End of the Chickens

So glad you enjoyed the bonfire, Carole.  I thought it went pretty well.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to talk to everyone as much as I would have liked.  I did talk to a couple of neighbors afterwards and they seemed to have a good time.  I always wonder how they feel about all the people they don't know there, but who doesn't like to meet new people?  Plus, if we only invited neighbors, we wouldn't have much of a turn out since it seems most don't come anymore.

Unfortunately, a dog killed our chickens yesterday.  I believe they were in their pen (they had been getting out but I think we fixed that Sat since they stayed in all day Sunday) and the dog got into it and chased them out.  I came home from the grocery and saw this really pretty young black lab in our driveway.  At first I thought, wow, a stray dog exactly like I've been wanting then thought about the chickens.  It just stood there and stared at me even after I got out of the van.  I then looked in the front yard and saw both the chickens.  I screamed at the dog and it took off.  Jim told me to follow it so I hopped in the van and saw it go in the wooded area behind a neighbor's house.  It didn't have a collar so I guess it could be a stray but I doubt it since it was such a nice looking dog.  I'm going to ask around and see what I can find out.  Carter and Emerson were bummed.  Jim is talking about getting more chickens, but I don't know that I want to invest in making a dog proof, owl proof pen for them.  We believe the third chicken was killed by an owl a couple of weeks ago.

Carter's friend, Allison mentioned the kids were talking about having a bonfire when school was out to burn all of the papers that they will no longer need.  She thought that was a great idea so who knows, we may be having another one in May/June!  That may just be a teen party though (of course Jim and I would be here).  Something to think about.

Happy November !

Brenda

bonfire of the families

Thanks brenda and jim for an enjoyable evening.
Roaring fire and nice mix of people.

Carter is a great big brother.... Emerson take charge and he follows.

Thanks Emerson, my lollipop was creme soda..yummy.

Keith did in fact make it home with soles on his shoes...(trying to keep his feet warm near the fire)


Corinne and Kevin enjoyed hanging out with Carter too.

see ya soon

So Sorry

I just checked the blog, and obviously, it has been a long long time.  Carole, you must think we are terrible friends.  I wish I had seen your blog about work earlier.  I can't imagine what all that involved and am afraid the outcome may not have been good.  I hope you and your co-workers are coping with that.  Such responsibility in your line of work.  I remember when I felt physically ill after one of the hurricanes in LA and realized an interpretation of insurance language caused a client not to have proper wind coverage.  Although I was not the originator of the policy, I was the end servicer and did not realize that language continued that far.  When I talked to my dad about it, he tried to console me and advised, "it's only money, Brenda.  Businessmen can work with loses and write things off so it isn't the end of the world".  I know that is not the case in what you do and it takes a special person to work in the medical field (I am not one of those people).  My scenario ended up with a happy ending (long story) and I only hope there is some comfort in yours.

I hope you make the bonfire.  I would really like to see you!

Brenda

Fall break is here.  what to do what to do.

Despite the "hurricane I might go to go to N.O.,La. anyway.

Two friends and a spouse have lost parents lately. There is so little time left.
My mom will be 75 soon and dad just turned 78.

see ya later.


BTW the gala a Very Unmerry Birthday for corinne and courtney was such fun.

BAD, VERY BAD choices.

we had a sad situation at work today.

a smart,stressed person made some really bad choices and the consequences 

are far reaching.   you do not get to make bad decisions when children

depend on your support.

There must be some sort of explanation for this.  I hope we all find out soon.

All of us are hurt and sad for the person.

c

hello,

Not long ago we called him biddie, poor kevin or kevie baby.
He is now 14!! and close to 6 ft tall.
when and why so fast did this happen?

Cross country is a good fit  for him.
He is my sweetie pie for sure.
May he live a long and loving life.


cheers to kevin
c

she's 16, she's beautiful, and she's ours

hey all we have been celebrating for a week now.
My mom and dad came to memphis on wed and took K and C out to eat.
They spent the weekend here. dinner here friday, then out to eat again on saturday and a party at a friends house.
I t is nice when they are able to connect with our memphis family.
As luck would have it I had to work late yesterday.
Thankfully I had the jambalaya 1/2  done and the cake ordered  so keith finished it up.

We are so blessed to have miss C with us.  she cracks me up with her corinne-isms.
I pray she enjoys this year and cannot wait to see the next phase of her life

gotta go... carpool run
c

School Days......

Hi All!

Hard to believe the Corinne and Kevin are already back to school and Grant follows Monday.  Carter and Emerson don't go back until the 20th, thank goodness.

