Jealous

I am jealous of everyone who will be at the lake saturday. :-P

The only saving grace is that I will be seeing the magnificant band Harry and the Potters saturday afternoon.

Laurie-if we DO have a real contest, I will chip in for supplies. If we don't, I will chip in for supplies anyway, haha. :)

love,

jules

The kids can't WAIT!

1 day to go! Wheee! Val- We will buy a can of applesauce, chocolate pudding & corn as staple kid foods for the little ones. We are also bringing Eric's mom's boat & have a slip reserved. We will have some poles & fishing gear but if anyone wants to bring their's along- please do so. Eric's been collecting local tips and wants to try trout fishing. We have some life vests but if you need a special one bring it along. We will be heading home to Alta Mays on Thursday as the Lieutinent Governor of Missouri is coming to Warsaw to give her an award for her volunteerism. A very big deal & we are very proud of her. She will be with us so can tell you the 101 reasons she was nominated. Eric says we will gladly be judges in the bartending contest too. He loves margueritas :). Have to go so can leave at lunch & get my pedi.

Em- Do you have room in your car for a few boxes of clothes?

See you soon!

Les

2 1/2 days left!!!

I cant wait!!! I will warn I may sleep in fairly late the first couple days as I am getting exhausted just getting ready for vacation!! My cousin lisa made a comment today that she will be glad when my life slows down a bit as watching me makes her sleepy...LOL (but yet im sure im not nearly as busy as julie!!) i have just been being very unlike myself and going in to work by 6:30 every morning and usually staying late as well, on top of dinner at sherry/grandmas twice a week, puppy obedience class, kickboxing twice a week, ive been tanning daily this week (not that it will make that big of a difference hehe) trying to get the house cleaned up because my very good friend sally is going to live at our house while we are gone and take care of the dogs, and........tomorrow I have an appointment to sign up for my classes for this fall at John Wood. I have finally officially re-enrolled myself as a student :- ) and i am quite nervous about it I might add!!! and then add in that we have to get the laundry caught up so we can pack! woo hoo ill be glad once we get there!! well, i better be off , need to throw a load of laundry in and head to kickboxing!

Bartending Contest - Hmm

Guess I don't remember saying that. I'm in though with the clause that it be free will donatation to help pay for the supplies involved (I promise not to go overboard! as we can probably always go to town to get more). One question, are we talking drinks or shots or both? Chris, I would still like to car pool with you. Have you thought about when we might leave? Probably should get together with you sometime this week to discuss... Give me a call! Val, don't know what supplies the Strackeljahn's might need as it will depend on if Mom can go as to what we might cook. Otherwise, it maybe Nikki, Bryan, Dad & I cooking. Scared yet? Jess, my address is 311 N I St, Indianola, IA, 50125. Those in my cabin (young couples & Julie) please let me know if there is something you would like to snack on... Got to get back to work. Lots to catch up on from being in Dallas last week and lots to get ready for being gone next week.

busy, busy, busy

Oh sign me up for the judging as well!! I like any kind of mixed drink that preferrably does not taste a lot like alcohol....LOL.
Thank you for the addresses though I am still waiting on Laurie's AHEM.
oh and I suppose I'll let you in on why I am needing them...
In Sept I will be hosting a Lia Sophia Jewelry party, if you never heard of them, they have really cool, fun, funky, and elegant jewelry and the best part is they have a LIFETIME WARRANTY. keep your receipts and if it tarnishes, fades, breaks, loses a jewel or if even you just get sick of it and want to get something new, you can always trade it in for the FULL PRICE of what you paid for it. even if its 5, 10 years from now. some of the jewelry is not my taste, but some i am sooo in love with!!!! i think an invite will be sent out for most all of you (i can't keep track of the addresses I've given to my "advisor", she is sending out the invites for me 2 wks prior to the party) , for those of you out of town who may not be able to make it she is supposed to be sending a catalog along w/the invite so you can take a look and if you fall in love like me feel free to order, i still get credit :- ) if you don't fall in love and don't like it, no harm done, just don't order :- ) the party will be a good time though, lori lynn (who is my co-hostess) and i went to a party last friday and i won a free pair of earrings that are super cute and she won a beautiful bracelet w/matching earrings, so even if you have no plans to buy, you can always come for the free stuff :- )
anyways, can't post long today, got to work on laying new floor in the kitchen and laundry room and finish up painting the laundry room. trying to get as much done as possible in the downstairs before the party in september..........cant wait til vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
see you all soon!!

