I DID IT! I believe I have broken my snooze button dependency. Since it’s come to light, I have been consciously trying to hit snooze once and get up before it goes off again and so far I’m on a streak with 7 straight mornings. Well, Saturday and Sunday don’t count because I don’t use the alarm on those days but I was up on both days before 8. I know - it’s incredible isn’t it? I feel rejuvenated.

We had Trivia night last Friday at our church. We came in second to last. What if Sabrina is right? I know I’m somewhat intelligent – well I thought I was until Friday night - but what if I’m really not? What if I’m subconsciously faking it? Can you fake smart? I didn’t feel too smart. The pace was fast and there were things they asked that after I heard the answer I was just “DUH!” but mostly, I felt inadequate and terribly obtuse. Here’s what I’d like - one of those “Brain Games” that is supposed to keep your mind sharp. What’s that herb you can take to keep you on your mental A Game? I need that too. My nickname at work is FG – supposedly for “Freakin’ Genius” but I really think now it might be for “Freakin’ Goofball”. OR WAIT – OMG! What if it really means “FOREST GUMP”?? That just popped in my head and is quite scary. His IQ was like 72 or something. But he was happy and he knew what love is. Maybe that’s all that counts. Plus he was rich, what with Bubba Gump Shrimp and all.

Christmas is almost here and I am pretty excited about it finally. This is the first one I’ve actually gotten in the Christmas spirit beforehand in a while. I usually get all stoked up and it’s already Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day and that’s it. But this year I’ve been trying to focus on the reason for the season instead of the commercialization that our society has turned it into.

Matt is coming out on December 24th but Drew cannot make it this year. He goes to boot camp on January 7th and he’s currently working three jobs that won’t let him have time off to come. Which is ok, we’ll just miss him. He did ask his Sergeant if he can spend his 10 days after boot camp here and they said it was cool. So at least we’ll get to see him then.

I saw my geese again the other day, but this time they were on the ground aka the gaggle. And they were everywhere. It was snowing and there they were in a field. Weird to feel a bond with a bunch of geese.

I was driving to work this morning and saw the biggest skein of geese I’ve ever seen, probably 250 geese in all. Here’s your Ornithology lesson for the day: The male goose is called a "gander" and the female is the "goose"; young birds before fledging are known as "goslings". A group of geese on the ground is called a “gaggle”; when flying in formation, it is called a “wedge” or “skein”. I’ve often heard about geese and their curious characteristics. They mate for life. Wikipedia says occasionally (very rarely) they will “divorce” and find another mate, but mostly they are loyal to one companion. When I lived in Mississippi I cleaned for the sweetest old couple. I remember one day the little old man came to me, very excited, and wanted to show me “the neatest thing”. We went down to the lake behind his house, and there was a Gander and a Goose, with about 50 goslings. He told me about them mating for life and that some of the goslings in this group had been orphaned so these two took the orphans in as their own. He loved watching those geese and every week I would hear a new tale of what they had done until the goslings had grown up. Also, they fly in a V on purpose. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes. First, it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. This way, they can fly for a long time before they have to stop for rest. The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason. I started thinking about my family and how we are like those geese. When faced with major upheavals (I would think migrating twice a year would be an upheaval in goose life), we get in our V, one of us takes the front and we take turns being lead bird. This way, we boost each other and keep each other going. And although our V may be stretched out far, we always keep track of everyone in our group. I think better to take care of each other. And I love how our family is so accepting of others. Whatever their faith, belief, philosophy, background, physical appearance or personality, we welcome them into our gaggle with open arms. How crazy is it that a wedge of Canadian Geese made me cry on the way to work?

We’ve officially established that the use of a snooze button is completely psychosomatic and that using a snooze button can be suggestive. In other words, after reading my blog about my 9 minutes of bliss, my sister apparently now uses her snooze button. Hopefully she gets as much delight in her extra 9 minute intervals as I do.

