On the Road

July 27th is now a red-letter day in the Browning house. We paid the first month's insurance this afternoon, which was the final step in making the truck legal.


For those of you who don't know the WHOLE story.......My dad order this truck, a 1977 El Camino in 1976. It arrived at our house on December 6th, 1976 (years later Andrew and I would marry on the 6th of December, not realizing it was the anniversary of the truck). My dad loved this truck, I loved this truck. Sometime over the next couple of years, My dad informed me that when I turned 16, he would turn over the keys and he would get himself a new one.

Dad died when I was 13, so the second new truck was never meant to be. Also, because of the huge change in our lives, I never really thought about the promise my dad made me. My mom did though, and when I turned 16, she handed me a set of keys to the truck. Many of you who were around back then, I am sure, have stories about the truck that I can't even remember. It saw a lot of good times. When I was old enough to buy myself a car, I returned the keys to Mom.

In 1994, something happened to part of the truck and it stopped having the ability to move. Mom parked it in the garage and within the next year started telling Robert when he grew up he could have it. I knew then and there he would hold her to it. For the next several years, if we were at Moms, you could find him sitting behind the wheel of the truck, dreaming about the day...this day.

Four summers ago, the winds took the garage, remarkably, the El Camino came out of it unscathed and found it's way to our garage. The boys started slowly but surely getting it to run. Every little step was a huge victory but deep down inside, I think Robert believed it ever getting back on the road may just be a pipe dream. I am not sure but what he was still feeling that Saturday morning as we went to get the tags, it was still not sinking in.

Today, we paid for the insurance, the lady told him to be careful, he says, "You don't have any idea how careful I will be". I think I do. I know he never met my dad, everybody who knows Robert and knew my dad though knows how much of my dad is built into him though. This is the bond that ties them together. Robert loves that truck as much as Dad did. I bawled as he pulled out of the drive...one because he got to see his dream come true and two because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that my dad saw that too. What a day, what an emotional, glorious day.

What a Wonderful Weekend

The Cast of Oklahoma

What a great weekend it has been! I'm a little sad that Oklahoma! is over but band camp starts tonight so it couldn't have been better timing. This was an awesome production and I continue to be amazed by some of our very own young people that took their time out of their summer to do this and really had a good time! Robert made some new friends, plus got more acting experience under his belt--and somebody tell Roma that Sunday afternoon, he did a much better job at not watching his feet as he danced--I hadn't honestly noticed it until she mentioned it, but I did notice when he DIDN'T do it.

To top it all of, Andrew's dad called Saturday afternoon, he and his girlfriend, Lila, was almost to Effingham. They weren't planning on being in until late that night. I invited them for dinner so we got to spend more time with them than we originally thought we would. Yesterday, the met us at church, went to lunch and then to the play. During intermission, we found out that Lila's son had been in a biking accident. He was in the hospital in Topeka with at least a broken collarbone. It looked like they would need to leave immediately. After a few more phone calls though, they decided things were under control and was able to see the rest of Robert's play. All of Robert's speaking parts were in the 2nd act, so I was really glad they got to stay.

Today, I am off to the periodontist this morning, then back home to get insurance on the truck; We had it tagged and retitled Saturday. It was a little hard for Robert to surrender the original title as it had my dad's writing on it, but it had to be done to make it legal. Band Camp tonight....on with the busyness!

Happy Monday everyone!

OKLAHOMA!!

First and foremost, congratulations to the cast of FACE's OKLAHOMA! You all were wonderful and I can't wait to see it again tonight! I am so proud of Robert, everytime he gets on stage, he is a little more comfortable with it. Last night, you could just tell, he was having fun! He had 5 other friends in the production from Newton: Drew Parker, who played a great Ado Annie, Nick Matson, who also did an awesome job as Will Parker, Taryn Mahaffey, who played Ellen, and was featured in some of the songs; Jared Britton, who I believe was named Ike in the program, and Richard Brooks, who had a name and I don't have my program in here. It really probably didn't matter though. Robert came home and told us he had the part of JOE. Last night, in the program, his name was FRED, and when he had lines with Curly, his name was TOM. He didn't know about the program, they just knew the conflict betwenn Joe and Tom, so he has been named "Toe".

