The Boys

Finally I have been able to upload pictures...my scandisk for my camera had some little button that went into a position that would not allow me to download. I took these pictures yesterday so that I will have something to take to the Merk Reunion tomorrow up it Iowa. Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Cindy getting her room ready....

I worked with Cindy all day getting her room ready.  She was always such a trooper to help me put up my bulletin boards...turn around is fair play.
I have really been dieting since April 1st...I'm tickled to say that I did reach a mild goal today...I am down 40 pounds...still have 35 to go.  Boy it sure is easier to put it on  than to take it off!
My Mom used to say that I took after Grandpa Powell's side of the family...really use to make me mad as a kid....my Mom and Aunt Winnie were always so skinny....too bad I never will be tall or skinny.

Yeah....rain!!

We had a major downfall of rain....we were out with the boys buying them shoes for school.. The lights went down to emergency lights in Sport's Authority.  Glad for the rain...hated that it scared the boys so much.  We were in a building with a tin roof...I kids just can't get Joplin completely out of their minds.

Scout Camp

Sam and his Dad leave for Scout camp tomorrow and will be home on Saturday.  I sure hope we have a little, at least, break in the weather so that they can enjoy some of the activities.  We are suppose to have rain tonight and in the morning....they have been so wrong for so long.
I saw today that the heat index  in Little Rock was 122 degrees today.  I sure hope you are all doing as well as can be expected.
We are trying to find a little window to go to the camper.  It is just too hot to go to the tin box!

Really.... STUPID

I think the elected officials in Washinton are really STUPID

Hold the Press!!!!

Holy Toledo.....we had seven drops of rain this morning.  It was all black outside at 7 AM...I drove up to Cindy's to take care of their dog.  The kids are at Branson for the weekend.
It was so dark that I almost thought we were under severe storm warnings....nothing on the news.  Then, low and behold...the whole thing cleared in 10 minutes...maybe we got 6 or 7 drops.   Yippee Skippee.
Got the funniest email today about politics...
All the politicians (represented as birds shitting) looking down off the branches only see shitheads, people looking up at politicians...only see a..holes.  Prefect discriptiong of Washington!

Grandkids

We have had the grandkids a lot the last week....today I went with Cindy and we took Sam to a new specialist at Children's Mercy.  One of the major things that Autistic kids deal with is colon problems.  We were there from 1:15 until 5:00.  Sam was really good and we think we learned a lot today.  He had his first blood test...so we will wait until this Friday to probably hear the results.  We really are not concerned about the lab work...but it's always good to hear the test results.
When we drove home at 5:00...the bank thermometer said 104 degrees....come on heat relief!!!!

Hot, Hot.....Hott!!!

I know we are no hotter than the rest of you....but, it too hot!  We really don't even want to go outside...so, that is one thing to be really happy about....BEING RETIRED!
The boys will be here all day tomorrow and we are taking them to a play on Thurs...."The Wiz" and then going to play in the fountains.  We hope to go swimming tomorrow, but it is actually suppose to rain all day....I will try to send along some pictures of the boys.
Let's see....reading the funny papers!

Been really busy this week...

I sure wish I had more to show for all the work I have completed....some of the house looks good and cleas....the rest sure needs it's turn.
We have been doing some car shopping...I think I'm going to get rid of the Bug and get a bigger car for traveling....we'll see.  Hope you have a fantastic weekend...

Yippee Skippee

I think I have my blog fixed.....hope this all comes through

Happy Weekend...

Wow...is it ever starting out hot early this morning. We have been blessed with kind of moderate temperatures up until today.....but, the heat wave of 100 has arrived for the weekend.

We decided to stay home because of the heat...but we do have some inside plans made for the weekend.

Some how I got my arm twisted to teach our Sunday School class this weekend. I said to several that I really had not thought of a topic....I could go with the topic "Cancer Does not Have Me" and I actually got kind of emotional and thought that maybe that was not the best topic for me...so, another friend suggested patriotic....so....I'm going with "Made in America"....obviously I won't be talking about Walmart anymore.

