In St.Thomas!!!!

Hey all,

So, thought I would keep you up to date on the happs here in the US Virgin Islands!!! LOL It is so nice here!! Everyone we talk to is really friendly and offer to suggest places to eat, shop, etc. Very helpful.

The weather is hot and humid!! I bet the humidity level is at 80%!! ugh...not used to that at all!! Surviving it though by just wearing very little clothing!! lol

We got in last night and it had just stopped raining. They had gotten dumped on from tropical storm Otto. They say Otto is swirling around still and may come back. Hopefully we are gone by that time. They said they haven't had that much rain here in five years. We caught a taxi and got to our hotel, the Windward Passage. The room was ok, we have switched rooms since last night due to the fact that we had a leak by the entry doorway, non-working hair dryer and no working vent fan. This room is much nicer and with an ocean view now too!!!

We got settled last night and then decided to look around town for something to eat for Reuben. Well, it was like 9pm and we began our journey walking across town!!! We walked through dark streets with creepy guys either sleeping on benches or just popping out from nowhere. I was scared to death, but didn't show it!! I think with Reuben's size, they didn't dare mess with us!! lol I bet we walked a few miles and would go from restaurant to restaurant until we found one open and serving food, not just drinks. We finally found one out at Havensight, which is a big ship port area, almost across town!! We went to the Shipwreck Tavern and it was so cool!! Our waiter was awesome giving us tips on stuff around town, etc. We decided to take a taxi back to the hotel, since our walk there was so sketchy and scary!! Cost $8 to take the taxi back.

Today we slept in late and then got ready and started walking again, but went to the downtown district this time and shopped for souvenirs and ate at Glady's pub. Very quaint little place. All the shops/restaurants have huge doors for when they have hurricane's predicted, to protect the windows and such. Kinda cool. We also hiked up this hill to Blackbeard's castle and to "99 steps", which is actually 103 steps!! We went up and down them. Lots of walking and picture taking!! Then got back to the hotel, relaxed by the pool, switched to our new room, freshened up and headed out to get our free hotel drinks and then to find dinner!! We chatted with some folks here at the bar and they told us to try "Hook, Line and Sinker" in the Frenchman's area. It's only a couple of blocks from here so we walked there and had an awesome dinner/drinks and a fabulous waitress, Val. Val suggested we go to Betsy's bar afterwards to shoot pool, etc. We went there and played 3 games of pool. The locals are so nice and smiley and friendly, its unbelievable!! We had a great time and then walked back. Betsy's bar must have a Packers fan, cuz there was Packer stuff in a few places. I took a pic with me next to the stuff and will post sometime!! lol

We are back at the hotel early tonight to rest up for tomorrow and to shower and relax!!! Not used to the humidity and such. I'm very thankful for the walking we've been doing!! Then maybe, I won't have to use the fitness center here!

That's all I've got for now. Until next time....

St Thomas bound...

Hey all,

Haven't written much here lately...too darn busy!! ha-ha

Been on vacation this week and next week also from the bank. Had to work a couple of evenings at the gym, but now, tomorrow, I'm heading off to the island of St. Thomas!!! I have Kalyn all set as far as phone numbers to call if she has an issue and food in the cupboards and fridge! Hopefully she remembers to feed the cats....

I hope to have a ton of pics to post when I get back. It's supposed to rain while we are there, but the temps will be in the 80's!

Worked a lot on the house this week, getting it ready for winter. I had my friend Joe stop over. He checked the furnace, the water pipes and the water heater. The water heater needs a new thermo coupling so he's gonna purchase it and install it next week when I'm back home. He also suggested I take the water heater out and put a metal plate under it cuz right now it's just that board under it. He said when they get wet, the water heater falls right to the ground!! I hope that doesn't happen as long as I live here. I may ask how much a project like that would cost me. Got the roof patched, the Jeep fixed and purchased a used/rebuilt computer from a friend and also a new router for the computer. ugh....all these purchases make me crazy!! But, it all had to be done. When it rains, it pours. Hopefully that is the end of that for awhile.

Kalyn got her Senior pics done and they turned out wonderful. I will have to work on those when I'm back also. Kalyn wants to be a part of picking out who gets what pictures and the sizes, etc. I will need to order her announcements and gown here soon also. Then, the Yearbook!! She's doing so well this year!! She's also working really hard on her online stuff too. She has to get those done in order to graduate. I told her to get 3 of them done by Xmas and then she will only have 1 to do before the middle of May. So far, she has one almost done, another half done and then one to begin. I'm so proud of her!!

I got a promotion at the bank and after a week of deliberating, I took the position although I did not approve of the amount of money they offered me. It's a 10% pay increase, which I think is not very much at all for the duties I now have. I am a Banking Operations Supervisor!! I am in charge of the tellers now and will be doing some of Lesley's duties also. I get to have my own office, if I like also. Lesley is now a Vice President and is over-seeing all 5 bank offices. We have Catrina back as a teller and then we hired Carl back in May, so we are fully staffed with us 4 peeps there.

