Our Family: aka The Looney Bin

Now at a different blog

2010-01-09T00:28:00.003-06:00

I have survived!

2009-12-17T13:01:00.004-06:00

I have officially finished my semester of post-bac (bring me up to speed) work and will start grad school in Jan. I am FREE (except for work) until Jan. 11!

First, for those of you who don't facebook *cough Mom #1*, here is a recap. If you do facebook, feel free to scroll on down.
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Nov. 21 - 8:26am - I'm off to Keller to watch Cooper play football and Cason play baseball.

Nov. 22 - 10:12am - Had a lovely day in Keller yesterday visiting family and friends. Cooper "Sand-Man" Sanders did a great job and his team won. Cason's game was canceled so I'll have to see him play another time. I also finally got to taste a Chuckie burger.

Nov. 22 - 1:49pm - I did not do so hot on Test from Hell: 2nd edition, but oh well, I still have a 'B' in the class.

Nov. 23 - 10:03pm - KJ and I just got home from seeing "New Moon." I saw "Men Who Stare at Goats" yesterday. I think 2 movies in 2 days may be a record for me. Thank goodness Olene gave me movie passes.

Nov. 25 - 10:44am - I'm off to work. Ho-Hum.

Nov. 25 - 10:18pm - Picked up cheesecake that Olene ordered for tomorrow - check, have fruitcakes to Audie from Olene - check, have bag of clothes and toys for Carson from Rachel & delivered by Olene - check, bought the rolls I'm supposed to bring - check - KJ and I leave at 7:00am for Wichita Falls!

Nov. 27 - 9:10am - Had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! KJ and I will be heading back to Waco this afternoon.

Nov. 27 - 9:34pm - I'm home with big plans for the weekend. First priority is to do something about the stinky dog, Curly. Next priority is to unstinkify everywhere Curly has stunk up. Third - clean the rest of the house, and lastly - put up the Christmas decorations!

Nov. 27 - 11:54pm - One task down - Curly has been given a haircut, bathed, oiled up (skin problems), given a doggie breath mint and denta stick, and no longer smells...at least for a little while.

Nov. 30 - 12:30am - The house is more or less clean, definitely much cleaner than it was, and the inside Christmas decorations are up. Unfortunately, all that cleaning and decorating made my back hurt too much to sleep which is why I'm on here after midnight.

Nov. 30 - 7:31pm - I just took my turkey out of the oven. I bought two when they went on sale after Thanksgiving. I LOVE turkey.

Dec. 1 - 9:47am - I was changing out a framed photo of KJ when I discovered this hiding behind his picture. **Eeeek**

Dec. 2 - 10:33am - I'm turning in my last three assignments today and then all I have left to do is STUDY for finals. Yay! On that note, I was reading out loud last night (helps me focus) from the Dive Physiology chapter in Animal Phys and Sammie fell asleep before I finished half a page. Guess he's not interested in the subject.

Dec. 4 - 5:27pm - I have officially registered for the Fall and am REALLY glad I only have to take 9 hours to be full-time.

Dec. 5 - 2:29pm - Well, today is a first. I'm taking KJ to a bar. Actually, his band is playing there this evening. When he asked me if it was okay, I said, "you do realize I'll be there the ENTIRE time." He agreed so I get to play chaperone tonight. He's the only one under 18, but only one member of the band is 21 or over.

Dec. 7 -10:49am - One more class to go and then classes are OVER...just have to survive finals. I only have one really hard one, but it will be a killer.

Dec. 7 - 8:00pm - Ever leave the house wearing pajama pants, T-shirt, and house shoes, because you will not be getting out of the car...and then have to get out of the car? I was dressed this way to run KJ over to a friend's house to study for a final they have tomorrow. It turned out that the power was out in that part of town so no studying. On the way back to our house, KJ suggested renting a movie from Redbox which I agreed to (after he studies of course). Our nearest Redbox is at a gas station so there we stood, both in plaid pajama pants, me in hot pink hot shoes, KJ in checkered vans renting our movie. The kicker is that we went INSIDE to get sodas. I told KJ we were doing a white-trash impersonation.

Dec. 9 - 11:28am - I've been fighting a sinus-triggered migraine since the middle of the night. I'm up to a total med count of 2 Fioricet, 4 Advil, and countless reheatings of the bed buddy across the left half of my head. It has finally receded some, but the vision in my left eye is all blurry. This sucks.

Dec. 9 - 2:33pm - Headache is pretty much gone which means the studying can resume. I went to bed studying dive physiology (which may have something to do with the resulting migraine) and am now on to circulation. I'm working my way backwards through the semester.

Dec. 9 -6:50pm - Circulation chapter is going slowly...

Dec. 10 - 12:06am - I now know about circulation in mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. I'm done for the night.

Dec. 10 - 8:44pm - Tonight's review will be respiration. See ya in a few hours...

Dec. 11 - 11:14am - 1 final down, three to go.

Dec. 11 - 10:27pm - Disco Elves

Dec. 11 - 10:31pm - Hip Hop Elves

Dec. 11 - 10:33pm - Country Elves

Dec. 12 - 8:46pm - I'm trying to relieve stress with comfort food. I cooked a 12 pound turkey today and just ate a pile of turkey with a pile of mashed potatoes, all covered in turkey gravy (kind that comes in a jar).

Dec. 13 - 1:16pm - Slightly less stressed since I just realized I only need an 80 on my Statistics final to keep an 'A' and only need a 40 for a 'B'. This means I can keep studying for Vert Phys instead of switching over to Stats.

Dec. 14 - 10:43am - 2 tests down, 2 to go.

Dec. 15 - 1:37am - 7:00pm-1:00am = studying with a friend at library. Home now and heading to bed so I can return to library by 5:30.

Dec. 15 - 11:52am - The final from hell is over!!!! I have one more tomorrow, and then I'm done.

Dec. 15 - 10:56pm - *sigh* Staying up late studying and napping in the afternoon has screwed with my sleep pattern. I'm WIDE awake.

Dec. 16 - 11:48am - I'm DONE! I'm still waiting on one last grade, but so far 3 A's and 1 B.

Dec. 16 - 6:53pm - Crap, crap, crap! I had two tests of 100 each and a class participation grade of 95 in Evolutionary Biology. I bombed the final (don't know how, I thought I did decently- it was open book and I looked up most of the answers) which dropped my average to 89.75 and he DID NOT round up to 90 so I got a &%$ 'B' in the class. *fuming* (This is something I added in my comments to this. This professor is a great lecturer and one of my favorites. I knew he did not round since he said so at the beginning of the semester. I was just mad, because I expected to have an 'A'.)

Dec. 16 - 6:55pm - On top of all that, my great-aunt was giving me a hard time earlier today, because I had made a 'B' and did not get straight A's. I was happy with THAT 'B', just not the second one. *still fuming*
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Now that everyone is up-to-date, on to new stuff.

I spent quite some time last week volunteering at the Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale. I spent that book credit on KJ a pile of books and a few for my nephews. KJ and I are going to volunteer again in the morning so I can finish my shopping for the nephews and for my youngest niece. We have some friends coming over for Christmas cookie decorating tomorrow afternoon.

My parents are coming down Christmas day and are bringing a car for KJ. He is beside himself with excitement! It will certainly make things easier on me schedule-wise.

I'll blog more regularly now, at least until school starts back.

updates from facebook

2009-11-20T10:50:00.005-06:00

Nov. 8 - 9:10am - No sleeping in for me today. The man who sometimes mows my yard (when I've let it get away from me) was here at 8 to finish up from last week when his lawn mower died. Sammie hates strange men and spent the entire time running from window to window barking his fool head off.

Nov. 10 - 8:47pm - Breath in, breath out, breath, breath out...I'm trusting KJ with a little more independence and am now sitting here wringing my hands waiting for him to call.
Edited to add that KJ was allowed to drive to Hillsboro at 9:00 at night. He made it okay.

Nov. 13 - 8:34pm - It's been a l-o-n-g week full of tests, projects, and homework. One more busy week and then things slow down until finals. I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving.

Nov. 14 - 11:00pm - Long, but productive day today. I did some work related stuff, visited with a friend, took KJ to Guitar Center in Killeen since it was the closest place for a part that broke off his bass drum pedal, did laundry, vacuumed, sprayed for fleas, bathed Curly, actually cooked lunch and supper, showed KJ where the fuse boxes in the car and how to tell if one has blown, and did a little more work on my 3-D farm project.

Nov. 15 - 1:03pm - I'm off to work at store #2 today. Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho....

Nov. 16 - 12:21am - The farm project is done! I can now have my dining room table back.

Nov. 16 - 12:21pm - 100% on my farm project, thank you very much.

Nov. 16 - 11:00pm - Had a wonderful music-filled evening at the MCC Rock Band Concert. I had to restrain myself from standing up and yelling, "That's my baby rocking the drums!"

Nov. 17 - 1:03pm - If I top off a healthy lunch of tuna on whole wheat crackers with Schwan's Peppermint Stick ice cream, that would make it a "balanced" meal, right? Right?

Nov. 17 - 5:03pm - This is what Sammie and I do several times a day. If I don't, he is not tired enough to sleep at night.

Nov. 18 - 7:55am - I was fighting a headache yesterday evening, took a migraine pill and laid down to rest for a few minutes, and woke up 3 hours later having missed study group. Then, however, I was wide awake and stayed up late reading my animal physiology book and now, I'm sleepy. I need a better routine...

Nov. 18 - 11:08pm - Emily's new favorite spot now that's it's getting cool enough to light the heater. Please ignore the large amounts of dog hair. I'm too swamped with school stuff to sweep.

Nov. 19 - 6:52pm - I got into grad school! Woo Hoo!!! I have not been officially informed, but found out today that I'm IN!! *happy dance*

2009-11-06T10:34:00.002-06:00

It's been so long that I don't know where to start.

Let's see, I left off with the impending test from hell. It went fine and I got a 'B,' which means I can still get an 'A' in the course. School-wise for me, things are going well. I have A's in all my other classes, did decent on the GRE, and am pretty sure I'll get into grad school for the spring. My mentor professor/advisor seems to think I won't have a problem.

School-wise for KJ, things are improving, but could still be better. After his father and I spoke to KJ's psychologist, we agreed to try KJ on a prescription med for his ADD, for this transistional time anyway. Meanwhile, KJ will work with his psychologist on organizational skills. KJ had his first dose yesterday and said it helped tremendously. He felt much more relaxed and focused.

Social-wise for KJ, he is in a new band. I believe it is "death-core metal" or something like that. It's loud and has a screamer. Thank goodness, they do not practice at my house! The other young men seem nice enough and were gracious enough to not smoke around KJ or even in their cars with the windows down. Of course, KJ had not bothered to tell them this...I finally called the main guy up after listening to KJ's cough get progressively worse. He felt bad that he had not known it was an issue for KJ and things have been fine ever since. KJ had a girl he liked be a total bitch, and say some really mean and uncalled for things to him. Seriously, I have NEVER heard of a girl treating someone this way. Times have changed. I went into mama-bear mode and it took everything I had not to call the little hussy up and take a piece out of her 17 year-old behind with my 40 year-old foot.

On the home front, the house is currently a disaster area that only seems to stay clean for an hour before the dishes start piling back up and everything becomes coated with a layer of dog hair.
Work-wise, things got nuts right after Halloween with me working a total of 11 hours last Sunday, taking down Halloween and putting up Christmas. I alternately hate and love my job depending on when you ask.

Dog-wise, I am also battling some kind of mutant fleas that refuse to die. I've just about poisoned myself along with my dogs and they just keep coming back. It would take a whole other blog post to describe putting on my bathing suit and giving Sammie and Curly a shower to try and make sure I got all the flea shampoo off. I always have a hard time getting their undersides so I held them up in the shower. Neither one liked it at all. The most recent flea battle plan is respraying the yard, the dogs got Frontline yesterday since the last topical stuff (Bio-Spot) did not work, and I've sprayed the carpet and Curly's bed with a different flea spray. I had been dusting them and the bedding with something that I've forgotten the name of, but it did not work. They both had a flea bath 3 days ago and I can't bath them again for a week to give the Frontline time to spread through their system.