Just wanted to post this photo from Carter's birthday.  It is pretty good of all the kids except Emerson so I posted a second one with him and Kevin to play fair.  :)

I never even saw Corinne with her cell phone that day.  Did it ever show up, Carole?

Carter has his driver's license although hasn't been driving much alone.  He said he doesn't see the point in buying a car since he figures Jim and I won't let him just hop in it and go anywhere he wants to go when he wants to plus since he doesn't have a job, he wouldn't have gas and insurance money.  Sounds like we raised a reasonable kid.  We'll see how this year goes.  I imagine it will be a bit frustrating for all of us.  I'd like him to drive so I don't have to so much, but I do still worry about him.  I don't see how he can work based on his crazy hard schedule and the possibility of getting in the plays again this year.  I sent an email giving all my new cellphone number.  Jim is obsessed with kids texting and driving (which I guess he should be given the statistics of fatalities) so asked Carter and me to switch phones since my old phone doesn't have the capability of texting.  

Just got back from visiting Jim's family in Virginia.  Had a really good time.  Jim flew back to save a vacation day so it was just me and boys on the way home.  Carter helped with the driving.  We did it in two days.  He said he feels pretty comfortable on interstates now.  We've always had him drive on our trips since he got his learner permit.  Jim's mom is having what sounds like a terrible surgery on Tuesday.  I really wish she wasn't having it.  She has been in constant neck pain for almost two years now.  Injections helped the first 6 months but after that never did nor did any of the other treatments.  She is having the same surgery she had on her back several years ago, but this time they are fusing her neck.  She will not be able to move her head.  I can't imagine the ramifications of that but do remember my great uncle having it done years and years ago.  We're guessing she won't be driving anymore.  I just feel like it sounds so extreme but then again, living with pain is awful, I know.  Since her husband is a retired physician, Jim feels like he has weighed the pros and cons with her and this is the best solution.  I wish I could feel the same way.

Off to get Carter up.  He is getting his wisdom teeth removed today.  The fun never stops.....

Brenda

water park

hey, here is somewhat of a picture....
o , BTW corinne lost her cell phone at the park.

we should have had the boys stand together.

c

helllllooooooo

where are you people?
trying to avoid me??

i'm sad for this
c

LSU! LSU!

Hey,
what a game. In case you haven't heard  LSU won the SEC title.
Sunday we drove all the way to Birmingham  (alabama) to see the final game.
Slow excitement.   that's baseball.


we also did some hiking in a pretty forested area of a state park.

BUT the best was the game...beats any grizzly game b/c these guys are not pro.
They play like the game is everything...not beating up on someone else or tempers flaring.
And once it is over....THE DOG PILE !!!!

The fans  are true purple and gold...cheering whether they are up or down.  Makes the opposition find another seat!  I love going to this series. My children think of it as a given...LSU makes it to the finals...we go.
There is nothing like the SEC....they just need to stop expanding it.

c

quirky humor

Kevin seems to enjoy silly humor..he will leave a door to a room ajar
 and place a tennis ball on top the door.
Never looking, the rest of us go into the room
 only to be assaulted by a falling tennis ball.

summer break is nearly here.  he wants to sleep...wake me for
Camp lake stephens, mud camp and choir camp.

he plans to run a little in the morning and a little in the afternoon...the in between time is spent  recovering from the exercise.

Corinne , on the other hand is deep in thought.   Apparently, the english teacher has them writing
an essay on rebellion...c chose gay marriage.  ???????

I need to find her some work....any ideas??
c

Welcome Angie and Kathryn!!

It was so nice seeing everyone at lunch on the 3rd.  Hope we can do it again before too long.  I sent invites to the blog to Angie and Kathryn since they said they were interested in taking a look.  Hopefully they will contribute as well.

We missed you Julie!  Hope all is well in Vermont.  Love to hear from you to find out what's going on.

Brenda

Summer Calendar

The summer calendar is ready for input.  Those with Gmail accounts should be able to go to the Google Calendar listing once you sign into Gmail and choose the "Met in Memphis Moms" calendar.  Just put your name on the dates you know you wouldn't be able to get together.  All of us are registered to make changes so it should work.

Carole,  I didn't have a Gmail email address for you so I'm assuming you don't have one.  I sent an invite to the Blog address on file so you should have gotten that.  I don't know if you will be able to add to the calendar or not.  Worse case, once everyone else has, I'll send it to you as a PDF or something and get your input.

Hope this works out.

Brenda

dad duty

well,
It is always interesting when a dad  thinks  something is important.
He usually tries to enlist the mom to rally to his aid.
Nothin doin.  I am letting him handle this on his own.


Packing is one thing I have delegated to my children...how else will they learn what to bring/is needed.  I give them the itinerary...they go from there.

