another post...same day

I thought I was going to lose everything so I had to publish and I was not finished writing.  Back to Chris 47 years ago. He was the biggest baby in the baby unit.....weighing in at 10lb 1 and 1/2 oz.  He was an easy baby, not requiring much attention and did not talk a lot, but he could talk, his sister did all the talking for him.  She was talking in sentences at 1 year.  Well, enough for tonight...it is hot and humid here.  And I thought MN. was supposed to be cold!

Later Gator....Night all  Miss you.....

Mom 

Still in MN.

I am so wanting to go home, but we are on the downside now.  Today is Gary's birthday...67 years.  We ate lunch at a Chinese resturant.  We took the boys home and went downtown Minn.  to see Pastor Jacboi church.  He was not there, but the church is big and looks much like First Covenant in Moline.  

We then went grocery shopping after taking the boys home.   Praying they won't kill one another.  Luke is wiry and sneaky and Noah is LOUD and not so fast.  I predict in the future when Noah's body and brain get together Luke will be missing some teeth!

Gary is doing the laundry tonight, because I won't go in the basement with the dog.   There is a first time for everything.  Luke is at a baseball game and Noah is watching tv.  If he isn't fighting with Luke, he is watching that tube all the time.  I think they are ready for school. 

I napped from 4:00 to 5:30, I have been sleeping a lot, but I think I am just bored.  Tomorrow we will send the suitcases by FedX.  That means it won't be long before we leave, just 2 more days.  The 3rd day will be on the train.  When I get home, I promise I will simplify, simplify, simplify!!!!  

Chris called this morning...it will not be long before his birthday...it does not seem like 47 years, I remember it so clearly.  I 

2 more weeks of adventure

We managed to weather the power outage for 6 days.  We left on Sat. morning for Mn. in the dark.  Actually, I was relieved to get on the train and have an outlet to plug in my phone and it was really cool.  The train ride was uneventful with a few characters aboard...one old guy thought he was going to New York!!!   The train was on time and Tom was waiting for us at the train station.  

Tom dropped Gary and I off at the Great Mall and we shopped til we dropped which was only about 3 hours.  I got my favorite fragrance at Nordstroms and then to Macys and Bare E.  The most time was spent at the Apple store.  You really had to make an appt. and come back to buy anything.....Crazy!!!   People were standing in line to buy the new Iphone.  Gary had to take about an hour to decide to buy the new Ipod touch for his birthday!!!   I am not sure if that was a good idea, he is hooked on this tech. and then he complains about the kids and their games!!!  It is what it is!!!!   

We are into the 4th day in MN. and I think I am a little homesick...I am afraid of the dog, but you can't let anyone know it or it is worse.  I am not used to being with 3 guys.  Gary has to go everywhere with me in the house and I sleep with the door shut.  I suppose he is pretty harmless, but big as a pony.  The boys are really better behaved on their own turf, then they are at our house.  The turf....hmmmm all I can say is I think Melissa may have some depression....on my....that is all I can say. 

We went to Luke's ball game tonight, but it was sooo hot over 90 deg. so we left early.  He came home with friends.  It is a production to go anywhere around here.  So much traffic...I did not realize how nice we have it in the QC . We can actually get an ice cream in 10 min.  It would take an hour here.  

Well, I hope to see you all on Sun, unless the train is late then Mon.   I hope jane and Maggie are watering my flowers out front. 

Yes, I need to play bridge again.   I am so tired of sucking hind teat with my bridge group.  I always come in last. 

Love, 

Grandma/Mom 

Finished "the Pact"

I liked his book...but one line really hit me between the eyes.  Oscar Wilde said "Pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple.  Truth, you see, is in the eyes of the beholder." 

This morning we went to Eldridge to a meeting of a support group of people who have the same affliction that I have.  I am convinced that my neck problem was caused by too much stress and my muscles just broke down.   I am sooooo much better since I got out of John Deere and married Gary.  My life is mostly calm now and I rarely have trouble with my neck unless I expose myself to a lot of stress.  

We stopped at a road side stand and bought sweet corn (Gary is the BEST cleaner of corn) and tomatoes....grown in Ark.   where Pauline is right now!

