Wow, the ole Stream has slowed to a slight trickle this morning and has been a lesson in patience to move from one page to another.  Ice and I are going out in a little while to run some errands and such, so I'm hoping I can get a post in before the time comes to leave. 

It's been a while since I've spent any time here, other than the occasional peak at somebody's blog, so I have a lot to catch up on.

First of all, I want to show off my beautiful flowers that Ginger and family sent to me for Mother's Day.  I think I'm the luckiest mother and grandmother in the world to have such wonderful kids and grandkids.  They truly are life's reward, don't you think?  Here they are:

Speaking of Ginger and family, Ice and I made a trip to Branson, Missouri two weeks ago with them and had a wonderful time.  Jana (grandaughter) and the rest of her 8th grade band had the privilege of opening a show there in Branson for being #1 middle school band in Oklahoma, so we couldn't miss that, for sure.  They were super and having been in the band myself while I was in school, I was blown away at the talent of such young players that had only been playing a couple of years.  Wow! 

We saw the Mickey Gilley show while we were there also, and took a tour of the "Titanic" which wasn't there the last time we were in Branson.  But the best part was spending time with my family and, of course, my wonderful husband.  I was sick with a chest cold and sore throat when we left for the trip and was under the weather until after we got home, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world and didn't feel bad enough to ruin the trip. 

We did some shopping, then Ginger, Jana and I had our picture made at the "Old Tyme Photo Shop" with all the gowns and hats to make us a trio of "Southern Belles".  I loved getting it made and now have a memory to look at for the rest of my life of "us girls".  Jana is growing up so fast and has become a beautiful young lady like her mother. 

I applied for another job yesterday and have high hopes of getting it.  Conditions at my job have become so stressful and discouraging that I am willing to take a cut in pay just to get back to the kind of work I love to do, feel like I have accomplished something when the day is over, and reduce the overwhelming stress that has taken a toll on me the last year. 

I could go into detail, but to no avail.  Suffice to say that I'm waving the white flag of surrender and have gone enough distance that I feel I can walk away feeling that I've done the best that I can.  There comes a time that self preservation is priority.

I have let my job situation color every aspect of my life, so it's time to let go of the one thing that is the biggest obstacle to my happiness and what I enjoy.  The more worried and overwhelmed I get, the quieter I become, which Ice can attest to, so I tend to withdraw when I'm worried and depressed.  So I find it hard to post on the blog or visit with my husband and family.  So, enough is enough.  Time to move on to another job and be myself again!

Prissy lured me out to the back yard yesterday and I spent time with her and Junior, watching them play and patrol their domain.  I, of course had to get the camera and take a few pictures:

We sure miss Buster and I find it hard to think about my "little buddy" without tearing up, but I know he had a great life here and was happy with us.  Junior has stepped right up to the status of "stud" and king of his domain and has taken to strutting his stuff the way his daddy used to do.  Prissy, of course, has always been a little spitfire, so they have wonderful times playing and scuffling.  I thought I would have to get up at four in the morning to referee an obviously serious Schnauzer Wrestling Match that had them both so wound up that they were at the "barking at each other" stage.  Never a dull moment with Schnauzers and it's the reason I love them so much.  Always interesting and entertaining, even tho they tend to get themselves into trouble quite often.  It's hard to stay mad at them for long.

Enough of my Saturday Morning Drivel.  Time to get a shower and start my day in the real world.  I hope everyone here is well and doing great.  And Gloria, I want you to know I'm rooting for you in your efforts to stop smoking!  If we can do it, anybody can!

Love to all!

Pup