A couple of weeks ago, a pit bull broke into the back yard by ripping the chain link away from the frame and pushing it up to make a dog-size hole. It attacked Sammie and charged at me. I called the police who came out and waited for animal control. The dog left while he was waiting so the officer followed him, but lost him down an alley. Animal control thinks he was trying to get to Curly. She has been spayed, but he said female dogs could still put out an odor. Who knows? A man came up as they were leaving and spoke to both officers. I think it was the dog owner. Either way, the dog has not been back. Sammie had a pretty good puncture wound on his head, but has recovered fine and the landlord fixed the hole in the fence. I still have a large walking stick and a sword by the back door in case the dog shows back up.

I have to head to class so ta-ta for now.

2009-10-19T19:52:00.003-06:00

I'm alive, just drowning in schoolwork. I have the test from hell on Thursday and would appreciate any prayers, good thoughts, positive energy, lit candles, etc. for me during that time. I promise to have a nice long catch-up post after Thursday since things will settle down some until end-of-semester tests and then finals.

2009-09-28T13:20:00.001-06:00

9/23/09 - 8:46pm - I got an "A" on my statistics test. Miracles never cease.

9/23/09 - 8:50pm - Sammie and I just returned from Petsmart where he was a perfect angel and helped me shop by picking out the chews, bones, and toys for him and Curly. He let me get the turtle food, aquarium filters, dog food, and cat food on my own. He really was hilarious on the chew/bone aisle, sniffing different packages until he found one he wanted. Edited to add: Sammie actually picked up a HUGE expensive chew, but I made him compromise with two little chews.

9/25/09 - 8:41pm - I'm going to kill KJ. He took my car to work at 4:00. I just got a call from him. He decided without asking, to go to the Waco High football game to see some friends. Somehow, while there, he LOST the car key which also has my house key on it. This is the ONLY key we have for my car! He's had an announcement made over the PA, and is calling Pop-A-Lock on the off chance he left them in the car.

9/25/09 - 9:52pm - I had a friend pick me up and take me to the stadium. The keys were not in the car and so far, no one has turned them in. We brought KJ back home and I'm calling the dealership first thing in the morning to see what can be done. KJ has to repay me for Pop-A-Lock and any costs for a replacement key. The stadium said for me to call the office Monday in case the clean-up crew finds them.

9/26/09 - 6:24pm - Got my car back. $41 to Pop-A-Lock, $55 to tow to the dealer, and $204 for a new key (it's a special anti-theft key). KJ already owed me $100 for his half of a bass drum pedal so now he owes $400. All McDonald's checks will be turned over to me for quite some time.

9/26/09 - 6:25pm - He also now has a giant D-ring to clip his key chain to his belt loop.

2009-09-22T19:12:00.002-06:00

9/9/09 - 7:45pm - FYI - to those who call me on my cell phone - The touch screen has died so while I can answer the phone, I can't get to texts or voice mail.

9/9/09 - 11:02pm - I got only one piece of mail today...a postcard saying a high risk sex offender has moved into my neighborhood. Actually, he's 1 street over and down 5 blocks. Big frickin' deal. Ask me if I care.

9/11/09 - 10:27am - In the library at Baylor chilling between classes. Vert. Physiology kicked my behind today...totally lost, but never fear, I'll figure it out over the weekend.

9/12/09 - 10:52am - 2 chicken breasts, 2 slices of cheese, 4 toasted buns, Bacon-Ranch dressing, and sprouts = a chicken sandwich for me and 1/2 each for the dogs = lunch.

9/15/09 - 11:01am - Thanks for the birthday wishes, everybody!

9/16/09 - 12:12am - Note to self: If I feel the need to eat a a large handful of chocolate covered espresso beans, do it in the MORNING.

9/16/09 - 7:15pm - We had free Dr. Pepper floats in the science building today. Yummy! (no apparent reason, but I don't question free sweets) Homemade chili for supper - life is good.

9/17/09 - 5:25pm - I feel very strange emotionally right now. The FBI agent just left after delivering all our computer stuff. It's closure...I guess.

9/18/09 - 11:54pm - I'm regretting letting Sammie finish off my chili last night. He has the WORST gas!

9/20/09 - 9:43pm - After reading lots of posts, I think I must be the only person who did not watch a football game today.

2009-09-09T18:38:00.002-06:00

9/7/09 - 10:05pm - KJ has a "the world revolves around me" attitude lately. He had band practice at a friend's house today so I let him take the car thinking he would be back in about 3-4 hours. He was gone 7 hours! Upon arriving home, he tells me that m...y car was sputtering and he barely made it home so the car is out of gas. Turned out that it was just idling hard and NOT out, but HE thought it would be okay to run it out!

9/7/09 - 10:06pm - FYI - the gas gauge works. The car was low, but not past the red yet.

9/8/09 - 8:17pm - I am mad and sad at the same time. Someone close to me has been treated like scum on the bottom of someone's shoe.

9/9/09 - 7:04pm - Home from statistics hell, aka: a statistics group project assigned this afternoon, impossible to finish in class, and due Friday. We're done now, though.

You can keep up with me easier on Facebook.

2009-09-07T11:50:00.002-06:00

I just don't have time to regularly blog anymore. I plan to keep the blog, because I like to put pictures here, as I prefer this format over Facebook's. For those who want to keep up with my life more consistently though, look for me on Facebook. Search for Rebel Sanders Hart.

I have homework to do so I'm copying my recent updates to here.

8/20/09 - 12:09am -I can't sleep which is odd, because I can ALWAYS sleep. Lots of anxiety, I guess.

8/20/09 - 3:28pm - FINALLY (I hope) got the rest of KJ's financial aid worked out. I'm in the process of buying books on ebay. So far, I've bought 2 books for a combined savings of $165. University bookstores are such a ripoff. If I win my auction that ends in 20 minutes, I'll save another $35.

8/21/09 - 5:49pm - About to take a last minute trip to Wichita Falls.

8/22/09 - 11:01pm - We're home after a lovely whirlwind visit.

8/23/09 - 5:13pm - KJ took the car to work and should be starting home any minute. I'm paranoid, because it's about to start storming. He's driven in rain, but not bad rain.

8/24/09 - 5:46pm - KJ and I both had good first days of school.

8/24/09 - 6:00pm - Based solely on what I experienced today: Wildlife Ecology - easy class, If I show up and pay attention, I should have an easy 'A'. Statistics - not too difficult, but lots of homework Comparative Vertebrate Physiology - fascinating, but to...ugh class. I think it will be my favorite, but I'll have to bust my rear studying. Only 2 classes tomorrow so we'll see how they go.Read More

8/27/09 - 1:00pm - I have a new job!! Woo Hoo!!! I am now a part-time merchandiser for American Greetings. Thanks Debbie.

8/28/09 - 1:50pm - *sigh* Only the first week of school and I already had to miss two classes. KJ is coughing up blood so I took him to the doctor this morning, ran to pick up his prescriptions, stopped by one of the missed classes to show my doctor's excuse, made... it to my last class for a quiz, am back home briefly to pick up KJ (if he'll ever get out of the shower), and then we're off for a chest x-ray and some bloodwork.

8/28/09 - 5:59pm - KJ's not dying or anything. It's just a bad asthma flare-up due to him deciding that taking his Symbicort was just a suggestion, not a requirement, and him hanging out with the smokers at school. He WILL be taking his meds regularly now as ...I will be watching him do it AND he will wait for his smoking friends to come back inside after a smoke break before talking with them.

8/28/09 - 6:05pm - On a funny note, when KJ returned to the waiting room after getting his x-ray, he was carrying a disk. Apparently, he talked the Rad Tech into showing him how she sent the digital images off to his doc and the radiologist, and she even burned KJ a co...py. How much do you want to bet that I hear, "Wanna see my x-ray?" every time a friend is over?

8/30/09 - 11:33pm - Finally finished my homework.

9/4/09 - 1:58pm - Started my new job yesterday and it went well. I'm going in for a few hours in the morning and taking the rest of the weekend to catch up on homework, housework, and RELAX. I've been fighting a sinus infection and migraines all week or I wouldn't be behind to begin with.

9/4/09 - 2:01pm - KJ doesn't have class on Fridays and usually has to work 11:00-7:00 so he dropped me at school and took the car. Thank goodness for free WiFi!

9/4/09 - 8:04pm - KJ ended up having a 101.5 fever and missed work...again. He was negative for swine flu, thank goodness.

Oooohh, I feel brainwashed...NOT

2009-09-07T11:49:00.000-06:00

Obama speaks to children.

2009-08-23T12:55:00.003-06:00

These are a few pictures from my nephew's birthday party last Sunday. It was a pool party held at my brother's apartment complex. If you were at the party, but are not in any of these photos, one of the following applies:

1. I did not happen to catch you in a picture. (Dad, Mom)
2. The picture you were in had bad lighting, was blurry, or I cut the top of your head off. (McKenzie, Casey)
3. The picture you were in was of good quality, but was very unflattering of you, and you would kill me if I posted it. (Casey, Staci)

Here is Cason, the birthday boy who turned the big 8.

Here is big brother, Cooper, making a silly face. He was making a silly face in EVERY picture I took.

Cason is licking icing off a wrestling figure.

Here is my niece, Emily, getting ready to eat some icing herself.

Here is my brother, Tracey, with a "you've got to be kidding me," expression on his face.

Emily is wondering if anyone is EVER going to give her some birthday cookie.

KJ - "Seriously, how old do I have to be before you will stop taking my picture?"

Update

2009-08-15T10:37:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was my last day of my full-time job. The hours were just not compatible with 16 credit hours of college that starts a week from Monday. I'll most likely have a part-time job lined up in the next week or so. I've sent in my resume for several work-study jobs and for one awesome off-campus merchandising job. My friend, Debbie, works for American Greetings merchandising cards, but needed more hours. She is keeping one small store with them and taking my magazine job. I, on the other hand, need fewer hours so she put a good word in for me with her boss and I'm hoping to hear back from the boss soon. On-campus or off-campus, either way, it's all good.

I'm spending next week doing some visiting, school clothes shopping (for KJ), buying textbooks for us both, arranging transportation (we're sharing my car) and finding my classes.

School-wise, job-wise, friend-wise, KJ and I-wise...things are going well. Marriage-wise, however, things are not going well. David and I will be officially divorced in a couple of months. I can't get past my lack of trust in him so our relationship can't survive. To make matters worse, I recently found out that my lack of trust is well-founded. I won't go into details, but I spoke with both detectives with whom David had been chatting, received a call from the FBI, and had a long chat with his probation officer. I will no longer accept being lied to. David is very angry and feels betrayed that I am choosing to believe law enforcement over him. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

KJ and I are heading to my nephew's birthday party in Fort Worth tomorrow so I'll have pics for you.

2009-07-30T18:49:00.001-06:00

Those aren't magazines I READ! I merchandise magazines at Wal-Mart and people of a certain religious persuasion flip them over, because the covers offend.

misc. pics

2009-07-21T19:35:00.003-06:00

KJ loves his new job, just doesn't like having his picture taken.

This is my "f - you" to the people who flip my magazines over, because they don't like the covers. I used to put these in the back.

Coolest shoes ever. I'm saving my pennies.

KJ and I are CHEAP about movie refreshments. I took the straws out before I shut my purse.

I'm excited about starting school.

2009-06-25T16:08:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure if I have enough time to keep up the blog anymore.

Another quick summary of life: Sammie got REALLY sick last week and had to have water forced down his little throat every hour for 24 hours. He got spolied since he was getting chicken broth and bits of meat while he recovered. We thought he was going to die, but he pulled through and is back to his old onery self.

I still like my job, but the hours are longer than I anticipated while I get used to being by myself. Last Friday started at 6:30am and finished at 9:30pm. (I did take 30 min. for lunch and 45 min. to run KJ and a friend to a concert.) Monday took me 10 hours, but the other days have been more reasonable.

KJ got his license and I've allowed him to take the car alone for short jaunts. He got hired by McDonald's, had orientation last night and starts in the next day or so.

My house seems to be turning into the place KJ's friend's come to hang out. It's not unusual to have 4-5 boys just showing up for a jam session. It's one of the advantages to living in the center of town. I don't mind, because at least, I know where they are and what they're doing. I just try to stay stocked up on Kool-aid, ice cream, and chips.

2009-06-05T13:49:00.002-06:00

KJ and I went to a free concert here last night to hear Sloppy Joe and Fabulous Freak Brothers. He decided the world was not coming to an end, because he was out with his mom, that I had a GOOD IDEA in suggesting it, and that he even had fun. He drew the line however, at allowing me to get up and dance. Hey! It was 70's and 80's rock and pop. How can you not dance?

