well the trick or treating is done. We went to all of the streets around here. I drove and they walked most of the way/ We were gone for one and a half hours. We got back home at 7:30p.m. with sacks full of candy. They have showered and I am letting them eat candy and watch tv. I made them some red punch snd had filled a latex glove with water and froze it and had it floating in the red punch. It looked like a cut-off had floating in the red punch. It ws a hit, but Brendan made me show him that is was just fruit punch and not blood because he said it looked too much like blood. You know I hate Halloween, and the only reason I did this is because they have been looking so forward to thisnday. I think I showed them a good time.

I just bought them a hamburger for super tonight because I knew we would be leaving early for trick or treating and they would be feasting on junk dcandy. I was right, and the kitchen is clean.

My back is beginning to hurt and I am ready to go to bed. It wont be long until I am able to go. I just heard something spill that sounded like a million marbles! Oh my mercy! Another job, or should I just gripe at the childre? I will try to have my mind made up by the time i get to them. Good nite to you all. love you. jk

Juat found out that the boys's mother will not be picking them up this weekend. (I know that you are now thinking I am a prophetic genius). So I will be taking them trick or treating tonight and I will do everything I can to see that it is a night to remember. Their mother called last night to tell them that she had been to the doctor and her toe was worse and that she would try her best to come tonight. They are so sweet and so ready to give her excuse merit and tell her that it is ok if she doesnt come.



I went back to bed thi morning after I took the boys to school and woke up at 11a.m. I haven't even gotten ready for the day (shower and makeup and dress). I have put out a wash and put a load in the dryer and folded a couple of loads and cleaned up after our breakfast of cereal. The dish wsher and the dryer are on.



Also, last night i fixed veal parmesean ( I dont know how to spell parmesean and i am not going to learn how or look it up). I made it with mazarella cheese so it is probably veal mazarella instead of parmesean. It was the first time I have ever cooked it. I didnt eat it, but I did have a bite and I think it was as good as what one would get at a resturant. The veal came from the market already breaded and all I had to do was bake it and cover it with sauce and cheese about ten minutes before it was done. I cooked it at 350 for 45 minutes. I should have given the boys a half piece instead of a whole piece, bcause they said " This is the best i have ever eaten", but as they continued to eat away and they finally said that it was just so-so and they didnt want me to fix it again. Oh well, live and learn. Only a half piece from now on. I guess it is like leaving a party while you're are still having fun so you will want to go back again. I do enjoy those boys.



I have discovered the joys of sering cereal for breakfast in the morning and it is wonderful. I ususlly give them q banana, but this morning I forgot. They eat every bite and the conversation is great. Then the clean up is minimal and, of course the preparation is minimal too. Never a complaint.



Remember how I told you that the boys always wanted to watch tv when they ate and they said they did not like "converation," and I havent told you that they alsoncomplain about "assigned seating" at the table. But, mealtime has become one of the most enjoyable times of the day. Now we just eat and talk and talk. I continue to work with them about not eating from the dishes prior to everyone being seated or prior to the blessing. Michael jr. and Aidan still say a rhyme prayer about "God is great..." which, of course, is true. We rotate who says the blessing each meal. Brendan doesn't feel the "rhyme prayers" are good enough and he always insists on praying a prayer too. His prayers are really so beautiful and so full of thansgiving for what God has given us.



Also, I dont know if I told you that Brendan is a worrier of all worriers. I showed him the verse in the Bible in Phillipians that says "Dont worry about anything, but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving let your request be made known to God and He will give you a peace that passes all understanding." I had Brendan read it himself from his Bible. Now when he worries aloud, he is reminded about this blessing that God has given us that we dont need to worry and he really prays about whatever it is that concerns him. Please pray for his faith seed to continue to bloom and blossom. Michael and Aidan are not as ready to talk about God and I am wanting you to pray that the seed of faith germinates in them too. This is the only gift worth having: an abiding faith in our Lord God, Jehovah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At night, Brendan is the only one to pray out loud. Michael jr and Aidan always say they will say a silent prayer. But regularly they want to sing a song and they always sing a couple of songs. At least one of their songs is always about Jesus and it is so sweet to hear them. Their favorite one they sing is "I Can Only Imagine". When Aidan and Michael jr. sing this, they make their voices sound like a professional and I can tell they are taking pride in the way they make the song sound. They always get to hear Bendan' prayer, because he always wants to pray out loud and then they get to hear me pray. These little boys have been, and are continuing to go through so much. Please pray for them to continue to be strong and to learn that Jeus is the friend that sitcks closer than a brother and that one's relationship with our God is the only relationship that truyly lasts.



Thanks for reading this. I still havent gotten ready for the day. Oh well, I will when I sign off. Love you. jk

Got a call from the boys' mother and she plans to come get them for the week end on Friday ight at 6:30p.m. So i guess i will take the boys trick or treating. I was hoping Ii would be able to get out of this, but i will see to it the boys have fun. I got Michael' jr.s costume today. He chose Jason the dude with the white mask with holes in it and a big knife. He was thrilled. I guess I will take them trick or treating around here when it gets dark. The are so excited.

I feel the boys are Indianapolis bound for December. I was a bit on the "iffy" side until their mother said she was coming this week end. I guess things are moving along as she planned. One never really knows until the last minute. Pray for this situation.

I'm calling Vicki and them hopefulluy going to bed. Babies are fed, bathed, asleep and there are clothes in the dryer and I am washing the whites with bleach. You know I just love to use bleach and get those whites white. Life is good. Pray for Lyndsey to gain meaningful employment. She is such a trooper and so deserving of break. I wonder how Mrs. Wick is doing. Perhaps I will find time to call her tomorrow. love to you all. jk

Michael just told me he has been called in to work today and for the next six days because one of their own is having a baby. He will be working the 2 to 11 p.m. shift. I know this will be so hard on him because he has been working eratic hours and has not yet gotten his sleep pattern restored. They usually want the ER doctors to work two or three days and then have several days off. I am glad he is here on earth to work and is physically able to work so I guess blessings need to be counted.

My dear readers, with this news, you do realize that this means that I will have my duties also increased? Do you realize that this Friday is Halloween? I do not celebrate Halloween, but it is a big deal up here and with the boys and their daddy and mother. First, I must go buy a costume for Michael jr because his ripped. Then of course, I must take the little darlings trick or treating as well as pass out candy to all of the little darlings that darken our door. Their mother was supposed to pick them up this Friday for trick or treating as well as for the week end, but I see this changing. I received a text message from her stating that she is still in great pain from her spider bite and asking me to have them call her tonight. Oh well. At least I love my son, and I love these little boys and I am here and I can do this for them all.

