New Years Resolutions

Post your New Years Resolutions!

I am still pondering mine (like everyone, eating better, losing weight and exercising are options).

Its almost 9 am here, and I am the only one up. I am using Scott's computer because my laptop bit the dust. We ordered a new one for me, but it won't be here for a week. The house could fall down, but I know with Scott, I'll always have a computer - he makes sure of that.

We took our tree down in the first five minutes we got back from the beach, but the ornaments and knick knacks have to be packed up neatly today.

I'm craving an Orange Julius, so maybe we'll take a road trip to get one - they have them at Potomac Mills.

Where are the truckers?

hey I got a new plug

thanks for telling me Joey.....I didn't know I forgot ...my precious pc plug...and
$103.83 cents for a new one...but we found one!
We are in Cinncinatti..now we are going to Maine! Keblers..hope we meets some elves with more cookies. Its rainy and about 40 degrees. Hope there is snow in ME.
Christmas was wonderful..only a little bit of drama. We are on diets now..no sausauge biscuits,or chocolate milkshakes and fries. Biddeford Me is the city in maine. Ok ..cute ..12 days of xmas.
Ok Mark is ready to roll..take care everyone
love
mark and jane

the AldenCaelenBailey/ChevalleyWhatever holiday!

Sing with me:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
One family
Two dachsunds too many (sorry)
3 aging daughters
4 family feuds (not really)
5 original Aldens
6 grown up grandkids
7 pipes a piping!
8 maids...where were the damn maids.
9 mochatinis
10 tons of food
11 ribs on the roast
12
......

Can't think of 12, so maybe it's up to the loyal readers to adjust...

the AldenCaelenBailey/

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Copy and paste this link to watch (make sure your sound is on)..
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1773205958

Merry Christmas from Eric and Catherine!

Hi Catherine and Eric - good to see you posting here! I am looking forward to the big holiday as well and I think I have everything ready to go except for some last minute baking. I made a double batch of fudge yesterday - now if I can just keep from eating it! Tomorrow I will make a cheesecake (you all had better eat it!) and a pecan pie. I will make a lemon merangue pie at Jane's on Monday for Scott and Jamie! Can't transport a lemon pie safely!

I used my new crockpot cookbook yesterday to make a chicken dish. I thought it was very good, but Grampa wouldn't eat it! As usual, Sandi gobbled it up. Why do I bother. All he likes are spaghetti and hot dogs, not to mention the occasional peanut butter sandwich.

Speaking of Jane -- Hoping she and Mark will arrive back home tonite or tomorrow. We will be going to Virginia Beach on Sunday and will stay until Friday. We have to pick up our prescriptions at Fort Lee and they won't be ready until Friday. We save a ton of money getting our medicines there.

Have to get offline now -
Love to all and see you soon,
Gramma

Well, I have been procrastinating long enough..

Hello to everyone! I can't believe Christmas is in 5 days! I think I am ready for it to be over but Eric and I are excited to get to see everyone.

Eric and I started looking around at houses for us, Michael and Zsuzsi. Just wanted to see what was out there. I think it will be fun all of us living together.

Speaking of Michael and Zsuszi, we are about to go visit over there for a little bit. Mark and Jane-drive careful and we will see everyone in a few days!

Love,
Eric and Catherine

hey this is gonna be quick

We are getting ready to go to Pontiac IL.
ok bye everyone
love
jane

Hey from GA!

We are in Temple Ga, at a pilot truck stop, we have a load of aluminum cans for shasta beverage, cans are already labeled, just need to be filled with soda.

Let see I have decided to have the ham on the 23rd, turkey on the 24th, and we'll have the prime rib on christmas, I will also be making zucchini lazagna. I will have to make a shit load of rolls(all of the Bailey boys love the rolls)about 72 rolls.
We will have a big breakfast on christmas...and what ever anybody wants the other mornings. I know Christian will be over on the 26th, not sure of Jaida- I wanted Ellen to bring her ginger bread house kit and I have ginger bread men kit - I thought Jaida and Christian would have fun with that.
I have already been gaining wait..looks like more will be coming.
Oh ya ...the mochatini's too...godiva chocolate liquor, starbucks coffee liquor, and absolut vanilla cream, yummie!

Looks like we got out of the northeast just in time...with all the winter storms.
The restaurant is opening up on monday...horray!!!!!!!Bobby and Shannon are at my house, they have to go to Granny norges today..for her christmas thing.
Ok I will say by for now.
Love
Mark and Jane

christmas food

I'll make a trifle - but it has to be assembled on Christmas and you have the trifle dish mom. Bring it.

I'm also going to make a cheese ball and crackers, and veggies and dip.

Oh-- and I'll bring some Proseco and other wine.

I'm doing a marathon session of grading and laundry. Have errands to run later, then I am making goodies to give away as gifts at school. Chocolate dipped pretzel rods and biscotti. Saw that on Food TV - looks easy.

I do need to find a recipe for the trifle -- or I can make it up.

We were robbed on snow and ice, so it looks like a full week of school for me.

WELLLLLLLLLLLL? WHERE IS EVERYONE??????????????? I know you all were taught how to write!!!! I guess I will just have to read my own posts and respond to them!

It's cold and windy today but the sun has finally come out. Sandi and Fritz made their first foray outside a little while ago - if they see the back porch is damp they won't go out. All I can say is Sandi must have the world's biggest dog bladder! No doubt I will find little puddles around from Fritz!

Dad is watching football. I am online to look up recipes for Christmas cooking. I have a yen for penuche - has anyone ever had it? I haven't tasted it in about 50 years. If it's not too difficult I will try to make some. I am also making pecan pie, cheesecake, and I don't know what else. Ellen said she would make a chocolate trifle - yum. I found several recipes and maybe I will try to make it - need to buy a candy thermometer.

Okay guys, hope to see some posts from all of you.

love,
mom

Well here we are back home. Got home about noon yesterday - Sandi headed for my bed, Fritz for the den sofa, and only stirred long enough for dinner! They are still tired - will probably sleep most of today.

Wednesday I was a total wreck from lack of sleep so when Ellen, Dad, Nancy, Mike, and boys headed out to beach for brunch I decided it would be a perfect opportunity to grab a little shut eye - WRONG. Not wanting to leave 4 dogs running wild thru Jane's house I stretched out on sofa in den, whereupon Fritz and Brutus decided it was fun to have their wrestling match on top of me. No sleep. When the gang came back Ellen took me to the new Barnes and Noble at Lynnhaven Mall - SPECTACULAR! Had a grand time.

Mike cooked dinner for us all Wednesday night - the most beautiful salad I've ever seen, plus some excellent spaghetti and meatballs - wonderful meal! For dessert we had chocolate cake made by Zsuzsi - very, very good. After dinner Mike and Jamie assembled a car kit that Mike had bought. Mike also taught Jamie how to make meatballs! I crept up to bed before 8, fell asleep when my head hit the pillow and konked out for 9 hours. I moved into the bedroom Ellen had occupied so Fritzie could jump up and down by himself. Dad luxuriated in Jane and Mark's bed - loved it.

Zsuzsi and Michael took very good care of us - lots of goodies to eat and we didn't have to lift a finger. We had some good laughs together and political discussions without quarreling! A most enjoyable visit. Next birthday is Ellen's and then comes the old man! Hope he will be wearing his little thong - heh, heh.

Yahoo is acting up today - very, very slow!

Love to all
Mom

we are in oh

We are somewhere near Cinncinati, cold here but now snow. We hit lots of ice and snow,freezing rain and sleet today in NJ and PA.
I am glad everything went well for the big 50 birthday..Mark keeps saying what about my birthday.......he's a big baby.
How did dad like my bed? Might have been too high without the stairs on one side.
I miss everyone ...I will be happy to see everyone one at christmas.
Love Mark and Jane...still truckin in the muck and slush...

Am I really the big 5 0?

Mom - nice blog, I couldn't have said it better. The only one thing that would have made the night even better would have been if Jane and Mark were here to celebrate too. I miss ya guys. The cake was fabulous- and you guys outdid yourselfs. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart to the top. All is quiet here...boys are sleeping, as is Mike. At least he isn't snoring now. Brutus saw Mike and started barking away at midnight..had to shhh him an number of times. Anyway, I think today we will all be tired too and my time is short with Mike here. But think we will take a stroll on the beach and have breakfast, brunch, lunch too---whatever works. Anyway...again thank you Ellen, and Mom. Love ya guys

It's early Wednesday morning - Michael just left for work - everyone else is still in bed. Max is outside barking his head off, Fritz is in kitchen, barking his head off, and Sandi is snoozing in hallway oblivious to all. JANE, YOUR BED IS SOOOOOOOOO COMFORTABLE - I LOVE IT!!! Only problem - Fritz can't jump that high (is he "white-blooded?) and doesn't want to be picked up so this old lady had to chase him around the bed for half an hour chasing him before bedding down. Then - Dad got up at 3:30 for a potty run and of course Fritz jumped off bed to follow. After much coaxing and chasing I gave up and got up. Yuck - I will be a wreck today.

Now for the party report: Mike's plane was delayed 3 hours in Dallas due to heavy rain, wind squalls, etc. We got thru dinner and then Ellen left for airport to pick him up. We told Nancy that dinner had disagreed with her and she was thowing up. Anyhow, we all came back to house, Ellen arrived from airport (no Mike in sight) and when we all gathered to sing Happy Birthday, in walked Mike! Nancy was very happy to see him - but don't know how surprised. We then had cake (50 candles - hah).

Everyone came except Katie - she had finals yesterday and couldn't get here in time - and I think they all enjoyed themselves. They (Marianne and Catherine offered $$$ to pay for Nancy and boys, but I refused. Michael gave Grampa $$$ - but I will pay him back. Marianne gave her money to Ellen, and Ellen gave it to Christian who looked VERY pleased to get it. She told him to buy a present for Mom and Dad (Marianne and James) and then buy himself a dinosaur - and then he looked VERY VERY pleased. - lol. He is adorable. After Eric, Catherine, Marianne, James and Christian left, Ellen, me, Nancy and Mike sat around talking until almost midnight -Joey and Jamie fell asleep on sofas. Nancy, Mike, and boys are coming over for dinner today and I told them they had to cook!

