Since this month is filled with birthdays and one anniversary, I decided to put up a few "older" pics and then just give you an entry filled with miscellaneous thoughts. Cameron--he is the son of Josh and Leah, brother of Brynn. Cam will be 12 years old on the 28th of this month. He is a very good student, loves to read, and goes hiking and camping with his family. We miss all of them of course, especially on their birthdays, but they know we love them and wish them all the best. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAM!

Rett. He will be 11 years old on the 29th of this month. Rett is the son of Jessie and Lance "Hap", brother of Tyler and Chandler. He is doing very well at school this year, and we are so proud of him. He is a very good athlete, playing quarterback for his team; they recently won their play-off game with a score of 28-0, Rett throwing a TD pass, running for a TD, and stopping progress by the other team with a sacking of their quarterback. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RETT.

Emma, daughter of Steve and Ann, big sister of Jack. Emma is going to be six years old on the 27th of this month; she attends St. Joseph Catholic school and is a good student. She has learned how to swim and loves playing with her friends. She enjoys being outdoors and loves being with her family. We wish her a special day on the 27th, one filled with all things good. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMA.

Jan and Troy, who will be celebrating their 10th anniversary on the 29th. Jan is an LPN and works at a nursing home; Troy just finished a vo-tech in drafting and works for a plant. They enjoy grilling--I think they do that just about every weekend, if not more--LOL; they share their pool with their nieces and nephews and are a big help to anyone in need. I especially appreciate their help with my Mom. We wish them a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, and we wish them many, many more.

Now, on to other news, given in no particular order and with no particular rhyme or reason. Here goes---

--Because it's Rett's birthday soon, I mentioned his sports happenings, but we have other grandkids who participate in sports as well. Carly is the daugher of Becky and Lane; she is an all-around kid, doing very well in school (academics), taking part in sports, AND taking dance classes, which she has done for about ten years (yes, she was very little when she started). Carly had a basketball game this past weekend; her team lost by two points, but if I know Carly, she played 100% until the very end. She is also a cheerleader for her school, and I watched them one time--those kids really practice to get those cheers just right. Way to go, Carly!

Channie just started playing Biddy basketball, so, of coure, these little ones don't really play games. They are learning the sport--learning how to dribble, pass, throw a basket, etc. I was told that Channie did make a basket in her second game this past week.

Others of our grandkids are involved in either school or area sports, but I'll wait to talk about them when I write about their birthday or whatever.

--Sandie and Todd are back from their vacation. She is putting up pics on her sites, and I really am enjoying that. I especially like the ones she put of Rock City and, of course, her description. Sid and I went there not long after we were married, so it brought back lots of fun memories. Thanks for sharing, Sandie.

--Randi attended a birthday/welcome home/ Halloween party with her cousins on Saturday. She wrote that they hung around a fire and visited. She seemed to have had a good time, so that's great.

--Sid is finally having a slight break at school--exams are over and the pile of papers to be graded has shrunk. Of course, he still has lesson plans and more tests to prepare, but he seems to be having a little more free time of late. I'm sure that won't last, but at least it's something.

--Mom is scheduled to see her regular doctor tomorrow, thanks to Jan. This is just a regular check-up to get new prescriptions, but Mom tends not to tell us when she's out of medicines until she HAS to see the doctor; then, we have to figure out how to get her there. Jan took it upon herself to get that done, and we all appreciate that.

--The weekend was beautiful. Sid and I seem to have eaten out a number of times this past, mainly because Randi was here AND he was so busy. We ate at Piccadilly one day (Randi and I), at DQ for breakfast, got some Subway sandwiches, had supper at DON's one night, and then, after Mass on Saturday, Sid and I ate at Morel's. Since then, I've been cooking regularly--spaghetti, chicken strips, bread pudding, white beans--not all at the same time, of course.

Well, there really isn't much else to chat about at this point. I'm waiting for my long newsy from Joey, so perhaps I'll get more stuff from him. Until then, have a great day and a wonderful week.

QUOTE: "Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

NOTE: We are supposed to learn from our mistakes, not quit just because we make them. That seems to be the major difference between successful folks and those who will not succeed. If I had given up every time I made a mistake, well---suffice to say, I would not be a teacher, an lpn, even a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother. I have made mistakes in all those areas, but I like to think that I am a better person because I learned from them. I'm sure you do that as well--keep on keeping on--that's the road to success and happiness. I wish them both for all of you.