Another Graduate

Odessa
June 29, 2008

We have another graduate in our family. Son Jerry graduated from Big Bend Community College on the 13th of June. Jerry works for BLM and during the winter he has a 2-3 month break from work; and for the past 17 years he has been taking a class or two at the college. Well, he officially has his AA in General Studies. WAY TO GO JERRY! Proves that persistence and determination pays off!


In other happenings around Odessa, Granddaughter Cammie got her drivers license FINALLY. I had taken her to get it last week, only the Explorer failed the safety test and I have spent the last week waiting for a part for the middle tail light. She was so excited and I must say, she is a good driver.

AL and I attended his high school school reunion yesterday. He went to school in the small town of Marlin, WA and his high school has an all school reunion every three years. The school closed down in 1964 and the alumni are beginning to dwindle; however there were at least 100 attending yesterday. HE had a good time and enjoyed seeing everyone. THen we came home and had a graduation party for Jerry. Ric and Janet came over from Seattle and Gary and Jeannette were here, so we had a lively crowd. Al bbq'd ribs (Yum--eat your heart out Cortney) and I made baked beans and potato salad and a white cake with peanut butter frosting. I sent a lot home with everyone as we are leaving for Alaska on Tuesday.

Now I am in the throws of getting organized and packed and ready to go. We will be gone for a month and I am trying to scale back on what we take with us. But, last year I about froze up there, so I am throwing in some long sleeved shirts and long pants. However, it was 101 here today and tomorrow is suppose to be hotter....yehaw! I am loving it...and I am probably the only one in town that is! I am finally warm.

So until next time from ALaska...see you in the funnies as someone used to say!

What color is Sandy Pebble and other mindless things

Odessa
June 25

For those of you who are counting, 6 months until Christmas! :-)

I have been busy for the last few days. Cammie came home with us and I have put her to work. You see, I needed to paint our bedroom and I knew Al would not help (he hates to paint) and I also knew I couldn't do it alone and get it done in this century. For what ever reason, my arms don't work as well as they used to. The last time I painted I blew out my shoulder and elbow and it took months for it to recover. So cammie and I started to paint. Sandy Pebble is the color...a pinkish, tanish, rosy kinda' color. Very pretty, but I am getting ahead of myself. Since we are painting on paneling, you first have to either a.) sand or b.) paint it with Kilz. So of course, I opt for b. However, painting with Kilz is like painting with liquid rubber. UGH. First day was Kilz day. Second day was first coat of Sandy Pebble...and third day final coat. It looks very nice now, but what a chore. We also painted the ceiling, which was a very dirty, icky color, and is now a beautiful white. Cammie had to do the ceiling, I knew I couldn't do that. And if that wasn't enough messing up the house; we had new counter tops installed in the kitchen, so for the last 3 days my house has been a disaster! But now the new counters are in and it sure does look nice. Tomorrow I am going to put my house back together.

While Cammie has been here we have tried, unsucessfully, to get her drivers license. It seems that my Explorer (exploder as it is fondly called) has a problem. The third brake light (middle light) is out. Now, it would be only too simple to just replace the bulb, however, we tried that and it still didn't work. Found out we need a new brake light assembly. Easy enough, right? WRONG! Ford does not stock parts for a 94 Explorer any longer at any dealer ship. We had to order the part. It was suppose to have been mailed to us last week, only to find out it wasn't mailed until yesterday....grrrr! Now, you can't take the drivers test if you have "faulty" equipment. DAMN! Her test is scheduled for Friday morning and if I have to borrow a car I will, but she will take the test. She is more than ready...an excellent, safe driver and a parallel parking ace! I am so proud of her.

I also have gotten her hooked on quilting..kinda. She has picked out her material for her quilt and tomorrow she will start to sew. We cut it out last Friday night at the quilt shop (it was free sew night) and she is all fired up to go. It has been so much fun having her here.

Today we went to Spokane to Costco and also took the cats to the vet for their annual shots...which is always fun. I am still getting the evil eye from Juanito! I can't believe my cats are 13 years old...seems like just yesterday they were kittens and bringing me treasures from the outside like mice, moles, frogs, wood rats, snakes, etc.

I recived this from a friend via email the other day and I really thought it was appropriate to share at this time in my life. I can really relate to this.


OLD AGE, I HAVE DECIDED, IS A GIFT

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother/father!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.


I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?


I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things..

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!

Another one graduates...2 more to go!

