Our Busy Life

Pollard Family Xmas 12-23-11

2011-12-23T23:30:00.004-06:00

The whole family including my folks and my grandma Pollard who was 90 in August.

The 2 most important people in my life !

The lovely girl Chelsey.

My handsome boy Chase.

My brother Justin, wife Megan, Allison and Rhett.

My brother Jason, wife Gina, Kale and Lane.

Future hunters of Big Bucks !!

My beautiful children who "both" have a smile on their face !

Totten Pumpkin Farm October 2011

2011-10-04T20:46:00.007-05:00

Kale coming out of the hay tunnel.

Jason, Chelsey and Rhett.

Trying to get a group photo and have them all looking is almost impossible. Only thing missing was Chase.

Chelsey feeding acorns to the deer. Justin was holding Lane at the fence while Rhett looked on.

Me and my baby girl.

So tonight the Pollard's made trip to Totten's Pumpkin Farm and the kids got the go thru the hay tunnel, feed acorns to the deer and pick out their pumpkins to take home. It was a beautiful night to be out. Afterwards, we came back to my folks and had dinner.

Saturday night fun with my BFF

2011-10-02T22:53:00.003-05:00

Saturday night out with my bff Jennifer............we usually take these photos standing up, but since she's sooo much taller than I am, I decided this time we'd sit !! Even on my butt she's taller !!!

Good times !!

1st Day of School August 2011

2011-09-27T14:00:00.002-05:00

Chelsey started 8th grade this year. Last year of middle school.

Chase is a Junior this year.......one more year, where has the time gone.

I was lucky to even get a photo of the kids this year on the first day of school since I was not there in the morning to take it. I did, however, tell them they had to humor me when I got home after work that night and let me take one.

Kids on their Gaines Family North Carolina Vacation

2011-06-08T13:08:00.005-05:00

Really loving each other lol...........

At the pool at their condo the first night.

Chelsey at sunset.

My baby doll on the pier.

Chase holding up #1 at kayaking.

Chase and Chelsey left Friday with their dad for the outer banks in North Carolina for a family vacation with the Gaines family. The kids got to fly for the first time. Chelsey says she loves Shelbina but she never wants to leave the beach and ocean and Chase told me he's getting real dark. So far I know they have went kayaking, fishing, crabbing which resulted in cleaning and eating them and riding dune buggys on the beach. Here are just a few random photos they have sent me via their phones.

Chase's Car

2011-04-14T14:52:00.003-05:00

After much looking, we finally bought a Chase a car last week. It's a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. It was pretty hard for him, because it set in the driveway from Tuesday afternoon until Saturday before he could drive it waiting to get it inspected and licensed. He started in Saturday morning at 7 am calling me to see if it would be ready to drive that day, and low and behold, mamma got it inspected and licensed !

Happy 16th Birthday Chase !

2011-03-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

Chase turned 16th last Monday, March 14th. We celebrated by taking him out to dinner. He likes cheesecake so in lieu of a birthday cake, he had a birthday cheesecake. He took his drivers test the next day and I havn't seen him since, lol..............Last night he was headed over to a friends house and asked if he could have the keys to my car. Whoa, was that different..........and, getting into my car this morning definitely reminded me that I have my boy driving my car as the seat was way back and the radio blarring a station that I definitely would not have on :) Gotta love teenagers !!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-16T22:53:00.003-06:00

Chelsey, Leslie and Chase.

Justin, Megan, Rhett and Allison

Jason, Gina, Kale and Lane.The Pollard Family 201o.

Chase and Chelsey...............at 15 and 13 they were not too impressed with taking a photo with Santa but Chelsey humored her mother.

Meet Lane Robert Pollard.............my new nephew

2010-11-03T09:00:00.006-05:00

Lane Robert Pollard, DOB: 10-27-10

Kale, Chelsey and Lane.

Awwww, Kale giving his little brother some love.

Chelsey was loving getting to hold the baby.

Saturday, Chesley and I traveled to Greenview, IL to visit my newphew Lane as well as Kale. It was a great day and we got to spend alot of time with the kids and Gina. Jason had to work but did get home in time for supper to spend a little time with us before we headed back to MO.

Saving a few pennies..................

2010-10-21T14:01:00.003-05:00

So a 2 liter bottle of soda contains 67.6 ounces and a can of soda contains 12 ounces. This 2 liter bottle of Gerbes brand Diet Dr. K ( generic for Diet Dr. Pepper...............I'm a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, we're a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too...)

Ok, now aren't you glad you'll have that little jingle in your head for the next hour or so, lol.

So, my point was this...............this 2 liter bottle only costs 80 cents. I get 5.63 cans of 12 ounce soda out of this one bottle. Each can of soda out of the vending machine costs me 50 cents, which to equal the amount of soda in the bottle would cost $ 2.81.

I know, I know, it's not the real thing, it's not Dr. Pepper, but it's really close and where it's close and nobody is going to notice, not even my taste buds..................I am all for saving the bucks.

Rain Boots

2010-10-20T07:58:00.003-05:00

Woooo, look at them pretty boots. Got a last minute call Monday night from Chelsey that said, "I gotta have a pair of rain boots for a field trip on Wednesday." Thank goodness I am close to retail heaven every day..................not that I exercise the habit, but at least I can run during my lunch and get things when the need arises.

2010-10-18T08:23:00.002-05:00

This ain't a song for the brokenhearted
No silent prayer for the faith departed
And I ain't gonna be a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud.

It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks

It's my life
Its' now or never
I ain't gonna life forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

You better stand tall
When they're calling you out
Dont' bend, don't break
Baby, don't back down

It's my life
It's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
And it's now or never
I aint' gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!

That's Alot of Miles...............

2010-10-18T07:57:00.002-05:00

I've always joked that I have wheels on my "A$$"....................and as proof, my car turned over 190,000 miles this morning. I hadn't really been paying attention and just happened to look down this morning right before Centralia and there it was: 190,000............wow!

I know most of you think I am crazy commuting as far to work as far as I do..............believe me, when that alarm goes off at 5 am I am thinking the same thing. But we do what we have to do and that is just one's of lifes compromises.

So, here's to you, Miss 2002 Saturn SL2.............................I hope you're like the Energizer Bunny, that you keep a licking and keep on ticking.

Old Threshers

2010-10-14T11:51:00.003-05:00

Old Threshers Sept. 18, 2010 - It had been a beautiful day until low and behold about 6 pm it cut loose and rained a gully washer. Very frustrating as the Rhett Atkins concert was that night. Well, a little mud isn't going to stop Shelby County from having a good ole time. The guys fired up the engines, scraped off the top layer of mud, threw down some straw and we had ourselves a concert.
A little mud didn't stop Shelby County from having a concert. They just scraped off the top layer and threw down some straw.

Rhett Atkins in concert.

Mine and Jen's boots.

Thanks Rusty, for letting us use your camper to stay out of the rain and warm up a little.

What a fashionista!!

Chelsey and I.
Chelsey, Randi and Jessie Mae. Don't you just love my daughters outfit.......camo, shorts and boots. She cracks me up.

My son..................

2010-10-14T11:42:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I was driving home from work two nights ago, close to home and my son calls. He said what are you doing. I say the same thing every time he calls me like this, driving home. He says, do you go to the doctor for a sprained ankle. My question to him is who needs to go to the doctor to which he responds I do.

Evidently, he was at a friends house, tryin to be an acrobat on the trampoline, did a back flip and landed on the ground. Of course it's 5 pm and the local doctor office is closed. So of course I tell him we will evaluate when I get home and see him.

Must not have been too painful as he didn't stroll in for a couple hours later, but it was a little swollen and he claimed it "really hurt". So the following morning he wanted to know if I had called the doctor yet. It was 7 am. Hum, no, I had not. Too early. Dad wasn't quite as sypathetic as I had been................advice to son..............wrap it up, suck it up and go to school. LOL.

Don't think he liked it very well, but he could walk on it. Granted, I know it had to hurt, most sprains do and alot of the time the doctor will tell you a sprain hurts worse than a brake. He was walking on it so I think we are in the clear of anything serious. I guess he just wanted a little TLC from his mom.

Me and Jen

2010-10-12T19:40:00.008-05:00

I have one of the greatest BFF's in the whole world..............and I am sure anybody that knows her would agree. We've had a lot of fun over the summer and even back a few years ago as this Halloween Photo displays.
Halloween - October 2006 maybe? Not sure, my memory escapes me on the date of this one.

Old Thresher's - Sept. 2010 - why not a bathroom shot? I mean, even at 40 something, we still go to the bathroom in pairs, lol.

This was taken over Labor Day when we went to the Junction one night with some other friends.

Old Thresher's September 2010 - Rhett Atkins concert - trying to stay dry since it rained in Rusty's camper.
Old Settler's - July 2010 - this was a fun night. Geez, I would give anything to have her height.

