Fall feels very far away.
But I bought my first pumpkin today. I'll keep it on my counter for a week or two, then cook it. I gave a great pumpkin roll recipe. But I so need some cooler temps. 
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Downtown Issues
The main problem with my job being located downtown is parking. Our building has a small courtyard in the back off the alley where we can get three cars into. And up until last month we could park in an empty lot two doors down from us.
Then the lot got new owners. Who put in a chain across the opening totally blocking anyone from parking in there. Actually, one of my co-workers got locked in the lot!! Her husband came with a crow bar or something and busted her out!!!! Crazy. Not gonna park there!
So, for several days I parked on the street and feed the parking meter money. But you can only be in the same spot for two hours, then you have to move to a different spot or risk getting a ticket.
After doing that for several days, I gave up and started to park two and half blocks away at one of the large parking garages owned by a casino.
So...yea...looks like I spend my days at a casino.
I've actually enjoy the short walk....of course, I wonder how much I'll enjoy it when the weather turns colds. And rainy.
I get to see all sorts of things on my short downtown walk. Like this relic from the past. It's missing a few pieces...and looking a little worn and tired.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
My Empty Driveway
Tonight my driveway is empty....for the last month my driveway had a nice blue car parked there. But today was the day for William to return to college for his second year.
I think he was excited....but William doesn't show much emotion unless it's anxiety....or irritation at me.
One thing we both were upset with is we learned the "friend" that asked him to be his roommate decided to get an off-campus apartment. And didn't tell him until William text today...as we were moving in... I felt bad for William.
But praying that he'll find new friends and even build stronger ties to the people he met last year.
His dorm room this year is in close to his old building- pretty central to everything. I did get to meet two of the three new roommates. These two are older, but seemed nice.
May he have another great year.
I think he was excited....but William doesn't show much emotion unless it's anxiety....or irritation at me.
One thing we both were upset with is we learned the "friend" that asked him to be his roommate decided to get an off-campus apartment. And didn't tell him until William text today...as we were moving in... I felt bad for William.
But praying that he'll find new friends and even build stronger ties to the people he met last year.
His dorm room this year is in close to his old building- pretty central to everything. I did get to meet two of the three new roommates. These two are older, but seemed nice.
May he have another great year.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Books, Books, Books!
This summer I have taken a dive in the reading. In June I came across a new author at my library, Karen E Olson. I ended up reading her books in reverse order. At the library I found her newest books, Hidden and Shadow. This new series of her is about a computer hacker. They are very good!! Then I read her second series about a tattoo artist in Las Vegas that has a knack for stumbling into murder scenes. I again found this series very entertaining. I didn't really know a lot about the tattoo world, since I don't have any tattoos or any plans to get one. So, a look into this world was interesting. Then I read first series Olson wrote. Well...hmm...yea. Not as good as the two newer ones. It was about a forty year old single women who was a newspaper reporter. I read the first book, but really didn't like the language, but thought it was get better. It didn't. I started the second book of the series, but within a few pages the language was just as bad. So, I didn't complete the book nor started the third of the series.
I know myself. I don't want to say cuss words, but I know myself. If I hear them in tv shows or read them in books, they get in my head. If they are in my head, then they WILL come out in my mouth! Because of this, I really try to avoid books and shows with bad language. Just not worth it .
This summer I have, also, read the Bible through with an on-line group. We started June 1 and finished by the end of August. Yep! That's fast. We didn't stop and get bogged down by the parts that we didn't totally understand. We wanted to get the over-arching story of God's redemption plan. This is the fastest I have read through the Bible. It took about 30-45 minutes every day. Most days I did my reading in the morning, but there were a few days where I had to read a little at a time through out the day.
In the past week or so I have read a series by Susan May Warren - her Deep Haven series. I found that I read two of the books in the past. Each of these books can stand on their own in that they don't give away too much of the other story lines. I really think she wrote better as the series went along. My favorite books were the books 4 (My Foolish Heart), 5 (The Shadow of Your Smile) and 6 (You Don't Know Me). I had read book 6 several years ago and just realized that it went with this series. (Book 2 Tying the Knot was the other book I had read before.) Warren is a Christian writer and in each of these books, the characters dealt with issues of faith.
Last week I also read the first in a series by Ronie Kendig, also, a Christian writer. This series has military members as a theme. I waiting for the second book to be available through my library. While the book (Digitalis) was enjoyable, there were a few parts that were just not realistic. Entertaining, but not realistic....sort of like some of the James Bond or Jason Borne movies that are out in the theaters now.
All of this reading means that I have not watched a lot of tv....mainly because, there's not a lot of good new stuff on the tv during the summer. Also, this summer I worked on a photo album project and a quilt that's almost done. I try to quilt at least an hour most days. The quilt I working on now just needs the binding added....so...it should be done this week....hopefully....unless I find more books to read!
I know myself. I don't want to say cuss words, but I know myself. If I hear them in tv shows or read them in books, they get in my head. If they are in my head, then they WILL come out in my mouth! Because of this, I really try to avoid books and shows with bad language. Just not worth it .
