How do you cope

Brian's doctors told him this week that they think he has colon cancer. More tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. He's put them off to go on vacation.

We're trying to hold it together. Positive thoughts. He'll be ok. Anything else is not an option.

We're moved

OK, we've moved into a new home! A lot -- A LOT -- of hard work, painting, elbow grease etc. made this a livable place. Glad it's over. Now we just have to unpack.

Mason went back home last week. We miss him already -- ok , not when we're shopping, but we definitely miss him. Chloe turned a big three and has her bike. If I can figure out how to add photos, I'll post one of her on her bike here.

Dad went through his surgery succesfully last week. Prayers answered.

Fourth of July

Happy Birthday America!

I hope all of you guys had a great great great Fourth of July. We had a super weekend.

Friday -- we found a great place to take Mason to eat at -- Joe's Crab Shack. Noisy -- so he can yell and scream if he wants. Music -- he can dance too. Great food -- he placed his own order for "just shrimp" though he did give the waitress a hard time when she brought him fries. "I said, 'just shrimp.'

Saturday -- Tinker Air Force Base to watch the Thunderbirds. Still amazing no matter how many times I see them. In the evening we stayed home and watched Star Wars -- Episode V.

Sunday -- Nice quiet day, did some shopping, Ray bought a lawn mower, perfect weather.

Fourth -- Participated in the Edmond parade, and Mason got to ride on a "float." We invited friends over and had an impromptu bbq. Good food -- thanks Ray -- friends and the kids played until they wore themselves out. After a much needed nap we went downtown for a strategic location to watch fireworks. Afterward, Ray and Mason and I sat around the dining room table and had a drink and snack and talked about our favorite firework and other such things. Great day overall.

Lessons from a four-year-old

Play hard, daylight's burning. Change your mind several times in 10 minutes about the movie you want to watch again. You can never watch The Incredibles too many times. Saying Al Pacino's line "You talkin' to me" every time you're asked to do something will drive grown ups crazy. Pizza rolls and spinach dip (with carrots) make a perfectly balanced meal. You can look cute and mad (or sad) at the same time. You can go to Subway and have chips, a drink and a cookie and not worry about what Jerad would do. And last, but not least, you CAN be the master of your own universe.

That's just one day's worth of lessons. We'll learn more today, I'm sure.

Grandkids

We just went to pick up Maosn from Missouri. He's going to spend a couple of weeks or maybe one with us.

Last night, he had Papa (that's Ray) playing hide and seek. It was hilarious because Mason had many rules to this game. If you were the seeker you had to carry various items with you including this toy that makes a sound like a chain saw (we have to talk to the parents about that one, he kept mentioning a movie with a chain saw).

Before he finally went to sleep, he had to make at least five trips to the bathroom and then he was starving. It was too funny.

We plan to wear him out running around doing all sorts of fun stuff today including a ball game. I know we'll all sleep well tonight.

Now we just wish we could see the granddaughters.

Family blog

OK relatives. This family blog needs some help. We're all slacking. So from now on, I expect postings on your blog at least twice a week. I'll even give you once a week. Send your blog addresses in. We can do this.



http:welcomefamily.blogspot.com

This weekend

My brother Armando drove my parents up to see us this weekend. We had a good time. Dad is doing better than he was, and I think he had a good time. We didn't do a lot but eat out and go shopping. Man oh man, it's hard to keep up shopping with my mom. I didn't know she was so into shoes and purses. I guess when we were growing up she always had to buy us kids stuff so now she can focus on herself a little.

We're planning on maybe going camping later this summer at least with Armando and maybe our kids. I think Mom and Dad are to the point that they like to stay in a room with a bed. Can't blame them.

Reality TV

Reality television is anything but real. The kids on American Idol, we're meant to believe are amateurs waiting to be discovered. In reality, almost all of the winners have already cut CDs or make their living singing. Famous or not, rich or not, if you make your living at it, you're a professional.

As big fans as we are of The Amazing Race this season, we had to wonder if they didn't purposely do some things to eliminate those they wanted and keep the older couple in there.

And, what about all that conniving on Survivor? Geez. Oh wait, that's like people at my old job. Never mind. Maybe it is reality after all.

Gotta go, I think the Real World is coming on...

Cinco de Mayo

Is it just me or have 'white' people gone crazy over Cinco de Mayo? I guess any reason to eat Mexican food and drink beer is a holiday.