Kuff's Benefit - Shelbina - another fun night with friends.

paying tribute

2010-10-05T22:22:00.002-05:00

On September 14, 2010, a lovely young lady became an angel in gods heaven. Christy Maubach must be the most heavenly angel.........as you read all the posts that have been made in her remembrance and heard people speak so highly of her existence.

Tonight, it was all I could do to hold back the tears as my daughter and several of her friends visited Christy's grave sight as her birthday is Thursday, Oct. 7. She would have been 18. The girls took roses, with homemade cards and decorated cupcakes with purple writing on them as that as I understand was her favorite color.

I wasn't aware that any of the girls knew Christy that well as my daughter is only in the 7th grade and she was a senior. I guess that is one of the advantages to living in a small town, being acquianted with all that surround you. My daughter has rarely known death............until the day this beautiful girl was taken to live with the angels. It pains me to know she grieves. I know there are many friends and relatives alike who mourn her loss and hope that time will heal their hearts.

~RIP~

Recent Home Projects New Completion

2010-10-01T14:54:00.005-05:00

So nearing the end of the summer, I finally started finishing some home interior projects which had been on the back burner for waaaaaaaaaay to long. Let's just say part of the reason for the delay was my job, the other.......well, I sometimes procrastinate.So in the bathroom, a shelf was installed since I don't have much counter space. In Chelsey's room, we hung up shelves above her bed and across the room as well as the circles. She continues to add to the shelves.

Just The Way You Are..................

2010-10-01T08:46:00.004-05:00

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She won't believe me
And it's so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say.....When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way your are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her nails, her nails
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're seaching for
Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I'll say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole worlds stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are.

Is that person out there that would make you feel that way? To comfort your insecurities with letting you know, that there is nothing they would change.

Not a good week.................

2010-09-29T08:17:00.000-05:00

Monday, brake issues with my car...................which doesn't make me happy cause I took it in the 3rd week of August as I knew I would once again be commutting to have it all checked out, had 2 new tires but on, the front moved to the back so the tires were off to check the brakes good and supposedly they were "OKAY".................thinking somebody failed at this one.

So, I took my van to work yesterday................the check engine light is on..............oh freakin JOY.

And, I have a rental house with a broken gas line.........................

SUCKS TO BE ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Fitting Song.....................

2010-09-15T21:26:00.002-05:00

Sissy's Song

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for his Love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
They'll always be times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and pased where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me

In Memory..................

2010-09-14T21:05:00.004-05:00

In Memory: Christy Maubach ~ October 7, 1992 to September 14, 2010

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.

The above words are on the memorial shirts for the beloved friend Christy Maubach, who tragically lost her life today in an auto accident. It took only hours for the members of her senior class to organize a candle light vigil tonight which was held at the Shelbina Lake in which a slide show was presented, remembering Christy, along with music and prayer.

God received in his family today, a beautiful angel. Sometimes we don't understand how a young life, full of vibrance, beauty, grace, generosity and spirit can be taken from us...........we are left to cope with the loneliness of missing them. Find comfort in one another and in their memory.

Rest in peace beautiful child.

1st Day of School August 18, 2010

2010-09-02T13:44:00.002-05:00

Chase, sophomore, age 15. Chelsey, 7th grade, age 12 1/2.

Chase, standing about 5'11".

Chelsey, about 5'3". Just darned near as tall as I am, which doesn't take much, since I got short changed when god was passing out height, lol.

Ginger and I

2010-09-02T13:41:00.002-05:00

Trying to catch some of the late summer rays at Susan's pool and I this is what I dealt with........a big lug of a dog............hard to catch the sun with this thing on your lap :)

Awwww.............but such a sweetheart, I just love her.

2010-09-02T13:38:00.002-05:00

Me and my gal pal Jennifer ready to head out for a Saturday night of the band "Split Decision".

Dancing the night away at the Kuffs benefit.

2010 Summer Vacation

2010-09-02T13:28:00.004-05:00

Chelsey, Chase and I before the Cardinal game which was a scorching HOT. Heat index that day was a low 115.

Six Flags the day before the Cardinal game. My son, the lover of photos, not.

My babies...........not babies anymore.

For You Kathleen.............

2010-09-02T13:22:00.003-05:00

So, so glad to be back.

Middle School Semi-Formal Dance

2010-03-19T19:51:00.004-05:00

Last Friday night, Chelsey attended the Middle School Semi-Formal Dance. She went up and Cameron did her hair. I thought she looked just adorable.

Me Coaching

2010-02-23T22:20:00.004-06:00

Yes folks, there you have it.........my best side, lol. (a special thanks to the picture taker, NOT!)

I apparently was giving some kind of directive.

See, see, see!!!!!

Now, right here!!!

Oh, really?

Ya don't say?!?!

Yep, I'm thinkin so.

#36, Go Chelsey Brooke Gaines.

6th grade basketball

2010-01-31T19:34:00.005-06:00

Chelsey lined up on the free throw lane for a rebound.Chelsey shoots for two.

Me coaching on the sidelines.

Me giving the girls a little lecture about how they need to hit the boards a little harder.

Taylor jumps to get the game started.

Coaching from the sidelines.

Warm ups before the game started.

Last week my 6th grade girls basketball team played in a tournament in Paris MO. We won our first game 22 to 11 but lost the second game 22 to 15. The girls did very well considering we had only had 2 practices and we only had 5 girls on the team.

I hit a deer

2010-01-21T21:18:00.002-06:00

Oh joy. Just what I had planned for this week, hitting a deer. Can anything else go wrong? I have driven back and forth to como for how long? Over 4 1/2 years, through the bad country roads and all through deer country, when I was in my car and only had the $100 deductible. Could it have happened then if it had to happen at all? No.

I should not even been out on the road tonight but sometimes you get caught between a rock and a hard place. Sorta where I was.

I saw the two deer at the side of the road, one started to jump but darted back quickly, I slammed on my breaks but it wasn't soon enough and WHACK! Right into the right front of my van. Errrrrrrrrrr. I was so pissed to say the least. I got out in the dark and initially didn't think it was too bad. Saw that the headlight lens was broken out and the paint was cracked on the right fender. Finished up what I was doing and Chelsey and I headed back to town.

Oh well, I knew it was bad when she tried to open the door and I heard a pop to which I screamed, "don't open the door any further". As a former auto adjuster, when I saw the vehicle in the aid of a light, I knew this was not exactly minor.

Will have to have a new fender, it is creased behind the wheel. It also pushed back into the door and the fender was also up over the windshield pillar. The fender liner is pulled away from the fender too. The headlight is busted and I think it got the corner of the front bumper. The vehicle is also pulling. It's certainly fixable and I can't stand to drive a vehicle that is all banged up.

Funny thing Chelsey said after we hit the deer, "do you just hit it". I said yep, you just slam on the brakes, brace yourself and just wait for the WHACK. And whatever you do, don't swerve.

I am headed out for an estimate in the morning.

Another classic teenager / tween moment

2010-01-18T21:36:00.000-06:00

So I have one kid on the home tower computer in the dining room and another one in his bedroom on the laptop. I am going back and forth thru the house gathering dirty clothes, starting laundry and putting the clean up.

So I ask my son, what' cha doing there? He says, talking to Chelsey. I asked, on facebook chat? He says, yep. I laugh.

I pass through the dining room and Chelsey is smiling, sort of giggling, and I say, you can't get up and go in your brother's room and talk to him. She replies, I'm not going in his room to talk to him.

But at least they are communicating. There are good things to be said about technology, but in some ways, it all needs to be used in moderation. We are losing people skills.

Letting the Propane Run Out

2010-01-17T20:42:00.000-06:00

So I had propane put in my tank on December 28, 2009. I had the same amount put in it a month before that. I realize that from Dec. 28 on it has been colder but I never thought I would run out on the 14th day of January.

I left Thursday night to go to Monroe with my cousin to watch her daughter in the tournament. Any time I leave the house for an extended period of time I usually turn the heat down. I had left at 6 pm and didn't get back until about 10:15 pm.

I walked in the front door and thought geez, I must have really turned the heat down when I left. So I walked over to the thermostat and there it set, still on 70. I thought, oh $hit, surely I have not run out of propane already.

I walked to the kitchen and opened up the closet to the furnace room and there was silence. No furnace pilot on it or the hot water heater.

Holy cow.........what was I thinking. Well, obviously I hadn't been. I've only ran out of any gas two other times in my life. It was for my car. Once was when I was in college, that was long enough ago it hardly even counts. The second time was about 2 years ago on my way to work in Columbia. I had gotten stopped on the way to work that morning for speeding, lucked out and didn't get a ticket, but because I had gotten stopped it was putting my behind and I didn't want to be late for work so I figured up in my head the gallons in my tank, the miles per gallon I got and the miles I had driven and still had to go and thought I had enough to get me to work.

Nope, didn't quite make it. About 2 miles from work, yep, I ran out. So not only was I late, and out of gas, I had to call a co-worker to come pick up my dumb a$$ and take me to work. Then at lunch we got a gas can and went and got my car.