In other news, I started my job with The News Group today. I like it. It's even kind of fun. Over the course of a week, I merchandise the magazines in 5 stores.

Lastly, my dad, sister, and I have been playing FarmTown together. Apparently, none of us have enough to do.

Birthday and graduation party

2009-05-27T13:41:00.008-06:00

KJ will be 16 on Monday and has now graduated from highschool. *sigh* Last night, we had a gathering at our house to celebrate both events, plus it was a chance to relax with friends. I gave away or sold most of my homeschool stuff which was kind of bittersweet. I'm happy, but nostalgic. We still have a little work to do in preparation for college since he wants to CLEP a course or two, but for the most part we're out for the Summer. KJ has orientation for MCC on June 9 and then he'll be allowed to register for his classes. His classes will be

Math - yet to be determined based on a test score

Commercial Music Theory I

Commercial Music Sight-Singing/Ear Training I

Piano Class

Survey of Music Buisness

Small Commercial Music Ensemble - Cont. Christian

Applied Music Lesson

for a total of 13 hours.

In other news, I've found a job for the Summer which I'm hoping I might be able to make work in the Fall also. If not, at least I have a job for now and I'm supposed to work 20 hours a week on the Baylor work study program in the Fall. I've also registered and gotten all my financial aide taken care of. My classes are

Ecology

Foundations of Evolutionary Biology

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy w/ lab

Organic Chemistry I

Elementary Statistics

for a total of 16 hours. After that, I can enter the graduate program in the Spring.

I'll end this with some pictures from the party. By the way, KJ buzzed his hair so he is the one with REALLY short hair.

2009-05-13T14:02:00.000-06:00

KJ and I are doing fine. I'm just really, really busy and haven't had time to blog.

No jail

2009-04-26T10:40:00.002-06:00

David's case was plead out on April 17. He was not given jail time which is good. However, his probation and sex offender registration restrictions are such that he can have no contact whatsoever with KJ (or any other child for that matter). KJ has been staying with his dad since then, but we found our own place and moved most stuff over yesterday. The electricity won't be on until Monday so that is when we'll spend our first night there.

There is a lot more to tell regarding David's probation (10 years) and sex offender registration (lifetime), but I need to get out working.

Not for children to view

2009-04-15T08:25:00.003-06:00

I got this from a homeschool message board I'm on. I think it's hilarious.

Dad - this is my reply to all the political emails you send me. *manical laughter bwahaaahaaa*

Thinking of having a tea party to protest?

Want to support marriage between ONLY a man and a woman?

This is beautiful

2009-04-15T07:20:00.002-06:00

I'm sure most of you have watched this by now, but it is hands down one of the most fantastic things I've ever seen. I was so happy for her that I was bawling like an idiot.

2009-04-10T07:13:00.002-06:00

I'm feeling much better after throwing my fit. Everything will be over next Friday when the case is plead out.

I finally got the letter detailing my needed course work that Financial Aid requested. The director of graduate studies in Biology was very nice and helpful.

2009-04-08T17:14:00.002-06:00

Yes, the Thursday and Tuesday court dates have been cancelled. The case was assigned to a different court, different judge, and different prosecutor. Got bad news from the lawyer today though, I have the mother of all migraines, and just want to lay in bed and cry. I know it will make my head hurt worse though. Yesterday, I heard about the cancellations and got what I thought was good news from the lawyer. Today, that good news had bad news attached. He is still trying though. If you are family and reading this, don't call, because I'm not answering the phone. I'll burst into tears if I do.

Still here

2009-04-04T07:02:00.002-06:00

I'm still here, just swamped. I had 35 hours of census training this past week which meant I had to do extra PCKidz classes the week before. I'm playing phone tag with the professor who is head of the graduate program in Biology. I can't move forward with the financial aid department until I get a letter from him stating the classes I'm taking will go towards entrance into the graduate program. I packed KJ off with assigned school work to different places all week so he wouldn't have to stay by himself everyday. My friends took him to MCC for me. Thank goodness for good friends. Work-wise, this week will be MUCH better since I get to make my own census hours. Unfortunately, David's pre-trial conference is this Thursday and I'm a nervous wreck. I feel like my stress levels are at their breaking point.

Good news - David got a raise at his new job. I'm going to be making enough at the census to finally get caught up on bills. I happened on a yard sale yesterday where I got the CUTEST clothes. I practically have a whole new summer wardrobe for $23. We found a tire place where we can get factory tires that were pulled off new cars when the buyer wanted a different kind. Yay! My car no longer pulls to the right or shimmies.

Fuller is feeling emotionally needy today

2009-03-14T13:41:00.003-06:00

She has been missing her buddy, KJ, while he is at my parents for Spring Break. After much meowing and trying to get into KJ's rooms, she decided that David would do.

A few pics from the party

2009-02-25T19:19:00.003-06:00

Photo credit - These pictures from Kelsey's party were taken by Kelsey's mom.

KJ and the birthday girl. He gave her flowers and a stuffed animal.

In other news, KJ has a new girlfriend...again.

Hi, my name is Rebel and I'm addicted to Facebook.

2009-02-17T07:41:00.003-06:00

I've been enjoying facebook so much that I forgot to blog. Sorry.

I finally took the plunge and sent in all my stuff to start Baylor in the Fall. The plan is to spend a year taking some needed math and science (didn't get enough with a music degree, who'd a thunk it?) and then transferring into the Master's program for environmental biology. This is, of course, contingent on me getting enough financial aid to go. I had always planned to go back to school when KJ could drive and he turns 16 in 3 1/2 months. He'll go to the community college with a little supplemental education at home.

KJ is officially in a band (besides MCC Rock band). They are still working out a mic problem that will make the vocals louder, but you can check out their first recording on their Myspace.

In school news, we finished ancient Greece and have moved on to ancient Rome. I've also hired KJ to help me teach on Wednesdays and on Friday mornings. He gets some work experience and I get home sooner, since we can double up classes.

The last few days in pictures

2009-02-03T18:11:00.004-06:00

I've done lots of dishes,

and vacuuming. Sammie has just ripped apart his newest stuffed animal.

I still have a huge pile of laundry to fold.

David and I moved one end of Sammie's dog run...

all the way up to the house. It makes it much easier to snap him on so he doesn't run off.

He likes the run MUCH better now. I've thrown many, many frisbees for Sammie.

These are two of four.

I cleaned this aquarium...

for this frog. (Twitch)

Also cleaned this one...

for this turtle. (Fred)

Add in teaching preschool computer classes 4 days a week...

plus a grumpy teenager with the flu (strain A)...

and I am exhausted.

Why you shouldn't follow your dog into the woods after dark

2009-01-23T21:51:00.003-06:00

Last weekend sometime, David was working, KJ was at his dad's, and I was home by myself. I let Sammie out to use the bathroom, but he took off down the driveway. I was on the phone at the time so I finished up my call before heading out to holler for Sammie. I could hear him barking in the woods across the street so I started down the driveway while calling his name.

Now, it wasn't completely dark yet so I could still see somewhat. When I entered the woods though, it was immediately darker, but I could still see the trail so I didn't go back for a flashlight. Roscoe abd Curly (the GOOD dogs) showed up, but I could hear Sammie tearing through the woods barking his fool head off. By this time, I had decided I would HAVE to go back for a light when my neighbor drove his truck over and partway down the trail so we could use his headlights. He said he heard me hollering for Sammie and was seeing if I needed help. I told him that I had just been thinking I needed a light and that since Sammie was obviously chasing something, following him into a dark wood was probably not real smart of me. (considering we have a bobcat, coyotes, foxes, not to mention rabid raccoons and skunks) I should have just waited for him to show back up in his own good time.

At that moment finally Sammie ran up to us. He KNEW he was in trouble, and was slinking along the ground with his ears down and tail between his legs. I snapped the leash on him and that was when the skunk smell hit. It was definitely close! Neighbor man ran for his truck while the dogs and I ran for home. I put Sammie on his dog run, stripped out of my clothes, tossed them in the wash, and jumped in the shower. I scrubbed, gagged, scrubbed, and gagged some more. Finally, the smell faded. I think it was more in my nose than actually on me. Sammie eventually got to come inside later that evening for a bath and some lavender oil.

The 80's are back

2009-01-23T21:43:00.003-06:00

David and I went shopping with KJ today. He had some money burning a hole in his pocket. While shopping, David and I were musing that style-wise, the 80's have returned; Skinny jeans, mesh gloves, bright colors, tight shirts, wrist bands, etc.

Here is KJ in some of his new stuff. He also got his hair trimmed this evening.

Book-a-Week in 2009 - week 3

2009-01-21T11:01:00.002-06:00

Book update: week 3, Jan. 15-21

I read Antigone by Sophocles and reread Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.

FYI - If you're sensing a theme with my reading, KJ and I will also be reading Lysistrata by Aristophanes and watching videos of Electra by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides. Guess what we're studying?

Book-a-Week in 2009 - week 2

2009-01-17T16:32:00.004-06:00

January 8-14 (forgot to update earlier)

I read Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.

Tidbits from our week

2009-01-17T16:02:00.002-06:00

In no particular order, a few tidbits from our week.

On the day Grandmama died, KJ and had only planned to be gone a couple of hours, so Sammie was left in the house without being confined to the kitchen. After we got the call, we headed straight up to Denton without returning home first. By the time, we got back to Waco, picked David up from work, and returned home, Sammie had been in the house for 11 and a half hours. No, he did not poop or pee in the house. He managed to hold it until we got home. What he did do however, was eat half a bottle of B12 vitamins, unlatch KJ's bedroom door to get in there where he found and ate about 12 tiny chocolate santa clauses, and knocked over the trash. Sammie was racing around so fast outside that he looked like a whirling dervish. He was wired! His eyes were so big and he seemed to be vibrating. I did some fast internet research and found out he would not die, but might have an upset tummy. Needless to say, he is just fine.

Yesterday, I took Sammie with me to get David from work. While I went into a convenience store to pay for some gas and grab a snack for Sammie, he climbed into the driver's seat and proceeded to beep the horn at me.

This morning, David put his newly rebuilt starter on his car. Woo Hoo! He can take his own car to work now. I don't mind taking him, but picking him up at 11:00 at night was getting old.

David got a new job which he starts next Thursday which is another reason we needed to get his car working again. He'll make more money, be in a MUCH better work environment, work during the day, and have room to grow with the company.

On Monday, after the funeral, KJ drove all the way back to Waco from the cemetery. It was about 3 and a half hours, his longest drive yet.

KJ started his Rock Band class at the community college this week. He LOVES it! On the home school front, things are going extremely well. I feel like we're back in our groove. I changed up my original plan for the semester somewhat. We're covering the same stuff, but I'm taking a more thematic approach.

Grandmama

2009-01-11T10:35:00.003-06:00

Edited to correct her age. (though I still think she was 93. :-)
********************************************************
Growing up, my earliest memories of Grandmama are just little snatches of memories. I had to have been very young, maybe 2-4. I remember her giving me a bath in about 2 inches of water. I'm not sure if she thought I would drown or if they just had a limited water supply. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with Grandaddy while Grandmama cooked up a HUGE country breakfast. I can still smell the bacon frying... I remember being terrified watching her chop a tarantula into pieces with a hoe. I thought she was so brave. I remember lying on their big bed with the nubbly bedspread at nap time. I would stare at this black cat figurine with sparkly eyes until I finally fell asleep.

When I was older, Grandmama started showing me how to do things. I learned how to weed in the garden, and how to pull up the potato plant and shake the dirt off the potatoes. I learned how to remove the bones from canned salmon (though this was usually Grandaddy's job) and make salmon patties. God, those were good with ketchup! Most importantly, she showed me how to make deviled eggs. I use her recipe to this day. Grandmama didn't talk much when Grandaddy was alive. HE was quite a talker and could tell stories for hours. As an adult, I found out that Grandmama was on psychiatric drugs that pretty much knocked her for a loop. Grandmama had some mental health issues and back then, medicine hadn't evolved to the point it has now.

By the time I hit adult-hood, Grandmama was on better meds and really started to come out of her shell. I remember one day when I was visiting just before I got married the first time, she decided to give me the "sex talk." She knew I knew about the birds and the bees. THIS was about sex in marriage. She was still teaching me about things...