Ellen wants to go to beach this morning - she is going home later today. It's supposed to be in the high 70's!! It is foggy here and very, very muggy. I spied the new Barnes and Noble (huge) near Lynnhaven mall so that's where I want to go. You will laugh at this - Suzi, Michael, and I rode to restaurant with Ellen with Michael giving directions. He had Ellen turn too soon, turning left and right in parking lots, up and down back streets, thru back alleys, and finally arriving at restaurant. We all thought it was hilarious.

Hope you are both safe in all the ice up there - and will be headed south soon.

typing with 1 finger!!

hand is a little better,swelling is dwn a little and redness has gone away alittle.
They changed our load in Wheeling WV-sent us to greensboro nc,and thats where we are right now. They are trying to give us a load with just 150 miles..Mark is pissed off about it....me too! I will make this real short(cause of the hand) I talked to
Shannon yesterday...they still have no word on the restaurant...everyone keep your fingers crossed that they get good news on monday.
Zsuzsi has done all the Christmas decorating,and Michael helped with the tree, he is supposed to put up the lights outside today(had to get new ones again-Mark thru out the one's I bought last year)
ok I will try and post again soon.
Love
Mark and Jane

don't show dad....

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1237280910

effin elfin

click the link - I hope it works!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1237004997

Good Saturday to ya ...

Good Morning........ok, who are the stinkers who are voting no for animal stockedings? You need to go back and change your vote to YES!!!! Next item to bring up is guess who get's to go into the dmv and play wait to be called to get her license renewed b/c she forgot to SIGN the f'ing form when she sent it in initally. And, now there isn't enough time to sign and resend in the mail........me,ugh.

And, lastly ---who has a BIRTHDAY tomorrow!!!!!! Ms. KATIE - that's who...Katie --if you read this blog ===Joey, Jamie and I are singing you happy birthday greetings and many more. I hope you day is a good one, and be good!!!

Here is a laugh -if i was still married to you know who - today would have been our 28th wedding anniversary --that's a very scary thought. Today is my 12 yr as a single women ----and that will probably be forever too...

ok, love you guys and gals...Jane you need to blog w/your left hand. Ellen you need to blog some more funny stuff. And, Mom --well don't have to say anything --you're ahead of us when it comes to blogging!!

Whatever Elfinmark is - I can't bring it up on my computer.

Jane is still have a problem with her hand - went to Emergency Room yesterday morning - had xrays, etc., could find nothing wrong, and precribed tylenol with codeine and a splint. Sounds like it is very painful. Talked to her last evening and she said it was still just as swollen, but didn't hurt as much - probably the tylenol. Will check with her again today. They are headed for Winchester, Virginia! Should we all go stand by the side of the road and wave?

Dad is going to Buckinghan this morning to help with the Buckingham Branch Train. I will just fiddle around the house - probably get some things together for our trip to Virginia Beach on Tuesday.

It seems to be warmer here today - think it is in the 40's. Got my mulcher back so maybe if it's warm enough we can finish that job tomorrow. Supposed to be in the 60's.

XXXX

Talked to Jane a little while ago - she can't type - her right hand is painful and swollen - doesn't know why. She was going to get some aspirin to see if that would help. They are still in Illinois - lots of snow - making stops at Home Depots.

My adorable little Fritzie took a whiz on my bed this morning!!!! Had to wash everything - right down to the bed pad. Am now waiting for electric blanket to dry to put the whole thing back together. Good thing he is so cute! He did get scolded but I don't think it penetrated!

I am playing a game of literati now. It's funny how I lose, lose, lose, win, lose, win, lose, and then win, win, win. If I'm on a winning streak, I play much more than on a losing streak. I just won my game - so now I'll play another. lol

Gave up reading the book I went to the signing for. What a disappointment. Am now reading 'The First Wives Club". It's what I call "brain candy" - a good trashy read. Anyhow, she holds my interest - something happens on every page. I had never read anything by her until she died - 52 years old - in for a facelift and died from the anesthetic. Such a shame and according to her picture in the book, she was very beautiful. Sad.

love to all
mom

update

Snow day!!!!!!!!!! I guess they got more snow in Woodbridge, because its only a light dusting here. It is very crunchy though, more ice, so that could be the reason. I'm going to finish the decorating, dust, vacuum, laundry, clean the closets, steam clean the floors, clean the fridge, read my book, play literati, watch tv, go for a walk, clean the car, go to the dry cleaners, and make dinner.



Yeah, right. HA. Maybe I'll do 2 or 3 of those things.

hi

Scott is easy...he likes food and geek toys. There is a website called www.thinkgeek.com that has tshirts and junk. And, food is his #1 love in life.

I'm not doing my shopping just yet, but I'm pretty sure what I'm getting.

Hope you get to make a snowball! Our snow is mostly ice and not very much fun. (no snowday :(

hi everybody

I will make this short as we are driving down the road, just saw toledo on one of those green signs. We are headed for Morton Grove IL, we hit lots of snow in PA and OH, it's not coming down right now so maybe the snow is over. We have to deliver this load of Avon crap by midnight and Mark hates to drive at night, but anything is better than driving in NJ or NY city, the people are rude there too, hard to beleive mom and dad are from NJ, I guess not all the people are rude-but most.
Hmmmm 10 things I hate...I will have to give it some thought..I will do it tomorrow hopefully. Ellen what kinda stuff does Scott like- I am helping the person who drew his name. And Nancy how about you ....what would like, or what kind of stuff, I am helping for yours too.
Ok the computer is making me mad now
love
mark and jane

stinky brussel sprouts

IN Response ---why are nasty, ugly, stinky brussels sprouts such a issue ---i hatem, and that won't ever change...may you be stranded on a desert island and have to eat them....then you'll change your opinion of those things..i'll die first!!!!

And, Mom --whoever got your name knows what to get you for xmas ---Chocolate, maybe a book, but CHOCOLATE comes first....$50 bucks worth....

JANE your turn to do the 10 hated things - and make sure Mark drives safely ...

I am making senate bean soup today and it smells wonderful! I love making soup in cold weather - just one problem, tho - Dad complains if I serve it twice. Now if I lived near Shannon and Bobby I could make soup every day and they could serve it in the restaurant. Soup and sandwich - great lunch! Now I can't help but think about Jane and Mark and all that cold weather. Headed down to Woodbridge, New Jersey - that's just beyond Rahway.

Dad is having a snooze in his chair. He goes to dentist in a few minutes. Something cute about Fritz - when I sit down on couch he will jump up on my lap (take a flying leap to my lap is more like it) immediately jump down, run away only to return in a few seconds with his rawhide. He also does that when he goes outside - takes 3 or 4 steps, runs back in and gets his rawhide to take out. So cute. He has also found Sandi's hiding place for her milk bones - the ivy patch. He always checks that out and disappears in the ivy munching away. Sandi appears not to give a dam.

I am now reading the book I went to the signing at Barnes & Noble for. It's not what I expected - I read the reviews - all good. It's about a murder/suicide - hot dawg - right up my alley but it's not living up to expectations. Hope it gets better.

Jane and Mark - hope you are warm enough and not slipping and sliding all over the road.

Luv ya
Mom

FREEZING HERE IN NY

We are at Adirondack beverages- I don't know what the temp is ...fucking cold...last night we walked into a truck stop in Fultonville, it's right by a river (don't know which river)- coldest I have been in my life..I had coat and gloves on too. It's snowy and very windy. Not a whole lot of snow. We missed a turn and went through a charming residential area..little victorians with christmas lights ...and the snow...then there was the hill...covered with snow and ice, it was a challenge...had to say come on baby come on baby to the truck..we made it!!!!! Just another thrill.
We are going to Woodbridge NJ its about 180 miles from here, don't know what the weather is there, but bound to be a little bit warmer.
Nancy just called me and said Mom is worried cause she hasn't heard from us...we are warm and toasty in our truck.
I will update after we drop off this soda in NJ.
Love
Jane and Mark

In Defense of Brussel Sprouts

Okay - so I bought 3 packages of frozen brussel sprouts by mistake and I don't like to waste food, so we are eating them. So far, we have used to packages, one more to go. Since I think it's important to have at least one vegetable with each dinner meal, and there is nothing else in the freezer right now, they are coming in handy, even if we each only eat 2 or 3 of them. Next time I buy vegetables I will look more closely at what I am throwing in the cart. Of course, when Dad shops alone, there is no telling what he will bring home no matter what I tell him.

Now onto other matters - I used to play Lotto faithfully until I got tired of being a loser! Once, in all those years I won %50. Big fnnnnnnn deal. Plus it was always a pain in the neck to stop and buy the stupid thing.

I don't care if people talk about me behind my back -- I am such a wonderful person that no one could ever say anything bad about me! I don't discuss, spend or carry money - it's credit cards all the way. If people (Dad) want to talk about money I just turn a deaf ear. Now, what else? How about some things I like:

1. Chocolate
2. Browsing in bookstores
3. chocolate
4. ice cream
6. Ben & Jerry
7. dogs
8. chocolate
9. gardening
10.Harry S. Truman
11.chocolate
12.touring England
14.chocolate

Okay - over and out.

in response

1. In defense of brussels sprouts: I had some last week that were sold still on the stalk with a tag from Castroville. I steamed them, poured some melted butter on them and they were awesome. I think you have to have them prepared well to enjoy them.

2. If people are talking about me, behind my back, it is wonderful! It means I am so interesting that they are taking time from their own lives to talk about little old me! for some reason, I have lost all care about this one.

3. I also hate liars, cheaters, misleaders and exaggerators (I think that covers all of our exhusbands). Tight clothes - yuck.