Well, I have in the first time in my life ran out of propane. The only thing I can say is thank goodness mother nature had let up for a few days and it wasn't the freezing sub zero temperatures we had been having and it was only me that was gonna suffer thru the night. So I piled on about 6 blankets on the couch and turned on my electric heater and pulled up close to the couch and it really wasn't too bad.

But trust me, I was on the phone first thing in the morning doing what I should have already done, order more propane. I put a little me in this time and I promise to check it more often. The next time I might not get as lucky with the weather.

A Middle Schooler Movie Party

2010-01-10T12:06:00.001-06:00

Oh, goodness, what am I in store for. Looks like I agreed to having a mix of 6th, 7th and 8th graders, boys and girls, late this afternoon. We had to buy snacks and make snacks and clean the house.....yada, yada, yada.

"Oh, he can come." "Darn, she can't." "Well, hey, let's see if they can come."

LOL.

I just got the official invite list read to me. Still waiting on some RSVP's.

Guess I'll spend the night locked up in my bedroom while they watch movies. Gotta be a scary one I'm told. I have a small house, so whatever is going on, I'm gonna know.

Oh, I can't hardly wait......I am sooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!! LOL.

Children of Today

2010-01-07T22:52:00.000-06:00

So it was Tuesday night, and I was in my room and Chase in his and I get a text message, "Mom, come in my room, I want to show you something." Well, beings that he so not often asks me stuff like that, I crossed the living room to his room and there he lay on the bed with his laptop with youtube pulled up and he had to show me a video. So I layed there with him and watched it and we talked about it. We parted ways...........well, I left his room and went back to doing what it was that I had been doing.

About 20 minutes have passed now by this time, I get another text, "Mom, will you come in my room and shut my TV off." My response could have been sooooo not the right one, but I once again crossed the living room, entered his room and laughed as he lay curled up under the covers and teased him that he just didn't to get out from under them to turn it off. He grinned. And I shut the tv off.

Take the time to do the little things..........they matter. :)

Burr, It's Cold

2010-01-03T20:55:00.001-06:00

Well, if you live here in good 'ole Missouri, you know just what I am talking about. I have had more than one layer on all weekend. I've slept in thermal underwear plus sweats and ran around the house in muliple layers and covered up on the couch with blankets. I refuse to turn the thermostat up past 70 degrees. I don't think there is anything more miserable than being cold.....well, maybe having to go pee and you've had to hold it for the last hour, lol.

I picked up Chase yesterday morning at 7 a.m. for basketball practice and he came out of the house in shorts and a short sleeve shirt. I thought he was nuts and told him so. Of course he said he had overslept andn didn't have time to get his coat and pants. In this kind of weather, you always have time to find a coat, cause you never know what kind of car trouble you may run into.

Jan. 1, 2010

2010-01-01T21:26:00.001-06:00

Setting here alone, freezing my a$$ off on a Friday night. Wow, guess it can only go up from here.

I've facebooked all I can stand, I've searched everything I can think of that I am curious about, to broke to on-line shop and not tired enough to go to sleep to forget all that's bothering me. Wow, that list is long, so it's really going to take a long sleep to be able to get away from it. But since I'm wide awake I guess I have to deal with it anyway. The lump is getting harder in my throat and the tears are forming, glad there's nobody here to see it. Well, actually that is not true, because if there was anybody around maybe I wouldn't feel like I do.

What to do? What to do? I want to scream, but what good will that do. Will only give me a headache and fortunately I have been able to avoid those over the past 2 months. Cry, well that isn't going to change anything and in the end, just give me a headache too, so still want to avoid the headaches. Phone a friend....well, I've done that already and they have a life outside of listening to me. I've tried to watch TV and TV just stinks tonight.

One of my friends would say pray about it.

More Pix from Christmas Eve

2009-12-29T22:41:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of me and the kids from Christmas Eve at my dad's. Trying to get them to take pictures with me is almost impossible. So here are a couple of bloopers of Chase and Chelsey and then we managed to get a couple of good ones!! Credit goes to my sister in law Gina Pollard for capturing the moments.

Ice Skating

2009-12-29T22:11:00.000-06:00

Today I took Chelsey and two of her friends, Taylor and Myah to Jefferson City to the ice arena. None of us had ever been ice skating before, although I have wanted to go for a long time. The worst part of it was having to drive all the way to Jeff City but definitely worth it.

The girls pose for a picture not long after we got there. As you can see, they were all being "wall huggers" in the beginning. I stopped for a quick pose. Managed to stay upright all afternoon long.

As the afternoon went on, Chelsey got the hang of it as I knew she would.

The girls getting further out into the rink.

Setting down and taking a break.

Chelsey enjoying the day.

And as I said earlier tonight, 186 mile round trip to Jefferson City, $21 admission to the skating rink, but listening to the girls on the way home laughing and creating memories......priceless. It was a great day!!!!

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-24T23:03:00.000-06:00

I didn't let Santa and Mrs. Claus get away from grandma and grandpa's house until I let them know how good I've been.

My wonderful children, Chelsey and Chase.

Some say we look just alike, honestly, I don't see the "just alike" but certainly some similarities.

Even setting down you can tell he's much taller than I am.

I didn't think we'd ever get Chase to smile. Even Chelsey showed us her braces.

Chase's Ankles

2009-12-16T12:00:00.000-06:00

So I took Chase back to Macon last Friday and the therapists examined Chase further. What we found is that is ankles are quite rigid and have little range of motion side to side. Then combined with the fact that he walks on the outside of his feet and is pigeoned towed, we now see where the pain is coming from.

We had some orthotic inserts made to put in Chase's shoes to hopefully help counter act how he has been walking and was told to do some exercises. He hasn't gone back to playing basketball but I'm hoping that once practice starts on break he will resume practice and will be able to start playing after break.

My nephews

2009-12-16T11:56:00.000-06:00

Lola and I took Rhett to Ben Franklin with us a couple of weeks ago and we thought the reindeer horns were funny I think Rhett did too!

Rhett cheesing.

Kale eating the reindeer horns off.

Kale sort a cheesing with Chelsey holding him.

Chase and Kelli - Snowball Dance

2009-12-16T11:51:00.000-06:00

I was able to catch up with Chase and Kelli on Saturday night when they got to Fiddlesticks to take a quick picture. I wanted to see them all dressed up.

Chelsey's Birthday Party

2009-12-16T11:34:00.001-06:00

So I posted some pictures on Chelsey's birthday but here are the pictures from her actual birthday party on the Saturday after her birthday. The girls came over on Saturday and we went to Moberly bowling and then to the Columbia Mall to hang out and eat Chinese. As soon as we got there the girls ran into 2 of their other friends who had come to shop for the evening so they all hooked up and hung out together. It was a fun time.

Taylor bowling.

Myah on a bear.

Myah bowling.

Kaytlynn bowling.

Jordan bowling.

Jessica bowling.

Hayley.

All the girls at the mall.

The girls at the bowling alley.

Taylor, Chelsey, Jessica and Myah. Not sure where Taylor and Jordan was.

Chelsey.

Chelsey bowling.

Bailey and Kaytlynn.

A Little Behind

2009-12-09T21:15:00.001-06:00

As I looked back to see when my last post took place, I realized it had been a while. Guess there's lots of reasons why I haven't kept up.

Today, it was absolutely freezing. A cold 16 degrees with major wind. I said to somebody that if I didn't know better I would think that I lived in the windy city. Seems like this part of MO lucked out on the snow. I have realtives in IA and NE that weren't so lucky and have been digging out all day. I like a good snow every know and then, mostly I like it to come during the daylight hours when I can see it getting bad. I don't on the other hand enjoy having to drive in it.

Chase had a JV game Monday night but didn't play due to ankles that are hurting him. We had him to the physical therapists yesterday and they say that he runs on the outsides of his feet, which isn't what he is supposed to be doing which is attributing to the pain. We go back either tomorrow or Friday to have some inserts molded to put in his shoes to force him to walk / run correctly which I hope solves the problem.

I started working from home on Tuesday ( yesterday ). I have all my stuff moved here now. Still alot of adjustments to be made. Being the kind of person who likes to be around a lot of people this will take some getting used to, being at home by myself throughout the day. Don't get me wrong, this is what I dreamed of and worked towards but it still takes some getting used to.

I went Christmas shopping all day Saturday. If Quincy would get an Aeropostale, American Eagle and Hollister store I would be very happy. Otherwise, I love shopping in Quincy. They have most all the other stores you would want, decent resturants and you don't have to deal with the awful traffic of CoMO. I did take a short time out to travel back to Hannibal for a quick picture of Chase and his girlfriend Kelli as they were eating at Fiddlesticks before going back to the school for the Snowball Dance.

Sunday I got to spend some time with my nephew Rhett. He is so funny. Lola and I ran down to Monroe to Ben Franklin to get some material and we took him with us.

All last week I was in CoMO for training. It was a long week but I guess it was a productive one. Enjoyed the time with fellow co-workers from different states. Alot of laughs too.

