Death in the family?

No. We had thought that Bob's father Herman was going to die this week due to his poor health. In fact, the doctors had prepared us for this. It was a shock (a good one) that Herman was healthier than the doctors anticipated and he was able to breathe on his own without a ventilator. He is not fixed, but he is going home.

The Annual Family Update

2010 in Review and Happy New Year!
All that is Edwards, Atkinson, and Knox

Why send Christmas letters…

when you can procrastinate…
and send New Year’s Greetings!
First, we are all well and hope you are too! And we are looking forward to putting 2010 behind us and jumping into 2011! Watch out below!

Bob is first in our end of year round up. He is fine. He worked all of this year as a field technician for Forney Corporation based in Texas. Other than a brief try at another company last year, this is where he has been for the past thirteen years. He made it through another change in leadership, but things seem more stable on that end. He actually has not traveled much this year, but has gone to Argentina, Mexico, California, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and good old Springfield, MO. He has been doing a little writing of his own and spends a great deal of his time ruling worlds on his games.

I lost some weight, gained some back, and decided to lose some more. I spent some of my summer walking in the morning with the Senior Citizens (and Mom). In an attempt to be more physically active, I’ve done walking, working out at the gym, some bike riding, the current river walk at the pool, Wii Just Dance, and I accepted that I am too inflexible to do “Yoga for Inflexible People”. Free DVD available. I introduced on own summer program with my grandkids called, “Fabulous Fridays with Grandma.” We went swimming and to the various places for kids in the Warrensburg and KC areas. We had fun! I continued to write some, but am ready to get more serious. Speaking of serious, my 25th year of school has been HARD on me. Lots of changes…which I am not opposed to in general…, less than stellar management, and some unrealistic expectations about sent all of the teachers over the edge of sanity. Thank goodness I love the kids and my coworkers. There is a possibility I may be moving back to the high school to finish out my years, but we will see.

Rachel has had a rough year. There has been lots of stress with some of her family and in business with them and only some of it of her making. She is busy but keeps moving in a forward manner. I have faith that this year will be better for her. She’s been enjoying helping with Room Mother activities for Cash. She enjoyed our Branson trip and she went to CO to be with Drew when he was sick.

Drew has made all of us VERY happy this year by returning home alive from fighting in Afghanistan. He came home for a visit last February, then returned to the US for good at the end of May. He came home on leave for a nice visit in June/July. Then he came home again this fall for an unplanned convalescent leave due to the fact that he had contracted malaria while in Afghanistan. It took the Army a while to figure out what was wrong and he was quite ill and hospitalized for a week. Overall he is better, but returns to the base from his Christmas visit determined to get his liver functioning correctly. Once that occurs he is looking at some options for service, since the malaria limits his combat options somewhat. We are just happy to have him back and think often of those soldiers still serving overseas.

Mike and Ryan continue to live in CT. This has been a rough year for them too as they struggle to find ways to support themselves. Currently they are both working on getting some job training. Michael is going to go to Culinary training. Ryan has been working various temporary jobs and he has talked about joining a friend on a shrimping boat.

Veronica is a nine-year-old fourth grader. Fortunately, she still thinks most boy are “stinky”, but she continues to be a beautiful child who has gotten much taller. She managed to break her front permanent teeth off, but her bonding looks pretty good. She did not care much for multiplication or division, but has made great strides in both this year. Veronica is quite pleased with the after school arrangement that enables her to go to Grandma Martha’s after school to do homework and eat snacks. Veronica likes to write stories and design clothes for her Barbie. Veronica continues to be the Craft Queen, (much to her teacher’s dismay) is learning to sew, and she lives in hope of getting a puppy.

Cash is three and a half and is enrolled in “real” preschool. He, like all my grandchildren, is quite bright. He also enjoys talking…a lot! He is quite creative with his storytelling. He is really sweet. He has a good memory for things he likes. And although he loves all of us, I have never seen a child that loved his uncle as much as Cash adores Drew. Cash enjoys waffles, Batman, the color blue, and Buzz Lightyear. Early on at preschool he got in trouble for biting another child. When I told him, “It is not nice to bite your friends,” his response was, “They’re not all my friends.” Enough said.

We did some family traveling together this year. We all went to Branson where we enjoyed shows, helicopters, swimming, waltzing waters, and magic! Mom and I went to CO to a writers’ convention and met some of our favorites. Then we visited Drew. We had a nice trip to the zoo too.

Our ugly Beta fish Jack has died. We have not replaced him. Xena, our cat lives on…sometimes just barely as she is OLD!