4. Money. I hate it. I can count hundreds of fights, arguments, unslept nights, etc. just over fucking money. No matter how much we make, we spend more.
...
and just general responding..
single moms can be and are helped just by seeing others make it - I made it, your'e making it, that is enough...
lotto - schmlotto - aint gonna win it, and if any of us did it wouldn't make things better - ok, maybe we'd have more fun, but...well ok it would be awesome - but

eating without gaining is possible if you (and I) become marathon runners

college degree - in a nutshell a bachelors degree makes you realize how little you really know. without one, you don't know how much you don't know...its kind of like 'ignorance is bliss"...however, you can always learn and teach yourself stuff, just read - go to the library and read....everything and anything.

oh, and start thinking....next blog topic will be christmas memories past......

Jane - Please keep us informed about the weather conditions where you are! I hear that there is a winter storm where you are going and we get scared. I know that interstates are kept relatively clear, but know that you have to travel some back roads to get where you are going.

Stay warm,
Mom

10 things i don't like, but could say more than 10..

Ok--here's my list in no particular order.........

1. brussel sprouts, 2. cleaning 3. talkling about my problems 4. being talked about behind my back -ha ha. 5. tight clothes on me and unless you have the body for tight clothes - i always ask myself how can they stand the tightness. 6. liers, misleaders, exagerators. 7. not never having enough money, i'm a paycheck to paycheck person and it stinks. 8. not owning my own home- if i would just budget and do from my budget i might - i think it's like drinking. 9. i like to work - but hate having to conform my life around a job - i would like to be a free spirit and do my own thing. 10. fights - they stink.

ok, now let me write about 10 things on my dream list....

1. winning the lotto. 2. having my own home (custom made if i could) 3. not working for someone else. 4. the $ to help another single mother who is in the same shoes i am - and would like to give her a smack trac and pay for her insurance for a entire year. 5. being able to take more trips - want to see alaksa, and europe. 6. a maid, chef, and chaffeur to drive me around 7. being able to live as long as you want and not reaching major milestones for centuries vs decades. 8. eating what you please w/out gaining a pound. 9. no medical problems 10. having a college degree in my lifetime.

wait...10 things....

Just ten random things about you - doesn't to be ten things you don't like.....but, I do like that topic.

Ten things I don't like.

1. dishonesty
2. cat shit stink
3. mondays
4. negative attitudes
5. bush and company
6. most of the current legislators in both parties
7. people who have no desire to learn new things
8. grit in the bed
9. hair on soap
10. cork bits in wine


wow, that was easy.

Well, we got a Christmas tree. We went to Michaels to buy a table top artificial tree. Scott didn't like them. I had him decide if we'd get a real one or not, he decided real. But, then he didn't want to get it today. Next weekend is booked (Kaiti's birthday), and then he goes out of town for 10 days. It was today or nothing. We got a fucking tree. It is beautiful, but not yet decorated. I'll get to that later. I found my Christmas books - mostly kids books - and found every school project Kaiit has ever made, so I spent some nostalgia time in the attic.
I got unbreakable ornaments and candy canes for the tree, and we put it up with nothing on it, so after some initial excitement, the cats don't seem to care.

I also got 11 mini stockings and wrote each animal's name on them. So cute! I hung them on the mantle and will take a picture. Perhaps that will be our Christmas card?

Anywho - think positive. Keep on truckin.
-Ellen

Jane - consider yourself TAGGED!!!!!!!!

how do you tell if you are tagged?

We got loaded(finally) in Huntsville and we are now in TN, headed for Amsterdam NY.
I looked it up on the weather channel, it's snowing there now and is 16 degrees. More snow there tomorrow night. We will probably get there sometime tomorrow. We have to check our delivery appointment, it may not be till tuesday.
My kids....you are supposed to be blogging........so if you are reading this -blog-
Mark and Jane....still keep truckin....remember: trucks bring just about everything.

I will name 10 things 1 don't like:

1. Velvet and cotton balls - can't bear to touch.
2. Raisins - mince meat pie looks like a lot of dead flies.
3. Prunes and prune whip.
4. Oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits.
5. Hillbilly accents.
6. Country/western music.
7. Science and fantasy fiction.
8. Driving.
9. Fox TV.
10. Pit bulls.

And NOW, I tag..........


Nancy Paine Alden Caelen

10 random things

"Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog w/ 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don't forget to leave them a comment ("You're It") and to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag me back, let me know when you've posted your blog so I can see your answers!" - from a blog I read.

1. I like being lazy. But I can't do it unless the house is somewhat clean.
2. I read catalogs and pick out gifts for people that I never buy. I always think I'll at least cut out the pictures of the things and give that, but when it comes to actually buying things, I stink and always think I bought the wrong thing.
3. My newest addiction is starbucks gingerbread latte. Scott brought one home for me today after he got the car inspected.
4. With number 3, we may actually have all our cars up to date and legally on the road.
5. I am eternally optimistic, yet Scott is eternally, morbidly pessimistic. He actually thinks the world is ending on 12/12/2012.
6. I sometimes wish I was Jewish.
7. I compulsively read blogs and check email.
8. I like babies, but not little children, weddings but not marriage, traveling but not going home.
9. I hold grudges.
10. This was hard to do.

Now, everyone else is tagged.

Wow Nancy - what a sweet kid Jamie is! Glad you had such a nice breakfast.

Was out raking leaves all morning and then when dad tried to start mulcher we found that gasoline had leaked out all over the motor. Evidently when it was repaired ($200 smackeroos!) they neglected to put back all the nuts and screws. They are coming to pick it up on Tuesday. Pisses me off BIG TIME - I have 4 HUGE piles of leaves ready to be mulched!

And if that weren't enough - Fritz got into something (smells like......from Sandi probably) all over his cute little back and now he needs a bath. Talk about mission impossible! Will fill kitchen sink and try to dunk him in and hope that he'll hold still long enough to get clean. Hate to do it - he will avoid me for a few hours afterwards - not trust me again for a while.

I am losing all my literati games. When I am ahead, I get booted. Otherwise I just plain lose. Oh well, it's just a game!

Enjoy your Saturday everyone!

Mom

Breakfast in bed...........

Guess what guys...Jamie mentioned something that is done in the Jewish community--giveing parents breakfast in bed in the month of Decemeber. Don't know if it's something he made up, or true. Nevertheless, Jamie made me a wonderful breakfast and made me get back in bed to eat it. I was served delious hot chocalate w/a splash of orange-yes he got that at starbucks. Then, while i was enjoying the hot chocolate and watching the news, he made me scrambled eggs..perfect too. However he used 4 eggs - so Bruti got a feast of leftover eggs and do did the cook. And, lastly he made me an english muffin- perfectly too. Then, he said i could snooze in bed a little while longer. It was wonderful. Now the little cook is outside playing and i'm left w/a dirty kitchen. I'll have to tell the cook i will expect this next mother's day too.

We bought our first artifical tree and will put it up on top of the tv cabinet. I'm afraid to get a real tree as i know you know who will have a feast with playing with it. Jamie has already put it up--but the middle has a gap in it, so i have to take it down and reassemble it. And, of course Joey managed to get up-warm something for his gut and is now back in bed.

I finished playing my second game of good ole literati--won em both!! about time.
And, i suppose i should now get up a do a few things, but will go read my book..actually mom's book...about Scott and Laci Peterson-he's a kniving sneak!!

toodles to you all and may you readers blog.......Ellen, i think we should have a poll created --who votes to have the animals have mini stockings made by mom!!! After all, it's a family tradition.

It's 7 A.M. Saturday morning and I'm drinking my first cup of coffee while I play a game of literati! I mailed the names to be drawn for Christmas Gift exchange to Michael and Szuszi yesterday. Also told them to invite Eric, Katherine, and Adam to Nancy's birthday party - I don't have their email addresses.

this will give you a chuckle - Nancy called last night and asked me to knit stockings for the dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then Ellen said if I did that I had to knit stockings for her 10 cats! NO WAY, JOSE.

It seems to have gotten much colder overnight - have a fire going in the fireplace now. We have been mulching leaves - hope to finish up today or tomorrow. I am going to make beef barley soup today - the recipe is on the package of barley. Ellen told me about it and said it was good. No doubt your father will take one taste and then eat a peanut butter sandwich.

Katie went off to Drexel Institute in Philadelphia this weekend to attend an SDS convention (that's Students for a Democratic Society). You all are probably all too young to remember that group but it has an interesting history. She met up with a group at George Washington U. and from there they had a chartered bus. Should be an interesting weekend.

We got "The Namesake" from netflix yesterday and will probably watch it today. I read the book - it was lovely so hope we like the movie. Went to the book signing the other evening - the author read some of her book too. She was very good but I think I will avoid readings in the future. Seemed to take away some of the excitement of reading the book for myself.

Dad is rattling around in the kitchem making his breakfast. Sandi is in the den munching her milkbone and Fritz is on my lap!

Drive carefully - love everyone

Mom

Here in Huntsville AL

We are spending the night in a hotel here because there are no truck stops or rest areas near by and we have to pick up another load at 20th century fox tomorrow night.
We are staying at a Microtel, I have been curious about them... room is small and very clean, has everything we need- a bed, bathtub, and toilet. I did bring in my coffee pot and we cooked chicken nuggets in the toaster over and had salad with it. Now we are cooking toll house cookies in it...it's the dough and ready formed in to the balls.

I love my weeme..she is so cute!!!!!!!

We are taking the load to Amsterdam NY, it's sort of close to Utica and Binghampton. I hope there is snow there..I want a sleigh ride!!

Everybody needs to post!!!!!

Just in case..we left the cell phone in the truck and Mark won't go get it ...so in case anyone calls........I will call back in the morning.

Well,here it is 3 o'clock in the morning - I KNEW if I fell asleep in the afternoon it would louse up my overnight sleep - oh well, get to read lots, go on internet lots, drink and smoke lots - while I wait for daylight. Our mulcher is all repaired and Dad and I did leaves for a while yesterday afternoon - lots of breeze and fresh air - guess that's what made me so sleepy in the afternoon. Now will have to try very hard to stay awake until bedtime tonite. (ISn't this a thrilling narative?).

