What a GREAT weekend!!!

I think our weekend was just about perfect. We spent the day Friday just taking our time to get to Macon. We stopped in St. Louis and did a little shopping, stopped at Hermann for lunch (great little deli uptown, I LOVE those kind of places). We made it to Macon about 4:30, went and ate Chinese (nothing to write home about there) and then went to see Grandma for a while.

We came back to the hotel and found the hot tub. It felt really nice but we all felt really slimy after we got out so we didn't go back Saturday night.

Saturday, we picked up Grandma and headed to Kansas City. First stop was Hallmark and the Hallmark Visitors Center. It was really, really neat. I would have loved to spent the day at the mall there and sometime will probably go back and do that but we had other plans for this day.

We went and ate at Gates BBQ, one of the "famous" KC BBQ joints, it was good, really good, yes, I took pictures. I don't have time to post them this morning.

After that we went to the Steamboat Arabia museum. This is SO cool!! If you liked the movie "National Treasure", you will like this museum. Seems these two guys and their dad were in the refrigeration business in Independence MO. One of them had a customer one day that told them there was a boat buried too far from there but nobody could ever find it. This put the idea in the one son's head and he told his dad and brother. Of course, the first thought was finding the loot and selling it- the boat was supposedly like a modern day Walmart truck, carrying merchandise to merchants along the river. It also had passengers, but the stuff was what they were thinking about. Anyway, they did three years of homework and finally figured out the boat was under some farmer's field in Kansas. They knocked on the guy's door and he told them he had heard from his ancestors that the boat was there and if these guys wanted to spend their time and money, they could go right ahead as long as they put his field back the way it was when it was done. Twenty years ago last winter, they actually found their loot. Once they realized the condition of it, they realized they couldn't sell it, that it belonged in a museum. They are still cleaning and restoring items found, they say they are about 80% done. So much of the stuff, because it had been under water and dirt for so many years has to be specially preserved or once it is in the air for a few days, it is destroyed. Anyway, if you get a chance to get out that way, this is something to see. Bob Hawley, who is the dad in this story was at the museum and visited with us. What a story--

We came home that evening and just relaxed, we ate pizza at Grandma's and then went back to the room.

Yesterday we had planned on going to church with Grandma and then heading home. She decided it would be better to run to Chillicothe and see the murals painted all over town and then she wanted us to go to the Catfish House for lunch. What a fun morning! These murals are unreal. I will post a couple later. The Catfish House is yet another hole in the wall that had outstanding food. Buffet style and all the catfish and walleye you could eat.

Yesterday morning, Robert got up, put on a pair of jeans and low and behold, he once again had highwaters. I informed him we would now have to get back to St. Louis in time to buy jeans. He keeps getting taller and skinnier. When I bought his clothes for school to start, he wore 35x30's and they were too long but the shortest I could find. Last night, I got him two pair of 29x32's they are not too long. I informed him he was now officially too skinny because he could have worn 28's but they don't have them at any of the stores that he wants clothes from.

We ended our trip with steak from Outback, then started home. It was good to be home, our girls were glad to see us (Thanks Mom for keeping an eye on them while we were gone!) and as always, it was good to sleep in our own beds.

This week should be pretty normal until the weekend, going to an auction on Saturday, Robert's spring concert on Sunday and as soon as that is over I head to Springfield for a few days....Back to the grind.

Tribute to a Friend

This is long past due, but this week has been absolutely crazy at work. Thing is, he would have been happy about me getting my job done than putting it off to write this.

Our Board President passed away last Saturday, Duane Carrell.

Talk about someone being dedicated to what they believed in...Duane believed in our agency and more importantly, he believed in us.

One time, I spoke at the Jasper County interagency meeting. The lady from the Press-Mentor wrote a huge story on our Agency and it was on the front page of the paper. Duane came in bringing 5 copies. He was so proud of it. He stopped by my office and said if my speech was half as good as the story I had done a very good job. I told him she asked for my notes after the speech and had basically typed them verbatum.

Last summer, I presented our computer classes to the board. I love talking about what I do so although it wasn't hard, it was still nerveracking. Duane called Marsha the next morning and told her what a terrific job he thought I had done. The next time he was up, he came and told me.