Regarding my health and my control ability: both are doing well. I am feeling very well, although tired at the end of every day. I am finding refraining from over-indulging or even indulging period, to be more easily accomplished. I find my self haing to remind myself to drink all of my protein drink. I hope this keeps up and I begin to lose weight and feel the benefit that will come from that. Pray for me. I see myself taking care of the boys with no break through the week end. If their mother comes to get them, then I will have Saturday and Sunday off. Just pray. I want to take advantage of every opportunity that God has placed in my path this week and every day to represent Him well. Blessed be His name. love to you all. I've got to go do something, I just don't know where to begin and I'm not really sure what it is I need to do. I'm sure it will come to me in time. jk

Well, I just got up to get a drink and Snowball had somehow gotten into the pantry again and ripped open the trash. I should have had the boys take it out, but it was so cold and I thought it was safe from a dog invasion. Anyway, it was all over the kitchen floor and some of it was spread into the living room. Fortunately, I was wide awake by this time and was able to quite deftly pick up again all of the mess I had previously picked up when I, if you get my drift, unplugged the toilet. My mercy, those dogs. I have washed my hands.

well, today is my day off. I have just unstopped the toilet. Michael told me that he knew if i just plunged hard enough I could get it unplugged and I did. I guess he considers himself the great encourager and not an enabler. However, I would have appreciated an enabler. Although now, I can brag that I unstopped a toilet that I thought was a "call-the-plumber" job.
Right now I am washing the multitude of towels I used in the process. Also, today I want to go to the post office to send a check to Becky that is overdue and to mop the floor in the kitchen. This will only be the second time iI have mopped it since I have been here so you can imagine how it looks. I cant believe it is 2 pm already. Mike has gone to pick up the boys and I am going to try to do these few chores prior to them getting back. Yikes! i just realized that time is passing and nothing is done. I have to get busy. will post more later. maybe jk

The dogs have returned. The man who delivered them, said it would take him all day to get the slobber off the walls of their kennel room. Anyway when he got here, about an hour ago, he no longer has to leash them and escort them to the house. They both jump out of his van and dash into the house. They always look beautiful when they are freshly bathed. Snowball is almost luminous and Zulu's thick black fur is beautiful. I didnt have a break this week end since Karen culdnt keep the boys for any more tht saaturday afternoon andnight, and i wasn't eager for the dogs to return, but return they did.

We were out of milk this morning and I got up at 5 to go to the local stop and go to get a gallon. It was a cold morning and I wished the boys liked oatmeal for a hot breakfast, but they want cereal so they got cereal and they split a banana. They split a banana because they will not eat a whole banana but they will eat a third of a banana.

Michael sr. has a doctor's appt this morning to see about elbow surgery and then he will go straight to work. His shift is 2 to midnight and he will be off tuesday and wednesday. On those days I still get the boys ready for school in the morning and take them to school because that is one of my favorite times and I requeseted to still be able to do that. Michael will pick up the boys from school and will be in charge all evenig. I will fix supper, which I enjoy. I am going to try to fix italian steak with mozerella cheese and tomato sauce one day this week. I will also try to fix my meatloaf and hope the boys like it.

I am washing the sheets on my bed today. I still have the window open in my bedroom, so I am sort of freezing, but i like the window being open and being able to hear the outside sounds. It is supposed to be cold all day and tomorrow the same. I heard on the radio this morning that it is suppose to get to freezing in Kentucky and it is probably the end of their growing season. It is sort of neat to hear these sorts of things on the news.

I know the farmers have already harvested their corn crop, because I see that happening already. I pass many corn fields as I drive around here.

I hope you have a great day. Remember Whose you are. Represent Him well. jk

It is now 10;45P.M. and Ii just got out of bed to get a drink and go to the bathroom. Michael is at work. Brendan is sleeping in my bed tonight for reasons I will not go into right now. The boys usually sleep in their own beds, but tonight is different. As I got out of bed to make my way to the bathrooom, I encountered Aidan fast asleep at the foot of my bed covered up with his comforter and on his pllow. As I made my way to the door of my bedroom, I found Michael jr. asleep on his comforter and on his pillow. His pillow is in my room and the rest of his body is outstretched into the livingroom. These boys are so precious. I wish I had a picture of this layout. I made it through the maze of little boys and am getting ready to get back in bed, but I had to share this with someone. Life is good in Newburgh.

Well, I found out my phone was in my purse deep inside a pocket this morning when I received a call from Michael jr at 9:15 asking me to bring them breakfast and telling me that they would be going to church with me and their mother would not be going since her toe was still hurting. So I went to Grandy's and purchased four country fried steak breakfasts with orange juice as requested and sped over to their house. When I got to their house, Michael and Aidan were sitting on the steps with their Bibles and they came running to my car when i pulled in the driveway. I took the food inside the house and they swooped on it like hungry little boys swoop on food. I didnt see their mom because she was still in bed up stairs. She yelled "thank you" from upstairs. We left at 10:35 and I knew we would be late and we were. Church starts at 10;45 and we got there at 10:55. The boys went upstairs to their class and I went into the auditorium for church. The sermon today was on giving with a generous heart and it was probably the best sermon I have heard on that topic. So low key with such profound reasons for us to want to give. Then we sang a song I had never heard of about Jesus being all I need and part of the words have Jesus saying to me that I am all He needs. Just beautiful and so hard to sing without tears.

Michael is at work so this is another day with my grandsons. We started it with a nap, myself included. We woke up after about an hour and a half and have been doing this and that since then. One thing Aidan has done is two book reoports that are now ready to turn in tomorrow. He is such fun I consider him my little friend. The boys really enjoy going to this church and were ery disappointed that they were late and it seemed to go by too fast. Then we went to the market to get some meat for dinner and then we came home.

The kitchen floor is so dirty. I wonder when I will mop it. I did finfally clean the woodwork on the pantry door. The dogs are gone and they are supposed to be returned tomorrow and I think I will call and ask for them to be kept there for a few more days. It is just so much nicer for me when they are gone. And after all, it is all about me.

Michael's party was great. He had 7 friends show up and with his two brothers it made for a nice group of boysl.l They played lazer tag twice, had cake, pizza and soda and then got to go downstairs and spend tokens on arcade games. This is really a great place for a boy to have a birthday party. Then Karen picked them up from the party, but she has been bitten on her big toe by a brown relcuse and it looked awfulShe had seen a doctor and was on medication. She called me about 4 p.m this afternoon and I went over to her old house thinking I mght be bringing the boys back home with me. He toe looked worse than it did when I saw it at the party, but she had soaked it in epsom salt and was propping it up. She decided to stay the night with the boys and they might go to churd with me tomorrow. The only problem is that I left my phone at their house and I have no way to contact them or have them contact me. Oh well, I will tell you tomorrow what happened.

Vicki called me today from our ACU homecoming and it sounded like she was having a bll. She was with our sister, Suzy, and seeing many of our friends from those wonderful days as college girls in abilene.

• Lyndsey called to say her off broadway show was cancelled due to no financial backers. I feel so sorry for her, because this was going to be her bread and butter through February. So now she is back pounding the pavement for a second or third job to enable her to continue to eke out a living in the Big Apple as she pursues her dream of being a broadway stage manager of note. I believe in her. I am praying for her. Will you too?
• I dont know what is going on with these bullet marks. i dont know how they got here nor how to get rid of them, so i think i will close for the day. love you all. jk

Sorry I have not posted for a few days, but I have been almost overwhelmed with the back up work regarding the laundry, cleanliness of the house, grocery shopping and the dogs and their business. I called the Bed, Bath & Biscuit man to come get the dogs on Thursday morning , and he did. He will keep them until Monday mornng and I am so glad. It is r3eally tough for me to cosntantly hae their welfare to think of as well as the fact that they have gotten more into messing up the floor with tt and with torn up trash sacks. Usually i discover the torn trash sacks in the middle of the night. I think Michael must get up in the night and not completely shut the pantry door and the dogs can get into the trash can. It is actually just Snowball. Zulu doesnt mess with stuff.

