Saturday, May 24, 2008
WOW....another two days of silence....sorry!!!
Yesterday......we were up and working getting a meal together to take with us so we could eat with Michael during the afternoon. While it was a lot of work.....lasagna, mixed salad, fresh fruit salad, and a banana cream pie.....it was all very good and very, very filling....haha!!
Returning to the stick and brick about 10pm last night, I was near exhaustion....and went off to my horizontal position rather quickly......and very quickly, it was TODAY!!!
And so, after a quick cup of French Roast coffee(beans had been ground last night)......the 1st Lady was up and all tooooooo soon, it was time to load the car and head northwest to the Waynesville, and then on to the Lake of the Ozarks. It took almost 45 minutes longer than usual to arrive in Waynesville/St. Roberts.......hard rains, VERY slow cars that could not be passed due to the hills and curves(think they must have had OLD 65 year old drivers who were afraid to drive down the road!!!). Soooo, we checked into the Fairfield Inn.......and quickly dressed for the wedding. Becky and Rachel arrived about 15 minutes after we did.....and we are all sharing a room.
Then it was another hour's drive up to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park where my sister was being married at 4pm....an outside wedding which because of the horrific rains this morning just about had her having a nervous breakdown. BUT.....everything came off beautifully.....and it was a lovely wedding for just family members and a few close, close friends. Afterwards, we returned to Waynesville where the reception was being held at the VFW Club just west of town. It was lots of fun.....and soon...Rachel began to "fade" as she and he mom had driven from Cape Girardeau up to STL....and then down to Waynesville where we met them at the hotel.
In fact, all of us were a bit tired......and found ourselves back at the hotel by 9:30pm. Rachel took a quick dip in the pool...."full of chlorine" she said.....and now everyone is in bed reading or watching the tellie, except this sagging hulk of me.
And sooooo........a good two days.....busy, tiring, but.......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Returning to the stick and brick about 10pm last night, I was near exhaustion....and went off to my horizontal position rather quickly......and very quickly, it was TODAY!!!
And so, after a quick cup of French Roast coffee(beans had been ground last night)......the 1st Lady was up and all tooooooo soon, it was time to load the car and head northwest to the Waynesville, and then on to the Lake of the Ozarks. It took almost 45 minutes longer than usual to arrive in Waynesville/St. Roberts.......hard rains, VERY slow cars that could not be passed due to the hills and curves(think they must have had OLD 65 year old drivers who were afraid to drive down the road!!!). Soooo, we checked into the Fairfield Inn.......and quickly dressed for the wedding. Becky and Rachel arrived about 15 minutes after we did.....and we are all sharing a room.
Then it was another hour's drive up to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park where my sister was being married at 4pm....an outside wedding which because of the horrific rains this morning just about had her having a nervous breakdown. BUT.....everything came off beautifully.....and it was a lovely wedding for just family members and a few close, close friends. Afterwards, we returned to Waynesville where the reception was being held at the VFW Club just west of town. It was lots of fun.....and soon...Rachel began to "fade" as she and he mom had driven from Cape Girardeau up to STL....and then down to Waynesville where we met them at the hotel.
In fact, all of us were a bit tired......and found ourselves back at the hotel by 9:30pm. Rachel took a quick dip in the pool...."full of chlorine" she said.....and now everyone is in bed reading or watching the tellie, except this sagging hulk of me.
And sooooo........a good two days.....busy, tiring, but.......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Hmmmm.......a day of.....???
As usual, when the stick and brick is occupied by only my evolving, sagging hulk.....I seem to sleep longer and then remain in bed just thinking.....not certain why, but it just happens. I know that once I am awake when the 1st Lady is here, then I slowly and quietly slip(?) out of bed and go out to the kitchen/patio room, make my French Roast coffee, and then read the morning papers that are online. Perhaps when she isn't here I just can wiggle and squirm around more after I wake up.....???? Who knows.....who really cares?
After doing all of the above this morning, I took care of my morning rituals....being doing them since I first began shaving daily when in the 7th grade.....UGH!!!! And, UGH AGAIN!!!!! In my evolving processes.....I just didn't lose my body's hair.....haha!!! Then.......I spent some time enjoying my coffee and catching up on the problems and troubles of the world, along with any other news that made it to the print status.
After that.....I had my "to do" orders...errr,...list....to take care and the majority of it involved locating some fresh strawberries and grapes, along with other necessities at a grocery. And, of course.....living in a small, rural community, it took two various shopping facilities before I could locate everything that was on that list....and there was NOTHING exotic on the list. We for some ungodly reason, we cannot seem to have anything "fresh" in the way of fruits and veggies in this town.......at the local grocery the strawberries were either not fully ripe or they were a bit moldy....and the grapes were ready to be classified as raisins. DAMN!!!! But.....lucky for me, Wal-Mart had some of each that were....well,.....usable in a fruit salad.
Returning to the stick and brick on the hill, I then had another cup of Fr. Roast.....and then began cleaning this place....not that it was dirty(how could it with just ME here all week?), but we will be pretty busy for the next 9-10 days around here. Finishing that/those tasks......I then moved outside....
And, to TheHowserHouse that is sitting patiently in my driveway.....awaiting the day when it can be pulled down/up the highways to a new location for a few days. On the return trip home from the Rio Grande Valley, we went over some horrendous concrete highways in Louisiana and again in Arkansas......and when we began to unload the bedroom, we discovered that the metal/aluminum clothes rack attached the shelf above it the double closet had pulled loose and the rack with the hanger slots in it had bent with the weight of the hang-ups. Sooooo, I had already picked up some small screws.....and for the next hour or so, I worked at getting the rack straight....and then getting it screwed back to that shelf in the double closet. I re-enforced it with extra screws and now I do believe it is fixed.
The 1st Lady returned about 2pm....and then we sat about to prepare some food for an afternoon meal that we will be doing tomorrow afternoon. She put together a large casserole of Lasagna and a few other things......and then together we watched the last two nights of American Idol.....which the 1st Lady's mother does not get on her satellite......go figure!!!
Last night's show was just really outstanding!!!!!!!! It was such a production and those young people were really professionals on that huge stage!!! I was sooooo damned impressed.....and even became a bit emotional from time to time during the evening. I was so GLAD that David Cook was the winner.......he is so "at home" on stage with a sense of maturity in his performances, in his stage presence, and in his ability to "chat" with anyone while on stage in front of millions and millions of people. He DOES seem soooo sincere and such a caring individual.....and it was so noticed by the way he deferred to Little David all evening and even more so, after it was announced that he, himself, had become the American Idol. He did come across through the tellie as a really, really nice guy!!!!
This evening, the 1st Lady was gone to her sorority meeting.......I believe this is the final one of the spring. Her mother, having seen the surgeon yesterday, was told that she is not a candidate, as of now, for any surgery on her aneurysm. Her MRI/CAT scans are being sent to the company that makes the stents that can be inserted into the aorta in the abdomen where her problem is located. However, they don't make all sizes of them as of now.....a fairly new procedure, so we will just wait and see....about a month. However,.......the "not a candidate for surgery" still has to be faced.....and realized that she is 84 and has not been in good health for many years. Hmmmmm........the aneurysm is measurable and it is not small, sooooooo........things are not good from what I can ascertain.
And soooooo, another "day of....???" has passed. Not an unpleasant day, but a day of knowing, that no matter how dire things can seem...........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
After doing all of the above this morning, I took care of my morning rituals....being doing them since I first began shaving daily when in the 7th grade.....UGH!!!! And, UGH AGAIN!!!!! In my evolving processes.....I just didn't lose my body's hair.....haha!!! Then.......I spent some time enjoying my coffee and catching up on the problems and troubles of the world, along with any other news that made it to the print status.
After that.....I had my "to do" orders...errr,...list....to take care and the majority of it involved locating some fresh strawberries and grapes, along with other necessities at a grocery. And, of course.....living in a small, rural community, it took two various shopping facilities before I could locate everything that was on that list....and there was NOTHING exotic on the list. We for some ungodly reason, we cannot seem to have anything "fresh" in the way of fruits and veggies in this town.......at the local grocery the strawberries were either not fully ripe or they were a bit moldy....and the grapes were ready to be classified as raisins. DAMN!!!! But.....lucky for me, Wal-Mart had some of each that were....well,.....usable in a fruit salad.
Returning to the stick and brick on the hill, I then had another cup of Fr. Roast.....and then began cleaning this place....not that it was dirty(how could it with just ME here all week?), but we will be pretty busy for the next 9-10 days around here. Finishing that/those tasks......I then moved outside....
And, to TheHowserHouse that is sitting patiently in my driveway.....awaiting the day when it can be pulled down/up the highways to a new location for a few days. On the return trip home from the Rio Grande Valley, we went over some horrendous concrete highways in Louisiana and again in Arkansas......and when we began to unload the bedroom, we discovered that the metal/aluminum clothes rack attached the shelf above it the double closet had pulled loose and the rack with the hanger slots in it had bent with the weight of the hang-ups. Sooooo, I had already picked up some small screws.....and for the next hour or so, I worked at getting the rack straight....and then getting it screwed back to that shelf in the double closet. I re-enforced it with extra screws and now I do believe it is fixed.
The 1st Lady returned about 2pm....and then we sat about to prepare some food for an afternoon meal that we will be doing tomorrow afternoon. She put together a large casserole of Lasagna and a few other things......and then together we watched the last two nights of American Idol.....which the 1st Lady's mother does not get on her satellite......go figure!!!
Last night's show was just really outstanding!!!!!!!! It was such a production and those young people were really professionals on that huge stage!!! I was sooooo damned impressed.....and even became a bit emotional from time to time during the evening. I was so GLAD that David Cook was the winner.......he is so "at home" on stage with a sense of maturity in his performances, in his stage presence, and in his ability to "chat" with anyone while on stage in front of millions and millions of people. He DOES seem soooo sincere and such a caring individual.....and it was so noticed by the way he deferred to Little David all evening and even more so, after it was announced that he, himself, had become the American Idol. He did come across through the tellie as a really, really nice guy!!!!
This evening, the 1st Lady was gone to her sorority meeting.......I believe this is the final one of the spring. Her mother, having seen the surgeon yesterday, was told that she is not a candidate, as of now, for any surgery on her aneurysm. Her MRI/CAT scans are being sent to the company that makes the stents that can be inserted into the aorta in the abdomen where her problem is located. However, they don't make all sizes of them as of now.....a fairly new procedure, so we will just wait and see....about a month. However,.......the "not a candidate for surgery" still has to be faced.....and realized that she is 84 and has not been in good health for many years. Hmmmmm........the aneurysm is measurable and it is not small, sooooooo........things are not good from what I can ascertain.
And soooooo, another "day of....???" has passed. Not an unpleasant day, but a day of knowing, that no matter how dire things can seem...........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
MORE of Chapter Seven.......
