Marion County is on a big campaign to send a semi-truck load full of peanut butter to Haiti. They have a minister there whose parents are currently missionaries there. So I put the word out to the Clan, and over the past few days we have collected over 33 pounds of peanut butter!! This is in addition to the donations my family has given to Catholic Relief Services and the Red Cross. My dad was a very generous man. I hope we will be remembered likewise.

Actually they went to a gala to raise funds for the opera and bid (with their group of friends) on a trip to Greece in September! Classy!!

We had the 2010 race at the Keep, and for the first time TwoTrees Racing (now Kelley Ridge Racing) was left entirely up to me! Once Brendan took over the broadcast booth for me, then Ian and Caitlan wer in charge of racing the cars, and I just sat back and watched. But yesterday I had to figure out the ins and outs of calling the toss if I was in the top bracket, choosing a lane, and placing my car on the starting ramp. It was a BIG responsibility. I hope that some of my kids will be here next year so that I don’t have to do it on my own. Next year will be an obstacle course track with racers being allowed to use old cars, and the following year will be a straight track, but again racers will be allowed to use old cars. My best car this year was 14 Karat, so watch for its return (maybe Freddie Prinze, Jr. as well). Mombo’s best was Speedster, and she came in fourth. Eaglenest won 1st and 2nd, even out of the box. Go figure. . .

*****The Academic Team I am coaching won two and tied one out of 3 matches at our scrimmage last night. We played West Marion, Glasscock, and Lebanon Elementary. We did not have time to play Campbellsville.

*****I think that the Santa Fe salad at Sonic wins over the Blue Zalad at Zaxby’s,although both are very good. I am sad that Sonic closed in Lebanon.

*****Got mucho maintenance done on the new Camry (Hi Ho Silver) and the truck (Joben). Now to get the Wagon (Old Bessy) done so that I can sign her over to Marty.

*****The woodwork and hardwood floor are near finishing in the rumpus room and tool room at the Hall. It’s lookin’ good.

*****I got $42 from Mombo’s discarded books by going to two used book stores. I would not have gotten that much from a yard sale. It will go to fixing up the upstairs. I think we will donate what is left to the Casey County Library’s book sale. I did go to see the new Boyle County Library, and it is beautiful! They said I can have a library card, but since I got there shortly before closing, I will have to come back. That’s okay. It’s how I wish the Troy Library had been modernized.

*****Sharon always said I should read Jeffery Deaver for fun. O. Henry’s heir apparent has a darker milieu to his stories, but the twists are a delight.

*****Fog and rain. . . fog and rain. . . .I can hear Back Creek rushing from my deck. I can’t remember why I wrote, just a week ago:

“I came to Kelley Ridge of late and saw a million stars,
Their beauty flecking to ornate the night sky pocked with scars.”

I was able to get away from work by 4:30 today and head to Bardstown where I met with the Honeymooners for dinner at The Olde Tavern. It was so much fun to see them. First we loaded into their car a wonderful present from Patti, tv tables, then some clothes of Caitlan’s, her wallet that she had left with Holly Jo, her sewing box, and some magazines. (She says that Kyle can’t complain about her magazine obsession now because they are married, but he doesn’t seem to think that’s how it works). Then we spent our dinner time talking about their trip and the two resorts they stayed in and the food in Mexico and the beach, etc., etc., etc. I loved hearing about it all and can’t wait to see pictures!

I know this because they messaged me from the airport, called me when they discovered their decorated apartment, and changed their statuses (stati?) on Facebook to married to. . . I talked to KK for a long while yesterday. It was so good to hear her voice, although she was a little hoarse. I think she put off getting sick until after all the big events took place. Also, she never does well physically after long plane rides. I think they had a few mishaps with questionable food and incomplete sunscreen, but overall, it sounds like their honeymoon was really wonderful. Now they are busy opening wedding presents and preparing to write thank you notes. I’m so happy for them and can’t wait to see them in person soon.

I face a new decade. I face a new series of ages in which I start with a 6 in the tens’ place. When I think about the “oughts” I realized that between the year 2000 and now:

***I fell in love for the first time since Wayne died.
***I got married.
***I became a widow again.
***All three of my children received their college degrees (some master’s).
***I lost my job of many years.
***I went back to public school teaching.
***I sold TwoTrees and made Joe’s home at Kelley Ridge my own.
***Two of my children crossed the Atlantic to live and travel in Europe.
*** One of my children crossed the Pacific to live in Hawaii.
*** I journeyed to England three times and to Hawaii and Canada once.
*** My mother had open heart surgery.
*** I lost my beloved godfather.
*** My daughter married her first love.

A lot can happen in a decade. Look out, Joan. Here comes another one! ! !

On Monday night, Jerusha brought us rigatoni and garlic cheese bread. Last night it was pizza with mushrooms and olives. Tonight, it’s chili. . . but guess what–it has spaghetti in it! My niece is the “room service” specialist at Grammo’s. And she’s the chef, too! It’s easy to get spoiled!

For the people of Haiti, we pray to the Lord. . . .Lord, hear our prayer.

When you live with Mombo you have to:
1. Watch DAYS OF OUR LIVES
2. Or FOX NEWS
3. Or the Mass on EWTN at noon
4. Eat oatmeal with tumeric
5. Fix the toilet flusher
6. Pray before meals
7. Fill water bottles
8. Laugh a lot
9. Fuss at the dogs
10. Thank God every day for your mother