I'm still alive and kicking!

I know it's been a really long time since anyone has heard from me.  To sum up, which will take a lot less time than going into detail, since I last posted.....

I spent a week in Wisconsin, 4 days in Iowa, 2 weeks helping Allie move North.  A week in New Orleans and two weeks helping Barry get ready to leave for Germany.  Since he left last Wednesday, I have done pretty much nothing except pack and try to clear out the house for my departure.  I have 17 days left before I leave the house.  In that time I have to get this house ready to be empty for the next three years.  It's not that we won't ever come back to visit in that time, we will.  When we do come back though it won't be to burst water pipes or critters that have taken up residence.  At least I hope that's not what we come back to find.  The hardest part is going through the accumulation of the last 17 years and deciding what to pack for storage, what to put in the yard sale and what to send over to Germany.   Whew!    If you don't hear from me for another month or so it is not because I don't want to write, it's one of two things....I'm in Germany with no Internet access or I'm trying to be a good little girl and need to work, work, work.  Or it could be both.

In other news a skunk has taken up nightly residence on my front porch.  I called animal control and they brought out a live trap.  I got all six of the neighbors cats into the house last night so they wouldn't get caught instead of little pepe le pew.

You know what it's like trying to sleep in a house with six cats that have never slept a night inside in their entire lives.  Bang, crash, slam, meowr, meowr, meowr.  In the morning NO skunk in the trap.  I don't know if all the noise in the house scared him off or if he's to smart to get caught.  Either way I'll try again tonight.

In stupid news...My passport got delayed for renewal because....ta da.  I didn't sign the application!   sheesh!  It would have been here over a week ago if it hadn't been for that little snafu.  What a maroon.

In romantic news......  Before Barry left we drove up to see our girls and fairly new son-in-law so he could say farewell.  On the way up I was looking for a decent radio station and Barry told me there was a country song he had heard several times while on the road.  He didn't know the name of the song and didn't know who sang it but it reminded him of me every time he heard it.  So naturally I wanted to hear it and found a country station to listen to.  For two days we listened to country music instead of our usual classic rock and never heard  this song.  We got back home and one day while headed to the store I flipped to our local country station and we caught the tail end of it.  When Allison came down to visit that weekend I told her what lyrics I could remember and she did a lyric search and found it.  I was blown away that not only does my beloved know how I feel about him, but to find out how he feels about me.  Sappy as it is we cannot be happy or content without each other.   So for your erudition here are the lyrics.

She thinks I walk on water;
She thinks I hung the moon.
She tells me every mornin',
"They just don't make men like you."

She thinks I've got it together;
She swears I'm as tough as nails.
But I don't have the heart to tell her,
That she don't know me that well.

Sometimes, she cries on my shoulder,
When she's lyin' next to me.
But she don't know that when I hold her,
That she's really holdin' me, holdin' me.

She don't know how much I need her;
She don't know I'd fall apart,
Without her kiss, without her touch,
Without her faithful lovin' arms.
She don't know that it's all about her;
She don't know I can't live without her.
She's my world, she's my everything,
And she thinks she needs me.






Yeah, now the funny thing is,
She thinks she's the lucky one.

She don't know how much I need her;
She don't know I'd fall apart,
Without her kiss, without her touch,
Without her faithful lovin' arms.
She don't know that it's all about her;
She don't know I can't live without her.
She's my world, she's my everything,
And she thinks she needs me.

She thinks I walk on water;
She thinks I hung the moon.

I couldn't believe that my unsentimental, unromantic husband chose that song. 

Well this is it for now.  I need to mow the yard and start packing again.  I'll try not to let so much time go by before my next post.  Have a happy humpday!!

I'm in St. Paul with my Bear.   After an absolutely heart wrenching week it feels good to be somewhat relaxed.  Thank you for the kind E-Mails on my Aunts passing, you'll never know what they meant to me.  I hope to be able to write without any distractions soon.  Right now I don't think that's going to happen.  Maybe later or tomorrow.  I think it's survivors guilt.  I do have plans today while the guys are at work.  This hotel has a heated pool and hot tub, so I'm off for my very first visit to mall of America to buy a swimsuit.  I don't know about you but it sounds like a nightmare in the making. 

I'll get back up to speed sooner or later and things will be better than fine.  Thanks again.

Today is the first day my uncle Ray is without his wife of 54 years.  My Aunt Glenna died last night.  They are bringing her home and she will be buried in our family cemetery.  My mom and Ray, Glenna's husband, are twins, he's not in good health and now I worry even more for him and the pain his death would bring to mom.  It's a cold hard fact that he may not last long without my Aunt.  She was everybody's mother and took care of you like you were her own.  They have four kids, my parents had four, and maybe because they are twins we grew up closer than cousins, more like sisters and brothers.  Glenna was always a presence in our lives.  Now she's gone.  I was supposed to fly to St. Paul to meet up with Barry on Fri. it looks like that day will be spent on sadder terms than a husband and wife reunion.  When I do see him you can bet it won't be with a jaded, 22 year married eye.  It will be with renewed appreciation of how lucky I am.  It will be with a sadness that only time can heal.  It will be with gratitude that I had people like Ray and Glenna to teach me the meaning of a loving marriage.

