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!