Melton Leming

It's was 21 years ago today that Keri and I lost Melton. Seems impossible it's been that long and yet sometimes it seem like forever. He was my love, my soulmate. He could be so very sweet and so very funny, and yes he could be hard-headed too. I know he is so proud of the woman that Keri has become and he would really get a big kick out of the grandkids. He loved my Moma so much and was so glad to be in our family. Some of you didn't know him too well but if you have a special memory, Keri and I would love to read it. Love all you guys!!! Jody

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN DOWDLE

Hi, there , Sweetie - hope you have a super birthday tomorrow. Love to you & Bill & Levi - let us hear from you guys once in a while!!!!

Happy Birthday, Sherami - Part II

Since Sherami has always been such an animal lover, I thought I should post a photo for her birthday and use one of the shots from her trip to the San Diego Zoo in December. She got to go on the special tour where you get to be more up close and personal with the animals, so it was hard to choose a picture. Because she likes giraffes so much, and I never got to feed a giraffe, I thought this one was cool. Please indulge me as I use this blog to tell her how very special she is to me and what a sweet girl she is and how much I am wishing her a wonderful day today. It's been a rough week for our family, but I still want her day to be special. Sherami, Happy Birthday!!! Your mama loves you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SHEARMI tomorrow

Hey, Sweetie, Hope you have a really great day tomorrow. It sounds like you've already been celebrating for several days. That's the way it should be. Love ya, Kiddoe!!!!

Chuck's brother

Dear ones, I just heard from Celeste that Chuck's brother had passed away. I didn't know he was a priest. He was having dinner when he had a seizure and was evidently without oxygen for a while. They don't know the arrangements yet but I knew you all would want to know. Let's all pray for them. Love you all, Jody

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK CUSENBARY

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!! Hope you have a great day and the water isn't too deep where you are. I love you!!!

What a Weekend!

Cousins,
Susan, Steve and I just spent the BEST weekend...and it isn't over yet. Our church's 50th anniversary is in May. In honor of the event, the choir finally succumbed to the request for a CD. What we didn't want is a boom box set on "record" with a captured live performance for all time. Luckily, Susan is close friends with a very talented man, Ricky Tims, who produces to support his quilting habit. (Check his web site! These aren't yo mama's quilts!)

Ricky brought all his gear to Texas and set up in our sanctuary. I spent most of Friday on a solo that is only about 20 measures! So totally worth it. I've never been happy with my recorded voice. I'M HAPPY WITH THIS ONE!

The choir met on Saturday at 9:30 to record 10 selections that Susan chose. We worked until 2:30 or 3:00 laying down tracks that Ricky would then "stitch" together to make music. He lovingly guided us to be the best we can be...not Mormon Tabernacle, but not Mayberry either. The CDs will be sold to those that want one for the anniversary celebration.

And...we're not through! Tonight we (the choir) are hosting an Italian meal and concert. We are serving lasagna, spaghetti, green beans (Italian cut!) and salad. We'll have a chocolate fountain with fruit for dessert! We will serve everyone their meal, then sing our CD selections for their "dining pleasure".

BEWARE! This may be all that Susan, Steve and I can talk about for awhile. It's the kind of high you get from church camp.

Oh, and if you want to buy a voucher for a CD or come to the dinner tonight, come on. 5:30. Park Place Christian Church on Call Field. Love to see you there.

Love you all,
Candy

TAH - DAH !!! Buster's email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, gang - I've got Buster Cusenbary's email address. See, all I had to do was faint at WalMart and call him to take me to the hospital to get his email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, let's get the guy on the blog!!!! Here it is - bchard2ride@att.net - Now all of you bombard him with greetings!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL DAN

Hi William Daniel Dowdle!!! Hope you have a super birthday. May the luck of the Irish be with you!!! It would also have been Melton & my 47th wedding anniversary. Sure doesn't seem that long. I love you and wish we could hear from you more often. Love to Lauren and Levi too!

DOWDLE WEATHER REPORT for Monday

Hi all, just heard from Bula and John and they said they had a huge rain storm this morning and after that it started SNOWING. It's been so nice here all day - I hope it's not coming this way!!! Oh, by the way, Keri said it was so nice in Williston she didn't even need her coat on in the pickup --- said it was in the 40's. (Yep, she's getting use to the weather!)

I'M HOME!!!!!

