Settled in Kentucky

Well, it has been months since my last entry. So much has happened that I don't even know where to start or what to write. I guess a summary would be best.

We moved from MO to KY in June. It was difficult to say goodbye to all our friends but the hardest part was leaving our church. No other church compares to that one! It was also hard to sell our home. It's the only one we've ever owned, and we loved it.

When we arrived in KY we moved right into a great house located on the Army Post. I hadn't lived on Post in three years so I had almost forgotten what it is like, but quickly remembered. I must say that living on Post again is wonderful. I love it. I missed it, without realizing it. There is so much community here. I already know, by name, seven families that live NEAR me (I've met so many more than that who live elsewhere). We've already had a backyard cookout with six of those families. There are four neighbor ladies that I'm getting to know quite well. We sit outside and talk, go to the gym together, and hang out at each other's homes. Even our kids all get along really well and enjoy hanging out together. It's been a fun summer.

Since this is our third time to this Post, it feels like I'm back home. I guess that is because I have lots of memories here. This was our first assignment, so I have memories of The Colonel and I as a "couple" doing "couple" things. We had our first two children here on that tour, which adds to my memories of this place. On our second tour here, the youngest child was born. In total, I have about six years worth of memories at this Post, and I'm already making more! I'm really enjoying this tour and living on Post again.

The summer seemed short since we moved here June 2nd and school started on Aug 2nd. They are on a year-round schedule here. I like that better because they have lots of breaks during the school year, and the summer is still two months long. We spent most of our summer unpacking boxes and arranging furniture and just getting settled. We squeezed in a trip to WI to see The Colonel. He's been there since May, so we miss him alot. The trip was fun. We took the kids to a big water/amusement park, rented a cabin in the woods, roasted marshmallows, and made smores. I had to do all the driving there, though, and it was a 10 hour trip. I was tired, to say the least.

We also went to AL this summer to visit my parents. My mom had a liver transplant in May and is doing well. She has a lot of fluid in her lungs though, so she has an upcoming procedure this week, to remove the fluid. They were giving her medicine to help with the fluid but they've determined that the medicine is destroying her kidneys. Therefore their only option is to reduce/eliminate the medicine. That's why they have to do the surgery. My dad told me last month that he has leukemia. He has been doing the chemo treatments and they seem to be helping his "number count". He is believing God for total healing. When we lived in MO, it took me 12 hours to get to my parent's. Now I can get there in 4 1/2 hours. That is another reason I like being here. I can visit them more often.

Another plus to living on Post is that housing takes good care of us. They mow our grass (the son is loving that) for us. And when something doesn't work, I just call in a work order and someone comes over and fixes the problem. Like the other day, I got a brand new garbage disposal when mine stopped working. No expense to me! How cool is that?

The kids are getting used to being back in school. Tina has lots of friends already. She has classes with three other neighbor girls, who are all 10th graders this year. Two girls are over right now and they are studying together, or at least they are supposed to be doing school work. I just hear a lot of laughter. Tina made the high school soccer team. Sean is running cross country, and Kat will play soccer for the first time this season. I hope she likes it. She started Kindergarten  this year and so far she really likes it.

Even though I'm happy here, I do miss all my friends in St Joe. They are awesome and I hope they keep in touch with me. Pray for us to find a good church here. That is the only thing that's missing...and that is very important.

Home-coming

The Colonel has been gone for 17 nights but tonight I get to pick him up at the airport! I'm so happy!

We want to eat dinner in Zona Rosa. Where are some good places to eat down there? Are there any good Italian restaurants?

OMG Church was so fun last night! I didn't want to leave. I could have stayed and danced for at least another hour!

American Idol Update

Update for The Colonel:

I'm not sure if I have a favorite this week. Blake, Melinda and Lakisha were great again. Chris, Chris S, and Hailey weren't that memorable but still okay. Phil and Gina did better than last week and sounded pretty good. Gina was actually very good. The judges thought it was her personal best. And Sanjaya...wow...what an interesting guy. The hair style this week made my mouth drop open. Simon told him that it obviously didn't matter what they had to say (since he's still around) and just wished him good luck. Jordin did fine but I liked her performance last week better. I'm not sure who will be eliminated this week but I doubt it will be Sanjaya! He's actually improving and obviously has a lot of fans out there.

American Idol update

The Colonel and I usually watch American Idol together. We have fun talking about the performers and picking our favorites. Since he's in Germany, we didn't get to watch it together tonight. In fact, I don't think he got to watch it at all. So, here is a summary of tonight's performance, just so he knows what he missed...

The judges thought that tonight Hailey and Chris did their best performances so far. Stephanie didn't do as good as usual and lost her "edge". Blake was awesome and this was his strongest performance so far. Lakisha was good but it wasn't her best. Phil didn't get a good review and was told he may have problems tomorrow night. Jordin was one of the best of the night, as was Melinda. Sanjaya was probably the worst performer but did better than usual. Gina didn't do her best but was still good. Chris S did better than last week. He really worked the audience, and almost poked Simon with the mic stand.

My favorites are usually Blake, Melinda and Lakisha. Tonight my favorites are Blake and Jordin.

A few days ago it was actually warm enough to wear shorts. I saw people wearing them and I thought, "I wonder if I can even fit into mine". That thought has been nagging at me ever since. I haven't actually gotten up the courage to see if I can fit or not. I'm putting that off until...I'm not sure till when...but I'm putting that off.

What I can't put off any longer though is getting into shape. Summer will be here soon and I don't want to be stuck wearing sweats at the pool. So, yesterday I went down to the YMCA and took a 45 minute POWER BLAST class. I'm sore today, but in some sadistic way, the pain feels good. 

I need to set some goals, like the Colonel did, and stick to them. I guess I'll do that today. One thing is for sure, NO waffles for breakfast this morning.