Finally,….It has come…The time we have been planning for over 2 years for….DAY 1…..We left yesterday just in front of a cold front heading to Illinois.  It still doesn’t seem real that after all this planning and last minute chaos, that were in the Motorhome with most of your everyday needs (and more)…I think we probably packed away much more that we should have.  Probably should have weighted in at the elevator on the way out of town, but then we would know how overloaded we were.   Ignorance is Bliss…..LOL….But first………Thanksgiving at Scott and Brandy………

We had our family Thanksgiving at Scott and Brandys this year.  Our house sure did not need that much activity.  They have a huge bar room down basement, complete with bar, pool table, fooz ball table, tv, and many other toys for adults….lol…Now he is building a small stage area, because he just ordered a karaoke machine.   Everyone showed up this year.  It was so nice. Tammy and the kids came to our house first …She made scalloped corn and went through some more stuff to take home.  Then we all went to Scotts…Everybody came, Rich’s Sister Pat and Charlie, sister Connie and Brian and their daughter Ashley and Mat, and Rich’s  brother John.  Also their was Staci, Brandys daughter.  She came home from college just to have dinner with all of us, and also Ed’s sister Beth.  She has become a very special person in our lives as well as Tina and Eds.  Aunt Beth is GREAT…… Also a very good friend Pam came to say goodbye.  Pam,  and her family have been in our life since we were newly married and with out kids.  We met Pam and her brother Bobby, and  her parents Carol and Bob, way back in the 70s when we first started camping.  Bob was sheriff of the hill at the campground….lol….We took Pam and Bobby to Chicago just to have fun when they were just kids.  Also Rich and I and Bob and Carol even did the Demo car Derby together.  We all 4 had our own cars…..Later when Scott was born, Pam went with us to the hospital and watched Scott be born.   Lessons in life to be learned…..haha….So it was so nice that she came by to see us.  Carol was home sick.  So sad Carol….Hope your feeling better by Thanksgiving.

I think we had food for another 50 people after we were done.  So so much food.  We made ham and green bean cassorle, deviled eggs, pea salad, and jello.  Scott and the guys deep fried a turkey.  Connie brought some friend chicken.  Pat brought a crock of little weinies.  Everyone loves them.  and that is only the beginning.  Much more food.  For drinks, we always have punch in the punch bowl.   Its just sherbet and 7 UP.   But so easy and the kids love it.  Of course the Adults had something a little stronger.  The bar is always stocked.  We all left stuffed and with bowls of food to take home….Isn’t that they way it always is.   So now our frig is packed with left overs….Actually, were going to have leftovers for breakfast this morning…..cake and deviled eggs….lol…We went home after the dinner and cleaned up the kitchen, knowing the Sunday was going to be a BIG Day…

We got up by 7 in the morning and started in.  So much yet to do.  Last minute clothes to put in.  Fridge to clean out.  Cabinets to take out last minute stuff.  Bathroom to clean out.  Just to name a few things…..lol….Well guess who showed up….Tina and Ed and the kids.   Now those of you who know Tina, will understand.  She is an organized work horse sometimes.   She can give orders and expect to work right along side of you while ordering you around.   And so it began.  She would question me on what to take and she carried it.   We would put it away in the RV and return again.  The worst part was the carrying.   Out the kitchen down 2 sets of steps,  to the Motorhome and back up steps.   Then here came Connie and Brian.  Connie stepped right in and continued the packing and carrying.   And so by Noon we were almost ready to go…. The guys loaded the scooter on the pick up, and did all the guy things.  haha….And LAST OF ALL KITTY……He was not happy.   He seen his bed get ripped apart.  His bedspread disappear.  then his sheets leave.   And finally his pillows left the bed.  Then I came for HIM…..lol….He sunk his claws into the mattress….HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP….He fought me all the way out.

