Thursday, July 06, 2006
GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEAH!!!! Justin won the Gold in his division of the Long Jump this afternoon!!!!!!!!! With 13 family members screaming and yelling, along with many, many other Missouri spectators, Justin's third jump of 4.3 meters won the gold for him...and Missouri!!! Exciting???? Hell yes, it was exciting. And, I don't think there was a dry eye in the family contingent......or at least I couldn't see any because of the tears rolling down my face. He had worked sooooo hard and this was his last chance to get a gold.......and he did it!! This was a moment that I will never forget.......one of the things that a person never forgets......EVER!
It started off with not having any coffee in the room this morning.....and so I ran down and brought some back up to the room to have while I checked out the news and emails as the others readied themselves for the day at the track. Breakfast was hurried with no time for coffee on the patio......as we had to be at the track by 8:30 this morning. The Relay team ran this morning and the guys didn't get a medal even though they ran really, really well. Just three better teams than they were this morning.
The 1st Lady and I caught a ride back to the GrandStay Suites later in the morning and got the truck for the remainder of the day. We returned rather quickly as Justin's long jump was to begin at 1pm.......which it didn't! It was finally 1:30 when the jumps began and then they progressed quickly.....and as I stated above, it was exciting and emotional!!! Worth WAY MORE than what the trip and week here in Ames, Iowa, have cost.........there is NO way you can put any kind of dollar amount on a day like today.
After the Awards Ceremonies, the 1st Lady and I decided to go get a bite or two to eat at the Dutch Pastry......a place we have been eyeballing since we arrived last weekend. Well, it was excellent. We purchased two "Dutch Letters"......had no idea what these were when we read the signs outside the shop. They are pastries filled with an almond filling and very, very flaky and yet a bit crusty, and covered with some sugar. DELICIOUS!!!! We picked them up, I bought a coffee, and we headed to one of the city parks where our great nephew was working on his skate board techniques at a skate board area that was really well designed and an outstanding facility to use for free by anyone!! We watched him enjoying himself and showing us what he could do......and it was a very pleasant place in the cool green park to eat and relax......far, far away from the maddening crowds of thousands at the Olympic venues.
While there I received a cell phone call from the manager of the GrandStay Residential Suites here in Ames, Iowa. This morning, my frustrations got the better of me with lack of complete services at the breakfast room, lack of the provided (or supposed to be...) coffee in our kitchen, lack of the proper number of towels delivered to our room, and the under staffing of the entire hotel.......and so I wrote to Customer Support at the provided email address on their website and sent an email enumerating my concerns and complaints to what I assume was the corporate offices. Hence......the phone call.......
And.....our conversation continued for close to 10 minutes as the manager explained to me the ongoing problems with ill staff, no coffee cups in the breakfast room off of the lobby, etc., etc., etc. I accepted his apologies as I do understand that there can be difficulties operating a hotel......however, we are paying a large sum for these rooms and these services should be provided with no problems OR interruptions. As all of you realize, I travel extensively both across the country and around the world....OFTEN......and so I have experienced many, many hotels and what they have to offer. Last year alone, I spent a total of just over 10 weeks in various hotels, so I do have experience at knowing just what services are to be provided when I book a room(s). This is a nice facility.......but the little glitches must be worked out and resolved if the people who stay here are to become repeat customers. As I have always told my students, "Excuses are for losers........Solutions are for those who will succeed"!! Would I stay here again???? On this question, the jury is still out. (Clean towels were delivered in the proper quantity today, however........the ONLY coffee left for our coffee maker was....DECAF!!!! UGH!!!!)
And so, without being negative on a GRAND DAY......a GOLD DAY......as always....
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!! CONGRATS, JUSTIN!!!
It started off with not having any coffee in the room this morning.....and so I ran down and brought some back up to the room to have while I checked out the news and emails as the others readied themselves for the day at the track. Breakfast was hurried with no time for coffee on the patio......as we had to be at the track by 8:30 this morning. The Relay team ran this morning and the guys didn't get a medal even though they ran really, really well. Just three better teams than they were this morning.
