You Belong in 1988 |
 Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. |
Togetherness
9/9/08
Thanks Glenda...a neat site
Going back to the post about our trip to Dallas, TX. Melissa Watson provided the photo from our dinner at the Texas de Brazil. We had such a good time. In the picture...Brent Sesser, Marilyn Bowen, Charles Bowen, Brian Bowen, and Melissa Watson. I am ready to go back. THANKS MELISSA FOR THE PICTURE!
9/3/08
1969 was a great year!
TOO Funny! OK Donna and Glenda ... TAG You're IT. You have to go to this great site Yearbook Yourself! If the hair was a bit lighter...that is how I TRIED to wear my curly hair in the 60's. Yes, I ironed my hair...slept in large orange juice cans, and often tried to get my hair professionally straightened.
Brandon (3rd child is 1999 graduate) had a call from the committee planning a 10 year reunion for his class...it hit me between the eyes...40 years for ME. I will be creating a blog to commemorate that event at a later date!
9/2/08
Kacy's article
I have to brag and share Kacy's article. She has moved to a different position at the NWI TIMES and is writing a column.
Kacy's article in the The Times Northwest Indiana
Dear China:
Wow.
Wait -- let me say it again.Wow.The spectacle that was the 2008 Summer Olympics was incredible. The best by a long shot -- or long jump if you're into track and field.An appreciation for the Olympics has always been in my blood. I was born 48 hours before the 1976 Montreal Games. In fact, my first day home from the hospital was spent in my mother's arms watching the opening ceremony.I, of course, have no memory of Romania's 14-year-old Nadia Comaneci scoring seven perfect 10s or her three gold medals. But as soon as I was old enough to understand the significance of it all, my mother filled me in on every detail.
When I was 4 years old, the United States led a 60-country boycott of the Games in Moscow, unhappy with the Russians' 1979 war with Afghanistan. As a child, I couldn't comprehend what a boycott meant, but I do remember bits from the Freedom Games, held in Philadelphia.The red, white and blue stars from the logo of the 1984 Los Angeles Games will forever be emblazoned in my memory, as will the games themselves. Twenty-four years later, I still remember Mary Lou Retton winning the women's all-around title. Los Angeles was where my love affair with track and field began. It was Carl Lewis' first Olympics, and where I learned it was possible to win four gold medals just for running fast. I was 8. It was impressive.The 1988 Seoul Games introduced me to American swimmers Janet Evans and Matt Biondi. I still remember my parents' gasps when Greg Louganis hit his head during the 3M springboard final, then the relief as he went on to win gold.Four years later in Barcelona it was all about the "Dream Team." Now athletes I already knew by name -- Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and the like -- could join together to represent our country. And represent they did. I remember gymnast Shannon Miller being edged out by her Russian counterpart Tatiana Gutsu for the women's all-around gold. On the 20th anniversary of the Munich massacre, Yael Arad became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal, winning silver in judo -- a symbol of just how far things had come into world.In 1996, the Olympics came close to home. I was still living with my family in Mississippi when the athletes paid a visit to Atlanta. Those Games were special for another reason -- my nephew Daley. Born right before the competition began, it was me who held him during the opening ceremony as Muhaamad Ali lit the torch. Atlanta brought more golds for Lewis, highlighted Michael Johnson's speed and allowed the world to fall in love with Kerri Strug, who vaulted into our hearts with a one-foot landing for gold.I remember the 2000 Sydney Games more for Australian athletes like aboriginal runner Cathy Freeman and 17-year-old swimmer Ian Thorpe. But I won't soon forget the United States' gold medal and world record by the 4x100 medley relay team led by swimmer Dara Torres -- in her "last" Olympics.By 2004 in Athens, my love of the Games -- gasp -- began to wane. I know that Michael Phelps swam, the United States basketball team was beaten by Argentina and China won its first-ever gold medal in track and field. But the excitement I had always felt, the Olympic spirit in my blood, was losing.Fast forward four years, and back to China ...It's weird to want to thank a country that we are so afraid of right now, but the Chinese government, athletes, architects and citizens deserve a big round of applause.Phelps' eight gold medals will always seem more beautiful for me because they came out of Beijing's magnificent Water Cube. Torres' silver medals will forever be sparkling like the building did at night.The Bird's Nest -- with its interesting interworkings of beams -- impressed with both the opening and closing ceremonies and the stunning spectacle of track and field events held there. My shouts of excitement for the come-from-behind win for the American women in the 4x400 relay to the tears that fell after Lolo Jones hit the ninth hurdle and lost the gold will always be tied to the Chinese.Though there was scandal, discontent and discord, the world still came together for two glorious weeks to celebrate hard work, sport and sacrifice.And as far as I'm concerned, my love of the Games is back -- in a big way.
