Hi Everyone!

[gja1000]

Boy! This Alaska to Texas jet lag is about to get to me. It is 3 hours earlier in Alaska than Texas - so I want to sleep till 10:00AM and go to bed at 2:00AM. Of course, I have to force myself to get up at 6:00 or 7:00 and I feel AWFUL till about the middle of the afternoon.

BUT, today I feel more normal, so I'm hopeful that after a week, I am finally coming out of the funk.

We have an all day retreat at school tomorrow. This means the administrators are going to get together and map out a strategy for the next few years of a very lean budget. We are looking at some cuts in the budget, so we may have to reduce the number of students we admit or the number of programs we offer. It will be interesting, I'm sure.

I need to get my Alaska pictures loaded onto the computer and I will - soon!

[Janet]

It's been beautiful here the last few days...temps in the 70's. I've had the doors and windows open. Tomorrow we are suppose to head back up into the 90's and it will be that way for quite awhile. I just hope the humidity isn't too high.

I've really been enjoying Brenna...she sure is a Momma's girl..lol. Puppies are doing great..can't believe they are soon to be 7 weeks old already. I can sure tell a difference between having a female litter or a male litter...lol. These little guys are onry through and through...lol

Mom did great on her first night back on home dialysis. The machine didn't buzz at all and she slept all night except to go potty once. She is so glad she doesn't have to the the hemo anymore. Now she just has to be very diligent in not getting another infection.

Ricky only has two months left of school. He really likes it and is learning so much. Usually comes home looking like a grease monkey, but as long as he's happy...it's okay.

Not much else happening really...I need to get out of this house more.

[judy]

I'm so glad you are enjoying Brenna so much! She is such a little doll. I know what you mean about getting out more. I have been busy, but if it's too hot, I won't go out to just get out. I hate being in town in the heat! If I didn't have the pool, I would just stay in when it's 90 degrees!

My summer friends are here. They haven't been as friendly as usual, but I'll work it out. They were busy getting settled and their hubbys were here.

Jessie got involved in the theater program in her area. She met the theater people when Mackenzie auditioned for a singing thing, and she decided to join up too. She is directing "Annie" to open on 9/11. I'm really happy for her! She needs her own life, and the kids are getting older. Guess who is going to be Annie? Mackenzie, of course! The woman who runs the theater program wants her as Annie, but she does have to audition with eot my plants veryone else. I think Kassidy might be one of the orphans, although she is stage shy.

I finally got my plants and deck done. I waited because we had some very cold nights until about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I washed the deck and the furniture down with vinegar and water, set up the plants, and it looks so nice! I also found someone new to clean the house, so everything feels clean and shiny, and I am a happy woman! Now, if I could just convince Max that lifting his leg to pee on my pansies out front is not okay, they might live!

[DianaB]

Like you, Janet, our weather has been a little bit cooler.....not enough that I've opened the windows though.......but enough that you're not hit in the face with heat every time you open the door. We are suppose to warm back up soon. We really could use some rain....the corn could really use it right now.

I'm sure that Brenna is a sweetie. I don't picture you with anything less than adorable anyway!!! I can't wait to meet her. I should warn you that Reuger is NOT the most friendly to new dogs. He will mellow out after a while though.

I'm glad to hear that your Mom is doing so much better. I know that it's a big relief to you as well.


Judy....I'm not surprised that Mackenzie will be cast as Annie.....she has quite the voice and will do just wonderful in the play!!! And how exciting that Jessie will be directing it!!! Like you said "She needs her own life"!! I'm sure that you're excited about your family being involved in this and if they're like my family you'll get drawn into helping one way or another!!! Fun....fun!!!

If you ever figure out how to get Max to quit peeing on the pansies let me know how you did it......Reuger thinks that he has to pee on the car tires....in the garage. I'd love to find a way to make him quit!!!

So have you found a way to come yet? I'd love to have you!!!!

[judy]

I just found this Diana. If I ever figure out a way to stop Max from peeing on the pansies, I'll become a wealthy woman! By the way, there is only one pansy left!
I have to go searching for remnants of them, weed, water, and see if they are savable!

I have not found a way to come, but I wish I could afford it! Driving is out...it's just too far, even if I drive to Janet's and then continue with her.

Ah, well.....

[judy]

It's going to be in the 90's today. I am definitely going to spend the day in the pool! What was nice was that last night, it cooled down substantially.

In NYC, the heat just lays there, and summer can be uncomfortable. My apartment was on the top floor, under a black tar roof. The heat just collected and hung there. I ran the a/c 24/7!

I just love it here! (Wait until winter, and I won't be loving the snow though!)

[paula1961]

That sounds wonderful Judy. A day in the pool. It's in the 90's here too and very humid. I just saw a post from Lynne on another thread and she's gonna be by the pool today too!! You lucky girls! I don't have a pool Enjoy your day!!

[Marilyn]

So sorry I haven't been on much lately. We are just having a busy summer. Karen is here and Melissa and Garrett are here most evenings for supper and to visit. The 20 somethings dominate the computers. Between them and Rex working on his in the evenings, there's not much time for me on here. Plus, we can't afford to eat out with this big group very much, so we're cooking at home in the evenings after we get off work, which means more shopping and more cleaning.

Have to enjoy them while they are here though. Before you know it, Karen will be back in California, and Melissa will be back in school. She was accepted to the RN program so two years and she will hopefully be an RN. She hopes to on to be a nurse practitioner. They plan to move away in two years so Garrett can go to vet school. So need to enjoy them now!!

This weekend I have so much to do to get ready for our vacation. I wanted to get tickets to tour the White House, so contacted our congressman a month or so ago, but we weren't in time. Found out this week that all the tickets are gone. Maybe next time.

Much to do, little time as usual.

[judy]

Jessica, I hope your living space gets in shape soon! Good luck with summer school!

It sounds like a friend/dogfest is going to happen at your house, Diana! I wish I lived closer! I could throw Max and Annie into that fenced off place and hang out with you wonderful friends! I know you are going to take tons of pictures and I am excited to see them! When you do group hugs, my spirit will be there too!