hello from Long Island NY

We are at Budweiser in NYC waiting to get unloaded, then we will pickup another load going to IN. We are very dissappointed with usxpress, they have made a pay error, they blame it on a computer glich that shorted Mark on half the miles he drove..they said they have now fixed it and it will be on the next check.........anyway....we will be coming by home tues. to sign papers, so we won't be there long.
Driving in this city is crazy..very tight for a truck. I think we are going to wind up spending the night on the side of the road...the LIE- Long Island Expressway.
For dinner we had dinty moore beef stew,it was pretty bad, saltines were delishous! except Mark forgot to bring our butter.
I watched Becoming Jane, new release,story about Jane Austen. I really enjoyed it.

ok for now
luv
Mark and Jane

hi there

Just book the weekend after your birthday for an at home weekend. I will iron out the details --- need to talk to Nancy.


Happy trails!

not much action on the blogg

Well we were going from Alexandria VA to Agusta GA, We are in Alexandria now and have just been informed that the load was canceled, so we don't know where we are going now.

Yeah! We got approved for new house, it's in Fox Run..., (ADDRESS REMOVED BY Ellen - email for the address if you want it - don't post address on internet not a good idea as we don't know who reads this blog) it's right off of Edwin Dr. We will be back home on March 22nd to move..This will be Michael and Zsuzsi's mainly and we will be there from time to time ..saving for our house in Farmville!

Adam is sworn into the US Army and he leaves for Fort Lenard Wood MO March 19th, he will be in the transportation division which is very dangorous these days..he's getting a big enlistment bonus 40k over the next 4 years.

Hey Ellen let me know about the birthday thing, cause we have to pur in time off request, and we have to be out at least 2 weeks to get 2 days off.

Ok I will update later when we know where we are going.
luv
jane and mark

te hee!

We were all kinda of baffled at who could it be that wrote that!
Well we made it home sunday afternoon, had to drive home for 4 hours, which usxpress does not consider...it's tuesday morning and we have to leave...we don't know yet if we have a new place to move into or not, can't sign a lease because we have to leave......hopefully everything will work out in the end. We don't know where we are going yet, hopefully faraway so we get alot of miles.
We had a short but pleasant time at home, I have been sick with alot of sinus problems and bowel problems, so I have been feeling like crap, but a little better today. Zsuzsi died my hair last night got finished around 1am, color looks real good. Marianne and Christian came by for a short visit that we really enjoyed. After that Mark and I went to walmart to get our groceries for the truck, so we were shopping at walmart at 10 pm. Now we are just packing up our final things into the truck, we tried to stay home another day, but usx says no! have to leave today!
Bobby said Shannon came up yesterday to visit Jaida, he says the day went real well and he thinks Shannon is going to come back, she told Bobby that she was surprised on how much he has done since she has been gone,she was impressed. She was also wearing her wedding ring! Bobby seemed really contented...I am praying everything goes well for him.
Well till later...I will post tomorrow I promise- to let everyone know where we are going.
Luv
Mark and Jane

A Joke

Clues: Snow in Tuscon
boring snow day in Va
load of toilet paper
yellow thongs

There isn't snow in Tuscon, teachers have boring snow days, truckload of toilet paper -stupid - yellow thongs - just a lucky guess, I have no idea what color anyone's thongs are.

Sorry to alarm anybody, it was a JOKE!

Ellen

nope that blog is not from me-jane

We left South Decota and went to GA, the to AL picked up load for PA,last night we
stayed in Staunton Va, kinda hard to get all the way from Tucson AZ to Va in less than a day....so I don't know who put in that blog...it says something about a non
truckin person on a boring snow day..Speak up who ever you are.
PS Mark has only driven in his thongs once...and that was just to move the truck a little and it was late at night.
We were supposed to go home yesterday...but we got screwed...maybe tonight or tomorrow,we will get home for a few hours.
Everyone have a great weekend!
luv
mark&jane

Well,

We're stuck in a snowbank in Tuscon. Mark walked to the nearest truck stop to get some help. I'm just sitting here playing literati. And, yes, Mark does drive in only his yellow thongs. He did put on clothes for the walk. I think this load of toilet paper is going to a WalMart in Alabama, but I can't remember.












