Linda's Sunflower

Thank goodness the prediction of a foot of snow for the Wichita area didn't occur. Obviously we got more sleet and ice than we did snow. We left around 10 this morning and went to visit mom. Normally we take the highway there, but I opted to take Broadway to 13th. However, there was a wreck just south of 21st & Broadway, so we went out 21st instead. We didn't have any problems, but we did see a lot of people stuck in the snow - mostly from trying to turn on side streets or into parking lots. We made it safely to mom's, and then took I-235 back around to I-135 to go to Leeker's. There wasn't much traffic, though there were several SUV's going about 50mph who went around us. It was much too slick to be driving so fast. As long as they don't spin out and hit me I'm okay with that, but I still thought they were crazy. Our Bradford pear tree got a lot of ice, and it was just starting to bloom. Guess we'll have to see if it bounces back... And Cinnamon

The #1 song on October 26, 1956 - the day I was born (yes I'm 52!) - was Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog by the man himself, Mr. Elvis Presley. I saw Elvis in concert in 1977, shortly before he died. My mom was, and is to this day, a HUGE Elvis fan. She knew someone who ushered at concerts. Thus, we ended up as ushers for the show. My memory is a bit foggy, but I believe the concert was at Henry Levitt Arena. Elvis was probably the heaviest he'd ever been, but the women still swooned for him. I wouldn't rate it as one of the best concerts I've been to, but at least I can say I saw the KING! My all-time favorite Presley song is "If I Can Dream". I believe it was the "B" side of one of his hits, but I rank it up there as #1 in my book. Check out the lyrics...this could have been written today... If I Can Dream There must be lights burning brighter somewhere Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue If I can dream of a better land Where all my

Go here to enter a contest on my niece's blog. You could win some great books!

Brandon just left to head back to Manhattan. I'm sad, but having your almost 20-year-old son spread his wings is a good feeling too! I'm so proud of Brandon. Though finding money for college has been a difficult road, he's persevered and will soon finish his sophomore year. He's a bright, warm, funny young man - and for those of you who know him - a bit on the shy side. I'm happy to say he has made many friends at K-State. He's also a good friend to Owen, a friend from grade school and Brady, a friend from middle school - who both live in Wichita. He's a good friend to his brother, Kaleb, and to his sister, Kaitlin. He's a great son to me and Corby! We have so enjoyed having him home for just over a week for spring break. We've watched movies, gone to the zoo, gone out to eat, celebrated the twins birthdays and played numerous games (and no, I didn't win any of them!). I'm going to miss him, but we will see him again on May 8th when he will b

The rules: "Bold" the things you've done and post on your blog... 1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo. 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea. 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitchhiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (only once in my whole life!) 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls 34. Visited the birthplace of

We've been enjoying having Brandon home for Spring Break. I took Monday off, and we went to the zoo. It was such a beautiful day and we had a GREAT time! Here are some pics - most of them taken by Kaleb for his photography class (with my camera of course!) Monday night we took the twins out to Olive Garden for their "family" birthday dinner! The food and service was great! The kids are enjoying their time together over spring break. We hope to go to a movie this weekend before Brandon heads home on Sunday. He wants to see the new Nicolas Cage movie "KNOWING". I started the new John Grisham book "The Associate" today. If the first couple of chapters are any indication, it's going to be a good one! Today's music - the new Kelly Clarkson CD "All I Ever Wanted". I'm enjoying it. I usually have to listen to a CD about 4 or 5 times before I decide if I love it, like it, or if it's just okay. At this point I've only listened to i

18 years ago this morning, I was at St. Francis Hospital having twins. This morning I was at St. Francis Hospital again (more on that later). I remember it very clearly. Brandon was just shy of 2, and we called my mom and youngest brother Mike to meet us at the hospital. It was about 5:00am. Brandon was excited to be running free up and down the halls of the hospital while my brother chased him around. Shortly after 7:30am, Kaleb John Charles was born. 2 minutes later his twin sister Kaitlin Melody was born. They were 5 weeks early. Kaleb weighed 6 lbs., Kaitlin weighed 5 pounds 3 ounces. 8 LONG days later they came home, and the fun began! It's been fun ever since (for the most part). HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY KALEB AND KAITLIN! Dad and I are so proud of you and the wonderful young adults you have become! WE LOVE YOU! As for today's trip to the hospital - I got a call around 9am from mom's nursing home. She had a very nasty cough and was more disoriented than usual. They had ca

I just finished TRUE COLORS, by one of my new favorite authors Kristin Hannah. It took me a little while to get into the book, which is unusual for Hannah's books. However, once I got through the first 75 or so pages, it grew on me. I am not an eloquent reviewer, but if you like modern dramatic semi-romance books, this one is for you. But my favorite Kristin Hannan book so far is Firefly Lane. Kaitlin even enjoyed this book. It's about two friends who experience all the ups and downs of a lifetime friendship. I absolutely LOVED this book. I've loaned out Firefly Lane, but I have True Colors if anyone would like to borrow it.

