Where is Fall?

Just a short rant, but where in the heck is fall? I mean mid 90's is very boring now! Let's pray for a "cold" front and have some mid 8o's weather for a nice change. At least it is cooling off at night. I'm going to try to clean up the house some. I say try because I will probably get distracted and move onto to something else. Can you develop ADD at age 60? I think it is probably the fact that I no longer enjoy housework. I'm way over it.
Well, nothing much new with us this week. I'm glad our grand dog Charlie is better. I hope our Em has fun and stays safe on her weekend trip to the Windy city, Happy Birthday to my son Mike, and hope all of you readers are healthy and happy!

Talladega weekend

Last saturday was a memorable experience for Carl and his brother Carrell. It all started last Father's day when I asked my sister in law, Lois, if she wanted to go in together and get the #1 all time Nascar fans, Carl & Carrell, a ride -a-long Nascar Experience. I'm so glad she did. Well, several of us made the trip. My son Keith, Carrell's sons, Keith, Tony, and Homer, his grandkids, John Henry and Darla went too. A good family friend, Leonard and his lady friend also went. It was a beautiful day, a little hot, but sunny and blue skies. It took about an hour from check in to ride. Carrell was on deck first. They were both happy that one of the cars was #24 Jeff Gordon. That's their favorite driver. So, Carrell made his 3 laps with speed up to 180 mph! Then it was Carl's turn. He was "on deck" waiting as Carrell came in the pit and climbed out of the car. Remember. the "boys" are 78 years old and Carl was worried with his arthritis he wouldn't be able to get his hips and back to bend well enough (or get his belly) through the window of the race car. Well, he managed to get in except his head wouldn't clear the car roof to get it in place in the headrest. The young man assisting kept pushing on Carl's helmeted head but it wouldn't budge! I began to get worried, it looked like he might push hard enough to snap a disc in his neck! They finally said "well, get back out and lets try it again". I heard Carl say "Just take the damn helmet off!" So, they took off his head gear, then got his big ole head in the right place and then re-helmeted him. I was afraid if they made him get out he would walk off and say forget it! So off he went for his 3 laps at the Talladega Super Speedway! Carl has only missed one race since 1969. He really is a #1 fan! As he was getting out of the car, he had a big ole grin on his face. It made my heart feel warm. I was so glad I got this for him. For the next couple of days, he continued to talk about it. It was definitely and experience of a lifetime for the guys.

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I have messed up my photo upload. Will try again later.

The Grand Canyon

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

Today is Carl's 78th birthday. Emily and I were shopping yesterday and we tried and tried to figure out something to buy him. The man really is very hard to buy for. He wears the same clothes.....has a closet full of clothes he's never worn. He's got oodles of caps and only one head. I finally did something I never thought I would....I bought him 24 cans of Busch Light. So, try not to drink too many at one time but Happy Birthday to my Big Daddy!

So, we are leaving in the morning for Vegas and here I am on the computer again. It seems 2 a.m. is my wake-up time for the past 2 nights. I hope I don't do this in Vegas because we have to get up every morning early to go on our trips. Em and I had a fun day yesterday and can't wait to land in Vegas later today! Well, I'm going to go back to bed and see if I can get some sleep.

update new vacation adventure

I just got off the phone with one of the tour company's. Friday we are going on a raft trip starting at the base of the Hoover dam and will go 11 miles down the Colorado river. It is smooth water, not white water. I don't think this ole body is up for that! Suppose to be lots of photo ops! So, all our days are booked with something really fun to do!

Insomnia...

OK, I realize I should never have put my computer back in my bedroom again. I've been up for over 2 hours playing around with my blog design. Ash, you'll be proud, I finally got it figured out all by myself.

I think I'm excited about vacation and my mind keeps on racing about what to take, etc.

I went to the Monaco yesterday with friends and saw Inception. Still don't know what I thought about it....it was too long for one thing. The end made me feel like I was watching the Sopranos all over again.....what just happened??? I saw Salt last weekend and it was pretty good, of course I like ole Angelina. It was one of those you didn't have to think a lot about. It was just a fun action movie. I've been quite disappointed with the movies so far this year. Not a lot to spend money on. I can't wait till Harry Potter comes out in November. I think I will reread the books again to get ready for the movie. I know I'm too old to be a big Potter fan but I really like the whole series.

So Big Daddy is up to his usual tricks with me. He always loves to act like I haven't told him anything. When I brought up the vacation he acted like I never told him where we are going. I am wise to him though, he says he doesn't know but the corner of his lip is upturned in just a little grin! He really delights in making me nuts! I guess after 25 years, I shouldn't be surprised.

Well, tomorrow I go to get my hair cut, then Em and I are going to the nail salon. I am so happy we are taking another vacation! I think I finally got all my stuff about ready....can we go now? I never have been good at being patient.

Well, I really need to try to get a little more sleep before Carl wakes up. Goodnight to all of you who are having sweet dreams about now. 4:20 a.m. and I was still going to check out FB real quick.

Vacation time is here!

Hurray! I'm officially on vacation! Em and I leave for Vegas on Tuesday. Today is my usual run around day. Errands and more errands.

My background on my blog disappeared, I don't know why...Well, I tried to pick a cute one and got frustrated so I picked an easy one. At least I have one now.

Not much has been going on, work and work.

Last Sunday was a hard day. It was the anniversary of the death of two family members. July 25th we lost Sonny and my Dad. It was not a good day for Carl. On top of that, our little kitty girl, Socks, had become ill. We knew we had to do the right thing for her. I took her Monday and had her put to sleep. She was Sonny's kitten when he died and we took her into our home. She gave us fifteen years of love and joy. We will miss her! You bring animals into your life but it sure does hurt when they leave. The joy of unconditional love from them is worth the pain. They are like our kids. I have always had a pet since I was a little girl and I have lots of happy memories of my "best friends".

I went to Birmingham for a continuing education conference yesterday. 8 hours of sheer boredom! Now, I'm on vacation and I'm am so glad! Hope all of you who read this are well and I hope to have lots to share when we come home from Vegas.