The 1st Lady and I caught a ride back to the GrandStay Suites later in the morning and got the truck for the remainder of the day. We returned rather quickly as Justin's long jump was to begin at 1pm.......which it didn't! It was finally 1:30 when the jumps began and then they progressed quickly.....and as I stated above, it was exciting and emotional!!! Worth WAY MORE than what the trip and week here in Ames, Iowa, have cost.........there is NO way you can put any kind of dollar amount on a day like today.
After the Awards Ceremonies, the 1st Lady and I decided to go get a bite or two to eat at the Dutch Pastry......a place we have been eyeballing since we arrived last weekend. Well, it was excellent. We purchased two "Dutch Letters"......had no idea what these were when we read the signs outside the shop. They are pastries filled with an almond filling and very, very flaky and yet a bit crusty, and covered with some sugar. DELICIOUS!!!! We picked them up, I bought a coffee, and we headed to one of the city parks where our great nephew was working on his skate board techniques at a skate board area that was really well designed and an outstanding facility to use for free by anyone!! We watched him enjoying himself and showing us what he could do......and it was a very pleasant place in the cool green park to eat and relax......far, far away from the maddening crowds of thousands at the Olympic venues.
While there I received a cell phone call from the manager of the GrandStay Residential Suites here in Ames, Iowa. This morning, my frustrations got the better of me with lack of complete services at the breakfast room, lack of the provided (or supposed to be...) coffee in our kitchen, lack of the proper number of towels delivered to our room, and the under staffing of the entire hotel.......and so I wrote to Customer Support at the provided email address on their website and sent an email enumerating my concerns and complaints to what I assume was the corporate offices. Hence......the phone call.......
And.....our conversation continued for close to 10 minutes as the manager explained to me the ongoing problems with ill staff, no coffee cups in the breakfast room off of the lobby, etc., etc., etc. I accepted his apologies as I do understand that there can be difficulties operating a hotel......however, we are paying a large sum for these rooms and these services should be provided with no problems OR interruptions. As all of you realize, I travel extensively both across the country and around the world....OFTEN......and so I have experienced many, many hotels and what they have to offer. Last year alone, I spent a total of just over 10 weeks in various hotels, so I do have experience at knowing just what services are to be provided when I book a room(s). This is a nice facility.......but the little glitches must be worked out and resolved if the people who stay here are to become repeat customers. As I have always told my students, "Excuses are for losers........Solutions are for those who will succeed"!! Would I stay here again???? On this question, the jury is still out. (Clean towels were delivered in the proper quantity today, however........the ONLY coffee left for our coffee maker was....DECAF!!!! UGH!!!!)
And so, without being negative on a GRAND DAY......a GOLD DAY......as always....
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!! CONGRATS, JUSTIN!!!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Placing 5th on the 5th!!
A relaxing morning here at the GrandStay Suites.......a good breakfast on the main floor in the "breakfast room" consisting of some very good waffles, English Muffins, juice, coffee, and fresh fruit. After eating I took my coffee out onto the back patio beside the pool and enjoyed the incredibly wonderful morning.......62 degrees with a wonderful breeze out of the north....accompanied by deep blue skies!!
All too soon it was time to back up the backpack with the day's necessities for the Games....and head to the track and field competition. Justin, our nephew, was in the 400 meter race......and finished 5th in his division on the National level!! He was not as happy as he should have been, but with all 13 of his family members here cheering him when it was over....he soon realized that he had done his best, and THAT is the important thing!!! We attended the medal ceremony and it was good to see him on the stand accepting his award ribbon.......!
We returned to the hotel during the afternoon, refreshed ourselves even though it really hasn't been HOT today.....and then the 1st Lady and I went over to Border's Books and enjoyed a bit of reading and enjoying the quiet atmosphere while sipping a cappuccino!! From there we drove through the city center and stopped in at a kitchen cabinet shop and spent some time inspecting the cabinets which they sold.
