Saturday, December 01, 2007

Random update

Wow, time is sure flying these days. I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post. As I've mentioned before, although this was originally a joint blog, I seem to be the only one posting so I'm unofficially designating this my blog. Like how I just take control? It's what is commonly known as an executive decision - no one is here so there is no need for a vote at this time. Comments, rebuttals and dissenting remarks are welcome (though not encouraged)....LOL!
Update, the new job is going well - no major problems or issues which is a good thing. With creating the job (or the department) from the ground up I've been pretty busy. Policies/procedures are relatively non-existent. We have a generic employee manual but there's a lot of work to modify and update as needed. With the approaching holiday season I'm finding out that there a lot of little things that now have been designated as the responsibility of HR Director. Christmas gifts for vendors, employees, employees families...what fun. Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm officially in charge of coordinating the company Christmas party. Yikes, that's going to be a challenge. Our CEO is out of town and hasn't made a decision on a date yet, so I can't really reserve a place and at this late date there aren't many places left in town. He wants employee fa miles invited - that means kids too. While I love kids, trying to plan some type of party that includes at least 15 little ones between the ages of 4 months and 15 yrs - now there's a challenge. He wants gifts of some sort for everyone. Can we have dancing too.....my thought is not with this group. You see, we only have a total of 15 employees, 3 of which will not be attending because they live in Adak - in the Aleutian Islands. OK, so that takes us down to 12 employees, plus spouse or guest. Approximately 24 adults and about 15 pint size people. Hmmmm, I'm thinking dancing may not be a good idea. And what to serve to this group? Let's not go there this morning. It's Saturday I need to be focusing on home decorations and possibly a little bit of Christmas shopping today. Can I do the shopping online - I'm sure gonna try!
Well, enough for now - I better get moving here or nothing will get done and I'll be even more pressed for time and, and, and....well, OK.....the brain has stopped so my fingers will too.
Love everyone - miss you bunches Ohio!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Back to the grind

The long commute, wondering what to wear each day, 8 to 5 schedule, weekends off, high gas prices, making the coffee in the morning, rushing out the door wondering what I forgot, praying the traffic won't be bad in the evenings....yep, back to normal, I guess. Every morning I open my closet and my shoes and boots start screaming....pick me, pick me! It's great to be missed. I started my new job on Monday and it's good, so far. Am I a little gun shy, you bet. But everyone seems really nice and it's pretty laid back. There was no HR department, so I'm starting from ground zero here. It's kind of fun. But that also means there's a lot of work to be done here.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

3 more sleeps

Thursday morning here and it's cold, cold, cold. And snowing - the wind isn't too bad but is supposed to pick up throughout the day. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? 9:45 am and not daylight, yet. Before you know it there will be no daylight up here on the slope. Thankfully I'll be gone by then.
Hope everyone had a great Halloween and got plenty of candy or little ones knocking on doors asking for candy. I'm really bummed that I missed it all, especially seeing D & R in their favorite costumes of the season.
Fighting a cold and praying I don't get sick. My new job starts on Monday and I sure don't want to walk in feeling miserable and potentially passing around germs to new co-workers. That would not be a good first impression.
Waiting for an update on F & peanut. F, how's you new job going? Are you loving it yet - have they realized you're the princess or are you still hiding that card? Just think, next year you'll can take peanut trick-or-treating! Wooohooo, the fun starts!
Love and hugs & kisses to everyone.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Fire alarm, OH NO!!!

Who would believe you actually have fire alarms on the North Slope. Well, last night about 10:30 pm, as I was sound asleep, all snuggled in my bed the damned alarm goes off. And believe me, it will wake the dead. With the weather up here you can't just go running outside - not a good idea in single digit temps. Luckily I sleep in a t-shirt and long pajama pants. I keep my slip on shoes close to the door and my winter coat hangs on the back of the door. Jump out of bed, slip into my shoes, grab my coat and make a run for it. Out into the freezing weather that will wake anyone up. So we're outside for about 5 minutes and we get the word that it's all clear. I stumble back upstairs and crawl back into bed. Oh wait, I did make a slight detour to the restroom - cold weather does that to me. Anyway, back in my room I crawl back into bed and then......wide awake. Yep, I'm staring at the dark ceiling listening to the wind howling outside...until about 2:00 am. Toss and turn, read for a bit, toss and turn some more. And then the crazy alarm goes off at 4:00 am. Ok, so I hit the snooze a couple of times and then dragged my sorry self out of bed, hit the shower and got to work. I get to my office and sure enough the network is down...something about a bad switch. It's been replaced and we're up and running. But I'm tired, so tired. It's gonna be a long, long day!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Counting down....