Hope your weekend is fantastic and thanks for the time you all spend with your blogs...I read

Damn Yankees

Hi all....just got back in town late last night. On this last trip we went to Arrow Rock Missouri and went to the theatre with a group of my friends and we saw "Damn Yankees"...it was absolutely awesome!

Weather wise...it has been absolutely beautiful for the last 4 days...yippee skippee!

Sam was with his mom and myself last week and he asked what a coursett is....Cindy told him that it was something that women wore under their dresses in the 18th Century. Instead of a bra and panties...this is what women wore. He said, "I don't understand why it keeps coming up in my game." (he has a handheld game)....Finally I ask him to spell it for me...he spelled course set. Cindy and I were laughing so hard...it was hard to blend into traffic on the highway.

Good Results...

I t was wonderful for the Dr. to say I do not have to come back for 6 months....I have been on a 3 month visitation for a year....it is such a relief to get good news about this ole "stinky" cancer...Yippee Skippee!

Putting one foot....

Just putting one foot in front of the other.....busy stuff to do. Today we are going to the lawyer and finally drawing up new wills. Cindy made the comment that our wills were so old that they still stated that if something should happen to Mike and I...she and Paul were left to the care of Jim and Barb.
So...today we are drawing up new Heath Directives and Durable Power of Attorney's. We also got all our titles changed to what they call a TOD (transfer on death) and our bank accounts changed to POD (pass on death)...we are just trying to avoid that pesky old Probate Court for the kids and make things easier. There certainly isn't that much stuff to be left, but we want to avoid them having to pay a certain percentage to the State. In Florida, they don't have Probate....very interesting..

Home

We are home safe and sound. We had a big weekend with all the kids down at Bennett...our camper and Paul's. It was a money pit weekend for us...leak and awning broke in the wind and rain.

Kansas City Weather

Wow...what a weird weather day today. We are all safe, but I was up in St.Joseph for a funeral and Mike called as said to stay put for awhile. We watched carefully and came home without incident. Lot's of folks spent alot of time in the basements...it did hit in Sedalia...hope you all are not blowing away.

Catching Up

We have been working outside in between the extra cool weather...I finally have my plants in, mulch down and new gravel out by the bird feeders. Maybe this will bring on spring!!!

Paxton

Paxton mostly watched...but he did a little climbing also. I can tell he really misses his Dad...we will all be glad when his work in Branson and Holliter is finished.

Mother's Day

Sam wants to build a treehouse in our front tree...I said, since it is in the front...we will just enjoy the beautiful tree and you are welcome to climb in the tree...nuf said!

Happy Mothers Day!

What a fantastic day....I taught the adult Sunday School class about Mothers Day and it seemed to go really well. The kids came over and we had pizza. Paul is still in Branson with all the flooding...but he should be home by Thursday. Paul called and we really had a great visit.
Hope you all have had a wonderful day and that Helen is having a great time with you all.

Haystack Allert!

The blonde haystack announced that he is going to run.....wouldn't want the American news to outshine his way to the throne. I wonder how many pages will be required for the pre-nup with America?????

Fantastic!!!

First went to a pre-party at our outside area call Kansas City Power and Light...then went to Jimmy Buffett concert. Wow...did I have a great time. I went with Paul and Dawn...it seemed like most of the crowd of 19,000 was more my age. With the price of the tickets...we are probably the only folks that can afford to go. I really loved it!!!

Sam

Here is a picture of our Sam at his Dad's work today. Kris is an officer of UMB Bank and downtown KC and Same went to "Take your child to work day" with his Dad. He sure looks pretty official sitting in the lunch room with his cool tie on.

Happy Easter...

It is now around 9:00 PM and we are just getting home. We had a fantastic Easter...we went to church with Cindy's family and she played the handbell twice during the service. Once they played with the Chois and it was really beautiful.
After service we went to Cindy's house for dinner and they around 4, Paul's family all came over to Cindy's and we ate again. We sure had one wonderful Easter celebration today!

Happy Easter...

Storms

We have been fortunate in KC...not sure what it has been like down at the camper. News show it going right over camper and down over you in Arkansas. I talked to Skip this morning and also Mike's brother and family...the storm just missed all of them. Praise the Lord...

