Can you guess who the 3 cousins are that will be on Medicare in 2007?

Paul and Sue Bockelman/2006

Celelbrating Family

Wow - did we ever have a fantastic visit last evening. It was so fun to catch up on our lives.
Sue is living in North Carolina where they are renting a home until June 1st, then they are moving into a home they bought in Charlotte. Their new home will be only 13 miles from their daughter and her family which now includes a darling little girl named Sophie.
Their son Joe lives back here in the area as well as Paul's family - so we were delighted that we were included in their whirlwind tour.
She had called Tommie up in Alaska for her 64th birthday this month - Tommie's husband is not doing very well health wise. Tommie's daughter Teresa now lives over in England with her husband and they sound like life is really good for them.

Sue and Winnie/2006

Happy Birthday MOM!

Today my best friend would be either 89 or 90~depending on which records you go by. Mom was brought up believing that she was born in 1917, then Grandpa changed the year when he sent everyone Bibles for Christmas to 1916.
I am who I am today because of my Mom. She was such a role model and super friend!
To best describe "Fleet" you would use words like, adoring wife, wonderful Mom, sister, friend, aunt, Christian leader, Democrat, awesome Bridge player and a star basketball player for S of O. The descriptions I just listed are what she most wanted to be remembered.
She was such an awesome friend and I miss her each and every day. I especially miss her today because as she was growing up, her birthday would usually be forgotten until it was bed time and someone would say - like the "Waltons"- hey, today is Fleta's birthday - Happy Birthday Fleta.
Dad changed all that and we always had a special day for Mom on the 27th - it was never a day to take down the Christmas tree. So today my tree is shinning brightly since I awoke and this evening my cousin Susie is coming to visit and we shall all remember the lady we loved so much!

December 19, 2006

Tomorrow is another big day for my husband ~ he is going to have his 2nd total knee replacement. Our prayer is that all goes well again this time and that we will have him home by this Friday.

Bushie Has Really Changed my World:

I find that the older I get, the more passion I have about being a Democrat. I have been utterly shocked that friends and family have been less than pleased that Claire won. I have known for years that they were all Republicans, and the most overt thing I did around them was to have a McCaskill bumper sticker in my car window - so they have all felt the need to really slam me about working for Claire. They truly believe that Missouri has lost a good Senator - but I am thrilled that he is gone. Since "Bushie" has been the President for the last 6 year, it is almost like I am to apologize for being a Democrat - the whole thing makes me really ill. Each night I say to myself, "why can't they see this lying sack of sh** for what he really is?" I pray each night that he doesn't get us into WWIII and I pray for those that he has put in harms way for no earthly reason other than he wanted to fight Daddy's war. My question is: "Why do I feel so opposite of some of my life-long friends?" I've decided that they actually believe the rubbish that Limbaugh screams at them each day - do you know that in some of the retail shops in St.Louis he is broadcast daily over the PA system?
Sorry for the tirade friends, but I am really sick and tired of being expected to say I'm sorry for my Democratic beliefs!

Squaw Creek:

Yesterday, Mike and I took a day trip up to Squaw Creek. Squaw Creek is located in the NE corner of Mo and we make our annual trip up to see the waterfowl migration. Yesterday we witnessed over 200,000 Snows and Blues which you see in the picture below. We also saw thousands of Mallards, Pintails, Shovelers, Teal and several Canvasbacks. We also saw 6 American Eagles and I was able to add the Green Heron to my life list of sightings. We also saw about 20 deer. I absolutely love "birding" and wish I could spend more time enjoying the wonders of nature. We just had a fabulous day at Squaw Creek and all that it cost us was gasoline money.

 

Hard work finally pays off!

 

Hip -Hip Hooray!

 

It All Comes Down to Today!

It is such a sad commentary that so few people take a few minutes to vote - Middle America needs to stand up and be heard today - Everyone get off your duffer and go VOTE!!!!

The Joy of Grandson's:

Fall pictures of Grandson's are always fun. Tanner and Paxton are brothers and they are our son's boys. Sam,our daughter's son, is shown at his Halloween party that I was fortunate enough to attend - it was really fun getting to be a room parent again. I got to read the not-so spooky Halloween story to the class - I had a blast.

Sam - Age 5 - Halloween Party

 

Paxton - Age 8

 

Tanner - Age 4

Happy Monday!

 

Regular Camping Season over:

We spent the weekend winterizing our camper down at Bennett Spring. I just can't believe the season has come to a close. I may just have to go down this winter for Catch and Release (water or no!). It seems like March 1st is a long way away!

End of the Season: October 2006

 

Wind Rush Farms:

I have just had the most fabulous weekend - I was fortunate enough to be one of 14 women chosen to be a participant in the Casting for Recovery weekend. It was so relaxing, beautiful and such a renewal time. I was probably the oldest participant and some were as young as 35. It was wonderful being with women that had walked the cancer walk like I have. My heart really broke for those young mothers with small children - but we all came away with a renewed spirit and hope. I really believe I have made some new, life long friends. They gave me courage to face any future trials and it was so rewarding to know they all believed in our wonderous God!
I will certainly will continue to support this fantastic program!

Casting For Recovery Weekend Retreat:

 

 

Don't Forget - Oct. is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

 

Casting for Recovery:

October 20, 21, and 22nd: I have been chosen to attend a special Fly Fishing weekend for Women that have survived Breast Cancer. The weekend will be held near St.James Mo. at a place called Wind Rush Farms Trout Stream. It will be a weekend filled with flyfishing, support for survivors of Breast Cancer and just a whole lot of fellowship. I am really excited about being chosen to attend this year - last year I was an alternate, but didn't get to go.
I am so proud to say that I am a 5 year Breast Cancer survivor and that I feel wonderful.
Flyfishing is a really good form of therapy for my type of surgery, plus it is so much fun. Wow! A whole weekend of free flyfishing and being with other survivors - it should be fantastic!

 

Here's my thoughts on today's 1 Hour News Conference!

 

Amazing what makeup can do these days!

 

Our Nephew Jeff Sneed:

 

Our wonderful nephew:

Our Jeffrey:
We just got the call from St.Louis that our special nephew Jeffrey probably will not live through the night. He is a wonderful husband, father, son and nephew that has fought the good fight with diabetes - it just got the best of him over the last several years. He is at peace - our prayers are with Jeff tonight and his beautiful family. One can only wonder why God is calling him home at such a young age (44) - but we are so very thankful that he knows that Jesus is his Savior. Rest in peace our beautiful red head. We will so miss you!

It Takes a Village:

My Grandson Sam:
Yesterday was one of the happiest days of my life. Our grandson Sam started to Kindergarten. Sam is one of the joys of our life and to get to this day has truly taken God's blessing and help from many, many wonderful people.
Our Sam was diagnosed with Autism at and early age and speech delayed. But here is our Sam walking by himself to the bus to go to Kindergarten - he is full inclusion and no aide.
The first two days have been fantastic!
This picture is going on my desk at school - hooray for Sam!

 

One Great Benefit of Blogging

My Cousin Jim:
Blogging has forced me to go through old pictures and this is one I found last night - I had forgotten which old album it was in, or actually forgot that I had this wonderful picture. I think this was taken around 1996 and I truly feel like I found a treasure - this picture is going in a frame where I will always know where it is.

Cuz Jim

 

My first teaching assignment/Kdg. 1964

 

Teaching First Grade

Today I started a long-term sub position in first grade for a friend that had a baby last week. It seems so strange to be setting up a room, putting up bullentin boards and getting things ready to meet the parents on Thursday. There are many things I miss since retiring, but meetings are sure not something I miss. However, I am ever so eager to meet my new 1st Graders - they are so excited and so eager to please and learn. I will only have 20 children and way back when I started, I had 36 Kindergarteners and actually thought nothing about having that many students - I also know that I was much younger, had more energy and my feet didn't ache back then.

Prayers Answered:

Prayers have so been appreciated - Judy is home and has had 3 days of no pain. Our other good news is that my special friend Faye is also home from the hospital and no cancer was found in her pancreas - we are all so glad that the last two weeks are over and that our friends are on the mend. Daily visits to two different hospitals was tough, but the worst is over now. Just rest for both of them and plenty of chicken soup!

Continue Prayers

Saturday morning: I am asking for continued prayers for my friend Judy. Yesterday they had to put in a feeding tube and they still have no answers for what is causing her decline. We are all so worried and prayers for her are 24/7. Thanks to each of you that take a moment to lift prayers for Judy.

China Mission Trip

Six teachers from our school district just returned from a mission trip to China. This trip was two years in the planning and one of the people going on the trip is a very dear friend of mine. They were suppose to be going to teach English to pre-school children and early school age children(which is all of their specialties), but instead they were teaching adults.
There wasn't much about the two week experience that was enjoyable - of course no air, no indoor restrooms and the food was horrible.
The reason I tell you all this is because my good friend came home almost deathly ill on Sunday night. They took her directly to the hospital - she was extremely dehydrated, renal function almost failing, and her potassium was extremely low.
She is doing better today - but I ask for prayers for my special friend Judy. Tonight she is finally resting and she ate a little soup - but when you have not had either food or drink for 10 days - it is a serious situation and very scary for all of us.

Celebrate!

July 23, 2006 -
Today marks our 40th wedding anniversary and believe me - it has just flown by. I guess that is what happens when you marry your best friend.
Today is a beautiful day, the heat has finally broken for a little while and it is not quite as hot as it was 40 years ago today.
Mom and I had a ball planning my wedding, Mom did most of the church planning because I was in Kansas City teaching and the wedding was in St.Louis.
Jim and Skip were a big part of the wedding and we also had so much help from Aunt Winnie. Aunt Winnie made all of the head pieces including mine, the bridesmaids, Mom's and her own. When Aunt Winnie was walked down the aisle - everyone thought Mom walked down twice.
We had a wonderful morning at church this morning, it was listed in the bulletin that we had been married 40 years today and our Pastor even included us in a special prayer.
A quiet day just visiting with family was a perfect way to celebrate our 40 years of happiness.

Oh Happy Day!

 

My parents and Mike's parents

 

Aunt Winnie and Grandmother after the wedding

 

Our Wedding Party