Bon Voyage to James from Friends

I'm so glad it turned out to be a nice day. The party had kind of a slow start but it's still going 6 hours later. We went over to Hunter park and played a lot of games. Roxanne was a good sport and played on one team to even them out. First we started out with a Super Squad Competition. Events included Dizzy Izzy, Ant Eater, Spider Web, Army Crawl, and Sack Race. We had to eliminate a couple events because of group size. Then came water balloons. The balloon launchers were a big hit so we filled up more balloons after lunch at home. After we'd launched the balloons we took to the park, we tried doing a rope bridge but the rope broke and smacked James in the face so that was the end of that. Back at home for lunch, Leland was a good sport and cooked the burgers and hot dogs for us while I got the other fixings ready. We had kids coming and going as they could so in all we've had Polo, Jackson, Jacob, Kelly, Sidhu, Richy, Andrew, Holt and of course James.

Nicknames

Hillary wrote about this and I just had too much to say to put into a post on her blog. Hillary mentioned her nickname Roo and I'm sure all my kids have heard the story of how she got it but just in case there is a reader who doesn't... the first phrase Hillary ever said was 'I love you' but in her baby talk it sounded more like 'ats a roo' and that is where Roo came from. She had another nickname... I wonder if she remembers. It was Sis or Sissy. She got the nickname Sis after Sonia was born and she became a sister. My dad had used that term for one of my sisters and I liked it. Richard/dad and I both called Hillary Sis or Sissy until shortly after Roxanne was born. Then dad started calling Sonia 'Sis' and that pissed me off cuz she wasn't 'Sis' just cuz she was a sister. So I stopped calling Hillary those nicknames and it didn't take long before dad didn't use them any more either and that was the end of it.

Sonia was Soni or Soni-bo when she was little but as she got older she didn't like being associated with stereos and such so she ended that. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other nicknames she had. Maybe she will fill us in.

Roxanne on the other hand had several. She was the only one who got the mother's list name and was called "Hillary-Sonia-Roxanne!" by me. Those shortened to Sa-Roxanne after awhile and eventually to Sox. There have been a few who tried calling her Roxi but she didn't really like that. What she hates most is those who try to sing her name. I'm sure I wouldn't have done that to her if I had known there was a song out there that would cause her grief all her life but it makes ya tough and at least she's not a boy named Sue.

James is mostly just James but he has had a few nicknames. When he was a baby I called him Jim-dear like the man in the movie Lady and the Tramp. Now I call him Sweetie but only when he's leaving for the day. The William's call him Jibby and the Nay's call him Jamison (but don't give their boys nicknames!). Dad gave him the name of Princess. I wonder what nickname he'll get at Basic.

Dad had the nickname of Toad when he was young and Russ and Roger still call him that sometimes. Most people call him Rich because dad doesn't like to be called Dick. There is another Dick in his new office so I don't know if people there will pick that up or stick with Richard or Rich to keep the two separate.

The nickname I had when I was real young was Les-los. I kind of gave myself one in high school because in Spanish class we could choose a Spanish name so I became Anita which is Spanish for my middle name Annette. I liked it quite well. Now I'm Bob thanks to my children... and Marc.

Let me know if I've forgotten something.

Woo-hoo!!!!!

I've already told my kids and you are about the only ones that read this but... dad/hubby/grandpa/Richard got a job!!!! It's with the state fire marshalls office and he will be training fire/police/etc. around the state. The soon to be boss is already talking about sending dad out to Duchesne a lot and dad was like, 'dude, they're going to pay me to go out to my property? Cool.' Government pay isn't that good but government benefits are. I'm so glad that we will have health/dental insurance for James when he gets back from Basic cuz the army wants his wisdom teeth out. I just hope some doctor trainee doesn't do the job at Basic! Anyway, yay! A job! And dad says it's his dream job. What could be better than that? Dad probably won't start for a couple weeks because they have to do a complete background check on him and getting that paperwork filled out, mailed and returned takes at least a week and a half. Plus, dad and almost boss are at a conference until Friday evening. Yay again! (Think I'm excited?)

Proud Land Owner

Last Thursday we closed on the land. 40 acres in the middle of nowhere now belongs to us. We had planned to camp there Friday to Saturday but because of the stupid rain (for full disgust of the rain on Memorial Weekend, see Sonia's blog) we chose to just go up for the day. We headed out sorta early (8am) and got there around 10. Russ and Sandy arrived about 11 and I've not seen Russ this happy and excited about anything in a long time. Dad had taken a couple guns to plink with so dad, Russ and James shot off a few rounds into a stump. They were having so much fun. While Russ and dad explored the boundries, James explored the ravine which is quite deep but has several areas that are an easy walk right down into it. I mean, I can even make it! It was chilly tho... probably didn't get out of the 50s all day.

So we were talking to Russ and Sandy about our short and long term plans... short term includes raking out cactus around the best camp areas, toilet needs and possibly water. Long term includes things like a trailer, shed, well, a large water tank and maybe even a 4-wheeler. Sandy brought up the idea of getting a picnic table and I think that is a fabulous idea. When we got home, dad got on the internet and was looking at trailers and found one that is a 26 footer, looks fabulous, is only 12 years old (most for sale were made in the 70s) and they are selling it for just $3500. I'm thinking maybe I can wait on curtains for the livingroom!! I can't wait to stay over night and see all the critters wandering through in the evening and early morning. Oh... and Sandy's dog didn't have any trouble at all picking his way around the cactus. It was interesting to watch.

1SG (Ret) Jack Heinkel

When James came home today, he told us that they had been told today at JROTC class, that Sgt. Heinkel had resigned for personal reasons and would no longer be there. One of the ladies from the office is going to help out till the end of the year as much as she is able.

Sgt. Heinkel was loved by everyone. He helped the cadets run all their teams and was there way before school began to well after it let out every day. He really kept things in the JROTC running smooth. He will be missed and we wish him well.