Me me!

I'll be a judge for the bartending contest. I think I can make that sacrifice. I just can't drink anything with gin, cause it gives me migranes. Anything with Baileys/coffee liquor/pretty much anything except gin is good.

Happy Birthday Grandma!! Hope you have a lovely day, and I hope the weather in Quincy is better than it is here, today!

Love ya!

Jens Address

Jen's address: 107 Railroad Ave
Ursa, Il 62376

Is anyone besides John taking any kind of water craft? Does anyone want any of the canned goods listed previously, besides Sues' one can of greenbeans? I'll only bring whatever cans have been asked for as I don't want to just haul a bunch of cans around. I'm still going to bring the hotdogs, chicken strips, hash browns, and sausage plus any veggies that are ripe from the garden.
Laurie and James did talk about a bartender showdown.....does anyone besides Sue want to be a judge? I think it all started with a bloody mary. When do you want to have the showdown? We have a salooon sign for the drinking area for Sunday nights western day and cactus shotglasses. We can't on Monday but any other day is game....James and Jen usually have Bloody marys on Sundays. Any other drink requests? We need to make sure we have all the stuff.
Well I'd better go, my Indians are getting restless. See all of you in 8 days. We are planning on getting in around 2 if Callie travels well. If not ..........who knows.

Happy Birthday Mom!
See ya Val

9 Days to Go!

Wow-vacation is almost here (woo hoo!) Hope you all have been planning your menu etc.
I know Chrissy and the Helds have their plans made including decor and activities!! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!!
Hey David and family-I did pick up a really cute sombrero pinata if you want it for Mexican night=let me know!!
I need to know if anyone has Tripoly for our Casino night? Also, Laurie and James, Jess said you had talked about some kind of bartending contest? What is it and sign me up for a judge!!!
How 'bout if everyone posts their approximate ETA for Branson? I think we will arrive around 4 on Saturday. Sara and Chris are going up earlier in the day-they want to do some touristy type stuff and will only be able to stay until Monday. Chris has to be back to work-they had some guys quit and since he missed the time after the accident his boss won't let him take the rest of the time off. It's a bummer-but at least the'll get to spend some time with everyone.
Happy belated birthday Eric S! Hope it was a good one!
And happy birthday Mom-may you have a wonderful hopalong day :)
Julie-you are the "Cosmo Girl" of the family-try to slow down long enough to sleep!!
Love you all and can't wait to chill out with ya!
Sue

i go home to sleep and check my mail...

so I am occasionally there.
Sup, ya'll? Things are swimming along in the lou. Work is OK. Slower in the summer, but it means I don't have to 'take it home' with me, and I can focus on other things after I leave the office. So I have done some training at our local radio station KDHX in basic audio stuff and event team goings-on. Hopefully with the event team, I'll be able to get into some concerts for free and represent the station. Whoo! I love getting into shows for free! I got to take a little tour of the station itself, which was neat-o cause I hadn't been in it yet. It's small, but I like it. I also met with the editor of a local website called Playback:STL. It used to be a magazine, but they went web-only a couple of years ago. It's mostly dedicated to music, though not exclusively. I'm basically going to start covering the local scene for them. Long term, I'll be a main local-music news content writer, and I will spotlight bands and interview them for the site. And review CDs and go to concerts. They sponsor a big three-day music festival in September, so that's their big push right now, and I'm board with that now. We're working on finding corporate sponsors, picking bands, organizing the venues, etc. It's quite a big festival, so there is a lot to do. I think I'm going to be like the main sponsor liason, to make sure they are taken care of and whatnot. It's totally exciting and very time-consuming already. I will probably be a little nuts the week before the festival, but I will get to meet sooo many people and it'll be sooo fun! I'm also trying to work on my music blog, but it's all kinda related so once things get going with Playback, I'll have more to put on my blog. Anywho, that's the gist. I saw the Dark Knight last weekend (SO. AWESOME.) and went to a pool party. I decided to try and not eat any added sugars/corn syrup/etc. for a week and see how it goes. It's actually been better than I thought. The only sugar I've eaten is from fruit really. I'm not nearly as hungry as I thought I would be, and I think it keeps my blood sugar more stable. I'm so excited for vacation!! It will be so much fun! This is the worlds longest post, and I still have work to do, so I'll go....