So finally time to say GOODBYES…..Connie and Brian left to go to Breakfast…..You know it was almost 1 pm and he hadn’t had breakfast yet….OMG….and Tina and Ed and the kids stayed to lock up and take the LAST PICS…

 

We left finally around 1;30….fully expecting to eat leftovers….Well we decided to eat at one of our favorite resturants…..BONANZA in Lincoln….love the Sirloin tips and salad bar….and of course we get Senior discout now….Being old does have its PERKS…..then headed down St. Louis….That’s were we have spent the nite.  Kitty did well.  He finally took a nap on the sofa and last nite slept in bed like normal.  So going to have breakfast soon.  Deviled eggs, cake and maybe a little pea salad.  lol….and on down the road we go…..Soon no more rain…Maybe sunshine by tonite?

 

 

This weather is soooooooo so cold.   We didn’t plan on this. It is 19 degrees right now and going down to 12 tonight.  This feels like the middle of January.  Even in Harlingen Texas, it is 48.   I bet those snowbirds are freezing.   lol.  Here it is Monday evening and where leaving  Sunday.  6 days and counting.   Almost here…..Yea……Gotta pack the winter coats even for Texas….brrrrrrrrr…..

This weekend we went to a Gymnastics meet for Miley, my 6 year old granddaughter.  She is so tiny and cute.  Miley has been attending Tumbling for 3 years.  Tina entered her in Competition the first year.  She has won many medals and trophy’s and has competed in State and in the Nationals.

 

These are Pics of Miley back in 2012.  She looks so tiny.  The girl is Emily Hansen, her favorite coach, and little Austin still had his paci….lol…

We decided to leave for Rock Island on Saturday.  We have friends their that use to live down the street from us.  John use to work at Coca Cola with Rich.  John transferred back the Quad Cities were he was from,  2 years ago.  They became good friends of our family while they lived here.  The Meet was just a half a block from John and Jessie’s.   Tina decided that her and Miley and Austin would stay with John and Jessie, and we parked the Motorhome at the high school where the meet was to take place the next day.  Cameron came with us also.  You’ll never believe what happened.  It snowed 2″…..HOW HORRIBLE….Its suppose to wait till we leave.  We decided to go out to eat.  Rock Island is built on a hill.  Fortunately they live on the high side.   We headed down the street, and the cars coming up were at a stand still.  Well they tried,….lol…….They kept slipping sideways….slipping right into the curbs…….lol….Out came the wreckers…..the fire trucks…..What a mess.   We ate at a Mexican Rest.  and then came home.  Fortunately by the time we went back up the hill, the salt trucks were out.   Easy trip back home.  The next morning , breakfast at Johns and on to the meet at the high school…..

Miley competed in 3 categories.  Floor tumbling, Trampoline, and Double Mini Trampoline.  Her first was Tumbling at 9:30.   Next was Trampoline at 11:30 and finally Double Mini at 2:30.  By the time they got to the last one, they were running late.  It was a long long day.  But she did fabulous.  She did wonderful especially on the Double Mini.  The top 3 girls were only a difference of 7/10 in score…So by the time the day was over, Miley won a 2nd, 3rd. and a 5th

….CONGRATULATIONS MILEY…..GREAT JOB……

 

Finally It was time to go home……………Stopped at McDonalds…..Miley wanted a chocolate shake….Every Champion deserves a treat…..Right…..So Homeward bound finally…..Another late nite……School for the kids the next day….but now US?……Retirement is great…Just sleep in another morning…..lol….     6 DAYS AND COUNTING            LOL LOL LOL   GOTTA ESCAPE THIS SNOW AND COOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDD

 

Here it is at 6am in the morning and the temperature is 28 degrees……..brrrrrrrrrr………We are just 9 days away from leaving.  This cold snap horrible.  It is even chilly in Harlingen.   58 degrees….lol….but we can handle that.  Were just hoping the snow doesn’t fly before we leave.   lol.  Were having our family Thanksgiving at Scott and Brandys, on the 22.  It will be our last family gathering till next summer.  Then we plan on leaving on Sunday 23.  That gives us a week to get to Harlingen Texas.  We can take out time and enjoy the trip.  But if it is bad weather and snowing….OH NO….we will head straight south.  To the Sunshine and warmer weather and then turn west.

