Hmmm . . . where was I? Oh, yeah . . . life goes on . . . and on . . . and–well, you get the idea.

Change is coming. Our youngest son has made the decision to join the Army. While we are not thrilled with this decision, we are doing what we can to support his desire to do this. College has not worked for this young man and his need to move on and do something with his life has become very overwhelming. Prayers for his safety on this journey will be gratefully accepted.

I moved from Child Protective Services to Senior and Adult Services and am learning the ropes of this program. Very different dynamic at my new building. It is very quiet. I hesitate to take my radio to work because I’m in a cubicle now rather than an office with walls and a door . . . I don’t want to “pollute” the quiet with my need for distraction. Have I mentioned that I’m ADD?

Our oldest granddaughter just finished Kindergarten and is losing her front teeth. Inflation has impacted the Tooth Fairy–front teeth are now going for $1 a pop. My kids were lucky to get a quarter.

I’m doing a little more traveling this year. Visits to my parents are becoming a little more regular. They turned 80 this past year and I wish I were not so far away. Health concerns for both of them loom large. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have to be with them.

In October I am going to a scrapbooking convention. I’m really excited about this. I have been doing digital scrapbooking for about two years now and am addicted. I love the creative process and the fact that there’s no mess to clean up.  So, I’m going to spend three days in Salt Lake City, Utah, meeting friends I’ve made on the messageboard and learning more about how to create art with computer files. I just have to figure out how to get my hands on a laptop before I go.

I have a lot I want to say about politics, the economy, the gas “crisis” . . . but I really don’t need to add my two cents worth to the mix. There are many eloquent folks out there saying it much better than I can. I think we need to hold our politicians accountable and not just accept the rhetoric. I think our economy would be in better shape if so much of our available resources (human and monetary) was not being squandered in parts of the world where we have no business being. The manufactured gas crisis . . . enough said.

Be kind to yourself . . . you should be your own very best friend.