---this message brought to you by a nontruckinpersonwhomaybeinvirginiaonaboringsnowday
ornotsowherethehellareyouguysnowpostalready!

Hi Jane and Mark - IKEA has great prices! Super bargains and high quality stuff. I went crazy there the last time - bought tons of stuff.

Quiet here today - Nancy just called - Joey got some very high grades on a couple of projects - guess it has finally sunk in - good grades = driver's permit!

Dad and I just watched the first part of Jane Eyre which I had TIVO'd - very dark but I am anxious to watch the other half. I finished my book about Alice Roosevelt Longworth - it goes into painstaking detail about politics, but on the whole was quite enjoyable. She was married to a Senator who became Speaker of the House but never made it to the presidency as she had hoped. Longworth was an alcoholic and quite a womanizer. Had a huge reputation with the women. While still married to Mr. Longworth she had a long-time love affair with another Senator - Borah - of Idaho by whom she bore her daughter - Paulina - pronounced Paul line a. Mr. Longworth never questioned her paternity and adored the child. Paulina was not told that Borah was her father until shortly before her marriage - Longworth had been dead for quite some time by then. Unfortunately, Paulina's husband was an alcoholic and Paulina became one also. She died at a young age from a combination of alcohol and pills probably accidently. Sad. Now I have started Dingley Falls by Michael Malone - it was recommended by Nancy Pearl (of Book Lust fame) on PBS. It's okay.

Take care everyone.

Mom

ikea

Ya I like ikea too, Mark thinks they only have expensive stuff, like the wall unit we bought, which Nancy has part of now, and Michael and Zsuzsi have the other part, he forgets about the good buys that we have gotten.

We are in Summerville Ga, delivering our load to Mohawk, I didn't know they make carpet out of recycled plastic bottles and containers, that is what we delivered...to me its trash and it smells like garbage. After we are unloaded they require us to get truck and trailer washed, inside of the trailer too.
We will then be going to Alabama to pick up another load and take it to PA, and
hopefully be able to stop off at the house tomorrow.
Ok we are unloaded now so time to signoff.
love
jane

Catherine - I too love IKEA! Wish we had one near here. Ellen is going to tell you that you should have stopped at her house for lunch while you were up there.

I am exhausted today - stayed up way too late to watch the election returns and then woke up again about 3 to catch the Hawaiian returns. Can't remember ever being so interested in an election before.

Baked toll house cookies this morning and burned them all! Oh well, didn't need them anyway.

Off to take a siesta.

Ellen- I could only wish there was an Ikea in Virginia Beach! We had to drive up by you in Woodbridge to get to one. Took us about 3 hours to get there. It was a drive and Eric complained only once or twice but that was all- I was surprised but very happy about that. Well I love Ikea too and I think it would be in my best interest if they didn't build one down here because I would be there way too much and spend way too much money. But at the same time I would LOVE to have one!

love,
catherine

what you guys wrote

= lots of cool things.

What Ellen read: IKEA.

They have an IKEA in VB?????????????????????????? How did I miss this? I love IKEA, and only get to go to *mine* (2 miles from my school)once in a blue moon. I love the food items, of course, only Dad and I enjoy the cardboard that is Knackebrod.

and they have good linens, cool pet stuff, and lots of other cheap things I like to look at.

I am not alone in wondering where our large family gatherings will now be held. I guess Nancy better get ready. Here we come! :-)

ellen

Those are some good pictures of Christian, he sure is a cutie.

Jane- just give Eric or me a call and let us know when you guys can come by.

love,
catherine

hope we are leaving the bitter cold today

We just got loaded here in Sioux Falls SD, recycling stuff....I think we have a load of garbage.
Great pics of Christian at the Aquarium, Marianne, you didn't mention your freakout with losing your purse.(she got it back).

Catherine, we will have to come see your new place,and the stuff you got at Ikea.
We plan to be home sometime on friday(hopefully), just for a drive through, so maybe just one night, may only be for a few hours.

