NaNoWriMo is staring soon

really, really soon. I can hardly wait. I am not sure if I am going to go to the kick off. I called the guy planning it. He is really young. I wonder if everyone is. Not sure I want to be the old fogie in the bunch. I do need to work on my story. I need to work on my characters. I have the beginning of a plot. I don't even have names for the characters. I know quite a bit about them. Oh well, will just keep plodding along.

Really good Barbeque in New Mexico - sort of

Dean missed lunch today, so he was really, really hungry. He got on his Iphone and looked up places to eat. We had been hearing of a place called State Line- same people own it that own County Line in Austin area. We decided to try it out. It was really pretty good. Te bread was fab, so we bought a day old loaf for a buck to bring home. It will make wonderful cinnamon toast for breakfast in the morning. yummy

I have really been praying about that deccisin I posted about last night. I do believe God has worked it out :)

Now, we are praying about something else- really, really big. I know the Holy Spirit knows, so just pray for us. I wonder sometimes why God sent us all the way here when it hasn't worked out as planned. Maybe this is God's way of having us here for another opportunity. We are just trusting him for this.

Thursday

Wow, what a day at the assistance league. There were ample workers, so Kathy and I spent the entire day stocking. We have gone through so very much stuff. It is quite a difference from the end of the summer when every shelf was packed full of boxes. Whole units are now void of the tagged boxes. We have run almost completely out of small jackets and husky pants. Seems like a contridiction doesn't it.

After the AL, JoyAnna and I went over to the Wise house and hung out for the afternoon. We looked at photos, played with the family tree, and signed Uncle Jiggs up to write a novel in the month of November. He is going to write his history for his girls. I think it is pretty cool.

Dean came over a little later and we had dinner. After a little visit we came on home, and Dean went back to work.

I am really feeling torn about a decision right now. I am just praying through it. It will be right in the end I know.

NaNoWriMo is only 2 days away

I am really, really excited. I plan to go to a kick off at 10:30 friday night if Dean doesn't protest too much. We shall see. I am pumped that I have a story line. It is evolving as the time passes. Hopefully by midnight Saturday morning, it will be jelled enough to start writing. I hope my arm and hand hold out That silly arm in the van door episode still causes me greif sometime. I have been doing a lot of typing the last few days for Dean. Speaking of, please be praying. We are being proactive and sending out some feelers. He so hates change, so this is a big deal for him.

Today was a yucky day. I just had a bad case of the blues. Tomorrow we go to the AL so that will make for a better day. It always pumps you up to see the kids getting their new clothes and shoes. Makes me smile.

I did take some fun pics tonight. Kali in her mermaid costume. She is a cutie. I did walk into a cactus, but I think I got most of them out. Megan pulled out some, and I used the tweezers to get the rest. Oh the joy of living in the desert.

Happy 16th Birthday JoyAnna!

Ok, this is really making me feel old and sad. I told Dean last night that she really only has one more birthday 'at home' - I guess that realy depends on what she does for college, but still.

It is really crazy to think that my baby is 16. She is a really beautiul and wonderful person.

We went to dinner with Aunt Anne and Uncle Jiggs - JoyAnna wanted prime rib. She had no eaten much all day long, but then was not extremely hungy. I should have shared with her. She is on ADD meds again and they mess up her appetite. They do seem to have helped her hiccups. She didn't take it on Saturday and had hiccups quite a bit, but she did really enjoy her supper that night. Oh well, she has prime rib for lunch today.

Monday- better than yesterday :)

I had a lot to keep me busy today. I had to go take photos of volleyball again. They were not nearly as good today because the lighting in the gym was awful. We didn't have time to go outside where they would have been much, much better. Oh well. It was the best I could do.

JoyAnna had a bad day. She was really sad that it is her birthday tomorrow, and she is not with her friends. Made it really hard on her.

Anne called today. She and Uncle Jiggs are going to go to dinner tomorrow with us to celebrate JoyAnna's birthday. She is excited about going to have steak for dinner.

Dean's day was not great. Not sure what to do aside from sending out resumes. And pray. I really am praying alot about this.

They called today about showing the house - first time in a really, really long time. If we sell it, there is no going back. Not that we would go back anyway. Just seems too final.

Tomorrow I get to unpack and do house stuff. Fun, fun.

Yucky Sunday

Today was really hard. I knew I had to say goodbye. I also know that I will see him next month and again the next. Then, it might be a long time before I see him again. I know he is going to graduate in March, but then what?

I so wish Dean was happy in his job. Then, Eric would probably try to get into UTEP. As it stands now, none of us are exactly happy here. IF Dean were happy, then JoyAnna and I would be fine. If Dean finds something somewhere else, then Eric wouldn't want to be here.