http://playstlfest.com/ --That's the website for our festival. If you happen to know anyone who would like to help sponsor it, let me know. :)

Laters!

Julie's address

Julie is at (not really she is hardly ever home)
4433 Pershing Avenue
Apt. 203
St. Louis Mo 63108

Hope all is well with everyone. I too read the blog constantly but am not very good at writing.
Off now to get ready for work!!

Miss you all and love you,
Chris

Ok so I know I have not posted in awhile...sorry! but this one is going to be very quick and to the point as I am running late for cardio kickboxing class....can someone whether it be these ppl or not pls send me the following addresses....real ones not the email!! for Julie, Laurie, and Sara (sorry sis I lost it again!!!) oohhh....and Jen Altgilbers (Schonarth) if anyone has it.....well thats it for now, busy busy working the overtime for vacation and keeping up w/life!!! see you all soon

Hi everyone! Surprise Surprise! It's Granny Bigshoe! I'm doing well - knew it would be a long drag but it does get to me at times. Fortunately, my husband and all my loving caretakers are very understanding - so far!
It's been hot ho;t hot and humid out or so they say. I have not exactly been the neighborhood run-around lately!
Thanks for all the blogs and pictures. We do appreciate it and Benj and Ashlie, I think Tyler looks like his Grandpa David in your first meter! And Jon and Emilie, what wonderfully beautful kids!
I've been sitting here a while and this boot feels like it weighs a hundred pounds now. Time to get it up for a while.
God bless all of you/

We are looking forward to August!

I am not very good at the blogging thing, so I apologize for being so distant.  I thought I would try to write a few lines before the kids get up.  First of all I want to say hello to Grandma and Grandpa.  Kimber thanks you for her birthday present.  We are using the birthday money to get her a cute outfit and swimsuit for the trip.  I was glad to read that your ankle is healing well Grandma.  I hope it continues to heal quickly.

I had a friend tell me the other day that I "do mundane well."  I wasn't sure if this was a compliment or not.  This friend of mine went to business school in France and Singapore, and is now working in Switzerland.  She told me that the mundane frightens her.  So there you have it.  I am queen of mundane.  With that introduction, let me update you on a few of the mundane events of our lives.

Just yesterday, for instance,  I biked to my school and back, a total of eight miles.  I had some work to do, and thought it would be fun.  I found out later that our car had a flat tire so it was the only way I would have gotten to school after all.  

Last night, I had the challenge of sweeping up the floor with Kimber close behind trying to eat the old Cheerios and fish crackers.  She is quite fast when she wants to.  Kimber has an interesting way of getting around.  She does not crawl on her knees, but rather scoots with one leg underneath her and the other leg pushing her body forward.  She is trying to stand and she creeps around furniture.  No walking on her own yet.  She can say dog and woof, woof. 

The boys are doing well.  My brother got them "The Dangerous Book for Boys."  It really is dangerous.  Patrick asked me yesterday if he could use one of my knives to make a spear (instructions provided in the book) and this morning (he is awake now) he asked if we could get a dog so he could teach it tricks (also taught in the book.)

I had better get this sent.  Otherwise I won't.  We love you and look forward to seeing you.

Emilee and family

Grocery List

Val sent this list to me to pass on. Hopefully everyone has been thinking about their menu and has some plans. This stuff is really inexepensive and in bulk sizes, so can save us some $. You can email Val at rid_91@yahoo.com.

