I have not updated this blog in ten weeks... most likely because I spend so much time on Facebook anymore, that I just don't do it.

So much has happened and so much is going on. Trevor is graduating in two weeks. His party is June 13. I'm not so worried about the party because Trish and Chuck are doing the catering and that means good food! I have to get the cake, but I already know what I'm going to do with that, and so I will.

We went up north on Friday to the cottage to put the dock in. Actually Trevor and Fred put the dock in and I sat in the sun and drank beer. It was weird because it was 70 down here and 55 up there - not even leaves on the trees. Barely buds! That was really weird.

Saturday we went to LSSU for Trevor's freshman orientation. He is now an officially registered freshman in the Fisheries Wildlife Management degree program. Three biology classes, a chemistry and an English. He will be working his ASS off on that one, trust me. But I think he can handle it as long as he doesn't get too sucked up into the college party life. It's ridiculous to think he won't drink -- I just told him, you need to be responsible to yourself and to your classes. I think at this point that's all I can do.

I'm sort of like a man without a country; I don't know my part in all of this yet. Yes, I'm his mother, but he's growing up, he's going away .. how much does he really need me? So many things he is going to have to figure out on his own. I know he will, but it's just hard for me right now.

I can only hope that Fred and I have raised him right and given him the direction he needs in order to be a happy, responsible adult. I think we have .... but I still worry. I always will. I'm his mother.

I miss Maggie. Today the Schwan's man knocked on the door and I sat here for a full 30 seconds waiting for the bark. She might have been old, and ultimately sick, but by God she was still a great watchdog.

I know it'll get easier in time. I think this is the straw that broke the camel's back, though ... I am just pretty bummed out .... so much has gone on in the last few months. I realize it could always be worse but I really think I have had enough and could really stand to catch a break!

In the continuing saga of "CAN ONE MORE GODDDAMNED THING HAPPEN," today we have to put our dog down.

It happened so fast. She was fine last weekend, was doing great on her new arthritis drug ... and then Wednesday came. She didn't eat or drink. Thursday she started throwing up so we took her to the vet and they hospitalized her. $518, countless injections, tests, and meds later, she came home yesterday.

I was hopeful she would be OK. But she won't eat or drink and won't let me give her the medicine she so desperately needs to fight off this infection. She just lays on the floor and pants. She laid on our bedroom floor for 10 hours when she got home. At 2 AM she finally got up and went down the hall but still has not eaten or had anything to drink despite countless attempts.

So we had to make the decision not to put her through this any further. she is miserable and I am a wreck. It took she and I a few years to develop our relationship ... but we finally did, and especially since I've worked at home, she's been my constant companion.

As a parent, you like to hope that your kids will talk to you when they have a dilemma or a problem. I always figured I was close enough with Trevor and Jalen that they would. Today I got my proof from Trevor.

He said he wanted to talk to me about college, and his girlfriend. His girlfriend does not want him to leave, is prone to crying about it, and so on. Inside, I wanted to scream "GO! GET AS FAR AWAY FROM HERE AS YOU CAN AND DON'T EVER LOOK BACK."

But I had to hear him out. He's not entirely positive that going to Lake Superior is the right choice - however, for his field, it is - and he knows that. He said it's not a question of getting an education, that was never part of it - he knows he needs to do that. The whole thing is being 300 miles from her.

So I said, you've already got a scholarship there. If you determine after the first year that it's not for you, then think about transferring to a school closer to home, although you'll have to change your major most likely. He thought that sounded like a viable idea. My theory is that once he is gone from here, in another environment, that this relationship will make its natural break. I hope he is there all four years but right now, I just want to get him there for the first one.

We talked further about his turning 18 and I told him, when you're 18 you can tell me you're going to do what you want - BUT, don't expect us to support you. You'll need to pay rent, go to school, etc -- and what happens if you get halfway through a semester HERE and you and she break up? Then you gave up scholarships at a school with the major you always wanted, and for what?

So I listened, patiently, dispensed the parental wisdom I could .... and just hope like hell he doesn't throw away his scholarships all in the name of staying home to be closer to her. I told him, I know she's your first love,I know how much you care for her, but the odds that you two end up together are somewhere between slim and none, because your life hasn't even begun yet.

I tried to do this without lecturing because I wanted him to hear me, and I wanted him to feel like he could talk to me. I think I did succeed. I understand where he is coming from. It's a tough thing to think about and in the limited range of his almost-18 year old life, it's huge. He's never had to deal with mortgages, kids, divorces, jobs ...