We are doing Flintstones as our theme at the bank for Halloween!! They haven't told me what is left to choose from yet!! lol Should be fun!!

Must go now and maybe do some packing!!! Until next time......

Senior pictures!

Hey all,

Drove Kalyn and our previous neighbor, Andy, up to the Jemez Mountains today so Andy could do his photography magic and take awesome shots of Kalyn for her Senior pictures!! So far, from what we saw, he did a great job!! Photos to come!! We were gone 4 hours and I predicted it would probably take that long to drive up there, pick out several locations, have Kalyn do a few different wardrobe changes and then drive back. It was awesome weather, awesome company and it was a grand time!! He's charging me alot more than when he did Tyler's so, not too thrilled about that, but oh well. A lot cheaper than what it could be, I suppose.

Saturday the 25th, me and some friends ran the Yum Run 5K race. We had a great time and got our workouts in for the day just by participating in it!! It was a chilly morning, but perfect for running!!

This week at the bank, I should find out the money offer for the new position they are offering me. I hope it's enough to quit my other jobs. That way, I can dedicate more time to Kalyn and working out. Hopefully, they offer enough.

Made fajitas tonight in the crockpot, so I best go and tend to those. Make sure you all watch Monday Night Football as it is the Packers and daaaaa Bears!! Until next time....

Mid September....

Hey all,

Yeah, yeah, I know.....it's been awhile since I last wrote...just didnt have time or feel like updating!! I'm working at the gym today, so I may as well take the time to type away!!!

I'm up for a promotion at work...still haven't been told how much or anything yet. Hopefully they get on that soon so i can figure out my life and my jobs!! I may be dropping a night or two at the gym and also only clean for the Courtright's. I'm excited and scared, but I do need more work to do and the experience will be wonderful for me. Also at the bank, Catrina is back full-time as a teller!! She quit 4 1/2 years ago and I took her position over at the Customer Service desk cuz she had it sooo organized!! Cat will back me up at work and also help Carl at the teller line. Lesley got promoted to manage all 5 offices of Community Bank and so she will be very busy with that. I even get my own office if it all works well.

Kalyn is doing really well and really getting anxious to graduate!! She had her ultrasound and xray of her stomach yesterday and we will find out the results soon. The doctor said he couldn't see anything on the xray, but would wait to take a look at the ultrasound too. She doesn't have any pain if she stays away from spicy foods, which she has been. Poor thing...

Tyler is good...we went to ABQ and saw his place, went to lunch and also to see his new kittens, Zoe and Mikey. They are cute.

The state fair is going on right now, but I don't think we will make it this year. I've never been to it, so I'm ok with that!!

Three more weeks until Reuben and I leave for St. Thomas (virgin islands) for his daughters wedding on 10-12-10. We are both so excited. I think I am ready as far as any necessary clothing etc. I will get to use my new luggage, all 3 swimtops, hobo bag, beach towel, water shoes...lol...that's all the stuff I have bought since Xmas cuz I knew I would need them for this trip. Lying on a beach sounds REAL good...right now!! lol

Can't think of anything more exciting right now. Just working away as usual and I've been exercising more too, so I'm feeling the good effects of that. I'm hoping when I cut back down on jobs, I will have lots more time to workout!!

You all take care!! Until next time...

Another weekend upon us...

Hey all,

Well, I got Kalyn home safe and sound from her travels to Moab, Kansas, Dallas, Oklahoma City and back. She had a fun time, overall. I got her home and sure enough, the spending began!! Had to buy her school supplies, shoes, pay for her school fees, food, personal items (hairspray, etc)...it is neverending. Shane was able to give her $30 towards her new exercise shoes, which I appreciate so much! We had to order some "unmentionables" online and then I think that was all I could afford for the moment!! I had ordered her jeans before she left for her trip, so she is good there for a bit. Kalyn came back home with a really good attitude and was ready to get herself set for her Senior year, this year. I'm happy she is all gung-ho. I hope she realizes this is it...she has to get her stuff taken care of or no graduation! Her classes are all real easy, so she should be able to get her online stuff done also.

Tyler had a good birthday. He got a lot of money and I hope he is out buying clothes with it all. Him and Emily moved into a new place just right up the street from where they were AND they have a roommate. He said the electricity is NOT included with rent like his past place, so I'm hoping he doesn't freeze this winter!!! lol

I'm keeping super busy right now with all my jobs. Mrs Courtright just called me today to have me come over on Wednesday again. She was walking her son's dog while they are out of town moving their kids to their respective colleges, and the dog saw an animal and jerked her and down she went and broke her arm!! I feel so bad and she has a houseful of company for a family wedding today. Ugh...so I'm going there Wed after work. Tomorrow I do Tj and Di's house on Barranca and maybe Monday evening too if I don't finish tomorrow and then work at the gym Tues and Thurs nights. Busy!! But the money will be nice.

