Sooo NOT IMPRESSED

So, I'm a compulsive worrier. Yesterday I had Kiah to worry about - and he came thru like gangbusters!! Of course he had people from coast to coast and north to south praying for a great outcome - and our prayers were answered!!

So today I needed a new worry. Of course, I found one. Ernesto turned our way. Vero Beach Florida is nothing short of totally miserable in the summertime. For an overweight, underactive, sweating bullets, miserable in her own skin non-climatized person, it is horrible. I've managed to not stay there for much of the summers since we've lived there, but unfortunately, this year I've got the mid to late summer duty (we are usually gone about the time we got back). And I've been so totally useless it's horrible. For instance, this morning, at 8:30 it was 94 degrees in the screen room. That is with 2 ceiling fans blowing on high. I was sweating buckets while we were trying to get things picked up and finalized so we could high-tail it outta there. I'm sure that us leaving is what is sparing the whole east coast of Florida a real bad blow!! Anyhow, we finally got gone - at 9:30. Keith and I were both soaking wet - so much for our morning showers. We actually had a beautiful day for a drive. Sunny, lots of a/c. Beautiful. The kids were excited about riding in the "bus" and even took naps on the way up. This is wonderful for them as they usually don't care to sit in their seats all the way to the store and back :)

So, since our electricity usually goes out with thunderstorms I didn't really want to take a chance of being there with no power. Keith found this place on the internet yesterday to humor me and get us out of the path of we-didn't-know-just-what. We drove up the Turnpike no tolls because of the storm and arrived 7 hours later here in Lake Park at the Eagles Roost. It looks really grand on the web-site. And it is a really nice place - for the people with brand new HUGE rv's. I really wanted a space close to the playground. It didn't look all that full - still looks like there is plenty of room. They gave us this little spot that we really don't even fit in. To put the slide out we had to pull clear up to the unlevel part of the only unlevel spot in the place. That put the door in the dirt. The cement table is stationary so the kids couldn't use it, there is no grass (I brought our little tykes picnic table - just in case) for the kids to play on and we are at the complete edge of the facility. We drove around the grounds twice - didn't pull in well the first time- and it is totally the worst spot in the place and the dirtiest too. The cement table was filthy and even after sweeping and washing it off - it's filthy. The space itself is to small for this RV and I look over at the people that arrived after us and watched them pull thier big,new RV into a spot that has plenty of room for their 3 slides and thier door opens onto the wider pad and they actually have a table and chairs and grass and a little bush with mulch. A nice little landscaped spot - closer to the playground yadda yadda yadda

Keith went over to the office and was told - "this is Labor Day Weekend". All the nicer spots are booked up for Sat thru Mon. We were kinda thinking of leaving on Friday (if we have power) but I'm not sure I want to stay at all. I can't let the kids out here - they don't have a level place to STAND much less play. I actually packed the van full of ride on cars, swim stuff, and misc other outdoor stuff for them to play with - mostly because I didn't think this place was big enough for us all to be "housebound" for several days - but now - since there is no place for the stuff in the van - I have no place to put the carseats that are in here. So I worked myself and Keith into huge literal sweats - for nothing.

Needless to say - I'm venting. Keith is asleep. The kids are asleep. I just talked to my Dad about Ernesto, Makkiah, Sharen, etc. and I'm still just beside myself. Anyhow, if you are around here - you might qualify for better sites than we got - but I'm not putting any money on it. Not real glad that I talked Keith into coming here to start with. Next time, MAYBE I'll keep my mouth shut and just stay home and be miserable. It's cheaper and if I'm miserable I can possibly do something about it. No need to travel 7 hours to do it hahahaha.

So, we are safe from the 'big wind' and will probably head back home on Thursday (if I can swing it) or Friday. We are blessed that Kiah is safely home with no ill news, Pastor is in the mend, Sharen is adjusting, I'm getting a little better. So I do count my blessings - I just get so IRRITATED!!

And happy Labor Day to all of you!!!

