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It has been over 2 months since I last wrote here.... I don't really have an excuse. My schedule seems to be fuller than ever. And my time at a premium.

So, lets see... What has passed in the last 2+ months?  Sweet Briar Swimming had their Senior Night at the last home meet. I had to rush to finish my Stained Glass Vixens for the seniors. We had our "Big Snowstorm" in December. About 14 - 16 inches worth. Which is a fair amount for this area. Christmas and New Years came and went without a major hurdle. 2010 started on a fair note. We got another good Snow fall the end of January (about 10 inches). And we are enduring yet another snowfall as I type this. Thus adding to what was already on the ground from last weekend. Calling for 6 - 12 inches before this storm is over. Truth be told, I'm about tired of shoveling.....

The biggest issue currently is "Pappy Ben's" health. He had a bad fall at Thanksgiving. His motor skills were getting worse rapidly. Finally in early January the doctors finally said that it was ALS, or Lou Gerhigs disease. Ben was...

And I look at its arrival with mixed feelings. It is a time of year with much celebration and family time. We always get together as an extended family for Thanksgiving. We celebrate it at my Sister-In-Law's house in Chesepeake, VA and always have a nice time. Then Christmas races right up on us and all that it brings.

There is the challenge of shopping for gifts. What are the odds of finding "THE" gift that they wil like? There are all the added activities at the church. We, as a Handbell Chior will ring 3 times in December. Our family will attend our "Midnight" Christmas Eve service at our Church (Heritage United Methodist) as has been our long-time family tradition. It will probably  be the 26th that we head over to "Granny's" house and do the extended family Christmas.

Then, the New Year gets here. Catie will graduate from college this coming year. An event that leaves me with mixed emotions. It makes me feel a bit old. It lends me some fear about where she will go after school. I've been very spoiled having her close all these years. But, both Catie and Bonnie are smart and well...

Summer must be gone.... My daughters breezed through the house between their summer jobs and darting back off to school. I'm still living in a little bit of denial... It is difficult for me to believe that my girls are starting their junior and senior years of college. As seems to have been my theme all summer, time is passing far more quickly than I care to admit. I'm adjusting, albiet slowly. But, it is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. Come this spring Catherine will be done with school and I don't know where that next step will take her. Hope I am up to dealing with that when it occurs. I'm certian that I'll do acceptably... although, I may not like it. This summer was tough enough with both girls so far away.....

Both girls seem to be happy with their accomodations at their respective schools. Both are in apartment-ish residences. I'm happy for them. I hope it makes for a good year with good grades. Wish them both luck for me.....

I don't know how it happens, but, this year - this summer in particular - is just flying by. My year started out with some very MAJOR changes in my life. Good changes, very good changes. I've aclimated fairly well and I am still happy with everything that has come to pass.

It has been odd around the house with the girls not being here. Even with them being away at college most of the year, I just "know" that they should be around now. I'm blessed that they are both staying in touch enogh to keep me humored. Cam and I did have a chance to visit Catie in Scott County, Tennessee at her Appalachia Service Project center. It was great to get to watch her at work. I was amazed at all she had to do and was able to do. I wish there were a way to get up to Maine and see Bonnie, but, I just don't see that happening.

I realize today just how blessed I am. My life is quite good. I have no complaints. Besides, who would listen. 

My daughters aren't. Granted, they are both in college now. I "should" be learning how to let go. Yet, I'm not doing such a good job at that. And it is THEIR fault. I can say that, only because they are not  here. Actually, even though my "babies" are 21 and very soon to be 20, we still stay close. The fact that they both chose colleges close-ish to home only has spoiled me more and it the root of the problem this summer.

They have made great decisions and are both having wonderful new and different experiences this summer.I am happy for them and very proud of them. I just wish they had stayed a bit closer to home. One is in Tennessee and the other in Maine. But, it is all good. They are kind enough to keep in  touch as their schedules allow. That eases the pain for both Cam and I.

