Be There or Be Square!

What a wonderful morning we had with Aunt Debbie! She greeted us with:

homeade cheese biscuits (prettier than Paula Deen's pictured here!)

brown sugared ham

strawberries with yogurt

and

a coffee bar

WHAT FUN!! This is how EVERY Saturday should be! The weather has been glorious so we sat on her screened-in porch chatting while Davis played with the fireplace dragon. Don't ask.

Many thanks, Aunt Debbie! I hate that Adam and I will be out of town next Saturday! Maybe I can host the next one!!

Just bought a camper

Hi all you wonderful Waltrip's and married nieces,

Kevin and I just bought a camper. We pick it up Friday. It is a hard sided camper that has a queen bed three bunk beds and a sofa and dinette that go into beds. The sofa and dinette area slides out to give more living space. It's about 29 feet long. It has a kitchen and bathroom. Basically, a house on wheels. It's also considered a second home so it's tax deductible. GREAT!! Anyway, we are going to have to do a lot more camping. I can't wait.

Kevin is still out of town most of the time. He was in town this week and totally messed up our routing ( the kids and I). He will be out of town for atleast 3 weeks in October. Mostly in Penn. and NY.

The boys are good. Eli has been placed in an extra reading program to give him more instruction with reading. He is struggling somewhat. Caleb is doing fine with school. He doesn't like all the homework. He also thinks that he may want to quit the sax. I told him he had to pay me $100.00 for the money I've already put into the rental and books, etc. He's since changed his mind.

Well, I hope all is well with all you mountain folk. We miss you guys. Love you, Jennie and The Boys

Bossy & Roooaaaarrrrrr

Mary Fowler was the snack helper today. She very much enjoys being the leader! I have no idea WHO she gets that from?

Davis loves his new Halloween costume! Yeah! Maybe one of my children will actually dress up for the occasion! He really didn't want to take it off because it's so nice and soft and he can G-R-O-W-L while wearing it!!

Where are they now?

I am posting this picture to "encourage" Kevin (Jennie) to send more info. This picture from Thanksgiving 2006. As you can see from the background, it was a dreary, wet holiday. We could use some of that now! Seriously, would love news of the boys (music lessons? cub scouts? girlfriends?) They might be amused to hear the stories of their teacher cousins (edited, of course!). Hope Kevin isn't having to travel as much. Can you remind us of your holiday plans for this year?

I have been having lots of RLS (restless leg syndrome for the uninformed - tho' I know I have told all ya'll about it!). Can't seem to remember to take the go-to-sleep medicine until the fidgets have me jumping & jivin'. The other night I couldn't figure out why the pill wasn't working, after several hours, said "What the hell?" and took another, or so I thought...discovered the first pill lying on the counter next a.m. - I had gotten it out and in my distress put it down & forgot to take it! Other than that (oh, and the excema!) I am doing well and looking forward to seeing the women-folk (you know who you are) on Saturday a.m. for "coffee".

Am so loving reading about my dear family.

Visiting Daddy

It's another hot fall day (isn't that an oxymoron? is that spelled right?) Daddy took me out to lunch at Olde Virginia Barbeque. We couldn't decide between the BBQ sandwich & the Buffalo Burger, so we got one of each and split them. We both tasted the burger, then the BBQ, then ate all the BBQ while talking about the burger - "So what do you think of buffalo meat?" "Oh, it's good." "Yep, it's good." "Yeah, it's pretty good, just like hamburger." "Uh-huh, if you don't think 'buffalo' it's like hamburger." We ate a few bites, didn't look at each other, didn't talk, acted full and left! Then we went to Kroger for milk & took the scenic route home. Next time we'll probably both get the BBQ...

Teachers of America, Unite!

I, too, could use Grandmother's "evil eye," Pacie! And possibly some help for what to do when a student responds to a unit test question about Du Bois's conception of the "veil" with a reference to "baby cow meat." Sigh. I feel like a failure some days.

