Another War Hero Bids Farewell...

It's been years since I've seen my Uncle Bert. He was the first husband of an estranged aunt of mine, but it's fitting that this is the way he left this world. Good ol' Uncle Bert. Tinkering until the end. And at 88 he looks exactly like I remember him when I was 6.




God bless you Uncle Bert.

Two Years Too

Remember how 2008 just absolutely sucked and kicked my ass? Today marks two years since my beloved Papa left us too. If you plan on lecturing me on getting past it, let me save the time now and just tell you to bug off. I miss my Papa Jim as much as I miss my Jim. I miss calling and knowing he'd be there to listen to me ramble. I was driving home from an outing a few weeks ago and all I could think about was Papa and riding along in his El Camino with him.

Seems like tonight, with things in limbo and life just kind of moving along that I miss him even more than I have in the time he's been gone. Even though I know exactly what he'd say... he'd say, "don't accept any wooden nickles."

Miss you Papa. Thanks for letting me be there when you crossed over. Thanks for coming around and checking on me still.


Love,
Your favorite first born

Full Intentions...

Like usual, I had just that. Full intentions of catching up on blogging and my life... seems like there's always something going on. Things are crazy right now.

Busy with work.

Busy with a new venture.

Busy making new memories.

Busy with family.

Busy with new friends.


Ah. Remember when I had nothing better to do than edit pictures? Yeah, me either.

As I type this there's a load in the laundry that needs flipped. Please don't ask how long ago it finished. If I recall it was sometime between conference calls and I chose going to the bathroom in the two minutes over flipping clothes.

I've got a whole set of photos to get through. My younger brother asked if I would take his family pictures a few weeks ago. He came up from Utah and I went down to Star Valley. Those pictures might appear shortly. Depending on what this weekend brings and how much time I get between loads of laundry (always with the laundry, but honestly I'm a bit embarrassed by the mounds there are currently waiting in the guest room that need to be tackled) and finally arranging the storage unit.

In the meantime, my friend Amber had asked if I wouldn't mind taking some pictures of the custom tutus she sells online... so... here's a brief preview of my niece in Amber's tutus. There will be a few more of these trickling in here or there as two of the four of my nieces were at Grandmom's and Grandpa's that weekend.... for now, here's Kindra having fun strutting her stuff and skipping rocks up at Cottonwood Lake while sporting two variations of Amber's cool tutus:

To order a custom tutu of your own visit Amber's crafty site here.

Nothing Like Free Entertainment...

Me: T. J., you're Auntie's favorite nephew!

T.J.: I'm not Nephew!

Me: Oh yeah, you're not a nephew? You're my nephew, that's why I'm your Auntie.

T.J.: I'm not Nephew! I'm T.J. Barber!

This was pretty much the line of teasing for the remainder of the weekend... "T.J., you're cute. No! I'm T.J. Barber!"

It doesn't take much in these parts to entertain the family :)

Quote of the Year...

Goes to my nephew, Tucker...

Aunt Tara (as Tucker is swinging from the ropes that are holding the livestock tent up): "Tucker, what's between your ears"

Tucker: "My nose!"

*Aunt's edit (I expected the answer to be be "my brain" so I could tell him to use it and quit swinging like a monkey from the ropes that were keeping the tent from coming down)*

Seriously, how could I be expected to keep a straight face after that...

Happy Birthdays...

To Kidd Ray and Ted this week!

Kidd made it to eleven although not without proving why some animals eat their young... the next couple of years are going to be real fun around my parents' place... he's a great kid though so don't worry! The problem is he's been around his mother and sister probably too much and is very opinionated and not afraid to give an opinion whether or not he's asked...

Putting all that hot air to use... blowing out the candles and sparkler.

A shirt to replace the one he's wearing... seeing as it's about 5 years old at least.

(It's sicking really he could still wear his 3T shorts last summer and if it wasn't for the fact that we made him donate them he'd still be wearing them!)

A new bridle and gloves for riding!

And to Ted my "little" brother who towers over me... he managed to make it to 30 without getting himself seriously injured. Although he tried really hard.

Sporting his colors - go Dodgers!!

He thinks he's big and tough but deep down he's just a big softy.

Happy birthday to the two best brothers a gal could ask for! I love you both :)

xoxo,

Congrats Kidd Ray...

Kidd Ray earned his Cub Scout Arrow of Light last week. It's the highest honor in Cub Scouts. It's also the only Cub Scout badge he can wear on his Boy Scout uniform when he moves into the program next week. Congrats Kidd Ray! Now it's time to start working on that Eagle Scout so you're not stuck with your big sister driving you on all your dates ;) But first maybe we'll start with letting you practice lighting a few more matches and fires because that was really embarrassing ;)

Kidd Ray, Mom, Dad, and the Pack Leader (Master?) as Kidd receives his Boy Scout Manual.

(Notice the tight grip on that arrow!)

