Life on a Priority Road

The Five Days of Our Anniversary

2012-01-21T17:21:00.000+01:00

On the first day of our anniversary, my DH gave to me flowers and a lovely, sentimental card.

On the second day of our anniversary, my DH gave to me a creamer for my collection, and a lovely, sentimental card.

On the third day of our anniversary, my DH gave to me more flowers for my collection and a lovely, sentimental card.

Isn't he just the best?

B&Bs

2012-01-21T15:25:00.000+01:00

Just so's you don't think I've been too awfully idle lately, here are my latest projects.

Baskets

Laundry Basket - This was actually easier than I thought it was going to be. Harder on the hands, but a pretty easy weave once it got going. The inside is rather rough, which is where the rough part of the construction is supposed to be. With time I'm sure even my rough stuff won't be so harsh. Meanwhile, since this is a laundry basket, I think I'll have to line it so it doesn't snag the clothes. Either that or relegate it to the garden.

Weed Basket - These were some of my first little projects. They've just been hanging around my house so long I forgot to include them in the photographs. They hold my... er... weeds. You know, the parts of your flower arrangements that never die?

Potato Basket - This basket uses the same technique as an egg or melon basket only on a larger scale.

Peach Basket - This one is actually a re-do. I wasn't happy with the dye job on the first one (see below), or the weaving, or the shape, or the finish..... so much wrong with the first one. The blue looks better, my weaving is more even, but I still see lots of room for improvement.

And then there are the blankets.

In July we got our very first grandgirl, Casey. This pink and hearts was for her. It looks good with the Cabbage Patch Kids in the antique baby bed, but now is at home in Casey's nursery, which is purple. It works.

In November we got our fourth grandboy. this time I tried knitting and for a first attempt it turned out pretty good.

Grand News

2011-11-30T23:14:00.001+01:00

My son, Chris, his wife Lindsay, and the newest grand boy,

Chase Robert Clinton.

Born 11.30.2011, 1:48 PM, Corpus Christi, Texas

6 lb. 3 oz, 19 inches

Chris says he's caught bigger fish than Chase.

"....give thanks in all circumstances..."

2011-11-24T07:42:00.001+01:00

Originally posted in November 2008, and it still one of my favorites.

Read and give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to follow the admonition of the popular hymn and "Count Your Many Blessings." Here is a great story of thankfulness:

Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were Dutch women and devout Christians who hid Jews in their home during World War II, until the sisters were captured by the Gestapo and imprisoned. When they were transferred to Ravensbruck, the women's concentration camp, and moved into new quarters, their barracks were crawling with fleas. Corrie and Betsie had always been scrupulously clean and these vermin were abhorrent to them. Corrie tells the story:

"Here! And here's another one!" I wailed, "Betsie, how can we live in such a place!" "Show us. Show us how." It was said so matter of factly it took me a second to realize she was praying. More and more the distinction between prayer and the rest of life seemed to be vanishing for Betsie.

"Corrie!" she said excitedly. "He's given us the answer! Before we asked, as He always does! In the Bible this morning. Where was it? Read that part again!" I glanced down the long dim aisle to make sure no guard was in sight, then drew the Bible from its pouch. ... "Here it is: 'Comfort the frightened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all... . Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus--(1 Thessalonians 5:14-18)..... .'"

"That's it, Corrie! That's his answer. 'Give thanks in all circumstances!' That's what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!" I stared at her, then around me at the dark, foul-aired room.

"Such as?" I said.

"Such as being assigned here together."

I bit my lip. "Oh yes, Lord Jesus!"

"Such as what you're holding in your hands." I looked down at the Bible. "Yes! Thank you, dear Lord, that there was no inspection when we entered here! Thank you for all the women, here in this room, who will meet you in these pages."

"Yes," said Betsie, "Thank you for the very crowding here. Since we're packed so close, that many more will hear!"

She looked at me expectantly. "Corrie!" she prodded. "Oh, all right. Thank you for the jammed, crammed, stuffed, packed, suffocating crowds."

"Thank you," Betsie went on serenely, "for the fleas and for --" The fleas! This was too much. "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea."

"'Give thanks in all circumstances,'" she quoted. "It doesn't say, 'in pleasant circumstances.' Fleas are part of this place where God has put us."

And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.

But as events turned out, it was Betsie who was right. Both Corrie and Betsie were diligent missionaries, constantly bearing testimony to God, bringing the hope of Christ to women trapped in that dreadful place. Betsie was too sick to go out with the brigades of women workers into the forest where the women had to gather wood. She was assigned to knit stockings for German soldiers; and because there were so many women, Betsie was in a group that had to work in the barracks instead of the work room. She was a lightning knitter who completed her quota ... long before noon. She kept our Bible with her and spent hours each [afternoon] reading aloud from it, moving from [sleeping] platform to platform.

One evening I got back to the barracks late... . Betsie was waiting for me, as always, so that we could wait through the food line together. Her eyes were twinkling. "You're looking extraordinarily pleased with yourself," I told her.

"You know we've never understood why we had so much freedom in the big room," she said. "Well-I've found out." That afternoon, she said, there'd been confusion in her knitting group about sock sizes and they'd asked the supervisor to come and settle it. "But she wouldn't. She wouldn't step through the door and neither would the guards. And you know why?" Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: "Because of the fleas! That's what she said, 'That place is crawling with fleas.'"

My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered Betsie's bowed head, remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for. (Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, [New York: Bantam Books, 1971].)

Regarding thankfulness, President Monson has noted: "Gracias, danke, merci -- whatever language is spoken, 'thank you' frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity -- even a sincerity -- when “thank you” is spoken." (Source: President Thomas S. Monson, Think to Thank, Ensign (CR), November 1998, p. 17.)

Here's a website where you can learn how to write "Thank You" in over 465 different languages: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm

Music and the Spoken Word

2011-10-29T16:32:00.000+02:00

Got 30 minutes? Take a look at this.
http://byutv.org/watch/fa6460ef-cc4f-465c-9052-8c76ee3a9583#ooid=ZrODV4Mjp2s7-wPy9HYT6a5XLpo8vvJf

Underwater Basket Weaving

2011-10-05T13:54:00.000+02:00

I like baskets. They are rustic, functional, light-weight (which is important when you move every four years), and decorative. Many years ago an acquaintance, who just happened to be an interior decorator, tipped me off to these basketry advantages.

