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!