Are you flying back home from New Orleans? If you are renting a car to go see your friend in Lake Jackson, it would be much easier for you to fly home from Houston. Galveston is a neat place to visit, especially if you want some beach time;)

I am even more excited for this trip now!!!! :D

We will be flying home from New Orleans... actually we decided not to see my friend this time because it would be another day of driving. We do want to spend a lot of time in New Orleans too, since we've never been there before either! Scott and I are, at the moment, the only people even going down with my cousin and her fiance for their wedding. We are their bridal party AND their whole guest list :) It will be my cousin's first time on an airplane - she is terrified of them but her fiance said he wouldn't marry her unless she got on a plane and they went somewhere to do it. I have a feeling she won't do it again, so I want to spend some time with them in New Orleans as well. It will probably be my only chance to be on a vacation with her, ever lol. So, Scott and I decided to definitely do this one whole day trip (or part of the next day too, if we are staying the night somewhere else!) But we want the extra day or two to wander around New Orleans.

I'd love to see Texas someday though! If only my brother didn't decide to do another destination wedding a couple of months after this one, we'd have a lot more time to spend seeing the places we want!

You'll have fun in New Orleans, it's party central! There is plenty to do there to keep you busy. You will have a blast, and it shouldn't be too terribly hot in September!

Yeah I'm really excited for all we can see and do there! And now I'm excited to meet you too!!!! It will be an awesome trip :D

Today I went and looked at a 2011 Toyota Camry. I really love it and I want it...lol. I think I'm going to go back on Monday and test drive it. I will have to borrow the money....too bad, and Rick isn't real up for the idea, but too bad, and really have no business even looking for another car, but you guessed it....too bad....lol. If I like how it handles, I'm going to do all I can to get it....I want it and I deserve it. Please keep your fingers crossed.

Also went out to eat with Ricky for lunch and there was Linda (tootiredmom) with her hubby Gary, her mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law. So good to see her I darn near started to cry.

Janet, Toyotas are really well made cars and hold their value better than other cars so I would think that buying one would be a good idea. I know that you've been needing a new car for some time now. Good luck!!

I bet you had fun seeing Linda!! I wish that I lived close enough to you guys to "run" into you somewhere!!!

Betsi and Lindsey.....how cool that you're going to get to meet!! I wish that I was close enough to join you!! You know that we'll need pictures!!

We're going to be in New Orleans too.......to leave on our cruise!! But we'll be with a group. One of these days, Betsi, when I go to Mount Pleasant I'm going to call you and meet somewhere!! I know that you're not too far from there!!

Gayle....you would have been proud of me!! I went to the girls' basketball game last night and Elijah's this morning!! I know enough about the game to at least know when they've made a basket!! LOL

They really are nice vehicles. My van is getting to be in bad shape and I don't want to put a bunch of money into it. I'm really afraid to drive it very far and that's not safe. It needs new struts and shocks, tread on the tires are not good, and a host of other things mechanically are starting to fail. I've had to try and make money stretch so making it stretch alittle farther won't kill me. I could wait until June where we won't have any bills except utilities and will have the money from the two rental houses to help, but I just don't feel that safe in the van.

Rick must have decided it wasn't such a bad idea after all, we have to go to Lafayete tomorrow to purchase a new back door for the first rental we have so he wants me to look at some of the used cars that they have where he works. I'm so excited, but unless they have the exact same car at a lower price, it's going to be hard to change my mind.

Just reread my first post and wow....got a little carried away with the "too bads". I don't mean to be so cocky about it, but I'm tired of being talked out of everything I need or want to do by my spouse so this time, I'm not going to let that happen. I'm at the age where I want a nice comfortable ride with low maintenance.

Janet, we have a 2008 Camry and I really like it! Scott bought it brand new and it's never had any issues. We use it to commute to work every day, so it gets a lot of mileage.

We went to Scott's Christmas party last night... yup, in February lol. For some reason, that company has been losing tons of money. I don't know why, because every other company around here seems to be doing so well! Anyways, I was so surprised that the number of tables this year seemed to be cut in half from last year... it's always a huge party but it was almost dead last night. I'm sure at least half the office has been laid off in the last couple of months. Scott is safe for now, since he is contracted out of the company and working full-time at another company, so he is 100% chargeable to his company every day. It just sucks that the people we're used to hanging out with at his company events aren't even there anymore. Nevertheless, we did meet some new people and still had a good time. We got a cab back home and the roads were awful. We didn't make it home until almost 3 am :eek: It was hard to get out of bed today. I have NO IDEA how I used to be able to stay out late with my friends and be functioning early the next morning for class in college, or be at work first thing in the morning when I first started working. I can feel myself getting old already lol!

