What a Difference a Few Days Makes....

Here is a photo rundown of Mr. Ken's visit to the hospital. Day two--Wednesday: Sporting a fashionable hospital gown. "Drink that water, it's good for you." Dinner is served! Mr Ken posing with one of "his girls." He had soo many girls wrapped around his finger----oh boy!

Day Five--Saturday:

Reading one of his cards.

Today--Memorial Day:

He is HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ken is doing well enough to come home

according to his Doctor's. Recovery will

take some time but he's on that road.

He'll be home at least this week and

then we'll see where we go from there.

You'll be hearing from him soon but for

now, thank you again for your thoughts

and prayers. Please keep them coming,

we still need them! :)

~Keep on Dreaming~

Friday Finishes

As the pic above says---"Woo-Hoo! AND from one of Alice Cooper's songs--"SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER! Yea! Yea! Can you say-- "YEA!" I'm soooo happy I may have to do a "happy dance."

Update on the Mr. Engineer. He is still being held

captive at the hospital. He has had one minor

procedure and major surgery. The major one

involved his kidneys. They had stones in them.

The Dr. worked on the left one and Ken will

go to outpatient for the right one.

He still has the bloodclot but it is slowly going

away, now we need to get the kidneys to behave.

What a creative way to start summer!

Ken asked that I pass on to YOU his thanks

for all the nice comments and prayers. He

really appreciates them. If you could keep

them coming that would be great! THANKS

from me too!

Happy Memorial Day weekend to you and your

family!

Please remember those who have passed

on trying to keep us safe and keep those men and

women who continue to fight for our safety in

your prayers.

Have fun with your families, get out and enjoy

the weather and be safe!

~Keep on Dreaming~

The Dreaded Hospital

Well folks, I have to tell you that "The Boy"

is in the hospital. Without going into ALL the

details I'll just say that he has a blood clot

from the groin to his ankle in his left leg

and his kidneys are misbehaving too.

You go to the ER for one thing and you get

more than you bargain for.

He is doing ok-- still a little fearful of the

outcome but trying to stay positive--I really

think both issues are manageable and that

he'll be home Thursday as they predicted.

I really hate brining this to you but I know

you will help us get through this trying time.

Please say a little prayer for us. We'd really

appreciate it. :)

I won't be in as much but I'll keep you

posted.

Thanks so much!

~Keep on Dreaming~

Sale of the Century...NOT :)

Today was a beautiful Spring day full of sunshine and a wind from the wild side. But it beat all the rain we've had over the last few weeks. Our neighborhood had their Spring garage sales. Ken and I decided to get rid of some of the stuff we had that was just hanging out here. At 7:15 am after being up late last night setting up we got moving --setting the wheels in motion for our sale. The madness began at 8:30 ish when we opened the garage door. I remember to take pictures after our "power lunch" from McDonald's---you can see our drinks in the picture above. :) Of course that would be the time EVERYONE would decide to stop by.

A couple of pictures showing the layout of our sale.

We were lucky enough to be outside all day and

have a nice amount of shade to hang out in while

waiting for customers. The coffee table (see below)

sold and Ken was so excited since no one looked

at it the last time we had a sale.

The best part was that a young couple bought it

for their new apartment which the ink was barely

dry on the contract. It's always nice when you

know your stuff will be appreciated!

Here we have the main "sale dude" complete

with his pink wool cap and loofa. This was his

acctracting customers ensemble. Now if you

were driving by, you would stop if you saw him?

Right???

New sale strategy--"Fill a bag for $5.00. We had

one taker. Ken does the hat better than I--I think.

All in all it was a productive day. We made a little

"fun money" and got rid of a few things.

Now all we have to do is bag it up and get it ready

for the charity truck to pick up on Monday. The

sale coordinator set this up for those of us who

were in giving our leftovers to charity. One less

thing for us to do. YEA!

~Keep on Dreaming~

Simple Things ....

The calendar page for this month says....

Some of the simple things I enjoy are.....

1--Summer Break from school---4 1/2 days with kids left! 2--Reading a good book. 3--Taking a walk outside. 4--A delicious glass of iced tea. 5--Summer salads. 6--Quiet time after work. 7--Visiting my blog friends. 8--Listening to the birds sing. 9--A gentle rain ( but we've had enough :0) 10--Of course spending time with Mr. Ken! I'm sure I could think of many more but....... What are some simple things you enjoy? ~Keep on Dreaming~

It's FRIDAY ! ! !