Vacation Plans

Well, I think Emily and I have just about everything planned out for our vacation. We go to Vegas on 8/3. That evening we see Viva Elvis, a cirque production, and we have front row seats! Then to bed cause we take a Pink Jeep tour to the Zion National Park on wednesday. I took a pj tour in 2002 to red rock canyon and it was the coolest thing. It was just my friend and me along with the guide. We went off road and many times the word road was too generous! It was so different and beautiful. Anyway, Em and I will have our Nikon's ready and it should be a really fun day. Thursday we go to the Hoover dam and grand canyon. It ended up we are not going to take the raft on the river cause the path down calls for some rugged steps. I was afraid my knee may not do good. The woman I talked to on the phone didn't recommend it. :( Anyway, we have Friday free and depending on what happens there, we may still try a helicopter ride or a raft trip. Or maybe a day in the hotel pool and spa! Saturday we have to come back to reality. I am so thankful I have a wonderful granddaughter who is willing to travel with me. I will get one of the docs I know to inject my knee so I can walk and try not to slow Em down too much. Of course, we have to pull a few handles on the slots but we are not going for gambling. I can do that in Mississippi. The other time I went to vegas, I only spent $100 gambling, that was really good for me! I do like to gamble. Thank goodness there isn't a casino close by.

Well, it's hump day and so far works been good. I've still got a NP student, and yesterday I had a young man who has applied for medical school and then last night I high school girl who wants to be "a nurse like me". She has been a volunteer in our clinic for over a year, and I was told yesterday that because she has watched me for the past year, she has decided she wants to be a nurse practitioner just like me. I had no idea about this until my director told me yesterday. It's good to know that I have been a positive influence for this young woman. I really do like my work, it certainly has it's moments.

Hope all are well.

Nothing's ever easy!

Well, I was in town today and finally decided it was time to get a router and get my wireless back up and running. Went to Staples and no one was interested in that store, so we left and went to Best Buy. The clerks were not much better but I finally corralled one to ask him about a router. So, 1-2-3 it is easy! Wrong!!! It took me about an hour of failed attempts before I finally called AT&T (not my favorite people in the world). One hour and 129$ later, Eureka! I have wireless service once again. For $114 and $15 a month I could get anytime service. The $129 was for a one hour one time session. I know what Carl would say, After several expletives, "What a racket".

He's gone to Nashville for races. It's trying to storm here, Buddy is having a anxiety attack and I'm exhausted.

I did manage to get each my granddaughters a surprise today. Already told Ashley what hers is. A light meter for her camera. Em's is something she can use on our trip.

Keith and I had lunch at Mellow Mushroom in Huntsville, I guess that was the highlight for today. I think I'll have a drink and relax!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, they ain't long enough.

Happy Father's Day!

We went over to Lois & Carrell's y'day for a short get together for Dad's day. Lois and I went together and got Carl & Carrell a "Nascar Experience". It will be 9/11/10 at Talladega. They will be going for a 3 lap ride along. The first words out of Carl's mouth were "I can't do that". I told him I refund it if they don't want to do it but Carrell says "yea, we're going to do it". I told Carl if he's worried about his hip and back pain I dose him up with some steroids before he goes. I think he can manage it, may not be the easiest thing to do but I'm sure they would really enjoy it!

So Emily and I finished our photog classes. Also, we're going on a vacation together again the first week in August. Vegas baby! Grand canyon and some of the other canyons within a days drive too. Also front row seats to see cirque, "Viva Elvis". I wanted really bad to see cirque "Love" which is the Beatles, but unfortunately, that show is dark that week.

So. I've cooked up several things for Carl to eat on this week, made Keith a big batch of chicken alfredo, I've been to Publix, and now I'm going to my best friends house, Becky, for a Dad's day meal with her family. Carl will be watching a race....every Sunday.

Well, hope everyone has a good week!

I'm so thankful for my family! My boys, my wonderful grandaughters, and all my friends. :)

I'm glad this work week is over! Yesterday was trying at best! Keith and I went out to eat with my best friends Rebecca and Wendell. We went to Rosie's cantina in Huntsville and it was good as usual. I was so ready for a margarita... I would have had another but I was driving.

Last night was kind of interesting. I started to bed about 9pm, like I said, I was pooped. Rusty (Carl's dog....the crazy poorly trained dachshund) was at the end of the hall acting like he wanted in the bedroom. I thought he was just wanting to go to bed. Anyway, there is a bookcase at the end of the hall and I just happened to see a little something move in the corner. It turned out to be a poor misguided mouse. Now mind you, we have 2 cats in the house and it turns out the dog is the one to sniff out the mouse. Maybe since my kitties are senior citizens (15 years old) they may have a little dementia and forgot they are suppose to be mousers by instinct. Or else all the soft living of 15 years as my pampered kitties has made them soft. Anyway, I yelled at Carl "there's a mouse!" It started to come out towards me and of course I jumped 2 feet in the air. I got up on my bed and decided my feet would not hit the floor till he was captured. So, Carl and Rusty pursued... Carl had a fly swat and ran him out but he went under the bedroom door and escaped into Carl's room. It took about 10 minutes but they finally chased him back to the hall. Lucky big daddy thought about blocking his escape route with a rug, so when he came out again and headed for the door, he hit a rug... Rusty lunged and that was it for the poor little mouse! I love all kinds of animals, I even feel sorry for snakes, but I don't tolerate a mouse in the house. Anyway, I told Rusty this morning that I guess I could quit threatening him. I'm always telling him I'm going to take him to the pound! Of course, Carl would never allow that.

Emily and I had our 2nd photo class last Thursday night. I did learn a couple of new things which was good.

I'm going to try to plan us a vacation, thinking about Vegas and grand canyon. Would like to go to Bryce Canyon natl park but I'm not sure how far it is from vegas. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Well, I've got to get busy. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Birthday to Keith Jackson, best wishes fro many, many more!

Just catchin' up

Wow! It's been almost a month since my last blog. I haven't had much to say. Actually, I would love to share some work stories but that is not possible because of confidentiality. I can say that it is pretty much the same problems. I would be willing to bet that several of my patients have appeared on Jerry Springer. The term "dysfunctional family" is so cliche' but it does not come even close to describing some of the situational dramas I hear about every day. And if anybody believes that diabetes is not rampant in Alabama, they haven't been to our clinic. I could go on for a long time about the health and psycho-social problems that plague the poor but I'll stop now.

Thank you state of Alabama! I finally got my state refund yesterday. It's always nice to log on to my bank and find more $$$ than I expected! Yee Haw!

