Something Pretty

Took this pretty picture yesterday when I went walking in some woods with Thomas and the kids.  It was a beatiful afternoon, and we had a really nice time.  Came home with a nice bouquet of wildflowers.

Good news, or at least better news.........

I talked to my mom, and my friend, J...oh, well, there's no reason I can't use her first name...Julie, got her test results back, and there is no cancer in her bones, kidneys, liver, etc.  So far, they found it in only one breast and her lymph nodes; however, and that's a big however, it is a very fast growing cancer.  In just the few days between the biopsy findings and her going in to get the rusults of the other tests, it has more than tripled in size.

It appears she may have a very good doctor, because he told her he is pushing back a few other procedures he's doing that can wait a while longer, and he has scheduled her for surgery Tuesday morning.  They will remove the breast and then she will start chemo almost immediately to hit the lymph system.

Again, my Mom says that she is in very good spirits, resigned to the surgery and the chemo, and confident in the outcome.  I hope all goes well.  She has a very good network of friends and family that will be pulling for her.

Another shooting........

Just saw this AOL News article -- Wisconsin Town Grieves Slain School Leader - AOL News.

On our local news this morning there was a report of a teen bringing a gun to school in Kentucky.  Thankfully he was caught before he got into the school.

A Friend In Need.........

I called my mother a couple days ago and she told me that a very good friend of mine has cancer.  This friend, J, is 19 years older than I am, but she has always been as close to me as one of my own sisters, and is like another daughter to my mother.  She is actually only a year older than my oldest sister.  Her daughter and I were very close friends through school, but after we graduated our paths went in different directions, so we didn't stay in touch too much.  It was the kind of friendship where when we see each other or talk on the phone, it's just like old times, and we get nutty and are comfortable catching up and remembering the old days.  But we just don't stay in touch on a regular basis.  But with J I've stayed more in touch; probably because she's such a good friend to the whole family.  Her younger daughter, from a second marriage, was a flower girl in our wedding.

Well, anyway, J found a lump under her arm; a swollen lymph node, but a very large one.  She went right in, and they found cancer in her breast.  They biopsied the lymph node, and then almost immediately after they got the results they removed the whole lymph node.  Now they are running tests to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else.  They are particularly concerned about it being in her bones.

My mother said that J is very optimistic and is going about her life in good spirits, and I am not surprised.  She is that type of person; very strong.  I am anxious to hear from my mother today, though, to see what J's test results were.  My mother wasn't home when I called this morning, so I'll try her again this afternoon.

Ironically, this month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I had my mammogram last month.  If you are in the right age group or have a risk factor for breast cancer, please make sure you don't put off getting your mammogram!

By the way...

   The elementary school mentioned in the previous post is the elementary school I attended from first through eighth grades.  I believe the teacher who is doing this is someone I went to school with, too.  My sister teaches in another elementary school in the district, which is how she got the email.  Thanks so much to everyone who has said they'll send a postcard.  I believe their 100th day of school is around the end of November, so there is plenty of time to get the postcards to her.

I need a favor from some of the wonderful J-Land Community......

I got the following email from my sister Dee today:

If you could help this teacher out?  Dee

From: Carman, Dana
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 4:32 PM
To: Breck Co All Staff
Subject: Fall Break Request

I have enlisted our class in a project to not only collect at least one postcard from all 50 states but to accumulate 100 postcards by the 100th Day of School.  If you are traveling to or through another state during your time off, could you please drop us a postcard from your destination? Or, just bring us one back….it doesn’t have to be mailed.  Thanks So Much! 

The address is: Mrs. Carman's Class, Hardinsburg Elementary School, 419 East Third Street, Hardinsburg, KY 40143

I am, of course, going to send her one from my state.  If anyone else out there would like to send one, I think that would be great, and I'd really appreciate it!   

Wierd or Weird?

