Life is really a hoot!  I am getting more enjoyment as Bill’s healing process continues.  He is making progress.  Catheter is out and antibiotics are finished.  Still taking stool softners and still trying to get back into “aiming” to pee.  After the catheter was removed the the stream looked like a nozzle on a water hose that was on the wide spray setting.  So, after many clean-ups, he is now able to control the spray area.  But here’s the best part….he has to wear a “man pad” in case of leaks.  Ahhh…there is a god.  The goddess of women getting even is doing her work.  Bill is taking it rather well.  His only comment daily is… how did you girls survive this all those years with this equipment?  What a pain in the ass.  All I can do is smile.  Just think Bill, it’s just a pad.  What if you had to insert a tampax?  The thought of a man doing that (in any orifice) makes my day!!!!

Our twenty pound squirrels have figured out a way to disengage the complicated bird feeder.  It took me fifteen minutes to put that thing together.  It took them one minute to spill out all of the seed.  Plan B was to move it to the middle of the yard so that it was not near a tree to aid them in their endeavor.  Really?  I do not believe anything is squirrel proof.  Two of them were hanging upside down having a field day.  Knocking seed everywhere for all the others to feast on.  I purchased bungee cords for them to eat their corn cobs.  It seems they rather enjoy the challenge.  Either that or totally pissing me off.  This morning a forty pound rabbit was eating with them.  I mean a big sucker.  So cute but I wouldn’t want to disturb him.  I think he can pretty much defend himself.  Must be the Easter Bunny checking things out.

I have my port cleaned and blood work done today.  Please keep the prayers coming.  I feel good and I do not anticipate any bad news.  But all of that is in God’s hands.  Have an appointment with “the Bev” on Thursday.  Will know final results then.  Praying for two of my friends having to go through chemo again for OC.  Mary Ann and Olivia…hang in there.  As ovarian cancer patients we will have to fight for the rest of our lives.  No cure, yet, for this one.  Just need everyone to spread the word about the silent killer.  Don’t forget portions of the book sales go to ovarian cancer research.  Please check out “Ride,Baby,Ride!” and “They’re Pistols And They’re Loaded!”.  Found on line or order at your local bookstore.  Barnes and Noble carry them.

A big congrats to my honey, George Strait, for winning Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Awards last night.  So many talented voices but only one winner.   Thata boy George!

I hope everyone has a great week.  When I find out test results I will post them on the blog. 
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

I consider myself a fairly atheletic lady.  I come and go with no real issues.  But I am so uncoordinated when it comes to two things.  I can’t vacuum worth a damn and I can’t pour bird seed in a bird feeder worth a sh_t!  Bill and I recently bought (from a TV ad) a Shark vacuum cleaner.  It was a great deal and came with a steam mop and many attachments.  It is really amazing until it is put into my hands.  I really am dangerous.  Every living thing scattters when the power goes on.  That machine sucks up everything!  Chico’s tail, the bathroom throw rug, Bill’s sock, and the cord to the treadmill… for starters.  If I were being recorded….every cuss word in the book is used in such a short period of time.  As well, the task of filling the bird feeders, is a challenge.  I try filling without a spill..no way.  I try filling without having the bag collapse on me…no way.  I try filling without the birds swarming knowing that I spill more on the ground than goes into the damn feeder.  I’m glad I drink, so I wouldn’t have to start a bad habit all over again!

Bill made it through his surgery and is now combating the catheter bag.  He’s had to wear it since his surgery last Wednesday.  Actually…I find it amusing.  Now he gets to see what all I’ve been through with all the added accessories one is forced to endure after different surgeries.  He ‘ll say something and I just nod, smile and say “get over it”!  The doctor said he scraped the prostate and all that is around, attached, or enters and leaves it.  Lots of “chips” were removed and hopefully Bill will be peeing like a teenager again.  I hope other fringe benefits go along with that!!!!!  Anyway, he is fine and he will get the catheter out tomorrow.  Much to his delight.