We’ve made a few more trips to Goodwill and Lily Pads.  Sold more stuff on Facebook Garage Sale sights.  Gave more stuff away.  Yesterday, I went through the cabinets in the kitchen.  All those bowls and lids.  I seen on Facebook recently, a funny post.   “Did you know that all those socks that go missing in the dryer, turn into Tupperware Lids”?  ……Hahahaah…….That’s why I found all those lids in the cabinet.   Now I know where they come from.  I guess I am never to old to gain more knowledge.  But still have lots of stuff……Will it never end?….

When I was a little girl, I lived with my Grandma for 2 years when my parents split up.  I was in 4th and 5th grade.   I have so many memories.  She lived in an old 2 story house.  I loved it.  It seemed so big but I bet it wasn’t.  Seems like when your a little kid everything is so HUGE!!!….When you grow up everything becomes much smaller.

I have so many memories of this house.   Waking up in the morning, (of course had to tryout every bedroom in the house, up stairs or down) smelling fresh percolated coffee filtering the air.  Sitting on the front porch whether, I was swinging or just sitting on the wooden steps.  I would love to watch the cars go by.  She lived on Main St. in Kewanee.  I can still see her cutting her grass with the push mower, hanging her laundry on Monday, wash day.  The whole back yard was full of sheets and clothes hanging with the poles holding the lines up.  She did her laundry down basement in the wringer washer and the old washtubs.  She had a sistern with a hand pump for water and huge crocks of water.  She also had a coal bin down basement.  In the winter she would have to get up in the middle of the nite to stoke the furnace with coal and corn cobs.

These are 2 pics that I found quickly to add.   The first one is in 1960.  It was probably a Sunday.  We always dressed up to walk to church on Sunday.  She didn’t have a car, so we walked everywhere.  The second is taken in the back yard facing the back porch.  I must have been around 2 or 3.  I spent many hours playing on the back porch and the sidewalk with my neighbor friend Sue Ann.  We would play jacks, hopscotch and roller skate with those old dangerous skates that clipped on the shoes…You would be skating along and they would come off the shoe and dangle from the ankles.   Well you know what that would mean…..CRASH….OUCHHHH…..Cryyyy…..Bandaids…..I’m dying…………lol…

She had a beautiful garden in the backyard.  It was full of fruit trees, bushes, flowers, and vegetables.  She grew all kinds of veggies in her garden and canned them.  She also had cherry trees, apple trees, and peach trees.  Raspberry bushes, red and black, and currant bushes.  She even had a grape arbor.  Flowers were everywhere.  I remember her beautiful red poppies that came back every year.  I would come home from playing and I would go to the back yard behind the garage and find her picking the berries.  Of course they were all sticker bushes, so she had long sleeves and a net on her hair.  She canned everything she grew.  Ohhh How she could cook.  She had around 11 brothers and sisters, so when they came to visit, everyone had to go see the garden, and what wonderful aromas and food came from her kitchen.  Ohhhh the jams and Jellies she could make.  Grandma had the old stove with the cast iron lids on the top.  On the left side was the area to put in coal or wood to fuel the stove and on the right was the oven.  Extending up on the back was the warming area and a shelve for salt and pepper.  the cast iron lids had a removable handle that you interchanged from lid to lid to open the stove area.  This is where she would brew her coffee.   (So what happened to me? lol  I love the smell of coffee…..Brings back these memories….But can’t stand to drink it.)  But the one thing I remember most is her ……OLD FASHIONED ROSE BUSH…..

It was planted against the back of the old garage.  It bloomed only once a year at the end of May.  It was just covered with beautiful Pink flowers.  It would get so big that she would tie it up.  The branches would grown long and arch out and bend to the ground from the weight of the flowers .   This picture is from the 1940s.  I also have a picture of my Grandfather standing beside it.  He died in 1949 before I was even born.  When my mom was married, she took a piece of the rose bush everywhere she moved.  Burlington, little town of Cameron, country house in Cameron, and finally Toluca.  All the bushes I believe are now gone.  When Rich and I were married and moved here to this house, I took a piece from my childhood house in Toluca.   It just flourished on the north side of the house.  When we added on to the back I had to replant it again on the west side of the front porch.   Their it is today.  Growing like crazy.