Fast forward a decade or so, in Montgomery, Alabama for the summer while Bob went to a military school. The wife of one of the instructors at this school invited me over one day to make a basket. Heck, why not. It turned out to be enjoyable, and the basket is one of the best I've done.

Fast forward another decade or so, on the island of Okinawa. Another acquaintance makes baskets and is also giving classes to others interested. Well, sign me up.

This is one of the first baskets I made, after the one in Alabama. It's called a jelly jar basket because theoretically it holds two jars of jelly. Mine holds travel brochures and maps. Maybe someday when I'm tired of crochet and baskets and seminary I'll take up scrap booking and and put all the brochures in that instead of a baseket.

This basket maker on Okinawa carried a charming tote with her all the time, a basket. I wanted to advance to the point where I could make one just like it. Before I could do that, she explained, my shaping skills had to be pretty good or it could turn out looking like a bottle. She was right. The above basket - don't recall if it has a name, was one of my first attempts at controlling shape as I weave. I'm rather proud of this one. The picture doesn't really do it justice, and sadly it attracted some mildew and had to be bleached as you can see around the bottom. It holds some stuffed animals in my living room when the occasional child stops in.

I made this one at a unit spouses function for - guess what? - the Fourth of July.

I think there were some other baskets along the way, but finally my instructor gave me permission to make the tote I wanted. This picture totally does the basket justice. I used it for about four years as my purse, my lunch tote, travel carry on, everything. As you can see there are weavers broken out of it, the rim is in bad need of repair, and the handle is faded. It has been given emeritis status, until today when I took it down off the top of the schränk in our bedroom for photographing. I think it's time for some cleaning and repairs.

Fast forward a couple more decades. I'm still interested in baskets and weaving them, but until just recently hadn't found a good source for materials. When we lived in the states I just always thought that Hobby Lobby or Michael's would carry them. Guess what?

Early in the summer I decided to look on line, see what was out there for basketry and **woo-who** there are lots of resources! I ordered a kit, it came in under a week, and then I got on a plane, leaving it behind. I ordered the same kit while I was there thinking my two daughters and I could make the three baskets together. Silly me - one has three boys and the other had a brand new baby girl. I enjoyed watching busy little boys fill my tub of soaking reeds with Matchbox cars and garden tools, and Tracee and Kelly got a basket each out of my efforts.

When I got home in August I got my kits out - the same ones I'd ordered in Colorado, and made the above three baskets. Basket weaving involves a lot of water, and it's not the neatest hobby. I find the best place to work is outdoors. I love setting myself up on the patio on a sunny day. It takes me about four hours to make a basket, so about one a day is my limit.

Kelly chose not to have a handle on the basket she made, so I carried it home with me and made this basket with it and some other scraps that I brought home from Colorado.

We have had such perfect weather this September and in to October. My sunny patio was calling me out. I pulled out what reed I had left and made these two. It is my first attempt at making my own pattern. The larger one I made using the measurements of some shelf baskets we bought at IKEA. I was really worried at first, but I LOVE the way it turned out! Even the caning on the rim, which I don't like to use, turned out well (and I had exactly enough!).

This smaller one will take it's place next to my mousepad and keyboard to hold all the little things I use all the time that tend to end up loose on my desk - glue sticks, White Out, marking crayons, my glasses, an eraser, thumb drives.... It was one of the hardest first rows I've eve done! The one-inch reed is hard to manipulate for the first row, but it, too, turned out so good.

The one draw back to basketry is that unless you buy kits - and I feel my skill level is beyond kits - is that you have to buy reed in such large quantities that in order to make my next basket I have to purchase about $90 worth of supplies. The advantage is that shipment will keep me weaving for several months.

I should mention that the very first basket I made, a medium melon basket, dipped in a walnut shell soak, with a wrapped handle, is still one of the best I ever did. I wanted to include it's picture in this entry and it's not where I thought it was. I can't imagine where it has gone to, and won't stop hunting till I find it.

Thanks for listening.

Rising Above

2011-09-12T12:12:00.002+02:00

Baby Casey

2011-08-18T08:52:00.002+02:00

After three tries by my #2 daughter Kelly, we have a grand girl! Casey Rebecca Flenard, born to Rob and Tracee (#1 daughter) on July 7, 2011. It's been love at first sight. She's a beauty.

Casey and Momma

Meeting her cousin, Cohen, for the first time.

Casey is already a Flyer's fan and has her own kid-sized hockey stick.

Getting cozy with Grandma

Papa Rob is absolutely smitten with this baby girl.

And so is cousin Coby.

Here are all the grands--Coby, Carter, Casey, Cohen
(And can I just say that getting this picture was a little bit like herding cats?)

Grammy and Casey

Papa's girl

"We are a happy family." Rob, Tracee, Casey

Play Ball

2011-04-10T21:35:00.004+02:00

My Valentine

2011-02-14T11:49:00.000+01:00

In no particular order, my Valentine, Bob Clinton

On a skateboard

On the computer

With the grandboy and the granddog

There are no words.

At work

With me

...and Jenny....

...and Tracee...

...and Chris.

Touching the lives of a lot of kids

...as a swim coach.

The latest in a long winning streak,

EFSL Champions, 2011

(seven of the last eight years)

And a great grandpa.

I love you, Bob Clinton.

January 22, 1974

2011-01-22T23:25:00.000+01:00

37 years, and we'd do it all again.

With the three grandboys in 2010

Carter, Cohen and Coby Culver

Two of a Kind

2011-01-03T21:10:00.001+01:00

Christmas 2010

My latest crochet blanket is completed. Actually I finished it several months ago but I didn't want to post the picture until after Christmas.