Six (6) more sleeps and I'll be home for good, thanks for the reminder SA. I have most of my stuff packed so I'll be ready Sunday - am I getting anxious, only slightly. I'll get home sometime Sunday evening and start my new job first thing Monday morning. That means it will officially be 27 straight days of work before I get a day off. Believe me, I'm sleeping in on Saturday 11/10. Just in case anyone gets the sick idea to call on that particular morning I'm moving the phone to the other end of the house and J will be in charge of answering it. But then it will be my first day off in 27 days and I don't want to waste it by sleeping the whole day away and I'm sure there's going to be loads of stuff to do. Housecleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and all that fun stuff. And I'll want to visit the family in Palmer....lord too much to do. I'm getting tired just thinking about it.
My big problem, what to wear for my first day on my new job. I know that sounds silly, but I'm not the type of person that can just go in and pull something out of my closet, throw it on and go. I have to think about it, you know, stand there with the closet doors open and just stare..... I usually start doing this the night before. Yes, it's a sickness of some sort. And I try to rotate my clothes so I'm not wearing the same thing too often. I do the same with my shoes - can't wear those because I just wore them yesterday so that means I can't wear the dress or pants I wanted to wear today because I wore those shoes with that so I have to pick somethng else, but those shoes aren't my favorite or the sweater is in the laundry, so pick something else, but what shoes to wear with that....you get the picture. So anyway, not having my closet here to stare at - I'm in a funk. Yes, of course I know what's in my closet but I have to be able to see it to really get an idea of what is there. I do have it narrowed down to 3 or 4 things at this point. I don want to make a good impression on my first day and I do want to be comfortable. I know, I know, stop whining! It's my world and I'll whine if I want to......Oh, isn't there a song about that, an oldie but a goodie. It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To...am I dating myself here?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Too early to think

Now I'm a firm believer in sleeping in on Saturday mornings - so why am I sitting at a computer at the ungodly hour of 7:00 am? Even worse, why did my alarm bother me at 4:00 am? Oh, that's right, work - my job. Damn, that means I have to stay awake until at least 6:00 pm tonight. Actually, later because this is laundry day for me. Damn again. I'll rush out of here at 6:00 pm and pray that a washing machine is open.
F - I don't know when I'm coming back to Ohio now that my work life is changing again. We have plenty of extra rooms between SM and me - when is someone from Ohio going to drop in for a visit? We would love to have one or two or ALL of you come at one time. Wouldn't that be a hoot! Come on, you know you want to visit us - you're dying for some snow. Too bad you can't get up here to the North Slope before I leave - now this is extreme weather.
Anyway, it's just another day - things are starting to wind down for some reason. I have work to do, but I also have a feeling that my boss may be holding on to a bunch and not passing it on to me. Do I care - don't think so. And if they think they can wait until the last day or so and expect me to bust my butt to get it done before I leave - again, don't think so.
Back later......

Friday, October 26, 2007

Another day in paradise...

The title of this post....well you hear it all the time up here on the North Slope. It's the constant phrase of nearly everyone. Pass someone in the hall and say "Hi, how's it going?" or just "Hey!" or "good morning" - the majority of the time the response will be, "Just another day in paradise." And if you've been up here for more than 30 seconds, you can definitely hear the ring of sarcasm in the statement. It's said in jest, of course, but it's also a way of keeping the spirits up around here. And in some ways and to some degree, it is true. Where else can you work and get approx 50% of the year off? Where else can you work and not have to pay for one single thing - food is provided - housing is provided - transportation is provided. Yep, while you're up here you pay for nothing. You just work and earn money.
So, you ask, why would anyone leave a dream job that pays extremely well, and allows you half the year off to do as you please? There's also another saying, "You go to work for a company because of the money, but you usually leave a company because of the people (or person). Well, I'm hear to tell you, in my case it is soooooo true. One person has literally turned me sour on the whole slope work experience. As my grandkids like to say, "Nine more sleeps and I'll be home." Before they could tell time and read a calendar it was (and still his for little R) their way of knowing when an event would happen, by the number of 'sleeps'. Well, G-ma will be going home in nine more sleeps.
Am I venting here, you bet! Ok, back to work here or I'll be going home a lot sooner!

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Happy dance time...