Well, I had pictures to post but the camera and computer are both taking me to the brink of screaming so I will try to post them tomorrow.

A few more hours....

2009-11-24T19:37:00.000-06:00

There just aren't enough hours in my day. I wake up now before 5:00 a.m. whether I have to get up early or not. Nothing I do makes me go back to sleep. I just toss and turn and the happenings of life spin around in my head. The do's and the don'ts, the should have's and the should not's, the why's and the why not's and so on and so. Nobody knows unless they walk in your shoes, they just don't know. There isn't an easy button, one to push to make it all ok or all go away. Sometimes you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. So what is the right answer? I'm not sure I know.

Chelsey's 12th Birthday Party

2009-11-16T22:28:00.000-06:00

Chelsey turned 12 on November 11th. We celebrated her birthday by taking her out for supper on Wednesday, the night of her birthday. Her birthday party this year, was kinda like the energizer bunny, it kept, going and going and going - lol.

You see, South Shelby only went to school Monday and Tuesday of last week and called school off the rest of the week due to the low attendance due to all of the sickness. Chelsey and all of her friends had already been sick and were on the mending side of things. So Tuesday night she had friends spend the night and then on the day of her birthday they all went out to one of the other girls houses for the afternoon. She came home that evening to go out for a family supper.
On Thursday, Chelsey and 5 of her friends all went out to her grandparents house in the country and spent the day. They had fun riding 4 wheelers, playing in the woods and playing hide and seek. She continued to have friends spend the night on Thursday. On Friday, some girls came over and spent the day and then on Friday night we went to my brother and sister-in-laws house for supper, a pre-hunting supper at what they call "Team Pollard Outdoors".

On Saturday, by noon, the girls started appearing again and Chelsey and 6 of her friends left for Moberly at 1 pm and we went bowling. After bowling we headed to Columbia to go to the mall to eat Chinese and to let Chelsey pick out her birthday present. She had gotten a cross necklace and perfume the night of her birthday but she had been wanting a cover for her phone and a puffer vest - both of which she needed to pick out. We no sooner had gotten to the mall than we ran into 2 additional friends and their mom, so they joined in on the party and we had a good time shopping.

The party finally concluded Sunday morning when the girls started leaving one by one after a huge pillow fight. It wasn't the kind where you hit each other - it was the kind where you steal them from one another. It all stemmed from the night before when Chelsey was hogging the pillows.

It was a good time and I think another birthday Chelsey will forever remember.

Chase's 9 pt. buck

2009-11-16T22:24:00.001-06:00

Pictured above is Chase's 9 point buck that he killed Saturday evening. It was quite a story - something about he saw it 600 yards away so he crawled on hit stomache - then he stood on a fence post and shot it 200 yards away right at dusk.........I don't know, sounds sorta like a fish story to me, you know, when the "big one gets away" but he has the proof.

Minor update....

2009-11-12T22:31:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update to say hey....I'm alive. Barely keeping my head above water, but managing somehow. Let's just say life sort of happened and it hasn't been smooth sailing and I'm not sure when it will be.

I wish there were more hours in my day, I wish I could really say what I was feeling and what I was thinking but it's probably better just kept bottled up. For those who wouldn't understand anyway, this way they can't have the chance to understand me even less than they do.

So many things I wish I could change, so many things I wish I had the chance to do differently. I don't know that the end result would be any different but I definitely know that the path to that point of knowing would be a much different one.

How many times can I break until I shatter? Doesn't feel like many more.

Change...

2009-11-02T21:25:00.000-06:00

We see it 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
We see it in our faces as the years age us and form wrinkles in our skin.
We see it in fashion as the bottoms of our pants go from straight, wide, flare, boot and to skinny.
We see it in decorating as we go from brass to black rod iron.

But sometimes we don't see it, or we don't let it be seen for fear of acceptance or rather rejection.
Sometimes we see it coming and sometimes it just sneaks up and kicks us in the pants. And sometimes it is upon us because we did nothing to stop it and we are left to pick up the pieces because we didn't do what we could have when we should have.

Can there be change? Every day is a new day. The past can't be changed. It is just that, the past. It's what you do from each day forward that forms who you are and what you give.

"Say it loud, say it clear. You can listen as well as you hear."

The New Job

2009-10-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

Is going great and learning lots.

Pollard Family PIctures

2009-10-15T20:10:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, the Pollard family braved the cold 40 degree weather to take advantage of the fall colors to take family photos at the Shelbina Lake.

Mary Dunaway has those pictures posted on her website so if you would like to check them out, please do so at the following: www.photos2remember.com

Once at Mary's website, click on online photos on the upper right corner and then click on the Ed and Lola Pollard Family. Mary did an excellent job.

Mini High School Reunion

2009-10-08T20:04:00.000-05:00

Last Friday night was South Shelby's Homecoming and the class of 1987 (ewww) celebrated by some of us attending the game and then going out to the home of Cindy (Hammond) Woutzke's for a bon fire and a chance to catch up.Jennifer (Best) Chandler, Leslie (Pollard) Gaines and Tonya (Detweiler) Jorgensen.

Not bad for 40 something!!!

Wow....really behind in the posts

2009-10-08T18:56:00.000-05:00

Let's see....I think I'll start from today and work back, it might be easier that way.

Tomorrow is my last day in my current position at work. It is really bitter sweet. This is something I have hoped and dreamed for a long time, but knowing that tomorrow is my last day is really hard. I really like what I do and extremely like the people I work with. There is always that fear of the unknown, but after a few months it will go from "unknown" to "known" and I'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

I went back to the neurologist today for a follow up to my doosey of a headache 2 weeks ago. Pretty much what I thought was going to happen, they just want to continue to medicate. So they are adding a another prescription to what seems like the drug store I am already ingesting every day. They think that I am having a muscle tightening and spasming in the head....the cause, probably stress. And how does one ever rid themselves of that? Oh, I guess there are ways, but it isn't always an option. So you do the best you can and go on.

This week, if you've kept up with me on facebook, you'll know I've been trying to buy Chase some jeans without him being with me. Well, I've been back to the store about 3 times exchanging them but think I finally go it right.

This past Sunday a celebration was held for Estel and Mary Jane Gaines for their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Chase and his cousin Leah wore their great-grandparents wedding clothes for the event. Grandma Jane was so touched she cried. I think the funniest thing that happened was Chase said Grandpa Estel asked him if he found the money he left in the pocket of his suit and Grandma Jane said Estel, you didn't have any money back then to leave in the pockets.

Estel and Mary Jane Gaines, 70th Wedding Anniversary; standing by Jane is Leah Gaines, 16 yr old great-great granddaughter wearing the wedding dress she wore 70 yrs ago. Standing by Estel is Chase Gaines 14 yr old great-grandson who is wearing te 3 pc suit Estel wore on his wedding day. Leah and Chelsey.
Chase and Leah.

One of the other cool things that happened that day was Norm Stewart (former MU basketball coach) was in attendance for the anniversary celebration. Norm is the nephew of Estel. I've got a great picture of Chelsey and Leah with him and as soon as I get my camera battery charged I'll have one of Chase to post too.

Chelsey, Norm Stewart and Leah.

Wow, the rain today was crazy. I had to drive about as slow going to work in the rain as if it were snowing.

Pollard Family pictures this weekend.

Count Down to the New Job

2009-09-25T17:52:00.001-05:00

Ok, 2 work weeks and counting, 10 work days and counting. ( drum roll please)

Official start date, Oct. 12, 2009; geez this has been a long wait; don't think the day will ever get here.

Friday Night

2009-09-25T17:50:00.000-05:00

Great night for high school football; weather is just perfect to put jeans on but still wear flip flops. (I just can't fathom putting on socks until at least October. )

Well, football, it will be a great night for socializing anyway !!!!!

Headache resulted in |V treatment

2009-09-24T19:36:00.001-05:00

Well, the headache was so back this time I ended up at Boone Hospital in the IV Infusion Center for treatment. When I came home from work Tuesday night I was starting to get a headache. It was manageable, so I just went to bed without taking anything hoping sleep would be the answer.

I woke up yesterday morning with it being worse, but of course I was out of my prescription for when I get a migraine. I called in the refill on my way to work and picked it up by 8:30 a.m. and took one and the pain sort of subsided but by about 1:30 pm it was coming back to at 2 pm I took another dose which didn't have much result.

I woke up this a.m. with it worse than ever and went to work anyway and started calling the doctor at 8 a.m but they never answered so I went over there at 8:50 a.m to find out they were opening at 9 am today and was able to get worked in but they don't do any type of injections there so they gave me orders to go over to Boone Hospital for the infusion iv. They got that started by about 10:30 pm and it wasn't long and I was sawing logs. Pain was so bad I was throwing up (sorry ); but about 12:45 pm I woke up; was feeling some relief and headed back to work.

I can't say the pain is completely gone, I feel like it is just lurking in the back waiting to attack again. I don't know what causes the headaches and wish they could find out. It is one of the worst experiences I have ever had to go thru; I don't think child birth hurt that bad ( and I would know cause I had two kids without pain medicine. )

Happy Birthday Dear Friend Caroline

2009-09-23T15:13:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Dear Caroline, to one of the best friends a person could ever have. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks Friend....