Our daughter-in-law Lindsay is our ultra patriotic, ultra conservative girl. Her favorite colors are red, white and blue. Her wedding pictures were taken in front of an impressive stained glass window of the flag at the Bob Dole School of International Studies, University of Kansas. Even her Christmas tree - and after the Fourth of July, Christmas is her favorite holiday - is decorated in red, white and blue. Had she not been medically disqualified, she would be an Air Force officer along with Chris. Instead she is the poster child for officers' wives and "support our troops." So when I saw this yellow-ribbon pattern I knew it was for Lindsay. Merry Christmas to our star spangled girl.

July 4, 2006

Ghost of Christmas Past

2010-12-16T09:32:00.003+01:00

Some pictures from Christmases past. In no particular order.....

2007--Jenny just home from her mission, some members from Baumholder Branch and some missionaries.

1984--Nyssa, Oregon. Bob was serving a one-year unaccompanied tour (today it would be called a deployment) at a remote radar site in Korea, we had moved in with Grandma and Grandpa. My brothers Roger and David, neice Keesha and Chris.

1984--Cousins Keesha and Chris

2006--Powderhorn, Colorado. Several days after Chris and Lindsay's wedding. Jenny was on her mission.

1989--Air Force Academy swim team Christmas training trip to San Diego, California. Christmas Day, before heading to Disneyland, we stopped by the home of one or the cadet swimmers, Wes Hallman.

1990--Stadthagen, Germany. Our first Christmas in Germany and our first ward Christmas party. Stadthagen Ward holds it on Christmas Eve, in the chapel, with sacred music and gives gifts TO Santa to give to others. And of course serve lovely soup and bread at the conclusion.

1993--Okinawa, Japan. Christmas Eve after having been out sailing all day. Tracee's first Christmas away from home spent with the grandparents.

1996--Okinawa, Japan. Before going to serve the free Christmas dinner at the USO.

2000--Topeka, Kansas

1999--Topeka, Kansas

2002--Topeka, Kansas. Chris had soloed and was about to get his private pilot's license. He and his instructor took us all up for a ride on Christmas Eve.

2008--Koenigsee, Germany. Rob, Tracee and Jenny "home" with us for Christmas

2008--Koenigsee, Germany. We also visited Rothenberg and Salzburg.

2008--Jenny at Koenigsee

2004--Lawrence, Kansas. Chris's graduation from University of Kansas and commissioning into the US Air Force.

1998--Topeka, Kansas

1997--Topeka, Kansas

For Christmas 2010 we will all be together at Powderhorn again.

Dear Gentle Readers -

A Merry Christmas to you all, wherever you may celebrate and draw your families near.

Love,

Becky

Remembrance Day

2010-11-10T10:54:00.003+01:00

I like how the Canadians call it Remembrance Day, but tomorrow is Veteran's Day. We live about 30 minutes from the LORRAINE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL and have driven there for a respite. My most memorable visit was with a friend who was visiting. She had a great uncle whom she had never met buried there and we went on behalf of her mother and other family members to see the grave.

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/lo.php

Going to the cemetery is a tender event, but when you go to one of the American Battle Monuments and Cemeteries with a loved one in mind, it becomes a whole new experience. We stopped first at the visitors' center to look up his name and locate the grave marker. From the moment we inquired the visit changed. Our guide collected her tools and led us to the grave. As we walked past the tall, imposing bell tower and crested the steps, the vista before us was so moving we all wept.

We walked in the dewy grass through the rows and rows of markers until we reached the grave of William H. Gulledge, Jenette Turner's Great uncle.

Our guide went to work, first cleaning the marker, then she rubbed sand into the engraved name and wiped away the excess. This made the name easier to read.

Then she planted an American and a French flag at the base of the marker.

Jenette and our guide

Then it was time to take pictures. Our guide also prepared a folder for Jenette to take back to her family with information about the battle Pvt. Gulledge had fought in, where he was first buried and the date he was moved to the Lorraine cemetary. She thanked us for our service, and left us to savor the moment in the reverence of that October morning.

Linda Hulterstrom, Jenny Clinton, Jenette Turner

(Jenny was newly returned from her mission, Linda was a former companion from Sweden who flew to Frankfurt for the homecoming, Jenette a friend from Topeka who was Jenny's "companion" after she arrived in Utah and before she checked into the MTC, and then flew with Jenny on the last leg of her trip home.)

We have returned several times to the Lorraine Cemetery, and we always look up the grave marker and leave flowers. Sometimes we stop at the visitors center, and when we ask, the same lovely French woman guide will gladly leave her work and show us the way to Pvt. Gulledge's grave, all the time saying "this is my job, I'm honored to do it." At the same time she will give a brief introduction to the cemetery, the Medal of Honor awardees buried there, but always paying tribute to those buried in unknown graves. We feel privileged to live so close.

Fungi I Have Known

2010-10-19T13:18:00.001+02:00

Soon after settling in Germany I picked up a trail map at the Bruchmühlbach city offices. We have explored many of the trails, including a 20 km death march on rainy day over hill and dale. On this particular walk we found all the poorly marked trails.

But that was then.

Last Monday we took a shorter walk along the B11/12/10 trail along a hill top overlooking Bruchmühlbach-Miesau (I know that it is the B11/12/10 trail because it was segment in the 20 km death march). It was a gorgeous fall day. Perfect, actually.

Miesau - where we live

Along the way we noticed more than a few varieties of mushrooms. I have no idea what they are, but the pictures turned out pretty good, considering the 1st generation digital camera and my shaky hand. Bob's is the steadier.

The Generous Lion

2010-10-16T21:06:00.002+02:00

When my oldest daughters, Tracee and Kelly, were quite young, their Grandma Mary gave them each a mug for their hot chocolate. Tracee's was a lion, Kelly's was a monkey with the tails forming the handle. Cute little mugs they were, and used on a daily basis. After the girls were both grown and settled I passed them on.

I can't tell you right now what happened to the monkey mug - I'd love to remember or find out. You never really know what makes something an heirloom, but I believe one of these mugs, the lion mug, was approaching this status.

Until today. Kelly sent me this picture this evening.

It's what happens to a mug when it's thrown out the door onto the patio. Cohen did it. We'll never know why. R.I.P., lion mug. You gave lovingly for over 20 years.