I think in the long run he'll end up going up there, maybe with the intent of only going for the first year. I can just hope it changes while he's there.

Everyone said the teenage years would be hell. They weren't, until this year. He's a good kid - a GREAT kid, in fact ... but he's 17, going through some growing pains, becoming a man where previously, he's just been a kid.

All I can hope is that we've steered him in the right direction all these years.

I think 21, for the most part. My son is almost 18 and he is really not close to being an adult yet. Not that he (or any other) 18 year old is immature, but I think by 21, you are much more equipped to handle more situations in an adult manner. That being said, the probably definition would be 30 ... but that would make us all minors up to that point, and that's not about to fly!! I can say this with the wisdom of an almost-43 year old.

I have slowed way down on here, mostly because I'm spending my time on Facebook. I still think it's good to keep a rolling journal on here, though, when I feel like it.

I am really tired right now. A variety of reasons but the most recent of which being Trevor's girlfriend having to spend a few nights here. I just don't end up sleeping well out of parental vigilence more than anything. It's not like we don't have the room - four bedrooms, one of which is Matt's, and he's never here.

His GF is caught in a bad situation: argues with her stepmother. Her bio-mother is a weekend drunk, and goes after her when she's been drinking. So last night when Trevor called me because she didn't want to face her mom at 12:30 AM, I said fine, bring her back here. And I talked to her. I told her, you're not going to change your mother. It's also NOT your fault she does this. Trevor had told her previously that I have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with an individual like this (something he rarely discusses, if ever). If nothing else, I learned a lot, and maybe I can help her with the situation.

That being said, I told her she stands a much better chance of repairing the relationship with her stepmother, because her stepmother is at least rational and not a drunk. She agreed with me. You can't reason with a drunk in any situation - because it just goes right back to the way it was before.

The problem in all of this is that I'm worried Trevor thinks he can "save" her from the drunken biological mother, or the situation with her stepmother. The thing I asked was where was her stepfather in all of this? He "sleeps like a rock" and they don't sleep together. Well, that answers that. And her biological dad "doesn't like to talk about her mom." Well, it's time that he does, because she is carrying a burden much too great for a 17 y.o. girl.

My question is, what's going to happen when Trevor goes off to college.

Anyhow. Enough teenage drama.

Jalen has maintained his #1 ranking despite losing his 4.0. He now has a 3.97 but is still ranked first. He's trying to get an A+ in Chemistry because he theorizes that an A+ should balance out the A-. I agree, but we might have to go to the principal with this one if he pulls it off! He doesn't seem bothered by it. He seems to put a healthy amount of competition into himself.

Matt continues to be grossly unmotivated where school is concerned. There has been a lot of drama with he and Vickie. Finally he went for a physical and is healthy - but the doctor ordered him off the XBox for a week and all hell broke loose. The issue is that he stays up too late playing it and then does not want to get up for school. His mother lets him stay home but doesn't prevent the late-night gaming. So it's mostly her fault, in my opinion. I don't say alot about it. It's not really my place, truthfully, and not something I have experience with (thank God). I just try to be a sounding board for Fred.

Work is crazy! Been working 50-60 hrs the last two weeks, but it should end this week. Another layoff looms in April but I'm really not worried about it this time. That's probably the time I get canned, LOL. Oh well, though. I'll still get 18 weeks of severance if I do!

OK, this has been the week from hell.

After the Taryn episode Saturday, we had another one on Sunday:

I go to bed last Sunday night around 11:30, because Monday is a work holiday. At 1:50 AM, Trevor comes in our room and says, ‘I need to talk to you.” I said fine. Come to find out his friend Justina is at a party in Michigan Center where some guy is hitting on her, she’s scared, wants Trevor to come and get her. I told him a long time ago that I would not tell him NO if a friend was in trouble and he needed to help. So he leaves out of here at 2 AM to go get her. 3 AM, I call and text him. NO ANSWER. By now I am in a silent fury. He finally calls at 3:45 to tell me he is leaving Justina’s sister’s house (where she asked him to take her) and would be home shortly. At 4:15, he comes home. So I tell him, I’’m not going to punish you for at least being the responsible friend your friends can count on . BUT your friends need to have a little more respect for your family because now this is TWO nights that Fred and I have been up. The situation with Taryn was different, but Justina just used bad judgement by going out to some party in Center at some house she didn’t know, and got into trouble.

