marbles. . . . . . . .

Courtney and Cody has just spent the last week with Grandma and Grandpa.  So, on Friday after work, I went to Bison for the night.  And what FUN we had!  Haha! Can you tell by the picture above that Mom was having a total BLAST!!!  We played a marble game that is just about like the game Sorry.  You have to roll a double on your dice to get out of home to go around the board.  Well, I just wasn't so lucky and just couldn't get out of home.  Finally Cody said . . . . We are family.  I will help you.  So, he would take my marble, put it in his home, and when he would roll a double he would put my marble out so I could get out.  What a sweetie.  We all laughed so much!!  Then yesterday Jenny, Taylor & Haylee came.  I stayed for supper and then came on home, while they were going to spend last night there.  After supper they all got to Skype with Jessica and Michele.  It sounded like they had a really nice chat and all the kids got to see what the girls new duplex looks like. Then today Jenny & girls had to go home.  And Mom and Dad had to take Courtney and Cody home.  Bet Mom and Dad's house will be pretty quiet tonight!!!

it's my birthday. . . . . . . . it's my birthday. . . .

NOT!  But it was on Tuesday.  And I think there was a secret message. . . . .

The girls mailed me this for my birthday.  A wine glass that has three different fill lines.  "Don't even ask. . "  "Rough Day. . " and "Easy Day. ."  And I agree with them!!  It fits me just perfectly!

The picture below is of the ladies in the office.  Minus my boss Brenda who is on vacation.  We pick names and you bring treats for that person's birthday.  Sheree had mine.  She brought homemade brownies with german chocolate frosting and also a cake.  And the cake had a name . . . . .  "Give me a break".  Do you think they are trying to tell me something??

Thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes and the gifts!  Life is good.

butterflies. . . . .

I'm starting to get butterflies in my tummy!!!  And they are from the excitement of our upcoming vacation.  We are under less than a month to go.  Michele just got my big camera sold, and I have already bought a new smaller one.  Just waiting for my memory card to come in the mail.  (Thanks Mishi! And Jessica for the driving!!) This morning I had to make a quick trip to Hays to have two more molds for my implant.  While there I picked up a few things at Wally World.  New case for my new camera.  AND a waterproof camera for Sea World.  Does anyone know of any great places we should stop at on the way to or from San Antonio and Houston??  These girls are gonna have F.U.N!

pages. . . . .

As you can tell, lately I have been changing my blog a LOT.  I just haven't been able to find exactly what I want. So beware. . . . it may be happening some more.  Until then, hang on for the ride.  But I do think I'm getting there.  You will notice that under my title page, there are some new tabs.  Home ~ Charlene ~ & Grandpa.  If you click on the Charlene, it will take you to her page.  And if you click on Grandpa, it will take you to his page.  After being on those pages, you can click on Home and it will bring right back here.  As I get more time I will be updating these.  Adding more pictures and more of my feelings of my sweet sweet little sister and my loving father~in~law. 

I've also added back my followers.  Right column and under my blog list.  Add yourself !!!!  :-)

A young girl came up to her mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper and handed her a piece of paper that she had been writing on.  After her mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said: 

For washing the dishes :  $2.00

For cleaning up my room this week :  $5.00

For going to the store for you :  $.50

For sweeping the kitchen floor :  $2.00

For taking out the garbage :  $1.00

For getting a good report card :  $5.00

For babysitting my little sister while you went shopping :  $.25

Total owed :  $15.75

Well, her mother looked at her daughter standing there, and the memories flashed through her mind.  She picked up the pen, turned over the paper her daughter had written on, and this is what she wrote :

For the nine months i carried you while you were growing inside me :  No Charge

For all the nights I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you :  No Charge

For all the trying times and all the tears you've caused through the years :  No Charge

For all the nights that were filled with dread :  No Charge

For all the worries I know ahead :  No Charge

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose :  No Charge

Dear daughter, when you add it up, the cost of my love is : No Charge

When the girl finished reading what her mother had written, there were big tears in her eyes, and she looked straight at her mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you."  And then she took the pen and in great big letter, on her list of what her mother owed, she wrote :  PAID IN FULL.

good. . . . good. . . . .

