Garth Brooks?

 No, I'm not going to go all Garth Brooks on ya...."This is my farewell tour, I'm done!"...."Hey ya'all, I'm back and I've decided to tour again."...."This is it, I'm retiring!"...."Okay, one more album!"....

I have to say I was more than surprised by all of the amazing comments and e-mails I have received. You have all touched my heart in a way that I can't begin to describe. I was truly amazed at the feeling of love and friendship....and I thank you all so very much.

That being said, I think I'm having withdrawls from not posting. I've decided that stopping cold turkey may have not been the way to go....and I've yet to find a "journaling patch" to help with the cravings. As a matter of fact, the pharmacist at Walgreens looked at me rather strangely when I asked.

Soooo, the only thing I can think to do is periodically post, and continue as a small part of this journaling community. I won't pressure myself to crank out an entry a day or even a week....just when the mood strikes. I think that may be the answer....I need my space to vent and feel like someone is actually listening! Therefore....you can keep me "on alert" if you like....

Anyhoo....

Hayley finished up her art camp on Friday. She did a great job and had a great time. This week she is doing vacation bible school every day. I'm telling ya, that kid has a busier schedule than I ever have. She's really been enjoying the summer....without a peep from the three witches. She's been hanging out with the girl downthe street, having sleep overs and playing in the rain. It's been so nice to see her happy and care free....

Betsy is basically sleeping, eating, and working. Oh the life. I don't think I could handle that. I've never seen anyone sleep like she does. If perpetual napping were a career, she'd be tops in her field. Hopefully the work schedule will pick up soon....she's got over half to go on her "tire and rim replacement" payment plan.

My injury is getting better every day. I'm gonna have quite the scar though. I knew that doctor was not pulling the sutures tight enough when he was stitiching me up....and three of them fell out halfway through the healing process. Okay, maybe it was because I shaved a little too close and cut a few....but still! The other ones that I didn't hit came loose. My ten days were up on Sunday, so I decided to perform the removal myself. It was pretty easy....I just snipped and pulled. No one wanted to watch though....wimps.

The weather has been rainy....and the hurricane is weakening. I can't believe it's that season already. I did take advantage of the "no sales tax" offers for hurricane supplies. Yes, Yankee Candles are considered supplies. I mean come on, who wants to be in the midst of 100 mph winds with a generic candle that loses it's scent in the first hour? If my house is going to be destroyed, I'd at least  like to leave a shell smelling of Tropical Mango Passion.

And so, that's the update. I shall continue so that no one is left hanging, wondering....

"Will Betsy be able to keep all four wheels on the pavement this summer...."

"Will Hayley ever get out of the pool...."

And most importantly....

"What about the PINEAPPLE????"

The end....

I'm not quite sure how to start a final entry....

It's been a great ride here in j-land. I've met some spectacular people and have made, what I know to be, lifelong friends. We have become like a family....sharing tears, laughter, joys and hurts. We protect each other's kids like they are our own, and laugh at inside jokes as though we've known each other all our lives. I've learned that online friends are just as true as "real life" friends. I will never forget the outpouring of love from all of you when my father died, and even when we lost our Percy. I have an entire scrapbook of cards and e-mails from people I've met in j-land who cared enough to send their sympathies. Now if that isn't true friendship, I don't know what is. I know so many of the people that read my journal....but there are many that I do not know. I'd like to ask, if you have been reading and never commented, please do now so I know who you are! I want to remember all of my friends....

You know,  there comes a point in which you just need to move on. Lives change, people change, priorities change. Things in my life are changing so rapidly, I can barely keep up. And when it's no longer a joy to write every day, but a chore....it's time to stop. Kinda like Seinfeld....it was a great run but stop at the top of your game, leave 'em with something to laugh about. So that being said....here is what I did on Thursday....

This is the right side of my knee. I had another "golden retriever/laundry basket related injury". The first, if you remember, was back in '99 when while holding a basket of laundry, I tripped over Percy, catching myself on my hands and somehow breaking my elbow severely enough to need surgery and pins. This time I was stepping over the baby gate set up to keep London out of the dining room, whilst trying to miss tripping over the laundry basket I had just set down. Unfortunately, I caught my foot in the plastic squares of the gate, and caught my leg on a metal antique grocery basket (hey, it looks really nice in the dining room!). It started out as a scratch then turned into a scrape....ending up in a 1/4 inch deep by 1/4 inch wide gash.