Michael had his surgery this ,morning at 5a.m and he learned that it wsa a bit more than just a short surgery. He did not get home until 10a.m. and had to have someone drive him home. Later the boys and I took him to the parking lot to get his car so he could go to work for his 2 to 11 shift. His arm is bandaged up and he said it hurts, but he has to go to work anyway. I think some of this is to model for the boys that one must work through the pain.

The boys have had two half-days this week, meaning that they got out of school at 11 a.m. Each day we would work on homework and try to get someother things done. Aidan read two books for book reports. Tonight we passed out all of the clean clothes after our showers. Earlier we went to the Butcher shop and the orchard shop and mailed Michael jr's thank you card and got copies of all of thier report cards so their mother may have a copy. All of the boys did well. Michael and Aidan got all As and Bs. Brendan got straight As for the first time in his life. His teacher put a code that means "outstanding" beside every subject. He made the Distinguished Honor roll and I have never seen a happier child. Yesterday Michael sr.went to school for confences with all of the teachers (This is the reason for the half day school days).
Then he sat down with all of the boys to let them know what a great job they had done and what their teachers had said about them. Brendan's teacher said that Brendan's the only striaght A in the class and that he wished he had a class full of "Brendans". Brendan was beaming.
Aidan's teacher said he is the most improved student in the class. You can look at his work and see that he is now paying attention to neatness, is making 100 on spelling tests and his reading is getting more and more fluent. I work with Aidan, so i am very proud of the most improved designation. Remember that I told you that Aidan didnt appear to think school was really important. Slowly i have helped him understand that school is important and doing his best is what he should do all of the time. He used to just put a lot of "slop" down anytime he colored or wrote his name. Now his name looks like it is in a manuscrpt book and his coloring is neat and a great choice of colors everytime. We were a proud family last night.

Tomorrow Michael jr. will host his friends at his birthday party at a lazer tag place and he is so excited. Then their mother is picking them up from the party and they will all go to the school's "Chicken Supper" which is a really big deal and is the major fundraiser for the school. So glad I do not have to go to the chicken supper.

Well I will close. Hope you all are doing well and that your days are bright and your evenings calm and your nights restful. love you. jk

Jehovah is my Creator, my Rock and my Redeemer. He has given me eyes, to see His creations and ears, to hear the sounds of the birds, animals, waterfalls, rain, voices of friends and loved ones, a heart that loves and a mind that can remember all the good things He has done in my life. He has been with me since i was a little girl and i am still His child. He has led me through the most difficult of times and rejoiced with me in my shining moments. He is the only constant in my life. I want to praise Him and honor Him all the days of my life and obey His commands and dwell with Him forever when He calls me home. He is faithful and has never left me alone or comfortless. His word is true. Blessed be the name of Jehovah.

evidently that post was getting too long and it cut me off and went to "publish" before I was through or had time to edit. oh well.

I plan to be in houston for thanksgiving and i am so excited about that. Ramona will be fixing the meal and she is the best cook. She rivals my mother and grandmother, so i am so looking forward to that. Her family will be there too, and I am excited about that too.

Life is good. God is good and oh so faithful to His people. Blessed be the name of the Lordl


Back to the wedding. Ronnie Wiggins conducted the wedding ceremony and I have never heard such a wonderful ceremony. Ronnie is a long time friend of the Goode famly and he has developed a relationship with every member of the famiy, I think. Maybe not Lyndsey or Valerie, but with the ones that count (Just kidding). Anyway the words he said and the fact that Our Lord was the focus and that the words obviously came from his heart that was full of love for this couple came through loud and clear. Ronnie is a wonderful man. Right now his sister Wilna, is having health problems and I ask that you pray for her health and complete healing. I also ask that you pray for Ronnie. Although he is doing well now, he, too, has health issues with his heart. I want to be on this earth all of the days of my life with Ronnie Wiggins here too. Also, please pray for his wife, Gloria, that she have many good days and realise the blessings in her life. She is loved by her God and her husband. What a blessing.

This is really the end of this post. love to all. jk

Well I made it back to Newburgh in time for Michael jr.'s birthday party. It is the first time I have been with him for his birthday since he was born 9 years ago. I arrived around 4 p.m. The boys all came out and helped me unload the car and carry in my luggage and stuff. Then we had the party and the boys all did their "face down in the cake and take a bite" tradition with Michael's chocolate cake with chocolate icing. This tradition includes the father. They all love it. I did not eat any of the cake and when one sees their grandson, Brendan, getting icing out of his nose, one does not really have an appetite for cake even if one is not trying to eat less food. Then Michael opened gifts. Since my gift had not arrived yet, I gave him a bit of money so he could open something from me. These boys are so much fun. Their daddy read them a story before bed time--actually a chapter out of their book-- and I go in and sit with them until they go to sleep. This is such as sweet time. We always talk way too much before bed and we pray--Brendan and Iare the only ones to pray out loud, but the boys hear me every night thank God for allowing me to be their grandmother and asking Him to help me to be a great grandmother for them and they get to hear me praise Him for all He has done in our lives and in creating this beautiful world. Sometimes Aidan prays, but he usually says something inappropriate that I feel the need to interrupt his prayer and let him know that what he has said should not be said. Anyway, I am unable to really express the beauty of this time of day with my precious grandsons.

This morning Michael went to work at 5:30 for the 6 to 3 shift. I will pick up the boys from school, but Michael will be home for the afternoon activities. I will fix supper, which means that I will have to go to the store since there is absolutely no food in the house. Men! I guess they still think even after they are grown, that "Momma is coming home and she will take care of our nourishment". My work is cut out for me. I think only one load of wash was done while I was gone and I have already put out two washes and the rest of the clothes await me. I am sort of excited to get back in the groove of what I do here. I am feeling more energetic as the days progress. Bit by bit, not leaps and bounds but bit by bit and I am glad for that.

The trip was uneventful. I did not get as far as I had planned on Sunday and stopped short of my goal of getting to Memphis. I didnt even get to Little Rock. I was literally falling asleep at the wheel and it was about 3p.m. So I stopped in Melvern, Ark which is about 30 miles west of Little Rock. Went to bed and slept like a rock and still left later than I had originally planned. I was on the road at 7a.m. I had more energy and when I felt tired I called one of the following: Ramona, who is always great to talk to because she has news about Karsen and Matt and about her school which is winding down to her receiving her degree inDecember from U of H and we all know how frenetic this last semester is and especially for her since she has a precious little boy to take care of and a precious young man who depends on her too. I am speaking of Matthew,of course. Then I was able to speak with Suzy and with the new bride, Mrs. Brian Wick, whom I will continue to call "Catherine" or "CC". Lastly, I spoke with Lyndsey, who is one of the most interesting people I know. She planned this whole wedding in addition to her other two or three jobs she has in NYC. With all of these jobs, she is still poor as a church mouse, but she is living the dream. How she did all of that and pull off the best wedding I have ever attended, I will never know. She is great and somehow has never learned how to say"no" or even "maybe" when asked to help out or plan such a huge event as this. I know Catherine had full confidence that with Lyndsey planning and having a part in this event, that it would be fantastic and a memory to last a lifetime for us all. Lyndsey also created a "blessing" book for cCtherine and presented it to her at the bridesmaids' luncheon at Neiman's in Dallas. At the fantastic evening after-the-wedding party, Lyndsey continued to see that things were flowing smoothly and I dont think this was even her job. She just has the desire to have things go smoothly and i know she didnt want her sister, the bride, to worry about anything, but to just be able to concentrate on having the time of her life. It was the most fun I have had in years and it even rivals riding the 4-wheelers with my sisters and holding the live rattlesnake at Baird. Lyndsey did come over and sit and visit with me and the others who were around and let me hold her feet. She is such a doll and is not only my neice, but, she is my friend. I love you, Lyndsey and I am so proud of how you are able to do such a tremendous amount of things and have them all be A-One, top notch. You were given a double measure of energy and a desire to serve with the gifts you have been given. I love you so much and loved being around you as my friend and watching you in your element. I really dont know how you do it, but the whole famiy is glad you do. I didn't call Vicki because she had to return to her libray substitue job.

