Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Another day of working on the book. Gloria is coming to clean house today and that will be good. Ray is out cleaning the yard. Leaves are coming in fast and furious. It sort of feels like Fall is in the air today. I am having lunch with Mike Grace today. He is doing the cover of my book and is the photographer at the University. I saw him the other night at the Cave and he said he would do anything for me. I would for him also.

Last night, after Kenny was here, to look at the dryer and determine that there was nothingwrong with the fuses, he turned the power off for a few minutes. Then my printer and computer would not work and I needed to think about getting a new dryer. I called Liz and she came right over --I got the computer to work and she got the printer to work. She called up Sears on internet for a dryer and I picked the one I wanted. She ordered it on line for me and it will be delivered on Saturday. Technology is great when it works.

Monday, August 30, 2010

When I say we went to a blue grass concert in a CAVE in Ste. Genevieve, that is exactly what I meant. Seated with us were Larry and Donna Marler, college friends from St. Genevieve and Nolan Brunnworth, who works for the Un. in St. LOuis (back to us). It was fun and the natural accoustics were great.

Liz was here today to work and she can flat put it out. I am going great guns. My immediate goal is to get all the photos in and I need 31 as of this date. Out of 200, that is good! I want to get everything in so I can sit and type everything in. My dryer went out so I took off trying to find someone to fix it. I may have to go get a new one but I don't want it to be a !.25 tube or something.

Talked to Sara this morning on her birthday and she is working at the church. I am trying to get the scoop about Leah --she got 4 roles at the Pittsburgh Opera Company auditions this week and some wonderful opera singer is coming in as guest artist and Leah is going to be her protegee. Wonderful news, anyway!

Bill Stacy even wrote something about Coach Knox for my book--good article, sent me his picture as I asked.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Great day, so far. Sunday morning -slept until 10:00, got up and put some round steak in to cook and that will be ready soon. I intend to do some kind of work today but I'm not gonna be exhausted type work by the end of the day. Matlock festival so I will watch them all again. I love Matlock. So does Rose Marie Cooper.

Bev Hickam and I spent a good deal of the day together yesterday--did errands together --Aldi's for groceries, Steak house for Road kill, post office, Kohls for a bag of stuff I didn't need, Good will to take a bag of stuff I didn't want, and Staples to get some more paper. Finish it off with coke at Kidd's and I was ready to come home and do nothing.

But, of course I sent Sara's birthday present--sent a book about Thad Snow to Jim Cooper --and am making sure I have everyone's photo for the book. Yesterday I was down to needing 56 more pictures. I am meticulously going thru all the files, and emailing the people if I don't have the picture asking them to email me a photo. I got 5 in yesterday afternoon. So it is working. I hope to be down to 45 by the end of the day.

Saturday August 28, 2010

Getting in the mood for Sara Jane Stacy Dyer's birthday. She was born August 30, 1962 in Kennett, Missouri. We lived in Malden at the time and it was during football season. She was born on Thursday night, Friday night was soap game, I came home on Saturday and I had all the scrimmage clothes to wash (no dryer) Got the first load up on the line and the line broke. I sat down and cried. Behind us lived Miller Moll, who was on the school board. He saw me sitting there and said that I would never wash another load of clothes for football team. He had them bring out a washing machine and dryer to the field house.

Daddy was in Ava with Mama preaching a sermon for the funeral of Uncle Ewell's grandchild--I think it was Gaynell's son and it took forever to give them the news. Julia and Joker came to get Mark and we finally made it thru. I had had a terrible pregnancy with nausea and I was happy to get that over.

I went to the Cave Winery in Ste. Genevieve last night with Joan Gohn, Judy Brown and Pat Robert. They had a blue grass band there and they were good! I had no idea that it was a Un. function--KRCU Fundraiser and all the people I worked with were there. Lots of fun. Pictures are on the way. We got lost on the way home and got in about 12:15. Who cares!

