Kelly in Kansas

I'm off to this meeting tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing several friends. I'm also curious if there's any kind of wireless network at the conference hotel - there doesn't appear to be at this point.

I'm watching The Apprentice and this group of women seems to be exceptionally catty. Or maybe that's what I missed out on by not going into business. . . .

Worked with Russ today on finishing up the Project Mine web site. See what you think . . .

Glad to see that Matt is back to blogging.

Been busy with work and also still dealing with losing Kirk. Have talked to his sister several times and will help her set up a blog as a memorial to him. This would be one of the best uses of this free and easy accessible medium. At one time, I had www.brundgardt.com registered . . . . life is funny and sometimes not so . . . .

"I always thought adults were having much more fun than teenagers. It turns out to be absolutely true."

--ELVIS COSTELLO, who turned 50 last month, in the New York Daily News.

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This is good new for someone who just turned another "x-zero" age . . . .

You are Schroeder!


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The corn harvest in Kansas has begun but I think mine is done. . . The corn was planted in the west field between the driveway and the road - it looks like totally different scenery - but always gorgeous.

After much thought and encouragement from friends, I did go to Kirk's visitation. I was at the farm on Tuesday anyway and knew that, with the visitation, I could remain in the background and yet also reach out to the family in an appropriate matter. I also needed some closure on the whole thing and my new vow is to take better care of me know that I've turned 40. His mom was very glad to see me and his youngest sister said, 'We know he meant the world to you.' I didn't break down until the oldest sister's and my eyes met - she is the one that introduced us and the one I stayed in touch with until a few months ago (she's busy with two young boys). She literally would not let me go - I tried to pull away from the hug and she pulled me back to her other side and said "You know I'm never going to let you go."

Having the rosary first helped me adjust to the whole thing. It is just so sad - but we never know what plan God has for us. One friend even wondered if maybe we didn't end up together because this was going to happen to Kirk and I would be left raising kids all alone. That was a take I hadn't heard but you just never know. And it definitely puts life's frustrations into proper perspective. I just have to keep remembering that.

He and some friends were coming home from a Chiefs game. Kirk was sitting in the front passenger seat and even said something to his friend that the guy looked like he was going to hit them. The drunk driver appears to have jerked awake about the time he hit them and jerked back to his lane as they tried to go around him on the left on the two lane highway. Both people on the right hand side were killed (including the driver's wife). Luckily Kirk died instantly - that's the only way to go if you're going to go. Of course, this wasn't the drunk driver's first DWI and he would probably be safest in jail after killing this man's wife and best friend. It's just all so needless.

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Back to other more life activities that are even more clearly put in perspective now - I have a promotion file to finish - the last one! It snuck up on me but that is probably better than worrying about it all summer. At least there is a sample online of what they want from us. Even professors need guidelines for navigating the bureaucracy.