Not much new with us. Carl has been busy doing some long over due chores around the house. He brought in some top soil but still hasn't put down any grass seed. I guess he's waiting till it's in the 90's all the time? He gave me some money on saturday before Mother's day and then announced "here's some money and I want you to go with me to the place (garden shop) where I bought my pepper plants and pick you out a flower". My question was, why hand me the $$ then say it was to buy flowers. He could have just said "pick out a flower and I'll buy it for you". Oh well, we went and I picked out a pot of Gerber daisies and a hanging geranium. Then proceeded to hand him back his money and told him to pay for them. I just thought it was kind of a hoot. I quit a long time ago trying to figure out how things work in Carl's world (mind). I often think we are the classic example of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Working 4 days a week again has put me behind on a lot of things I wanted to get done. With my arthritic knee, I just am too slow! I really miss my 3 day weekends!

Emily and I have been talking about trying to go on a vacation. I hope she can swing some time off work to go. I've decided we should go out west. Vegas and grand canyon. We will just have to wait and see.

Well, I really got to get busy. I'll try to blog in more often.

The not so extreme makeover...

Day 2 1/2 of my home makeover. Of course, the floor guys didn't get the job done yesterday. They didn't plan on putting capping down but when they pulled up the carpet they realized they needed to cap it first. Of course, I thought (assumed) they automatically did that on old vinyl floors before putting down new. So, I still have the old carpet in the hall and wood cap down in the den. They won't be back till Monday. What the heck is wrong with saturday? Seems to me if they were suppose to finish in one day then they should be back here this a.m and finish! Oh well, that is the impatient me, I try to just take a deep breath.... At least the bedroom is done. Everything so far has been a much bigger hassle than I was hoping for. Ain't that the way it goes! The girls got the first coats of paint on the walls. I think it is gonna look so good! Keith & Lori came over last night and Keith put up the ceiling fan. I bought the Hunter "5 minute fan". Needless to say, 5 people. three advanced degrees and 2 HOURS later, Eureka! That room finally has a nice ceiling fan. I really appreciate all their help. Will post some pics of the makeover when we finally get it back together. The problem with new paint on the walls makes me realize the other rooms need new paint too! Next project will be the spare bedroom. New carpet and I'd like to repaint in there too. Gonna be a little while though. Gonna need time to recuperate my muscles from all this! I hope Carl didn't get drowned in Talladega y'day. They are in a mobile home so should be dry. It would be nice to see the sun come back out tomorrow!

Much ado about nothing...

I have not had any inspiration lately. There is not much new going on. Go to work, come home, go to work. Repeat. I feel like anything I have to blog about would be "much ado about nothing". I am looking forward to getting a mini make-over for the house. We're getting new wood look vinyl floor for the den and hall. Carl's little darling Rusty has ruined the hall way carpet. Life with a dachshund is challenging to say the least. We are also giving Carl a surprise room makeover. Bama theme! I'm excited. I just hope he doesn't catch on till it's all finished. Oh yea, did I forget to say it is suppose to be a surprise? Will have to keep my fingers crossed if I can pull off the surprise.

Happy Easter!

It has been a nice weekend! Mike came to visit. He's probably half way home now. Carl, me and the boys all got to have dinner together before Keith had to go to work and Mike had to leave for home. It has been a beautiful day. Carl and I went to the cemetery and I put new flowers on Mom & Dad's graves. Easter was a favorite holiday for Mom.

Not much else is new with us. After coming home from the cemetery, I just kicked back and watched some TV. Don't have any plans, just rest up for work tomorrow.

Hope you all had a beautiful day.

A Good Weekend

Yesterday I went to B'ham to visit with Ashley. We had a really nice day. We ate at a new burger place at the Summit. The wait for indoors looked long, we chose the patio. It was nice but quite breezy! We had good burgers though, so I'd recommend Flip Burgers to anyone who likes a good burger and especially onion rings.....mmmm, they melt in your mouth. Any chance I get, I'm always up for a chance to go to B'ham! I miss city life. Even after nearly 30 years of living in Alabama, I still miss bigger city life. Oh well, there are many other good reasons to live a more country life. I know Carl was amazed when we were in Chicago suburbs that "people lived so close together" he kept saying "there's no way I could live like that". It is all a matter of what you grew up with. Of course, Carl was raised when it was still the farm life, I was raised in a big city with lots of restaurants, places to shop, and things to do.

Today is my take it easy day. I've had the "crud" this week and I'm trying to get of it. I also need a rest day to prepare myself for Monday at work. I do not care what any studies have said.....the full moon makes people crazier! I have more goofy things from my patients, more stressed out people, and more people in tears when the moon gets full. As an ole' ER nurse, I knew when the moon was getting full! No werewolves but I swear the behavior of people change as if they are under some kind of influence! So, the moon is big and full now, that is why Easter is next Sunday. I believe Michael is going to come down for next weekend. I always look forward to his visit. We don't talk a lot considering we are polar opposites on politics, etc. I'm always afraid we'll get in to a BIG argument so we try to leave news topics undiscussed. I tease him about being such a radical republican, I'm not sure where he got that gene. Must have been on his Dad's side!

Anyway, Keith is off today. He was over here weed eating. I'm baking some Peanut Butter Toffee Cheesecake Brownies. Saw the recipe in the sunday paper a couple of weeks ago. It was the finalist recipe in the 44th Pillsbury Bake-off contest. I have to pass on the recipe if they are good. I figure they can't taste bad. Chocolate! Cream cheese! Toffee! and Peanut Butter! and more Chocolate! (which is a food group by itself!). I know I don't need it but chocolate raise serotonin levels and release endorphins...hey, it IS good for you.

Well, enough of my ramblings. Hope everyone has a good week. I'm off good Friday so it'll be a short week. :)

Local News

I'm sure all of you from Alabama have heard of our "little" sinkhole under I65. Last weekend before they officially shut down all of northbound I65, we took the back roads to Hwy 67 to get on I65. I have this little phobia about bridges anyway, now the thought of my car falling into a hole in the ground is enough to cause some serious palpitations! I thought it was funny that The Decatur Daily is having a "name the sinkhole" contest. Carl says there was a spring that ran through there years ago. It was called Cool Spring. It is a possibility that the old natural spring has caused it to erode? I personally think they ought to name it after the current United States Congress..........one big sinkhole causing people nothing but headaches! At least after good ole Parker Griffith! He's one big #^$hole!

Today is the vernal equinox! Hip hip hurray! I love spring and fall. So far today, I got up, vacuumed my window sills to get up the friggin' asian beetles, cooked breakfast, now I'm bloggin' and soon Keith will be here; we have a trip to costco planned. Oh yea, and paid a couple of bills on-line. OK, so is this where I say it's the little things in life that make us happy? Seriously, I know it is dull, routine, and 90% of the time, downright boring, BUT it is our life and it is good. Thank goodness, life is not always exciting. I have enough drama at work!