It was great to see Suzy & Morton and Becky& Tony w/ Eden and Kelly & Randy w/ Jonathan, Tory and Lael. This week end was full of blessings.

Only one glitch. When I arrived in Houston on Wednesday I held my darling Karsen for just a bit. He felt so good in my arms and my arms had been aching to hold him. Then I was so tired that I lay down for a nap prior to my doctor's appt to get my bloodwork done. Well, when I got to the doctor my throat was hurting and he said I had a throat infection and I needed to stay away from Karsen because I was contagious. He gave me amoxycillan and sent me home. I did not get to hold Karsen again and his parents, especially his father, did not even want me anywhere near him. His mother, when the daddy was gone, did allow me to be in the same room with him. She was probably as nervous as could be, but she is too sweet to tell me to get out. I did not touch Karsen again. That was the only disappointment of the trip. I got a brief visit with Ramona and an even briefer one with Matthew, but brief is better than nothing. I don love that little family

i just now woke up. I was awaken by my own cough. Last night I had thought that I would have been on the road by now, but i am too tired to drive, so i am going to take my amoxicillan and see if the slight head ache i now have will go away. I will lie down for a bit. The conclusion to this brief "matter" is that I am not leaving now, in fact, I may be leaving when the sun is up. Oh well. I do what I do. jk

This will be short because I am tired from all of the activities of the day. This has been a glorious day for our family. My twin sister's daughter, Catherine, married Brian Wick this afternoon and we partied at the recerption and at a big party tonight that is still going on. I left at 10:30 and the dance floor was still filled. I even danced with a young man whom I approached and asked him to dance with me. It was so much fun. I know when I lose enough wieght to where I am more confident on my feet and my knees will support activity from my feet, that I will dance the night away even at 62 years of age. Even Vicki got on the floor when a friend of Brian's grabbed her and danced with her. She was squatting down and rising up while dancing and he twirled her. It was so much fun.

Catherine was a most beautiful bride. Her gown was lovely and she was radiant in it. She had the audience remain seated adndwe all got to see her walked down the aisle by her dad. It was so sweet. She was smiling up a storm and looking at all of the people--and the sanctuary was almost filled--and smiling and mouthing sweet things to them. This wedding ceremony was the best wedding ceremony I have ever heard. It was done by their family friend and minister, Ronnie Wiggins and all of the words he said were geared especially to them and to the strong commitment they were making to each other. It was so beautiful. When he announced that they were man and wife, Catherins just wiggled all over and he said you may kiss the bride and that was so sweet. Catherine was just beaming throughout and Brian looked so happy. Both families atended the after party and they are good people,it was plain to see. We all had such fun together. James led a prayer in the wedding for them right before they were pronounced man and wife. Catherine and Brian had their first dance as man and wife and then Zatherine danced with her dad for a bit and Philip danced with his mother and then with me for a moment. It was so much fun and I am so glad I as able to attend. There is no way it could have been described and made me know even a small bit of what a wonderful day it was.

Morton and Suzy and Andy and Jessica, his girlfriend were at the wedding and the after party. Becky, Tony and Eden as well , Kelly, Randy and Tory, Jonathan and Lael were at the wedding. It was so good to see them. They were unable to stay for the after party.

Next to Catherine, Vicki was the prettiest one there. She is so little and her dress, which consisted of three pieces, beautifully accented her petite frame. She, too, was glowing and she was working right up until the wedding began. What a wonderful day.

I plan to begin my journey back to newburgh, indiana, bright and early tomorrow morning. Right now I am going to bed. God bless Catherine and Brian Wick for all the days of their lives. jk

I have been unable to get my compter to work until this evening with the help of Matthew telling me who to call and what to plug in where. This will be a short post with more to come tomorrow.

Well, i have traveled over 1000 miles since last tuesday when my journey began. I made it to houston on wednesday and went to see my regular doctor for a checkup and blood work and he found that i had a throat infection so he gave me amoxicillan. Consequently i was unable to love on my precious Karen like i had been dreaming of doing. I drove to dallas on thursday evening arriivng at two minutes before midnight, still feeling ill. Today, Friday, I went to the bridesmaid luncheon, but was unable to attend the rehearsal dinner tonight be cause the chills and headache had returned. The wedding is tomorrow and i will attend that as well as a meal at the church at eleven. This is such a happy time. Right now i am still feeling poorly and will go to bed in a minute or two. After all it is 9:46p.m. and way passed my bedtime. I had 46 e-mail messaes to address which I have now completed so tomorrow, i will concentrate on my blog responsibilities, which, as you probably can tell, I adore.

My newest neice, Eden , is beautiful and oh so tiny. She was perfectly behaved today at the uncheon and one of the stars. Catherine Goode is a beautiful beaming bride-to-be and her sisters all looked beautiufl as well, but there is a specialness about a bride as most of us know, I think. It is always fun to be around Lyndsey which is rare since she is living the dream in the theater in NYC. Then, my precious little Veeves, is always a winner with me., She is so beautiful and so much fun and so confident. Like I always wanted to be.

I'm going to take an Aleve and go to bed, Hope you all are doing well. By the way, on wednesday at 2:00p.m. when i entered Houston, I went through rising waters in blinding rains storm as i enteren houston on highway 59. Thank good ness i chose to go 1960 instead of the beltway, because i heard on thursday, that there was great flooding at 59 and the beltway. Oh, life is so good and it felt good to put my sick body in my own bed. love you all. jk

Wish I had a state fair to go to. Aint nuthin happnin here. jk

Michael returned home with the boys around 8p.m. and I was rested and ready to greet them. They went immediately to bed--showers will be in the morning-- and I sat with them as they went to sleep. I believe they had a great time this week end. They are snug in bed right now and I am getting ready to return to bed. Life is good. No clorox wipes today. jk

I think i have opened a whole can of worms by getting on to Facebook. I have more e-mail messages from people i care about than i have time to respond to. So, I am going to bed while it is still day. No problem for me, as you know. After the sun sets and you have had time to relax for the evening, i hope you find sweet rest yourself. love you. jk

I just returned home and my hair, while it is a bit bowl-shaped, is so pretty. I am very pleased. I am having my car washed onMonday morning so my return to Texas will be befitting such a great state as Texas and as great cities as Houston and Dallas. I am so excited about all of this trip.