I talked to Jane last night - she and Mark were headed home to Virginia Beach for 24 hours.

Sandi and Fritz are slowly recovering from the Thanksgiving festivities. Fritz was actully a little playful yesterday evening. On Sunday afternoon Katie helped me cut out some furballs from his ear - singular - but he objected so strenuously we were only able to do one ear - he was actually howling. I know it didn't hurt him - he just HATES being held captive. Next time we have company will try to do other ear. He won't even let me brush the long hair on his ears - recognizes scissors and brush and runs and hides when he sees them. Sandi will at least tolerate me brushing and grooming for a few minutes before she plays hard to get.

My life is so quiet it's hard to find interesting things to write about! Dad and I are going to a book signing at Barnes and Noble tomorrow night. I already have the book - ONE FELL SWOOP - by the daughter of a local resident. I read the reviews - excellent - so ordered the book on the internet. It came yesterday and I'm looking forward to reading it. I am now halfway thru Olivia Goldsmith's "Flavor of the Month" - kind of a trash read but that's what I'm in the mood for.

Mom

nobody is blogging

cept for me.....

everyone who reads this should make themselves a wee me.

The name drawing for christmas is underway and it is going to be fun!!! I get to help Scott pick out something for someone, and I get to pick out something for someone. And, someone is picking something for me!!!!!! (hint: I hate Wal-Mart).

stay warm and i'll be looking for updates

Ellen

WeeJane

thanksforgivingisover

Ok, we're about to hit the road back to fredtown. Thank you mom and dad for the hospitality and the food. Lots of hard work, I know. Hope dad isn't too crabby later. I hope that Jane means the 22nd of Dec. We'll be down sometime over Christmas. We did the name exchange and mom is going to mail the rest of the names to Zsuszi to have the VA Beach crowd draw. Jane and Mark can draw on the phone w/Zsuzsi and Michael. Bobby and Shannon will do the same over the phone w/grandma. No telling everyone's names!!! We included Marianne and James, so they'll have to draw or take the last two. They were out voted. Oh, and I'll still buy for grandma and grandpa and the little kiddies.

--enjoy the few hours left of the weekend! bye ya'll

Ellen

hey everyone

We are going from North kingstown RI to Searcy AR - around 1600 miles. right now we are going throuygh the shannandoah valley-very beautiful. We have gone through ct,ny,nj,pa,md,wv and now va. I am gonna make the pulled pork again in our rice cooker. It's hard to cook stuff like that for just 2- we wind up wasting stuff. We will drive until 6:30 tonight and we got on the road this morning at 6:30 am.

We will definitly be home sometime on the 22nd, and go back on the road on the 27th or were quitten.
ok..get sick of trying to type this laptop is so sensitive I wind up have to delete alot of letters that I didn't mean to type.
Love
Mark and Jane

Hi Guys........

Have to say Thanksgiving was the best i can remember in a mightly long time, MOM out did herself! And, Dad- well you all know where he was. The food was delious, the turkey was cooked just right, and the pies were wonderful. Too bad my eyes were hungier than my stomach...i couldn't eat everything i put on my plate...sorry, Jane (you know, you take it, you eat it). It's been very nice, no people fights, no doggy fights..just quietness,food and laundry (mine). I even got to watch tv for a few hours without Grampa taking the tv over for a football game. And, Ellen and I along w/Jamie took a walk in downtown Farmville, very nice, but only for walking, not buying. I'm gonna be sorry when the weekend is over...i could do Thanksgiving every week!!

Joey says hi to everyone and he asked that all his cousins, wifes, husbands included---need to get on the computer and put their blogs in. Your MOTHERS and Grandmother would be thrilled to hear you comments about your activities.

Lastly, Jane - you and Mark better be home for Christmas, or i'll have to find the truck and hook it up to a tow truck and tow to your house and disable it. Jane, you get to cook and Mark - you get to do all the dishes!!!!!! Mom get's to smoke, Ellen gets to drink her wine and tell us funny stories, and i'll sit and listen.

Ok, now off to play literati...ha ha...

wee mes!!!

Hi there! Glad your turkey dinner was good. For $90 it should have been spectacular! Our day was a succes - I am basing my opinion on the fact that Sal had 2 large helpings of everything and then had a nap after dinner! He bypassed dessert, tho. Jaida was here usual charming self - very sweet little girl - Nancy taught her how to give "pinkie" hugs and Jamie played "trucks" with her most of the time. Shannon brought a corn pudding to share - very good - and told me where to find the recipe online. Turkey was good and we had all the trimmings. Nancy and Ellen brought wine, sparkling apple cider, stuff for relish tray, special coffee for dessert, etc., etc. thank god I had them to help me - we managed to drag kitchen table into dining room so we could all eat together. I had gotten out all the silver, china, and crystal (and washed and polished it all!) so I was all worn out. Nancy did ALL the dishes, too. I will call Michael and Szuszi tomorrow and see how theirs turned out. I had sent Marianne an email to invite her, too, but I think she was probably with James' family.

Elllen and Nancy and Jamie are in town now - walking up and down Main Street checking out the stores. They had wanted me to go but I am pooped. Not only that - biggest shopping day of the year and I'rather stay home and eat and smoke).

BTW, the pumpking trifle was absolutely delicious - Ellen said she would make it for Christmas. She has a special trifle dish and it looks very pretty, too.

Dad and Joey are taking out the last of the airconditions - we ran them yesterday but it has cooled off a lot here. Katie and Mark are still asleep - it's 1 P.M., and Scott just had breakfast and is probably anxious to get on this computer! lol

We will have turkey again tonite - have leftovers of all the vegtables. Nancy brought a heavenly ham and we'll bake that tomorrow.

Imagine you are back on the road by now - hope you don't go anywhere there is snow! It got cloudy and windy yesterday afternoon and a few drops of rain. The cold air felt good and we all sat outside before dinner and enjoyed the cool air.

The only embarassing note was the sherry! Ellen had bought a bottle to use some in the creamed onions (very good, btw) and the rest I decanted and offered everyone some when Shannon, Sal, and Bobby arrived. It was a dry white sherry and Sal informed us that it was "cooking" sherry! No one liked it - lol. Fortunately Ellen and Sal had brought some red wine so we had that to drink (not me or dad).

Okay - have rambled on and on - going to head to my bedroom now for some reading and maybe a little snooze. Drive carefully -

Love to all
Mom

Hi again from RI

The dinner last night was very good, surprisingly good infact. It was a fancier wine restaurant,we were a little underdressed. When we first walked in they asked if we had a reservation...I thought uh ohhh, but they had a table. It cost $90.00 including the tip. We didn't have any wine- $9 a glass for the cheapest....they had a very think wine list.We dessert back to the truck, Mark and I split their pie trio- tiny apple crumb pie, tiny pumpkin and pecan pie-they were good too, but not as good as the turkey dinner. We even had real mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes and mashed butternut squash, garlic snow peas and a cranberry
compote.
We are still waiting here to get unloaded...we will see where we are going next.
Did Nancy and Ellen spend the night? What about Bobby and Shannon and Sal?
Michael called me up to ask about cooking the turkey, he said he already made the stuffing. I will call him today to see how it came out.
Love to all
Mark and Jane

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I like weeme..so cute. We were right in the bad section of South Kerney-Mark said the man there - who was the on in charge of getting unloaded was extremly rude..we were delayed somewhat.
We are here in Providence RI- at the Journal and Bulletin, we got here last night around 7pm, they would not unload the truck, said it would be this morning,or maybe even tomorrow. It's now 2:25 pm,-no word from anyone here-they gave Mark a pag.er. US express says it's a "hot load" and we can't leave trailer here and bobtail to a truck stop---real shit...I don't think we will be unloaded untill tomorrow morning. Mark and I had a delicous breakfast(Mark cooked) bacon and eggs and juice. Even though we can't take the truck out of here-we are in down town Providence- we went for a walk- found a huge mall area where the is a restautrant-Napa Valley grille- they have a special thanksgiving dinner and they will be serving untill 7 pm -some weird stuff is on it ..I will have to write in down when we go back..sweet potatoes with carmel glaze - snow peas with someother stuff...and also weird stuffing..but we are going to give it a shot. We are in the back of the area here...by an over pass...deserted here ..so ..its a beautiful day here, I shampooed Marks hair outside, he also shaved. The restaurant is a little pricey..$23.95 for the thanksgiving dinner, and I didn't see any pie or anything listed for dessert ....If Bobby is still there ..Tell him I am not upset anymore..I was just having a down spell....feeling sorry myself,stuck away from everyone on Thanksgiving. I am better

Hi and Happy Thanksgiving! Wow - going to Maine!!! Here's hoping you don't run into any snow and ice. Edison, NJ is right next to Rahway and is it Kearny you were at? Kearny is where Western Electric is - where Grampa worked lo, those many years ago. It's a pretty rough place.

Well, my pies look beautiful BUT (and it's a big BUT) I think the apples were too dry, the crust on the pecan pie looks too thick, and (Can you believe this?) Scott wanted lemon merangue and there wasn't a package of lemon pie filling in town! I got canned filling - you think I was going to buy lemons, cornstarch, etc. and make my own? Then I read directions for merangue wrong and put in wayyyyyyyyy too much sugar. Oh well. Ellen is coming with her punch bowl this morning and will assemble the pumpkin trifle. I tasted the pumpkin concoction - delicious. Katie and Mark are here already and Fritz is wearing himself out jumping on them and licking faces. He is so cute.

Talked to Shannon yesterday and could hear Jaida in the background saying 'let's go now'! Hope she is not overwhelmed with all the dogs - Sandi, Fritz, Max, and Brutus! Think she's met them all except Brutus. Max seems to be happiest here when he is in the yard - runs around like a gaxelle - leaping in the air and bounding all over the place. He is huge now, but sweet disposition and friendly.

Dad is still asleep as are Katie and Mark. I have to get busy soon and get everything together. I hauled out the crystal, silver and china - all is polished and clean - just need to set the table. Oh yeah, and wrestle the turkey to the sink and get it cleaned and stuffed. At 23 pounds i can hardly lift it - hope i don't have an accident - like dropping it on floor.

