Teachlady

Yikes, Suzie... I only had one psych evaluation appointment. And my insurance paid for it. Can't imagine having to go 10 times!!! Well, we picked up the grandkids at 9 and were back at Kris's house by 1 p.m. The kids are spending the night with them tonight and will be here all day and night tomorrow. I really see a huge difference between Amelia and Ethan. Amelia is exactly 6 months younger than Ethan, yet she seems so much more advanced. She's singing songs, talking, imitating everything we say, Ethan talks all the time, but we can't understand any of it. They will all be together here tomorrow. I hope Joe sees the difference. I just know Ethan should be checked out to make sure he's on schedule with everything. I'm mentioned it before, but they don't act on it. Maybe I'm hypersensitive, but it sure seems like Ethan should be doing more than he is. Course he is one heck of an athlete! I've been up since 4:30 this morning so I'm going to head to bed pretty soon. Everyone have a good evening. Sleep well.

It is extremely unfair of you to assume that if we didn't have any pain that we must be on heavy drugs or lying. I did not have any pain at all after surgery except for an occasional pull in the port area incision. I was up walking hours after surgery and never had any gas pains. My DH had the gas pains, but we traveled to Canada two days after surgery and he did just fine. Everyone's experience is different. I certainly have never head of anyone standing up during surgery, but I certainly would never say that it's a lie.

Gooooooooooooood morning, Violets!! It's 5:34 a.m. here and I've been up for an hour already. I'm showered and spiffed up and ready to hit the road to get the grandkids. The Bobster has a funeral tomorrow so he has to be back at the funeral home this evening. It's gonna be a really long day for him. We should be back at Kris's by 1ish and back here by 3. Then I need to make the deviled eggs and baked beans for tomorrow's cookout. And also chocolate mousse for our fellowship time after church on Sunday. Everyone have a great day. Catch you all later!!

I'm headed to bed super early tonight. We have to be up and on the road by 6 a.m. to pick up the grandkids 3 hours away. Will catch up when we get back tomorrow night. Everyone have a great evening! Sleep well...

Just received this email and thought I'd share.. and NO, it didn't hit close to home!! DEAR DIARY . DAY ONE I am all packed and ready to get on the cruise ship. I've packed all my pretty dresses and make-up. I'm really excited. ______________________________________________________ DEAR DIARY . DAY TWO We spent the entire day at sea. It was beautiful and we s aw some whales and dolphins. What a wonderful vacation this has started to be. I met the Captain today and he seems like a very nice man. ______________________________________________________ DEAR DIARY DAY THREE I spent some time in the pool today. I also did some shuffle boarding and hit some golf balls off the deck. The Captain invited me to join him at his table for dinner. I felt honored and we had a wonderful time. He is a very attractive and attentive gentleman. _____________________________________________________ DEAR DIARY . DAY FOUR Went to the ship's casino & did OK ... won about $80. The Captain invited me to have dinner with him in his state room. We had a luxurious meal complete with caviar and champagne. He asked me to stay the night but I declined. I told him there was no way I could be unfaithful to my husband. ______________________________________________________ DEAR DIARY .. DAY FIVE Went back to the pool today and got a little sunburned. I decided to go to the piano bar and pub & spend the rest of the day inside. The Captain saw me and bought me a couple of drinks. He really is a charming gentleman. He again asked me to visit him for the night and again I declined. He told me that if I didn't let him have his way wi th me he would sink the ship. I was appalled. ______________________________________________________ DEAR DIARY . DAY SIX I saved 1600 lives today... Twice.

As a retired kindergarten teacher, I gotta tell ya, there were more tears from moms than from kids on the first day. Second day is rougher on the kids. That's when my rocking chair got a good workout! But after the first week or so the kids are settled into a routine and it's great. The last few months of school were the best cause you could see how far the kids had come in all areas. I miss those days. but I love cruisin'!!!

Great picture!! Robby looks ready to go! Ahhhhhhhh I remember those days.