Kidd Ray and Dad (I think Kidd was more excited about getting a real arrow).

Kidd with his niece, Destiney, and his nephew, Tucker.

Kidd posing with Mom one last time as a Cub Scout.

Working on...

Getting my photography groove back on... I took this head shot of my mom a month ago...



I also did her hair and makeup for the shoot... we made a girls day of it. For a bit afterward I felt like I could get behind the camera again... now it's been a month and I just can't find that drive. I've been asked to do some shots for a local business sometime this month... we'll see if I can get my camera mojo back before then...

P.S. Isn't my mom beautiful? I can only hope to look half as young when I'm her age... considering I get confused for her sister... all.the.time.

Goodbye 2009

And good riddance!

Thanks for joining me on this daily ride. I know some posts have had more depth than others. Trust me there was a reason for that, but if there's anything I want you to take away from reading my daily blog for the last year, it's what one of my friends from long ago has... she sent me a message a month or so ago, "I hope I'm not out of line for saying this, but I just wanted to say that I have gained a much deeper appreciation for my boyfriend and our relationship through your postings. I learned to not let the little things be a factor in our relationship. I am so so so sorry for your loss. It really does break my heart that someone did this to him and that you have to go through this. I think you are a fantastic person and are bound to find happiness again."



Don't let the little things be a factor. You never know when it may be the last hug, the last kiss, the last phone call.

Record on Tuesday...

I can't help but think of life around my folks' place when I see this commercial... it cracks me up every time I see it played because it is soooooo something that would go on in our family...

Not Ready...

for the snow that is sure to start flying soon... because as you can see... it was still here in May... but I fear if we don't get something soon next summer will be dry and nasty...

Dallas and his buddies sledding in May:

Thanks, Shan for sending the pics :)

Gracie's Day...

My stepbrother, Shane, came home from Louisiana for a day or two. He brought along his new wife, Stacie, and his stepdaughter, Gracie. Grandpa Dallas was given the chance to give Gracie a blessing and as you can tell from the pictures... that meant everyone came over (everyone except Ted and Tosha who live too far away). I'm pretty certain this is the first time in a long time that all of Dallas' kids have been in the same picture... and now the picture has grown to include daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws, and soon-to-be daughter-in-laws, and a passel of grandkids...

Happy Veterans Day

Today our nation honors those who have served to keep us free and to keep us safe.

Grandpa Warren was in the infantry and served as a cook.

Uncle Freddy served in both WWII and the Korean Wars.

Uncle Budd was also a valiant veteran.

My Papa Jim was on the USS Wasp serving as a radio tech during the Korean War.

And my very own "little" brother, Ted, who served on the USS Nevada as a missile tech during Operation Freedom.

There are countless other uncles and relatives who have unselfishly served in the armed services. The list, while never too long to mention, just isn't the same without the visuals to go with it. To see the valiant honor in these mens' eyes. To know that I come from a family of such strong character.

This year I'm especially thankful for the rights afford us. Even if it was a lengthy and complicated process, I'm thankful to have the opportunity to experience the process.

Thanks to all our veterans, current and past, for all you do. On this day. And everyday.

What's Your Tradition....

With the impending holiday, I thought I'd ask what your family's tradition is for Halloween... All Hallow's Eve...

When I was a lot (A LOT) younger my mom would pack us all up and take us to the Halloween activity at Pioneer Village (which apparently has now been changed to the Kern County Museum) and we'd go "door" to "door" through the Village collecting our treats.

When Kidd was younger I'd take him to the local Living Center so he could go "door" to "door" at each resident's room. It was a win-win situation. He got loads of attention and candy and the wonderful people residing in the home got to see him dressed in his getup... and generally speaking... that meant they got to see me in my matching costume... be it a princess to his knight... or Robin to his Batman... because that's the kind of big sister I am :)

The Husband Song...

I saw this video while surfing the web the other night:



And the first thing I thought of was this photo snapped by Kidd at Tosha's wedding last weekend... I'm pretty sure it's the only picture that Dallas has both his eyes open at the same time... but his face says it all ;)



There's a good chance both us are going to get yelled at for this... lol.

We Survived...

And Joe showed up... so I lost the pool :)

Congrats again guys :)

Here We Go...

Round and round the Merry-Go-Round!

Congrats Tosha & Joe!

Today is the day!

Happy Birthday Uncle Jim

I still dress funny... but now it's my choice :)

You were always my favorite Uncle, Thumper.

Can Hardly Believe...

That it's been a year since my Papa passed.



How I've needed him this year. It's still hard to watch an entire Dodgers game without him. Their series sweep over the Cardinals wasn't much of a win without being able to call him and talk about it.


I love you Papa. I'm sure you're having a good time up there with everyone, especially now that almost all the brothers are "home."

I'm still not taking any wooden nickels. I promise. Although some days it's harder to distinguish between the genuine ones and the wooden ones without your help.