Hope you find a nice restaurant to have a Thanksgiving dinner - we'll be thinking about you and missing you too, but Christmas will be here soon enough. BTW, Ellen want's to go shopping tomorrow at some fancy new mall in Richmond (biggest shopping day of year!). Told here NO - all I plan to do tomorrow is eat leftovers and smoke - problably won't even get dressed!

Talk later - drive carefully - luv ya
Mom

Save the Drama for Yo Mama!

I made myself into a WeeMe! Isn't it cool? happy thanksgiving!

We are on the road again

we finally got a load assignment- pick was at midnight last night-picking up from another driver-except they were late, they arrived at 5:30 this morning- we have to deliver to 2 places in NJ- Edison and North Kerney, then Bethany CT, then Providence RI, we are in South Kerney right now at the second stop to South Penn - a trucking company, we are delivering news paper inserts- sale adds for holiday for bass pro shops. We have to make delivery in RI by 4 pm and its almost noon now. Hit traffice jam at the Kerney exit- bridge was up -what a nightmare. Anyway they said will probably be going to Maine next.
Mom I am sure your pies will come out delicous as always, I am getting sad that I will miss the holiday..........but I will save all of my energies for christmas, I am really looking forward to that.
Mark was inside at this delivery..they are going to make us wait..last load has to be there by 4pm.....we will not be able to make that,Mark is trying to get ahold of his dispatcher now.
Oh well.
Till later
love
Mark & Jane

Hi - guess you're back on the road again - glad you got a decent vehicle to get to PA in.

I am really dragging today. Up early, did laundry, went to get flu shots, and then wal-mart for the last of the thanksgiving meal food - didn't get the right stuff for one of my recipes but I AIN'T goin back! Will make do with something else. Got all the groceries put away and then started polishing silver and getting out serving pieces and china. Should be down in kitchen now but am too tired. Tomorrow is baking day - 3 pies - apple, pecan, and lemon merinque and a pumpkin trifle. Am making my own pie crusts for the first time in about 20 years! Hope it works out - I've had some spectacular failures with pie crust dough in the past.

Finished the book I was reading - "Abandon Ship" about the sinking of the Indianopolis at the end of WWII. It was very good - and very moving. Now I can't get interested in another book - oh well, I really should be doing other stuff.

Sandi and Fritz say HI and send kiss-kiss

Love to all,
Mom

we got a new truck

they sent us to BWI (airport) for rental car to go to Mechanicsburg PA, to pick up a truck (someone quit and left it there). We had to take rental car to Harrisburg airport, and take taxi back to where the truck was at. They rented us a jeep liberty- a 2008, good thing cause our stuff would not have fit in anything smaller. We are sitting here now in Mechanicsburg waiting for a dispatch..
It has snowed here ..most of it has melted now.

Where art thou --Jane and Mark???

GOSH! --- IS SOMEONE HAVING A BIRTHDAY??????? COULD THAT SOMEONE HAVE A CUTE LITTLE BEHIND COVERED WITH HAIR? HEH, HEH - GONNA GET 50 WHACKS AND ABOUT 10 TO GROW ON.

STARDATE 18112007

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
CAPTAIN.
THAT IS ALL.
RETURN TO WARP SPEED.

ok we are broke down again

This time it was a little more exciting, the truck would go in gears after we went through toll plaza on I95, in baltimore, we were in the left lane and needed to get over to the right, lots of very fast moving vehicles. We finally got pulled away by a tractor tow,it takes along time for the tow truck to get hooked up, they have to take off the rear axle, so we were out there about an hour and a half. We are at motel 6 in Lithicum MD, we had chinese delivery for dinner. We were supposed to have fajitas in the truck. The volvo service is closed for the weekend so it will be monday before anyone even looks at it.

I emailed Ellen with some more pictures, got the inside of the truck and picture of the tow truck.

I will update again tomorrow.

Love

M&J

Who you gonna call?

Happy Birthday!

p.s. You are older than Star Trek!
(but not older than this guy).

Just got home from doing things out and about today...Both boys helped make 510 boxes of food for the different food banks so can distribute the food to those most in need. Wavy 10 news was out there -- so we'll watch the news tonight and see if the boys made it on tv.

We also got the truck cruise control disconnected b/c of the recall - and they don't have the part in stock to fix it and they don't know when it's coming next. Joey wants me to drive the truck up to Grandma's...so it's looking like that might happen.

I also found some sparkling apple cider - we got 4 bottles...that stuff is almost as expensive as wine. We also found baby peas in butter like you wanted mom. I can't beleive you thought the brussel sprouts were peas --i think you need to have your eyes checked!! I was going to get the ham today from Honey Ham, but i will hold off til wednesday evening. They said it's good refrigeratated for 7 days..and think it might not fit in the freezer...so, wednesday will be ham day.

Jamie and i went to see Fred Claus last night. Very cute movie. That Vince Vaughn is a hottie!!! And boy when he dances --he makes me want to devour him...anyway, Jamie has advised me that Fred Claus is better than Tim Allen's Santa movie ( we can't remember the name of it).

Now, it's time for a game...good old literati and then a mini nap if i get lucky.

Hey everyone!

Just past exit 130 to fredtown on I95 headed to philly with a truck load of adidas tennis shoes.
We did a detour to chesapeake walmart coming from Spartanburg SC, met Zsuzsi and Michael on their ways to mom's, they were dropping off some mail for us. We thought we would get home for the night, but they took 6 hrs to load the truck..they said it had wasps in it, Mark says the wasps came from their pallets,not from the trailer-any way we tried, stopped around 10:45 pm near the NC/VA border, and got up this morning at 5:45 and made it to walmart in ches. at 8am. We are going to Marshalls DC again in philly.
Yep tomorrow Mark turns the big 50, I will be making him a lemon cake via truck cookin- I'll let you know how it comes out. We will also have steak and baked potatoes.
Mom sounds like you will be having a big thanksgiving feast this year, I will be missing everyone. Michael and Zsuizsi will be cooking my turkey,Catherine and Eric will be there and Adam and his new girl friend Jackie(sweet girl). Anyway it is a bit bouncy so I am saying by for now.
Mark and Jane

hola

Hey look! I'm home before dark on a Friday! I left school as soon as I could, but still a lot of people beat me out.

I'll be going to the warehouse store and get sparkling cider for the holidays. I'll check into the peas. I like brussels sprouts, so I dont' mind those. I'll decide on Short Pump on Friday. I won't be doing laundry or bringing laundry. But, I will have Max. I suggest Nancy bring the big kennel and the small kennel, so dogs who are unruly can be kenneled.

This weekend is laundry and leaves weekend. We have a lot of leaves. I am going to use the blower to blow them to the neighbor early in the morning. Ha! Serves him right, he did it to us --but late at night-- last week.

I think we'll be down on Thursday for the turkey day, and then head home early on Saturday. Can't leave the kitties for too long!

Scott is going out of town (to DC!) from Dec. 10-19th, and Kaiti should be done with her semester by then. Don't know what I'll do with myself. Hog the bed, sleep without being awoken by snoring, not have anything for dinner, leave the toilet seat down all the time. It sure will be tough.

Where is Jane? I understand a certain someone is celebrating his semicentennial soon. Damn, that's old!!!!

No, no, no Nancy. I MISTAKENLY bought 3 THREE boxes of brussel sprouts - thought they were the peas. (Maybe we can eat them with our ham (heh, heh). Who knows, Joey and Jamie might like them!

Have finished cleaning - hurray - and now I will varnish welcome sign for Shannon and Bobby. Speaking of which - BOBBY - does Sal drink wine???? Lemme know so we can have some with our turkey.

looking forward to seeing Susie and Michael tomorrow. Chop suey, cole slaw, texas toast (what I'd like to do with asshole in D.C. and chocolate cake for dessert. Dad is watching t.v. now, Sandy is on my bed sleeping, and Fritz is at my feet with a hunk of rawhide. I swear, he never goes anywhere without it. Still have a new piece here for Max or Brutus.

Enjoyed the debate last night - got rather testy at first. Was disappointed in Obama - his speech last weekend was thrilling and then last nite was a let down. Hilary shined (shone) as usual, and Joe Biden displayed a great sense of humor. I can't help but like Senator Dodd - wish his campaign was stronger ($$$$). Nevertheless, I will vote for the Democratic candidate whoever it ends up being.

Ellen - you left your blue scatter rug here.

NEW RULE: Arriving guests MUST deposit ALL belongings in their respective bedrooms upon arrival next Thursday. Kitchen counters will all be in use with dinner stuff. If you bring laundry, that goes in bedroom too, until Friday. On Friday I will NOT be cooking or doing anything but eating and smoking (hah!). Going to Short Pump would be nice BUT remember - it will be the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Do we really want to fight all the crowds?

Well, for a person with nothing much to say, I have certainly rambled on.

KEEP ON TRUCKIN!
Mom

Good Morning all--

Just wanted to say -i t's colddddddddd here..but i love it. And, tomorrow the boys and i are going t o a Geico event to help distribute food to the needy for Thanksgiving...i hope the boys will get something out of this. This is the first time i've asked to help out, although Geico has been doing it for a number of years...

And, Mom --you can keep the stinking brussel sprouts---i wouldn't subject my worst emeny to those nasty things, so i guess i'm not sorry you can't find them. As for the peas, I will keep my eyes open for them as we all like peas - same for apple cider. Ellen, I'm bringing a ham too for one night next w/end since you love Ham as does Jamie. I told Jamie we will go hunt for the special ham this w/end.

Ok, i'm outta here. Time for work..booo-but's it's friday----yeah!!!

YooooooooooHoooooooooooooooo - Jane, where is you????????????

Guess what!?! Bobby called last night and He, Shannon, and Jaida are coming for Thanksgiving - perhaps Sal as well! Happy about that - it's always a treat to be with Jaida (and Shannon and Bobby as well). Marianne, if you are reading this, we'd love to have you, James, and Christian here, too. There will be quite a gang of us! Szuszi and Michael might come this weekend, too.