2009-09-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

excerpts from: As A Woman Thinketh

Others see only the apparent effects of things and not the things themselves. They speak of luck, of good fortune, and of chance. Seeing a woman grow rich, they say, "How lucky she is!" Observing a beautiful woman who challenges the intellect, they exclaim, "How highly favored she is!" And noting the saintly character and wide influence of another, they remark, "How chance aids her at every turn!" They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which this woman has voluntarily encountered in order to gain this experience; they have no knowledge of the scrifices she has made, of the undaunted efforts she has put forth, of the faith she has exercised, that she might overcome the insurmountable, and realize the Vision in her heart. Others do not know the darkness and the heartaches; do not see the long and arduous journey, but only behold the pleasant outcome, and call it "good fortune" or "luck"; do not understand the process, but only perceive the result, and call it "chance". They only perceive her outward beauty, her lovely possessions, her adornment, her success, as a gift of chance and good fortune rather than as the fruits of her efforts..her Visions, her Ideals, her Desires, realized. The Visions that you glorify in your mind, the Ideals that you bestow in your example, the Desires that you enthrone in your heart...this you will build your Life by, this you will become.

The Last Week

2009-09-16T09:04:00.001-05:00

Wow...been a week since I posted. My life's not that exciting, just busy. I found out this past Friday that I would be starting my new post on Oct. 5; wasn't exactly thrilled at the 3 week delay but totally accepting of it as that's just the way things work out sometime. But Monday I got the news my start date had been pushed back a week, so now I don't start until Oct. 12; bummer. I'll have to admit, I am disappointed at the delay but know the end is in sight. I've made this drive to work for over 4 years and never complained, even after the wreck and the bad weather, because it was a choice I had made from the beginning. But today, for the first time driving to work, I thought I would never arrive at work due to the # of miles trecked to get there. All in due time they say, all in due time.

So, last Friday night I attended the high school football game. Fairly saddened by the fact that my son, who is a freshman this year, is not a part of the team as he decided not to play. They won, the weather was awesome and I spent time socializing in the stands. (oh come on, what female really goes to the game to watch, lol ).

Chelsey had company over after the game and they spent the night in the play house. Great night for it.

On Saturday, it was Farmer's Day in town, activities, parade, Little Mr and Miss Contest. I got up early to go up and watch the baby show. Then I went by and bought my 3 lbs of onions I had to chop up for the food stand for 4 - H. Ok, boy, did I mess up. Cutting 2 slices of onions sometimes proves to be very emotional ( hence the tears ) - try cutting 3 lbs of them all at once !!! Good grief, talk about a bawl baby. If I cried one tear, I cried like a billion. And of course I didn't think to wait to put my makeup on, so you can guess that I got to that all over again once I finally got done with my kitchen duties.

We went uptown and got ready to watch the parade. Found a few bargains as the stores usually clearance out stuff since fall is approaching. I guess I really should have passed on the bargains once I found out how much the letter jacket was going to be. I met Chase uptown at the sports store to get measured for his letter jacket and found out it was like buying gold, $ 202.98, OMG. I thought I was going to die. Now I realize that some 25 years ago when I bought my letter jacket ( another OMG, 25 yrs ago, I feel so old ! ) I think they only cost like $ 60.00 and it's hanging in my closest about like new. So I told Chelsey we were cutting off the " 87 " and buying new numbers " 16 " for her year and she could have it. You know that didn't go over very well. Guess that is a better option than one of my friends last night, she said she got her sister's letter jacket who was 3 yrs older than her but then had to give it back so her sister's two girls could wear it.

So from 2- 4 pm Chelsey and I got to work the food stand and finished the shift by tearing the stand down and packing all away.

The Little Mr and Miss Farmerette contest was at 5 pm and we stayed for that. Just prior to that I had been on the phone with my son, who went from wanting 2 boys to spend the night that I had ok'd; to 8 boys staying the night. I argued and I said no but somewhere lost the battle and home I went to see what I was up against. Have you ever had to feed 8 boys ages 13, 14 and 15. They were really good and wasn't any issues, but come morning they were ready to eat again!

Went to the middle school softball and football game last night. The weather was amazing; however the teams didn't fair as well.

So tonight I need to try and get all my garage sale stuff start to be set up for the City Wide this Saturday. Not sure if I will make it the football game friday since it is away with this garage sale to get ready for but it was one the things I look forward to on the weekend.

Promotion

2009-09-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I went to work dressed like this. I had a job interview for a new position with my company. I have commutted to work for over 4 years, driving 140 miles round trip for this moment. A moment I dreamed about and worked hard for and can finally enjoy as it has happened. A moment I sacrificed many things for and one of the rewards....was my daughter saying to me, "now you can cook breakfast for me and fix my hair" and my son say " cool, mom can take me to school". That was hard to hear, but yes, this will soon be a reality, because I have accepted a position as a material damage adjuster with my company and will in the very near future, start my day of work from my home as I will go out and inspect losses and then prepare estimates from my office "at home". And in the words of Kool and the Gang, "celebrate good times, come on".

I can still hardly believe it. I'm not sure the reality of the situation as fully set it. I think because for the next fews months I will finish out my current position as an auto adjuster and then beginning formal training as a material damage adjuster. All I know is this is a dream come true.

LoCash Cowboys - Independence

2009-09-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

Well, as you can tell, we are fans of the LoCash Cowboys, and once again had the opportunity to see them in concert this weekend at the SantaCaliGone Festival in Independence, MO. I took Chelsey and her friends Myah and Jordan. Here are some pictures of the amazing evening....we were right in front of the stage.
Chelsey and I before the concert started.
Preston of LoCash Cowboys.
Preston climbing the light pole.
Chris of LoCash Cowboys.Chelsey and LoCash Cowboys.

Chelesy and LoCash Cowboys.
The guys "posing" during the concert.
Performing.

Chelsey's awesome decorating boot compliments of Preston, but signed by both of the LoCash Cowboys. Chelsey, Myah and Jordan in fron of their tour bus.
Chelsey and I during the concert.

Their album is due out this October, but if you're wondering what they sound like you can go to their website: http://www.locashcowboys.com/ and you can hear what their music sounds like. We can't for the next concert; after all, we have to get the other boot decked out too.

Connecting with an old friend

2009-09-02T21:42:00.000-05:00

Well, most of those who follow this, I think, are users of facebook. I received a friend request today and I didn't exactly recognize the name of the female. But what looked extremely familiar was the way the first name was spelled as to this day, she is the only person I have came in contact that spelled it that way. When I got home and logged onto the computer at home and could see the picture of the person it certainly was a familiar face from years past. It was my best friend from elementary. I am embarrassed to say now that I don't remember what year she moved, it was either during 4th or 5th grade. I just remember going on Christmas break and when we returned to school she was gone. We kept in contact for a couple of years writing letters but sometimes the miles are just too much too compete with. But I can still recite her address to where she moved so you know I did my share of writing.

Here again, I can't quite remember the date, but my friends grandfather passed away and I had a feeling that she and her family would be at the visitation so I went and fortunately did get to see them. I was sorry our meeting up again after so many years was due to her family's loss, but it was nice to catch up.

Technology can be such a good thing when used properly and that is what I am thankful for today, as it connected me with my former childhood best friend Jacquie. She's a long way away from here, but I look forward to getting to know her again, even if it's thru the screen.

The Weather

2009-09-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

OMG, what is up with this weather? I am not complaining, I just don't want it to end. Went walking tonight and didn't want to quit as it was so nice out. Walked by this house that had one of those decorative ponds in the yard with the water fall and trickling water and the sounds of the running water was so serene sounding. But the summer is quickly coming to an end as I make my drive to and from work every night the crops are getting closer and closer to being ready for harvest. The stores have their mums out. People are starting to talk "chili" and I'm starting to want to wear a light jacket when I leave in the mornings. I would be happy if we could just freeze time with the weather.

Chase and his morning surprise

2009-08-28T15:07:00.000-05:00

I got a call from one of Chase's teachers last night and she was calling to inform me that they were going to be "kidnapping" Chase the following morning. He had signed up to be a new member of a club and they were kidnapping all the new members and taking them to the school for breakfast as a type of inititation. The whole fun of it was catching the kids still in bed and they had to come to school just as they were.

Well, we had to let Chelsey in on the secret so she would know what was going on. I called her this morning. She said that Chase was already up when they came by to get him but he had the look of terror on his face when he opened the door, wondering what he had forgotten......

I really have found out yet if he had gotten dressed already or if he was still in his "pjs", if he'd combed his hair, etc....be interesting tonight to see how it all went.

Walking

2009-08-25T11:13:00.001-05:00

So I'm on a walking kick. How else do you get the bulges off the side of your hips that you don't want? Walking seems to work, if I do it and stick with it.