About 10 years ago when I was living in Pennsylvania, I got a call that Grandmama was going to die and the doctors said to call the family in. My sister flew me down to Texas for a week so I could say my good-byes. I returned to PA depressed and waiting for the call that she had passed on. Grandmama, however, proved everybody wrong. She rallied back, got a new doctor who quit overmedicating her, and lost some weight. After that, Grandmama was spunky! I got the feeling that she had decided that at her age, she could say whatever she damn well pleased, and to hell with what people thought.

Grandmama moved in with her oldest son who hired a live-in caregiver for her. Meanwhile, we moved back to Texas so I saw her more regularly. She loved telling raunchy jokes, much to the embarassment of my dad and uncle. I thought she was hilarious. After I married David and Grandmama met him, she was in love. She sang love songs and recited love poems to David. If I would just get out of the way, SHE could marry him. All this was done in fun of course.

Last January, Grandmama was admitted to the hospital with a heart attack, and once again the family was called in as she was expected to die. My sister and I spent the night with her there, because we didn't want her to be alone if something should happen. She kept us in stitches with stories and dirty jokes complete with obscene gestures. Nobody had told her that she wasn't expected to live and consequently there would be whispering in a corner. Grandmama had radar ears and I think she knew anyway, but she loved messing with the whisperers by saying, "When you whisper, I can't hear you!" Once again, Grandmama rallied back, did NOT die, and was released from the hospital. The doctors said that with her congestive heart failure she would have a big heart attack which would kill her. They said it would most likely be within 6-8 weeks.

I called Grandmama regularly, expecting each phone call to be my last. Weeks turned into months and Grandmama was still going strong. When everything happened with David in April, I stopped calling. I was afraid she knew and I was embarrassed to talk to her. I heard she was getting weaker and was in a wheelchair after taking a bad fall. I called then and gave her a hard time about scaring people. Phone calls with her were getting more difficult as I had a hard time understanding her. I called less and my last call was on her birthday in September. I will always regret that I got so immersed in my own problems that I didn't make time to go see her.

Last Thursday, my sister called to tell me Grandmama had a massive heart attack and was at the hospital on life support. She had a living will so the docs would be taking her off. Staci and her husband were on their way up there. KJ and I dropped David at work and headed for Denton ourselves. Through phone calls, my sister told me that Grandmama was still breathing on her own, but had been unresponsive the whole time. When KJ and I arrived, Grandmama was still breathing. Staci and Casey were the only family besides me and KJ that had been able to get there so far. Grandmama took her last breath about 5 minutes after we arrived. It was so peaceful, that we didn't even notice at first. She was 92 and will be sorely missed. KJ said it best when talking to me later. "I feel kind of privileged to have seen her die. It is like the ending to a really good book."

Book-a-Week in 2009

2009-01-04T15:52:00.002-06:00

I'm participating in the The Well-Trained Mind's message board's Book-a-Week 2009 challenge. For those that also want to participate, here are the rules.

Read an average of a book a week - 52 books in 52 weeks
Re-reading a book counts--as long as you first read it before 2009
School related books don't count (unless you want them to)
You can start reading on 1-1-09 at 00:00:01AM

This week (1/1 to 1/7) I'm reading, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul.

2008-12-29T17:05:00.002-06:00

Sammie was neutered on Tuesday and consequently has been moving in some odd positions while he heals. He was asleep with his head behind those pillows, but woke up when he heard the camera turn on.

He is attempting to get up. This is how I feel when I do sit-ups.

Emily: "Hey, what the heck are you doing? You're shaking the whole couch."

Sammie: "I'm sorry. Can I sleep with you?"
Emily: "Stop touching me!"

Sammie: "P-l-e-a-s-e..."
Emily: "Fine, just be still."

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Fuller keeps watch.

2008-12-27T14:54:00.002-06:00

I spent last week with a horrible head and chest cold, followed by throwing my back out. Guess I shouldn't have been lifting heavy boxes full of books from the floor to place on a shelf above my head at the Scholastic Book Fair. (KJ and I volunteered there several days.)

Anyway, after the back pain got so bad I nearly fainted, David took me to ER on Christmas Eve where they gave me wonderful drugs. I'm now confined to bed and on a muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, and a pain med. I don't have internet access from bed so you won't see me around for a while.

Have a nice holiday season!

2008-12-14T19:47:00.004-06:00

KJ and I rang the bell for the Salvation Army yesterday. We did an hour together and he did another hour with a friend. It was fun, but the wind was blowing REALLY hard.

The talent show, open house, and play performance went wonderfully well Friday night. As promised, here are a few videos. My apologies as the video capabilities of my camera are terrible.

These first two of are my tap dancing class. I'm the one on the far left in the back. We had some technical difficulties with the player skipping due to our tapping.

This one is KJ playing his drums. He also performed with two boys playing guitars.

Scenes (ones that KJ is in) from a modern-abridged version of Romeo and Juliet.
This is KJ entering as Count Paris who is supposed to marry Juliet.

This is when Paris (KJ) enters the banquet with Juliet. KJ is in the yellow coat and Juliet is in peach.

In this clip, Paris dances with Juliet's mother while Juliet is dancing with Romeo.

2008-12-10T21:51:00.004-06:00

KJ made an "A" on his final and passed Biology with a "C"!

He did fine in American Music History too, a "B" we think, but Biology could have easily gone either way. This means he can continue to take classes at MCC. Phew! I think we'll research any science courses closely before signing up....

In other news, Me-Me died and her funeral was this afternoon so keep KJ's step-mom's family in your prayers.

The homeschool co-op's modern-abridged production of Romeo and Juliet will be this Friday evening. We're also having a talent show beforehand. KJ is playing two numbers and I will be joining my tap dancing class for a couple of numbers. Videos will be forthcoming...of KJ, at least.

Court update regarding TSTSNBD: It has been set for a jury trial in April.

Tomato juice fiasco

2008-12-06T19:58:00.003-06:00

We've had an axe murder...

Not really, but we did have a %$#@ tomato juice mess! Thursday evening, I needed to run to Wal-Mart. Sammie was outside so I called him into the house as I was walking out the door. When David (he had gotten off from work) and I returned about an hour later, Sammie, Roscoe, and Curly were all confined to the kitchen with the baby gate. The smell was horrible!! KJ said Sammie was stinking up the living room so he put everybody in the kitchen. After doing some sniffing of individual dogs, we determined that Sammie had been sprayed by a skunk. It wasn't as bad as Curly a few years ago so I don't think he took a direct hit. I had not noticed the smell as he passed me when I was leaving earlier. Of course, by this time, it was 8:30 at night so the feed stores were closed preventing me from buying that skunk odor bath stuff.

I put David to work finishing up supper, while I tackled the Sammie problem. I happened to have a large can of tomato juice (which I have since read doesn't really help). It was in the fridge so I microwaved it so it wouldn't be too cold. Judging from the way Sammie was shivering, I had not warmed it up enough. After saturating a good part of Sammie's fur with it, he somehow managed to flip the bowl into the air sending tomato juice EVERYWHERE. It was all over the shower walls, including the painted area waaaaay up by the ceiling. It was on the toilet, the floor, my shirt, my hair, and dripping down my forehead. I switched to rinsing, followed by regular dog shampoo. He has his head tucked under my arm here.

I rubbed a little lavender oil into his back fur where he couldn't lick it off to try and mask any lingering skunkiness. I wouldn't let him in our bed that night, but by morning he was mostly odorfree. His ears still smell skunky.

This is cute, but may offend so view at your own risk.

2008-12-03T17:46:00.004-06:00

I was clued in to this by One Sixteenth. If it won't load, go here.

Edited to add: I could never get it to load so just use the link.

2008-11-28T16:12:00.003-06:00

Okay, my friend, Kathy, asked when I was going to blog again since I've been missing-in-action. Of course, I talk to Kathy everyday so it's not like anything has happened that she doesn't know about.

*waving at Kathy*

Let's see...what have I been up to? Hmmm, apparently life has been boring, thank goodness, because I'm drawing a blank here. Tuesday before last, I had the migraine from hell, which lasted through Wednesday evening. I tried EVERYTHING I could think of, home remedies, massage, and strong drugs, but nothing helped. I refused to have another $600 ER visit for a shot so my doc prescribed a drug in addition to my normal one to see if it would knock out the headache. It did.

David and I have been fighting so much lately due to repercussions from TSTSNBD that I contemplated leaving him. Since then, I've decided to look on the bright side, be thankful for what I have, and stop worrying. Our marriage needs time to heal. It's been a good two days so far. Hopefully, I can keep it up.

David and I met some friends for Thanksgiving dinner at a local restaurant and had a wonderful meal. The best part was nobody had to cook or clean up. KJ was supposed to have Thanksgiving with his stepmom's family, but the great-grandmother is in the hospital so they had Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital cafeteria. Now, I have to say that this cafeteria has excellent food! We stop in there to eat sometimes when we're in the area. Please keep KJ's great-grandmother, Me-Me, in your prayers.

Remember the tent KJ was sleeping in? He has moved back in to his bedroom now so I took over the tent. No, I'm not sleeping out there, but it is a relaxing place to meditate, read, or journal. Yes, I've created the clubhouse I always wanted as a child. Yes, it's odd, but those who know me in real life also know that is pretty much me. I'll take pictures of the interior later.

KJ and I went to see MCC's production of Romeo and Juliet last Thursday. Our co-op is performing an abridged modern version on Dec. 12th. We both really enjoyed the play and KJ said it was very helpful for his own acting. He was Tybalt, but the director has switched him to Paris due to KJ's flirting skill.

Sammie got in BIG trouble yesterday. On Wednesday evening, I bought a pecan pie from a church bake sale outside the grocery store. David and I both had a piece that night. It was soooo good. The pie was in a large ziploc bag on the kitchen counter. After dropping David at work yesterday evening, I came home to find that Sammie had gotten the baggie down, torn it open, and eaten a large quantity of pie. I spanked him with the pie pan.

2008-11-17T18:03:00.002-06:00

KJ had Taylor spend the night Saturday night and they decided to camp in the woods behind our house. You can't see the campsite from the house, but it's back in there somewhere.

They didn't decide to do this until it was nearly dark so I didn't venture back there with the camera. This is a pic that KJ took.

Here is one I took after the tent was put away.

Oh, did I say "put away?" KJ decided to leave the tent up for a while. He slept in it Sunday night and this afternoon for a nap. He was too scared, however, to sleep way out in the woods soooooo guess where he set the tent up?

Are you wondering what he has plugged in and is causing that lump in the side?

Voila!

#@%%!#%*&%

2008-11-14T20:50:00.001-06:00

TSTSNBD is not going well. Today, we got bad news with a teeny bit of good in it. The case will most likely not be resolved soon, and we are looking at setting a trial date.

Crap, crap, crappity, crap crap crap!

random updates or tidbits of info

2008-11-08T16:10:00.002-06:00

- TSTSNBD is looking up. I'm afraid to say more for fear I'll jinx it, but it may resolve positively by Friday. THEN, we can finally move on to addressing underlying issues such as the state of our marriage.

- I've discovered that all community college courses are not created equal. Some courses may be on an upper high school level, but some are friggin' HARD, HARD, HARD! For anyone living in my area, General Biology with Professor Justice is not a good first college course and will be MUCH harder than any high school Biology class you've ever taken. KJ is hanging on by the skin of his teeth, but I think he'll pass with a "C" which is what he needs to continue with dual-high school credit. He is learning stuff that I don't remember learning in college and I had Human Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Genetics.

- KJ loves his History of American Music class and will make an "A" or "B."

- We have dropped out of history co-op for several reasons.
* We are using History of the Ancient World but the co-op is using Story of the World and I'm having difficulty lining up the texts. I don't want to switch to Story of the World since we used it the first time around and KJ is too old for it now.
* KJ learns more history by reading and discussing one on one with me. When with the other teens, he just wants to socialize.
* The already-mentioned MCC classes and the time they consume.
* Next semester, KJ wants to take Commercial Music Ensemble: Rock Band which meets during our history co-op time.

- I have found out that the community college has a new program where I can get a tuition waiver for the dual-credit classes. I was wondering how we would continue to pay for them, so this came along at the right time.