My sister from Albuquerque came for a visit, a number of years ago and took a piece home with her.  Then she gave a piece to her son in Santa Fe New Mexico.   It is still growing at both homes.  Now in the spring,  when we return, I will be starting more pieces of it at both the girls homes and my sister in law, Connie is anxiously waiting for a piece also.   Connie has a beautiful yard.  She has put so much time and energy into it.  She has a green thumb.  Connie and Brian bought her dads home, and I know she spends her time sitting on the back porch and reminiscing also.  Leo put a lot of time into his garden.  So a Rose bush in her yard will make a Beautiful addition.  So this little Rose Bush is still growing and flourishing in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico and McNabb Ill.  Next spring it will also be growing in Spring Valley, Granville and little Mt. Palatine.  All since the 1940s.   What a history.  It may be much older as my Grandma moved to her home in the early 1920s after she was married.   The picture that I have of my Grandpa is how I am giving the Rose Bush its age.   My Grandpa died the year before I was born, 1949.  Hopefully the Bush will live on and the kids will all follow tradition and keeping passing a little piece of this bush on………What a Great Legacy…..

Some more pics of the Rose Bush and some other flowers in my yard.

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Of Course , I have to end this blog with a pic of Kitty in the window…..Hes been around for a long time….

Ps…….The sun is up……….will not really…its just daylight…….OMG…Their is a Dusting of SNOW ON THE GROUND…………..

 

At Last…..Rich drove his last mail truck yesterday.  He drives / or did  lol  / a shuttle run from Wisconsin to St. Louis Missouri.  He picks up his leg of the route in Oglesby, Illinois and drives to St. Louis and switches trailers and comes back to Oglesby.  So yesterday was his last run…….Finally……..He has been so looking forward to this all week.  He was on the count down just like I was.  He came home last night and had cleaned all the stuff out of his truck.   He was a good boy, unlike me.  I left my locker untidy.  lol.  I will say one thing about his job and he agrees with me.  It is the best job he ever had.

Rich started working for Ursa Trucking Company around 5 years ago.  He has done many routes during his years their.  He drove shuttles to Iowa, Wisc. and Mo.  They always treated him well.  They would put him up in motels when needed so he wouldn’t have to make the long drive home.  They even provide shuttle cars when necessary and they can take them home.   They always compensated him well and checks were always on time.  They also drive good equipment and keep them repaired.  But one thing we can’t understand, in this day and age when people supposedly need jobs, where are they?   The People?  They have been short on drivers all summer.  He has been doing more that his share of miles, almost bordering on illegal.  Sometimes he was illegal .  Finally they have found 2 drives they hired to take both ends of the run.  He has been training them all week.   Here is some of the questions they ask.   What do you do when the roads get icy and snowy?   OMG…..They don’t want to drive in bad weather.   Did they not ever hear the saying about the US Mail,  Nothing stops it….Neither Rain, nor sleet, nor snow….The Mail must Go….Next Question……….Do I get all Holidays Off?…..Oh Gees, Did you not ask that question during orientation?   It would have been answered then.   Your holiday is the next day following the holiday.  That way the mail is their for the next day delivery.   Then another observation.   How does one get lost coming straight south coming from Wisc. to Oglesby…..Ugggggggg…..Rich doesn’t hold out much hope for some of these new drivers they hired.   But at Last He IS……….FREE……..

 

He already had his first evening planned.  lol.  Scott and Brandy were going to a Halloween Party at a bar with some other friends.  So they all went out together.  Of course several bars later, he came home at 3 AM.  lol   How do you think he is feeling this morning?   haha….Not to good.   He just went back to bed.   Or should I say just NOW went to bed.   He was sleeping in his recliner.  So glad the MH has a recliner.  He would be lost without it.  So today begins our first day of our New Life…..

