be gone for the weekend with Damon. They are going to World's of Fun in Kansas City. She's going to straighten her room and I'll get the sheets washed tomorrow and back on the bed. I wish you could all meet my Aunt Marva......she has a personality that doesn't know a stranger and is a lot of fun......you'd all enjoy her!!

Did you take the dogs for a walk last night Judy? I would be too afraid now that you've seen a bear cub. Your grandkids are growing so fast, it's just unreal! I know how proud you are of all of them...they're great talented kids.

Diana, from all that you've written and told me about your Aunt Marva...I would love to meet her. She sounds like my kind of people.

Well I think I'm done cleaning for awhile. I still need to do the back/mud room, but it can wait for now. I'm still so sore I can hardly move. I just don't understand why. I would think I would have worked some of the soreness off, but no...it hasn't happened. It's really bad when after sitting down I get up...my hips hurt so bad that I have to stand up slowly and get my balance before I can start walking. Once I'm up and moving I'm okay. Getting old sucks!!!

Today I'm not going to do a whole lot of anything. I need to go to town and pick up the rent at Mom's house and I'm going to do an inspection while there. Then I'll need to go to the bank and deposit the rent. Most likely I'll come home and do absolutely nothing...lol.

With Marva coming I'll be spending my day cleaning!! Such fun!!!

Its so lovely to read what everyone is doing each day, its so interesting to be part of your lives.

Today we found a lovely country park, right by the riverside, we met a lady and her young dog - Rufus he is a cocker-poo (cocker spaniel X poodle mix), we started to walk, and she stayed with us throughout our walk, found out she had lost her husband last year, and all about her family too - a lovely lady.

Now as i have said before i never let Harvey off his lead with other dogs around, but today i did and he played with Rufus on a open stretch of grass, chasing and playing so nice... it was wonderful to see them. We will definitely be going there again, its only about 4 miles from us too, next time we will take a picnic and make a day of it. Harvey has been fast asleep since we got home - he is really shattered, bless him. Tomorrow i am going to give him a trim with clippers (he wont like that at all), i am going to attempt the puppy cut, and do his nails again, i last did them a few weeks ago and i will take the ends off as i am afraid of cutting too much at one go.

I am still on my anti-biotics, but my eye is definitely getting better, its still very itchy and sore, but better too?

I'm glad that your eye is getting better, Diane. Your day at the park sounds so nice and relaxing.......how nice that you made a new friend as well!!

Marva and Jack got in late last night.....because they went to a part of his class reunion first. They ate breakfast and lunch with us then left again for reunion activities and I think that they have something going on tomorrow as well. We've had such a good time visiting and showing off Dean!! He's really kept them intertained!! This afternoon I've just watched tv and took a nap because we were up late last night visiting after they came in.

Glen's busy with wheat harvest. It's in full swing in our county so all of the farmers are so, so busy!!

Oh Diana, I love wheat harvest, it's my favorite time of the year at home. I love watching the combines in the field and the trucks lined up waiting to dump at the elevators!

Hope you've had a great weekend with your aunt and her husband. Sounds like they were pretty busy.

So far today I've gone to town to get some groceries and then very little else...lol. Guess I'm saving up my strength to tackle the work needing done in the rental house. I'll be heading in there tomorrow and not looking forward to it. I'm really trying to talk Rick into selling it. We won't get back what we've got in it, but I'm just not into taking care of it anymore. I'm worried it will become a money pit in years to come. Not sure what we'll do, but we need to decide something.

Diana, I bet you had a great weekend with your aunt. When you talk about her, I can tell how much you love her and love being with her.

Janet, I can only imagine how much you are not looking forward to going to the rent house. I think about our rent house too and feel so grateful that we have great renters. But I imagine when they move out, I will sell the house. I really don't want to be a single woman with rental property!

I've had a long and sorta lonely weekend. Actually I've done quite a few things, but when I'm home, I feel lonely. It's odd, but I know I'll feel better in time. My neighbor came over for a couple of hours yesterday and that was nice. Her dad (who lives in another town) used to have a car dealership, and now he helps people to sell vehicles and other things. She offered to have her dad sell the vehicles, trailer and boat. It felt really great to have options. She also knows someone who might be interested in the travel trailer. I have another friend who's husband might be interested in the boat. This is the part of all of this I really hate - selling things. I know I'll get through it, but it is just yucky!

You're right Gayle, I'm not looking forward to it at all. I do think I have Rick pretty much talked into selling. He's saying we should go ahead and rent it out but try to sell it at the same time that way it won't be sitting empty. We'll see, have to get it fixed up first.

I'm so sorry your weekend wasn't the greatest. Do you think you're ready to sell your camper? Mom pulled hers till she was 85 or 86 years young. She enjoyed camping so much and I know you enjoyed it too. I liked hearing about beautiful places you parked it. Take your time.

