The World According to Leslie

Junior Gold National Tournament, 2021 Indianapolis, IN In 2019, we went to Detroit, MI, for almost two weeks so that Chasity could compete in the Junior Gold National Championships. She qualified in May of that year, we we took off to Michigan in July.  This year, 2021, we took off on July 8 to Indiana. We drove through a few states to get there. On the way back, we stopped in Kentucky (to see Church Hill Downs) and Pigeon Forge (just because).  On the way to Indiana, we saw a lot of rain, but we saw some beautiful clouds after it.  After one of Chasity's practice sessions, we went to downtown Indianapolis. We found Lucas Oil Stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play. We did not go for a tour, but we did drive around and take a lot of pictures. Chasity took pictures on my phone. I used my camera.  Between her 2nd and 3rd practice sessions, we went to the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds . That place is H.U.G.E! We had to do registration so she could get her badge and b...

I have noticed that I have been slacking off on my writing here. I have not written every day like I was before school let out. It’s not a bad thing I guess, but I feel weird when I have had a day or so off. I never know what to come back to write about.   Work starts back on August 19th officially for me. School starts back for the Princess on August 26th.   We have had two vacations already this year. We are looking at two more. That’s the best part about me having a job. We get to plan to do more things.  More pictures for the scrapbooks. More time with the Princess and the family.   For Labor Day, I think we are going to go to Boone and visit Tweetsie. The Princess earned tickets through Girl Scout cookie sales again. I think we will head up there that weekend.   Then…right after Christmas, we are planning to kidnap my parents and head to Gatlinburg again. This will be the third year in a row! The first year was to get Tony some new boots. ...

On Saturday, we packed up our stuff and my parents’ stuff and headed to Myrtle Beach.   When we arrived, we discovered that the place we had rented was NOTHING like they described it on the internet, so we ended up repacking the car and getting the rental place to give us a different place.   It was nicer, but still not what was explained on the internet.   There was no internet access, so I had to use the hot spot on my phone. That lead to my internet freezing up.   Today, we packed everything up and came back home. Now I need a vacation from my vacation!     There will be pics of vacation soon.   Right now, I have to catch up some writing…since there was no internet and I couldn’t get anything done there.    And… I need to get some rest. Vacations are the worst for making you tired.  Right?

Today, my parents tell me they want to stay at the beach longer when we go in a couple of weeks.  This means that Tony has to get time approved from work.  Right now, he’s got almost 30 hours in for this week already! They are not going to want him to be gone longer!      Anyways….  today, the Princess and I played Monopoly!  Do you know how long that game takes?  Ohmygeee!!!!  We played for two hours, but we still aren’t finished.  I guess we will play tomorrow….since it’s a little late tonight!      I have been completing a trial for a writing client.  Last night (this morning) on Skype he told me the trial was over and he needed me on the team.   Right before July 4th, I completed a single article trial for a different writing team.  They emailed me today to let me know they want me on their team.  I am excited.    Yesterday, I sent a message to my sister-in-law/tax preparer...

Did I get you?  lol    No!  We aren’t moving again!  Hopefully for a VEEEEERRRRYYYY long time!  I hate moving!    Anyways… our house has 3 bedrooms and a bonus room.  When we moved in, we told the Princess she could use the Bonus Room as her play room.  After getting everything in, we realized that our office (the third bedroom) was so very cramped.  The Princess was only used 1/2 of the Bonus Room for toys.   We decided to switch it.    So, we did!   Yesterday!   I went through boxes that had still been packed since November.  Much of the stuff that we are keeping fit into smaller boxes or tubs.   Most of the stuff in the boxes became “recylcables”  or “donatables”.  We have TWO huge boxes of stuff that need to be recycled.  We have a big box and a couple of little boxes of things that need to be donated.    LOVE IT!  So glad we are doing t...

As promised, here are some of the pics from Hilton Head.  We arrived on Friday to this room.  Nice…right?  The only problem was that we were supposed to have queen beds.  We had doubles.  (A little short, but they worked!)   That evening, Tony and the Princess walked to the beach.  It was a little far for me.  My legs and back were hurting from being in the car for so long.   In order to get the fabulous deal we got, we had to go to a 90-120 minute presentation on Saturday at noon.  It started at noon, and we were back in the car by 2pm.  If we were going to buy a timeshare, these would be the people to deal with.  They weren’t pushy.  When we said “no,” they did make ONE more effort (change price, down payment, etc.).  BUT…after we said “no” again, they shook our hands and took us back to the front door.  Friendly.  Polite.  Did not seem upset that we did not purchase.  Nice. W...