NO MORE ALARMS will go off…..My alarm by the bed was set for 4 AM.  His phone was set also for 4 AM.  It was also set for all his other runs and all his rest stops, in case he took a short nap.  It seems at times it was always going off.   I even called the phone company and had the house phone shut off.  So only active phones now are the cell phones.  Well, mine doesn’t work good here at home.   Good ole  AT&T………service at its best…..Now I can only text or FB….That’s ok……Now we are approaching Crunch time.   So much to do.   Were having Thanksgiving early this Year.  Saturday November 22 at Scott and Brandys.  Then we would like to leave the next day.   That will give us the whole week to slowly make our way down to Harlingen Texas.   Our ETA is Dec. 1 .   Its a long trip so were going to take our time, providing the weather isn’t to bad.  Until then we have lots to do around the house to get ready for our Journey.

I would like to add a link…

My Movie—-My Retirement Last Day at Work

This is my Slideshow/video that I made.   I wanted to add music…Thriller from Michael Jackson….haha….they only way I could was to publish it on Youtube…..hahaha….so all my friends at work….Your now on YOUTUBE….lol….Hope you watch….it was fun to make….so many memories…

Halloween was not very nice weather this year.   So so cold.  Hardly any kids out.   We usually have close to 80.  This year, maybe 40.   They came in some bigger groups so, the streets were dead this year.   Only 1 or 2  hayracks pulled by 4 wheelers.  I decided to add some of my favorite pics .  The first group is the grandkids this year.

 

This next group is some of my favorites in the past…

Now this group is so cool…..I added little friends with them to make them SPOOKY……lol

Our House………

 

 

 

At last its over….But what a ride its been.  I was in my 17th year at Advantage Logistics.   Can’t believe it.   So many people have come and gone.  But the best friends one makes are the ones at work.  In all my years of work, I have made special friends that have stayed with me forever.  This place is no different.  I have friends from my first job, and then There was Plano Molding.  You guys know who you are.   Your all like family.  We shared so much time and our lives together.  The ups and downs of everyday living.  The secrets, and we confided our problems to each other.  We all guided each other threw everyday living.  We spent more time together than with our familys some days.  We all leaned on each other when needed, and gave words of encouragement.  That’s what family is for.  We can be apart for years, but when we see each other or communicate, we can pick right up were we left off.   Advantage is no Different….So MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDS…..

This is my group in Pharmacy.  They are a Fabulous Group.  They got together the morning of my last day.  While I was working in the back, they all got together and took this picture.   They presented me with it that nite at my party.  I just LOVE IT…

So I will tell you about my day.   I got in trouble the day before, cause I wasn’t sitting in my seat when the bell rang….hahaha….so grade school….so the next morning I made sure I would get in late….haha….I just had to rebel.  So waited outside till the bell rang and walked in.   Oops, startup meeting over, Exercises had begun.   So what to do?…..Bring out the camera…..hahaha….

Everyone was laughing…Would could they do “Fire Me”…..lol….And so the day began…I wasn’t to productive, cause everywhere I went some was stopping to talk to me.  After 1st break, Allison mentioned I should take the camera back with me…..BINGO….GREAT IDEA….So I hide it in my pocket.   Oh what fun we had.

These are some of the pics from the Audit cage and Vault areas…..Hmmmmm Hope I don’t get anyone in trouble.   Leads and Supervisor sure didn’t know I was doing this.   Hahaha….Later I was picking out in the U.   That is the special name for it.  Each line has an Aisle number.  So as I was picking, I took some more pics.

 

I wonder what my rate was….hahaha…Probably 60 percent…Later Sherri came along.  She is Pharmacy inventory.   She presented me with a gift.   lol.   We have had a long time running joke.  I don’t even know what started it.   She has always called me vaginitis.   haha….My friend Vicki B.  is cuntilda.  hahaha…Hilarious.   But what ever it takes to get through the day.   So her is my gift:

It is a repurposed troll that she found in her drawer.  It is to be used as my New Dashboard Ornament.   I just love her to death. The troll that is.   haha…Love ya too Sherri.   Then at Breaks and Lunch, I was presented with a cake:

 

The cake was from Carol and Tina.   It read:  “YOU MADE IT POOPY PANTS     WE LOVE YOU“….Now isn’t that special.   Tina is such an AWESOME person.   Such a jewel.  We all love her dearly.   She helps us all get through the day with her laughter that only she can bring.  Her smile is one you will never forget.  So has no idea what she means to everyone.

