Walking to the Beach

walking to the beach, originally uploaded by billykaren519.

As Mimi says … “this is what life is all about!” Amen, grandma!!!

Strolling on the Boardwalk

strolling on the boardwalk, originally uploaded by billykaren519.

… in Ocean City with the kids and grandkids! I believe it is 45 straight years for Mimi and 28 years for Karen!!!

J Fam Updates … Pierce Heads for Home!

Pierce in his “going home” outfit, originally uploaded by billykaren519.

Note how upset Pierce is in this photo! Apparently, he is like his Daddy and likes to be bundled up in lots of warm blankets!!!

Hubbie’s First Day of Retirement

As I am in CT helping my sister recuperate from brain surgery, hubbie has much to do by himself back in TX!!!  He sent the following summary of his first day of retirement …

Well, the first day of retirement was great!  I slept in late and other than a few little things, there was nothing but lounging around and relaxing. I did find time to work on the following items:

1)  SA Condo – talked with Cheri three times; worked on the employment vs. retirement situation; sent faxes of all Feb 08 bank statements and EM retirement benefits; sent EM Savings statements by email. Determined that your signature is not needed until you return to AR.

2) Spoke with Greg Kroenke for an hour about pulling out the EM Savings next week. Set up a phone conference for Tuesday midmorning to actually do it.

3) Confirmed that all is well with EM Benefits regarding the payment of the Med/Dent insurance for April

4) Burned the 1.5 qt. saucepan by boiling water for coffee in it while talking with Kroenke.

5) Washed the dishes from Missy’s visit

6) Visited State Farm and determined there is no need to pay the Apt insurance, since we will be paying for the Condo insurance by the time the grace period for the Apt payment expires.  Overlap is okay because same “goods” are theoretically being insured.  Also determined that SA auto rates will be $180 more in SA than Spring for every six months for 3 cars.  And arranged for Nicky at State Farm to call Diamondhead HOA and get the necessary info to quote us an insurance rate for the Condo.

7) Attempted to replace burned saucepan, but Macys doesn’t carry Farberware and Penneys didn’t have the 1.5 qt size available.

Purchased new tennies at Foot Locker.

9) Spoke with several jewelers about the Rolex question.  Donoho’s said they know a resaler, but require a purchase to use his services. Then the Rolex resale thing constitutes a “trade-in”.  Their comparable new Relices sell for $7000, so she very roughly estimated something like $4000 for trade-in.

10) Visited Kinko’s twice to fax mortgage documents.

11) Called Doc Stephens and left message about SA tomoro.  No reply yet.

12) Observed on the online credit card statement that Budget had charged for gas replacement and had to call XNA Budget location to begin the process to get it credited back to our account.

Yes sir, just a routine relaxing day around here.  Tomoro will be another easy day — drive to SA, tour the Condo, stop by the DHOA and see what needs to be done with them, visit with Missy, stop by and say hi to Mickey and drive home.

WHAT A GUY!!!

Christmas Photo with W Fam

Family photo, originally uploaded by missynwatts.

Many thanks to Peter for setting up the tripod to take this photo. Now … if only hubbie and I had better expressions on our faces! You only get so many chances and this was it. Oh well … GREAT Christmas Day for little man!!!

Baby, It’s Cold Inside!

All is well in Arkansas.  The weather so far this weekend has been mostly overcast but relatively mild … until this afternoon!  After heading out to church in 60 degree weather this morning, we drove home this afternoon past signs showing the temperatures in the high 30s!  Yes … over a 20 degree drop in temperature!!!  We don’t keep the thermostat in the home quite as high as we were accustomed to doing in Texas.  As such … baby, it’s cold inside!!!  When we got home, I immediately made my way to the bureau to look for my thermal underwear and some sweats!  Ah … now that is much more comfie!!!

Update:  I should add that whenever the sun is shining, the sunroom is performing at least as well as expected.  It can get toasty warm in the sunroom regardless of the outside temperature.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!  We just have to pray for more sunny than cloudy days!!!