So I'm sitting up here on the North slope in the bitter cold, a whopping 4.9 degrees, with the wind chill factor and yes it's snowing. As some of you know, I dearly love the snow. I don't even mind the cold. But what I can't stand, absolutely hate is the wind. The kind that just goes clear to your bones and about knocks you over when you step outside the door. Now, I'm not the smallest person in the world - I have my extra pounds, but this stuff is making it hard for me to stand up. And having to wear safety glasses when you go outside just to keep the snow and wind and dirt from blinding you - literally - now this I hate.
So with that in mind, I have a spring in my step today knowing this will be my last hitch up here. Yep, I've found another job - back in Anchorage. I've turned in my notice and my last day will be November 4. That is if they want me to stay that long....lol! Seriously, it's not unusual up here that once you give notice of intent to resign they buy you a ticket home and kiss your sorry ass good-bye, which of course, I won't mind. I've already started packing, just in case. I'll miss so many of the people up here that I've gotten to know and I'll miss the dinners with K - it's really been nice just chatting with him in the evenings when we're both up here. But, because of "conflicts with management styles" (how does that one sound) I have decided I would rather not work under these conditions - and I'm not talking about the weather. Family knows the problems I've been having and I know they understand what I'm referring to. Besides, I miss wearing my 3" heels to work everyday and I miss my business suits! Family can also tell you how I love my clothes!
Really though, the last couple of months have been tough. I've bitten my tongue more than I care to admit. I'm not the type of person to walk out on a job so I've done my best to remain professional, keep quiet, and feverishly search for another job. Well, thank the lord ( and believe me, I'm doing a lot of that) I've found another job.
More later - I better get some work done, just in case they tell me to leave today....LOL!!!!!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Don't let SM read this!!

If you are SM please don't read this...please! I'm certainly not trying to ruin your day but.......IT'S SNOWING! Yes, I know I'm on the north slope and we're supposed to get tons of snow. But it's those gorgeous flakes that are coming down in bunches and bunches...the ones I so love. And yes, I know I'll be complaining about the cold and the ice....but IT'S SNOWING!! At this rate we're going to get quite a bit by morning. Thank goodness I'm not close to SM right now or she'd smack me. I won't be doing the happy dance outside - my luck, I'd fall on my kiester!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Passing wave!

Not much happening these days, but i thought I'd pop in and wave Hi to everyone. It's getting just a tad cold up here on the slope - a whopping 16 degrees right now - and it's the middle of the day. That tells me it's just going to get colder and colder. The snow is not bad, but that's because the crazy wind keeps blowing it so much. Yes, horrible winds. I literally could not get the door open to get in the truck yesterday. I finally gave up and walked (or let myself be blown) around to the passenger side and got in. What can I say....this is really an advanture!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Looking for the time.....

Yes, there are two clocks, no three clocks that I can easily see - oh wait, four clocks counting the one in the lower corner of my monitor, so I'm not looking for the exact time right now. I'm looking for the two and one-half weeks that flew by since I got home from the slope. I'm scheduled to fly back up this Sunday and I don't know where the time has gone. Oh sure, I've gotten all kinds of things accomplished, but at the same time it seems like I haven't gotten enough done and there is still so much I'd like to do before Sunday rolls around.
On the upside I've spent some badly needed snippets of time with the family; lunches, dinners, sitting around talking and a couple of shopping trips. I've also done a bit of re-organizing here at home - nothing major, just little stuff. Visited with friends and still have a couple of lunches scheduled to visit with more friends before leaving on Sunday.
Oh, and my brother would enjoy dinner tonight at my house - you see SM has class tonight so Keith and the kiddos are coming over for liver & onions. SM detests liver and onions - she cringes at the thought of even smelling it, but Jim, Keith and I love it so this is the prime time to have it. Of course I'll fix something else for the grandkids as they haven't developed the taste for it yet. I can still remember growing up and hearing Mom say she was making liver & onions for supper. I was in heaven! So dear brother, hop a flight and I'll have it ready when you get here. Yes, I know, your wife will fix it for you, but think of the fun conversations we could have about the old days.
I've started back to weight watchers. It's so true what they say about the food on the North Slope - it's dangerously delicious. I have a few extra pounds that I had lost that have mysteriously re-appeared since starting my job up north. Well, it's time to get rid of them and get back on track. It's just so darned tempting with nothing else to do up there - work, eat, sleep.
Did I mention the chill in the air? It's about 22 degrees right now...I think that's slightly more than a chill. The lovely weatherman is calling for snow by the end of the week. Nothing major yet, but we're about ready for it. My one wish would be for the grandkids to have one warm Halloween. One time of not having to wear so many layers of clothing under and over the Halloween costumes. D does fine with it cause she's our warm baby (baby? lord, she's 9), but R has a tough time with it. He's not the winter child that D is. His idea of trick or treat is to wear his costume around the house all day, go to a few (very few) houses close in the neighborhood and then head back to their nice warm cozy home and help hand out candy to the other kids. Of course, there's his rational thinking of just dumping the candy that Mom bought for the other kids into his trick or treat bag. After all, he's her favorite trick or treater, right?
OK, so sitting here isn't getting anything accomplished, or maybe it is. I'm kind of, more-or-less, catching you up on my life. How exciting, huh?
Better get moving or I'll get nothing done today.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