I have been wanting to ask you how Rex and Rowdy were doing. Are they sticking a little closer to you? You haven't mentioned them and I'm sure they miss Gary too.

You are so right though about selling things being yucky. I hated having the auction but I hate even more that I let my older brother push me to have it so soon. Oh well, it's over and done with now.....everything about it is yucky!

It was so nice having Marva and Jack here. The weekend seemed really short and they were busy with his class reunion so it didn't seem like we really had much time with them. Jack and Glen had some good visits so maybe next time Glen will go with me to Marva's. Jack's always been so busy with work but he recently retired so he's a lot more relaxed and more fun to be around.

Gayle, I hate to hear that you're selling the camper and stuff. I understand why.......I just hate to see it go. There's really not a reason to keep it if you're not going to use it though.

I'm glad that you're neighbor came and visited you. I hate to hear that you had a lonely weekend but sadly you're going to have those. Gary was such a huge part of your life and I'm sure you feel lost without him there with you. I think that you're handling everything so well.......I would be a basket case!!

Wheat harvest is a neat time of year! I love to see the fields ripe with the grain swaying in the wind!! This year is a bumper crop year. Everyone is having a really good crop this year which is really nice for the farmers. Makes us wish that we would have planted more. Glen and Feyn got done with our wheat harvest yesterday now we're ready to start planting soybeans.

Janet, I'm so sorry about your rental being torn up. I know that I've probably said that before but I know how hurt you are by it. I don't know about the housing situation there but houses aren't selling well here so renting may be a better solution for you right now. You should talk to a realtor about how things are selling. They should be able to give you an idea on what the market's doing. Is it something that Ricky would be interested in living in? I know that he's been looking for a house........how about a rent-to-own? It could be the solution for both of you!!

Nothing much going on here......again!! I think that Dae Lynn has some plans. She had enrolled in a jr. college to take a course this summer and since things aren't going to work out she has to go to the college to opt out in person. She'll be leaving after the kids go down for a nap. Then she's cleaning the church tomorrow......and on Wednesday she and Damon are going on a vacation to Branson with Damon's Dad, sister and her family. Dae Lynn's worried about how that will go but she'll have her car there in case she needs a break from them. We took a ski trip once with all of Glen's family and his Mom was a BEAR. I swore that I would NEVER do that again......and I didn't so I can understand her worrying about it.

Glen was going to Mermot Springs next weekend but we're not sure that they're going now. The water isn't very clear so the visibility isn't good so they might just go to Beaver Lake. In that case I'll just stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet.

I forgot to add that while I was having Dean take a bath this weekend.......I went in the living room to rest for awhile while he played in the water.........and he obviously gave my Kindle a dunk in the water. I keep it in the bathroom by the toilet and he had even set it back in the same spot that I had it. I found it after he had already gone to bed and water was dripping out of it. I poured some alcohol in it but the next day it wouldn't turn on so I've poured some more in it and Dae Lynn now has it in the refrigerator.........??????? Anyway I'll try it later but I'm afraid that it's shot. :(

I have been reading but I have been so busy I haven't posted much!!

Last week for my birthday, I told Scott not to do anything or get me anything because we are saving for the wedding. He texted me at lunch and told me to come let him in the side door of my office. Well I have to go through two doors to get there and the first one locks and I didn't have my keys with me so I told him I can't go that way. I said just come in the front door! He texted and said come to the front door, he's waiting outside. I was getting annoyed becuase I was working through lunch so I could leave early! Anyways, I got up anyway and walked to the front door. He wasn't there. He wasn't outside. He wasn't down the side of the buildling. I came back to my desk, confused, and I was going to text and tell him to just come in by himself becuase he's obviously not here yet. But when I got to my desk, there was a vase of bamboo and flowers, a birthday card, and a jewelry box. My boss was laughing and said he saw him the whole time! He was hiding behind a pillar in the office when he was texting me, and I walked right past it on my way out the door!!! He left immediately after putting it all on my desk :) Oh and in the box were a pair of diamond stud earrings!!! I told him not to get me anything, and he gets me DIAMONDS??? I mean, I'm not complaining, but I didn't need them lol. They are beautiful though :) I am wearing them right now.

On the weekend we went down to visit his parents and attend a friend's wedding. While we were there, we bought an SUV lol. We decided it was our wedding gift to each other!!! It's an "ice blue" Lincoln MKX with black leather interior. It is MORE than what we wanted! It has a vista sunroof, 6 CD changer, bluetooth, voice commands, rear dvd in the headrests, heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, power everything, memory seats, backup sensors, tracking headlights that turn when you turn the steering wheel!!! It's all so cool because I always drive cheap vehicles lol! And even better - this one cost LESS than the Ford Edge we were going to buy a week earlier!!! It's a year older and does not have navigation which the Edge had but still, it's affordable and not something we thought we'd ever be able to have!

