Dog News

Last weekend we visited the kids in Cary. A most entertaining part of the visit were the two labs, River and Sydney. Below they are playing the ancient game of tug 'o war. It appeared that neither dog was going to give in. Jason finally called a halt to the competition since there was a danger that tooth damage would ensue if this kept up. These dogs are adorable and we loved playing with them.

Today I had an appointment at a new hair salon in town. When I walked in I was greeted by Elvis, the salon mascot who happens to be an adorable, tiny Chihuahua - my favorite breed. I instantly knew I was gonna love this place.

I was able to snap a cell phone photo of Elvis sitting on my lap ... napping ... while my hairdresser worked on my locks.

His rhinestone collar was gorgeous as were his beautiful brown eyes and tan fur. Elvis lives.

Word's Out

May Celebrations

Friends celebrating with the three birthday ladies.

Vicki and Chris celebrating our birthdays at friend, Lorraine's, house.

A family birthday celebration for Grandma.

End of the year brunch for our Bible Study class.

Hollie's graduation

Summer's Here

This is how we're spending our Memorial weekend. It's hot here.

Enjoy your day!

My (fantasy) Guest Appearance on Dr. Phil

Setting: stage of the Dr. Phil show. The topic is relationships between sisters.

Dr. Phil: Today's guest is Peggy. She has agreed to be on our show and discuss her relationship with her sister. Peggy, thanks for being with us today.

Me: Thank you, Dr. Phil. I'm honored to be here. I recently made an appearance on Oprah. I really dig this talk show circuit.

Dr. Phil: Oprah is small potatoes compared to me. You've hit the big time now. Tell me, Peggy, have you always had a good relationship with your sister?

Me: Oh yes, we've always been close. Sure, we've had our sibling spats while growing up, but we've always been best friends as well as sisters.

Dr. Phil: Tell us more about the spats.

Me: Well, my sister has naturally curly hair and mine is as straight as a board. I always envied her curls. One time I couldn't find my jumbo pink foam curlers. I later discovered they had been hidden in the attic. I knew she was the culprit.

Dr. Phil: In the attic? That's a strange place to hide curlers. Anything else?

Me: Yes. My sister and I shared a small bedroom when we were growing up. She told me that there was an invisible line drawn down the middle of the room separating my space and her space. She warned me that if I ever crossed that line into her space that I would be in big trouble.

Dr. Phil: Did you ever cross the invisible line?

Me: I'm afraid so. I start to tremble. I crossed over the line one time when she wasn't home. A few seconds later the sky became dark, a huge thunderstorm broke out and a lightning bolt struck the bedroom window. The audience is gasping, Dr. Phil looks stunned.

Dr. Phil: Wow! Peggy, it sounds like your sister has an electrifying personality.

Me: Indeed she does. She lights up the room every time she walks in.

Dr. Phil: Is there anything you would like to say to your sister right now?

Me: Yes. Chris, you are the best of both - sister and friend. Happy Birthday!

The audience is standing and cheering. Confetti and balloons are dropping from the ceiling. Dr. Phil is nodding his head in affirmation.

Remodeling--Complete

Before

During

After

Survey

We should be receiving ours within a week or so. Yea! I can buy more shoes. More clothes. More costume jewelry. Tammi will get the new bikini she's been wanting. This will stimulate the economy.

However, the bookkeeper has informed me that our check is tagged for debt reduction. Boo.

How will you spend your stimulus check?

RAIN

This was the show we attended a couple of weeks ago. Whistle Down the Wind was the musical that had been scheduled. However, they closed down their run before coming to Dallas. RAIN was then chosen to fill in. We didn't know what to expect when we attended but I can say now it was a fabulous experience. The four guys took on the appearance of the Fab Four, played so o o o many of their songs and were fantastic--you actually thought you were listening to the Beatles. You can go to their website to get more info about the group and even listen to them--or is it the Beatles??--hard to tell the difference! If the group ever comes to a place near you, we highly recommend you experience the show. Dallas audiences at the musicals are fairly conservative but this group had everyone on their feet, clapping, waving, and singing along.

Hollie--part 2

After reading Hollie's wonderful paper on her volunteer work, I was reminded of a long ago letter she sent her cousin, Missy, who was in college. The postmark is dated 11-4-96. That would put her, as she says in her letter, in first grade. John told us in a note with the letter that Hollie got up in the recliner and wrote this on her own. As you can see she did a wonderful job for a beginning first grader and has certainly progressed through the years. On Monday, May 19, she will graduate from 12th grade and certainly seems prepared for a bright future in college!

Congratulations, Hollie

Caught On Camera

And what sort of deposit do you suppose they require?

Hollie in the news

Hollie made it in Sunday's local newspaper. Click below to see it. We're all doing well. Busy as ever with Hollie graduating and Aaron and Sarah Kate wrapping up school for the year. Looking forward to seeing everyone next month. http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805090358

The Bird Still Sings

Mother's Day was approaching in May of 1975. Mom was in the hospital. By this time we were all fairly certain she would not recover from the lymphoma. This would be the last Mother's Day that I would see her. I was at a loss as to what gift to give.

I was in a Hallmark store and noticed the bird figurine on the shelf. It played music. When I wound the stem on the bottom I recognized the tune "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". I bought it right away.

When I gave it to her that Mother's Day she smiled when she opened it. I could tell she liked it. She wound the stem and said "oh, the bird sings too". A nurse walked in later and admired the figurine. Mom pointed to me and said "that little girl gave this to me" even though I was 26 years old. Then Mom and I looked at each other and started laughing.

She died the next month. Today the bird sits in my foyer on a table. Once in a great while I will wind the stem and listen to the tune and remember that day.

Sunshine Trip Recap

Graduation ceremony at USF, Tampa. Will receives his degree.





A drive south brought us to the beautiful beaches of Sanibel Island.








Cheers! From a box, no less.







Small treasures found.

Sun setting behind the Sanibel Island lighthouse. Breathtaking.

Bye for now.

Teacher Of The Year

Missy was chosen Teacher of the Year by the staff of her school, Loreta Hickey Elementary.

This Thursday evening we will go to a banquet that will honor all 68 of the district schools' teachers of the year. After each of these teachers wrote a paper and were interviewed by a committee, Superintendent Doug Otto will announce at the banquet Plano's one elementary and one secondary teacher of the year who will represent the district at the state level. Needless to say, we are very proud of Missy and her accomplishments in her career. She is a super teacher and wonderful daughter. Here is a picture of Missy and her team members; and below is a picture of Mrs. Loreta Hickey for whom the school was named.

Sue Renshaw, Loreta Hickey, and Chris at a surprise birthday party for dear friend Sue.

A bit of trivia: Loreta Hickey's son is actor John Benjamin Hickey. Beside stage, he has played characters in many tv programs and if you saw the fabulous movie, Flags of our Father, (about the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima) John played the part of Keyes Beech.

Life Is Good

Mel and I are still working hard at this retirement job!

Tyler, TX this past week.

School Daze

Here is Will's kindergarten school picture in 1987.

This Saturday evening, almost 21 years later, he will receive his Masters Degree in Applied Anthropology from USF in Tampa. We'll be there to watch the ceremony. I'm so excited about it all. Notice the white button down shirt. Some things never go out of style. Stay tuned for graduation pictures coming soon.