I just found out yesterday that the apple cider I have been purchasing and drinking in volumes and feeding to my grandchildren at almost every meal thinking it was the same as giving and eating apples is nothing more that liquified apple sugar. Who knew? I really didnt know and i really have been drinking it every day. I have noticed a bit of a tummy forming on my Brendan who is usually shaped like a number 2 pencil and on Aidan too. Michael jr. had started to look thinner because he was making a concentrated effort to eat in a healthy manner. I even saw a bit of growth in his mid-section. Alas, i was feeding them liquid appple-flavored candy drink. Oh well, our apple cider has been tossed and it will no longer appear in our home.

In my discussion of the trip to deliver the boys for their week end with their mother, I failed to mention the ablsolutely gorgeous scenery I passed. Look up "Shoals, Indiana", on the web and you will see, I am confident, the beauty of these scenes IIdrove through. Well, i will close for the third time today and look up Shoals, Indiana, on the web and see what I can find. Have a great day and I love all who read this. I love others too, but you are my favorites. jk

I have arisen for the second time today and now I must get ready to meet the day.
The yard man showed up yesterday evening and "did" the front yard. It actually looks a lot better. He did not stuff the beds with plants so I was sort of disappointed. He did plant three very small bushes that appear to be of the same variety of those really tall bushes that were by Pam and Gail Reese's house that had all of those bag worms. I think these plants will get very large. Of course, the boys can look forward to the bushes getting to be the size that can maintain bagworms. As i recall, the bags were a lot of fun to pull off the tree and squeeze the bag and watch and feel the squshed glob ooze out of the bag. Ah, those were the days. Before tv and all the antimated "bag worm squishing".

The bed by MIchael's window does, in deed, have a darf (my yard man calls it a darf weeping cherry tree. I think he mens a dwarf weeping cherry) weeping cherry. I am really pleased with that. I can see that through the years that this will be a pretty addition to the house. I dont know if i told you the yard man pruned the large weeping cherry in the middle of the front yard and now it is dead as a doornail. It stands now with all of its branches cut off and has the appearance osimilar but not matching those gray metal sculptures. I still like it. It is surrounded by small chrysanthemum plants of varying colors. The darf cherry by the house, is in a small bed also surrounded with burgandy (3) and cherry (2) mum plants. It is really pretty. So, except for the bag worm plants, i am pleased. I had to threaten to get a lawyer on him to get it done. I told him it needed to be done by the end of the day friday, october 10, or he would be speaking to my lawyer (who, by the way, I was willing to hire) for the return of the money i had already paid him. I am pleased that at this point i do not have to hire a lawyer.

I have a 11:15 hair appointment today to get prepared for my wedding activities. My precious hair stylist, i think they call them beauty operators up here in newburgh, has a big job on her hands. The last time the color did not really stick to the gray and so the gray is a bit more prominant and i want it to be red. Oh well, i really do like her. I need to go get presentable and i will post later in the day.

It is a beautiful day again in newburgh. The skies are clear and the windows are open letting in the cool fresh air which mixes with the odor that is eminating from both Zulu and Snowball (honestly it is mostly Zulu's scent) . The dogs are here inside the ouse and they stink greatly so, the definition of "fresh air" is not all it could be. jk

I delivered the boys to their mother last night to Bedford, Indiana, for them to be able toreturn with her to Indianapolis. What a fiasco. She got mad at me, because she is comfortable in chaos and i was the target this time. When she arrived with Troy and his two children to drop them off to his grandmothe, I was told to remain in the car and leave, but i said i would get out of the car and remain until they had left so i could wave good bye to the boys. The entire time the boys were in the car, they wer waving tome, and i to them.They even turned around in the car to wave as the car pulled away.

I have no idea what the topic of their week end will be, but i do know they love their Grammy and their mother, I also know that their mother is saying many untruths about me. I want the boys to be whole and strong emotionally. Pleae pray for them. Please pray for me as i deal with them and with the situation and that i have wisdom to keep my mouth closed when the result may hurt the boys. It is hard for me to be silent when i am being verbally attacked for something i did not do. But the reality is that any words i say only make the situation worse. It is like quick sand. It is difficult to defend against untruths. But i feel if i let the untruths stand , the boys will believe them, so i speak and the quicksand immediately forms and it only hurts the boys to see and/hear the whole mess. I guess i should let the untruths be said and be mute. The only thing about that is that then the boys begin to verbally challenge me on why i "did that" and when i deny it, i hear"so you are saying she is a liar?" and the quicksand quickly envelopes the situation. I do believe they are at the outside edge of maturity that will indicate to them that there is a problem. this realization will hurt them and they will hae to come to grips with this new "truth". I am so sad for them right now. they love their mother so much as all children do and she is putting them in the middle of this turmoil when all they want is a week end of fun with their mother. How in the world will they be able to be successful and productive adults with a proper perspective on what truth is and how to deal with people when it is being modeled to them to believe that only others make mistakes. It is also being modeled to them the skill of manipulating truth and turning situations into chaos of varying degrees to get the focus off of an action that was done by them and have the finger pointing to another as a villain, when no villain is even necessary in reality, but in their world, there must be a villain. I pray for their precious little minds and the spirit within them (not the spiritual spirit, but the "spark" that makes them who they are personality-wise) to be strong and courageous. Please join me in this prayer.

i just woke up and went to the "casa de bana", which is Spanish for "bathroom". It was not really noteworthy. Everything went as planned. I am returning to bed. jk

Ihis morning I went to the school to watch Michael jr. in a school play. Michael sr. was planning to go too, however, I left before he did by about 5 minutes and he was unable to get his van to start. He has been having some battery problems, but thought things were fine. They were obviously not. We are leaving in a bit to take it to the shop. He can't afford another car right now with all his medical bills. He is frustrated because he says he has spent about $7000 on reapirs for the van since this summer.
Michael jr. was so disappionted that his dad didn't get to come, but was so glad to see me. He played the part of the Indain chief that Christopher Columbus met when he landed on American shores. Michael jr. had some very funny lines. He really was great. In fact one mother wanted to take a picture of Michael and her son, Christopher Columbus. I asked her to take a picture of Michael and me and she did. So I may get a memory of this day that I can frame.
Michael sr. has gone to work in the Lexus. His car, as I said above, is in the shop. Tomorrow is a holiday for the boys. It is Yom Kippur and this is a district-wide holiday up here. Tomorrow, i will drive half way and take the children to meet their mother. They will remain with her for the week end and Michael sr. will meet herhalf way on sunday and pick up the boys.



I am still so pumped that I am going to the wedding next week. I did not care for the first lime purse I purchased for the wedding because it was way too big. I plan to return it Saturday, maybe even tomorrow. I purchased a lime "clutch bag" and it is perfect. I hope it doesn't draw too much attention away from the bride. If it does, i will report on mnday night, october 20th when i return. I still have four days until I leave to post. jk

Well, yessterday i did mop the kitchen floor and for about four hours it was spotless. As i mentioned earlier in the post, it was raining in Newburgh and I had to let the dogs out to do their business. Well, evidently when they finished doing their business, they found time to play in the mud and tracked it all over the kitchen floor when they reentered the house. The vomit i worked on my hands and knees to clean, appeared to be gone, but by the afternoonn the spot had returned. So the two great things i felt i had accomplished for the day yesterday were not obvious to anyone who returned from school or work. Oh well. There is always tomorrow ( which was actually today and i didnt do didly today).