My thoughts on this, though, are that I am such a creature of habit that I have a perverse obstinate disposition to go to great lengths to make sure my 9-Minute Intervals do not change. And this is worrying me. For instance, my dog has decided when the alarm goes off the first time that he really REALLY needs to go outside RIGHT THEN. And I hate to be woken up – or actually get out of bed - before my 4th 9-Minute sequence has run its course. So I stumble to take him out, but then of course I have to feed him and he eats outside so hopefully I have clothes on that won’t scare the neighbors and then of course, the cats hear the scrape of a food bowl and they decide their bowl isn’t full enough so I have to fill up their bowls too. And yes, I have tried to ignore them since their bowl does have food in it usually at all times and stumble back to bed but they will ceaselessly meow outside my bedroom door since I made an appearance and they feel slighted if I don’t feed them too. THEN I have to go to the bathroom because if I don’t, I can’t go back to sleep because I have to go to the bathroom. By that time, I should stay up because HELLO, I’m wide awake. But I don’t. I go back to bed and then strike up a bargain to sleep an extra 5 ½ minutes since I’ve already taken the dog out, fed him, fed the cats and went to the bathroom. SEE? It’s a vicious vicious cycle and I’m powerless to change it.

THEN I remember that ‘sloth’ is one of the seven deadly sins. NICE. Google sloth. See what you come up with. I was actually reassured by wikipedia in that “The meaning of sloth as a vice closely follows the meaning of the Greek word "akedia": "absence of caring". A student who neglects his studies to pursue another interest, such as martial arts or filming, does not necessarily commit the sin of sloth. Perhaps he should restructure his priorities, but the student does not necessarily display a spiritual decay, a lack of interest in anything, and thus is not slothful. A student who took no interest in anything requiring great effort, but preferred to indulge in idle entertainment, might well be slothful.”

So can I assume that an insurance agent who hates to get up in the morning because she’s not a morning person is not necessarily committing the sin of sloth but one who didn’t get up at all since it requires great effort but preferred to sleep all day in idle slumber might well be slothful? It’s not that I have an absence of caring about getting up. I just don’t like to.

I’ve run out of steam. I was going strong there for awhile, blogging almost regularly and then, I felt the old familiar procrastination issue setting in. So as not to let a year go by again without blogging, I am updating without much information just to be updating. Just to give you all something glorious to read. Well, maybe not glorious but at least it’s something. And maybe not much information, just not much I wish to share.

Our family is going thought a trying time and out of respect for my mom, I’ll only say she was diagnosed with breast cancer and leave it at that. She is very private and doesn’t want her issues aired on the World Wide Web for anybody and everybody to read. If it were only family and close friends that were to frequent the pages, then I think she would be more apt to post her health issues on a website. As it stands, anybody, anywhere, anytime can scroll through various blogs and just read whats going on. It is not private. Which, granted, the normal general public scrolling through a blog would have no idea who she was but you just never know. There may be some buttcrack showing, combover inbred from Toad Suck, Arkansas saying “Paint me pink, Frances, Margaret has breast cancer!” And to some, that wouldn’t be a problem because they really don’t care if someone they don’t know can read about them but to mom, it’s private. And she wants to keep it that way. She’s more than happy to let the family and close friends know what’s going on.

SO. It’s almost Thanksgiving again. Where does time go? Why can’t it slow down? Why did it pick up speed after about 30? I swear just yesterday I was 25. And I know tomorrow I’ll probably be 40 and then by the next day I’ll be 50. What’s with that? I think it’s because I wish my life away 5 weekdays at a time. I start Monday – “can’t wait til Friday” and it goes from there. All my wishing has made it go so much faster that suddenly I’m almost 37 and have no clue how I got here.

For anyone that reads this that is a praying person – I’m asking for prayers for my mom especially but also for my dad. Pray for Gods healing hands to guide, comfort and cure.

She is my friend. She is my confidant.
She is my fan. She is my aficionada.
She is my rock. She is my calm in this storm.
She is my security. She is my tether
She is my childhood. She is my teenage years. She is my adulthood.
She is the wind in my sails. She is the wind beneath my wings.
She is my reason. She is my motivation.
She is every memory. She is every story.
She is every “remember when”. She is every “I can’t wait”.
She is everything I was. She is everything I am. She is everything I want to be.
She is my mother.

~Catrina King
November 5, 2007

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a bargainer but only a bargainer with self. Well, maybe I do make a bribe, ahem - I mean deal, with my kids every now and again about the things they need to do or the things that I don’t want them to do but mainly, a bargainer with self. I bargain with myself in the morning about getting up – refer to the 9-Minute Sequences below. That’s just one example. I make lots of small bargains with myself throughout the day. If I’ll just get this group insurance information in the system and all done and off my desk, I can take a little moment and throw my nerf basketball at the net hanging in my office. (Blows off steam and improves hand-eye coordination all at once – but don’t do it too much, makes lots of noise and the boss will give you the big hairy eyeball)