It got cold again and snow was forecast a little farther west for last night. Don't know yet if it actually happend or not.

Today I will finish house cleaning - I hope and work on my "master" shopping list for next week. This whole town is out of the kind of peas that I like! I bought 3 packages of brussel sprouts by mistake and I know people (Nancy) will really turn up their noses at that even though it is a traditional Thanksgiving vegetable. Ellen is on the lookout for peas up her way and Nancy, if you read this, look in Va. Beach, too. 3 packages Bird's Eye peas in butter! Also need sparkling apple cider - let me know if you get it!

Happy Friday everyone - TGIF!

Love and kisses
Mom

Hey Guys...

just saying hi..short and sweet. I love coming to the blog..but love to read everyone else's blogs..they are funny, interesting and enjoyable...hope the truck get's fixed up and you're back on the road...Jamie says hello --- and he loves your truck Mark and Jane...

Well, it's 6 A.M. and I just read your post. Hope the truck is repaired by now - do you get paid for the time waiting? I sure hope so. And I can't believe Jane is in Florida and DID'NT buy something cooler to wear.

It's raining here today, and neither Sandi nor Fritz will step outside! Will have to watch them like a hawk today to guard against yellow puddles. Sandi is good - it's rare that she has an accident. Fritz could care less and I just don't have the heart to be mean to him.

Have started the BIG clean-up hear getting ready for thanksgiving. Hope to have all next week for baking, etc. Going to make lemon pie, apple pie, pecan pie, and a pumpking trifle. Also that coffee cake that Jane makes. Oh, yes, ELLEN - will you make candied sweet potatoes??? Tell me what to buy. Sweet potatoes, marshmallows, and what else? And how is Scott feeling?

Haven't talked to Michael or Szuszi yet, so I don't know if they're coming this weekend or not. I will call tonite.

AND, how come Nancy isn't posting here? Where are you Nancy?

XXX to everyone
Mom

cold and rainy

....almost....was balmy warm today. Rain and cold for tonight. I stayed after school for Drama Club and then some planning work....got stopped by the principal and we chatted. So, it was late getting home. Scott isn't feeling well but we didnt' go to ER - prob. a kidney stone. We had a big fight in Giant because I tried to buy a nutrition book for him. He had Popeye's for lunch......

In other news, I got a small steam cleaner machine to test before I get the big one. I love it. It's especially good for stainless and metal surfaces and tile. If they would attach a vacuum, like a shop vac type, it would be a perfect tool.

Hope the truck gets fixed soon. What will you do for breakfast? Any places close by?

And in unrelated news/commentary: Christmas lights should NOT be up yet. and..... Get the slingshots ready because no blow up lawn ornament is safe this year.

Broke down in FL

We did go right thru Columbus! We would have stopped if we knew.....
The truck broke down last night, it would'nt start...it has weird computer..anyway we were staying at a motel 6 near to where the Walmart was-Alachua FL, the truck was even all the way parked, so Mark had to get permission and everything for where it was..and he was nevous about it. It did start in the morning and we drove to walmart..then it started acting up again, so we spent all day at a volvo truck service...its just about 8pm and we just checked in to a super 8.We are having dominos pizza..yuk- I just had a bite.
Anyway, I really don't enjoy florida..I have only my velour jog suits and its too warm here for that.
I hope the truck is fixed by morning.
If you read this please add a post.
mark&jane

while your'e in Ohio

I know a certain someone who owes me several thousand dollars. Whitehall == outside of Columbus. If you get close, let me know. Last I spoke to him, he didn't have much longer to live-so he should be easy to take.

We're home from our suprise trip to Farmville. It was a nice, peaceful and relaxing trip. I like the quiet, but not the cold. We had delicious ham, scalloped potatoes and broccoli for dinner. I love ham. It is one protein that I can tolerate easily. Scott, aka the pig, wanted more food on the way home. Unbelievable. We didn't stop.

With all the construction, crazy drivers, and various lights, my eyes can't take the road much. Do you and Mark drive much in the dark??

On the way home, I did talk to Kaiti. She said she was dyeing her hair with the help of her friend Gloria ((reddish brown) and then going to a friend Billy's dorm room (with others) for a showing of A Clockwork Orange. She said she won't come home this weekend because Turkey day is just a few days after - she'll just see us in Farmville. She is not aware if she will have a friend come with her or not. I hate to think of any kids left alone up there in Lynchburg.

Mom-- make sure you make her cranberry sauce and pecan pie - those are her faves. I just want turkey skin and stuffing. I've been having a weird craving for White Castle. I think it is because sometimes we went to NJ for turkey day and that always included the WC pig out. I've tried the frozen, but fresh are better.


Oh well, night nigh.

spending the night at fed ex in OH

We cannot get unloaded here early, the guard said the employees don't come in until 4 am, I think we will be asleep.
I fixed spaghetti, salad, and we found some Monterey Sour dough bread, everything was very good. It's very cold here in the 30's - close to 40 and rainy, speaking of rain -have we gotten anymore rain?
Ok - need to see more posts- I told Bobby again- he says they have a stack of paperwork for the health department to get completed before they can open restaurant, he says he and Shannon don't understand most of it, also Jaida is at her choo-choo grandma's ...till tuesday....he says she is not drinking or taking pills anymore and is gonna get married again, I just hope she takes good care of Jaida.
ok that will be all for now.
TRUCKS BRING IT.......GOOD STUFF!!!!
mark&jane

AR TO MS TO AL TO OH

WE have just left Huntsville AL-20th century-fox with some high dollar stuff-promo, taking it to N. Jackson OH.
I love the kitty picture, to bad you could'nt get bathroom kitty in the pic. Mom I think Michael and Zsuizsi are coming too your house next weekend- I told Michael to give you a call.
It sure is hard typing with the truck is rolling down HWY 65, just entered TN.
Well we won't be able to come home for thanksgiving, I made a mistake with the dates, but will try too take off longer for christmas. Speaking of - are we going to do the drawing?
Ok I am going to try and play a game.
Lots of Love
M&J

love the picture of all the kitties plus Max (who is the prettiest one of all!). It's 11:30 Saturday morning and outside of washing dishes, washing my bod, and putting out the garbage nothing has been done! Ellen and Scott are on their way here and then we'll go up to see Katie in Lynchburg and probably go out for dinner (Red Lobster - yum, yum). Dad says he doesn't want to go but Ellen will talk him into it.

Gave up reading my book - well I finished it finally! Plot was preposterous! Have started one now about Australia - 70 pages in and so far, so good.

Dad has finished the dry sink for Shannon and Bobby and I am almost done with their welcome sign. Maybe next week we can take a drive up there to make the delivery. Wondering if the restaurant has reopened yet.

Jane - let us know where you are!

Mom - oh yeah - Jamie left a shirt here!

Our babies

table: L-R Charlie, Teddi, Lilly, CiCi floor L-R: Felix, Baby, Lucy, Tabitha, Max Not shown: Rosie aka Bathroom Kitty and Eliza aka Underthebed Kitty. Oh, and Che, aka stinkypinky ferret

Okay, here it is 3?30 Friday afternoon and I have accomplished nothing today - zero, zip, zilch. Well, I DID brush my teeth, make my bed, take a shower. Dinner is simmering in the crockpot (another meal your father will disdain, I'm sure) and I am sitting happily at the computer playing literati by the hour. I kept getting bumped and my score was down below 1800 so now I am trying to bring it back up.

Don't know what the weather forecast is - chance of showers I think. Sky is getting darker and darker so we might get a little moisture.

AOL took a poll and 73% think Bush is the worst president in our nation's history! Come on, terminal boils! (That's an inside joke - hah!)

I am writing this because I feel guilty for not posting anything for a while. I am reading "Beautiful Lies" - it's sort of okay - will be happy when I'm done with it and can go on to something better.

Yesterday was Fritzie boys 1st birthday. I sang happy birthday to him and he just ignored me. Oh well, such is (my) life!

I was so cold this morning I put on a heavy shetland sweater and now I am sweating! Hate that.

Be good everyone - love to all
Mom

Gee Whiz, read this truck story

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/112007/11092007/332036


I am glad I was already at work by the time this happened. It is right by where I go everyday. That hill is hard on trucks and I have to get over to exit the highway sometimes in front of them. This guy was in the left lane - which he was not supposed to be...but that is the least of his worries.

Snow is in the forecast for tonight - but I doubt it. Its just the beginning of the weatherman tease months - they tease snow/ice, etc. everyday or two, just like rain. Rarely happens.

I have a three day weekend thanks to Veteran's Day. I guess we'll tackle leaves, the fireplace, and we have a leak under the kitchen sink. Fun times. I am hoping to see Bee Movie as well. I think Kaiti is coming home.

See ya later. Crazy Cat person.

waiting in Memphis

we needed to stop at usexpress terminal to have truck checked, we got here at about 5pm last night and we are still waiting, it's now 8:30 in the morning. We were supposed to deliver our load at midnight last night. But the truck needs something done with the air leak because the brakes are air brakes and we may need them.
take care everyone...and blog.
jane

going to AR

we just got messege to go somewhere in AR over 1k miles away, picking up at QVC. Ok mark wants to leave now.

we finally made it home!!

We picked up a load from lexington NC it's supposed to go to Parlin NJ, but we dropped it off in Richmond, it will be picked up by another driver and taken the rest of the way to NJ.
We slept in our own bed last night I guess it's been almost a month.
Its cold here, I am freezing but I don't want to turn on the heat.
Ellen I need the link for the Christmas drawing. Thanks for putting the pictures on.

