Friday, February 23, 2007, 10:14 a.m., Denton, Texas~

Dear Louie~

Hi! I am sorry for not responding sooner to your last letter (it was written in January; it's now nearing the end of February!!); please forgive me! Life has been busy here!

I hope the weather has turned nicer there in Tennessee; when you wrote  your letter, you were having ice. I hope you didn't bust your  yoyo! When it is icy outside, I don't get out in it; don't want to risk falling or fracturing something; that would not be good!

Speaking of weather, we may have a round of severe storms come through later tonight through tomorrow morning, including the threat of tornadoes (although the weather folks are saying the threat is more northwest of where we are at, but when it comes to storms in Texas, you just may never know...). I hope not; I hate severe weather! Living in Tornado Alley like I do gives people a whole new appreciation of weather; it can turn ugly in minutes! One minute, the sky can be bright blue, and the next, roiling with green-black storm clouds!

I did get your books; got those last week. Thanks for sending them; I have almost finished the one, and will start "Part Two" when I am done with the first book. What I have read so far has held my interest; you write so well! I love  your book "A Familiy Made Out Of Rainbows And Miracles: The Sandsuky Family Story: A True Story Of Love And International Adoption"! What you have  had to go through is incredible; not just anyone can endure such tragedy and emerge whole like you have done; you are one in a million!

I am happy for you that you are adding to the family; hopefully you won't have to wait too much longer! That is always the worst part of the adoption experience: waiting for your child, and/or not knowing whether you are going to GET that particular child! I don't know how you do it! That waiting period would drive me insane!!

The weather here in Texas has been really delightful the past few days: bright sunshine, temps nearing (or reaching) the eighty-degree mark. People have been outside in droves; even I have been out, trying to catch some rays. I am as pale as a ghost; I hate looking like I am dying! LOL I want some color on me! LOL

What do you think of this Anna Nicole Smith junk that's been splashed on the news? I thought she was nothing; she was too fake (looked it, too!). I don't care for all this celebrity gossip; it bores me to tears! And this Britney Spears fiasco: sounds like her career is on the downswing; what a shame! I hope I never become that famous! I would hate the feeling of living under a microscope like that! It would not be pleasant!

I did get the letters from Johnny and Ronee'; I wrote to Ronee', am waiting for her response. I have yet to write to Johnny. I have been busy, plus my lupus has been giving me fits. I also have been having problems with my feet swelling; i can't wear anything but slippers. Am wondering if I have edema; have made an appointment with my doctor, Dr. Charlemain, next Tuesday, to see if he can figure out what is going on. I hope it is nothing to do with my heart! That would be the last thing I'd need, what with everything else that has been going on in relation to my health!

You seem to have very nice, well-behaved children in Johnny and Ronee'; they are both very smart, articulate, and seem to have good heads upon their shoulders. That is very refreshing to see: too many kids nowadays act like spoiled brats who expect to have everything handed to them!

Well, Louie, this isn't much, but I can't seem to think of what to say next. I guess on that note I will let you go, let you get back to work. I know you work at the hospital during the day, so you are probably very busy. I won't keep you from your job. Take care, and write back when  you can!

~Love, your friend in Texas, Eileen Marie. :D

P.S.: I'll let you know what the doctor tells me on Tuesday; stay tuned~ Hopefully it is nothing serious, as I have alluded to earlier! Just say a quick prayer and I'll be okay! Thanks!

~Eileen. :D