This afternoon, I'm making a big roaster full of cabbage rolls. I need to get started on that if I want to have some for supper tonight! I will freeze most of them.

Hi All,
It's been pretty quiet at my hacienda! Just ran errands over the weekend, went to a basketball game, and watched my birds on the feeders. Now it's Monday, and here we go again. It should be a pretty quiet week. I don't have class this week, my students are doing class online. They like to do things online and not have to attend the face to face class so I try to do that a few times a semester. It takes a lot of work to create all the things for them to do, but once I do that, then I'm hope free - until that is, I have to read everything they did. LOL! I don't mind though, it's fun doing something different!

Gayle, I'm sure your students are grateful for not always having to come into class. And it gives you some more time for yourself as well!

Not much going on here......Just Dean and me!!!

My Mom was here on Sunday after church and I guess that she's finally upset with my brother. It's about time!!! I had a neice that had a baby shower on Sat. and Mom and Art went.....but Delaine had to go home and sleep (he works nights at a donut shop)....it ends up that Mom and Art saw him in my town.....where the girlfriend that "he's not going with anymore" lives (she's on drugs and has caused him all kinds of trouble and Delaine has made ALL KINDS of excuses about her). Mom talked to him on the phone and he sounded like he was high. Mom's been believing everything that he's told him and I think that all of this has finally put things in perspective for her. She didn't say much to me but Art talked to Glen about it. With him being 50 years of age she needs to quit giving him money and helping him out!!

Glen and I had our dentist appointment yesterday morning. I hate dentists!! At least that's done for another year!!!

Tonight I think that we're going to Jaci and Nate's to play cards and eat pizza. She's been missing us!! They also have their new baby furniture that she wants to show us!!

We stopped and saw Jed after the dentist. He's getting SO big!! He's kinda' of a fussy baby so you never know how he's going to be. Mornings are usually good for him though. I got him to almost laugh and it was so cute!! He is such a cute little guy I just wish that he was more pleasant. Feyn and Tammy know that he's that way and it's hard on them as well in dealing with his fussiness. Hopefully he'll outgrow it soon!!

It will be kind of a sad Valentines day tomorrow for me. I don't have my valentine with me anymore, :(. We never got each other big gifts for valentines, but we always got each other 2 cards, one mushy and one funny. One time Gary waited till Valentines day to pick up a card on the way home and of course, it was a dumb card becasue it was practically the last one on the shelf. I made the mistake of saying it was a dumb card and that he shouldn't wait till the last minute to get one. Well every Valentines day after that, he made a BIG POINT to say he shopped WAAAAAAY in advance for my card so it wouldn't be dumb. It became a running joke with us. There won't be any dumb, funny or mushy valentine's cards from my sweetie this year, but I'll be thinking about all the funny and sweet cards he got me for 30 years, and I think that will help me make it through the day!

((((hugs))))) for you Gayle!!!

Oh Gayle! I'm thinking of you today.

On our way home yesterday, Scott stopped at the post office. I said "It's not mail day! It's Tuesday!" We normally stop to pick up mail on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He said "No.... it's Wednesday" and I realized I was too late to get him a Valentine's day card! Oops. This morning the roads were bad so we stayed home. He was really concerned about getting to the city today though. Conditions improved after a couple of hours so he went in to work. I have my laptop at home so I'm just staying at home to work for the day. He told me not to worry about cooking tonight. I came back upstairs to work and I saw an envelope on the top of a doorway with my name on it. It was a Valentine's Day card from him! I feel like such a bad wife this year lol! I will have to make it up another day. I hope I don't forget about his birthday or something lol.

A BIG hug for Gayle!!!! How funny that you got each other two cards!! How sweet!! I hope your memories help you to have a wonderful day!! Wish you were here I'd have you over for a Valentine's supper.

Since Dae Lynn's divorce is tomorrow I knew that she'd probably be down so I'm fixing supper. I usually do that anyway but was actually looking forward to going out this year.....Oh well. We're having BBQ pork steak (Dae Lynn's favorite), twice baked potatoes, a red-hot jello salad (that is Glen's favorite), cream cheese in corn, garlic bread, and cheese cake with cherries.......Yummm......I can't wait!! The salad is finished and the potatoes are baking......Glen's going to grill the pork steaks so I won't have too much to do.

