Texas State Cemetary

Headstone Text

In Memory of
Captain John J. Grumbles
born in South Carolina Circa 1804
Came to the Republic of Texas from
Alabama, with his wife Caroline in 1837
Settled in Travis County in 1840
Owned land at Barton Springs
from 1845 to 1855
Operated a ferry and a grist mill
on the Colorado River
near the mouth of Shoal Creek
An early Texas Ranger
Organized the Grumble's Company
Mounted Volunteers in 1846 to 1847
and again in 1849 to 1850
Killed in San Saba February 25, 1858

This is where we will be tomorrow, on the Capitol Grounds.......I'll take pics. of the kids with their Great, Great, Great Grandfather's tombstone at the Texas State Cemetery. I got this off the Handbook of Texas website.............

Grandparents

Up until 4 years ago, I had 3 living Grandparents.........which really is amazing for someone my age. Yesterday my paternal Grandfather died. The kids and I will leave for his funeral on Thursday. Now I just have my maternal Grandmother left. She has taught the same Preschool Sunday School Class for over 60 years......I find that amazing. She always is put together and positive.....looking forward to each day.....she would never miss her church or family outings. She is an inspiration.......

Jesse Ray Knight

Jesse Ray Knight, my sweet Grandfather, died this morning. I have had thoughts about him all day. I am so glad his suffering is over............but I am sad for all of us he left behind. He was a simple, kind, hard working man. We all will miss his garden, his yellow dog politics, and his wise advice. He was the proudest Texan you ever met. He was more than gracious to his children and grandchildren.....and that is what I will remember the most.

Memories

When I looked at this picture of T. last night, I immediately remembered a picture taken of him many years ago at a Young Life Christmas Party............funny what you remember......he still looks like that little boy sometimes.

More Prom Pictures

T. with 2 of his best friends.

First Day in the Pool

Even with green water, the boys swam and had a great day in the pool Saturday. The girls went rope swinging at the river and then just relaxed at the house. Saturday's are the best!

Prom Night

The Difference......

..........between boys....
and girls..........why do the boys not care if I take their picture, but the girls hide? This is a deep societal question I am sure, but for now...........the boys are playing Nintendo DS and the girls are watching Law and Order....which E. is addicted to lately and have you noticed is on all the time? It's Friday night and I'm just glad they are all home doing basically nothing.......it was a busy week. E. played goalie on the varsity team last night..........she isn't a goalie and has played maybe 2 minutes in a varsity game............the goalie was at a school concert.........I think she is gracious and took one for the team.........so she can watch all the law and order she wants tonight. (she laughed at me because I keep calling it LA Law.......which she has never heard of. I am getting old)

Wanna Swim?

The pool guy has been putting all the 'stuff' in for over 2 weeks now.........and it is still as green as pond water.........I am hosting a baby shower the 16th and pray it is clear by then or I am just going to give up....put in lilly pads and a few ducks....

College and Prom

Today T. rented his tux for the prom.....I will be so glad when this ordeal is over. Every year around this time kids get in accidents driving drunk, etc.......you know the drill.. He has presented Chris and I with a plan that involves him staying out all night....We are thinking on this one, but I must say............I wish he wasn't even going.. The tux alone was $130.00..........and that's for the basic tux..........which he will wear for 2 hours.......at the most. Tonight was also college night at his school and about 50 schools were there so we went............He wasn't really that interested. He is busy with lacrosse........prom............and eating out every 5 minutes.........who needs college? I think this time next year will be very difficult for me as he prepares to graduate and go away..........he is so grown up, but really he was 5 yesterday!!

Lacrosse NIght

J. and his buddy had lacrosse practice and then E. and T. both had games. As you can see from the bottom picture, they are happy........we won! It was very exciting..........and nerve racking as usual.
To my sweet niece.........and you know who you are......Flat Stephanie went to J.'s Lacrosse practice tonight..........She wanted to go to T.'s game, but it was raining and she hates rain. Tomorrow she will go get a post card from Virginia and will fly back to you, with a story of all her adventures. She misses you though and wants to be back in Oklahoma. She likes lacrosse, but prefers your softball games at home....

Fans

J. had enough fans at his lacrosse game to fill a row............he was very happy....thanks to all who came out to cheer on an 8 year old who has spent his whole life attending everybody else's games......and congrats to that girl who is sticking her tongue out. She signed last night to officially play soccer at the University of Vermont......