I AM GOING TO THE WEDDING. I am so thrilled I cant tell you. Michael came home this afternoon and said the doctor wants to try a modified surgery on his elbow that can be done in the doctor's office first. If this doesnt bring acute feeling back ot his fingers, then he will do the greater surgery. The doctor told Michael, that he was reluctant to reenter Mike's neck with a intebation tube again so soon. He feels that this minor surgery may take care of the problem. If it doesnt, and this doctor has said that if it doesnt fix the fingers, he wants to wait and see if time wont take care of it, Michael said he would get a second opinion to be sure that waiting is ok. He is worried about permanent nonreversable damage if too much waiting occurs. Any way, none of this big surgery will occur next week , so the wedding plans are a "go". I plan to leave here on Tuesday mornng, October 13, and arrive in Houston on Wednesday afternoon. I have a doctor's appt at 5 p.m. I will spend Wednesday night in houston. I have another doctor's appt on Thursday morning at ten o'clock. I will visit with Matthew and Karsen and Ramona, when she gets home from school and then i will head to Dallas where I will spend Thrusday night so i will be able to attend the bride'smaids' luncheon on Friday morning along with the rest of Friday's activities. Then the wedding on Saturday. Oh I am so thrilled. Then I will get up at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning and begin the trek back to Newburgh. I will spend one night on the road and then get into Newburgh sometime Monday, October 20 in the afternoon. It is Michael jr.'s birthday and the first time i have ever been able to share a birthday with him ever. I am excited about that too.

I am really enjoying these boys. We are really having so much fun. Brendan, and especially Aidan, are so funny. Michael jr.is such a sweet heart and oh so loving. Brendan is loving too. One has to catch Aidan to get a kiss or a hug or any physical contact. If Aidan is seeking the contact, he knows how to kiss you right on the mouth before you can even blink. It is always a surprise. Michael sr. and I have had several very interesting conversations about the upcoming election, about how horrible Bush is, and about God (I let him talk---please continue to pray for him. I do sense a softening on his heart. He was really talking about God and how God loves every man the same. He doesnt love the Americans more than the Germans or the French or the Mongolians. Then he said I guess I am talking as if God is real. I may return, but i will still cuss.) I said nothing. When he talks he talks and talks. It is very interesting to learn his thought processes and to see the seeds of change sprout. I dont think I am dreaming this. I do love him and am enjoying the times we find to chat, although they are rare.

I will post more tomorrow, but today was such a good day. I am wedding bound! Great is Thy Faithfulness dear Lord. Thank you. jk

It is overcast and rainy in newburgh today. This morning iIgot the boys off with clear weather and enjoyed our adventure to see if we coud make it to school without Slow Pokes who are just out enjoying the drive getting in front of us on the road. This morning we were the only ones in our lane. Beautiful drive. Brendan is so precious as he gets out of the car to go to the choir rehearsals. We remain outside to watch through the glass doors as Brendan disappears inside the school to put up his backpack and then reappears sans backpack and walks into the choir room with usually a friend. Today there were many children scrambling into the school as we sat outside in our car and watched for Brendan. Mr. Boyer, the choir director, was out in the hall and then moved toward the entrance door, appearing to look at a watch on his wrist. Our Brendan made it just fine. Then Michael and Aidan and I did our usual "sit in the teachers' parking lot and watch teachers arrive as we wait for 7:30 to get here so i can drop them off at another lot for parent drop off. This is always a fun time of us talking and me trying to keep them from yelling "hello" or getting out of the car to run and greet every arriving teacher that they like. They like to sit and name all of the types of cars that drive in. There is one Mercedes and they always say, "Boy, look at the mMrcedes" Aidan continues to desire to see a Masarotti (or however you spell that ) drive up. He also calls a "Mercedes" a "Mersaydee", because we cant convince him that there is an "s" at the end of "Mercedes". I will now forever call it Mercedee if i only see one car.

Michael has gone to his doctor's appointment. He is still struggling with insomnia. He said last night he didnt sleep at all. He has yet to chat with his neurologist about the possibility of surgery, but this talk could occur at any time. I dont know if it will be in a "sit down doctor office visit" or just "on the run" chat at the hospital. I'll let you know. Please pray for him. This is so selfish, but selfish is so like me. I really want to be able to go to my neice's wedding and i cant go if Michael is recovering from surgery or if he is having it prior to october 20 . My plan was to leave newburgh on October 14 and return on October 20. I want to go to this wedding. I want my son to be healthy, but I also want so very much to attend this wedding.

He is off work today and will pick the boys up from school today. So i am going to do some heavy housework today. I call it "heavy" since i dont do any house work in houston. I have already mopped the kitchen floor. I need to clean up some spots on the floor where either Zulu or Snowball vomitted. Aint life grand? I have already sprayed it with "Nature's Miracle", but scrubbing must also occur. Ahhh scubbing! I may clean out the refridgerator today too. I said "may". I'll let you know. It is noon right now. Have you read Ronnie Wiggins blog today? It is great. I think, iff you want to get to read it, one goes to ronniewiggins@blogspot.com. He is maypearl maverick. It is powerful today. Always interesting, but powerful today.
I think I hear the clorox wipes calling.

i went to a funeral this morning. yesterday in church, the minister told us of the death of a 21 year old young military man who had died of a brain anyurism and who was a baptized believer and whose funeral would be today at 11:00a.m. I went to be of some comfort to the mother. This young man was at fort hood when he felt sick and went to bed. the next morning, his buddies took him to the hospital where he later died. His precious mother, whom i met today, has lost another son when he was a toddler. My heart broke for her. I cant imagine this happening twice to someone. I gave her my phone number. Her face was so grief stricken. Jared Scott Arnn had a military guard and letters written by his superior officers. Two of his buddies spoke so lovingly of him, as well as his 5th grade wrestling coach, his sister, his dad and his mother had a letter read about her son. At the end of the service, the army had a roll call. They called out the name of one of Jared's friends, and the young man stood and said "present sir". They called out the name of the second friend, who likewise stood and answered "present, sir". Then they called out "Specialist Jared Arnn". Of course, no response. Again, "Specialist Jared Arnn". A third time, "Specialist Jared Scott Arnn". Then TAPS was played. So heartbreaking, but he was a Christian. A beautiful service. So sad. So glad i went.

i just turned out all of the lights and went to get a final drink before getting in bed. As i walked into the kitchen, there was Snowball, lying on the floor asleep. Now where she was when i went looking about the house for her, i guess i will never know. But i do know now that we all are inside, safe and going to bed. What more can be expected of me than an evening like this?jk

it is 9:21 p.m., and Snowball is still outside and outside the yard. I have not idea when she got out, all i knowis that she is not in the yard or in the house and it is dark outside. My mercy. I am not going outside to look for her. I wouldnt know where to start. I just hope the police dont pick her up and return her to the house. I know the neighbors behind Michael have called the police on her barking before. Where in the world is she? Oh well, the rest of us are either at work, Michael sr., or in bed, the three grandsons, or getting ready to hop into bed, me. Enjoy your evening Snowball and try to keep out of trouble.

it's 4:30 and the 3:00 drop off of the boys has not occured yet as has not the appearance of the yard man. Oh well, at least the whites are oh, so white since i bleached them and the washing machine is going and all of the clothes are put up or sorted that have already been washed and dried. I have two more washes waiting on the floor of the laundry room and one going through the wash cycle and one in the dryer as i write. So life is going on. i took a nap for about two hours or 1 and a half so i feel very rested a ready for the boys.