Glen gave me a HUGE card this morning. I have a card for him too but I haven't signed it yet. I'll probably just set it on his desk rather than give it to him in front of Dae Lynn.

Well.....I better go.......Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!! Lots of love!!!

My kiddos are coming for the day. This is an unexpected trip - a funeral. They have to be in Houston tomorrow, so they are making a quick trip today. I'll get to keep the girls while mom and dad to to the funeral. Then we'll all eat a late lunch together before they head back. It will be good to see them!

Well I knew I was being a bit too cocky writing about getting a vehicle and one of these days I'll learn. I really want that Camry, but just got our taxes done and we have to pay. They didn't take federal taxes out on me, so I have to pay them and then the income from mom's house. It really wasn't much income because we sure don't have any left after paying for repairs, updates, taxes and insurance.

Not sure what I want to do now. A friend of mine told me that I would be going about $16,000 in debt for the car and that I'm just trying to make myself happy through getting a car. Even though I couldn't afford it, I was willing to go in debt for it anyway. She's probably right, but I've got to find something other than my van. It's needing some repairs and I just don't want to put a bunch of money in to it.

So....I'm going to try and watch my outbursts and cocky attitude.


I've been looking forward to today, no school. Suppose to be in the mid 50's with beautiful sunshine, but we are under a wind advisory. Walk out the door and you darn near get blown away...lol. I have errands to run in town so will do that and then I guess come back and stay inside. Sure wish it was warmer so I could be outside in the sunshine. It usually helps my depression.

Also, wanted you all to know that Ricky is still seeing the same girl, Audrey. I'm trying to push him out to fly on his own. I don't need to know everything he does, it just upsets me, so he needs to move out on his own. Either try to purchase a house that he can work on (only kind he'll be able to afford) or find a place to rent. All I know is it's time.

Janet, if you are needing a new car, I don't think you're just trying to make yourself happy through getting a car! If you need one, you need one. The right one will come along that you can afford!

We've had a busy but quiet weekend. We're getting all of our Africa stuff in order and we did some shopping on Saturday for extra stuff we need. I went to Winners (not sure if that is in the USA too or not, but it's a discount store with good brands) and got myself some good athletic shirts to take - a couple of short sleeves and a couple of long sleeves. Everything I own is heavier cotton, or colors I can't wear there (white or blue mostly), so it will be nice to have thinner shirts with wicking for the hot temperatures. Then I went to a sporting store to use a gift card I got from my parents for Christmas. I planned on getting some polarized sunglasses for the trip (I only own cheap Walmart sunglasses lol!) I didn't even look at prices, but the ones I liked ended up only being $100 so I had another $100 to spend! I found some nice grey lightweight zip-off pants... and they are long enough for me!!! I have really long legs and have issues finding pants that fit! So anyways, now I'm totally ready to go on the trip :) It was a successful shopping day!

On Sunday morning, Scott asked if I wanted to go skating with him. He goes almost every Sunday that there is a free family skate. Normally I'm busy doing other things, but I had only planned to run on the treadmill, so why not go skating instead? I pulled my skates out of the basement and when I took them out at the rink I noticed the blades were all rusted :( It made me sad!! I wiped off as much rust as I could, and went out. I was not really that bad. I had it in my head that I'm not good at skating now, because I've only been skating on bumpy outdoor ice for the last 10 years. It's just not the same!

I've been skating basically as long as I've been walking. My parents had a rink in our backyard when I was little, and I would push around a little stacking stool for balance on my teeny tiny little figure skates. When I was 4, my parents put me in figure skating. When I was 14 I started teaching the smaller kids as a helper to the coach. I stopped taking lessons when I was 16 (I was at the same level as my coach and would have to travel an hour each way for lessons at another town with a more advanced coach) but I continued teaching until I graduated high school, and I still performed at the town skating carnival.

I didn't try anything on Sunday, like spins or jumps or anything, because I wasn't sure how good those would be, and the rink was pretty full of kids so I didn't want to cause any injuries lol! But I can still skate. And I can still skate fast and backwards and balance on one blade and it all came back to me like I never stopped! I told Scott that I felt more like ME than I had in years. It's kind of a thing that defined me when I was growing up and I thought I had lost it! It's a really cliche thing to say, but I felt alive lol. I will be going to more Sunday skates with Scott now :)

Today is Family Day, a stat holiday here. I am catching up with laundry and housework! Boo.