Meanwhile, I decided to try eHarmony.com and have been laughing ever since! These people are psycho! One of the guys, on his "introductory profile," claimed that his top three favorite things were -- eating a gourmet meal, cooked by you; watching t.v.; and making love on the sofa. Nice. How do these loonies survive? THAT'S your introduction to new people?? Maybe I don't belong on eHarmony. I realize that I am loony, but not advertiser-of-sofa-porn loony. Also have been dating some guys who actually exist (and, apparently, do not require a gourmet slave cook or routine couch sex), and that has been interesting, too. I'm tired of being told I'm "intriguing". I KNOW that that is just another word for crazy.

In other news, this weekend, Kiere and I are puppy-sitting for a friend who is going out of town. I realized how far I still have to go in life when Kim gave me the orientation to her washer and drier. These things are like spaceships -- alive with all these penetrating blue lights and a million different options that blink at you like alien code, and when Kim pushed the "play" button on the washer, I swear I thought it was going to lift off to Mars. Yeah. I am still walking down apartment complex stairs past my drunken neighbor across the way (who always leaves her door open just to torment Kiere who can't get to her) to get to a communal washer that requires a pre-paid laundry card before it will pretend to clean your clothes. Meanwhile, I told Kim that house-sitting for her was going to be a big freakin' vacation for me -- like going to a bed and breakfast or a chateau or something. They have a solar-powered fountain in their backyard. Kim chilled some expensive wine for me to drink while I stay over there (because they don't drink white wine . . .) Yes. And I have $1.00 apiece t.v. dinners, and dead plants in my balcony flower box.

(laughing)

I do have some photographs up on the walls, and I do like my new place, though it doesn't compare to some of my friends' set-ups. The neighborhood is lovely, and I'm close enough to the big arroyo that runs through Santa Fe to walk Kiere there -- it's my favorite place to be. It's worth a million drunk neighbors and a hundred trips to the lousy washing machine room downstairs. Last week, a coyote crossed the arroyo right in front of us. We also see quail and other strange birds, and squirrels that live in holes in the ground. The train goes across it if we go just as the sun is setting, and it's so lonely and beautiful and whole there. It makes me feel that everything in life must be connected.

I guess I really am starting over . . . except for school, which seems to have been going on for YEARS -- how many weeks have we really been working, anyway?

Take care everyone -- I'll be on holiday at Kim's house until Sun.

love,
em

Don't You Just Love Mondays?

Hi everyone!
This is my first time writing on a blog, though I have enjoyed reading many hilarious postings from Livi's blog! Thanks Aunt Debbie for setting this up!
I hope everyone is doing well, and I miss you guys! School is back in full force and today has been a long day...but after changing my kids' seating arrangement for the second time in 3 weeks, I am hoping for a less talkative day tomorrow in class! I have quite a different group from last year, they completely wear me out! I have never had a group that will continue talking to their friend even when I am looking right at them! Guess there is a first time for everything. I have had to lay down the law more than a few times. Brian says that I must be a mean teacher since all the stories I have told him recently are about disciplining the kids.:-) I think someone told me once not to smile and play around with the kids until after Christmas-I might have to actually do that this year to make sure the kids know how to behave:-)ha ha
Oh, and I am still getting used to my new last name..."Mrs. Jalbert"! Something I don't always respond to...I usually think Brian's mom is nearby:-) I do still respond to Miss Cullather, but I have more frequently called myself Mrs. Cu-Jalbert. Word on the street is that some of the kids call me Mrs. Jabber and Mrs. Jullather....it's okay, I suppose there could be worse names:-) I tell everyone I am having an identity crisis....it's true, I had hoped for a shorter last name, and now that I have one, I'm not sure I like it as much-ha ha! I am still trying to implement the French way of saying Jalbert-Mrs. "Jahl-bear". I think it has a little better ring to it! :-)
Anyway, hope everyone is well!
Love you guys!
Lynn:-)

The Tribe Went Down to Blacksburg

Woe is me...we spent a really hot afternoon in Lane Stadium only to see William & Mary bite the dust: 44 to 3!! But, while the game was hard to watch, the pre- and post-tailgate was fun. There was so much food (most of it meat! every variety, smoked, grilled, roasted, barbequed!)...I personally took Emily's famous mango salsa and an artichoke quiche (sort of took the vegetarian route). We were guests of old friends Joe & Linda (they share ownership of a little house they rent to Tech students, but they have semi-finished the basement so they have a tiny apartment there also). Best part is the short walk to the stadium...I was absolutely amazed at the size of the stadium and all the maroon & orange! What a sight. I admit to being impressed, even though I wished for a better outcome for poor W & M.

