Now I'm a believer!

Now where was I two years ago today???? I seem to recall eating bagels, drinking mimosas, and having my hair teased, pulled and stuck with 1,000 bobby pins.... Oh yes THE WEDDING!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Beth and Mike!!! Although I may be biased, I must say that it was the most gorgeous, fairy tale wedding ever.

Hope your dental thing went well. I'll call later today.

Love,

mommy

Pics and more

Mike, I need to explore that sight for posting a bunch of pictures that you sent to my yahoo. I just found the SD chip in the big Nikon and it fits so nice into my new computer! So many wonderful memories! I'll put a few here.

I know that Mike and Beth are off to Long Island today for a New Years' celebration in the Big Apple. Be careful driving guys,

love,

mommy

Caching pics

I found this wonderful pic of Mike when we were out caching together! Also a great one of dad and Rick helping put up the flat screen on the wall.

Pins and needles

When I got home last night, there was a message from my doctor's office. The new doctor had received the files from the old doctor and decided I needed more blood work performed. So I went to the hospital for the EMG test (Electric shocks and needles to test the nerves) and then I went for the blood work. I feel like a pin cushion. The neurologist at the hospital thinks I have carpal tunnel, but I have to wait and see what my doc says at the Wednesday appointment.

Katie saw her doc about the teeth and he said that everything is fine and healing. She has two holes in the lower jaw, but he didn't call them dry sockets, so hopefully, they will heal soon.

You can see from the pictures that A.J. and Allyson were thrilled to see me and Keiko was even happier! The cats have been very clingy since we got back home.

I love playing on my new computer and new camera! Thank you everyone. It is really a wonderful gift.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

We are finally home after a fabulous Christmas vacation! We had such a fantastic time. Rick, Katie, and I spent a week with Beth and Mike at their new home for Christmas. An added treat was that Dad and Gail left the warmth and sunshine of South Florida to join us for a real family Christmas.

We decided to head back for oklahoma Saturday in the afternoon. We then went out caching in the Durham area. The kids had a blast! Mike is so hooked on geo-caching now...and you have to admit it Beth, you like it too :)

I really miss you guys so much. It is always precious to be able to spend time with your family.

I love you all, and I promise to write more tomorrow. Now I need to spend quality time with Keiko!

Where's the jogging track???

When out in the cold caching and freezing your bum off, always make sure you have enough time for a go on the swing! We went out in Durham looking for cache's and took time to play in the park. it was a chilly, rainy day, but we had a blast. When we got home, I took the left over turkey, some alfredo sauce and made a pizza for the kids.

We have to leave tomorrow. It's going to be heart breaking to leave my baby girl, but we need to get back to Keiko and A.J. Or is it A.J. and Keiko????

We have had a terrific vacation. Beth, thank you so much for making such a lovely Christmas for your family. I know Rick didn't want to go back home.

Now we need to rip the television off the wall again and mess with cable and wires. Never a dull moment when we are together.

love you all,

mommy

Christmas 2008

Well, Christmas dinner is almost ready and we are about to conclude a wonderful Christmas Day!!! My fabulous children, husband, and in-laws all pitched in and bought me a laptop! I didn't have one of my own and this is a true blessing for me to be able to have my own computer. Thank you so much everyone...

We went out caching this afternoon and were not successful on finding the booty, but it was a beautiful hike. I have attached some pics of the day.

Finding Studs

Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Rick, Dad, and Mike are busy finding studs to place the flat screen t.v. above the fireplace. We are going to the barn to see the horses and then to Lowe's for a plunger for the guest room toilet. Backed up toilets always happen ONLY when there is company!

We talked to Amber in Japan through a conference call this morning and it was nice hearing her voice. She is freezing her bum off though. She said there is two feet of snow on the ground. But she is still driving her car around base. She has a nice apartment in the old Bachelor Officer Quarter's. She has her own bathroom, kitchen, and living space.

A.J. and Allyson - Have a great Christmas and we miss you a lot. I will try to get pics the next post.

Love you,
mommy

Grand-Kitties

Desmond and Maynard....A.J.'s and Allyson's babies...

Been a While

It occurred to me previous, that since my children have all moved out of the house, I no longer had to update the post of "Stuff I don't tell my kids". However, I underestimated the fact that it is quite cathartic to blog and my kids still need to keep up with me!

