Last week was a rough one in most parts of this great country we call home, but I just gotta wonder...aren't we doing it all to ourselves?  I viewed the pictures of the damage from the mid-west yesterday...the floods rival the ones of 1993, by all accounts, are worse by some others...and yet, (and this is the part I don't get) we continue building and rebuilding in all the same places.  I know that water & rivers are a major means of transportation in this country.  In fact, most of this country was settled on or near a river.  And who doesn't want to spend a week in a rental house on the Outer Banks or down in the Florida Keys.  But, WHY do we continue to build in known flood plains?  And the owners just GOTTA know that their house on the beach will eventually get pounded by a tropical storm, hurricane, or simply a tidal surge.  It's just too depressing for me to even contemplate any longer!!

On to a happier topic....Sunny seems to be doing much better now, thank you very much.  Her head is only slightly tilted now, tho her ears do seem kinda cheesy to me (vet called 'em "yeasty") and when she shakes her head & body, she has difficulty remaining standing.  I guess if I were 127+, I'd be a little unsteady at times, too.  She goes back to the vet tomorrow for more/repeat bloodwork & lab work, and to be boarded while we go a-visiting.  She got her bath yesterday and I miss her already (and, no, she's not even gone yet!).  We've met some wonderful people (guests, here at Twin Oaks) who have a little shi-tzu named Panda.  Yeah, he's black & white,and what a mess he is.  Quite the personality on him (matches Mom & Dad), and very friendly.  Hopped right into the golf cart & off we went!

I finally got several hours strung together and did some embroidery.  The local square dance club is having a silent auction, so I thought I'd donate a table runner & some napkins to them.  Trouble was, with our work schedule, I just didn't really have time to drag all the stuff out & do it.  Sooooo, I dragged it out once, and Jose was kind enough to overlook it all for several days running, while I worked a little each night.  However, some nights, "working on it" consisted of moving it from one place to another, so this project really dragged out and on.  Well, it finally got all done last night, and Theresa, the club pres., (you can tell she's pres., 'cuz she's got tags hanging down to her belly-button that SAY so!) came all the way down here today and picked it up!  Bless her little heart!  Like she had nuthin' else to do!!!  THANK YOU, Theresa!  I hope they get lots and lots of money for them.  Due to our impending road trip, we won't be getting to the auction, but that's probably a good thing for us.  I mean, do we really need anything ELSE in the camper??  As I pulled clothes for the trip out of the closet, I came across things I haven't even worn (or thought about!!) since we've been on the road.  (And can you believe it's been a YEAR, now???  A YEAR!)  I'm beginning to think I might have over-packed.  HA.  Not like someone's not been saying that ever since we set out!!!  I have enough clothes to open my own store!!  Maybe I oughtta put some of THEM out for auction??!!

Got an email a bit ago from ole Tom...former co-worker.  Actually, I was tagged his "work-wife."  It was good to hear that they're still busy over there, and the place didn't just fall apart without me.  I was glad to hear that his piece was actually picking up projects, since that seems to be a good indicator of relative "job security," if one can have that in any way now-a-days.  He's made the choice to sell his pickup truck & his wife's van, in exchange for an SUV to pull his boat and a mini-cooper to tootle around in.  We all do what we gotta to get along now.  Just registered a fella been driving all day long, 60 mph, got 8 mpg.  He's BEEN driving at 70 mph, got 6!!  Glad to see him slow down, even if just a bit.  Wish these old coots would slow down even MORE, and get off the road EARLIER.  We had a family drive in last night at flippin' MIDNIGHT.  WHAT ON EARTH are they thinkin'!!!!  Oh, yeah, I guess they're NOT!

Well, it's getting on time for us to round 'em up and head 'em out.  We have maps to make for our late arrivals & coffee to set up for our early risers.  After that, we have one more run through the park to make sure all's ok, and we are OFF to see the wizard!!  Well, OK, not the wizard.  Just up to NC to see Rebecca get hitched.  And the dentist!  GEEZ, I canNOT forget to pack my crown!!  (how could I be the princess I am without my crown!?)

See y'all in a while...
love ya,
k