AK update......

So, I'm finally taking the time to sit down and post something. Yes, it's been way too long since my last post and there is simply no excuse.
Pressing news....HAPPY BIRTHDAY F!!!!! I can't believe it's that time again. Wow, the time is just flying by. Another whole year. I still think of F as that little girl teetering around in the back yard with her wispy hair blowing in the wind, trying to keep up with SM. Why does that image come to mind so often when I think of F?
Things have been busy as usual, but at the same time nothing much has been going on. If you read SM's post you can see that life in her house is flying by with not nearly enough time to squeeze in everything.
We're busy getting ready for the rapidly approaching winter here in Alaska. Fall is here and won't be around much longer. The 'termination dust' in on the mountains. That's the verbiage we use when you see the snow on the mountains slowly (or rapidly) making its way down to us. It's a huge topic on the radio and everywhere you go. "Did you see the termination dust this morning? - - There's a lot more termination dust today." You kind of look at people like, have you never seen snow on the mountains before? WT_? This is Alaska for heavens sake. It snows in Alaska a LOT and for a LONG time. It just means you better get yourself in gear and get ready for it. Today we're going to winterize the camper and put the lawn chairs and in the storage shed and store the riding mower and move the 4-wheelers and position the snow blower in the garage for easy access, things like that. I had my studded tires mounted on the car yesterday and will get the oil changed one day this coming week. I've rounded up my gloves and snow pants and hats and boots, all the necessities for winter life. J is busy complaining about the chill in the air...it's Alaska for heavens sake. He keeps saying he loves living in Alaska, but then he hates the cold. I know, makes no sense. Nearly everyone does the same thing, but continue to live here. Me, I so love the snow. It's gorgeous. D and I have this thing about the snow and it makes SM a little crazy. SM doesn't want to hear about it. I can understand because she has to drive in it so much for the kids. Running them around everywhere with the nasty roads and the stupid drivers. The STUPID Alaska drivers - now that's what makes me absolutely crazy. You would think that people have never driven in snow and ice before. They act like maniacs. The need to slow down is completely foreign to some. Accidents abound and that just makes it harder to drive.
Without going into detail, things are very strained at work. Yes, I'm looking for a job, but it's not all that easy. We'll just wait and see what happens.
I'm so excited about becoming a great-aunt in May, 2008. This is incredible news and we're all so happy! An addition to our family is such a wonderful thing for all of us. We may not live close, but we're still a close family and share in each others good times (and bad). The time will fly by and before you know it our little F will be a Mom...how cool is that. She's going got make such a good Mom and L will be a good Dad, I'm sure.
OK, so I'm rambling. J just got off the phone, talking to his sister in GA so he wants to talk now. I'll post more later.
Love everyone and miss the Ohio family!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Ok, back to work...

Good morning all:
Yes, I know for most of you it's mid-to-late morning, but for some of us (Alaska) it 7:00 am. I'm up, have started pouring coffee in me, taken my shower and getting ready to pack. The limo service will be here at 11:30 for the drive into Anchorage to catch the plane. Thanks for the words of encouragement...I'll keep the "stiff upper lip" and keep on trudging along. Yes F, I know you know all too well the emotions I'm feeling right now and it ain't fun! Life goes on and we can only do so much. I know I'm right and that does help my own integrity and professionalism...hopefully it will help me keep my job....LOL! I'll keep you posted. Ok, time to turn this thing off so I cac pack it up! Hugs, kisses........
Love everyone.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Time to head up north again