Friday, August 27, 2010

I am feeling much better about things. Last night after studying for three days on seminary work, I decided to email and cancel the course for the present time. I have too much to do in four weeks on the book. Luckily, today was the last day to drop the class and get my $ 750 back for the course. Yea! I did it! And I am feeling better- I realized that I could not do both of them.

Talked to Jim Cooper this morning and he told me about Betty's move to the Cullison House and how he had packed stuff and the people who moved her. He didn't think that she had stayed by herself yet but she will. She has people all around her. This will be a good thing! I may give her a call this weekend.

I went out to eat, at lunch, today with Barbara Clinton Lohr. Barb and I have been friends since we were in high school, she is from Sikeston and both our husbands were on the football team at SEMO. She is now the Mayor of Jackson and we always have such a good time together.

Liz was here working when I got back and she went through stuff--she did an extended email batch of Sara --whose birthday is August 30. Now I can totally concentrate on the book. But not tonight. I'm going to the Concert in a Cave at St. Genevieve winery with several people from here tonight. We are leaving at 5:00. I'll probably be too drunk to blog when I get in --yeah!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Where did this week go? I am taking a lot of tomorrow off going to lunch with Barb Lohr. I can't believe she is the Mayor of Jackson now. Then tomorrow night a bunch of us are going to a concert at the winery in Ste Genevieve. I decided that I needed to get away from the computer some instead of working with it all day and night.

Jennie called me last night. I don't think she wanted anything but she hates it that I don't come down to visit. I can't impress on people how little time I can take away from writing with seminary and writing the book. I hope to be done with the 50s soon. The finding of photographs is horrendous and then having to hire someone to put them on for me is even crucial.

I am studying Romans 13:1-7 and trying to dissect a meaning that can be put in 15 words or less. You know the old saying, a 15 minute speech takes a hour to write; a one minute speech takes 2 hours. It is true. I have written the sentence at least 10 times. Finally I am satisfied. Now I have to analyze the culture, language, covenant, time, and situation. And do 50 more pages of reading before next Friday when my paper is due.

All this and a book too.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Julie just called and said she can't come in to work today. Just as well because I want to get a little more organized about what needs to be done next and do some studying. My first assignment is due in the seminary class on a week from Friday and I'm not far enough along in the class to know how much work it entails.

So I will sit here without makeup today and make some things happen. I went out to eat last night with Mary Ann and Smith Deline to a local restaurant and enjoyed it. Tried to work when I got home but my mind was elsewhere or nowhere, as the case may be.

A mind is such a terrible thing to miss! I think I am totally missing it today!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Julie will be here to work all day and I am swamped. I am supposed to go out to dinner with Mary ann and Smith Deline tonight and I am trying to fit in something every day to get me out of the world of computer images. Bad sign this morning when phone won't work and Joan says that she thinks Julie broke her thumb playing softball. We will see how the day progresses.

Sara called yesterday and said that Annie was in the hospital taking tests for gall bladder. Since Debbie was picking Jennie up to get a permanent in the shop yesterday that didn't seem that Jennie was overly concerned. Everything is always dramatic so we shall see what we shall see!

I think I am going to love this Hermaneutics course. I need something to think about that is spiritual and I have fallen into a pattern of thinking it is all old stuff that I have heard a hundred years. I have to research the story of Onesimus, the slave, today. I have plenty of books. Now I just need to read them.

I love Cedric the Entertainer not because of what he says or does on television but because he and his mother both graduated from Southeast. I went into the President's office one day and said, "I know how to get Cedric to come home and be parade marshal. Honor him and his mother both at the same time -- She taught in high school in St. Louis". And the plan worked. He was a delight and so was she. Warm as could me and seemingly thrilled to be here. Mothers play a part in lives that live forever. As long as I am alive, Mama will be alive.

I took the afternoon off yesterday. Bev and I went to Mason Oliver's 2nd birthday out in the park in the blazing sun, then we went to see Eat, Pray Love (which was good) and then we went to eat Chinese at Pagoda. I drank a margarita and was three sheets to the wind when I got home after the heat and all.