I spelled "weird" wrong every time in my previous post!  Just thought I'd share.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by two different people,  Pharmolo and  Plieck30, to list six wierd things about me.  My only problem is limiting the list to six!  So, anyway, here goes:

1.  I can't stand to sleep with my feet under the covers.

2.  I don't like ice cream.

3.  I rearrange cans, boxes or packages on shelves in grocery stores if they are upside down.

4.  My towels have to be folded one certain way, no exceptions!

5.  I have a certain routine that I must go through when I sit down at the computer and sign on to AOL.

6.  The sheets on my paper towel rolls must hang down over the top; but the sheets on my toilet paper dispenser have to hang down from underneath.

Okay, are those wierd enough?

I tag: Jae of My Life In A "Nut" Shell, Bea at  Wanderer , Martha at  Just Visiting, Magran at  Faze Daze , Lisa Jo at  Damaged Goods , and Kate at  An Analysis of Life.

     

Finally, no rain!

There was a lot of flooding in our area Friday and Saturday.  I believe that eight people died as a result of the flooding in Kentucky; thankfully, none in Indiana.  But Eler Beth's hunt was messed up for the weekend.  They couldn't get to their hunting area because of flooding.  Now she'll have to wait until gun season in November before she can go out again. 

Friday evening Thomas had to pull someone out of floodwater when their car got stranded.  One end of our street was a foot deep in water, but not the other one.  Many people in the area have had flooded basements, too.  I guess it could have been worse, but it was bad enough while it lasted.

Today it is sunny and pleasant.  I have been running errands and had a doctor's appointment this morning.  Now I'm trying to get caught up on emails.  

                                 

The 50 Questions

1. FIRST NAME
Lori
2. MIDDLE NAME
Frances

3. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? 
My middle name is after my mother's middle name, which was after her grandmother's first name.
4. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
last week
5. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Not especially.

6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? 
ham

7. KIDS? 

two

8. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
yes; as a matter of fact, I would be best friends with me!

9. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
yes

10. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
more than I should

11. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
yes

12. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
no

13. FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cheerios

14. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually.

15. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
physically or emotionally?  fairly to the first, very to the second.

16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
I usually don't care for ice cream; vanilla, when I do happen to eat it -- wait!  Is Spumoni a "flavor", because if it is, I vote for that!

17. SHOE SIZE? 
6 US
18. RED OR PINK?
red

19. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
my back

20. WHOM DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
my mother because I don't see her often enough; my father, because he's no longer living

21. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Sure

22. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? 
blue jeans, no shoes

23. LAST THING YOU ATE?

toast

24. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
silence

25. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
navy blue

26. FAVORITE SMELL? 
vanilla
27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? 

my daughter

28. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?

eyes

29. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? 
why, yes, I do

30. FAVORITE DRINK?
tea

31. FAVORITE SPORT?
Don't care for sports; unless you consider fishing a sport;only I don't sport fish; I eat what I catch! 
32. HAIR COLOR?
blonde

33. EYE COLOR?
blue
34. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no
35. FAVORITE FOOD? 
?? Just one ??  Okay, mashed potatoes!
36. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
Happy ending
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? 
Blue
38. FAVORITE DESSERT?
pudding
39. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

I don't know
40. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? 
Wouldn't know that either
41. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Sylvester by Georgette Heyer

42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? 
"Security Starts With You"; an old mouse pad from the insurance company I previously worked for, promoting the privacy and security department

43. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
Men In Trees and Numb3rs
44. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
my kids laughing
45. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles, of course
46. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Texas; sad, isn't it?

I don't know what happened to 47 and 48!!

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
No, nothing special

50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
1966 in Kentucky

I'm from Mercury??

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows. You probably never leave home without your cell phone! You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you. You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer. Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

What Planet Are You From?

Rainy evening.......

Just popping in to say "hi" before  Men in Trees comes on. 

Well, we finally started getting our rain last night, and apparently it is setting in for most of the weekend.  It rained all day, and I indulged myself by not doing much except reading and napping.  It was nice.  I didn't even sign on to the computer until an hour ago!

I have a ton of alerts, and will try to get to everyone's journals later tonight.