I take my cue from the dad of one of Kevin's friends:   lots of underwear will fix any lack of
clothing.

keith decided at the last hour(s) to go over what Kevin has packed/will need.
I was fast and furiously typing an e mail to the choir teacher for dress code.
Keith decided that kevin needed an ironed white shirt for the tux and likely
was hoping I would take over......exit living room to the restroom for a bath.

K: How do you turn on the iron....
C try plugging it in.
K does it heat up on its own....
C with water...turn up the steam...the thingy with the clouds.
K...humpf...
C.....this time I  turn the shower on.

Prior to this it was (Keith) :  kevin here is what I figure you need for meals
k...dad, that is too much...
(mom e mailing the choir  teacher for # of out of pocket meals)

Corinne and I have been hand signaling each other...22 , 21, 20 1/2....hrs to go till Kevin is gone.

I was supposed to go on this trip.... Keith is going to shreveport thurs a.m and coming  home friday night at 10 or 11p...I am here with corinne and the menagerie of pets.

good night,

c

something wrong here

HELL   o,

Next week Kevin goes to st Louis, MO from tues to sunday.
Keith goes to Shreveport thurs morning to friday night.
Corinne goes camping with the boy scout group Venture  fri night to sun mid day.

CAROLE CANNOT GO ANYWHERE B/C KEITH HAS THE CAR (newer) AND SOMEONE
NEEDS TO BE HOME(thurs night) WITH CORINNE AND THE ANIMAL FARM  .


What is wrong with all these people??

I need to run away


c

corinne-ism

Here's one:

c: mom i am out of toothpaste and eye makeup remover.

M: well you know the solution for that is to not do that any more.

c:  but i have already done today..i need it for tomorrow

crack me up


Kevin ...living in an 'electronics free world' was caught reading the newspaper,  says  oh what am i becoming!

going to NO,La for a swanky wedding...need to git the dirt from under the nails!!


c

I'm Still Here

Hey All,

I should be cleaning my bathrooms but I really don't want to so decided it's been so long since I posted, this is priority :)

The school play was a couple of weeks ago.  It was really entertaining.  I ended up seeing it three times.      Not worth it to drive back home after dropping Carter off.  Carter did really well.  He didn't look like he was really have fun the first night but seemed to loosen up after that.  His youth minister went opening night.  He seemed to honestly enjoy it.  He was telling us how surprised he was that Carter did musicals (or plays in general).  Certainly not something you would think he would like.  I told him he must keep really busy going to all the kids' events and he emailed back that it was the best part of his "job".  He is a pretty cool guy.  Glad Carter is getting involved with youth group.  We found out that Carter was in the Commercial Appeal because of the play.  His orthodontist office is the one who told us so I searched the website and found the picture.  Here's the link if you want to take a look.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/2013/mar/20/392535/

Speaking of orthodontists, Carter gets his braces off Monday.  Pretty much a year and half exactly.  I know he will be excited.

We are moving into the end of the school years activities as well.  Emerson's class goes to the Pink Palace on Friday.  I said I would drive ONLY if they absolutely needed me.  Apparently enough parents signed up so I don't have to go!!!!  Aren't I awful?  I did the zoo and it really wasn't a lot of fun.  Being inside would be worse I think.  Emerson acted so bad at the zoo.  I know he will be better behaved for someone else's mom.  He has been doing a lot better at school.  He is more disciplined and is paying attention better.  He actually got some work back complimenting his handwriting.  Hopefully this trend will continue in second grade.  Cari thinks I'm in trouble since he is already telling us how much he hates school.

Jim bought Emerson a four wheeler and he loves riding it outside.  Of course I think he goes too fast and have trouble watching him but I've always been a bit on the protective side.

We finally heard back from Jim's niece and now know we will be going to VA in August.  I was waiting on that before sending out the Google calendar to see if we can find a date for all (or most) of us to get together.  That will be my priority this weekend.  I drove by Kathryn's house the other day and realized I need to invite her too.  I'll mail something to her since I don't think she monitors the email address I have for her once we have a date.  I hope this works out.  It will be fun!

Toilets are calling!!

Brenda

yoo hoo

any one there.

we are plodding along.
the end of the school year  fast approaching.

what to do this summer....

horse camp,volleyball, choir session...some sort of vacation
sleep away for boys more choir camp.

my brother and family  are going to italy and i would love to join
them...BUT the plane fare alone is cost prohibitive
anyone got any cheap ways to get there??

it seems when keith's dad died...we inherited a violin..the job now is to
figure out its value....might be my new hobby.

my tulips r a riot of color this year...need to post them on fb.
later,c