Ok, it's Thursday morning and I have loads of stuff to do today because I'm scheduled to go back to the slope tomorrow. So what am I doing...sitting here browsing the blogs. I'm in a funk. I'm not looking forward to returning to the slope. Ok family, go ahead, "I told you so!" No, I do like my job up north, but without going into detail (another story for another day) my boss and I are not seeing eye to eye and I have this fear (not fright as in afraid, just a foreboding) that if I don't end up quitting I'm going to get fired. Yes, it's serious and I've never been in a situation like this before. Again, without going into detail - I'm the new person so someone is going to take the blame - take the fall - and it looks like it's going to be me, not her. Needless to say, I'm dreading the whole confrontation, but not much I can do about it. Yep, I'm seeking other employment but we all know that it's not easy to just miraculously find another job in 2 weeks. To compound my funk, I was watching the grankids last evening while SM was at class and sure enough D was crying - for a couple of reasons. But when she came over and curled up in my arms and said she didn't want me to go back to the slope for three weeks, that it was too long for me to be away and she would miss me so much...yep, that did it! The poor girl has no idea of anything else going on with my job right now, but that just did me in.
Oh well, I'll keep you all posted. Love everyone!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Hiya peeps....

Just poppin in to say "Hiya" and to let you know I am really going to try to do bettter posting on my blog... really I am. With pics of the kiddos & all :)
Love ya!

Friday, August 24, 2007

See, I told you so....

Yep, I'm back already! I mentioned in my previous post that I'd be on a posting bing and here I am.

I forgot to mention my latest obsession, thanks to SM and D. I'm into the whole Harry Potter thing. I'm on book 3 and loving it. When the Harry Potter craze started I had no interest at all. It was just another kids series. But then when the final book came out and SM and D were so excited I thought, what the heck, try to read a little of it. And that did me in. I need to do some housecleaning and start my algebra and do some grocery shopping - but no, I can here "The Prisoner of Azkaban" calling me. Hide the book, hide the book....don't look at the book, don't think about Harry Potter! Oh, and SM loaned me book 1 and 2 on VHS. Hmmmm, maybe I need to see if our old VHS still works in the grandkids room. I mean, that would be a form of housecleaning, right? If the old VHS machine doesn't work anymore I could toss it out and there you have it...housecleaning. But then I would have to hop in the car and run over to SM's house and use her VHS so I could watch the movies. Oh wow, more housecleaning because that would mean I would be getting those movies out of my house. So maybe, in a strange way, watching Harry Potter is a form of housecleaning. I knew I could make it work to my advantage. (Yes, the grandkids have "their room" at our house.)

Another day up north

Wooohooo, someone besides me posted to the blog! I was sooooo excited - until I read SA's other blog noting that this post was supposed to go over there. Doesn't matter, I was just excited to know that someone - anyone - still looks at this thing! Ok, so now I'm going to be on a posting spree.

Life is life - nothing really exciting. I'm mid-way thru my first official 2 week R&R. The time is flying by and before you know it next Friday will be here and I'll be up at the butt-crack of dawn (2:30 am) to get ready for the limo ride to the airport to I can make my flight back up to the slope. My flight leaves at 7:00 am, barring weather problems, so I have to be there 2 hours early - ok, that's 5:00 am - and it's a 1 hour trip to the airport so the limo arrives in my driveway at 4:00 am. For anyone who may not know me too well - I am NOT a morning person so I have to get up early to drag my sorry butt around the house trying to get ready. I can't stand the rushing around at the last minute - it just makes me tired and wanting to go back to bed.

The grandkids started school this week. For D is was not too big of a deal as she's in 4th grade now, but R has just started kindergarten. Huge deal for both R and Mom. He is so excited to be going to school. Day 2 and he was already telling SM that she didn't have to walk him to his room. Wonderful, but once he gets to his classroom there a things that need to be done before he starts socializing with his new friends. He's such a boy - why worry about hanging up your backpack or putting your lunch away or even taking off your coat? But the teachers say he's doing well. And having them both in school all day will hopefully give SM some precious time to work on her studies - sure, right! She's such a Mom - help out whenever the school needs last minute help - pick up her friends kids when a last minute emergency pops up - if things don't change she's not going to get any studying done when her peeps are busy at school.

On another note - there is a definite chill in the air in Alaska. Summer is winding down fast. The leaves haven't started turning colors yet, but give it another week or two and they'll be falling off the trees in bushels and then the snow won't be far behind. The State Fair started so we'll be heading over there this weekend to indulge in all the healthy food we can handle. The big difference is that at our fair we need to take jackets/sweaters/ and even some gloves if we're going to be staying late into the evening. It gets darn chilly. Back in Ohio we'd be sweating our armpits off!