Would you pass this on for me, and have everyone get back to me if they would like to use any of the following, or if they need something in a restaurant size can as we can get them with a discount. If the can is dented we can get them for $1-$1.50. We have on hand the following (these are dented but still usable cans):
3 cans of corn
1 can pineapple chunks
4 cans of applesauce (It took my daycare all week to eat one of these and we still had leftovers on Friday.)
1 can mandarin oragnes
1 can sliced black olives
1 can cholcolate pudding
2 cans fruit cocktail
2 cans greenbeans (Edwards took 1)
2 cans spaghetti suace
1 can crushed pineapple
2 cans sliced potatoes
1 can mixed veggies
I'm also bring for all to use: (The price was to good to pass up.)
10 lbs of breaded chicken tenders
10 lbs of frozen shredded hashbrowns
40 1/4 lb hotdogs
10 1lb pkgs of sausage (We got the 1/2 hog from the springfling and in it there were 22 pkgs of sausage...if I could eat sausage it wouldn't be bad, but I can't so somebody has to eat them!!!!!) Please help.

We're On The Other Side of the Mountain!!

Thought I'd update everyone on Mom's doctor's report on Monday while she eats her donut stick.
Dr. Holt was very pleased at how well she is doing. She's now allowed to sleep without the boot, but knows that the boot is MANDATORY whenever she is up and about! (You would have loved the argument we had about how she had to wear the boot even when she was just getting up to use the commode at night. She REALLY tried to argue her way out of using the boot. Luckily there were two of us sitting with her when the doctor adamantly told her she was NOT to go leave the bed without it!!!) She's also to take two foot baths in warm soapy water moving her ankle around as it soaks. Walks are now a hop as she begins to put her foot down and put some pressure on it. Although the doctor says she can go out and about, she has yet to try this...she's a little leery about this order. We did receive the okay to come to Branson, but we're waiting to see how far along she gets...she's a little leery of this. The doctor made an appointment to see her the day before we are to leave to see how she is doing. Right now, we're on a holding pattern to see how far along she progresses. We'll do our best to get her there!!
Dad is doing a super job of nursing. He's much better now that Mom has seen the doctor again. He was certain that Mom was not doing well and that the ankle wasn't healing as it was suppose to. He felt much better after seeing Dr. Holt. We share duties in nursing, housekeeping, and cooking. Most of the time he takes night duty and has only called me once to come help Mom with her bandage and boot. He's really tired by the end of the day!!
Plumber was here today. Can you believe that the faucet broke last night and Dale had to shut the water off in the kitchen sink....right before supper!! We toted water from the bathroom until this afternoon. Am glad that "extra chore" is over!
Well, have to sign off..time to put Mom to bed. Don't forget to call...she LOVES to hear from you all!!

How hot was it?

Some of you may have heard the whining all the way across the US. Our air conditioner died Friday morning, July 4th, yup, just in time for holiday repair pricing. We called the repair guy and he did his best, but the blown motor couldn't be replaced until Monday afternoon. It was 100 degrees Friday and hovered at about 98 the rest off the weekend. Our brains were boiled. But you can tell how bad it was by the fact that Bart the Dog let me put a wet towel on his head, and he kept it there all night. For those of you who don't have dogs, that ranks up there with, "Oh no, really, I don't need to smell that." in terms of remarkable. 

Midget Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Midget Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

To the grands

Hi everyone! After finishing my nursing shift, I think it would be nice if the grandkids would call grandma & say hello. Her days can get pretty long & I know she'd enjoy hearing from you! Ph: 217-224-6681.

Love,
Aunt Leslie

Are we there yet?

I have a set of washers that I can bring. (save that money whenever you can)
I am so excited now that Sue and Sara have posted the plans. I was reading them to Tony this morning and he suggested maybe he should quit work so he could go on vacation. My response...........not..........maybe next year.
Anyway, thank you both for putting everything together!!
Love you all!!

Hi there Mom and Dad I sure miss all the relaxing I got last week!!! Let me know if you need me to come over again :-)

Directions to Lake from KC/ST L

My boss goes to Branson all the time and he gave me the following directions which are different from Mapquest, but don't send us on twisty windy roads. From KC/St L when you hit Springfield MO, Take Hwy 65 S. Stay on Hwy 65 until Hwy 465 @ Bull Creek. Follow 465 West to Hwy 76. Go West on Hwy 76 to the T @ Lakeview/Branson West. Take Hwy 13/265 South to turn left on DD which becomes Linden Dr. Turn Right on Coney Dr. Those coming from AK, Jerry says to avoid coming in through Branson 'cause it will add at least 1 - 2 hours to your drive. Mapquest will send you up to Springfield which seems to me that it's way out of your way....

