SPRING 2003

JANUARY

January was pretty quiet until classes started up again. Ken began his third semester as dean and Susan was enrolled in biology, art appreciation, government, managerial accounting and statistics. She tested out of the first computer information systems course and then later on dropped biology leaving a 12 hour schedule. It will be another semester of mainly studying and tests -- over and over and over.... On Sunday the 12th we had dinner at Red Lobster with a candidate for a vice president position on campus and then attended a reception at President Jim and Deborah Cofer's (ULM President) on the 13th. On the 25th we attended a boat and outdoors show at the civic center. Hunting and fishing were the emphasis, hence mostly fishing boats, so few pleasure boats were there.

FEBRUARY

The 1st and 2nd we actually got to play some tennis. We really need to up our physical activity since both of us lead such sedentary lifestyles (wonder that we're not fat as butterballs). On the 4th we attended a ULM golf team appreciation dinner at the Alumni Center. On the 7th we attended the first annual College of Business Administration Bumpin' on the Bayou, organized by Ken, which consisted of dinner, dance with a live band, and silent auction (included a dinner for six at our house at a future date). It was a fun evening, though a lot of work goes on behind the scenes.

On a sad note, my beloved German Shepherd, Charmayne, passed away on the 8th. She became really sick and had to be helped across the rainbow bridge. (It's been a year, so I can type this without crying.) She wasn't the smartest dog, but was the most loyal and loving I've ever had. She was my best buddy for ten years. (My eyes are getting wet, so maybe I was wrong about the passing time...)

Life goes on, however, and we were scheduled to attend a Feast Together Dinner Club event at the Gibbons' house on the 9th. This is a church-sponsored dinner group (SPUMC) that we decided to join this spring to try to meet more people at our church (large church). On the 13th I attended a United Methodist Women's meeting with Jan Humphries (pastor's wife). She is one of the sweetest women I have ever met! On the evening of the 22nd we stood around on Louisville and watched the Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade here in Monroe, and captured many strands of beads with no showing of skin. (This parade is much tamer.) The evening of the 25th was a busy night with first attending the Addy Advertising Awards banquet in West Monroe, and then driving over to The Atrium in Monroe for the first annual ULM Mardi Gras Ball. It was a chance to dress in formal attire which is one of my favorite things to do! For lunch on the 28th we entertained Mary Ann and Sue at Bennigan's in West Monroe. These two ladies are a couple of the best friends we've made since moving to Monroe and we enjoy them so much!

MARCH

February ended with our finding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy for sale, by using Internet contacts. (We had known that Charmayne was ailing and so we'd already discussed a future breed both Ken and I would like; just didn't think it would happen so soon!) Ken fell in love with this puppy as soon as he saw the photo emailed to us. It was amazing to me to watch him doggedly (pun intended) work to get through Western Union red tape to get a deposit into the hands of the owner before anyone else (pretty incredible for those of us who only knew the pragmatic Ken!). Then we made arrangements to drive over to Dallas TX the next weekend to pick her up, and stay with the boys (Dallas and Wes). She was the cutest little thing (though long) at nine weeks old. Ken is really fascinated by her. We decided to keep the name Lily since the mark on her head looked sort of flower like (and Susan means 'lily'). The boys thought she was great and while we were there she really bonded with Dallas, so much that to this day he's probably her third favorite person. (Wes wasn't there until the wee hours of the morning, so we spent all evening in Dallas' company and they played quite a bit.) We three went out to eat at Carrabbas for some really great Italian cuisine, then came back and played more with the puppy. On Monday the 3rd we brought her home and it was spring break, so we got to spend a lot of time getting her used to her new home. Then came the associated pleasure (yeah!) of going to the vet for a clean bill of health, but starting the whole series of visits and puppy shots, etc. They don't appear to be much cheaper than human babies during this time!

On the 9th, another church dinner club meal. These are fun and we're meeting some really nice church people, including getting to know the pastor and his wife much better. Then on the 13th, OUR NC HOUSE FINALLY SOLD!!! Great news, as it was so scary to leave it out there so far away with no relatives to keep an eye on it. We had to celebrate at The Warehouse, arguably the best restaurant in Monroe. On the 20th we attended a Minority Business Council meeting at CenturyTel. This is a very worthwhile group organized to advance the efforts of minorities in the Monroe area. The weekend of 22-23 was busy with a dinner banquet for a CBA retired accounting faculty member on Saturday night, and attending the SPUMC Youth Dinner Theatre performance on Sunday. The kids were incredible and we enjoyed the company of Dick and Jan and their family.

March was eventful for us, culminating with a flying trip to Denver and attending the AAA conference where Ken presented a paper. It's a great conference that I try to attend with Ken. We were close enough for Diane (my brother's wife, he was sick) to drive up from Colorado Springs and pick us and Amy (their daughter who attends college in Denver) up for lunch. We had a great visit and enjoyed driving around Denver some. Beautiful area -- but cold! Then in the evening we went on the infamous mountain bus trip into the Rocky Mountains. It was like we were wild teenagers going joyriding -- at least our bus driver seemed to think so. We went barreling up the snow packed curvy mountain roads like there was no tomorrow and finally turned a hairpin corner too close when someone else was coming down, so we collided on the sides. Luckily, no one was hurt in the minor fender bender, but its always amazing how slow waiting around for officials and accident reporting can be. It was pretty cold up on the mountain for over an hour until we were cleared to leave four our dinner destination. On Monday we attended a dinner at Steve and Sally's for some visiting dignitaries from India. This was sort of a Rotary function. Ken is now a Rotarian, if I haven't mentioned that before. Here I am teaching the new puppy about the pool (almost swimming weather). Lily and Easton get along great after an initial awkwardness.

APRIL

On April 8 Ken attended the CBA retired faculty reception on campus. On Friday the 11th the CBA held its annual Honors Banquet at the ULM Conference Center. It was really good and Ken officiated. The weekend we went boating and took Lily to introduce her to the sport of boating. She wasn't as thrilled as we would have hoped, but maybe with time it will become more fun for her, as she does like to wade around in the water, but the boat is a little scary.

On the Friday the 18th, we traveled to Springfield for the weekend (with Lily) to stay with Tim and Heather for a few days. We had a great time and shopped at the BassPro Shop which is one of my favorite places to shop and see a lot of neat wilderness displays. On Saturday evening Roy drove over from Pittsburg for a visit. It was great to see him since we seldom do. Tim's girlfriend, Heather, is a wonderful girl and a great match for Tim (and they both are wonderful cooks). Attended another Minority Business Council meeting on the 22nd which was hosted by Ken and the CBA. On the 26th, Susan went to the museum with a friend and some kids. The juried exhibit was filled with local and and other artwork. Afterwards we all went out for ice cream. (Glad the semester is nearly over!!)