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

ok, did I really say we need a snow day!!!

Yep it was me.
I was remarking to someone that i sure miss the occasional snow day.  well , I  NEED to leave town!!
the way it is going here... i might get the snow night.

Keith is hanging in there. Today they are cleaning the house to get ready for the after funeral dinner. Wish i was there to help.
His mom was a great purger.  his dad was great at dividing up assets, the house and its contents are for the children to deal with.

thx for all the e-mails.
was able to get the dog her shots just in time to take her to the kennel tonight. thx brenda for the offer. thx cari for the help with Corinne.
Julie, Kevin love talking with Parrish.
Are you going to Atlanta any time this summer??   Maybe that can be the meeting place.
later
c

Another Quickie

Carole,  I'm happy to help you out and sent you an email.  Just let me know where and when to pick up kids!!

Julie, I didn't mean to imply that our get together would be in Memphis.  That wouldn't be fair to you or Dana.  Once we determine if there is a date that works for all of us, we'll see if we can pick a place that perhaps would be equal distance or somewhere everyone has always wanted to go.  Again, I know it's a longshot, but you never know.  We can handle Parrish, we can just remind him there's a good chance we changed his diapers!!  I hope you are successful in getting the help you need.  I know having Thane working out of town makes it extra hard for you.

We survived spring break and actually had a pretty good time although travelling with Jim 24/7 is a challenge sometimes.  I like to drive until we get to where we're going with as few stops as possible and he has the "life is a journey, not a destination" philosophy which is pure torture for me.  If I hadn't driven four hours yesterday, we probably wouldn't have gotten home until midnight last night instead of 8:00 pm.

Back to the grind (minus today's workout.....those pesky shoes still being in the trailer and me unable to retrieve them since we had to put it in the garage since it's raining and it leaks and now can't get to the trailer door). 

Brenda

on the go

Hello,
It seems the race has begun again.
Keith is back on the coast with his dad.  Bert is hanging in there.
He stays in bed all the time and is able to eat some.  He is on
Morphine and Ativan...Keith does not like it that he sleeps so much.Just  so he is comfortable I say.
This week i need to  be in 2 places at once  ALL WEEK.
just plain ole crazy.

Even more crazy is the fact i need to board the dog for Easter .....and SHE NEEDS  SHOTS!!
How to take her and go to work and pick up K and C and the dog.

I did plan ahead... grilled a bunch on sunday...almost ate it all myself...yummmy.


later time to wake the sleepers.
c

It's still winter

Carole, I am so sorry about the loss of your grandmother and about Keith's dad.  When it rains it pours. I hate this part of life.  I hope y'all are all holding up OK.

After having a few days in the 40's we are now back to frigid temps.  Allow me a moment to brag
http://www.manchesterjournal.com/sports/ci_22751816/bba-snowboarding-team-wins-fifth-straight-title
Parrish was at Stowe for two days for the snowboarding state competition.  Now the fight about going to school everyday begins.  He won't get all those days off for snowboarding comps.  Ugh.  He thinks I should let him go on a cross country road trip to Mt. Hood with some friends.  Hahahahahahhaha.
I told him if all the parents of kids who were going had a meeting.  "Oh, well, I'd be going with two friends (18 year olds) who don't live at home anymore".  "You don't accept who I am!".  Meanwhile the good part is that almost every weekend I have at least half a dozen of his friends sleeping over here. I love it.

Belle just had her 12th birthday.  She was so into it this year.  My mom had balloons and two little stuffed horses sent to the school.  She felt so special.  We also made rice crispy treats with fruity pebbles (thank you pinterest) because "I don't want to do cupcakes like everyone else".  Finally I have gotten some help and hope to get more comprehensive services for Belle (respite care, etc.).  I have gotten a series of rejections when I try.

So, the ski season is winding down.  I haven't really taken that much advantage of it and I am terribly out of shape.  I would love to see you all but the trip to Memphis is a horrid roadtrip (this from a girl that thinks nothing of driving to Atlanta).   And honestly, my son might scare y'all.  Actually, maybe not.  He is exactly the same as he was at two.  Just bigger and with more of a potty mouth.

Oh, I almost forgot!  Brenda, I took my blog offline.  I just felt to vulnerable.  Maybe one day I won't care who reads my private thoughts but for now I do.

Just a Quickie

Just wanted to say hello since it's been so long.  Carole, I was sorry to hear about your grandmother.  Your kids were blessed to get so many years with a great grandparent.  Carter only met one great grandmother and he was about 6 or 7 when she passed. I have a photo of them together on his dresser since I was worried about him remembering her and a friend suggested that tactic, but unfortunately, I really don't think he remembers her.
How is Keith's father doing?

We are headed to TX on Saturday for spring break.  Going to Rockport on the Gulf for a few days, then San Antonio, then stopping one night in Houston to visit my brother and his family on the way home.  We are camping all but two nights.  Should be interesting.  I know the kids are looking forward to an adventure.

Our neighbors accepted an offer on their house and if all goes as planned, they will be out by 3/25.  It will be a sad day for the Pruett's.  It is the family of Carter's friend Mason who has a brother Emerson's age.  Emerson and Ben actually spend more time together than Carter and Mason so he is the one I'm worried about.  Carter is still pretty laid back about everything so I'm not expecting a big scene from him or anything. Of course they've known about this since November when they put their house on the market but I know Emerson doesn't really understand it and won't until they are gone.  They are only moving to Lakeland so it's not like they'll never see each other again, but it's nice to just run down to play after school.  They will actually be living with Barry's parents until all the renovations are complete on their new house.  They live just east of us in Somerville so in a way they will still be somewhat closer than Lakeland.  Jim and I will be trolling for new friends for Emerson.  I think Carter will be on his own.  It's not like we can knock on someone's door and ask if they want to play with our 15 year old!!  There is one new family close by that has a son Emerson's age .  I"ll be knocking on their door this summer for sure. They also have a daughter Carter's age so who knows????

I'm going to be sending out an email after Spring Break with a summer calendar that we can use to see if there is any possible way we can get together this summer.  I know Dana and Cari are up for it.  I know you are working, Carole, and will totally understand if it doesn't work out for you but we certainly want to include you so I'll be sending it to you too.  Same goes for you, Julie.  I can't imagine the logsitics of trying to meet up with us for you but hey, being the positive thinker I am, why not?

I figure we can put on the Google calendar what days WON'T work and see if there are any days that will work for most or all of us.  Depending on how many days that involves, we can decide where to go to meet.

Something to think about.

TA TA!!

Brenda