The Incredible Journey, or How to Get a Cat

2010-09-29T17:14:00.000+02:00

For most of our married lives we have had a cat. Zephyr was the most famous and long lived of them, and a world traveler. Germany, to the US, to Okinawa, to the US with a short stay in Hawaii. She went to live with Kelly when we returned to Germany. She was just too old to make the trip in 2004, and died of a stroke several months after we left. Here's to Zephyr. **clink, clink, clink**

Chris and Zephyr, 1996

We've always had in our heart to get another cat--rather let a cat have us. Just waiting for the right one to come around and adopt us. It had to be the right cat--er, we had to be the right people for the cat. We wanted one declawed, which is a little more difficult to come by in Germany since it is an illegal procedure. I had my heart set on another Persian, or Himalayan, and we were also looking at Siberian (no allergens).

When Lindsay said they needed to find new homes for her two Maine Coon cats (turns out Chris is allergic), and since they met other criteria (micro chipped, declawed, adults), Bob looked into some shipping options and we decided to take one of Lindsay's cats. Initial quotes for shipping were about $600, but suddenly when we got serious so did the fees, over $2,000!! Lindsay dad some investigating on her end and was able to find humane, affordable care and shipping for under $600. Before we knew it, "Kitty" was on her way to us.

A friend had tipped me off to the fact that you don't just pull up to a shipping dock and pick up the animal, that several stops and more than a few Euro would be involved. So armed with some cash, and hope in our hearts we drove to Frankfurt, to Cargo "City," and believe me it is just that--HUGE!! Our process involved both extreme ends of both sides of the runway of Frankfurt International Airport. And I should add that the whole place is under construction so streets are narrower than usual and traffic more congested with big trucks hauling who-knows-what construction element.

We began circling the flight line looking for Tor 2, which although signage existed for it, we never did find the gate. At gate 31 we stopped and asked. Tor 31 sent us back to Tor 26 where the Animal Lounge was. The Animal Lounge sent us back to Tor 31 where we would be granted passage onto the maze of cargo terminals and offices to building 537 and L.U.G. At L.U.G. we were informed that the cat was still in Houston, that it didn't get on the flight the day before. **WHAT??** With very confused, unsettled, and heavy hearts we could do nothing but go back home. The only positive out of the whole day was that we learned that Tor 31 was exactly where we needed to be for our first stop.

Lindsay took over from here, calling Continental Airlines and discovering that it was true, Kitty had missed her flight, communication broke down and no one was notified, but that Kitty was safely lodged at the Houston airport kennel for the night and next day before the 6:30 PM flight to Frankfurt. AND a full refund will be coming!

So we get a redo. We drove to Tor 31, got our registration and gate card and access to L.U.G. and building 537 where we paid L.U.G. 14 Euros for moving Kitty from Continental Airlines to the Animal Lounge. Then we drove to Tor 26 (I should mention that 31 and 26 are on opposite sides of the flight line). At least this time there was only one stop at each. The Animal Lounge meanwhile was having a vet examine Kitty (75 Euro) and also feeding and watering and cleaning up Kitty. Next stop: customs (29 Euro).

Back to the Animal Lounge, a brief wait in the parking lot and after all that I wanted to have trumpets and a red carpet as Kitty was carried out. She was calm, poised, and grooming, (The dog that came out before her--which cost $2,000 to ship--was hyper and licking and jumping. Cats rule!) considered us just another step in her two day inconvenience, and quietly came along with us without asking any questions.

Welcome home, Kitty. By the way, it's Bob's birthday and this is one of his presents.

One small step for Kitty, one big step for Clinton kind.

Litter box located.

"Kennel door open--Hmmm. In, out. In, out. I could get used to this."

First trip down the stairs.

Exploring the rest of the place.

"I'm sorry but our trailer is in your garden."

2010-09-02T17:43:00.002+02:00

One morning last week I heard this awful noise/crash/bang (hard to describe). I thought maybe one of the larger pictures hanging in the stairwell had fallen down and bounced down the stairs. Before I could make it all the way down the stairs the doorbell rang, and the sweetest (English speaking) lady was standing at my door pointing to her trailer, which was very neatly and precisely parked in my front garden. You can't see it in this picture, but the trailer is parked over one bush, and the wheel is delicately parked behind another. Yet neither bush sustained any damage, nor did any of the randomly planted flowers (also under the trailer). It looks like it was air-lifted in and dropped on the garden.

All I could do when I saw it was laugh. We both laughed. This couple was driving home with a load of laminate flooring when the trailer hitch on their car broke. OK, back up a moment.... German's don't drive pick-up trucks, and their station wagons and all cars, actually, are on the small side. But these little trailers are very popular and easy to pull behind even the smallest car. So they were hauling their boxes, the trailer hitch broke, and from what we could see on the sidewalk, the trailer continued on it's way for a 100 feet or so, the tongue hit the little concrete barrier around my garden and catapulted over the bushes and into the garden where it came to rest, safely avoiding any plants.

The man half of this couple soon returned with another vehicle and boxes were shifted around so the trailer could be hooked up. The very smart lady figured out that there was a jack under the tongue that could be used to elevate the tongue, which was heavy now with the load of flooring, but then the problem was how to get the trailer over the bushes. Could drive forward - bush in the way. Couldn't back up - bushes in the way.

This time it was my turn to have a brain storm. I simply dug up the little bush in front of the tire and moved it to the back yard. No sooner had I put my shovel away and washed my hands than the gentleman returned with two bottles of champagne.

I don't know, I thought it was a hilarious situation. Thought I'd share it.

They say the first thing to go is the memory

2010-07-25T20:45:00.000+02:00

I know that a lot of folks who check this blog regularly are young. You know who you are. I want you to watch this carefully and laugh long and hard over it. Then just you wait. Your time is coming.

To those of you who have reached a point in your life where this already applies to you, laugh long and hard over this because as it really happens it's not as funny.

Hey! This isn't what I signed on for!

2010-07-17T00:31:00.002+02:00

Bob retired from the Air Force in 1997. AND in 2006.

