Katy news and other stuff

 First, thanks for all the kind messages about my birthday. I really do appreciate it all. There is a kinda funny (I guess it's funny) story about what Bari (Big Bari- not little bari) said the day before the Big Day. He knew I was trying really hard to get over the whole 50 thing- and he said, "honey, now, you know my Mom. Well, she's in her 60's right? And she's happy. . . . . and your Mom, she's what now? [  me answering  . . "going to be 85 sweetheart"],   yep, 85, and She's happy Right?."  Well there you go. I guess they all made it through 50 to the happier years.
    - - - - Please - - - -someone - - - -explain to me how Men think.


So, this past weekend was the opening of the Home and Garden Show at the Convention Center. Sat and Sun and then again today (Wednesday) through next Sunday. We weren't exactly sure what to expect, or how to market for this. But Bari made a really nice postcard type coupon to either sell, or give away as information on our Family Sessions. By the end of the weekend, we had given (and talked to) almost 700 people. We explained our 'on location' family/group/baby/high school seniors sessions and briefly how they worked. Just handing out info without any explanation would be a waste of time. Anyway, so far it has been a very good experience for us. The real surprise in all of this is the number of interested brides we had. Infact, we have already booked one wedding from the show. Weird. Can you hear that conversations with her bridesmaids? "where did you find your photographers?"     "Oh, at the Home and GARDEN Show!". And to top it all off, it is a location wedding on a plantation in South Carolina. Yea. No kidding.

  So, Bari is there tonight and tomorrow during the day, I'll go afterwork tomorrow and he will be there Friday all day. Both of us will be there this weekend (but I'll go Sunday after I teach my RS lesson). It is a BIG commitment, but so far it is worth it.

  Now, the Katy news isn't great. She is feeling pretty good and little William is terrific. The twins seem to be thriving. Unfortunately, Katy's challenged by her weak kidney. If you don't know, she had surgery when she was 4 years old to remove her left kidney. The right side kidney is rounded and scarred. The Drs said the remaining kidney is functioning, but there is a problem. I don't want to go into detail, and honestly, I don't know all the details, but it is safe to say that the Drs don't think the problem is related to the pregnancy. So, long story short, she is going to be admitted to University Hosp in about a month. She has to stay till the babies come, and even stay longer than that. She cannot have any testing on her remaining kidney until the twins are born. So, after the babies are here, they will keep her in the hospital to do all sorts of testing. Worst case scenario,   she will need a transplant in 3-5 years.

 Now, she has a wonderful family who will take William through the week, and Josh will have him on the weekends. The family went through almost this exact same challenge. The mom was on hospital bed rest for the last 2 months of her pregnancy with their twins. So, I don't think there could be a better solution to a terrible problem. This has helped her feel a little better about the whole thing.
  If you would like Katy's phone number, or mailing address, email me and I will be happy to forward it to you. She does not have internet access.

  I know you will keep her and her little family in your thoughts and prayers.

 
 

It's a big day for me

 Alright, I've been dreading this day for about a year (or more). And regardless of what I've said, done, haven't done or thought of doing, it has come anyway. Today. The Day. The Big Day....my birthday..... I'm 50. FIFTY. wow. half a century. 25+25. wow. Yep.
    I've been dreading this day. I don't know why though. Because I don't fear getting older. I certainly don't fear dying. I don't know why this is such a big deal. Yep. and I know I'm older than almost all of you who read this occasionally. (Yep, Like I wasn't older before too, but  NOW I'm REALLY old). That makes a difference.

So, to get on with life. Today is also the anniversary of my baptism. 30 years in the church (also older than some of you). Funny, that still makes me a convert, although I've been in the church longer than out of the church.

 AND- Bari is taking me out to dinner (we have a gift cert. that we haven't used yet). Reservations at the Boathouse, Montgomery Inn. Yea Baby! Ribs tonight!

 So, I have more Katy news and more Home and Garden news, but since I am venting on my birthday, I'll blog that tomorrow. (When I'm full of ribs).

Stars in your Crown and a bit of news

 I believe there is a special place in Heaven for Elementary School Band Directors.        Yep.        I'm positive.

If you have ever had the privilege of going to a 5th and 6th Grade Band Concert you would certainly agree. After attending Sam's concert last Thursday, I have come to another conclusion.

Strings performances are always accompanied by a piano for one reason.      So you can identify the song that is being 'played'. Yes.     If it weren't for the piano being played throughout the song, the audience would never know where we were on the program.      We had 6 ( S - I - X ) groups of strings play BEFORE Sam's 5th grade band. RRRRReeeeCCCChhhhh               SSSSccccRRRREEEEccchhhhh. Six times. Starting with the 3RD GRADERS. Now, you might ask, "Why don't you think the Strings Teacher deserves an automatic place in Heaven?".                  That is a good question. And there is one simple answer.

Because they are just crazy. Certifiable. They have to be after spending hour after hour in closed rooms with 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders making all sorts of insane sounds with their violins (and other such stringed instruments). Yes, they certainly have lost their minds by now.

 I'm just grateful that Sam chose the Trombone and not a string of any kind.
  Last week he showed some interest in learning the piano.    Now, I could live with that.


 p.s.   - - - - - - Katy is doing well, but is on bed rest for a couple of days. And - - - - -- -(I love those little dashes - - -it's a great way to p -a - u- s -e ) And -- she is having twin BOYS!

The Pin Oak Tree

We have a Pin Oak tree in our back yard. I took a picture of it after the last big snow storm. This is the new picture on my blogsite.

  I have a love/hate relationship with this tree.

  If you know me at all, you know that I am totally in love with trees of all shapes and sizes. Any time of year, any weather condition. I love trees in the rain, dancing branches in the wind. I love snow on the trunk near the ground, and how it creeps up the side. I love the new -barely buds in the very early spring. In fact, I try to catch the first site of buds as they slowly emerge from the branches.  I watch the shadows of the branches in the summer sun. I love how the branches turn toward the sky right before a summer storm.

 Yes, I love trees. Sometimes, I don't love my 'backyard tree'.

  Did you notice the leaves? Yes, after a snowstorm- SNOW storm. There are still leaves on the tree. And in the snow. Did you notice? Do you know what that means? Yep.

  We rake leaves A - L - L  YEAR. It is a game to see when the last leaves will finally fall off the tree. Can you guess?  Yep.

  Usually around April the last of LAST years leaves fall.

    . . . . . . .  right before the first leaves start to bud   . . . .


 I love trees in the winter.