I grew up in Texas and hadn't ever heard of Cinco de Mayo. When did I hear and even learn about it? In my late 20s when I was in Okinawa, Japan.

Anyway, happy Cinco...for what it's worth.

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And, by the way -- no word on any jobs today. I think we've decided we're just gonna stay in Oklahoma City and find a new place to live. Life's funny that way.

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Catching up

Well, this has been a really busy month. I can't believe it's already almost the end of the month. We've been busy working and doing home projects. We're trying to get all the things sorted before we move, so we're gearing up for a big moving sale at the end of the month. I hate moving, but it does help you get rid of stuff you don't need to haul around for years.

This week has been the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. It's a very emotional for everyone who lives here and went through that. Heck, we weren't even living here and I still remember where I was when I heard about the bombing. It's one of those moments that stays with you forever.

And then it's the annual arts festival that happens at the same time the Memorial marathon and all the other events every year. It's funny because even though there is beautiful art from artists all over the country, most people go out to hear the music and for the food.

Today we are doing yard work and getting ready for the week ahead.

Watched Rides on TLC

Carmel yelled and mentioned that I needed to watch this show on TV. It was the Power Tour of 2004; when I started to watch it they were headed to Tulsa, OK. The next thing I knew they were in Chetopa Kansas; nobody goes to Chetopa. Guess I should mention that Mom lives in Oswego Kansas which is 7 or 8 miles from there. It was a good show to watch not only because of where they were traveling but also the cars. Man was there some really nice cars on the show. I wanted to go out and buy an old car and fix it into a hot rod and make the trip. They ended the trip in Green Bay, what an adventure that would be.

Posted by Ray

Heat, snow and dust

Well, we just finished our trip to Arizona. We actually got homesick for Oklahoma, knowing that when we came back the green rolling hills would welcome us. Of course, the tornadoes welcomed us home too. We weren't home more than two hours when the tornado alarms went off.

Somehow it seemed appropriate after our trip -- our long trip -- back from Arizona. It was in the mid 90s in Arizona City the day before we left. Saturday, we left early and immediately ran into a detour due to road construction in Phoenix. We were still running the AC. We traveled up up up to Flagstaff. It started snowing before we got there and sure enough a wreck due to the winter driving conditions pushed traffic to a stop. A car in front of us rear ended another car, so there was wreck two. Fortunately, we were close enough to the action that it didn't take us so long to get around it. Those behind us were not as fortunate, and traffic on the mountain was backing up. It was snowing hard in Flagstaff and cold high 30s. What a difference in only three hours (actually by then it was closer to five due to the delays.)

It kept snowing on and off as we headed to Albuquerque. But 90 miles out -- right outside of Gallup, traffic came to a dead stop. We crept along for three miles -- four hours later we finally were detoured off Interstate 40 to a frontage road. Despite the snow, the road was closed due to high winds. It was blowing sand -- a brown out -- that stopped traffic, and even the train that we could see next to the highway.

We made it to Amarillo and stayed the night at my brother's place. Crazy day, crazy weather.

Tornadoes and all it's good to be home. Now we have to decide what we're going to do -- choices? Stay here or move to Arizona. I have a tenative job offer there. And, now I have another familiar detour. I have an interview Thursday morning for a job in Des Moines, Iowa. Yes, same one. Same cows :) But, it has merit so I have to talk to them. Geez, I wish God would send a telegram, or maybe an email.

Posted by Carmel

Letting go

Yesterday was a painful day. We had to say goodbye to Mason, our little three-year-old grandson. He and Sondra and Shane moved to Missouri. Sure, it's not that far, and yes, we're planning to move too. But it was still hard.

The hardest part is looking out at the backyard that looks so empty now without all the toys. No one to drag us out to play baseball, basketball, soccer or golf.

We've been missing Chloe and Mikayla a lot lately and now that all three are gone it makes it sort of hard. I guess we'll just have to stay really busy. It helps to have Brian post all the photos and information about daily life on his blog. Makes them not seem so far away.

We still cry though when we see their photos. Our little trio of monkeys. ha ha.

Too many dang changes

Life is getting crazy. First Brian and Robin take my beautiful granddaughters to live in a nuclear waste site.

Now Sondra and Shane are moving Mason to Missouri - the land of goths and meth. So much for "the heartland."

