Just thought I'd share a photo of Robin and I that Madison took with his new camera. (I'm trying to train him young.)
I hope all is well with everyone. We are off to CA for the weekend and then back to town.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Happy birthday Wanda
Happy Birthday Wanda. I hope it is a great one. I don't know what to think about all these people getting older than me. lol
Red Shirt
If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man..
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home. No, he responded. Heading out I asked? No. I'm escorting a soldier home. Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family. The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago , the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. 'Ladies! and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.' Without a sound, all went as requested.
I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his acti on made me realize that I am proud to be an American. So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of American's supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man..
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home. No, he responded. Heading out I asked? No. I'm escorting a soldier home. Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family. The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago , the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. 'Ladies! and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.' Without a sound, all went as requested.
I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his acti on made me realize that I am proud to be an American. So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of American's supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
Friday, July 18, 2008
family get together
Extreme kudos to Darrel an Liz for hosting the annual Howard get together. They always do a spectacular job and never get enough credit. I want to take a moment to tell them how much I appreciate it and please let me know what I can do. Even though we are moving and can not all be there this year I know we all wish we could be. Those of us that can be there are looking forward to it. Thanks guys!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO ALL!
I apologize I missed everyone's b-days. I worked 7 days straight the last week of June through July 2 shooting photos at the Jr.Olympic Volleyball Championships and then Robin has been sick, so I've been preoccupied. We spent the 4th at our lake house in East Texas, even though Robin wasn't feeling too well. So let me say to everyone HAPPY BIRTHDAY and a special HAPPY 50th to Kevin.I'm attaching a couple of photos from my volleyball shots as well as a couple of shots outside our dinning room windows at the lake house.
Max is off t church camp on Sunday for a week and Robin and I will be in California for another quick trip the first of August (a friend of ours is retiring from the police department - 50 years old and retiring - how nice.)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thanks to all for posting! Frank is thrilled. I hope both Peggy and Liz had wonderful birthdays and got my ecards. I'm happy to hear you had the courage to go on the trip Peggy. Sounds fun! There is another birthday sneaking up (Wanda) and I hope to be in Vegas for the happy event even if she is spending the whole day in Dr's offices. We're working hard on the old Howard homestead and all must remember that it is the same, anyone is always welcome. Love to all!
Friday, July 4, 2008
New to "Blogging"!
I posted a "Comment" on July 1st, thinking I was posting a blog. I was wishing Liz a Happy Birthday when I sent Frank a comment. So, Liz, my intentions were good, they just went to the wrong person! I'm sorry.....because you know that I will NEVER forget your birthday! :) Hope it was a GREAT one!
I got back on the motorcycle....IF ANYONE CAN BELIEVE that one! Kevin took some people from another company up to the Jackson, CA area for riding, sponsored by his company, and it wouldn't have looked too good for his spouse to stay in the hotel! I actually enjoyed it. I prayed a lot and I know God's protection was on me and Kevin...and I'm very serious when I say that. There is no way I could have gotten back on the bike if I didn't have my faith in God. Like I've told Kevin, it's not his driving, it's the other crazy's out there! It was beautiful country and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! We celebrated Kevin's 50th birthday in Sutter Creek. Had a wonderful dinner! The group we were with gave him "training wheels" - I believe that was for his Harley Davidson once he gets it....because they all have Harley Davidson's! They also gave him some Silver Centrium vitamins! :) And.....they gave him a Harley Davidson gift card to start his Harley Davidson fund. I was rather "anxious" to be around them since you never know how "executives (and their wives)" act.....but they were great! I'm finding it real difficult to make friends in Las Vegas, but I feel better about it after meeting these people. Maybe it's just the people I work with! I know it's been real hard for Zach. Las Vegas is NOT a place for people his age to make friends.....he's pretty unhappy which is causing future changes in our lives. I hate to see him leave; however, as a parent, I want him happy and to be successful - and here again, I fall back on my faith and place him in God's hands. Kevin will fill everyone in on the details later! Love and Miss everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Peggy
I got back on the motorcycle....IF ANYONE CAN BELIEVE that one! Kevin took some people from another company up to the Jackson, CA area for riding, sponsored by his company, and it wouldn't have looked too good for his spouse to stay in the hotel! I actually enjoyed it. I prayed a lot and I know God's protection was on me and Kevin...and I'm very serious when I say that. There is no way I could have gotten back on the bike if I didn't have my faith in God. Like I've told Kevin, it's not his driving, it's the other crazy's out there! It was beautiful country and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! We celebrated Kevin's 50th birthday in Sutter Creek. Had a wonderful dinner! The group we were with gave him "training wheels" - I believe that was for his Harley Davidson once he gets it....because they all have Harley Davidson's! They also gave him some Silver Centrium vitamins! :) And.....they gave him a Harley Davidson gift card to start his Harley Davidson fund. I was rather "anxious" to be around them since you never know how "executives (and their wives)" act.....but they were great! I'm finding it real difficult to make friends in Las Vegas, but I feel better about it after meeting these people. Maybe it's just the people I work with! I know it's been real hard for Zach. Las Vegas is NOT a place for people his age to make friends.....he's pretty unhappy which is causing future changes in our lives. I hate to see him leave; however, as a parent, I want him happy and to be successful - and here again, I fall back on my faith and place him in God's hands. Kevin will fill everyone in on the details later! Love and Miss everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Peggy
Okay, with Keith's help, I think I have a start to this blogging stuff. In the near future I will be trying to post information about my motorcycle trip to Glencoe, as well as some big news about Zach's major move, (I will have to change the helmet picture at the top of my post). With that being said, I'm going to log off and try to get some photos downloaded using "Lightroom".
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Finally Set Up
Finally got my gmail account today so just want to say Hi to everyone. Derral is in Austin helping Tim and Jennifer pack for the big move. He is going to bring some stuff back in the pick-up on Thursday and they will go back next Tuesday to finish up. Syriah and Jacob are having a ball in the pool. When Derral gets back, I'll get him to post some pics. Love to all. Liz
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