That's an encourager, Duane definately was. To say he will be missed is an understatement. We have a wonderful Board of Directors and I am sure we will carry on with no problem but there will always be a void there that just couldn't be filled by anyone but him.

In the past 5 years, I have gotten a chance to know him as a friend too, we have had some good sit downs. I answer the phone at work once in a while and so I had talked to him a couple of weeks ago. The last time I saw him though, he was sick with a cold. He was needing some stuff from the office so I dropped it off at his house. He didn't want me getting too close because he didn't want me to get sick, we still stood in the door and visited. He would always want to know how things were going--even when he was sick; in fact he had a meeting with Marsha and one of the board members last Thursday in his hospital room.

When Marsha told us the diagnoses Friday morning, they had thought at the time that he had a few weeks, I had ever intention of stopping by Monday night and seeing him. I never got the chance but in return, I know he couldn't have suffered long and for that I am thankful.

Ever since his wife died, you could tell there was a part of him that longed to be with her. The fact that he is there is a reason to be thankful.

He will be sorely missed.

A few pictures from the musical...

Well, it's over for another year, it was just as good today as ever but you could feel the sense of finality to all of it. For one thing, Josh Welling has been like Robert's big brother for ever and it was his final high school musical--notice I said high school; Josh is planning on studying theater arts. Everybody believes he is going to be a star--in my book, he already is.

Every year, on the day of dress rehearsal, a lady comes in and takes TONS of pictures, it's great, they are up closer than we can get in the seats and you don't have to worry about heads in the way. I had decided just to wait on these. Then, Nila, who didn't get to come this year, asked this morning about pictures. So, I didn't take tons, but I did take a few. Of course, they are mainly of the kid, but what can I say?

This is Robert with Kerstine, his dance partner. (Sis, she played Rizzo last year)

Muzzy's "boys"

Dancing with Kerstine

This is where he actual played his part "Kenneth, the butler". He was nervous about the martini glasses and today was the closest there came to being a problem, someone bumped him as he was getting to his spot for the scene. You heard the glasses jingle against each other. I was afraid it would throw off his composure, but he did great!

This was during "Speed Test", I would have liked to have had a formal picture of Robert and Kerstine in their matching outfits, but this was as close as it was going to get.

Everybody else is still as school, tearing down sets, I had every intention of going until it dawned on me today that I am not supposed to be doing that kind of stuff yet, so Andrew and Robert are there and here I sit, I did at least take tickets today so I feel I did a little something to earn my keep.

Great, great job kids! You are awesome! Every last one of you! And now we get to start looking forward to next year, let the speculation on next year's musical begin!!!

WOW!!!

The muscial is awesome! There is some amazing talent in this little rural county. Four of my friends from work came to see it last night, they were totally amazed too.

Sharon (Head Start director, my friend who won the car) has a daughter that is an actress (she's done a few small tv parts but her main focus is stage). Sharon has spent most of her life going to plays and she is always just over the top about our kids.

I think they truly get the "no small parts only small actors" thing and I don't think there was one "small actor" in the bunch. It took every one of them to make the show what it is and everyone of them was giving it their all.

And since having a blog has got to be some percentage "bragging on your kids" I will have to tell you I think Robert did awesome too. His hardest part was when he was being the butler and taking a tray of drinks around. I guess earlier this week, they sprung martini glasses on him. Then people take drinks off his tray so it redistributes the weight. I understood completely why it made him nervous.

As Andrew and I were leaving last night, one of the costume designers told me "Good Job with that kid". I thought that was pretty special, he is a great kid. She proceeded to tell me how well he pitched in and helped anywhere he was needed. He really enjoys that too. She also told me how excited he would get about his costumes-- I told someone yesterday I think Robert is like a live Ken doll to the costumers (He has 5 different outfits).

Last night, he made it home at 11, and had homework, so we were up until 12 while he finished that. T0day he has to be there at 7 am to get ready to do the performance for the jr. high. As soon as that is done, he gets to come home and rest, then back tonight at 5:30. I think we are all glad tomorrow is Saturday which translates into some rest!

