Congratulations

Congratulations to daughter Jami & her Jared.

Two very special people are engaged.

Larry and I love you both and wish you the best.

Enjoy these special moments.

Love you.

me

National Medal Of Honor Parade

Yesterday

we spent the day at the

National Medal Of Honor Parade

in

Gainsville, TX.

Jamison escorted her friend and honoree,

Ken Stumpf.
Find Ken's Story Here

{it is her 3rd year of being assigned to him during the festivities}

As always, Larry and I had a wonderful day.

Ken Stumpf & Jamison Tolbert

***

It is dark and raining this morning.

The grass is so green and the new leaves on the trees

seem to be whispering in the wind,

look at me.....

Have a happy day.

Love you.

Me

A Big Old Shiner Beer!

Yesterday was so hot.

I needed out of the house,

so,

I went to Love and War in Texas

for a beer and fajitas.

Look at this big old Shiner beer.

The best thing about the evening was,

Jami.

Jami is the BESTEST waitress at

Love and War.

Last night she worked out on the patio.

it was 107 degrees.

(and look how cute she still looks)

***

If you are in the HOT ZONE today,

stay cool, drink your water,

and be happy.

It looks like it is going to be a wonderful day.

Love you.

Me

The Real Heroes

"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

                       ~Adlai Stevenson~

***

A bowl of fruit salad

is in the

refrigerator.

The chocolate cake is baked.

Today,

will be spent in Gunter, TX

with Lars & Josh

and Jami.

It is a day to remember the heroes in our lives.

Remember picnics of long ago,

and plan for tomorrow.

Jami's assignments over the next months

frighten and remind me that,

true heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

May God bless the heroes in our lives......

Love you,

Me

Dear Santa, It is cold here, finally, and yes, in spite of reports to the contrary, I decorated the tree.

The neighborhood is starting to hang lights for your arrival,

But,

with so much happiness,

I still see,

hunger, homelessness,

and

sad, sad faces.

So many things are interfering with the pure joy of the season.

Jami sent me this photo on Saturday,(from her phone)

(you already know that she is the airmen on the left, yes?)

Her unit was on the flight line,

waiting to welcome soldiers

as they returned home from Iraq

after 3 long months of deployment.

Thank you Santa, for watching over these wonderful young people as they serve our country.

Please let people, whom I love,

and are not in my life,

be happy and content this holiday season.

And in your wisdom,

watch over and inspire anyone who needs a smile.

These days are so full and pass so quickly.

May you also enjoy the JOY that your spirit evokes.

The Season of Love & Joy.

Love you beyond the candy canes,

Me.

PS:

I saw this cake pan at Williams-Sonoma.

I like it VERY much! (and it is on sale!)

Wink, wink!

REMEMBERING DAN SEALS

When Jamison was about 4, she discovered

a musician whom she loved.

He was a country star,

and Jami would dance like a little jumping bean

whenever she heard this gentleman sing.

BOP

was her favorite song.

I am referring to Mr Dan Seals.

Mr Seals passed away on March 25, 2009

When the girls were small,

they were creative and interested in many things.

Often one person or thing would connect with them,

making our lives even more interesting.

BOP.

Jami would sing,

"BOP with mine baby"......

Thank you Dan Seals....

you will be remembered, and missed,

and then when we hear BOP....

a prayer shall be whispered....

Jami is grown now....

a true Texan.

Bop

will always be part of her life....

Love you.

Me.

~

Mr Seal's web site is below

http://www.dansealsfanpage.com/

************************************************************************

Merry Christmas

Yesterday

friends and family joined us for

a light dinner, gifts, Christmas crackers

smiles and a Yule Log Cake.

(a culinary, good luck wish for the coming year)

The afternoon flew by

our guests left,

and Larry and I went to church.

The 8 o'clock service crowded,

Every seat in every pew spoken for.

8:00

The hour was chimed.

The lights dimmed.

Candles on each pew end sparkled.

The service was about to begin.

It was then when someone stood at the end of our pew.

I saw her out of the corner of my eye

and started to scoot down

so Larry could let her in.

It is then when I looked up at the person.

It was Jami!

But she was to be working at the restaurant till midnight.

As she slid into her seat next to me,

she said

Her co-workers gave her the gift of coming to church.

They took over her duties

and told her to

GO!

This morning, as I prepare for the day a head,

I am reminded that

the best gifts of all

are the unexpected gifts from the heart.

Merry Christmas.

Love you.

Me

Pick Your Friends Wisely

Larry is a zillion miles away (Huston) interviewing

perspective employees.

They call it "Speed Interviewing"

(Gosh, I wish that I could SEE that)

*note sarcasm. ***

I am playing on my laptop,

looking at long lost photos,

and found this little

PICK me up.

Merde. I thought I had lost this photogenic gem.

It was taken on one of the first occasions

that we had to see Jami after Air Force basic training.

She decided to forgo

Military Posture

and behave badly.

Goodness.

I love my daughters.