Speaking of asian beetles, if anyone has any tips on how to control them (other than getting Carl to put in new and better windows) please let me know. They drive me nuts! I did get a Black & Decker Dustbuster for the job and it works great!

Well, hope yall have a glorious weekend! At least it is suppose to be pretty today!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I doubt if I even have 1/8 of Irish lineage but what the hey, today everybody is Irish! It was always a big celebration in the Chicago area. When I was a teen, old Mayor Richard Daley was quite the politician! Every year they actually dye the Chicago river green! The beer is green too! In honor of my upbringing, I am making corned beef and cabbage for supper tonight. Well, enough blarney about that.

I ran across a quote the other day that I really like.

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

Helen Keller

Sunday musings

It's been a good weekend! I really had a nice day yesterday. Ashley came up to Hartselle and we (Ashley, Memaw, and I) went shopping. We had a really nice day. The only sad thing was Emily had to work and couldn't go. We got her some surprises anyway. Ashley is so cute and funny! She hits those stores and she's like a patriot missile! Memaw says" she hones in" on just what she is looking for. Of course, us two Granny's trail somewhat behind. Ashley does really good though. She does not run off and leave us in her dust! :) I don't what what other "mature" women feel about today's clothes but I'm here to say they are pitiful! And that is putting it politely. I can not remember when I've seen such overwhelming ugly clothes. If you're not in your teens or twenties, it seems they want us to look like our great grandmothers! Oh well....

I am taking today off! I just sent Keith to get milk for us and I'm making pasta for dinner. Even though I had a fun day shopping, I'm pooped today. I've realized the bad thing for me about working 4 days a week again is when do I clean house? I'm going to have to stay home next weekend and do it. Of course, all us women probably feel the same way. The big problem is it doesn't stay clean! A woman's work is never done, amen!

Been kind of dreary this weekend. I hope to see the flowers start to bloom soon. Can't wait to take my camera out when things green up a little more. Well, that's been my weekend. Carl's out and about but I'm sure he'll be home in another hour or two.

I've been watching Star Wars on the Spike TV. It is awful! 5 minutes of show and 10 minutes of commercials! DVD's and my DVR have spoiled me......zip through them commercials on DVR and DVD is the best. Yea, if that's all I've got to complain about, I should keep it shut, huh?

Hope everyone has a good week.

Sleepless nights:(

Well, I went to the sports med M.D. this afternoon and got an injection of steroid in my right knee. It really helps the pain but here I am at the computer at 1:45 a.m. and I have to get up at 6! Oh crap! Looks like tomorrow is going to be a rough one. In case you don't know, steroids can "wire" some people up. Well, I just logged out of a medical website after ordering 8 big laminated charts of different body systems to hang in the exam rooms at the clinic. At least I can take this off my taxes. Usually if I'm really sleepless, I get suckered in by Time Life Music that "I just got to have" or some dumb kitchen product from one of the lame infomercials. Really, I only ordered one time from an infomercial, sold the gadget after using it once at a yard sale. This kind of stuff drives Carl crazy. He doesn't like to throw anything away. Our basement is testimony to that fact!

All in all, it's been an ok week so far. Work is busy, hey job security is good! Wednesday is my usual grocery shopping at Publix. Keith went with me and we got home just in time for me to make lunch and go to my Doctors appointment. Then I swung by Lois' to give her a monthly B12 shot. It is nice for me to do that. What a shame, live right across the road from family and never go visit! I'm glad she has allowed me to do this for her because it gives us a chance to visit a little.

Carl had some bad news this evening. Two of his neighbors were found passed away in their home. Evidently, no one had seen them for a few days so the sheriff ended up breaking in. They found them passed away from apparent natural causes in bed. They had been in very poor health.

Well, 2 more days and then the weekend! Hurray! I hope it quits raining by saturday. Well, I'm going to try the bed thing once again. Hope everyone out there stays healthy, happy, and safe.

The Cruise in

Yesterday was such a beautiful day! My friends and I did go to downtown Athens to see the cars that came for the cruise in. All in all, it was interesting. I can remember my Dad driving home in a new 57 Ford and I saw one there just like it except different colors. I thought it was a really cool car. After that, my family switched to station wagons. On vacation, I felt like I was in the Griswald family truckster! Seriously, it was good for us when we vacationed but it was awful when I first started to drive and my girlfriends and I went out in the ole' country squire station wagon! I just thought I'd share a few pics.

My good friends, Rebecca and Wendell

This was such an unusual interior

Downtown Athens on the square

The plate is cool....Elvis, the King

The week in review

I just caught up reading the blogs I follow. I kind of feel like Ashley. I hope that since this weekend will be pretty (keeping my fingers and toes crossed!) that it will brighten peoples moods. It was a hard week at work. I don't believe most of the people I know and love have any understanding of the culture of poverty that my patients live in. I have spent many hours thinking about this. I wish I could do more for them. I try very hard to just be there for them and listen to them and offer what I can to help them through tough situations. The economic downturn hurts the poor even more. So many are facing eviction because they can't find jobs. I don't mean to be a downer but there are times when I have so many patients come in who lives are in turmoil and they aren't coping well, it breaks my heart. To all of us who are lucky to live in a nice home, drive a nice car, have heat, air, water, I challenge you to think about what you would do without access to all these things. Also, if you have some spare time, be a volunteer somewhere! I love the idea of pay it forward! It is very rewarding to give some of yourself to others. I think we all have special skills and each and every human being is special in their way and we can all have a better purpose in our lives. OK, I'll stop now, I don't mean to get preachy.

Carl finally got our broken Bradford pear trees cut down and the stumps out. Now the yard looks bare. :( We only have 3 of the original 6 trees we planted left and they are all together in the middle of the yard. Haven't decided if we are going to replant any. If Carl wins, the answer will be NO. Will just have to wait and see.

My friends, Becky and Wendell and I are planning on going to Athens this afternoon for the cruise in. Thought I'd take my Nikon and see if I can get some nice shots. I'm trying to come down with a cold and my head feels like it is in a bucket, yuck! But I want to take advantage of the pretty sunny day!

It was fun to have Meagan and Emily come to see me last Sunday. They have so much energy and are beautiful young ladies. I enjoy their company. I got an email about the Eagles in Vegas. Everyone keep your ears open. If they come anywhere near here, I want us all to go! I secretly (or maybe not so secretly) lust after Don Henley! I'm sure Don would be pleased to know this! Anyway, it's been a few years since I've seen them and I'm ready for another rocking night with my favorite group of all time! My ring tone is Hotel California!

