A Little Note to My Many Fans

Ok, I'm posting something, even if it is short. I want to figure out how to do a movie. I just haven't tried that yet & thought I would at least get some pics up. Seems Isaac has taken to driving. From what his folks say, he is pretty smitten with anything with a steering wheel. Guess we know what Santa is bringing him. He is learning to feed himself. He is learning to do pretty much EVERYthing himself. When I was there last weekend, he even said "Yaya". That is the video I will try to figure out how to post. And Sadee is really growing up fast. She is so much fun these days. She is talking up a storm and really has some big things to say. Later on I'll try to get that on video too. Life is fast and furious these days. We have a crew coming for Thanksgiving again, but I'm not sure who all yet. We will have fun, tho.

It has been a crazy busy Summer, but that has been my life since we got here, so what's new? Nothing really. I do have some projects under way. I'm slowly moving old tapes to digital so if you ever recorded anything in the Huckabee house, look out. Fair warning. Maybe reconsider that presidental run.

We had a great time on a trip to Albuquerque to Lar's VSPA reunion for the 2nd year in a row. It was Steve's (neighbor) last year as president and he has done an outstanding job. He is, however, glad to be free of that responsibility (more or less). Lise is gladder. I know that's not a word. It just was easier. We had some visits on our way there and back as we went thru Pecos, and back thru Roswell and Andrews. That was fun.

Larry's new office is awesome. I need to go take some pictures. Maybe later. Ok, that's it for now. So feel free to comment away.

I'm gonna figure this deal out!!

Ahh, Nature in the Country, and a reunion in the City

REAL Wild flowers out back (we didn't plant them)
Horsemint

Seed planting cardinal

Isaac, what's so funny?

Ohhhh, yeah.

Once a class clown, always a class clown - I think it's genetic.

Isaac is ONE

What a fun day, lots of family and friends and not just a few pirates. See if you can spot the oldest one. Isaac says "Somebody forgot to put their Name on this!".

Tommy and Sheretta Law

Quarterly Post

Fooled you - I'm posting something. I'm not going to try to catch up. Takes too long and most of you who read this know all the stories anyway, so doesn't matter.

Major highlights - Isaac's birthday, Sheretta and Tommy's wedding.

The last 2 or 3 weeks have been a blur. This is the first day I have not had something I had to do. Of course I'm going to do something...even tho it is blazing hot. At least I think I am...if I can get motivated later. Just plant a big pot full of stuff, but hey, that's something.

Lar & I went to the Rangers game last night, the second time this season. I think I need not to go 'cause they seem to lose when I do, but we had fun anyway. The first time Andra scored some good tickets at work and we took Sadee, which was a ton of fun and we were all pooped when we finished the night. This time, we were in a suite, which was "sweet". I know, I couldn't resist. A perc of Lar's job. We had a nice visit with Kevin & Sandra too. We had our own food, beverages and bathroom, not to mention a cooler place and a great view of the action. We also got a great view of a "plumber's crack" during the wave. What was funny was the reaction of the lady sitting a couple of rows behind him. I tried to get it on my camera phone but it was blurry.

Larry has been in a running battle with a skunk and now her baby or babies. They seem to like the high rise rock wall he built. I think he will win, but if any of you have a proven suggestion feel free to pass it on.

His new office is coming along quickly. It is going to be so beautiful and have a wonderful view of the lake. I don't know if he will be coming home for lunch anymore - unless he doesn't get a couch or hammock to snooze on, then he might. Those 30 minute power naps at noon are pretty important. I'll put up some pictures when it is done (maybe). I guess they will have them on their website and those will be better anyway. I think they will be in it in a couple of months or less.

We could sure use some rain around these parts. I was listening to a program today about harvesting rain. I would really like to do that. We sure have a great watershed roof area. Just no gutters or good way to hang on to it. We need to work on that.

We still have a lot to do around the place to have it landscaped the way we would like. It is trial and error as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure learning what doesn't work. What has been amazing is the stand of wild flowers we had in front of that same big rock wall. We planted some stuff last year, but I guess the dirt Lar dug up on the back of our property was full of wild flower seeds. I've never seen such a major stand of flowers that we didn't plant. I do have a pic of it somewhere. I'll try to get it in here.

Don't have any major trips planned for the next month or so. Do have one in October and we're talking about another one around September sometime. We'll see. For now I'm just wanting to rest up and stay home and see what happens next. Life is never dull on the Fleming Frontier.