OF COURSE

Ok-so as I guessed I am already rearranging the nights :) Not a problem-here goes!
Sunday-Western-Schonarths (ribs will be easier this day)
Monday-Casino-Edwards
Tuesday-Sports-Aunts and Uncles
Wednesday-Beach-Smailys and Helds (postponed for Julie to arrive)
Thursday-Mexican-Midgets
Friday-Down Home Strackeljahns
Let me know if you need yours moved-that's why we started now :)

Also thought you might want cabin arrangements in case we need to work on them

The Round Up #4
Mom and Dad
Chris (?)

Old Glory #6
David and Carolyn
Hannah

Hummingbird #7
Jon and Emily and kids
Ben and Ashlie and Tyler
Laurie (?) Chris (?)-has twin bed in separate room

Trout Run #8
Leslie and Eric and kids
Alta Mae

Landing #10
Sherry and Dale
Susan and David
Laurie (?)

Bluebird #11
Bryan and Nikki
Jessica and Rocky
Chris and Sara then Julie
Laurie (futon available if you want)

Schonarths have a house that is up the road

Let me know what you think-you can access Lakeside Resorts online to see how the cabins are set up.

love you!!! Sue

Can't Wait

Gosh, isn't it time for vaca yet!!! The plans look good. David & Carolyn, I have plastic margareta glass that I'll bring for use... Mom & Dad, they still have those washer sets at Menards if you want another set. You know I always need an excuse to go in there. Things have been busy around here as we ramp up towards another piece of our big project at work being completed. That means more traveling, yeah (not). I really have no desire to go to Dallas during the summer... Grandma, I hear your getting much better. 55 hops on the walker way to go!

Supper Assignments

The time is getting closer (YEAH!!!) and Sara and I are working on meal assignments for the week. We were thinking that each family could be "in charge of" an evening meal. We chose some themes and you can build your menu around it. We also have some fun activities to go along with the evening meal. You can do it up however you like-I know Sara has been looking online for some neat decor to go along with ours. Have fun with it!! I know Val has purchased some chicken already-so anyone that needs that may want to contact her.

Saturday-check in day-we traditionally eat out this day so I guess we'll continue that

Sunday-Casino Night-Edwards host/ Tripoly Playoff

Monday-Beach Party-Smailys and Helds host/ Beach Volleyball and Hula Hoops

Tuesday-Sports Day-Aunts and Uncles host/ Kickball Aunts/Uncles vs Cousins

Wednesday-Mexican Fiesta-Midgets host/ Pinatas and Margaritas!!

Thursday-Down Home Day-Strackeljahns/ Host Washers Tournament/Sack Races

Friday-Western Day-Schonarths Host/ Horseshoe Tournament

Breakfast and lunches

Sunday-Pancakes and Bacon/Pulled Pork BBQ

Monday-Biscuits and Gravy/Brats and Hot Dogs

Tuesday-Waffles and Sausage/Italian Beef Hoagies

Wednesday-Homemade Donuts, Fruit Salad, Cereal/Sloppy Joes

Thursday-Eggs and Bacon/Burgers and Hot Dogs

Friday-Amish Breakfast Casserole/Subs

If anyone has any recipes they wanted to try let me know and we can adjust!! Also if you have any of the paraphenilia needed for the activities or other ideas let me know!!

Can't wait to see you all!!!!!!!
Love, Sue

Birthday's

Happy Belated Birthday to Jon!!! And Happy Early Birthday to Rocky!

Yikes!

Ashlie & Benj,

How terrifying. I am so glad Ty is OK & he is too young to remember. Unfortunately, not so for the two of you. Give him a hug & then one for each other!