Liz came to work this morning so I have much to do. Need to login for my seminary class and get busy.

Sunday, August 22, second time around

Okay, so I'm not doing well today. I wrote a blog about Miss Henry and saved it under Book Reviews instead of Daily notes. It is too hard to figure out how to switch it so I will do another one. I did a review yesterday on Andy Andrews book and that is why I didn't even look.

Going to birthday party and movie and dinner today. Can't wait to take a day off from the book. I am as caught up as I can be until Liz gets here in the morning.

Read in parade Magazine this morning about mother of Sheryl Crow--Bernice Crow. I work with her in Kennett and she is great -- that is where I met Sheryl. Sheryl told me her mother had had them working all weekend making stuff for our banquet. Bernice rules the roost when those kids come home --even Sheryl. I had a wonderful time working at the satellite centers. They were wonderful to me. I need to go see each of them.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Charles Hutson was one of my best friends in the whole wide world. We were born on the same day of the same year and we were kindred spirits. When he died, I did the eulogy and over 1000 people attended the service. Susan played the organ and Betty Hearnes played the piano. It was a royal sendoff. I still miss him though he has been gone for 7 years. He did nothing ordinary and he made enemies and friends.

Henry Ward Beecher wrote: "The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will and the other from a strong won't". Charlie or "C" as I always called him (he called me "Sister") is that he persevered and he could be obstinate. But, usually, he could figure out which one was called for at that particular moment. I raise a glass to you, C, my life would not have been the same without you!

I met with Dr. Nickell yesterday and he raved about the book--wants nothing changed just more of the same. Wants everything in by October 1 and the book will be available by Valentine's Day. Why did I sign up for this seminary course during all of this? I was reading Hermaneutics and typing interviews last night--taking breaks between them. Lands, it actually worked.

Friday, August 20, 2010

This is Linda Godwin -- one of the first astronauts in space. I'm writing about her now. She invited me down to Melbourne, Florida for her launch and I had a wonderful time. They took the family group (which I was in) to the site and we sat on bleachers. I am not a space person but when I sat there and her mother was so upset about her going and the launch, and I realized how many things could go wrong, I was petrified. The count was announced to us over the microphone and when they reached 10, I practically lost my breath. When the NASA person came and announced "The Flight is Up", we whooped for joy.

Later I went to Jackson, Missouri when her mother committed suicide and Linda was thrilled that I had come.

I hope I conveyed to the alumni that I was with them no matter when times were good or bad. I tried to do just that.

Went to Joan's last night for dinner with Julie and Judy Brown. Virginia Goodwin came over and it was good to be away. Jeff Bickings and Aaron Vance are putting a new storm door in for me today. Frank Nickell should be here to go over the book. Liz will be here to work. Busy day.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Tomorrow is the meeting with my editor on the book so I'm under the gun trying to get as much done as possible today. Julie is coming back to work today so I will be well covered. We are down to 28 left to do in the deceased and am working on the 50's. Sneezing like mad this morning, why did I get that from Mama and Daddy?

Yesterday I sent out an email for Lisa's birthday. The night she was born, Rose Marie and I took Harry and Pam to see Jack and the Beanstalk with Lou Costello and Bud Abbott. Mama would have let us take Harry to anything movie even an X to give them a rest. I thought it would be funny to send out something about the film. I am sure that no one had a clue that it was funny but me, but I got a laugh out of it.

Joan is having a dinner at her house tonight. I think she is just feeling sorry for me and thinks I need a break to deal with human beings again.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday, I have to make it count today! Somedays one can play and watch re-runs but today is not one of those days. I got up, got completely dressed and did the makeup so I would know that this was a working day.

Already had one interview--with Shad Burner and Louis Bock and Louis is going to do something on Geneva parmley, George Ketcham and Ernie Neumeyer. That will be great to have in the Giants section.