We then returned to the hotel and before long, the entire group left for dinner. We went to the Dublin Bay Pub......and it turned out to be a great choice!!!! The beer was good, the food was excellent (be sure and order the onion rings), and the service was almost perfect!!! I ordered the Shepherd's Pie.....and was it ever a GREAT choice!!!! It was a huge bowl of steaming hot meat, veggies, in a beef gravy topped with mashed potatoes that had been broiled....and all of it encased in a wonderful pastry shell and then baked. YUM!!!!! SOOO GOOD!!!!
Back to the hotel.....and some down time this evening. As I have written, we are in a two bedroom suite which also has a living room and kitchen.....and there is room to spread out and not step on each other since the 1st Lady's sister and husband are sharing this suite with us. As there are two tellies, we can each watch our favorites......without having to share....hahaha!!
Tomorrow is an early morning as Justin's relay race is at 8:45AM.....and then after lunch he competes in the Long Jump. Sooooo, enjoy the pictures below of Justin and his big day!!!! And with him doing sooooo well.......
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
All too soon it was time to back up the backpack with the day's necessities for the Games....and head to the track and field competition. Justin, our nephew, was in the 400 meter race......and finished 5th in his division on the National level!! He was not as happy as he should have been, but with all 13 of his family members here cheering him when it was over....he soon realized that he had done his best, and THAT is the important thing!!! We attended the medal ceremony and it was good to see him on the stand accepting his award ribbon.......!
We returned to the hotel during the afternoon, refreshed ourselves even though it really hasn't been HOT today.....and then the 1st Lady and I went over to Border's Books and enjoyed a bit of reading and enjoying the quiet atmosphere while sipping a cappuccino!! From there we drove through the city center and stopped in at a kitchen cabinet shop and spent some time inspecting the cabinets which they sold.
We then returned to the hotel and before long, the entire group left for dinner. We went to the Dublin Bay Pub......and it turned out to be a great choice!!!! The beer was good, the food was excellent (be sure and order the onion rings), and the service was almost perfect!!! I ordered the Shepherd's Pie.....and was it ever a GREAT choice!!!! It was a huge bowl of steaming hot meat, veggies, in a beef gravy topped with mashed potatoes that had been broiled....and all of it encased in a wonderful pastry shell and then baked. YUM!!!!! SOOO GOOD!!!!
Back to the hotel.....and some down time this evening. As I have written, we are in a two bedroom suite which also has a living room and kitchen.....and there is room to spread out and not step on each other since the 1st Lady's sister and husband are sharing this suite with us. As there are two tellies, we can each watch our favorites......without having to share....hahaha!!
Tomorrow is an early morning as Justin's relay race is at 8:45AM.....and then after lunch he competes in the Long Jump. Sooooo, enjoy the pictures below of Justin and his big day!!!! And with him doing sooooo well.......
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Day 3: A BEAUTIFUL 4th and a GREAT Relay!!
Breakfast was about the same.....crowded and as it was yesterday, necessary to request that more items be replaced that had already been eaten!! Oh well........when there are as many people as there are staying here for the week, there are bound to be some shortages!
We were at the stadium by 9:30 this morning.........Justin's 4x100 relay team ran this morning and they came in second to ALL of the other relay teams that ran!! A GREAT run......so, we will see how things go with the placements for the Finals.
This afternoon his third event was the long jump.....and he scratched each of the three attempts, however.......this does not eliminate him. Soooo, again....we'll see how things go for Thursday.
Brilla Pasta Co. sponsored a lasagna dinner for EVERYONE tonight outside the coliseum......probably 20,000 people ate.....and they got through the many serving lines much quicker than I would have ever thought. Then the Ames Municipal Band performed for an hour, followed by an Army Jazz Band. Then the fireworks display began around 9:45pm.....and lasted for about a half hour. This was just ....ok.......nothing spectacular......the same fireworks that are seen each year with nothing new to "ohhhhh and ahhhhh" about.