 ” WE LOVE YOU TINA“.

Here are some more pics of people in the warehouse as I walked through for breaks.   They would stop me and I would take their pics.   haha…

All such GREAT PEOPLE….

Finally the end of the day…..Party Time at Cabin Fever in Peru…..

Everyone started showing up right after work…3:30 and some later cause their schedule was later.   And some old friends from work also came…..My awesome friends Fawn and Jen, who now longer work their.   Not their decision, but oh well, company loss.   On to bigger and better things. Both of you girls look :  “FABULOUS“

We had such a good time visiting and they gave me presents.   One present was the pictures of them and a collage from the past.  So many memories.  Thank All of you for your friendship and support through the years….Some of us have all been together for almost 17 years.  Deb and I worked at Plano together.   We have worked together since 1992…Wow…That would be 22 years.   Just Amazing.   I wouldn’t have made it without all of you being their everyday.  Now its your turns to help each other and keep up the fight.  With out each others friendship it would be almost difficult if not impossible to make it.   And just remember, its not over…..Ill BE BACK…..We are all friends.   We will get together next spring when I get back, Cause that’s what Friends do….Right….So its not …………..”Good Bye”………….Its…………”SEE YA NEXT SPRING”……

So What does 17 years mean?

 Amazing though,  It was announced at Cam meeting that I was retiring by management, but, actually it was just an after thought….they almost forgot….Did anyone in Management come and personally Congratulate me….No…only the one I didn’t want to see….and Ya all know who that was.  Did anyone meet me at the door going out….no…..Did I turn in my badge…No….So did I clean out my locker…..no…Gees, My seniority number is even under 10…..Must be glad to see me go…

P.S……………So……… NOTE TO HOME OFFICE…………….#954 has left the building……….You can cancel the insurance again……………..Carry on…………….

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From the time we are born we are making memories.   Our first friends are family and cousins.   Then we go to school and make new friends and more memories.  Eventually your world enlarges and you start High School, begin dating,  start driving and find many more friends.   During all this time you share moments with friends.  Some times good—sometimes bad—-sometimes just hilarious.   But these are all memories that we share with our friends.  Eventually we graduate and life goes on to the next chapter in life.   We get married, go to college, or go away for a new wonderful job.  We have children and all of a sudden we are involved with the rat race of life.   Our friends are forgotten in the past because we are so involved with the present.   Life is eternal at that point.   Their is always tomorrow.

 

Well a few years back, in fact quite a few years ago,  one of my old school friends looked me up.   We shared some fun times in high school, and because of Lori I met Rich.   We enjoyed the next 2 years getting together, reminiscing and just enjoying some good times together again.  Then she developed Cancer in Oct and passed away before the New Year.   It was so fast.   Rich and I were so glad we had the several years to enjoy our friendship with Lori and her husband.   She left this earth way to young.   Another chapter in life had come—-and gone—-several years after that Facebook has now come along.    It took me awhile to sign on…..lol…..I started looking for classmates from school.  I found a few and have been enjoying some long distance friendships on fb.  It has been great to reconnect.  Were all grown up now.   So good to reach out and share our life experiences.  Their is that special bond that we all shared in school.  Memories that only we can share together.  All of a time—-a place—-No matter if we shared it together, we all lived in the same time, the same era, and the same town of yester-year…

I was looking for one girl in particular, Diana.   We went to high school together.   A small group of us would always go to her house at noon from school.   She lived only several blocks away.   Her mom always made us feel so welcome.  Diana’s dad, Ivan always stopped at this little place in town called the Cheese House.  He would buy cold cuts and cheese and bring them home.   We would eat all their food, lol, and head back to school.   At Christmas I received a present from Ivan.   I was dumfounded.   “”ME””…..Ivan knew I loved Chocolate Covered Cherries.   He took a box and wrapped each one and stuffed them down an empty wrapping paper tube.   It was so funny.   Ivan did that for at least 3 years.  Now this was a gesture I have never forgotten.  Its just these little things that one never forget that seems to mean so much.  Such great memories at their house.   Well I found Diana’s FB account, but unfortunately, she had just passed away from Cancer also.  I found out she had just been back in town to visit her dad when I started thinking about her.  I felt so sad.  So close to finding her and I was never able to see her after the first several years out of high school.   She and her husband had moved to Texas and raised her 3 girls.   I turns out, that she had stayed in town for the first 10 years after Graduation.   I only lived 20 minutes from her.   We were so wrapped up in our lives, we never thought to keep up our friendship.  I friended her oldest daughter and sent her some pics and things.  We have kept up a friendship because of her mom.   Well Friday was a great day