Scott even let me drive it home last night! I put Kash and Lucy's crate in the back, and Layla on the floor of the back seat. Layla was crying most of the way. She got quiet for awhile and I heard her scratching, and then I couldn't feel her anymore. She started screaming again, and I realized she somehow wedged herself under the seat and then cried because she was stuck. I had to signal to Scott to make an emergency pit stop in a Walmart parking lot to squeeze her out! I have no idea how she got under there in the first place. We couldn't get her back out that way! Scott had to pull her out the side with the door open. He took her in his car for the rest of the trip and said she was a perfect angel for him. Of course she was! Wouldn't you be, sitting on front seat after that trauma? Lol.

We got home really late last night. I didn't get to bed until midnight! I hate getting home that late on weekends and then having to go to work in the morning again. It feels like I didn't get a weekend because there wasn't even time to wind down at home!

Scott is a definite keeper!! How sweet!!

I saw a picture of your car on FB.....VERY nice!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Poor Layla.......I wonder how she got stuck? At least she was able to let you know that there was a problem. Poor little girl.

Since Ricky was off today and I had already cleaned and rearranged his room, we went through the closet and drawers. Something's we are saving and are packed up, the rest we are selling at the flea market.

I did find someone to paint the rental house next weekend. Rick will be there on Saturday while I'm at the flea market and then we'll both be at the house on Sunday. I'll be painting the lower kitchen cabinets and try to get as many windows cleaned as I can. After the painting is done I'll clean the carpets and have the new bedroom floor installed. I'll be so glad when it's done and we get it rented until we (Rick) decide to sell it or not. Way too much work.

I just can't seem to do much anymore without getting so sore I can hardly move. It's got to get better. The rest of today, I just gave a quick walk through in our house, made sure things were where they should be. Tomorrow I have to go buy all the paint and supplies and take them to the house. Sure hope there is some summer left for me to enjoy.

You are soooo busy, Janet!! I'm sure that you'll have everything back to better than it was in no time!! You are so good at setting goals and doing them!!! I wish that I was better in that area.

GOOD NEWS.........I got my Kindle to turn on and work again!!!! I kept trying to turn it on yesterday and had pretty much figured that it was shot. I kept looking at it to see if there was a reset button but I couldn't find one so I just held the button that turns it on and off down and just held it there for a long time and pretty soon it turned on!!! I was so happy!! I really like my Kindle and really didn't feel that I had the money right now to replace it........and I sure didn't want Feyn and Tammy to find out that it was ruined since they were the ones who had gotten it for me. Yay!!! I'm so happy!!!

Dae Lynn has gone into the church to clean so I just have Dean for awhile. He's so good you hardly know that he's here........except when he's getting into things!! :)

Glen's trip to Mermot Springs is changed to Beaver Lake because the clarity of the water is better at Beaver Lake so Janet and I won't be able to meet after all. I'm just going to stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet while everyone is gone. Actually, if I can get my carpet shampooer back then I think that I'll shampoo carpets while Dae Lynn and the kids are gone. They look really, really bad.

I've had a good day! I had class this afternoon and my students are just so sweet. I always feel so much better after spending the afternoon with my students. This evening an old friend called and we talked for an hour. She lives in Oregon. We went to grad school together in the early 90's and we only see each other every few years, but when we talk, it's so nice, especially tonight. She lost her husband very suddenly and unexpectedly not long before we met.

It's so good that your students make you feel so good Gayle. You must be as special to them as you are to us. Isn't it great to have friends from way back and when you speak...it's like you meet with each other all the time.

This morning I took all the boxes of items for the flea market to the garage with the other stuff. That way it's all there and ready to load into the van on Friday. Everything is priced and ready to be sold. Only thing left is to take my desktop computer out there, I bought it in '92 so it's time to say goodbye to it...lol. I've already taken everything off of it that should be taken off.

Then...I dusted and ran the sweeper and as usual, doing laundry. I'm trying to keep everything done up since I'll be busy over the weekend. I'm tired just thinking about the weekend. Sure hope I don't forget anything .

I did find someone to paint the inside of the rental house for me. I've known her since we were little. She was in my younger brother's grade at school. I trust her completely and know she'll do a good job. Rick will be there with her on Saturday because he has to re-set the toilet and do other odds and ends. We'll both be there on Sunday and I'll be painting the lower kitchen cabinets.

It's been cooler and just beautiful out the last few days, but still so dry. We haven't had any rain since the first of May and are not expecting any until maybe next week. I love sitting out of a morning drinking my coffee.