I have my mammogram next Thursday at MD Anderson.  Then, next week I have my port cleaned and while they are doing that they can just draw blood at the same time.  So convenient, isn’t it?  And on the 10th my Dr. Bevers appt.  Keep the prayers coming.  I feel great and don’t anticipate any “off the wall” news. But… all of that is in God’s hands.  While I am on the subject, please send out a prayer for my friend Olivia who is going through chemo again.  As everyone knows with cancer you really aren’t ever “cancer free”.  But we are fighters and will face the odds, and move on.  Ride,Baby,Ride! Olivia!!!!

“They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded!” is out and available everywhere.. just as “Ride,Baby,Ride!”  They are inspirational and make great gifts.  (Plus being a quick and easy read).  Remember a $10.00 portion of each book sale goes to the Leilani Essary Hurles Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson.  Please check out the “A Giving Thought” page of the website for details on donations.  Dr. Michael Bevers is in charge of the funds and which trials he thinks we should use it.  Please be generous for a great cause.  Let’s put a stop to the “silent killer”!

Have a blessed week.  Give someone a extra little pat on the back this week.  It goes a long way. 

HUGS!
Ride,Baby,Ride! And keep those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

I would like to start out saying that my bowels aren’t irritable.  They are “unstable”.  They have never said an ill-tempered , huffy, tankerous remark aimed towards me.  Not crabby but crampy at times.  Grumbling at times.  Stubborn for sure.  (Can’t imagine where it picked that up from).  At the ovarian cancer conference one of the speakers said that one of the side effects of losing some body parts had resulted in “irritable bowel syndrome”.  I lost 8″ of my colon during my initial surgery over 4 years ago.  I can safely say…I poop a lot!!!!  Something goes in and something goes out.  I feel that I am actually blessed.  For I have been constipated before, especially during chemo, and that is definitely not for me.  So to any of my “sisters in TEAL” or anyone else who suffers from over- active pooping….keep your toilet area stocked with anything you might need while visiting your office.  I have a rack with crosswords, sudoku, books, magazines, cd player with George Strait CD’s, and of course the phone.  Rest assured my frequent, annoying visits to the john… are enjoyable.

Now that that’s off my ass…I mean chest… Have you seen the commercial on TV about the overactive bladder?  And the poor lady that is detoured to the bathroom by her blue-eyed bladder every few minutes.  Really!  I wonder if my bladder has blue eyes.  I have blue eyes…Bill has brown eyes, I wonder if his bladder inherited his eye color.  Next surgery I’ll have Dr. Bevers check it out.

Bill and I have a large bathtub.  It is equiped with many nice accessories.  Places to sit, places to put lit candles, ledge for cocktails…etc.  So I’m in there soaking, minding my own business.  Glass of Merlot, wonderful smelling candles, head back on a pillow…warm and cozy.  Then here comes Bill.  That looks so relaxing…it was!  He had no difficulty getting his ass in but it took both of us to get it out. The postions were those of a “Twister” game.  Bill is now restricted to the shower.  From now on, I will be taking my long baths when he’s not home. 

We had Casey and grandson Braden here last week to help with odds and ends.  Leave it to the guys to get out the guns and have some fun trying to hit the sand pile.  Braden has a new 12 gauge that he got for his 18th birthday.  He handed it to Bill to shoot.  Bill fires the gun, almost fell on his ass and is now more deaf than he was.  If that’s possible.  Now, he hears nothing!  Hopefully it is temporary and some of his hearing will return.  Thank goodness he was not wearing his hearing aids.  Can you imagine the sound that would have made?  If those boys are going to cause havoc..please get it on camera. 

Hope everyone has a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  May you all find your pot of gold at the end of a beautiful rainbow.  Special prayers out to a few of my “teal sisters” who are once again battling cancer.  I pray that we find a cure soon so no else has to suffer.  Many of us have battled more than once and will be battling again in the future.  Hang in there and know that God is with you.  Don’t give up….keep fighting!