We had dinner with brother Jim last night.....it is really BAD.  In my opinion, Pauline has been angry with him for a longgggg time and this just puts the icing on the cake for her.   A real reason to be on a mission.  I just wanted him to take care of his health...because I know what stress can do to your health.  He is very broken up and depressed...taking meds for it.  I wanted to tell him that he should see an atty (out of town) just so he would know his rights if needed, however, that sometimes can open up a whole can of worms.  She wants him out of the house...he knows that is not the right thing to do, but how do you live in a house when no one talks to you????  I can't do it!!!!  He is a good guy and never really wanted to cause all this trouble.  The girl he befriended has left her husband and living with another....I think I smell a fish here...

I just said Jim....you will be fine....look at me....I am fine...and I have been in the deep!!!   Hang in there strong Swede!!!! 

Hamburgers and sweet corn for supper......hmmmm sounds good. 

Later Gator

Sister Ann 

Summer half over

Yesterday was a quiet day.  It is a very rare occasion for me to me home alone all day.   I have to say that I rather enjoyed not having to be somewhere at a certain time.  I am trying to get our clothes together so we can fed-x them to MN.  It is hard to make choices when you have too many choices!!!  Gary is easier, but I try to stick to the black and white theme.  

Gary worked all day yesterday and was really tired after being out in the heat all day.  I did go walking with Vida and when we got home the d.... wasp stung me on the leg.  They are all over Val's yard swarming all the time....

I am almost finished with my book, 'the Pact'.  I will need something else to take with me to MN.   I sure I have plenty here that I have not read yet.  

Today: 

Swim class at 8:15....I need to go to the Credit Union after that and then the grocery. 

Afternoon: 

pedicure at 2:00 p.m. and then I am going to Beth's house...I have not been there in a long time and I want to see their new wood floor.  Surprise this a.m.  Dan stopped by on his bike.  

I am debating about calling Jim and Pauline for supper at Moose.....I will think about that. 

Until later, 

Patricia 

p.s.   I will not be napping today!

It only hurts when I laugh....

I always remember the line from this movie about the daughter who was in the middle of the divorce.  She said to her mother...."I only wanted you to fight for me".   It is kind of reverse when you get old...you only want your kids to fight for you.  

It is a very warm day and I am fighting sleep, but I have an appt for a bone density test this p.m. and then Olivia is spending the night with us.  I am reading the "Pact" and have a hard time getting away from it.  

Gary is working again....Vida and I walked 2 miles this a.m.   I will miss her in the next 3 weeks as she will be in CO. 

Margie cleaned the house and we had a nice lunch together.  Nothing new today. 

Love, 

Patty Ann 

Never the same

Hi, It is one of those days where you don't want to get dressed.  You sit around and wonder what is your purpose in life?  Tomorrow will be better....

I bought a new griddle and used it for the first time this morning.  Sorry, Max my pancakes are still a little dark brown, but that is an improvement.  I cleaned all the pictures off the refrigerator....time for new ones.   I am trying to keep things simple...."is it kind, necessary, or true?"

In a couple weeks we will leave for MN.   It should be a new experience for us...I will have plenty to write about when we get back from our SECOND train ride.  Luke is sleeping on a mattress in his new bedroom, but they have a new plasma HD TV.   I have a hard time justifying things like that....but I don't walk in there shoes..... 

Later Gator,

Love, 

Mom

p.s.  It was a thrill to see Max hit a home run!!!!   Holy Cow!!!!

5 boys 1 girl

I am exhaused....4 days of all this testosterone is a little much.  They are all good kids but we are way too comfortable in the quiet zone.  Jake was supposed to go home today, but Olivia now has scarlet fever!!!  

Noah lost a tooth this a.m.  Gary has been messing and trying to copy a dvd....not successful

and we watched 2 movies....August Rush and night in the museum.  

Tomorrow everyone leaves and things will be back to normal.  I don't know why I am so tired doing nothing.   I was too tired to go out for dinner....that is bad. 

More later....when I catch up. 

love, 

Mom