He also returned to active duty in the Air Force in 2001. AND again in 2010. (Do you see a pattern developing here?) I don't know how many times it takes to get it right, but this better be the time. He has a three year contract that will put him pretty dang close to that 30 year mark for retirement pay (75% of what he is making right now for the rest of his life).

He put on his flight suit May 24, and on July 10 was handed a short-notice deployment, leaving in one week. That's today. He'll spend 120 days - get ready - in Florida supporting air operations for the oil spill clean up. Affectionately referred to as Tyndallistan.

It's embarrassing to even call it a deployment after watching the gut-wrenching deployments that the Army does - 15 months, to Iraq & Afghanistan after only being home 12 months since the last one. I promise not to whine and moan. And I won't brag about going to visit him for three weeks in August.

I salute you Army wives. You know who you are: Lesa, whose husband just returned; Rachel whose husband just returned; Sara whose husband just returned; Donna whose husband just returned and who had a baby while he was gone (!!); and all the Baumholder women whose husbands will soon be leaving for six weeks of training followed by 12 months in Afghanistan. I salute you.

Pimp My Ride

2010-07-06T18:35:00.000+02:00

The Aral (gas) station in our town frequently gives out freebies when you purchase an Autowasche (car wash). Ice scrapers, water bottles, sponges..... I was so excited this time we ran the car through because the give-a-way was German flags, the kind you hook on the car and they flap in the breeze as you drive. I have ALWAYS wanted some of these. Seriously! And now that Germany has made it to the final four in FIFA competition, not only did I want them, but I needed them.

Deutschland! Deutschland! Deutschland!!

Mary Petzold Going Viral

2010-07-01T20:09:00.005+02:00

My Mother-in-law, Mary Petzold, as seen recently on YouTube. She's 82 years old. Amazing woman.

Blankets

2010-06-30T09:28:00.002+02:00

Last fall I went along on one of Bob's planning conferences. The Army post there had an excellent craft store that a friend, also with her husband at the same conference, convinced me to go see. I got enthused! I used to crochet blankets all the time and it had been years since I'd made one, and right then and there decided to make another one.

I bought a pattern book and materials and this was the end result. Not bad for a "first" try. It will always be ours, however, because it's shape is a little off. Someday I'll try the pattern again and get it right, but for a "first" try I was just too impatient to count 180 stitches each row.

And then I got validation. Early this year in a sacrament meeting talk someone said that we should always be creating something and that if it gave us pleasure we should invest in it and nurture it. So I bought some more yarn and made another blanket.

Feeling somewhat the expert, I next picked an adorable pattern that I thought I would do for my sister's first baby, due about the time as my new grandson. Well you know what they say about new construction of houses? How you should allow 25% more money and time? Well it applied to this project, and by the time I was done with it, I hated it. I was never so glad to clear up that one square meter of space in my sitting room, and get it mailed.

Noah's Ark

Elephant and Camel

The rat-opotamus

Sheep and Giraffe

Somewhere, over a rainbow......

Star

.....two by two......

My next project is all one color, less complicated and works quickly. I'll keep you posted.

Another Year Older

2010-06-12T09:51:00.002+02:00

Today, June 12, is my birthday. I'm not going to confess the years. You are all clever enough to do the math and come up with that number on your own.

My daughter-in-law Lindsay is a great shopper and gift giver. I love the card she sent yesterday and thought I'd share it with you.

Do you know people that have the same birthday as you? I have always thought it interesting that I can name four people that I share June12 with (and I have this nagging feeling that there is someone I'm forgetting - sorry, whoever you are).

Happy birthday, birthday buddies Melissa Zollinger, ME!!, Stacey Score, Kacie Holdaway, and Mo Ray.

The Scriptures

2010-06-08T16:52:00.002+02:00

At the end of each seminary year I ask students to write a little something about their favorite scriptures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katelyn Abbott

Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

“I need to build my foundation strong. I don’t want to let Satan be able to beat me down.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meagan Decker

Mosiah 13:3 Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time.

“Because this scripture is like amazing in helping to give guidance to keeping the standards.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forest Andersen

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

“It shows that the word of God can be as powerful as any weapon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mo Ray

Jacob 6:12 O be wise; what can I say more?

“What more could you say than to be wise?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stephanie English

“(1) You can say it any time. (2) Abinadi told his whole reason for being there.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Desiree Andersen

2 Nephi 1:15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.

“This is my favorite scripture because it explains to me how much the Savior truly loves us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What you see

2010-05-29T22:04:00.003+02:00

The last two posts I didn't include pictures because, well, I didn't take any of the airplane messes. But I did take lots of pictures of my grandboys.

Getting to know Coby Dean

Kelly said our main assignment was to keep Carter and Cohen busy. When we got to Tracee's we noticed that she needed some fixes to a closet so we were off to Lowe's and took the boys with us. Now in my time I would have NEVER taken two little boys shopping anywhere with me, and most of all not to Lowe's. But then "back then" there wasn't a Lowe's, and I wouldn't have had a fun Grandpa with me.

Tractor Races

Barnes and Noble for a book

We must have done a good job cuz they didn't last long once we got them in the car.

Coby hanging with Grandpa

Today's activity: a train ride to Glenwood Springs.

Kelly decided to go at the last minute, since she'd never taken the train through Glenwood Canyon. It's fuzzy cuz American trains just aren't as smooth as German trains. Jenny was hogging the baby and it was the only way I could get a picture of Coby on his first train ride.

Aunt Tracee provided the games. Here's Cohen trying to break into "Pass the Pigs."

Cohen, nearly asleep at the window.

Now just where was that ice cream parlor?

Garret, Jenny and Carter

And all this time I thought Glenwood Springs was famous for it's springs.

Speaking of which - View of the hot springs and Hotel Colorado from the train station.

A guy's gotta do something while waiting for a train.....

And here it is now!

We're proud of all of our sons-in-law, even Kevin (in costume for a part in Carter's birthday party).

Who knew? A campfire in the back yard for a Sunday afternoon wiener roast!

Coby chillin' with Grandpa.

Walking Trooper. And Carter.

And Cohen.

And a break to climb trees.

