Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Where's the gas?

Where the heck is the gasoline? Ever since Ike hit, finding gas has been a challenge. It's usually a matter of luck. On a Friday, I filled up at Sam's and then we took Jeff's car the next day, and it was all gone. Fortunately, all three cars are gassed up and the supply should improve within a week. It's just strange to drive by station after station with no gas.

What else is going on? Well, a lady one street over from us was robbed at gun point last week. Oh yeah, and then our high school principal finds in his in-box, a sketch depicting angles a shooter could take from the front door to maximize carnage. He contacted the authorities to look into it and then the local news got wind of it and misreported the facts. To make a long story short, one of the substitute teachers was a St. Pius grad (with honors) and soldier who had recently returned from Iraq. One of the things that soldiers do first when in combat is to assess the level of threat wherever they are and come up with an exit and/or combat plan. Evidently, this was what he had been doing for Pius in an effort to protect the school, not harm it. It was just a misunderstanding though it does make you wonder what it must be like for a soldier in urban warfare to reassimilate into his community. The school has been planning a SWAT drill with local police and this could have been what the teacher was thinking about.

Ashley has her last softball game today and won't exactly miss the daily workouts going forward. She is however trying to assemble a basketball team for the church rec league. This way she can play ball just for fun with her buddies.

Reagan is also looking forward to basketball. But until the season starts, she is keeping herself busy with school work and spending time with her friends. She and Dad like to watch Avatar together as well.

So what is Julie doing? Well, she's watching her 401k tank. Just kidding. Well, not really. I'm a woman who wears many hats and likes doing so. Volunteering at the high school has kept me busy. I'm still a foster coordinator for Southeastern Greyhound Adoption but this doesn't require much time, though I did a home visit this last weekend. I like to walk the dogs, and myself, and enjoy yard work more than house work, though I haven't done much of either, lately. Maybe I'll go trim bushes after this post. I guess I'm just the oil that keeps this family running smoothly. Jeff of course, is the fuel. He's busy with budget season as well as the changes related to the acquisition noted below. The good news is that he has decided not to bring his work home with him anymore. Weekends and nights are for family and recuperation. I hope he keeps this up.

Well, that's the latest. We hope to hear from ya'll soon!

Sunday, September 21, 2008



Just when you thought the news from Wall Street was more excitement than one person could stand, the company I work for (ChoicePoint) was sold to an Anglo-Dutch concern. Reed Elsevier paid $4 billion for our business units and data assets. Within hours the pink slips were flying. The business unit I work for will be untouched (so they say). Our business will be merged with another Reed Elsevier company called Lexis/Nexis. The ChoicePoint offices in Altanta will become the new North America Headquarters for Reed Elsevier's Risk Information Analytics Group. Space planners were already in my office taking measurements. I'm guessing I will lose my corner office.

On a more exciting note, I am back at the dermatologist this week to see if the surgery from earlier this summer removed all of the cancer. **UPDATE: Melanoma free**

Thursday, September 4, 2008

A Word From Ashley


Hey everyone! As you know, its Ashley. I am now a freshman at my dream high school ST PIUS X!!! I'm so relieved that I have moved on from elementary/middle school. I'm currently on Pius's JV softball team. I am planning on playing church league high school basketball since Pius basketball started during softball. I am trying to balance school work and sports. I have made alot of new friends, from freshmen to seniors. This picture is me and my best friend, Katie. Unfortunately, she goes to our rival school, Marist. This picture was taken at the Marist-Pius football game. The pep rally before the game was amazing! That night stadium was packed! Mom worked the sno-cone machine while Dad and Reagan watched half of the game in the stands before leaving. The concession stand made almost $13,000 that night!! All us Pius Golden Lions went all out for the game, including body and face paint. The Golden Lions wore blue while the War Eagles wore white. Being the angel that she is, Katie went neutral for the game. In the end, Pius beat Marist 21-10!! At Pius, that is the best way to start your high school career.
I really miss my cousins! I really wanted to visit last summer but unfortunately we couldn't. =( Hopefully, we will have the chance this coming summer!
~Ashley

Me, Just Me




Reagan Skelton: 10 years old, in 5th Grade, likes black and purple. Goes to OLA/Our Lady of the Asumption.
Can balance on a ball, plays basketball, and softball. Likes to watch T.V. Got 2nd place in first year of softball in the Tournament. Best subject is English; favorite is P.E. Watches Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and ABC Family. Favorite movies are Narnia:the new version, Harry Potter, Spaceballs, and favorite food is ice cream.
I am no girly girl. That's all me!

Porch




The furniture finally came in. We all love to spend time on the porch reading. No matter what time of day it is, it is always pleasant.


Deck and Porch Video