Worn down

It's Tuesday, 12:30pm. I'm waiting on Rick to finish a customer phone call before we mosey over to lunch. Mother has "breakfast" waiting on us. YUM.

I'm feeling pretty worn down. We have concluded our "graveyard shift stake-outs" and are going to rely on the newly installed motion detector's to alert us of anything thing, human or otherwise, that crosses the boundary into our cemetery.

We didn't catch the thief, and I feel a bit disappointed in that. It would have been fun to nab the person that's been stealing from the dead!

My audit is tomorrow. I'm swamped. You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours."

It's true.

Rick's off the phone. I'm going to eat now.

Silence

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say.  This would be one of those times.

I had the most wonderful weekend (last weekend) with Mother. Sometime, I'll post pictures of our Mother-Daughter trip to Jefferson. But not now.

With the new year of 2010, the ownership transfer of Oaklawn Memorial Park has been completed. I have never felt more vulnerable and inadequate than I do today. As 100% stock-holder to this Cemetery (where we have 3,030 people buried) the buck does indeed stop here. Right at my doorstep. I can't defer to good ole dad anymore, except for advice and a hug.

And right now, for the first time in 52 years, our cemetery is the target of copper theft. Two nights this week, pathetic, heartless and selfish thieves have stolen vases from graves.

I'm sick to my stomach.  When making the calls to the families to inform them, I'm met with a variety of responses. Some are more upset than others. Thankfully, no-one has lashed out in anger at me.  But I feel hurt for those affected. And I feel angry, as if the bad guys broke into my own home and stole.

I wonder if Granddaddy ever considered this day when he founded Oaklawn Memorial Park in 1958.  I wonder what he would do about it if he were around today.

Preparations continue for our annual audit coming up. My attention is needing to focus on getting ready for that, but I can't seem to concentrate.

I think I'll just be silent for a while.

Back from vacation, to the real world

We're back from vacation, went to work on Friday AND celebrated my 36th birthday. I'm now officially closer to 40 than to 30. Mother, in her infinite humor, decided that I needed raisen-bran muffins instead of my traditional choo-choo train cake.  Um, thanks mom. I think.

The Haiti earthquake happened while we were on the open seas of the Gulf, cruising away from Mexico. It certainly opened our eyes, taking the focus off of ourselves and onto others. I feel so burdened about the devasation, but I am encouraged by the amazing response of Americans.

It seems inappropriate to post pictures of our vacation, while so many in the world are fighting for their very life. So I'll just post a few of our favorites.

This picture is what I went for. To get my toes in the sand at our favorite place, Nachi Cocum. This was the ONLY day we had warm sunshine.

Self portrait on the same beach. The water was SO beautiful!

On ship... Rick, in usual form, taking to the dance floor!

Awwww, my sweetie!

And I think this is my favorite beach picture. Makes me wanna go back!

Outta here

We are outta here. Going someplace warm and sunny!
We've only been on the ship an hour, and I can't stop smiling!!!

Twenty-Ten

Well, the New Year is here.

I can't decide if I'm calling it "Twenty-Ten", or "Two Thousand and Ten."   The former sounds so futuristic...kind of Jetson-esque. Back in the 1980's, I thought that by 2010, we'd be driving hover-crafts and communicating by telekinesis.

We rang in the new year with our Cowboy Group. Had a great dinner at Tim and Tiffany's, then went to the Club to dance the night away. 

Here are the guys, looking quite fine, I might add!  From left to right: Charles, Tyson, Rick, Stan, Tim

And this next picture just cracks me up. The doggie belongs to Tim's parents. I can't remember her name... Chloe, maybe.  But the little dog would not quit staring at Tyson. As soon as he sat down on the sofa, Chloe was there. Rick is cracking up in the picture, and that makes me laugh.

And the girls are below, with Tim popping up in the background. This is after THE INCIDENT, which shall not be named, involving a most unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. Truly, my most horrifying, mortifying moment of my life.  If you weren't there to witness it, than you don't get to know what happened!

From left to right: Me, Jan (Tim) Twina, Tiffany, Kandi

The next picture is proof that I started the evening out in a little black dress.

The decor on the table was, um, a little like a 50th birthday party with masks and everything. We weren't sure how that fit into a New Years Eve celebration, but since they were there, we rolled with it.

 Hi-Ho-Silver!

And now... drumroll please: 

We've begun the countdown to vacation. Leaving on Saturday for a destination south of the border. This time next week, this will be my view!

And that's all I have to say about that!

Happy New Year, friends. I pray blessings of peace and joy for all of you.