Being Sick is no fun

I am a slacker and I admit that. The blog has not been updated in almost a month and I am fully responsible. But it has not been the most fun of times lately. We had both kids down with the flu two weeks ago. Tracie had to stay out with them and they recovered, but I am pretty sure it took some days of T's life. Being kept in the house with the "2", and it raining non-stop for 2 weeks has been no fun.

This rain has really kept us pretty low key the past couple of weeks. The flu would not let us get out two weeks ago and the kids where absolutely going stir crazy in the house last week. It would rain all day, and they couldn't go out at day care and then we would come home and it would still be raining. We did manage to get to the park last Sunday, but got rained out after about 20 minutes. Noah and Carson loved the extra time with their mom and could probably get used to that more often, but I think Tracie remembers why she teaches high school..

We are better now though and the sun has finally come out and that is a blessing. Sunny days and cooler temps are ahead. Thank the Lord. We got back to normal last week, with the kids in school and T back to work and going to class. Still busy times, but it does make the weeks go by fast.

Tracie had some serious heartache Thursday night with the Ole Miss loss. I guess it wasn't so much that they lost. Winning on the road in the SEC is never a gimme, but when you had been hearing for the past 6 months how great you are and all the experts had just penciled that one as a W....it is hard to bear. Nothing really compares to the passion many of us have for teams. Your mood and your outlook on many things is dependent on the wins and losses of young men who you don't know and probably never will. I am not sure what that makes many of us that live in the South, but I would not change a thing. Tracie is completely drained after watching Ole Miss play and is then heartbroken if the lose and over joyed if they win. And whether win or lose she will be back again the next week.

I was pulling for OM Thursday night. I thought it would be great for the SEC and I don't like to pull against Tracie. What makes her happy, makes me happy. And besides, I was thinking at that time at least they have a chance to have a good year. I will just continue to support my Bulldogs and look forward next year............I had no idea I would witness what happened Saturday in Starkville. I have witnessed some tough losses at MSU. This was pretty tough to swallow. Dan is the man though. Better days are ahead. State looks like a football team and will learn how to win. LSU's second string is more talented than most of State's starters, but they are well coached and seem to have bought into the coaches. We will win more this year than most thought back in August.

All else is well. Starting to get close to my favorite time of year. Planning to do a little bow hunting this weekend and enjoy the cooler weather.

One more thing.....I love all those talking heads that say this guy is to old to win ...yeah...right.

Feeling like Fall

This first couple of weeks of Tracie being back teaching at THS and going back to grad school at Mississppi has been BUSY. We are managing though. The first week was a little hectic, but we are getting in a routine now. Fun times. The kids have adapted pretty well to thier dad being in charge more at nights, and Tracie is getting used to the extra work and less sleep. Grad school is more about group work and writing papers....I remember those days, glad those are about 6 years behind me.....though Grad school at MSU was fun.

We have enjoyed spending most of August around the house. Tracie and I call it our pre-game house work before the football season starts. I think we have all the chores done and even added some things for the the two that will keep them occupied outside while (a). mom and dad are at MSU/OM watching a game or (b). mom and dad are inside watching a game. Serious stuff around our house. Of course one of us is REALLY excited about the upcoming season....even talking her husband into spending a morning in Oxford getting season ticket....promises made. Oxford is a great little town, with good restaurants and social settings, one of my favorite places for lunch...it's just the university associated with the town that I get caught up with....but I'm sure that Tracie feels the same about Starkville and MSU. This mixed marriage thing keeps life interesting. We are headed to MSU this weekend to watch State play JSU. It will be great to be back in the Junction with friends.

We took a break from house work this past weekend to spend some time at ParksMill. I took a couple of days off and helped Dad get some things done on the place. I think we are in good shape with the clipping and spraying. Dad finished up the last field Sunday after sending us home...so I guess we are ready to plant. Now we could use a little rain. Tracie, N, & C came down on Friday. Tracie was their to help prepare for Matt and Jenn's baby shower. Little ___________ will be here in about 2 months. Matt and Jen are keeping the baby's name to themselves....Noah is pulling for Jack. I hear the shower went well and the child will not have to go home from the hospital wrapped in a sheet. Bless their hearts....they need all they can get.....

We got a lot of work done, but we did manage to sneak off one afternoon to go and check out dad's summer project. He has got his slab poured on his River place. Looks great and coming along quick.


The spray rig and the drill have made planting alot easier.
The Parks checking out the new slab.

I made it back to Tupelo on Sunday to begin the re-construction of a play ground for the kids. Some may call me cheap....Iprefer thrifty. We have been wanting to get the kids one of those, in Noah's word, "super awesome" playgrounds. Well, they are $1,200 at Lowes...so I have been looking for one that someone will sell. Luckily a family down the block in our 'hood is moving and did not want to take apart the one they had bought a couple of years ago. I paid the nice lady and she "let" me remove it from her yard. With a little help and Kimbrough's trailer 4 of us moved the playhouse/slide/monkey bars contraption to our back yard. (something else to mow around). It is a hit with the two though. They have played on it everyday since. I plan to get the monkey bars and swing in place this week. Poor deprived children that they are!

A little last minute update, I took C to get her first haircut today. Noah went first to show her how easy it was and how to act and she was perfect. Of course she loves anyone showing her attention and telling her she's pretty...and Ms. Christy did plenty of that.