Seattle
June 16, 2008

I can hardly believe that another grandchild has graduated from high school. Who told these children they could grow up AND when did it happen???? Heck, I'm not much older than they are (I wish)..at least I have moments that I don't feel any older than them, however, those moments are becoming farther and farther apart!!!
But back to the graduation. Cammie graduated on Friday from Nathan Hale high school, the same high school that Al's sons all graduated from. The ceremony was beautiful, albeit, COLD! It was held outside in the stadium and it was cold, windy and trying to spit rain. But I persevered and stayed .. I had to, with a name like Wraspir you can guarantee you are at the last of the line! However, I digress...Cammie is now officially out of high school. We are so very proud of this young woman...as we are of all of our grandchildren, however, this week was Cammie's turn to shine.


We have been busy while in Seattle. On Wednesday I met up with girl friend Nancy for lunch and catch up on each others lives. Wednesday night we had dinner with friends, Frank and Lynn Conger. Thursday brought doctor appointments for both of us and dentist for Al. Friday of course was graduation; Saturday was the graduation party and yesterday was Father's Day celebration at Rics. I bet Ric and Janet are ready to collapse after all the excitement of graduation and then hosting not only Fathers Day but the grad party on Saturday. And Janet was the head volunteer for the all night party for the seniors, so she didn't get much sleep and Ric pitched in with her for all the prep for the all night party. I think they were glad to get this weekend over with so maybe their lives can return to a dull roar.

Doctor appointments have gone pretty good, nothing new has turned up so far for either of us. Al has two more appointments tomorrow; the big ones are tomorrow, so we will see what comes out of those.

A little more grand child bragging for me....Lori, our youngest grand child is a real horse woman. She competes in several rodeo's; has trained her own barrel racing horse and competes with the pro's at times. I tried to insert the article that was written in the paper about her, but it was so small you couldn't read it. Darn!

The dogs have enjoyed this trip as well. I have been taking them to the dog park every day and they are having a blast! Beau keeps stealing every one else's tennis ball or will con another owner into throwing the tennis ball for him. Schuster is Mr. Social and has to meet all the other dogs..sometimes right at the gate. We have nicknamed him the greeter!!!!

We will head home tomorrow. Sure hope the exploder makes it. We did have some trouble with it on the way over...it decided to over heat on us after climbing a hill. I think it needs a tune up and a radiator flush as well. Can't remember when that was last done. Guess I will put that on my list of things to do before we leave for Alaska...oh goodie!

Gas prices are really unreasonable...(as if you didn't know that)...$4.33 a gallon here in Seattle...and if you can find it for less that is a bargain!!! Makes me furious that the American public is being raped at the pump and no hope for relief...ever. I think we should vote anyone who is in office--OUT, including Obama and McCain and start with a new bunch of idiots in Congress, etc. Apparently the ones in office now aren't doing their jobs well. And don't get me started on what is happening in Iowa...that poor state is just about all under water, yet, amazingly, I haven't seen one person with a sign that says "HELP US" like we did during Katrina. What, you say? People are helping them selves? Outrageous! Oh, wait...that is possible! Haven't seem FEMA bringing in house trailers to sit and not being used yet either....nuff said.


So, until next time....hope you are all happy, healthy and living life the way you want.

It is June, isn't it?

Odessolet....
June 9 (at least that is what the calendar says)

Okay, here it is June 9 and I still am wearing long sleeves and long pants. What is wrong with that picture? Nothing if you are in Odessa...it has been cold, wet, windy, repeat. This morning it was 39 degrees....no, I don't have dyslexia, 39 degrees! WHY? My brain has been frozen! We both were scrambling for more covers last night...brrr. AND THE WIND! Good grief...does it ever stop blowing? As I write this another gust just hit the house making the house shudder! Even our house is tired of the wind!

Since we have been home from Seattle, not much has happened here. I cleaned out another closet yesterday and managed to get 9 more boxes of garage sale stuff; plus 10 years of personal record that needed to be destroyed. I could have burned up a couple of shredders, but Jerry suggested we burn them. Okay,good idea...however, where? He brought over a burn barrel and we had ours, so yesterday when the wind wasn't blowing a gale, I burned, burned and burned. Burned tax records dating back to 1988....don't think I will need those. So now I have one closet that is clean, clean, clean. Now to tackle the other one when we get back from our next trip to Seattle. I am trying to get this house ready to sell if the mood strikes Al to sell. There is enough "stuff" in this house to keep me busy sorting for the rest of the year. And I am being ruthless...if it hasn't been used in the last year, it's gone! And I hope to keep Al out of the garage sale pile!!!! :-)

I did have a fun trip last week to Spokane. I picked up my sister-in-law, Gloria and we went to the mall and met up with Jeannette, Gary, Kali and Josh. Oh my, Josh has grown so much since I saw him in March...and he is so darn cute and a good, good baby. He and Kali will go home this Wednesday and I am not sure Jeannette won't be in their suitcase!