We are in Bahama, North Carolina with Rick's Dad and Gail. Mary Beth and Mike bought the new house in June and we hadn't been out to see it, so it's a real family Christmas this year! The only vital element missing is A.J. because he has to keep watch over the store. Hot Topic won't allow their managers to take vacation over the holidays. It's not the same without you, baby boy...

I will be able to post pictures in a bit....

Quick update - Mercedes came back from Chicago on the 13th of December and then had all four of her wisdom teeth removed on Monday, the 15th. She is still feeling it, but she has some good drugs to take the edge off. She has to return to college on the 4th of January. She is glad she missed the big snow storm. We are buying lots of thermals for her.

Amber is now nicely encamped in her new apartment in Misawa A.F.B. Japan. She is enjoying it, except for the cold.

A.J. has his own apartment now! It's really a cute place. He took Maynard and they adopted Desmond. They are two of the sweetest grand-kitties I ever had!

Say it ain't so!

AJ and Allyson are moving out...what? Yes, into their own apartment. Do these babies think they are all grown up or what?

I will get an address to all who are interested. By the way...they are taking Rick's cat. I don't know what he is going to do without his Mayn-man!

Falco's Pizza

We just had the best pizza I have ever had in my life!!! It did take us 12 hours to get to the La Quinta outside of Chicago. We are tired but glad to be here. There was a lot of construction just as we were getting into the city and that was yucky. At least there wasn't any rain.

There are two other girls that are going to U Chicago from OSSM and can you believe this? Sara and her mom are staying at the exact same hotel as us...5 rooms down the hall! She is over here talking to Katie right now. I am so glad that she has good friends here already and it's not such a scary experience.

Hope you are all good. We are going to be at the dorm at 8:00 A.M. to check her in.

love,
mom

Mayn - Man the magnificent!

Here are some pictures of Maynard. He is really a cutie-petutie!

I have a busier than normal week. Monday afternoon, I am going to OKC to interview #9 for my dissertation. Tuesday is parent/teacher conference. Wednesday is teaching at OSU, and Thursday is Parent/Teacher conference again. Then Aj, Katie, and I are going to Chicago on Friday morning. Rick got us a hotel room for Friday night. Google says it will take 12 hours to get there. We will get Kate checked into the dorm on Saturday, do some sight seeing and shopping. Breakfast on Sunday morning and then AJ and I will head back...Say a prayer!

Tomorrow Comes a Day too Soon

Hi all,

I know that it has been forever since I have posted, but I have been over my head in work. I knew this would be a hectic semester, but I had no idea that I would be stretched so thin. I really enjoy teaching the class at OSU. I so hope that I can get out of public high school teaching and expand to do this full time. I am also taking a class on the history of women in education and while it is interesting and most of the content is new, there is also a lot of reading and writing to accomplish.

Along with that, I am conducting interviews and then trying to squeeze in time to transcribe them. I checked out a transcription machine from the library and it is much faster than the one I was using, but still time consuming work!

Katie only has two more weeks here at home and then is off to Chicago. I am going to miss her. Along with that, AJ is looking for an apartment. I know...it's 20 years too early, but what can I do?

I will be leaving on September 19th to drive Kate up to the Windy City and I will return on the 21st. I think AJ is going with me. If not, Rick will help us out. That week will be messy also because I have parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Then Wednesday at OSU for my class.

I guess I can rest during Christmas!

How are things with Beth and Mike? Are you guys getting hit by Hanna? I think I remember you saying that there was a drought, so the rain will be good for you.

I love you all, mommy

Writing you a love letter

Tuesday night I was sitting in class thinking, "What have I done?" This is going to be a crazy, busy semester, but all of it is good and productive. I know why Keiko has been waking me up at 4:00 A.M. every day...she wants me to have time for everything!

My class is awesome! I can't believe that there are students who are listening to me and who actually think I have something worth saying! It is so refreshing and just affirms that it is time to move out of public high school education and into a University environment.

The class I am taking is also way cool. It has some very exciting readings and the final research paper will be able to be plugged into my dissertation.

I have an interview on Monday in Tulsa, so I am leaving right after school to go up there. Hopefully, Rick will drive me. Then on Tuesday at class and Wednesday after the class I teach, I have another interview so it will be a long night.