My Street

These pictures don't even halfway cut it.......wish you could really see all the colors.......and in the first one.....a hint of the mountains ahead........

The Perfect Spring

It's short, it's quick, it doesn't last long............do you get it? It's that time of year that will pass you by so quickly..........so you have to be present in the moment and go enjoy it..........it's the perfect time of the year in Charlottesville..............not too early of Spring and not to late either........just the right time.........no humidity, everything is gorgeous..........and this picture is on all the cville blogs because it is quintessential Virginia horse country. It's also garden week in Virginia........I don't know if I'll be going on any of the tours yet, but there is enough in my own neigborhood to keep you singing. I think we will eat on the porch tonight.........

Boring Reality

Sorry, but this is all I've got...............the reality of 2 days spent cleaning and cleaning out....Chris and I went through every room and have bagged up piles in and outside of the garage to go to AmVets Monday morning. We are cleaning and decluttering...........and we only got irritated with each other once.........

The Way We Rest

J. has had an exhausting day...........school all day and then the Dogwood Festival Carnival with his brother. Almost bedtime and we are cranky, but never too tired for a game of mario on D.S.

Oklahoma Toes

If you go visit your family in Oklahoma................you will notice that EVERYBODY is wearing flip flops or sandles..........and has a french pedicure......and you will have to get one........or you will be left out............even if you have ugly feet you will feel compelled to get one.............and you will feel better about yourself. It really is that simple.

Oy-vey!

THESE are the shoes.........I am embarrassed to tell you how much they are..............we just ordered with express shipping because T. wants to wear them with his Tux to the prom...........All I can say is I give up!

This Boy.....

.....has this look on his face when I scream for him to come to my room........you know, like "T......!!!!! COME HERE!!!!!" Is he aggravated or what?

Welcome Home Presents

Not really, but it felt like it...............what a difference a week makes.......My yard was all a bloom, except the apple blossoms are my neighbors, but we get to enjoy them too.. My Mother in Law worked so hard on the wall by the driveway and the Hellebore's are gorgeous!!!

Virginia Bound....

This little guy in his Eskimo Joe's sweatshirt............is not happy. He had to end his Spring Break and fly back to Virginia. He asked if he could stay in Tulsa and just go to school with his cousins..........All the way back he complained how much he missed "everybody in Tulsa"....Even the teenage girl claimed that "Charlottesville is so boring and my life would be better in Tulsa"..... I at first was perplexed by these comments, but then remembered having to leave my own Grandparent's houses after long visits and feeling the same way...........everybody thinks life is better somewhere else..... I told E. that happiness has to come from within, not from a place.....she just looked at me.........I really am still trying to learn that myself.... Am reading Beth Moore's book about being in the Pit...and getting out of it...I really recommend it......

Last Day

We spent our last day in Oklahoma with my parents. The weather had cleared........no more tornadoes..........and the sun was bright in Mom's great room. They are so peaceful out on their farm. They are retired and do whatever they want to do.....all day long. Mom made a roast for lunch...........as if it was a Sunday and not a Friday...........they read, they work in their gardens.........and they go to their Grandkid's sporting events.............I'm ready for retirement myself.

Tulsa Shopping.........

....really is the best.........but even shoppers have to take a break and rest.

My Sister and My Daughter...........

.....are two peas in a pod. Any time I tried to take their picture, they would cover their faces and scream, "We don't want to be on your blog!!!".......then my sister grabbed my camera and took a picture of me ...............I proudly posed......she said I wouldn't put it on here............back at ya Scarlet!!!!

Neices and Nephews are the BEST!

No Pics., but lots of Tornadoes

I can't get pictures to load right now. We woke up at 2:30 AM to the tornado sirens going off..........very scary... but the tornadoes went to the North of us. Then later in the morning, I heard a horrible crash....J. and my nephew Z. were throwing a ball in the house and knocked a very heavy frame off the dresser........................needless to say, Z. had to have 4 staples in his head...........we are all exhausted from no sleep and trauma from the accident. I am sure Scarlet will be glad when the Poe's are back in Virginia...................She is very gracious to us though and will host us again tonight........then we will go to my Mom's and stay a few nights till we go home. No word on my Grandfather...........

Oklahoma Visit

Today we went to E's softball game..................sports are so serious out here even for little kids......she has 3 games this week. She was the catcher...so cute.