And so, I pray. Alot.

I was trying to put it in words today why I was so sad. I think it is we moved so very, very far from everything and everyone and things were supposed to be so much better, but they are not. Now, my whole life had been turned upside down and it doesn't seem as if it is for the better.

Ok, my pity party is over. I will go back to praying.

Saturday was sooooo much fun

We had really been glad to see Eric, Dustin, and Kelsey on Friday. We tried to have dinner at Trail Dust, but they had had an electrical issue and the exhaust fans were not working. We decided to go on to papadeaux instead. It was really yummy. We had a lot of fun just being together.

When we got back to the hotel, Dean and I headed to bed like the old people we are and all 4 of the kids went out to go play on the skateboards. They played a little then came back.

We got up early for a Saturday and headed off downtown for them to go to the Tut Exhibit. This was what JoyAnna had been waiting months to see. She was ecstatic. I didn't really care to spend 40 to get in and then have to pay 15 or 20 to park the car, so I decided to drive around downtown and maybe find a place to stop and take some photos. Boy, did I find a photo op.

I was driving down Elm street and see a lot of people standing on the sidewalk with cameras. Hmmm, I think to myself, Is this something I might want to see, too? I drive around a little and finally see a man walking down the street. This one did not look homeless, so I asked him what was going on. He explained that they were filming a commercial with a huge beach ball. Ok, sounds fun, so off I went to see the huge beach ball.

I turned a corner and there it was - it was only half inflated, but it took up the entire street. I found a parking spot and headed off at a fast pace. I caught up to it just as it turned a corner. That was when I ran into the whole commerical set - complete with a director on a fold up bike and all the things you see in the movies when they are filming a commercial or something. It was pretty cool. I walked up and started snappoing photos. No one seemed to notice me. I think the big camera made me look official. It wasn't long before I noticed they were sending people who did not have a blue band back behind the barricade. They didn't send me, but I moved to the outer edges of the crowd to be on the safe side.

After chit chatting with a few folks near me, I found out they were filming a cruise ship commercial that might be shown for the super bowl. I took what I hope are some great shots of the whole thing. They called it a wrap just as Eric called to tell me they were finished.

After I told them I had seen it, they wanted to see too. We headed back down into down town. It was pretty funny since they didn't realize I meant the ball was as big as it really was. It was so funny to watch them. I wish I had had a video of the four of them running down the main streets of dallas chasing a giant beach ball. I will be posting some photos on my other site as soon as possible.

After the ball episode, we went to eat lunch, then to Ikea and to REI. We really enjoyed all just being together. We didn't buy hardly anything, but we did have fun.

We got back to the hotel right after Dean did. We then decided to go on and try the steak house again. It was very good and we really had a great time. Tons of fun. really. Then we checked out the half price book store and had a blast going through old vinyl records. We laughed and laughed. I really hated it for the evening to end since I knew we would be leaving Eric bright and early in the morning.

Friday Fun in Fort Worth

Friday was great. I did not make it to breakfast with Dean. I did drop him off and then drive back to the hotel to sleep some more. I took advantage of the land line phone and made some calls and took care of some things.

JoyAnna and I met my friend Robbin for lunch. It was nice to meet in person. After that, JoyAnna and went to the mall for me to get my hair cut. I LOVED it. She actually cut curls into my hair- amazing.

It was so good to see the kids when they got here. Tons of fun being together.

My, how my perception has changed

When we would drive from Longview to Dallas, I would think how barren it is in the dfw area. Not anymore. Nope, it is a virtual forest here. :0 I guess when you come from the real desert, North Texas is pretty green and woodsy.

It really is a long drive here, though. We left at 7 am mountain time and got here about 5:30 central time. Just think, we get to do it again on Sunday.

Dean is looking forward to the convention. I think he really needs it as a break from stress. Things have been really stressful lately. I am just praying for him and for this to somehow turn out better than it has been.

I am looking forward to seeing Eric, Dustin and Kelsey. We have nice little 2 bedroom hotel suite. One bathroom for 6 of us may not be tons of fun, but we will enjoy being together.

I am worn out. I have to get up really, really early tomorrow and be a good wife and go have breakfast with Dean at the convention center. 7 am is way to early to eat breakfast on holiday.

Ever have one of those days?

You know the kind where no matter what you try to do, you can't seem to get it done. I seem to have so many of those lately. Today was another one.

Dean was having a ribbon cutting at a project today. It was a really big deal. I was going to take the photos, but. . . he left his phone at home. Now I know him not having a phone should not have kept me from going, but . . . I didn't have a clue where it was. I tried his office and they didn't know and neither did Larry who works with him. I had gotten dressed in nice clothes and even had on make up.