Next weekend, Reuben and I got invited to a friend's lake house for Saturday and Sunday. Should be a great time!! It's about 2 1/2 hours south of here. No kids invited though..its adult weekend, they said. LOL There are other couples going as well. Reuben is off backpacking this weekend with his daughter and her fiance. He won't be back until Monday afternoon. He always looks forward to getting out in the wilderness so I'm happy he is doing this. He wanted me to go also, but I just couldn't take Monday off from work and I have all these other obligations going on right now. Oh well...there is always next time.

Went to Angie's today and cleaned for her. She just got back from being in South Dakota for 3 weeks so she had her wood floors all redone while she was away. It looks really really nice. 4 guys from her church showed up to move the furniture back in for her. I could only get the kitchen, 2 baths and the living room done today. We got a lot of dust and walls cleaned before the guys showed up, so that helped. I brought over my last Magic Eraser cuz I knew she had a ton of scuff marks along her walls and I'm sure glad I brought it over. The walls look amazing now. She really needs to paint some areas and I told her she should do that now while the house is still pretty empty. She likes to keep alot of things she really doesn't need so I'm trying to encourage her to go through things and rid of them!! Her divorce still isn't final quite yet, but getting closer!! They were married over 20 years!

The bank has lost several key players in the last weeks, so they talked to my boss, Lesley and may start having her do some more stuff. She asked me if I might be interested in doing some more things and I told her sure. I won't do anything else unless there is a raise involved!! lol

Well, that's all I have for now. I'm working at the gym and doing the deposit, so I better keep moving on that. Until next time...

First day off!!

Hey all,

Here is my very first fleece blanket that I actually made today!! I'm trying to decide to give it to a friend that had a boy back on St. Patrick's Day...OR give it to a complete stranger next weekend for whom I had been invited to the baby shower, but can't go due to working at the gym. It's actually the gym owners brother that has a girlfriend that is pregnant and that's who the shower is for....what to do ....what to do... I hardly ever see the other friend, but thought it would be a nice gesture to give them something for the baby. I wanted to do a St. Patrick's Day one, but haven't found fleece this time of year. Maybe I could wait until his first birthday?? lol

My first day off is going well. I started, last night, cleaning the house, making the cookie dough and things like that. I'm glad I did cuz this morning I did have to go into the bank and open, etc for Lesley. I told her that was the least I could do since it's just her and our new teller, Carl, there all alone, while I am off. So, then I stopped at the gym and said hello to Reuben, cuz I knew he was working out, ran into Smith's for some stuff, dropped off mail at the mailbox, came home, baked cookies, baked brownies, looked at a couple of necklaces I need to fix for Mrs. Courtright, did laundry and some other odds and ends. Then finished with all that and went and visited with my friend, Keith, then stopped at the Post Office for the bank and dropped off the mail to them and some cookies, worked out, ran into Smith's again (!!), came home, threw food in the crockpot and now just made that blanket...whew!! I still need to go out to the shed and see what I can conjure up to sell in the yard sale over at Tj and Diana's tomorrow. Maybe some older beanie babies!!

Tonight, Reuben and I are taking his youngest daughter, Cosette, bowling. She leaves for California on Labor Day weekend, so he wants to spend some time with her. I decided to join them for a little bowling.

Sunday, we get to drive and see Four Corners and then up to Cortez to meet with Barb and pick up Kalyn!! She's been gone 3 weeks. They had a lot of fun going to Six Flags in Dallas and she got another tattoo!! It's on her foot this time. We will then drive down to Durango and meet with Aunt Julie, see her place and eat lunch. Reuben wants to stop in Pagosa and go to a bow/hunting shop. He's looking for a bow.

On the home front...my living room tv is going kaput!! Soooo....looks like I will have to get another one. It's not like I'm short on tv's or anything around here, but it's nice to have a larger one in the living room!! I had my couch shampooed the other day (professionally), so it looks and smells cleaner!! Tj and Diana will be picking up their dry sink next week, so I will move that curio cabinet where the dry sink was and then put my treadmill in the living room in that corner. Barb will eventually take the curio cabinet and I will need to get a new one. They aren't too expensive, but nothing like how they used to be made!!

Well, I better get in the shed....take care.....until next time....

More new stuff!!

Hey all,

Wanted to post some more pics of the things I got with my birthday money.

The precious moments, "Mom, your love makes me blossom", is from Kalyn and then the bedset and valances is what I got with some of my birthday money. I also moved the furniture around in my bedroom (yes, again) cuz I thought the tv would be more cozy in the other corner of the room. My treadmill will eventually move to the living room once Tj and Diana take their drysink back to their new townhouse here in LA.

That's all I've got for now....on my way to work. Until next time....