Santa Came!!!

Wow...What a Christmas!

From jewelry and clothes to new electronic 'toys', we had it all! These pics are posted without captions...enjoy...

Holiday Season is Here...Best Wishes to All!

Hope your Holidays are Super!
Here's our season's e-card to all...

Even though we also celebrate the Baha'i gift giving holiday at the end of February, we can't resist still celebrating Christmas. It's a pricey holiday this year. Can't say what Santa will bring...don't want to spoil the surprises!!! Check back after Christmas and you'll see all the goodies; and the girls, too!

Lilly's School Holiday Program

All decked out in holiday garb! Wish I could post the music...it was really a great performance!


Of course, Papa and Nama had to pose with the star of the show!!!

We'll have more pictures after Christmas...

Wow! Changes in our Life ...

Sorry we don't have any pictures to update our recent activities. But, I'll share all the recent 'happenings'...which have been a lot!

WE'VE MOVED!
Yes...that's right. It's been a happy, good, and exhausting transition. We now live in Carbondale. The girl's are in a new school...they love it, have a bunch of new friends, ride the bus, and are doing very well! Each girl has their own room...finally! We have a dishwasher!, a garbage disposal!, and a laundry room right off our bedroom! I know it sounds a bit overdone...but those are things we haven't had for a couple of years. We also have newly finished oak hardwood floors! Can you tell we like it?

HOLIDAY PROGRAM AT SCHOOL
Lilly has two performances tomorrow at school celebrating the holidays. So, she and I spent the better part of the afternoon out shopping for an appropriate outfit. She's very hard to fit, but we found such a neat outfit. Of course, we had to add shoes, hair trimmings, hose...etc.

Beth doesn't have a program this year. Seventh graders are too old for that stuff, she says. Actually, in the new school, the 7th and 8th grade are the junior high and are more like high school. Even though Lilly is technically in elementary school now, it doesn't seem to make much difference to her.

GAMES, DANCES ... OH, BOY!!!!
Did you have school dances in the 6th and 7th grades? I don't remember having them that early. Well, not now a-days. And, real basketball games (football is over for the year)! In fact, Lilly is at a game tonight with a couple of her new-made friends.

Beth has swing dancing in her PE class. She is appalled at having to dance with a boy! I asked her what she does when she goes to the school dance? Silly me...she said the girls dance together! At least we're not having to deal with the 'boy' issue...YET!

TODAY'S STYLE
We've hit the stage where have to pry Beth away from the mirror, hair straightening iron, trying at least 6 outfts on every morning. And, of course, any suggestions about clothes from anyone else means that outfit is banned forever. The style is layering, tight fitting, and nothing but jeans...ever. The color of the jeans also make all the difference in the world. If they are not faded and light colored, forget it.

Lilly, on the other hand, is concerned about warmth, covering up, comfort. All the things that don't enter Beth's realm.

FINAL COMMENTS FOR TODAY:
This move has saved us in gas money. Instead of traveling to Carbondale on average of 3 times a day. Now, we only go to Murphysboro about twice a week.

We're about 1/2 mile from the SIU campus. There are all sorts of resources there. It's a real advantage.

We have no yard to maintain, all of our pets found new homes, we don't have to pay for water or garbage anymore, plus gas and electric are much cheaper.

In all, we feel making this move now is better than having to do so in a couple of years. Jim's and my health made it difficult to upkeep the yard. Then the girls really needed to be in their own rooms. After a couple of days, we've agreed we love it here. That's a first for us in a long time.

Now, just let us know when you all are coming to visit!

Happy Halloween!!!

A SPOOKY HELLO-O-O ...

Trick or Treat Anyone?

The girls are busy making themselves up for Halloween.

In Murphysboro, the age limit for trick or treating is 12. So, this is Bethany's last year for getting "treats"!

Lilly is dressed up as a cowgirl, wearing her pink suede hat she got in Cheyenne, WY.

Bethany is dressed up as a second grader in the 60's. (Wouldn't smile...it's all too embarrassing, even though getting goodies can't be passed up!)


An SIU student and friend, Luella, is taking the girls and several other kids out for a couple of hours. The kids range from about 3 years old to 12. We adults will be at her home with her parents for the evening, ready to sort through the goodies when they come in for the night. There'll be hot chocolate for everyone...it's co-o-old outside. It'll be "sweet"!!!

Happy Birthday ... Erin!!! I didn't forget!!!