Ride,Baby,Ride! And keep those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Just returned from our latest Vegas excursion.  Quite eventful I must say.  Before boarding the aircraft, I noticed that the tail of the plane looked like Frankenstein’s face.  Like it had been sewed together.  I decided the 3 beers I had consumed prior to lift-off were definitely NOT enough.  Enquiring about the age of the plane it was determined that it was one of the oldest in the fleet.  An ancient relic like me.  I wonder if it’s missing body parts too.  So, we board.  There isn’t enough alcohol on this flight to put me out.  The good Lord and I had several heart to heart chit-chats. 

Once in Vegas, we get a cab to go to the hotel.  We check in and go to the room.  Change clothes and head for dinner. As we leave the hotel, police are everywhere.  Helicopters flying over and people as thick as pea soup.  Turns out that the Nascar Vegas race was Sunday.  All the semi’s carrying the race cars are parading down Las Vegas Blvd. It was truly an amazing sight. 

Next morning reading my horoscope, it’s my lucky day.  Sure it is.  Well, turns out I am playing 3 card poker and I have two 5’s and an 8.  The dealer turns up two 5’s and an 8.  I hit a four of a kind and a full house all in one hand!  My trip is paid for!  So, life in Vegas started off on the right foot.  Next day was the Ovarian Cancer Conference.  Met so many nice survivors, doctors and other authors.  Sold many books and bought lots of “teal” stuff.  (Teal is the ovarian cancer color).

Saturday came quickly and it was time to return home.  I was yelled at in stereo by the TSA ladies.  Each demanding that I come through their line.  I felt like I was in 2ND grade again.  What is with the ego of these people?  Gee, I want a TSA badge so I can turn into a bitch and order everyone around.  I was waiting to be handcuffed by one or the other.  Bill and the Vegas cop thought it was funny.  I decided to go in the line of the one that weighed 300 pounds.  I think I could have taken the other one.  All joking aside, I don’t look like a terrorist and I don’t have bomb in my underwear…today, and I was pre-approved to board without all the hassle, so can we be a little more gentle.  It seems like they have “bigger fish” to fry….like looking for a missing 777 in the South China Sea!  Which by the way is looking more like an alien abduction! 

Having barn built on Friday and Bill has prostate surgery next week.  Nothing major…kinda like a woman’s D&C.  A little dusting and cleaning.  So everyone have a good one.  Love you all.

Ride,Baby,Ride! with those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

We just spent a small fortune seeding our horsefield.  Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and there were about 100 turkeys.  100 turkeys eating the seed we had just planted for grass for the horses.  100 turkeys which we could not shoot because they are not in season.  100 turkeys that on trying to run them off ..you had to step in their poop.  So, I sent Bill out with his shotgun to fire in the air to hopefully scare them enough to go back from where they came from.  Bill is out in the cold, rainy, windy elements shooting in the air and cussing at our future Thanksgiving dinner.  I must say “PRICELESS!”   We found out they are from the game reserve at the end of our street and are not afraid of us or anything we can shoot or throw at them.  Just wait till dark and they will go home and roost.  They did and an exhausted,wet, cold, turkey chaser came in for dinner.  Turkey sandwich?  I ran after I said it.  Also learned (such valuable info) that a group of turkeys is called a rafter or poult.  See you learned something today.  Their babies are called poults as well.

The squirrels on steroids have found a way to keep me busy.  Tried every gadget, every suggestion known to man, to keep the fat-asses out of the bird feeders.  I gave them their own corn stations, their corn bungee, their corn cobs and so on.  Yesterday they managed to open the woodpecker basket and remove the entire block of woodpecker food.  I am determined to find a way.  But they are so cute.  It’s like watching Chip and Dale, the Disney Chipmunks. 