I walked at work yesterday during my lunch time. It's very different walking in the big city than it is walking in the little town I live in. But it can still be serene if you let it. Just observing all that's around. You get such a different view of everything when you walk, the pace is different, your eye level is different and even the leaves blowing across the street can scare the crap out of me. If I haven't told you, I'm practically scared of my own shadow.

I remember years ago when I was in middle school and we lived sort of in the country, our living room was in the front of the house. Directly behind it was the dining room and behind it was the kitchen, but the refrigerator was off the kitchen in the utility room. I absolutely hated it later in the evening when everybody was in the front of the house and I would want something to eat or drink and I'd have to go back there in the dark to the refrig. I'd get to the kitchen, poke my head left and right like a cop with a gun then make a mad dash for the frig knowing exactly what I was after and run like crazy to the dining room and then immediately start walking so I wouldn't get in trouble for "running in the house".

Speaking of walking, it's about that time, and I brought my tennis shoes today so I don't have to walk in my sandals, wasn't that a great idea!!!

Crows Feet.....

2009-08-25T11:11:00.001-05:00

This is crows feet. A weed that grows in your yard in August. I know, I'm nuts. It's just one more sign to me it's August !!!

The Serenity Prayer

2009-08-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

August - I Can Just Tell

2009-08-21T21:04:00.000-05:00

There's a smell about August, a feeling, I can just tell when I walk outside, I know it's August. Not sure it's something I can put into works. I know there's got to be somebody out there besides myself who knows what I'm talking about. I'm sure most of you will say, who cares, and maybe you're right, just a thought I was having.

1st day of School

2009-08-21T20:37:00.001-05:00

How quickly they grow up! Chelsey started middle school yesterday, 6th grade and Chase entered the halls of high school as an official freshman.

Mo State Fair continued....

2009-08-21T20:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, so after I made the first post, I was getting interrupted and lost my train of thought, so I thought I'd chime back in and fill in the gaps.

On Thursday, the first day of the state fair, when I got off work that day, I left Columbia for Sedalia and met them there. They had left early that day for Sedalia and took the camper down, got all settled, etc. After a very "clustered" ordeal of trying to get into the fairgrounds that afternoon around 4:45 pm ( thank you Kelley ), I met up with Julie and the girls; well, Jr, Connie and the boys too. The concert started at 7:30 and we were in our seats in the grandstands by 6:45 pm.

I sat on the opposite side of Chelsey and the girls. I told Chelsey I wasn't there to rain on her fun. They were busy taking gabbing, taking pictures and having fun. The real fun though started when the LoCoash Cowboys made their way center stage to perform. And perform they did. Can't wait for their first album to come out in October.

LoCash was actually the opening act that night, for Cross Canadian Ragweed, but after the concert was over, the girls made their way quickly to the merchandise area and waited thru the whole second concert for the LoCash Cowboys to come out and sign autographs. I listened to 5 or 6 of CCR songs and quickly figured out that they weren't for me.

I stayed in the campgrounds that night which after getting to bed at 1 a.m. and leaving by 5:15 a.m. the next morning, makes for a very short night. When I got home Friday night, I crashed on the couch at 7:30 pm and didn't wake up until the next morning. We went back to the State Fair on Saturday and arrived there that afternoon and were walking down the midway about 4:30 pm. All I can say is when you are at the state fair, you had better put on your walking shoes. Chase took a friend and it didn't take them long to hook up with friends from home and they were off. We did take in the Aaron Watson concert in the bud tent. He was good, but a little too traditional for my taste in music, but I can certainly appreciate that he was good. Later on we listened to some of the Gary Allen concert which sounded like it was a pretty good concert too.

Chase and his friend Quentin did a little "redneck camping" as they pitched an air mattress in the back of the truck and slept in sleeping bags. The weather was perfect for it though. Sunday morning saw some rain. We hung around all day to take in the free Kansas concert. We learned that night that they were celebrating 35 years of Kansas. They were amazing musicians, did alot of jamming on stage, sang, but other than that, were pretty boring. (They could take some lessons on a stage show from the LoCash Cowboys.)

Kansas singing "Dust in the Wind"

Kansas singing "Carry on my Wayward Son"

Chase and Quentin doing a little "redneck camping".

And one of the funniest things I saw at the State Fair, the chicken and what I called its "hairdo"
.

So it was another late night arriving home Sunday night at 11:30 pm and I had to be up and at 'um at 5:15 a.m. the next morning. So much for pretty sleep, lol.

LoCash Cowboys - MO State Fair Sedalia 2009

2009-08-19T13:21:00.000-05:00

Let me preface the LoCash Cowboys by saying that Chelsey saw them last year of the year before at the Lincoln Co Fair with the Baker girls and has talked about them ever since. They got a signed picture of them then and thought they were great. I guess if I had been a regular at the MO State Fair I would have known who they were since they have been playing at the Bud Tent for the last 5 years, but I haven't, so my first experience came at the Bevier Homecoming on Friday, August 7. And they were awesome.

Chelsey knew she would once again see them at the State Fair as she would be going with the Baker's as Jessi Mae as having her birthday party there and they were going to be camping for 3 nights. The kids and the Bakers left on Thursday morning headed for the State Fair, when I got off work on Thursday, I headed from Columbia to Sedalia and met them and we watched the concert. The girls had no interest in the headliner that night which was Cross Canadian Ragweed and after hearing them my sentiments were the same. LoCash Cowboys played first and energy the have on stage is quite electrifying and quite entertaining. Chris and Preston make quite a team.

As soon as their concert was over they got in line at the merchadise table waiting for them to come out and sign autographs even though the girls knew they wouldn't be out until after the other concert. And to no avail, here they came. The guys were great and took time with each of the girls asking their names and signing their pictures and posing for the cameras. From that point on the girls were in "Locash Heaven". We hung out until the signing was complete and I had asked and the guys were going to be crossing the walkway heading over the bud tent and I metioned that it was a "13th Birthday Party" for one of the girls, so as they came across they stopped and talked to the girls and sang Happy Birthday to Jessi Mae. It was an unfortgetable experience for them I am sure!!

Preston of LoCash Cowboys center stage.

Chris and Preston of LowCash Cowboys.

Preston and Chris the LowCash Cowboys and Chelsey.Chris of Locash Cowboys.

Preston of LoCash Cowboys.Chelsey, Myah and Jordan.

Chelsey sporting her signed picture.

Ta da!

Chelsey, "wheeling around".

Chelsey and April the monkey.

Chase and Quentin "redneck camping"; sleeping in the back of the truck bed.

Words by John Mellencamp..When the walls come tumblin down

2009-08-12T20:41:00.000-05:00

Just one short week ago, the pool, although in an unuseable state, was still a recognizeable piece of history for those of us who enjoyed countless hours as youngsters in the sun. Today, the above pictures are what is left of the pool. Not much of all. Pretty much total destruction. But where there is destruction, there lays the groundwork for the progress to come with the new state of the art pool facility to be built and functional by May 2010 as stated in The Democrat today.

The paper described the facility as costing $ 625,000 which was approved by voters this past year and while the funds will not all be collected to pay for the project, the city will be able to finance the project thru the MO Public Utility Alliance.

There are many people to thank for this and I personally am very thankful that it is all finally becoming a reality.

Ode to the Swimming Pool

2009-08-06T11:56:00.000-05:00

As all of the kids know in Shelbina, the pool did not open this season due to its bad condition. The town did pass a recreation tax this spring to build a new pool so the private group voted to turn the pool grounds over to the city and they have taken it over. Some of the pool board members who were on the board have started tearing down the facility. I was curious last night and walked down by there to see, and they have taken down the pump house facility and started taking the tin off the bath house and some of the interior fencing inside the pool facility. The paper did say that the contract had been awarded so they should start construction this fall and we will have a pool next near. (even us adults miss it !!!)

Here is what the pool looks like now.

I have so many memories of the pool. From my very first one...going in for swimming lessons at about age 5 and the "adults" telling me if you go down the slide we "promise" we will catch you. Yeah right, 5 gallons of water in my lungs later I came up for air and I wasn't going back!! Well, it's just like riding a horse, you get bucked off, you get right back on. My mom went out and bought a membership later that day and back at the pool she had me.

Can't say that it was a bad idea because I love the water and went on to spend many a hours growing up at the pool including lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons myself. One difference as a swim teacher...I never promised kids I would catch them and then let them go under like I did. I made them gain their own confidence. I think I was pretty good at it. Both of my kids are pretty good swimmers and have been before they could ever touch the bottom.

Back when I was a kid the pool was a social hub as it was the only pool in the county. It was sort of funny, because the north shelby kids would congregate one side of the deck and the south shelby people on the other. I honestly dont' remember many kids from clarence having a membership but surely there were some. Then in the mid 80's both clarence and shelbyville builts their own pools and slowy that is when our pool started going down. It takes alot of money for upkeep.

It won't be the same pool and it won't have the same rules, but the new pool will be just that, new... and it will be wet and I can't wait for it to get built. (I sound like a little kid, lol.)