Leslie

RE:SCARY

Ben and Ashley-first a prayer of thanks that you guys are OK....I imagine it will take days before the adrenaline stops. You are extremely lucky that Ben thought as fast as he did. I'm sure you will get that thing capped off if there is anyway possible. Just think of what could have happened if it had been someone else or if Ben didn't think as fast.....it's too horrifying to ponder!
Welcome to parenthood-where you can age magically in just a few moments!!! Let the grey hairs commence!!

Glad to hear everythings ok

Wow, what a scary day for all of you, Ashley. I'm glad to hear there haven't been any lasting trama, although it probably will be longer for you & Ben to get past it then for Ty.

Ty's Bad Day

On Monday morning Ty was in his bed and there was a blanket hanging over the side of the crib and I went to grab the lotion. Shortly after that I came in and Ty had pulled the blanket over his face and I freaked out. I pulled the blanket off of him and he was really scared and hyperventilating. I know that he was okay but it really scared the both of us. But it only got worse.

Benj offered to take him outside and walk around with him so that he would calm down. I was standing on the porch watching them walking by our pond. The tree was kinda of blocking my view of them. Then I saw Benj fall and I heard a horrible noise and Benj yelled, "NO TY!" I was screaming and running down the stairs because I wasn't sure what had happened. I couldn't see them very well. Millions of horrible thoughts were going through my head. Benj carried Ty over and I was screaming, "Should I call 911?" Ty was drenched and so was Benj.

This is what happened... There is a grate thing, that appears to be very steady and Benj stepped on it while he was walking with Ty in his arms. The lid flipped up right when he stepped on it and Benj fell. He tried to catch himself and at least turn so that he wouldn't land on our little Ty. Inside this well sort- of -a- thing is nasty 3 feet deep water and a huge pipe in the center of the water. The hole has rusted metal lining it and the edges of it are sharp.

Ty fell out of Benj's arms when he hit the side of the well and our poor baby boy fell onto the pipe and began sinking into the water. We don't know how long, but he was completely covered in water when he came out so we know he was completely submerged. Benj said he doesn't remember all the details very well except a vivid image of watching our little Tyler sinking quickly into the water.

Benj hopped up as fast as he could and yanked Ty out by his shoulder and hurried him upstairs where we could look him over, dry him off, and warm him up. He looked so scared and shocked. Benj was so upset that he threw up.

I think that this was the most frightening time in my life.

At first Benj didn't think Ty hit anything but water, but when we changed him it was obvious he had a big blow on his back and back of the head and general scratches and bruises all over. It looked like his legs and arms were turning red and were starting to swell, too.

To get a better picture of exactly what Ty went through, we went back to the grate and found the big, rusted pipe that both hit Ty's back and probably bought him a few seconds before submerging into the water.

We got an emergency appointment with our doctor and rushed him in to be looked at where he showed remarkably few signs of trauma. His lungs sounded good, he didn't show any signs of a concussion, there wasn't any swelling in his head except some bruising around the back where he hit it and no broken bones or shoulders pulled out of socket.

We've been spending the past couple days watching him very closely and speaking with the doctor several times a day but he hasn't had any complications. (We think he's just still sore because he is grumpy today.) And this morning I took Ty in for a follow-up visit where he checked out nice and clean, though we're still watching him closely.

I feel so lucky and so blessed that Ty is ok. I know that Heavenly Father was watching out for us that day. Ty could have honestly died had things gone slightly different. As horrible and scary as it was, we know that it is no coincidence that Ty came out in such good shape. I am grateful that Benj had a quick reaction and saved our little guy, and so grateful for him in our lives.

Summer in the Sixties

Well-as you may know-I have a horrible memory-Leslie is in charge of mine! But I can remember some!
The best hangout-in the drainage pipe under the road (ew-wonder what all was in there?). Making forts in the woods-no boys allowed!! Sleeping over at LaTesha's in their camper-and the those rotten boys again-shaking it in the night to scare us! Trips to O'Fallon for the biggest ice cream cones in the world! The summer we somehow convinced Mom and Dad that a lot at the lake would be the coolest thing ever.... Begging to stay at Marilyn and Jim's and then roaming Marissa..helping out at the ballfield in the concession stand..then everyone in the tub (TOGETHER!!)...the best family reunions at the "rec" where everyone begged to swim and we had to wait an hour after dinner so we wouldn't all drown...visiting Uncle Rick and Aunt Bonnie-they had a pool and it was great.....evenings at the drive in with our sisters and their dates (how many times were we sent to the swings to play?)...Dale and his Dad taking us out in their boat....VBS (it actually was fun!!).....catching lightening bugs by the dozens and squeezing the light out and making glow in the dark jewelry
Thanks Mom and Dad for such great memories-I hope too that our children and grandchildren can have as many!!