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Snow!

Well, it has certainly been an unusual winter for us in Alabama. Thank goodness it has been on the warmer side or this snow would make the roads a mess. I have to get ready for work but thought I'd post a pic I took of Carl and his snow dogs this morning. He worries about the house dogs if the weather is bad because it interrupts their toilet time. Not the greatest pictures, I didn't want to stand outside changing my settings..Brrrrr!

A Beautiful Sunday morning and my ramblings...

Good news! Carl survived another tax day. I worry about his heart when he has to open his wallet! Every year I fear him clutching his heart much like Fred Sanford and announcing "it's the big one!" (tee hee).

Yesterday ended up a good day. Rebecca and I went to Huntsville, had a few stores to stop at, had lunch at Olive Garden, went to Costco and home again. And, the sun was shining! All in all a very good day and once again, my life is good!

Keith's sister Kelsey had a car accident on Friday. They live in the Baltimore area and she hit black ice on the road. She is banged up and sore but thankfully she is not seriously hurt. Her car is totaled but that is only a thing and can be replaced. When Keith had his serious accident in 1988 and was in a coma for 5 weeks, Debbie took a leave of absence from her job to stay with me at Huntsville hospital. The nurses had a hard time wrapping their heads around me (the Mom) and Debbie (the stepmom) staying together and caring for Keith. I have always felt that extended families are just more family. Maybe it's because of me being an only child? I have wonderful family through marriage and I love them all. In my mind, one can never have too much family! I love all of you!

I hope to see Meagan today before she goes back to T town. Love to get the chance to spend time with our granddaughters.

Well, I'm going to post a few more pics. Hope you enjoy.

Carol and her doll family at Christmas

One of my favorite shots. A friend Georgina, Mom, & Me in the Blue Ridge Parkway

My Mom and me in the Smokies

My best childhood friend Jeannie and me

Ashley took this shot of this little guy

Lori and Me

Me and Jake

Brent and friends. They really seemed to like Brent.

Dreaded chores.....tax day!

Oh No!!! It's the dreaded tax day! 1 p.m. appointment with our accountant. I know everybody dreads this but with Carl's "creative accounting" I hate it. Always on the last day he starts yelling where is this, where is that, and it's stuff HE is suppose to be keeping up with. It always ends up in one of us or both being mad.

Our granddaughter Meagen has a birthday next week! The big 2nd decade, 20! We wish her lots of fun!

Well, I've messed around on the computer long enough this morning. Going to go to Costco after taxes with my friend Rebecca. What an exciting life, huh!

Vacation memories

I hate to sound like a broken record but I'm sooo tired of cold weather! This past weekend was beautiful and then it turned gray and cold again. I've been thinking about last years vacation. Emily and I had such a fun time. I think the favorite thing was going to see The Jersey Boy's. I love the oldies and I'm so glad we went to Chicago and saw that show. Emily liked the chicago style pizza too. We did a lot in the 4 days we were there. I've always loved going to Chicago, there is so much to do. My problem was trying to hold out! Ain't no spring chicken anymore.

Anyway, I haven't posted any vacation pics so I thought I would. Of course, when I think about our first night there it was cold too. We went out on the lake to watch the fireworks and were not properly dressed for such a night! Brrrrr! But it was fun and we had a great time anyway. Emily is such a good sport and a lot of fun to do things with.

My big day was going to Publix and the bank. Hey, it's ok to have an uneventful day off. Work can be enough stress. I'm making meatloaf for supper and Carl just came home. So goodbye for now.

Oops...

My recent post was too long so to see all the photos you have to check older posts. :)

Thank you Ashley!

I want to start out by thanking our granddaughter Ashley. She "challenged" her family and friends to create their own blogs and it looks like she's been successful! I must admit sometime I feel slightly foolish blogging but I have enjoyed it anyway.

Yesterday was a fun day! I met Ashley & Brent over at the farm for practice photo shoot. I think we got some interesting pics to say the least. Lori & Keith came over and then Big Daddy. It was a pretty sunny day and we all had a nice time. Ashley helped me with changing some fonts and colors. She is so sweet to help and so smart too!

I went to Rebecca's again last night and we played Scrabble again. We laugh and act silly and it is just fun!

My project this weekend has been photos. Taking new ones and copying old slide photos. I've got slides from the 1950's to 1980's. The slides of my family from the 1950's are priceless! I'll post some pics at the end. When Carl and I met, he had a black dog named Bear. I know lots of people think this but he was the "best dog ever". He would ride around in Carl's old ford maverick (he traded a lawn mower for this car) or in the truck and he just loved to go! He loved to ride so much one day he got in the truck bed of one of Carl's friends and we got a call about an hour later that Bear was at his house up on Antioch Road in Somerville. I still miss that dog.

A really fuzzy ass... the Jack or Jenny type.

Carl's barn cat, Miss Kitty after her snack of cat food.

My Mom & me summer of 1950.

Me and my Mom.

This is me all dressed up but I don't remember why

Me shoveling snow in front of our house.

A snow drift in our backyard in Indiana

My street in Hammond, Indiana 1967 snow

Bear "The Best Doggone Dog Ever"

Carl with his dogs. Jack and Bear.

More Wednesday thoughts...

Winter is dragging on..... I am so ready for spring! I know I shouldn't complain living here in the south, we have very little snow, but the dreary cold and cloudy weather is depressing. Enough already! Today being Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent has always signaled that spring is right around the corner. Easter was always a special day for my family. Not just because of the religious meaning but because we were always here in Alabama when I was a kid. My Mom loved Easter. She saved little plastic cartons all year so she could make all her nieces and nephews their own little Easter basket. We boiled and colored eggs and then would have a big egg hunt. This was a precious memory I hold from my childhood. My Mom was a generous and giving person. My feelings about Easter are now still mixed up. Mom died on Easter Sunday in 1995. Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that she hung on till that day. It was the that day that I finally stood at her bedside and told her that it was ok to let go....that we would be ok. I believe in my heart that she did not want to go until I had finally come to terms that she was dying. Mother daughter relationships are complicated. Since I was an only child, my relationship with my Mom was extremely close. I think about her every day but with happy memories :)

I quit giving up things for Lent as a teenager. The flesh is weak....I never could stay away from chocolate that long!

