Sorry that I have not been on lately - we had a whirlwind Thanksgiving week. Al, Kim and their kids came up from Arkansas, so we got to spend a few days with them. It was so great to see them! We had dinner at JoAnn and Ed's on Thursday (I spent Wednesday and Thursday preparing lots of food for it). I will put a couple pics on here when I get time, but I did not take but a few (surprising for me!). We all went to the zoo, then to the City Museum. It is made totally from recycled materials (technically the building it is housed in is as well, as it is a rescued building that was scheduled for demolition). There are lots of pieces of buildings that have been demolished as well as stuff that was rescued from landfills and construction sites all over the area. You would not believe the awesome stuff they have created from it all. Tunnels, caves, slides, tubes that you have to crawl up and down, planes that are 6 or 7 stories off the ground and suspended by those cables and tubes - i walked the wings as did Al and Alex. There are lots of metal catwalks as well. I fell on one of them, but am fine (a bit bruised and my ankles were hurting a lot after that for a few days since I kind of crumpled with them under me as I fell, but my neck is still intact and that is what matters most). What a fabulous place to turn back into a kid if even for a few hours (we got there at around 6 pm and stayed until after midnight). The next evening we explored the woods and creek about 1/2 mile from home where Al and I used to go when we were kids. We were so silly, as we decided to do some of our exploring after dark - 2 flashlights between 7 people, and we hunted for geodes/agates. We found 3 bags full plus we carried some in a tied up sweatshirt and the fronts of our teeshirts held by one hand like pouches. What a crazy thing to do. Scrambling along through who knows what to get to the creek, then following it upstream to the place where we knew there would be a great amount of them, then back through the dark woods picking our way through the thick leaves on the ground, vines, brambles and tree limbs (the flashlights were with a couple of diehards - Al, Alex and John - and the rest of us dragged ourselves back to civilization many pounds heavier using the sliver of moon light to make our way.) Marty later told me the area woods and creek had obtained a healthy population of copperhead snakes over the years, so I am glad we did not run into any! Whew!  All in all we had a marvelous time!

Hi all, I hope everyone is doing well (or better for some).

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and preparations are at hand.  Housecleaning is one item on the list.  Seems that those chores get set aside or just touched on for a bit when life gets too busy, and then BOOM it is time to really do the heavier cleaning - so time must be made to fit those things in as well.  Ah well, such is life!

I know that this holiday will be difficult for some people who come here as they will be without certain family members or friends.  Rosemary will have a rough time of it as her mom passed on September 1st and this will be the first real holiday without mom's cooking and conversations.  Mag's mom recently passed as well so it will be difficult for her.  Denise also will be dealing with having Thanksgiving without her mom once again (it was right before Thanksgiving last year that her mom passed).  Nik's grandfather passed this year as well.  John's mom will be missed greatly as he and his sisters go through their first holiday season without her - she loved the holidays.  Kathy and Paul are still trying to deal with the loss of their son at such a young age.  Karina and Frank will be headed to Ohio where Frank's Aunt Louise was a vital part of the holiday plus he will be missing Father Chuck - they would have gone to visit with him as well.  To them and to those of you who are entering into the holiday season without loved ones, I understand your feelings of loss.  One thing that you can do to help get through those moments when it hits you is to think of the positive things that those loved ones gave to you in memories and in life lessons, and be thankful for them - remembering the positive aspects and being glad that you had the time and opportunity that you did to be with them when possible.  You are the better for having had them in your life, and that can never be taken away from you.  Change the negative feelings that well up into something positive by doing something in their memory, or carrying on a tradition that was cherished by them however large or small. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating, and cherish what you have today.  May we all make some great new memories for those who will be here beyond the time that we are, so that they can remember us in positive ways as well.  Hugs!

Hi all, we had a fabulous time in Las Vegas a little while back (one of the reasons I was not here for a bit) and there are a few pics in the album.  We did not lose any money - gained about $25 (used only $20 total to end up with a bit over $45 at mostly the penny machines - last of the big spenders... giggle).  Saw Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, the Freemont Street Experience, Show in the Sky at the Rio, checked out Stardust as it was closing in a few days (now closed and getting ready for the implosion), John did a driving experience ($10 for 2 vehicles - one of the best bargains on the strip), and other free stuff. 

The university had some contests for Halloween, and my department won best group costumes.  Pics in album.

John's dad is improving and is now in rehab at a convalescent home.  He might come home in a week or three depending upon how fast his recovery is.  (He has congenitive heart failure and had pneumonia as well).

Frank's aunt passed away this week.  I had the privelege of meeting her, and she seemed like a very sweet lady.  I know she will be greatly missed.

Father Chuck Mentrup, who was co-officiant for Karina and Frank's wedding and the priest who baptized Keegan, as well as being a large part of Frank's life in many ways, died this past week in a one-vehicle car crash.  He will also be greatly missed.  There were many articles about his life in the Ohio papers in the area where he lived, and was a true asset to his community and those around him. 

Christine (my dear friend since early teens) lost a younger cousin as well, in a car crash almost identical to the one Father Chuck died in, but here in Missouri.

Last week also marked the anniversary of Denise's mother's passing.  I am sure that was difficult for her (those types of "anniversaries" always are), and hope she is doing well.

I have been quite busy with things both at home and work, so have not had much time to update.  Sorry.  Hope all is well with everyone.  Hugs!