Monday the furnace went out. Fred was able to fix it with a $50 part.

Thursday Jalen returned from Washington. He had a great trip to the inauguration and I am so glad he was able to be part of history. He said it was a pretty incredible experience and that he must've walked eleven miles that day. LOL.

Thurs;day afternoon I take Jalen back to school for two exams. My car acts up - stalling, freaking out, etc. It has 17k miles and is a 2007 so WTF is that about? It stalled this AM but ran fine after that.

Trevor is in Cozumel with his dad, getting his scuba certification. He did fine, passed his courses, and is certified. Todd however, already a certified diver, blew out a lung by coughing underwater. He was given clearance and instructions for flying home, but it's still a dangerous situation for him. He'll likely have to be under medical care once he gets home to keep it from progressing.

He's my ex, but he's my favorite ex, and the father of my sons.

Last night the water dispenser went out on the fridge. Fred was fortunately able to fix it.

What a week! Next week's another week, though. Last night I killed a bottle of wine and by some luck, was not hung over today!

So Trevor's home last night (for once) and at 12:30 comes into our room. His girlfriend is on the phone crying because her mother decided to tie one on, and then the mother starts acting abusively toward her. She wanted Trevor to bring her here. So I said OK, go get her. I am quite sure that I probably did something illegal in letting her stay here, but I really don't care. Verbal, or physical abuse, should be tolerated by no one, let alone a 17 y.o. girl. So I put her in Jalen's room and she stayed the night.

I don't know where the stepfather was in all of this, because her mother IS married. I also don't know what's going on that she couldn't go to her biological father's house, where she spends most of her time anyhow. I do need to get to the bottom of that, though, and find out what's going on there. The poor girl arrived here, in tears, and was just a wreck. I felt so badly for her.

No one should have to live that kind of life and if I can provide a little respite from it, then so be it. I told her if she finds herself in that situation again, she's welcome to stay here. This is not the first time her mother's done this to her. It sounds to me like her mother has a host of issues, not the least of which being alcoholism. Add to this that Trevor's GF has SIX step-sibs - three on each side, all considerably younger than her. I'm sure she totally feels like a man without a country.

It does worry me that Trevor's involved with someone who has a family life like that. I hope he doesn't feel like he can "save" her from it, because I sincerely doubt he could. But, it's good that he is supportive of her, and she has him to talk to. He's a good kid, and no doubt a good boyfriend.

Of course I could've used this opportunity to ask her to PLEASE refrain from hoovering my son's neck. Naturally I did not, however. LOL.

I finally have managed to kick the crud, for the most part. I'm still stuffy, and coughing, but nowhere nearly as sick as I was last weekend. Good thing, it's not like the laundry was going to do itself or anything, LOL.

Jalen leaves for the inauguration Monday at 4 AM, which will be a hugely exciting experience for him. He'll get to be a part of history. I know he'll have fun on the trip. We went to Meijer tonight and he tacked about $25 worth of snacks onto my grocery bill for the ride down there and back. Funny kid.

Fred and I got some resolution to the big dilemma ... not really what either of us wanted, but after consulting a few professionals, probably the best answer at this time. So at least we can move forward and quit stressing over it. I've slept better, I think, since we now KNOW and there's not anymore guesswork, but still. All in all it's been stressful but at least we do have each other and we can maintain a little bit of a sense of humor over it.

Dodged a bullet today.... found out three of my coworkers have to go back to the office 2x a week minimum. I got excused due to distance and the fact my office is only a sales office. WHEW. Big sigh of relief; I was hugely worried. To the point I was even picking my two days. But I won't have to and I am REALLY glad and as much as I bitch about that job, I DO get to work at home. FULL-TIME, full pay, and full benefits. 'nuff said.

I haven't updated this much lately. Oh well. Not stressing it. It is what it is and when I feel like it I do. When I don't, I don't.

Jalen got the call from his dad that they had to put Venus down today; she was 14. She's been around almost all of Jalen's life. He got a little choked up over it and it upset him. He is the more sensitive of the two and I feel for him. I loved old Venus. When I would go over to let the dogs out or feed them, if Todd was out of town or working or whatever, I always played fetch in the house with Venus because I know it pisses him off. So she and I would have a good old time playing fetch, bouncing the ball off the walls, the floors, the ceiling, wherever..... of his big dollar house. to the point where she would meet me at the door with her ball anytime I went over there and Todd could never understand why she did that. HA! Joke's on him.

