Congratulations To Andrew

Friday was not only the last day of school, but it was a big day for Andrew.  He finished his last day in elementary school and is now headed to the sixth grade.  So, of course, Pop and I were there to help him celebrate this great achievement in his young life.

This was the table decorations…

The Fifth Grade Class of 2009

  Andrew telling his favorite memory of fifth grade…”winning tug of war at field day was his answer”

Andrew receiving his certificate from his principal and vice principal

Andrew and his best friend….Sam

And then there was cake and punch to celebrate this great day.

Andrew…Pop and I are so proud of you.  You are growing into quite a young man.  Your hard work in school has really paid off for you.  And, the best is yet to come.  Enjoy your summer!

Field Trip

Today, Mark and I had made plans for a trip to Dallas. First on the list, was a trip to the Lazy Boy Warehouse where we needed to get a small repair done on the recliner. Wow, that was a quick. We thought we would have to leave it, but they got right to it and fixed it while we waited. So, we were off to the next stop, Southwest Wheels. Here, Mark stopped in to purchase a cleaning kit for the wheels on the motor home. You know, as the wheels on the bus go round and round, they must be shiny!

Then is was off to Penzeys Spice Store. Oh, no, I just can’t make up my mind. I would like to have a small jar of one of everything they have to offer. But, after much smelling…it was decision time, I made my purchase, which included Kosher Style Flake Salt, Ozark Style Seasonings, Sandwich Sprinkle, Tuscan Sunset, Pork Chop Seasoning, and last but not least, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Dutch Process High Fat Cocoa! Oh, yes, there was the Penzeys magazine too.

After spice shopping, we were off to REI Recreational Sports Store. Mark checked out some lawn chairs while I checked out the flip flops and clothes. We both looked at lots of goodies, but, we walked away with empty hands. Now, by this time we had worked up an appetite. Well, it dawned on me, that I still had a gift card for The Cheesecake Factory. So, we were off to Southlake for lunch. First, they brought us some really good iced tea and a couple of little loafs of bread. One was sour dough and the other was brown with oats on top. I quickly decided that the oats on top must mean that it was healthy. Well, it tasted healthy! LOL Okay, now lets look at the menu which was like reading a novel. Mark settled pretty quickly on Shepherds Pie. It took me a little longer, but I finally chose a Chicken with Tomato Pasta. Oh, my, I am glad they were lunch portions! We were really full, but, you can’t go there without dessert…. and even though it is the Cheesecake Factory, our choice was carrot cake. We shared! Now, I am hear to tell you that there will be no more food consumed around here for the rest of this day. And, to confirm any doubt you might have….let me assure you there was nothing about lunch that was point friendly! Thank goodness, even with a bum knee, the walk back to the car used up a few of those points.

It was time to head back to the Westside of Fort Worth and get the car unloaded. We had a really fun day and it was nice to get out after having been in for the last several days. But…for now, I think I will rest my knee and read my new magazine…you know the one about food and spices!

Congratulations to Joe

Today, Mark and I would just like to say congratulations to Joe (Speedy to many of you) on his retirement.  In his blog, he said he was num and really didn’t know how he felt today.  Well, let me tell you, that after all these years of having been friends with his guy, he is downright excited and jumping for joy.  He just doesn’t know it yet. LOL

Mark and Joe were suppose to have retired together in 2001, but due to unforeseen  circumstances, Joe wasn’t able to follow through with his retirement at that time.  Well, the long awaited time has finally arrived and we are so excited for him.  Now, as I noted in the comment section of his blog….it is now time to “let the good times roll”. 

Life is short and it is now time to take the scenic route!  So Joe, when you catch your breath and realize that life has now dealt you the card you have waited on for so long, we are waiting for you to join the rest of us that wander aimlessly along the highways and byways looking for a new adventure around the next bend in the road.

Again, congratulations, and welcome to the world of the unemployed!  We love you and Sherri and thanks for the many years of friendship we have shared and we look forward to making and sharing many more memories with you both.

Love,

Mark and Dortha

Catching Up Again

Well, I know it has been a few days since I last posted and busy days they have been. When I last left you we had a list of things a mile long to accomplish. So, let’s get started and see if we can catch up….

First on the list was

Zachary’s baseball game. He loves playing first base, just like his Uncle Scott. I am wondering when his dad will try to get him to follow in his footsteps as a pitcher? The main thing Zachary is to just have fun. He was…

also awarded the game ball. Way to go Zachary, what a great season you have had.

Friday…then brought about Lauren’s long awaited birthday party. She had planned for herself and 4 other friends… a bowling party, a pizza party,

a craft project…they all made beaded tote bags with lots of fun iron-on’s.

a big birthday cookie, and

finally a sleepover. What an evening…good night girls and thanks for making me a part of the fun!

And while all of this was taking place Andrew and his 5th grade class were offto Sea World in San Antonio for an end of the year trip. It was an overnight trip…the girls slept in the penguin house while the boys got to sleep under the shark tank. Andrew petting the sting rays

and the teachers taking a head count.

And…Memorial Day weekend goes on with Karen and Kenneth having out of town company. There were babies and more babies and golf games and cookouts….then on Monday Lauren’s birthday present came from Poppa and I and that was a promised trip

to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas. She got to bring along her friend Melony, who also loves American Girl dolls.

They wanted to be first in line and here they are wishing 10:00 would come real soon!

This is too true at this store.

Not only did Lauren get to go to the American Girl Doll Store, she and Melony got to purchase a new doll. Their choice was Charisa, the 2009 Doll of the Year. After the purchase, they took them

to the beauty saloon at the store and got their hair done. Wow…to be a little girl again.