I do want to hear about the Paris/London trips sometime. A slide show with commentary would be nice. Work on that, Ben.

Isaac & Sadee are more amazing and fun every day. The next time Isaac comes I think he might really be running. I know he will be at least walking more than a step or two. He's a fast, curious "little fellar" as his aunt fondly calls him. He and Sadee seem to really have fun together. She has gotten so tall and accomplished. So much fun to have around. They are coming over later and she might be spending the night. She likes that. We do too, even tho the night is usually pretty short.

So that's all for now.

Since I finished this I went to find a picture to post and decided on a few, so I hope I can get that done too. Hope you enjoy this little post.

Trying to Catch Up

Yeah, like that's going to happen. I'm not even sure where I left off, and I know I wanted to be able to post the pictures with the talking, but there are too many and too much has happened, so I'm just going to say SOMETHING!!

Lar and I went to DC in November for his VSPA reunion. He joined that organization well before we left Andrews, but we had not made it to any of the annual reunions in spite of encouragement from next-door neighbor, Steve, who is the President of that organization. He has been in it almost from day one. Finally we could go, and we are really glad we did. That was one amazing trip. I was so clueless, I didn't even realize we would be there for Veteran's day and I didn't realize until the day we left there would be a lot of celebrations we would be involved in and that the 25th anniversary of "The Wall", Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, was also going to take place. I was just excited to go to DC again as I have been there a couple of times and was inspired by what I saw then.

Little did I know what we would experience. Many of you already know the stories in detail, so I will try to make this brief. The first place we went was to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to lay a wreath. There was already a big crowd of students when we got there, so I couldn't see much. I did see the guards marching and handing off duty. All of it is really impressive. We were probably there a good 30 - 45 minutes in cold, misty weather. We got back on our trams to head back to another building at Arlington National Cemetary. When we disembarked, the students were standing around as they had gotten there first (there were maybe 200 + -)of them. Someone among the students started to clap spontaneously, and then it spread throughout them. I don't think any of us realized right away they were clapping for our guys, but when the realization hit them, some of them just broke down. Most had never been honored in any way and some had really been dishonored. That was how it all started and it really started a healing in many. The entire weekend was highlighted with honors. The parade was amazing and we family members got to march along with the soldiers. I think they looked great (especially considering age, etc.). All along the parade route people cheered, clapped, had banners, etc. There were events all around the Mall honoring all the soldiers. The WWII Memorial and the Korean War Memorial were both built since we were in DC last. The are also very moving and I think appropriate for each event. We were invited to Andrews AFB for an exhibition of how the soldiers who are the current counterparts of the Security Police do their job now. Wow, it has changed. Just the equipment alone is something else. They were all so kind and honored what our guys had done before them. The commemoration at the Wall was something too. The nurse who spoke actually was the most moving, I thought. Some seemed as though they were there for political gain, but over all the point was well made. Some had started a 24 - 7 reading of the names on the wall several days before. We went down there the first night we got to DC. Steve wanted to be there when a particular name was read of one of their own. His mother and former fiancee were there to read and also joined our group and were honored all week by them. Then, because of there being so many events, we weren't scheduled as a group to place a wreath at the USAF Memorial, but Steve, Larry and another officer in the organization decided to do it on our last day there. It was really cold and raining intermittenly. We walked from the hotel. They placed the wreath and Lise & I took pictures. No one else was there, but as we were finishing up, bus loads of kids came in. They were being typical kids and laughing, etc. One of their teacher/chaparones noticed us and told them to show some respect. Then one of the boys broke out of the crowd and came and greeted our guys and thanked them for their service. That was followed by several of them following suit. It was very much appreciated. We got some pictures of some of them before they had to hurry off. Steve exchanged contact information to send/receive pictures. The final thing that happened to Lar and I (as we flew home a day earlier than Steve & Lise) was on the flight home. A woman in first class gave her seat to a soldier (young pretty black woman) who, as it turns out, was recovering from being wounded in Iraq. The person who gave up her seat sat right in front of us, otherwise we might not have even known it happened. That just capped it for us. I didn't really realilze how impacted I was, let alone Larry, until all this happened and kind of both uncovered emotions and helped heal them. We will never forget it, but more importantly, we will not forget to pray for those who are having a harder time than us and who also are currently serving.