- Neko, our deaf cat has been missing for 5 days and we are presuming she is dead. The odd thing is that she is an INSIDE cat and never goes out, doesn't even try. Seeing as how we have turned the house upside down and are not smelling anything... she must have gone out at some point. We have foxes, a bobcat, owls, hawks, and coyotes in the woods surrounding the property so I'm not sure she couldn't survive. I just can't figure out when or why she would have gone outside. The only other inside cat I've had run off turned out to be terminally ill and had left to die. Apparently, that is fairly common, but Neko didn't act sick... *sigh* I'll miss her middle-of-the-night meowing in the bathroom (her hangout).

- KJ wants to go with his church on a mission trip to Peru next summer. We'll see.

2008-11-01T18:31:00.005-06:00

I just love the after-Halloween clearance sale. In addition to stockpiling candy, I picked up some dog costumes for $3 a piece, so we had a fashion show this evening. Sammie was a little bigger than I realized, so his costumes were too snug.

First, we tried to make Sammie a ladybug. Taylor was over and attempted to help me, as Sammie wasn't thrilled.

He REALLY did not like the hood.

Let me down!

You people, get away from me!!

"Awwww, this is much better. I feel more like a jack-o-lantern."

"This is me, totally me."

"I'm much happier when I get my own way."

Roscoe's turn was next. "I don't think I'm feeling like a devil."

"Do you have an angel, perhaps?"

"I don't have an angel, Roscoe, but how about a bumblebee?"

"Maybe.....no, I don't think I'm bee material."

"It is good to be king."

"This is sooooo me."

"I'll take my dinner now."

"Just wait a darn minute. I'M IN CHARGE AROUND HERE." (They didn't have any costumes in Curly's size.)

"How may I serve you, my queen?"

"I bow before you, Queen Curly."

"That's more like it."

Halloween

2008-10-31T20:41:00.003-06:00

KJ was a decomposing corpse or a person whose flesh is rotting off or something like that for Halloween this year. He wore a "latex appliance" instead of a mask, which meant it had to be stuck to his face with spirit gum, and the edges blended with liquid latex.

What ghoul is complete without his iPod in a skull case? Maybe they bring their own haunting music?

We also made a cut and a burn on one hand.

Not in focus for some reason.

He and his buddy, Taylor, looked so cute together, but don't ever tell them I said that.

2008-10-26T20:58:00.003-06:00

What do you get when you take one hard-headed dog...

who really likes to chase after things...

and add one mommie who in an effort to stop said dog from chasing a chicken decided to stick her leg out to trip up said dog? OUCH! He hit my leg with his head going full speed! I had a moment where I was worried he cracked something in my leg or gave himself a concussion. We're both fine though.

Sammie LOVES to put the chickens up. He loves it so much that he will go in the coop to get them to come out, just so he can herd them back up again. When the chickens are out, I put Sammie on his run until time for him to herd them up.

Sammie spends a lot of time destroying stuffed animals when on his run. Misplaced aggression, maybe? Yes, I know the run is not high enough, but I wanted him to have plenty of room to either side. It's a 100 feet long and he can go about 5-6 feet to either side. He's only on it when I let the chickens out.

Where stuffed animals go to die...

Thanks Mom #1

2008-10-23T17:37:00.002-06:00

Mom #1 gave me an award.

"This blog invests and believes, in 'proximity' [meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' - being close through proxy] They are all charming blogs, and the majority of them aim to show the marvels of friendship; there are persons who are not interested when we give them a prize, and then they help to cut these bows; do we want that they are cut, or that they propagate?"

I have to give the prize to 8 more bloggers who in turn must paste the above text. (which is a really long run-on sentence, but with a nice sentiment)

I'm passing the award on to Bridgett, Dy, Redneck Mother, Karisma, Rosie, and anybody else who wants to claim it.

Good news and Bad news

2008-10-18T20:48:00.002-06:00

The good news is that my PCKidz employer needs a teacher to take over her most-profitable area, and that I'm taking the job. I have already quit Dairy Queen *happy dance* since I'll start this week. I'll make at least the same amount of money and work half the DQ hours. *more happy dancing* No more late nights for me! I found all this out Thursday night and my euphoric mood lasted until Friday afternoon when I got the bad news.

The STSNBN (situation that shall not be named) is not going well at all. It is looking highly likely (though we haven't given up all hope) that David will have to do two years in prison. His health problems (insulin dependent for 40 years, blood sugar out-of-control, no colon, neuropathy, retinopathy) will probably have him dead or severely impaired before his sentence is up. He is trying to get his affairs in order and do what he can for me and KJ, but is working under the assumption that he won't be back. We'll know more in a couple of weeks, but there should be a resolution (good or bad) by the end of the year. Ironically, if he was under indictment for the same crime in ANY other county, besides the one he is being prosecuted in, he would already be on probation. (That's what our lawyer says anyway.)

FYI - Updated post

2008-10-13T15:41:00.001-06:00

I updated the "nice excursion" post with pictures.

Took a little trip

2008-10-12T19:48:00.005-06:00

My friend, Debbie and her son, Rodney invited me and KJ to join them on a little trip to San Antonio. We left here early Friday morning and returned Saturday night. We went to the San Antonio Zoo Friday morning. In case you didn't know, KJ dyed half his hair hot pink and the other half is kind of a lighter pink.

Debbie wasn't super thrilled about being bombarded by hungry lorakeets.

This is a tad bit better.

Awww, this is more her style...until this bird started nipping her ear. I tried to shoo it off and it got tangled upside down in her hair. Sorry, I was busy removing the bird and didn't get a pic.

We had lunch at the Rivercenter Mall and then went on to the Alamo.

Rodney had some ancestors at the Alamo and was taking a picture of their names.

I wonder what was so funny.

After leaving the Alamo, we just relaxed at the hotel. Saturday was SeaWorld! (Debbie had 4 free tickets.)

The park was directed for Halloween.

Guess who I got to meet today?

2008-10-04T17:58:00.003-06:00

I'll give you a hint. She has five of the sweetest, well-mannered children I've ever seen.

She is on my blogroll.

I've read her blog through her last three pregnancies and through two cross-country moves.

It's Dy from Classic Adventures!
Her hubby was going to be in the area for work so they packed up the whole family and came to visit central Texas. She is just as nice in person as she is on her blog. I only wish I had half her patience and wisdom. And the children...I was serious when I said they are sweet and well-mannered. James and John are such responsible young men. I'm sure they are a terrific help to their mother. They both have such a developed sense of humor. They make up their own jokes that you have to really think about to "get." Many times, children aren't that interested in conversing with adults, but I could have informative discussions with James, John, and even Jacob. (He's getting so big!) Emily is just a little doll. The boys, especially Jacob, dote on her. She has the sweetest expression on her face even when proclaiming that she doesn't like something. Then there is baby Jason who I gave serious consideration to sneaking home with me. He is so HAPPY! As long as he was fed and had a clean bottom, he was perfectly content. I don't want you to think Dy is raising little robots or Eddie Haskellish polite children. Authentic and genuine are the best terms I can think of. They're still kids, but self-assured kids...if that makes sense at all.

Thanks for lunch, Dy! Have a safe rest of your trip!

nice excursion - UPDATED with pics

2008-10-02T21:17:00.005-06:00

Edited - I wrote this up Thursday afternoon, but did not have time to post the pics, so I just saved the post without publishing. Unfortunately, it is now SATURDAY and I finally have time to finish it. Guess who took the camera card with him to his dad's for the weekend? Oh well, I'll post pics later. We had a lovely day today. KJ and three other children from co-op have been volunteering at the World Hunger Relief Farm on Thursday mornings for several weeks. We parents take turns dropping off and retrieving the group. I usually pick up and take everyone to our history co-op, but today we were going on a field trip instead. I had given serious consideration to skipping the field trip, because I wasn't sure how relevant it would be to our history, wasn't sure KJ was interested, and knew KJ still had lots of Biology homework. Boy, am I glad we went on the field trip. KJ was absolutely fascinated by the museum, the architecture, the auditorium, the whole experience! The museum even had some artifacts from ancient times so it tied in with our history nicely too. KJ took tons of pictures, but I'll only post a few.

Here are the other three World Hunger Farm volunteers. (besides KJ)
This is H. KJ doesn't want to go unless she will be there. He says she makes it fun.

This is C. He is a jokester.

This is Rodney. He quietly observes everything that goes on.

The lodge had some really interesting architecture.

The inside was just as fascinating as the outside. Unfortunately, KJ forgot to take pictures of the ancient artifacts we actually went to see, a 3000 year old rock with cuneiform writing on it, some beads from ancient Egypt, and a couple of things I've forgotten.

These are pics of a gorgeous stained glass window in the memorial room.

This is a stage from one of the auditoriums. KJ is presiding.

These are pics from the Holocaust section of the museum. KJ was really moved.

I think this was Sam Houston.

KJ took MANY more pics, but this is enough for you to get the idea.

We're getting our act together.

2008-09-26T12:44:00.004-06:00

Life here seems to be stabilizing. I'm slowly getting used to working from dawn until dark. *yawn* Luckily, this will only continue for another week and a half. Currently, I'm teaching for PCKidz two Monday mornings a month, and every Thursday and Friday morning. I teach at our homeschool co-op on Tuesday mornings, and participate in a history co-op on Thursday afternoons. I'm working at DQ pretty much every night from 4 until 10:30 or so, but I'm dropping back to 3 days a week soon. David got low-paying job #1, but has been contacted for an interview by high-paying job #3. He currently works Wed. - Sun. from 2pm until 11pm.

I don't want KJ home that long or late by himself so we've worked out a system. David will be home with KJ Mon. and Tues. evenings while I work. KJ goes to his dad's on Wed. evening when David and I both work. I won't work on Thursday evenings so I can get KJ to fencing. Due to swapping weekends with KJ's dad so KJ could attend my 20th high school reunion with me, KJ will be at his dad's both this and next weekend so I can work Fri.-Sun. On weekends KJ is with me, I won't work. I'll have dropped my hours by then anyway.

I turned the phone book delivery job over to David. He does it Mon. and Tues. mornings. We've been taking turns getting KJ to and from MCC. So all in all, our system works short-term anyway. If David gets high-paying job #3, he'll work days and I'll quit DQ all together (once I know for sure that the situation-that-must-not-be-named or STMNBN is resolved positively. I made need the DQ job if the STMNBN resolves badly...)

KJ has had a hard time getting his MCC work organized. He has difficulty looking ahead to see what and when something is due, looking at his schedule, and then planning around it to get his work done. I was concerned that I had made him this way by homeschooling him and had I to do it over again, I would have given him more projects with due dates that he was responsible for organizing, planning, and executing. My niece is having the EXACT same problems, however, and she has been in public school her entire life so apparently, it's not a homeschooling issue. My mother says it is typical teenage behavior, but I certainly never acted that way. Anyway, I think KJ has his act together now. I had shown him tricks and tools to use, but I knew nothing....until KJ failed a test and missed the due date for a quiz. NOW, I'm a genius and KJ is a planner.

I would be interested to see how my dad would score on this.

2008-09-24T20:45:00.000-06:00

You are 74% REAL Texan!!

You're way more Texan than average. You're parents were probably from here too. We're glad to have you. You probably go to the border for Christmas shopping and are well versed in BBQ, Mexican Food and .. well thats pretty much it.

How Texan Are You?
Take More Quizzes

Emily wants to be a lion for Halloween

2008-09-17T21:03:00.003-06:00

I found this cheap little lion-head costume hat for cats while shopping at Target today. (They also had full dog costumes, and though I would love to dress Sammie as a chicken, they weren't cheap.) Emily is the only cat who will allow me to put it on her. In my opinion, it looks like a lion is eating her head.

In other news, Dairy Queen is going okay. It's not rocket science and the people are nice. My sister is coming over to the dark side and is going to start homeschooling my nieces. Woo Hoo!! I was singing the Hallelujah chorus when I got off the phone to her today.

new job

2008-09-12T18:22:00.002-06:00

I have a new part-time job! Starting Monday, I will work at the local Dairy Queen. This makes three part-time jobs for those of you keeping count. What can I say...we have to eat. Luckily, my schedules are such that I'm usually only working when KJ is at MCC or in the evening when David will be home with him. I'm not opposed to KJ staying alone sometimes, but I don't want him to be home by himself too much. I can still keep up with the three subjects I teach at home and still participate in our two co-ops. The area that will be neglected is the housework and "me" time. Hopefully, David and KJ can help with the house (a first). David is still searching for a job himself. Once he gets one, I'll most likely drop a job (or two).