I also have two more books coming that I have to review before Sept. 10 for Thomas W. Nelson and somehow, I have to figure out how to do this seminary course on line. I hope my brain never goes out. There is nothing going on today but work. But it will be worth it in the end.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Best day we have had so far on the book. Julie Sharp came over and worked for 6 hours today and she is a whiz on adding photographs. I need to finish up some stuff I need to do before morning. The only bad thing is we only have one computer and we need to share.

I have decided to just pay the money out and get the help. It helped greatly today because Gloria was here to clean the house. Julie and I took a break and went to Staples for heavy paper and a stapler. I went to Target for groceries and then we stopped at Sonic for a sandwich.

I bought a new scanner from QVC and it is great. Saves so much time in processing photographs. Jeff Bickings is coming to put a new storm door on for me because mine is warped. I am getting everything fixed up since I would do it if I was going to try to sell the house.

This book is all I have on my mind. I hope that it is something to write home about.

Monday, August 16, 2010

My social life was certainly impeded this weekend by my choice. I needed to stay home and write which I did. By Sunday night I regretted the choice. But today, I am up and raring to go. Debbie is coming to do my hair, Liz is coming to work at 10 and I am going to lunch with Dr. Leon Book. When we lived in Malden, the Books lived next door to us. It will be great to see him. He retired from the University and took a job with Southeast College of Nursing.

We are going to the Thai Restaurant to eat. I talked on the phone a lot this weekend but saw no one. Joan goes to the farm every Sunday and Bev and I talked on the phone. I do want to go see Julia Roberts new movie, Eat, Pray and Love this week. I even ordered the book. I watched her and the author on Oprah this week and the author really wanted a year off to think--she was given an advance to go do this trip. Who wouldn't have done it under those circumstances?

My meeting with editor is on Friday morning. I hope he likes what I have done so far.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday morning, I am going to spend some time this morning reading about Harriet Beecher Stowe and the reasons why she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. When Abe Lincoln met her he told her that she was the reason for the Civil War. It's Sunday and I want to spend some time thinking of something lofty, rather than the mundane of writing a book.

But I am most privileged to be able to say that I have known so many famous people in my work at the University. I am including a picture of my predecessor, Hattie Eicholtz, who was there for years before me and she introduced me to all kinds of people--several worked on the atomic bomb mission and I have known--Marvin Wilkening, Marlin Remley who flipped the switch that awful day, on and on. Seven people from Dexter went out and worked on it. That is a story that I should write one day. Hattie was a chore but the stories she told me I later found out were listening to.

So was the story written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Back at it after a read.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Jordan Lowry had his last day of work this summer with me before he starts his senior year at Jackson next week. He has been a big help and tries to get everything right. I hope that he has a great year in school and gets his ACT up although he is not in bad shape with it at the moment.

He wants to be a meterologist and he loves weather. I took this picture on my phone and he sent it back to me. I don't know how it works but I see the results.

Went out to lunch with Julie Sharp and Joan Gohn yesterday. Julie did not get the job she wanted so she was down. Then last night I went to dinner with John Bierk and we met Chris and Julie Moore at Port Cape. Chris is John's nephew and Julie was a Myers and is Suzanne's sister.

Jim Cooper called this morning and said that Betty Hearnes had bought the Cullison House and was moving in on Tuesday. That will be a chore for somebody but I hope that she is more comfortable there and can soon learn to stay by herself. It is a good house.

I have long list of chores today on the book and hope to make progress this weekend. Planned my trips for Fall and Spring yesterday and they are in the works:

October 9 -- one day Oktoberfest Tour of Perry County MO.

November 4-November 6-- Hometown of Harry Truman, Kansas City

May, 2011 Tulips and Windmills Cruise -- Belgium, Holland. I think it's the 6th.

My money is down on all of them and so is Joan's. We are going.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Another day of hitting the book like a ton. Julie is coming to work all day and we are getting things done. She is a whiz on the computer. I am spending the weekend writing copy so I will be ready for next week's work. This is a labor of love, but it is a labor.