But she was a good pooch. It's sad. I worry about Maggie's fate, she is 13 in May and not getting any younger. Stiff joints, cataracts, a variety of old-dog ailments, but she still has good spirits. And China, lord, she's almost 15, but very spry for an old cat. She sleeps a lot but she still has her favorites (Jalen and me).

No school yesterday or today for the boys, due to the temps. It is dog-ass cold out there. I don't even want to see the next electric/gas bill.

Jenny - let's see if you get today's song!

Well, my continual streak of "I never get sick" has been crushed this week by a raging upper respiratory infection. I finally went to the doctor today and got ten days of Cipro and a bottle of this killer cough medicine that actually works. The last straw was being up last night from 2:30 - 5 AM, keeping Fred up too. I finally went into the living room and read. I couldn't stop coughing.

The hilarious thing is that this cough medicine, for a mere 100 ml, costs $100 if I had to pay full price, but $20 on my insurance. I could not believe it. But, it does work. It also buzzes me up pretty well, more than likely because it has hydrocodone in it, which apparently works on the cough reflex. Yeah, like shutting it off completely! Works for me!

I just really want to sleep tonight. The drawback to that kind of medication is it makes my brain race and I can't sleep. I am tired as hell but I haven't slept all day.

So it's snowing again ... 7-10" tonight.... big fun. I don't care, I'm not going out in it until maybe Sunday when I have to go grocery shopping.

Well, I think I am going to bed... and hoping for sleep. I know I got sick because I have been run down and stressed out. Eventually it was going to catch up with me.

I am trying to psych myself up for work tomorrow. I am dreading it. I know what's transpired on the project in the intervening two weeks that I've been out, and it's not all good. I guess we'll see how it goes.

Today Trevor and I talked about the New Year's Eve party. As I suspected, drinking really isn't his thing. I know he's tried it, more than likely because of his friends, but it still doesn't seem like something he'll do a lot of. He said it didn't do much for him and he had more fun watching his friends get stupid. That doesn't surprise me. He knows where I stand on all of it and I'm glad at least he'll talk to me about it. I guess it's at the point now that I have to trust I've done a good job bringing him up and that he's got good judgment.

Friday I worked with Fred, putting on switchplates and ripping off paper/tape from molding. The house is fairly spectacular in an understated way; built for a woman and her husband, and she is in a wheelchair. Consequently the home has an elevator, two cooktops (one at his height, one at hers), a master closet as big as my kitchen and dining room, etc. It was a very nice home and totally accessible for her, which is pretty cool.

Fred had to work today to finish up a commercial job. I stayed home and did laundry, etc. I still need to get Jalen's lunches together. I pre-load his bags so that all I need to do is make a sandwich in the morning and pop it in the bag.

Tomorrow I go back to my 4x/week gym trips. I've slacked for the last month, only a couple times a week. BAD, BAD, BAD. I need to get back to it.

Should be a good year since 9 is my lucky number. Let's hope so, anyhow.

It's also the year Trevor graduates.

Trevor got another scholarship, a 1k endowment from the college's foundation. That brings his booty up to 7k for his first year, about half the cost of a year of tuition, room and board. And we haven't even hit the OUTSIDE scholarships yet! Good news.

New year's we went to T and S's, which was fine. Unbeknownst to me, Trevor's uncle told him he could drink as long as he surrendered his keys - and also those of his friends. So there was Trevor, his girlfriend, and four other seniors there - all turned over their keys. Two of them got shitfaced and I had NO idea these kids even drank. Trevor drank but he didn't get hammered or act stupid. Obviously the homeowners had no idea they could get into a world of trouble over this - although all the kids spent the night; girls upstairs in the study and boys downstairs.

I guess if they're going to to it, that's about the most controlled environment we could hope for. I still don't really think it's Trevor's thing, as much as a couple of his friends anyhow. But God, one more thing to worry about. I really do think he's intelligent enough not to drink and drive, however. And if he's staying someplace and chooses to drink, well, I guess at least he is staying there.

Fred and I still face the big dilemma and have another appointment the 13th to explore another option. It's not easy no matter how we slice it, but at least he and I are solid. I can't imagine going through this with someone and NOT having a good relationship. And in the grand scheme of things - it's not the worst thing in the world that could happen.

