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.

Family Reunion - Part 1

This year’s Waller Family Reunion was in memory of my great uncle, G. B. Waller. Uncle G. B. died fairly young, in fact, very few of us even remember him as a person. However, his legacy we all know well. He didn’t have any children, but he influenced an entire generation of my family with his kindness and integrity. He was Roy Rogers and John Wayne characters personified. He was a real cowboy, who, by example, taught the boys to be men and the girls what qualities to look for in a man.

Family Reunion - Part 2

Frank, Judy, Kandi, Jarrod did a great job hosting!

There was talking, laughing, eating, & drinking....

...there was singing and dancing (quality karaoke!)...

...there was a surprising upset in the Big Daddy Texas Hold 'Em (way to go, Amy!)...

...and there the were usual things that only really make sense to us! After all, that's what makes us FAMILY!!

Happy Birthday Granny O!

Today, we went to Austin to celebrate Mark's Grandma, Rosa Lee Oehler's 9oth birthday! It was a nice afternoon. If you have ever had the chance to meet Grandma, you know she is one cool lady! She had cancer in her mouth this past year and she never even thought about not doing the radiation/chemo. Just as she predicted, her last report was good and now she can get on with her life. I hope that I can have such a great attitude and so much spunk when I am 90!

Life's a Beach!

This is my friend Jayd. We had a "super" time in Port Aransas last weekend!! (yuck, yuck!) We are so blessed to have good friends to play with!

Before and After

Our Spring project is in full swing. This not the final after, but you get the idea!

Before:

After:

Ain't God Cool?

My camera couldn't get this awesome rainbow in one shot. The rains came, but as promised so did the rainbow.

I like this one too, shot it on the way back from taking pictures at our creek. We have an excellent thistle crop this year (yuck), but they have attracted the pretty butterflies.

"How High's the Water Papa?"

Here are some pictures of the Memorial Day weekend flood:

These are the of the little creek behind the hotel.

This is Mark's workshop at the hotel. Notice the driftline.

The dry creek behind the house...also had an impressive drift line.

Can you help me?

Okay, here's what I need help with...Can any of you remember exactly when I became my parents? I'm not really sure. I was home the weekend before Mother's Day, and so I ended up mailing my Mom her gift. I found a set of cups, plates, and bowls in four different colors, matching place mats and some really cute shower curtain hooks (noticed some of hers were broken when I was there). {By the way, this was not a lame gift, because we are not real big on flowers and candy but really appreciate when someone finds the perfect gift to suit our taste or fill a need}Anyway, when she got the package, she called to ask me to please "get of my head!" She had just come from the store where she had gotten the dishes. She also had the curtain hooks in the basket, but realized she left her checkbook at home and didn't have enough cash, so she put them back.
This is not the first time we've done this we've had the same tennis shoes, microwave, outfits, earrings, etc. The clothes aren't always the same colors, but other than that they are exactly the same.
Now, my Dad. While I was still living at home, my Dad would drive me nuts with the TV. He is a remote control hog and he yells at the sports teams and argues with the newcasters. It is really annoying! The other day, I was watching the news and Mark came in from outside. He asked me who I was yelling at...oops! I didn't even realize I was doing it.
I guess that's how life is. I hope that I have picked up as many of their good things as the bad. By the way, if you would like to change the channel at my house, let me know and I'll do it for you!

Girl's Weekend '07

Every year
When March gets here
This crazy group of four,
Goes up and down
The streets of town
Walking from store to store

We look for things
Like birthstone rings
Candles, antiques, and such
It’s kind of funny
When it comes to money
We really don’t spend that much

And when the bunch
Sits down for lunch
One rule is always clear
We must eat
Some place neat
Where we didn’t eat last year

We used to chat
Of this and that
Of rumors, clothes, and guys
Now we talk
As we shop and walk
Of dear old friendship ties

Of recipes tried
Classmates who died
The best ways to invest
The kids, the spouse
Of cleaning house
We hardly stop to rest

The weekend flies
We say goodbye
I’m always kind of blue
But also glad
For the time I had
With true friends like you

Snow Day

The weatherman said, “snow and ice”
Yea! A snow day’s just what we need!
You build a fire - I’ll make a stew,
We’ll watch TV all day and read.

And so we rented movies,
I bought hot chocolate and a book.
Then we rushed home to hibernate.
The sky had a cold, grey look.

The novel was a good page turner.
Too dramatic to simply put down.
I pictured us in the leading roles:
Two lost souls that love had found.

The hero was strong and handsome.
The lady so sweet and so dear.
They pledged their love with words
That were musical to my ears.

What can I say? I’m a sap,
A hopeless romantic at heart.
I would lovingly glance at my darling
When I read the really sweet parts.

