Hey! What's up??

Hello all, 

We have been busy, as usual. Seems like this is getting to be the norm instead of something out of the ordinary. I don't know when or where this change was made, but I would like to go back to a slower life!!

We have been trying to deal with a situation in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  Someone stole the headstone from my grandparents grave.  They didn't bother the headstone of  my great-grandmother.  I have had several different stories about what was actually stolen.  I have heard all but the concete pad, then I heard only the bronze part of the marker, then I heard only the granite.  So, I really don't know yet.  I will probably have to actually go there to figure out what to do next.  I am just not sure.  Oma is really upset about this, and wants to get it fixed.  We are just really not sure what to do next.  I understand that our headstone was not the only one stolen.

Alayna has been diagnosed with ADD.  This has taken several months to get to the part of actually taking medicine.  Kristi, the kindergarten teacher, the first grade teacher, and a couple more teachers had to fill out a report on her activities.  When the doctor reviewed them all, Kristi and I were the only ones you find at least 6 problems that indicated ADD.  The teachers all had 4.  You have to have at least 6 to be considered ADD.  The only reason that the doctor agreed to medicine is that everyone indicated that she is struggling with math, reading, and writing.  The doctor is also concerned about her losing ground instead of gaining ground in school.  She took her first pill today and didn't do very well.  This is the first time she has had to swallow a pill whole.  Tomorrow, we are putting it in applesauce.  Today, she got about 1/2 of her medicine.  I will let you know how this works.

Tom has really had a difficult few weeks at work.  If it isn't a problem with the material handlers not supplying his line correctly, then he is short employees.  He is just really struggling with this shift.  Starting on Tuesday, he will be adding another line to the 2 lines he already has.  Doesn't look like it is getting better for him.

I have been working on my scrapbook stash.  I completed 2008 finally and am now working on 2009.  I am up to March.  I could get a lot more done if I didn't have a 7 year old assistant.  We have been watching YouTube videos on techniques and that girl can be a sponge - and then want to try the technique when I am trying to work on a layout.

Oma is still having a few issues with her heart.  Not bad, but each one is getting her one step closer to that dreaded pacemaker.  In March, she will be celebrating her 80th birthday. I have been trying to figure out what to do for this milestone, but have not really decided.  I know what she would like, but I doubt that it would happen - so then I need a back-up plan. She has been quilting a lot lately.  Doing quilts for retired and injured vets. 

Kristi and Brian are doing OK.  They are both busy with work, and Kristi has some added stress with school. 

Happy New Year

Well, where I have been?  I didn't realize that it had been so long since I last posted!  I am a bad girl!!

Let me try to start this year off on a better note...or blog!!!

We had a wonderful New Years eve.  We went to St. Louis with Kristi and Alayna to go to a St. Louis Blues Hockey game.  We had a blast.  This was not the first hockey game I have been to.  My brother, Larry took me to one when we lived in Independence in the early 1970's. I don't remember a lot about that game, just remember how happy I was that Larry took me  to a game with him.  Funny, how that is the only think I remember about that event!  Anyway, we went to a new mall - in fact most of the malls in St. Louis are new to me since we hardly ever go to St. Louis. We went to the St. Louis Mills Mall and really enjoyed it. It was HUGE compared to our mall, but not the biggest I have seen.  The only reason I wanted to go there was because I had some coupons for Archivers and a small list of things I needed for a scrapbook I am working on.  So, we were able to go and walk the mall, enjoy Alayna's excitement while she bungee jumped, and ate at Johnny Rockets.  We had a nice time. 

After that, we headed to the Scott Trade Center and to watch the Blues play Phoenix.  I can't believe that the desert has a hockey rink!!!  The blues played really well and ended up winning.  Towards the end they gave up 3 points, but they still won.  After that we ended up driving home.  We were going to spend the night, but with the room rates near the Scott trade center starting around $150, we decided we could drive home cheaper than that.  We ended up talking most of the way, and made it home just after midnight.  So, the 4 of us saw the new year come in on I-70 near Kingdom City, MO. 

Tom and I don't have to go back to work until Tuesday, which make 10 days off work for me!  I needed it.  I don't know what I will do when I have to go back to work.  It will be a culture shock for me since I have been scrap booking and lounging for more than a week. I am working on 2008 pictures - am I behind or what!  I guess this is good, because I have something to keep me busy.

Alayna is at Kristi's and has been since Thursday.  It has been really nice and quiet here with her gone.  I had her the first part of the week since Kristi and Tom had to work and I was at home.  Kristi and Alayna both have to return to their daily grind on Monday.