Took Coby to the park.

And Cohen.

And Carter.

Then to Uncle Rob's to play with his Hotwheels.

Playing Chutes and Ladders with Carter.

"Da train, da train!!

The parting shots

Strange trip deuxième partie

2010-05-23T21:00:00.003+02:00

Normally I wouldn't post all this nonsense about plane delays and volcanic ash. But it just seems like this trip had more than it's fair share of quirks and kinks. The outward bound leg was one delay and change after another, audio systems that didn't work, and yet we reached our destination late but in one piece and happy. The return trip was almost a carbon copy of it.

Because we purchased our tickets separately this time (Bob wasn't sure he could go with me this trip until the last minute), our seats were not together, and even though I tried and tried to manipulate that circumstance on the Delta website, it could not be done. Not only were we not seated together, but in 3 of the 4 legs Bob didn't even have a seat. So each time we arrived at a departure gate we had that detail to take care of.

We arrived at the airport in Salt Lake City, turned in the rental car and checked in - no problem there. Had breakfast at Sbarro - who knew?? When the gate agent arrived as our gate we got our seats. We have become pretty accustomed to sitting in the tail of the plane, and this time was no different. I'm actually starting to prefer it back there - last to board, closer to the lavs...... We departed on time. I dug out my itinerary and had no sooner remarked about the comfortable time we had between flights when "this is your captain speaking" announced that Atlanta was closed and that we would have to circle for a couple of hours, or until we ran out of gas in which case we would refuel in Savanna. We had visions of spending the night in Atlanta as we watched the little trip map on the monitor trace a pattern round and round and round Columbus, GA.

Just in the nick of time the skies opened and we landed in Atlanta. At 4:35 PM. Our flight to Frankfurt was scheduled to depart at 4:40 PM. Yikes. I quick look at the terminal monitor showed that it too had been delayed to 4:50. We moved as fast as the trains would go from terminal A to terminal E (could they get any further away??) and in true "Home Alone" fashion got there as the doors were closing. Now remember Bob didn't have a seat. The agents at the gate were on top of that and as soon as they had our names they not only had a seat for Bob, but a seat with me, and this time it wasn't in the boot. And just like the Frankfurt to Atlanta flight, there were scads of empty seats and we spread out on our row and had a better than usual flight. No more severe storm delays, no volcanic ash polluting the Atlantic air routes. Smooth sailing.

And then it occurred to us that if we had to scurry like mice to make the flight that it was just possible, no, it was probable that our luggage didn't make it. Sure 'nuf. No bags in Frankfurt. They were located in Atlanta and would come the next day on the same flight number. I stayed home from church anticipating a phone call or delivery, but there was nothing until about 6:00 PM.

Now all is safely gathered in. I'm not feeling too jet lagged (although I just had a great nap and several other snoozes during the day). Back to seminary tomorrow morning.

The other tale of woe is getting Bob's van out of the body shop. We left it there during the trip to get a little fender bender repaired and arrived just as the gates slid shut on Saturday. It is a German holiday tomorrow (Day of Pentecost) so we might not be able to get the van until Tuesday. With his early morning practices and seminary that is a problem. Not impossible, but cumbersome and a bit inconvenient. Not nearly as problematic as missed flights, volcanic ash, and delayed baggage.

Lately it appears to me....

2010-05-12T18:50:00.001+02:00

....What a l-o-n-g strange trip it's been!

Trips to the states are never fun. I mean once you get there it's usually rewarding, but the travel itself is brutal. This time is no exception, and we will add some quirks popped up that made it even more interesting.

Like a stau on the way to the airport. Anxiety causing, but not devastating. We still were there in plenty of time for breakfast, and a stroll to the gate. Terminal 2 in Frankfurt is by nature less crowded and frustrating than Terminal 1, but yesterday it was really quiet. I mean very really quiet. No lines to speak of, even at McDonalds. We got a seat by the window in the food court, NO LINE - NO ONE - at passport clearance. Spooky.

(About this time you are probably thinking, "Hey, where's the pictures?" Most bloggers would have had all kinds of pictures to post. I didn't take any. Just imagine a quiet, uncrowded airport.)

9:30 AM was departure time, and by 9:45 there didn't seem to be any indication of boarding taking place. A nice gate agent was circulating the waiting area and flirting with all the babies and toddlers. A man we called "First Class Guy" was waving his don't-you-know-who-I-am-? fist when there was only one line through the security check point and wanted cuts. He also was frustrated at the gate when he had to wait behind 3-4 people to show his boarding pass. He got his special treatment, alright: a personal search of his carry-on at the gate, and it wasn't private. **giggle**

As soon as we were finally boarded, seated, and pushed away from the gate, "this is your captain speaking" explained that due to volcanic ash the transatlantic air routes were crowded and that our turn would be in 90 minutes. We taxied away from the gate, parked, and turned off the engines. Crew served water, and turned on the entertainment systems for us. And we waited. The captain also announced that yesterday the wait had been four hours. I guess that was supposed to make us feel better.

The really good news of the day was that the flight wasn't full so we had extra seats to spread out in. It made a difference.

No sooner had we commented on how the time we had between flights in Atlanta was more than adequate than we got the "90 minutes till our turn" announcement. We would miss our connection in Atlanta. No doubt. But to Atlanta's credit they were ready for us. They had a special line for missed flights with a gadget that scanned your boarding pass, rebooked you, and printed a new one. Even redirected luggage. We wouldn't be able to leave until 9:30 PM, but we were happy we had a flight. There was one young mother on our flight with a baby trying to get to San Juan, Porto Rico who couldn't get a flight for two days!

Domestic flights are 60 times worse than international. International may be long, but at least you are well cared for. As we were boarding the gate attendant announced that they had downsized the plane so things would be snug. The PA system on the plane was weak and the sound for the movie and other audio/video presentations didn't work (they announced this as they were selling headsets for $2.00 - they are free on international fights). Every child on the plane screamed. We put on our noise reducing headsets and slept. Or tried to.