Back safe and sound....too much bad weather coming in and we don't like to be in our tin can when this kind of bad weather predicted

All is fine here.....camper time

Commenting difficulties

Hey you all....not only can I not do pictures, but I am now having trouble making comments. Fleta, I was wondering if you found out anything about Grandma Powell's family in the Civil War...always, heard stories and wondered if there is any info.

I've tried 3 times...pictures will just not download....

We're Home

Here are all my special High School friends. Roni is the one in the chair with her pretty Red Shawl I took down. On my right is my best friend Marilyn and in front of her is our friend Chris that is battling Breast Cancer. She is finished with chemo and is now doing radiation...I told her about my dear cousin that is now really enjoying her life in remission. I'm really happy I went down to St.Louis. This is my 2nd time to post this blog...I hope this one works.

Plans

Mike and I are heading to St.Louis...dear friend from HS is very ill and it has kicked us all in the gut. I'm going to present her with a beautiful red Prayers Shawl. Please pray for my friend Roni...she has been a friend since 6th grade...Love you all!

Good News

I got called in to the Dr. early this morning....a week early. All the news was good...no signs of any new tumors and the biopsy was benign. YippeeeSkippeee! I don't have to go back for 3 months!!!!!

Still no news

I was suppose to get test results today...nothing is ready. So...maybe Monday. Also...we are suppose to have 4 " of snow by Saturday night. Oh well...we had two days of spring...even put the top down last Sunday for a little ride.

Another Test Over

We got home around 11:30 this morning. The Dr. said that all looked good, but he did remove the polyp....thank goodness at the same time. Again it will be biopsied and I also have to set up an appointment for two weeks. I really do think I can breathe alot easier now....but, I will really be free for awhile when all comes back clear. This is the polyp that was biopsied last week and came back clear.....thanks for your wonderful prayers...please keep them coming. Love you!

Another Test

One more big test early Friday Morning....prep all day Thurs. Then I will be free to be me after that ordeal...I let you know how all of it turns out... This is a test of an inward sonogram that my surgeon wants to do...ugh

Ancestery

Patsy has been great about sending Grandma and Grandpa stories. I'm working on putting them together with stories I was told...before I put them in the book....I'll share and you all can add and subtract you ideas. What warm memories!

All Clear....

Yippee...Skippee! I got the test results today and NO CANCER!

Tanner's program

Tanner was one of the narrators at his 3rd Grade school program. He really did a great job and knew all his lines and said them where everyone could understand and hear him....we are always proud of this little guy, but tonight was especially great!

Three Silly Guys

Here are the boys....this is the best picture out of 6!

Sam's Birthday

We all went to a new hamburger place in Liberty to celebrate Sam's 10th birthday. I decided I would go for the one where the adults look the best.

Results

Well the results were not what we wanted to hear. Small polyp...have to wait 7 to 10 days for path report. I am resting today...trying to wrap my brain around all this. Next see my surgeon on March 18th.

Yuck!!!!

Today is Miralax day.....tomorrow morning is colonoscopy.....soon this too shall pass (tee hee)

Snow Again

Ugly snow again tonight....kids got out early because of the sleet...they probably won't have school tomorrow.
I have been working on making an ancestry scrapbook....it has taken me over. Thanks to you cousins and all the work Mike has done....it just takes a lot of time, but the hard work has mostly been done for me. I am trying write some narratives about family stuff...with pictures...

Taking the boys out...

Mike and I took the boys out today to a new hamburger place called Freddies...as you can see by the shortsleeves the weather was warmer today....yippee, skippee. Ice cream hit the spot with all 5 of us. It was especially a great treat for Sam to get out a little...his goose egg is now green, but we are still keeping a close eye on him.

Full Moon

Maybe all our interesting things have to do with the full moon tonight. I just remember when my Mom was in the Alzheimer's Ward, a full moon would mean that some were actually howling in her ward. Also, we always new it was a full moon because we always could tell it with the children.....they were wild. I hope it is a good time for mediation...the day after a full moon.

Sam

We spent almost 3 hours in the ER last night with Sam and his parents. Sam had a head collision in gym yesterday and around 7 PM it became worrisome to all of us. Their Dr. sent them to the ER. The conclusion they reached is that we will keep a close eye on him for two days. Kris is home with him today and we will have him and the other 2 boys tomorrow (they have teacher meetings)....so, asking for prayers for our little guy.