Now, Lauren was pretty sure she wanted to spend all her birthday money in one spot and

that she did. Sort of reminds of the scene from Pretty Woman!

Now, it was off

to lunch at the Galleria and then

home to try on all those new clothes for both mom’s and dolls. Can’t have too many look alkies when it is your best friend!

Tuesday was suppose to be a day to recover from all the weekend activities and excitement, but it was anything but…there was a doctor’s appointment, errands, laundry, and

the spring storm that rolled through bringing 3 rounds of hail along with it. When all was said and done

it left the roof covered and

the driveway covered and

the car covered with leaves from the trees, but not one hail dent. We ended up with lots of hail and lots of rain, but no damage…how lucky can we be?

Next thing I knew it was Wednesday and time for the scheduled knee surgery. I arrived at the surgery center on time and they took me right in. Things were running ahead of schedule and it wasn’t long before I was off to meet up with Dr. Hunnicutt. When I woke up he had finished his job and

this is the band-aid I was wearing and will be wearing until Saturday night. It isn’t too hard to walk around in and there is no pain. Mark is a great nurse and is taking real good care of me. And, thanks to all of you that said a prayer during surgery yesterday and for all the calls to check on me. How great it is to have friends and family like all of you.

I am going to leave you with this last picture and thought…Mark and I are at home by ourselves. Not even a neighbor is home. And…

if he falls off of the Kubota…who is going to drive him to the hospital?

Catching Up

Wow, it is almost Friday agian. This has been a really hectic week with lots going on that I won't bore you with...but I am glad we have worked through so much and we are looking forward to a great holiday weekend.

I had to go back to the orthopedic doctor on Tuesday for the results of my MRI and found that I have two tears in the meniscus of my knee...one on each side. I will be having surgery next Wednesday to repair the tears. Great...just what I didn't need right now, but better to get it done than have my knee buckle and go out on me just walking....which is what he said would happen at some point in time and with no warning. The surgery is really no big deal as I have already had it done on both knees before. Wow...guess I am just hard on the knees. LOL The only hard part is that you just have to walk around for about a week with one stiff leg. But, then it doesn't hurt anymore.

However, I am not letting that stop me between now and next Wednesday, because...Zachary's baseball team is playing in a tournament which starts tonight. Go Pirates! And, tomorrow I am helping Jennifer with a pizza party/sleepover for Lauren's 9th birthday party as Scott has gone with Andrew on a 5th grade trip to San Antonio for a sleep over under the shark tank at Sea World. And, while all of this partying is going on, Karen and Kenneth have out of town company coming in for the holiday weekend. And, finally on Monday, Lauren and I have planned a trip to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas for lunch and a day of shopping. So, by next Wednesday I will be ready for the rest. LOL

And, just to let you know...Mark is busy too...he is keeping Scott's truck over the weekend and has already started what else...WAXING!

So, just in case things get really busy over the weekend and I don't post, you understand why, but I will have lots of pictures when you next see me.

Fun at Field Day

Today was Field Day at

Andrew and Lauren's school.

First there was

a school wide picnic lunch before the activities get started for the upper grades.

And there is no better way than to spend a day like this expect with your friends.

Lauren and her friend Melanie

Andrew and his friend Sam.

After lunch, the fun began...

Lauren's first event was rolling tires down and around a cone and back to pass it off to the next person in line.

Then she was off to the races....in a sack that is

How about a trip through the obstacle course bounce house?

Only a kid would get a kick out of trying to carry water in this pipe from the pool to dumping it in a bucket, especially when your hand is the only way to keep it from running out.

Here the 3rd - 5th graders are getting ready for the high light of the day...tug of war

This is the one event, Andrew loves

Andrew, Sam, and Travis getting ready for tug of war

Pull guys...Andrew is always on this end. These guys have been on the winning team ever since 3rd grade...they are now 5th graders and this is their last tug of war competition.

But never fear, Andrew

your sister is here to take your place!

What a fun day! Pop and I enjoyed spending it with you. And thanks Jeremy for all the time it takes for you to get this day organized!

Doctors, Doctors, and More Doctors

Well, from the title, I bet you can't guess what we have been doing. This has been the week for doctors. I have been having some trouble with my knee and I didn't want to wait around, leave town in a few weeks wishing I had made the call. So, I was off to see my orthopedic doctor earlier this week. He didn't think it was anything too serious, but scheduled an MRI just to make sure all was okay. So, I did that today, and will follow up with him next Tuesday. In between, I had to take my mom to her doctor to have a cyst removed on her back. That was easily taken care of and she hasn't slowed down. And, if we haven't seen enough doctors, Mark took his mom to her yearly checkup with the heart doctor. She was great and got a good report.

Then yesterday, I had a dentist appointment, and Mark had an appointment with the eye doctor and to get some new glasses. Today, he had a dental appointment. I think after I see Dr. Hunnicutt next week, we will be caught up until November.

In between all the doctor visits, life has been pretty normal. Mark finished waxing the motor home today. I got a couple of books painted, did the laundry, and a little cleaning. Tomorrow we are planning on spending the day with grandkids. Andrew and Lauren have field day at their school with a picnic at lunchtime and then we will go tomorrow evening to Arlington to Zachary's baseball game, plus Caden is having a sleepover with us.

Oh, I almost forgot, Mark signed up for his social security as he will be of age in August.

Now, I think that about covers us for the last few days. See you later with pictures from Field Day and baseball games. See you soon.