Extra Random Pix of Johnson Shut Ins

2009-08-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure you can imagine how incredible this place was unless you were there. Of course I thought it was really cool climbing around all the rocks until the next 2 days hit and I woke up and couldn't move my arms because of the soreness. ( oh, am I getting old???? )

Sunday at Johnson Shut-Ins @ Lesterville, MO

2009-08-03T19:12:00.000-05:00

My two lovely, adoring children, who actually cooperated fairly well for this photo op.

Ok, I am really not that short, short, but not as short as this picture makes me look. The height difference with Chase is real, but Chelsey was standing on a rock.

My little sweetheart.

Chase, Preston and David in one of the pools of water at the shut-in.

Saturday Float...pictures to be posted later, not digital

2009-08-03T18:58:00.000-05:00

Here are some random pictures at the cabin until I get the float ones developed.

Caroline getting Chase wet.

Caroline finding out what paybacks are all about.

The boys playing cards.

Looking for craw daddys.Chelsey and Randi hanging out in the hammock.

Friday nite at the cabin

2009-08-03T18:41:00.000-05:00

Me, putting together the poles for the tent. Interestingly, the tent did not have instructions when I opened up the bag, not that I needed them to put the poles together, I think a 4 year old could have figured that out. Hey, but have no fear, we got it figured out, relatively calmly and without too much profanity!! But definitely a beer LATER.I think at this point Caroline and I had put our heads together on figuring the tents out, but got it done. You can see behind the hammock in the pictue below one of the tents. And by the way, they stayed up too.

The hammock was a joint effort by about everybody.

And the fire, what dare you ask is my son spraying on the fire???? His new bottle of AXE deordant I just bought. Did it actually work??? I really don't know, the boys were in charge of the fire and they had it going whenever it was needed (even when it woke me up in the morning, thanks Noah!!)

So Where Do I Begin???

2009-08-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

I think as far back as I can remember over the last couple of weeks was to Old Settlers, which was held a lot earlier this year. It was really hard to think of it happening in July, but oh well, it has come and gone now.

On Thursday nite, July 23 ( I think, because I am too lazy to get up and look at the calendar ) we went over and watched the Queen Contest.

On Friday nite, we went over and watched the Family Fued game, of which I didn't hear alot of as I was too busy talking. ( imagine that !!)

On Saturday morning Chelsey went to her friends Myah's house for a birthday sleep over. They also went to Columbia and took in the Boone Co Fair and did a little shopping at the mall. Chase and I headed over to Shelbyville and watched the parade. He left with his friends to go ride 4 wheelers and I stayed and watched the games that afternoon.

Later that night we headed back over to watch Karmen and Kellie perform, who were very talented and quite entertaining. We then took in the festivities and live band at Willey's getting home at an early 2 a.m. By the way, I started vacation on Friday night.....

All I wanted to do on my vacation was spend some time with my kids and catch some rays.... well, I stole as much time with my kids as I could but mother nature didn't cooperate very well in the sun department.

On Monday, Chelsey and I went to the beach in Macon at Long Branch and enjoyed the afternooon with Cami Decker and Amanda Friesz and kids. On the way home, not so much fun as my car overheated in Macon and I had to be hauled home. Chase spent the night at his grandparents on Monday so he could go 4 wheel riding with his friends.

Tuesday, the weather pretty much stunk so I resorted to cleaning out closests and drawers of the kids. What a vacation wish!

On Wed, we headed to Worlds of Fun and by 4:30 pm the kids were done so we went to Cabela's and to see Kansas Motor Speedway. After supper at Longhorn we headed home listening to what turned out to be the 15 inning game St Louis had vs LA Dodgers arriving home at 11:30 pm.
On Thursday, Chelsey and I made a quick trip to Hannibal to get stuff for the weekend float trip and gave her a chance to look at new phones. I was still in great hopes of sun when we got home early afternoon but the clouds came out and ruined that from happening.

Vacation 2009 to come

2009-08-03T12:45:00.001-05:00

Pictures to be posted soon.

Random pictures of Chelsey

2009-07-17T14:33:00.000-05:00

Chelsey has been playing around with the camera so I snatched a couple of pictures and I am loading them to my blog. (Certainly nothing I'd ever catch Chase doing, taking pictures of himself, lol.)

Chase

2009-07-15T18:43:00.000-05:00

Well, he was home and now he's gone again. Geez, I think I'm going to have to glue him to the floor to get him to stay home! He just returned from a birthday sleepover; and now he's off to play wiffle ball. I did get a hug and an "I love you". Guess that will have to do.

Visited Chelsey at Church Camp

2009-07-15T18:41:00.001-05:00

I stopped by church camp tonight to visit Chelsey. She was a little bummed; bored...this year hasn't been the dynamic she'd been used to when she has attended. Of course I tried to remind her why she was there, but she's 11....only so much of "you're there for a larger purpose than just having fun" did she want to hear. I told her she'd be fine and I'll see you in 2 more days.

A new look

2009-07-15T12:57:00.001-05:00

Wow, this sure looks better (all except for the long hair Chase had.) It had been a long time since I changed the look of my page, almost forgot how to do it. These are not some of the best pictures of my kids but at least they are a little newer. And by the way, Chase has had a hair cut !

Times flies when you're having fun...walking... 6.2 miles later

2009-07-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, you know the saying, "time flies when you're having fun"? Well, I guess you could say the same applies when 2 woman are walking, running their mouths and the next thing you know it has been 6 miles later.....

Yes, my friend Caroline and I went out walking last night. We talked and laughed and carried on as we went... and the next thing you know we had been gone for an hour and half and we'd walked 6.2 miles. Well, we didn't actually know how far we'd walked until we got in the car aftewards and drove the route but that's what it turned out to be.

And OMG, can I feel it today....but we're lined up to go another 6 tonight. We've charted a different course tonight, one that does not involve gravel.

Wish us luck!!

Chelsey off to church camp

2009-07-13T12:25:00.000-05:00

I think would go to church camp once a week if she could. She's usually packed a week in advance. We got her all checked in yesterday at 3 pm; made up her bed and we got our good-bye kisses. I she is going to have a great time this week.

Shelby County Fair July 6 - 11

2009-07-08T11:20:00.000-05:00

On Monday night I had to take Chelsey to the fair to check in her 4-H exhibits that she had prepared for the fair this year. This is her first year to be in 4-H so you are only allowed to be in 3 categories, but you can submit up to 6 entries for each category.

Chelsey participated in the following:

Dogs - she submitted a dog care basket - which received a blue ribbon and was picked to go to the state fair.

Scrapbooking - she submitted 2 pages, one for her 11th birthday and one for the softball season that just completed, they both received blue ribbons and they were both chosen to go to the state fair.

Photography - she submitted 6 pictures -

Lilys - blue

Rose of Sharon - blue Old door handle - blue Vine on brick wall - blue Old door - red Old Faucet - blue and picked as an alternate to go to state fair

Chase Baseball

2009-07-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

Some shots of Chase during his 2009 baseball season this year.

Chelsey Softball 2009

2009-06-29T22:16:00.001-05:00

The Kyle Chinn Trucking team, coached by Ric Bishop and Kyle Chinn went undefeated this season.

Chelsey playing 2nd base.

Chelsey not quite ready to react.

Chelsey scoring a run.

Chelsey stealing 2nd base.

Chelsey getting ready to rip a big one!

Seriously Behind

2009-06-26T11:55:00.000-05:00

I know, I am seriously behind. Tell me something I don't know. Sorry, wish I could give a better excuse but I can't.

View from the Washington Monument

2009-06-11T15:00:00.001-05:00

This is the view from the Washington Monument. Chase just sent this to me. They will be heading home tonight on the all night bus ride.

A Mom's Scare

2009-06-10T18:07:00.000-05:00

There is nothing worse then to know your child is some 20 hours away when you learn there has been a randon shooting at one of the sites he's supposed to be visiting. I'm sure most of you all know now that today, around 12:50 pm, there was a shooting inside the Holocaust Museum. A security guard has died and the shooter himself is in critical condition.

I was lucky, I got a phone call before I heard it on the radio or saw it posted on the internet. Contact had been made with Chase and while their class was supposed to have been at the exact museum where the shooting took place, he said their schedule had been changed and they were at Arlington National Cemetery.

I had talked to Chase about mid morning today when I had asked for my daily picture - what I got was a picture of the clouds - what I wanted from him after the shooting scare - was a texted picture of him. (I didn't get it, but it was a thought.)

The White House

2009-06-09T18:51:00.001-05:00

Well, I didn't hear from Chase last night or this morning by text, until I rec'd this picture from him around noon of the White House. He said it was big when I asked. I am really amazed at how well his phone takes pictures. This morning he texted his dad that they were at Arlington National Cemetery.

Chase - Washington DC

2009-06-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

After multiple loads of laundry, Chase got packed and they left yesterday morning at 7 a.m.; destination the first day of travel - St. Clairsville, OH. I didn't think to take my camera yesterday morning, but did manage to catch a picture with my camera phone but I do think a few people on each end probably got cut out of the picture.