And I’ve now made a new bargain but on a bigger scale. For every 25 pounds I lose, I’m going to get a new tattoo. SO, if I lose 75 pounds, I’ll have three new tattoos. Not big ones so that I look like a Harley Babe, but little ones. And ones that mean something to me. First will be the little footprint with the initials JAS beside it on the top of my foot. Second is the Ithcus I’ve designed. Inside the Ithcus is the name Christ but if you look at it backwards, it says Risen. Kind of hard to imagine but trust me, it’s cool. It also has the scripture Gal 6:17 beside it. And last, I want a tribal band around my arm. That’s going to be the last of the three. I’d like one on my hip too so – wait, I hear another bargain in the process. If I go 100 down, I can get one last ink on my hip. Sweet. And I'm going to set time bargains on these. This tattoo bargain has been in the works for some time but I need to get a time on it so I just don't slide on into 40 with the same bargain rolling around in my head.

Robbie & I are going this weekend to a marriage retreat thing at the Frontenac Hilton. Aunt Steffie is watching Sam and Lizzie and Robbie and I get a weekend for just us. Thats important to a relationship. Especially when you get married and have instant family. We never really have an alone time. Maybe after 10pm when the house is settled down, the children are snug in their beds and the dog is at the foot of the bed gnawing on a rawhide but within minutes we’re both snoring so I don’t think that counts. Or this one time, it was quiet during the day in our house for about 10 minutes while the kids were playing down at their friends house! And it’s ok, we’re cool with the chaos of our lives but every once in a while, it’s good to step back, regroup, remember why I love him so much and actually tell him and then we can get back to mayhem and disorder. I’m excited about our weekend away.

And now – I’m going to take a poll. Please tell your friends about my poll because I think I have only three readers left. Feel free to comment with your answer to my poll, or your friends answers to my poll. I’ll tally any answers I get and let you know the outcome. Here’s the background to the reason for my poll and the poll itself.

I am a HUGE Three Stooges Fan. I love the Stooges. I can sit and watch the Stooges all day long if someone would let me. I used to only be a Larry Moe & Curly fan and really didn’t care for the others that were brought in after Curly left. Well, really, Curly replaced Shemp when Shemp got out of the original act but when they went on television Curly was part of the original three. Shemp stepped in when Curly had a stroke in 1949. See? I know a lot about the Stooges. Did you know that Curly, whose real name is Jerome Lester Horwitz, was originally known as Babe? That’s my nickname too!! I don’t know how many people besides a select few know of my Stooges dependence. I can’t help it, I just love them. And from what I understand, to be female and love the Stooges as much as I do is apparently not normal. Not saying that much of what I like or do is normal, but it’s the Stooges! C’Mon, who cannot help but love them? So here’s my poll.

If you are female, then
a. Do you like the Stooges?
b. Do you have other female friends or family that enjoy them as well?

If you are male, then
a. Do you like the Stooges?
b. Do you know of any female friends or family that enjoy them as well?

Simple. I just want to know. I’m weird, I always knew that but I’m also curious. So vote early and vote often. :) That’s what I’ll be saying next November.

Reading the blog from September 27, 2006 was somewhat eye opening. Eye opening in that I read of the same restlessness that I’m still feeling a year later and to know NOTHING has changed. Well, obviously some things have, but in the overall grand scheme of the “I’ve been feeling the need for change lately” scenario – nothing has changed. I embraced the changes with my job – studied the new deductibles and learned the new plans and I came through rather well. But the dreariness is still there. I think before I called it complacency thinking that meant – basically BLAH - but when you shift+F7 complacency, there’s a list of words that DO NOT describe how I feel about my job. Example – I do not have contentment. In fact, I need one of those thesaurus things that give you the antonym for that one. Discontent? Dissatisfaction? A lot of ‘disses’ there. I even said I just knew I couldn’t keep going like I was and stay sane. So either I’m crazy or I was wrong. I don’t think I’m crazy. Well not any crazier than I was before. So to sum it all up and give a moral to the story – I’ve learned I really can keep on going a very long time after I thought I couldn’t.

So. Going back through my blog I realized – IT’S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. Time flies when you’re on the downside of “over thirty”. It really does. I’m not kidding. And my last blog actually said I may try to blog once a week. HA. I see how well that worked. And to try and convey what has happened in the last year would ultimately be mind-numbing. A lot happened, I lived through it and I’m just a year older. But it’s funny, when I read back through and realize I’m still struggling with the same CRAP I was a year ago or longer, its quite dismal. I think it’s time to get new things to struggle with and quit worrying about the same ol’ stuff. For instance, I’d like to worry about where to spend all the money I won in the Powerball. Or which color Mercedes I want. Or what type of marble to put on the floor of my mansion. Those are acceptable struggles. I’m on it….I’ll let you know how that works out.