All be good,
Mommy

Tin Cup Chalice

"I want to go back to the islands...where the shrimp boats tie up to the pier. Give me oysters and beer, every day of the year, and I'll be fine." Jimmy Buffet can afford to live such a life, Donna can not.

Back into the swing of living and it is taking it's toll. I slept 12 hours yesterday and feel as if I could go back and do it again. This week starts the road trips. I have class on Tuesday from 4:30 to when ever. Then I am teaching on Wednesday from 4:30 until 6:20. I don't think I have any other after school commitments. I may meet with an interviewee on Wednesday after class though. Oh yes, I have a man coming to the house on Monday evening for an interview at 4:30. I am cleaning today in between transcribing my first interview.

Katie, you have a doctor's appointment on Thursday at 10 and then you have a hair appointment in Tecumseh at 1:00 P.M. I'll get Kinsey to drive me to school.

Amber is doing well in tech school. We should know where she is getting stationed by the end of this week. Rick sent her a cellphone and she called him. I can get you the number if any of you would like to call her.

I love you all...be good to my cats...

mommy

Slipping through my fingers

I know you all understand the "Momma Mia!" reference in the title of this post! Beth just left a voice message on my phone. Her and Mike went to Niagara Falls for her birthday weekend and Mike made the comment that the last time they were at the Falls was for her birthday. She did some computing and realized that it was to celebrate her 18th birthday! She is now at Niagara celebrating her 28th birthday with the same guy! I am so proud of you both. Ten years is a long commitment and I have always thought that you both were made for each other. It's always a blessing to actually be married to your soul mate. Happy Birthday, baby girl!

Hotter than... Phoenix???

Yes indeed...it was hotter in OKC than in Phoenix or even LAREDO, TEXAS! Unbelievable. Right now, the outside thermostat reads 107.6 degrees. Be careful out there.

Alice Cooper was right, school was out for SUMMER...not for ever and this week mommy goes back to the fun and excitement. I am going to give you guys and gals the itinerary.

Tuesday (8/5)- I will be meeting with the delegation from South Korea in Stillwater from 9-noon. Then I am driving to Tulsa Community College to meet with Jim who is a professor in the nursing program. I am going to tour the class rooms and look through the nursing curriculum. I am hoping to be home by 6 or 7 tomorrow night.

Wednesday (8/6) - I have an appointment to interview a man in nursing at OU health center in OKC at 10:00 A.M. That should last an hour or so. Then I have the afternoon free.

Thursday (8/7) - Is, of course, a sacred day...BETH'S BIRTHDAY!!! It's my first inservice day at Tecumseh. I then have class in Stillwater at 5:30 P.M.

Friday (8/8) This is also an in-service at Tecumseh and I think we are released at 3:00 P.M.

Next week - (8-11) Monday and Tuesday are work days at school with open house from 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. Monday night. I need to be in school for that. The kids come back Wednesday the 13th.

Well, that's about it. I have writing to do and after tomorrow, I have plenty of transcribing to complete.
Hope you are all well,
love
mommy

AF Rock Star

I am not making this up!!! We went to the Alamo and these guys stopped Amber and her friend, Savannah and said "Would you mind if we had our pictures taken with two Air Force girls?" I took a pic with their camera and then with mine. We had a lot of people stopping them and thanking them for what they are doing for the country.

It's been a hot...surface of the sun hot...day! I forgot how lovely South Texas can be in the summer. It seemed that we didn't have time to do much today. Amber and her friend went to the Riverwalk Mall and found a plethora of goodies! They have an Anime store there. Amber really loved that.

What was really heart wrenching is what she said when we dropped her off at the bowling alley across from her barracks. She was looking at the barracks and troops that were marching by, and she said "I can't believe how much I've come in six weeks". She recognized how much maturing and growing she has done in boot camp. Positive changes that she can build on. It's a good thing, Amber. Keeping reflecting and growing. Appreciate the good and learn from the not so good.

Lackland Air Force Base

Hey all,

We made it to San Antonio in time to meet Dad and Gail at our hotel and then went to the base for Amber's coin ceremony. This is where all of the recruits are awarded the coin of graduation from boot camp. These commemorative coins are a big deal in the AF. Amber will officially graduate tomorrow. She was awarded "base liberty" which meant that she could go any where on the base. Tomorrow she has a town pass after the graduation.

