WHATS HAPPENING MONDAY

Hi Jan and OH Peeps~

Before I start-PLEASE pray for Colette S's Hubby if your reading this. I am putting him on our prayer chain as well. Colette-your both in our prayers. If you need anything, let us know and keep us posted, ok? All our love goes out to you.

I have text with Tammy a bit-she is doing pretty good except for the pain of getting up and sitting down is hurting her. Her sis and Joe are taking really good care of her-and she makes her follow up appt today to go back up. Lets continue to pray for a speedy recovery for our girl! Thanks.

CONGRATS to Deb M and that BEAUTIFUL grand-daughter!!! Thanks for the pic....Oh my-I dont think I could ever put her down!! I would love to see the pic of Jason as a baby-AND you!! Thats something! Anyway-I will continue to keep them in my prayers-and I know they are going to be fantastic parents-and of course you and David will be fantastic grandparents!!! Thanks again and congrats!!!!

What a heck of a storm we had last night!! The hail was so big and hitting so hard-it sounded like it was tearing right through our tin roof and windows!! The lightning and thunder woke me up and we didnt have any satellite signal-I HATE storms like that!~

Dang were we busy yesterday! Mike and I were up early. Mike got up at 4 am (he usually does on the weekends) and I got up at 530. I started breakfast early-made bacon, egg and cheese biscuits to take with us and we took the boys fishing in the morning. Mike is the only one who caught one, but we still brought it home, (cause it was a big one) cleaned it, vac****ealed it and put in the freezer. We were fishing away and this older gentleman, *****minded me of my grandpa-parked his truck by ours and walked up to us (he had been fishing just up the creek from us) and as he approached Mike and I-he said "Can I take a moment of your time, there is something I would like to say to you?" Mike and I look at each other like, whats up with that? Well, he asks us if we are a family, as in, are the boys our sons? We said yes-then he proceeds to tell us that in the past week he has seen us there 3 times, and that it did his heart good to see people doing things with kids like that-taking them outdoors and fishing etc-instead of letting them just sit inside playing computers and video games. He is some kind of director with the conservation and he extended an offer to us to take the boys to an event they are having on July 2nd for charity. He also told Jon that he has never seen a 5 yr old cast and reel in as well as Jon does!!! Jon was MORE than pleased with getting the compliments....ecspically since he was fishing with his little Cars Pole....his rocket launcher pole doesnt do so good at the creek-gets snagged way too easy. Anyway, that sure felt good-made me feel good.

Anyway, then we came home, got some stuff cleaned up and got ready for our company. We all raced our RC cars. I am getting a gas powered car. Its just going to be $75 plus my old car and some special parts Mike has had for it. We did 2 diff races-guys against dolls....(guys won-darn it) and then everyone for themselves-we had $30 pot for each race-we each bet $5 per race. Mike won one-and Dana won the second. Mikes steering broke! LOL....Something ALWAYS breaks, but at least it wasnt me driving! We BBQ'd and it was so de-lish~Mikes parents came up for the BBQ-it was humid towards afternoon, even I was feeling yucky. We took a dip in the WAY TOO COLD pool-some of the guys didnt care and stayed in for a long time, not me tho-I got out as soon as I hopped in~~!! Then all the guys were racing go-karts and the girls were riding the 4 wheelers. We finally got a whole path through the woods etc-so we now can ride all the way around the property. That was fun, but I didnt do the 4 wheeler through the woods-my back was hurting too bad-just took the boys out in the field for a little ride and that was the extent of my fun. All the dolls that were out here, I had only met them a couple of times, have only talked to one of them once, but it was nice-they are just like Mike and I with the fishing, hunting, racing etc-the girls helped me clean up everything and then we sat inside talking about the guys-LOL....

My boys now want a mini bike and smaller 4 wheeler. Dana and Troy brought their kids and one had a mini bike and the other a smaller version of a 4 wheeler, not the smallest ones-but right in the middle. I let my boys ride the 4 wheeler, but not the mini bike-Darrel pretty much begged but he has never ridden one before and I was too afraid that he would either hurt himself or the mini bike. We may get him one for Christmas. Will see. You wouldve thought that we had a car lot out here yesterday-we had our 3 vehicles-and then 3 different vehicles and 2 trailers!

We decided that we are going to have a party out here next month and whomever comes, are going to pitch their tents in the field-and we are going to have a huge bonfire (mikes mom wants to do that) and then fireworks, pool and stuff like that. We are waiting to hear from Wally (lives in Texas) to see when he is coming next month. He is stopping in OK to pick up his dad-and bringing him to Joplin for one of the big slot car races. After Wallys mom passed away-he got his dad into the slot cars just to give him something to do-and now he is addicted. He is going to pay for the gas and motel etc-and all Wally has to do is drive him. So, they will stay here and not a motel....I cant wait to see him and go over what he has done so far for the surgery. He had some questions for me.

