Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Cockles of the Heart
This weekend I got to experience one of the ongoing joys of my life - seeing both of my adult children together with with their families. It reminds me that these kids who fought each other all through their childhood have now become adults who like each other. It just warms the "cockles" of my heart (does anyone know what a cockle of the heart actually is?) And the boys were their usually great selves. I am hoping to get tickets today to take the older one to see a musical version of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Itty bitty Cowpoke would rather attach to his Mom's boob and sleep, his two favorite activities.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
News Bulletins
News bulletins:
1. Tex is slow recovering from his wounds. So much so that he has been voluntarily using his walker inside the house. It hurts to see him hurting physically and emotionally.
2. Baby Gaelito is just doing beautifully, gaining weight and smiling at his Nonna.
3. It is hotter than blue blazes here this week.
4. Lawyer Girl and her Scientist Fella are coming into town today to meet the Baby Cowpoke.
5. Life is GOOD!
1. Tex is slow recovering from his wounds. So much so that he has been voluntarily using his walker inside the house. It hurts to see him hurting physically and emotionally.
2. Baby Gaelito is just doing beautifully, gaining weight and smiling at his Nonna.
3. It is hotter than blue blazes here this week.
4. Lawyer Girl and her Scientist Fella are coming into town today to meet the Baby Cowpoke.
5. Life is GOOD!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Reporting from the Home Front
Tex took quite a tumble last night, falling on the concrete outside of our church. His knees are banged up, and his pinkie is swollen, but no broken bones or head injuries, thank you God! We are having trouble getting his blood pressure regulated - his is too low. Hopefully, we will get this all straightened out in the next few days. Please say a prayer for Tex.
The Baby Cowpoke is all home from the hospital and doing nicely. Such a pretty baby!
The Little Cowpoke is being a good big brother, after getting his reassurances from his family that they all still loved Him very, very much. It is so inspiring to see your kids be really good parents!
The Baby Cowpoke is all home from the hospital and doing nicely. Such a pretty baby!
The Little Cowpoke is being a good big brother, after getting his reassurances from his family that they all still loved Him very, very much. It is so inspiring to see your kids be really good parents!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Welcome to the World Little Bitty Cowpoke!!!
My son called me this morning, happy with laughter in his voice...I'm a new Grandma all over again! The Tiny Cowpoke arrived about 3 AM this morning, all 5 lb 10 oz of him, just 12 hours after his Baby Shower. My Beautiful Daughter-in-law is doing well, as is the 5 weeks early little guy. I think I am going to Dallas today to meet this eagerly awaited bundle of love, what do you say?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
This and That
There has been too much going on at the R&R Ranch to sit down and blog about it. One important event has been Tex's (and his twin brother's) 75th birthdays. Bird Girl organized a nice family celebration at Celebration where brothers and sisters, and "their cousins and aunts" gathered to wish the birthday boys well. Tex was touched by all the fuss. Then we got to watch the Middle Grandson play in a tennis tournament the next morning!
Right before the party, I went to the funeral of a young man who was a close friend of my children. I had just seen him two weeks earlier. Please pray for him, Ted, and his wife, Rachel, and children Cameron, 4 and Gabby, 2. I saw all the now mid 30year old adults who used to come in and out of my house when they were teenagers. They have grown up so well, now with families of their own. I thank God for all the help He gave us as they were growing up; we sure did something right.
Tex and I had gone to New Braunfels for my annual contract conference, visiting with Lawyer Girl and her fella, for a night on the way. Even stopped at my favorite clothing store's outlet for a few bargains. Tex did really well and we had a good break from our regular routine.
Choir is out for the summer but not before we did a gorgeous piece of Mozart that warmed my heart and toes! There is something so grand and full of worship about his Masses!
Right before the party, I went to the funeral of a young man who was a close friend of my children. I had just seen him two weeks earlier. Please pray for him, Ted, and his wife, Rachel, and children Cameron, 4 and Gabby, 2. I saw all the now mid 30year old adults who used to come in and out of my house when they were teenagers. They have grown up so well, now with families of their own. I thank God for all the help He gave us as they were growing up; we sure did something right.
Tex and I had gone to New Braunfels for my annual contract conference, visiting with Lawyer Girl and her fella, for a night on the way. Even stopped at my favorite clothing store's outlet for a few bargains. Tex did really well and we had a good break from our regular routine.
Choir is out for the summer but not before we did a gorgeous piece of Mozart that warmed my heart and toes! There is something so grand and full of worship about his Masses!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Citizen Soldiers
It is Memorial Day weekend, perhaps our greatest National holiday. There is much more hoopla for 4th of July, little kids love it for the fireworks. Memorial Day is a thoughtful day for the adults of our country, only celebrated by some parades, and concerts, and a day off of work for some. I find that the older I get, the more this day means to me.