Ernesto

Watching and Waiting. Waiting and Watching. This is the first time I've been at home with a hurricane coming. And the first time we've had kids here too!! We've been watching Ernesto since he was just a baby Tropical Wave. Watched while the track went to Texas, then to New Orleans, then to the Panhandle, then to the Florida West Coast, and NOW - today, the track goes right up our side. It's been interesting - watching how they keep guessing.

In between writing this and doing all the other things that need to be done to "batten down the hatches" - I'm sweating, coughing, and generally miserable.

I woke on Thursday morning totally miserable. My head is full of cotton and I feel like I have a big raw chunck of my throat missing. Two of the babies also have nasty noses but no cough yet. Baby B cut 2 (not one - but two) top teeth. They finally came thru last night. Papa came home on Saturday to me sicker than most dogs, Baby B totally miserable and snotty, and the other kids just being kids. He immediately pitched in and he fed them dinner and put them to bed. Sunday we didn't do anything other than herd kids. I was on the couch mostly - really really wasn't prepared to go to Church and pass my cough around. So we didn't do that.

S'te just called and Makkiah is out of Surgery. Dr. says it looks good. The mass wasn't swollen or inflamed when they went in so they think they got it all but won't know for sure until they see if he has any more episodes. They glued the incision shut instead of using stitches. He might even be able to return to school on Wednesday. Bless the powers the Lord gave to modern medicine!! She said he is still in recovery and was headed straight back to sit with him. She doesn't know yet if they will keep him tonight or not. Keep him in your prayers!!

We are planning to get the RV out of the shop and load it - make sure it is ready to go for tomorrow. Even if we don't get a bunch of damage - we can be sure that there will be no power here for several days, it goes out during a thunderstorm, so we will take the RV and head a little north-west to Georgia for a few days. Papa has made reservations for us at a really nice little campground.

Better get off my butt and get to helping while the kids are sleeping. Once they wake up - they will be full of questions. Like - where did the bikes go . . . .

Halfway thru the Week

Thank goodness Papa will be back on Saturday. I'd be in a mess if I had to do this for 5 or 6 months.

Got up this morning - rarin' to go. Made it to the WIC office before 9 am. Impressed myself and the gal at the office both!!! Mentioned that we were going to the grocery on the way home since it wasn't to hot yet.

Did go to store - Got the items on 1 check and the misc other stuff that I always wind up with. Dish soap, crackers, snack stuff, a pizza for dinner, that sort of "other" stuff. And a TALL gate to put under the other gate. Got to the check-out. The checks aren't good until tomorrow. WHY didn't she say something when I said we were going to the store? Couldn't she have been that helpful. I don't know what the date is - I have 4 babies that don't care. I do know it's Wednesday.

Got home and thru the rest of the day pretty well. Felix climbed the short gate and went to jump from the top of it - skinned his elbow and scared him pretty good. Don't think he'll do that again. ME has decided that she is on a "talk strike" and refused to come to the table or say why. Lately she's been chattering like a little magpie, so she's tee'd about something. She went to bed without dinner. I guess she wasn't hungry.

Was attempting to potty train but gave up about 2 this afternoon after a dozen pr of wet panties. Just gave in and put a diaper back on her. Then she started telling me "peepee" so I put panties back on her. She wet them. Oh well, maybe in another month or two.

The inspector was by and approved the mess in the back yard. If it stops raining maybe they will pour the cement tomorrow. Thought maybe they'd do it today but didn't see anyone. Oh well.

Since the kids are all asleep I read all the Blogs that I like and found out I have to read other Blogs to keep up on the West Coast. No body tells me anything!! sniff sniff

It didn't get so hot today - only low 90's. Actually let the kids play outside for a while before they were soaking wet and we came in and showered. They bathed and gave me a shower. haha

I'm bored - or wasn't it obvious?

The Passing Week

I got thru the week with only one really down day. Of that I am gratefull. I remember back when I only had 1 good day a week, week after week. It's true that time eases pain - the constant pain. The sense of loss, anger, and disbelief is still with me - and probably always will. I try to focus on the good memories - not the fact that there aren't as many as there should've been. The good things in life. The blessings that I have received as I've gotten older. Those are the things I TRY to remember. It doesn't always work - but I TRY.

