FRED the Elf

Christopher was an elf in his school's Christmas musical. He insisted that I put 'FRED' on the front of his costume. So the 'FRED' theme continues to run through to the holidays. It was a fun show, with lots of Christmas, as opposed to holiday, spirit!! I'm so glad they can still get away with that~
Merry Christmas!!

PAPPY'S PRIVATE PRACTICAL PATCHING

I hated my unfinished concrete wall behind the fireplace. It was too much of a mess to just paint. With Pappy's Private Practical Patching, about $5 and a few hours later, my wall has been transformed!! Ok, so we need to work on a name for this . . . . .

SCORE AT THE FLEA MARKET

We almost didn't go, but then decided after 8:30 mass to head down 55 to the flea market. Boy am I glad we did!! We scored (according to ebay) over $300 worth of collectible merchandise for $9! Of course, we aren't reselling, we just wanted it! Now don't be jealous of me and my new friend!! Who can tell me who I nabbed for $5 - only found on ebay for $99?



Christopher was excited about his new action figure carrier, and amazed when he saw what it, and all that came in it was going for on ebay - about $200. I'm just glad to have a place for all the action figures!

Same Stance, Different Team

Here is my Natalie playing in the pit of the marching band for the Lindenwood Lions. I really enjoyed the game, as the team is actually good, and moving up to Division 2. But, I could not stay for the whole game, as I promised Christopher I would take him to
Bass Pro Shop, which is right down the road!~

GOOD-BYE OLD DEAD TREE

We had to cut down the tree right behind our house. It was dead and starting to rot. It was the tree I would see the skinks sun on, and the tree Christopher would look at out his window every morning.

It is amazing how the person cutting it down (Gary's friend Sean) can have it land just right.

It is so open in the back yard now.

Bon Voyage Galsie!

This is Galsie at her last Saturday night meal before heading off to college. Of course, crab legs and champagne were on the menu. I'm gonna miss her, but am very excited for her. If only I would have known all that she would accomplish when she was just a little 3 1/2 pounder. I would have been able to enjoy her so much more, and worry so much less! Here's to you, Gals-o-Button, o' mine!

Dear BudBud

Dear BudBud,

Now that you are gone, I can only hope that I did the right thing, and you were as comfortable as possible. I am sorry if I went against anything that you wanted, perhaps out of selfishness. I could not bear to think of you dying alone somewhere, and then never finding you. I did not think you would make the trip to the vet, to be put down, and you would die a scary death in my car. I am sorry if I did not read your wishes correctly. I know you had a long and wonderful life, I only hope the end was as painless as possible, and my voice comforted you in some way. You were a wonderful member of our family, and we miss you, and love you dearly.

May She Rest In Peace

Today, at 5:30 pm, my little BudBud passed away, outside on our back deck, as Gary and I pet her and told her it was ok to go. We were all able to say our final goodbyes before her passing. She is buried under a Mimosa tree at the woodline of our field. As best as we can remember, she came to us in April of 1989. She was a wonderful cat, and will be missed. Our house already feels empty.

My Little BudBud

I know she is letting us gradually get used to her not being here. She is spending all her time outside, under the walkway, hidden away, coming out only to eat - when I make her. I have to tell her I love her through the cracks of the wooden slats and tears. She barely drinks all the milk that contains her hyperthyroid medicine. I have to make her come in at night, as I am afraid of something getting her, and her unable to defend herself or escape. Christopher declares, "Oh, I haven't seen her in so long!" He lays on the floor, and she still curls up next to him. She is wanting him to forget about her, but she still can't resist the heat of his body. I just hope she is not in pain. Her breathing is extremely labored now. I know I will find her motionless at some point soon. I cry every day for the cat she was. Oh, just to see her run to her food bowl one more time, to feel her claw at my leg when I didn't get her food fast enough. To see her destroy one of Christopher's lego sets in a mad fury would be wonderful. To see her play with her Zhu Zhu pet.
But she is staying away. Her heart can't take the sound and activity. She has to keep quiet and calm, and concentrate on breathing. And in the mean time, she is teaching us to live without her.

I Know These Days are Limited

Seeing BudBud sunning outside is a sight I am cherishing right now. I feel that the time is coming soon that she will no longer be with me. She has had a long and full life.

An Unexpected Guest

I hadn't opened my patio umbrella's for a while, and was a little concerned about a wasp nesting up inside. I gave the fold of the umbrella a tug to see if I could scare out any wasps, and was quite surprised to see this fall out!



After taking pictures, and deterring Bud Bud from jumping up on the table, I went in to 'google' what to do. When I went back out, it was gone. I had Gary help me open the umbrella all the way, and as it was opening, another one flew out.

My New Webelo

Such a distinct way to mark the time. Watching them go through their different colored scarves. From orange, to yellow, to blue, and now the plaid.

NONIE PEONIES!!!!

Enjoy them before the rain makes them all yucky!!

A TYPICAL DAY

The ipod problem.

ANOTHER ANTONIA TALENT SHOW PERFORMANCE

Here Christopher is with another Antonia Talent Show performance. Take note at the beginning when the guy cues the music up too soon. He tells the crowd that 'he started way too soon'. Is he a little man, or what? That is about 500 elementary kids singing along with him at the beginning.

THE PROM

Natalie and her friends at Forest Park, before the prom.






The theme was 'masquerade', so several had masks.



The whole gang.



In the limo.



Awwwww . . . . . .

AND THERE SHE IS . . .

Natalie registered for Lindenwood today. It was a long and exciting day. She was pleased not to have to do any math or writing assessments, as she already earned those credits during high school. We ended the day in the Lindenwood Spirit Shop for hoodies, and t-shirts, of course.

DON'T LEAVE YOUR MILK ON THE TABLE!

OK, who left their milk on the table?

The Long Hike

Jennifer, Scott, I and the kids went for a hike in the woods behind their house. Aside from getting lost (a little - enough to make it interesting) we found some very interesting things. The most interesting was a complete skeleton of a deer laying in the the grass. A few of it's leg bones were scattered as if something may have made a meal out of them. Otherwise it was just about in perfect order. I love Christopher and Anthony's faces looking at the skull. I wish I could have gotten Rose's face. All I had was my phone, and it was so hard to see what I was taking with the sun's glare.

Winter Dance

Natalie and a bunch of her friends went to the winter dance. Here she is with her friends Rachel and Colleen.



Colleen invited everyone over for dinner before the dance. It was very nice of them to serve them all dinner. I hope they were able to keep their dresses and suits clean!

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!

The kids and I watched the Michael Jackson concert DVD the other night. There was some tough competition for my attention on the floor.



The the ideas on paper start flying. If you can't read it, it says 'Project Christopher JACKSON'.