I belong to a family of citizen soldiers, the ones who enlist or are drafted, serve in a time of war, and then return home to their family and live the rest of their lives as civilians, regular contributing citizens. I am grateful to God for my country and for my family:
For Benjamin C. who served in the Revolutionary War,
For Eli C. who served in the Civil War,
For my father-in-law Charles R. who served in WW I,
For my father, Robert J., my uncle Jimmy J., my brothers-in-law, Wallace R., Charley R., Bob R., Gordon R., Edwin G., and other in-laws, George G, and Theresa M, who served in WW II,
For my husband, Fred R., who served in Korea,
For my brother, Dan J., cousins Ralph R. and Terry M., and many friends who served in Viet Nam,
For my son, Ben G., who served in the 1st Iraq War,
And for the families who loved them, prayed for them, and welcomed them back home, some of them bearing internal and external wounds of war.
I hate war above almost all things; I believe that war is the ultimate failure of a nation, that we have failed ourselves and our God every time we go to war. And yet, I have the highest respect for every one of those who have served our country so ably. I cannot quite be a pacifist when I believe that this world demands that we keep a strong defense. I am profoundly thankful for our Citizen Soldiers!
I belong to a family of citizen soldiers, the ones who enlist or are drafted, serve in a time of war, and then return home to their family and live the rest of their lives as civilians, regular contributing citizens. I am grateful to God for my country and for my family:
For Benjamin C. who served in the Revolutionary War,
For Eli C. who served in the Civil War,
For my father-in-law Charles R. who served in WW I,
For my father, Robert J., my uncle Jimmy J., my brothers-in-law, Wallace R., Charley R., Bob R., Gordon R., Edwin G., and other in-laws, George G, and Theresa M, who served in WW II,
For my husband, Fred R., who served in Korea,
For my brother, Dan J., cousins Ralph R. and Terry M., and many friends who served in Viet Nam,
For my son, Ben G., who served in the 1st Iraq War,
And for the families who loved them, prayed for them, and welcomed them back home, some of them bearing internal and external wounds of war.
I hate war above almost all things; I believe that war is the ultimate failure of a nation, that we have failed ourselves and our God every time we go to war. And yet, I have the highest respect for every one of those who have served our country so ably. I cannot quite be a pacifist when I believe that this world demands that we keep a strong defense. I am profoundly thankful for our Citizen Soldiers!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Gray Saturday in May
It has been overcast and rainy here for what seems like weeks. At least, we are getting our overdue Spring rains, but the gray skies are doing a number on my mood. I am just kind of blah and irritable. Just ask Tex!
Our really good caregiver for the last 6 months or so has now become highly erratic, so we are having a progression of caregivers coming in and out while we wait to see if she can get her act together. I hope she does because when she is good, she is really great with Tex, I can find things in the house, and our schedule goes smoothly. With other people, I have to train them, keep checking on things, etc. At least I am reminded why I pay an agency so that there will always be someone here with him. Of course, all the end of the semester activity keeps me extra busy at this time of the year also.
I find that I am very conflicted about both retiring and keeping on working. I truly enjoy my interactions with the students, feel that I am contributing to their education and to some of them personally. On the other hand, I find that I am less tolerant of the normal accountability procedures and fuss at them more than is necessary. Working is also my ongoing way to get out of the house and get more social interaction than I have when I am home with Tex. So, I have pretty much decided to keep on one year at a time. I plan to work at least for one more year so that I have my 10 years in with The Great University, which has been my goal all along.
Our really good caregiver for the last 6 months or so has now become highly erratic, so we are having a progression of caregivers coming in and out while we wait to see if she can get her act together. I hope she does because when she is good, she is really great with Tex, I can find things in the house, and our schedule goes smoothly. With other people, I have to train them, keep checking on things, etc. At least I am reminded why I pay an agency so that there will always be someone here with him. Of course, all the end of the semester activity keeps me extra busy at this time of the year also.
I find that I am very conflicted about both retiring and keeping on working. I truly enjoy my interactions with the students, feel that I am contributing to their education and to some of them personally. On the other hand, I find that I am less tolerant of the normal accountability procedures and fuss at them more than is necessary. Working is also my ongoing way to get out of the house and get more social interaction than I have when I am home with Tex. So, I have pretty much decided to keep on one year at a time. I plan to work at least for one more year so that I have my 10 years in with The Great University, which has been my goal all along.
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