One time I looked his way.
And there my true love sat.
Clipping his toenails, drinking a beer,
And scratching the head of our cat.

It may not be quite what I’d pictured;
Certainly not a good story line.
But to tell you the truth, it’s perfect.
I love him and it suits me just fine.

The Sometimes Sunday Several

Just the thought of a Thursday Thirteen makes me shudder, and truthfully five on Friday is a stretch, too. Maybe I'm just a free spirit. We'll see how long the Sometimes Sunday Several goes - haha! Let's see...

Favorite Christmas Songs

1. Holy Night - Martina McBride's version gives me chill bumps.
2. There's A New Kid in Town - I perfer George Strait (yes, I am still talking about songs! LOL)
3. Away in a Manger - any little kids choir verson will do.

Hey, that was kind of fun. Maybe I'll try again next Sunday.

In Memory

In this year that’s nearly done.
Many saints the victory won.

Some were young and in their prime
And some had lived a long, long time.

We were sad at every loss,
And yet, assured, due to the Cross.

I’ve heard our sorrow’s a selfish thing
And to that thought, some truth does ring.

The glorious place at journey’s end,
Our earthly minds can’t comprehend.

The Bible tells of streets of gold,
But still we long for them to hold.

Our loved ones have found joy and peace,
And from life’s burdens found release.

The truth in life we may not see
The reasons why each thing must be

But, we must submit unto God’s plan,
And know in heaven we’ll understand.

A trick to life is to watch and learn;
From everything some wisdom earn.

And though I shed many tears,
This is what I learned this year:

No matter how wealthy, common, or plain,
Our life’s best lived in Jesus name.

When we answer to His call,
Our lives are great though we are small.

So remember these with a grateful heart.
For who we are they played a part.

Willie Bruton
Cora Bruton
Pat Waller
Barbara Cockerham
Doug Bruton
Robert Walker
Caron Parker
Dolly Parker
Nila McMahon
Nila Walker

Busy October

We have had a busy October! Here are some pictures to catch yall up on all the fun we've had:



Here's Kim, Karen, and me at Williams Area Mary Kay Retreat. This is my favorite Mary Kay event of the year. It's in Hunt, Texas, which only about 40 miles from our house, but it's so nice and peaceful down along the river that it seems like a million miles away!



We've been teaching Lakota new tricks! (see how much she has grown!) We also got meet Mark's brother's wife, Sharon and his little girl Kelsey. Kelsey and Lakota played ball all evening. Ah, the energy of a puppy and a two year old.



Felina & Mark got to hunt a porcupine. Felina did most of the work and I kept the quills for keepsakes.



The Harper High School Class of 1991 had their 15 Year Class reunion. This picture is with spouses and kids at the BBQ on Saturday - We had a great time!

Uncle Don Sir Paramedic was passing through town for work and Mark and I got to eat lunch/supper with him and his partner, Pat. Lubbock to Austin and back in one day is a long way - glad they had time to stop by. By the way, I've never hung out with guys whose main concern is where to park the ambulance - that was interesting.

Not everything that happened this October has been fun. Our little town has lost more than 15 citizens this year. We've been to a lot of funerals and October was no exception.

Oh, yeah - I forgot to mention a trip to the State Fair of Texas and to see Mom and Dad. Lots of studying. Working. Builing a "doggy duplex". Football Friday. (No wonder we're tired! Ha Ha) Hope everyone is enjoying fall as much as we are!

Room with a View

I realize that this may sound a little "red-neck"
but my farovite spot on our place is the deck.

It's old dog Felina's favorite spot too,
and the home of Mark's manly-man bar-b-q.

It's a good place to watch the pretty sun rise
and to sit in awe of God's stars in the skies.

Scurry Cat thinks is the best place to nap,
especially curled up in some sucker's lap.

It's a great place to laugh, and to drink, and have fun,
And handy at times to sight in your gun.

It doesn't have flowers, because sheep like to graze,
but it's a good place to tan on warm summer days.

Another great thing is the hill country view
Rolling hills, deer, and wild turkeys, too.

So if you happen to find yourself down our way-
Come sit on the deck and enjoy your stay.

The Choice

The world below
Or God above
Choose to hate
Or choose to love.

Choose to fear
With each new day,
Or choose to seek
And find the Way.

Choose to dance
Or choose to sing
Or choose to whine
About everything

Choose to give
Or choose to take.
To let life pass
Or to partake.

Be both filled
And then poured out
Of all God’s blessings
Brought about.

The choice is yours
With each new morn,
Live for the purpose
Which you were born.

Life’s not magic
No hocus pocus
The key is where
You put the focus.