Janet, I agree with Lindsey, you will get your car when the time is right. You need one and it will happen.

I had a good weekend, got to see my kids on Saturday. Then on sunday, I took Rex & Rowdy to the farmers market in their stroller. They loved it and so did everyone else. Gary used to say the boys in the stroller was a chick magnet! LOL! Of course for me, it's just a people magnet, but of course the main admirers are female. LOL! There is a lady there that sells organic dog treats (yes, of course i bought some!) and she took a picture of them and asked if she could display it. Of course, I said yes! I love the farmers markets. Food products have to be organic to be allowed at the market. I love that I don't have to worry about pesticides. Everyone there appreciates organic products and so it is a love fest amongst the customers. LOL! You can find goat's milk soap and lotions, natural deodorant, handmade jewelry, it's all just so much fun and makes me feel good! There is always a band or singer at most farmers' markets and that is nice too. The boys and I sat down and listened to The Mighty Pelicans for quite a while. They are sorta New Orleans jazz band and it was fun!

Today I'm going to a lecture at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at my university, the University of Texas, given by a former mayor of Atlanta (who is here as a visiting scholar at the LBJ School) about where we've been with civil rights and what the future may hold. A friend of mine that I don't see very often is going with me so it should be a wonderful event. I'm still appalled when I think about Governor Wallace standing on the steps of the University of Alabama and said Black students could not attend. I recall the old footage of the National Guard escorting the students to class. I can't imagine that happened in my lifetime, but it did!

The lecture yesterday was very good! The speaker made an interesting statement, "We are a country of immigrants, learning to be a country of immigrants". True statement.

Today is Gary and my anniversary (31 years). I'm not sad, just nostalgic.

Thirty one years...no wonder you are nostalgic, and you have every right to be sad.

I have started an exercise class called BodyFit Bootcamp. My niece encouraged (made) me go with her. Its a hard class for this ol' fat gal, but I'm doing the best I can. My sil Teresa is going too so we all sweat together!

Gayle, here is a picture of one of the halls in the Paris Opera house. Michael took a picture of me gawking at it, lol!

Hmmm. The preview showed that it loaded. I'll try again! Sorry, the upload keeps failing. Guess I'll try again later!

Gayle, I'm so proud of the way you deal with the special days of your marriage. You treasure your memories and draw strength from them. You are such a special woman and I admire you!!

Janet, You'll get a car......just keep looking. There are nice cars that are in a lower price range. Don't give up!!

Not much going on here. I had Dean today. Oh....he's doing so good with potty training!! All of a sudden he's getting it.....of course, a little swat on the rear helped out!!

Dae Lynn thought that Karlie had pink eye last night so she took her to the doctor this morning. It turns out that she has an upper respiratory infection that is affecting her eyes as well. Whew! I'm so glad that it's not pink eye!! When Dae Lynn came to get Dean she said that she's not feeling well. I hope it's not the flu!!

We got SNOW today!! Not much and it really wasn't that pretty but I'll take it!! Church this evening was canceled and we're suppose to have more bad weather tonight and tomorrow! I love watching it from my big windows!!

I've spent the last couple of days cleaning my bathroom. I even took a steamer and cleaned the tile around the bathtub and the floor around the toilet. It looks so nice! I really need to clean out some drawers too but I think that I'll worry about that later!!

I forgot to add......

Lindsey, I'm so glad that you found out that you hadn't forgotten to skate!! I'm sure you were thrilled. I didn't grow up skating and could barely roller skate but I wish that I could. My family all go if the ponds freeze over which isn't very often.

Gosh this place is quiet. I guess everyone is really busy. I've been busy too! Diana, did you all have a lot of snow this week? In western Oklahoma where my farm is located, they had about 16 inches with big drifts. My brother said there was a five foot drift in front of their front door but they could get out the back door. However, they have not had any electricity since the storm blew in, however I heard from someone else in the little town that their electricity was on this evening. It was quite the snow event and rural Oklahoma is ill prepared to handle such a dramatic snow event.

I've been busy at work, we are about mid semester so students and faculty are working hard. I'm in administration as well as teaching so we are actually trying to get the fall schedule set. Our students pre-enroll for the fall starting April 1, which is only a month away. So, it is a busy time!