After that, it didn't seem to get much better. I took photos again of volleyball teams. They were really cute and I think I got some really nice ones- not typical 3 rows, a coach and a ball. One of them was so creative- I had to stand in a chair- and, of course, I fell out of it. Thankfully it is just my arm that is sore and not my camera. That would not have been good.

Larry, a guy that works with Dean, called. He had gotten word his daughter had been in a bus accident today. I looked for him a flight out. She is doing ok, so he is going to leave in the morning.

I just have tomorrow to get everything done before we leave. I was planning to make lasagna so we wouldnt have to eat out as much. Guess I will do that tomorrow after the assistance league and quite a few other things. I need to clean some more around here and mop. Nope, I never got to that today, either. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day, and I can sleep all the way to Ft Worth on Thursday.

Well, this was a different kind of Monday

Honestly, today went pretty well. Dean got up really early to head to work. Billie and I were not far behind him. We got everything loaded and headed to the airport. JoyAnna was snoozing in the backseat.

After we saw her off, we headed home and got busy on house stuff. We sort of let things slide the last few weeks. It was nice to get it back to being tidy. Tomorrow I must mop. I try my best to put it off as much as possible, but with white tile floors it has to be done every so often.

I went to a volleyball practice and took photos of the junior high homeschool team. It was fun. They were really cute.

Since we are going out of town this week, I needed to find a house/pet sitter. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I really like having a college kid or someone in that age group. It just works well for some reason. I thought and thought about a way to find one. I finally looked up the BSM for UTEP. I called and they knew of someone- a journeyman missionary young lady. She came over today. We really liked her. She is going to be great to have as a sitter.

Tonight I am sort of chilling. I am debating updating my website. It would cost a little money, but if it brings in more money, then it would be a good thing. I have been researching sites for photograhers. I would keep my site for galleries and ordering and just have a nice, cool, flash kind of site for the main site. I need to make more money. Maybe if my site looked better, people would actually want me to take their photos. I'll keep thinking about it.

Lazy, lazy day

Today was the day to see Ake off. We got up early and he was already in the shower. You know he takes really, really long ones. We all got up and got ready. The Thi family came to say good bye. We all piled in the car and took off. He was a little nervous and didn't eat breakfast. I put a couple of apples in his bag for him.

We took a lot of pictures and then they let Dean go up with him to make sure he got through security and found the right gate. He was a little sad. We will miss him. He really was a good kid. I think it was just the stress of no school for so long that really caused the most grief and it magnified everything else.

After we saw him off, we headed to Denny's. After Dean being sick yesterday, he was really hungry. We came back to the house and Dean, Billie and JoyAnna crashed. I had dog patrol so I didn't get to. Dog patrol is letting them in and out and in and out so they don't bark to wake up those sleeping here in the house.

We decided to make a short mall run. Dean needed a battery for his watch and JoyAnna wanted chick-fil-a. We walked around a little, but we were all sort of out of it. We came home and Dean put new spark plugs on my car while I dozed on the sofa. I finally got up and went to bed.

We decided to try a new mexican place tonight. We had heard they had sour cream chicken enchiladas like Dean likes, but that was not the case. They did have the sour cream cheese ones that I like. It was a nice dinner, but the service was really slow.

Ake just called. He said he is really tired and really, really cold. I told him he'll be fine. I hope he will have a good attitude about it.

Oh my what a day

I went to bed at a reasonable time last night. At 1:37 the dogs started barking like crazy. They sleep all night in kennel and never get us up til morning. I jumped up and went to check on them. When I opened the laundry room door I could tell one of them had been really sick. It took me quite a bit to clean it up. Razzle did not want to go back to bed. I finally managed to get them to bed about 2.

Then Dean got sick. Several times. He left for work before 7 even though he felt horrible. I got up and got a shower. I had some things I needed to take care of - most of those never got done today anyway.

Ake was supposed to go to the airport with Connie to see a friend off to OK. He was outside waiting for her at the appointed time. I was in my robe with my hair in a towell working on some things that needed to be done. The phone rang and Connie said that we had an emergency- that Ake was scheduled to leave today. She said she thought it might be a mistake, but to get him packed for the airport. I ran outside to get him and we started packing like crazy people. I made JoyAnna get up and get her clothes on. I hurried to dress as did Billie. We threw everything in the car and flew to the airport.

