Bill Dan

Bill Dan can't post right now because he's in the last stage of his training as a rodeo clown. This requires extreme physical dexterity, comedic timing, fearlessness, and a flare for the perfect make-up application. In between his bouts with a mad bull and the grooming of his red wig, Bill Dan practices stuffing himself into of a very small car, a canon and a barrel. Stuffing oneself into of a barrel is totally different from walking on the outside of one, huh, Bill?

Y'all save the date for his graduation day and make sure you call him by his new clown name - Bill "Honk Nose" Dan.

Rachel

Crawling Out From Under my Rock

Before anyone decides to make up silly stories about me cause I'm not posting, just thought I'd let you know I have been under the weather a bit since Saturday and haven't even been on Facebook. OMG! Nasty stomach bug or something, but I'm finally eating again and keeping it inside. I had been wanting to lose a few pounds, but definitely not this way. I am glad to read Estelle & John are staying in and staying safe in the ice/snow in Lubbock. The ice has not happened here in my little corner of North Richland Hills, but Michael said it was sleeting in Irving this morning. Hope you all stay warm. And Well!!

Kay has been unable to post as of late due to her headlining at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Kay is doing her usual music and dance, but this time, she's also adding magic to her act! While not on the stage, our sweet Kay is hanging out with Wayne Newton and Penn&Teller. Expect her to be headlining for another two years, unless she gets her own TV show on the A&E Network.

TALL TALE

As a matter of fact ,we just got home from hiking the Iditarod Trail....on July 8....of.... 2008...just a teeny, tiny time warp ago. And sometimes the whale blubber is actually mistaken for halibut...butt! But the knitting.....oh, that's about as far from the truth as it gets!

I'm busy now working on my 40+ year high school reunion. Tracking down classmates and trying to decide whether to contact them via telegraph or pony express. Can't decide which way would be faster! Getting lots of good advice from Aunt Bee and Opie over at Mayberry about the whole thing. They are just good, wholesome folks!!! And,..... Aunt Bee sure knows how to cook up a pan full of fried hali-butt!

BULA AND JOHN

Hi, just got an email from the Dowdles saying they have ice in their trees and it looks like a Christmas card in Lubbock. They cancelled their dental appointments and are in for the duration. Bula said they talked with Collie yesterday and he said Brad had gotten a really good report from his doctor. The MRI had shown the tumor had shrunk and the doctor had lessened his meds and also the chemos. What wonderful news but don't stop the prayers from coming. You can never have too many of them!!!

CATHY & LYNDEL ------- the Haigoods are spending most of their time in Alaska training for the next Ididrod (ok, so I can't spell - live with it) race. In their spare time, Cathy has been knitting scarfs for all her Eskimo friends and Lyndel has been learning the fine art of whale blubber rendering - it takes a lot of time!! Eventually, they will come home and MAYBE they can persuade Collie to at least get one of those things that Bula & John have so they can get emails. It's a shame we can't all be in Alaska for the great race to cheer them on but my car won't make it up there!

Diane....

I suppose you know that Diane is too busy to post. She's busy hosting a Rocky Horror Picture Show viewing at the local movie house. While hosting is a major undertaking, she's having to use all of her free time to get all of the make up on required to portray "Columbia" and it takes a while. If you see a perky, funny, yet oddly dressed woman with WILD make up and a top hat covered in sequins, that is our Diane.....stay out of her way til the movie is over!
"Let's Do The Time Warp Again!!"

Keri

Hey, a thought!

This email is for Jody, Celeste, Suzy, Susan, Martha and me. Keri and Rachel at this point, you may read the post, but your participation is optional.

I want to post little stories about our cousins that never post. And I'm not talking about telling the truth. For instance, if we hadn't heard from Susan in a long time, I could post, "Well, you know Susan can't post. She's on board a cruise line heading for a personal meeting with Paul McCartney in London. She doesn't have internet service."