I do have MySpace and I get on there quite a bit. I actually blogged once in there. Maybe it was twice. I’ll have to look. I should actually copy and paste so it looks like this blog is really long. If you have MySpace and if you still read this, let me know and we can be friends on MySpace. I’m currently collecting them. Friends that is. I am finding they are a rare commodity. Well, true ones anyway.

Here is blog 1 from MySpace:

The 9-minute sequences...
Current mood: relaxed
I am not a morning person. And honestly, that doesn't even begin to describe it. It's not like I need my morning coffee to wake up, I don't drink coffee – except for the occasional Venti Cappuccino with a sweet n low. I don't do mornings, never have and apparently never will. I will sleep until the absolute last possible minute I can without being late and then bargain with myself to sneak some extra minutes. Example – "You know self, if you don't blow dry your hair today and just throw it in a clip, you can sleep an extra 4.7 minutes."

On the other hand, my husband is very much a morning person. I told him the first time I figured out he was so smiley in the morning that we were going to have a problem because "If you're like that in the morning, I am like this." And it's not pretty. Stumbling through the house, hair on end, eyes at half-mast and not a decipherable actual word emitting from me. More like a grunt or two. It is funny though that he can set his alarm and then just turn it off the first time it beeps and get up. And be happy about it! (That's the part that slays me) And his clock is set for the right time.

And then we pan to the other side of the bed…

And that, friends, is a completely different story. My clock is set 23 minutes fast. And the alarm is set for 36 minutes earlier than I have to get up, of course not counting the 2.3 minutes I save if I don't shampoo twice. My alarm goes off and I usually lurch about 6 feet off the bed because it scares the crap out of me and as I'm landing from my voyage through the air, I'm desperately fumbling on the nightstand to find THE SNOOZE BUTTON. I love the snooze button – it is the greatest invention in the world next to a Chevrolet ZZ4 350 ci 4 brl carb 355 hp engine and a 4 speed transmission with a Hurst shifter. The snooze allows me to steal extra sleep in 9-minute intervals. Of course, every 9 minutes I go through my ascension into the atmosphere again but for those 9 wonderful, magnificent minutes, it's worth it.

I'm sure those of you reading this that are akin to my husband are declaring that I just need to set my clock for the correct time, set my alarm for when I need to get up and have that last 36 minutes of slumber completely uninterrupted. I've tried that. It does not work. If I turn it off the first time it goes off, I WILL oversleep and I WILL be late for work. I have tried over and over and over again to change my waking routine but alas, it was not meant to change. This is just how I am.

As for how Mister Morning Guy and I have worked out our differences, he has to get up 2 hours before my first levitation and therefore is not privy to my comical morning episodes. On the rare occasion that he is there to witness it, he simply guffaws lovingly in his good-natured manner and takes his sickeningly happy, awake self to read in peace in the living room.

Here is Blog 2 from MySpace:

I had to write this one down...
Current mood: thoughtful
Susan B. Anthony once said that sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit, and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these. This morning on my way to work, right at the pond just up this hill from my house, a group of ducks were walking right up the middle of the street. A big burly guy in a dump truck was slowly following along behind at a ducks pace with his hazards flashing, smiling like I've not seen anyone smile in a long time (except on TV, of course). Cars piling up behind him, those angry drivers with somehwere important to be and him not caring. I had to write down my unannounced stray dog moment, just in case life - as usual - gets a little too hectic and I forget to put my hazards on and laugh at the ducks.


So now it looks like I’ve just written a whole bunch. Does anybody even read this anymore? I doubt it. Let me know.

I’ll try to do better. Don’t hate me if I don’t. Just check back periodically to see if I’m still kickin.

I don’t update very often. I rarely have time but maybe, just maybe, I will make a habit to try at least once a week. And I think if you add up this one, it’s been twice already. Holy old mother of milk cow, hold your socks on again. I don’t think I’ve ever updated twice in one week.

We had our TeamKid classes last night. We always have so much fun. The kids really enjoy it but I think I enjoy it more than they do. How crazy is that.