Papa left yesterday morning to see his family. It might very well be a good thing that I couldn't go. God works in strange ways. There were so many roadblocks put in the way of us going along that I finally accepted that this is the way it is meant to be. This way he can have some quality time with his Mom (who is a lovely person) and his other family (who don't particularly care for me). He will be home on Saturday and I really, really look forward to having him home again. He hasn't been gone like this for a couple of years now and I've gotten used to having him around (hahaha)

I was blessed with being able to get a good night's sleep last night - slept all night long!! - and woke this morning feeling really good. Even woke before the kids so I had time for coffee and getting my eyes open before the day started!! We got around, bathed and dressed in time for Sunday School. Mr. Tom did a great job on our lesson this morning and Pastor Bert was really in 'em. He delivered a really strong message. I absorb the force of God's love and get a strong feeling of peace as I sit there and listen. His faith is soooo strong. It shines like a light right from him. There are others in our Church that are like him in ways but I really don't know anyone there other than to say hello to. I don't know if they would recognise me without a string of children - or outside of the building. Not many people do. I need an "identifier". And I've always had one - someones' wife, someones' Mom, the one with all the kids, etc. I guess that's what happens when you resemble the "all-American person".

We came home, had lunch, since it was beautifully sunny, we walked up to the clubhouse for the Ice Cream Social. We were early so we went up to put our feet in the pool. While there, a BIG BLACK HUGE BLACK GIANT BLACK cloud came in over us. We headed inside and the dam broke. It absolutely poured rain, the wind gusted and the lights flickered. It was horrible. Not much else to do, we had our ice cream, I hauled Felix out of the kitchen a dozen or so times, and not long after we finished, so did the rain. Since we were walking - I took the break and headed for home. So I didn't really socialize at the social. But then - I usually don't much. People have their little groups and mine has 4 kids in it - so the adults tend to stay away.

So, we are home, the kids in bed, the rain is pouring, but blue is starting to shine thru. If Felix would've stayed out of the kitchen - we could've still been up there. Que sera sera.

Hope the week goes by quickly, I miss Papa.

Greatest Company in the World

What do you think of this view? Dinner was ready and I didn't want to leave him in the living room by himself. He was jumping and laughing and haveing a really good time talking to the dryer. Shows what he thinks of our company huh!

Baby Bastion is a really good baby. When hungry he just sucks his fingers. He seldom crys and has 2 teeth already. He gets up on all fours and gets about anyplace he wants to go just by rolling.

After snapping the first shot, I looked over and here he was:

He REALLY wasn't mesmerized by us and evidently the dryer started boring him too.

Isn't that just precious?


Now for the update on our latest "project". The sprinkler guys (the new ones that were in the mood) came by yesterday and capped off and moved and undid wires so that we could get on with things. It took about 25 minutes - and that included them figuring out what went where - since they weren't the ones that put the system in. And this morning we had a load of dirt delivered. Now I have the "piles" that we left on Whatever Day It Was and a mound of dirt on my soon to be non-existent lawn. And the Dump Truck Is STUCK in the sand about 10 feet from the pile. The driver said "Every time we dump here we get stuck" Well, personally I'd think of another route to dumping rather than go across the pads that mobiles used to be on and are nothing but that real fine white grainy sand. So a pickup showed up to help him. Now the pickup is in the sand. The dump truck is running. My windows are rattling. I'm going to Curves - I seem to be the only one bothered by it :) BTW the concrete guys will be back on Monday. Progress has actually been made.

