We are still alive...

It is bad when people start calling you to see if you are ok because it has been almost 2 months since I updated last. So much has happened in the last two months that I just have not had time to sit down and update. Sometimes I think my life is in fast forward and I can't find the remote to slow it down.

Let see...what has been going on??? Well, we had a sad event that happened a month ago. My brother Larry died on Sept 2 - the day before my dad's death anniversary of Sept 3 (1986). I have so many memories of Larry because he lived close to us most of the time. My brother Gene moved to AZ when I was little - maybe he was trying to run away from me!!! Anyway, about Larry. I was thinking about him yesterday and was thinking of all the things that remind me of him. He was such an inspiration to all and he will be missed. Mom is taking his death really well compared to Gene's death. I thought she would take this one harder because we saw Larry so much more than she did Gene, but she has done better than the rest of us. Alayna still questions Larry's death. It is hard for kids to understand but she was talking about all the funny things Larry did with her - I am surprised at what she remembers.

We have all been busy preparing for Tom's parents 50th anniversary celebration which is happening on October 4, 2009. We have to go to Boonville today (October 3) to set up the church and tomorrow is the party. I know I have spent a lot of money on this - I will have a total next week. We have been keeping the receipts to see what was spent. It is well worth it since this is a milestone that not many make it to. With Carl and Janice both having major health issues (cancer) and major car accidents which involved several surgeries and long rehab stays shows that God had a plan for them.

Brian moved into an apartment by himself last week-end. He needed to get out on his own. I am sure he is going to be happier. If there is a mess, then he made it!! He was getting tired of cleaning up after everyone else and having to stay in his bedroom because they were having a party on a week-night. His apartment is really nice and just right for him. This last Tuesday, I went over and fixed him supper while waiting on the guy to fix his dryer. It was good for us to have mommy/son time. We watched a funny movie and had a blast.

Alayna started kindergarten at Two-Mile prairie school in August. She handled the adjustment a lot better then we thought she would. She has a wonderful teacher who I have known for years. She didn't realize that Alayna was mine until the first day of school. She is taking her lunch most days because she can decide what she wants. She could be a vegetarian so easily since she eats all kinds of vegs, beans, cheese, eggs, fruit. She does not like sweets or potatoes, or bread. Such a strange thing for a child! She doesn't like eating at fast food places because they don't have vegetables.

Kristi is busy with school and work. This session has really kicked her butt. The history teacher is not very good, you can see this because over half of the class got a C or lower on the midterm. Only one more week sissy and you will get to a better class. We were saddened to hear that a professor that I loved when I attended Columbia College died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. Mr. Metscher had worked at Columbia College for over 35 years and was wonderful.

Mom is doing ok. Is going to have colon surgery on October 12. Near her stoma (from her cancer surgery) her colon is coming out - similar to another hernia. This surgery will be worse than the last hernia surgery since she will have to actually be cut around her stoma - about 8- 10 inches minimum. She was scheduled for surgery a week ago but has a terrible infection on her skin that has to be healed because that is where they are going to cut. Yesterday she had a car accident and is worried about her car being totalled. I told her if it is we will buy it back and keep it. It was her mother's day gift a few years ago and she doesn't want a car with a payment. BTW - she is ok, didn't get hurt in the accident.

Tom is doing well, just really stressed about work. Some changes have happened and he is not happy about them. He is just rolling with the flow. Had his yearly prostrate check and his number dropped - YEA!!! With his dad having prostrate cancer this is a big concern with him.

I guess I better close...too much information can be harmful to your health~~~~