We got there and once again World Heritage proved what a well run organization they are - NOT. They had made 2 reservations for my student and none for the other Thi student. Granted it could have been a tad confusing. They are both Thi, one going to Fairfax Ok an the other going to Fairbank, Ak, both last names are really long and start with S. It took over 2 hours of hagling and phone calling and such to get the correct one booked on the plane.

It took a good half hour to get his bags in the right weight guidelines. That part was at least entertaining.

By the time we got home it was nearly noon. Dean had come home and crashed. We had to run a couple of errands on the way home. Next we went to the bank. They wouldnt let me deposit my checks from the business in my personal account. I was not happy as I have been doing this. I rushed home and ate half of a chocolate dipped banana. Yummy! What a lunch, huh?

JoyAnna and I barely made it to the yearbook meeting. We felt like we were in a whirlwind today. As soon as the yearbook meeting was over, we had to go downtown to the courthouse. We had never been there and it was quite an ordeal to get to and to find a place to park. I got my dba and then had to go to the bank to get a business account. That took long enough.

We did take Ake out to dinner for his last night here- BBQ from Rudy's. We then had to go to shop for some winter clothes for him. He got a coat, snow pants, boots, sun shades, a hoodie, and a couple of pair of long johns. Oh, and some house shoes. I lost my keys in target, but the Lord answered my prayer and I found them quickly.

We packed all of his things and if the scales are ok here, he did well on his packing. Then we really had a good time seeing our names in Thi and writing his in Calligraphy and Cursive. He got a message tonight that the student who went to OK is already to leave there. I told Ake to have a good attitude and enjoy his visit.

What a birthday.

What a day

It is probably a darn good thing that the exchange student organization found a place for him this week. Today he left for school at the regular time. Billie and I got out and went to look for coats, boots, gloves, etc. I called the new host mom and talked to her to find out what all he needed to bring. Then I called the Thi friend here to tell her that it all sounded great. I told her I was going to pick him up from school and take him shopping.

I called the school to see what time he got out today since he didn't have a last period class on Thursday. I was told 2. We got there a couple of minutes before and sat and waited and waited and waited. About 2:10 anothe exchange student came out and I talked to him for a couple of minutes. I told him I was about to take him shopping for warm clothes. He told me that he had left at 12 to go to the Thi friend's house. I was livid. Not only had he skipped a class, he had not bothered to even tell me he was going. I have always let him do whatever he wanted when he asked.

He called me and I told him I was very, very upset. I came home and he was here. He told me we had all been invited to eat as a going away party tonight. I had already planned to go do some other things with him tonight, but I let him go. We will go out tomorrow night. He leaves on Saturday morning.

counting down

This morning I was on my way to Assistance League when I realized I had forgotten to eat breakfast. I didn't think I could wait til lunch, so I stopped off at Whataburger for a biscuit. I was waiting for my to go order when I saw a women and her son outside the window. He was a young adult and she was probably older than me. He hugged her goodbye. She dug in her purse and handed him some cash. They hugged again. It really made me miss Eric. Only 9 more days.

JoyAnna felt really bad last night. She was miserable. Crying with her ear hurting. We tried several things including garlic in olive oil. It eased it til she slept for a while. We called the doctor and were able to get her in this afternoon. He was very nice and really payed attention to the million little quirky things we asked him about. He gave her a Rx for an antibiotic and wrote one for Concerta too. Funny thing she hasn't hiccuped in the last couple of days since she got the earache. Joy Anna is counting down to the Tut exhbit. Only 10 more days.

Today I got a call that Ake has a new home- Fairbanks Alaska. I feel bad it is going to be so cold. He does not like cold. I took him to academy to look at coats, boots, and gloves. I don't think what he bought is going to be the best dor that type of cold. We are not sure when he will leave, but it should be soon. Counting down to that, too.

I am worn out emotionally and physically. I never realized what a homebody I am. I would just as soon stay here and chill out. I honestly do not have the desire to go shop or do anything else. I would rather just be here. I suppose the stress has just gotten to me. I think maybe I should see a doctor. Or then again, maybe a hermit's life is not so bad.

shopping the clearance

Today the temperature dropped- considerably. It was great except for the fact I have only been wearing 2 pairs of capris and an assortment of shorts and sweat capris this summer. Yes, I admit it is because I am too chubby for the others. The last year has been heck on any kind of normal food / exercise plan. First there was the remodel and all the stress from that. I do mean ALL the stress. Then about the time we finish, Dean decides to move to El Paso. That caused major stress and the pounds have packed on.

I got brave and pulled out the basket of clothes I had put up because they are too snug. I have one pair of jeans that will fit and one that is really close. I did have a credit at Ross, so we decided to try it out.

I got two pair of pants and a sweater. That really helped the wardrobe.