My mother was over when it happened. We had been in the pool and I suggested we go to lunch. We got out and she left through the garage, at which time I attempted to climb over the gate. I don't remember much....however I found myself on the floor in searing pain. I heard her open the door and ask if I dropped something....she didn't hear me (because I couldn't talk) so she left again. Then she decided she had better recheck....and found me on the floor. She took one look at it and said we had better go to the emergency clinic. So, being the woman you all know I am....I hobbled into the bedroom, changed clothes, did my hair, put on fresh makeup and set out for the doctor's office. Seven stitches and a tetanus shot later, I was all fixed up. Of course, now I have a saucer sized bruise on my left thigh, a bruise on the toe I got caught on the gate, and bruises all up and down my left arm. I'm not sure what I hit on my way down....as it all happened so fast. I'm on antibiotics now, since the metal was old and we don't want an infection. I'm sure I'll be fine but I think I'll be taking the gates down. Today Betsy's boyfriend was over and guess what he did? Yeah....tripped over the gate. I'm also thinking that maybe next time I should go with a different breed of dog....and perhaps hire someone do do my laundry....

 "I'm out baby....I'm out!"

PLEASE say a prayer....

I am sitting here in stunned silence. Please, please say a prayer for Gretchen and her family. Her young son, while waiting at the bus stop for his brother, was hit by a car and killed. I found out via Julie in her journal.

I will be praying for Gretchen and her family....for strength to get through this horrible situation, to know and feel God's protective arms around them, and for peace in their hearts and minds while trying to answer the question "why".

Gretchen, Ben, Caitlin and Justin....you are in our thoughts and prayers. We all love you and are praying for you and your angel Matthew. God bless you all.

 

*Here is a link to the obituary. There is an online guestbook if you would like to leave a message for the family.

And so it ends....

Do you hear that? You know what that sound is???? It's the sound of kids all around here, sleeping in on their first morning of summer vacation! So why, you ask, am I up at this ungodly hour? Because although my children know it's summer vacation, my lil' Lon-Lon does not. Now I know why we paid so much for her....she apparently came with a built in alarm clock. Every morning between (and I've kept track of this) 6:23 and 6:27, she pops her head up next to me, pawing and whining at me because it's time to go out. This morning was no exception. Seems no one told her she can sleep in now. And of course the girls are snoring away....so it's up to me to continue on with the morning routine. Take her out, bring her in, feed her, wait 15 minutes then take her out again.

Anyhoo....Betsy ended up staying home yesterday, on her last day of school. I didn't mind though, as on Tuesday, all incoming seniors were told they could leave at 10:00 if they were done with their finals. She was, which made yesterday a waste of time. She started her vacation out as she traditionally does....sleeping until 12, getting up, eating something, then laying down again until work. She was scheduled until close last night, but she picked up something heavy and pulled a muscle in her shoulder....and the pain travels down her arm to her fingers. She iced it and took medication....but was still in so much pain she couldn't brush her hair. Ahhh, what a lovely welcome to summer....

Hayley, however, did go to school and had an okay day. Unfortunately the girls are still ignoring her, and she said that at the end all three of them were hugging each other, saying they'd miss one another....and completely ignored her. I think I forgot to mention that the two girls who did not call her wrote apology notes. They had statements in them such as, "my e-mail was obnoxious", and "nasty e-mails don't solve problems, they create them." Gee, wonder who fed them those lines???? It's been a tough end of the year for Hay....and I'm just sick watching her spirit take such a hit. She told me that her former best friend is having abig party this weekend....and she wasn't invited. I know, I know....it's over, move on....but still, it makes me so angry....but for Hayley, I'm letting it go and focusing on the positives. I'm going to have to really work on building up middle school, and the new people she will meet. I know in my heart she will be fine....but I have to say I'm a little nervous that my baby is moving up!

Next week JB and Hay leave for their Indiana trip. I can't believe it's only 5 days away! They are looking forward to it, as is his mom. She has everything planned from the menu to activities to which jobs she needs done around the house since her son will be there for a few days! LOL....it should be fun for them. The annual car show that we always went to just happens to be that weekend (convenient, eh?), so they are planning a trip there. Hayley loves that kind of thing, so she will be excited. Actually, I used to love it too....and sitting here thinking about it makes me miss it as well....