Oh yeah......in re-reading this post this morning over my delicious, freshly ground, French Roast coffee, I realized that I inadvertently overlooked two important people who really were very important in the success of the F'town HS Band. In 1994, the band was growing, as I described, and I found myself spending way tooooooo much time at school in rehearsing, administering, and planning the activities of the band, which kept me away from home! As I have always said, .........You create a monster and then it consumes you.......and that is what was happening to me!!
So, I received that great support, again, from the Administration and they decided to hire an assistant/associate band director for me, at my request. The first individual was Leigh Smith whom I knew from my association with NE Missouri State University, now called Truman State Univ. She had been a friend of my oldest son while he was attending the university as a music education major. Leigh spent four years working with me and doing a wonderful job. A wonderful musician, a great instructor/teacher, and a person that all of the kids enjoyed working with.
The second Associate Band Director that worked with me was....a former high school student of mine from Eldon High School. He, too, had gone to NE Missouri State and then on to the University of Missouri in Columbia......and was teaching in the Columbia School District schools, including Hickman High School. Michael Goldsmith, another very good friend of my son's from both high school and the university, was an incredible associate!!!! He and I discovered that we were "cut off of the same model" and we began to read each other's minds, which only helped to make it very easy to work together towards the very same goals and using the very same techniques and methods. Michael then took over the F'town band when I retired and continued seeing success with theses hard working kids!!
Without these two wonderful music educators, my Life would have become unbearable for me and for my family with the amount of work that was needed to keep up the progress with the many, many wonderful band students! I will always be deeply indebted to these two friends!!
Now.....I have mentioned that the HS Band traveled quite a bit across this great nation to perform in venues where the kids would benefit the most educationally.......not at places where they would be "entertained", such as DisneyWorld, etc., etc. I always felt like if the community was going to raise the monies necessary for trip such as these, then the kids should be learning and experiencing new sights and sounds that they might not ever have a chance to do in later years. Many band trips are taken at great expense to perform at various "festivals", but these venues are usually ones which charge for each band member to participate(and the costs ARE high per person)......and they technically are nothing but money making festivals for the sponsoring company or organization. I just disagree with this concept.....knowing full well just how hard many kids HAVE to work to make the money for these trips! Ok....enough said...huh?
Not only did I take the band trips for these kids, but I did sponsor and take many trips to Europe with students and adults. These trips were funded individually....not by our band parent's organization.......and so, there were not nearly as many kids who could make these kinds of overseas trips with me. Over the years, I have taken 12 such trips to Europe.......varying from two to three weeks depending on the itinerary. ALWAYS a grand experience for everyone, including myself because each trip was always different, even if I was taking the groups to the same cities and countries. What a delight it was to see the faces of these young people when they would see London or Paris or the Alps or Rome or the Acropolis in Athens for their very first time!!!!!! I would still love to do this again........and, perhaps I will in the near future!
Ok......enough of this Chapter for today!
TODAY IN MY LIFE......
Oh my.....what a great day to be outside......and that I was!!! I spent all morning mowing the lawn, getting some much needed exercise as I pushed the power mower around the yard. Oh yeah.....I suspect there will come a time when I will have to buy a riding mower, but for now.....it is great, great exercise for me to do this myself......RIGHT???
Later this afternoon, after making a trip to the local Wal-Mart, I did spend some time watering the new blades of grass that are growing quite nicely. Then........I discovered some frozen shrimp in the freezer......some we had purchase and quickly frozen recently.....just can't remember when. I sauteed them quickly in some garlic butter and olive oil........fixed some linguine....and soon I was dining at our bar with my dark red medicine to assist in the digestion of these delectable little creatures from the sea. For some reason, I have really grown to enjoy the Turning Leaf bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon. At one time I didn't really like it, but lately.....well, it just really hits the spot! And......it sure as hell is a good price for a bottle of this dark red medicine, even though for some strange reason Medicare will NOT pay for it......hmmmmmm....!!
The 1st Lady will return tomorrow sometime. Friday we will go to visit Mike....and then EARLY on Saturday we will drive to the Lake of the Ozarks as my sister is getting married(not for the first time...heehee). We also need to go to Eldon to the cemetery to leave some flowers on the graves of our family members: my grandparents, ,my parents, and our daughter Michele. We hope to get to see some friends, but that may not be possible.......time is going to be very short for each activity as the wedding is at 4pm at the state park there, and it IS a 3.5 hour drive up there from here. The reception is then down at Waynesville....about an hour south of there....and that is where we have our hotel reservation. Yep.....a busy weekend!!!
And so.......I have rambled on for tooooo long....and now it is time for the last of American Idol for this year. Who will win????? Doesn't really matter because........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
So, I received that great support, again, from the Administration and they decided to hire an assistant/associate band director for me, at my request. The first individual was Leigh Smith whom I knew from my association with NE Missouri State University, now called Truman State Univ. She had been a friend of my oldest son while he was attending the university as a music education major. Leigh spent four years working with me and doing a wonderful job. A wonderful musician, a great instructor/teacher, and a person that all of the kids enjoyed working with.
The second Associate Band Director that worked with me was....a former high school student of mine from Eldon High School. He, too, had gone to NE Missouri State and then on to the University of Missouri in Columbia......and was teaching in the Columbia School District schools, including Hickman High School. Michael Goldsmith, another very good friend of my son's from both high school and the university, was an incredible associate!!!! He and I discovered that we were "cut off of the same model" and we began to read each other's minds, which only helped to make it very easy to work together towards the very same goals and using the very same techniques and methods. Michael then took over the F'town band when I retired and continued seeing success with theses hard working kids!!
Without these two wonderful music educators, my Life would have become unbearable for me and for my family with the amount of work that was needed to keep up the progress with the many, many wonderful band students! I will always be deeply indebted to these two friends!!
Now.....I have mentioned that the HS Band traveled quite a bit across this great nation to perform in venues where the kids would benefit the most educationally.......not at places where they would be "entertained", such as DisneyWorld, etc., etc. I always felt like if the community was going to raise the monies necessary for trip such as these, then the kids should be learning and experiencing new sights and sounds that they might not ever have a chance to do in later years. Many band trips are taken at great expense to perform at various "festivals", but these venues are usually ones which charge for each band member to participate(and the costs ARE high per person)......and they technically are nothing but money making festivals for the sponsoring company or organization. I just disagree with this concept.....knowing full well just how hard many kids HAVE to work to make the money for these trips! Ok....enough said...huh?
Not only did I take the band trips for these kids, but I did sponsor and take many trips to Europe with students and adults. These trips were funded individually....not by our band parent's organization.......and so, there were not nearly as many kids who could make these kinds of overseas trips with me. Over the years, I have taken 12 such trips to Europe.......varying from two to three weeks depending on the itinerary. ALWAYS a grand experience for everyone, including myself because each trip was always different, even if I was taking the groups to the same cities and countries. What a delight it was to see the faces of these young people when they would see London or Paris or the Alps or Rome or the Acropolis in Athens for their very first time!!!!!! I would still love to do this again........and, perhaps I will in the near future!
Ok......enough of this Chapter for today!
TODAY IN MY LIFE......
Oh my.....what a great day to be outside......and that I was!!! I spent all morning mowing the lawn, getting some much needed exercise as I pushed the power mower around the yard. Oh yeah.....I suspect there will come a time when I will have to buy a riding mower, but for now.....it is great, great exercise for me to do this myself......RIGHT???
Later this afternoon, after making a trip to the local Wal-Mart, I did spend some time watering the new blades of grass that are growing quite nicely. Then........I discovered some frozen shrimp in the freezer......some we had purchase and quickly frozen recently.....just can't remember when. I sauteed them quickly in some garlic butter and olive oil........fixed some linguine....and soon I was dining at our bar with my dark red medicine to assist in the digestion of these delectable little creatures from the sea. For some reason, I have really grown to enjoy the Turning Leaf bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon. At one time I didn't really like it, but lately.....well, it just really hits the spot! And......it sure as hell is a good price for a bottle of this dark red medicine, even though for some strange reason Medicare will NOT pay for it......hmmmmmm....!!
The 1st Lady will return tomorrow sometime. Friday we will go to visit Mike....and then EARLY on Saturday we will drive to the Lake of the Ozarks as my sister is getting married(not for the first time...heehee). We also need to go to Eldon to the cemetery to leave some flowers on the graves of our family members: my grandparents, ,my parents, and our daughter Michele. We hope to get to see some friends, but that may not be possible.......time is going to be very short for each activity as the wedding is at 4pm at the state park there, and it IS a 3.5 hour drive up there from here. The reception is then down at Waynesville....about an hour south of there....and that is where we have our hotel reservation. Yep.....a busy weekend!!!
And so.......I have rambled on for tooooo long....and now it is time for the last of American Idol for this year. Who will win????? Doesn't really matter because........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
FINALLY: Chapter SEVEN.....
OK......for many of you who are now reading this little blog of mine, you may have not read the first six chapters of the miniaturization of my Life.....HA...sure wish I could miniaturize my sagging hulk as I grow older!!! I checked back this morning and....OMG....I haven't written another chapter since the one on October 15, 2007!!!!! SOOOOOOOOO, for those of you who might need to refresh yourselves and for those of you who didn't read the the first six, go BACK in the Archives to October, 2007, where Chapter Six is located. And then.....scroll backwards to find the first Chapter.
I came to this seven month pause in my concise discussion of the chapters in my Life just as we had arrived in F'town in the summer heat of 1988....and HEAT it was on that day. Sure wish I had had our scales unpacked that evening as I know that I must have lost several pounds in the loading, driving the large truck, and unloading on that 107 degree day. THANK GOD, I had good friends......not sure they were AFTER that moving day.......to help us make the move. And then......we began our lives here in Southeast Missouri.
As I look backwards twenty years ago........how I now realize that making a complete change in one's Life is usually for the very best.......and in our case, it certainly WAS for the very best! Of course, when you uproot the family, the children who are in school with their friends, it may not seem like a good idea........but, like plants that we are putting into the soil at this time of the year, it does take time for those roots to adjust, to settle in, and to then start to grow and mature in their new spot in the soil.........and so, for us as a family moving into a completely strange town and school district, it did take time for our roots to adjust, to get settled in, and then to start to make our Lives grow and blossom in this new community.
The 1st Lady was without a teaching position when we arrived in late July.....but, before long she received an offer to teach....not any Science classes.....but the Gifted Program in a very small district west and north of here....about a 25 mile drive. Soooo, not only the physical move adjustment, but the adjustment to teaching something she really didn't consider herself qualified to teach was terribly nerve-wracking for her!!!
We were living in a HUGE old house that needed many repairs........a house we DID feel lucky to find that we could rent until we could sell our home in Eldon. The place was located right on the main street of F'town.....about 2 blocks from the city square and center of town.....and the street WAS the main highway through town......UGH!!!!!! Yep.....the noise factor of trucks braking, changing gears, and the young people driving by all of the time was not most pleasant way of living. We could not even keep the windows open at night for the noises of the street. But......we adjusted to it.