We met the extended family for lunch at rancher's grill for chicken fried steak. Billie's cousin wanted to treat us all to lunch since we had cooked a couple of meals for them. Her uncle was not happy that someone else managed to pick up the ticket.

We got to talking about some southern phrases. We were talking about supper. I still call the 3rd meal of the day of supper. Someone asked what you called the time between noon and 6 - we all agreed on afternoon. Then someone asked when was evening. I said evening is after supper. They thought that was so funny. I really do not talk like people here. I say yes ma'am and yes sir. Amazing the difference a few hundred miles makes.

Mexico :)

We decided to head to Mexico today. It was a crazy morning. JoyAnna was not feeling well and was very cranky over every thing that happened. I sent another letter to world heritage today. I found out this morning that only 3 of the 4 had had information requested on them in order to put them in a school from another country. Mine was not one of those. I was in tears this morning because JoyAnna was. It was not pretty.

But anyway, on to Mexico. We were later than normal getting off. That meant there were more than normal the amount of beggers on the street once we got there. I so hate that. I mean some of them look like they need the money and some look really well off.

We visited the pink store again. We had not seen the owner since the firs time we were there back in July I think. She remembered us. Three different people told us thanks for coming back. They really are nice there.

I had decided I would start collecting some of the Mexican pottery dishes. Since we live near Mexico it is much easier to collect than say something from Europe. My mom had asked JoyAnna to pick me out something there. Dean's mom also picked me out something. I ended up with 4 small sized dinner plates and a spoon rest. Pretty cool. I am going to post photos on my photo blog. All of them are different, but all have a blue line around the edge. Funny that I don't like blue, huh? Dean had picked out these really cool blue bowls at a kitchen store a few weeks back. They were a buck fifty each, so we got several. They will look great with the plates we got. I am going to look for some more solid color pieces at the dollar store to last until I get more of the dishes. It will look better than the yellow things I have now.

Speaking of plates. I read the book Mindless Eating this week. He says we trick ourselves into eating more, so we need to learn to trick ourselves into eating less- that is why I bought the small dinner plates instead of the platter sized ones Dean likes. It is an interesting book. I hope by making a few small changes, I can trick myself into losing some weight.

Rainy Saturday

Dean got up and left early. I slept til the dogs barked. Then I moved JoyAnna to my room. We decided we would take Ake to some of the local shops that have a mexican or indian flair. I woke him up to go, but he told us he had planned to go to the mall with another exchange student to buy a laptop. Believe me, to know we are scrimping to make sure he has things he needs and him go buy a laptop is very irritating to me. He doesn't want to do anything with us anymore.



We decided to go on and head to the shops anyway. JoyAnna was not feeling well. Dean teased her and that started the tears like crazy. We headed to Walgreens and got her some meds and Dean some since he had been sneezing like crazy. She was hungry and cranky. She really, really wanted Chinese. We finally found a Chinese place and made her happy.



When we got to the El Paso Saddle Co, they were having an indian pow wow. It was fun to watch the dancing. We looked at the booths and browsed around in the store for a bit before heading home and Dean headed back to work.



We got a letter from the JP about that silly ticket Eric got. They will not do anything about it without him coming home for a hearing. I decided to go up a step and wrote an email to the county judge. I will take the letter to Uncle Jiggs tomorrow and let him tell me what else I should do.



I am not sure what is wrong with me. I so wish I felt like posting the funny, quirky posts I was posting. I would tell you about the ticket I nearly got, how my car runs like a putt putt car from the old song we used to sing as it putt putts me own the road. That would all be much funnier than how I feel now. I wish I could put my finger on the problem. There seems to be a never-ending feeling of impending doom. I sit here beside the person I love most in this world and still feel a tad lonely and well, I just don't know how to describe it. Now I feel like crying. This is just crazy.



Maybe tomorrow I will feel more like me.

Carlsbad for the 2nd time

Today was another really long day. I got up early so I could get the house tidy. The last few days, we have hurried around so much, it just needed a little help. I was also wanting to get all the laundry done in case Ake got a new home. I got the laundry done, but he didn't get a home.

Dean called early and said they had large plants for 5.00 at home depot. I went to look and Billie bought me some for my birthday. They really brighten up the house.

Then we headed over to the Wise house for lunch and to leave with Aunt Winfred for a quick trip to Carlsbad. Well, the time we were there was quick, the ride was rather long. Aunt Win had lived in Carlsbad for 50 years. She was there before a lot of the nice road was built. It was fun to hear the stories of things they did back then. For a lady who is almost 93, she sure has it all together.