This summer I have, also, read the Bible through with an on-line group. We started June 1 and finished by the end of August. Yep! That's fast. We didn't stop and get bogged down by the parts that we didn't totally understand. We wanted to get the over-arching story of God's redemption plan. This is the fastest I have read through the Bible. It took about 30-45 minutes every day. Most days I did my reading in the morning, but there were a few days where I had to read a little at a time through out the day.
In the past week or so I have read a series by Susan May Warren - her Deep Haven series. I found that I read two of the books in the past. Each of these books can stand on their own in that they don't give away too much of the other story lines. I really think she wrote better as the series went along. My favorite books were the books 4 (My Foolish Heart), 5 (The Shadow of Your Smile) and 6 (You Don't Know Me). I had read book 6 several years ago and just realized that it went with this series. (Book 2 Tying the Knot was the other book I had read before.) Warren is a Christian writer and in each of these books, the characters dealt with issues of faith.
Last week I also read the first in a series by Ronie Kendig, also, a Christian writer. This series has military members as a theme. I waiting for the second book to be available through my library. While the book (Digitalis) was enjoyable, there were a few parts that were just not realistic. Entertaining, but not realistic....sort of like some of the James Bond or Jason Borne movies that are out in the theaters now.
All of this reading means that I have not watched a lot of tv....mainly because, there's not a lot of good new stuff on the tv during the summer. Also, this summer I worked on a photo album project and a quilt that's almost done. I try to quilt at least an hour most days. The quilt I working on now just needs the binding added....so...it should be done this week....hopefully....unless I find more books to read!
Monday, August 29, 2016
Bonus Year
This is my Bonus Year with Melissa. Most of the kids in her preschool class (at church b/c she didn't really go to real preschool) are going off to college this fall. At that time we were living in Virginia the cut-off date for entering school was Melissa's birthday. I never wanted her to be the youngest in her class.
I did toy with the idea of letting her go to kindergarten that year, then have her re-do kinder the next year in our new location after we moved. But the school district that year made kindergarten full day in stead of half day. She just wasn't ready to be gone all day. And neither was her momma. So, that year she and Ben went to a little mom's day out once a week and played with me the rest of the time. It was a good year.
Now, here, we are just a few weeks before her eighteenth birthday and starting her senior year while other long time friends go off to college. But I am so okay with that. I have never doubted the decision to wait to start school...she just needed more time...there really was no rush.
She has really thrived over the years being the oldest instead of the youngest in her class. And I think having those extra months in age and maturity has helped her as we have moved every few years.
This senior year she planned to do some great things...but already some thing did not work out. She has really enjoyed being on student council in high school, but she found out tonight she lost the election and would not be student body vice president. Nor would she be a representative either....sadly. The school changed the teacher sponsors and they changed how a few things worked. In the past if you lost the election, then you could be a class representative. But this year this is one of the rule they new teachers have changed. If you lose your election, then you out of luck - and will have no part of stu-co - even if you had in the past , even if you had already put in several volunteer hours for different things.
Melissa was oh-so disappointed. I'm sure she'll find other things to fill her time....but right now it's feeling a little raw. I am looking forward to seeing what my "bonus year" will bring her way....I have no doubt that the Lord has a great year planned her for.
I did toy with the idea of letting her go to kindergarten that year, then have her re-do kinder the next year in our new location after we moved. But the school district that year made kindergarten full day in stead of half day. She just wasn't ready to be gone all day. And neither was her momma. So, that year she and Ben went to a little mom's day out once a week and played with me the rest of the time. It was a good year.
Now, here, we are just a few weeks before her eighteenth birthday and starting her senior year while other long time friends go off to college. But I am so okay with that. I have never doubted the decision to wait to start school...she just needed more time...there really was no rush.
She has really thrived over the years being the oldest instead of the youngest in her class. And I think having those extra months in age and maturity has helped her as we have moved every few years.
This senior year she planned to do some great things...but already some thing did not work out. She has really enjoyed being on student council in high school, but she found out tonight she lost the election and would not be student body vice president. Nor would she be a representative either....sadly. The school changed the teacher sponsors and they changed how a few things worked. In the past if you lost the election, then you could be a class representative. But this year this is one of the rule they new teachers have changed. If you lose your election, then you out of luck - and will have no part of stu-co - even if you had in the past , even if you had already put in several volunteer hours for different things.
Melissa was oh-so disappointed. I'm sure she'll find other things to fill her time....but right now it's feeling a little raw. I am looking forward to seeing what my "bonus year" will bring her way....I have no doubt that the Lord has a great year planned her for.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Heavy Heart
Life is such a roller-coaster at times. In the last week or so we have rejoiced as deployments have ended for friends and with a family as they finally were able to meet their new son through adoption. But tonight I have such a heavy heart tonight as I see friends walking the road of loss.
Some are facing divorce ...a few totally blindsided....others by mutual agreements....some just tried of fighting to be their spouses one and only.... Each couple have such a different story, but each has heartache. All have children...I wonder the effects that will visit each of these.