We took Kaitlin's truck to the body shop on Monday to have the damage from her (very) minor wreck (in the Heights parking lot) fixed. Since it was the other teen's fault, his insurance agency paid for a rental while her truck was being fixed - and since she doesn't turn 18 until this Sunday, I got to drive the rental. Yep - here's my new 2009 Toyota Camry... Okay, so I already had to give it back yesterday. But I thoroughly enjoyed driving it. It was a very nice car! I put one on my Christmas list for Corby. (HA!) It's been a difficult week at work. We had more layoffs announced on Monday, as well as some people going from full time to part time. Along with that a pay cut will be put into effect in April. I am happy that I still have a job, but I feel bad for co-workers and friends who will be looking for work come March 23rd. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected. And the weather has been unbelievable for the last 4 or 5 days. Beautiful weather Sunday

When I got home from work about 7:15 tonight, Corby and Kaitlin were hanging out with a couple of our neighbors. The guys were both in a bit of trouble with their wives for leaving them hanging on a Friday night. While I was a bit sympathetic to the wives, I enjoyed the evening immensely. We had a few beers (the guys) and a few margaritas (ME!) and had a great time! The guys even accepted me into their "man cave"! There are some things going down at work that are difficult, and I needed a night out "with the guys"...It was a beautiful evening for early March! Corby is going to work tomorrow. He has a big project that needs finished in the next week, and they okayed his overtime. We can sure use it! Looks like tomorrow will be a busy day, but I'm hoping to chill a bit on Sunday. That's a good thing, as I need a "relaxing" day!

Sicily, 1940. (Remember Sophia's "stories" on Golden Girls? LOVED THAT SHOW!) Anyway, picture this...12:30am this morning. Dog incessantly barking in the backyard. Yes, our dog. Doesn't she look all sweet and innocent in this picture? After 5 minutes, Corby went on the deck and tried to get Cinnamon to come in the house. Did she? Would she? NO! She was running around the yard, barking like an idiot! After a few minutes, she calmed down. He came back to bed. 5 minutes later. Incessant barking again! I got up, put my robe and house slippers on, and went into the backyard. Do you think she would come to me? NO! Even with treats! I had bacon treats in my hand. She was sneaky enough to grab one and get away before I could catch her. (She's 75 pounds of pure fur and muscle!). She was jumping at the back fence, and lo and behold, I saw beady little eyes. Yes, there was an opossum! (And no, I didn't take this picture) No wonder she wouldn't come in the house. Co

I read 9 books in February... Shelter Me by Juliette Fay Midnight Sons, Vol. 1 by Debbie Macomber Show No Fear by Perri O'Shaughnessy Final Justice by Fern Michaels Virgin River by Robyn Carr Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr Run For Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky I'm on a Robyn Carr kick. I hadn't read any of her books until I started her Virgin River series. I found out about them from one of the book reviewer blogs that I read. I'm between books right now and have about 20 (more like 60 or 70) to choose from. I think I'll put 5 in a pile, shut my eyes and pick one. Had lunch today with some co-workers and former co-workers at Emerson Biggin's. Here's Ronnie, Candi and Jennifer. Here's Becky, Shenny and Sach. Here's Kay, Vickie and Darci. It was great seeing my former co-workers. They are all doing well. Here's Abby's latest pose. For some reason, she

Not much out of the ordinary going on around here. It was a crazy week at work, but nothing I can go into here. I had a busy Saturday. We started our day off as we usually do - visiting mom. She is still struggling with her cable TV. She has a hard time remembering channels. Kaitlin typed her up a guide with the channels we know she will watch the most often. I also showed her how to use her up & down channel arrows so she can just look at numerous channels to see if there is something she wants to watch. The nurses and aides help her too. After we left there, Kaleb got a haircut at Fantastic Sam's and we did our grocery shopping at Leeker's. It was double $1 coupon week. I love getting things for FREE! I also went to a Party Lite candle show yesterday afternoon. I am going to have a show - it will be a BINGO show at the Airport Hilton. Not sure how one of these works, but we reserve tables for our guests, who play bingo to win Party Lite prizes. I'll be finding out mo