Eler Beth passed her Hunter's Education test with flying colors!!  She is so excited.  Of course, it's going to be raining tomorrow, but she's determined to go anyway.  And Thomas had never been known to let a little rain deter him!

So, I don't really have much to say tonight.  All is good here, so sorry about the boring post, but, as Silas Bent said, "Harmony seldom makes a headline"!

Home Fries

Kelly, at Noonmom, wants to know how I make my home fries.  Well, it's pretty simple. 

I slice my potatoes (Length-wise, usually, and I prefer red potatoes, but Idaho works well, too.  Russets fall apart.).  Add the potatoes to a pan of salted, boiling water and let them cook for about 10 or 12 minutes, just to get them tender.  Then I drain them and let them cool. 

Then I take some butter and olive oil, heat it in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat (usually a tbsp of butter for every pound of potatoes, and no more than a tbsp of olive oil (for our family I probably use about three pounds of potatoes.  If you were cooking just for yourself, then I'd suggest using only a tsp of olive oil.)  Add the potatoes to the pan and saute them, turning them occasionally, cooking until they are golden brown.  It probably takes about 15 minutes, maybe more.  Right before they're done, add a little more butter; it makes them brown and yummy!

I like to sautee some onion, bell pepper and/or mushrooms seperately, and then add to the potatoes.  The kids just like their's plain.  You can do just about anything with them: if you like, you could add garlic (no garlic in this house!), hot sauce, chili seasonings, just about anything. 

So for four servings, use about three pounds of potatoes, 3 tbsp of butter/margerine and 1 tbsp of olive oil.

Ok, something that's just cute!

Ok.

There is no reason for this except that I just really love this animation!  Especially when he turns and skids!

                                        

 

Oh my goodness!  I just laugh out loud every time I see it!

The First Day Of Fall

It's another beautiful day here.  The high has been 69; it's sunny, and there's a nice breeze blowing.  I did some yard work this morning while it was still in the 50s;  I ran a few errands which included buying some large storage totes and some smaller storage boxes  --  to better facilitate this de-cluttering/organizing/simplifying jag that Martha has started us on. 

I slept well last night, and haven't had to take a nap all day.  Lately I've been so sleepy through the day, even when I've had a good night's rest, that I was starting to get a little worried.  Yesterday morning I sat down on the couch about 11, turned on the TV, pulled a throw over me, slid down in the cushions, and the next thing I knew I was waking up at 2:30!!!  I think the changing of the seasons has a lot to do with it.  At least I'm hoping that's what it is.

This week has been hectic.  Eler Beth has ISTEP testing, which doesn't seem to stress her out, but it makes me stress, because I want her and the school to do well, and the only control I have over that is seeing that she gets enough rest and eats well.  So I'm a little stricter with bedtimes, as a result, and I go to a little more trouble with breakfast, urging it onto her, even when she doesn't really want much to eat.  As well as ISTEP, she and Thomas have been taking this hunter's safety course, so that she can participate in the youth hunt this weekend.  (I took it with Andrew when he was 13;  Thomas and I didn't really have to take it, but we feel it's good to have, even when you're a veteran hunter.)  Anyway, if you've never taken Hunter's Education, you may be surprised at how much there is to learn and how much of it that they test you on!  So in addition to regular homework, we've been quizzing her every night.  They take the test tonight, and then that will be over.

Andrew has had reports/essays in three of his classes, one that is due tomorrow, and I helped with some of the research.  He's not stressed about them, but I, the ever-faithful perfectionist/nag/normal-mother, have hovered quite a bit, and probably driven him nuts asking, "When is it due?  Are you sure that's what they wanted?  Would you like me to proof it for you?", etc.  No, really, I'm not that bad; at least, as a rule I'm not that bad, but I have periods where I go through a hovering-more-than-usual phase.  Some day they'll thank me for it!  I just know they will!

Last night was homemade vegetable soup and subs; tonight I think it'll be burgers on the grill, some veggies on the grill, and maybe I'll even do some homemade home fries.  Seems like there was much more that I was thinking about writing, but if so, it's gone out of my head for now.