And that brings us to the end of the update on our immediate family. Now, on to our extended family…

My mom turned 65 in March. She is retired but has been busy feeding us good food, tutoring Veronica, and organizing a family reunion for her mother’s side of the family. Since moving to MO, she has purchased and renovated her house. We enjoyed the fair parade from her new lawn. She also has been dealing with the deaths of her brother-in-law Wilbur and her only brother Forrest. Not easy times for her.

We were also saddened to hear that my Uncle John passed away in November. He was the last of my father’s brothers and I knew him better than most. I was glad that Mom and I got to visit with his family when we were in CO in July.
My sister Bev is still working for the Juvenile Department. She continues to be very busy. She stills lives in Warrensburg, but drives a great deal over to Cass County.

My brother Bill and his wife Debbie moved into the country this year near LaTour. He has been quite ill this year with some blood pressure and migraine issues. Hopefully, he will get those taken care of soon. He has been enjoying doing some leather and knife work. Debbie lost her son Josh in July and has been busy helping to care for her other son David who has been ill. Through it all she continues to be the kind person she has always been, but this has been hard on her. They both enjoy their grandchildren.

Bob’s parents are good. Some days are better than others for Toni when it comes to her health. They both enjoy the visits from Veronica and Cash. Veronica gets with Toni and just jabbers to her. Cash is a little more subdued, but they have good toys to play with and it doesn’t take him too long to loosen up.

Bob’s sister Ellen is busy with her boys Cameron and Logan. Cameron is graduating in the spring and has done exceptionally well on testing and is getting scholarship offers. Ellen does a lot to help Herman and Toni.

And that brings us to the end...

All in all 2011 had…lots of ups…lots of downs…lots of laughs…lots of tears, but mostly lots of love.

We hope 2011 brings you all the good things and very little of the bad.

Goldie and Bob, Rachel, Drew, Michael, Ryan, Veronica, Cash and Xena

Christmas Morning

It is thirteen minutes to gift liftoff when all the big people drag themselves into the living room to open presents and the little ones go nuts. As usual, there are way too many gifts in the room. As usual we all promised to cut down and we actually did, but it is hard to tell that right now.

My Christmas blessings.

First, all of my family are mostly healthy this year. Drew continues to have some health issues from malaria, but at least he isn't being shot on a regular basis like last year. Rachel has had some problems with her Atkinson side of the family, but I think she is ready to move on with her life. She does a good job doing textbooks, but she (nobody) can work in that situation.

Second, the grandkids are just fabulous people to know. They are funny and smart and pretty darn cute too.

Third, I love my students at school. And I love my co-workers.

Fourth, I am ready to move forward with being a writer. It is time to shift gears.

And I am happy overall. I hear stirrings and it is not a little mousie. Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas if coming!

Christmas is coming and so is Drew. I am up waiting for Drew to make it in from Colorado. He gets to start his break. He is happy and so are we! I don't know how we made it for a year when he was in Afghanistan. I am glad he is back, but I think often of those who are there now. I hope their family gets to enjoy the holiday together next year.

Bob was in Springfield, but now is back. He is off work for the rest of the year. He will enjoy getting to spend time with Drew while I am working for the next couple of days.

And I don't know that I have ever been so happy for a school year to half over, ever in my teaching career. I still love the topic, love the kids, and love most of my coworkers. But there are many new programs and unwillingness to bend to help the students. Hopefully the second half of the year will be better.

Rachel has been busy working. We all went to Cash and Veronica's music concerts last week. They both did great. Cash has perfected his bow. Rach and I also took the kids to get their pictures taken. All of the chaos was worth it, because the kids look adorable.

Mom has been a cookie and candy making fool. And this is after she swore last year she wasn't going to do as much this year. She has done MORE!

This weekend, I cleaned, cooked four kinds of meat since I will be busy this week, shopped, wrapped, did laundry, and straightened up the fridge and pantry.

I am looking forward to Christmas Eve when the family gathers. Good food and games.

I don't have my Christmas letter done. One year I did it February, once in July, and last year I wrote it, but didn't send it. Pretty bad for someone who wants to be a writer!

I think I am going have to give up on the boy and go to bed. 5:00 am hits hard on a Monday. Enjoy your holidays!

November ALREADY!

It is post Thanksgiving and here is a belated update since July.

Bob has been home most of this year. Still getting paid, but miss the overtime! He piddles around the house. But he is leaving for a very short trip to Argentina in the morning.

I lost a little weight. Started school. Year 25! Love the kids. Not so much the rest of the experience. Actually this has been one of the hardest teaching years I have had in a long time. We have made a LOT of changes and I was pretty snowed under! Hoping for better things ahead. Have done some writing. Not as much as I would like.

Rach is working at Strate's Drive-In. Took some knocks recently, but I think things are looking up for her.