You could have probably spotted Chase without the big yellow arrow, he's the one who is in need of a hair cut.

Chase sent me this picture this morning from his phone. He didn't know where they were yesterday when it was taken, just a spot they stopped for a break and thought it was neat. And he's right, it did make for a neat picture.

They are due to have gotten into Gettysburg, PA around 12:30 pm to tour the battfield and will have supper there and around 6 pm head on to Woodbridge VA to their motel. Mapquest, however accurate that is, shows it to be another 2 hours or so of travel.

Chase's game tonight

2009-05-29T22:28:00.001-05:00

Chase played a double header tonight at Monroe. It was their first games of the season. His girlfriend Cheyenne accompanied us to the game. I picked her up in Macon on my way home from Columbia. I picked up Chelsey when we got to Shelbina and then we drove on down to the game. Chase had to be there 45 minutes before the game started at 6 pm so he had gone ahead.

They played a double header. Monroe took victory on both games. Chase played center field during the 1st game and made a great diving catch. He started as pitcher during the 2nd game and pitched what I generally think is an amazing game. I didn't keep track of the number of strike-outs he had, but considering this year they moved back another 10 feet on the mound, he did really well. He got on base some as well but got left stranded.

Their next game isn't until June 12 when they return from the Washington DC trip.

Chelsey's game last night

2009-05-29T22:26:00.000-05:00

Chelsey's team had their 3rd game of the season last night. It was rescheduled from Tuesday since it was too wet to play. We played one of the Palmyra teams. Chelsey played 1st base and did a great job!! They won something like 20 - 3.

It's Friday

2009-05-29T08:05:00.000-05:00

Ok, so on Friday's, for whatever reason, I sort of get a little loopy and think of crazy songs. Well, these lyrics stem from my memories of being a kid, and my grandma playing the piano. So here's to you grandma - for a great laugh today in remembering you playing and singing, "Bill Grogan's Goat". (by the way - grandma had a goatwhen we were kids - we called her "Nanny Goat" )

Bill Grogan's Goat (repeat),
Was feelin' fine (repeat),
Ate three red shirts (repeat),
Right off the line (repeat).

Bill took a stick(repeat),
Gave him a whack (repeat),
And tied that goat (repeat),
To the railroad track (repeat).

The whislte blew! (repeat),
The train...grew...nigh (dramatic stretch)(repeat),
Bill Grogan's Goat (repeat),
Was doomed to die (repeat).

He heaved a sigh (repeat),
Of...aw-ful...pain (dramaitic stretch) (repeat),
Coughed up the shirts (repeat), And flagged the train! (repeat).

My other grandma

2009-05-27T20:25:00.000-05:00

Both of my grandma's are very special, in different ways. This grandma was part of a family owned business and always liked to make sure her make up and hair were done and her clothes were all pressed and so on before she went to work. Being that with all the grandkids on this side of the family, there were only 2 girls, I have to admit, that I think I may have gotten a little spoiled during my day. The other girl, was 11 years older than me, so for the most part, when I was growing up, it was just me and all the boys.

I can remember several shopping excursions that we took. I espcially remember this velvet blazer jacket she bought be. It was burgundy. It also had a matching plaid wool skirt that went with it. I liked to wear the jacket with jeans. Let me tell you, I thought I was styling. I also remember this one swimsuit she bought me one year at the mall. It was a Catlina brand. Back then, it was major expensive. I think I might remember the words, "don't tell your dad". I think after this meaning years I might be safe in finally letting that out.

When I was little I used to stay with grandma alot when my aunt was still at home. Now, I can't really say that I remember this, but I had long hair, and I don't think they had a blow dryer, but to dry my hair, I used to start the clothes dryer and hold my head in it. I guess it sounds like something I might have done!! I used to ride with my grandma to take my aunt back to Kirksville to college. I always hated when it was time for her to go back.

It was this grandma who got me to drinking hot tea, not that I drink it much these days. And when she irons she starches everything, so if you don't want your underwear stiff, you'd better hide them!! And she makes the best creamed lima beans. Nobody in the world can make them like she does. However; she also likes to put coconut in alot of stuff as well as alot of extracts....I wish I could tell her to hold off on some of this but in lieu of hurting her feelings, I'll let it go. But one of the funniest things I remember of late, is she will make a pie or cake for you and it will all be wrapped up in tin foil, but you can guarantee that when you open it up it will be missing one piece!!! (she keeps one piece for herself)

How blessed I have been to have my grandma in my life for the past 40 yrs! I look forward to many more.

My grandma

2009-05-27T17:43:00.000-05:00

Last night, we had supper over at my grandma's house. She had wanted us to come over on Sunday but with the busy weekend it didn't work out until last night. I had taken her to the cemeteries on Sunday and put out flowers for Memorial Day. She gave me a batch of potato salad when I was there then. It is pretty awesome. And the best thing about it, is nobody else in my house will touch, so I get it all to myself.

So last night, the menu was lasagne, green beans, salad, hot bread and dessert which consisted of a frozen chocolate concoction and a pound cake with cherry topping and whip cream. Let's just say that I was really full when it was all said and done. I was quite thankful for most of the paper we got to eat from. She had even served the salad in paper bowls. Grandma still gets around pretty well for being 88 but since she prepared supper the least I could do was clean up.

It was sort of funny the things that went through my mind as I was doing the dishes, but the silverware I was washing was the same spoons and forks I remember from when I was a kid. Ok, so I am 40 and I know she had them long before me. The same went for the plates, the pans and the utensils. Geez, I am already on my second set of silverware in 18 years. So much has changed from when my grandma grew up from when I grew up and now even to when my kids are growing up.

Even like when I told Chelsey we were going to grandma's for supper last night. I certainly mean no disrespect to her, but Chelsey sort of balked on the idea of it and then asked me what I would rather do, be with my friends or go to my grandma's or in this case, for her, her great-grandma's. I sort of gave her a hard time and read her the riot act because she doesn't know how lucky she is to be 11 years old and know her great grandma as well as she does and she have her in such good health that she can still have us over for a meal that she has prepared herself.

I went on to explain to Chelsey that back when I was a kid, going to my grandma's was almost like going to a friend's house. It was a treat and I would almost beg to go to her house. Life was so different back then. Much simpler. And in many ways, easier. My grandma's house didn't even have running water. Well, for a long time in the kitchen there was a well pump and you could get well water to wash the dishes, but after a while the pump broke and it couldn't be fixed. From then on, we hauled water in from town. We used the outhouse in the chicken yard for a long time. In the winter time, we used an 'ole white metal pot with a handle and when we were done we took it outside and dumped it over the fence. I'm sure some of you who read this may get embarrassed or wonder how I could write all of this, but you know, it doesn't bother me a bit.

In the winter, the house would be very cold and grandma would shut off all the rooms but the living room and the kitchen. We'd sleep in the living room at night on the pull out couch. We'd turn on the electric blanket before we climbed in and it would be all toasty warm. In the mornings she would make real hot chocolate with cocoa, sugar and warm milk.

In the summers we'd dress chickens and take walks in the woods. Most people probably wouldn't guess me as a farm girl but belive it or not, I spent my share of time on the farm at my grandmas. I think my favorite thing was gathering the eggs in the chicken house. I loved how you always had to find the nests. And I loved when grandma would go to the piano and play "Bill Grogan's Goat". I think that is the only song she knew how to play, but it was a funny song and it was fun to hear!!

I think one of the most special memories I have of my grandma is that she was a cook at the school. I remember before I started school I told her it wouldn't be but a couple years and I would be in school. And then I started. But she cooked at the high school. And every year or so I'd remind her in just a few years I'd be there, and so I finally made it to 9th grade, and got to see her every day in the lunch line. ( and probably got some extra portions of the good stuff too). and then then 4 years of high school came and went and she was still there. That was in 1987. Grandma cooked at the school I think until 1994 until retiring. And there was was back in 1974 afraid she wound't make it a few more years and look how far she made it. She got to see 4 of her grandkids every day during high school. Not many kids get to say that.

Thanks Granny, for the memories. I look forward to many more.

**** PS. We've had running water at Grandma's in town now for many years!

Elementary Track and Field Day

2009-05-18T19:53:00.000-05:00

Every year at the end of school the elementary has the parents day - track and field day where parents come eat with their kids and what the track meet. It was originally scheduled for Friday and it got cancelled at that last minute due to the rainy weather but rescheduled for Monday, today.

Today was a beautiful sunshiny day. While I was happy that it would be my last one, it was say too, because my baby is growing up. Following are some action shots of Chelsey's events as well as some shots of her and her friends.

Chelsey is in the gray t-shirt and blue shorts with what looks like white polka dots on them, but they are really softballs.Chelsey running the 100 meter dash. In this picture she looks like she is in 2nd place but what I missed in the picture was the person who already crossed the finish line and one the race.

The girls being silly. They were entitled. Schools almost out!!