The Texas Adventures of Roger and Karren

The dreaded last day

2009-05-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

The dreaded last day came way too fast. We just kind of hung out while Stephanie packed up for the trip home.
When the time finally came to leave, there was obviously a sign that they needed to stay longer. My car would not start. Roger, and Brian had already pulled out and so we had to call them to come back to get my car started. They had to jump it. We were finally on our way, stopping at the "red box" to get movies for the flight home. Finally at the airport the hardest part, saying goodbye. I hate good-byes. I always cry, which in turn makes others cry too. It was so hard to see them leave. But we had a GREAT visit, and look forward to the next visit, whether it is us coming there to visit or some one coming here to visit.
We love and miss everyone.
Thank you Stephanie and Brian for coming to see us. You have no idea how much it meant.

On to day 3

2009-05-27T20:02:00.001-07:00

Day 3 started out just relaxing, kind of a lazy day, not going anywhere. Of course there was the dogpile on Brian.

We just hung out for a while and then decided to go get in the pool, and wouldn't you know it, it started to rain. As you can imagine the "natives" were not happy about that. So needless to say they took some chips and decided they needed to watch the raindrops hit the pool so they would know when it stopped raining, because the "Chiefs" could not be trusted to tell them when it was safe to go in the pool.

We just relaxed in the pool for a few hrs and decide we needed to get in out of the sun for a while, had something to eat, and played for a bit more. Then BBQ again and watched a movie and visited.

Dogpile on Brian
Watching for the rain to stop

Stephanie and Brayden and Bransen

Hurry....lets play while we can

Roger Brian and Bransen relaxing

Day 2

2009-05-27T19:38:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we got up and took the family to the Fortworth Stockyards, at first the boys were not real excited about it. You know the pool was calling there names.

But once we got out there I think they kind of enjoyed it. They were in jail, rode a bull, rode some ponies, had some ice cream.

After the Stockyards we left and had some lunch, then Stephanie and I went for what we thought would be a nice relaxing massage, instead we were put through torture. We had an "Acupressure Massage" (torture)

It was different, to say the least. And let me tell you when they say pressure, the mean pressure.

Meanwhile Roger, Brian and the boys when back to the house and "relaxed" in the pool.

Then more catching up, as Stephanie and I complained of our torture.

Brayden and Bransen
Brayden

Bransen

Stephanie (now if that does not look like a criminal, what does)

Brian (her accomplace)

Bransen the FEARLESS

Brayden and Bransen

Brayden and Bransen (real cowboys)

the long awaited visit

2009-05-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Stephanie, Brian, Brayden and Bransen came to visit over the Memorial Day weekend. And it was great.

We got up early and went to Nebo to see where the offices were and meet some of the office personel.

And as you can imagine the "natives" were getting restless, and wanted to go back to Grandma and Grandpas house for the long awaited cooling off period. "The Pool"

And as you can see they had a great time. Just swimming and relaxing and a little fun time with Grandpa

Then a BBQ and just catching up.

Faster Grandpa............
This is the life

Stephanie Brayden and Bransen

Come on Mom its not cold

Ready for the pool

Mother's Day

2009-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Mother's day was a little rough this year. But I managed . I really wsa dreading it since we were away from My Mom and they kids.

As you can see I made out great in the gift department.

Roger was great, he knew that I would probably have a hard time and so his goal was to keep me as busy as possible so I could not sit around and feel sorry for myself.

We went to Brunch with our friend Brian. We went to a place called Sneaky Pete's. It is on Lake Lewisville, so we had a lake front view of the lake and had a very nice brunch.

then the 3 of us went golfing. It was really a very nice day.

Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and Roger for the great day

Easter

2009-04-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

This year Roger and I had a very quiet Easter. We unpacked and organized. It was very different than we are used to. I really missed seeing the kids and grandkids. But it sounds like they had a good time at Janna and Tims.
Mom had dinner with Kathy. She said she had a very nice dinner and a good time.

I think I am finally caught up for now.

Rodeo

2009-04-14T15:36:00.001-07:00

Well we went to the Rodeo in Misquite TX, it was actually a very good rodeo. Mom enjoyed it. And so did Roger and I. They have this thing they call Cowboy poker. They get cowboys to sit in the ring at a table like they are playing poker and then they let a bull out in the ring and see how long the cowboys will sit there, and usually the bull wins because they pretty much scatter when the bull gets in the middle of them. It can be very dangerous. The night before I guess a cowboy thought he could outlast the bull and he got hurt.

Anyway we had a good time.

Of course the bull riding

Cowboy poker

A rodeo is not a rodeo with out the clowns

Cowboy poker

Bronc riding

Mesquite Rodeo

Mom's visit

2009-04-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

We went on the 4th of April to the Fort Worth Stockyards, and it was very interesting. I enjoyed it and I think Mom did as well. They had a cattle drive down Main Street. then we went into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, They had old buggys and alot of different Cowboys featured, and of course my man George Straight was in there. Mom was pretty wore out when we left so we went home so she could rest because we were heading to the Rodeo later that evening.