Got a call from my mom, she was really upset and asked me if I could come in. I went to Joplin and found out that my dad has been having chest pains really bad and he didnt want to go to the hospital because he says he didnt know if medicare would cover it-I think its cause he was too afraid that he will find out something is wrong with him! He is going to his PCP this morning-which is my PCP too-and I know he will order tests for him ASAP and may even just send him over to the ER. He is there now. Havent heard anything yet-so please keep him in your prayers. We are sending him away for a week of camping and fishing. He is taking my oldest son and I am going to help my mom with the motel while he is gone. By the time I got back home-our company was gone-and my house was clean-man, that never happens when its just the guys home for any length of time.....

While I was in town, I got to see Megan and I just had to give her the 2 baby outfits I had gotten....she then brings out this huge tote-FULL of baby stuff-Oh my-it was SO CUTE and little!! She even had this little baby ballerina slippers with the silk bow ties-how adorable...I just looked at everything so tiny and it made me so excited. This is going to feel like a lifetime waiting for this little girl to get here~~ When Megan walked away, my mom looked at me and said-I should slap you across the back of your head-I was like HUH? She said-cuz WHEN did YOU get old enough for YOUR BABY to have a baby? Uh-Im NOT the one who feels old-Im just gonna be a NANA, not a GREAT one!! LOL-I can see now, that sharing this baby is going to take some bribery-because everyone is so excited about her, even Mike-Mike has decided that WE are making a changing station and trunk for the baby. Mike built our revolving tv stand-and he is really good at what he does-so we are going to get started on that-and present it to them when they have the baby!!! Im so excited.

Aaron started his new management position yesterday and he really liked it so far! He is back on days-which is really good-Megan hated it when he worked nights and she was alone. She doesnt like being alone. She would either stay with my parents or come out and stay with us. Jon likes her being out here-because they would build tents and sleep out in the family room.

Stephanie actually called me yesterday and was really nice. That was a really good conversation we had. I answered the phone while my parents were sitting there and they told me to tell her they loved and missed her-and she said the same thing-its the first time she has responded to them since she left. Maybe she is coming around? I sure hope so. She is spending a lot of time with that loser boyfriend of hers. YUCK. She asked me if I would take the kitten she wanted over to her boyfriends house-not sure I want to spend the money it takes to get over there to give him a kitten-will see. I only have one left after Stephs....

Well, I better get this wrapped up so I get some other things done. Need to get out to the garden and see how its doing and get some chemicals in the pool because of the storm. Also need to empty and fill the dogs pool today since I didnt get it done the other day. They are chomping at the bit to get in the big one-they just bark and bark at us when we open the gate to go in the big area! We had too many people over yesterday that the dogs didnt know-and so we didnt let them out. Everyone said that Sebastian LOOKS like the mean one-but he is actually the friendly one-and Dozer is the one who is silent and then thats it-no warning and he is chewing on you or trying to pull you through the fence!

****For anyone who asked about the Seal a Meal-Mike is going to check when he goes to do a copier. He is there every single week as they have 6-7 copiers at the company and so he is there once a week almost-LOL.. Anyway-he is going to ask when we can purchase some more-and I will let you all know then.....I will email you guys with the prices. Like I said, we paid $15 for the Seal a Meal, then $10 for a big box of bags (or a roll actually, they come in a roll and YOU choose the size of your bag) and then the cannister sets-set of 2-seal a meal cannister set-and you vaccum the air out of them and they store food just the bags-they are $3 for a set of 2, one good sized one and one a bit smaller. IF I get a chance to come to the meeting tonite-I will bring my cannister set for you guys to see and decide if you want them or not. Anyway-as soon as Mike gets a date as to when we can get back in the warehouse and get them-I will send you guys an email-and let you know prices for everything. Then, if you want them shipped to you- I am MORE than happy to ship them out (Barbara S) or if you want them brought to the meeting, I will bring it-IF you want them shipped-you just let me know HOW-mail, ups or whatever-and since your paying for the shipping-I will ship it any old way you want!!! Not a problem-I am MORE than happy to do that for you guys-because I know that I have WASTED so much food due to freezer burn and such-so this is a good investment for us. When I went and got our seal a meal and saw it was only $15-we bought one for Mikes parents and my parents as well. Couldnt beat it-and Mike actually had said he wanted one for Christmas so that we could seal our deer meat better-so it worked out great. I am going to use the cannisters (they can be refridgerated AND frozen) to put my salsa and veggies from the garden in-and the bags for the corn on the cob and such. I am really excited about it. Glad to do it for you guys too!! I have Sheila, Jan, Sug, Andrew and Barbara S.-I will keep ya posted guys!