I'm going to Houston this weekend. I'm anxious to see the kids, I haven't been down in about a month. I'm going to New Mexico for spring break. I have 2 cousins who live out there and one who lives in Oklahoma. My Oklahoma cousin is driving to Albuquerque and I'm flying - but only 1 way, because I'll ride back to Austin with my Oklahoma cousin as she wants to swing by here and see my mom. I think I'll be gone about 8-9 days, not really sure though. I'm leaving the dogs with my daughter this weekend. They won't be very happy staying with her for 2 weeks. But they'll survive!

We have not had any rain in several weeks now and very very little all winter. The drought is getting quite severe again. Year before last was horrid, last year a little better, and now it looks like we are going back to horrid!

Hope everyone is OK and checks in soon.

Gayle, I hope you have a good time!! It sounds like a nice trip!!

Sorry, I just haven't been on here or FB much lately. It just seems like it's too much effort to type out what's going on.

Yes.....we got snow!!! I was so excited and I have pictures to post on another thread for you!!

Last weekend we went to my Aunt Marva's where we went to a get-together to meet others that are going on the cruise. I was disappointed in the women because they weren't very friendly and I didn't meet as many as I would have liked to and I would have felt awkward marching out in the middle of them and making them meet me!!! LOL I did meet.....oh, maybe....5 or 6 so that's a start. One girl is about my age and seems to be fun so I'm really looking forward to chatting with her some more. I know that we're going with Marva and her husband but I know that they won't want to do EVERYTHING with Glen and me and I'm looking forward to making some new friends!!

Before I left for Marva's my neice called (the one that just had the baby) and her boyfriend took her car.....and it's basically all she has. Plus he's threatened her and she's terrified of him. So....she needs to figure out what she needs to do. With three kids and a drugged up boyfriend she has some decisions to make. It wasn't the most relaxed weekend with me worrying about her. I need to talk to her and find out if her car has been found yet.

Also my neice's sister, another neice, Jamie, had a baby on Monday. Our family is really expanding!! Plus we have three babies due in July on Glen's side of the family.....not counting Jaci!!

Speaking of Jaci......she's really starting to show!! The baby is quite active.....and I hope that's not an indication of what she'll be like when she arrives!! Jaci and Nate have her furniture already. Now they need to have a wall built (they live in a one bedroom house but it's a big room so they're building a wall to make another bedroom.) I've been buying thngs for the baby......and Nate's Mom has been too!! This will be her first granddaughter......she has 5 grandsons and the others are done having kids now so she is really excited about this one!!

Jaci and Nate came over a couple of days ago to visit and when it got late they ended up spending the night. It was so nice to have them here!! I wish that you all could meet them.....they are just the sweetest couple!!

Last Saturday I had a bad case of the stomach bug. I felt so awful and literally lost 6 lbs. I was losing nothing but pure liquid for a full 24 hours. So glad to have all that behind me now. Now I just have the aches in my ribs and back muscles from heaving so much. It's much better also.

I've been having daydreams of getting things done around here. Hoping to simplify and sell things that just are no longer needed. Tired of storing things that I will never use again. I was hoping to do something really fun on Spring Break, but I may start going through everything really good, starting with the attic.

Ricky is still seeing 'her'. Guess I have to accept it, but I can't help it if I don't like her. It's not that I would feel that way about anyone he brought home, I want him to have someone, but I just don't care for her at all and the more I find out about her family...doesn't help. I don't want to lose my son, but it's time he moved out so I don't know what goes on all the time. It's not good for me or my health.

Been a bit since I posted much so not sure if I told you all or not, but it's happened 5 times. I get woke up between 4:30 and 5:30 with Mom saying...'Janet' in such a tone as to wake me up. Kind of a yell, but not as loud. It's her voice for sure and even a kind of smell. Depending on which side I'm laying, it feels like she's right at my ear. Not sure what to think of it. Never had this many experiences when I lost my Dad. I'm not frightened or anything like that, but it wakes me up with such a start like she's waking me up for work or something. So strange.

We are suppose to get 5-8 inches of snow this afternoon and tonight. Don't know if we will or not, but the weathermen say it's gonna happen. Then we are suppose to get up into the 50's over the weekend...lol. There is a nice flea market type thing I would like to go to on Saturday. So hopefully even with some snow on the ground it will still feel warmer.

I'm still sending out resumes, but not hearing much back. I'm trying for just about anything now in part-time and full-time. Not giving up, just praying more. :)

Hope all of you are doing great, I miss the way this place use to be so busy with all our activity. I see most of you on FB, but it's not the same as here. I miss you all and our closeness.