I am going to add a picture of Carl & his twin brother Carrell taken last year. Carl had a volunteer tomato plant come up just outside the carport last summer. He was so impressed with his tomato plant. Carrell's brother-in-law Bill came over and took their picture. It brings a smile to my face because they are just funny. It is the simple things in life that can make us smile. This is what I try to teach when I am counseling my patients. If you can find just one simple thing a day that makes you smile or laugh, then it is a good day. Monday afternoon I was seeing a new patient and his wife. A lot of the visit was about relationship problems, the differences in men and women in their coping strategies, etc. It was more psychosocial problems than actual physical complaints. I did not know this till later, but the patient in the next room went out to the desk and asked "Do you have a psychiatrist here?" The medical assistant said no, we did not. It ended up she was able to hear my conversation and thought I was a psychiatrist. I think this is funny. I need a sign "Lucy" 5 cents as in Peanuts cartoons.

It did not escape me that this is a serious concern of lack of privacy. I have asked my nurses to stagger the rooms so my conversations will not be easily overheard.

Well, I guess it's time to do some chores and get ready to go shopping. Wednesday is senior discount day at Publix! See, I'm excited about the little things in life. All is good.

Birthday Pictures, November 2009

I finally downloaded pictures I took (my Sony Cyber-shot) at the granddaughters birthday celebration. We started a new tradition for our family last year. We celebrate the girls birthday by taking everyone out to eat at the restaurant of their choosing. Macaroni Grille has won for 2 years so far. I think the girls have some unknown Italian ancestry....they love pasta. Picture 1. The cake 2. Carol, Carl and Ashley 3. Ashley and her Grandpa 4. Ashley and Brent 5. Emily and Wes 6. Emily and Meagan 7. Lori and Keith Jackson

I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentines day! I bought pizza's from Costco yesterday and a chocolate cake from Publix and went to friends house, Rebecca and Wendell, last evening. Becky and I played Scrabble till we were silly. All in all it was a good evening. I love to play games, just get lazy about going out to do it.

Carl's gone for the day.......Today is the restart of the Nascar races for 2010. I'm a raceday widow. Come to think of it, I'm pretty a widow most Sundays (and Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat) for some reason or another. Carl's told me before "I'm not a house husband". Don't exactly know what he means by that.....I'd be willing to go out of the house too but I think he likes his "guy time".

Well, I was hoping for some snow so I could venture out and take some shots with the ole Nikon. I have a Nikon D80 that I love and am still trying to learn to use it better. But, no snow.

Once again, Happy Valentines' Day to all.

Snow Days

Yesterday was an unusual day here in Alabama. Northern AL escaped the snow but southern AL got the most. Our granddaughter lives in Birmingham and she had a fun snow day! Our "great grandson" Charlie had a ball playing in the snow. In case you don't know, Charlie is Ashley's sweet little dog. I was at work and was concerned about traveling home. I finally made the decision around noon to close the clinic about 2 o'clock. I decided that I had 4 patients I really needed to see starting at 1 p.m. Only one came, the others stayed home due to the snow I'm sure. So I got home by 3 o'clock. Here in Priceville, we had no snow. I was actually glad. I'm not very excited about snow in my older years. I guess I had enough living outside Chicago for 30 years that I don't need the hassle anymore. The BIG difference here in the south is everything shuts down with ice and snow. You just can't drive and keep going like people do in the north. My ex husband and his family (John, Deb, and Kelsey) live outside Baltimore, MD. Boy have they been hit! I talked to Deb on Wednesday. They had 28 inches of snow last week and Tuesday night it started again and they were expecting about another 15 inches. The pictures of people using sleds and snow skis walking down the center of highways in Washington D.C. was exactly what happened in 1967 in Chicago. We had about 38 inches in 2 days. Of course, I was 17 years old and had a ball! Actually, I'm soooo ready for spring!

Another tragedy happened here yesterday. If you haven't heard, there was another senseless shooting. This time at the UAHuntsville (my Alma Mater) that left 3 faculty members dead, 2 in critical condition, and 1 who is serious but stable in Huntsville Hospital. The news broke in around 4 p.m. Honestly, I had a deep sickening reaction. I felt like someone had hit me in my chest! Our other sweet grand daughter, Emily, dates a wonderful young man,Wes, who attends UAH. I was so scared until I managed to find out he was fine. I know people always say they can't believe something like that happened here. I think this is the first stage of grief: Denial. Many in our society seem plagued with frustration, stress, and a seething anger that is like the proverbial pot set simmering on the stove. I see this in the status of my patients all the time. Many people are "living on the edge" it seems. How sad. It is a very complex problem and without adequate skills for problem solving and the availability of handguns (I don't even want to get started about this!) I am sure we will continue to watch these tragic events continue. Here in Huntsville, they buried a middle school student yesterday. He was murdered at his school just last week by another student. My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this tragedy. All of our loved ones are safe but I still feel grief about this. I wish I could hug everyone I care about right now! To all of our family and friends who read this, consider yourself hugged and we love you all. You are all so precious to us.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend. Keith is here and he's going to help me clean up the house and then we will probably head to Costco. (Keith loves Costco!)

Happy Valentine's everyone!

Just another Wednesday...

Well, it is official. I will be working 4 days a week now. Wednesday's will still be my day off. Had a really busy day at the clinic yesterday. My student was with me all day. Our evening clinic got done by 7 p.m. Things went smoothly, thank goodness.

It got colder again. I shouldn't complain considering we have missed getting ice and snow. I have family in the Baltimore area and I bet they are sick of the snow!

Carl is out checking on "the farm". To all those people out there who spend their time in Farmville (?) on facebook, I can tell you having cattle, etc. isn't fun! I keep requesting Carl to start slowing down and limiting the number of animals he owns. Yall do know Carl is hard of hearing? Well, he's always been deaf to my requests! He enjoys his "farm" I guess and I have complete understanding of the old saying, it IS hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Well, I've made a lot of progress on organizing our photos into albums. I now want to get some old slides converted to cd. If anybody out there reads this and knows of somewhere to get old slides restored, let me know. Some of my slides are over 50 years old and the colors have changed. I hope to get them restored eventually.

Well, Big Daddy just came back in. I guess that's all for now.

Lost about LOST...