I don't intend for the posts to be mean-spirited at all, just fun and silly. Surely, we can do that.

What do you think? I didn't get any sleep last night, so it sounds fun right now, but maybe that's just me being sleep-deprived.

Please respond. I know you will.

Candy

PS. Bula and Uncle Collie are off limits because they WOULD post if they could.

How I began my Weight Watcher Journey

Steve's plate. He got used to taking pictures of food when he was in Europe.

Susan, glad to be invited to an experiment...and closest to the chocolate.

Chicken in wine cream sauce and mushrooms.

It began with a copy of Julia Child's cook book. All that butter transferred to my thighs and I am at least one size up from where I started this morning...but oh, so satisfied.

Here's supper. We had chicken breasts in wine cream sauce with mushrooms, risotto (rice with stuff) and asparagus. Honestly, the rice was the longest to make. Very weird. The cake was to die for. Keri, you HAVE to make it.

Later gators,

Candy

Cake for everyone

Here are pictures of my latest attempt at French cooking. It really smells good. We'll keep you posted after supper tonight.

Candy

Ronnie, Ronnie...it's your birthday

I'm making a chocolate cake. Come get it!
Candy

well, pooh, Sorry I spelt LEIGH WRONG.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE ANN

Hey sweetie, Hope you have a super day. You could get on the blog and let us know how you are doing. (Not that we're nosy or anything!!!!) Ha!! Love to your dad too. I know he must still live here but I never see the man!!! Love ya, Jody

Birthday and Julia Child

He's Two you know. Here is Owen's response to the crowd singing Happy Birthday to him on his big day. He blushed, hid his head on his Momma and smiled at all of us. It was a big time!

Of course, after singing, cake must be eaten. The cupcake you see was one of four that spelled out OWEN as smoke for the train cake. It was adorable. Owen is eating the one with an O on it. His friend Nolan got the N.

Steve bought me the movie Julie and Julia. I could tell that I would love it. I was right. It really spurred me on to cook, however. I took today off (I worked the weekend) and went out early to find the cookbook. Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Oh, man. Only one on the shelf and the lady at the Book Rack told me she can't keep them on the shelf. I checked the recipe for Boef Borgignon (totally spelled wrong!) and went shopping. I got started at about 12:20 and we ate at 5:30. I sat down during that space of time for about 30 minutes. It was time-consuming, but only because I hadn't done it before. Next time will be a breeze. It was delicious! Steve and I packed lunches for tomorrow and we're already sad that it's nearly all gone. Nothing like a dish that has 3 CUPS of red wine in it. Yumm!

Close up of my masterpiece. It was really a fun day.

Candy

Losing a writer

I read in the paper this morning that one of my very favorite authors had passed away. Robert B. Parker was the writer of the wonderful private eye SPENSER series. I love those books - Uncle John also made them on cassettes for me and I have all of them except his last few books. He also wrote the Jesse Stone books - Tom Selleck does the tv movies. There was a tv series on SPENSER staring the late Robert Uhrich -they were good but not as good as his later tv movies with Joe Montaga (or however you spell it). You couldn't help but love the relationship between Spenser, his love - Susan Silverman and their best friend Hawk - what wit and humor. I feel like I've lost a friend.

Update

Buster is doing much better, and thank you for your well wishes. He's still taking some major pain meds, but not as often,so I'm thinking he's getting there.
I am leaving him in the house ALONE (EEEEK!) tomorrow, so hopefully, he'll behave and not endanger himself.LOL!
Keep the funny emails (I show them to him), cards, and anything else coming. He loves it and it really helps in the healing.
I'll keep you posted.
Keri

Floyd's Surgery Update

The surgery went well and the doctor liked what he saw when the screws and rod were put in, so he didn't add plates or synthetic bone. WHEW! The result is a very scary looking arm! He is going to come home tomorrow, hopefully with his pain under control. Here's a photo of his arm...