I know how you feel about missing everyone. I know that I've been bad about being on here. It seems that I just get so overwhelmed by what's been going on that I just can't use my brain to write out anything. Hopefully things will get better now that Dae Lynn's divorced and she has guardianship of Karlie.

That's odd that you hear your Mother yell your name!! My Grandmother used to watch the PTL Club and one morning she was over sleeping and she heard her name called. She thought that God was telling her to get up so she wouldn't miss her show.

I'm so glad that you're better. I knew that you were sick but didn't know that you were THAT sick! We prayed for you in my little Sunday School class!!

Our snow is almost gone.....again it was here longer than it was every other place. I guess it's because my yard is pretty shady. Send some of the snow here.....you know how much I love it!!

I don't know what to tell you about Ricky's girlfriend. What I would do is.......if God thinks that she is not the girl for him that He would remove her from his life. That's what I would be praying.

Today is Dean's third birthday!! Dae Lynn made a cake and brought out ice cream for after school so we can have a small party!! She'll have a bigger party later because Karlie's birthday is just a few days away and she'll combine them. I think that we're going to give her some money to buy a trampoline. The kids will enjoy that. Our kids always had one while they grew up.

Not much else going on. I've got to clean the house because the girls are having a jewelry party here on Saturday. The pressure to get it done is always good for me!! I've been so tired lately so this will help me get moving!

The girls and I are going to "weigh in" today and start dieting. I bought some new digital scales that seem to be pretty accurate. I don't know if I'm ready for this or not but I need to do it so.......I guess I'm ready!!! I may have to start tomorrow.........after Dean's ice cream and cake!! LOL

We had a little birthday party for Dean last night. Dae Lynn let the kids make little pizzas out of biscuits and we had cake and ice cream! Dae Lynn let Karlie pick out a gift for Dean and it was definitely too old for him and that was his only gift to open. We're giving money towards a trampoline, but I'm thinking that he needs a gift to open too!! So I may go shopping and pick a little something out.

Glen's been selling corn and this morning he's taken Dean with him. There's nothing he likes more than to be with his Papa!!!

We have the Alley tonight. Amy has divided the kids into 4 groups and they are working on a talent for a talent show. It was suppose to be last week but because of the weather it was canceled. The program will be next week and shoud be a lot of fun!!

Well......I'll be cleaning today......BUMMER!!!

Yesterday I went and had lunch with a friend, Rita. We meet every so often for lunch and visit. Oh....and I had Dean with me. Then Dean and went to Alco and bought a birthday gift for him. I felt so bad that he didn't get much in the way of presents on his birthday so together we picked out what he wanted. He's so cute!! He's at the age that he wants everything!! We ended up getting a Batman car that the headlights light up and it shoots out disks. Then we bought Spiderman and villian figurines to go with Batman. He's so into super heros!!

I got the utility room cleaned. Yay!! One room down......and more to go!! Remember I have a jewelry party here on Saturday! Actually I've cleaned several rooms but Dean has messed them up faster than I can clean so I need to go back and work on them again.

Dae Lynn goes to court this morning to get her PFA (protection from abuse) order. It should go pretty easy since he's pled guilty for the abuse. Everything is getting done and very easily. Praise God!! I'll be glad when all of this is behind us.

On Thursday I still had 4 students (but only 3 stops) to finish up on my afternoon route when going down this gravel road I got stuck and the transmission overheated. The gravel roads here are like mud. Of a morning they are not too bad because they are frozen, but in the afternoon....so horrible.

I ended up with a county payloader pulling me out to the nearest crossroad (about half a mile) and then my transportation director towed me back to the bus garage. Wow...the mud was almost up to the axle on the rear tires. I knew that road was getting softer, but the county worker told me that someone went down the road the night before and tried to grade it and dug up way to much road which made it worse....so I sunk. Usually I'm home by 4, but didn't get home until right at 6:00 PM.

Sunday and Monday we are suppose to get 1-2 inches of rain, so I may not be able to pick up a few students. Their parents will have to take them. Right now I'm in a different bus while mine is in the transmission shop in Indianapolis. Hopefully it won't take them too long to get it back to me.

I bet that was so fustrating!! I understand what you're saying about the roads because ours are the same way. We have road grader men who are not experienced and do an awful job. Jaci's roads north of town are in so much better shape than ours are.