Prayers from KC for each and every one of you...it seems like our lives are getting more complicated now that we no longer have parents to turn to....that was always such a calmness in my life.....now we are that generation. Where did all the time go....

Really, Really, Really

Boy has today been a really, really, really busy day. I worked all morning with a friend planning next years dates for P.E.O. Then this afternoon I took on a new project...I am going to try and teach Sharon (my new friend from China) how to read English. She is really an eager learner and today's one hour lesson went really well. I decided that if I could teach 5 and 6 years olds how to read, I could teach Sharon that has very little English language. I saved all my old Sally, Dick and Jane books from when I taught 1st Grade. I really was pleased with our progress today. She has trouble saying "v's", "w's" and "r's". She was really happy about today's lesson.
Then...I had to go and pick up Sam from school. His Mom has evening conferences...but, Dad got here by 5:00....We will have all 3 boys on Thursday night because there is no school for the kids on Friday. All the parents will be working...I just know we will have a good time.

50....55....56

It is so ugly outside, but it is m.e.l.t.i.ng!!!! Car is so dirty...maybe I can wash it tomorrow. With it's top, I can't take it to a car wash.

Successful Meeting

The P.E.O meeting that we had to postpone last month did take place today. The snow held off...coming with low temperatures tonight. The theme was about our founder's and we were suppose to wear victorian hats. Well, my head is so small and I have very little hair..so I found this little Victorian hat on a headband. The muff wis leftover from my college days. It all worked and we really had a great time....so now...bring on the snow. I have completed my last meeting....yippee skippee!

Busy and Quiet

We have really had a busy day today...first went to church, then came home and cleaned some more. Then we went to a new hamburger place over in Liberty...we were pleasantly surprised that we really like the burger and fries. The next thing....was back home and ready for a Super Bowl party here at the house. We had neighbors over and we really enjoyed watching the game...really didn't care which team wone. I had picked the Packers just for fun...
Mike is conitinuing to look up family ancestry...yesterday he was surprised when he was looking on the Sneed lineage that 2 greats ago (1850 census) owned 13 slaves in Franklin county MO. We wondered when we knew that Mike's great grandpa was named Jefferson Davis Sneed...clue!

Now the Wind

Now the wind has come in from the North/West and it was -12 Windchill. The kids do not have school again today...this makes day number 4 this week. The thing that does help is that the sky is blue and the sun is shinning. I haven't been out since church on Sunday, but it really does make it so much more manageable with the sun shinning....I can see how people could get cabin fever really quick. I spend allot of time on the computer helping Mike track down some looking forward on Genealogy. He has it traced back to the 1700's on both of his sides, but realized that we really had not written down the current information. Hope you all enjoy your day!

I 70 Closed

I do believe for all the time I have lived in Missouri, I have never known the highway between St.Louis and Kansas City to be closed. It is 7:30 PM right now and the snow has let up for a little while. They say that we will have more snow in the morning between 4 AM and 9AM.
From what we have heard....it is almost 20 inches down at the camper. Sam measured the snow on his deck with a yard stick and it measured 14 inches.
Every thing will continue to be closed tomorrow.....

Blizzard 2/1/11

This was taken about 10 minutes ago (4PM) and they say it is now the beginning of the blizzard....white out! Mike has blown the snow for about an hour and you can't see that he has done anything. All my ducklings didn't have to work today...everything is closed. Our prayer now is that we all keep power...Love you all!

The Blizzard...

The blizzard of the year is coming. The kids got out of school before the ice was too bad....the Govenor has already called our State in a state of Emergency and FEMA is in place. Wow...this is suppose to be the worst storm in 40 years....Are they just be alarmest or maybe you all won't hear from me for awhile....Yuck!

Pinewood Derby day

Sam had a great time at his Pinewood Derby this morning. His Mom ran the concession stand and they raised $520 to go toward the troup buying their own track for next year. Sam's car is a VW "Bug" that he painted like my friend's car. He didn't make it into the top 3, but he did win one of his heats. It was all great!