Celebrations at the Nashville Perrys!

"We" just finished our second cataract surgery and so far the ol eye got an update-- a lifetime free of contacts or glasses-- if all goes according to plan. But better than that, John's boss took him to lunch on Monday and said that he had been promoted to "Partner". His name was submitted to a leadership group at the firm and he was voted in unanimously. He received a note from one of the guys of welcome, and he said what a fine addition John was and that he does all things with excellence. Rachel and I don't exactly know what exactly partner means, but we celebrated him with a candlelight steak dinner Monday night. The two Perry girls here are awful proud. I knew you'd want to know.

Other news:
RR is a bit overwhelmed with the "more homework" part of high school. She just was voted captain of the vball team, and is playing really well. Nice girls on the team, great new friends-- and she looks adorable in her catholic school girl uniform.

Since we couldn't go to the USC/UVA game (boo hoo!!), I listed the tickets on ebay. The bidding should be over around 5:00 PM today, and this morning the price is at $256. To ease the guilt of feeling like a scalper, we'll donate all the money to Immanuel. Have you checked out our website? Check here. Love to all.

Isn't John great!!

The Unsinkable Water-Dogs

That was our garage band's name, yesterday, as we played music aboard a big, beautiful houseboat. We were electrified and everything! At one point, the boat owner anchored in a cove (other side of the lake), and we attracted quite a crowd. The guy with the dreads, is Kendrick, local restaurant owner/musician/Jamaican. He always calls me "sister", which cracks me up! Now he wants us to come play at his restaurant. Next thing you know, we'll need a tour bus!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend, much love to all.

Joan

Arkansas Road Trip

Last weekend, Gene and I drove to Fayetteville, AR to visit Carole and her family. They moved there last December, and we had yet to make the trip. We dropped off the dogs at Andy's first, and from there it was about a 4 1/2 hour drive. We arrived Friday evening and had take-out chicken, the kind Bill and Hilary favor. Honestly. Saturday morning, we got loaded up and headed to the Elk River (southern Missouri) for a day of canoeing. Gene and I had Maddy (9) and Kate (7) in our canoe, while Dave and Carole took Sofe (5) and the ice chest. The outfitter drove us 8 miles up-river and unloaded us. The weather was hot and the river was beautiful. When we stopped for lunch, Carole and I discovered, to our dismay, that the made-to-order sandwiches were still in the refrigerator at her house. So lunch was chips, bananas, and Little Debbie snack cakes. Later, we came upon a low water road, which required us to portage over it, and down some steep rocks, back into the river below. You know, if there's going to be an accident, it's going to be me, and it was. Long story short, my foot slipped, went between 2 rocks, stuck, canoe coming at me, etc. etc. I bled for awhile, wrapped a towel around my lower leg to slow the swelling and did my best to "cowgirl up". It's a week later now, and this is one ugly leg. Good thing the river didn't have sharks! So Saturday evening, we took everyone out to supper and got a brief driving tour of Fayetteville. It's a lovely old, college town, with a surprising amount of money! Lots of Fortune 500 people/companies. Sunday morning, we drove back to Andy's to attend baby Hadley's baptism. While I was doing my hair Sunday morning, Sofe asked me what a "baptise" was. I did my best to explain it to a 5 year old... Finally home Sunday evening and tired of driving. But it was a good trip. I'll include some photos for your viewing pleasure.

It's really hot and humid here right now, dog days they call it, so we're out before the sun comes up, watering and choring, so we can get in as quickly as possible. Probably ought to rent some movies... This coming Thursday is Gene's last day at KSU. He still doesn't have a start date for Ft. Riley, and I don't think that bothers him at all.

Take care everyone and I love y'all!

Joan