Halloween was fun. Lizzie went as a “gothic princess” and Sam was the scary dude from Scary movie. We went all over Troy, into a big subdivision and of course, had to go to Aunt Steffie’s house. They love Aunt Stef and Uncle Dan. This is the first year since we’ve lived in Troy that we haven’t gone trick or treating with them. But it was ok because we dragged Robbie along and made him drive. He doesn’t mind a bit. What a great guy. The city of Troy always has a few “drive thru” places on Halloween set up by the Kiwanis and the Ladies Auxiliary Club. All the stores on Main Street had their decorations out – some were even open late and handing out candy.

Baseball season is over. I heard on the radio that some people actually need psychotherapy after the adrenaline rush is over. I love my baseball and all, but I’m patient enough to know it starts again in the spring. I don’t think I need therapy to get through the winter months. But then again, I’m a huge fan, not a fanatic.

Anybody else watch House on TV? I LOVE that guy! I never (literally) watched TV before Robbie moved in. Maybe, on occasion, I would watch a movie, but that was about it. Since he’s moved in I am now addicted to House and ER. He’s even bought me the first 4 seasons of ER on DVD. Now I’m going to need House although I’ve watched it from the beginning. The TV directs my Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thank God for the DVR. With that, I can watch them in my spare time - like at 2am when I’m supposed to be catching up on the sleep I never get.

I finally went to the doctor for this cold I have had for the last 4½ weeks. Of course, my doctor explained it’s not a cold. A cold doesn’t last 4½ weeks. This is an infection, for which I need antibiotics. Respiratory infection, sinus infection and ear infections. Fun Fun Fun – I ‘m one big infected hair-ball coughing snot bag. Gross. I think my doctor just kind of mentally pats me on the head and tells me to steer clear of WebMD.com. Of course, I have this habit of self-diagnosing. I went in there about a year ago thinking I had lockjaw because I’d been floating and swimming in a river where cows had frequented. He kindly explained I didn’t have lockjaw otherwise I wouldn’t be talking by then. I don’t remember what I had now. All I know is that it wasn’t lockjaw.

OK so, we’ve established I don’t update very often, but I’m also bad about e-mailing back. I will, I promise. Most of the time I check at work and then don’t have time to get back to anyone for fear of “getting busted”. I’m not allowed to do anything personal at work. SO, I will check my e-mail because I can minimize that pretty quick, but actually replying takes some crafty slyness. Bear with me though…

So gotta run. More later. And try not to be too disappointed if it’s longer than a week until my next update. I’m trying, really I am.

So, there I was going about my daily routine when I noticed the hit counter on my blog was through the roof. My first reaction was that someone noticed the incredibly witty way in which I write and will contact me soon to become a featured columnist in his or her syndicated national newspaper. But it was not to be. The Auntie’s have posted a link to me on their popular family gazette. So now I may have more than 2 hits a month! How exciting. Guess I’ll have to update more often. Ha.



We had Dad’s 79th birthday party at the Valley (lot) Saturday. The Valley also had a haunted hayride for the kids and a spooky house and gave out candy and all kinds of stuff. What a great time! Chris and Rick came up with William and camped for the weekend, too. Of course, we told Dad this was just practice for next year’s big 80! We’ll do one in March for mom’s birthday, too. Then we’ll have their 50th anniversary. We’re just a party family. Actually, just any excuse to hang out with my family for me. Stef and Dan celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. And yep, it was an occasion to get together!

The cabin in the woods has four walls now. We’re building a barn style roof that will be the sleeping loft. Brett and Sam put the little tent in the unfinished cabin and slept in it. I think Brett loves it down there with us. He asked Robbie on the way home Sunday if we were absolutely sure we weren’t going again this weekend. I promised him anytime he wants to go and his mom says ok, he can go, even if we just go for the day.

Sam fell off his bike and we thought he broke his arm but turns out it was a growth plate injury. Which they cast anyway so he wore a cast for 3 weeks from his shoulder to his knuckles. Just call him Grace.

We had Parent Teacher conferences last week. They are both doing wonderful in school except for the fact that both of them seem to talk too much. Gee, I wonder where they got that. I remember my first grade teacher telling my mother that it’s not that I talk too much; it’s that I had a lot to say. We’re born yackers. That’s Lizzie’s word. She says she can’t help it if she’s a yacker. I think her Auntie Bebe called her that once and it stuck.

Robbie and I are having lots of fun with our Team Kid thing at church. I’m really enjoying being around all the kids.