Before long, we were all involved in the school....teaching and getting to know the students, as well as the people of this small town. Dr. Jeni....a freshman....was selected to be a cheerleader.....which certainly improved her emotions of being a stranger in a new town and school. Jeremy(Jay) was in the 6th grade that fall......and both of these two soon found themselves surrounded by new friends and activities......and Life returned to normal for the family. Well......as normal as it can be while still making those adjustments of moving into a new town! (Being "the new blond girl in town"), Dr. Jeni began trying to push the limits of some of the rules that we had for her being in high school that the 1st Lady and I had to make.......isn't that the way of every "new girl" in a new situation? HAHAHA!!!
Those first years certainly rolled by quickly. By the fall of 1991, we had sold our home in Eldon...and began to search in earnest for a house here in F'town to purchase and make a real home......not having to live in someone else's stick and brick and always being careful when we made a nail hole in the wall for pictures, etc., etc. We found one and in Jan, 1992, we moved into TheHowserHouse up on Buford Heights........and as the years went by, we made it into our place with many, many, many changes and remodeling projects. I seriously doubt if the previous owners would recognize it at all now, other than the original footprint of the house which has not changed at all.
My job??? Ahhhhh, as in the two previous school districts, the music program began to grow.......a high school vocal teacher took over the vocal program two years after I began teaching here......as the band program was growing and enlarging by leaps and bounds!!! We had 43 students in high school band when I arrived.....and in the next 13 years, it grew and grew and at one time reached a total of 140 students in the high school band program.
The kids were great.....the parents were great....and the town was soooooo supportive of the program, as well as a terrific school administration who backed me in any project, idea, or trip that I wanted to have the kids involved in. Over those 13 years, the kids became very successful in their performances, both individually and as a band.......and because of their hard work, their striving for perfection, and their belief that they CAN do anything which they wanted to do.......the band became one of the top bands not only in southeast Missouri, but in the entire state. We received invitations to perform in many places......and the first out of state trip was for one of those invitations: to play at the United States Capitol in Washington.......at a marvelous location where we could overlook the Mall with the Washington Monument in the background and the Dome of the Capitol towering just behind us with our flag flying proudly on top of it!!
It was the trip of a lifetime for many of those students, and for that matter for the parents, also. And........after that full week's wonderful trip to Washington DC and to Gettysburg and all of the many, many educational things to do and see in D.C............two years later we were playing at the foot of the Statue of Liberty in NYC!! WOW.......what trips!!! WHAT experiences for these kids from this small town in southeast Missouri....many of which had never even been to St Louis, an hour up the road!!!!! And soooo, one other trip to Washington was made while I was still teaching.....and two years later I assisted the new director when he took the band to NYC again.
Yep........those were wonderful times........wonderful kids in those bands.......and those trips made the memories that the kids, as well as this sagging hulk of me, will never, never forget!!!!!
And sooooo, enough of this seventh chapter for now..........I WILL continue soon!!!
TODAY!!!!!!!
Another beautiful day!!!! I was up and after a couple of cups of my French Roast coffee....and then I ran up to Farmington to have a few X-rays made of my shoulder.....at one of the hospitals there. A brief shopping stop at the Super Center there.....and then I returned to the stick and brick here on the hill. I potted some Thai Basil plants......for using as an herb in many of our cooking dishes.......and then I just relaxed on the patio, reading and enjoying the gorgeous day.
And before long, I was once again watering the new grass in the front lawn.....and then I put on the grill a couple of brats to BBQ. YUMMM......and the really turned out great!!!!! A glass of my dark red medicine had disappeared earlier when I determined that it must be 5 o'clock somewhere, if not here.....and enjoyed the daily dosage of that medicine!
This evening.....AHHHH......what a super American Idol show it was!!!! I do believe that young David was certainly the best, consistently throughout his three performances. I really, really do like Big David, but just thought his performances tonight were a bit lackluster.....just not up to his usual performances that we have seen every week.
And sooooo, with another election night on the tellie........it is looking as if Sen. Obama is very close to getting the delegates needed .......and should then pick up the super delegates by the end of the month.........MAYBE. Who knows in this electoral season????!!!
It has been a good day.......it has been fun to return to 1988 and remember many of the things that occurred during that time.......and in doing so, I really have enjoyed those memories returning. Which.....brings me to something I have wanted to speak to for a long time.........If you haven't started a blog.....or a journal.....or a diary........let me encourage you to do so. It is great to travel back in time....in you mind.....to recall and remember many of the things that have happened in your Life.....and how small things can influence many future outcomes and decisions and events in your later Life!! Try it!!!! And so.........a great day.....and.....
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
I came to this seven month pause in my concise discussion of the chapters in my Life just as we had arrived in F'town in the summer heat of 1988....and HEAT it was on that day. Sure wish I had had our scales unpacked that evening as I know that I must have lost several pounds in the loading, driving the large truck, and unloading on that 107 degree day. THANK GOD, I had good friends......not sure they were AFTER that moving day.......to help us make the move. And then......we began our lives here in Southeast Missouri.
As I look backwards twenty years ago........how I now realize that making a complete change in one's Life is usually for the very best.......and in our case, it certainly WAS for the very best! Of course, when you uproot the family, the children who are in school with their friends, it may not seem like a good idea........but, like plants that we are putting into the soil at this time of the year, it does take time for those roots to adjust, to settle in, and to then start to grow and mature in their new spot in the soil.........and so, for us as a family moving into a completely strange town and school district, it did take time for our roots to adjust, to get settled in, and then to start to make our Lives grow and blossom in this new community.
The 1st Lady was without a teaching position when we arrived in late July.....but, before long she received an offer to teach....not any Science classes.....but the Gifted Program in a very small district west and north of here....about a 25 mile drive. Soooo, not only the physical move adjustment, but the adjustment to teaching something she really didn't consider herself qualified to teach was terribly nerve-wracking for her!!!
We were living in a HUGE old house that needed many repairs........a house we DID feel lucky to find that we could rent until we could sell our home in Eldon. The place was located right on the main street of F'town.....about 2 blocks from the city square and center of town.....and the street WAS the main highway through town......UGH!!!!!! Yep.....the noise factor of trucks braking, changing gears, and the young people driving by all of the time was not most pleasant way of living. We could not even keep the windows open at night for the noises of the street. But......we adjusted to it.
Before long, we were all involved in the school....teaching and getting to know the students, as well as the people of this small town. Dr. Jeni....a freshman....was selected to be a cheerleader.....which certainly improved her emotions of being a stranger in a new town and school. Jeremy(Jay) was in the 6th grade that fall......and both of these two soon found themselves surrounded by new friends and activities......and Life returned to normal for the family. Well......as normal as it can be while still making those adjustments of moving into a new town! (Being "the new blond girl in town"), Dr. Jeni began trying to push the limits of some of the rules that we had for her being in high school that the 1st Lady and I had to make.......isn't that the way of every "new girl" in a new situation? HAHAHA!!!
Those first years certainly rolled by quickly. By the fall of 1991, we had sold our home in Eldon...and began to search in earnest for a house here in F'town to purchase and make a real home......not having to live in someone else's stick and brick and always being careful when we made a nail hole in the wall for pictures, etc., etc. We found one and in Jan, 1992, we moved into TheHowserHouse up on Buford Heights........and as the years went by, we made it into our place with many, many, many changes and remodeling projects. I seriously doubt if the previous owners would recognize it at all now, other than the original footprint of the house which has not changed at all.
My job??? Ahhhhh, as in the two previous school districts, the music program began to grow.......a high school vocal teacher took over the vocal program two years after I began teaching here......as the band program was growing and enlarging by leaps and bounds!!! We had 43 students in high school band when I arrived.....and in the next 13 years, it grew and grew and at one time reached a total of 140 students in the high school band program.
The kids were great.....the parents were great....and the town was soooooo supportive of the program, as well as a terrific school administration who backed me in any project, idea, or trip that I wanted to have the kids involved in. Over those 13 years, the kids became very successful in their performances, both individually and as a band.......and because of their hard work, their striving for perfection, and their belief that they CAN do anything which they wanted to do.......the band became one of the top bands not only in southeast Missouri, but in the entire state. We received invitations to perform in many places......and the first out of state trip was for one of those invitations: to play at the United States Capitol in Washington.......at a marvelous location where we could overlook the Mall with the Washington Monument in the background and the Dome of the Capitol towering just behind us with our flag flying proudly on top of it!!
It was the trip of a lifetime for many of those students, and for that matter for the parents, also. And........after that full week's wonderful trip to Washington DC and to Gettysburg and all of the many, many educational things to do and see in D.C............two years later we were playing at the foot of the Statue of Liberty in NYC!! WOW.......what trips!!! WHAT experiences for these kids from this small town in southeast Missouri....many of which had never even been to St Louis, an hour up the road!!!!! And soooo, one other trip to Washington was made while I was still teaching.....and two years later I assisted the new director when he took the band to NYC again.
Yep........those were wonderful times........wonderful kids in those bands.......and those trips made the memories that the kids, as well as this sagging hulk of me, will never, never forget!!!!!
And sooooo, enough of this seventh chapter for now..........I WILL continue soon!!!
TODAY!!!!!!!
Another beautiful day!!!! I was up and after a couple of cups of my French Roast coffee....and then I ran up to Farmington to have a few X-rays made of my shoulder.....at one of the hospitals there. A brief shopping stop at the Super Center there.....and then I returned to the stick and brick here on the hill. I potted some Thai Basil plants......for using as an herb in many of our cooking dishes.......and then I just relaxed on the patio, reading and enjoying the gorgeous day.
And before long, I was once again watering the new grass in the front lawn.....and then I put on the grill a couple of brats to BBQ. YUMMM......and the really turned out great!!!!! A glass of my dark red medicine had disappeared earlier when I determined that it must be 5 o'clock somewhere, if not here.....and enjoyed the daily dosage of that medicine!
This evening.....AHHHH......what a super American Idol show it was!!!! I do believe that young David was certainly the best, consistently throughout his three performances. I really, really do like Big David, but just thought his performances tonight were a bit lackluster.....just not up to his usual performances that we have seen every week.
And sooooo, with another election night on the tellie........it is looking as if Sen. Obama is very close to getting the delegates needed .......and should then pick up the super delegates by the end of the month.........MAYBE. Who knows in this electoral season????!!!
It has been a good day.......it has been fun to return to 1988 and remember many of the things that occurred during that time.......and in doing so, I really have enjoyed those memories returning. Which.....brings me to something I have wanted to speak to for a long time.........If you haven't started a blog.....or a journal.....or a diary........let me encourage you to do so. It is great to travel back in time....in you mind.....to recall and remember many of the things that have happened in your Life.....and how small things can influence many future outcomes and decisions and events in your later Life!! Try it!!!! And so.........a great day.....and.....
