Posted on October 3, 2007 12:19:45 PM PDT

Hope you have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Posted on September 29, 2007 11:16:15 AM PDT

Hi Maria! I've been off line for a while, so I haven't been able to keep in touch as much as I'd like. I hope to be back online in about 2 weeks.

I just noticed your birthday--Have a great one! Now I can add ANOTHER friend to my list of October 3 birthdays! I know at least 4 other people, including my stepson.

Over here, there's good news and not so good news. The good news is that I start a new (temporary) job on Monday. It's expected to last 1-2 months, but it's a foot in the door. They'll be posting the job as a permanent position soon.

The other news is not so good, yet not bad. The day that you last wrote to me was the day that I was told I have Type 2 diabetes. Not good, but at least now I know why I was feeling the way I was. I've started eating the right way, taking my medicine, and I feel soooooo much better. My family has noticed the difference in the amount of energy I have. I've even lost about 15 pounds so far (a lot more to go, but I know I can do it!). My mom's diabetic, so I'm getting a lot of support and info from her.

I hope all is well with you and your family. Linda

Posted on September 24, 2007 12:14:13 PM PDT

Hey Maria,  Good to hear from you.  Busy here as well.  My younger daughter started Volleyball last week so I'm off and running again.  Kalie seems to be having a good senior year so far.  We are looking for a Homecoming dress.  The dance is in 2 weeks.  Guess we'd better get busy.  Did I tell you Kalie is in an ETI program to see if she want to be a teacher?  She goes and teaches in a kindergarten class three days a week.  She really seems to like it.  I sure hope this will help her decided what she wants to be when she grows up.  Kalie has never really know what she wants to do as far a a career.  She wants to be a wife and a mother but really has never had a career goal.  I'm praying this will give her some direction.  Kelsie has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 3 years old.  She is also interested in writing and illustrating books.  How are your girls doing in school?  How's the search for a youth minister going?  I will continue to pray.  I'm glad to hear your bible study is going well.  Look forward to hearing from you. ~Connie RIC

Posted on September 23, 2007 4:19:41 PM PDT

Hello, hello, hello! Thank you so much for the lovely comments. I too look forward to knowing you. My eldest son Dmitri is 7teen. So, I get you there. I came up with a goal for myself, to read through a Philosophy book. This is no small task. I've been doing this on and off for a while. I actually set a finished by date (Dec.15). My mind contorts into a pretzel whenever I read this book by Ronald Nash. A speaker who comes to our area teaches on Philosophy. So, I want to be prepared;) Do you have any set goals for yourself right now? RIC

Posted on September 20, 2007 7:52:35 AM PDT

Hi Maria...just checking in.  I haven't heard from you in a while.  Hope all is well!  Blessings!  Connie

Posted on September 12, 2007 11:54:36 AM PDT

Hope you are having a great day!

Posted on September 11, 2007 10:14:57 AM PDT

Hi Maria...great to hear from you.  I know exactly how you feel with running all over the place.  We seem to have something to do every night...UGH!  I really like to stay at home in the evenings.  I guess I have retirement to look forward to and I'm sure I will miss these days later in life.  Right now I'm just tired!  I'm hoping Kalie's senior year will be a good one as well.  It will be gone before we know it.  It is so expensive.  I know it wasn't this expensive when I was a senior but my daughter would say, that's when the dinosaurs were roaming the earth...haha.  Glad to hear your church is getting some interest in the youth minister's position.  I will pray it happens fast.  I know God has just the right person pick out for y'all.  Kalie's car is having problems again...Yikes!  First, the alternator went out and we had to replace it and now the compressor is bad and will have to be replaced.  Bummer!  It's always something.  Oh well, we are very blessed and I'm grateful for everything God has given us!  Anyway, can't wait to hear from you again!  Have a wonderful day! ~Connie RIC

Posted on September 8, 2007 9:23:05 AM PDT

Hi Maria! I haven't had much time to write lately, but that may change soon. It appears that my temp job will be ending soon. I had applied for a permanent job at the same place, but didn't even make it to the interviews. I plan on contacting the manager for that department, since it is someone that I worked for before, to see if I can still be considered. She knows me better than the HR department.