Since then, we had an awesome time at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Good times with friends and family and such fun with Sadee and Isaac here now. I am looking forward to next year when Isaac will be so much more aware. Both Sadee and Isaac are changing so fast it is incredible. I know that is old news for anyone with grandkids already, but I am just amazed when I see them changing so fast. Sadee says such fun stuff now. I wish I could read her mind because much more is going on in there than she can express, I assure you. Isaac is crawling at the speed of light. I am enjoying all my breakable pretty stuff that is down low for probably the last weekend. He clearly will be rushing around too fast to control all the time, so that stuff is going to have to move somewhere for a while. Got to have a "game day" with family and then got to go to Wendy & Tom's for the same. I really enjoyed seeing Wendy's new office/store. I am planning a trip back as their are lots of areas unexplored up there.

We have had some good company too during the months since I last spoke. Expect more this week and weekend. We always enjoy that. I have made a couple of trips to Fredericksburg on girls' weekends. That was fun. Hadn't been there in probably 8 or 10 years. Time flies. Then last week made my second trip to Gordon/Hannibal to meet and reconnect with some cousins. That was fun. I'm expecting more contact from that. We have reconnected with several friends from our past lately. Then to top that off, we just got back from the 3rd PHS Mega Reunion held in Austin this time. That was really fun. We were joined by both Bob & Becky since we were all part of the great old tradition of PHS. We reconnected with friends and acquaintances from so long ago. It was really fun and interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing them again as most of us live in the same general area of Texas so It won't be so hard. Some of us girls talked about getting together here as we have other classmates who didn't make it to the reunion who live near me and we have a lot to do around here.

I've been working a little more as my friend (whose store I work in) is now the President of the local Chamber of Commerce and it is really eating up her time. I don't mind, but I do have to really think about what I'm promising to do now...ha.

Speaking of that, I need to go clean house. That never ends. I don't mind. Ya'll come see us!!

Short Comment

Ok, I'm officially one of the "Dead Beat Bloggers"

Sadee's portrait of Isaac - looks just like him and only took her about a minute. Actually more like 30 seconds. I have witnesses! ps - those little round things on the side of his head are his ears.

Look at this happy guy!!

We call her Baby

I like all these rocks, YaYa

Lola would like this bug

Try some of this

The Big 60

Wow, these horses are just my size

The Mobley's came to visit

I cannot believe myself. I really do like to read everyone else's blogs and I know to receive I must give, but honestly, this Spring/Summer/Fall has just been flying by. I'm looking up and staring the holidays in the face and my calendar is already filling up fast. How on earth did I function when I had a paying job? Dunno!!

Too many things have happened to talk about & you would all snooze off if I tried...(no comments please), so I will just hit some high spots yet again. I will miss some too, however.

I've been running around, to Austin a few times and to Midland/Andrews. Of course running to Ft Worth/Granbury/Hico/Dallas/Midlothian/Arlington/etc, etc. Guess I've done my annual "gig" with the guys in the band. That was fun. We had another member, Rick's brother CL on the bass. I think we might have been a little better this time, but that's not for me to say.

We had a nice surprise visit in August from the Mobley's from Alabama. He was in the service with Larry & Steve next door. We had not seen him for over 30 years, and had not met his fun wife Linda. They lived thru "Katrina", losing plenty but have done a pretty good job of rebuilding. They not only had their home, but several rent houses that were damaged. They think they need a retreat place in Texas - AWAY from the coast. Time will tell if these old guys are reunited for the rocking chair years.

Speaking of old, I surprised Lar with a 60th BD. He is hard to pull one over on, so it was only minimal, but I managed to get a few old friends and his family to sneak in when he thought we were only having a few local folks over for a little "get-to-gather". Reminded me of a BD party his Mom gave him where we were hidden all over his house and slowly started coming out when he got home. Anyway, we had fun and it was great to see some folks we hadn't see in a while.

Sadee is still amazing us. She has started drawing like someone 4 yrs old (per what we are looking up). We are so blessed to be able to see her so often. Maybe I will post a scanned image of her portrait of Isaac. I'm framing it. She still loves to see him and he is crazy about her too. He is growing like crazy and still just the happiest baby I've ever seen. So much fun to be around.