The new book, “They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded!”, is off and running.  Lani is working the sales in South Carolina and is working up some speaking engagements.  Meanwhile, sales here are going well too.  I would like to thank everyone for their support to find a cure for cancer.  My web dude, Tone Dog Tony, is working on combining the websites and setting up new Facebook page.  So, all will be completed soon.  Leaving at the end of this week for a ovarian conference.  Looking forward to that.  I get to introduce the book in another city.

If you are retired you will understand my next statement…if your not …you will be one day and you’ll get what I’m about to say.  Bill is driving me nuts.  If I’m in the kitchen, he decides to be in the kitchen.  The kitchen is big…right?  He makes it small.  I’m doing whatever I need to do in there and he is right under my feet.  Like cleaning the stove and he has to get into the microwave.  I’m putting things up and he’s in the fridge taking things out.  Making the bed…he has to get into his nightstand.  It goes on forever.  Starr got under my feet during the hard rain yesterday and I told her “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!”  I really believe she knew what I was talking about.  She is a woman after all.  The minute warm weather arrives the treadmill comes out, the garden stuff comes out, the lawn mower comes out and that will be the perfect storm.  Bill will disappear to his recliner.  I keep praying for an early spring.

Have a wonderful week.  Spread the word about the book.  Portions of the profits go to my ovarian cancer research fund at MD Anderson.  All of your help is so appreciated.  I am blessed with such great friends and family.  Love you all!!!!

 
Ride,Baby,Ride! and keep your Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Wow…everything happening at once.  The old saying “when it rains it pours”, is so true.  Today we have brush being cleared, grass seed for horses being planted, new book being delivered and Casey working on the front decking.  Hopefully by April we will have our horses here with us, the house looking magnificent, and Bill and I still holding on to our wits.  We were saddened to have to cancel our trip to Kentucky to be with friends (Linda and David’s high school reunion) and see Frankie Avalon perform.  We didn’t expect to spend so much on the seeding of the pasture area.  But poop happens and first things first.

Have you ever used a Shop-Vac?  Will I had the shock of my life while doing a little spring cleaning.  Not shock like electrocuted but shock like “what the hell just happened”?  Performing the seasonal ash removal from fireplace, I decided to use the Shop-Vac instead of the regular vac.  BIG MISTAKE 😥   I turned it on.  Stuck the suction in  the middle of all the ashes and the entire room was destroyed!  Ashes were everywhere.  As for me, I looked like “PigPen” in the Peanuts cartoon.  I had my own private dust ball following me around.  Huge eruption of volcano magnitude.  It looked like Mount St. Helens threw up in the den.  So for those of you who have no clue about the operation of a Shop-Vac…..the hole in the top lets air out.  The hole in the top blows air out at 100MPH.  Just saying!

Have you ever tried to be really quiet as to not awaken the household?  When you want to be quiet ,you can’t, and when you don’t care if your quiet or not, you are.  Well, it’s a disaster.  Bill and Starr were both taking their power naps and I was trying to be so quiet.  What happens? Everything falls, drops, makes noise, and I trip on nothing carrying a plate of chopped onions.  A bull in a china shop…maybe.  More like a train wreck!  When they are asleep I could ride down the hall on a bulldozer and not make a sound like I did.  Oh well, end of nap.

And, as I mentioned, waiting on pins and needles for the frieght company to get here with the pallet of  “They’re Pistols”.  Lani asked me to call her when they hit the front door.  Don’t forget to spread the word.  As with Ride,Baby,Ride!, a portion of the book is donated to the Leilani Essary Hurles Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson.  Only $19.95 per book.  Let’s defeat ovarian cancer and all the rest of the cancer family.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

Wrote this yesterday while sitting outside on the screen porch.  Glass of wine in hand and lots of peace and quiet except for an occational sound of a gunshot in the back woods.  Ahhh, the Navasota life.

