The Day After

Just thought I'd update you with "The Day After" pictures. Can you believe how different the house looks without one tree? So sad . . . The men cutting the tree down - with an ax, due to the fact that the chain saw wouldn't work - said that the branches on each side touched the two trees on either side of it. I think they were amazed at how big it actually was in the end! (However, this could have been because I don't think they really had all the proper equipment . . . or the people!) The stump is still there, but will be removed this next week. I just wanted you to see what the end result was! (I guess I'm putting more outdoorsy pictures on again, aren't I? . . . ) Oh well . . . ENJOY!!

Sad Tree Day

So . . . here we are . . . such a sad day. :o( We had such a beautiful set of fir trees in front of our house. Everything was symmetrical . . . and I LOVE that. Now, here comes the sad part. During the winter months, we had a bad storm with lots of lightning. Anyway . . . one of the old fir trees took one for the family. You could see exactly where the strike started and how it bounced down the tree. In the close up picture you see the middle of the tree, but it started at the tip top of the tree and made sparks and came all the way down! It was quite exciting! We had hoped to save it, but alas . . . she's gone to her maker. We are now very sad to report that as of today (or so the grounds people say) that she'll be no more. I thought I'd snap a picture of her last day with us, before she becomes backyard firepit material. :o) It will certainly be a different look to the house! I am actually glad to see her go in this state . . . I was starting to get worried that she was going to come on in the house with some of the wind we get and see what it was like on the inside!! I wonder what they're going to put in her place??? They really haven't committed to that question. I guess it's a good thing we'll be moving soon, so I don't have to worry about it. Anyway . . . life goes on. ENJOY!!

Katelyn's Piano Recital '09

So this is Katelyn's piano recital for 2009. She is improving each time . . . it's neat to see the stides she's made. (She also mentions that after hearing some of the other kids . . . she'll practice more - I think she realizes that if you practice more - you get to be really good!) I think she's already good . . . I can't do what she does, so that makes me smile!! Anyway, here she is with her teacher for the past two years, Mrs. Johnson. Then I'll also include two of the songs she played last night. See if you can name at least one of them??? So . . . that's it for today. GREAT JOB, Katelyn!!! ENJOY!

9th Grade No More!!

Okay . . . so here's Katelyn at the beginning of her freshman year in High School . . . and then 2 from today, the last day! Hard to believe that another school year has come and gone - where has all the time gone??? Anyway, she's had a terrific year at Tombstone High School. She's met great people . . . and that's important! She will always have the memory of getting to go to the high school in the town that's "Too Tough to Die!" Not everyone has a famous movie about their high school town. I'm sure she didn't always like the 45 minute bus ride through the desert, but sometimes we have to take the good with the bad. As far as changes go . . . she's certainly gotten taller. (She's now taller than her Oma, of course, Oma doesn't like to admit that!) She is also becoming quite the responsible, young lady. She is always loved by the folks she babysits for! Her bank account certainly shows their appreciation. :o) She is always willing to help anyone out . . . she has a sweet, kind heart. We are so very blessed with our daughter - that's for sure! In fact, I can't think of anyone that has a bigger heart, than Katelyn. Plus, she finished out her freshman year with lots of academic awards. Of course, none of the pictures were good enough to share . . . but we were there to witness it! We are certainly proud of her!!! ENJOY

Summer Beach Art

Make a Smilebox slideshow

5th Grade

Okay . . . here it is . . . the first day of 5th grade for Mac. He looks as if he's ready to conquer the world . . . excited to learn new things . . . meet new people. Well, he did all those things and more. Now I've also included a picture of the last day of 5th grade. Yesterday. Can you tell any differences? Well, I know one of the main ones is that there are no braces on his front teeth! Another big difference is that t-shirt of his is much lighter . . . not that it's a difference in Mac. I also think the look of apprehension is gone from his eyes in the 2nd picture. Here he's showing off his academic award for honor roll the entire year. He looks as if he knows what's going on . . . you know, sure of himself. Anyway, thought I'd share another year gone . . . goodbye 5th grader - let's get ready for middle school!!! ENJOY!!

