summer 2009

Sun Valley Girls !
now that is a big chair !


ok, so we had a few drinks!



it's a Skink ...

way down yonder on the Chattahoochee

Isn't he cute !

Dylan, Cory aka #2 and Corey

Dog Pile !

Sherri and Charlie

Olympic Park Atlanta Ga

Duh! CNN :O)

Charlie's future sugar Mama !

we on our way to ATL

wee!

whoa !

so pumped !

Charlie get your arm out of that tree!

Friends !

This summer was fall about going to new places, going home, family and friends, and new fast friends. It was about seeing things for the first time and things you haven't seen for a long time. Its funny how some things never change, but some how seem different.

This summer, Charlie and I visited LA, San Diego, Seattle, and a week long visit to my home town Columbus, Ga. In LA, we saw the Dodgers play. In "San Dieg" (inside joke) we saw the Padres play and visited Sea World. In Seattle, Kristin brought her friend Stephanie and we went to a Mariners game and had some seafood at Pike's Market ! yummy .... and last but not least, Charlie, Corey and I spent some time in Hot Lana ! I took Charlie to CNN building, and he was very impressed, with the Atlanta Braves Store. (HA) I took his picture with his "Crush" Nancy Grace ... lol. I also took him to Olympic park where they held the 1996 Olympics. After that we were off to my Cousin Wendy's house for a few days. So much fun spending time with her and her boys. They have a huge house, we all had our own bed room and Corey especially enjoyed the movie theatre in the basement. They also had an air hockey table and Wii. Never a dull moment I tell you. Wendy prepared huge delicious meals, and took us out boating everyday. Did I mention she got us Hot Fresh Boiled Peanuts ! yum! well here are a few pictures I would like to share, just a few of the highlights.

I just thought these were pretty !

I bought these for my front porch !

better late, than never !

So, Charlie and I went with some friends to San Diego ... and are now proud members of the "San Dieg trick" ... originally from the "Boise Trick" .... just a little in side joke! thought I would post some pics, just for fun ! I could go to San Diego about 5 more time, so much to do there !

Look out South East Boise !!!

He is so proud !

Corey has passed his drivers training course, and is now free to move about Boise, with a licensed driver in the car, that is .... OH GOD, better up my life insurance ....

post op pics .... poor sister :O(

ok, first pic is her IV which, she did very well while they put it in.... only a few tears :( and then they quickly whisked her away to surgery. I didn't like how fast they took her away from me, I almost shed a few tears. Next pic is her asleep in the recovery chair, after we got the nausea under control, that's a whole other story. When I came in the room, when they FINALLY let me see her, I thought I would die, she was pitiful, and shaking.... and so sick to her stomach. I felt horrible, like I had made her do this horrible thing. Boy, mom's sure carry allot of guilt. ? ... anyway, they gave her some medicine and then a shot to help with the nausea, and she went to sleep and I got to take her home. She has 4 incisions, 2 pins, and 1 screw and god knows how many stitches .... She had to take tons of medicine, ice and 72 hrs of elevating her foot.

anyway, she is doing fine, 6 weeks out of school, work and on crutches, cant walk on her foot for 6 weeks... that's a long time. She hates the crutches ... this morning she was hopping around through the house, and all you hear is hop, hop, hop, .... and then you hear hop, hop, hop, plop ! yep, she fell .... her flip flop folded over and down she went, right on her bad foot..... but she is ok. I told her she is gonna really do some damage, but she doesn't listen to me.

all for now, keep you posted ... ha ha ! no pun intended.

Kristin's foot surgery, Thur April 30, 2009

this is pre-op for Kristin's bunion reconstructive surgery!

Notice she is sitting in the chair and not on the bed, she refused to get on the bed until she absolutely had too. Bless her little pea picking heart, she was scared to death! Next set of pictures, proceed with caution if you have a queasy stomach. :O)

partners in crime !

what more do I need to say ! :O)

what an amazing day !

so yesterday we went to the Race for the Cure! 15,000 people were there. We walked as Alaska Spirit Team, and met my mother in law, Cancer Survivor Becky Hickman, her mother Lois White, and sister Pam Friend. It was an amazing day, such an empowering feeling! Men, Women and children, the community, business, all coming together for the same cause, The Fight against Cancer! I was so proud to be apart of such an amazing event.

quick update ....