I’ve had Casey and Dusty to help us this weekend to clean flowerbeds, plant new shrubs, and working on a fence.  Still trying to get the back porch looking good.  By the time Iget everything the way I want it, Casey starts piling up his equipment to keep it dry.  He has expensive saws, drills, compressors, etc.   As I am enjoying my vino… I have come up with a solution.  Since the dogs are so spoiled and don’t use their $300.00 dog house, the size that even Bigfoot would be comfortable in, I have decided to have him haul all his stuff in there.  Out of sight…out of mind.  And staying out of the weather.

Bill and I are glad it turned a little warmer.  As we were enjoying the beautiful fire in the fireplace, sipping our cocktails and watching Ghost Adventures, the smoke alarm goes off.  It doesn’t just go off… it scared us both to the point of no return.  It was so loud.  Chico started barking and Starr started running toward the door.  The neighbors aren’t even close by and heard it.  So here I was on a ladder trying to dismantle this stupid thing…wasn’t about to let Bill on the ladder….no ER tonight… pulling, tugging,cussing, trying to disconnect.  Just trying to pull the battery out took an act of congress.  Finally, the battery went flying out and yes, landed in my wine glass.  Much to amusement of Bill.  So when he got up to go to the bathroom, somehow that battery flew out of my glass into his Crown on the rocks.  Must have been one of the ghost from the TV show.

We are finally getting the pond filled in.  One of the members of our church is in that business and has agreed to take the job.  I only pray it takes care of that 6 ft. snake that was seen going into it a couple of months ago.  Gross!  Then, back in the brush, there is a rats nest.  The “pond dude” will take care of that too.  Can’t imagine running into one of those.  I need those hawks and owls to go to work.

Still waiting on the book shipment.  But arrival time is getting close.  Hope everyone has a great week.
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani    

Well, it’s been two weeks.  Lots going on…so I waited until all was over to sit down with my thoughts.  First, and foremost, I was baptized for the third time.  First two times by sprinkles.  Dr. Charlie Shedd, my pastor as a child, baptized me twice.  Once when my parents decided to join the church (the whole family was sprinkled), and the second time when I was confirmed at age twelve.  The church could not find record of the first one.  This time I was dunked by Dr. Max Brand.  It was a wonderful experience.  I guess as a child it means something to you but you don’t feel the power behind it as you do as an adult.  An entergized feeling of faith and love.  Inspired in a “new way”, and soaking wet, I left church Sunday morning a revised Christian.  Actually, the baptismal hot tub, is quite a contraption.  It is long and narrow.  Steps to enter and get out.  A bench to sit on and room for the pastor to immerse you.  You will be proud of me…out of the four of us that were submerged, I was the only one that didn’t hold my nose.  Swimming background came in handy.  God calls and I’m prepared not to take in water.

The other miracle is it landed Bill in church twice in one day.  Once for the service and later that evening for the Valentine’s dinner.    God saw to it that the roof of the church did not cave in as He watched in shock of Bill’s arrivals.  Bill loves the lay back cowboy-country church which allows him to wear jeans,consume coffee and eat donuts throughout the service.  It is God’s House and Pastor Max makes sure it feels like God’s Home. 

We have managed to make it through most of our annual check ups.  Visited Dr. Adam Czelusta, dermatologist, yesterday.  Had a few places frozen on both of us.  Nothing major.  Appointment with Cardio dude, Dr.Odhav on Friday.  All well there also.  Finished all my cancer check ups with flying colors too.  So, now we await the ole “penis scope” tomorrow to check Bill’s prostate.  Always a fun time!