Two weeks - the short of it

2008-09-07T22:49:00.002-06:00

I promised to blog this weekend and even though it's nearly midnight Sunday night, it IS still the weekend.

We started school two weeks ago and I've since discovered that I may have over scheduled a tad. Our schedule works as long as KJ doesn't have large amounts of MCC homework and as long as we have nothing extra come up. (like a farewell swimming party in week 1 and a birthday party in week 2.) KJ is going through some growing pains with MCC, but all is well. He is just used to mom being there to tell him what to do. We've had some last minute, "Oh my goodness, I have homework due tomorrow," moments resulting in late nights.

I started back to teaching the preschool computer classes this past week and that is going fine. I missed the little boogers.

The company David was working for sent out a mass voice mail Wednesday morning informing everyone that they would be ceasing operations. Wednesday was everyone's last day. To say, I was in a panic would be an understatement. David had several immediate leads and we should know for sure which job he'll take the first part of this week. Job #1 - is nearly a sure thing, poor pay, room for advancement, should start almost immediately. Jobs #2 and #3 - he could most likely get, better pay for #2 and much better pay with #3, wouldn't start as quickly. My suggestion is he take job #1 if it looks like the other two may be awhile and to keep looking for something better if that advancement looks slow in coming.

Sammie's training class instructor said today that Sammie is making outstanding progress.

I think that covers most stuff. I'll add more if I think of anything else.

2008-09-06T09:06:00.003-06:00

Sorry everybody. Karisma is right in that my blogging consistancy is terrible. I actually have LOTS to share. Unfortunately, the last two weeks have been so busy, I barely have time to sleep. Ask my mom. I've even been too busy for my daily phone call. Today and tomorrow, however, are slated to be relaxing so I'll catch up. I promise.

Dog pics

2008-08-24T15:07:00.002-06:00

What do dogs do when it is hot and muggy outside? They come inside, of course. I promise my kitchen floor really doesn't look that dirty in person.

Curly doesn't care to play much, but Roscoe is usually up for a game of tug of war with Sammie. Roscoe makes up for his size with sheer determination.

KJ's schooling for the 2008-2009 year

2008-08-22T16:08:00.002-06:00

If you don't like to read about curriculum planning, please skip this post. I always post the school year plans to the blog for my family and so I'll have something to refer back to. I also used to post plans here so KJ's dad would know what we're doing for the year. Lately, however, he doesn't seem interested. According to KJ, his dad wants him to go to high school so he can have real world socialization. Apparently, going to community college with college-age kids, being a member of the Baylor fencing club with both college and high school age kids, participating in a co-op with kids whose ages range from 4-15, being an active member of his church youth group, playing in the youth band, and hopefully getting a part-time job at the grocery store, just isn't enough "real world" activity. Oh and let's not forget working three straight weeks as a Zoo Crew volunteer and a 32 day cross-country camping trip....definitely not in the real world. Apparently his dad, also wants to test KJ so he doesn't have to trust me when I tell him KJ is doing fine academically. KJ did fine on the ITBS test a couple of years ago and except for Math, he passed the entrance exams for the community college. After this semester, he should be able to pass the Math test also. Sorry, I'm just not understanding where his concerns are coming from.

A-n-y-w-a-y, here are our plans for this year.

Fall:

History of American Music - McLennan Community College (MCC)

General Biology and lab - MCC

Ancient History - The History of the Ancient World, Inventions and Inventors, and a field trip to see the King Tut exhibit

Literature - The book of Job from the Bible

The Iliad - Homer

The Odyssey - Homer

The Republic - Plato

Oedipus Rex - Sophocles

Math - finish Algebra II with Beginning and Intermediate Algebra

Drama - Romeo and Juliet with co-op drama club

Art - co-op class

Government/The Election - co-op class

Fencing - Baylor fencing club

Music - weekly drum lesson

Spring: MCC stuff will depend on the Spring schedule

Some kind of applied music class - MCC

Contemporary Liberal Arts Math - MCC

History - continue on with ancients

Literature - Famous Men of Greece - John H. Haaren

Ethics - Aristotle

On the Nature of Things - Lucretius

Famous Men of Rome - John H. Haaren

Aeneid - Virgil

Greek Mythology - co-op class (taught by me)

Drama - A Midsummer Night's Dream - co-op drama club

Fencing - Baylor fencing club

Computer Science - movie making - co-op class

1st day of school for Sammie

2008-08-17T16:08:00.003-06:00

Today was Sammie's first day of dog training class. He did really well! Yes, I'm suprised. I had actually asked if it were possible to flunk when I signed him up. KJ took these pictures.

This is where Sammie sat most of the time.

Here is Sammie doing something he is not supposed to. Notice how I'm ignoring him which is what I'M supposed to do.

Here he is again on me with me ignoring him.

Here I am doing the cradle massage which shows I'm dominant. I'm supposed to hold him until he relaxes.

Here he is relaxed.

E's play

2008-08-17T09:07:00.004-06:00

Wonderful friend who is moving to Denver (mentioned below) has 2 children (and a husband). The oldest, a girl we'll call E, has always dreamed of directing a play. She and her mom have been in several plays at our local theater plus the ones in co-op. E took a storybook and made it into a play. She called several friends, including KJ, had a planning meeting, scheduled practices, and recruited a mom (who happens to direct the co-op plays) to help with costumes. Due to time constraints, the play had to be short so they could do it with only a week of practice. They performed the play yesterday. I thought it was very cute. E worked really hard and achieved her dream.

This is the cast. E is in the middle in the black and white dress. KJ is the tall one with the hat.

These are the two villians, Odious Mole (KJ), and Bad Egg Bat (R).

Here is the play. "Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One" adapted from the book by Kate Duke

busy week

2008-08-15T17:47:00.003-06:00

Phew! This has been a busy week.

KJ and I participate in a homeschool, parent-taught co-op on Tuesdays during the school year. Well, it's that time of year again...planning time! Our co-op had been lead by a wonderful friend whom we have known since we started homeschooling. Wonderful friend is moving to Denver in a couple of weeks. :-( It's a good move for them, but we'll miss them lots. Wonderful friend listed all the things she did for co-op that we would need to take over. We divided up her duties among four people. It will take FOUR of us to do her job! I had no idea how much she actually did and feel a little guilty for not offering to help before. Anyway, one of her jobs that I took over was putting the schedule together. Holy cow, that was hard. I worked on it lots this week, and it was finished Wednesday night.

In addition to co-op stuff, I had to put together two podcasts for my preschool computer classes. The kids had created all the raw material. I just had to refine it a bit...this also took large amounts of time. Add in 3 play practices for KJ, a psychologist appt. for KJ, a doctor appt. for me, 2 trips to Dallas by David dealing with the situation that must not be discussed, 2 of the longest phone book routes (our Mon./Tues. job) we've had so far, a drum lesson for KJ, a co-op swimming party, my last preschool computer class of the summer, and KJ's driving test for his learner's permit; it has been a BUSY week...and my house is a wreck!

By the way, KJ did pass his driving test so he'll be on the roads now (with me or David in the passenger seat). I want him to have as much experience as possible before he gets his license. He has done well so far except for one misjudgement. I think we may have actually taken a turn on 2 wheels, or at least it felt like we did. I may have yelled a curse word and gulped so much air that I got the hiccups.

Next week, KJ buys his books for community college, gets his ID, and a parking sticker for my car. Oh my God! I think I'm going to have a panic attack! *deep breath*......*deep breath*....okay, I'm back.

I've been harrassing KJ about posting some trip pics. Maybe we'll finally have time this weekend. Oh wait. He is paintballing in the morning and has a play performance in the afternoon. Well, all we have on Sunday is Sammie's obedience class, maybe then.

Oh, I forgot something. We have new members of the family.

KJ got an aquarium for his room.

It houses a frog

and 2 fish.

KJ's muisic room

2008-08-07T17:57:00.005-06:00

I did another room while KJ was gone. Previously, his drums were in an open DOOR-LESS, uncarpeted area that would have been the dining room. Do you know how freaking loud it was when he played?!

Anyway, this room used to be David's computer room. His desk is now across from mine in the living room. The room is now KJ's music room. He has been working in there, running wires to speakers everywhere, so it's a little messy.

This is a terrible pic, but the sign says "Danger: Ear Protection Required." The thing hanging from the door knob is a cat toy.

I put foam on the door to help absorb sound.

This is the view from the doorway.

I put foam on the wall too. The poster is this one.

Here is the keyboard corner.

Another bad pic, but you can view this print here.

KJ's computer desk is also in here. He plays along with music from the laptop. You can barely see his guitar over in the guitar. This is the large poster.

The painting is one we got at a thrift store years ago. It used to hang in the living room. KJ loves this room even more than his bedroom.

Attack of the Killer Allergies

2008-08-07T17:03:00.002-06:00

I've always had bad pollen and mold allergies, but upon moving to Waco, the allergy capital, they've gotten worse. I've tried shots, netty pot, Simply Saline, nose sprays, and numerous meds. The sinus surgery helped everything drain better so I rarely get a sinus infection, but the allergies themselves are still bad. A couple of weeks ago, however, I had a REALLY bad reaction to something. I had been outside, but can't narrow it down more than that. My legs had started to itch and then the constant sneezing started, quickly followed by my eyes tearing and swelling. I took a Benadryl and hopped in the shower in an attempt to wash whatever was killing me off. The drainage got so bad I was choking on it, my throat started closing, and I started to wheeze. David brought me two more Benadryl and was ready to haul me to ER. I stalled him to give the Benadryl time to work. I was improving in about an hour and better within 3. My chest was sore the next day and we discussed getting an Epi-pen.

I was kind of hoping this reaction was a fluke, but it happened again last night minus the wheezing and closing throat. Upon my exiting the shower THIS time, my darling husband who was lying on the couch watching television said, "Honey bunny, could you make me a sandwich?" My head nearly exploded, but I did make him a sandwich. Anyway,this is what I looked like when he asked me.

KJ's new room

2008-08-06T20:37:00.005-06:00

One of the things I did to keep from going crazy while KJ was gone was to redo his bedroom (on a budget). The main colors are black, gray/silver, and magenta/hot pink. The only furniture that stayed was his bookshelf and I painted it black.

I bought a multi-colored rug, replaced his red metal frame twin bed with a full-size futon,and he has a silver foot locker for a coffee table. I'm making throw pillows for the futon, but haven't finished yet. He has his electronics stored in the foot locker.

I put storage spaces everywhere.

This is his TV and DVD area. (notice the storage bins)

He has a saucer chair and storage ottoman. I left all his stuff on the wall. He can take it down if he wants.

This is the other end of the futon, next to his closet.

I gave away his huge armoire and put all his clothes in the closet.

I made this curtain, but it doesn't hang very well. The material was a pain-in-the-a** to work with.

I also did the painting. An artist I'm not, but it matches the room.

This is the back of his door...more storage. David didn't think KJ would use this, but he loves it. It's for all those little doo-dads.

KJ is thrilled with his new space. I told him he could paint if he wants. He is considering a checkerboard pattern with white and black squares on 1-2 walls.

KJ is back

2008-08-03T17:50:00.002-06:00

KJ is back! I picked him up in Georgetown Thursday afternoon. I'll admit that I teared up when the bus pulled in with boys hanging out the windows waving and yelling. Most of the boys on this trip were 14-16 years old, but every single one came off the bus, headed straight for their mother, and have her a big hug. KJ actually slammed into me so hard he nearly knocked me over. :-) He talked non-stop the entire way to Cooperas Cove where David was working. We had a late lunch with David where KJ continued to talk, and then he talked all the way home. *happy sigh* My baby is back! His camera broke half-way through the trip, but he still had lots of pictures. I'll post some along with his stories when he gets back fron his dad's.

I would have blogged all this sooner, but the computer crashed Friday morning. I have a new one now.

2008-07-29T16:36:00.002-06:00

I want my baby back, baby back, baby back..................harmonica music
I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...............

Well, the Mountain Men are crossing the vast expanse of west Texas. KJ will spend Tuesday night in Lamesa at the Sky Vue Drive-in. The drive-in will open just for them so they can camp out there and watch movies. Wednesday night will be at Wolf Mountain Scout Ranch in Llano and I pick him up Thursday afternoon in Georgetown. Whoopee!!!

