23 days to St Louis

Yes it is.... so far I'm still going to St Louis to babysit my brother's kids. While the flight isn't direct - through Raleigh 1st for a several hour layover, it's at 11:30 am and not at 7am!

It's funny as my brother thinks it will be a vacation for me. I find it funny to 'hear' how other people perceive my activities. More on this in a later blog. While it will be a change of venue, it won't be a 'real' vacation. The original trip was slated for September - during the nice weather, sun still up, etc and a friend of mine was going to be available so that she and I could take a couple of days together. Now, it's a shorter trip, Leslie has a job(yahoo for her) and isn't as available - we will have to see if I can slip in a day to spend with her!

So far I've heard that during the week, Thurs to Thurs - the kids will be having a couple of half days! LOL for my work day. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing treat to be able to have some group and one-on-one time with my nieces and nephew. Over the last several years, I'm lucky to be able to share up to 20 hours with them in a year. I'm sure my sister-in-law will have every minute scheduled during my stay with all their activities. It will be a whirlwind of a time!

In order to get "order" to this upcoming week, I'll need to make sure I can have an internet connection for my laptop; see if the library out there has some books that I can have 'pre-borrowed' for me. At least I can order my downloadable audio books. I looked at the St Louis Library site, very lean on the dounloadable audio books. Then there is the St Louis County Library system - a few more books, still lean compared to the number of titles we offer. Need to ask my sister-in-law if they have a card I can "use" while they are away. I need to find a yoga class / studio! That would be helpful as I would be missing two of my classes here - not a good thing.

I've alot of computer work to accomplish; wish to work on some lace or crochet projects; then there is Friends Membership stuff to coordinate; last minute Tellabration items to do; Christmas cards need to be worked on; preparing my master list of work; then all the forms and papers that need to be assembled (either paper or electronic form). I'm just laughing as I have a pile of work that needs to get out of here before I leave and make sure I have Paulette all set for the days I'll be out there. She and I can work remotely so lots of the year end projects can go on without a hitch.

It will be interesting to say the least! Onward - go West!!

Shelby Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Dear Shelby!

So you are now 13 years old - A first official teen year. I remember the day your Dad called from the hospital to let me know that you arrived - and that you were a girl (I told him !) and that you would be named Shelby.

I said - why did you name her after a British sports car? Later it was said that your Mom like the name from a movie she saw. I've seen the movie and it is great. You are as beautiful - I think more so - than the actress called by the same name.

You are such a gem - we all enjoyed your tales of Shelbyville and I especially loved your time with your fairy princess dress that Christmas - You would wear it all the time.

Fast forward and wow you are a tremendous young lady - talented and so funny!

I wish you a Happy Birthday -------- and see you in less than a month!

Love,

Aunt Potty

Help has arrived

With the move organized - two guys and the truck, assistance in order pre-move and day of move, now my focus comes back to my new home. Bob, the carpenter guy, just left with a list of misc stuff, like the "honey do" list I've heard about. In my life, it's the "me do" list. I've got a stack of little pesky items, threshhold here, fix wallboard there, custom fit a shelf here, open the back of a cabinet and put on a door, the garage shelving system were among the more top of the list items. One bonus in talking about my place, is to install more insulation in the attic. There's about 6inches of the pink stuff up there - so adding another layer up there would be helpful in cutting down in loss of heat/air conditioning. It's a bit bigger project than expected, yet I'll save on the utilities over time - yet it's not very sexy!

So I have my shopping list, a few items to get back to him on. Whoo hooo a few more items of progress. I'm looking forward to having my furniture and art work brought over. Now the task of decorating is in order. Ugh!

I Missed It

oh well, they say it is a deep subject. I missed the 1st showing of the presidental debate. Tuned in to see the second showing. ok It was riviting, interesting, generally polite - didn't say much to me either way.

The next morning - comments were that the "boys" played too nice. No real name calling, or jabs. What do the pundits and media think.... is this Monday night wrestling? Anyway - saw part of the Larry King interview of Mrs. Obama. She seems like a bright and intelligent lady. Again, it didn't hold my attention.

Current events say more to what is going on. Who's writing the check to pay for all of this? Govt - guess again. It's you and me. The stock market behaves like a yoyo, gives the media lots of great graphics to show. Yet no one ------ I really mean ----- no one, is accepting responsibility for this mess. Throwing more $$'s on it (especially with an open checkbook) will not, I'll repeat, will not fix it! Put $$'s in the pot, unattended and you invite the crooks and not-so-nice-people to come by and begin the greed cycle. Oh well..... it is a deep subject.

PS who is going to pay for the beer?