So until later..............

Doing The Happy Dance!

    Whoo Hoo!

My laundry is all caught up!

The hampers are EMPTY!!!

Goodnight, Me Hearties!

 

Goodnight me buckos.  "Talk like a pirate day" comes t' an end.  T' weather stayed beautiful all day long.  I did go outside to play with me dogs.  They were very happy about that.  And I fixed a great meal what crawled out o' t' bung hole, and the family was very happy about that.  I spent a little more time making all shipshape on deck, and then spliced the mainbrace (only tea...arrrr!)!

Gettin' Eler Beth t' focus on her homework was a bit o' a battle, but we got through it finally.  I said to her, "Get that bit o' homework done smartly, me lass, or ye'll get no booty tonight!"  She began to hang the jib, and then sink me if she didn't heave to that homework and earn herself a Rice Crispy treat as reward!

Avast! I'm off!  I must weigh anchor and get to bed.

Butterscotch, Anyone?

Guess what I just found out?

Today is also  National Butterscotch Pudding Day!

Hmmmmmmmm.......Butterscotch and Pirates..................

Taking a little break....

   Well, I have done some laundry and tidied up my kitchen and laundry room.  I sat down to watch the noon news and President Bush was holding a news conference, so I took the opportunity to clean my bathroom as well.

I'm going to stop for a while now, have a nice cup of coffee and watch the rest of the news.  I hope they find where that e.Coli came from.  There have been several instances of people getting sick in Kentucky and Indiana, and I think at least one death.

It's still a really beautiful day.  I should go out to play with the dogs for a while.  They would like that.  Andrew is feeling better, though he still looks a little wan.  I suppose I'll do a little more cleaning and start dinner soon.  I think I'll make a meatloaf; I haven't had one for a while.

Saturday I made a big pot of homemade vegetable soup and froze half of it, and I baked a ham with sweet potatoes.  We had the ham for dinner on Sunday, then I prepped the leftovers (ham) for sandwiches and salads and put them in the freezer.  Martha would be very proud of me.  My goal is to get as efficient and productive with cooking ahead of time as she is, but she is setting such an example, it's going to be hard to match her! 

I not only have caught up on journal alerts, but I have caught up on all my other email --  finally!!  There is one girl who I used to work with who sends several joke and chain emails daily, and they had really backed up.  Most of them are ones I've seen or ones I don't care for, but once in a while she sends a doozy!

Well, I'm off for now.     

Autumn Just Around The Corner

   There was a nice chill in the air this morning when I took Eler Beth to school.  It is 55° right now at 9:09 a.m., and I believe the high temp today is supposed to be 69°.  I love this kind of weather!  It is sunny right now, and I have opened some windows to let the fresh air blow through the house. 

Andrew is home sick today.  He woke up about 6 a.m. throwing up.  He doesn't have a fever, and he's napping right now.  I think he'll be fine.  It doesn't take as much out of me when he is home sick, because he doesn't require constant "comfort" from me like Eler Beth does.  I don't begrudge her that, though, because I remember all the little special ways that my mother used to comfort me when I was sick.

Well, I "crashed" on Saturday, finally, at about 4 p.m.  I slept until about 10 p.m., got up for 30 minutes and then went back to bed.  Sunday was a nice peaceful day, and then yesterday I really didn't do much of anything.  I feel like this cold/flu/whatever that we've all had is finally leaving us alone (despite Andrew's stomach troubles this morning).  Maybe it'll get cold enough to finally kill off all of those particular germs.

Now that the weather is changing my mind is turning toward planting some bulbs for Spring.  I want a few more daffodils in the front yard, and Eler Beth wants some more calla lillies;  hers did so well last year.

ISTEP testing is going on this week and next for Eler Beth.  ISTEP is Indiana's benchmark test.  So she's taking healthy snacks (brain food) to school each day, homework is a little lighter, and bedtime is a little earlier.  She is also in the middle of her hunter's safety course this week, preparing for the test on Thursday, so she can participate in the youth hunt this weekend. 

