Vacation Entry--Day 2

Okay, I was a little too hard on our guide, Corky. He was very patient with a beginner grandma!! I even caught the first fish!! And several more to boot!! I hooked the biggest fish, but unfortunately, it jumped right off the hook while we were trying to land him!! Bummer!! All in all, a very good day!! And the scenery was beautiful!! I will add some pictures when I figure out how!! It was hot and it didn't rain--no hypothermia!! It felt very good to get a large iced tea and cool off.

Now I'm all showered up and ready for the evening. We are going to a chinese restaurant tonight with the gal we are staying with. It's a bed and breakfast without the breakfast. And we have become friends with the homeowner and are having a wonderful time!! If you are ever coming out the Aztec, New Mexico or Durango, Colorado, give her a call!!

Tomorrow is now up in the air--I don't think our guide wants to guide us again!! So we may have to just go shopping!!

Vacation Time!!

We made it into Colorado yesterday amid pouring rain!! I have to say I sort of like it--since it "never rains in California"! Tomorrow we are going fly fishing. My biggest concern is getting soaked while out on the boat and dying of hypothermia!! Our guide, (young and cocky) assured me that he could row the boat back to shore in 45 minutes from anywhere on the lake. And how long does it take to die of hypothermia again? I don't feel very assured personally!! I will put that out of my mind and go as prepared as I can for the possible weather changes!!

That aside, Lonnie and I have only had one "knock down, drag out" conversation so far in three days, so I guess that's a good start. We're not really used to the 24/7 lifestyle!! And only one desperation call from my sister. Funny how her emergencies always come up when I am on vacation. And then, the friends who are staying in our home called to say the electrical outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms are going out!! Fantastic!! I'm feeling so relaxed already!! And it's only 10:00 a.m.!! I know it's 5 o'clock somewhere--bring out the wine!!

What to Wear!!

Just checked out the weather forecasts for the next three weeks in our respective locations--you know to prepare for packing, etc. Well, with the exception of rain/thunderstorms in Colorado most of the days we are there, it will be consistently in the 90's across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas and of course all parts in between! Actually makes packing quite easy!! One rain jacket, and the rest hot weather clothes!! Whoopee--Summer in the midwest!! (One thing the weather channel doesn't mention--the humidity will choke us!! Yikes!!) There is no clothing appropriate for the humidity/heat combination!! Except a bathing suit while sitting in the pool!! Course, I have to take my fishing clothes!! We have special shirts, you know. Exciting!! Can't wait!!

Summertime!

I have 71 days of summer vacation from work!! I am very blessed, it is true. But it seems 33 of those days have already gone. And the question is Where? It's true I spent 3 days camping at the beach, a week long road trip with Sarah and kids to Boise, had amazing house guests from Tennessee for a week--such a fun time!!

So, now that I have actually counted it all out (that is of course, including weekend days!), I will start tomorrow taking some positive action. There are now 38 days left of my summer vacation. That's positive, right? Starting Friday, I will spend the better part of 16 days in the car on a road trip. We will be trout fishing in Colorado, looking at retirement property, going to Lonnie's high school reunion, visiting family and friends in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. And doing a lot of driving. It's a good thing, right?--no tv, unwanted phone calls, and I'm really looking forward to it! I've got my music lined up, my snack list prepared, our stops planned, and I'm mostly packed. That leaves 22 days. Later in August, my sister and I will be flying to Kansas (again?) for "her" vacation. (8 more days gone)

Now I'm down to 14 days!! No, not enough! I can't get everything in that I want to do! I want to go to the beach, clean out all my closets, go to lunch with numerous friends, play with my grandkids, read at least 10 more books, have a few BBQs at my house, and do a lot more relaxing! I haven't seen any of the new summer movies--Toy Story 3, etc. All I can say is, I'm going to very busy spending up these 14 days!! I don't see much sleep in the near future!! It's worth it--I love my summer!!

It's Spring--and I'm uplifted!!

It's been a great weekend--first of all, fantastic weather--sorry to all of you who had snow on the first day of spring--so sad!! But we played and played--outside!! Now, sadly, I am getting ready for tomorrow--two solid days of teaching and parent conferences. But then, Wednesday I fly to Kansas--there had better not be snow when I get there!! I'm expecting some spring weather!! So get it together!! (As you can tell, I am a fan of the multiple exclamation marks!!) I choose to be excited about the small stuff--after all, it's all small stuff!! I am probably about as dorky as they come!! At least according to certain members of my family--me and my matching clothes! Woohoo!! I know I am rambling, but unlike other Sunday nights, I feel fantastic!! Have a super week friends!!

Sunday blues

I've got a bad case of the "Sunday Blues". Church was very inspirational--in fact some serious tears were shed as I was duly convicted and challenged. Lonnie grilled some steaks--that along with a delicious salad and my favorite veggie, broccoli, topped off a wonderful Sunday dinner. Lonnie even cleared the table. So what is my problem? If I knew, maybe I could do something about it. I just feel low, sad, lonely, depressed, even a little angry--need I go on? Those words alone make me feel even worse. Who ever said it is good to talk about your problems? I think I am in serious need of some girlfriend time--my life just isn't cutting it right now. Maybe another part of that is I'm not sure I even have any girlfriends. I've not been very good at cultivating my friendships these past few years. Anyone up for some girl time fun? Call me!

New Picture Needed!!

We have a new grandson!! and consequently, we need a new photo for my blog! For those of you who didn't know, Mark and Kristen have been trying to adopt a little boy from Haiti for over 2 years. When Kristen was visiting him in Haiti two weeks ago, the 7.0 earthquake hit causing much devastation, and fear on our part regarding their safety. We finally heard she was safe and all the children in the orphanage were safe, but it was not a good place for any of them. Four days later, Kristen and Karis came home, but without Kembert. After hundreds of phone calls and letters to congressmen, last Friday, Kembert came to the US. Mark met him in Florida and they flew to California the next day. A large group of friends and family members met them at LAX--what a joyous reunion. And now he is home. Learning about his new family, learning a new language, learning about new food, having new experiences, McDonald's, trampolines, a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, cultural experiences we probably aren't even aware of. What a blessing to us all. I am very excited to get to know the newest member of our precious family--can't wait for some very special grandma hugs, and times together. Thank you God, for yet another little person to love and share life with.