We are going to GA, I am sure it will be warmer there.
As we drove through MN the roads were very bad - covered with ice, there were some spots that didn't have ice, very windy - I had never seen so many cars that were blown off the road, we must have passed about 50, the people were not in the cars anymore, but the windows had writing ..OK, I thought it meant that maybe there were so many that they would tow the cars later..it was auwsome.

Bobby says that Jaida is going to stay awhile with him and Sal..not until Shannon gets stable, cause Jaida doesn't want to go back with Shannon.
Ok well thats the end of my news for now.
Luv
jane

What a nice surprise to see Christian's pictures here! Loved them - thanks Marianne!

Catherine, you must be exhausted - enjoy your new place!

cutie!

Looks like somebody has had some good times!

the redskin fan

some pics from the virginia aquarium

Moved In!

Well, Friday night Eric and I moved into our apartment. Mark and Jane-thanks for letting us use the truck, it was a big help to have it. Saturday we drove up to Ikea and bought a bedroom set..bed and two dressers,a desk, some dishes and silverware, bedding, 2 lamps, and a little bamboo plant. Spent a lot of money at walmart buying food and all that. We have a few more boxes in storage to get out and some clothes I had at my parents' house. That's pretty much it. We found the couch, coffee table, and tv stand we like. Might have to wait a little bit to get those though. Well I suppose I should maybe get back to work now.

Love,
catherine

Well, Jane, you sure know how to strike fear in a mother's heart!!!! I have my Atlas opened here and I see exactly where Mauston is - the Weather Channel showed the blizzard area more to the east/northeast. I will sure be calling you in a little bit to see how you're faring. I'll look at the Weather Channel first.

Oh yes, and BTW - Wis-Dells is Wisconsin Dells - no wonder I couldn't find it in the Atlas - lol.

My chicken pot pie was very, very good. Even ol Grump-Grump liked it.

Over and out - stay warm and be safe!

We ARE in the Blizzard warning area

I spoke to mom a little while ago and thought that we were out of the blizzard area, driving is bad so we decided to stop - I looked it up on the weather channel, we are in Mauston WI, they said about an inch an hour, looks like there was alrady about a foot on the ground. We are at a pilot truck stop, we have plenty of food, some new dvds and smokes so don't worry about us, it's kinda exciting. I guess we should be going through Alden MN tomorrow. I wanted to stay at the rest area, but Mark said it lookes like it hasn't been scraped and we could get stuck..oh well..I wanted to go for a short walk in it...we passed Janesville WI too.

We should get to Mitchell SD tomorrow afternoon, news says 11 degrees will be the high.

til nex time
jane

Hey Jane and Mark -- Mt. Rushmore is clear on the other side of South Dakota. If you ever get that way it's worth a stop - it's right on the highway.

Did some gardening yesterday. I am so out of shape that after 2 or 3 hours I have to quit. Today I'll trim back the roses and get them fertilized. Think I'll go over to the horse pasture and get some more stuff too.

Am going to attempt homemade chicken potpie today - I'll let you know. I watch Barefoot Contessa all the time and have had a hankering for it since I saw her make it.

Okay - over and out - love to all!

Just read Jane's blog about Opus - I am so sorry - I know how much Zsuzsi and Michael loved him -

About that girls' night out - I for one would not mind riding around in a big rig with Mark driving. I think it would be kind of fun. Just think about blowing the horn - scaring other drivers, (mooning - YES),etc. WILD GIRLS NIGHT OUT - maybe better leave Gramma home - lol.

Dad went to the garbage dump the other day and left a bag just outside the gate by mistake. I didn't notice it until this morning and it looks like animals have gotten into it - so that's how I will be spening the morning - yuck.

We watched a Netflix movie yesterday - "Kinky Boots" - mildly amusing. It is set in England and I always have a problem with understanding the dialoque. We saw "Atonement" Thursday night - it was okay - loved the scenery, especially the big manor house. They changed the ending from the book - think I liked the movie's ending better than the book.

Talk to you all later - love,
MICHAEL - give Zsuzsi a hug from me - Gramma

awww

So sad about Opus - he was a good ferret and friend. I'll always remember his little sneaky ways of getting out and about!