Grandma Update

It's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd get this written up while I wait for Dale to leave for his tour trip to the Muny this evening--he's driving a bus for people from John Wood tonight.
Mom is doing very well--the bruising on her foot is looking oh so much better--her skin color is nice and pink and there really isn't much swelling, although she still says she can feel it swell in the "boot" that she's required to wear. She's up and about more...eating at the kitchen table with the rest of her "staff". The majority of the day i spent sitting in her chair. She also continues her "hop abouts" and her assigned exercises throughout the day.
Nurses have changed twice--David was here for a week. Needless to say, Mom and Dad ate very well while he was in charge. David even added to the cable television lineup so that we're not limited to the six or seven channels we had been previously using. Mom is THOROUGHLY enjoying her HGTV, Food Network, and Cardinal baseball games. Dad likes his news and can be found watching the Cardinal games, too. The rest of us are just as happy because we now have a much wider choice to choose from while we're "in charge"!! David also took the time to cook me a WONDERFUL birthday dinner, complete with cake--I haven't celebrated my birthday with my brother in over 4o years, so that made the day extra special!!!
Susan took over nursing duties on Sunday. She even managed to figure out how to wash Mom's hair while she was here!! She left on Tuesday and Dale and I took over until Chris came in today to start her "shift". Chris arrived with fresh melon, corn, tomatoes, and ugh...turnips for Mom and Dad to eat. She'd been to the Kansas City Farmers Market. I've excused myself from eating the turnips....
I can't say enough about all the wonderful "nursing" Mom and Dad have had!! It's really been great for them to spend some time with each of their kids--maybe some day they'll be able to do the same thing with us all, but both be healthy enough to enjoy it!!
Mom was able to read up on all your news, today. She sat in her wheelchair at her desk after lunch and caught up on everything. In fact, she "read" the posts to Chris while she was on kitchen cleanup duty. I'll see if I can get her to post something soon. Meanwhile, keep those posts coming. It's great to be able to hear from you all!! Take care. Love to everyone!!

Hey everyone! Here's me checkin' in... Let's see. Well, I have my ballet class going on, still practicing guitar, and still going out a lot. I attended an orientation for our local radio and tv station on Saturday, KDHX. I have a grand scheme going--I was really, really into the local music scene in St. Louis in middle/high school, and lately it's been in a kind of renaissance again. A bunch of new venues have opened, there's a bunch of really good bands getting more recognition--so I want to do my part to help. I figure the radio station is a good way of networking, etc. I'll learn audio production to help with live performances and running the sound board during radio programs, I'll help out in the music dept. Basically, I want to become a local music guru--I want to review shows and albums, meet the bands, take picutres, help with live shows, help with marketing and booking with the venues, help the publications around town, help with PR for the bands, all kinds of stuff. I started a blog last week that will be dedicated almost solely to the local scene here. It's still in the beginning stages, but it can be found here. It's really indecent almost how excited I am about all this, but it's so fun, and I LOVE seeing all the talent that exists in my city. The show I went to this past Saturday (reviewed on my blog!) was pretty small, and I got to meet all the musicians. One of them just came up to me to thank me for coming to the show, and the others I went up and introduced myself to after their set. It's one of the nice things about local bands--you can usually meet and talk to them. Anywho, the blogging, the figuring out how else I can help, the listening to bands, etc., has been consuming my time as of late, but I'm having tons of fun doing it. What else? I have a birthday shindig for one of my good friends, Lindsay, this weekend, along with a CD release show for one of my fave local bands. And I try to be outside as much as possible, because I LOVE summer. I will try and get some of my favorite memories out soon, but for now, I should go back to work...

later, all!