Well, that’s it for now. I figured if I was going to have a massive stream of traffic, I better at least update and give the latest. More later…

I’ve been feeling the need for change lately. Big change. To what, I’m not exactly sure. I just know I feel ... restless. That’s about the only way I can explain it. And I’ve felt that way for quite some time. My personal life is good - husband and the kids. I need to clean the basement and water my plants more often, but other than that I’m doing well and I’m content. My job still sucks though. Even though I get paid very well, I’m still so very unhappy there. I’ve been dreaming of getting a Class A CDL and becoming a dump truck driver. Or I could go up the street and become a bartender. That would be great fun. An assembly line worker. Opening a grocery store in Lyon, Missouri (there really is one for sale!) Anything, really. My insurance world is changing and I really don’t feel like embracing that change. I’m ready to turn in my briefcase for a backpack. Not necessarily a return to campus, but a proverbial backpack. Like changing in the Manolo Blahniks for Nike Shocks. The pantyhose for funny looking ankle socks. The skirt for a well worn pair of Levi’s. Is this a phase I’m going through? What if I trade the suit jacket for an AC/DC T-shirt and find I’m completely unhappy in a year? Or worse, what if I totally ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for financially? Or what if I’m too old? All I know is I want a change and I don’t mean insurance plan change because one insurance company is buying another and they’re redoing all of the benefits. We’re supposed to be learning and studying all these new plans and I can’t seem to make myself do it. I just don’t care. I’ve come to this complacency stage and it’s so unlike me in my job. What do I do? I’m not sure, I just know I can’t keep going like I am and stay sane. There’s only so much of insurance deductibles and coinsurance one can stand.

I DID IT! I traded in the Hyundai and got me a Monte Carlo! Well, Robbie and I both did. On the way to the airport yesterday the wheel fell off the Hyunda. Yes, off. While I was driving. Scary indeed. Anyway, to make a long story short, I got Lizzie to the airport, came back to the car, towed it to Dobbs, they fixed it and I traded it in. Here's the new baby! Ain't it a beauty!!!!!

MY DREAM CAR

So it's been a while, but not as long as usual. I am updating, although I don't think I have much to say today. Sam's in North Carolina, Lizzie will join him on Wednesday. Robbie, Lizzie and I are going on a float trip this weekend with Randy, should be a blast. Work is still work (Ed? Ed? Hurry soon before I implode!) My car is a piece of crap, I got new furniture, I've lost 10 pounds and that's about it. Not a long update today, but it's at least an update. Happy Birthday, Jess. I still miss you.

Lizzie
Me
William
Sam in the lake at the lot
Matthew in the lake
The "Lot"
Robbie, Sam and Liz in front of the New Busch
Matt, Sam and Liz in the lake The lot - and our tent.
Me & Drew on the beach

SO – there was no barrage of e-mails requesting updates and it’s been a few months since I put anything into words, so I guess it’s time. I will blog no whines before it’s time. That was pretty cute – I made that up myself. I made a joke up last week and my dad cracked up. Can’t remember exactly – something about mad cows disease and a cow running around the pasture saying ‘I’m a penguin’. I was actually quite funny – guess you had to be there.

What has happened since March – well, the boys have come and gone again. They only got to stay for two weeks this summer. Drew is working full time and trying to graduate early so he can go to his culinary specialty school. So he could only afford two weeks and Matthew can’t really stay here without him, since we work and he’s not enrolled in our daycare. I’m sure he could probably stay by himself but what fun is it to come here and hang by yourself. At least back home he’s got his homies.

We’ve been to the lot a few times already this season. Mom and Dad have signed over the lower one to us and we’re actually looking into buying the lot next to it. It’s very exciting. We’re going again tomorrow. I just love it there. I’ll try to post pictures – basically it’s just a hole in the woods but it’s ours and we have fun. Kids have a blast and they can roam. Not too far, but they can expand their little worlds more than at home.

Sam is going to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball clinic on the 27th. Some of the Cardinals Alumni put on a baseball clinic for kid’s ages 10-13 and he’s so very excited. Hopefully he’ll learn some good techniques, etc.

Remember my blog about a year ago when I was contemplating the Wednesday night children’s ministry at River Oaks Church and how Robbie and I could actually get this going? Well – through the direction of our youth minister’s wife, Robbie and I are “TeamKid” Coaches! It starts September 9th and it is for kids in grades 4 – 6 for them to prepare for the youth group. Kind of cool! We are official members of River Oaks and we’re becoming quite involved and I’m lovin’ it. This is the non-denominational Christian church that Randy goes to. The Catholic classes lasted exactly one week. I thought it was where I wanted to go, but I was wrong, I guess. We all live and learn.