Hi all, I got home a couple of hours ago. Thanks for all your concerns - got calls from Cathy, Collie and Bula and John. The doctor has taken me off my blood pressure meds because my blood pressure really took a dive. They did a "Tilt" blood pressure test on me where they take it 3 times in a row, first lying down, then sitting on edge of bed, and then standing up. They weren't too much off or I would have failed the test so I guess I did all right - Candy could tell us more about what that means. Anyway, the blood pressure has been low when the EMT's tried to take it at the store. And never did get up too much. I 'll be able to go back to work Wed. with restrictions - only 4 days a week and 4 to 5 hours a day - that is fine with me. I think (and my child tells me) that I have been really stressed about getting the house sold, betting a loan to get another house, working last week 6 days straight and just having had carpal tunnel surgery again. I had been extra tired. So I am glad that I went on to the hospital - Buster took me, bless his heart, and Keri's mom-in-law came and stayed with me and then brought me home today. Ruth is a doll. THE BUZZ wouldn't let her take him outside when she came over this morning but he didn't pee in the house, but he sure did outside when I got home!!!! He missed his Mimi!! lol Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers. I love you guys!!!!!

Hey, Brandon

Happy Birthday, Cousin! Have a wonderful day and don't work too hard.

Let there be CAKE!

Candy

Mom

Today, while at work, Mom fainted. They called 911 and took her to the ER. She's fine. Not sure what the deal was..but she's spending the night in the hospital. Buster was there, or he went to Wal Mart to tell my mother in law, Ruth to take care of Buzz.
Anyway, she's ok, but a bit weak. I was terrified cause I'd been trying to call her all day and then finally called Walmart. They told me that "yeah, your Mom worked today, but she fainted and we called 911" No one called me. I wasn't happy.
Anyway, Mom is doing ok, Buzz is being taken care of and my stupid blackberry didn't charge, so I can't call Bula and John cause I can't get their number. Can someone let them know?
I'll keep you posted.
Love to all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DIANE

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR DIANE. HOPE YOU HAVE A SUPER DAY AND HAVE LOTS OF CAKE AND PRESENTS. I LOVE YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON TUESDAY TO MY NICK

Hi, Sweetheart!!! 16 years old!!! Doesn't seem possible!! You are so very loved, especially by your Mimi. I hope you have a great day and be sure to have a piece of cake for me. I love you so much!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET RACHEL ON TUESDAY

Hey Sweetie, I hope you have a really super day Tuesday. I hope you'll feel like eating some birthday cake. All of us are so tickled about the new baby. I know Owen will be a great big brother. Have a great day. I love you!!!

Updates From North Dakota Bodas

Well, folks, Buster got his cast off today. His arm looks 'naked' and it's very, very weak. He can't hardly do a thing. He'll be having therapy Wednesday and Thursday, then seeing the doctor Friday. He says it hurts. DUH. He won't ever be 100%, but they are hoping for 70%. Keep him in your prayers, cause the man has GOT to get out of here and go to work before I hurt him worse! LOL!

I don't know if you all heard what I did. It's nothing like Buster did, but it was a new level of stupidity for me. When I was at work, I had to get into the coke machine. I opened it, then had to shut it and when I did, a boot box sized metal First Aid Kit fell on my right foot. OUCH!!! It was so stupid and so funny that I imedately laughed and limped off to work some more. Later, after I got home, my foot swelled up, turned all sorts of pretty colors and HURT! Buster insisted that I go to the ER the next day (Saturday) and I did. It wasn't broken, but the doctor said my foot really doesn't care if it is broken or not---it still hurts! So, I've got crutches, but I am not using them. I'm limping around, but it is getting better. VERY pretty colors! LOL

Nicky (excuse me) NICK will be sixteen tomorrow! He isn't driving yet cause we got here at the wrong time of year, then it snowed, and snowed and so on, so he'll take driver's ed later in the spring or summer. He is hoping for money so he can get either new XBox games or Nintendo DS games. God forbid he saves it like Madison did.

Madison is in a group at her school called "Go Girls, Go!" it helps with positive thinking, body images, exercise, nutrition, hobbies and in general, FUN. She is loving it so far.

We enjoyed watching the Olympics. Never paid much attention to the winter sports other than ice skating before, and since we live here now, we really got into it this year. I cried everytime on of our athletes won a medal. I'm a cry-baby, but it was awesome. Loved the opening and closing ceremonies, too. (well, I could have done without Neil Young , YUCK)