Hwy 127 - Southern Illinois

Last post I mentioned that the drive to Springfield was "same ole, same ole", so on our trip last Friday, I decided to take some pictures to see if my opinion had changed. See a selection of those photos below ... then maybe you'll see why I did change my mind. There are some shots included taken in Springfield of the Capitol building, and from the Abraham Lincoln Museum. Bethany spent a couple of days with a friend, so you'll only see Lilly in some of them. We had a blast! Especially, when we were trespassing on the abandoned farm! Maybe that's why our car battery died when we tried to leave. Jim and Lilly flagged down a good samaritan who jumped the battery, and we went on our merry way. What a hoot!

Enjoy ...

The leaves on the trees are turning ...

The farmers are harvesting their fields ... and bringing their corn to the grainery ...

Then we came across an abandoned farm that provided some excellent photos ...

... from the sheds, to the barn, to the water pump, to the falling down and rotting wood that was everywhere!

There was a hint about the age of the farm that came from the old truck and farm machinery.

Then, there were the final artistic finds ... what do you think they are?

That's it! There were a lot more pictures, but you get the idea.

By the way, thanks everyone, for the birthday wishes!
Mari

It's October!

...and...lots of stuff is happening. Here's an update:

TeenREACH Murphysboro

First off, Beth and Lilly are having the best time ever attending an after school program called TeenREACH at the local youth and recreation center. Jim and I have volunteered time in several ways to help increase the membership and get the word out into the community. Here's a snapshot of what it's all about:

The kids that didn't have homework on the photo day got to pose for this picture. Yes...that's Bethany on the left holding up the sign.

Inside, Lilly was diligently working on her homework.

And later, Bethany goofing around....

Here is the flyer I designed that is being used for recruitment with parents, teachers, churches, etc.

Also, there's a poster invitation for an OPEN HOUSE to showcase the students' science fair projects. It's Lights On After School nationwide this month!


OK....next...

Jim and I are off to Springfield again this week for xrays and (hopefully) the last doctor visit to follow up from his neck/spine surgery. I've begun to hate that trip up and back. It's so long and the same 'ole, same 'ole.

Spring, aaahhh, I mean Fall Cleanning?

I must have my seasons mixed up. It's been cleaning and getting rid of time around here. I heard about this neat Yahoo group called FreeCycle.org. We've gotten rid of lots of stuff just posting items and giving them away. I've also gotten a few cool things, as well. Anyway, everything must be free that is listed. Can't believe the activity in the group! Try it! I wish we had an active Craig's List here in Southern Illinois...

Another year older...

Well, Saturday marks the last year of my 5th decade. That's right...I'll be 59!!!!! Goodness, can't believe it! Next year I'll have the trauma most people go through when they turn 40. I can't even remember that birthday!!!!

And, special birthday wishes to: 'Baby Gaby' ... who just turned one; Gabe ... don't know how old you are; Nick...our doctor in training; Jody... we love you!; Safa ... we miss you! Lots of Libras in our circle of friends! (Hope I didn't miss anyone!)

Upcoming...

Lilly's Self-Proclaimed Favorite "Holiday?"

Can you guess? Halloween!!!! She's already counting the days... Bethany thinks this will be her last year trick or treating. (You know how that was...you still wanted all the 'stuff,' but were embarrassed to go to the doors and ask.) Now we're just trying to figure out what 'costumes' would be the right ones. Sizes for 11 and 12 year olds aren't that readily available. Maybe they'll have to resort to making their own...something I did when I was a kid. Heaven forbid!

Thanksgiving weekend

We're making our (2nd annual) trip to the Chicago area for Thanksgiving this year. My long-time friend, Denise, has lovingly asked us to stay with her family again. It also gives us a chance to visit the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette. And, this year, we all will be having lunch with the girls' Grandma Nancy at the Hard Rock Cafe. We also will spend some reflective time visiting Kelly's gravesite. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday, so we're focusing our memories on those special times.

That's it for this time...gotta go move some more furniture!!!!!

School Picture Time!

Well, they're here ...

Bethany and Lilly's 2006 school pictures got here early this year! Actually, they are pretty good. Of course, being the 'tween-agers' that the girls are now, they aren't that happy with them. Personally, I really like them. They really show how much both girls have grown into beautiful young ladies. Enjoy!

Apple Festival

It's an amazing thing...a parade in a small Southern Illinois town! Below are some of the pictures that stand out in the crowd...
Jim and Lilly were at one end of the parade, and Beth and I were near the beginning. About 3/4 of the way through, our camera's battery died. We got enough shots anyway.