View Larger Map

KJ's trip - days 27, 28, 29, and 30

2008-07-26T09:01:00.004-06:00

KJ called yesterday! He was running around Buena Vista, Colorado with 4 other boys. He had just purchased a kinife sharpener for a small souvenir knife he had bought in Alaska. He wanted to buy a "real" knife, but you had to be 16 and everybody in his group was 15. He is having a blast and said that he had really started to click with some of the boys. Today, they will be going white water rafting on the Arkansas river. I told him to wear a helmet, a life jacket, and hang on tightly. His was reply was, "yes mom."

Anyway, yesterday (Friday), they traveled to Buena Vista, Colorado where they will also stay Saturday night. On Sunday, they will travel to Bandelier, New Mexico. Monday, they will visit the Los Alamos Lab, and shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico where they will spend the night.

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KJ's trip - days 24, 25, and 26

2008-07-22T15:06:00.002-06:00

KJ called last night and said that he had just seen "old Faithful" in Yellowstone. He also sent me a text message this morning that said...

Hey mom. Ill b
home in 9 days. I
really miss u.
Hope ur doing
well. Love. K.J.

I teared up when I read it.

Anyway, he is supposed to be heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming today (Tuesday). Wednesday, he will travel to Lander, Wyoming where he will get to see Sink's Canyon. Thursday, he will travel to Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Karisma - I replied to you in the comments on the last post.

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KJ's trip - Days 20, 21,22, and 23

2008-07-20T14:07:00.002-06:00

I left off with KJ traveling to Rock Creek, Montana on Thursday. I heard from him Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning. They stayed at Rock Creek until today when they will travel to Cody, Wyoming and hike the lower and upper falls of Yellowstone. Monday, they will travel on into Yellowstone National Park itself.

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Look how he has grown

2008-07-16T22:04:00.004-06:00

Apparently, some people, well my dad, did not recognize the black dog a few posts back. That was Sammie.

Remember Sammie? This is David holding him on April 29.

This is David holding him tonight.

KJ's trip - days 16, 17, 18 and 19

2008-07-13T10:22:00.005-06:00

I haven't heard from KJ lately, but here is where he is supposed to be.

I left off with KJ traveling to Banff, Alberta on Monday. They will travel to Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia Tuesday, and Glacier National Park on Wednesday where they will hike at St. Mary's Lake. On Thursday, they will travel to Rock Creek, Montana where they will spend three nights at Ekstrom's Stage Station.

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pics of Curly and KJ's trip - days 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16

2008-07-12T11:49:00.011-06:00

Remember Curly?

Curly is our other former foster dog who is now ours. Curly is about 6 years old and has battled summer hair-loss for years. I had battled fleas on Curly in the past, but wasn't as diligent as I would have been were he "my" dog. It was hard to justify spending lots of money on someone else's dog. *hanging head in shame* I have now taken care of the flea problem, but his skin was all icky. The vet said it was flea bite dermatitis so I gave him a medicated bath and had been rubbing salve on his skin. Like Roscoe, I had trimmed mats out of his hair and he now looked terrible.

I decided that maybe a trip to the groomer might help so on Thursday, Curly got to have a spa day. When I picked him up, he had a "start-over" haircut and was sporting a pink bandanna. The biggest surprise was the groomer referring to Curly as a"SHE." I checked and sure enough, Curly is a girl. How could I have not noticed this for 6 years? In my defense, she is a very hairy dog, the opposite neighbor had told me that he thought Curly fathered his dog's last litter, and I just never paid attention. The groomer told me that Curly has tapeworms from the fleas so I got her medicine for that. I had dewormed her and Roscoe when they became ours, but didn't get tapeworm dewormer also.

At least she will be cool for the summer.

Roscoe and Curly have been inseparable since Roscoe arrived 3 years ago. When I loaded Curly into the car Thursday morning, Roscoe didn't mind too much. When I arrived back home about 2:30 without Curly, Roscoe seemed concerned. The groomer called shortly after that saying Curly was ready, so I loaded Sammie up since he was going to have a quick nail filing when I picked up Curly. As I drove out of the driveway, Roscoe started chasing the car. This was unusual, but not unheard of. He and Curly sometimes do this as far as the neighbor's driveway, but not very often. I looked in the mirror as we passed the neighbor's drive, Roscoe was still chasing me. I kept going thinking he would stop any second, but he was running for all he was worth. Finally, at the turn off our gravel road onto the main road, I stopped. I was afraid Roscoe would keep chasing me until he had a heart attack or heat stroke. He had chased me a little over a quarter mile. I put him in the passenger seat where he promptly put his face near the air conditioner vent and we all went to pick up Curly.

When we arrived at the groomers, I had Sammie on a leash, but Roscoe walked around like he owned the place looking for Curly. They were both overjoyed when Curly came out and rode in the back seat together for the ride home. Sammie was in the passenger seat and so emotionally overwrought from his nail filing that he was asleep about 2 blocks from the groomers.

*************************************************************

I heard from KJ Tuesday evening. He was in a laundry mat doing his laundry. He talked my ear off about a glacier, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, hiking, fishing, and his first experience using a group shower. (high school gym) He is still having the time of his life! He called again last night to just briefly touch base and ask me to send more money.

I went back and corrected a few previous updates as the schedule changed a little. Let's see, I left off with KJ boarding a ferry Wednesday morning for Ketchikan, Alaska. They arrived in Ketchikan Wednesday night and stayed until Friday evening when they boarded the ferry for Prince Rupert, British Columbia. They slept on the ferry and arrived in Prince Rupert really early this morning. Today they will travel to Prince George. Tomorrow (Sunday), they will travel to Jasper, Alberta. Monday, they will travel to Banff.

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KJ's trip - days 8, 9, 10, and 11

2008-07-07T12:28:00.004-06:00

I'm back from helping my slavedriving, *ahem,* I mean extremely focused sister paint her living room and hall. Just kidding Staci. We had a lovely visit in addition to painting.

Well, after I said that I probably wouldn't hear from KJ, I heard from him two days in a row. He is having a wonderful time, of course. They arrived in Petersburg, Alaska shortly after midnight e-a-r-l-y Sunday morning. They will stay in Petersburg exploring, fishing, etc. until Wednesday morning when they get back on the ferry for Ketchikan, Alaska. Both of these places are already on the map so I won't update it yet.

KJ's summer trip - days 5, 6, and 7

2008-07-03T10:39:00.004-06:00

I'm heading up to my sister's for a few days so I'm going to go ahead and post today, tomorrow, and Saturday of KJ's trip. FYI - I haven't heard from him. This is just where they are supposed to be based on the itinerary and the updates to the designated parent. There has only been one update so far so I assume they are without cell service. (which we expected) Today, they will travel to Houston, Bristish Columbia to camp. They will leave tomorrow morning for Prince Rupert, British Columbia and camp at a city park. Saturday, they board the Matanuska ferry at 6:30am for Petersburg, Alaska where they will spend a couple of days.

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KJ's summer trip - days 3 and 4

2008-07-02T07:03:00.004-06:00

The campers spent yesterday exploring Deception Pass State Park in Washington. They are supposed to cross the border into Canada today via Higdon. Then they will head up to Williams Lake, British Columbia, where they will camp for the night.

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2008-07-01T17:43:00.002-06:00

Remember Roscoe and how he and Curly are now our dogs, since the neighbors are moving? Well, this is Roscoe a few weeks ago. His long hair is matted and full of burrs. I took a pair of scissors to him to remove the mats and burrs, but...............he then looked like a 2-year-old who cut his own hair. I forgot to get a picture of that, but trust me, it was bad.

Today, Roscoe had his first-ever grooming appointment. He got the full treatment, and when we picked him up later, Roscoe was a whole new dog. He is MUCH cooler with his "start-over" haircut.

He looks so suave, but in his heart, he's still a country dog.

KJ's summer trip - Days 1 and 2

2008-06-30T16:38:00.005-06:00

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Well, he's gone. After several weeks of frantically getting KJ ready to leave for camp, I dropped him in Georgetown yesterday. There was a cook-out for families and an orientation that scared the parents half to death. After a 45 minute presentation on bear and moose safety (complete with graphic photos), I was ready to take my baby and run. We found out afterwards that they wanted to make sure the campers understood the seriousness of bear safety, AND that the parents were not scheduled to see the presentation. There was a last-minute schedule change so the parents got to sit through the orientation too. The campers were flying out this morning to Seattle, Washington where the Mountain Men bus is waiting for them. They will get to spend several hours at the Pike Street Market before heading out to Deception Pass State Park.

I probably won't hear from KJ more than a couple of times, if that much. One of the parents will be getting periodic updates from the camp director and letting the rest of us know what's been going on and where they are. I'll update the map as the campers travel.

2008-06-28T13:39:00.001-06:00

I'm a Mazda Miata!

You like to soak up the sun, but your tastes are down to earth. Everyone thinks you're cute. Life is a winding road, and you like to take the curves in stride. Let other people compete in the rat race - you're just here to enjoy the ride.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

2008-06-24T15:41:00.003-06:00

Thanks for the warm thoughts, everybody.

I'm still here, just busy getting KJ ready to leave for Alaska. Things are really okay here. I've just been in a mood lately...perimenopause sucks.

2008-06-20T18:26:00.003-06:00

This story makes me sick. What kind of asshole teacher burns ANYTHING on a student? He should have been fired and then prosecuted just for that. Teaching intelligent design and purposely not teaching evolution is just gravy.

I had jury duty twice this week, once on Monday to find out where I would have to go and when, and then again on Wednesday to actually sit through the jury selection process for this trial. The defendant was pleading guilty. We were just going to have to decide the punishment. I was not picked, thank goodness. I don't think I could have looked at the photos without being physically ill. I figure the defense struck me off the list as soon as they found out I currently teach 2 through 5 year-olds. It's ironic that I've been registered to vote continuously since age 18 and have never once been summoned. NOW, with all that is going on...I get summoned.

By the way, the June 10 thing did not go as we hoped.

2008-06-05T17:49:00.005-06:00

I don't think I've mentioned that our neighbor's dogs, our "foster" dogs, are about to be OUR dogs. The neighbors are moving and asked if they could leave Roscoe and Curly here. Of course, we said, "yes." Curly somehow hurt his leg a couple of weeks ago. After giving it 5 days to improve, I finally took him in to the vet. It is muscular so he is on an anti-inflamatory. So anyway, Sammie, Roscoe, and I went for a walk in the woods across the street this afternoon. Curly stayed behind so he could rest his leg. It was about 94 degrees today, but the wind was blowing hard so it was okay in the shade.

Come on, Mama. Let's go!

Wait for me, Roscoe.

There is a corn field behind the woods. There goes Roscoe...but where is Sammie?

It's shady in here, Mama.

I'm pretty sure this is the trail we want.

We need a rest stop.

Sammie ran ahead with Roscoe until we came to this.

You first, Mama.

Roscoe and I have both been on these trails dozens of times so we had a nice walk. This was Sammie's first time so HE had an adventure.

2008-06-05T12:53:00.005-06:00

KJ's party Tuesday night was a blast! We all had a great time bowling and visiting. Though we had 25 people, I actually got so involved bowling that I only got a couple of pictures.

This was the cake.

This is Kelsey, KJ, and Savannah.

We have known the families who came to the party for 4-5 years. During this tough time, we have learned who our true friends are. Words cannot adequately express how much we appreciate and value their support. Thanks guys!

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After Sammie and his Freddie Kruger-like nails sliced me open again yesterday, I took him to the local groomer to have his nails filed. He was sooooo scared...poor baby. From the time we walked through the door until the time we left took a whopping 5 minutes, but Sammie shook the entire time. She sprayed him with some doggie cologne and tied a cute little neckerchief on him, before handing him back to me. He was so CUTE and smelled so gooood. Unfortunately, his cologne triggered a migraine (in me, not Sammie) so we both took a little nap when we got home.

On another Sammie note, he likes to toss sticks into the air when he is outside. Apparently, this is great fun, because he'll do it for 30 minutes straight. This afternoon, I let him outside and watched as he ran out into the yard a little ways. He immediately started the stick tossing...wait, that's an odd looking stick...what IS that? I threw on my shoes and walked over to find Sammie tossing a 6-8 inch portion of a dead snake. There was even part of its spine sticking out one end. There were two snake pieces that something, probably an owl, decided it was too full to eat. Oh, the lovely aroma of decomposing flesh. Ewwww! After nixing using KJ's toothbrush on Sammie, I decided to just give him a milkbone.

positive things

2008-06-03T07:43:00.002-06:00

Sometimes life has a way of sucker punching you...so in an effort not to wallow and to be more positive, I'm looking on the bright side.

