4TH OF JULY

Today we are hitting the road for St Charles to celebrate the 4th of July with a BBQ Bash/Family Reunion. We started this annual tradition when my Father in Law turned 80 in 2006. Unfortunately, Dave's mom passed away 7 weeks later but we decided to continue doing this for as long as it works. Dave has been in Palm Springs this week, we got home from the airport about 5:30 last night and other than throwing a couple of things in an overnight bag, we should be hitting the road by 2 this afternoon. Saturday is prep day and Sunday we will have everyone out to my Father-in-law's for the festivities. His place is huge with lots of room for games and fireworks.

Our family, minus TWIZZLER at last years "4TH OF JULY BIRTHDAY BBQ BASH"!


Currently I am reading 1776 by David McCullough and needless to say, it has held my interest completely! Having done a lot of family Genealogy research has led me to many interesting ancestors. The Teague branch of my Family tree, arrived from England in the 1660's and settled in Maryland. My 8 Greats Grandfather, Captain Elijah Teague fought for England in the French-Indian War in 1763 and later fought against England in our American Revolution. He was hung by the Tories, in view of his family, as a traitor to the Crown! His wife Alice is listed in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) volumes. I only need 2 pieces of documentation to authenticate my relationship and we can become members. As I study more about the American Revolution it is truly amazing that this "grand experiment" actually worked! The odds were completely against us and yet, here we are. I truly wish David McCullough would write a biography on George Washington. Now THAT is an interesting man!

Happy 4th of July to everyone, travel safely and take time to give thanks that we live in America. In spite of her shortcomings, this land is truly blessed!

I have an scheduled post for Monday since it's Marriage Monday. Stop by and see what the topic is for July!

INVOCATION

I've been rolling this around in my head for a couple of days now ever since Dave shared his Invocation with me. As I have already mentioned, he is in Palm Springs, California for the Annual Association of American Railroads Convention. This year his boss is the head coordinator for the event. Last year we went to Niagara Falls, Ontario for the event and because Dave was a "Presenter" one of the perks was that we had an amazing room on the 20th floor overlooking both the American and Canadian Falls. This year apparently, Dave told me has that once again he has an unbelievable room/suite due to the fact that he is a "Moderator". His boss also asked him to deliver the Invocation yesterday morning when the convention got underway.

I got to thinking about! They don't ask just anyone to do something like that! His boss would only ask that of Dave because he has seen Dave's character and clearly sees Dave's faith. Dave has been with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for over 27 years now. He left St Louis County Police and hired on with them as a Patrolman. From there he was promoted to Special Agent, Special Agent On Line, switched over to Damage Prevention Services where he became an Asst Mgr, a Mgr and now he is one of 3 Directors system-wide. In all of these years he has had numerous bosses and endless dealings with many people. We have been to countless dinners where I have listened to my husband being kidded (good-naturedly) for his wholesome lifestyle and imppecable morals. In my opinion, that is the BEST compliment that my husband can be paid!

My husband is consistent, hard-working and dedicated. You always know that if he has committed to something, he will persevere to its conclusion, giving 150% and will not compromise his beliefs. He is not a "yes man", he will tell the truth regardless of the situation, he doesn't lie to make himself look better! He is a team player. He knows that the people that work for him have value and deserve encouragement and praise as well as development. He also knows that they have the ability to make him look good or make him look bad in his job evaluation. He has high standards in his morality. He is ALWAYS the designated driver if he is out of town with other people in management because they know that the only beer he ever drinks is IBC or A&W! I have NEVER had reason to be concerned with him traveling out of town because he proves he is trust-worthy every single minute of every single day! Every single person I ever "schmooz" with at Railroad functions tells me the same thing,
"Dave is such a great guy! I can't say enough about his integrity!"

So it makes sense to me that Frank asked my husband to open the convention in prayer!
I am blessed to be his wife!