I did spend an hour or more this afternoon at Border's Bookstore.....about a block from our hotel. Always love to just browse through their store, as well as Barnes & Noble. Also.....heehee....it gave me an opportunity to get a good cappuccino!!!!!
I am amazed at the huge numbers of people who are here to watch the events. Yesterday I watched some of the gymnastics....and today I got a chance to watch a few of the swimmers practicing for their events. Watching these special athletes going around the track in wheel chairs.....and some of them using walkers and staying in their assigned lanes.....well, it is just incredible the efforts they put forth to compete!!!!!!! And, it doesn't matter who is running or walking, EVERYONE in the stands applauds for each athlete as they come past the stands on their way to the finish line. The concentration that these competitors give to their events, the excitement that they exhibit as they finish.....not matter where they place in the event, and their look of joy as they do finish.....well, this is an event that everyone should see and I promise that it will change the way you think about all of these VERY special people, no matter what the ages!!!!!!!!!!! I get choked up just writing this..........
Tomorrow the last two begin.....the days the finals are held in the track and field events. The Bowling events are finished with the medals already being presented......as well as several other events. I look forward to the finals, not matter who wins........it will be GREAT!!!!
And, just as this special week is sooooo very special.......for me,
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also. I know of several thousand people who are having a very, very special week that is GREAT for them and their families!!!!!!!!!
We were at the stadium by 9:30 this morning.........Justin's 4x100 relay team ran this morning and they came in second to ALL of the other relay teams that ran!! A GREAT run......so, we will see how things go with the placements for the Finals.
This afternoon his third event was the long jump.....and he scratched each of the three attempts, however.......this does not eliminate him. Soooo, again....we'll see how things go for Thursday.
Brilla Pasta Co. sponsored a lasagna dinner for EVERYONE tonight outside the coliseum......probably 20,000 people ate.....and they got through the many serving lines much quicker than I would have ever thought. Then the Ames Municipal Band performed for an hour, followed by an Army Jazz Band. Then the fireworks display began around 9:45pm.....and lasted for about a half hour. This was just ....ok.......nothing spectacular......the same fireworks that are seen each year with nothing new to "ohhhhh and ahhhhh" about.
I did spend an hour or more this afternoon at Border's Bookstore.....about a block from our hotel. Always love to just browse through their store, as well as Barnes & Noble. Also.....heehee....it gave me an opportunity to get a good cappuccino!!!!!
I am amazed at the huge numbers of people who are here to watch the events. Yesterday I watched some of the gymnastics....and today I got a chance to watch a few of the swimmers practicing for their events. Watching these special athletes going around the track in wheel chairs.....and some of them using walkers and staying in their assigned lanes.....well, it is just incredible the efforts they put forth to compete!!!!!!! And, it doesn't matter who is running or walking, EVERYONE in the stands applauds for each athlete as they come past the stands on their way to the finish line. The concentration that these competitors give to their events, the excitement that they exhibit as they finish.....not matter where they place in the event, and their look of joy as they do finish.....well, this is an event that everyone should see and I promise that it will change the way you think about all of these VERY special people, no matter what the ages!!!!!!!!!!! I get choked up just writing this..........
Tomorrow the last two begin.....the days the finals are held in the track and field events. The Bowling events are finished with the medals already being presented......as well as several other events. I look forward to the finals, not matter who wins........it will be GREAT!!!!
And, just as this special week is sooooo very special.......for me,
Life is Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also. I know of several thousand people who are having a very, very special week that is GREAT for them and their families!!!!!!!!!
Monday, July 03, 2006
DAY 2: And Justin is 2nd in his heat!!!
After a LATE night......we were up at 7:30am and managed to get ready for breakfast here in the hotel in less than an hour. Breakfast....???? Well, it left a bit to be desired. There was only one person working at the desk AND putting the food out for the continental breakfast in the breakfast area......NOT enough hotel help!!!!!!! There were tons and tons of people attempting to eat.....the hotel here and ALL hotels in Ames and the surrounding 50 miles were completely filled with the Special Olympics fans.......so, it was a bit troubling to us when we tried to eat. Oh well........not a problem of any consequence!!
We were the Track and Field Olympic site by 10AM.....and there were lots and lots of people there. An hour later when Justin ran his 400M race......well, it was terrifically exciting and he was pumped for the race. He finished 2nd in his heat......and as of now, we still have not learned who has made the final race "for the Gold". Things are a bit slow as far as the communications are here at these Special Olympics.........one of the problems that are bound to occur with something as large as this....and for the FIRST time ever!!!
We watched a few more events.....and then we moved to the Gymnastics in one of the gyms....and enjoyed seeing the thrill that the competitors felt when they did the BEST that they could do!!! Again........some real tear jerkers!
Back to the hotel we came..........and relaxed and enjoyed the facilities: pool, putting greens, exerecise facilities, etc., etc. The 1st Lady's sister and husband were guests at a reception for parents that was held in a University gardens area.....and were fortunate to get to meet and talk with Eunice Kennedy Shriver!!!! They were excited when they returned here to the hotel.....and had a couple of pictures made with her.
We, on the other hand, ate at in the adjoining Chicago Pizza House......connected to the hotel. There were 8 of us with Justin's brother and sister and their families......and it was really great food....and 110 choices for different beers to accompany the meal.
And now.......the evening is young however, we have to be at the Track by 8:30AM in the morning, so it will be an early "lights out" evening. The pictures from this morning are posted below......enjoy even tho you can't quite feel the excitement of the moment!!!!!
And.....as you can probably believe....
Life is GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
We were the Track and Field Olympic site by 10AM.....and there were lots and lots of people there. An hour later when Justin ran his 400M race......well, it was terrifically exciting and he was pumped for the race. He finished 2nd in his heat......and as of now, we still have not learned who has made the final race "for the Gold". Things are a bit slow as far as the communications are here at these Special Olympics.........one of the problems that are bound to occur with something as large as this....and for the FIRST time ever!!!
We watched a few more events.....and then we moved to the Gymnastics in one of the gyms....and enjoyed seeing the thrill that the competitors felt when they did the BEST that they could do!!! Again........some real tear jerkers!
Back to the hotel we came..........and relaxed and enjoyed the facilities: pool, putting greens, exerecise facilities, etc., etc. The 1st Lady's sister and husband were guests at a reception for parents that was held in a University gardens area.....and were fortunate to get to meet and talk with Eunice Kennedy Shriver!!!! They were excited when they returned here to the hotel.....and had a couple of pictures made with her.
We, on the other hand, ate at in the adjoining Chicago Pizza House......connected to the hotel. There were 8 of us with Justin's brother and sister and their families......and it was really great food....and 110 choices for different beers to accompany the meal.
And now.......the evening is young however, we have to be at the Track by 8:30AM in the morning, so it will be an early "lights out" evening. The pictures from this morning are posted below......enjoy even tho you can't quite feel the excitement of the moment!!!!!
And.....as you can probably believe....
Life is GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
1st US National Special Olympics!!!!!!!!!!
We arrived in Ames, Iowa, at about 2:30pm this afternoon....and in ten minutes the 1st Lady's sister and husband arrived from Kansas and we checked into the GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel for the week. We are only about a half miles from the Iowa State Univ campus.....which makes it really nice for getting to and from the scheduled events.
Well........we went to the Hilton coliseum at 6:30pm, after receiving our entrance credentials earlier this afternoon which included tickets for tonight's Opening Ceremonies and the Closing Ceremonies on Friday night. The crowds were already packing the entrances as we arrived at the doors to the Coliseum and it took us about 15 minutes to get in and find our seats. Thankfully, we had reserved seats!!! I understand it seats about 45, 000.....and most seats were full this eveing.
The athletes arrived and entered by states, with all 50 states represented.......and there are about 7000 special athletes participating.....WOW!!!!!! It took about an hour to get all of them into the coliseum......and what a tear jerker it was!!! This was something I never expected.....and actually, didn't know what to expect! But......wouldn't have missed this for anything!!
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was there.....and wonderfully received as she was the individual who organized and started the Special Olympics back in the 60's. WOW....does she ever look like the Kennedy family. The Gov. of Iowa, and many Senators and Congressmen were there. The program consisted of some great music.....and a suprise: Hootie and the Blowfish were there and performed several numbers.
It is impossible to verbally tell about the evening! And....I can hardly wait until the Games begin tomorrow.......it will be something to observe as all of these Special Athletes compete in all kinds of Olympic games: swimming, all kinds of individual and team sports, gymnastics......golf, you name it and they the sport(s) will be on the schedule!!!
Again......if you ever have the opportunity to attend, don't miss it!!!! AND.....this is the very FIRST U.S. National Special Olympics!!!!! It is quite an experience to be here at the First one ever held!!!
Sooooo, from Ames, Iowa.........
Life IS Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Well........we went to the Hilton coliseum at 6:30pm, after receiving our entrance credentials earlier this afternoon which included tickets for tonight's Opening Ceremonies and the Closing Ceremonies on Friday night. The crowds were already packing the entrances as we arrived at the doors to the Coliseum and it took us about 15 minutes to get in and find our seats. Thankfully, we had reserved seats!!! I understand it seats about 45, 000.....and most seats were full this eveing.
The athletes arrived and entered by states, with all 50 states represented.......and there are about 7000 special athletes participating.....WOW!!!!!! It took about an hour to get all of them into the coliseum......and what a tear jerker it was!!! This was something I never expected.....and actually, didn't know what to expect! But......wouldn't have missed this for anything!!
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was there.....and wonderfully received as she was the individual who organized and started the Special Olympics back in the 60's. WOW....does she ever look like the Kennedy family. The Gov. of Iowa, and many Senators and Congressmen were there. The program consisted of some great music.....and a suprise: Hootie and the Blowfish were there and performed several numbers.
It is impossible to verbally tell about the evening! And....I can hardly wait until the Games begin tomorrow.......it will be something to observe as all of these Special Athletes compete in all kinds of Olympic games: swimming, all kinds of individual and team sports, gymnastics......golf, you name it and they the sport(s) will be on the schedule!!!
Again......if you ever have the opportunity to attend, don't miss it!!!! AND.....this is the very FIRST U.S. National Special Olympics!!!!! It is quite an experience to be here at the First one ever held!!!
Sooooo, from Ames, Iowa.........
Life IS Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
CRASH goes my lappie!!!
OMG……..it CRASHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or, at least it no longer works……….my own computer.....my trusty little lappie that goes everywhere with me, I’m talking about. The one I am writing with belongs to the 1st Lady……and thank God, we bought her a pc last fall or I/we would be S.O.L. I woke up early on Thursday, the day we planned to leave for the Lake of the Ozarks to visit my mother…..turned on my lappie….and after I poured some Fr. Roast coffee I sat down to check my email……and seeing the screen, I became rather ill. NOTHING would work and even after trying the Safe Mode in various configurations……NOTHING would work.
Sooo, after the 1st Lady was vertical about a half hour later, I told her that I was going out to the school to see if the computer guru who handles all of the school’s tech problems could give me some assistance. Well, after sitting there with him for two hours, the pc seemed to be working……I had a good opening screen, I could open my IMPORTANT document file and the documents within that file. I thanked him profusely and returned home to load the truck for the 12 day trip.
