A busy week-end ahead

I am trying something new with this set of postings. I am posting backwards so that when you read these, you will go in order.

We are going to Kansas City to a Royals game and then Tom and I are off to the Kansas Truck race. Kristi and Alayna are going with us - in a way. Kristi is driving her car and going to the Royals game and then staying at the hotel with us. Then on Saturday, she is going to spend the day with Beth, Brayden, and Kolby. They went to Burger King, and then to Deana Rose Farm. Alayna has talked a lot about the farm so I guess we are going to have to go.

Kansas City Royals Baseball

We got to take Alayna to a really baseball game - unlike those crappy St. Louis Cardinals that we saw a couple of weeks ago. We wanted tickets in a certain section to determine if we would like to go when the St. Louis Cardinals are at Kansas City. We really didn't mind our seats except the seats are so close together that you can't get comfortable. It was so windy, but our seats were in a great spot and we didn't feel the wind except when we went to the bathroom.

It was $1 hot dog, Pepsi, peanuts, popcorn night. I think the hot dogs were leftover from last year. They were terrible. We were lucky to get to the stadium early and get our dogs - because when the game started the lines were like 50 deep and the wait was about an hour or so.

The game was good with the Royals winning 6-1 against the Detroit Tigers. The Royals are having a good season so far.

We had bought 2 tickets since Tom and I thought that we would be the only 2 going - then Kristi and Alayna decided they wanted to go, so I had to find 4 tickets together since there was not any other seats close to us. So, my Larry and Gail went in those seats. I think they had fun to - but said they were not happy about the hot dogs or the height of the seats.

Kansas Truck Race

Wow...what a time this was. We got up early on Saturday and got ready. I couldn't sleep so I only had about 4 hours of sleep, but still was excited about going. We had a wonderful motel room and got it for a really nice price on priceline. I like this "name your own price" portion of this website.

We had bought fanwalk tickets which allow you to go very close to the pits and watch tech inspections, meet drivers, watch qualifying, etc. We got there about 9:30 and finally got to our seats about 4 in the afternoon. We actually got to meet 10-12 drivers and talk to each one. This made Tom really happy since we get to see them on TV and now we can say that we got to actually meet them face to face.

The race started at 5 pm and we got a whopping 50 laps into the race before the race was red-flagged and stopped for heavy rain. Of course, we were inside the track when the rain started and had to walk back out to the van. By the time we got to the van we were beyond soaked and trying to decide how we could get into the suitcase and get our dirty clothes out and change in the van without everyone knowing what we were doing. We might go home in dirty clothes, but at least they were dry. But, I forgot about my wet underwear and so it really didn't do me a lot of good!

Anyway, we got almost to the van and the tornado sirens started going off. We both looked at the sky and since it so so black we couldn't see a tornado - but the winds were not very nice and the rain was coming sideways and really stung when it hit you. Luckily we were able to text message my niece who lives in the area and tell us where the danger was and then Brian called and walked us through some of the weather as well. We got in the traffic and headed home. By the time we got to Missouri (the track is in Kansas City, Kansas) we were into lighter skies and little or no rain. We just heard that a tornado was sighted about 9 miles from the track - that is a little too close for comfort!!

The race was postponed until today (Monday) but we knew we wouldn't be able to go - so we are watching it now on TV. This is the 4th year that we have went and the most eventfully race yet.

Sunday at our house...

We were really tired after our long week-end trip. We all slept in (which means 7:30 for me and 9 ish for everyone else). We had a decent breakfast and then Alayna and I spent about 2 hours "strip cleaning" her room. I came out with 2 bags of trash and have two 3-drawer containers full of toys that I have to sell since Alayna doesn't play with them anymore. I am thinking about putting them on craigslist. These drawers are full of duplo blocks, matchbox cars, McDonald toys, farm animals, etc. It will be a good batch of toys for the right person. If I knew of someone who had smaller children and had a fire this would be great - but I don't know of anyone like that or I would.