We will go back on the road on Tuesday morning, we will be bringing warm clothes and be ready for some snow, we may go up north again.
Everyone keep on blogging.
Mark and Jane

we are spending the night in TN

We went from chicago to st louis MO, very hectic, we did some home depot deliveries. Now we are headed to GA, we should be there around 11 am tomorrow. Then they should get us a load to somewhere around our area...we will see. I figured out they short changed Mark about $450 dollars...they said they will put it on his next check...and that is what they said last week....
I would love to have Christmas at my house ...or where ever, Mom you said you and Ellen voted for my house ....Ellen says she voted for your house.
Ellen I will send just a few pictures at atime to you ....got several of the St Louis Arch.- we crossed the over pass last night in the dark..Arch is light up blue- and pictures today too. The roads are all torn up and lots of detours ..so we took a few wrong exits.
I am looking forward to coming home for a few days at least..really need to read my mail.
I have found it hard to read or be online while we are rolling down the road. It's kinda bumpy, I won't play literati that way anymore..my score has dropped to just a little over 1800.
Today we drove through Nashville- at rush hour- we were going to drive further but traffic was too fustrating.
I will says bye for now - Remember this "trucks bring it" -good stuff
Mark & Jane

good morning

Hi,

Yes, the pic is the only one I got. Send them 3-4 at a time as attachments. Or, you can go to flickr.com and upload them there. Email me for that login and it's easy from there.
For some reason, by Thursdays I wake up before the alarm and can't sleep anymore.
The christmas site requires everyone to go in and rsvp to the event (Alden Christmas) and then you can invite more people (or I can but I need email addresses) once everyone has signed up, I click a button and it will match everyone up and email them their secret gift receiver. If we can't get it all done in the next week or so, I'll scrap that idea.

As far as Christmas, I actually voted to have it at mom and dad's. If we are having it at VA Beach, let me know so we can book our hotel - and kennel, and cat sitters.

It is teacher night tomorrow at the Smithsonian - should be fun. We had about 6 trick or treaters - and the last three got the rest of the candy....they were happy. I am not looking forward to dealing with the after-Halloween blues at school today....but I will get some of their candy...

Scott's mom's head stone finally arrived, so we'll go over to the cemetery on Sat. Kaiti will probably come home, but no other weekend plans. That Jerry Seinfeld movie is coming out so maybe we'll see that.

adios for now! Ellen

Phewwwwwwww! Have looked high and low for that DVD. Yes, it is a Netflix one, but they don't charge extra no matter how long you keep it. No Problem - I'll get it at Christmas time! Speaking of which -- Ellen and I vote to have Christmas at your house!!

It's cold here today. We'll probably have a fire in the fireplace tonite. Dad is still working in woodshop, I'm painting and playing on the computer. Soooooooo, with all the gizmos you have in that truck, can't you plug in an electric blanket?

Nothing much going on here - will write more later.

Glad to see you here, Marianne! Love hearing about Christian.

Love to all
Mom

Hello from somewhere near Chicago IL

We are waiting to be unloaded at this place-us paper- right next to the Tribune!
Thanks for posting Marianne. I still need to go to the gift exchange thing...not sure of what to do there.
....Mom -Mark got out the little tv..with dvd...we have "flags of our fathers" I hope it is not a net flick. We will return it .....when we can.
Usexpress better send us closer to home if we are to arrive there by 6pm on friday.......we will see. Mark has to get his DL renewed and has to take the vision test - so we need to get home soon. I also put in a request for Thanksgiving..don't know if we will get it. Anyway when we get home I will buy a turkey .....and trimmings and Zsuzsi and Michael can cook it.
The truck does stay running ...except when we are fueling...so we have power -heat and air conditioning-most trucks do stay running.Some truck stops have- called idleaire- there is a snorkle devise that attaches to the window - has heat/air, phone, tv, and internet-but usexpress doesn't pay for it - and neither are we. They have already disappointed us.....week before last only got 1600 miles, cause Marks dispatcher gave him crappy runs- took all day to unload/load with very few miles. This week I think we got about 2900--and we did the $trees with all of the unloading...that kicked our asses.
I have taken several pictures from the passengers seat... I see the one that came out the worst is the only one posted...Ellen did you get any other pictures from me? I will have to resend them if not.
Anyway... went through the mountains..nc/tn...I think I'm glad it was nighttime and I could'nt see out the window...cause it was very scary..you can also tell an experienced driver vs. new drivers...the one ahead of us was going really really slow...and there were about 100 trucks behind us..2 lanes only...left lane was for cars only...one trucker used it to pass ..the truck ahead of us. the one ahead had to pull over to -the emergency pull over.
Indiana ...is a pretty boring state..flat and not much to see from the interstate..I like PA, WV, OH, TN so far..from the interstate ..NC,SC,GA and VA are boring..both sides have trees and you can't see anything.
I will say by for now ..gonna play a game of litterati.. my score is down in the 1800's now, from losing my connections.
Lots of Love to everyone
jane and mark

Hey There

Hey Everyone! Hope all is well. Anyways... thought I would finally post something. This is a neat idea for keeping in touch.
James and I took Christian to Busch Gardens on Saturday for HollowScream, we had a great time and turned out to be a nice day, weather wise. Christian won a huge stuffed dog!!
Mom-USAA is the same. Although know I can write Homeowner's Insurance it seems to be more interesting, at least the pay is better. One of these days I will go to College, when I find out what I want to do....
Well, tomorrow is Halloween and I think Christian is going to be a little Redskin Football player. I know...can't believe it's not the Steelers, the funniest thing is that Christian loves the Redskins and does not really care for the Steelers. Christian is also going to the Dentist for his cleaning tomorrow, hopefully everything will go OK.
It is getting late and still have lots to do... will post again soon. Love You All. Take Care Everyone!

hi from fredburg

Hi
I hope the gift exchange website will work. Perhaps in the meantime,sizes and info about our littlest Weber/Aldens - Jaida andChristian... will be posted? I know I would like to buy gifts for everyone and I see things all the time that would be great.....but....who can afford it?

We had an estimate done this weekend for a screened porch to replace the rotting kitchen porch. It would be nice to have -- but we'll have to wait and see if we can really do it.

Kaiti was up this weekend (she is home a lot). I didn't see her much, so she seems in better health. She is looking at other colleges to transfer to next year since Randolph is dropping so many of her fave classes. I think she will find her passion at many schools -- right now political journalism is an awesome choice for her. Mark's ferret lives with us now (hello Michael andZsuzsi -- another ferret baby???) and she is so funny, but I worry with 10 --- TEN --- cats chasing her around.

I saw Queen Eliz. movie over the weekend. It was good - romance for women, and action/violence for the men. Not entirely historically accurate...but go see it anyway.

I had a former collegue die this week from cancer so I'll be attending services for that. Sad to see people so young suffer so much. I am exhausted even though it's only Monday....when do the clocks turn back???????????????/

Hey everyone! Happy to see Szuszi posting here! Sent Shannon and Bobby the link so hope they'll be posting soon, Marianne too.

It got pretty cold here last night and is supposed to be colder yet again tonight. Jane - how do you keep warm in the truck when the weather is this cold? And don't tell me you leave the engine running - I'll never be able to go to sleep with worrying!

Dad is making a dry sink for Shannon and Bobby's restaurant - it looks pretty good so far. I am painting a welcome sign, too - . When we get it all done we'll take a spin up to see the new restaurant. Something to look forward to.

Jane - you have not signed up for the Christmas gift exchange, nor any of the Norge's. If you don't have the link ask Ellen to send it to you.

Fritz is fine as is Sandy. Fritz has decided that all carpets and dust ruffles should have yellow polka dots! I scrub and scrub, strip beds, etc., but he is very persistent. He's so little I can't tell when he is lifting his leg!

Okay - back to my painting.
Love to all,
Mom

in SC

good morning everyone from SC.
Hey Ellen, is that the only picture that came through? Don't know where we will go from here. we have to wait for a dispatch. Dollar General dc was way out in the boonies. We had dinner at an outback for our 12th anniversary...really wanted red lobster...but it was about 50 miles back the other direction.
I hope everyone has a great monday....happy to see michael and zsuzsu on the blogg.
luv ya
m&j

PIctures

Send me any pictures you want added as attachments. Happy (&)^&^%$&^%$# mONDAY.

Hi Jane&Mark!

How're you doing? Finally it's cold in Virginia Beach! Charlotte and Opus are doing great. (They are bad as always:) Michael and I are going to go to sleep soon. Tomorrow is Monday...the week-end was so short. Keep on trucking! Can't wait to see you! Miss you! Love, Michael&Zsuzsi

Went to Upstate NY

We picked up a load from raulph lauren, and took it to philly,PA. Then picked up from dollar tree distribution center and had to deliver in Hudson, Albany, and Rensslear NY- it's beautiful there, we even saw deer grazing along side of the interstate. Tonight we are spending the night at a rest area along the DE turnpike, its very nice- has a cinnabon, nathans hotdog, author treachers, sbarros, starbucks and a little store that I bought 2 power ball tickets in-also have power ball from PA and NY... I'm hoping!!!!!!!
We picked up a load of baking soda from Arm and Hammer(church and dwight) in North Brunswick NJ- had to exit....same exit for Rutgers U, Mark saw a sears..so we had to stop..got Dad a Rutgers fighting knights sweatshirt. Any who we are headed to Jonesville SC to a Family Dollar with the baking soda.
When we delivered to the dollar trees in NY we had to unload--3 stores = total of 40k, we will not do that again.. We are both sore today..I have broken all of my fingernails too- also saw a bum taking a leak too...and he asked Mark for $$..Mark gave him his change. Ok Mark says it's time for bed, cause we will be getting an early start in the morning.

Nancy.. I would put Rudy in his kennel at night..that way you know he's not chewing up stuff.
Katie we hope you are feeling better... and Ellen I am going to dl some pictures and email them too you.
Marianne and James and Michael and Zsuzsi please post something.. I gotta send the link and pass word stuff to bobby's my space.

Love to everyone
M&J...still....truckin......

DAM F##%$%^$&*(^^%@((*&^ DOG CHEWED MY GLASSES. i SHOULDA SMELLED TROUBLE WHEN HE WAS CONTENT UNDER MY BED THIS AM. ONLY TOOK HIM 2 SECONDS TO SNEAK AWAY WITH THEM.....I'M GONNA KILL HIM.........

