Stuff

I don't want to let too much time go by without posting something. I can never remember who knows what is going on with us, so this is usually a good way to catch everyone up. We are keeping fairly busy working on things around the house. Dexter got in trouble for taking a scooter without permission and driving it to the mall (and other places). Since he has no driver's license of any kind, this bit of rebellion is even scarier for us. He is spending the month of July without cell phone and computer access to friends and is limited to activities with family or for church. He has been working on a summertime list of extra projects around the house and yard. Still no job for him. Even the fast food jobs are snatched up fast this summer.

Emerson and I are working on our own relationship. August 20 will be our 21st anniversary and we are realizing how much work marriage can be. You can't stop talking and trying to work things out. This summer has been kind of fun getting to know each other again. Trying to keep the lawn green and our garden growing has been one of biggest focuses.

Dwayne's job in Chicago is coming to an early end. Cheating on the part of a few has ended it for everyone. He could transfer to Tampa and continue working, but Dwayne says he realizes that he doesn't have the personality to make that kind of shift and get to know the personality of that region with so little time left. He's trying to figure out what his next move is. He still has some work to do to repair his relationship with his dad and fix the turmoil that created, so he has ruled out living with us for the time being.

We've had some fun visits with family this month. Emerson's family was up for the Independence Day weekend. We barbecued, watched movies, played games, watched the parade, and roasted in the heat. The guys played golf a couple of times. I participated in the Freedom Run 5K by walking and found myself having to walk home from the finish line because the police had so many roads blocked for the parade that Emerson couldn't get through to pick me up. Rick and Holly stopped by for dinner and to bring me some stuff from Dad's apartment. I finally got some of my record albums back that Dad took off with in the divorce. Bill, Tina, Billy, Eliza, Buddy, and Jack stopped by yesterday morning on their way back home. Short visit, but glad we got to see them. We're hoping we get more opportunities to see family this year.