Yesterday was a day of traveling!  We got up early and left Hilton Head.    However….we did not head straight home.  Tony’s brother and sister’s  grandmother died.  (They are his step-siblings!)  We went through Laurens, SC to pay our respects to the family.  We didn’t get to see many people—most had to work until the funeral tomorrow.    But, we got to see their mom.  We haven’t seen her since the Princess was about 3-4 (maybe 5).  We really should make time to see the family more.    I had told my mom we were going through there, but I had not called my dad.  About 1/2 way there, I got a text from Dad asking if we were coming home.   That meant a lot.  It meant he missed us.    So I texted to let him know what was going on.   As soon as we got into town, I called my mom. We came home, unloaded, and went to their house.  Really?  You thought I’d do anything else fir...

I can’t believe that in the morning we are going to be leaving to head home.  The weekend is almost over!  That’s crazy!   Now I am going to need a vacation from my vacation!  LOL  Isn’t that how it always goes?

So we are in Hilton Head.  It’s beautiful.  Everything is “hidden” behind trees.   Points of issue: 1.  The “beach resort” is a 10-15 minute walk to the actual beach.  2. It’s hot!  (LOL  No one can control that.  But… you all know I prefer winter!) 3. Most everything we have wanted to do is across the bridge.  That means $1.25 each way for the toll.  4. It’s still hot!   I guess those are my only real complaints.   Darn!  I was hoping to find something to complain about!  (Just Kidding!!!)   Guess I’m just having a good vacation!

Last night, after returning movies we rented earlier in the week, going to see my parents one last time, and everything else that has to be done to get ready to leave, we left around 9pm.   I drove for the first hour.  We stopped at Wendy’s (in some SC town) to get something to eat.  When we parked long enough to check the food (they got it right!) we switched drivers.   Tony is having some issues with his eye (a post coming soon!).  So he could only drive for about an hour.    We ended up staying in Blythewood, SC for the night.  GPS says we have about 3 and 1/2 hours to Hilton Head.   So, we are up, eating, and getting ready to load up.

Tonight, we have awards for Girl Scouts.    Right now, I’m trying to write an article or two, but I’m having a hard time writing these.  I am wondering if I should just tell this guy that I am going to look for other things to write.  I can’t find information for the stuff….so I can’t write what he wants written.   Plus….I emailed him to ask questions about a couple of the articles, but I haven’t gotten a response.  Some of the articles are the same names—almost.    For example: Girl Scout Award Girl Scout Awards   See?  I don’t know how to write two articles about that!  They are the same thing…. I just need to know what he wants me to do.  The articles are due tomorrow.  I get so stressed out!!!  I’m sure he will answer… I just have to patient!    As for the awards, the girls are getting all their cookie prizes…. patches…..badges….and gifts tonight!  I have two girls who are br...

Today is the last day of school.   It really is bittersweet.    This has been an awesome year.  It is amazing to work with the teachers at my school, the parents at my school, and the kids.  This year has been so much better than last year.  It’s amazing how different 365 days can be!  I’m in a totally different place.   That’s what makes it so bittersweet.    I am so looking forward to sleeping in and doing a little writing from home this summer.  I’m looking forward to spending time with Tony and the Princess (and my family) at the beach this summer.  I’m looking forward to finally finishing the unpacking of my house this summer.  (May even have a yard sale to rid myself of some of the junk!)   But… I’m going to miss the kids. I’m going to miss my colleagues.  I’m going to miss the schedule.  There are many things I will miss…..      So it’s bittersweet!   ...

June 8th--Last day of school June 12--Chasity had pneumonia June 28--Chasity had an ear infection July 8--Dad was rushed to ER (overnight in hospital--congestive heart failure) July 11-26--Working at daycare for Mom to take Dad to doctor's appointments July 18--Chasity had double ear infection July 31--Only 27 days until school starts (for kids)--13 for me! This is crazy.  With all of this going on, we haven't had a vacation.  We haven't gone swimming.  She hasn't had a single one of the softball lessons we had lined up.  This is crazy!  We have a paid trip to Hilton Head waiting on us (3 nights/4 days).  We can't leave town long enough to go.  Mom doesn't really have anyone else who will put up with the kids at the daycare so that she can be out to take Dad where he needs to go.  There are other people who help when they can, but I'm the only one that drops everything to go.  So.... I guess we will go to Tweetsie one Saturd...

We just got back from our vacation.  We came back on Wednesday.  However, we needed Thursday to recover!  lol  Isn’t that how it always goes?  You need a vacation to relax from a vacation? So, here are some of the highlights. First, we went to Boone, NC.  We stayed not far from Appalachian State University!  (I attended ASU as a college freshman!  It has changed A LOT since then!) The hotel where we stayed was great!  There was an indoor pool, but the tub in our room was big enough to be a small one-person pool for Chasity!  She just had to get in (clothes on and NO water) so that I could get a picture of the size!  She loved it!!     We were supposed to visit Tweetsie Railroad.  Chasity won tickets through her Girl Scout Cookie sales this year.  However, on July 4th, the day we planned to go, it was stormy all day.  The thunderstorms finally went away around 7pm.  The park closed at 9pm....