long because i've been slacking

OK. Today will be long because I've been slacking and I have much to update with.



This is a pic of bay in the city of Dalian. It was a fantastic town!!! I went to the aquarium and saw fish that I've never seen before. Plus, I saw Bluga Whales, Sea lions, Walruses, Sea Turtles up close. They even have a tank where you can put your hand in and feed the fish. Plus, they have an avairy house, where you can feed the birds. VERY COOL and highly recommended if you ever travel to this city of 4-5 million. Plus, we saw the company's new warehouse and offices. They are very nice and the people that work for AmerCable over in Dalian are super nice and were really great people! In fact, i'm overdue on my sending them a thank you note.
________________
speaking of overdue...I've not been saying much about what all I've been up to since we've been back.

Before we left we went and saw Garrison Keillor at a lecture at the www.theprogressiveforum.org That was total fun and very cool because I got to meet hima and shake his hand. He signed our two books and then after us, they wouldn't sign any more books. Yipiee!!! We sat front row and it was just a totally cool experience.
_____________
During the week of Spring Break we went camping at South Toledo Bend in Louisiana with our good buddies!!! It was a perfect trip away and we had a super good time. Big Kid and Little Bit even swam in the ice cold lake. I would add a pic, but I can't seem to find the file and I must press on...
___________
So. April Fools Day has come and gone. Those who I fooled are listed...

• M, Big Kid and Little Bit- coming out of church I acted like the car must have been stolen out of the parking lot while we were inside listening to the sermon. "It was parked right next to that mini-van across from that state police car." They fell for it.
• Mom & Dad- "I just went to the store and was the 100,000th customer and won groceries for a year." They fell for it. And I still dream of being the millionth customer somewhere before my life is over.
• Chelle- She had called to say she had a birthday card to put in the mail for me. I called her back and said it had arrived yesterday and that I loved it. She fell for it. But, to give her a break, this was the first weekend she had gotten to see her man that she's marrying in almost a year.
• Lil' Bitty- I called and said "I was in this art gallery and you'll never guess what. There were these paintings by an artist that paints flowers like you and they signed their paintings C.Lou, but I asked about it...and they said the artist real name was Chad Lou." OK. She didn't fall for it. But, it was a good story none-the-less.

_______________

Story about Big Kid:

So lately Big Kid has been talking a bunch about when he grows up and has children. Just out of the blue talk. I really enjoy hearing what he's thinking. I didn't realize how serious and in deepth he has been thinking about all this until he just started talking and said...

Big Kid: "If I have kids, then I'm giving them good names. I think I'll have a girl and her name will be Sally. And if it's a boy, then Jack or Jake. I don't know."
Me: "What? You're talking about having kids...And you like the name Sally."
Big Kid: "Yes. Sally. But I like the name Anne, too. But probably Sally. And if it's a boy then Jack or Jake."
Me: "After your name?"
Big Kid: "Yeah. Jack after me."
Me: "Those sound like really good names."

I never thought I'd be talking about the names of my future grandchildren so early in life. But, that makes me happy.
____________
Do you think I should share a secret? It's not bad, just kind of sad...I think I read something too late. I think I could have saved someone's life if I had read something yesterday. It kind of woke me up. I think that I have to start giving back again and I'm not sure how.

___________________
Well, today is Wednesday...so that means lunch bunch. I've invited all the girls that I know to meet me at the church on Wednesdays for lunch and let our kids play on the playground. Last week 3 girls and their kids met me. It was fun and good to get out for adult conversations. Plus, it was fun for the kids too! I'm hoping to keep this up through the summer. Everyone is welcome...so if you live close just meet us at 12.15 at www.twumc.org columns cafe by the playground. You buy your own lunch. I'm not that great of a person.

_________________
Anonymous said...
How cool!!!! I bet the lantern fest was very neat! So glad you got to see all this neat stuff!:) lov ya! Lil' Bitty

Dear Lil' Bitty- Yep...it was neat but we were so tired that night that we didn't get to go out and be a part of it other than watching the fireworks. However, I did speak with a bunch of people about it and how they celebrated when they were kids and how it has changed to the present way of celebrating it. I learned so much about traditions on this trip. It was so fun!!! I'll try to post more. i've been a slacker. ha. later-cb