I make out a huge list for and for Liz each day and sometimes I feel like I have millions of ideas flashing around my head at the same time. What would I do without a notebook to write every thing down in. You are pretty pathetic, though, when you write down to take a bath.

John Bierk and I are going out to dinner tonight and we always have a good time debating every issue in the world. I love it when people see us out and later come up to say something about the relationship between Grauel and John. Like it was any of their business. I loved them both and John, in his strange way, loves me.

It is hot outside so I will probably worm in all day working. I was so tired last night when Julie left and it was pouring rain, that I called Joan and canceled our dinner. She didn't care. The movie with Julie Roberts, "Live, Pray, and Love" opens at box office this weekend. I want to see that. True story.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Sara and I went out to buy dining room furniture -- only chairs-- and I love the new look. She has a way of working on stuff that I don't have--an eye. I'm giving Jordan Lowry my old chairs so he will have a dining room for his kids.

Went to lunch with Jerry Ford yesterday and saw 8 women playing bridge. I knew them all and they kept coming up to the table to talk further. I forget how many people I know but it is so nice to be back home in my own environment and be able to do my own planning about what I do every day. No regrets, just looking on.

I have a chore before me with this book but I know in my heart that no one else could or would do this. Jerry gave me some leads but he doesn't know many of these people. I will have to continue to find information.

Julie and Jordan are both working today so I am hoping that we get somewhere and make some progress. I wish I knew more about the computer. But I plug along. Jerry and I are working on our 2011 tour and I think we are settled on the Tulip Festival of Amsterdam in May of this coming year. Have never been there. I need to call Rob and I will do so today-our tour leader.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Yesterday Liz came and helped me and is she ever a help on the computer. Today Julie Sharp is here working for me. There are so many things I don't know about a computer and putting a book together but I am making progress. Liz is going to start working for me two days a week. As I see it I will have four projects going all the time:

History book

My seminary on-line class on Hermaneutics

My book reviews with Thomas Nelson--doing a children's book today

My own book which I have been working on for years.

That should keep me more than busy doing something worthwhile.

Yesterday was Colin's birthday and I had a good time sending out pictures of him and sending email batches and Facebook. I also did an email batch to all of the former recipients asking them for photos so I got a bunch in. Julie is gone to get us a coke and she is going to Alumni Center to get me a dvd I need for the book.

I am also going out to lunch today with Jerry Ford so we can talk about some of the people who are deceased who were Cape people. He will know them all. I have 17 phone calls to make today also so I should be more than busy. I am on a new diet and I must keep after that or I will be as big as a barn.

So much to think about and so much to do. People my age should think about slowing down but I think that it puts pressure on you to do all the things you want to do while you are able.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

TODAY IS COLIN'S 20TH BIRTHDAY. I HAVE SPENT A GOOD PART OF THE DAY SENDING OUT AN OLD PICTURE OF cOLIN. WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR US!!

He is probably ready to kill me but what the h.. This is a talented, happy kid!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Today is Monday and a new week. Time to decide what I want to accomplish this week and then stick to it.

Working on book--Lunch with Jerry Ford on Wednesday.

Got card out this morning to Meekee Graham --her brother died in Oklahoma.

Julie Sharp is to be here this week, already paid her for 10 hours of work on computer. Format, etc.

Jordan will be here today and Thursday and Liz is coming one day this week. Jordan is going back to school next week but I can probably get Liz another day each week since she is moving back up here.

My big deal this week is work on the book, do my book review for Nelson and get it in. That will be plenty.

Colin has a birthday on Tuesday and that check is in the mail.

I also want to learn to improve my blogging skills.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

I wrote today on My Searching for Forgiveness Blog about Warren and I still think of those days last August when we lost Warren. The strange thing is that in the last two years we have lost Velna, Warren and Lynn and the losses have affected all of us. Sometimes we do well with expressing our grief and sometimes we do this poorly. To lose three people in a family in such a short time is more than difficult.