Well, it's Friday which means....cleaning day! Woohoo! LOL....I've got to get things organized for the weekend, since Monday is a holiday. Oh, who am I kidding....I'll be cleaning on Monday too. We don't have any big plans....I think we are taking my sister and her husband to the beach on Sunday. That should be interesting being that my sister is white as a ghost and will be spending the day on a Florida beach under intense sunlight. Hmmm, perhaps I should go stock up on noxema and aloe vera today. I have a feeling we are going to be needing it. We haven't been to the beach yet this year, so I'm looking forward to it.

Well, it's after 7....time to get a move on around here. I'll bet I can get all of my cleaning done before either of them wake up. I'll bet I could vacuum around them and they wouldn't wake up....happy summer!

Random pics and thoughts....

Well, instead of coming in on Friday, my sister and her husband are coming tomorrow. Good thing for her I didn't have plans and can pick her sorry butt up!!!! LOL....she decided she would "surprise" my mom and come two days early. Wouldn't it have been a "surprise" if no one could have gotten her? LOL....save those peanut bags from the plane Jody....you are in for a long wait! So now they will be here for a week and 3 days....I hope I can stand it that long! (Hahahaha Jody....I dissed you! lol....no really, I am looking forward to seeing you....kinda....lol)....

Anyway....only two more days until school is officially over. Today Hayley had her 5th grade picnic and awards ceremony. She got a trophy, pin and certificate for being part of the safety patrol, and a citizenship award as well. She was thrilled! She said the picnic was a lot of fun too. It must have been because when she came home from school and took her shoe off, she dumped out a pile of sand! LOL....ahhhh, the joys of living in Florida....

Betsy is finished with finals, and did a great job on all of them. She had a final project to do in her English class; a report on drive in theaters. It was so good that the teacher asked if he could keep it and use it as an example of how the report should be done....for his classes next year! How cool is that? I was very proud of her. I took her bathing suit shopping today, but we didn't find anything that fit right. I suppose we will be going out again this week, to find just the right one. We had a nice time together, shopping and talking and laughing.

I actually went swimming for the first time this year, yesterday. My mom came over and got in....and I thought, what the heck....I got in with her and we spent a good hour and a half "bonding"....lol. It really was a nice time. We talked about all sorts of things....my dad mainly. She is finally able to talk about him at length, without much crying. Of course she tears up now and again, but mostly we laugh about the funny things he woulddo, and smile remembering how wonderful he was. The water was rather cold getting in....I chose to enter with the classic slow approach. Two steps down, then "One, two, HOLY *&$^#@!" lol....but after a few minutes it was fine. We had a 99 degree day, so now it's more like bathwater....which is fine by me! I can't wait to get to the ocean though. Maybe one day next week....

It already feels like vacation has started around here. The kids are out past 8, and everyone seems to be living in their bathing suits. I can also tell by my wash....I've done about 73 loads of towels in 3 days! For some reason, the people in this house think that they can only use a beach towel one time before throwing it into the wash (in the wrong color basket no less!). I'm going to have to give a "summer wash" and general refresher course to the occupants of this household....classes will include "Close the patio doors, we aren't air conditioning the neighborhood - 101" and "Concussions and You; why you should dry your feet before coming inside from the pool and walking on my highly waxed ceramic tile floor".

Alrighty....I'm off to tuck Hayley in, grab the phone from Betsy and sit myself on the porch with my laptop and earphones. Night all!

Weekend Update....

Oh man, summer is here with a vengence! It was 99 today....that's hot! The weekend has been a good one. We started Friday night with Hayley's 5th grade dance. She looked just adorable....Betsy dressed her with clothes from her closet! Yes, my junior and my 5th grader can share clothes! All the way down to the shoes. I think the outfit looked great, and apparently Betsy did too, as she wore it to church today....lol. While Hayley was at the dance, JB and I went to dinner with my friend K and her husband....their son is in 5th grade with Hayley. We had a great time at a local Mexican restaurant. Afterwards we went back to the school to pick them up, and of course K and I walked to the cafeteria where it was being held, and peeked in the windows. The theme was "Bon Voyage" and everything was tropical/nautical. The teachers were up on stage doing karaoke, which the children were just loving. We watched them sing and dance....it was adorable! I have to say I was a bit teary eyed, watching my "baby" at her last elementary school gathering. I can't believe my 12 year run as room mother is over! LOL....I will miss the parties, the kids, and most of all the innocence of youth!