She had not been able to get the lady with whom she was planning to stay. We drove her there, and when the lady finally came to the door, she said it was fine if she stayed. It was rather odd.

We were getting hungry, and since there is nothing between Carlsbad and El Paso, we decided we should find something there. We checked the IPhone to find a place to eat. I decided on a place called Happy's Diner. It had good reviews, and I like something a little out of the ordinary. This was certainly not your typical eatery.

It was in an old Stuckey's - ya know, with the slanted roof? Instead of a gift shop selling pecan rolls and other assorted overpriced snack foods, they had added a lot of extra booths and some display cabinets for a major collection of Beanie Babies and McDonald's Happy Meal toys. There was no aiconditioning either. I figured it had been out for a while, since all the locals came in to get their orders to go.

I ordered a grilled ham and cheese and it was yummy. JoyAnna loved the steak fingers, Dean and Nana were not realenthused about the catfish. Just not like home at all.

We made it home around 9. Dean is so frustrated with so many things at work. I really feel bad for him. Maybe next week will be better for him.

Wednesday and Thursday- busy, busy, busy

It is really cooling down here. It is nice. There are times that the air is still and then it can really feel warm. We are not slowing down because of the cool, that's for sure. Wednesday I worked at the thrift store for half a day. JoyAnna and Nana stayed home and made twice baked potatoes and JoyAnna made an apple pie from scratch- even the crust. I woke up really early and was really sleepy in the afternoon. We went over to the Wise house to have dinner with family from CA and FL. The CA relatives were late getting in to the airport, but it worked well as they came in at the same time as the FL relative. We had a yummy dinner. After visiting for a bit, we headed home.

Dean and I have not been sleeping well. Stress, I guess. Several weeks ago I turned off the alarm. Dean had gotten up before 7 every day since. Last night we actually slept. He didn't even wake up to get ready for work until right before 7. I guess we both really needed it. I had to jump up and head to walmart for some rolls and lemonade for the Assistance League lunch. I hurried home and got everything ready got dressed and ready to head out. JoyAnna woke up feeling bad. She stayed here and worked on school work and studied for the psat. That is one week away.

Last Wed when I worked, there was this really cool table on the dock at the Assistance League. I liked it a lot- it called to me, I guess you could say. It is probably 60s, very nice lines, blonde wood, planters on either end. When I worked this Wednesday it was in the store with no tag. I figured they were using it for display. Today I asked someone who works in the pricing. She said it was $25. I was so excieted. I bought it right there. I called Dean and he came to get it. We have it sitting in the living room for right now. We'll find it a home soon. I will take a photo of it.

I had not heard from the exchange program this week. I called this afternoon. They said they have some possibilities- have heard that before. I told them I really did need him to find a home. She said they couldn't help who was picked and who was not. I called Connie. She said she had talked to them today, too. Supposedly they have some potentials in North Dakota. That should go over well with him- not. He doesn't like cold. Oh well.

Tomorrow we are going to Carlsbad to take Aunt Win to meet her son and daughter in law. I wonder if we will see forests to see the changing colors. If not, there is an apple festival next weekend near Cloudcroft- there are forests there- that should be awesome.

Yummy Meals from Chef JoyAnna

Joy Anna loves to cook. We have been experimenting with a variety of different things. Today she made those wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches again. While she was babysitting I made tomato basil soup to go with the ham and tomato pie she was making for supper.

Funny thing, as bad as she wanted to like the pie, she was the only one who just couldn't eat it. It would be good for a brunch. She made 3 pumpkin pies after supper. Tomorrow she is making apple pie and twice baked potatoes to take to the Wise family get together tomorrow night.

We are going to be rolly polly - well even more so- if we aren't careful.

National Novel Writing Month is fast approaching

I am going to spend November writing a novel. I am really looking forward to doing it. I had an idea- in fact I had 2000 words from last year. I didn't get any further because I was helping all the kids at school do it, too. Now, I am not so sure. I really feel compelled to write. I have to keep myself from starting already.

I have 3 novels that I started. One was almost finished, the other about half way and the third is a novella. I just don't know. I thought about writing an elementary level novel. I have some ideas for teen novels, too. So many stories, so little time, I guess.

you just can't please some people

Ake started to school today- at the best private school in El Paso. Was he happy? Nope. Not a bit. Yes, it is better than the charter, but he wants to go to public so he can be on a team and join a music group. Great.

Tonight I cooked a package of steaks I bought a while back. We have been avoiding beef because of him. Today I told him we were having steaks, but I had cooked chicken for him. Go figure- he can now eat beef. I told him that was fine for later, but tonight I had cooked him chicken. Am I mean?