**Jan-how is Colette doing? Please send her my love in case she isnt getting on to see our posts. Im so sorry to hear that and I am putting Mr. Swan on the prayer chain. I wish we lived closer to her so we could help her somehow-

I told Mike that maybe he and I will have to be one of your first visitors in your trailer. Maybe in September when we head down that way-we could spend a night with you guys before heading off to Branson? How much are you renting it out for? I would LOVE to come and see those beautiful flowers and get some tips (of course, will have to write them in my notebook because I am VERY challenged when it comes to growing ANYTHING!!!) I had this plant, I call him Robert (get it, Robert Plant-the singer-LOL) anyway-it has been in need of being re-potted forever-have had it in the same pot for 5 yrs-anyhow-I did that like 2 weeks ago-and good soil AND miracle grow-and NOW its looking like its dying? Whats up with that? I swear!

We are going to see if any of the apples are ready for picking too-if they are and I get to come tonite-I will bring some. They are good for pies or apple butter etc-I dont like to eat them plain, the boys and Mike do-but they are too sour tasting for me. The owner of the motel is in the hospital, he had a stroke-and with my dad at the dr and running tests on him-I just dont know if I will be coming or not. Darn it. I would have been using my daughters car-and my mom would have picked her up-but if mom is the only one at the motel-I will have to help her-because she doesnt know how to do the books or whatever-I am going to teach her tho. IF I dont get to see you tonite-I will be there in spirit and I KNOW you will do great!!!

**Shannon-do you grow your own broccoli? We were going to-and I didnt think I would have enough room-turns out we would have-still have a naked row and a half-but its too late now. Can you plant that in the fall as well?

Arent those seal a meals great? I LOVE ours-and your right-its awesome just to seperate the meat into meals-write the date and what it is on the bag and toss it in the freezer-takes up less room too! Love that thing-I dont know how we ever lived without it-I rely on it so much now! Do you use the cannisters too?

**Bec-Glad to hear you had a good birthday and I look so forward to the mails from you!! Wish I could come visit ya while Paul is away!~ I am going to TRY and learn how to use my camera docking station this year and also downloading my pics on the puter-and when I do-I have some really good pics I will be sending out-Of me and the family and the pool, stuff like that! Love ya and take it easy!

**Sug-did you do any trout? Do you know how to cook it or how it tastes the best? We have done fish fries before-but we have never done trout and we have over 11# of rainbow trout and I am sure we will have more before its all said and done and I just dont know how to cook it.

I will be sending you an email soon. Good one, about the finger in the drink for some sugar lovin!!!! What do we have to do to get invited to the fish fry? Offer to waitress for you? LOL...

**Andrew-I will let ya know when I can get that for you. Jan sent me an email about it-and Im more than happy to get one for ya! LOL- I may need to put the seats down in my Suburban to get everyones order filled-but I am MORE than happy to save my buddies that kind of money!! You take care-and I will keep you and Susan in my prayers for a smooth move and travelers mercy. Will feel good to get there and be settled once again, huh?

**Tammy V- Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday Dear Tammmmmmyyyyyy-Happy Birthday to you!!! You LOOK GREAT!!! Dont fret those 8#-Your so close and have done so wonderful!! I know it stinks when we make goals that we dont get to-but its weight that is NOT coming back-and so no matter what-you should celebrate-and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

**Lana-I HOPE to see you tonite!! I should know in the next couple of hours-but I am not holding my breath....its looking like there is just too much going on here, of course!! Its rare to have smooth sailing!! LOL.... At least I will see ya before the reunion-or at the reunion!! Im sending you an email soon...watch for it and take it easy at work, ok? Dont get too overwhelmed. Oh-and thats really good about John and his weight loss so far-how much weight is he wanting to lose? Anyway, lovely Lana-love ya!

**Vesta-I was wondering what happened to you!! So, your all moved now? Are you unpacked and all of that? Have been thinking about you alot lately and praying for you and your prayer request.

Would LOVE to see you at the reunion-I am glad that your going! I cant wait.....Also-I am going to see your plastic surgeon in Sept. I cant WAIT! Thanks for the email and advice-I am taking it!! Dont be a stranger. K?

**Angy-where are you? I hope your feeling better and your headache went away! Was praying for you. Text me later and let me know how your doing, Skyler too. K?

**Sheila-You sounded so good yesterday-and so relaxed-so glad you got to relax and just ride and ride and ride!! How carefree and wonderful! Have REALLY enjoyed talking to you! Love ya and hopefully will see ya tonite. If not-soon....and yes, will get ya a food saver. Will be sending out an email as soon as Mike gets a date for me to go pick em up. K?

Well-I feel like I am forgetting someone....Sorry if I did! I hope everyone has a good Monday and a wonderful week. All my love and prayers, Janet