Sat/Sun: April 24-25, 2010: Yes.....it IS raining...finally!!!!

Sat.......do you really want a report on yesterday's weather here in SE Missouri??? If you have heard any news you know that we have had storms, lots of rain, and some unfortunate wind storms, albeit where we live NO tornadoes. And.....that is just fine with all of us. Since our inland hurricane last May 8th, our town has erected more towers with warning sirens on them....and there is one just a block and a half from the sticknbrick. GREAT!!!!!! At least in our well insulated bedroom we will be able to hear it if we ever have another storm such as that horrific, expensive and unusual storm.

We left to go to Cape G about 9am......and our first stop was at the Target store where we purchased the bicycle...21 speed....that Rachel had decided that she liked. From there, we took it to their home and surprised her with it.....perhaps!!?? HAHA....she is 12 years old now, or will be this week....and you can't keep a secret like that from a granddaughter that makes straight A's every quarter/semester! We had a nice visit with Becky and her.....and then we went to the Cape mall where the Lenscrafter store is located.

For the next two hours we debated, discussed, tried on, discussed, and finally the 1st Lady and I each made decisions as to new frames for our new glasses, which we both desperately need. She ordered transition, progressive lenses.....and I ordered two pair....the second pair being prescription sunglasses. As I have been told several times, including yesterday at the store, the transition glasses do no good in a car because of the UV blocker on the front windshields of the newer vehicles.....and since I drive most of the time, I really need some good sun blockers, as I am already getting cataract on my right eye.

The glasses may take up to two weeks......soooo, hopefully we will be able to get any adjustments made prior to leaving for Edmonton the end of May. I was taken back just a bit by the final price tag for the three pairs of glasses......$1200 plus.....UGH!!!!!! And, that price was with a couple of 30% discounts.....DAMN!!!!! Glasses sure do come with hefty price tags........how DO some people afford them????? WOW!!!!!

We did some more shopping...and then spent the afternoon visiting Mike.....returning home about 9pm last night.....and a bit fatigued, to say the least..........

SUNDAY........Terrible tornadoes down in Mississippi yesterday.....whew!!!!! Living here in Tornado Alley, we never know when that could happen to us........and what happened yesterday is sooooo much worse than what happened to us last May.

Today.....a WINDY, misty, drizzling day......a day to just stay inside and look out the windows. I read, wrote, thought, watched some tv, read, slept, thought, and watched some more tv. Damn exciting, it was.......not! The 1st Lady did make a great pasta late this afternoon......linguine with clams, fresh basil, garlic, and lemon sauce......really quite tasty.....and accompanied by some great wine! A nice way to end the gloomy day........

As you see.......today was not an active day.........but, I believe we all have to have these kind of days from time to time...........don't we???? Don't you??? We did get a call from Jay(Jeremy) as he was driving back to Columbus, OH from Cleveland where he had had a meeting. Anne-marie had flown down to Mobile, AL for the weekend.....I believe he said she had a wedding to attend there. He did say that their furniture had arrived via a moving company from Hartford, CT......soooo, he was glad of that!!! I told him we would run over there in the near future for a few days........anxious to see where they are living there in Columbus.

We will be going to Washington, MO to see Meghan's spring music program at her school on Thursday evening. With Ava's birthday party this coming Saturday, we will remain there for that celebration. Rachel's BD party was yesterday afternoon......a "cooking party"....as her guests were going to make cupcakes and a couple of other items, I think. Sounds like great fun.

We are planning to run up to Iowa City, Iowa, a week from tomorrow as on Tuesday of that week, Rachel's percussion group that she performs with will be doing a program at some concert hall at the University of Iowa.....and we don't want to miss that!!!! Should be great fun.....and I haven't been on the campus in years and years. Really great for sixth graders to be able to make a trip like that.......I'm impressed!!!!

And soooooo, we add plans for travel, and we modify others.......but, we are always looking forward to where the road...and airplanes....will take us!!!! We received some disturbing and sad news from one couple, friends of ours from the RGV. He has had throat cancer, been battling that for almost a year.......and while that tumor is no longer there, he now has been told that cancer is in his liver, adrenal glands, and some lymph nodes........really, really not good news!!!! As much as they are BIG optimists, I think this news has hit them below the belt.....they just weren't expecting this news from the Dr.s in Houston, TX........none of us were!!!! As I always, always say when someone asks me how I am doing: I am just fine, as far as I know.....since I have NO idea what is happening inside this aging and evolving body of mine. And....that is soooooo true!!!!

LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!! REALLY, I do!