One of the Stars on the streeets at the stockyards

Mom and Roger waiting for the Cattle Drive to come down main

the cattle drive

Of course George

Horse ranch

Well, the unpacking went pretty well but then Mom got bored so we went for a ride and saw some huge ranches....I think that was on Thursday or Friday.

Unloading

2009-04-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well it took Roger, Brian, & Brian a lot less time to unload the U-haul than it did all of us to load.

They were finished by noon.

Now the unpacking begins.....ugh

Heading out

2009-04-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well, Brian, Brian, my Mom and I all headed out for Texas on Saturday the 28th of March. We were on the road about ten til seven in the morning. Our goal or at least my goal was to hit Albuquerque by evening. Which we did. We had an uneventful trip that day, and we stayed on base at Kirkland Air Force base. Then up early the next day to continue on. Again another uneventful day, we made good time and had no problems. Roger was very glad when we arrived. He called about every hour on Sunday to find out where we were. My Mom made the trip just fine.

Packing up

2009-04-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well I guess I need to update, since I have not since the party. Well we packed up the U-haul on the 27th of March. I had lots of help and I really appreciate it. Brian, Brian, Bonnie, Alene, Ronda, Bob, Steve, Brad, Brett, Spencer, Marinda, and our neighbor, Rob, came to load up the U-haul. I am sure some of them wished they hadn't. We have a lot of stuff and alot of it is HEAVY. Any way I just wanted to Thank you all for helping. I really do appreciate it.
And then of course saying Good-bye, was a very difficult thing to do. And then leaving the house was just as hard. I hope Mary and Greg enjoy it there.
I love you all and miss you lots.

Farewell party

2009-03-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Mom and Erin

Tim, Janna, Britton, Kooper

Steve, Pam, Kayleen

Marinda, Brian, Karen, kids

Bonnie, Alene, Melissa Bob, Bob, Tony

Well, Stephanie is at it again, being the party animal that she is, decided that I needed a going away party. I was just kind of hoping to sneak out quietly, but we had a BBQ instead. She and Brian hosted at their house, as they usually do. It turned out very nice, and I did get to say good-bye again, this time to family and friends. Again very hard. But I did advise them all that they could always come to Texas to visit. But the hardest will be when on Friday night and Saturday morning when I actually leave. It will be soooooooooo hard to leave the kids and the grandkids:( I am not looking forward to that, because I am too emotional, and I will be a cry-baby. My Mom is riding down with us and she will stay for a week or 2. Then she will fly home. Then I am sure I will be a cry-baby again. And also when Brian and Brian leave to come back here. I guess I will just be an emotional wreck for a few weeks. But it will be a good move for us and I am actually looking forward to starting a new chapter of our lives. It started out just Roger and I, and now it will be just Roger and I again. Funny how it all works its way back to the beginning. Anyway Stephanie and Brian thank you for a great party... as much as I said I really did not want one, I did enjoy it. Thank you...I love you and will miss you lots! I look forward to seeing you in May

Yard Sale?

2009-03-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was going to throw away or give to the D.I. alot of stuff, and Stephanie says "Why don't you have a yard sale, you might as well try to make a little money off of your stuff, before we take it to the D.I." Sooo... here we are having a yard sale. Stephanie and Brian came over a few nights and we went through stuff. The came again on Friday night to price and sort. Then they came again on Saturday morning at 6:30 am to help put stuff out. It was pretty slow, but we did have a few people come, and I negotiated a little to easily, so after that Stephanie was in charge of negotiating. This would be why I don't have yard sales. But we did get rid of some stuff and everything that was left we loaded into Brian's truck and took to the D.I. It is really kind of exhausting to sit and watch people go thru your stuff.

The joys of packing...ugh

2009-03-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Well now comes the chore of packing. It is always such a joy, it is like, where did all this junk come from? Actually I have been packing a little at night while I was still working. But now comes the big push to get it all done so I am ready when Brian, and Brian come to load. We will see how ready I am:) Actually I am pretty well packed, with the exceptions of the garage, and a few smaller areas. I will say one thing for the Military, when we moved every few years, you got rid of a lot of stuff, as you were only allowed so much weight, so you did not keep everything, and as we all know I am a "pack rat" because you never know when you might need it.

Saying good-bye to friends at work

2009-03-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

Judy

Debbie

LaDawn and Me

Well after all of the craziness at our house it finally came time for me to say good-bye to my friends at work. They were so nice they had a BBQ and lunch for me on my last day. It was very hard to say good-bye. But I will come and visit when ever I come back to Utah to visit. Thanks for 8 great years!