Girls night out -- yeah, limos are spensive. Mark is a good chauffeur, but does he have a limo?????
I ain't ridin in that big rig.

I see you are in the Midwest....we are still in VA, gray, boring, ice but no snow VA. Blah.

Seriously, the limo isn't THAT much, and if we split the cost its not that bad.... I just want to know who is on board with a girls night out. Crockodile Rock was fun, and there are a couple other clubs in that building. If at all possible, we want to avoid heavily Navy places, and heavily Norfolk(youknowwhatimean) places, and heavily redneck....hahahaa. I figure the boardwalk, then Waterside, then someplace local would work. Barhopping!

Three day weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1bye y'all!

Some sad news

Michael called me late last night and told me Opus passed away in Zsuzsi's arms. He had be sick, ferret flu, but they got him some special food (duk soup) and some other kind of medicine and they thought he was getting better. He did seem very very frail when I saw him.

We are on our way to Michigan now - they changed our load to Ny in Pa, then we will be going to IL.- chicago.

By the way, Marianne where is your other blogg, you told me you wrote another one.

For my Birthday- not sure I know anywhere for Kareoke--that place we went to before was good, crocadile rock I think was the name. Limo, that would be $$$$$ - don't have many $$ to spare since I am not working, but we can always get a designated driver...like Mark.

Jaida is with Bobby now, he picked her up wed. night.
Ok we are rolling down the road - so I will say bye for now.

ps: Catherine- good luck with the move to your new place- don't forget you can use the truck.

luv
jane

ice, ice baby

We got ice - and a lot of it. Last night's drive home was bad - saw an upside down car in the middle lane before any ambulance got there. I hope if they have Geico, Nancy pays out!

The main thing for Christian is that he wants to learn and enjoys school. If he starts being able to recognize words and numbers it is more important than the writing part. It will be funny to see him with a bunch of other kids his size!

I am thinking VA Beach would be good for our girls night out - all of us can go, and I'm looking at Limos. We need to know the cool places for dancing and karaoke.

Well, we only have a two hour delay, so I am going to have to chisel my way out and to school :-( I also think I got the "bug" mom and dad have - let's just say it requires close proximity to the toilet. Fun.

--Ellen

Hi everyone! Happy to hear about Christian - I chuckle every time I think about him and Jaida romping around with Fritz. I hope that when Marianne and James get their house they will get Christian a puppy - (chocolate lab) - that's small enough for Christian to get over his fear of dogs. And, Marianne, don't worry about Christian knowing letters, numbers, etc. - he is so smart he will catch on immediately. I would only worry about him having teachers good enough to hold his interest.

Grampa and I have been under the weather - 2 days of some kind of virus for me but I think I'm okay now. Grampa's problems started yesterday so he will probably be fine by tomorrow. Won't go into detail here, but you can imagine. Today I hope he is well enough to go to the movies. Atonement is playing here and it's so seldom we get "good" movies in Farmville, that i'm anxious to see it. I read the book- it was okay - kind of boring - but well written.

We both voted for Hillary Clinton yesterday, but I can't say I'm disappointed that Obama won. It is interesting to note that the Democrats got about twice as many votes as Republicans here in Virginia. My big hope now is that Obama will win all the rest so there won't be a big fight at the nominating convention. I don't think Hillary will back down, but Obama could "sweeten" the victory by asking her to be SofS or some such very important position. Time will tell.

We had rain most of yesterday and then cold enough last night to freeze everything. It is warm enough this morning so I don't think ice will be a problem.

Well that's all the news from this metropolis - stay safe everyone!

In Ohio now

We are 71 miles away froom Cincinnatti on hwy 32, the delivery is for tomorrow at 3pm. There is snow on the ground - about 5 inches and it's about 35 degrees.

Nice to see you finally blogging Marianne! You should apply for senior! - and you never really know everything.....you just need to know where to find the answer.

As for Christian's party..sounds pretty big...I would go for the park - woodstock or princess annne.

Bobby told me Shannon's mother just bruised her hip - it's not broken.

Tonight we are having General Tsao Chicken(tyson) and rice cooked in the rice cooker plus.