She really looks different! Much more secure and sure of herself. It's amazing how much a person can change in just two months. I guess that's the whole concept of boot camp. She has orders to learn supply management. She is not really sure of what she will be doing, but she is excited to do it! She just wants to get her college through the AF. She will be in tech school here at Lackland for the next six weeks and will be assigned her next duty station in a few weeks. She requested many bases over seas, but they will put her where ever they want to. Welcome to a government job!

Hope you are all well. I love you and miss you ...someone...Kiss Keiko for me.... Darby?

Last week of the summer

I know I haven't been very sharp about posting my schedule. This week is going to be fairly hectic.
Rick is at Tinker today working overtime and I am being lazy. Tomorrow we are both going to be lazy.
Monday is a definite clean this yucky house day. Tuesday, I am going to Tecumseh in the morning and then meeting my writing group in MidWest City at Rose State Library at 2:00 P.M. That should last an hour or so. I'll stop at Panera on the way home, Darby.
Wednesday, 7/30, I am paying bills, scooping litter and getting ready for San Antonio. I am also mailing Beth's giant birthday present.
Thursday morning, we are leaving for San Antonio. Rick's dad will leave Florida on Monday to meet up with us.
Amber graduates from boot camp on Friday. We will spend Friday and all day Saturday with her. Then we will leave for home Sunday (August 3rd) morning.

That takes care of the last week of summer.

Estelle Getty

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2450286/Estelle-Getty.html

http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/07/estelle-getty-w.html

The Mundane

Hey...very boring housekeeping notes so I don't forget....

-I just cleaned out the microwave and it was filthy! Please remember to cover food when re-heating or cooking and wipe up spills quickly before they set. Michael...that means you :)

- Also I moved all of the bandages into the medicine cabinet in the "kids" bathroom to save on the clutter of the hall closet. So if you need neosporin or a piece of gauze...it's in the medicine cabinet.

-Beth...the AESA is at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront on General McIntosh Blvd. The exact dates are October 29-Nov. 2. So we will spend Halloween in Savannah!!!! I am looking for B&B's.

Tangents

-I just got word from my professor that our symposium conference proposal has been accepted for the ACTER conference in Charlotte, N.C for Dec. 4-6th! I would like to fly into RDU on the 3rd and spend time with my favorite oldest daughter and see her lovely new home!

-I am also thinking about AESA in Savannah for October 29-31st. Mike and Beth, if you would like to join me for a few days in Savannah, then I will get a room with two beds. I think it is at the Hilton.

-I also have the SOPHE conference in San Antonio at the end of September, but I don't think I can afford it. This is going to be a busy fall! I talked to the new principal at the high school yesterday. She is the former counsellor from the middle school where I worked and it was great seeing her again. I hope the students don't eat her alive!

Things are going well here. Amber should be graduating in a few weeks. It is hot here, but July in Oklahoma...oh well.

-Oh Beth, I made a recipe from the shelter's cookbook and it was fantastic! Katie wanted to know why they put pictures of dogs and cats through the book...she thought they were pictures of the main course!

Crystal Visions

Rick and I are back home after a conflicted trip to CA. I was able to go back to Fallbrook and see the elementary school where Bethy attended kindergarten. It looked so much smaller! Rick also drove by the old apartments where we lived for a year: Fallbrook Manor. That looked exactly the same. I saw the parking space where that old Nova was parked and Leslie climbed into the engine when the coyotes ran though one evening. Brought back a lot of memories. We drove through Camp Pendleton, but I had forgotten all of the streets and we got lost.

As most of you know by now, Amber will be in boot camp for a few more weeks. Her projected graduation date is now August 1st. I think she will make it then. So we have to postpone the trip to San Antonio until the end of the month.

I hope you all are well. I love you,
mommy

4th of July Eve

Hey all,
Just some updates on life. Rick and I are getting ready to go to Anaheim on Saturday morning (at 6 am...WHAT WAS HE THINKING????). Mike...I am going to visit Molly Malone's Pub in L.A. which is where Flogging Molly got their name. They had been playing there week after week and going no where when one of the band members said, why are we doing this? we aren't getting anywhere. We are just flogging a dead horse. Then the other member said no, we are just flogging molly. The name stuck and they went on to greatness!