We hope to get the rain to stop so we can set up the pool soon. We are suppose to go to Independence on Saturday to see Larry and then we have a birthday dinner for a friend of Kristi's on Sunday, so another full week-end in store for us.

Our Future Little Two Mile Prairie - Prairie Dog

Last night we all went to Alayna's kindergarten registration at her big school - Two Mile Prairie. She was so excited that she didn't want to leave. She wanted to see each and every class room. She is all signed up and ready to go - not that we are ready for her to go. We were happy to find out that they have a before and after school program called Adventure Club which will be a God Send for us. Alayna will be dropped off by Kristi before work in the morning and we will have to pick her up after we get off at night. They are even open when school is out so this will solve all our issues we were having. I am just not ready to have her ride a school bus yet - even thought about quitting my job to go back to driving a school bus for her. I am not the slightest bit concerned about her going to school - it is the school bus and driver that scares the life out of me. So, if she was to ride the bus - Kristi would be crying that Alayna was going to school and I would be crying that she was riding a bus. We would be basket cases all day!!! So, now it appears that the only one that will be crying is Kristi since Alayna will be going with Kristi in the morning and us at night.

This is a country school with only 320 kids and a 16-1 teacher/student ratio. Can't beat that one. They also have a very active PTA which has installed smart boards in each class room and does a lot of activities with the families each year. I think this will be a good experience for our family. Now, if I can just get over the fact that Alayna is big enough to actually be going to school I will be OK. But, she is already a year past when she should have started school since we kept her out for a year, this will make it easier on all of us I think. I just don't think Alayna would have had a good year this year if we would have sent her - but I think next year will be wonderful for her.

To top off the evening last night, mommy and papa took her to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time last night for a pizza dinner. That was a special deal since we don't go out to eat very often and when we do it sure ain't there!! They had a blast.

Tax Man Cometh

Well, today is dreaded tax day and as with the last 3 years I have waiting until today to do my taxes. I am too the point that I think it is not worth all the paperwork, just get out the check book and write a out a large check and just send it in - don't worry about the paperwork, just send money. This all came to be when we lost our dependents...what a sad day in tax history that was. I sometime wish I was like the Dugger family with 18 kids - think of the tax breaks they get. Last night was not a good night. We had to get a new Culligan water softner about a month ago since our last one died and the owner of the house didn't want to replace it. So, we rented one and life has been ok for the last month. Well, after taking my sleeping medicine and just getting into that nice deep REM sleep (about 11:30ish) Tom comes upstairs and wakes me up with "You have to get up, we have a problem." Now, when I take this medicine, I will not move at all sleeping in the same position all night - that is how deep asleep that I am. So, I get up thinking that something has happened to someone and stumble to the bedroom door trying to wake up and be conherient enough to use my brain - and ask "who is hurt?" He said "the water softner just sprung a large leak and the laundry room is flooded, you have to call culligan." Well, the softner is in my name, only because I was the one who called and scheduled the installation. I told Tom that I didn't think I could talk right to anyone at this hour, on this medicine, or about this issue. It would be like a drunk calling you...how much of a response do you think we would have gotten??? Anyway, Tom called and they were out here in less than a half hour (talk about service) and it were done around 2:30 this morning. After I did what I could, mainly walking around like a drunken sailor, I went back to bed - no use fighting the medicine and poor Tom stayed up with the Culligan man all night. So, as you can bet, it will be an early night tonight. Mom went to a new doctor today - a back doctor, and he said that she has a serious issue with her back. Really needs to have rods and pins inserted to help the pain that she is in all the time. Well, after 3 surgeries in the last year she is not ready for #4, so they are going to try some other stuff first. She is really limited on what she can do now, gardening (or flowering as we call it) is going to be out this year since that is one of the things he took away - no more bending at the waist and of course she can't squat anymore. I am not sure how she is suppose to pick up something that she drops. Anyway, we will take this issue one day at a time just like we have everything else that comes along. I think she has seen 5 or 6 doctors in the last 2 weeks for one thing or the other - and we wonder why Senior Citizens are broke - medical bills.

