Hi! I am here, just in a funk and slowly coming out of it. DD moved last week to Lousiana and it hit home that I now officially have an empty nest. At least while she was at school, I knew she could come home any weekend she chose. Lousianna is just so FAR away. But they made it safely (in a U-Haul towing her car!) and I have kept in touch with her almost daily. So the comunication is there, but I miss her. I have been keeping busy reading, scrapbooking and cleaning out DD's empty room. It has been so HOT here, that I have been content to stay inside with the AC on. It is supposed to be nicer tomorrow and I am going with DH to a car show (he will drive his 62 Nova). Besh - I have read so many books this summer that I would have a hard time listing them all. I did read "The Glass Castle" and loved your comment about it being a "real" memoir! LOL I too thought it was an amazing book and marveled that she and her siblings survived at all. I am reading "Thunderstruck" by Erik Larson right now. I love his writing and attention to detail. I also read "Isacc's Storm" and "The Devil in the White City". He must do an incredible amount of research before he starts a book. I just finished listening to "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. I have to say I cried. Other notable recent reads are, "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, "Left to Tell" (about the genocide in Rwanda) by Immaculee Ilibagzia, and "The Butterfly House" by Marcia Preston. Next up, "Lean Mean Thirteen" by Janet Evanovich. DeeMarie - I have been doing exercises to strengthn my back and keep the muscles stretched and it seems to be helping. I can't sit for too long at the computer, so I haven't been logging on as often as I used to. I can't even sit and read for too long without needing to get up and stretch and move around. I love getting books on tape at the library and listening to them where ever I am. I am considering getting an MP3 player and using my library's resources to download books. Have you read LM13 yet?? Jen - Poor Erica! One time my DS broke his finger and I didn't take him to the doctor's until the next day. He also needed 2 pins to reset the finger. I felt like the worst mother of the year that day. Glad to hear she is on the mend. Patti - Glad Dave got a good report and you can go forward with your trip to TX. I never did get to see those pictures of your DGD! If you get a chance, email me. NHSuzanne - We had such severe storms the last few days too. Trees down in the neighborhood all around me, but we didn't suffer any damage. I am glad you got the brakes fixed and were able to go to VT. I don't have much of a backyard, but I did get some pictures of our local wildlife last week. Can you tell what this is a picture of? DH's is letting me know he is hungry, so I am off to the kitchen. Later, Marci

Hi all! Another MIA checking inÂand hoping that everyone is doing great! I havenÂt been here since my FIL died in late June, as I came down with a "C Diff" infection the night after his funeral. Rog found me unconscious on the bathroom floor and took me to the ER, and I really donÂt remember anything about that night or July 4th. I was in for 3 days, and was deathly sick for the next 2 weeks. (I did lose 23 pounds during this time, thoughÂnasty way to do it!) IÂm OK at this point, but everyoneÂseriouslyÂthe CDC in Atlanta has issued warnings that this could be an epidemic, and the mortality rate has doubled. Since I donÂt want to squick anyone out, please do a google on "C Diff", and remember to wash your hands, and this is very contagious. The next thing that has went on with me is that not only was I praying for Demerol or death while I was in the hospital, I have found that I am a diabetic. Great. Just screaming great. My sugar level was 453 when I went to the ER. (OKÂwellÂI was on prednisone during this time b/c I ended up in the ER the night FIL died with a horrible rash all over my behind and legs, and come to find out it was a reaction that I had to a spider bite a week prior. I was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) which normally occurs in young boys (yes, I laugh at f@rt jokes, maybe this is payback!) and steroids are the usual treatment for it. It can be serious, and lead to kidney problems, but the chances are small.) So, between the stress (GAD!), the steroids, the ridiculously bad eating habits IÂve developed, IÂm not surprised that my sugar was that high. I didnÂt have any of the usual signs, i.e. excessive thrist, excessive urination, etc but here I am. I am following drÂs orders, but man! I want some sweet iced tea!! AndÂI had to drop out of school for the time being. Which just frustrates me to no end, but whaddya do? When it rains, it pours! So, that it why I havenÂt been here, or anywhere else for that matter. Things are slowly getting back to normal, and things will be good once again. RaeanneÂwhat auction? I wish I was there, IÂd love to call it for you! SuzanneÂI love that pic! WeÂre going to try to grow garlic this fall, so any advice is appreciated! BJÂhugs, my sister! Still busy as ever, I see! DeeÂnew car? What kind? Has anyone heard from Amy or John? Has Patti posted lately? Hope all is well with everyone! Love and hugs, Maddie

Ivamae - hope you are able to sign on to our room at Facebook. Jan - glad you checked in - I cracked up over your song choice LOL. Come join us on Facebook. It is so much easier than posting here. I will continue to check in here though. BJ - missing you. Suzanne - love the photo of the baby chicks - they are too cute. I don't think I knew you could get them through the mail until you talked about them arriving at work one day LOL. It has cooled down considerably around here and we even got some much needed rain today.

Hi, everybody. Ivamae, I wish I could share our rain with you. We had 15 inches on Monday in our area. Much needed, as we were under drought conditions and a burn ban. Even with this rain, they said we are still in a deficit. Sorry I haven't been here more. It's still an emotional time for me. I woke up this morning, said a prayer, and vowed that nothing would bring me down today. As I went in to make the coffee, a song popped in my head, and I actually started to sing. So far, so good, right? The tune was Tennessee Ernie Ford's oldie, "Sixteen tons, and what do you get. Another day older and deeper in debt." Even though it's true, it made me laugh out loud. Hope you all have a good day and better weekend.