Roger's Baby (his truck)

2009-03-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Well if not to add salt to an open wound. While Roger was here for his Mom's funeral, his friend Brian in Texas, went by his apartment to check it on that Thursday, and called to let Roger know that his truck had been stolen. So besides trying to deal with his Mom's death and getting everything ready for the funeral, he had to try to deal with the police in Lewisville, the insurance co. and who-ever else. He eventually was able to file a report.
When he did get back to Dallas they called him on that Monday to let him know that they had found his truck, the person was the otherside of San Antonio heading to Mexico. He took the truck through a wood fence, through a ditch and hit some trees, needless to say the truck was totaled. The guy got out and ran, and they said they never did find him. And of course everthing in the truck was gone. Luckily there was not alot in it.
Needless to say we are just tickled pink about all of this:)

Thank you

2009-03-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

Mom had a very beautiful service. It was very difficult for all, but everyone did a fantastic job. She would be very proud of all of her Children and Grand-children. It was as she had requested.
I would like to thank everyone that helped with Mom. Nancy, Heidi(the harp lady), Frank, the Bishop, and everyone else.
I would also like to let all that came in for the funeral know that, we all are grateful to you all. I know it meant a lot to all of the family especially Mom to know that all of her Children and Grand children where here. Thank you Jennnifer, Paul, Lisa, Lori, Sherry and Sheila for coming at a moments notice.
All of the Grandchildren's memories of her were a tribute to the love she had for them all and the love they had for her. Stephanie and Linda did a great job reading them all. And of course Sheila's songs brought us all to tears. Simply beautiful.
Thank you all.

Mom B

2009-03-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Well, the Sunday after I gave my notice at work, I went to Church for the Blessing of Emily and Chris's new baby, Stella, and yes the Church is still standing:) It was a very nice blessing. Afterwards we went to their home for some refreshements. After visiting for a while, I left and decided that since I was already out in West Jordan I would stop and visit Roger's Mom and then go to visit my Mom. When I got to Roger's Moms house it was not a good setting. When I went in the girls,(Alene and Bonnie) said Mom was in bed in her room and she was not responding to them, I went in and was floored at the condition she had deteriorated to in just a couple of days. Bonnie said they had called Nancy the Hospice nurse that was assigned to Mom. We waited for her to come, and when she did she was completely surprised that she had basically taken a nose dive with her condition. After checking her Bonnie asked her if she needed to call the family, because Mom had a habit of "bouncing back" when we all thought it was her time, and Nancy said yes to call the family, she only had about 12 - 24 hrs at the most 3 days, So Alene and I started to call the family to let them know and I somehow got Roger a flight to come in that night about 11 pm. I went in to Mom and said I knew she was tired and ready to go "home" but to please wait for Roger to get here, and she must have understood, because she held on. I picked Roger up and went straight to Mom's house, and Roger walked in and said something to her and she (as Bonnie said) almost broke her neck turning towards Roger. She knew he was there. She hung on for a couple of days, which gave Roger time to spend with her. Finally on Wednesday morning, I went home after being up all night as she was very close to going, to get some fresh clothes and to let our dogs out, but before I could get back she passed away. Bonnie had laid down with her and snuttled with her and, put her arm around her and kissed her and told her she loved her, Bonnie dozed and Alene said she took about 3 breaths and was gone. So she passed away very peacefully on March 4th 2009

Giving notice

2009-03-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been a long time since I updated my blog, but in all fairness a lot has happened and I have just been overwhelmed.
On the 27th of February, I gave my notice at work. With the 13th of March to be my last day at work. Needless to say I was extremely nervous. I have been with Midwest Floor Coverings for over 8 years, and I will say it was really one of the hardest things to do. I have really enjoyed working there. It is a great place to work and for the most part most of the people are great to work with. I made some good friends there and it was VERY hard to leave. But I have to look at it as a great new adventure.

Baileigh's Piano Recital

2009-02-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

Brian & Karen at Leatherbys Baileigh and some of her class

Baileigh

Grandma,Baileigh and Karsten at Leathebys

Kooper

Karsten at Leatherbys

Baileigh the Pianist at Leatherbys

Baileigh playing the piano

Last night I was invited to go to Baileigh's Piano recital. She did a fantastic job. She is a very talented young lady. And very professional. Outsanding Baileigh. I am very proud of her.

And then of course afterwards we went to Leatherby's. I think that has become a tradition after special events for their family. A very good tradition.

2009-02-24T17:42:00.000-08:00

Brian and the boys. They had been out playing ball. Poor Bransen did not have a coat so he had to wear Stephanies. But he did not care.

They had come over for dinner. It was Stephanies Birthday and she wanted fried chicken and rice.

We actually had a Birthday dinner on the 8th of February for all of the Birthdays in February. Roger (who missed it as he is in Texas) Brian, myself and Stephanie. At Brian and Karen's house. We had Tacos....Stephanies choice....rice and beans, and Strawberry Shortcake. It was very yummy.

Happy birthday to all!!!!!!!

Birthday

2009-02-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

Me and Bransen checking out the
new bag

Stephanie trying to show me how

to use the "Blog"

Thank you Stephanie for setting up this blog for us. Who knows when it would have been done had you not done it. I am sure you will be getting a lot of phone calls asking "how do I do this and how do I do that". I will try to keep this up to date.

Stephanie was very sweet to invite me over for dinner on my Birthday so I would not have to spend it alone. She even made my favorite dinner......chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes (yes real home made ones) and we even had strawberry shortcake for dessert.

It was a great evening. Thanks so much.

2009-02-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!!

It took me forever to figure out what to get you for your birthday and then last week it hit me, this was the perfect gift because it definitely was something you wanted!! Hope you have a great birthday and thanks for all that you do for us. You are now on your way to blogging :)