Friday, October 13, 2006, 10:14 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Eileen~

You are ever the football fan, aren't you? So am I; I am glad that Texas won over the Sooners in the RedRiver Shootout; that was quite a thrilling game to see!

I am hanging in there. I am sad because one of my friends lost her little girl, who had been kidnapped. Despite all our prayers and all the support, things did not end as planned. I was hoping for a Miracle, but it looks like it did not happen.

Such a shame; Daniella will be sorely missed not only by her grieving family but by ours as well. I wish I could go to the funeral, but I am unable to; I did send the Cohen family a funeral bouquet for Daniella  as well as a sympathy card and some cash, just to let them know that we were thinking of them during this incredibly sad time in their lives.

We are doing good otherwise; nobody got the virus that I had (thank goodness!). Bill and the kids have remained healthy, and I pray that this continues. I was sick, sick; so sick I wanted to die! UGH! I hope never to have a sickness like that ever again; once was more than enough!

How is the weather there in the Lone Star State? Here it is sunny, but cool; this morning it got downright chilly, so we ended up having to turn on the heat, the first time this year. Yes, fall is certainly here, and the trees in our yard are at their peak color: simply amazing reds, golds, oranges, browns, greens! I have never seen a fall like this year; the fall foilage is nothing short of spectacular! (If you want, I'll take some pictures of the leaves and send them to you. Would you like that?)

We are getting ready for our church's Harvest Festival, which falls on Hallowe'en. It is always a big time, and we enjoy the food, fellowship, and the music, plus the kids can dress up and do different activities to keep them out of our hair. LOL We've gone the past several years, and we always have the best time!

I am also getting ready for Thanksgiving; trying to decide on where to put our company. We will probably end up putting the extra people at a motel not far from us; there is no way all can come; there would be no room! Our house is plenty full now! (Makes me wonder sometimes why God allowed us to adopt so many kids. LOL)

We are all rested and recuperated from our Alaskan cruise; we got the pictures, and if you want, I'll send you extra copies. We had a wonderful time, but then I got sick, and that sort of ruined the vacation.

Alaska was as magnificent as I last remember when we were last there two years back, but this time the entire gang was for the ride, and it  was absolute  craziness at times! LOL At least Carnival provided activities for the children (Camp Carnival, plus the teenagers had their own area); at least we got a break from them and could enjoy ourselves!

I am trying to get caught up on unanswered e-mails (HA! What a joke that is! LOL); it isn't easy, but I think I am making a little headway in the mountains of mail! AGGGGH! LOL

Well, Eileen, I'd best be going; time for lunch break. I will write to you again; take care of yourselves, and may God bless you mightily!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :D