Good Morning everyone!

We've had a decent week, started out busy and ended busy, with a normal in between. 

The baby shower was a bust...the guest of honor was not there! She had gone to the baby's daddy's house and, even though they promised to bring her home and had the money for gas, at the time the shower was supposed to start she sent a text saying that they wouldn't bring her back! The only attendees at the shower were me and Emily, Kayden and Kiyann, and Ryan's step-mom Julie. None of the family on Amanda's side came. It was sad and disappointing in that regard. But, the kids got to see their daddy and play with the kitten and we ate cake anyway. Emily and I both wanted to bring our gifts back with us until we could give them to her in person, but we didn't. I don't know if she's seen them yet or not.

Monday we set off about 10 in the morning to see the eclipse. Surprisingly traffic was very light. I had checked the Missouri traffic map and it showed normal traffic until it got to the split into Illinois and farther north. So, we decided to play it by ear. We were able to get within about 10 miles of the Mississippi river. For folks who have travelled this road, we were able to get to Boomland. There is a McDonald's there, so we ate lunch just as the eclipse was starting and then moved the car to the truck parking lot (which was relatively empty) to watch. We didn't get totality, but got about 99%. It was rather eerie, the light changed, the birds settled and got quiet, the cicadas started chirping and all the street lights came on. We could see into McDonalds when we couldn't before. Kiyann was amazed. It seemed like every 5 seconds she would say "It moved!". Bill had a hard time watching it because his neck doesn't have much mobility and it was hard for him to keep looking up. When it started to get light again, we went over to Boomland for a potty break and let the kids get a snack, although we had plenty of food in the car. We also gassed up for the ride home. Traffic was a little heavier on the way home once we got onto I55 again from people who had gone on toward St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. Brianna came through part of that area later in the evening and it was at a standstill in places.

We were back in school mode Tuesday and she somehow managed to get her work done in less time than it was supposed to take. Her grades are decent for the first 2 weeks of school, so she's at least reading the material. 

I had not gotten the prescription for Bill's quarterly labs, so I called Stephanie and she said she would fax it to the lab so off we went yesterday morning. Since they are fasting labs we went early. They had not gotten the fax, but they took care of calling her and getting it. They also had to call back to clarify something so had to wait longer and then had trouble getting any blood. This happened when they were trying get labs when he was sick last week. Usually there are no problems with his veins, it's always been mine that give problems. But, we were finally on our way a little after 10. A stop at IHOP for breakfast and then a quick stop at the mall to get my ring inspected and we were home by noon. Tiring, but at least everything is done.

Today the cat has to go to the vet and I'm taking her in just a little bit. I think I'm leaving Bill at home, it he will stay. It's always very busy on Saturday and they are only there until 12 so sometimes it's standing room only. She won't be happy because it's for another allergy shot.

We have nothing planned now until November as far as medical goes, unless something else pops up. Bill is coughing more again, but the weather has changed yet again, so I'm just keeping an eye on him. He may get a breathing treatment this afternoon.

See you in a week!