Thank you China.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
Kacy's article in the The Times Northwest Indiana
Dear China:
Wow.
Wait -- let me say it again.Wow.The spectacle that was the 2008 Summer Olympics was incredible. The best by a long shot -- or long jump if you're into track and field.An appreciation for the Olympics has always been in my blood. I was born 48 hours before the 1976 Montreal Games. In fact, my first day home from the hospital was spent in my mother's arms watching the opening ceremony.I, of course, have no memory of Romania's 14-year-old Nadia Comaneci scoring seven perfect 10s or her three gold medals. But as soon as I was old enough to understand the significance of it all, my mother filled me in on every detail.
When I was 4 years old, the United States led a 60-country boycott of the Games in Moscow, unhappy with the Russians' 1979 war with Afghanistan. As a child, I couldn't comprehend what a boycott meant, but I do remember bits from the Freedom Games, held in Philadelphia.The red, white and blue stars from the logo of the 1984 Los Angeles Games will forever be emblazoned in my memory, as will the games themselves. Twenty-four years later, I still remember Mary Lou Retton winning the women's all-around title. Los Angeles was where my love affair with track and field began. It was Carl Lewis' first Olympics, and where I learned it was possible to win four gold medals just for running fast. I was 8. It was impressive.The 1988 Seoul Games introduced me to American swimmers Janet Evans and Matt Biondi. I still remember my parents' gasps when Greg Louganis hit his head during the 3M springboard final, then the relief as he went on to win gold.Four years later in Barcelona it was all about the "Dream Team." Now athletes I already knew by name -- Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and the like -- could join together to represent our country. And represent they did. I remember gymnast Shannon Miller being edged out by her Russian counterpart Tatiana Gutsu for the women's all-around gold. On the 20th anniversary of the Munich massacre, Yael Arad became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal, winning silver in judo -- a symbol of just how far things had come into world.In 1996, the Olympics came close to home. I was still living with my family in Mississippi when the athletes paid a visit to Atlanta. Those Games were special for another reason -- my nephew Daley. Born right before the competition began, it was me who held him during the opening ceremony as Muhaamad Ali lit the torch. Atlanta brought more golds for Lewis, highlighted Michael Johnson's speed and allowed the world to fall in love with Kerri Strug, who vaulted into our hearts with a one-foot landing for gold.I remember the 2000 Sydney Games more for Australian athletes like aboriginal runner Cathy Freeman and 17-year-old swimmer Ian Thorpe. But I won't soon forget the United States' gold medal and world record by the 4x100 medley relay team led by swimmer Dara Torres -- in her "last" Olympics.By 2004 in Athens, my love of the Games -- gasp -- began to wane. I know that Michael Phelps swam, the United States basketball team was beaten by Argentina and China won its first-ever gold medal in track and field. But the excitement I had always felt, the Olympic spirit in my blood, was losing.Fast forward four years, and back to China ...It's weird to want to thank a country that we are so afraid of right now, but the Chinese government, athletes, architects and citizens deserve a big round of applause.Phelps' eight gold medals will always seem more beautiful for me because they came out of Beijing's magnificent Water Cube. Torres' silver medals will forever be sparkling like the building did at night.The Bird's Nest -- with its interesting interworkings of beams -- impressed with both the opening and closing ceremonies and the stunning spectacle of track and field events held there. My shouts of excitement for the come-from-behind win for the American women in the 4x400 relay to the tears that fell after Lolo Jones hit the ninth hurdle and lost the gold will always be tied to the Chinese.Though there was scandal, discontent and discord, the world still came together for two glorious weeks to celebrate hard work, sport and sacrifice.And as far as I'm concerned, my love of the Games is back -- in a big way.
Thank you China.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
9/1/08
September 1st
It is an effort...but I am back. After posting about Stella...I found it was hard to come back. But, SEPTEMBER...my favorite time of the year is here. So, I'm Back. I have to catch up with the three last weeks. Alot has gone on that I have not shared.