The Europeans like to applaud when planes land. That seemed to be the general sentiment as we landed at last in Salt Lake City at 11:35 PM. The flight attendant who was sitting just across the isle from me said that they had just barely received the gate assignment. We pulled up, parked, engines turned off and then came a long, eerie silence. No one spoke, no one moved. It took longer to unload the much larger plane in Atlanta than this smaller MD whatever-it-was in SLC.

Our luggage must have taken an earlier flight because it was waiting for us. The rental car was waiting for us. The bed in our hotel was very comfy. Now we hit the road for Grand Junction. When I get back to Germany perhaps I'll look up the Grateful Dead version of the song and embed it on the blog.

Off to see the new grandboy!

Poisoning Pigeons in the Park

2010-05-03T22:10:00.007+02:00

Bob's mother, Mary Petzold, does a lovely rendition of this sweet little song by satirist Tom Lehrer. I heard it the other day on the radio and I just had to look it up, especially since we think we have won a battle with the birds up in the high beams of our house. They have left piles and piles of poop on our driveway, but a super-soaker and ammonia water seem to have done the trick. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. --BC

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Spring is here, a-suh-puh-ring is here.
Life is skittles and life is beer.
I think the loveliest time of the year is the spring.
I do, don't you? 'course you do.
But there's one thing that makes spring complete for me,
And makes ev'ry sunday a treat for me.

All the world seems in tune
On a spring afternoon,
When we're poisoning pigeons in the park.
Ev'ry sunday you'll see
My sweetheart and me,
As we poison the pigeons in the park.

When they see us coming, the birdies all try an' hide,
But they still go for peanuts when coated with cyanide.
The sun's shining bright,
Ev'rything seems all right,
When we're poisoning pigeons in the park.

Lalaalaalalaladoodiedieedoodoodoo

We've gained notoriety,
And caused much anxiety
In the audubon society
With our games.
They call it impiety,
And lack of propriety,
And quite a variety
Of unpleasant names.
But it's not against any religion
To want to dispose of a pigeon.

So if sunday you're free,
Why don't you come with me,
And we'll poison the pigeons in the park.
And maybe we'll do
In a squirrel or two,
While we're poisoning pigeons in the park.

We'll murder them all amid laughter and merriment.
Except for the few we take home to experiment.
My pulse will be quickenin'
With each drop of strychnine
We feed to a pigeon.
It just takes a smidgin!
To poison a pigeon in the park.

Elder Holland's Testimony

2010-05-03T16:12:00.001+02:00

I love, LOVE this witness. I know it's true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKblIMfmjI

Cowboy Logic

2010-05-01T15:25:00.001+02:00

Couldn't resist posting this story. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Cowboy from Laramie , Wyoming , walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Paris for an international rodeo for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank. The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Cowboy handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank.

The Cowboy produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank's president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Cowboy from Wyoming for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's private underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the Cowboy returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out on Dunn & Bradstreet and found that you are a
highly sophisticated investor and multimillionaire with real estate and financial interests all over the world. Your investments include a large number of wind turbines around Laramie, Wyoming. What puzzles us is - why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"

The good 'ole Wyoming boy replied, "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?"

Don't mess with Cowboys.

Baby Culver

2010-04-30T12:02:00.005+02:00

Welcome to our newest little Grandboy.

10:06 PM, April 29th - a couple weeks early

7 lbs 11 oz, 19.5 inches long

Coby Dean Culver

We will get to see him in a couple of weeks, when he was due.

Coby, you are loved! Congratulations Kevin and Kelly, and Carter and Cohen.

He Lives

2010-04-05T17:02:00.000+02:00

He Lives

B.C. Olympics

2010-02-25T17:47:00.002+01:00

36 Years

2010-01-27T13:23:00.006+01:00

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

Christmas Letter

2009-12-05T22:23:00.003+01:00

The BIG Photo Shoot

2009-10-09T16:29:00.008+02:00

We had a photo shoot last week. We invited the whole family to come, got all gussied up, and ended up with perfect weather. So here's some of the shots.

The kids - Tracee, Jenny, Kelly, Chris

Brotherly/Sisterly love....

OH. Did I mention that Jenny got married that day?
That's the new guy with her holding her hand, Garret Preece.

The whole family, including a set of grandparents.
Back row: Rob Flenard, Bob, Me, Chris, Kevin, Don Clinton and Audrey
Front row: Tracee, Garret, Jenny, Lindsay, Kelly holding Cohen,
and Carter is standing on the bench behind Kelly.

Friends of the Bride.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Bountiful Utah LDS Temple

(Malisa Twelves was once again our photographer. Kudos, girl. And to your sister Malinda, too. See additional wedding shots at Malisa's blog http://malisasphotos.blogspot.com)

My other kids...

2009-05-29T18:13:00.011+02:00

I teach seminary these are pictures of some of my kids and their favorite scriptures.

From my Kaiserslautern class.....

Katelyn Abbott

1 Peter 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

“It talks how we are a chosen generation, how he has called us out of the darkness.”

Stephani Ray

John 12:35-36

35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness cone upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

“I like this scripture because it’s telling us to USE the gospel. Take advantage of it while you have it and love it, share it with your friends. REJOICE in it. Darkness is closing in, make sure you are safe! Walk in the light and know where you’re going."

Katelyn Meldrom

James 1:5-6

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to

all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

“Because if I am ever not sure about something, this scripture reminds me to just ask (Heavenly Father) God.”

Forest Andersen

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

“I like this because it shows the power of the word of God. And I like swords.”

Sarah Meldrom

John 11:41-42

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me.

“Thou has heard me—I know you’ve heard me.”

Jansen Jorgensen

Alma 12:14

14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall to be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.

“It reminds me that if I don’t keep my mouth clean, I will be condemned.”

From my Baumholder class....

Michael Sweet

1 Corinthians 15:2

29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead, rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

“I like it because it just jumped out at me. And I always look at it during seminary.”

Christy Williams

Joshua 1:9

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

“Be of good courage.”

Carolyn's 80th Birthday

2009-05-13T18:40:00.004+02:00

My mom turned 80 this year and we had a big party to celebrate. Thanks to Malisa Twelves (see link to her blog on the left) for the great group shots at the Blue Bird Cafe in Logan, Utah, and some family portraits later in the day after certain cranky ones had napped.

