Home Again

I didn't think I would make it .... but Tabb is home from his trip to Texas. Tabb and his Mom went to Plano for the wedding of Carrie Lin (our niece) and Michael. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. Tabb can hardly tell me about it without becoming emotional. I'm so glad he had the chance to be with his family and share in the joy of Carrie and Michael's wedding.

While Tabb was gone I managed (barely) to hold the fort down! Using one arm has its challenges, but the kids have really been great and helped me with the things I can't do. Our wonderful Relief Society sisters helped with dinner and checking in on me. I don't care how old I get (well...actually I do), but....I still want to have my Mom near by to take care of me.....tuck me in....send me to my room (please...send me to my room) and cook delicious meals. As a child, I never fully appreciated all that Mom did!

Tonight I had an MRI...don't sign me up for that one again. That was the most claustrophobic experience of my life. I'll know a little more next week if the Rotator Cuff is torn. Thanks to everyone for looking after our family.

It's Official

Daniel and Robin are expecting their first baby on March 10th! We're going to be grandparents!!

Pet Peeve

President Obama is due in town this week for a community meeting on health-care reform. A well-meaning friend sent me an email with the details of the protest being staged by the GOP. She included phrases that could be written on posters - none of them had anything to do with healthcare reform...almost all slammed the President.

I'm all for supporting your beliefs (respectfully), but I'm totally opposed to disrespecting the President of the United States. Wouldn't it be amazing for the President to come into town and find Raleigh to be a place of "Welcome!"

Off of my soap box....for the time being!

Wahoo!

Okay..maybe a "wahoo" is a little over the top, but it's Friday and I'm grateful!! This has been a long week. Tabb has left for Texas for some "well deserved" time with his family. I hope they have a wonderful time. I can't imagine that anyone of them will sleep much....I envision late night "gab" sessions. Tabb will be in heaven!!! We miss him though. Last night we had a huge thunderstorm...at first I thought Tabb was snoring...but wait...he was in Texas. It scared Melissa and the other kids slept through it.

I feel like Fall will be here soon. It's my favorite time of year. Nicolas started football intermurals yesterday. That's some hard stuff....out in the sun...high heat and humidity. But he's determined to make the team. Go Nicolas! He's also in the band now and playing the clarinet. Daniel used to play that instrument. I can't wait until his first band concert. I've missed going to band performances.



The other day I read this quote by Anne Frank - "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

I've also heard it said "lose yourself in service." So true....but the true miracle of that philosophy is "what you find." I have experienced the most profound insights when I've been blessed with the opportunity to give service. When you serve, you see the heart. You feel like your truly the Lord's emissary .... and that you're protecting/serving one of his children.

Saturday Fun

Tabb took Katie to get her hair done...that took 4 hours. Nicolas worked on painting the downstairs bathroom. Melissa and I hung out at the pool. All in all...not a bad day!

Katie's Activity Day girls went to Chick Fil-A for their annual free meal celebration. All you have to do is dress like a cow and you receive a free meal. They serve cake, give away prizes, and have fun activities for the entire family. Thank you to Sis. Ralph for helping the girls make the cute costumes and for being such a "fearless" leader! It takes alot of enthusiasm to take a group of girls into a herd of Raleigh cattle for a free meal!

Luciano Cat-arotti

AKA....Luci.

It's been a year now since Luci joined the family. My son and daughter in-law found two kittens living in the rafters of their apartment building near NC State. We think they were no more than 4 weeks old at the time. Being starving students, Robin and Daniel brought them over to us with the hopes we'd keep them. We already had one pet...Gingko...she's a 14 year old "Grandma" kitty that was not happy to meet the youngsters. There was no way I wanted two more cats; so we kept the "more friendly" kitten - Lucy. We had named them Belle and Lucy. Belle found a new home. Lucy was a little shy and skittish. Later it was discovered that Lucy needed a new name...a more masculine name. So we settled on Luciano or Luci for short. He's not a bad kitty...just a little strange. He'll never jump up and sit in your lap. He does "drive-by" swipes at your leg when running past. Occasionally, he'll look around frantically, let out a jungle war-cry and take off like a bat out of you know where. It's a little spooky sometimes. I tried to get a picture this morning...this is the best I can do. Anyone want a possible mentally deranged cat??? I can deliver!

Hmmmmmmmm

I Love the Month of March!!! Hmmmmmmm..................................

School Begins

The school year started for Nicolas (7th grade), Melissa (5th grade), and Katie (3rd grade). So what did we do for homework...paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. I tried to explain exponents to Nicolas...that will need more practice, but actually I thought it was fun. Maybe I think it's fun because I don't feel the pressure he does to understand it. Katie had to rewrite her spelling words due to a little to sloppy look to the writing. We told her that this year she needs to set the standard for "best work." Let your teacher see that you do your best even when things may be a bit hard. I don't think she's bought into that philosophy yet, but we'll do our best to help her get there. So now it's 7:48 pm...homework has just finished and showers started. Let the games begin...here's to a great school year!

July 4th in Raleigh

Fellow Patriots,
I hope you had a splendid 4th of July as did we!!! It was beautiful from start to finish. The weather was gorgeous, not humid at all! Daniel, Robin, Kathy (Robin's Mom), Cory, Nicolas, Katie, Melissa, Tabb and I spent most of the day together. Some of the highlights.....Melissa winning the most technically challenged "no splash" dive. Katie and Cory wrestling in the water. Melissa getting stung several times by a very mean wasp. The "Big Daddy Splash"....Tabb was dethrowned this year...much bigger "daddies" to compete against. Melissa splitting the backside out of her swimsuit...too much crawling in and out of the pool and it just tore. Of course, my favorite event....watching the fireworks at the North Ridge Country Club. There were a few more families that found our "secret" viewing location, but all in all it was still an amazingly beautiful show!