It's Official

Yup, it's official. I'm certifiable. I can't remember anything and lose everything that's not attached. The weight ~ it's attached ~ I couldn't lose it even when I try ~~~

We dropped the Canyonville home idea. Who thought they could actually sell something for top dollar that had so many "little" shortcuts taken that it would cost thousands of dollars to undo the shortcuts and make them right. Why bother putting a bathroom vent in - if you aren't going to vent it out of the house. Why on earth would you vent it into the attic? Who would add a room on ~ with no crawl space (as required by law and LENDERS) and no moisture barrier - in the Oregon mountains!! And when it comes to electricity - I'm not able to even begin to deal with shortcuts. I'm not willing to die in my bed because 3 prong plugins were installed without any grounds!! Now, I'm not on top of all the real estate do's and don'ts but I am not stupid. And this is not my first time around the block.

Anyhow, that idea gone up in smoke along with my Sister moving, Papa started looking elsewhere. He found at tri-wide in Sutherlin. Looked really great - but we really didn't want in a Park. We aren't hard to please. We just like communication. When we call ~ we'd like a return call. He found it last Thursday. He called the listed number and got some info, asked some questions, and assumed we would here the answers on Friday. Oh NO!!! On Saturday afternoon we got a return call. Now, I am aware that when we call at noon our time, it's only 9 am back there and many people do have other things to do besides deal with work stuff - but - you could call back when you are ready to work. Couldn't you? Anyhow, Papa found the Park, called to try to get the rules etc and was told that the home has been sold. It's still listed (I just checked), the Relator still hasn't returned yesterday's call that Papa made so that he could make an offer.

So much for our ventures. I'm just..... just.

We got our add-on carport started on yesterday. The concrete guys came out with their bobcat and started scraping dirt!! Which was all well and good - except that the sprinkler guys haven't come to change out the irrigation!! So, they did what they could, waited around to see if the sprinkler guy called back, and finally left. Papa and I put several calls in to the sprinkler guy, he finally returned our call this morning. He gave some excuses, said he was really busy today, he might be able to get out here tomorrow, I said great, he said "I'm not promising anything, I might be able to get there, I'm really not in the mood". I was astounded, astonished, etc. I know that "customer service" isn't in the english language anymore, but to tell a cash paying customer, "I'm not really in the mood" just goes beyond - at least to me. So, again, I bit off my nose to spite my face and responded: "Ya know, if you aren't really in the mood for my money, then maybe I should find someone who is. But thank you for returning my call." I'm STILL amazed. To actually voice the mood thing to a customer. All I want now is for someone to come and change out the irrigation and fix the mess I had them make. Papa says - if that's the price, and we want it done, that's what we will pay. And I'm perfectly willing to pay them for it!! I always pay - no arguements - no dickering.

As for my MESS!!! When the contractor asked me where I wanted all the grass - I was "thinking" it would come out in fairly uniform pieces and it would be easy enough to pick out the best "sod" pieces and put in the areas that have "sunken" or gone to weed. But, OH NOOOOO, the grass part is on the bottom, there is all sorts of dirt mixed in (duh!) and it is now covering what was my good lawn. NOW I get to pay someone to come clean up the mess that I asked them to make. I went out last evening (with the 3 kids) and got a little turned over ~ you can see where I made my headway, but it took longer to clean the kids up than I worked. Somehow, I don't feel like progress was made!!

So, now I have no prospects open in Oregon, no yard, no sprinkler person, the travel motions didn't come thru for the kids, the plane fare went up $100 between yesterday morning and evening, I'm staying here, LIFE IS GREAT.

As requested by Mom to the Screaming Masses here is 5 things I am grateful for:
I have my health
I have my wonderful husband
I have little arms that like to cuddle before bed
I have a wonderful daughter and her family
I have hope and faith that my son will be found

and above all I HAVE MY FAITH IN GOD.

To my Son

As last I saw you

More pain cannot be wrung from those who wait

In fear and hope of both the worst and best.

Some day, perhaps, their hearts might find some rest,

Sure in grief or joy of their clear fate.

In the meantime, time is agony;

No second passes but impatiently,

Given the cruel passions of their state.

Nicholas Gordon

In many ways, it's as if I last saw you

Recently the image is so clear--

Even your eyes, hidden behind sunglasses on the pier;

Nor does it take much to restore you

Exactly, as if once again you were here.