They just arrived --4:30--ran inside the house with the boxed meals from grandy's that their mother sent with them and now they have gone to the four winds to play with frien, ds while Brendan "dines" with his grandy box in front of the tv. They are so precious and i'm sure i will hear about their week end as they get ready for bed tonight. They will be home at 6 from being with their friends. I'll fix a small supper for them and then our routine will begin again.

Michael works today, monday and wednesday. He is still, based on his knowledge of his injury, thinking that he will have to have surgery. He said today, if his neurologist says surgery is not necessary, that Michael will get a second opinion. I guess the question now is "when?" I want so badly to come to the big wedding. Pray for Michael and for the perfect timing for this surgery, if in fact, it is necessary. jk

Each Sunday, they have different praise teams made up of from five to eight or nine members. Today was all of the praise teams together up on risers like a "chorus", as we would call it. I have told you that the first thirty minutes of the worship is thirty minutes of praising the Lord in song. All this occurs as people are entering the church late and finding their seat. The rest of us are singing as the late arrivers begin singing as they find their seat. The chorus sings, but we sing too. There is a leader who is a part of the praise team and he also plays the piano occassionally and he is the leader of the congregation in singing. Well this morning was wonderful like all sunday mornings, but it seemed especially so this morning. There are two big screens where the words to the songs are displayed as well as scriptures the minister refers to during his sermons. Today at about the third song there was a slight dimming of the lights in the auditorium which made me and "us" focus on the screen where adjectives were being displayed over photographs of the magnificance and beauty of God's creation. Soon one realized these adjectives were all attributes of God. Then the chorus began singing softly "There is no God like Jehovah, There is no God like Jehovah, There is no God like Jehovah" and their voices began to build as the audiencej oined in. Then the chorus swelled as we all sang in our largest praise voices "Here He comes, at the trumpet's sound , Riding in the clouds, Zion's here, Salvations come" i am unable to describe the beauty and the magnificance of this period of worship. Our voices all joining as one in increasing volume singing "There is no God like Jehovah, There is no God like Jehovah" and the chorus with its resounding end of "salvation's come". Talk about having one's focus on our creator and Lord. It feels like a most intimate time with my God, and this even though i am in a crowd of hundreds.

The minister mentioned today about a funeral that is to take place in the church tomorrow at 11:00a.m. for a 21 year old young service man who died, evidently ,nof a brain anyurism, His parents are destraught as one would imagine. I plan to go to that fumeral. My understnding is that that young man was baptized 6 years ago and he, like Mandy, is now with the Lord, however, at this time in their lives, they are lost in sorrow. My heart goes out to them for what they are going through. Please pray for this family. i dont know their name, but i know God does.

It is 11:30a.m. and already this has been such a blessing of a day which our Lord has made. I believe i am already rejoicing in it. How about you?

The boys are returning today around 3 unless their mother changes these plans to a later time or an earlier time. I think i will lie down for a rest in case they are here earlier. Temp here is 73. Beautiful day. i love you all.

By the way, i went online yesterday evening and I purchased two purses for the wedding. One for the bridemaid's luncheon and one for the wedding just in case i decide to wear my mint colored pants suit instead of the lovely white dress and veil. I need to be prepared for either. If i decide to wear the white dress, i will not be carrying a purse. I'm still hoping and praying i will be there. please continue to pray for michael and his situation. jk

it's 8:10 a.m. and i am on my second cup of gavalia coffee made automatically at 6:45a.m., just as programed last night, on my new gavalia coffee maker and I have given the dogs their heart guard medicine for the month as well as their flea & tick medicine for the month. The lady next door had an overnight visitor and he just left looking showered and ready to great the day. I chose not to yell "hello" to him out my bedroom window. I am really making some improvement with my discernment regarding when to use my over-the-top "friendliness with strangers". Do you think i should have at least offered him a cup of my new gavalia coffee made on my new coffee maker with travel mug and 6 cup carraffe, or do you think i did the right thing? I have to get ready to meet with the saints. i will return. jk

so sorry to be posting today, because i added something to yesterday's post that makes me think i am a very entertaining author. Vicki is the only one to comment and she didnt reference the last paragraph that i added after i spoke with my neice, Becky J Brooks, which i think borders on genius. So i think Vicki might not have read the addition i made to the blog. I also think so highly of my posting additions to my blog. literaturely speaking that i cant believe my son, Anony, had not commented either nor any of my other friends. Oh well, life and my postings must go on.


Last night the boys' mother had "promised" to show up between 7 and 8 p.m. but did not show up until 11 p.m. She said she had left their tickets to "Holiday World" at her home in indianapolis, where she lives, and she had to turn around after driving for 45 minutes and return to indainapolis to get them. She was traveling with her special friend, Troy, and his two children, Garret, 10, and his daughter Gabrielle,7. These two children have been in the custody of their father, troy, after his divorce from their mother some time ago. About a monthe ago, their mother was killed in a medical helicopter crashhe boys mother, karen, has been heavily involved in these chidren's lives before, during and since her death occurred. My grandsons really like both Garret and Gabrielle. So, many week ends involving time with their mother are shared with troy, Garret and Gabrielle. They are all planning to go to Holiday World. Holiday World is a very big deal here in Indaina. I believe it is a waterpark with many other fun things for a family to participate in. This is the third time they have thought they were going to holiday world since i have been here this sumer. Someting has always come up including one time when it was raining, one time their mother woke up sick and the plans have been thwarted. However, i really believe they will make it this time. Karen plans to bring the boys back on sunday afternoon at 3.

Mike will be working on sunday and monday and then he is off, i believe unless he has to pull some more shifts. Also the possibiity of surgery looms. I so hope he does not have to have surgery. I do hope his condition is one that can be treated and cured, however, i so want to go to my neice, Catherine Goode, and Brian Wick's wedding that is to take place on saturday, october 18. I had my nails done this week in preparation for the wedding activities. I plan to have my hair done this coming saturday. I already have my white dress. i am trying to decide whether to wear a veil or not. You see, Mandy Kelley told me that she would let walk down the aisle 'last'' at her wedding snce i never had a big weding for myself. I know how much Catherine loves Mandy and i am certain Catherine would want to play a role in making Mandy's promise become reality. At least i always thought of it as a "promise". Oh well, we will see how it all works out on october 18. Wearing the white dress with or without a veil will not be the same if i have to do it up here in newburgh rather than down the aisle at prestoncrest church of christ.

Well, last night the precious boys were so tired and waiting for their mother. I understand that things like this occur in everyone's lives. It just seems sadder to me when the children are in a "diovrce" situation. But, this is their life and they seem to be going with the flow. Please pray for them. They love their mother and are working on accepting that they see her and share her with Troy and his children. They are excited about going to live with her in indianapolis at the end of their christmas break. I am wondering if that really will occur. If Karen will still be financially able to afford the care she will need to provide for the kids as she works. Troy appears to be a good man and Karen has noticed this.