Tomorrow after church, a visit to Dad. Then...it's Monday again!

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

We're already excited for Christmas!! I wanted to post the family giving list so I always know where to find it!

• ADAM GIVES TO MIKE
  
• BEN GIVES TO GENE
  
• BRIAN GIVES TO DEBBIE
  
• DAN GIVES TO EMILY
  
• DANIELLE GIVES TO JEAN
  
• DEBBIE GIVES TO ADAM
  
• EMILY GIVES TO BRIAN
  
• GENE GIVES TO DAN
  
• KATIE GIVES TO LYNN
  
• KEITH GIVES TO KATIE
  
• KELLY GIVES TO PACIE
  
• KEVIN GIVES TO KEITH
  
• JEAN GIVES TO KELLY
  
• JENNIE GIVES TO VICKI
  
• LIVI GIVES TO DANIELLE
  
• LYNN GIVES TO JENNIE
  
• MIKE GIVES TO LIVI
  
• PACIE GIVES TO BEN
• VICKI GIVES TO KEVIN

Davis Is In!!

Woo hoo! I am sorry for the delay! I had to figure some things out but I finally found aunt Debbie's original email and we're in!!

Adam and Mary Fowler just left for the VA Tech football game and mom and I are having coffee with Davis waiting for Deeledee (Kelly) just wishin' and hopin' that everyone would join us for coffee EVERY Saturday morning! Open invitation!! Just don't come before 9am or you might have to brew the coffee yourself!

I think this is SO FUN, aunt Debbie!! Even better than your itchy mama!! Oh, and by the way, I have a girlfriend whose son has Eczema and she doesn't let him eat Gluten products and that keeps it under control. Maybe worth a try??

Well, Davis is getting restless to play in the basement. Love everyone! Check back later!!

News from Rocky Mount

Kelly.....I tried your suggestion and I couldn't get it to work so I found a help button and it said the same thing you did (You're so smart!) but it still didn't work so I am typing the dang thing again!

Dad is doing well. It's probably all of the attention he's getting! Yesterday (9/19) he went out the give the dogs a treat from the "white box" from his lunch with Vicki and Misty came right away but T had managed to get out of the fence. Of course T recognized the "white box" and came right away.

Since the weather has been gorgeous, Dad stayed out with his hounds to make sure they didn't escape but he stayed out a little too long without his oxygen and fell. He's fine but bruised up his entire arem and scraped his knee. Mike and I went over last night to check out the fence and realized the bottom of most of the fence had been damaged...we think due to weedwacking. The doggies are staying at the Pet Hotel (Vet) until we can repair the fence. If you get a chance, give Dad a call because he might be lonely with out Mom and his hounds.

Love you all.......Pacie & Mike

PS...The fence was repaired last night so I am going to pick up the hounds after work today.

One More Sister

These good-looking people are Pacie and Mike. Picture taken in Vicki's kitchen at Easter this year. Pacie works way too hard as an assistant controller (right, Pace?), besides being our Dad's right hand girl! Pacie and Mike are known for bringing the best wine to any family gathering. I think it's time for a family gathering now! (and Pace, you should just drink more wine!)
The blog is really growing. Thanks to all for participating. I expect Dad (Gene) will check it out frequently - I certainly do, and was so excited to see my daughter, Emily, had finally tried it out. Good for you, Em.
Still looking for Livi, Lynn and Keith.....
Ok - somebody pick an October weekend for birthday celebrations. Jeannie returns on Oct. 7th.

Where are the students when I need them?

To help me figure out how to work this daggone blogger!

Kiere, smelling of disgusting wet dog, has decided she has to be in this chair with me while I write. I have only four towels (all white, of course, which makes it even worse), and I am bitter that she has now dogged all over one of them, but at least it doesn't rain TOO often out here, so probably after today I can have the towel back for a while.

I miss you all and am sending you the smell of sage, NOT the smell of wet schnauzer.

love you!