-Good news for mommy... I have been accepted to the AESA conference in Savannah, GA at the end of October! This is the third year in a row for this conference. Hope it helps get me a job.

-I heard from the Institutional Review Board and they wanted four MINOR revisions on my research. I have completed them and mailed it in, so by the time I get back from CA, I should be able to start interviews. I have projected my graduation date of May 2009. I really think that is feasible.

Hope you are all well.
love,
mommy

OSU

This class for Stillwater is a directed reading so there is no definite time frame for it. I wanted to get 6 more credits in Social foundations because when I get my degree, then I will be able to teach it in college. One of the guys in class is moving to Chicago on Saturday so the prof wanted to have as much class time with him before he goes. So I am going back to Stillwater on Friday morning from 10-noon. Hey, I'll pick up a Hideaway pizza on the way home.

We still haven't heard from Amber, but I think that is probably a good sign.

Hope you are all well,
mommy

Updates

Rick is quite thrilled because he called someone in San Antonio and it seems that Amber made the "Band Flight" in boot camp. That means she tried out and was accepted to join the band that will perform at the graduation. It also gives her a leg up on being permanently assigned to the AF band. I am glad to hear this because I think it will give Amber extra motivation that she needs to stick this through.

-Mike is what???? Beth said that Mike wants a motorcycle! Of course I get worried about safety because no one looks out for 'cycles. Just be careful!!!

- Everything else is going well.

Geocaching

Rick and I were going out on out hunting adventure and I went upstairs to tell Katie we were going geocaching. When I got downstairs my cellphone rang and it was Katie (yes...we call each other when we are in the house) asking "What is that geocaching thing?" It occurred to me that Rick and I have been doing this but haven't told you kids about it. Like Rick said, it's like high tech "hide and go seek" for nerds. I have attached a link.

http://www.geocaching.com/

He got into this when he bought his GPS for hiking. Basically, people hide a little container with a log in it, and then record the satellite coordinates. Then they are posted on the web. We download the coordinates and then go hunting. There are over 400 hides in Shawnee and most of them are within bicycling distance of the Airport. So that's mostly what we do. Go to the Airport, and then ride the bikes through town finding these caches. They are mostly little tubes with a signature log and sometimes a trinket or so: Take one...leave one.

It's kind of Rick's thing, but I love getting outside, riding the bikes and getting some sun.

Happy Friday the 13th!

I am not sure if Beth has your addresses for updates to her blog, but she posted about the wildfires in North Carolina. I found this link to it:

http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/current_fires.htm

-Also, she love her new Siamese kitty! She is discovering what AJ knew a long time ago...that 'Meses love attention!

-Update on this weekend...Rick has a Flag Day celebration at the Elks and I am going to go and play Jackie O for a little bit.

-Beth ...have you updated your Barbie wish list?

-I have gotten through the majority of my Review of Lit. (Chapter Two of the dissertation) and am pleased with the work so far. My IRB for permission to interview is still in holding, but I should have it by the end of June. I think I am going to shoot for a May '09 graduation date.

-Love you all...mommy

New Things

Hey all,

-Katie had her first big battle with heavy OKC traffic yesterday and made it through. I think there is a badge or something she gets now. I guess she really is all grown up.

-We haven't heard any more from Amber, but Rick has been sending letters. Hopefully, we will get one in return soon.

-Where are pictures of Kokopelli??? I want lots of pics!

-Flogging Molly will be performing in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept 21. Anytime they can be seen live in concert GO!!! They have a fantastic performance. Of course, it helps if you are besodden with a few car bombs first :p

Black Horse

I guess Mike and Beth don't have internet as of yet, but they signed all the papers and should be comfy, cozy in their new house in the Black Horse Estates! It's a nice little cottage type thing, barely room for the two of them and three and a half million Barbies!

The Popular kids

In case you all missed the memo, Beth has a new blog! A list of blogs is located at the very bottom of my page you can access them there.

-Kate has been in communicato for a few days, but it is not her fault. It's AJ's fault! He re-subscribed to World of Warcraft. She can resist anything but temptation. But she is going to Red Lobster for the test for employment.