I, of course, knew it would be an adventure getting there on time, and I was bound and determined to make it. Our banquet was supposed to start at 6:00, in reality, we got started about 6:05, then we were supposed to start the program at 6:30, that happened about 25 till 7--yes, I was getting a little worried. I actually started my part of the program at 6:50. I had a speech all written out, and as I was saying it, I was thinking I had to hurry, which threw me off so I ad libbed a little, which actually made it LONGER! I had my students come up, receive their certificates, take a picture, and I was out the door; my watch said 6:56 as I shut the car door and started the engine.

My van's owner's manual says that a few times during the "breaking in" period, you are supposed to accelerate quickly (to the limits of the law) to help get everything to adjust in the engine. The van does 90mph without even thinking about it. Okay, all those dear friends of mine who are State Troopers, Newton Police, Jasper County Deputies--you didn't hear any of that, and I HONESTLY don't make it a habit anymore but I wasn't going to be late! As I was driving, I was getting my dress pulled up around my neck, getting my shoes off, and getting ready for the quick change. I pulled over to the side of the road, pulled my capris on my legs, put my sweater over my head, pulled my dress up through my sweater, slipped my shoes on and I was on my way, I may have even given Levi Ashcraft (in the Air Force), who can dress in like, 15 seconds, a run for his money. I had a trucker go by and honk, I know he didn't see much, if anything, because if he really had, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have honked.

Anyway, I walked in the door, saw Andrew, asked if I had time to visit the restroom, he said sure. Got out of there, got to our seats, sat down, the lights dimmed, the music started and all was well!

I hope I don't have too many more of those in my life. As I was running into the building, I thought "one more thing I learned from band, how to change clothes sitting in a seat, and nobody (honestly) seeing a thing". I had done that a few times with a steering wheel in front of me before. the last time I did, I was probably still in my 20's, in fact, I was working two jobs and changing uniforms, but I was just a little happy with myself that I could still pull it off.

Stress

I couldn't think of a better name for my post. What a day, what a week! Good news to start, Justin Wenthe is doing a little better today. The doctors were down to their very last antibiotic to try on the problem he was having and IT'S WORKING!!! Answered prayer, most definately!

Today--don't even know where to start. First off, I had been looking at a program here at work that was a partnership between one of our funding sources and Microsoft. I had studied it in depth and though I thought it sounded great there was a drawback--no admin money, which basically means no money to make it happen. So, we decided to nix the idea. Today, it got thrown back on the table by the funding source. We were sent a survey to fill out, we asked if it was mandatory that we do the program, the answer, "It's mandatory that you do the survery" so we did the survey. No clue where we go from here.

Tonight is our FCD banquet. One of my favorite times of the year. My students from the last computer class gets their certificates tonight and we also celebrate our clients who are working their way out of the system--and those who have made it. I LOVE this night. Unfortunately, there is someplace else I have to be as well.....

Tonight is the opening night of OKLAHOMA! at Effingham. Robert's opening night. I am so glad he decided to do this. It starts at 7:30, our banquet starts at 6. Hopefully, I will be speaking at 6:30 and on the road by a quarter til 7.


Life gets pretty crazy, but as I told a friend of mine, at the end of the day, you sit down, look at your home, look at your family and realize you are living life to the fullest, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Attention Newton Marching Eagle graduating classes of 1994-2008

Attention Newton Marching Eagle graduating classes of 1994-2008
The Band Boosters are selling the instrumentalists uniforms worn during the above years.
We would like to offer these to band members before opening the
sale to the general public. If you were a band member during any of those
years and would like to purchase a uniform, please email marching.eagles@yahoo.com.
Uniforms will be $20 apiece and helmets will be $5.00. Deadline for “pre-public” sale is Wednesday, August 12th. Drum Major uniforms will be sold separately at silent auction.


The Band Boosters are holding a silent auction to sell the 8 Drum Major uniforms used during the above years. We will take bids via e-mail to marching.eagles@yahoo.com. Please put “Drum Major uniform bid” in the subject line.
The highest bid will get first choice, second highest will get second, etc.
Deadline for sending bids is Wednesday, August 12th. Winners will be notified via email on the 14th of August.

Catching up

What a week (again).

Andrew has been having an ongoing ordeal with his back, if you want to know the truth, he has had pain in some form or another for the most part of the last 15 years. This last episode actually started while I was in the hospital with MY back, April 7th, 8th, & 9th. It had gotten gradually worse until he finally went to the doctor about 6 weeks ago. I kept wanting him to get in to see the doctor that "fixed" me. Apparently, that was a slow process for his ex-doctor. After having x-rays one week, then putting him on a medicine that didn't work, then a couple weeks later, having an MRI, and not even letting him have any more pain pills. Andrew finally convinced him to call Dr. Pardo's office. That was on Wednesday of last week. On Friday, Andrew called to see why we hadn't heard from them....they couldn't find a number for him. Hello????? We told them he was at the pain clinic in St. Anthony's. I was out doing an outreach at a Sr. site when Andrew called and told me that. I, of course, had my laptop so I looked up the number, right then and there. Well, on MONDAY, Andrew called them at 8:00 because we still hadn't heard from them. They say, "We got you an appointment for August 10th.". I was like, "No Way!!"

