Howdy from the Sunshine State!

It's just me, Phaedra Rose.  Thought I'd write to you to let y'all know what's shakin'.  Here goes nothin'...

Caz and I are still best buds.  I am so glad I have her in my life; it's like the Big Guy upstairs intentionally popped her in, just so's I'd have someone to pal around with.  I just love her to pieces; she's sooo cool!!

My brothers Timmy, Ant, and Brad are still drivin' me up a tree; they continue to drive me insane with their bratty behavior!  I love 'em, as they're my brothers, but dang, they're so active!!!! 

You know they're around when you hear 'em hollerin'; you hear 'em before you even see them most of the time!

(They're 11, 10, and 5.)

I've made some new friends besides Caz:  there's Ro Thomas, Wrenda Cates, Yasmeen Okanawa, Tiffyni Grace, Ronea' Charlemaign, Johnnie Lynn Williams, Beatriz Ortega, and Vonda Castle.  I see 'em just about every day at school; we usually eat lunch together and share some of the same classes.  So I have a regular posse' going.  LOL

Caz, however, is my best friend; I've known her the longest since comin' here to Florida.

Still not sure as to whether I like it or not, but I do like watching the egrets, herons, and other birds flying overhead in huge flocks while I am waiting for the bus; I think that's cool!

I also like the fact that the days are getting shorter; just not sure whether I am going to like sixty- or seventy- degree weather in the middle of winter; I'm used to cold, wind, and snow, not wall-to-wall sunshine and warm temps!!

That's going to be so weird come this Christmastime: not having snow blanketing the ground!!

My daddy's found a new job:  he's working again!!  He's working at Golden Corral as a cook; it's not big money, but at least he's trying to earn a living for his family.  Ma, she's working, too; she is a server at that same place.  They work while we kids are at school; by the time they get off, we're on our way home. 

On the weekends, they can work up to eight or nine hours a pop, both on Saturday and Sunday.  They only have one day off (Thursdays); on Thursdays, they sleep in.

If they're not home to meet us, then we  have our neighbor, Ms. Phelps, let us in; ma and daddy gave her an extra key, so she can unlock the door.  It's a good arrangement.

And ma and daddy smell soooo good; they smell like steak!!  Yummmm!!  :)

Ma loves working at Golden Corral; she makes good tips.  This past weekend, as an example, she made over $500 extra dollars, so we are able to take care of our bills and groceries.

We are indeed blessed.  We are not "saved", like my friend Caz, but we do believe in God, just the same.  We are Catholic.  We used to go to Mass just about every weekend, but since ma and daddy are working mucho hours, we don't go to Mass nearly as much.  I miss it.

Well, I gotta get ready for school, so I'd best scoot.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Phaedra Rose signing outta here!  Take care and God bless!

~Love, your Florida friend, Phaedra.  :)