The girls are doing awesome in Topeka!!  They are both keeping busy and are loving living together.  I think a lot of bonding is going on.  Jessica is going to be extremely busy the next couple weeks.  She will be working MANY hours as they have "Turn".   Michele has made it through her first week at Security Benefits and sounds like she is really enjoying it.  She has already been told that she can pick up more hours when she needs too and also that she is going to be able to use her internship as credit hours towards her degree.  Roger and I have been both busy with work.  When at home we are in the process of re-doing our living room.  He bought me all new furniture and I am LOVING it!  Just a few more little things here and there.  Then we should be done. . . . . in that room anyways.  Most evenings we are spending in our garden.  This summer has been extremely challenging with the heat.  With so many days over 100 ~ 107 degrees, we have had to start watering it twice a day.  And still it seems to be very droopy when we go out.  The strawberries are just kind of sitting there.  But the strawberry pot that Mom and Dad got me is growing like a weed.  I love going out every night to water it and eating my berries!  Thank you!  Thank you!!  Our tomatoes are doing so so.  They are growing good and do have tomatoes on them.  BUT the tomatoes seem to be staying green.  We have only had one that has turned red.  No problems at all with the cucumbers!!!!  I plant pickling cucumber and they seem to be going to town.  I think before long we will be making pickles.  We just LOVE those pickles!!!!!!

wowzers. . . . . .

I received this in an email from my cousin Rick. Poor ice cream truck. . . . hehe. I thought this really explained how it was outside today. HOT! 

112 degrees today. . . . . . .

 

really??? . . . . . . . NOT!

Today, at work, an employee was "reading palms". She had read many books about palm reading since she was so interested in it. As I walked up she was telling someone that they were going to have children, but later in life. I laughed and asked for her to read mine. She told me that my lines showed I had 4 children. I said no, I only had 2 and that if I had 2 more. . . . . . I'd be famous. (I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago.) She asked if I had any step children. I said. . . . . No. She said. . . . . maybe I will have 2 stepchildren later in life. Hmmmmmmm. . . . . . . think not!

did you know. . . . . . . .

that today is. . . . . . . .

National Ice Cream Day!!! 

holy cow?? no........ HOLY MOLY!!

Here today it was 107 degrees. In Topeka..... 103 degrees. But with the humidity. . . . . . felt like 116!  HOLY CRAP!!!!!

in a pickle......

Once again..... someone was in a pickle. Us or her?? Story of my life! Roger and I went to Hays last night after I got off work. We went and picked up my new living room furniture (by the way... I just LOVE!). Got home, ate BLT's for supper and then decided to bring in my new purchase. I told Roger that I needed to vacuum the carpet as I had shampooed it a few nights before. While I was vacuuming, Jorge started barking and was just having a cow. Roger came walking in the house.... shaking his head. I asked... "What is up Jorge's behind?" and Roger responded..... "Look out the dang window!" And what did I see??? A young girl. Not any taller than 5 foot and couldn't have weighted 90 lbs wet. She said she was 35, but looked to be about maybe the girl's age. Her name was MK  and she was "on a journey". On her way from DC and going to California. Was not quite prepared for the hot weather and was getting a little dehydrated. Roger gave her water. Then she asked for a ride to the next town. Don't get me wrong..... I know you can't trust anyone. Roger had said that he would take her, but was worried. A strange girl could just make up any story. His word against hers. She was a LOT friendlier with him than with me. And we just didn't want to go there. So..... sorry Mom..... don't holler..... but I gave her a ride to Quinter. I'm pretty sure I could have taken her down. (Or at least I hope so!) But said, done and over with. I did what I did and felt pretty good last night about it. We have become a pretty good judge of character in the last 6 years. From the two mexican's almost running me over and then making out in my driveway.... to "The Virgin Whores" needing help.... to the mexican wanting to come  in and use our phone. We even joked a couple weeks ago  when a very nice young man stopped by and asked for Roger's help jump starting "his" tractor in the field next to our pasture. Or at least we really hope that it was his.... if anybody asks..... we know nothing. :-) 

yeeeeeeehaaaaaawwwwwwww......

One word........  H.A.P.P.Y!!!  Michele GOT the internship at Security Benefits. That smile on her face just isn't leaving.  Congrats Girl!

Jess and Shell.......

Send a Teddy Bear Note at WiddlyTinks.com

Happy 4th of July......

eat..... sleep...... & SHOP!

Well.... my girls are on their way back to Topeka as I type. Roger is off Friday afternoon thru Monday morning, so we got to spend the time together as a family.  And we had such a great time. But, the visit went way to fast! We went to Hays...... ate....... and did a little shopping. Then we went home and got to spend a lot of bonding time!  Glada & Audrey came up for a bbq yesterday evening. Roger bbq'd hamburgers and we also had homemade potato salad, cucumbers & tomatoes. YUM YUM! I'm sure I gained 10 lbs. We had such a nice time visiting. Michele has to work tomorrow.... :-( . But that is okay, we do what we have to do.  Jenny, Taylor, Haylee & I are planning a weekend in Topeka here in the next few weeks. What fun we can have!!!!!

CAN'T WAIT!!!!