We left about 3 hours later than planned but arrived in Eldon during the early afternoon. Shortly thereafter, my sister and her man arrived and then another car pulled up and it was my niece and her son. Soooo, before long we were unloading the a/c that I had brought to my mother’s…..hers was dying of long age……and it didn’t take long to remove the sick a/c and install the newer one. And……it worked perfectly.
We ordered several pizzas and enjoyed the pizza and bread sticks. My sister left before long…..and I decided to write my blog report, knowing that it would be after 9pm before I could get online through my cell phone. BUT…………………. When I turned on my pc…..it was once again unable to open any program!!!!!! Upset I was…..to say the very least!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooo, we spent the remaining part of the evening watching the tellie……my mother having gone to bed fairly early as she normally does. At 93, she sleeps quite often during the day……and turns in for the night at an early hour.
FRIDAY……
We were up not too early and I went to the city center to purchase some pastries at a new bakery shop on the main street. Well…..much to my surprise, the owner happens to be one of my high school classmates…….and the father of two of my former students that I had in band when I was teaching in Eldon during the 80’s. It WAS great to talk for just a few minutes with him and to discuss the possible reunion of 45 years that our class might have this year.
Then…..after breakfast, we loaded the truck and headed north to Monroe City….where the 1st Lady’s mother lives. However, as we drove through Jefferson City, I decided to make a quick stop to visit an aunt of mine who lives there. She was married to my father’s brother……and at age 81 she still appears to be in her 50’s!!!!!! I hadn’t seen her for a couple of years and it was great to touch base with her and to spend an hour hearing about her two daughters and their families…..my cousins. She is a REAL “go getter”…….and I certainly do hope that I am as fit and jolly when I reach her age as she is now!!!!
We then drove on up to Monroe City…..and I immediately called the computer guru back in F’town…..and spent many, many minutes during the course of several phone calls to him as he walked me through various steps to try to get inside the brain of my lappie. All I want to do is to retrieve the Documents File…..and then I will put the Recovery Disk in and wipe out everything and give my little lappie a rebirth of all of her programs. BUT…..after working all afternoon, nothing happened!!!!!! Soooo, I am still without my lappie and all of files and documents. ………WOE IS ME!!!!!!!!!
My afternoon was rather depressing and so I probably gained 3 pounds during the evening……eating my way through my loneliness as my thoughts turned to all of my friends out there in Cyberspace that I am now totally isolated from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, in this small community there is no free Wifi floating around, the Librarian thinks that I am terrorist because I would like to use one of their computers without being a member of their community, and my mother-in-law has not a clue what the internet really is and does for humanity in the year 2006.
Soooo, I may sneak away this afternoon (Saturday) and attempt to get on the free Wifi at the Quality Inn in Hannibal to get this post out to the world……AND to check my email. I am certain that with all of the spam crap, my account is about to explode!!! At this stage in my Life now that I am totally addicted to the internet and everyone in Cyberspace, I have horrendous withdrawal problems when I find myself isolated from the world like I find myself now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF I am unable to get to Hannibal, I will have to wait until I reach the hotel in Ames, Iowa, tomorrow afternoon to post this from the 1st Lady’s lappie. I continue to spend way toooooooo much time worrying about own little lappie……..I do sooooo miss her!!!!!! She has been sooooo damn good to me over the past 13 months……oh yeah!!!! Did I tell you that her warranty ran out LAST MONTH?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn’t that always the way these things occur?????? It is my own damn fault for not extending the warranty when I was offered a chance to do so last month. Oh well…..such is Life.
I am in Hannibal.....5:30pm on Saturday....sitting in 100 degree weather in the truck in the parking lot of the Quality Inn Suites......piggybacking onto their free Wifi!!!
And, even with all of these problems that my lappie is giving me right now……
Life is Great…….and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Sooo, after the 1st Lady was vertical about a half hour later, I told her that I was going out to the school to see if the computer guru who handles all of the school’s tech problems could give me some assistance. Well, after sitting there with him for two hours, the pc seemed to be working……I had a good opening screen, I could open my IMPORTANT document file and the documents within that file. I thanked him profusely and returned home to load the truck for the 12 day trip.