Saturday JB and I spent 5 hours raking and mulching the back yard. It looks really nice too. We then got cleaned up and went to K's house for an impromptu cookout/day in the sun. It was a lot of fun. The kids were all excited and enjoyed the day. I ended up with more sun exposure than I realized....and spent the evening in bed with my good friends aloe vera and tylenol! Hayley ended up going with them on a church outing, and not getting home until 8. Today we went to church, then out to lunch. Mom came over and swam with Hay, and David came over and visited with Betsy. Later, Hay went once again to a church outing....I tell ya, that kid has quite the social life!

The girls finish school on Thursday. I can't believe the school year is over already! And Betsy reminded me this evening (I do not remember hearing this before!) that they are being dismissed at 11:30 every day this week. Sheesh! So much for my last week being alone!  Being that she graduates in December next year, she technically has only 4 months of school left. Wow. Where has the time gone? I still remember her first day of school....leaving elementary....middle school dances....freshman year....and now this. Life sure does fly by.

I'm starting to look into things for Hayley to do this summer. She's already registered for art camp, and I'm thinking of signing her up for diving lessons. I think she would make a great swimmer with her height, and those long legs. She seems interested....I think it would be really neat to get her involved in some sort of sport. She has never really been involved in anything other than basketball at church. Hopefully Betsy will be able to bump up her hours at work over the summer so she can pay off the damage to my car, and have some left over to enjoy herself with! She needs to be saving for college as well....that isn't far away!

My sister and her husband are coming in this week for a visit. They will get here Friday and stay for a week, at which time my mom will be going back home with them. I can't believe my mom is going to be gone almost an entire month! What am I going to do???? LOL....I have never been away from her for more than a week at a time! I'm such a baby. Seriously though, I think she will have a great time visiting with family, and going on a few overnight trips to see relatives she hasn't seen since my father passed away last year. I'm glad she is getting to go....she needs to get away for a while. John and Hayley will be going to Indiana as well for a few days. They are going to visit his mom, who is so excited that they are coming. She already has their favorite meals planned as well as several outings. Of course, that leaves Betsy and I to sit here in the hot Florida sun....all alone. She will be working though....which means I will need to find something to occupy my time with. Hmmmm, what to do, what to do....I think I'll head over to the Hobby Lobby and see if there are any crafts that look particularly appealing....

Well, it's late and I should get to bed....only four more days of structure in my house and then it's up for grabs. I had better enjoy myself now!!!!

Thank you's and things....

I just want to thank everyone who left such supportive comments and e-mails regarding Hayley and her problems at school. It's funny how none of us have ever met, yet when one of our children is hurt the "mama bear" in each of us comes out. We are more than a community of journalers....we are friends who care for one another, for each other's children and their well being....and I for one am so thankful for that. Hayley read through the comments and e-mails and felt so good. She said, "Mom, you know some really nice people. I wish we could all meet!" I do too sweetie....thank you all again, for everything! ((((HUGS))))

As you can see from above, I've included a picture of Betsy and her boyfriend. I felt bad leaving her out....so here she is in all her glory! I can't believe she will be a senior next year. Actually, they are already "official seniors", according to the school. The graduating class is gone, and they had an assembly outside, "welcoming" the new seniors. They had food and music and a general good time. I can't believe my daughter is in her final year of high school....she will graduate half year, which will be 19 years after I did. Holy smokes....19 years???? Where has my life gone? I don't feel that old!

Not much else going on in the JBCoupe household today. I FINALLY got some sewing done, as well as the ironing AND paid my bills. Yeah, I'm smmmmmmmmmokin. So, to reward myself, I do believe I shall hit the road and go to the mall. There are a few things I need to pick up....well, okay, I don't need them, but they will sure be fun to have!

Okay....my charge card and I are outta here....gonna spend some 'quality' time together. We need that....it's been a while!