So I choose most of the time to think of the great times we had with Mama and Daddy Cooper.

I will never forget the day they got home from Puerto Rico and Daddy looked at Lynn for the first time in her curls. He said "What kind of hair do you have?"and she,8 months old, said "Curdy". Or Velna, the day that she was making jelly at our old house and she dropped the vat of blackberry juice on that old light blue linoleum. She broke down in tears and I wanted to run instead of helping her clean it all up. Or Warren, shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July and

putting a lit sparkler in Mama's face. She thought it would burn her up.

Such wierd thoughts from a wierd person who loved all three of them and wish I had done a better job of letting them know that. I hope that they did and I think that they did. Now I need to reach out to the people who are left to carry on. There are so many people who are hurting and don't now what to do to ease the pain. Staying away does not ease the pain; it prolongs the healing. I should have learned that with Bill Stacy but I am a stubborn learner.

Saturday, August7,2010

Today is the day of the week I always sleep in if I can. And I could. My only appointment is from 2-4 when Ashley Furniture will deliver my new dining room chairs. I am giving the old ones to Greg Lowry so he can have a place where his children can sit and eat. Sara and I picked them out. Hope Chris Hutson does not see them deliver the chairs. I need to clean this keyboard since the space bar keeps sticking.

Yeah, I finished my initial typing of the 59 deceased AMA's and am proofing today, trying to find dates and information I don't have, trying to insert photos and find them on the web, and trying to find quotes from family members. I still have a lot of work to do on these and as my mother used to say, " I could take the simplest job in the world and complicate it."

Susan and Betty Ann were out at the cemetery yesterday and called me to say good news and bad--they had found a tombstone for the Queen but I would have to be ready to go by October. Susan and Betty Ann need to have a partial lobotomy. Can we get a two for one?

Friday, August 6, 2010

I started the day, with a new sense of gratitude, and went out to breakfast at My Daddy's Cheesecake with my friend, Lucas Presson. Lucas worked for me for two years as a student and he is starting a new job at the Missourian on Monday. He is a conservative Republican and takes an active part in politics. I value his opinions, and don't mind telling him when I think he is wrong. I think that Anne Coulter should not be allowed to express her opinions except in a women's bathroom but he loves her. I can handle even that.

Lucas and I have a great time going out to eat once a month and talking. He keeps me feeling young. I am blessed to call him friend.

Two other friends I am blessed to have are John Haney and Gary Schenimann from the University --Gary is an electrician. They came over yesterday because my lights were flickering in the house like mad and determined that Ameren should be called immediately..which they did. They said the ground wire was broken on one of my hot lines coming in and the neutral wire was burning. Ameren got here within six minutes, turned off the power, and got it fixed. I was so happy that John and Gary stayed to show Ameren what was wrong.

Gayle Cooper, my cousin, sent me a quote from Bob Marley which I love: "The truth is everybody is going to hurt you. You just gotta find the ones worth suffering for."

Vietnam Doctor

This is a pen and ink that my grandson, N. Colin Dyer, did for my brother, Dr. Jim Cooper who was a doctor in Viet Nam. Colin is in his second year at Savannah School of Design.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Today is Velna's birthday. I called all three of her kids. Susan was on her way to Betty's and Betty was up and at em. I left a message for Catherine Wave. Oh how she hated that name when she was a little girl. What if it had been Atlantic Wave? Now there would have been something to gripe about.

What do I think of when I think of Velna? Industrious is the first thing that comes to mind. The girl knew how to work and would tackle anything. She made my trouseau when I married and there were about 4 outfits. She taught music, worked for the city, raised kids, lost her husband when she was young, and kept after it. When I was a kid, she was working at San Antonio, right after the war and she sent me a box of Hershey bars when you couldn't get chocolate. Jim was beside himself trying to get those candy bars and there was no place to hide chocolate that he couldn't find it. I think I ate them as fast as I could.