Before we know it they will bounce back through for a few days and then move back to their colleges. I guess this summer is preparing me for what it will most likely be like after they graduate college. Wonder how I'll handle that? Only...

I returned this past Saturday from my annual get together with my motorcycling friends from the internet. We have named said gathering the "Ride On The Ridge" or ROTR for short. As on past rides there were a number of familiar faces and some new ones. Both are a good thing. It is always nice to see an old friend from a past ride and just as enjoyable to make a new friend that you can hope to see on the next one.

This ROTR was unique in a couple of ways. The first was that it was primarily attended on Thursday and Friday this year. Typically, Friday and Saturday are the big days. Since I had typically been a Saturday only attendee... I was glad that my plans this year had me arrive on Thursday for, what was to be, Friday and Saturday rides. Unfortunately, again this year, we had a couple of riders go down. Luckily, both riders and bikes were mostly OK. But, it STILL takes much of the fun out of the event.

I had a great day of riding on Friday. Even when we rode in the rain for the better part of an hour...

Well, I have not made an entry here since the last day of March. I realize that noone noticed... But, it is a fact just the same.

This entry will not  make up for that, as I am preparing to head out the door on my annual motorcycle jaunt with friends from RiderForums.com!! I just hope I stay mostly dry!!

I'll attempt to make an entry once I return on Sunday!  What are the odds???

That seems to be applicable to many facets of my life right now! But, first, where in the world did March go. Here it is the last day of the month and I am just making an entry here. Not that it matters... No one reads them. But, it is a good outlet from time to time. For the good things or the bad. Luckily, at this point, I only have good things that I am aware of.

One good thing is that Catie can finally talk about "THE" job. When I wrote about it a month ago, she was somewhat sworn to secrecy as the applicants that were not accepted had  yet to be notified. So, she was asked not to make her acceptance public information until that process was complete. Now it is and she (we) can say that she will be working for the Appalachia Service Project (www.asphome.org) this summer and could NOT be happier. Cam and I are very proud of her for wanting to and getting to do this job. 

More about progress... I am actually making some on our kitchen remodel. And a huge debt of gratitude goes out to my Father-in-Law,...

Things just seem to keep getting better. My oldest daughter, Catie, had been applying for summer work. The had applications at various places around the the area. Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. But, she really had her heart set on one particular job. For reasons only, truly, known to her, this one job stood out from the rest. And she wanted it badly.

There was much competion for this job. A large number of applicants for relatively few spots. And she had her heart set on it.... Man, I prayed. I asked friends to pray. She had her heart set on it. So a few days ago she calls the house. She got an offer. Not from "THE" job. But from her second choice. What to do? She politely explained that she would love to work for them, but, was waiting to hear from "THE" job. She explained to the other potential employer why "THE" job was so important. The prospective employer was fully understanding and asked for a reply by the end of March. Catie was very pleased, but, still wanted "THE" job.

Well, today Catie calls me with obvious excitement and joy in her voice. She got "THE"...

What a wonderful weekend. The weekend of 13 - 15 February was one of my best in a long time. Catie was swimming in the ODAC Championships held at Radford University. Cam, Bonnie and I (as well as the dog, another story) all went to watch her. Since Cam had purchased me a new DIGITAL SLR camera for Christmas, I asked a good friend if I could borrow a high-end lens to take photos of the event. He agreed, and everything was set.

Things started good and only got better. Before we could even get there, Catie has swam her 500 Free in prelims and swam it right at 6:00 minutes. Her goal for the year had been met, and she would swim again that evening. We raced to get to Radford and couldn't wait for the evenings races. Catie dropped an addtional 9 seconds from her time in the evenings race, swimming a 5:51 in the 500 Free. We were all so very excited and I took about 40 pictures during that one event.

Catie had an equally successful Saturday when her event was the 400 Individual Medley. Again she swam a personal best in the morning and dropped...