I am also now on Myspace.com. Nathan said I needed to get on there so I did. It’s a pretty cool connection place where you keep up with friends and family and can find old buddies – if they’re on there too. Check it out.

OK – hold your socks on. I have quit drinking. I haven’t had a drink since March 25th. I just decided it wasn’t for me anymore. I may have one every now and again sometime later on down the road, but for now – I can honestly say I don’t drink. I know, quite amazing considering the amount of beer I can put away and still walk straight, but that’s quite a dubious honor indeed, anyway.

Sam goes to North Carolina on August 5th and the Lizzie will join him on August 16th. They’ll both be home August 20th. So – she won’t be there without Sam, that seems to work out best and he loves it there so it’s cool. Although I found out Michael lives there now, less than ½ mile from them. Sam is not digging the idea of seeing him at all and I don’t blame him. Suddenly after 2 years he gets an e-mail – Hi – it’s me ‘dad’ and I love and miss you??? Come on, let’s confuse the poor guy even more!! I will not get started on this one, I don’t have enough room and besides, this isn’t Jerry Springer. Let’s just say, neither I nor Robbie are happy and quite honestly, Sam isn’t either.

Robbie and I looked at display homes last weekend. I’m hoping we’ll get to move sometime next summer. Closer in - probably in the Wentzville area. Gas prices being what they are and are expected to go up to, every little bit helps.

Work is work. Without going into major detail and just in case anyone I work with happens upon this blog, I won’t say much, but sometimes you just feel the need to move on, ya know? I felt a major betrayal a few weeks ago by someone I considered a good friend and have not quite recovered. Of course, that isn’t the only factor but it was a major player in my feeling the need for a ‘til then sendoff (again). And of course, I’ve been feeling that need for a LONG time now so it was kind of a clincher. Just really sucks when you put trust in someone and it backfires right in your face. I would NEVER betray the confidence of a friend so it was shocking to me – even though I’d been warned about parleying any confidences to this person, it was still hurtful. And I’m just sick of the crap here. There is ALWAYS office drama - This person’s mad at this one, don’t say anything to this one, mother hen likes it her way or no way, and then this one is just a B*****. I’m just tired of it. And I’m trying to be more forgiving and have more of a Christian attitude, especially toward these people I work with (and of course those who cut me off in traffic and then flip me the bird!), but man, it can be hard. I really only have two people here I even get along with. I thought there was a third but apparently private/confidential information can just not be kept. Although outwardly it appear as if there is a modicum of comradeship among all of us, underneath lies a tension that knows if we didn’t work together or have to get along for the sake of the office, we’d never be friends in any world but this little bubble. And of course, as usual, I dream every day that my ol’ buddy Ed will come along and relieve me of being required to keep a 9 to 5. (McMahon, just in case you didn’t know who Ed was).

Ok – that sounded like I’m depressed and I’m really not, honest. I’m quite happy at the moment but do have the realization that I could be happier elsewhere. And I’m trying not to put all my need for happiness into things or jobs or houses. I’m right where God wants me to be at this particular moment, and I’m content with that.

So – on that note, I think I’ll sign out. Duty calls and life awaits…

Okay mom, I am updating.

She replied to this e-mail I sent - 4 things - where you had to answer certain questions about yourself – “4 Things You May Not Know About Me”. One question was “4 Websites You Visit Daily”. Of course, the queen travel agent for guilt trips puts my blog on her list with the tag line “She never updates it.” I know, I know. I’m terrible. I even promised Uncle Walter I’d update more often, because he visits, too. Just start sending me e-mails requesting an update. Maybe I’ll get sick enough of getting a bunch of e-mails telling me to update more often that I’ll actually do it.

My momma was in the hospital last week with some heart issues. Hopefully, they’ll fix it with medication. Part of one of her stents was blocked but they think they can control it without inserting another stent. Which is good, but she also needs to see a neurologist. Her many head traumas may be causing problems in there.

We had a trivia night Saturday. We had a blast and I think we came in 5th out of 30 tables. Not too bad, but I might have done better myself in helping out me fellow teammates if I hadn’t been partaking in the free beer quite so liberally. Plus it was draft, which makes it worse. We didn’t do too badly, though.

Sam’s baseball team had the first practice Saturday. Robbie, again, seems excited about his group of kids. Our veterinarian’s son is on our team and I’m happy about that. I just love our vet and he is as encouraging with all the kids as he with Norman (my dog, not my dad) when we take him.