GOOD things that are happening: (I won't be posting the bad.)

* David got the job he had applied for several weeks ago. His current temp job will end today or tomorrow and new job will start next Wed. It will pay enough for us to make ends meet without me getting a second job.

* KJ is all set for community college this Fall. He will be taking American Music and General Biology. He is very excited.

* My work schedule for the Fall is such that I can add in an extra center on Wed. mornings since KJ will be at CC anyway.

* Sammie has now made it a night, a day, and a night without any accidents in the house.

* KJ's birthday party is tonight at the bowling alley and I am NOT stressed about it at all. We should have a nice, relaxing time.

* KJ is volunteering at Zoo Camp Mon-Fri for the next 3 weeks and is really liking it so far.

* KJ managed to get enough money for his birthday that he was able to buy the iPod he wanted. (8G and pink)

* David built a cute little drum set to put on KJ's birthday cake. I'll take a pic at the party tonight.

* I'm sending in the last of KJ's Alaska forms and money today so he'll be all set to leave at the end of the month.

family pictures

2008-05-25T19:11:00.005-06:00

I've been asking for two years to get a family portrait made. FINALLY, I got the men in the family to actually go. During the session, we noticed that the photographer had us in some... how should I say this... awkward, unusual, strange poses. We found out afterwards that we were her first group working by herself. Almost all the pics with KJ have massive glare on his glasses, but we have been PROMISED that the lab will remove the glare for the prints. We DID get some decent shots, but we definitely laughed hard at some of these.

Heeeeere I come to save the daaay! Suuupermom is on her waaay! For the record, I never stand like this.

David will now lay hands on KJ to exorcise the demon.

My turn to try and heal my poor son.

Maybe if we both lay hands on him, it will work. Leave this child, Satan. Leave him!

Hurry up and take the damn picture. My back is killing me.

This looks like someone's idea of an acid trip. Whoaaa, I'm getting dizzy.

I think the rest are pretty decent once KJ's glasses glare is removed. The next two are the same shot, one is bronze and the other sepia.

This is one of my favorites.

*sniffle* My baby turns 15 next week.

*sigh* I'm going to cry now. KJ can not possibly be this big.

Boy, my legs are short. Can I please have a shorter stool?

It's GQ David.

Are we good-looking or what?

Yes Mom, I ordered lots of prints. You're getting an 8 x 10 of this one and several 5 x 7's of others.

2008-05-21T21:26:00.007-06:00

Remember the cute little bed we bought for Sam? (By the way, we're calling him Sammie.)

Well, he only slept in it the first day. We now use it to store his toys. He also likes the cat toy with the ball in the ring. (I know these pictures are awful. I would like to just say once again that I despise Kodak Easyshare and can hardly wait for the return of my Photoshop.)

Like most babies, however, Sammie prefers to spread his toys everywhere. Yes, that drumstick is his. I took these pictures last week and he has actually acquired a few more toys since then.

If you're wondering where he sleeps...look at that yawn.

Looking sleepy...

...and 3 and half minutes later, he's out. That would be David's side of the bed.

On a completely different subject, remember Taylor? He was over visiting yesterday afternoon and helpfully caught this rat snake. It was in the chicken coop eating eggs. He took it with him to release it elsewhere. I'm nearly positive this is the same snake I was dragging down the driveway by his tail 2 weeks ago. Oh, I think I forgot to tell you that story. To make a long story short, the snake was beside the house. I got it by the tail and started running down the driveway backwards pulling it along. My goal was to get it into the woods across the street, but the snake turned to strike at me so I swung it around by its tail and sent it flying into the side yard. The snake took off up a tree before I could get to it again. Anyway, Taylor took it home with him, intending to release it today. He called this morning and the snake had escaped in his garage. Taylor's mother will have a heart attack.

We got some news today about that subject I can't discuss. For those of you who pray, June 10 will be an important day for us.

Scarborough Faire

2008-05-06T20:51:00.005-06:00

Our homeschool co-op drama group performed at Scarborough Faire today and they won 1st place! Their play was a 10 minute version of Julius Casear. KJ played the part of Brutus. The video was too big so I uploaded it in two parts.

Here are Portia and Brutus.

This was the award ceremony.

one more baptism pic

2008-05-04T21:19:00.003-06:00

I forgot to post this earlier. My brother and sister and their families came down for KJ's baptism. This group plus KJ's stepmom's family made for a large group.

KJ drumming for talent show

2008-05-03T20:25:00.004-06:00

Last night, our homeschool co-op had an open house. We started with a talent show where KJ performed a drum solo. I forgot my camera, but his dad got it on tape. (Thanks Kevin!) You can view it here. The kids also got to display some of the work they had done this year. After the talent show, we had a break to view their work and have finger food, before getting to see the drama group's play, Julius Caesar in 10 minutes. They will be competing this Tuesday at Scarborough Faire so I'll tape it then.

By the way, KJ got baptised this evening at his dad's church.

Newest family member

2008-04-29T20:42:00.002-06:00

Today, KJ and I had our final day of co-op for this school year. The drama group practiced the entire time since their competition is next Tuesday. I stayed outside to visit and help watch the younger kids. When one of the other moms showed up carrying a basket holding two puppies, I groaned inwardly. There is a reason I can not go to the animal shelter... I can't stand the thought of a homeless animal! The mom had adopted the momma dog from the animal shelter and the nursing puppies came along with her. Now that the pups were weaned, they needed a good home. One of the pups was very active, while the other preferred to snuggle, be held, and sleep. Guess which one I could not resist? David was in town so I called him to come check out the pup in person. (knowing full well he could not resist such a sweet face) The pics aren't great as I won't get my Photoshop back until my computer returns.

Meet Sam, our newest family member. He is 7 weeks old. (His eyes aren't blue. It's just the flash.)

Sam likes David, and David likes Sam.

Sam likes to sleep.

alot

He gets VERY relaxed.

2008-04-23T08:45:00.002-06:00

Look what I got!

Karisma thinks I need a hug. She is right. Thanks Karisma.

Things are getting somewhat back to normal around here. I worked at the zoo most of the day on Saturday for the Earth Day celebration. I was in charge of the silent auction where I ended up buying a painting done by a turtle, and a purse done by LaFou, the education alligator. I found my camera cord so I'll take and upload pics later today.

How to lose 20 lbs.

2008-04-13T20:57:00.004-06:00

Mom #1 wants to know how I lost 20 lbs. I should mention that I have 25 more to go.

1. Keep a headache diary and realize that eating chocolate gives you massive, writhing on the bed in pain, migraines. Once your brain makes this connection, the thought of eating chocolate will make you nauseous. You'll lose about 6 pounds just from cutting out chocolate. Then you'll finally realize just how MUCH chocolate you used to eat.

2. Work spring break camp at the zoo. The exercise will cause you to lose about 3 more pounds.

3. Now, that you've lost a little weight, your blood pressure will get too low, especially at night. While you are screwing around with your blood pressure medicine, you will mess up so badly trying to keep it and your caffeine consumption (Dr. Pepper) balanced, that you are nearly fainting at night. In desperation, cut out all caffeine which cuts out your daily Dr. Pepper's. You'll lose about 4 more pounds. On the positive side, you can also cut your blood pressure medicine dosage in half.

4. Read Feast Without Yeast and start eating healthy. You'll lose about 4 more pounds.

5. Have a family catastrophe that will cause you so much stress that you are sick to your stomach and can't eat for a few days. You'll lose a couple of more pounds.

6. Eat whatever the hell you want, because the ongoing stress will just keep pulling the weight off.

2008-04-11T20:07:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I used to always use my memory card in a slot on my computer. My current computer doesn't have the slot and I can't seem to locate my camera cord to upload. KJ did get his hair cut and re-dyed black, but the blue highlights didn't really take. Things are back to a normal routine around here, for the most part. KJ's co-op drama group is gearing up for their performance, so the parents are frantically helping with costumes.

2008-04-07T20:15:00.002-06:00

I have deleted an earlier post. I will no longer be able to discuss that situation, so this blog will be returning to its regularly scheduled programming of inane subject material. Watch for pictures tomorrow as KJ will be getting his hair cut (finally), re-dyed black, and blue highlights added. I figure his head will look like a giant bruise. He went camping with his dad last weekend. His dad planned on them sleeping on an air mattress in the back of the pickup. KJ replied, "I'm a mountain man and a boy scout. All I need is my sleeping bag on the ground." I bought him a cot anyway.

Thank you

2008-04-06T20:25:00.001-06:00

Thank you everybody for your supportive comments and emails. I really appreciate them.

KJ made it back

2008-03-22T18:12:00.024-06:00

KJ made it back from his camping trip in one piece. He had a wonderful time and wants to go with this group again. He is at his dad's for the weekend, but I thought I would go ahead and post a few of his pictures. (He took 167!) Maybe I'll convince him to do a guest blog about the trip when he returns. FYI - all pics are bigger if you click on them.

This is the Mountain Men bus. It has no heat or a/c. Several of the bus seats have been turned so they face it each other with a small table in between. Each boy had to put his gear in a 38 qt. plastic container. The bus has racks above the seats that are designed to hold that size container. Each boy was also assigned a duffle bag for his sleeping bag, pillow, and coat.

This is where the duffle bags and cots were stored. KJ called it the lounge area since the boys would just lay back on top of the bags and nap.

Also in the bus is the head of a jackalope. KJ was excited to show me this picture and wanted to know if I had ever seen one before. "Ummm, you DO know that they aren't real, right?"
"No, Mom. I pulled on the horns and they are really attached." I explained how they were popular novelty items years ago.

He still didn't believe me and directed me to this picture.

The part I circled in red is a jackalope hunting license.

This dog, Brady, has gone on every trek and expedition since he was 7 months old. He is the Fort Smith Mountain Men dog.

He and KJ got along well.

The first day they drove to Balmorhea State Park. (395 miles) I'm not sure if this is there or on the way.

They spent the night and messed around there until after lunch, when they headed on over to Fort Davis State Park. (32 miles) They set up camp and hiked a little.

They had tents, but never used them.

They spent the night there, hiked up a mountain, and went to the McDonald Observatory that evening.

I can't believe how BLUE the sky is.

This is from the top of the mountain, I think. KJ is on the far left.

They went to a star party here. KJ saw and visited with the Education Curator from the zoo. She was vacationing in the area too.

After spending a second night, they headed out to Stillwell Ranch, just outside Big Bend. (93 miles) On the way, they saw some bald eagles who had a nest with babies.

On their first day there, they hiked Dog Canyon.

Big Bend has lots of cacti.

On their second day, they had a longer hike along the Rio Grande. The river is down in the ravine.

See, there it is. It's hard to imagine illegals scaling those cliffs to cross the border.

Well, maybe they could cross here. It looks doable if you were determined.

Now THIS would be an easy place to cross. Is that a tiny building on the other side?

Yep, it sure is.

Hope you didn't buy anything, KJ.

I know these next pics are in Big Bend, but I'm not sure where.

This is an adobe building. KJ is on the far right.

After their second night at Stillwell Ranch, they drove to Wolf Mountain Scout Ranch. (332 miles), where they had a final campfire and spent the night. The next morning, they got to shoot black powder rifles before returning to Georgetown. (66 miles)

KJ learned a ton including how to do a little cooking.

Misc. tidbits

2008-03-20T15:23:00.002-06:00

My cough kept getting worse despite all my home remedies. When I couldn't catch my breath and was wheezy, I finally broke down and went to the doctor. She said it was bronchitis. I have some meds plus I'm still drinking honey in warm water so maybe I'll get better soon.

This afternoon, I noticed that someone had beat me to the punch and cleared out the dead leaves and plants from part of the front flower bed. I was wondering who when I noticed that a couple of chickens were steadily making their way along the other half, scratching all the dead stuff out in their quest for worms and bugs. They are doing an awesome job!

David discovered an easier way to get the chickens to go back in the coop. We usually just herd them in, but there is always that ONE chicken who is nearly impossible to catch. Anyway, today he made a sound like a hawk. The chickens froze and then ALL of them made a mad dash for the safety of the coop.

We go pick KJ up tomorrow. I'm sure he'll have lots to say about the trip.