I so wish they would find houses for these last 4. He will be gone everyday from 7 to 4:30 from now on. He was so tired, he is taking a nap.

Rainy Sunday

Dean worked again today. JoyAnna doesn't want to go to church without him, so we didn't go again. We woke up to rain. It has rained the majority of the day. Even had some thunder which is not a common thing here.

We did the grocery shopping today. We are going to be adventurous and try out some new recipes. Three soups -One is from a friend, one from a magazine, one an old favorite. We are going to make twice bakeds for the family get together on Wednesday night. JoyAnna is also going to make an apple pie for then. Tomorrow we are going to try out a ham and tomato pie. Yeah, JoyAnna found it, but I'm game. Maybe we'll have that and tomato basil soup. Sounds pretty yummy. We are trying to not eat out too much. It is just too costly with 5 of us.

Ake was gone til really late last night. He got home at 11:45. Today he slept til nearly one. Tomorrow I will take him to school. That will be a relief for him to be somewhere where he is not just sitting in a room. Maybe this week they will find a house for him. We can hope.

We are going to eat at the Little Diner with the extended family. I know we said we are not going out much, but we are doing this because of the family thing. He doesn't want to go, so I got everything together for him to make fried rice. Dean feels really bad that we don't take him, but he would rather stay here since we are going to eat mexican.

New Mexico

Since we were already up really early, we decided to head on up to New Mexico and show Nana B the farmer's market and the mega used book store. We had a lot of fun walking around and looking. I found quite a bargain- the old copies of Emilie Loring and Grace Livingston Hill were only 30 and 37 cents each. I was really excited.

We ran into Uncle Jiggs in the bookstore, so we spent some time browsing around with them. It was a lot of fun just hanging out. Our big purchase of the day was a bag of apples. JoyAnna has been looking for recipes to make an apple dessert for Wednesday when the rest of the family arrives.



After the farmer's market and getting turned around a couple of times, we made it to La Mesilla. We browsed some of the stores before having lunch in La Posta. It is a good place to eat and was the jail where Billy the Kid was housed before he was hung.



Dean felt like he had to go to work, so he did that. We came on and just chilled for the rest of the afternoon. Billie laid down on my bed to rest. Razzle did not like that at all. Since there is no door, she kept going in there to bark at her.



We had to take the girls to PetSmart for dog food. We so enjoy watching them. We pulled out the harness and of course they go nuts. We had gotten them new ones this week. Razzle had purple and Dazzle had red. We were going to switch them. I don't buy the fact that dogs are color blind because Razzle would not put on the red one. We put the purple one on and she was happy.

We made the mistake of putting them on before we were ready to go. Dazzle kept barking to encourage us to hurry and go.

Oh, before dark, they were out side chasing dragon flies. It was so funny. They were jumping around and trying to catch it. They would not even come in for a treat. Their tongues were dragging the ground.

It was a really laid back type of day.

Locked in the Bedroom

We have been having trouble with the door knobs here in the house. It seems like the doors swell, and then the doors will not open. They do not have round knobs, they have these lever type. The more humid it gets, the more the problem occurs. Usually after a few tries, we can get in or out - whatever the case may be. Last night I got locked in the bedroom. We finally got me out.

This morning, Dean was trying to slip out of the house to go work and let us sleep. That did not work. He was locked in. He finally had to take the door off the hinges to get out. Of course that woke JoyAnna up from her place on the couch.

so much fun- now I dont have a door on my room.

Family Fun

My mother in law is here. We went over to her aunt's and uncle's yesterday afternoon. Their daughters are here, too. Their daughters are the same age as Dean and me, but they are Dean's mom's first cousins.

Dean and Lois played with their IPhones. Dean got a bunch of new applications where he can do tons of fun stuff. We all looked at pics and chatted and really enjoyed being together.

One of my favorite old El Paso homes is across the street from them. The doctor who owns it seldom comes there. It is overgrown and just begging for someone to move in and love it. We went over and walked around and peeked in the windows. There are two mercedes in the garage just sitting there rotting.

They have quite the garden growing. Tomatoes and cantelopes everywhere. She even has cantelopes growing hanging down off the rock wall. I took pics, I hope they do them justice. I'll post them on my 365 if they do well.

update

Well, I am not sure any one else is leaving. Connie went to Cathedral High School, but they won't take them either. She called late in the day and said she thinks she has them in at another private school. I guess I will have to take him there at 8 on Monday. After that, he gets to ride the bus. I am not sure why in the world they brought them to the USA without knowing they can get them homes.

He was very upset that JoyAnna slept on the sofa. He offered her his bed. I told him she does it often-which she does. He was really upset acting yesterday. He went to the other Thai family's for the day. He is going again today.