It's "Thoroughly" time for the musical!!

Tonight is the night we have all been waiting for since--well, since the last proformance of Grease last March.

I know Robert is nervous, but very excited too. I am nervous for him, for all of them. Everytime I see a bunch of teenagers work hard to accomplish something, it almost makes me want to cry (I bawl through the Rose Bowl Parade every year!) I remember how long some nights got, and how you go home and wonder if it's worth it to be that exhausted. The answer was always, as it is with Robert, a resounding YES!

I am so incredably proud of my kid and his friends. I felt like I had a lot of friends in high school but I (and I know I have said this before) don't believe we were as tight as these kids are.

I believe tonight's show is sold out, the other performances are tomorrow and Saturday, 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. I believe tickets are still available if you call the high school.

And to the cast and crew: Break a Leg!

The Amazing Race-AWANA style

Last night was our last regular night of Awana, I always try to do something special for my club on that night because on Fun Fair night for the younger ones, this class usually helps out. So we had the Amazing Race-Awana Style. We divided into two teams, with two cars, the drivers--Andrew and me. They had 10 envelopes that had to be opened one at a time. Each one held a question about a spot in Newton.
Some of the questions?
1. How many pop machines are at IGA? What are they?
2. What is on the west side of the sign at the Vet Clinic?
3. How many motel rooms are there at Riverpark Motel?
4. Who sponsors the Children Playing sign in the park?

The last envelope was to be opened at 7:25, regardless of if the others were done or not. The question in it? How many different Mister Misty flavors are there at the DQ? And of course, this led to having ice cream.

I think everyone had a blast. Team Jeep won (Garrett, Jordan and Adam) they got all ten answers. Team Chrysler had 8. Team Jeep got some lucky draws of envelopes and didn't have to backtrack a lot!

I'm home, I'm home, I'm home

And honestly feel like being here! I was just getting on my cellphone last night at 5 to call Becky and see if she could move things along when the nurse came in with my discharge papers. I got to the house about 6 last night.

They said it would take three days for the epidural to start working but the cortisone shot would work immediately. I honestly think both are working. I am sore, but not hurting, I am still really afraid to stand up, sit down or twist around much because I had gotten so used to the pain being there that I am afraid it will come right back, so far so good.

I got on the scales this morning and have lost weight, that was a good thing, the first day I was at the hospital, they wouldn't even let me have a drink of water until about 6, then I could have water and they brought me a bowl of broth and a bowl of jello. The second day, I got broth and jello for breakfast and lunch and they let me have a real meal about 3 that afternoon. Guess it did some good. Not sure I could go on a constant broth and jello diet though.

I've been going to weight watchers for several months and was doing pretty good-just over 22 lbs when I got sick, then not being able to exercise and the boys doing the cooking, I had actually gained weight. Monday night ought to be a not bad experience. I'm not ready to tackle the treadmill yet but I will try to walk this weekend and I feel like cooking. Even after 17 years, the guys will totally ignore good health guidelines if I don't fix their food--yesterday AT THE HOSPITAL- Andrew had a chimichanga and macaroni and cheese- can we say "carb overload??? let alone the FAT content?? I guess it's not him that has the problem, but maybe it's just because I've taken such good care of him :-)

Well, my whole goal was to be home and better in time to direct the cantata tonight at church Jeff Carr called me yesterday and he said "I'll see ya' when I see ya'" I said, "I will see you tomorrow night!" He just laughed but said he didn't doubt it.

I am now really looking forward to all the events happening this weekend. The cantata and Good Friday service tonight, tomorrow evening, Nila and Richard will get here, Sunday morning we have Sunrise, then the young married couples are putting on a breakfast, then church. Then we come to my house, have Easter dinner and get to see Sis and Richard for a while before they have to head back to Lincoln (it's also Sis' birthday!). Sunday evening, I am going to rest a while and Monday I am going back to work with bells on!!

Thanks once more for all the prayers, I stood in my living room on Tuesday morning, not having any clue what was wrong, but at that time thinking it was something internal. I stood there and cried and prayed that God would let me keep living the life he had given me. I just want to thank HIM for that answered prayer.