My most recent trip to Andrews was to Cyd's surprise BD party...she was TOTALLY surprised too. That was fun and great to visit with everybody I got to see. Was a fast trip.

We are looking forward to a visit from the Mitchell's in November - we are all going to the NASCAR race. Even us girls are going. Sharon & I have never been. That should really be an experience. Right after that we are going to DC to a reunion of an organization of veteran's that Lar is a member of. Steve next door is the national president. I have been calling Lise the "First Lady". I'll be her Lady-in-Waiting on the trip. Anyway, that should be fun too. There is some celebration going on and a parade, etc., commemorating the 25 anniversary of the Wall I think. I might not have that exactly right - I just have to show up, so I haven't locked things into my memory yet. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the trip.

Then BAM, holidays are on us. I am looking forward to time with family and friends too.

I think I will stop now. Now for some pictures, hopefully. There will be one of a deer who hangs around our front yard a lot. Some of Sadee when she visited Aunt Weezie's friends farm, complete with miniature horses, cats, various insects, a goose...you get the picture (pun). I think I have figured out how to add them, and I'm trying to label them, just not how to put them in the appropriate place in the story, so you will have to figure that out. Alright, TAG, somebody else is it.

Wow - It's been a long time!

I can't believe I've been so long posting. Seems just yesterday! A lot has happened and you will be glad to know I will not detail EVERYthing - unlike my conversations. I don't even think I can remember everything anyway, but I will try to hit the high spots.

Of course the mainlyist thing is our man Isaac. You all know he's here and when and all that...at least those who know who he is, so I won't bore you with that. I will say having a baby boy around is very different for me. I can't believe how instant was the bond and how much I want to eat his little toes - but I have restrained myself. He is a very sweet and beautiful child. I know, I know, you who don't have one of these are rolling your eyes. Doesn't matter...it is still true. We are truly blessed to have had both our grandchildren here at our house for an extended time to get to know them and bond. This time is irreplaceable. I know circumstances for future grandchildren will be different and probably won't present us with the same opportunity, but I am grateful for this. Granted, it brings with it a new form of tired - but all well worth the sacrifice. And my house has become Granny daycare - but it's such a short period in their little lives.

Sadee has been so much fun during all this. I was a little apprehensive as to how she would react to sharing attention. So far she has just wanted to take him as her own. She can say his name so well and could before he was born. We got some great video of her in the hospital with him. The first thing she wanted to do was hold him herself and didn't want to give him up. She tried to fight Adam for him. Not much of a contest, but she was serious about him being her baby! Every time Andra and Zach get ready to bring her over here for anything all they have to do is say "do you want to go see baby Isaac?" and she is out the door. She's probably going to be kind of upset when he goes back to Austin. She feeds him and holds him for the longest time. We all kept expecting her to just get tired of it, but so far that has not happened. I'm sure they will have their times, but it has been really sweet so far.

I will discuss a little about the circumstances of his appearing. Probably most of you know, but it's worth detailing a little. I had been to Austin a couple of times already helping Marissa and Adam pack a little and going with her to her doctor and to a couple of baby showers. The baby showers she had have all been fun and each unique in it's own way. First she had one in Austin with just some of her co-workers because Robyn was leaving before the bigger shower they were giving her and Amy (fellow PG'r and co-worker). Then we had one here so the friends from West Texas and Austin could kind of meet in the middle. I was surprised by some of my main girls from Andrews. It was so much fun seeing them, but wished we could have had a slumber party. Maybe later. Then she had the MOST unique shower at work I've ever been to. As I said earlier, it was for both she and Amy, and Amy's husband works there too. So Adam came as well, and Amy's mother. I'm not sure who all from her work was responsible beside Renee, but a few of them. Anyway, what was so unique was the turn out. Out of about 50 or 60 people there, only about 12 were females, and that included the mothers-to-be and grandmothers-to-be. Never been to a baby shower where that many guys showed up on purpose. And the thing is, they were really into it. They were playing the games and having fun and everything. Also were very generous. So it is easy to see why Marissa likes her job so much. It is a fun and tight group of folks. Bless them all and the founders of the company who must have set it up to have that atmosphere. I hope they live long and prosper... If I don't forget by the time I finish, I will put up some pictures of that shower. If I have any here...If not, I hope to do it eventually. Then we had the last one in Cove given by Melanie's friends. It was very heart warming and you could feel her presence there. Marissa got some beautiful hand made things from the ladies, along with many other very practical gifts.