Soooooo, I called the pain clinic myself, told them Andrew couldn't even stand up straight, was in tons of pain and Dr. Pardo fixed me and I just wanted him to be able to fix Andrew. The reply "Can you be here at 3:30 this afternoon?" "Yes, oh YES, we can!!". So we went, Dr. Pardo had stayed late to see Andrew, by the time we got in it was almost 6. His staff had all went home. He told us they were really booked but he knew Andrew needed some relief so please call after 6 am the next morning and the girl in scheduling would just fit him in sometime this week. I called at 6, she called me back in 10 minutes and said to have him there at 1:30. He ended up getting about 9 shots, between pain killers and cortisone. The doctor's official diagnosis with what is wrong with Andrew's back: Arthritis. Not really what we wanted to hear, especially at age 44, but Dr. Pardo thinks he can manage it with medication for now. He had been diagnosed a year ago with arthritis in his shoulder so it didn't come as a huge surprise.

He has been doing remarkably well, he still has some momentary pains, but that is to be expected.

Robert has had a busy week also, he has been cleaning out grain bins for a friend of ours, he has been so disappointed this summer not to have a job, so he is tickled to death to get to work for someone other than Mom. Hopefully, if all goes as planned, tomorrow morning we will head to Olney to tag and title the truck. We had planned it for earlier this week but when he got the chance to work, we knew we wanted to put this aside. The play he is in, "Oklahoma", in Effingham, starts next Thursday night, with performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available though FACE. Thursday and Sunday are Theater only, Friday and Saturday are dinner theaters with a western style dinner. For more information call 347FACE during regular business hours. He has been at practice every night this week, he has lines, small ones, but they are lines. He has had a lot of fun with this and I am so glad he can add it to the list of things he has done on his summer vacation.

That leads to me. Life is a bit of a whirlwind right now, I'm lovin' it, don't get me wrong but wow! Monday, I went in late because I was taking care of getting Andrew into see Dr. Pardo. Then, I left early to get him over there. During my time at work, an opportunity presented itself and I now have another little program to take care of. I am really excited though I haven't had time to really figure out the specifics. Bottom line, Microsoft is donating some online classes through an agreement with the State of Illinois, I am going to be in charge of the "Elevate America" campaign. As I said, I haven't figured out the specifics yet, but it starts July 31st, so I need to get on the ball.

Wednesday and Thursday I have gotten to go to Paris and Mattoon respectively and do cooling apps. I love getting out in the field and doing apps, there are so many interesting people--especially in our Sr. homes and I love getting to be back out there once in a while. Today I go to Charleston to do outreach. I am also thrilled that technology has made this possible. I take the laptop, the wireless card and a 3-in-1 printer, we can copy all their documents, put the app on the web-based program and print it out for them to sign all while the client is sitting there. In the "old days" we had to go write everything out, sign an affidavit saying we saw all the information and it is true and then come back to the office and put it in the system, basically, it meant doing everything twice. I love that we have simplified this and that I am part of the answer.

I am looking forward to this weekend, tomorrow, we meet Sis and family for a cookout and Sunday we head to Simple Blessings to sing. Throughout that time though, I am going to find some time to just sit down. I can't wait!

Almost to Happen

We are inching closer to the finish line with the El Camino...the "first" finish line anyway: getting it legal and drivable. The new windshield was installed yesterday. Last week, Robert bought and installed a new master cylinder and so all that is standing in his way is title, tags and insurance. I called the Secretary of State's office yesterday and by the way I understood it, we can do the title and get the tags all in the same day, then call and put insurance on it and he is good to go. He still needs to put all new belts and hoses on it before it leaves town and since he is putting his money towards the tags, it may be a couple weeks on that but we are so close!

