May 25: Veteran's Day

Thanks to all of you veteran's who served our country so that I could have the freedom to type what I think in a blog. I have many other freedoms that you have earned for me and I truly appreciate all of those freedoms and all that you did to guarantee me those freedoms.




We went to two cemeteries Friday and decorated my dad's grave, Larry's mother and sister's graves and my step-dad and his first wife's graves.




Larry has undergone thorough training at the Marriott. All employees have to requalify every year and he was lucky enough to get in on that training almost immediately. He now knows how to direct people to the proper location by a special "point" and to make eye contact within 15 feet. He's proud to be a part of a special team - according to his essay answers. He's still bringing home tips so I'm proud too.

I finally start a temporary job tomorrow. The company name is Imaging Office Solutions. They convert paper documents into microfiche or computer files. It's for 3 to 5 weeks so that will get me out of the house. I'm still applying other places but this will bring in some money while I'm waiting.


After determining that the grandfather clock we bought was really too big for out apartment, we exchanged it for another smaller grandfather clock. Here they are so you can see the difference. The new one isn't as flashy but I think it's a better fit.





Most of you will remember all those flower pictures I took over the last 1 1/2 years. I assembled 12 of them together into a collage and have mounted them in the entry way of our hall.








We drove down to see Larry's brothers, Dean and Don, Sunday. Dean was a little under the weather so we didn't get to eat out with him and Lethia. Don was doing well but his potassium and calcium is high. He loves cheeseburgers so that may have to stop. Or at least get the hamburger on a different kind of bread and without the cheese.

Friday evening Larry and I assembled a new BBQ grill. Today we hauled it back downstairs and put it in it's rightful place along with half dozen other grills. Tonight Larry cooked a steak and a chicken breast on it. Very tasty--no new paint or oil taste to it at all. I couldn't get a closer picture because the camera kept wanting to focus on a cypress tree branch between him and me.






This is our view of the pool from our front door (left) and our balcony (right). There were people finally in it this afternoon. First time all weekend. The pool is heated so it would be good now but the outside temperature is only in the upper 70's, lower 80's and still a little cool for me. But by next weekend I'm sure we'll be splashing around.


If I survive a week working (getting up before 9:00 am) I'll let you know how the new job is going.

May 18: Another week of spring in Wichita

This past week has been pretty uneventful. I applied at a couple more places - one on-line and one in person. I did hear back from a local car dealership that wanted me to work everyday plus every Saturday. I called them back after thinking it over and decided I wouldn't mind working every other Saturday - but not EVERY Saturday. It was good to at least be offered a job. Larry continues on his shuttle/bell boy/security/coffee making/trash-picking-up job. He brings home an average of $10/day in tips. We think this might cover out eating out for awhile.

Trina came over Wednesday with Samson. We all went for a walk along the lake. By the time we got to the end of the trail, Samson had had enough. Between Larry and Trina, he was carried part of the way back. I took a picture of one of our swans because they always seem to go around with one or the other foot up. I don't know enough about swans to know if this is normal or not. I do know that the male also does this so maybe it is normal or they're trying to keep the turtles from nibbling on their webs.


Saturday I went to a Cruiser Ladies Luncheon. We had a fruit salad (each of us brought a couple of ingredients) and Oatmeal Muffins. Cheese Cake for dessert. A really good lunch. Then I demonstrated the glass etching that I learned in Corpus Christie. Everyone brought a glass item and I provided the templates and liquid needed to eat into the glass. Everyone made a pretty item and I think some will try it at home.

The first picture is of the beautiful table that Brenda had sat for our meal including recipes for the muffins and the cheese cake. The one on the left is Brenda working on her template for her glass. The right one is Sharon and I working on our glass bowls.

Thank you, Pam, for taking pictures that day for me.

The Wichita River Festival is over and Larry and I didn't participate too much this year. We wanted to go to the Block Party but severe weather stopped that. Larry worked the night of the big fireworks show so I didn't go to that either. Most of the week was a rain out - sure hope they made enough money to do it again next year.