Drew is still stationed in CO. However, while there Drew got malaria(that he really got in Afghanistan) and was quite ill. He was home for a month for convalescent leave, but is doing much better.

Mike and Ryan have struggled with finding jobs and maintaining places to live in CT.
Mike is now in a cooking training program and Ryan is working on getting some training.

Veronica is in fourth grade. Started off a little rough with Math. Too much rote memorization stuff and she didn't want to do that. Seems to be doing much better. She continued to craft her way through the world. Is a little interested in a boy, but I quote, "Most of the kids in my class are stinky." Deodorant is not their friend.

Cash started preschool in Holden. He is the youngest there by far, one of the tallest, and pretty darn smart for a three year old. He also is quite entertaining with his crazy stories. Example: I have a baby. FOR REAL. It died. First it was taken away by a dog. I have two dogs, Puffer and ?. The dog carried the baby away because I have cat named Bella. (Actually the cat is real.) But my cat is really a WILD CAT! And she scared the dog and that is why he took my baby. For REAL!

Our cat Xena is still alive, but the cold is hard on her.

Unfortunately Jack the ugly beta recently passed on.

My mother is good. We just had Thanksgiving where she made too much food. Bev and Bill and my aunt Anita were there. However, we just learned my dad's last living brother John passed away. I am now the oldest generation on Dad's side.

Bob's parents were good when we went to visit them with Cash and Veronica. They spoiled the kids as always and the kids entertained them.

Tripping

We have returned from all of our travels. Drew went back to Colorado Springs. Mom and I went to RomCon in Denver and then down to visit Drew for a couple of days. Mom and Drew and I played a game called Hink Pink and we did stink at the harder ones.

Bob was home alone (his dream) and went to Milwaulkee for a couple of days and will be home this evening. Kids and Mom are coming over for fresh corn on the cob, grilled chicken, and baked potatoes this evening. Yipee! Alas, no tomatoes yet...

Mom and I loved the Romance Authors Convention. I will post some pictures. We got to really interact with some authors. We got to have some small group time and played some cool games with authors. I also got some things done for the writers group I am president of.

In Colorado Springs I got to see my uncle on my Dad's side John and Aunt Elaine and my cousins Cliff and Mike. We had a good visit.

Driving across KS still not my favorite activity. But ate at Montana Mike's for the first time. It was good.

Took the kids to see Despicable Me for our Fabulous Friday Activity. It was good and Cash was very well behaved. Veronica astounds me at times with her intelligence.

Probably go see Bob's parents next week and to the Crown Center Fountains or Kaleidoscope. We will have to visit the Train restaurant.

Bob's sister Ellen had a hysterectomy and is doing well.

Glad to be home, horrified to realize on about three weeks before I need to do school stuff. I need to write and buy a washer and a dryer. Now, I need to sweep the kitchen...so I will.

And a happy birthday to Robin...now on the downside toward 50!

Have a great week!

Branson and the 4th

So much done recently.

Drew is still here, so this past week we went to Branson. Our family hasn't been since Veronica was little and Mom hasn't been since we were little.

To summarize: We rode the Ducks, all the kids rode a helicopter, Mom and I saw two shows...one with an Elvis impersonator who still cracks me the heck up, the new Princess Diana exhibit, Dixie Stampede, a magic show with a magician who talked liked a less manly Mr. Rogers, swam, did some shopping, ate yucky food and stayed in a yucky hotel. Overall a good time for Bob, Goldie, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, Drew, and Grandma Martha. Or as Cash would say Good Bacation!

On July 4th we received horrible news that our sister-in-law Debbie, Bill's wife's, youngest son Josh passed away. We are trying to support her.

We did have a July 4th dinner everyone attended and hopefully we took her mind off her sorrow for a little bit.

Bob did steaks, and Mom Baked Beans and deviled eggs, Veronica and Rach made some berry tarts, munchies, and rosemary green beans. Debbie made brownies. Robin brought peaches and cream cake, and I did some bean salsa, potato casserole, and bought a cake. By the second bite we all knew it was better than ANYTHING we had in Branson! We shot fireworks and then went down to Mom's driveway to watch the town fireworks. It was nice but we were all pretty exhausted when the day was over.

Today, I am going to put my butt in a chair and write on my novel. I may make our masks for this weekend's masquerade ball at the RomCon convention we are attending should fun. Thursday, Mom, Drew, and I are all going to CO. Drew back to the base at Colorado Springs and Mom and I up to Denver for the weekend. Then we will go down to see Drew a little before heading back.

Bob is actually on vacation this week and he is going up to see his parents

I also am going to make some lasagna and stuff and take it out to Debbie's for dinner, so they won't have to worry about that.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth.