2013 Holiday Letter

2013 finds Bob and Goldie Edwards in a new house, a new town and impatiently awaiting sod.

This year we sold our house, stayed with my mother while our house was being completed and then moved into this new house at the beginning of November. It’s one story with three bedrooms, an office, living and dining rooms, kitchen, two bathrooms, screened-in porch, two car garage and still no grass. But it is in Warrensburg which is a bigger town and not too far from our old town. We have curbs, street lights, food delivery, a theater and a theatre and a Wal-Mart!

Bob has been very busy this year with work as an Environmental Field Technician. Too busy for his tastes. He’s worked mostly in the middle part of the United States going from top to bottom. He’s lost some weight and is turning 50 at the end of this month. We’re having a laser tag party to blast away old age.

My year was spent getting the old house ready sell, selling it, sorting and packing all of our things for storage, getting the new house built, getting everything out of storage and moving in. I was quite involved in the actual selection of design and items used in the construction. Most of the contractors are still speaking to me! I also accomplished a lot of writing, intern edited for Entangled Publishing and spoke in schools and libraries too. I am going to publish my first book for teens at the beginning 2014. I’ll let everyone know all of the details soon-whether you want to know them or not!

Bob and I traveled to Chicago and we had a couple of days of fun in the midst of his work schedule and the house building. We stayed in a super fancy hotel, saw the Second City comedians and went to the usual tourist sites-Sears Tower, Navy Pier and the Museums. The Garmin refusing to work in downtown Chi town was a little stressful for some, but I think the taxi ride was most exhilarating or maybe “terrifying” would be a better descriptive word.

Rachel and her boyfriend Ryan have had a busy year together working at their jobs and taking care of the kids. The kids have school and sporting events. Rachel is now working from home as a call service for X-box. She did break her arm and sprain her leg earlier this year, but is almost back to healthy again. She is horrified by how much her twelve year old daughter has matured. Payback!

Veronica is in seventh grade and is one smart beauty. She has been in a play and is a cheerleader. She won first runner up in the local fair pageant. Her favorite pastimes are crocheting and reading. She is pleased that she is reading at a college level. This year grandma and granddaughter have had a great deal of fun attending some major writing events.

Cash is six and is in first grade. He wins in the contest to talk the most and in this family that is saying something. He is doing quite well, although he doesn’t seem to love learning as much as his sister. What he does love is Legos. And I do mean LOVE. He was a little concerned that Poppie and Grandma Goldie were moving until he figured out we were taking the furniture and would be closer to his house.  He enjoys all of their cats, but Veronica’s dog still knocks him down.

The ABSOLUTE best news of our year, and pretty much any of them, is that Drew has completed his time in the Army and returned home! He and his girlfriend, Meagan, plan to marry next fall and he is attending the local college, UCM , to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

We hope all of you have great holidays with your loved ones and may your 2014 be as full as the joy you bring to others.

Be sure to stop by 607 Oakmont Dr., Warrensburg, MO 64093 if you’re in the area. We would love to visit with you.

2012 in Review

Happy Holidays to all!

I’ve been holding off on mailing a holiday letter to save postage in case we don’t make it through the Mayan Apocalypse, but we made it.  Okay, that was a lie, just running late as always. So here is the family update.

Bob is working away at his job.  He is still traveling, but would like to get away from so much of it.  He drives much more to sites than he used to and he would like to find a job that allowed him to come home at night.  Perhaps next year…

My change in job placement is probably the big news.  I decided to retire at the end of the school year last May and now I am no longer teaching.  It has taken some getting used to, but I am enjoying myself writing books and speaking at schools and the library.  Bob would like it if I actually got paid to do some of these things.  Perhaps next year…

I have taken some time to meet more writers and attend a variety of writing conferences this fall.  I went to Atlanta and learned to Wobble…I had already mastered wobbling.  Almost everyone I met at the conferences was great, with the exception of Hillbilly named Dirk.  I didn’t even know real hillbillies existed.  At least one does, and he scared me so much I actually slept with a chair propped up against my room door.  But now that I am writing, strange and scary experiences and people become fodder for my work.  Be wary!

Bob has also been doing some writing.  Hopefully he will continue to find time to write.  Our genres are totally different, just like we are.

Rachel is still busy raising the most beautiful and smart grandchildren in the world.  She has been having fun organizing a monthly girls’ night out and hosting highly entertaining and creative parties for her friends.  She got to travel for vacations to Los Vegas, San Diego, and Mexico.  She can now attest to the old adage, “Don’t drink the water (or swallow ice) south of the border.”  Rachel organized a short fun summer St. Louis trip for her, kids, and me. 

Both of my children are in relationships that make them happy.  I am glad they have found people they enjoy being with.  I am expecting a wedding from someone within the next few years.

Drew is still in the Army in Colorado, but will be done in the spring.  He is ready to come home and continue his schooling in an engineering field.  We didn’t make it CO to see him this summer, but we have seen him quite a bit since he traveled back to Missouri to see his girlfriend whenever possible.

Can you believe that Mike and Ryan are in their twenties?  Both are still in CT and we hear from them on facebook and by phone.  Ryan is working at the Mohegan Sun Casino.  That’s the really huge one where they sometimes film concerts and game shows.

Our little Veronica is in 6^th grade.  Yes, 6^th grade!  She is looking more mature and gorgeous all of the time.  Bob, her Poppie, may not make it through this!  She played softball this past summer, LOVES to read, and is enjoying Drama Club.  At her first dance, she was appalled that girls wasted their time crying in the rest rooms over boy drama.  No boyfriends right now, but it won’t last.

Cash is in Kindergarten and reads and counts at a high level for his age.  He played T-Ball and is playing basketball and enjoys it.  He loves Lego Ninjago, waffles, and the women in his life.  The cat is his new friend.  Cash and Poppie play many games together and the boy loves his Uncle Drew!

Mom and I do quite a few things together. She has hosted some great family dinners for our immediate and extended families.  Mom, Veronica, and I went on a short trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder houses. Mom finally went to the Precious Moment Chapel after having passed by it for years.

Bob and I have our house listed with the intent of selling and having one built for us in Warrensburg.  Not a good housing market, but we have lots of lookers.  Perhaps next year…

Like most people, this has been a year with ups and downs for our family, but we are looking forward to the upcoming year as a chance to enjoy being with friends and family and to keep working toward our goals.

Hope 2012 has been a good to you and all that you wish does happen… Perhaps next year in 2013!

July 1, 2012

Summer is here with all of its full heated glory, but as yet for me no homegrown tomatoes or fresh sweet corn.  I really look forward to both of these things greatly.

Everyone is so busy.

Bob is working a lot for Teledyne.  They seemed really strict about getting everyone home on Fridays for the weekend, but now they have ended up short several people and those remaining are going all over the place.  In the last few weeks Bob has been in South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, and probably more.  He finally started posting a schedule, because it was kind of like Where in the World is Waldo around here.

We are trying to get things cleaned up and fixed up to list our house, so that we can move on with a new house in Warrensburg.  Not doing great with that, because little time together to accomplish our goals.  Thinking of hiring someone to our list of touchups.

I have been trying to adapt to being retired with no set schedule.  It is harder than you might think.  I know I should be used to it because I have had my summers off, but I have come to realize how much of that time was spent doing thing associated with school.  I have been babysitting Veronica and Cash some and writing some.  I enjoy the kids, but they are messy.  The writing which is really editing is messy too.  But I finally got some things figured out to fix some plot holes.  Last weekend I took Thursday and Friday to hole up in a hotel in Springfield before going to a writing conference on Saturday to work on my book.  It was quite helpful.  Even though I could do this at home, I get distracted by cleaning or projects or...family.

Rachel is working away at her father's textbook business. He seems to be giving her more responsibility and she enjoys the challenge.  The heat may do her in though.  She and I went to the movies together the other night and although the movie was enjoyable I got sick during it with a high fever and had to go to the emergency room afterward because I have an infection.  Not the fun evening we had planned.

Drew has been busy in Colorado with the fires.  He isn't fighting them, but because he works in one of the command offices and they evacuated people to his base, he had a lot of responsibility in making that happen.  He got to make many calls to people's homes in the middle of the night to get them on duty to help.  He is really excited this week, because his girlfriend Meagan is coming for a visit this week.  He is actually closer to over the moon about this!