Some friends are facing the loss of a parent in the near future...others dealing with ill children.
Then I look at the news headlines. So depressing. I don't think CNN had one positive story in their news feed tonight.
Good thing we have been told how the story ends...I know good is in the future. But at these times I think the only thing to say is "come, Lord Jesus, come."
Friday, August 19, 2016
This and That
Today ends the second week of school and so far both are doing well. Melissa will have an easy senior year with her only hard class is AP English. She is taking a class at the local Vo-Tech that involves learning business and life skills such as writing a resume. The rest of the day she has a job working at the middle school office. And is very happy!! Next semester she'll have a typing class, so it'll get even easier!
Benjamin on the other hand has a tough load this year. Right now he has pre-AP English, Trig, pre-AP Biology, and Spanish 1. After meeting his teachers, we decided he probably won't learn anything in Spanish...yea....that teacher is not a winner... But we did like his other three teachers. His English teacher is one the other two have had and we just love her! She goes to our church and is in charge of the spring school play. Ben will be learning in there! His biology teacher goes to our church as well and we think a lot of her and her family. I have had two of her kids in my new believer's class at church. Of course, being an Ole Miss Alumni helps! His trig teacher is a Cajun - full-on accent and everything! He's new to the school, but seems to know his math....just hoping he'll be able to pass on that math knowledge in a way Benjamin can understand.
William right now is in a computer/video marathon.... Recovering from his six weeks of being a camp counselor (and computer/video-less) He really seemed to have enjoyed his time at the camp. He's opened to doing it again next summer, but hasn't made up his mind. Drew and I would like him to work the full 12 weeks of summer or get an internship in his field of study. He has awhile before he has to decide. He moves back to school Labor Day...he'll be ready to get back into a normal routine, I'm sure.
The rain...yea....we're getting lots of it! So far around our house and area, the rain hasn't caused any flooding. Of course, in the south part of the state, that's not the story. Yesterday we got a really bad storm and lots and lots of water! The ditches on our street were near full, we had a nice moat around the house (again) and one neighbor's driveway was covered in about 6-8 inches of water. But when the rain slowed down and then stopped, the water drained into the nearby lake without causing any issues. It looks like rain will continue on and off until Tuesday....hopefully, we'll see the sun again before then.
Work for Drew and I both is going well. Both of us are getting some projects done and off our desks. Last week Drew was working in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I sneaked off and stay over with him for two nights. We were able to catch up with one of his brothers and a friend from college. As much as I love my children, it's nice to just be Kelley and Drew for a few hours instead of Mom and Dad. He'll be off again next week - this time to DC....wish I could join him there! I did so enjoy my time in DC last month....just wished it could have been longer and had been able to see a few more friends in the area.
We do have few trips planned for this fall....trying to get a few football games in, but not sure if Ole Miss will be in the mix...the calendar is already getting full.
Benjamin on the other hand has a tough load this year. Right now he has pre-AP English, Trig, pre-AP Biology, and Spanish 1. After meeting his teachers, we decided he probably won't learn anything in Spanish...yea....that teacher is not a winner... But we did like his other three teachers. His English teacher is one the other two have had and we just love her! She goes to our church and is in charge of the spring school play. Ben will be learning in there! His biology teacher goes to our church as well and we think a lot of her and her family. I have had two of her kids in my new believer's class at church. Of course, being an Ole Miss Alumni helps! His trig teacher is a Cajun - full-on accent and everything! He's new to the school, but seems to know his math....just hoping he'll be able to pass on that math knowledge in a way Benjamin can understand.
William right now is in a computer/video marathon.... Recovering from his six weeks of being a camp counselor (and computer/video-less) He really seemed to have enjoyed his time at the camp. He's opened to doing it again next summer, but hasn't made up his mind. Drew and I would like him to work the full 12 weeks of summer or get an internship in his field of study. He has awhile before he has to decide. He moves back to school Labor Day...he'll be ready to get back into a normal routine, I'm sure.
The rain...yea....we're getting lots of it! So far around our house and area, the rain hasn't caused any flooding. Of course, in the south part of the state, that's not the story. Yesterday we got a really bad storm and lots and lots of water! The ditches on our street were near full, we had a nice moat around the house (again) and one neighbor's driveway was covered in about 6-8 inches of water. But when the rain slowed down and then stopped, the water drained into the nearby lake without causing any issues. It looks like rain will continue on and off until Tuesday....hopefully, we'll see the sun again before then.
Work for Drew and I both is going well. Both of us are getting some projects done and off our desks. Last week Drew was working in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I sneaked off and stay over with him for two nights. We were able to catch up with one of his brothers and a friend from college. As much as I love my children, it's nice to just be Kelley and Drew for a few hours instead of Mom and Dad. He'll be off again next week - this time to DC....wish I could join him there! I did so enjoy my time in DC last month....just wished it could have been longer and had been able to see a few more friends in the area.
We do have few trips planned for this fall....trying to get a few football games in, but not sure if Ole Miss will be in the mix...the calendar is already getting full.
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