Good Evening Friends: We have arrived at the end of another week! Hurray! Hope yours was good one. Today was our LAST field trip of the year! YEA! We took three special needs classes to the park and went "camping." This trip is set up each year by our adaptive PE teacher. She really gets into this each year. Oh, boy. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Some of the activities to choose from were: Tent assembly Lawn games A "nature hike" (complete with binoculars) Playground fun A picnic (everyone brought a sack lunch) Fishing (with REAL poles AND WORMS) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After lunch my buddy decided that fishing was his activity of choice. Now, let me insert here that I am NOT a "fisher- woman" by any means. We tried for awhile and got one nibble but he got away. After a very long day everyone boarded the bus and back to school we went. All the kids had a great time. Three very tired classes arrived back at school to end the day and go home for the weekend. Believe ME, I was soooooooooo ready to go home. Have a GREAT weekend! This was a daytrip..... ~Keep on Dreaming~

Books and Stories and Characters OH MY!

Did you know????? It is THIS week. Yes it is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Children's Book Week has been celebrated

nationally since 1919. It is celebrated in

schools, homes, libraries, bookstores and

any place there are children and books.

Franklin K. Matthiews--librarian for the

Boy Scouts of America decided that books

can change lives. So in 1913 he began touring

the country to promote higher standards

in children's books. He suggested creating a

Children's Book Week. This is a time to

celebrate books and reading in classrooms,

homes, libraries and bookstores.

In 1944, the newly established Children's

Book Council assumed the duties of book

week. In 2008, "Every Child a Reader"

assumed the duties of promoting this week.

Also, in the same year book week moved from

November to May.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ideas for celebrating Children's Book Week:

1--Create your own story books.

2--Make bookmarks and pass around.

3--Create word puzzles.

4--Have a party and read books.

5--Hold a book exchange between

friends and family.

6--Donate books to a family shelter, a children's

hospital, your child's classroom/school library,

a local preschool or your Dr's office.

7--Give a book as a birthday present.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reading to or with children creates a bond

between child and adult that strengthens each

time you are together. It is also a quiet time to

spend with each other after a busy day. Read to

those you love any time you can.

I applaud my Mom for instilling in me the love

of reading. Thanks! Mom.

Just wanted to show you MY library that I use

with my kids at school. It is located on the top

shelf of a closet that I store my school stuff in.

It has "spilled" down to another area of the

closet because I have run out of room on the

shelf as you can see.

Pick up and good book and ENJOY!

~Keep on Dreaming~

Let's Play a Game

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This came to me in an email and Ken

and I had fun with it so I thought I'd

share it with you.

Rule: NO PEEKING!!!

1--Pick the number of times a week

you would like to have chocolate.

(more than once but less than 10)

2--Multiply this number by 2.

(just to be bold)

3--Add 5.

4--Multiply by 50--I'll wait till you

get the calculator.

5--If you've had your birthday already

add 1760. If not add 1759.

6--Now subtract the four digit year that

you were born.

You should have a three digit number.

The first digit of this is the first number you

chose and the next two digits are YOUR AGE!

OH YEA!

2010 is the only year it will work.

~Keep on Dreaming~

A Tribute to Mom's

Happy Mother's Day to EVERYONE! Now I realize that Everyone is not someone's biological Mom but if you are female most of us have those "Mothering" instincts. Sears has a delightful commercial right now for Mother's Day suggesting that we honor ALL the "Mother's" in our lives. It is really cute! The little girl gets something for HER Mom, Aunt, sisters, her Mom's best friend and so on. What a great suggestion Celebrating All the MOMS in our lives. I was blessed to have more than one Mom during my growing up years but I am the person I am today due to MY MOM! Here she is My Mom! She is no longer with us. It will be three years in December . I miss her each and every day. But as time presses on the pain eases. Mom was a hoot--she was funny, very open minded, loved to watch the news AND The Price is Right--with Bob Barker. The stories she would tell of her growing up years were so fun to listen to. As I said earlier-I am the person I am today because of her. When I was nine my Dad passed then she became both parents and a remarkable job she did! She was never really strict but I new the right and wrong of things. Yes, I tested her but what child doesn't? She gave me the freedom to be me andspread my wings the way I saw fit. She was there for EVERYTHING--life's up and downs, boy problems, school issues, friend disputes, graduations, job changes, and the big one MY WEDDING! Which began with me leaving the nest and moving to the big state of Kansas. I was one of those that lived at home for many reasons--Mom and I got along great and neither of us saw a reason for me to pay rent etc when I could stay at home. I'm sure some therapist would have some say about this but I didn't have too many transition issues leaving and Mom wasn't that far away. Mom came to live with us almost three years before she passed and that was a bit of a transition. But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Nor would Ken. Now those two together --OH, MY! What a hand full they could be. :) Ken was MOM'S "son" and that was it for her! Mischief makers they were. Thaks MOM for being THE BEST Mom in the world, we miss you and love you Happy Mother's Day!

Now this lady here was THE BEST

Mother-in Law a girls could have!

Ken's MOM passed almost four years

ago and is missed just as much as

my own Mom. Of course Ken misses

her more.