I guess Adam is finally trying to go into the Army- he called today to get soome Birthdates he couldn't remember.

Let me know where you want to party for my Bday... Fredericksburg or Va Beach..Farmville....

luv
jane

Hello from Christian's World

Hey Everyone!!!!
I know it's been forever since I blogged. Well, things are good on the home front. James and I are planning a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, that place is really fun, Christian loves it. Christian is getting ready for school. Christian can identify all his letters, and is learning to write them, that is still tough, he just wants to write so big.
I am trying to plan a big birthday party for Christian, since he is turning 5. I am thinking of an outside party with a pinyata (or however you spell it) and also little game booths like that have at carnivals. I don't know I am thinkink of having it at Woodstock Park or James's moms house, it defiantly would be cheaper to have it at James's moms house. Christian is still trying as hell. He thinks he is an adult. I don't know what to do with him sometimes. I wish I was aloud to have an animal, I think it would be great for Christian. He really got a kick out of Fritz, once he warmed up to him.
Work is going well, same as usual. Although just got a big raise. I am taking an Insurance Designation course, I figured right now I would learn to master what I am doing for now, until I figure out a general area of interest. My problem is I like so many things. I am sure I am staying at USAA at least until I am done taking classes, since they pay for it (as long as I pass).
James is doing great, Smith and Keeene, is Smith and Keene, nothing new, still treating their employees like crap and under paying their employees. Oh well
James and I are still saving like crazy to buy a house. Hopefully the market will keep going down. Shit is just so expensive.
Chuckie Cheese was great, Christian and Jaida love each other so much, and I love to watch them play and talk. I wish they could be closer. Well, I found out my girlfriend Jennifer is moving to CA, her husband just enlisted in the Coast Guard.

Well, I sure have written a lot on this thing, Hopefully this will buy me some time, untill i write again. Well hope all is well with everyone.
Talk to you soon.

Love,
James, Marianne and Christian

Jaida's Birthday Party!

Jaida's party went well, I think she had a real good time, as well as Bobby getting his hopes up that Shannon will come back to him. They were kissing in the photo booth and Zsuzsi and Nancy saw them...we will see! by the way Shannon's mother Cindy fell and broke her hip so she was not there, the other Norge's were tolerable.

We will be back on the road today, we don't have an assignment so we don't know where we are going yet!
We are looking for a place to rent with Michael and Zsuzsi- there is a place we looked at yesterday in fox run...we will see. Catherine and Eric are moving into their new apartment -near town center this saturday,Catherine sounds very excited about their first place together.

I am looking forward to my birthday outing....Mark may have to be a designated driver.

I managed to mess up my other wrist - so I have a splint on it too- I think it was from scrubbing Bobby's car.

Everyone have a great monday!!
luv
jane

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad -51 years ago today

If anyone wants a good movie to see - go see Untraceable. I went to see it last night and it scared the pants off of me!!! Joey and I thought it was a good movie. My thoughts afterward was - you watch this and some nut out there will try do copycat the movie in real life.

Anyway, tonight i'm taking the boys to a car event. I got discounted tix's thru Geico. And, I hope it's worth it.

And, tomorrow is the little princesses birthday-the boys and i will go to Chucky Cheese to help celebrate.

Well, that's enough here - i'm off to take a nap cause i was up to 1am last night, but of course I have to play my game........

Lastly, did or is anyone watching the new survivor series? I am....Johnny Fairplay is history already!!!!

Hi there

April 12 was a girls night out thingy. I say was because I am now not sure if we want to go with this particular crowd of two faced people. So, lets plan our own girls night out - everyone can come, we'll do dinner and some dancing/karaoke! VA Beach probably has the cool spots to go to so lets start looking around.

I am so tired of insomnia. I get to sleep, but then if anything wakes me up, I can't go back to sleep. Last night it was from 3 to 4:30 or so that I just toss and turn and think about stupid stuff. Then, about 7:30, I guess I was up for the day. I'll be waking Scott up in a few minutes (gonna play a game first) and then we'll be on our way to Farmville.

Have a good weekend everyone~ ~

hey what is going on in fredtown 4/12?

