Jim is Missing - Help

This is Jim's wife Bonnie. I have not heard from Jim since he was showing his remodeling project to some men he met at a bar. I miss my husband. Please bring him home. We need him - Dusty needs his muse for his walks and Anna Belle and Moxie still need a strong male influence. AND HE HASN'T FINISHED THE BASEMENT! If he thinks he'll get out of finishing the basement by "disappearing", he will be sadly mistaken. HELP!!!!!

Maybe I'll Skip the Dreaded Holiday Letter This Year

Nothing coming.. The creative juices are blocked. I even tried going to the local watering hole and getting some liquid inspiration. No go, but I met some guys who said they could help me finish the basement (it's taking a lot longer to finish than I thought it would. I'm still "mudding." Bonnie's getting a little anxious about it). They're coming over tomorrow night. Seem like nice guys

A Special Delivery From Wisconsin

Nooooooo, no babies for us! But Diane came for a 4-day weekend visit. AND she brought the special chair that she created and sold at a fundraiser auction for the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. Bonnie and I were the winning bidders! So we now have her chair - "Jewels Gone Wild" - sitting in our guest room. Come on in and take a load off.

Only 4 Months Until Christmas!!!And weight loss

Time flies. I can't believe it is only 4 months. That means I'll have to get the dreaded letter together. WHY WON'T BONNIE LET IT GO!!!! DO PEOPLE REALLY CARE!!!

Good news. Everyone at Bonnie's and my work, while missing Brad, has been losing weight! I'm no scientist but I wonder if it is somehow connected to the absence of Starbuck's pastries every day?

Moxie - Our New Family Member

Just got back from Bowden, Georgia where we picked up our newest, and littlest, family member, Moxie - a blue and tan dapple, long-haired, miniature dachshund. But she is so much more than that. She is only about 2 pounds of non-stop action right now, but will grow to be about 10 pounds. She is a lover. Hopefully, Dusty and Anna Belle will take her under their wings.

A Quiet/Empty Nest Again

Wow, it's been wham bam departures for a couple of weeks. Cate, Bonnie and I spent a week at Amelia Island. When we got back Brad told us that our beloved Natasha aka Schmootie aka the best damn cat ever, passed away from old age the day before we returned. She was the prettiest calico cat you'd ever seen. We're going to miss her.

Then, a week later, within two days of each other, (a) Brad left to move to Wenachee, Washington, and (b) Cate returned for her second year at Georgia.

Brad has a college friend who lives in Wenachee and is letting Brad live with him until he gets his own place. Brad bought a minivan, loaded up what belongings he could (including his two cats - Lucy and Casper, and his childhood cat, DJ (aka Don Junior the 17-year told tabby) and headed west, with a stop along the way at Grandpa McBride's in Missouri and sightseeing in the Rockies.

Cate bought a used Mazda Protege with her summer earnings (and "good grade" stipend and loan from mom and dad) and headed back to her second year at UGA. Should be interesting with wheels.........hopefully it will permit her to make more trips home during the school year. Athens is only about 60 miles away.

So now Bonnie and I are sitting around our quiet and empty house. Even our two dogs Anna Belle and Dusty are feeling low - there are no cats to chase around.

The Cod and My Failed 30th High School Reunion

I was supposed to be at my 30th high school reunion tonight. I even helped organize it from afar. I was flying for free, as a "nonrevenue" customer through Bonnie's sister Donna, who works for Midwest Airways. Got on the flight on Friday morning no problem. But five minutes into the flight we dropped about 500 feet in a couple of seconds and did a 180 turn. The pilot then came on and said we had a little problem with the power in jet number 2 and needed to head back to the airport "as a precaution." He also told us not to be alarmed by all the emergency vehnicles that would be lining the runway upon our arrival. "Just a precaution." Well, we landed safely, but the flight was cancelled. And that meant 120 people looking to fill every available seat on every other flight to Milwaukee. Soooo, no seats for Jim without paying $$$$$$. As a "precaution" I took the hint and stayed home!

Bonnie had already bailed on my reunion months ago for a better offer. Diane, Alicia and Bonnie are in New England for a 5-day gal's getaway. A couple of days in Boston and then up to Cape Cod. No sightings of any Kennedys.........yet. They seem to be having a great time. As for me, instead of toasting the magnificent Tosa East class of 1977, I'll be raising a can of Milwaukee's Best with Dusty and Anna Belle over a TV dinner. Whoopie!!!!

Day Dreaming

Why did I go to law school? My back sure hurts. I wonder if my golf game will ever improve. Sure was stupid of me to almost cut my finger off with the utility knife - Brad said cutting sheetrock was easy!! I don't understand women. Mmmmmmmmm, McDonalds!

Basement Remodeling

Brad got us started on remodeling the basement. He's been hanging sheetrock. It looks as though he'll be moving out before the sheetrock is finished. I sure hope he trains me well!

Congratulations My Bulldawg Scholar!!!

Way to go Cate. Congratulations on making the Dean's list your first year at University of Georgia! Go Dawgs, woof, woof. While you haven't figured out your major yet (it seems to change each week), you're doing great.

Hope you make big time tips working at Ruby Tuesday this summer!

Love Those Starbucks Leftovers

Just finished a delicious pumpkin spice donut from "the Buck." Brad usually works the closing shift. Starbuck's wants fresh food each day so whatever they don't sell by the end of the day is supposed to get picked up by a charity or thrown out. But no charities will pick up the food from his location, sooooo, the crew gets to bring home all the leftover sandwiches (love the egg salad!), yogurt parfait and pastries. Bags and bags each day. Bonnie and I have been bringing them to work. Brad's getting to be very popular with our co-workers.

PS: Happy belated 39th birthday Bonnie! I can't believe I forgot your big day on May 2. I am such a doofus

Life at JBAH

Bonnie's been working as a veterinary technician at Jones Bridge Animal Hospital (JBAH) since November 2006. She likes the place - Good people and good medicine. It does have its downs though. It is never fun to do a euthanasia for a sick dog or cat and can be physically demanding some times. My job is to give Bonnie foot/back rubs after those bad days!

Great Dance Performance Last Night Cate!

Mom and I really enjoyed coming to Athens and seeing your dance group put on their annual Ballroom Magic performance. I can't believe you guys choreagraph and learn 15 or so dances of all different styles. Mom and I really enjoyed your Tango! Nicely done. XXOO

Vacation in Mexico

Just got back from a week vacation in Cabo San Lucas. Cate came over her spring break, and we also met up with our friends who now live in Dallas - Rhonda and Joe Kupka (and their son Andrew who was also on college spring break from Univ. of North Carolina). Great time. Bonnie even got to see some hump back whales up close from a boat.

Brad Moved Back Home

Brad moved back home over this past Christmas. He is living in the basement with his two cats. It's temporary, until he gets his finances back in order. It's good to have him back........... for a while. He's working as a Vet Assistant at a veterinary clinic a few miles from the house and also working part time at the Starbucks down the road. He has no car so riding a bike to both jobs. It is funny listening to Bonnie and Brad "talk shop" about the vet business.