Scary Snakes!!

I just don't want to scare anyone . . . but this is what we live with here!! Now, I haven't seen one of these rattlesnakes, I have seen other snakes . . . but I have heard many stories about them being here. I have heard stories of them sunning themselves. I have heard stories of them biting dogs. I have heard stories of dry bites in people. I have heard just plain scary stories. So . . . since I've heard all of that . . . I thought I'd include a kind of funny picture that they have here in Sierra Vista. It really just cracks me up! (Now remember, I'm not a baby! I mean, I grew up going to the big Rattlesnake Roundup near my hometown . . . however the snakes there were mostly dead by the time they were there!) :o) Anyway . . . more wildlife pictures from this part of Arizona!

ENJOY!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Just a public service announce - so to speak - but it really needs to be read . . . AND remembered!!

I just checked this out on snopes.com and it is verified as true. Please read...we may be together when this happens to someone we love. INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW..........................

Blood Clots/Stroke - I will continue to forward this every time it comes around!
STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.

A friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree.
If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously..
Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE. T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (I.e. It is sunny out today) R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Would you?

"Watch me, Mom . . . Watch me!!!"

Okay, as far as I know this is the phrase that came out of my mouth as a kid more than anything. My parents have said I always wanted to be watched doing something. I would learn a new "trick" and would ALWAYS want to show it off. So, I guess as an adult, I'm no different. I wanted y'all to see the latest thing I've made. I made this beautiful stepping stone all by myself!! (Well, kinda.) The lady who does the teaching, etc., cut the glass and actually made the base . . . but the rest was all by myself! :o) So . . .if I were still a kid . . . I would have screamed out, "Watch me, Mom . . . watch me put the cut glass on the stone!" . . .And you know what?? She would have watched!! (Thanks for watching, too!)

ENJOY!!!!!

Unbelieveable!!!!

Okay, for starters . . . this is truly unbelieveable!!!! I know you are shaking your head when you see these pictures. This is something that we saw when coming home from a fun, really fantastic, and fabulous girls trip to Phoenix with the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses' Club. We honestly do so much for the community, this was a weekend getaway for just us to have fun and shop till we dropped. We were truly successful in this endevor . . . maybe too successful - but hey, we were helping the economy!! Anyway, on our way home today, we passed this truck carrying all this JUNQUE - that's the french way of spelling junk! :o) It was so amazing that all this stuff was on top of the truck and that it was actually rolling down the highway. It was interesting that it was packed across the truck instead of longways in the bed. I guess that's because that's the only way it could hold everything. We really, really had to slow down to get these pictures . . . amazing and unbelieveable is really all I can say. Although, it was a funny way to actually end our girl weekend! Actually, I guess that is something to be thankful for . . . I only had to unpack what I had purchased during the weekend . . . and my luggage . . . I didn't have to unpack THAT truck. See . . . I am thankful in an unbelieveable way! ENJOY!!!

A Dirt DEVIL and The Roadrunner

Just so you know . . . once again, we aren't outdoorsy - although, I'm sure you're not beginning to believe it?!! Anyway, Look at the last two truly AMAZING things that we saw outside here in Arizona! I saw this roadrunner in the parking lot behind our house. I only wish I could have gotten closer . . . I had to zoom to get this, and my camera is not the best zooming camera around, so . . . But you can still get the idea. (It kinda takes you back to your cartoon days, doesn't it?! I know you're humming the song right now, aren't you . . . roadrunner the coyote's after you . . . roadrunner, if he catches you you're through!!!) Now that's something that you won't be able to get out of your head!! :o) Oh well, and now to the dirt devil. WOW!! It was just so huge! I mean really, it was almost as big as that mountain in the background. It reminds me of growing up in Oklahoma . . . you know where the wind comes rolling down the plain, and the waving wheat, it sure smells sweet . . . I digress . . . Mac saw it as we were leaving golf lessons. I just had to stop the van and get a picture of it . . . I'm glad I wasn't in the middle of that with my mouth open - talk about mud in your mouth! Imagine that?! Yuck! Anyway, it was truly cool!! Hope you enjoy more pictures of the outdoors here in Arizona!!