Good afternoon, Violets.. Well, I must have been stressed, cause when I left the church and took a swig of my Crystal Light, it went down verrrrrrrry slowly. I'm home now and the pastor's concern was our "relationship". Says he thinks it's a bit "tense". Welllllllllll the background is. Bob was there for 19 years. He had a wonderful ministry there, but felt it was time for someone with new ideas and vision and energy to take over, so he retired and then got a little church out in the country. He built that little church up from 20 worshiping on a Sunday to over 70 now. I know I'm prejudiced, bu tBob really is a warm, loving pastor who delivers sermons that are down to earth and give you lots to think about and carry you through for the week. Now.. in comes Pastor Tom. He is a wisp of a guy (unlike teddy bear Bob), very self centered, not much experience and thinks he can handle a big church. WRONG. He's been here 4 years and is yet to call on all the people of the church. He's lost many members and we don't even get visitors much anymore. His sermons are well thought out and very poorly delivered. He has come up with nothing new, no energy, no innovations.. nuthin. I could go on and on, but I'm the former Pastor's wife and don't feel I have the right to make comparisons. Welllllll during the last annual meeting, Pastor Tom gave a report on his "vision" for the church. It was just words and nothing concrete. I spoke up and said as an educator, when I had to have a written goal, I also had to have objectives to go with it. How was I going to get to that goal? I asked for his goal and objectives. Mind you, this is 4 years after he has arrived. And we are yet to get his vision for the church and where he hopes it will be, say 5 years down the line. And today, 8 months after the annual meeting, he tells me that I sounded "sharp". DUH!!!! I had also offered to proofread his newsletter articles for him since they were sooooooo badly written as far as grammar. I just offered my assistance, told him I proofread Bob's all the time and it's just in my nature that I believe that if something comes from a professional and is published, then it ought to look professional!! I made that suggestion 3 months ago and he just today said he'd take me up on the offer. That's about his speed in following up on things. I really don't like the guy and it's not because Bob isn't there anymore. It's just his personality and his way of doing things that bugs me. He would make a great Hospice chaplain, but he's just not cut out to handle a big church. I could go on and on about him, but I think you get the gist of the idea. Tension is the operative word. I also laid the groundwork for me not to be directing the choir anymore. I said after Bob leaves his little church in December, that he might take an interim somewhere and I would want to be with him. Unfortunately the choir is the most alive part of the church here. When I left the year Bob retired, it just went into limbo. When I retired from teaching, they asked if I would come back and I did. I've directed it for 23 years now and love it, but unfortunately it's the only reason I'm going to that church now. It certainly isn't because I feel spiritually filled from the sermons........... Ok.. gotta stop that rant and rave now. Calm down..... breathe..............there. I'm also reading the Shrink book. It's going to be slow reading for me cause it ain't as exciting as a James Patterson book, but I will try to make it through. We're headed to HOme Depot to pick up some plants for a planter and the baseboard. The guy is coming to start it on Tuesday... wooo hoooooo! I'll have a finished house by the time the choir party rolls around next Saturday. Everyone have a great afternoon!!! BBL

Good Morning, Violets.. Yep, PamELa, had a pretty good day yesterday. Got my hair cut and colored and bought a new picture for outside... you know the old windows that have been painted with flowers? Got another one to put on my fence. It looks really nice. We worked on the boat a little bit and then we went out to dinner last night. I watched Olympics, did some work on the computer and then headed to bed nice and early. Tonight I have to go to bed really early as we have to be on the road by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow to go pick up three grandkids to come spend the weekend with us. Should be fun, fun, fun!!! Just hope Amelia, 20 months, will be ok away from her parents for three whole days! They are going to spend the night with Kris and Nathan on Friday, and then with us on Saturday. Hopefully the pool will be warm enough for them to swim in. Son Joshua said.. "you've got a pool and a Wii. You won't even see them this weekend!!" Today I have a nail appointment at 10 and then the Pastor wants to have a talk with me at 11. I don't know what it's about, so that should be interesting. This is the Pastor that followed the Bobster. Right now the Bobster is a saint in the congregation's eys and the new guy is way below that. Personally, I have a hard time with him too. He's just so aloof and full of himself. We've lost lots and lots of people since his arrival. Oh well... my choir is still intact, so I'm thankful for that. I'm off to get ready for my appointments. Everyone have a great day!! BBL.........

Tracy, I echo all the other compliments. Your hair cut is beautiful. Makes you look sophisticated and elegant.. and a healthy dollop of sassy!!! Sheri... congrats on the -80# What an accomplishment!!! You gotta be proud. And do you have yorkies??? If so, we have something else in common!! Chippy and Kirby are my babies!

Good Morning, Violets.. Lazy day for me today. I have a hair appointment at 2:30 and that's it for the day. I plan on spending time in the back yard soaking up some sun and gazing at my flowers and planning the next flowerbed!! Got to get some wiifit in too, of course. Everyone have a good one!!

Ok.. I can get a flight from Detroit to San Antonio that arrives at 11:20 a.m. on the 26th and leaves at 4:15 on the 29th.. Shall I book it?? hehehehe

TracyinKS... Mad Props on your NSV!!! (I just learned those words!!) You've done sooo well. Now, keep yourself, Robbie and your happiness foremost in your mind. Big Hugs to you for what you're going through. I'm off to a PMS luncheon. Catch ya all later this afternoon!!

Ok guys.. I know this sounds really silly and boring, but can't we do Gruene and San Antonio again?? Are we looking for the adventure/location or the company?? I LOVED Gruene and I didn't get enough time to shop in San Antonio. And I'd promise to get in before the first day was over next time!!!! Just a thought..

June 26-29 works great for me.

Ok.. looks like the 26 - 29 works better for PamELa.. Does that work for everyone else?? If we narrow the date down, then we can start looking at where and how.

12-15 or 26-29... Either one of those will work for me.

I can do any time in June EXCEPT for the week of the 21st. That's our 40th anniversary and my birthday after that on the 24th, (right, Suzie??) and the Bobster has issued an ultimatum. NO being away for those two occasions. So the week of the 14th would be fine for me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MACY!!!!!