I did manage to torch twice while I've been off work, so that was nice. Tried some veiled glass and I like the effect. I'll be glad when it warms up more and I can torch more. I didn't get nearly the art-type stuff done that I wanted to while I've been off, but that's the way it goes.

We had Christmas with my family yesterday. Good time had by all. Trevor got a laptop for Christmas and graduation. Pat and Jeannie got Fred and I a TomTom. The last time we went to DG, with a side visit friends in a neighboring town, Rand McNally totally fucked up the directions and we got all hung up and lost. It was a mess. So that gift is very practical and made me laugh my ass off because for two hours I'd have to call Pat for more directions and I'd say, "Is this the PatPat?" lol.

I got a new digital camera, a nice Canon Powershot. We have a nice digital SLR but that thing takes for damned ever to get set up. I just wanted something little I could aim and shoot and get great pictures with (yes it takes great glass pictures) and leave the big camera to Fred. He's got the patience for it. I , however, do not. Shocker.

It is -1 right now and I am freezing my ass off. My office is pretty cold thanks to the French doors. I do love it but this is by far the coldest day I've ever been in it.

Two weeks off work! YES! I cannot begin to describe the relief I feel. I really do hate that job! It's such bullshit! I would LOVE to do that work ANYWHERE but where I do! And of course we have another layoff. What else is new. But WTF, it's a job, so I'll just do it and deal with it.

Talked to the CPA to get our numbers together for filing Trevor's financial aid. Not good news for Fred's business this year, but that will work out better for Trevor's financial aid package, so I guess there is a silver lining. Did ANYONE in construction make money this year? Jesus Christ.

Well, I WAS going to go out in the hot tub but I actually think with 40 mph winds and -1 temps, it's probably TOO cold!! Ah well. Maybe tomorrow!!

Yesterday I received some veiled glass, and I am DYING to try it. But it's too cold to torch in the garage. I need it to be at least 30 outside before my heat brings it up to 50 or so. Maybe later this week. I hope it warms up while I'm off work, but not holding my breath.

No more word on layoffs at Dysfunction Junction, but that doesn't mean anything. Could be next week or next month, but I'm done worrying about it. The real estate in my brain is otherwise occupied.

Today I found out my friend Darren is getting married. That is so cool! Darren is my bud. We worked together at Dysfunction Junction but still keep in touch. We met his fiance in September at our Labor Day party. She's a really nice gal and I liked her a lot. So that is cool news.

Trevor is giving me more grey hair. Oh yes, still a good kid with the scholarship and grades, but he came home with a big fat hickey on his neck, compliments of his girlfriend. So we had to have The Talk, or as much of The Talk as I could get out. Fred's already been down this road with him so it wasn't like it was new. Trevor says, I can't believe you think I'd make you a grandparent right now. I said, you have to BE CAREFUL, take precautions, etc because I REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE 17! (boy. Do I ever. His name was Rick.)

I think he got the point.

We're having Christmas on Saturday with my family, provided Pat and Jeannie make it in to town. The weather looks like it's going to be bad. I hope not. That trip from Chicago in the winter is just pure hell. It's rare to get decent weather all the way across.

My stress is still there...although some of it I have no control over. It's pointless to stress over things that are out of my control.

Fred and I wrapped Christmas gifts last night, and I would rather have a goddamned root canal. I HATE wrapping. HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT. He did some of it but I would rather not do ANY of it. Just not my thing at all. Never has been, so this is no surprise!

Well, I went to Lenni and Don's around 1:30 or so to deliver holiday cookies, like I do every year. I ended up staying til 5 and TOO MUCH HOLIDAY CHEER ensued. Yikes. I can't drink like I used to. Especially on a Sunday. Jesus.

Fred and Trevor have determined his truck is not getting a spark. So it's not the fuel pump, because it IS getting fuel. I don't know if that's good, bad, or indifferent.

I need to go eat dinner. ....

Jesus H Christ does it pour.

Trevor's on his way to work with his cute girlfriend Taryn (also works at Aco) and what happens? His truck breaks down. Fred arrives on the scene and replaces the spark plug wire that came off the distributor cap, but that didn't solve the problem. So we had to have it towed back here.

We know it needs a starter - Trevor already purchased that, but needs to put it in. This problem is most likely unrelated to that one, however. I just hope to hell Fred can fix it.

This just keeps getting better and better.