Ok I am at home now. Bobby seams to be alright now,anyway the house and car are cleaned. Anyone that wants to go ...Chucky Cheese ...Sunday feb 10th 1pm -Military hwy Norfolk. Shannon and her mother will be bringing Jaida, Sal and Bobby will be riding together from Charlottesville.

Mark is on his way home from disputanta, we will be going back on the road on Monday morning.

Oh ya ...Jaida is not going home with Bobby yet...she will be going 2 weeks at a time between Bobby and Shannon. Bobby has to take Jaida to the dentist on the 18th..they are going to put her to sleep, or something like that, she has 2 large cavities.

What is going on ...in April? I am looking forward to having fun.

Hope to see everyone again soon.
luv
jane

ok, i'm jealous too, i'm not invited to Fredricksburg - what's the deal?

And, what time is the birthday party at? And, which chucky cheese place??

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm not invited to Fredericksburg?!?!?!?!

Dinner Saturday night will be pea soup! I know that everyone likes it, and I'll make the quiche as well for the vegetarians. And a lemon meringue pie to sweeten the meal.

I heard something very interesting yesterday - the candidate who wins the Missouri primary has always gone on to win the presidency! Obama won Missouri yesterday. I like both Clinton and Obama and will have a hard choice to make next week in our Primary.

Jane....

Reserve April 12 for a trip to Fburg. You can be returned on April 13.

good times planned.



/remember when mom would force you to play with me? well, this time you really have to.

give the picky eater hungryman tv dinners...

Well its tuesday, Shannon came to pick up Jaida yesterday, then Bobby had to drive Shannon and Jaida to Petersburg, where Shannons mother and boyfriend were picking them up. I got the vibe ...from Shannon that she is not coming back, but she is giving mixed signals to Bobby, because I think she fells guilty and she knows thats not what Bobby wants.
Mark is making a delivery in Port Royal Va, he should be home on friday. We will also be going to chucky cheese on sunday for jaida's birthday party.
ok well that's gonna be it for now.
luv
jane

Hey - Clams and linguini - one of my favorites! Did Sal use fresh clams? Some garlic, parsley, parmesean - YUM!

It was fun to see everyone Saturday - the restaurant looks very nice. I especially enjoyed watching the little ones with Fritz. Glad Christian got over his fear of Fritz. Fritz was sure worn out - he fell sound asleep on the way home and actually growled at me when I tried to move him. Never done that before. It was a nice visit - just wish it had been under happier circumstances.

While we were gone Joey and Dad laid a new tile floor in the upstairs bathroom - big improvement! I think Joey did all the "hard" stuff with Dad giving the orders - lol.

Yesterday I was able to do some gardening - sunny and mild here - first time this year. All the gardens are a mess - I have lots of work to do out there. I am so out of shape, that I was only able to work out there half a day. Will do dome more today.

I finished reading "Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God" - very, very good, and started "Half of a Yellow Sun" - it is set in Nigeria - I love reading about Africa, India, etc. It has won some prizes, so I hope I like it.

Ellen and Scott are coming this weekend and probably Katie. My big decision is what to cook for Saturday night supper. Any suggestions anyone? I will make quiche for Katie, me and Ellen, but that leaves Dad and Scott. Dad will eat the quiche if he has to, so that just leaves Scott.

Have fun today everyone!

finally blogging...

It was nice to have all the family support at Bobby's. We had a slumber party with Marianne and James and Christian. Right now Bobby is upstairs watching cartoons with Jaida while she is eating the last of the oranges that Ellen brought.

Shannon is coming to pickup Jaida today, then we need to drive her to Petersburg where her mother is picking her up.

Sal's cousin unexpectedly showed up...he speaks a little english..better than Claudio. Bobby says he is the crazy one.. he seems fine, very polite and helpful. He and Sal fixed clams and pasta, I didn't think I would like it, but it was very good, my roast didn't turn out..over cooked and dry.

I promise I will post tomorrow and let you know how everything went with dropping Shannan and Jaida.
luv
jane

Guess we won't be eating out in Mississippi....

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0201081fat1.html -