 

Two of Diana’s daughters, Tammy and Kathy, had come to see their Grandpa Ivan.  He has been very sick and not doing so good.   I decided to go and meet them.   I have been going through things and found my wallet pic of Diana.   Her graduation pic.   Also a black and white pic of our graduating class and a Centennial Edition of the School yearbook.  It contained all the graduation classes since the school district was formed to when it was consolidated.   These are things that I don’t need anymore.  I decided those were things the girls would enjoy.  So I went to see them and Ivan and his wife Vivian.   It was so nice reminiscing about old times with Ivan.   I finally met Vivian and most of all I was able to meet the girls.  It was almost like the circle was finally complete.  The void was finally filled.  They are such wonderful girls.  Diana would be so proud of them.

Ivan is in his late 80s now.  He is not doing that well, but it was a great visit.  His memory is still sharp.  His wife Vivian is a wonderful lady.  I have been friends with her on fb but this was the first time I met her.   They are so in love.   Her live revolves around taking care of Ivan.  Her love is such an inspiration.  As I was talking with the girls, I kept having flash backs of talking to Diana.  Their is some of their momma in both of them.   Beautiful girls, on the outside and especially on the inside.  What a blast from the past.

It was time to leave them, I decided , their was one more person in town to look up.   Now the town I was in, is only 30 minutes from me, but I never go their.  So I went to Karens house.   I worked with Karen, when I was just out of high school at a garment factory.  Karen also started working their just out of high school as her mother worked their too.   Well Karens mom was home and came to the door. Nellie is in her 90s.   Amazing….  She looked fabulous…..Her memory is just like yesterday.  Sharp as can be.  We had a lovely visit.   Karen was out walking.    Finally I left and found her walking the street.   She was so supprised.   We talked for about a half hour and have vowed to get together next spring when we are back.   In the mean time, we have friended each other on fb.  What a great day it was.

Life seems to just consume our days.   We are always worrying about tomorrow.  We never take the time to see today.  One needs to slow down.   Think about our friends from the past and the present also.  As we get older, It seems that I think about the past, and wonder what has happened to some of the people that has touched my life.  Where are they now.  Facebook has made it so easy to find and reconnect with old friends.   If you can today—-Take that time today——Look up someone from the past.   Do it before its to late.  If they leave this earth before you do, you may be the only one to replay those memories.   Wouldn’t it be GRAND to be able to visit and talk about old times with them?…..Its such a Great feeling to rekindle those feelings of youth.

Do It today…………..Before its to late……….Add another chapter to your book of life…….

“”LIFE IS NOT ETERNAL””

All weekend it has been rainy and cloudy….Finally the sun is starting to shine but fall is in the air.   Tonight is the first possible freeze.   So everyone has been warned to cover their flowers.   I thought I would post a pic of my favorite tree in the front Yard

This is the Family Tree.  This tree came home with me in the 80s.   I was taking my mom to Iowa City to the hospitals and I would go to Walmart.   I was pretty poor, and we had no trees in the yard, so I was buying bushes and trees that were reduced in price because they half dead or because it was end of season.   This tree was even transplanted twice.   Well it came home in the trunk….Such a beautiful tree it has turned out to be.   It is the tree the kids love to climb.  Weve taken lots of pics with the kids in the tree through the years.

Soon all the leaves will be gone….and we will be in Texas when the snow starts to fly…..yeaaahhhh….