We left about 3 hours later than planned but arrived in Eldon during the early afternoon. Shortly thereafter, my sister and her man arrived and then another car pulled up and it was my niece and her son. Soooo, before long we were unloading the a/c that I had brought to my mother’s…..hers was dying of long age……and it didn’t take long to remove the sick a/c and install the newer one. And……it worked perfectly.
We ordered several pizzas and enjoyed the pizza and bread sticks. My sister left before long…..and I decided to write my blog report, knowing that it would be after 9pm before I could get online through my cell phone. BUT…………………. When I turned on my pc…..it was once again unable to open any program!!!!!! Upset I was…..to say the very least!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooo, we spent the remaining part of the evening watching the tellie……my mother having gone to bed fairly early as she normally does. At 93, she sleeps quite often during the day……and turns in for the night at an early hour.
FRIDAY……
We were up not too early and I went to the city center to purchase some pastries at a new bakery shop on the main street. Well…..much to my surprise, the owner happens to be one of my high school classmates…….and the father of two of my former students that I had in band when I was teaching in Eldon during the 80’s. It WAS great to talk for just a few minutes with him and to discuss the possible reunion of 45 years that our class might have this year.
Then…..after breakfast, we loaded the truck and headed north to Monroe City….where the 1st Lady’s mother lives. However, as we drove through Jefferson City, I decided to make a quick stop to visit an aunt of mine who lives there. She was married to my father’s brother……and at age 81 she still appears to be in her 50’s!!!!!! I hadn’t seen her for a couple of years and it was great to touch base with her and to spend an hour hearing about her two daughters and their families…..my cousins. She is a REAL “go getter”…….and I certainly do hope that I am as fit and jolly when I reach her age as she is now!!!!
We then drove on up to Monroe City…..and I immediately called the computer guru back in F’town…..and spent many, many minutes during the course of several phone calls to him as he walked me through various steps to try to get inside the brain of my lappie. All I want to do is to retrieve the Documents File…..and then I will put the Recovery Disk in and wipe out everything and give my little lappie a rebirth of all of her programs. BUT…..after working all afternoon, nothing happened!!!!!! Soooo, I am still without my lappie and all of files and documents. ………WOE IS ME!!!!!!!!!
My afternoon was rather depressing and so I probably gained 3 pounds during the evening……eating my way through my loneliness as my thoughts turned to all of my friends out there in Cyberspace that I am now totally isolated from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, in this small community there is no free Wifi floating around, the Librarian thinks that I am terrorist because I would like to use one of their computers without being a member of their community, and my mother-in-law has not a clue what the internet really is and does for humanity in the year 2006.
Soooo, I may sneak away this afternoon (Saturday) and attempt to get on the free Wifi at the Quality Inn in Hannibal to get this post out to the world……AND to check my email. I am certain that with all of the spam crap, my account is about to explode!!! At this stage in my Life now that I am totally addicted to the internet and everyone in Cyberspace, I have horrendous withdrawal problems when I find myself isolated from the world like I find myself now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF I am unable to get to Hannibal, I will have to wait until I reach the hotel in Ames, Iowa, tomorrow afternoon to post this from the 1st Lady’s lappie. I continue to spend way toooooooo much time worrying about own little lappie……..I do sooooo miss her!!!!!! She has been sooooo damn good to me over the past 13 months……oh yeah!!!! Did I tell you that her warranty ran out LAST MONTH?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn’t that always the way these things occur?????? It is my own damn fault for not extending the warranty when I was offered a chance to do so last month. Oh well…..such is Life.
I am in Hannibal.....5:30pm on Saturday....sitting in 100 degree weather in the truck in the parking lot of the Quality Inn Suites......piggybacking onto their free Wifi!!!
And, even with all of these problems that my lappie is giving me right now……
Life is Great…….and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
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