Nicholas Gordon

This does not even begin to describe what the last 20 years has been like. I know that many have done much more and been more zealous than I, and for that I am so sorry. Overwhelmed and and filled with disbelief that this horrible thing could possibly truly be happening - in reality - I have no excuse. I didn't know what to do and depended on all the wrong people for their expert answers. I was so, so wrong. I don't know what else I could've done - there had to have been something more.

I know only that on this 20th Anniversary, I am still unable to describe the wonder and love that you brought to my life.

I regret only the times that I didn't stop and listen and laugh with you, when I thought I was busy and didn't spend the time I should've with you. Not until you were gone did I realize how little so many other things mattered and how much so many little things did. You are my first-born and my baby son. I look into my head and see your laughing eyes and smiling face. I see the intent look you have when concentrating or something is puzzling you. Nothing anyone has done can ever take away my wonderful memories.

God Willing, the unknown will someday be known, this I do pray for daily. I love you Son. Always have and Always will. Someday we will be together again.

Above picture taken March, 1986,Jeremy 13, S'te 8

Picture at side is computer Aged to 23 by Missing and Exploited Children

For those who read this, make sure you tell your children you love them EVERY time they leave. If you haven't contacted loved ones in a while - do it NOW. Let others' hearts and minds rest - you may find a peace of your own. Please ~ in Memory of Jeremy

Living with the Male Species

First off I want to congratulate my nephew Caleb and his new wife Kelly. They were scheduled to tie the knot yesterday and I haven't heard that they didn't, so I'm assuming (bad word, I know) that it happened and they are headed down the road to Marital Bliss (wherever that is). So, here's to many happy years ahead!!

Now, Since nothing noteworthy has happened over the last few days, I want to address one of my pet peaves. Maybe someone else has the same one - or close.

What my bathroom is SUPPOSED to look like

I spent the entire day (off and on) on my knees in our 2 bathrooms. Had I actually known that having 2 only helps in that no one has to wait in line to pee on the floor. Oh,yeah, I've heard all the excuses. "I lost my balance". "I didn't do that" "If I'd done that I woulda cleaned it up" or the little one that just looks at me and says "Oh" when I ask if he was the one that peed on the seat. I KNOW I didn't. And I know that yellow stuff around the base of the utility isn't from me, just as well as I know that those streaks running down the sides and the spots on the footer isn't from anything I've done in there. Now, you might as how I know it was one of the males in the house. Ya see, there are six of us. 3 are in diapers. Papa, Felix, and me aren't. I cleaned 2 bathrooms that had yellow splashes on the walls, on the floor, on the front, running down the sides, etc. Why can't you sit down and do all of your business? Is it a macho thing? If I'm in the woods, I'll squat, and I'll take the chance of ruining my shoes. You are not so ill equipped for being the hunter and gatherer. While traveling, I understand not wanting to sit on the seat. You are lucky - YOU DON"T HAVE TO!!! (I hate to be behind a woman who stands up and does her business without lifting the seat also.) But in the comfort and quiet of a house, in the place where a stranger is not cleaning up the mess, be a MAN. Sit down and relax. It might be nicer than standing there pretending that you aren't doing anything. And all the wives and mothers will thank you as much as I do.

If you have trouble with this concept - do this experiment - find (or make) a mud puddle. Only make it as big as the bowl in the bathroom. Take the hose, turn it on, aim it to the middle of the puddle. See all the splashes? Now is that puddle as small as the bowl in the bathroom? If it is - you have mud splashed all around. If it isn't you probably still have mud splashed. So now, what do you think?

Now that I've managed to offend the entire Male Sex. Let me say that I love you all. But consideration is the key here. If you don't want to clean it up yourself - what makes you think anyone else does? Sit down, relax and ponder.

Tis the Weekend

We are preparing as tho' the kids and I will be able to accompany Papa to Indiana. He has gone to get the RV - it needed new coach batteries, an oil change, and most important - the radio speakers wired correctly. We will know for sure on Monday. Have shot appointments for Baby B, and Baby Boo on Tuesday and Wednesday. And hope to be able to head out after lunch on that day. Had our quarterly visit from licensing and our monthly DCM visit - so all is a go there. Got those done and ready to roll!!