The girls had their jewelry party last night. They had a lot of people show up and we pretty much ended up with a pretty good party!! The women bought over a thousand dollars worth of jewelry and Amy and Jaci ended up with $400 dollars of jewelry......plus 8 half price items and three items under $50 for $10 each!! They gave me a piece of jewelry free and a $10 item for having it at my house. I was happy because they were the only items that I was interested in.

We stayed up so late and I've been up so late several nights this week that I'm totally wiped out. I've got to start getting to be on time or I'm afraid that I'll get sick with something.

Dae Lynn and Karlie went to Garden City, Kansas, to their last Jr. Bible Quiz meet for the year. Karlie ended up with first place in the meet yesterday.......and got a metal for first place overall!!! The Fredonia team got first place and was undefeated for the year!! Another little girl on the team, Madelyn, got second place overall, and Kellen, the boy on the team, got fifth place over all!! The kids have a list of almost 300 questions that they have to memorize about the Bible. A few of the questions have to be quoted word for word......and if they buzz in on the question early then they not only have to answer the question but finish the question. Karlie is soooo smart that she really didn't have to study too hard to learn the questions!! She is pretty amazing when she wants to be!!

I am having such a hard time adjusting to this time change. I'm so ready for my body to get adjusted. I'm so tired!!

Today is such a beautiful day!! I'm going to go outside and see if I have anything coming up. I really doubt it because the chickens have scratched up my whole yard. I'll be surprised if there's ANY grass....it's that bad. Glen's building a large chicken coop so the chickens will be coraled......but the question is if he'll leave them there or eventaully let them back out.

At the Alley last night we had a talent night. The kids were divided up into groups and each group put on a skit. It was really cute! A few kids had individual talents. Then at the end several of the adults did a "syncronized air swimming"!! It was hilarious!! Amy, Glen, and Jaci were all in it with a couple of others. I laughed and laughed! I'll keep an eye out in case a video of it is posted!!

With most of the court dates done with (except for a couple more) things have really quieted down. It's been a really nice change!!

Our cruise is getting closer.......and I'm getting more excited!! I've been looking for a swimsuit. The ones I had last year are too little.....bummer!! Oh....and Amy, Dae Lynn, and I are dieting again!! I bought new scales and they work so good!! So we're weighing in each Tuesday. I'm down a little, Amy too, but Dae Lynn's lost a couple of pounds. I need to get moving and that will help.

I hope that everyone is out enjoying this beautful weather because it sure is quiet on here!!! Miss all of you!!

I'm not doing real well with the time change either Diana. The time change has never bothered me before, but this time...wow! It's so hard for me to wake up and get moving! I've been taking a nap everyday this week and that is soooo not like me.

The weather is suppose to be decent today, I just hope we have some sunshine. In desperate need .. :)

Our gray and white cat Skeeter has learned to open the bedroom door. During the day the two cats are kept in Ricky's bedroom. I don't want them in my plants and knocking over things and leaving cat hair everywhere. Skeeter will be a year old soon and is still so curious about everything. Kitty is content just looking out the big picture window in the the living room. We do let them out in the evening, but we have to keep an eye on Skeeter. He's so smart and just a love bug. It is really time for Ricky to move out on his own and take the cats and 2 dogs with him.

We had a couple of beautiful days!! Yesterday Dae Lynn was off work so she and the kids came out and dug up some irises. I have several colors so we got a pretty good selection. Then we went to her house and planted then in her yard. She's so excited about getting some flowers planted in her OWN yard!! However she doesn't have much money to buy things so we're going to look for "free" plants!! It will be fun!!

One of the houses that they were going to buy had beautiful flowers all around the edges. She's talked to the woman that planted them to find out what all she used so I think that we're going for that look!!

Then when we got done we ordered pizza and stuff for supper. It was a nice evening!!

Today's not nearly as nice......back in the 50's. Oh well, spring is coming!!

I bet that you're enjoying your cats! How cute (but irritating as the same time) that they're able to open the doors!!

I don't know if I've ever mentioned that I had a pet raccoon when I was a teenager. We had the old fashioned screen doors and she could put her hands underneath of the door and open it. One time she came in while we were gone and when my brother and cousin went into my room she was under the bed playing with the fringe of my bedspread.......and scared them half-to-death!! They were sure I had a monster under my bed!! She was a really neat pet!!

This week is Spring Break!! Dae Lynn has the week off but still has things going on where I need to watch the kids......however......today I have a day all to myself!! So there's not too much going on!!