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and also my baby nephew is turning 21 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. I’m feeling so very old these days. Sam saw a telephone with an actual rotary dial on it and said, “What the heck is that thing?” Lizzie wanted to know what an 8-track was. Then asked me if they had cars back in the old time days – you know, mom – back in the eighties. Then wanted to know if we had shoes back then. OH LORD HELP ME.

Work is work. Still the same, I am counting the days until Ed McMahon shows up at my door with a $10 million dollar check. Of course, that probably will never ever happen so I’m now selling candles to bring in some extra cash. The good kind - PartyLite. Anybody who wants to have a party or knows anyone who wants to have a party or whomever just wants to order some candles, let me now. I’m your candle girl. You know the song “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix? Well – I am “Waxy Lady”. Ha – that’s a good one. Funny too.

I’m coordinating a big b-b-q for our church. They have put me in charge of something. I don’t know which is more scary – being in charge of it or them thinking I can do it? I’m sure it will come of without a hitch – let us hope.

Not much else is going on here. This is my uninteresting life. I think maybe that is why I don’t update often. Just the goings on of a regular ordinary life, quite boring usually. Except for the rare dramas that pop up occasionally, which seem to be fewer and farther between these days. AMEN!

Ok – so let the e-mail bombardment begin. I will try to update more often, please e-mail me to remind me to do so.

These are pictures of Chris and Rick's baby, William Virgil Stone born Monday, November 14, 2005. Isn't he cute??

Uncle Walter and Uncle Richard were here this weekend past (as you'll see from the pictures below) and I found out not only does my most wonderful Uncle Walter actually read my blog, he visits several times a week to see if I've updated! Someone actually waits for updates! So - I am now being held accountable for updating and feeling the need to update more often. No, I didn't say it would happen, I said I am feeling the need. I shall try, in earnest, to update regularly.

What a wonderful visit we had with our east coast family. I am so very glad they got to come. I am going to try to get together our entire clan for a road trip this summer. And I mean ALL of us, Stef, Dan, Nathan, Jacob, Dave, Sabrina, Josh, Lauren, Alex, Brett, Randy, Lynn, Erica, Amanda, Connor, Robbie, Me, Andrew, Matthew, Sam, Lizzie, Mom & Dad. Wouldn't that be something! Anyway, I've posted only some of the 105 pictures I took of their visit. I'll try to add more as time allows. Friday, Robbie, the kids and I all went to Mom and Dad's, had dinner and pulled out the mandolin, guitar and banjo and just sang and talked. Then Saturday we went to Stef's for a bonfire get together, but it rained so we threw some wood in the barbecue pit, sat in the garage and again, sang and talked. I got to see Walter and Richard briefly Sunday then they headed back early this morning. Was a whirlwind of a visit, but it was a good one! Since I know he's reading - I'll just state my case right now. Uncle Walter - it will NOT be 15 years until our next visit. I promise! And I was glad to see Uncle Richard, also. Maybe I'll get to know him even more, like I've gotten to know Uncle Walter. Isn't e-mail great?

So, in all this excitement, my best friend had her baby today! William Virgil Stone, 11/14/2005, 6 pounds 6 ounces, 19 inches long! They've been trying for 12 years to have a child and out of everyone I know, they deserve it most. They've had 4 wonderful kids, but they were mine. Now she finally has one of her own. I am so very excited for her. She called tonight and was pretty drugged up, but was excited, I could tell. They had to take him c-section because he'd had a bowel movement in utero, so it was critical they get him out of there. They did and he's fine. She's fine, except she just realized she can't give him back and lock the door when he gets to crying! She'll make a wonderful mother.

I found out a few weeks ago that I'm getting a 5% raise after the first of the year and then I found out Saturday that Robbie got a raise last week! So - that's a good thing. I always like to make more money, but then again, I also just want Ed McMahon to visit my doorstep so I can retire and not care what my hourly wage is. Seem selfish? Nah, just pipe dreams.

Sam and Lizzie are doing great in school. Sam's grades are awesome! He has all A's except 2 B's, is on the honor roll for the first time (first time eligible), and is on the homework club because he turned in all homework assignments on time. Lizzie is doing great, they don't have honor roll yet, but her teacher did say she's doing wonderful! Seems like all is going ok in that area.

I don't know what else to write about. WHOA - me! At a loss for words! Shocking. And it's already almost 11. My uncles should be home tomorrow so this will be updated for Uncle Walter's return! HI! I love you! Wish you could've stayed longer. Tell Uncle Richard to get me his e-mail so we can converse!

I think I'm going to bed.