He told me he couldn't wait to get it drivable because then they would start working on all the cosmetic stuff. This morning, when I went to take the picture, I realized there are a LOT of cosmetic projects--like a grill, a new dashboard, new trim around the windows, paint, carpeting, and I could go on but I am so proud of what they have accomplished. I am very sure it would have been cheaper to have bought him a car, but I don't think it would mean as much to him. When he was little, he would go out and sit in Mom's garage, in this truck and pretend like he was driving, he would do that for hours! Those who knew my dad know how much Robert reminds us of him--my dad would have been very proud too.

Congratulations Robert, I am looking forward to the day you have it where you want it and take it to your first car show. I know we have started a hobby for you that will last a lifetime.

Look what is coming to its new home in my garage tonight! I am SOOOO excited! My Town and County has been great but at 195,000 miles (it had 17,000 on it when we got it) it was time to trade. My new one has 43 miles on it.

On to July...

This week has not been without its events. Wednesday, our executive director celebrated her 40th anniversary with the agency. She is great and I continue to be amazed at how she balances everything she has going on.

We held her a surprise party at Richard's Farm. We honestly did pull it off, something highly unlikely when there are as many of us as there is.

On Thursday, I had to make a trip to Olney to work on a couple computers. Robert decided to ride along with me and went to see some of his friends from the Olney days. He hadn't seen any of them since 6th grade-neither had I. needless to say, they have all changed a lot.

For those readers who also work with AWANA, the first four boys were all regulars: Josh H, Robert, Cole P, Jake H, and Hyatt B. Yes, Jake and Josh both have goatees--where did the time go? Oh, and Hyatt..when we left Olney had hair to his shoulders, so he was a real shocker to me. These boys, er, I guess I should say "guys" are still great and I am glad Robert still gets to see them.

Believe it or not, I think this makes me officially "caught up" with my blogging. I will try to keep at it this time!

June in Pictures, Part 3

As I mentioned earlier, the kid has taken up photography. He has done some pretty cool things.
He had been wanting a really nice, 35 mm camera and wanting to learn how to develop his own pictures. Seems Grandpa is about to make the camera dreams come true as he has a really nice 35 mm complete with two different flashes, different lenses, etc. Grandpa said he will bring it with him the next time he comes after he has been back to Phoenix-- his is giving it to Robert. I have a feeling it will be well used.

Where he gets it....

One night of the storms, instead of being safe, he (along with Aunt Sis) was out standing in the front yard taking pictures:

I love this picture, yes, he had been up quite a few hours and yes, he needs a shave but I just like the way it looks and I believe it is going on the wall you see in the first picture.

June in Pictures, Part 2

On June 16th, Andrew's Dad and Grandma arrived. We had a great time with everyone. Here is a four-generation picture-Andrew's Grandma Virginia, Robert, Andrew's dad, Bob and Andrew.

Here is Robert with his Great-Grandma Virginia, Nana and Grandpa Bob.

I wish I would have had a copy of the picture we took at Lincoln Museum. Bob made the statement when seeing the Lincoln family that you could have your picture taken with, that he wanted his picture taken. Andrew, without missing a beat said "You should, you voted for him"--It was the funniest thing said all week--can't believe it rolled off his tongue that easy.

Here are a couple of pictures of the Wind Farm, thank again to Sis and Richard for taking us on the tour!

My kid has the same bug his Aunt Sis has. He is honestly (in MY opinion) pretty good at it. He took this in B&W, thought it was cool.

June in Pictures, Part 1

This is my uncle's (and my mom's) garden--ONE of them. There are many, my uncle is 82 years old and insists on doing all this gardening every year. This year, my mom has helped a lot, I can't even begin to tell you how many plants there are, I know there was over 500 tomato plants set out though.

First week of June, VBS. Robert has been in charge of games for the last three years, he loves it. I always think he would make a good teacher but by the end of the week he is saying--uh, no..

Andrew played Pharoah one night during VBS. The kids had to give him "boils" which were different colored stickers, they even covered his glasses with stickers! --this is probably one of those things these kids will remember about Andrew for the rest of his life.

I was in charge of "dockside drive-in" we had a blast!

On Saturday the 6th, Robert and I went to St. Louis to see "Rent" at the Fox, okay, not my favorite musical but it was okay. I wish the storyline didn't have to exist, but it does and it is more real than many musicals I have been to. My "social work" side came out immediately as I kept wanting to find ways to help make these peoples lives better. Anyway, we ate a Deli on "The Hill" GREAT food! Then went to the play. On our way through Lebanon (we had hit Fairview Heights to do a little shopping) we spotted a car show. Not letting Robert stop at a car show would have ruined the day. This is ONE of the more than 100 pictures he took.