My brothers, sister and I with Mom
(back row) Mike, Roger, David, Scott, Alan
(front row) Buffy, Mom, Me

The in-laws
Mike & Kaylene, Roger & Julie, Scott & Linda, David & Penny, Alan & Kathy
Bob & I, Buffy, and Mom

The Greats and Grands -- I don't think I'll try to tag them all. Sorry.

Carolyn and her posterity - 51 and growing

This is the best shot we got of Carter all day.

Two of my dad's brothers came, and a couple of their kids putting the
head count for lunch at about 70.

Great Portraits

2009-04-17T22:28:00.002+02:00

Just click on the "Portraits by Malisa Twelves" blog link to the left to see so awesome family pictures from the reunion in early April. Thanks, Malisa, for making us look so wonderful.

Rothenberg

2008-12-30T16:13:00.005+01:00

I love Rothenberg. It's a walled, medieval city in Germany. It's like Disney World only it's real old stuff, not new stuff made to look old. I love everything about it. I go there every chance I get. When people come to visit it's the first place I take them. It's only about three hours away, but it's so much better when you spend the night.

Even though I've been dozens of times, I still take lots of pictures. There is one spot where we have created a tradition of photographing our guests. It's a covered foot bridge at the Spitaltor. Last week we completed our family collection of photographs at the bridge with the visit of Rob and Tracee to Germany for Christmas. Come with us to Rothenberg and we'll add you to the gallery. I thought I'd share them.

Jenny and Bob, November 2007

Chris and Lindsay, November 2007

Paul and Wendy Clinton, and Kelsey, July 2007

Bob and I, May 2004

Kevin and Kelly Culver, and Jenny, March 2006

Jenny, November 2007

Rob and Tracee, December 2008

Commercial Free Radio

2008-12-13T22:44:00.004+01:00

Since we live in Germany, and we don't speak English, when it comes to news and entertainment we are slaves to AFN. On the Armed Forces Network, we can hear all the news we need - that they or NPR deem we need to hear - and, between the FM and AM stations, hear a variety of music and TONS of clever but annoying public service announcements, or as they are called affectionately, commercials. But they aren't really commercials but because that is the one element missing from the broadcasts and fill the space where a commercial might play, listeners refer to them as "commercials."

Don't get me wrong. The German stations are pretty good. For the most part they play American music - in English. But when it comes to a traffic report or weather or news, we surf back to the AFN station where we get very broad weather reports ("In Germany today you can expect a high of 41 degrees and cloudy skies....." Germany covers everything from Bavaria where there is tons of snow and often treacherous road conditions to our local area where we have 12 months of rain.), NPR news, and generic local reports on school assemblies, units and post office hours.

We also get sports talk shows. About five hours a day. It is these sports talk shows that prompt this writing.

I wake up early. I'm out of bed at 5:15 AM and
out the door by 6:20 AM. In that hour it's nice to listen to something. For several years it was "news and information" during that hour, but then it switched to a sports talk show. Are you kidding me? I tried listening to it, but it has become just plain noise.

I switched to the FM station and it's OK, but it's
all music, and since they boast playing a wide variety of music, occasionally you have to endure a style that is not to your liking.

On weekends the AM staion plays oldies music, but only overnight. They can brag that they play all kinds of music, but not that you have to stretch your day way out to enjoy it.

Last week I flipped the switch from AM to FM and happened upon some oldies music. So I left the dial right there. It went on and on - no breaks for an "Army Now" or "Air Force Today" or "Roads in the KMC are condition Amber." It was nice! Turns out that the Canadians living in Germany have their version of AFN, CFN. There are some wonderful radio shows broadcast. I have listened to some wonderful stories writen and submitted for broadcast on the show called Vinyl Cafe, and a replay of the American Top 40 Countdown with Casey Kasem from a selected date in 1967. And there truly are no commercials - PSA or otherwise.

"Oh Canada," thank you so very much.

Thank you for the fleas

2008-11-27T17:50:00.001+01:00

Old Stuff

2008-11-19T14:45:00.000+01:00

Since I got all turned on to facebook - you know you have one, 'fess up - it has been so much fun connecting with uncles and nieces and cousins and nephews. Folks, both related and not, that I haven't had contact with for years. Decades. Embarrassingly long periods of time. Now all of a sudden I can stalk--er … have contact with--all of them. When the number of Blaylock "friends" reached about 40 I decided to start a facebook group. About 30 have joined although they are pretty slow on the uptake in regard to participating and posting but that's OK. It will come.

The group page was looking a little lonely, except for profile pictures of the members, so I decided to post some pictures and rather than have them all be my kids and my grandkids I went searching through my digital file and picture boxes for extended family pictures and found some great oldies. I'm posting them here, too. See slideshow.

To Fix or to Feast

2008-11-16T19:39:00.001+01:00

It's quiet here this evening. My husband left earlier in the day for a business trip - will be gone all week. Confession: I really don't mind that at all!! I know there are those out there that worry about me ("Please call if you need anything while he's gone."). I like being home alone. The first 36 hours I tend to get naughty - stay up late, eat junk food, and watch trashy TV. After that I get repentant and settle down to the task at hand. However, tonight the quiet is nice. No junk food, no TV. I'm feeling quite mature about it all.

Thanksgiving is coming and the chit-chat at church today was all about Thanksgiving plans. I noticed that while everyone else was comparing plans and making big gatherings larger by inviting more people, I was thinking small - like going to an Army dining facility. No cooking, no clean-up, delicious food at rock bottom cost. OK, so there's no leftovers, either, but the payoff is a relaxing, enjoyable day. Don't get me wrong - I love to cook. I read recipes recreationaly and love trying them out, but why make more work for yourself? We have even toyed with the idea of going away for the long weekend. I know, that sounds down right unAmerican but hey, WE CAN! And here in Germany it's not a holiday - things will be open. Christmas markets will be starting up, there is snow in the Alps -- so many possibilities.

I love this empty nesting!

Thanksgiving 2006, Baumholder