Ok, enough for now. I have to dig into my fun new project for this fall - College Albegra. Class starts on Thursday and I want to try to get a headstart now - lord knows I'm going to need it. It's an online class which is a plus because with my job I can't attend classes when I'm on the slope. Wish me luck with this one - I'm sure going to need it. (Oh, did I mention how much I hate algebra - and algebra hates me right back!)

Friday, August 17, 2007

Lost in time.....

Okay so it's been awhile since the last post. So much has happened in that time that I don't know where to begin. SO.......let's start new.

I am now officially a mother-in-law. Our daughter got married this May. It was a beautiful wedding if I do say so myself. The weather was perfect, the dresses and tuxs were stunning (oh, that was the people in them), everything arrived on time the way it was supposed to be, the hall was beautiful, the food was good, we had great music, the photographer took great pictures, and fun was had by all. It was a very fast wedding week that's for sure. You almost wish you had a slow down button so you could enjoy that week longer. Or maybe even a replay button to do it all again. We did so many fun things and all of our family came home. I know that my husband & I will treasure the memories of that week forever. It was such a great week that I am having trouble coming up with the words that could even begin to explain it. I could go on and on.......but I won't. J & I are very happy to have L as part of our family. Even though he is a zucchini addict. :)

S& L added to their family within a couple of weeks after the wedding. NO.....not a baby........a puppy. Gracie is a very cute goldendoodle. They say she's pretty dumb but she's SO cute. She loves attention. You could pet her all night and it wouldn't be too much for her.

I got a new boss in February. He is a very laid back talker. No, I'm not kidding and S & L can verify this fact. He could possibly talk more than some people in our family. I said possibly. It's nice to work for someone that doesn't push or demand. However, he is very S...L...O...W....at making decisions which does rush me at the end of every week. I am a church secretary so there are bulletins for 3 services (all different) that need to be typed, printed and folded for Sunday morning. Not to mention his 2 bulletins. I'm actually getting used to not having the info before Thursday morning but it still makes me panic alittle. Other than this little kink, work is going pretty good.

So many other normal, day-to-day things have happened that I'm not going to write about them. Let's just say that life is good and I try to enjoy every day. Some days are better than others.....but there is at least one blessing in every day. Find that blessing and thank God for it. Tell your family how much you love them every day. (Yes, I try to talk to my daughter every day. L too.) I have found life easier to deal with by doing these things. Enjoy life, thank God for your blessings, and tell your friends and family you love them. It doesn't necessarily change the trials of life but it makes them alittle easier to handle. So to my family and friends.......I LOVE YOU and I'm off to enjoy another day!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Back at it in Alaska

So we've made it back to Alaska in one piece....too many tears to count, but we're in one piece. The trip was great and the wedding was beautiful. My brother and sister (in-law) did an incredible job (way too much work for two people) and everything was just perfect for Miss F's special day. As the saying goes, the bride was radient. The groom had stars ( and a tear or two) in his eyes as he saw her walking down the aisle. My brother (Father of the bride) held up much better than I expected. After all, this is his baby he is giving to another man....as much as he loves L (the groom), I know how hard it was for him and I can only love him more. He's such a good brother, great Dad, loving husband, and just all around fantastic man. His wife and daughter are blessed to have him in their lives. SA (mother of the bride) was gorgeous and you could see the love between the two of them as they watched their baby girl become a married woman. The happy couple is on honeymooning in Vegas and "Mom and Dad" are busy picking up the pieces - returning tuxes, returning wedding cake parts, returning tables and chairs, etc, etc, etc.
Amid the joyous moments we had to leave Ohio once again. Let me tell you..it doesn't get any easier. Good byes at the airport were the hardest, of course.
Well, the tears are starting again and I need to get busy with the laundry I've brought back with me and all the other real life stuff again. Vacations can only last so long.......
Love, hugs, and kisses to the Ohio family. I'll start saving my pennies again and make the trip back ASAP.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

March 17,2007

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything here....and so much has happened. The family is in Hawaii, I'm going to be starting a new job soon, Miss Femmie is getting married, etc., etc. Oh, and of course the famous WW update...I've officially hit my goal weight! Am I excited, you bet!
Ok, so I need to write more, but I've got to get to the tanning bed before they close for the evening.
More later...I promise. I just wish someone besides me would start posting again...hint, hint, hint!

Love everyone!