Well, Wed was Dentist day.  Tue started out as normal.   Went to work and got off.   Knew I wouldn’t be eating hard stuff for a few days, so I went to Hyvee and bought some soup.   Cheddar Broccoli, and some other stuff.   Bought my last meal…lol..at the Deli….They had Roast Pork Loin special with 2 sides.   So I bought 2 for supper for Rich and me.   Well I got home about six and found 2 messages on the phone from the Dentist office.  She was trying to contact me about how I was going to pay the remaining balance.  “” What Balance“”.   I called and left a message…….” I don’t know what you are  was talking about.   Everything should be taken care of”…….   The second message said….”” it is 4 o clock and we close in 30 min.   If we don’t hear from you , we are forced to cancel the visit”””   WHAT!!!!     Blue Cross had already paid one check.   So just didn’t understand it.   The next morning I got ready and just before I left , I called again and left another message….”” I don’t understand what the problem is, I am coming anyway, I don’t know what else to do.””……I drove to Tammy’s, and waited for her to come home from work.  I had a prescription of 4 pills for Xanax.  I took 1 and brought the rest if I needed them per instructions.   Now let me tell you.  I don’t take drugs, so 1 little mg. of  Xanax is alot for me.    Well lets just say i didn’t really notice it like Tammy did.  lol.

When we got their and walked in, I definitely was under the influence.  lol.  So Tammy says.   I locked eyes immediately with the office girl.   Went up to the desk, oblivious that their were other people sitting in the office also.   I asked her, did you get my message.   Well after a little conversation, I found out.    MY INSURANCE WAS CANCELED WHEN i WENT PART TIME.  ….. OMG….I was in shock.   They only reason I went part time was so I could keep the insurance.   and I might add, at their suggestion.    They needed $1700 before they could proceed with the appointment.   Well I called HR immediately and she was on Vacation.   So talked to the other girl.  She was shocked also and agreed I should have it.   She would follow through and find out what happened.   She said what are you going to do?  I said, “”I don’t know, guess just sit here””.   Finally Tammy told me “”Mom, please talk quieter””.   Well didn’t realize I was so loud.   I just sat down and put my feet up on the chair next to me like I was at home and started calling people on the phone.    Must have been a sight.   I think Tammy was embarrassed.  lol lol.   So long story short, I finally thought, ya know,  I must have this done today.  So I told the girl to put it on Rich’s charge card.   Then I just sat down and waited.   Finally after about an hour and a half they called me in……………………

And then it began……..The needle came……over and over….finally no more pain….yeaaaaa…..my eyes were shut…..then the pliers….the pressure…..the pushing and pulling…..Heard one go SNAP…..Then the drill…..and more drilling…and more drilling……finally the thread…..Then the new teeth…..OH gosh…What a mouth full.   Then they put some goop inside and put them in my mouth and I had to wait 10 min.  while it set up…..It was squishing out the back….Then they took them out and carved the excess off.  It is a soft material that is a cushion on the upper pallet and gums.  Finally after arriving at 8:30, we walked out of their by 12……..Whew…..I still had to be carefull how I walked.  I could never be a druggy…..lol….I have no tolerance…Guess I would be a cheap thrill…hahaha.  Started my pain meds when I got home.   Did a lot of napping.   But oh how I had to keep wiping the blood from my lips….Yuck.   I think I slept from exhaustion.   Didn’t feel to bad the next day but my jaw was really swollen.   Thur. nite I had to take the teeth out.  It was just to much.  Friday, I got up and looked in the mirror and….. OMG,…..  I was bruised under the eye and down by my jaw.  That is the side I heard the pop….I bet he broke the eye tooth when he was pulling it.

Ive been eating my soup,  Rich brought home Chicken Pot Pie from KFC.  Yum..and of course Rainbow Sherbet.    But do you think I will probably lose some weight?…Probably not…Monday back to remove the stitches, HR will be back and will get this mess staightened out. Work on Tue.  Early Halloween…..Here come the jokes…..hahaha…..But, you have to laugh at yourself.  I gave it much thought about posting pics, but decided……WHY NOT…Ya just  have to laugh at yourself..Gotta just wait now and see what happens….