-North Carolina has a heat advisory today and we have so much rain that the main building at Tinker is flooding! The world is a crazy place.

The tide is high

-Just in the middle of my hot, luxurious shower when Rick comes in and informs me that the shower has a major leak that is dumping the water directly under the house. So that may be the whole problem. Until it dries enough to crawl under there, the shower in the master bath is "closed for construction". Thanks for scrubbing out the other shower, Katie!

-"That Mr. Darby Payne person", as Mrs. Zimmerman from OSSM so fondly identifies him, is off to Colorado this week to visit relatives. Hopefully, it is cooler there than it is here. Although, it seems to be akin to a Third World Nation as they do not have Internet access!!! Can you imagine? What the heck is one supposed to do? Talk to your family? Hope you are having a good time Darby.

To the moon

I just noticed the mileage on my running log for the year: 416 miles I have covered since January 1st. I had set my year's goal for 900 miles, but I think I am going to try and shoot for 1,000. You guys didn't know your fat, old mom had it in her, did ya? My lifetime miles of running, walking, swimming, and bicycling are at 6,523. It's 24,000 around the world and 248,000 to the moon. Maybe I can make it around the world before the end.

-Yesterday, Rick bought a sub-pump to start getting the lake out from under the master bathroom. We have had a leak there for quite some time and I was afraid it was going to damage the foundation. The first step is to get all the standing water out. The second step is to get the snake colony dispersed (Good luck, honey). Then find the leak and fix it! Pretty straight forward, just icky stuff.

-Katie was called back for the pre-test at Red Lobster 15 minutes after she gave her application. She will go in tomorrow for that.

Hope you are all at peace.

mommy

Kokopelli

Here is the new addition to Beth and Mike's home...when they move into the new home, that is. Isn't she adorable! I told Beth that now she has a Koko and I have the Keiko.

Boredom

Katie told me she was bored and I guess I am too. I have a "to-do" list and the hightlight includes scooping the kitty litter. The good thing is that I am finally able to relax and let go of a lot of stress from school. After such pressure and frustration, it's hard to adjust to getting my life back to normal. This year has to better than last. I am still working on my review of literature for the dissertation.

Amber posted a comment on a previous post of mine and I went to her site. You might want to read it. Especially you Katie.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/14318340302117082133

I think you can find it here. I am still learning this website. Go all the way down to the blog that says "Sayman says"

-Beth...what about the cat????

-I found a really cool stress reducing excercise that was written on the back of an Ambien CR advertisement. I wrote it from some conference or other, but I can't remember. I think it's a good thing to remember.

It's called the 3 minute warning:

When you feel stressed or frustrated, take 3 minutes;
Sit down, breathe slowly, and ask yourself, "What is really going on? What do I need right now, and whom do I need it from? What is the kindest thing I could do for myself right now?"

Unfortunately, I suspect that the answer to the last question will always be a hot fudge sundae, but nonetheless, it seems like a good exercise.

Katie's E-mail

Kate can not check her OSSM email at the house. They are going to cut it off anyhow. So if you want to send her anything it needs to go through her hotmail address.

Also...Beth wants to adopt a cat. Yes... CAT! It's a cute little thing from a kill shelter. I guess LeeLoo won her heart!

Doctors

Hey guys,

Beth just sent me an e-mail obituary for Beto Jacinto. He was Lizzie's older brother. We had been to his house a few times when we lived there.

For those of you who want to know - I LOVE my new gyno. She is a woman and actually listens to me. She did not suggest that I "just get over it" when I told her that I was depressed and moody, but said that these symptoms are very common for peri-menopausal women. It's actually like going through puberty all over again. (Isn't getting old fun???)

She thought it would be better to try a birth control pills as a first options, for these emotional symptoms. It's called Yaz. Beth - if you know anything horrible about them, let me know. She said surgery should be the last option and wants to see me in 2-3 months to see how I am doing.

Anaheim

I brought up the trip to Anaheim, CA yesterday and Katie was astonished. I guess I hadn't told her about it. Hence the importance of the blog! I thought I told her, but it must have been Keiko. The Elks National Convention is in Anaheim, CA this year and since Rick is the Grand Pooba of the lodge, he needs to attend. So the Shawnee Elks got our hotel, air tickets, and money for food to get out there and watch middle age white men drink themselves stupid. Hey, beats sitting around the house scooping kitty litter.

