Sharon

Sharon came down for a visit.  She is gone back to the frozen north now and we sure miss her.  There is something about a sister that is a forever kind of friend.  You may disagree and argue but underneath it all - she is your sister and will always be.  I feel that she just knows me and I do not have to explain anything to her - She accepts me just the way I am.  Funny thing though.....as we have gotten older and: hopefully, wiser, we seem to be drawn to the same types of things.  That was sort of weird to me.  I was always the country bumpkin and she the sofisticated,  more refined type.  She into fashion and me def not.  As we went shopping, I would say I like this and she would say me too - it about blew me away.  We went to the kid's field day, the quilt show, the forbidden gardens, but mostly we shopped and spent time together.  We love you Sharon and please come back soon.

ROSIE

I never thought I would fall in love with a dog.  Rosie just climbed right into my heart.  She follows me around the house and where ever I stop she plops down beside my feet.  When I leave one room she gets up and goes to the next.  I adore that about her.  She is not a dog that has to be in your face all the time just in the same room as you.  She just makes me smile and laugh and that is a good thing!  Thanks Rosie.

What a car!!!

Uncle Ralph has the coolest car.  It is a Saturn Skye.  Midnight black.  The kids are in awe of this car - and I must admit so am I.  When the kids see Uncle Ralph washing the car they run right down to "help?"  They are really growing up fast and their interests are shifting from little kid toys to big kid toys.  

We were walking through the mall as a family and we saw a hot red skye.  Chris said "maybe we should get this one"  Allison was quick on the draw and said "It's a very nice car but it is not for us"  So I asked her why not.  She said "Cause, mom, it only has two seats and we are a four seat family"  That girl is sooooo funny!

Our Chaplain

"The greatest discovery of this generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitude." Spoken by William James over a century ago.  Our chaplain at work John sends out these little messages on a regular basis.  They always make you think.  John walks around the hospital with a smile on his face, a hug at the ready, and a kind word on his lips.  Thanks, John, you make our day better.

Yumm-o!!!

Today is a teacher appreciation lunch at school.  So, being me I volunteered to bring something. The theme this month is soup and buns.  I was not about to bake buns.  I wish I could bake buns like my mom but that would mean I would have to actually try.  Maybe one day.  So, I decided on a baked potato soup.  It has baked potatoes, sour cream, milk, bacon, cheese, green onion and cheddar cheese in it.  Easy to make but looks impressive.  For sure NOT diet food - that is why it is going to school and not staying here at the house.

Nicholas made a trip to the MD on Wed.  Yup, he had another sinus infection.  The doctor started him back on singulair to try and keep him from being so stuffed up.  And a round of antibiotics to knock this infection out.  I think it is helping because Nicholas woke up early again today.  He had been falling asleep early and then not waking up until time to get up for school.  That is how I knew he was sick.  This kid NEVER sleeps in!!!

Allison just loves brownies.  She sold 25 products in her fall product drive.  So, she will earn the large badge!!!!  She cannot wait for cookie sales time as she already has her uncles lined up to buy BIG!!!!  This girl may have a future in sales.

State Farm has apologized for the delay in quoting our claim.  They are going to meet with our roofer in the next week and settle this thing.  The state farm guy said we had picked a good roofer and they had worked with him before.  He did not think it would be much of an issue once they meet and discussed things.  He thought they would write the roofer a check at the meeting so things could get going.  Hopefully, we had a big rain storm over past 2 days and more shingles look loose on roof.

Only two more weeks until Sharon comes!!!!  The whole family is so excited and busy making plans.  I hope she is not coming here to rest.

Just another day!

Today we heard from our insurance company that they will replace 8 shingles on our roof. ummmm.....so one thing we learned is that the guy who came out to our house either cannot count or does not mind that of the 40 plus shingles that are totally missing only 8 will be replaced. And that does not count the major roof damage where the shingles are not sticking down anymore - you can lift whole sections up. I called the main adjustment office and asked them what to do next. The lady was very nice and she said to have a roofer come out and give us his opinion on the roof and fax the quote to them.

Mona had given me the name of the roofer that did her house and he came over today!!! Louis is a very busy and tired man these days. He came so quickly because he was on the next street doing 3 houses. He walked our roof and wrote us a quote. He said that the whole roof should be replaced as most of the shingles are loose and will not last much longer.

So, tomorrow I will fax the quote to her and wait for adjuster number 2 to come out and look at our roof.

I also have a fencer guy coming out tomorrow to quote our fence. He will also be doing the neighbors fence. So, hopefully we will all get a better deal on it.

Kids had friends over after school. Bobby came and played with Nick and the twins Cassidy and Kathryn played with Allison. They put make-up on each other. Bright green eye shadow under the eyes. Looked cute - wink, wink.

My big adventure of the morning was a trip to the dentist. My checkup and cleaning. All was well except the same crown I have complained about for 3 years. They are now going to replace it free of charge.

I am a lucky woman!!!

The best things in life are not things!!! And, you know what this saying really is true. Yesterday, Chris and I just spent the day together. We walked around the mall holding hands. We spent time talking and just remembering our 13 married years together. We had a great time! Then we rented a movie and watched it together alone - no kids. I really love this man even when he infuriates me cause he does not want to do things MY way :)

He fell asleep before me last night. I wanted to finish the second movie we had rented. At one point, he rolled over and kissed me and said "I am really glad I married you" My day was complete!

Other happenings on our special day. Nicholas woke up and came in our room at his normal 6:15 a.m. and said "Happy Anniversary to my sweet parents". Allison's sweet hugs much later at 6:45 a.m. and "Happy Anniversary and was I at your wedding, cause I do not remember it"

Picking the kids up from school and the way they came running across the play ground to give such big hugs.

The terrific BBQ chicken that Chris loves to make for us - rates high with us all.

Realizing that this is my wonderful life and it fulfills me.

Trully a great day