Floyd's surgery

Hi all!! Keri asked me to tell all of you that Buster will be having surgery on his wrist tomorrow. They had the scan today and found that his wrist bone was shattered. They will be putting pins and screws in and all that stuff. He will never be 100 percent but hopefully will be able to get about 50% usage. They are both scared to death but his boss was so kind and told him he would get his 40 hours no matter what. Isn't that wonderful - they are good people. Keri asked me to ask you guys to please send him funny cards, articles, etc., anything to keep him occupied. He won't be using his hands so no games. She will tell you all more about it later but right now she is just scared and wants her moma. The kids are out of school Monday & Tuesday so they will be there to help him. She has to work tomorrow but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't send her home (or to the hospital). I know everything will be okay, but a lot of good prayers would surely help. I am thanking you all in advance for the prayers and love you are sending their way. Love to all of you, Jody

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SATURDAY TO OUR SWEET LAUREN

HEY LITTLE GIRL, I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY TOMORROW. I UNDERSTAND YOU HAD CUPCAKES AT SCHOOL. I BET ALL THE KIDS LIKED THEM. EAT A BIG PIECE OF CAKE FOR ME, OKAY? I LOVE YOU, JODY

News from the Boda Bunch...

Well, we've had some excitement here. Two days ago, Buster fell on some ice and hurt his hand. We thought he might have just jammed it. BUT, we went to the doctor the following day and he broke his wrist in two places. The doc sent us to a Ortho today and he did more x rays and it's broken with little fragments. So, they were worried that he'd have to have surgery with plates and pins. They put him in a rather scary contraption to set his hand....(see photos below) His bicep strapped and being pulled down, his thumb and forefinger are in things that look like finger traps and they pull his hand up...needless to say, he was in some major pain. He jumped almost off of the table, broke out into a cold sweat and turned white as a sheet. I almost threw up.

Below is after the first cast...he got x rayed again and they added over-the-elbow casting and now he's really miserable. He's off work for at least the rest of this week, but might get to go back for light and modified duty next week. The over-the-elbow thing stays on for two weeks, then he'll get just the arm cast. After that, it's 6 weeks (maybe more) in the cast, a month or two of therapy and even then he might not get the whole use of his wrist back.
His computer is broken, but if you have any funny cards or anything to entertain, please send! He is one miserable guy right now.
He goes to the doctor Friday and I'll update more then. Til then, I'd love to sleep, but neither one of us have slept since it happened. UGH.

Owen Daniel, You're 2!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest 2 year old in the clan. Owen, have a great day and take a long nap for your mommy.
I love you.
Mimi

Pictures to follow after I get back home.
Candy

Before Brady turns two, I thought I'd better post a picture of his first birthday party. He was not a bit shy about getting into the cake at all. Of course, this grandmother thinks he's precious whether he's covered in cake or helping Amanda and Lance's doggies find their food. He relished the cake, which was served outside, with the older kids being able to decorate their own cupcakes. That was a great idea, Amanda! His Nana and Papa (Lance's parents) got him the coolest John Deere tractor thingy and that boy was instantly all over it. He probably won't be able to really ride or drive it for a while yet, but he is all about anything with wheels. Do we have another gear-head here? His Uncle Michael will have him helping out at the shop before long - hahaha! Caden and her friends and all the older kids (um, like Sherami and Michael and Amanda and Lance and Beth and several others) enjoyed the blow up, bouncy slide thing they rented. Kids' birthday parties are not like pin the tail on the donkey any more, it's a whole new era of specialty places or equipment. And no, this grandma did not even try it - ok, call me a chicken, but you love me any way. Ha!