Re-arranged the furniture in the front and dining rooms. I hope I made a little more "space". I sure wish I hadn't drug all of this furniture from the West Coast. It just does not fit right. I know now what I should've realized then HEHE. I want to just can the dining room table. We don't use it for anything but a "stacker" and about weekly - I clean it all off and put things where they should've gone to start. We haven't used it since Bev and Dave came over last winter and we played Dominoes on it. We haven't used it for food since April and Ric were here 2 years ago!!

Papa is back - the RV isn't ready yet. Maybe Monday.

The "sound people" for I95 were here yesterday. The sound readings were enough to "qualify us (the Village) for consideration for the construction of a sound barrier". That is a quote!! Not my words at all.
I've been contacting, petitioning, writing, e-mailing for 2.5 years - and I got us a "reading" that panned out. I was worried because right between 4 an 5 on Friday isn't our peak time. The "rush hour" hasn't arrived yet and the trucks are trying to get closer to home so they aren't "jake braking" for the SR 60 exit. But they got 2 readings over the allowable level. So hopefully . . . . .

Papa is on a roll!! He is making Sissy (2.5) mind him. He isn't the best at follow-thru so he can say something and they just go on their own little way. But she is having issues this moring and refusing to even be a little bit cooperative. Baby B (for Bastion) is sleeping, Baby Boo (for the way she cries "brooobroooo") is in her high chair with crackers. And Bubby (3 yrs 10 mos) is annoying Papa while he is looking over his mail and watching Sissy.

I'm content. And my headache has gone away. Hope all is well with all of you.

Hopes

I was really wanting to get my little bit of family to be able to come out here to the "tropics" and see where we live. I have the few people that I do know that I wanted them to meet. I am so proud of my Daughter and Sister that I wanted to show them off.

But, AS THE WORLD TURNS, it won't happen this fall. Rod will be in and out of port until after the first of the new year - Sharen is job hunting again and won't (I'm almost sure) get a vacation until she's been there a year - Our "little house" is rented from November to April.

So, even though I'm terribly disappointed, I'll live. I won't get what I want (pout, pout) again. But one of these little pipe dreams that I get Keith to research for me will eventually come to pass. When the Lord deems it time - I would really like to see our families (both sides) meet each other (the Cruise idea) and be in closer contact with all. Seeing how the "other side" of our family has kept in contact and stayed close (to the point of a LONG drive from S. CA to N. OR) has made me wishful and nostalgic.

It's getting closer and closer to my "bad" Anniversary - I'm into thinking all the "stuff" that shoulda and coulda been.

Thanks for all the love.

As we settle in

The kids are settling in well. Horray!!

They may get permission to travel so I can go to Indiana with Papa. Horray!!

I gained more than I lost last month. Boo Hoo

Step-Mom had to have surgery on her legs. Ouch

Surgery was 100% successful. Yippee!!

Sister is having troubles right before son's wedding and the big 50. it sucks!!

I remembered to take and send her Birthday presents!! Kudos for me.

I've made it to Curves 3 times this week. Another Kudo.

Finally got a mailer and sent my Mother-in-Law's Birthday present off. She was 85 last month. Big Booooooo!

The house didn't pass inspection - so that deal is off! The Lord does as he sees fit. It must not have been meant to be.

For the most part my life is right where it is. I am sorry for those whose life I affect/effect in a negative way. I sure don't mean to. It is all completely by accident. I always mean well ~ it just doesn't always work out.

Good luck Judy and Sharen. All will work out, I will try better to keep in touch.

Bedtime for my babies ~ they whiney war is on (the one where they see who can whine the loudest)

Nothing New

Same ol', same ol' at Sea-ami. Days change, names change, characters change, but really, nothing changes.