I have watched/DVR'd LOST every episode. If you're not a "fan" or like me "extremely confused but hopeful" you won't probably have no idea about the pull some TV shows can have. OK, I consider myself of more than average intelligence and at times I've got to admit my TV addiction? is a problem. I've thought about it and I believe I'm too gullible. In the beginning of this show, the writers said that "all would be explained" and they also went so far as to say that "everything that was happening on the island was based in sound scientific principles". Now, I also admit I believe in science and +90% of the time I believe there are scientific principles for all we don't understand. Wow! I just sounded like Scully! (probably my favorite show of all time, The X-Files). Well, last night I watched the 1st episode of the last season. Now I feel a lot like Desi Arnez ... "splain yourself Lucy!" If what I saw last night has anything at all to do with scientific truths, I am completely LOST. I am now sure, the name of the show was not about lost airplane crash survivors, No! it's about LOST VIEWERS! Thank goodness we have DVR. I'm just gullible enough to sit and watch it again.

Keith and my favorite TV show is The Big Bang Theory. I usually watch it then when Keith gets off work he comes over and we watch it together. It's always good for a laugh. I really like to come home from work and watch a show that will make me laugh. There are not many of those shows left. Carl is not a TV watcher at all. He sits in the den and will watch sports if there is a team he has some interest in. I thought he was really funny during the ProBowl. He didn't know who to cheer! If it's not sports, it's the speed channel. Oh yea......Daytona race kicks off the 2010 season. For 10 months out of the year, we can not usually go anywhere on Sunday's because there is a race he has to watch! Oh well, I may be a Nascar widow but it don't keep me from going out. I get a lot of shopping done on the weekends!

Yesterday would have been my Mother's 96th birthday. I thought about her all day. Actually I was glad to be at work because it kept me from feeling blue. It's been 15 years but it seems like only yesterday.

Well, today was my day off. I had a patient that I sent to the hospital 2 weeks ago. She was in congestive heart failure. She got home Monday. I saw her for follow-up yesterday and realized her treatment plan is even more confusing for her. She now has a fluid pill that she needs to decide when she needs to take it. Well, the best way I know is to weigh yourself every morning. If you gain more than a couple of pounds in a day or two, this could indicate increased fluid. She does not have a bathroom scale so I went out and got her one today. I will see her again tomorrow and instruct her again. She is a very sweet little lady but has a good deal of difficulty with her multiple medications. That is one of the things I love about my job. My patients really need the help.

Well, Carl just came in for the day. He's been out on his rounds. Not quite sure what all he does but if I ever ask, "I'm busy working!" Suspect not but it's his story and he sure sticks to it! I've got some pork chops in the oven. YUM! Well, hope everyone has a good week.

TGIF!

Well, we are under a winter storm advisory. Hopefully, the worst weather is going to go north of us. It sounds like Tennessee is about to get hit. It is sleeting/raining here now. The temperature is dropping. That is the thing I hate the most about winter here in Alabama. ICE! The worst weather we've had since I moved here in 1980 is ice storms. Starts out rain, then freezing rain, then the ice gets so heavy the trees break. I was not use to that growing up in the Chicago area. Snow.....lots and lots of snow! We didn't have things come to a standstill because of snow. That was only rare. 1967 was a biggie. I think we had over 3 feet of snow in a 24 hour period. It really did shut things down for several days. I was a senior in high school and I thought it was fun! Then in the late 1970's. That was more of a blizzard! The windchill was like 40 below. The wind blew snow in huge drifts. I was working and got snowed in at my job for 3 days. What an experience! I learned after that, carry a bag in my car with toothbrush and clean undies! Again, I was in my late 20's and I thought of it as an adventure. The thought of something like that now freaks me out! I guess I'm officially an "old fart".

Well, Keith just came in and we got to run to the store. The Alabama thing to do if they give winter storm warnings is get to the store to stock up!

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Ashley & Brent should be home again tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about their vacation.

Feeding the poor....

I was surfing and ran across a news bit about Andre Bauer who is running for governor in South Carolina. I sincerely hope he was just making a huge gaff but I suspect the man really feels this way. He likened helping the poor to"feeding stray animals" "if you feed them they will breed"

I am enraged by uncaring politicians. The culture of poverty is an extremely difficult issue! Oh, I've got to get ready for work so no time for soap-boxing now.

"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity nothing exceeds the criticisms made of the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and the well-fed."

Herman Melville

Carol's practice photos / killing time before work

Emily and I want to take photography classes. She got a new Nikon for christmas. I took an intro to digital photography in Birmingham last fall. Really enjoyed it. Just haven't had a chance to work out my schedule to enroll in another class yet. I love to take pictures. Photography is the one thing I would love to go back to school for. It is just hard to find the time to keep at it. Well, I can at least say I still have dreams!

Tuesday's are my long day at work. I start at 10 a.m. and go till whenever we get done with the night clinic. We have a volunteer Doctor on Tues. nights. The night clinic starts at 5 p.m. and we usually see about 20 patients. I'm usually done by 8 p.m. Sometimes sooner, rarely does it go longer. I really enjoy my Tuesdays. I enjoy working with all the Doc's who donate their time to volunteer. We also have various churches, businesses, etc. donate a meal to feed the people who volunteer their time on Tuesdays. It really gives me a sense of inspiration when I remember how many good people there are. I think sometimes we forget that people are good and there is a lot of unselfish people who donate their time, help, money, good wishes to others. I do like my job! It is so good to be glad to go to work!

I have another nurse practitioner student with me again. I finished preceptorship with a student in December. We have the perfect setting to help teach a student. Also, I like teaching.

Ashley & Brent are going to Cabo (?) Mexico for a little vacation break. I'm so happy they get to travel. This is a vacation Brent earns from his job. I'm jealous. During the worst cold snap we had in several years, they were in Pasadena. Now, it's turning cold again and they will be in Mexico. Good for them!

Ashley & Brent in California.

Our granddaughter Ashley came by this afternoon. She helped me make some changes to my blog. She is a wiz at the computer, I seem to struggle along at least half the time. Ashley and her husband Brent went to the Championship game to root for Alabama in Pasadena. We're all big Bama fans. I found this really neat Alabama scrapbook/photo album at Costco. I bought one for Ash, Emily, and myself. I can't wait to print out some pics for my album. We were so happy that Alabama won the championship this year! Roll Tide! Can't wait till next year and we can do it again!

I have a day off today and I am really appreciating it. I decided to take it easy today. This past weekend I was super busy. I started out saturday morning with my friends Rebecca and Wendell going to Leoma, TN. The Story & Lee Furniture store and a really good sale on Lane recliners. I ended up getting all new living room furniture. I had finally convinced Carl that our old 1990's sectional sofa needed to go. So it left our den kind of bare. To make a long boring story short, I now can put my recliner from the living room in the den and I got two new recliners and tables for the living room. I got up Sunday morning and started again cleaning and rearranging one of the bedrooms. It's funny how 20 years ago I could have done all this in one day. It took me two full days and then I paid for it with aching muscles and bones all day Monday.

