It's Been Awhile!

Hello to all again!  I’ve taken a bit of a break from this journal during the summer as the demands on my time and energy in the real world left me drained at the end of each day.  In addition, there was a lot going on emotionally that took a toll.  Don’t worry; Paulette, Sandy, and I are okay as well as the kitty, Emmie, and our newest addition, Emmie’s new kitty pal, Gracie.  I'll write more about the new addition at a later time.

Right now I’d like to take a moment to thank all who wrote comments and Emails expressing concern over my absence.  Thank you, my friends, for your concern and the support you give to me and all of our J-Land community. 

This brings me to a big: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY J-LAND!  Yes, we celebrated J-Land’s third anniversary this weekend.  There were numerous celebration events including a huge J-Land chat session last night that I was lucky enough to take part in.  It’s always a good time when all the journalists get together!

The graphics that you see here and on the sidebar were provided by Donna over at D’s Designs.  She really did a great job this year providing celebration graphics for all of us to use and enjoy.  Thanks, Donna!

Journals Editor Joe provided the Three Year Graphic on the side bar.  If you've not found your way to Magic Smoke, you owe it to yourself to pay him a visit. 

Many of you wrote to me asking if we had heard from Trenton and his parents.  There is not much good news to share.  Trace and Danielle have split up and moved to different states.  Danielle is back in Reno, Nevada and Trace is working in Arizona. 

Trenton is with Danielle and she refuses to let Trenton come and live with us until she gets back on her feet.  She is filing for divorce and welfare at the same time.

Trace is doing well for his company in Arizona and is trying to live a drug free lifestyle.  He sounds good and we have great hopes for his future.

We talk to Trenton on the phone twice a week now and he sounds as good as a youngster can considering his parents are not living together.  He has been promised by his mom that he can come visit us for a few weeks next summer.  We hope she does not change her mind.

As for Paulette and I, it’s out of our hands now.  We just want to be loving grandparents and be kept out of the back and forth accusations and blame game that seems to always play out in these situations.  The kids finally seem to realize what we are saying and we are now being spared the day to day drama.

As for me, life goes on.  I’m still at the marina and taking care of things.  It’s been particularly challenging this summer because I’ve gone the entire season without an assistant.  I’ve had high school and college kids helping me, but I’ve had to do so much more than normal due to the lack of another adult on the staff.

We finally hired an assistant for me and he started a week ago.  He’s a fast learner, thank goodness, and is going to work out very well.  Things will settle back into a routine I’m more comfortable with now and I can devote more time and energy into keeping up with my J-Land friends and writing in this journal.

Lest I forget, let me wish my sister, Jan, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!  Jan is a Colonel in the Army Reserves and is on active duty at Ft. Polk, Louisiana.  We love you and are thinking about you and all of our troops on active duty!

I’ve still been taking pictures from time to time, so I’ve got some things from this summer to write about and share in future posts.  I hope you have all been well and in good spirits. 

I’ll be going around to all my favorite journals in the coming days and weeks to catch up again on the news and share a little gossip.  Save me a seat on the back porch and we’ll share a cup of coffee or a spot of tea, as well.

Sam