We are busy trying to retrofit our days to these new children. And trying to retrofit them to us and our home. As is not uncommon - the word NO is used by them to us more than the other way around. For being as young as they are - they sure know what they are NOT going to do. All the way from eat (or even try) a piece of apple to pushing buttons on the computers or tvs.

But the Lord (God Bless Him) will use us to work things out.

The new radio in the red car blows the fuse every time it gets turned on.

I went back to "my" Curves today and discovered that I gained 10#'s in California. In less than 10 days.

The home inspector promised a report faxed today - didn't happen.

The next to the youngest went to sleep while I rocked her.

The baby cat-naps with 3 or 4 fingers in his mouth at once.

They all eat just about anything if I don't let them snack.

The promise of ICE CREAM for dessert cleans the plates really quick.

See, nothing has changed - but it's all different. And it's still HOT. hehehe

ROD'S HOME

Watching TV in the Morning
Click for slideshow Amah.

Got my "puter fixed. I felt like I was without my right hand!!! I don't use it for much except for this and e-mail but I've just GOTTA check out S'te and Sharen's blogs a couple of times each day. I never know when they might update.

According to my Daughter - her family is all together again. She has a picture of them all on the front porch swing. I'm glad that Rod made it home safe and sound and no worse for "the wear". And Ty too.

We are staying busy again. Papa brought all of the kids in so they could watch TV with me while I was still sleeping. He gets up with them but then brings them in to bed while he goes and does whatever it is that he does hehehe

It sounds like the AT&T wireless service at the Denver airport is what knocked out my home wireless login so I had to have the ever trustworthy "Geek Squad" come out and fix it for me. I was soooooo pissed!!!! No more Frontier and Denver Airport for me. Our luggage was delivered by private courier last night about 9:15. I know we can't blame the airlines for the weather - but come on!! By the time they held the flight to Orlando for an hour and a half - what's 5 more minutes!!! They pulled out so close to when we pulled in that the attendants had to call because they hadn't posted the departure yet. And we weren't the only ones!! There were 4 of us that just missed it. But I really feel sorry for the little lady that was standing in the customer service line right behind us. She was there in the line when her flight left to where ever and there was only 1 per day. The attendants had directed her to the customer service line instead of looking her flight up for her. WHAT A WASTE. Are all customer service types a thing of the past? Seems like there used to be a little common sense amoung them, but no more!!

Time to start dinner. It's getting tired and cranky around here :)

Back to Normal

We got S'te to give us a ride to the airport. We were 2 hours early - just like they say to be.

We boarded on time.

We sat on the plane for 70 minutes waiting for the weather in Denver to clear.

Our connecting flight was delayed - but not long enough. We missed it by 10 minutes.

We were changed from Frontier to United. Instead of arriving home at 11:30, we left Denver at 11:40. The good news is that Ty managed to make it home and his mother made him call me. When I got over being scared to death - I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY - I was mad clear thru. It's a good thing for him that I'm now on the other coast.

Arrived in Orlando at 5:45 am. Our luggage didn't. One way to get new clothes!! But my medical films that they sent with me are in them.

Arrive at Vero at 7:15. Installed car seats and kid-ified the house - somewhat

Went to Chiropractor at 8:30

Picked 4 kids up at The Village at 10. Ages 3.5 m, 2.25 f, 16mo f, 5mo m. Went with DCM to register them Keith wanted to do it while we had her - somethings are better done sooner than later at the Health Dept. I registered them with WIC at the same time. BM already has checks for Aug/Sept. We can get new ones mid Sept. DCM will check.

Got home, fed kids, nap (SCREAM) time. I went thru the 1/2 small plastic bag that arrived with the 4 of them. 1/2 pkg size 1 diapers, 1 baby outfit, one shirt sz 18 mo, 4 shorts 18 mo, 2 shirts 5T, 2 shorts 6x. Asked for clothing allowance. Was told to go to the clothes closet in St. Lucie. . . This is for 4 children!!

Time to fix dinner.

Nothing has changed - just the names - and only for whatever reasons. Different babies, same game~~~

Goodnight

Back from Santa Ana

We had to go to Santa Ana Monday morning. We needed to see my Attorney and then on Tuesday the insurance company wanted to take a deposition.