Veronica and Cash have been busy with ball teams and hanging out with friends.  We have played numerous card and board games and been to the pool and the movies and had a picnic at the park.  It is too hot right now to do much outside unless water is involved.  Veronica wants to go to a museum and we may do this on the 4th.  Because of antibiotics, I have to stay out of the sun.

We hear some from Mike and Ryan.  Mike was disappointed that the Army did not work out for him.  Ryan is working as a custodian at Foxwoods Casino now.  He seems to be having a good time with friends, because he called me one day while playing truth or day.  

I get to see Mom more than before and am trying to do some more fun things together.  We have been to a play and took Veronica on an overnight trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Lamberts-Home of the Throwed Rolls.  Veronica loved the rolls! We also have taken the kids to the movies together and one night we played Bingo in Harrisonville with my sister Bev for a charity.  Mom and Bill and Veronica also took a trip down to Osceola Cheese Company.  Veronica was thrilled again!

And that is what is going on most recently.

Long time a comin'

Rather appalled at how long it has been since I wrote on this blog. Truthfully, it had been a tough year for me at school and many things suffered. My health, my family relationships, and my enthusiasm for my job... But I have made some changes for the better and I think life is on the upswing. So here is what you missed and some of what is to come. Bob is enjoying his new job with Teledyne. They pay him decently and actually pay his expenses on time. Usually he is home every weekend and most jobs are near enough he can drive to them. He likes not having to miss out on all of the family time during the weekend. I am not certain he is going to survive his little Veronica having a boyfriend and not being so little anymore. I will get concerned when he starts digging the trenches for potential boyfriends that he only is half way joking about. So far ground is undisturbed. Goldie made a major change in my life and retired at the end of this school year. At 48, with only 26 years in, I am too young and I really planned to wait another year, but things were not going well on others' end at school and it was causing me to be the kind of teacher I did not want to be. I just won't be the teacher who doesn't feel good about coming to school. Still love my students though. And I think I am going to get a part-time job at the library that will put me at about the same place financially and give me time to write. At the library I would handle programs like story time and such and I am excited. I also am working on being healthier. Bob and I are in the process of getting our house ready to sell. We plan to have a house built by one of my former students in Warrensburg. The lot is picked out, the plan is ready, and now we just need someone to purchase this house. Rachel is working for Dan in textbooks again and is super busy. She also has completely organized our attic and held a super garage sale. She has insanely planted about twenty-five tomato plants this summer. She doesn't even like tomatoes! Drew is finishing out his time in the Army. His unit deployed to Afghanistan, but his health prevented him from going too. I am grateful for him not going, but I sure would like for him to be well. He is now trying to juggle a long distance relationship with his girlfriend, Meagan, who is here. He seems very happy with her. Michael surprised us and is now at boot camp in Georgia in the Army. We are hopeful all goes well and that this is a good move for him. Ryan is still in CT and has been working as a janitor in casinos. He is waiting on a background check and then is going to apply at the really large casino Foxwoods. Veronica just finished fifth grade and turned eleven. She has grown and changed so much. Gone is our little round faced girl and in her place is a much more savvy young lady. She even has had a boyfriend! And she is a reader! That excites Grandma much more than the boyfriend thing. Cash is Five now! He graduated from Pre-school and is ready for Kindergarten. He is just so funny and full of life. When he gets started on one his talking rants, it is hilarious. Rachel had a HUGE joint birthday party for the kids and they had a great time! My mom is doing okay. I think she is a little bored. At least now I have more time to do things with her. Bev is busy, but loves her new house and location in Raintree in Lee's Summit area. Bill has been dieting and feels much better. He and Debbie and Mom have been visiting older relatives and going to cemetaries together. All in all we are good and moving forward!

Long time no write.

Wow, I am embarrassed by how long it has been. It is writing that is taking me away from this blog and I have made some strides in this area.

I finished my Mirror Images book and am working on another, Monsters Within. After I get done with this one, I plan to edit both and go from there.

Bob has been working steadily with his job at Teledyne. He seems more secure about it and they do keep him busy. Bob did get a job close enough to Drew to go visit one weekend.