I know these boys are happy here in newburgh and are really enjoying being around their daddy so much. One of the first things i did when i got here and they were in Scotland, was to toss their huge, and i do mean huge, "poof chair" in the trash. Now i realize how important that chair was to their life. That poof chair was big enough to hold all three boys and their daddy and this was where they read their night-time stories with the boys piled on their daddy's back and this is where they "hung" out as a family of men. All i knew when i tossed it, was that is stunk and smelled like a dog. I had had the dogs professionally groomed while they were in Scotland and did not want the dogs to get all "stunk up" again by lying on that poof chair. They really miss the role that poof chair played in their lives as a family-time gathering place. Michael has ordered another one. I will periodically spray this one with Fabreze and try to keep the dogs bathed regualarly.

Anyway the boys were so glad when their mother came to get them. She did not come to the door, but when we saw her car lights, we sent the boys out to her. I hope they enjoy thier time with her. Their plan was to spend the night at the home in Key Stone subdivsion (where they catch the bus each morning) and then go to holiday world today. Karen dropped off troy, garret, and gabrielle at the key stone house prior to coming to newburgh to get the boys. I am sure the boys enjoyed the alone time with her on that drive to key stone subdivision.


You remember how excited i was about the promised activities that were to tke place in the front yard over here on Pleasenat Valley Court, well those activities have not begun yet and so i think that my yard man must be planning an "afternoon planting". I will probably see it all when i return from the market. I cant wait.


Speaking of the dogs. Zulu always lies down by wherever i happen to be. At night she is lying at the foot of the my bed or in the doorway. When i get up to go to the bathroom in the night she lies right outside the door. It is really so sweet. She loves me. I think Snowball loves me too, but Zulu always nudges Snowball away whenever Snowball tries to come around me when Zulu is near. Life is good in newburgh and i hope it is good where you are too. jk

what a day this has been, what a great mood i'm in, why, it's almost like being in......wait a minute, where am i? I'm still in newburgh. And this aint like being in love. However, it does have its good and bright side. this morning Michael could not get the van to start at 5;30a.m. when he needed to get to work, so he woke me up , along with the boys and told us the delima and to get in the lexus fast so we could get him to work. We got him there on time and the boys, dressed in underwear and one in p.j. bottoms only, immediately saud "i'need to go to the bathroom really really bad! There was no time for me to think so we drove across the street in the simi dark of the morning and i let them go outside the car in some shrubs surrounding a parking lot. I cant believe i did that, but i was not absolutely certain that they would not just go in the car since they had all said, almost in unison, that they had to go BADDD.

When we went to pick up Michael this afternoon, we went to check on the shrubs to see if they killed the little things by their morning activities and sure enough, the shrubs appear to be thriving. We went through McDonalds, another traumatic event for them since they were barely dressed. They all hid in the floor of the back seat when i went through the drive thru. They are so cute and so funny. Man, are we making the memories.

Today Aidan brought home his first 100 on a spelling test. I think i told you that i didnt think Aidan was taking school seriously but this week we actually studied for spelling by taking a pretest on wednesday. He even got an extra point for spelling "ostrich". He was so proud and the paper is now on the refridgerator.

No workers showed up today. I am really excited though. Remember that the yard man told me he would have the front yard landscaped by either this friday(today) or tomorrow, saturday. Well, somethign must have held him up today, because it is 5:35 p.m. and he hasnt made it by today, so that must mean he has it all planned for tomorrow. I am almost giddy with anticipation.


The boys mother will come get them tonight around 8:30 and return them on sunday around 3 p.m. I know they will enjoy being with her and i will have a rest. Michael will be working sat, sun and mon , then he will be off. He has not heard form the neurologist yet. I will write about what ever that decision is. I am still hoping strongly that i will be down and then up to Dallas for the wedding. and the "side trip" to my home in houston to see my little Karsen and matt and ramona, and of course, Flash, the dog.

Tonight i am fixing sausage and biscuits for dinner, since i am feeling they will eq4t something with their other when they get with her. Brendan just came in my room and said in his most dramatic manner, "when are you going to start cooking dinner?" then moaning like a real starving child. I do love the drama of these kids. will write more tomorrow. I must get to the kitchen. jk

Speaking of people i love, Becky Brooks just called me and we chatted for about 10 minutes or so. She spoke of her three children and of Sam's and the fact that Sam's son, Caleb, who is about 5 days old, could eat her little Eden, who is about 4 weeks old. Then she spoke of the upcoming wedding (Catherine Goode and Brian Wick) and our desire to be there for that event. then she spoke of Matthew and Ramona and Karsen, which meant the world to me. thank you, Becky, for the late night call and thank you Suzy for having Becky and thank you Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone and thank you bill Gates for whatever you did to help this communication. Hey, this feeling i am feeling right now is , well to be honest, it's almost like being in love.

Michael had the procedure/test at the hospital today and the preliminary results look as if surgery will be needed, however, Michael said he will wait until after his neurologist has an opportunity to view the test results and at that point Michael will know the course of action. to be taken He is still hoping for no surgery, but rsather treatment of some other type. I will let you know when i know. Michael doesnt talk to me as much as i want him to about this situation. Oh, well.

Our drive to school this morning was as delightful as ever. I enjoy our car conversations so much and our partings are so sweet as Brendan always gives a kiss, Michael jr. rushes away as if he arrived alone and Aidan always turns around at the door and waves. They are such precious boys. We got home and i helped Aidan with his homework and Michael sr helped Brendan and Michael jr. Brendan and Michael make 100s or As on everythiing they do. Aidan doesnt take the same care at all. I think he thinks this is a game he would rather not play. He rushes through his work regularly and , oh well, i try to convince him to do his best, but alas. They dont get a report card until 9 weeks has passed. Aidan said his teacher wore her new bracelet from him again today. The school is having a fund raiser and part of the fund raising is to auction off themed baskets from each homeroom. Aidan's homeroom gift basket is a "spa" themed gift basket. He is embarrassed to have a "girl" themed gift basket. Today, i sent our contribution to the basket which i purchased from walgreens and sent it with him in a plastic bag. Aidan said he was too embarrassed to take the spa contribution to the teacher. My mercy, I am confident he will get up the strength tomorrow. That little Aidan does have strong opinions and as my mother used to say about me, "he may be wrong, but he is never in doubt". Actually that describes Michael jr. more that anyone. Brendan is so eager to please and ask forgiveness, but he is very good as arguing his point. i have established a new rule, which is simply "Obey Grammy" and this has created a very loving relationship and i am not giving my lectures. I merely say, "obey Grammy" and that settles it. Michael sr gave me this suggestion for peace. It works and life is good.

Tonight i am going to try to get by with heating up some popcorn chicken i purchased at the market, and some broccolli, carrots and tomatoes and possible some canned asparagus, which i am confidnet they will want to up-chuck. We will have applesauce for dessert and a popcicle.

I cant tell you all how much i miss being able to call my sister, vicki, every day at any time i want. She continues to work as a library substitute at her local school and somehow she doesnt feel it is appropriate for her to make and/or take personal calls while she is on the clock.

I have a headache sort of, it just went away. I am tired. Today was a clean up the house and laundry day. Actually every day is a laundry day. tomorrow is ladies Bible class. I have missed the last three times and i plan to go tomorrow. I hope i really do go.

No workers showed up today. Peaceful. jk