Still getting used to critter sounds and antics.  Chico was barking so we let him out and he took off toward the front gate.  Have no clue what it was but if it out ran Chico it’s pretty fast.  The mammoth squirrels love their corn on the cob.  But they don’t sit and it eat….they haul it off  to squirrel land.  Squirrel land is one of the thirty squirrel nest we can see in the towering pines.  Big difference between the city squirrels and the redneck country ones.  At 2:30 AM, Starr decides she needs to go outside.  Since Casey has not finished the doggy door, we have to get up to let her out.  Last night was my turn.  As I open the door I hear the hooting, howling, screeching noise of owls.  Lots of owls.  It sounded like the entire owl population of Navasota was in heat!  OMG…Starr came right back in…I jumped in bed and covered my head.  I guess come spring we will have lots of “little hooters” flying around.  Can’t wait. 🙄

There are God-like moments everyday and those are the ones I treasure.  Like Saturday when a daddy cardinal flew onto the screen porch and couldn’t get out.  He sat on the porch rail and let me pick him up and set him down outside the door railing.  Looked at me and flew off.  Did not try to bite and was not shaking.  Very calm and collected.  He must know that I am the hand that feds him and the “fat ass” squirrels.  Bill went outside…came back in to get me…and on the fence posts were two huge turkey vultures.  Bill is wondering why they are sitting on our fence.   My guess one of the obese squirrels had some type of massaive cardiovascular problem. 

So, as I sail into the 10 o’clock hour…I would like to wish friends who have birthdays in February …Happy Birthday!!!!  And to Lani, Casey, and Braden big birthday hugs.  The month of February, as you can see, gets expensive!  And to my friend Carrie Garwick and the entire Garwick family, I want to send a big hug on the loss of your mother, Kate.  And to the Dorflinger family on the loss of their mother, Phyliss.  No more pain and lots of beautiful spirits to greet them.  

Have a blessed week.
Ride,Baby,Ride! and Load the Pistols!
Leilani

I know the angels are at work.  Both moms, Bill’s and mine, loved cardinals.  In Fulshear we had a family that reproduced every year. Beautiful and petite with huge appetites.   Saw them all day long at our back patio feeder and would definitely let you know if the seed was running low.  Navasota has a different type of cardinal.  They travel in flocks.  There are at least 20-30 here at one time.  They are huge.  But they come everyday…even in the sleet and snow.  We have been introduced to the “redneck” cardinals.  (literally rednecked)!  It is incredible to see about ten males sitting together in the trees watching the females and youngsters feed.  Then after a certain amount of time…join them.  There seems to be two that sit back and observe.  Must be the security team.  We also have four of the fattest squirrel family on the planet.  I give them corn cobs and laugh at how quickly they spot them and haul them off.  My friend Linda says both cardinals and squirrels must be on steriods.  Personally, I think they all eat meat like the rest of the critters and work out at the gym.  Starr took one look at one of the squirrels and turned around looking at me like “are you kidding”?  So far we have spotted, red bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers (looks like Woody), wrens, warblers (beautiful yellow), crows as big as ducks, cardinals, blue jays, some type of bluebird, the tufted titmouse, chickadees, sparrows (although not many…not like Fulshear), and a blue heron which seems to like our pond.   All kinds of hawks and we hear the owls but haven’t seen one yet.  I’m scared.  If we are using the same growth scale as the other birds…they’re probably as big as my Jeep!

With all test coming back so good and the move pretty much in the rear view mirror…we have decided to get away to Vegas for a couple of days to make our Super Bowl bets.  Sons Casey and Dusty are in charge of dogs and horses.  Casey is staying at the house to sit for a few days.  He is finishing up on painting and building us a front ramp and deck.  Slipping in his fishing at the pond and a little hunting right in your own backyard,  had NOTHING to do with his decision to move in for a few days.  And a mom does have her way of bribing a child.

I would like to thank Linda and David for a favorite bottle of Merlot and BD card.  We had lunch with them yesterday at the Brick House Tavern.  Great food and wonderful company.  I would also ask for continued prayers for several people on my prayer list.  My brother D…trying to find out what is wrong with his blood, my friend Steve (back surgery recovery, leg pain), and relatives friends of friends who need our support.  May God touch all your lives in a helping and positive way.

Received the proof to “They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded”.  I think everyone is going to enjoy it.  Need to get my website dude busy so he can add it to this one.