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
MORE Great Spring Days........WOW!!
Each day around here just seems to get a little better........not sure how, because each day is pretty damn close to perfect!! Need I say more????? How long with they remain here in SE Missouri???
Yesterday??? A day of working in the yard.....after I watched the Sunday morning talking heads, even though their heads all seem to say the same as always!
The yard??? We are still filling in some grassless areas and spots with grass seed, seed fertilizer, and straw.....and prior to doing this we are getting rid of a lot of wild violets and their underground root systems. Not an easy task......as nothing in the way of liquids that are on the market will KILL those damn wild violets, no matter WHAT the commercials and review say! Sooooo, it has been a chore.....and the worst thing is that they are in various places in our lawn....and so, we have only just begun!
Then in the late afternoon, I grilled two beautiful rib eye steaks....about 1-1.5 inches thick....and they came out just perfect...OMG.....haven't grilled two steaks that have come out as good as those in ages and ages. The 1st Lady made a delightful salad with spring greens, strawberries, slivered almonds, and a dressing from Balsamic Vinegar....ohhhh soooo good! But, the veggie was a corn and sour cream casserole that is unbelievable!!!!!!!! She really outdid herself with this mouthwatering dish.........ummmm!!!!
Then last night we just sat back.....watched a bit of useless tellie, read a bit, and I just surfed the web for a couple of hours doing some research about our proposed trip to NE Canada. It was a great day!!!
TODAY...........
The 1st Lady was up and going strong by 8:30....and by a bit after 9am, she was off and headed north to spend about three-four days with her mother, who is not doing very well. She has an appt with a surgeon on Wednesday and the 1st Lady plans to be there to take her for the consultation. We do not yet know just what the problem is, but suspect from everything that has been said, and the symptoms that we are aware of, that she has an aneurysim in her abdomen.....which is not something we hope to hear, but.......we just need to know something.....and that will on Wednesday.
I ran to Farmington for a couple of hours and then back here this afternoon. What else did I do????? Not much.....took a nap.....relaxed on the patio....watered the new grass that has begun to push through the soil........and then just watched a bit of the news channels, and surfed the net.
WOW....wasn't that a productive day???? Sure hope tomorrow is a bit more intense........!! But......no matter how little or how much I do each day in this rebirth part of my Life.....I always know that......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Yesterday??? A day of working in the yard.....after I watched the Sunday morning talking heads, even though their heads all seem to say the same as always!
The yard??? We are still filling in some grassless areas and spots with grass seed, seed fertilizer, and straw.....and prior to doing this we are getting rid of a lot of wild violets and their underground root systems. Not an easy task......as nothing in the way of liquids that are on the market will KILL those damn wild violets, no matter WHAT the commercials and review say! Sooooo, it has been a chore.....and the worst thing is that they are in various places in our lawn....and so, we have only just begun!
Then in the late afternoon, I grilled two beautiful rib eye steaks....about 1-1.5 inches thick....and they came out just perfect...OMG.....haven't grilled two steaks that have come out as good as those in ages and ages. The 1st Lady made a delightful salad with spring greens, strawberries, slivered almonds, and a dressing from Balsamic Vinegar....ohhhh soooo good! But, the veggie was a corn and sour cream casserole that is unbelievable!!!!!!!! She really outdid herself with this mouthwatering dish.........ummmm!!!!
Then last night we just sat back.....watched a bit of useless tellie, read a bit, and I just surfed the web for a couple of hours doing some research about our proposed trip to NE Canada. It was a great day!!!
TODAY...........
The 1st Lady was up and going strong by 8:30....and by a bit after 9am, she was off and headed north to spend about three-four days with her mother, who is not doing very well. She has an appt with a surgeon on Wednesday and the 1st Lady plans to be there to take her for the consultation. We do not yet know just what the problem is, but suspect from everything that has been said, and the symptoms that we are aware of, that she has an aneurysim in her abdomen.....which is not something we hope to hear, but.......we just need to know something.....and that will on Wednesday.
I ran to Farmington for a couple of hours and then back here this afternoon. What else did I do????? Not much.....took a nap.....relaxed on the patio....watered the new grass that has begun to push through the soil........and then just watched a bit of the news channels, and surfed the net.
WOW....wasn't that a productive day???? Sure hope tomorrow is a bit more intense........!! But......no matter how little or how much I do each day in this rebirth part of my Life.....I always know that......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
WHEW!!!! Two very busy days.........
AHHHHH......first of all, I will combine yesterday and today by saying that the weather has just been as close to perfect as it can get!!! How about that????? POSTIVE weather words from this evolving, sagging hulk of me!!!
Yesterday, we were up and going......off to Cape G. for some shopping, some looking, and some bargains for the 1st Lady and myself from Kohl's.......one of our favorite stores for some very good prices on clothing!!!!
A brief word about Lenscrafters there in Cape.........Not certain I will ever use them again for glasses, etc. STILL, after six months, trying to get my prescription sunglasses to work: frames that were NOT straight from the "git-go" and therefore have been giving me fits ever since because they are the plastic frames and cannot be adjusted properly.......and certainly not when they were not sitting straight when they were first given to me with the correct lenses!!! I just about came unglued yesterday, but managed to keep it under control, albeit a bit of smoke coming from my ears/nostrils, as I bit my tongue several times. I KNOW that "Consumer Reports" does not give this shop a very good rating.............perhaps now I understand why!
Then we were off to visit Mike for the afternoon and early evening. We finally returned home, after another stop in Cape around 8:30pm at Lowe's to get some carpet spot remover/cleaners. HOPE they work.......!!!!!!
Then this morning.......we were picked up by Sue and Dave and off we went to Washington, MO......for their annual Art and Wine Festival. This is a great "small town" event......and always brings in many lovers of both art and wine to look and taste!!!! We had a really super time.......!!!! Used my new Garmin Nuvi 350.....and really glad we had it with us as the road we had decided to take all of sudden had a "Road Closed" sign up on the highway and a Detour sign pointing to some unknown road.....not a highway!!!! Turned it on.....and after wandering through the woods and over the hills and down into the valleys we arrived at Pacific, MO.....and were soon parking the van in Washington. Garmin did a wonderful job of getting us there......!!!!!!!
Lunch was first on the agenda......and then we spent some time looking at the various art booths....with everything from great photography to very modern artwork, jewelry, pottery, and a few booths with some shawls and other clothing. LOTS to see......LOTS to admire.....and we really enjoyed all of it!!!
Then......over to the Wine Tasting pavillion........and for $15 a ticket(if purchased before today which the 1st Lady did earlier this week), you could taste 14 different wines......your choice. There were that many different wineries represented....all from Missouri. As usual.......my taste leans towards the dark and dry red wines....and so, I quickly discovered that most of these wines were not very good. The exception: St. James Norton!!!!!! I have purchased their Norton before and have always really enjoyed them.......and the samples I had today confirmed my feelings that I really do enjoy this "dark red medicine"!!!!!!
We didn't leave until almost 6pm......having spent a bit of time listening to the live music performances, looking and shopping in some of the great little shops in downtown Washington where the Festival was being held......in the streets. We also stopped at a coffee shop near the Festival and had a coffee/cappuccino while sitting at the bistro tables on the sidewalk. From there we could watch the swift and muddy Missouri River flowing past Washington......this is a gorgeous area of our state.....and all wine aficionados are aware of this because this is part of the Missouri Wine Road/Trail....where many, many of our state's wineries are located.
Returning home around 7:30pm.......the 1st Lady and I realized how tired we were......from all of the wine????? Hmmmmm..........I wonder???? It has been a great day.......always mucho fun to enjoy some great art and some wonderful wine on a nearly perfect weather day with such great friends!!!!!! And, of course...................
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Yesterday, we were up and going......off to Cape G. for some shopping, some looking, and some bargains for the 1st Lady and myself from Kohl's.......one of our favorite stores for some very good prices on clothing!!!!
A brief word about Lenscrafters there in Cape.........Not certain I will ever use them again for glasses, etc. STILL, after six months, trying to get my prescription sunglasses to work: frames that were NOT straight from the "git-go" and therefore have been giving me fits ever since because they are the plastic frames and cannot be adjusted properly.......and certainly not when they were not sitting straight when they were first given to me with the correct lenses!!! I just about came unglued yesterday, but managed to keep it under control, albeit a bit of smoke coming from my ears/nostrils, as I bit my tongue several times. I KNOW that "Consumer Reports" does not give this shop a very good rating.............perhaps now I understand why!
Then we were off to visit Mike for the afternoon and early evening. We finally returned home, after another stop in Cape around 8:30pm at Lowe's to get some carpet spot remover/cleaners. HOPE they work.......!!!!!!
Then this morning.......we were picked up by Sue and Dave and off we went to Washington, MO......for their annual Art and Wine Festival. This is a great "small town" event......and always brings in many lovers of both art and wine to look and taste!!!! We had a really super time.......!!!! Used my new Garmin Nuvi 350.....and really glad we had it with us as the road we had decided to take all of sudden had a "Road Closed" sign up on the highway and a Detour sign pointing to some unknown road.....not a highway!!!! Turned it on.....and after wandering through the woods and over the hills and down into the valleys we arrived at Pacific, MO.....and were soon parking the van in Washington. Garmin did a wonderful job of getting us there......!!!!!!!
Lunch was first on the agenda......and then we spent some time looking at the various art booths....with everything from great photography to very modern artwork, jewelry, pottery, and a few booths with some shawls and other clothing. LOTS to see......LOTS to admire.....and we really enjoyed all of it!!!
Then......over to the Wine Tasting pavillion........and for $15 a ticket(if purchased before today which the 1st Lady did earlier this week), you could taste 14 different wines......your choice. There were that many different wineries represented....all from Missouri. As usual.......my taste leans towards the dark and dry red wines....and so, I quickly discovered that most of these wines were not very good. The exception: St. James Norton!!!!!! I have purchased their Norton before and have always really enjoyed them.......and the samples I had today confirmed my feelings that I really do enjoy this "dark red medicine"!!!!!!
We didn't leave until almost 6pm......having spent a bit of time listening to the live music performances, looking and shopping in some of the great little shops in downtown Washington where the Festival was being held......in the streets. We also stopped at a coffee shop near the Festival and had a coffee/cappuccino while sitting at the bistro tables on the sidewalk. From there we could watch the swift and muddy Missouri River flowing past Washington......this is a gorgeous area of our state.....and all wine aficionados are aware of this because this is part of the Missouri Wine Road/Trail....where many, many of our state's wineries are located.
Returning home around 7:30pm.......the 1st Lady and I realized how tired we were......from all of the wine????? Hmmmmm..........I wonder???? It has been a great day.......always mucho fun to enjoy some great art and some wonderful wine on a nearly perfect weather day with such great friends!!!!!! And, of course...................