I think it abundantly apparent that I missed the secret adult meeting.  You know the one where you get to a certain age and "they " call you into the boardroom and tell you the secrets of adulthood.  I missed the memo, my computer was down, I was on the road.  I demand a copy of the minutes from the meeting.  I overslept, I had a flat tire.  It's not my fault!!!!!   Damn, can I borrow someone's notes?  I think I may have went from childhood to my teen years, skipped adulthood and went straight back to childhood.  Because.... I got no answers here people!  There are a couple of nice perks though.  I still get to drive, I have control of the checkbook, I don't get carded at the liquor store and I still have enough people fooled that they let me vote.  (insert maniacal laugh here)

The old man didn't call last night.  I stayed up until 11 waiting.  He always calls at 9.  At 9:30 I left the first message, at 11 I left the second.  This morning he called and said he could tell I was upset, gee, I wonder how?  He promised he wouldn't leave his phone in the hotel room anymore.  Bastard!  You can't call every single night and then not call.  It's a rule! 

You are cool! Right on!

I'm not dead, I was in St. Louis!

Imagine my surprise when I realized exactly how long its been since my last post.  It never fails that when I get busy and start doing something interesting I'm nowhere near a computer.  I could use my sisters laptop but I would rather keep my blogs private.  The whole family knew about Cappy coming to visit and they all knew about the xanga journal, but when questions got a little close Allie, Em and I would give general specifics and vague details.  Does it make me odd that I don't mind both my kids and my new son-in-law knowing all about xanga, but I don't want my mom, dad or my 3 sisters to know??  Even my hub knows, though he could care less.  I've never gotten on a rant about any of them so why should I care?

What have I been doing since June 15....

A lot of it is a blur, just doing the day to day bull that everyone lives with.  Some sticks out.  On the 28th of June Clinton held the 5th annual Archey Fork Festival.  I do the emcee work and introduce the bands, thank sponsers, and give away prizes.  The best part of that is getting to hang out backstage with the sound crew and the bands.

We had a really great fourth of July weekend.  My Aunt in Missouri has a big event that starts Friday and doesn't end until Sun. or Mon.  There is always about 50 to 75 family there and we eat and play all weekend.  Her son and grandson spend a ton on fireworks so Saturday night the sky was lit for about 45 minutes.  I'm talking the big ones.  The kind that boom across the hills.  The best part of the whole weekend was when Tim and Emily unexpectedly showed up Sat. afternoon.

On Sunday Bear and I went to my sister and bro in laws for a full week.  That is the first vacation my poor hubby has had in so long I can't remember.  I swear we both gained five pounds we ate so much good food and drank so much beer and wine.  It was so relaxing it was spooky.  I kept waiting for something to blow it all away, but it didn't, it was just day after perfect day.  Un fortunatly it did have to end and on Friday we came home.  Saturday we got Bear packed up and ready to go on the road and Sunday he flew to Texas.

Now he's on the travel modifacation crew.  We took this job just to make some money until we go to Germany.  Which still isn't set in stone but I really feel like it will come through.  In the meantime, his upcoming schedule resemble a bank robber on the lam.  St. Paul, Minnesota.  Somewhere in Wiscosin.  From there over to Bismark N. Dakota, then down to New Orleans, Louisiana, over to Mississippi, up to Tennesse, further up to Kentucky and hopefully by then we will hear about the job in Germany.  The only place I'm not going to go is Bismark.  I'm going to fly home from Wisconsin and stay here until they get to New Orleans.  Then I'll drive down and follow them from place to place.  It makes me tired just thinking about it.  Two huge bright spots on this craziness!!! one, I get to be with Barry.  and two, the job site in Tennessee is less than ten miles from my high school best friend.  I plan on spending lots of time visiting with her, which suits me right down to the ground.  Allie said we could take her laptop with us and as far as I know all the hotels will have internet service so hopefully I will be able to keep up.  It's frustrating to be out of the loop.  And like a third grader I have this fear that everyone will forget all about me.  WAH!!!  What I need is a digital camera.  I can't imagine going to these places and not being able to share what I see.  So that may be my first purchase with one of Bear's new paychecks.  I should warn him....nah.

Well my faithful few this is all for now.  I'll try to do better next time.  Have a great weekend and keep your chin up.

edit update again.

if you love cats and you read now and again...you MUST read this sweet book.

I stole a thing from Mel, who I think stole it from Morgane, who probably stole it from someone else.  Man we are a bad bunch aren't we.  Anyway when I typed in my username and saw what popped up, I had to copy it.  It's all the way down at the bottom.  If you really want to have fun type in some off the wall bull and see what it comes up with.  I personally liked the one that came up when I typed in Buttmonkey.