I finally checked on some of the places mom suggested for Thanksgiving. We were trying to go somewhere a little closer if we weren't going to Nagshead (which I still don't know if dad wants to do that or something else at this point), but regardless, I'm checking.

The Homestead is totally booked that week. I am sure it would've been fairly expensive, but had to check because Adam and Livi always say how beautiful it is.

http://bidavilla.com/SearchResults.aspx?uxWhere=myrtle+beach&uxPropertyType=&uxMinimumRate=&uxMaximumRate=&uxSleeps=&uxArrivalDate=&uxDepartureDate=&gclid=CIeus5vm0o4CFQSOFQodI03vAg
This is a link to rent homes in Myrtle Beach. There were a lot to choose from and prices seemed reasonable. Thought this way if anyone still wanted to have the beach around them, this would do it!

If anyone has any suggestions they would like me to look into, I'd be glad to do it. What does everyone want to do??

Answers

Since apparently no one is going to answer Livi and Mike and Pacie's questions, I figured I'd try! :)

1. I had some trouble with my first post also but somehow figured it out. I think if you have your post saved as a draft you can go to "Edit Posts" on the top of the screen. You will be able to see the status of everyone's posts. Click on "edit" (which is on the left side of the title of your post) and go back to the "compose" screen and then click on "publish post" if you're done.

2. Once you are on the actual blog, you can click on "comments" underneath the post and on the right it will tell give you a place to type in a comment.

3. Livi, I had to go back to the e-mail that Aunt Debbie sent me to sign in to THIS blog. I had no trouble creating my own (didn't mean to do that) but I had to go through her e-mail to join the "Waltrip" blog.

Hope this helps!

We're waiting for some good news!

I think this is going to be fun. Especially after I get my Dogs back from the vet. I hope we can get the fence usable by tonight. Gene & Vicki will try to get some corn for the deer today.(I mean if we can log onto this blog we can surely get some corn!) We are continually waiting for Livi to get on the blog because I want to talk to Davis. I want to sell the big sailboat - 16.2 feet, cut-rate price, EXCELLENT condition (it's made by Catalina,the name of the boat is Capri), self-bailing, and has a furled jib.. It's in the winter wrappings now, because it wasn't used this summer at all, but I can take those off in a minute. 3.2 auxilliary out board motor also in excellent condition. Everything is ready to go!

How the Heck do I .....

Ok I've written a blog entry but somehow I managed to get it into Draft and I can't figure out how to get it posted! Also how did you guys do comments?

Catching Up

Well, I believe I may have a bit of my grandfather's syndrome regarding setting up this Google account. :) I finally talked to mom and she assured me there is no need to worry about creating the account. So...here I am. I am very excited about this blog and I have enjoyed reading everyone's entries! What a great way to keep everyone up to date about what's going on.

I had Lasik surgery last Thursday (the 13th) and it was much easier than expected. I went to my post-op appointment Friday morning and had 20/20 vision in each eye separately!! I couldn't believe the day after surgery how well I could see! My only complaint about the whole thing would be the fact that I had some hemorrhaging in my eyes from the suctions (they use these to hold the eye in place). It is not painful at all but it looks like I was hit in the eye (actually the guy at Blockbuster asked me if I had been)! The doctor said it should clear up in a week or two but he didn't recommend taking any family photos anytime soon. And since Livi finally got me to join Junior League, I was thrilled to know that we were supposed to get our photos for the yearbook taken last night at our Membership Meeting! Luckily, the photographer was very nice and told me he would try to "white it out" of the picture before it went in the yearbook. How thoughtful!

Junior League has been a lot more fun than I ever thought it would be. Thank you Livi for making me do this!! I'm in the New Member Class this year and we have 38 girls (which is a lot). We have 4 projects we are working on right now and I am actually having fun planning! I have met so many nice girls and run into people I already knew and have been able to catch up with them. This is all after our Kick-Off, one committee meeting at Starbucks (very fun) and our General Membership meeting last night (which Livi didn't make it to because she's in D.C. with Adam). Mary Fowler's favorite babysitter and her sister are also in the New Member Class with me.