Anyway, my girls started school on the 5th. So far, so good. Ali always does well socially and academically, so I have no worries about her in school. Nicole, who just started middle school, was my big concern. She's doing very well so far. She's been meeting new friends everyday. I called her from work, and she told me that she can't wait until Monday. I asked her why, and she said, "School, duh-uh!" Wow! What a change for her! My husband and I, on more than one occasion, had to "force dress" her and drag her to school last year. She's actually had difficulties going to school for the last 5 years. I am so happy for her for this change! I'm sure her grades will reflect the change as well. Time will tell.

How are your girls with school?

Well, off to housework and job-hunting! Have a wonderful weekend. Linda

Posted on September 6, 2007 9:18:02 AM PDT

Hello Maria...so glad to hear from you. Things are going much better for my daughters with school.  I can totally relate to your older daughter.  Mine's the same way.  She wants to be grown up in some ways but not in others.  She wants to make her own decisions put she doesn't want responsibility.  I just keep praying for her.  How's the youth minister search going?  I hope they find someone soon.  Let me know how it's going.  I will continue to pray.  As far as staying busy while my kids are at school, I work part-time and between that and my younger daughter being busy with school, church and volleyball, I stay pretty busy.  I'm off on Friday's and I clean my house...I know, not that exciting.  I used to volunteer at my daughters schools when I was a full time stay-at-home mom but those days have passed.  I don't care too much for  volunteering at the Middle School or High School level.  Can't wait to hear from you again! Blessings!  ~Connie RIC

Posted on August 28, 2007 8:26:23 AM PDT

Good Morning Maria...hope you had a good weekend.  My oldest daughter woke up Sunday morning with a really bad sore throat.  I took her to the doctor yesterday and it was strep.  She had to miss the first day of school...bummer!  She did get to go today.  The first day of middle school for my younger daughter was very stressful.  I'm hoping it will get better as time goes by.  I will continue to pray for your youth group.  I can totally understand what they are going through.  I pray you will find a new youth leader quickly.  I'm glad you are there to hold things together.  I don't understand why they won't let the youth workers continue the Wednesday night service.  I know back to school is an important time for the youth to gather.  I hope your daughters first day of school goes much smoother than mine did...let me know how things are going.  Blessings ~Connie  Oh...I'm going to try out the new Private Messaging thing...let me know if it works. RIC

Posted on August 22, 2007 9:04:43 AM PDT

Opps...meant to say youth "minister"...not youth "ministry" below...sorry! RIC

Posted on August 22, 2007 9:03:07 AM PDT

Glad to hear you had a good time camping.  We got almost all of our school shopping done last weekend...YEA!  My girls start to school on Monday (Aug. 27th).  Sorry to hear you are loosing your youth ministry.  I will def. pray for your youth group.  My husband was a youth minister for 7 years.  I can totally relate to your feelings about your youth group.  I taught the youth girls for several years.  I'm still very close to some of them.  It's so great to see the wonderful adults they have become.  Good luck with the shopping and keep me posted on your youth group.  I will be praying for you and them!  Blessings! ~Connie RIC

Posted on August 16, 2007 7:05:32 AM PDT

Hello Maria...just checking in to see how things are going.  Busy here...as usual.  Texas is having it's tax free weekend this weekend so I guess I'll take the girls school clothes shopping...along with every other family in Texas...LOL.  I totally do not look forward to this shopping trip.  My younger daughter is very tall and it's hard to find her clothes that fit...UGH.  Anyway...look forward to hearing what's going on with you. ~Connie RIC

Posted on August 3, 2007 3:13:11 PM PDT

Hi Maria~wow, I could have used a hairstylist a few days ago...my 11 year old wanted to give me "just a trim", and silly me, I told her where the scissors were! Long story short--I now have ear-length hair. Oh, well. It'll grow! She actually didn't do too bad of a job. My husband, Michael, only needed to trim a little bit, and a girl at work did the finishing touches.

As for me, I'm a former K-12 music teacher, Pre-school teacher and Director, bank operations clerk, and now a temp worker doing office work. As I told my mom, I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up.

It's very quiet here. My girls are with my parents in the mountains for a few days. I'm torn between getting caught up on housework and just relaxing with my crochet projects. I guess I'll do a little of both. It's way too hot to do too much of anything today.

Have a great weekend! Linda

Posted on July 31, 2007 3:01:55 PM PDT

Hi Mariabella~Thanks for adding me to your list of friends! My kids (girls, 9 and 11 ) are usually on the computer, so it may take a day or two to write back, but I will. Talk with you soon! Linda