THE NEW GHS

Hey Graham Grad Cousins!!! I went with Suzy & Boyd to the open house of the new GHS. WOW, it is something else. All the building was gutted but they kept the stately facade that faces Virginia St. It' s huge!! The new cafeteria is where the old auditorium (or study hall to my group) was. It is lovely and the kitchen has so much equipment. The tables in the dining room are round. The new auditorium is facing on the Calaveras St side and has the arch facade like the front of the building. It is so grand and I'm sorry the Eden never got a chance to act on that huge stage. The new gym is on the Calaveras side but faces Kentucky St. It is very nice and Suzy says it looks like some college gyms. Lots of seating, especially for the home team. We looked into some of the classrooms and they were nice and large. Now let me tell you about the Library. It is 2 stories high with lots & lots of windows - you can be upstairs in the hall and look into it. It takes your breath away. At the door of the library are portraits of Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Jones. They have tables with chairs but also nice easy chairs for relaxed reading and also 10 computers with desks. We saw so many people we knew - old classmates, old teachers, etc. Oh, at the front of the auditorium there are two portraits, one of Jack Cody and the other of Alawana Vaughan. We had a great time. Whenever you come to Graham, come by and see it. It's worth the trip.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYD

Hey, there!! Hope you really have a great day and you feeling well. Love ya, Jody

Our Holiday

This is the way the weather started at our house for the Christmas holidays. Since all of our children have so many places to be and people to see, we always have what I call "drive-by Christmas" that began this year on the 18th. Jennifer and her husband Reed Townsend arrived on Thursday night the 17th and stayed through the weekend. Tommy Tucker arrived on Saturday afternoon and stayed till the next Saturday. Rachel, Matt and Owen arrived on Monday the 21st and stayed till Saturday. Nathan and Randi arrived on Wednesday evening and stayed till Saturday. Notice the trend on "stayed till Saturday"? That was the day that we successfully dug out the driveway and sent kids on their way to non-slick destinations.

We didn't begin wearing coats outside until Christmas Eve when the early morning rain turned to sleet and then snow. The view from the dining room windows was beautiful! We could barely see the house across the street. What did we care? We had our family, food, heat and (thankfully) plenty of beds. We were eating lunch when Susan called from a birthday party to tell me she wasn't coming. She COULDN'T FIND MY STREET!!! All landmarks were covered in white stuff and it was slicker than snot out there. My adult boys - Matt, Tommy and Nathan - mounted a rescue and took Matt's SUV to deliver her to my house. I was so happy to have her with us.

After we opened our presents and played with our stuff, we noticed that there were four foot drifts against my garage door and that we really couldn't tell where the street was. No step for a stepper!

Susan put on all the clothes I own (long underwear, hat, scarf, gloves) and she and Steve set out the back gate to her house! She left her presents behind (bwa-ha-ha!). They arrived safe but cold at her house after about 45 minutes. Steve warmed up then struck out for his mother's house to get night clothes and personal items...and to check on the dog!... He finally got there, called us, then set back out toward home. All round, the trip took him about 2.5 hours and it was dark by the time he got home. My hero!

Tommy gave up his bed and Carol spent the night with us. The next morning, Carol was ready bright and early to go home. Mind you, the weather is no better. It's still slicker than snot and she's over 80 years old. So, once again Steve dresses up and heads for the back gate. It needs to be noted right here that mid-way through the trip, his mother acknowledged that Steve was right and that it was too slick to be walking! She got home safely and Steve made it back to our house. He called to ask if we needed anything from the store since he was out! Comedian.

All of the kids managed to get gone on Saturday. Rachel and Matt had no trouble once they left Texas. Apparently Oklahoma knows how to treat snow. Randi and Nathan were fine once they got to the turn-off to Graham heading to Jacksboro. Tommy had some difficulty in Decatur and got a hotel room to be safe. The next day he made it to his mother's house in Tyler. Whew!

We have already taken Christmas decorations down since the tree was a health hazzard. The house is clean and strangly empty. The quiet is unbroken except for the theme song to Super Mario that I keep playing. My thumbs hurt.

I hope your Christmas was as joyful as mine and I wish you a Happy New Year.

Love to you all,
Candy