After the parade, the girls spent the rest of the weekend riding the rides, eating funnel cakes, fajita tacos, and slushy lemonade.

For a small town, there were 50 bands! Can't believe it! And, the weather was bearable this year...only in the 80-90's.

The girls helped me volunteer at the Book Fair at the Youth Center throughout the weekend. I think we got more books than our volunteer credits amounted up to! It was for a good cause.

We also discovered this year that purchasing ride tickets in advance of the Festival saved at least 50-70% from buying them on the spot.

As I noted, the parade participants represent Southern Illinois' best!!!!!

Quick notes...on not much at all....

Jim's recovery is a little more difficult than he expected. Nothing wrong with the surgery, just much more painful, and limiting in movement. The doctor gave him the thumbs-up for lifting up to 5 lbs., and driving the car. Whooppee!!!!

The girls have finally settled in at school. Beth is doing great this year! It seems as though everything is coming together for her so far. Her grades are A's and a couple of B's. She's ecstatic, and we're very proud of her. Lilly was so excited about school, but that seems to be wearing off. She is happy that her homework level isn't very heavy. Both girls were glad to get "top" lockers. I guess that means something.

Beth and Lil are going to an after school program called Team REACH at the new Murphysboro Youth Center. It's free! They get help with homework, play games, will take field trips...lots of stuff. And, they are bussed from school, so when we drop them off in the morning at 8 am or so at school, we don't see them til 6:15 pm.

It's been tough keeping up with everything. Jim has always been so helpful around the house. Doing it all is more than this 58+ year old body can handle any more. My energy goes to dishes and meals. Then I'm pooped. And, our lawn is like a field...none of us can start the lawn mower, since Jim isn't allowed to do that kind of thing yet. Wish our dog was a billy goat!

We'd like to have a yard sale, but I can't even think about how much work that would be. Everything seems to be growing in around us! Can't believe we've accumulated so much in just 1.5 years since we moved from California. Although, having a yard sale would be kind of difficult in a "field."

MP3 Players....UGH!

All I've done for the past three days (well, not all, but you get the idea) is attempt to connect three MP3 players!!!!!

First, Bethany's iPod is a disaster...after spending over 50 minutes on the phone with Apple technical support, the problem still isn't fixed. So then, I take it to Best Buy to see if they can help. They send me home with instructions (because I didn't want to leave my computer and the iPod there for a cost of $39+ for them to work on it!). Well, their instructions didn't yield any better results; so, tomorrow I have to try the technical support line again. UGH!

Second, Jim got a SanDisk (supposed to be plug and play!). I must have lost all my computer skills and intelligence, because I had to take it to Best Buy also. Worked fine there; got home and couldn't seem to get it to load songs. So, today I spent another hour on it, and finally got songs on it, only to find out that the sound wasn't working! Ooops...Jim forgot to push the center button! UGH!

(Buy the way, Lilly's CHEAP MP3 player works fine...the one we got a Walgreens!)

Third, with everyone else in the house plugged in, I felt left out. So, I got a Zen Nano (when I was at Best Buy trying to get answers on the iPod and SanDisk). Well...finally, my lamebrain skills kicked in and I got it to work the first time! Made everyone else very mad. Anyway, you can guess the one I would recommend!!! No UGH here!

Now, I'm giving up the music industry and going to put together a microwave stand (with Bethany's help...she's the mechanical one around here).

Catch ya all later!

Appreciation and Thanks!

Jim and I want to express our deepest thanks to all of you for your prayers, and assistance with Beth and Lil while we were in Springfield. It really is a stressful time, and we truly appreciate everyone for their support. Jim's surgery went well, somewhat longer than expected, because the doctor did more than anticipated. Although, there is lots of pain now; so our activities are on hold. Please keep our family in your prayers.

The End of Summer... And, more...

School starts on Thursday, and Beth and Lill are all set. Supplies, clothes, etc. have been taken care of and now all that is to be done is get to classes on time! That will be a real internal clock change in this household.

Jim also has his surgery on Thursday. It was rescheduled from the 14th because we forgot his x-ray films. Getting too forgetful. It was a long trip for nothing. You can be sure we won't forget them this time!

I'm working on jewelry designs again. Guess it's mostly therapy. There's not much opportunity to sell around here. Maybe I'll start a web site...who knows? See some of my samples...


We'll follow-up next week with news about all the above. Happy Labor Day everyone!