I know I haven't been very consistant with this newsletter and I apologize. I'll try to get my act together!

As some of you know, my only son Zach, age 19, has joined the Marines. He left for boot camp on March 15th. He'll graduate on June 11th. I'm very proud of him but I'm also very concerned for his safety...not so much as far as boot camp is concerned; but more like what happens after all of the training is over. I pray every day that he won't get send overseas. Once he gets back, I'll have to post some pics of him in his uniform. He's a great looking guy already...but in uniform look out!!! LOL And I'm not just saying that as his mother.

My daughter, Samantha is on her way to Florida for vacation. It's her first time so I'm sure she'll have a blast! Before her brother left for boot camp, Samantha, along with her friend Jennifer Oliver, wrote this very touching poem:

I am worrying about you when you're gone
I wonder why you had to leave so soon.
I hear the keyboard in my dreams.
I see you leaving and broke my heart
because you're gone.
I do not want you to go, I'll miss you too much.
I pretend you're not leaving home so soon.
I feel happy knowing that you're doing something you want to do.
I worry that something's doing to happen to you.
I cry knowing that you're leaving for a long time.
I understand why you wanted to become a Marine.
I dream that you're still here.
I try not to cry when I don't see you around the house.
I'm still worrying about...
'cause you're gone.

I love you!
xoxoxo

Samantha is age 14 and Jennifer is 15 years old. This poem, along with other great works by many talented writer's will be in the July, 2004 issue of Writer's Post Journal. Some of my poems and short stories will also be featured in May and June's issues of the Writer's Post Journal. For more on the Writer's Post Journal visit http://www.lbfbooks.com

My dog of 8 years has been quite ill. In a few short days her stomach has bloated and she can't seem to eat (or poop). I took her to the Vets. and they ran some blood work. Every test that they did came back fine...they did tests ranging from Lymes to Cancer, Liver failure, heart worms, organ failure. The tests say she's healthy but she's still very bloated. NO...she's not pregnant. She was 'fixed' years ago! We just started giving her some diaretics (spelling?) tonight. Hopefully she'll be able to have a bowel movement soon and she'll be fine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Well, that's about it for now.

God bless all and Happy Holidays!