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!
Sharing photos & keeping our friends & family updated on our events & happenings...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
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.
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!!!!!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
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."
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."
Monday, September 04, 2006
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)