Janie was "old school" and I say that

with utmost respect to her. She and

Pops raised five kids in the late fifties

and early sixties. I still don't know how

they did that on one income! She was a

"stay at home" Mom, she kept a very

clean house and worked hard at keeping

Pops in line! :)

Janie wore an apron everyday and now I

have them. They are very precious to me!

Janie AND Pops did a wonderful job

raising Ken. He is the absolute gentleman.

He was not a Momma's boy but he had

that absolute respect, love and honor for

her and still does today.

Thanks ,Janie for raising a great guy and

I'm proud to call him my HUSBAND!

We love and miss you daily!

~~~~~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO

EVERYONE!!!~~~~~

~Keep on Dreaming~~~

May, May, May

May-named for Maia the Roman Goddess of spring and growth. ******************************************* Birthstone- Emerald-used to enhance mental capabilities. Flower- Lily of the Valley- Sweetness, humility and hope. Zodiac sign- Taurus The Bull-now till May 2oth Gemini The Twins--May 21- ******************************************* The Days of May-- 1- May Day/Kentucky Derby (this year) 2- National Truffles Day 3- First US Medical School opened in Philadelphia. 4- 5- Cinco-De-Mayo--chips and salsa anyone? 6- First postage stamp issued in England. 7- 8- No Socks Day 9- Mother's Day (this year) Happy Day to ALL the Mom's. 10- National Shrimp Day 11- Eat what You Want Day 12- Kite Day 13- National Apple Pie Day 14- Lewis and Clark made their trip up the Missouri River. 15- National Chocolate Chip Day/Armed Forces Day. 16- Love a Tree Day 17- First Merry-Go-Round built. 18- Rooster Day 19- Bike to Work Day 20- Amelia Earhart-first solo flight by a woman. 21- Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. 22- 23- National Taffy Day 24- 25-National Tap Dance Day 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- 31- Memorial Day (this year) ****************************************** TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH NATIONAL BBQ MONTH ****************************************** Happy Birthday to: 1- Tim McGraw-singer 2- Christine Baranski-actress 3- Doug Henning-magician 4- Audrey Hepburn-actress 5- Tammy Wynette-singer 6- George Clooney-actor 7- Gary Cooper-actor 8- Harry Truman-former President 9- Candice Bergen-actress 10- Pat Summerall-sports 11- Irving Berlin-songwriter 12- Florence Nightingale-English Nurse 13- Bea Arthur-actress 14- Cate Blanchett-actress 15- George Brett-baseball KC 16- Olga Korbut-athlete 17- Craig Ferguson-comic 18- George Strait-singer 19-Dolley Madison-former first lady 20- Cher-singer 21- Raymond Burr-actor 22- Naomi Campbell-model 23- Drew Carey-comic 24- Patti LaBelle-singer 25- Anne Heche-actress 26- Sally Ride-astronaut 27- Louis Gossett Jr.-actor 28- Glady's Knight-singer 29- JFK-former President 30- Wynonna Judd-singer 31- Is this your month to celebrate? ~Keep on Dreaming~

A Special Day

Image from Google Today is National Scrapbooking Day. National Scrapbooking Day was started in 1994 by Creative Memories and is celebrated on the first Saturday in May. Over the past decade scrapbooking has been the nation's fastest growing hobby. Much time and money is spent "scrapbooking" today. There are many stores devoted to the hobby and most craft stores have whole departments dedicated to it. But what about all the scrapbooks of the past? You know--the ones that had the paper inside and the front and back covers were tied together. These held newspaper articles, cards, pictures, ticket stubs and other things that we held on to to remember a certain event(s) in our lives.

Ken's Mom was one of those Mom's who put

together books for each of her children. The two

pictured above are the one's that Janie made for

Ken. The red one was made from birth to five

and the brown one was made through grade

school. As you can see from the picture below,

Janie kept all the cards that were received when

he was born and then she put them is this book.

I had several of these type books myself but mine

were "goobered" up in a house fire. (before Ken)

I was able to save a lot of the things in them though.

Now we have all the "fancy stuff " to make scrapbooks.

All the products are "scrapbooking " safe, so nothing

gets ruined. Most paper and clear paper sleeves are

acid free. We still have the picture corners to hold

pics, there are all types of glue, glitter and other

"blingy stuff" for scrapbooking.

I have good intentions where this hobbie is con-

cerned but I tend to let myself get waaaaaaay

overwhelmed and then I don't finish what I start.

I have managed to make two that can be added

to . One is in the picture below--it is our engage-

met/wedding/5 , 10, year anniversary book.

I have also made one for Ken's birthdays.

(forgot to get a picture :( )

The picture below shows layouts involving

our dating and then getting "the ring".

Which with much duress on Ken's part

was found in the bottom of my Easter

basket!

Most people use a theme when making a book.

Some are: births/birthdays, adoptions, school

years, sports, holidays, vacations, special events

and much, much more.

If you are a scrapbooker--Enjoy the day!

~Keep on Dreaming~