Let the Game Begin!

I have wondered why I have been so taken with the Olympics this year. I thought it was the DVR - I can watch the events I want and FF through the ones that I don't find interesting. Then I realized the only thing I was skipping was the commercials.

My mother mentioned that I was born in an Olympic year. My dad had surgery a few days before I was born and so with a mother with newborn, a dad recoup-ing from surgery and a house that only had A/C in one room they spent a lot of the time watching the Games. Maybe I absorbed the appreciation for the Olympics during that time. That was 1972 - the year 9 athletes from Israel were kidnapped and killed in Munich.

The first time I truly "left home" was the summer I worked at Prude Ranch in Ft. Davis. That was also an Olympic year. The camp nurse was from Oklahoma and her daughter had trained with gold medalist Shannon Miller. At night we would gather around the TV in the dining hall and watch. Somehow it seemed like a connection with the outside world and made me less homesick.

We got married in 1996. Yep, another Olympic year. The games were in Atlanta. I traveled "home" for my wedding shower. When we got to the motel someone called and told us to turn on the TV - someone had just bombed the Olympics. This was after Oklahoma City but before 9-11 and it was a big deal.

It seems like a lot of milestones in my life I can associate with the Summer Games. So what is it this year? I'm not sure. One thing, is that I just turned 36. I watch these kids and see how they have set goals and worked to achieve them. I realize at this moment I don't even have a goal. The marathon runner from China runs about 750 miles a month - what determination! I long to have a goal and be committed to something.

So maybe 2008, the year that Michael Phelps won more gold medals at an Olympic event than any other athlete ever has, will be the same year that I find my passion and purpose for life.

Gone Batty

This little critter must have heard about how much fun it is to hang out on our deck! We didn't offer an adult beverage and so, like The Cowboy in the Continental Suit, we don't know where he came from and we haven't seen him since. (note Marty Robbins reference)

Waller Reunion - 2008

A CELEBRATION OF REDNECK-EDNESS

This year's hosts: Sharon, Gary, Barbara and their families.

Ronnal & Phyllis showing their Red Neck Pride!

Charlie: the Red Neck that traveled

the longest distance.

Deloris: the oldest Red Neck (note the fancy Cammo Cap prize)

Mollie: the youngest Red Neck (photo unavailable)

After fierce competition, Randall was given the prestigious
"Golden Cow Chip" award for the best Cattle Call.

The Ultimate Redneck award went to MacKenzie. Yes, I know that the simple fact that we gave a young person a six pack of Lone Star as a prize truly speaks for itself in explaining what a Red Neck bunch we are. But honestly, the kid wanted to flip someone off in the McDonald's parking lot. You don't get much more Red Neck than that! Way to go, Mac!!

Frank, Gary, Barbara, Phyllis, Ronnal, Sharon

Karaoke - Hill County style! They sang "Family Tradition" and I really think it would have brought a tear to Hank's eye. Seriously - a tear.

Amy, Jodi, Carrie, Lori, & Michelle

Karaoke - The Next Generation

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

This spring found us sitting and cheering a LOT of Little League Softball games. Both of the girls we were rooting for made the All-Star Team. Way to go, Daspyn & Jayd- "Uncle" Mark & "Aunt" Carrie are VERY proud!!

Giving Thanks!

This is what it looks like when angels have been at work. We may not always understand, but we know that everything works out for the good... Yes, it was $8600 worth of damage, but everyone was okay, and we ended up with a new and better truck. Blessed!

Cosmic Cowboy Cruise

In February, we went on the Cosmic Cowboy Cruise to Cozumel. We laid around on an awesome beach (see above) and listened to 3 private concerts with Brian Burns, Bob Livingston, & Tommy Alverson.

We ate Cheese Burgers in Paradise at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

We did not win money in the casino, but we looked good doing it. (hee hee)

Sang round after round of "Uno mas cervesa, Senorita", and can't wait 'til next year!!

Vegas, Baby!

In December, Mom and Dad took us to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. Of course, because of the whole "what happens here, stays here" thing I can't go into too much detail. I will say that it was awesome and we all had a great time. Mark & I tried to see if we could go into every casino on the strip, and we almost made it. The design and creativity of each hotel is unreal!



Mark and I posing in Caesar's Palace. We all ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant Mesa. Ask me sometime about my $45.00 stain.

I have been to rodeos all my life, but this was the best ever. There is just more excitement, and atmosphere. It was Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. So all of the contestants, clowns, a lot of the fans and even some of the horses had pink on to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Ruby Watson

My Aunt Ruby passed away in November. She was the last of her brothers and sisters. I know there was a great family reunion in heaven and I am certain that Aunt Ruby made sure everyone had PLENTY to eat!! She was a really neat lady. One thing that I learned from her is that packaged gravy and canned biscuts is still a home - cooked meal. She was so proud of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and I forgot sometimes I wasn't a grandkid, too. She will be greatly missed. I love you, Aunt Ruby.

November 2007

November brought all sorts of activities for our sleepy little town. The volleyball, football and band all went very far. The band was #3 in the State, the volleyball girls went to the regional tournament, and the football team went to the quarter-finals. Hunting season began, the annual VFW bar-b-que, and baby lambs were born.

Grandma, Aunt Doris, Chase & Quincey came up from Austin to Grandma's house to hunt. Chase got two deer with one shot! We all had a really great visit. The picture is of Doris and Quincey carring on an Oehler family tradition of grandparents teaching the grandkids to hunt.

October 2007

In October, we made our annual trek to the the State Fair and I went to the area Mary Kay Retreat.

The two ladies in the center are National Sales Directors from Korea.

At the Pirate- themed party, with Mary Kay Superstars Gloria Mayfield Banks (far left) and Cindy Williams (far right). For those of you non-Mary Kay enthusiasts, this would be like a football fan having a picture made with Tony Romo and Brett Farve. In other words and I quote, "Shut up! This is a big dog deal!"

August 2007

We enjoyed one last big trip before fall. We spent the weekend hiking in Big Bend National Park. It was awesome.

The rest of August was spent doing projects at home. Mark built this great entertainment center and designed and built a rustic bed and matching night stands.