So, until next post, we are heading for Seattle tomorrow for doctor, dentist rounds and the graduation of our granddaughter Cammie. I just don't understand how these kids grow up so fast....I haven't aged..have I? Don't answer that!

I just got this from my daughter in law -- pretty much says it all.

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)



Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so v ery appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have talle r buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up to o tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. W e plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build mo re computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that litt le person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Snakes, Funerals, Proms and Engagements

Odessa

It has been an interesting few days -- to say the least.

Last Thursday I went out to Jerry and Ardis' house to see if I could get Jerry's computer back working. After a frustrating hour, I gave up and told him to take it to the repair shop. On my way back home, first on the dirt road and later on the paved road I ran into a HERD of snakes! My first encounter was just a short distance from Jerry's...snake on the road...run over it! That was one gone...whew! Not much further on the road snake number two met its death. By this time I was having a bad case of the creepy crawlies.... around the curve and snake number three was trying to cross the road...bump..one dead snake. About a half a mile later ANOTHER SNAKE... but this one I actually had to aim for as he was almost across the road -- I am getting mean by this time. FOUR DOWN. I get on the highway at this point and I hadn't gone 20 feet and there was another damn snake...I ran over him twice...thought I may have missed him the first time! Less that a quarter of a mile guess what...yup, another snake in the road...okay -- you are number six! SIX DEAD SNAKES IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES! WOO HOO...I'M A KILLER! Needless to say, by the time I got home I had goose bumps and shivers....too many snakes for me for one day...or year. ICK

Friday we loaded up the car with dogs and us and headed for Seattle. That was after I had to go get the windshield wipers (Swipers for those of you who knew Gene) fixed...there was no way I was going to Seattle without windsheild wipers. We arrived at Jennifers apartment around 6:30 p.m....dogs howling because they knew they were going to get to see Jennifer. HA...fooled them, she is in Florida! They ran into the apartment and looked everywhere for her. Pookie (or Spookie as I call him) her cat just about had a heart attack....whoa...where did these big beasts come from? He finally came out from under bed about 3 hours later.

Saturday we attended the funeral for Josie Totusek, Al's cousin Pauls wife. She was truly a fine lady and I adored her. She was the epitomy of a fine Southern Lady. At the funeral I actually met more of Al's relatives that I didn't know. You would think after 30 years of being together I would have met them all, but no, there were still more out there! I can't believe how big of a family he has -- especially when you get into the cousins! YIKES! However, I did enjoy meeting this side of the family.

Then last night we got to have a bit of fun. Granddaughter Cammie's Prom was last night. Her group of friends were going out for dinner before the Prom, so we met them at Azteca and I took some pictures of them. How beautiful Cammie looked...as so grown up. Brought tears to my eyes.
Cammie and Prom Date


Cammie and Grandpa AL
Then Al and I had dinner with Ric and Janet...which was a short visit, but fun.

We headed home today. Left Seattle it was 57 degrees....I was shivering. Got home to 80 degrees...this is why we live on this side of the mountains. Our trip was short, sad, fun, all rolled into one.

We had some very good, exciting news today as well. Al's cousin Christy, who lives in Phoenix called to say that she is engaged. We are so happy for her. She deserves some happiness in her life. So to Christy and Bill....congratulations -- we are so very happy for you both. Christy, Bill and Christy's four children will make a wonderful family unit.

Now I have to take my car, the Exploder (1994 Explorer) into to the shop...it has decided it wants to run rough (ruff) and the "check engine" light keeps coming on. I can't understand why....this car has 155,000 miles on it and everyone and their dog has used it at one time or another. It has been a wonderful car up to now...just hope it is nothing serious because I am not prepared to buy another car right now. Besides, I think with gas prices the way they are a horse might be a better investment! Ya, like I could ride a horse. I save that for granddaughter Lori.

And on another note...new picture of great granddaughter Sophie


On that I will end this blog for the night...stay tuned for the snake count...I am positive there are more lurking around here. EW