We are going to New Mexico today to go shopping. He did not like going when we went before. We will also go to eat Mexican food. He doesn't even pretend to like that.

ROFL

Well I just got a call from another parent. She had called earlier today to see if I knew anything. I told her what all had been going on. She called me back to tell me that what ever I did must have worked. They are now putting them in a private school and the organization is paying the cost. At least they can go to school.

She also told me that two more kids are leaving on Saturday. I guess that is the two Chinese. That leaves 2 Thai. Funny thing is I asked them two weeks ago to find Ake a home because my mother in law was coming for a visit. Now, I guess he will be the last one to find a home. What happened to the squeeking wheel getting the grease?

Stress

We are under a great deal of stress. A very small part of it is the exchange student issue. The rest is financial and job related. This is not part of the economic issues facing the country. This is much more personal. I am not going into detail, but just asking you to pray for us.

We moved a long way to undertake a new venture. We prayed about it and felt we were doing the right thing. We just have to trust God to take care of us, butwe are really struggling.

Even Dean who can sleep through anything is not sleeping well. As our friends, I ask you to just pray for guidance and direction.

Thursday

Last night I found out some inappropriate sites had been visited on my computer. Needless to say, I was not happy. I had to tell him no more computer use for a while. After I talked to him about that, I told him Dean was going to try to get him in a school today. He told me someone else had called his mom and told her that they were going to get him in school and then they would keep him. Ok, then. We won't do it.

This morning I called that person and was told no, that was not the case. His mom had called them and asked her to take him. She is not. So, he slept all day again. I did get him to clean the bathroom and the sliding door.

I called the student exchange program again today. Waited- and no return call. Called back. This time I was told they still do not have a house for him. I was also told that the schools would not take them temporarily. Duh! We have been telling and telling and telling them this. I asked her what I was supposed to do with him. I told them that I was in violation because he has no school. She acted like she had no idea he was not in school. She said he needed to go back to the charter school. I told her I would not take him to a school for him to sit in his room and do nothing.

She told me that she would call someone else and they would call me today. They didn't. Late this afternoon while we were on the way to the airport, someone else called to tell me that they were having a meeting tonight with some people, so hopefully, they would get them in a house soon.

I am tired. This is consuming my life and wearing me out.

I am encouraging everyone who has been effected by this to file a report with the state department as well.

A visit to the Vet

Moving to a new city means you need to find lots of new things. One of those is a vet. I called a couple of weeks ago to get heart worm preventative and found out that all three animals needed to be chipped. Great. Another expense I was not expecting.

I made an appointment for the whole herd to go to the vet. Pouncie needed a rabies shot, and the girls needed a parvo shot. Taking Pouncie at anytime is an adventure. Last time was so bad, they had to gas her and clamp her in a pet taco to just give her the rabies vaccine. We have had them use welding gloves to bring her to the car.

I had always thought if we were the only ones in there, she might do better. This afternoon that might have happened, but there were two emergencies. That meant the waiting room was full. There we go - JoyAnna and two bouncing, panting, hyper dogs, Me and a cat in a soft kennel. The Scales are in the waiting room, and we battled to get the dogs weight. Less than 30 pounds each- barely - only 3 times what we were told they would be. Anyway, back to the visit.

They decided to let us go on in since we are sort of taking over the whole joint.

The Doctor was great. He sat down on the floor and both girls climbed in his lap. He examinded right there on the floor. He said they looked great. Just Beautiful.

Then the cat kennel was put on the table. She actually let him touch her in the kennel. Then of course she had to come out. I got her out, and he got to touch her - for about a second. Then the growling started. He told her no, but that didn't help. When she started to attack her, he put her in the kennel where she promptly lashed out at him. They decided it would be better to go ahead and give her some gas and take care of her that way. I agreed completely.

Then came the shots and chips for the girls. It is confusing enough to have their names like they are, but we finally got it all figured out as to who was who and which one got which chip. Dazzle was first. She got a shot and went nuts- and it was the smaller needle. Then came the chip- well she was screaming before they ever got to her-she just saw it coming. I was cracking up, because she is JUST like JoyAnna when it comes to that.

Then it was Razzle's turn. Everytime she squeeked, Dazzle kissed her. It was so sweet. Razzle is usually the sensitvie one.

After the girls were finished, and I filled out enough paperwork to buy a house, I went out to pay. Pouncie had been gone for a while. I saw her kennel sitting down the hall. Then I heard her. She was so not happy- she was growling louder than most big dogs. Way too funny.

We made it home and I put her in my room, so she can relax and chill out some.

We made it though.