I think that I may go in and wipe out my kitchen cabinets. They're really needing it and I need to get up and get off of my computer!! LOL

I weighed this morning and I've lost 3 pounds!! Yay!!! It's a start!!!

We're suppose to get a huge snowstorm on Thursday! I probably need to go to the store and stock up. I know that everyone's ready for spring but I'd love another snow storm. I love the feeling of being all snug and warm and in my home. In fact.....I just about hibernate during the winter. It's really hard for me to go out anywhere......I just want to be home.

Hi everyone! I am back from Africa. It was by far the most amazing two weeks of my entire life! I was not ready to leave and I am still not ready to be home. I am yearning to go back. The people, the culture, the wildlife, everything was just awesome. On our second last day there, I was standing out the top of our Jeep while a momma lion and her five cubs were resting maybe two feet from the side of the vehicle. The cubs were about two years old - the males growing their manes and about ready to leave the pack to start their own. One of the male lions was laying there, but curious, and his eyes were locked with mine for about a minute while I snapped picture after picture after picture... To be that close to such a large, powerful, beautiful animal and to be just looking at each other for so long was absolutely EXHILARATING.

I have over 4000 pictures on my camera, and honestly I haven't even looked at them yet. I feel like as soon as I start going through them, it will really be over and it's not just living in my memories anymore, it's pictures at the end of a vacation :( But it was more than a vacation to me, it was a dream come true. I don't think any vacation will ever live up to the experience I had there!

Tomorrow I am going back to work, and back to real life. :(

Lindsey, I'm glad you are home safe and sound, and that you had such a wonderful time!! When you have an experience like that, it just changes you somehow. I remember seeing wonderful things and just not believing that MY eyes were actually seeing it! Pictures are just pictures, but that feeling that those sights evoked will remain with you forever!

Oh, Lindsey, your vacation sounds so wonderful!! I think that you should take your best pictures and have them printed in a book!! I've seen some really cool books from vacation pictures!! I can't wait to see some of them.......not all!! LOL

Kera had her tonsils out yesterday. She was still having problems from the abcess in her throat so they decided to take them out. She's feeling pretty good.

I was suppose to go to some flea markets tomorrow with Jaci but she is finally getting her wall built in her bedroom to make the baby's room. I know that she's excited about it and wants to be there so we'll go another time......but I'm disappointed. I was really looking forward to going. Oh well.....the weather is not suppose to be the best.

I've been cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and it's going slow! However the ones I have done look really good. I have some things that I need to get boxed up and put away for a garage sale. Having to watch the kids doesn't help. I can't believe that Spring Break is almost over. Bummer!!!!

I was planning on doing spring cleaning this week, but it's not turning out like I had hoped...lol. Isn't that the way it always goes...LOLOL I did get my bathroom completely cleaned and it looks so shiny. Don't remember (I'm embarassed to say) when I cleaned it thoroughly. Wore me out, but it is so clean.

Today I need to head to town and run a few errands. When I come back I'm planning on starting with my kitchen. Cabinets above the stove are beginning to feel a little sticky so it's time to clean out cabinets and also clean the cabinet surfaces.

Even though I clean I've mostly surfaced cleaned and now it's time to get everything spotless. I'm also planning on getting rid of a bunch. Why I keep so much, thinking I'll use it later is crazy because I usually don't.

You're so good at getting things done!! I started cleaning out kitchen cabinets too but I haven't gotten very far!! LOL

What do you clean the outside of your cabinets with?

We got snow on Saturday night!! It ended up that we didn't have any church on Sunday. Dae Lynn had planned a late birthday party for Karlie and Dean after church......and Amy had planned for everyone to come and make Easter cookies.....so it ended up that the whole family was here. We had a good time but I got upset when they had a flour fight in the kitchen. It seems like everytime they get together they have a food fight of some kind and I don't like it. Even though they clean it up they never get it completely clean and I have a hard enough time keeping things clean without them doing this.

On a better note.......I got to hold Baby Jed quite a bit!! He's so sweet and smiles so much!!

Yesterday the kids didn't have school so I had a day off from babysitting Dean. My older granddaughter, Karley, and her brother, Elijah, came over and played on the 4-wheeler with sleds. When they got cold they came in and had hot cocoa and visited with me. I love my grandkids!!

I am so grumpy lately. I'm not sure what's going on. I think maybe some sunshine might help. I always have some seasonal depression.