Fine, so S'te, LaDaria, and I got around and went to Curves. We really had fun today!! The owner stayed with Daria thru the first round and then watched her really closely thru the second. She did an excellent job. The owner really worked S'te hard tho' - it was so funny!!! ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT - WORK THOSE BUNS!! I just did my thing. I know that I didn't "work" as hard as either of them, but I was the sweatiest when we got done!! Then shower, pack, and leave.

We borrowed Rod's Saturn and Keith had really good directions for us (as always) and we went straight to the office- arrived early, parked in the adjacent parking garage - did ask my questions and and we went back to get the car. THE KEY WOULDN'T WORK!!! I tried, Keith tried, the garage attendant tried. Called S'te to see if there was a trick, S'te called Rod and left a message, Rod called S'te back, S'te called me back. We tried, it wouldn't turn in the ignition. We managed to also lock the steering wheel. Keith called AAA (Thank you Lord) and an hour later a locksmith arrived. He asked to see the key - announced "that's not a key, it's a blade" and crawled into his van - used a magnifier, punched his computer, used his grinder, and WALAA - he emerged with a new key. And it worked !!! Just like in the movies!!! He fine tuned it a bit and then told us to take the weight off of our keyring. It makes the key hang funny in there and wears it off - then the key that isn't quite right anymore ruins the switch - then you not only still need a new key - you need a new ignition - and that costs way more than AAA and the emergency locksmith. He said we were lucky - it ignition has not been completely ruined yet so using the new key vs the old key may continue to work. He was really nice and his visit and the key was only 140 of which AAA Plus (which I laughed at Keith for paying the extra rate for) covered 3/4's of it. So now we are ready to go again. We left the Attorney's office at 2 and it's now 5:30. We had several suggestions on how to get over towards Disneyland for a place to stay. We went the exact wrong way - would up taking the scenic tour. When we got to Harbor Blvd I thought we should go right, Keith thought left, he was driving, we went left. We went down about 1/2 mile or so and he didn't recognize anything so at a light he asked the passenger in the car next to us which way to Disneyland, the answer was "the other way, turn around". So we did. Keith checked a few places, they were full and we wound up at the Quality Inn. I am sure, if they are near an attraction - the place doesn't think they need to have the same ameneties that are common in the rest of the "chain". This place didn't have wireless or high speed, no exercise room, we had to go to the desk and get a remote for the tv. It just wasn't what I expected from a Quality Inn.

We walked next door to a Chucky Cheese type pizza place for dinner and then back to our room. It was about 7:30 or so. Nothing else to do so I read until I couldn't hold the book up anymore - took my meds and went to bed. The alarm went off at midnight (we didn't set it)- right straight up - totally confused - and a pounding headache!! Then I couldn't go back to sleep. So I watched tv and cat napped thru the rest of the night. At 7 Keith went over to get coffee (none in the room) and donuts. He's NOT helping. Here I am sweating my butt off 5 days a week at Curves and he's feeding me Pizza and donuts. I'll never make it!!

My headache was still nagging so I took it very easy until time to check out. I catnaped and watched tv. Finally roused and took a shower. We checked out, had lunch, and went to the deposition. I didn't have many of my answers and on the way home realized that some of the answers I gave were just plain wrong. I had months mixed up. I'll need to address those errors that I made when I get the draft. It took 2 hours!!! I was thinking about an hour. I don't even know what the relevance was for some of the questions - but if I could - I answered.

We headed back to S'te's and made it about 7 (really not bad for Santa Ana to Spring Valley). The kids all welcomed us back, showed their new treasures and had dinner. Then we settled down and S'te talked about her work at the Church. She is in the process of trying to clean things out and organize the small one's rooms. She had made a lot of progress on scheduling, cleaning, stuffing, tossing, and security for the little ones that are in her Church's care.

I can't send e-mail from her new cable network but I can receive it. So even if I don't answer - don't stop writing!!!!

It's time - we are off to Curves!!