Something exciting is happening!

Here it is, less than 24 hours until my family arrives! I pray Hurricane Fay or rather, Tropical Storm Fay, stays far, far away from us, especially with my company coming!

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In a short while I meeting my friend, Sharon, at Blu Grotto for lunch. She is having a chiropractic adjustment so will be quite relaxed as we dine. Sharon was in the roll-over accident a couple months ago. She asked me to write a Letter to the Editor for her, thanking the Good Samaritans who came to their rescue. I haven't heard whether it was published yet or not.

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After lunch I am going grocery shopping to lay in supplies for my guests. Over and over in my mind are rolling the lists of likes and dislikes the kiddlings have, plus my list of necessities which will make me a good hostess! Justin is stopping by after work, wait, after a pool party, to help get my purchases upstairs as well as the sleeping mats from the preschool. Deb gave me 5 mats for keeps, since they wouldn't pass State inspection due to cracks in the surface. I didn't need so many but she suggested the boys can make a fort or something on a rainy day. Great ideas from these teachers! But, I think I'd like assistance lugging them upstairs, because they are as long as I am tall!

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Okay, now to the exciting thing: Mona, my sister-in-law in Manitowoc who, with her family, stays with my father-in-law, called the other night asking if my offer was still good to help out. Sure! I'm somewhat flexible and am glad to be able to do something to lend a hand. Being this far away leaves me at a disadvantage helping-out-wise. John and Mona's son is at West Point Academy and has a ceremony of some kind coming up next month. Unable to come up with a suitable solution for Dad-sitting, she's had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and ask me. A couple of his kids who live in town will be able to give me a breather so I won't be 'round the clock on duty. My primary responsibility will be to administer pills and (gulp!!) see he has meals.

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I can take my laptop along to Arno's and work at the kitchen table or whereever to keep him company, yet stay connected with the world. I'll have a couple newsletters due by the end of the month and with few distractions out there in the country, perhaps much will be accomplished. Justin thinks the computer is ready to go in order to pick up wireless connections, but must introduce me to it's operation. If not, John can arrange for me to use their home computer. I think I'd rather be where Arno is, although Mona said he sleeps in his recliner much of the time.

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My older sister, Lynn, the one who is coming to see us tomorrow, will be celebrating her birthday on the 15th so I will be in town to party hardy with her. Oh yeah, I can see it now............perch! Lynn knows how to have a good time!!! She will be 60 years old this year, as is my sister-in-law, Marian, in South Florida. They were born just a little more than a month apart and graduated from high school together. Lynn is quite spry, walks for exercise and has gotten a bicycle now which she uses to pick up my mom for outings-----are you believing this? Actually, Lynn rides her bike to Mom's house and they use her car to run errands, etc.

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Last night Lynn and Mom went to Sheboygan to see little Gabriel in his very first VBS program. He just loved VBS! I can only imagine how much he's going to love attending preschool starting next month. Wait until Christine sees what a big boy he's gotten to be! The first time she met him, he was a tiny baby, and Christine, not usually a baby-lover, fell head overheels in love with Gaby Baby! Four years goes by quickly, doesn't it?

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Tommy and Linda have purchased a new home and will be moving soon. I hope that she won't be so busy with packing and moving that she can't go and play........my lower lip is sticking out right now, just thinking about it! They bought a ranch-style home near Lutheran High and I teased her about transferring membership to Grace from First German. I guess Tom threw out the same idea but she shot down the idea immediately. Of course, I was kidding, since she is just two years short of celebrating 25 years in the Church Secretary's Union. And we thought 4 years went by quickly????

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Our favorite story about her church secretary days at F. G. begins when my former spouse was Treasurer and 'we' had the job of counting the loose plate offerings. In those days, the money was counted at home and took the money to the bank ourselves. After making the deposit on Monday morning, I'd take the receipt and bank bag to church. Of course, I couldn't NOT talk with Linda, could I?

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At one point I was feeling quite draggy, had this hanging-on cough and cold (this was winter!), never feeling rested, tired as could be. Linda was concerned and thought I should see the doctor about it. Well, in late January, after attending the Builders' Convention in TX, my former spouse, who exhibited similar symptoms and had felt sick on our trip, went to the doctor and was told he had bronchitis. He suggested I get checked out, too. Long story short, the tests came back positive for something other than bronchitis and in July, Justin was born!!!!!! I like to tell Justin he's been to the Alamo and San Antonio river walk, but just didn't know it!

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So, Manitowoc, you've been warned!!!! Kim, Kim, Kim is coming home!!!