Ride,Baby,Ride! and stay “LOADED”!  (“Pistols” that is)
Leilani

I cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers you sent my way.  After extensive abuse at MD Anderson….and by that I mean the violation of my rear end with the dreaded contrast enema, oral contrast via a Sprite Zero, an IV contrast, bloodwork and a chest x-ray, I headed home to a nice bottle of Merlot.  I was blessed with great blood work last week but still was hesitant to see results of the CT scan.  I’ve learned over the years just to except the good with the bad.  As time wears on, I do not dread the anticipation of the results.  I have complete faith in what God has chosen for me.  He does work in crazy ways, just look at my story.  But as they say… all trust must be in Him for everything.  And it really works.  The bad just makes you stronger.  Life is just that way.  Next blood work in April.  Although I have a major pay back for Dr. Bevers for the enema.

Getting ready for football withdrawal.  Bill will go through his no ” crotch scratching, beer drinking, potato chipping meals, and idle remote.  Heaven forbid a whole 6-7 months of no “Sunday Ticket”.  But I have to admit, I will miss it too.  I am a big football fan and not much on basketball.  Baseball can get so boring and the Winter Olympics in Russia seem to be getting down to when the terrorists are going to strike and in which way.  Really sad for all the amazingly gifted athletes.  As a former swimmer I remember how hard I worked to be just Texas state champ in breaststroke.  Much less the sacrifices made to get to the olympics.  Only to have a bunch of jack asses ruin it for everyone.

I have been thinking of my mom and dad quite a lot lately.  I guess going through boxes and boxes of pics and personal stuff has leaked into the subconsciousness and taking it’s toll.  But in a good way.  Just can’t believe they are gone.  But how lucky I was to have them as long as I did.  Mom passed in 1997 at the age of 81.  And of course I lost daddy last year at age 62.  Reflections of summer vacations, family parties, movies of all the holidays through the years.  Daddy was always sneaking up with his 8 mm camera.  And God love him…always taking pictures of the ladies legs.  Which everyone of them showed off.  Amazing what a little scotch will do!  One picture was of us going to Ft. Worth to the hospital to see my grandfather who had a stroke.  I was probably all of 5.  But I remember him being in a baby bed.  Of course it really wasn’t, it was just my five year old mind thinking a bed with side bars was a crib. Last night I woke up about 2 AM and could have sworn I heard mom’s voice.  I just chalked it up to her saying hello and that she is fine in the spiritual world.  Must be letting me know she loves the new house and would love to paint it.  She was so good with country scenery. 

Off tomorrow for Bill’s prostate adventure.  His yearly check up.  I really don’t think he minds.  Dr. Selzman nursing staff are all attractive and every man’s dream to have them handle the equipment, preping them for the doctor.  I find it very entertaining.  I don’t even take a book to read.  I’ll just be taking notes so I can blog about it next week.  I am also  looking forward to our eye exams.  I really need to have my glasses changed.  Distance doesn’t seem to be to much of a problem but reading needs some help.  And then port cleaned this Friday.

Casey has been doing a great job on the house.  Getting things real homey.  Beautiful painting, electric work, creating flower-beds, and building ramps and decks.  Looking good!  Can’t wait till we are all completely settled.  Then I probably won’t know what to do with myself.  Remember…no football.  Looks like back to my old side kicks…Nora Roberts, James Patterson, and Sandra Brown.  They never leave me bored.

An invitation if you are in the Navasota area.  If you are looking for a community church, casual, Christian band, and a wonderful pastor…Dr. Max Brand…Come check out the New Hope Church.  I have been blessed to find it.  Well, actually…it found me.  God and His funny ways of getting things across to ya…. it was like getting hit by a brick.  Anyway, come check it out if you are around this area.

Have a blessed week.  And say a prayer for those who need our support.  Have to go supervise Casey now.  Hey, a mom’s right to bug their children…no matter how old.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani