Boo

I don't think I have ever received a Halloween card in the mail until now. This year my friend Kelley sent one to me as sort of a belated birthday card. Since the front of the card has a cool picture of a cat, I showed it to Sonny to see if he thought it was funny or cute. He thought it was weird and did not understand why a cat would dress up as Dracula.

The inside of the card reads

"Hope you've got a wicked sweet tooth!"

Oh yes I have a very wicked sweet tooth. I bought these cupcakes today and I will devour them quickly. I wonder if there's such a thing as deep fried Halloween cupcakes. Now that's what having a sweet tooth is all about.

They Clicked

Dear eHarmony,
I would like to take this opportunity to compliment your successful on-line business. For a person of my generation, meeting someone on-line is foreign and somewhat scary. However, I now realize that the industry of match making is successfully done like so many other endeavors - electronically.

Note the photo below:

This happy couple is today celebrating their first wedding anniversary. eHarmony brought them together initially with the compatibility results obviously right on target.

As an added bonus, your company has enabled my family to welcome a terrific son-in-law who so wonderfully compliments the love and joy our daughter has brought us for over 27 years.

I wish you continued success with your on-line business of match making. I would highly recommend your company to anyone who may be seeking a person to love, honor and cherish forever. Your theme song "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" says it all.

Sincerely,
Peggy
(former MOB - and loved every minute of it)

Brothers and Sisters '06

I love this picture of my brothers, sister, and me. It was taken October 27, 2006 in Raleigh, North Carolina. We had all gathered for my niece, Melanie's, wedding. Here, we are at the wonderful Rehearsal Dinner the Bostic family hosted. The next day we attended Melanie and Jason's beautiful wedding and reception. It's hard to believe it's already been a year. I look forward to summer of '08 when we all get together again at the Barr reunion.

Happy Anniversary, Melanie and Jason

Sunday Bike Ride; Sunday Surgery

Some of you already know the outcome of Tim's bike ride Sunday afternoon. For those who do not, here's a brief summary: Tim was bike riding alone Sunday around noon. He had slowed down to make a turn and ran over a small patch of sand in the road causing his bike to slide. He landed hard on his right hip.

After being transported via rescue squad to the ER and after the x-ray, it was determined that he had broken his right femur bone at the hip area. The ortho doctor on call recommend immediate surgery and he was an ortho surgeon, so surgery was a go.

The break was 5" and the repair included a rod, screws and some clamps. All this took about 2 hours. By 10:30 pm Tim was in a room at the hospital. He was discharged Tuesday afternoon.

He's doing fine, but recovery will be slow. Out of work for 3 weeks, no driving for 6. Thankfully he doesn't need physical therapy. For right now he will mainly need to keep all weight off the right leg. To do this he is using a walker. All of this is tricky and very unnatural, but something he will gradually get used to doing. So far he has acclimated well.

Anyone who knows Tim knows that he is a positive and motivated man. We anticipate a full and speedy recovery. We are very thankful because, trite as it sounds, it could have been so much worse.

We have already had personal visits from Melanie, Jason, Will, Angela and Ed (Tim's boss). These visits have meant so much to Tim and he is still talking about his pleasure in seeing everyone. Also, he has received many phone calls, cards and expressions of good wishes. Many thanks to all!

Life is still good.

East Texas Camping

We spent last week camping at Tyler State Park. It was a great trip and we do love this part of Texas.

We're in the Lake View section this time since only the retirees are out camping. Site 36 has a wonderful view and is usually one of the first to be taken. Someone must have just pulled out when we pulled in on Tuesday.

We spend our mornings reading and relaxing.

The Rose Festival was going to be held on the weekend. We went into town and toured the gardens and museum. This part of the garden reminds me of the golf course where the Masters is played--just beautiful.

Thousands of roses were everywhere and all were spectacular. Tyler produces one-third of all the roses in the world.

We toured this home, one of many historical ones in the area.

We're off again soon to explore another region of Texas.

Life Is Good

Christmas Tree: NC to DC

North Carolina is known for its abundance of tree farms. For the past several years we have taken advantage of this wonderful state resource. In early December we will once again take a day trip to one of the "choose 'n cut" tree farms. Our favorite one is aptly named "Top of the Mountain Christmas Tree Farm". After looking over row after winding row of Fraser firs, we will pick out our perfect one. The farm staff will cut our chosen tree, bale it and then load it in the back of our pickup. What a way to begin the Christmas season. I regret that we started this tradition only a few years ago - Melanie and Will had already flown from the nest.

It was recently announced that another North Carolina tree farm, Mistletoe Meadows, will be providing the official White House Christmas tree - a 20 foot Fraser fir which will be placed in the Blue Room. A nationwide contest determines which tree farm will be represented in the White House and North Carolina has won this distinction 10 times since this program began in 1966. The owners of the tree farm will make a trip to the White House to ceremoniously present their tree to First Lady Laura Bush. No doubt the North Carolinians will be thrilled with this honor.

In about 7 weeks we will be heading to "The Top of the Mountain" to find our own tree. I am looking forward to this annual holiday ritual.

Marc

Here is a picture of Marc, our grandson in his military uniform. He is in the Navy SeeBees. He has been in Iraq for six weeks. He rebuilds roads that have been damaged by roadside bombs. They go out at nighttime to repair them. He was told he will be over there around six months. He called his parents this last Saturday by satalite phone. His E-mail address is MarcBarr@yahoo.com and his mailing address is EOCN Marc Barr, Alpha NMCB15, AA 34099-7701, FPOAA.

State Fair of Texas

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day so Mel and I ventured out to the State Fair. We go about every other year, and have fun wandering around enjoying the sights and sounds of the exhibits, midway, and food stands.

Big Tex is always telling the crowd what's happening where.

The buildings in Fair Park are all Art Deco, built in the 1930s, and play host to many exhibits.

Many, many, fried foods are offered throughout the grounds. We pass on these and always get Fletcher's Corny Dogs. This year, we each had a corn dog, soda, and water and spent $21. I can't imagine what a family with kids would spend with food and rides.

Although I was tempted, I passed on this stand. I will confess, however, we did stop at Starbucks before we hit home for my afternoon Moca Light Frappuccino.

When I saw the House of Mirrors, I thought Peggy are you in there?

(see Peggy's previous Sept. post on her experience in the house)

This website has more about our fair, pictures of the beautiful art deco bldgs. and a menu of all the fried foods offered www.durangotexas.com/eyesontexas/dallas/fairgrounds.htm

(Tried to do that click here link thing but don't quite have that figured out yet.)

Retro Range

Our house was built in 1967. This is the GE range that came with it. You can see that it is part of the infamous 60's palette of harvest gold, avocado green and coppertone brown. It has been the one and only range in this 40 year old home up until yesterday. It was removed to make room for a new range to be delivered next week. Just like our old RCA console TV that would not break, this range was trying to outlive me.

Notice the Formica counter tops. They too are original to the house and are soon to be replaced. I am giddy over this relatively minor kitchen renovation and can't wait for the end result.

Birthday Oddity Explained

Look here at an article in yesterdays paper.

Happy Birthday, Peggy

A Toast To The Birthday Girl

October 8 thru the 20th

Go Dog Go!

Even though our only pet has been our cat Sonny, we are very fond of dogs. Sydney, the Bostic dog, is a delightful pet. We always enjoy seeing her when we visit Cary. We will be making a visit this weekend, so I am looking forward to another opportunity for Sydney and I to take a walk on the hiking trail.

The annual National Dog Show which airs every Thanksgiving Day following the Macy's Parade is a TV show we never miss. I love to see the different breeds and am always amazed at the variety. Of course these dogs are perfectly trained and beautifully groomed. It is easy to see the pride in the handlers as they show their dogs around the arena.

My family already knows that my favorite breed is the Chihuahua. However, after taking a quiz, I see that I am better suited to a golden retriever. Oh well, I will have neither since I am trying very hard to shirk all the responsibility I can these days.

If you were a dog, what breed would you be? Try this and find out. You might be surprised!

A Rocky Mountain High

As Jerry had previously posted Mel and I went and visited beautiful Colorado. Jerry's house is a really neat tri-level (and basement) with a gorgeous view of the mountains as you sit in the kitchen. I love the front of his house with the rock, golfer, and golf balls--how appropriate. In the backyard, he has planted tomato bushes that continue to produce lots of wonderful tomatoes. I reaped the benefits of those by carrying away at least a dozen fresh ones. I think he should open a produce stand on I-25!

The Aspen trees were just gorgeous. Even though we experienced a bit of rain and sleet one day and night, this was the right time to go to the mtns. to see the fall colors.

Trail Ridge Road did close for a couple of days. However, when the sun came out Tuesday we headed up, up, up to the tip top.

Another wonderful view. Mel is enjoying this now looking at the pictures. He was driving with eyes on the road as I was hanging out the window singing the John Denver song and snapping pics.

On the way home, we stopped at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. Some rancher expressed his view of art by placing these 10 Cadillacs on his property. Interesting isn't it?

What a great vacation. I agree with Peggy--

Life is Good.

1982

A bright smile.

A loving spirit.

A generous heart.

Happy Birthday William. xoxo