Rick planned a day trip to two different lighthouses! Let's see how they compare to Hatteras. The dates are: We fly out Saturday morning on AA, July 5th and will return Thursday evening July 10th.

Remember, I start back to school on Beth's birthday, August 7th. (Why do they start school so stinking early).

Kate- You have a dentist appointment Monday June 16th at 11:00 A.M.

Hope you are all well and happy. Good luck in school today AJ!

Pics - I am still figuring out how to do pics

June Already?

I have a feeling the rest of this summer is going to fly right by us, so we are going to have a great one before Katie leaves for the Windy City!

Here's an update on reality - Amber is scheduled to take her drivers' test at 1:30 today and then Rick will take her to Midwest City to the recruiting station at 5:00 P.M. She will spend the night in a hotel in OKC and then go to MEPS tomorrow for the intake stuff for the AF. She will then be flown to San Antonio to begin boot camp tomorrow afternoon. BTW - she has never been in an airplane before. As of now, she is scheduled to graduate from boot camp on Friday, July 18th. We will be going to San Antonio, so if any one wants to go with us, let me know so I can get the hotel rooms.

Beth and Mike made it home at about 8:00 P.M. our time and they didn't have to get off the plane because it was on fire or anything! See...American Airlines isn't so bad!

I have my drs. appointment tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M. in north OKC. Hopefully, I can get some direction on what is needed.

I have my first summer class in Stillwater on Friday (I think), but then it meets every Tuesday after that. It is supposed to be an afternoon class.

I think that's it for now.
love you all

Money

Oh yes Beth...one more thing. I will have the $20.00 AJ borrowed from Mike in the Care Package. I'm sorry I forgot while you were here.

Leaving

I was a little heartsick after leaving Beth and Mike off at the airport, but AJ was in the car with me and I didn't want him to have to witness his mommy falling apart. But then I went into my bathroom at home at found the can of Gillette shaving cream tat Mike borrowed from AJ and I started crying. I really miss you guys. I am sorry that we are so far away from each other, but that is what children do. I went away from my mother too. At least we are such an advanced technological age that we can have instant communication with little to no cost. We are very blessed for that.

Beth- I know that AJ is going to send you a care package (Well, I'll go to the PO to mail it) and I forgot that Janettee Oke book. It's called "The Measure of a Heart" It's listed as the last book in the Women of the West series. I don't know if I have any more of them or not. I will look if you don't have them. Some of the titles are "The Calling of Emily Evans" and "Julia's Last Hope".

Mike- Thanks for helping me set up this blog so my kids know EVERY detail of my life. (Keiko doesn't really care...she pretends to, but I know she doesn't) And thank you for taking such terrific pictures. You have a great camera.

Rick is out taking Amber driving for her license tomorrow. It would be god for her to have it.

Okay...I am going to get busy and clean things. It always makes me feel better.

I love you all.

NC kids

Beth and Mike are leaving tomorrow at 1:40 P.M. That means we need to be to the airport by noon, so we have to leave the house at 11:30 A.M.

This graduation was so HOT!!! Lots of excruciating sunshine and very long-winded speakers, but my little girl is now a high school graduate!!! I am so proud of her. I know that it has been a grueling two years for her, but she has grown into such a strong, confident young woman. It is hard to believe that I am related to such a terrific person.

It has been wonderful to have Mike and Bethy here for the graduation. They need to go back to NC, but the 3 days have been terrific. It's always nice to get any amount of time with them that I can.

Graduation

Just came home from OSSM and I can tell that I am going to need a package of kleenex for tomorrow's graduation ceremony. I am so proud of all my children. Now my youngest child is graduating from high school.

I guess you really earned that pony, Katie!

Amber leaves for Air Force boot camp on Monday. I start my summer class at OSU on Friday afternoon. I think that's the 6th. It's a class with a committee member and I am hoping to get a lot of work done on my Review of Lit. before I can begin the interviews.

Friday - May 30

My youngest baby is graduating tomorrow!!! There is a dinner tonight at 7:00 P.M. at the school and then the breakfast is tomorow at 7:00 A.M. The graduation is OUTSIDE! It will be hot tomorrow so bring sunscreen.