OK, no happy about the hot and cold weather changes ! but spring is almost here .... (?) maybe ....
My daughter, who is in Cosmetology School cut my hair above my shoulders, and I think I like it! I really need to get some pictures on here.
Corey has been sick all weekend, so I took him to the doctor this morning and he has Bronchitis. He was feeling much better this morning, but because of his Asthma, I took him to the doctor anyway, and they put him on antibiotics.
Kristin has Reconstructive Bunion Surgery on Thursday.... think it will be a long and painful recovery, so keep her in your thoughts. She will need to keep her foot elevated for 72 hours, and can not bear weight for 10 days, and she will be on crutches for 4 - 6 weeks. The good news is, she is young and when this is all over she will no longer be in pain, and she can wear cute summer shoes. Basically, she is having surgery due to an old gymnastics injury and a combination of a bad foot. I asked her if 11 years of competing gymnastics was worth all of this pain, and she said YES! with a big satisfying grin onj her face! .... She misses gymnastics, the sport, her coach, her teammates (a.k.a. her sisters), competing, the workouts, I could go on and on ... I think she would give anything to go back and do it again. I think I would give anything to see her swing on the bars one more time. (tear)
Looking forward to the Race for the Cure, Kristin and I were going to walk with the Alaska Spirit team, but she will not be able to join us. I have asked Heidi, Caroline's Daughter to walk in her place. We will also be walking with My mother in law - Becky, Grandma White, and Aunt Pam, they are walking with the VA team. As you know, Becky recently finished her Breast Cancer Treatment, this is her 2nd time .... this years walk seems more important than ever! Hope to see you all there !
Charlie and I have plans to go to San Diego, May 20 ... and it cant get here soon enough. One night in LAX at the La Quinta, a Dodgers game and then on to SAN. .... for three nights. We plan on doing Sea World, a Padre's game, and some beach / pool / drinking time.
Well that is all for now .... I will keep you posted .... TTFN !

is it summer yet ?

Hello all,
hope all is well with everyone. I dont really have much to say.... I have been busy working and working in the yard.
I am enjoying the sunshine... and cant wait for warmer weather.
think spring!

thought this was worth sharing ....

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland,
Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer
rolled
over to 90 in August, so here goes:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Both of
you could be right at the same time.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. Love your parents because they will be gone before you know it.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others' lives. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry;
God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second
one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take
no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,
will this matter?'
27. Always choose to be happy, then you will.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
and parents will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles. Then you see when they happen.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you
did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now..
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. Besides,
sunshine makes you feel happy.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Open it and
say 'Thank you.'

Is it summer yet ?

We just celebrated my son Corey's 16th birthday ! Wow, my baby is almost grown up ! We had dinner with the Grandma and Grandpa Hickman, Great Grandma Miller, Great Aunt Gail, Caroline, and big sister Kristin. It was nice dinner, and we had a few laughs. Corey's sweet birthday present was the IPOD Touch, and he was very excited. He also gets to attend drivers training this summer!
Other than that, nothing else is new. We are all busy as usual. That is all for now! thanks for tuning in !

its been a while ...

Hello,
I haven't updated this blog thing for a while, and thought I would check in. I just wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with Jackie's family and friends ... and her smile and laughter will truely be missed in this office. I am so grateful to be part of this Alaska Family. I am reminded this week, once again, of how short life is. And how precious every day is. Sometimes I forget.
thats all for now,
Sherri

2009

Hello, I dont really have so much to report, but felt it had been a while since I have blogged. Kristin is doing very well in school, and still enjoying it. She works as much as possible too.
Corey is doing well, and seems to be happy and healthy. They both have grown up so fast, and sometimes I feel like I missed it. But, I am so greatful everytime my daughter calls me to go to dinner, lunch, a trip to the gym or she just wants to hang out with me. :O) I can remember a time, when she was a teenager, and she wanted nothing to do with me. Glad that is over.

Anyway, I am pretty busy with work, just got a new shift 12p -830p with Th / Fr off .... love the shift, miss being home with Corey at night. Charlie is usually at school in the evenings, so it was nice just to hang with Corey and talk, make dinner etc ... think he will actually miss me being home, like I will miss being home with him. Oh well, such is life, we will adjust.

Speaking of Charlie, we are doing great. He and Corey went to a movie last night. Charlie gets along with my kids very well.... they really enjoy each others company and are very comfortable around each other. Oh and he is nice to me too !

ok thats all for now, nothing really new except maybe a request, if you could please put my "daddy" in your prayers .... His name is Jerry ... his health is bad and he needs surgery that they wont do, because his health is bad..... sometimes life is like a double edge sword ....
anyway, pls add him and my family in your prayers.
Sherri