So then all we had to do was move them - ha. It turned out that their lease on the 1 bedroom apartment was up about the time Isaac was due. So they had located a 2 bd/2 bth in another complex not far away with a more family friendly vibe. We had it set up to move them 6/23....ha. I came down Thursday to help finish packing and go with her to her dr's visit on Friday, which was uneventful. Finished packing stuff mostly and then Lar came down after work Friday evening. We ate supper together and made a plan to meet with everyone who was helping with the move the next morning at 8 for breakfast. So much for plans. She called us at the hotel at 4:30 am saying her water broke. She called her sister at the strange hour to ask her what she should pack to go to the hospital...funny. So Andra and Sadee headed to Austin as soon as they could. And the rodeo began. She wanted me at the hospital, her good friends Beth and Amanda from work were there pretty quickly and stayed the whole time...again, great support. Ben and Melanie who were lined up to help move came up. Melanie (an RN) was with her the entire time as well and a great help. Ben went with Larry and they got them moved. John was already scheduled to be there to help move, so he got to be in on everything too. Poor Adam was pulled every which way. He also had a lady lined up to buy his car and had to spend a ridiculous amount of time on that. I had to break away for a while to go with the guys to pick up some furniture they had bought because other than Marissa, I was the only one who knew what it was. Then Misti showed up seconds before they took her in for the C-section. She was invaluable during all this as she stayed at the hospital each night and kept things calm there.

Marissa and Isaac were in the hospital until Thursday which worked out for me because I was trying to get the apartment ready. Again, the friends came to the rescue. Beth and Amanda came and were like a whirlwind getting the place put together. Closets and kitchen!! Wow. Andra and Sadee came to help a little before they had to head back home. Adam was trying to get used to a new job, a new place, a new son. Life was interesting. Marissa was getting used to a new son, a new incision, hospital life, etc. When Misti had to go home, I called for back-up and Becky came to relieve her at the hospital. SIDE NOTE: things are different in hospitals these days. They leave the baby with the mom all the time and since she couldn't really pick him up and move around real good yet, and still was on pain meds pretty heavily, she couldn't be left alone at the hospital at night especially. They did manage to take sir Isaac to the nursery to sleep 1 or 2 nights, but then because they decided to isolate them both due to positive MRSA test, he couldn't go to the nursery any more. Don't really know what all that was about as neither of them were sick at all. It kept her in for 2 more days, which turned out better for us anyway, to get the place ready.

When we got them home, we stayed in Austin for a few days to just rest up and try to get Isaac's room closer to ready. It was mostly done (thanks again Misti), but we wanted to get a few more things done. Plus, the new parents wanted to see what Ikea could offer the place, so we made an excersion up there. We did find some fun stuff to give the room it's identity. Still tweaking it, so pictures will come later. Maybe on Moe's site - don't know.

So then we came here. We have made 1 trip back to Austin to a dr's appointment for Isaac on July 9th, and made a stop in Goldthwaite so PaPa Dee could see his new great-grandson. That was a hoot. Isaac laughed and smiled the whole time he was holding him, which made PaPa Dee laugh more...had a great time.

We have had somebody come each weekend to visit the little man. Faithful friends Beth and Amanda from Austin. Misti along with Drake came for several days, and His Opa John came last weekend. Sweet times. This weekend the Huckabee/Kidd contingent are coming and so is Great Aunt Weezie. Great Aunt Becky is here right now. Adam has been here for a couple of weeks helping his brother-in-law Zach on a project and bonding with his son. He starts a new job on Monday back in Austin, so they are going home after this weekend. It will take both their vehicles and mine to get all their stuff home, but I think I will just take the non-essential stuff in a couple of weeks. I'm going to help for a week when Marissa starts back to work on August 20th. Then I will be off duty for a while, or so is the plan.

In between all this there has been little time for anything, but I'm trying to get ready for my annual gig with my boys in the band. We are scheduled to play in Arlington again on 8/31. I've got lots to learn.

Another bright spot in the year is the weather. It has not been in triple digits yet!! Evenings are wonderful and everything is so green!! Just keep the bug spray handy and it is a little bit of heaven I think.

So I'm going to post this now and maybe pictures later. Hope you like my saga...I'll try to do the pictures before Isaac is in school...just not right this minute.

This IS Texas after all