How did we get to this point?
A lot of growing up and hard work from everyone.
Xander is graduating speech this semester!! 7 years of it, and we are finished! WOW!!!
But that’s not all.He is also on the A-honor roll for his first time ever. He is also participating in extracurricular activities. He was awarded a speaking part in the school’s Christmas program this year. He also tried out for the grade school’s Aladdin play. While he wasn’t given the role he wanted (a guardsman) he was given a singing/dancing part. His part (along with the others in the choir) will be performed throughout the entire play.
He’s growing up. His maturity level has increased so much this past year. When I think back, I wonder how we got to this point. I never thought we would get here.
Now if only we could get passed the pre-adolescent attitudes and mood swings….
Week 1 NFL picks
I really don’t know much about football. I enjoy watching, but that just started last year. So laugh at my picks if they are that ridiculous, but I am going to do it anyway 
Jamie loves football and it’s about time we do something together…since he’s not about to become an internet junkie, or gadget geek, I might as well step up and enjoy a little football. Here’s our family picks (Jamie and the kids do it every year, this year I am joining in):
Thurs. Sept 10:
S M Titans at Steelers J X Me
Sun. Sept 13:
S M Dolphins at Falcons J X Me
X S M Me Chiefs at Ravens J
X S Me Eagles at Panthers J M
J X Me Broncos at Bengals S M
J X S M Me Vikings at Browns
J X M Me Jets at Texans S
S M Jaguars at Colts J X Me
X S M Lions at Saints J Me
J X Me Cowboys at Buccaneers S M
49ers at Cardinals J X S M Me
Redskins at Giants J X S M Me
J X Me Rams at Seahawks S M
J S Me Bears at Packers X M
Mon. Sept 14
S Bills at Patriots J X M Me
J S M Me Chargers at Raiders X
I guess I could have built a table, maybe I’ll do that next season when I have more time. Until next week…
J = Jamie X = Xander S = Sheridan M = Maddox Me = ME! B = Blake (his will be added later when Jamie talks to him)
more reading; plus prayers & warm weather needed
I have finished all of the Stephanie Plum series. (number books & between the numbers)
Last night, I started Manhunt by Janet Evanovich. I did not go to bed until it was finished. It was a quick read, a good read, but I felt it was rushed at the end. It was still good though.
I’ve been trying to get into Stephenie Meyer’s The Host. I start to get into it, and then get sidetracked and find it hard to get back into it again. I think I need to start it back at the beginning again when I have time to read deep. I was having too much trouble with it and that’s when I put it aside for another Janet Evanovich book. (lighter and fun)
On another note, please keep my best friend, Sasha’s dad in your thoughts and prayers. His name is Dave, or as we call him, Grandpa Dave. On Saturday, April 11, he was life-lined to Indianapolis with a severe stroke. He had surgery that night (middle of the night/early morning hours) to stop a brain bleed. He is doing well now, but still in ICU, still in pain (in his neck from the incision area and nerves being messed with). The final diagnosis has yet to be given, but the family is thinking it was an aneurysm and not a stroke b/c of that brain bleed and b/c Dave can remember details, move his limbs, talk, etc. This is a very trying, stressful time for the entire family. They are traveling 2 hours each way to stay with him, each of his kids taking turns staying during the night and day with him. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
I’ve been in a funk. A lot of headaches, mainly due to seasonal changes and sinus. Also spending a lot of my time doing nothing…except reading. I’m not knitting as much, not spending time online… I want warm weather. I want to go outside and let the kids be free in the sunshine and warmth. I want to sow my seeds into a garden. I want to build a salad table. (Check out Jason’s salad table…that’s what I want to make.)
Mother Nature, please give into my needs. (yep, it’s now time for begging and pleading)
Lots of Things on My Mind
Hurricane Gustav is hitting the coast of LA with waves exceeding 34 ft in height and winds on land at more than 50mph at the current time. Offshore, the winds are at approximately 115mph. A historic evacuation of NOLA took place over the past couple of days with more than 2 million people fleeing the storm.
Completely incredible. Can you seriously imagine a huge metropolis being nothing more than a one-horse-town? Stores, gas stations, bars, homes, schools… everything boarded up and left behind to face the winds and the rain.
Few people decided against leaving. Some didn’t have any other place to go. Some refused to leave their homes and businesses again. The looting after Hurricane Katrina ruined the thought of safety for personal belongings, thus some people staying behind to protect their assets.
My prayers are being said for all of those in the area of this hurricane, as well as all of those who evacuated for safety. Godspeed, everyone!
Another thing on my mind is my sister. She will be here in a few hours to give hugs and kisses and no doubtably warn me against shedding a tear. She will of course tell me once again why she is doing this. She will promise me she’ll be safe and she will call me soon. She will not look back as she drives off back towards her home. In a few days, she will be one of those heroic Americans who leave their families and their lives behind to protect others, and once again stand for the freedom that we as Americans have.
I know. I really do know. I know she’s doing this because she “needs” to. I know she’s doing this because she wants to. I know she’s doing this because she enjoys her job in the Armed Forces. I know she’s doing the right thing, in her eyes and in the eyes of thousands of others. But in MY heart, I can’t let it be. I can’t understand it. I can’t figure it out. Call me selfish and immature and anything else you feel the need to. But this is MY sister. This is my only sister. This is my best friend. This is the aunt of my children. This is my nephew’s mommy. This is all the meaning behind the tears that I now shed. (Better get it out now before she sees me. )
Please keep her and her son in your prayers and thoughts. And please, Lord, bring her home safe!
One more thing on my mind right now…today is Labor Day. Today is the holiday (not the date) that I lost my brother 21 years ago. The date was September 7, 1987. It is another day I will never forget no matter how many years set apart that day and today.
With all of these things laying on my heart and mind right now, I am reminded of how close we need to hold our loved ones to our heart. Please kiss your spouse, hold your children, love your neighbor and never take life for granted. In only a heartbeat, it can all change.
SSS … Stay Safe & Strong.
