Pastiche: Two Years.

Pastiche: Two Years.

Way too long...!

It's been far too long since I have posted anything. Lots has happened, more than I can record without getting really stiff from sitting here. We had a wonderful, amazing trip to Texas. Hueston is growing and learning so much! He had his first birthday in June and if you look at him Mommy's blog Pastiche you can see many examples. She's such a good documentarian of his little life. She says she does it (taking all the pictures and posting all of them and writing the blog) because she knows she will forget. I know it is also because she would be interested to have this resource about her own ancestors. Sad to say, her plea for 'Parker' or 'Elsea' history produced only two examples, one from each family, so it's not just we who are negligent--or unimaginative--or whatever foible led others of us not to contribute. I'm glad for Hueston's Great Aunt Becky and Great Uncle Jerry, and I really do plan to send my contribution and encourage others from the Parker side to do the same. To get back to my story, we also were thrilled to have Hueston and his Mommy and Daddy (often referred to as "Da-Da") join us at Turtle Reef, the time share condo we have enjoyed for many years. It was a perfect week with only one day of rain. To see Hueston's absolute fearless joy at his first encounter with the ocean was priceless. It could only have been improved upon if cousin Emmett and his Mom and Dad had been there. Hopefully that can happen another year! To Uncle Matt, yes, Turtle Reef does have lowered rates for family and friends of owners, this year $100 per night (or "7 for $700") which is definitely better than the $1225 I think was advertised. We'll see about that next time. Remember: It's week #31 on your calendar! We have not seen as much of Emmett and his family as we would have liked. We've heard, though, that they are thinking of a trip down this way sometime in the not too distant future, and we have tentative plans to go up to babysit for an event Matt and Sara want to attend. That is a real treat! We had so much fun the last time; I know it will be even more fun since Emmett has grown and learned so much since we've last been there. We need to do better in the future. Emmett did send his Papa(razzi) and Nana a painting he had done. It was made with brilliant colors and we could see his little fingers in red and royal blue mingled with the swirls of color. What innovative stationery! Well, I really need to accomplish something today and have a long list from which to choose. I'll try not to allow such a gap of time to elapse before I return to this. Meanwhile, God is so good to us! We love all our children and grands! Nana

Getting Ready...

Washing clothes; gathering toiletries; doling out Rxs by the day; checking the weather forecast--in Texas...GOING TO SEE HUESTON! We'll leave here on Sunday morning, May 9, and start back on Monday, May 17. Such a long drive, but Papa and I enjoy it. He drives and I sleep, but we also talk, you know, 'captive audience', but we've always liked car travel...except that it really IS too far to Ft. Worth. We do consider it worthwhile! but I've been wanting for about 10 years now to just pleat the United States. Although just at the moment might not be the wisest time, what with the Big Oil Leak. Poor fishermen, poor shrimpers, poor Louisianans and Mississippians and Alabamians and, yes, Floridians, still working to clean up after that terrible hurricane with the beautiful name. Times are hard for many of us. Time is surely growing short. Time to check off check-lists...Lots of things foretold came true. Weather's sure changin'. Time's a wastin', but meanwhile, we're getting ready, going to see Hueston!

Long overdue

I just forget to do this. And it doesn't seem that I do enough noteworthy things. Usually they involve the babies, and you can check out their blogs to get that info. Ok, we had an incredible Christmas with Katrina, David, and Hueston; Matt, Sara, and Emmett; H & E's Great Aunt Carol Anne and Ed; Uncles Tom and Mike; and adoring friend Nara. The little fellas met and gave us all moments to cherish and dreams of happy times to come. More currently, we went to Atlanta about a month ago to babysit while Sara and Matt went to a concert. We had great fun. Again, check out the baby blogs to see pictures. Our biggest new as of late: we bought a new refrigerator last night--and the old one hasn't died yet. We got to thinking that we should probably look into replacing some of our 15+ year old appliances while Dick is still working. It's a white Kenmore Elite, French doors without water & ice dispenser. It won't get here until June 3, so it's a good thing we're not desperate. Next will be a new vacuum. Our whole-house system died a couple of weeks ago. We were about to just get a regular vacuum, until Matt pointed out that the system had lasted 15 years which would not be the case with a regular one. Unfortunately there isn't a local dealer so we're researching. That's about it for now.

21st Century Practices

All right...Here we go! I finally figured out how to put up a new post.

After a wonderful week in Texas lovin'-on Hueston (and Katrina and David) we are back to our normal "routines". I use the term loosely: Right now that includes something really exciting for me. I love the idea of bartering, but don't really have skills I thought anyone would be interested in. One of the families in our new Sunday morning Bible study class (for parents and caregivers of people with special needs; Dick co-teaches, I take names--I mean I'm secretary) is made up of a mom, her kids, and her mother. They have no washer and dryer and not even hooksups, so have been spending $60-70 of their hard-earned money at the laundromat. They didn't want just money but loved the idea of housecleaning for us while their laundry is being done here. I'm thrilled because I'm always behind and have other things I'd rather be doing. They will be coming Monday for the first time. Meanwhile I'm in the midst of coordinating Angel Tree Christmas 2009 at our church, writing letters seeking donations for diabetes research, and doing a major reorganization of the house. That means sorting into trash, stash, giveaway, or sell. Next step for the stash pile is moving everything from wherever it has been located to another room, cabinet, drawer, etc. This is part of simplifying our lives and getting ready to host the 2009 Christmas at the Cowleys which this year will include both children and their children, a couple of nephews, and Dick's sister and her husband. Wish I could say it will be an annual event, but I'm just thankful for this year! But did you notice: I'm bartering, recycling, and blogging! Very up-to date for me!

First Post!

Ok, here I go...10/1/09 Starting my first blog entry. Accomplishments so far today: haircut and caught up with Kris; unsubscribed from about 15 e-subscriptions to shorten time spent reading things I really don't need to know; short chat with Matt; checked out Emmet's and Hueston's blogs--what precious little fellows!; made plans for this weekend's debut of our new ministry: SS class for parents and caregivers of people with special needs (We need a name for the class. Any suggestions?).