1st: All 6 grandchildren were at the house three week-ends ago. IT was so much fun to have them all there. My 12 year old grandsons are really changing from young boys to young men. Of course Rain (4 years old) caught some grief from being the youngest...boy do I remember that since I was the youngest also.
We swam, ate, played beauty shop (which the boys messed up), played ball, went to Racoon Ridge (just the boys) and shot Daley's BB Pistol. I was not good with BB guns as a mother...you can imagine how bad I am as a grandmother!
Thanks Brooke for taking the pictures for me. I kept telling the kids...that's all I want is a picture of ALL of you. Thanks Daley, Rain, Brett, Ally, Claire, and Kali for Mimi's pictures!NEXT: Charles and I had being making plans to visit Brian and Melissa in Dallas, TX. So on August 22, 2008 we took off from Eupora at 7:30am to Dallas. Of course there had to be issues. I was following Charles (I was taking Brent's truck to him...more about that later) I noticed my back tire (Charles was driving my car) was low. We took it home, traded stuff into Charles' truck and we were off again.
The 8ish hour drive was not bad. Charles, so good with directions, took us straight to Brian and Melissa's downtown apartment. On Friday night Charles and I had our first experience with SUSHI ZUSHI on Turtle Creek. Kacy, I owe you an apology!!! You have tried to get me to eadt Sushi with you for years...OMG! It was wonderful...my favorites on their menu...Bora Bora and Cajun something...thanks Brian and Melissa.
On Saturday morning, I woke early to go pick up Brent at Sheppards Air Force Base, two hours away. He was excited about getting his pick-up and I was excited about seeing him. On Saturday night we went to Texas de Brazil Since Charles and family had lived in Brazil when Brian was little, we had looked forward to them being able to eat down memory lane. It was enjoyable hearing them speak portugese and talk about different memories. Brent and I just enjoyed the food. We had our picture taken...and as soon as Melissa finds her cord to her camera...I will add to the blog.
We left for home on Sunday. Good bye Dallas, Brent, Brian, Melissa...and Olympics closing ceremony.
8/9/08
Our Stella
It is with sadness that I share we have lost our Stella on 08.08.08. She was outside and of course the unthinkable happened. She was hit by a car. Thankfully, she never saw it coming nor suffered. Charles and I shed tears this morning remembering how she had to be in your face...loved to be patted. He even asked Jesus to give her a pat this morning.
As we were leaving the house I noticed Greta was in but not Stella. We looked and Ryan spotted Stella. Charles and I both said..."No, that isn't her." But Ryan was correct. He was the one who picked her up and wrapped her for burial. We took her to Choctaw "Racoon Ridge" and Ryan buried her with some help from me. Charles couldn't help at the time.
She died a loved pet. We will miss her "speaking" to us as she often did when she wanted to play, eat, or go outside. Thank you Stella for all those wet kisses. She also gave me a precious Granddog, Huxley that lives with Kacy in Chicago.
8/6/08
Cutest Blog on the Block
The Cutest Blog on the Block CHECK IT OUT!!! I haven't had a chance to try out some of the neat items for blogging...but will soon!
One Week Later
Well...it has been a week since the TV hit the floor. Many of you have asked how it all turned out. Here is the overview...
- the morning after I tried to talk to the manager before I left for the conference but she did not come to work on time...and I had to leave
- turned the "talking" over to Charles. I gave him her name and phone number. He called the last time at 10:30 am but no May Li
- I talked to him after the conference as I was on my way to Hattiesburg and Charles summation was...They have us over a barrel. When May Li was asked about the TV, she said emphatically...I was going to pay. Charles became a fit frustrated trying to talk to her because she was a bit rude...and nothing makes him more upset than a young person being rude to elders.
- Charles called Better Business Burea...fill out a complaint on the Internet...Called Quality Inn corporate office...that was a joke.
- I considered stopping by as I left Gautier...but I was tired and really didn't want to go through what Charles went through.
- I decided to call May Li. I enquired about the Inn having insurance...she said not for a TV...what if I had gotten hurt? What if a child had been hurt? I told her I should have stayed in the Hampton Inn across the street which has flat screen plasmas bolted on the wall ;-)
- After 20 or so minutes with me trying to encourage her to do the QUALITY thing...we came to me paying half. IT IS NOT THE COST OF THE TV...I just wonder what is right?
Charles keeps checking the credit card to see if it has been posted...but it hasn't yet. So...TV or not TV...that is the question!
7/30/08
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