I guess my plans for the day include the everlasting laundry and a little housework; more than a little really, because, as I said, yesterday was very non-productive.  I've finally caught up on journal alerts, so I planto stay ahead of the game if possible, and will be visiting journals again a little later.  I'll probably post again as well.

I hope everyone has a great day and that your weather where you are is as mild and comfortable as it is here.  Have a good one!

It Be Talk Like A Pirate Day, Matey!

Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day.  Last year I had a lot of fun with that at work.  This year I'll just swagger around the house singing sea shanties and muttering curses at the cat.  (She can take it!  She curses me all the time.)

This is the entry from last year, complete with my pirate name:

Talk Like A Pirate

Monday, September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.  A friend of my son's told him this yesterday, and I was fascinated with the idea.  I may have to do something for it Monday at work.  I checked on the net and lo and behold I found the site for it:

I found a lot of interesting facts and fun things to do.  I found out what my pirate name would be:

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

My pirate name is: Dirty Mary Flint 

 You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr! 

http://www.fidius.org/quiz/pirate/

What's yours?

Margaret Mallory

Margaret Mallory was a fraud. When had she begun to "pretend" to be smart and assertive and personable?

She'd been a shy child; so bashful that when she had to give an oral report, she’d stand rooted to the spot, nothing moving but her lips; expelling the entire recitation with one long breath of air until her face was red and her voice was straining to come to a hoarse conclusion.

Somehow that young child had grown up to become a successful businesswoman who regularly delegated tasks, spoke in front of rooms full of people, and was considered by her peers as smart, confident and vivacious. Yes, she often wondered, where had that woman come from?

Inside she was still that bashful, backward child. And sometimes, even in the middle of her busy, organized, professional world, that insecure child taunted her and whispered, "Just who do you think you are, Margaret Mallory?"

        

I've been doing some writing exercises.  I checked this site for some ideas and chose prompt #55 which instructed the writer to write a 150-word profile of someone named Margaret Mallory.  So I did (perhaps it's a few words over 150, but not many).  I was rather pleased with the result.  Hope you like it too. 

Actually when I started writing it, I had a page and a half before I knew it, and really wanted to continue exploring why Margaret never recognized herself in the woman she'd become.  I kept cutting and cutting and ended up with this; succinct, but it left me wondering.

Sunday

Well, I visited the J-Land Chat this afternoon, and enjoyed it.  Again, I didn't have a lot to say.  I'm not too great at "chats".  They moves so fast.  But it was fun and interesting.  You never know what you might learn during one of these chats.  For example, we found out that there are no Oreos in the UK.  And, personally, I believe that that is very, very sad.  I feel so sorry for them.  As a matter of fact, I think that I should send this in to Scalzi for the weekend assignment, because it makes absolutely no sense.

   Jackie has set up a special site for the Vivi Awards.  If you haven't already dropped by to leave some links to journals that you believe are worthy of a nomination, then please do so now.  A lot of hard work is going into the awards. 

Help!

J-Land Chat

Guido has asked that we remind our readers of the J-Land Chat scheduled for tomorrow.  See his message below:

Many of you will have seen the announcements on my journal, but just in case you haven't:
   Just a reminder that the J-land chat for September is taking place this coming Sunday 17 September at 8pm British Time, 3pm EDT and 12noon PDT. It should last for about 2 hours, although there is no limit on duration.
   Anyone confused about their timezone should visit my clock-site http://hometown.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/clocks.html.
   The link to the chatroom can be found in the sidebar to my journal http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip and can ONLY be accessed through the AOL client software.
   Let's hope for an evening / afternoon without connection issues and let's make it a chat to remember.
Pass the word round please!!!
See you all there,
Guido

I very much doubt that I have any readers who don't already read Guido's journal, but just in case, join us tomorrow, if you can!

Burning the Midnight Oil

I cannot sleep. 

Maybe because of the four hour nap I took this evening?!