Still waiting on pictures, impatiently I might add.  I did scan one of her bridal photos...but of course I did something wrong and it won't upload.  Where the heck is AllieMcNally my all purpose help mom girl you might ask?  I'll tell you.  I sent her for a time out in St. Louis with her aunt and uncle.  Now I remember getting time outs from my mom and they NEVER involved St. Louis, six flags over mid-America or steak cookouts in the backyard.  I must have given her the wrong time out.

One more link...I know, I know.  I've already linked two people and have put in a shameless plug for the little thing at the bottom.  But this one is GOOD.  Guess who caught Emily's bouquet.   I'll give you three seconds

1.

2.

3.

Aw... you'll never guess.

one more link below.

A FELLOW XANGAN

Now how cool is that!  Click on the above and congratulate her or commiserate.  Whatever floats your boat. 

Hope everyone had a happy hump day!  I know I would have if Barry wasn't working nights.

I just tracked CAPPY he left the United States from Chicago at 6:14P.M.  At this rate he may be there ahead of his scheduled arrival.  Too bad I can't fly from Little Rock Arkansas to Halifax, Nova Scotia for $15.50

     Calling on all Xangans that were at the wedding and reception.   

I am sure there were at least ten or twelve there and if I didn't get to spend quality time with you I apologize.  I have a huge favor to ask.  If you took pictures can I please, please have copies.  I will gladly send the cost of reprints and postage.  My immediate family was so busy being in the wedding party I don't think anyone even took a picture.  It was wonderful to get to see those who were there.  As I get pictures I will post what was going on.  I'll also scan some bridal photos etc. All for now, edit update later.

Cappy is on his way to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Via Global Express!  I promise to update soon, but right now I'm going to collapse!!!

BAD BEAR!!!

I'm not really sure how it happened but I think it started here.  Now everyone knows that Cappy has a little drinking problem.  Probably from spending 20 years in a peach crate.  That's gotta make a gut thirsty.  In fact that may explain the extreme horniness as well.  After all if we spent that long hidden away we might all go a little crazy too.  "Friend bear" gave him the jug and told him to fill it up and stop by her place for a little late night T. V.  "That 70s Show" is one of her favorites and since Cappy missed most of the 70s he accepted the invitation.  When I stopped by things were fine.

He had just arrived and they were having a nice time in the living room.  I went to bed and evidently......

So did they!

   OH MY!

You better run you little bugger!

Needless to say he did his best to hide from me.  The little scalawag.  He told all kinds of tall tales to friend....convienantly leaving out that he will be on his way to Nova Scotia soon.  She being a ridiculously naive bear believed every word.  Of course I forgave him rather quickly, he has such a winning personality.  We went for a walk and he had a great time. Everything is blooming and after the rain we had, growing fast.  Including the mushrooms!

Can't say he doesn't have a sense of humor.

Have a happy hump day!

Memorial Day Adventures!

Hope everyone stateside had a good memorial day.  For those overseas, hope you had a great weekend.  I know memorial is spelled wrong on the picture...I'm out of time and out energy.  You chase a seabear for several days and see how well your brain holds up.  He's an awful lot of fun though, if you can keep up with him. 

Cappy went down to the fairgrounds where they were holding rehearsals for an upcoming beauty pageant, next thing you know he had invited all the contestants to a river side BBQ.  We thought one girl would be enough company, but not Cappy.  He invited them all.  Of course all the girls were fascinated with his stories of Australia and Kentucky.  I noticed though that he didn't mention his recent brush with the law or his trip to the clinic the next day.  He didn't have to clean up his Kentucky stories since efairy was able to keep him under control. 

When the party arrived at the river Cappy had to show a little Machismo.  I don't think he realized how high the bluff was until he climbed to the top.  Of course then it was to late to back down.  After a swig of liquid courage, he jumped.  Even I was impressed, after all that's a long jump.  You should have heard the clapping and cheering. 

Once the show was over they did some swimming.  At least the girls did, Cappy isn't a very good swimmer.  In fact he sinks like a rock.

Here they all are posing.  I personally believe he just wanted proof that he really did have a date with five girls.

By this time we were all starving.  Cappy and the girls got out the tables and chairs while I fired up the BBQ.  Notice how they are all relaxing and I'm not in the picture.

Well that would be because I was sweating over a hot grill while they played.

They all ate plenty, but that bear, no-one can eat like he can.  Holy cow!!

I don't think he's going to keep his pleasingly plump frame if he keeps this up.

When I finally said we had to pack up and go home he was rather sad that we had to call a halt to the party.  But when I told him in no uncertain terms he was not bringing home a girl to spend the night he got downright despondent.  When I went to his room to check on him look what I found.  I guess one of the girls had given him the bottle on the sly.  Of course to me it was a little bitty bottle.  But when I poured the last drop out and tasted it I realized it was pure moonshine.  Believe me, with that stuff it only takes a little bitty bottle.

Well, it's after 1 A.M. here and it's been a long fun filled day, but it's definitely time for this lady to get in bed.  I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.  If it wasn't a holiday where you are, then I hope your Monday was so good it felt like Friday.