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
UGH!!!!!! RAIN and more RAIN!!!
I awoke this morning to the sound of the rain outside the window pane......glad it was OUTside and not inside....haha!! Anyway......until late, late this afternoon the rains continued to come down....not "raining cats and dogs", but a steady downpour all day long. Oh well.......we will be wishing we had some of this rain in a few weeks.......
And.....due to the rain, I elected to take care of some things that needed to be done.....such as downloading the 2009 North America updates to my new Garmin GS. This took much, much longer than I had thought it would....."whew". First I downloaded, as instructed by the website online....and this took right at two hours. Then when I tried to put the download on the Garmin....it wouldn't go!!! And so began a series of phone calls to Garmin, attempting to connect with the right "person" .....and this process took almost two hours. FINALLY, I reached the right real person after "holding" for 35 minutes!!!! OMG.......then, after explaining the problem.....I had to download the entire update once again, but only after the "Garmin Guy" on the phone took control of MY computer to try to locate what had happened to the first download.....hahaha......sure was interesting to watch my my monitor and see him running the cursor around, looking for that file!!!! Anyway.......after the second download.....I was able to get it onto the Garmin, albeit another two hour procedure!!!!!!!
Then......I worked on getting my XM Radio up and going again as we had let the subscription slip and this took several phone calls to reach the "right person" so that I could get re-instated. Then....another hour plus to get the satellite to update my radio and get me back up and going again on XM!!!
WOW......what a couple of tasks that go on and on and on for hours can do for passing time on a rainy day!! Before I knew it.....the day was over and the 1st Lady had returned from Dr. Jeni's and STL.
So, as she walked in front of the window with her arms loaded with many various things, I jumped up to go open the front door.....and CRAP(with a capital S)....I turned over my half full glas of dark red medicine all over the new silver gray carpet in the media room!!!!!! OMG.....it was a long streak of about THREE FEET across the carpet. Well......my mouth exploded in expletives and I ran for the paper towels and a sponge. The two hours plus were spent in quickly checking the internet for solutions to this major, major problem of a dark red stain on the new carpet. And......we worked and worked and tried a couple of different solutions that we located......and it IS much better than at first........we can't really tell until the carpet completely dries. Am I in the dog house????? Well, let's just say that things could be better around here this evening!!!!!
No.....I will not get on my soapbox this evening....as I did last night.....hahaha!!! I DID hear from one reader who must be a part of that small and dwindling 18% of our country who believe that our elected leaders in Washington DC ARE headed in the right direction...........And that is what makes our country so wonderful......we.....everyone of us.....can publicly speak our opinions, our feelings, about our government and our elected leaders!!!!! When I was in Egypt....Cairo.....this past November, a sales clerk in a "tourist shop" in the Ramses Hilton Hotel where were staying began a conversation with me about the USA's government and the Egyptian government....and then all of a sudden he stopped in mid-sentence and whispered that he shouldn't be making such statements as their government was "always listening" to their people. He was extremely bothered by what had occurred with our conversation, so I thanked him for assisting me in his shop and immediately left and went out into the very busy lobby/reception area of the hotel. Soooo, as I stated above.......no matter how much we can disagree with the way different things are being done by our government, we CAN express our opinions openly, just as this individual from the West Coast expressed his feelings toward me and my "anti american rants". (Sure wish he had capitalized the word "american" in his comments!!!!!)
The older I become, the more I realize how very, very differently each of us sees, hears, and feels about Life. We all come from different backgrounds, educational levels, religions, regions of the country, and experiences.......and all of these things influence and affect the way we see, hear, and feel about everything in Life. And it is these discussions, conversations, and writings which we have with others that invigorate and stimulate our minds as we learn and get to know about so many other human beings and the way THEY are seeing, hearing, and feeling. WOW......the more people I meet and talk with and get to know from here in our country and from all of the places that I have visited in those 45 countries around the world.......the more I LOVE Life!!!!! And.....it makes me know for certain that......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
And.....due to the rain, I elected to take care of some things that needed to be done.....such as downloading the 2009 North America updates to my new Garmin GS. This took much, much longer than I had thought it would....."whew". First I downloaded, as instructed by the website online....and this took right at two hours. Then when I tried to put the download on the Garmin....it wouldn't go!!! And so began a series of phone calls to Garmin, attempting to connect with the right "person" .....and this process took almost two hours. FINALLY, I reached the right real person after "holding" for 35 minutes!!!! OMG.......then, after explaining the problem.....I had to download the entire update once again, but only after the "Garmin Guy" on the phone took control of MY computer to try to locate what had happened to the first download.....hahaha......sure was interesting to watch my my monitor and see him running the cursor around, looking for that file!!!! Anyway.......after the second download.....I was able to get it onto the Garmin, albeit another two hour procedure!!!!!!!
Then......I worked on getting my XM Radio up and going again as we had let the subscription slip and this took several phone calls to reach the "right person" so that I could get re-instated. Then....another hour plus to get the satellite to update my radio and get me back up and going again on XM!!!
WOW......what a couple of tasks that go on and on and on for hours can do for passing time on a rainy day!! Before I knew it.....the day was over and the 1st Lady had returned from Dr. Jeni's and STL.
So, as she walked in front of the window with her arms loaded with many various things, I jumped up to go open the front door.....and CRAP(with a capital S)....I turned over my half full glas of dark red medicine all over the new silver gray carpet in the media room!!!!!! OMG.....it was a long streak of about THREE FEET across the carpet. Well......my mouth exploded in expletives and I ran for the paper towels and a sponge. The two hours plus were spent in quickly checking the internet for solutions to this major, major problem of a dark red stain on the new carpet. And......we worked and worked and tried a couple of different solutions that we located......and it IS much better than at first........we can't really tell until the carpet completely dries. Am I in the dog house????? Well, let's just say that things could be better around here this evening!!!!!
No.....I will not get on my soapbox this evening....as I did last night.....hahaha!!! I DID hear from one reader who must be a part of that small and dwindling 18% of our country who believe that our elected leaders in Washington DC ARE headed in the right direction...........And that is what makes our country so wonderful......we.....everyone of us.....can publicly speak our opinions, our feelings, about our government and our elected leaders!!!!! When I was in Egypt....Cairo.....this past November, a sales clerk in a "tourist shop" in the Ramses Hilton Hotel where were staying began a conversation with me about the USA's government and the Egyptian government....and then all of a sudden he stopped in mid-sentence and whispered that he shouldn't be making such statements as their government was "always listening" to their people. He was extremely bothered by what had occurred with our conversation, so I thanked him for assisting me in his shop and immediately left and went out into the very busy lobby/reception area of the hotel. Soooo, as I stated above.......no matter how much we can disagree with the way different things are being done by our government, we CAN express our opinions openly, just as this individual from the West Coast expressed his feelings toward me and my "anti american rants". (Sure wish he had capitalized the word "american" in his comments!!!!!)
The older I become, the more I realize how very, very differently each of us sees, hears, and feels about Life. We all come from different backgrounds, educational levels, religions, regions of the country, and experiences.......and all of these things influence and affect the way we see, hear, and feel about everything in Life. And it is these discussions, conversations, and writings which we have with others that invigorate and stimulate our minds as we learn and get to know about so many other human beings and the way THEY are seeing, hearing, and feeling. WOW......the more people I meet and talk with and get to know from here in our country and from all of the places that I have visited in those 45 countries around the world.......the more I LOVE Life!!!!! And.....it makes me know for certain that......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Never Fear.....Howser is Still Here!!!
You know......I just do not know where the days and the time goes to.......just cannot figure it out!!! Yesterday?? I just hung out around the stick and brick yesterday morning.....and then went to Farmington for a Dr.'s appointment........not a plumbing problem, but problem with my right shoulder and upper arm muscles.....one that has been giving me some pain and problems since we arrived in the RGV in Texas on January 2nd. It just seemed to be something, in my mind anyway, that would go away eventually.......wwwweeeeeelllllllll, it hasn't! I realize it almost every night when I wake up several times as I somehow turn my sagging hulk over from one side to another....and the pain awakens me quite sharply!!!
Sooooo, after getting an appt. for yesterday, I met with our family physician for about a half hour. We discussed briefly the progress that is being made(I hope) with the plumbing problem and then began an in-depth discussion of my shoulder, my thoughts as to what might have caused it (30 years of directing bands????), and what path we will take to determine the medical problem. Soooo, the first step is for x-rays.......and then we will meet again to discuss what the films show..............
Returning to the stick and brick........I had a former student on piano stop by....he had called and we set up this appointment time. He is a student at SEMO and is majoring in music with piano as his major instrument........and we discussed in detail some of the questions he had about this occupation. Hopefully, I was able to give him some points to ponder....... He had always been a good student on piano, even though he was a home schooled student. He has his Associates Degree from Mineral Area College and is now moving forward with his plans for his career at SEMO.
The evening....???? Sue and David had called and once again, invited us out to dinner as she had some new recipes that she was "trying out" on us. So, we spent the evening out there with them. Returning home, the 1st Lady and I watched the Tivo'd "AMERICAN IDOL".......and enjoyed it immensely.
And sooooo, yesterday....Tuesday......slipped by all toooo quickly.........
TODAY????
The 1st Lady was up and off by 9AM......going to see her personal Dentist.....Dr. Jeni!!! And then....she plans to remain overnight there with her, Darrel, and Meghan and Ava. She will return tomorrow after a shopping spree in STL.
Me????? Today was a nasty day....drizzle, clouds, dampness, etc., etc., etc......all of the elements that affect our state of Misery. Soooo, I napped, read, watched some tellie..........had a couple of Bologna sandwiches for supper........and then "AMERICAN IDOL"!!!!! I knew it would be Davd and David who made it through to the Finals........but, all three should have no trouble in making a career with their amazing and wonderful talents!!!
Hey........do you KNOW what the number...."250".... means today???????????????? WOW....it is only 250 days until we will no longer be a "leaderless nation".......no longer having to live in shame with, and from, the present Bush and Co. Administration! We are all suffering from their decisions(if that is what they can be called), their constant spouting of spin (lies), and the complete collapse of America as we once knew it.....and as the world once knew it. We are no longer held as a country that others would like to model ( be like ) themselves.......we do not have any respect from most of the entire world, and we are beginning to sink in the mire and mud that the Bush and Co. have left for us to wallow in. ONLY 250 DAYS TO GO!!!!!! ( I hope we make it!!)
Tomorrow????? No plans......a few items to take care of to keep the stick and brick on an even keel, but.......nothing earth-shattering.......however, as you know that I always see the glass as being half-full (of dark red medicine...heehee)...........
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Sooooo, after getting an appt. for yesterday, I met with our family physician for about a half hour. We discussed briefly the progress that is being made(I hope) with the plumbing problem and then began an in-depth discussion of my shoulder, my thoughts as to what might have caused it (30 years of directing bands????), and what path we will take to determine the medical problem. Soooo, the first step is for x-rays.......and then we will meet again to discuss what the films show..............
Returning to the stick and brick........I had a former student on piano stop by....he had called and we set up this appointment time. He is a student at SEMO and is majoring in music with piano as his major instrument........and we discussed in detail some of the questions he had about this occupation. Hopefully, I was able to give him some points to ponder....... He had always been a good student on piano, even though he was a home schooled student. He has his Associates Degree from Mineral Area College and is now moving forward with his plans for his career at SEMO.
The evening....???? Sue and David had called and once again, invited us out to dinner as she had some new recipes that she was "trying out" on us. So, we spent the evening out there with them. Returning home, the 1st Lady and I watched the Tivo'd "AMERICAN IDOL".......and enjoyed it immensely.
And sooooo, yesterday....Tuesday......slipped by all toooo quickly.........
TODAY????
The 1st Lady was up and off by 9AM......going to see her personal Dentist.....Dr. Jeni!!! And then....she plans to remain overnight there with her, Darrel, and Meghan and Ava. She will return tomorrow after a shopping spree in STL.
Me????? Today was a nasty day....drizzle, clouds, dampness, etc., etc., etc......all of the elements that affect our state of Misery. Soooo, I napped, read, watched some tellie..........had a couple of Bologna sandwiches for supper........and then "AMERICAN IDOL"!!!!! I knew it would be Davd and David who made it through to the Finals........but, all three should have no trouble in making a career with their amazing and wonderful talents!!!
Hey........do you KNOW what the number...."250".... means today???????????????? WOW....it is only 250 days until we will no longer be a "leaderless nation".......no longer having to live in shame with, and from, the present Bush and Co. Administration! We are all suffering from their decisions(if that is what they can be called), their constant spouting of spin (lies), and the complete collapse of America as we once knew it.....and as the world once knew it. We are no longer held as a country that others would like to model ( be like ) themselves.......we do not have any respect from most of the entire world, and we are beginning to sink in the mire and mud that the Bush and Co. have left for us to wallow in. ONLY 250 DAYS TO GO!!!!!! ( I hope we make it!!)
Tomorrow????? No plans......a few items to take care of to keep the stick and brick on an even keel, but.......nothing earth-shattering.......however, as you know that I always see the glass as being half-full (of dark red medicine...heehee)...........
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Monday, May 12, 2008
WHAT a LONG DAY!!!!!!!!
OMG......I hardly slept last night.....kept waking my sagging hulk to check on the time on my cell phone. There was no alarm clock in the house of my mother-in-law, so I use my cell phone. Anyway....after a night of tossing and turning, checking my little cell phone, sleeping a few minutes and then waking up again. UGH!!!! Soooo, when 3:45 rolled around I pulled myself up and out of the bed, staggered into the shower and stood there attempting to bring myself back to the real world......if there is such a place at this ungodly time of the morning(??).
Soon I had the coffee perking....and then at 4:15, I began to try to rouse Jay and the 1st Lady....not an easy task. But....by 4:45am, we were struggling to get into the car....and two hours later I was pulling into the airport in STL and five minute later, Jay was in the terminal and we were on I-70 and going to I-270 to drive south to F'Town.
We stopped in Festus at Panera Bread for breakfast. For the first time for myself......I was able to get one of their hot Spinach and artichoke heart egg souffles. WOW!!!!!! Oh SOO GOOD!!!! If you have not had one of these at Panera Bread........get yourself there in the mornings for breakfast and make certain you order one of these......I do not think you will be sorry!!! YUM, YUM!!!
We made a quick stop in Farmington so I could get all 68 of the hairs on my head shortened. Ohhhh, did I not tell you that I LOST one of my hairs from my head????? WOE IS ME!!!!! Only 68 hairs left.....what to do, what to do???? Anyway, my usual and favorite hair trimmers was not there, so I took the only person there and NEVER again!!!!! I looked like I have had my head under a lawn mower.........she did a horrific job. UGH....DAMN!!!! Guess they will grow out.....just hope I don't croak before they do grow. However.......don't plan to be on exhibit in some Victorian decorated funeral home anyway.
We were home by 9:30am.....and after a quick cup of coffee, I was out on the lawn.....and about five hours later I had finished mowing and picking up tons and tons of limbs and sticks and twigs from the very strong winds that blew through here while we were gone over the weekend. Must have been QUITE a storm!!!!!
From that time on........I have been in misery....and not our state. My bones and muscles are screaming loudly from the bending, raking, bending, mowing, bending, and many other physical tasks that today's yard work required. Sure hope the Excedrin begins to kick in quickly. Even a couple of doses of my dark red medicine has not seemed to work to quiet these damn screaming muscles.
Watched the semi-finals of Dancing With the Stars............hmmmm, I don't quite agree with the three "judges". Obviously...they are the pros and see moves and lines and attitudes and footwork that I don't focus upon, but sure don't agree with them some times.
And soooooo, this day has stretched into a very, very long day.......beginning last night when I tried to sleep! Tonight? Well, I sure hope and I sure expect to sleep and do some catching up on the missed sleep that I didn't get last night.
Other than the freakish hair trim I had today..........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!
Soon I had the coffee perking....and then at 4:15, I began to try to rouse Jay and the 1st Lady....not an easy task. But....by 4:45am, we were struggling to get into the car....and two hours later I was pulling into the airport in STL and five minute later, Jay was in the terminal and we were on I-70 and going to I-270 to drive south to F'Town.
We stopped in Festus at Panera Bread for breakfast. For the first time for myself......I was able to get one of their hot Spinach and artichoke heart egg souffles. WOW!!!!!! Oh SOO GOOD!!!! If you have not had one of these at Panera Bread........get yourself there in the mornings for breakfast and make certain you order one of these......I do not think you will be sorry!!! YUM, YUM!!!
We made a quick stop in Farmington so I could get all 68 of the hairs on my head shortened. Ohhhh, did I not tell you that I LOST one of my hairs from my head????? WOE IS ME!!!!! Only 68 hairs left.....what to do, what to do???? Anyway, my usual and favorite hair trimmers was not there, so I took the only person there and NEVER again!!!!! I looked like I have had my head under a lawn mower.........she did a horrific job. UGH....DAMN!!!! Guess they will grow out.....just hope I don't croak before they do grow. However.......don't plan to be on exhibit in some Victorian decorated funeral home anyway.
We were home by 9:30am.....and after a quick cup of coffee, I was out on the lawn.....and about five hours later I had finished mowing and picking up tons and tons of limbs and sticks and twigs from the very strong winds that blew through here while we were gone over the weekend. Must have been QUITE a storm!!!!!
From that time on........I have been in misery....and not our state. My bones and muscles are screaming loudly from the bending, raking, bending, mowing, bending, and many other physical tasks that today's yard work required. Sure hope the Excedrin begins to kick in quickly. Even a couple of doses of my dark red medicine has not seemed to work to quiet these damn screaming muscles.
Watched the semi-finals of Dancing With the Stars............hmmmm, I don't quite agree with the three "judges". Obviously...they are the pros and see moves and lines and attitudes and footwork that I don't focus upon, but sure don't agree with them some times.
And soooooo, this day has stretched into a very, very long day.......beginning last night when I tried to sleep! Tonight? Well, I sure hope and I sure expect to sleep and do some catching up on the missed sleep that I didn't get last night.
Other than the freakish hair trim I had today..........
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday and Sunday's weekend posts.......
Hmmmm……you didn’t hear from this blogger yesterday, did you??? Nope…..and I must apologize as here at the home of the 1st Lady’s mother……it just didn’t work out for me to online: the wifi that I have been piggybacking onto was having some difficulties staying hooked to cyberspace…..weather related problems!!!
Yesterday……it was just sort of a lay around, watch the weather become worse and worse, listen to the weather reports, check the radar online(when I could get online), run to the grocery store, eat, snack, eat, snack, lay around, take a nap, read the online newspapers(when I could get online),and then eat some more. OMG……this sagging hulk of me is sagging EVEN MORE!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don’t try to get a visual of me…..it is not pretty……DAMN!!! This week I must cut back, work more, get more exercise, and not eat so damn much!!!
Sooooo, what did I do today??????? Read the above paragraph and you pretty much have the sum total of my activities today, too!!!! And…..to make matters worse, my mother-in-law made a pot roast with some great carrots, potatoes, noodles, and gravy. Yep…..a HUGE amount of delicious food to add to the sagging part of my hulk. AND….then, the 1st Lady made a loaf of Banana Bread……..OMG…..I cannot resist that. Help….Help….Help……do not feed the Sagging Hulk of Me!!!!!!
OK…..so, we leave under the cover of darkness in the morning…..so that way no one will see me dragging my sagging hulk out the door here!! And also…..we have to drop Jay off at the STL airport by 7am so he can catch his flight to New Orleans at 8am. I am a bit concerned as he insists that we do not need to leave until 5am…..as he is not used to the commuter traffic on Monday mornings going into STL in I-70.……but, since I am only the driver(IF I can get my sagging hulk behind the wheel….or stuffed under it), I‘ll follow his orders. Soooo, it is not me that has to catch a flight….just him. I guess since he is in charge of the campaign operation there, he can jolly well walk in whenever he gets there…..right? With 20 others working in the complex of offices there…….and 80 more to be hired in the next month to fan out across the state……..he is the man in charge!!!
I have had several emails, phone calls, etc, etc from across the country wondering about us….with the terrible storms that crossed the southern part of our state of Misery. Since we were up here, we really missed most of the action….but, hopefully, there wasn’t too much in F’town. Haven’t had any calls from down there telling us that our place is not what it was yesterday morning, so suppose we escaped the furies of the winds.
I am posting this early……will get some help…..to get my sagging hulk onto the bed a bit earlier this evening. It has been a good weekend…..very enjoyable to have several very good conversations about politics with Jay….especially since he is “in the loop” for a lot of info we don’t hear about from the media. And soooooo…..
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Yesterday……it was just sort of a lay around, watch the weather become worse and worse, listen to the weather reports, check the radar online(when I could get online), run to the grocery store, eat, snack, eat, snack, lay around, take a nap, read the online newspapers(when I could get online),and then eat some more. OMG……this sagging hulk of me is sagging EVEN MORE!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don’t try to get a visual of me…..it is not pretty……DAMN!!! This week I must cut back, work more, get more exercise, and not eat so damn much!!!
Sooooo, what did I do today??????? Read the above paragraph and you pretty much have the sum total of my activities today, too!!!! And…..to make matters worse, my mother-in-law made a pot roast with some great carrots, potatoes, noodles, and gravy. Yep…..a HUGE amount of delicious food to add to the sagging part of my hulk. AND….then, the 1st Lady made a loaf of Banana Bread……..OMG…..I cannot resist that. Help….Help….Help……do not feed the Sagging Hulk of Me!!!!!!