I hit the big 6-0 last December but in my mind I still feel like I'm 30! My ole body just doesn't want to cooperate with my brain! I'm sure our friends who have hit or approaching their "golden years" know what I'm talking about. I'm still confused about when the golden years are going to begin. I read in a book one time, that "nostalgia is the arthritis of the baby boomers". It is interesting to think about this. Many times I get emails about life back in the 50's or 60's. Our childhoods were definitely different that the kids now. I hate to sound cliche, but I really do think there was an innocence that the kids today don't seem to have. Or is it, we as adults now know the innocence of our childhoods was kept that way by our parents. I guess along with my recuperating muscles my brain is exercising in nostalgia some today.

I've got a strong possibility of extending my hours at the clinic where I work. I'm really excited about that. Something happened yesterday that made me not only angry but a small part of me felt a sense of satisfaction. For yall that don't know, the clinic is for persons who have limited income and who do have have health insurance. Basically, it is a free clinic. Patients can been seen by the providers for a fee of $10.00 per year. Lab work and meds are free. Most patients qualify for charity care (free) testing at the hospital that supports our clinic. We discovered that one of our frequent patients has had insurance since Feb. 2009. She did not want to go to a private Doctors office because she enjoys coming to our clinic. However, this is keeping someone else who needs our service from getting it. Of course we had to inform her that she could no longer come as a patient. I wish there was a solution to this immense problem of inequity in healthcare. I really don't feel what is being planned so far will help the majority of people. I can see both sides of this issue. All I know for sure, it is broken! Solutions? No, not from me.

So, we are suppose to be getting a lot of rain soon. As I mentioned in my initial blog, Buddy has severe storm anxiety. Also, camera phobia or anything that makes a loud noise or has a light on it. Carl is convinced Buddy was in a tornado as a puppy and it traumatized him. I've explained that many dogs have this problem. He has just never had one before and he is sure Buddy is suffering a doggie form of PTSD. I don't want to make things sound even worse, but he also believes Buddy listens to the TV news everyday at noontime with him. He has really anthropomorphized our animals.....especially Buddy. He has told me on several occasions that Buddy listens to the weather reports and he knows when bad weather is coming. I guess it's one of the qualities about Carl that makes me love him AND worry about him! He is still unhappy with me because I'm trying to train Rusty to go in his crate and not sit on the furniture. It's really hard to train a dog when only one person in the house is putting in the effort.

I really missed my Mom and Dad during the holidays. It's hard to believe she's been gone almost 15 years. I was going through some old photos again recently and found this one. One of the projects that I have continually going on is photograph sorting and transfers to my Mac. It will take me forever. I can't wait to share some of our beautiful granddaughters soon. We are so proud of them, they are lovely in spirit and person.

I can't believe I'm blogging!

There is a well known phrase, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". I guess this statement is really not true. Who would have thought that I would begin a blog for our family?! It will probably be boring to most but it is sure to be funny to some. We don't lead an exciting life; in fact it is pretty routine and ordinary. However, our "kids" (animals) keep us entertained and I will probably share their antics. Carl loves our kids and he is really very funny with them. I would have to say they is a definite hierarchy in this household and I am NOT in the top 3!

The Livingston Family consists of:

Carl "Big Daddy" Officially retired. Considers himself a cattleman and an "assman". No, nothing to do with tushes, he literally owns a bunch of Jenny's (female asses) and Jack's.

Carol (usually the responsible one) Part time employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a free clinic for patients who have no health insurance.

Buddy -- our beloved dog that I brought home from an adoption day at PetSmart in Huntsville in January 2002. This beloved $35.00 adoptee who happened to be heart worm positive turned into a very expensive mutt right away! He is a wonderful dog though and we love him. He is a little nuts at times (fits right in this house!) because he has severe storm anxiety!

Hoot -- He is our 15 year old cat. He's a yellow tabby with a wonderful personality. He loves Keith, who happens to be his savior. Keith found him one day when he was about 7 weeks old. He was on the edge of Highway 67 and would certainly have not made it if Keith had not stopped for him. He had a broken back leg. Again, he turned into an expensive addition to the family. He unfortunately developed diabetes this past summer and so that has been challenging. But he is happy and seems to be doing well.

Socks -- She is our 15 year old little girl. I named her Socks cause she is a black & white tuxedo cat with 4 white socks. Also, the Clinton's cat was named Socks and they looked very much alike. She's doing good but is really showing her age.

Tippy -- She is a smart, good yard dog. Carl found her on the road (June 2004) when she was a very young puppy. She is definitely "the boss" of the backyard.

Rusty -- What can I say about Rusty? Well, if you've never had a dachshund it will be hard to understand what these dogs are like. He is Carl's baby. Most of the time he is #1 on my list of things I'd like to see disappear. I have a real love/hate relationship with him. He is funny yet some of his traits are really bad. He gets mad when we leave him alone and he has his territory in the hallway he has designated as his personal potty. He also wants to eat constantly! Carl feeds him table food (ok, I do too) and I keep trying to convince him he should not eat hot dogs. This has been a loosing battle. I've learned after being married to Carl for 25 years I must accept what I can not change. Took many years to learn that too!

Last but not least, there is "The Duke".

Have you read the book or seen the movie "Marley & Me"? Duke is a reincarnated version of Marley. He is (was?) our granddaughter Emily's dog. He needed a home where he could run loose. So, since we have a big back yard, we gladly welcomed him into our family. He tore down the sun shade, nearly ate the swimming pool that Tippy loved, chewed and ruined our phone line attached to the house, tore the downspouts off the gutters, and most recently, he broke the basement window! The house is starting to look like a prison yard. Everything is covered in wire to keep it safe! He is a big lovable yellow lab. Not the brightest bulb though.

You'll probably hear lots about our granddaughter's, Ashley and Emily. We are very blessed to have such wonderful young women in our lives. Also, our new grandson-in-law, Brent. Ashely and Brent were married August 29th of 09. Last year was exciting and fun!

Also, Keith is here frequently. My son Mike lives in Indianapolis. He tries to visit 2 or 3 times a year.

Well, I guess I've sufficiently bored all of you. I will close this first blog out now. Hope some of yall will continue to check in on us.