Well, I've rambled but do feel like I've caught everyone up at the moment. :) I absolutely think we need to get together soon. I don't think we've had a family dinner in several months! Come on guys, I thought we were supposed to make up reasons to get together once a month!! Anyway, I guess Katie is supposed to be back soon so let's plan! Also, I told mom I would look for location ideas for the Thanksgiving trip. I will let everyone know what I find out. Love you all! Sorry for the long entry!

We're In!!

I should say "Hello Everyone"? Yes, that's one great quote from my (and most of my family's) favorite movie, " National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." Sometimes I think we live that show... I'm very excited about this blog and can't believe I figured out how to join AND write a note! You just don't know how computer-illiterate I am. I spent part of today with my wonderful dad, Gene. He is so smart and funny. I really had a great time. We ate lunch at the Fisherman's Galley which has good seafood & lots of it for not a lot of money. Of course, Dad convinced me to contribute some of it to a white styrofoam box for The Dogs...(like I said, good thing you get LOTS of food). Well, I didn't think I'd have much to write on this blog, but I think I'd better shut up and give someone else a chance to express herself. Debbie, thanks for creating this interesting & useful computer newsletter. I love you all and hope you & your families are well & feeling GREAT!

The Main Man

That good-looking man in the cap is "Daddy" (Gene). He recently celebrated his 80th birthday and is as handsome as ever! Notice that he's wearing a Baltimore Orioles Baseball cap (he's a big fan!) - we have a bit of a rivalry since we have some Boston Red Sox connections! His companion is Ben (Debbie's husband and the main BoSox fan). This picture was taken at Vicki's house on Easter 2007.

Hopefully we will get together sometime in October to celebrate one of the many birthdays that month: Danielle (5th), Kevin (7th), Keith (13th), Katie (24th), and Pacie (31st) . If I've missed anyone, let me know.

Pictures of other team members will be posted as we go along. Please feel free to post pictures, add video or audio as you are able (I don't know how to do all that).

Hello All

Well, I finally read my e-mail. I decided to see what this was all about. I've never heard of the blog before today. Kevin is in Pennsylvania AGAIN! I'm not sure if I like this new position. We still don't know exactly what the position is since Steritech won't tell Kevin. Anyway, he is out of town every week. Kind of makes me a single mom I guess. The boys are back in school and Cub Scouts. Needless to say we have been busy. Caleb has also decided to play the alto sax. I hope he really is interested, they aren't cheap. Other than that we've just been working and enjoying the nice weather. And Kevin is counting down the days until hunting season. I hope all is well with everyone. Love you all.

Fraidy Cats?

Way to go, Katie & Pacie! I am so excited that you are active team members. What's up with the rest of you guys?? Come onnnnn - I really think this could be fun.
Today, had a neurologist appointment - yike! Just trying to figure out how to manage medicine so that I don't have the "fidgets" during the day (especially at work...it's about impossible to use the computer if you cannot sit still for 30 seconds!). The good news, my blood pressure was way normal! I think Jeannie was leaving today for two days in Detroit; catching up with her girlfriend, before heading to Europe (I know she's going to Prague). She should be back in Virginia October 7th. If you guys know what's good for you, you'll call our Dad so he doesn't get too lonely. I'll be seeing him on Sunday when I'll try to hook him up to this blog.
Ben and I will be in Blacksburg Saturday for the "big" W&M - VA Tech game. Yeah, it will be tough to sit through - maybe I'll have a bad bout of restless legs!
Looking forward to Katie's return to the south at the beginning of October. I know she's enjoying Boston for a couple weeks without the pressure of school and fall in New England is just spectacular! But, Katie, we are so excited!!

Part of the Clan

Brothers & sisters, Keith, Debbie, Vicki & Kevin (missing Pacie!)

Fall Saturday Welcome

It's a beautiful day in the valley. The first day after a wonderful soaking rain (much needed) and a decided chill in the air. I have enjoyed spending the last 2 Saturdays with Dad, helping him change his internet provider information, and sharing a little of Jeannie's excitement about her upcoming trip to Europe.
It's also a great time to begin this "blog adventure". I am a true novice - Livi is an old "pro" and Emily has lots of web design experience - so I hope the rest of you will all at least give this a try.
Ben and I are off to the plant nursery to spend a "found" gift certificate which expires in a few days - what fun!
Hope you are all enjoying the weekend.