Our cat, Gypsy, gets up on the dining room table and stares at Cuddles, the cockatiel. When Gypsy makes a move in her direction, Cuddles leaves the safety of her cage (because Larry leaves the door open) and flies out around the room and tries to come back to her cage. I have caught a moment in time when she missed the cage (probably trying to fly out the door), crashed into the sliding glass door and fell to the floor, probably just as the cat intended. Larry and I always rescue her and get her in the cage. Usually by this time Gypsy is confused and running away. The mark is left by the high content of dander that this breed of bird has. Also makes dusting a full time job.

May 10: Wichita River Festival

The beginning of the week was pretty normal. Get up each morning and check the internet for jobs. I mailed off 4 last Monday and will have done 3 by tomorrow. No one has even called yet for an interview. I keep thinking it's the economic situation and not my age that's keeping me from getting calls. I also know that there are several thousand other people out there looking for some of the same jobs I'm looking for. I'll just keep plugging along - surely something will come along. The end of the week marked the beginning of the Wichita River Festival - a week long celebration of Wichita becoming a city. It's our 36th year and I actually attended the very first one - even before I knew Larry.


Friday night is the Sundowner Parade. I walked with the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) group that I've trained with in the past. I'm back and trying to get active again. CERT is a Homeland Security organization.







Today, Mother's Day, Rebecca and family and Larry and I went to the Botanical Gardens. They are free on Mother's Day and as part of a River Festival event. Took some family setting pictures there and then headed for downtown where the bulk of the activities are being held.



Austin hopes to someday become an Army Ranger so he's been looking forward to going to the Army display all week. However, we found out that you had to be 16 to participate in most of the stuff. He could do the push ups and pull ups but nothing else. Nathen was allowed to register eventhough he's only 15. He got to do the rock climb and go thru a trailer where a Hum Vee drove thru the streets of Bagdad.












The boys wanted me to do the Guitar Hero gig that was part of the "Army Strong" program, so I joined them for Michael Jackson's "Beat It". It sure was long. Nathen played lead, Austin on the drums and I was the bass part. I'm pretty sure I was the oldest one playing in the hour or so that we were in the area. There was even a smattering of applause when we finished.


I'm volunteered with CERT to help keep the paddle boats in the correct area of the Arkansas River this next week from a boat, so Larry (on the nights he doesn't work) and I will still be River Festivaling thru the week. Hopefully, between job interviews.

May 3: Larry's New Job

Larry is employed. He pretty much got a job his first day out looking. He is the shuttle driver for the Marriott Old Town. Driving a 9 passenger van back and forth to the airport, local businesses and other points of interest. He's not too fond of the "monkey suit" as he calls it but it comes with the job. He did make $20 in tips one night and $35 this morning. He works either 6 to 11am or 4 to 9pm. Sometimes he will work both shifts. This is every day of the week with every other weekend off and every other Monday and Tuesday off.

He has to stand around when not driving and look busy. He runs errands to the rooms and keeps the coffee fresh. There was a wedding at the hotel last night and the bride threw the top of the cake at the groom. Cake was all over the walls and floors. Not sure how long that one will last. He also got to see a whole gaggle of "Miss Teens" that were staying there for a local pageant.

I, on the other hand, have had no luck what so ever. I'm registered at 4 employment agencies and have applied for a couple on my own. I am applying for every receptionist, secretary, office clerk or admin. assist. job that's out there. We should go back to Texas. That employment agency had me working within a couple of days of applying.

I mailed a resume today and faxed one. Tomorrow, I'll fax another one when their line isn't busy.

The trailer is still on consignment and the truck is listed on Craig's List and Auto Traders. So far no responses on either of them.Today I parked the truck in the Twin Lakes Shopping Center parking lot with other "for sale" cars. Maybe that will raise an inquiry or two.

The trees here are pretty much fully leafed out, cutting down our view of the lake. But it seems so woodsy that I'm not complaining much. I watched a Robin run a Cardinal out of one of the trees yesterday. Lots of wildlife. Sitting on the balcony one evening, we listened to all the ducks and geese coming back to the lake from where ever they had been. They are a noisy bunch.



My mom and Mac went to the Sweetheart Dance in February and no one would run for the King & Queen so they agreed to. Then found out that several other couples agreed to it also. Anyway, they won. Aren't they cute.





And, I'm sure most of you remember me telling you about the Mustang that my mom won at the casino. Well, I finally got a photo. Pretty cool looking.

I have scanned these pictures from a paper they scanned the original photos to and sent to me - thus the poorer quality of photo but they're good enough for me.