Lila Here

I'm feeling very Lila today, must be spring. Or just Abbie's Hello message yesterday; I've easily influenced. Thanks for reminding me of my alter-ego, Sweetie, I seldom let her out in public, this week, I will. I'm for sure taking her along to Dauphin Island with me on Friday.
This week, once again, I've realized how blessed my family is. We have had so many friends facing down cancer lately many for a repeat visit. I urge everyone to pray this dreadful disease will be defeated soon. No one seems immune, regardless of one lifestyle. So many innocent children suffering such pain. Makes me ashamed to whine about anything in my life.
Stephen King and I have survived our empty nest for once again. Life goes on; Courtney arrived safe and sound in Oz and loves it already. She has called urging us to plan a summer trip downunder. He's ready to go, I will need more time to consider being that long in the air, over the ocean, no way out. I probably won't be going soon. She has posted some pix on her blog and she and Ken, her host, are going to Caloundra for this week to sightsee & visit family. It is a resort area up the coast from Brisbane. We all grew up on tales of Brisbane and the surrounding country from our cousin Edna, a war bride. She always made her homeland sound like paradise. That and her fascinating accent made all of us girls want to go to Oz. Ken is Edna's nephew and has visited Orange County many times over the years. He and Courtney have always been friends. So she will not be on her own too much. Makes me feel better about the whole trip.
Connie and I are taking off on Friday and driving to Greenville AL. for the night. The others will come down after school and get there late into the night, I've found that is too tiring for me. I have to sleep all day Sunday unless I get rest on Friday night. Vacation days are too precious to spend asleep. Connie has a convertible and the last couple of trips we have started out Saturday morning with the top down, now that is a vacation starter for sure. When you girls get older and your kiddos are grown, I hope you take vacations with friends. Although the friends going with me are young, 2 in their twenties, 2 in their thirties and Connie who is 10 years younger than me...enough said. I'm so blessed to have all you young people in my life. I do enjoy being part of yours.
Janelle, I want to see the girls in those hats, I do hope they get to wear them before it gets too warm. I'm having Veronica make one for a May newborn in a light weight yarn. I think they are so precious. Much better than those strange headbands. Stephen King would not allow our grand daughters to wear those things. He used to take them off of Mackenzie and hide them from Shawn. They weren't around for our kids, much like Pampers and baby wipes and onesies. I still prefer cloth diapers on babies, but the plastic coverups were terrible. I saw some new versions on a natural clothing website, they looked soft and comfy. Would you like some for Olivia? Or Annie? Don't want to wash diapers? I cannot blame you, there is nothing fun in that except hanging them on the clothes line and watching them blow in the sunshine. I used to love that. But I used to make our bread and crackers, too. Maybe I was alittle odd?
Has spring come to the North? I saw a big rain had done some flooding up there. We have dodged storms lately, damaging winds north and south of us last week. It will be interesing to see if the Valley can avoid major flooding this spring. Hey, the WaterPark has opened, lots of traffic on Friday, I haven't been in town since, but they were booked for the weekend and expect a strong spring break. I hope it is successful. The economy is hard on this area, all industry is struggling, if not closed. The casino seems to be doing OK, but the resorts are empty alot. The Pete Dye course opens later this spring, it should draw in lots of retired old men and their wives. I wish we had some shopping venues to draw their $$$$$. The hotels have nice shops, but the community has nada. Everyone is afraid to invest in a small business venture here/now. I'd love to open a quilt/book/sandwich shop, but have neither time nor money.
We should plan a get-to-gether this summer, with the lake and waterpark your husbands and kids could have a blast. We could just hang out in the vinery and bars, snacking and drinking, hehehe. Really, I'd love it. No bars, maybe the Vinery for a nice lunch. And a giant cook-out at my house!!!
Your comments on FaceBook entertain me; Staci, have your eyebrows relaxed yet? I could just see what you meant. But in general, I still don't care for FB. Too, too something. And those portfolios, I don't know if it is worth the effort for me or not. I'm so tired of doing the work and getting shafted, but if I would get "credentialed" then I'd need it. Of course, we had so much guidance on the whole portfolio issue, it should be a snap, right, Gaggle?
Do you know any fat old lady who has been successful at losing weight? I need inspiration. Not from young people, from someone like me. Tired, out of shape, gray all over. I intend to start walking on the beach in AL, but that is only a week and I'm sooooo out of shape my walks may be 10 yards at a time. In my next life I want to be an athletic type, not a bookish couch potato, please.
Anna, any job prospects? I liked the WalMart comment, but I think you can do better than that. SteinMart at least. Any counselors retiring in your area? You'll find it, I know. You can always pull something out at the last minute, Girl. Just like a paper or portfolio.
Everyone take good care and have a great week. I'll try to post from way down south next weekend. Love, Lila