* IT'S JULY 10TH ? *

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family. I think of all of you every day and hope all is well in your lives, as well. 

The only one who's doing a bit "poorly" is Charlie. He has some issues with his liver AND thyroid, but he's on some meds, so hoping he will be all better soon! (If these don't do the trick, he'll need an ultrasound, which costs a lot of $$$) 

Oh, our son, Mark, who moved to New Orleans last year for a teaching job, drove up and surprised the heck out of us on Father's Day!! I've never had such an awesome surprise. He stayed with friends and was here for 2 weeks, so we got to see him quite a bit. Next, he's on to Rochester, NY for a new teaching position. Nothing like going from hot and humid, to cold and snowy! But he LOVES snow, so he should love it there! 😃

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family.

* IT'S THANKSGIVING TIME AGAIN! *

Happy Thanksgiving a couple of days early. 

Below are some photos that have appeared

 on my blog over the years, mostly on

Thanksgiving posts.

I've been feeling a bit melancholy...

As we get older, the holidays just aren't what they used to be, are they?

My siblings and their families live in separate parts of the US.

Iowa, Minnesota, Georgia, Oklahoma

Mark is in New Orleans so we won't see him, and Scott is unavailable...

So it's just Ron and me, but that's OK! 

(Mark IS coming home for Christmas!!)

I really am thankful for my life and all that goes with it...

but sometimes the thankfulness just kind of hides, ya know?

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY WEEKEND. 

* Where Has the Time Gone? *

Gosh, I can't believe I haven't posted anything or commented on anyone's blogs since August 3rd!

Most of what took up a lot of time was looking online, trying to help Mark find an apartment in New Orleans that was in a safe neighborhood, fairly close to Tulane....and here's the kicker...affordable! 

I've never searched for a place to live without actually seeing the area, nor has Mark. He's been in our area all his life (which is why I'm SO sad to see him move away. And yeah, yeah, I know it's a wonderful opportunity, etc. and that he's certainly an adult...but a mom can still cry, can't she??)

Between him searching online, along with Ron and me (and thanks to a professor friend he already has down there) we found what looks like a great place! His prof friend told him which areas to stay out of and which were better. I hope the complex is everything it looks like in the photos! He's getting a tiny, studio apartment which is fine with him. I think he's most excited about having a washer/dryer in his own unit! It's a stackable, otherwise a side-by-side would take up half the apartment! Ha!

He's leaving this Thursday and a friend is going along to help drive and keep him company, which I am SO happy about. Not sure how the friend is coming back here...

Yesterday, Ron and I (and Charlie) drove to his current apartment to say our Goodbyes. I thought it would be less emotional than watching him drive away...which may or may not be true, because I cried my eyes out, and have been off and on for days. 😢 

I'm at work, so I better get back to...work!