I have been doing my 26th year of teaching and it has been a hard one. So much work added on and so many changes without clear instruction made me really question if I want to do this or not. And if I want to do this at Holden. I really almost went home the third day of school at 8:15 and later I did go home one day because of the stress. However, I did some pro-active things and it is better. I still dread going to work, but not at much. The irony is that I really do enjoy the students and that is the part people say to me, "I don't know how you can work with those kids." Gladly.

Our kids are kind of all over the place.

Rachel went to Vegas to "celebrate" a birthday that ends in zero. She is working at Strate's Drive-In. And mothering her children.

Drew is still stationed in Colorado, but his health issues from the malaria he had last October still trouble him. I guess the good news is he will probably not deploy because of them. And the bad news is that he has them. He did get to go Elk hunting with his Dad and Uncle Bobby in Colorado this fall and he enjoyed it even without getting an elk. He also go to come home for a brief Thanksgiving visit.

Michael called and said he has decided to join the Army and goes to basic in March. Bob is struggling some with that. That, I understand well.

Ryan is looking for some seasonal work.

They are both in CT.

The grandchildren are joy that keeps growing. Veronica is in fifth grade and full of attitude. She seems much happier at school this year. She is actually getting figure and I am not thrilled. She is only in fifth grade! We just had a tea for her friends and they had a great time playing with their American Girl dolls and being Cat Warriors...it's a book series.

Cash is blaring through his second year of pre-school and is showing he is quite bright. He also is showing some spirit. Maybe a little too much sometimes for the teachers. He is a sweet boy who doesn't want to upset people though.

Mom is still down the street and I see her a lot. She keeps feeding us and helps Veronica with her homework. She and Veronica are in an afterschool bookclub together. And she has been busy helping my brother Bill and sister-in-law Debbie because of some of their health issues. Bev, my sister, has been keeping her busy too with some things for the new house she bought in Raintree. It will be much closer for Bev to get to Harrisonville since she spends a lot of time there.

We have had some good times. We went to the Renaissance Festival and the Holden Fair.

And we have been busy too. Hope we have and everyone else has a good holiday season.

July Ends 2011

Another month is nearly passed. And it is HOT in ole' Missouri. 106 has been the actual temperature some days. Heat index? BURN!

We made to and from our vacation to CO and had a good time. Everyone kind of did their own activities so we gambled, hiked, hunted fossils, toured museums (whore house was the most interesting), rode trains, shopped, took old time pictures, ate-a lot, fed the donkeys, had tea, played in the park, soaked in the hot tub, saw deer and a fox, played board games, played the piano, and enjoyed staying together in the Dusty Rose Cottage. Renting a house is the way to go, if you have a lot of people.

Seeing Drew was the best part, but I wish he felt better physically.

Bob has been home mostly this summer. Rach has been working. Veronica and Cash staying with their babysitter. Mom hiding in the air conditioning.

Me, writing. And I am currently slamming to get a FULL manuscript ready for perusal by an agent. I don't think anything will come from it, but it is forcing me to get my butt in gear. Sometimes I really like the writing. And sometimes I do not.

School starts in a couple of weeks and I am have not accomplished everything I want.

Now, I am off to bed, so I can spend tomorrow with Cash and Veronica.

July

Mid month.

Summer rolls on. I have enjoying my time off and my body feels better because of less standing. During the school year, I am always so sore that it surprises me when I don't feel pain. Darn Arthritis!

Bob has been working or observing during his new training period for some time. He has had a little time off recently and he has been enjoying it.

We are going on a family vacation to see Drew. Bob, Goldie, Mom, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, and my sister-in-law Debbie. Hope Drew is ready an invasion!

I have been hitting the writing hard and writing career goals. And I have accomplished some, but not all I hoped.

The kids and I have done some "Fabulous Fridays" and they have been fun.

Rachel and I went to see Motley Crue and Poison. We are rockers at heart!

We had a nice 4th of July with dinner at Mom's.

Bob has been preparing a paleontologist fossil kit for Veronica. She will be so excited. And he is too. They are ready to go fossil hunting now!

We are enjoying the new kitten, Hercules. He moves much more than Xena.

Mike and Ryan called this morning. EARLY. They are doing okay. But I think I am ready to go back to sleep. Good night/morning.