CROWN ME!

It's official-----GRAND # 5 is                 A BOY

Camille has declared herself       THE QUEEN

SO That must make me-----

THE QUEEN MOTHER

NO need to bow----a simple curtsy will suffice! 

THE NEST

I've been in my new home for a year at the end of this week.  MY HOW TIME HAS FLOWN---and NOT FLOWN!  I was looking around today and realized I really have not done anything to the inside of the house since moving last year.  My friends came and helped me paint the part of the house that I would be "living in" and then one of the church younger small groups moved all my furniture after I moved each and every box by myself.  And then I just stopped--there are things that I said I would do---they have not gotten done--it's like I am on hold---holding for what I'm not sure!  

On the BRIGHT side--I have worked in the yard and improved it.  MAYBE---Just MAYBE---I'll get to work again----it will all come together with time.

ADVENTURE FREAK!

I am reading Lost which is a story of a solo trek of the PCT.  INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT--is an understatement.  ALONE--grueling physical trek---wilderness---hiking from Mexico to Canada.  There is WAY too much personal drama in the book for my taste---HEY I've got my own personal drama, but the sections of the book that focus on the trek---are intriguing.  Dirty beyond description----in the company of bears and mountain lions and rattlesnakes----and yet---for some bizarre reason---I started thinking---

"Could I do this?"

What's wrong with me----I should be thinking---"I'm too old to do this"---"I don't like to be that dirty"--"Bears will eat you--snakes will bite you---"Dehydrated Food-  YUCK!"

But there is still a part of me that goes---WOW--what an adventure that would be!  NEVER said I wasn't slightly crazy!

THE EASY WAY TO TRAVEL

After the Facebook Dictator changed my format to the new "Timeline"---(I just thought I lived in a democracy!).  I began playing around with it.  Well that had this "map" thing---I thought---"Hey let's see if I can put all the places I've been!"  Turns out---they post that you are "ON THE SPOT" at that particular moment.  After a blur of about 20 map punches--I get a message from #1 Son  

"You've had a busy morning!"

SO people---you don't even have to leave the comfort of your recliner---just go to your facebook page and click away---you can tour the world in one short morning---AND never even have to pack a bag or go through security.  HOW COOL IS THAT!

ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE

My sweet brothers---and there I am in the middle----as always!  If you comment about who is the oldest-----you will be blocked from the blog!  Robbie---the oldest---LOVES to meet a stranger when we are together and ask them "Who do you think is older?"  He is SO FUNNY!

Noel--the baby---ALWAYS was Momma's Baby---but I understand now since Camille will ALWAYS be my baby and helps to clarify why my Daddy's Mother and his siblings always called him "Baby".  It's a "Family Thing"----I finally understand!

It's not always easy being in the middle--but I would not trade them for anything!  They are sweet and supportive and they are---well they are My Brothers!  Robbie told me one time that I was "The Shepherd" of the family.  I looked at him and responded 'I don't remember applying for that job!"  It just happens----it's a birth order--gender thing.  I want us to be a family---I deeply love them and their families and would do anything for them.

We have had our share of family drama---illnesses---deaths---marriages---babies---LIFE!  So BLESSED to be on the "James Team" together!  Life is still hard---lots going on --Noel's wife is very ill----but what would it be if we didn't have each other?  We understand each other and know "Where we came from"---helps to explain who we are!

On a more serious note---I HATE to be the one to report that a CERTAIN Federal Judge could NEVER resist hitting me EVERY TIME he walked by me until he left for college!  Now HIS SIDE of the story is that I would just yell "MOMMA---he hit me!"  with NO reason--just to see him get in trouble.  Perhaps I MIGHT have done that once or twice---but I am CERTAIN he was sitting there planning his next punch--so I just beat him to the punch!  I am happy to say the physical abuse ended once we went to college---but his childish WHOOPS--I meant childlike humor remains in tact!

LOVE my brothers!

MARION--COULD I BE A TRUCK DRIVING WOMAN?

LOTS of miles in a very short period recently!  Left Friday-2 weeks ago and drove "The Girls" to the beach-----NOT that I am a control freak or anything like that--but I insisted on driving.  NOW for all those that think girls are Sissy-s---ONE of our crew drove her Harley down there and back. GREAT TIME and I would tell you all that happened, but have taken a vow of secrecy-so I would have to kill you all.  No stories---NO pics---you'll just have to come with us next time if you want to know!

Saturday night I get a text that #1's appendix had ruptured and he is in the hospital.  I was ready to fly out---but for some strange reason they insisted I stay put.  It MIGHT be that my propensity to question doctors has gotten out---HEY  I've watched LOTS of medical reality shows!

Tuesday, I drive us back---you need to understand about being with a van load of women---we never saw a bathroom or place to eat---that didn't deserve our scrutiny!  It took a LONG time to get there and back.  When alone---I am a pedal to the metal--stop only for national emergencies---but you go with the flow when with a group.

Wednesday I get up early--go to work---leave immediately after work and drive to Austin---I needed to put my EYEBALLS on #1.  Actually stayed put Thursday---but Friday AM took #1 & #2 Grands on a road trip to see #3 & #4 in Fort Worth.  Saw "The Cousins" and out of Momma's hair for a couple of days while Dad is slowly recovering.  Drive to Weatherford Saturday for a day trip to "The Jennings Spa & Resort".  Drove the boys back to Austin Sunday and after an hour of recuperation--drove home to R.

My sweet friend, Marion is a LONG haul truck driver---she will be calling me to go to work once she reads this---NOW---I just need to come up with a "Handle" for my CB!

QUEST TO BE A FAST GIRL---

I've talked about how ALL the fast girls have pony tails----WELL    # 1 Daughter told me about an article she had read concerning the Olympics and the Fashion Statement that many of the athletes were making.  You KNOW---to be a REALLY GOOD gymnast---you need those clips to hold your hair back and a little glitter---well a LOT of glitter---on your hair---on your face---on your eyelids----JUST PUT ON THE GLITZ.  Hopefully they avoid all security check points while wearing the hair armor----

The equestrians---have the bowler helmet---long fitted coat--jodhpurs---knee high boots.  The dapper horse person would never be seen without them.

Camille pointed out that a couple of the beach volleyball girls were accused of looking like "Laundry Day at the Dorm".  You have to see it to believe it!

ANYWAY---in my quest to be a FAST GIRL---I watched the girls' races last night---SO I could go for two tone hair-----with loose waves---Lots of makeup-- and a need to constantly pull those tresses back away from my face.  SO maybe I don't need a ponytail after all just blonde/brunette hair--and the ability to high kick with my rear in the air as I place my feet on the starter's blocks!