OK…..so, we leave under the cover of darkness in the morning…..so that way no one will see me dragging my sagging hulk out the door here!! And also…..we have to drop Jay off at the STL airport by 7am so he can catch his flight to New Orleans at 8am. I am a bit concerned as he insists that we do not need to leave until 5am…..as he is not used to the commuter traffic on Monday mornings going into STL in I-70.……but, since I am only the driver(IF I can get my sagging hulk behind the wheel….or stuffed under it), I‘ll follow his orders. Soooo, it is not me that has to catch a flight….just him. I guess since he is in charge of the campaign operation there, he can jolly well walk in whenever he gets there…..right? With 20 others working in the complex of offices there…….and 80 more to be hired in the next month to fan out across the state……..he is the man in charge!!!
I have had several emails, phone calls, etc, etc from across the country wondering about us….with the terrible storms that crossed the southern part of our state of Misery. Since we were up here, we really missed most of the action….but, hopefully, there wasn’t too much in F’town. Haven’t had any calls from down there telling us that our place is not what it was yesterday morning, so suppose we escaped the furies of the winds.
I am posting this early……will get some help…..to get my sagging hulk onto the bed a bit earlier this evening. It has been a good weekend…..very enjoyable to have several very good conversations about politics with Jay….especially since he is “in the loop” for a lot of info we don’t hear about from the media. And soooooo…..
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Friday, May 09, 2008
On a quick weekend jaunt to NE Missouri......
The alarm rang at tooooooo early an hour this morning......6:30AM. And, after my morning rituals, after pushing the start button on the coffee maker, I glanced quickly at the morning news online and then awakened the 1st Lady. Our son, Jay, was to fly up to STL from New Orleans this morning for the "Mother's Day" weekend......so we had to be at the airport by 11am today.
We left town at 9am....and after a quick stop for the necessary room and another cup of coffee, we had just parked across from the airport to await Jay's call to inform us that he had landed and to pick him up,.......I just turned off the motor as we sat in a hotel parking lot....and the phone rang and he was just leaving the gate. By the time we made it through the god-awful maze of getting to the pick-up area.....which always includes one trip in front of the terminal and then back around in order to get to the correct roadway for the pick-up area(it is not accessible the first time you pull into the terminal area), he was standing on the walkway flagging us down......11AM on the dot!!! His flt left N.O. at 9am........so we all left and arrived at the same time!
We called Dr. Jeni....today is Friday and she doesn't keep the Dental Office open on Friday.....so we agree to meet in Washington, MO for lunch. A quick 45 minute drive from the airport and we were pulling into "Miller's Grill".....a new facility for wining and dining. We all had just sandwiches and sides......but my Monterrey Jack Hamburger was really very, very good. Juicy and a very good tasting ground beef!!!!!
Then we went out to Dr. Jeni's estate.........the 1st Lady rode with Dr. Jeni and they made a not-so-quick stop at the local Super Mart....a new, huge facility for Wal-Mart!!!! On the way home, they picked up Meghan at school, and Ava at the sitter's.....and we enjoyed our short visit with them at the house!!!! About 7pm, we headed north to Monroe City so Jay could see his grandmother this weekend. We will be here until Sunday afternoon, late.......or VERY early Monday morning. His flight leaves at 10am and it is a good two hour drive to the airport from here.........
Again....I am piggybacking onto someone's internet that resides in the neighborhood here, as I did 10 days ago when we were last here. It is not to be depended on......and so my posts could be rather erratic this weekend. Weather forecast is not the best........we'll see, we'll see!!!! Anway.....it is good to have Jay here with us....and good for him to take a break from the rigors and long hours of the Louisiana state campaign that he is managing.
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!
We left town at 9am....and after a quick stop for the necessary room and another cup of coffee, we had just parked across from the airport to await Jay's call to inform us that he had landed and to pick him up,.......I just turned off the motor as we sat in a hotel parking lot....and the phone rang and he was just leaving the gate. By the time we made it through the god-awful maze of getting to the pick-up area.....which always includes one trip in front of the terminal and then back around in order to get to the correct roadway for the pick-up area(it is not accessible the first time you pull into the terminal area), he was standing on the walkway flagging us down......11AM on the dot!!! His flt left N.O. at 9am........so we all left and arrived at the same time!
We called Dr. Jeni....today is Friday and she doesn't keep the Dental Office open on Friday.....so we agree to meet in Washington, MO for lunch. A quick 45 minute drive from the airport and we were pulling into "Miller's Grill".....a new facility for wining and dining. We all had just sandwiches and sides......but my Monterrey Jack Hamburger was really very, very good. Juicy and a very good tasting ground beef!!!!!
Then we went out to Dr. Jeni's estate.........the 1st Lady rode with Dr. Jeni and they made a not-so-quick stop at the local Super Mart....a new, huge facility for Wal-Mart!!!! On the way home, they picked up Meghan at school, and Ava at the sitter's.....and we enjoyed our short visit with them at the house!!!! About 7pm, we headed north to Monroe City so Jay could see his grandmother this weekend. We will be here until Sunday afternoon, late.......or VERY early Monday morning. His flight leaves at 10am and it is a good two hour drive to the airport from here.........
Again....I am piggybacking onto someone's internet that resides in the neighborhood here, as I did 10 days ago when we were last here. It is not to be depended on......and so my posts could be rather erratic this weekend. Weather forecast is not the best........we'll see, we'll see!!!! Anway.....it is good to have Jay here with us....and good for him to take a break from the rigors and long hours of the Louisiana state campaign that he is managing.
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Hmmmm......was there a "yesterday"???
OMG.......the day before today...."yesterday".....came and went, not without it's little bumps in the road, but it did go by in a quick flash....with a great deal of rain falling, making it a nasty day to be outside!
I had an appointment with the local tire sales and service business, not for the truck or the car, but for "TheHowserHouse". Let me first make a very clear statement: I AM mechanically challenged, to put it very, very mildly!!!!! You can give me most musical instruments and I can fix, repair, tune, etc., etc. without much trouble or thought, but put a vehicle with a problem in front of me, or under me, and I am almost as bumbling an idiot as our "Mission Accomplished" President!!
As you may recall last month I received new axles, springs, four new tires, etc., etc. due to the fact that the axles that were originally on the RV were defective and had ruined 2-3 of the tires that were on it and they only had 9000 miles on them! Sooooo, thinking that the old hubs and ball bearings were still on there.....I wanted the bearings repacked and made ready to go for the next 6000 miles or so that we will travel this summer......hence, the appt. for yesterday.....to take care of that not-so-small task.
Well.............when the first wheel and hub came off, there were bright, tiny, shavings of some metal along the area of the SEALED bearings. First....these bearings cannot be repacked or the entire sealed ring has to be purchased and installed......DUH!!! But, the shavings could not be accounted for.......!!!! AND....these hubs and sealed bearings were NEW as they did come with the new axles!!! DUH!!!!! Soooooo, nothing could be done, nor did anything need be done with the bearings, HOWEVER..........the mystery of the metal shavings AND when reinstalled, the hub was producing a grinding/rubbing sound when it was spun around!!!! NOT GOOD!!!!! The service technician believe that there IS a bearing problem....perhaps not enough grease...etc, etc., etc. Sooooo, reinstalled it was...and I pulled TheHowserHouse back to it's resting place in our driveway.
Hmmmm....what to do?? First I called a Cedar Creek RV Owner's Club member.....knowing that he had much the same problem with his axles.....and he felt very certain that I needed to contact the Cedar Creek Factory....again. Soooo, I called the man who is in charge of service problems on the RV's.....no answer, but a message was left......and then I emailed him.....and then I wrote a letter and faxed it to him!! Yep......I was determined to get to him yesterday afternoon!!
In less than an hour after the faxed letter, I had a phone call from the factory that makes the axeles!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, that call began several hours of phone calls from them to me......and from me to them......and.....the results????? They are sending a service technician from northeastern Indiana out here to check on TheHowserHouse's axles, hubs, bearings, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!!!!!! And, he will be here in the next two days!!! I had told them that under no circumstances would I even consider towing it to any dealer where I could get it serviced. Our Cedar Creek RV Owners Club has already had one member who had a bearing go out.....and his tire/wheel went flying off while he was towing the HUGE 5th wheel down the highway!!!!!!!!! Luckily, he managed to control the RV and brought it to a stop on the side of the road.....without any injuries to him or his wife.
Sooooo, I am quite satisfied with this immediate service from the company that made the axles!!!! I feel that if there is a serious problem.......I, too, was quite lucky in being soooooo damned challenged about the mechanics of the entire situation which sent me to our local tire dealer!!!!!!! Hmmmmm................
So, by this time......it was time for a light supper.....and several doses of my dark red medicine to help me wash away the tension of the problem, the phone calls for a few hours, and the entire nasty weather day!!! And then.......it was time to watch the results of the previous night's episode of American Idol. AND.........THANK GOD.....the voters called it correctly and voted out Jason Castro!!!!! Now.....as to the remaining three very, very talented singers.......any of the three can be the/an "American Idol" as far as I am concerned!!!!! And then........I fell asleep on the sofa....and stumbled into a horizontal position in bed a couple of hours later.......
It had been a busy day.....a busy "yesterday".
TODAY!!!!!
OMG......I never stopped all day...........this evening the 1st Lady is having her sorority....Beta Sigma Phi.......at the house for their twice monthly meeting. Soooooo, the day was spent in doing some major cleaning, sweeping, wiping, dusting, straightening, re-arranging, preparing a light dessert,...etc., etc., etc. And now I find myself assigned to the den, with the door closed, with the tellie turned QUITE LOW......and hoping that I do not have to make any necessary trip to the necessary room, as I will not be in the den tomorrow, but in the proverbial "dog house"!!!! However........
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
I had an appointment with the local tire sales and service business, not for the truck or the car, but for "TheHowserHouse". Let me first make a very clear statement: I AM mechanically challenged, to put it very, very mildly!!!!! You can give me most musical instruments and I can fix, repair, tune, etc., etc. without much trouble or thought, but put a vehicle with a problem in front of me, or under me, and I am almost as bumbling an idiot as our "Mission Accomplished" President!!
As you may recall last month I received new axles, springs, four new tires, etc., etc. due to the fact that the axles that were originally on the RV were defective and had ruined 2-3 of the tires that were on it and they only had 9000 miles on them! Sooooo, thinking that the old hubs and ball bearings were still on there.....I wanted the bearings repacked and made ready to go for the next 6000 miles or so that we will travel this summer......hence, the appt. for yesterday.....to take care of that not-so-small task.