You got it . . . A Cactus Puzzle

So, thought I'd try to add this puzzle that my mom sent. Hopefully it will work correctly and everyone will have something else to do . . . ENJOY!!

A Cholla Cactus

Okay, okay . . . I know I keep saying that we're not outdoorsy people, and we're not - clearly you can see that by the mirror on the side of the van in this picture . . . but I do love the cactus!! Here's a picture of a cholla (choy-ya) with beautiful purple blossoms on it. We saw it today as we were coming back on post. I just had to pull the camera out and take a quick picture . . . of course, all the while embarassing the 2 smaller people in the car! Anyway, I think it's wonderful the way it's blooming and I like it. I am not sure if it's a jumping cholla or a staghorn cholla, but it's one of them. (So maybe you didn't learn quite so much today on the blog . . . but at least you saw a picture of one of them!?) ENJOY!!

Happy Mother's Day

Why GOD MADE MOM'S

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom... You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Jobs

Okay, another funny to brighten your day!!! ENJOY!!!

A Real Agave

So . . . I was asked to put a picture of a real agave plant growing in the wild. Katelyn and I took a picture of one today after school. This is what they look like when they're growing. The agave is sometimes called the century plant because it takes so long for it to flower. Also, it only flowers one time. (Interesting, huh?! Plus, now you've learned something else from the blog!! Amazing!) The other picture is one you've seen on the Christmas scrapbook blog page. I realize that it's kind of blury here, why, I'm not sure, but you get the idea. (Now, I will also tell you the American decorations on it and the twinkle lights are NOT how it's seen in the wild . . . that's our take on it!) It has certainly been a fun thing to decorate with here!! ENJOY!!

Drill Team

Lawnchair Drill Team - Watch more Funny Videos

Okay, this was sent from my Dad, and it's very, very funny! It really has nothing to do with anything, but it will make your day a little brighter!! Enjoy!!!

Hot & Dry

Need I say more??? (Well, you know me . . . I will!) The extra that I will add is that we've got a fire burning very close to us here at Fort Huachuca - on our side of the post - the west, and the fire danger is still listed and only VERY HIGH. Four homes have already been destroyed so it's really dangerous. (Now realize that these homes aren't that close together either.) I'll keep you posted, but it's certainly hot and dry here!! Enjoy your milder temps!

Clydesdale John

Oh no!!!! Look what has happened!? One of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses named John got out of his stall!!! This particular one, named John, looks as if he might miss the shady, hay lined area more than being out in the sun. Acutally, it's our own John. (Not the Clydesdale . . . in case you couldn't tell!) We spent our Sunday afternoon at the carnival that was here in town in support of the military. One of the big draws were the horses. Boy, they are HUGE!! It was fun to see them, I don't think we've seen them since all the times at Sea World in San Antonio. It was a fun little carnival. Mac spent all the time riding anything that went fast and in some sort of spin . . . although his tummy paid for it later!! Anyway, just another fun day in sunny Arizona. ENJOY!!

Oma and the Saguaro

Okay, I've said how much I like the occotillos, now I thought I'd add a picture of another kind of desert plant life that I really, really love - the saguaro. (You pronounce it sa whar o.) Anyway, and with the beautiful saguaro is our wonderful Oma. One of her visits was in December of 2007 and here's a picture of her at the airport with John and the kids. Unfortunately, we don't have saguaros growing by the millions here like they do in Tucson and Phoenix. :o( We're in the high desert so they grow here - but they have to be transplanted. (Kinda like us!) Oh, and by the way . . . John told me that if you move a saguaro you pay $100 a foot for the "dirty job" that's where he found out - on the Discovery Channel show. Now that includes measuring the arms even - so it's expensive!! Well, that's enough education from the blog today! ENJOY!!