Sounds of Silence

Well, shoot and darn - everyone has left! It is way too quiet here; can someone come visit ASAP? It was such a great time. Kathy and I had so many "moments" where we realized we like the same things or order the same things or even said the same things at the same time. It was weird, fun, amazing and great all at the same time. We also have a couple of definite, quite differing viewpoints! But, that's what makes the world go around and I think we decided to "agree to disagree." It was fun having the big group over Friday and Saturday - especially getting to visit Joseph and Stephanie; they are great and everyone should get to know them. Joe fixed my computer settings and I think of him every time I log on and don't have to lament about the weird things I had to do to get the thing going. He was very patient and is quite knowledgeable about computers. Step is gorgeous and on the brink of a great life now that she has her college degree - you go, girl!

So, when's the next reunion? Love to all . . .

Megan is Done!

Congratulations Meg! What a great achievement! We are so proud of you! I hope the world is ready for you!
Love,
Aunt Karen

Family Fun

Hello Everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!
We (Steve,Joe,Steph, and I) had a great time at Jan's this weekend. It was so fun being together with Mom and all my sisters. Dan, Carrie, Ashley, Chris, and Steve's brother Rich also added to the fun. We talked, walked by the ocean, ate, and thoroughly enjoyed all the company. Wish we could have stayed longer. I know Kathy will have a great week exploring the California lifestyle and meeting more family and family friends. I wish I could travel along with her on all the great adventures. It's too bad we all live so darn far away from each other. Howdy to all my nieces out there! Glad we don't have snow here. Take care all!
Love,
Aunt Karen

More on cows . . .

I had to laugh about the dress barn comments! We don't have one in our area, so I don't shop there. Did you know that Sue loves barns? Ask her about it sometime!

Well, DC is getting lots of snow, but So. California is getting lots and lots and lots of rain. Will everyone please refrain from how bad the yard looks when you get here. Dan is obsessing about it and you just got to know that about him. He likes everything to be perfect and this is not following his plan at all.

Tonight Dan and I are staying in and out of the rain. We saw a car wreck on the freeway (well, the aftermath of it really) and one car was upside down and the paramedics were kneeling down and talking, apparently, to someone who was still inside. Ugh. My worse nightmare. After that, I was totally freaking out about Dan driving in the rain on the freeways. It is best to stay home.

Today my girls made me very proud by volunteering to go and visit Dan's mom in the hospital. Then, it ended up to be an all-day thing as they went to lunch with their aunts and then back to visit Peggy in the new place she was moved to and then going to get her TV from her apartment, etc. , etc. It is so sweet to see them acting as adults and doing something so nice for their grandma without being asked by their parents. I love you girls!!!!

Anyway, I am very excited to see everyone this week. Well, not everyone - sorry sweet nieces in DC, Key Largo and Denton - but nearly everyone. I keep telling people that my new sister is coming to visit and my old sisters are coming, too!!! And, of course, our mom! I can't wait to be together and cook up some fun. Travel safely everyone and watch that snow in DC gals!!!

Clarifying Karen's Dress Barn comment! What I said was that I love the store but hate the name as it sounds like it is for cows. I aloways picture in my head cows in frilly dresses. I need to get out more!!

My Birthday!

Hello dear ones! Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes. I had a great birthday! I took the day off. I was able to relax a little. I went shopping with Steve and Steph. I bought quite a few new clothes at the "Dress Barn". No, Kathy, it's not a place for cows. There is something about a new hairdo or new clothes that just puts a smile on one's face and a spring in one's step. Maybe it's a female thing? Then Steve, Joe, and Steph took me out to dinner. Where? I love Chinese food. We have a new place in town that we tried. It was pretty good. I received several cards, gifts, and calls. Of course there was a delicious ice cream cake for dessert. We usually have the carmel chocolate turtle cakes. The store was out this time. So we tried a banana split cake complete with cherries on top. Yum! Yum!
I am so looking forward to seeing some of you very soon out here on the left coast. The weather is usually perfect in the San Diego area. What a great Christmas gift for Kathy! She has the most awesome girls!
Thanks again.
Love,
Aunt Karen

Annoyed

So things haven't been so great. I haven't been working the hours I should be working. I just have trouble fitting in more hours and lately there has not even been any work for me to do. It's super frustrating, but I'm getting sick of working less than 50 hours a month, this is ridiculous.

Sorority has been having problems too. Our meetings take forever to get through because everyone has to have an opinion and a simple problem takes 30 extra minutes. I signed up to be in skit for Greek Week and it has been nothing but stress since day one. Everyone is very picky and cranky about GW since we won last year and they want to dominate again. I understand, but there are better ways of going about it rather than sending out long, rude, angry emails and yelling at everyone during practices. And they wonder why they don't have more participation? I found out last night I was put in the one dance I did not want to do. It sucks and I've hated the entire concept of the dance from the very beginning. The song is annoying and the dance moves are for sixth graders. I hate it. I don't even know what to do at this point, but it's just starting to not be worth it anymore.

I'm also doing poorly in school right now, which isn't helping. I need to focus more on studying and getting better grades. The professor for one of my classes is brand new and only reads us her powerpoints, which are word for word from the textbook. She speeds through three chapters a class and does not answer questions. I don't even know where to begin with this class. I need help because I HAVE to do well. Today I have to take an online midterm for this class ahhhhh. Please pray for me.

On top of everything else I have been having chest pain again. It started a few weeks ago and was terrible, so I went to urgent care at my school and they said it was just inflamation of the rib cage and they prescribed me heavy ibuprofen. Now the pain has come back and I'm not sure why. It might just be on going, but it's very sporatic and varying levels of pain.

I'm just ready for this week to already end and it's only barely begun. I hope everyone else is doing well. I love and miss you all.