Velna had the tiniest feet--size 5, I think and she could buy sample sizes. No one in the family ever had the shoes that she did in her closet. Memories--each one of us would have different memories of another time. Daddy always said about Bolny, as he called her, that she "was a good citizen." Strange, how I remember that!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Slept late today until 9:30 and so I am late getting started. Joan Gohn called me from Sam's to see if I needed anything and soon she came to deliver my canned chicken, my vegetable tray and my coke from Wink's. I went out to lunch today with Dr. Eleanor Duff, education, and it is more of the same. Dobbins treats people like they were nothing. The same conversation took place yesterday when I went to eat with Sam Duncan of Development staff.

Tonight is Julie Sharps birthday and I am going out to eat with Joan and Julie, her stepdaughter. I am going to see if Julie would help me deal with uploading pictures on my book. I am still working on getting the 59 deceased ones done and it takes amazing amount of research on my part.

Dean Loretta Prater called last night and she is having trouble with administration also. How long can this go on. I have a listening ear. Also heard from Booksneeze and they want me to review a Children's Book for them, Andy Andrews--The Boy who Changed the world. I agreed although I already have one in review stage. Nelson Publishers has asked 250 of their reviewers to do this one and post on Sept. 7. This is a new world to me but I am learning.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Today is election date and I am seriously thinking about not showing up for the vote. Nothing on the ballot really interests me. No two Democrats running against each other. So I think I will sit this one out. Don't plan to sit life out though.

People are very upset at the University and I am trying to deal with them. Sam Duncan is taking me to lunch today. Dean Loretta Prater wants me to call her. Rough with money issues. I had a good work day yesterday. Jordan came and we did errands at Target and then got a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. He did my computer work for me. I don't know how to upload photos but I am needing to learn.

Talked to Jennie this morning about people she can work with on her taxes. Gloria is coming today to clean house --once every two weeks so I am ignoring those things today. Back to work on my book. Need to finish the 59 who are deceased and figure out how to get photos.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Worked hard yesterday and never left the house. Called for a pizza from Imo's last night and enjoyed it. I am making progress but it is slow and tedious. Talked to Greg Brune this morning early and he is going nuts--has to make 35 major calls in three weeks with no help. I am so glad I am out of that rat race.

I have done the house stuff I have to do this morning--sat out the trash. Debbie is coming at 9:00 to do my hair and Jordan is coming to work (I hope) at l:00. I have to learn how to upload photos before tomorrow so I can mail the Zonta stuff in and my new review.

Then it's back on work. No lunch or dinner dates. I shall feast on leftover pizza and salad.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Today is Sunday and I just got up at 9:30. There are good things to be said about drinking coffee and doing crossword puzzles on Sunday morning. I went to church last week and when I got home I tried to think about what Mike said that piqued my interest and nothing came to mind. He was doing a series on the Prodigal Son and the focus was on the Father. The Father is the main focus of the passage and he almost dismissed it. I like Mike and he sent me a card saying he was so happy that I was there. The music director is Tim DePriest and there was more of Tim DePriest than there was a sermon. I think it is me; everyone else likes it this way I think.

So what am I praying for today:

l. For Sue Hunt -- Dr. Bob Hunt died last week; we had lunch on Monday and she is trying to cope.

2. For the August birthdays: Velna, Tina, Colin, Lisa--these are the ones that come to mind.

3. For safe return of Andrea from her trip abroad.

4. For Jennie and Betty as they seem to be going downhill, and Julia.

5, For Justin Bickings in Afghanistan

I made great progress yesterday in my work:

Limited by the fact that I can't figure out how to do pictures and hope that Jordan can work today. I am working on the deceased bios today -- have 59 of them to do.

Did the Zonta form for Woman of the Year, can't believe I sent that thing in.

Finished the Jeremiah book review for Thomas Nelson, it won't win the Pulitzer.

Betty Ann came up yesterday and it was fun to sit and talk. Wish things were different in the family. I am reading about grace and forgiveness. I need to practice it like the story of the Prodigal Son....I should be the Father. I am too much of the Older Brother.