Happy Birthday Tom

Today is Tom's birthday - I can't tell you how old he is - OK you beat it out of me - he is 48!! Anyway, he was awakened by Alayna this morning which started his day off right. We are all really tired tonight. Brian gave Tom his present yesterday which was 4 tickets to the St. Louis Cardinals game last night. So, Tom, Oma, Alayna, and I all went to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play - or lack there of. It would have been nice if they would have showed up (I mean they got beat and didn't even seem to try to play last night). The seats were really nice and we really enjoyed the game. I was really upset that Alayna's first baseball experience had to be with the Cardinals instead of the Royals, but Alayna didn't seem to mind. The Kansas City Royals have a nicer stadium, easier to get into and out of, parking easier, the stadium is not as confusing, and the Royals seem to show up when they have a game scheduled. But, it was a really nice time.

Tom and I are off tomorrow for Good Friday. It is surprising that a Japanese company celebrates Good Friday, but it is a day off with pay I am not going to complain. We are having dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Tom and Brian's birthday and then on Saturday we are having birthday lunch with Tom's family. This will be a busy week-end with a lot of good food.

Today, Alayna got a surprise in the mail. She got a letter from Uncle Larry and Aunt Gail. She was so happy. It was a puzzle without the box so we were not sure what the picture was. But, Alayna worked on it and then surprised us with the puzzle as it was fox picture. She loved it.

Some ramblings...

I was trying to post more last night and kept getting kicked off the satellite. Have I told anyone that I hate satellite Internet - it is worse then dial-up. Tom is suppose to call them, but I don't know how much good it will do.

This has been a very busy and bad week at work and at home - and it is only Tuesday.

On Saturday, a granddaughter and her grandfather were killed in a careless motorcycle accident. Turns out that the little girl was the granddaughter of one of our managers. The little girl's (who was 10) dad was Sondra's son so the grandfather was not related to Sondra. Anyway, everyone at work has been so tense at work because they are upset about her death.

Also, Alayna has been having some issues with the poo factor - like not going for the last 5 days. so, Kristi called the doctor and they wanted to see her right away. After checking her out she sent her to the hospital for an X-ray. Kristi had her conference at work, so I had to run to the hospital and pick up Alayna so Kristi could go back to work. Later in the afternoon the doctor called and said that it appears that her poo is just sitting in her colon and not moving. So, we have to give her some laxatives and if this doesn't work then it is a enema and if that doesn't work then we are not sure what the next step. So far 2 days of laxatives and no poo to be seen. I really don't think she is feeling really well because when I picked her up tonight the minute she saw me she busted out crying. She had lost her ball over the fence and thought her world had ended.

Let's see what else has been going on...our dishwasher died a slow death, the lights in the laundry room have stopped working and Tom can't figure out why, had union-free meetings at work, Tom and I found out that we have to take 5 more days off without pay the week of July 4th, and mom is dealing with a side-effect of one of her medicines that used to work.

I think that summer must be around the corner because Tom actually burnt the burn pile tonight - that to me is the first sign of summer. We are hoping to get our pool set up this week-end so that we can start with all the chemicals. We have pool school next week to refresh our memory on how to deal with the pool.

I am not sure if Tom and I are going to Orlando for a conference at the end of the month. We have not heard if it was approved or not. I really want to go because this conference is the company that runs my timeclock and right now I am having some real issues and would like to confront them myself. Time will tell.

At some time I will post the picture of the bunny cupcake - can't get the dang thing to load because of the internet connection.

Guess that is all for now...it has been such a bad week that I think I am going to evict a turtle from his shell so I can have a hiding place...does anyone that this will work???

Busy week-end

At work I promised the maintenance department that I would fix them a cake once a month (what was I thinking??) but I wouldn't guarentee what it would taste like or what it would look like. I would just find a decorating recipe and try it out on them. Well, this month I decided to make a checkerboard cake and make it look like an Easter Basket. It turned out really good (even if I did make it my self). The cake was purple, pink, and yellow colored and they said it tasted really good. You really can't tell but the cake is a basketweave with jelly beans.