Good morning! Hope you made it to Philadelphia okay. We've had rain here - yesterday and then thru the nite - 3 1/2 inches! Just showed the picture of Jane and the truck to Dad and, boy, is he excited. Wants to see it, sit in it, take a little ride in it! lol. I wouldn't mind a ride in it if I could haul my old bones up into it.

Gray and gloomy here today, perhaps more rain. Talked to Bobby last night - Jaida will be a black cat for Holloween - and sounds like restaurant will soon be reopening.

I am writing Senators today, as well as calling them. All I can do is blast them with numerous emails and calls, otherwise I'm powerless.

Nancy - we went to Lynchburg yesterday as Katie is sick. We took her to emergency room and it turns out she has bronchitis and pnuemonia. She was feeling better when we left and has a powerful antibiotic so she should be back to normal soon.

Tell Joey and Jamie not to touch anything in boys' rooms - kick door closed with foot, and get them some of those antiseptic wipes. Seems like that staph stuff is all over the place.

That's all for now - love ya
Mom

headed to NC

Don't know when we will be going home..we'll see, it is getting time.
We are in Newnan GA, Petsmart....taking it to Petsmart in Burlington NC, our delivery is in the morning but I think we can have it there ...tonight.
Talk to everybody soon.
M&J

Hi - good to hear from you. Did you like the new pictures? Will you get back to Virginia Beach soon? No, we haven't had any rain here in Farmville. It's about 80 today and everything dead or dying (no me or dad, hah, hah). We have a chance of showers today and it's getting a little cloudy now.

Ellen and Scott were here for the weekend and we had a nice visit. Scott was not feeling well - bronchitis - and Katie has it too. Made dad a birthday cake and we all had some - he sang happy birthday to himself!

I I have been dealing with fallen leaves. Can't get mulcher to start, so I suck them up in my leaf blower and it grinds them up for mulch - hard work.

Talked to Nancy this morning - everything okay there. Joey is going to a dance!!!!!!!!!!! First date.

Talk later - love to all

Mom

Arrived Mcdonough GA

finally got loaded -ft smith AR, just arrived at destination Mcdonough GA at 9:30 this morning- this is a place that delivers liquors- you should see the damaged liquor-just the containers were damaged- you could have one hell of a party for about 2000 of you closests friends. We are
supposed to be going to NC after this.
I cooked pulled pork in the rice cooker, Mark says it's the best meal so far- I say the nathans hotdogs and bush's beans were. We had zaterans yellow rice and garlic cheddar bisquits with it, I thought the rice was terrible-(Marked liked it). Hit lots of rain going through TN and MS, and it's raining in GA now.....are we getting any at home??
I will mail Dad's BD card as soon as we are at a place I can buy one--Dad I hope you had a great 73rd.Checking out for now....will post again real soon.
luv ya'all
m&j on the road again
I will also try and send Ellen some pictures to post also

monday

just spent 20 minutes looking for the principals number so i could call in sick....couldn't find it...and i'm not sick, so I guess i better get in the shower have to hit the road in 20 minutes! .....crazy cat person.

Where's the crazy cat person these days? Your favorite day of the week is about to happen..............

this my 3rd try to post

We are in ft smith ar, a plant called pernod ricard. What ever that is. They told Mark they would not be able to load him until midnight cause that is what time they open, our appointment is at 3pm, Mark will be getting paid delay time. This is out in the middle of no where, Mark says OK city is not too far from here...don't know if we will go or not ..midnight is a long way off.
Mark got a new toy..a Magellan roadmate. navigation system, usexpress has given him wrong directions every single trip we have been on. Mark went back inside to check on getting loaded again,,it's a no go not till midnight..oh well we are gong to Ok city, mark says it's not too far away. talk to everyone later..m&h

Well we are Not in CA

We arrived Bentonville AR around 4:30 this afternoon- eastern time, have a load we picked up from the rail yard in Kansas City- KS. We had dropped a loaded trailer there the night before. They told us it would be a while before we get dispatched - Mark was looking up Independence MO on the mapS, then Michael called and told me about Harrah's - riverboat casino....yippee, found out info on both places, but when we got back to the truck there was a messege( it's called a Qualcom) to pick up loaded trailer and take it to Bentonville AR -walmart dc. Load was to be delivered tomorrow in the morning--Hey we have 175 , 32" Sony plasma TV's- i can get ya a good deal..ha ha. We are spending the night at a Pilot truck stop in Springdale AR city near by walmart. We will be at walmart in the morning, then we will pick a load -somewhere else in AR, 80 miles away and head to GA. Found out there was something wrong with my verizon, thats why I could not get onling. Well I'll say good night for now, got to get up at 4 am. I hope to post tomorrow. --got powerball tickets in Mo --keep your fingers crossed.
luv ya
M&J...stilltruckin 10/20/07

First Landing Park Walk

Hi...my turn to talk. Took the boys minus Bruti for a nature walk. We went to First Landing Park. It was a bit warm for a walk. But, we all still walked. They are having a fall festival today---we did not attend that. We walked on the trails and saw the Chesapeake Indian Historical things. There are a few huts along the way too. And some of the areas had a dressed up guide talking about things that the Indians did back in those days. I thought it was a very nice walk, however Jamie nagged and nagged at me to go further to the end. I told him it was just to far and i was all hot and sweaty. Promised him next w/end we would bring Bruti and we would walk again, this time to the end.

Then we went to the cemetery at Joey's request to visit Oma and Opa. Today is the 7th anniversary of her death. I think that was not a good thing to do b/c Joey got upset by it and was crying. But, he asked me to go - so i did.

Now we are at home relaxing. I'm making steak sandwiches for dinner. This is a new thing on our menu, as the boys love these sandwiches.

Bruti --bless his little heart--always looks at me w/the big brown eyes and looks like he's trying to tell me something..he's been pretty good lately--last night he pooped in the house. I'm sure that was punishment for me b/c we were out late. He's outside now with Jamie. I believe he loves to go out w/Jamie ..each time i see him go out his tail is sticking straight up. And as soon as he comes in, he's the little superdog...runs to me if i'm in my chair or if i'm sitting at the computer..then he has to smother me with xxx's.

ok, enough now. I think Mom has a good idea for Christmas. I think we should figure out how to draw names and then spend $50 or less on that person. Mom, I think you should be in charge of this project since you brought it up. And, speaking of holidays -- I know for Thanksgiving i'm cooking the turkey at Mom's. I plan to be here in VA Beach for Xmas b/c i did request any time off b/c my coworkers all have plans. What is everyone else doing?

Ok, i'm over and out and off to play literati. ....see ya

It's noon time Saturday and I'm waiting for Ellen and Scott to arrive. Ellen has been in Richmond since Wednesday at a conference. Dad is off to Buckingham to help with the train so I am here all alone. I just baked Dad his birthday cake and next I'll make beef stroganoff for dinner for us (Ellen's request) and chili for Scott - he won't eat the stroganoff. Will also whip up a batch of brownies.

Jane called yesterday from Missouri! She said they were headed for Kansas City, Kansas and I urged her to stop at Independence and pay her respects to HST at his library. I would love to go there - he's my hero! She hasn't posted here much because she has a hard time with the AOL signal.

It's beautiful here today. We had some rain yesterday - not even enough to measure in the rain gauge! I can't bear to look at my garden - all wilting and dying.

Time to close this down and get back to my kitchen duties.

Love,
Mom

Okay you slackers!! Am I the only one keeping this blog going? I wanna hear from you!

Hear is something for you to all voice an opinion on: Since funds are tight this year I propose that we draw names (one per person) for our Christmas gift exchange and limited to purchase price of $50. What do you all think? I have already spoken with Ellen about this and just now with Shannon and both are very agreeable. Of course, in addition, we can all buy a small gift for the little ones - Jamie, Christian, and Jaida. Let me know what you think. Ellen said Scott will devise a scheme for name drawing, possibly using the internet.

I talked to Shannon earlier today. Dad is making a dry sink for the restaurant and we wanted to make sure they still wanted it. Bobby was off to the Discovery Museum with Jaida today. Jaida fell and banged her front tooth a little but dentist says it'll be okay. Restaurant will probably reopen first week in November.

Dad is off at lumber yard now to get wood for the dry sink. My life is soo much easier when he has a project going in the woodshop!

that's all for now - hope to hear from you all soon!

Good Tuesday Morning! Interesting how you cooked those taters, Jane! Could you use a crockpot, too? I suppose if you kept it in the back and only partially filled it would work. I could think of some titles for your truckin cookbook - heh, heh!

I have finally put back bedroom together - neglected to do some things - like window washing, etc. but it will do for now. Really needs to be painted but I just can't bring myself to face all that mess - especially with dad! Maybe after Christmas. I shampooed the carpet in there on my hands and knees - I"M TOO OLD FOR THIS! Can't find adapter for my electric shampooer and Dad doesn't seem to comprehend what I'm talking about. Will check in Wal-Mart.

Slept thru Little People, Big World last nite but caught it on TIVO this A.M. Not a mention of Matt's DUI - but then, I didn't expect one. I really love that family, but I dislike Zach - he is just too fresh. I watch the Barefoot Contessa every day - I love her show - but have only tried one recipe - Chicken Parmesean - which Dad detested! I got an old pole from woodshop and beat the living daylights out of the chicken breasts - made them very tender. I should have just breaded them and let well enough alone. I even bought a bottle of wine to make the sauce - what a waste. This weekend I will attempt an apple pie with "from scratch" pastry. I haven't made that in many, many years but the Barefoot Contessa makes it look so easy. (Can I put leftover wine in it?)

Dad and I drove thru Kentucky when we came here from California - just beautiful if full of rednecks! Pretty horse country and lots of picturesque farms. It must be gorgeous this time of year.

Roy Spain just cleared some land across from his house - says he is going to build a new barn.

Can't think of anything more to tell you - gorgeous day here but dry, dry, dry.

Love,
Mom