Ok.. just up from my nap and there was an email waiting for me. She's decided they'll work for Menopause in late July so June is a go for me!!! And I'm easy too. Anywhere is fine with me. Suzie.. how far are you willing to drive?? Terry.. we usually cruise out of Port Canaveral or Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Only once out of Miami and I said never again!! It's a total zoo there!!

Good afternoon, Violets.. We're back from church. The picnic was inside since it's still cold and raining here. It was still nice. It was announced at church today that the Bobster will be leaving them as pastor as of Dec. 31. He's been there 5 years and has someone to take his place and he's done what he promised he would do so it's a good feeling. The lady that told me about lap band surgery was there. She looks soooooooooo good. She's lost 90 pounds and was banded a few weeks after me. I felt motivated again to be like her so we'll see how that works! As for the Violets trip. June is a slight problem for me. I've been asked to be in Menopause, the Musical the end of June so that would mean rehearsals all of June. I don't have a definite committment from the director yet, and she doesn't even know if she can get the rights for the production yet. I'm going to email her and tell her about the Violets and the trip and see what she says. I don't want to put my life on hold waiting for her and then find out they couldn't get the rights to it. I'll email right now and see if I can get an answer soon. Going to go take a nap since it's perfect sleeping weather here today. Laura... I saw part of one episode of New York goes to Hollywood. She is such a ditz!!! And I knew about her and Tailor Made breaking up. Did you know that one of the guys from the last season is going with Jennifur Hudson now? His name on the show was Punk. He's cute, muscular and a lawyer. Too smart actually, to be on that show. Course a rock is too smart to be on that show!

Good morning, Violets.. I got a good night's sleep last night so I'm up early today. I've already let the garage dog out to do her business and I've weighed in on wiifit. Still haven't lost a pound. I'm getting frustrated here, but am NOT giving up!! We're going to the Bobster's church today. They're having a picnic afterwards. There is another bandster there so we'll be keeping an eye on each other, I'm sure! Nothing planned for this afternoon. It's cold and rainy here right now. If it warms up I hope to get in the backyard and plant some mums I got yesterday. Walmart got some nice, full ones in yesterday. Doesn't seem possible that it's almost fall already. Where the heck did the summer go?? OH!! on the Bobby Flay throw down on food network yesterday they did puffy tacos.. in San Antonio!!! I kept saying to Bob.. I've been there.. I saw that.. I rode that boat. It was soooooooooo kewl!! Can't wait to see what we plan for next year! Just hope I've lost a couple of pounds by then.. sheeeeeeeesh!! Gotta go jump in the shower and get ready for church. Everyone have a great day!!

Well, I wondered why you hadn't posted this morning, Tracy. It's so dang quiet on the weekends in here. Got my chocolate mousse made for the picnic tomorrow. It's dang cold here.. 55 degrees and rain, rain, rain today. I'm going to go watch some tv, read some tabloids and then head to bed. Everyone have a good night. Sleep well.

Nope.. Hubby and I go to Port Huron for our fills. Long trip, but that's where we had surgery and feel the most comfortable. I formed a support group here in Alpena since Port Huron is too far to go for group meetings. We've had as many as 17 at one time. Today we had 8. Two will be having surgery at Barix in Ypsilanti and one at Traverse City the end of this month and one at Port Huron in October or sooner.

Good afternoon, Violets.. Michelle.. hope you're making a fortune with your sale items. Kat...sounds like Kinsey could do a better job of painting!!! What a shame.. Good luck with the picture. It sounds really cute! PamELA... thanks for the postcard!!! What a treat to hear from my roomie for no special reason.. just because. You made my day! We had our lapband support group meeting today. We had 8.. 4 newbies and 4 oldies, but goodies. It was a great meeting and always inspires me. Three of the newbies have their surgeries scheduled and one is waiting on a surgery date. When I woke up this morning I looked out the bedroom window and saw that it had rained. I didn't hear anything from Jetta, the storm paranoid garage dog, so I thought things were ok. But when I opened up the door to the garage... she had chewed off one side of the new wood trim. She couldn't chew the door since it's steel, but she destroyed one side of trim. I knew that would happen, but we sure didn't hear a thing last night and the yorkies didn't make a fuss to let us know Jetta was chewing on the door. Soooooooooo we'll have to replace the trim and figure out what to do next. Thank goodness we left her in the house when we went to the support meeting. It stormed on the way home with thunder and lightning and she would have ripped more off the door trim had she not been in the house. She's sleeping on the floor beside me right now, all innocent and pure. But I know the TRUE Jetta.. arghhhhhhhh Good thing we're animal lovers or she'd be gone one way or another by now. Well, I'm stuck in the house today. Raining, so I can't go out in the yard. Laundry is done, house is clean. Bobster is off doing a funeral and won't be home til dinner. Then I have to get the stuff to make chocolate mousse for the church picnic tomorrow. I'm thinking a nap pretty soon will be in order. After I do the wii fit of course. Everyone have a good day!! I'm bummed about John Edwards........ he SO disappointed me. And then Bernie Mac died. Not a good weekend in some aspects.. Wooo hoooo the sun just came out. Might be a nice day after all!! BBL....

I'm on the Sunrise side... Alpena!