And then of course, our ongoing job searches in Arizona. To make matters worse Des Moines, Iowa might be in the mix with a AP job. But really, Des Moines? I think cows outnumber people there, so I highly suspect I might decline any offer of employment should it be offered, of course.

I don't know what was so wrong with Oklahoma. I like Oklahoma. I don't really want to move from Oklahoma. People are nice here. We have friends. We live within driving distance of both parents (his and mine.)

At the same time I see the wisdom and logic behind Ray's desire to move to Arizona. And, the bright spot there is that I'll get to be near my big sister for the first time in many many years. I might mention while we're both still young enough to go get into trouble together. No comment from the kids on that one.

The thought of not only building a house but actually having it paid off in five years is more than appealing. It's a smart idea. OK OK -- you see the progression here. I'm talking myself into this. I'll be honest. The 130 degree days scare the hell out of me.

Well, it does look as if my latest round of resumes has produced results. I've got one job interview lined up for sure and two more likely will be lined up in the next few days. Looks like I'd better crank up the heater and learn to like sweat.

This should be an interesting year. Anybody want to guess where we'll all be one year from today? Me neither.

Mason and Me continued

Well the last post was short because Mason was "helping," which meant I told him what letter to type and he typed it. Time consuming.

But spending time with grandkids never gets old even if it means doing the same thing over and over again or doing something painstakingly slow.

Our daily "any time we want " time with Mason is short. Sondra and Shane are planning to move with Mason to Missouri. That on the heels of Chloe and Mikayla leaving is very very sad.

We miss our little granddaughters but have been able to tolerate it by spending more time with Mason -- and crying occassionally. Now all three are going to be far away.

I guess we got spoiled over the last two years. We were certainly blessed to have them all with us. I suppose that will make the time with them all the more precious. And, the blogs and photos and emails certainly help.

Mason and Me

Mason spent the whole weekend with us while Sondra and Shane went up to Missouri to find a house. They founda town house and Shane found a job.

So this morning Papa went to work and Mason and I are just hanging out. We looked at the photos on the Daddy Daycare site. He is ready to go visit. He misses Chloe and Mikayla and Brian and Robin. He talks to them when he sees their picture.

A better week

Dad came home from the hospital Monday and mom reports that he's doing well. Now we just have to make sure she gets the rest she needs so that she doesn't get sick.

All is going well in my self-employment endeavors. Keeping busy with freelance articles and so far, managing a fairly decent schedule.

The job hunt in Arizona is ongoing. I'll be glad when and if we are there. Ray has convinced me that this is a good move. I'm sure it is.

But I'm still sad about leaving our friends.

My Dad

One of these days, I'm going to write a book about my dad. Some may wonder why. He's not the CEO of a major company, doesn't have lots of money and wasn't famous. But what he did was amazing. He raised 10 children, and he did it well. That's a lot. He's always "daddy," the one who provided the basics, made us laugh and could scare us with just one look.

He's in the critical care unit at Baptist St. Anthony's today. The diagnosis is congestive heart failure. I'm scared. We're all scared.

Time management

Now that I'm working at home, from home etc. I've run into a new problem. It's called time management. I get started on a project and get distracted by another project. So now, I've decided that I've got to have "work hours" and stick to those. Of course, the computer is a distraction in and of itself -- hence the new post.

Oh well, this is technically only my first week, so maybe next week I'll be more in tune with it all.

Cousins

For a long time when we were growing up, cousins were a big part of our lives. Lots of cousins. They and our brothers and sisters were our friends. They were the ones we got in trouble with, did crazy things like riding a bike with no brakes down a hill with and laughed with.

The last time I saw Willie was at my cousin Johnny's funeral. I didn't remember Johnny that well. The last time I had seen him, he was just a little boy. Somewhere along the way, my parents quit taking the annual trips to Fort Worth, so we had lost touch.

I also left home when I was 17 to go live in Montana -- far away from family. My fault then that I lost touch.

I guess it's not until you get older that you realize how much family means. How much it defines who you are.

I'm going to see Willie today. I'm going to his funeral.

I wish that I had taken time to drive the 3 1/2 hours to Ft. Worth, actually just a little further to Stephenville, to see Willie and listen to he and his wife, Yo Yo, as they laughed and talked. I wish that I had gotten together with Yo Yo and planned a family reunion like we talked about at the last funeral.

Willie would have liked that. He liked to laugh and talk. He missed us too, I know, because he went out of his way to go to visit my parents in the Texas panhandle.

We'll all miss Willie.