I got up in time to watch the repeat of the pilot episode of Men In Trees, and then the new episode following it.  I really, really enjoy that show.  It reminds me of Northern Exposure (for obvious reasons).  It is predictable in a lot of ways, but charming and funny and just, well, comfortable, if you know what I mean.  Sometimes I like to watch a show that is just easygoing, with likeable characters and amusing plots and conversations. 

Anyway, I'm still up.  I don't have anything in particular to write about, though.  I'm still catching up on journals.  I plan to read every entry done in honor of the 2,996 victims of 9/11.  It will take some time, but I want to read them all.  I knew I couldn't bear to write one of the entries, but I intend to read them all.

Let's see, what news here in Kentuckiana?  Oh well, the biggest news locally is that the two Louisville Ford Plants are not closing -- yet!  It seems they've escaped the worst of the downsizing for now; at least until 2008.  That's good news for several of our friends who work there.

The weather is really nice.  It was in the upper 70s today and partly sunny.  I think this weekend is supposed to be a little warmer; proper weather for the last weekend of summer.

Eler Beth is spending the night with one of her best friends, Tori.  Oh yes, she did something special today that reminded me of me!  Another of her best friends is moving tomorrow, and Eler Beth asked their teacher if she could bring in healthy snacks to give all her classmates as a sort of going-away party for Madeline.  She also went shopping for her a few days ago and put together a really nice little gift bag for Maddy, that included an address book so she could get phone numbers and addresses to keep in touch with all her friends.  Maddy was surprised and loved the gifts.  It was all Eler Beth's idea and she did it all herself.  She's a good girl.

Well, nothing else really pops to mind, so I guess I'll go for now.  I may be back later, though!

Men In Trees

I don't watch a lot of regular TV.  Most new sitcoms to me just aren't that funny, and they rely too much on potty humor and sex to get ratings.  I do watch CSI (all three of them when I can), and I like Criminal Minds and Numb3rs.  (Guess you can tell what kinds of shows I like.)  I like Seventh Heaven, and am glad they're back for another season. 

Last Friday I watched a show on ABC that I really, really enjoyed -- Men In Trees.  I hope it continues as good as it appeared to be in the episode I saw.  I guess we'll see.  I'll definitely be watching it tonight.  Anne Heche plays a psychiatriast who moves to Alaska to get over her ex.  It seems to be very warm and funny.

Dealing With Death

I believe I've mentioned in here before that when I attend funerals now I have a really hard time, and I start crying almost immediately and find it hard to stop.  I've been that way since my Dad's death four years ago.  I've also mentioned that Eler Beth has had a very hard time dealing with her grief, but that she's gotten much better during the past six months.   Her panic attacks have subsided, and she is able to talk about my father now.  However, she still cannot stand to see any signs of grief in me.

When we attended a friend's memorial service a couple months ago, she was watching me very closely, and I had to try to hide the tears.  She is very protective of her old Mom.

Well, she's having to deal with grief, again, on a somewhat smaller scale, and she is doing very well.  I'm very proud of her.  Her new cat, Jessie, died a week ago.  He had seemed to have moved in very well, and when he went outside he stayed in the yard.  He was making up to Freedom, and although Freedom still just basically ignored him, she didn't hiss at him or chase him away.  He went outside one afternoon and never came back.  We searched, called, checked with neighbors, everything.  He had on his collar and tag, and I was hoping that maybe, not being neutered yet, he'd just started his wandering early and would return.

But last Saturday, while Thomas, Eler Beth and I were gone, Andrew got a call from a neighbor that he'd found him.  He was at the back of their yard, and had been dead for a while.  There wasn't a mark on him, except that one of his hind legs was skinned up a bit.  I think he was either hit by a car and didn't die immediately, or a dog got him.  Anyway, it was hard to tell Eler Beth, but we finally did.  She actually cried in my arms that night, and for her to cry out her grief is actually a very good thing. 

