Exciting weekend

We had a kind of crazy weekend around here. Mom and John were up for the truck and Indy races the first of which got rained out. When John, Aaron and Bryn got home we all had to head to the basement to wait out the tornado warning that was going on. This time there actually was a tornado and it hit about 3 miles directly south of here. There was another tornado warning later in the evening but as far as I know nothing was damaged by that one. We did learn that Bryn is definitely not into the adventure that can be Kansas weather in the spring...it could be a long couple of months! She did enjoy going to the races with Pops and Aaron, though!

I got some good walking in this weekend. We walked 8.5 miles on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. I did realize I have quite a way to go before I am ready for 60 miles - ouch! I am not sure what kind of crazy I was when I signed up for this but I am determined to do it. Hopefully with all the training left to go I will be good and ready by August.

I never did post a reunion follow up... we had a great time and are hoping to be able to have some kind of get together every year. we had a little lighter crowd than we expected after getting the RSVPs but it was a blast to see the people that were there.

Here is our group out on front of the school. The principal that we had is still there and he showed us around the school. It hasn't actually changed a whole lot...some nice new landscaping and much newer technology but it was still the same old stomping grounds!

Nikki and I

The old Poplar Estates gang! The four of us were practically joined at the hip for many years but we hadn't all been together in 10 plus years. One of the most fabulous things about this reunion was finding Andy and all being together again. I am thinking we will make sure it isn't 10 years before we see each other next time!

I am off to enjoy a lazy day. And then I am off to Stephanie's for a playdate - it is so nice to have kids as an excuse to get together with a friend and enjoy an afternoon glass of wine and some good conversation!

Spring in the south

I had forgotten how much I love spring in Memphis. I went for my walk today and got to see all of the blooming azaleas and dogwoods. And driving into the city by all of the big, old houses I got to see more azaleas and dogwoods. It is just so pretty...Kansas just isn't quite the same!

Out of here

I am headed out to go to my 8th grade reunion. We sent out about 65 invitations and it looks like we should have about 35-40 attending. I haven't seen some of my classmates since we graduated 22 years ago so it should be a blast! And as cranky as my little guy has been for the past couple of days, I must say I am a little relieved to be handing him over to Grandma. Hopefully he will be good and cheered up by the time I get back.

Bryn has been more emotional lately than normal. She cried and cried last night because she had her eyes closed in her class picture. We finally cut out another picture of her and taped it over hr in the class picture and that helped. I know she is sad about her friend, Riley, moving but I am surprised by how upset she has been getting about things that normally wouldn't bother her. I guess the emotional girl stuff is beginning - hopefully we all survive it!

Long Overdue Pictures

We had a great Easter weekend with Aaron's parents and Grant and I are enjoying a quiet day today while Bryn is at Grandma and Grandpa's and Aaron is off working hard to pay for his new surround sound system!

We had the TV and surround sound installed on Thursday and broke the system in with a viewing of "Star Wars" on Friday night. I must admit it is pretty cool. Aaron is still grinning from ear to ear and the guys that installed the system said they are going to get one just like it, so I guess they liked it, too!

We also had a burglar alarm put in so it is just a matter of time until the cops show up here when I set it off. It currently talks to us every time a door or window is opened so it is sort of like having someone to hang out with during the day!

My knee is getting a little better - I had a bad night last night, but overall I think it is improving. I only walked one day this week and am getting totally paranoid about falling behind on my training but don't want to do too much on my knee. But I am going to be in big trouble if I only walk one day a week. We'll see how it goes.

Now for pictures...

Our last big snow if the season


Bryn and her missing tooth (I think she has lost two more since this picture - I can't keep up!)


Grant's 1st birthday



Grant and Harvey hanging out (butt) cheek to (butt) cheek!


My babies


Easter egg hunting time!




For Dad and Cheryl...
The growing tomatoes! They are about 3 times this size now (about 6 inches tall)


And little Harley man! This one is a little blurry because Grant was not all about having a doo rag on his head. But despite that and the fact that his lion jammies make him look a little less Hell's Angels, Grant assures me he is ready to try out Grandpa's new Harley!

Ouch

I had an interesting experience today while in the doctor's office...I turned just right and totally popped my kneecap off my knee and to the side. Of course the doctor wasn't in there so after getting past the initial rush of adrenaline, nausea and light-headedness I just smacked it once really hard and it popped back into place. OUCH. And yuck. I guess all of this walking is loosening things up a bit. Too bad it has loosened my kneecap and not some of the fat on my rear...

Another Monday

I am gearing up for another Monday...Of course I guess since I am lucky enough to work online, in reality Mondays aren't really any different than the other days of the week. Somehow a Monday still feels like a Monday, though!

We had a good weekend. Bryn and I and a friend of Bryn's went to see the Wizard of Oz ballet at the Lawrence Arts Center. It was a lot of fun. Our TV and sound stuff was delivered on Saturday and Aaron is VERY excited. It will all be set up on Thursday (the people putting in the burglar alarm are going to wire it all up). I served meals yesterday at Bridges of Hope and then got a good nap in! What a great weekend!

I also got most of my walking in this week (3 miles Wednesday, 5 miles Friday, 6miles Saturday). I was due for 5 miles yesterday but just couldn't drag myself out in the cold and rain. So I will try to do it today...

Back to normal

I finally feel like things are getting back to normal after a lot of chaos for the last few months. I have even tackled the laundry pile which is now only maybe up to my eyeballs instead of way over my head. I now have TWO working iPods (a new battery did fix the original one) so I am going to pass the little one on to Aaron. And, yes, it probably is a little selfish to give him the little one with fewer cool features but I figure since I am the one with a blister the size of a quarter on my foot I need it more.

I am getting excited about my 8th grade class reunion coming up in a couple of weeks. We are having a hard time getting RSVPs but it looks like we should have a decent turnout that will allow us to all really catch up on what has been happening over the last 22 years!

Bryn and Grant have both had there well kid doctor visits for the year...they are both below the 25th %ile for height and weight but are perfectly healthy.

I have been stressing out about class assignments for the fall - I don't currently have any but found out today that most of the schedule hasn't been set yet. We would definitely miss that extra income and I am in no hurry to go out and look for a new job!

In house news...
One of our windows has a leaking seal and has mold growing between the panes. It is past its warranty time so we will have to replace that ourselves. Fun.

We now have litter boxes in three different locations in the house trying to keep Clarissa from peeing on the carpet. We also have some beautiful carpet squares lining part of the basement wall. I am about ready to make her into a kitty rug but am hoping we can get her back to the box and save the carpet before it is too far gone. I have considered pulling it up in that area and putting down some cheap linoleum until she goes to the great kitty beyond but am afraid she will just find another carpeted spot to use. Sigh.

I think we are going to replace our upstairs couch with what is in the basement and put a home theater type space with some reclining chairs down in the basement. Aaron is REALLY excited about the electronic possibilities...that is lost on me as I don't care about it as long as I can hear the TV - where the sound is coming from is just not something I notice!

I am off to church this evening to teach the science section for the kids program. Not something I enjoy much but I feel like I should do it anyway since they always need volunteers. I love my kids but have decided that teaching little ones is definitely NOT my calling!