America's Funniest Video's

Tonight, we turned on this show on and Alayna really enjoyed it. It is one of those shows that you just lose yourself in - to see that other people are more stupid than you are!!

Hello everyone! It's Kristi. I told Mom yesterday that she needed to update her blog, but she said she didn't have anything exciting to say. I told her that I would update it for her, so she sent me her login and password and said to go for it. Hmmmmmmm......does anyone think that she's going to see the error in her ways and regret sending me her login and password? I now have the power. You'll have to bear with me, it's been a while since I have updated a blog. Things have been pretty busy for us lately. It may not be anything really exciting, but we all have seemed to be running around like crazy people daily. We've had birthdays and trips and conferences to plan and school to go to. So, we'll just take this one step and person at a time. What is it they say about age before beauty? Alayna.....Alayna is doing very, very well. She is really thriving lately and seems to amaze me everyday with the things that she picks up on and learns. Her preschool is trying to shove a lot of information into her to get her ready to go to kindergarten and she seem to be picking it all up very nicely. We've been blessed with new songs and she constantly tries to figure out what letter every word she hears start with. I guess due to the fact that it has been so long since I have had to worry about doing that, I didn't realize how confusing the English language really is. I've obtained a new appreciation for the ins and outs of the language. I found out recently that I have to register Alayna for kindergarten on the 14th of April. I was, and still am, not ready for that. Even though I know she could have gone as early as last year, I'm still not ready for her to be that old. Brian......Brian made it safely back from the trip to Geek Fest 2009 (as it has been commonly known in our house, sorry Brian.) in Cincinnati. He had a really great time playing computer games and was even offered a job by one of the guys there. The group of gamers are already starting to plan next year's trip. I'm really glad that he had the chance to go and do something that he really enjoyed. We all took a family trip to Lowe's (say "Thanks" Lucas) to pick up Brian's belated birthday gift last night. He ended up with a new grill just like dad's and all the necessities that went along with it. I'm not sure if he or his roomies are going to enjoy this present more. Me......The next couple of weeks are going to be really rough for me. I have a conference to put on next week in which the Directors from each of the 35 Nationwide campuses come to Columbia. It takes a ton of planning and long hours to pull this off. Doing this on top of the already heavy work load at this time of the month takes a lot of balancing and a list for almost everything. I also officially started classes here at Columbia College a couple of weeks ago. I was really worried that these classes were going to be a lot tougher and that I wasn't going to be able to hang on to my 4.0 grade point average. As of right now though, I am feeling pretty confident. I am kicking Accounting's butt. Health wise, I'm doing pretty well. I don't go for my next appointment with the oncologist until June, so we'll know more then. Mom....Mom's allergies have been extremely bad this year. She finally bit the bullet and went to her allergist to convince him to allow her boss to give her the allergy shots since it's so hard to get into the office to do them. She took her first shot yesterday, so we'll see how that goes. I have been trying to convince Mom to apply for one of the positions open at the college, but so far no luck. I think she'd be alot happier, which everyone knows would make us a lot happier, and she would be able to make use of the MBA that we are so proud of her for and she worked so hard to get. There are some really good options here for her. Dad....Dad has somehow hurt his back and is in a lot of pain. We aren't sure how he did it, but 800mg IBuprofean seems to be his best friend right now. Work has been busy for him the past couple of weeks ago and even more so yesterday with April Fool's Day and the virus that was threatened on that day. IT guys can never been too careful. Oma....Oma is doing good also. She finally went and had the shot in her back and seems to be moving around a whole lot better now. We seem to be keeping her pretty busy with everything we've had going on, but she's really taking the challenge well. She turned into my own personal hero last week when she offered to keep Alayna before and after school starting in the fall, which means that I will no long be forking out $800 a month in child care. WooHoo. It's only going to be for an hour or so in the morning and an hour or so after school, so hopefully Alayna won't wear her out too bad. Well, I guess that's it. Sorry for the very lengthy blog, but I had to prove to Mom that she could actually find something to write about if she tried. Just goes along with that Love/Hate relationship we have.