I was standing in the kitchen - Fred had just refinished the dining room table, which at its advanced age (probably 15 years, but oak) needed to be refinished yet again (this is probably the fourth time) and I started laughing. I said, well, we're all healthy, right?

Well, my boss the consummate drama queen, has told us layoffs aren't done and our group won't be spared next time. There's 57 of us in the whole unit, 6 of us in tech writing. a 10% population of tech writers is REALLY high. So I won't be surprised if we get the axe to some extent.

So here's the dilemma. I just got a call from a headhunter for a full-time position about an hour from here. Sr. Tech Writer. Same shit I do now, just for someone else.

Do I give up my work-at-home gig, to drive an hour? Do I give up 8 years of severance to be the low guy on the totem pole? Do I give up the bullshit and grief of my present job to move on to something different? The market is SO BAD in IT in this state, I don't know if I'll find another job if/when I get laid off. I was hoping perhaps it would propel me into another field - with certainly disastrous financial circumstances, I'm sure, but that's life. Right now it might just be better to be secure.

But what's secure? Certainly not my current job! I don't know. I might investigate this just for shits and giggles. I don't know what the company is, but I'm going to ask. Also what field they're in.

The good news is: I just posted my resume yesterday, and I already got a call - that is no doubt a good sign. Or a fluke!! lol.

I'm finding I am pretty hooked on Facebook. It's pretty quick and easy and does not require any thought to update, which is nice.

Stress level is still high, but hopefully will improve within a month or so. At least now we know what to do, which helps a lot.

I have a cookie baking class tomorrow w/ my mom, which should be a good time. It was fun last year when we did it. Tomorrow night we have a cocktail party to go to. Not sure whether I feel like it or not...I'm sure we'll go, though. Lots to do right now.

No torching for awhile, til it warms up somewhat anyhow. That's fine, I'm not feeling creative anyhow right now. Working on some of the Kumihimo bracelets and another afghan, which is about all I've got in me right now. Still taking my SQL class and that's got another five or six weeks to go. I did pass the first exam, so I was glad about that.

Trevor got a letter from LSSU today notifying him he'd been awarded a 5k per year (3k tuition/2k room and board) renewable four-year scholarship. That is definitely good news. It was a grand more than we thought it would be, and official notification is a good thing! He was pretty happy about it. Me too.

Thanksgiving was good, my mom cooked and it's always good. We came home with a ton of leftovers... although I am pretty much turkey'd out. One day is usually enough for me even though I don't overdo it. Although I don't feel like cooking anything tonight, so I am guessing it will be leftovers for us!

I haven't been out of the house all day so I have a nice case of the "fonkies" as I call them. I was SO not going shopping. I hate crowds. I stayed up til 1:30 AM to make sure I got the deal on Pat's Christmas gift, which I did...so that was my only big Black Friday purchase.

Fred and I are still mulling over our dilemma ... it's stressing us both out a lot. We have a couple appointments with experts to advise us. He worries about my stressing and yes, it's bad, my hair is falling out. He and I together are fine, but this situation is stressing us out a lot and it's not much fun. I am NOT in the holiday mood. At all. It's stealing my creative mojo as well. I did make some Christmas gifts but I didn't think they were anything spectacular. I'm sure the recipients will be pleased because they don't make beads or glass, so they have no idea what goes into it.

I'm sure in the long run it'll work out fine, but the next few months are going to really be pissers, I'm afraid. Fred is much more practical than I am, and logical. He is usually right!

Not sure what I will do tomorrow. I need to get to the gym at some point.

Saw Pat last night, who is in town for a bachelor party tonight. Always good to see him. I'm sure they're going to have a good time.

I met up with Tammy at 8 AM in Chelsea for coffee. It's been - we figured out - six years since we last saw each other. It actually made me get tears in my eyes when I saw her. We were talking about how long we've known each other - and it came out to 34 years! God, how is that POSSIBLE!

She invited Fred and I out to Montana and I said thanks, but Fred does not fly well. She said, Fly? Why fly! You can take the Amtrak and it's a great trip! I said , well how cool is that! Fred is game -- so maybe in the next couple years, we'll get out there. I would love to see it. As she describes it, it sounds just beautiful.

Sheryl and I made springerle this afternoon and so far they turned out well. Tomorrow we'll bake them. I also have to study for my Oracle SQL exam on Monday. Not sure how I will do. I'm bummed it's multiple choice, but, oh well. We'll see.

I am beat. Going to have a nice long soak in the hot tub after dinner.