Well.............when the first wheel and hub came off, there were bright, tiny, shavings of some metal along the area of the SEALED bearings. First....these bearings cannot be repacked or the entire sealed ring has to be purchased and installed......DUH!!! But, the shavings could not be accounted for.......!!!! AND....these hubs and sealed bearings were NEW as they did come with the new axles!!! DUH!!!!! Soooooo, nothing could be done, nor did anything need be done with the bearings, HOWEVER..........the mystery of the metal shavings AND when reinstalled, the hub was producing a grinding/rubbing sound when it was spun around!!!! NOT GOOD!!!!! The service technician believe that there IS a bearing problem....perhaps not enough grease...etc, etc., etc. Sooooo, reinstalled it was...and I pulled TheHowserHouse back to it's resting place in our driveway.
Hmmmm....what to do?? First I called a Cedar Creek RV Owner's Club member.....knowing that he had much the same problem with his axles.....and he felt very certain that I needed to contact the Cedar Creek Factory....again. Soooo, I called the man who is in charge of service problems on the RV's.....no answer, but a message was left......and then I emailed him.....and then I wrote a letter and faxed it to him!! Yep......I was determined to get to him yesterday afternoon!!
In less than an hour after the faxed letter, I had a phone call from the factory that makes the axeles!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, that call began several hours of phone calls from them to me......and from me to them......and.....the results????? They are sending a service technician from northeastern Indiana out here to check on TheHowserHouse's axles, hubs, bearings, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!!!!!! And, he will be here in the next two days!!! I had told them that under no circumstances would I even consider towing it to any dealer where I could get it serviced. Our Cedar Creek RV Owners Club has already had one member who had a bearing go out.....and his tire/wheel went flying off while he was towing the HUGE 5th wheel down the highway!!!!!!!!! Luckily, he managed to control the RV and brought it to a stop on the side of the road.....without any injuries to him or his wife.
Sooooo, I am quite satisfied with this immediate service from the company that made the axles!!!! I feel that if there is a serious problem.......I, too, was quite lucky in being soooooo damned challenged about the mechanics of the entire situation which sent me to our local tire dealer!!!!!!! Hmmmmm................
So, by this time......it was time for a light supper.....and several doses of my dark red medicine to help me wash away the tension of the problem, the phone calls for a few hours, and the entire nasty weather day!!! And then.......it was time to watch the results of the previous night's episode of American Idol. AND.........THANK GOD.....the voters called it correctly and voted out Jason Castro!!!!! Now.....as to the remaining three very, very talented singers.......any of the three can be the/an "American Idol" as far as I am concerned!!!!! And then........I fell asleep on the sofa....and stumbled into a horizontal position in bed a couple of hours later.......
It had been a busy day.....a busy "yesterday".
TODAY!!!!!
OMG......I never stopped all day...........this evening the 1st Lady is having her sorority....Beta Sigma Phi.......at the house for their twice monthly meeting. Soooooo, the day was spent in doing some major cleaning, sweeping, wiping, dusting, straightening, re-arranging, preparing a light dessert,...etc., etc., etc. And now I find myself assigned to the den, with the door closed, with the tellie turned QUITE LOW......and hoping that I do not have to make any necessary trip to the necessary room, as I will not be in the den tomorrow, but in the proverbial "dog house"!!!! However........
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
The rains have arrived........for the rest of the week?????
WOW.......am I exhausted tonight!!! I spent most of the day in the yard.......digging dirt, removing some grass, cleaning out old and faded red mulch, and then restoring all of the above, except for the grass. I planted flowers, spread out the new mulch, and then restored some of the large rocks that we have collected around the country and Canada by putting them into the area with the new plants. After being on my knees, pawing and digging like a dog looking for a bone, my body tonight is just a bit weary, to say the very least!
Earlier this morning I had made a run to Wal-Mart and then to the little greenhouse outside of town where I normally purchase our annuals, in particular....geraniums with red flowers. I purchased some really BIG ones at the greenhouse and OMG, but they were CHEAPER than the small ones in W-M!!! Sooooo....I purchased several of these to plant at the entrance to the stick and brick.
Since it was 5 o'clock somewhere, I cheated on the CDT clock and had some dark red medicine a little earlier than usual..........to ease the muscle pain a bit. We were just about to start a warm-up supper with a few left-overs....when the phone rang.....and it was Sue Hanner....and said she had toooooo much pasta and would we run out and help them dispose of this hot food! And.....sooo, we postponed our supper and as I grabbed a new bottle of dark red medicine, we headed out the door and over to their house.
We had a great little salad, some wonderful spinach and mushroom pasta, a couple of glasses of dark red vino, and then we departed. WHY ?????? Because the Hanner family had to leave for a Jr. High Concert where their grandson was performing........and we returned to our stick and brick.
Watching American Idol.......the competition gets tighter, except for Jason....and he needs to go tomorrow night!!! The final three are all great!!! Any and all can make it with the right manager and pr team......
And now......my focus all evening has been on the Primary contests in N. Carolina and Indiana....and as I write, I am still waiting for the results of the Indiana primary and waiting for the northwest Lake County of Indiana......and it should go heavily for Obama!!! WOW......this is a real "edge of your seat" evening......love it!!!! Of course, most of you already know my feelings for this .....and so, I won't take the step of getting off of the sofa and up onto my large soapbox to make any statements!!!!
Tomorrow....rain, and Thurs...rain....and all weekend, it is expected...as of now. Tomorrow evening up to 1-2 inches.......will my newly planted flowers drown????? UGH!!! But, anyway.......we'll see as time goes on......and nevertheless,
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Earlier this morning I had made a run to Wal-Mart and then to the little greenhouse outside of town where I normally purchase our annuals, in particular....geraniums with red flowers. I purchased some really BIG ones at the greenhouse and OMG, but they were CHEAPER than the small ones in W-M!!! Sooooo....I purchased several of these to plant at the entrance to the stick and brick.
Since it was 5 o'clock somewhere, I cheated on the CDT clock and had some dark red medicine a little earlier than usual..........to ease the muscle pain a bit. We were just about to start a warm-up supper with a few left-overs....when the phone rang.....and it was Sue Hanner....and said she had toooooo much pasta and would we run out and help them dispose of this hot food! And.....sooo, we postponed our supper and as I grabbed a new bottle of dark red medicine, we headed out the door and over to their house.
We had a great little salad, some wonderful spinach and mushroom pasta, a couple of glasses of dark red vino, and then we departed. WHY ?????? Because the Hanner family had to leave for a Jr. High Concert where their grandson was performing........and we returned to our stick and brick.
Watching American Idol.......the competition gets tighter, except for Jason....and he needs to go tomorrow night!!! The final three are all great!!! Any and all can make it with the right manager and pr team......
And now......my focus all evening has been on the Primary contests in N. Carolina and Indiana....and as I write, I am still waiting for the results of the Indiana primary and waiting for the northwest Lake County of Indiana......and it should go heavily for Obama!!! WOW......this is a real "edge of your seat" evening......love it!!!! Of course, most of you already know my feelings for this .....and so, I won't take the step of getting off of the sofa and up onto my large soapbox to make any statements!!!!
Tomorrow....rain, and Thurs...rain....and all weekend, it is expected...as of now. Tomorrow evening up to 1-2 inches.......will my newly planted flowers drown????? UGH!!! But, anyway.......we'll see as time goes on......and nevertheless,
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Cinco de Mayo.........a spectacular day for the celebrations!!
Yep.....this is Spring. The high was in the upper 70's and the temp even felt warmer than that without any breeze at all.......a GREAT day!!!
The 1st Lady found herself battling the onset of a migraine, so when she got up she immediately took a Zomig which always seems to stop the migraine QUICKLY!!!! And....it did!!! By late morning, she was out in the yard, working on a patch of the lawn that she is reseeding.......
I had my morning French Roast on the patio....and what a grand morning it was outside....enjoying the many azalea bushes that I have in bloom....and watching the many different kinds of birds enjoying their morning feed at the bird feeder. Perfect peace!!!!
Nothing really occurred today......I worked in the yard some.....assisted her with the area that she finally got reseeded today.......and I spread the straw over the new topsoil and grass seeds....and then watered it down. Hope it grows!!!!! I probably will not be here to coax it up and into healthy grass, but sure hope it can do it on it's own!!
This evening we went to the Hanner's House for a light supper......a wonderful turkey salad and the most delicious potato soup I have ever eaten........EVER!!!! WOW.....she is certainly an outstanding.....and excellent chef!!! What a talent she possesses!!!!!! Supper was served on the deck overlooking the green acreage that they own.....and it was a wonderful place to enjoy great food as the sun was setting in the west. The 1st Lady had taken many of her various bottles of tequila and liqueurs to make a few "Perfect Margaritas".......to celebrate the day.....and she did a great job of mixing these great drinks........a fabulous bartender she is!!!
Afterwards, we watched Dancing With the Stars......a show that we have become sort of hooked on....and we did enjoy it again tonight!!! Then........we moved to the table in the kitchen and played a few games........having a great time!!!
Had a call from Jay down in New Orleans.....and he wanted us to pick him up in STL on Friday....as he is flying up here for the weekend. And....that will be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooo, all in all......a relaxing day.....and a day of completing the seeding of the section of the lawn that has been so bare since late last fall.......and a wonderful supper, by and with, some incredible friends. And who can deny that......
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Afterwards, w
The 1st Lady found herself battling the onset of a migraine, so when she got up she immediately took a Zomig which always seems to stop the migraine QUICKLY!!!! And....it did!!! By late morning, she was out in the yard, working on a patch of the lawn that she is reseeding.......
I had my morning French Roast on the patio....and what a grand morning it was outside....enjoying the many azalea bushes that I have in bloom....and watching the many different kinds of birds enjoying their morning feed at the bird feeder. Perfect peace!!!!
Nothing really occurred today......I worked in the yard some.....assisted her with the area that she finally got reseeded today.......and I spread the straw over the new topsoil and grass seeds....and then watered it down. Hope it grows!!!!! I probably will not be here to coax it up and into healthy grass, but sure hope it can do it on it's own!!
This evening we went to the Hanner's House for a light supper......a wonderful turkey salad and the most delicious potato soup I have ever eaten........EVER!!!! WOW.....she is certainly an outstanding.....and excellent chef!!! What a talent she possesses!!!!!! Supper was served on the deck overlooking the green acreage that they own.....and it was a wonderful place to enjoy great food as the sun was setting in the west. The 1st Lady had taken many of her various bottles of tequila and liqueurs to make a few "Perfect Margaritas".......to celebrate the day.....and she did a great job of mixing these great drinks........a fabulous bartender she is!!!
Afterwards, we watched Dancing With the Stars......a show that we have become sort of hooked on....and we did enjoy it again tonight!!! Then........we moved to the table in the kitchen and played a few games........having a great time!!!
Had a call from Jay down in New Orleans.....and he wanted us to pick him up in STL on Friday....as he is flying up here for the weekend. And....that will be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooo, all in all......a relaxing day.....and a day of completing the seeding of the section of the lawn that has been so bare since late last fall.......and a wonderful supper, by and with, some incredible friends. And who can deny that......
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Afterwards, w
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