She wants another cat, but right now Dad is saying no.  He doesn't want to go through that again.  Eler Beth has had a private AOL Journal for a while now that she only writes in intermittently, but she started a new public one after she found out about Jessie, and she talked about it in there.  I don't know if she's going to keep up with this journal, but I hope that if it helps her she will.  Here is the link, if anyone would like to visit it and leave her a comment: My Diary of Days.   I get a kick out of her 10 year-old spelling.  She and Andrew take after Thomas when it comes to spelling, unfortunately; he still tends to spell phonetically.  The proofreader in me is appalled, but the mother in me thinks it's adorable!  I think she's only made two entries so far, but she told me this morning she'd be making another one today.  I hope she does start writing in it regularly.

We got a few pictures of Jess, but I haven't developed them yet.  However, we had a few taken with my cell phone, and I thought I'd share this one, taken one day when Eler Beth was home sick. 

She's Back!

The very first AOL Journal that I ever read is back:  If you don't already know her, please go visit  Barbara at I'm Not Just a Farmer's Wife.  She's funny and energetic, and I had missed her journal very much.  I'm glad I still had her on my alerts!

Giving in to temptation....

I am so behind again!  We've been busy, so busy, and each of us has had one or more bouts with some kind of virus -- I just call it "Crud"; that seems to cover it.

I want to make an entry, but I have nothing in mind to write about, so I guess I'll just ramble.  It's wet here; today is the third day of rain, at times heavy rain. 

Eler Beth and I did a bad thing this morning. 

 

Have you ever had a morning when you just really couldn't make yourself or your child get out of bed on time?  Well that was us, this morning.  Andrew got up and out the door on time, but I went back to bed, after I knew he was up.  When it was time to get Eler Beth up, I called her a couple of times and she groaned.  I groaned in sympathy, then I lay down with her and said, "Why don't we just sleep in a little bit this morning?"  She said, "Really?  Why?"  And I said, "Because I feel like we both need it today."

Wasn't that bad?  Sshhh, don't tell anyone!

We have had so many late nights in a row, and like I said, each of us is still getting over some kind of crud.  I just absolutely could not open my eyes this morning.  So we slept in an extra hour, and Eler Beth woke me up by sitting up in bed and saying, "Wow!  I feel great!  I woke up just now all on my own, and I feel really good!"  So we got up, hurried through our toilette, dressed, and picked up breakfast at McDonald's.  She was exactly one hour late, which means she missed Music and about 10 minutes of her math class.

I did make sure she understood that this was a once in a blue moon kind of thing!  I hope she doesn't use it against me!

I came home and kind of dragged around the house for a while.  I've gone over our budget for this month, filed some receipts, had a cup of coffee, and checked my emails.  Now I guess I'll visit some journals, leave a few comments, and try to get some housework done.  Maybe I'll come back and write another rambling entry.  But I won't be at all surprised if a nap works its way into my day at some point.  I do hope this sleepy, fuzziness in my head goes away.  

Did You See Me In Stevie's Video?

One day last week, as I was trying to catch up on journal reading, I finally got to watch the J~land's 3rd year celebration video! that Stevie put together.  He did a really great job, too!  If you saw a "Lori" that looked like the picture below, well, that was me.  I should have added "HelmsWonderMom" in parenthesis.  It was good to see so many of the people that I enjoy reading!

I'm Baaack

I haven't had the time to make an entry.  Last week Eler Beth and I were sick; then we went to Indianapolis over the weekend; just a quick little getaway to visit with friends.  Yesterday Andrew was feeling bad, but seems to be better now, but Thomas seems to have what Eler Beth and I had; and it's very hard to get him to go to the doctor!  He definitely won't take off work to go.

I have been getting my alerts, as far as I know, and I think that I am now caught up on reading everyone's journals; for the past two days I have been reading and leaving comments as much as I can, so if anyone's comments alerts weren't working, they may not know it, but I've been there!  I have a lot of things swirling around in my head that I want to make an entry about, but when I'll get to do them I don't know.  I do just have to mention that Monday morning early Thomas told me about Steve Irwin, and that when I got up later in the morning I was hoping I'd dreamed it.  That haunted me all day.

Tomorrow I'll be back to make a proper entry, hopefully.  I hope everyone had a nice long-weekend.