PEACEFUL EASY FEELING

This picture was taken by my husband Dave when he was on his fishing trip recently.Click on it to enlarge it so you can fully appreciate it. I was in St Charles with our daughter Jennifer and her family while Dave was on his fishing pilgrimage. I love the peace that is emitted from this picture when I look at it. Dave put it as our "desktop" on the computer so I can slip away anytime I choose! Terry Redlin is one of our favorite artists and this reminds me of some of his work!

Today Dave is in route to Palm Springs California for the Annual Railroad Convention. I went last year when it was in Niagara Falls but we opted for me to pass this year. Mainly because I am not a fan of sitting around a resort getting massages, pedicures or playing golf! UGH! I told Dave that I would have had to rent a car and take off for more interesting places! Today's expected high temperature in Palm Springs is 115 degrees! Um, NO THANKS! Texas is plenty hot for me!

I am on the downhill side of this cold that I have so I am hoping that it'll be gone by the time we drive back to St Charles this Friday for our annual 4th of July Family Reunion. I worked last week and that pretty much drained all my reserves of energy that I had. Charlie is already back in St Charles having gone back yesterday with our other daughter Jessica. Saturday we celebrated Jessica's husband's (Steven) birthday. We saw Transformers 2 on a HUGE screen (not an IMAX) and then went to Los Lupes Mexican restaurant for dinner. Chiles Rellenos is my favorite dish! So now I have the house completely to myself for the next few days until Dave gets back on Thursday. I foresee LOTS of scrapbooking in this week to come!

STEALING THUNDER?

Not to steal Jennifer's thunder (where and how did that saying originate I wonder?) since these haven't been mailed yet but I have to show the mock up for our new grandson's birth announcement. Our daughter Jessica is a gifted Photographer and Artist and she designed these from the photos that the hospital's staff photographer took. I absolutely love it!


Sorry I haven't really been on here much. I have been sick since Sunday night and not felt like blogging. I went back to work this week and that is requiring all of my energy reserves! On a good note, my platelet count was 129,000 when I went in to the Cancer Center this past Monday!

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

I am back in Texas after being gone for 2 weeks helping out back home. I got to spend loads of time with Jennifer and the kiddos which was wonderful! Living so far away makes it really hard for the grandkids to have a close relationship with you and vice-versa.

Today I went to the Cancer Center for my platelet count and I'm not sure what they'll be since they lowered my steroid dose a little while I was gone. Couple that with the fact that I feel crummy today so I don't have really high expectations. I have "life" to return to, the usual errands and chores before resuming work tomorrow.

Yesterday was Father's Day and Dave and I went to dinner just the 2 of us at a new (to us) restaurant here in Denton called Rooster's Roadhouse. It's a BBQ place that I read about in the latest issue of "Cowboys & Indians" magazine. We had an awesome appetizer of Bean and Chopped Brisket Queso (WOW!)and I had the Pulled Pork with Fried Okra while Dave had the Sliced Brisket with Black Beans and Rice. Goodbye Rudy's BBQ, I have found a new love!

IT'S A WRAP (almost)

Tomorrow is my last day with Jennifer and I am feeling sad. The girlies have really gotten used to me and we have had a lot of fun together. They even gave me tattoos tonight! Dave is getting in tomorrow evening from his fishing trip up in Manitoba and then we will hit the road Sunday morning, Texas-bound! The good news is that we will be back here on 4th of July weekend and I get to see my Joely-poly and all my girlies again

KEEPING BUSY!

What we've been up to!

Lunch at Panera's/St Louis Bread Co. with Great Aunt Peggy!


A first family photo after the girlie's Dance Recital Friday night!


Going out to Dairy Queen after the Recital with Omi & Opi!


Making a photo frame craft for Father's Day for their Daddy, Corey!


The finished product! We're getting ready to go pick up the pictures that are going to go inside them. The girlie's each had a picture taken with Corey after their dance Recital and it will go into their frames!

Corey with Sweet Tart!

Corey & Kit-Kat!